Chapter Eight

Bella knew what Edward tried to do throughout dinner, watching for any signs of a concussion. Still, it was a rather enjoyable meal at one of her favorite Mexican restaurants. Tacos were another one of her weaknesses, the fact Edward knew this early in their friendship startled her.

How did he seem to know what she'd like? She had her suspicions. "Are you spying on me?" she blurted out the question, the best way to catch her victims off guard.

He nearly choked on a drink and had to clear his throat. "I monitor employees searches and such, so in essence yes. I mostly skim. Why do you ask?"

"You knew I'd like this restaurant. I had looked up their hours the other day when I worked late. I figured you used the information you gathered for your benefit."

He drew an imaginary halo around his head and grinned. "Busted. I may have filed that information for future use." His frown did little to mar the rugged features of his face. "Though I must admit, I had no idea I would use the information this soon."

Not giving one fuck about table manners, she placed her elbow on the table, cupping her chin in her palm. His breathing picked up, his eyes widening. She knew the move framed up her cleavage to perfection. So much for her no-man diet. She wanted to get to know the man sitting across from her.

"It stands to reason that you're aware that during one of my breaks last week, I looked up Legend of Zelda tattoos."

Edward pulled at the collar of his shirt, swallowing hard. "I may have come across something like that."

She cocked a slim eyebrow. "Do you have something you need to tell me, Mr. Masen?"

He groaned and nodded. "I'm the worst Secret Santa in the world. I gave myself away in a day!"

Thankfully, Bella only laughed at his half-assed confession. "Did you even put my name in the box?"

He shook her head, doing his best to give her the look that got his aunt to forgive him as a child. "I thought, why should I waste a perfect opportunity to get to know you better. Plus, you didn't seem too fond of the whole thing."

"I'm really not, as I explained the day we filled out the questionnaire. I'm going to try to join in the festivities. Angela and Lauren are tossing things up this year. We're supposed to go to our office holiday party dressed up as our favorite characters from holiday movies or shows but from holiday episodes."

"I didn't know that, thanks for letting me know." His brow furrowed. "You're really not mad? I'd understand if you were."

She shrugged. "You saved me from disappointment, Edward. You have already done more than any of my previous co-workers. Aside from Angela, she really made it special for me two years ago."

"That means I have to step up my game." Edward loved a challenge. "Though your questionnaire didn't tell me what you really wanted."

Bella went with an honest answer. "Happiness, a caring, loving boyfriend, cupcakes, a new tattoo, human rights for everyone, universal health care, living wages, to meet my favorite celebrities to have a beer, the ability to stare someone straight in the eyes and evaporate them right on sight, maybe a pet, more cute dresses, and I don't know, some French toast or something."

Edward noted every one of her desires. "That's quite the list and I wish I had the power to grant them all. I can, however, help with several."

She sipped on her margarita and sighed in pleasure. "Which ones?"

"I guess you must wait to find out." He smirked as her eyes narrowed for a moment, a pleasing smile graced her lips. Leaning toward her, he whispered, "I make amazing French toast."

Bella's thighs closed, and her eyes nearly rolled right out of her head. His husky whisper voice seemed to caress every sensitive inch of her skin. Her visceral reaction on full display for her him to witness.

Edward had to pull away and shift in his seat as discreetly as possible. Bella, in an aroused state, was potent and hit him hard. He tried to remind himself, casual wasn't something he was interested in, at least not with her.

"How can you be both sweet and hot at the same time? I mean, do you have any idea what you do to women like me?"

He shrugged. "Maybe, but most women don't stick around to get to the sweet part. I thought this time around, I'd show that side of me." His lips pursed. "Though some people could take advantage."

She sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. "One day you're going to tell me what she did to hurt you. And I'll find her address and have a friendly discussion with her."

Edward rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Bella, be serious."

"I am being serious. I won't hurt her, but I will let her know she missed out on something fabulous."

"You don't know me enough to know that's true."

"I'm an excellent judge of character. Sure, you stole my questionnaire for personal gain, but you also had good intentions."

He wondered about something. "I know about the rivalry between you and Lauren, is there more to it than being bypassed for the promotion?"

"I dated someone from Bellmore's on the eighth floor for two years, but she caught his eye. I don't blame her; he cheated. She didn't know he was seeing anyone. However, when a job came up at this company, she applied and now throws the fact she 'stole him' in my face every chance she gets."

"They're not together though."

"Exactly, she likes to remind me she's better than me."

Edward nearly growled as he pulled her seat toward him hard. "She's not. I don't like bad-mouthing anyone, but I know she's not."

"I know. She's good at some aspects of her job, and I hate putting anyone down, too. We should encourage each other and I try, but she makes it so hard. It's like she forgot the memo or something."

"You're a good person, Bella Swan. Under the tough exterior." He grinned when she huffed and stuck her chin up. "Your secret is safe with me."

She poked him in his solid chest twice. "It better be, or my bitch face will no longer get me what I need when I need it."

He grabbed her hand that caressed him, though she didn't seem to be aware of it. "Now, who did you plan to dress for the holiday party?"

Bella grinned. "I haven't decided. You want to be my partner in crime?"

"Yes, please."

AN: All mistakes are mine. Hello to all, I hope everyone is healthy and happy. Writing is so damn hard nowadays and I can't seem to force words on just anything. Something will randomly talk to me and I try to take advantage as much as possible. Though local cafes are closed indoors, I found a safe place to write, once I pick up a coffee. Hoping to try this again soon. Thanks for your support and for reading.