Dinner with a Touch of Promise
Dinner had been perfect, although surprising. Edward had picked her up a little before seven that evening and had taken her to the last place that she thought she'd be – his high rise penthouse.
Sipping on a glass of wine, Bella stared out into the city lights, listening to the soft tones of classical music being played from overhead speakers. Edward tinkered away in the kitchen, cleaning up after a particular divine meal he'd prepared for her. She'd insisted on helping, but he wouldn't hear of it.
As the evening wore down, Bella couldn't help but let her mind run over the possible implications of him bringing her to his place. Alice's little chirpy and far to energetic voice squawked in the back of her mind, making suggestions about orgasms and blow jobs, and how to hold head to the side while she gazed out into the starry night just to entice him by showing more of her neck.
Bella took another sip, trying to let the alcohol burn away her nerves, and the damn pixie dancing in her brain.
"Would you like some more?" Edward asked with a bottle of vino in his hand. Bella nodded with a smile. She took him in and her smile widened. He looked semi-domesticated, with a white dish towel over his shoulder and the cuffs of his white shirt rolled up to his elbows. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, showing just a hint of his chest.
Her smile turned into a sigh.
"You have a beautiful view," she said, turning back to the window by way of distraction. "It's beautiful."
"It is," Edward replied, and from her periphery, she could see him gazing at her, not at the elegant skyline beyond. She took another sip of her wine to hide her blush, not wanting to read more into his comment than she deserved.
He may not have needed to look out the window to enjoy its beauty. He did live here, after all.
Having none of her evasiveness, Edward took a step toward her and gently extracted the goblet from her hand. Setting it down on the table beside them, Edward turned to her. "You are beautiful, Miss Swan. The night has nothing in comparison."
"Th-thank you," Bella mumbled, wanting to look away from him in embarrassment, but Edward stayed her retreat by grasping her chin in one hand. She looked into his eyes, seeing nothing but truth and sincerity.
Odd…
"I'm going to teach you how to take a compliment from a man if it kills me," he chuckled, brushing the pad of his thumb lightly over her skin.
"I'm sorry. I'm just not used to receiving them."
"Shame . . ."
Bella shrugged.
"My mother always told me that I was a plain girl," she mused, shrugging off the hurt the familiar words wrought in her heart. "I never expected a man to find me more than just that."
Edward's brows furrowed, seemingly confused.
"Why would your mother ever tell you are anything less than spectacular?"
Been working. Really sucks. One more day with the sickies tomorrow, and then I'm all yours ;) I might get another one up tonight but may not. See if you guys inspire me. No, I'm not above holding chaps for randsom. hehehe.