I haven't updated in 3 months. I know, and I'm sorry. Aside from the writer's block, I've just been incredibly busy. But at last, here is another chapter.

I'm not sure if you noticed, but I did change the title of this story. When I wrote this story, I envisioned a light-hearted and sweet romance developing between the two, and I don't imagine this story being too long.

Hugs and kisses to all of you that have been sticking with me this far :) Here comes Edward on a motorcycle..

Enjoy!

Life is too short for traffic

Dan Bellack

I smiled at Edward and we both started walking towards the mall exit, our steps in perfect sync. I clutched my purse tightly in right hand, letting my left hand dangle precariously close to Edward's. The tingling in my hands was driving me crazy with anticipation and I swear I was dripping sweat all over the floor. Slowly, my hand involuntarily began inching itself towards Edward and before it could finally touch his perfect specimen of hand, Edward removed it.

Shocked, I stared at my hand in disbelief and mourned its loss until I realized Edward was calling me.

"Bella?" he asked, holding open the door for me. I mentally slapped myself.

"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking," I stammered, sprinting through the open door.

"You do that a lot, don't you," Edward murmured, following me out the door. "The thinking."

Before I could reply, a huge gust of wind hit me, and I practically fell back into Edward's arms.

"Wow, when did it become this windy?" I exclaimed, rummaging through my purse for my sunglasses. "It's freezing."

"Do you have a coat?" Edward asked, looking at me apologetically. I would have to embrace the frigid air if I was going to ride his motorcycle to the restaurant. For Edward I would do anything, and right as I was about to wave it off, I remembered one of my purchases during Rose's shopping spree today.

"Actually, Rose bought me this really cute jacket. Can we swing by Emmett's car real quickly to get it?" I pouted. I watched with satisfaction as Edward's eyes fixed themselves to my lips and glazed over slightly.

"Ah, yeah, sure! Let's hurry," Edward replied, his eyes mesmerized by my lips. I grinned at his expression and he grabbed my elbow, leading me towards Emmett's car. Sparks shot up through my arm and my whole body sat on the brink of bliss. Edward and I pushed against the wind until we finally caught sight of the hulking black jeep still in a parking space.

And a huge bear-like man sucking face with a familiar-looking blonde girl.

"Whoa, dude. That's my sister." Edward shouted at them while unknowingly pulling me closer. I watched a sheepish Emmett break apart from a breathless Rosalie before I broke out into laughter.

"Oh hey guys," Emmett trailed awkwardly. Rose's swollen lips managed a grin as she appraised Edward's hand on my waist. I rolled my eyes at her and shoved myself between them. Edward's hand rested on my waist as I found the studded motorcycle jacket Rose bought me at Nordstrom.

"I just needed a jacket," I muttered, climbing into the trunk to find the bag.

"So, I'm guessing you guys made up. Like literally!" Edward joked earning a harsh slap to his shoulder from Rose. "Ow, that hurt!"

"Keep your smart mouth shut!" Rose grumbled, wrapping herself in Emmett's arms.

"You tell him, baby" Emmett cooed. I coughed to hide my laugh. Sappy Emmett? Why, I could get used to this. Jacket in tow, I walked out of the trunk and into Edward's waiting arms as he lifted me out. I leaned back into his arms for a moment and quickly put my hands into the jacket.

"We can discuss this later," I said, looking at Rose pointedly and watching her flush guiltily. "Until then, try to keep your clothes on and remember that this is a public place!" Emmett laughed, hugging Rose closer to them. I sighed. They were truly perfect for each other.

"We'll see you at the restaurant!" Edward called out.

"Hopefully before tomorrow!" I added. Rose growled and I leaned into Edward's side, trying not to look at his face until we were out of their sight. As soon as we passed the mall building, we both stopped, looked at each other, and burst into laughter until we were almost in tears.

"That was so...ah" He laughed, holding the sides of his stomach.

"The looks on their faces was priceless," I snorted, unable to control my laughter either. I wiped away my tears and Edward reached for my hand. I laced our fingers together and we swung our hands back and forth until we reached his motorcycle.

It was absolutely beautiful.

"Is this the Ducati Monster 696?" I asked, letting go of his hand and skipping over to it.

"You speak motorcycle?" Edward asked, a hint of amazement in his voice.

"Well, I know my mom's boyfriend used to ride a Buell XB9S," I said, throwing a leg over the motorcycle as I straddled the Ducati. I ran my hands over the sides of the motorcycle, tracing the red of the Monster with my pointer finger.

"And I love my naked motorcycles." And men.

"What did you say?" Edward asked, his face twisting into amusement.

Wait, did I just say that out loud. Ohmygodohmygod I just said that out loud! Gah, I'm such a creeper.

"Ah, nothing. Just that I think naked motorcycles look better than other ones," I clarified, coughing a little. "But, I don't really speak motorcycle—to answer your original question." Feeling a little naked the way Edward was staring at me, I clutched my fingers nervously and moved to get off Edward's motorcycle.

Edward snapped out of his daze and stalked towards me, stopping me in my tracks.

"Don't move," Edward's voice snapped—his voice dangerous and deadly. It took on a husky tone I hadn't heard before. "You look so good, right there on my motorcycle. Like you belong" His hands covered my own and I shivered in pleasure.

I leaned back farther into the motorcycle, straddling the steering backwards. Edward kicked his leg over the motorcycle and leaned so close to my face that our faces were mere inches apart. His green eyes met mine in an intense gaze. He inched forward as I inched backwards. When I couldn't move back any further, I wet my lips with my tongue—anticipating the pure bliss of heaven in the form of a kiss— when Edward jerked back, and the motorcycle started.

I squealed in surprise as the motorcycle rumbled to life under me, and Edward laughed as he adeptly snapped his helmet in place.

"Hold on tight, Bella" Edward chuckled before we zoomed out of the parking lot and onto the road at what I was sure was not the speed limit. I gripped Edward's muscled chest tightly, thanking the lord I wasn't wearing a skirt, but denim cutoffs.

I slowly grew accustomed to the Ducati's feeling under me and relaxed enough to release my death grip on Edward. At a stop light, I pulled out my ponytail holder and felt the wind run through my hair. I let my head rest gently on Edward's shoulder and closed my eyes.

This was the life I had dreamed of since I was a little girl-carefree and worriless. I had worked so hard throughout high school to educate myself and escape my shoddy hometown of Forks. All I wanted was to come out of college and be the sole builder of my personal utopia. I never invested myself in a romantic sense, guarding my heart with a mental barrier that was the product of my parents' once-failed marriage. Now fresh out of college with a Ivy League bachelor's degree, my dream had crumbled as I still could not find the ultimate satisfaction and contentment I was looking for all my life. But in less than one week, a chance encounter with Edward had turned my life around.

Edward Cullen had managed to do the impossible-give me hope for a romantic future.

"Bella," Edward murmured, "are you alright? You're a little quiet." His green eyes were still visible through his dark, black helmet.

"I'm alright. Just thinking about..." I trailed off as the motorcycle jerked. Edward expertly swerved and merged as he worked magically through the busy traffic of New York City. Before I knew it, Edward had skillfully maneuvered the Ducati down the street, pulled into the parking lot of a busy little restaurant, and cut the engine.

I made no move to get up, and neither did Edward.

"I don't want to let go. I'm so comfortable," I whined, half my face smooshed against his firm chest. Edward laughed and took off his helmet. I lifted my hands and ran them through his hair, helping him tame the wild mess.

"You don't know how good that feels," Edward moaned. He lifted his hands to my hair, and brushed my locks back into place. We grinned at each other before he helped me off the motorcycle and followed me into the restaurant.

"I know you were trying to tell me something on the way here, and I'm sorry I had to cut you off," Edward said apologetically as he rubbed his thumb along the knuckles of my hand. "I just hate traffic."

"I understand," I laughed, squeezing his hand in forgiveness. How sweet could Edward get? "I just wanted to tell you that I had an epiphany." Edward smiled at me, and held open the door to the restaurant. The little place was packed, but Edward walked up to the hostess with my hand still firmly placed in his.

"Hello and welcome to Bella Italia! My name is Carey. How can I help you?" the hostess exclaimed upon seeing Edward, perhaps a little too eagerly.

"Table for Cullen," Edward said, paying absolutely no attention to her. She frowned slightly, but typed something into her computer.

"Oh, right this way Mr. Cullen," Carey leaned down to get the menus, flashing basically everything underneath her transparent shirt to my Edward.

My Edward? Where did that come from? Eh, well, he was mine for this lunch date.

"Carey" smirked at me as she walked by us to lead us to our table. I kept my cool and didn't stick my tongue out at her. Edward transferred his hand to the small of my back, completely unaware of the catfight going on, and smiled at me.

"Here's a private booth for you, Mr. Cullen," Carey said in her whiny, annoying trill.

"I'm going to call Emmett. So, go ahead and get comfortable at our table. It'll just be a moment." Edward murmured, inches away from my face. I swallowed nervously.

Carey cleared her throat, ruining the moment.

"Please let me know if you need anything at all."

Edward walked outside, leaving a shocked Carey standing next to me.

"He has everything he would ever want. But I think your hostess duties are required at that table," I spoke up, annoyed with her insinuations. I pointed at a table with a stressed out family with a screaming baby that was spilling food all over the floor. Carey left with a huff and threw the menu in my face before leaving.

Edward slid right next to me at the booth.

"Emmett's just a few minutes away. He got stuck in traffic," Edward apposited. We shared a smile, knowing how we skipped through the rows and rows of automobiles on the road. "But do tell me about your epiphany."

Edward's green eyes looked intensely into mine, and he grabbed my hand under the table.

"Because I think I had one too."

A/N: So I'm not really a motorcycle geek, so I spent a good portion of my time researching motorcycles.

I chose the red Ducati Monster 696 in the end because-well, can you blame me?-it just looked the hottest :) It is a naked motorcycle. Clarification: A naked motorcycle is one where you can see the engine and most of the parts.

The Buell XB9S that Bella's stepfather Phil owns is a 2003 Harley Davidson. I imagined it in the color yellow.

Next up is more on Bella/Edward & Rose/Emmett's double (maybe triple?) date at Bella Italia.

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