Chapter 11—Firsts

Without contraries is no progression. Attraction and repulsion, reason and energy, love and hate, are necessary to human existence.

William Blake

Bella's POV

"Kiss her, Edward," Alice said.

Edward looked away from me as I stepped off his feet, allowing him to turn and gaze at his sister. I noticed Esme was holding a camera. Was that the source of the flash? It must be.

Edward turned back, setting apologetic eyes on me. He had nothing to apologize for; if he wanted to kiss me—

Whoa!

Did he want to kiss me?

Did I want him to kiss me? I wasn't sure.

The feelings coursing through me were like nothing I had ever felt before. It felt like an enchantment. It was a bit overwhelming but exhilarating—euphoric. However, the feeling was fading fast as Edward took another step back. A sense of loss washed over me, leaving me confused.

"Lass, are you okay?" Ian whispered.

"What?"

"The appetizers are here," he said.

I looked around. Edward had moved and was holding a chair out. He motioned to it, indicating I should come and sit. Taking purposeful steps, I approached the table and sat. Like at breakfast, Emmett was on one side of me and Edward the other.

Plates of oysters, apples, and salmon were on the table. I wasn't too keen on oysters or salmon; luckily, the apples looked good.

"Would you like a sampling of everything?" Emmett asked, offering me a plate.

"No, just the apple."

A plate, from my other side, was placed in front of me. Turning, I gave Edward a gentle smile.

"It's a bit spicy," Alice warned as I took a bite.

The flavor exploded in my mouth. It was fiery and tart but crisp. My mouth didn't burn from the heat of the peppers. I hadn't eaten anything with heat in a long time, and was glad to find that I still wasn't affected.

"I don't find it at all spicy. In fact, it could use a little more kick."

Alice's mouth dropped open. "More kick?"

I nodded. "I have yet to find a pepper I can't handle. My mom had a theory about that."

"What?" Esme asked.

"That milk runs through her veins," Grandfather answered before I could even formulate one. "Isabella can eat to her heart's content, and her mouth never catches fire."

"That's rare," Carlisle said. "You can build up a tolerance, but to not feel the effects, I've only heard of one other person who isn't bothered by hot peppers." He looked over at Edward.

"You're immune?" I asked after turning to look at Edward.

"Yes. I even tried ghost peppers, and nothing but mild heat."

"I guess you're not a freak like you thought, Edward," Jasper said.

Edward started laughing. "I guess not."

It was puzzling that Edward and I had this immunity in common. I briefly contemplated the possible reason, and the only thing that came to mind was my mom's theory—that magic was the source of the resistance. I quickly dismissed the notion. There had to be another explanation.

A laugh erupted at the other end of the table where Carlisle sat close to Ian and Grandfather. Carlisle looked over at me. "Bella, did you really hold your breath to see if some boy would kiss you?"

All eyes turned to me. Not this story.

"Bella, here comes Seth. You ready?" Jessica asked.

I nodded and settled myself on the floor.

"Okay, draw in a deep breath and hold it," she instructed. "Bella … Bella, can you hear me?"

I didn't move or respond.

"What happened?" Seth asked, sounding afraid.

"I don't know. I found her lying here, and she's unresponsive."

"Move to the side," he said.

I felt him lean over me, and that made me nervous. Hiccups started a second after he had tilted my head.

"She's fine," he announced, moving away.

I felt my face heat, and I stood, rushing from the room. "Sure, Grandfather would tell Carlisle that story," I muttered once I was safely in the restroom. "That was the most embarrassing day of my life."

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about," Rosalie said from behind me.

I swung around, facing her, and found Alice was with her.

"Right," I said. "You two weren't there. I started hiccupping right when he would've pressed his mouth to mine."

"That's nothing," Alice said. "The first time I got asked out on a date, I belched, and then the boy said never mind and turned to the next girl."

I stared wide eyed at her.

"Ask Edward. He'll confirm the story. Heck, he even embarrassed me by telling Jasper the story."

"I was shocked by what Jasper did," Rosalie said.

"What?" I asked.

Alice giggled and then said, "He grabbed my arm and then burped right in Edward's face and said if any girl could top that, she's the one for him."

"Did you top it?" I was starting to feel better.

"Many times. I think that's why he and I are getting married."

"We all have embarrassing stories from our past," Rosalie said, wrapping an arm around me. "It's how we handle those few stories when they're retold that matter."

"Plus, your grandfather never told Carlisle you started hiccupping," Alice said, pulling me and Rosalie into a hug.

These two were so accepting of me and seemed like the sisters I never had. "Thanks," I said after we broke apart. "We'd better get back up there before someone comes looking for us."

The rest of the meal went without much embarrassment, though stories were told on both sides. Edward even regaled us by playing a couple of piano pieces.

By the time Edward and I stumbled through the front door, I was blissfully tired but didn't want to go to bed.

"It's still early," Edward said. "How about a movie?"

"Lead the way," I answered and then followed him up the stairs to the second floor.

"Wow!" The room really looked like a small theater with three rows of tiered seating—enough for his entire family and a few friends.

A chuckle resounded in front of me. "That's a common reaction for you."

I blushed at his correct observation. "I wasn't expecting this," I said, motioning around the room. "It's quite the setup."

His hand went to the back of his neck, rubbing. "When I first saw the room, I wasn't either. Esme is a remodeling genius."

Not knowing what else to do, I nodded.

"Now, I think you mentioned wanting to watch No Strings Attached last night," he said, pulling a case off a bookcase.

My eyes went wide at the number of cases on it. "We don't have to watch it. It was just a suggestion, as it was the last movie I went and saw."

He hooked his finger and motioned for me to come to him. When I was standing in front of him, he turned me to face the shelves. "Choose whatever you'd like to watch. There's a wide variety. I'll go down to the kitchen and get a few snacks and drinks."

The Hunger Games caught my eye. I'd read the books, but I didn't know it was made into a movie. I've missed a lot in the last two years.

Edward's POV

My cell rang the moment I was downstairs. I groaned—Alice. What in the world was I going to tell her?

"Hello, Alice," I answered.

"I know we just left and all, but I just realized you never explained yourself."

Another groan escaped me as I leaned against the kitchen counter. I had a feeling this was going to take a while. "There's nothing to explain. You caught me off guard, that's all."

"Bullshit! Since I first met Bella, you've been acting strange. We all noticed that tonight. Canlis is not a normal haunt for you and a girlfriend."

I blew out a breath. "Don't you think I know that, and I can't really explain? I do. Bella's … she's special."

"Ah, and you don't want to rush things, right?"

"Yes." I sounded pathetic. Bella had captured my heart. "What if she doesn't feel the same way I do about her?"

She had the audacity to laugh. "I'm sorry, Edward. If only you could have seen how she was looking at you."

I didn't have a response to that.

"Maybe a picture will help. Let's see … this one might help."

My phone beeped as a text message came through from Alice—it was a picture. I was flabbergasted by what I saw. Bella was looking up at me, and I had my forehead against hers. There was such trust and adoration the way the picture portrayed us.

"You're welcome," said Alice.

I stood there staring at the image for a long time after she ended the call. Was I blind? How could I not have seen how Bella looked at me? Because I didn't want to believe I was falling in love with her. Man, pictures sure do speak louder than words, I thought, loosening and removing my tie.

Snacks forgotten, I returned to the home theater. Bella was standing where I had left her, holding two movies. Slowly approaching her, I took the two cases, placed them back on the shelf, and turned her to face me. Before I could think of a reason not to kiss her, I slipped my hand behind the slender column of her neck, my eyes never leaving hers. Swallowing, I lowered my mouth, capturing her lips in a tender kiss.

I couldn't believe Bella wasn't stopping me, but instead, was returning the kiss. The moment her arms came around me, I deepened the kiss.

A sighed escaped her as she shivered. My other arm went around her as the hand behind her neck dropped to her waist, drawing her closer. Reveling at how well she fit in my arms, I deepened the kiss even further. Bella was always evoking new feelings in me. This was the first time I never wanted to stop kissing a woman.

Bella was the one to break our lip-lock. I was surprised that I was gasping for breath—another first. She didn't say a word as she rested her cheek on my chest.

A/N: I know, I know. Another short chapter, but my Bella and Edward's first kiss seemed a perfect place to stop. I have started writing the next chapter, and it will be published in about three weeks. I'm giving my two wonderful betas, JCat and Jennej, and myself a little break.

Happy holidays to all of you. Catch you in the New Year with this story. I am hoping to update two more of my stories, Somewhere I Belong and Loving Bella, before the end of the year, but no promises. It just depends on when I get them back.