Unbeta'd so sorry in advance for any mistakes. I wanted to get this up quickly so I didn't have time to do my usual repeat checks of it,

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CHAPTER SIX

Bella

Listening to both Angela and Jessica discuss dress types, colour and beading I soon found myself glancing out the window.

As expected my thoughts soon drifted towards Edward again, not being able to get him out of my mind. There just seemed to be something…off about him, not in a bad way, but he just didn't seem normal.

The pale skin, the amber and dark eyes, the way he moved with such grace and the predatory looks I had seen him send my way. Just the reminder had me flushing.

But what did it mean?

"You're not really into this, are you?" Angela brought me out of my thoughts. I glanced up, realising that she had yet again changed dresses along with Jessica.

"Actually, I just really want to visit this book store. I'll meet you guys at the restaurant?" I suggested.

I had searched online for any decent bookstores, but it wasn't until I came across a familiar book they had in stock 'Quilette Legends' that I couldn't help but think back to what Jacob had told me when me and Charlie had headed down to the reservation.

"The cold ones…"

It had gotten me thinking.

By the time I left the store, book in hand, I frowned at how dark it had gotten. It had been a long walk to the bookstore, but I hadn't expected the light to go quite so quickly. I really needed to stop thinking that I was still in Phoenix.

Stepping outside I couldn't help but already begin to second guess myself on where I was going, trying to recall the way I had come.

It wasn't until I saw two seemingly drunk men at the end of an alley that I really started to second guess me leaving the other girls in a place I didn't know all that well. I would have snorted had I not felt a tremor of unease filter through me, I didn't know the area at all.

Turning around I held my breath, hoping to god that they didn't follow and I was just being paranoid.

I wasn't as lucky.

Walking past the dock my fingers clenched in my coat pocket, my eyes briefly closing in fear as I heard their taunts mingle along with the rest of the men in front of me. I knew I was surrounded, and I knew the chances of them leaving me alone were low.

I just hoped all they had planned was taunting.

It was when I soon found myself surrounded that I panicked, my breathing coming out in light puffs. They were close enough to touch and the smell of alcohol hit me with their every breath.

I was fucked.

"Don't touch me," I felt a hand creep down my back before landing on my arse. I flinched away only to have another do the exact same. "I said, don't touch me" I reflexively jerked my thigh upwards.

However, the satisfaction barely lasted a second before I was being shoved roughly. I clenched my eyes shut, knowing that if what to god I hoped didn't happen, happened, then I wasn't about to go down without a fight.

Hearing a car rapidly approaching I barely stifled the urge to cry. Were there more of them? God, could this get any worse?

It wasn't until I recognised the familiar Volvo, and the absolutely furious driver that I didn't know whether to be relieved or terrified that he was about to get the same treatment as I had gotten myself into.

His reckless yet controlled driving caused the circle of drunken men around me to stumble away. I would have ran had it not been for Edward, I was not about to leave him, every cell in my body prevented me from doing so.

When he told me to get in the car, I listened without hesitation.

I watched him stalk towards the group of men, anger radiating from every pore in his body and I couldn't help but notice that he moved with far too much grace for someone normal to manage. It was almost animalistic.

Still trying to control my breathing I watched in fearful shock as the men took one look at Edward before stumbling away. I gasped. From what I could tell he hadn't said anything but even as I took one look at him I felt a similar reaction.

It wasn't normal.

"I should go back there and rip those guys heads off!" he spat through clenched teeth as he pulled us quickly back onto the road. I ignored the beaming, not knowing why I wasn't feeling as unnerved as I should be with the animalistic look still present in his dark eyes.

He looked like he was out for blood.

"Uh, no you shouldn't." Why did I just say that? The men were about to rape me for Christ's sake!

I sighed, knowing the reason. I cared too much about Edward to let him do such a thing.

"You don't know the vile, repulsing things their thinking" his hands clenched tighter on the wheel. I swear I heard the rubber strain under the pressure.

"And you do?"

"It's not hard to guess." No, I guess it wasn't. They had made their intentions perfectly clear. "Can we talk about something else? Distract me so I won't turn around?"

Shit, I couldn't help but wonder just how much he cared about me to be as torn up about it as he was. So I blurted out the first thing I could think of.

"You should put your seatbelt on."

Surprisingly he laughed, but not in a cheerful way. It sounded more sinister than I expected he could muster. Again, he seemed to have proved me wrong.

"Put your seatbelt on," he chuckled almost hysterically. I had never seen him so out of sorts, not when he was usually so calm and collected.

It was unsettling to say the least.

Before I knew what I was doing I had the major urge to comfort him, to care for him, and however absurd it sounded it didn't prevent me from reaching out to lightly touch my fingers against his on the gear stick.

"You're so cold," I frowned as he pulled his hand back reflexively.

Looking down I stared at my hand, light tingles running from my fingertips all the way through my arm. What the…?

He didn't reply and I didn't question it further, my head too filled with all the if's and buts when it came to me spending more time around Edward. None of it seemed to make sense.

Arriving at the restaurant where I had arranged to meet Angela and Jessica I couldn't help but think how he knew this was where I was meant to go since I hadn't been the one to tell him, and he wasn't friends with either Angela or Jessica so he couldn't have got it from them.

"Thanks," I spoke shyly when he held my door open for me. I smiled, hiding my confusion at his extremely pleased expression.

Huh?

"You're very welcome, Bella."

Shivering at the sound of my name falling from his lips I frowned when I caught sight of both Angela and Jessica leaving the restaurant, only for them to tell me they had already eaten since they hadn't heard from me in hours.

Shouldn't that have raised alarm bells?

When Edward offered to sit with me I couldn't resist, smiling at the memory him Jessica trying to invite herself only for Edward to swiftly refuse while still managing to keep up with the charm.

It made me wonder whether he just didn't like Jessica or whether he actually wanted to spend some time alone with me, neither I had a problem with but the fact he had made it perfectly clear only a few days ago that he didn't even want to be friends made his whole change of attitude confusing.

While I was extremely grateful that he had saved me from being beaten and much worse, I couldn't help but feel question after question filtering through my head.

How did he know I was there?

Was he following me?

How did he know I was in trouble?

Why did those men back off so easily?

And the comment about him ripping their heads off, while with anyone else it would have seemed like an empty or over reactive threat, with Edward…he sounded as serious as it came.

Why wasn't I more worried about being in his company if that was what I thought? I knew part of the reason why was the fact even with his strange quirks, every cell in my body was screaming at me that I was safe, almost protective.

I let Edward take charge as we entered the small restaurant, the waitress doing a double take. I didn't blame her. Edward was the picture of pure perfection.

I just didn't like the way she was staring at him, at all.

Remaining quiet I once again felt my lips curve into a smile when Edward was pulling out my chair before I had even reached it. I shook my head in wonder.

When my mushroom ravioli arrived by the same envious waitress I glanced up at Edward who had denied eating anything.

"So," the waitress battered her eyes lashes. "Are you sure there isn't anything I can get you?" she practically purred.

The jealously I felt came out of nowhere.

"No, no thank you."

I was satisfied when I watched her leave, even if she threw a "let me know" over her shoulder with that same flirtatious expression. Now, while I knew this wasn't a date and rather Edward being the gentleman he was, it certainly looked like one and the fact she had the guts to simply try and get off with my 'date' was just not ok.

I snorted, trying to cover it up with a cough but I knew by Edward's smirk that he knew exactly what had caused it. I flushed, trying not to draw attention to it.

The fact his eyes hadn't strayed from my own hadn't skipped by my attention either.

"You're really not going to eat?"

His lips curved. "No I'm on a, special diet."

It sounded as if I wasn't in on some kind of personal joke once again, and suddenly I didn't feel so hungry anymore.

"You've got to give me some answers," I didn't know how much of this tension I could take anymore.

He hummed. "Yes. No. To get to the other side. 1.77245-"

"I don't want to know what the square root of pie it!" I snapped before I could help myself. It was frustrating, the jealously I was feeling over the waitresses flirting, the way he always seemed to talk to me as if there was some private joke that I wasn't in on…the fact he was lying to me, or giving me half-truths, hurt.

He looked surprised, pleased but surprised. "You knew that?"

I stared at him, deciding to go for the direct approach. None of this other shit seemed to be working. "How did you know where I was?"

His response of "I didn't" I immediately knew was a lie. Not only was it obvious, but it seemed every lie which fell from his lips concerning me hurt, and while I didn't know why exactly it at least gave me something to work with.

I got up to leave.

"Don't leave," he looked panicked, and for the briefest moment I swore I saw pain flash through his eyes.

Yea, I knew exactly what you were feeling mate.

"Did you, follow me?" I prompted.

"I-I feel very, urm, protective over you" he seemed to struggle with his wording.

I stared at him, not understanding the rush of…affection? which I seemed to feel about his words. The rational side of me said I should be concerned, he had basically admitted to me that he had been following me, but it was the protective comment which had the heat rising to my cheeks.

I felt flattered when I knew I should be anything but.

"So, you followed me?" I just wanted to confirm it.

"I was trying to keep a distance unless you needed my help, and then I heard what those lowlifes were thinking-"

"Wait, you say you heard what they were thinking?" Had I heard him right? He seemed lost for words, which would have been strangely adorable had it not been for the tense conversation. But I needed answers, I couldn't afford to allow myself to get side tracked and I knew it wouldn't be that hard of a thing for Edward to do. "So what you…you read minds?"

Why was I going along with this? And more importantly, why did some part of me actually believe that he could?

"I can read every mind in this room, apart from yours."

I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't relieved. If he was telling the truth, which every gut feeling I held was telling me that he was, than knowing about my slight obsession with him wouldn't have been my idea of fun.

"Just money, sex, money, sex…cat." At that exact moment the bloke he was gesturing to sighed in what I guessed to be pleasure.

I couldn't help it, I laughed.

"And then you…nothing. It's very frustrating."

For some reason I ended up blurting out, "is there something wrong with me?" before I could help myself.

Edward stared at me, eyes still intense before he ended up chuckling. "I tell you I can read minds, and you think there's something wrong with you?"

I flushed at the realisation that he was right. It wasn't until I saw him grow uncomfortable that I felt my concern increase. Was it healthy that I was reacting to his admission so calmly? That I was so worried?

"What is it?" my tone dripping with concern. I found I wanted to know; no I needed to know what was on his mind.

"I don't have the strength, to stay away from you anymore."

"Then don't," was my reflexive answer.

Just the thought alone of not being around him, of never seeing him again made my heart clench painfully. I fought the urge to wince painfully, rather concentrating on the mystery sitting on front of me.

I couldn't let him go. I didn't know him well, but what I did know was he had to be in my life. I didn't want to picture what it would be like if he wasn't in it.

The ravioli was cold by the time I realised we had simply been staring at each other, the rest of the restaurant having gone home already.

"Can we leave now?"

Edward's eyes flickered down towards the cold uneaten meal, his brows pulling together in a frown but he didn't comment, rather nodding as he waved the waitress down.

"You sure I can't get you something, handsome?"

I frowned.

Edward shook his head, reaching for the check before rolling his eyes. Curious, I lifted my head only to snort when I caught sight of the numbered digits. I had a feeling I would have been jealous had it not been for the fact Edward didn't seem to react in the slightest.

Weren't guys meant to be flattered when girls threw themselves over them? If anything, Edward didn't seem affected in the slightest.

The journey back was quiet, but it was far from awkward. Just being in his presence seemed to relax me, not to mention I was still incredibly thankful of his heroic gesture earlier in the evening. I had a feeling I always would be, and I didn't have a problem with that.

When Edward turned into my drive I took note that yet again Charlie wasn't home. I sighed, knowing his job was demanding and at least unlike Renee he actually had a perfectly acceptable excuse. I wasn't about to complain after he had taken me in, he was perfectly fine to live his own life as I lived mine.

I just worried.

I didn't make a move to get out of the car once the engine was off, and Edward didn't tell me to leave.

"I am sorry,"

I looked towards him in confusion.

"For my previous comment about not wishing to be friends, I do."

"Oh," I spoke softly. "You feel protective over me?" I swallowed nervously. He nodded. If he was being truthful then I wanted to be as well. "I feel…around you, uh…."

"What are you trying to say, Bella?" his lips curved.

God, he had such a gorgeous smile.

"I want to be honest, and to do that I have to tell you, uh, being around you makes me feel safe" I finally stuttered out.

Nervously, I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, hoping I hadn't made things awkward. In contrast, if anything Edward's entire face seemed to light up with delight.

The sight alone made me breathless.

"I make you feel safe?" I nodded. He shook his head, amusement tainting his tone. "I apologise, I just haven't heard that before. But, I am pleased."

Biting my lip I nodded, watching as his own gaze flickered down to my lips before he seemed to steal himself, against what I didn't know. I tried to tell myself that his eyes hadn't transformed from an amber gold into a dark black within the space of a few seconds, because that wasn't normal, was it?

"You should head inside, rain is coming" Edward suddenly spoke.

I didn't ask him how he knew, or if he was right. This night was weird enough as it was without me trying to pick apart every little detail that had occurred under a fine tooth comb.

No, I would do that later in the comfort of my own room.

"Thank you," I started. "For saving me, for being there I guess," I tucked a few loose strands behind my ear. "I mean a lot."

"You don't need to-"

"I do," I cut him off. "I'd hate to even think about what they had planned, and I need," I shivered. "I need you to know that I am really grateful that you followed me, even if it was a little strange" I teased.

Edward seemed to stare at me blankly, and for the life of my I couldn't read a single expression on his face. It was as if he was a blank slate.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Bella" he smiled after a few minutes. I watched as he seemed to hesitate before he reached out to brush lightly at my hair, his gesture so light that I barely felt it.

It left me yearning for more.

Pulling his hand away he was out the car and had my door open before I had time to unbuckle my seatbelt. Had he jogged? The list of things I couldn't help but notice was growing the more time I spent with him, but it didn't explain why I wasn't running away screaming?

Edward, ever the gentleman, walked me to my door with the grace I had come to expect from him.

"Sleep well, Bella" he smiled charmingly before swooping down in an extravagant bow. It was so unexpected I froze for a second before I found myself giggling at his antics. Giggling!

Shyly saying that I would see him tomorrow I watched in disappointment as he slipped back into his Volvo before pulling out of the drive.

I wasn't surprised when only a few minutes being in the house it started to down pour.

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