I do not own Twilight.

Property of Stephanie Meyer.

I'm not really happy with this chapter, it was hard to get out what I was trying to say and what I was thinking.

EPOV

Friday morning brought on emotions that I wasn't ready to deal with. The date with Jacob and Bella, Alice on the drive there, to my parents this weekend, I'm going to have to go through feelings that I don't want to revisit. When Evan told me about Bree filing a lawsuit against me my mind lost all sense of clarity. I was done with her and her antics. I have never hated a woman more in my life than I did her.

She reminded me so much of Bella. Not in a bad way. Bree was my assistant first of all. She had long brown hair, not as long as Bella's but the same color. Her eyes were the same shade of brown, but Bella's were more chocolate. Her body was small but Bella's was slender and sleek. Bella was amplified by times ten. Even the names start with a 'B'. The memories that she invoked had me so confused and frustrated that I felt like I was losing myself. It was like I was going to go through the last 3 years all over again. I had to stop the way Bella was making me feel. I wanted to push her out of my mind. But something was pulling me into her. I think she felt the same but I couldn't be sure. Going to my mom's house last weekend really helped. I talked to her about Bella and what Evan told me about Bree.

"Edward dear, have you gotten to know Bella? How can you dismiss her so quickly?" She says placing a hand on my knee.

"I'm scared mom. I've only known her for a couple weeks and already I can't stop thinking about her. It's the same thing that happened with Bree. Are all women like that? Cruel and self centered?" I say looking into her green eyes.

"Give it some time dear. You don't know her that well. Don't jump into anything. Just….see where it goes. Does she feel the same way?" She asks. How would I know that? She's never made a move. We flirt a little and I almost kissed her but I explained my way out of it.

"No mom I don't think she does. And I've been having these dreams. They start out with Bella and I lying on my bed talking and she gets mad, like really mad. Then all of a sudden her face morphs into Bree. I wake up after that." I say with my head in my hands.

"Edward son, you look at me." She says holding up my chin.

"Not all women are like Bree, don't you dare put labels on them. I've raised you better than that. Each woman is her own. Trust her, and relax it will work out in the end."

My mother has always known what to say. Alice on the other hand likes to butt her nose in where ever possible. That will be the last time I drive with Alice anywhere for a long period of time.

"So Edward, how's Bella working out?" She quips.

"She's good Alice, thank you for the recommendation. She really has a great head on her shoulders and she knows what to do. She's feisty and doesn't let me get away with anything. She's always one step ahead of me. It's like she knows me. She's inside my head and has things done before I even ask."

I remember when Bella and I were working on the Black presentation and she was proficient and on the ball.

I turn to Alice and she's staring at me with an open mouth.

"What?" I ask.

"You like her!" She states.

"I do not."

"Yes Edward you do."

"And how would you know this?" I question.

"You've never said things like that about a girl before."

"She's not a girl Alice she's a woman."

"AH HA! I told you! You like her!" She says bouncing in her seat. "Don't worry, I'll help you out." She says as she leans over and kisses me on the cheek.

"No, I don't need any help from you. There's nothing going on. Would you just drop it? You don't know what you're talking about." I say staring her down.

"You'll see my dear brother." With that she looks out the window with a smile and a long period of silence passed between us.

Monday morning I stroll into the office with a weight lifted off my shoulders about this whole Bella attraction thing going on. I settle myself in and my cell phone buzzes.

"Edward Cullen?" I answer.

"Edward! We missed you on Saturday. Too bad you couldn't be there." Was he trying to provoke my jealousy? He doesn't even know how I feel. How could he.

"What can I do for you Mr. Black?" I ask avoiding his comment.

"Well that firecracker you got there as your assistant has set up the whole thing."

"What are you talking about?" I say as I sit down in my chair.

"Well Bella of course. How many other assistants do you have Cullen?" He laughs.

"What is all set up? I'm not following you." I ask.

"She took me to the ranch and showed me the perfect spot for my commercial and some photo shoots. She wrote the perfect layout, scenes and practically the script. She's got some good words. Where ever did you find that one?" He says as a matter of fact.

"Really, well I'm glad that she could've so helpful. She's a wonderful asset to my company. Mr. Black I really need to get back to work, is that all you called me about?" I ask fuming smoke from my ears.

"Yup, I did. Make sure she runs the ideas by you. I'm sure that you'll see what I'm talking about. She's clever as a whip that one." As he disconnects the call, I'm so mad at the moment. What makes her think that she can go behind my back and make decision for my company. I press down my button on my phone on the desk.

"Tanya, could you come in here please?" I ask calmly.

"Yeah hold on." She quips back.

"NOW TANYA!" I yell. I can't handle much more of this. She strolls into my office with her hands on her hips.

"What's the matter with you?" She asks out of breath.

"Tanya, did you know about Miss. Swan's dealing's last Saturday?" I ask.

"I didn't know about it. Why would I know?"

"I'm not sure, I just thought that maybe you knew everything around this place considering you're the gossip queen." I snap.

"What's that matter Edward, Bella too assertive for you?" She replies. "I told you that she wouldn't work out. But do you listen to me? NOOOO!" As she turns to walk away she whispers, "I'll take care of her, don't worry." I didn't quite catch what she said but I couldn't be bothered with her sarcastic remarks at the moment. I put my hands on my desk and lean over swaying back and forth. I need to talk to her. I need to ask her what she was thinking. I hear some noise coming from her office and I assume that she's here already. Maybe she even heard our conversation. I pickup my phone and dial her extension. She answers on the second ring.

"Good morning Mr. Cullen how can I help you?" There she goes again using my last name. How come she doesn't listen?

"Miss Swan I need to see you now please, don't doddle." I reply.

"Very well, but I'll just be a few minutes, I need to use the restroom." My patients is being tested, she just making me wait.

About 15 minutes later, she knocks on the door. Two can play at this game Miss Swan. I don't answer to let her know that I'm not bothered by the game she's playing. She knocks louder again and I stand up and over by the window. Straighten my suit out.

"Come in!" I snarl. She slowly pushes the door open and is revealed in all her beauty. Crisp cream dress pants and a cream sleeveless turtleneck leaving her toned arms exposed to me. How can I fight with this angel? I almost forget the reason why I was mad, but when I see her stick out her chest and pull she shoulders back I can see the kitten with the claws.

"You called Mr. Cullen?"

"Miss Swan, may I asked what you did on Saturday?"

"No, it was my day off and it's none of your business."

"Really?" I start pacing in front of the floor length window.

"Yes really!" She say sticking her chin out. Maybe I could play with her a little. She's striking when she's persistent.

"Well I think it becomes my business when you go out with my company clients and start making decisions representing my company." I snap.

"You know what? I've worked really hard for you since I've started here. I think that I deserve some respect Mr. Cullen." She says, her chest heaving up and down. How far can I push her I wonder? Would she cave like Bree did? Would she succumb to me and do anything I say, not being able to stand on her own? Would she use me? Would she hurt my wounded soul like the other?

"How do you think I should react? Jacob is a major client. Not just now, but in the future as well. I can't have you screwing this up. Why didn't you come to me first?" I ask pacing with one hand in his pocket and the other in his hair trying to put on a little show.

"Are you kidding? I tried. I tired to talk to you about Jake but you wouldn't listen! You blew me off and told me that I could make my own decisions! Did you forget that?" She yells.

So that's what she was trying to ask me. How could I have not listened to her? My own insecurities and jealousy took over and I didn't want to hear what she would be doing with Black.

"Oh so it's Jake now." I say fuming, mad that I can be such a meat head.

"What? What are you talking about?" She asks confused.

"Oh come on Miss Swan, I saw the way he was looking at you in the boardroom. You had him under your spell." I say.

Her eyes bug out and she steps closer to me and I steps closer to her. We're so close. We glare into each other's eyes.

"Is there an accusation that you would like lay? Go ahead, I'm dying to hear it!" She challenges. I stare hard at her and we don't move. My eyes soften and I look down at her lips.

This woman has ME under her spell. I can't do this anymore. I can't keep up a charade that I know is going to eat me from the inside out. I have to tell her how I've been feeling. I need to show her how I'm feeling. However she may take it, I'll accept it. If she runs, I'll let her go. If she stays, well I'm not really sure she will. But I can't wait any longer.

I run my hands up her arms relishing in the feel of her smooth skin underneath my palms. I tangle my fingers back behind her neck into her hair and come up to cup her cheeks. I can feel this electricity between us and I look into her eyes and see that she feels something. I pause a moment asking for permission. She slowly pushes up on her toes our lips come so close my breathing stutters. I feel her snake her hands around my waist and up to my chest letting her be in control making all the moves she's comfortable with.

Until….

"Edward, I left the boxes on Miss Swan's desk but she's not there. Did you want me to fire her?"

Tanya's voice comes through the intercom on my desk phone. Shit this isn't going to go over well. Bella slinks out of my arms and covers her mouth with her hand. I press the button on my phone. "Tanya, get out of Miss Swan's office, I'll handle it from here. Go back to work." I say with a raised voice. I make my way over to her.

"Bella, it's not what you think." I try to tell her I had no I intention to fire her.

She shakes her head and walks backwards toward the doors. But I beat her there and slam the door closed with my right hand. She closes her eyes and stands there not moving mumbling something to herself.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to go behind your back. If you just would've listened, you would've known my intentions. I was trying to ask your permission." She whispers.

I cup her cheeks with my hands and plead her to look at me.

"I know Bella, I know that now. I didn't at the time, but then you explained it to me. I know now, I'm sorry. I'm the one that should be sorry. Tanya jumped to conclusions. She makes her own assumptions. She's wrong with what she said. I'm not going to fire you. I was upset this morning, and Tanya assumed that I was going to. I never even mentioned the word fire.

Please you have to believe me." I say pleading my case. She looks up to me through her lashes and nods her head. Thank goodness. Relief washes over me and I take a step back.

Still standing there not moving she looks at me.

"I do believe you, but please don't talk to Tanya unless you've talked to me first. Don't insult me that way." She asks.

I rush over to her and take her into my arms. Holding her there I whisper words of apologies. We still for a moment and I look down at her face. She looks up at me with a burning question.

"What's going on Edward? What is this?" She asks waving her hand between us.

"I'm not sure, I can't really explain it. I'm sorry if this is making you feel uncomfortable." I step back and she comes closer to me backing me up, the back of my legs against my desk as she stands between them.

"I'm not sure either, but maybe we can try to take it slow. Whatever it is can work itself out right?" She says smiling. I look at her and look down to the side.

"What's wrong Edward?" She asks concern laced in her voice.

"I'm damaged Bella, my past with women has been tainted and I have trust issues. I can't explain it now, someday I will but I don't want to drag you down. You deserve better. You should have better." I say shaking my head. She brings my chin up and looks lovingly in my eyes.

"Edward, I would never make you tell me about your past. In your own time when you're ready, I will ask you to give me a chance though. I'm not like the other woman. I would never intentionally hurt you. I only ask you to trust me."

I rest my forehead on hers and chuckle at the situation I've found myself in. Everything seems so simple with her.

"Could you at least ask me out on a date?" She jokes.

"Isabella?" Just saying her full name makes me feel like I've found my home.

"Would you do me the honor of accompanying me on an excursion?" I ask.

"What?" she says pulling her head back looking at me.

"Fine, would you like to go out with me sometime?" I ask again.

"See everything doesn't need to be big or complicating." She remarks.

"BELLA?"

"Alright, yes I'd love to go out with you." She smiles.

I smile along with her and raise my hand and thumb her bottom lip.

"I just want to try one thing." She doesn't move signaling her acceptance. I move closer to her mouth and she leans her body into mine.

"Don't move."

I nuzzle my nose just under her ear and down her jaw, inhaling her scent, committing it memory. Her breathing becomes erratic and I can see the rise and fall of her chest. Her arms are at her sides and I can tell that her hands are twitching. I bring my other hand to the small of her back and pull her the rest of way to me.

Slowly, I turn my head slightly to the side and brush my lips over hers. Her plump lips under mine cause me to cover hers fully. She moans and parts her mouth whispering my name. As soon as I hear he whispers, I lose some control and gracefully plunge my tongue in her mouth. She follows my lead and our heads are swaying back and forth to the rhythm of the kiss. She runs her hands up the side of my chest and into my hair tugging slightly. I'm so close to taking her there and then, but I realize that we're in my office and anyone could walk in at anytime.

I slow the kiss down and she pulls back, her chest heaving up and down with her eyes staring into mine.

"Wow, that was umm…it ummm…..you were just…" not being able to finish her sentence.

"Spectacular." I finish for her. She giggles a little and pulls herself off of me and straightens out for clothes.

She nods her head and stands up straight and tall, leaving me there stunned and dizzy, for real this time. She walks to the door and turns looks over her shoulders at me.

"I'll send in your 9:30 appointment now." Giggling as she walks out. I can't keep the smile off my face, looking down I notice that I have a big problem and I rush behind my desk.