A Second Chance

10

While Bella called her parents, Edward started on dinner, he was going to make something nice.

Bella looked at Edward with a mix of confusion and curiosity as he meticulously chopped the ingredients for dinner. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of beef, sautéing peppers, and onions. Edward looked like he was in his element, a stark contrast to the business man she's used to seeing.

"You can cook?"

Bella's voice pierced through the culinary rhythm Edward had created. He looked up, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, and nodded.

"I wouldn't be my mother's son if I didn't," he smiled.

"What are you making?" Bella was intrigued by what she saw on the counter.

"Pabellon, it's a dish from my country. It's made of Shredded beef, black beans, white rice, and fried sweet plantains. It's a very hearty and filling dish."

Bella's eyes lit up, she had not experienced a lot of Latin dishes and she was intrigued by what Edward was doing.

"Can I help?" she asked, setting her phone aside.

Edward glanced at her, then at the ingredients scattered across the counter. "No, why don't you go relax and pick something for us to watch?" He said with a smile.

Bella nodded, as she retreated to the living room and scanned the TV for a good movie. The warm scents of the kitchen wafted into the room, making her stomach growl. Edward's cooking was definitely a pleasant surprise.

A few minutes later Edward joined her, he sat beside her on the couch.

"I've got it," Bella said, pointing at the TV screen, "A classic rom-com!"

Edward raised an eyebrow but nodded in agreement, a smile playing on his lips. He knew it wasn't his usual genre, but he enjoyed seeing her happy. They settled in, Bella curled up under a blanket. The movie played out in the background, a gentle hum of laughter and romance filling the air. Edward found himself getting lost in the plot, and keeping an eye on Bella and dinner.

"I'm going to check on dinner, I also have to fry the plantains." He told her.

"Plantains? I've never had those," Bella said unsure.

"The yellow ones are sweet," he smiled.

"I would like to try one, please,"

Edward peeled the sweet plantain and cut it diagonally. When the oil was hot he fried them until golden. He removed them from the oil and set them aside. He started plating while they cooled.

"Come and taste,"

Bella made her way to the kitchen, Edward cut a piece of plantain with a fork and held it put for her to try.

The plantain was sweet and slightly firm, the outside crispy and the inside creamy. A delightful mix of flavors she had never experienced before. She took a bite and her eyes widened with pleasure. "This is amazing!"

Edward beamed with pride at her reaction. "See, I told you, it's sweet and delicious."

Bella nodded, licking the oil off her lips. "What's the secret?"

"It's all in the ripeness," Edward said, his eyes focused on the sizzling pan. "When they're yellow with some black spots, they're at their sweetest."

Bella watched him move around the kitchen with ease, feeling a sense of comfort she hadn't known before. It was as if a hidden part of him was being revealed through this simple act of cooking. The sound of the TV was muted by the crackling of the plantains and the occasional sizzle from the stove. She felt a pang of regret for not knowing more about his background, his culture.

Edward plated the food and took it to the living room along with two bottles of sparkling water.

"I thought you would enjoy a more laid-back dinner,"

Edward said as he set the plates on the coffee table in front of them. The Pabellon looked delicious, with the beef piled high on the rice, the black beans spilling over the sides and the sweet plantains nestled alongside. Bella's mouth watered at the sight.

"Thank you," she said sincerely. "This looks amazing."

They sat back down, the scent of the food mingling with the lingering aroma of the rom-com playing in the background. Bella took a bite, the flavors dancing on her tongue. The beef was tender and full of flavor, but it was the plantains that stole the show, the sweetness complementing the saltiness from the beans and meat.

"This is so good," she murmured, taking another mouthful.

"I'm happy you like it," Edward said, watching her enjoy the meal. He took a sip of his water, his eyes never leaving hers.

The conversation flowed easily between them, a mix of laughter and questions about his family recipe. Bella felt a warmth spread through her, not just from the food, but from the connection she felt with Edward. It was a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time.

As they ate, Edward spoke fondly of his mother and the meals they shared growing up. His stories painted a picture of a warm, loving home, filled with the sounds of laughter and sizzling pans. Bella found herself drawn to him, her curiosity about his past deepening. Bella had seen his mother at the many functions from the company, but has not had a chance to have a full conversation with her.

After dinner, they decided to watch another movie. Edward picked one that he thought she might like, a drama with a hint of romance. As they sat together on the couch, Bella found herself leaning closer to him, the warmth of his body a comforting presence. They laughed together at the film's humorous moments, and she felt Edward's hand brush against her arm. It was a simple gesture, but it sent a shiver down her spine.

The plot grew more intense, and Edward reached for the bowl of strawberries left over from their picnic, offering her another bite. As she leaned in to take it, their eyes met, and the air between them grew thick with unspoken emotions. The film's soundtrack swelled, and the characters on screen shared a passionate kiss, mirroring the tension building in the room. Bella's heart raced as she took the strawberry, their fingers lingering together for a moment longer than necessary.

Suddenly, Edward paused the movie, his gaze lingering on Bella's lips. He leaned closer, and she could feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek. She closed her eyes, anticipating what she had been hoping for all evening. Their lips met, soft and tentative at first, before deepening into a kiss that left her breathless. It was as if all the pent-up longing and frustration of the past few days had been released in that single moment.

The kiss grew more urgent, their hands finding each other's waists, pulling them closer. Edward's hand traveled up her spine, sending shivers down her body. Bella's heart pounded in her chest as she realized that she had been waiting for this, yearning for this connection. The room seemed to melt away, leaving only the two of them in a cocoon of desire and passion.

They broke apart, both slightly breathless, staring into each other's eyes.

"I'm sorry," Edward whispered, his voice husky with emotion.

"Don't be, I wanted you to kiss me," Bella replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Edward's eyes searched hers, looking for any sign of doubt. Finding none, he leaned back in, capturing her lips in another kiss, this one more urgent than the first. Their kiss grew deeper, hands exploring each other's bodies tentatively. Bella felt a thrill run through her as she realized how much Edward desired her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, feeling his heart race in sync with hers.

As they broke apart again, Bella took a moment to catch her breath. Edward smiled at her and asked to take her hand in his. Bella rested her head on his shoulder then continued watching the movie.

But the tension between them had shifted, and the air was charged with a new kind of energy. After a few minutes of silence, she turned to face him, her eyes searching his.

"Edward," she began, her voice soft. "I know we've talked about taking things slow, but I need to know...are we, you know, compatible that way?"

"In what way?"

Edward's question hung in the air, a mix of surprise and curiosity. He searched her eyes, the flicker of the TV casting shadows across his face.

"You know," she said, her cheeks flushing slightly. "In...every way."

Edward's expression grew thoughtful as he considered her question. He took a deep breath, his thumb tracing small circles on the back of her hand.

"Bella," he began, "I want us to be honest with each other. What are you thinking now?"

Bella took a moment to gather her thoughts. "Well, I mean, I've been dancing around with this thought in my head for a while, and I just want to know if there's a real connection between us," she said, her heart racing with every syllable.

Edward paused the movie, "I do not understand,"

"You know, if we are... good together," she stuttered, feeling the heat rising in her cheeks.

"Good together? Based on what has happened so far I think we are great together!"

Edward's voice was filled with confidence and Bella felt a wave of relief wash over her.

"I'm referring to sexual compatibility," Bella said, her voice barely above a whisper. She could feel her cheeks burning with embarrassment, but she knew she had to get it out. Edward looked at her, his eyes searching hers for understanding.

"What do you mean?" he asked, his voice gentle.

"Well," Bella started, her eyes focused on their intertwined hands. "I just...want to know if you find me attractive."

Edward's eyes widened, "Bella, of course, I find you attractive. You're beautiful, inside and out."

"That's not what I mean," she said, biting her lip.

Edward thought about her words for a second, and then it came to him. "Are you asking if you turn me on?"

Edward's question was blunt, but Bella appreciated his directness. She nodded, still unable to meet his gaze.

"Well, yes," she admitted, feeling vulnerable.

Edward leaned back, his expression serious. "Bella, I can assure you that you turn me on," he said, shifting his posture a little.

Bella felt a rush of heat spread through her body at his words. "But what if we're not... good at it?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the faint sound of the TV.

Edward chuckled gently, "Bella, I think we'll be fine." He leaned in and kissed her again, his hand resting on her waist.

"Edward, I haven't been touched by any hand other than my own in almost three years. I told James it had been a year since he touched me last, but I lied. He didn't remember how long it had been, but I did."

Her confession hung in the air, thick with unspoken fear and longing. Edward pulled her closer, his eyes searching hers for understanding. "Bella, I want you to know that I've thought about it too."

He took a deep breath, his voice steady and calm. "But I think it's important for us to build this relationship on trust and respect, not just physical attraction. We've known each other for a while now, and I've seen the kind, compassionate person you are. That's what makes me want to be with you."

"But the physical attraction is present too," she added. Edward nodded, his expression gentle.

"Thank you for taking the time to talk about this," Bella said sincerely. Edward smiled and tightened the grip on her hand. She rested her head on his shoulder again and they continued watching the movie ending the conversation.

Short, sweet, and to the point.

Is it me or things are heating up?

See you next week! Thanks for all the reviews :-)