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not beta'd

storyline - Countdown

prompt word - inception

It was something of a mind-trip to think that we'd been so mutually fascinated since the inception of our acquaintance. I'd definitely felt the pull of automatic attraction before, but it had never been quite like this. Never so… equal.

I'd thought of Edward often after meeting him on the train, only to find out he'd thought of me just as much. He said he even caught the same train at the same time, once or twice more, in the hopes of running into me again, but to no avail.

I explained that I usually didn't take the train that late, either. I wondered what would have happened if I did.

But it didn't matter, as I firmly believed that fate had brought us together again anyway.

I desperately wanted a shower, but I didn't have anything clean to change in to. While I already found myself feeling attached to Edward, and really comfortable with him, I wasn't at the stage where I could just bathe and then borrow his clothing.

"I should get going soon," I said, watching the light in the room turn golden. We'd spent the day in his bed, talking and watching movies, making trips to the kitchen for sustenance. "This dress…"

He sat up, scratching his head. "Yeah…sorry about that. I should have lent you something to wear."

"It's okay," I said, giving him a shy smile. "It's been…perfect."

"That it has," he agreed, stretching before standing.

I followed his lead, grabbing my purse off of the floor as we left the bedroom.

In the car, he took my hand and rested it on his lap as he drove, sometimes swishing his thumb against my skin.

"So you have work tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yes… unfortunately."

"You don't like your job?"

It wasn't that I didn't like it; being a paralegal for one of the more prestigious firms in town had its perks. I worked hard, but was never overworked, and I was paid handsomely for it.

No, the problem was that I would be thinking about Edward now, probably all night and all the next day.

In fact, until we met again.

He seemed just as infatuated with me as I was with him, but I didn't want to presume. The last long term relationship I'd been in had ended amiably enough, but it had been nearly a year before. Besides the occasional casual date – work acquaintances, blind dates set up by Rose, double dates with Alice and her flavor of the month – no one had really captured my interest.

I felt rusty.

"Bella?"

I looked up at him, realizing I'd been lost in thought. Smiling, I squeezed his fingers a bit. "I… do like my job. A lot, actually. I just… you know. Post-holiday blues."

He nodded, and the most beautiful smile graced his face. His eyes crinkled, and I could see a faint dimple marking his cheek. My heart dipped dramatically.

"The holidays don't have to be over," he said, glancing at me.

Warmth filled me. "That's true."

I directed him to the townhouse I rented, and he pulled up next to my car.

"Can I see you again? Tomorrow?" he asked, right away.

My breath caught in my throat; it was all I could do to nod.

"You sure?" he asked, just barely teasing.

"Please see me tomorrow," I said, feeling my face burn as I let him know how eager I was.

He grinned, and got out of the car. I almost got out of my side, but stopped, realizing Edward was a different sort of creature. He was a gentleman, and though his home hadn't been flashy or over the top, it had spoken of class and good upbringing.

I allowed him to open my door and take my hand, giggling a little as he pulled me out and pressed me to his chest.

At the door, he waited patiently until I'd gotten inside.

We kissed. I didn't want him to leave.

"Do you want… to stay for a drink?" I blurted out. "Or coffee?"

He looked down, his hands in his pockets. "I do, but I don't think I should, Ms…?"

Utter embarrassment. I must have looked like a tomato, I blushed so hard. "Swan. Bella Swan."

"And I'm Edward Cullen." He frowned, touching my cheek. "I didn't mean to make you feel –"

"No, no you're right," I said, swallowing hard. This was a good thing. He cared enough to not put us in a compromising position. "I… really look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

He kissed me again, and I shivered as his fingers crept up the back of my neck and into my hair.

"Tomorrow, then."

man, all could think of with this prompt was the movie. bwahaha! great film, but...um...