- Chapter Number 17 -
"My Bella," his voice is soft, warm.
Soft kisses trickle up my shoulder, fingers coast over my back.
I lay on my side, facing him, bed covers surrounding my naked body. There'd been so much sex last night. Edward really caught up for lost time.
"Hey," he smiles at me as I open my eyes, "goodnight birthday girl."
His hand strokes my head, as I twist to look up at him, covering my body.
"Happy birthday," he sits up in the bed beside me.
I lay back onto my back and stretch my arms out.
"Thank you," I yawn.
His eyes flick to the bedside table beside me, not so subtly. I follow his gaze and notice a gift bag sitting beside my phone.
"Who is that for?" I ask.
"Your boyfriend left it there for you," he leans back into the bed head.
I sit up smiling as he wraps an arm around my back, pulling me into his side. I pick up the present. Using my underarms I tuck the sheet under my armpits, so that my chest is covered.
"Open it," he's so excited.
Pulling at the ribbon at the top I begin to open it. I pull open a small square box first. My hand flies to my mouth in shock as I open it.
"Edward," I'm about to cry.
The sparkle in the earrings practically blinds me. Shimmering beneath the light streaming in from his bedroom window.
"You like them? I asked Rose what metal you wore and showed her some options. She thought you'd love these," he explains.
They were like silver raindrops with diamonds encrusting them.
"They're beautiful," I run a finger over them gently, like the might vanish if I'm not careful, "thank you so much. This is so kind."
"There's more," he nudges the bag in my lap, "keep going."
Placing the earrings beside me I dig into the bag to pull out another box. I snap it open and this time a tear does spring free.
"Oh my," I shake my head, "I can't believe this."
It's a Tiffany and Co pendant in the shape of a key. Diamonds cover it and it's the most beautiful piece of jewellery I'll ever own.
"I call you treasure so often. Because to me you're a treasure. I found you at a time I thought I didn't have it in me to look," he says, "so I thought you should wear a key so you know you are my treasure. So you know what you've unlocked in me."
"Can you put it on me?" I pull it from the box undoing the chain for him.
He takes it from my hands as I twist slightly to give him my back.
Once it's clipped into place he leans down to play a kiss on my shoulder. My eyes close, head tilts to give him access to my neck.
"Happy birthday," he whispers against my skin, "I'm so pleased you're here. So I can spoil you in all the ways you deserve."
Turning back to look at him, he takes in my chest with a pleased smirk, studying the necklace. Like he'd made his mark on me visibly now.
"Stunning," he compliments, "we should start to get up and get ready. I'll make you breakfast first. Stay here and I'll bring you it."
"Oh I can help," I begin to move.
"No baby," he stops me, "it's your day. Besides, I ordered it. It's in the kitchen already. Wait here."
He races from the room. I'm disappointed to see he has boxers on. Yawning again, I glance at the clock on my nightstand. It's 9am.
"Okay," he walks in holding a bed tray, "an omelet with spinach and ham. Your latte as you like it and a birthday cupcake for after."
He places it over my lap and I shake my head with an adoring smile when I see the candle in the cupcake. After an adorable rendition of 'happy birthday' he motions to the cake.
"Make a wish," he prompts.
My cheeks already hurt from the smiling I've done today. With a little huff I extinguish the flame.
"Don't tell me what you wished for because it won't come true," he picks the candle out from the top, "now eat and get dressed. Pick out something nice for tonight too. We'll duck home before dinner but might be cutting it thin. So best to have things in order so we can race in, change and then head out."
"Where are we going?" I ask.
"Nope," he shakes his head, hand up as if it would make an effort to silence me, "eat."
Once I'm ready we head out. His hand remains in mine the entire car ride.
"Oh look," I gasp, pointing out the window, "Buckingham Palace. It's incredible."
"She's in residence," he motions to it, "the flag means the Queen is home."
"Reckon she'd invite us in?" I smile at him.
"I think every door would open for you but I'm biased," he kisses my temple, "I'd love to take you on a proper tour tomorrow, but I have work. Maybe after I can find time to show you the city."
"I'd love that," I say, "I'd love to go on the London Eye."
"We will then," he kisses my hand and turns to glance out his own window.
Our drive is longer than I expected. We're headed out of the city. When we arrive I'm relieved to stretch my legs. He helps me out of the car and wraps his arm around me as we walk.
"Welcome to Bath," he squeezes me into him.
I glance at him in shock. This is exactly how I'd want to spend my birthday. Making a new memory with him in a beautiful place.
"Bath? As in the Roman ones?" My mouth drops.
"Yeah baby," he nods, "another question to that best friend of yours. I thought you'd like to do something historical. That you'd like to see beauty. You can look at the Tower of London and the museum later on in the week. I thought this could be something special we did together."
"Oh Edward," I move to cuddle him into my arms, "this is simply beautiful."
We walked around the town for a bit. Dropping into stores and enjoying each other's company. He refuses to let me pay for any of my purchases and refuses to let go of my hand.
"Want to go see the baths?" He asks.
"Hell yeah," I nod.
My breath catches when we step into the courtyard with the bath. The great Roman baths. It's like a step back in time. The water looks divine, the statues and sculptures treasures of history.
"Your face right now is making me hot for you," he whispers into my ear, pulling me against his body, "you're so hot when you look all full of wonder."
"Shush," I giggle, smacking his chest.
"What I can't say how fuckable you look in public?" He whispers into my ear.
I glance at a young family standing by us, excitedly pointing out things around the room. They have no idea how weak the man beside me is making my knees.
"Birthday sex is the best kind," he kisses my temple, "I don't care if we're in public. If you look sexy I'm going to tell you just how much I want you."
Turning to look up at him, I narrow my eyes. Whatever he was doing it was working on me like a charm.
"You're testing me," I say.
"Good," he laughs.
We resume to walk slowly around the bath, taking it all in. His hold on me alternates every so often. I jump slightly when his hand squeezes my ass. He laughs leaning down to place a kiss on my cheeks
"I can't keep my hands off you," his shrug is innocent, "are you having a nice time?"
"This is incredible. Thank you," I take up his hand and squeeze it gently, "best birthday ever."
We tour the rest of the site. Enjoying the museum cuddled into one another. A true couple on complete display, hiding nothing. He doesn't shy away from PDA at all. He makes more dirty comments in my ear and kisses me whenever he thinks I deserve it.
I grab gifts for Rosalie and a few of the patients and nurses at work. Edward grabs something for his mother, melting my heart at his thoughtfulness.
We head back into the city and by the time we get there it's early evening.
"Our reservation is at 7pm," Edward checks his watch, "so get changed and ready. Then we can walk to it. You can check out some of London on the way."
I change quickly, apply some light makeup and fix my hair.
"The beautiful birthday girl," he coos at me when I'm ready, "you look sensational."
I smile at him as he takes me into his arms, from behind. He's wearing a grey suit, light blue shirt beneath. Black dress shoes and a tie I want to wrap my hand around.
I'd picked a black mini dress with a pleated skirt. The neckline was mock but it had a rectangle cut out down my chest. I'd used a stick on bra to create the perfect, rounded cleavage for the cut out. It was long sleeved and paired perfectly with my black heels and small bag.
"I love this," he kisses along my jaw, "maybe we could stay in and I could lick cake off you."
"Oh. Let's do that," I giggle.
There's a hard knock on the door. He glances behind him before turning to give me a quick kiss on the cheek, pinching my ass.
I hear it open and a female voice filter into the apartment.
"Sir the documents," she says.
"Thanks Kate," he responds.
I move to the bedroom door, peering out trying to stay hidden from their sight.
Kate is stunning. Tall, blonde. A long pony tail down her back. She wears a pencil shirt, blouse and heels. The perfectly dressed assistant.
"I'll get these signed by the morning for you to email off," he says, stalking into the kitchen.
She follows, hips swaying a little more than I'd like them to.
"Can you have these forms sent to the office in New York," he hands her a bunch of papers, "and get me the prints on LA by the morning again. I had a thought."
"Sure sir," she nods, "your dry cleaning for your suit will be ready for you by the morning. I'll ensure it's in your office for the meeting."
"Thanks," he nods.
He is completely business. Missing every cue she is giving him. Pushing her chest out, hands lingering when he hands her papers.
"Call if you need absolutely anything," she smiles at him.
"I'll be fine," he waves her off, "enjoy London. Oh and can you arrange for my girlfriend to have a car tomorrow. She'll be touring the city and I want to make sure she has comfort. Also arrange the jet for her flight home next week, cancel her economy flight and fight them for her refund."
My eyes narrow at him.
Kate rolls her eyes but he misses it.
Bitch.
"Sure sir," she nods, "I'll see you tomorrow morning."
"Good night," he calls out to her as she leaves the apartment.
I wait a few moments before stepping out.
"Ready?" I beam at him.
He was respectful. Completely putting my concerns at ease. But he knew I was here. Perhaps I'm being silly.
I'm biting back strange feelings. Intense jealousy. Women that beautiful are flirting with him daily. What if he can't resist? It jogs my memory about the Tanya thing. I need to bring it up, if not to just calm my own concerns.
But not tonight.
Could this be old feelings from Jacob Black resurfacing? Am I overly sensitive? Is the fact that I'm falling so hard terrifying me to the point I'm over thinking everything?
He's given me the birthday of my dreams. But Is it all for one thing? That thing being a game to him?
Thank you for reading.
X