I was going to post this yesterday but I didn't have time to edit it. I'm glad you all thought Alice tasting like cake was funny. I'd probably kill the guy who said that about my sister but yup, that's how the Cullens are.

Shaelove- If I rock your socks, then you shake my shoes… I don't know if that makes sense, but I'm glad I at least rock your socks :)

Next chapter- You will see the dinner and there is some fun between Emmett and Daniel. If I get a good response, I'll post after I get off work tonight!

There was no friction in the space between us. The stillness was peaceful — not like the calm before the tempest, but like a clear night untouched by even the dream of a storm.

---Bella Swan, Eclipse

EPOV

Her face was still as gorgeous as the first time I'd laid eyes on her. Bella's hair was windswept and her cheeks were red as if she'd just finished a run. I wanted to smooth the errant strands and lose myself in her chocolate eyes.

"What are you doing here?" There was a smile in my voice; I didn't want to sound ungrateful.

"I saw you come in. So I followed," she paused, "I can leave if you want?"

"No! It's fine. I just wish we weren't stuck here." I gestured to the inside of the boutique and Bella turned to take in our surroundings.

"We could leave?" The suggestion wasn't what I expected. Bella seemed like a proper girl; one who never got in trouble. Apparently, I wasn't very good at judging people on the basis of a first meeting.

"And how do you propose we do that?"

"Sneak out the back door." My lips tugged up into a sly smirk. This girl was different than I thought. Different than any other girl I'd been interested in.

"Isabella Swan? Where are you?" As the shrill voice called out for her, I grabbed her hand and pulled her into the changing room. The door shut with a snap and Bella gasped. My hand released her arm and moved up to cover her pale lips.

"Be quiet and she won't find us." Bella giggled against my hand and leaned into me. I rested my back against the wall and chanced a glance in the mirror that hung on the wall. Bella's right arm was curled around my wrist, which rested against her soft belly. Her head was tucked beneath my chin and the stray hairs on her head tickled my nose. The small confines of the dressing room allowed me to appreciate what I'd missed during our first meeting and the only sounds I could hear was our breathing.

"I think she's gone." Bella untangled herself from me and rested her hand against the door.

I swallowed and nodded not trusting my voice, as she turned the handle and pushed the door open. The area in front of the changing room was deserted, so I let out a sigh of relief, before chuckling, "Who was that?"

Bella raised an eyebrow, "That was my stepmother, or as Daniel prefers to call her, Step-Bitch." As she paused, Bella looked around the store, "So, how about we get out of here?"

My shrug seemed to be an appropriate response but as we started toward the employee exit, I realized that I was still wearing the light blue shirt and tan shorts, "I have to change… I'll meet you out back, okay?"

"How about I leave some the money and the tags on the counter and you two sneak out of here." The store wasn't as deserted as we thought. Bella and I turned to see a grinning Rosalie, "Give me the tags and take your phone, Edward. I'll get your other clothes. Have fun."

She extended her hand to reveal my shiny phone and I curled my fingers over the exterior, "Thanks Rose."

The blonde winked and moved behind me, her strategic hands removing the tags from my clothes, "No problem. Just don't forget about the dinner. We wouldn't want Bella's parents to think you kidnapped her."

Bella smirked, "Says who? They wouldn't care anyway. Charlie is too busy with Tanya, and I'm sure Daniel would live." Her eyes flashed angrily and Rosalie looked down at her, concerned.

"I know how you feel, Bella, but one of these days you'll meet people who really care for you. I found the Cullens, I'm sure you'll find someone."

BPOV

Edward's arm wrapped around my waist and he led me from the boutique. His caring green eyes were locked on me and I could feel his stare penetrating my core, "You really don't like your parents, do you?"

I sighed and stepped out of his warm embrace, "I love Charlie. But as much as I care about my father, I hate Tanya. She's fake. She only pretends to like us and if she had her way, Danny and I wouldn't be living with them."

"I take it that Danny is your brother?"

"Yes, but don't let him hear you call him Danny. I'm the only one who can call him that."

Edward nodded and flashed me a grin, "Sure thing. Do you want to call him? Just so he knows you aren't dead?" He asked, holding out his phone. I nodded gratefully and accepted the small device before dialing Daniel's number.

Daniel picked up on the first ring, "Hello?"

"Danny, it's Bella. Pretend I'm someone else but don't let Charlie and Tanya know you're talking to me."

"I was pretty worried about you, Leah." I smiled at how easily my brother caught on. Edward glanced back at me as we walked behind the buildings, down toward the sandy beach, "Don't hang up on me again."

"Sorry… I just saw something I wanted and had to catch it before it got away."

My brother chuckled lightly, "I understand. When can I talk to you again?" Daniel had a sixth sense. He could pick up on anything. He was the first to notice how fake Tanya really was.

"I'll be at the dinner tonight. And so will Edward."

"Ya, they're here too." Daniel paused and I could hear unfamiliar voices mingled with Tanya's. Charlie rarely talked and when he had something to say, Tanya usually did it for him.

"Okay, we'll be down at the beach. I love you, Danny. Try to enjoy yourself?"

"I love you too. I'll talk to you soon. Bye."

Once I heard dead air, I handed the phone back to Edward. He looked concerned, his green eyes full of an emotion I hadn't witnessed in a while. Back in the day, Charlie worried about me. But he didn't care anymore and Daniel never worried. He knew I could take care of myself.

"Everything all right, Bella?"

I nodded and smiled, before winding my arm through his, "Everything is perfect, Edward."

His expression was still concerned and his hand reached over to brush the hair from my face, "As long as you're sure."

I reached up to rest my hand atop of his, threading our fingers. I felt connected to him though we'd only known each other for a day. He gazed down at me and a crooked smile spread across his lips, "Is there somewhere you'd like to go, Bella?"

"I'll go anywhere as long as it's with you." My cheeks felt hot and his smile grew as he felt the heat against the tips of his fingers.

"Are you hungry? I didn't bring my wallet with me but our house isn't too far from here. We could walk and once we're back, I'll make something." He seemed so sure that I'd agree, but his tone wasn't cocky.

I didn't trust myself to speak, so I nodded in response to his question. Edward stepped back, letting our joined hands fall from his cheek. We walked slowly, away from the classy boutiques and toward the warm, salty air.

EPOV

Bella didn't say much as we walked back to my house but her presence was enough. When we reached the villa, she turned toward me and unlaced our fingers.

"So your parents are the ones who bought this? It's so beautiful. I used to sit on the sand and dream that Greek gods and goddesses lived here. I'd never imagined that Adonis would move in."

Bella blushed and covered her mouth, afraid that she'd said too much. After tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, I smiled, "Adonis? I'm not dividing my time between two women, just focusing one gorgeous, voluptuous creature." I gently grasped her wrist and pulled her toward the entrance to my home, "Come on, I promised to make you lunch."

We stepped over the threshold and into the house. Bella gasped as she looked around the newly decorated interior of my family's home. She skated her fingers over the gray, granite countertop, taking in the white cabinets and the island.

"You can sit down, Bella." I gestured to one of the bar stools on the opposite side of the island. She nodded wordlessly and stepped on the rung of the stool, settling into the seat. The white lights set a glow on her smiling face and she watched as I stepped over to wash my hands in the sink.

"What are you hungry for?"

Bella shrugged and leaned across the counter to watch me, "Whatever you want to make?"

I chuckled and rested against the stove, feeling the knobs press into my lower back, "Well, I can't make anything until I know what you like?" When she didn't respond, I sighed and turned away, "Are you thirsty?"

After dragging my finger down the handle of the refrigerator, I looped my hand in through the hole, answering myself in a low voice, "Sort of."

I pulled open the refrigerator, and a glass pitcher set on the shelf at my eye level, "Lemonade?" Once again, no response and I could feel a sigh sifting up from my chest, "Sounds fine, Edward."

When I turned back toward her, she was staring out the bay windows that offered a view of our pool and the waterfront. I set the glass pitcher on the counter and letting it clang against the granite and Bella jumped out of her reverie, "Are you all right, Bella?"

"I'm fine…why?"

I ran a frustrated hand through my bronze hair, "I asked you if you were thirsty and if lemonade would be all right, but you were too busy looking out the window."

"Lemonade is fine." She smiled weakly and then turned to look back out the window. Her silence was frustrating me.

"Do I make you uncomfortable?" I tried to keep my tone even not wanting her to hear that I was upset.

"No, why?" Bella stopped looking out the window and slid down from the bar stool to walk toward me. She draped her arms over my shoulders and watched my eyes.

"You're not talking or paying attention. Do you want to go back to the boardwalk?"

"No, Edward, I want to stay here with you."

"Then why aren't you talking to me?" She slipped her fingers into my hair and brushed it back, mussing it more than before.

"I was just thinking about what Rosalie said. About how she found your family and now she doesn't need anyone else."

I cocked my head hoping that she would continue, but when I didn't get another response I stepped back from her, "If you want to stay here tonight, after dinner, you can. We have plenty of rooms and I'm sure my sisters would call it a slumber party so your parents would be more willing. Daniel can come, too." I paused and smiled at the thoughtful look on her face, "You can tell me later."

She smiled and nodded, "Okay, I'll ask Danny later." Her stomach growled, making me grin.

"Now how about I make lunch before your stomach eats me."

Bella rolled her eyes and shoved me back toward the refrigerator, "Ha-ha, you're so funny, Edward. I think my sides just split."

BPOV

Edward stood by the stove, cooking sauce in a pot. He wouldn't let me watch as he diced the ingredients. Apparently, it was a secret family recipe, "Are you sure spaghetti is fine?"

I sipped the lemonade that he had poured for me, "Mhm…But will you please let me help?"

He shook his head and pressed his lips together, staring down at the simmering contents of the pot. The spaghetti was boiling on the stove, "If you really want to help, you can toss a salad?"

Grinning, I walked toward the camouflaged refrigerator. It blended in with the cabinets and the only reason I knew it was there was because of the handles. After pulling it open, I dug out the lettuce, "Where are bowls?"

Edward turned from the stove and pointed to the cabinet next to him, "If you need a bigger bowl, there in there. My mom organized and labeled the shelves, so it should be easy to find what you need."

Once the lettuce was shredded and the salad was made, Edward strained the spaghetti and the hot water steamed up from the kitchen sink, before serving it.

"Edward, this is delicious!" The sauce had multiple flavors which caused my palate to tingle, as I ate the hot spaghetti. I could taste the normal flavors of tomatoes and oregano, but there was one flavor I couldn't pinpoint, "Will you please tell me what's in this?"

Edward shook his head and sipped his lemonade, "If you can guess, then I'll be surprised. One hint, the ingredient I use is in this salad."

I raised my eyebrow and he growled playfully when I reached across the bar to pick at his salad, "Hey, it's only fair. Maybe you put something in your salad that I didn't add to mine." I gripped the rim of his stone bowl and attempted to lift it from the counter.

"Don't put your fingers in my salad, Ms. Swan." I smiled and gently poked a piece of lettuce that was hanging over the edge of the bowl. The green vegetable was covered in ranch and when I popped the finger into my mouth the taste the dressing, I knew what he had added to the sauce.

"You added ranch, didn't you?" He was smiling after prying the bowl from my fingers.

"Not just any ranch dressing. You have to put Hidden Valley in. Any off brand tastes disgusting." Edward was smiling as he twirled a loose strand of spaghetti around his fork.

"Since I guessed correctly, do I get a treat?"

He sipped his lemonade before turning on the stool to stare at me, "What would you like?"

"I just want to try one thing."

Edward cocked his head and when I leaned closer, he tipped his head toward mine. My lips searched for his, my top lip gently brushing against his lower lip. I gently stroked my lips against his, adding more pressure, my body leaning in closer. He opened his lips and captured my mouth, before leaning back away from me.

As he moved away, I slid forward in the chair, "Thank you."

He smiled and I inhaled his calming scent as he leaned forward to kiss my hair. His response was murmured as he rested his cheek against my head, "No, Bella. Thank you."

All right, people! I hope you liked their first kiss. I let someone read this B *cough* B and she seemed to enjoy it, so let me know what you think.

OH, and for those of you who read Total Eclipse of the Heart, it's been nominated for two awards. Best Lemon in Chapter 18 and Best Collaboration! Yay :) Click this link: .net/u/1997845/ it will take you to the page for the creator of these awards.

Hayden