Chapter Thirty

Edward drove me back to my apartment. Everyone else had left and Jasper escorted Alice home. It was a pretty quiet ride, the only sound that kept it from a totally silent ride was the soft music of his radio.

I held his hand the entire ride, squeezing it occasionally so he knew I was here for him. I was sure he felt better, knowing that his dad was alive and well, but I didn't know how he truly felt, and I didn't want to push it.

"I will walk you inside," He said in a low voice.

"Okay," I nodded softly.

We walked up to my apartment together. I stood awkwardly in the doorway.

"Why don't you come in for a bit?"

"I should really figure out—,"

"No, come in," I said, "I insist. Let me make you some tea."

He let out a soft sigh. "Alright that sounds nice. It'll be nice to just relax for a little bit."

I smiled as I led him into the apartment. I paused when I reached the living room, seeing that all my furniture was where it had been before the party. As I was looking around, Edward placed his hand on my back.

"Something wrong?"

"No, sorry, I just didn't expect my furniture to be back." I chuckled, "Make yourself comfortable, I'll make some tea."

He walked to the couch as I walked into the kitchen to make tea. I watched as he sat down and loosened his tie and took off his suit jacket. I turned my head down to my counter, but I couldn't see my automatic tea maker.

"So, I have bad news," I said as I looked at the several bottles alcohol, "I can't seem to find my tea maker, but I have plenty of alcohol, could I interest you in a stiffer drink?"

"That sounds incredible," He said. "I wouldn't be opposed if there was something to eat either."

I chuckled as I looked in my fridge. Inside were wrapped appetizers that I never got to try from the party. I grabbed several bottles of alcohol into my arms and carefully balanced three platters on my arm.

As I walked into the living room, Edward jumped to his feet and grabbed the alcohol from me.

"You could've asked me for help," He said as he placed it on the coffee table.

I grinned. "I'm an independent woman. I don't need help."

He chuckled, "Well, when you spill all of it onto the ground, you can independently clean it up."

I giggled and thumped onto the couch, "Pick your poison."

Edward reached forward and uncapped the vodka bottle, "I'm usually not a vodka drinker, but I want something a little stiff tonight."

"I wouldn't know. I've never drank alcohol."

His eyebrows shot up, "You've never drank alcohol?"

"Yep."

"You're lying."

I laughed, "I'm not. I swear."

"You have to drink a little," He chuckled, "At least try it."

"I don't want to get sick." I said. "You go ahead, have your drink."

"Mm, I haven't drank in a while. It might not be the best idea, but I really need it tonight."

I smiled softly, "How are you doing?"

"Eh, a little stress and worried. I'm just glad my dad is okay."

"That's all that matters," I nodded. "And he has no lasting damage. That's important to remember too. He's going to be just fine."

"Because of you," He said, taking a swig of the alcohol. He shuddered. "Wow, that's good."

"I did what anyone would do."

"Naw, I didn't know what to do. Neither did anyone at the party. Had you not been there, he would've died."

"Let's just be thankful that he didn't die," I said as I reached out and patted his hand.

He grabbed my hand and held it tightly. "I am really grateful to you. I know my father already said that he owed you, but I also owe you."

"No, you don't. I'm just doing my job."

"And you do a damn good job."

I blushed. "Stop it."

"No, I'm serious. Whatever you want from me, it's yours. Whenever, wherever."

"Well, maybe next weekend, when things calms down a bit, you can finally take me on that date."

His eyebrow lifted, "Oh so you want me to take you out on a date now?"

I rolled my eyes, but blushed. "Yes, I do."

He grinned, "And what changed?"

"I don't know. Maybe seeing you in this suit reminded me of when we met." I shrugged.

His grin widened, "Oh it did now?"

"Shut up," I laughed, playfully shoving his arm.

He laughed now, "I could wear the same suit I met you in. I bet that would really jog your memory."

"I just feel stupid I forgot for so long."

"It's alright. That orange jumpsuit is damning to the appearance. I'm so glad I'm out of that damn suit."

"Hopefully you'll follow the rules."

He shook his head laughing, "You must think I'm some big criminal. I'm a normal guy. I do normal things."

I raised an eyebrow, "I highly doubt that."

He chuckled. "Maybe normal is stretching it a bit. But I'm mostly normal. I don't do illegal things on a regular basis. Only when I absolutely have to."

"And when is that?"

"When is what?"

"When you absolutely have to break the law?" I asked as I leaned forward.

"Mm, whenever someone messes with something that's mine." He said, also leaning forward.

I blushed as a shudder ran down my spine. "I feel like you're implying something."

"Maybe I am," He said, leaning even closer.

His minty breath swirling around my face. The scent was almost intoxicating. All I could see was his beautiful face.

"We haven't even been on a first date," I said in a near-whisper.

Half of his lip lifted, "True, but do we really need a first date when our chemistry is this good?"

I giggled softly and looked down at my hands. I was only able to stare for a moment before his finger lifted my chin up to look back at him. My cheeks heated up, as did my core. I resisted the urge to rub my thighs together.

"I-I don't know if… if it's chemistry…"

"And what do you think it is, nurse Swan?" He said gently, "Because I'm feeling… a lot of chemistry on this end."

I shuddered. "I don't know what words to put it in…"

"Try."

"Maybe… attraction… Loneliness." I managed to get out even as I stared at his lips.

He leaned even closer and softly said, "There's definitely attraction. A great deal of it."

I shuddered as he closed his eyes and leaned in. Our lips almost brushed against one another, but I placed three of my fingers against his lips, stopping him. His eyes flew open, slightly confused.

"I don't think this is the right place for us to do this," I whispered, trying to contain my smile. "You deserve so much better. In a much better location… not after you— EEP!" I squealed when he tackled me to the couch after he caught onto my sarcasm.

"You are hilarious," He said as his pelvis settled between my legs. My dress had ridden up a bit so his pants were pressing against the string underwear Alice insisted I wear with this dress so my panty lines wouldn't show.

I giggled, "I thought it was funny."

"I'm sure you did. You're just a little jokester." He growled, caging me in with his arms.

I bit my lip. "I like to tease you."

"Mm hm, I think you just like to play hard to get," He said before leaning down and whispering in my ear. "I have a feeling you were a huge brat when you were younger."

I giggled and ran my fingers along his sides. "I am the farthest thing from a brat."

"Hm okay then you're just a tease." He seemed to purr, pressing his face against the side of my neck.

When he seemed to settle, and loosen his hold on me, I rolled us over so that I could be on top. Unfortunately, I rolled us right onto the rug on the hardwood floor. I was fine, since it was Edward who hit the floor.

"You're a jerk," He gasped, somewhat out of breath when he hit the floor.

I sat back on my thighs, pinning him down. "I could be worse."

He smiled widely, "I have a feeling you're right about that."

I smiled and leaned down, closing my eyes.

This time, however, it was me who was surprised when he twisted us over so that I was pinned down. I gasped, not because of any pain, because he made sure to cushion the roll, but because he caught me off guard.

"Surprised?"

"Yeah I didn't think you'd flip me just when I was about to finally kiss you." I said, somewhat out of breath.

He laughed. "I like to be in charge."

"Oh really?" I said as I pushed against him so I could roll us over again.

Unfortunately, this time I didn't have the advantage of catching him off guard. And trying to move Edward, who was as solid as a rock, was damn near impossible. Especially since I spent my energy giving CPR not that long ago.

I groaned, "Ugh! Not all of us had seven hours every day to workout, meathead."

He threw his head back and laughed, "You're so funny. And it was four hours, not seven."

I pushed against him again, but he didn't budge. I even used my legs this time to get leverage and to assist, but it was like moving a boulder. I gave it one last ditch effort, but to no avail. He didn't move.

"Ugh, okay stupid jerk, you win." I said, falling back dramatically in defeat.

He chuckled now and leaned forward, his lips just inches from mine. I closed my eyes and pursed my lips, waiting for his to touch mine. When a moment passed, I opened my eyes.

"Are you going to kiss me now?" I whispered.

"I think you should be in charge of this one," He whispered back, staring down into my eyes.

He placed his hands on my hips and rolled us again so that I was now back on top and straddling his hips. I wiggled and adjusted myself until I was exactly where I wanted to be. I sunk down into him, my dress riding up over my hips a bit, but I didn't give a damn.

"Comfy?" He asked in a cocky, yet very sexy voice.

I grinned and nodded before placing both of my hands on his chest and leaning down.

"Very much so." I said as I brushed my lips against his cheek. He chuckled very lightly before closing his eyes.

I closed my own as I dragged my lips slowly across his cheek, to the corner of his mouth. His hands moved from my thigh to my hips. He wasn't quite cupping my rear, but he was close enough that it made my heart flutter.

Our lips finally touched. I seemed to melt into him as I pressed my lips even harder against his. His lips were soft, and so puffy. I couldn't help but press myself harder against him, I just couldn't seem to get enough.

After a moment of our lips melding together, he chuckled, causing me to pull away from him.

"What's wrong?" I asked in a breathless voice.

"You're just very cute," He said, "I'm guessing this was your first kiss?"

I blushed, "Yeah… sorry, I've never—,"

"No, no, it was great," He chuckled as he moved us to a seated position. "I just… have to reposition us a bit."

He moved me so I wasn't seated so hard on his lap. I furrowed my brows in confusion before realizing why he had moved me.

"Ew," I teased. "You pervert."

"Hey, it's been a long, long time." He said as he leaned against the couch.

"You were only in jail for like two months. That's not that long."

"Well, for me it's been a little longer than two months since I've actually been intimate with a beautiful woman," He said as he stroked my cheek.

I giggled and shook my head. "Everyone keeps telling me that you're not this big womanizer, but I have a hard time believing it."

"Who is everyone?" He asked.

"Your mother, Rosalie, Alice… pretty much everyone."

His cheeks turned slightly pink as he shook his head, "Damn them. They all have huge mouths."

I giggled again. "I think it's sweet."

"Ah, well, I'm glad you think so." He said. "What else have they said about me?"

"I know your nickname is acorn," I snickered, which caused him to playfully pinch my side and tickle me.

"That name doesn't apply anymore," He growled playfully.

"I know that," I laughed. "Um, they say you're a really nice boy. You're mom said you're going to make a great hus—,"

He silenced me by pressing his lips against mine. I once again melted into the kiss, throwing my arms around his neck, and keeping him as close to me as possible. One of his arms was around my back while he placed his other hand on the back of my head.

I dug my fingers into his back when his tongue parted my lips. I had never had a kiss with tongue before, so it was kind of thrilling. I couldn't help but shudder. I pressed myself against him and felt him through his pants, I shuddered again and became excited but then also overwhelmingly nervous.

"Hey," I whispered as I broke the kiss, "I'm so sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" He whispered back.

I shook my head, blushing, "Ugh, I'm sorry, I'm not… I'm not ready for… for—,"

"I know," He said, stroking my back and smiling gently. "I know you're not ready. I'm not pushing it."

I smiled awkwardly and looked down, "I'm sorry, I just I don't know."

Edward chuckled. "It's okay. You set the pace. I'm not in any rush. I just want to enjoy my time with you."

I smiled widely and let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks."

He smiled again and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. "No rush. None at all. You set the pace and I will follow."

I blushed and ducked my head down as the butterflies in my stomach flittered around wildly.