| Isabella |

Was I shocked that Nathan had taken me out? Yes I was very shocked, in fact there was an emotion I was feeling right now, that was probably another level above shocked. That being said, he was still insisting he would not date me, why? I still didn't know.

"Where do you want to go?" he asks and I look over the driver side of his sports car, which was currently cruising down the street towards whereever we wanted to go.

"I don't know a whole lot of restaurants around here." I tell him honestly.

"Okay, then I'll take you to a place I know." he says and I nod. The silence in the car was comfortable but I was still racking my mind for something interesting to say, now that this was finally happening I planned to impress him.

But how do you live up to the standards of a man like him?

I bite my lip, a bad habit I had formed and one which my mother had always scolded me for when I was younger. I reach forward and turn on the radio in his car, at least I hoped it was the radio, and I was happy to find that music started.

I flipped through a couple stations until I found a song that I didn't mind and sat back, happy. I looked down at my clothes and suddenly wished I thought to go home and to change before boldly doing what I assume no woman had done before.

I had on light washed short shorts and a grey blouse, flats hugged my feet and my hair was curled. I thought back to my minimal makeup routine this morning and suddenly wanted to scold myself. No wonder he had thought I was too young for him, even if there was only a three year age difference, that was still a lot.

At least I had had a purse, and I had worn my favorite necklaces. Each with a thin gold chain, and each with a different tiny colored stone as a charm. Okay, maybe I was partially put together, it was summer after all, he just dresses professional any day I thought trying to comfort myself.

Soon we pulled up to a sleek looking restaurant and he climbs out wordlessly, coming over to my side to let me out before the valet takes his car and we go inside. It smelled wonderful and soon we were seated in a little booth, near the back of the restaurant, facing each other. We looked at the menu's ordered and then I was free to talk to him. Maybe find out a bit more about Mr. Nathan Price, and what was hiding behind his calculating personality.

"So, tell me about you." I start and he raises his eyebrows.

"Oh, I don't like to talk about... my past." he mutters.

"Well then just tell me something about you." I say sighing slightly, maybe this would harder than I thought.

"I really hate cats." he says making a disgusted face.

"What?" I scoff.

"Yeah, I hate them, when I was little, I got attacked and I've hated them ever since." he explains and I giggle. He smiles at me, and I realized this was one of the few times I've seen him smile. "I'd rather you tell me about you though." he says and I nod slowly. I wasn't sure how much I should tell him about my childhood, it tended to be more depressing than the average persons. Even still, I decided to at least tell him something.

"Well, I grew up in a little sea side town outside of The Hamptons. My parents were very in love in the beginning, but that changed fast..." I pause for a second and he gives me a questioning look. "When I was 10, I think, I walked in on my dad banging some random woman." I say and he looks surprised. "Then I told my mom and there was nothing but fighting from then out. They were really physical with each other, you know, like hitting and stuff and I was kind-of left to fend for myself."

I pause, taking in his shocked expression. Maybe he expected me to have a perfect life, but that was far from true, so much for impressing him.

"Then when my dad finally left, my mom lost it and when I was 18, she left too. Racheal and I got an apartment together and then I went to college, determined not to end up like my parents. I guess I just, well, I wanted to rise above it all." I explain and he nods. "I haven't spoken to my mom in years, last I heard from my aunt, she's on husband number 3 and I spoke to my dad but he just wanted something selfish, like usual." I remark, laughing breathily.

He shakes his head.

"What?" I ask.

"Isabella, that's very sad." he says sincerely.

"Well maybe, but it's just who my parents are. They were both too different to stay happy together for long." I say matter-of-factly.

"No, it is, everyone should have loving parents and its sad yours weren't there to love you, even if they did." he says. I shrug. He opens his mouth slightly, clearly considering saying something. He does.

"I'm adopted." he says shortly and I make a face.

"Really?"

"Yeah, when I was ten, I'd been in the foster system up till then pretty much. But then I was adopted into my family." he says. "The whole thing is still a big blur."

"Hmm." I say nodding. "I didn't expect that."

"Most people don't." he says.

Our food came then and we began to eat. It was very good, and I tried my best to eat slow but I didn't last long.

"Have you ever dated before?" I ask him and he makes a face.

"Well, I have, but it was in middle school, so it doesn't count." he tells me with a small laugh. "So, I guess no, I've never dated."

"Ah I see, you sleep around then huh?" I ask, joking and he rolls his eyes. I almost laughed at that, it was the first time I'd seen him roll his eyes.

"One night stands." he corrects and I nod. What he told me certainly lived up to his reputation. He'd probably had a lot of sex and was probably very good at it. No wonder woman had been so intrigued by him at the parties I had seen him at, he might not see it, but they were all watching him. Then again, I'm sure his looks and his wealth didn't hurt.

"What about you?" he asks.

"I had boyfriends in high school, and I met a really nice guy in college but he was sleeping with all kinds of girls behind my back. I guess I never really liked him that much anyway though because when I found out, I didn't really care... "I trail off realizing what I had just said. For some reason I felt the color rising in my cheeks and he smiles at me softly, I guess I'd gone too far into my past relationship.

"Are you a virgin Isabella?" he asks suddenly and I raise an eyebrow. Do I tell him the truth? Nathan Price?

I shake my head slowly. And I watch something flash in his face, before he regained his composure.

How the hell had this come up? On the first date? Jesus.

"Damn." he breathes softly.

"What?" I ask.

"You never cease to surprise me." he mutters, looking away from me and I can't help but giggle to myself awkwardly.

___

We walked up and down the streets of Manhattan after we ate, still talking and enjoying the mid day sun. He was surprisingly less uptight than I thought he would be. He didn't hold my hand, but he was polite, held doors for me and he would rest his hand on my lower back to guide me at times.

It was interesting to watch him, the way he conducted himself and the way he seemed to lighten up a bit. But he still rarely smiled, rarely laughed and seemed pretty cold towards me. Yet this was progress, so I was content.

I think I had convinced myself I would somehow get him, even if it took a long time.

Why I had chosen him though? I don't know. Maybe it was his maturity or maybe it was his mystery. I think I also wanted to help him, wanted to see what would happen if he let down all the carefully constructed walls he has built around him.

When it was over he drove me back to my apartment, after I directed him and after much fussing over whether or not I would walk back from his office or if he would drive me. He insisted he would drive me and I eventually gave up.

So we pulled up outside the building and I turned to him.

"Thank you." I tell him softly and he nods.

"Yeah." he says.

"Well, will you call me?" I ask.

"I don't know. I've told you I do not do relationships. Please, just . . . understand that." he tells me, looking me in the eye.

"Okay." I say, feeling... a bit hurt. I look over at him one more time and make to get out of the car, maybe I should just give it up.

"Wait." he mutters and gets out, going around the car to open my door for me. He does and I step out. I suddenly wondered if he would kiss me again.

"Thank you." I say giggling and he nods curtly. We stand facing each other for a moment before he takes my face in his hands gently. Leaning down, he presses a soft kiss to my lips and I slide my hands onto his suit jacket, clutching the material in my hands. He works his mouth over mine, slowly, sweetly and then stops, stepping away, breathing a little heavier.

"Goodbye Nathan." I murmur and then dash up the steps of my apartment and into my lobby. I sigh, leaning my head against the wall of the elevator when I'm inside it and heading up to the apartment.

I never expected this to happen that's for sure.

"Wow." I sigh to myself.

I really hoped he called me, if he didn't, I think I would be crushed.

___

Hello Lovelies!

So new chapter, tell me what you think and your opinions on the characters so far? I love reading comments, so comment as much as you want to/ can. Until next time,

xoxo