Chapter 11- Lesson 1, Part 2
A/N: Welcome back! So glad to see everyone again :-) I'm excited that we're over 100 reviews! You guys are awesome :) And all these follows! *SQUEE!*
As always, I have to say, my appreciation for my betas exceeds words- ninmesarra and prettyflour, you ladies are so awesome! And of course, any errors that remain are my own fault and no reflection of their complete and utter awesomeness!
As always, I own nothing, SM owns it all…
~*C2C*~
Last Chapter…
I hoped he couldn't tell I was trying to distract him from what I could see he wanted to ask.
It didn't work though. He still asked the dreaded question… "Who's Sam?"
"Sam's uh, well he's-" I swallowed thickly trying to find the word that best described him. I was saved by Jane.
"Sam is her ass of an ex. Actually that's not quite right- He's her stupid, son-of-bitch-cheating, probably disease-ridden, ass of an ex."
"Nice Jane. Thanks for that." I turned back to Eddie, "Sam is my ex. We were together for a couple of years. I found out he liked sex- like all the time, and he didn't care who he banged. And he was a royal jerk. It was my fault- no matter what- it was all my fault that he couldn't keep his dick outta every girl he crossed paths with that would spread'em." I paused for a breath and re-thought my words. My hand clapped across my mouth. Eddie was laughing- really hard and loud. "Eddie! Oh my God! I'm so sorry! That was really crude! I shouldn't have-"
"Bella, stop." Eddie was laughing so hard he could barely form words, "It's okay. You didn't say anything but the truth! Just, remind me to never cross you."
Jane cast a glance behind her, "Here comes your drinks. And just a warning- that's Sam's-"
"Hello Bella," Simon greeted me.
"Hey, Simon." I was less than thrilled to see him and I wasn't doing a great job of hiding it. "How's it going?"
"Obviously not well. I'm working here after all."
"Oh. Well. Um. At least you have a job, right? You could be unemployed, right?" There I went, trying to make the best of an awkward situation.
"But, Bella, I had a job until you fired me."
"That was no one's fault but your own Simon. You were my assistant. You were supposed to file and take care of correspondence and copies. That's it. You couldn't do that. You had to try to sabotage my job after I caught your brother cheating on me. If that makes you mad, that's just too bad. You were adding errors back into edited pieces. What the hell was I supposed to do?"
"Jane?" Eddie called.
Jane returned quickly, "Yes?"
"I think we need a new waiter. This simply won't work."
"Sure thing Eddie. Simon, you're no longer needed at this table. You can go. But, on your way out for the night, tell Alec to come over here. He'll be the new server for this table." Jane spun on her heel and left, while I watched Simon sulk away.
"Wow. Bella, I don't know what to say. You really do have pretty bad luck. If I didn't like you, I'd have to say this is almost too much for a first date."
Oh my God! Eddie said he likes me! What should I say?! What do I do?! Wait! Throw the brake! Stop the train… He likes you. As a friend! Calm down, breathe deeply and speak coherently. You can do this.
I thought about flirting back, but it would be my like I'd make fool of myself. Glancing at my cup, I said, "I know. I'm such a bad omen. Bad luck charm- curse- whatever you want to call it. It's no good."
"Hey. You need to stop that. I hate it when people talk bad about those I care about, so stop it. You're a fantastic girl. That Sam really did a number on you, huh? One of these days, I want you to tell me all about him and why you are so… so… lacking of self-esteem. You're amazing Bella, but unless someone is looking for that, they'll never see it until you do."
My eyes filled up with tears a little bit at the compliment he'd paid me. It sounded almost too good to be true. I inhaled deeply, and blinked the tears away. Sighing out, I lifted my eyes to Eddie's, "I'm trying. I really am. It's going to take a lot to get over that. But please know that I hear everything you tell me and that I appreciate you helping me and taking me under your wing."
"Anytime. You're a great person. And, you have a beautiful soul. I don't tell everyone I meet that, Bella. Please believe me."
I gazed into his eyes, "I do."
He grinned at me, "Good! Then let's order!"
"I have a feeling since you told Jake that you love the chicken gnocchi, we'll have two plates served up soon. It's my favorite too."
"Great!" He said as he buttered his piece of bread that had been served with our drinks. I couldn't recall when they'd brought it- I'd been busy with Simon and Jane and all that drama.
Apparently I was the psychic. Within moments of saying so, a tray baring two heaping plates of gnocchi was brought out. My stomach roared it's appreciation causing me to blush. Eddie quirked his eyebrow at me in question.
Is it weird that a quirked eyebrow is a serious turn-on? I'm such a freak. I wanted to lick it. Of all things, but it's true.
The server left our plates there and Eddie scooped up some of the pasta on his spoon. He even ate sexily. He did the whole turn the spoon in your mouth thing that seems to bring attention to your mouth. When he took the next bite, a bit of the creamy sauce lingered on his bottom lip. I had to hold my hand down to keep from reaching across the table and wiping it away.
Then I decided, what the hell? It can't be any worse than anything else I've ever done. I reached my finger to his lip and dragged it along, gathering all the sauce off of his lip- slowly. When it was gone, I was pulled my finger away- I was going to lick it off- but he grabbed my hand and stuck my saucy finger in his mouth. The rough texture of his tongue as he swirled it around felt so incredible. I was ready to rip off my clothes and shout 'take me, Eddie!'
His eyes closed as he savored the taste of it. His teeth grazed along the tip of my finger and my eyes slid shut. I could just imagine how it would feel to have his lips on my breast. Oh my God- I could orgasm just imagining that. I filed it away for later use with BOB.
He really is sex on legs.
Eddie whispered, "What was that?"
"Mmmm," was my genius response.
"Who is sex on legs?"
My eyes popped open and my cheeks blushed a brilliant shade of red- the were flaming hot. "I-I-I… Um- w-well, I-I-I… That is t-to say that I w-w-was talking ab-b-bout… um…"
"Bella, if you were talking about me, that's awesome. I would love to know I'm sex on legs- but more so that you think so. Any guy would love to know that. But if it's someone else, let me know. I'll help you get to know them better, too." If I didn't know better, I'd say he looked pained as he said the last part.
I decided to let him stew, and just smiled a smirky grin at him. A girl had the right to a few secrets!
When we'd finished our meal, Eddie paid the check, and Jake came out with a box and a bottle.
"Jake? What's that?"
"I heard you guys were going to the aquarium. That is a lot of walking. So, I fixed a box with some tiramisu for you and grabbed some wine to go with it. And before you even ask, yes it's your favorite."
I grabbed him in hug and kissed his cheek to let him know I was thankful for his gift. Eddie shook his hand and they did the guy-hug-thing. Jake said, "See ya later, man."
"If I'm lucky," the sex-god said.
Jake pulled me back in for one more hug, whispering, "This one's a good one. You should keep him." He pulled away and returned to the kitchen, leaving me gaping at his retreating form.
That had been the weirdest dinner ever. I prayed that the aquarium could only be better.
~*C2C*~
The tanks were sparkling blue as I watched the fish swim through them. It was amazing how big the glass structures were. Right now, we were in a tunnel that was encompassed by a huger tank. Giant fish were swimming throughout the clear water, swishing their tails, vibrant colors sparking and reflecting off their scales and the glass. I was completely in awe.
Eddie was content to walk silently beside me for the most part. He'd asked a few questions, but mostly we were quiet. It was great to not need to fill the silence with empty, meaningless chatter. I loved being able to enjoy each other's company enough to not need a constant stream of noise.
I pointed to one particular fish that was just beautiful. It wasn't as big as the rest of the fish with it, but it had long fluttering fins and tail. The color was unique, looked like it might have been scientifically engineered, and was a beautiful bright blue. Kind of like the cerulean crayon in the box of crayolas my mother had bought me for school each year.
I pointed it out to Eddie, "Look! Isn't that just so beautiful?"
"It is," he whispered. When I glanced back up, he wasn't looking at the fish. His gaze was fixed on me. His fingers reached up and brushed away a strand of my hair. They lingered within the mussed do. He rested his forehead against mine. I closed my eyes and breathed in time with him.
I was working up the courage to stand on tiptoe and press my lips to his. I really wanted to know if his lips were as soft as they'd felt on finger. I was certain he'd be an amazing kisser. He was too pretty not to have kissed a lot of girls… women… whatever.
"The aquarium will close in five minutes. Please make your way to an exit. The aquarium will close in five minutes," said a voice of the intercom.
I damned the smooth voice to the fiery pits of hell. How dare it interrupt. I was never going to get to kiss Eddie at this rate. I was filled desperation. I wanted to jerk him around until he faced me and press my lips to his until we both exploded form the passion that was sure to build- in me anyway.
Alas, he was dragging me to the door, I trailed behind him, clutching tightly to his hand, walking as slow as I dared. His hand pulled me up closer beside me and his hand released mine so his arm could sneak around my waist.
Finally deciding to walk with him- mainly so we wouldn't fall- I watched the floor.
"Eyes up, Isabella. You are a confident woman that doesn't need to watch the ground when she walks. Not to mention, I've got you. I won't let you fall."
He said it again. Isabella. If I wasn't walking along beside him, I'd probably be writhing on the ground, begging him to end torture.
It really was torture. Watching Eddie at work. Dining with him. Walking around with him. Feeling his breath on my cheek. Almost kissing him again. I seriously thought my hormones and the unresolved sexual tension I was feeling may cause me to spontaneously combust.
I couldn't help but wonder… I was guaranteed seven more dates with Eddie at least. It looked like he was interested in me sexually too- I could hope for me, and yet I'd be satisfied with just sex; I thought. Determining I had seven dates to get laid or explode, I began my countdown to combustion. This could prove interesting. I was going to need my girls…
We finished our walk to the car in relative silence. The drive to my house was filled with music as we watched the city lights pass by in a blur. The car was still chilly, so I pulled my jacket tighter around me.
"Are you cold?" I nodded my response. His hand reached for the temperature controls and he turned it up to full blast. His hand grabbed mine and he tugged me closer to him. "Let me help warm you up." His hand pulled mine to his lips and he breathed out, exhaling warm on the freezing fingertips. "Is that helping?"
"Yes." My eyes slid shut again and I relaxed against him for the remainder of the ride.
He shook me awake at my house and when I sat up to get my bearings, he hurried to get out and come around to open my door for me. His fingers laced with mine and he even carried my purse for me. That was a first.
He stopped at the front door, and I dug in my pockets for my keys. Pulling the ring out, I found the right one. Eddie took them from me and unlocked the door. He placed them back in my hand.
His hands went to his back pockets, "I had a great time tonight."
"Me too," I smiled up at him.
"So next weekend?"
"I'm game if you are."
"Definitely. I'll see you at the bar around seven again?"
"I'll be there." I peeked up at him through lowered lashes and watched as he jammed his hands through his hair.
"Bella," he whispered.
"Yeah?"
"I want to kiss you."
"Yeah."
His arms wrapped around me and he pulled me close. His mouth finally descending on mine in a sweet and chaste kiss. He pulled back slightly, but I followed him and kissed him again. He moaned a bit and deepened the kiss. His lips were soft yet firm, gentle yet demanding. He knew how to kiss. It was a toe curling, foot-popping kiss. And what a way to end the night….
~*C2C*~
So, what do you think? Progress! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! :)
If you reviewed, I promise I replied unless FFn was messing up. :( It was having glitches when I tried, so I apologize if you didn't receive your reply. I do love reviews! So please leave me some love!
As for your recommendations-
The Season of Our Discontent is currently taking Votes! So go vote for your Favorite! It's right here on FFn! :) Please, vote and review!
There's 30 stories including from me, so There's plenty of material to get you started there! :) Happy Reading and see you next week!