Back in the guestroom, Bella emptied her suitcase onto the bed. She had packed one other dress and pumps to go with it, but they were hardly appropriate for walking several blocks in the freezing cold. The next dressiest thing she had was a pair of gray slacks. The high-waisted pants hugged her hips and thighs before dropping straight down to rest below her ankles. Her square-toed black shoes with the shiny patina and chunky heels would look great with them.
Next, she slipped her arms into a white blouse that was one of Alice's own creations. It was carefree and playful. The front was asymmetric with a lacy ruffle running from the right collar to her waist. The sleeves were a little long and loose, flaring slightly at the wrist. She fastened each mother-of-pearl button and shook her hands to settle the sleeves around her wrists. Then she tied the braided draw string and fluffed the layered fabric so it rested evenly on her hips.
She took her make-up kit back into the bathroom and stopped in her tracks. Her eyes were puffy and red-rimmed, her skin was blotchy from crying and her hair was an absolute nightmare. She splashed water on her face, pressing her cold fingers against her eyes to calm the swelling. Bella worked the tangles out of her hair with a comb and brush until it hung over her shoulders in long auburn-tinged brown waves. She put her brush down on the counter and frowned at her reflection. She looked young. A bit lost. Girly and innocent. She looked vulnerable and she hated it.
Bella patted her skin dry and got to work. She painted on the emotions she longed to see in her reflection. Moisturizer and a creamy foundation became a layer of calm self assurance. She dusted cheerful energy onto her cheekbones and outlined her lips with bold sensuality. Then came the black liner, thick mascara, and warm tones of gold and bronze shadow. The eyes gazing back at her afterwards were direct and self assured. Alluring. She stepped back and smiled. Her confusion and heartbreak were hidden from sight. She looked happy. Daring. Desirable.
She pursed her lips for a moment. Grab a pair, huh? So she did. Bella unbuttoned her blouse, released the clasp of her bra and tossed it on the floor. She rebuttoned her shirt quickly before she could change her mind. She was blushing in earnest when she looked at herself again. There was nothing innocent or vulnerable about her image now. Her nipples showed faintly through the fabric, her breasts outlined by the light, flowing material. She retied the draw string a little tighter than before, feeling the fabric sliding smoothly across her naked skin. It felt risqué but delicious.
Bella ran the brush through her hair one more time then bent over, sweeping all of her hair forward. She only knew one up-do. Her mom had taught her before a relative's wedding when she was a teenager. Bella French-braided her hair from the nape of her neck to her crown then stood up, gathering all of the strands into a messy bundle. With a couple rubber bands and a handful of bobby pins she managed to fix it securely in place. Taking in her whole look, she was impressed. Alice would be overjoyed to see her stepping out of her comfort zone. She no longer looked like the straight-laced, young professional she was on the inside. Now she looked sophisticated but haphazard. Like she was her own boss, out to live her life and wasn't about to let anyone step on her.
She still had half an hour. Bella set to work painting her nails to match her toes. She didn't want to be natural pink any more. She refused to be mistaken for the placid Stepford model, intent on making her man look good just in case they ran into somebody from his company. She kicked that future to the curb when she left Mike's apartment. She wanted Edward to be surprised when he saw her and look her over with that sexy smirk of his. She wanted to make him proud to have her beside him tonight, just as she was. She wanted him to want her. To need her. To dare to take her. She had already sent enough confusing messages. She was done with that. She was declaring herself interested. More than interested. Willing, able and ready.
Mike could go fuck himself for all she cared.
Bella paced about the bedroom, fanning her hands to help the polish dry more quickly. After ten minutes they were hard enough for her to risk using her hands. She carefully refolded her clothes and repacked her suitcase leaving one outfit out to wear on Thursday. When her room looked presentable again, she put on a black shawl-like shrug and checked her reflection in the mirror one more time. She was more than satisfied. She flicked the lights off and left the room, shutting the door behind her.
She gasped in surprise when she ran up against a solid mass.
"Whoa. Sorry. Wow, I don't think I would recognize you if I saw you on the street. Your hair looks, just wow."
"Wow yourself." Bella looked Edward up and down. He had showered again and combed his hair so it lay neatly against his scalp. He was wearing a suit in a color she couldn't even describe, a shade trapped somewhere between gray and mocha, with a weave so smooth and tight it practically shimmered beneath the hall light. His shirt was the color of fresh cream. The collar hung open and she watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed. He had a black overcoat over his right arm and his left hand hovered next to her elbow, ready to steady her.
They walked down the hallway together, trading surreptitious glances. When his eyes met hers and his lip quirked up, shivers crawled from her scalp down her spine. He was inhumanly beautiful. And the way he looked at her. . . she felt so blisteringly hot. It overwhelmed her and made her want to forget the show and throw herself at him. She bit down on her lip and looked away. She was afraid her naked desire would scare him away.
Bella grabbed her coat from the rack by the door and thanked him when he helped her into it. She checked to make sure her wallet was still there and zipped the pocket shut.
"All set?"
"Yeah. I think so."
"We'll be a bit early. Hopefully we'll beat the crowds and we can grab a drink before the show starts."
"That would be wonderful. I'm not hungry but a glass of wine would be really nice."
The elevator felt smaller than before. Or maybe it was Edward who loomed larger. His presence was both intoxicating and intimidating. Bella couldn't believe how aware she was of him. Every breath, every swallow, every shift of his feet. He checked the time on his watch and she blinked. She rarely saw men wearing watches anymore. They all seemed to check their phones for the time. The piece was exquisite. Edward saw her looking and held his wrist closer for her examination.
"It was my father's."
"It's so beautiful. But masculine. I never thought much about male jewelry, but that is truly gorgeous."
"Thanks. I only really wear it on special occasions. My mother gave it to my father when they got married."
Special occasions only? Bella was both flattered and humbled. It was a gesture intended to go unnoticed, but it seemed to indicate his level of interest. Or maybe he just dressed up for the theater and this was part of the costume. She wasn't wearing any special jewelry. That thought seemed to light a fire in her pocket. Her ring burned like a brand even through four layers of fabric. She shifted uncomfortably, wishing the sensation would dissipate. The door finally opened and she thankfully drew in a lungful of the colder air.
Rafael wasn't on duty but the doorman still greeted Edward by name and wished them a good night. Bella took Edward's arm when he offered it as they stepped out into the cool evening air. They walked quickly, more to stay warm than because they were in any sort of hurry. Bella asked questions about the different buildings they passed, wondering which of the structures Edward had deemed worth drawing. He pointed out some of his favorites, but he insisted that viewing them at night with the glare of the city lights around them didn't do them justice.
They reached the theater faster than she expected and only had to wait a few minutes before it was their turn at the ticket window. Once inside, Bella gratefully turned her coat over to the attendant at the coat room, just keeping her wallet and looping the strap around her wrist like a clutch.
"I can hold that for you."
"It's okay, I've got it."
"You're going to hold your wallet all night? I understand your desire to eschew the hassle of carrying a purse, but now you're defeating the purpose. I've got a pocket right here," he said, patting his jacket.
"Fine."
Edward rolled his eyes as he slipped her wallet into his inner pocket. "No need to say thank you."
"Thank you," she said with a begrudging smile.
"You hate being wrong."
"Duh. Who likes it?"
"I guess that depends. I like being wrong sometimes. Well, I don't really like it. But I like learning. And sometimes it's entertaining to be wrong when you want the other person to be right."
"You're not making any sense."
"Probably not. Can I buy you a drink?"
Bella shook her head and laughed. "A glass of Reisling or maybe a Rosé would be delicious, if they have it."
Bella followed Edward to a station where a bartender was serving drinks to several other early arrivals. Bella had to bite her tongue when she saw the prices for a single glass of wine. She was used to buying entire bottles for that much money. She resolved to sip and savor her wine. She intended to get her money's worth, well, Edward's money's worth, out of it.
They wandered the halls of the theater, sharing their impressions of the decorations and artwork at first then laughing more and more as their attention shifted to the other patrons. They started a game, trying to guess what kind of car people drove based on their age, gender, style and over-all appearance.
"This isn't fair. You know so much more about cars than I do. I don't even know what a Dodge Dart is!"
"It was a sedan introduced in the 60s. Solid, reliable and often used as taxis."
"That guy is. . ."
"Solid, reliable, and she's just along for the ride."
"That's awful!"
Edward shrugged. "Just calling it how I see it."
"So what kind of car would you guess for me?" Bella stopped walking and looked him straight in the eye, daring him to pick something cute and girly like a Volkswagen Beetle.
"This is a tough one. A few come to mind but I'm afraid to say them out loud."
"Really? Why?"
"I have no idea how you would take it. I could ruin this night before it even starts."
"Try me," she said.
Edward's face showed a flurry of emotions. Amusement, thoughtfulness, and she was almost certain, arousal.
"I could say the Jeep Wrangler. Adaptable and daring, but I don't know if you like getting dirty." He looked at her with a sideways grin as she blushed brilliantly. "Or maybe the Mini Cooper. With racing stripes. You're witty and fun and have far more personality that most people."
Bella laughed and shook her head. "Somehow I feel like you've got one more up your sleeve."
"Perceptive. Fine. And this isn't really what I think you drive. You're far too sensible. But it's what you should be driving. . . A convertible Corvette."
Bella was perplexed. A sports car was the last thing she expected him to name. "You're gonna have to explain that one."
Edward grabbed her hand and pulled her gently towards him, leaning down to whisper in her ear. "Even when you're standing still, I can't take my eyes off you. Your beauty, your curves, your personality, your attitude. . . they're captivating." His right hand crept up to her elbow and his other hand rested on her hip. She stepped closer still. She was in his personal space now. Or he was in hers.
Bella found herself whispering, too. "But why a convertible?"
"Because I bet you're twice as much fun with the top down."
Bella's fingers clutched at his lapels when her knees threatened to give way. His breath, warm and moist against her bare neck made her want to melt into him. She swallowed shakily and looked up into his eyes. They blazed with a desire so intense it threatened to swallow her whole. Her lips trembled as she sucked in air to fight the dizziness that engulfed her.
With the slightest pressure of his hands he pulled her closer still. He lowered his lips to hers and her entire body hummed with the vibration, the energy, the absolute thrilling intensity of his taste and touch. The universe disappeared and all that remained was the singularity that was his mouth against hers. Heaven. Hell. Eternity. Bliss.