Edward laced our fingers together as we walked towards the corner café. I felt self-conscious of the stares we were receiving. Edward, after all, was still a celebrity. I blushed but tried to play it off as exercise induced but Edward saw through me and smirked.
Before we could make it inside a fan stopped us.
"Can I have your autograph?!" A teenage girl with wispy blonde hair begged she had two friends flanking her with hope in their eyes. She clutched a sharpie in her hand but didn't have any paper. Edward looked at me as if to gauge my response. I blushed more and tried to pull my hand out of his. His brows drew together slightly before he turned a beautiful smile on the young girl and her friends but refused to release my fingers. They practically swooned from his attention.
"Sure. Where am I signing and to whom?" He seemed perfectly at ease with their adoration. Of course this type of thing could not be new to him considering how recognizable he seemed to be. The girl's hand shook as she handed him the sharpie. I was curious what he was going to sign.
In once quick motion the girl had her shirt up exposing her bra and her stomach. My mouth dropped open and I forced my hand from Edward's grasp. This girl couldn't be more than fifteen and he was going to sign her bra?! No responsible adult would condone such behavior.
"My name's Jamie," the girl sputtered and blushed but didn't waver. The last thing I saw was Edward signing her A cups while her friends laughed nervously as I pushed my way into the building. A bit of a crowd was forming around Edward; he seemed to have a knack of making a spectacle of himself. The onlookers let me pass easily into the café and I was short enough that I could no longer see Edward once I was through.
All the patrons inside were pushed against the windows trying to see what was happening on the outside. I rolled my eyes and forced my way to the display case. There were various types of scones, muffins, and other pastries and each called my name with the delicious carbohydrates they promised. I bit my lip in concentration and crouched to get a better look.
"I understand your pain." A voice above me said as I made pro and con lists in my head. I glanced up and saw a man watching me. He was average height with sun-kissed blonde hair. His amber eyes were laughing at my dilemma. He was also the only one not throwing himself at Edward in the doorway.
"What do you mean?" I stood up again to make sure he was talking to me.
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day which makes me think it is also the most importance decision of the day. Everything here just looks so… delectable." His eyes flashed over me at the last part. I blushed again. Technically this was a breakfast 'thing' between Edward and me, but I decided on the spot that he was busy with adoring fans. I was intimidated and jealous of the mob at the same time.
"I just can't make up my mind." I shrugged and looked back at the food I wasn't sure if this conversation counted as flirting.
"I highly recommend the Raspberry Maple scones. They're a specialty here." He pointed to the second shelf. In the action he had moved closer to me, I was relatively sure that it was strategic. I could feel his breath on my shoulder and I knew if I turned my face he would be a mere inch away. I looked at the scones he pointed to instead. They did look amazing. My stomach growled loud enough for him to hear. "Here, give me a second," he chuckled and slid behind the counter.
"Are you allowed to be back there?" Was this man pushy or what?
"They haven't kicked me out yet." He shrugged and smiled. I pursed my lips as he washed his hands. At least he was sanitary.
I felt his presence before he spoke and the face of the man behind the counter registered shock confirmed it. His hand curled around the nape of my neck and massaged slightly. My muscles were putty under his fingers.
"What are you getting for breakfast love?" Edward huskily whispered into my ear. I felt my eyes start to close as his fingers pushed harder into my tired tissues until I remembered our surroundings. The blonde man watched us cautiously. He had just been hitting on me and now Edward was a threat.
"A Raspberry Maple scone." I half heartedly lifted my arm in their general direction. My extremities were barely under my control.
"Hey buddy," Edward called as if the man hadn't been watching us intently, "one Raspberry Maple scone for the lady, and two cups of coffee." His tone verged on rude. My brow furrowed. Was Edward jealous of this man? I purposely took a step away from him and his hand fell. I missed his touch but I was not a prize to fight over.
I knelt down and removed a twenty from my sock to pay for my meal.
"It's my treat Bella," Edward insisted when he saw my money.
"Not at all Mr. Edward Cullen. It's on the house." The man behind the counter stated. If anyone in the café hadn't been staring at us before, they were now. The crowd from outside was trying to wedge itself in to the small space without touching us.
"I don't think the owner will appreciate you giving away his or her food for free." I pointed out. I crossed my arms across my chest. Where was the cashier to stop this? This situation was getting awkward quickly.
"Nonsense. For a beautiful woman like yourself and a celebrity I'm sure he will understand." He grinned at me. "Besides, I'm the owner; I get to make these big decisions all by myself." He ended with a wink. I thought I heard Edward's chest rumble slightly but I returned the smile anyway. So the blonde was the owner.
"Well thank you very much." I reached for our food but he caught my hand and brought my knuckles to his lips for a kiss.
"May I have the name of this beautiful woman who is taking advantage of my giving nature?" His teeth flashed at the look I gave him. Edward's rumble grew a little louder, it pulsed in the air.
"I'm Isabella Swan." I stated and slid my hand from his before something bad could happen. This guy was slick and egging Edward on with a vengeance. "And you are?"
"Craig Morgan, pleasure to make your acquaintance." He handed me the pastry bag and the tray with the coffee. I nodded and turned away. I bumped into Edward who hadn't moved from his staring match with Craig.
There were more people watching us than I had expected. Each one was beyond curious. The girls looked like they wanted to rip off Edward's clothes where we stood while the guys looked envious. Edward didn't show signs of backing down so I left him standing there. If he wanted to be stupid and macho that was fine, but I would be elsewhere. I skirted around him and the crowd opened for me. Now that they knew I was 'with' Edward I was a pseudo-celebrity in myself.
I knew when Edward finally followed me to the street because the murmurs of the crowd grew louder. A few fans requested autographs but I didn't hear his response. I stopped and sat on my stoop to eat my meal. I watched as Edward politely refused photos and sexual advances. This might be an omen. This is what it would be like to be with Edward seriously. Non-stop attention and competition. I hated to admit to myself how much those probing female eyes truly angered me. I wanted to stake a claim and concede at the same time.
Edward finally freed himself from the mob and made his way over to me. I handed him his coffee when he was close enough be neither of us spoke for a minute or so.
"So, do you come here often?" I inquired leaning back onto the stair above me. Edward sighed and sat next to me.
"I'm sorry about that Bella, it's an occupational hazard." I nodded my understanding and removed my scone from its paper.
Whatever sentence I was going to say were pushed from my mind when I took a bite. It melted in my mouth with a sweet but tangy taste. It was the best scone I had ever had. I could not even suppress the euphoric moan that built in my throat.
"That good huh?" Edward asked sipping his coffee.
"Oh yeah." We sat in compatible silence for a moment longer.
"Did you ever finish your interviews?"
"What interviews?" My mind was saturated with scone goodness.
"Your Seattle Seahawk article interviews."
"Oh that. No. I still need answers from you actually."
"So what were you going to write today then?" He seemed genuinely interested.
"I interview upcoming stars at Aro's parties and then I write articles about them. I have a few I can write. I just don't want to fall behind at work even if Rosalie is in Barbados for her honeymoon. She could kick my butt from there if I slack too much." I gobbled the end of my scone and was truly sad when it was all gone.
"I doubt she would. Knowing my brother I wouldn't be surprised if she is put in traction for a while once they return." I had to think about the joke for a second before I understood. I laughed suddenly when it came to me. Edward grinned at my response.
"I think they both will be sore for a while at least." I took a test sip of my coffee to see its temperature. It scalded my tongue so when I spoke next it was with a small lisp. "So are you always so territorial?" Edward ducked his head a bit.
"Territorial?" He pointedly avoided my eyes as if it was a preposterous question.
"That bakery guy gave me a free scone and I thought I would have to buy you a muzzle to stop you from growling at him."
"He wasn't good enough to look at you that way let alone touch you." He contemplated his coffee staring into its depths.
"People look at me all the time, especially as I'm falling."
"But he was algae on the bottom of the scum bucket."
"You think to highly of me."
"Well you didn't know what he was thinking."
"And you did? I didn't know you had ESP." My tone was dry and humorless.
"I could just tell alright?" Edward stood up. His empty cup flew into a nearby trashcan so his hand could grip the bridge of his nose. He paced in front of me.
"I'm nothing to fuss over." I tried to lighten the mood yet again. His arms rested on either side of me as he leaned towards me face. His breath smelled of coffee. His eyes were bright.
"You are not nothing." His eyes probed mine for something though I'm sure he only saw surprise, we were at a blockade. Edward was trying to tell me something that I could not comprehend. He kissed me fiercely. I felt my feet come up as my torso fell back against the stairs. This kiss had fire and anger, hurt and need. It filled my mind to the brink and plowed through my senses. I didn't even mind the stair digging into my back.
Then I heard a depressing sound. The click of a camera. My mind popped back into focus and I panicked. My hands shoved Edward's shoulders but his hands were tangled in my hair refusing my release. I noticed flashes now too. I couldn't do this again. I shoved again and finally Edward noticed and released me. Without a word I ran up my stairs and into the building. They could not see me cry, I could not do this again. I'm sorry.