Disclaimer: All Twilight names, places and characteristics belong to the talented Stephenie Meyer. I just play with her toys.
Authors note: Thank-you for all of the positive feedback so far on this story, it means the world! Happy reading!
"Are you sure you've got everything?" Edward asked me, placing a kiss to my forehead.
"Yes," I laughed, "Anyone would think it was my first day at Kindergarten,"
"I'm just excited for you," He grinned and wrapped his arms around me in a tight embrace. I knew he could feel my entire body shaking with nerves.
"You'll be absolutely fine, Bella," He whispered into my hair.
"I know," I nodded, only half believing myself.
"I'm proud of you, and I love you," Edward pulled away from me and flashed that crooked smile that put me at ease straight away.
"I love you too," I smiled and reached up on my tiptoes to kiss him.
Hearing that Edward loved me and saying it return never got old.
His kiss was long, firm and deep. His tongue swept across my lower lip begging for entrance. I parted my lips slowly as Edward's hands found my ass, squeezing the skirt covered flesh firmly. My head was spinning as I pulled away reluctantly.
"How do I concentrate now with your lips in my head all day?" I giggled innocently.
"Go on, get out of here," He gently tapped my ass on my way out of the door.
-BS-
Carlisle was kind enough to pick me up just before Edward left for classes. I had a lunch in my bag and a map for the London Underground to help me at the end of the day. My Edward was always well prepared. He had sorted me out with an Oyster card and written down the instructions of the route I needed to take.
I could only describe my first morning at Carlisle's office as... interesting. Or at least for me it was.
Carlisle directed me to the human resources office. I gave them my bank details and birth certificate.
"New York, huh? Lovely, what's that like?" asked the kind looking lady behind the desk.
"Busy," I stammered.
Next I was introduced to the person I would be shadowing for the day. James Lawrence would show me the ropes around the place and help me with my duties. James was taller than I was with blonde hair tied back into a ponytail. His jaw was chiselled though it wasn't as defined as Edward's. There was something uncomfortable about the way his eyes looked at me. Perhaps he was just weary of the new girl. However creepy he appeared, I remained bright with a perky attitude.
I followed him up endless staircases until we reached the second to top floor. Our desks were situated outside Carlisle's office. The room was spacious and painted a dark red with burgundy carpets. There were a few leather couches, I assumed for clients to wait and one of those ice cold drink dispensers.
My throat felt very dry, I could use some water.
"This is your desk,"
James pointed to an oak desk which was piled high with folders and papers. There was a computer in the corner and a small pot filled with pens and scissors. At the front was a small metal sign displaying my name. 'Isabella Swan,' it read. One pile of papers was so high that it was starting to lean to one side, like that tower in Piza.
"Are you sure this is my desk?" I squeaked.
"The desk says Swan, doesn't it? That all needs inputting into our databases and then filed in order," James smirked and walked around to the side of the desk, I stood myself at the opposite the side where he pointed at the telephone and some buttons.
"Now listen, this is important. Each button works differently," He started to point at the different buttons, he spoke so quickly that I was barely digesting his damn telephone lesson.
"This one is to put a caller on hold. This one, when it flashes red, you press it and Mr Cullen will speak with you. This one you press to put a caller through to Mr Cullen's office. This one is to call reception. This one is to pass the call over to my phone if there is a problem. Don't let me catch you using that," He glared at me with a strict to his voice. Somehow I think he meant his orders.
"Why? Because you're such a busy man?" I retorted, sarcastically.
"I'm above you Swan, that means you're... under me, and you'll do as you're told," He smirked. Damn he was creepy.
I sat down at my desk and stared at the falling sheets of paper. I looked across the room at James and saw him lounging back in his chair, feet on the desk.
"What are you looking at? Go on, get to work," He smirked.
The bastard was throwing me straight into the deep end.
"Where do I..." I began to ask before I saw my red light was flashing.
My fingertip hovered above the button with hesitation. I could do this, it was only Carlisle on the other end.
"Answer it, Swan. Before he gets cranky," James didn't even look at me while he spoke, I think he was biting his nails.
Gross.
"My name, is Bella," I muttered.
I pressed the little flashing button and held it in, awaiting to hear the voice of Edward's father. The line seemed quiet.
"Isabella, I wish to see you in my office," The voice suddenly came at me and made me jump.
"Um, yes, Mr Cullen. I'll be right there," I released the button and sucked in a deep breath.
I composed the nerves stirring in my tummy and breathed again.
"He means now," James jeered over at me while he finally started doing things with his own computer.
"I know that," I told him and stood up, smoothing down my skirt, "Are you always such a jackass?"
"You have no idea, sweetheart,"
My skin crawled at the sound of James calling me sweetheart. I resolved that I would be nice today, and from tomorrow I would only speak to him when my work required it.
I took the short walk along the room to a varnished wooden door and knocked on it once. The voice inside granted me permission to enter and I did. I closed the door behind me but stayed close. Carlisle was sitting behind his desk in a large leather chair and had a gentleman looking over his shoulder. I wondered if I should cough or present myself somehow.
"Ah, Bella. I trust you're settling in well," Carlisle smiled warmly as he looked up. He motioned to the small seats in front of his desk and I took one hurriedly.
"I'm learning quickly, Mr Cullen,"
It seemed appropriate to refer to my boss as if he was only my boss, not my boyfriend's father. My gesture seemed to go down well, Carlisle clasped his hands and smiled, he moved his head like a nodding dog while I spoke.
"Allow me to introduce you to my colleague, Samuel Uley," He smiled and pointed to the tanned man next to him. He was definitely muscled, looked as if he should be a body builder rather than a lawyer.
"He's going to be my new partner in a matter of weeks, Bella," Carlisle beamed happily, "Eventually you will be solely his personal assistant while James will continue to be mine. Of course I'd allow you to be mine but it isn't professional with our connections,"
"I completely understand, Sir. It's good to meet you Mr Uley,"
"Likewise," Sam smiled with an American accent. Hearing a familiar twang made me smile.
"I thought that would grab your attention," Carlisle chuckled.
"Now, your duties for the day. I intend to meet Esme for lunch in an hour but I would quite like a coffee for myself and Sam now. Then you're free to become acquainted with your desk, use the computer and file the papers that are on the desk. You'll find the filing room next door to this one,"
"Yes, Mr Cullen," I nodded and rose to my feet.
I walked to the door and just twisted the knob when Carlisle called my name.
"Yes, Sir?"
"Welcome to the company," He smiled. His expression was genuine, I was positive that the negativity of the weekend was truly behind us now.
I left the room and managed to find the kitchen without getting lost. Ten minutes later, Carlisle and Sam had their cups of steaming coffee and I was behind my desk trying to gather as many papers in my arms as possible. Across the room I could hear the spine curling sound of James' sniggering.
"You could offer to help," I grumbled, "I don't see you doing any work,"
"I could, but watching a fine, young woman such as yourself is far more entertaining for me,"
Yep, I definitely didn't like him.
I made three trips to the filing room and managed to put everything in their allocated places. I thought I'd surrender to the temptation of peeking into the files, to read all of the juicy cases that Carlisle deals with on a daily basis. It was however pretty easy to cut myself away from my curiosity and just get the job done.
In the afternoon, I sat back down at my desk. I relaxed my back on the cushiony leather and relaxed my muscles.
It lasted all of about five minutes until James slammed a new pile of papers on my desk.
"These need photocopying," He told me.
"Shouldn't you do it if they were given to you?" I asked, unimpressed.
"Nah, I figured that you're new, therefore you can handle any shit I throw at you," He chuckled darkly, "I'd like to milk it for all it's worth,"
I wanted to throw him the 'do you know who I am' line like I would normally do back in New York. But I wasn't Isabella Swan the porn star and I shouldn't go blurting out that I was the live-in girlfriend of Mr Cullen's son.
Being accused of special treatment was the last thing I wanted.
I narrowed my eyes at James while he looked far too impressed with his asshole actions but I did the photocopying just in time to get home. Plus I photocopied a little something else for Edward's entertainment.
Getting home in the evening was easier than I expected. First I went in the wrong direction but only travelled as far as one stop before I realised and corrected my mistake. I realised though, that I wasn't fond of London during rush hour. I was squashed into a corner, my face nearly squeezing against the glass of the doors until the underground train stopped and people started to pour out of it. I stumbled on my feet and almost fell into an old man's lap.
I arrived home to find Edward cooking paella. The apartment smelled divine with the smoky scent of paprika. My tongue pooled with saliva and my stomach growled with hunger.
"Someone sounds hungry," Edward laughed, taking my jacket from me and throwing it onto the couch.
"I worked through lunch," I laughed with him until Edward's eyebrow lifted in question, "I wanted to make a good impression!" I defended.
"How was it?"
"It was great. My co-worker is a bit of an ass," I told him about James and how rude I found him. Edward recalled the name and said that Carlisle was dying to get rid of him but without good reason to, his hands were tied.
"The dude is quick with the computer," He shrugged.
"I can deal with it, I'm a big girl," I insisted while digging out a folded piece of paper in my pocket and handed it to Edward with an angelic grin.
"What's this?" He asked curiously while unfolding the paper. Moment's later he was almost cackling with laughter.
"Is this you, babe?"
I grinned and turned around, bending over just slightly.
"You photocopied your butt for me? At my Dad's office?" He exclaimed with laughter and lightly spanked my perfectly pert behind.
"It seemed like a fun idea at the end of the day," I giggled, "Do you like it?"
I watched Edward place my ass on the fridge with a magnet before he turned off the stove. His arms wrapped around my waist and they pulled me close to his chest.
"I love it, though I must confess that I prefer the real thing,"
"Prove it," I challenged.
Edward's lips crushed to mine instantly. Our tongues exploring each others mouths hungrily, as if this was our first kiss in weeks. His slightest of touches made my body feel as if it was on fire.
Edward's long fingers made easy work of the buttons on my white blouse, waiting until the garment was completely open before his fingertips flicked over both of my taut nipples, peeking against the material of my satin bra. I gasped at his touch.
"Edward... don't tease me..." I begged. "Take me..."
What do you think of James? General asshole or is there something bigger?
Apologies for the cockblocking cliffhanger.
Until... soon
x
