Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: A day early because I know that I'm going to be super busy tomorrow. Enjoy!
Once I had rounded the corner to the hallway, I picked up the pace. "Hold the door, Mike!" I called out as I nearly stumbled thanks to my attempt to do the 'tiny-step high-heel jog'.
"I've got your back, Bella. Don't worry!" Mike said with a grin and a wink.
I cringed inwardly. I hated to give him any indication that his advances were received warmly. I tried to be polite and tactful with my rebuttals, but I was afraid that at some point I would have to be much more direct with him. He didn't really understand subtle.
Peter Whitlock was headlining the conference that day with his seminar. The topic was less than stimulating: Digital Publishing. Personally I preferred good old fashion books to the new tablet readers, but I had to be knowledgeable in all fields.
I tried to focus on what Peter was saying, truly I did. But I couldn't stop thinking about those eyes. Eventually, I was able to pull myself together and get my head back in the game. I was supposed to be delivering the information and my notes from the conference back to my office in Seattle.
It actually was a little interesting, and Peter had made some excellent points about self-publishing. I supposed that the conference wasn't really a waste of time. And I knew to be grateful that my office had selected me to be the representative of our firm, Crowley Publishing.
We finished later than I had anticipated due to an over eager brown-noser named Jessica Something-Or-Other from Cope & Clapp. This woman insisted on interjecting her views on digital publishing throughout Peter's seminar. According to her, Peter had it all wrong. And because of her, I was running late for my date with my best friend Angela.
She had called me earlier that week and was adamant that we meet Friday, so I knew that it was something important. She had sounded excited so I wasn't worried that it was bad news. We decided to meet at our favorite Seattle bar, Pike Pub & Brewery. I knew that after Angela spilled her news I was definitely going to tell her all about Edward. I wondered if I'd be able to adequately express how... intense our brief exchange was. Well, it was intense for me anyway. I doubted he could have viewed it that way. He was so... confident.
The pub was actually quite close to the hotel and I didn't really want to drive out to my office, all the way up to East Pike, just to drive back down again. So I decided to fax over my information instead, using the business center provided by the hotel. The room was just as plush as the conference room that the seminars were held in, if not more so, and located on the 12th floor. So, I got to see a little bit more of the beautiful hotel.
With nothing to concentrate my thoughts on, they were consumed by the enigmatic, piano playing, lingerie shop owning, sexy as all hell Edward that I had met at the bar only a few hours ago. My mind was wandering but somehow I reached the elevator and pressed the call button to take the elevator down.
I wondered if he was still at the bar playing. I thought I might sneak a glance and a listen on my way out.
The elevator doors opened and I stepped inside, letting my internal ramblings take over.
He did say something about seeing me before I leave, so it wouldn't be so weird, right? It's not like I'm stalking him or anything. I could just unwind a little with a pre-drink. One drink before meeting up with Angela couldn't hurt. And I could always take a cab home or crash at Angela's, so...
The elevator stopped at the very next floor to let on more riders. I was shuffling to my left to make space when I looked up to see that he was standing in front of me just outside the elevator doors with a bemused expression on his face. We both just stood there for a moment until the doors began to close. He stuck his arm out catching the elevator door with his left hand. But he didn't say anything and he didn't move. He just kept staring with those intense green eyes.
I was beginning to feel self-conscious under his stare. "Going down?" I asked shyly.
"No. But I could be, if you'd like," he said in a seductively teasing manner.
I couldn't help the forceful blush that ascended my face at his double entendre. At least I hoped he had meant it that way, but not for the obvious reason. But because if he didn't mean it that way, he must know exactly what I was thinking he meant by the color of my cheeks.
I threw caution to the wind, however, and raised his call. "I think I might," I responded trying to be seductive right back. I regretted my bravery, but it was too late and I couldn't take the words back.
He stepped onto the elevator. He stood next to me and smirked. I smiled back. And we just stared at each other until the doors closed. He was still wearing his suit except now the tie was undone, and the first couple of buttons on his shirt were open. His hair looked even more disheveled, if possible, and in turn even sexier.
"How was your conference?" He seemed genuinely interested, but there was an undercurrent of some other emotion in his voice that I couldn't place.
"Long." I sighed. "I was just at the business center faxing the information back to my office."
He didn't say anything else after that, but we still held eye contact. I assumed he was, again, just being polite. I broke our staring match again. But I couldn't help myself. I looked back up at him. He was still staring at me intently. And that's when I noticed the atmosphere in the elevator had begun to change. A current was building. It was as if there were a hum of electricity in the air.
"Bella..." He said my name almost in a whisper, and took my hand. I gasped and jumped at the shock of his touch, effectively removing my hand from his. A current had passed between us and I could feel the heat of it travel from my hand up my arm. And at almost the same time, the elevator stopped with an abrupt jolt and the lights went out.
"What the hell was that?" I blurted out unthinkingly. I was talking about the electricity that passed from his hand to mine, but hopefully he thought that I meant the power outage. I honestly wondered for a moment if we had caused the elevator to short circuit.
"I don't know" he answered. Thankfully he did think I was talking about the elevator. After a few more seconds the emergency lights flickered on, but they were dim in comparison. "Are you alright?"
"Yes. I'm fine, but what happened?" This time I was talking about the elevator.
"I'm not sure. But it appears as though the elevator has lost power." He tried pressing the buttons for other floors, but the elevator didn't move. He tried the button to open the doors, but they remained closed.
I'd begun to feel a bit anxious. I was trapped in an elevator with a sinfully good looking man. I noticed for the first time in the close proximity how good he smelled. It was somewhat woodsy with a note of spice. I didn't know what cologne it was - or maybe it was just him - but it was very alluring. I felt a familiar pull in the pit of my stomach. I wanted to be closer to him.
He tried the red emergency phone while my mind began playing out certain x-rated scenarios. He had been talking with someone on the other end of the line, but of it I heard none. After he had finished, he hung up the phone and turned back to me.
"Well it looks like the elevator has broken. They are sending for a mechanic to come look at it, but it could take up to two hours." He gave me the news with an apologetic look on his face.
"Geeze." I tried my best to hide the sarcasm in my voice. But what I was really thinking was, "Darn. I'll have to spend two hours trapped in the small confines of this elevator with the most gorgeous man I've ever seen. Darn it all to heck!"
"Did you have somewhere very important to be?" he asked me with some concern in his voice.
"Just drinks with a friend." I didn't want him to think that I could be referring to a date with another man so I hastily added, "A girlfriend of mine." I tried not to stare at him too much as I spoke.
He nodded. "Do you live in Seattle?" The earnest way in which he asked caught me a little off guard.
"Yes. I do. Just across downtown." Did he really want to know, or was he just being polite again, I wondered.
"Hmm," was the only answer he gave me, and I was left wondering what he could possibly be contemplating.
I couldn't take the silence anymore after a few minutes and ventured another question to keep the conversation going. "How, um... How long are you in town for?"
He looked away from me at the closed elevator doors. "We're leaving tomorrow."
"Oh. We meaning... you and your sister?" I hoped he meant his sister. Although I'm not sure why it mattered to me if he was single or not. He was way out of my league, but more importantly he was leaving. Tomorrow. And I don't make it a habit to have one night stands.
"Yes. We were here to meet with our lawyer. I was just leaving his room to go back up to my own." He still kept his eyes trained on the doors, as if he was trying to will them open with his mind or something. I figured that he must have been getting uncomfortable stuck in here with me.
I afforded him as much space as I could in the little box. I stepped back and leaned against the back wall of the elevator in a vain attempt to get comfortable. I would have preferred to sit, but I wasn't about to attempt it in the tight skirt I was wearing.
"You know, I'm glad I ran into you. I was hoping to see you again before you left." He turned to face me. "And if I'm being perfectly honest, I couldn't stop thinking about you after you left the bar."
I didn't know what to think of his confession. I thought about telling him that I couldn't even focus on the conference because of him. I found enough courage to tell him the basic truth. "I was thinking about you too."
He moved to stand directly in front of me. His feet on either side of mine. This move basically nested me in between his legs since I was leaning against the wall. This most definitely did not go unnoticed by me. The wetness between my legs was evidence of that.
His eyes locked with mine. He placed his hands against the wall on either side of my head and leaned forward into me ever so slightly, essentially trapping me. I had no intention of trying to escape. God, I wanted this man. It was so carnal and so intense. I had never before wanted anyone so much. It was more than just want. It was need. I needed him in this moment like I needed air. I gripped the railing to keep myself from jumping him right then and there, and having my dirty way with him.
"Bella..." The breathless way in which he said my name made my heart skip a beat before picking up it's pace double time. I could feel the heat from his body rolling off of him in waves. His breath caressing my face still smelled faintly of scotch. I willed my eyes not to close. But the way he was looking at me, with lust and desire, made my insides flip and pool into my Allie Cat's. His left hand gently brushed my cheek from my temple to my chin. I leaned into his touch, finally surrendering and closing my eyes.
I felt him lean towards me closer still, his lips barely touching mine. My eyes were still closed and my lips parted on their own accord. I breathed him in, and his scent drove me nearly insane with yearning. I needed to have him closer.
"Bella." He whispered again into my mouth, as if asking for permission.
And I gave it to him. Our lips crashed together desperately. My hands found purchase around his neck, but didn't linger long. I ran my fingers through his gorgeously tousled hair. I gently pulled at the roots while I pushed him closer to me. I wanted to feel his body all around mine. His tongue gently licked my bottom lip. I opened my mouth to him, and let his tongue explore the rest of my mouth before he offered his mouth to me.
It was a glorious exchange. Neither one fighting for dominance. Just melding together perfectly. I wondered what other pleasures his mouth could give me.
He intertwined his long fingers into my hair. His right hand moved to my hip gripping me strongly once before wrapping around to the left side of my waist pulling my closer to him. I could feel his arousal pressed into my stomach and I gave an appreciative moan which he reciprocated in kind.
He pulled away from our kiss, but only just. He leaned his forehead to mine. "God, I want you. I wanted you the moment I saw you."
My eyes fluttered open to meet his. "I need you Edward," I panted. It was my only answer.
He kissed me again. Kissed my bottom lip, sucking and nibbling. Kissed the corner of my mouth. And trailed wet kisses down to my collar bone. I lifted my chin to allow him more access and closed my eyes in sweet surrender to him. His hand traced down my spine. It felt like he touched each vertebrae, taking time in his exploration. My hands gripped his strong shoulders for support. Never had a man made my knees so weak. I felt his hot breath at my ear. We were both panting with desire.
"Bella. The way you smell is intoxicating. I thought I had imagined it before, but now that I'm right here..." He moaned into my neck "I won't be able to get enough." He sucked and nibble at my earlobe and my neck just below.
"Oh God, Edward. You don't know what you're doing to me."
"Tell me. Tell me what I'm doing to you, Bella. Say it." He all but growled the words.
"You're driving me crazy. I... I want to feel you, all of you. On me... in me. I need you, Edward. I need you right now. Please."
He put his weight against me leaning in to kiss me earnestly and effectively pinning me against the wall. I wasn't complaining, but I wanted to feel more of his skin. I moved to push his jacket over his shoulders. He let it fall to the floor. His arms, now free of his suit jacket, encircled me, one around my waist, and the other around my shoulders. I wanted to melt into him, he felt so damn good. His hands dropped to my waist again. His left trailing further down to cup my ass. Every touch from him was sensual. I moaned into his mouth and pressed against him further. Letting him know with my body just how much I wanted him.
He released my lips and began kissing around my collar bone, nibbling as he made his way from left to right. As he did this he brought his hands down my thighs. He grabbed my skirt and inched it higher so that the hem was within his reach. He then proceeded to hook his thumbs under the bottom and bring my skirt up even farther. But stopped short when his fingers cupped my ass again. With that he lifted me and balanced me on the small railing while my legs wrapped around his muscular thighs.
We both groaned at the new level of contact. And even though I had enough room to get him in between my legs, it still wasn't enough to have his body as close to my center as I wanted. He pushed my skirt up further, my Allie Cat's now exposed to him. He looked down briefly while his thumbs grazed the sheer lace wrapping around my hips and smirked.
"Nice," he commented. He obviously knew his business' merchandise well. I merely shrugged in response giving him a smirk of my own. I didn't want to waste any more time on words. I was too eager for him.
He understood my silence and moved closer still, pressing his erection against my core - consequently setting all my nerves afire. He began grinding against me, and I moaned his name before my mind even had a chance to process what was happening. I feared that I wouldn't be able to hold out much longer.
Our kissing became frenzied as we began to explore one another with our hands. Our bodies together were generating so much heat even with the obstruction of our clothing. I wanted to feel his bare skin against mine. I wanted to know how much hotter we could get together.
I reached up to slide his tie down from around his neck. I begrudgingly took my lips away from his, but only so that I could speak. "Edward," I could barely control my breathing. I could only manage shallow, quick breaths. Before I could say anything more he brought my mouth back to his. I gave in to his kiss, but kept on my mission to remove his clothing.
With his tie now on the floor with his jacket, I began to unbutton his shirt and made a second attempt to speak. "Edward... I need to feel you. I need to know how you feel with me."
"Christ, Bella," was his only answer.
He pulled my blouse free from my skirt, and slid his nimble hands underneath, his thumbs grazing my nipples covered only by the thin silk of my bra. He began to unbutton my blouse as I slid his shirt off his shoulders. His arms were muscular, strong. I couldn't help myself and dug my nails into the flesh of his upper arms as his mouth assaulted my chest. He gave a low growl that made my toes curl.
We quickly finished disposing of our shirts, but he took his time removing my bra. He slid one shoulder strap down at a time tracing the line with hot open-mouthed kisses. It was a sweet torture that had me throwing my head back, gripping the railing, and panting. He brought his mouth back to my exposed neck, kissing and nipping as his hands, gliding slowly over my flesh, made their way to my back where he deftly unclasped my bra.
I couldn't understand how every movement the man made just oozed sex. I also couldn't understand how completely comfortable I was with him. I met him only a few hour ago, and yet here we were, getting freaky in the elevator. It was not like me, but I'd never met a man like Edward before. Of that I was sure even after our brief introduction in the bar.
My mind was spinning so hard that I heard a ringing. Actually, it was a very annoying ringing. I didn't realize I wasn't the only one hearing the noise until Edward pulled away from me. We stared at each other, confusion obvious on both of our faces. And then it rang again.
It was the elevator's emergency phone.
Edward turned to look at the phone and then back to me. I had nothing. I just shrugged at him. He set me down and released me after a brief pause to answer the phone. And I was suddenly aware that I was standing in motionless elevator with a stranger with my bra hanging from my arms at the elbows. I quickly put my bra back on and reached for my blouse while listening to Edward's one sided conversation.
"Hello? ... Uh, yes. Yes, the elevator is stuck. ... Oh. Okay. Sounds great. Great. ... Um, no. Nope, everything is fine. We're fine. ... Sure. Thanks a lot."
I finished dressing and stood awkwardly watching as he finished talking to whomever it was on the other end. He took a moment before turning around to face me. I wondered if he felt as embarrassed as I did. When he finally turned around he opened his mouth to speak, but his words fell short when he saw that I'd gotten dressed.
"Oh... Um..." He stammered, and then reached for his own shirt. "Look, Bella... I'm sorry. I don't normally behave this way. I'm really sorry. I just..." he spoke as he re-buttoned his shirt.
Seeing him flustered was strange, even in this situation. I felt compelled to save him from his embarrassment. "It's okay. I mean, I don't usually do this kind of thing either. But hey, it takes two ya know?" He just kind of nodded at me. My words were meant to make the situation less awkward, but they didn't help. The situation was exactly that.
He collected the rest of his clothing from the floor, hanging his tie around his neck and folding his jacket over his arm. "Look, maybe we can start over. Do this proper? Have a dinner with me." He was looking at me with such sincerity that I almost said yes automatically.
But then I remembered that I had other plans tonight. "I, um... I can't. I'm meeting a friend of mine. It's kind of important. I'd say yes, but I'd really hate to cancel on her. She was very adamant about meeting with me." I explained. "I'm sorry." And I was. I tried to push away the feeling that I might be passing up a once in a lifetime opportunity to get to know this man.
Just then there was a knock at the elevator doors and a gruff voice could be heard on the other side. "You folks okay in there?"
"Yes". We both answered in unison even though we were still only looking at each other.
"Right. Okay then. We'll have these doors open in a jiffy," the repairman answered.
"So, what's next?" Edward looked to me, concern etching his beautiful face.
We spoke quietly now, aware that we were no longer alone. "What do you mean?" I didn't think there was anything left. It seemed to me like we were out of options.
He took my hands in his. "I'm leaving tomorrow, Bella, and I want to see you again."
All I could do was stare back at him with a blank look on my face. I didn't know what he wanted me to say.
"So, what do we do with our situation?" he asked me again.
I had absolutely no idea what to do. I had no answer for the gorgeous man before me. I couldn't just forget about what almost happened there, but I didn't think I could just throw caution to the wind and pick up where we had left off. I really was not that type of person. Not with my brain functioning properly again.
But he just stared at me waiting for my answer. "Bella?"
"I don't know." I looked around the elevator as if the walls would have the answer written on them somewhere. "Umm... When do you leave tomorrow? Is it very early?"
"I'll be leaving the hotel at 5am."
"Oh." I began waring with myself. I wanted to see him again too, but I couldn't just spend the night with a man that I had only known for an hour or two. I wasn't a prude, obviously, but this would have been really close to a line I had never envisioned myself crossing.
We were interrupted once again by the repair man, only this time instead of yelling through the door, he had it opened. "Hey y'all. Sorry 'bout th'wait in there. Hope y'all aren't claustrophobic?" he asked with a chuckle scratching the back of his neck. I was sure he was hoping that we in fact weren't and wouldn't be filing a complaint about the wait. The wait which seemed entirely too short.
Edward looked at the repairman. "No. We're fine. Thanks again for the help. It wasn't that bad, really, as far as being stuck in an elevator goes." He looked to me and gave me a knowing smile.
"Alrighty then. You folks enjoy your evenin'. These other el'vators are working fine, but if ya'll feel like takin' the stairs - and I don't blame ya if ya do - they're jus' 'round that corner there," he explained as he pointed the way to the stairs.
"Thank you," Edward said. He gestured for me to vacate the elevator first.
We had only made it down to the 8th floor in the elevator. I wasn't looking forward to walking down the remaining seven flights of stairs in these heels, but I considered taking my chances lest Edward and I have another elevator romp. I wouldn't have minded so much, really. But I knew that it would only end with heartache. I wasn't one for instant gratification when the consequences were too high.
As if I he were weighing in on my internal debate he offered his company. "Would you like me to ride down with you? I don't imagine you want to take the stairs in those shoes. I know very well from my sister how uncomfortable heels can be."
The way he spoke to me was so natural, as if we spoke to one another every day. It just all felt so right. But I couldn't help but feel that it was hopeless, whatever it was that was going on with him and me. We had only just met, and we lived on separate sides of the continental US. I knew that I had to make some kind of a clean break from him, before it was too late. Because I knew any kind of relationship with him would never work.
I mustered up all the strength I could in that moment to answer him. "That's alright Edward. I think I can manage..." without you.
"Oh. Okay then." He looked a bit flustered, rubbing the back of neck and rocking on his heels. "Bella, I am sorry about earlier. I hope I didn't frighten you. Really, I know you deserve more respect than to be pawed at in an elevator..."
I had to cut him off right there because I wasn't sorry, not at all, and I had to tell him so. "Edward. I'm not sorry for what happened. It was overwhelming and wonderful, but it's too much too soon for me."
"I understand. But if you do want to see me again, Bella, here's my number." He handed me his business card. "Anytime. If you want to see me again at any time. A month or a year from now. I don't care."
I didn't believe he would actually want me to call him up a year from now. "Edward... You don't even know me."
"But I want to know you, Bella." He held my stare as if he was trying to convince me of something.
"Well... If I'm ever in Chicago..." I smiled at him weakly because I didn't know what else to say.
He leaned in to kiss me. He kissed me good and hard. Both of us knowing it would most likely be the last shared between us. "Goodbye, Bella."
"Edward." It came out in a whisper. I didn't say goodbye because his kiss had completely ruined me. I didn't know how to say goodbye to him. Instead I remained close to him and inhaled his heady scent. "What is this Edward?" I didn't mean to speak those words allowed, but they slipped out as my brain tried to clear the desire that practically consumed me.
"I don't know. But I don't think I could stay away from you, Bella, even if I tried." He wrapped his arms around me and I shamelessly clung to him.
"Then don't." I knew it was a cruel thing for me to say. I was denying him but at the same time telling him to be with me. But it was how I honestly felt in that moment. He was wearing down my resolve.
He pulled back to look into my eyes again. He didn't have to say it. His eyes said it all. "Stay with me tonight?"
I looked away, breaking that intimate bond. "Edward." I couldn't look at him or I would have said yes.
"Nothing has to happen. I'll sleep on the love seat in the sitting area. I'll hang up a bed sheet to separate us. Whatever you want, I'll do it. Just... stay with me." He bent lower, eye-level, and captured me again.
It had sounded so wonderfully romantic, like a dream. But I knew what would have happened in the morning. I had to deny myself that night so that I could spare my heart the next day. "And what about tomorrow? When you have to leave?"
"I'll probably beg you to come with me," he answered tucking a stray hair behind my ear. "You can be my carry-on."
I couldn't help but laugh at that visual. "I don't think I would fit in the overhead compartment, Edward." He smiled back at me, but it wasn't enough for me to forget the reality of the situation. "I can't go with you to Chicago... And I can't stay with you tonight."
"I know." He sighed, defeat in his voice. "Call me sometime?" he asked as he let go of me.
"Sure." As I said it I knew that it was a lie. I wouldn't call him because I couldn't. I couldn't do that to myself or to him. It wouldn't be fair.
He nodded back at me. "Right." It was obvious that he knew I was lying too.
I stepped into the waiting elevator. "Goodnight, Edward." I still couldn't utter the words goodbye to him. I felt like I was loosing something special.
"Be safe," was all he said.
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Please let me know that you think. I forgot to post these last time, but there are now links for the story in my profile, if you'd like to check them out. I do enjoy using actual places to help make the story feel more real.