Chapter Two: Drawn to You

I leaned my back against the counter, the hot mug of coffee burning into my palms. I barely noticed as my eyes stared unseeing into the black liquid. My head was swimming with images from the night before, my mind taunting me for my temporary lapse in judgment.

"Are you trying to will the coffee down your throat," Alice croaked sleepily as she walked into the kitchen, her bedhead extra messy this morning.

I sighed and set my mug on the counter, leaning my elbows on it and grabbing at my temples. I felt like I had a hangover – and I didn't even drink. I just spent the whole night replaying that kiss in my head until I finally passed out from exhaustion at four in the morning only to wake right back up at seven.

I listened to Alice open the fridge door and then pour herself a cup of coffee before I lifted my head back up and glared at her, remembering that she was the reason for my sleepless night.

"I hate you," I grumbled.

She sat on the stool in front of the island and glanced at me with tired eyes. "I just woke up. What could I have possibly done to piss you off?"

I lifted my coffee to my lips, taking a burning sip. I needed to lubricate my throat before I went off on my asshole of a best friend.

"Where do I even start?" I asked sarcastically, tapping my fingers on the counter. "First, you took me to a party full of grown-ass people who were all getting drunk and high, then you basically left me to fend for myself while you dry-humped a pothead on the couch. I nearly got assaulted by a major creepazoid, then you take me upstairs to watch you and two strange men get high, then –,"

"Let me cut you off there," Alice interjected, her hand raised in front of her face. "First of all, bitch, I didn't leave you to fend for yourself. You wandered off because I was simply kissing my boyfriend and you're a hater. Secondly, you told me that the guy didn't even get a chance to touch you thanks to Edward – the pothead's best friend. And lastly, you're mad because you lost control of your own damn self and macked all over your knight in shining armor and now you want someone else to blame. Am I right or am I right?"

The fire in my eyes would've melted a lesser person, but Alice was unfazed, returning my glare with a raised brow. She didn't look away as she sipped on her coffee, her fingernails tapping out a steady beat on the countertop.

"I hear crickets," Alice sang, way too cheerful for my liking.

"You should have told me we were going to a grown-ass person's grown-ass party, that's all I'm saying," I muttered, picking my coffee up and taking a small sip. She was, of course, right. But I wasn't about to tell her that. Her head was big enough already.

"I hinted at it," Alice said with a one-shoulder shrug. "I said we were going to a grown-up party, didn't I?"

"How was I supposed to know you meant an actual grown-up party? I thought you meant the people were like, eighteen or nineteen. Not twenty-somethings! And you know that."

Alice sighed, dropping her forehead onto her palm. "I'm sorry that I misled you. Can we please not argue? It's too damn early for this shit."

"Fine," I ground out between my teeth. "I'll drop it. For now. But you need to start being straightforward with me, Alice, or so help me, I will smother you with your own pillow while you sleep."

Alice snorted and rolled her eyes. "Okay, whatever."

"Whatever," I retorted in a mocking tone.

I walked over to the pantry and pulled out a cereal bar. I needed more in my stomach than just coffee, or I wasn't going to be very fun to be around. I could feel Alice's eyes burning holes in my cheek as I tore the package open and walked back to the island.

I took a bite and glanced at her, "What?"

"Sooo, I don't want another argument to start, but you seriously need to dish on all the details of what happened with you and Edward last night."

I leaned my hip on the counter, chewing slowly as I searched my mind for the right words. I wasn't totally sure what happened. One minute we were sitting on his bed and the next… well, his tongue was in my mouth and his hands were all over me.

And I liked it.

I shrugged, refusing to look at her. "You saw all there was to see. We kissed. That's all."

Alice slammed her hand down on the countertop causing me to jump. "Bullshit. What I walked in on was some hot and heavy sexual tension. You two looked about ready to tear each other's clothes off."

My cheeks blazed at the implication. "That wasn't going to happen," I insisted and then sighed, dropping my cereal bar on the counter, no longer feeling particularly hungry. "Honestly… I don't know what happened, okay? He just… he… was so freaking cute and he kept getting closer to me, and before I knew it, we were kissing."

I covered my face with my hands, the blood pooling freely in my cheeks and down my neck. I couldn't tell if I was embarrassed or turned on as I recalled the events from last night. Probably a mixture of both. When Alice didn't say anything for a while, I peeked at her through my fingers. She had a contemplative look on her face, her mouth pulling slightly up at the corner as she stared at me.

"Say something," I muttered, my words muffled by my hands. I couldn't stand the silence. It gave me way too much time to think about Edward and his lips and that was the last thing I needed to be focusing on.

"You liked him, didn't you?" she asked, that annoying smirk growing even wider.

I dropped my hands and gave her a dubious look. "I don't just kiss anyone, Alice. Obviously, I liked him a little bit."

"Yeah, I know," she chuckled rolling her eyes. "But you have never gotten so bent out of shape after kissing someone before. Your face is redder than the devil's dick, you sleaze. I think you liked him a lot more than you're willing to admit. Even to yourself."

"That's not true. I-I just… got swept up in the moment," I tried to reason with her – and myself.

Alice grinned, clapping her hands together. "Edward and Bella sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

I groaned, covering my eyes again and dropping my head onto the countertop. I should have known better than to try to have a serious conversation with Alice. She wasn't exactly known for her self-restraint. And when it came to me doing anything that I wouldn't normally do, she just loved to get stuck on it until I did something else noteworthy.

Alice cackled as I felt her come up behind me. She pressed her hand to the back of my head and gave it a firm nudge forward.

"Come on, let's get showered and dressed and go out for breakfast."

I stood up and glared at her.

"You're literally the worst, I hope you know that," I grumbled as I brushed by her and made my way to her winding staircase in the foyer.

"But you love me," she called after me, giggling to herself.

"Debatable," I shot back in a monotone voice.

I walked over to Alice's dresser once I was in her room. I rifled through it, looking for something suitable to wear. I hadn't planned on spending the whole night with her, so I didn't bring a change of clothes and I really didn't want to wear the same outfit I showed up in. I would have known I was staying the night and been prepared had she told me that the party we were going to was being held in Port Angeles and we wouldn't be getting back until late at night.

"I'm going to shower first," Alice announced when she entered the room. "That cool?"

I only nodded, still looking for something to wear. Everything she owned was so tight and low on the hips. I finally settled on a pair of black jeans, a white tank, and a white corduroy jacket with black sleeves and a black pocket on the breast. I picked out the tamest bra and panties I could find and some socks.

I set my outfit down on the bed and climbed up next to it, grabbing my phone off the nightstand to scroll through Facebook while I waited for my turn in the shower. I had a few notifications and some messages that I would answer later when I was in a better state of mind. Meaning, when my mind wasn't so consumed by a certain green-eyed man. I couldn't even think of his name without my body shuddering in the most pleasant way.

I did, however, answer my mother's message to let her know that I was okay and to enjoy her time away with my dad. She would have blown up my phone if I didn't answer her. She was pretty much all up in my business at all times. But I loved her regardless.

Thirty-five minutes and one hundred lame memes on Facebook later, Alice finally emerged from the bathroom in a towel. She walked over to her vanity and picked up her blow dryer. Her eyes met mine briefly.

"Hurry in the shower. I want to get to the diner before they stop serving breakfast."

I rolled off her high bed and walked into the bathroom, quickly stripping off the borrowed pajamas and climbing into the shower. The one great thing about Alice's house was that it never ran out of hot water. I guess that was a plus to being filthy stinking rich. I turned the water on as hot as I could handle, my mind drifting back to last night. I just couldn't get his lips out of my head. I had never been kissed with so much passion before. Just the memory of it was driving me insane. I tried to focus on cleaning myself, but he just wouldn't get out of my head.

I made a mental note to bitchslap Alice at a later date.

Once I was done with my shower and self-flagellation, I got out and wrapped up in a fluffy towel. I walked over to the sink and grabbed the toothbrush Alice always had for when I stayed the night. I brushed my teeth quickly and then walked back into Alice's room. I could hear her moving around and humming to herself in the closet. I dried my body off with the towel and then wrapped it around my hair as I got dressed. Alice came out of the closet as I was putting my white Chucks on my feet.

She had on a pair of acid-washed jeans that had holes going from the tops of her thighs to the bottom of her knees, a long-sleeved black V-neck that showed a lot of cleavage, and black Doc Martens. Her hair was styled as it always was, and she had her eyes darkened with mascara and a thin cat eye.

Alice walked over to her dresser and picked up a black cross necklace, clasping it over her neck before turning to me. She teetered back and forth, from her heels to her toes as she stared at me, her expression unreadable.

"Alice, what?" I asked, getting frustrated with her loaded silence. She really could say a lot without even opening her mouth.

She stuck her fingers through her front belt loops, pulling down slightly as she grinned at me. "Jasper called me while you were in the shower."

I took the towel off my head, still staring at her. "And?"

"How would you feel about getting breakfast in Port Angeles instead? With Jasper… and Edward. Since I kind of already told them we were going to come."

"Dude, come on," I groaned, throwing myself back on her bed. "That's so not cool."

I glared up at her ceiling. She was going to get that bitchslap sooner rather than later.

Alice jumped on the bed, landing on her knees next to me and making my body bounce slightly. She grinned down at me and reached out with her finger to poke my side. I slapped her hand away and she chuckled.

"You're pissing me off," I growled.

"Bella, please come with me," she begged with that signature Alice pout.

I covered my face with my hands because I was not immune to her powers of persuasion. And I didn't feel like getting talked into doing something that I absolutely wanted to do but knew that it was a bad idea.

"I can't go."

"Why not?" she whined, shaking the bed as she bounced on it, throwing a mini tantrum.

I didn't want to admit to Alice that I couldn't face Edward. Not after what happened. He probably thought I was a major spazz. Not to mention, I couldn't lie to save my life, and Alice was so caught up in a web of lies that I didn't think I could keep up.

"Bella!" Alice shouted when I didn't say anything. She threw her leg over my body and straddled my waist, her hands grabbing mine to pry them off my face. When she finally got them loose, I glared up at her.

"I don't want to see Edward again," I lied pathetically. I wanted to see him. Badly. I just didn't want him to see me. I didn't want to be a part of Alice's lies. I just wanted to pretend that last night never happened.

"I know that's not true," she said rolling her light blue eyes at me. "You're dying to see him again, just admit it."

I shook my head. "Alice, just drop me off at home and you go have a good time."

"No, you come and have a good time with me. Please, Bella. Pretty please?" She widened her big doe eyes at me, that annoying pout prominent on her lips. She wasn't going to give up. When Alice wanted something, she was relentless in her efforts to get it.

And the idea of seeing Edward again was becoming way too tempting. But I wasn't about to tell her that. The last thing I needed to do was encourage Cupid.

I sighed giving in. "I'll go as long as you promise not to try and push me on Edward."

Alice screamed, bouncing on top of me. I grunted from the force on my stomach and pushed her off of me. She landed next to me, a giggling mess. I sat up as Alice jumped off the bed.

"Let's liven up that face of yours really quick and then we need to head out." She grabbed my hand and dragged me over to her vanity, pushing me down on the stool.

I blow-dried my wet hair while she thickened my lashes with mascara, brightened my cheeks with blush, and glossed my lips with soft red. Twenty minutes later, we were on the road, heading to Port Angeles. Alice was buzzing with excitement while my heart was palpitating painfully in my chest.

How could someone make me so nervous and excited at the same time? I thought about that for the entire ride. Because it made no logical sense. I was the kind of person that needed everything to make sense or I would drive myself mad.

An hour and ten minutes into the drive, Alice turned into a fifties-style diner, the outside was neon green and pearl white with pops of powder pink. There were people sitting under the umbrella tables set up out front, a woman in a white dress with a pink apron, skating around skillfully, a tray of food balancing on her hand.

They really went all out with the whole fifties theme.

"Jazz says this place serves the best breakfasts," Alice said as she parked. She reached into the backseat, pulling her purse up front.

My fingers tightened around the seatbelt as my stomach rolled uncomfortably. I didn't understand why I was so nervous. Edward was just a normal guy. Albeit a gorgeous, sweet, sexy guy who made my hormones act up. I groaned and dropped my head back on the headrest, closing my eyes tightly.

I felt like I was going to vomit.

"Bella," Alice sighed. Her fingers wrapped around mine, pulling them off the seatbelt and clasping them in her hand. "Everything will be alright. Jasper and Edward are cool people. They're, like, so down to earth and easy to get along with."

I opened my eyes and turned my head to look at her.

"He makes me nervous," I couldn't help but admit. It wasn't like I was hiding that fact very well anyway.

Alice grinned at me. "That's not always a bad thing, you know? It just means that you're into him. Which is totally fine. Because he seemed really into you." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Don't do that," I grimaced, reaching out and sliding my hand down her face.

She slapped my hand away, glaring at me. "No touching the face."

Alice opened her door and stepped out, looking back at me when I didn't make a move to exit the car. She rolled her eyes, shutting her door. I watched her through the windshield as she made her way over to my side, opening my door quickly. She reached over my body, unclasping the seatbelt. She gave me a fed-up look when she stood back up.

"Let's go, drama queen." She grabbed my arm and pulled me from the car. I didn't put up much of a fight, my body feeling like it was on autopilot as she tugged me along with her to the door.

The smell of cinnamon and coffee wafted over to us as soon as we stepped inside. It was heavenly, and the knots in my tummy eased the tiniest bit. It was like when you smelled something that reminded you of your childhood and suddenly things didn't seem so bad. At least that's how I felt until Alice opened her trap.

"There they are," she said, pulling me closer to her.

I looked up as Alice practically skipped her way to the back of the diner, dragging me behind her like a ragdoll. I noticed Jasper right away, his blonde hair was tucked behind his ears and his piercing blue eyes set on Alice, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Across from him, and facing away from us, was that unmistakable head of thick bronze hair. Images of my fingers pulling on his soft tresses accosted me. I had to shake my head to rid my mind of the pervy thoughts or else I was going to make a fool of myself.

Because if there was one thing I was good at, it was embarrassing myself.

Jasper stood up when we finally reached their booth, his arms opening wide. Alice wasted no time jumping into them. She hung from his neck like a monkey, her feet dangling and kicking as she kissed him fully on the mouth.

I grimaced at their display of affection.

"Hey, there," his crushed velvet voice spoke up next to me.

And here we go.

I took a deep breath in, turning my body to look down at Edward. He had a lazy grin on his face and the green in his eyes was even more pronounced because of the redness that took up most of the white. I shuffled my feet, crossing my foot over my ankle and pulling on my fingers. I suddenly felt very shy and very… turned on.

No one had ever made me feel that way before. I just wanted it to stop, while at the same time, craving more of it.

I was sick in the head.

Edward raised a brow at me, his smile growing amused, and I realized I had just been staring at him. I quickly cleared my throat.

"Hi," I said, waving like an idiot. I dropped my hand back to my side, mentally scolding myself for making things more awkward than they needed to be.

Edward chuckled and scooted closer to the wall, his eyes going from mine to the spot next to him and then back up. It almost felt like he was challenging me. I swallowed the nervous lump in my throat and slid into the booth next to him, keeping as much space between us as possible without falling off the edge of the seat.

Edward slid a menu in front of me and I gave him a tight-lipped smile. Because apparently, awkward was my default setting today. I opened the menu and scanned over the bright pictures. Everything looked so good, but nothing compared to the man next to me. He was right there, tempting me so ferociously that the hunger in my stomach was far outweighed by a different, more primal hunger.

My breath caught in my throat when I felt Edward slide closer to me, his arm brushing against mine as he lifted it to point at the biscuits and sausage gravy. His long finger tapped on the menu and his eyes met mine.

"These are the best," he said quietly, his breath fanning across my face. The smell of mint and marijuana caused my brain to temporarily shut down – Edward-induced stupidity.

I nodded dumbly. "O-okay," I stuttered, still nodding like a fool.

Edward shook his head, an adorable smile brightening his face. "You're so cute," he laughed.

I faced forward, quickly covering my heated cheeks with my hands, but the smile threatening to split my face in half was hard to hide.

A guy calls me cute, and all of a sudden I become mush in his hands. What the hell was wrong with me? My mother would be so disappointed. She raised me as an independent person, and here I was, falling all over myself because a guy gave me a compliment.

Dumbass.

A pretty waitress skated up to us with a pen and pad in her hands and a bright smile on her face. "Do we know what we want?" she asked cheerfully. I wondered if she had to be that cheerful for work because it seemed kind of forced.

Jasper spoke up first, "I'll have the chocolate chip waffles and my girl will have the cinnamon French toast." He wrapped his arm around Alice's shoulders, pulling her to his side and the gushy grin on her face was gag-worthy. I wasn't a hater; I just knew Alice. She would be onto a new guy in no time. I honestly felt bad for Jasper, because he seemed to be really into her.

The waitress scribbled onto her pad and then turned to me and Edward. "And for you two?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could Edward was leaning slightly over me. "We'll both have the biscuits and sausage gravy," he told her. "Also, can you bring four cups of coffee?"

The waitress nodded and skated away, stating that she would be back soon with our coffee and food. I glanced at Edward, unsure of how I felt with him ordering for me. I was more than capable of placing an order for myself. My annoyance was quickly squashed when I met his eyes. Edward leaned forward in his seat, resting his cheek on his hand as he looked shamelessly into my eyes with that wicked smirk on his face.

Dear diary...

In an effort to not faint from the shock of his stare, I looked over at Jasper and Alice and they seemed to be in their own little world, touching, whispering, and kissing every few seconds. They were so love-dovey, it was gross. I rolled my eyes and looked down at my hands on my lap. I was painfully aware of Edward's presence next to me and even more aware of his stare. I was doing my best to keep images from last night out of my head. The more I tried to force them away, the clearer they became.

I heard Edward's long sigh and then felt him move, shifting his position. Unable to stop myself, I looked over at him. He had his back against the wall and his thumbs were flying over the screen of his phone. His brows were furrowed, a slight frown on his face. As if he could sense my stare he looked up at me and I quickly looked away, cursing myself for being so obvious.

It was one thing to be caught staring, but a whole other to look away and pretend you weren't. Could I be more of a dork?

The waitress came back with a tray full of plates, setting them down in front of us. "I'll be right back with your coffees."

I picked at my food, mostly moving it around the plate with my fork. My stomach was in too many knots, and I was afraid if I ate too much, it would come back up. I didn't think I could possibly bear another embarrassing blunder.

Sitting next to Edward was proving to be incredibly distracting. My eyes kept darting over to him, enthralled with the way he licked his fork after each bite, that sinful tongue ring constantly calling my attention back to him. I couldn't help but remember what it felt like against my tongue and the roof of my mouth. I dropped my fork on the plate and closed my thighs around my hands, the ache between my legs was growing with every swipe of his tongue and every memory that assaulted me.

"You okay over there, B?" Alice asked.

I looked up into her knowing gaze and frowned.

"Excuse me," I said, standing from the table.

I needed a minute to cool down. Away from Edward. His mere presence was intoxicating, and it really freaked me the fuck out. I was so used to being in complete control of myself that it messed with my head how Edward so easily broke down my defenses.

And it didn't seem like he was even trying.

I made a beeline for the restrooms, following the sign down the hallway. I pushed the women's door open and immediately walked over to the sink, leaning my hands on it for support. I dropped my head down, closing my eyes tightly.

Get a grip, Bella. He is just a freaking guy.

There was something seriously wrong with me if someone I barely knew could have such an effect on me. Sure, he was gorgeous, and he had that whole bad-boy vibe going for him, but he was just a guy. I sighed and turned the water on, letting the cold water run over my wrists, hoping to calm the heat that was overtaking my body.

The door to the bathroom opened and I looked over as I shut the faucet off, my eyes widening when I saw Edward standing there with his back to the door. He reached behind him, and the lock clicking into place echoed ominously off the walls.

"What are you –,"

"I just want to talk to you," he said quietly. His black boots clomped on the linoleum as he took a few steps closer to me. "Is that okay?"

I could only nod, the lump in my throat getting bigger the closer he got to me. I backed up until my back hit the side of the stall. Edward didn't stop until he was right in front of me, his arm leaning next to my head. He dipped his head down so our eyes could connect more easily.

This was his idea of talking? I didn't even want to know what his idea of seduction was.

"Tell me why you ran from me last night," he whispered, his other hand reaching down to hook his finger through my front belt loop. He tugged me closer to him.

My eyes widened even more at his brazen act, and I shook my head trying to clear the fog he so expertly put there. I swallowed down the lump in my throat. "I didn't run from you," I breathed out harshly.

He was way too close to me.

My brain was shutting off.

He clicked his tongue ring against his teeth and grinned. "Yes, you did. You couldn't get away from me fast enough."

"That's not true," I argued pitifully, grimacing at my inability to lie.

"Tell me why you ran away from me," he demanded again, his tone more forceful.

"I-I didn't run…" I trailed off pathetically. Because we both knew that I had run like a scaredy cat with my tail tucked between my legs.

"Liar," he chuckled, clearly amused by me.

"Excuse me?" I scoffed indignantly. I didn't like being laughed at.

I pulled back, locking eyes with him. He looked even more amused when I scowled up at him, his tongue pushing into his cheek from the inside. I leaned my body as far back and away from him as I could with the cold stall pushing into my back and hips, his presence causing that annoying fog to overtake my mind when I was trying to be irritated.

If there was one thing I hated, it was being the butt of somebody's joke.

Edward let go of my belt loop and reached out, his hand pushing some tendrils from in front of my eyes, his skin touching mine so lightly that I had to fight to keep the shudder from overtaking my entire body. He pressed his warm palm to my cheek, narrowing his eyes.

"Don't look at me like that," he said softly, his thumb reaching up to smooth out the crinkle between my brows. His thumb trailed down the length of my nose, and then over my lips. My mouth fell open slightly as a ragged breath pushed itself out of my chest from the soft caresses. Edward's thumb pulled my bottom lip down slightly before he hooked it under my chin, gently forcing my face up so I was looking into his eyes.

"I don't fuck with liars." His mouth moved closer to mine until we were breathing the same air.

"I'm not a liar," I insisted.

And I usually wasn't. I hated that Alice was making me out to be one. I just wanted to tell him the truth, lay it all out on the table, and let the chips fall where they may. But I was a loyal friend, and I wasn't about to throw her under the bus. No matter how badly I wanted to come clean and explain to him why I ran from him last night.

I looked up at him, begging him to just understand that I couldn't give him an explanation.

His expression softened. "Just tell me what I did wrong, so I don't do it again."

"I don't know what to say," I said truthfully. "You didn't do anything wrong. It's… me… I just can't."

Edward sighed, his breath fanning across my face. I closed my eyes, the smell of him making my brain go stupid once again. His finger pressed harder on my chin until I opened my eyes.

"I like you, Bella," he admitted, his gaze holding mine.

"Why?" I couldn't help but ask. Because someone like him being interested in someone like me didn't make much sense.

"Why not?" he chuckled, his eyes squinting. "You're beautiful and sweet, and your lips fit against mine perfectly."

My tongue poked out, running across my bottom lip as I recalled the most amazing kiss I ever had. Edward's eyes trailed down to my mouth and he leaned in closer, his intentions clear.

"We can't," I said turning my head to the side. Why was he making this so difficult? Did he feel the same pull that I did? Or did he just like a challenge?

His breath was hot on my cheek "Why not?"

Edward used his fingers underneath my chin to force me to look at him again. I stared helplessly into his eyes, begging him to understand. I needed him to understand that we couldn't do anything without actually telling him why. I could just kill Alice for putting me in this position.

Edward leaned in even closer, and all of my senses were overtaken by him. My thoughts became a jumbled mess when his lips lightly touched mine.

"Tell me why," he whispered against my lips.

A deep and frustrated groan vibrated from my throat, my hands reaching up and fisting in his shirt. I pulled on the soft material and then pushed against him. I could feel the hard lines of his chest and abdomen underneath my knuckles.

"Edward," I groaned softly, my tone pleading. I needed him to back up before I threw myself at him. I was five seconds away from just saying fuck it and wrapping my arms around his neck. Consequences be damned.

"Either tell me why we can't or I'm going to kiss you," he smiled against my lips. He knew he was winning this battle. And part of me rejoiced in that. The other part of me, the sensible part, was getting smothered by my hormones.

My only thoughts were of Edward – how close he was to me, how his breath fanned over my face, and how his plump lips kept skimming across my own in the most enticing ways.

I breathed out a shaky breath, my eyes connecting with his. He was so close to my face that I couldn't even see his eyes fully. Just the dark green that was hypnotizing me and making me lose complete control of my faculties.

"I can't," I whined, pulling him closer to me, my actions negating my words.

Edward closed his eyes and pressed his lips to mine softly. I moaned from the contact, my thighs tightening when he sucked my bottom lip into his mouth. His tongue flicked from my bottom lip to my top lip and then dipped into my mouth when I parted my lips, panting. Edward let go of my chin, his hand trailing a scorching fire over my neck and cheek to the back of my head. He gripped my hair between his fingers pulling me closer.

I slid my hands up his chest and around his thick neck. I pushed my lips harder against him, my tongue finally finding the rhythm and dancing against his. He let out a guttural groan that set a fire inside of me. It coursed from my lips throughout my entire body, gathering at the apex of my thighs.

And for the first time, I understood what soaking wet truly meant.

Edward slid his free hand around my body, cupping my bottom tightly and lifting me effortlessly off the floor. My legs wrapped around his waist, my ankles crossing behind his back. The hand in my hair tightened as he pulled until our lips made a suction noise when they separated. I was ready to complain from the loss of contact but then his mouth trailed down my chin to my neck, his teeth grazing my sensitive skin lightly before he sucked on the spot just below my ear. My thighs tightened around him, and I ground my center into his stomach.

"I want to take you home with me," he panted into my ear, his hands sliding underneath my tank top.

Oh, Christ in Heaven… I can't do this.

"No… nonono."

I pulled away from him, my hands going to his shoulders, stopping him when he tried to kiss me again. I shook my head quickly, unlatching my ankles and kicking my legs until he finally let me down. My hands slid to his chest, and I kept them there, keeping him at a distance while I tried to gather my bearings and collect my thoughts.

I was a panting mess, my eyes focusing intently on the floor. Edward grabbed my hands and held them to his chest, his heart beating fast underneath my fingers.

"Do you see what you do to me?" he asked through ragged breaths. "Don't even try to tell me you don't feel it, too."

I peeked up at him through my hair. His face was creased with worry, his lips pulled down into a frown. His fingers tightened around mine as he took a step closer to me. I tried to push him back, but he only pushed harder, leaning his head down until our foreheads were touching. He was relentless in his pursuit and it made my head go dumb.

"Edward…" I started, unsure of what to say.

"Give me a chance, Bella," he whispered pleadingly. "I'm fucking drawn to you, and I know you feel the same. Let's at least explore that."

I looked into his soulful eyes, the depths endless and calling to me like a siren. Edward let go of my hands and placed his palms on either side of my head. He tilted my head back, a hopeful smile pulling his lips up at the corner.

"I'm just asking for a chance."

I blinked up at him, my mind hazy and my heart beating like crazy. He wasn't wrong. I was drawn to him. Desperately. He was like drugs coursing through my veins whenever he was near. It both thrilled me and scared me to death.

I tilted my head to the side, fisting his shirt in my hands as I weighed the pros and cons in my head. The only pro was having Edward. The biggest con was that if he found out I lied to him. Could I even handle the responsibility of keeping up with this lie? Where would this lead us? Did he want a relationship? Did I?

"What exactly do you want from me?" I asked, my stance wavering.

"Spend the day with me and we'll see where it goes from there." He took a step back from me, holding his hand out. I hesitantly set my hand in his and the smile on his face was contagious. I bit my lip, trying to keep the goofy grin on my face at bay.

Even I didn't understand my warring emotions.

"So, it's a date?" he asked hopefully, his green eyes shining brightly.

I pursed my lips, feeling sick to my stomach and excited at the same time.

I nodded. "It's a date."

He pulled me into his chest by my arm, his head sweeping down to place a quick kiss on my lips. And even that chaste kiss made my knees wobbly. I held onto Edward's arm as he unlocked the door and escorted me out. My eyes widened when they connected with two women standing in the hallway looking irritated.

I hadn't even heard them try to open the door.

"Ladies," Edward greeted them nonchalantly as if he didn't just take my breath away in the bathroom of a diner.

I could feel my face heating up in humiliation. Thoughts of what my parents would think of me if they knew what I just did played in my head like a depressing chorus. I kept my eyes on the floor as we walked back to the booth, my arm still wrapped around Edward's. I let go of his arm as he went ahead of me and slid into the seat. I sat down quickly, not willing to look up. I did not want to see the smug look on Alice's face.

I told her not to push me and Edward together and there I was. Exiting a bathroom with the guy, holding onto his arm. I would never hear the end of it from her. We would be in matching wheelchairs in a nursing home, and she would still bring it up.

"Well, then," Alice giggled much to my annoyance. I peeked up at her through my curtain of hair, willing her to shut her trap. She looked between me and Edward with her chin resting on her fist. "What went down in that bathroom? Or should I ask who went down in that bathroom?"

"What are we doing next?" I asked quickly. We needed a subject change before I leaped across the table and knocked my best friend out, Mike Tyson style. I picked up the coffee cup in front of me, taking a small sip of the now cold liquid, my eyes glaring daggers at Alice over the cup, warning her to keep her mouth shut.

She pursed her lips, a smile threatening to break free, but nodded. Edward leaned back, lifting his butt off the seat and grabbing his wallet from his back pocket. He took out a couple of bills, way more than what our breakfast cost, and dropped them on the middle of the table before placing his wallet back in his pocket.

"Now, me and Jasper have a quick errand to run," Edward sighed, answering my question. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, and he was giving Jasper a pointed look.

"Oh, right," Jasper nodded. He turned to Alice and smiled down at her. "Can we meet up later? I just need to take care of something and then I'm all yours."

Alice grinned at him. "You bet you're all mine."

I felt Edward nudge my arm and looked over at him. Just meeting his eyes after what happened in the bathroom was enough to set my cheeks ablaze. He reached out, cupping my jaw and trailing his thumb down my cheek, a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.

"Give me your phone," he said, letting go of my face and holding out his hand. "I want to put my number in it."

I pulled my phone from my back pocket, unlocked it, and handed it over to him. He quickly input his number and then handed the phone back to me. His hand gripped the side of my head gently and he leaned over to place a soft kiss on my forehead.

"I won't be long," he assured me. "You and Alice go to the mall or something and we'll meet you wherever you are."

I nodded, not trusting my voice. Having Edward's attention was like picking up someone else's lottery ticket and winning big. I didn't want to open my mouth and ruin it. I didn't even know what to say to him, anyway.

I stood from the booth as Jasper and Alice did and walked next to Edward out of the diner. Edward seemed to know Alice's car since he walked right over to it and waited for me by the passenger door. As soon as we heard the soft click of Alice unlocking the doors, Edward pulled the handle and stepped back for me to climb inside.

After I was seated, he leaned over me, making my breath hitch and my hands clench on the seat beneath me. He only smiled and clicked the seatbelt into place. I couldn't help but smile and raise a brow at him in question.

"Precious cargo," he chuckled, tapping on my thigh and winking at me.

And damn if that wink didn't make my insides all mushy. No one person should be that freaking tempting.

Edward leaned his hand on the center console, his other gripping the side of my face as he leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss to my lips and then another on my cheek before he pulled away from me and shut the door. He waved through the closed window and then walked with Jasper over to a sleek black Mustang. I couldn't help but think that it matched his personality perfectly – sexy, dangerous, and fun.

Alice cleared her throat next to me and I pulled my eyes away from Edward, even though I couldn't see him any more thanks to the limo tint on his windows.

"Sooo," Alice grinned wickedly at me. "Tell me everything, and don't you dare spare any details."

I fell back in the seat, covering my face. "Shut up and drive."

Should I continue? I have a few stories going right now, as well as some in the works, so they will be updated as long as they're being reviewed since I can't see views. If you've made it this far, please share your thoughts.