CHAPTER 8

"Hey." Bella was slightly out of breath as she plopped down into a seat. Edward folded up his newspaper and tossed it onto one of the spare chairs at the table. He had chosen a small table in the corner, and they were practically sitting side by side.

"Morning beautiful, how's your day so far?"

"Getting better all the time." She smiled. Edward leaned over and brushed a soft kiss against her lips.

It had been two days since their date at the club, and Bella had been occupied with work ever since. Having agreed that it was difficult for them to catch up, they'd established the habit of meeting at a small café for breakfast each morning. The café wasn't much to look at, but as far as Edward was concerned it was the best place in town. Mainly due to the fact that the paparazzi didn't realise he was a regular customer, and the other clientele gave him the privacy he craved.

"I got your message saying you were on your way, so I've ordered you a coffee." Said Edward as Bella fussed in her bag.

"Oh you're an incredible man." Bella gazed at him in mock adoration as her coffee arrived seconds later. "It's only a matter of time before they start writing songs about you."

Edward chuckled. "Bet you say that to all the guys."

"No, only the ones that get me coffee when I need it most."

"I'll have to remember that." He smiled as he watched her take a sip and sigh, relaxing further into her chair. "Looks like you really needed it too."

"You have no idea."

"Late night?" Please say work, please say work. Edward was surprised at his reaction, his gut clenched slightly as he awaited her answer. After their kiss the other night, he knew he was getting more and more involved with this woman.

"Yep, but it was all work and no play."

"Hopefully we'll be able to change that soon."

They exchanged a look that spoke volumes. After a brief pause, Edward continued.

"So … what are you working on?"

"Well," Bella's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I've got a side project I'm working on, it's one that has been a goal of mine for a while now and I think it's getting starting to get a bit of traction. And the other bit of news is that the band I covered the other night, Wolf Pack, has spoken to the magazine I was writing for. They want me to go on a few of their tour dates with them, to work up a strong profile."

"Sounds like an interesting opportunity." Edward tried to look happy for her, but the image of Jacob watching Bella was stuck in his mind's eye. He wasn't sure he had any claim on Bella's affections yet, and now they were soon to be separated again.

"Yup." Bella shrugged and sipped her coffee. "It's not the direction I want to go in, and I did a fair bit of journalism like that in my twenties, but it will pay the bills for now. In the meantime …" She snagged a passing waitress and asked for the breakfast menu. "You hungry?"

The menu was delivered and Bella read it with interest before peering over the top of it at Edward.

"Well I should probably warn you now that I'm getting buttermilk pancakes with lots of maple syrup, and I'm not willing to share." She said sternly.

"We'll see about that."

Their meals were ordered, and Bella tucked into hers with gusto. Edward couldn't help but note how refreshing it was to be with someone who enjoyed their food. She ate with a healthy appetite, and there was no talk of diets, workout schedules, protein requirements. They just ate a meal like a normal couple. If indeed they were a couple. Is this what they were? He had to think this through. Bella's job offer popped into his head again. He definitely had to work things out, and soon.

Bella finished her pancakes with a sigh of satisfaction. "God that was good, and I only sustained minimal losses."

"Two mouthfuls," Edward protested mildly, "and that was compensation for some of the bacon you pinched."

"Oh C'mon, you know I had to have some bacon with my maple syrup – I had so much of it left over." Bella answered.

"You had so much syrup because you ordered extra, and I should point out, you ordered it after I'd ordered my bacon. I think you were scheming a bit this morning."

"How much of a bit?"

"Quite a big bit."

"Hmm. Well I think I'll have to plead the Fifth and we'll leave things there."

"Deal. And by the way, you've got a little powdered sugar there …" he indicate Bella's bottom lip.

Bella raised an eyebrow at him. "Really? Then why aren't you taking care of it, Cullen?"

"Is that an invitation?" He was already leaning forwards, trying not to grin as Bella got up to sit in the spare chair beside him.

"It most certainly is." Bella leaned forward, and they kissed softly.

Edward ran his tongue over Bella's lip, dipping into her mouth as he cupped her face to pull her closer. She tasted so sweet. Bella had put her hand on his denim clad knee and ran it slowly up over his thigh towards his hip. He shifted slightly in his seat. He wanted her now. His iPhone beeped, and they broke apart, grimacing at the interruption.

Edward checked the screen, and looked back at Bella with a sigh.

"Duty calls, they want to bump my meeting to an earlier time this morning."

"Damn, I should probably get going as well. I've got to catch up with the guys about this tour and find out what the deal is." She popped her chin in her hands and stared woefully at the table. "But now you've got my blood zinging like that," she pouted like a four year old, "I don't wanna go."

Edward reached over and ran his hand up and down her back.

"I know what you mean, it's very … ah … difficult for me as well."

Bella's gaze shot to his lap and she quickly covered her mouth to hide her grin.

"Nice try, but I saw that." Edward deadpanned.

"Sorry. Well, I'm not really." She giggled. "I'm just able to hide the affect you have on me a bit better."

"You think?" Edward ran his gaze over her. Her eyes were dilated and heavy lidded, and her cheeks were flushed. It seemed perfectly obvious what she'd rather be doing, and it involved him.

Bella stuck her tongue out him, ducking her head as Edward laughed. They both gathered their things and settled the bill.

"So I'll call you later?" Edward reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind Bella's ear as he spoke. They were standing between their cars that were parked side by side.

"Sure, I should be done by about noon. What time are you planning to be finished?" Bella unlocked her door and slung her bag onto the passenger seat.

"Probably around two. My agent wants to go over some scripts that have come in, but Rosalie wants to catch up for a bit of fun this afternoon. I thought it might be something that you'd like as well."

"Such as?"

"You know she and Emmett have got that custom car business, right?" at Bella's nod he continued. "She's finished some modifications on another car and wants to send it for some test laps on the track."

"Now that sounds like fun, count me in. Plus I'll finally get to meet her."

"Hmmm." Edward pretended to stop and consider the matter. "Getting the two of you together. Maybe that's not such a good idea."

Bella slapped his arm. "Funny man. I'll see you later."

Edward stood and watched as Bella got into her car, waving as she drove off. Again he marvelled at the ease he felt around her. She made everything feel so normal, and yet he felt so alive. How did she do that? Somehow she was steadily anchoring him to her life by seemingly doing nothing other than being herself. It struck him as being ironic that for someone who had built a career out of pretending to be someone else, he should be so enamoured with someone who is so fascinated with reality.

o * o * o * o

Bella checked the directions she had scribbled down earlier, and squinted at the street sign. She slid her cell phone open and dialled.

"Hey I'm here, where do I park?"

Following Edward's instructions, she ended up at the rear entrance to a local race track. Edward stood at the entrance, still on the phone, waving to get her attention and pointed elaborately to where he was parked.

She got out of the car and was surprised to find herself enfolded in Edward's arms.

"Wow, I should come here more often." She said, snuggling into his chest. She took a deep appreciative sniff. He even smelled good, was there nothing he couldn't do right? When Edward let her go, she looked up at him, hoping her smile didn't look too goofy. "What was that for?"

Edward shrugged.

"Nothing, I just missed you today?"

"Hey!"

They both turned at the call.

"You two lovebirds done? We've got some fun to be had over here!"

Emmett was walking towards them, a huge grin splitting his face.

"Brace yourself." Edward said, sotto voce to Bella as they began to walk towards Emmett's approaching figure.

"Emmett, I'd like you to meet …" Edward didn't have time to finish the sentence, as Emmett swooped in and gave Bella a hug.

"Bella, right?"

"Correct." She replied, staggering out of his hug slightly and laughing. "Next question, bonus ten points."

"Huh?" Emmett gaped at her for a second and then laughed, turning to Edward and clapping him on the shoulder. "Dude, I like her – don't mess up with this one."

"Thanks Emmett …" Edward replied with a sigh and a grin. "That's … really subtle man, 'preciate it."

Emmett's head snapped around at the sound of an ear-piercing whistle, and waved at a figure off in the distance.

"That's Rose saying she's ready, c'mon guys we'd better not keep her waiting."

"Man I love how she's got you on a short leash." Edward commented, taking Bella's hand as they set off, squeezing it lightly as she laughed.

Rosalie was wearing a pair of form-fitting coveralls, and slammed down the hood of the car she had been working on.

"Hey guys, glad you could make it."

"Wow Rose, what the hell is this?"

Rosalie patted the hood of the car in a show of affection.

"This is my new baby, we call it The Beast." She smiled at Bella and continued. "Hey Bella, I'm Rosalie, it's nice to put a face to the name at last."

"Likewise." Bella grinned. She already felt quite at ease with this woman, for all that she looked like the supermodel of grease monkeys. Bella ran an appreciative gaze over the car behind them. She had no idea what the hell it was, but it looked fast. "The Beast, huh? That was the name of my first car."

"Really? What was it?"

"An old Chevy that had definitely seen better days. It steered like a cow, backfired when I parked and had a stereo that didn't work."

"But you wouldn't have traded it for anything, right?" observed Rosalie.

"Right! How did you know?"

"You never forget your first .. " Rosalie said with a wry smile, which got a chuckle out of everyone.

"So … Edward hasn't exactly told me what's going on here this afternoon." Bella ventured.

"That's probably because we didn't give him much in the way of details." Emmett replied. "Rose has just finished working on The Beast, and we wanted to take it for a few test laps." He nodded at Edward. "It's something Edward usually likes to do as well." He grinned at Bella's surprise and continued. "He and I started with go-carts when we were kids, and kept graduating until we ended up with the real thing. We thought you might like it too."

"Are you kidding? I'd love to!"

"Really?" Edward looked at her in amazement.

"Sure. This sort of thing used to freak me out when I was a kid – my dad was Police Chief in Forks where I grew up, but as I've gotten older I've realised that I'm made of sterner stuff. Don't get me onto a rollercoaster, you'll never get me off."

Rose laughed and looked at Bella's jeans and neat shirt.

"Girl, that's good to know! Okay, you're pretty much okay as is, but I think I'll get you to put some coveralls on to be on the safe side. C'mon, I'll get you set."

The two women strolled off, chatting animatedly to each other.

Emmett gave a happy sigh, which made Edward look at him in enquiry.

"What?"

"Nothin' … just having a happy attack."

"A what?"

"A happy attack. Haven't you heard of those?" Emmett indicated the departing women with a sweep of his hand. "I've got an incredibly hot wife, we've got a new business, you've got yourself a fine woman …"

"Working on it." replied Edward. His family seemed to have claimed Bella as their own, now he just had to follow through.

"Make sure you don't screw up, this one's a keeper."

"You know that already?" Edward was surprised. It was rare for Emmett to make any judgement calls on anyone Edward dated.

"Yup. This is the happiest I've ever seen you look, with or without the …" he lifted his hands to gesture and Edward waved him off with a laugh as Emmett continued speaking, "but she seems to be good for you, and that's good enough for me."

"Thanks Emmett."

"Course," Emmett confided as the women returned, now that Bella had changed, "It helps that she's smokin' hot."

"You ready for this?" Rosalie asked Edward as she propelled Bella towards him.

"As ready as I'll ever be." He replied, and looked at Bella. "How about you?"

"Oh I think I was born ready."

o * o * o * o

"Holy shit!" Bella squealed as the car rounded another turn and headed into the straight. Edward was driving, and seemed totally at ease behind the wheel. Bella shot him a glance. They were both wearing coveralls, helmets and gloves. He looked like a professional driver, and she had to admit to herself, totally hot.

Edward shifted through the gears smoothly as the car took another turn. Edward's attention didn't waver from the track for an instant, and Bella hung on, thrilling to the adrenaline that was coursing through her. Finally Emmett stepped out onto the track waving a black and white chequered flag. Their time was up.

Bella was laughing as she got out of the car and took of her helmet, shaking out her hair and looking over to see Edward sporting an equally broad grin.

"How was that?" he asked. He already knew the answer of course. Bella's eyes were dancing, her cheeks were flushed and her face was alight with joy.

"Fucking hell that was fantastic!"

Edward threw his head back and laughed with delight. The adrenaline rush had him feeling high as well, and he walked around the car to sweep Bella into his arms and twirl her around.

"Check those two out." muttered Emmett as he retrieved one of the helmets.

"I know. Won't be long now …" replied Rosalie. She already had her helmet on, and she snagged the driver's side door. "Come on monkey man, let's lay some tracks."

"Tracks? Just tracks?" Emmett's face fell in comical disappointment.

"Oh just get in here." said Rosalie as she started the engine.

"That's what she said!" replied Emmett.

They were both laughing as the car took off.

o * o * o * o

Edward and Bella's spinning slowed to a stop, and they stood face to face. Bella felt out of breath, and what little air she had seemed to disappear as Edward lifted a hand to brush her hair off her face and lean in to kiss her. The moment their lips touched, the kiss deepened. Bella ran her hands up Edward's arms, savouring the feel of the contours of his muscles. It was the lightest of touches, but it was enough to make Edward's body clench with desire.

They were both buffeted back a few paces as Rosalie and Emmett sped past them on another lap. Edward rested his head on Bella's shoulder.

"Goddamn it." He groaned. "This is killing me."

Bella snuggled closer into his chest.

"I know. Me too."

Edward straightened up and started to run his hands through her hair.

"The thing is, back when I was in my twenties I would have thrown you over my shoulder and had my way with you the other night." He watched as Bella gave him an understanding smile.

"And now?" she asked.

He hesitated.

"Now that I'm a bit older," he gave a self depreciating grin "at the ripe old age of 33, I look at you and I think you're worth so much more than that." He dropped a quick kiss on her lips. "I want us to be so much more than that."

Bella stayed silent.

"Bella?"

"You know," she said slowly. "I'd really like to argue with you about this apparent need you have to protect my virtue. Given we're the same age I don't know that I've got that much virtue left to protect … "

Edward decided to risk a joke. "So, not a virgin huh?"

"Only if you're talking about virgin on the ridiculous." She countered.

"Touche, go on." He grinned.

"And there's a part of me – actually all of me – that would like to haul you off somewhere and have my wicked way with you."

"Notice how I'm not arguing at this point." He interjected.

"Mmm. So we're in agreement then. We're both totally in lust with each other, and we're gagging for a shag, but because neither of us wants a quickie, we're going to …" Bella took a deep breath, "… wait."

"Right."

They stared at each other.

"Are we insane?" Bella asked.

"I think so." Edward agreed.

o * o * o * o

"So did you guys have fun?"

Emmett was addressing Bella and Edward as they unzipped out of their coveralls. Edward shot Bella a sideways look.

"Not as much as we would have liked." He muttered, his grin broadening as Bella stifled a snuffle of laughter. He was feeling strangely relieved. He had put his cards on the table, and to his amazement discovered that Bella felt the same way. He had never felt like this before, and he found it exhilarating and terrifying all at once. Bella felt like something … more than he had experienced with any other woman.

"So Bella, did you have any plans this afternoon?" Rosalie said.

"Not that I'm aware of, why?"

"Well Emmett is going to cook a barbeque tonight," she began.

"I am?"

"Shhhh honey, I'm talking." Rosalie waved him into silence and continued. "So I was thinking that maybe you'd like to …"

This time it was Edward who interrupted.

"Sorry Rose, did you say Emmett was going to be cooking? Bella, unless you like your steaks to resemble carbon you might want to consider your options here."

"Edward," Rosalie said with deliberate calm. "Don't make me come over there. Now Bella," she said brightly, "Before we were so rudely interrupted, would you like to join us for dinner?"

"Are you sure I wouldn't be intruding?"

Edward snorted and pulled her against him.

Bella smiled and looked up at him.

"I'll take that as a yes." Rosalie smiled.

o * o * o * o

"Top you up?" Rosalie held the wine bottle over Bella's glass in invitation. Bella nodded, relaxing back in her chair.

Emmett had, much to everyone's surprise (including his own), managed to cook a wonderful barbeque meal. Rosalie and Bella had made some salads, although Bella had eventually been shooed out of the kitchen after Edward had snuck into the kitchen for 'just one kiss' too many.

"Get out the pair of you!" she had scolded, flicking a dishcloth at their retreating backs. "You're as bad as … as … "

"As bad as us, Babe?" Emmett had asked, popping his head into the room to see what all the noise was about.

"Worse!"

Now after an enormous meal that had been frequently interrupted by raucous laughter, the evening was slowing down somewhat.

"I forgot to ask earlier, when do you head out of town?" Edward asked Bella quietly. Emmett and Rosalie's attention immediately snapped to Bella, making her look a little startled to be the sudden object of their attention.

"Um, actually I think it's in a week or so."

"For how long?" Edward said in a quieter voice.

"Not sure at this stage. I've got an open contract with them at the moment, so I'll be on tour with them for as long as no other work commitments crop up."

"What's this about?" asked Rosalie.

Bella quickly outlined the Wolf Pack tour offer, as Rosalie and Emmett nodded attentively. Edward reached over and ran his hand over her knee. He knew it was a good opportunity, but he didn't want her to go.

"Is it something that you're interested in doing for a while?" This time the question was from Emmett.

"Not as a long term thing, but for now, why not?" She indicated Edward with a jerk of her head. "This one here is going to be off filming again soon so I might as well keep myself occupied."

"You knew about that?" Edward asked in surprise.

Bella gave him a smile and ruffled his hair. "Never underestimate the power if IMDB-Pro, Hot Stuff." She said playfully.

"And there I was trying to work out how to break it to you."

Bella sighed and shook her head.

"So pretty and yet so naïve … you do know I'm a journalist, right?"

"I think I'm starting to figure that out."

Bella leaned over and brushed a kiss on his lips, earning a soft 'aww' of approval from Emmett and Rosalie.

"How long are you away for?"

"All things going well, it'll be a ten week shoot."

"I think the Wolf Pack tour is going to be longer than that," commented Bella, "that is, if I stay with them the whole time."

"If." Repeated Edward.

"Yep. If. Strongest word in the English language that one."

"Amazing how something so small can be so amazing," said Edward softly.

"Are we still talking about the 'if' word?"

"I thought we were, but my mind kinda wandered off track."

"Emmett honey, I left desert inside … can you give me a hand with it?" Rosalie asked softly.

"Sure, but I wouldn't have thought a pie would need … "

"Now honey," said Rosalie, her gaze flicking to Edward and Bella, then back to Emmett with a meaningful wink.

"Yes dear."

Edward watched them both go inside.

"Subtlety, thy name is Rose …" he sighed. "Not."

Bella laughed quietly. "Oh give them some credit, they're being nice."

"I know what's nicer."

Edward lifted a hand to her face, his fingers stroking her softness. Bella's eyes fluttered closed at his touch, and he bent his head. His tongue teased the seam of her lips, licking delicately. Each stroke of his tongue sent an answering ache through her body, and she groaned into his mouth as she edged forward on her seat for more.

His hands caressed the nape of her neck, and slid down her shoulders, stroking gently as if committing the feel of her body to memory. Her hands moved tentatively over his face, touching and flickering over his closed eyes and cheekbones, following the line of his jaw. Edward shuddered with pleasure as the woman in his arms created a slow torment he never wanted to end.

Rosalie turned from the refrigerator with the pie in her hands to see a bewildered Emmett watching her.

"Babe, what did you need me in here for?"

Rosalie looked past his shoulder and out the kitchen window that overlooked the patio.

"That," she indicated with a jerk of her chin. Emmett turned and looked.

"Ohhhhhh."

Rosalie put the pie on the bench and wrapped her arms around him, smiling as she felt his body instantly respond.

"Honey, you're a business genius, but there are times when you're not very bright."

o * o * o * o

Later, Emmett was cleaning down the barbeque, and Edward was inside programming some music into the ipod. Bella and Rosalie were still at the table, stretched out languidly over the empty chairs the men had left.

"So Bella," Rosalie said after a companionable silence, "How are you coping with the whole fame deal."

"How do you mean?"

"Well, you are dating the Sexiest Man Alive, doesn't that freak you out a bit? What about the fans?"

Edward had been on his way back onto the patio when he heard Rosalie's question, now he ducked back into the shadows as he waited for Bella's answer.

"Actually," Bella began slowly, "it's only just starting to feel like we're dating, so I guess that side of things is a bit surreal. As for the fame bit …" she shrugged.

"What, so you're more freaked about the dating than Edward's celebrity?"

"Bit weird?"

"Just a bit. Why?"

"I've made a career out of reflecting everyone else. I ask all the questions, and get to know so many different people, but I don't write about myself. I guess I've gotten used to flying under the radar." She laughed at herself. "I've certainly dated in the past, but I'm so used to feeling invisible I'm generally surprised when someone asks me out. It makes me feel kind of shocked when people notice me."

"Huh." Rosalie sat and absorbed Bella's answer. "But what about the fame thing?"

"Well," Bella took a sip of wine while she thought out her answer. "I've been working for over ten years now, and I've interviewed so many people. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that fundamentally we're all the same. Rich, poor, educated, illiterate, unknown or famous … everyone wants the same thing. They want a roof over their heads, they want love, and they want to know that their loved ones are safe and happy." She glanced at Rosalie who nodded for her to continue. "It's called Life I guess, and it's the one true equaliser." She sighed. "Edward is just like everyone else. He wants to earn a living and be happy. He just happens to get a lot more attention for what he does."

"Wow." Rosalie was deep in thought.

"Too heavy?" Bella asked.

"No, not at all. I'd just never thought of it like that."

Edward leaned against the wall. Incredible.

"Holy shit Bro," whispered Emmett, making Edward jump. "The Invisible Man has somehow managed to find the Invisible Woman."

"Jesus did you have to sneak up on me like that? You scared the shit out of me."

"Sorry," said Emmett. "But I had to be quiet because I didn't want to miss what she was saying."

The two brothers stared silently at each other.

"You screw this up, and you never deserved her in the first place."

"Noted."

Edward waited a beat longer, and then strolled outside, bending down to kiss the back of Bella's neck, making her jump.

"Sorry love, didn't mean to scare you." He rubbed his hands on her shoulders, and sat down in his chair once Bella had removed her feet.

"No worries, that's the kind of scare that I like to get," she teased. "Um, hey Rosalie where's the …"

"Oh sorry, I should have given you a tour earlier. The bathroom is inside, through the living room, left and then second right.

"Back in a sec." Bella brushed a kiss on Edward's lips and left the table.

Rosalie and Edward watched her leave.

"Did you hear everything?" Rosalie asked in a quiet voice.

"Did you know I was there?"

"Of course."

"Then yes."

"Good." Rosalie watched him carefully as she took another sip of wine. "I like her Edward."

"So do I."

"Emmett likes her too."

"I know, and can I just point out that I like her as well?"

"Good. Then I only need to say this once. If for some unknown reason you manage to screw up what you've got with that woman, it's going to eat at me until it destroys you."

o * o * o * o