Thirteen
BELLA
We left the bar together, the cool night air brushing against my skin as I hugged my coat tighter around me.
Edward walked beside me, his stride steady, his hands in his pockets.
He hadn't said much since we left, and the silence was making me anxious.
He said his apartment was nearby, and I had agreed to walk with him—more to keep the conversation going than for any other reason.
But now, it seemed as if every step we took was heavier, weighed down by what I had revealed.
I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, his sharp profile illuminated by the glow of the streetlights.
"So," I began hesitantly, my voice breaking the silence. "You don't hate me?"
Edward turned his head toward me, his expression unreadable.
For a moment, I thought he wasn't going to be brutal. But then he let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.
"No, Bella," he said, his voice soft but firm. "I don't hate you."
Relief flooded through me, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. "Good. Because I've been… kind of freaking out about that."
He stopped walking, turning to face me fully. His green eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, the weight of his gaze made it hard to breathe.
"Why would I hate you?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
I shrugged, glancing down at the sidewalk. "Because I lied. I kept things from you. And then I just dropped this huge, unbelievable truth in your lap and expected you to… I don't know, take it in your stride."
Edward tilted his head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "To be fair, you did blindside me. But hate you? No. I think I'm more… fascinated."
"Fascinated?" I echoed, meeting his eyes again.
He nodded, his smirk softening into something more genuine. "You're not what I expected, Bella. Not even close. And yeah, this whole Cupid thing is… a lot to process. But I can't say I hate you for being honest."
I felt a warmth spread through my chest at his words, and I couldn't help but smile. "Well, that's a relief."
We resumed walking, but I could feel the tension in my shoulders easing, the knot in my stomach loosening.
When we reached his apartment building, Edward paused outside the entrance, his hand resting on the door handle. He looked at me, his expression thoughtful.
"I don't hate you, Bella," he said again, his voice quieter this time. "But you've got me thinking about things I haven't thought about in years. You've got me questioning… everything. Everything I'd thought was inherently true about myself."
I swallowed hard, my heart skipping a beat. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
He held my gaze for a long moment, his green eyes searching mine.
"I think we're going to find out together," he said finally, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
I smiled back, unsure of what to say.
But as he opened the door and motioned for me to follow him inside, I couldn't help but feel like, for the first time in a long time, we were both walking toward something neither of us could fully predict—but maybe, just maybe, it was worth exploring.
We rode the elevator up to Edward's penthouse in a comfortable silence
Once I stepped inside the sheer size of the place nearly knocked me off my feet. It was breathtaking—dark and elegant, with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the sparkling city below.
The kind of place you see in movies, not real life. Every detail was sleek, masculine, and so ridiculously Edward. I wanted to curl up on his luxurious leather lounge and read something romantic - while he strokes my upper thigh watching football.
The visualisation of making this the place a relationship could grow hits me without warning. I can't fight the yearning I feel for it.
"Wow," I said, my voice trailing off as I walked further in. My fingers skimmed the edge of the massive sectional sofa. "This place screams 'Edward Cullen.' Brooding, sleek, and ridiculously well put together."
Edward raised an eyebrow, slipping off his coat and draping it over a chair. "Should I be flattered or insulted by that?"
I smirked, glancing back at him. "A little of both."
That's when I spotted it—a grand piano, glossy and pristine, sitting by the windows. It practically called to me.
I wandered over, running my fingers across the cool keys before plopping onto the bench. With a grin, I tapped out the notes to "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."
Edward leaned against the back of the couch, crossing his arms with a bemused expression. "Seriously? That's your go-to? You're not going to serenade with Careless Whisper or something like Taylor Swift?"
"Hey!" I shot back, spinning on the bench to face him. "I wasn't raised with a piano in my living room, Mr. CEO. Besides, I had no prior knowledge you were such a swiftie."
"Who isn't?" he winked at me.
I laughed, turning back to the piano and pressing a few random keys. "Alright, smart guy. Play me something. Show me what you've got."
He pushed off the couch and strolled over, his movements deliberate and unhurried. When he sat down beside me, the bench dipped slightly under his weight.
"Ready to have your socks knocked well and truly off?" he teased, cracking his knuckles like he was about to perform some miraculous feat.
"Impress me," I nudged his arm with my elbow, leaning back slightly, my grin daring him.
With a faint smirk, he set his fingers on the keys. And then he played.
The first soft, flowing notes of Clair de Lune filled the room, and I swear I forgot how to breathe.
His hands moved with effortless grace, each note melting into the next as if he'd poured his entire soul into the song. The space between us disappeared as I got lost in the music, completely mesmerized.
When the last note faded, I blinked, feeling almost dazed. "That was… you're miraculous," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
He shrugged, leaning back like it was no big deal. "It's just muscle memory."
"Yeah, and Michelangelo just 'painted ceilings,'" I shot back.
Edward didn't say anything, but I felt his eyes on me. When I dared to glance back at him, there was a look in his gaze that made my chest tighten. He didn't move, didn't say a word, but for a moment, I thought he might reach for my hand.
Instead, he stood and walked toward the kitchen.
"You want a drink?" he called over his shoulder. His tone was light, casual, as if nothing had just happened.
I stayed where I was, my fingers still resting on the piano keys. "Sure," I said softly, smiling to myself.
Whatever this was with Edward, I wasn't ready to figure it out just yet. But I wasn't ready to walk away either.
I wanted him. I wanted this.
Surely I deserve what I bestow on others every single day of my life.
I wandered into his spacious kitchen, leaning against the island as Edward pulled a bottle of red wine from a rack and began to pour.
The way he moved was so effortless—like he'd done this a thousand times before. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and the dim light highlighted the strong lines of his forearms.
Man he was fine.
"So…" I started, breaking the quiet. "Do you walk around naked a lot? You know, with all those windows?"
Edward paused mid-pour, his lips lifting into a smirk before he glanced over at me. "Do I strike you as the kind of guy who worries about who's watching?"
I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms. "You strike me as the kind of guy who doesn't mind an audience."
He laughed, the sound low and warm, as he finished pouring the wine. "Maybe you're right. Or maybe I just enjoy the freedom of it. What about you? Are you a 'close-the-curtains' type or…"
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the counter, and grinned. "Oh, I'm definitely a 'close-the-curtains' type. But now I'm curious. Have any of your neighbors complained?"
He handed me a glass, his smirk deepening. "Not once. If anything, I think I might've upped the property value."
I snorted, taking a sip of the wine. "Of course you think that."
Edward leaned against the counter across from me, his gaze fixed on mine. "Here I was thinking 'living dangerously' was your thing."
I tilted my head, pretending to think. "Hmm… I'd have to really trust someone to let them convince me to walk around naked in a place like this. I don't give away that kind of view freely."
There was a glint in his eye, a teasing edge to his voice. And suddenly, it didn't feel like a game anymore.
He raised an eyebrow, setting his glass on the counter. "I suppose it would have to be someone you trusted implicitly."
"Yes," I breathed. "Someone who was worth it."
The air around us grew heavy.
I took another sip of my wine, trying to act unaffected as I leaned back against the counter. "I feel like I just revealed way too much about myself."
Edward chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Yet here I am plotting how I can get you to reveal more."
His hand reached out, his fingers brushing against mine as he took my hand in his. The small touch sent a shiver up my spine.
"I really like you," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "Which is ironic, considering I've spent my whole life matchmaking for other people and never thinking about my own… whatever this is."
Edward's thumb stroked the back of my hand, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Good. Because I really like you too, Bella. No strings, no labels, just… this."
I swallowed, nodding. "Just this."
His hand moved to cup my face as he stepped between my legs. Without wasting another beat of our hearts he leaned in to capture my lips. Together we move out mouths, soaking into the kiss. Our tongues dance and breath mingles.
It's sexy. It's filled with want and need, desperation and desire.
His fingers moved to skirt the hem of my top, his touch teasing and deliberate.
In one smooth motion, he lifted it up and over my head, tossing it aside before his lips found my neck. The warmth of his breath against my skin sent a shiver down my spine.
I moaned softly, my hands already working to undo his belt, fumbling slightly as his kisses grew hungrier. "Oh, your mouth is heavenly," I whispered, my voice shaky with anticipation.
He pulled back just enough to smirk at me, his dark eyes locked on mine. "You don't know the half of it, my sexy little archer," he said, his voice dripping with promise.
Before I could respond, he dropped to his knees, the sight of him there making my breath hitch. His hands slid up my thighs, hooking into the waistband of my panties and skirt in one swift motion. He pulled them off, leaving me bare before him.
"What are you…oh shit!" the words die in my throat as he pressed his lips to my inner thigh, his kisses slow and deliberate, inching closer and closer.
His hands gripped my ass, pulling me against his face. His tongue found its target and my knees almost buckle. He was merciless, licking and sucking, his hands holding me in place.
He opened his mouth, licking and sucking at me like a man starved, his focus entirely on my pleasure.
"Oh my God," I moaned, my head tilting back as I sat on my other hand for support. My free hand found its way to his hair, tangling in the soft strands as he continued his assault on my senses.
I could feel the pleasure building inside me, a pressure that threatened to explode at any moment.
"Fuck!" I cried out as his tongue plunged deeper, finding my sweet spot and sending me hurtling toward the edge.
I was so close, so fucking close.
"You're going to make me come," I warn.
He looks up at me and smirks.
"Show me your worst, baby," he kisses my pelvis, "let me be the man who makes cupid come."
His lips wrap around my clit and suck, the sensation shooting through me like a lightning bolt.
"Shit! Fuck!" I cry, my hips bucking as the wave of pleasure washes over me, the orgasm rippling through my body like an earthquake.
"Yes! Oh fuck yes!"
I shudder and pant as he keeps going, drawing out the last shocks of my orgasm until I can't take anymore.
When I finally came down, breathing hard, I looked down at him. His lips were glistening, his eyes dark and full of satisfaction.
He stands to full height and looks down at me, cupping my chin with his finger and thumb.
He's so fucking hot.
"You taste as sweet as I imagined," he says, his voice low and husky.
"Is that so?"
"Mmhm." He leans down and kisses me, his tongue tasting my lips and savoring me. "That was better than any fantasy."
I can't help but smile. "Glad to be of service."
He runs a hand through my hair, tucking a strand behind my ear.
"I've been thinking about it all night. Wondering what you taste like, what you would feel like coming on my tongue. You have no idea how badly I want you, Bella."
"Show me," I breathe, leaning in to capture his lips once again.
Our hands explore each other's bodies, his strong fingers digging into my ass, pulling me flush against his muscular frame.
"Maybe it's time you show me the inner workings of a billionaire's bed?" I tilt my head as I work on his buttons, "then I could show you the inner workings of cupid's mouth around your dick."
"Fuck yes," he growls, his grip on me tightening. "Let's go, baby."
I giggle, the sound trailing off as he picks me up and carries me to the bedroom, his lips finding my neck.