Happy Sunday everyone! I hope your week has been amazing. And if it's been bad then I hope this chapter makes it a little bit better!

Chapter Fourteen (Edward's POV)

I was such an idiot. I can't believe I did that. That was not my plan, not even close. And now she probably thought I was stupid. God damn it. How was I supposed to see her again after that pathetic performance?

That stupid woman caught me off guard. And then learning that Bella's one month anniversary for owning the business was coming up made me just blurt it out.

I groaned loudly and kicked the tire of my car as hard as I could. Which was stupid because I was wearing expensive Italian loafers that really didn't give me much protection. My entire foot stung after I kicked it.

"Edward!" Someone called from behind me. I turned to see Bella running down the street.

"Bella," I said when she was close enough, "Uh, look I'm sorry that I—,"

"No, no, no," She cut me off, "It's okay. I'm sorry I sounded so bitchy. I get thrown off guard sometimes and then everything I say comes out mean."

I nodded and waited for her to continue.

"It's not that I'm not flattered, because I am," She said, "It's just that well, I am really busy with the bakery. It takes up like ninety-eight percent of my time. And truthfully, I've never really been on a real date before," She air quoted her words, "Plus, we don't really know each other that well—,"

"My name is Edward Anthony Masen Cullen," I said, "I'm twenty-six years old. Last year my father had a heart attack and I had to take over all of the family's businesses. I'm not crazy about sweets, but I'd eat every dessert you made if you'd let me. I play the piano very well. And every Thursday night I play cards with a few of my friends, but none of us really know how to play so we just sit around smoking cigars, drinking scotch, and doing really stupid stuff."

She seemed to be at a loss for words. Now replaying my little speech in my head, I felt even more pathetic than I did before. Shit. I really blew it. Welp, I'm going to go ahead and dig a grave for myself.

"I'm sorry," I said, looking down and shaking my head, "I'm so sorry. I… I just—,"

"Okay," She said.

"Huh?"

"Tuesday, we should go out and celebrate the bakery's one month anniversary."

"Really?" I was surprised.

"Yeah," She shrugged, "You are my best customer," She smiled widely, "But, it's just as friends."

I chuckled, "Okay, okay that sounds good."

She smiled, "Give me your number so we can text and figure out what to do. But not anything over the top, we'll just go out and have fun."

I nodded eagerly, "Yeah, okay that sounds awesome. Uh, here," I gave her my number. I almost told her I'd text her, but luckily, I stopped myself because I only knew her cellphone number from Jasper's research.

She smiled up at me and started to take a few steps back toward the bakery, "I'll see you Tuesday."

I smiled at her, "Tuesday."

I watched as she turned and walked back to the bakery. I was kind of shocked that she chased me out here to agree to go out with me.

Well, I guess it wasn't my version of going out. Usually I picked a fancy place to wow the chick I was going out with. I'd drop a couple hundred on really expensive wine, make some small talk, then we'd go back to my place and hook up.

But this was so different. There wasn't even a part of my that wanted to do that with Bella. I didn't want to treat her like my other dates. Of course, this wasn't a date we were just hanging out as friends.

Damn it. This was so confusing. I wanted to be more than friends with Bella, but I didn't want to push her into anything more. Which was strange for me. Usually I pushed and the girl I was trying to woo fell for it, we'd date a little bit then it was over. I definitely didn't want to end anything with Bella. Except maybe being friends, but that's only if it led to more.

As I was driving my father called. I was slightly confused as to why he was calling so early, but then I remembered I was supposed to be in a meet twenty minutes ago. Shit. This was an important meeting too. He was going to freak out.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?" He asked, his usual calm tone of voice sharper.

"I'm almost there. Traffic was horrendous." I lied.

"Alright, please just hurry." He hung up his phone without another word. I could tell he was irritated.

I sped up and cut my time in half. I tried to keep a calm demeaner as I entered the building, but I was already so late. And with every passing minute, the angrier my father became. Anger wasn't good for his heart. My mother would beat me if she knew he wasn't anything but calm.

"Good morning gentlemen," I said as I calmly walked into the room, "I apologize for being late, traffic was terrible."

One of the older board members grinned, "Uh huh, sure buddy."

"What?" I asked as I sat down.

"We all know the reputation of Carlisle's son," Another one snickered, "More like you got caught up with a girl in bed."

"I can assure you; Edward doesn't do that kind of thing anymore." Dad said, "He's much more responsible."

"It's true," I said, "I haven't gotten caught up in bed with a woman for a while."

"Carlisle, you're making that boy work too hard," Another man said, "You're what? Twenty-six? These are the best banging years of your life. You should be out there getting snatch, not working yourself to death."

I shrugged, "I do alright," I chuckled, "But onto business—,"

"This is just a formality," One of the investors said, "You're doing great. We're not worried about the company being in your hands. But we were hoping—,"

"We were hoping you'd take us to that strip club you own." Another man said.

"Oh," I shifted uncomfortably in my chair, "Well, gentlemen any other time—,"

"Aw c'mon," One of the men stood, "We're very curious about that high class strip club you own. We've heard amazing things about it. We were hoping we could get your V.I.P. treatment."

I looked at my father. He shrugged. I could tell he was caught off guard too, but his composure to them would say that he's confident. He was letting me handle this, and I didn't really want to take them to my strip club. I kind of felt sleazy about it now.

"Well alright," I said, "I'll call the girls and see if they don't mind giving us a little private show."

They hooped and hollered, clapping each other on the back. Looking at all of these men I could tell that before we headed to the strip club they'd pop a little blue pill to get them going. They were all ancient. I thought at a certain point men wouldn't be interested in seeing naked girls dance for them.

"We'll meet you there," One of them said.

I nodded, "Alright."

When they walked out of the room I thumped down onto the chair.

"I thought we were supposed to be discussing the company. Not going to see naked women."

Dad shrugged, "They have heard about your womanizing behavior. I guess they really want you to show them a good time."

"Did they ever ask you to do this?"

"No, but I was married to your mother at this point. When they offered to take me to a whore house I decline and told them how much I loved my wife. They backed off."

"Ah shit, well I guess I have to get married now. That way I don't have to go to sleazy strip clubs."

"Really?" He said, "Usually you'd be down for going to a strip club. And now you don't want to go? Especially to the one that you own?"

"I think I'm going to sell it." I said as I opened a bottle of water.

"Is it because of that bakery girl?" Dad asked.

I gave him a look, "I'm going to kill Alice."

"Alice didn't tell me, your mother did." He said.

"Mom? How would mom know anything about that?"

"She's your mother. That day you brought over those desserts she figured you were smitten with this girl. And when she met her at the dessert tasting, she realized that maybe you were more than a little smitten with her."

I shook my head, "Well, it's whatever."

"It's fine. We don't have to talk about it," He said, "But you better take those men to that club or else they'll pull out of their investments and our company will suffer."

I groaned, "Ugh okay. Jeez I wish you were still the head of the company."

He chuckled, "Me too."

On the way over to the strip club I had called the manager and asked if he could get the girls there. I knew it was inconvenient, but I'd pay them well for it. And I already knew the men that were coming were going to pay big money to see some pussy.

My strip club was in a high rise that hosted a number of other ritzy businesses. I thought having it there made the club look so much cooler and it did. But now, I didn't even like to think about the strip club. I felt dirty for even coming here.

"Alright gentlemen," I said as we walked passed the bouncer, "Remember to be courteous, keep your hands to yourself unless given permission to touch, and tip very, very well. My girls are the best."

I walked straight to the bar while the men took seats in front of the stage.

"Please give me a two shots of the top shelf bourbon and a glass of scotch."

"Rough morning?" The bartender asked. I didn't know his name. The manager handled all of this.

"Sort of," I downed my two shots then chased them with a glass of scotch. Not exactly the best tasting or the best way to drink an expensive scotch or bourbon, but it did numb some of the guilt I was feeling.

"Hey Edward," A feminine voice said.

I looked over to see a very scantily clad Serena walking to me.

Serena was always my favorite stripper. Anytime I came here, I usually always requested her. But now, looking at her, I didn't really think she was that hot anymore. Of course, she was still hot, but I wasn't interested.

"Hey, Serena." I said politely.

"Where have you been? I've missed you," She said as she got really close to me.

I chuckled awkwardly, "Yeah, I've been busy."

She smiled, "Want a dance?"

"I'm goo—," Before I could politely decline, one of the board members walked up and clapped me on the back.

"Hell of a place Edward," he looked over at Serena, "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt."

"You weren't interrupting anything," I said as I stood.

"Well go ahead then, get your lap dance."

"Actually," I said, "I just received a call. I have to go put out a fire at one of my other businesses. But you all enjoy, and the bar is on me."

"Oh you can't leave without getting at least one lap dance." Serena said, "I'll make it worth your while."

Before I could decline, she pushed me down into one of the chairs and straddled my lap. I leaned away from her. She didn't seem perturbed by my hesitance or my obvious disinterest, she just grabbed my hands and placed them on her hips while she danced.

"You know," She whispered in my ear, "I've missed you so much. Remember when we fucked in the back room? Let's sneak back there."

"Serena I can't," I told her.

"Aw c'mon," She whined, "You've never turned me down. And you'd never leave me all wet and frustrated would you?"

She grabbed my hand and shoved it down into her panties. She was very obviously wet. I jerked my hand away, like I'd touched fire. Then I looked around to make sure no one was looking before I lifted her off of me.

"I'm sorry Serena, but I really have to go."

Before she could say anything I dashed out of the door. Mentally I was cussing myself for even coming here. I felt so dirty. I couldn't stop thinking about Bella and how I could do this to her.

And then I felt stupid for even thinking that. Bella and I weren't dating. And from what it seemed like, she didn't even like me in that way.

I froze in the hallway as my internal argument heated up.

Why the hell was I even worried about that girl? Yeah, she was beautiful, and she was pretty great, but we weren't dating. She only wanted to be friends. What the hell was happening to me? Why did that girl have such a hold over me.

The old me wouldn't have hesitated. The old me would've grabbed Serena by the hips, grind into her, and then drag her to the back room and fuck her until she couldn't see straight. But this new me was hesitant, and not at all interested in doing anything with Serena. God damn it! Where the fuck was this guilt coming from? Why the hell did I feel guilty!

I growled and continued to the elevator. What the fuck was happening to me? Have I turned into some love stricken pansy? I always teased Emmett for being wrapped around Rosalie's finger, but here I was wrapped around Bella's finger, and we weren't even in a relationship!

I slammed the door to my car when I got in. I just happened to look down at myself and spotted a wet spot where my crotch was. My head fell back as I groaned. Jesus Christ. I went ahead and wiped my hand onto my pants, since they were now going straight into the garbage.

After a minute, I picked up the phone and dialed Emmett's number.

I hope you guys don't think Edward is a creep, he's gotta do what he has too for his company. Luckily he didn't sleep with anyone! Let me know what you think in a review! I love reading your feedback!