Hey everyone! I'm back. :)

Wanted to say a few thank yous, first of all to all of you, the readers. Without you all this wouldn't matter and so super duper thanks!

To those who pushed me to write on Twitter. You all rock and thank you oh so much. I needed that.

To my wonderful team who, for some unknown reason still wants to work with me, UNF4Rob and Johnnyboy7. You all are the best, smooches!

I wanted to deicate this chapter to Misslmari101, she knows why. :)

SM owns all, I just make them crazy.

No copyright infringment intended.

Song of the week :: Liar by Taking Back Sunday

Read on...

EPOV

I woke up with my mind reeling. I had to do something to help Bella. I wanted her to be mine, and I wanted her to have a good life. No more stripping.

That thought made me wonder what all she has gone through in her life, broke my heart I didn't meet her sooner, but things were going to change. We were going to do this together, starting today.

I got myself out of bed and started to make a pot of coffee. I knew I had to talk to Bella sometime today. I needed to get these worries off my chest and I needed to let her know that I was done playing games; I wanted her.

I went back to my bedroom and picked up my cell dialing her number.

It went to voice mail after a few rings so I tried again.

Voice mail.

I figured she was probably ignoring my calls so I jumped in the shower after I had my coffee and got ready to head over to her place. I wasn't giving up that easy.

I was a nervous wreck when I got there. My palms were a sweaty mess and my heart was beating like mad. I knew my hair was in complete disarray, my hands wouldn't stay still and I kept running them through my hair.

Once I made it to her front door I tried to take a calming breath, but it really didn't work. I closed my eyes and went for it. I knocked.

No answer.

I knocked again.

Again, nothing.

I leaned my ear against the door and heard some rustling around and then I heard her speak quietly. It sounded like a fuck, but I wasn't real sure so I knocked again, harder.

"Bella, I know you're in there, open the door," I shouted.

I heard another harsh whisper and then her feet against her floor as she came up to the door and unlocked it.

She opened the door and instantly my body sparked like a live wire.

I was no longer nervous; I was excited and ready to tell her how I felt. She made me feel like nothing in this world could touch me.

"Bella, I think we need to talk," I asserted.

She rolled her eyes. "You really should get the hint, Edward. I didn't answer my phone so what makes you think I want to talk to you?"

"I know," I blurted.

Her eyebrow arched and she gave me a questioning look, but her eyes gave her away. She knew what I was talking about.

"What do you know?" she questioned.

"I know why you always tell me you're no good for me. I know why you're hiding behind a wall. I know your secret." As the words rushed out of my mouth, I kept leaning in, her scent calling to me like a sirens song.

I felt like a hopeless sailor that was about to crash into the rocks.

I was close enough now I noticed the way her eyes dilated when my breath swept across her face.

Just as I was about to reach her plump lips, a door slammed somewhere down the hall breaking us out of the hypnotic trance.

She looked around before opening the door wider signaling me to come inside her place.

I followed her into the kitchen.

She walked over to her cabinet and pulled down two large coffee mugs.

"How do you take your coffee?" she asked.

"Just black," I answered before I realized what she asked. "Wait, don't you normally drink tea?"

She gave me a sly smile and shrugged. "I was in the mood for coffee today."

After we both had our drinks, we walked over to her couch and sat down.

Before I could even say a word she blurted out, "You don't know what you're talking about."

I took a sip of the coffee before sitting it down on the coffee table. "I think I do."

She gave me a sad smile and shook her head no. "No, Edward you don't."

"I saw you last night," I stated.

"I figured that much or you wouldn't be here this morning."

"It explains so much and we can work through this, Bella. I'm here for you." I put my hand on her knee and instantly I felt sparks fly. Just the feeling of her warm skin under my fingertips made my blood sing.

"Wait, what are you talking about?" she questioned.

"Bella, you know damn well what I'm talking about. Your job," I stated.

Bella frowned giving me a questionable look, but slowly realization slipped over her face and she gave me a sad smile. "Are you talking about my stripping?"

I gave her a soft nod and curled my fingers harder around her knee.

"It's not what you think, Edward. Things in my life are way more difficult than a measly stripping job," she assured me.

I inched closer to her and used my free hand to put a stray lock of hair behind her ear before looking deep into her chocolaty brown eyes. "It doesn't matter what your job is, I want this, and I want us."

She was about to speak but before she could get a word out my lips crashed into hers.

Her soft pillows molded against mine in a perfect fashion. This felt right, like my lips belonged to hers.

Before I could get deeper into the kiss Bella pulled her lips away, but I caught the look of pleasure on her face before it could be masked.

"Edward, please you don't know what you're talking about. Just a few weeks ago I caught you in bed with another woman," she said.

"I know, and no matter what I do I can't make up for that, but I can tell you I did it because I was scared," I revealed.

"Scared of what?"

"You bring out feeling in me that no one else ever has, ever. I was confused and scared. You were so distant and I wasn't sure if you even really liked me so I did what I do when something doesn't work out the way I planned."

"You have sex when you get upset?"

"Well," I blushed, "yeah I do."

"But what if I do make this leap of faith with you, Edward and start trying to make an "us", what happens if you get upset about something I did because it will happen. What will happen then? Who will you run off to?" she cried.

"This is different, and I know I can't just tell you I won't, but I feel different. You make me want to do things I've never thought of doing before," I exclaimed.

"You don't even know me," she whispered.

"I know, and I want to change that! I want to know everything about you; down to the very last freckle." I leaned back in and wrapped my hand around the back of her neck making our foreheads touch. I breathed in her clean apple scent.

She gave me a look that told me she was growing weaker to my advances. I knew I had to get her out on another date. Show her how I really would be to her. Make her see that I'm the one for her.

"I can't stop thinking about you, Bella. Just please, let me take you out on a date."

"Just one date?" she questioned.

"Yes, just one," I returned.

"Let me pick the time and place and it's a deal." She smiled.

Instantly my gut told me NO, but I wanted this date, what's the worst thing that could happen. "Sure, Bella whatever you want, you get." I smiled at her before leaning in for another kiss.

-/\\ GWAM /\\-

BPOV

I couldn't stop Edward when he went in for the second kiss. My body cried for the feeling of his lips against mine again and when they finally met I felt alive.

My lips felt so plump and warm under his; when his tongue snaked out to give me a light lick my body lit up like The Fourth of July. This man did bad things to my body.

My tongue raced out to greet his, the two doing a dance together that made my body ache for a special kind of touch I knew only Edward could give.

My hands ran through his glorious locks of bronze tangles giving them light tugs when he'd nibble on my lip.

As I had to let go of his lips to take a breath the air gave me a second of sanity. I knew if I kept kissing him this was going to end up in my bed, and I knew I wasn't ready for that yet even though I ached for him like crazy.

His hot lips left a wet trail down my neck slowly making his way towards my heaving chest.

"Thursday," I grunted as his lips touched the top of my right breast.

His green eyes looked up at me giving me a questioning look.

"Date, Thursday night at seven."

I knew I had plans Thursday so this was the perfect time to have Edward accompany me.

His lips left my breast, the chilly air making his wet kisses cold.

He ran a hand through his hair and gave me a smile. "Ok, Thursday is good."

I quickly stood up signaling I was ready for him to leave. "Well, see you Thursday then."

He stood up too quickly turning away from me but I caught the effects of our hot make out session evident in his pants.

I walked him to the door, letting him give me a fast, chaste kiss before he headed out.

After relocking my door, I walked back to the couch and sat down.

I was really going out on another date with Edward.

Giving him a second chance.

I didn't give out second chances, but this one felt right.

The smile on my face grew and I couldn't hold the girly squeal. I jumped up and raced to my room to find my phone.

I had to call Rose.

Thursday night couldn't come soon enough.

Thursday was here before I knew it.

My nerves were kicking in full force. I felt more pressure than I did before I took on a new hit.

Edward fucked my shit up.

He was no good, but so good at the same time.

I was all ready for my date and wiping my sweaty palms on my new expensive pants Rose made me buy for this date.

Along with a new shirt and a pair of heels, which I love by the way but I wouldn't tell her that.

My shirt was a grey and black striped sweater with a large neck that hung down and bunched up. My skinny jeans were light with some holes along the legs.

The heels kind of looked like black boots but with a peep toe.

I found a cute pair of silver rose earrings that I wore along with a black swan ring that I loved.

I finished getting ready, pulling my hair in a low bun letting the contours of my sleek neck show.

After that, I quickly headed out of my place and towards Edward's. I was picking him up since I was the one planning this date.

I made quick timing on the way there and walked to his door giving it a small knock before I heard him shuffling around inside.

Before long he opened the door making my knees feel like jello with one look. He was fucking sex on legs and it made me feel all warm and ready for something I knew only he could do to me.

Fuck!

Giving myself a small shake I gave him a smile. "You ready to go?"

"Yep, who knew how nerve racking it could be waiting for your date to pick you up," he joked.

I just shrugged. "Wait till it's time to drop you off."

He looked at me lifting his eyebrow making me laugh.

The ride to the restaurant was a quiet one, but not uncomfortable.

I knew he had many questions for me, but I was hoping by the end of the date most of these would be answered to the best of my ability.

We pulled up to the restaurant and headed inside. I grabbed his hand, which made him look down and give me a sweet smile.

I was just preparing for the worst.

We walked up to the hostess and I informed her, while she didn't take her eyes off Edward, that we already had people waiting for us and I could find my own way.

Which gained a look from Edward.

We turned the corner and I smiled.

Sitting there waiting was Demetri and a woman I never seen before.

I felt Edward grab onto my elbow and I looked over to him before he whispered in my ear.

"I didn't know we were meeting anyone."

I gave him a shrug. "I didn't want you to be nervous. That is Demetri. He's my best guy friend, you'll like him."

When we made it to the table D stood up pulling me into a bone-crushing hug. "I see you brought a present." He laughed into my ear.

I just nodded.

"Demetri, this is, Edward." I pointed at him. "And this is…"

"Oh, ha! Sorry, Bella, Edward this is Krystal. Krystal this is B and her man toy, Eddie!" He laughed loudly.

"Hello, Krystal." I gave her a polite smile and shook her hand.

She was a beautiful woman, and I could tell by the way D looked at her she was something special. She had beautiful caramel looking skin and dark long lush hair. I could see why D would want her.

Edward shook D's hand making me smile.

I could tell they were both testing each other. It made we want to tell them to whip it out and see who's was biggest, but I already knew.

Or at least, I thought anyway.

Just as we were about to sit down Rose and Emmett walked in and said hello.

I could see the palpable relief on Edward's face when his brother came into the room.

"Hey, Bella!" Emmett boomed making me smile. I swear he can never give a normal greeting, always has to be known when walking into a room.

"Hey, Emmett hey, Rose," I greeted them both giving them a small hug before they sat down.

"Hey, Emmett," I heard Edward say to his brother as we were sitting down.

"Hey, Eddie! I didn't know you were coming," he replied.

"Yeah, I told, Rose not to tell you because I wanted it to be a surprise." I answered.

"Well, surprised I am." he laughed.

Demetri took that time to introduce Rose and Em to his new girl. I couldn't help but smile at his gleefulness. He was acting like a little kid on his birthday. I could tell this girl was good for him.

I felt Edward's hand on my arm and I looked over at him.

"You could have told me I was meeting your best friend," he whispered.

"I know, but what's the fun in that? Plus he's only in town for a few more days." I added.

"Well, I did want to use this date to talk to you about things."

"I know, and we will I promise."

Soon after that we placed our orders, everyone chatting and getting to know each other.

I could tell Krystal was a good woman for D. She didn't mess around and was total no nonsense. She put him in his place, which made me laugh. They were a perfect couple.

"So, D where did you meet, Krystal?" I asked in between bites.

"Actually, it's a funny story. I was walking down the sidewalk last week on my way for a coffee and a paper and ran right into her. I felt horrible, so I asked her if I could buy her a coffee and we hit it off instantly. It was like fate or something." he laughed.

"Kind of sounds like our story." Edward piped up, making me almost blush.

Emmett started laughing, "Except you drowned him in coffee." Rose gave him a look and a quick smack making me laugh.

Just then D stood up giving me a wink, "So, Bella want to come outside with me for a second?" he asked.

"Sure," I said as I stood up and grabbed my jacket.

Once we were outside, I sat on the bench right outside the doors. "So, what do you think?" I asked.

"He seems nice. It was mean of you not to tell him about me," he chided.

"I know, but I didn't care. It would have been nice to make him sweat, but I wasn't going to have him try to talk me out of bringing him here and I knew he would have tried."

"You think he would have?" he asked.

I laughed, "Oh yeah. He thinks he can get himself out of any situation with that mouth."

"Well, he seems to be something special."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because the way you look at him, it's like you both can't get close enough to each other. It's pretty intense."

I rolled my eyes not believing a word D said. "Whatever, we can't be together anyways our worlds are too different."

He just shrugged.

"So, I have some news for you," he said giving me a serious look.

I gave him my 'what's up' look and he sighed.

"I'm leaving tomorrow, Rose already knows," he explained.

"I figured you wouldn't be around for very long, you never are."

"Yeah," he said, "but this time it's different."

That sparked my interest.

"What do you mean it's different because of, Krystal?" I questioned.

"Well, yeah." He laughed. "I just know she's the one. Things with her are totally different than all the girls I've been with before. The moment I met her she just made me feel different."

I could tell by the look on his face while he talked about her he was serious. This was something special, and I was happy for him.

"Well, I'm happy for you, D. It's nice to finally see that sparkle in your eye." I gave him a pat on his shoulder.

"Oh…" He laughed. "Like the sparkle in your eye?"

I laughed and turned back towards the doors ready for this conversation to be finished.

"Bella," Demetri called behind me before I could get the door open. Turning around I gave him a small smile. "What?"

"Don't let this go. Life is already filled with so many 'what ifs' don't make Edward one of those. You'll regret it for the rest of your existence."

I didn't reply just gave him a weak smile before turning back around and heading towards our loud table that held everyone I held dear.

I slipped in next to Edward giving him a small pat on the leg and a soft smile.

He returned one grabbing my small hand in his large one. It was a small touch but it lit me up. I knew my feelings for Edward were something different. More than I've ever let anyone else take from me, but it was nice.

I can't lie and say that they didn't scare me, but it was a good scare. I knew and now with clearer eyes this thing between Edward and me was something special. I couldn't just let it go. If I did, it would my biggest regret.

Edward leaned over whispering in my ear. "Would you like to come to my parents for Thanksgiving?"

I took a short breath, and nodded my head. I knew if I was going to take this farther with him I had to get to know his family better, they meant a lot to him.

We all finished dinner with a ton of laugher and jokes. Edward and Emmett fit right in with D and his new girl Krystal was a sweet thing. All felt right in the world for once.

After dinner, we pulled in the parking garage of his building. I looked over to Edward. The glow from the dash lights making his skin shine making him even more pleasing to the eye, if that was possible. A slow song started playing on the radio and I smiled.

"Thank you for dinner," I whispered trying not to break the atmosphere that we've created.

"Thank you, Bella for introducing me to your friend." He leaned over placing his hand on my cheek before sliding it down so his thump could roll over my bottom lip.

I watched as his green eyes grew darker with lust as he watched his thump play with my lip.

Without thinking, my tongue darted out touching his thumb. As it connected, his eyes darted to mine.

I leaned closer to him taking his God like jaw into my tiny hands bringing his lips closer to mine.

"Is this ok, Bella?" he asked his lips mere inches from mine.

I nodded finishing the rest of the gap and placing my lips on his.

His lips were like the softest silk that molded to mine, so warm and soft and very inviting. He reached up putting one of his hands into my hair giving it a slight pull that made me moan.

When my lips opened he dove is tongue in, his taste mingling with mine.

His tongue lapped at mine, not fighting for dominance but equally giving and taking. He was a very skilled kisser.

I was blissfully lost in our kiss before a loud noise broke us apart. Edward's phone was ringing.

He gave me a shy smile before pulling out of his pocket to silence it.

I looked over at his redden, plump lips and smiled knowing I did that to him.

When I looked back up his green eyes were on mine and his face held a smirk. Knowing I was caught starring I laughed.

"Thanks for the wonderful night, Edward." I leaned back over and gave him a quick kiss on his lips.

"I had a wonderful time too. I'll call you tomorrow?" he asked.

"Sure," I answered before he got out of car giving me a small wave and walking towards the doors.

I pulled out of his building with a smile on my face and butterflies flying around in my stomach.

I felt like I was floating on cloud nine the whole way towards my door. My lips pleasantly bruised from our kiss.

So lost in my own world I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary in my apartment.

I walked towards the kitchen pulling my bag off and sitting it on the counter, pulled out a glass, and poured myself a glass of red.

Before I was finished pouring I felt someone behind me. Knowing not to give myself away, I didn't tense. I finished pouring and turned around as if I didn't even notice.

Standing before me was Jacob.

I set down my glass and crossed my arms. "What are you doing here? And why can't you ever come over like a normal person?"

He laughed and slowly made his way closer to me, coming behind me and trailing his hand down my back before giving me a hard swat on the butt.

"You never seem to be home when I come calling, why is that?"

I pushed away from the counter and walked towards my couch with my wine. "Unlike you, I have a life."

He shook his head and walked towards me again before he sat down next to me. "I came to tell you congratulations on your recent job not to fight."

I looked over at him and gave him a curt nod before taking a sip of my red.

"Also, you have loose ends that need taken care of," he said in a dead tone.

"What are you talking about?" I questioned.

He pulled something out of his jacket and handed it to me.

A picture of Edward.

I felt my heart drop and my throat close up. How in the hell did Jacob find out about Edward.

"How did you get that?" I asked in a whisper.

"I have my sources; you of all people should know this. You can't hide anything from me."

In that instant I knew my world was forever changed. How I thought Edward and myself could coexist with all the shit that I've fucked my life up with I have no clue, but something had to change and my heart told me that it wasn't going to budge.

I had to do something, and quick.

"I'll take care of it," I deadpanned.

"I know you will, Isabella you always do." He gave me a quick kiss on the forehead and walked out of my apartment leaving me alone.

I was at a fucking loss.

Before I even realized what I was doing, I had Edward's number dialed and ringing.

He picked up on the forth ring. A breath I didn't know I was holding was released.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Hey, are you ok?" I asked.

"Yeahhhh, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" he questioned.

I shook my head; I couldn't let him know something was wrong.

"No reason," I assured him.

"Okkk, are you ok?" he replied.

"Yeah, I'm alright. I as just calling…" I thought for a second about trying to come up with a plausible reason for the call. "Would you like to go get breakfast in the morning?"

His voiced perked up and I could hear his smile, "Of course where at?"

We agreed on a place and a time before I hung up, the smile still on my face from just hearing his voice.

I was fucked.

I knew I should have told Rose about Jacob knowing about Edward, but I really didn't want to have to have her dealing with this shit.

It was my problem and somehow I had to get Jacob to think Edward was taken care of. I just didn't know how to do this just yet.

Sooo... I hope you liked it. :)

Next chapter should be up soon, I promise.

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Until next time,

-Jen