Chapter Twenty-Three

It had been almost a year since I left Mike. I'd been spending more time at Edward's than at my mother's, much to his content. Work was great, and I'd manage to save a decent amount of money and built my corporate-appropriate wardrobe at the same time. It was safe to say that Edward loved the new clothes. He told me more than once how he loved the way my new skirts clung to my curves like a second skin, even though he couldn't wait to get me out of them after work. Our routine was marvelous, something I didn't dare to dream I would have in my life.

Most days, he'd already left for work when I got up, but there was always a sweet, brief note waiting for me by the coffee machine. After work, he would prepare us dinner. We talked about our days and took a shower together. After snuggling up on the couch, we'd go to bed and ended up going to sleep way too late. I would spend a few days a week at my mom's place, just because I was still a little scared. I knew that this relationship was a big change for Edward and that he valued time alone. I wanted to respect that because there was no way I was going to mess up what was going on between us. I valued Edward too much for that. I enjoyed being with him too much. I loved it. And my falling for him had turned into loving him. I knew I loved him. And sometimes it felt like he loved me. We just hadn't uttered those three paltry words to each other. But Edward showed me every time we were together. Without words.

It had been a year of delightful ups and inescapable downs. We'd had our fights, but we always made up within the day. I wasn't one to hold a grudge, and Edward couldn't leave things unresolved. We'd learned that through our past failed relationships. It looked as if the both of us were trying our very best to let this succeed.

Edward and I hadn't talked a lot about defining 'us', but we knew what we had, and our loved ones knew that what we shared was strong. I'd say the best thing about us, was that we started out as friends. I had worked on my codependent issues, and Edward made sure he improved his communication skills. We'd grown stronger together, we learned to love again. And it was an epic love, for sure. Edward took me on the most magical dates, both at home and out in public. Our friends tried mocking us for the age difference more than once, but we learned to see the humor in it.

When I got home from work that Friday, I was incredibly surprised. The house was dark, except for the few candles Edward had placed around. A loud crash in the living room made me jump, and I ran toward the living room, where the noise came from. What I found was not what I was expecting, at all.

"Oh, my God! What are you doing?" I gasped. Edward, my boyfriend, standing barefoot and buck naked in the middle of porcelain shards.

"Fuck, you weren't -this wasn't supposed to happen like this," he laughed, scratching the back of his neck. When he was about to move, I stopped him.

"You're nuts! Stay put. I don't want to pay the ER a visit tonight." I walked over to the kitchen pantry, taking a broom and an empty bucket to clean up the mess.

"I'm sorry, baby B, I ruined my own surprise." He sighed.

"What's all this?" I wondered after throwing the shattered bowl into the bin. "And why are you naked?" I giggled, admiring his physique, his tattooed skin and ended up staring at his half-erect dick.

"Well, I am naked because I just got out of the shower and I forgot the oven dish, which I now broke. The 'all this' you're referring to, was supposed to be a dazzling surprise for you. In fact, why don't you go take a shower. I'll get dressed and continue." He smiled widely, winning me over. I was a little distracted by him and his lack of clothes, though, so I pulled him in for a kiss.

He returned my kiss passionately, like he always did and groaned into my mouth as I palmed his dick and started stroking him. I stepped out of my heels and sunk down to my knees, never wasting an opportunity to make my man feel good. Just when I was about to swirl my tongue around his tip, he stepped backwards, stopping me. I looked up, frowning.

"Hey!" I argued.

"Hold that thought, B. It really pains me to do this, but this can wait. No matter how badly I want your lips around my cock."

I obeyed and went to take a shower, frustrated but excited for the continuation of the evening.

Edward served me homemade lasagna in black, distressed jeans that fit him like a glove and made his ass look spectacular and a black dress-shirt. He'd rolled up his sleeves, his beautiful ink on display, making my mouth water.

"This was absolutely delicious. But tell me what's going on, okay? You're kinda freaking me out." I chuckled.

"Well, I have a little gift for you." He pulled out a rectangular box, wrapped in black, velvet wrapping paper. My eyes grew large.