A/N: Thanks so much to our wonderful reviewers. I love you all! *smooches* Tuti, it's great to have you back and I'm happy you're enjoying it. Guest, welcome to the story and thanks so much for reviewing on multiple chapters.
Today's chapter features a little bit of EPOV as some have asked for. FYI, this story will use the third-person shifting point of view.
Huge thanks as always to our beta, SunflowerFran. Any mistakes are mine.
~.~
When Bella knocked on the door of the suite that afternoon, she was dressed quite differently. Charlie had, from somewhere, collected quite a wardrobe of elegant women's clothing in the course of his work. Bella had selected a few items, folded them into her cello case to hide them while she walked from her apartment to the hotel, and put them on in the bathroom of the Ritz.
Edward couldn't help taking a step backward when he welcomed her into the suite. She had looked so young earlier when she came to warn him. Now, her auburn hair was twisted into a stylishly upswept hairdo, loose curls of hair framing her face with her beautiful large brown eyes, cute button nose, and full, ripe lips that he still remembered from the kiss that morning. Her skin was clear and pale and completely flawless. She wore an elegant black dress with a plunging neckline that revealed an ample figure, drawn tightly down to a tiny waist. At the last minute, he kept himself from staring at her cleavage and once more focused his gaze on her face, only to find himself lingering on her lips. Although he had kissed many women, she had had such a sweet, innocent taste when he kissed her… He reminded himself that her innocence must surely be all artifice as she, herself, had admitted she was quite experienced. A good thing too, as the innocent ones tended to be far too clingy.
Bella gazed up at Edward, smiling. His expensive, perfectly-cut, gray suit showed off his well-built torso, tapered waist, and slender, muscular legs. The color also set off that astonishing shock of reddish hair, still unruly despite his obvious attempts to comb it. His eyes now shone a striking emerald above his beautiful mouth. She blushed as she remembered the kiss of that morning— her first kiss. At last, she finally understood why the first kiss was supposed to be so special. A small, secret smile tugged at her lips as she peered into the room around Edward's broad shoulders.
The large, elegant hotel suite was now filled with flowers, over a dozen, tall glass vases and beribboned containers dripping with roses, lilies, and white carnations. A large table had been set with a wide array of sumptuous food, and several musicians in a gypsy band were setting up in the corner. Edward took her coat and pulled out a chair for her. She stared around the room while trying to look blasé and sophisticated.
"My," she said, gazing at the flowers and the band in the corner. "This is quite a setup. Do you do this for all your girls?"
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A/N: Yes, quite a setup. Is Bella going to be able to pull this off? What do you believe Edward really thinks of her?