Under My Nose
Edward Cullen sets a deadline of six months to find his true love, before he turns thirty. Leaving his successful restaurant to drive a mule-drawn carriage in the French Quarter of New Orleans, he searches for the meaning of true love, because he has yet to understand it. Will he know when he finds her or will she be right under his nose? Can bubbly, buxom Bella tantalize his taste buds with beignets and an abundant
booty?
Chapter Seven:
EPOV... January 1st
There is a serious look on her face set in stone, but I catch a glint in her chocolate eyes that sparkles mischief.
I mumble, "Schwinn?"
"Look, I have nothing against bikes, but you, mister, are doing the peddling. I'm pooped," she kids.
I tug at her hood. "C'mon, Ms. Bella, let me show you the bike I'll be peddling."
This look on her face is priceless. I don't know if it's horror or elation, but when she opens her mouth, I fucking freak at her comments.
"Oh my God, Edward, a Dyna Wide Glide? Are you serious?" She runs her hands over the seat and down the back fender. I watch as she caresses the leather with her diligent digits. "This is gorgeous, and the flames match your hair!" She giggles and I swallow hard. "This is amazing." She looks at me. "It's beautiful. You can peddle me on this anytime."
I catch my breath. "Well, how about now?" She smiles, and I want to know ... "How do you know about Harleys?" She really fucking knows about them.
"I had a friend growing up who tinkered with bikes. I used to hand him his wrenches." She rolls her eyes. "He tried to teach me to ride, but gave up."
I hesitate, but then I ask, "Why?"
"I kept falling off. He didn't want the responsibility for any broken bones."
"Did you break any?" I smirk, a little.
"Sure, broke both legs, both arms, dislocated my right shoulder and broke my left hand." I can't read her face, but I look over her body to see any effects.
She claps at me. "Gotcha!" And smiles broadly. "Just kidding. I took to riding a bike like a duck takes to water, when I had the right teacher"
"So, you do ride?" I rub my stomach for comfort. It feels like butterflies are tickling me.
"Oh, of course I do. Because my friend was such a doofus, I went to my dad," she nonchalantly admits.
"Really, your dad rides a Harley?" I can't believe this. And she rides.
Bella rolls her eyes and giggles. "Yeah, he owns a Fat Bob and a chopper."
I have to ask, "What kind of chopper does he ride?"
"He has a replica of the Captain America ..."
I interrupt, "... from Easy Rider?"
"The one." She smiles.
I shake my head and rub the back of my neck. "So, what does your father do?"
"He's retired from the Air Force and spends most of his time keeping my mother in line." She laughs, but it fades. "Well, he tries to."
"Your mother sounds like fun," I sarcastically joke.
"Oh, a barrel of laughs." She rolls her eyes. Hmm, pools of chocolate. I like chocolate.
"Let me take you home." I bend and whisper into her ear. "Or would you like to drive?"
She looks up at me. "You'll let me?" She squeals.
"Yeah, I have a feeling you can handle it." Man, she can handle it.
Oh yeah, she has that look in her deep, mocha eyes with strong confidence. "Bring it on, Edward."
She hugs me.
Tight.
It feels great. She fits right under my chin. She might be a full package, but she's small.
She releases me and gives me a wicked smile. I get chills. Fuck, I'm a guy, and I have chills.
I watch her straddle my bike and I feel the sweat going down my back. All of a sudden, my throat is dry, and I can't swallow. I can't take my eyes off of her.
Once Bella revs the bike up, she yells. "Get on." I slide in behind her, drop my helmet over her head and wrap my arms around her. Leaning into her side, I take a long whiff. She smells so good. "Don't argue about the helmet, just wear it." She sighs, doesn't protest, and I tap the top.
Damn, if she doesn't maneuver my Glide through the streets with ease. We hit Canal Street, and she lets loose. There are hardly any cars on the road, but Bella commands our movement, like a stealth bomber.
I shout out, "So, your dad … did he see any wartime?"
"She shouts back, with her eyes on the road, "Yeah, he was a fighter pilot, quite the 'ace' in his day."
I shake my head. "Damn."
"He's a brilliant strategist; he can command an air fleet with a bat of an eye. He was one of the first pilots to go into Afghanistan, and he insisted on doing dual training in the US and Israel." She laughs. "A real Zionist, but he has always felt that the Israeli Air Force has the strongest aerial maneuvers. He juggled with the IDF, and I'm pretty sure he was playing around with the Haganah. All Top Secret, all hush-hush."
"So, your dad is a bad-ass," I snuggle closer.
"You could say that," she quips. "One night I heard him talking with my mother. He was telling her that the Mossad, that's the Israeli Intelligence Agency, I nod my head went to our CIA and FBI about security leaks in the US, stating that over 200 terrorists were living throughout the country. Their conversation was August of 2001. And one month later ..." She trails off.
She takes a sharp left turn, passes over the streetcar tracks, crosses the left lane, pulls into a small driveway and shuts off the bike.
As I stand, I extend my hand out to her. "Then, nothing gets passed your dad."
She takes my hands and hops off the bike. She stares me right in the eye, "Or me."
I barely whisper, "Good to know."
We walk up the stairs to the front door.
Bella smiles up at me, as she opens the screen door. "Thanks for the ride and for letting me drive."
"My pleasure …"
Before Bella can get the key out of her purse, the door swings open, and a very anxious, boldly smiling Aunt Sally, I assume greets us. "So, I guess this is the rapist, murdering gay guy?"
Bella looks with horror at Aunt Sally, while I burst out laughing.
"Oh good, he has a sense of humor," she stares at me, assessing me with laser beams from head to toe. She lingers at my crotch. I swear she nods her head in acceptance and gives me a toothy grin. "Come on in, you'll catch your death out here, it's so freakin' cold. C'mon. C'mon." She scoots us in, late hour and all.
"Just go through to the dining room, Jujubee. I made some hot chocolate."
I follow Bella ... Jujubee? … But I have to say the living room is highly feminine and appealing to the color senses. The next room is ingenious, with a wall filled with shelving, and a library ladder, but as we go through a small hallway, man, I stop and stare at that tub.
Aunt Sally flips on the light. "Some tub, huh?"
I can tell it's her pride and joy.
"Wow and I thought my shower was something else," I mumble.
"You look like a guy who loves his jet sprays," Aunt Sally impersonates Mae West.
I laugh as Bella gives her a death stare.
"You have a nice laugh …" she trails off, as Bella interjects, "Edward."
Aunt Sally extends her hand to me. "Nice to meet you, Edward, I'm Aunt Sally, and you can call me that." She grips my hand strongly.
"Nice to meet you, too, Aunt Sally," I easily blurt out.
"Okay, enough of the John, let's go warm up." Aunt Sally leads the way as I follow behind Bella. Yes, I stare at her ass; it has a nice sway to it.
True to her word, Aunt Sally serves a creamy, hot chocolate with a strong dose of Kahlua, very strong dose. As I breathe in, I feel the fire through my teeth and nostrils. Hair of the dog ... more like the dragon. And she's added multi-colored, miniature marshmallows with a dollop of sweetened, whipped cream.
Each mug is unique in design, color and shape. Nothing matches, yet it does. There are plates of pastries, candies and chocolate truffles on the table. The bottle of Kahlua, a bottle of peppermint schnapps and Bailey's Irish Creme sit to one side.
Bella sits next to me as Aunt Sally sits across from us at the dining room table. My mother would have a field day with her colorful, home design. They certainly would get along.
"Edward, let me reassure you that I don't plan on giving you the inquisition. I know it's late. Let's just warm you up, before you get back on your bike." She smiles.
Bella nurses her drink, sits back and mumbles, "Thank you, God."
Aunt Sally rolls her eyes at Bella. "I heard that." She turns to me. "So, what were you guys doing until three o'clock this morning?" She smiles, and leans forward, placing her chin in her hand, and looks me dead in the eye.
I return the stare. "I had offered to take Bella home earlier, but she wouldn't hear of it. She came with me to the stables, so I could take care of my mule."
Aunt Sally nods her head in understanding. "I see. You're a carriage driver?"
I snort, crossing my arms over my chest. "I'm trying to be."
Bella interjects, "Last night was his first time, Aunt Sally."
Aunt Sally widely raises her eyes and shifts them back and forth. "So you both started new jobs, last night." She looks at Bella and back at me with a sly smile. "A virginal evening?"
Bella gives her the stink eye. "Must you?"
Aunt Sally pretends innocence, "What?" A slight smile parts her lips with her arms flailing. "I was only say …"
"I know what you were saying or trying to!" Bella accuses.
She pleads her case to me. "See? I didn't say anything … " She looks at Bella. " … and you are implying I meant something else, JujuBee." She feigns pain. "You wound me." A hand goes over her heart. "That really hurts my feelings."
"Oh, can it, Meryl Streep." Bella rolls her eyes and giggles. Hmm, she does that a lot. "Drama queen."
"So, you helped with the ass?" Aunt Sally playfully asks Bella, tapping her fingers lightly on the table.
"If you must know, I helped brush her." Bella smiles, "She's a really sweet animal."
"Which is surprising, since she is very leery of women," I blurt out.
Aunt Sally frowns and inquires, "You have a female, hating donkey?"
"Yeah. No." I shake my head. "She really took to Bella."
"I'm not surprised, Bella has always attracted animals. Squirrels love her." Bella shoots another death stare at her. "What? What did I say that was so wrong? Animals feel safe with you." She turns to me. "Honestly, Edward, since she was a small child, she was a miniature Dr. Doolittle."
Bella asks, "Don't you have a boyfriend waiting for you, Aunt Sally?"
"He's out of town. Richard had a shoot in Dallas for something or other, last minute for a friend. I don't recall." She looks at me and touches my shoulder. "Maybe you've heard of him, Edward. Richard Dykes-Johnson, the photographer."
"Yes, I have. I have wanted him to do some shots for me. I'm still waiting for a call back," I tell her.
"When he gets back, I'll talk to him for you," she offers. "Is this for you and your mule?"
"No, it's a personal job. But, hey, that would be great, thank you." I
look at Bella, as she stares with intense daggers at Aunt Sally. "What's wrong?"
Bella clears her throat, places her cup on the table and leans on her elbows. "Nothing, just watching Aunt Sally be Aunt Sally."
She smiles. "Bella thinks I'm up to something. I just want to know about you." She frowns at Bella. "I'm not Renee."
Bella sighs and barely whispers, "I'm sorry, Aunt Sally, I know you're not."
Aunt Sally pats Bella hands and looks at me. "So tell me all about you and your family, Edward. Anything you'd like to share?" She sits back, crosses her arms over her chest and smiles at me.
I give her the rundown of my brother and parents. I don't mention the restaurant. I don't want them to know I own one. It's not that I don't trust Bella, because for some reason, I do, but I'm not ready to reveal my true profession.
Aunt Sally extends the plate of pastries towards me, and I take this chocolate covered mound and sink my teeth into it. This taste of fucking heaven spreads throughout my mouth. I look up at Aunt Sally. "Where did you get this?"
She smiles broadly and nods at Bella. She grins at me like that cat who ate the canary. "Best thing you ever tasted?"
"I've never tasted anything like it." I mumble through my chewing.
She proudly boasts, "It's one of Bella's …" Bella pokes her. "What?"
"Don't brag, it's unbecoming." Bella clears her throat, "Sorry, Edward, she thinks the sun sets and rises with me."
I smile at her and grab another pastry. "I might actually agree, if you bake like this."
Bella blushes and nervously explains, "I like to dabble with recipes."
Aunt Sally shoots her a dirty glance and stares her in the eyes. "You're being too modest, JujuBee." She continues, looking at me, "Edward, Bella is an amazing baker. Her grandmother was a pastry chef for Dukes and Duchesses."
Okay, that's impressive.
Bella snaps, "She was not. You're exaggerating, Aunt Sally." She turns to me. "She baked for the family. As prissy as they all were, they weren't royalty." She giggles. "Just royal pains in the asses!"
"And she baked things like this?" I ask Bella.
"Well, I put a spin on a lot of her recipes, updating the ingredients." Bella shrugs. I can see a quick side-glance to Aunt Sally.
"Yes, and my mother was quite ahead of her time. She liked the salty, yet sweet blend for a dessert, maple syrup with bacon or chocolate covered potato chips. To this day, I believe she was the one who invented chocolate covered Matzo, but someone else ran off with the idea." She nods with her arms flailing in the air.
Bella giggles. It's a pleasant sound.
"Do you mind telling me what's in here?" I actually beg. It's sweet, but there's a bitter taste that really adds to the flavor."
Bella smiles, "A touch of paprika, just a hint."
I go for another. "May I?"
Aunt Sally offers the plate to me. "Go ahead. Eat. Take them all." She urges me on and winks at me. "It will burn the alcohol in your system."
She leans over and rubs my arm. "You'll be safe to drive home."
I don't hesitate. The chocolate mounds are addictively detectable. I want these for my restaurant. I do try another pastry, and, once again, the honey crusted cookie is mouthwatering; ambrosia to the senses. I chew staring at Bella. "This melts in my mouth."
She smiles. "Thank you. I'm glad you like it."
Aunt Sally urges me on again. "Try the cherry one. It has macadamia nuts in it, the soft with the crunchy, and the jam one is to die for. It has marshmallow cream in the middle, and the lemon coconut, and the chocolate ganache beignet. She made that one for me."
One by one, I sample all of the pastries. One is better than the other. I stupidly blurt out, "Well, if the way to a man's heart is through the stomach, I'll marry you tomorrow, Bella!"
Silence.
Aunt Sally giggles. "Well, Edward, you won't starve. She's a tasty treat."
Bella blushes from head to toe. "You know, I am right here, you two."
"What, you're opposed to marriage?" Aunt Sally shouts.
I stare at her in wonderment of her answer.
"I'm done with this conversation," she blinks.
I start to get up. "I should go."
Bella nods. "I'll walk you to the door." She grimaces at Aunt Sally. "Alone."
She runs to the kitchen. "Let me put these pastries in a Ziploc for you to take home."
Bella and I stand in silence.
Aunt Sally re-enters the dining room, holding a plastic shopping bag. "Here, you go." She hands it to me.
"Thank you, Aunt Sally. It was a pleasure meeting you," I politely utter.
"Please, come back anytime, Edward," she says warmly.
Bella starts to walk out of the room, and I follow her. "I'm sorry she was so forward with you, Edward. I don't know what got into her," Bella confesses.
We pass the bathroom, and I take one last look at the tub.
"No, no, she was quite nice." I clear my throat. "I'm sorry for being so blunt, back there. My comment about marriage was out of line. I didn't mean to embarrass you."
"That's fine," she barely whispers.
We stand at the front door.
"Well, thank you for bringing me home, Edward."
"No problem, Bella. Thank you for helping with Julia."
"I like her." She looks up at me.
"She likes you." I stare at her lips.
"Will I see you tomorrow night?" she asks.
"Yeah, I'll get a coffee, if you'll fix it for me." I shyly look up at her eyes.
She smiles with this beautiful expression on her face, "Sure." She opens the door.
I start to walk out. "Ah, hey, maybe you can take a practice run with me, tomorrow in the afternoon? Help me out?"
Man, what a smile. "Okay." She beams
"Alright, I'll call you?" I pull my phone from my pocket and hand it to her. She punches in her number. "Thanks."
"Drive home carefully," she warns.
I skip down the steps and get on my bike. "Night, Bella."
"Night, Edward."
I hang the plastic bag on the right handlebar, start my bike, back up and head to Canal Street.
In my rearview, I see Bella watching. She gives me a small wave. I turn and wave back, then take a right onto Canal.
Ooooo, smitten by the sweet... or which sweet?
A/N: Thank you to my Beta, Sunflower Fran. I appreciate her time, her proper grammar and quick pen. Another great find by PAD!
To Robseve and Postapocalypticdepository (PAD), my pre-readers that give their unselfish time and creative input. Both of these ladies are inspirations and true friends.
Now, let me rec Postapocalypticdepository stories, since she so graciously rec'd mine.
Never Judge by the Cover: 9056924
Boys Will Be: 8868006
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It's a New Dawn, It's a New Year: 8862243 (complete)
And thank you to all the readers, whether you review or not. I enjoy every comment and suggestion. Yes, NOLA (New Orleans, LA) is an exciting place to live. And to combine the old world with the new is a challenge, but the humor is quite a serious business. My objective is for all of you to smile, after each chapter.
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