Familia

"So, how long has your family owned this restaurant?" Bella asked, twirling her fork around the spaghetti before her. She watched Edward intently as he thought about his answer.

"Since my familia came over from Italy, maybe forty years or so?" They way his accent played with the words and sentence structure had Bella grinning. She loved to hear him speak. And it didn't hurt that he was dressed to the nines. Black, pinstriped suit that looked like it came out of a GQ magazine. His rolex watch, black and sleek, sat on his wrist. And his loafers, my god, she had never seen a man's shoe that turned her one. But this one . . . Alligator, black, shapely . . . Divine.

Edward was divine. And it seemed she was not the only one who noticed it. She glanced around to room, seeing other women giving him equal attention. Even the waitresses were giving him a couple looks she didn't particularly think were innocent.

"Are you related to all of the staff here?" she asked with a grin, eying the waiters and waitresses, trying to make out a resemblance. She heard Edward chuckle deep in his chest, and turned to see what he found so amusing.

"No, they are just our employees. But my brother and his sposarsi work in the back at time. But my mammina, she is the brains behind the operation."

Edward took a sip from his wine glass, and Bella couldn't help but stare as he swallowed. The movement of his neck, the curve of his Adam's apple . . . God, everything he did was sensual. She was either under some kind of spell, or the lack of sex in her life was setting her up for a very embarrassing moment when she jumped Edward's bones uninvited.

"What are you thinking about in that gorgeous head of yours."

Bella blinked and looked at Edward. He was sipping on his wine, his eyes fixed on her with amusement showing in his smirk. She shook her head and lit out a little giggle.

"I'm just not used to this kind of thing," she answered, setting her hands onto her lap, her fingers playing the with cloth napkin resting there. "You have been more than generous to me. The dress —"

"Which you look exquisite in, my the way."

She blushed.

"Thank you . . . but the jewelry, the shoes . . . it must have cost you a fortune, Edward. And although I love that you thought of me, you don't have to spend money on me, okay? It's too much."

He chuckled, setting his goblet down onto the table before reaching for her hand. She placed her smaller one in his and felt nothing but warmth. She sighed a bit, feeling a little embarrassed about her reaction. But when her eyes met his again, she saw an intensity there that made her feel that strange warmth again. Always, these feelings he invoked.

It was like she couldn't breathe right. The air was too thin.

"Isabella, the gifts I give to you are more for me than they are for you, especially when it comes to clothing, jewelry, shoes, or negliges. Those are things I would like to see you in. The cost is not an issue, and I don't ever want you to worry about that. You are my woman, and I want to take care of you."

Bella was speechless . . .

"Your w-woman? We've only had a couple dates!"

"Is that not what you want?"

"N-no, it's just so soon to be think that you'd call me yours."

He leaned in close, running a fingertip down the length of her exposed arm.

"My sweet bella, you were mine from the moment I saw you."

AN: Thanks for reading. I know its been forever. I love my fanfic peeps. I need all the encouragement I can get, trust me. So, do you ladies think it's time for them to take the next step? Huh?