Chapter 10
"This place is really huge" Bella walks in and shrugs out of her cardigan and she rests it over a very modern chair.
"You have been here before" Edward points out watching her walk more into his living space. Her watches her turn around and places her hands on the thin peach belt at her middle.
"Yes, well I was slightly flustered that day"
"Yes the dinner date, suit picking" Edward confirms.
"Hmm" She turns back to look out of the huge sliding glass door windows. "This view is outrageous"
Edward looks at her back as she stares out over the New York City skyline. It should be a good view he paid a pretty penny for it. He hasn't really thought about it. He knows the view is amazing but he doesn't look at it too much.
"Can I go out?" Bella has her hand on the door and glances back at him over her shoulder.
"You can do what you want" He speaks and shrugs. He watches her pull the door back to open it. Her arms are strong. The door is not heavy but he can see the fine lines on her skin from her muscles under there.
Bella feels the cool air instantly. She steps out and walks to the thick stone barrier. She is not sure he knows how lucky he is to live in a place like this. Not in terms of the in need people in the world, but just looking at most people in New York City, herself included. She lives in a dinky two by four apartment with no view at all. "Do you come out here often?" She shouts back turning around a bit. Her voice lowers back she sees him behind/side her.
"No, not at all"
"Why, just like the house in Italy, you don't go out there"
"I know what it looks like; it is the same every time"
"Are you joking?" She looks at him puzzled as he comes to stand right next to her. He places his hands in his slack pockets.
"No" Edward looks at her as she speaks looking forward now.
"Oh come on it can't possibly look the same, this site is exquisite" Turning her head she smiles a bit at him.
Edward turns and looks forward to try and see what she seems. "You see the world differently"
"I don't think so"
"You do, the good is everywhere for you"
"Why would anyone want to see the bad surrounding them?"
"Don't think that is the case, I think it is more realistic, a realistic view"
"I am an eternal optimist"
"I am seeing that"
"It just feels" She touches her chest. "Better that way, helping people and seeing the good under layers of the other stuff"
"Are you finally seeing the good in me?"
Bella turns fully to the side to look at him. Her body leans on the stone thick wall which is keeping them both from plunging down about 25 stories. "It's not that I didn't" She tells him very softly. "I just didn't know you, or give you a chance"
Edward makes a sound.
"Now I know you a little better, and you did go out on a limb and you know help the community center"
A pain hits him in his stomach.
Bella smiles. "And you took me to Italy and I met your Nonna, who" She shrugs. "She is great"
"Wonderful" Edward agrees. He runs his blue eyes over her once again. "You are very beautiful Bella"
"Don't do that" She responds. Not her usual fashion of harshness. Because she isn't feeling very harsh towards him tonight. Friday was annoying but at least she could see the real him. How he has sort of a mask of women, and his life. He hasn't opened up to her and she doesn't expect him to. That would be far too personal, if that could happen with them. But she can sort of see him differently now, and she gets his outer appearance, she doesn't agree or condone it but she gets it.
Edward frowns at her. "Do what?"
"Try and smooth talk me"
"Do you think that is what I am doing?"
"I don't know it's been a while since anyone has done that"
"It was the boyfriend, the break up, the hurt"
"You never answer me about your mother, yet you have no issue bringing my personal life up" She looks at him more.
"No that is correct" Edward agrees, 20 years later and it still is painful. He guesses a few years later, 2 if he remembers correctly, and it's painful for her also. "I guess we both have hurt" Edward tips his head to the side to look at her. "What was his name?"
"Garrett"
"Garrett?" Edward makes a face.
Bella smiles and rolls her eyes. "What?"
"Sounds like a dick name" Edward smiles causing her to laugh.
"Yeah" She laughs in agreement.
"You didn't need him"
"You're right"
"Of course I am right, when I have been wrong so far?"
"Okay you said one too many words" She laughs.
He laughs; his hearty chuckle fills the white noise air around them. It is not quiet but they are up really high above the city streets so it is a white noise sort of quiet. "Do you want a drink?"
"Sure" Bella smiles nodding.
"Can I tell Emmett he can go home?"
"Um"
"I'll get you a cab home or car"
"Um yeah sure" Bella nods. "He deserves a rest"
"That he does" Edward heads inside leaving her outside.
"Emmett, you can head on home" Edward speaks into his cell phone.
"Mr. Cullen?" Emmett says his voice full of question. He really likes Bella, she is a very honest and lovely woman. Such a good heart. Edward, Mr. Cullen has a good heart also but it is hidden underneath a bit of pain and anguish. And that tends, as far as he is concerned, to come out as aggressive and condescending, and rudely bold. But he knows Mr. Cullen is not like he is seen on the outside to most.
"I'll get her a car home, good night"
"Yes sir, very good" He pushes play on his automated employee response.
"I'll make sure she is okay" Edward knows that deliberate response from Emmett, and what his trusted driver is thinking.
"Have a good night sir"
"You also" Edward hangs up and pours them two glasses of wine.
Bella turns around from looking over the side across the city and smiles at him. "It is really amazing out here"
"Here"
"You are trying to get me drunk?"
"No, I can get you some water if you want" Edward offers.
"No, this is fine" Bella takes it. "Thank you" She smiles before taking a sip. "Garrett, I thought was the love of my life"
Edward stands next to her and listens.
"I ended up not being enough for him, enough to satisfy everything he wanted"
"I know you don't really think that" He looks at her like she has grown two heads.
"I really am over it" She mutters taking another sip. "I have a great family, very supportive, and a fairly okay job" She smirks giving him a glance.
"But you can't really believe you are the reason he is…like me" He doesn't know how to put it any other way really as she laid it out to him like that.
Bella glances at him. "I'm sorry about saying that"
"No I understand what you were getting at more now, but-"
"It is fine really" She gives him a small smile. "That is very nice of you to say"
"I am not just saying it" He tells her gently.
Bella pauses and looks at him. "Well" She licks her lips a bit. Giving a nervous smile she looks away and takes another sip of wine.
Edward stares at her profile. She is so out of his league. That song he sang he is still singing. Because it is true. She is educated and smart, witty and driven, how she ended up with Garrett, clearly low class is beyond him. But he is not so different; grant you he doesn't hide it like he suspects Garrett did to Bella.
"Are you going to tell me about your mother?" She gives him a glance.
"She and my father were never together, it was really just the two of us, I know that sounds almost cliché"
"No" Bella shakes her head. "It doesn't"
"So she was all I had" He watches her turn to look at him fully now, he watches her rest the wine glass down on the near by table before turning back to him. "And she wanted everything for me, but just couldn't afford it"
"You lucked out with this company"
"I did" He can admit it; he was a dumb kid who stumbled on some great, and ran with it. The wand of success hit him very hard. "I was 15, she got sick, very quickly"
Bella stares at him.
"Died even more quickly"
"It hit you like a ton of bricks"
"A ton" He agrees with a few nods looking at her. He hasn't told anyone other than Nonna this. They understand each other, he and Nonna, which is why they are so close. Close like family. It has been over 20 years. Losing a parent is different for everyone, and for him it was really very hard.
"Do you reject closeness because of fear of losing that person?"
"I may"
"But Nonna is very old, and you are close with her"
"I don't know how that happened but she was there at the right time, and likewise"
"But women, as in relationships" Bella comments.
"Yeah" He can admit it. The thought is there in the deep back of his mind. Why be close to people when it can all be taken away?
"And when Nonna leaves you?"
"I don't even want to think about it" He almost growls.
She nods understanding, though it is a fair question. "I just think" She says softly with a shrug, her hands wiggle together. "You need something more outside of everything you do here, something real"
"Real things disappear, you know that with Garrett"
"I do, but"
"And you have rejected having something real for work"
"You're right" Bella nods quickly. "We are very much the same"
Edward smiles at her. "Yes we are"
Bella looks away for a moment. "So we are both damaged to the point of no repair"
Edward laughs. "Pretty much, yeah"
"And we will be old crabby people"
"Nice picture" He grins.
Bella bites her lower lip and smiles. "This is the best time I have had with you"
"So I should listen to you and show my real side more"
"Yes!" She shouts hitting his chest, her wrist is grabbed quickly and she freezes. Bella watches him put his glass down next to hers on the table keeping a light hold of her wrist.
Edward lets his thumb pad rubs very lightly up and down her pulse. His eyes stare off not at her face but just at his hand holding onto her wrists and rubbing along that light pressure point.
She feels it for a few moments, enjoying it, more than she should. An intimate touch. It has been a while, not for lack of men approaching her, because they did, but for lack of her willingness to accept that level again that in the end crushed her so much. "Um" Bella tries to tug her hand away from his. "It is getting cold out here" She forces a calm cool and collected smile. "-I should get going also" Tugs again with no avail.
Edward moves his eyes to hers holding her wrists more firmly in his much larger hand. His thumb no longer rubbing against her pulse. He just pulls back his strength not forceful but winning; he pulls her wrist right to his lips and presses them against the inside of it where he was rubbing just moments ago.
"No" She moans softly attempting to pull it away. She feels his other hand come around her back and literally thrusts her against him. It is not a forceful movement; quite the opposite, very graceful and smooth.
Edward holds her around her body and still her wrist, almost in a stance of ball room dance. Her free arm is propped against his upper arm but not just on his shoulder. "Don't you think" He whispers. "-we have to start somewhere?"
Bella just stares at his eyes; the small wrinkles between his eyes very clear blue eyes. She doesn't know what to say and her breath is just stuck in her throat. He is attractive, tempting, just plain wrong for her. And she is human. Way out of her league, she learnt that from Garrett. But she is here in his amazing home, over this beautiful city and it couldn't have been planned better had it have been planned at all.
Edward stares at her; she is far beyond any woman he has been with. She doesn't match appearance by a mile. And that is not being hurtful; it is just what it is. She is a normal looking woman. But putting that with how pretty she is mixed with how sassy and smart, it in the end allows her to completely sprint past all the other women he has been with and places her in first place. Which is just so bizarre.
She wonders briefly if it is his bedroom eyes which are turning her into some sort of sticky puddle. "How can we work together after this?"
"I am sure" Edward mutters letting go of her wrist and putting both hands on her body keeping her very close so she can't dash away. He doesn't feel like she will but he really never knows with Bella. The only thing he knows for sure is that she does things with careful consideration, and great passion. Right now he is wondering if that spills over into the bedroom. "-you will find a way to put me back in my place and let the show go on" He mutters lightly.
"You are making fun of me now" She responds.
Edward looks at her his lips hover over hers. "You are probably the one woman I don't want to hurt" He breathes out.
And that is it. Bella pushes up and presses her mouth to his. She doesn't expect him to call in the morning for something other than getting to a meeting but, right now he has said the right things. And right now they feel like they are real and they maybe real right now. The morning is another story and that is okay. They are the same, and why not take notice of that and work with it, both of them can't really be hurt anymore.
Edward grabs her up tightly now, his arms around her like a vice as he lifts her against him kissing her mouth.
Bella's hands cradle his face and she thrusts her tongue against his, she moans softly into his lips.
His direction is straight to the bedroom. Getting into the doorway and into the living area he drops her lightly to the floor bending forward and down to keep contact with her mouth as her hands fling to his button down shirt to get the buttons apart. His hands pull her white tank top up from its tucked placing in her skirt.
"Mmm" She moans stepping backwards as they make their way she assumes to the bedroom. "I can't" She moans in frustration pulling her lips from his to bend her head and fiddle with the buttons.
Edward laughs lightly and helps her to work the buttons from the small holes.
Bella looks up at him with a slightly opened mouth as his shirt is finally undone. She runs her hands up his now undershirt/wife beater covered chest, sliding slowly to push his dress shirt down his arms.
"You are far more dressed than I am now" He mutters kissing her mouth again lightly as his shirt drops to the floor. He watches her stare at him as her fingers trail lightly up and down his strong arms.
Bella swallows quickly. It would really be silly to say she wasn't nervous. She knows his track record with women and the type of women and it has been said from the start just not in the same league as her in any shape. And the length of time it has been for her. Is it just like riding a bike? Probably not, that saying is off anyway, as riding a bike after a long time it hard…tangent.
League, which she doesn't want to think about now. But she is nervous and maybe scared even, but she knows he must be feeling some of the same things, but just for different reasons.
Edward watches her just look at him and touch him. "You feel nice""Yes" She mumbles. "-I was thinking the same thing" Very story book but she says it anyways. "-about you" She added with a bit of a stammer.
He almost grins at the small bubble sound that erupts from her throat but he doesn't want to scare her. Leaning his head down to her height he kisses her mouth again.
Responding to the kiss right away she moves her hands from lightly touching his arms to sinking into the hair at the back of his head. Her hands pulls forward over his ears and to his hairy chin then they slide back as she kisses him feverishly.
Edward moves his hand to her bare warm skin under the thin white tank top. He pulls it up and breaks away from her still kissing lips to get it over her head. "Are we even?" Edward mutters dropping it to the floor.
Right now she is feeling something indescribable. And so far they have not done anything earth moving but the closeness is overwhelming. The same level she seems to be on with him she is guessing makes it like this and her comfortable level is able to be at a good level also because of the similarities they just shared. She doesn't know what to say to him, but her hands go to his belt.
Smiling a bit he bends again to kiss her mouth, but catches her cheek and he lingers there for a moment as she struggles with the belt. "You are not good with clothing"
Bella feels her fingers tremble and says nothing only continues to try. She feels the hair on his face stay in the same place as his lips press light kisses one on top of the other against her cheek. "It's not" She whines struggling.
Edward kisses her once more on her face before letting his hands take over. Pulling it out of the pant loops he smiles with accomplishment and drops it to the floor.
Bella just looks up at him. She is startled by a tug forward via her thin belt.
"Your turn" He presses his mouth to hers. He would have thought she would have slapped him by now and stormed out of there so fast once he let her go. But she hasn't, and he couldn't be happier about that. His fingers undo her belt with easy and he tugs the one end millimeter by millimeter she presses closer to him. Dropping it to the floor he steps forward making her step back as they close in on his bedroom.
Shutting her eyes when his head dips far enough down to kiss and suck lightly under her chin at her throat. She is certain he is going to pull his neck. She feels his fingers at the back of her skirt skillfully undoing the one button there and sliding the zipper down.
Stepping away from her he lets it feel and smiles. "You're so beautiful"
Bella steps out of the skirt. "Is it your turn?"
"Do you want me to undo them?" He steps closer pressing her against the wall next to the open bedroom door.
"You are making fun of me again" She whispers.
"Yes, I am" He agrees, she is very cute right now and he kisses her slightly pouting bottom lip. Edward widens his eyes as she slides her body down the wall bringing herself to his pant waist band eye level. Pressing his hands on the wall he looks down very curious.
"I blame a number of things" She mutters softly, her fingers plucking at the button with ease, looking up she smiles. "I am calmer now" She says of her only slightly shaking fingers.
"Very good" He feels her slide the zipper down, the woman is certainly not lacking in any department thus far. Garrett was a fool. Is a fool.
She smiles pulling them down and looking up at him. "Your bedroom green eyes were distracting me"
Edward almost laughs out loud but then he looks at the half naked woman squatting down in front of him. Frowning a bit he pulls her up. "You did well"
Bella kisses him firmly. She ends up in his arms and her legs around his middle.
Edward climbs over her as she pushes up his sleeveless white undershirt. Pulling it off he looks down at her, her knees bent on either side of him cradling his body.
Her hands explore his very broad chest, and her fingers firmly press into his hair covered skin. Biting her lip she looks up at him looming over
her. "I'm shaking again" She says almost dumbly to him, her eyes stare at her hands pressed into him.
He doesn't say anything to that truth because he can feel her hands against his skin, and her thighs around him. Holding himself over her he kisses her mouth thoroughly, creating amazing electricity between them. Right now there is no tomorrow, no looming news, nothing just them and their electrifying heat.
Raising her legs against his body higher she sighs softly. But with not so hidden want behind that sigh.
Nipping her skin at her neck he moves his kisses over her chest and breasts. "So lovely" He mutters against her skin as he slides into her with slight unexpectedness. Edward shakes at her reaction to him. "Are you okay?"
Bella swallows slowly and nods looking at him for a few seconds before shutting her eyes and moving so now her head is under his chin, almost hiding.
Moving his head to the side to expose her hidden face he kisses the side of her face coxing her to look at him as he slowly thrusts in and out of her. He feels her hands smooth from the center of his chest around the under sides and outside, around his back and her fingers now press into the smooth skin there. His hands press into the bed next to her head.
Lifting her hip she arches her back pressing her body up against his. A little bubble of laughter comes out because it is fun and a rush, exciting.
Edward kisses her mouth as the movements become more forceful and not so much rough but vigorous against one another.
Small harsh moans, sighs and sounds of pleasure erupt from her throat and roll off of her lips against his, into his around the room. Throwing her head back as she moves more vigorously against him she throws it quickly forward to lightly press her teeth against his neck as she cums around him. Holding his back with rough and almost unkind fingers she pants her hot breath against him, her upper body pressed against his.
Edward continues to move inside her until he cums and then he feels her teeth press just a bit harder against his skin. Pausing, well slowly he relaxes just a little more as they both sort of return to their bodies. His arms wrap around her lip hers are around him and he rolls them both over to the side.
Bella buries her head now deeper into his neck where she just pressed her teeth.
He presses a few kisses against her face once he gets her to move her head to sort of look at him. Her eyes are glazed over a bit and cheeks very warm against his lips which are also warm. So her cheeks are pretty much hot. "It was not you" He mutters. "Not you at all" He whispers against her mouth as they lie side by side wrapped up in each other yet their lips are lightly touching.
