"I feel pretty bad for not having taken you on a proper date. I need to make up for that."
"Edward, we've only been dating exclusively for a few weeks. It isn't entirely your fault."
He smiles widely. "We're exclusive?"
I know he's teasing, but I do feel a little awkward now that I've voiced it. I ignore his comment and playfully swat him.
"Where are you taking me on this date anyway?"
"Well, I'm redecorating my place," he says nonchalantly as we pull into a parking lot. I frown in bewilderment. I wish he'd told me this in the beginning; I would've dressed down.
He comes around to open the door for me and takes hold of my hand as we walk down a little strip of eclectic stores and boutiques. We're in the artistic and trendy area of Wicker Park. I'm not sure why he felt the need to come all this way to get materials for redecorating.
"So, you say you're redecorating?"
"Yes. I feel the need to start things afresh, a new beginning so to speak." He looks down at me and caresses my cheek, and suddenly I couldn't care less where we're going or what we're doing.
"So, what room are we starting in? Should we start by looking for a paint store?"
His brows fuse together.
"No…why; wait, did you actually think I'd be putting you to work on our first official date?" His voice escalates with humor.
"You said you were redecorating!"
"I am, but…never mind. You'll see exactly what I mean in a few moments."
We make our way past more boutiques and restaurants. It's a rather chilly night out, but it hasn't deterred people from being out and enjoying the beautiful crisp evening. It's a wonderful experience being out with Edward in this normal, casual way.
He suddenly stops and opens the door to a tiny boutique with nothing but one large, strategically lit abstract painting in the window. There is no sign or other indication on the window as to what the inside holds. There are no tables or diners visible, so perhaps the dining area is upstairs or out back. He holds the door for me to enter ahead of him. Ironically, I detect a faint whiff of paint.
"Where are we?"
"Come." He grasps my hand and leads me across the polished wooden floor and up a set of stairs. As we reach the landing, I notice several well-dressed people standing around; they're mingling in small groups and viewing the most beautiful works of art. We're at an art gallery, and I finally understand his reference to decorating.
"Edward, Bella! I'm so happy you guys could make it." Alice walks briskly to greet us. She kisses Edward and gives me a quick embrace. "There's hors d oeuvres and champagne. I need to say hello to a few more people. Help yourselves." She smiles brightly before she disappears into a crowd of new arrivals.
"This is your sister's art gallery?"
"Yes, it is. I hope I didn't make you feel uncomfortable by not mentioning that we'd be coming here. I wanted it to be a surprise."
"Surprise…why? I mean, as long as I don't make her feel uncomfortable, I'm fine."
"Alice likes you, my whole family does, Bella. Besides, I thought after putting you through that whole bidding ordeal at the convention in Miami, I'd give you a chance to see what it feels like to have the power, so to speak." He winks at me mischievously.
"What do you mean?"
He smiles and silently leads us over to the refreshments.
"These pieces are so beautiful, "I extol as I absorb the works of numerous extremely talented local artists as we slowly make our way around the gallery. "The paintings are my favorite. Is any of this Alice's work, I indicate to the area we have yet to view?"
"No, she's just a collector. She's been avidly doing so for over ten years. She has a real interest in discovering local talent. This gallery was a college graduation present from my parents. Although, she is a close friend of one of the featured artists whose works are currently being shown here."
"Wow, that's amazing. So, is this evening just a showing, or will we able to purchase anything?" I ask excitedly, having already fallen in love with one particular painting.
"There will be an auction on a number of items, so we will be bidding. Are you ready to show me what you've got?" He raises an eyebrow playfully.
"Absolutely." I say cheekily as he leads me over to greet his parents, Emmett and Rosalie, who've just arrived.
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Alice moves to the center of the room and announces that the auction is about to get underway and asks if everyone has a program detailing the auction pieces. The painting that I have my eye on is up first. Edward gives me a nod of approval.
"Good evening. I'd like to thank you all for coming. I won't talk too much, as I know you're all anxious to bid on your favorite pieces. First up, is a beautiful piece painted by my good friend Peter Franz, he calls it Blowing Kisses. Opening offers, please?"
"One thousand." I raise my paddle."
"Wow, someone loves this painting." She smiles over at me. "The bidding has opened at one thousand dollars."
"Fifteen hundred." A familiar voice counters. Edward and I turn and watch as Rosalie lifts her paddle.
"Oh, this is going to be classic." Edward chuckles, and I raise my paddle in irritation.
"Two thousand." I turn to Alice.
"Three thousand," Rosalie fires back, and I whip my head around to glare at her. She shrugs and mouths "what?"
I'll kill her for this.
Alice looks at me, waiting; and I raise my paddle again. "Four thousand," I say a bit too loudly and turn around and look at Rosalie challengingly. Emmett is all but doubled over. He grabs hold of her wrist and laughingly helps her to raise her paddle. They haven't named their bid.
Alice waits.
"Five thousand dollars." She calls out confidently and receives applause from the other guests in the room, including Edward's parents.
She doesn't even like art!
I look at Edward, and he shrugs. "What are you going to do?"
"I want that painting. I won't let her win."
He gives me a heart-melting smirk. "Take her down."
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The auction was so much fun, a real rush. I come away with the painting, literally. It's unusual to be able to take a piece away immediately. But Alice, having enjoyed the spectacle of my and Rosalie's bidding smack down, waived convention and had Emmett and Edward take it down. She says that she can replace it in the exhibition the following morning. It's cost me ten thousand dollars, making a major dent in my savings account, but it's totally worth it.
"I'm impressed. You got what you came for, I see." Edward nudges me playfully.
"Redecorating my ass. You knew I would love the idea of this, and the painting."
"I did, and I plead guilty to paying close attention to the things you like. I saw your eyes light up the minute you laid eyes on this painting."
"They did. I know the perfect place to put her too."
"Congratulations, Bella. That was some very impressive and strategic bidding."
"Thank you, Mrs. Masen."
"Well, Rosalie isn't too happy about losing. In fact, she's on her way over." She laughs.
"Congratulations, Doctor Bella."
"Are you angry with me, Rose?" I mock.
"Not at all. You won fair and square. It's a beautiful painting. Where do you plan on hanging it?"
"I won't reveal that just yet, but I'll put it in a place where everyone can admire her beauty, for sure."
Edward's mother rejoins the rest of his family off to the side, and Rosalie and I enjoy a glass of champagne together.
"So, it's your and Edward's first night out publicly."
"It's that obvious, huh?" I look at her over the rim of my glass.
"Not really. I just happen to know. I think he really cares for you, Bella."
"Are you having a complete about face of your feelings toward Edward, Rosalie?"
"I'm still skeptical, but one thing has made me soften a bit."
"And what's that?"
"I see the way he looks at you, and I also see the way you make him smile. I'm not that familiar with Edward, but I can read men. You've got him roped and hog tied, Doctor Bella," she drawls in a mock southern accent and takes a healthy, yet somehow ladylike swig from her glass.
I chuckle at her humor as I leave to settle with Alice for the painting. I have my checkbook in hand and begin to tear one out.
"It's already been settled." Edward pushes my hand aside gently and smiles. "Are you ready to go?"
"Wait a second, I can't ask you to pay for the painting."
"You didn't. Now, we should go. I have plans for dinner."
I don't protest, because I don't want to cause a scene in front of his family and the remaining guests; but we we'll certainly be discussing this later.
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"Tonight has been wonderful."
"Have I redeemed myself for taking so long to take you out?" We stroll along the path of a local park. It's nearly midnight, yet the place is still lit up like it's early evening.
"Yes, you have, but I'm not letting you pay for the painting."
"It's too late, Bella. It's done. Don't make a big deal of it. I wanted to do something special for you."
"I know, but..."
"Shh. Let's leave it up to chance." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a coin.
"You want to gamble ten thousand dollars on the flip a coin?"
"Would you rather it was rock, paper, scissors?"
I scowl at his flippancy, but decide to indulge him.
"I'm tossing the coin." I take it from his hand, and he holds up his palm, gesturing me to proceed.
"Call it." I say, as I flip the coin in the air.
"Head." He smirks, and I roll my eyes at the suggestive comment. I guess if he'd called tails it would also have a double entendre.
Lord this man!
I catch it and flip it over, and by the expression on my face, he knows immediately that he's won.
"This is ridiculous." I pout.
"Don't be a sore loser. Come here." He reaches for my hand, and I place it in his, allowing him to pull me to where he's standing.
"Still have that coin in your hand?"
"Yes, why?"
"Give it to me."
I place it in the center of his palm.
"Do you believe in wishes?"
I suddenly realize where we're standing.
"I did as a kid. Do you?"
He turns to the fountain. "It doesn't hurt to believe. Close your eyes."
He already has his closed. I let my eyes flutter shut slowly, and I feel him lace his fingers through mine.
"Wish for something," he instructs softly. For or a brief moment I feel silly, but I suddenly become emotional. I open my eyes and turn to look at him, his eyes are still closed, and then I shut mine again, and I do; I make a wish.
My eyes are still closed as his lips crush mine with a passionate kiss. We cling to each for an indeterminate time, as our lips remain in heated contact.
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We stumble into his living room, our lips and hands exploring each other, tearing at clothing and gently clawing at skin. He lifts me up, and I wrap my legs around him as he heads upstairs. We only make it up the first couple of steps when he splays me down on them.
His hands pull my wrap-dress apart, and he greedily kisses and suckles my breasts through the delicate lace of my bra. My head falls back against the step as I get caught up in the sensation he's creating in me. He kisses down my body and stops just as he reaches my center. He watches me intently as he reaches under my dress and drags my panties down; slowly. He places my legs up on the steps and spreads them wide. My legs tremble in anticipation as he teases me with his fingers. I gasp as I feel one enter me, and I rotate my hips, rubbing against his hand. His eyes burn into mine as he studies my every expression; smiling in satisfaction at the sounds I make. He whispers that I'm beautiful and that he wants to taste me. No man has ever talked to me this way, or has ever cared enough to make sure that I'm well pleased. Edward does. His eyes tell me he loves every second; that he knows, even though I've never articulated it, that he's the only man who's ever made me feel this way.
When I think I have no control over my body; the way I'm panting and moaning, he delves his tongue into my throbbing, soaked heat. I scream out in pleasure and grab fistfuls of his hair. His finger rejoins his tongue, thrusting in and out, while he laps and sucks at my clit. I'm on the verge of a precipice and he expertly keeps me poised there. He manipulates my body so unbelievably well, and I'm not ashamed of how wanton I become before him. I'm falling for him, and I can no longer fight it. I don't want to.
The stairs bite into my flesh as my body starts to tense. He sucks harder and pumps faster, and my body arches as he groans deeply, sending vibrations coursing through me. It's my undoing. I scream his name as my legs clamp around him. He slows his ministrations as he eases me down from my high.
His lips trail to my breasts, and he rests his head there.
"What about you?" I pant in a near whisper, as I run my fingers through his hair. He simply shakes his head in response, and it concerns me. I reach down and tilt his face up to meet my eyes.
"You don't want to make love to me?"
He frowns at my question.
"Of course, I do. I always do; and I will very soon, but that; what I just did was about you. The entire night was for you; a way to show you how special you are to me, to show you how much I want to please you." He turns his face and kisses the tips of my fingers one at a time.
He refastens my dress and holds out his hand. When I'm standing, he lifts me into his arms and carries me to his bed; to finish what he'd started.
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I'm wearing loungewear and sitting cross-legged on Edward's sofa while checking my patient schedule for the next week. I've spent the entire weekend with him. I can honestly say that our relationship has reached new heights. When we started seeing each other, I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about him, but now it's become clear. I just don't know how to, or if I'm ready to speak the words.
The strident ring of the doorbell pulls me from my thoughts. I wait to see if he hears it, but he doesn't. It rings again, and against my better judgment, I get up to answer it. I'm practically floored when I come face to face with the person on the doorstep.
"Is Edward here? It's important that I speak with him."
"Victoria….uh….Edward's," I swallow the lump in my throat. "He's not available at the moment."
"I'll wait." I'm still holding the door open, as she walks past me.
"Victoria, I don't know what you have to share with Edward that's so important, but I would appreciate it if you left."
She turns, looks me up and down and then scoffs.
"Look at you. Hypocrisy doesn't suit you at all, Doctor Swan."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I scowl at her insinuation.
"It's amazing that just a month ago you fired me for seeing Edward, and now here you are, taking up residence in his house."
"I fired you because you were having sex with a patient, on my business premises, I might add."
"And now you're having sex with that very same patient."
I slam the door and close the distance between us.
"Not that I owe you any explanation, but Edward is no longer my patient."
"How convenient for you," she spits. "Listen, I'm not here to judge you or even have this conversation. Edward and I are friends, and I need to see him about something important."
"I'm sure Edward will help you with whatever problem you're having, Victoria, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave." I open the door and stare at it pointedly.
She smirks and saunters over.
"You feel threatened." She stops before stepping across the threshold.
"Excuse me?" My eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
"It's really sad, because if you knew anything, you would know not to get attached to a man like Edward. He's a hell of a man, don't get me wrong, but he doesn't go for the whole domestic, clingy type." She gestures to me with her hand.
Edward appears just as I'm about to set her straight.
"Victoria…what are you doing here?" His face scrunches in confusion.
"I needed to see you about something important. Normally, I would never just show up at your place, Edward, but I tried calling you, and your phone kept going to voicemail."
He walks up to us and stands next to me, putting a reassuring arm around my waist.
"Okay, what's so urgent?" He blows out an obvious, frustrated breath.
She glances over at me and back to Edward. It's clear that she's unwilling to speak in front of me.
"Fine." I raise my palms. "I get it."
I walk away angrily and gather my things.
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Bella's silent, but obvious anger shakes me from my stupor. She doesn't even look at me as she walks out of the door. I race after her and spin her around.
"Wait, Bella…please, don't go. I don't know what's happening here. I...I just..."
"Your ex-friend with benefits just showed up, insisting on speaking with you. One can only imagine what she wants to talk about. I'm not sticking around to listen to the details." She pulls away angrily.
"Bella, I think you're overreacting. Come back inside and just give me time to talk to her to find out exactly what's going on."
"It's obvious she doesn't want me privy to whatever she has to say, so I'm not staying here. This is your drama, Edward."
I watch helplessly as anger mars her beautiful features. I can't believe this is happening.
"Bella, please, things have been perfect for us. You can't just walk away like this."
"I can't even begin to tell you what's going through my mind; let alone deal with any of this right now. Damn it!" She gnashes her teeth and pushes me in the chest. "What the hell is she doing showing up here at eight-thirty in the morning, Edward?"
I have no answer to give. Victoria has never shown up on my doorstep before. She and I had a certain set of rules that we played by. There must be a really good reason for her visit.
The fact that I have no response pisses Bella off more. I try reaching for her, but she shoves me away.
"I need time to think." She storms to her car, and I'm left standing outside as I watch her disappear down the road.
I don't know how long I stand there, hoping that she might return, before I realize I need to go back inside and deal with Victoria. It's a short distance back to the house, but I swear a hundred thoughts cross my mind in that short span of time.
She'd better fucking tell me that somebody's being held for ransom or something.
I walk back inside and close the door behind me. She looks at me, waiting for me to start.
"Well?" I runa hand through my hair and scratch the back of my neck in frustration, my anger is slowly building.
"I'm pregnant."
My heart stops.
"W-What?"
"Don't pop a vessel, it's not yours." She waves me off nonchalantly.
"Aside from the fact that I know that to be accurate, that was one fucked up segue, Victoria. So, whose is it?"
"This guy I'm seeing. His name's Demetri." She walks into my living room, and I follow.
"You say it like he's nothing."
"He's just not the type."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Not all of us are cut out to be parents, Edward."
"Hey..." I place my hands on her shoulders to stop her pacing. "Everything will be all right."
"How?" She sobs. "I mean me, pregnant with a baby for Christ sake!"
She does have a valid point. She isn't someone who I can see starting a family; at least not anytime soon.
"When did you find out?"
"I found out yesterday. I've been racking my brain, going crazy ever since."
I can't stop thinking about Bella, but I want to comfort Victoria in her time of need. I'd feel like the worst piece of shit if I kick her out of my house right now.
"What can I do to help?"
"I needed a friend to talk to, and it just so happens you're the only one I have I feel I can trust with this information until I decide what to do. Besides, in times like these, having a friend who's a doctor is help enough."
"I'm not an OB/GYN, Victoria. I'm a heart specialist."
"I know that. I also came here to see if you know of anyone you could refer me to?"
"I know a few. I'll be happy to do that for you. Just let me make a couple of calls, and I'll get back to you later this evening."
She smiles at me and then narrows her eyes.
"Thank you, and I know that's a cue for 'you can leave now so I can chase after my girlfriend'."
"Just so we're clear, Bella is my girlfriend and I won't have her disrespected."
"I'm sorry. I lost my cool with her before you came downstairs, probably because of some residual bad feelings," she looks at me apologetically as she prepares to leave.
I hold the door open for her.
"I really am sorry about, Bella," she repeats.
"I'll fix things with her, but next time call first."
"I did. You didn't answer."
"Well, then next time, wait for me to call you back."
She rolls her eyes and punches my shoulder playfully.
"Take care of yourself, Victoria."
I wait for her to drive off, before I close the door and exhale deeply. I need to talk to Bella, but I won't call her and allow her the opportunity to hang up on me or to ignore my call. We need to talk in person.