2brown-eyes is the pre-reader!

Mistakes are mine!

Edward drives us to a swanky hotel a few blocks away, and I'm a nervous wreck as we navigate the city streets. He closes his hand over my fidgety ones, and I calm instantly. "This car is brand new and registered to my tailor's aunt. No one has ever seen me drive this and in no way can it be connected to me."

I swivel my head to him as he takes my left hand and links his fingers with mine on the center console. The windows of the nondescript black luxury car are dark, and my nerves settle slightly at his admission.

"You bought a car just to take me on a date?"

"How very forward of you." His eyes spark with humor as he meets my gaze. "Assuming this is a date."

My cheeks burn, and I desperately long for my hair to be free from the updo so I can hide behind it. "Is it not?"

He lifts my hand and kisses it, winking. "Of course it is. Our first of many."

My stomach flips, and it isn't from the fear that nearly crippled me only minutes ago. Edward can make me feel safe even when I don't think it's possible. "Then you shouldn't toy with my emotions. I'm a very fragile girl." I bat my lashes.

"You were," he stresses, turning into a parking lot. "I know it probably doesn't feel like it, but you've progressed beautifully. Not only can you put a bullet between a would-be captor's eyes, but you could probably kick his ass, as well."

"I don't know about that," I say as he puts the car into park. "Most of my combat experience is defense, and I'm not sure hitting a paper target can compare to shooting a human."

He shuts off the car and shifts toward me, his expression questioning. "Would you like to practice on an actual person?"

Shock moves through me. "You'd capture and bring me a human to kill simply to aid in my training?"

His eyes roam my face. "If that's what you wanted, yes."

I don't want that, but I'm strangely unaffected that he's willing to go that far. Instead of being sickened by the offer, I feel … cherished. "Better to know that now so I don't jokingly request it and end up with a not-so-pleasant surprise."

He tosses his head back and releases a beautiful laugh as he grabs his door handle. "You say the most unexpected things, Bella."

I open the door to join him, and he nearly breaks his neck to get to me before I can step out. "This is my job," he says, holding out a hand to help me from the car. "A lady with me doesn't open car doors for herself in my presence."

"Interesting." I smile as he closes my door and offers an elbow. "I take it you've put that to practice many times."

"Yes." His answer is forthright. "Does that bother you?"

"Should it?"

He shrugs. "I suppose that's an individual choice, but my word is my bond. The pact we signed is more than a token. I'm committed to every word within it, including the monogamy section we renegotiated."

"I trust you." It's ironic I'd say that as he leads me onto the sidewalk in full view of the public. "And it'd be stupid to hold someone accountable for things they did while I was still a kid."

He lifts a perfectly sculpted brow. "You are an astute one."

I giggle, scooting closer to his side. "And don't you forget it."

"Never."

We only walk a little way up the sidewalk before he leads me inside the hotel to their very fancy restaurant. It's not one I'm familiar with, but all the tables are covered in white cloths with large flower arrangements and crystal glasses already in place.

The lady behind the podium smiles when she sees Edward. "Mr. Cullen, so nice of you to join us." Her eyes shift to me. "And Miss Swan, how lovely to meet you."

I'm so stunned to be addressed by this woman I've never met that I fail to say anything, but Edward makes up for my faux pas. "This is, in fact, my fiancée Bella," he says, flashing her a smile. "And we'd like a booth in the back, please, Kate."

"Yes, Mr. Cullen, right this way." She grabs two menus and leads us through the lavish dining room.

After we're seated, a young man not much older than me promptly appears to take our drink orders. "Mr. Cullen." He dips his head. "Will you be having the usual tonight?"

Edward glances at me before shaking his head once. "I'll have whatever she's having."

The waiter's eyes trail from Edward to me, pencil poised. "Miss Swan."

Again, I'm bowled over, but I push it down quickly this time. "I'll have coke."

"Two cokes," the waiter says, looking back to Edward. "Anything else now?"

Edward gives an almost imperceptible shake of his head, and the young man disappears quickly.

"You come here often." It's an observation more than a question.

"They serve the best steak in town." He flashes me a smile. "I thought it would be the perfect venue for us to make our first public appearance together."

"How do they already know who I am?"

His lips twitch. "I'd be more surprised if they didn't."

"What does that mean?"

"It means," he says, leaning closer and lowering his voice, "that I expect nothing less than perfection from the establishments I frequent."

The waiter stops in and delivers our cokes in fancy flutes, and I wait for him to move on before I respond. Lifting my glass, I smirk. "You are a very demanding man, Mr. Cullen."

"Even more so when it comes to private matters." He's leaned in so closed his breath fans my face.

Any other time I'd probably be confused by his words, but this time, I know immediately what he means, and it makes me tingle. I lick my lips. "I don't know what the proper response should be," I murmur, holding his gaze. "But I'm eager to explore it."

"Christ, Bella," he rasps, shifting in his seat. "You're going to be delightful."

Here I'm truly unsure what he means, but I don't press. I choose to change the subject instead since there's an entire room of people constantly glancing our way. "Shall we discuss the wedding?"

He takes a sip of his coke, licking the excess moisture from his lips. "I have every confidence your selections are impeccable."

"Please don't," I say, horror filling me. "I've been raised around wealth, sure, but the truth is I'm the black sheep. I have no experience with splurging or using that wealth. In college, I ate Ramen and pizza to get by like everyone else."

His jaw tightens. "Charles didn't support you while you attended school?"

"He paid for my education, for the semester I was allowed anyway, but I only had a small allowance for necessities."

"That fucking asshole." Edward takes several deep breaths, and his fists bunch and release several times before he seems to shake off the rage. "I'm going to torture him an additional hour just for that."

I wrap his still-tense hand between mine. "Don't let him ruin our wonderful night," I say softly. "I've come to a place in my life where I'm done looking back. I want to move forward only, and I want that with you."

He grips my hands like they're a lifeline. "How did I get so lucky?"

I lean close like he did earlier. "You broke into my house and murdered my brother."

He huffs a laugh, then. "Best move ever."

He presses a slow kiss to my lips, and when he pulls back the waiter is back to take our orders. As Edward suggests, I order the filet and lobster, and we continue to talk more as we await our dinner, then while we eat our dinner, and long into our shared dessert. I learn so much more about the kind of man I'm marrying, and no matter what he shares, I only fall deeper.

Because yes, I realize what the affection I feel for Edward is.

I'm pretty sure I'm falling in love with my fiancé.

I FLOVE Edward's offer here! And I swear I don't condone murder :p

The hubs will be having surgery next week, which means he'll be home for 2 whole weeks. Lucky for you, I'm about 9 chapters ahead, so I should be able to keep pace, but if I disappear for a week, know that's why.

The lovely Paliia has gifted me with a gorgeous new banner for The Pact. It's on my TL now if you haven't seen it, but I'll also post it to Fyregirl Fics so everyone can see!

See you next week :)