Edward and I shut down the ice cream shop; as in, he paid the employees to clean around us and kick us out when it was time for them to leave. I was sort of embarrassed at first, but once I realized that they literally didn't care that we were there, I enjoyed talking to Edward about movies, music, and books.
He told me the basic story of how he got into the magazine game and he asked about how I was faring after my recent breakup. He talks a little about his two previous babies, and I ask him point blank why they didn't work out.
"Jane was the first one, and she was just ready for something new. I helped her get through school, and she found a job on the East Coast. Lauren wanted more from me, and I wasn't prepared to give it to her. She has a lot of ambition, and she actually works for a competitor of mine." Edward tells me all this as I finish my cup of rum raisin.
"You said that you've been in love before? Was that a relationship like this or something else?" I ask, wiping my mouth and offering to take his trash.
When I come back to the table, Edward guides me out the door, calling out to the employees a quick "thanks". "I was married once. I was deeply in love with Tanya, but we met and fell in love just as I was starting to come up in my career." He's guiding me back toward the restaurant, one hand in mine, the other in his pocket.
"When long days at the office turned into late night and me working weekends, she got upset. Looking back, I don't blame her, but she's a lawyer and worked awful hours too. I guess I just expected she would understand that I needed to put in the hours to succeed."
"What happened between you two?" I ask softly.
"We barely saw each other, hardly spoke to one another, and one day, I realized that I didn't miss her. I felt terrible about it, and when I cleared my schedule to talk to her about it, she presented me with divorce papers." Edward pauses, and I can see the hurt that still lingers.
"What was her reason?" I ask quietly.
"Irreconcilable differences. But I found out after we finalized everything that she'd been seeing someone for some time before she presented me with the papers. She remarried within a year of our divorce." We stop alongside a black town car, and Edward bows his head.
"I'm sorry, Edward. That was obviously very difficult for you." I reach out, lifting his chin with my fingers. "Thank you for telling me. I appreciate it. I think it helps me understand you better."
He smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Can I give you a lift home? It's getting late."
I nod, and he opens the door for me, allowing me to slide across the seat before him. I give the driver Rose and Emmett's address, and before we both realize, we're stopped on the street in front of their house.
"Your friends have a lovely home. Can I walk you to the door?" Edward asks, and I nod. He helps me from the car, and I laugh lightly.
"I'm not really used to someone with impeccable manners. It might take some time to get used to." We both stop moving at my words.
Edward recovers before I do. "Well, I'm a gentleman, and I know how to treat a woman." His hand drifts down to the small of my back again as he walks me up to the front porch. We stand there awkwardly for a few moments before he leans down to press a kiss to my cheek, lingering by the corner of my mouth.
"I really hope I'll hear from you, Bella. But if I don't, please know that I had a wonderful time with you this evening. If you ever want to have dinner again, I'd be delighted to see you." Edward's eyes shine, and I can feel my resolve slipping just a little bit.
I want time to think about this decision, but as he stands here being the most perfect gentleman I've ever met, my impulsive side kicks in. I gently grab his tie, pulling him closer. When he bows his head toward me again, I press my lips to his.
There's a moment where I feel a definite spark. Like when you walk across the carpet in socks, and then touch metal, creating that little zap. When it happens, I gasp slightly, opening my mouth inviting him. His tongue dances with my own, making me moan in delight. My arms wrap around his neck, his hands grasp my waist, squeezing, pulling me closer until I can't tell where my body ends and his begins.
My fingers nestle into the hair at the nape at his neck, pulling lightly, making him moan into my mouth. No matter what else is going on between us or what might happen, I want him. He begins to pull away as the porch light flickers off and on insistently. He leans his head back, laughing heartily.
I slam my forehead into his chest and groan. "Oh my god. I'm going to kill them." I can feel his laughter rumbling in his chest at my words.
"I'll come in and say hi," Edward offers, and I groan again.
I look up at him with the most murderous glare I can manage. "Don't even think about it. I'm going inside so I can crawl into a hole and die. I'll text you tomorrow."
He laughs again. "Have a good night, Bella."
I unlock the door, and just before I step in, I pull his jacket off and hand it to him. "You might need this." I shoot him a wink and slip inside, locking the door behind me. I watch him through the peephole as he shrugs into the jacket and takes several deep breaths before walking back to his car.
When I turn around, Rose and Emmett are standing in the living room, looking at me expectantly. I clap a hand over my mouth as I shriek. "OH MY GOD! You weirdos!" I walk past them to my room and manage to shut the door before Rose comes barging in.
"Tell. Me. Everything!"
As I change out of her dress and my shoes, wash my face, and brush my teeth, I tell her … almost everything. I don't tell her that Edward was looking for a sugar baby; I just tell her that he definitely wants something casual, someone to enjoy life with without any expectations.
"How do you feel about that?" she asks as I dump out the purse and retrieve my phone.
When I phrase it like this in my mind, I'm okay with it, so I tell her so. "It's okay with me. I even understand it. He's busy and successful; why waste time trying to find the perfect person when you can find someone you enjoy spending time with without fear of rejection when it eventually doesn't work out."
"You're not that cynical, Bella." Rose shoots me a worried look.
"Maybe not, but I get it. And I could stand to be a little spoiled and have some fun." I shrug. "Speaking of being spoiled, he wants to take me on a trip. To Italy."
Rose doesn't say anything for a full minute. I watched the clock. When she does speak, she has all the same questions I did, and I answer them. "What about work?"
I tell her what Edward said, and her jaw drops. "What is he, your sugar daddy?" She laughs, and I force out a laugh along with her. "I mean, look, I won't be mad if you quit that job and neither will Emmett. To be honest, I think he may have pulled some strings and got the job created for you."
Gross; I hate even suspecting that. It makes me even more squicky than the idea of Edward paying me to essentially quit said job to accompany him to Milan.
"I'll talk to Emmett when I go to work this week. I'm off tomorrow, but I work Tuesday." She nods.
"If work wasn't a factor, what would your answer be? Especially after that steamy make out session on the porch?" She wiggles her eyebrows, and I laugh.
"It would be yes. If I could just pick up on a whim and go, I would," I tell her.
"I assume he's paying for everything?" I nod. I don't know that answer for sure, but I feel fairly confident about it. "Then go! You have one minor thing stopping you, and you hate it anyway. Take a chance and do something wild and exciting!"
"Yeah, but—"
"I don't want to tell you what to do, but what's stopping you, really?" she asks, and I fidget. I know the therapist in her wants to speak up, but she's trying to be my friend first; I'm not one of her clients.
So many things are stopping me. If I go, I'm committing to this "mutually beneficial friendship". I'm committing to Edward in a way that makes me powerful and vulnerable at the same time. I'm deciding to use someone for their money, connections and, at some point, body.
"I think I want to see him one more time before I make a final decision, but I think I'm going to Italy," I say, feeling excited and anxious at the same time.
"Do you think Em and I could meet him?" Rose asks as she rises off the bed and moves to the door.
I shrug. "I'll make sure to talk to him about it. I just know he's really busy."
She nods. "Get some rest. Goodnight."
"Night, Rose." She shuts the door behind her, and I snuggle under the covers, trying to get comfortable. When I finally get settled, I reach for my phone, only to find two missed texts from Edward. Smiling, I open them up.
Edward: I had a wonderful time tonight, Bella. I really do hope I hear from you soon.
Edward: Have a good night.
I text him back, telling him that I also had a great time and asking if he can make some time this week to see each other. I tag on that Rose and Emmett would like to meet the man who's whisking me away to Italy.
Edward: I'm busy this week, so I won't make any promises, but I'll try.
Edward: Does this mean you've decided to come?
Bella: I have a few more questions. And I think they would feel better if they could meet you. I hope you understand that.
Edward: Do you work tomorrow? Why don't you come to my office for lunch? It'll be quick, in between meetings, but you can see me in action a little bit. We can look at my calendar and see if we can make something work to meet your friends.
I agree, and he sends me the address before he tells me he's going to bed. I tell him to have a good night, and he sends me a kissing emoji. I send one back without hesitating. After setting my alarm, I fall asleep quickly, willing tomorrow to start soon.
Walking out of the elevator and onto the 22nd floor where Edward's office is located, I realize I may have made a misstep in my outfit of choice. I'm wearing dark wash skinny jeans, a loose turtleneck in a cranberry color, and black booties. I'm comfortable, but I also thought I looked nice. Until I saw everyone in designer clothes.
When I step up to the receptionist's desk, she glances up at me with a vague smile. "How can I help you today?"
I already texted Edward, telling him I was here and I'm wearing a visitor badge from security, but he told me to check in at reception. "My name is Bella Swan. I'm here to see Edward Cullen."
I watch as her eyes widen slightly before she picks up her phone and dials an extension. "Mr. Cullen, Miss Swan is here. Yes, sir." She stands, smoothing her skirt before walking out from around the desk. "If you'll follow me please?"
I walk about three feet behind her, watching where we're going and noticing how people at their desks are watching me like a hawk. We reach an oversized office in the corner of the floor that I could have easily found myself. The door is open, but she still knocks to catch Edward's attention. He's singularly focused on his computer screen, his brow furrowed, frowning slightly. But when he glances up, he smiles brightly at me. "Bella."
Just the sound of his voice saying my name, so reverently, like he'd been thinking about me all day, does something to me. I duck my head a little and watch as the receptionist walks out the door, leaving us alone. "Oh, Irina?"
She comes scurrying back. "Yes, Mr. Cullen?"
"Next time Miss Swan comes by, just send her back. I'm sure she can find the way by herself; even if I'm not here, she's welcome."
Irina nods and walks slowly back down the hall.
I jerk my thumb over my shoulder at the door. "Open or closed?" I ask, and Edward rubs his hands over his face.
"If you close it, I'll be tempted to recreate our kiss from last night." He smiles, rising from his chair to come around the desk and greeting me with a chaste kiss.
"Is that such a bad thing?" I ask innocently, making him laugh.
"I'd never make it to my afternoon meetings. Then I'd be in trouble." He gestures to the couch across from his desk, and we sit, looking at each other. "Are you hungry? Do you like sushi? There's a great place right across the street. I can order it, and it'll be here in about ten minutes."
He places an order for us, and while we wait, I study his work space. He has the first issue of "Real Men" framed on the wall along with his college diploma. Pictures litter a bookshelf along with small trinkets that are so decidedly masculine.
When the food arrives, we eat and talk about Italy. He doesn't seem to mind that I have more questions, in fact, he encourages them.
"What about PDA?" I ask as I take a drink from my bottle of water.
"What about it? I like PDA. I thought you would have gathered that after last night." He smirks, and I roll my eyes.
"No, I mean at events and stuff. What kind of PDA do you expect?" Sitting back, I look over as he holds a piece of spicy tuna roll with his chopsticks.
"Nothing you're uncomfortable with. In public, especially at events where there might be photographers, nothing untoward. Hand holding, my arm around your waist, chaste kisses." He pops the bite into his mouth.
"Do you encounter paparazzi often?" I swallow the lump in my throat at the idea of being photographed for public consumption.
"Sometimes for certain events. Definitely in Milan. You don't have to be in the photos at first, but eventually, I'd want you to be comfortable enough to be by my side." He slings an arm over the back of the couch, his fingers playing with the ends of my hair. "What else?"
"About my job—"
Edward cuts me off. "I shouldn't have made that offer. It was insensitive and uncouth. I'm sorry."
"It was … weird, but I've been thinking about it. I hate that job. Don't get me wrong; I'm grateful for it, I really am. I like to work; it's a necessary evil, but I'd love to find a job I at least enjoy minimally," I tell him, huffing out a breath. "I get that you want to spoil someone, spoil me. But I don't want to take advantage of that."
"What are you proposing?" Edward asks, and I turn to fully face him on the couch.
"I go to Milan with you, regardless of what that means for my job. If we realize we aren't compatible, then we part when we get back, no harm no foul," I offer, and he raises an eyebrow.
"And what happens if we realize that we are compatible? I thought that kiss last night would have helped you decide that." He reaches for my hand, kissing my wrist again.
"Edward, when I say compatible, I mean that I expect for us to sleep together while we're there. If that doesn't happen naturally, then I think that's our sign." He lingers over my wrist, looking up at me. "That means if I have to quit my job, I'll accept your help without fighting it."
"Do we need ground rules? Because I'll romance the shit out of you, Bella Swan." He winks, and I laugh deeply, not even caring that I snort when I laugh this hard.
"Consent has to be given." He nods as I continue. "If we've been drinking, and I can drink, Edward Cullen, we need to be as aware as possible."
"I can live with those. They're smart and safe rules, but I have one of my own. It's two fold: I want you to get an STI test, and we always use condoms. I won't budge on that."
"I have zero problem with that. I have an IUD, and I've always been very careful. I'll make an appointment today." I lean into his chest as he wraps his arm around me.
"I just have one more question for you," I say softly.
"What's that?"
"What should I pack?"
He laughs before pulling out his black Amex card and handing it over to me. "Go wild, baby."
"You're ridiculous," I say, but I take the card from him and slip it into my purse. "I'll be gentle; I promise."
He leans in to capture my lips. "I promise I will be too."