It's Not That Easy

Chapter 9 - Walls

When lovely woman stoops to folly, and finds too late that men betray, what charm can soothe her melancholy, what art can wash her guilt away? - Oliver Goldsmith

Chapter 9 - Walls

Edward teases my lips with his before kissing me long, slow, and deep, and I am lost in the softness of his lips, the feel of his hair in my fingers, and the sounds emanating from his throat. The kisses slow to a stop, and he pulls me closer. No words are spoken, as we hold each other clinging for dear life. Emotions I haven't felt in four years build in me, and I feel the stinging of tears in my eyes. Edward's face is nuzzled in my neck, his hand massages my nape while the other has found its home on my lower back, and I breathe him in.

"Cariad, I don't want to ruin this weekend either, but know that I feel this going somewhere. Maybe not right now, but someday." I could almost hear the unspoken 'soon' as he whispers in my ear. The feel of his breath sends heat through my body, which is now on high alert. He pulls away from me enough to press his lips on my forehead, and holds them there as he breathes.

I hear the door open, "You guys...oh, sorry." Chandler says and we pull apart. She looks between the two of us with a weary smile. "Are you two ready for dinner?"

Edward studies my face and says, "Yeah, we're ready." He offers me his hand, and we walk out together, enjoying each other's company if only for a little while.

As he helps me into the vehicle he whispers, "You look very pretty tonight," and a stupid smiles finds its home on my face. This outfit I put together, Joel approved, but I did this one. Cream colored Capri pants, loose fit pink silk tank, and a pale gray shrug...I look over my outfit and smile again. Then my brain remembers this is Edward, charming the pants off of every girl he can. Get a grip girl...keep it light...no repeating history...learn from your mistakes.

Mason talks as we make our way toward historic market to Hank's Seafood Restaurant for dinner. "What's going on with the two of you?" He sounds less like a big brother and more like a scolding parent.

"Nothing," I huff and Edward's eyebrows wrinkle in a confused and annoyed look.

"It didn't look like nothing." Chandler sides with Mason. Edward laces his fingers in mine and rubs his thumb over my knuckles.

"We're enjoying our weekend, playing it by ear." Edward looks at me waiting for me to contradict him. I won't because that's what's going on. We're having fun while we're together; he owes me nothing and I owe him nothing, either. Because after all this is Edward...and I know what he really wants, just a bit of fun and nothing more. Not that I want more, but it's bad when you know you'll never get it...at least from him.

Edward moves closer to me, and whispers "Are you ok? Are they bothering you?"

"I don't like it, but they aren't bothering me. They're just reminding me." His head snaps up as he assesses my meaning. The curiosity is replaced with good old-fashioned anger.

"Reminding you, what?" The words that travel through my brain need to not find an exit, because it will ruin our chance of a pleasant weekend. I take my hand and place it over our interlocking fingers, and gently mimic the motions he is doing to my hand.

"Right now, this is convenient. We're having fun, and it's easy being together. The real world is a different place." He doesn't like my answer, but these words are much better than my true thoughts. The ones that tell him that I know I'm just his weekend fling.

I whisper, "I really don't want to think about this anymore. Let's just enjoy the rest of the weekend." He nods.

At dinner, Mason steers the conversation away from the topic of Edward and me, and instead focused on Chandler's interview. He continues to tell her about Charleston and how great it would be when she moves here. "Maybe we should talk about this more if I get the job." She told Mason, but that did not stop him only slowed him down. "Your grandfather is a very intimidating man, but he was all charm and smiles with me. It threw me off, Mason. I don't think it went well...at all." It's not like her to be so worried. She's not one for false modesty, so when she says it wasn't good. Then, maybe it wasn't.