A/N: I want to clear up a little confusion with the timeline. Only eight days had passed between the night Edward showed up at Bella's apartment and the night she showed up in his office in the last chapter. Not a month. It had been a month since she'd last been to his office/bar.

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Chapter 9 - Crap Shoot

BPOV

Having gone without sex for a few weeks, Edward and I went a bit crazy in his office, fucking on every available surface, horizontal or otherwise.

And now that I'd had a taste of Edward's lips, I couldn't seem to stop kissing him.

It felt like a full-blown addiction.

He was sitting in his desk chair with me on his lap, pressed against him, my elbows resting on his shoulders and my hands tangled in his hair. We were sweaty, sated, and exhausted, but our lips were still connected. Softly now but still together, his top lip between mine and my bottom lip between his, alternating in the sweetest little kisses.

It was far too intimate, but still, I couldn't stop. And he didn't seem to want me to.

Those lips that I used to stare at and think were so perfect were even better than I ever imagined.

Little sparks radiated from where our lips met, ricocheting through my body, making me press even closer to him.

I had to stop.

I touched my lips to his one last time before deciding I should get dressed and get home. Edward chased my lips briefly as I pulled away, making my heart give a little kick against my ribs.

I didn't look at him as I slid off his thighs.

Just as I was shimmying into my dress, my phone buzzed. Picking it up, I muttered, "Aw, shit," after reading the text that came through.

"What's wrong?" Edward asked.

"Oh." I glanced up at him and then looked around for my shoes. "Um, I have this benefit gala for the hospital that I have to go to next weekend, and my date just canceled on me."

"Your date?"

"Yeah, this nurse from the hospital."

"A nurse?" he asked with a smirk and raised eyebrows.

"Yes. A male nurse."

Edward's smirk transformed into a scowl for a second before he schooled his features into total apathy.

"He's gay," I said. I didn't know why I felt the need to explain myself, but it just came out.

"Oh."

"Yeah, so…"

"So, you need a date."

"Well, yeah," I said, finally locating my second shoe. "I guess. But it's not that big of a deal if I go alone."

"I could go with you."

I looked at him for a moment but then shook my head. "I couldn't ask you to do that, Edward."

"You're not," he pointed out. "Besides, it's not like I won't know anyone there. Rose and Em will be there."

"That's true," I replied. "But do you really think that's such a good idea? I mean, our last 'date' was kind of a disaster."

"It was?" he asked.

"Uh… were you not there?"

Edward chuckled. "I just didn't think it was that bad. I seem to recall the end of the night being particularly spectacular."

I laughed as I slipped my shoes on. "Of course that's all you recall."

We held each other's gazes for a moment, smiling at one another. It started to feel too good, the twist low in my stomach telling me that I needed to rein it in. So I cleared my throat and glanced around the office to make sure I'd gotten everything, and I heard Edward sigh.

Two long, inked arms wrapped around me from behind, and I sucked in a breath, my skin flushing hot from the feel of him pressed against my back. No matter that he'd just fucked me senseless all over this room.

Edward brushed my hair aside, and his lips touched the side of my neck, his warm breath just below my ear making my knees weaken. It was a damn good thing he was holding on to me.

"Let me take you to the benefit, Bella," he murmured. "I want to."

He wanted to? But why?

He'd made it abundantly clear that he wanted my body, but beyond that, I didn't know why he'd want to get dressed up and mingle with a bunch of doctors—especially considering he seemed to have an aversion to them in general.

It didn't seem like a good idea. Our agreement was on very shaky ground as it was, what with all the kissing and other blatant disregard for the rules we'd agreed upon.

Edward's lips skimmed up and down my neck as his arms tightened around me, and I completely lost my train of thought.

My eyes fell shut, and I shuddered out an exhale before uttering a breathy, "Okay."


I'd told Edward to just meet me at the gala, but he'd insisted on picking me up. Since my apartment was on his way, he thought it would be silly not to ride together, but I was starting to panic a little at just how much this evening was turning out to be like a real date.

What the hell had I been thinking, agreeing to this?

The morning of the event, I picked up my phone several times with the intention of canceling.

I could go alone. No big deal.

I'd spent Christmas and New Year's alone this year, though.

Again.

So, by the afternoon, I decided it might be nice to just go out and have a good time with someone for once.

Besides, it was still a work function, so there was a purpose behind it. I just didn't want the other doctors I worked with to see me all googly-eyed over some guy. I'd built up an image of being tough around the hospital, and I'd be damned if that was going to be undone in one evening.

I'd felt safe in choosing to go with Eric. He was hilarious, and I knew we'd have a fun time together, and that would be that.

Going with Edward felt like a crap shoot.

There was no denying at this point that my feelings for him were changing. But I was still doing my best to keep them in check.

I smoothed my hands over the deep purple silk of my dress, making sure it was laying just right. I'd swept up the sides of my hair into elegant clips, and the back cascaded down in big curls. I was just putting my earrings in when there was a knock on my door.

I hadn't put my shoes on yet, so I padded across my hardwood floor and checked the peephole, but I couldn't see anything.

It looked like he was covering it with his hand.

"Edward?"

"Yeah, it's me," came his smooth voice from the other side of the door.

I slid the chain out of its notch and began to unlock and open the door as I spoke. "You know, you really shouldn't cover the peephole. It's kind of scary for a single wo... man..." My breath stuttered, and I was pretty sure my heart fell down into my toes and then came back up to lodge itself in my throat once I got the door open and saw Edward in all his tux-clad glory.

My eyes traveled from his hair, which he'd gotten cut and tamed with some kind of product, over his handsome face, to his broad shoulders, to the bow-tie at his neck, where I saw his Adam's apple bob lightly.

Was he speaking?

I had no idea.

I took in the tailored lines of his black jacket, down to his trim waist and long legs in perfectly fitted pants. His shoes were shiny-black and pristine.

My mouth was hanging open as my eyes roamed over him, and I didn't know how long I'd been staring. But when my gaze went back to his face, he was smirking at me.

"See something you like?"

Lifting my jaw off the floor and pulling myself together as best I could, I gave him a withering look and stepped back so he could come in.

"I just need to get my shoes on. I'll be right back." I started to walk away from him, but he caught my hand and tugged me back, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me close.

"You look stunning, Bella," he said just before he dipped down to kiss my lips.

I let out a quiet moan as he sucked my bottom lip into his mouth, slowly releasing it and me.

"You look..." My head was bobbing slightly as I attempted to catch my breath. "Yeah... I'll just..." I tilted my head in the general direction of my room, trying to indicate that I was going to get my shoes.

I still wasn't used to kissing him and the way it affected me. I wasn't sure I ever would be.

Once I was ready, Edward offered me his arm and escorted me out to his car. He opened the door for me before going around to his side, and I watched him duck into his seat before sliding into mine, in awe of just how gentlemanly he was being.

When we arrived at the hotel for the Celebrate Swedish benefit gala, I grew nervous. I hated this feeling.

Edward was starting to get very good at turning me into a puddle of goo, and that was something I wanted to avoid tonight.

"Isabella!" Rosalie called as she waved at us from several feet away.

When we got closer, her mouth dropped open.

"Edward? What are you doing here?" She gasped and brought her hand to her chest. "Are you two dating now? Oh, my God! I'm so happy for you!"

"Hi, Rose." Edward leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

I frowned. "No. We're not—"

"Isn't it great?" Edward interrupted and slid his arm around my waist. "Thanks again for setting us up, sis."

I shot him a confused look, but Rosalie was absolutely beaming at him, so I decided to just go along with it for the moment.

"Where's Emmett?" I asked.

"Oh, he's getting us some drinks. You look fantastic, Isabella," she said with a warm smile.

Rosalie was all business at the hospital, but I was beginning to really like her. Outside of work, she was genuine and sweet, and I smiled back at her, still tucked under her brother's arm.

"Thank you. You look beautiful yourself. Red is definitely your color."

"You think so?"

I nodded.

"I do love the boldness of it."

"Hey, kids," Emmett greeted as he walked over, holding two tumblers of amber liquid over ice. "I didn't know you were coming, Ed. Here, take this," he said, handing him one of the drinks and giving the other to Rosalie. "I'll go get another. Bella, you want something?"

"Sure. Bourbon if they have it."

Emmett raised his eyebrows at me in surprise and then nodded in satisfaction before heading back toward the bar.

"I've never seen you drink bourbon before," Edward murmured by my ear.

I thought back to all the times he'd come over straight from the bar, his hands smelling like bourbon and scotch, and I smiled at him. "It just sounded good."

We found our seats shortly after Emmett came back with our drinks and proceeded to listen to the director of Swedish Medical Center speak about the fundraising efforts of the evening.

Our $200-per-plate meals were served, and I could tell Rosalie was curious about what was going on between Edward and me as she kept staring between the two of us when she wasn't engaged in conversation.

She finally spoke up when dessert, a delicious-looking pot de crème, was served.

"So, when did you two start officially dating?" she asked, addressing Edward. "Last we spoke about it, you were adamant that there was nothing there." She cut her eyes to me. "Sorry, Bella. I'm just confused. I mean, it's great. I obviously thought you two would be great together."

Rosalie looked like she was going to keep speaking, but Edward cut her off.

"I was wrong," he said, looking directly into my eyes. "About there being nothing there. I was wrong."

My chest seemed to hollow out and then fill back up all at once as I let those words sink in.

Did he really mean them? Or was it just a show he was putting on for his sister? I couldn't be sure, but I saw nothing but sincerity when I looked into his jade eyes.

"You took your piercing out," I whispered, noticing for the first time and bringing my hand up to swipe my thumb over where it usually was.

Edward gave me a crooked smile. "Yeah. I figured I should for tonight. Besides, Rose would probably have kicked my ass if I'd shown up with it in."

I glanced at Rosalie then, dropping my arm. She was smiling softly at us, her head tilted slightly. I didn't know why Edward wanted to let her believe we were together, but I couldn't be the one to wipe that smile off her face.

After dessert, Emmett and Rosalie got up to dance. Edward and I sat through one song before he rose to his feet, offering a hand to me.

"Would you dance with me, Bella?"

I looked at his outstretched hand and then at his face, worry etched on mine, I was sure.

"Come on," he insisted. "It'll be fun."

There was upbeat music playing, so I figured it would be safe. I stood and smoothed down my dress, taking Edward's hand to let him lead me out onto the dance floor.

The live band was playing swing music, and he put his arm around my waist, clasping our free hands up in the air and began moving us around the dance floor. We weren't pressed together; he was respecting the bubble.

After three songs, I was smiling and laughing constantly. Edward was, surprisingly, a great dancer, and I was having so much more fun with him than I expected to. I'd been afraid things might be a little awkward between us, but it was anything but.

"Okay, I think I need a break," I said, laughing. "My feet are starting to hurt."

Edward didn't give me a hard time. He started to lead me off the dance floor, but then a familiar slow song began playing, and before I knew it, he'd stopped walking and pulled me in close to him.

I didn't protest as his arm went around me and his warm hand splayed across my lower back. My eyes met his twinkling ones as I rested my free hand on the back of his neck, feeling the stiffness of his collared shirt against his skin.

He brought our joined hands up to rest on his chest and laid his smooth, clean-shaven cheek against mine.

God, he smelled divine.

"Unforgettable…" he crooned softly in my ear. "That's what you are..."

A quiet gasp escaped my throat, and my eyes stung with tears. I ignored the pain in my toes and lightly squeezed the back of his neck, pressing my body in even closer to him.

Edward's grip on my hand tightened, and his other hand that had been resting on my back slid around my waist as he sang, "How the thought of you does things to me…"

My body sagged against him, my fingers moving to scratch at the shorter hairs on the back of his head. He stopped singing and let out a little groan of pleasure, dropping his forehead to my shoulder and then moving to bury his face in my neck as we continued to sway, lost in the music and each other.

I knew I shouldn't be letting this happen. But it was the single most romantic moment of my entire life.

It was a bittersweet thing to experience with someone I wasn't even dating and for whom I was never supposed to develop feelings.

I knew Edward didn't want a relationship. Maybe he was just getting caught up in the moment, much like I was. Or maybe he was just pretending in front of his sister and brother-in-law. But then there was the cuddling and all the kissing and...

It was all terribly confusing.

Instead of letting my mind spin out of control, I laid my head on Edward's shoulder, facing his neck so I could lay soft kisses there. I decided to just enjoy the moment for once. I knew the bubble would burst soon, but right now, I would let myself have this little piece of him.

This little piece of happiness.


Fuck-buddy Rule #2: No Romance. Get in and get out, so to speak.

Rule status: Swept away


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