A/N: WOW!!! I am just bowled over by the number of hits that this story is starting to get! A HUGE Texas thank you to all the readers who are posting regular reviews! I just love y'all! Another big thanks goes out those who have put me on story alert! I appreciate the following of the merry adventures of Dukeward and Bella! RobKats, my world is not complete without all you! You are my life now.

Final thanks to two special people: My wonderful Beta! She gives me wings to fly when I think I've crashed. And Rob Pattinson….damn! More GQ photos….GAH!

7. Apology Accepted

BPOV

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"James, please! I know I'm right about this. I just need extra time. Edward Cullen can come across as an icy son of a bitch, but I've seen first hand that it's just an act. Jasper made it very clear that he just has a mistrust of the press." I paced back and forth in my hotel room waiting for James to give me the approval to expand the story to include Edward Cullen as well.

"Swan, Cullen has shut down more reporters than I can shake a stick at. What makes you so sure you can get him to open up to you?" James argued back.

"Because I think he may be attracted to me. It's just a hunch, but you know how well my hunches play out. Remember the big Quileute Reservation scandal I was able to blow open? Look James, I know it's not the same thing; but, my instinct tells me I can get this story."

"Listen Swan, the Rez story was a different circumstance. You were here in Washington. I can't rectify giving you extra funds just to chase some Texas Playboy and a Royal Asshole who won't give interviews. Besides, I need you back here to report on a big shakeup going on at Microsoft."

I was running out of options. I had my laptop open and kept looking at the pictures of Jasper and Edward. I knew in my heart I had to do this story. I pleaded with James one more time.

"Look, if I'm able to get a firm agreement from Cullen that he'll sit for an interview, will you let me stay longer?" I almost sounded as if I was begging. That fired me up and I got ready to deliver the final pitch.

"You know, James, I'd hate to have to strike out freelance on this one and sell the story to a magazine that would pay more."

I heard an audible groan and some muffled swearing on the other end. "Christ Swan, that was low. You know you're the best I've got. Alright. Get a firm agreement and you can stay."

I had one last hurdle to overcome. "Thanks boss! I just need you to send Alice to get some great photos for me!"

"Swan…you were a stubborn child weren't you? Get me the agreement and I'll send Brandon to you." James growled back at me. I heard him slam down the phone and I laughed out loud. I did a tiny victory dance and headed over to the mini bar to find a soda. I was going to celebrate with some sugar. I had plenty of work ahead of me so I needed to stock up on the basics. Caffeine and sugar.

I changed out of the clothes that I had been wearing during the interview. My sweats were still hanging on the back of the bathroom door. I quickly changed back into them and headed for my laptop.

I had just Googled the name Edward Cullen when the room phone shrilly rang causing me to jump.

I threw myself across the bed and answered it on the third ring.

"Hello?"

"Good Afternoon Miss Swan. I'm sorry to disturb you but you have a guest in the lobby that is being quite insistent upon seeing you." It was the concierge.

"Who is it?" I wasn't expecting anyone. Unless of course it was Renee because she has a terrible time remembering room numbers or forgetting her phone. And it would be just like her to drop by unexpectedly.

"Miss Swan? Would you like for me to put them on the phone?" The concierge asked me.

"Please." I waited as I heard the phone being shuffled around.

"Hello?" I asked again. A warm lovely voice tickled all the little hairs inside my ear. My stomach filled with butterflies in an instant.

"Hello Bella. Give a jerk a chance to apologize?" said Edward.

I took a deep breath.

"I don't know. Depends on the jerk. Is he the jerk I met this afternoon or the charming jerk I met last night?" I responded, trying to keep my breathing normal.

"Which one do you prefer?" He laughed and I knew I had forgiven him at that very moment.

"How about the one who is going to take me to lunch since he so rudely interrupted my breakfast?" Forget research on the internet. I had the real thing downstairs.

"It's most certainly a date. Meet me here in the lobby?"

I agreed and told Edward to give me about twenty minutes to freshen up. I hung up the phone and ran to my suitcase. I still hadn't fully unpacked. I wore one of the only dresses that I had brought with me last night. I rifled through my clothes swearing to myself that I had brought more jeans than anything. I quickly spied a lovely ruffled peasant blouse and paired it with slim jeans and my flat sandals. I wasn't taking a chance. I planned to have both feet permanently planted on the ground today.

I shook my hair out. It was a wild wavy mess but somehow it looked right. The fashion gods were smiling on me today! I silently gave praise for the good hair day. A quick swipe of blush, another light coat of mascara, and a touch up of lip gloss and I was ready to go. I grabbed some of the old turquoise jewelry that I had picked up while growing up in Phoenix and put it on. A little bohemian , but I made it work.

One last look and I was ready to go. As I was closing the door to my room I found that I was hopefully praying that it was definitely going to be Texas and not Count Dracula waiting for me in the lobby.

EPOV

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I watched the elevator doors as the minutes ticked by in excruciating slowness. I knew I was taking a chance in coming here uninvited. I just knew it felt right. Everything in my life had been planned out in advance while I was still in the stage of infancy. This moment of time was mine and mine only. For once I was living in the moment and frankly I found it to be quite exhilarating.

The doors slid open again and I took a deep breath. An older couple emerged from the elevator and I silently swore to myself. I needed to calm down. Sitting here staring at those damn doors like a stalker didn't help matters. I decided to sit down in the very chair Bella had used to balance herself with last night. My back was now to the elevators.

A few more minutes ticked by. I heard the doors slide open again. I sat there waiting. Counting to 10 slowly. I heard her voice at the concierge's desk and I rose from the chair.

Bella turned around and smiled at me. She was stunning. Her hair was falling in heavy waves around her shoulders and one sleeve of her blouse had slid off her shoulder revealing one of her creamy white shoulders. She looked earthy, lush and inviting.

"How is that I've seen you only three different times now and each time you have managed to take my breath away?" I asked her.

"Oh thank God! Hello Texas! It's really you isn't it?" she teased me slightly.

"Here and ready to take a beautiful woman to lunch. How does Mexican food sound?" I knew it would be informal and it would help the both of us to relax.

"Sounds fantastic. Lead the way." Bella exclaimed as she looped her arm through mine.

I walked out into the bright sunshine with that beautiful woman on my arm and I felt free.

I walked her to my car and opened the door for her. "Nice Volvo." She commented while rolling her eyes at me. I climbed into the driver's side and slid the keys into the ignition. The stereo came on and I had forgotten that I had the Debussy CD in.

"First the old guy car, and next classical music. Are you sure you're not like Dorian Gray or anything? I mean you could look 26 but for all I know you could be 108." Bella was studying me from under the darkest eyelashes. She looked coy and I was taken with how unaffected she was by her own beauty.

I laughed at Bella. "I know. Tease me all you like but I happen to like listening to classical music. Especially during rush hour in Houston. Listening to rap or punk would bring on a severe case of road rage." I replied as I maneuvered out into traffic. "And as you have seen, I tend to have a problem with my temper at times."

"Geez no kidding Texas! Your little mood swing gave me whiplash today."

"I can't apologize enough to you for that Bella. I was a heel."

"Yeah, you're right. You can't apologize enough. That's why I'm going to remind you every chance I get." Her peals of laughter were catching and I found myself starting to laugh along with her. It seemed as if we were settling back into the easy rhythm we had discovered last night.

I pulled into the garage of the building where my loft was. Bella looked momentarily confused and I explained to her that I wanted to change into some jeans as well. She smiled again and started to reach for the door handle. I stopped her.

"If you open that door instead of waiting for me, I could get fined by the pompous Duke society for not executing my gentlemanly ways." I told her. She laughed so quickly that an actual snort came out. That made me laugh harder. I was still laughing as I came around to her car door and opened it. I held my hand out to her.

Bella took my hand, got her feet tangled together somehow and launched herself straight into my chest. My arms circled quickly around her to stop her from making an embarrassing slide downward. And I would be embarrassed. My traitorous body already started reacting to her.

Bella pulled away from me. Her face had flushed into its beautiful crimson. Her eyes were bright and she lightly ran the tip of her tongue across her lips. I took a step toward her and she took a step back. I kept advancing toward her and she kept retreating. She bumped up against the car. I put both my arms on each side of her, trapping her against the car.

"Bella."

I said her name. I stared at her deep brown eyes. I longed to taste those full red lips of hers with my tongue. I wanted to knot my hands into her hair and pull her tight against me.

"I want to try something."

She just stood there staring at me. I could see her chest rise and fall in faster breaths.

"Don't move."

I slowly moved in, never wanting to lose sight of her beautiful mouth.

"Stay very still."

My lips were almost near hers. Her eyes fluttered closed and I could feel her breath on my mouth. With the lightest touch, my lips found hers. It was soft, warm and welcoming. Slowly I traced the shape of her mouth with my tongue, begging her to open, to give me access. She parted her lips and I slid my tongue in and tasted her. She was chocolate, she was strawberries. I felt her moan against my tongue and she pushed her tongue into my mouth and we started to kiss more passionately. Her hands slid up into my hair, and I pushed my body into hers. My cock had become hard and it pushed into her belly. I knew I needed to stop. We were in my parking garage and the last thing I needed was for us to be seen.

Reluctantly I broke our kiss. I leaned down and kissed her one exposed shoulder.

"We should go upstairs. I can't lose control with you in a parking garage Bella."

She ran her hand along my jaw and winked at me. "Damn, you're pretty." She said.

"Going to show me your etchings there Texas?"

This wonderful girl had just taken a potentially delicate situation and made light of it removing any awkwardness.

"Nope. Just going to change my clothes. I don't know about you but I've worked up a bit of an appetite." I said to her as I took her hand and led her to the elevator.

"You worked up something." She mumbled under her breath. She glanced at my belt buckle and sighed.

Oh she was going to be the death of me.

BPOV

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Oh Jesus. The feel of his mouth on mine had my heart jack hammering away in my chest. This man was sin. And I discovered how much sin when he pressed himself into me. Oh sweet mystery of life! At last I've found you.

We walked towards the elevators, our fingers twining and untwining. I felt giddy. I hadn't dated anyone or even had male contact of any kind in so long. The hormones were already beginning to kill my brain cells. I wanted him. Oh God, how I wanted this man.

I also knew that I had to be honest with him. I had just assured my boss that I was going to get an interview from Edward Cullen. But now just did not seem like the time to bring that little factoid up. I was swept up in just being with him. The man was becoming like a drug to me.

We got into the elevator and Edward immediately pushed me up against the wall again and leaned in for another kiss. Being the good little girl that I was, I let him kiss me again and again. I felt his hand on my shoulder and he started to slide my sleeve down further when the doors to the elevator opened. An old lady with her little Westie on a leash came into the elevator. He pulled my sleeve back up and turned to stand next to me. I had a sudden case of church giggles. Edward could hear me snorting away next to him. He kept pleading with me silently to stop, but pretty soon he was snorting too.

We arrived at his floor and we walked down a long tiled hallway. We arrived at the warehouse style iron door of his loft. He put his keys in and opened the door for me. I was getting to see one of the inner sanctums of Edward Cullen's world. I looked at the art work on the wall and burst out laughing.

"What?" He asked me somewhat alarmed.

I was pointing at the artwork and I doubled over laughing, clutching at my sides. "The artwork Edward!! That's priceless!" I managed to howl out in between fits of laughter.

"What? Seriously Bella. You have me worried."

I finally calmed down and took a breath. "Do you know who the artist is?" I asked him.

"No. Esme, my mother, discovered her. She's a local. I think she has talent." He lightly scolded me.

"Yes, I agree Edward. She does have talent. It's just that I grew up with it. The artist is my mother Renee!" I revealed to him.

Suddenly the word serendipity came to mind. I was meant to meet this man. For some strange cosmic reason, the universe was throwing us together.

And who am I to argue with the universe?

Reviews are like Edward's kisses….extremely hot!!!