The Learning Curve: Chapter 57

Edward Cullen's House

Esme answered the door when I arrived at Edward's house.

"Hi, Mrs. Cullen," I said nervously, worried about her reaction to my unannounced visit.

"Come on in, Bella," she said, stepping back, "and please, call me Esme."

"Sorry, Esme," I said sheepishly.

She just smiled. "Edward is upstairs in his room catching up on homework. Let me walk you up."

I let her lead me through the house in favor of telling her I already knew where Edward's room was.

"How is he?" I asked as we climbed the stairs.

"Oh, he's fine. Milking this for all it's worth, but he's back to his usual self otherwise."

I fought back a smile at the image of Edward playing the invalid.

We reached his room, and surely enough, he was in bed in a t-shirt and flannel pajama pants, watching a movie on a laptop and munching on popcorn.

"Edward, you have a visitor," Esme said. "Keep the door open."

Edward looked up at me, grinning, and Esme retreated downstairs.

"Hi," I said, surprised to find myself still shy with him, still nervous.

"Hey. Come in," he said, sitting his computer aside. He patted the bed beside him.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, trying to get comfortable next to him without looking like a dork. He slung his arm around me and pulled me into his side, simplifying everything.

"I feel fine. I'll be in school tomorrow."

I looked at the bandage on his forehead, concealing his stitches. "It doesn't hurt?"

He shrugged. "A little, but I've had worse. How was school."

I looked at my lap. "Fine. Kind of boring."

"Really?" His tone was sharp, and I looked up to see a shrewd look on his face. "Rosalie texted me," he said simply.

I groaned. "Edward, I -"

He squeezed my shoulder. "I don't know what they said, but I gather it wasn't nice."

"It's nothing I haven't heard before," I said quietly.

"I don't know why anyone would ever be mean to you, but I know you don't deserve it. I'm sorry."

I turned to him, looking at his concerned face, and my chest tightened with a rush of warmth toward him. I wanted so badly for him to want only me.

"Kiss me?" I asked.

He grinned. "Silly question," he said, and he pressed his lips gently to mine. His kiss was soft, a caress, but it wasn't quite what I wanted. I pushed my tongue against his lips, and he finally seemed to understand. He kissed me heatedly, but it was at an awkward angle. I climbed into his lap and tangled my fingers in his hair. It was then that I felt his hardness against me, hot and insistent.

I guess Emmett had no cause for worry.

A/N: Sorry I didn't update yesterday. Had a day out with my bestie. I'll give you two today. By the way, BF 38 is with the beta reader right now. Thought a few of you might want to know.