One more time! I wanted to make sure ya'll learned what was up with Bella. *grins* and how Edward deals with it.

So here it is. Last one for today!

Don't Know How- Joss Stone

~~oo~~

Chapter 22: "Boys are so confusing."

BPOV

I really hated this feeling.

I hated being manipulated. I drove as fast as my truck could take me home.

I wanted to get as far away from that school as I could. From all the games and tricks.

Edward was just using me?

Jessica and Lauren's words flitted through my head as I drove the short distance home.

"Has he actually helped with the project at all, Bella?"

"How much have you done for him? I mean, he didn't even bother to come in and help you now!"

"He's just being nice to you so he'll pass his Biology class. Have you seen how well he pays attention in class?"

"I told you before, Bella. Don't waste your time. He's just using you. That whole family is weird."

I hadn't believed them at first, but then I started piecing things together.

The more I thought about it, the more I doubted everything. From everyone.

Today had been one crazy thing after another.

I pulled into the driveway, throwing my poor truck in park hard and slamming the door, not caring about the shower of rust coming off it from my anger.

Stupid boys.

Stupid school.

Stupid Bio project.

I groaned and opened the door; unbuckling FC from the shoebox in the passenger seat and carrying it carefully back to the house. My mind was not on projects or even feeling guilty for skipping gym.

It was on the fact that maybe Edward Cullen was exactly like what Jessica and Lauren had said.

He was skittish around me in public, and it wasn't just being shy.

He had been a little freaked out with me coming to his house. Until we were alone.

Then he worked his charm on me.

Was I that stupid?

No one puts lays that much charm on Bella Swan.

But he helped me with Mike. He had been nice at lunch.

Had he been playing me? So he could pass his class? Who was right? Why should I trust Jessica or Lauren?

I missed not having Angela around.

"Bells?"

I jumped at the sound of my name as I closed the front door, nearly dropping Flour Child.

"Dad!" I breathed. "I didn't know you were home."

He quirked an eyebrow at me and looked at the clock on the wall.

"You're home early," he commented and finished buttoning up his work shirt.

"I just skipped gym," I replied awkwardly. "I couldn't handle the danger today."

Charlie grunted and nodded, a sly smile on his face.

"While I shouldn't condone your skipping class, you probably saved me a trip to the ER," he joked.

I huffed and stalked to the kitchen.

Today was not the day to make fun of me.

"Bells? You okay? I didn't mean it," he said, following me into the kitchen and watching me from the door.

I plopped all my things down onto the table and dragged my hands into my hair, pulling it into a ponytail.

"It was just a bad day, Dad," I grumbled.

The last thing he needed to know about was boy trouble.

"What did he do?"

I spun around, shocked at my dad's perceptiveness. He pursed his lips and crossed his arms across his chest when he saw my surprise.

"I know more than you think, Bella. Not much ruffles your feathers. Was it this Edward boy?" he pressed. "Is he like his brother after all?"

I flopped down into the chair and put my head in my hands groaning.

"I don't know, Dad," I moaned. "Boys are so confusing."

"Did he touch you?"

I wish. Well, now maybe not.

"No," I grumbled.

"Did you want him to?"

I glared at my dad and stood up again, needing something to do.

"Dad! He's just confusing,' I said. "One minute he's like a knight in shining armor, the next I think he's just using me."

"Using you how?" he asked. I could hear the lawman talking.

I sighed and started to tell Charlie about my day, about how Mike had cornered me at my locker, how Edward had come to my rescue, leaving out all the quaking feelings I had had at that moment.

"Mike was hitting on you?" he asked, eyes narrowed. "What ever happened to a boy asks a girl out and respects her space? Or notes. Don't you guys pass notes around anymore?"

"No dad, they text now," I replied wearily. "Can I just finish my story?"

He nodded and let me finish.

How Lauren and Jessica had reacted at lunch, how Edward had saved me once again.

The rumors at school.

Edward disappearing to leave me to work alone, again.

"Maybe he's nervous," Charlie suggested. "Maybe he saw this thing with Mike as competition. Maybe he's not sure how to proceed. I didn't talk to your mother for a month before I got up the courage to ask her out."

"He's just confusing," I mumbled.

"I'm told boys are," Charlie remarked with a smile then softened his look. "But he also took the time to come to your aid. That's something in my book."

I sat back down, fidgeting with my hands and avoiding my dad's eyes.

"You don't think he's using me, like Jessica said?" I asked weakly.

Charlie leaned back in his chair and scratched at his moustache for a moment before throwing the caring dad face on.

"Have you felt like he was using you?" he asked.

I blushed and dug at the crack in the tabletop.

I had no proof he had left because of me today. He disappeared a lot, but was always apologetic about it, and had been earnest in wanting to work together last night. His eyes seemed to say he was interested.

Could he lie that well?

I trusted his eyes. More than Jessica and Lauren.

But what if?

"I don't think so?" I said, more as a question than an answer.

"Well, he hasn't cornered you and made you uncomfortable like the Newton kid, so he's got points for that," Charlie said, his face back to cop mode. "I might need to have a word with Newton."

"Dad, please don't," I pleaded. "I don't need to be a complete outcast."

"Why would that make you an outcast?" he asked, honestly clueless.

I shook my head and stood up again.

"Nevermind, Dad. I just want to forget about this. Maybe I'll bake something," I mumbled, trying to change the subject.

"Ooh! I could go for some of your chocolate chip cookies for when I get home!" he exclaimed, rubbing his hands together.

I smiled, the first one since leaving school and pulled down the ingredients for my cookies. Charlie left me to finish getting ready for work, allowing me my time alone to think and wash the day away. Cooking made me see things a little more clearly.

It was good therapy.

I shook my head at the idea that I would jump on board with Jessica and Lauren's arguments. What had Edward ever done to make me think he was just using me.

Or was that why he pulled me from them at lunch? To keep them from warning me about him?

But his eyes had told me he was concerned.

It was too confusing for me to figure out.

I needed to confront him. Ask him. See the lie in his eyes now that I knew to look for it.

I was shoving my second round of chocolate chip cookies into the oven when I heard the knock at the door. Wiping my hands on the towel over my shoulder, I walked to the door. Charlie was still in the living room arguing with the TV.

I wasn't expecting what I saw when I opened the door.

"Edward," I gasped, surprised by him being so close to the door, leaned up against the door jam.

Hair a mess, cheeks flushed, eyes burning.

"Bella," he whispered, his voice rough.

His hands moved in, one cradling my cheek as the other wrapped around my waist and moved me into him. I was jelly in his arms at his insistence.

One touch and I had forgotten that determination over something or other.

He pulled me close, his head dipping down.

Breath, sweet like a peppermint washing over me.

His lips, so close now, slightly open. Tongue peeking out to wet them.

Eyes following my lips closer to his.

Fingers burning on my neck.

Closer.

So close.

My eyes closing for that moment I had been fantasizing about…

"Bells? Who's at the door?"

And then the sudden vertigo feeling you get when a boy jumps back before he's caught by the man with the worst timing.

"Shit, I didn't realize your dad was home," Edward breathed from somewhere near me.

My eyes were still closed, albeit clenched now along with my fists.

I let out a couple of choice words under my breath before opening my eyes to see Edward standing there, wide eyed. Staring behind me.

"You Edward Cullen?" Charlie said behind me, all business.

Well, crap.

"Um, yes sir," Edward said, and I could hear the terror in his voice.

Before I could say anything, Charlie was leaning around me to extend his hand. Edward eyes shot towards mine for a second before taking Charlie's hand in a firm handshake.

"Good to meet you, son. You got a strong grip there," Charlie said, squeezing Edward's hand a little more firmly, like some kind of man contest. "You play sports?"

I could see the nerves all over Edward's face as he cleared his throat and shook his head.

"No, sir. Um, I just work out some," he mumbled.

"Well, come in. I guess you two need to talk or some such? Project stuff?" Charlie said, winking at me when Edward stepped inside.

"Dad," I warned.

He put up his hands and grinned.

"You can go to the kitchen. I have to go get my gunbelt and you know, clean my pistol," he said, chuckling when he noticed Edward blanch.

"Dad," I said again.

"Just kidding," he quipped, then looked seriously at Edward. "I cleaned it earlier."

"Oh my god," I muttered and pulled Edward towards the kitchen, away from my embarrassing father.

"Does he really have a gun?" Edward whispered as we entered the kitchen.

"Well, he is Police Chief," I retorted and turned on Edward, my arms crossed over my chest.

Edward seemed to sense my discomfort and took a tentative step towards me.

"You left early," he whispered, his eyes scrunched together into his eyebrows.

"I had enough of school for one day," I replied simply.

"Jessica and Lauren upset you."

I took a step back from him, my back pushing up against the counter.

"How do you know about that?" I asked guardedly.

He took another step towards me.

"Emmett heard Jessica and Mike talking about it. What did they say to make you so upset?" he whispered, taking another step closer. If he reached out, he could touch me.

"Why are you so nice to me, Edward?" I asked, looking down at his feet as he moved closer.

"You're nice to me."

"Why else?" I asked, afraid now to look up, he was really close.

"You are kind of fascinating to me."

"It's not just because you're my Biology Partner?" I whispered, glancing up hestitantly before looking away again.

He had paused and his eyes changed from dark and lusty to confused.

"No, I don't really care about that, except that it gives me a chance to see you more," he whispered. "What did Jessica say to you?"

I couldn't look him in the eye and tell him, so I watched his lips, which was perhaps even worse.

"She said you were being so nice because you needed someone to do your work. And after you didn't come back right away today, it made me wonder," I said quietly.

I felt his fingers slip along my cheek, cupping my head in between them. When I chanced a look back up to his eyes, they were troubled.

"I'd never do that to you."

"Why?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.

I felt his hands moving, one anchoring itself through my hair in the back of my head, the other tracing along my jaw and down.

Gentle pressure from a fingertip and he was pulling my head up to look into his face.

Lips, licked. Eyes, dark and intent on my own. Nose slightly flared from his heavier breathing. That one finger burned the little fat part of my chin.

"You're all I think about," he whispered.

"Really?" I asked, feeling his charm dissuade me from all the thoughts that had bothered me an hour ago.

"Really."

His lips were a little closer.

I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move.

I prayed Charlie had the good sense to stay out of the kitchen.

For at least the next few moments.

Because I'd burst if I missed this chance again.

Leaning. Tilting my head up.

"Bella," he murmured, his lips brushing against mine as he said my name.

Hot, soft, barely any pressure there on my lips.

But pressure everywhere else in my body as his lips moved across mine again.

Soft against soft. A moan from somewhere, a tightening feeling against my scalp, and then more pressure.

Firmer lips, Mine responding.

When did my hands find his hair?

Tongue flicking my upper lip. Firmer, opening.

He tasted like mint when my tongue touched his.

I know I groaned then and pulled him closer, not caring if I pulled his hair too hard. I could feel him responding, his mouth taking over mine aggressively, his hand clenching in my hair until I thought I'd cry out in pain. But he seemed to know just how far to take me.

Oh god, yes. Please take me.

His body pressed against mine. I felt the breath rush out of me when I realized just how hard I had made him. He pulled his mouth away from mine, his breath labored. But he kept me pinned to the countertop, his hips adjusting slightly.

Both of us groaned that time.

"You really like me," I whispered, not caring that I sounded like an idiot quoting some old actress from whenever.

He let out a relieved chuckle and nodded, his head leaned hard against my forehead.

"I really like you."

I didn't want to move from our spot, but Charlie had other plans.

I wondered if maybe he had some spider sense or something.

"I'm on my way to the kitchen, you two! Better be cookies and homework being made in there!"

I groaned in embarrassment and felt Edward step back quickly, one nervous hand in his hair, the other trying and failing at hiding anything in his jeans pocket.

But before Charlie appeared to put cuffs on Edward for his obvious arousal, Charlie let out a barking laugh from somewhere in the hallway.

"You've got another boy pulling up, Bella!" he hollered.

Edward tensed and glowered towards the window behind me, looking outside to the front yard.

"Newton."

Oh, this was going to get ugly.

~~oo~~

I can't even care that this is uber long… nope… grins…

You know that feeling you get when you reach the top of that super high rollercoaster… you hold your breath because you know what a thrill you're gonna get in about 1.2 seconds when the car tips over the top.

We just got to the tippy top… hold on to something.

Have a great rest of the day!

More tomorrow!

MWAH!

steph