AN: Thank you to my lovely Beta EdwardsFirstKiss for polishing this story to perfection.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
Controlled Substances
EPOV
"Fucking Relax" I mutter to myself in the mirror.
I've straightened my tie for the sixth time, I'm beginning to get on my own nerves. Earlier this week Bella and I agreed to meet in the lobby of CCA; she said it was more convenient to where we are going. I bounce my knee rapidly peering out the large glass doors of the lobby. It's been so long since I've been on a first date, it's been even longer since a woman has treated me out to a night on the town. I'm normally the one planning things from top to bottom. I know when we are going, where we are going, and how we are going to get there. This time I know nothing other than to have my butt in this lobby by eight, its nerve wrecking, yet I can't help but feel a twinge of excitement. I can't wait to see what she has in store for me, I guess I like surprises more than I originally thought. The glass door of CCA swings open and its like a slow action movie come to life. Time moves slowly as Bella glides into the lobby looking every much the part of my wildest fantasy. The royal blue fabric clings to her curves like it's tailored for her body. The dress falls to knee length with mildly sheer panels creeping up the sides of her bodacious hips. My eyes zero in on the exposed skin that is the valley of her breasts. The top of the dress has a deep v cut then at the tops of her supple breasts the fabric flows overlapping off into another V almost making a diamond shape, giving me a healthy view of her creamy flawless skin. My sexy librarian has turned into a vixen. Bella glides in with a confidence I've only seen glimpses of. The first day we met she was soft spoken and polite. Her great sense of humor had shined through, but it was almost as if she had been holding back. The only time I had caught a glimpse of the person in front of me is when she ripped me a new one about Jessica. Seeing her in front of me now in that dress, with that smirk on her wine stained lips, I can't help but want to fall in deeper in with this woman. I drink her in as she saunters over to me. I must have a glazed look in my eyes at this point because I am totally enamored with this woman.
"Remember to breathe, I'm rather fond of you and I'd like you to stick around a bit." She whispers in my ear.
Her warm breath tickles my left ear as her sweet fragrance washes over me. She smells of cherry vanilla, and I can't help but want a taste. I try very hard but fail miserably not to look at her cleavage, but as she's leaned over me gripping the sides of the leather lobby chair, my eyes have a mind of their own, or maybe not their own as I think my dick is on the same page. I let out a shaky breath and look into her eyes. Her heavy black liner gives her eyes a cat like vibe. She looks dark and mysterious, they say women like bad boys, and I never thought I'd be entranced by a bad girl.
"Ready?" she asks with a smile shrugging on her coat.
Her pearly whites bring me down from my cloud. Her genuine smile reminds me of the woman I'm getting to know, tugging at an appendage of mine not in my pants but in my chest. Her smile ever infectious has me grinning and nodding like an idiot. Bella holds out her hand and I eagerly grab it rising from my seated position. I curl her small hand in mine before placing it on my left bicep guiding her out the door.
"You look amazing tonight," I finally manage to say as the brisk air of the Seattle evening greets us.
"You clean up well yourself Mr. Cullen, although you should ditch the tie and loosen up a bit." She quips.
In three seconds flat, I have the tie off chucking it in the nearest garbage bin.
"I said off, not trashed," she laughs "That had to be a $300-dollar tie!"
"$400 actually," I shrug.
"You are quite the character," she says.
Her sexy black peep toe ankle boots click against the sidewalk as she drags me down the street.
"Where are we going?" I am finally brave enough to ask.
"That's for me to know, just trust that you're in good hands."
"I do trust you Bella."
She stops still where we stand and turns me to face her. She gazes at me for a second before quirking one of her perfectly arched brows at me. I never thought I'd be into eyebrows. Every moment I'm around her I develop a new kind of fetish. Her silky brown hair lays in perfect small shards above her gorgeous eyes giving me one more way to read this difficult woman, and one more thing to love about her too.
"Why?" She asks.
I can see she is genuinely confused, and I really can't blame her. We barely know each other and I'm already telling her I trust her. Something that hasn't come easy for any woman before she entered my life, and for some reason the trust just flows between us.
"I don't know to be honest, I just do." I shrug rubbing the back on my neck.
My emotions are put on the spot and I don't like it, nor do I know how to process it. Before I had a moment to think her lips were on mine. Her taste was sweeter than I had imagined. I grab her small waist bringing her as close to me as possible. Her fingers trickle up my chest to my pecs and up to my neck. She unbuttons the top buttons of my shirt until her dainty fingers trail up the sides of my neck to my jawbone. We break apart and I look at her swollen lips. Her lipstick has faded, and I can only imagine how my mouth looks. She wipes my lips with the gentle touch of her thumbs with a smile before turning to walk away. She looks over her shoulder at my stunned expression be for winking.
"Come." Jerking her head to the directions she is walking.
"Oh, I plan to," I say scurrying to catch up with her.
CS
We walk for a block or two in comfortable silence. Now and then I see Bella watching me out of the corner of her eye, a small smile tugging at her lips. Everything feels so right and natural with her. It's amazing that we don't feel the pressure to cram in the first date 'get to know you' questions. I was just relaxed and had faith that they would come naturally. Until this serene moment I never realize how much I hated that, first dates felt like an interrogation I had to pass to perhaps score at the end of the night. It wasn't long until I was being pulled into the Seattle Theater. Excitement quickly bubbled up inside of me, I haven't seen a play in ages.
"Edward here are our tickets, go find our seats and I'll grab us a few things from the concession." Bella smiles.
I nod and go to find our seats, which wasn't hard since we were seated in a balcony. I'm starting to wonder how much Bella spent on this evening. These seats aren't cheap, and I'd feel terrible if she had to break the bank just for our date. I feel like I should be going out of my way to impress her not the other way around. Bella returns shortly after with an array of goodies in her arms. I smile catching a glimpse of the snacks.
"I haven't had Jujube's in ages," I laugh.
"And you will continue not to, these are for me." She winks.
I fake hurt with my hand over my chest as she smiles and tosses me the box before taking off her coat. I'm instantly in the mood for something sweeter as I eye her legs in that dress as she stands before me.
"Have I told you how amazing you look in that dress?" I ask tongue tied.
"You may have mentioned it," she smirks.
"I can't help but agree," a man says walking through the curtain into the balcony.
"Peter," Bella says in a polite but clipped tone.
"Isabella, don't you look spectacular tonight," he says.
I find it strange he's complimenting my date as his stands quietly behind him not uttering a word.
"Thank you, Peter, and who's this?" Bella asks.
"You may introduce yourself, and then I want you to take your seat," he says turning to his date.
"Hello, I'm Charlotte, nice to meet you," she says her eyes down cast.
This Peter fellow motions for her to spin with his fingers before ridding her of her coat. He slung her coat over his arm and Charlotte went to sit as she was told. I felt like I was back in the stone age where men just barked orders at women. I wanted to scream, stand up for yourself; don't let him boss you around like that. Then I take a closer look at the action, nothing he did was malicious or rude, so why did it rub me the wrong way.
"She's lovely Peter," Bella compliments.
"I think she's the one Isabella," Peter smiles a genuine smile. His face is happy and content yet controlled. It's obvious to see he adores the woman to our right. Earlier reservations disappear, and I determine he seems like a genuine guy.
"Peter Whitlock, finally off the market, you're breaking hearts." she smiles.
"Me? Who is this treat behind us, and where have you been keeping him?" Peter asks sizing me up. A sparkle in his eye left me confused, I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze which just made him grin.
"First date actually," Bella admits.
"Don't let this one get away, he's positively breathtaking," I clear my throat uncomfortably and shift my eyes downward. I remain silent because I'm at a loss for words. A man has never described me as breathtaking and I don't know what to do or say besides doing and saying nothing.
"Agreed, I'm rather fond of Edward, I plan to keep him around as long as he'll have me."
"I expect to see a cuff soon then?"
"We'll see."
Out of the corner of my eye I see Bella shake his hand before he leaves to sit next to Charlotte on his side of the balcony.
Bella joins me. She sits and grabs my hand in hers. I look up finally and meet her kind eyes and soft smile.
"A sort of colleague of mine," she offers.
"I figured," I shrug.
"So that's it? You're not going to ask from where or grill me about how I know him or go all caveman?" she asks curiously.
"Should I? I figured if it's important you'd mention it. With the way he looks at Charlotte I feel no need to go all caveman as you call it, plus that's not really my thing." I answer truthfully.
"Such a gem," she whispers rubbing her hand up and down my arm, "Where have you been hiding?"
"I haven't, I've just been waiting," I answer.
"For what?"
"For you."
AN: Sorry if I missed replying to any of you guys reviews, I promise I will try reply to everyone this time. Thanks for being patient with updates and taking the time to continue this journey with me. Things between these two are heating up! I'd love to hear your thoughts. -Britt-