Okay, here it is! Bella and Edward's date. *runs and hides*
You are getting this early cuz texasbella is awesome :)
25
"Do you have any input on where you go on the dates or with whom?" Bella asks as they sit in the limo heading to their one on one date destination.
"Sometimes. I got to pick who I wanted for the one on one dates," Edward smiles, giving her knee a quick squeeze.
"I was hoping so." She smiles back at him.
"I've asked that the one on one and the group dates be similar, so I can see the girls in similar situations. I also asked that you girls have an idea about what the date entails, so you can plan and dress appropriately. For example, our date today, what did they tell you about it?"
"To dress comfortably. That there would be lots of walking/hiking, but to bring something to change in to and to bring a light jacket," Bella answers. "So, what are we doing today?"
"We are hiking to a spot where we can go zip-lining," he pauses. "Is that okay?"
Bella laughs, "I may have had a problem with the bungee jumping you did with Leah, but zip-lining, I can do. Have you done it before?"
Edward shakes his head, "Nope, but I've wanted to for a while. So you girls talk about your dates with the other girls?" he asks nervously.
"Most of them do. It's hard to tell if they're being truthful though."
"What do you mean?" Edward asks.
"Well, if I believe everything they say, I would think you've fondled some breasts, motorboated one of the more well-endowed girls and kissed just about everyone. Is that what you want me to believe?" she says with a smirk.
"Oh, hell. Really? Those b.., girls can spin a story," he says, obviously shocked.
"So, there is a story to spin?" Bella asks.
"No," he shakes his head. "You've seen every kiss except the one Alice gave me on the cheek after I helped her surf." He looks visibly upset.
"Don't worry, Edward. We don't believe most of what they say. The ones who have been talking are either gone, or are... different," she says carefully, trying to be diplomatic.
Edward laughs. "How very P.C. of you. There are some, different ladies among you."
"I'm sure you don't know the half of it," Bella says under her breath. Edward hears her, but doesn't ask her to elaborate. That conversation is for another day. He wants today it to be about he and Bella.
"We're really high," Bella questions, as they stand on the platform at the top of the zip-line.
"Are you having second thoughts?" Edward asks with concern.
"No, but it's really, far," Bella says, unable to see the end of the zip-line. "Can we go together, you know, like tandem zip-lining," she asks shyly.
He remembers with Leah, how he felt at the thought of tandem bungee jumping with her, and finds this is different. He's almost excited at the thought of having Bella strapped to the line in front of him, their bodies so close, touching each other. He brings himself back to the moment.
"Sure, that would be great," he says, trying not to seem too eager, his body much more eager than his brain.
Once they are secured to the line, he breathes into Bella's ear, "Are you scared?"
She shivers in response to his closeness. "A little, aren't you?"
"Nope, and I've got you," he says, wrapping his arms around her as they head down the zip-line.
She squeals, not in a pig way, but in a cute, excited way. It makes Edward smile. He feels like he did something right inviting her here, choosing her for a one on one date.
Once they reach the bottom and they are unhooked, Bella turns around and unexpectedly lunges into Edward for a hug. He grabs her to steady them, returning her hug.
"That was amazing! Can we go again?" She asks likes a child at an amusement park.
Edward laughs, "If you want to, but it's a long hike back up to the top." Bella frowns.
"I don't know about you, but I'm starving. Let's eat lunch and then we'll see how we feel about hiking to the top," Edward offers.
Bella nods, trying to hide her disappointment, not about zip-lining, but about not being attached to Edward again anytime soon.
They enjoy a picnic lunch together, spread out under the trees of the dense forest. Edward talks about his music and what he's been working on. Bella tells Edward about being a teacher in Seattle. Their conversation is relaxing and easy, they are comfortable together. They flirt innocently, both of them hoping for some not so innocent time together, but neither wanting to make the first move.
"Are you ready to do it?" Edward asks and Bella's chokes on her drink. "I mean, do you want to hike to the top and do it again?" Edward asks her, blushing as he grins at her. He is thinking about how much he enjoyed walking behind her and watching the sway of her hips and her shapely legs in her shorts, the first time they made the hike.
"It was great, especially doing it together, but I'm having fun just sitting and talking. I don't need ropes and straps to have a good time," Bella stops talking abruptly and turns bright red. "I mean, the zip-line," she stutters.
Edward is holding his sides and laughing like a fool. "That was classic, wait until I tell Emmett about this. If you ever meet him, he will never let you live this down." He keeps on laughing. Bella can't help but join him laughing.
Bella gains her composure, "I have a friend that will find this way too funny as well," she says, giving Edward a look. He gets the feeling that she's talking about Rose. If so, she and Emmett are a match made in heaven.
They stop laughing and their thoughts come back to each other. They both feel an attraction, a draw towards each other. Neither one of them wants to act on it, not knowing what the other is thinking or feeling.
Edward takes the chance and leans closer to Bella. "I think you are very alluring, Bella. I'd like to get to know you better." He reaches in their lunch basket and pulls out a rose. "I can give these out if I want to, and I want to give one to you. Will you accept my rose, Bella?"
She hesitates for a minute, surprised by his gesture. "Of course. I'd love to accept your rose, Edward. I'd love to get to know you better," she says shyly. She gets on all fours and crawls over towards to him and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
The way her body moves, her innocence, her vulnerability, her smell is such an intoxicating mixture. "Can I kiss you?" The question escapes before Edward's brain has a chance to censor it.
Bella nods, still poised in front of him.
He grabs her shoulders and pulls her close. Her hands go up to his neck as she slides next to him instead of climbing in his lap like she wanted to do. Their faces only inches apart, their lips nearly touching. Their breath mingling in the air that is thick between them.
Once she is close enough, his hands roam down her body to her hips, pulling her even closer, only their upper bodies touching. His lips meet hers, lightly at first, gentle, sweet pecks on her full, pink lips. She tastes sweet, like summer and the strawberries they've been eating.
She sighs at the contact. He feels familiar and right. Feeling bold, she lets her tongue poke out and trace his lower lip. He tastes manly and fruity. She wants more. She runs her hands through his unruly hair, in effect keeping his face close to hers.
He runs his hands up her back and to the sides of her head. He pulls back slightly to look her in the eyes. Her lids are hooded, her eyes sparkling with interest. Tilting his head to the side, he goes in for a deeper kiss. His tongue explores her lips reverently. Her tongue meets his, they both sigh at the initial contact. The kiss is passionate, yet sweet. They feel the need to learn each other, but not with a sense of urgency.
He ends the kiss with some gentle pecks to her lips and neck. He runs his nose across her neck to the base of her ear. "That was... thank you," he says breathlessly. "Best first kiss ever."
Bella giggles, "Ya, it was. Can we do that again, too?"
He laughs into her hair. "I think so, in fact, I hope we'll be doing a lot of that."
A/N
*peeks between fingers* What do you think?
Question... would you rather have updates when they are ready or on a schedule?
Next chapter is the last group date and a look into what Edward thinks of the girls.
PS. You guys are wonderful! Thanks for reading and chatting with me :)