Alice Works Her Magic

Edward POV

WOW, I AM STUNNED BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO LOVE THIS STORY. THE REVIEWS ARE SO NICE AND I KNOW YOU GUYS WANT THINGS TO HAPPEN SO JUST SIT TIGHT. YESTERDAY, I SAID IN MY AUTHOR'S NOTE THAT THINGS WOULD GET "DARK" IN THIS STORY. MAYBE THAT WAS TOO HARSH A WORD. I DIDNT MEAN THAT BELLA AND EDWARD WERE GOING TO GO INTO SLAVERY AND BECOME SEX PRISONERS OR SOMETHING. GOODNESS PEOPLE. I JUST MEANT THAT IT WASNT GOING TO BE ALL PEACHES AND CREAMS. THERE WILL BE SOME SADNESS. THAT MIGHT BE A BETTER WORD.

SO ANYWAYS...

ENJOY....

It all belongs to SM.


I walked on set on the last day of shooting form my dad's movie and was extremely happy for some reason.

I had been this way for about a week and tried to figure out what it was that was making me so energetic but I didn't really put it together until Alice asked me something about Bella this morning and my heart kind of did a weird sputtering thing.

Alice was being just as weird as I was, especially today. She seemed to have a mischievous grin on her face that couldn't be good and every time the door of the set opened, she would take a quick glance to see who it was.

"Hey Eddie. We just have a couple more shots today and then we are home free." Tanya grabbed my arm and began jumping up and down.

"Yay." I replied sarcastically.

"So, are you doing anything for lunch? I made reservations at Spago. You should join me."

"I don't think so Tanya. I'm going to be really busy and I don't think I'm going to be able to make it." I put on my best acting face.

"Really busy with what?" She asked.

"Nothing in particular. I just have some things I have to take care of after I get out of here." I said politely.

"Ok, well maybe next time." She sighed and pouted but I knew her tricks. First she would try to guilt trip me and then she would become vicious. I wasn't going to give in. Pathetic.

I sat in the makeup chair and Alice immediately went to work on my face.

"What's got this smile on your face?" She asked as she powdered my forehead.

"I could ask you the same thing." I retaliated.

"You'll find out later." She smirked.

"What did you do Alice?"

"Nothing."

"Please tell me this doesn't have anything to do with Bella."

"Funny you would assume that this involves Bella." She giggled.

"Well does it?"

"Edward, I don't know why you're denying your feelings. I can see the truth."

"There is no truth." I said but we all knew I was lying.

"Jasper's mom always says that there are three stages of infatuation: like, smitten and love. What stage are you?" she asked nonchalantly as she continued with the makeup.

"Shut up Alice. I don't want to talk about this." I muttered. I barely wanted to admit my feelings for Bella to myself. What makes Alice think that I will talk to her about all of this?

"I know you like her so stop denying me answers."

"You're so goddamn nosy. I hate you."

"Stop talking. I have to finish this." She diverted the conversation and I felt my palms get sweaty as I thought about what Alice could have done.

I was becoming more and more attracted to Bella and the thing that killed me was that it wasn't even on a sexual level anymore. I was purely infatuated with her; everything about her. I wanted to know everything. Where she came from? What are her parents like? What made her get into her job? What her ex-husband did to screw everything up?

She was so interesting and I loved to just talk to her but we didn't get much of a chance because she was being so stealthy when it came to seeing me. We had small conversations after football practice when I could make it but after a week of that, I realized that I didn't want to stop talking to her so I stupidly called one day when I didn't have time to see her.

Luckily, she didn't push me off the phone and she seemed more comfortable with talking to me when she couldn't see me. It felt good to hear her voice before I went to bed and that confused me.

The time Bella and I spent together were the highlights of my day and she was always on my mind. I wanted to know what she was thinking all the time but she never gave anything away. We kept up a constant level of flirtation but I didn't know if that meant she liked me or if she was just being overly nice since I was famous like some girls would.

So was Alice right with her three levels of infatuation bullshit? I liked Bella, that was for sure but did it go beyond that?

I think it did.

Shit, I'm in trouble.

What would Irina think if she knew I was falling for someone else?

Falling? Was that the right word? Was I actually beginning to have those feelings for Bella?

Holy shit.

I tried to think about what Alice had told me that one day: It had been three years. I had to try and move on. It was true, I loved my wife more than anything but she was gone and she wasn't coming back. I was lonely but that doesn't mean I should try to force myself into a relationship that might never work because I was still hung up on a woman who died three years ago.

This wouldn't end well for anyone. I could already see that but Irina would want me to be happy wouldn't she?

I wanted to ask Bella out so badly but there was no way I could just walk up to her and point blank as her to dinner or something. Would she even want to go to dinner with me? How would my kids handle that? Would they even want someone else in their lives?

Maybe I was jumping the gun a little bit.

Stop thinking about it and maybe this problem would go away.

As soon as I thought that in my mind, the heavy metal door of the set opened and once again Alice looked up to see who entered but instead of the disappointed look that she had been wearing all morning, this one was a look of pure joy with a hint of evilness.

I turned in my chair to see my Bella standing by the door looking totally lost and afraid to be here.

"Shit Alice, what is she doing here?" I asked.

"She works for us now." Alice shrugged like it was nothing.

"Goddamn it Alice. Always trying to work evil magic." I got out of my chair and began walking towards Bella who looked entirely out of place.

"Because it usually works." Alice said as she followed behind me.

As soon as Bella saw us walking towards her, she stiffened and got a hard look on her face.

"Hi Bella. What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I don't really know. I walked into work today and my boss told me that I was now employed as a public relations supervisor for Carlisle Cullen. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you Alice?" She had an angry look on her face that was entirely too sexy so I had to focus on something else.

"Yeah Alice? Care to explain yourself?" I turned.

"Ok look, I know you guys are mad at me but dad needed someone to help out with interviews and Bella hated it there so I just made a few calls." Alice stated calmly.

"Dad doesn't need anyone else to help him Alice. He has Jane and Alec. They work their asses off and you know that they don't like working with other people." I rolled my eyes.

"If we weren't in public right now, I would kick your ass. Do you know the position you've put me in?" Bella whispered harshly and it looked like she was about to lunge.

"What position would that be?" Alice and Bella were having one of those 'silent girl' conversations that girls had with their eyes sometimes.

I didn't really know what to do. I knew by now to not get into girl fights because I could possibly end up dead.

"I hate you Alice." Bella said after a couple silent minutes.

"No you don't and you know it." Alice beamed.

"But who is she going to work for? We already have the positions filled." I figured it was safe to speak.

"Oh well then I guess she can work with you. Whatever." Alice bounced off towards the food table and left us alone.

"I am so sorry about her. I can make some calls and get you back downtown." I sighed and pulled out my phone.

"No no." Bella said quickly, "As much as I hate Alice right now, I don't think I could go back to sitting in a cubical. I'm not egotistical but I'm good at my job and I love to work with clients so I would actually like to stay." She replied hesitantly, "If that's ok with you?"

"Really?" I asked in a voice that was a little too enthusiastic but I didn't care.

"Yeah, but don't tell Alice. I can already tell that she's the kind of person who likes to say 'I told you so'."

"You've just described my entire childhood." I chuckled.

We stood there for a minute without speaking because this was a situation that we were thrown into without any warning. Usually, I knew when I was going to see Bella so that gave me some time to prepare something good to say. I know, pathetic but I have to have a script in my head or I would be falling all over myself.

"So, what do you want me to do boss?" She grinned after a couple minutes, "Do I have to call you Mr. Cullen now?"

"Please don't." I ran my hand through my hair and spotted Alec across the floor.

"Come on. If you're going to be working with us then I should introduce you to the real boss." I took her hand and tried to ignore the shock that flowed through my body and led her to where I saw him standing.

"Wait. I don't think I should be here now that I think about it. They didn't really request me." She tried to pull back but I kept my grip.

"Too bad. You're here now." I laughed, "Alec, I'd like to introduce you to the new member of the publicist's team." I pushed Bella forward, "This is Bella Swan."

"Hi." She said shyly and Alec eyed her dubiously.

"I don't think I recall asking for anymore help. Did Carlisle ask for you?"

"Uh…no. Alice did." She replied.

"For what?" He asked and began typing on his Blackberry.

"I'm not sure."

"Where did you go to school?" He questioned.

"Northwestern."

"Impressive. You have professor Michleson?"

"In my junior year, yes."

"What grade did you great?"

She shifted her weight, "B+, but that was only because I was sick during the final and got a couple essay questions wrong." She clarified.

He eyed her and then looked back at his Blackberry, "Welcome I guess." He shrugged and I was surprised that he didn't put up a fight like he normally did, "If you need anything, you can ask me or my sister Jane." He pointed to her and Bella nodded.

"Thank you, and I promise I'm really good so you don't have to worry."

"Good. I don't have time to watch you all the time. Carlisle and Esme have their publicist teams down but Edward here needs someone so you'll be working with him. He has always refused to have a publicist for reasons I don't understand. Are you sure you're ok with this?" He asked me.

"Most definitely." I smiled, giving a little too much away but I didn't care.

"Well then, you're hired." He said to Bella, "Things go pretty fast pace around here so keep up." He shook her hand again before walking off.

"That was scary." She let out a deep breath.

"He's not that bad. His family and mine have been friends since Hollywood started practically so we've all known each other."

"I hope I don't disappoint."

"I know you won't."

I smelled the deep cologne of my brother and groaned because I knew this meeting wasn't going to be anything short of embarrassing. I turned Bella around just as his massive form came up behind us.

"Just know that I'm barely related to him." I whispered as she saw him coming towards us, "I'm sorry for anything he might say." I warned.

"Hey Eddie. Who's the sex pot?" Emmett wiggled his eyebrows.

"Uh…Emmett this is Bella. Bella, this is my older brother Emmett." I said tepidly.

His face was blank a second before he came to recognition and actually picked Bella up in a bone-crushing hug. He mouthed a 'she's hot' over her shoulder and then set her down, "Welcome to the family Bella. I've heard so much about you from the demon sister of mine."

"Oh, well I hope it's all been all good." She smiled.

"Of course. Seems like our little boy here has a little crush." He said and clapped my shoulder harshly. Bella's face lit up in a blush that looked like it arose from the pits of hell and I felt red creep into my own cheeks.

I never blush. Never.

"Well, I'll leave you two to be more awkward." Emmett boomed his laugh and then trekked off to go speak with Alice who was watching us like a hawk.

We just stood there and rocked back on our heels for a full five minutes that felt like hours.

"I don't think I should introduce you to my father yet. He's kind of in his director mode. He might snap your head off." I chuckled.

"That's fine. I think I'm too mortified to meet him anyway. He is really intimidating."

"No he's not. He's just dad."

"So I guess we should sit down and pound out my job description since I don't really know why I'm here." She said professionally.

"Yeah, I guess that would make some since."

We spent the next hour trying to figure out exactly what Bella's job description was. Alice told Volturi Relations that she was going to be working for my father but he already had four people under him so we just decided that she would work with me since I didn't have anyone besides Jane and Alec, but they worked for the family so I guess it made since for me to have someone on a personal level. She was still technically employed to Volturi Relations because they paid her salary and but she would be working for me.

She was kind of like my assistant but not really since she was doing so much more than getting me coffee and picking up laundry. I could do all that myself but she was going to be handling the media spitfire that was sure to be erupting in the next couple of months when my movies start coming out.

She would be setting up interviews, photo shoots and anyone who wanted to speak to me or send me scripts would be going through her. She was pretty much my master for the time being and I couldn't be happier.

Hmmmmm. Master. I wonder if she goes for that kind of thing? I bet she does….

Stop it Edward!

We didn't talk about anything besides business throughout the day but I could tell that she was still not over what Emmett had said earlier.

Did she think I was weird? Did she even want to continue working with me?

I hate Emmett.

I was enthralled with Bella. I had never seen her act so professional but I could tell that she was at the top of her game. By the end of our "meeting", she had all the important numbers programmed into her Blackberry and practically had me set up with two interviews in under an hour. To say that I was impressed would be an understatement.

I decided to take a leap of faith and ask her to lunch. That would be casual enough to not appear as a date right?

"So Bella, are you hungry?" I asked shyly.

Great opening line shit head.

"Oh…I didn't even realize it was time for lunch. I've been so wrapped up in all of this I kind of forgot." She giggled and the sound was like an antidote to the stress I was feeling, "Why?" She asked.

"I was just wondering if you wanted to go to lunch. You have to eat." I pointed out.

She raised her eyebrow and had a smirk on her lips, "Are you trying to ask me on a date Mr. Cullen?" The way she said 'Mr. Cullen' sent a pulse straight to my dick that I tried to ignore but couldn't.

"Are you accepting?" I asked the same playful tone.

"I guess I can make time for my superstar boss." She shrugged, "Did you have any place in mind?"

Holy fucker. I Think I just got my first date with this amazing woman.

On the inside, I was a freaking five-year old on Christmas morning but I kept it cool for appearance's sake.

"Well I didn't make any reservations because I didn't know if you would say yes." I laughed and led her out of the studio.

"So what you're saying is that you've been planning this little date for a while?"

Where did Flirty Bella come from? Oh well, I like her. I liked her a lot. I knew she had a more confident woman in there that was just waiting to come out. Looks like she's arrived.

"Well no but a guy can wish can't he? I'm driving."

I led her to my Volvo and immediately felt ashamed. Maybe I should have driven the Aston Martin today.

I helped her into the passenger's side of the car before going to my side and jumping in.

"So, where are we off to? I don't really know anywhere around here since I just moved and all." She asked as I made my way out the gate.

"Oh that's right. I keep forgetting that you just came here. Well then I guess we're going to have to go out a lot more so that I can show you around." I tried to gauge her reaction from the corner of my eye.

"I would like that." She said quietly from her seat and I could practically feel the heat coming off of her blush.

I couldn't keep the smile off of my face the entire time I drove down Hollywood Boulevard to one of my favorite places. I pulled into the packed parking lot of Yamashiro and turned the car off.

"Don't you dare get the door?" I scolded Bella as she reached for the handle.

I jumped out of my side and went to get her door.

"I think I can do that on my own Mr. Cullen." She smiled and sent that jolt right down to my dick again. I would have to make her stop calling me that.

"This is a date and my mother taught me well."

She didn't flinch from my words so I assumed I was ok to call this a date. I was going to try and work that word into our conversations as much as possible so that she knew this was more than a business meeting but still not as formal as I could go.

I went into the crowded restaurant after Bella and went to the reception desk.

"Why hello Mr. Cullen. So nice to have you again." The owner came out and kissed my ass.

"Its nice to see you again as well Mr. Roliti. Table for two please."

He looked at me like I was crazy and then spotted Bella standing shyly behind me. I usually just ate here alone when I wanted a nice meal to think. This was the first time I brought anyone who wasn't in my family here.

"Of course sir." He grabbed two menus and led us to the back.

"You have a fair amount of clout in this town." Bella whispered as we went to the back.

"You know it." I placed my hand on the small of her back and guided her even though she didn't need me to help her.

We sat in a large booth and I could see the people whispering and pointing but I tried to ignore it.

"I hope you two have nice meal and if you need anything, just ask." Mr. Roliti said, "Your waiter will be out in a minute."

"Thank you,." I replied and he left us alone.

"Wow, this stuff looks expensive. Maybe we should have gone to McDonalds." Bella said as she looked over the menu.

"I told you that this was a date so you don't have to worry about anything." I told her and threw the word in there again. I gave her the "crooked smile" that my grandmother and mother said could kill a bull, praying that it worked on Bella.

"Ok but only this one time. I don't like people spending money on me." She shook like she was repulsed and I had to laugh because she looked so cute.

"You're a very interesting person Isabella."

"How many time have I told you to just call me Bella?" She set her menu down and placed her hands on top of it.

"About that same number of times I've asked you to call me Edward." I played back.

"Fair enough Edward." She emphasized my name and my dick still pulsed in my pants. Damn.

Our drinks came and then the waiter took our orders.

"I think I will have the steak done medium well." I said and handed him my menu.

"And for the lovely lady?" He turned to Bella with a smile that was a little too friendly and for some reason my hand shook like I wanted to slap the man.

Was that jealousy there Edward Cullen? I think it was.

There was no doubt about it; I had feelings for Bella Swan.

She ordered spaghetti and then we sat around sipping our drinks. I heard the snapping of a camera phone but I didn't turn my head to see who it was.

"People keep staring at you." Bella whispered across the table.

"I think they're staring at us."

"Us?"

"Yeah. They think we're on a date." I smirked.

She thought for a minute before an evil smile came to her face, "Well aren't we?"

She wanted to play. I like flirty Bella a lot.

"Yes but I think our definition is different than theirs is." I said.

"Oh, well what's your definition? Just so I'm clear." She said and I could tell that she was teasing me with that devilish grin.

" I usually just go on dates with random women who my sister sets me up with and don't ever plan on calling them back. If you were some random woman, that's what this would be."

"But I'm not some random woman?" She asked and tilted her head.

"No. You're…"

She was what? Did I want her to be my girlfriend? Was it too soon for that? Damn. Did people even use the word 'girlfriend' after high school? Lord help me.

"I'm…?" She pushed.

"You're a girl I plan on calling back every chance I get." I said smoothly and she seemed totally oblivious to my internal debate.

She nodded her head, smiled and took a sip of her water.

What the hell did that mean? A head nod gave me nothing.

God, this girl was driving me crazy. How can a woman who I've known for a month make me question everything I've ever thought to be right?

"So, since this is our first date, I think we should play twenty questions." She said with another devilish grin.

Where did all this confidence come from and don't think I didn't notice her calling this our 'first date' because I did.

"That sounds like fun. How about we switch off with the asking?" I ran my hand through my hair and thought I heard her catch her breath but when I looked up, her face was composed.

She must have acted before.

"I'll start. What is your favorite color?" She asked me.

"Blue."

"Green."

"What's your favorite holiday?" I asked her.

"Thanksgiving."

"Christmas." I chuckled.

"Ok, favorite type of music?"

"Anything except country." I shuddered at the thought of Jasper blaring Conway Twitty through my speakers in the car.

"Same here."

We continued that for a good ten minutes and we just ended up talking instead of asking each other questions.

I found out that she was any only child of divorced parents and loved her son more than anything in the world. That only made me more attracted to her because I could see the light in her eyes whenever she talked about Will. She was divorced and we didn't go into her ex-husband but I got the feeling that she had some bad experiences with him, really bad experiences.

"Hey, we stopped asking questions." She said and twirled some pasta around her fork.

"Ok, then you start back up." I prompted.

"Did you go to college?" She asked.

"Yup. Yale drama. You?"

"I went to Northwestern for literature. That's actually my major but I went to grad school for public relations."

"What for?"

"I really wanted to be a writer but Jacob wanted me to chose something practical so I switched., but I love my work so I guess it all worked out in the end."

I noticed that she flinched when she said Jacob. Whoever that was must have done something bad and I had a sneaking suspicion that it was her ex-husband but I didn't want to push.

"What happened to your writing?" I asked.

"Its in a box somewhere in my mom's attic." She chuckled.

"Favorite movie?" I asked trying to get the questions back on track.

"Uh….The Godfather Part II."

"Not part I?" I snickered.

"I like it but Part II was just so much better."

"Alright. I can see where you would think that." I nodded, "Your turn."

She thought for a minute, "This might be a little forward, but I really want to know. Actually no." She shook her head and shrunk back into her seat.

"Now you have to ask me." I said and took a bite of my steak.

"That would be totally inappropriate since you're my boss now. Favorite time of year?"

"Summer but that's not what you were going to ask me. I promise I wont think any less of you if you ask me."

How could I? You're fucking incredible.

"No, I can't. I don't even know why I would think that." She said under her breath and blushed.

Confident Bella was gone for the moment.

"I want to know. It can't be that bad and I promise I won't be shocked or embarrassed." I did the Boy Scout salute.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I really want to know what you were going to ask me."

She let out a deep breath, "With who and at what age was your first sexual experience?" She asked and I choked on my water, "See, I told you I shouldn't have asked that. That's a question I would usually ask a good girlfriend if we were playing this game but you're just a friend so this is weird…." She started rambling.

"No no. Its fine, you just caught me off guard." I thought for a minute, "Wow, that was a long time ago but I think it was Mandy Van and I was thirteen."

"Are you serious?" She asked with wide eyes.

Shit, maybe I should have lied.

"Uh…yeah. You?"

"No. We'll get to me later. You were thirteen?" She brushed off my question and continued pushing. I couldn't help but laugh at her investigative skills.

"Yeah. Well I walked in on Emmett once and he was seventeen at the time. I don't even think he noticed me watching but I doubt be would have cared either way, but I wanted to be like him so badly because he was the cool guy and everyone loved him. A week later, I was making out with Mandy Van on her couch and bada bing bada boom." I shrugged.

"Did you even know what you were doing?" She asked sill in a shocked voice.

"No and it was horrible but Mandy kind of coached me. She was sixteen."

"Ok, this is getting a little too weird." She held up her hands.

"Oh no. You're not getting out of this easily. What about you?"

She sighed, "It was Will's father and I was seventeen."

The mentioning of Will's dad kind of put me on edge but I didn't let it show.

"That's not so bad. Nothing to be ashamed of."

"It would be if you knew Jacob." She said under her breath but I caught it.

"Is that his name? Jacob?"

She looked like she didn't want to answer but nodded, "Yup. Jacob Black."

Holy shit. I know who Jacob Black is.

He was one of those playboy types five years ago and now ran one of the most successful hedge fund firms in the country. He handled all the big money for a lot of the wealthiest people in the US. I had never met him but he was supposedly a real douche bag. Well that's what the magazines said at least. He was a really big shot on the east coast but people still knew him out here sort of. She was married to him? She was Isabella Black at one point? I tried to go through my mental database to see if i recalled anything about her from the articles i read about him but nothing came to mind.

The shock on my face must have shown because Bella let out an awkward laugh.

"I know. I've been avoiding the 'who's the ex-husband' question for as long as I could. I knew people were bound to know him out here. There's just no escaping him." She played with her food.

"Sorry. I just never knew you were so high up on the social ladder."

"Well, Jacob hasn't always been either. We used to grow up together back in Forks and he was the sweetest kid on the block. We used to always play in the rain and make snow cones when it was hot and then we both went off to Northwestern after we started dating in high school. He became rich, the rest was history." She said and finished off her water.

"Wow."

"Yeah, but I don't really have any contact with him anymore. He's just Will's father to me. We aren't friends or anything. I don't even take child support from him." She sounded like she was trying to explain herself.

"That's good I guess. What happened? If you don't mind me asking?" I rushed.

"Heavy stuff for a first date Mr. Cullen." She deflected.

She was about to say something else but a waiter stalked over and asked if we wanted desert. We said no and then I was handed the bill. Bella tried to argue with me but I wouldn't even let her hold the thing in her hand.

We got out of the booth and as soon as I saw the scene at the front door, I groaned because this was something I really didn't want to deal with especially with Bella in toe. The word must have gotten around that Edward Cullen was at lunch with some "mystery woman" and now the paparazzi were swarming the place.

"I guess that was nice while it lasted." Bella said and I opened the door for her.

We were outside and good thing I had my sunglasses on because the flashes from the cameras would have blinded me if I didn't. I knew that I had to keep my head down and not speak a word. I tried to shield Bella as best I could while we walked to the car.

"Edward, Edward, is this your new girlfriend?" Someone shouted.

I wish.

"Who is she?!"Another asked.

Bella Swan, the greatest woman on earth.

"How long have you been dating?"

We aren't dating….not yet anyway.

"Who are you?!"

We braved the frenzy, I opened her door for her and made sure she was in before pushing my way through to my side. I got in and it took us ten minutes of my honking the horn for the cameramen to move so I could get out of the parking lot.

"I'm so sorry about that. Are you ok?" I asked as I raced back to the lot.

"Yeah, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." She was kind of frazzled but seemed to be taking everything in stride, "I've kind of dealt with them before but nothing compared to all that."

"Oh that's right, Jacob's kind of a big deal in Chicago isn't he?"

"Yeah, just a little bit." She smiled.

"I really am sorry about all this. I bet you didn't expect your life to change this much when you moved out to LA."

"No, but it's a good change."

I drove and we stayed silent for the most part.

We were at the studio and the car was off but neither one of us moved. For some reason, the air was thick and heavy. The collar on my shirt seemed to tighten and I looked over to see Bella just staring at me.

Her chocolate brown eyes were intensely boring into my face with a look that was a mixture of lust, pain, frustration and passion. I knew that look.

I knew it. She did have feelings for me.

"Bella, I know this might seem weird of me to ask but I can't help myself." I whispered and the temperature in the Volvo shot up a couple hundred degrees.

"What would you like Mr. Cullen?"

Once again, my dick reacted to the way she said my name and I had to physically shift in my seat to readjust myself. My mind knew I shouldn't ask it but my mouth was working on its own.

"Can I kiss you?" I asked and I saw her eyes darken the slightest bit even in the tinted windows of the car.

She didn't say anything but nodded hesitantly.

I leaned in and made sure to keep my hands at my sides so I didn't rip open her blouse. Just as my lips were about to brush against hers, there was a rap at the window that wouldn't let up. I knew exactly who that was.

"Damn." I groaned.

I pulled away and turned the car on. I rolled down the window to see Alice's huge grin right in my face.

"So…how was lunch?" She asked.

"It was wonderful Alice. Your brother is very nice." Bella said quickly, "Thank you Edward." She said and got out of the car before heading into the studio. She looked kind of relieved that we didn't kiss and that frustrated me.

What the hell was that?

"Goddamn it Alice." I hit the steering wheel and got out of the car.

"What? You couldn't have been trying to show her that you had feelings for her could you?" She said innocently.

"Maybe but now, I don't think I'll ever know." I growled.

"Well you can't just say it all on your first date." She rolled her eyes and followed me into the studio.

"Shut up Alice."

"Why is Alice shutting up?" Emmett bounced over to us.

"Edward and Bella were about to kiss like the lovers they are." Alice laughed.

"Really? Aw dude, finally. Now I can have another little sister." Emmett put his hand up for a high five but I just glared at them both before stomping off.

I just had one scene left to shoot and thankfully, it didn't involve Tanya. I just had to do a few monologues and that was it. I got into wardrobe, had my make up done, went through rehearsals and made sure I knew my lines perfectly before my father started the cameras.

The entire time I was acting, Bella was standing on the side in my eye line and I think I did my best performance with her watching. I could tell that I was showing off but I didn't care. The few scenes took a couple hours but we got them done quicker than expected.

"That's a wrap people." Carlisle yelled and everyone cheered.

Bella smiled at me and mouthed if she could come over. I nodded and she glided over the set to where I was standing.

"That was incredible Edward. I don't think I can ever watch a movie in the theaters again. I only want it live." She giggled.

"I'm glad you liked it."

For some reason, I needed to touch her and she seemed to notice.

"You can hug me Edward." She smirked and I gladly wrapped my arms around her tiny body, "I'm sorry I ran off like that. I was just a little freaked out. I don't know what came over me. I'm usually not so foreword."

"I like it." I said truthfully.

The hug wasn't anything inappropriate and to an outsider, it would look like friends but to me it was much more. I didn't know what was appropriate after what had almost happened in the car only a few hours ago so I didn't push myself. Just the feel of her body in my arms was enough to pacify me for now.

She giggled again as I pressed my palm against the small of her back, "Edward, I don't think this is very professional especially since I work for you now."

Shit.

I had totally forgot about that. Was this appropriate? Could I start a relationship with a woman who worked for me? Wasn't that an abuse of power?

I would have to ask my father about that one.

I pulled back and looked over to see Carlisle, Emmett and Alice staring at us from across the studio with their jaws dropped like they had just seen a nuclear explosion.

"I think we have an audience." I snickered.

She followed my gaze and hung her head when she saw what I was looking at. Her cheeks were flaming and I could tell that she was highly embarrassed. I lifted her chin with my finger.

"Please don't hide your face from me again." I said and I had to admit that it was kind of cheesy but it fit, "Come on, let me introduce you to my father."

"No, absolutely not." She tried to take her hand from my grasp.

"Why? Are you nervous?" I smirked.

"I can't meet him. He's like…super famous and I don't even look right." She tried to smooth out her hair as I pulled her forward.

"You look beautiful." I said sincerely and she blushed again.

"Fine but I don't want him to think of me as a whore so keep that little stunt you tried to pull in the car under wraps."

"Whatever you say Bella." I laughed.

We made our way over to the three of them with her hand in mine and it felt right. That's the only way I knew to describe it. Alice was whispering in my dad's ear and he smiled brightly before straightening up when we reached him.

"Dad, this is Bella Swan. Bella, this is my father Carlisle Cullen." I introduced them.

"Its so nice to meet you Mr. Cullen." Bella shook his hand and did a weird half curtsy thing that looked so cute but I knew I couldn't embarrass her by laughing.

"Its nice to meet you too Bella. Alice and Emmett have told me good things about you and I see you're working wonders on my son." He smiled and looked at me.

"I'm trying sir." She said quietly, "It takes a lot of work to keep your son's schedule in order."

"Oh, so you're working as his publicist now?" Carlisle said in genuine shock.

"Yes. What were you talking about?" She asked.

"Nothing. I hear you just moved here?" He changed the subject.

"Yes, from Chicago."

"Well, you'll have to come over and we can have a little party."

"Oh no that's ok. I don't like to be the center of attention so a party wouldn't be the best option for me."

"Don't worry Bella. If you're Edward's publicist, then you're practically family so I insist and my wife wouldn't let me hear the end of it if I didn't invite you over sometime."

"Thank you."

Bella paled at the mention of my mother. A lot of people did and I didn't really understand why until I got older. To put it frankly, the Cullens practically built this town and we still have a high amount of respect especially in the industry.

"I hear you have a son." My father said.

"Yeah dad. He's so cute." Alice jumped in the conversation.

"Well make sure you bring him as well. I can't wait to meet him and I'm sure he's every bit as charming as his mother." Carlisle said and I playfully rolled my eyes.

My father could flirt the bark off of a tree.

"I will make sure he's there." Bella smiled but still had her head partially hung.

We would work on that later.

"It's very nice to meet you but I think I'm being called over." My father shook Bella's hand again before walking back over to some producers.

"That was a disaster." Bella said under her breath.

"You did good." I wrapped my arm around her waist and brought her closer.

"What was he talking about when he asked about wonders or something?" She asked.

"You two are the most oblivious people in the world. I swear it takes me so much extra work to just made the simplest things happen." Alice snapped.

"I mean really people. I'm mildly retarded and I can obviously tell…" Emmett began.

"Shut up Emmett." Alice dragged him off before he could continue.

"Your family confuses me." Bella said when we were alone.

"Don't worry about it. They're always that way." I laughed.

That was the end to one of the best days I had had in a long time.

Over the next three days, nothing really materialized from our "almost kiss" in the car but the most important thing was that it was out there and she knew that I wanted.

I had been so wrapped up in post production work for my father's film that I didn't have any time to call Bella but I sure as hell wanted to. I know it sounds like I'm being a pussy but I used Alice and Demetri as spies. I didn't have time to make it to the last couple of football practices so I couldn't see her. They said she was happy and Alice almost forced me to call Bella one night when I came in the door at midnight.

Bella had a lot of work to do since she was now my assistant/publicist but most of her work was done behind the scenes so I didn't get to see her. There was kind of a dull pain in my chest that throbbed whenever I thought about her and I ached to pull her into another hug or even go further and complete our kiss but I wasn't going to push the envelope.

Thankfully, I was finished with the movie today was the first football game. I was definitely going to be seeing what I could do about getting a real date out of Bella.

"Demetri, hurry up!" I shouted from the kitchen while Dani was sitting at the island eating her breakfast burrito.

"Hey dad?" Dani asked.

"Yeah sweetheart?"

"Are you going to ask Bella out today? Aunt Alice said you would."

I dropped the spoon that was in my hand and heard it clatter to the floor. I quickly picked it up like nothing happened, "Uh…why do you want to know?"

"Because, I really like Bella. She bought me a slushy yesterday when Aunt Alice wouldn't." She smiled at me, "I used to think that she was mean but she's really nice and actually smart. She gave me a book the other day." Dani said happily.

"So, you would be ok if I took Bella to dinner?" I asked skeptically.

"Sure. I would normally not like you going out with other girls but you look so happy all the time. Its really funny. I bet you really like Bella." She winked and went back to her reading.

She was the one I was worried about the most.

Over the past two days, I had come to terms with Irina and convinced myself that she would want me to be happy so I didn't feel as guilty for liking Bella but I was worried that Dani wouldn't take to kindly to me dating another woman. I knew Demetri would be ok with it because he had been asking me practically since he met Bella if I was going to go out with her but he didn't really know what that meant.

I guess I don't have any reason not ask her out now.

And suddenly, my heart took off like a lightening storm.

_______________________________________________________________________
OK SO I'VE BEEN GETTING HOUNDED FOR NOT USING MY BATMAN PHRASES SO I SEE IM GOING TO HAVE TO ADD THEM TO THIS STORY TOO. OK, SO ARE YOU READY? HERE IT GOES...

HOLY FIRST DATE AND ALMOST KISS BATMAN

AS YOU CAN SEE, OUR CHARACTERS ARE GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER. DAMN THAT ALICE, I KNOW BUT SHE HAD TO DO IT. THAT NOSEY ANOTHER NOTE, HOW DID WE LIKE A MORE CONFIDENT BELLA? SHE'S NOT FULLY THERE YET BUT SHE WILL BE MAKING AN APPEARANCE MORE OFTEN. MORE ON THAT LATER.

ANYWAY...SHOW ME THE LOVE

MAKE SURE TO REVIEW. I SEE NOW THAT PEOPLE LOVE THIS SO MUCH, I CAN HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR THE NUMBER OF REVIEWS I GET.

I WANT LOTS SO IM GOING TO TRY THIS TEASER THING THAT SOME AUTHOR'S DO. IF YOU SEND ME A REVIEW, YOU GET A TEASER OF THE NEXT CHAPTER. I'LL TRY TO MAKE IT A GOOD PART TO. I WONT BE POSTING AGAIN TIL SUNDAY BECAUSE I STILL HAVE SOME WRITING TO DO BUT IF YOU WANT A LITTLE SNEAK PEAK, SEND ME A REVIEW. TEASERS WILL GO OUT TOMORROW.

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