I n the blinding morning light, I realized the end of the night was probably a champagne-fueled dream. It was entirely possible that my over-active imagination made up the pleasant story in place of reality. In real life, Kendra had gotten sick halfway home and there had been nothing of the entire ride that had smacked of a fairytale. She was going to be pissed when she got the bill from the car company. And when she saw her purse .

The driver had helped me get Kendra upstairs and dump her on the couch. I’d made sure she was on her side, put a wastebasket next to the couch, and draped a blanket over her. All I remembered after that was turning the volume all the way up on my phone and falling asleep with my make-up still on. I was pretty sure I’d managed to get my dress off .

Now, as I pried my sticky eyes open, squinting against the bright sunlight streaming in through the window, I was certain I had imagined Edward. There was a good possibility that, when she regained consciousness, Kendra would tell me I’d spent the night talking to a palm tree or other inanimate object. I hadn’t thought I’d been that drunk, but I must have been. How else could I make up something like the scenario that was running through my head ?

Why would Prince Charming want my number ?

I made it up. Okay. I know that so I can cut the disappointment short here and now .

Since I’d made it up, it wasn’t like I was really expecting him to call, right? Of course, even if he was real, guys never really followed through on that kind of thing .

“No wonder I’m losing faith in love .”

Of course, speaking out loud made me lose faith in life—it just about made my head fall off .

Oh, yeah. I’d had too much to drink last night .

Then my phone rang, proving that point yet again as the sound cut through my head like an icepick, an icepick driven through by a sledgehammer .

“Make it stop!” Kendra cried from the couch .

I rolled out of bed, ignored my churning stomach, and crawled across the floor, digging under the rejected outfits from last’s night party preparations. Push-up bras, sequin dresses, costume jewelry, and a feather boa, but no phone .

“Make it stop !”

“I can’t find it. It’s like a drag show dressing room in here.” I winced as the phone rang again. Why had I turned up the ringer volume ?

Kendra knocked over a stack of bangle bracelets and grabbed my phone off the coffee table. She flung it towards my door and rolled over, groaning as she did so .

“Hello?” I said breathlessly, not bothering to look at the caller ID before answering .

“Good morning, Gabriella, this is Edward .”

“You’re kidding.” I closed my eyes. I was such an idiot .

“Kind of an odd joke, don’t you think?” He sounded amused .

“I thought I dreamt you. Not all of you, just the last part when you asked for my number.” Oh, man…Gabs, just shut up! I shot Kendra a look. Was she awake? Coherent? She needed to be so she could stop me from saying stupid things .

“It was pretty late .”

“Or early, depending on how you look at it,” I said. “It’s still early .”

“Depending on how you look at it, I suppose .”

Now I was sure he was trying not to laugh at me .

“It’s one in the afternoon .”

He let me take that in for a few seconds. I squinted at the clock, unable to read the time. Oh, hell…I’m going blind! I swatted a hand at the face of it and then fought a hysterical giggle when I realized there was a silk stocking covering it .

“One o’clock,” I mumbled .

“One o’clock .”

Head pounding, I crawled back to my bed and leaned against it .

“How about dinner tonight? Nothing fancy, just a local place I love. I’d like to spend more time with you .”

I thought about the hours of recovery time dinner afforded me, plus the time I would need to shower and pull myself back together. I didn’t let myself think about anything else. If I tried to figure out why he’d asked me out or what tonight meant, my head was going to explode. It felt like it might do that anyway .

“Dinner sounds great. Can we say eight o’clock ?”

“Perfect,” he said cheerfully. “I’ll pick you up at eight .”

Carefully, I lowered the phone back down and then my head. I needed a few more minutes. Just a few .

I ended up taking thirty and then had to all but crawl into the bathroom in a desperate search for something to help the headache. That done, I started chugging water and braced myself .

Next, I had to get Kendra up, because if I was going to be presentable by eight, I needed her help .

* * *

A ccording to Kendra, a ‘ nothing fancy ’ date was actually harder than finding something to wear to a clearly defined event. Kendra and I faced my closet for a good five minutes before either of us spoke .

“How many sport coats do you own?” she asked, a pained expression on her face .

“That was my Tina Fey phase.” I sighed. “It’s a good look though. Maybe I should go with that tonight ?”

“Gabriella, it’s a date, not a business lunch. You have to show a little leg .”

I sat down on the edge of my bed as Kendra started searching through the closet. I knew better than to get in her way when she was like this. Her expression was a varying range of disgust as she examined and tossed things aside. Some of the colors made her wince, a few textures made her shake her hand as if a snake had bitten her, and one blouse had her snickering for a good minute before she tossed it down and went back to mocking my wardrobe .

Scowling, I asked, “Are my clothes really that funny ?”

“Yes.” She smiled at me cheerfully as she pulled something out and studied it .

“That’s it.” I reached behind me and grabbed my phone. “I’m calling the date off .”

“No!” She came striding to me, all leg and smiles and dumped an armful of possibilities on my bed. “You’re going on your date and you’re going to look beautiful .”

“A date.” I sighed, still clutching my phone. “I’m still kind of trying to wrap my head around that this is a date. Doesn’t seem believable .”

“What I can’t believe is that I didn’t get to meet this guy. He sounds delicious. Are you sure he works in the industry ?”

“You met him twice, party girl,” I said with a grin. “Man, were you really that drunk ?”

She grimaced. “I didn’t eat much yesterday. Nervous, excited. That and the champagne …”

“Well, he seemed pretty popular at the party. A lot of people seemed to know who he was, but I’m not sure what he does .”

“Well,” said Kendra, “that’s the perfect topic for a first date .”

“You know I have been on dates before, right ?”

She laughed and pulled me up to see the selection she’d laid out next to me on the bed. Somehow she’d found a black pencil skirt I’d forgotten I owned and she’d paired it with a bright green silk blouse and black sequined cardigan. My other choices included a blue sheath dress that made me look like someone’s secretary or a cream-colored strapless dress with a lace overlay that she’d layered with a cropped denim jacket .

“Oooh, wait!” She practically squealed. “I have the perfect boots !”

I was already in the cream-colored dress when she brought in a pair of calf-high leather boots. The satin and lace of the dress dressed up the denim coat and the snug boots gave me just the right amount of country style to feel exactly like myself .

“Oh, Gabs, you look fantastic.” She smiled at me in delight. Then she pointed a finger toward the bathroom. “Okay. Into the bathroom. Shower, hair, shave. You know the drill .”

I rolled my eyes even as I eyed the clock. It was almost four. Picking out an outfit had taken nearly an hour. “Again…I’ve been on dates before .”

But I followed the drill sergeant’s orders and marched on .

* * *

T hree hours later, I was giving myself a manicure. My toes were done. I’d even taken a forty minute nap on Kendra’s advice. You need more water, some juice and get some more ibuprofen in your system—it will help with the hangover .

She’d done the same and it seemed to have helped both of us .

She was painting her toenails lime green .

Mine were a more sedate shade of coral, the same color as the glossy sheen I was applying to my nails .

“So how did you run into this guy?” she asked .

“He found me.” I grinned up at her as I went to get more polish. “I thought he was looking to get the goods on you, but he asked me to dance and when he was done, he went over and talked to you. Apparently, he was pumping you for information about me instead of the other way around .”

Kendra frowned. “You act like you never have guys showing interest, Gabs. I’ve had plenty of guys approach me about you before, and you know it. You’re just…picky ?”

Remembering Flynn, I decided I really needed to focus on my nails. “Not picky enough,” I muttered .

“Hey.”

I just shook my head .

She came over to me and sat down, absently fanning a hand back and forth. Sighing, I looked up at her. “Everybody runs into a bastard now and then,” she said quietly .

“I know.” I forced a smile. “I’m done thinking about him. Not like I’m going to see him anymore, right ?”

I was going to focus on Edward now .

* * *

I t was seven-fifty and I was in the bathroom, looping a couple strands of freshwater pearls around my neck. They’d been Kendra’s grandmother’s. A critical study in the mirror didn’t set my nerves at ease any .

“You ready ?”

“I’m dressed ,” I told Kendra. “Am I ready? Not sure .”

The buzzer sounded and I jumped .

“Too bad.” She grinned at me and went off to hit the intercom. “She’ll be right down .”

Then she grinned at me. “Go get ‘em, girl. If he’s hot and you plan on spending the night, just call me .”

“No.” I shook my head. “I did the whole get laid without strings thing, and I didn’t like it.” I didn’t add that it was just the afterwards part I didn’t like. The sex itself had been amazing. “From here on out, it’s about the romance .”

She rolled her eyes, but didn’t say anything as I left the apartment .

I’d already decided if Edward wasn’t up to the task of wooing me, then I would be home and in bed with a steamy romance novel by ten o’clock .

Better a fictional man I could count on than a real one I couldn’t. I wasn’t in the mood to play around .

A grin spread across my face when I found him waiting at the door, holding it open for me .

“Thank you,” I said .

Outside, his driver opened the town car door for us and I couldn’t resist the impulse to ask, “So your last name is Charming, right? Like the prince ?”

“Exactly.” He said, grinning. “If my Cinderella likes Indian food. If not, then you’re in the wrong carriage .”

I smiled. “I love it.” A weird sense of giddiness welled up inside me and I had to fight not to let any of it show on my face. I made do with a smile that hopefully didn’t look too insanely happy .

The Lotus Chaat House was a narrow slot of a restaurant jammed in between an all-night bakery and a bodega that advertised the best churros in New York City. The town car slid up to the curve right in front of the jutting awning and the driver hopped out to open the door. I stepped out and looked up at the paint-peeling Taj Mahal sign with some trepidation. Not exactly what I’d expected, though it certainly wasn’t fancy .

“Don’t worry, just wait until you see inside,” he promised .

The windows were steamed up, so I had to take Edward at his word and let him escort me inside. As soon as I stepped through the door, I knew he was right. The restaurant was magic. Beyond the heavenly scent of warm naan, the small alley-like restaurant was criss-crossed with so many strings of twinkle lights it glowed. The tiny starry bulbs were so thick across the ceiling that no other lights were used except small red glass jars with flickering candles on each of the tables. The golden-yellow walls were covered in shelves chock full of shining statuettes and lotus flowers .

“And the food’s good too,” Edward said, leaning close so he could speak in a low voice .

A smiling woman in a pink sari greeted Edward like an old friend before shooing us over to a table and clapping her hands at two waiters. If she hadn’t been old enough to be his mother, I might’ve been jealous .

“It is so nice to see you, Mr. Edward, and you brought someone!” She beamed at me. “He used to eat alone. I told him I have three nieces that would be happy to join him, but he always declined. Now I know why—you are so beautiful !”

I was pleased to see Edward blush slightly at the sweet teasing. It made me feel better about my own red cheeks. Even though the space between the tables was minuscule, he still managed to pull my chair out for me. I sat down and wondered how exactly he had made a perfect cozy and romantic restaurant appear out of thin air. I could practically hear the romantic comedy love theme starting to play in the background .

A plate of naan and three small dishes of different chutneys were on the table when I managed to break out of my inner movie. Another smiling waiter uncorked a bottle of chardonnay and poured us each a glass .

“I took the liberty of pre-ordering some of my favorites,” Edward said. He didn’t seem to have noticed my little space-out. “But please pick anything off the menu you want .”

I smiled. “Did you happen to order coconut curry? Maybe some lamb vindaloo ?”

“I did .”

“Then I’m a happy girl .”

We clinked our wine glasses together and each took a drink. The alcohol warmed me, helping me to relax .

“Try the mango chutney,” he said. “It’s the perfect mix of sweet and spice .”

He tore off a piece of the still warm bread and dipped it in the first small dish before leaning over and holding it out to me. I savored the sting of spices mellowed by the bright sugary taste of mango, the flavors bursting across my taste buds as I took a bite of the bread he’d offered .

His eyes warmed as I licked the crumbs from my lips and my heart kicked up .

“Tell me what you do during the day, Prince Charming,” I asked .

“I wear a suit and a tie and stand in an office wishing I was here with you .”

I felt my cheeks turn pink and made a mental note to write that line down when I got home. It should’ve made me roll my eyes, but there was no doubting his sincerity .

“So, do you love your work?” As much as I liked what he’d said, I wanted to know more about him .

“I do,” he admitted. “It’s the family business so it sort of runs itself. I’m actually more of a referee between the shareholders, but I’m happy. How about you ?”

“Well, I’m leagues away from anything to do with shareholders,” I said. “I’m an assistant to a screenwriter. Or, as I like to call it, a personal slave to a psycho.” I laughed, but I was only half-joking. My boss was a nightmare .

“Exciting then ?”

“Oh, yes,” I agreed. “I never know if it’s going to be a quiet day fetching coffee or I’ll be spending an hour on the phone searching for double-chocolate strawberry expresso beans .”

He laughed. “That does sound exciting. Are those even a real thing ?”

I shrugged and took a drink. “I don’t know. I’m still searching for them .”

We both laughed and I realized I was seriously considering transitioning into a heavily censored version of my foray into hand modeling when a plate of samosas arrived and we both eyed them hungrily. I watched him crunch into the flaky crust and close his eyes as he chewed the mouth-watering mix of spiced ground beef and peas. With his eyes closed, I was able to get a good look at him without him knowing .

He was wearing a navy blue suit, but this time without a tie and, in the twinkling glow of the restaurant, he looked relaxed and happy. I noticed his light brown hair was sun-streaked and the open collar of his shirt showed a muscular and tan chest. His eyes opened and I turned my attention to my own plate .

“You seem like the sporty type. What do you do for fun?” I asked, trying to get my mind off of those broad shoulders .

“Promise not to judge ?”

I grinned. “Only if you give me the last samosa .”

“Deal.” He pushed the small plate across the table. “Polo .”

“You mean with the game thingy with the horses ?”

“That’s the one .”

He sipped his wine and watched me, as if my reaction to his revelation was important. I liked that he cared what I thought, although I wasn’t sure why he was concerned about what I’d think of a game .

“Sounds like fun,” I said and he relaxed .

The main dishes arrived, steaming up the small window above our table, and Edward ordered another bottle of wine. We skipped separate plates and shared bites from each savory dish, rolling our eyes and moaning at each tantalizing taste. Our conversation veered off into favorite books we read in childhood and we laughed over our shared secret love of science fiction .

“I thought I was the only one that carried a towel around my backyard and waited to hitchhike on passing spaceships,” I said .

“Are you kidding? I got a telescope just to look for rides out into the galaxy .”

When we finished, we both tipped back in our chairs. I looked down at the table, startled by the sheer volume of food we’d consumed. It was probably a good thing I’d skipped the narrow pencil skirt .

“Do you want to take a walk?” Edward asked .

“I’d better or you’ll have to roll me home.” I smiled .

He paid the bill without letting me argue about splitting it and we strolled down the block where he signaled to his driver to move on. The car slowly drifted away and we turned the corner. I saw Washington Square a few blocks away and Edward slipped an arm around my waist as we walked towards it. His hand rested on my hip, a warm brand. We’re together, that touch said. I liked it .

We passed several wide gallery windows where New York’s socialites were fawning over new artists. I stopped in front of one white-walled gallery displaying black and white photographs. They reminded me of Flynn. I tried to swallow the ache that rose in my chest as I remembered the look in his eyes as he’d aimed the camera held such passion, so focused, so intent .

Stop it .

I wanted to be there, leaning against Edward with his arm around my waist, but my mind suddenly fixed on Flynn, wondering where in the world he was at that moment .

Probably French-kissing some silly waitress in Paris or seducing a young senorita in Spain, I thought and tried to shake him from my head .

“Everything alright?” Edward asked, his tone concerned .

“I’m fine,” I said, dragging my thoughts away from the images. I put my head on his shoulder .

The farther we got from the gallery, the easier it was to put Flynn out of my head, the easier it was to focus on the man next to me. It was so easy being with him. Just walking in the warmth of the night—everything felt easy. “Maybe you should pinch me. Is it just me or is this date going really well ?”

Edward stopped me at the edge of the park and turned me so we were facing each other. When I didn’t look up, too focused on trying to remember how to breathe, he reached out and tipped my chin up. His pale eyes studied me for a moment before he leaned close and softly grazed his lips across mine. The caress left me sighing and I raised myself up on tiptoe to return the light kiss. He slid his hands down to the small of my back and pulled me close. This time, when his mouth came down on mine, the pressure made my lips part so he could deepen the kiss. He cradled my head with one hand and used the other to arch my back, lifting me up deeper into the kiss .

It was intense, sweet and poignantly romantic. My heart began to race as his mouth took mine. I felt like someone from a movie and a shiver of pleasure ran down my spine .

When he slowly broke away, my head was spinning and his hands gripped my waist almost convulsively, as if he was fighting the urge to kiss me—and more .

His eyes locked on mine, brighter blue from the heat of the moment. Still holding me around the waist, he signaled for the nearby town car with one hand. I held my breath, not sure how to respond to the invitation I assumed was coming next. I’d wanted romance and not just sex, but I couldn’t deny how much I wanted him right now .

“I’d say it went very well, Gabriella.” He lifted a hand and caressed my cheek. “Paul will take you home. I’m a little warm so I think I’ll walk .”

“Goodnight?” I whispered and stared at him. Was he serious ?

He pulled me tightly to him again and we both melted into another kiss. Then I felt his arms tense and press me back, as if he didn’t trust himself to kiss me any longer .

“Can I see you tomorrow night?” he asked, his voice a bit breathless. “I have tickets to the theater. Please ?”

“Sure thing, Mr. Charming,” I said as I climbed into the car. This date was going to keep me for a while .

* * *

W hen Kendra came home late Sunday morning, she stumbled over a wide box in our narrow hallway. “Oh, hey now…just what do we have here, Gabs? You picked up a secret admirer or what ?”

“You’re one to talk.” I scowled at her. “Where have you been, Ms. Thing ?”

“Obviously out with a lower class of guy. Where’s my giant post first date present?” she asked with a grin .

Before I could reach for it, she tore open the card and read it out loud .

“Darling Gabriella. Last night was a dream. My fairy godmother saw this and thought of you. I can’t wait to see you in it tonight. In anticipation, Prince Charming .”

She handed over the card as she gushed, “Damn, Gabs, seems you’ve cast a spell with all your talk of love and romance .”

I pushed Kendra out of the way and shimmied open the box lid. Inside was a long dress in the deepest lapis lazuli blue. The plunging neckline touched a satin empire waist before the dress undulated in soft waves to the floor .

“Wow,” Kendra breathed. “Wait! I have the perfect shoes to match !”

* * *

W ith my own fairy godmother providing me with pale gold, sparkling shoes, I felt like Cinderella that night as I carefully swept down our front steps in my elegant gown. Edward was waiting, a broad smile stretching across his face as he escorted me to the town car where Paul was waiting with the door open. I smiled at the driver and he tipped his hat in return .

“So where are we off to?” I asked as we settled into the back seat .

“I have two tickets to see the most popular show on Broadway,” he said .

I studied him for a moment. “You have no idea what the show is called, do you ?”

“No.” He laughed. “Do you know what show everyone’s been talking about ?”

“Sorry. Unless it’s reality TV, my friends have nothing to say, and I tend to stick with what’s on the small screen for work .”

“Well, luckily the marquee should be big enough for us to figure it out before we walk in,” he said. “And if we don’t, it’ll be a pleasant surprise .”

When Paul, our driver, pulled up in front of the theater, I looked up at the marquee and couldn’t help myself. “Oooh, I always wanted to see that !”

His gaze followed mine and he smiled. We were in for a spectacular rendition of Cleopatra’s love story .

It was everything I could’ve dreamed it would be. Completely enchanted by the spellbinding production, we held hands through the entire show. Despite the electricity flowing between us, neither of us looked away from the stage .

During intermission, Edward kept seeing people he knew. I half expected him to deposit me in the corner with a drink while he greeted his friends. After all, I wasn’t one of them .

Instead, he kept my arm tucked in the crook of his elbow and introduced me to everyone we saw. I felt like I was walking in a dream .

“Edward, I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.” A white-haired woman in an oversized ruby necklace looked down her nose at me. “I thought perhaps you were seeing Talia’s daughter .”

“Allison, this is Gabriella .”

Kendra often added phrases like “she’s a really talented writer” in a way that made me feel uncomfortable. She’d never really read anything I’d written so the white lie made me feel like I was not enough on my own .

Edward, on the other hand, simply introduced me as me and left it at that, like I was enough to be a singular name. He then steered me away with a confidence that said any other information was none of the obvious gossip’s business .

“People seem very interested in your dating life,” I said once we were out of earshot of his admirers .

“My mother is a patron here. These are actually tickets she gave me .”

I considered the question. “And were you supposed to bring Talia’s daughter ?”

“Perhaps,” he said with a smile. “But then again I got lucky and you said yes .”

The house lights blinked and we returned to our seat. The rest of the show was romantic and tragic, just as I’d known it would be. We held hands again despite the obvious disapproval of Mrs. Allison Whitehair who was watching from her private box .

“Do you think she’s going to tattle on you?” I whispered, barely suppressing a laugh .

“Probably.” His breath tickled my ear .

“Will your mother be angry?” I asked, honestly curious .

“She could be .”

He turned to me with a mischievous smile. “If that’s the case, I should give her a reason to really be upset.” Then, without waiting another moment, he pulled me into a dramatic kiss. It started off theatrically and ended with a surprising amount of heat. When he set me back in my seat, an entire song had gone by and my heart felt like it was going to burst from my chest. I was breathless, my heart was racing and I had to consciously uncurl my hands from his arms .

The white-haired gossip might not have enjoyed the extra performance, but I didn’t care. The moment his lips had parted mine, I hadn’t been aware of anything but him. Not the people, the play, the music. Only the feel of his mouth moving against mine, the heat of his hands ...

When the show was over, Paul was waiting outside with the door already open, as if he’d known we’d want to leave quickly. Once inside the car, Edward gathered me in close and three blocks went by before we surfaced from an even more thorough and intense kiss. My entire body was throbbing, my nipples hard and tight, aching against the strapless bra .

The pulsing between my legs was profound and it took all of my self-control to keep from grinding against him .

“We have reservations,” he said .

“Delicious.” I ran my fingers through his hair, wanting to see what it looked like mussed rather than professionally styled .

“Or we could send Paul for take-out .”

Hell, yes. I nodded and with a quick rap on the partition, Edward took us away from the glitz and glamour of downtown. When I looked out the window a few minutes later, my jaw dropped .

Living in New York City, it was easy to forget that some neighborhoods had trees. Not just the skinny little trees that sat in open circles in the concrete, but big trees with wide spreading branches. Trees that arched up and over the street. Streets that were lined with private homes bigger than my entire apartment building .

When we drove through tall wrought-iron gates to a palatial limestone mansion, I started to feel like a fairytale character again. I actually lost a golden heel on his expansive front steps. Running back to grab it, I realized I had not hallucinated. His house had not one but two turrets. I felt myself quickly going from feeling like I was in a fairytale to feeling completely out of place .

“You live in a castle?” I asked as he came back down to my side .

“It’s only temporary,” he said, his tone almost dismissive. “It’s a family home. I stay here while my own place is being remodeled .”

Edward must have sensed my sudden hesitation as he gave my hand a slight squeeze. “Don’t worry. We are all alone. My family only uses this place as a vacation home in the summer .”

With that said, Edward pulled me through the echoing foyer and into the snug warmth of a side room. I didn’t see much of the house as we went, too caught up in the feel of his hands on me, but I didn’t care. If it was between the house and the man, I knew which one I was choosing .

“This is my favorite room in the house.” He wrapped his arms around me from behind and nuzzled the spot under my ear. “We can relax here unless you want a tour ?”

I shook my head, reluctantly stepping away from him. I needed a brief moment to gather myself and I took it by settling down on the buttery tan leather couch. A small fire flickered on the stone hearth and I wondered if he’d had someone start it for him. While I was wondering, Edward poured two crystal cut glasses of whiskey and handed me one before stretching out on the Persian rug in front of me. I tousled his light brown hair and we watched the fire as we sipped .

Somewhere in the cavernous foyer, a grandfather clock chimed and I wondered when I was going to turn into a pumpkin. Surely this was too much of a dream to last long. But even as minutes ticked by, Edward was still the same easy conversationalist with a sweet smile and a bright sense of humor. The whiskey and fire started to warm me inside and out and I relaxed .

As we talked about Cleopatra and laughed about our kiss in the theater, the heat between us began to build again. With his eyes on my face, he wrapped his fingers around my ankle. I stretched out my leg and waited to see what he was going to do. My breathing quickened as he slid his hand up my calf. He sat up, shifting his weight so that he could move his hand under my skirt, leaving fire burning across my knee and thigh. The hem dragged up along with his exploring hand, and he leaned down, kissing the skin he exposed. His eyes met mine as he paused above my knee, wordlessly asking for permission. I answered by lying back on the couch .

He trailed his mouth up my inner thigh and grazed the heat between my legs. I moaned as I ran both my hands through his hair. My back arched when he wet the thin fabric of my lace underwear with a long heavy lick of his tongue and he chuckled, a deep, manly sound that made my insides twist. He leaned back, one long finger pulling aside the crotch of my panties to gain better access .

“Ah!” I cried out as his tongue delved between my folds .

He worked over my clit before dancing down to my entrance, each pass making my legs tremble. When he took my clit between his teeth and lightly tugged, I keened, the sound coming from a place deep inside me. He slowly pushed one finger inside me, twisting his wrist as he did so and I tensed, feeling an orgasm building inside me .

He didn’t push me immediately over, instead taking his time to bring up slowly and when I came, it was with a harsh, desperate cry. My fingers tightened in his hair and I gasped out his name as he gave my clit another gentle tug with his teeth .

I came down slowly, my body shuddering as he continued to tease me. Unable to take it, I pulled on his head, drawing him up onto the couch to kiss me. The deep, exploring thrusts of his tongue were mirrored by the rubbing press of his growing hardness, and I could taste myself on his lips and tongue .

“I need you,” he said roughly. “Can I …?”

“Do you even have to ask?” I arched myself closer, so desperate now that I might have cried if he’d tried to pull away .

Edward broke away and got to his feet. He made short work of his shirt and then held out his hand .

I took it and let him help me to my feet. His hands slid over my shoulders, taking the straps of my dress with them .

“You know,” he said quietly. “The first time I saw this dress, I knew I wanted to see you in it.” He reached around and slowly pulled down the zipper. “And then I wanted to take you out of it .”

The words left me trembling even more and I stared at him, blushing even as I smiled while the dress dropped to the floor. It pooled around my bare feet and for a moment, Edward just stared at me. I went to take my bra off, but he caught my hands, guiding them to my sides and then he took over the task, opening the front catch .

I moaned when he cupped my breasts in his hands, his thumbs circling around my nipples. They were aching and tight and each touch felt so good. Arching into his touch, I reached out and gripped his shoulders .

Skilled hands slid down my ribcage to my hips and he hooked his fingers in the waistband of my panties. With his eyes blazing, he went to his knees and took my panties with him. I stepped out of them, balancing myself with my hands on his shoulders. He looked up at me and kissed the inside of my thigh before standing .

“My turn.” He took off his pants, the movements quick, but not rushed. I had a moment to admire the way his black boxer briefs hugged his body and then they were joining the pants .

His cock was rigid and my pussy throbbed, a clenching need settling deep inside at the sight of him. He drew me to him with both hands, running them down my bare back as we kissed and let our naked bodies touch. The slow tickling circles he traced on my ass made me moan. He answered with a deep guttural sigh before lowering me to the rug .

He took a brief moment to roll on a condom and then our bodies joined in one silky push and I curled my knees up on either side of his hips in pure pleasure. He moved slowly, circling before drawing out and then pressing back deep into the center of me. His lips and tongue made trails across my collarbone and breasts, little licks of fire before he fastened his mouth around my nipple. He sucked on it hard, sending an almost painful jolt straight through to my core. He waited as my climax came closer, my hands opening and closing on his back, urging him forward. I was right at the edge and I felt his body tighten .

“Are you ready?” he asked through gritted teeth. I could see the strain on his face .

I nodded. “Please .”

He shifted his hips as he thrust into me, hitting that spot inside me even as the base of his cock pressed against my clit. I called out his name, wrapping my legs around him to hold him as close as possible as his orgasm joined mine. Our bodies rocked together, drawing out every possible moment of exquisite pleasure .

Even after we came apart, we lay there in front of the fire until it was nothing but winking embers. I was curled up against him, both of us partially covered by a blanket he’d pulled from the couch .

The heat left me drowsy and languid, but I wouldn’t let myself sleep. I didn’t want to miss a moment of this. Every so often, he tipped the whiskey glass to my lips and we drank together in long, lingering kisses .

When the ivory-plated clock chimed two, I finally stood up. I needed to leave or I wouldn’t make myself leave at all .

He sent a quick message with his phone before pulling on his pants .

“You could stay if you wanted to,” he told me as I dressed .

I just shook my head as I picked up my shoes. We paused at the door and he kissed me again .

“Stay,” he murmured .

“Never before the third date.” I had to harden my reserve though .

He groaned, although it was a playful sound. He opened the door and escorted me down the steps. The town car was waiting with the door open. He must have sent Paul a message .

He caught my hand before I got into the car. “What are you doing Tuesday ?”