Chapter Nine

With cinema darkness as our cover, we hold hands. I notice she doesn't softly play with my skin or gently squeeze like Edward does. I hate that I'm thinking about him right now. The truth is I'm itching to tell him just how my day went. I'm itching to hear about his.

When the movie ends I have to stop myself from breathing a sigh of relief. Finally.

We walk together to the car in silence. The tension almost choking us. I can't decide if it's sexual or something else. I get behind the wheel of the driver's seat and watch her climb in herself. She'd let me drive her convertible. It was perfect to feel the hum under my fingertips.

"Bella," she says suddenly and I start the car.

"Yeah?" I smile at her.

"Can I kiss you again?" she asks.

"Only if you tell me what this is?" I sigh.

"I like fooling around with girls. I've never had a relationship with one and I don't know if that's what I want here. I just can't help but feel attracted to you," she shrugs, "I want to touch you and want you to touch me."

"So if someone were to come along for you," I begin.

"I'm not sure," she shrugs.

She leans across the centre console of the car pulling me to her slightly. I give into it and let her kiss me. It's not as full as last night but the lust is there. I hum into her kiss but I can't help but feel as if something is lacking. I simply bite it down but and let her hold my hand for the car ride home.

The date had felt lacklustre. No excitement.

When we got home she kissed me up against the counter. It was with a lot more passion. She even let her hands explore, squeezing my ass a few times. Then she wished me goodnight. I bite my lip and reach for my phone. I'm shocked at my behaviour.

I text Edward once she is gone. When I was with her I thought of him and when she wasn't around I wanted to reach out to him. With her, it was just an attraction. That was it. I was beginning to think maybe I needed more than that. Tonight was proving that.

Not tired I begin to come up with a plan to surprise him. All while Rosalie sleeps I bake a cake icing his name with frosting on the top, I blow up balloons I'd picked up on the way home from work and I decorate his room with a birthday banner. I tape each side above his bed before lying back on his soft mattress. His room was tidy. Barely a thing out of place. It was warm despite the dark furnishing. The bed was a California king. The room in whole possibly took up the space of both Rosalie and my rooms combined.

At some point, I must fall asleep because when I'm woken up it's morning. His musical voice is what tears me from my slumber.

"Bella," he says warmly, "did you sleep here?"

I sit up confused taking in my surroundings.

"Happy birthday," I sleepily smile, "surprise."

He laughs leaning down to kisses my cheek.

"What a surprise it is. I didn't expect my room to look like a party city, and I didn't expect you to be waiting for me in the centre of it," he says warmly.

He rubs my back lying down beside me.

"I have to take you to the zoo," I smile, "don't get too comfy, Mister."

"Okay, but when a man comes home and sees a beautiful woman like you in his bed that he's basically incredibly into, how can he not at the very least just lie-down?" he asks.

"We said three dates," I laugh.

"We did," he nods, "you're right as always. Let's go watch some of your elephants get some instead."

Laughing I roll over slightly so my leg laps his.

"You'll get some action on your birthday at least," I say.

"It's not the kind I anticipated," he smirks down at me, "I'd much prefer to be the one doing."

"If you like I can put you into the enclosure with them?" I joke.

"I bet you could," he laughs tilting my face up so that I can kiss him.

He snakes his arms around me holding me close against his chest while we kiss. I completely melt into his body as he kisses me. Today would be spent ensuring his birthday was perfect. I don't know why I felt the commitment I did. I just knew to have him look at me the way he did made me feel a certain way. I wondered if it would heighten for his birthday.

"Can we go?" he asks.

"Are you excited?" I ask

"To spend my birthday with you? I'm ecstatic," he laughs.

When I race downstairs to change, Rose is waiting in the kitchen. She sips her coffee glaring cooly at me. She doesn't say a word and I don't attempt to offer her the chance. It would look to her as if I had stayed with Edward all night.

Perhaps she could see the connection between us growing? I know I could feel it.

When it comes to saying goodbye to her she ignores us completely. I'm completely over it by the time I arrive at the Zoo with Edward. He tries to grab a map but I stop him.

"I'm the map today," I say.

He lets me guide him closer to the lion's den and when we arrive I pull him right to the front of the glass. Seattle was home to two male lions and a female. She had two cubs.

"The males are so neat," he looks at them amazed.

I interrupt the wonder and pull him close to me. Snaking my arms around his neck I stand up on my toes.

"I have a big surprise for you. I bought their keeper lunch yesterday," I say.

"Why is that lucky for me?" both of his hands grip my waist.

He already knows the answer judging by his grin.

"How close have you come to one before?" I ask.

"This close," he smiles pulling me closer against him.

"Let's get closer," I lean up to kiss his lips, "like pet them closer."

"You want me to pet that huge lion?" he asks shocked.

"I was thinking the cubs," I smile.

"You're kidding," he genuinely looks thrilled, "this is the best birthday I've ever had, Bells. You actually can't be serious."

Laughing I grip his hand tugging him toward the staff only door nearby their enclosure.

"You're joking me," he is getting more excited by the second.

It's adorable. I'm proud that it's me who is making him feel this way.

"Can you take pictures so I can send them to Esme?" he asks.

"Of course," I laugh, "to begin with stay as quiet as you can. They may be little but it hurts when they bite."

Their keeper smiles at me warmly as she carries one of the babies toward us. I encourage Edward to kneel down on the floor as we left the lion to get comfortable with what is happening. The cub is no more than four months old. It tries to chew at her gloves but lies on the ground comfortable before us when it's placed down. She takes us both in not really caring about our presence.

"This is Zara," the keeper says, "and I'd Jodi. Happy birthday, Edward. Bella has told me lots about you."

"No I haven't" I frown.

She smirks and winks at Edward. While Edward examines the cub I pull out my phone to take his pictures.

"She also tells me lions are your favourite animal," Jodi says.

"She's right," Edward nods smiling down at the cub.

"Well Zara is very docile. She will let you pat her. Just don't touch her around the face," Jodi says.

Edward looks at me for a moment. It's as if he's searching my eyes for permission. That this is all real.

"Go on," I encourage, "happy birthday."

He grins leaning forward slightly so he can stroke the animal's fur. I snap more pictures unable to stop my smile from growing wider and wider. My heart felt incredibly full.

"It's so soft," he smiles.

"Her mumma spends all day cleaning her," Jodi smiles.

"What does she eat at this age?" he asks.

"Mainly milk. Maybe some meat soon enough. Would you like to feed her?" Jodi asks.

"He'd love to," I answer for him.

Edward looked almost starstruck. While Jodi prepared lunch for little Zara I keep hold of her leash keeping her in place.

"Am I winning?" I ask.

"This is the best thing anyone has ever gotten me," he nods, "I'm… thank you."

"It's my pleasure. You've been so welcoming and kind," I say.

I help him tilt the bottle correctly so Zara can feed. Jodi allows me to sit beside him, holding the lion carefully. I'm able to place a hand on Edward's back, slowly rubbing it as he enjoys the experience.

When Zara has had enough he turns to me and pulls my face to his, planting a warm and passionate kiss on my lips. I return the gentle kiss wishing we could turn it into more. But he pulls back being first to remember where we are.

"Thank you so much for this," he says to me, "I don't know how to even begin making it up to you."

"I do. Perhaps you'll come to meet my elephants?" I suggest.

"I would be honoured," he grins excitedly.


Thank you for reading!