CHAPTER 5

"Bella, sit. I will clear the dishes and get the kitchen cleaned up. I'm sure that I can find the right home for everything".

"Use the dishwasher. It's on the left of the sink, just load them in and we can start a cycle. There are some dishes in there from yesterday". I watched as he picked up the soup bowls, glasses and cutlery, placed them efficiently in the dishwasher and placed a squirt of detergent in the door. He then grabbed a paper towel, sprayed some bleach cleaner he had found in the cabinet with the detergent, on the counter and stove top and wiped. I was surprised that he bothered with that. Most guys, at least the ones that I knew seemed only to know how to dump dishes in the dishwasher if they even made it that far. Edward whistled a little tune, nothing that I recognized while he worked. I watched him move. He was graceful, and rather elegant, his lean muscles bunching while wiping the counters down.

"Do you mind if I take a little nap on the couch. I am rather beat, your soup was delicious but now I'm having a hard time keeping my eyes open." He asked as he tossed the dirty papertowels in the trash hidden under the sink, stifling a yawn.

Looking at him and thinking about the bump of his head, I responded warily, "Do you think you should sleep? What if you have a concussion?"

"I have had plenty of those in my life and I don't have one now. I'm sure that I didn't smack my head that hard."

"You have a bump on your head."

"I'm fine. I'm not worried that I will fall into a deep sleep and never wake up."

"I'm not so sure that that is a good idea. You can lay on the couch and watch TV. That sounds more fun than sleeping." I said brightly.

"Fine" Edward grumbled as he made his way into the cozy sea foam colored living room to lay across the cream couch. He made room for me on the couch, but I backed away, suddenly not wanting to be so close. I gestured to the remote that lay on the coffee table.

"I'm going to make a few phone calls as well as check on your clothing status in the dryer."

Edward looked at up me, "Don't be gone long. I'm liable to fall asleep here without you." He watched my retreating form and laughed to himself as the sound of the TV roared to life.

Crap, he was right but I couldn't be so close to him and I did need to check in with Alice. I muttered back something along the line of "You'll be fine" and made my way back into the clean kitchen to grab my phone out of the coat pocket.

I took a deep breath, and put my hand on my chest to check my heartbeat. Yup, it's still there and beating like a madman. I sighed and wished my heart would stop pounding in my chest as the phone rang and rang, "Damn", I muttered, Alive must have put Aiden down for a nap. It was two thirty according to the phone and the clock on the wall. Her voicemail connected, and I left her a brief but short message. "Hey Alice, it's me. Don't worry, everything is fine here. He is a perfect gentleman but I have pepper spray handy. I don't think that I'll have to use it though. I'll call you a little bit later." Next, I called my parents. They were liable to worry and send rescue down. That was all I needed, them busting in with a complete stranger sitting in my living room in ill-fitting clothes. As handsome and gentlemanly as he was, he would be a shock to their system.

After my calls were completed, I made my way to the basement to check on his clothes. They were dry. I gathered them up and made my way back up the rickety wood stairs to fold and place on the kitchen table. I heard a light snoring coming from the living room. Edward was sprawled across the couch, the blanket on the floor, one long lean leg flung over the back of the couch and the other on the floor at an awkward angle. He wasn't snoring but breathing heavy and I watched his chest rise and fall. He appeared to be dreaming, his eyes moving in a rapid REM stage. I leaned against the door frame and just watched this beautiful man sleep. I knew that I should have woken him for fear of a concussion but I couldn't do it. He was so peaceful and perfect looking. Like a child sleeping after a long day of hard play. His leg really didn't look comfortable the way it was. I moved forward to lift his leg and place it back on the couch. I would leave the other sprawled across the back. Geez, his leg was heavy I thought. I tried again only managing to lift it an inch off the ground. At that same moment, he sighed, I stiffened afraid I had woken him. He pulled his own leg up onto the couch, turned his head toward me and whispered my name.

"Bella"

"What?" I whispered back, blushing instantly, not sure if he was actually awake or had even said my name. His eyes were still closed so I whispered again. "Edward, what is it?"

He lay motionless for a moment, turned his head away, lifting one arm above his head to tuck behind a couch pillow, the other arm across his stomach. The movement caused his sweatshirt to rise a little and I caught a glimpse of a tan, flat stomach. Not necessarily washboard but trim. I couldn't help but be pleased at what I saw and day dreamed quickly about what that skin must feel like.

"Bella". He whispered. I sighed, yup he had said my name and I blushed again. I took a quick peek at his face and I could have sworn he was smiling but his eyes were still closed. Suddenly, he flung his arm over my head and across my back to pull me onto the couch. I struggled to look at his face while I found myself planted on my side spooning him. I glanced over my shoulder at him. He was still sleeping, still with the peaceful look on his face, his breathing even. I struggled to get up but his arm was heavy over me. I had to admit it was actually a very nice feeling. After a few half-hearted attempts to get up, I gave up. Choosing instead to settle into his form and let sleep take me over.