Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or the characters. No copyright infringement intended.

"So," Edward began breaking the awkward silence. "I have to know. Were you planning to come to dinner with me even if I hadn't brought it to you?"

I smiled and diverted my eyes from him. "I was considering it."

"Considering it?" he repeated. He hummed and looked towards the floor. "I was hoping you would have said yes."

"I let you into my apartment. Isn't that enough? You'd have a better chance at killing me alone in my apartment than you would if we were out in public."

"What are you talking about?" he asked laughing.

"You know, in case you're one of those killer doctors and I'm your next victim."

"Killer Doctors?"

"Haven't you ever heard of those doctors who save lives by day and kill at night?" I asked.

He shook his head and stared at me with a raised eyebrow as if I had two heads. He was surely going to run as far away from me after this mess I was getting myself into. Maybe subconsciously I wanted him to run away and that's why I was making a fool of myself at every chance I got.

"I can't say I have," he said. "Is there really such a thing as a doctor who's a killer also?"

"Kevorkian," I reminded.

"That's a little different. He didn't kill in cold blood or anything."

"Well, it's still possible."

"Maybe so, but I prefer to save lives not take them," he assured.

"So you aren't here to kill me?" I asked playfully.

"Do you want me to?" he asked in the most convincing voice I'd ever heard. For a split second I was kind of worried, until he started laughing. "I'm kidding, Bella."

I laughed along and took another gulp of my beer to calm my nerves.

"Did you honestly think I was coming here to kill you?" he wondered.

"Well you don't look like a doctor I've ever known. You're covered in tattoos and you ride a motorcycle. Did you know my dad hates guys who ride motorcycles?"

"Does he?"

"Yeah, he thinks they're crazy for putting their life in danger."

"If you didn't notice, I do wear a helmet," he reminded. "I know it's not the law to wear one here but I myself have seen enough motorcycle accidents to not be stupid."

"My dad still wouldn't like you."

"Well, I guess I'll have to change his opinion then."

"Good luck with that," I teased. He laughed like I was joking. I knew my dad. He wouldn't like that he was riding a motorcycle.

There was silence for a few moments while we finished eating. Suddenly Edward started laughing hysterically. I had no clue what was so funny.

"I can't believe you actually considered the thought that I might kill you," he said still laughing through his words.

I shrugged my shoulders and licked my bottom lip nervously. "It would be just my luck that you ended up being a killer."

"You have an overactive imagination," he teased.

"So I've been told. I guess that's why I'm attempting to write a book."

"You are?" he asked, intrigued. "Can I read it?"

"No," I quickly said.

"Why not?"

"I haven't let anyone read it yet. I'm not finished with it, and I don't think it's very good anyway."

"It can't be that bad. What's it about?" he wondered. I wasn't sure I wanted to tell him. Only Alice knew any of the details.

I took a deep breath and gave him just a little bit of the storyline. "It's about dragons."

"Really?" he said excitedly. "You know I have a thing for dragons. I think they're fascinating."

"I guess that would explain the dragon on your motorcycle and the dragon tattoo on your back."

He smiled as if he was wondering if I noticed and he got his confirmation. "Tell me more about this book. What happens to the dragons? Can they talk or is it about the humans with the dragons? Are there any other mythical creatures involved?"

I bit my bottom lip trying to decide whether I wanted to tell him more or not. The thought of telling him something so personal was scary. In an attempt to avoid the question I picked up our empty plates and brought them to the kitchen. I asked him if he wanted another beer and started to get us both another before he even answered. I handed him the beer and sat back down on the couch next to him. He stared at me while he waited for me to answer but I tried to change the subject instead.

"What's with all the tattoos, anyway?" I asked, touching his arm where a green and black, tribal looking four-leaf clover covered it.

He smirked and looked down at his arms. He seemed proud of his tattoos. "Do you like them?" he asked holding his arms out for me to admire.

I shrugged my shoulders unwilling to give him any clue I did really like them. "I'm just curious. I've never known a doctor with tattoos before."

He laughed and dropped his arms in his lap. "I guess you don't know your Doctor Cullen as well as you think you do then," he said.

"What do you mean? Doctor Cullen has a tattoo?" I asked gasping at the thought.

"He has three actually," he admitted. "He has a Celtic sun on his back, his frat symbol on his ankle, and a tribal symbol on his shoulder."

"How did I not know this? I'm in shock."

"Don't tell him I told you. He doesn't like people to know. He did them when he was still in college and regrets it. He thinks they make him look unprofessional now."

"Do you feel the same way? Do you regret getting them? You have quite a few. I saw the dragon tattoo on your back earlier and the ones on your arms and on your chest."

He gave me a crooked smile as if he knew something. My face heated when I realized I just admitted to watching him earlier.

"Yes, I have a dragon on my back, and no I don't regret any of them."

"How many do you have?" I wondered.

"Nine," he answered with a small chuckle. My eyes widened at the thought of nine tattoos on him. Where were all of them? I wanted to find out.

"Do you want to see them?" he asked as if he was reading my thoughts and knew what I wanted. I glanced up at his face trying hard not to make it obvious I wanted to see them but say yes at the same time. Maybe he'd even take off his shirt again up close and personal.

Q&A:

Q: Could we say the bet is void or tied?

A: Tied at the moment but this will be fun for them in later chapters.

Q: Does banging her head against the wall be considered as knocking?

A: Yes he heard it but he doesn't know it was her head or that she was going to knock. He just thinks it was her making noise going up the stairs.

Q: Why is Bella going along with it? {the bet}

A: She wanted to go talk to him and get to know him better but she's scared. The bet was sort of her excuse to do it. There will be more talk of this in the next chapter.

Q: What accident? How bad?

A: If you know my writing there is always some sort of drama/angst aspect. This is it and will be discussed in later chapters. This is what changed Edward and made him move to a small town to be near relatives he barely knows.

Thanks for reading :)