The Business Arrangement - Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Twilight, but I'm grateful to Stephenie Meyer for her dream/vision. Please don't steal my original work.

Chapter 10 – Covert Operation

Edward POV
6 a.m.
A random Friday morning
Cullen International Headquarters
Manhattan, New York City
New York

Planning with military precision was the key – it was absolutely essential. I had the prize from Cartier in my jacket pocket. That part was easy. Planning and executing the rest of the plan was a bit more difficult – especially when involving others – and time-consuming, as everything good and worthy is. And Isabella is far above good and worthy! I couldn't wait to ask her to officially become my wife.

I slipped off my jacket and placed it carefully on the couch in my office, nodded at Sam – my faithful cohort – and picked up the items on the table and headed out my office door. We had a lot of ground to cover before Sam went to pick Isabella up at 8 a.m.

7:30 a.m.

Holy hell – had I gone overboard? Probably. I was Edward Cullen – noted for doing just that. I leaned back in my desk chair and surveyed my office. I thought it looked perfect for what I had planned. Hopefully the future Mrs. Edward Cullen would, too.

Bella POV

8 a.m.
Same random Friday morning

I was glad to have Sam picking me up this morning. It was raining again and I didn't want to go through the hassle of getting a cab. I could've, but it's just so nice to be taken care of, you know? We had a nice chat as he expertly drove through the gathering city traffic as we were pelted with huge drops of rain. I looked down at my outfit – a solid black wrap dress with a flared skirt. Underneath, I was wearing a lacy black bra and panty set which was a new purchase from Victoria's Secret. Edward hadn't seen this yet. He better not rip these panties – they had some cute little rhinestone detail in the center. This set also came with a garter belt which was currently holding up my nude stockings. I felt loved and sexy – and also very well-equipped to do my job. It didn't matter what I was wearing underneath – I was very competent at my job. I made sure of that.

And speaking of love, I was so in love with the CEO of Cullen International. He had stolen my heart when I hadn't been looking. As I mused about it now, I think it was when he came all the way to Forks to beg me to come back that I really fell in love with him. I liked him before, but love entered the picture after Forks. I was beginning to think that place was absolutely magical.

My wool-gathering came to an end as Sam announced we had arrived at our destination. He got out, along with a large umbrella, and came around to my side of the car. He took my briefcase from me and then took my hand to help me out of the car. He walked with me under the umbrella to the door, then said, "Bella, I'll have your briefcase sent up to your office." I gave him a weird look as he'd never done that before. Then he handed me a long-stemmed red rose, blushed a bit and continued, "I hope you have a great day!"

I barely got out a "thank you" as he darted in and out of the building and then back out in the car in a flash. What the hell was that about, I wondered. Well, no matter, I had a full day ahead of me and needed to get started.

Before I took five steps inside the lobby of the building, probably ten employees came up to me, bearing long-stemmed red roses and wishing me a good day. I have to admit, I did look around for the Punk'd cameras. What in the hell was going on? Have I stepped into some sort of alternate universe? I briefly looked outside. Yep, this was the right building. The people here looked familiar. Crap – here come more Cullen employees – with more roses!

Finally, I saw Shelly coming toward me. Even she had a rose! I'm here to tell you – the whole thing was getting curiouser and curiouser – like "Alice in Wonderland." "Shelly," I asked, "what is going on here?"

"I'm not sure, dear," she replied with a smile, "but come with me to the cafeteria. I need some coffee." So I followed along, my arms filling up with roses. Every person who came within 50 feet of me had a rose.

In the cafeteria, more employees were milling around with roses to give me. Are you fucking kidding me? I was going to need a shopping cart pretty soon to put them all in! Shelly did get her coffee – which I was beginning to expect was some sort of "cover story" for her – and it seemed we went to several different departments on the way up to the top floor. Could I just get to my office already? Because you know every single one of those people had a long-stemmed red rose for me and a "have a great day" sentiment.

After about the third floor, you know who my mind went to blame immediately. Who else would do this? No one but Mr. Edward Over-the-Top Cullen! He was a "go big or go home" type of guy. I was going to kick his ass for this. Edward is not a "let me buy you a dozen roses" kind of guy. He apparently is a "let me get 200 different people to give you a single rose" kind of guy. And I kid you not – 200 actual different people! I looked like an escapee from the Miss America pageant gone wild. If I didn't have allergies before, I was going to develop them just from carrying this load of roses around.

I was glad the elevator had finally reached the top floor. Shelly was muttering something about finding containers to put all these flowers in. Yeah – you think? Not to be snarky, but dammit, Edward!

I stalked right over to his office – of which the door was open just a tiny crack. Do you think I bothered to knock? Hell no! I didn't care if the President of the United States or the Queen of Sheba was inside. Edward was going to answer for these shenanigans!

As the door swung open, I saw Edward inside near his desk, kneeling on one knee, offering up that Cartier engagement ring nestled in the signature red box in both of his hands like the most precious gift. And what did I do – Miss I'm-Going-To-Storm-the-Castle-and-Kick-His-Ass? Yeah, I fucking started crying like a big baby. Edward's eyes snapped up to mine and he said, "Love?"

I stepped inside his office, kicked the door shut as my hands were a tad occupied, and placed those now-heavy roses on his couch. I crossed the room to where Edward was still kneeling. I knelt on both knees in front of him, tears still streaming down my face. He asked with concern etched in every feature of his face, "Are you all right, Isabella?"

Once I semi-composed myself, I replied, "Yes. This is just so damn romantic and sweet. I didn't expect it."

With a smile, he took out a handkerchief and dried my eyes. Count on Edward to have a proper hankie. Then he took a breath and said, "Isabella Swan, I promise to love you every moment of forever. Will you do me the extraordinary honor of marrying me?"

The tears came back a bit just as I choked out a "Yes." His smile was radiant as was mine. He gathered me up in his arms and we kissed – actually rather chastely. He took the ring out of the Cartier box and slid it on my ring finger where it looked and felt so very right.

He got up from his office floor then and helped me up as well. I looked around his office then. There were rose petals scattered around his entire office. He almost blushed when he asked, "Is this too much?"

I kept my hand in his around his waist and replied, "Edward, everything you've done so far today has been too much! What are a few more rose petals?"

He grinned down at me and claimed my mouth again – passionately this time. "I wanted it to be special for you, love," he said silkily into my ear as he kissed down my neck. Oh, why does he have to go there? He knows that's my weakness. As he pressed his body up against mine, I could feel how hard he was already. "I want you," he said. Who knew me agreeing to his proposal was going to get him hard as a rock?

Was now the time for me to be the voice of reason? "But, Edward, someone will come in. We're at work."

He was over to the door, locking it and placing a straight-back chair under the door handle and back over to me before I could barely think. "I've already asked that we're not disturbed for at least an hour, love. It's understood we're calling our parents, telling them the good news and planning our engagement party. And we will do that – but later. Please, love, help me fulfill this fantasy."

Well, who can argue with Edward looking so damn cute and sexy all at the same time? He helped me out of my dress, which we draped carefully over the back of the couch so it wouldn't be wrinkled later. Apparently the effect of me standing there in my lacey black lingerie with the rhinestone accents and my new engagement ring was a bit dazzling to Edward as he stood and stared in awe for a few moments before he took me into his arms and began making love to me.

If he hadn't turned me on so much by that point, when he unceremoniously slid everything off his desk to place me on top of it, I would've giggled. Maybe I'll giggle about it later when I think of it. But right then, I just craved him and his touch. And his damn sex hair – today I was going to give him another reason to actually have that going on – as his head was between my thighs, I ran my hands through those silky strands.

Watching Edward above me as he slid inside me was a glorious sight. He held my ankles up near his shoulders as he thrust again and again. I was glad I had the edge of his desk to hold onto. I loved it when Edward's orgasm roared out, he screamed out my name and that he loved me. As he hovered over me afterwards, kissing me, I assured him I loved him as well.

Thank goodness Edward has a small bathroom off his office so we could both get cleaned up. He kept kissing me and thanking me for indulging him in his fantasy of "hot, passionate office sex." How could I refuse him? Although it certainly wouldn't be an everyday occurrence.

Later in the day, we did call our parents with the good news of our engagement. Esme was very excited and wanted to throw a huge engagement party. I rolled my eyes, but Edward assured me this was just the type of thing she did, so I went along with it. Shelly did call the florist and they provided containers for all those roses. I made Edward keep some on his desk so he could remember our hot sexing there and I shared some with Shelly, Angela, and Lauren. Roses were also placed in the offices of Jasper and Emmett. I even brought some home.

By the end of the day, I was exhausted by all the work I'd been doing and all the well wishes I'd been receiving and was looking forward to just a quiet evening with Alice. She already had dinner ready by the time I got home and I was grateful.

"How was today?" Alice asked excitedly.

"Oh, interesting!" I started. I launched into the tale of what Edward had done with all those roses. I had Alice in stitches by the end of my story. I had to agree, it was so over-the-top that I was laughing as well. My boyfriend – correction, fiancée – was truly a master at covert operations.

Alice then shared her and Jasper had gotten engaged the night before over a quiet dinner at the Cullen estate. We hugged and then realized we wouldn't have to give up being roommates – even after we were married – at least if the Cullen boys remained on Long Island. Then I realized why Esme Cullen was so excited about the party – not only would she be celebrating one engagement, she'd be celebrating two!

Days passed which were full of work and Edward. Alice was on the lookout for some gorgeous dresses to wear to our now joint engagement party at the Cullen estate. I was glad I didn't have to have all the attention glaring on me. Who better to share it with than your best friend? In speaking with our respective fiancées and all together, we agreed Edward and I would marry first and then Jasper and Alice would marry about one month later, once we'd returned from our honeymoon and we were back at work.

My dad called one evening and said he'd received a call from Carlisle and Esme. Apparently, they wanted to spoil me and be in charge of the wedding expenses. It definitely made sense from a financial standpoint. There would be no way my dad could afford a New York society wedding on his salary, even if he had the help of my mom and her new husband. He gave in, grudgingly. He was coming to New York a few days before the wedding to spend time with Alice and myself and with the Cullen family.

Alice was also taking every opportunity to haul my ass to various wedding shops to try on wedding dresses. I told her I was not going to wear something that made me look like a lace nightmare or that had hoop skirts so wide I'd have to stand in the next county to marry Edward. She just giggled at what she termed as my "theatrics" and continued the hunt for our perfect dresses.

Thank goodness Alice spoke "party" with Esme – they seemed to have some sort of connection in that way – and they'd agreed on a Saturday afternoon garden party theme for our combined engagement party. I was glad I didn't have to sit through a dinner and then drinks and who knows what else.

When we got to the party – me wearing a very pink dress and Alice wearing lavender – courtesy of Sam, our future in-law's were there to greet us at the entrance to the garden. I've yet to see Carlisle and Esme not look fabulous and today was no exception. Carlisle was wearing a cream-colored suit with a light blue pinstriped shirt and Esme was wearing a lovely floral print dress. They told us "the boys" were still inside, so we went to go find them.

Alice – the traitor friend she is – skipped off immediately to Jasper's quarters to find him, so that left me alone in the large foyer. I may remember how to get to Edward's quarters, but then again, I may end up going in the total wrong direction. Dammit, Alice!

And then, like a knight in shining armor, Edward appeared at the top of the stairs. "Isabella!" he exclaimed with a grin. "You're here!" As he hurried down the stairs, it was all I could do to take him in. He was also wearing a cream-colored suit similar to Carlisle's but with a very pink shirt. Aha – so the little pixie was having us match today! He crossed the marble foyer to me and drew me into his arms for a lengthy kiss. "I get to show you off today to some of my friends and show them what they're missing out on, love. I'm glad you've said you'll be mine."

With that, he kissed up the length of my ring finger, starting with my engagement ring and then ending by taking the tip of my finger into his warm mouth. I let out a little whimper of pleasure. As he removed my finger from his mouth, he said, "Guess I'd better not start that or we'll miss our own party." He put his arm around my waist and swatted me gently on the ass and whispered in my ear, "Later, love," as Alice and Jasper came toward us. Yes, Jasper was wearing a lavender shirt under his cream-colored suit to complete our matched ensemble.

As we made our way out the large set of front doors, Carlisle announced us to the gathered crowd and media. The media – augh – I guess that was my part of my life now, especially now that I was marrying Edward. I would answer the questions I wanted to and deflect the ones I didn't, just as I did before. And I'd try to look good in every photo next to Edward, so that by the time the news made its way to Forks, my dad would still be proud of his little girl.

Edward immediately got me a glass of sparkling apple cider after nixing the champagne idea – he's a smart man – and never left my side the entire afternoon. He introduced me to his friends, as promised, always introducing me as "His Isabella." I was positively melting with desire for him after about the twenty-fifth such introduction. The media was there, in all their camera-wielding glory. We would definitely be in the society pages the next day.

I had been wondering where Emmett was. Edward explained that Emmett and Rosalie had jetted off to Las Vegas to get married on a whim this very weekend instead of indulging his mother in a proper engagement party. I made an effort to seek Esme out and give her a special hug as I knew her heart must be breaking for one of her sons who didn't always play by New York society rules.

It was nearing the end of the day and many of the party-goers had left. Edward said he needed to go into the house for just a moment. Oh hell no, I wasn't wasting this opportunity. He kissed me on the cheek and then walked into the house. I followed only a moment behind him. He didn't know he was being followed. Guess that career in the FBI I was thinking for him earlier was out – with all his covert operation stuff.

I shut the main door of his suite softly and took off my dress. I was still wet from before – damn man could turn me on reading from the phone book, no doubt. Edward came out of the bathroom and was surprised to see me standing there, sans dress. "Isabella, what are you doing?"

"I need you, Edward. You've turned me on all afternoon – you having your arm around me, you calling me 'yours,' you sucking on my finger earlier – all of it," I said in a rush. I shyly looked up at him and saw the surprise in his eyes turn to molten desire.

"Take off your panties and lean over the edge of the bed, love," he ordered softly. I did so quickly. In the next moment, his index finger was trailing down the folds of my pussy. "Oh, love, you are so wet and ready for me. I want you just like this."

"Yes, Edward. Please." I was surprised at the neediness in my own voice. There was the faint sound of a zipper being unzipped and then he was finally filling me. Oh, blessed relief! I moaned at the pure pleasure of it.

When Edward's hand came down and slapped my ass again gently, it was so much more intense than when he'd done it in the foyer. I could feel my orgasm start to build. His talented fingers reaching around to caress my clit were helping with that as well.

As Edward timed our orgasms to occur at the same time, I was hoping he'd hold me up afterward as there was no way my jelly-like legs were going to support me. He did lay me gently on the bed, kiss gently down my back and tell me how much he loved me. Once I got my limbs in working order, I turned over and kissed him soundly. He was so damn good to me.

Later, we went down and joined Carlisle, Esme, Jasper and Alice for dinner. No one looked at us strangely or anything, so hopefully they didn't know I was just upstairs, sexing their son. Edward's hand on my thigh throughout dinner didn't really help matters much, though. A blush was always trying to break through the surface of my skin. It was a nice dinner, nonetheless, and I was sad to go home when the evening ended, even though the entire day had worn me out.