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-Edward-

The stairwell didn't give me much time to think, before I know it I've reached the top floor. There is a lounge area right outside the glass conference room where James is waiting very impatiently. He's staring through Ms. Swans office door like he's trying to light it on fire with his eyes. Sometimes I wonder if he has first hand knowledge of the scary ass shit he writes in his book. The man honestly creeps me out but he writes a mystery thriller that hooks you and drags you through until the very last page. He's talented but sometimes he makes the hair on my neck stand up.

I slip past him and into Ms. Swans office shutting the door behind me. It's almost unrecognizable She's had whiteboards installed floor to ceiling on every available inch of wall space. A plush charcoal grey couch sits underneath the windows leading out into the office. Its the cushioned bench nook that runs the entire length of the wall underneath the panoramic window facing out towards downtown Port Angela's that has my undivided attention. When did she have that designed?

The house in Seattle that I grew up in had a breakfast bay window that had seating just like this and it was my favorite spot in the whole world. I would sit in that nook all day reading and snacking while the house ran around me. It was my spot and I didn't realize how much I missed it until just now.

"There you are man, what took you so long?" My brother calls from the couch.

"I took the stairs." I answer him then address Ms. Swan who is looking out towards the city. "I'm sorry about James Ms. Swan."

She startles like she's just snapped out of a deep thought and turns my way. Her eyes look shocked, then troubled, but only for a second before her face sets into a small smile.

"Please call me Bella, that goes for all of you by the way, no 'Isabella's' or 'Ms. Swans' " she giggles toward my siblings and Angela. "I swear someday I'm going to look into having that legally changed."We all laugh. So she doesn't like to be called Isabella...noted. "Now about this asshat she points towards James, I understand this is all about his birthday falling on his launch date?"

My sister stands up from the couch followed by Emmett and Angela. She's the publicist so this is her baby, I learned a long time ago to stay out of the way when it comes to any of her events. I show up and smile that's it. "Yes, if you want me to move it I can, it won't be easy but I can do it..." She begins but Bella signals for her to stop she's laughing and shaking her head.

"Alice I'm not asking you to change it if anything I'd want you to make sure he got stuck at this book signing all freaking day." She smirks and Alice's face lights up. I know that look. They might as well get matching outfits because Alice just found a partner in crime.

She addresses the rest of us and I swear her cheeks flush red when she looks at me but I can't be sure, I do know the color is beautiful. "One thing you need to know right from the beginning is we're a team, I'll always have your backs...deal?"

"Deal!" We all agree collectively.

We follow her out into the main area where she asks James to follow us into the conference room. Bella sits at the head of the table and I take the one to her right. No sooner have we all sat down James decides its time for round two.

"I don't appreciate how you talked to me down there young lady, if that's how you plan on running this company don't plan on being around long." I look at Bella expecting fury but instead she is the picture of calm. This woman continues to impress me. She's the youngest one in this room and yet just her presence demands respect. There is just something so genuine about her I can't describe it.

"Well in all fairness Mr. Hunter I did ask you nicely to wait until the meeting was over it was you who decided to continue in front of my entire staff."

"Now loo.." Bella cuts him off.

"And lets get something else straight while we're at it. You seem to have this entire working relationship backwards. You gave us copyrights Mr. Hunter and by doing so you put your trust in us to make this venture as profitable as possible am I right so far?"

"Yes but..."

"My team has worked diligently this year, months and months of hard work and dedication so that when we put your novel out into the world with both of our names on it, that it makes us both a lot of money." She stands up from her chair leaning on the table, demanding his full attention.

"You are under contract with us, one that we can re-evaluate when the time comes to do so but for right now make no mistake about it the future of "Twisted affair" is in our very capable hands. You've done your job by creating a book that I have no doubt will be on every best seller list in the country come early next year. Now its our turn, this is what we do this is the contract you signed with us. And we are damn good at we do."

"There are twenty four hours in a day Mr. Hunter August 31st is no different. You will be in New York City signing every copy that gets thrown at you, you will take pictures with everyone holding a camera and you'll do it with a smile on your face. For five hours that day you are property of Swan Publishing and in accordance to the defamation of character clause that you signed in your contract, you'll put your best foot forward. The publishing community is much like Hollywood it's all about reputation. You break contract with the first publishing house you work for and you'll be lucky to write for an HOA newsletter."

The room is so quiet I can hear my heart beating in my ears. She looks so sexy. Half the shit she just threw at him I'm still trying to wrap my head around. She's good I'll give her that. Any doubt in my mind had just been replaced by complete faith that she could run this place with her eyes closed. Everything about her intrigues me she's a complete mystery...one I intend to figure out.

"What do you know about this business? Are you even legal to drink?" James...seriously? will the prick ever get a fucking clue. Bella's not phased at all, the only change in her posture is to calmly take her seat again with a small smile tugging her lips. Her next words leave me completely dumfounded.

"Well I can see you're capable of having a mature conversation about this." She says sarcastically. "I will be twenty-five next month. I graduated Columbia University two years ago double majoring in Publishing and business management. I have recently went on to receive my Masters in Business Management from the University of Washington. So to answer your so eloquently asked questions concerning my capabilities, I am of legal age to drink and fully qualified to run my grandmothers company. So I showed you mine now lets see yours Mr. Hunter. What qualifies you to come in here and question my team and the way this company runs?"

"I uh-" For once Mr. James Hunter is at a loss for words.

"How about this..." she says sickeningly sweet, "you continue to write great novels and we'll continue to bring them to life. How does that sound?"

James seems to have realized he has no chance against her, and looks almost sincere.

"I'm sorry Ms. Swan I have obviously misjudged you. You're right I know you guys care about my novels success as much as I do. New York City isn't so bad anyway right? Could be worse." He stands up and walks towards Bella who follows his lead. They shake hands and he looks to the rest of us and apologizes shaking my hand before dipping out of the room.

We all stare at each other for a second before bursting into laughter. Bella, Alice and Angela high five each other. Emmett fist bumps me and when I look back at Bella she's watching me. Beautiful brown eyes suck me in and I can't look away if I wanted too. For a second the job falls away and I feel my age. Sometime this job makes you feel old but with Bella here I could see it in my brother and sisters face and even in quiet Angela's that Bella was just the person SP needed. There isn't a person in this room over thirty for God sakes and for the first time in a while I actually felt like the young mid twenties man I am. Single too! My dick reminded me when Bella's cheeks did in fact flush while our eyes were still locked. The question is, is Bella single?

Actually its not. She's my boss. Nothing can happen.

I try to ignore the weight in my chest that thought causes.

As we all head out to our offices my eyes drop and I know its wrong but I can't stop. She has the perfect ass...why God, why?

Suddenly she turns around and I have to stop abruptly before falling into her. Her hand reaches up to my chest to stop the collision but its too late. The impact of her tiny hand on my chest feels like an electric paddle to my heart. Her eyes widen then adjust quickly before she speaks and I swear her voice is more breathy then I've ever heard it. She still hasn't moved and I can hardly breathe.

"Edward can I see you in my office?" She looks at me through her lashes. Shes still shorter than me even with those sexy heels. I nod my head because I think that's all I'm capable of doing right now and follow her to her office.

Sooo...what do you think? Do you think that's the last we'll hear from James? How do Emmett and Bella know each other and where the heck are Jasper and Rosalie? Leave me some love and I might just give you a hint ;)

psst...scroll down just a little bit more...there you go...now review!