- Chapter Number Eight -
"He's handsome," my mother whispers into my ear as she holds me to her, "really handsome."
She affectionally pinches my cheek as she pulls back.
"Edward," she smiles at him, opening her arms.
He awkwardly steps into her embrace, looking at me other her shoulder. I mouth my apologies, but he simply winks at me.
"You must be the man that has my baby girl so smitten," she coos, "my name is Renee."
"Of course. Congratulations," Edward says, "thank you so much for having both my brother and I."
"Absolutely. I'm so pleased you've both come to help celebrate with my girls," she glances back at both Rose and I, "now you need anything you tell me and I'll make it happen."
"Don't be silly. We don't want to stress the bride," Emmett smiles, "we're big boys. We can certainly take care of ourselves."
Edward moves closer to me, wrapping his arm around my waist. My mother follows the movement of his arm, smiling delighted at the affectionate display.
"Well still. You all keep enjoying the sun. Know that the rehearsal dinner is tomorrow night and I'll need both you girls tomorrow to run through some things," Renee motions to Rose and I, "some of the girls from work are throwing me a bit of a hens night tonight. If you're not too young and hip come."
"Oh I could totally get around that," Rosalie laughs, "let's go, Bella!"
"Where are they throwing you a hen's night?" I glance at the resort.
"There's a nightclub in it. Right up on the very top floor," she motions back to the hotel.
The resort had several different buildings, with the towers set in a curved like setting. Bordering the beach, pools and lush greenery below.
Glancing back at Edward I hesitate. I couldn't invite a man I'd only really just met and then ditch him.
"Go," he pulls me tighter against him, smiling at me, "I'll be fine. Emmett and I can fend for ourselves. You should have some fun."
"Then that settles it," Rosalie smiles at me, "Bella's getting wasted! Edward's going to come to finally see the real fun Bella."
"Warts and all," my mother teases, "You kids have fun."
Edward tugs me to his body, arms wrapped around my shoulders, mouth kissing my forehead.
"You okay?" he asks.
"My heart rate is still a little unstable," I huff.
"It made that much of an impact on you too, huh?" he is referring to the kiss.
"She's gone guys," Rosalie teases, "you can stop pretending. I mean if you want to."
Edward's arms slip free from around me, and I shoot a glare at Rosalie. It only makes her smile harder.
"We should get ready soon," Rosalie says, "pick out something to wear."
"Do you think you will end up having strippers there tonight?" Emmett asks her.
"Is that you volunteering?" her question is flirtatious.
"I'd honestly hope not. It's my mother," I say, "some things shouldn't be shared in a mother-daughter space."
"I wouldn't want you fake running off with another fake boyfriend," Edward jokes.
It's a joke that sends Rosalie and Emmett into a wild fit of laughter. Rolling my eyes I nudge him playfully, letting my mind carry me back to that kiss in the water. Already reliving the feeling of him on me.
Perhaps Rosalie had been right.
"Okay done," Rosalie steps back from my face, admiring her work, "fuck you look hot. Your mother might send you away because all eyes will be on you."
Looking into the mirror I can't help but find myself agreeing. She'd done her very best, putting colour on my eyes and giving me a dramatic liner to match. I'd pulled on the second most skimpiest, skin-tight outfit that she'd packed. The first sitting on Rosalie's body.
My slip dress was a deep blue made from reflective silk fabric. Spaghetti straps holds it up and it boasts a straight neckline lying across my chest. My cleavage at the edge of the neckline, rounded and giving it the bit of sexy I need. I wanted to impress someone. It fell just above mid-thigh and flowed around my body. I'd paired it with some white strappy high heels and pulled my hair into a bun, whips framing my face.
"You look just as good," I say.
She'd worn a halter neck red mini dress, with a diamond cutout in the front leaving very little to the imagination. Even I kept finding myself staring. Her hair curled around her shoulders, swaying as she walked in her black heels.
"Ready?" She asks.
"I guess," I nod, "promise we won't get too wild. This is my mother and she's never seen me get to the point you so happily take me to."
"Drunk Bella is fun but," she pouts, "remember that time you danced on that table. I could never get you to do that like this."
"I think that's because you promised me a new book," I smirk at her, "I'm easily bribed."
It's clockwork. When we step into the main room, Emmett is by Rosalie's side with hands on her immediately. His eyes taking it all in. Edward isn't in the room. My eyes search for him and slight disappointment sweeps through me when I see he isn't there.
"You can't go," Emmett's hands move down her body, "stay here and we can show that dress a good time."
"When I get back," Rosalie leans into his arms, "I promise."
"Let's not keep my mother waiting," I sigh.
"You look stunning too, Bella," Emmett smiles at me, "you girls don't get too wild."
"I won't," I begin to make my way to the door.
Before I can pull it open, it swings in toward me. Edward walks in holding a six pack of beer, stopping short when he sees me.
"Oh. Hey," his eyes widen, looking down at my dress, moving up to take in my face, "this is 100% fake boyfriend approved. You look stunning."
"Thank you," I glance down at myself, nervously straightening a crease that isn't there.
"Have an amazing night," he steps aside to let me slip past, "I'll try to keep Emmett from coming and crashing the party. Wouldn't want him going all caveman to steal Rosalie back."
"I wouldn't hate the rescuing," I move past him, "we won't be too late."
"We'll be here," he moves the beer in his hand to show me their plans, "I have a little bit of work to tackle too."
"Don't work too hard. It's meant to be a vacation," I say.
Rosalie slips past him, stepping out into the hallway with me, fixing her dress.
"Just some housekeeping so I get to enjoy tomorrow with my fake girlfriend," he winks at me, "you ladies have fun."
"How sweet," Rosalie wraps her arm around my shoulders, as Edward closes the door laughing.
We make our way to the elevator, side by side.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again. He is so into you," she says, "he couldn't stop staring at you."
I don't bother arguing. Because I couldn't deny the way his eyes lingered. I love the way his stare felt. It made me want to try harder to chase the attention.
He may be fake boyfriend but that didn't mean the desire for him was fake. Not in the least.
Thank you for reading
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