So apologies first – I am a review reply fail and I'm terribly sorry. This week was crazy and I promise to be better. Thanks again to all who are reading. I know this is starting out as a typical Edward is a Player story, but I hope I have enough twists and turns planned to keep you interested. If not and we part ways, no hard feelings. I'm really just doing this because I like to and I finally have a smidgen (and I do mean smidgen) of extra time.

AN: I do not own Twilight. But I do own all of my errors – sorry in advance!

Chapter 3

The Trial Run

EPOV

For the next five hours I busied myself with paper work, inventory, and reminding my brain that no matter what, I was going to prove Emmett wrong. I really didn't think it would be that difficult. I mean, I wasn't a complete tool. I did have some self-control.

However, when the responsible and indispensable police chief's daughter slash child tamer Bella Swan stepped into my bar, everything about the conversation with my brother became a blur. Except the part where I like to fuck pretty girls.

Because damn he was right, she was so…fucking…pretty. I hate when Emmett is right.

Legs that went on for days, tits that screamed touch me, pink, pouty lips, chocolate eyes that matched her long, silky hair. She wasn't just pretty, she was stunningly gorgeous. I swallowed slowly as I realized that staying away from her was probably going to more difficult that I originally thought.

Or maybe virtually impossible.

She looked around just inside the door, unsure of what to do. She looked so innocent, vulnerable and that just made me want her more. But it also made me feel nervous for her, like I didn't like the idea that she may be uncomfortable. It was a new feeling that I quickly shrugged off as I made my way around a few patrons and headed towards her.

"Hi, are you Bella?" She seemed relieved that someone knew she was supposed to be here.

"Yes. Are you Edward? It's nice to meet you." I took her outstretched hand in mine and felt a soothing warmth travel up my arm.

"Nice to meet you, too. I thought maybe you would want to try behind the bar. Emmett said you needed to make money and it's the best place for tips." Okay, now I was deviating from my original plan to have Charlotte first train her to waitress. For some reason I didn't like the idea of her having to deal with rowdy college drunks. Also, by putting her behind the bar I pretty much just took responsibility for all of her training. And she had absolutely no bartending experience. What the fuck was I thinking?

Oh, you're thinking a lot. Just not with your brain.

"Oh, okay. Whatever you think is best. I really appreciate you giving me a chance." God, she was cute.

"No problem. Why don't you put your stuff behind the bar and I'll get you a shirt. Once you're changed we'll get started.

The first two hours were frustrating on many levels. Just seeing the bar logo and my name stretched across Bella's perfect chest made keeping my focus and my erection under control a challenge. Aside from the never ending uncomfortable situation in my pants, Bella turned out to be a fast learner but she was clumsy as hell. At first I thought it was just nerves but after three broken glasses I was beginning to wonder. However, what was more frustrating was that I didn't even care. Each time she got this panicked expression on her face that was followed by self disappointment. Normally, I would be telling the glass breaker that the next one came out of their check which could be their final one if they didn't shape up. Instead, I was telling her it was okay and that it happens to everyone on their first day. I was acting like such a pussy and couldn't even stop myself. It was maddening.

As the night went on things began to improve. Bella got a better handle on her jitters as well as how to work the bar and we fell into an easy rhythm. She took care of the beer orders while I did all of the mixed drinks. Whenever she had a chance, she would ask me what I was making and take note of what I was mixing together. I could tell that it was only a matter of time before she would be able to handle the bar by herself.

To my surprise and pleasure, as Bella's confidence grew, so did her level of comfort around me. It started with a few little jokes here and there, a couple of knowing smiles. By mid-shift the flirting began and with that came the unintentional intentional touching. A hand on the small of her back as I was passing behind her. The touch of her hand on my forearm when she wanted to get my attention. The feel of the ends of her hair tickling my arm as she closely and intently watched how I made a particular drink. From her demeanor I had figured out that she was truly a nice girl and this was her just being friendly. But for me, by the time last call was announced my dick was aching to come out and play and I was ready to fuck her right there on the bar. And that was something I never did. The bar was sacred, never to be desecrated, but apparently I was ready to throw away years of moral standards to violate it fifty different ways with Bella.

We sent the last customer home in a cab and locked the doors. Bella helped Charlotte clear tables while I cleaned up the bar. With things mostly in order, Charlotte announced she was taking off and I eagerly counted out her share of the tips. As I gave her the money and a smile that I'm sure screamed get the fuck out, she leaned into me and spoke so only I could hear.

"Remember, you promised Emmett." She glanced back to Bella before bringing her gaze back to me. How the fuck did she know? She wasn't even there when we talked.

"What?" I asked like I had no idea what she was talking about?

"Nice, try. You know what. Rosalie called me." I rolled my eyes and groaned knowing I had been busted. "I would advise you not to fuck the babysitter if you don't want to get castrated." I gave her my most offended look.

"Of course I'm not going to fuck her. After all these years you wound me, girl. I'm just going to put the money in the safe and call her a cab if she needs one. And then I'm going home…alone. A promise is a promise."

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

Charlotte gave me a long, hard stare before seeing something that satisfied her. "Okay, we'll see. Catch you tomorrow." I was relieved when she turned away from me. "Nice job tonight, Bella. See you later." She called out. Bella looked up from the glasses she was washing and smiled.

"Bye Charlotte. It was nice meeting you. Thanks for everything." Once she left Bella and I worked in relative silence for the next half-hour. Other than a few directions on how to close up, I kept the conversation to a minimum. First, I was counting down the cash register and didn't want to make any mistakes that would make my books a living nightmare later, and second, if I talked to her I was going to want to fuck her. My brother's plea and Charlotte's warning tugged at my brain making me want to at least try to keep my promise.

But fuck, it was hard. I was hard.

Watching her already tight as hell jeans stretch over her perfect ass as she bent over to wipe down the last of the tables was not helping my resolve…at all. I busied myself counting out her tip money and then getting the rest of it ready for the morning bank deposit before locking it in the safe. When it looked like we were completely finished for the night, I grabbed the tip money, took a deep breath, and walked over to her as she gathered her things from behind the bar.

"So look, you did a great job tonight. Payday is Friday but you can take your tips with you tonight." She took the enveloped as I handed.

So…payday is Friday. Does that mean you're giving me a job?" Her head was tilted as she nervously bit her bottom lip. Her eyes were pleading with me. She could have asked me for anything at that moment and I would have given it to her.

"I think we could really use you around here so it's yours if you want it." You would have thought I gave her a winning lottery ticket the way her smile lit up her entire face. I had seen her smile several times tonight, but not like this. It made her even more beautiful.

"Really, oh my God! Thank you, thank you so much." Bella bounced on her toes and I couldn't tear my eyes away from her chest with my name across it as it went up and down, up and down.

And up and down…

It was so distracting that I didn't register her intentions. Before I could brace myself, she wrapped her arms around and hugged me. I instinctually took a breath and the smell of coconut and the beach filled my entire body. My fists clenched at my sides in a futile attempt at restraint. When she finally retreated I was holding on by a thread.

"I think a couple more nights of training would be good for you and then we can see about a more permanent schedule. Does tomorrow night work?" The thought of having her here again both thrilled and terrified me at the same time.

"Of course, I can work pretty much any night. Sometimes Rosalie and Emmett ask me to babysit, but that's only once in a while. Tomorrow is fine."

"Great. Tomorrow it is." We kind of stood there awkwardly for what could have been an hour but in reality it was probably only a few seconds. I made the mistake and glanced down to her mouth where her teeth were still holding her bottom lip hostage. I couldn't stop staring, it was just so…inviting.

"Okay, then. I'm just going to go." Bella stepped to the side making me realize that I had moved closer and had been invading her personal space. The waft of coconut I inhaled as she walked by helped me to regain my senses. I had made her feel uncomfortable.

Fuck.

"Listen, Bella…" I tried to explain, what I had not idea, but I couldn't let her leave without at least apologizing. Before I could get anything else out, she interrupted.

"No, no, it's okay. I hugged you and I shouldn't have and…and I'm not the type of girl who would make a pass at her boss on the first day of a potential job, or any day for that matter. I'm not." She huffed a little before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. I didn't like seeing her distressed, especially since it was me who was making the pass at her. It was time to save her.

"I know you're not. Let's just say it was a misunderstanding." A second later I changed the topic. "So tomorrow, say five o'clock?"

She agreed and then quickly said good-bye and headed out the door. I watched to make sure she made it to her red pick-up before closing the door and locking it. My hand instantly made its way to my hair as I contemplated the events of the night. A lot of it, my feeling, my actions, my reactions to Bella were so confusing. I couldn't really make heads or tails of it all. But one thing I knew for sure. I kept my promise.

But for how long.

That was indeed the question.

Thank you for reading! It makes me smile!