The Learning Curve: Chapter 44

Edward Cullen's House

Edward looked at the clock and scowled. "I really want to...um...reciprocate, Bella, but my mom is going to be home in like fifteen minutes..."

"That's okay," I said, suddenly flustered. The idea of Edward returning the favor hadn't even occurred to me, and now I knew the thought of his mouth on me was never going to leave my mind.

"Do you want to meet my mom today?" he asked.

I shook my head quickly. "Edward, there's no way I can look your mother in the eye after what I just did."

"Okay. Another time, then," he said, pulling his shirt back on. He'd fastened up his pants moments earlier. I dove for my shirt, too, unwilling to be the only topless one in the room.

"I'm going to go ahead and leave," I told him. "I just...don't want to risk it today. You have to give me advance warning when you want me to meet your mother. I mean, I need to be prepared."

Edward furrowed his brows. "What is there to prepare for?"

I knew I'd never make him understand, but I tried anyway. "I just, you know, want to look nice. Make a good impression."

"You look nice now," Edward said.

"To you," I argued, "but to your mom, I'd probably look like some wanton hussy in this state."

Edward snickered. "Wanton hussy?"

"Shut up. Just give me twenty-four hours of notice, okay?"

"Fine," Edward agreed with a sigh. "Let me walk you out."

After leaving Edward's house, I hurried home, finding with relief that I'd beat Charlie there. I'd told him I might be going over to Alice's house after school, but getting home before my dad meant not having to explain why my truck wasn't at Alice's house when he drove by it on the way home from work.

I set about making dinner right away, and after eating with Charlie, I settled down to do my homework.

I was just about finished when I heard a noise outside my window. I froze and looked at the clock. Nine - good. Charlie would still be awake if I needed to yell for help.

I peeked through the gap in my curtains and gaped at what I saw. Edward was clinging to the branch outside my window.

I pulled the window up quickly. "What are you doing? Are you crazy?" I hissed.

"Yes," he laughed. "I thought it would be romantic."

I pursed my lips. "It'll be really romantic if you fall and break your leg. I'm sure Charlie won't notice an ambulance pulling up to the house."

"Just get back so I can come in," he sighed.

I reluctantly reversed a few steps, and watched with horror as he swung himself across the two feet between the tree and the house and sailed feet-first into the window. He landed on his feet with a loud thud, wobbling before he recovered his balance.

"Bells, you okay?" Charlie hollered up the stairs.

"Fine, just tripped," I shouted back. Charlie accepted this explanation without further comment. If I actually did have an intruder in my room, he'd be absolutely useless, I realized.

Edward grinned. "See? No problem."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Charlie's still awake, you idiot. He could hear..."

"Not if I whisper," Edward said, demonstrating. "And if he hears movement, he'll just think it was you."

Perfectly confident, Edward turned and made himself comfortable on my bed. He patted the duvet, beckoning me to join him. He looked so charmingly mischievous that I couldn't help myself and went with a smile.

My bed was much smaller than his, so there was no choice but to cozy up beside him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but you really could have broken your neck."

"I wanted to give you your twenty-four hour notice about meeting my mom tomorrow," he grinned.

"It's less than twenty-four," I grumbled. "And you have my number."

"And," he continued as if I hadn't spoken, "I wanted to reciprocate for this afternoon sooner rather than later."

My room was suddenly ten degrees warmer.

A/N: I'm a tease, I know, but you'll still have to wait until I get off work tomorrow for the next chapter.