A/N: To all of you read, my heartfelt thanks.

Team Guardian – callsignc30, twilighterny, maria2906 and the lovely renas40. Without your constant support and encouragement, none of this is possible.

To KellyProvence, Kelly123abc and twimom76 thank you for your legal input. If I have messed it, up it is all my own doing, so readers I request you believe all is possible.

A couple of quick points from kind readers who took the trouble to point this out:

1.Dartmouth does not have a law school in reality but for the purposes of this fic it has a rather prestigious one.

2. Bella flies to Manchester and then drives herself to Hanover or catches the shuttle to Dartmouth.

On to the story, Bella in the boardroom with Edward...Cue music.

Ch 7 Evade

And then his mouth swooped, claiming mine in a punishing, open mouthed, lust-fuelled kiss.

For one brief moment, shock locked me motionless, unable to respond.

What the fuck?

For another fleeting second, indignant fury held sway.

How dare he? Four months. Four fucking long months with no word. Not a single word.

But before I could process my thoughts any further, warm delicious fire melted my bones and desire kicked my body into play.

Edward's lips crashed against mine, inflaming my senses as his ravenous mouth took deep wet tastes of my lips and teeth. Our tongues tangled, fighting for supremacy yet frantic to communicate craving and carnal lust for each other.

The urgency of our kisses saw his hand capture my hair, yanking my head into a position where his exquisite tongue could thrust deeper inside my mouth, wickedly mimicking the actions of fucking. His other hand slapped down hard on my ass, firmly cupping the rounded flesh to pull me closer. If I could have crawled into him it would still not be close enough to satisfy the raging desire streaking my veins.

Without breaking contact, my arms soared to his neck, hands stroking into his luscious bronze hair, drawing him closer to my starved body. His teeth nibbled gently on my lower lip, while his hand traced slowly lower. A thumb reached out to tease my nipple, launching sharp spears of lust and causing moisture to soak into my thong. If there had been no threat of discovery, there was no doubt in my mind that Edward would have fucked me on the boardroom table or against a paneled wall and I would have loved every single moment of it, screaming his name as I came...repeatedly.

It was anyone's guess, for how long we stood, hungrily devouring, sucking and fucking each other's mouths, silently communicating our apologies for harsh words and absence over the last months. Edward's kisses transformed me into a writhing, mindless, boneless Bella who yearned only for his touch.

The sounds of Mrs Cope greeting Carlisle as he made his way towards the boardroom filtered through our lust filled haze. Recognising imminent interruption, Edward's lips gentled on mine as he leisurely withdrew his tongue and brought our passionate kisses to a close. Without releasing his hold, he bestowed a reverent kiss on my forehead, its gentleness and beauties making me feel like a precious and much-adored jewel. Placing a hand on my hip, he half rotated my body to face the door. Our hips remained aligned, our bodies pressed tightly to each other, chest to knee, one arm slung across my back reaching up into my hair, while the other lay possessively on my hip. My arms remained wrapped around his neck, unable or unwilling to release him.

"We need to talk...Hmmm. Later?" As Edward spoke the words, the desire and warmth heating his jade green eyes had me enraptured in his arms. I had no intention of leaving them.

Ever.

It was in this position, that Carlisle found us as he entered through the boardroom doors. He paused for a moment, taking in the scene before him prior to proceeding with warm greetings and good wishes.

"Bella, my dear." His voice boomed with pleasure. "How wonderful to see you and how lovely you look." If I had been paying attention to Carlisle's face instead of his words, I would have noticed the pointed look he gave at the position of Edward's hands.

I disentangled myself reluctantly from Edward to approach Carlisle. While Carlisle had been a fond and loving adoptive father, there had always been a little restraint in our relationship. I had always deemed the added burden of being the Chairman of Cullen-Swan, knowing one day that I would be a major player in the firm, added gravity to Carlisle's interactions with me in much a similar vein to his serious relationship with his eldest son Edward.

Despite this, the affection between us remained. Reflecting my genuine pleasure in seeing him again, I rewarded him with an affectionate buss on the cheeks. Hugs were exchanged and a warm invite extended.

"Come through my dear, I wanted to have a word with you and Edward in my office before our morning meetings. Is that ok?"

Without waiting for an answer, he turned and motioned us to begin making our way through doors at the opposite end of the boardroom. Nodding in agreement and momentarily at peace with the state of my relationship with Edward, I followed Carlisle into the chairman's office.

The office was really a suite situated in the centre of the executive wing across the hall from the boardroom. Like the other executive suites, it show cased wall to floor glass windows behind the enormous desk and exhibited tasteful decor in classic muted tones. The masculine flavour of the room was complemented by rich Californian hardwood bookshelves, a small built in bar and black leather lounges.

Every time I entered this room, echoes of power and prestige hung in the air, deepening my awe and today, adding to my slight sense of nervousness.

With every step, I was conscious of Edward directly behind me. My body reacted to his nearness with awareness and ever deepening arousal. My nipples remained almost painfully pointed and moisture soaked my thong as a result of our passionate kisses in the boardroom. My breath had evened out by the time I seated myself into the luxurious leather chair in front of Carlisle's desk. A covert glance at Edward revealed his imposing body being lowered into the other seat, his composure seemingly unaffected by our earlier exchange. We sat so close, that my knee accidentally grazed his grey suited thigh, causing us both to immediately lock onto each other in silent shock at the electric sensation generated by the small contact.

The sound of Carlisle clearing his throat snapped my attention back to the matter at hand. Not by tone or demeanour had he indicated that the scene he had walked in on in the boardroom was by any means dissimilar or unusual to other occasions when Edward and I had demonstrated affection towards each other. By arriving at this conclusion, I eased some of my embarrassment and enabled a shift of focus to the business of the day.

Seating himself behind the Chairman's desk, Carlisle began speaking in muted yet determined tones. "Bella, my dear, Edward and I have a matter that necessitates discussion with you as the major shareholder in Cullen-Swan. We would like to present a motion to the Board at the next meeting but thought it best to meet with you face to face prior to that to decide our next course of action. Subsequently, I have advised all Board members the meeting will be held next week."

The seriousness, with which Carlisle spoke, had me shifting apprehensively in my seat. I shot an anxious look at Edward from the corner of my eye but his relaxed bearing gave no indication as to precisely what topic warranted such considered forethought.

"Carlisle?" My interest was spiked. I trusted the Cullens with my life. My father trusted Carlisle with his firm and his daughter. Surely it could be nothing that was not in the best interests of either?

"Well Bella, it really is due to Edward." Pride filtered through in the choice of words. Once again l took a sideway glance at Edward but nothing was conveyed from his body language or manner.

"Yes?" I turned back to Carlisle with a questioning frown.

"It really comes down to this," Carlisle offered by way of explanation. "Edward's successful defence for the Denali Manufacturing Company in the hearings against the NTSB brought us some considerable accolades in Chicago. As we debated at our last board meeting, Cullen-Swan has long considered expanding the firm nationwide and we.. Edward and I, think that Chicago is the right place to open our next office."

He paused, waiting for a reaction from me but my inherent sense of wariness prevented comment until I had the full facts. With neither approval nor dissent forthcoming from my direction, Carlisle persisted. "The Denalis are extremely grateful with the work the firm has done and have offered to assist with the expansion by engaging us on retainer as their in-house lawyers. This could really be shrewd business tactic for us. Any expansion to another major city would require millions of dollars of investment to be released from the firm's accounts and months, if not years of discussion with the Board. This way, we can respond rapidly to an opportunity with low risk and sure fire guarantee of success."

To say I was surprised by the suggestion, financially sound or not was an understatement but like any business woman worth her while I was prepared to consider all options once the facts were on the table. After all, this is what I would be doing in the future as a joint CEO with Edward.

"What do we know about the Denali?" Impatient questions began to emerge.

To my surprise, Edward answered the question. "Eleazar Denali is 60, his wife Kate is 55, their children are Garrett, who is 30 and their youngest Tanya is 25. Automobile manufacturing, based in Chicago for forty years. Close-knitted Italians. Eleazar is the CEO, Garret is the Chief Engineer, and Tanya is their Public Relations Officer."

The answer was rattled off as if learned by rote.

As I tried to process the information Edward supplied, a nagging thought escalated to the surface and demanded an immediate response. "Hang on, are you telling me that our client, the client that was taken to the federal court by the NTSB for suspected safety negligence is considered a good shareholder in Cullen-Swan? Do we really want to get into a bed with firm with that hanging over it?"

"Bella, I won the case remember." Edwards prompt answer had me sitting back in my seat, a little bewildered at the exasperation in his tone. "It was the suppliers fault. Nobody at Denali's was found to be at fault." I was amazed at his vehement tone but guessed this is what made him the kick- ass top class lawyer that he was.

"But you have a right to be concerned with whom we partner. I can tell you that the Denalis brilliantly handled the press on the announcement of innocent verdict. Tanya made a statement acknowledging the loss that the victims had endured and introduced the establishment of a charity organisation directed at car safety." He paused for a moment before sharing his point of view further. "I got to know the family a little during my time in Chicago. They are decent, hard working people and I think they would make an excellent merger partner for us Bella."

A sense of uneasiness started to trickle into my consciousness. Edward even mentioning another woman's name released emotions, previously unearthed, of jealousy and possessiveness. I struggled to stay focused on the conversation as I internally battled to keep a lid on my volatile passions. Little by little though, his last words seeped into my perception, knocking all other thought from my mind.

"Merger? What exactly do you mean by that?" I whipped back, a sinking feeling pervading my stomach.

"Ah. Yes." Carlisle hesitated for a second before proceeding. "Well there are conditions on the offer."

For some unknown reason, anxiety and anger began to build within me. If I didn't know better, I felt like I was being played by a master.

The next words from Carlisle's mouth confirmed my suspicions.

"The Denali's will bankroll our expansion but only on condition of a share exchange. They have proposed a ten percent stake in Cullen-Swan in exchange for a five year appointment as their in-house lawyers and a five percent interest in Denali. I consider this is a good offer. My advice would be to accept." Carlisle paused for a solitary moment allowing the impact of his words take effect.

"However, it would mean both of us selling a five percent interest in our shares. As a result, while you would remain the major shareholder Bella, you would lose outright ownership of the company. I don't want to sugar coat this, it would be hard for you Bella, but it is the best course of action for the future of the firm."

I took a moment to digest Carlisle's words before lurching to my feet. "What? What the hell do you mean Carlisle?"

Edward rose in immediate response to my alarm and stretched out to grab my hand as if soothing a sullen child. "Bella." He pulled my hand to rest on his chest as if pleading for understanding. For a moment the sensation of holding his hand pushed all other thoughts from my head. My day dreams roared to life for a joyous moment then rudely shattered as he continued with his appeal. "Please baby."

Gesturing towards my chair, he motioned for me to reseat myself. "Sit down and I'll explain."

"What the hell? No! Let. Go. Of. Me." I angrily tugged my hand from his grasp, rejecting the patronising action and words as disrespectful to my role in the firm and age. I was no longer a child and nobody knew that better than Edward himself.

There was NO fucking way I was going to sell any of my shares in Cullen-Swan. There was no fucking way I was going to give up my ownership in this firm and if that meant blocking this action then I was resolved to pursue that course.

How dare they! How fucking dare they.

Disappointment in the Carlisle and Edward intensified rapidly. Their seemingly innocent request had worsened the confusion and anger that weighed down on me like a heavy cloak. Howcould they ask me to give up any part of my parents that remained mine? How could he ask me?

It wasn't the pride or prestige of ownership that made me angrily refute the offer. This was my last precious link to my parents and choosing to give up a single share would be like tearing my own heart out.

I had always been of the view that no one had known it better than Edward. He had always shared my inner thoughts of belonging to and longing for the firm. It provided a source of identity as I grew to womanhood in a household dominated by the Cullens. In addition to the chocolate brown eyes inherited from an absent but much loved father, the law firm that proudly carried his name was a lone reminder that I was a Swan.

To sell it, to willingly barter away what he had so carefully nurtured and developed was a rejection of every deeply grained value with which I lived my life. It always boiled down to profit over love? Such an action would weaken the links in the chain of my identity and self respect.

Every single share in my possession was a living legacy to the lives of Charlie and Renee Swan, just as I was an embodiment of their dreams, hopes and desires.

I would never ever sell a single share of mine to another.

Neither to a Denali nor even a Cullen...no matter the outcome.

No matter the cost to me, to the Cullens or my relationship with the Cullens.

This last thought stirred me into action. "How dare you!" I choked out. My eyes glued on Edward, wilfully accusing him of this final betrayal. "You... you know what this firm means to me."

My eyes fell to the ground, desperate to keep my composure even as I felt Edwards heavy-lidded gaze fixed upon me. My emotions had me in a head spin as fury, anger, and treachery emerged as victors. The last emotion bringing tears to my eyes and heralding an imminent breakdown.

There had been so much volatility and explosiveness between Edward and I in our last two encounters that I was suffering emotional whiplash. I was at my breaking point and could not take this any longer.

Not now.

Not today.

I needed out. Now before I broke down in a torrent of tears.

Forks. I was going to Forks.

I needed to talk to my parents. I needed to feel close to them by being in the place where they were finally laid to rest.

And I needed to be away from Edward.

"No." The words roared from my mouth, the first words in response to a seemingly reasonable proposal.

"How could you?" I swung my whole body to face Edward, the pent up emotions of betrayal and disloyalty causing me to shiver where I stood. "How could you do this to me…?" As tears began to spill onto my cheeks, I repeated my pleas. "How could you, to me?" I held my tongue on the end of the sentence as I soundlessly repeated the next words in my mind. "When it was just twenty minutes ago you were kissing me like our lives depended on it? How?"

Watching my face intently, he reached out a hand in unspoken appeal but the gesture served only to initiate flight. Unable to see clearly through my weeping, I stumbled towards the elevator on autopilot, conscious of Edward calling my name in frustration behind me.

'Bella…Please….Bella... Wait." His footsteps sounded immediately behind mine causing me to step away faster. I contemplated taking the stairs but forty five flights left me with little choice but to impatiently stab at the elevator call button. I prayed for the damned elevator to arrive before Edward could reach me.

As I stepped into the opening doors, a hard hand seized me.

Looking down, my eyes hungrily roamed the muscled forearm with which he tightly gripped my arm, attempting to prevent my departure and drawing me back to his body.

Gathering my resolve, I hissed at him like a spiteful cat. "Stop it. Please. Edward …just let me go." Words born in anger and fury but ending in defeat. "I can't do this…not please let me go." Half heartedly I made an attempt to pull myself away from his hold but with little success.

Not once during the exchange could I look him in the eyes, knowing that if I did, all willpower to leave would dissolve in a desire to be near him. However, the faithless accusation floating in my voice did not go unrecognised by Edward. He reluctantly released my arm and bent to whisper a threat into my ear. "My Bella. My not so little Bella. I'll let you go… for now. But I am coming for you and we are going to talk. You need to trust me baby."

A chill trickled up my spine. Excitement battled fear, rearing its head and seeking solace in the promise held within Edward's words.

With only silence spinning between us, his hand fell from my body, allowing escape.

I could suddenly feel nothing but the biting cold yet I nodded in silent acquiescence with Edward's intentions. Without turning to glance back, I collected myself to walk into the elevator. My hand darted out to press the doors closed. As they drew silently forward, my eyes frantically searched then locked onto Edward's fiery green orbs.

Edward PoV

As the elevator doors closed, my eyes held Bella's until the last possible moment. The tears pooling in her beautiful brown eyes were tearing me apart. Every protective emotion contained in my body roared to life, every instinct to guard her from pain and sorrow reared its head. I understood her grief today, sensing her feelings of loss and betrayal but all I wanted to do was what I had always done since she had been a child -hold her, protect her and comfort her.

Tell her it would all be alright; that we would move past this like we had all other hurdles.

Together.

But our relationship was changing and lately, it seemed the source of all of Bella's pain was me.

Always me -hurting her, rejecting her.

I stood in silence, staring at the elevator for several minutes, tracking its movement to the basement as it took her further from me with every passing floor. Frustration and anger at the situation we found ourselves in flared to life. Shit. Shit. Shit .Shit. Shit. This was not what I wanted.

Fucking hell.

I slammed my hand in aggravation against the elevator console. The slight sense of pain on impact was reassuring in its sensation. It was only ten o'clock in the morning and the day had gone to shit already.

Grimly accepting the fucking mess that was my relationship with Bella, I trawled my fingers through my hair; it's now tousled state appropriately reflecting my conflict. As I marched back to the boardroom, my mind formulated next steps. I resigned myself to undertake the back to back meetings in my diary before I could find Bella.

And I would find Bella.

I needed to find Bella.

I would find her. Talk to her. Fuck h...

All inner desires evaporated as I came to a sudden halt. There facing me, stood Carlisle. He had stirred not a single step from the position in which i had left him when I charged out of his office after Bella. His whole demeanour radiated displeasure. Arms were folded in two, eyes narrowed suspiciously and a certain wariness battled with the disgruntled frown encapsulating his face.

Fuck.

This was not good.

But before a single breath could leave my mouth, harsh words assaulted my ears.

"Exactly what the hell is going on between you and Bella?"

Carlisle was not pleased.

"And when are you going to tell her about Tanya?"

Ally Note:

Thank you for reading and all the favourites & reviews.

More EPOV soon… Jealousward and I will be in hiding on the twi thread (link on my profile)

But pls go ahead and leave me/him some love/hate here. You can even flame us if you want ;)

Cheers

AllyinPerth (twitter).

Next update: March 22nd.