DISCLAIMER: The story doesn't belong to me; the characters are property of S. Meyer, and the plot belongs to Annalau Thank you so much for letting me share your story in English!
Gracias Laura, por darme esta oportunidad!
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Chapter 15
I look at my face and profile in the mirror: wearing a tuxedo is not my thing, let alone Oxford shoes.
"Dad, will you help me with...?" Pat pauses in the bathroom doorway holding his mouth open. "Who are you and what did you do with my dad?"
"Don't start," I warn before he makes his sarcastic remarks. I smile at him, helping him knot his tie. "You haven't told me how you spent the night; did you sleep well?"
"Yes, although the carpet is more comfortable than the couch. I was treated very well. Bella's friend is a lot of fun. And did you have fun?"
"Yeah, we hung out at the bar for a while and then I went home."
Pat sits on the edge of the bed and pulls at his tie, shaking his head back and forth. He, too, feels uncomfortable dressed this way. So elegant.
"Have you been with women?"
I turn to look at him; Pat just shrugs his shoulders with a crestfallen face.
"No. I haven't been with women, I'm not used to it," I walk up to him and lift his chin. "Hey, what's the matter?"
"Charlotte always says no one will love you because you have me. That I'm to blame for you being alone," he snorts. "I'm thinking she's right."
"No, she's not right. We're lonely because... well, because the right woman hasn't come along yet."
"How do we know what the right one is?"
"I don't know, Pat. I guess that happens by chance when you don't expect anything."
"Ah..." he stares at his black shoes. "What if she never arrives? What will become of you when I go to college? I don't want to leave you alone, Dad."
I smile at him with encouragement as I tousle his hair making him grumble.
"Don't worry about me anymore, besides, there are five years left before you go to college. So we'll see," I hug him. "Now let's go, we're late."
"That's right," he recalls. "Uncle Jake says you don't keep the ladies waiting. And Bella is a lady."
On the drive, Pat keeps mentioning his fun night with Isabella and Jessica. He mentions that after putting together a puzzle, playing cards, and watching a movie Bella, as he calls her, didn't continue to spend time with them because she was busy talking on the phone with her boyfriend. The mere reminder that there is a boyfriend in Isabella's life is enough to make me get serious.
"I already texted Bella," Pat mumbles without taking his eyes off his cell phone, "she says she's on her way down."
Parked in front of the sidewalk of the building I anxiously watch the entrance. I even shake in my seat debating whether to go downstairs or wait for her, I've never really been the most attentive man. Charlotte, Kate, and Irina had brought it to my attention several times, but I never cared for what they said; could it be that Bella felt the same way?
I was still having an internal dialogue in my head when an excited squeal from Pat made me look at the entrance of the building.
And my mouth couldn't have opened wider.
It was Isabella. She was wearing a long wine-colored dress fitted to her body and with a neckline that would not allow me to neglect her person for a single moment and her lips... God, those lips that are as tempting as her body, now sporting lipstick in the same color as the dress. Why the fuck do women combine everything? And her beautiful hair with a waterfall updo that tempts me to bury my fingers in that long brown mane.
Isabella approaches the van; she raises her eyebrows for some reason as she looks out the window at me.
"Dad, shut your mouth," Pat says, leaning out of the back seat. "I can see you're drooling."
I check to make sure it's not true by rubbing my beard just as Pat laughs and Isabella climbs into the passenger seat.
"Hi," she greets shyly, still adjusting her long dress.
"You look very pretty," my son compliments. "You even look like another woman."
Isabella just denies.
"It's true, you look particularly beautiful today."
"Thank you," she whispers without looking at me.
With Pat it is impossible to be silent, my son talks and talks all the way to the church making us laugh with his crazy nonsense breaking the tension I feel having Isabella next to me. When we arrive, we hurry downstairs and Isabella lets out a snort because we decide not to wait for her, we just walk to our assigned place inside the sanctuary.
I don't pay attention to the whole sermon because I am not a follower of any religion, besides who would do it having a woman like Isabella next to him? For this same reason I dedicate myself to observe her face for the next thirty minutes; marveling at her gestures of astonishment and fascination that she usually shows for everything she sees or hears.
This is how the ceremony loses all interest in me.
"Are you not going to hug me?" Jacob slams his palm on my back so hard that I have to blink a few times realizing that we are outside the church.
"Congratulations, you bastard..." I call out to him, giving him a tight hug and slapping him back, he groans. "Congratulations."
"I hope the next one is you," he murmurs. "I think I know who's the one. She's perfect for you."
I turn slightly, and out of the corner of my eye, I can see that Isabella is engrossed in the flowing wedding dress and her smile is such that I can't help but smile when I see her.
"Isabella," I call out to her, she smiles broadly walking over to us. "Meet this guy," I pat Jake's chest. "He's my best friend."
"We already had the pleasure," says Black making Isabella blush. "Finally we are introduced." He takes her by the hand and evaluates her from head to toe, annoyed I elbow Jake and he laughs. "I'm warning you; Edward is a jealous bastard."
Isabella gets nervous and tilts her gaze.
"Now I see why you forgot about me," Tanya jokes with me, I hug her and kiss her cheek. She is beautiful, no doubt about it. "Hi, I'm the bride," she introduces herself to Isabella. "I'm pleased to meet you."
"Edward," my mother's voice makes me turn around. Esme stops a few steps behind, hesitant to approach, my father accompanies her and doesn't seem to be in a good mood when mom comes to me. "Son, we can't be upset anymore, I don't like it."
"How are you?" I ask walking to meet her, and I leave a kiss on her forehead, "How was your cruise?"
She ducks her face for a few seconds and when she looks at me I know she is about to cry. Anguished for her I wrap her in my arms.
"What's wrong, mom?"
"Nothing, I just needed you to hold me," her head snuggles against my chest. "I don't care if you're with her. If you want her... I'll accept her."
I exhale.
"Grandma," Pat hugs us.
"We have to go," I explain as I see that most of the guests along with the newlyweds have left the atrium, plus Isabella looks uncomfortable being alone. I leave a last kiss on her forehead before leaving her alone.
I return to the place where the culprit of my sleeplessness is waiting for me.
"Let's go," I hold out my hand to Isabella, and she must have seen something strange in me because her eyes look at me with astonishment. She accepts my hand, and we walk together back to the van. "Do you know how to dance?" I ask, trying to distract my mind from her soft touch.
"Of course I can."
"Well, tonight you're my dance partner."
"Wait for me!" chirps Pat behind us.
"You guys are always like this, right'" Isabella murmurs in an agitated voice.
"How so?" I stop my pace as I realize I'm almost dragging her; she stops with her hand on her chest.
"Edward, you brought me striding and I can't be so agile with these slippers." She lifts a little the length of her dress showing her high heels, only my eyes get lost in her legs. "Have a little patience with me."
I raise my hands and Isabella rolls her eyes walking alone to the van, she opens the door and I see she is a little tall for her to climb in that long tight dress. This time I reach over to help her; I hold her waist and with a jump, I pull her up into place, our faces are so close I can feel her breath hit my cheek, I look at her lips and move a little closer. She shudders; her chest rises and falls at speed.
«I need to kiss you.»
"I'll help you with the belt," I whisper brushing my face over her shoulder. I inhale filling my lungs with her sweet smell before the click completely distracts me from my thoughts. "Done."
"Dad..." Pat clears his throat. "Can you hurry up? I want to have fun."
I look at my son, Pat keeps laughing in amusement and it's more than enough for me to realize he's on to me.
I shake my head and start the engine.
"Is something wrong with you?"
I want to know why Isabella can't stop staring at everything. Maybe she feels uncomfortable among so many strangers and if that's the case I'd rather we leave.
"It's the first time I attend a wedding," she confesses. "It's like a fairy tale."
The place is luxury combined with the delicate taste of white flowers, I can say that it has romantic overtones, something that at first glance does not matter. On the other hand, I discover that for her it does.
"Isn't it beautiful?" she insists. "Although the bride is even more beautiful. Your friend sure is lucky."
Without answering I smile at her and take her hand, urging her to dance with me. She doesn't think about it, she just accepts, standing up.
On the dance floor, I can feel the curious glances as Pat enjoys taking pictures of us with her cell phone. It's hard to keep my eyes anywhere else but on her person, my hands cling to her waist letting hers stay on my shoulders.
She lifts her face and watches me with a smile letting me take in her clean, sweet gaze.
"Thank you for bringing me," she whispers leaning her head on my chest. Instinctively my fingers squeeze her waist.
The sensation caused by a simple touch is able to accelerate my breathing. Suddenly I close my eyelids and I forget the whole world by having her with me.
Bewildered I open my eyes at the sensation.
I am hopelessly fucked. Isabella is much more than a simple attraction.
"Come with me," I ask, without letting go of her hand I guide her between the couples.
"Where are we going?" She asks when we leave the living room.
I take her quickly down the long hallway and then we enter the elevator, I press the buttons on the top floor and smile nervously to see her so beautiful. It doesn't take us long to reach the desired floor, I take her hand again and this time we go up some stairs that lead us to the rooftop.
The wind is colder and stronger at the top, but at least there is no snow.
She immediately hugs me, she is shivering. I stir my jacket and put it over her shoulders, she nods, still shivering.
"What are we doing here?"
I put my arm around her shoulders now covered with my jacket, we approach the shore where we can see most of the city.
"The view is incredible, Edward."
"I knew you'd like it."
"I love it!" She lets out a sigh, turning to me and leaning back against the concrete railing. "For a moment I thought you were bringing me to jump off the roofs of the buildings."
A laugh leaves my lips.
"Don't laugh," she hits my chest, "It's just that you guys are so rough with me."
I stop laughing and move closer, caging her body with my arms. I bend down to her height.
"How do you want me to treat you?" I whisper, keeping my eyes on her appetizing lips. "Would you prefer it to be soft?" my fingertip slides down her cheek and slowly traces her smooth skin. "Tender?" my finger outlines her lips; I want to kiss her.
I take another step closer, and our faces are only inches apart.
"No." She articulates as her hands linger on my chest.
No, what? She doesn't want me to kiss her, or she doesn't want me to change?
"Isabella..." I need to confess my feelings. "I..."
"No," she interrupts me, "I don't want you to change."
"It's just that I..."
"I want you to be you," her hand tenderly caresses my rough, beard-covered cheek, softly and gently. "I want to know the real Edward."
I close my eyelids for a brief moment.
"You might be scared of the way I am," I murmur.
"I'll take my chances," she murmurs hugging me as the wind decides to blow hard. My arms wrap around her as I bury my nose in her hair.
"Miss, it's time to get to know a little about me."
Isabella lifts her chin; she wrinkles her brow looking at me doubtfully.
"You said you wanted to get to know me, didn't you?" I give her a wink. "Then let's go."
Hello! Here we are again. Edward had intended to come clean with Bella, instead, she wouldn't let him. How do you see Edward being less of a gentleman? Ah, but Bella said she prefers him that way. Leave me your comments, I'd like to read if you prefer this Edward, or one made all gentlemanly.
PS: Yes, I know. The moment didn't happen. Sorry! You'll have to wait a bit more.
I appreciate all your nice comments regarding the story. THANK YOU for supporting me: , MadMooey18, Pattsy1994, Ale Stewart, acw1, Dulce Carolina, cbmorefie, Rosemarie28, , EdibleArt , tas62, cocoa blizzard
PS: Mocking the Bounds will have an update (i hope) this week. The chapters are long so don't worry :)
THANK YOU FOR READING!