Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters. I am making no money…

Special thanks to Jayeliwood for your support and ideas, but most of all for your help with commas. She is the best beta a writer could ask for. I must also thank ObsessingOverEdward and TheSpoiltOne for all their contribution. All three of you rock!

Chapter 4: Lunch Time

Bella Swan

I felt a rush of relief the minute he had left my office. He had backed down too easily, and I was sure that wasn't the end of it. It was just the beginning, because he didn't look like the type that gave up easily.

I sunk into my leather chair taking deep calming breaths. I wasn't ready for this type of drama. It wasn't what I needed. All I wanted was a better job that would allow me to be financially comfortable and have more time to spend with my son.

I logged into my computer, making sure everything worked while mentally preparing myself to face him again. I tried telling myself that he was just a normal man, a man that was my boss. But, none of that worked. I was attracted to him, and it seemed that nothing was going to change that. But, I knew I had to change it, for my own sanity.

I grabbed a notepad and a pen before heading across the hall to Edward's office. I knocked on his slightly open door, waiting for his response. I was extremely nervous, almost like a child being sent to the principal's office.

"Come in," he called. I took a deep breath and headed inside.

"You wanted to see me," I said weakly, chastising myself for having such a low confidence level.

"Have a seat, Isabella. Can I get you anything? Anything at all?" he asked. The double innuendo was not lost on me.

"I'm fine," I replied, brushing it off. His words didn't mean anything. He was safely behind his desk and I was on the other side. There was a good four, maybe five, feet between us.

"As you know, we specialize in corporate law. Each of us have our own cases, but there are bigger cases where we combine forces. Sometimes just two, maybe three of us, but there are major cases that demand the attention of all four of us." He explained in a business-like tone after I had sat down and had crossed my legs

"I'm currently looking after two major cases, and several smaller cases. I'll have my secretary deliver you copies of the files for you to read over." He continued as I jotted down a reminder to read over the files.

"Is there anything else?" I asked noticing that his eyes were on my legs. I wanted his attention on business and not on my body.

"That's it for now. Read the Murphy file first, he'll be coming in for a meeting at the end of the week and I would like for you to attend." He explained. I nodded in response before getting up.

"Isabella?" He called before I had reached the door.

"Yes?" I answered, turning around to face him and found that he was heading towards me.

"How about we discuss the files through lunch?" He suggested, standing close to me.

"I already have lunch plans with Alice." I answered, heading back to the door.

"Are you just saying that?" he asked. I shook my head before answering.

"If I wanted to make something up I would tell you I was having lunch with my boyfriend. But, I'm having lunch with Alice. If you need me I'll be in my office." I finished before quickly leaving the room.

Edward Cullen

I watched as she left my office. She had the most perfect body I had ever seen. But, as she walked away I had to look at her ass. I was a leg and ass man, and I had never seen a behind more faultless than hers. It was round and firm, and I couldn't wait to have it in my hands again.

But, the most interesting part of our conversation was that she was single. She had indirectly admitted to it, and that was definitely a point in my direction. She was going to take a lot more effort to crack than I had originally planned. Yet, I knew it would be worth it. I wanted her, needed her, in my bed.

I had a plan to formulate. She seemed like the girl that didn't fall for my usual strategies, and I would have to work on new ones. Plans that I hoped to put into action starting the next day. I was not a patient man, and I refused to wait any longer than I had to.

Bella Swan

The rest of the morning flew by. I was completely immersed in the files Edward's secretary had given me. I found the subject fascinating, and already had almost an entire notebook filled with notes and question I wanted to discuss with Edward. I was so preoccupied, that I jumped the minute the phone rang.

"This is Bella Swan," I said, picking up my phone for the first time. I felt very important having my own line and my own office. I felt like I had really made a someone out of myself.

"You're still at work," I heard Alice complain as I looked at my watch. I was twenty minutes late, and at least a ten minute walk from the restaurant we had agreed to meet in.

"I'm sorry, Alice. I completely lost track of time. I'll be there in fifteen minutes." I said as I looked for my cell phone.

"Hurry it up. They're holding the table I asked for." She added before hanging up.

I took my purse before rushing out of my office and into the hallway. I was always a punctual person, unless I was with Matt. My son was a lot like his father, in that respect. He would do things at his own time, and that usually meant I was late.

I was so preoccupied with getting to the restaurant quickly that barely notice when I hit a warm wall. The impact was so sudden that it caused me to completely lose my balance and fall to the floor. My clumsiness had struck again.

"Isabella," I heard Edward say in a concerned tone. Of all the people in the office, I just had to literally bump into Edward. Why was the world plotting against me?

"I'm fine," I assured him, gathering the stuff from my purse that had fallen on the floor.

"Let me help you," he offered squatting down and helping me pick up my things before extending his hand to me. Edward pulled me up effortlessly, and our bodies ended up inches away from each other. I was able to feel the heat coming off of his body.

"Thank you," I whispered, unable to move. My feet were glued down to the floor, and my eyes were glued to his.

"You're welcome," he responded in a soft tone as our lips inched closer and closer to each others.

The door to the break room opened and I immediately moved away from him. "I'm going to lunch," I informed him as Emmett eyed us suspiciously.

I was out the door like a rocket. I had almost kissed him. If it hadn't been for Emmett's sudden appearance I would've kissed him. I stepped out of the building letting the cool air hit my face. The air felt nice and it gave me a chance to clear my head. I had to stop thinking about him.

I arrived at the restaurant ten minutes later, and was instantly greeted by Alice. "You made it," she exclaimed as we sat down on a table overlooking the harbor.

"Of course, I did." I said smiling at her and picking up my menu.

"So, how's the job? Is Edward treating you right?" She asked, causing me to blush and hide behind my menu.

"It's great," I answered causing Alice to lower my menu and to look at me.

"Spill it," she ordered as I bit my lip nervously.

"It's nothing," I lied, unsure of what to tell her. Alice was my confidant, but I didn't know how she would react to the revelation that I had slept with her brother-in-law.

"Come on, Bella." She pleaded. "We tell each other everything."

"Edward is the guy from the club," I mumbled in a barely audible voice.

"Edward is what?" She asked obviously not hearing my mumble.

"He's the guy I slept with Friday night," I sighed picking up the menu and returning it as cover to my face. I was so ashamed of what I had done.

"You slept with Edward Cullen?" She hurriedly asked in a whisper, yanking the menu out of my hands. Her face was full of shock, and I knew why she was shocked. Edward was far too good looking to sleep with a woman like me. Of course, it would surprise her.

"Lets' drop it, Alice, please." I begged, looking out of the window and at the boats that were lined across the harbor.

"You shouldn't be embarrassed about sleeping with Edward," She said with a laugh. "The man is sex on legs. I would've slept with him if I hadn't met Jasper first."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better." I complained with a roll of my eyes. Edward was sex on legs. He just screamed sex, but she didn't have to lie.

"Honestly, he's completely doable." Alice continued turning slightly pink. "There is no shame in not being able to resist his charm. No woman I have ever known has been able to. Edward is far too charming for his own good."

"I'm not just any girl," I pointed out a bit miffed about her statement. "I don't sleep with strangers."

"You didn't," She added after the waiter had taken our order. "You slept with your boss, maybe you'll get a promotion." She joked.

"It's not funny, Alice." I seethed, crossing my arms across my chest. "He wanted to have lunch with me."

"He what?" Alice questioned leaning towards me, the curiosity was practically shining in her blue eyes.

"He asked me to lunch," I repeated. A smile spread across her face.

"You could've canceled. I'm my own boss. We can have lunch any day you want." She reminded me as I shook my head. Alice had started her own fashion line that was being sold in department stores across the country. But, having lunch with her was not the issue.

"I want a professional relationship with Edward. Nothing more, nothing less." I added, taking a piece of bread from the basket in between us.

"Would you date him if he wasn't your boss?" She inquired causing me to purse my lips.

"No, I don't date men like him. He's not my type." I replied a few seconds later. Edward was a womanizer, and not the relationship type at all.

"You don't have a type." Alice stated like it was the most obvious thing is. "You haven't been on a date in almost eight years."

"Sue me for being married," I huffed. "Edward is a player, and I don't need that."

"There's nothing wrong with being married, Bella. It's just that things have changed since you last dated." She replied, trying to make me feel better but doing the exact opposite.

"So, I'm just suppose to fall for the first guy who looks my way. Is that it? I just can't deal with men right now. I have Matt." I continued. We were discussing this as if I didn't have a more important responsibility at home. "I don't want to parade a million men in front of him."

"You don't have to, Bella. They don't have to meet Matt until you're ready. It's hardly healthy to do that to Matt. Divorce is hard enough on children anyway." She replied smartly, our food arriving.

"I don't even know why we're having this conversation." I said before tasting my clam chowder.

"Because, I think Edward likes you." She said nonchalantly as I dropped my spoon to look at her. Was she actually serious?

"He wants to get into my pants. He doesn't like me." I corrected, biting my lip before I continued my rant.

"That may be true, but I think there's more to it. He may not even know it yet." She mused with a small smile.

"And, you do?" I questioned skeptically.

"I do," She replied. "He never goes after the same woman twice. Edward can be arrogant and cocky, but he's a good guy, at least when he wants to be."

"The fact remains that he is my boss, and I need this job. Therefore, he's going to have to find some other woman to chase. I don't want anything to do with him." I finished before looking down at my watch. "I'm late."

"Go ahead," Alice urged. "It's my turn to take care of the bill anyway. You wouldn't want to keep Edward waiting."

"Very mature, Alice," I added causing her to laugh.

"I'll call you later." She said before I gave her a hug and rushed off back to work. I just had to make it through four more hours. I could do it, right?

Edward Cullen

"Your new assistant, nice." Emmett commented after he was sure that Bella was out of ear shot. He seemed slightly amused by the fact that he had caught us almost kissing.

"What's it to you?" I asked heading towards my office knowing that he was following close behind. Emmett liked to know everything.

"I would like to know of any ongoing in office romances," He started, taking a seat in the chair Bella had used previously. "I need to prepare myself for any drama that might come out of it."

"She shot me down, if you must know," I admitted, still peeved at the fact that she left for lunch with Alice instead of me. I wasn't used to rejection.

"Ouch!" Emmett cringed. "Well, there are other women out there. You can't expect to have them all."

"I slept with her Friday night." I added wanting his input. Emmett had been very much like me before he had met Rosalie. We were each other's partner in crime for years.

"Then?" He questioned.

"I was drunk, more than drunk, blasted. I don't remember a thing. I knew she was good. Hell, she was great." I explained my frustration rising. "I just can't remember a damn thing."

"So, you want a repeat?" He asked curiously. I replied with a nod. "She seems like a nice girl, Edward."

"Your point?" I inquired eying him suspiciously. "Are you saying I don't do nice girls?'

"No, I'm saying nice girls don't do you." He corrected causing me to frown.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, brother." I stated angrily.

"Hey, I'm not saying anything. I'm just saying that your usual approach isn't going to work with this one." He clarified while I listened closely. He did have a solid point.

"What should I do?" I asked my mind already formulating my plan.

"Woo her, be classy, be a gentleman." He advised. "Don't expect to get her into bed in one day."

"I'm not patient." I pointed out. He laughed softly.

"That I know, little brother." He teased. "But you're going to have to be full of patience for this one."

"You're right," I agreed, knowing just what I was going to do. If she wanted to be wooed, I could woo.

Bella Swan

"Hi, Matt!" I squealed as he jumped into the car. "Are you going to give me a hug?"

"Mom," He complained looking out the window. I knew he was looking to make sure his friends were not near us.

"I haven't seen in you in three days," I urged before he gave me a tight hug. "Can I go in the front?" He pleaded even though he knew the answer.

"Matt," I warned causing him to sigh in defeat.

"Fine, mom." He answered dejectedly. "I'll sit in the back."

I waited for him to buckle up in the seat before I began to drive us back home. I hated telling him 'no,' but it was too dangerous. He was a tall kid, like his father, but he was still a kid.

"How was your weekend with your dad?" I questioned curiously.

"We had fun." He stated with a huge smile. "We went to the fair, and I got to ride the bumper cars five times. He even let me drive."

"Wow!" I answered, hating the fact that I had missed the first time he had driven the bumper cars. I knew they wouldn't have pictures. "What else did you ride?"

"I rode everything. But, the best part was the Mirror Fun House." He energetically explained. "I got lost, and I scared Lauren."

"You did?" I asked, imagining her scream. "It seems like you had a fun weekend."

"It was, I wish you could've been there." He added sounding a bit sad. "It would've been funner that way."

"It's more fun, not funner." I corrected with a small smile. "I'll go with you to the carnival next time."

Matt had been pretty understanding about the divorce. He didn't know what it really meant, other than we were no longer married and would be living separately. He cried when Mike had left the house, but other than that, he didn't talk much about it

I had stayed in the house, because I didn't want to put him through too much change. Yet, Alice and I had redecorated to help me erase some of Mike. My bedroom had been completely redone as my own, and all our furniture had been moved around. It had taken a few months of gradual changes, but it no longer felt like it was Mike's house.

"I'm going to start dinner." I told Matt once we were home. "Do you want spaghetti?"

"Can I have ice cream for dessert?" He questioned causing me to laugh.

"Only if you eat your plate." I compromised, watching him while he picked up his school stuff and began to work on his homework.

"You're the best, mom." He said suddenly as I turned from the stove to look at him.

"Why the compliment?" I questioned curiously.

"I just love you." He said before walking to me to give me a hug.

"I love you, too, Matt." I sighed kissing the top of his head. All the worries of my day had suddenly disappeared.

A/N: I have updated a full day early. Can you believe it? So, how long will it take Bella to crack? Any ideas?

Well, I have a proposition for all my faithful readers. My one shot The Quiddicth Match is in the running for the SMC Contest which ends in a few hours. I'm currently in third place, and would love to get first or second place. If you guys help me accomplish that I will post another chapter tomorrow. Do you think you guys can go vote? (The link is on my Author Page).

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