I do not own Twilight or the characters in it. And unfortunately I have no affiliation with the author Stephenie Meyer (I wish I did!).
Thanks to my Betas sepideh9 and devilsgenie from Project Team Beta, you guys are the best! You both rock my world!
You guys have probably already noticed I'm taking long to update, and I'm sorry about it. Life and uni are making it difficult for me to keep on writing all the time!
Playlist: No Doubt – It's my life, Lita Ford – Kiss me deadly, Fallout Boy – I don't care, Nirvana – About a girl, Case – Touch me, tease me, Hardcore Superstar – we don't celebrate Sundays, L7 – Shitlist.
Chapter 8 - Aftertaste
Eric York came through the door at the exact time that Edward put his hand on my lower back to escort me to the door. Great, now he's going to go running to Mike and tell him all about this. There goes my chance at having a peaceful separation.
Deciding I couldn't dodge that bullet, I started walking towards the restaurant door, Edward's arm still around my waist. How could I tell Edward without looking too obvious? I stopped walking for a moment and turned, pretending to take a look at our table–as if I was making sure I haven't forgotten anything– and took the chance to talk to Edward.
"Edward, I'm sorry about this. The man at the door is a friend of my ex."
He didn't say a word as I turned again to face the door, but he gave my waist a small squeeze letting me know he'd gotten my point. He let me walk in front of him and followed close behind.
"Hi Eric, how are you doing?" I asked politely.
"Bella! What a pleasant surprise," Eric said ironically.
"What brings you here?" I asked.
"Well, I heard the food is great. Anything you would like to recommend?" he asked.
"I'm sure anything you order will be fine. More than fine, the food here is delicious." I offered.
"I'm sure it is. Jessica here says it's sinful," he said.
"Oh sorry, I'm so rude! Eric, this is Edward. Edward this is Eric," I said.
"Bella, Edward, this is Jessica. Jessica this is Bella and Edward," Eric quickly replied, with disgust when he said Edward's name.
"Nice to meet you Jessica," I might have been uncomfortable but I would not forget my manners, especially in front of Edward. "How have you been Eric?"
"I'm good thank you. I wish I could say the same about Mike," Eric spat.
"Eric," Jessica warned him.
Edward stared at him. If looks could kill, he'd be dead by now, murdered by two different people.
"I'm sorry Bella. It's not the place to get into it," Eric apologized.
Right because if we were somewhere else it would be your place… idiot!
"We should get going," Edward said.
And I was glad to be offered an escape. Relief washed through me.
"Nice meeting you Bella," Jessica said, not sounding the least bit sincere.
"Goodnight Eric. Take care," I said
"Enjoy your meal," Edward said.
He then walked me outside. I was trembling with fury. I should have known he would try to mention Mike in front of Edward, and try to ruin my date. What the fuck was he thinking? Who the hell does he think he is to meddle into my private business? I was so furious I wanted to go back in and punch Eric in the face.
Edward, once more, came to the rescue when he noticed I was still agitated, and turned to face me. "May I?" he asked.
I nodded, not exactly sure what he wanted to do. Part of me hoped he would kiss me again. Instead he hugged me. He simply just hugged me. It was all and more I had expected. I snuggled in his chest and let the anger dissipate. His arms were around me and I felt protected by this guy I barely knew. I felt so right in his arms, I never wanted to let go.
It was most certainly weird, maybe a bit disturbing that someone I met not long ago, could make me feel better than Mike ever did. I didn't question it, instead I leaned into the embrace and enjoyed the soothing sensation.
After a long time he stepped backwards a bit, took a good look at me, then he lifted my chin with his hand and stared into my eyes.
"Are you okay?" he asked me.
"I am now. Thank you."
EPOV
I couldn't believe that guy's nerve. Even if he was her ex's friend; there's a place and a time for everything and this was definitely not it. He made me so frustrated, but I took a glance at Bella and her watery eyes, and I knew she needed someone to hold her and help her calm down, not the opposite. However, if it would have been me, I would have gone inside and teach the guy some manners.
We were outside of the restaurant, and Bella had her hands fisted at her sides and she looked murderous. It made me sad and frustrated because the night had started so well. Out of instinct I hugged her. She snuggled into my chest and I felt her start to relax. She felt so right there in my arms.
I held her there and my mind started racing. I could smell her hair. It smelled like strawberries. And all of the sudden I was but too aware of her body, how her soft curves felt against my body. I forced myself not to think of her body while she was so close to me.
I had enjoyed our date so much until now, a date that now, had been ruined by this idiot. I looked at the restaurant before me, don't know what I was thinking when I chose this place for a date. It would be most difficult to walk away from here, from this hotel, with this woman by my side.
I sighed and took a step backwards. I lifted her chin and looked into her big beautiful eyes. I wanted to kiss her again but I wasn't sure how she would feel about it right now.
"Are you okay?" I asked her.
"I am now. Thank you," she answered me.
"Come on, I think you've had enough for one night." I said, trying to hide my disappointment.
She stopped dead on her tracks and spun around to face me.
"Edward, I want you to know I had a lovely time, despite Eric." She told me.
"I had a lovely time too Bella. I'd love to see you again." I answered a small grin across my mouth.
"I'm free next Wednesday," she informed me a bit more cheerily.
"I have an exhibition that day, but I'd love to have you along with me."
"Are you sure?" she asked dubiously.
"I'd like nothing more," I told her honestly.
I took a business card from my wallet and handed it to her. She took it and placed it in her small handbag. She then took a small piece of paper and a pen from said bag and started scribbling. She handed me the paper with her phone number in it and grabbed my hand when I reached for it.
"Thank you Edward, for everything."
I took her hand and kissed it. We walked to the front of the Four Seasons, where a line of taxis where waiting and I couldn't resist. I took her face in my hands and kissed her softly. She responded by entangling her hands in my hair and I groaned. This felt so good. I have never felt this way before about anyone, and I liked it.
After a few minutes I pulled away and before I would do something stupid, I placed her into a cab.
"We'll be in touch," I promised.
And with that I closed her door and watch her go. I suddenly felt so sad to see her go. I immediately felt her absence, a small lump in my throat. I hopped into the following taxi and went home.
I walked into my apartment, threw my coat on a single couch and walked to the bar. I felt so glad my brother had convinced me to put a small bar on the side of the living room. I poured myself a glass of Glenfiddich, then, I loosen my tie and walked back to the couch thinking of tonight's events.
I kissed Bella. Just the thought of it made my insides and lower abdomen tingle, or maybe it was the scotch. All I knew was that this woman fascinated me, and I had the suspicion that there was so much more to her. I had only beginning to see her in a different light, in a different environment, far from work.
I slumped on the couch, my scotch in one hand, thinking of the world of possibilities in front of me. Wednesday couldn't come fast enough. Before I realized it, I had fallen asleep on the couch.
That was the first night I dreamt with Bella.
BPOV
I stepped into my house, still mad but in the clouds. The night had gone so well, until Eric showed up. Just thinking about it made me rancorous. I lowered my shoulders and tried to relax. I walked to the kitchen and decided on some tea. I was about to pick up the phone and call Meggie when I realized it was too late, and in any case, I needed to recap on today's events.
He had kissed me. Edward kissed me. I remember the soft touch of his lips on mine and how good it felt -my gooseflesh was proof of it. My mind raced and my imagination took over. I closed my eyes. If his lips felt so good, how would his body feel on top of mine? Our skin brushing against one another, my hands inspecting his body…
The tea kettle whistling awoke me of my daydream and I sighed. Better not have too much expectations Bella. It's all too good to be true. But his lips, his embrace, everything about him felt right.
I needed a distraction; I knew I wouldn't be able to fall asleep anytime soon. I prepared my tea, took my copy of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility and walked to my room. I placed the tea and the book on my night table and walked to my en-suite bathroom. I quickly brushed my hair, undressed and slid onto my pajamas.
I drank my tea and read. My body relaxed faster than I thought and quickly slid into dreamland.
The sound of my phone woke me up and I groaned. I took a glance at my alarm clock and jumped out of bed. Shit, I'm late for work! Way to start your day Bella. Well at least you're already showered…
I grabbed my track suit and ran to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, my hair, washed my face and dressed in what had to be a record time for me.
I remembered my phone had been ringing; I took it from the kitchen aisle, threw them in my bag and jumped into my car. I got to work in fifteen minutes. Thank God it was a Sunday morning as traffic was light.
It was nine am and I was an hour late. Today Donna was in the nurse's station preparing for inventory since tomorrow we had to place the order for the pharmacy. Esme was sitting across her desk and holding a cup of coffee.
"Good Morning. Here you go sweetheart," Esme said as she pushed the cup of coffee towards me.
"Good morning girls and thanks. Esme How do you do that?" I said.
"Oh, I know you. And Angela told me you had a date last night." She replied.
"How did it go?" Donna asked.
"Where to start…" I traced on.
I was about to ask about the patients but Esme as always seemed to read my mind.
"Everyone is having breakfast so we have around forty minutes," she said.
I grabbed the coffee cup and sat in the middle.
"It went well. Well I think it did," I said hesitantly.
"Start from the beginning. Where did you go?" Donna asked.
"He invited me to Art for dinner. I went on my own because I didn't want him to pick me up in case Mike would show up," I said.
"Good thinking," Donna added.
"He was already at the restaurant when I got there," I added. Drop dead gorgeous.
"He is such a gentleman. He was so nice., and he's really interesting; did you know he owns a gallery? And he kissed me. And all was going on so well, until Eric showed up. I was so furious," I blurted.
"Hold on honey, you're not making any sense," Esme told me.
"And you're blabbing," Donna helpfully added.
"So dinner went well. Go back to the part where you said he kissed you." Esme said.
"Well, he was telling me about his family, and before I knew it I was tearing up. He was so sweet. He brushed away my tears with his thumb and then he kissed me," I said shyly.
Donna and Esme were both staring at me now. I'm sure the Q&A was about to get really intense.
"How was it?" Donna asked first.
"It was… oh God. It was perfect. He has soft lips and the way he kissed me. I swear he gets a twelve in a one to ten scale." I said dreamily.
I was about to go on when I noticed Esme's and Donna's looks and I wondered for a second or two if I had said something wrong. Then I saw they were looking past me and I turned to see.
"Can we help you with anything?" Esme said.
Right behind me was Tanya, looking enraged and red-beet furious. Oh hell. I'm so not in the mood for her shit today. I wish the earth would open up and suck me in right now.
Note: Please, please give me some love. Edward is begging you to. Keep Edward happy and leave a comment, question. I'm sure he'll appreciate it. He might even answer you!
