Lesson One: Felling Comfortable in Your Skin
Mike had never made her feel like a woman. He'd never made her have chills running up her spine when he simply looked at her, like Edward was now. When Mike looked at her, it was more of a inquiry. Why is she wearing something in particular, why did she chose that hairdo, or why was he stuck with a mousy girl like her were mostly likely the thoughts crossing his mind.
But with Edward, she could tell exactly what he was thinking, and it had her heart racing with both anticipation . . . and embarrassment.
Bella had never been comfortable in her own skin. Something that had been brought about by many years of teasing by boys of her flat chest, and further fueled by Mike's negative commentary from everything in between. Since her time away from him, and the help of her number one cheerleader, Alice, some of her self confidence had returned. But here . . . in Edward's bedroom . . . with the looming fact that some of her clothes would be missing in a very short amount of minutes, had her anxiety peeking.
What a time to start sweating.
"Something tells me that you might be over thinking things in that beautiful head of yours . . ."
His voice came out of the dark, but through the moonlight shining through the windows, she could see his elegant form moving toward her from the kitchen with two goblets of dark liquid in his hand. Her fingers itched for the stem. Perhaps is she had some liquid courage, things would be semi-easier.
"No, nothing," she lied. "Just enjoying the city lights." She motioned out toward the large windows surrounding the wall, leaving them in only subtle light. She could feel Edward watching her.
"You are a beautiful woman, Isabella," he murmured into his goblet. She turned to see him watching her, gazing as the dark liquid coated his lips and trickled down his throat. She watched him swallow and something inside her melted. And right then, she started to feel a tiny bit pathetic. Because in that action alone, he could have had her swooning.
"Thank you," she whispered, not trusting her breath. Edward took her forgotten goblet from her and set both of theirs onto a nearby table.
"Can you trust me, Bella?" he asked, and his words were not delivered in a way that she felt uncomfortable or pressured. Mike had always made her feel pressure. Made her feel like his time with her was a gift she should only be so honored to receive. Edward was different. It was like she was the gift. Something precious. Something worth honoring . . . to be delicate with . . . to spend the time to unravel.
And yet she could feel this man doing just that with the way he looked at her, the small, meaningless touches they shared. His intent was in his eyes as he watched her now. This was it. Lesson one: Time to fee comfortable in your own skin, Bella.
Oh god, help her . . .
AN: Thanks for all of you well wishes. I must say this is the hardest time of my life, worse than loosing my son almost three years ago. And for those of you that know me well, you know that is when I starte writing again. This by far has crippled me more than I can say. Love you all. You guys keep me smiling and wanting to get lost with these characters.