***Many thanks to my wonderful beta, TraceyJ! She's awesome! Also I'm rec'ing out 'Sincerly, Sergent Masen' as a wonderful read! It's a really good story and a lot like this one! Please remember that any and all Twilight characters and reference belong to the one and only SM. I only own memorabila. It's sad! Thanks for reading and don't forget to review. Check out my other fics if you get the chance! Loves & Kisses, Whitney***
Chapter Four
Since I can't come to Chicago, why can't you come to Arizona?-b
My phone was silent for what seemed like forever before it buzzed on my bed. I hadn't anticipated what his answer would be so when I flipped my phone open and saw his reply I was in shock.
You know... you're right... why can't I? When would be a good time?-E
I looked at the calendar then back at the phone and typed my reply.
Want to meet me there tomorrow?-b
Again the phone was silent for a good ten minutes before he replied. I opened my phone and jumped up and down.
I'll be there at 4:30pm EST. What time is your flight?-E
I'll fly out first thing in the morning so I'll pick you up from the airport. You can help me unpack and then we can get acquainted with the city together!-b
His immediate response was overwhelming.
I'll be there with bells on, now get packing. It seems I have some of my own to do.-E
I finished packing my boxes, which were going on a plane that night, then filled my suitcase. I left out my traveling clothes for the next day and texted Edward before I went to bed. He texted me good night and that he'd let me know when he left Chicago. The next morning Charlie and I left before the sun rose and drove to Seattle. He was flying with me to Arizona, but practically making a return trip only hours later. The flight to Phoenix was only a few hours and nerve wracking. When we arrived at Arizona State, Charlie helped me sign in and unpack the heavier items of my belongings. We had lunch, and then he surprised me with a new-to-me car. He'd been in talks with a police buddy in Phoenix about it for weeks and finally had a price set.
I drove him to the airport at four and our tearful good-bye was short and sweet. Once he was off I made my way to the gate where Edward had texted his flight would be coming in from and waited. I was sitting in the chairs outside the gate, when a numerous amount of people began making their way out. I stood looking for him; after what seemed like forever, I noticed a mop of bronze hair from a distance so I climbed up on my chair to get a better view. Being only five foot four inches tall sucked sometimes. He was practically speed walking through the airport with a duffel bag over his shoulder while scanning the crowd. I waved frantically as he smiled when he caught sight of me.
It wasn't just a regular smile. It was a crooked half smile that melted my heart and made my legs turn to jello. I jumped down from the chair and stood in place so he didn't lose me in the crowd. Slowly, he made his way over to me; I was surprised he was so tall.
"Bella?" his velvet voice called when he got close to me.
"I'm here! Hidden, but here!" I called back through the throng of people.
Suddenly there was a hand sticking out through the crowd so I grabbed it and he pulled me through the crowd to him.
"There you are," he said with that same smile planted on his perfect face.
"I told you I was here," I said breathlessly.
"I just can't believe I'm actually standing here with you," he whispered.
"Me either," I mumbled.
"Can I hug you?" he asked.
I nodded as he reached down and lifted me up into a hug, holding me tightly. He smelled so good; it wasn't a cologne smell, just his essence. Like cinnamon and honey; it was hard to describe.
"You smell so good," he said into my ear.
I laughed. "I was thinking the same thing about you."
He chuckled as he set me down. "Let's get out of here."
I led him to the garage and to my 'new-to-me' car.
"Where'd you get this?" he asked.
"Charlie bought it for me from one of his cop buddies," I said excitedly, "It's not my truck, but it'll get me around."
He nodded and put his bag in the trunk then slid into the passenger seat. "Did you want to stop at the hotel first?" he asked.
"I figured you could stay at the dorm with me. Save money, you know?" I said as I shifted in the seat awkwardly.
He smiled, "Bella, I have plenty of money. The hotel won't be a problem."
I looked over at him. "I know, but then I'll have to keep running back and forth to get you."
"You could just stay with me," he said with a wink.
Yes, you could!
I blushed as he laughed loudly and then said, "It's a suite, Bella. There are two rooms."
I blushed even further as he laughed louder. "That's got to be the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
I backhanded his chest and shifted the car into reverse. I drove to my dorm first to pack a bag, since I figured I'd be staying with him in his hotel room. He followed me into my dorm room and noticed the boxes still sitting around.
"Didn't you want to unpack?" he asked.
"Not yet. I want to spend as much time with you as I can while you're here. By the way, you never said how long you're staying," I replied as I began to throw some clothes into a duffel bag.
He shrugged, "I don't know yet."
I turned around and stopped what I was doing. "What do you mean?"
"Just what I said. I don't know yet. I can stay as long as I want," he retorted as I he opened one of my boxes and lifted a book out.
"How long is that going to be?" I asked.
"Depends," he said absently as he flipped the pages of The Great Gatsby.
I snatched the book from him and threw it in the box. "Edward, what does it depend on?"
He looked up at me and looked into my eyes. "You."
"Me? What do you mean it depends on me?" I asked as I sat on the twin bed.
He came and sat beside me. He grabbed one of my hands and I felt a surge of warmth and electricity flow from his hand into mine.
"You feel that?" he asked.
I nodded dumbly as he whispered, "That is what it depends on, how you respond to that; how you feel about that. I really care for you Bella. I've had feelings for you for quite a while now, but I was afraid to tell you."
I looked over at him as he was staring down at our joined hands. He looked up suddenly and gazed into my eyes.
"I want to kiss you so bad, Bella. Can I kiss you?" he asked.
I nodded and he slowly moved his head closer allowing his lips to gracefully melted into mine. What started out as a chaste closed mouth kiss soon escalated into a passionate opened mouth one; I gasped at the sensation of electricity passing through our bodies. He took advantage of the opening and dominated my mouth; I fought back with my tongue while winding my hands through his beautiful mane of bronze hair. Soon we both needed to breathe so we broke apart and rested our foreheads against each other.
"Wow," I mumbled.
"Wow indeed," he whispered.
I giggled and gripped his forearms which were wrapped around my waist. His hands were splayed against my back while his fingers were tracing circles there.
"I never thought it could be like that," I said looking into his green eyes.
"Me either," he whispered back, "But I'm glad it is. I don't think I'll ever want to kiss anyone else again."
I smiled and turned red; he placed his hand on my cheek. "I love your blush."
I blushed even harder and he smiled. "Let's get out of here."