Outbound By aftrnoondlight.pdf

Outbound By aftrnoondlight

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7239880/1/

Chapter 1, I Found a Boy

from Bella…

Three blocks up, two over led me to a moss green painted door with a wide glass

window. Feathering fingers through newly tousled layers, I licked chilled lips from

the brisk autumn evening. I roamed briefly over the framed menu and

entertainment schedule taped to the window under the silver painted hours of

operation.

"Welcome to Breeze, how many?"

"Three," I answered the young blonde at the black varnished desk serving as a

hostess stand. Shuffling a list too long to note, she sighed. "But they're not here

yet; I'm early… which is amazing." I giggled, she stared. "Can I just wait in the

bar?"

"Sure, it might be like an hour anyway. What's your name?"

"Bella."

I hung my cream wool jacket on the back of the last stool available. Sliding into

the tall leather chair, I quickly assessed the wine list. Glancing down the exposed

brick wall that bordered the bar area, I searched. Desperate for sweet and crisp,

it was my selfish evening to refresh. I waved towards a young bartender at the

end.

I savored the first smooth taste while the hip, pierced guy who served it lingered.

Sensing his attention, I shifted, tightening the zippers on my heeled boots. I

forced attention everywhere but there, until masculine laughter drew me back.

And then there were two. One familiar, the other new, wearing a smile that

consumed. Our eyes met then parted, mine down, his to the bartender. The wine

warmed, his smile burned.

I twisted my mouth, casually peeking again. His dark denim contrasted the stark

white on top, unbuttoned one too many. Sleeves rolled once… maybe twice,

bared strong, capable arms. When he angled his head and smirked, I shyly

focused on the shine and glow of his large silver watch. He dusted over the

lacquered pine bar with black terry cloth. His hands mesmerized, moments

passed, then words… "Another?" He offered easy. As my mouth parted to answer,

I was sweetly assaulted on either blushed cheek by my dinner dates. Friendly

kisses and smiles, he staggered back to watch.

"You look gorgeous. You got a big girl haircut, baby," Jane squealed, pulling and

primping. "And I love this dress. God, it's so cute. Did Aunt Mary make this?"

Lifting and pawing at the sea blue silk barely above my knees, I batted hands

away.

"She just finished it. I think it was originally a bridesmaid experiment." I sipped,

shrugging, he stared.

"So, what do we know about a table?" Riley asked, waving to order. I braced as

he approached. Riley ordered wine for Jane, pale ale for himself.

"And you?" He asked… again, his mouth turning slowly into another smile.

"She needs another, thanks," Jane insisted, commanding and swinging her

platinum ponytail.

"Bella… party of three. Bella."

"Oh, that's us." Jane waved to the young blonde and pulled me from my perch.

"Bring 'em to the table would you?" Riley shouted back with a wave and a nod.

Walking away, I looked over my shoulder catching his eyes locked lower than

should.

We settled in near the back wall painted a deep pumpkin color. I cringed

thumbing over Jane's enormous diamond engagement ring while she studied the

menu.

"What's good here? It has to be low-carb, Aunt Mary's measuring me this

weekend for the dress."

"I have no idea. It's crazy, I pass this place every morning walking Mak to school

and I've never eaten here," I explained, suddenly feeling a brush along my hand.

A glass delivered with smooth intimate touch that I felt to my toes. I stilled, he

grinned.

"Victoria will be by soon to get you started. I'm Edward… if you need anything

else… special from the bar," he spoke low, direct then disappeared.

"Well, he's handsome," Jane stated the truth nudging my shoulder. "Bella…

hello…"

"What?" I was admittedly lost in his dark denim swagger.

"Oh, speaking of the weekend… are you set for the New York route?"

I nodded. "Looking forward to it, actually. Something different. God knows I need

different. The trans-atlantics were killing me. And I'm doing that day run to

Philadelphia on Tuesdays so I get Saturdays free in New York," I explained

eagerly.

"See, that's terrific. Finally some Bella time," Jane added. "I wonder if Brady

Weber still takes that Friday afternoon flight. Brady Weber in 2B…"

"Who's Brady Weber in 2B?" Riley teased.

"He took flight 841 to New York every Friday afternoon. He's in mergers or

something." Jane winked, I scoffed, running the rim of my glass.

"I think she's had enough of your matchmaking, babe," Riley warned with a

smile.

"Oh please." Waving him off, she turned. "You're ready to get back out there

now. Right?" I found myself incessantly scanning the room.

"I don't know. Yes. No. I think so. So I saw Liam last week." They simultaneously

leaned in, curious, nervous. I gestured to calm, swallowing a deep taste. "It

wasn't bad. Mak needed her fourth grade school physical and he was the only

doctor available." They listened wide eyed. "He was quiet. I mean you know how

great he always was with her. But, yeah…" I drifted.

"What a goddamn mess that was, Bella. You better not fucking leave me… on our

wedding day." Riley pointed at Jane in jest, she narrowed her eyes.

"Knock it off, baby. Bella did the right thing."

"Guys, it's fine. He's fine… I hope. And I'm definitely fine. See." I flashed a wide,

silly smile to mask my punishing guilt.

"I can't believe Makenna's in fourth grade already."

"I know. And Emily hasn't seen her in a year," I added, habitually frustrated.

"Well that sweet little girl is lucky to have you. You're all she knows."

"Where's your sister working now, Bella?"

"Cameroon."

"Isn't that where Liam was too?"

"Yes…"

"How long will she be gone this time?"

"We never know…"

"Okay, Bella. That bartender has seriously not stopped looking at you. He's really,

very attractive." Jane distracted with good news.

"Ben's the bartender. That's the owner, Edward Cullen. And he sent this…" A

stunning red head stood ready for business, quickly opening a new bottle of

chardonnay. "On the house. And I'm Victoria, how about some artichoke dip to

start?"

oOo~OB~oOo

The remnants of cucumber, avocado sandwiches, pepper jack burgers and a few

empty bottles littered the table. Our waitress earned the right to glare from the

corner as we laughed and loitered, the last to go.

"Alright you, I've got an early flight to Denver in the morning," Jane stood,

kissing the top of my head. Riley followed.

"And I have a new client breakfast. Hey, tell Aunt Mary I've got an incredible

studio newly listed on the market just for her. I'll get her a good deal…"

"Never. You already know this Riley. That woman will never leave our townhouse

or her tiny shop." We laughed lightly at my sweet Aunt Mary's stubborn expense.

I suddenly noticed Edward moving swiftly behind Victoria. As she pushed our bill

forward, he reached up and over to intercept.

"I've got this." We stilled, surprised. "Hope you enjoyed your meal." The smile

was at me, the words at them. Riley immediately offered his hand to greet and

introduce.

"… and this is my fiancée, Jane. And this beauty…" He firmly shook at my

shoulders, I sank. "… is, Bella." Our eyes met again, a little longer, a little softer.

Edward pulled my coat from the chair, gripping tight. Slightly confused, I shifted,

waiting.

"How long have you owned the place? It's a trophy location," Riley inquired, ever

the realtor.

"A while."

"Ohhhh, sexy and mysterious, is he…" Jane whispered near my ear. "Well, it was

delicious and a great atmosphere. Right, Bella?" I stared, at him… at my cream

wool jacket, at him holding my cream wool jacket. Jane's hand at my back

propelled me forward. "You loved it. Right, Bella?"

"What? Yes. God, I'm sorry. Yes, it was good. I mean I ordered my burger

medium well, and it was a bit pi…" Jane tugged my hair. "Ow… Oh. Okay." He

rubbed over his knowing smirk with long, strong fingers.

"I hate that it wasn't perfect for you, Bella. I apologize. How about… another

one… another day… sometime… soon?"

"She's free right now…" Jane teased, grabbing Riley's hand.

Suddenly, we were the only. Victoria's blaze faded through the door behind my

friends into the cool darkness.

o~OB~o

"Alright boss, you're good to go back there." Ben rounded the edge of the bar,

twisting a knit cap low.

"Thanks." They exchanged a double fist bump. "Don't forget The Coven's playing

tomorrow night. You're it, man."

"Shit, I forgot you're out this weekend. No problem, it's cool." Ben reached for

my hand, bringing it to his mouth. "Nice to meet you, Bella."

As the door fell closed, I steadied back on a bar stool. "I'm working this

weekend," mumbling to myself pathetic, already wondering where he'd be.

"Then it's a good thing you have tonight to relax. Can I get you a beer?" He

asked softly. I felt warm breath along my cheek, his arms steadied on either side

of me against the bar. His chest grazed the silk along my back. I turned within a

breath, inhaling… a heady mix of spice, sweet orange, sex and man. Fuck. A

moment to compose, then another, I wrinkled my nose and bit my lip. "Beer…"

"Yeah."

"I don't really like beer."

He scoffed, wide eyed for impact. "You just haven't had the right kind of beer

yet." Straightening, arms brushing slowly, he moved to walk behind the bar.

Stopping at the cooler, he pulled several bottles from shelves. When he kicked

the door shut hard with his dark leather boot, I melted. Shit.

"So the secret to beer, Bella, is drinking only the good stuff, and this…" He lined

the various bottles carefully in front of me. "…is the good stuff."

I sized up the alcohol, watching as he swiftly tugged a silver opener from his back

pocket. A quiver raged low and fierce. "Are you trying to get me drunk, Edward

Cullen… owner of Breeze, beer aficionad…o…" I trailed, utterly embarrassed.

"Drunk… no. But I am determined to find a beer you like before we leave." His

hands gripped and popped each lid with ease. Thoughts wandered, my fingers

gently trailed down my throat, while I watched. When I stroked under my chin, I

noticed him looking.

"So… are we going left to right?" I joked, hoping to cool the heat between. He

cleared his throat, shaking his head slightly… seemingly rattled, possibly turned

on.

"First up, a Blue Moon. Honestly, not my favorite beer." Sliding the bottle

forward, he leaned, lifting and tilting at the neck. I grasped a measure below his,

eyeing him skeptically.

"That's the worst sales form I've ever heard. Not my favorite." I mocked, teasing

as he smirked.

"I said it wasn't my favorite. It's still a good beer and we may like different

things… Bella." The game played past go. I rolled the bottle rim tentatively along

my bottom lip. "Usually, we serve it in a cool glass with an orange slice… but I

want you to experience the full flavor, alone." He guarded my slow sip. "Do you

taste the orange? The spice? Don't be afraid of the after taste. It's a wheat beer."

I watched him watching, as his fingers tapped a patterned beat on the bar top.

"I suppose it's okay… I'd still order wine, though, sorry." I shrugged, running

fingertips along my mouth.

"Alright, we'll carry on then… Let me introduce you to one of the best." I

smoothed the condensation from the next bottle. "This is the infamous Flying Dog

Doggie Style." Arching a brow to challenge, he continued his spiel. "It's a pale ale

so the hops are much tamer than most… a medium body, nice… smooth."

The moment the bottle skimmed my lips, his tongue wet his lower lip. His lips

sucking… A breathless moan escaped.

"Oh, you like that?" Another sexy smirk and I choked, coughing slightly.

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