A/N- We're back! I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend! I've missed you all terribly but vaca was good. I needed the rest. The Fandom Gives Back Eclipse ended Saturday night and as of right now the total is $100,127. A-MAZ-ING! I'm truly proud to be a part of this family. Congrats to the ladies who bought me, fngrcufs, lilmissb, & amieforshort. I can't wait to start working with y'all. And thank you to all of those who bid and participated. It was a pretty amazing thing to witness.

Since it's been two weeks since the last update, let me give you a little refresher. Edward and Lauren flew back to New York and we ended with Edward retuning to New Orleans, alone. Wow, the majority of y'all really thought Edward messed up there and should have ended things with Lauren. Patience my pretties.

Thank you Dinx, fngrcufs, and angstaddict09 for all of your help. And to my beta, katydid2363, who is pretty sure that when the sexual tension subsides, these two are going to set the world on fire!

Stephanie Meyer owns all.

Chapter 7

My best friend's house
Lies beneath the teardrops
God has bequeathed
To add to the pool of rage
That I float for now

The Avenue, Cowboy Mouth

BPOV
November 4, 2005

I kept the same, mundane, routine over the last two weeks. Work, play with the band, go home, sleep, eat, mess around in my apartment, socialize with friends, and think about Edward.

I felt myself growing soft for him and I had no reason to explain why. We had only played together a few times. It wasn't like we had spent every single waking moment he was in town together. We just were. But there was something about him that I gravitated toward. I wanted nothing more than to know why but, it seemed as if no one had any kind of answers. Not that I had spilled my guts to anyone about how I felt toward him, but a little insight as to why I felt the way I did would have been nice.

The last time we were all together at his parent's house for the cookout, my stomach dropped when he mentioned that he was leaving that night. There was no way I would ever have let on how I felt about the sudden news. Instead, hardass Bella was out in full effect, betting him that he wouldn't return home before December.

A part of me secretly hoped that he would return home. Sure, I'd have to buy his ass dinner, most likely at the most expensive restaurant left in operation, but the idea of us on a "date", as he put it, was kind of nice.

The other part of me hoped he wouldn't return. That would help me come to terms with the fact that the feelings I had for him weren't shared. There was an undeniable sexual tension between us and maybe if we just fucked and got it out of the way we could move on. He could live happily with Lauren in New York and I could continue doing what I do, play music, work at the club, and have conquests with no strings attached, on the side.

The past two weeks had been anything but dull, though. Halloween arrived, and despite the city being in recovery mode, it felt like things were going to be okay. The Storyville Stompers Brass Band played through the Quarter, pushing their way down the debris ridden streets. We all watched, dancing and laughing, as the sounds of jazz filled the air.

It was evident that Jasper and Alice had gotten very close in the short amount of time that they had known one another. They were attached at the hip and to each other's mouths. I was happy for him. Regardless of what kind of past he and I had. I loved him and I only wanted him to be happy and Alice definitely made him happy.

I still couldn't help but think of what Edward would be like in the middle of the revelry. Would he have danced crazily like Emmett and Jasper in the middle of the streets? Would he have sung at the top of his lungs, drunker than Cooter Brown, when 'Don't Mess with my Toot-Toot' would filter out from one of the clubs? I smiled as I imagined him letting lose and joining in the fun.

Halloween night was the first night since Edward had been gone that I didn't fantasize about his hands all over my body as I went to sleep. James was out and about that evening, so I let him take me home. It had been weeks since I had felt the warmth of a man, and if I couldn't have Edward, why should I have to give up what James and I had?

A week went by and every night I played out every sexually explicit fantasy I had in my head regarding Edward. It was getting old. I had replaced the batteries in my handy vibrator three times in the past week alone. Something had to give.

It was now early November and surprisingly, we were all at the club well before seven that evening. Rosalie and Emmett had finally gotten someone to start the repairs on their roof. The insurance money had yet to come in, but Rosalie was determined not to have a blue tarp on her house by Christmas. While the roofers patched away at the small amount of destruction Katrina left behind in her wake, Emmett worked on small repairs to the outside of the house. That was, of course, when he wasn't at my dad's place.

I filled a plastic beer cup that sat behind the bar with a decent amount of whiskey and slung it back. The warm amber liquid coated my throat and made my body shiver as I swallowed. I heard Emmett laughing from the other end of the bar.

"What's got your panties in a tizzy, Izzy?" he asked, as he reached into the cooler for a beer for himself.

I shook my head. "No reason. Just felt like having a good strong shot that's all."

"Uh huh," he said unconvinced. "You don't just shoot whiskey, Bella. What gives?"

"Emmett, really? Does something have to have had crawled up my ass because I wanted a shot of whiskey? It's Friday night. Maybe I just feel like getting drunk tonight."

Rosalie walked over to the bar, lighting a cigarette before taking residence up on the bar stool. "I thought you quit?" I asked her.

"I did, but damn it all to hell! This shit with the storm and having to find someone to fix my goddamn roof got me started back. Is that all right with you?"

"Jesus, Rose, I was just commenting. Here, I think you need one of these too."

I poured two more shots of Jack Daniels, sliding one glass towards her. Emmett reached out and took it. I rolled my eyes and slid the remaining glass I had poured over to her. I filled another shot glass for myself.

"You know," I began addressing Emmett, "if you wanted one, all you had to do was ask."

Emmett shrugged his shoulders and raised the shot glass up in the air. Rosalie and I followed suit. We clinked our glasses and drained the contents, slamming the tiny shot glasses back on the bar top with a loud thud. I reached over and took Rosalie's cigarette from her hands and held it to my own lips, taking a long drag off the stick. She raised her eye but didn't elaborate further. I blew out the smoke slowly and handed it back to her.

"Don't look at me like that. I quit too but sometimes it feels relaxing, okay?" I said, defending myself. I had quit smoking right after Katrina made land fall. I promised myself that if my house was okay I'd give the habit up. My house was fine so I held up my end of the promise. It still didn't mean I didn't enjoy a drag every now and then.

Rosalie continued to puff away, flicking the ashes every so often in the ash tray. The door opened to the bar and Alice and Jasper sauntered in, their hands firmly around each other's waist. Jasper whispered something in her ear, which made her giggle. They walked past us, oblivious to the fact that we were sitting at the bar. Jasper continued to whisper something as his hand dropped and squeezed Alice's ass. She yelped and jumped, playfully swatting Jasper across the chest before pulling his face to hers and kissing him in the middle of the club. Rosalie, Emmett and I sat and watched their very public display of affection.

A throat cleared behind us and the three of us turned to see who had walked in after them. Alice and Jasper broke apart as Carlisle stood at the door, smiling slightly.

"As much as I enjoy seeing the two of you happy, could you maybe tone down the PDA?" he asked.

"We didn't see you there Doc. My bad," Jasper said, completely unfazed that he had just been caught groping and practically dry humping Carlisle's daughter in a public place.

Alice giggled and buried her head in Jasper's neck. "Sorry Daddy," she said before Jasper whisked her away to the back of the bar.

"Doc," Emmett said as Carlisle made his way over to the bar.

"Yes, Emmett," Carlisle replied, as he took his jacket off and set it down on a stool.

"I have this problem." Carlisle nodded so Emmett continued on. "Brother bought a coconut; he bought it for a dime. His sister had another one; she paid it for a lime."

"I don't see what the problem is, Emmett," Carlisle said sincerely.

Rosalie and I held back our laughter. I wondered how long it would take the all knowing Doctor to figure out just what Emmett was talking about.

"Well you see, she put the lime in the coconut, she drank them both up." I could tell it was taking all Emmett had not to sing the words to the Doctor. Carlisle looked perplexed at what Emmett was saying.

"I'm not following, Emmett. What did she drink up?"

By this time, Rosalie and I could no longer hold our laughter in. Carlisle looked at us, amused but not annoyed.

"She put the lime in the coconut and drank them both up," Emmett said matter of factly. "She called the doctor, woke him up and said, "Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take, I say, Doctor, to relieve this belly ache? I say, Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take, I say, Doctor, to relieve this belly ache?"

By this time, the good Doctor had finally caught on, and God bless him for playing Emmett's game.

"Now, let me get this straight," he began. "You put the lime in the coconut, you drank them both up.
Put the lime in the coconut, you called your doctor, woke him up, and say, 'Doctor, ain't there nothing I can take, I say, Doctor, to relieve this belly ache?"

Emmett nodded with a goofy grin on his face as Carlisle wrapped his arm on the back of his shoulders. "Put the lime in the coconut, drink them both together. Put the lime in the coconut, then you feel better. Put the lime in the coconut, drink them both up. Put the lime in the coconut and call me in the morning," he finished, patting Emmett's chest.

Rosalie and I joined in singing at the top of our lungs. "Wouh wouh wouh wouh wouh." We hadn't realized that Jasper and Alice had rejoined us until I heard two other sets of voices join into the song.

"Sorry, Doc. I've just always wanted to do that," Emmett said, tipping his beer back.

Carlisle laughed. "No worries, Emmett. It was fun. Maybe we should do some interactive songs during tonight's set."

"I think I might know a few."

I stood still behind the bar, afraid to look up and see if the person who had just said that was truly standing there. He was supposed to be in New York. He had come back before December. He had come back. Was it possible that maybe he had come back for me?

I looked up and there he stood, in the entry of the front door. All sex and fire and…sex. He smiled when our eyes locked and I couldn't hold back. I smiled, too.

"Edward? Well, I can't believe it? You're back," Carlisle questioned, pulling his son into a fierce hug.

"I am, Dad. I'm sorry. I should have called and said I was headed back. I understand if you and Mom don't have room in the house for me."

Our eyes met a second time and I was seconds away from shouting that I had an extra bedroom he could use. His gaze held mine in a smoldering look, like he wanted me to shout those very words. It was like he was pleading with me, as if he could read my mind.

Carlisle scoffed at the idea. "Nonsense, Edward. Of course we have room for you! You're mother is going to be so excited to see you."

"Dad, it's only been two weeks."

"Yes, but how long had it been before then? That's what I thought. You got ya horn with you?"

"Don't leave home without it," Edward said, holding up his case.

"Good, you can set up to play with us tonight. I'm assuming that's okay, Bella?" Carlisle asked, addressing me for the first time since Edward walked in.

I shook my head, erasing the dirty thoughts I had swimming around. "Sure, that'd be fine."

I looked down at the bar and grabbed a rag, wiping the water off that had sweated off of our glasses. Emmett, Rosalie, Alice and Jasper all took turns welcoming Edward back. I threw the rag in my back pocket, turned around, and eyed the bottles, anything to keep the façade of slowly falling for him off my face.

"Excuse me, Miss," Edward said from behind me. My legs turned to jelly and it took all the strength I had to turn around and face him. When I did, I was met with a stare of pure lust and want. His eyes were heavy lidded, and their shade of green had turned slightly darker. He licked his lips as I walked closer to the edge of the bar top. I leaned my body into him, thankful that we had a two foot piece of wood separating us.

"Hmmm," I simply said.

"I believe you owe me a date," he said, smiling so that only one side of his lips turned up.

"Is that so?" I asked, taunting him. "I'm afraid to break this to you, but I don't date guys who bring their girlfriends along. Not that I'm not one for a ménage a trois, but your gal Lauren really isn't my type. I'm afraid the bet is null and void."

I turned back around, grabbed the tequila, because it was going to be one of those nights, when he said, "I guess it's a good thing I'm alone, then. Although, if you're really apt for a threesome, I'm sure we could find a willing partner."

It was definitely going to be a tequila kind of night.

~xxx~

"How about the red halter, Bella?" Rosalie shouted from my closet. I had been in the bathroom putting the finishing touches on my makeup.

"Rosalie, really? It's November. I highly doubt a halter top is appropriate weather for this time of year."

Rosalie walked into the bathroom and leaned against the door frame. "Maybe, but it's a sure fire way to show the girls and to get laid."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not trying to get laid, Rose."

"Why not? He's hot and I bet he's a good lay," she said encouragingly.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Doesn't matter. He has a girlfriend."

"Who didn't make the trip with him. How does the rule go? Different area codes or some shit? Come on, you can't tell me that James and his magical peen keeps you satisfied."

"I'm perfectly satisfied with or without James and his magical peen," I said. "Just look for yourself in the top drawer of my nightstand."

That shut her up for all of two seconds. "Bella! Do you fantasize about Edward and his magical peen with your toys?"

I could feel my face getting red. Rosalie clasped her hands over her mouth. Her eyes got huge. "Oh my God you do! You think about all the things he could do with it! I knew it! You are so transparent sometimes."

I walked out of the bathroom making sure I bumped her shoulder roughly as I passed. I stormed into my closet hell bent on finding something that didn't scream, "take me to bed, you studly man, you." I scanned the shirts, until I found one that didn't say I was uber easy, a nice, midnight blue, off the shoulder, fitted blouse. My jeans were already on so I finished the outfit with a killer pair of black patent leather pumps. Yeah, I might own more than one pair of fuck me heels. So what?

As soon as I was dressed, I walked back into the room. Rosalie was sitting on the bed smiling.

"What are you smiling about?" I asked in a snotty way.

"Nothing, it just feels like my baby girl is growing up," she said, wiping away a fake tear.

The red halter was on the floor so I picked it up and chunked it at her. She caught it, falling back on the bed, laughing.

"Hello!" A voice called out from the living room. "Anyone here?"

"Did you invite the whole neighborhood over Rose? I mean, is Emmett going to show up too and give Edward the talk?" I asked, putting in a pair of big hoop earrings.

"No, I swear I didn't. I have to tell you, though, that the little pixie freaks me the fuck out. It's like she knows shit before it happens. I swear to God, she could set up in the middle of Jackson Square as a palm reader or psychic or some shit," Rosalie said, standing up from the bed.

"In here, Alice," I called.

"Wow, Bella, you look amazing! My brother is going to shit when he sees you," Alice said, eyeing my outfit. Just when I thought it was just us three girls, Jasper appeared at Alice's side.

"What the fuck Jazz? You're here too?"

"It's good to see you too, baby. I'm here for your beer. I'm out and it's on the way to Alice's, so we thought we'd stop by. Besides, I wouldn't miss the chance to see you all gussied up."

I huffed and walked into the living room in search of my purse. "It's not like this is prom or some shit. It's the means to an end of a bet. That's it."

I turned around after finding the bag to see all three of them as they stood in the hallway that lead from the living room to the bedroom. Each one had shit eating grins on their faces.

"What? That's all it is. Besides, he does have a girlfriend. I'm not going to be Holly Homewrecker here."

"Bella, please!" Alice said, throwing her hands up in the air. "Lauren is not Edward's girlfriend."

I crossed my arms over my chest and shifted all of my weight to my right foot. "And whatever gives you that idea, Alice? Because the last time they were here, she kind of introduced herself as his girlfriend and he didn't deny it."

"Simple," Alice said as if it was obvious. "I don't like her."

I laughed. I mean a doubled over clutching my stomach laughter. "Just because you don't like her that makes her not his girlfriend?"

"Pretty much," she stated in a serious tone.

A knock at the door alerted us all that Edward had arrived. I looked at the three of them with a stern look and held up a finger. "I expect all three of you to be on your best behavior. Do y'all understand me?"

All three nodded in unison. I walked over to the door and opened it. Edward was on the other side looking sexier than any man had a right to.

"Bella," he said breathlessly.

"Hey, come on in. Excuse the company I keep. The zoo still isn't in operation and unfortunately, because I donate to the foundation, they apparently thought my house would be a good place to keep the apes."

"Huh?" he asked as he walked past me. "Oh, hey Jasper, Alice, Rosalie."

I closed the door and walked over to the dinette set to grab my purse. "You ready?"

"Um, yeah sure. After you."

"Jasper, you have a key. Lock up and don't drink all of my beer."

"Different states count, too." I heard Rosalie say as I shut the door behind me. I poked my head back in and flipped her the bird.

"What was that about?" Edward asked as we descended the stairs toward the street.

"Nothing. Just them acting like I've never been on a date before. Not that this is a date or anything. It's just a friend keeping their end of a bet. That's all."

I chanced a look at Edward from the corner of my eye and saw that he was smirking. Smirking? I wondered if that was good or bad and more importantly, why I cared.

He made nice and opened the door of the car for me. It wasn't the stupid, shiny silver Volvo this time. Instead it was a black Toyota Four Runner. "So, where are you taking me?" I asked after he had sat down. "And was the rental car place out of Vulva's?"

He stopped from buckling his seat belt to assess what I had just said. Then, he started laughing. "Vulva, that's a good one. Now as for where you are taking me, I think I'll surprise you."

"Surprise me, huh? Well, let me know if we need to stop and rob a bank. I'm just concerned as to what kind of damage you're going to do to my pocket book."

I smiled to let him know I was kidding. After putting the car in drive, we drove away from my building. I wanted to turn back and see if three sets of faces were peering down from the balcony. I wouldn't have put it past them.

"Ya know, there are a slim pickins on choices for dinner," he said, glancing at me.

"No shit, Sherlock? I mean, we did just experience the worst natural disaster to ever hit our area. You really didn't think that everyone would be gung ho about serving food to all the looters, did ya?"

"Actually, Hurricane Betsy did a number on the city as well," Edward said, flashing me a grin.

I rolled my eyes. "That was in 1965, dipshit. I meant in our lifetime."

We were quiet as we drove down the streets of the Quarter. I wasn't used to driving anywhere in the city. By foot was how I usually got around. It wasn't a long drive before Edward had pulled the car over in a parking lot that was directly across the street from Jackson Square. I could see the steeple of the Saint Louis Cathedral clearly.

I made to get out of the car, but Edward was fast, like lightning fast. He was at my door quicker than I could put my hand on the door knob. He held out his hand and tentatively I took it. I looked around not sure which way we were supposed to walk.

"So, where is it that I'm taking you?" I asked, letting Edward lead. He still had a hold of my hand, as he guided me down the street. I should have released our hands. I should have, but I didn't. I guess a part of me was thinking about what Rosalie had said. Different states, different area codes, right? I mean if for just one night, I was going to pretend Edward Cullen was mine. It didn't mean I had to invite him into my bedroom, but my hand in his felt nice. It felt right. I didn't know why, I just liked it.

"It's not far from here," he said, slowing down so that he wasn't dragging me anymore. We were on equal footing now, our hands still firmly attached to each others.

"Ya know we could have just walked. I mean, my apartment isn't that far from here."

"We could have, but I didn't think you'd want to in those fuck me pumps."

I stopped dead in my tracks. Had he just called my shoes fuck me pumps? I wondered if that meant he imagined me in them while my legs were wrapped around his head or waist? Or had he imagined them up in the air while he held on to my ankles? Those thoughts would made it one long, tension-filled night. I began making plans to have one hell of a go with my toys when I got back home.

Edward laughed and pulled me down the street. "I'm sorry. It just kind of came out. If I offended you, I apologize."

"No, you didn't offend me. You just caught me off guard."

"We're here," Edward said, stopping in front of one of the oldest restaurants in town. I looked at the famous marquee and smiled.

"Tujuagues?" I asked.

"Tujuagues," he said, opening the door for me.

A young woman, behind the hostess stand seated us as soon as Edward told her we needed a table for two. She led us over to small table right by the window. Being the gentleman that he was, Edward held out my chair. I sat down, placing the napkin in my lap. He followed suit after taking his own seat.

"I wish I had known you were taking me here. I would have dressed in something nicer than jeans," I said, suddenly feeling self conscious about my clothing selection. Especially seeing as how we were about to eat at a six-course establishment.

"Like I said, there aren't a lot of places to pick from. I figured Commanders Palace was totally out of the question and, to be honest, you're worth more than a lucky dog on Bourbon. Besides, you look beautiful."

I smiled because, yeah, I did look beautiful tonight. "Well, I'm pretty sure I'm dressed more appropriately for a lucky dog."

"Don't be silly, Bella. You look stunning."

"Thank you, Edward."

He simply shrugged and picked up his menu. I took his cue and did the same. All was quiet as we looked over the menu, deciding what our main course would be. The other courses were pre-decided, provided by the house.

We kept up small talk as the appetizer of shrimp remoulade was devoured. We talked about our families, about what it was like for him to grow up with a famous father, and how he was expected to live up to his fame. When the soup de jour was served, discussion shifted to my life before the storm and what my family and friends had done when she blew through. When the waiter brought out the beef brisket I felt oddly comfortable with Edward, like I had known him my whole life. He was easy company, not to mention, easy on the eyes.

"So, not that this isn't nice and all," I said between bites, "but I guess I figured you'd take me to Baton Rouge or something. Ya know where all the restaurants are still open."

"Bella, if I had done that, we'd have probably ended up in jail. I don't play very nice with the tiger fans."

"Ah, Tulane boy, then?" I asked.

"One hundred percent. Not that I hate LSU but c'mon, you have to choose, ya know?"

"I guess. I don't really follow college sports that much."

"Just college? What about the Saints?"

"What about them?"

"Do you follow them?"

"Am I from New Orleans? Of course I follow them and all the bullshit Benson's trying to pull now that the Dome is trashed."

"Oh yeah, moving them to Houston."

"It's a crock of shit is what it is. That team is the livelihood of so many people. He just thinks he can up and move them when the city is down? If it wasn't for the people of this city and their undeniable devotion to that team, he'd have an empty stadium every Sunday."

"True, but c'mon, the Saints have never won a Super Bowl. Just because tragedy struck you don't think that they'll be hometown heroes and see this as the motivation they need to actually win, do you?"

I looked at Edward like he was from another country. Or city. "How can you even say that? You're a New Orleans boy. Don't you have faith in them?"

"Faith? I don't know. I'm just trying to be realistic about it. How about another bet?"

"Another bet? Okay, what are the terms?" I asked putting down my fork and wiping the corners of my mouth.

"If the Saints win the Super Bowl, you have to buy me dinner again."

"You can't mean this year, can you?"

"Why, don't you have faith, Bella?" he asked, throwing my words back at me. "Okay fine, five years then. In five years time, if they haven't won a championship, you're buying me dinner… at Commanders Palace."

"And if they have, you're buying mine."

"Deal," Edward said, reaching his hand across the table.

"Deal," I said, shaking his hand. "Wait. How could that even work?" Edward looked at me, confusion on his face. "I mean, let's say you're back in New York and married to Lauren, or whomever the next girl is, don't you think they might be a little upset you'd be taking me to dinner at the finest establishment in New Orleans?"

Edward thought this over for a second before he laughed. "That's a chance I'm willing to take, I guess."

It was good enough for me. Now, I just had to keep the faith, in Edward… and the Saints.

We finished dinner off with bread pudding and spiked coffee. When the bill came, Edward refused to let me pay. I huffed and puffed, but he wouldn't budge.

"Bella, I'd never let you pay at a place like this. Besides, it got you to agree to go on a date with me, didn't it?" he asked, slipping his credit card into the black folder and setting it on the edge of the table.

"You shouldn't have picked a place like this then, Edward. I lost fair and square."

"I guess you're just going to have to make it up to me then," he said with a wink.

Damn him. He was good. He was really good.

Again, as we walked down the streets of the Quarter, Edward took my hand. It was still early so we toured Jackson Square.

"It's eerie to see it all so quiet," Edward said, acknowledging the empty feel of the city.

"Yeah, but at least people are out and about. Granted, it's nothing like it was but it's just going to take time."

Edward was silent as we continued to walk. Before long, we decided to call it a night and head back to my place. The whole five minute ride back was filled with silence. I wasn't sure what was going through his head. All I could focus on was what was going on inside of mine. At the time, I asked myself, should I invite him up? What happens if I do? Does he expect me to?

Fighting with myself got us nowhere quick, except back to my apartment. Edward pulled up in front of the building and killed the engine. I decided to say fuck it and go with my gut or throbbing sexual needs.

"Would you like to come up for a drink?" I asked, biting my lip.

He looked at me with those hooded, lust-filled eyes. "Bella, I'd love to, but don't think you're obligated or anything."

"I'm not obligated. It's just a drink, Edward. It's not like I'm going to offer you my first born or anything. That would require us having sex, which I'm not opposed to but ya know, you have a girlfriend and everything."

Holy shit! Word vomit much?

Edward was suave. He didn't run screaming for the hills or throw me down in the back seat and take me up on the offer of my first born. Instead, he leaned over the console and tucked a piece of stray hair behind my ear.

"Bella, I'd love to come up and have a drink with you."

"Okay," I said, fumbling to undo my seat belt. Edward left the car, opening my door before I could properly get the damn belt off of my shoulder. He took my hand and this time, I led him up the stairs to my apartment.

As I stuck the key in the lock it occurred to me that I might be out of beer. "Oh shit," I said, opening the door. "I forgot. Jasper was here earlier and I might not have any beer left."

Edward chuckled but followed me inside. "It's alright if you don't. I'm sure whatever you have is fine."

I sat my purse down on the kitchen table and opened the refrigerator door. Inside were two beers and a note.

Tizzy Izzy,

I left you two. Thought you might need them tonight. Don't do anything you and I wouldn't have done or anything Alice and I might plan to do later.

Jazz Man

"Asshole," I murmured to myself. "Looks like we've got enough," I said as I headed back into the living room with two opened beers.

"Thanks," Edward said, taking one of the beers and sitting down on the couch.

I sat next to him, kicking my shoes off as I did. I propped my feet up on the coffee table and laid my head back against the couch, closing my eyes and drinking from the bottle. I felt the heat of Edward before I saw him. Then again, I had my eyes closed so of course I couldn't see him yet. I opened my eyes aware that he was much closer to me than he had been when we first sat down. Our thighs were touching, as were our shoulders. I took a deep breath, trying to not make it obvious that I felt any sort of connection to him or his body.

"Edward, can I ask you something?"

Without lifting his head, he turned slightly and stared at me, nodding.

"Why did you change your name to Masen? Why didn't you go to New York as Edward Cullen?"

He thought for a second before he answered me. "I didn't want everyone to expect the same kind of greatness as my father. I was afraid I wouldn't live up to him if they did."

"I've heard you play. You're just as good as him, but don't ever tell him I said that," I added with a faint smile.

"Thank you, but it was weird. I mean, even though I'm currently working in a totally different area of music than my dad, people still know of him and respect him. I guess I just didn't want to let him down or myself either. I wanted to find myself before I acknowledged where I had come from. Does that make sense?"

"Sure, I mean, in a way it doesn't, because I've never been in that kind of situation, but in a way it does. I guess it's the same when my dad wants me to sing. My mom was so amazingly good that it's unfair. I hate getting up in front of people who loved to hear her. I'm afraid I'll disappoint."

"We're two of kind then, aren't we, Bella? But you don't need to worry. There is no way your mother could have sounded more beautiful than you. You have the voice of an angel."

Oh, he was so going to get laid at the rate he was going with his smooth words. Girlfriend or not, I was definitely going to be one place that would be open for business to him.

"Edward, can I ask you one more question?"

"Hmmm…"

"Why did you offer me money when I called you about the benefit?"

"Because I was afraid to come home, I was afraid to see the city so wrecked. I was afraid to see everything I've ever known and loved destroyed."

"But she's not. Yeah, she's in pretty bad shape but she's going to recover. You know that, right? This benefit is just one way we're going to make sure that happens. It might be small in comparison to what others might be able to do but it's something."

"It's wonderful, Bella, and I see that now. I'm sorry I was an ass then. I'm sure you called me that after you hung up on me." He looked over and smiled that crooked grin.

"Among other things," I said, taking another pull off of my beer.

"And I deserved all of them."

"Edward, can I ask you one more question?"

"I thought the last one was the last?" he said with a hint of laughter in his voice.

"It was but I thought of another one."

"Okay, shoot."

"What did Lauren say about you coming back down here? How come she didn't come with you?"

I knew it was a mood killer, if the mood was even right, for me to bring up the girlfriend. But if I was going to surrender myself to him, I wanted to know why she wasn't here to stop me from throwing myself at him.

"Bella," Edward said laughing. "You did see what happened when she came with me, didn't you? I mean, you are partly to blame for her not fitting in."

"What? Why I would never!" I said, slyly grinning at him.

"Uh huh, well she didn't feel comfortable. A hurricane stricken city really isn't her thing I guess."

"It's none of our things, Edward, but only those from here understand why we're here."

He raised his head from the couch and looked at me, like really looked at me. It felt like he was burning a hole in my retinas. I don't know what made me do it, but I did. I pushed myself off of the couch and leaned forward just as he was leaning into me. Without any words asking the other if it was okay, our lips met and it was like fireworks. My entire body tensed and relaxed at the same time.

It was soft and slow. His hand softly caressed my cheek while my hand made an even bigger mess of his hair. I opened my mouth a little wider and was met with his tongue. I slowly moved my own until ours were dancing a slow tune together. It wasn't rushed or forceful. It was graceful and magical.

Our moans were the only sounds in the apartment. Neither of us spoke. Instead, we hummed and sighed our affirmations.

With his one hand still stroking my cheek, his other swiftly went to my waist. His thumb began to work circles on my ribs, inching higher and higher until he gently touched the underside of my breast. I pushed myself further off of the couch until I was straddling his lap. Pushing him back, I ground myself into his body. I could feel the effect I was having on him. He moaned as I circled my hips against his erection. He grabbed my waist tighter with both hands and took it upon himself to continue to grind my lower half into his. It was my turn to moan.

At some point I had to come up for air so, when I did, I threw my head back giving him free access to my neck. He sucked and nibbled his way down until he was at the top of my blouse. He hesitated before he made the same path back up to my mouth. When our lips captured each other's it was much more intense than it had been. My hands were all over his chest, his face and his hair. His were on my waist, my ass and my tits.

Jesus Christ, his hands felt good on my tits.

Neither one of us made a move to take each others clothes off. When I realized that, I knew what we were doing was wrong. To prolong the moment, because it was either the stupidest thing or the most honorable thing I had ever done, I kissed him hard dragging my hands down his chest. Knowing I was my own worst cock blocker, I pushed myself away from him. We were both panting while he looked at me horror struck.

"I'm sorry, Edward. We can't. We just can't," I said as I continued to straddle his body. One thing at a time. "Don't get me wrong, that was way fuck hot but I can't be that girl."

"Bella, you're not," Edward said, gasping for breath.

"I am. You have a girlfriend. If it was me in her shoes, I'd kick a bitch's ass for making out with you."

He smiled but held me tighter. "Alright, you win this one. Maybe I should go."

"That might be a good idea. If you stayed any longer I might change my mind. And Lord knows I'm about five seconds away from doing just that," I said as his mouth inched closer to mine.

What the hell, it was just one more kiss. If I was going to Hell, I might as well have done it thoroughly.

"Edward," I whimpered

"Hmmm," he moaned in my mouth.

"This isn't helping."

"Really, because the way you're not fighting me makes me think that it is."

I pushed myself away and stood. I stared down at him and his massive erection that was very prominent in his jeans.

"Fine, fine, I'm leaving." He sat up and stood, holding my waist for support.

"Edward," I chastised.

"What? You were in my way. I was just using you as leverage. Good night, Bella," he said, kissing my forehead.

"Good night, Edward. Thank you for dinner," I said as he walked to the door.

"The pleasure was all mine, really."

"Hey," I called before he stepped out in the hallway. "We're not going to let this get weird between us, right?"

"No, it won't be weird. I'm afraid the sexual tension is going to be a hell of a lot thicker. Don't mind me if I accidentally graze your boob or my hand lingers on you a little longer than necessary, but weird? Not at all." He smiled and I was sure he was already planning his first attempt to brush against me.

"Good," I said smiling. "Be safe going home."

"Sure thing."

With that, he closed the door behind him and I was left all alone in the middle of my apartment that smelled of Edward and sex. I sighed and walked to my bedroom, throwing clothes off in my wake. I eyed the top drawer in my night stand knowing full well that I was going to rectify my need with a vibrator and thoughts of Edward Cullen's mouth and hands all over my body.

A/N- Don't kill me! I know the sexual tension is driving you all crazy. If I told you that the end of it was near would you be okay? I know a lot of you are going to be pissed at Edward, and some may even be a little upset with Bella. In Edward's defense his judgement if very clouded. He'll eventually see the light and I promise it won't be ten chapters from now. More like two. What? Did I just say that? As for Bella remember, she's a single girl. She's never really held down a relationship other than a convenient quickie. Maybe things are about to change there. But you do have to give her a little bit of credit for stopping things. I'm not sure how much longer she'll be able to hold out though.

Next up we chat again with Edward and the fireworks happen- not the good kind. Yes get ready, the angst is coming up next chapter.

Love you all & thank you for reading and reviewing! I'm going to see Eclipse for the second time today.

Xoxo
Holly