A/N: Thanks to team Shiffy.
I am seriously behind on replying to reviews for this one. Please forgive. I promise I will catch up asap. Please know that I read and treasure every single one of them.
Chapter 15
"See, that wasn't so bad," Edward said, pulling away from me with a smirk on his face. He ran his thumb along my lips as I stared up at him breathlessly, trying to gather my thoughts. The way he was looking at me now, his face so full of adoration, I couldn't remember the last time anyone had looked at me like that. I was so used to seeing scowls and looks of disgust. I don't think I ever wanted do anything to cause him to look at me any other way.
"You hungry?" he asked, taking a step back.
I shook my head. "No, I ate before I came over."
"Good," he said, taking my hand. "Come on, let's go and sit on the deck." He led me over to a bench that was facing the beach. He sat down and pulled me along with him, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me to his side.
I wasn't used to this kind of closeness. It was good, yet scary, all at the same time. My heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to burst out my chest. I focused on the waves and cool, calming sounds of the ocean, willing myself to calm down.
When I was finally able to relax, I leaned into him, resting my head on his chest, enjoying his scent and the warmth of his body. I had spent all this time running from him and pushing him away, when in actual fact, this wasn't that bad. "So," I said, glancing up at him. "What do we do now?"
He smiled down at me. His eyes filled with nothing, but kindness. "We take it slow, Bella. We just get to know one another and see where it goes."
I nodded. Slow was good. "So, tell me, Edward," I said, sitting up. "What is it you actually do? Cause all I've seen you do is hang around the beach all day." And I'm sure that certainly doesn't pay for this, I thought, glancing around his house. I prayed he wasn't one of those rich kids that got handouts from daddy.
Edward laughed. "I'm a web designer. I pick my own hours, which is why I can afford to hang on the beach all day. I usually work on my projects at night or first thing in the morning." I nodded. It made sense. "What about you, Bella? What is it that you want to do?"
I moved away from him a little, looking out at the ocean, not liking where the conversation had turned. "I didn't graduate. So, I guess I won't be doing much with my life."
Edward caught my chin and turned me to look at him. "An education is important, but plenty of people have made it without one. Take Richard Branson for instance, he dropped out of high school, yet he is one of the richest people in the world."
"I didn't know that," I said, smiling up at him.
Edward winked. "I am full of useless knowledge. Seriously though, you can be anyone you want to be, Bella; don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise."