Thank you for your patience!

EPOV

Isabella and I arrive at the diner without incident. And I, of course, let her walk in front of me so I can ogle that ass a little bit more. Only this time, she caught me. Whoops.

She almost looked surprised that I was checking her out, which is weird because she's a fucking knockout. I've always been into thicker girls, and believe me, Isabella has the perfect amount of thickness. She's a healthy woman with curves in all of the right places. And on top of that, she's one hell of a beauty. Fucking A, I need to get in bed with her.

She turns around sheepishly when my ogling goes too far and ducks behind the diner door.

I follow her closely as she leads us to one of the many empty booths in the restaurant. I contemplate shimmying in the booth next to her, but then decide that's way too forward, and I'm not trying to make an ass out of myself.

"Soooooo," Bella starts out cutely, looking at me nervously.

I smile at her cuteness. "So, Bella. How are you liking Forks so far?"

Bella looks at me curiously. "How did you know that I'm new here?"

I chuckle. "Are you kidding? You're probably the hottest piece of ass within a 500 mile radius of here," I say matter-of-factly. "And it's a small town. And you're Chief Swan's daughter. Word gets around."

Bella shakes her head and chuckles humorously. "That's nice to know," she says, looking out the window. "I find Forks to be very green. And wet," she pauses, looking back at me. "And all around, pretty dismal."

"I'm sure I could help turn your opinion around," I say cockily.

She scoffs. "I'm really bad with innuendos. Care to explain?"

This is so not going where I wanted it to go. Fuck. Why isn't she on her knees begging for my cock right now?

"I think you know where I'm going with this, sweetheart," I say slyly, bringing my hand over to rub her arm.

She snatches her arm away before I can touch it. "Touch me and I'll sue you for sexual harassment."

Fuck. Her feistiness is turning me on. "Whoa, baby!"

"I am not your baby, dude."

"Alright, Bella, then. I think we just got started off on the wrong foot," I say smiling. "I'm E. You're Bella. And I won't touch you until you beg for it."

She laughs. "Ha! In your dreams."

"Oh, you just wait, baby," I say, staring into her eyes. She adjusts in her seat uncomfortably. Maybe I am getting to her. I smile at the thought before I'm interrupted by a loud annoyance.

"Yo! Cullen! What's up, bro?" Mike, the wanna-be me from high school. "I haven't seen you in forever, man!"

I look at him blankly. "I saw you last week, Mike."

"Yeah, okay," Mike dismisses me, his attention on Bella now. He is holding his hands out like he's looking at a magnificent piece of art. "Wow," he says dumbfounded, just staring at her as though she's a slab of meat. "Who is this beautiful lady, Cullen?" He asks, his eyes still on Bella.

I just stare up at him angrily for encroaching on my territory.

He looks back at me after I don't give him a response. "Are you going to introduce us, dude?"

Bella sighs loudly, and interrupts before I can respond. "Thanks, but I'm not interested." She turns to me. "It seems I've lost my appetite, E. Can we go?" And she's out of the booth and in the car waiting before I can say anything.

I sigh and stand up at my full height, facing Mike. "She's off limits," I say menacingly. "You got it?"

Mike nods his head and swallows heavily, looking at me warily. Coward.

I nod, pleased with his reaction. "Spread the word."

I let my irritation at Mike's advances towards Bella roll off me for the time being. It's seriously fucked up how possessive I feel of her. Especially because I've known her personally for, what, less than an hour?

I roll my eyes at myself and approach the counter the get some burgers and fries for Bella and myself to go.

Bella looks irritated when I walk out of the door to the diner, but once I swing the cab open, her eyes glaze over. "What'd you bring me?" She asks sweetly.

I smirk to myself. "I figured I wouldn't let you starve," I say, presenting the greasy burger and heavily salted fries to her.

She snatches the box away from me and as soon as she gets her hands on the burger she's devouring it. I chuckle and hop in the driver's seat, pulling away while chowing down on my grub.

Every once in a while, I sneak a glance over at Bella and smile at how cute she is. How she makes shoving a burger in her face cute, I will never know. But she manages, all right.

Once she finishes licking her fingers and closing her box, she speaks up. "Sorry, I don't know what took over me," she says shyly, going back to being timid.

I just smile at her. "No need to apologize," I say lightly. "I love a girl that can eat." I frown at the way that sounded, and begin back pedaling. "I don't have like a food fetish or anything," Bella looks at me oddly and I grimace. "I just – you have a hot fucking body. And I – fuck!"

Bella's eyes go wide.

Before I have time to explain myself, we've arrived at my shop. Even if I did have time, I don't have a clue as to what I'd say. It's as though I'm not in possession of a brain filter around her. It's something about her – something that she does to me that I can't explain.

Bella speaks up before I can get a word out. "Well, thanks for the ride, E."

She starts to open up her door. Fuck, that's supposed to be my job!

I hop out of the car and run around to her side, where she's already let herself out.

"Listen, Bella," I start, following her into the shop. "I'm sorry for acting like an ass earlier, and just now in the car. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable, I'd just – I'd really like to get to know you better," I say with sincerity, stopping in front of the front desk and looking into her eyes. "I know I may not be what you would normally go for," I gesture to my tattoos, "but I really just want a fucking chance with you."

Bella bites her lip, looking at me and contemplating.

I sigh, exasperated. "You at least have to give me a chance to buy you a beer or something."

Bella fidgets before answering. "Um, sure," she says, grabbing her keys from that Taryn bitch.

I get entirely too excited at her answer. "Great!" I say, and then try playing it cool, running my fingers through my unruly hair. "I should get your number, yeah?"

She shakes her head. "Just pick me up at seven."

I smile to myself, already thinking our night through.