Chapter 11

Royal Treatment

BPOV

I lay in bed after he fell back asleep staring at the mystery man I shared a bed with. Why did I let him get to me so easily? I was so confident around him last night and he had disarmed me at how well he could read me. I still couldn't understand how he had won that game.

His sighs and moans woke me up this morning. He had come in early this morning and then passed out, at the time I was too tired to notice what he was wearing. When I opened my eyes I was in a bit of shock to find a gloriously half naked man lying beside me. My daydreams didn't do him justice. I found myself admiring the hard lines of his bare back, traveling down to his perfectly formed tush, barely clad in thin silky boxers.

I quietly crawled out of bed trying not to disturb him. He didn't move. Poor guy drank himself silly last night. All because of…why? Me? He seemed so irritated with me this morning. I hated having him mad at me. It's just another reason why we have to keep this arrangement platonic. We had one kiss and almost immediately, things had become weird between us. But what an incredible kiss it was.

After I dressed quickly I sat down with the newspaper again, checking to see if there were any more jobs that I wanted to apply to. I circled the ones that had potential, left a note for Edward, grabbed my resumes and ran out the door. I had applied to the remaining employment prospects on my list and headed back to the hotel. It was four o'clock by the time I reached the hotel, and I realized I hadn't eaten anything all day. I ordered in and pulled out the new book I had bought today at the bookstore I applied at. Edward came in a couple of hours later.

He looked exhausted but seemed to be feeling better than he did this morning. I was pleased to see that things were back to normal. Our conversation was light and he was pleasant. It didn't surprise me when he turned in early. I stayed up and read until I fell asleep on the couch.

I woke up early to being carried into the bedroom.

"What's going on?" I mumbled incoherently.

"I'm taking you to bed." Even in my half drowsy state, I felt a flutter to those words. He gently laid me down and then walked away.

"What're you doing?" I asked as he walked over to the closet.

"I need to go into the office for awhile." He said as he pulled out a suit and went into the bathroom to change.

I was just starting to doze off again when I felt weight on the bed next to me. His warm hand brushed across my cheek.

"Bella?" I opened my eyes. "We have dinner reservations at five so I'll be here by four to change so we can go." I nodded my head in understanding then closed my eyes. I felt his soft, warm lips on my cheek.

"Bye, love."

I tried to go back to sleep but it was impossible with the feel of his lips still on my cheek. I spent the morning reading and making phone calls to the jobs I had applied for. I was excited to have set up two interviews for the next week. My phone rang, when I looked at the caller ID, Alice's name flashed across the screen.

"Hello?"

"Bella, I'm on my way over now." Her voice flitted through the phone.

"Why?"

"Didn't Edward tell you I was coming over?" she asked, slightly irritated.

"No, he failed to mention it."

I heard Alice growl on the other end. "I'll deal with my brother later. I'm coming over to help you get ready for tonight. I'll see you in ten." Then she hung up before I could say anything more.

Ten minutes later she was bouncing through the door with shopping bags full of miscellaneous beauty products.

"How did you get in?" I asked, remembering that she had let herself in last time too. Alice pointed at herself.

"Cullen." She said flippantly and then waved a key card in front of me. What Alice wants, Alice gets. I couldn't be angry at her because it was obvious that no one ever told her no. If she wanted a key, she got one. Besides, I've seen the famous pout. I can't imagine what the poor front desk guy went through if she unleashed her full charms on him to get her way.

We spent the remainder of the afternoon primping. She painted my nails blood red. When I went to object to the loud color she just waived a hand dismissively at me.

"No arguing, I know what's best when it comes to this." I couldn't argue with her about that so I went along.

She set my hair in large curlers and then started in on the makeup. I hope she doesn't decide my makeup needs to be as obnoxious as my nails. When she was finished with my face she started pulling curlers out. She wouldn't let me look until she was completely finished. With a small smirk, she told me to close my eyes and led me over to the mirrors.

"Okay, open your eyes."

I stared at the woman in the mirror and was taken aback by my appearance. Alice had pulled the front of my hair back in a pretty black clip, some wisps of hair escaped to frame my face gently. While the back was loose with lots of large curls. The makeup was natural but my eyes had a slight smoky look to them with a touch of tinted lip gloss.

"You look fantastic Bella." I gave a small nod, still amazed at the transformation from plain Bella to beautiful Bella. I didn't think I would feel so self-conscious standing next to my overly handsome date now.

"You really are a miracle worker, Alice."

"Don't be ridiculous. I just brought out the beauty that was already there." She smiled at me and told me to get dressed. As I was headed for the closet my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Isabella Swan?" A deep, rough voice asked

"Yes, this is her." My curiosity raised.

"This is Riley Stevens from Manhattan Trust, I was looking over your resume and I'd like to set up an interview with you."

"Sure, Mr. Stevens, when would you like to meet?" Excitement was evident in my voice. This was the company that I most wanted to hear from.

"How about next week, say…Monday morning at nine?"

"That should be fine." We ended the conversation with the usual pleasantries. When I pressed 'end' on my phone I began jumping up and down, small squeals occasionally slipping out in my enthusiasm.

"What is it Bella?" Alice came into the room, eyebrows raised in confusion.

"I have a job interview!" I said breathlessly. I immediately realized my mistake. I didn't want Edward to know about this step yet. At least not until I actually get a job.

"Please, Alice. Don't say anything to Edward yet." I fidgeted nervously. "I don't want to disappoint him if I don't get the job. My own disappointment will be overwhelming as it is, I don't want to see the pity in his eyes too." She looked taken aback.

"Bella, Edward will be nothing but supportive. You really should tell him."

"I will, but not until I get a job. Alice please, do this for me. I need to do this on my own."

She seemed to understand my need for independence and agreed. She helped me get into my dress, zipping it up for me, then handed me the shoes. I groaned at having to wear heals but knew that it completed the dress perfectly. I slid them on and then she walked me over to mirror. The dress was just as beautiful as it was when I tried it on. The full effect of being completely done up was dazzling. I smiled at Alice in the mirror.

"Thank you Alice." I said sincerely. A loud gasp drew my attention away from Alice. In the mirror, I saw Edward standing in the doorway. I turned to face him slowly.

"You look ravishing, Bella." He quickly turned away and muttered something about having to get ready. I looked at Alice and she just shrugged her shoulders as she gathered her things back in the bags and walked towards the door.

"We'll see you at the theater at seven. Don't forget to put the lip gloss in your bag." She said as an afterthought while she opened the door.

"Thanks again, Alice." She nodded her head and then was gone. I stood in the entryway not really knowing what to do next.

"Bella, can you come here a minute?" Edward called from the bedroom. I slowly walked towards the room, not wanting to trip over my feet in these shoes.

I stopped in the doorway as he was finishing up with his tie. He saw me in the mirror and waved me over. He turned towards me when I got close. His tie was slightly crooked so without thinking I reached up and started to fix it. I could feel his warmth radiating off of him as I focused on the tie. When it was sufficiently straight, I looked up into his smiling eyes. The heat crept up to my cheeks and I knew that I was pink.

"Thanks," he said in that velvety voice that made me melt. He turned back to the dresser and pulled out a velvet box a little bigger than a CD case and handed it to me.

"I think this will look beautiful with your dress." He urged me to open it. I gave him a perplexed look and he just motioned for me to open it again. I slowly opened the lid and had to catch my breath. Laid in the velvet lining was the most beautiful piece of jewelry I had ever seen. I snapped the lid closed quickly and handed it back to him.

"I can't accept this." When he didn't take it from me I moved to lay it on the dresser. He caught my arm and started to chuckle.

"Bella, it's not a gift, it's on loan." I was confused at his statement.

"What do you mean?"

"The necklace and earrings are on loan from the jeweler for tonight. I thought it would look nice on you." He ran his hand from my cheek down my neck giving me goose bumps.

"Please, just try them on." Edward took the box from my hand and opened it so I could get a better look at it.

The necklace had several rather large rubies with eight small diamonds circling each stone. The earrings matched the stones on the necklace. I ran my fingers across them admiring the beauty of it. I looked up at him and he had a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

"Do you like them?" He asked to which I nodded immediately.

"They are very beautiful. Which king did you steal the crown jewels from?" He removed the necklace from the box and placed it around my neck, brushing my hair away so he could latch the clasp. It was heavier than I had anticipated. He chuckled at my attempt at a joke.

"I have a friend that has several jewelry stores in the area. He loans out expensive pieces to his celebrity clients, so I called in a favor."

"Expensive? How expensive?"

"These pieces are insured for two hundred fifty thousand."

"What? A quarter of a million dollars? I can't possibly wear this."

I went to take it off and he stilled my hands.

"You will wear this and you won't worry, they're insured." He gave me that look again and I didn't want to argue with him. He handed me the earrings and I moved to the mirror to put them on. When I had them secured I turned to show him the finished product.

"Stunning," he whispered. My hand went directly to the necklace.

"Yes, they are beautiful." He held out his arm for me and I wrapped mine around then grasped his arm.

"I wasn't talking about the jewelry," he whispered in my ear as he led me out of the bedroom. Blushing at his remark I grabbed my clutch off the table and he led me out the door.

I caught myself constantly touching the necklace to make sure it was still in place. We left the elevator and I felt like every eye was on us as we walked through the lobby. The self-conscious side of me wanted to bury my face in Edward's chest and make a run for it but then there was another side that felt a small twinge of pride at being with this amazing man.

We walked out the door and climbed into the waiting car. The driver turned to Edward when he got in after closing my door.

"Where to, Mr. Cullen?"

"Club 21 on 52nd."

"We're going to a club?" I was puzzled at the destination. I thought we were going to dinner. Edward laughed quietly.

"It's not a club. Well, not like you're thinking. There is a bar. It was a speakeasy in the twenties when prohibition was in effect. The upstairs restaurant was opened in 2002. You've probably seen pictures of the jockey's lining the staircase."

"Oh…I do remember hearing about it, wasn't it in that George Clooney movie, One Fine Day?" He nodded his head slowly. "You'll have to tell Emmett that I knew that."

He barked out a laugh. "I'm sure he'll appreciate it, maybe he'll stop teasing you." He smirked and then shook his head. "No, he'll probably still tease you."

We arrived at the restaurant and Edward helped me out of the car, leading me to the maitre d'. "Dinner reservations for Cullen." He sounded so formal when he spoke to the gentleman behind the counter that I giggled. He put his arm around my waist and gave a little squeeze causing another squeak to come out of me. My cheeks lit up to a warm shade of pink.

"I love it when you smile." He told me as we were led to our table. I took a look around the dining room at the beautifully painted murals on the wall.

"Look, Edward," I said as I pointed to one of them. "That's the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain from Central Park. Do you remember walking by it on our date?"

"I couldn't forget anything about that day Bella." He said sweetly, causing me to melt just a little more. How does he do that?

The other murals were of landmarks all over the city. It was a beautiful intimate room that had a warm glow to it. The waiter came over and asked us what we would like to drink.

"Do you like champagne?" Edward asked me as he placed the napkin in his lap. I nodded my head as I looked over the menu.

Edward looked quickly over the wine list before snapping it closed and handing it back to the waiter.

"Yes, please bring us a bottle of Cristal."

"Very good, sir."

The waiter brought back the champagne and poured us each a glass, then left the bottle in an iced bucket. I brought the glass to my lips feeling the little bubbles pop and tickle my nose as I took a sip. It tasted completely different from the champagnes I'd had in the past. I immediately recognized that this one was probably a lot more expensive then my twelve dollar bottle of Brut.

We talked quietly about the different items on the menu, agreeing completely that we could live a happy life without caviar and oysters.

Dinner was wonderful, the atmosphere was perfect and Edward was charming. Our conversation was light and my life seemed perfect at that moment. As I gazed at the man sitting across from me I couldn't help but wonder what would happen when this all ended. Would he want to see me again? Would he go back to Seattle? Would he miss me as much as I knew I would miss him? I let out a slow sigh as I pondered these questions.

"What is running through that beautiful mind of yours?" he asked. I shook my head. He turned the full intensity of his emerald eyes on me and my resolve waivered.

"I was just wondering what will happen when you leave." I looked down at my lap, not wanting to see what was playing across his face. He reached over and took my hand that was lying on the table, rubbing small circles on the top, before he brought it to his lips.

"Don't worry, love. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

"That's not what I meant. I'll be back on my feet and taking care of myself in no time."

"Then what did you mean?"

I swallowed trying to clear the lump in my throat away. "With our friendship. Will I see you again?" He sat back in his chair looking thoughtful before he answered.

"I live in Seattle, Bella. I come to New York once or twice a year. I would love to see you when I come in." His words seemed to be sincere, but the circumstances were not conducive to anything lasting or permanent. I nodded and smiled, trying to lift the hurt that was lying underneath.

"That would be wonderful. I can show you more of New York." He smiled that dazzling smile and the hurt I was feeling a moment before was replaced by a longing to reach out and touch him.

"We should get going," he commented as he signed the check, laid his napkin on the table and walked around my chair pulling it out for me and then offering his hand. I took it and we walked back out to the car.

The ride to the theater was quiet, both of us buried in our own thoughts. We arrived at the Brooks Atkinson Theater with fifteen minutes to spare to be in our seats. Edward, being the gentleman that he was, offered me his arm when we climbed out of the car. A flash from a camera drew my attention away from him. There was a small man snapping pictures at us like we were some big celebrities as we walked into the theater.

"That was odd," I said to Edward when we were inside.

"It occasionally happens when I'm attending functions, especially where Rose is concerned. Don't let it bother you, most of the time it doesn't reach the papers here in New York. There are more juicy topics in this town than me." He smiled, reassuringly. I was glad, I didn't exactly like the spotlight. He led us to our seats and I was excited to see that Alice, Jasper and Emmett were already seated. When she saw us, Alice jumped up and gave me a hug.

"How was dinner?"

"Amaaaaazing. I think that the Raspberry Cheesecake was the best I'd ever had." She grabbed my hand and pulled me down in the seat next to hers. We sat and giggled about dinner until she turned to Edward.

"I'm totally pissed at you for not telling Bella I was coming over today." He looked slightly taken aback with her accusation. When he regained his bearings, he shot back.

"I'm not used to my sister paying attention to the woman in my life." I beamed at his description of me and wondered what he meant by his sister not paying attention to his….what? Wife? I couldn't imagine Alice being mean to anyone, but she obviously didn't like being around Tanya.

"That's because none of them have been worthy of my attention, until now." She smiled at me and I smiled back understanding that I had been fully accepted by Alice. Edward shook his head with a lopsided smile. He took my hand and laid our entwined fingers in his lap as the show started.

Grease reminded me of what was going on between Edward and I. Sandy and Danny were from different social standings, plus they both skated around their true feelings for each other. Avoidance. That seems to be the best description of Edward and me.

It wasn't until the end of the play that they both tried to change to win their love's affection and then live happily ever after. I knew I was changing with every passing day away from Mike. I was turning back into my old self, but I couldn't help but feel that it would never be enough to have Edward fall in love with me. Where did that come from? Love. Do I really want him to fall in love with me? Of course I do. I'm falling in love with him. That can't be true. I've only known him for a week. I'm a sensible woman, I do not fall in love on a whim. It was no use arguing with myself, I knew what I was feeling.

I glanced at him under my eyelashes and he was watching me. When our eyes met he didn't look away and I couldn't do anything but stare right back. He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it gently, never once taking his eyes off of mine.

He was perfect, perfect for me, but there were so many obstacles standing in our way. He pointed out earlier that he lived in Seattle and had no intention of moving to New York. I looked away, a stinging in my eyes burning to be released. I tried to focus on the last scene of the play but my epiphany kept nagging at me. The lights came on and everyone was standing in their seats applauding the wonderful performances of the actors.

Emmett let out a long, loud whistle, extremely proud of his new bride. Rose and the guy that played Danny came back out on stage and bowed again to the crowd. The noise level went up several decimals until they exited the stage. When the noise died down Edward turned to Emmett.

"What are your plans for the rest of the evening?"

"Rose has an after party that we're going to attend. You're welcome to stay," he offered, but Edward shook his head.

"I have plans for Bella and me." I looked at him surprised that there would be more to this evening. It had already been beyond wonderful. Emmett wiggled his eyebrows suggesting that he understood and I had to laugh at his assumption. Edward growled at him and took my hand, pulling me towards the door. I shouted our goodbyes over my shoulder to them as he pulled me up the aisle.

"I'm sorry about Emmett." He said when we were safely in the car again.

"Don't be sorry, Edward. I totally get who he is. He wouldn't be Emmett if he didn't say some crude remark or gesture."

"You'd think our mother didn't teach him anything. Esme would be mortified by his behavior."

"Tell me more about your mother please." His face softened and a small smile played at his lips.

"Esme is a very accomplished woman. She gave up her career as an architect to raise the three of us. She never complained about giving up her dreams, she said that her reward was in having a happy family. Much of her free time now is spent organizing charity events and volunteering at the Children's Hospital in DC, where they are currently living." He seemed to radiate love as he spoke about his mother.

"Dad spends as much time as he can with "Doctors without Borders", he's been to Mexico, Brazil, and Guatemala just this last year and my mother goes with him each time, usually spending her time teaching English in the local schools.

"Wow. You're making me nervous thinking about meeting the perfect Cullen's."

He laughed lightly. "We are far from perfect. You have met Emmett haven't you?" He said teasingly. I grinned at him and encouraged him to continue.

"Dad was gone a lot when we were children so mom somehow managed to play both rolls of father and mother. That firm hand came into play plenty of times with Emmett who couldn't stay out of trouble for more than a few minutes." We both laughed as he recounted several instances where his well mannered mother had completely lost it over something Emmett had done.

"He could have mom seeing red one minute and then have her in a fit of giggles the next." He said shaking his head and laughing about the family that he adored.

We arrived at Rockefeller Center and Edward guided me with his hand pressed lightly on my lower back into the Rainbow Room. We went to the bar where he ordered us both a glass of wine then took me to a small table next to the dance floor. It felt like we had fallen back in time to an era where old Hollywood was still alive. The New York skyline was beautiful from the large windows that surrounded the club. A live big band orchestra was playing in the corner and couples were gliding around on the revolving dance floor in the center of the room. It was magical. Edward stood and held his hand out to me.

"Dance with me?" he asked as I placed my hand in his thankful for the dance lessons I had taken in college to try and improve my coordination and balance.

"I'm not very good," I warned him.

"It's all in the leading,"he said as he drew me into his arms.

Edward wrapped his right arm around my back then took my right hand in his caressing my fingers gently. A slow sexy rumba played as he drew my hips closer to him. He pushed forward with his left foot and slowly pivoted his hip, that was pressed to mine, rotating them slightly and then bringing me forward again to where we started. He repeated the motion with his right. My face flooded with heat at the sensual way his hips rubbed into mine.

Everything about this man dripped sex.

He progressed to torture me with the dance, dipping me low and burying his face in the crook of my neck. "You smell so good, Bella." He breathed into my hair.

Both of his arms were now wrapped around my body, holding me tight. His hands slowly slid up and down my back like he couldn't get enough of touching me. My head fell back and he pressed his lips to the hollow of my throat. A small moan escaped my lips that snapped me back into remembering we were in a crowded ballroom with people everywhere. I pulled my head up and looked him in the eyes. They were smoldering with need, I'm sure mine reflected back at him the same emotions. We didn't pull away, but continued the put all of those feelings into the slow suggestive dance.

When the music ended we stood in the middle of the dance floor, holding on to each other and not wanting the song to end. A light waltz started playing and Edward regained his composure first so he swept me away into the next dance. He was light on his feet and extremely graceful for a man. Thankfully, I hadn't stepped on his toes. Maybe it was all in the leading.

We laughed, danced and flirted until early in the morning. I felt beautiful whenever he looked at me and I didn't want to see this night end. On the way back to the hotel I had to tell him how much tonight meant to me.

"You did it again," I accused. He looked at me with a large grin.

"What is it I did this time?"

"You made me feel like Cinderella at the ball."

He laughed lightly. "I hate to inform you, Isabella, but if you were Cinder-bella you would have turned into a pumpkin by now."

I smacked him playfully on the arm. "You know what I mean. You are spoiling me, how am I ever going to be able to go back to being plain Bella."

His eyes grew serious. "You were never plain Bella. You are smart and talented and beaut—"

I silenced him with my lips. I was tired of denying the feelings I had for him. I threaded my fingers in the hair at the base of his neck and pulled him closer. I deepened the kiss and heard a small whimper come from Edward.

He pulled back and gazed into my eyes. He looked like he was having an internal argument with himself before he tucked my head under his chin and held me the rest of the way to the hotel. I snuggled into his chest enjoying the warmth and security that he provided.

My Prince Charming.