Life Flights
Chapter 4
BPOV
"Okay, big boy, show me a good time," I said, bouncing into the hotel lobby full of excitement. I felt great. It was so good to be in something rather than a uniform for a change.
I purposely packed something nice, since I knew we would have some time to go out while we were in LA. I had on a low cut blouse, a flowing skirt and high heel pumps. My hair was down and hit my lower back. When my hair was down, I looked quite a few years younger and would normally get carded.
"Wow, you look incredible." Emmett gave me a complete look over and grinned. "Is that a smile I see? What did Carlisle have to say?"
"Nothing, I mean, I don't know, I didn't talk to him."
"You didn't?"
"Nope."
"Then what is with the big change in attitude from a half hour ago?"
"I just decided to go with the flow. I am tired of putting so much thought and effort into my relationship that might not even be a relationship, and I decided that I am just going let what happens happen. So, are we going or not?"
"Yahoo, let's go, this is going to be fun!" Emmett grabbed me around the waist and we headed for the revolving doors of the hotel exit.
Soon after leaving the hotel, we arrived at a club called 'Eclipse.' The music was pumping and the drinks flowing. The place was packed and I had to hold Emmett's hand as we made our way through the massive crowd to get to the bar.
Just as we came up to the bar, two seats opened and we high-fived our luck. Emmett ordered us Bud Lights and we each took a large drink of beer while we sized up our surroundings. It has been quite a while since we were able to go out to a club. The clubs here in LA were so much bigger and had such a different atmosphere than the ones we have gone to in Seattle.
It was so loud that we couldn't easily talk so we just people watched and relaxed. We were able to drink about half of our beers when we were each approached to dance. Not wanting to waist the beer, Emmett and I chugged the remaining liquid and headed to the dance floor. The blond haired guy that asked me to dance was decent looking and I was in the mood to dance so I figured why not and accepted his offer.
The girl that asked Emmett to dance launched herself on Em as soon as we made it to the dance floor and I couldn't help but laugh out loud. I shook my head and turned to my soon to be dance partner and my laugh was immediately quieted and replaced with a squeak of fear as the blond haired guy grabbed me tightly and started thrusting against me. I knew that I was definitely going to have bruises on my hips and back where his hands were gripping me too hard. I tried to push him away, using my hands on his chest as leverage, but I couldn't overpower him. He had my arms pinned between us so I couldn't elbow him in the face, either. Every time I tried to push him off of me, he gripped me tighter. I tried to get Emmett's attention, but he was in a similar situation trying to peel the girl off of him. Just as I was starting to panic, I had felt a strong presence behind me.
The man that I felt standing behind me shouted to the scummy blond haired man assaulting me, "Get your hands off of my girlfriend!"
The scummy blond quickly let me go and stepped back. Instead of his slimy hands, I found myself with a large, soft hand on the small of my back that was actually very comforting.
Quickly, as to not cause me any more panic, Edward had made his way around in front of me where I could see him. "Hi, Bella. Remember me?"
I looked up into the beautiful green eyes of my rescuer and let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Ummmm. Yes, Edward, right? From my flight a couple of weeks ago." Like I could ever have forgotten those eyes and that body.
"Oh good, you remember me. It looked like you were in need of a little help. I hope I didn't misinterpret the situation."
"No, thank you, really, thank you very much. I definitely needed some assistance. I couldn't get him off of me."
"Anytime."
"What brings you here?"
"I was with a couple of friends and just happened to notice you on the dance floor." He looked away towards his friends and quickly looked back to me. "Since we are out here, would you like to dance?" Just as Edward asked, the DJ put on a slower song.
"Yes, that would be nice," I said with a smile on my face. "After what just happened, I should be a little nervous, but for some reason, I feel very safe with you."
"I'm glad you feel that way, because I feel very protective of you." Edward gently pulled me towards him, leaving a comfortable distance between us, and soon we were swaying to the music. I could feel his muscled thighs as they occasionally brushed up against mine. My left hand rested on his sculpted shoulder and I couldn't help but let it roam a little bit.
I held my posture since I was trained in dance. This was not lost on Edward who apparently picked up on my body language and he led me around the dance floor. We never took our eyes off of each other, and he pulled me closer to him. The dance floor cleared slightly to give us some room to move as the other couples noticed the determination and precision in our steps.
It had been quite some time since I had enjoyed a dance so much. Normally, when I was asked to dance while out at a club, it was with men who hadn't improved their dance skills since Junior High. Dancing with Edward was refreshing and exhilarating. I didn't want the music to stop.
EPOV
Picking up on the electricity on the dance floor between the two of us, the DJ segued into a song that we could dance a passionate Tango. Most of the crowd moved to the edge of the floor as Bella and I started the very sensual dance still never losing eye contact with each other. We danced together as if we had been lovers for years. Our bodies molded together as if we had been partners before. Feeling her phenomenal body pressed against me was indescribable. When the music ended, there was a round of applause and Bella and I simply continued dancing in the middle of the floor, staring in each other's eyes, totally hypnotized. Right then and there, I knew there was no going back. She totally owned me.
"Holy shit, Bella. That was incredible," a rather large, good looking man roared as he came bouncing over to us, breaking us out of the trance. We separated and I felt the loss instantly.
Please tell me this isn't her boyfriend.
"Yeah, that was pretty hot." Bella started to fan herself while looking at the man that came up to us. "I need another drink."
She smiled and turned to me holding out her hand, "You coming?" I quickly took the offered hand.
Hell yeah! There was no way that I was letting her out of my sight ever again.
Once we reached the far end of the bar where it wasn't as loud, Bella introduced me to Emmett and the three of us continued with our conversation for the next couple of hours. There wasn't a lull at any point. We discussed our individual careers and family status, or lack thereof. Emmett was really cool and I couldn't help but be envious of their relationship.
I was extremely impressed that Bella was actually the Captain and Emmett the Co-Pilot. Not that I doubted or underestimated her ability, only that there weren't many female pilots in the industry. I was enthralled when she spoke of flying. There was a passion behind her eyes that flamed as she spoke of it.
All too soon, Bella looked at her watch and made mention of the time, so we all headed for the door to leave. It was only then that I realized that I had totally ditched my friends. I would have to call them in the morning and explain what happened.
Once outside, Bella and Emmett had a difficult time hailing a cab so I offered to take them back to the hotel on my way home. I could barely contain my excitement that I was going to be able to spend a little more time with her.
o ~ O ~ o
I pulled into the parking lot of the hotel and shut off the car. Emmett must have caught on that I was interested in Bella because he made up an excuse to give Bella and me a chance to be alone for a few minutes. Honestly, I don't know how anyone would have missed it. I had a freaking flashing neon sign on my forehead that read 'Bella owns me.'
"Bells, did you call dispatch with our times today?"
"Shit. I forgot. I was in such a hurry to get out tonight that I didn't call. I'll go and do it now."
No, no, no. Don't leave me.
"No, I'll do it. I have to hit the john anyway." Emmett started to exit the vehicle then said, "I'll see you in a few. Edward, thanks for the ride."
"Yep. I'll be up in a couple of minutes."
Emmett closed the door behind him and started for the lobby.
"Maybe I got the wrong impression, but you two aren't a couple, are you?" Bella and Emmett seemed so close, that I just needed to be sure.
"Eww, no. Is that what you thought?"
"Yeah, I guess I sort of did," I said slightly embarrassed. "Then why did he say that he 'would see you upstairs in a few?'"
"That is my big brother and best friend talking. He was giving me a way out of a situation if I needed or wanted it. Plus, his room is right next door to mine. We always spend the better part of the evenings in each other's rooms watching movies and just hanging out," Bella said with the ever present smile on her face.
"Oh, I see. And do you need or want out of the present situation."
"That depends. What situation am I in?" Bella asked me inquisitively.
I turned more towards her in my seat and leaned in a little bit. "Well, you just happen to be in a situation where a certain doctor would like to ask you for your number and to see if you would like to go out on a date sometime soon," I said as I maintained eye contact with Bella. I had thrown in the doctor comment to try to impress her. Normally as soon as a woman found out that I was a doctor, she was not only throwing her phone number at me, but also her room key. I didn't normally take either the numbers or the room keys, but I knew the way that little bit of information worked. I wasn't going to hesitate to use whatever I needed to get Bella to go out with me.
"Oh."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, oh. Shit. Oops, sorry. Damn. Please excuse my mouth. I seem to have forgotten my filter tonight."
"Bella, is there something wrong?" I reached out to her and took her hand. She didn't pull it away.
"Walk me in?" Bella asked and we got out of the car. When we were both out and headed for the lobby, I once again took the chance and grasped her hand. I just couldn't stop myself from touching her.
"You aren't going to say yes, are you?"
"Edward. Things are complicated. I have really enjoyed getting to know you tonight. Seriously, I have. Probably more so than I should."
"What do you mean, Bella?" I stopped walking and turned her to look at me.
"For starters, you live here in LA and I live in Seattle. Long distance relationships can be very difficult, especially new ones. Yes, I'm interested in you, but . . . I have someone in my life at the present time." She paused for a moment apparently in thought. "I didn't mean to lead you on." Bella put her other hand on my arm. I could see in her eyes that there was some sadness there and that there was something she wasn't saying.
"I haven't seen a ring on your finger, is it serious?" Please say no.
"No ring, but we have been dating for a year." Bella responded with an expression that I couldn't read. "That is the other complicated thing in my life. I don't know where my relationship is headed or even where it is at the present time. Things are . . . well, things are complicated. I'm not a cheater and until things are over with him, I can't go out with you."
I picked up on the fact that she said dating. She said dating! She hadn't led on that there was anything more than that. I was ecstatic that I still had a chance with her.
"I understand." I lowered my head and looked down at my feet. "Could we at least exchange numbers in case you and Emmett would like to see more of the city? I can show you around. If Emmett doesn't mind, he can be a chaperone. Please, Bella, I would really like to get to know you better." I looked up at her as I pleaded and I was hoping she was able to see the truth and eagerness in my eyes.
BPOV
I was so enthralled by this man. How did he do that to me? I just admitted to him that I was, after a year together, just 'dating' Carlisle. Well, that is all that we were doing. Dating. Casually. Very casually. Was seeing each other twice a month outside of work even dating? I really wouldn't be cheating if I had accepted a date with Edward because we never talked of being exclusive with each other. In fact, it was kind of just assumed and never discussed. I really didn't know if Carlisle had been dating anyone else during this past year that we were together. I had never asked. Well, that doesn't really matter. That wasn't the type of person that my dad raised me to be.
I couldn't go out with Edward until I ended things with Carlisle.
I conceded, "Okay. Put your number in my phone, and I'll do the same."
We handed each other our phones. After we gave them back, Edward took my hand again. I was really enjoying his touch.
"When are you flying out?" Edward asked enthusiastically. "Maybe we can go dancing again sometime soon. I really enjoyed dancing with you."
"I have tomorrow off then we fly out the next morning." I blushed again. "I really enjoyed dancing with you, too. It's rare to find someone who really can dance. What made you learn to dance?"
We turned and walked into the hotel. We had just entered the lobby while continuing our conversation and heard the music of the small night club just off the lobby. "I'll tell you everything if you honor me in a couple more dances." Edward smiled.
I got the impression that he was going to try his hardest to make sure the evening never ended. I admitted to myself that I didn't want it to end either. For some reason, I didn't want to let him out of my sight.
I looked around the lobby and noticed Emmett hanging around, monitoring Edward and me. I gave him a nod and a smile. That was our signal that everything was just fine and I didn't need rescuing.
"Okay, since I don't have to get up early, let's go." I pulled Edward by the hand, and we headed into the club and straight to the dance floor.
As soon as we got to the dance floor, the music changed and 'One Step at a Time' by Jordin Sparks came over the speakers. Edward pulled me into a traditional dance hold. He held me as close to him as possible. We started to move with the music as we listened to the song. We were so lost in the music and each other's eyes that we couldn't continue the conversation. I simply enjoyed the feeling of him pressed against me and the intimacy that we were sharing. The words to the song were perfect for us:
Hurry up; and wait
So close, but so far away
Everything that you always dreamed of
Close enough for you to taste
But you just can't touch
To take one step at a time
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly, or falling in love
It's gonna happen when it's; supposed to happen
And we find the reasons why
One step at a time
I felt totally at ease with Edward and was overwhelmed by the depth of his green eyes. There was so much emotion coming out of them that I was simply inundated. Being in his arms felt so right but so wrong at the same time. Earth to Bella, you have a boyfriend. Yes, I do. A casual boyfriend that doesn't spend any time with you. I deserve more than that. Yes, I do.
o ~ O ~ o
A/N: Thank you so much for reading.