A/N Thank you D JS White xx
Chapter 11
Dig your well before you're thirsty – Asian-Indian proverb
"I'm telling you, Marcus, Bella is the person my brother needs to run this new subsidiary," Didyme spoke across the shattered glass table, giving me a pointed look. Her dark chocolate hair was draped over one shoulder, and I had to admit she looked as beautiful and young as the first time I met her.
Beside her, her husband nodded his agreement. "Indeed. But, as of now, we're not done analyzing the feasibility of the project. There are still a few more points on our list that we need to evaluate."
"Does this mean you'll be extending your stay in London, dear?" Didyme asked me.
"Unfortunately, no. Aro needs me in Chicago. But I suppose I'll be back in the near future."
She smiled. "That is lovely to hear. I hope we'll get to spend a little more time together the next time you're here."
"I hope so, too," I replied sincerely, cutting a piece of my roast. "The meal is absolutely delicious."
"I second that," Alice said with a genuine smile. "Jasper would love it. He's a big fan of everything roast."
"I shall give you the recipe for the marinade, then," Didyme offered.
"Thanks. That would be great."
On the table, next to my glass of wine, my phone vibrated. I picked it up, noticing a text message from Edward.
Just wanted to say hello…
The grin on my face was impossible to contain as I rushed to reply.
Hello to you, too.
Less than a minute later, came another text.
Are you having a good time?
We'd spoken on the phone earlier that afternoon, so he knew Alice and I were having dinner at Marcus's house.
I am, thank you. What are you doing?
The seconds of waiting trickled by idly, or so it seemed.
I'm out with a friend from work. We're having drinks and watching a soccer game.
The thought that I wasn't going to see him until the following evening made me a bit sad.
That sounds like fun.
Yeah…
I was tempted to ask for a late night encounter, as brief as it might have been, but finally decided against it, not wanting to sound too desperate.
So, I'll see you tomorrow?
His reply was almost immediate.
You know it. Call me when you get home tonight, if you feel like it.
"I know that look," Didyme observed with an audible sigh, drawing up my eyes from my phone's screen. She was giving me what I could only describe as a sly grin; her gray eyes shining brilliantly in the light gliding down from the crystal chandelier.
"What look?" Marcus seemed oblivious.
"Bella is seeing someone."
Suddenly, all eyes in the dining room were on me.
"Well..." I smiled, trying to sound casual. "Isn't a girl supposed to see someone?"
"Oh, no, no," Didyme rushed to clarify. "Don't get me wrong, Bella, darling. I'm glad you're dating. I simply happened to notice you looked very happy to be conversing with whoever was texting you. It's nice to know there's someone waiting for you back home, isn't it?"
"Actually, he lives in London. He's from Chicago, but he relocated here a few months ago."
Didyme's face instantly lit up as she gave her husband an excited look. "See, Marcus? What did I tell you? She'd be perfect to run the subsidiary."
"Yes, yes." He tapped his wife's forearm gently to tame her enthusiasm. "We'll see what Aro decides after we finish with the initial phase of the project. I don't suppose he'll part that easily with his valued right-hand employee."
"You'll convince him," she said with finality.
"Guys," I interjected, calm but pointed, "let's not go there yet. Marcus is right. We'll have to see how this project evolves."
Didyme waved me off dismissively, flashing her four carat diamond ring as she did so. "Anyway..." She suddenly lost her appetite for the subject and changed it. "So, regarding that antique fair I was telling you about earlier…"
~RS~
Sitting on a bench by the River Thames, had to be one of the most relaxing places I had been in a long while. The falling of night brought with it a chilly air that caused my skin to prickle and my body to cuddle closer to Edward. His arm around my shoulders tightened its grip as he smiled down at me.
"Are you all right?" he asked tenderly. "If it's too cold for you, we can go. I don't mind."
"Let's stay just a couple more minutes."
He nodded, returning his gaze to the quiet stream of water unfolding in front of us.
"I had fun today," I said after a minute, drawing his attention back to me.
We'd started by having lunch together, then went for a long stroll in the park, finally ending by the Thames. It now was past seven, and my mind was working itself into a frenzy knowing tomorrow I was flying back to the States.
"Me too, Isabella." He leaned down to kiss the corner of my lips. His warm breath fanned across my skin, making my cold skin break into goosebumps.
Closing my eyes, I swallowed thickly. "Edward, I…"
"What is it?" he whispered, kissing my lips instead.
"Could I…" I didn't know how to tell him without sounding too forward, and it drove me crazy. "I mean, I would like to, maybe see your place, have a nightcap, if you don't mind."
He pulled back, and I opened my eyes to see he was giving me a heated look. "Really?"
I nodded, now nervously lost for words.
He got up from the bench almost instantly, holding out his hand for me to take. If the way he looked at me was any indication, I was certain he was as eager as I was for us to take things further.
Hand in hand, we started walking in the opposite direction from where we came.
My thoughts were all over the place, and I bit my lip so hard I was afraid I was going to draw blood.
We took a cab to his place, the short ride mostly silent. After paying the fee, Edward helped me out of the car, and I noticed we were in front of a small but strikingly quaint apartment building.
There were only two apartments on each floor, and as we reached our destination – door 'no. 5' – Edward pulled out a set of keys, unlocking and motioning with his head that I should go in first. Stepping in behind me, Edward reached to our right and turned on the lights.
Unsurprisingly, the apartment looked very modern — just as I imagined someone's home who worked in graphic design. There was a large, open space that held the living area, a black and beige kitchen with splashes of light blue, and a dinner table to accommodate six people.
"This is nice," I observed, giving him a smile over my shoulder as I walked towards the comfy looking corner sofa. Hanging above it was a large abstract sketch of two half-naked women staring at each other. Beside the couch there was a bold contrasting fiddle leaf fig.
"I'm glad you like it," Edward replied warmly. "I sketched that my first week in London."
"I see you like drawing women," I teased, turning around to face him.
He shrugged; his hands dug deep into his jean pockets. "I find the female body inspiring."
The way he said it and how he looked at me brought color to my cheeks.
"Would you like something to drink?" he asked, his voice low, starting to walk towards me with slow, measured steps.
I shook my head no, all of a sudden mesmerized by him. He looked so tall and astonishingly handsome.
In the pit of my stomach I could feel the start of a different kind of hunger.
When he stopped in front of me, with the tips of his sneakers touching the soft tips of my flats, he brought one hand to my face, brushing away a few stray hairs. Leaning over, he pressed his mouth against mine ever so softly.
My body started responding immediately. My nipples perked, and the need to be touched all over became overwhelming so fast it made me dizzy. Pushing myself up on my tiptoes, I wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.
Edward's responding moan brought wetness between my legs. Suddenly, there was this intense desire to be filled so badly, it ached. Pulling me flush to his body, he grabbed hold of my hair and kissed me with renewed fervor. Before I knew what was happening, Edward had me in his arms and I was being carried into what I guessed was his bedroom. Kicking open the door, he pushed me onto the bed, his body coming to rest on top of mine.
"God, you're so fucking beautiful," he whispered, dragging his lips up my neck.
What followed was a blur.
Clothes came off, naked skin rubbed against naked skin while lips met in frenzied kisses, making the passion stretch to maddening heights.
The moment Edward entered me in a slow but firm thrust, I let out a soft gasp that, to my ears, sounded more like a sound of relief.
"Fuck," he grunted harshly, his eyes fluttering closed with his pleasure.
Grabbing the back of his neck, I pulled him to me for another kiss. As his lips touched mine, he started moving. In and out, he kept a steady pace, each push weighted as if he was afraid it was all going to end too soon.
With every move of his hips, the tension building between my thighs became unbearable. I needed more and I needed it with an urgency that felt almost primal. I wanted him unrestrained; I wanted everything he had to give.
"Please," I begged, beyond the point of caring whether I sounded too desperate.
"I won't last," he warned, pushing deeper; his green eyes half-closed as if he were experiencing the purest form of ecstasy.
"Yes," I whispered, dragging my nails across his back. "I need more. I'm so close."
He hissed, drawing back his pelvis, thrusting forward with such vigor it made the bed shake on its hinges before hitting the wall.
"Ah!" I cried, digging my nails into his skin.
"Christ, Isabella." He breathed heavily, leaning down to clasp my nipple between his teeth as he punished my body with his relentless pace.
It took mere seconds before I was ready to come. Squeezing my legs around his narrow waist, I urged him on, reaching down between us to touch where we were joined, knowing I needed just a little more to throw me over the edge.
Soon enough, my orgasm started at the heels of my feet, hot and tingly, before sinuously making its way up to thighs, building up until it felt as if I was about to explode into a million pieces. Everything between my waist trembled and contracted, and I Iet out a loud cry, clinging to Edward as the euphoria melted into a feeling of warmth that enveloped my entire body. It'd been a long time, if ever, that I'd felt anything close to that type of fulfillment.
When I was coherent again, I realized Edward had also stopped moving. He was lying on top of me, breathing into the side of my neck as he recovered from his own orgasm. The fact I hadn't even heard him made me wonder how loud I'd been. The first answer that came to mind was mortifying.
"Fucking hell," Edward muttered, starting to get up. He pulled out, kneeling between my legs and staring down at the mess we'd made. "We didn't use a condom. I'm so sorry. I don't ever do this. I don't know what came over me… I just—"
"Edward, it's fine," I cut off his rambling. "I didn't ask for a condom either."
"I'm clean," he rushed to add. "I haven't gone bareback in years."
"I trust you." I grabbed hold of his hand, pulling him towards me.
He smiled, placing a soft kiss on my lips then stretching out beside me. "I trust you, too, obviously. I was just wondering… you know… since I didn't pull out…"
Turning onto my side, I faced him. "I won't get pregnant, if that's what you were thinking. I'm on the pill."
He nodded, but something about my answer seemed to be bothering him.
"I don't usually sleep with men without using protection either, Edward," I said meaningfully, hoping to ease his mind. "Not that I do this often, anyway."
"Okay," he breathed out, looking relieved. His lips then stretched into a lazy smile.
"So relax." I laughed, pinching his side playfully.
"Mm-hmm, I'm relaxed all right," he murmured, pulling me on top of him. Wrapping his arms around me, he kissed my neck then my lips. "Serious stuff aside, the sex was amazing. You came so hard."
"I know, and I could say the same about you."
He chuckled, looking somewhat embarrassed for a fleeting second. "I swear to God I normally last longer, and I also have better control of my own orgasms. But this…" He stared down at me with quiet fierceness in his eyes, dragging his fingers up and down my back. "What just happened between us was so intense, I couldn't help myself. I completely lost control."
"I know," I repeated, placing my head on his chest and closing my eyes, feeling the steady, calming rhythm of his heart.
"Stay with me tonight?" His voice was a mere whisper.
"I'd love to," I answered, unable to contain the stupid grin overtaking my face as Edward squeezed me to him a bit tighter.
A/N I'm halfway through writing chapter 12.
Thanks for reading xx
