Chapter 11.1 : Bella - Martin

The elevator door slammed shut on Bella, and something inside me slammed shut as well. Something else in my life changed. She shone. And I could feel it inside of me. She was miles of curving legs and shaped arms, pink and peach and blue sky. I really want that light in my life because she was lit from within. I'd been trying to fight the darkness for so long, trying to figure out ways to be free. Seeing her now, here, with me, I had the idea that the darkness would not be able to find me as long as she was with me.

I looked into her big brown eyes, which were open and vulnerable, and the golden rays welcomed me. She appeared to be unsure of my invitation. How could she not be certain? Did she not realize how I felt about her? Couldn't she figure it out?

I took her hand in mine and managed to draw her out of the elevator, into my apartment, into my arms, and into my life. The doors slammed shut, and she was finally here. I'm with you. It just felt right. I was happy as I held her, her curves lush and soft against my skin, her fragrance rising up to me, something light and floral with a deeper note of sensuality and depth.

"I'm so glad you came," I said into her hair. "I wasn't sure if you'd show up."

"Martin, you were correct. I was holding you at a distance," she said, digging her fingers into the skin of my neck. I shuddered. She sensed my response and gently petted my back.

"And I made the decision that wasn't right for you."

Is that fair to me? I drew back to get a better look at her face.

"If you're here out of responsibility, Bella, you shouldn't even be here. Wasn't that the point of taking it light all the time? There is no promise. There is no obligation. There are only two people who want to spend some time together. That's where we're still at..."

"Isn't it?" I asked, a smidgeon of doubt in my voice.

She started laughing at me, but there was something new in her eyes, a gentleness which hadn't been there before. She'd been always warm and happy and sexy, so sexy, but now, with the way she managed to reach for both my hands and held onto me, her lips curved in that soft, sensual smile, she called to me. She said yes with her entire body.

"Oh, Martin, that is indeed where we are. I still want to spend some time with you."

She ducked her head, her flowing hair covering her face for a moment. I put a finger to her chin and tipped it up to see her expression, her eyes, which were soft and warm and lovely.

"I would like to spend more time with you. I was not at all honest with myself, either. You were correct. I'm scared, and I was using Yzee as an excuse, and I was keeping it during business hours so I wouldn't..." she cut herself off, biting her lower lip. I assumed she wouldn't go on.

She exhaled a sigh of relief. "I like you more than I expected to. That wasn't supposed to be anything the night I met you. We were only going to have a fling. My heart wasn't meant to be involved in any way."

Her heart and soul.

Her heart was at stake.

"What are you giggling about?"she inquired, her brows furrowed in a suspicious frown and her full lips pouting.

"Nothing," Joy exclaimed. I couldn't hide it any longer.

“Martin. You're making fun of me."

"No, I'm not." Actually, I was.

"Stop laughing at me," she grumbled, taking a swing at me and slapping me across the chest with shocking force. I clung to her hand and wouldn't let go. She made no attempt to flee.

"I'm delighted you've come," I said.

"Me too," she said as she stood on her toes and kissed me, her free hand wrapping around my neck so I couldn't even get away.

"Me too," she said as she started kissing me on the lips, her free hand wrapping around my neck so tightly that I couldn't even move.

As if I had any desire to do so. Her lips were so soft, and the rest of her was so soft, that I liked to keep her with me at all times. When she ended the kiss, I couldn't stop myself from humming gravely. "That's exactly what I was hoping for."

She swung her hair and cast a glance over my shoulder. "Not for me. I'm only here to see Rousseau. I still can't believe you've got a Rousseau."

I grumbled, "It's just a minor Rousseau landscape." "I don't even own it technically." It is the property of my foundation. I'm just clinging to it. That is not how I am, Bella."

She must really have read something, because my demeanor was ashamed. I'd have not ever felt right about everything my family possessed. I also didn't feel right about how and what have they'd done to get it. I'd gotten something out of it, but I'd never even really wanted it. It was difficult to separate from that. She gently placed a hand on my jaw and cradled it. I nuzzled her as if she were a cat.

"I know you aren't. Now that I've gotten to know you a little better, I can see how much this house doesn't feel like you. It's so... glamorous and perfect for a bachelor's castl. You're... You wear animated ties and consume far too much coffee. I was only joking."

"It's not my fault. It was part of the deal my mother made with me to get me to come home. She purchased it and had it customized. I just liked how close it was to my clinic. She planned it to find me a woman so she could have grandchildren."

I couldn't blame her for laughing now.

"You're welcome to tease me this time. It's a farce. I'd get rid of it and get something else in my style, but it's just a place for me to spend the night when I'm not working, and I don't care enough to get through hassle of getting a suitable apartment and moving. It also has spectacular sunset views. I'm glad you arrived on time. I had arranged our entire evening around this sunset. Come on," I said as I escorted her to the living room and seated her on the designer leather couch.

She leaned back and gently tap the seat next to her. "This is a very luxurious couch," she said as her eyelashes fluttered at me, "I think it's intended for seduction."

I pointed at her with my finger. “No. This is something I have planned. You remain in that location. You'll see." I backed away from her, so I could watch her as she grunt and rolled her eyes most dramatically before ducking into the kitchen.

"Doctor Lawson, you can't plan a seduction!" she said. When I flipped a switch, my playlist began to play, filling the room with slow and soft romantic music.

“"Do you want to place a bet? " I returned her call and inspected the oven before snatching the wine glasses, a bottle, and the bottle opener. When I returned, she'd taken off her shoes and was lying back against the arm of the couch, her voluptuous legs stretched out along the cushions. I licked my lips but didn't say anything, instead handing her the glasses.

"Hold these for me."

She did, and she started watching as I easily opened the bottle.

"Incredible," she remarked as I poured the red wine.