The sun rose over the city of Barcelona much sooner than it did the city of Chicago. Bella gave a little groan when Martin Gaye started singing, and quickly turned off the alarm. She then laid down and stared up at hotel ceiling for just a moment. She let herself remember the early morning hours she had spent with Edward just a few hours ago in which he agreed to try. And as she stared at the ceiling, she felt a small smile on her face.

In the room next door, Edward had turned off his alarm and was also staring up at the ceiling, the events of last evening coursing through his jetlagged brain.

He was wary…oh so wary.

She would get hurt.

Edward swallowed grimly.

The situation was so volatile that it was inevitable it would not end well.

He loathed himself for the fact that he couldn't push her away.

Lord knows he had tried.

But he was so tired of trying, trying to push away the beautiful little woman with her wonderful, wide brown eyes. He didn't have the strength, especially when she looked at him like she thought he was a man worthy of her affections.

She would get hurt.

If Edward was going to do this, if he was going to give them a proper chance, he would have to accept that his priorities would shift.

He had to be ready to protect her.

Edward thought of the way she had snuggled up on her absurd pallet of pillows after his gun shot. He thought of the way she had looked at him with such tenderness in her gaze as she nuzzled into a pillow in his t-shirt which she positively swam in. He thought of that and realized with a sudden ache in his heart that he was ready and had been for awhile now.

He was ready to protect her.

The two young partners had a day scheduled for business. There was a black sedan waiting for them as soon as they were dressed in their business wear. Edward was waiting for Bella down in the lobby with two cardboard cups of coffee. He offered it to her and since she wasn't awake enough to say anything witty, she just breathed a relieved, "Thank you," and followed him out to the parking lot.

Their driver navigated skillfully through the bustling streets of the city. Barcelona actually reminded Bella a lot of Chicago except for the incredibly bright blue sky and shining sun that bathed the area with sparkling light, as well as all of the trees. Bella looked out the window for most of the drive, taking it all in as she drank her coffee, savoring the caffeine.

After about 20 minutes, they arrived at skyscraper and Bella could immediately see the Cullen Consulting logo that Alice worked so fiercely to protect. Bella knew that the firm only rented a few floors out of the building, but it was still an impressive area for an office.

"Muchos gracias," Bella said with a gracious smile.

"Sí claro, seniortia," the driver said with a surprised smile. They slid out of the car and moved toward the entrance.

"You speak Spanish?" Edward inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Obviamente," Bella said with a twinkle in her eye. "You don't?" she teased.

She didn't actually expect him to speak Spanish.

"Un poco," he said smoothly, "Pero es un deficil para mi."

A little, but it is a little hard for me.

Bella's jaw almost dropped. He had a beautifully perfected accent that made her knees weaken a little bit. Who knew his silky voice would sound even better in a different dialect?

"I think that's the first time I've ever heard you admit something was difficult for you," Bella commented mildly as they made their way over to the elevator.

"I did no such thing," he said with a sniff. "Perhaps your Spanish is just lacking."

Bella rolled her eyes.

"Perhaps."

They rode in the elevator to one of the top floors, Bella ignoring the slight smirk he was giving her, despite having her lips quirked up a little bit. She was pretty sure she could get along with Playful Edward.

Once they checked in at the reception desk, they were directed to a couch to sit and wait. They were also offered coffee, -which Bella gratefully accepted- chocolate and baked rolls that had some type of sugar on them. Bella happily munched on it while they waited. Edward sat next to her, scanning the room and observing his surroundings, having declined the food.

Soon they were joined by two incredibly beautiful people.

"Ms. Swan," the woman greeted warmly and then just as warmly, "Mr. Masen. It's a great pleasure to welcome you here."

As soon as Bella hastily stood up, she was pulled into a hug by the woman she assumed was named Carmen, the HR Director she would be speaking with today. The hug surprised her and before she could react, it was over. Carmen looked like she wanted to hug Edward, but Bella shifted in front of him to protect the man from her embrace.

Edward shook both of their hands, his face offering little emotion. "Hector," he greeted the man.

"This is my wife, Carmen," the Spanish man introduced with a grin. Bella smiled as Carmen shot him a smile in return. "It's our pleasure to have you here."

"Thank you," Bella said with a grin. She looked over at Edward who gave her a nod. "Shall we?"

The four of them broke apart, Edward going with Hector who was the managing partner of the firm and Bella going with Carmen who was the executive of human resources for the Barcelona office. Bella was given a tour of the place and then the two women got to work, Bella busting out all of her notes and everything she had observed from the information she had been given at headquarters.

Carmen graciously accepted many of her suggestions and provided any information where Bella was lacking. After awhile, it became clear that Carmen was competent at her job and was just being faced with particular challenges between a mixed workforce of Spanish natives and employees who had been assigned from the Chicago office. The two worked through much of the day and by the end of it, they were laughing together like old friends.

"How long have you and Masen been together?" she asked with a conspiring grin after Bella had closed her laptop.

The question took Bella by surprise. "What?"

"Oh lo siento," she apologized profusely in Spanish. "I just assumed after I saw the way you two were together."

Bella raised her eyebrows. Carmen continued. "You seem very in, how do you say…in sync, yes, in sync with each other."

"Oh!" she said with some surprise. "Well, it's very new," she said hesitantly, but with a small smile on her face.

Carmen gave her a large smile. "Do you two have plans for the evening?"

"I do not dance, Swan."

"Everyone dances."

"Not me."

"You have danced before."

"Minor lapse in judgment."

Bella rolled her eyes and ignored the sour puss sitting next to her. Carmen and Hector had invited them out to what they promised was one of Barcelona's hottest clubs. Bella had graciously accepted before checking with Edward because she had anticipated this exact conversation.

The man put up a fit just on principle, but he would concede.

"You said you would try," Bella reminded, trying not to laugh at his scowl.

Edward sniffed. "I had assumed you meant dinner."

"Is it that you just don't know how to dance?" she teased.

Now it was Edward who rolled his eyes. "Of course I do," he said haughtily.

Bella looked over at the man walking next to her and smiled to herself slightly. He was dressed in an immaculate looking black suit that had survived the flight without any sight of wrinkles. The only way one could tell he was dressed leisurely was the fact that he was missing a tie, had one button undone, and had a pair of Ray Bans on to block the setting sun from his eyes. Bella had seen him and let out a laugh upon realizing how fucked she was with how handsome of a man he was. They had just been dropped off by their car and were walking down the street.

"On the bright side, Carlisle would insist we put this on the expense report since we're out with coworkers," Bella said as they walked. Bella was usually a confident walker in heels but found herself walking with caution on some of the cobble stoned paths.

Edward gently placed his hand on the small of her back as he slowed his stride.

"We don't need an expense report," he dismissed.

Bella was trying not to appear affected by the presence of his warm hand. However, at his words, she looked at him in surprise. "What?"

"I'll take care of it," he said as they navigated through people.

"For the whole trip?" she exclaimed incredulously. "That's ridiculous. Some of our expenses are legiti-"

"Don't worry about it," he muttered.

Bella opened her mouth to argue but was interrupted by the sight of Carmen and Hector. They were dressed similarly to Bella and Edward in that Hector was wearing a well pressed suit and Carmen was wearing a tight red dress that flattered her Spanish curves. Bella's own dress clung to her body, the light peach color making her skin look even tanner than it was. When Edward had seen her emerge from her hotel room, he had done a double take which she was fairly sure he thought was inconspicuous. It was not.

"You are so beautiful!" Carmen crooned in her thick Spanish accent, rushing up and giving Bella two kisses on the cheeks in greeting. She didn't try to do the same with Edward and instead settled for a bright smile in his direction.

"Glad you could make it," Hector said genially, shaking Edward's hand and greeting Bella with two kisses as well. Bella felt Edward's hand on her back tighten just slightly at Hector's actions.

"Shall we?" Carmen asked, taking her husband's hand.

At Edward and Bella's nod, the Spanish couple led the way around the line of people that was forming and made their way to the front. Bella and Edward followed, Edward eying the bouncer suspiciously as he allowed the four of them entrance into the club. It seemed money talked everywhere in the world.

The club seemed cool, if not slightly standard to Bella. It was dark and had loud music, lots of people, a dance floor, and a bar. Carmen and Hector seemed to know where they were going, so Edward and Bella trailed behind them, Edward inspecting the area with no small amount of dislike.

They ended up in a booth in a corner and after giving his wife a searing kiss, Hector was making his way over to the bar. Bella was just getting settled down in the leather seat when Edward leaned down close to her. She felt his warm breath on her ear as he asked, "What would you like?"

Bella shivered.

"Surprise me."

Edward pulled back and gave her a small smirk, so very small, yet so charged with sensual confidence. Everything about him radiated power and she wasn't even sure he was aware of it. She, on the other hand, was very aware of it.

"Very new, huh?" Carmen teased, having watched the interaction from the other side of booth. Bella rolled her eyes and didn't say anything to goad her further.

"Sounds like Hector and Edward had a productive day," Bella commented conversationally.

Carmen sobered.

"I'm sure," she said in a strained voice.

"What's wrong?" Bella asked after noticing the change in the woman.

"I don't like this crime business," Carmen said lowly, so low Bella could barely hear. "I do not want to get involved in such dangerous things. There are people in this city that do not like it that Cullen Consulting is getting involved…or so I've heard."

Bella's stomach tightened. "I know what you mean," she said quietly. "I don't like it either. But Carlisle-"

"Mr. Cullen?" Carmen interrupted. "Have you met him?"

Bella was momentarily taken aback by remembering the sheer size and scope of the company her mentor had built. "Yes…we're close."

Carmen's eyes widened. "The CEO, Mr. Cullen?"

"Yeah, that one."

"You're close with him? And you're involved with Mr. Masen, who leads your crime division?" Carmen clarified.

Bella was momentarily uncomfortable under her gaze. "Yes, and…?"

"You, Seniorita Swan, are an interesting woman."

Bella wasn't quite sure what to say to that, but luckily did not have to come up with a response. Edward and Hector appeared, both with two drinks in their hands. Edward was eyeing the people around them with a scowl on his face but upon meeting Bella's gaze, his face softened ever so slightly.

"Thank you," Bella said as she accepted the drink from his hands and slid into the booth to make room for him. She took a sip of the light pink drink and smiled at the taste. Edward watched her before seeing her pleased reaction and then taking a sip of his own drink.

"Now, where were we?" he asked.

Bella thought as she took another sip. "Oh yeah! Why you think you should pay for this trip."

Edward rolled his eyes and took another swig of his drink. "How could I have forgotten?"

"I get that we're well paid but-"

"Well paid?" Edward asked with a raised eyebrow. "I'm fairly certain you do not receive the same bonuses I do."

That stopped Bella for a moment. "Okay, fine, bit-"

"Swan, besides Carlisle, I'm the highest paid employee in the firm. International offices included."

Bella's jaw dropped open.

Edward allowed himself a smirk and then reached over and tapped Bella's jaw, causing her to close her suddenly dry mouth and swallow.

Bella knew how well their executives were compensated.

And Edward was paid more than them.

"I don't feel bad about the sushi anymore," she finally said.

Edward's lip quirked up.

"Good."

"Want to dance?" she asked, pushing all thoughts about the ridiculous amount of money Edward apparently made out of her mind.

Edward eyed her warily. "You weren't even going to let me finish my drink before inflicting me to such cruelties?"

Bella was already standing up.

"Correct."

"You're merciless, Swan," he commented as he was standing up, taking her offered hand.

As soon as the two of them made it to the dance floor, the music started to change from an upbeat and familiar American song to strands of distinctly Spanish music. Bella looked over at Edward with wide eyes.

"Oh shit," she muttered.

"What now?" he drawled.

"I don't flamenco," she said in a panic, even though he was already gathering her in his arms and she could do little to protest.

"You have danced before," he intoned, using her earlier words against him.

"Not this one," Bella said with a grimace.

"Just relax, Swan."

Bella inhaled deeply and before she could exhale Edward had started to move. Bella was in more awe than she cared to admit as he led them through the dance. Confidence continued to radiate off of him as he expertly moved, guiding her with such gentleness that was a stark contrast to his usual words and actions.

And for the second time, Bella realized she loved dancing with Edward.

"Did you finish up with Carmen today?" Edward asked after the song switched back to a slower song and Bella took more of a lead in the dancing.

"All done," Bella confirmed. "I did tell her I'd check back in on Friday and see how things were going, but I'm finished. What about you?"

"He should have adequate information to right things for the time being," Edward replied, a bit of a glint appearing in his eyes.

"And the Brigados have less use for you across the ocean," Bella said slowly with a smile spreading onto her face.

"So that means we have the rest of the week to simply…"

"Date?"

Bella looked up with a full grin now on her face. While Edward didn't have the same expression, she could see a twinkle in his eyes, one which most people would not expect from Mr. Masen.

"We have the rest of the week to simply date."

They spent the next five days in Spain exploring the vibrant country and enjoying each other's presence in a way that had never been possible while they were in the United States. Edward had a lighter air about him than he ever did when in Chicago. Bella noticed he was still a bit of a grump and did seem to have a general wariness of people that wasn't completely related to being a spy, but he tried his best not to be crotchety with her.

Bella also learned that the man was usually stubborn just because he could be.

He protested for the fun of it. It was like he enjoyed riling her.

And Bella let him, because she adored Playful Edward.

They went to Sagrada Familia and while Edward glared at the hoards of tourists around them, he seemed genuinely impressed by Gaudi's architecture. At one point, when they slipped away into the quieter Chapel of the Eucharist, Bella felt herself become overwhelmed with the beauty of the dancing lights that illuminated the grand basilica, and was surprised when she was blinking back tears. She didn't notice that Edward was not observing the stained glass windows as she was, but was rather eyeing her and upon seeing her awe, watching her as if she was just as marvelous as the architecture around them.

Bella decided to space out the tourist attractions because Edward spend most of his time glaring and snarling at the tourists with their front backpacks and aimless wandering. So they did Park Guell a day later. Bella was charmed by the monuments that seemed straight out of a wonderland, and even got Edward to pose for a picture with her by the mosaics when a couple from Canada asked if they would like a photo. Bella had looked at the picture on her phone seemingly every free moment they had.

They walked along winding roads of Las Ramblas, stopping briefly at La Bouqeria. That tested the limits of Edward's patience with all of the people jammed between the market stalls, constantly bumping into him. After getting some coconut fruit juice for Bella, they continued on their way. Whenever the whim struck them, they stopped in Spanish cafes and shops, popping in at their leisure where Bella did most of the shopping and Edward stayed nearby. They ate at fantastic paella, drank sweet sangria, tried hot chocolate and churros, and stuffed themselves with tapas.

They walked a lot and talked even more.

And at nights, they spent time together in their hotel. They played chess and cribbage and Edward beat her in both. They drank sweet red wine wine and mojitos together and watched the sun set over the sparkling city. They ignored their phones and emails, letting their automated out of office message and secretaries handle any matter that needed their attention.

They simply enjoyed being together.

Bella was smitten. She was absolutely smitten and at the end of every day, she was sad that it had passed. Edward was a different person with her and she adored him. He was thoughtful and gentle and smart and inquisitive and he pushed back when she pushed and God was he funny in such an unexpected way.

And what's more, she loved the way she felt around him. She loved the smile she felt herself wearing because of him and she loved the way in which she felt so completely energized by being in his presence.

On their last night in Spain, Edward informed her that he had made reservations at one of the finest restaurants in Barcelona, having had Hector pull some strings to get them a table.

Bella was getting ready in her bathroom, having slipped into a long red dress she had just purchased at a boutique that day. She had finished curling her hair and was working to put the curls in the right place with the help of some bobby pins. As she worked, she heard a quiet sliding noise and recognized that Edward was entering her room from his next door through their connected balcony.

She could sense his presence immediately as she focused on her hair in the mirror. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him lean against the door frame of the open bathroom. He was dressed in his usual suit and tie, something that she hadn't actually seen him in all week and she internally smiled at seeing him return to his usual attire.

After he didn't say or do anything except stare intensely at her through the mirror, she gave him a saucy grin. "Didn't your mother ever tell you that it was rude to stare?"

"Must have escaped my upbringing," he muttered, not taking his eyes off of her.

"Shame," she grinned, continuing her ministrations. "Are you ready to return to the states?"

Edward pushed off of the doorframe. "Don't talk about such morbid things."

Bella kept eye contact with him in the mirror as he moved behind her. Her entire body was alert by the time he was near her, not quite touching but leaving her wanting him to take her in his arms.

Edward reached into his pocket and Bella watched in the mirror wordlessly as he pulled something out of the suit and then raised both of his hands to her neck. Bella saw a flash of gold as he lifted his arms carefully around her and draped a beautiful gold necklace around her neck.

Bella gasped as she recognized it as the one she had been eying the day before in a jewelry store.

Edward skillfully clasped it around her neck and then leaned down and placed a kiss where the clasp fell against her skin.

Bella shivered.

"Edward, you didn't hav-"

"Hush," he breathed, sensually trailing his nose along her jawline, his warm breath tickling her neck deliciously. Bella shivered as he rested his hands on each of her hips, his hands warm and promising through her dress. "Que exquisito…" he murmured seductively into her skin.

Bella finally tore her gaze away from the mirror and turned into his arms, giving into her desire to put her arms around his neck. She was met with the warm stare of green irises, eyeing her with a sort of curiosity behind the sensuous stare.

"Thank you," she whispered with a smile she couldn't help.

"Es un placer, you insufferable woman."

Bella smiled even brighter at his tenderly said words and leaned up to place a kiss on his lips. Edward returned the kiss with as much vigor as she had. Bella felt a warm tingling spread through her body as she considered that tonight might be the night that she was completely with Edward. They had retreated to their own bedrooms thus far in the trip but the way he was making her feel had her thinking that that may end tonight.

As she wrapped her arms around his neck, she heard a low growl in his throat as he attacked her lips fiercely.

Bella gasped as he broke away from her lips and moved his kisses back down to her neck.

"Yet you suffer so admirably," she whispered, teasing.

She felt him smirk against her neck.

"Apparently, I do a lot for your admiration, Miss Swan." He punctuated his words by dragging his nose lightly across the particularly sensitive spot under her ear.

"And your effort is appreciated," she gasped with a smirk.

Edward lifted his face from her neck and met her gazing with dancing eyes of his own. He leaned back down to press his lips against hers and Bella couldn't help the moan that escaped her at the sensation.

A knocking at the door pulled apart the two.

Edward's body instantly shifted. His entire form tensed up and any warmth he had in his face disappeared with the noise. He unconsciously tightened his grip on Bella before letting go and moving towards the door with both confidence and caution. "Stay here," he whispered forcefully.

Bella held her breath.

Edward looked through the peep hole as he placed his hand at the small of his back where his automatic gun was nestled in his belt. With utmost caution, he opened the door with his hand still gripping his gun.

A hotel staff member was on the other side and had a panicked expression on his face and a phone on a silver platter.

"What do you want?" Edward snapped irritably.

Bella winced.

"The Ms. Swan has a phone call from a Mr. Wheetlock," he said with a bit of a stutter, mispronouncing the name.

"Jasper?" she asked questioningly, a feeling of dread in her chest. She rushed to the phone, ignoring Edward's warning glances.

"Hello?" she answered as her heart started to pound in surprise.

"Oh Bella, thank God," Jasper breathed. "Why the hell haven't you answered your phone?"

"I don't have international coverage," she snapped. "What's wrong?"

"It's Carlisle," he breathed. "He's been poisoned."

Booked a spontaneous weekend trip to Barcelona with my own boyfriend, so wanted to wait to make edits to this chapter until I got back, sorry about the delay and thank you all for your patience.

The bubble for these two got popped after 5 days, naturally. Just their luck. What do we think of them together? Next chapter we have Edward and the rest of Bella's family - any guesses on how that's going to go?

As always, thanks for all of the reviews and the Twitter convos :)