Chapter 2

Bella left work promptly at five. She walked the exact same streets in the exact same way, making only one change when she stopped at the market to pick up a few things. Her pulse started racing about a block from her building, but she knew it had nothing to do with the extra weight of the groceries she was carrying.

She was going to see him.

And there he was, just as soon as she walked in. The same big hands holding the door open, the same long fingers wrapped sturdily around the handle. She wondered briefly if he ever moved from his rigid position during the day, wondered what kinds of things occupied his mind for the twelve hours he stood there.

"Ms. Swan." His greeting was smooth and even.

"Good evening," she replied.

She could feel his eyes on her as she walked by, and in a moment of weakness, or possible curiosity, she paused and glanced back. She didn't know if it was reward or punishment, but the moment their eyes connected, his lips turned up in a slight smile.

She wasn't sure she'd ever seen him smile.

"Did you need something, ma'am?" His voice was a little lower than before, a little rougher. It carried across the space between them, making her shiver. And even though her heart was pounding, she took a deep breath and forced herself to speak. "I…I just wanted to apologize."

She could tell his laugh was one of genuine surprise, though it did little to settle her nerves. "What could you possibly have to be sorry for?"

"I don't…" She paused, wondering how she could admit it. "It's just…I never learned your name."

She glanced anxiously around the lobby, a part of her wanting nothing more than to run to the elevator and up to her apartment where she could lock the door and pretend that none of this ever happened. But the part of her that had wanted to move to the city on her own forced her feet to remain planted.

"It's on my badge," he said, his voice as soft as his smile. "I guess you'd have to get a little bit closer to see it."

She couldn't tell if he was teasing her, and if he was, she had no idea what to make of it. Men like him never spared her a second glance, much less a few playful words. Maybe he liked making her nervous. Maybe he was someone who found amusement in his ability to intimidate. And he was most certainly intimidating.

"Oh, umm…" she stammered, heat flooding her face. She gripped the bags she was holding even tighter and quickly looked down. "I shouldn't have…that's okay."

She started to turn around, but his voice stopped her. "That was an invitation."

Bella didn't really know what to say to that. To be honest, this was the longest conversation she'd had with anyone who wasn't her therapist or parents since she'd moved. And as she came to that realization, she recognized another truth.

It was sad.

It was terribly, terribly sad.

Bella didn't want to be sad. She'd moved to the city to gain some independence, to become her own person and the woman she imagined she could be. And with that in mind, she peeked up at him. "An…an invitation for what?"

His green eyes narrowed; they pressed against her like a caress. She could feel it everywhere. It was something that would generally make her uncomfortable, and while she did feel a definite flutter in her stomach, she also felt something else. Tingles and warmth that spread from the center of her belly all the way out to her fingers and toes. It was unfamiliar, and she swiftly realized, not altogether unwelcome. "To get to know me…or at least get to know my name."

"What's your name?" It was barely a whisper, but she'd said it. And even though her mouth desert-dry and she'd probably have to take a sedative to calm down, she was proud of herself.

"Edward."

"Edward," she repeated, surprised by the way it tripped off her tongue so easily. "Well, I'm…"

"Bella," he interrupted, his voice low and surprisingly gentle. "I know who you are."

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Bella had barely calmed down enough to put her groceries away when she heard the knock at her door. She almost jumped right out of her skin at the abrupt, harsh sound. No one ever came to her apartment. And even if she'd been the kind of person to ever have company, they would have to be announced by the front desk.

She hovered by the small dining table, her hands gripping the back of one of the chairs. Her apartment had an open plan, and from where she stood, she was able to see the front door. She wondered what it must be like to be a person who wasn't crippled by their own fear. She'd always been the kind of person who was scared by her own shadow. At least, that's what her mother always said.

Another knock. Only this time, it was softer…less jarring.

She stepped out of her loafers and approached the door slowly, her bare feet silent against the plush carpet. She didn't have a peep hole on her door because, in theory, she didn't need one in a secure building. She was working up the courage to ask who was there when she heard his voice through the door. "Ms. Swan…Bella, it's me. Edward."

She quickly unlocked and opened the door, which was remarkable when she actually thought about it because she always so careful about everything. However, she didn't have time to question her actions, impulsive as they were, because as her eyes focused on him, she saw he was holding a large box.

"You left without getting your mail," Edward said. "And this was delivered to you today. I figured I could bring it up while I was still here. It's pretty heavy."

Bella stood there, mute and unmoving. She was so caught off guard that he was actually there, standing at her door. She would have been surprised by anyone, but he wasn't just anyone. He was the man who made her heart pound twice a day, four days a week. And beyond that, he was also the same man with whom she'd just had the most exhilarating, nerve-wracking conversation of her life.

"Bella?" He said her name like a question, which struck her as odd. "Do you…I mean, can I… Do you want me to put this somewhere? It's kind of heavy."

"Oh, God. I'm sorry. Please," she said, stepping out of his way. "Right over here. You can put it on the table."

She followed him into the dining room, and he put the box down. "Jesus, that's heavy. What's in it?"

"Umm…" she started nervously, "books I think. My mom said she was going to send them to me. Thank you for bringing them up. You didn't have to do that."

"Well, there's no way you could have brought them up by yourself," he said with a soft chuckle. "And I was more than happy to help. Besides, you just said more words than I've ever heard you say. To be honest, I was beginning to wonder if you could speak at all."

There was a teasing tone to his voice, but Bella couldn't help but feel embarrassed by his assessment. She felt her cheeks burn like fire.

"I speak," she told him softly as she looked down at her bare feet. "Just…not a lot."

"Hey," he said, stepping in closer. She expected to feel panicked, but instead, she felt this undercurrent of humming electricity that warmed her all over. "I was only kidding. I like it when you talk."

She peeked up at him, and even though he was an immense presence in the small space of the room, the expression on his face was nowhere as intimidating as the size of his body. His eyes that had always seemed harsh looked quiet and deep.

"I've never been much of a talker."

"Me neither," he said, his voice low, honest. "Only when there's someone I want to talk to."

There was no mistaking the meaning behind his words. And once again, even though she thought she should feel anxious and afraid, she didn't. Not even a little bit.

"And you…want to talk to me?"

"I'm here, aren't I?"

"But the books…" she started, only to have him cut her off.

"Were just an excuse."

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A/N

Thanks for reading! Honestly, I'm still so shocked and humbled when people take time to read my words. I love y'all.

Reviews are love.