Dinner was…good. Slightly humiliating but still good, even with Emmett's constant ribs on the hot sex life he imagined Edward and I to be having since we were together now. A few times, I'm fairly sure Carlisle's face turned as red as mine. Edward just chuckled along, having known Emmett long enough to accept the fact that there was nothing any of us could do.
Then of course there was the restaurant itself. I hadn't been wrong when I assumed from the name it was out of my league. Everything was sparkling, perfect, and screamed expensive. I cringed with everything I touched, one wrong move and a whole year's worth of my pay would be gone. Before we were shown to our table we were taken to the parlor for drinks. Why they can't just call it what it is, a freaking bar, I'll never understand. Everyone ordered, wine, and so I skipped my typical beer and decided now would be a great time to just fit in. I drank the entire glass almost as soon as it was in front of me, desperate to calm my nerves. Alice gasped in disapproval while Edward chuckled, and rubbed my back reassuringly. Emmett, of course, boomed a nice chorus of CHUG CHUG CHUG, causing my face to compete with the wine's deep crimson.
I would have thought the worst had to be over with, but as one of our two waiters showed us to our table, I somehow knew better. I couldn't stop the amused snort that slipped out when I received my menu. Everything was written in French, every last freakin word! Edward didn't let the panic attack progress too far before promising to order for me. God bless him! Leah didn't seem any more thrilled about the jumble of letters in front of her than I had been, but just as Edward had rescued me, Emmett saved her. We both caught each other's eyes across the table and exchanged a chuckle. Bet no one from Podunk would have ever bet she and I would end up in a place like this.
I didn't have the slightest clue what Edward had ordered for me, but I assumed I could trust him. If I hadn't already loved him, I surely would have after seeing my entrée as the waiter placed a delicate plate in front of me. Steak. Simple, good red meat. In that one choice, Edward proved he knew me. I realized Leah's was the only other meal I recognized as I glanced around the table. Emmett apparently knew her as well and had ordered chicken for her. Everyone else was OOHHHing and AHHHHing over what looked to me to be leafy some things covered in gravy-ish goop, and then a generous portion of some sort of meat, equally covered with the before mentioned goop. The sight of it alone would have been enough to turn my stomach, but it must have been good because everyone raved with each bite.
If there had been any doubt before, it was cleared up tonight. Carlisle is a saint. I don't know how he does it, I really have no clue, but he somehow always makes me feel at home. Even at times like tonight, where I couldn't possibly be any more out of my element, he made me feel like I belonged there. He seemed genuinely pleased at where things were heading with myself and Edward. I caught him grinning like a proud father anytime we showed even the slightest sign of affection for each other.
Conversation was easy. The table was abuzz throughout the entire meal. Mostly talk of Leah and Emmett's wedding. Places they were considering for the ceremony. The guest list, which seemed to already be longer than Leah was comfortable with, but Emmett was making quite a name for himself as an attorney and had more than a few contacts he needed to include in their day. Alice gushed on and on about their party, how she was going to pull it all together in only a month I had no clue, but if anyone could pull it off, it would be Alice.
We had all finished eating and Carlisle insisted on buying everyone dinner before also offering to take Alice's place driving Edward and I back to Charlie's car, still waiting at my old bar. The stop was more on the way for him than it was for Alice so she agreed, it really didn't matter either way to me, or to Edward it seemed.
I took my place in the backseat of Carlisle's shiny black Mercedes, allowing Edward a few moments alone with his dad. The conversation coming from the two of them seemed a bit tense so I didn't bother to include myself or focus much at all on what they were saying. The small bits I picked up on as I stared, thinking out the window were about Edward's future. If he was planning on going back to the law firm, staying in New York and then few words about Esme. It was nice to see they weren't arguing, but rather it just seemed Carlisle was curious, and Edward was unsure.
"It was so nice spending tonight with you kids." Carlisle smiled as he stopped beside Charlie's car.
"It was nice to see you too. Charlie has been going on and on about looking forward to fishing with you. You must have made quite an impression." I laughed.
"Well trust me, I'm looking forward to it much more than he is I'm sure." he grinned. "So, Edward, your mother will be home in about two weeks. We'll be coming back to New York then. It would be nice if we could all go to dinner?"
"Sure." Edward agreed, stepping out of the car.
Carlisle then turned back to me, apparently to see if I was ok with the idea as well.
"Umm, yeah, sure, that sounds good." I lied, stepping out to join Edward.
Dinner with Esme sounded like a lot of things, good definitely was not one of them.
"Wonderful!" Carlisle smiled, pleased. "Be careful driving!"
"You too." I smiled back sinking into Charlie's car.
Edward and I had driven about half of the trip back to the middle of no where in total silence. That was one of the things I liked the most about us. Our ability to just be totally quiet with one another. It wasn't awkward, it was peaceful, we truly just enjoyed being with each other. I would have been content to drive the whole way like this if it hadn't been for him being turned almost completely sideways, staring, actually invading my personal space with his eyes.
"What the hell are you staring at?" I finally pushed out.
"You." He grinned.
"Me?" I chuckled. "And why exactly are you staring at me?" I rolled my eyes at his obvious answer.
"Do you really not realize how beautiful you are Bella?" He smiled sweetly.
"Right!" I snorted.
I wasn't delusional, nor was I insecure. I had accepted long ago that I was an average girl. Average face, average hair, average body. I wasn't ugly, and I could even be called pretty in the right light, but I have never been able to successfully lie to myself enough to use the word beautiful.
"If you could only see yourself clearly love. If you weren't too stubborn to notice the eyes turn when we walk into a room." He sighed.
"Yes, eyes do turn when we walk into a room, and they're most definitely following you." I laughed, and he thought I was ridiculous!
"Bella, I've been painting professionally for two years. Before that even, when I closed my eyes it was your face, always you. I'd sketch and I'd paint, but I couldn't ever capture your perfection. I've traveled the world, to this gallery and that one" He sighed as he thought back on the time we spent not speaking "never once did anything manage to take my breath, the way that you do." He reached to softly caress my face. "I've been with women. I've had to pleasure to date beautiful, exotic women from everywhere. All of them paled in comparison. No matter who was standing or lying next to me, when I closed my eyes, it was still you, and they weren't good enough."
I had no words, even if I had them, I couldn't have found the breath to speak them. It made no sense to me, and even less, the sincerity that he spoke with, he honestly meant the words he said. Quite obviously, he was insane, but thank god for that. If insanity was what kept this beautiful man believing I was worthy of him well then insanity was just fine with me.
"I love you." I managed to whisper.
"That's all that matters." He smiled and leaned over to kiss my cheek.
We fell back into silence for the rest of the drive. That was perfectly alright by me. I needed the time. I needed to think. I needed to calm myself down.
It was almost ten when we finally pulled up in front of Charlie's tiny house. Far later than I had wanted to get in. Charlie was probably already snoring on the couch. No chance of spending time with him today. I eased my guilt with the fact our flight wasn't leaving until seven in the evening tomorrow so I would have all day to spend with my dad.
Just as expected, Charlie was long passed out on the comfy couch when we stepped into the living room. I smiled at how content he was and mouthed goodnight to Sue who was sitting, knitting quietly in the recliner.
She just smiled back as Edward and I tip toed up the creaky stairs.
I changed for bed and washed my face quickly before hurrying back to my bedroom, anxious to be in Edward's arms.
"Hey you." He grinned as I found my spot, tucking under his arm with my head on his chest.
"mmm" I mumbled contently into his chest, allowing my fingers to dance over the outline of his perfectly defined abs.
"You can't imagine how amazing that feels." He sighed, tightening his arm around me.
"Trust me I can." I chuckled, thinking of how distracting his fingers tend to be on my skin.
I places small kisses across his chest, allowing my fingers to continue their circles across his stomach. Every shiver he gave with each stroke of my fingers sent a tingle down my spine. I had never been as turned on as I was realizing the effect I was having on him.
"That's amazing Bella." He moaned, pulling my face up to meet his lips.
The kiss quickly became urgent, and passionate. My hands tangled knots in his soft bronze hair, pulling him more tightly to me. He tore his lips away from mine, leaving me panting. Now his kisses dancing their way down my jaw, begging for my neck. I tilted my head back, granting him access. My entire body tingled with each wisp of his lips across my collar bone and onto my chest. His hand slid skillfully under my shirt, rubbing firmly along my ribs before cupping my breast. He traced his thumb lightly over my nipple, causing us both to moan with the new sensation.
Without instruction, my legs snaked around his waist, pulling him tightly towards me. He grinned in response and returned his mouth to mine. Our tongues battled furiously, neither willing to surrender until he pressed his hips firmly into mine, causing me to pull away with a groan of pure pleasure, my nails gripping into his back.
"Please Edward." I whispered into his neck, no shame in begging at this point. I had waited over three years for this. There was no doubt that we were made for each other, we were made to fit together. I wanted him. More than that, I needed him. I needed to feel him, to have him be a part of me.
The stairs outside my bedroom door creaked on cue, presumably under Charlie's weight, as he headed for bed. Oddly enough, the creak sounded more like the Gods chuckling, amused at my frustration as I realized this couldn't happen now.
Edward froze at the sound just as I had, and then sunk his forehead into my chest, as he grumbled in frustration.
"Next time we visit, we're getting a hotel." He chuckled as he collapsed on the bed beside me.
"Definitely." I panted, trying to bring myself down from my Edward induced high.
"Goodnight Bells." Charlie called through the door, confirming Edward and I had made the right decision in stopping.
I didn't say anything back, I figured letting him think I was already asleep was a far better option than having him walk in, on my panting, sex deprived aggravation.
"We'll be home tomorrow." I sighed, trying to calm myself as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me back into his chest
"Tomorrow." He breathed into my neck before lightly kissing my bare shoulder.
"What's one more freaking night." I chuckled, forcing my eyes closed. Praying for sleep to come soon, desperate for the distraction from his body pressed against mine.
First, I'd like to say, this chapter was the freakin devil!! UGH! I wrote, deleted and rewrote it about five times!! I still don't love it but I'm content with it. If it's horrible, I apologize! But anyway, thanks for trudging along with me and hopefully you're still enjoying the story as much as I am! I'm not getting many reviews, that's a bit discouraging, but anyway, I should have another chapter out soon!! As always, feel free to make me smile and let me know what you're thinking!!
The next chapter will carry us into the engagement party, Esme finding out about the progression of Edward and Bella's relationship, and anything else I happen to come up with! lol