Kiss Me Now, Kiss Me Never

Meet the Parent

Bella

"Baby," Edward said behind me, distracting me as usual. "You're going to send yourself in a tailspin. Let me help." I bumped my ass against his hip, making him laugh. I waved a spoon at him and growled.

"Don't start with me," I said with a huff. I was nervous. I had every right to be. Soon, we'd having dinner with not only Carlisle, but Edward's mother, whom I hadn't met yet.

From what Edward had said before about Esme, she was very protective of her son. Considering everything that I'd put him through, there was a chance she'd want to hang me, no matter what he thought.

He leaned against the counter, watching me as I stirred some sauce. "You look so fucking good in the kitchen," he murmured, wiggling his eyebrows. "Had no idea I had a Susie Homemaker fantasy until today." I rolled my eyes at that, but secretly loved it. He'd been so open lately, talking about everything.

Not to mention, a fucking pest. Between him, Dad and Jacob, I was constantly on guard. They had even attempted to hire a bodyguard, until the asshole tried to make a pass at me. That taught them there was no one they could trust.

I didn't mind the protection per se, just the feeling of someone hovering over my shoulder, watching my every move. It was driving me insane. However, I kept my mouth shut since Damon, the victim recently released from prison, was starting to scare me again.

The problem that arose was that I couldn't do anything secretive, besides the constant watchful eyes. I wanted to plan a weekend away for Edward and me, but I hadn't be able to get any alone time. Our trip required shopping, and I wasn't about to go do that with Jacob tailing my ass.

Between the frustration from not finding the bowl, the hours spent deciphering the rest of the spell, the nightmares, Damon, and, at the moment, meeting Edward's mother, we needed some alone time.

At least the spell had been completely deciphered, not that it mattered. Until we had the bowl, we couldn't attempt that third kiss.

Measuring love and testing ill
False love swallow a bitter pill

One kiss upon my lips of rose
Love will blossom up from thy toes

Three kisses upon thy mouth
Will turn affection north to south
Hate will reign supreme
Only true love shall redeem

A ray of light
Shall shine through the pain
Of love lost or love gained

Halves of a whole and thy will see
Nary amount of kisses will matter to thee

It confirmed the thoughts we had after the last dream Edward had of Anthony's death. As long as my love was true, the third kiss would break the curse. The problem was, it would only break our curse and the victims we affected.

According to another witch, Angela was right. We'd need the bowl, with same ingredients used in the spell, including hair or blood samples from each of us, if we wanted to break the spell for everyone affected. Despite what the witch had told us, Edward wasn't willing to risk that third kiss without the bowl, blood and dagger.

He wanted to be extra cautious since too much was at stake, according to him. He was right.

"Hey," his voice intruded on my thoughts. "Where did you go?"

I gave him a small, coy smile. "Where else?"

He grinned and sighed, nodding. "It's good to know that your mind is perpetually in the gutter in my presence." Lifting his shirt slightly, he rubbed his stomach. "It's the abs, right?"