I opened one eye just enough to see him step across the hall to an empty conference room, and holding me with one arm glide through the doorway. I heard a click as the door locked behind us and then felt him gently sit down. He was holding me tightly against his chest and I knew I should open my eyes, pull away, and run out of the room as fast as I could, but I could smell him. I'd been trying so hard not to get close enough to him that I could smell his intoxicating scent, but now that I could, I realized how much I needed this. I knew that soon this dream would have to end, so I stayed there and made a memory that even when I was ninety-two, I would still remember.

I felt his strong arms holding me. The strongest the world ever knew. They were the only place I'd ever felt safe. I would get lost in his touch every time he held me. I had no idea how many times I'd fallen asleep in the arms of this angel, but his were the only arms I would ever want to hold me through the night.

I thought of how when I was nestled this close to his chest that I could never hear his heartbeat, but my heart, just like now, had always pounded hard enough for both of us.

With a crushing sadness, I realized this would never happen for me again. This was the last time I would ever feel this.

I also knew I couldn't do this to myself any longer.

My eyes slowly fluttered open. He was staring at me with his somber, ocher eyes, and they seemed to be asking a question to which he desperately wanted to know the answer.

He swallowed hard and brought his hand up to brush my hair off my cheek, and his fingers lightly touched my face. His eyes were looking so hard into mine that he almost made me forget that the last seven years had happened. I was right back there. I was the girl that desperately longed for his touch. That sighed with delight when his fingertips even brushed across my face and made my cheek burn. That blushed when he just looked at me.

Why did he have to leave me?

He brought his forehead down to touch my own and I heard myself moan slightly. Oh Edward, I love you so. I wanted to wrap my arms as tightly as I could around his neck and pull him to me and make him admit that it was a mistake. I wanted him to tell me that he really loved me all along and then I wanted him to promise he would never leave me again.

When I went for a fantasy, I could really go the distance.

And then the yearning hurt so much that I felt tears starting to form, and I knew it all had to stop. This caliber of memory, I reminded myself, would do the kind of damage to my wall that no amount of running or working could ever fix. I held on one second longer, and then I did what I had to. I saved myself.

I pulled away and stood up. I also took a step back for good measure. "Thank you," I whispered roughly.

"Are you feeling better?" He gently asked.

I shrugged. "Aside from the fact that a vampire handled the scent of blood better than I did, yes, I'm just fine."

There it was. He smiled that crooked smile and I literally felt a stab in my middle. I stumbled my way to the door and as I reached to unlock it, Edward placed his cold hand over mine.

"Bella wait," he whispered insistently. "Please, can I see you tonight? Can we go somewhere, just the two of us, and talk?"

I clenched my teeth. "No."

He exhaled sharply. "Why won't you see me? Why won't you be alone with me? There are some things I need to tell you, Bella."

I couldn't turn the door knob so I started backing away from him, instead. He tried to follow me, but I put out my hands to stop him.

"Stay away from me, Edward." My hands were shaking as I held them out in front of me. I was madly searching for an argument that would keep him from coming any closer.

"Look," I breathed unevenly. "I'll make you a deal. I won't pull any more stunts like making you eat the world's largest steak, but only if you promise that you won't talk to me anymore, that you'll just ignore me in these meetings and then leave as soon as all our negotiations have ended."

His eyes tightened with pain. "Bella. Come with me tonight. I don't care where we go. It will be just the two of us. Nobody else. I just want to talk to you . . ."

He took another step towards me and I panicked.

"Let me out of this room or I will start to scream!" I seethed, changing my tactics. "You are clearly in violation of the rules!"

Faster than a blur, he was right in front of me. He took my hands in his and held them tight against his chest. He opened his mouth to speak, but someone knocked on the door so hard that it seemed to be rattling off its hinges. Those cold hands around mine felt so good. The knock came again, even louder and then despite being locked, the door pushed open.

"Bella!" A voice boomed at me and I was suddenly caught in a massive bear hug. I was lifted off the floor and held tight to a monster of a man with a boyish grin and curly dark hair.

"Emmett!" I managed. I was so surprised to see him.

He released me and I filled my lungs greedily with air. "I can't believe it's you," I said. I threw my arms around his thick neck and he swung me around.

"Emmett," Edward said flatly. "I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow."

"I found an earlier flight," he bellowed, slapping Edward on the back. "It's good to see you, brother."

Emmett turned back to me and looked me up and down. "Bella, you're hot! Edward, doesn't she look amazing?"

Edward opened his mouth to answer, but I wasn't sticking around to hear it. I took Emmett by the arm, walked out of the room and as cheerily as I could manage, said, "Emmett, we're in the middle of a meeting. Care to join us?"

Emmett nodded enthusiastically and as I turned into the conference room, I had to grab the door handle for support. I was still so dizzy and weak, but not from the smell of blood. And it certainly wasn't helping that I was hyper aware of Edward standing mere inches behind me.

Simmons walked up to me. "Bella, are you…?" He never finished. He looked behind me and the way his jaw dropped open, I knew he'd seen Emmett.

"Holy Sh ..."

"Simmons!" I quickly interjected. "This is Emmett. Another member of C-CORP."

Emmett stuck out his hand and I watched Simmons wince as his hand met with Emmett's in an apparent vice grip.

"Nice to meet you," Emmett boomed.

"Same here," Simmons replied, massaging his hand.

"I apologize," I announced to the room. "I get a little sick when I smell blood."

Emmett's laughter boomed. "Bella! I forgot how funny you are." I think everyone on the 42nd floor heard him.

After the meeting, Emmett was at my side in less than a second. "Bella, come to a club with me tonight," he asked enthusiastically. Apparently, his two brothers hadn't informed him of the "no talking to Bella except in the conference room" clause.

But how could I say no to that face? Still…..a club?

"I . . . what I mean is . . . I don't really go to clubs, Emmett."

He put his trunk of an arm around my shoulder. "That's because I wasn't here to invite you. Come on, it'll be fun!"

I stood up and began to leave the room and he followed me.

"I don't think . . "

His bottom lip jutted out pathetically. "Please? I promise I won't let you do anything human, like fall down."

We turned and began walking towards my office and I sighed. Not even my big strong wall could keep out Emmett. "Okay, if you promise it's just you."

He seemed puzzled for a moment before recognition brightened his face. "Oh, you mean don't bring Edward." He rolled his eyes. "Trust me. I went to a club with Edward. Once. I'm never doing that again. He's the opposite of fun. He wouldn't even let me have one tiny drink."

Suddenly, there was a deep snarl from around the corner and Emmett let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine!" He called out. "I won't drink, Geez!" He turned back to me and said, "We're gonna have a great time, Bella. I can't wait to take a hot girl like you out on the town."

I grinned. "What time are you picking me up?"

"How about 9:00?"

"See you then. As for now, I have to get back to work."

He backed towards the elevator and waved. "See ya tonight!"

I plastered a smile on my face until the elevator doors shut, and then I began to seethe.

"That conniving little vampire," I hissed, stomping to my office. Edward knew I had a soft spot for Emmett. Did he think that if I spent time with Emmett that I would unwittingly divulge secrets about my strategy? Did he think that Emmett could dazzle me into giving up my designs on their company?

Of one thing I was sure, that wherever Emmett and I went tonight, Edward would not be far behind. I slammed my office door and as I paced back and forth, a plan began to form in my head. When I was done, a wicked smile spread across my face.

"Watch and learn, Edward" I growled. "Watch. And. Learn."