Chapter 3

Isabella and Connor spent the next week hanging out during her free time. He never pressured her for anything, never brought up old business, just talked and hung out. Truthfully, he seemed more excited to explore a new place than to see her, which was fine. She strongly suspected someone had sent him down to check on her, but he never brought it up and she never pressed on the subject. Doing so would mean bringing up the whole issue of marriage and both of them knew where that subject lead.

That Friday, Connor insisted on dressing up and going out. He surprised her by pulling a pair of dark slacks, a white shirt, a belt, and a tie out of his duffle bag. Feeling in a certain mood, she slipped into a short floral dress with a flirty little skirt and thin shoulder straps. She also insisted very seriously, "this was still not a date". Connor agreed.

They enjoyed a beautifully prepared meal in a romantic little Italian place, but Isabella wouldn't have guessed that from the way her dinner companion behaved. Bella would never have told him this, but the way he ate reminded her of an overexcited family dog. She watched in awe and amusement as Connor spooned up large helpings of gelato and sucked them down.

 "Oh my god, why is this so much better than regular ice cream?" he blurted out. He'd already finished a plate of spaghetti and meatballs and an entire basket of garlic bread by himself, and now she would have to duel him with her spoon if she wanted any more of the dessert.

Mack duged in and helped herself to a large spoonful, then closed her eyes as she took her time to savor the rich vanilla. It had been a while since she'd had a treat like this.

Connor stopped moving as his gaze locked on her mouth. His lips parted as he watched her lick the thick white cream off with her pink tongue. Red-headed, pale, freckled girls who sucked their spoons clean would now be one of his many weaknesses. He set his own utensil down.

"You know, Bell, there is a reason I came all the way down here," he said, his voice soft and full of meaning.

Oh no. Here it comes. she thought, but also helped herself to another spoonful of gelato.

"I have something very important to tell you." Connor gently took the spoon from her hand and laid it down. He clasped both of her hands adoringly in his own.

No. No no no no no. Mack didn't fight his attempt to hold her hands, but pressed her lips together and braced herself for his next attack.

"I... wanna bang you so hard." Connor held his deadpan expression expertly as he dropped the punchline.

Mack sputtered, laughing.

Connor laughed too with serious tone. "I mean it! I've been so good all week, just watching you walk around your apartment in thin t-shirts and no bra and all I can think about is how easy it would be to yank down your yoga pants and ram it in. I want to bend you over this table right now and..." He let go of her hands and started rudely gesturing, slamming his hands together. He punctuated each slap with unf unf unf sound effects.

Bella grabbed his hands and shushed him while still trying not to laugh too loudly. She blushed outrageously. "Oh my god! We're in a nice restaurant! Please stop."

Connor giggled and switched to a whisper. "I'm so serious. I just wanna, like, watch your breasts bounce while I pound you. Uncle Damon told me about this one trick where you rub the girl's clit while y—"

Bella cut him off with a harsh whisper of her own, "You... Are... The... Worst. And you never paid attention to my clit when we were together. I don't even think you could find it with both hands and a headlamp."

"You wanna try me? I've picked up a few moves." Connor asked with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.

Bella blushed again. She pressed her lips together and breathed through her nose. Should she? On the one hand, it was a really bad idea. On the other, it was an even worse idea. In spite of the fact that their families expected her to someday submit to him as his mate, she knew there was no hope for a future with Connor. But he was cute, had a nicely muscular chest and dark hair that swept his eyes. And she hadn't had sex since... well, since that one guy she hooked up with after she walked in on Connor getting head from some girl at a party two years ago.

"The only way I'm fucking you is with a condom."

Connor's face immediately brightened. Was that the only catch? "Okay!"

Connor paid for dinner and they quickly left the restaurant, both of them feeling a little flushed and heady with anticipation. Once on the sidewalk, Connor's hand slipped down to give her ass a little squeeze through her thin sundress. Bella giggled.

Too wrapped up in themselves, they never even noticed they were being stalked..

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