"What's the time frame of the project?" I asked. I was sitting in Edward's office on a conference call with a client late Wednesday afternoon. Edward's desk phone was super high tech but it was perfect for hands free talking.
"What do you mean, time frame?" the client asked, her voice filled with confusion.
"If you are approved for this grant, how long from the time you receive the funds until the project is completed? I'll want to include a timeline in the proposal."
"Ummm…nine months. I think that will be enough time." She replied.
"And you're requesting $250,000, correct?" I was typing notes on my laptop as we talked.
"Yes."
"You'll need to send me a breakdown of the budget- how much for materials, how much for labor. It needs to be specific and every dollar should be accounted for."
"How soon do you need it?"
"The deadline is October 1, so I'll need the budget by this Friday at the absolute latest. I want to get the proposal back to you as soon as possible before it is submitted, so you can make any revisions."
"Izzy, make sure you cc me when you send the preliminary proposal to the client." Victoria added.
"Absolutely." I said, rolling my eyes and thankful I was in an empty room. She critiqued more than the client ever did. A lot of people in our office would 'accidentally' forget to send her things to avoid her disapproval.
We ironed out a few more details before we ended the call. I used the notes from the meeting and began to put together a very rough outline.
"Hey, Princess!" Edward called, his deep voice echoing through the apartment. My heartbeat quickened. I liked it when he called me princess. It was so cheesy and I hated myself for it but it made me giddy. I looked at the time- it was just quarter after five. He was early.
"In here!" I called back. He walked into the office, leaned down and gave me a kiss. Edward's kiss was always the highlight of my day.
"I didn't know you would be home so early. I didn't start dinner yet." I said apologetically when we tore our lips from each other's.
"No worries. I thought I'd take you out on a proper date. We've never gone out on a real date, just me and you. So tonight's the night." Edward said.
I grinned excitedly. "Where are we going?"
"La Bella Italia."
My balloon of enthusiasm was immediately deflated. "Edward, we can't just walk into that restaurant. They're booked weeks in advance." La Bella Italia was one of the hottest restaurants in the city, especially after the head chef was featured on Iron Chef America.
"I may have called in a favor and got a reservation for eight tonight." He said with a sly smile.
"Oh my God…I don't have anything to wear." I stood up from the desk and walked out of the office. "Do you think I have enough time to buy something? Shit, I'd have to buy shoes, too. I knew I should have packed a pair of heels just in case." I rambled.
"Whoa, baby. Relax." Edward said, chuckling. He guided me into the living room and picked up a garment bag that had been draped over the back of the sofa. I looked at the bag quizzically. It certainly hadn't been there all day.
"I may have told Alice about the date and stopped at her store for an outfit for you on my way home. She wouldn't let me look at it though."
"That sounds like Alice." I laughed. "Thank you." I stood on my toes and kissed his lips.
His green eyes twinkled. "Go get dressed." He said, swatting my bottom. I giggled and grabbed the bag. I threw it on the bed and went into the bathroom to take a quick shower and wash my hair. It was still tender around the wound that had to be sutured, but after the stiches were removed I was allowed to wash my scalp again. I would never take that luxury for granted again.
After a super quick blow dry, I returned to the bedroom wrapped in a towel and Edward was changing his shirt. It was so easy for men, but he did look sexy. He was wearing a pair of black trousers and a fitted silver gray button up shirt.
"I'll get out of your way," He said, grabbing his iPad and his black blazer and closing the door behind him.
I unzipped the bag and of course Alice had thought of everything- undergarments, accessories and shoes. The dress was perfect: fitted and sleeveless black lace top that flared out into a full skirt, ending a few inches above my knees. The shoes were black stilettos with a pointed heel. I added a stack of silver bracelets and a pair of small earrings. I opted not to wear much make-up, just mascara, a couple sweeps of blush and lipstick. My hair fell over my shoulders in its natural wave. I checked the mirror one last time while I spritzed my favorite perfume on my wrists and behind my ears.
I strolled into the living room, purse in hand, and Edward was sitting on the sofa talking on his cell phone. His eyes swept slowly from my heels up to my face. He locked eyes with mine as he finished his conversation.
"I will call the client tomorrow to get that information…thanks, Harry…okay…you have a good night as well." He tossed the phone and it bounced on the couch cushion. He walked over to me and brought my hand to his lips.
"You look amazing, baby. I kind of want to stay in now." He told me.
"No, you promised me a date."
"Jesus, those legs…" he groaned, his eyes fixed on my thighs.
"Edward!"
He laughed. "Okay, okay. Let's get out of here."
~SD~
"The food was out of this world." I sighed, leaning my head on Edward's shoulder in the backseat of the taxi. We'd left the restaurant around ten and found a cab almost immediately. The food had been amazing and the ambience was intimate and romantic. The staff was a little snooty, but that was not really a surprise.
"It was good, but I'd take your cooking over that any day." Edward told me.
"The entrees were too elaborate for you?" I asked, giggling.
"I'm a simple man. Beer and wings, spaghetti and meatballs, steak and potatoes. Not chestnut fettuccine with wild boar ragu. My simple brain can't comprehend all of those complex flavors."
"You enjoyed the wine." I reminded him.
"Yeah, the wine was great. I'm not usually a wine drinker but it was delicious. What was it called again?"
"Amarone." I replied. "Thank you for dinner, Edward." I said, gazing into his green eyes.
"You are quite welcome. Thank you for giving me the pleasure of your company." He wrapped his arm around me as the taxi sped us back to his apartment. His other hand fished his vibrating cell phone from his pocket. He looked at the screen and quickly returned it to his pocket.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Yep. Everything is perfect."
By the time we got back, it was close to eleven. My heels looked lovely, but I was ready to take them off. He unlocked the door and let me go in first; I walked straight to the bedroom to relieve my pinched toes. I opened the door and stopped short.
The darkened room was bathed in the soft light of candles. Red rose petals were sprinkled all over the neatly made bed and there was a silver tray in the middle of the bed with a bakery box, a bottle of champagne and two glasses. Soft music added the final touch to the romantic scene.
"How…what…who?" I stuttered, unable to complete a thought. Edward wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. I felt his soft chuckle against my ear.
"Seth set it up for me." He explained. I felt tears forming in my eyes and I quickly turned around and buried my head in his chest.
"Izzy, are you okay?" He asked with a concerned voice as he rubbed my back. I nodded. I was overcome with emotion at his thoughtfulness.
"I'm sorry. I'm such a wuss." I said, my voice muffled by his shirt.
"No, you're not. Come here, baby." He grabbed my hand and walked me over to the bed. He opened the bakery box and there were two rows of bite sized cheesecakes, all different flavors.
"So that's why you didn't want dessert! You sneaky bastard!" I scolded him playfully.
"I have one more thing but it's in my office. I'll be right back." He said and then jogged out of the room. He was back five seconds later with a small plastic bag.
"If you're not into this, just tell me." He pulled a black quilted silk blindfold from the bag. "I thought we could have a taste test. You take a bite while blindfolded and tell me what flavors you taste."
I bit my lip and nodded my head. I was definitely into it.
"Okay, sit down on the bed, next to the tray." I did as he said and he carefully slid the blindfold over my eyes. I was completely shrouded in darkness, I could see absolutely nothing. I felt Edward's gentle hands on my ankles and he removed my heels. I heard the pop of the champagne bottle and the fizz of the liquid being poured into two flutes. He placed the glass in my hand and clinked his against mine. I tilted my glass to my lips and the bubbles tickled my nose.
"God Edward, this champagne is amazing." It was perfectly chilled and sweet.
"Drink up and I'll pour you another glass." We sipped for a few minutes and then he poured us both more.
"Baby, take a bite of this and tell me what it tastes like." He touched my lips with a little morsel and I opened my mouth and took a small bite.
"Umm…raspberry?" I said, licking my lips.
"Okay, try this one."
"Chocolate. That's easy."
"How about this one?"
"Hmmm…pumpkin? It's really good. You taste it."
"Fuck, that is good. This one?"
"White chocolate and something else. I can't figure it out. Try it."
I felt his tongue sweep across my lips and I gasped in surprise. I opened my lips and his tongue touched mine, electricity shooting through my body. All of my senses were heightened with my eyes blindfolded; the nerve endings under my skin prickled in excitement.
"Mmmm, it tastes like caramel." He whispered between kisses.
"Yes…" I moaned, twisting my tongue around his. He pulled away.
"Taste this." He breathed. He nudged something against my lips and I opened a bit. He slid a finger into my mouth and it tasted like champagne. I licked and sucked the tip until he groaned. He replaced his finger with his lips again and I happily licked and sucked them as well. He kissed my chin and then my neck, his beard brushing my sensitive skin. I threaded my fingers in the soft hair at the nape of his neck.
"Can I take your dress off?" he murmured. "Did I tell you how beautiful you looked tonight? I wanted to punch the sommelier in the mouth for staring at your legs."
"For the millionth time, he was trying to open the bottle; he was not looking at my legs."
"Yeah, right. But I can't really blame him. Stand up so I can unzip this sexy dress." I slid off of the bed and Edward swept my hair over my shoulder. I felt his warm breath on the back of my neck as he stood behind me and slowly pulled the zipper down, then slid the fabric from my shoulders until it fell around my feet. He groaned.
"Izzy…wow." I'd forgotten I was wearing the bra and panty set that Alice put in the garment bag- a black satin bandeau bra and a matching thong. His hands skimmed the sides of my body and then he softly squeezed my bottom. His hands slid up my back and he unhooked my bra, letting it drop. He tenderly kneaded my breasts.
"Wait one second." He removed his hands. I heard him moving around the room, the clink of glasses, and the rustling of the bedspread.
"Okay, baby. Lay down." He whispered, as he guided me back onto the bed. I lay back, inhaling the delightful fragrance of the rose petals. Edward pecked my lips and then pulled away. His fingers brushed across my nipples, teasing them. The mattress dipped next to me from his weight. He pulled my legs apart and I felt his soft lips graze my calf, then my knee, then he pressed open mouth kisses from the outside to the inside of my thigh. He kissed my mound over top of my panties. He pushed both of my legs straight up in the air and tugged the scrap of satin fabric up and off. My hips began moving in anticipation. He chuckled.
"I know what you want, baby." I heard a bit more rustling and then, finally, his warm tongue met my core. I squealed in pleasure and surprise and he groaned in response.
"You taste so good." He whispered. His tongue circled my entrance and then he began to thrust it in and out rhythmically. He held my legs open as he French kissed my pussy and I moaned in pleasure.
"Edward…mmmm…yes…yes…" I was undulating my hips, my needy clit desperate for attention but he was avoiding it. He bit my inner thighs, causing me to gasp, and then went back to licking and kissing my lower lips. His hands cupped my ass, pulling me tightly to him.
"Edward…" I whimpered.
"Tell me what you want." He murmured from between my legs.
"Please, Edward…"
"Tell me. You know I'll do anything you want…" He teased.
"Suck my clit." I breathed, barely audible.
"Like this?" He asked, flicking my swollen clit with his tongue before pulling it against his lips and sucking.
"So good. Oh my God…" I was gasping for breath as my body barreled toward the peak of ecstasy. My toes curled and my thighs trembled and then I shattered apart, crying out in pleasure. I floated back to earth slowly, as Edward stroked my body and planted kisses on the skin of my hips and stomach. He unexpectedly slid one finger inside of me, pushing in and out at a languid pace. He added another finger.
"Mmmm….that feels good." I moaned. He turned his hand so that his two fingers were rubbing against the front of my vaginal wall.
"Fuck!" I exclaimed. The sudden increase in pleasure frightened me a bit. "Edward?" I cried out in confusion.
"Just relax, baby. Let me make you feel good." He rubbed his fingers faster and added more pressure.
"Oh God…oh fuck Edward. Fuck…" my back arched and this time my entire body shuddered as wave after wave of euphoric pleasure cascaded through me. My body was still for a few seconds and then another tremor shook me. Edward wrapped me in his arms.
"Are you okay?" he asked. I nodded, my wild heartbeat finally beginning to slow. He took my blindfold off and I smiled, happy to see his eyes again. They had such depth; they comforted me, they challenged me, they seduced me.
"Why am I the only one without clothes?" I whispered with a pout. I kissed his neck and then bit down on his ear lobe. He rolled me off of him and stood up, quickly unbuttoning his shirt and pants and tossing his clothes onto the floor. When he pulled down his boxer briefs, his hard, thick dick popped out and I just had to taste it. I licked my lips and Edward beckoned me to him. I kneeled in front of him and took him into my mouth. He gathered my long hair in his hands and watched me as I sucked him.
"I love your cock." I said and kissed the broad tip.
"Oh yeah? Let me put it inside of you." I laid back down on the bed and he positioned himself between my legs. He pushed in, bit by bit.
"Izzy…" he breathed as he began to move. He started slowly and gradually quickened his pace until he was pounding into me and we were both moaning with pleasure between ferocious, sloppy kisses.
"Baby, you feel so fucking good." He groaned, holding my leg up and sliding in deeper. He growled sexily and the guttural sound made me shiver. My fingers clawed at his back, scratching his skin.
"Goddamn, Izzy…rub your clit…" I reached down and circled my clit furiously while Edward watched me.
"Are you gonna come for me, baby?" My whole body flushed with heat and a sob caught in my throat as I fell over the edge.
"Yes…yes, baby." He groaned, his thrusts losing momentum as he, too, succumbed to pleasure. I pushed the sweaty hair from his brow.
"I love you." I said.
"I love you, too."
~SD~
I was roused suddenly by an incessant tapping noise. I opened my eyes and looked around the dark room. Everything seemed normal. Then the tapping started again. It sounded like someone was knocking on the apartment door.
"Edward…Edward…" I whispered, patting his chest to gently wake him.
"What's wrong, Princess?" he mumbled.
"I think somebody's at the door." His eyes popped open when he heard the knocking as well.
"One of the neighbors probably complained about us having sex too loudly." He croaked, his voice gravelly with sleep. He glanced over at his clock. One forty three.
"Are you serious?" I cried, utterly embarrassed.
"Don't worry about it, baby. It was fucking worth it." He got up and went to his dresser, flashing me his adorable backside. He pulled on a pair of basketball short and padded out into the living room, yawning loudly.
"Who is it?" Edward called.
"It's me." I heard a man answer, their voice muffled by the door. The locks disengaged.
"Mike, what the fuck are you doing at my door at two in the morning?"
"I called you like ten times but you didn't answer."
"I was busy. What's up?"
"Demitri found the men that are following you and Izzy."