Bella's POV:
Present:
I woke up sometime later on the couch of the living room.
Sitting up quietly, I looked around the room to find it empty.
My head was throbbing, and I knew I needed to eat something or I would keel over.
Leaning heavily against the pieces of furniture, as I made my way down the hall and towards the kitchen
As I reached the kitchen, I was surprised by what I was seeing, and could hear. Quiet arguing.
I knew immediately something was wrong.
I didn't hesitate to push through the door and enter.
"You should've known better!" Edward growled at her from across the room.
"It was the only way to end this." Rose quietly spoke.
"If you knew how dangerous this was and coaxed her into doing this. How can you even say you care for her?" He retorted.
"Alright, that's enough, son. We're all running high on anger and tension. But you can't put this all on Rose. Especially when she went willingly." My uncle spoke.
"Uh— Uncle Charlie?" I weakly asked, as my energy suddenly felt drained and the room began to spin.
The next thing I knew I hit the ground before everything went black.
Still Three Months Ago:
"You're playing with fire and you're going to get burned, Sparrow." Siobhan said, shaking her head at me.
I scoffed, shaking my head as I slipped my shirt back on, "Yes, I know. But what's life without a little fun? I want to have fun. Be normal. Why is that so wrong?" I asked her.
"Nothing is wrong with having a little fun, Spare." Maggie said, smirking as she twirled her hair and popped her gum.
"I'm not saying not to do it. I'm just telling you to be careful. Especially with this Masen character. He's a one of them. As nice as he may seem, he may become the reason for your undoing. So, be careful." She said before she grabbed Maggie and pulled her out of the room behind herself.
I turned back to the mirror to finish putting on my eyeliner.
Right after she left, Alice and Rose walked in with Didy and Sul.
I sighed, "Are all of you here to warn me as well?" I asked, trying to push down the annoyance I felt.
Alice shook her head, Rose rolled her eyes, while Didy and Sul scoffed.
"No, we're here to help you get ready for your hot date." Rose said plainly.
"I'm almost ready but thanks." I replied as I wiped my hands on my jeans.
Alice frowned, "He's taking you to Stephano's. That's a high-end, expensive restaurant." She pointed out.
I shrugged indifferently. "I feel fine." I told her.
"Nope, come on, let's look at your closet. I'm sure I'll find something more appropriate for you to wear." She called over her shoulder as she walked into my closet.
Rose snorted before moving to follow her. "I'll help her while you get out of those clothes." She told me.
Didy gave me an exasperated look before moving off the couch she had sat in, before following Rose into the closet.
"You okay, Bee?" Sul asked me quietly.
I shook my head in response, before blowing my hair out of my face. "No, I'm tired of living like this. I want a normal life. I want to find love. I want — I want to have a family." I whispered as I tried not to mess up my makeup.
I heard her sigh, before moving towards me. A second later I felt her pull me into a hug.
"If you truly want to go. Then we aren't anyone to stop you. You are of your own free will." She whispered.
"I know. But it's — it's all I've ever known. After my parents died… after everything I've been through. You ladies are my family." I replied.
"We know. Which is why we are all going to help you get out of this life." She promised.
I smiled up at her as she let me go. "I can't ask you all to do that." I said as Alice and the girls came back into the room.
She was holding up a gray garment bag, as Rose held up a pair of black velvet, gladiator heels.
"What's all of this?" I asked, raising a brow at them.
"Your new outfit. Now come on. Let's help you get ready." Alice said.
Sul gave me an encouraging smile, before I sighed and turned to give them all a tight smile.
Alice pulled out the black dress from the garment bag, I nearly keeled over.
It was a black satin, backless dress. It had spaghetti straps, a high slit on the right side, and a plunging neckline.
"Alice, you said that place was high-end. I'll look like a hoe in that." I groaned.
"No one dressed by Mary Alison Brandon looks like a hoe. Ever. Maybe a high-class escort but never a hoe." She sniped as she gestured for me to undress.
I sighed and slowly began to change.
Rose quickly offered me the pair of nipple pasties and dental floss.
I groaned, "Again? Seriously. Why can't I ever wear regular underwear?" I complained, frowning.
"If you want to have nasty panty lines by all means…" Rose said.
I sighed, "Okay let's do this." I grumbled.
An hour later I found myself driving to the restaurant.
As Alice said, it was high-end.
A valet was waiting for me as I arrived. Took my keys. There went thirty bucks, I wasn't getting back.
The maitre d, was a tall slim man with an even narrow face. He looked down his nose at me the moment he saw me.
I immediately wanted to pull out the knife I had in my holster and throw it at his head.
"Yes, may I help you?" He asked in a thick Italian accent.
I opened my mouth to answer but someone spoke from behind me.
"She's here with me, Sergei."
I turned to see him smirking at me as I did. Surprise clear on my face.
"Mister— Mister Cullen, I didn't know you'd be here tonight." The dolt sputtered.
"I spoke to my uncle earlier. He said he'd have everything ready when I arrived." He said.
Cullen… that name doesn't sound right.
Upon checking his little book again, the dolt quickly picked up two menus and motioned us to follow him.
"Have you been waiting long?" He asked me as he placed a hand on the small of my back, causing me to bite back a gasp.
I could feel the heat of his hand through the thin fabric of the dress.
Images of the other night immediately assaulted my mind.
Oh, what a night that had been.
He looked over at me when I didn't respond, raising a brow. "Have you?" He asked quietly.
"Hm? Sorry. No, I uh, had just arrived shortly before you did. Why?" I stammered.
He nodded in satisfaction. "Because you shouldn't be left waiting. You look lovely by the way." He told me as we continued to follow the man.
He led us through the side of the restaurant. When he led us through a set of glass and wooden doors, I held back another gasp.
"Your table, sir." He said.
The room was designed to look like a terrace.
I'd never known there could be indoor terraces.
This room was different from the rest of the restaurant, the walls were made of Italian fieldstone. White wooden, lattice panels divided the sections instead of the usual booths and thick glass. Each panel had shrubbery entwined.
The ground was made of stone instead of tiles, unlike the inside of the restaurant.
"Do you like it?" He whispered, as we sat down.
I felt myself nod, noticing that the chairs and tables were designed to look like patio furniture, yet weren't exactly that. Each seat looked to be made of wicker, and had the most comfortable looking cushions.
"Welcome to Stephano's. I am Reggy, your waiter for the night. Can I interest you two in our selections of wine this evening?" A young man asked.
A smirk pulled at my lips, as the boy turned to look at me.
His eyes nearly popped out of his head as he did, causing me to let out a small laugh.
"Eyes are up here, slick." I said as I felt someone's stare bore into the side of my face.
"M—ma'am?" He stuttered.
"I'm not married yet, so it's Miss." I corrected, amused.
"We'll take Cabernet 1992." Cullen said stiffly.
"Actually. I want Rosé. Sweetest one you have, or a white wine." I interjected.
He turned towards me scowling as I smiled back angelically.
"Get her the Clos du Temple and Pinot Grigio. Go."
The boy hurriedly left, almost crashing into one of the wooden panels.
As soon as he was out of sight, I turned to look at my annoyed dinner companion.
"What?" I asked, innocently.
"You need to stop doing that." He snapped.
"What?" I repeated, furrowing my brow, as I tilted my head to the side.
"Stop flirting with all the men that look at you." He snapped again.
"Excuse you? No man has looked at me. And you almost killed a little boy because he asked me a question." I replied, with an eye roll.
"We're on a date. You could be a bit more respectful towards that fact." He replied in the same tone.
"Right. I don't even know your first name yet. And you're complaining because someone looked at me a certain way. Which is something I can't control." I replied, plainly.
He rolled his eyes at me, before shaking his head and mumbling something under his breath. "My name is Edward. Edward Cullen." He replied a moment later.
"Okay, James Bond. So, now that the introductions are over." I commented dryly, with an eye roll.
"You didn't seem very bothered by the attention you were receiving." He replied, offhandedly.
I sighed, shaking my head at him. "Well what the fuck was I supposed to do? Be offended because he stared at my tits?" I asked, sarcastically.
He chuckled, "No. Definitely not, but you didn't need to smile like that." He replied.
I stared at him for a moment before looking away. "Jerk." I mumbled under my breath.
I hadn't noticed that the ceiling had fairy lights hung near the ceiling of the room when we first walked in.
Even though a few lanterns hang from the ceiling as well.
"Why do they have fairy lights if they have lanterns here?" I asked.
"Hm? Oh, those are used for special occasions. My uncle celebrated his fiftieth wedding anniversary last Sunday. I guess they haven't had a chance to take them down." He said.
I nodded before looking away, to look around more of the room.
Doubt clouded my senses for a moment.
I didn't even have to be near him to know that his aura radiated enigma, power, mixed with underlying danger.
"Is there a particular reason as to why you insisted on this date?" I asked, using my right hand to cup my chin.
"I'm not going to lie. You intrigued me. More than any woman that I've ever crossed paths with. At first it was probably the fact that you got the upper hand. But now, it's more than that… I want to know the real you… Just a fair warning, I'm not your average Joe. I have the power and means to do as I wish. Even find out about you, Isabella Swan." He said as he pulled out his phone, and showed it to me.
A smirk almost pulled at my lips as I stared at the screen.
He thought he had the upper hand, when in reality all he found was my current identity.
"Cool. Do you want something for your discovery? You want praise for finding out simple information off the internet? Bravo. Great job, you've done the basic, simple job of a script kiddie. Now, why is it you want to know about me? I mean, all you need to ask. I'm right here." I told him.
His eyes narrowed as the young man came back with the wines.
He served us wordlessly, before standing there with his hands to his back. "Are you two ready to order?" He asked.
I nodded, pulling the menu to me. "I'll have the Spaghetti Alla Carbonara. Please." I said.
Edward sighed before turning towards the young man, "I'll have the chicken pesto pasta." He said.
"I'll put this order in and be right back with those." He murmured, rushing away again.
I looked back at him to find him already staring at me with an unfathomable expression.
The words that I exchanged with Sul bounced in my head again, as we looked at each other.
Maybe he was the opportunity I had been waiting for. My chance at normalcy. Maybe.
He could be, but still I wasn't stupid, I knew he was dangerous, if the gun hidden behind him was anything to go by.
"What?" I softly asked him.
"You don't need to be so reserved with me. I won't hurt you. Hell, this can be a date and then we can pretend like this never happened." He said. "It's your choice." He added quietly
Could I really do this? He was giving me the opportunity to choose.
Should I?
I sighed, before looking away, taking a gulp of the Rose. "I don't know what you expect me to tell you. It's obvious you've tried to peek into my background. But you didn't find anything. So, why are you so interested in me? What could a 'Cullen' want from a simple nobody like me?" I asked, smirking.
"You know who I am?" He asked, surprised.
A slow amused smile spread across my face as he stared.
"Of course, I do. You didn't think I'd agree to go out with anyone and not know about them do you?" I questioned.
"You're in your own right to do so." He conceded.
I almost laughed, he thought he was being slick by having someone try to track me. But Tia blocked said person from hacking into one of our databases, Jason Jenkins or better known as J. Jenks.
She replaced the file with one of basic information, before typing a kill code if he tried to hack again.
"For the sake of nicety… Be honest with me. What do you want out of this date… A wine and dine, quick fuck, a one and done?" I asked him flatly, raising a brow.
He sputtered for a second before regaining his composure. "Not at all. I want to get to know you. Is that so difficult to understand?" He asked, slightly offended.
"Of course not. If you were someone else I might actually believe it. You, however, have been known to have a different woman every other night." I pointed out.
Trying not to smirk at the emotions that flew across his face as he looked at me. Before settling on one. Annoyance.
He scoffed. "What you have is outdated information. Those women, as you've so eloquently mentioned, are the daughters of my mother's friends. They're nothing but dates. I don't do one night stands." He replied honestly.
"You're just saying that." I murmured looking away from his intense gaze, as I tried to push down the sudden panic racing in my veins.
My mind went to the one place that I hated the most.
He shook his head, before mumbling something unintelligible under his breath.
I took a deep breath, before releasing the knife I had my hand wrapped around.
"I'll be back, I need to use the ladies room." I murmured loud enough for him to hear before excusing myself.
I walked in the direction we came in before finding the correct hallway.
Once in the bathroom, I pulled out my phone.
I need reassurance. I needed someone to tell me that it would be okay.
"Rose," I whispered, biting my lip.
"What's wrong?" She asked, concerned.
"I— I—" I stammered, as tears began to pool in my eyes.
"Deep breath, Isabella. Deep breaths. Inhale, exhale …." She coaxed.
I followed her orders before feeling my tense muscles relax.
"Feel better?" She asked me.
I nodded, swallowing thickly. " Yes, thank you." I sighed.
She sighed, "What triggered you?" She asked me, concerned.
"I— He— We— we were talking, and I— my mind went to that place…" I whispered.
"Hey, deep breaths, babe." She coaxed.
"This was a bad idea. I'm not ready…" I told her tearfully.
"No, no. Come on, Bee. You're more than ready to do this babe. You can do this." She said, firmly.
"I just—" I whispered.
Before I could finish the door burst open, and there he was.
"Rose, I got to go." I said before hanging up before dropping my phone into my bag.
He walked into the bathroom, before locking the door behind himself, and turning to look at me.
"Can I help you?" I asked as I turned away, and wiped my face.
"Yes, you can, actually." He replied curtly.
I raised a brow at him, before turning to the mirror to pretend to fix my makeup. "What can I do for you?" I asked.
"You can start by telling me what's wrong. You were crying and that is a bit concerning since I know I haven't done anything to hurt you." He replied, leaning against the wall.
My eyes met his through the mirror, before flickering down to my bag.
"It's not you… It's me. I have a lot of issues, but don't worry it's not something to cause alarm." I replied trying to downplay my mini meltdown.
His brow furrowed further, as he eyed me, before pushing away from the wall.
I eyed him suspiciously as he slowly made his way towards me, until he was towering over me.
"Are you alright now?" He asked, quietly.
"Mhm. A lot better." I replied in the same quiet tone.
A silent moment passed between us. Before I looked away, frowning at the feeling.
He was so close, I could feel his body heat.
"We should go back to the table..." I whispered, as his face hovered a few inches above mine.
He sighed, nodding as he stepped back and allowed me to walk away.
I only managed to walk two steps before I felt his large hand wrap around my upper arm and pull me back.
I gasped as I felt his other hand weave itself into my hair as his lips quickly descended upon mine. Pressing gently, before they became more fervent.
That kiss was like nothing I've ever experienced.
What was it with this man? And why the hell was my body reacting like this to him?
I didn't bother to ask, I simply allowed myself to experience this, happily.
When he stepped back, I smiled at him slightly before reaching up to remove the lipstick on his lips.
"We should probably— get back." He whispered.
I nodded, before turning towards the mirror and wiping away my smudged lipstick and reapplying a fresh coat to my lips.
He waited until I was finished to unlock the door and walk out.
The food was being placed on the table as we arrived back at the table.
I noticed it wasn't the same young man that was serving us. Which made me roll my eyes.
"Enjoy." The new server said.
As soon as the server left, silence settled between us, along with tension.
The rest of the meal involved mindless prattling about the weather, our plans for the weekend.
After a while we began to relax, even joke about a few things.
We were both on our fourth glass of wine when he turned towards me, smirking.
"So, how'd I do?" He asked.
I raised a brow at him, as I sipped on my third glass of wine.
To mess with him, I took my sweet ass time to swallow the rest of the wine in my mouth.
"You did well, for the first date." I conceded, leaning back before gulping down the last part of my wine.
He smirked, "I'm glad you liked the first portion. Did you want to go dancing?" He asked me.
I shook my head amused, before getting up unsteadily. "While it was fun… I should start heading home…" I murmured.
He stood up too, steadying me as I tripped on the air. "Woah. Are you alright there?" He asked.
Crap. I overdid the wine… Now, I can't drive home. I should call Rose, or an Uber.
I shrugged in response, as I struggled to get my phone out of my purse. "I am but I'm going to call for a ride… just for " I mumbled with a frown.
Somehow he managed to convince me that he would give me a ride.
It was a good idea, until I realized that he probably wanted to see where I lived so I gave him the address of a small one bedroom loft apartment, we used sometimes.
It was a few blocks away, and I knew it would be empty tonight.
As I walked up the concrete steps I scrambled to put the code into the door.
"Well, goodnight…" I whispered.
He nodded, staring at me with that unfathomable expression again as I looked up at him.
Normally I probably would have sent him away but seeing as my mind was clouded by alcohol I smirked up at him before leaning on the doorway. "Did you want to come up?" I asked, as I crossed my arms over my chest.
A smile grazed his lips as he nodded in response.
I pulled him through the door before it closed behind us.
I unsteadily made my way towards the stairs, laughing when I tripped again as I began to move towards the stairs.
"Woah." He said pulling me to a stop.
"What?" I asked.
"You're drunk to the gills and are about to climb stairs. What do you see wrong with that scenario?" He asked me.
I shrugged, before smirking and moving again. I couldn't wait to get up there and get out of these clothes and shoes. Possibly take a hot bath, and go to bed.
On we go…
"Stop. You're going to break your neck. Is there an elevator around here or something?" He asked.
I furrowed my brow as I tried to think.
Elevator. Elevator. Ah yes, it was being replaced after Rose set off one of her experiments in it.
We are lucky that this happened to be one of the many buildings under my uncle's name.
And that each of us had our own space within this building. Otherwise, we would have been toast.
"It's not working." I mumbled, pointing towards the far wall.
He nodded in response, before I could process what he was saying or respond I found myself upside down l, face to face with his back.
I giggled, as I felt him begin to climb the stairs. "Hey, if I pinch your ass will you drop me?" I asked, curiously as my fingers inched closer to his muscular backside.
"Please don't." He replied, straining as he made his way up the stairs.
"Pity." I muttered, choosing to run my hand slowly down his back and much lower back.
"Which floor is it?" He asked, impatiently.
"Top floor. It's the only door there." I stated plainly, as I propped myself up using his lower back, smirking as I heard him gasp in surprise.
"How many floors does this building have?" He asked.
I looked down at my fingers and frown, as I counted.
"Four? Five? I don't know. We'll find out when we reach the top." I mumbled.
"Oh, for the love of all holy." He murmured, as he set me down.
The walls moved slightly, causing me to stumble to the side slightly.
"Five floors." He announced tiredly.
I giggled, nodding in response before I bent down, pulling the key out from the soil in the plant next to the door.
He sighed, as I jingled the keys towards him.
"You seem annoyed, am I annoying you, Edward?" I asked him, amused.
"No... you're a bit of a little weight aren't you?" He asked, amused.
"No, but it's been a while since I've had any type of alcohol. My tolerance has suffered." I replied.
He nodded before taking the key, and opening it without hesitation.
I pushed past him, and quickly stepped out of my shoes. Before reaching back to unzip my dress.
"What are you doing?" He asked, scandalized, before slamming the door behind himself.
"Getting comfortable. You sit over there. I'll be back in a few minutes." I replied as I practically crawled up the stairs to the bedroom.
I remember changing and heading back downstairs. Then nothing else besides waking up with him on the six piece sectional.
Not going to lie, my body felt as if I had had the most intense work out I'd had in months.
Based on our state of undress, and the throw blanket that was wrapped around both of us, I knew something had happened the night before.
I sighed, slowly sitting up to look over at him.
The blanket was pooled at his waist, giving me an amazing sight of his abs and upper body.
His hands, arms, and chest adorned with black ink.
"I can feel you staring." He mumbled groggily, as he sat up.
"Sorry…" I murmured, peeling my eyes away from his abs, as blood pooled in my cheek. "…Did we?" I asked, quietly.
I heard him sigh, "If you're asking if we had sex, then I believe the answer is pretty obvious." He deadpanned.
"Yeah, it's more than obvious, actually. I feel like my body had an intense workout. So, intense that even my toes hurt." I told him, pulling the throw over my chest.
"If it's any consolation. I usually don't do this type of thing… and my body is just as sore." He murmured wincing, as he turned away to grab his phone.
I bit back a gasp, as I saw the scratches on his back. My eyes practically falling out of their sockets.
Crescent marks along with long jagged red and pink lines now marked the skin on his back.
Suddenly an explosion of images invaded my head.
Sensual touches, fervent kisses, loving smiles. Passionate groans.
The feeling of ecstasy...
A spoken yet unspoken promise.
Holy crap! I was in trouble.
