Fighting Temptation

Chapter Nineteen: Late Night Truths

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Stephenie Meyer. The original characters and plot are property of me, Dobber17. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

This chapter has been edited by CherryBerry12.

Bella Swan

Mike and Tyler were in hysterics when we got back to the hotel, still unable to believe Winston's lightning speed. Even Edward was having a hard time wiping the grin from his face.

"Just let it out," I told him, fighting my own amusement as Edward launched into a laughing fit. As soon as I placed the Wal-Mart bag on the table, I lost it. Full out and completely lost it - erupting into tears and laughter.

By the time we managed to calm ourselves, my abs were on fire. We had enough outings for one chilly night, but were still too wound up to sleep. We opted to do a miscellaneous round of truths, where each of us wrote down a few and put them in a pile in the middle of Mike and Tyler's bed. We crammed into a circle on their bed with our questions resting in a pile between all of us.

Tyler waved his hand over the pile. "Ladies first."

I grabbed the first slip of paper, refraining from rolling my eyes as I read Mike's handwriting. "Have you ever peed in a pool?" I read out. "Yup," I answered.

Three voices spoke at once as Edward, Tyler and Mike answered.

"Yes."

"For sure."

"Hell, yeah."

Edward reached in and grabbed the next piece of paper. "What is the stupidest thing you've done because someone dared you to?" He barely paused before he answered. "Streaked through a hotel."

"Wal-Mart," I answered instantly, trying to blame my blush on the stupid list and not because I was remembering the sight of Edward streaking.

"Trick or treating in a French maid costume."

"Got my nipple pierced," Mike mumbled so quietly I wasn't sure if I heard correctly.

Except we heard him just fine. Tyler slapped his hand on the bed. "I remember that! You took it out the next day, but it still got all infected and shit."

Mike glared at Tyler as he grabbed a piece of paper from the pile. "What is the stupidest thing you've done on your own free will?" Mike crumpled up the paper, tossing it toward the garbage. We all cracked a grin when it missed by miles. Mike cleared his throat before answering. "Rode a shopping cart down a hill. Ended up breaking my collarbone."

"Play truth or dare with you guys," I answered.

"Let my sister cut my hair."

I let my eyes slide to Edward's hair. I couldn't imagine Alice being bad at anything fashion or beauty related. Edward followed my gaze, clearing his throat before elaborating. "She was in high school - bound and determined to become an esthetician or a hairstylist. She'd been bugging me for months to cut it, and I finally relented. It was good. Actually, going much better than I expect … until Jasper showed up to visit … unexpected … while she was buzzing the back of my neck." Edward rand a hand through his hair, making a sharp noise. "Needless to say, we had to make the rest match, so I was rocking a buzz cut for a while."

I reached over, giving the base of his neck a quick squeeze before running my hands through his hair. "Poor baby," I teased, ignoring the flutter in my stomach as he winked.

Mike gagged, throwing his hands up with unnecessary theatrics and asked if we were playing the damn game or if him and Tyler should take a walk. Edward bumped my shoulder gently, easing my irritation, as Tyler started talking.

"Dated Lauren. Talk about a living hell," Tyler's voice trailed off, his mind elsewhere as he reached for the pile of papers. "What's the first thing you notice when you meet someone of the opposite gender?" He crumpled the paper in his fist. "Hair."

"Curves," Mike answered simply.

"Eyes," Edward said, a soft smile on his lips as his gaze never wavering from mine.

I thought about his eyes as they twinkled with a hint of mischief. It was unfair, really, how the green never gave way to hazel. Not to mention to impossibly long lashes that framed them. The longer I stared, the bigger the smile that crept onto his face.

"Smile," I finally answered, reaching toward the pile.

"What do – oh that's disgusting," I cringed, quickly refolding the slip of paper with Mike's handwriting. Surprisingly, he didn't fight me, opting to laugh into a launching fit instead of making me read it. I picked up a different slip and pushed it into Edward's hand. "Moving on."

Edward gave my hand a squeeze before reading. "What do you usually sleep in?"

Three voices answered at once. "Boxers."

Mike's eyes shot to me. I didn't dare warn him my answer was far from exciting. "Tank top and shorts, or hoodie and sweatpants. Season depending," I told them.

Mike's face fell a fraction. Definitely not the answer he was hoping for.

"What body part do you like most about yourself?" Mike read aloud. "Well, I guess I would have to choose my perky nipples." He gave us a cheeky grin and I rolled my eyes.

"Then I'll go with my rippling pectorals," Tyler said mockingly with an eye roll of his own. Mike didn't notice, opting to give Tyler a high-five that was only half-heartedly met.

"Eyes, I guess," Edward said indecisively, running a hand through his unruly locks.

"I think I have nice shoulder blades," I admitted. My answer was met with silence.

"Like, legit? That's your answer?" Mike asked, incredulous.

"Have you seen your eyes?" Tyler chimed.

"Have you seen your ass?" Mike blurted, realizing his mistake too late as his eyes slowly slid to Edward.

Edward ignored him though, focusing on me. "You're beautiful, Bella." His voice was soft but full of meaning.

I tensed up at all the attention. "I didn't answer to get a motivational pep talk, guys!"

"You're getting one anyway," Tyler replied.

"Thank you! Really! I do actually like my shoulders! Can we just move on," I pleaded. I appreciated it; I truly did, I just wasn't ready to dip into that conversation.

Tyler complied with my request, grabbing the last piece of paper. "Have you ever worn a thong?" Tyler read aloud. He and Edward immediately shook their heads while I rolled my eyes and nodded.

Mike was too slow to respond.

"Dude, you haven't?" Tyler asked, disgusted laced deep in his voice.

"It was a dare! I didn't do it on my own free will." Mike's face was turning quickly from pink to red.

"Still." Tyler shuddered while Edward shook his head, unsuccessfully fighting his shit-eating grin.

Mike was desperate to keep the game going. He lunged for one of the few scraps of paper remaining, only to be interrupted by Edward's phone.

Edward glanced at the caller I.D. before answering. "Hey, mom."

I heard Esme loud and clear on the other end. She was checking up on me; between Carlisle and Alice, she knew all about me being down and out with the flu. I cringed, feeling a new wave of embarrassment. One glance at the clock showed it was well past my bedtime. Edward gave my hand a squeeze as I untangled myself from the bed, grabbing some pajamas on my way to the bathroom. Edward was still on the phone when I returned. I opted to crawl under the covers, curling myself toward him as he said his goodbyes to his mom. Within minutes his arms were wrapped around me and I was snuggled into his side. Tyler shut off the lights and the room was engulfed in darkness.

"Good night." I titled my face as Edward placed a short but tender kiss on my lips.

"No making out while we're in here!"

We were far from making out. I rolled my eyes even though Mike couldn't see me in the dark, cuddling myself into Edward chest. The room was quiet, my mind calming with the rise and fall of Edward's chest.

The night was still when Edward shifted, rousing me from my semi-sleeping state. His ran a hand gently through my hair. "I love you," he whispered, his voice so very soft but full of emotion.

I matched his quietness as I responded. "I love you, too."

AHHH I'm finally back to writing! Like I mentioned up top things have been a bit crazy with the wedding (done!), renovating a house (done!), and a pure fluff ball of energy (how much caffeine am I allowed to have?). Hopefully we'll be back to a semi-regular posting schedule!