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Chapter 3

"Well don't you two just make the perfect couple," Jessica retorted in a sickly sweet tone as she walked into the restaurant.

Edward and I just ignored her, choosing instead to hang back from the group to get away from prying eyes.

"She is pissed at me. Dear Jesus. Did you see the way she was glaring at me?" I questioned while I laughed. It was kinda funny how upset she was getting considering I'm really no threat to her.

Edward laughed. "What, are you scared Bella?"

"Maybe I should be. Her threat was pretty direct. She does not want us together."

Edward stopped and pulled me deeper into his chest. Pretty soon I wasn't going to know where he ended and I started. He had both arms wrapped around my waist and serious look of worry on his face.

Dread immediately filled me. Was he thinking this wasn't a good idea anymore? Did I cross a line? Was he going to end the most wonderful thing I that had ever happened to me

Before I could worry any more, Edward brought one hand up to brush the hair back that had fallen in front of my face. With his hand resting on my cheek and the most intense look in his eyes he said to me, "You know I would never let anyone hurt you, don't you Bella?"

"Of course I do," I said breathlessly. And I did. Edward would rather die than let the people closest to him get hurt—including his friends.

He let out a relieved sigh, "Good."

He kept staring at me with that intense look on his face. Before I did something stupid, like kiss him, I said, "Maybe we should set some ground rules for this whole relationship thing. Just so that things don't get weird."

Amused, he replied, "Afraid you can't keep your hands to yourself, Swan?"

If only he knew it was a herculean effort to not completely assault him. Seriously. Mother Theresa herself would have a hard time keeping her thoughts pure around him.

Not knowing how to respond since I could never lie to this man, I stuck with sarcasm.

"Yep. That's it. You're just too attractive for your own good. How can I possibly keep myself together? Take me. I'm yours," I deadpanned as I pretended to swoon. Hopefully, my over exaggeration would distract from the truth in those statements.

Edward laughed. That was a good sign.

"Bella, if you're gonna make my parents and my stalker believe you're my girlfriend you have to touch me."

Well there you have it. He's insisting. It would be rude to deny his request, so I guess I'll just have to touch him as much as I want. To convince his parents. And Jessica. Ya, keep telling yourself that, Bella.

"And to be convincing as your boyfriend, I have to be able to touch you. I wouldn't want people to think I wasn't an affectionate boyfriend, or that I couldn't satisfy my woman."

Edward chose that moment to run one of his hands from my neck, down my side, brushing his fingertips against my rib cage until he reached my ass. He tucked his hand into the back pocket of my jeans. His other hand wrapped itself into my hair and tilted my head up towards his face.

Chills spread through out my body. My eyes fluttered closed and my mouth fell open. Every part of me felt alive. I could feel my panties start to get wet. Good lord. I was already this worked up and he hadn't even kissed me yet.

"But I don't think we should have sex."

So close, but yet so far. Who's dumb idea was it to set ground rules? Oh. Right. That was me. Bella Swan, Official cockblocker since 1991.

"I agree," I tried to hide the disappointment from my voice.

He rubbed his nose against mine. "Good. I'm glad were on the same page."

I could have sworn I heard something behind his words. I got the feeling he wasn't just talking about the rules anymore. Could he be just as disappointed as I was?

"But that doesn't mean I can't kiss you. That's what a good boyfriend would do. He would kiss you every day, every chance he got," he whispered against my lips, almost to himself. I'm not even sure he even knew he said it out loud, but I heard it. It was the most romantic thing anyone had said to me.

I got lost in his eyes. It was like those beautiful emerald eyes put me in a trance. I could see our whole lives reflected in them. Marriage. Kids. Grandkids. Happiness. Love. It was like he was reading my mind, showing me everything I could have with him. Everything around us melted away.

Edward's eyes kept flickering between my eyes and my lips. My knees suddenly started to get weak. He pulled my face closer to his and my eyes slid shut. I was actually going to kiss Edward Cullen…

The hostess screaming "Cullen! Party of seven!" broke us out of our little bubble.

Edward blinked several times and cleared his throat. I took several deep breaths and stepped out of his arms.

I laughed nervously, "Well I guess we have our rules."

Edward, still trying to recover, replied, "Uh ya. Everything's fair game except sex. Sounds good to me."

"Good. I'll meet you inside then. I need to go to the little girl's room," I said as I walked inside.

Standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom, I realized three things. I was completely head over heels in love with Edward. I was going to have to tell him how I felt before the weekend was over. And Edward Cullen may not be as unattainable as I once thought.

I didn't know what this weekend was going to unfold, but I did know I was not the only one effected by our almost kiss. If that hostess didn't step out when she did, he would have kissed me. Maybe, just maybe, all of those moments over the years when I would catch him staring at me he really was looking at me with longing. Maybe he wants to be with me as much as I want to be with him. This weekend would either be the best thing for me or the worst thing.

There was only one way to find out. I walked out of the bathroom towards what I hoped would be the start of something great.