BPOV
"Do you think this is too much?" I asked, turning in front of the mirror. I was wearing a midnight blue dress with spaghetti straps and a plunging neckline.
"No!" Alice squealed, grinning like a crazed pixie. "You need to make an entrance, and this is the dress for it. Here, wear these heels – the silver will look amazing with your dress."
She held them with one hand while I looked at them skeptically. "Do you really think heels are a good idea with my nonexistent sense of balance?"
A giggle bubbled over from her. "Oh, Bella, you trip on air! At least this way you'll look fabulous while doing it! And who knows, maybe Mr. Right will catch you this time." I rolled my eyes; I so didn't need to be reminded of my former boyfriend/fiancé/ratbastard.
I snorted as I slipped the heels on, they were strappy and light, and made my legs look incredibly long. "See, I told you," she said as she slowly walked around me.
"Now, for the makeup, I think we should go for a sultry but innocent look, you know the whole madonna/whore thing." I frowned at that. "I don't want to look like a tricked out hooker, I'm NOT that girl!"
"Oh no worries, you won't look like you're that kind of girl," she muttered " you'll still look like Bella, just – a Naughty Bella. Trust me." Alice put shadow on my eyes, making them somehow appear larger and softer almost – seductive? Then she added a pale rose lip stain, topped with a shimmering lip-gloss. She then added a shimmering powder across my shoulder blades and between and down across my chest. She grinned widely.
"Perfect," she announced, "Sparkly is good!" She danced around, delighted with her handiwork. "Come on, lets get the party started!"
We left her room and headed towards the sunken living room. Loud music was blaring from hidden speakers while a disco ball slowly spun from the ceiling, causing rainbows to fly around the room.
Alice's face lit up, "Oooh, Jasper's here! I'm going to grab him –hey, want to come with me?" I saw Jasper frantically motioning in our direction.
I smiled at my best friend, "No, you go ahead, it's hot in here, so I think I'll get something to drink." I didn't want to intrude, and I really was thirsty.
Alice skipped away while I kept making my way down the stairs. My feet only wobbled a little, so I began feeling a bit more confident maneuvering towards the punch bowl. Glancing at the bar, I stopped where I was. Standing beside a gorgeous strawberry blonde was the most glorious man I had ever seen. He was tall, with striking copper hair in wild disarray. Sex hair, my mind softly whispered. He laughed at something the woman said, throwing back his head, revealing the column of his throat. I was overcome with the desire to press my lips against his throat, sliding my tongue down further, tasting the saltiness of his skin –suddenly my body jolted – his eyes met mine and I was frozen like a deer – but not like in headlights. This was primal – I was his prey, and he was a sleek mountain lion, looking as if he were about to pounce. I felt my heart skip a beat and quickly dragged my eyes away, feeling faint. I realized I had forgotten to breathe. God, he was so far out of my league, I'm not even in the same division. Turning, I went back to getting some punch.
I started to reach for a cup when suddenly a pale hand with long, graceful fingers gently picked one up "Allow me," murmured a velvet voice beside my ear. An involuntary shiver went through me as his warm breath caressed the side of my neck. I pulled back quickly, staring into the most beautiful green eyes I had ever seen. It was him. He smiled crookedly, while handing me a glass of punch.
I took a quick breath and looked away. "Thank you," I said, barely able to make a coherent sentence. He chuckled softly, "I noticed you from across the room – I don't believe we've met. I'm Edward."
I bit my lower lip and glanced up at him. "Be-Bella." I muttered, a million butterflies in my stomach. I took a quick gulp of the punch, realizing the fruity goodness was liberally laced with vodka. Liquid courage, just perfect.
Edward shifted and looked inquiringly at me. "Would you care to dance with me?" gracefully offering his hand. I glanced back to the bar, noticing the strawberry blonde staring at us. If looks could kill – I focused my attention back to him.
"Um, what about your date? Shouldn't you be asking her?" I am such an idiot, shut up!
He glanced over at the bar. "Oh, you mean Tanya." He paused for a moment, his green eyes sparkling. "She's not a date, she's – well let's just say she's more of a – distraction. But I digress. Back to the question at hand – would you give me the pleasure of dancing with me?"
I finished my punch and tucked my hand into his. "You should be warned, I don't really dance well. At. All." I muttered, feeling my cheeks flame with embarrassment. He leaned down to my ear and softly whispered, "It's all in the leading." His hand wrapped around my waist and suddenly we were whirling. I smiled against his chest, breathing in his scent that was uniquely him. His arms tightened around me as he nuzzled his face in my hair. The next song that came on was slow, so we swayed gently to the music. He pulled away to look at me, "So do you have any distractions in your life?" he asked curiously.
I grinned, remembering his description of Tanya. "No, nothing like that."
He nodded and smiled down at me. "I could be a distraction to you," he whispered softly.
I froze, unable to process what he said for a moment. It slowly began to dawn on me that he was suggesting that I could be what - another Tanya for him? I was furious!
"What - I, are you suggesting that I become what Tanya is to you?" I hissed, narrowing my eyes at him. He looked at me in surprise, and then began laughing.
"My, you are a spitfire, aren't you? No, dear Bella, not that, never that," he leaned down so his mouth was pressed against my ear. "I apologize, I should not have moved so quickly. I just find you enticing."
My anger evaporated, and suddenly I was getting tired. Tonight had been too much of a roller coaster ride. I moved away from him and took a deep breath to gather my thoughts. "I really should be going." I should, but I don't really want to ever be apart from him.
"I understand," he said as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. He looked at me for a moment appearing indecisive. Then his face brightening he reached into his pocket and took out his cell. "I would really like to hear from you again, could we trade numbers?" I nodded and we gave each other our phone numbers.
He gently brought my hand up to his lips, causing a jolt of electricity to shoot through my body. A look of surprise flashed so quickly across his face I would have missed it if I'd blinked. The corners of his mouth pulled up as he gazed at me. "It has been a pleasure. I look forward to seeing you again." With that he turned and swiftly made his way back towards his distraction.