A/N: Reviews were brilliant as always. This is un-bet'ad as usual, so all mistakes are mine. ENJOY!

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Bella

Edward was constantly on my mind for the rest of the day which was anything but new, my cheeks still stained red at the memory that I had actually fallen asleep on Edward mid-way through a conversation.

Edward hadn't been able to take his eyes off my flamed skin since the colour had first made its appearance.

It was both humiliating and hot.

Having agreed eagerly to spend the rest of the day around Edward's a quick call to a questioning Charlie had my eyes rolling. He was protective, but seems to relent when I told him it wasn't as if me and Edward were going to be the only ones at his house.

"Thanks," I smiled as Edward once again opened my door for me.

He nodded, helping me out while brushing the back of my hand with the base of his thumb. I smiled, linking fingers as we headed inside the house.

I was immediately greeted by Esme. "Bella, darling" she smiled, kissing both of my cheeks. "Are you hungry?"

I was confused by her almost hopeful tone until Edward's own lips quirked, "Esme enjoys the excuse to use the kitchen."

"Oh," I smiled. "I guess I could eat-"

"Lovely!" she clapped her hands.

I was taken aback by her excitement as she quickly smiled at Edward before dashing upstairs, most likely into the kitchen.

"You've probably made her day, Love" Edward gestured up the stairs, his hand on my lower back as he took me to his room. "Carlisle doesn't get back for a few hours; it will be a nice distraction."

Walking into his room I paused in the doorway at the sight in front of me, tilting my head to the side as I stared at the new admission to the room.

Tilting my head upwards to look at him I took in his nervous expression, his eyes scanning over my face for my reaction to the new development.

I stared.

"You brought a bed?"

He swallowed, nodding. "I did."

Creasing my brows in confusion I looked back at the large addition to his room, the queen sized bed pressed against the side of the wall. It looked expensive and it didn't take long to realise that it was probably one of Esmes purchases since I really couldn't see Edward looking through catalogues for a new bed.

I almost snorted at the thought.

Tilting my head to the side I cautiously walked over to it, letting my fingers brush against the soft black comforter and what I guessed to be Egyptian cotton sheets.

"There a 1600 thread count."

I nodded, feeling how soft they were and knowing they must be incredible to sleep on.

"Why?" he raised a brow as I glanced back at him. "The bed, I didn't think you slept." At least, that was what he had told me previously?

If anything he seemed to grow even most uncomfortable with the question. Running a hand through his hair he seemed to struggle with how to word his answer until he seemed to realise I was still waiting for one.

"For you,"

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

He cleared his throat. "I-I brought it for you, if you wanted to stay around some nights…if you want that its."

I stared, taken aback by his thoughtfulness.

"It was just a thought-"

I cut him off, smiling shyly. "That's really sweet, Edward."

He seemed shocked. "Really? When I, uh, told Esme she seemed to think it was slightly presumptuous on my part."

I shook my head, grinning. "What, do you plan to lure me into bed?" I chuckled.

If he was human I swear to god he would have been blushing, his look almost bashful.

Shouldn't that be my reaction?

"I was kidding, Edward. But in all seriousness, it really means a lot that you want me to invade your personal space."

I knew what he was like with others entering his room, Alice having told me that Jasper was similar in regards to his private study. Apparently she was the only one he didn't mind entering, and even when she did it was genuinely due to the fact they both had sex on their minds.

I had blushed almost as soon as she started her admission.

It turned out to be a territorial thing, even though it hadn't affected Emmett for some reason. Carlisle had his office, which while he didn't mind who went inside he preferred to be present when they did, Esme being the exception. I had asked why, it turning out to be a vampire's instinct telling the male vampire that those who entered without permission weren't welcome.

It had been an interesting realisation.

Making a move to sit on the bed I almost moaned as I felt myself sink into the mattress, only barely managing to restrain myself.

It felt like heaven.

Feeling eyes on me I lazily looked towards Edward only to see him staring at me intently, his expression unreadable but the desire in his gaze was hard for even me to miss.

I liked the fact the more time I spent around him the more I seemed to be able to understand what his mood was.

I cleared my throat, smiling shyly at him. "I like it," I admitted honestly.

Staring at me with that same hungry gaze he seemed to shake his head before he snapped out of it, swiftly and gracefully making a move to stand in front of me. I watched amused as he hesitated for a brief moment before taking a seat next to me.

"Esme said it was one of the best."

I nodded, "She's probably right."

We were quiet for a few moments, lying next to each other in silence before Edward seemed to get something off his chest. I didn't speak, rather listening quietly for what he had to say since I knew from the moment he started speaking that he was nothing but serious.

It was an unfortunate change in atmosphere.

"Another reason for the bed was," he swallowed. "I was hoping you would not protest to spending the next few nights here."

Rolling onto my side I stared at him, wondering what had gotten into him.

"I'm not saying no, Edward. But, why?"

He frowned. "Alice had a vision of what James's has planned-"

"So he plans on coming after me then?" He nodded. "What did she see?"

"There are a lot of different outcomes. Most of them are him attempting to get you on your own and away from us. He is not a skilled fighter, nor is he has experienced as Jasper or gifted as myself. He is very much aware that if he tries anything with us around, he would not stand a change, even if the outnumbering wasn't a factor."

Fuck, way to dampen a previously light mood.

"But he won't be able to, right? Get me alone?"

"You will not be leaving my sight, Love!" he told me in a tone which was nothing other than completely serious.

I sighed, relaxing back against the abnormally comfortable bed.

"James's also didn't factor in just how talented Alice is. We already know his plan, or the basis of it before he has even put it into action."

"Which is?" I questioned curiously.

Edward frowned. "He planned to trick you into believing he held your mother at an old ballet studio. He would call you up in a hotel room, threaten you with her safety, and you would follow out of a need to protect your mother."

I abruptly sat up, opening my mouth before he cut me off soothingly.

"He doesn't have her, Love, nor does he plan on going through with the effort it would take to go to Phoenix and back again to find her. James is lazy; he only cares for the chase when it excites him."

I cringed, "excites him?"

Edward wore a similar expression. "Yes, I will never grasp onto how their mate ship works."

Now that interested me. "What do you mean?"

"Victoria-"

"She was the red-headed one, right?"

He nodded. "She loathes his hobby of finding females who have no interest in him, and tracking them down."

Sitting up I crossed my legs as I stared down at him, my eyes running over his stretched out form before pausing when I caught sight of a thin line of skin on top of the waistband of his jeans.

Fuck!

Now I knew Edward was hot, that much was a given. But what I hadn't expected was just how much of a reaction I would have seeing just that small slip of pale skin, the slight glimpse of his treasure trail making my mouth water.

"Bella,"

Snapping out of it I narrowed my eyes when I heard Edward's chuckles, my face burning in embarrassment at being caught staring. The fact I could tell my reaction pleased him in more ways than one was the only reason I wasn't stuttering like a nervous wreck.

"Sorry," I croaked out. "Carry on. What were you saying about never being able to grasp onto their mate ship?"

He shrugged. "If there was something you disliked about me, then I would feel compelled to change it. James on the other hand doesn't seem to care in the slightest."

I frowned. "Not that anything about you bothers me, but compelled is a strong word."

Sitting up he cupped my cheeks, leaning down with a careful touch before briefly brushing his lips with mine. I smiled despite myself.

"Perhaps it was the wrong choice of phrase. If you didn't like the way I acted in a certain manner, then I would change to make you happy," he tried again. "Better?" he raised a brow.

I nodded.

Taking the time to think about it was well I asked myself whether I would change if Edward told me something he didn't like about the way he acted. It didn't take long after the thought had passed my mind for me to be shouting yes in my head, that I would.

I would do whatever it took to make him happy.

"Same" I told him, shaking my head when I saw him open his mouth to protest. "You're perfect," I pecked him on the lips quickly.

Rolling his eyes at my diversion he allowed the change in topic, though thoughts of James were still playing on my mind.

Just how much danger was I in right now?

I knew it would be difficult for me to persuade Charlie to allow me to stay around Edward's, especially since in his eyes the relationship was still so new and I was still his little girl. But while I hadn't actually known Edward that long, it didn't change the fact that I felt as if I had known him my whole life.

Was it just us or a mate thing?

"Edward,"

"What, Love?" he turned to face me from our positions lying on the soft bed.

Turning on my side I stared at him, "Is it a mate aspect that I feel as if I have known you for years instead of mere weeks?"

My question seemed to please him as he smiled that crooked grin I loved so much, amber eyes twinkling in both affection and amusement.

"What made you ask that?" he asked curiously.

I shrugged. "Dunno, the thought just crossed my mind."

He hummed, "I suppose. It works differently for every different mated couple; the dynamics while similar are never completely the same."

I sat up again, interested.

"Esme is now coming," Edward warned me a brief second before Esme came walking gracefully into the room, a tray of food in her hands as she eyed me in both nervousness and excitement. "I don't know why you are so nervous; Bella is too polite to tell you if she doesn't like it."

I resisted the urge to punch him in the side, knowing it would hurt me a hell of a lot more than him.

I knew he'd barely feel it.

"Ignore him, Esme" I felt bad when I saw her face drop slightly. "It smells good," which wasn't a lie in the slightest. It really did smell amazing.

She smiled slightly in reply. "Thank you. I wasn't sure what you liked, but I made pasta bake."

I nodded. "Do you want me to come down and eat-"

"You can eat in here, Bella" Edward cut me off.

The food turned out to be incredibly tasty, but I expected nothing less from Esme and told her as much. She seemed pleased after scanning my face to make sure I was being honest, my eyes narrowing in Edward's direction when I heard him chuckling at her expense.

"Don't be mean, Edward" I frowned as Esme pleasantly goes on with her day.

I jumped when all of a sudden my back was pressed against he soft sheets and a very amused Edward was hovering over me, his nose just missing brushing mine. I yelped in surprise.

"Edward!"

He threw his head back, laughing brightly. He looked gorgeous.

"There is a difference between being honest and being mean, Love" his lips quirked.

I rolled my eyes, though sighed in content when I felt him lean down to brush his nose against my neck. How he managed to control himself around my throat and barely managed to do more than kiss me I didn't know, but I wasn't about to risk ruining the mood by bringing it up.

He sighed. "Esme is not upset, Bella. In fact, she is very much pleased that you are beginning to spend more time around the family."

"Really?" I smiled shyly.

He nodded. "She doesn't get to care for the rest of us like she does for you, Love. She likes the fact that she do things for you in a way that she cannot for us."

"Oh," I hadn't thought of it like that. It kind of made me feel better about imposing all the time.

"Not to mention it gives her a distraction when Carlisle is at work for the majority of the day," he added.

"It bothers her?"

He nodded, pulling back to look at me. "It bothers all mated couples when they are away from each other. Jasper and Alice are barely out of each other's sight, other than when she goes shopping and he prefers to simply make sure she is ok via text or phone."

I was about to reply when the door to his room suddenly slammed open causing me to flinch, Edward growling viciously which affected me in more ways than one.

"Really?" he asked huskily as he turned back to look at me, a brow raised.

I shrugged sheepishly, cheeks stained with colour when I realised he must have figured out how much the animalistic sound was affecting my lady parts.

The answer to the question was a hell of a lot.

"Break it up you to!" glancing over Edward's shoulder, his long form still hovering over me, I caught sight of Alice bouncing on the spot by the door way. "You've had enough time with Bella, Edward. It's time for some girl time!" she pretty much demanded.

My brows raised, "Girl time?"

"Uh huh!" she nodded eagerly, flashing over before pulling Edward off me with a single grab of his arm. I stared, open mouthed as Edward landed on his feet, scowling in her direction as he brushed ant wrinkles out of his clothes.

"School hardly counts as quality time, Alice" he rolled his eyes. "Why not go have girl time with Rose?"

Alice crinkled her face up in distaste. "She's being a bitch lately; even Emmett can't work out what has her acting funny. Plus they'll be having sex soon, and I don't fancy sticking around to hear it."

"Uh," Edward grunted before walking over towards me and helping me off the bed. "Thanks for that, Alice."

She shrugged, "You don't have to read my mind, Edward. You really think it's a memory I want to have in my head as well?"

The next thing I knew I had Alice linking her arm through mine and tugging me out the door. Looking behind me I frowned in confusion when I didn't see Edward only to shake my head in both affection and amusement when I caught sight of him by the front door, already holding it open for us.

Alice giggled. "I am so pleased both our mates have manners, Bella" she gushed, momentarily letting me go as Jasper came around the corner.

I had my arms around Edward's waist as Alice went to kiss her mate goodbye, Edward bending his head to press his lips against the crown of my head as he breathed in my scent.

"Are you going to tell me what she has planned?" I pleaded against his shirt.

I felt him shake his head; "You'll have to figure that out for yourself, Love" he hummed.

I frowned.

"And before you say I'm mean, we have already accomplished that I'm not."

I huffed.

"Not to mention you will be perfectly safe. Alice will not be letting you out of her sight, will you Alice?" he demanded, his protective side coming through.

I fought back a smile when Alice replied that she wouldn't even think of such a thing before I found myself in the back of bright yellow sports car, gaping at both the leather seats and technical updates both inside and outside of the vehicle.

"Jesus Alice, what kind of car even is this?" I gaped.

She shrugged, grinning. "The new Porche 911 Turbo. Gorgeous, isn't she?" she practically purred.

"Uh…"

"I know she's bright," Alice continued as she sped down the road. "But when you decide to go all out, why not get a car to represent yourself," she grinned wider.

"It's, uh, nice?" was all I couldn't manage to spit out, still in awe that I was even allowed near a car like this, let alone within it.

Alice nodded with a knowing look. "I know it's more flash than that Volvo of Edward's isn't it?" she giggled.

I nodded, because it clearly was. "I like Edward's car."

"I know," she winked. "You know why he got it?" she quirked a brow.

I shook my head.

"Because it's 'safe,'" she rolled her eyes.

"Safe?" I frowned in confusion. "But aren't you indestructible?"

She laughed. "Not for him Bella, for you."

"For me?" I stuttered. "But-but he had it before he met me, right?" I hesitated when I saw her amused look.

Making a right she shrugged. "The reason we moved here was for you, Bella" she admitted much to my surprise. "Though you seem to be able to mess with my gift, put it all out of whack. Normally I can find out everything, but with you I couldn't work out the day, the year, what you look like or even how old you were" she frowned, clearly irritated with something that was so obviously out of my control.

"Really?" that was something I had no idea of before her admission.

She nodded, still frowning. "Edward can be an impatient vampire, considering he has been practically on his own his whole vampire life. You have no idea how pleased we all were when you finally moved in with Charlie and he was no longer a mopey bastard."

"Hey!" I protested causing her to laugh.

"I was joking, Bella. Kind of,"

Sighing, I looked out the window before shaking my head as Alice began to ramble on about all the shopping we were about to do.

So much for Edward protecting me from everything, or didn't Alice count?

I had a feeling she wasn't someone you messed with and ended up not regretting it.

I held a whole new respect for Jasper.

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