Bella

After we were seated, there was an awkward silence before Edward cleared his throat to speak. Just as he was about to open his mouth, a waiter appeared to take our drink orders. We were silent again until the waiter returned with our drinks and took our food order. As soon as the waiter was out of earshot Edward spoke quickly.

"Obviously you are aware that we've been granted an appeal on the Jenks case. I will be prosecuting the case again and I've been given a no-holds barred directive to make sure this guy gets some prison time. I honestly believe he's guilty and I will do whatever I need to do this time around to make sure justice is served," he finished with a pained expression on his face.

I remained silent and looked intently at him. I could tell he wasn't finished with his tirade. My heart began to beat faster and I felt the walls closing in. He was going to tell me that because we were adversaries we could no longer see each other. He would never touch me again, kiss me again, I would never feel his body against mine, I would never feel him inside me..... Suddenly I couldn't breathe. I started gasping for air.

"Bella? Bella, are you okay?" his arm snaked around my shoulder. "What's wrong? Take a deep breath. Do you need some water?" The concern in his eyes made me tremble slightly. I had to get a hold of myself. I attempted to regain my composure and maintain what little dignity I had left. I moved away from his touch and took a deep breath.

"So, you're saying you think we should keep things platonic and professional?" Being a glutton for punishment I guess I needed the clarification.

He looked at me as if I'd suddenly sprouted another head. He sighed deeply and ran his hands through his hair.

"Damn, I knew I would mess this up," he mumbled. He cast his eyes down towards the table before returning to my gaze. "No, that's not what I'm saying. Bella, I've never felt this level of attraction to anyone before. The last thing I want to do is keep things platonic. I just- I just don't want this shit storm that's about to hit to ruin anything between us,"

I just stared at him. I was speechless. It would no doubt be very difficult with us being on different sides of the fence. But I was too selfish to give him up.

"I've been given a similar edict to make sure he is completely exonerated. And I will do my job to the fullest of my capabilities. I think now that this has come up it will be a bit more challenging for us to move forward personally," I spoke slowly and his shoulders sagged in defeat. He sat back in the booth and lowered his head.

I gently placed a finger under his chin and encouraged eye contact. "But I don't think it will be impossible. However we definitely need to set some boundaries," I suggested.

He frowned. "Boundaries?"

"Yes. First and foremost we do not mention the case at all when we are together. It is a totally taboo topic unless we are in court,"

A look of relief washed over his face as he smiled, "Okay,"

"Second, we need to agree that whatever tactics are used during this trial is simply an attempt to get our respective jobs done and not a personal attack against the other person. Having said that, I think we need to keep things between us confidential. We do not want the case or our jobs compromised,"

He smiled wider. "I think I can comply with the terms of your agreement, Ms. Swan," He scooted closer to me and whispered in my ear. "Just as long as you promise me that I will have the opportunity to hear you scream my name again when we make love,"

My entire body felt like it was about to explode. My nipples instantly hardened and suddenly there a wave of humidity in my underwear. I let out a shaky breath and tried somewhat unsuccessfully to tease him.

"Don't you mean if?" I licked my lips and stared at him under my lashes.

"No, I meant when," he smiled confidently. His fingertips grazed the edge of my skirt and I could feel the heat from his right hand on my knee. I gasped.

"So, do you promise?" he breathed in my ear. His hand was suddenly on my knee rubbing circles on my lower thigh with his thumb.

I could see the waiter approaching with our food and I knew Edward could seem him too yet he made no attempt to stop. He was slowly trailing his fingers even higher. For some reason that turned me on and I was seconds away from putting on a lewd show for the entire restaurant. I quickly turned my face to his and breathed against his cheek.

"I promise," I hissed. He was so going to pay for that. I couldn't believe how licentious I became with just one touch from this man. It thrilled and terrified me all at the same time.

The waiter placed our meals on the table and Edward scooted away a few inches to give me room to recover. He had a full blown smirk on his face as he thanked the waiter.

"Are you okay, Ms. Swan?" he asked as he placed a napkin in his lap. He threw his tie over his shoulder and looked at me.

I'm certain my face was the color of fresh strawberries as I thought about what had just happened and how I didn't want him to stop.

"I'm fine. Just eat!" I snapped playfully.

"Anything in particular I should eat?" he asked with his fork suspended in mid-air. He licked his lips so sensuously that it should have been illegal.

My mouth fell open. "I've got- excuse me," I jumped up from the table and ran to the restroom.

I had to get a grip. I splashed water on my face and paced in front of the stalls. "You're in a public place. You're in a public place," I chanted to myself. But the thought of Edward consuming me in a public place only added fuel to the fire. I needed a new affirmation. "He's just a man. He's just a man," Shit. He wasn't just a man. He was a man that helped me achieve four amazing orgasms in one night.

I was so screwed. I needed to get out of there before he came looking for me. Oh, god the thought of him looking for me and finding me in the empty restroom that conveniently had a lock on the door nearly made me erupt. What the hell was wrong with me?! I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like I was about to come unhinged.

"Okay, pull it together, Bella. Go back out there and eat your damn khao mog gai and talk about the fucking weather or something," I took a deep breath and smoothed down the front of my skirt and hoped my pep talk would work. I walked back to our table with my head held high but as soon as I saw him my confidence started to wane.

He stood when I approached. "Are you okay?" he asked genuinely concerned.

I didn't trust my voice so I nodded my head and took a seat. We ate in silence before he dropped his fork and spoke.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly.

My head snapped up to meet his eyes.

"For what?" I was confused.

"I shouldn't have. . .touched you. I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable," He looked like a man who was trying to repent for all his life's sins.

I had to fix this quickly. He was insane if he thought I didn't want him to touch me.

"I'm not," I smiled.

"What?" he glared at me.

"I'm not sorry you touched me. I just wish I could control my reactions better," I admitted.

"I kind of like your reactions," he smiled and picked up his fork to resume eating.

"Yeah, but sometimes I think I want you way more than I should," I said softly.

"What is that supposed to mean?" he questioned.

"I don't know, I guess it just scares me how I react to you. It's like you have this unspoken control over my body," I couldn't believe I told Edward Cullen he had control over my body. Kill me now.

Edward

Unspoken control over her body. Was she kidding? If anyone had control it was her. Her declaration had suddenly created an uncomfortable stiffness in my pants. I shifted in my seat and eyed her. I could tell by the way she avoided my gaze that she was embarrassed by her admission.

"Bella, Bella, Bella. You apparently have no idea how profoundly you affect me. Just the thought of you sets my nerve endings on fire. When I'm around you I find it extremely difficult not to touch you but it becomes almost physically painful to be around you and not feel your beautiful, soft skin," I trailed my fingers up the side of her arm. She was wearing a long sleeved shirt but I could feel her tremble against my touch.

"I'm sitting here right now with an aching erection just from the sound of your voice and thinking about the implication of your words. Trust me, this is not one-sided. No woman has ever got a rise of out me, pun intended, the way you do. I don't want you to be afraid," I gently stroked her cheek. Our dinner forgotten.

"I just- I just wonder if this attraction between us is just something physical," she said sadly.

"I hope not. I think you're fascinating and I told you I want to get to know you better. I mean that. I want to know your likes, your dislikes, your favorite childhood toy, your favorite high school memory, what dreams and goals you have for the future. I want you, Bella not just your body,"

She looked at me and suddenly her eyes were glassy like she was about to cry. But she blinked rapidly and took several deep breaths. She sipped from her water before she spoke.

"I want to get to know you too, Edward. I think you're incredible, smart, handsome and kind. And I just hope things don't get weird between us after this case starts-," she started but I placed a finger to her lips to silence her.

"What case?" I smiled knowingly. "So, I have an idea for our first date but I was wondering if you would be willing to make it an evening date. Perhaps on Friday, if you're available,"

"Sure," she smiled brightly. "Where are we going," she asked expectantly.

"It's a surprise,"

Her face fell. "Okay, the first thing you should know about me is that I hate surprises. Seriously," She wore a severe expression that left little room for discussion.

I laughed. "Well, the first thing you should know about me is that I'm a cheesy, hopeless romantic who needs to be humored,"

We stared at each other neither of us backing down. I took advantage of her usual ogling of my lips and kissed her deeply.

"Please, let me surprise you. I promise you won't regret it," I whispered against her lips.

"Bastard. You don't play fair," she growled. "Okay, fine but you better make it worth my while," she said seductively.

And I was the one who didn't play fair? How fair was it to constantly taunt my dick that way.

"I aim to please," I smiled.

The waiter cleared the table and I paid the bill, after arguing with Bella for almost five minutes. She insisted she pay because this wasn't a real date. But I insisted that I was the one who asked her to dinner, so it was only right that I pay. She finally relented and mumbled something that sounded like, "totally gets his way with me,"

Once we were back outside the night air had chilled a bit. Bella folded her arms in attempt to block the air from coming through the thin material of her shirt. I immediately removed my jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"Where are you parked?" I asked.

"A block down, you don't have to-," she started but I ignored her and placed one arm around her shoulder.

"Let's go," I smiled.

We took a few steps in silence before I spoke. "Bella, thanks for meeting me tonight and thanks for being willing to try to take things further despite whatever obstacles might lie ahead,"

I knew it was going to be difficult but staying away from her was not an option. I was convinced that we wouldn't see or talk to each other for next couple of weeks since we were both determined to win this case, there would be a lot of work ahead of us. But we still had Friday and I planned to definitely make it worthwhile.

We made it to her car much too quickly. I openly admired the vehicle. The sleek black, Audi RS4 seemed to fit her perfectly. Sophisticated, sleek and sexy. She shrugged out of my jacket and gave it back to me.

"Thanks for tonight. Even though it wasn't a real date, I enjoyed spending time with you," she said softly. I gently rubbed her cheek with my knuckles.

"Me too," I smiled. "I know we both have a ton of work ahead of us so, if you don't hear from me just know that I'm thinking of you and I will see you Friday," I ran my thumb along her jaw line.

She nodded her head imperceptibly as I leaned down and slowly kissed her. She moaned and immediately parted her lips. I took a deep breath and fought the urge to push her against her car, lift her skirt and plunge into her. I traced her bottom lip with the tip of my tongue before it invaded her mouth. She pressed her body closer to mine and mewled when she came in contact with my erection.

"Bella- we- stop," I panted as I pulled away from her. It killed me to do so but if we would have continued to kiss that way I would not be responsible for my actions.

I noted the look of rejection on her face and I grabbed her around the waist and pressed my forehead against hers.

"Unless you want me to toss you in the back seat and defile this very nice car on this public street you should get inside and drive away," I threatened.

Her breath hitched but she didn't move. This woman was going to surely be the cause of my untimely death. Was she insinuating that taking her that way was a possibility? When I looked into her eyes, I knew without a doubt that if I opened the back door of her car and pulled her inside, she would comply.

Why did I have to be so damn rational all the time?

"I don't think our employers would take too kindly to their top counselors being arrested for public indecency," I laughed.

She sighed and composed herself. She opened the door and smiled.

"Good night, counselor," she said sweetly.

I waited until she started her car and drove off before I headed back to my own car.

As I drove away from the restaurant I thought about the upcoming trial and how unpleasant it was going to be. I hoped Bella and I could make it through this unscathed. I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if I lost this case. Or if she lost. The backlash from our respective employers aside, would the loser be able to pick up their wounded ego and go on as if nothing happened? That was highly unlikely.

Damn me and my pursuit of power. I should just walk away from this case. Especially after D.A. Uley told me he wanted her 'taken down a peg or two'. I knew I would be ruthless in court but I refused to do anything that would intentionally hurt Bella personally. Although I had no idea what would happen at the end of this trial, I knew it would mean nothing without Bella in my life.