Twilight is not mine. Thanks to Ms Tosh, as usual.

Bella answered the door quickly, since she was prepared for Edward's visit this time. She didn't think she'd ever be able to live down the skivvy-dancing he'd witnessed that morning. She had been jamming to some JT and Timbaland (Really, who doesn't move their ass to that combo?), and really hadn't been expecting company.

She felt her heart stutter a bit at the brilliant, white smile that greeted her when she opened the door. Down, girl.

"Hey."

"Hey." Okay, now that the salutations were dispensed with, Bella had to force herself back to the present in order to avoid leering. Too late.

She cleared her throat and thumbed in the direction of the kitchen. "It was the kitchen light."

Edward nodded and headed back to the kitchen to inspect the broken lamp. After deducing it was just a blown bulb, he had the whole thing replaced and operating within fifteen minutes.

They stared at each other a moment, trying to figure out what to do next. This time, Bella took the leap.

"So, you said that you had no plans...you're uh, you're welcome to stick around. If you want? I was just watching a movie..." She trailed off, expecting him to say 'no thanks', but Edward was always full of surprises.

"Sure."

"Really? I was watching The Princess Bride, not exactly a manly flick." He shrugged, and she allowed a brief smile to flit across her lips. "Okay, then." Edward followed her back to the living room, and they each took up residence on separate couches.

Imagine Bella's surprise when Edward interjected bits of dialogue throughout the movie, and was able to recite Vizzini's entire iocaine powder speech. She was duly impressed, and told him so.

"Yeah, well, it is one of my mom's favorite movies. We shared quite a few movie nights when I was younger." He shrugged, indicating it really wasn't a big deal.

Training his eyes on her, his mouth opened again of its own accord, speaking before he could think. "You aren't as bad as I thought."

Not knowing whether to be flattered or insulted, Bella turned incredulous eyes on him. "Um, thanks?"

Edward shook his head, repeating a familiar chastisement of 'you are an idiot' in his mind. "That came out way wrong. We've just had such a rocky acquaintance so far, you've acted like you hate me far more often than you are able to tolerate me. But then I see you like this-relaxed…it's just difficult to reconcile with what I know."

Bella looked thoughtful for a moment, mulling over his words. "I guess I didn't really like you for a while there. Maybe I still don't." She smirked at him. He smiled and rolled his eyes. "I don't generally get people talking to me the way you did-do. It, uh...it took some getting used to."

Edward studied her face briefly, before stating softly, "You don't have to be the bitch, Bella. People will like you anyway." Bella looked down at her intertwined hands, not comfortable with the sudden introspection. Instead of answering, she changed the subject.

"So what about you? I don't know all that much about where you're from." She gave him a friendly smile, and he shifted uncomfortably.

He was not quite ready to get into that. There was a nagging feeling telling him that he needed more time as Edward Masen. She wasn't ready for Edward Cullen, not yet. Of course, neither was he.

Feeling slightly scrutinized, he swept his eyes around the room, landing on the racks upon racks of compact discs along one wall.

"Are those CDs? I didn't figure you for the tangible music type." Bella narrowed her eyes in annoyance.

"How old do you think I am? I'm not too young to appreciate the time before everything was digital, you know." Her gaze followed him around the room, watching his fingers ghost over each jewel case before noticing the stereo system tucked into the corner.

"Hm, let's see what you have in here, shall we?" He flashed a coy grin in Bella's direction, causing her to flush. Getting quite tired of that.

"Oh God, I don't even remember the last time I used that thing!" Bella's mind frantically searched, trying to recall what she had in the player. It wasn't until Edward had pushed 'play' and the music came pouring out that she laughed, memories of Alice and her dancing around the room to the soundtrack.

Edward turned in surprise, the sound of her laugh reaching down into his soul. She'd never laughed in his presence before. He liked it. "Romeo + Juliet, huh? Even I liked that one."

He approached Bella, who was still smiling, and began to tease her about her morning dance routine. "You know, I can teach you to dance. I do have a bit of experience in the area." She didn't need to know that Esme had corralled him and Emmett into dance classes in order to learn how to properly 'partner' a lady.

Bella huffed indignantly, but couldn't deny the hand he held out in offering. It's a fast song, she told herself, completely innocent.

Right.

They swooped and swirled around the room to Young Hearts Run Free, laughing and forgetting that they couldn't stand each other. Edward spun her around several times, both of them loosening up considerably.

It was on one such twirl that Bella found her balance stolen, forcing her to end up in his arms, and the song conveniently changed to Kissing You. The mood song to end all mood songs. Of course.

Edward lost himself for a moment, reveling in the warm feeling of her in his embrace. Their laughter ceased abruptly, a palpable tension entering the atmosphere.

Their hearts pounded against each other's ribcage, both afraid to breathe too deeply for fear of pressing far more than just their chests together.

"Bella," Edward hesitated before continuing, "I don't know what the fuck I'm doing. You drive me crazy. I'm pretty sure you hate me, and yet, here we are."

As Des'ree sang in the background, Bella's mind raced. So many things wrong with this. "Not to mention, I am technically your boss."

Edward chuckled briefly, and once again, his brain to mouth filter conveniently shut itself off, "Well, I don't really need this job." Two pairs of eyes darted between their matches and mouths, both denying yet yearning.

Bella's eyes didn't leave Edward's pouty lips while his statement registered in her mind, and she pursed her lips briefly, "What do you mean by that? How do you not need the job?"

Edward realized his mistake, and had to think quickly lest she press for more.

Though kissing her really hadn't been in the plan for the evening, it seemed as good a time as any. Between the mood music and Bella's hands creeping around his waist, he made a decision.

If I'm going to hell, may as well do it thoroughly.

Pressing his lips to hers was unlike any sensation he had ever experienced. The way they yielded to his, yet captured them at the same time, and the thrumming undercurrent of tension they both carried, Edward nearly lost himself in the moment. Only the abrupt change of tempo in the music, caused by the ending of one song and beginning of a new one, shook him awake.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Not good, not good at all.

Bella nearly toppled forward when Edward suddenly pulled back, gripping her by the shoulders. She recognized the wild look in his eyes, and clapped her hands across her mouth. That wasn't supposed to happen!

"Oh, my god." Her eyes widened as she realized their mistake, and within moments, each was apologizing profusely.

"I am so, so sorry. I should never have crossed that line. You're my-"

"We can't do this. Holy shit, we can't do this-"

"I think I need to get going-"

"Why don't we call it a night-"

Realizing the music was still playing, Bella stepped quickly to the stereo, successfully silencing it. She stood with her head down for a few moments, and Edward wasn't quite sure what to do.

"Bella, I'm sorry. Really. I don't-I'm not sure... Can we just forget this happened? I don't want things to be awkward or anything, and I certainly don't want you to feel weird around me now." He lied through his teeth. He knew he wouldn't forget about what transpired.

Taking another minute to clear her head, Bella knew he was right. This couldn't happen. They barely tolerated one another. It had to go back to the way it was. It didn't matter that she maybe enjoyed it...okay fine, she did. No. She intensely disliked this man. He was a cocky man-whore who worked for her, for cripe's sake!

"You're right." She turned and smiled brightly. "We got lost in the moment. No harm, no foul."

"You sure? Because I don't really want to come in to work tomorrow and have a sexual harassment case thrown at me, you know." He half-grinned to let her know he was kidding...partially.

She laughed sharply at the notion. "Ha, no, that won't happen, I promise. Besides, you're not my type."

Edward dropped his jaw jokingly, giving her an exaggeratedly incredulous look as she winked at him. "Hm, okay, if you say so."

She smirked and said, "Even if you were my type, I'm not one to share. You have far too much fun flirting with anything that has tits. 'Tis rather slutty, don't you think?"

Edward narrowed his eyes at her, deciding whether to just accept the jab she threw his way or to strike back.

He struck back. He needed to feel in charge again. Men.

"Well at least I'm not a snobby princess who expects everything in life to come easy."

Bella tossed a sarcastic smile his way before raising her arm, and with a middle finger flourished in his direction sneered, "Bye, Edward."

"Later, Heiress." he was out the door before she could protest his use of her nickname.

Bella slapped her palm to her forehead forcefully, adding a few more slaps for good measure. What had she gotten herself into?

Hello. I told you I'd be updating faster! ;)

Nothing to rec this time.

Thanks for reading!