I order room service as soon as I reach my room. Plane food defies description, so I avoid it at all costs. I'm hanging out for a good steak, accompanied by a glass of red wine to complement both my meal and take the edge off my bad mood. Said mood having been caused by Mike Newton's indirect and snide remarks as he boarded the plane; and again on entering the hotel. On each occasion, I'd remembered my promise to Bella. So far, hard as it has been, I've managed to keep it.
Medical personnel from around the country would be meeting downstairs for an informal 'meet and greet' this evening, and since I don't have other official obligations, it would be expected that I join them.
I have a shower while waiting for my food to arrive. As I'm getting dressed, my phone rings, alerting me to a video-call from Bella.
I grin happily as her face appears.
"Hey."
"Hi. I see you've made it safely."
"Yes, I did, I got in about an hour ago. I've just showered and was about to call you before I meet up with some colleagues."
"Speaking of which, is Mike behaving himself?"
"He's doing his best, I assume, as am I. I got your text."
"Your response was pretty vague, Doctor Masen."
I chuckle darkly, and she smiles.
"You look tired. Are you in bed already?"
"Yeah, I've had an eventful day," she laughs softly.
"Anything you want to share? Does it involve red lace?"
"Perhaps."
"I'm mad at you for not coming with me."
"I'll make it up to you."
"How?"
"Video-call me when you get back, and I'll show you."
My mind wanders pleasantly, thinking about what she could possibly have in her bag of tricks.
"Until later." I kiss my fingers and place them on the screen where her lips are and end the call.
.
.
.
"Edward, how are you?" I'm pulled into an affectionate hug.
"I'm doing well Doctor Granger and yourself?"
"I'm wonderful. It's so good to see you. It's been such a long time."
"It sure has. My father speaks of you often."
"Oh, he's such a wonderful man and an amazing surgeon. Is he still involved with St. Luc's?"
"Yes, he's on the board and has a number of other medical responsibilities that keep him busy. You should give him a call, he'd love to hear from you."
"I'll do that," she smiles brightly. "How's your mother?"
"She's terrific."
"Good. That's great to hear. Aaron will be so happy to see you, Edward; one of his cherished students so bright and successful."
"Well, I owe a great deal to him, Doctor Granger. Is he around?
"Yes, he's mingling on the other side of the room. Go and greet him."
"I will. It was nice seeing you again." I hug her and make my way over to her husband.
I haven't seen my professor in ages. They relocated, and we lost contact about five years ago when she accepted a position as head of neurology. It would be great to catch up, see where he's at in his life and tell him about my accomplishments. I credit him with a great deal of my academic success.
He looks the same, only slightly greyer. A smile spreads across his face as he sees me approach.
"Oh my, if it isn't my favorite student. Edward, it's wonderful to see you!" He gives me a firm handshake and introduces me to the doctors that he's been talking to.
"It's good to see you too, Professor Granger. How are you?"
"I'm doing well. Your ears must be burning. I was just talking about you to a few of my colleagues, reminiscing about the days when you, Mike and James used to be rivals in class."
"Yeah, those were the days." I smile wryly.
"You know, Edward, rumor has it that James got into some trouble. I've tried to reach out to him, but I've had no response. I know you two weren't the best of friends, but have you spoken to him lately?"
I grit my teeth. I don't think a word exists to adequately define what my relationship with James was and still is, but friendship would certainly not be one I'd choose. "No, I'm sorry, Professor, I haven't."
He nods sadly. He's always been so vested in his students and their welfare, which is the reason that he's been so influential in their successes.
"What about Mike, is he here? The last I remember, you were both working at St. Luc's."
"He's here, and you're right, we both work there."
"Did I hear my name?" Mike pops up, surprising us both.
"Michael, how are you?"
I grit my teeth as I try to not show my antagonism toward Newton, I can only hope that he does the same.
"Professor Granger. Wow! Wonderful to see you." he gushes.
"Edward and I were just reliving the times when he, you and James were the three proverbial thorns in my side." He laughs heartily. "Academically however, you three were my best students, ever."
"Yeah, but only two of us seemed to remain on the right track. Isn't that right, Edward?" Mike laughs boisterously and places his arm around my shoulders.
I know that he's trying to rile me, but I'm not about to make scene in front of my old college professor.
"So it seems, Mike."
"I'll give you three guesses which two that is, Professor." He winks.
"Yes, I heard that James hit a rough patch. Have you heard from him?"
"James? I was speaking about Edward here," he smiles snidely, tightening his hold on my shoulder. I will him to remove his arm before I rip it out of its socket.
"Mike, you've always been the one with the quirky sense of humor." Professor Granger shakes his head in amusement.
"All jokes aside, I haven't heard from James, but I hear the charges against him are pretty serious. What'd you hear, Edward?" He continues to needle.
"I've heard the same things you have, Mike." I remark coldly and glare at him. He's going too far. He and I have a ton of shit we can bicker about, but I draw the line at Josh's accident. As Josh's doctor, I assume that he would only have known the basics surrounding the accident, but I can't be too sure, and I don't want him dragging the details of that mess out now.
"Professor Granger, have you congratulated Edward on his appointment as the new head of surgery at St. Luc's?"
"I did hear about that and was going to do so just before you came along. Congratulations, Edward. It's good to hear that all my years of teaching didn't go astray. Your father must be proud."
"Oh, we're all proud, Professor. Edward's talents give all of us something to be proud of." Mike interrupts.
"Professor, will you excuse us for a moment?" I motion to Mike and stalk across the room to a discreet corner. He follows readily, no doubt to try and escalate matters.
"Is this how it's going to be from now on, Mike? You're going to behave as if we're in the schoolyard every time we're in a public situation? Because you think I slept with your wife?"
"I know you slept with her, so don't insult me, Masen."
"So what? You plan on airing your dirty laundry in front of the entire room or anyone willing to listen; our college professor? Come on, Mike, grow the fuck up."
"How's Bella, Edward? She's one smoking-hot woman." He grins salaciously.
I bristle at the way he speaks of Bella, and my resolve is threatened, but I hold on to my promise to her.
"Mike, you need to let this go and move on. Your issues are with your wife. It's something you need to resolve with her."
"You're absolutely right, 'Chief.' I am moving on." He pats me on the back and finally walks away. I'm no fool, and I find no comfort in his parting words.
I mingle for a while, but soon return to my room to call Bella. I need to hear her voice to calm me and to remind me that I did the right thing by not beating Newton to a bloody pulp. I'd also be lying if I didn't admit that I couldn't wait to see what she has planned for me.
She looks rejuvenated and so, so beautiful.
"Back so soon?"
"Well, I wanted to hurry back to you. Did you have a good nap?"
"Yes, I did, and you're a tad impatient."
"Curious," I correct.
"I thought you might be." She lies back, and I realize where she is.
"You're in my bed."
"Yes, I am. I told you I've grown comfortable. I used my key." She holds it aloft, swinging it from a silver chain, before slowly bringing it to rest between her breasts. She drags it teasingly, and that's when I notice her state of dress.
"Are you naked under that robe?" I ask stupidly.
"You have eyes, don't you?"
"Yes, I do, and I'm thoroughly enjoying what I see."
"There's morewhere that came from," she whispers seductively.
"Let me see it." I recognize the lust in my voice. I recline back on the bed and watch as she trails the key down her bare midriff to stop at her navel. My eyes follow that key like a kitten follows a piece of string, and I lick my lips slowly, wishing that I could taste that spot right now. The key continues its downward path, stopping at her pelvic bone.
"Keep going," I command huskily, but she stops. Her face reappears on screen.
"You'll get the full show when you get home."
"Now, that's...not fair, Bella." My voice is strained, and I readjust myself.
"Getting a little excited, Doctor?" She chuckles in mock sweetness.
"You're teasing. It's a double edged-sword, Bella."
"Aww." She pouts, playfully and bats her eyelashes. "A double-edged sword?"
"Your teasing both excites and drives me crazy because you're not here, and now I'm going to have to do something about the state you've put me in."
"Mmmm…should I be worried, Doctor Masen?"
I strip off my shirt and undo my pants.
"Only if you're jealous of the act of self-pleasuring."
"Sounds like fun. Can I watch?"
I stand and place the tablet on the nightstand.
"When I get home." I smirk.
"Goodnight, beautiful."
.
.
.
I wake early and enjoy a continental breakfast while I read the local newspaper. The view from the patio is breathtaking. Dallas is a beautiful city filled with wonderful architecture, gardens and some legendary museums and other attractions. Once again, I find myself wishing that Bella were here to share it with me. My thoughts over these past weeks seem to almost constantly be centered on her and her lack of answer.
I know that I can make her happy. She just hast to trust in what we have together, and hard as it may be, let my past be just that. Everything else will fall into place. I envision an amazing life for us, traveling the world, embarking on many different and exciting things together; a life filled with laughter, joy and love, there would be nothing that I would deny her, nothing in this world. I cannot imagine a life more fulfilled than the one I'd have living with Bella.
I wonder if she understood when I said 'when you love someone it's all or nothing'. I wonder if she knows that what I was trying to say is, that I love her and all of me belongs to her. I've been wanting to tell her for weeks now, but I fear she may pull away, that it's all too much for her; being in a relationship with a man like me, moving in, hearing the words 'I love you.' Maybe it's all moving a little too fast for her.
I knew from the first day we met that I wanted her. At the time, I convinced myself that it was for sexual gratification alone, the thrill of the chase. I know now, that the want to claim a woman like her and parade her around like a notch on my belt, was me hiding behind the façade of an arrogant, foolish and deeply humiliated man.
Who would ever have thought that the person that I was so hell bent on keeping out of my head… and my life; the person that I determined would not make me change my lifestyle, would turn out to be the only woman capable of stealing every part of my heart. The only woman to make me once more want the things that I'd given up on; a life of love, happiness and a family of my own. Bella makes me believe that with her, I can have it all, that I can regain what had been stolen from me.
There's not a doubt in my mind that she feels the same way about me. I see it in her eyes, and I feel it in her touch. Neither of us has voiced our feelings aloud. I guess I'm not the only one who's afraid.
My phone alerts me to an incoming text. It's a mass communication reminding attendees that the conference starts in twenty minutes
People are mingling outside the conference room. Jessica and Mike are chatting with Phil, another of St. Luc' s surgeons. I'm reluctant to approach the group as I don't want to get into another round with him, but it would seem standoffish of me not to join my colleagues.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Doctor Masen." Jessica and Phil greet me. "We're just waiting for the speaker to show up," Jessica adds.
"Do you know who's heading up the seminar?"
"Granger." Mike responds tersely and walks in to take a seat.
As if on cue, Professor Granger arrives and greets everyone as they file in.
"Good morning, Edward."
"Morning, Professor. I didn't know you that would be speaking"
"Just like old times, huh?" He pats me on the back as we enter.
.
.
.
"It was an enlightening seminar, Professor. You haven't lost your touch." He and I stroll down the hall at the end of the day.
"Well, you know, imparting knowledge is something I hold as close to my heart as you do surgery and healing. It's our passion. I always knew you would be successful in your endeavors, Edward."
"I had a great teacher." I acknowledge with a smile.
"Yes, well, it's time for this teacher to call it quits. I've been doing this for ages. It's time," he draws out a sigh.
"Really…you're retiring?"
"Seems so. My wife wants to move to Europe. I think she's been planning it since her retirement last year. She's an amazing woman and has put up with a lot from me. Who am I to deny her?"
"If that's the case, then I guess you have a point. Europe, huh? Yeah, it suits you," I laugh. We stop at the elevator.
"As this is my last seminar, there'll be a little 'going away' party for me this evening. Will you join us?"
"I wouldn't miss it, Professor."
"Wonderful! It's to be held in the restaurant on the mezzanine level and starts around eight."
"I'll be there."
.
.
.
I'm getting ready when I hear a disturbance in the hall and go out to check.
A young woman is banging her suitcases along the wall as she struggles with an overwhelming amount of luggage. I immediately wonder why she hasn't asked for a bellman to assist her.
She mutters a string of profanity as she stumbles and lands on the floor.
"Are you all right?" I lean over to help her to her feet.
"I'm fine…stupid heels…." She chuckles nervously as she straightens her skirt.
"Well maybe, but I think you might need some assistance with your luggage. Were you not offered bellman services at the front desk?"
"I was, but I was impatient and didn't want to wait. I've had the worse flight experience ever, and then the airline misplaced my luggage. I just wanted to get to my room and relax in a nice, hot bath." She exhales a ragged breath and runs a hand through her hair before trying to gather up her bags.
"Oh well, I can empathize. Here, let me help you with those." I reach down to retrieve the two heavier looking bags and wait for her to lead the way.
"Thank you so much. I really appreciate this." She smiles warmly as I follow her down the hall.
"This is it. I really hope this room has a huge tub."
"The rooms here are amazing; bathrooms are pretty spacious and elegant; excellent for escaping to and relaxing after a bad flight experience," I chuckle.
"That's good to know." She opens the door.
"I'll just set them right here for you so, you won't have to make two or three trips." I quickly step into the foyer and set down the luggage before backing out.
"Thank you again…"
"My name's Edward."
"Hi, Edward, I'm Jillian." She offers her hand, and I politely accept.
"Hello, Jillian."
She smiles at me brightly, holding onto my hand. I recognize the inviting look, and I quickly withdraw my hand.
"Well…there's a dinner party I need to get to. It was nice meeting you, Jillian.
"Nice meeting you too, Edward. Maybe, I'll see you later?"
"Careful in those heels." I smile politely and turn away. I feel her eyes on me as I close the door.