Dance with Me

Edward stared at Bella for a few more moments, his expression unreadable. Bella fussed about her menu, playing with the edges of the mounted parchment by way of distraction.

It wasn't working.

When she emptied her wine glass, Edward refilled it without speaking, watching her movements like she were some kind of science experiment. Half way through her second glass, she began to get slightly annoyed.

Edward stood abruptly, taking a moment to tuck in his chair. Bella cringed, thinking he meant to leave her there alone, with no way home. After all, if she'd been insulted for simply giving a compliment, she'd leave her stubborn ass sitting there as well.

"Dance with me." Bella glanced up to see Edward holding his hand out toward her with a warm smile. She blinked several times, shifting her gaze between his inviting gesture, and his intense gaze.

"Sure," she muttered, unsure. She placed her smaller hand in his and rose slowly from the table. Edward led her to a small dance floor, where another couple stood swaying to the music in an intimate embrace. The music was classical, fitting for the environment, and it set the tone perfectly to calm her nerves.

Bella had never been a graceful person. She'd spent years at the doctor's office, mending bumps and scraps from multiple near death experiences. Ballet had been a complete disaster, as had any other physical activity her parents had tried to push her into. Dancing had never been her forte, but she didn't think telling Edward she had two left feet would sway him in the slightest.

Her heels clicked softly upon the wooden floor, each step measured and carefully footed as to not slip and embarrass her date. She focused on the timing of the music, trying to get the rhythm down so she could set her body in motion with its beat.

Edward paused before her, one arm wrapping around her waist, the other grasping her hand to place on his chest. Enveloping her hand in his own over his heart, Edward began to move to the music. Slow in pace, Bella felt her body mold to his, moving, shifting in perfect time.

She smiled. She was dancing.

And she didn't have Edward calling 'Uncle' just yet.

"I'm dancing!" she exclaimed in a hushed cry.

"Yes, you are," Edward smiled. "And quite good, in fact."

"I'm sorry," Bella laughed. "I'm just not used to feeling so at ease on a dance floor. It's never been a skill of mine, to say the least."

"Your body would disagree, I think." Bella looked into Edward's eyes, puzzled by his statement. "You feel the rhythm perfectly. Your body takes cues from mine. I believe our insides call to each other, as they say." He gave her another wink, and Bella flushed, smiling at his cheesy line.

"I bet you say that to all the girls," she chided him jokingly, trying to lighten the mood from her earlier sideways accusations.

"No," he replied, his voice becoming more serious for the moment. "Only ones who are not only stunningly beautiful, but who make my heart and body feel like dancing."

Swoon!