CHAPTER 6

London, England - 2004

On Friday, while I was still in class, Edward sent me a strange text message.

Do you own a dress? - Edward

Did I own a dress? Was he serious? I’m a freaking girl, of course I’ve owned a dress at some point in my life, however now was not the time. He must be able to tell that I’m not a dressy kind of girl, but that doesn’t mean I can’t pull it off. I’ve had to wear dresses and suits to various events and conferences in my college career, especially during presentations. However, I didn’t really bring anything dressy to London with me.

Um, I can. Why? - Bella

Wear one tonight, if it isn’t too much trouble. I slipped an envelope under the door of your flat. The dress is on me. I’ll pick you up at 5:00 p.m. I can’t wait to see you. - Edward

What are we doing? I can buy my own dress. - Bella

It’s a surprise. Stop being difficult. I’m buying. - Edward

I really didn’t want him to think I needed his money, or that I was some charity case. I wasn’t. I was doing perfectly fine, better than fine, really. I didn’t want to argue with him and ruin our night. I’d pay him back somehow, later.

Fine. You win. Only because I miss you and don’t want to argue. However, I’d still like you even if you were the poorest man on Earth. ;) - Bella

You make me feel rich, not the money. See you at 5:00 p.m. - Edward

I couldn’t hide the stupid grin on my face and I was momentarily embarrassed by my professor because he asked me a question I hadn’t heard.

~
Shopping for a dress was an adventure. I hadn’t been shopping before in London. Angela told me about a few local stores I might like and I made it to the first place and found a dress that would work. I wasn’t picky and didn’t feel the need to go all over town looking for a dress. I wasn’t sure how dressy I was supposed to be so I just stuck with something simple and black, but sexy. I wanted him to like the dress, after all he paid for it.

It was satin, short and strapless with a sweetheart neckline. It hugged my slight curves nicely and really made my rear look lovely. I found some black satin heels that matched. I paid for those.

I got lost on the way home and ended up taking a cab back to my flat. By the time I arrived, I was running late. I hung my dress up and placed Edward’s credit card and my receipt for the dress back in the little white envelope that he slipped under my door.

I showered for the second time that day and made sure every inch of me was silky smooth, just in case I got lucky. I twisted my hair up to expose my back and shoulders and left a few loose tendrils down in the front. I put a little more make up on that I normally did, adding a nice peachy gloss to my lips. I pulled out a diamond necklace my father bought me for my 16th birthday and slipped it around my neck. It was the perfect little accessory. I missed my dad. I made a mental note to call him the following day.

Edward arrived promptly on time. He looked amazing. I had never seen him outside of his casual and somewhat grungy attire. This was the first time he actually looked like he had money. His dress pants were black, paired with a royal blue dress shirt and a sport coat that hung open.

“Good evening,” he said.

“Hi.” I smiled shyly.

“You look beautiful,” he said softly as his arms wrapped around me and embraced me for a hug. I took a deep breath and breathed him in. He smelled so good. I inhaled his scent all the way to my core. I couldn’t express how badly I wanted this man to touch me.

His lips pressed softly into the crook of my neck. “I missed you.”

A small smile swept across my face as he nuzzled me. Screw whatever he had planned, I wanted him in my bed right now.

I sighed and tried to focus. I gently pushed him away and grabbed my handbag from the counter. “We better go,” I offered.

~

Edward had completely outdone himself. I felt like a princess in some sort of fairy tale movie. Edward took me to the London Eye first. We had a private capsule and shared a bottle of wine while we watched the sun set over London. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. I had never seen London from that perspective. It was extremely romantic and Edward was ever the gentleman.

I stood, watching the last sliver of light disappear over the horizon as Edward came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. His chin rested on my shoulder. His voice was soft.

“I’ve never done anything like this for a girl before.”

I turned to look at him. “What does that mean?”

I inhaled a sharp breath as his lips moved closer to mine.

“It means that I really fucking like you.”

His fingers swept along my collar bone and up to caress my cheek as his lips met mine. I got lost every time we kissed. I never wanted to let go. He felt so good.

We eventually separated and made our way to dinner at a lovely restaurant nearby that overlooked the city. We shared everything on our plates and another bottle of wine.

By the time we made it back across town to my flat, I was fairly tipsy and a lot horny. If Edward didn’t give me what I wanted tonight, I would surely combust.

I opened my door and expected him to follow me inside. When he didn’t, I turned around. “Aren’t you coming in?” I asked.

“I should go home.”

“Why?”

“So you know that I am serious about you, and that I didn’t do all of this to take advantage of you at the end of the night. I did it because I like you, and I like seeing you smile.”

“You’d really make me smile if you came in a for a few minutes. Please?” I asked.

He sighed and gave in, following me inside.

He sat on my bed while I fetched us a each a glass of wine from the tiny kitchen area.

I sat down beside him. We sipped our wine. I didn’t know what to do next. I’d never really seduced a guy before.

“You look really handsome tonight,” I semi-teased. We both laughed. I sat my wine glass down and said to hell with it. I crawled over him and straddled his lap. He looked shocked.

“Bella...” he warned.

“Edward, please. This night would be perfect if...” I trailed off. I began placing feather light kisses along his jaw and down his neck. His intoxicating aroma became stronger and nearly made me whimper.

“But I want you to know that you’re different. No matter what you hear about what I’ve done in the past, it’s different with you.”

I pulled back and looked at him. “I know. I know you mean it. You showed me tonight.”

My lips pressed to his and the power struggle began. The push and pull of lips and tongues, the soft bites and sounds of pleasure in between breaths.

“You have no idea how badly I want you,” he said into my mouth.

“I think I do,” I responded as I pushed myself down onto him, feeling the full length of his erection through his pants.

He groaned and pushed me off his lap. I was standing before him, slightly confused. “Turn around,” he ordered.

Oh.

Edward carefully unzipped my dress and watched as it fell to the floor. He took my hand and helped me step out of the small pile of fabric on the floor. It was a rare feeling, but I felt beautiful before him in my satin heels, black lace panties and strapless bra, with my diamond necklace dancing across my neckline.

“So beautiful...” he mumbled as his lips pressed to my stomach. His hands roamed down my sides, over my hips, and up and down my thighs.

He turned me around and laid me gently on the bed. He partially undressed himself as I watched. His pants were discarded on the floor. He began to unbutton his shirt as he crawled back onto the bed.

I sat up on my knees. “I want to do that part.”

He smiled and dropped his hands. We were both sitting up on our knees in the center of my bed as I carefully and slowly unbuttoned each button on his shirt until I let it slide off his shoulders. He had a black t-shirt on underneath and I quickly pulled it over his head. I ran my hands up along his chest and across his shoulders.

“You’re so warm,” I said, as I melted into his embrace. My hand wound around his neck and my fingers got lost in his mess of hair.

His hands fell to my lower back as he gently laid us back down against the bed. I wanted to ravish him, but he was being so gentle with me, like he was afraid I was going to break. He peppered soft kisses all over me, my face, neck, chest, tummy and between my thighs. I was absolutely melting and wild with desire. Jake was good to me, but he never made me feel like Edward did.

I pushed Edward up and over onto his back. I straddled him and returned all the little kisses he had given me, but with a little more need.

Our lips met in a heated kiss.

“I want you so bad,” he said into my mouth.

I inhaled. “Take me, Edward. I’m yours.”

He smiled his beautiful smile before capturing my lips between his once more and showing me everything I never knew existed.

Eyes that smolder, lips that bite, hair that gets pulled, fingers that dig and nails that bend. No matter what we did, it wasn’t enough. I just couldn’t get him close enough to me. Even when he was inside me, I wanted him closer.

He felt amazing. His skin was soft, his arms were strong, his kisses were sweet, and his skills were off the charts. I felt inadequate compared to him. He made me come so many times I lost track.

When I finally climbed on top of him and made him climax, I felt relieved, and exhausted. I was concerned briefly that I had just had unprotected sex with a sex god. I was on the pill, I wasn’t worried about that, but I knew Edward was an experienced man. I fell asleep on his chest before I could ask him about it.

I woke a couple of hours later. I was warm, and in strong arms. I had never been so comfortable. My eyes fluttered open to see his staring back at me in the dark. He brushed a tendril of my hair out of my face as he leaned in to kiss me, and we started all over again.

We spent more time that night satisfying each other’s desires than we did sleeping. It was perfect, and a night that I will never soon forget.

***Author’s Note: Thanks for reading/reviewing! Trying to get back into the swing of weekly updates! We have a few more “London” chapters before we return to present day, not so sane, Bella. Enjoy. <3

Twitter: @ AllOrNothingKR

Facebook: AllOrNothingKR at gmail (dot) com

***CHAPTER 7 - CLICK HERE***

Elusive Reality - Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

London, England - 2004

Edward and I had seen each other every day since the day we met two weeks ago. Being around him was like getting high. Not that I was familiar with that, but I imagined it would be a similar experience. I had to have my daily Edward fix. I was starting to think it was becoming unhealthy, so I challenged myself not to speak to him for an entire day. I was getting used to campus and didn’t need his help as much.

I had a long day on campus and an even longer evening in the library studying. I have to admit I was a little disappointed to retrieve my cell phone from my bag and see that he hadn’t called or messaged me.

I had to refrain from calling him on my way back home, that was generally our routine. It’s funny how something can become routine in such a short amount of time.

I entered my building and headed to my flat. I stepped on it before I noticed it. A single pink rose at the foot of my door with a small card attached. I grinned wildly, knowing it had to be from him. I picked up the rose, thankfully having only stepped on the stem of it, and smelled it. I opened the little card after I went inside.

Bella,

I’m sorry I missed you. I had to go out of town with my father on business. I’ll be back Thursday evening. Please reserve Friday night for me. I’ll need my fix of you when I return. I’ll call you soon.

Edward

I smiled and then cursed myself for staying late at the library. He had been here and I missed him. Now I wasn’t going to see him for two more days. Damn me. I sighed and placed the perfect pink rose in a cup of water. I didn’t have a vase. I placed it on the end table/night stand next to my bed. It was pretty. It made my flat a little brighter.

~

The following evening I went out to a pub with one of my classmates. Her name was Angela. She was really nice. We studied together and we both felt like we aced our exam so we went out for drinks to celebrate. Angela was going on about our professor while I was trying to pay attention to my text message conversation with Edward.

“Bella, are you even listening to me? Who is blowing up your phone?”

I laughed. “Yes, I’m sorry. I’m listening. I promise.”

“Are you talking to a guy?” Angela teased.

“Yes,” I replied.

“I didn’t know you were seeing somebody! You’ve only been here a few weeks! Who is it? What’s his name?”

“His name is Edward,” I said, as I was looking at my phone, distracted by typing a response to him.

“Edward?” she asked. “Not Edward Cullen, right?”

I looked up from my phone. “Uh, yes, actually. Why? Do you know him?” I internally prayed that he hadn’t slept with Angela.

“Do I know him? Doesn’t everyone? He’s only the biggest player in London. It was even worse when he was still at UW. Girls were all over him and he loved it. He’s never been a one woman kind of guy. Don’t you know? His dad is one of the wealthiest men in London. He has practically funded the International Business program and his company hosts the internships every year. Cullen Enterprises, you know?”

I just stared at her, slightly speechless, for a moment. “No, I didn’t know. I mean, I assumed he probably did okay, based on where he is living and some of the things he’s said, but I didn’t know he was that wealthy, or that promiscuous.”

Angela laughed. “Are you kidding? I heard he’s like a sex God. How is it? Seriously, give me details!”

I couldn’t wrap my head around what she was saying. I mean, sure, Edward has probably been around the block a few times. I suspected as much just from listening to his friends, but what I couldn’t understand is the fact that Edward hadn’t even attempted to get me in bed. I wonder if he didn’t want me that way. Maybe he wasn’t attracted to me? I was so confused.

“Come on, Bella, spill!” Angela continued.

I stuttered for a minute, searching for words. “We haven’t....”

“What? Yes you have! Don’t be shy!”

I shook my head. “No, we haven’t. Not at all. I mean, we’ve only kissed.”

Angela looked shocked. “What? How long have you been seeing him?”

“Just a couple of weeks.”

“That is so weird. Normally he would’ve already made you scream and left you.”

“Is that what he does?” I asked.

She nodded her head. “That’s what he did to Jessica and Lauren, and everyone else from the sounds of it.”

“Hm. Well, I don’t know. I mean, we’re just dating, I think. I mean, it’s nothing serious you know? We’re just having fun. He’s shown me around town and stuff, you know?”

Angela nodded. “Well, hey, you better play your cards right. He has serious pull at Cullen Enterprises. He could get you an amazing job at his father’s firm.”

I nodded my head and changed the subject. I stopped responding to Edward’s text messages. I needed to clear my head.

~

Six beers later I was stumbling into my dark apartment. I flipped on the light and fell onto my bed. I didn’t want to feel sad, but I did. I didn’t understand what was going on between Edward and I. If he was such a ladies man, why hadn’t he tried to seduce me? Lord knows I’d drop my panties for him in a heartbeat. Maybe he didn’t think I was attractive.

I sighed when I heard my phone beep for the tenth time.

Why aren’t you responding to me? Are you okay? - Edward

Because I’m confused. I don’t know what you want with me. I learned more about you tonight, from a classmate. - Bella

Before I had even set my phone down, it was ringing. It was Edward. I didn’t know if I even wanted to talk to him, but I had a lot of liquid courage and I figured it was better now than never.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Bella, what are you talking about? Who have you been talking to?”

“Just a girl from class. I mean, come on Edward, I know you’re not perfect. Just, please, just don’t play with me.”

Edward sighed. He cursed under his breath. “I’m not fucking playing with you, Bella! Are you kidding me?” he scoffed. “I’ve been nothing but gentlemanly to you.”

“I know, but apparently that isn’t your norm, and you haven’t even tried to touch me. So, I’m just confused. They all say all you want is sex, but you don’t seem to want that from me. Are you not attracted to me?”

“Are you kidding me? Are you even listening to yourself? How much have you had to drink?”

“How much I have had to drink is not relevant.”

Edward sighed. “Can we just talk about this when I get back? So I can actually see you when I speak to you?”

“No, we can’t.”

He sighed, a dejected sigh. “Bella, please.”

“We can talk about it now. I can’t function when you’re looking at me.”

He tried to hide his laugh.

“See, you know. You have me right where you want me.”

“Bella, stop. I’m not playing you. I’m not using you. I’m not playing mind games with you.”

“Then what are you doing?” I asked softly.

“I don’t know, Bella,” he said it so quietly I almost didn’t hear him. I felt tears sting my eyes. How could I like this boy so much in such a short amount of time?

He continued, “I just, I love being with you and of course I’m fucking attracted to you. Are you crazy? I have to constantly tell myself not to ravage you when you’re around. I admit, I’ve not been the best guy in the past, but you’re different. That’s why I haven’t touched you, as you say, because you’re different. Because you’re not one of them. You’re a lady. You’re not a whore or a slut or a one night stand, you’re so much more. I’m not worthy of you, Bella. I guess I’ve just been trying to convince myself that I was good enough, that a girl like you would want someone like me.”

I didn’t know what to say. I suddenly felt very sober. I mean, what do you say to that? “I...I don’t know what to say,” I whispered.

“I understand if you don’t want to see me again.”

“I do, though. I don’t know if I should, but I do.”

I could tell he was smiling. “I bet you look so fucking cute right now.”

I laughed. “Probably not.”

“Well listen, I’ve been completely honest with you tonight. I still want to take you out on Friday. I’m not playing any games with you. Will you agree to see me on Friday, please?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Well, I need to get some sleep, I have to get up soon. I’ll see you on Friday, okay?”

“Okay. I’m sorry I kept you up.”

“Don’t apologize. Goodnight, Bella.”

“Night, Edward.”

After I hung up I rolled over and grinned wildly at the pink rose in the glass of water next to my bed. He likes me. And he thinks I’m cute.


***Author’s Note: Hi! Sooooo sorry it took me forever to update. I’m swamped with work and w/ my fur babies. I’ll try to do better. Thanks for reading/reviewing. More to come soon. Promise.

Twitter: @ AllOrNothingKR
Facebook: AllOrNothingKR @ gmail (dot) com

***CHAPTER 6 - CLICK HERE***