A/N: Sherry rocks

EDITED 28/04/0/15

Chapter 4

BPOV

I hopped from foot to foot as I looked over at the dress on the bed. I was so fucking nervous. I actually felt sick. I wasn't sure if I could go on this date. Was it to late to back out? I looked down at the watch on my wrist to check the time. Damn that fucking watch. Kate had been kind enough to tell me she had checked out the price online and it cost around $445. That was like over half my monthly income. Plus the fact that it was only one of his gifts. I didn't even want to think what they all added up to.

Okay, it was five o'clock. I had an hour before he came to pick me up. I had already done my hair, I just needed to do my make up and put the dress on. Oh my god the dress, what if it didn't fit? I didn't have anything to wear other than the dress he saw me in at New Year's, and there was no way in hell I could wear that again. Fuck. Shit. I should have thought about this before now. I should have tried on the dress before now, and as if the dress wasn't a big enough problem … How the fuck was I going to walk in these shoes?

The house phone rang, snapping me from my thoughts. I went over to the bedside table to answer it, wondering who it could be. "Hello?"

"Bella, I just called to see how you're holding up?" I smiled when I heard the familiar voice.

"Hey, Angela," I sighed, sinking onto the bed. "Well, considering I'm sitting here in my underwear about to have a nervous breakdown … not so well."

"Aw Bella, I'm sure everything will be fine," Angela said, trying to comfort me. "What is it you're worried about?"

"Er… that I like him too much," I laughed nervously. "Or that he's too good to be true."

"It's just a date, Bella. If you don't like him, then you don't have to see him again."

"I suppose your right," I mumbled, but I wasn't sure if I could just walk away and forget about him. I wasn't sure if he would even let me.

"I am right. Now go pour yourself a glass of wine and get ready."

"Okay," I sighed. "Thanks for calling Angela."

"You're welcome. Remember to call me first thing in the morning with all the details!"

"I will, promise."

I said goodbye to Angela and I did as she ordered, I poured myself a large glass of wine. I downed the glass for liquid courage and poured myself another to sip while I got ready. I did my makeup in the bathroom and went back to my bedroom, with my wine in hand. It was the moment of truth. It was time to see if the dress fitted.

I set my glass down on my dresser, then I picked up the dress. I unzipped it and stepped inside, taking a deep breath before I pulled it up. So far, so good. I gripped the zipper at the back and slowly pulled it to the top. It fit me. Thank God, and it felt so good against my skin. I hurried over to the mirror and was stunned by the reflection. I looked fantastic, and totally unlike me. I fucking loved this dress and it was going to go perfectly with those heels. Though, I didn't understand how someone I barely knew could pick a dress for me that fitted so well. I wondered if he had a designer or something, I highly doubted he had picked it out himself.

I couldn't stop looking at my reflection in the mirror, the earrings, the necklace, and the dress made me look like a million dollars. Though I did think the dress was a little on the short side. I tried pulling it down a few times, but it just slid back up my thighs.

At five to six, there was a knock on the door. Edward, your five minutes early, I thought as I made my way to the door. I opened the door to reveal someone who definitely wasn't Edward, but I recognized him as one of the guys from the pub.

"Are you ready Miss Swan?" he asked.

I laughed at him. He made it sound as if he was talking to my mother. "Please, call me, Bella. You're Garrett, right? We met at the bar the other night?"

He chuckled. "Yes, we did." He was probably remembering my friend Kate, who had been giving him mouth to mouth resuscitation for most of the night.

"I thought Edward was picking me up." I inquired, looking at him confused.

"Mr. Cullen had a work matter to attend. He will be meeting you at the restaurant. I will be your driver for this evening," he said, bowing to me, which made me giggle.

"I just need to grab my purse and shoes, then I'll be good to go," I said, leaving him standing where he was.

I had one last look in the mirror before slipping on my shoes and grabbing my purse off the bed. I took one step and wobbled. Yep, definitely going to need to concentrate to master walk in these things. I just prayed I didn't end up falling flat on my face and making a fool of myself.

Garrett didn't speak much on the ride to the restaurant. He was too busy navigating New York traffic. At least that is the reason I believed he didn't attempt to hold a conversation. When we pulled up at The Peninsula restaurant, I gaped out the window in amazement. I shouldn't have been surprised that Edward would take me to a place this expensive, not after all the gifts he had showered me in, but I still was.

Someone opened the back door to let me out, and Garrett jumped out of the driver seat before I had a chance to move. "Leave it!" he yelled. "I'll get her." He ran around the car and pushed the guy out of the way, giving him a glare. I found his behavior strange, but I didn't get a chance to think about it. The next thing I knew he was offering me his hand and helping me out the car.

"Thank you," I mumbled, as I took in the view of the hotel.

"Ready?" Garrett asked, offering me his arm. Was I ready? No, not really, but I was as ready as I was ever going to get.

I took a deep breath and wrapped my hand around his arm. I was grateful for his assistance. I was sure I would have landed on my face if he hadn't been there to help me.

Garrett led me into the hotel and towards the elevator, which we took to the second floor. We then went down a corridor and into a large dining room. The hotel was beautiful. It had sleek, modern furniture, which surprisingly matched well with the original features. As I took in the scene of the dining room, I realized that it was empty. I found that odd for a Saturday night, but refrained from commenting. As we walked towards a large arch window, I noticed Edward sitting at the table. He stood up and walked towards us when he heard us approach.

Garrett offered Edward my hand, which he immediately took and held in his. "Bella," he said in greeting, leaning forward and placing a kiss on my cheek. "You look simply breathtaking," he said, as he pulled away. I felt myself instantly relax, though I was unsure if it was in reaction to his closeness, his complement, or both.

"Thank you," I whispered, before he led me over to our table. He even pulled out my seat like a real gentleman and helped me push it back in. I couldn't help, but smile at his old-fashioned ways. It was rare to find a man that still upheld such manners.

I could feel my nerves starting to creep back into place as I watched him take his seat. I could no longer feel the comfort of his warm aura, and I began to wonder what I was doing here, why he wanted me here.

"Champagne?" Edward asked, lifting a bottle of Moet.

"Please, though, just the one." Champagne usually went straight to my head. I wouldn't even normally have one, but I felt it would have been rude to refuse him.

Edward poured us both a drink and then raised his glass in a toast. "To the future," he said, dipping his glass towards me. I wasn't quite sure what he meant, but I repeated his words before taking a sip.

When I sat my glass on the table, I somehow managed to knock it over. "Fuck, I'm sorry," I called out as I stumbled to pick up the glass and sop up the champagne with my napkin. I couldn't believe I had been so fucking clumsy.

"Bella," Edward said in a stern voice, catching my attention. "Don't ever let me hear you swearing again."

My face flushed, and I looked down to my lap. I didn't know what to do or say. I felt like I was twelve again, and I had just had been scolded by my father.

I was glad when the serving staff came out to clean up my mess and refill my glass. It served as a distraction and helped me forget the awkward tension. I glanced up at Edward as they left; he was watching me intently, but he seemed oblivious to my discomfort.

"I hope you don't mind, but I ordered you a selection of dishes. I thought you might like to try a few of them."

"That was very kind of you," I said quietly. "Thank you."

A few minutes later, several waiters appeared with several plates and laid them out on our table. There were lots of different dishes, steak, fish, chicken, all laid out in tiny, fancy, portions. One plate certainly wouldn't have been enough to make anyone full. I was grateful that Edward had ordered so many.

"Dig in," Edward said, lifting a spoon and filling his own plate. I followed his lead.

The food was delicious, it practically melted in my mouth. Though, I didn't fill my plate nearly enough to sate my hungry. I was afraid a second helping would make me look like a pig, and that was certainly not the look I was aiming for on our first date.

"So, tell me about yourself, Bella. Where do you work? What do you do?" Edward asked, in-between bites.

"There isn't much to tell," I said, playing with the food on my plate. I hated talking about myself. "I work at the Bookstore Café, but I guess you already know that," I said, laughing nervously.

"Have you worked there long?"

"A few years, I started working there when I moved to New York. It helps to pay my rent and college expenses."

"Ah, so you go to college. Which one do you attend?" Edward asked, taking a sip from his glass.

"Brooklyn College, do you know it?"

"I know of it," he smiled.

"So, what is it that you do, Edward?" I asked, taking the opportunity to change the subject before he could ask me any more questions.

"I help my uncle run the family business," he said, with a playful smirk.

"And what kind of business is that?" I curiously asked. Was he being evasive on purpose?

"It's an import export business. We mostly ship tools." He was smirking even more now. What was so funny? Were tools a metaphor for something else? I certainly didn't think there would be that much money in a tool business. What wasn't he telling me?

I finished my food and sat my utensils down on the plate. I was still hungry, but refused to eat anymore.

"Have you had enough?" Edward asked, finishing off his own.

"Yes, thank you. I'm full."

We talked for a while longer, about non essential things. I felt quite relaxed in his company, though I was taken by surprise when he suddenly jumped up and marched around to my side. "Let's get out of here," he said, extending his hand towards me. "I've been itching to get you on the dance floor again."

Before I had the chance to answer him, he took my hand and pulled me to my feet. "I'm not sure if I'll be able to dance in these heels."

"I won't let you fall," he said, catching my chin and tilting my head to face him. His smile was breathtaking, and his eyes were full of laughter and light. I could get lost looking at them for hours. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on my lips, igniting my hunger for more. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him back down to me, kissing him until I was completely breathless and needy. I blamed the champagne.

Edward smirked knowingly at me as he pulled away. He took my head in his and led me towards the elevator. As we walked along I tried to calm myself down, but when the elevator doors opened, Edward he shoved me inside, pinning me against the wall, and working me into a frenzy. His lips were relentless as they assaulted mine, never letting up their pursuit. His hands wildly explored every every inch of my body.

He knew what he was doing, he was driving me into a lustful haze and if he didn't let up, there was no way I was going to be able to deny him tonight. I would end up in his bed.

The elevator doors pinged open, and we were both brought back to reality. Edward pulled away from me with a satisfied smile on his face, as I quickly tried to right my appearance. He took my arm and led me outside to the car, where Garrett was waiting.

Garrett was leaning against the car when we went outside. When he saw us, he jumped up and rushed to open the backdoor. As I was sliding into the car, I caught sight of the valet, the one who had attempted to open my door when we arrived. He was standing over by the stairs, holding a bloody towel up to his nose. It looked as if he had a black eye as well. I wondered what had happened to him. As I was looking at him, he glanced over in my direction, but then quickly looked away. He looked petrified, but I didn't understand why. The whole thing had me confused. Then, I saw Garret's hand on the top of the car door. It looked as if it was stained with blood. Did he hurt that boy?

"Bella?" Edward said, looking at me with concern.

"Sorry," I mumbled, sliding into the car.

Had Garrett hit that boy? I couldn't think of any reason he would have to hit him, but it did look like he had blood on his hand and the boy was clearly terrified. I thought he was looking at me, but he could have easily been looking at Garrett. I wasn't sure if I should say anything to Edward, I didn't know how he would react, and most of all, I didn't want to spoil our night. I was enjoying myself, it didn't often happen.

I kept quiet on the car ride to the club, torn over what to do. Edward remained silent also, rubbing small circles in my hand with his thumb. I enjoyed his touch. It made my skin feel as if it was buzzing with electricity. I had never had that connection with anyone else. This was new, different.

When we pulled up at New Moon, I smiled. It was the club I had met him in at New Year's Eve. It was cute that he had brought me to the place that we had met.

Garrett opened the door for us, and Edward climbed out first. He then offered me his hand. I did my best to slide out of the car looking elegant, but it wasn't exactly easy to do with a dress this short and these high heels.

Edward walked past the queue, straight to the front door, where the doorman lifted the barrier. "Good evening, Mr. Cullen," the bouncer said in greeting.

I guessed he was a regular here or maybe because he was that rich that he got the royal treatment wherever he went.

Edward led me into the club. He took my purse from me and handed it to Garrett before he pulled me onto the dance floor. I was excited to be close to him again, but nervous at the same time. I didn't want to end up falling and embarrassing myself. For some reason, it was important to me to make a good impression.

I Need Your Love by Calvin Harris was playing. I don't think there was a song better suited to the moment. Edward took me to the middle of the floor, and everyone around us seemed to move out of his way. He pulled me into his arms and we started dancing, slow dancing to a fast song, but I didn't care. I was just enjoying my time with him.

After a few songs, I was ready for a rest. Edward pulled me close to him and led us from the dance floor, up a few stairs and into a lounge, marked private.

"You have your own VIP lounge here?" I asked, sinking into the seat.

Edward laughed. "You could say that … I own the place." I stared at him. Was he serious?

Of course, he was. Money was literally pouring out of him. I really shouldn't have been surprised.

"You failed to mention you owned a club earlier," I said, raising my eyebrow at him.

"Did I?" Edward laughed.

He motioned for someone from the bar to come over to us. They took our drink order and left, bringing our drinks a few minutes later. The last time I was in here I had to queue for a drink for over half an hour, dating the boss sure had its advantages.

We sat for hours talking about everything and nothing. Edward sure was an interesting guy, but I couldn't ignore the feeling that he was keeping something back from me.

As the night drew late, Edward's lips found mine again. We were both pretty drunk, which is why things grew heated so quickly. His hand was currently running up my leg, headed under my dress, as his mouth left a trail of tingling kisses on my neck. I was close to losing my resolve, and I knew if I didn't stop him now, then I would indeed end up in his bed tonight. I put my hand on his, stopping it in motion and angled my head away from him. "I can't go home with you," I said, breathlessly.

He rested his head against mine, trying to catch his breath. "I know."

Nothing else was said for a long time. I was waiting for him to say something and I think he was doing the same with me.

"It's getting late," I finally stated. "I should probably go home." I slowly pulled my head away from his and looked up at his eyes. He looked sad, disappointed, and possibly angry. I didn't quite understand it.

"I'll get Garrett to run you home," he sighed.