Ten
EDWARD
The bar was loud, filled with the low hum of chatter, clinking glasses, and the occasional burst of laughter. Bella sat across from me, sipping her wine, her lips curling into a soft smile as I watched her.
Her showing up to my office tonight was just what I needed. I'd been dodging her calls, only because I was frightened that I'd say something wrong. But having those gorgeous, deep brown eyes look me over as she apologised made it impossible to refuse an easy forgiveness.
Now, I couldn't help myself—my eyes kept wandering. Her hair caught the dim light, her pencil skirt clung to her curves in a way that was hard to ignore, and her confidence only added to her allure. I was barely containing my want for her.
"You're staring," she said, her tone teasing as she raised an eyebrow at me.
I smirked, leaning forward slightly. "Can you blame me? You look hot in your therapy uniform."
Her eyes widened, and she smacked my arm lightly. "Why… wait have you been staring at my ass? Is that why you made me walk ahead of you on the way here?"
I laughed, shrugging unapologetically. "Well it's perfect, and I'm a man."
Bella rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed, and she hid her smile behind her glass.
As I leaned back, sipping my beer, I noticed her gaze shift toward the pool table. A couple stood there, flirting shamelessly, their energy magnetic. Bella seemed to study them for a moment before setting her glass down.
"Be right back," she said, standing. "I have to go to the bathroom."
I nodded, watching as she weaved her way through the crowded bar. But as she passed the couple by the pool table, I noticed something odd—she lightly touched each of their shoulders. Her hand lingered for only a moment, her expression casual, but there was something deliberate about it.
I frowned, confused, but said nothing when she returned a few minutes later.
We continued chatting, and I tried to ignore the way my curiosity about her actions earlier kept creeping into the back of my mind. Bella, oblivious to my thoughts, seemed completely at ease.
Then, as a waiter passed by, she lightly tapped his arm, her fingers brushing his sleeve. Moments later, she did the same to a woman walking by, a stranger who had been eyeing him from across the room.
That was it.
I leaned closer, my eyes narrowing slightly. "Okay, what's with the touching?"
Bella froze, her glass halfway to her lips. "What?"
"The touching," I said, my tone firm but not accusing. "You touched the couple at the pool table. Then the waiter, and then there was that random woman. What's that about?"
Her smile faltered for a split second before she laughed, shaking her head. "You're imagining things."
"I don't think so," I said, crossing my arms. "It's like… you're playing tag with people."
Bella's laugh was a little tighter now, her eyes darting away briefly. "I don't know what you're talking about, Edward."
I leaned back, studying her closely. "You're hiding something."
"I'm not," she said quickly, too quickly.
Her defensiveness only made my curiosity grow. "You are," I said, smirking slightly. "But you're also terrible at lying. I'm jealous… how do I get you to touch me?"
Bella bit her lip, clearly trying to come up with something to say, but before she could, the waiter she'd touched earlier returned to our table. He wasn't just delivering drinks—he lingered, his eyes locked on the woman Bella had tapped earlier, who now stood by the bar, glancing back at him shyly.
"Excuse me," the waiter said, addressing me and Bella, "but would it be strange if I, uh, went over there to talk to her?"
Bella smiled warmly, her expression calm despite the tension between us. "Not at all. Go for it."
The waiter hesitated, then nodded, his face lighting up as he turned and walked toward the woman.
I turned back to Bella, who was pretending to be fascinated by her glass of wine.
"See," I said slowly, narrowing my eyes at her. "That. That right there. What the hell is that about?"
Bella sighed, her shoulders sinking slightly. "Edward, it's nothing. Really."
But I wasn't buying it. And I wasn't about to let it go.
She sipped her wine, leaning forward slightly, her lips curling into that teasing smile that always got under my skin in the best way. "So, how are the planes flying?"
I smirked, resting my forearms on the table as I watched her. "Good," I said, keeping my tone casual. "We're introducing a new fleet soon. State-of-the-art technology, bigger cabins, lower fuel consumption—the works."
She tilted her head, swirling the wine in her glass like she was about to say something profound. Instead, she grinned. "Fancy. Do you get to name them? Like, Edward Air: Now Flying the Skies in Style?"
I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head. "Unfortunately, no. But I'll pitch that at the next board meeting, just for you."
"You should," she said, winking at me. "I'm telling you, it's a marketing goldmine."
I leaned back in my chair, watching her with a mix of amusement and curiosity. She had this way of making everything seem lighter, like I wasn't carrying the weight of an entire corporation on my back.
"Do you always make this much fun of people's jobs, or am I just special?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.
Her smile widened as she raised her glass, her eyes sparkling. "You're definitely special."
I chuckled, shaking my head, but her words lingered.
Bella leaned forward, her voice dropping into a teasing whisper. "So… tell me the truth. Are you part of the mile-high club? You own airplanes, after all. Seems like it'd be a missed opportunity if you weren't."
I raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by her boldness, but I couldn't stop the smirk that tugged at my lips. "You really don't hold back, do you?"
She shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Just making conversation."
I leaned closer, matching her tone. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
She laughed softly, taking another sip of her wine. "So that's a yes."
"I didn't say that," I said, enjoying the banter far more than I should. "But let's just say I prefer my extracurricular activities grounded. A bit more… control that way."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't back down. "Control, huh? Sounds like someone's dodging the question."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "And here I thought you were a professional."
She winked. "Even professionals get curious, Edward."
I leaned back in my chair, unable to hide my grin. "I'll keep that in mind."
She laughed again, her smile lighting up the dim bar. And just like that, she had me completely wrapped up in her—again.
I glanced toward the waiter and the woman Bella had tapped earlier. They were leaning in close, their faces just inches apart, completely lost in each other. A second later, the couple from the pool table caught my eye—they were giggling like teenagers as they tugged each other toward the exit, the guy smacking her ass with a grin.
My brow furrowed, and I turned my attention back to Bella. She was sipping her wine, seemingly oblivious to the chain reaction happening around her. But I wasn't buying it. There was no way this was just a coincidence.
She glanced at me, tilting her head. "You need a refill?"
"Yeah," I said casually, though my mind was racing. "I'll take another."
Her lips quirked into a smile as she stood. "Be right back."
I watched her weave her way toward the bar, her movements fluid and confident. As she passed another couple standing near the counter, I noticed her hand lightly brush the woman's arm, then the man's shoulder. It was so subtle, anyone else would've missed it—but not me.
By the time Bella returned with our drinks, I caught sight of that same couple exchanging numbers, their body language unmistakable.
I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes at her as she set the glasses down.
"That's it. You have to be real with me," I said firmly. "What is going on?"
Bella blinked, her expression a perfect mask of confusion.
I gestured toward the bar. "The waiter and the woman. The couple at the pool table. That pair you just walked past. All of them. You're the common denominator here, Bella. Don't tell me it's a coincidence."
Her smile faltered for a split second before she leaned back in her chair, trying to look casual. "You're imagining things, Edward."
"No, I'm not," I shot back, keeping my tone low but insistent. "I've been watching you. You touch people, and suddenly they're all over each other. What the hell is that about?"
She hesitated, her fingers gripping the stem of her wineglass a little tighter. "It's nothing," she said quickly, her voice almost too light.
"Bella," I said, leaning closer, my gaze locked on hers. "I'm not an idiot. What's going on?"
She looked away, biting her lip, and for the first time tonight, I saw something flicker in her expression—nerves.
"I think I should go," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Wait. No, explain it to me," I said, my tone softening. "Because right now, it feels like you're hiding something."
Bella hesitated, her gaze flickering to the couples around us, who were still caught up in their newfound connections. She let out a soft sigh, then met my eyes, her expression cautious.
"Edward," she started, her voice steady but low, "I need you to trust me when I say you wouldn't believe me even if I told you."
Her words only made my curiosity burn brighter. "Try me."
But she shook her head, her walls firmly back up. "Not tonight," she said, taking a long sip of her wine. "Let's just… enjoy the drinks, okay?"
I leaned back, frustrated but unwilling to push her further—at least for now. But one thing was clear: Bella Swan was far more complicated than I'd ever imagined.
Bella's deflection only made me want to push harder. Her evasiveness was intriguing, maddening even, but I knew better than to press too much. At least, not right now. She sat across from me, sipping her wine, her expression perfectly composed like she wasn't unraveling me piece by piece with her casual charm and elusive answers.
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table, my eyes narrowing slightly as I studied her. "Fine," I said, my voice low. "We'll shelve the mystery for now. But this isn't over."
Her lips curved into a sly smile as she tilted her head. "I never said it was."
Her confidence only stoked the fire inside me, but I decided to play along. I motioned toward the back of the bar, where a small dartboard hung on the wall. "How about a game to distract us?"
Bella's eyebrows lifted, curiosity flashing in her eyes. "Darts?"
"Why not?" I said, standing and holding out my hand to her. "Unless you're scared of losing."
She takes my hand and lets me gently pull her toward the board.
She picked up a dart, spinning it casually between her fingers as she looked at me over her shoulder. "You know," she said, her voice teasing, "I've been known to be quite the archer."
I smirked, stepping closer. "Archer, huh? Should I be worried you're aiming at me?"
Her lips quirked into a grin, and she tilted her head, studying me like I was the most amusing thing in the world. "Maybe. But don't worry—I always hit my target."
I leaned in, my voice dropping low enough that only she could hear. "I'd run toward your arrows."
Her hand faltered for just a second, the dart wobbling slightly between her fingers before she recovered. She turned her head to look at me fully, her expression shifting from playful to something deeper.
"Careful, Cullen," she said softly, her eyes locking on mine. "I might make you target practice."
"Good," I replied without hesitation, stepping even closer. "Fire away baby. Hitting bullseye on me is the closest you'll get tonight. Because I'm about to beat your sorry little sexy ass."
The space between us felt charged, her breath hitching as I reached out, letting my fingers lightly skim the small of her back. Her body leaned into the touch, and for a moment, everything around us faded into the background—the bar, the noise, the dartboard.
Bella recovered quickly, though, her teasing smirk sliding back into place. "You're going to regret saying that when I beat you."
I chuckled, stepping back just enough to give her room to throw. "Let's see what you've got, then."
She lined up her shot, her form perfect, her movements fluid as she let the dart fly. It hit dead center, and she turned back to me with a triumphant grin.
"Well?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Still running toward the arrows?"
"Absolutely," I said, stepping closer again, my voice low and steady. "But now I'm wondering how many it'll take before you let me catch you."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she laughed softly, brushing past me to pick up her next dart. "You're flirting is insane, you know that?"
"And yet," I said, watching her with a smirk, "you can't seem to get enough."
She threw her second dart, the sharp thud of it hitting just outside the bullseye drawing her focus back to the game. I took the opportunity to step behind her, my hand skimming her hip as I leaned down, my lips near her ear.
"Your aim is slipping," I murmured, my voice deliberately low.
Bella froze for just a moment, her breath catching before she glanced back at me with narrowed eyes. "You're distracting me."
"That's the point," I said, grinning as I stepped back to watch her next shot.
Her third dart flew wide, missing the board entirely, and she turned to glare at me, though the playful glint in her eyes betrayed her amusement. "You're a cheat."
"I like to call it competitive," I said, leaning casually against the wall, "but I think you like it."
Her laughter rang out again, bright and warm, and I couldn't help but smile. Watching her like this—confident, fiery, completely in her element—only solidified what I already knew.
I was in trouble. The best kind of trouble. And I didn't want to escape.
Bella turned to me with a smirk, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she picked up the dart and weighed it in her hand. "Alright, Cullen," she said, her voice dripping with confidence. "How about we make this more interesting?"
I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms. "What did you have in mind?"
She tilted her head, her smile widening. "If I land this next dart in the bullseye, you have to kiss me."
I felt a flicker of heat in my chest, but I wasn't about to let her have the upper hand that easily. "And if you don't?" I countered, stepping closer, lowering my voice. "I get to grab your ass. And not just a casual squeeze—a firm, uninterrupted three-second grab."
Bella laughed, throwing her head back, the sound light and teasing. "Three seconds, huh? That's oddly specific."
I shrugged, smirking. "I know what I want."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the blush creeping up her cheeks. "Fine," she said, stepping up to the line and glancing at me over her shoulder. "You're on."
I leaned back against the wall, watching as she focused on the board. Her fingers tightened around the dart, her form perfect, her determination obvious. I wanted her to miss—God, did I want her to miss—but part of me also hoped she'd hit it.
She took a deep breath and threw the dart.
It landed dead center. Perfect bullseye.
I groaned, running a hand through my hair as she turned around, her grin practically glowing with triumph. "You were saying?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.
I sighed dramatically, shaking my head. "Alright, Swan. Fair is fair."
She stepped closer, her arms wrapping around my waist as she looked up at me, her confidence softening into something sweeter. "Don't look so upset. You'll survive."
I grinned, letting my hands come up to cup her face. "I'm not upset," I murmured, leaning down. "Just preparing myself."
Then I kissed her, deep and slow, savoring the way her body melted into mine. Her fingers curled into the fabric of my shirt, pulling me closer as I tilted my head, deepening the kiss. She sighed softly against my lips, and I chuckled into her mouth, my hands sliding down her back to hold her tighter.
Her hands suddenly slid lower, catching me off guard as they settled on my ass. I broke the kiss just enough to breathe against her lips, "What are you doing?"
"One…" she whispered, her voice teasing as her fingers squeezed lightly. "Two… three."
I groaned, laughing softly as she pulled back, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "You fight dirty, Swan," I said, shaking my head.
She winked, stepping back slightly but keeping her hands on my waist. "Just you wait, Cullen," she said, her voice dropping an octave. "I can get dirtier."
A thousand filthy thoughts raced through my mind, her words sparking an entirely different kind of heat between us. My grip on her waist tightened, and I leaned closer, my voice low and full of promise. "Careful, Bella. You might be biting off more than you can handle."
She tilted her head, her grin turning downright sinful. "I guess we'll just have to see."
