A/N: Hi again! Another week has passed and here's the next chapter of my little story. I'm so happy that so many people seem to enjoy it. Just so you know, this chapter is a little shorter than the others and it's kind of a filler to get to some lemony goodness in chapter 8. But I'll tell you more about that in the end.

I want to shout out a big thank you to my betas evelyn-shaye and EdwardsMate4ever from PTB who did a great job, giving me a lot to think about and change to make this better for you. And as always, I want to thank my friend and pre-reader Vampgirl79 for her support and for nominating me for the TwiFic Fandom Awards in the categories Favorite Newbie Author and Favorite Fangirl. For all of you who haven't voted for their favorite authors and stories yet, there's still time to vote until November 5th. So many great writers and stories are nominated. You should really go check it out.

Now I'll finally leave you to chapter 7. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: As you all know, Twilight's not mine, yada, yada, yada...

******POMH******

Chapter 7 – MIA

I looked plain stupid wearing Edward's old clothes. Everything was about ten sizes too large for me. Trying to make the best of it, I knotted the checkered flannel shirt around my waist and rolled up the sleeves and the waist of the washed-out gray sweat shorts. At least I was able to move unhindered by the clothes. When Edward saw my finished painting attire, he smirked at me.

"Well, you can pull off even the most hideous outfit and somehow manage to make it look sexy. Actually, seeing you like this gives me lots of ideas," he said seductively, taking the knot in his hand, pulling me closer.

I was very tempted to let him have his way, but apart from the fact that my mind was set on getting this job done, I needed to keep a bit of distance between us. So I laid my hands on his chest and gently pushed him away before he could kiss me, which had clearly been his intention.

"No. Not now, anyway. This room is going to be painted today, even if I have to do it on my own, because I can't trust you around me." I raised my brow, faking a threat.

"Okay, okay, okay." His hands were up in the air in a gesture of capitulation. "I promise to be good — for now. Let's get started."

****POMH****

A few hours later, the walls in Edward's office/guest room had a new layer of light green paint. It really looked bright and welcoming. After freeing the dark wooden desk and a few sets of shelves from their plastic wrappers, the room matched the rest of the apartment's décor perfectly. We had piled the boxes that had yet to be unpacked in one corner to make the rest of the room look tidy.

"Now, all I have to do is buy a fold-out sofa and unpack the rest of my stuff, and this could pass for a guest room. Thanks so much for your help." We were standing next to each other, our backs to the door, admiring our work.

"What do you need a fold-out sofa for? I thought guests were welcome in your bed?" I shot him a mischievous grin.

"That only applies to special guests." Again, he grabbed the knot on the shirt, pulling me closer. This time, I didn't stop him. His presence had made me feel kind of dizzy all day.

Without another word, he touched his lips to mine, nibbling my upper lip with his. Our kiss didn't stay innocent and playful for long. So, before it could unfold into another round in the bedroom, I pulled away. My body was desperate for his touch, but for once, the reasonable part of me won out, saying I should finally leave.

"I think we have to postpone that. It's time for me to go home." I said the words softly, careful not to make him feel rejected.

"When have you last taken a look at yourself?" He sounded amused as the corners of his mouth curled up in a grin. "You can't go home looking like that. You're covered in green sprinkles from head to toe. Go take a shower, and I'll order pizza. I insist on feeding you before I take you home. It's the least I can do to thank you." He turned around and left the room, not giving me any chance to object.

****POMH****

I came back into the living room, wearing Edward's bathrobe and drying my hair with a towel, when I saw that he had set two plates and two wine glasses on the coffee table. I looked around to find him in the kitchen, opening a bottle of red wine.

"I hope you like wine?" he said as he noticed me standing in front of the kitchen island. "I wasn't sure. So far, I've only seen you drink liquor."

"Apart from beer, I drink almost anything. But, you didn't have to," I answered, gesturing toward the set table.

"Yes, I did." He went over and poured wine in both glasses. "Now, I'll go take a shower, too. You make yourself comfortable. The pizza will be here in a few minutes. If I'm still in the bathroom, there's money on the little table next to the door."

With those words, he was gone. I went to the bedroom, putting on my club outfit from Friday night, before I sat down on the couch.

When Edward joined me, wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt, I had already emptied my glass and the pizza was on the table.

"Sorry that I kept you waiting," he said, noticing the empty glass. "I hope you weren't bored."

"Not at all. I took a look at your DVD collection. I can't believe you have all Elvis Presley movies. I mean, they're all bad. I thought I was the only person under the age of, say fifty, who loves them."

"I guess you discovered one of my darkest secrets. I'm afraid I'll have to kill you to keep you from telling on me." A playful glare accompanied this mock threat.

"Your secret's safe with me. You even have Blue Hawaii. I haven't seen that one in a while," I said as he sat down beside me, refilling my glass.

"Then, I suggest that we watch it over dinner. The entertainment center is still unused. I have to try it out, anyway." Nipping at my wine, I watched Edward getting the DVD started. I still couldn't believe that we both were into something as unusual as those movies. I mean, I never before met anyone remotely my age who even knew them.

We ate in silence, enjoying the wonderfully bad old movie. After finishing the pizza, we sat back and took a more comfortable position, our bodies touching from shoulder to knee.

In the middle of the film, just when Elvis started to sing "Can't Help Falling In Love", I noticed that Edward had fallen asleep. For a minute, I thought about waking him to have him drive me home, but then I decided to let him sleep. I could still wake him when the movie was over.

****POMH****

Ring, ring, ring.

"Shit, what is that?" I mumbled, my voice muffled by something I seemed to be speaking into. I felt comfortably warm where I was. It took me a second to realize that I wasn't alone and that I wasn't lying in my bed.

Ring, ring, ring.

The body next to me stirred at the noise. When I opened my eyes, I recognized that I was lying in Edward's arms, my face buried in his chest.

"Fuck! We must have fallen asleep." He cursed as he struggled to get up from the couch to retrieve the still-ringing phone.

"Hello?" he answered, his voice sounding very annoyed. "Good morning, Alice."

Alice? Why was Alice calling Edward's house?

"Yes, she's here. Okay, wait a minute." He came over, handing me the phone.

"Alice? What is it? What's wrong?" I asked as I got up from the sofa.

"What's wrong? I've tried to call your cell for about twenty-four hours, and every call has gone straight to voice mail. I've been calling your house, to no avail. Your answering machine is filled with messages, telling you to call me back. I've been worried. I was about to call the police and report you as missing when Jasper told me to try Edward first. After all, he was the last person to see you alive. Have you been there all along?" She really sounded worried. But in the end of her tirade there was a hint of excitement, too.

"Alice, calm down. Everything's all right. My battery must have died." I signaled to Edward that I was going to the bedroom to finish the conversation. "I'm sorry I had you worried." I closed the door behind me. "Yes, I've been here since Friday night."

"Bella, you've never done that before. What happened? What have you been doing all this time? You have to be really sore." I heard her giggle on the other end.

"We came here after the club to you know what. Then I stayed over. Yesterday, I happened to help Edward paint his guest room. And we must have both fallen asleep, watching a DVD last night. Otherwise, I would have gone home. Nothing happened after Friday night." I felt like a teenager again, explaining to Charlie why I blew past my curfew.

"Nothing happened? Tell that to the Marines."

"Nothing. Happened," I repeated calmly. "We had breakfast, we talked, we painted, we ate, we fell asleep. End of story. We're friends. That's all." I wanted to end this discussion. To be honest, I wasn't sure myself how this weekend could have happened.

"Are you going home today, or are you moving in with him?" Again, her excitement outweighed her irritation.

"No, I'll be home in about an hour. I'll talk to you then."

"Okay. Bye, Bella."

When I returned to the living room, I saw Edward whirling around in the kitchen, and the scent of pancakes was in the air.

"Hmm, breakfast again? You're spoiling me. You should have just taken me home." I stopped at the kitchen island.

"No problem. I kept you here. At least I have to keep you fed. I'll take you home after breakfast." He put another set of pancakes in the pan.

"Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"Nope. Just sit down and wait till I serve you." He smirked at his suggestive statement.

"Just breakfast, please. I really have to go home today." I laughed lightly as I sat down.

The pancakes were really good, and this time, Edward actually drove me over to my place. He pulled into a free spot in front of my building and killed the engine.

"I really enjoyed the last two days. And thanks again for the paint job. Without your help, I might not have had an office until, well, at least next year." His body was turned toward me, his right arm on the seat back, his left hand on the wheel.

"I had a lot of fun, too. And there's no need to keep thanking me. I didn't have anything planned for yesterday, anyway." I turned to face him, as well.

"So … " He started but didn't finish.

"So, maybe we'll see each other next weekend? Alice, Jasper and I go out dancing almost every Friday." I was careful not to officially ask him to come. That would have been too close to a date. I wanted to see him, and have fun with him, but I didn't want to date.

"I'll talk to Jasper about it," he said, neither confirming nor refusing.

"I, uhm, should go. Alice will call me again soon. And if I'm not home, then she'll probably think you're holding me hostage and call the police." I bit my lip. A part of me was unwilling to leave.

"Then you should go." He leaned over, planting a quick kiss on my lips, before he captured me in a slightly longer hug. "Have a nice week, then."

I left his car, and before actually entering my building, I watched Edward's silver Volvo speed off.

********POMH********

A/N: Hi again. What do you think about Bella's and Edward's mutual liking of Elvis Presley movies? I needed to come up with something unusual they could bond over. Has anyone of you ever seen any of them? I've almost seen them all, but Blue Hawaii is one of my favorites along with another that's going to come up a little later in the story.

How about their second night together in a row? Did you see it coming? I know, most of you were hoping for a little smut again but that'll have to wait until next week. Anyone interested in a little teaser? Here it goes:

… "Tell me what you like, baby!" he demanded, slamming himself in deeper.

I moaned again. "I like you inside me."

"What do you want me to do to you? Tell me!" His eyes sparkled wickedly, grinding but not moving, as he waited for my response. …

Is that hot or is it hot? I give you another hint, chapter 8 is named "Dirty Talk". For all of you who are up for a longer teaser, there's going to be one on FicTease tonight. I hope to meet you all again next week. And don't forget to tell me what you think.