Edward's P. O. V.
I glanced around, and saw that all of the guests were enjoying their dinner. Light conversation floated across the room.
I was very aware of Bella being next to me the entire time. She was laughing, and charming my parents. Even Alice seemed to have opened up to her. I was kind of jealous when she smiled at Emmett or Jasper. That happening to me was a very rare occasion.
"So Edward, how I the Hotel coming along?" I was snapped back to reality. My Dad was looking at me expectantly, the rest of the table mirroring him.
"It's going great. We have finished an entire floor, and have started the second story." I said grinning. I could see Bella nod in my preferal vision. I turned to her.
"I can honestly say our progress is thanks to Bella. She is an amazing leader." I said. She smiled and blushed.
"Really." Emmett said. "You should see her with those men. She whips them in the butt if they get out of line." he laughed, loudly might I add. "She's almost better at keeping them in shape then Eddie boy over here." he added. I shot him a look, which only widened his grin. My parents, of course being my parents, had to turn and fawn over Bella. She gave short replies, and looked down at her hands, her blush deepening with every compliment.
When the orchestra began playing again, Esme and Carlisle, Rosalie and Emmett, and Alice and Jasper left to dance. That left me with the goddess herself. I conjured up as much courage as I could. She was still looking down at her hands.
"Bella." she slowly looked up. She was just...breath taking, for lack of a better word.
"may I have this dance?" I asked standing, holding out my hand to her. She seemed hesitant, but them slipped her hand into mine. A perfect fit. I lead her to the dance floor.
I clasped my left hand with her right, her other hand on my shoulder, my right hand on mer waist.
"Are you having a good time tonight?" I asked softly. There wasn't any need to speak over a whisper, we were so close. I almost whacked myself to keep the fantasies out of my mind as she pressed close to me.
"I am. Your family's great. Emmett always seems to find something to laugh about." she replied, smiling at the thought. I chuckled "Yeah, that's definitely Emmett for you. I don't know how Rosie can deal with him 24/7." I said. I was actually having a civil conversation with my angel, and she wasn't hating me.
"Look Edward. I'm sorry about how I've been treating you. I'm just surprised that you can be civil." she said. I looked down at her, "What I mean is, I'm surprised at this side of you is all. You seem, human." she added. I gave her my most charming smile, she returned it, almost making my knees weak. She was glowing.
"You know, coming from you, being called human is a compliment. Considering you hate me and all." I said, still smiling, mainly to myself. Her expression didn't change, but she almost flinched at the word 'hate'.
"I don't hate you Edward. I don't hate anyone. I just, dislike you very strongly." she defended. I laughed. "Is there a difference?" I asked. She shrugged.
"Hate is such a harsh word." she murmured, sounding almost alluring. I tightened my grip on her ever so slightly. The fabric of her dress suddenly felt teasingly this, almost nonexistent.
"But you don't even know me." I said. I was curious to her reaction. "I don't need to. I can tell be your attitude and way of thinking that you are not the type of guy I want to get involved with." she replied, her tone slightly more edgy. "And I'm sure most of the tabloids are not complete lies. I decided a long time ago that I wouldn't associate with guys like you." her tone was final.
"Why not?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
"Because, Edward, I'm not disposable. And I'm not a doll you play with then turn me off and put me away while you go with other girls. And I don't like your attitude of yourself. Like you're sure you're God's gift to women. And I think it's monstrous." she said. I winced at her bluntness. She had gotten noticeably more tense. I was shocked. She had no problem with pointing out everything that was wrong with me to my face. Even when I'm her employer. But I knew I wouldn't fire her.
"But I have noticed." she added more softly, more sensual, "that the paparazzi hasn't seen you with your several dates. And that you haven't gotten a call from a girl in over two and a half weeks. And it makes me wonder. What's really going on with you." She looked up at me through her lashes. Oh. Please. I was almost at my limit. I so wanted to whisk her away to one of the hotel rooms upstairs.
The song ended and she pulled away. It took all my will power to let her walk away off the dance floor, leaving me standing there like an idiot. I turned and saw Alice not too far away, looking at me. I knew she had seen the whole thing. I walked over to her.
"You are so whipped my dear brother. And with a girl that you have a chance with that is slim to none." she said patting my back. She was her naturally calm collected self as she walked with me to the table with the rest of my family. She was right. And I was screwed.