Chapter Six—Date Night I


The call with Edward's mother didn't last as long as he expected, because his mother sensed his anxiety about his first date with Isabella. The last few days with Isabella had seemed effortless, other than trying not to lie.

The guilt of lying through omission ate away at him—especially, the more he got to know her. Would she forgive him if they reached the point where he'd lay it all out on the line?

Edward signed for a delivery from Chicago, though it had been rerouted numerous times around the country as a precaution. Nothing back home could tie Edward Masen to the Cullen Family. If their enemies knew he was there, practically alone, it could prove fatal. People knew Edward was no slouch when it came to weapons, intimidation, and murder. Jasper might have been the most lethal of the three of Cullen boys, but Edward knew how to serve revenge on a fucking platter when they least expected it, destroying his target financially and mentally. So much so, that in some cases, it ended with a self-inflicted bullet to the head.

A few minutes after the arrival of several boxes, Riley and a couple others from the crew arrived to check out the contents and make sure they were safe for Edward to handle. They weren't taking any chances; one of their enemies loved using Anthrax. Word was, the wrong people knew Jasper was at the center, and with Edward's noticeable disappearance, they believed he was staying close to his brother. Their enemies wouldn't dare try to get to Jasper on center grounds. They would likely attack the second he stepped off it.

Rumor had it that the hired guns for the center were the same crew Edward's father used. Carlisle liked to use the best. However, the contractor's insistence of keeping their identity secretive always made Edward nervous. Once Edward turned of age and could attend family meetings and participate in the business, he'd expressed his concerns for using outside contractors for the special cases requiring experts. What if they turned against them? Or take contractors that could hurt their family in the end?

After explaining his reasons why he worked with the particular contractors at a meeting, years ago, Carlisle Cullen told Edward what happened when he was a child. Something Edward had struggled with for years to remember and forget at the same time.

The contractors had served the family for decades, and during Edward's, great grandfather's era, one of their family members saved one of the contractor's own. They'd pledged total allegiance to the Cullen Family from that moment. They would never take a contract that had any effect on the Cullen Family, but only in exchange for their identities would remain a secret for generations to come, even the head of the family.

The deal with the contractors all came crashing down when a fallout during Uncle Caius's heavy-handed rule caused the bond to break. That was until, in desperation to find Edward, Carlisle asked for their help, stipulating the contractors could have total secrecy of their identity. The contractors only asked upon Edward's return for Uncle Caius to step down. The family voted and agreed to the terms, naming Carlisle head of the family.

It had taken the contractors three days to find Edward and bring him home. Caius hadn't been able to do that in a month and with a security team of fifty men. However, during the rescue, the head contractor lost a member of the team. Carlisle respectfully had everyone involved in Edward's kidnapping killed; except, for the elusive man who haunted Edward's nightmares.

He was never found.

Edward was brought out of old memories and nightmares by Riley waving a hand in his face.

"The boxes are clean, boss." He tipped his chin toward the table covered with dozens of boxes. "Want us to get to work?"

"Start scanning every fucking piece of paper for the database, then we'll go from there." Edward pointed toward three scanners on another table he set up earlier. Jenks hadn't been able to hack to retrieve the computer files from the Chicago PD, and their connections inside the force were old school. They barely knew how to enter information for reports, much less provide their team a way into their network. Once he returned home, he would work to get some new, younger sources on the force. "There's a flatbed one in the office for bulky items."

Edward's fingers itched to get his hands on all the information, wanting to find out if Alec had more victims out there, and if they were connected to the Cullen Family. If they were, was there someone on the inside helping Alec? "I should help."

Riley shook his head. "We can handle this part, Edward. Besides, you don't want this kind of shit in your head," he walked over to a file, pulling out a gruesome photo of a Jane Doe, "before your date tonight."

Edward realized Riley was right and decided to get some other shit done. There was a lot of data, and he still needed to get some external drives up and be ready for all of it.

.

.

.

The night finally arrived, and they had agreed to meet at the cafe since Isabella's apartment was above it. Edward already knew that information, thanks to Jenks, but Isabella didn't need to know that. The weather was warmer than Edward expected, a blessing in disguise. Isabella chose not to take a coat, but a sexy, almost see-through shawl.

Edward helped her into it; his mouth nearly watered as his hands swept down her arms. She was so warm and soft. She smelled subtly sweet, a hint of spicy and floral, which made him think of summer nights.

Hot, sweaty, summer nights.

"I love this thing, because the fabric is so silky." Isabella hummed at Edward's touch, taking the smallest step back against his chest. Her ass almost brushed against his hips, but he managed to avoid it. He wanted to pull her body into his and let her feel what she did to him.

Edward lifted her hair out from under the fabric, catching as it fell, exposing one naked shoulder. "I was thinking the same thing about your skin." He bent low enough to press a kiss to a tiny grouping of freckles on her neck, then settling her cover up on her again.

A slight gasp slipped from her lips.

If Edward didn't lead her out of the cafe, he'd try convincing her to head upstairs to her bedroom. He had a feeling she wouldn't reject him either. All indications were there: the pebbling of her nipples under her dress, the way her head lolled to one side, giving him more access to her skin, and the way she subtly swayed her ass against his front.

"Come, before we miss our reservations." Edward guided her with his hand on the small of her back, the warmth of her body coming through and warming his palm.

Isabella sighed, nodding. "You're right." She waved at Jessica, who was standing behind the counter by the vase of flowers he'd brought for Isabella.

Edward led her outside, chuckling when Isabella stopped long enough to check if a car had the proper plaques for the handicap space—it did. She seemed like such a law-abiding citizen, someone who followed all the rules. Then there were moments where Edward swore there was more to her, something that said she would understand him.

He just didn't know what it was, and it was distracting him.

"Before we go, can we please take my car? You can even drive." She looked up at him, holding out her keys.

"I'm having a difficult time believing you're letting me drive your car." Edward gripped the key fob, walking toward her Audi.

"I'd have to jump up to get into your truck. Not a good idea in what I'm wearing."

As if Edward could forget the dress. There was a sexy amount of skin showing, the perfect amount; leaving just enough for his mind to imagine what the rest of her looked like, sending his imagination into overdrive. When she had walked down into the cafe, he'd done a double take. The neckline of her red, short dress curved and plunged between her breasts, the fabric flaring out at her waist in a couple of layers. She paired that with tall, thin heels that wrapped around her ankles, leaving mile-long legs. Isabella, in that dress, would haunt his dreams for weeks.

Edward stopped, his hand catching her elbow before she walked past him and his truck. "Let me make something clear: I'm not trying to compensate for anything. The truck, I mean."

Isabella's red lips morphed into an all-knowing smirk. "I'm well aware you're not trying to compensate, Edward." She stepped closer, her softness caressing every hard plane of him. Her teeth bit the corner of her lip, no doubt loving the effect she had on him. "Very aware of it."

There was no missing the length of his hard cock between them with her so close. The slacks he wore did little to hide it—not that she was complaining. If anything, she wanted to explore him. For the last week, whenever he stopped by, it was like that between them: teasing, some innuendo, and a whole lot of heat. How the hell was he supposed to resist her? He couldn't jump into bed with the first woman who stirred his interests and met the criteria he wanted in a wife.

Nothing is wrong with some banter. Just keep it light.

"Don't flatter yourself, Isabella." He pointed at her car. "It's the black R8 that has me excited."

Laughing, she gave him a playful push, a sound of satisfaction on her lips when he didn't budge an inch. The muscles along his abs tensed under her touch, his dick got harder, which she definitely noticed.

"That's a shame and such a waste. I'm not exciting you?" She did a spin, her dress flying over her gorgeous thighs, giving him a peek of matching, barely-there underwear. "Not certain I want to go dancing anymore." She gave him a soft pout, making everything he strove to control harder.

"Isabella." The whisper was meant to ease his desire, and be a warning to her.

"I'm not sure what you're trying to achieve with all this 'I'm just a normal guy' act, but it needs to stop." She put her hand on his chest, pushing a little harder and forcing him to take a step back. "It's in your eyes, Edward; they give you away. You're not easygoing and calm. You're shrewd, hard, and no holds barred kind of man. You're used to taking what you want. Why are you hiding behind this fake exterior?"

How the fuck did she know? He cocked an eyebrow, keeping the ease in his stance so not to give himself away more. "The same can be said about you." He had sensed something the first time she walked into the same room as him. His first instinct was to grab his gun, but why?

She shrugged, gesturing to the car. "Other than the fancy car and nice place upstairs, no one would know I'm financially comfortable. Besides, everyone has secrets."

Edward shook his head, taking a step toward her. "There's more to you than a cafe and fancy car. I don't know what it is, but I want to find out."

She sidestepped him. "I'll let you in if you let me do the same."

Three more steps, his moving forward, pressed her against her sexy car. His eyes drifted from the dark waves that framed her face, down the length of her neck. He thought it was unadorned the first time he saw her, but he was wrong. Constellations of light freckles danced along her collarbones and neck, between her breasts, as if her entire body was made of galaxies.

He was dying to explore.

"Are you sure you're ready for the real me? Is that what you want?" His lips hovered over her cheek, their noses barely touching. His words a mere whisper. "If it were up to only me, I'd fuck you against this car and not give a damn about anyone watching."

"There you are." Her shuddering breath teased his ear, her lips sucking before she bit him.

His hands grasped her hips, pulling her tight to him.

"As much as I'd love to say please, I won't." She pulled back to smirk up at him. "I need to see you dance first."

"So the mark of a worthy man is a good dancer." He laughed at her nod, kissing her hard but quick. "Good, keep me on my toes, and maybe I'll stay." He shrugged when she made a face of disgust. "I usually don't stick around, Isabella."

It was the truth; though, he didn't have anywhere near the number of notches as his brothers. He simply ended a relationship with a woman once it went stagnant or he saw no future in it.

He opened the passenger door for her and stilled. The low profile of her R8 exposed a tantalizing amount of skin along her outer and inner thighs as she climbed inside.

"You're a beautiful woman, Isabella." Taking her advice of showing her the kind of man he was, he brushed the tip of his forefinger along her thigh. "Impossible to resist, too." Something in her eyes made him continue. "I suspect you already know that, don't you?"

"I may use it to my advantage on occasion," was her answer.

"Of that, I have no doubt." He closed the door, circling her car, taking a quick survey of the street. Several vehicles behind them was a parked SUV he knew had four men inside. They were under his father's orders to keep an eye on him during his date. Another security team was also around, keeping their ears on the community, listening in case Edward's identity was compromised.

Alec Rossi was still missing, and until he was found, Edward would have to look over his shoulder. It did not sit well with him to risk Isabella, not when the bastard was out there. The file on Alec was over three inches thick, and the man was a sick sonuvabitch—especially, when it came to women.

Edward slipped into the car, taking off within seconds. After a couple miles, he caressed the steering wheel and glanced at Isabella. "It handles nicely."

"Yeah, well, I had a sweet GTX, but I sold it when an interested buyer insisted it had to be his." Her lips curled into a sneer for a moment. "The asshole, Mike, was near stalker level with his persistence. In the end, I sold it to him so he'd stop harassing my employees."

"Something tells me you didn't let him get away with his persistence."

Isabella's shoulder shrugged delicately. She didn't bother to elaborate; though, Edward planned to learn what the consequences of pissing her off would be. He was a Cullen, after all; they'd fight, and likely with a fiery passion. A part of him was looking forward to it, and the making up, as well.

"You look good behind the wheel of my car, Edward."

"Don't sound so surprised. I've test drove a few of these." His mother had a blue one just like it, a birthday present from her boys.

She hummed; a delicious sound he knew he'd hear when she writhed beneath him. "Just making an observation." She rubbed her thighs together.

His knowing smile made her laugh; as if she knew she'd been caught.

"Are you still thinking about what I said earlier, Isabella?" He was—considering the way she continued to shift her thighs, he thought of little else.

"As if I could forget what you said." She crossed her legs.

It was impossible to keep his eyes on the road, but he somehow managed.

"Why don't you tell me about yourself, Edward?"

They had time; the drive into the city would be almost forty minutes long, depending on the traffic. He had his cover story, but it would mean lying more than he liked. Would she see right through him?

"There's not much to tell, other than I had one of those seven figures jobs back home. Fast cars, faster women, but it was all meaningless at the end of the day. It was a lot of stress—sometimes I had to get my hands dirty to get things done, leaving a bad taste in my mouth." Jasper's downward spiral and dead wife came to Edward's mind. "It left very little time to truly enjoy life. At least in this way."

"This way?"

He looked at her and saw her eyes full of understanding. "Taking the time to get to know someone, savoring, and simply enjoying every moment."

She seemed to like his answer. "I understand what you mean. Believe it or not, I used to work as a contractor before I owned my first cafe. It's a family business, and though my dad never expected me to follow in his footsteps, I did. I enjoyed the work, but after a while, I needed a simpler life."

"There's nothing simple about running a business."

"No, but this is easier to me." Her fingers plucked imaginary lint off her dress, a nervous gesture. "I still work with my dad on occasion, depending on the project, consulting more than hands-on. Though, I might have to help more now."

Something akin to sadness filled her eyes when Edward glanced at her. "What do you mean?"

"My dad was badly injured during his last job." Anger seeped into her tone. "If I had been there, instead of overseeing the expansion at the cafe, he would be fine now."

Edward wasn't sure what to say. When it came to anything important, vital to the family, he liked to take care of things himself. He had more confidence in himself than anyone else.

"I can see why that would upset you, because family is important to you. I tend to be the same. If you want something done, you have to do it yourself."

She laughed.

"What?" Edward raised his brows.

"You understand me a little already. I like that." She smiled, lifting a finger to her mouth, biting the tip. It wasn't a nervous tick, but one meant to tease him.

It was working, a little too well. He'd been hard since he had pushed her against the car earlier.

Isabella sighed, rolling her eyes in what he could interpret as frustration. "I said all this to the crew who worked the job with my dad, and they said no matter what, he would've been hurt. I called bullshit on them."

Her short, red nails bit into her palms, her jaw clenched, the light muscles of her arms and thighs tightening as she spoke. She looked ready to strike.

"They'd always been afraid of me, but now they can't even look me in the eye after I saw my dad in that hospital bed. It scared the fuck out of me; of course, I may have taken it out on them." She was a little sheepish, but not much. Her anger came to the forefront again. "All I know is every one of them is scared to even talk to me anymore, because those fuckers feel guilty."

"Easy there, Rocky." Edward hoped to get her to smile again. Her anger seemed to be the most prominent emotion, but he detected the hint of guilt and sadness, maybe even a little fear. "My little spitfire."

She punched his arm, and not lightly. "I'm not a little spitfire. I'm a fucking inferno when it comes to the people and things I love. It's best you know that now."

"Consider me informed, but I might need a reminder not to piss you off."

"Oh Edward, if I have to remind you, it probably means it's too late."

His laughter was genuine, and he realized he liked her already.


AN: Sorry for the delay, its been a busy few weeks. Now the kids are out of school, my schedule should loosen up a little, meaning more writing time. Working on the last epilogue and futuretake for Punch Me, and a contest entry, so hopefully more updates coming soon. Thanks to midnight cougar for all your help with this fic.