Disclaimer: Twilight and all the associated characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. The story line and all their naughty little actions come to you courtesy of me.

Investing in Love – Chapter 36

SMACK! The sound of my hand hitting Edwards's cheek brings back the memories of everything that happened tonight. I nearly gave myself up to a man that makes my skin crawl, watched him get stabbed and almost die, and then I find out the man I trusted and bared my soul to is a liar, just as I feared. I need space…I need to think.

"Get out…. Get. The. Fuck...out." I don't yell, but my voice is commanding and hard.

Edward steps away from me, looking defeated and torn. I stand my ground. He must notice my resolve because he doesn't say a word. He turns on his heels, picks up his shirt and walks out the door.

As soon as the apartment door closes, I hear Rosalie's bedroom door open. It only takes seconds until I'm surrounded by the warm embrace of my two best friends. It's at that moments, with the people who I know love me, that I feel safe. I feel my resolve crumble as I let my guard down. I start to cry, soaking Alice's shirt as my face rests on her shoulder. I'm crying from feeling so many conflicting emotions, hitting me like a tidal wave…shock from the trauma and fear that I faced today…grief for the relationship I lost…embarrassment from feeling used and naïve…and gratitude for my friends who are here, surrounding me with their love and support after everything that happened today.

I'm sitting on the couch with Rosalie and Alice on either side of me. Jacob is sitting on the love seat across from us and Jasper is walking around. Jasper appears to be checking his phone periodically and texting. It's probably Edward he is communicating with, but I try not to think about that.

"I'm so sorry guys. I'm a mess." I swipe at my eyes with the long sleeve of Edwards suit Jacket.

"Bella, don't be sorry, you did nothing wrong," Alice comforts me.

"I should have listened to you," I say looking up at Jacob. "He's not good for me."

"I don't know, Bella," Jacob quietly responds.

"Excuse me?" I must be confused. Jacob almost sounds…regretful? "What are you saying?"

"I just don't think Edward is as bad as you are making him out to be right now."

"You have got to be kidding me. When did you become Team Edward?" I hear chuckles coming from the others.

"I'm not the president of his fan club or anything, but I think he was justified in what he did. I mean, if I had the same resources he has, I probably would've done that a long time ago."

"So you think it was acceptable for him to spy on me?"

"All I'm saying is the man obviously loves you. He was about to give up his company for you. I think his intentions were genuine and noble. I saw the way he looked at you, how torn up he was. You can't fake that kind of emotion. I think maybe I judged him too harshly based on the past."

I don't know what to say. I'm speechless. I get up from the couch and walk to the kitchen for some water. I put my glass down and excuse myself.

"I think I want to be alone now."

"Do you want me to stay with you?" Rosalie offers.

"No. Really I think being alone is what I need. I have nothing to fear now. James is in the hospital, remember?" I try and make a little joke, but it falls short. "Plus Jacob is right across the hall," I remind them, "and if I need anything, I will just get him."

"That's right Bella; I'm here for you if you need me." Jacob gives me a big hug and heads to his apartment.

"We'll stop by for breakfast tomorrow," Alice lets me know. I might be pushing them out now, but they will be back.

We say our goodbyes and I'm left alone in the apartment. There is still a little mess from everyone being here so I start to pick up a few things. Everything keeps flashing in my mind and I can't seem to shut my brain off from past events. I keep reliving everything, even from the first time I met Edward.

I pick up a coaster that broke in the scuffle and take it over to the junk drawer to find some glue. I'm sure I can fix this. When I open the kitchen drawer, I see a screwdriver sitting on the top of all the junk. Without even thinking about what I'm doing, I pick it up and head to the door.

I look for some screws on the state of the art system installed on my wall next to the door, but they are not easy to find. I guess I'll have to do this the hard way. I take the flat head screwdriver and start prying it in-between the wall and the system. I pull and shimmy it until I hear a pop. That felt really good… Hmm… I take the screwdriver and jab it into the face of the alarm system control panel. That felt really, really good. Next thing I know the alarm is in four different pieces, hanging by wires from the wall.

"Well, I think that's all the house work I will do for tonight." I put the screwdriver back into the junk drawer turn off the lights and head to bed.

I'm sitting in the middle of a large mahogany table surrounded by black leather chairs. Dressed in a pencil skirt and white button down blouse, I appear to be in an executive board room. It's so dark the big open windows seem to be peering out into nothingness. Edward is sitting at the head of the table to my right and James is sitting at the other end to my left.

"Come on Edward. I'm giving you a good deal here."

"Sorry James, you're just going to have to deal with the fact you lost this investment."

"Playing hard ball I see..." James looks over to me, "…and rightfully so. I imagine if you did a comparative market analysis she would hold her value more than most."

"She is invaluable in many ways. I wouldn't be able to thrive in this industry without her."

"Ah, I'm sure. You know, when I acquired her before, she wasn't putting out enough capital. But she certainly seems to be flourishing under your control."

"Yes, I seem to have the right touch with her."

They are negotiating…me. They are talking about me like I'm not even sitting here. I've had enough of this. I stand up and slam my hands down on the table.

"Stop! I'm not just an investment you can buy and sell on a whim."

They both start laughing….. What's going on? I look down the table to James and he's gone. I turn to Edwards's end of the table and he's gone too. I look around feeling confused and frightened, unable to comprehend what is going on. I feel Edward suddenly appear behind me and I jump.

"Do you know what I want to do to you, Bella?" He brushes my hair back away from my neck and sucks on my earlobe, whispering seductively into my ear.

"I want to bend you over this table and fuck you, but first I want to taste that sweet pussy I put so much stock into."

"Edward," I say his name trying to grasp what is going on.

I can't get another word out before he twirls me around picking me up by my waist and setting me on the board room table. I gasp in surprise at his sudden movement. He uses one hand to gently push me back so that I'm leaning on my elbows, while his other hand is working its way up my skirt. He stops when he notices I have a garter belt holding my stockings in place.

"Oh, you naughty little vixen. I need to see you." He tugs my skirt up above my waist. "I need to see all of you." He reaches out to my blouse and rips my shirt open, popping all the buttons and revealing my red lace bra.

This is wrong...at least I think this is wrong. I know there is some reason I shouldn't be letting this happen, but for the life of me I can't remember what that reason is. I soon disregard any apprehension I was feeling once he pulls down one of my bra cups and takes my nipple into his mouth.

"Oh Edward..." I reach out and run my fingers through his hair, tugging and pushing him closer at the same time.

"That's right Bella. My name is the only one that should come out of that sweet little mouth when you are in the heat of passion. You are mine. You belong to me and only me."

He leans down, possessively kissing me on the lips, and then moves his kisses down my body until he reaches my opening. He has me writhing and screaming out his name in a matter of seconds.

Next thing I know he has me flipped and bent over the board room table.

"It's time I fucked you Bella."

I can hear him removing his tie from around his neck. He grabs both of my arms and forcefully pulls them back. He uses his tie to bind my wrist together. I'm completely helpless; he has complete control now. I know there is a reason I shouldn't trust him, but I do. I don't fear him. I want him. I want to give myself to him.

"Who do you belong to Bella?"

"You," I moan.

"No. Say my name," he commands.

"Edward… I belong to you, Edward." I'm breathless and panting.

The next thing I know he leans over me places his mouth on my neck…..and bites!... What the hell!

"No Bella, you belong to me." James?...It can't be.

I turn around and James is the one leaning over me. His eyes are blood red and he snarls at me like an animal…No! No! No! This can't be happening.

"NO!" I pop up out of bed trying to control my breathing while I get my bearings. It was just a dream….It was just a dream.

I jump up out of bed and look at myself in the mirror. My hair is a mess and I'm still wearing Edward's suit jacket. I put my hands up to my face; they are covered in the long sleeves of his jacket so I catch his scent. It's a comforting smell and that infuriates me.I take another look at myself and I hardly recognize the person staring back at me. I take his jacket off and throw it on the chair in the corner.

After putting on some comfy sweat shorts and a tank top, I head out to the kitchen to get something to eat. I notice its 10:00 in the morning. I slept 10 hours? I'm not surprised when I suddenly hear the apartment door open and close, knowing my friends would be by to check on me.

"I'm guessing you won?" I hear Jacobs voice before I see him walking into the kitchen area.

"What are you talking about? Waffle?" I offer him a waffle from the toaster.

"No thanks." He waves off my offer. "And I was talking about your security system. I'm guessing you got into a fight with it….because it is destroyed."

"I tried to remove it nicely, but that didn't work out."

"Obviously," he says sarcastically. I give him a death glare.

"Well excuse me if I don't want to be watched in the privacy of my own home. I survived years without it. I'm sure I will be fine now…you have a problem with that?"

"Nope." Jacob puts his hands up in self-defense.

The door to the apartment opens and closes again. I hear Rosalie and Alice whispering, probably about my home improvements. They make their way to the kitchen and see me stuffing my face with a frozen waffle. I know I must look like shit to them….I feel like shit.

"Oh Bella, you look…um…you look tired." That's Alice's diplomatic way of telling me I look like shit.

"I got 10 hours of sleep," I counter, although in those 10 hours I did have a horrible nightmare, but I leave out that minor detail.

"Oh…well maybe you will feel better after you shower." I give Alice a 'thanks for trying…but stop' look.

"So, what happened to the alarm system?" Rosalie questions.

"Don't ask," Jacob informs her. "I already did and I regret it."

I stick my tongue out at him. Suddenly feeling queasy, I throw my half eaten waffle in the trash. Everyone begins talking; taking special care to keep the conversation away from anything that has to do with Edward or James. I'm thankful for this, but it doesn't keep my mind off of them. I appreciate my friends trying to help, but I still want to be alone.

"Well guys...I think maybe I do need some more sleep. I'm going back to my room." They don't say anything, but I can see the concern in their eyes.

I get ready to lie back down in bed when I spot Edwards jacket on the chair. I shouldn't do it. I walk over to the chair. This is completely insane. I pick his jacket up. Why am I doing this? I put both my arms in. I do feel a little better now. I button the jacket up. No one needs to know. I walk over to the bed and lay down. This will be the last time I do this. I bring the sleeves up to my face and inhale. I miss him. I curl up into a ball and fall asleep before I allow anymore tears to assault my eyes.

A/N: So there you have it…she went with the smack. It looks like Jacob is starting to come around ;) Team Edward! If you like the story, please review. Your kind words and constructive criticism would mean the world to me. If you don't like the story, then remember what your mama told you, "If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all." I hope my story brings you a welcoming escape into the world of fantasy.