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Chapter 11

His eyes are sparkling with mischief and there's a wide smile on his face.

I turn back to the lady and nod. "Yes, Las Vegas."

As odd as it is to say it, we do need to go there. It's the last train station before Los Angeles, and besides that, the wait between trains should give me a few minutes to look around at the beautiful place.

I'm going to Los Angeles to see Hollywood, but Las Vegas is just as filled with famous folks. It'll give me a chance to see the glitz and glam of the gambling city.

The woman hands us two tickets for the Vegas train and we head outside for a few minutes.

"Did you really doubt me?" he questions softly, while I find a nice bench to sit on and enjoy the fall breeze.

I shrug, not saying anything. I did. But how was I suppose to put some sort of trust in him when I've only known him so long. It's an odd feeling and it sort of grounds me. Edward and I have only known each other a handful of days. But I feel close to him and I'm not sure what that says about us.

He clears his throat and licks his lips in this way that makes me feel warm all over. "Bella, you really think I'm going to leave you?"

"I wasn't sure."

"Well, get sure! I meant what I said. I like you. I think you're beautiful and your intelligence is heart warming."

"Thank you," I breathe. "I think you're pretty special, too."

His eyes soften, and I don't stop myself from getting up and wrapping my arms around him. He hugs me back, his strong arms, winding around me. And while I'm so close, I breathe him in. Taking in all of him and how happy I am that he's come all this way with me. My real feelings surface.

This man, who was an intriguing stranger, has rooted himself in my life in just a few short days. And it's at that thought my heart decides to swallow me whole.

"Gosh Edward, I don't know what I'd do without you," I say into his neck.

He slides his hands up and down my back. "You either, darling," he murmurs.

Tears are burning in my eyes and I know it's not just from some odd amount of exhaustion. I feel like this is exactly how you're supposed to feel when you meet the person you love. When you realize this is far more than some kind of infatuation. Or means more than having a companion.

He continues to hold me close while I nearly explode with emotions. It's such an overwhelming few moments, but I try to calm myself. I know my mother always said that men hate when you cry, especially in public.

And even as I furiously wipe my eyes and peek at Edward's face, I can't see anything but softness. There's no hate there.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, ashamed of my emotional outburst.

He shakes his head, his eyebrows dipping together. "There's nothing to be sorry for," he tells me. "It's quite all right if you need a moment every now and then. I prefer it actually."

I look up at him in question.

"My ex never cried. To be honest, she didn't show much of any emotion. So to me, you showing anything is leaps and bounds better than her."

I sigh and smile, finding happiness through the tears. "I don't know how anyone could never show their emotions. That's just...strange."

He cocks his head, smiling too. "That it was, Bella."

"Come on, baby," he says, leading me around to the other side of the station. "Our train should be here soon."

*WLTY*

We find ourselves at dinner on the train again. We're both stealing glances at one another. It's terribly hard not to. And the giddy smiles plastered on our faces are just proof at how happy we are to be with each other.

"So what do you like to do for fun?" I ask out of nowhere because there's no way to break the silence.

He raises an eyebrow and sips his ice tea, a nice change from his typical coffee. "I, well, I don't do a lot of things for fun. I didn't have a lot of time to myself with my last job," he explains.

"Working for the President was that grueling?" I wonder.

He nods. "Yes Bella, grueling isn't exactly the word I would use."

"But you must do something for fun," I whisper, looking him right in the eyes. I'm getting brave. I need to be around a man like Edward. It's hard, but I'm growing to like it.

"I like to travel, but I mainly did that for work. It was tiring, but exciting to see new things and sights. Boy, you can't beat that."

"That's so true," I tell him. "This was my first trip away from home, obviously. But I really love traveling. Sure, by train is a little...exhausting, but it's fantastic to see all of these sights. If I didn't get on that bus when I did, I doubt I would've ever gotten the chance to see all this."

He frowns. "Really? The man your parents set you up with wasn't into traveling."

"I wouldn't say that it's not he's not into it, but I would say I doubt he would ever leave home without his mother."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Jasper was never big on being adventurous."

He chuckles. "Well, I, for one, am glad that you didn't run off to marry him. I do quite enjoy having you along for the trip."

I smile and thank him quietly. "But is there anything else you like doing?" I press. Call it my journalistic instinct, but I feel like I need to know him.

"I do enjoy some things. Like fishing every once in awhile," he murmurs. "Or boating. I was born and raised in South Carolina and down there, everything is hunting, fishing or boating."

I nod. "I know what you mean. My daddy loves to hunt and fish."

He cocks his head to the side and considers this. "Would that be the same daddy who doesn't have a clue as to where you are?"

I frown and nod. "Yeah, he's probably pretty put out with me right about now."

"If I had a beautiful daughter like yourself and she just ran off, I'd be more than put out with you. Are you sure you don't want to call home soon?"

"I suppose I should," I say softly.

He sighs. "I know you're probably not excited about the backlash that you might get from them, but it would at least set them at ease to know that you're okay."

I nod. I never thought about it like that. "I'll call from the next stop, I guess."

He hums in agreeance and we finish our meal together.

Once we're on the back in our seats and relaxing after a delicious dinner, Edward wraps his arm around me and we watch the sunset together.

"So what are you going to do once you're out in Los Angeles?" he murmurs as the train rumbles along.

I pick at the hem of my skirt. "I hope to get a journalism job. I know it'll be difficult, but I'm sure I'll find a way to make it through."

He smiles down at me. "Do you have a place to live? Did your aunt set you up with anything like that?"

I shake my head. "No, she just gave me some money and told me to go see the world. I don't think that she really expected me to wind up moving away."

He nods. "Well, don't worry, we'll be in it together."

The feeling makes me so happy that I reach up and kiss him on the cheek. It was supposed to be more of a thank you. But heat rushed through me when my lips touched his cheek.

When I pull away slightly I look up at his face to see his smoldering eyes blazing down at me. They are dark now and I'm sure it's not from the turmoil with his ex-wife. Something tells me that he's bothered over that kiss.

"Bella, you're something else," he breathes out, his voice low and husky.

I sigh, moving closer to him. His eyes burn into mine and I can't help but look back at his. He lowers his head to mine. And I instinctively close my eyes. His lips meet mine and I realize that I'm being kissed for the first time, ever. I also realize that the kiss is from a man that I...dare I say...love?

But then I get out of my thoughts and kiss him back, trying to be inconspicuous. There's no need to draw attention when there are other riders on the train.

Oh, and if my mother could see me now...

It's quite exhilarating and really something to behold. Something that I can't even begin to describe. My stomach flips, in the most amazing way and I feel warm all over.

I taste him and really try to live in the moment, committing to memory his smell, the sweet and musky scent of his cologne, mixed with the fresh mint on his breath.

Somewhere along the way we break away from each other, it's better that way, since we're on a train and all. But the wanting feeling doesn't leave me. I'm dying to taste his lips again. And I tell myself that it's only a matter of time.

What'd ya think?

*Waggles eyebrows*

See you soon... :)