Beta'd by Frannie, mistakes mine.

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Iris was a blond bombshell and as far as one could get from Bella's dark beauty. She was aloof and icy cool; her perfect eyebrows arching over light blue eyes, her smile slow and polite as we were introduced by Bella herself two days later at a charity ball.

The ball was hosted by our parents, Bella's father was courting his constituency, buying as many votes as he could for the upcoming election and we were all on our best behavior and dressed like royalty.

Bella and I had maintained our truce, and we were a united front as we greeted guests together, her arm once again laced through mine.

She was stunning in a Valentino gown of midnight blue satin. It was form fitting and long, with a side slit that went all the way up to her waist. It was held together by diamond pins, showing a huge amount of her tanned flesh. Her tiny feet were encased in nude pumps with a six-inch heel, which lifted Bella's height up to mine.

I found that I couldn't take my eyes off her tonight, she mesmerized me and tempted me like no one else ever had.

Her gaze lingered on me as we spoke of pointless small talk that I truly didn't hear. Her eyes were all I saw; they followed mine with a small smile here and there, her hand almost always on my arm or touching my sleeve.

It felt right when she was there, close to me, touching me.

Our parents beamed at us approvingly, our united familial front pleasing them greatly.

Little did they know just how badly I wanted to lay Bella down on the fucking, huge grand piano, which graced this room and devour every inch of her with my tongue.

Iris lingered with us as Bella spoke to her about a day they had spent together in middle school. I found Iris watching me, her expression easy to read.

She wanted me.

Game on.

I left to get some champagne for us, giving the first flute to Bella and the next to Iris. I touched my glass to Bella's first in a silent toast, and then I turned to Iris, my smile cunning and deadly.

I thought only of my stepsister as I flirted with the blond.

There was no rush of excitement at the thought of a new conquest, only impatience because it wasn't yet Bella.

Iris had warmed to me and when I asked her to dance, she agreed readily.

I glanced at Bella as we left and saw fire in her eyes and a tightening of her gloriously shiny pout.

She looked jealous.

I shook my head to clear the illusion, no doubt caused by too much champagne, and sure enough, she was now ignoring me, speaking to an acquaintance.

I frowned but went with Iris, pulling her into my arms on the dance floor with automatic flair.

Bella had disappeared.

I glance around the room trying not to be too obvious, but she was gone.

"Edward?" The blond asked.

I focused on her again, had she spoken before?

"Yes?"

"You weren't listening to me; I asked if you'd like to go somewhere else...more private?"

It was what I'd been waiting for.

"Where did you have in mind?" I asked teasingly, my mind filled with Bella.

Where was she?

"How about your room?" She said seductively, her lips beside my ear.

For the first time in my life, I suppressed a shiver of disgust. I didn't want this girl touching me I realized with shock.

"Okay. Let's go." I replied with a smile. I would do this for Bella...just to get her.

But it wouldn't happen in my room.

Bella was the only girl who had ever been in my room, and I wanted to keep it like that.

I took Iris to an arbor in our massive, ornate garden.

I'd make sure that this was over quickly.

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An hour later, I made my way to my room. I showered immediately, ignoring the fact that there were guests downstairs and that I should be with them. I scrubbed at my body and even washed my hair.

I felt dirty for the very first time after being with a woman, and I wasn't sure why.

I dressed in another suit, brushed my wayward hair and slicked some gel into it.

Making my way passed Bella's room I paused, listening for any clue that she was there.

Curiosity made me reach out and tug on the handle, it gave easily, and the door opened slowly.

Her bed was a mess, tangled sheets and covers were strewn across the wide expanse. Bella's clothes were everywhere, her scent heavy in the air.

Something deep inside me relaxed as I breathed in her spicy sweet scent.

"What do you want Edward?" Her soft, husky voice asked from across the room in the shadows of her wardrobe.

Our gazes locked and the air crackled with electricity.

"Bella..." I began, unconsciously reaching for her and stopping myself before it became obvious. I cleared my throat and raked an unsteady hand through my fucked up hair. "I...did it," I said at last.

She didn't reply, her face downcast as she studied her fingernails with far more concentration than they deserved. "Good." Her voice was empty.

Uninterested.

"Bella, are you okay? " I asked taking a step towards her.

I closed the gap between us and stopped an inch away from her. She was still fully dressed, except for her shoes.

She raised her head, and I saw a suspicious wetness on her cheeks. "I'm fine, Edward. To be honest, I'm not sure what's wrong with me..." she gestured to the room at large. "This isn't like me."

A smile tugged at my lips, despite her tears. She was adorable in her vulnerability. "Is there anything I can do?"

A tiny smile lifted a corner of her luscious lips, her gaze curiously timid. "You'd help me?"

"I'd do any...a lot for you." I amend hastily.

My hands cupped her face before I knew what I was doing, my eyes fixed on her lips.

I leaned in and pressed my mouth to hers, breathing her in as I did so. A shudder shook her, but she didn't back away as I half expected her to. Her soft lips moved against mine, and I was lost as desire swamped me.

Or lips clung as we kissed with closed mouths, our noses touching slightly, our lips sliding against each other with slow sensuality.

Her tears were salty, and I needed to taste more. I traced her lips with my tongue, asking for entry and hers parted with a gasp of pleasure. I slid my tongue into the depths of her mouth and caressed every hidden recess of her honeyed sweetness.

Need rocked me to my core, the bone jarring need to possess this girl at any cost.

Bell's tongue joined mine, and she kissed me back until her hands slid around my neck and her fingers touched my hair.

Suddenly she froze and pulled away, her fingers still tangled in the hair at the nape of my neck.

"Take me back downstairs?" She whispered raggedly, resting her head against mine briefly.

"Certainly," I said, trying to calm myself.

I stepped away from her and waited as she bent to find her shoes.

Bella went to the large mirror and dabbed at her face with a tissue, before tossing her hair over her shoulder and applying a small amount of her ever-present lip balm to her slightly, kiss swollen lips.

She came to me and slid her arm through mine as we went down the stairs to the party below.

"You still owe me," I stated, my arm tightening to hold her to me.

Bella refused to look at me. "I haven't forgotten. You'll get your reward, Edward, right after you give me the details of your conquest. That was the deal, wasn't it?" She said sweetly.

Our brief kiss seemed to be forgotten or some figment of my imagination.

But despite my confusion, I was determined to play this game to its very bitter end.

"Deal," I said, grinning at her. "When are we going to do this?"

"Right after the party." She replied glancing up at me from under her thick lashes.

I felt my entire being clench at that look.

Fuck me, I couldn't wait.

Authors note; thoughts?