One Night With The Billionaire

Part 7

The thought of spending five hours with Edward brought a fuzzy feeling back in my stomach. As if hearing the wheels turn in my head, I heard someone clear their throat. I turned around only to see it was the older man.

"If you don't mind can I suggest something?" He adjusted his glasses.

Before I could say something Edward hummed, raising his brow in the direction of the man.

"There is a Christmas market an hour from here. Lots of things for the lovely couple to do."

My eyes lit up at the thought of visiting a Christmas market. I had a lot of memories attached to visiting such markets during my childhood. I tilted my head to look at Edward.

"Ah thank you so much for your suggestion. Can I get the address?"Edward questioned, pocketing his hands inside the pants.

"Yes! Certainly. Hold on a moment." He said the cheer in his tone made me smile. The man disappeared behind the door and came back with a small card in his hand.

"Here. This is the card for my friend's shop. He owns a stall in the market and would give you a discount if you show him this."

"Ah! Thank you." Edward pocketed the card before blinking at the man who stood in front of us. "Is there any deposit we have to pay?"

"No need. We take payments after the order is confirmed."

Edward gave him a mock salute and with that, we walked out of the bakery. Silence settled over us as I followed him to the car.

"So...are we going to the market?" I asked, peeking in his direction.

Edward put on his aviators and a grin tugged at the corner of his lips, "Of course."

***

On the drive to the market, I was left alone with my thoughts. And my thoughts keep swirling around Edward, and all the anxiety that comes with the feelings for him. Even with the radio on and up to fifteen, I can't think about anything else for long. By the time he pulled into another one of the alley, I was a nervous wreck.

"How long?"

"Ask that question one more time and I am jumping out of the car."He said in a resigned tone, tightening his grip on the steering wheel visible from my side-eye.

I rolled my eyes at his dramatic behaviour. I asked the question only four times. What was the harm in answering for the fifth time?

"How long?" I teased, turning to him with a mischievous smile tugging on my lips.

Edward let out a sound, breathing through his mouth. He strained his head to look in my direction, "It's like you want me to die."

"Aw, how did you figure it out?" I huffed shifting my leg, tempted to cross my legs and push the seat back so that I could sleep. But I did not trust myself. If I slept I was sure he was going to leave me in the car to get revenge.

"Where is this market? I am sure that man tricked us into leaving the bakery..." Edward said, tapping his fingers impatiently against the steering wheel.

Why would anyone lie about the market? It didn't make sense at all, before I could argue with him I spotted the huge Ferris wheel from the glass window.

"I see a Ferris wheel! I knew it! I knew he wasn't lying." I started to slap his arm in excitement and held back my giggle. It was difficult not to gloat in his face that I was right.

"Yeah yeah" He grumbled under his breath, turning the wheel around and accelerating towards the corner.

I felt a bit of excitement flutter inside me at the thought of going to the market with him. Was he thinking the same? I looked over but he was concentrated and did not even pay attention in my direction.

Five more minutes of driving and we were finally outside of the huge fair. Surprisingly it was bursting with people, the various number of cars lined up on the ground. He narrowed his eyes as if he was not expecting so many numbers of people. He parked the car at the edge and we finally got out.

The gravel crunched under my feet as I made my way across the parking lot. My arms came around my body, protecting myself against the wind, and looked around. It's strange seeing it so full due to the season. Despite the murmurs of people, it was peaceful though, surrounded by the smell of pine and the sound of the wind whistling through the needles. It's an entirely different feeling from that of being in a beach house, like we were in a whole other country, not twenty minutes away.

There's a hand-painted sign on the door of the store that reads "Open", it's weathered and old, banging gently in the wind. I watched it for a second, feeling a kinship to it, feeling a little bruised and battered himself.

I walked quickly up the winding dirt path, motivated by the biting breeze that blew through every couple of minutes. The sun was warm, but not enough against the cold air, so when I got to the barn my cheeks sting and ears bright red and a little sore at the tips.

Edward came to stand next to me. The dim lights cast a shadow over some of his face, but his eyes are clear and green. His lips were full and a little chapped, red.

I took a deep breath and got hit with a noseful of Edward, pine cinnamon and something distinctly male. A shudder racked through me involuntarily. His right hand, warm and calloused came up and wound around my waist, rubbing gently with his thumb. I blinked and swallowed, frozen in place. My heart stopped beating, or it was moving so quickly I couldn’t even detect it anymore. He tipped my head down, his breath ghostly warm over my cheek.

“Is this the shop?”

A wave of panic rushes over me like a monsoon hitting shore.

“I-I don’t know.” I took a step back, then another, and another still, until at a distance that was too great to be suitable for conversation, but also had the effect of releasing myself from his burning touch.

***

The people were lined up for every ride but I was excited to sit in the huge Ferris wheel.

The size of the market from the inside was no joke. For one they had ample stalls, consisting of women's jewellery, toys, cheap cosmetics, home appliances and clothing etc. There were plenty of locals swarming the place all I could hear was a mesh of different dialects.

“All this walking has me starved.” I heard Edward groan from my side, dramatically lowering his gait.

I licked my lips, mirroring his stance. For one it has been way too long since my last proper meal which was a coffee. So technically not a meal. My eyes fell on the nachos stall, zoning in on the cheese fountain.

“Should we get some nachos?” Saliva flooded my mouth as I watched the guy behind the counter pour a dollop of gooey white cheese into the takeout basket.

Edward hummed, following my line of vision. He stared at me for a few seconds and then looked back at the stall as if he was not sure.

“Yolo! Let's go.” Edward chuckled and rushed towards the stall. I giggled and followed him.

We waited in line, grinning at each other like fools and then staring at the cheese fountain. I looked around and noticed the corn dog stall in front of it.

“Hello! Welcome to our stall. Would you like to try the classic ones or customise your nachos?" The redhead asked, displaying the variety of toppings and sauces on the menu page.

Edward stared at me, an undecidable look on his face. I was having the same problem because there was so much variety and it was difficult to choose.

“Classic with extra cheese,” We both said in unison and then laughed about it.

The redhead boy behind the counter smiled and took the order. Classic nachos were everything you would expect while watching football. Or soccer. Whatever you want to call.

Edward picked the basket and we trailed at the end of the tent. He dived in, moaning as he picked the first chip.

“Oh wow! These are good!” He cried with a mouthful. I rolled my eyes at him and picked one for myself.

A few minutes passed and we were able to eat half of the basket when I noticed that Edward was staring at me. I arched my brow, suddenly feeling subconscious of his intent stare.

"What? Is there something on my face?"

“Hold on.” Edward shook his head and he pointed at the underside of his lips, “You've got something here.”

Blushing at that I furiously dabbed at my lips, trying to rub away. He shook his head.

“If I may…”

I breathed sharply, not knowing whether to accept his offer or not. Finally, I gave in and nodded my head, feeling my cheeks hurt. My eyes followed his moment as he brought his arm up and leaned down.

With his thumb, he rubbed the sauce away from the corner of my lips, all the while maintaining eye contact. My breathing was ragged, and I could see the dark look in his eyes as he finally moved his hand away.

Instead of wiping his thumb on the tissue he pushed it in his mouth and sucked on it. My thighs clamped at the action and I looked away, unable to bear his eyes on me. Why was that so hot? Just the thought of pressing my lips against his made my stomach clench.

It was quiet after that, we both avoided staring at each other but I could feel his stare occasionally on me.

"Uhh..." I cleared my throat and raised my head to look at him.

"We should go" I pointed in the direction of another stall. He finally met my eyes and nodded his head, dumping the empty basket in the dustbin.

***

"Please please number 54"

I had my fingers crossed, praying for the very moment. It was so intense that I could feel everyone around us, holding their breath.

What started as the fun ring game, intensified when I challenged Edward to get a huge teddy bear.

"You can do it!" I faintly whispered as he pushed his arm back and with full force threw it on the number.

It landed on 54. A huge scream tore out of my lips.

“We won!” Edward turned towards me, a huge grin on his face and without any thought I threw myself into his arms. He did it.

***