Chapter 2
Two nights later, I walked into the Hyatt hotel wearing a cream colored sheath dress and red heels. I tended to dress up when I was nervous and feared I'd overdone it a little. This wasn't a traditional date, but what does a girl wear to a meeting such as this? There wasn't even a word to describe this kind of thing. My eyes scanned the restaurant and found him sitting in a booth staring up at the flat screen on the wall. ESPN was doing a pregame show for Monday Night Football.
"You a Ravens fan?" I greeted him.
Edward's head turned quickly at the sound of my voice. "Bella! Hi. I'm so glad you came."
"Me too." I smiled at him, a little comforted to see how normal he looked. Edward was wearing a black linen shirt with buttons down the front and dark jeans. He was clean cut, his hair purposefully messy, and he was more attractive in person than in his photos. He even stood up to greet me properly, putting his hand between us for me to shake.
I took his warm, firm hand in mine and when our eyes met I felt a pulse between my legs that was paralyzing. I suddenly wished we were meeting in one of the rooms upstairs. I've never been so affected by the presence of another human being than I was by Edward Cullen. He was simply dazzling to the point of stupidity on my part. His green eyes quickly drifted over my shoulder and upwards twelve inches to stare at Jacob, who I'd completely forgotten was behind me.
"You weren't kidding about the bodyguard," Edward said.
"What? Oh, no this is my step brother, Jacob." My too-tall and too-muscular brother gave Edward his most intimidating grimace and then nodded.
"Nice to meet you," Jake said sternly. He was laying on the tough guy persona a little thick, but I was still grateful he agreed to come. He was a good brother.
"Pleasure to meet you," Edward replied.
"Thanks, Jake. I'll take it from here," I told him calmly. He hesitated, aware of how nervous I 'd been about this "blind date" just a few minutes ago. I shooed him away from the table with my hands until he finally turned away without a word to go watch the football game at the bar. I'd asked him earlier to hover there while Edward and I talked.
"Sorry. I felt more comfortable coming here with a buddy system; I hope that doesn't offend you. I swear he'll just sit at the bar unless I give him the signal."
"The signal?" Edward asked with a little smirk.
"Yeah. Like if you try anything funny I just tap my nose... and then he pounds you into the ground," I replied with mock seriousness.
Edward gestured for me to take a seat opposite him and waited for me to sit before he did the same. "So, if you scratch an itch on your nose unconsciously I should run like hell, right?"
I laughed because I could tell Edward was kidding. He had a really sexy smile and a seemingly good sense of humor. He launched right into conversation, starting with common things like where we grew up and what my family was like. If he was nervous meeting me it never showed. Edward was charming and easy to talk to. We talked about all kinds of topics, pausing only when the waiter came to the table throughout the meal.
I told him that I was an artist and described a few of my recent works. He wanted to know how Jacob came to be my step bother so I told him the story of my mother's nine month marriage to Jacob's father. The more information I divulged the more questions Edward had, but when I tried getting information about him he was often vague. I learned little more than the fact that he drove a Volvo, his family had been in Maryland for generations, and he had a younger sister who lived with him.
He never brought up the sensitive topics we discussed two nights earlier and I was grateful that he was treating me like a friend instead of a booty call. Before I knew it we were finished dinner and he was asking me if I wanted dessert.
"Would you like to share something? How about the chocolate mousse?"
I nodded and sipped the glass of white wine I'd been nursing throughout the meal. Edward thanked the waiter and then turned an intense gaze in my direction. "Are you ready to talk about why we're here?" he asked quietly.
The shift in his mood caught me off guard and I felt the air fill my lungs as I gasped. "Okay."
"I want to help you with your issues," he began hesitantly. "I want to make you see that you're not alone in what you've been feeling and there's no shame in it. I can help you learn about your new desires and indulge in them. You can practice on me, experiment with the things you like and dislike, Bella. I'll be your guinea pig."
Blushing furiously, I looked away from his sparkling green eyes. Edward appeared to be so excited about his offer; it didn't make sense why he'd be willing to play with an amateur like me. "Why do you want to do this so much? I'll make mistakes and probably hurt you. Why don't you want to be with someone who already knows what she's doing? I'm sure a man as handsome as you could find another... Domme easily."
Edward smiled when I whispered "Domme." My embarrassment seemed to amuse him.
"Because there's something about you, Bella. I'm fascinated with you; have been since I first saw your profile picture. But you're right about one thing. You probably will hurt me a few times while you're learning. That's why I want it to be me." He took a deep breath like he was about to admit something that would be difficult to say. I held my breath.
"There's something you need to know about me, Bella. I'm a professional escort. I specialize in BDSM clients, people who like to control their partners during sex."
Immediately, I stood up and backed away from him. My eyes darted over to the bar and met Jacob's concerned glare. I shook my head at him, not wanting my brother to interfere during my moment of immense embarrassment.
"Bella, please sit a minute," Edward said calmly. He reached out to slip his fingers around my wrist but I yanked my arm away before he touched me.
"You want me to pay you for sex?" I spat through clenched teeth. "That's why you asked me here, to make me a client?"
"I came here to help you. You wouldn't be paying me for sex. I prefer to call it training. Please just sit down and give me five minutes to explain."
"How much will five minutes cost?" I replied sarcastically. He smiled and my anger thawed a little.
"I assure you that you're under no obligations. This is just a friendly meeting to see if we might be compatible. And as freaked out as you are right now, I've noticed you haven't yet walked away. Just let me explain what it is I do."
Deep down I'd known there had to be some catch to Edward's interest in me, but I thought it would be something like he had a girlfriend who liked to watch, or a nasty coke habit, or something along those lines. But a prostitute? I was beyond humiliated. I should have known what that Facebook Group was all about. How could that girl from my high school post about her date with one of the men if what they did was illegal? I really wanted to chew her out for suggesting the site to me and other naive people online, but then I'd have to admit I made my own appointment. There was no way I'd ever admit this to anyone, ever.
Edward smiled again, turning on the charm full force. Did he already know that I couldn't resist that face? The shirtless picture he'd sent me flashed in my mind. Damn him for being so sexy. He was the most dangerous creature I'd ever met; I should have been running for the door but for some reason I felt myself slowly sliding back into the booth. Edward sighed in relief, leaning forward on his elbows so he could speak closer to me. I felt myself leaning in too, suddenly eager to hear more about his sordid profession.
"Maryland's Mingle is like a dating service. They call it escorts but sex is never part of the deal. Women typically use the service when they need a date, like at a wedding, high school reunion, or just a lonely Saturday night. Don't misunderstand, sometimes sex happens after the escorts fulfill their agreement for the evening, but it's always consensual. Most of the guys just think of it as a job perk, but it only happens off duty. You see? So it's not prostitution."
"When you messaged me online you only talked about sex."
Edward grinned mischievously. "I could have offered to take you to dinner and a movie, but that was clearly not going to fit your specific needs. Some of us at MMM take our jobs more seriously off the books. We offer women what they're really looking for."
"What does that mean?"
"Sex, Bella. I work as an escort, but I also take on side projects such as yourself. I like clients who have special sexual requests. I told you I like kinky sex and I know a lot about submission. You and I would be good together, I'd let you do anything you want with me. Experiment with your desire to control. Tie me up, make me do things to you; learn what it is you crave from this lifestyle. And most importantly, gain the confidence in yourself that you desperately need."
My fingernails were digging into the palms of my hands as he spoke; visions of what he described turning me on more and more. When I didn't respond, Edward took that as a sign to continue. He told me more about the company he worked for and how our arrangement would work. He showed me a contract he'd brought with the hopes I'd take it home for consideration. The paperwork was little more than his list of sexual limits and a commitment for anonymity, but it did include his medical records with STD testing from just three weeks ago.
"There's no fee listed here," I whispered as I looked over his contract.
"I operate on a cash only basis, off the record. This isn't part of my job at MMM, remember? It's my after hours, moonlighting services," he joked. "For beginners like you it's a hundred dollars for a three hour session."
"When would we start?" I asked feeling nervous about discussing such things in the lobby of a hotel with my brother sitting twenty feet away.
"Not tonight," he smiled reading my mind. "I never schedule sessions with women when alcohol is involved. At least not at first. Go home, think it over, and call me when you're ready."
"You say that like your sure I'm going to call," I said.
"I want you to. You're beautiful, Bella, and you deserve to be happy."
Edward smiled brilliantly as he pulled his wallet from his back pocket and left enough cash on the table to cover our meal and a generous tip. He stood, offered his hand to me, which I took, and then leaned in swiftly to kiss my cheek. His cologne blew past me and he smelled so delicious that I almost told him yes right then and there. There was no denying the fact that I wanted him. I wondered if he could tell.
He whispered goodbye and then looked over his shoulder to wave to Jacob who was staring at us from the bar. Edward left me there, clutching his contract in one hand and the edge of the table in the other because I felt like I might fall over.
I would give myself a few days to think over everything Edward said, but as I watched him leave, noting how amazing his ass looked in the tight jeans, I already knew that he was right. I wanted this and I sure as hell was going to call him to set up my first session as soon as possible.
~#~
It was eight days later when I returned to the Hyatt and paid cash for a room on the ninth floor. Since I had requested our meeting take place in the hotel, Edward asked that I pay for the room in addition to his hundred dollar fee. He'd told me that quite often women change their minds and back out before their first session, leaving him with the hotel bill. I understood his need for the precaution but it didn't help with my nerves. I could see this becoming a very expensive education.
I entered the hotel room an hour before Edward's expected arrival so I could have time to prepare. I showered and shaved my legs, changed my clothes, and put my supplies in one of the dresser drawers. There was no chance of calming down the rapid rate of my heart, so I took to pacing the room while I waited. Edward knocked on the door at exactly eight o'clock and I looked down at my clothes one final time. I didn't want to make a big production of this meeting and chose a simple sleeveless blouse and jeans. I had no idea what he would be wearing.
When I opened the door and saw Edward had on a t-shirt and jeans, it somehow relaxed me a little. He smiled at me in a friendly way and didn't hesitate before entering the hotel room. He did other simple things to make me more comfortable like adjusting the lights to a dimmer setting, turning on the radio to an AM jazz station, and kicking off his shoes with ease. There was no tension visible in his movements and his comfort in what we were about to do was reassuring.
"Would you like to discuss a scene you have in mind or do you want to start slower?" he asked.
"Um, I didn't think I had to plan anything out. I don't know how to start," I replied, crossing my arms over my chest protectively.
"No worries, Bella. There are no expectations on my end. I want you to take this only as far as you're comfortable. Let's start really simple."
Edward moved slowly, walking over to where I stood in the middle of the room and then surprisingly dropped to his knees about three feet in front of me. He closed his eyes and took a slow, cleansing breath. From the little research I've done on dominance and submission, I was able to recognize his actions for what they were. Edward was preparing his state of mind to submit to me. It lit a fire of lust deep in my belly to see him transferring control to me. I liked it even more that I thought I would.
"What do I do?" I asked in a raspy voice.
With closed eyes Edward replied respectfully in a manner that I'd never experienced before. "Miss Bella, begin by giving me one simple order. Perhaps you'd like me to remove my clothes? Or think of a fantasy that you've had and give me directions in order to make it become real."
I looked at the beautiful man submitting at my feet and something changed inside me. The power I felt welling up inside me was a rush of endorphins like I'd never felt before. I didn't fear Edward, not in his current frame of mind, and there were so many things I'd like to make him do. So many ideas came to mind that it was difficult to pick just one, but I decided to start with the logical.
"I want to watch you get undressed," I said, trying to sound firm and decisive. "Shirt first. Stay on your knees." Edward's mouth twitched slightly but to his credit he was able to fight off the smirk. I could hear the insecurity in my own voice too, but was thankful that he ignored it. He was better at this than I'd expected.
His right hand slowly rose from his side over the hem of the dark gray t-shirt and upwards across his chest. It continued over his shoulder and grasped a fistful of t-shirt between his shoulder blades. I bit my lip as he tugged on the cotton and brought the shirt over his head, down his arms, and dropped it on the floor by his knees. His body was amazing, like sculpted muscle covered by soft flawless skin. His chest was scattered with just the right amount of hair. The fine brown hairs skipped over his impressive abdominal muscles and reappeared below his navel before disappearing under the jeans.
"Now the pants," I instructed as I backed up to sit in the wing back chair a few feet from the bed. "Stand up and take them off."
Edward's eyes opened as he followed my command but they stayed focused on the carpet beneath his feet. His hands slowly unzipped the fly, and I watched his biceps as they curled up and then pushed the pants to the floor. He stood before me; head respectfully bowed towards the floor, wearing nothing but white socks and black boxer briefs.
"Socks."
He obediently toed them off, kicking them to the side of the room. Edward probably anticipated my asking him to remove the last bit of clothing that protected his modesty, but I wanted to do something unexpected next. I was the one in control now after all.
"Slide your hand into your boxers, Edward. I want you to stroke yourself."
I swore I saw his dick twitch beneath the cotton as I gave my command. It excited me to think he might really be enjoying this, as he had promised me when we discussed this last week. He wasn't hard yet and I stared in fascination as his size increased the longer Edward's hand moved up and down his length. I let him continue until he moaned involuntarily, his cock now hard and tenting in his boxers.
"Stop now. Walk into the bathroom and remove the underwear. You're going to shower for me with the curtain drawn."
No reaction showed on Edward's face as he followed my instructions, walking into the hotel bathroom with me close behind. I hopped up onto the vanity and crossed my legs as Edward turned away from me and bent forward, removing the boxer briefs slowly. His ass was tight and perfect, just like the rest of him. I wanted to touch him but was still too scared to make physical contact. I was having enough fun ogling his naked body and really wanted to see him wash himself. I would decide later how far I was willing to go physically.
Edward stepped into the shower and pushed the white curtain as far open as it would go before turning on the water. It was cold at first and he shied away from the stream, pressing his back against the tiled wall, giving me my first full view of his naked body. My thighs pressed together as a familiar sensation of arousal coursed through me and nearly exploded between my legs. It was like seeing the statue of David in the flesh, only erotically aroused and smirking at me.
I was caught off guard to see Edward looking at me for the first time since we began, and the blood rushed into my cheeks in response. I felt like a voyeur, which should have made me feel shame, but instead it only fueled the fantasy. I was watching him like a voyeur; quietly observing something that usually happens in private. I wanted him to pretend I wasn't there so he would act natural.
"Can you pass me the soap?" Edward asks in a thick sexy voice.
My hands felt around for the complimentary bar of soap and shampoo provided by the hotel and handed both items to him. Steam was beginning to form around him and Edward adjusted the temperature slightly as he stepped under the water. He tipped his head back to wet his hair and opened the soap at the same time. Mesmerized, I watched him lather up his chest and stomach, run the soap over and under each arm, and then through the shortly trimmed hair on his groin. Edward pumped his erect cock with one hand while tipping his head back until water ran all over his face. I bit my lip so hard I almost bled. Edward had definitely showered for a woman before. Probably many times over, but damn was he good at seduction. It made me curious what else he was good at.
He washed his hair next and it was just as erotic a show as the soap had been. Edward must have been showering for nearly fifteen minutes before I realized he was waiting for me to give him new directions. Being in charge of a person's every decision was going to take some practice.
"Thank you, Edward. You can dry yourself off now. I want you to go into the other room when you're dry and lie down on the bed."
I snuck out of the bathroom while he did as I asked and sprinted over to my drawer of toys. I'd bought them online the night I agreed to this session with Edward. They were some of the many things I'd been fantasizing about using, but had never experimented with before now. Would I have the courage to use them if Edward allowed me?
I was beginning to realize that Edward would indeed do just about anything I asked of him. I heard the bed creak as he got into position. The sense of power I felt every time he obeyed one of my commands thrilled me, but it also made me nervous. His trust in me seemed unending. I decided I had to enjoy this real life fantasy while it lasted, so I took a deep breath and pulled the handcuffs and velvet blindfold out of the drawer. As I turned around I saw Edward was indeed lying in the center of the queen sized bed on his back and still gloriously naked.
"How am I doing?" I asked seriously.
Edward's head turned towards me and he smiled. "You're doing great. I'm curious to see what you're going to do next, and obviously what you've done so far has excited me," he replied thrusting his hips upward to draw my attention to his continuing arousal.
I pulled the chair a little closer to the bed and sat down to observe some more. "I want to watch you touch yourself again. Pleasure yourself with your hand."
Edward pumped his length for me, slow at first, but then his eyes closed and the expression on his face stiffened. After a minute or so I could see the tension in his body increase with the faster pace of his hand movements. It was fascinating to watch but I didn't want him coming by his own hand.
"Stop now."
His hand dropped to the bed immediately and fingers clenched the sheets. I liked seeing him struggle with his own control. I waited thirty seconds and had him begin again. This time I let Edward get closer to orgasm, his head was raised off the bed to watch himself and beads of sweat were forming on his brow.
"Stop," I yelled. His head fell back against the pillow. "Do you like being watched like this?" I asked quietly.
"Yes. So much."
"Good. Do it again."
Edward took a deep breath, preparing himself, and then grabbed the base of his cock for a third time. I bit my lip and clenched my thighs together as he sighed and moaned; his pleasure building and building the longer he masturbated in front of me.
"Stop now." Edward groaned in protest but released his throbbing cock.
"No more of that for now, I'm not ready for you to come yet."
He whimpered in response. Whimpered! I loved it. The sound made me want to tease him more. "I'm going to handcuff you now, is that okay?" I asked.
Edward raised his hands over his head and nodded. His eyes were wide and curious. I could tell by his expression that we were finally getting into the part of the scene that he would really enjoy. The harder stuff. I cuffed his hands, looping the metal chain through the railing in the bed frame so he couldn't get up. Then I showed him the blindfold I had tucked in my back pocket and he smirked.
"I was right. You're loving this, aren't you?" he asked.
"You have no idea," I answered with a smile before slipping the velvet over his eyes.
I stood there for a moment checking to be sure he had zero vision and just appreciating my handiwork. Edward's hair was just starting to dry and the dark bronze locks were going in every direction. I watched his chest rise and fall with the even, relaxed breaths he took. And I admired his cock, still hard and perpendicular to his body. Ready for whatever I wanted.
Then I backed away; slowly so he wouldn't hear my footsteps. I wanted him to wonder where I was in the room. Pacing back and forth the small space at the end of the bed, I observed. Every so often Edward's arms would flex, trying to get more comfortable while held in one position for so long. His head turned left and right listening for the sound of my footsteps. Occasionally he bit his lip or wiggled his toes.
"Bella?" he called after five or so minutes had passed.
I didn't respond, just opened and closed a drawer of the dresser to freak him out.
"What are you doing?" he tried again in a slightly panicked voice.
Wetness pooled between my legs and I touched myself idly there as I watched. He continued searching for me, moving his head about to try and pick up any sound of movement. I smiled to myself.
"Relax and keep quiet. I signed your agreement so you know that you won't be harmed."
Just then, I approached him from the end of the bed and grabbed his softening cock in my hand. It was the first time I'd touched him and Edward gasped in surprise and the unexpected contact. My hand stroked him roughly at first until he hardened again. I stroked up and down his length with my fingers, just enjoying the size of him under that silky pink skin. I lifted his balls and rolled them gently in my fingers. Edward moaned softly and he seemed to be relaxing under my touch. So I continued touching him, exploring his body with my hands. I wanted to make him feel completely vulnerable. I wanted to get a good long look at him while he was defenseless. I liked that I was viewing him naked and bound while he saw nothing of my body in return.
In fact, there was something about objectifying him that turned me on like nothing ever had before. My hands roamed over his legs, hips, and groin. His body felt good beneath my hands and I could tell Edward was enjoying the intimate contact because he mewled and arched his back several times. Soon enough I couldn't take the pressure between my legs anymore. I backed away with no verbal explanation. Silently I stripped my clothes off and sat naked in the wing back chair.
My disappearance unnerved him again and it wasn't long before he began calling out for me. Instead of reassuring him that all was well, I used the apprehension in his voice to get myself off. He struggled on the bed, occasionally calling my name in vein attempts to figure out what I was doing. Meanwhile, I touched myself, thrust my middle finger deep inside, and watched him writhe on the bed.
"Bella? Bella?" he called as I attended to myself.
The more noise he made the closer I got to my orgasm. Soon, the sight of his naked body, the sound of fear in his voice, and the thrashing of his head was too much and I came harder than I have in years. I must have moaned despite my efforts to conceal the explosion of sensations I felt, because Edward turned his blindfolded head towards the sound.
"Bella? Did you just come?" he asked. I ignored him while I put all my clothes back on. "Come on, Bella. I heard you. Please talk to me."
When I was dressed and sexually satisfied I walked to the end of the bed to inspect my submissive. His erection had deflated and he was quiet again. His breathing was ragged and I could tell he knew I was standing by his feet, listening carefully for my next move.
My hands reached out and grabbed his ankles, carefully tugging him further down the bed so his arms were straightened over his head. Holding his legs down, I leaned forward and kissed his inner thigh.
"Oh, God," he moaned. He seemed genuinely surprised that I was offering him pleasure.
I kissed and licked his skin, enjoying once again the freedom of his bondage. I should have tied up his ankles too because I wanted to control every aspect of his movement.
"Don't move your legs or I'll stop," I whispered and pushed his legs apart. He moaned as I crawled up the bed between his thighs and began paying attention to his cock with my mouth. In just a few minutes Edward was worked up again and I was taking him fully into my mouth, sucking and licking with fervor.
"Oh, fuck. Oh God, Bella!" he whimpered. I was sucking him off almost violently, pumping him with the strength of my mouth.
He came a few moments later, groaning and cursing under his breath almost like he'd been trying to prevent his orgasm from happening. I took his semen into my mouth and held it until he was finished. When Edward sighed and his muscles unclenched, I spit his cum onto his stomach. One of my fingers slid through the warm goo as he lifted his head in shock.
"Take the blindfold off, Bella," he requested quietly. I ignored him, swirling his cum around with my finger, tentatively taking a lick to taste him. Then I wiped him up with a towel from the bathroom.
"My eyes, Bella. Please," he repeated.
It occurred to me then that he was probably feeling more vulnerable after climaxing than he had all evening. And I was being so quiet he had no way of knowing what I had planned next. He'd been so good to me, so patient, and I wanted Edward to be able to trust me. So I complied with his request, sat down next to his chest on the bed, and pulled the blindfold off his face. His forehead was perspiring and he blinked his eyes a number of times before looking at my face. His green eyes were wild; he looked slightly terrified.
"Can you uncuff me now, please?" he begged.
Without responding to him, I retrieved his underwear from the bathroom floor and slide it back onto his body. Enjoying the task of dressing him, I did the same with his jeans. He smirked slightly as I struggled to get them on in his prostrate position. Finally, I released his hands from the cuffs and he pulled his arms down to hug his torso absentmindedly.
I watched as Edward took a few deep breaths and hopped off the bed to find his shirt and shoes.
"I still have another hour," I said. Edward quickly put his shirt on and laughed gruffly.
"I'll apply the credit to next time."
"Are you serious? Would you really do this again with me?" I was doubtful because he seemed very eager to leave.
Edward smirked at me and ran a hand through his hair. "Of course. That was amazing. I was genuinely scared for a minute or two."
"But you don't want to stay any longer," I replied.
He was fully dressed now and tying the laces of his shoes when he stopped and looked me in the eyes. "I'm not afraid of you, but this was intense. We both need some time to come down from that high. If I can make a suggestion? You should stay here in the hotel tonight, give yourself time to think about everything we've done and how you feel about it."
I nodded as he checked his pockets for his wallet and keys. It reminded me I hadn't yet paid him, so I scurried over to the dresser and grabbed the hundred dollar bill I owed him. He thanked me before stuffing it into the front pocket of his jeans. I followed him to the door, not sure if we'd really see one another again, despite his claim that we would.
As he was leaving the room, he turned to say goodbye and stopped before he spoke. His brow furrowed and I could tell there was something on his mind more significant that "see ya later."
"Did you have any desire at all that whole time to kiss me?"
I blushed, feeling more like myself again than I had in the past two hours. "Of course I did."
Edward had somehow regained the upper hand and his self confidence. He was standing in the hall, the door jam between us, looking sexy and cocky again. "I'm asking because I'm not used to having a woman touch me all the ways you did and not even steal a single kiss," he purred.
"Kissing is personal. I didn't know if you'd want me to initiate an emotional connection between us."
Edward glanced down at my lips and leaned a few inches closer to me, saying with his body language that he in fact was not opposed to kissing me.
"I thought you were officially off the clock," I quipped. He smiled brilliantly.
"This kiss is on the house. A little insurance that you'll call me again," he whispered and leaned in to press his lips to mine.
His mouth was gentle but commanding, and it seemed Edward did like to assert control in some regards. He held my face in his hands and I let him lead while waves of emotion hit me over and over again. The reality of the last two hours came crashing down on me as we kissed. Edward had been right; I had a lot to think about.
I waited for him to break the kiss and when he did, he was smiling. I think I was too.
"Good night, Bella," he said.
I watched him walk down the hall, turning to offer a smile and wave as he stepped into the elevator. And then he was gone.
