(Lynna's P.O.V)

Things were incredibly tense and awkward between me and Edward after the kiss. He chose to ignore me, acting like I didn't exist. Anytime I was around, he was staring straight ahead with a solemn expression. The only inkling he ever gave that he somewhat acknowledged my presence was his hands curling into fists, the whites of his knuckles trying to pierce through his stone-like skin as he forcefully clenched his fists.

Despite his outright rejection, I couldn't get the kiss out of my head. I couldn't get him out of my head. I found him creeping into my thoughts at the most unexpected times, as though he was taunting me. I hated to admit it, but my feelings were kind of hurt. The kiss we shared was unbelievable. I had never believed in the whole 'sparks flying' thing, but Edward had proved me wrong. That fact alone was enough to make me feel utterly guilty; I had never felt sparks like that when I kissed Grayson and I hated myself for it.

My heart was aching in my chest at the thought when Edward walked into Chemistry and took his assigned seat next to me. I tried desperately to keep my heart rate at bay under his presence, knowing he could hear it. So far, I have been somewhat successful, aside from the occasional flutter. My brows were furrowed as I stared out the window and watched the raindrops collecting on the windowpane.

I tried in vain to ignore his presence, but the electrical current surging between us made it nearly impossible.

"I'm sorry," his velvet voice washed over me, pulling me from my thoughts.

My head swiveled to look at him. As I stared into his ember eyes, I noticed a strange emotion burning in their depths. A lump formed in my throat at the sight. I pressed my lips into a thin line before ripping my gaze from him. I could feel him staring at the side of my face as I fidgeted with the pencil between my fingers.

"Are you just going to ignore me now?" His voice was laced with sadness, which sounded quite odd coming from him; I was used to him being angry— not sad.

I swallowed against the lump in my throat and forced myself to look at him once more. My heart stuttered in my chest at the sorrowful expression playing on his porcelain face.

"You mean like how you've been ignoring me for the past week?" I questioned with a quirked brow, trying not to sound too bitter.

"Like I said, I'm sorry," he stated sternly, narrowing his golden eyes at me.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "Okay."

He groaned out of frustration and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Are you kidding me? Will you just accept my apology already?"

"Why should I?" I shot back, folding my arms on top of the table, watching as his brows shot up his forehead.

The sorrow had vanished from his features— His usual anger claiming its rightful place. "Because I am sorry, Lynna. Just accept my apology so we can move on with our lives."

Now, I was angry. "Oh, I've already moved on, Cullen. Don't you worry," I taunted, flashing him a derisive smile.

He scoffed and shook his head, clearly not buying it, which only fueled my anger. "Sure, you have." He smiled mockingly at me.

I frowned in response and clenched my jaw. "I have."

He quirked a brow at me. "Then, prove it. If you're telling the truth, you should have no problem accepting my apology."

I shot him a glare before asking, "What exactly are you apologizing for?"

He gave me a disbelieving look. "What do you think?" He asked in a low voice that sent chills down my spine.

"For kissing me?" I asked, smirking as I gazed into his ember eyes.

His eyes widened and he leaned in closer to me with a scowl. "Keep your voice down!" He hissed in a whisper.

I raised my brows as if to challenge him. "Oh, is it some big secret that you kissed me in the janitor's closet?"

His eyes flashed angrily. "What do you think?" His voice was deep and rough as he spoke.

"Oh, I think you'd rather eat dirt than admit that you kissed me," I said to him, frowning in annoyance.

His lips twitched at the corners, clearly fighting back a smile. "You're not wrong," he admitted with a dry chuckle. "But it's not for the reason that you think."

"Is it not?" I sneered with another eye-roll.

He shook his head as a full-blown smile stretched across his face. "No, Lynna. It's not."

The sound of my first name effortlessly falling from his lips caused butterflies to flutter in my lower stomach. His golden eyes locked with mine and I found myself drowning in them. They were so beautiful, twinkling like twin stars. He was so beautiful. My gaze flickered to his lips; I shivered as I remembered the feel of them molding against mine. His cold, marble lips had moved against mine so gently— carefully, as though I was made of glass, yet there had been an urgency behind his lips; a hunger that couldn't be satiated by a simple kiss.

I forced my gaze from his lips, locking with his eyes once more and taking note that they had darkened dramatically. Perhaps I wasn't the only one reminiscing about our one and only shared kiss.

I inhaled a shaky breath before I breathed out, "Whatever, Cullen. You're forgiven. Now, leave me alone."

He released a deep sigh, his brows knitting together. "Stop acting like you hate me, Holloway. We both know you don't."

"Don't be so sure of that," I mumbled, staring straight ahead at absolutely nothing.

He chuckled lowly. "Well, your lips said otherwise."

My head snapped in his direction as a wave of anger rocked through me. I wanted to wipe that smug smile off his stupidly handsome face.

"I'm not talking about this with you. Just go back to pretending I don't exist and acting like the kiss never happened." I didn't bother trying to hide the bitterness in my voice.

He pressed his lips into a thin line to keep himself from smiling. "Can we talk? Like actually talk?"

"Go for it," I blurted out, quirking a brow at the aggravating boy.

"Alone," he spoke sternly, casting a quick glance around the room before meeting my gaze. "After school."

I furrowed my brows in confusion. "Why?" I asked, completely at a loss.

He exhaled sharply, his eyes flashing in annoyance. "Just say yes, please."

I inhaled deeply, trying to stop my heart from fluttering at the thought of being alone with him after school. "Sure. Whatever."

He beamed at me— A breathtaking smile that would make any girl weak in the knees. My heart stuttered in my chest despite my best efforts. I cringed internally when his smile transformed into a smirk after hearing my heart betray me.

"Great. I'll see you then," he said in a smooth voice.

"When?" I questioned him. "And where?"

At this, his smirk only grew. "Don't worry about it."

Before my brain could form a coherent thought, Mr. Wallace Started the lesson.

(Edward's P.O.V.)

She consumed every single thought. She occupied every crevice in my mind. For the life of me, I couldn't get her out of my head. I had grown used to it, or so I thought. I believed I could keep her at arm's length, but that all when out the window when, like the idiotic fool I am, I kissed her! How was I possibly supposed to keep my distance when she was all I could think about? How was I supposed to stay away when I could still feel her soft lips on mine?

Kissing her was… electrifying. She had awakened a beast within me, a hunger, that needed to be satiated. The beast terrified me. I was genuinely afraid for her, which was how I was able to, by some miracle, not speak to her for a week. That week had been absolute hell. Every nerve in my body was begging for me to take her in my arms and make her mine in every way humanly possible. The desire that the kiss had set ablaze devoured me whole, slowly destroying every ounce of self-control that I had possessed. Which was why I had finally caved and apologized. I could stay away from her no more.

She had agreed to speak with me after school, and I was a bundle of nerves. I was sure to keep my distance from Jasper; I didn't want him to start asking questions that I couldn't answer. So, to play it safe, I stayed in the woods after school, and now I was lingering outside Lynna's house like the pathetic, masochistic fool I am.

I ran my hand through my hair for the hundredth time as I paced back and forth between the trees. What in the hell am I even doing here?! I shouldn't be here! I should leave the poor girl be. It had taken me hours to work up the courage to even come here. I knew it was nearing her bedtime; I was running out of time. I should leave. I should just go. Maybe I should leave town— The second I had the thought, a piercing pain shot through my chest that took my breath away. Leaving wasn't an option. It never was.

So, what now? What do I say to the girl who my heart and body were yearning for? To the girl that I had been nothing but rude to for weeks prior? To the girl that I was supposed to despise, but couldn't get her out of my head? To the girl who I wanted to kiss every square inch of her body, despite the impossibility?

I heard the sound of her shower running and knew that I was almost out of time. It was now or never. With my heart in my throat and my stomach in knots, I climbed the tree overlooking her open bedroom window. It was too late to knock on her door and speak to her properly. This was my only chance. I was well aware that she wouldn't take too kindly to be barging into her room without an invitation, but I couldn't resist— Especially when I envisioned her naked body wrapped in a towel.

My body had a mind of its own as I jumped through her window and planted myself on her bed. Her sweet scent hung in the air like a curtain, putting every nerve in my body on high alert. My throat and lungs were on fire, but it was the fire in the pit of my stomach that I was truly worried about. This was a big mistake, but I had already made it.

(Lynna's P.O.V)

Looks like Cullen was full of it. Speak to me after school? He didn't even try. I shook my head as I brushed my damp hair in the bathroom before walking out and wishing my brother a goodnight.

"Don't stay up too late playing your game," I teased, knowing full well that he would be up past midnight.

He flashed me a smile. "I won't," he lied through his teeth.

I rolled my eyes playfully before closing his door and waltzing into my bedroom. I closed the door behind me and turned on my light. A startled gasp flew through my lips when I saw that Edward Cullen was sprawled out on my bed, leaning against my headboard with his hands behind his head and a smirk playing on his lips. I placed my hand over my racing heart and tried to catch my breath.

"Cullen!" I hissed, shooting him a glare. "What in the world are you doing here?!"

He sat up, sitting on the edge of my bed and looking me up and down, his eyes trailing over my body in a not-so-subtle way. I blushed furiously when I remembered my current state of attire. I was wearing a gray pair of boyshorts that left little to the imagination and a matching cami tank. Self-consciously, I folded my arms across my chest, blocking my breasts from his view. I had a feeling he didn't realize he was staring because the second my breasts were covered, his eyes widened as his gaze met mine. He smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head in an awkward manner.

"Um. I, uh," he stammered out, clearly a bit flustered. "You agreed to talk to me after school."

My jaw dropped before I grabbed my blue robe that was hanging on the back of my door and draped it over my body. I pulled my arms through the sleeves and tied it, narrowing my eyes at him as I did so. Instant relief flooded through me when my body was covered. I was a modest girl, so I was exceedingly embarrassed that he had seen me without a bra and in the shortest shorts you can imagine.

"Yeah— After school! Not at ten o'clock at night and in my bedroom, of all places!" I hissed in a whisper, not wanting to alert anyone to his presence. "How did you get in here anyway?!"

His eyes trailed to the window that was slightly ajar, the blue curtains fluttering about in the breeze.

"Your window was open," he stated as-matter-of-factly.

I ran a hand through my damp hair out of frustration. "And you took that as an open invitation?!"

He pursed his lips as he studied my horrified expression before shrugging. "I guess I did," he admitted with a mischievous smile.

I shook my head. "You can't do that. Get out," I demanded, pointing at the open window.

He was on his feet in an instant. He held out his hands with his palms facing up, wearing the most innocent of expressions I've ever seen. The very sight caused my heart to lurch in my chest. I wasn't used to seeing him so… so vulnerable.

"I'm sorry, Lynna. I should have come sooner, I know. But I– I couldn't," he admitted, slumping his shoulders in defeat before his golden eyes bore into mine, seeming to be pleading with me. "Please. Just let me talk to you. Please."

I pressed my lips into a thin line, frowning as my anger seemed to evaporate under his dancing eyes. Releasing a heavy sigh, I said, "I'm listening."

He ran a hand through his bronze hair, causing it to stand up on end. I had to bite back a smile at the sight. He looked.. nervous? After a moment of silence, he took two long strides towards me. He towered over me as he stared into my eyes with a burning intensity that made me weak in the knees. Despite being nearly two feet apart, I could feel the electrical current pulsating between us, as if daring me to come closer. I clenched my hands into fists to keep from doing so as I folded my arms across my chest.

"Lynna, I—" A sorrowful expression was playing on his features as he continued, "I can't get you out of my head."

My jaw dropped as his words washed through me. My heart stuttered and stammered before kicking into overdrive. I felt a blush creep to my cheeks as butterflies engulfed my stomach at his confession. I was too stunned to speak.

He took another step towards me, nearly closing the distance between us, intensifying the static surging between us. I inhaled a shaky breath as I stared into his dark eyes that were glazed over with lust. I subconsciously glanced at my bed and felt a wave of desire pierce through me at the thought of what could potentially transpire. My body craved his touch. My lips longed for his kiss.

"You consume every single thought," he breathed out in a low, rough voice. "Kissing you was the biggest mistake I've ever made."

I narrowed my eyes at him. As I processed his words, another wave of anger surged through me. "Biggest mistake, was it? Then what the hell are you even doing here?" I didn't bother trying to hide the bitterness in my voice.

His lips twitched, fighting back a smile. "You didn't let me finish." He tsk'd tsk'd me, smirking devilishly as he said, "You have such a short, little temper."

He was amused, which only added to my frustration. I bit my lower lip forcefully, watching as his eyes widened and darkened to the color of midnight. He clenched his jaw as his gaze fell to my lips. My lips tingled at the thought of kissing him again. He started to lean in towards me, causing my heart to skip a beat. His cool breath fanned across my face, and I was nearly undone. He was going to kiss me again, but this time, I wasn't going to let him. I quickly took a giant step back before I was able to fall under his spell. He scowled and narrowed his eyes at me, clearly frustrated with my rejection.

I inhaled a shaky breath. "Go ahead and say what you need to say before you make another 'big mistake'," I spoke harshly.

His scowl turned into a mocking smile in an instant. "As I was saying—" He cleared his throat for dramatic effect, earning an eyeroll from me which he chuckled lowly at. "Kissing you was the biggest mistake I've ever made…" He trailed off, his smirk growing as my face started turning red out of anger.

In a speed invisible to my human eyes, he teleported directly in front of me, gently backing me up and pushing me against the wall. All traces of humor had vanished from his face as he stared longingly into my eyes. There was a foot of space between us, but my body felt like it was on fire. My heart was speeding away in my chest, and I blushed like a mad woman, knowing he could hear the effect he was having on me without even trying. He placed one of his arms on the wall above my head and used his other hand to lift my chin, sending a thrill through me at the simple gesture.

"It was the biggest mistake, Lynna." My name fell from his lips like a melody, causing my lower stomach to tighten. He leaned in even closer to me, his lips mere inches from my own. He inhaled a shaky breath before continuing, "Because it ignited the desire that I feel for you, setting me on fire from the inside out and burning away all of my defenses. All I can think about is you. All I want to do is touch you. Kiss you. It's infuriating," he growled out.

I was at a loss for words. Here he was— confessing his desire for me in a way that could make a poet cry. My heart skipped a beat; I felt my lips part slightly as his cool breath fanned across my face. My stomach was in knots in the very best way.

"I want you," he breathed out breathlessly, his hand cradling the side of my face.

I leaned into his cool touch before placing a delicate kiss on the palm of his hand. He exhaled sharply and closed his eyes. My breathing quickened to match his as I felt desire settle in my core, causing a growing pressure between my legs.

"You want me too," he stated in a broken whisper, voice thick with desire.

I inhaled deeply, trying to form a coherent thought. "It doesn't change anything," I said to him with a frown.

He knitted his brows sorrowfully and tilted his head to the side. I turned my face from him, forcing him to drop his hand to his side.

"I admit that… that I'm attracted to you. But that doesn't change anything between us, Cullen." I spoke around the emotional lump in my throat.

Admitting that doesn't change anything between us, right? Just because I want him physically doesn't change the fact that we are incompatible. His mood swings give me whip lash and his negativity is contagious. He has been the rudest, most insufferable boy in the weeks that I've known him. Just because my heart races and my palms get sweaty when he's near, doesn't change that. I don't care how many fireworks went off in my head when he kissed me.

He pulled back slightly and flashed me the most glorious of smiles. "Call me Edward. Please," his voice was smooth and seductive.

"Edward," I breathed his name, relishing the way it felt rolling off my tongue.

His smile transformed into an attractive smirk. I was caged between him and the wall, and I was loving every second of it. How I longed to feel his solid stone-like body press against mine. My stomach clenched deliciously at the mere thought.

"Go on a date with me." The tone of his voice made it sound like he was demanding it.

I quirked a brow at the beautiful boy. "You're kidding."

He shook his head and smiled before repeating himself, "Go on a date with me, Lynna."

I couldn't help but release a dry chuckle. He pursed his lips, obviously not amused.

"What's so funny?" He asked sternly, his dark eyes flashing.

It was my turn to shake my head. "Edward, you can't even go a day without being a dick to me. Yet here you are asking me on a date."

He took a step back and scowled. I instantly relaxed when there was some distance between us.

"I'm not 'a dick' to you," he responded curtly.

"Yes, you are. You know you are. You've been a dick since you met me." I blinked rapidly at him.

His eyes widened. "That's… not true." His face fell when he spoke. "Okay, maybe I have been. But I've been nicer to you since the dance, and you know it."

I rolled my eyes. "You saved my life. Because I'm Alice's niece. You walked me home after work because Alice would have killed you if she found out you left her 'little niece' defenseless in the dark and dreary woods. Those are the only times you've 'been nice' to me, and even then, there was always an ulterior motive. You're never nice just to be nice."

Now, it was his turn to roll his eyes. "That's not the only reason I saved you. That's not even the main reason I saved you, Lynna. And ulterior motives?! You're right! I always had an ulterior motive. I was there to walk you home that night because I was waiting for you. I was following you in the woods that day because I wasn't able to see you at school. I did those things because I wanted to. Because I wanted you."

My heart felt like it was going to explode at his confession. I was genuinely at a loss for words. I started chewing on my lower lip anxiously. He clenched his jaw before teleporting in front of me. His darkened eyes flooded with desire as he stared down at me. My heart stuttered in response. I pulled my lower lip between my teeth as I struggled to ignore the way heat flooded my core under his gaze.

"You have to stop doing that," he whispered hoarsely.

I tilted my head to the side in confusion. "Doing what?" My voice wavered, giving away the effect he had on me.

A low, rumbling sound came from deep within his chest. The sound sent a delicious shiver down my spine. I inhaled a shaky breath, trying desperately to keep myself in check.

"Biting your lip," he breathed out. "It drives me crazy."

I closed my eyes as my lower stomach clenched with yearning. This was so unfair. Why was he able to affect me in such a way?! I don't even like him… Do I?

"I want…" He trailed off as my eyes fluttered open and locked with his midnight skies. "To kiss you."

My lips parted slightly— An invitation. More than anything, I wanted him to kiss me again. He leaned in close to me, his face a breath away from my own. His lips hovered dangerously close to mine, causing my breath to hitch in my throat. My lips tingled in anticipation— Waiting to feel his electric touch. Just when our lips were about to meet, he pulled away abruptly, smirking devilishly as he did so. My jaw dropped. That smug jerk.

"I'll prove it to you, okay? I can be nice. You'll see," his smooth voice filled my ears, echoing in the walls of my small room.

Before I could even respond, he was gone. I hadn't even seen him leave. A part of me wondered if I had imagined the whole thing. I ran over to my window and looked out at the pitch black of night. My human eyes could only make out the vague shapes of the trees in the distance. With a dramatic sigh, I closed my window. My fingers lingered over the latch to lock it before deciding against it. I had never locked my window before. No use in starting now. Besides, he's a vampire. If he really wanted inside, he would find a way to get in. And deep down, I had a feeling that a locked window wouldn't keep him out.