Ch 4
BPOV
Once I got into the restaurant, I was still feeling the confidence and electricity coursing through my veins. Funny what a little Jane's Addiction and A LOT of horsepower can do for a person. I think I definitely want to buy one of those Challengers. Would a sun roof be a ridiculous thing to have in Forks? Probably. Moon roof? Maybe. That would be a question for the dealer…
I stepped up to the hostess and told her I was meeting Dr Cullen for a dinner meting. After we bonded over our shared taste in shoes (gotta love the Choo's), she said something that made my stomach drop through my ass.
"Oh yes, the Cullen party. They're already seated. I'll show you right over, Miss."
Ok. The "Cullen party?" What was this? The words "party" and "they're" imply more than one person unless Carlisle showed up with a piñata. Highly doubtful. What have I gotten myself into? I prepared for one person, Dr Cullen. Not a gauntlet of physicians or the Board of Directors! Fine, time for a pep talk.
I am smart
I am beautiful
And, gosh-darn it, people like me!
I can do this…
I am smart
I am beautiful
And, gosh-darn it, people like me!
The hostess and I meandered our way through the tables at the center of the restaurant when I finally saw Dr Cullen standing from a table with two others to greet me. He had with him a beautiful and statuesque lady, whom I assumed was his wife and – stomach officially out through the ass – Edward Cullen. He was wearing black dress pants and black dress shirt. This time without a tie but with the first few buttons open. And is that a wee bit of fine chest hair peeking out to say hello? I think so! His hair was even more sexy than when I saw it earlier today which I couldn't imagine was possible. That's right. Sploosh. And they wanted me to have dinner and sound like an educated woman with this guy within licking distance? I don't know but he does something to me. No one has ever made me punch stupid like Edward Cullen. It's like there's some kind of invisible pull toward him. Like I said, stomach through the ass. Must have dragged part of my brain with it on it's way out.
He still sat looking at me with widened eyes while I was introduced to Esme Cullen (I was right about the wife thing). After which, Esme whispered,
"Edward, dear? You've met Miss Swan?"
EPOV
I think my mom whispered something to me. Both Mom and Dad were looking at me expectantly. Crap, what am I doing? I sprang out of my chair and extended my hand to meet hers but this time was so much different than this morning. This couldn't be the same girl! No, woman! This is my Bella Swan. Woah, buddy. She's YOUR Bella Swan now? When did this happen? Anyway, somehow I managed to speak.
"Bella! Great to see you again! Sorry, I guess I just zoned for a bit. Long week… tired…"
I think I rambled on for a bit after that, couldn't be sure. I managed to make it back into my chair without falling over, the drinks order was taken, and suddenly Star Wars just didn't cut it for me anymore. This is where I wanted to be tonight. Once I sat, I also noticed that she was having quite an effect on me in the low. Are you kidding? Springing a woody when out to dinner with the parents is so not cool. I thought I grew out of that uncontrollable phase when absolutely anything would set me off. But it was just then that she crossed her legs in my direction and I got a perfect view of her gorgeous legs. I had to literally stop myself from reaching out and touching her, her skin looked so soft. And those shoes, uungh! I think I have a shoe fetish now. Am I going to need a safe word? Hell, she might. Then her perfume – was that Sandlewood? I have no idea. Something warm. It just made me want to ghost my nose and lips from the dip at the bottom of her neck and up her jaw line to the soft skin behind her ear to take in as much of her as I could… And there it goes again and even stronger than before! Crap, where's my dinner napkin? There's no chance I can excuse myself to splash some cold water on my face now. What happened to the ripped jeans, the Steeler's t-shirt, and the Vans? Really? I noticed the Vans? I must really be developing a shoe fetish. But still, I was expecting that or something in that realm. This was definitely not it.
As the night drew on through the various courses of the meal, the small talk continued. I was surprised that I was able to pay attention as much as I did. She seemed a little distracted at first but who wouldn't be after an exhausting day with Alice? The poor thing should have been warned. But when talk of work came about, she was firing on all guns. This girl knew her stuff and was equally passionate about it. Bella Swan is quickly becoming the most perfect woman ever. Now if she likes music and recognizes the genius of Star Wars, then I will do everything in my power to marry this girl. For now, though, my best bet would be to keep quiet tonight otherwise I would be sure to embarrass myself and everyone else at the table. That would be a feat in and of itself! That means no moaning, dude. Remember that.
BPOV
Sploosh. Queen. Is. In. Trouble. If this night is going to be tolerable AT ALL, I would need a drink. And fast. The waitress arrived to take the drinks order and she wasn't so subtle about noticing how gorgeous Edward was. She offered him another double bourbon rocks even though he clearly wasn't even finished with what he had and she took the rest of the orders without taking her eyes off him. Hell, I don't blame her. I'm right there with you, honey.
I eventually got my Ketel One and soda with a lime and was able to relax a bit. The conversation started off a little rocky because it was just so hard to concentrate while sitting next to Edward. Especially with his eyes focused on me throughout the evening. Was he trying to kill me? But when the conversation got to work stuff, I was able to focus my attention on that. That was a comfortable area for me. That I could do in my sleep. Mmm… sleep. Sleeping with Edward's strong rippling arms wrapped around me on a cold Forks night… Stop! My DGIM could be so exasperating! Anyway, it was clear to me by the end of the night that I had won Doctor and Mrs Cullen over, they insisted on me calling them Carlisle and Esme. I didn't know if I was going to be able to do that but I'd do my best. Edward stayed relatively silent the whole evening which was a blessing. I would not have been able to contain myself if I heard that unbelievable voice of his. I would have had to spend the rest of the evening sitting in his lap. And that's SO unprofessional.
We made it outside and they all waited as the valet brought my car around. What happened next was out of a TCM movie. Edward swooped in, grabbed the keys from the valet, opened the door to my car, and held my hand to help me into the car. He had the most gentle grip on my hand and brushed his thumb over my knuckles. Geez, was there lightning tonight? Because I just got hit major! Good thing I had a firm grip on the car, otherwise I would have melted into the pavement! Once I was seated inside, he spoke,
"See you Monday, Miss Swan. Drive safely."
He shut my door and I couldn't register a thing. This isn't a familiar car. Where am I? Why is the car wet, has it been raining? Why am I dressed this way? Then I heard two knocks on the driver's side window. I jumped and looked out. It was Edward waving goodbye as he turned toward his parents who were talking amongst themselves. Ah yes. It's all coming back to me now. I started on my way back to the apartment at the other end of town in silence. Boy, was Walter in for a story tonight!
EPOV
The night was coming to an end and I was desperate to get closer to her somehow since I was incapable of speech. We got to the valet station and they said their goodbyes. Bella's car came around and I couldn't bear the idea of that slimy teenager helping Bella into her car.
It's now or never buddy! What'cha gonna choose? If you don't do anything tonight you'll be beating yourself up for the rest of your life. And I DO mean beating YOURSELF up. So what's it gonna be, chief?
I flew into action! Grabbed the keys from the valet, opened Bella's door and helped her by the hand into the car. Oh. My. GOD. The electricity was amazing! And her hand was so soft and delicate. I knew I was a gonner. By the grace of God, I was able to speak even though I have no idea what I said. I hope it made sense. Now I had to make it back to the house in my parent's car without them noticing the enormous bulge in my pants. This girl was going to be the death of me.