AN:
*Comes out from hiding*

SO! If you keep up with me AT ALL on Twitter, you know I'm dealing with some crappy writers block. I'm working on it though. This is a short chapter but it's here! Please don't be upset with me for taking so long. YOU CAN'T, it's my birthday! *whispers* Yes I share a birthday with Rob :)

Disclaimer:
I don't own em, I just play with them *wags eyebrows*

Warning:
If you don't know by now...

~*SIML*~

EPOV

Over the next few weeks, Bella seemed to be more relaxed with our growing relationship. She was adamant, though, that we maintain a professional rapport while at work. I understood, mostly, but it felt like there was more to it. I just couldn't put my finger on it and she never mentioned it.

Although she was tentative, I finally got her to agree to carpool with me. I mean, really, we were doing our planet a favor by reducing our carbon footprint. And maybe it had a little bit to do with the fact that it meant more time with Bella. Sooner or later I would convince her to stay over during the week.

"Oww." I rubbed my arm and scowled at Emmett, who had abruptly pulled me from my get-Bella-to-sleep-over-more planning with a fist to my bicep. "What the hell was that for?"

"I asked you a question, fucker," he griped before taking a pull from his beer.

"Well, you didn't have to punch me, asshole," I replied.

"You were lost in your head again, man. I even waved my hand in front of your face," he replied, rolling his eyes.

"Well, what the fuck do you want?"

"The game's over," he said, pointing his beer bottle toward the television.

I looked at him, and widened my eyes as if to ask, "and", adding a hand gesture in the mix to get my point across. He rolled his eyes again.

"Nothing, man. I think I'm gonna head out," he said, tilting his head toward the door.

It was Monday night and Emmett had come over to watch the game with me. I had obviously missed the end of the game.

"Yeah, all right, man. Thanks for the pizza."

"Yep," was his only response as he closed the door behind him.

My head was still full of thoughts of Bella. How sweet she was. How much I loved her. All the dirty things we did together…all the dirty, dirty things. My mind wouldn't shut off. I pictured every position we'd tried, every place we'd fucked – the conference room being my favorite.

Great! Now I'm hard.

I went to bed and tried to turn off my brain. I even jacked off a few times to calm my cock in to submission so I could get some sleep.

I eventually fell into a restless sleep with a serious case of Bella on the brain.

~*SIML*~

The next morning I picked Bella up from her place with her favorite caramel mocha coffee in hand. I always made an extra stop at the coffee shop before I headed to her place. She would always complain because she thought it was unnecessary for me to go out of my way to get it. She said it defeated the purpose of riding together and saving gas when I backtracked to get the coffee.

Cue eye roll.

I was her boyfriend and I did whatever I wanted to do. Even if that meant driving ten blocks out of the way before picking her up for work. I wanted to love her and make her happy. If getting her favorite coffee made her happy, that's what I'd do. And it may have had a little bit to do with the fact that I was trying to butter her up for a weeknight sleep over. Can you blame a guy?

"Good morning, beautiful."

She blushed and murmured a quiet "good morning". I loved her tendency to blush at just about anything. She offered her cheek for a good morning peck when I tried to reach for her lips – like I always did. She hated to have her sticky lip gloss kissed off so early in the morning. But I loved the strawberry flavor and tried, every morning, to get a taste. It just happened to be an added bonus to kissing her deliciously soft lips.

~*SIML*~

By mid morning I had finished my to-do list, caught up on emails and was basically waiting for lunch. Bella had been keeping to her office more than usual so when I spied her speed walking toward the copy room I decided to catch up to her. She looked over her shoulder twice but didn't notice me. I wasn't sure what she was actually looking for.

I stepped into the doorway and simply watched as she made copies of some type of report. I briefly wondered why she hadn't sent Jessica to do it but she had already told me what great help she was. We were sure she was screwing the boss – or at least knew who was - because there was no way she would still be employed solely on her work performance.

Bella obviously hadn't heard me step into the room because she continued to diligently copy, collate and staple the paperwork before her. The way her hips swayed back and forth as she worked made me think of how much I loved making her hips sway.

I snuck up as close as I could, grabbed her hips – pressing myself tight against her ass - and growled into her ear, "You make me so hard. I want to take you right here against this machine." She screamed and stilled under my touch. Reflexively I let go of her hips and took a few steps back.

That was not the reaction I had been hoping for.

She turned toward me with wide eyes and her hand over her heart. I'm sure my expression was exactly the same because she immediately ran into my arms and melted into my embrace. I held her close and quickly realized she was crying. I soothingly smoothed down her hair and pressed her tighter against my chest.

"I'm sorry, sweet girl. I didn't mean to scare you. I'm sorry."

I didn't know what to say. This had never happened between us before. We were always horny and playful. I didn't think she would react the way she did.

She mumbled something unintelligible against my chest.

"Hmm?"

She tilted her head up so I could hear her but refused to let me go.

She sniffled and started again. "No, I'm sorry. I thought I was alone and you just scared me. That's all. I'm sorry I reacted that way. I thought you were-" she stopped.

"What? Thought I was what?"

"Nothing. Never mind."

"Tell me, Bella. It can't be nothing."

She pressed her face back into my chest and shook her head. I leaned back and tilted her chin gently with my thumb and forefinger. Her eyes were screwed shut as if to block something out, her head still shaking back and forth. I kissed the tears away and waited patiently for her to answer. Whatever it was, whatever caused her to react like that wasn't "nothing" and I wasn't going to accept that. I waited for her to calm down but refused to let the subject drop.

Her breaths slowed back down to normal and she opened her eyes to meet mine. She looked frightened but I knew better than to think it was because of me.

"Bella? Talk to me, please. I want to help you figure this out."

She closed her eyes once more, took a deep, shuddering breath and stilled herself. When her eyes opened she seemed more determined.

"Lunch. Let's go to lunch and we'll talk. We can't talk about it here. Someone might hear us."

Confused I simply nodded and pulled her tight against my chest. She quietly sighed and melted against me once again. My fingers snaked through her thick hair and I pressed my lips at the top of her head.

"All right, let's go get some lunch and talk."

~*SIML*~

Though she seemed to loosen up once we left the office, I could tell something wasn't right. Whatever it was was seriously getting to her and I needed going to get to the bottom of it.

We sat on the same side of the booth as we ordered simple BLT's and fries for lunch.

She commented on the restaurant's broad menu, trying to make small talk. When I didn't respond she looked up into my eyes. I knew she saw the quiet determination in them. With a little sigh she shifted sideways and grabbed my hand.

"It's probably not as big a deal as I'm making it." She shook her head as if she didn't even believe the words.

I remained quiet and waited for her to get to the point. My girl was scared enough to scream when I snuck up on her, so it was a big deal.

She closed her eyes, took in a deep breath and released it with a sigh. When she opened her beautiful brown eyes to me I saw fear.

I leaned down and kissed her forehead, quietly encouraging her to talk to me.

"It's James," she whispered. It came out so quietly I wasn't quite sure if I heard her correctly.

My brow furrowed and she nodded minutely.

"James? What about him?"

I knew he was a womanizing asshole but what did- I stopped that train of thought and widened my eyes in understanding. He'd done something to Bella. My Bella.

She opened her mouth to respond but quickly snapped it shut. She could see something brewing my eyes. I blankly stared past Bella as my nostrils flared and jaw tensed. I wanted to kill him and I didn't even know why yet. I knew that, whatever had happened, was going to cause me to kick his ass.

~*SIML*~

Reviews are better than finding a twenty dollar bill in the pocket of your favorite jeans. Please don't make me beg for reviews. *whimpers* Please.

*looks around* Do you feel guilty enough now? LOL!

~*SIML*~

MUCH LOVE to my two amazing beta's who – surprisingly enough – haven't given up on me!batgirl8968 & FicObsessed

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