AN: Once again, a big shoutout to my team. What are we thinking friends? Should Bella cut and run?
**Sugar, Sugar**
Waiting for Maggie to leave the dining room feels like a goddamn eternity. Edward is just looking at me, concerned and confused. "You knew that, didn't you? Please tell me you knew that."
Clearing my throat, I down the rest of the scotch. "Clearly, I did not. I was a little drunk when I signed up for it. It was late. Oh my god." I cradle my head in my hands, willing myself not to cry. I'm so embarrassed. "I should go. I'm sorry." I move to stand up, but Edward's hand shoots out to stop me.
"Please, Bella, just wait." He waits until I'm fully seated again. "Look, at least, stay for dinner, and you can ask me any questions you want. I promise to be totally transparent. I really enjoyed talking to you last night, and I think if you gave this a chance, you'd enjoy this too."
"I'm not going to be in a relationship with you where"—I lower my voice even though we're clearly alone—"you're going to pay me like a sex worker to be with you. I'm not for sale, Edward."
He sighs deeply. "it's really not like that."
Quirking an eyebrow at him, I cross my arms. "It's not? Really?"
"Okay, it's kind of like that, but there's more to it. Will you just hear me out? If you want nothing to do with me after the fact, you can block my number, and I'll never contact you again. I swear." He holds up four fingers like a Boy Scout.
"Fine, I'll listen. But I'm really only staying for the food." I look at the two dishes in front of us that we originally intended to share and sigh. "Go ahead."
He lets out a shaky breath before dishing out portions from each plate, then passing it to me. "Let me tell you some basic things that I like in my, um, relationships. It looks good for me to have someone on my arm at events and parties. If you like the term better, I'm looking for a companion of sorts. Someone to accompany me when I need to be seen and want to be seen. Someone to join me on a trip when I need to relax. Someone to spoil from time to time; that is a true part of the cliche."
He watches me as I eat, and I nod. "Okay, but this isn't the 1900s, Edward. You say 'companion' like you can't travel alone because it's scandalous for you to do so. What aren't you saying?"
"Of course, there is a personal element to this. For all intents and purposes, people would believe that we're dating. They'd see me with only you and you only with me. And yes, I'm looking for … physical intimacy." He smiles a little ruefully.
"Is this when you tell me that you're only a man and you have needs? That you're too busy to actually date and have a relationship?" I set my fork down gently.
"No, that would be bullshit." Edward looks serious. "I've been in love before, and it didn't work out. I think love is a beautiful emotion, but I don't think it's for me. I can feel love in a very general sense. I love my family and my job, but I don't want to be tied down in a relationship where it doesn't work out yet again. I'm very focused on my career, and that would just be a distraction."
The precise way that he describes his situation shouldn't win me over, but I can see where he's coming from. Would I be further along in my life, my career ambitions if I had put relationships on the back burner? If I could be as focused as Edward, would I be more successful? Does he have a point?
"Do you ever want to fall in love again?"
I can see the question surprises him, and he thinks about it for a moment. "I don't know. I've had a few relationships like the one I'm describing to you, and I loved those women, but I never fell in love with them. I'm not actively pursuing it, but one day, I'll be happy if I do. Does that make sense?" he asks me finally.
It does make sense, in a way. I think it's a sad way to live, but I guess my view of life is just so different from his. "I suppose so. But all you're looking for from me is a mutually beneficial situationship?"
"Is that what we're calling it these days?" He laughs as Maggie comes to collect our dishes, and we wait for the mains to be delivered.
"Well, I can't call you my boyfriend, right?" I ask as Edward pours me a glass of wine.
"You can if you want to. I'm all for romance, being a gentleman, and showing you the finer things in life. I've worked really hard to get where I'm, and I don't want to enjoy it alone. If it would make it easier for you, I'd gladly take the 'boyfriend' moniker." Edward smiles, and I'm dazzled. He seems to have the perfect answer for everything.
"Do you expect me to call you 'Daddy' when we're alone? In private?" I can't believe I'm even asking this.
"That's up to you. I can't guarantee I won't call you 'baby' from time to time. Just like I can't guarantee how I'll react if you call me 'Daddy'." He winks, and if I wasn't so mesmerized by him, it would be smarmy.
Maggie drops off our main courses before I can respond, and as she's leaving, my phone starts ringing in my purse. I can feel my face go beet red. "I'm so sorry. That'll be my best friend checking in. Will you excuse me?" I grab my purse and rush from the room, digging out my phone and answering it quietly.
"Hey, how's it going? I was just going to text, but I figured I'd call in case you needed an out." Rose sounds way too excited, and I wonder if she took an edible while waiting on me tonight.
"Um, things are fine. It's actually him, so that's a plus. It's kinda intense though. We just got served dinner too. I'll talk to you when I get back." I go to hang up when I hear Rose's voice calling to me.
"Intense? What does that mean?"
Ugh, I never should have said anything. "Nothing. He's just more serious than I anticipated. But he's nice. I'm having a good time." As soon as the words escape my lips, I realize it's true. I am having a good time with Edward Cullen, talking about his proclivity for being a sugar daddy.
"I gotta go. I'll see you later. Love you!" I quickly hang up and turn my phone on vibrate, berating myself for not checking it earlier. When I walk back into the dining room, Edward's face lights up.
"Everything all right?" he asks as he stands up.
"Yeah, Rose just wanted to check on me. I thought … I thought it might not really be you or that I might get stood up." I tell him honestly. "But, now knowing what app I was on, it makes a little more sense."
"You're a smart woman, at least from what I could tell last night and this evening. You knew you weren't going to be stood up. Did you think I wasn't being honest?" Edward asks as he cuts into his steak.
Shrugging, I take my own bite. "I really didn't know what to expect, but then again—" I trail off, and he laughs.
"You didn't know what app you were on." He picks up his wine glass and holds it over the table in front of me. I pick up my own and tap the rim to his. "Still to us?"
"I think so. I need some time to think about this; I hope you can understand that. I can't just hop into bed with you because you've taken me out to a very nice restaurant." He studies my face for a moment, and when I wink, he laughs.
"I wouldn't expect that right away anyway. I always like to make sure that I'm compatible with my partners, and I think a few more dates and outings are necessary to figure that out." Edward takes a drink from his glass before setting it down. "I have to ask. Do you have a passport?"
"I do. I got it last year because I wanted to travel more this year. Obviously, that hasn't worked out." Rolling my eyes, I take another bite of my dinner. "Why? Are you whisking me away somewhere?"
"Something like that. I need to go overseas for some business in two weeks. It would be a great time for us to spend some time together and see if we make sense." Edward pushes his mostly empty plate to the side and brings his wine glass in front of him.
"And how long would we be gone?"
"A week, give or take a couple days," he answers with a smile. "Separate rooms in a suite."
"Where?" I push my plate away even though I probably could have finished it. My adrenaline has been pumping since Edward's big reveal of my idiotic mistake.
"Milan. I'll be busy during the day, but I'll be back at the hotel around three in the afternoon. Maybe even earlier." We both drink some wine as I think about my next questions.
"So, I'd be alone in Milan all day while you're working?"
"We'd have every night together. It's beautiful at night," Edward reaches across the table, opening his hand for mine.
I place my hand in his and he closes his fingers around me. "Would you ever have time during the day to be with me? What about my job? I haven't been there very long? I doubt I can just take a week off."
He grins. "How much do you make at your job?"
I shake my head but tell him my hourly wage. "If they deny you the time and you decide you want to come, I'll give you two times that amount until you find another job."
Dropping my head, I pull my hand from his. "And we're back in that sex worker area again. I don't want this to be transactional, if I decide to do this at all."
"Bella, it is transactional. You called it a 'situationship', but the truth is it's a mutually beneficial friendship. I have the means to take care of you, if you'll let me, for as long as you'll let me. If you're smart about it, you could save most of whatever I give to you monetarily. You don't have to decide tonight or even tomorrow. And these 'terms' or whatever you want to call them can always be adjusted." He looks at me so seriously but so kindly. "As long as we're clear about one thing: this isn't about finding love with one another. It's about giving each other what we want."
Maggie comes in asking if we're interested in dessert, and I ask for a coffee or even an espresso if they can accommodate. She nods and asks how I take it. "Black right now would be perfect, thank you so much, Maggie."
"I'll have the same, Maggie." Edward smiles her way as she nods and leaves.
"I … I think I need some time to think about this, Edward. You're suggesting that I just up and quit my job to go to Italy just to see if we're compatible." I brush my hair out of my face, shaking my head.
"I'm not suggesting that at all. I was merely offering a solution." He reaches for my hand again, and I give it willingly. "Do you feel anything when we touch? Have you had a good time tonight at all? Do you think I'm someone you'd like to know better?"
I look from his face to where our hands are joined, and I would be lying not only to him but to myself if I said I wasn't curious or attracted to him. There's something simmering underneath the surface of Edward Cullen. Behind the ultra confident and successful businessman, when you pull back the sheen of the fancy suit, the money, and I'm sure the expensive cars, he's a man who's looking for connection.
I understand that. It's human. So many of us crave someone to spend time with, to enjoy the spoils and endure the heartaches. So what if he's not looking to fall in love, neither am I … not really.
I want that someday, but it doesn't need to be right now. I think maybe I could learn a lot from Edward about life and work and why shouldn't I? Maybe this is the opportunity I've been waiting for, as unconventional as it seems.
Squeezing his hand, I smile. "Regardless of what I feel tonight, I still need to think about it. I hope you can respect that."
"Of course. I understand. Do you have any more questions?" he asks as Maggie drops off our espressos and ducks out of the room.
"My head is actually swimming a little bit right now. But I'll text you when I think of any." I sip at the hot drink, letting it settle my nerves. "I had a really nice time tonight, even though we mostly talked shop."
Edward laughs, and I love the sound. It's so genuine and clear. He isn't afraid to let it out and wonder if he's like that with every emotion. "We really only talked 'shop', didn't we?"
"It's okay. I'm glad we cleared the air. Although, I'm still kind of embarrassed." I shake my head, grinning.
Edward glances at his watch. "It's only nine-thirty, do you want to find some ice cream? I could use something a little less stuffy after all of this." His smile is wide, and I grin.
"I saw a Baskin-Robbins up the street."
He nods. "Let's go." He stands up and helps me out of my chair.
"Don't we need to pay? I mean, shouldn't we find Maggie? She was wonderful tonight; I want to make sure we tip her enough." I grab my purse and find Edward just staring at me.
"I already paid for the room and dinner, but hearing that you want to make sure Maggie is taken care of is very endearing. Let's go find her, and you can tip her with all the cash in my wallet if you want." His smile is a little devilish as if he's testing me.
"How much was dinner tonight? Room included with the private staff?" I cross my arms when he doesn't answer me right away.
When he finally answers me, I choke on my own spit so hard he reaches out to pat my back and steady me. He spent three times what my total rent was before it was split into three ways to pay for tonight.
"Oh my god, Edward! Are you insane?" I ask when I finally catch my breath.
"I just wanted us to have some privacy and be able to take our time. Are you opposed to me spending the money or would you rather not know?" he asks, leading me out of the room.
"Both?" I say with a glance over at him.
"I can only guarantee one of those things, and I think you know which one that is." We walk back over to the bar where we met just a few hours ago to find Maggie chatting with the bartender. "Maggie, we had a lovely evening, and you were magnificent."
"Thank you, sir. It was my pleasure. Have a wonderful evening." She smiles wide but turns back to the bar before Edward pulls his wallet out of his inner jacket pocket.
He opens it, pulling it away from me when I try to peek inside. He chuckles lightly when I huff, but I watch as he carefully pulls out five crisp one-hundred-dollar bills. He slides them onto the bar top and guides me away.
Just as we begin to descend the stairs, Edward guiding me with his hand on my elbow, I can hear Maggie's delighted squeal. When we step out onto the street, I shiver slightly. I'd been running on nerves and adrenaline when I left home, so I didn't bring a coat with me. I figured I'd be okay inside with long sleeves, but now that it's dipped below sixty, I'm cold.
Edward whips off his jacket and places it over my shoulders as we begin to walk, and he asks me what my favorite ice cream flavor is. "Oh, I love butter pecan, but I always try to pick something different. What's your favorite?"
"Promise you won't make fun of me?"
"Absolutely not. Tell me." I nudge him as we cross the street.
He laughs. "I like this side of you. Fine, it's vanilla."
"Edward, something tells me there is nothing vanilla about you." He stops walking, and under the streetlamp, his bright green eyes darken.
"You should be very careful when you say things like that, Bella." He licks his lips, and I can't help but take a step closer to him. He smells like a luxury cologne and pure man. I'm sure it's some signature scent created just for him.
"Why? Is this where you tell me that sugar babies have to say certain things and act a particular way?" I'm close enough to see the faintest appearance of crow's feet around his eyes. Aside from the light dusting of gray hair at his temples, it's the only other sign of his age.
He reaches out to grab the lapels of his jacket, pulling my body flush with his. He's rock hard from his chest to his, well. "I want to be very clear; I want you to be your own person. Say what you want, do what you want, eat what you want. If you want to shave all that beautiful hair off your head, do it. As long as at the end of the day, you're mine. There's nothing wrong with having a daddy kink or me having a kink for taking care of my babies; it's a consensual relationship between two adults at the end of the day." He dips closer, and his lips brush against the corner of my mouth making me freeze in anticipation.
I want this man to kiss me, and I know he wants me too. I close my eyes, tipping my head up slightly, offering him better access, but he shifts his mouth closer to my ear. "The only thing vanilla about me is my ice cream flavor preference." He presses a soft kiss to my cheek before pulling away.
It takes me a moment to come back to the present. "Okay, so vanilla for you, and whatever I want for me. Got it."
"Good girl," he tells me before continuing down the street, my hand in his.