I own nothing Twilight!

Thanks to Madam Akyria for the banner.

Love to my beta Elodie Whitlock

Warning!

This story will have many twist and turns and some may not be happy with its outcome. Remember you are choosing to read this so buckle up and just enjoy the crazy ride!

Chapter Two

~Just Another Day~

Why resist temptation? There will always be more. - Don Herold

IPOV (Bella)

The day started just like any other day. I slept in, ran some errands and opened the bar that my aunt owned called Bar and Grill. I worked for her my last year of college. After I graduated with an English degree from the Washington University, I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. She asked me if I wanted to move upstairs from the bar and manage it. This was a better option than moving back to Forks with my dad. My mom and dad got divorced when I was seven; I stayed with my dad after the divorce, because my mom seemed to be chasing one stupid dream after another.

Growing up with my dad wasn't too bad, even if he was the Chief of Police. He was strict but still gave me my space. I got away with more than I thought I might have. I guess that's why I did the crazy things I did in college.

I was currently single by choice and my life was pretty carefree. I recently had a few dates with one of the guys who hangs out at the bar, Edward. Well, I call him Eddie even though I know he hates it, Edward is just too stuffy of a name. He's hot as hell though, and he knows his way around the bedroom, but he just so straight-laced. I like my men with a bit of an edge to them.

I was restocking the beer when my first customer of the day came in.

"Hey Issy."

"Hey Garrett, where is your posse today?" I inquired. He never showed up alone.

"They'll be here momentarily. So, hook us up with three drafts and shots, my dear."

"You got it," I said as I poured the draft beer and the shots.

"So, how did your last date with Edward go?" Garrett asked. "You know he has it bad for you."

"I know Garrett. The date was, well, okay," I stammered and shot him the drop-the-subject-now look. I didn't want to talk about Edward.

My look must have worked. Garrett put his hands up in surrender and said, "Alright. No Edward talk."

I handed him his beer and shot and placed the other two down next to him. "We will get along just fine then," I said and winked at him.

"Hey Issy, is he giving you a hard time?" Paul asked as he walked in the door.

"Want me to kick his ass for you?" Sam interjected, following behind Paul.

I laughed. "Sam, I have a better chance of kicking his ass than you do. I need to go in back and change a keg. Can you three handle keeping an eye on things?"

"You're going to trust the safety of your bar to these idiots?" Jake barked as he walked in.

"Where have you been hiding? Have you been cheating on me by hanging out at another hole in the wall bar?" I asked Jake, jokingly, as I handed him a beer.

"I would never cheat on you, Issy. You're too good to me," he responded as he sat down at the bar.

After shooting the shit with Jake for a few minutes, I headed in the back to change the keg. I truly loved my job here, these guys were like my family and there was never a dull moment with them around.

When I came out of the back room, I spotted the sexiest man I'd ever seen sitting at the bar. He had beautiful blond hair, blue eyes, and what looked to be a muscular body. He looked to be in his late thirties. It never hurt to flirt right?

I walked up to him and smiled. "Hey, there. I haven't seen you in here before. What can I get you, sexy?"

"Gin and tonic, please," he answered.

"My name's Issy, what's yours?"

"Carlisle," he stammered, after hesitating for a moment.

"I haven't heard that name in ages," I thought as I mixed his drink. "Do you have a nickname?"

"Yes," he sighed. "The guys at the hospital call me Carl."

"The hospital?" I inquired. Could he be a doctor? I really hoped so, because my fantasy would just get better, I thought as I handed him his drink.

"Yes, I'm a doctor."

"Oh," was my brilliant response. My insides went crazy at the thought of him in scrubs. I composed myself and decided to have some fun. "Can I call you Carl then?"

"Yes, you can call me Carl," he responded. He didn't sound too thrilled about it though. I wondered why that was.

"Issy, would ya stop flirting and get me a beer? I'm dying of thirst over here," Garrett yelled from the other end of the bar. I swore, one of these days I'd kill him.

"Keep your pants on Garrett," I scolded. "I swear he was born in a barn," I whispered to Carl and then winked.

I felt his eyes on me as I poured dip-shit his beer. I handed Garrett his beer and went back over to Carl. I wanted to get to know him better.

"So, what brought you in here tonight?" I asked.

"I just needed a change of scenery and unwind from a crazy day."

"Isn't Mrs. Dr. Carl waiting for you at home?" I inquired. Please don't let there be a Mrs.

"I can assure you that the ex-Mrs. Dr. Carl doesn't care where I am," he responded quickly, then took a sip of his drink.

"Sorry," I said, trying to sound sad, but my insides jumped for joy.

"No need to apologize, it was going to happen sooner or later."

"Well, hot stuff, I can assure you her loss will be some other girl's gain," I said with a smirk. Wishing that maybe it could be my gain.

He laughed. "So, tell me about you. Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Nope," I answered popping the p.

"Not that Edward hasn't tried," Garrett shouted. I wished Garrett would just fuck off right now.

"Shut up. No one is talking to you," I snapped at him.

"Who's Edward?" Carl inquired.

I sighed. "He comes in all time and I guess you could say he likes me."

"Is he ugly?" he asked.

"No, he's actually pretty hot," I answered and then laughed.

"Then what's the issue?'

"He's just not my type," I stated matter-of-factly.

"What is your type?" he asked. I detected what I hoped was a hint of curiosity in his voice.

This made my insides flip yet again. I thought for a moment about his question before I answered.

"Wild, mysterious, maybe even dangerous. Edward is just so," I paused for a moment, "predictable and I don't know. I guess safe is the word I'd use for him." I laughed. "He would be the sensible choice for a girl to make, but I like living on the edge," I whispered the last part to him as I leaned over the bar.

My closeness seemed to have an effect on him.

The night continued just as any other night did, except that I had Carl to flirt with. We seemed to have some chemistry going and I hoped he felt the same way. Closing time came and it was just me and Carl left.

"You close up all time by yourself?" he asked in a concerned voice.

"Usually one of the regulars will wait 'til I lock the door. But I felt safe with you here."

"But you have to walk out alone then?" he asked using that same worried tone again.

I let out a laugh. "I live upstairs. This is my aunt's bar but I pretty much run it. She pays me well and the rent is cheap."

"Oh, so this is what you do for a living?" he asked. I loved the fact that he was curious about me.

"It's not so bad." I paused for a moment from cleaning down the bar and looked at him. " We're closed on Sundays and Mondays. I just haven't figured out what I want to do when I grow up. I graduated college with an English degree. There aren't many jobs out there for someone whose passion is reading," I said sarcastically.

"That's true," he replied with a smile.

I quickly tossed the rag in the bin and sauntered over to him. I wanted him in the worst way and I figured I had a good chance on getting him upstairs. "So Carl, you leaving or are you coming upstairs with me?" I asked. Please say upstairs.

"What?" he asked, sounding very shocked.

"Look, we're both adults and I find you very sexy. I've had a great time talking to you tonight. I just wondered if you would want to take this upstairs? I'd like to get to know you better," I said in the sexiest voice I could muster.

"Lead the way," he finally answered.

I walked towards the door and locked it, then bent over to hit the extra lock on the bottom. I heard him gasp, I giggled because I was pretty sure he just got a look at the top of my tattoo. So that means he was watching me. Maybe Carl did have an interest in me.

"You look like the cat that ate the canary," I said and then smirked grabbing his hand.

This was the first time we had skin on skin contact, and a warmth spread threw me that I'd never felt before.

We made it up to my apartment.

"Make yourself comfortable. Can I get you beer or anything?"

"That would be great," he answered as he sat down on my sofa. "Who's this?" he asked as he picked up a photo that was on the coffee table.

I walked over to him and handed him a beer and looked at the photo "Sorry," I said as I sat down next to him and placed it aside. "That's Eddie and me. The photo was taken a few weeks back. I've gone on a few dates with him and he knows where we stand. He stopped by and gave it to me last night. I guess I forgot about it," I explained hoping he understood.

He just listened and nodded. He looked relieved that I wasn't hiding a boyfriend from him. I decided to be bold.

"Carl," I said softly.

His eyes met mine and I licked my lips, leaning slightly forward testing the waters. Before I could blink he closed the distance and I felt his warm lips up against mine.

End Notes:

Leave a comment and in return I'll reply with a teaser for the next chapter!