Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended.
Chapter Fifteen
Two days after my food poisoning incident/worst date ever, I was able to return to my normal routine, which, thankfully, didn't involve puking or sticking my hand in bowls of soup.
It was sometime before lunch that I received a text from Edward, asking if I was up for dinner with him, Emmett and Rose later that evening. I sent a quick reply saying yes, hoping I had time on my lunch break to grab a change of clothes.
Luckily, eating lunch in my car allowed me to run home with time to spare. I called Rose once I walked into our apartment, needing to know if she knew where we were going and what she would be wearing to dinner.
"What the fuck is up?" she screamed into the phone, sounding entirely too pumped up.
"Where are you?"
"At the gym."
"What are you wearing tonight?" I asked, getting to the point as I sifted through the clothes hanging in my closet.
"Uh..." she trailed off. "I have no idea."
Typical. "Well, where we are going?"
"Some French place on fourth street," she replied, sounding distracted. "Hey, I really need to finish working out. Just..." she paused. "Go to my closet, grab the strapless navy blue dress from J. Crew and my silver slingbacks."
"Okay... why?"
"Because that's what you're going to wear tonight."
"Isn't that a little dressy?"
"Compared to the shirt and jeans you normally wear? Yes."
"Fine, whatever. Thanks," I muttered, stalking towards her room, gathering the shoes and dress.
"Are you heading straight to the restaurant after work?"
"I'm waiting on Edward to text me the address, but yeah. Probably. That makes the most sense. Are y'all riding together?"
She ignored my question. "Don't forget to wear eyeliner, and wear your good bra, the one that makes you look like you have tits," she ordered.
I grumbled, but did as she said, opening my drawer and pulling out the bra I'd had fitted. "This is a lot of work," I complained. "What's the big deal, anyway? Why can't we just go to Moonshine like we always do and sit on the patio, drinking margaritas?"
"Because this is just... different," she stressed.
I frowned, confused. "What's different?"
"Stop asking so many questions. I really have to go. I'll see you later." She hung up before I could ask her anything else.
I grabbed the dress, shoes, and my good bra per Rose's request, then headed back to work, counting the hours until I was free and able to see Edward.
It seemed to take forever for five-thirty to roll around, but once it did, I was all smiles as I quickly changed in the bathroom at work, even adding a little eyeliner to my lids.
As I headed out of the building and walked through the parking lot, I called Edward.
"Hey, you," he answered, the excitement in his tone causing me to smile.
"Hi. I'm just leaving work. Traffic probably blows, so I'm going to head straight to the restaurant. You're not there yet, are you?"
"Um... no. I was about to leave. Are you sure you don't want to just drive over here and ride together?"
I held my phone between my shoulder and ear as I unlocked my car. "Nah, not worth it to drive in the opposite direction. I'll just meet you guys there. Might take me some time to find parking, though."
"Okay," he said, sounding a bit deflated. "Don't waste time on parking, just do valet."
"Eh..." I trailed off. He knew my disdain with paying to park, especially since parking on the street was free after six o'clock.
"I'll pay for it," he offered, and I knew he was most likely rolling his eyes at me.
"Whatever. It's no biggie. I'll see you soon."
After circling the block a couple of times, I found a parking spot a few streets away from the address Edward sent me. But halfway there, I cursed myself for attempting to walk in these heels. Maybe valet was the way to go.
I walked into Péché, smoothing down my wild hair, an annoying effect from the wind. I glanced around the restaurant, the dim, warm lighting from the chandeliers creating a more romantic scene than I had imagined.
I spotted Edward immediately, sitting alone at the bar. He was wearing a white button-down with the sleeves rolled up and black slacks. I stared, slightly mesmerized as I watched him laugh at something the bartender was saying.
Before I'd fully made my way over to him, he suddenly turned, catching my gaze. His face lit up with a smile, and I couldn't help but smile in return. He was just so fucking cute.
He moved toward me, immediately reaching for my waist and dipping his head to place a kiss on my cheek.
"Hey. You look nice," he murmured, giving me a once over before pulling out a stool for me.
"Thanks. Hi," I breathed out the words, momentarily swooned by his hand on my waist and his lips on my cheek and the fact that he pulled out my chair. "Where are Rose and Emmett?" I questioned, glancing around while securing my purse on the back of the stool.
Edward just grinned, sliding a champagne flute my way. "Here. Try this."
"What is it?" I asked, wrapping my fingers around the chilled glass.
"Just try it," he urged, watching as I took a sip.
"Why are you so excited?" I asked, laughing at his enthusiasm. "This is really good, by the way. Is there gin in here?" He nodded, clearly proud of the drink he chose for me. "When are Rose and Emmett getting here?"
"They aren't coming..." he answered slowly, gauging my expression.
"Oh. Why not?"
Edward stared down at his drink, a small smile playing with his lips. "Because I didn't want them here for our date."
It took me a second to realize what he was saying. "Our date? But you said—"
"I know I said they were meeting us here, but I figured if you thought this was a real date and not just a few friends getting together, then you'd freak out beforehand, which would lead you to stress eat and potentially give yourself food poisoning again."
I might've glared. "But—"
"Seriously, Bella. You can't get mad at me. The interior of my car can't handle you getting sick again," he teased.
"Oh, way to pull the you puked in my car card," I muttered, which only ignited his laughter. "I guess I have to give you credit. This was an extremely well-thought-out plan," I said, voice slightly rising in volume.
I couldn't help it. I wasn't allowed my mandatory freak out before I headed over here because I obviously didn't know this was a date. And now that I knew, I was beginning to feel panicked.
I glanced down at the dress Rose suggested I wear, realizing too late that she was in on this. I briefly glimpsed in the bartender's direction, watching the way he nodded his head while drying a glass. They were all in on this.
"Bella," Edward chuckled, placing a hand on my thigh, sensing my panic. "Stop freaking out. We've eaten together plenty of times. This isn't any different."
"It is different, though," I argued, draining my glass.
He searched my face before saying, "Okay. Yes, it's different, but... it doesn't have to be that different."
I sighed, trying to get him to understand. "You're not best friend Edward anymore; you're date Edward. What if date Edward thinks I'm a schmuck?"
"You puked in date Edward's car two nights ago and he didn't think you were a schmuck, so..." he trailed off, shaking his head. "Also, I don't feel comfortable talking about myself in the third person, so... can we not?"
"Sure." I motioned for the bartender—if he was even a real bartender—and ordered another drink.
"We'll be over there," Edward told him, pointing towards an oversized booth in the corner of the restaurant. The bartender nodded in response, and I slid off the stool before grabbing my bag, following behind Edward.
"Romantic. Secluded," I mused, sliding into one side of the booth.
"Well, now that you know this is a date, I can't have you making a scene in public, can I?" he teased.
"Wouldn't be the first time," I snorted, my eyes lowering as I stared at the small candle flickering between us.
"So..." he began, and I lifted my gaze, watching his eyes dance with excitement.
"Do you think I overreact?" I asked suddenly, focusing on his Adam's apple as he swallowed his drink.
"About what?" he questioned, wiping his mouth with the edge of his hand.
"About... everything." Yeah. That pretty much covered it.
A small smile played with the corners of his lips. "You always overreact, Bella. I'm used to it. I embrace it, even."
I opened my mouth to respond, then snapped it shut as the waiter brought over my drink and two menus, offering to give us a few minutes to look over the dinner specials.
"I have no idea why you embrace it," I finally whispered, feeling his shoe bump against mine under the table, pulling a smile out of me.
"You do know why," he countered, voice deliberately low.
"I never knew you had a thing for idiots," I said, slightly joking; my way of trying to ease the nerves in my stomach.
"Come on, Bella. You're not an idiot," he argued, frowning.
"No? Then what am I?"
Taking a moment to think, he searched my face for whatever he needed, and I tried my hardest not to look away. "You're just unsure," he said decidedly.
"And you're not?" I quipped, finding his certainty about us hard to believe.
"No," he replied instantly. "I'm not unsure. I know I want you. I've wanted you for a long time."
My stomach fluttered at his words. "Since when?" I asked, because I had to know.
Edward rested his elbows on the table and leaned forward slightly, the dimness of the room warming his features, making me wish he were sitting next to me; touching me.
"I don't know. There wasn't one exact moment when everything clicked for me," he said quietly, pausing, gaze lingering on my lips. "I just realized I was thinking about you more and more each day; laughing to myself about something you'd said or done, even when you weren't around."
I'd be lying if I said his admission didn't cause my heart to leap in my chest. "I had no idea," I said honestly, almost apologetic.
"I know you didn't," he laughed, sitting back against the booth. "I mean, it's not like I was sitting at home, crying and praying that one day you'd be mine, but... I thought about you. A lot."
"I'm not very attentive, I guess," I muttered, watching him lick his lips. "And it's not that I didn't think about you or us or whatever, but... you're Edward. You're my best friend. It didn't seem like an option, so I never entertained the idea, and..." I stopped speaking, needing him to take over again.
"I remember the first night we met, at Jasper's," he recalled, shaking his head at the memory.
"Oh, you mean the night I called you an asshole because you wouldn't let Emmett and me borrow your car to go to Taco Bell? I'm still harboring some anger over that," I joked.
He rolled his eyes. "I still can't believe how pissed you were. You didn't even know me."
I shrugged. "Whatever. I don't feel sorry for you, especially since you spent the next six months calling me Taco Bella," I laughed at the memory, dropping my head in my hands.
"I forgot about that," he smiled warmly, running a hand over his clean-shaven chin. "And then Emmett and Rose started dating, and we started hanging around each other more..." he trailed off. "You really confused the fuck out of me for a while."
"What?" I questioned, releasing an uneasy laugh, because I was unsure of what he was saying. "How did I confuse you?"
"Just... the things you said and did. I don't know. I was adamant you were trying your hardest to annoy me, yet I barely even knew you."
"I probably was trying to annoy you," I admitted.
"But then I realized the only reason why you bugged me so much was because most of the people I surrounded myself with were fake, and you weren't like that. I think that's what I like the most about you," he confessed, locking his gaze on my face.
"That's what you like the most? I figured you just had a thing for my breasts," I joked, softening my gaze, feeling a little overwhelmed by everything he was saying.
"Those are pretty high on my list of Things I Like About Bella."
"You have a list?"
"I mean, it's not doodled in a notebook or anything." His smirk was slightly crooked as he tapped his temple.
I smiled back, loving how straightforward and honest he was being. It was so fucking attractive, and if I were being honest, it made me want him even more than I already did.
I sipped my drink, giving myself something to do other than stare at him. I started feeling at ease, realizing I'd been stupid for overreacting about a fucking date. This was Edward, for God's sake. Nothing had ever been weird between us before, and it made no sense for that to start now.
"Okay, so... what do we do?" I asked, impatiently tapping my fingers on the table. Now that we were actually talking about this, I needed to know the next logical move.
"Well." He hummed, narrowing his eyes my way. "Nothing has to really change. Except for the fact that now I can touch your breasts whenever I want."
"Okay," I laughed at his wide grin. "Unlimited breast groping. I can deal with that."
"We can just take things slow," he suggested after a few beats of silence. "If you want."
"Slow," I echoed, liking the sound of that. "That gives me less of a chance to screw this up."
"I wouldn't let you screw this up," he murmured, reaching across the table to place his hand over mine, forcing my fingers to stop their nervous tapping.
"I don't know. There's a huge chance I could ruin our friendship."
"But you won't."
"Okay, but when I was with Peter—"
"It's different with us," he reassured me, giving my hand a light squeeze. "Especially since I don't expect you to wear tweed. Ever."
"Shut up." I shook with laughter, loving his ability to make me feel comfortable no matter the situation.
"I'll shut up if you promise to just trust me on this, and keep the freaking out to a minimum."
Of course I could trust him. I trusted him more than anyone. But that didn't mean I wasn't going to give him a hard time.
"How am I supposed to trust you?" I questioned, offering a small frown. "Remember that one time you let me eat moldy pizza?"
"Let you? No. I remember when you began eating moldy pizza and I attempted to stop you. You wouldn't listen," he reminded me. And okay, that was true.
"I don't think that's true," I said anyway, reveling in the easy banter that had picked up.
"So, in your mind, I just stood aside and let you eat moldy pizza," he deadpanned.
"Pretty much."
"You've seriously got to get over that, Taco Bella," he said, the name just rolling off his tongue.
"No," I uttered defiantly, trying to hold back from smiling. "You are not bringing that nickname back."
"We'll see about that," he mused, chuckling softly as he picked up his menu.
I picked up mine, too, scanning the items before glancing up, trying to secretly stare at him. He was all pursed lips and narrowed eyes, pieces of wayward hair falling against his forehead. As if he felt my gaze, he looked up, giving me a questioning stare.
"Are you ready?" he asked, offering a small smile, his words feeling like they meant something different.
"Yeah." I smiled affectionately. "I'm ready."
After dinner and fighting over the last bite of crème brûlée, we walked outside, greeted by a warm breeze. Edward handed his ticket to the attendant, and we waited for valet to bring his car around. He wasn't the least bit surprised that I had parked my car on the street, and since he had tomorrow off, we made the quick decision to leave my vehicle downtown overnight and have him drop me off at work in the morning.
The drive to our apartment building seemed to take no time at all, the silence comfortable as Edward rested his hand on my knee.
"So... I had fun," I murmured, walking into his apartment, suddenly feeling the need to say something to break the silence.
He smirked, removing his hand from mine, flipping on the lights and locking the door behind him. "You sure you aren't upset I tricked you into a date?" he asked, voice teasing.
"No. It was oddly charming."
"Good," he said softly, stepping forward and closing the distance between us. "I had fun, too."
The thumping in my chest picked up and I lifted my chin slightly, feeling his warm breath fan over my face. He smiled slowly, and hesitated a moment too long, so I leaned closer, kissing him softly. And then his warm lips were on mine, his tongue gently sliding against my tongue. I moaned into his mouth as he gripped my waist, pulling me against him, hands gliding over my ass. Before I could wrap my arms around his neck, he pressed two small kisses to my mouth, then pulled back.
"Do you want a drink?" he asked politely, and I opened my eyes, blinking.
His hands disappeared from my ass, and my body literally ached for his touch.
"Bella?" he asked, amusement clear in his tone. "Drink?" He pecked my lips and turned to move, but I grabbed his forearm, keeping him in place.
"No drinks," I mumbled.
"No?" His eyebrows raised. "Then what?"
"You know what," I murmured, releasing my grip on his arm and walking over to sit on the couch, removing my heels.
Edward stayed put, scrubbing a hand over his face as he watched me. I peeked over at him, leaving my shoes on the floor and disappearing to his room, opting to leave the lights off.
It took a minute, which seemed entirely too long, but then Edward appeared in the doorway, watching as I struggled to reach behind me and unzip my dress.
"Bella..." He released a small chuckle, then walked over to me, turning me around. "Here," he whispered, his cool fingers brushing against the exposed skin of my back as he assisted me.
I crossed my arms over my chest, keeping the dress in place once it was completely unzipped. I stayed facing away from him, not even really sure what to do next.
We agreed to take things slow, but this felt right. I didn't need to spend time getting to know him before sleeping with him, because I already knew him. This made sense—we made sense—and my chest tightened at the realization that came four years too late.
Lost in my thoughts, I felt Edward's breath on my shoulder, which was soon replaced by his lips. I leaned into his touch, then turned around to face him, letting the dress fall to the floor. He smirked down at me, eyes raking over my body.
"Can I..." he started to ask, slipping his hands under my arms and reaching behind to unhook my bra. It took him a second, and I laughed against his chest. "Shut up. It's difficult," he laughed with me, finally undoing the clasp.
I let him stare, catching the lust in his gaze as he reached to grab one of my breasts. I smiled teasingly and stepped back before he could, moving towards the bed and crawling across the mattress.
"So..." I exhaled, waiting for him to make a move.
He released a breathy laugh, hands running through his hair before he unbuttoned his shirt, discarding it on the floor.
"Wait," I ordered, sitting up on my knees, reaching out for him. He stepped closer and I unbuckled his belt for him, then unbuttoned his slacks. They fell to his feet and he stepped out of them, climbing onto the bed in only his boxers.
He sat against the headboard, pulling me to straddle him, and my body ignited as his dick pressed against me. With his rough hands on my hips and his mouth covering my chest in wet kisses, I ground my hips against him, eliciting a moan from the both of us.
"I thought you wanted to take things slow," he panted.
"This is slow," I challenged, my movements not faltering.
He stared lazily at me, his breath becoming labored as he nodded gently.
"Please," I murmured, melting as he sucked on my neck.
"Please what?" he taunted.
"I want this," I whispered assuredly, our eyes locked.
"Yeah?" His face broke out into a grin and he grabbed the back of my neck, pulling my head closer, kissing me deeply.
"Yes. God, yes."
He patted my thighs and I moved off of him. I lay against the mattress, and he kissed my hip as he slid my underwear down my thighs, tossing them to the end of the bed.
My chest rose and fell, watching him pull off his boxers before reaching over and grabbing a condom from his nightstand. He rolled it on, gazing intently at my expression before he moved to hover over me, placing small open mouthed kisses on my shoulder.
"Yeah?" he asked again, needing to be assured once more.
I nodded, grabbing his hand and placing it between my legs, releasing a moan as he took over and slipped his fingers inside of me. My hips lifted, needing more, and his thumb brushed against my clit, adding the perfect amount of pressure.
"I love seeing you like this," he said roughly, nipping at my neck.
I fisted the sheets, then the back of his hair, releasing ragged breaths as his fingers brought me closer, closer, closer.
"Fuck, I just—" I bit my lip, feeling that familiar sensation building, trying to chase it; needing it and wanting Edward to bring it to me.
"I want to be inside of you when you come," he uttered in a low voice, removing his fingers, leaving me wanting.
"Okay," I breathed out. "I want that, too."
He placed his palms flat against the mattress beside my body. He searched my face and smiled to himself, then reached between us and grabbed his dick, letting it just barely graze against me.
"There's no going back for me after this..." he whispered the admission against my chest, slowly pushing inside of me. "I'm going to want you," he breathed out as I gasped, "all the time."
I released a low moan, clawing at his back once he was fully inside, the feeling between my legs intensifying with his words; his confession. He cursed lowly and groaned, dropping his head against my shoulder while slowly thrusting into me.
"This... it just," he mumbled incoherently, tangling a hand in my hair and tilting my head back, attaching his lips to my neck.
"I know," was all I could say. "I know."
I closed my eyes and reveled in this feeling; his lips and teeth grazing my skin, his hand between us, rubbing and pressing.
He hooked his arm under my knee and lifted my leg, pushing deeper and deeper, our bodies soon covered in a thin layer of sweat.
My hair was sticking to my face, and he pushed it off my forehead. "Hey, look at me," he said softly, pressing his open mouth to mine, holding my gaze. "Get on top."
He gripped the base of his dick and carefully pulled out of me, sitting in the middle of the bed. My knees pressed into the mattress, straddling him, and he held himself as I slowly slid down, causing him to hiss.
Our bodies moved together in sync; his hands guiding my movements as I gasped, gripping his shoulders for support.
"Fuck, I don't know—" he started to say, and I covered his lips in a kiss.
"I'm close," I promised.
His lips parted and a look of concentration fell over his face, watching me intently as he slipped his hand between us once again.
My eyes closed and I moaned, his other hand gripping my ass as our bodies pounded against each other. His mouth attached to my chest, lightly biting at my nipple, and I was done.
"I fucking love watching you come," he goaded, rubbing my clit faster, his words causing my body to tense and fall all at once.
And then the feeling had passed, and with his mouth lazily covering mine, Edward laid me back against the mattress. I wrapped my ankles around his waist, holding onto him tighter as he thrusted into me.
My name escaped from his lips, and maybe I loved watching him come, too, knowing he was feeling exactly as I did mere seconds ago.
"Holy fuck," he muttered, breathless.
I nodded in agreement, catching my own breath.
I felt the need to say something, but I was so overwhelmed with emotion, that I knew anything I said right now would sound stupid.
I didn't know if the intensity I felt was because I'd spent the past week sexually frustrated while trying to get Edward to sleep with me, or because he was just really good in bed.
Or maybe the intensity had nothing to do with either of those things.
Maybe it had to do with the fact that I was in love with my best friend.
Edward smiled smugly, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.
"Why are you smiling?" I laughed, pushing his hair away from his forehead so I could see his eyes.
"Because you're so into me," he teased, kissing my cheek. "It's written all over your face."
Maybe it was.
But his face held the same expression mine did.
A/N: Thanks for sticking around & patiently waiting for this update. I'm seriously the most impatient person ever so... y'all are cool and stuff.
Awkward hugs go to Liv, Julie, Kim, & Crystal for making me write. I appreciate it more than y'all know!