73 The Bribe

Edward sat one table away from Sara and Daniel, a newspaper hiding his face. He was infuriated. It wasn't just any college professor. No, it was his cousin, Daniel Bai. And Daniel was looking at Sara as though she were a goddess come to life.

Sara was laughing and smiling at him as though she were having a great time. Why didn't she ever act like that with him? And what was she thinking, wearing that dress again?! It was an off the shoulder, body con dress that hugged every perfect curve of her body and stopped just above her knees on her long legs.

Daniel just touched her hand, praising her for speaking well of him being a college professor. Sara blushed and didn't move her hand away.

He wanted to shout at Daniel to get his hands off of Sara. She was his woman!

Just then a waiter stopped to ask if he needed anything. Edward pulled out his checkbook and wrote a check for $10,000.

"This is yours if you'll trip and dump a tray of drinks on the man at that table." Edward pointed in Daniel's direction. The waiter took the check and nodded.

"Yes sir!"

Edward smiled for the first time that night and sat back to watch the show.

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Sara and Daniel were happily eating and talking when a waiter carrying a tray loaded down with various drinks tripped. Sara watched in horror as the drinks spilled all over Daniel.

"Oh my gosh! Are you okay?!" Sara cried, jumping to her feet.

Daniel was soaked in everything from water to red wine.

"I'm not hurt, but I better cut this evening short and go home to clean up. Can I message you on WeChat to set up a makeup date?" He asked hopefully.

"Absolutely. Daniel, I'm so sorry about this!" She cried.

"It's okay. Accidents happen."

Sara sat at the table after he left feeling frustrated. She was having a really good time on a date for the first time in so long.

Suddenly Edward appeared and sat down across from her.

"Don't feel bad. I hear he's a terrible kisser." Edward said.

"And how would you know?" Sara snapped at him.

"Because he's my cousin. And I started the rumor." Edward grinned at her.

"Why are you like this?!" She exclaimed.

"Because you deserve better. He's the knock off and I'm the Luxury brand." Edward said.

"You're shameless! I was having a really good time with him." She scolded.

"He's a poor substitute for me, even if he is my cousin." Edward said.

"He's a very nice man." Sara defended him.

"Yes He is. He's also boring as watching paint dry. You need someone who can sweep you off your feet and turn your world upside down. Mr. Encyclopedia won't do the job." He insisted.

"How do you know what I need? And how is it any of your business? Why are you even here?!" She fired questions.

"I was saving you from a lifetime of term papers and exams. He's not what you need." Edward said.

"Wait, saving me? Did you orchestrate that fiasco with the serving tray?!" She nearly shouted.

"It was the quickest way I could think of to free you." He admitted.

"Edward, I appreciate you saving me from the jerk in the bar. I even appreciate you scaring off the guy from IT, even though you were a total jerk about it. But I was on a date with a really nice man who made me feel good about myself for the first time since James died. I didn't need to be rescued." She said passionately.

"You're lying! He isn't the first man to make you feel good in all this time. I felt you clinging to me when I held you at the hospital. Admit it! You loved being in my arms!" Edward slammed his fist on the table.

"So what if I did? The very next day you started treating me like crap and you haven't let up since!" Sara shouted. She was crying now.

"I...You're right, I've been a jerk lately. I'm working through some things. But he's still not right for you!" Edward insisted.

"And you are right for me?" She asked sarcastically.

"Yes!" He shouted.

"So you intend to cut the crap and treat me with respect? You're going to date and marry me?" She asked pointedly.

"I'm not ready for that!" He quickly said.

"Well I am. So I'm supposed to put my life on hold until you are ready?" She asked.

"Yes! I mean, no. Sara, look, I—" he started.

"You know what your problem is? You're scared! Scared to let go of the past. Scared to love again. Scared I'll die too. That's why you rushed to the hospital isn't it? I couldn't understand why my boss would act that way, but I get it now! It's okay to be afraid and have those thoughts. You need to work through it. But stop trying to hold me back while you do!" Sara jumped up and ran out of the restaurant.

He chased her and pulled her into an empty elevator. He pressed her against the wall and kissed her. He kissed her hard and full of passion. He didn't back off until they both were breathless.

"Tell me you don't feel the chemistry between us! Tell me, and I'll leave you alone!" His hoarse voice pleaded. He cupped her face in his hands and looked her in the eye. She stared at him and looked away, saying nothing.

"I knew it. Your mouth didn't lie when I kissed it, and your eyes didn't lie either." He told her, placing a hand over her heart.

"Your racing heart isn't lying either. You want me too." He whispered as he leaned close enough to kiss her again. Her eyes closed in anticipation.

"You want me to kiss you right now. Your face says it all. So keep lying to yourself, but your body tells me the truth!" Edward told her. He kissed her again, moving his tongue into all the secret places of her mouth. And then he got off of the elevator and left.