Saddle Up Your Heart - Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, but I'm grateful to Stephenie Meyer for her dream/vision.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Bella POV

I sighed and leaned back against the seat I'd been in on this long train journey and stared unseeingly out the window at the passing landscape. It was certainly better than taking a covered wagon or a stagecoach the entire distance. This was the modern way to travel in 1870 since the transcontinental railroad had been completed the year before. I couldn't say it was cleaner than a covered wagon or a stagecoach as I felt just as dusty and dirty as someone out on the trail would be with open train windows at intervals to let in fresh air.

I liked to be called Bella by family and friends even though at birth I was christened Isabella Marie, and I took stock of my life thus far as the train swayed onward toward my destination. I had completed my regular schooling and then obtained my teaching certificate just this past year in Chicago, Illinois. I had applied at several schools in the Chicago area, but none of them held any openings for a newly-minted teacher for the next school year. I knew I had to broaden my horizons, so I'd scanned advertisements in other area newspapers at the public library on an almost-daily basis.

One advertisement in particular caught my eye – a teaching position at a school in Virginia City, Nevada. Most teacher advertisements were similar in that they requested unmarried women of upstanding moral fiber for a one-year term. Additional terms could be added after the first assignment had been served if the town found you satisfactory as a teacher and the area agreed with you. I had heard about Virginia City – there was an impressive silver mine there called the Comstock Lode. Other than that, I didn't really know much about the city, other than there were most likely children who needed love and learning in their lives and I was just the woman for that. I'd always loved children and teaching them things – seeing how their young minds worked and delighted in seeing their expressions when they grasped new concepts.

I had replied with my credentials to the advertisement immediately, never expecting a reply. I did receive a reply approximately one month later, from Mayor Isaac Hale of Virginia City, asking when I could report as their new teacher. He had met with the regional school board and they determined I would be an excellent candidate. I replied that I could begin with the new school term in the fall of 1870. Then all I had left to do was inform my parents.

My parents, Charles and Renee Swan, were well-respected Chicago society members with my father a justice of the peace and my mother a perfect society wife, and they had certain expectations of their only child. When they discovered I would be departing – on my own – for the West, they were beside themselves. At first, they forbid me to go. I reminded them I was soon to turn 20 years of age – I could make my own decisions about my life and continued packing.

The deciding factor was actually my grandmother Marie Swan, my father's mother. I affectionately called her Gran. It wasn't that I didn't love my parents – I did – adored them, in fact. I just longed for some type of adventure in my life. I felt stagnant by my present life and Gran knew that. She wasn't able to get out and live any more of her big dreams like she wanted to, so she encouraged me to live mine.

The Swan family was, to a large degree, well-to-do in Chicago. We employed a total of three household staff – a housekeeper/laundress, a butler/gardener, and a cook. My mother entertained as often as my father would allow her. These soirees usually left me bored as they were filled with pompous people who loved to talk about themselves. Once I knew I was leaving for the West, I took it upon myself to learn as much as I could from the housekeeper about keeping a home and the cook about preparing food. I didn't know if or how much I'd have to fend for myself in the future. I had secured a room at a boarding house in Virginia City for the time being.

My parents had wanted me to marry a nice, handsome boy they had chosen for me in Chicago – Riley Biers. He wrote articles for the local newspaper. We had been on a couple of chaperoned walks. We had also been dinner guests at each other's homes a number of times. I had never felt that certain spark with him, the one you were supposed to feel if a relationship was going to lead toward marriage someday. In the end, I did not even meet with Riley to tell him goodbye. I left him a short note which was delivered by post that basically said I was leaving town and I did not know of my expected return date. I also wrote I hoped he could find happiness with another as I was fond of him and truly did not wish to hurt his feelings.

I tucked my reticule as close as I could beside me as I drifted off to sleep. The rocking of the train lulled me right to sleep. My dreams consisted of faraway places and classrooms full of students, eager to learn.

I awoke with a start, unsure what had disturbed my slumber. I put a delicate white gloved hand to my mouth and covered a yawn. I looked at the small watch that was pinned to the front of my dress. It was nearing time for dinner. If I hurried through the bathing car, I would make it in enough time to the dining car to have dinner with a friend I'd made on the train and her twin boys. They were truly a delight and made me laugh.

By the time the train stopped at every podunk station between hither and yon, I was beyond weary. When the conductor finally announced Reno, Nevada, was the next stop, my gratitude knew no bounds. I would be so glad to be free of this chugging train. I knew I'd have another journey ahead of me in a stagecoach, but it would give me time to survey my new surroundings at a slower pace.

When I disembarked from the train, the summer heat blasted my body like the warmth from an oven. So this was the "dry heat" I'd heard some of the passengers on the train talking about. I knew my sapphire blue dress with the high lace collar wasn't going to be the most comfortable attire, but I couldn't go through my trunks right here on the train platform to find something cooler. I would be grateful to have a bath when I reached my final destination.

My trunks were moved from the train to the stagecoach by some men who worked for the Wells Fargo line. While that was being taken care of, I sent a quick telegram to Mrs. Rachel Cope, who owned the boarding house, to let her know I'd arrived in Reno and the stagecoach would be leaving within two hour's time. I was able to have lunch in a hotel dining room near the train station after brushing most of the dust and dirt from my dress in the women's lounge of the train station.

Once I was firmly installed on the stagecoach traveling to Virginia City, I looked out at the wild beauty of high desert Nevada. The hills were mostly brown; there was sagebrush, tumbleweeds and outcroppings of trees gathered here and there. The two gentlemen traveling with me were busy reading their newspapers. The journey would take us approximately four hours and soon, the swaying of the stagecoach lulled me to sleep once again and I drifted off peacefully.

All too soon, the driver announced Virginia City was coming up shortly. I craned my neck out the window of the stagecoach, as much like a lady as possible. I wanted to see – in advance – as much of this new town I'd soon be a part of as I could before I actually arrived.

As we drove further down the main street, the saloons along the board sidewalks were glittering in the afternoon sun with their gaudy bars and fancy glasses and many colored liquors. Thirsty men were swilling burning poison; organ grinders were grinding their organs; and saloon girls were singing songs of drunken revelry in drunken dens. All seemed to be life, excitement, avarice, lust, devilry, and enterprise. I wondered what I had gotten myself into coming to this pit of iniquity.

Edward POV

I yawned and stretched my arms behind my head. Today had been a long day for me, the 25-year-old sheriff of Virginia City, Nevada. I had no one in my jail at the moment – for that I was grateful. I dragged my fingers through my bronze hair in frustration and thought about the events of the day. It had started off so well.

My beautiful mother, Esme, had prepared a hearty breakfast for our family and we all sat down to enjoy it. The Cullen family included my father, Carlisle, a doctor, and my younger sister, Alice, who was 12 and helping out around the house until the new school teacher came to town and started the school year. We had lived here for the past five years, coming from Arizona for Dad's job. A little over one year ago, I had been appointed as sheriff.

Mom looked the most like me – with long caramel-colored bronze hair she kept in long waves my dad preferred. She normally kept it up in the summer due to the heat. Dad was tall like me, although he had blonde hair. Alice was the shortest in the family with the same hair color as Mom.

Breakfast had gone well until I mentioned I'd seen a house down one of the residential streets that had a "for sale" sign in the yard. I felt being 25 – and the town sheriff – I shouldn't live at home with my parents any longer. I had some money saved up from my salary I could use for a down payment and then pay off the note monthly to the bank with my current salary. Mom immediately left the table in tears. I wanted to comfort her, but Dad told me he would handle it.

After the ruined breakfast, I had gone to the jail to begin my workday and relieve my deputy, Mike Newton. I couldn't do something that made Mom so unhappy. I would apologize to her later.

My small police department was comprised of my deputy, Mike, and one other officer, Tyler Crowley. We took turns working around the clock. With the influx of miners and the proliferation of drinking and gambling establishments in this town, it was necessary to have a legal presence to maintain a sense of order. Most people living here were very peaceable, but there was an occasional rowdy drunk, a street fight, or a drunken brawl at one of the saloons. Additionally, silver and money ran through this town like water and we assured those transactions were kept honest.

Then Irina Gonzales had shown up at the jail to see me. She was a petite Spanish beauty who worked as a pianist with the show which had been playing at the opera house for the past month. Rumor in the city was the show was considering pulling out in another month's time. Irina was relentless in her pursuit of me – she was pressing me for a commitment. I had been so excited about the house purchase; I had told her about it. She thought it meant I was getting closer to committing to her.

It was true – I had taken Irina to a restaurant in town for dinner a couple of times. She had also been to my family's home as a dinner guest a time or two as well. We also had taken some strolls down the very public main street of the city. There was just something in my heart holding me back from making a commitment to her. I liked her well enough – I just didn't know if I loved her enough to marry her.

I took my pocket watch out of the small pocket of my brown vest. It was time to place my white Stetson back on my head and go out to meet the stagecoach from Reno. I had received a telegram earlier there was cash onboard, so I would need to make sure it got to the bank safely. Tyler had taken over my post at the jail for the late afternoon and evening shift. I would complete this task and then make my way home and apologize to my mother.

I could see the stagecoach barreling down the main street, growing ever closer. I glanced at the people milling around. There didn't appear to be any threat, but I was ever-vigilant anyway. I was a good sheriff and determined to make Virginia City as safe as it could be.

The stagecoach ground to a halt in front of the general store, with the horses heaving great breaths. They would be glad to get to the stalls this evening for a rest, hay and water. The trail from Reno wasn't an easy one as it was basically cut out of the side of a mountain for the majority of it and horses were worked to their fullest to make it up the embankment.

The passenger door of the stagecoach opened and a small white gloved hand reached out to steady itself on the now-swinging door. I watched as a female figure in a sapphire blue dress emerged – at once captivated by her beauty – her dark brown hair was swept up under a sensible hat, the full lips seem to suit her pale heart-shaped face, and beautiful dark lashes framed her eyes. Then I noticed with horror that her foot was not going to make contact with the step outside the stagecoach door.

I was over to her in an instant, catching her just before she tumbled to the ground. "Oh!" she cried, looking shyly up at me with expressive chocolate brown eyes, her hands firmly planted on my strong biceps, her mouth shaped in a perfect "o."

My mind was racing. Who was this beautiful woman? Why would she come to Virginia City, of all places? She appeared to have come from some wealth, based on her current attire. Did she know unsavory characters sometimes prowled the streets of this city at night? I hoped she was a church-going woman, as she'd need all the help she could get, supernatural and practical, in this town – being as beautiful as she was. And right then, I knew why I could never commit to Irina – my heart did a strange little flip-flop in my chest. Of course, in that moment, I didn't know if she was promised to anyone, but I was going to make it my business to find out.

"Are you just going to stand there, catching flies with your mouth hanging open, Edward – or are you going to unhand our new schoolmarm?" Eli Cope's voice shook me out of my daydream. I flushed a bit as I did just that – gently unhanded the beautiful lady who was now blushing scarlet on every inch of exposed skin on her face and neck. There was general tittering throughout the gathered small crowd. This beautiful woman was the new school teacher? I was expecting someone much older – maybe a grandmother type – not this girl who barely looked out of school herself. I think I unconsciously let out a sigh of relief – at least she couldn't be promised to anyone. School teachers were to arrive unattached.

"Thank you for your kindness," the new school teacher whispered, barely loud enough for me to hear.

"You're welcome," I replied, just as low so as not to embarrass her any further.

I made sure the money from the stagecoach was on its way to the bank with the bank president along with one of the stagecoach scouts. Eli Cope's voice was directed my way again over the dispersing crowd, "Hey, sheriff, help me with the lady's trunks, would you?" I had no plan to refuse that offer.

I don't know what she had packed in those trunks, but they were heavy. I hoped she had packed some lighter dresses than the one she was currently wearing or she was going to melt in northern Nevada. Eli and I had them installed on his wagon soon enough. Eli settled the school teacher on the driver's seat next to him and I rode on the back of the wagon since I could offer my assistance unloading these trunks. Never mind the fact he had people at the boarding house to do that. I wanted to spend more time in the presence of this beautiful girl who had fell into my life and I had not been properly introduced to yet.

Cope's Boarding House was located one block south off the main street. It was a stately-looking two-story structure painted white with dark green trim. As soon as we pulled up, Rachel Cope was out the front door of the boarding house, with the screen door banging shut behind her.

Rachel Cope was a stout older woman. Her gray hair was pinned up into a bun and she was wearing a faded yellow skirt and a white blouse with small flowers embroidered on the collar. Just because she was an older woman didn't mean she had lost any energy along the way.

Rachel was over to the school teacher's side of the wagon in a moment. It was a good thing I had jumped out the back of the wagon before it stopped rolling to help the new school teacher down. The older woman enveloped the school teacher in a hug into her generous bosom and started talking to her a mile a minute, as she was prone to do, firing rapid questions one after another, "Well, Isabella Swan, as I live and breathe! How was your trip? Did you get enough to eat on the train? Did you meet anyone interesting on your long journey? What do you think of Virginia City so far? Did you meet our sheriff? He's quite a looker. If I wasn't married, I would've scooped him up for myself by now!"

I watched the new teacher's face during this entire exchange which went from a smile of amusement to blushing slightly at the end. With a smile, I took the hat off my head, stuck my hand out in greeting and said, "The name is Edward Cullen, ma'am."

The teacher placed her hand in mine, looked up at me, and replied with a shy smile, "I'm Bella. Bella Swan."

Rachel put her arm around Bella's shoulders then, chattering to her about getting settled along with some ice tea and sweeping her up the wide front porch into the house. Eli and I just grinned at each other about Rachel's over-zealous ways and got to work on Bella's trunks.

Not that I had any say in the matter, but I was glad to see Rachel had given Bella her best room, overlooking some of the nicest scenery in the area with the greatest number of trees. I had no reason to linger in Bella's room after her trunks were safely in her room, but she was still in the kitchen with Rachel and Eli had already made his way back down the stairs. I saw some of Rachel's late-blooming lilacs climbing up the wall outside the open window and cut a bloom off with the pocketknife I had with me. I impulsively took a sheet of writing paper from the stack on the desk, dipped the provided pen in the inkwell, and hastily wrote, "To Bella. Edward Cullen." I then laid both the note and the lilac bloom on her pillow and left the room.

It was time to go home and apologize to Mom.

The Business Arrangement - Chapter 12

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, but I'm grateful to Stephenie Meyer for her dream/vision.

Chapter 12 – Epilogues and Happy Endings

Bella POV

It's been ten years since our beautiful wedding. I don't remember much about the day. All I can really remember was Edward's handsome face and the pictures that now grace several photo albums and photo frames in our wing of the Cullen estate. I didn't want to ever think about the killer migraine I had that day.

After we'd returned from our blissful honeymoon to Paris, Jasper and Alice had married about a month later. It was nice having my roommate back – even though we were no longer roommates in that sense of the word. We were almost in different buildings! When we were both at home, though, we did have meals together.

Things had changed in my relationship with Edward. Not in the bad sense – only in the sense that we'd added to our love. We'd had a handsome son – Jacob Michael – two years after we'd married. We followed that stellar production with a beautiful daughter – Kate Elizabeth – three years after that. Edward was in the delivery room for both of the births. At first I thought he was going to faint, but he pulled through at the last minute and was there every step of the way. He was immediately captivated by our children. And they definitely had Daddy wrapped around their little fingers.

When Edward first found out I was pregnant, he demanded I stop working. I told him there was plenty of time between discovering the fact and barely being able to waddle like a duck. After he calmed down – sometimes he's a little prone to overreacting, difficult to believe, I know – we looked at the situation realistically. Lauren had been really been pitching in at work and learning lots of new things. She was the next logical one to take over my position. Once that was decided, I transitioned her into my job so I could concentrate on my next full-time job as Mommy.

Jasper and Alice also joined the parenting game and had twin girls soon after Kate was born. Jane Esme and Charlotte Mary kept them on their toes as well. Alice had resigned from her position as a personal shopper and had begun designing some fashions for a well-known fashion designer that was being really well-received. It was a perfect occupation for her! Those little girls also knew they could charm "Unca Edwa" into just about anything. What a softie he was around kids! It was halfway embarrassing to watch! Obviously Aunt Bella had to be the voice of reason or all four of those kids would own the entire FAO Schwarz toy store!

Emmett and Rosalie were still happily married, although they decided to live in the city due to Rosalie's job. Speaking of which, her job was actually perfect for us! She loved seeing her nieces and nephew when we brought them in for their appointments or on the rare occasions they were sick – and, of course, they came out to the house for all major holidays and they attempted to spoil those kids rotten as well. Emmett and Rosalie had decided against having children since Rosalie had the opportunity to have many children in New York City as her patients. Rosalie actually kicked Emmett's ass and got him to commit to work, so that was actually a relief for Edward. At least he didn't have quite the burden on his shoulders when everyone performed the job they were assigned.

Edward and I had taken the kids to visit my dad a few times. We'd also flown him to New York for Christmas once so he could enjoy the mayhem that was now a Cullen Christmas. I knew it was difficult for him to get off work, so I sent him frequent photos of the children – including Alice's. We also set him up with a computer so we could Skype with him and he could see them online and how fast they were growing.

We took a trip to Disney World once to visit my mom and Phil. That was a fun trip! We also kept my mom in the loop with photos and Skype. I didn't want to be one of those types of people who just write to their parents once at Christmas and send a family photo with a note to say "here's how much the kids have grown this year." I wanted all their grandparents involved in their lives.

Of course, Carlisle and Esme were over the moon with all these grandchildren running around their home! I was sure Carlisle would injure his back one day when he was playing horsey for all three girls. Kate was at the front and kept saying "good horsey" and patting her grandpa's face. I did notice the next day, he was alternating ice and a heating pad on his back. I just rolled my eyes at him and he grinned right back. He loved every minute of it! I think he was trying to make up for the fact Edward was at work when the girls wanted to play.

Esme had the girls outside every day it was nice to have a tea party. They all got dressed up in their "fancy clothes," took their current favorite doll or bear and settled themselves outside like "proper young ladies" and had tea with grandma. I just looked on from the window and laughed. One time, I tried to join them and Kate told me this was their time with grandma and I wasn't allowed.

Carlisle also had special time with Jacob. They went out in a small boat – always with a life jacket, puttered around in the solarium, played cops and robbers, along with many other things. Sometimes Edward even took him to the office. I'm not sure what he did there all day. I'm sure Daddy was teaching him something – probably how to charm the ladies – I have no clue. I'm sure Shelly was feeding him cookies by the barrel full and Angela was taking him out to lunch at some fun place!

Jacob was growing into a handsome boy, just like Edward. They both had that same unruly hair that I loved but was harder than anything to tame. Kate had lovely long brown and bronze ringlets. Both our children had Edward's eyes.

An amazing thing happened after I had our children – I no longer had migraines with the severity I did previously. That country bumpkin doctor in Forks was right, dammit all. At least now I could take some over-the-counter medication and keep alert during the day. It was rare I had a migraine that wiped me out and I had to go to sleep to knock it out.

Edward POV

I was thrilled Isabella had taught me how to work without being a workaholic. I loved spending time with her. I found I was actually more productive during the day since I wasn't given the opportunity to think about work 24/7. With my beautiful wife around, she didn't afford me many occasions to keep work on my mind – she was always tempting my mind toward other pursuits, yes including very sexy ones – and I didn't mind any of those in the least.

Me being the overprotective man I am, the day Isabella told me she was pregnant, I wanted her to stop working that day. She told me she didn't need to do that. After Rosalie told me a bit more about pregnancy, I begrudgingly agreed to let Isabella keep working while she trained Lauren. Seeing Isabella's body blossom during her first and second pregnancy was a beautiful thing. I preferred her fuller figure, even though she sometimes grumbled about it.

Isabella never again had to ask me where I lived or where my heart was – I was fully present in every moment with her and our beautiful children.

There were some days I took the opportunity to work from home. I actually got more accomplished when I didn't have the stress of wondering how my little family was getting along without me. I knew they were getting along fine – but I wanted to be there for them. It was relaxing to take a business call for a half hour, then immediately be wrapped up in Isabella for the next forty-five minutes while the kids were with my parents, followed by an hour's worth of more work, some play time with the kids, and so on throughout the day. I was incredibly grateful for the life I had so I could work this way.

Speaking of which, Isabella and I are going back to Paris for our tenth anniversary. We're leaving this afternoon. Isabella has us all packed and ready to go. I've worked out an arrangement – a business arrangement, of course – with my mother to distract Isabella for the next hour or so while I go through her suitcase and remove all her panties. She certainly won't need any of them while we're in Paris. If she forgot to pack any of the corsets I like to see her in, those will be packed in their place.

Oh, and our company did really well this year, so lucky bastard that I am – I rented out the Eiffel Tower for the entire night. I hope Isabella gets enough sleep on the plane. I don't plan on letting her sleep much at the top of the tower once I get her up there.

I need to go. I have some packing and unpacking to do!

The Business Arrangement - Chapter 11

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

Chapter 11 – Commitments and Faraway Destinations

Alice POV

This past week had been so much fun! Bella's father, Charlie, had been visiting from Forks and was staying with the Cullen family. He'd always been like a second father to me. Bella had asked Carlisle and Esme not to overwhelm him with social engagements as her father wasn't terribly social on his own. Just sitting down for a normal family dinner together in the Cullen home was much more social interaction than Charlie had seen in a very long time. He took it in good stride, though, and kept his eye-rolling to a minimum.

He kept up his good spirits through tuxedo fittings and most other things we put him through. I got to be his tour guide through New York as Bella and Edward were finishing up some things at work before they embarked on their honeymoon. Workaholics – who can stand them?

Bella's mom and stepfather, Renee and Phil, had arrived just last night due to Phil's schedule with his minor league baseball team. They were staying at a hotel in town since Charlie was staying at the Cullen's. They were leaving soon after the wedding. The boys – yes, that's what I call Edward and Jasper – along with Bella and myself – had dinner with the Dwyer's last night.

Afterwards, Bella and I came back to our apartment and I had made sure Bella got her required sleep so she would be a well-rested bride in the morning. I rubbed her down with some soothing lavender lotion to aid in her sleep.

And now – well, all that had come crashing down on us. Bella had woken up around midnight with a migraine. I knew it was the stress of the upcoming wedding, the press, and the list just goes on and on. I got her some medication and a cool cloth for her forehead and let her sleep. This morning, she wasn't much better. It was time to tell the handsome groom. I picked up my phone to text him.

Hey, E, we've got a DEFCON 3 situation going on here. – A

What do you mean? - E

Migraine city is what I mean. – A

Dammit. – E

That's what I'd say. Just don't expect a radiant bride coming down the aisle. – A

Meds? - E

Of course! I'm letting her sleep as long as I can before she absolutely has to get ready. – A

OK. Thank you for everything. Love you. – E

You too. I'll keep you posted. – A

And it was true – I did love Edward, but only in that soon-to-be brother-in-law sort of way, not in the swoony romantic type of love way. I had my own swoony man to love. Speaking of which…

Meet you at the altar in the gazebo, sweetie? - A

Of course, baby. I'll be the best man there. – J

I love you. – A

I love you infinitely more. – J

No wonder I loved him. He was so funny and perceptive. He knew exactly what I needed when I needed it. He was definitely getting something in the horizontal mambo kind of way later on today – you can guarantee it.

Now it was time to wake up the bride to get her in the shower so we could get her ready for her 11 a.m. walk down the aisle. I had arranged for Enrique to come to our apartment to style our hair. I was glad we had chosen a hairstyle for Bella where most of it flowed down her back so there would be minimal stress to her head.

Soon, Enrique was behind us, we were dressed in our wedding finery, and Sam was driving us to the Cullen home on Long Island. Sam and I were speaking quietly in the front of the car while Bella had her eyes closed in the back. I was glad Bella's doctor had been invited to her wedding. He had brought a vial of her migraine medication that he would administer by injection if her migraine wasn't better right before they left for their honeymoon. They had a long flight ahead of them – to the beautiful and romantic Paris, France.

At the Cullen mansion, I helped Bella out of the car in her simple but beautiful gown. I briefed Charlie on the situation with her head. I kissed her on the cheek and said, "Bells, just focus on Edward. He will help you get through this. I know he can."

I took my place at the entrance to the Cullen garden and gave the signal to the pianist that we had arrived and were ready to begin. I could see the boys standing in the gazebo, waiting for us.

Edward POV

I could see Alice and Charlie clearly, but all I could see of Isabella was part of her dress that flared out from her body at the bottom. I was glad the sun was shining. Isabella had told me once if she had a migraine, she preferred the sun to shine than for it to be a cloudy day. The clouds actually diffused the sun and made the glare much worse for her. I wished I could take her away from all this – the stress of it all – and just marry her at the courthouse and be off to Paris on the next plane, but that would never do for the family and friends who were gathered here to witness our vows.

We'd been over it several times – it was just Isabella marrying Edward – although we both knew that wasn't exactly true. The life I'd been born into wasn't going to make things as simple as we wanted them to be. We did have a say in what media outlets were allowed at our nuptials – People Weekly magazine and one local newspaper. The color choice was simple – black, white and red. Red roses were the only flowers used in our wedding – not counting the plethora of flowers in my mother's garden. Isabella did draw the line at carrying two hundred of them up the aisle. Symbolically one hundred each were placed on both sides of the gazebo in reference to my covert operation of several months ago.

As soon as I could look into her eyes, I would know the level of pain she was in and I would know how long we'd be available to our guests. She was the most important person to me this day and every day – I'd finally learned that lesson. I had a stupid grin on my face – I couldn't help it. My lovely bride was coming toward me. It was the moment we'd waited for.

Finally, I could see Isabella. She was carrying a dozen red roses in a bouquet which was accented with rhinestones that caught the sunlight. My little vixen soon-to-be wife was trying to kill me before she made it up the aisle as I distinctly remembered that beautiful bra and panty set she was wearing the day we made love in my office and the day I proposed. I forced my mind to keep itself on task and not about dragging her off to the nearest bedroom. I was pretty sure the minister would insist we say our vows prior to me doing that.

Then Charlie was pulling the veil back over Isabella's head and kissing her on the cheek. I noticed she kept her eyes closed during that small exchange. When I descended the gazebo steps, took her hand, and brought her back up the steps with me, she kept her eyes trained on me. She stayed that way through the entire ceremony. It didn't last that long and soon we were kissing and being announced to the gathered crowd as "Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cullen."

The crowd moved to the luncheon tents set up in another area of the expansive yard. I knew inside the tents were round tables set for eight with white linen tablecloths, heavy sparkling silverware, red linen napkins, and a flickering white pillar candle set in a glass hurricane holder in the center of each table. Each place setting had a thin band of black around the edge. It's amazing the things you notice when you're not trying to freak out about your bride not being her absolute best.

Isabella and I moved on to wedding photos. Our photographer was fantastic. She and her assistants had been taking candid photos throughout the ceremony. She let us see a few of them on her digital camera and they looked exactly like what we wanted. Isabella's eyes were trained on mine through most of the photos and I didn't mind at all. Shouldn't a new bride look like she's besotted with her new husband? I knew why she was doing it – it was the only thing keeping her head on her shoulders until she could get some relief from her head. I think my very favorite photo from the day was a candid Isabella and I took on the spur of the moment on an old swing Emmett, Jasper and I used to swing on when we were kids. I sat on the swing, then the photographer had Isabella nestle on my lap, facing me, with her arms around my neck. The look of pure devotion and fun we had toward each other in that moment would forever live in my memory.

We moved to the luncheon tents and ate a bit, then gave each other civilized bites of wedding cake. I can never understand why couples insist on shoving cake in each other's mouths. Do they do it for a laugh? I'm not certain, but Isabella and I are not that way.

My mother could certainly plan a party. This one would likely go on the rest of the day with dancing and such. My beautiful bride and I needed to get to the airport. Sam was standing by at the helicopter, waiting to take us to the airport. Alice helped Isabella change into a beautiful indigo blue dress and I changed into a suit and tie. Might as well make an impression on Paris!

After we received numerous well wishes from the crowd, Isabella's doctor followed us out to the helicopter and administered her medication right before we took off. He explained it would likely make her sleepy. She wasn't that thrilled with receiving an injection, but she desperately wanted her migraine gone – and I couldn't agree more!

Bella POV

I woke up somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean – or the "Big Pond" as we Americans call it. I felt so much better! Was my wedding a dream? I looked down at my left hand. No, there nestled next to my platinum engagement ring was my platinum wedding ring with the delicate swirls on it. From what I could remember, the wedding had been gorgeous. I wish I had been able to enjoy it more. It had been as simple as Edward and I could make it considering he was Edward Cullen. And now I was Bella Cullen – that was going to take some getting used to.

I took in my surroundings and saw my gorgeous husband stretched out prone in the seat next to me. He'd done so much to make sure our wedding day was perfect! No wonder he was sleeping. He deserved it. I spied a Coke can on his tray table and picked it up. Score! There was some left and I drank it down. The flight attendant noticed my action and asked me if I'd like one of my own. I nodded and she brought another, along with a cup of ice. After drinking my fill, I nestled back in my seat and just had to reach a hand out to push back some of my husband's sex hair that had flopped in his face while he was sleeping.

"Mmmmmm," he rumbled deep in his chest. His hand came up to catch mine. Without opening his eyes, he asked, "Are you feeling better, love?"

"Yes. Much," I replied with a smile in my voice.

He continued as he laced his fingers through mine, "You better get more sleep, Mrs. Cullen. I have big plans for you once we arrive in Paris." And he waggled his eyebrows at me. How does he do that in his partial wakefulness? Brat.

Once we arrived in Paris and went through customs, we went to our hotel. Of course, traveling with Edward on our honeymoon shouldn't have been awe-inspiring to me by this point, but it was. Our room had the perfect view of the Eiffel Tower right outside a pair of French doors. And yes, you could see the Eiffel Tower from the bed. I'm sure he was going to use that to his advantage later.

But as it was morning when we arrived, he insisted we stay up and adjust ourselves to the local time. We visited the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe before eating lunch. After lunch, we spent the afternoon at the Louvre, admiring all types of works of art. It was awe-inspiring!

While in Paris, we also visited the Notre Dame Cathedral (where we did not run into the hunchback – thank you very much), the Sorbonne and the Latin Quarter, Sacre Coeur and Montemarte, and took a romantic boat tour of the Seine River. Edward was adamant that we see everything!

We stayed connected to the office as well. I think a bit of Edward's workaholic behavior had rubbed off on me as well. Although, we only checked in once a day and that was the end of that – only to see if there were any emergencies. Usually Jasper had everything covered, which didn't surprise either one of us. But we gave bits of advice where needed.

And the lovemaking! I don't know what it is about Paris – but I felt particularly swoony in Edward's presence. Was it because I was on my honeymoon? Was it because Edward is particularly handsome? It is because Paris is the City of Love? I don't know – but I was more turned on than a cat on a hot tin roof.

I didn't have a tinge of a migraine even though I was taking my normal medications. Was sex with Edward the cure to migraines? Well, I certainly wasn't going to advertise that as the cure to anyone else! Get your own damn cure!

By the time we went to bed that first night in Paris, Edward was beyond aroused as well - maybe because I'd been rubbing up against him like a proverbial cat all day. I couldn't keep my hands off him. I wanted to climb inside his suit at every opportunity. It's his entire fault for looking so damn delectable in a suit in the first place.

He had me undressed before I barely knew what was happening – although I was well aware of undressing him. I giggled when I saw his boxer briefs. Apparently Jasper had made him wear a pair that looked like a tuxedo that proclaimed "groom" going down one leg. No matter – they went well with the white lacy bra and panty set I was wearing that said "bride" in rhinestones across my ass. We're nothing if not cliché.

I remember earlier Edward and I had been enjoying our dinner out on our tiny balcony and the French doors were still open. As he slid inside my very wet opening, he said roughly in my ear, "Isabella love, I want to hear you. I want all of Paris to hear how good I make you feel." As his talented fingers kept strumming my clit, I didn't care who heard me as I kept shouting his name and moaning. If my eyes could've focused on anything, I suppose I could've seen the beautiful Eiffel Tower all lit up; but the things Edward could do to my body – those were the only things I could focus on.

Other times we made love slowly and gently, taking our time and enjoying each other. I couldn't decide which I liked more – the slow and easy times or the times when he was commanding and in control. I loved it all.

Since Edward has so much money – yes, feel free to insert an eyeroll here – he rented the Eiffel Tower for a "private function" for an hour after it was closed to the public one evening. He requested I wear a dress and heels. Was his family going to surprise us at one of the restaurants there? He wasn't giving me any hints.

We stepped inside the elevator and rode it all the way to the top. The elevator operator discreetly left us and took the elevator back down to the bottom. It was a beautiful clear dark night and we could see all of Paris from our bird's eye view. It was absolutely gorgeous!

Edward stepped close behind me and wrapped his arms around me with me inside his coat. This was very romantic. Count on Edward to go the extra mile! Then he was kissing down my neck and sucking on my earlobe. I turned my head to kiss him back. He shook his head a bit and said, "Just feel, Isabella. Hold onto the railing and look out at beautiful Paris." I did as requested and wondered what he was up to.

Before long, his hands came up to my breasts and they were kneading on my flesh there. It didn't take long for my nipples to stand at attention under his expert ministrations.

His hands soon moved lower down and I think I heard him mutter a "tsk" when he found I was wearing panties. He wouldn't give me any hints earlier so I had no clue where we were going or who we were meeting. He ripped them off me with a little tug and asked me to spread my legs a bit. I did so immediately.

Edward's hands were opening up the folds of my pussy and stroking me, making me so very wet. He encouraged me, "Mmmm…yes, love. Let Paris know how I make you feel." With two of his fingers inside me and his thumb circling my clit, I came over and over again. I didn't know how much a French whore moaned, but I'm sure I was rivaling her skills at the moment.

I had barely gotten my wits about me again when the elevator arrived back on the top floor again. It was time for us to go. Edward kept a firm hold on me since my knees felt a bit like jelly. When we arrived back in our hotel room, we made love up against the wall right inside the door. I could barely contain myself. I wanted him right and now. He smirked a bit later and said, "Love, I think I like you like this."

"Yeah, you've just created a monster! You'll be sorry!" I replied.

The rest of our honeymoon was full of more relaxing and more lovemaking. I would never get enough of Edward – even if we lived to be 105 years old. I didn't ever want to go back to real life.

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.

The Business Arrangement - Chapter 9

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, but I'm grateful to Stephenie Meyer for her dream/vision.

Edward POV

"Edward," Bella said, smiling and grabbing my hand, leading me toward her building, "probation is over."

Understanding dawned on my face with a slow smile and we went into the building together.

Fucking finally! Finally I've shown Isabella she can trust me! I wasn't going to screw up again. I knew Alice would have my balls in a vice grip. But right now I didn't want to think about Alice – my thoughts, mind, and hands were consumed with Isabella and my tongue was invading her mouth.

I didn't want to give her building security a free show in the elevator, so I kept my body shielding hers and continued to nip at her lips with mine. My hands were at her waist, pulling her ever-closer to me.

Once inside her apartment, I couldn't get close enough to the object of my desire. My fingertips skimmed along the edge of her collar, silently asking permission to go lower, as my mouth claimed hers again and again.

I got the impression she liked the sight of me in a suit as right after her apartment door closed, she pushed me up against the door and continued kissing me hungrily as her hands ran all over me. It seemed she quickly grew impatient with me wearing that suit, so she ran her hands underneath the shoulders of my jacket and slid it down my arms. Then her fingers deftly unbuttoned my shirt. I tried to keep my hands still, but I barely wanted to keep my hands off her for one moment. I was glad I had to dress hurriedly in the car on the way to the benefit earlier so I skipped cufflinks. Isabella's hands were running up and down my arms, freeing my body of my shirt, feeling like silk on my skin.

Her body seemed to hum in agreement as I encircled my arms around her and slowly unzipped her dress. As I continued my assault on her mouth and tongue – and she gave back just as good – her hands were running over the hot naked skin of my chest, causing me to falter a bit as it felt so damn good, but I needed to stay on task and pleasure her.

I walked Isabella backward and pinned her up against the back of the couch as I ghosted kisses down her neck and into her cleavage. My arms went around her to lift her up and I gently sat her on top of the couch. She was at a much better level now for me to taste her beautiful breasts.

My fingertips were back at her collar, which was now at a much lower angle due to me unzipping her dress. I wanted to be gentle, but I needed her so badly! My mouth claimed hers again, almost roughly, as I worked the red material down her body. She seemed to work her arms through the arm holes quickly so that her hands were back in my hair, pulling me closer to her. She wanted me just as much!

"Oh Isabella," I breathed as I started to chuckle lightly. Then I caught sight of her lovely breasts encased in a red strapless lace bra that had some fine sequin detailing along the edges. That chuckle died in my throat as wanton lust tore through me. My eyes snapped to hers. "Seattle?" I asked roughly. She nodded and brought my mouth back to hers once again. Holy fuck! I wanted to send Victoria's Secret a well-worded thank you note, but not right now – maybe in about six weeks, when I was done ravishing Isabella's body.

My fingers quickly made their way to Isabella's nipples, tweaking them and making them harden under my touch. She was moaning and whispering my name through our kisses. I pulled the material down so her nipples were exposed and I brought one of my fingers to her mouth. "Suck, love," I whispered to her. She did, greedily. I took that finger and swirled it around one of her nipples. Then I followed with my wet mouth.

She had kicked off her shoes somewhere in the process and was now pulling me to her with her legs wrapped around my middle. I could feel her wet heat through her dress that was between us. She was attempting to create some friction any way she could. I kissed back up her neck, still palming her beautiful breasts, and breathed, "Love, am I frustrating you?"

"Yes," she said, which came out somewhere between a pant and a whine. I reached around her to unhook and remove that lovely bra. Then came the task of getting under all that white slip material to Isabella's center. She seemed to want to help, in the worst way. "Edward, please," she begged.

"Oh love, I'll get there. I just like enjoying you along the way," I teased. Finally, I lifted up the last of that frothy material and found the sexy accompaniment to that strapless bra – barely-there red panties with more fine sequin detailing. I looked back into her eyes and kissed her again. I asked with my voice low, "Did you wear these panties just for me, love?"

With a furious shake of her head, I slid my finger over her wetness with her panties still on. This elicited a deep groan from my love. I continued to kiss her deeply and nip at her earlobe occasionally until I finally pushed her panties aside and plunged one of my fingers into her wetness. That earned me a scream of pleasure. I brought that finger to my mouth and licked it clean.

"Love, take me to your bedroom. I want to taste you properly."

I fit Isabella close against me again and she guided me to her bedroom through more kisses. I set her on the floor for just a moment so I could remove her beautiful dress and then she was back in my arms. I could not get enough of her mouth and one of my hands was holding up her ass and the fingers from my other hand were trying to sneak their way into her wetness again. Then Isabella bit me gently on the right side of my neck where my neck met my shoulder. A pure jolt of adrenaline and lust shot through me. Was she a vampire in a previous life? I didn't know, but that shit was turning me on like crazy.

At that same moment, I believe there was a small ripping sound and those cute little red panties were nothing but a shred of fabric in my hand. I placed Isabella on the bed and worked my mouth down her body with my mouth and tongue, finally ending up exactly where I wanted to be – her delicious, dripping pussy.

My long fingers opened up her delicious folds and I plunged my tongue inside her. A moan of pure ecstasy came from deep within Isabella's throat. There was no way I was going to waste one drop of this pure honey coming from her, as I was bringing it out with my fingers and lapping it up with my tongue.

My tongue swirled furiously around her clit until I took it gently in my teeth and nipped at it. Isabella arched up off the bed and her hands flew to my hair, further assuring I wasn't going anywhere until she was satisfied. I wouldn't dream of it anyway, but I liked the thought that she had control over me for this brief moment of time when I was all hers. Who was I kidding? Ever since she'd walked into that conference room for that interview, I'd been doing whatever I could to be all hers.

The expression on Isabella's face as she rode out her orgasm was one of pure bliss. I was glad I had a front-row seat to experience that. At first, she clamped my face in between her thighs and then her body wanted to writhe around the bed in pure pleasure. I held her thighs to me and continued to lick and suck her as she continued to moan and scream in delight. When she finally begged off, I let go and then just kissed and nipped down her thighs.

When I heard Isabella say she needed me, I was instantly ramrod hard. Not that I wasn't hard when we came in the door, but I became harder when I heard those words fall from her lips – especially when I saw the look of love, lust, and desire all wrapped up in her eyes. I can't tell you what become of my pants, because the next thing I knew I was naked and hovering above her.

"Is this what you want, Isabella?" I breathed into her ear, kissing it.

"Yes, Edward," she answered back as she brought her arms around my neck and her legs wrapped around my ass. As I sank into her, she moaned in appreciation and said, "Oh, Edward, this is what I've wanted for so long – just you and me."

"Me too, love," I responded as I started to move within her. This – this connection – was what had been missing between us and it felt so damn good to have it back. "I'm so sorry, love, for everything."

"Shhhh, Edward. Just make love to me," she replied. She's such a wise woman. Someone should put her in for Time magazine's Woman of the Year. I did just that. Everything slipped right into place between us that had been missing before as I made love to my beautiful Isabella.

Afterward, we got under the covers and cuddled. I'm not one of those guys who just starts sawing logs as soon as they have sex – I'm Edward Cullen! I can't say I didn't take full advantage of Isabella's nakedness and pull on her nipples to make them incredibly erect again, which then caused me to have to suck them. And I also took liberties with her delicious naked pussy by stroking my fingers through her still-wet folds and making her orgasm a time or two more. That's the kind of guy I am.

As I woke the next morning with my arms gripping the pillow beneath my head, my mind immediately returned to the night I just experienced with Isabella. My mind couldn't keep up with the adjectives – epic, phenomenal, incredible – they all applied. And why wasn't the source of all that pleasure still in her own bed with me? Oh no! She didn't turn the tables on me, did she? Would she leave me in the morning like I did her? Please, God, no!

In my panic, I sat up in bed, all remnants of sleep gone from my head. It was then I smelled bacon frying in a pan. Isabella was cooking for me? Sweet Jesus! My feet hit the floor and my eyes spied my black boxer briefs lying in the chair next to the bed. I didn't remember leaving them there the night before. Where I left my clothing last night was the least of my concerns. Experiencing Isabella anew was. I slipped on my briefs and strode out to the kitchen.

There, in that tiny New York kitchen, was lovely Isabella in only my white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, concentrating on a skillet full of bacon. I knew right then and there this was what I wanted for the rest of my life. There would never be anyone else for me. She was it.

I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. I nuzzled my lips into her hair at her neck, kissing her, and said in my morning-rough voice, "Marry me."

She smiled with a giggle and said, "I can't, Edward. I'm cooking bacon!"

"Hmm," I replied, "How about when you're done with the bacon?"

"Before the eggs?" she asked.

"Definitely!" I affirmed as I turned her around and tweaked one of her nipples in between my thumb and forefinger. This earned me an appreciative hum and I kissed her fully on the lips. Needless to say, the bacon was a bit well-done that morning, but that's all right with me – no complaints here.

After our showers, I wanted to get out of the apartment for a while or we'd never get out of bed – not that I was complaining about that at all – but I wanted to have Isabella take a look at something. It was warm enough I left my jacket at Isabella's and wore my shirt sleeves rolled up just as she'd had them when she was cooking breakfast. Being enveloped in her scent on my shirt was a heady experience. Isabella found us matching New York Yankees baseball caps which she plopped on our heads before we made it out the door. She thought I wouldn't be as recognizable with a baseball cap on my trademark hair.

Just as she was going to ask me where we were going, I pulled her into the door of Cartier Jewelers. "Isabella," I said, "I just want you to look at a few things; maybe get your correct ring size. I may not be officially asking you to marry me today, but I will be asking you soon." She huffed a little in annoyance, but she complied. As the staff was taking care of my beautiful girl, a brilliant plan was forming in my head.

There was one round sparkling solitaire that captured Isabella's attention as she kept going back to it and I knew that was the engagement ring for her. After I gave the jeweler my credit card information and asking for it to be sized, we went to lunch at a restaurant near Central Park.

While we were at lunch, she got a text message on her phone from Alice, telling her that Alice would be spending the rest of the weekend with Jasper and to expect her home after dinner on Sunday. She giggled a little and called her a "hussy." I didn't want to seem presumptuous so I asked, "Isabella, may I spend the rest of the weekend with you?"

"Of course you can, silly. You don't even need to ask!" she responded. "What would you like to do?" I waggled my eyebrows at her and she smacked me gently on the arm. "Besides that, you perv!"

Hey – she asked! I'd like nothing better than a weekend doing Isabella, thank you for asking. We decided to watch some of her extensive DVD collection and just relax. Isabella decided we could also order in some food since I probably didn't get that opportunity, with that staff at the house catering to anything I wanted to eat. I just shook my head at her.

On our way back to the apartment, it began raining. We ran the rest of the way as we didn't bring an umbrella and we'd been a bit preoccupied to be listening to the weather report. I didn't have anything to change into as I only had the one set of clothes. I stripped down to my boxer briefs and Isabella threw a blanket at me to cover up with.

"What's the matter, love? Can't handle the hotness emanating from this body?" I asked. She just rolled her eyes and went to change her clothes. What? I thought it was a perfectly legitimate question.

We sat down to watch the first of a couple of movies. I ended up sharing my blanket with her because I'm nice like that. Was it because I was playing with her hair? Was it because my mouth and tongue kept kissing her ear? I don't know, but before I knew it, Isabella was on top of me underneath my blanket, telling me she had to have me right now. Well, yes ma'am. I let her take charge and she did – so very well. I'm going to watch more movies with Isabella. I didn't know they were the key to getting her worked up.

Waking up on Sunday morning, listening to the rain splattering on the bedroom window, with Isabella curled up next to me was the most comforting thing I'd ever experienced. I attempted to smooth out her hair, which resembled a haystack at the moment – guess we'd been a bit boisterous in our lovemaking the night before. She mumbled something about it being time to get up. I said it was time to just lie here quietly, listen to the rain and enjoy each other. She snuggled closer and we did just that.

Our Sunday was fun – we talked about us, we had fresh take-out, we made love on several more surfaces of her apartment – and it solidified in my mind that this was the woman I wanted in my life forever. Now I just needed to put my brilliant plan into the works.

The Business Arrangement - Chapter 8

Bella's dress for the benefit


Edward's suit for the benefit (did I really need an excuse to publish this?!)

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, but I'm grateful to Stephenie Meyer for her dream!

Chapter 8 – Back To You and Me

Edward POV

My voice was low against her ear, "Isabella, how much later?"

"Um…"

As I was waiting for Isabella to return to our designated meeting spot, I thought about the night before. I had done a bit of work by email once I left her at her father's. Then I went to bed. Sometime in the middle of the night, I couldn't sleep. I really wanted nothing more than to talk to Isabella, but I didn't dare wake her. She would think I was a nut or a stalker. Pathetic as I was, I had retrieved her now-dry hoodie out of the bathroom and placed it beside me on the pillow. I felt a calm come over me and I was able to go right back to sleep.

When I saw Isabella coming toward me with her shopping bags, I could spot that distinctive pink and white striped bag from a mile away. I groaned inwardly. Holy hell! Why was I so nice back at the airport to the ticketing agent? The damn weather was keeping me from New York and the chance to prove myself to Isabella again. My mind was running rampant at all the things that bag could contain and I couldn't wait to see them on the most delectable woman I'd ever laid eyes on.

My first thought was to run her out of the mall, take her back to our room, beg her to let me make love to her until she finally broke – but I knew I was on some sort of probation with her. Dammit – I knew in my mind I'd never screw up like this again. This was killing me.

"It's ok, love," I finally said. "You don't have to answer now. Do you want to go back to the hotel, get rid of our bags, and pick out a restaurant for dinner? If the weather clears, our new flight should leave at 10 tomorrow morning." She agreed and we were soon on our way.

There was a fine restaurant in the hotel, so we decided to eat there. We both ordered steak as that was one of their specialties. During dinner, I told Isabella there was a benefit dinner coming up for a local hospital next week that I wanted her to attend with me. This would be our first official date as a couple, at least in the public eye. There would be no turning back after this. I caressed her hand on top of the table and assured her I'd be right beside her, facing the press. She smiled weakly. I knew the first time would be the most difficult; after that, I felt she would be a pro at it.

After dinner, we discovered a nightclub inside the hotel with a jazz band. Several couples were dancing. I asked Isabella to dance with me and she agreed. It felt so good to hold her, especially with her arms wrapped around me as well. The past couple of days, it felt like she'd been withholding this part of herself from me. I knew I'd been the cause of that and I'd kicked myself many times over because of it.

Sue me, but the band began playing a very romantic song and I held Isabella even tighter to me. I gently brushed the hair away from her neck and bent my head down to begin placing kisses from her earlobe to the bottom of her neck. Then my mouth moved back up to her earlobe and I sucked on it a bit. A tiny moan escaped from her mouth. "Are you ok, love?" I whispered in her ear.

"Yes," she whispered back. And suddenly she turned her head and was facing me. She looked deeply into my eyes and then her lips found mine. It seemed her kiss was unconsciously saying, "I'm starting to trust you again, Edward – please don't leave me again," to which my unconscious was furiously agreeing, "Never!"

"Do you want to go?" I asked in between our now almost breathless kisses. She nodded and I found the exit for both of us. We had to control ourselves in the lobby and elevator as there were other people with us, but I continued to hold Isabella tightly to my side, never letting her go.

Once inside our room, I pulled my beautiful girl inside, shut the door, and then backed her up against it. My lips claimed hers once again.

I was kissing my way down Isabella's neck hungrily once again when she breathlessly began saying my name. My lust-addled brain took a few moments to register this information. I finally responded, "Yes, love?"

"We need to stop."

Stop? Stopping was the last thing on my mind. I wanted to keep going – more kissing, more caressing, taking Isabella to one or both of the beds and ravishing her body. Still, I knew she was right. I knew she wasn't ready yet. Fuck!

"I know, Isabella. Forgive me yet again." My hands caressed down her sides and moved carefully away from her.

"It's ok, Edward. I was in the wrong as much as you," she responded as she cupped my jaw and looked into my eyes. "We probably should get some sleep." I agreed and we got ready for bed.

I apparently was sleeping like the dead and rolled over in the middle of the night. I ran into something soft. Isabella had apparently crawled into bed next to me sometime during the night. "Oh Isabella," I whispered as I drew her into my arms. She never awoke and I fell back to sleep myself.

In the morning, as I reached over Isabella to turn off the alarm clock, I saw my current position. I was protectively draped over her and her warm body was snuggled into mine with her back facing me, and good morning, Mr. Woody! As soon as Isabella woke up, there would be no way she couldn't feel my morning erection curving perfectly around her ass.

I gently untangled myself from Isabella and lay next to her on my back. My movement must've disturbed her sleep as she woke up soon after. She turned over and said, "Oh! Good morning, Edward. I meant to get out of your bed long before now. I was just…I don't know…missing the feel of you."

I ran my fingers along her jaw and said, "Love, you never have to apologize for that." I leaned over and gave her a quick kiss, making sure to keep the bottom half of my body on my side of the bed. "Do you want to shower first?"

"Mmmm…no, I want to lay here and be lazy for a bit. When I get back to work, I have this task-master for a boss. He never lets me sleep in," she said.

I smiled wryly. "Well, hopefully he's on the way to not being such an overbearing asshole, Isabella. Please have faith."

She was suddenly hugging me with every ounce of strength she had and effectively pulling me back down onto the pillows. "Oh Edward, I didn't mean it. I was just teasing you. Please know that. I do have faith in you." Her kiss against my lips was much deeper than the quick one I had just given her.

"Love," I said when we finally came up for air, "you really are going to have to let me shower or we're not going to make it to that 10 o'clock plane. I will use every ounce of my persuasiveness that I have and getting back to New York to prove my worthiness to you won't matter so much."

She giggled and tried to struggle to get away from me. I was definitely up for this little battle. I was over her body in a second, like a mountain lion stalking my prey. She wasn't going anywhere, even though her hands were pushed against my chest. She squeaked out a little scream. I brought my face right down to hers and whispered to her, "Might I remind you, Miss Swan, you are the one who came to my bed in the middle of the night."

Her returning cheeky grin just about did me in. "You are far too dangerous for your own good, love," I told her as I kissed her again and then got out of bed. If she saw my resulting morning wood – well, it was her own fault. She was to blame. I went into the bathroom, shut the door, and turned on the shower spray. I was going to have to get rid of my Isabella-induced erection in the shower. I hoped I wasn't too loud about it.

After my shower, I dressed while Isabella took hers. She dressed in the bathroom and then we went to breakfast. While I was waiting for her to come out of the bathroom, I heard several airplanes take off, so I was glad about that. Not that I hadn't enjoyed our little bubble of being together, but we needed to get back to reality.

Our flight back home was uneventful. Sam met us at the airport and we dropped Isabella off at her apartment. Since we got back late East coast time, both of us were taking the next day off. I didn't ask Isabella if I could stay at her apartment. I figured she may need some time to decompress with Alice and have some "girl time." I never knew what girls talked about anyway and probably didn't want to know.

Bella POV

I left Edward the previous night with a sweet kiss on the lips and the promise to see him soon. I needed some girl time with Alice – I missed my best friend like crazy. I saw she left a note propped up on my pillow that said: "Wake me as soon as you get in. Love you." I quickly got into my pajamas and went into her bedroom.

"Alice," I said as I gently shook her awake.

Her eyes popped right open and she sat up. "Oh, Bella, I'm so glad you're home!" She reached up to me for a hug. Then she opened up the side of her covers nearest me and invited me inside. I knew she wanted to know all about my trip to Forks and how Edward had treated me, so I knew we'd be up for awhile. This was the perfect opportunity for snuggly girl talk.

Alice told me she'd threatened to punch Edward in the junk if he hurt me again. That got me laughing hysterically. I could just imagine his face when she said that. Then she asked how Charlie was. I told her he was doing fine and enjoying his newfound celebrity status, although rather confused by it. Then it was time to get down to the serious discussion.

I began, "I think Edward and I have really turned a corner during this trip, Alice. He was so sweet, caring and attentive – exactly everything I want him to be. He truly showed he adored and cherished me. However, I did put him on 'probation.' I told him I wanted to see how things went back here in the city. Things seem to be fine between us when we're out of town, but they get out of kilter when we're back on our home turf."

Alice replied, "I think that's fair. I do think Edward really loves you and wants to be with you. He just needs to curb his workaholic behavior to show my best friend she's the most fabulous thing in his life."

I hugged her again, smiled, and said, "No wonder I love you."

"Now," she questioned, "the really important thing is – what are you wearing to this upcoming benefit we're all going to?"

My mock shocked expression just made Alice giggle. I said, "I can't believe you didn't pick something out already!"

"Well, I kinda did, but didn't want you to get all bent out of shape about it." I pointed to myself and mouthed, "Me?" She playfully slapped me on the arm. "I'll show you tomorrow. Let's get some sleep, girlie. Some people have to work in the morning."

That night Alice and I ended up spooning together in her bed. It was nice feeling warm and loved. We normally didn't make a practice of sleeping together – it was just a warm and comfy place to be. Besides, if I was going to be groping anyone, it would be Edward. And I'm sure she'd rather be groping Jasper. We don't play for the other team.

In the morning, Alice was out of bed long before I was. My bleary eyes only caught the fact that my dress was red. She mentioned something about me being hopeless, but did leave me a chai tea on the nightstand and gave me a kiss me on the forehead on the way out the door. I woke up a couple of hours later to find light streaming in the windows. I microwaved my chai tea and it was good as new. I checked my cell phone and saw I had a text message from Edward:

Morning, Love. I hope you slept well. Call me when you're awake.

I checked the clock in the kitchen. It was about 10:30 a.m. I'd almost slept the day away! I texted back:

Morning! Of course! Be expecting a call soon.

He seemed thrilled to hear from me as we talked about everything and nothing at the same time for several hours. During our entire phone conversation, I never heard any tapping of a computer keyboard to indicate he was working. Finally, I gathered my courage and asked him what he was doing. He explained he'd been sitting in the garden at one point; at another, he'd gone to sit in a chair overlooking the water. He was eager for me to see the view from the back of the house – maybe at sunset some night.

At length, Edward asked, "Isabella, would you…do me the honor of going on a date on Saturday night?"

I replied, "I think that can be arranged. What did you have in mind?"

"I'll see if Shelly is able to get us tickets to The Lion King. Would you like that?"

One of the most fabulous musicals ever! Would I! There was no hiding the smile that came to my face as I said, "Yes, I would love that!"

"And, love," he continued, "I'd like to pick you up for work in the morning, if you don't mind."

"OK. That would be great. I'll be ready. I suppose I should get some things done around here."

After we said our goodbyes, I took a shower, started a load of laundry, then looked at dinner options. Alice would be hungry by the time she got home. Thank goodness we kept our kitchen well-stocked.

The next morning, I was dressed in plenty of time for Edward to pick me up. He called my cell phone to let me know he was waiting for me downstairs. As I arrived in the lobby of my building, I looked outside. There stood the most gorgeous man in the world in a suit and tie – waiting for me. As soon as I reached him, his arms went around me and he kissed me gently on the cheek. "I missed you," he whispered in my ear.

"I missed you as well," I told him as he guided me to the waiting car with his hand behind my back. I said my greetings to Sam and we were off into the New York morning traffic. I expected Edward to start working on his laptop or something, but he just kept grinning goofily at me. "What?" I asked.

"Nothing, love. I'm just drinking you in," he replied. Yeah, there might have been the tiniest bit of an eyeroll there. He kept my hand tucked firmly into his. I wasn't sure how to deal with this Edward. It almost seemed as though he had something up his sleeve, but I wasn't sure what it was.

Soon enough, we were at the Cullen building. Employees from all departments were streaming into the building lobby, coming in for another workday. I recognized several of them. We exited the car and were then in the lobby ourselves. I started walking toward the elevators, but Edward's hand gently closing around my arm stopped me. I looked at him questioningly and saw that his briefcase was sitting on the polished marble floor.

"Come here, Isabella," he said quietly, as he pulled me to him. What the hell was he doing? And then I was being dipped back, Hollywood-style, with Edward's lips against my own. As if this man's kisses didn't make me dizzy enough, he had to add in sweeping me backward? I noticed, over the blood pounding in my ears, the lobby became deathly silent for a moment or two, then applause, hoots and hollers broke out. I could feel my face become hot – I knew I was blushing furiously.

Edward's lips moved a hairbreadth away from mine as he whispered to me, "Love, this is for your benefit more than theirs. I want you to know I'm not afraid to show anyone we are together. I am committed to you and only you. We've totally gone public. I love you, Isabella."

I was too stunned to speak. Thankfully, he let me back up so the blood could start flowing normally through my body again. It seemed our coworkers had begun moving on to their jobs. It appeared I'd just be staring at Edward for a few more moments as I remained in his arms.

"Have I rendered you speechless, love?" he finally asked.

"Possibly," I replied. He picked up his briefcase, took my hand in his, and guided both of us to the elevator.

By 10 a.m., two dozen long-stemmed red roses appeared in my office, courtesy of Edward. I went to his office immediately. "What are those?" I asked pointedly.

He was grinning boyishly again. There was no suppressing this man on a mission. He got up from his chair and came to stand beside me. "You aren't going to give those to Lauren for her desk, are you?"

"No," I said.

He reached around my waist and gave me another dizzying kiss. "Am I still on probation, love?"

"Pro…probation? Oh yes. Yes, you are," I finally got out. Damn him and his persuasive ways.

By the end of the week, news of Edward's actions in the lobby was buzzing all over the building. Apparently when Edward Cullen acts, people sit up and take notice. Lauren was practically swooning from the romantic gestures he was coming up with. Thankfully there was only that one "kissing in the lobby" episode. The others had been decidedly more low-key – roses, lunches either in or out of the office, heart-pounding kisses in either of our offices, sweet emails.

Our date night at The Lion King was fantastic! We went to dinner first and then the performance. It was everything I could've hoped for and more. Edward's hand on my knee the entire night might've helped with the flushed sensation I was feeling.

On Sunday afternoon, I received a call from Edward. He informed me he needed to go to Florida for the week for a business meeting. He hoped to be back in time for the benefit dinner on Friday night. I hoped so, too, as that was to be our first "official" date as a couple. He told me normally he would want me to go with him, but he didn't trust this business owner as far as he could throw him, so he didn't want me involved in that. I appreciated that he wanted to keep me safe.

The next week at work wasn't quite as thrilling as the past week was – without Edward there. I received an occasional email from him when he wasn't busy dealing with this dreaded business owner. One day, a package arrived for me. The card attached read: "Isabella, I hope you and Alice enjoy this. I'll always remember sharing a bit of Washington State with you. With love, Edward." When I opened the package, I saw he had sent me some Pacific Northwest salmon packed on dry ice. It made me want to cry because I missed him so much. Just because I'm from the Pacific Northwest doesn't mean I'm big on seafood, but Edward was so damn thoughtful – Alice and I were definitely feasting tonight!

By the time Friday rolled around, Jasper sent my "mopey ass" (and yes, those were his exact words) home at noon. He knew I needed to get ready for the benefit, but I barely wanted to attend if Edward wasn't going to be there. The last couple of days, I'd barely heard a peep from Edward. I knew he was working very hard with this business owner who was probably playing total hardball. And I knew Edward could play the same right back. The last thing I'd received from him was a text on my phone in the shape of a heart. Fuck this probation thing – I was crumbling from the inside. I needed and wanted Edward – more than anything else.

Alice came home soon afterward. She hauled us off to Enrique's again – God help us all. At least they fed me lunch while they tortured me! This time my nails were painted a blood red color to go with that little sliver of a dress I remembered seeing through very bleary eyes one morning. My hair was clipped up in the back without a multitude of little pins. Good thing – because if Edward showed up, I planned on getting it down in a hurry.

Once we were back home, I dialed Sam's cell phone to see how close to home they were. Great – voice mail. Why the hell didn't anyone pick up the damn phone anymore? I left him a message, though. I asked him if he was able to get Edward to the benefit and then us out of there later, if he would mind leaving Edward at my place. It seemed my lovely roommate was staying at the Cullen's for the weekend. Hussy – which I say with love, of course.

There was still no word from Edward as Alice slipped my short red Chelsey McLaren dress over my head. It was flared out at the bottom with a white petticoat slip and a slit up the back. I wore it with black stilettos which had ankle straps. Alice decided I looked adorable. I supposed outwardly, I did look nice, but inside, I was still missing Edward and only wanted to be in his arms.

We arrived at the benefit, where Jasper met us. "Have faith," he told me, in answer to my unasked question. Apparently I still looked pretty miserable. He was a master – as was Edward – at speaking to the press. They didn't have any interest in me at the moment, as I just appeared to be tagging along with Jasper and Alice. I looked over and saw Emmett with a beautiful blonde woman. That must be Rosalie Hale. They were speaking to the press as well.

After a round of drinks, we sat down to dinner. As they brought out the salad course, the seat next to me was still empty. I could barely eat past the lump in my throat. I was going to have to buck up and get over missing Edward. We could have a first "official" date some other time.

I was gazing miserably into my salad when I heard a quiet, "Bella," to my right. It was Jasper handing me his cell phone behind Alice's back. I looked up at him. "Apparently Edward's trying to text you and you don't have your phone."

Shit – my phone. I had left it in my haste of getting out of the apartment with Alice. I took Jasper's cell phone and looked at the display.

Jasper, is Isabella with you? I need to speak with her.

I typed back: Edward, it's Bella.

A moment later, a response: For fuck's sake, love. Where is your phone?

I responded: At home. I forgot it.

Another text: OK. I'm on my way. Sorry I'm late. I love you.

My response: I love you, too.

I handed Jasper back his phone, which he mercifully just slipped back in his pocket without reading the messages. Not that we'd said anything crazy, but it was nice to know he wasn't going to read our exchange right here and now.

Our salad plates were cleared away and the uniformed staff were just getting ready to serve the main course when my main course – Edward – came striding through the room to sit next to me. And then I smiled the first real one I believe I gave all week.

He grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. He nuzzled his nose gently to my neck for a moment and whispered, "Oh love, I've missed you."

I murmured, "Me too."

Dinner progressed normally, but with a slight buzzing throughout my body, now that Edward's thigh was permanently up against mine. The way he kept rubbing my neck during the auction afterward was distracting.

All too soon, it was over. Now it was time for the press to descend. I was not looking forward to this part at all. Edward held me to his side and said, "It will be over soon, love."

The press all jockeyed for position, almost overwhelming us, especially since Edward hadn't been there before the dinner started. And then they finally took notice of me.

"Ma'am, what is your name?" Bella Swan.

"What do you do?" I'm the Assistant to the Chief Operations Officer at Cullen International.

"I see you're here tonight with Edward Cullen. What is your relationship with him?" He is my boyfriend.

"Does he satisfy you in the bedroom?" No comment.

Seriously? I looked at the troll that asked that last question and knew she had to be from some gossip rag. I then I walked toward the limo where Sam stood holding open the door. Edward was still firmly within the grasp of the reporters.

Sam said, "Good evening, Bella. Edward wanted to get here as quickly as possible. He was changing in the car on the way over."

I giggled and said, "Good to know. Everything a 'go' for later?"

"Definitely!" he affirmed with a smile.

Finally Edward joined me in the car and we were off. He looked at me and said, "You seemed to do extremely well there, love, until the end."

"Well, I figured your performance in the bedroom was none of their business."

"Oh," he said, "I agree. Good job, love." He smiled at me.

We arrived at my apartment building and Edward got out of the car with me to give me a kiss. I shut the car door behind me.

Edward's arms were around me and his lips were branding into mine – just the way I'd dreamed of all week. He felt so good. My hands were on his shoulders and then in his hair, tugging on it. Sometime during our kiss, Sam had driven away.

When we came up for air, Edward said, "Now where the hell did Sam go?"

"Edward," I said, smiling and grabbing his hand, leading him toward my building, "probation is over."

Understanding dawned on his face with a slow smile and we went into the building together.