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Bella sat at her dinette in the kitchen, staring out into the night. She thought over everything that had transpired in the last few days, and honestly, she was in a far better place than when she had arrived here. Arrived was an exaggeration, more like flung over a shoulder, two different ones in the span of a week and drug inside.

Even while she was initially a captive, Bella felt more comfortable in these walls than she had anywhere else. She couldn't exactly explain what was causing this oddity, but in truth, she'd never experienced such a sense of belonging—the Cullens, as dangerous as they seemed, more than welcoming.

Since the altercation with Edward a few days ago, she hadn't seen much of him. Every once in a while, she would stand outside the door of his study and contemplate going inside, yet she smothered the urge. Since she'd been here, Bella had pushed and pushed, and obviously, the guy probably needed a breather from her assertive nature. Weird as it was, Bella kind of felt bereft without his looming presence.

Her lessons with Lily were underway, and the enthusiasm with which the little girl tackled them made Bella smile. If she were ever blessed with a daughter of her own, she would want her to be just like Lily. They'd started their lessons on the alphabet and proceeded to count with a few simple writing assignments.

Sticking a fork into a roasted potato, she brought the bite to her lips when Emmett came strolling into the kitchen, asking, "Why are you eating in here by yourself?"

Bella's blonde brow lifted as she bit the potato in half. Chewing, she covered her mouth as she answered, "Edward said I was to eat dinner in the kitchen … away from the family."

"Since when do you listen to Edward?" Emmett wanted to know, grabbing a beer from the fridge. He was eager to get back to dinner but waited to hear Isabella's response.

Bella swallowed the bite with a shrug. "I figured I've pissed him off enough, and maybe I should chill before he chokes me."

Emmett laughed slightly at the explanation. "Well, if he chokes you, it won't be out of anger … Hell, if he were going to do that, he would have that first night you ripped your room to shreds. I think you are safe from being choked."

"What do you mean, 'if he chokes me, it won't be out of anger?'" Bella was confused by this explanation, but Emmett's expression piqued her curiosity. There was a hidden meaning behind those words, and Bella really wanted to uncover the mystery.

"That's a topic for a later date. Grab your plate and come into the main dining room."

Hurriedly, Bella collected her dinner and set out to follow Emmett, never seeing the light blue eyes that dropped into a glare. Bella left the daggers shooting towards her behind as Emmett escorted her through the halls. The second Bella stepped into the dining room, several heads turned, Esme and Alice both smiling in welcome.

Bella scanned the faces before her. There was one missing, however. While the whole family sat down to supper, Edward was no doubt locked in his study.

Oh well, she didn't care. Or she shouldn't care. The man was a jackass. Even so, she felt a tug in her chest as she pulled back a chair and sat at the table.

Esme took a sip of her wine. "I was wondering where you were. How is Lily doing with her studies? I hope she is excelling."

Bella settled into the cushion under her backside, her gaze skating over the light shining off the crystal chandelier overhead. "She is doing a tremendous job. She eagerly tackles whatever I suggest. We've just started some simple writing, and I'm hoping to get into spelling once she has memorized the alphabet."

"I still need to get Edward to understand she needs proper socialization, but some progress is better than none." Esme fiddled with the food on her plate as she studied the girl that had dropped into their laps. It was hard to fathom the progress Isabella had made in such a short period of time. Considering Edward's impulse to listen to their guest, Esme suggested, "Perhaps you could speak to him about it."

"I don't know if that is such a good idea," Bella mumbled, remembering the last time she'd spoken to him on a painful topic. He'd practically pinned her to the wall, breathing fiery anger down her neck. When she saw disappointment enter Esme's eyes, however, Bella gave a nod. "I will see what I can do."

When Esme would have continued talking about Lily and Edward, Alice chimed in. "We should have a girl's day. Go get our hair and nails done, do some shopping."

Bella's heart did a flip at the offer. In all her life, she'd never been invited to such a gathering, and longing engulfed her. That twinkle lighting Edward's sister's gaze spoke of genuine friendship, and Bella craved it beyond anything else. Her predicament kept her from jumping at the notion. "I would love to, but I'm not allowed to leave."

Alice's brow pinched together. "Well, I'm not going to let that stop us. I can hire someone to come to the house to do our hair and nails. You could even get a massage if you want. Plus, we can do shopping online."

"It really sounds wonderful, but I don't have any money. Just the clothes on my back," Bella informed, silently adding except in the drawers upstairs, which was still a mystery to her.

Alice merely smiled with intent. "It will be my treat. Lily and Mom can even join in. It will be a true ladies' day."

How could Bella possibly refuse such a generous offer, especially when Esme's face brightened about being included? "Sounds like a great time. I would thoroughly enjoy it."

"Great, I will set it up in two days. We'll have a blast." Alice was already making a mental note of everything they needed for it to be a success. "Do you like margaritas? Or some other fruity concoction?"

"I've never really drunk." Not that she hadn't wanted to, yet attending a bar with goons was not her idea of a night out, and considering she didn't have any close friends, she'd be flying solo. "But I will try whatever you have."

"Oh, watch what you say," Emmett warned with a laugh, throwing an arm over the back of Bella's chair. "My sister will get you blitzed if you aren't careful."

"Trust me; I can do with a little excitement in my life." Bella shifted in the seat as Emmett seemed to lean into her. What the hell was he up to? Feeling awkward, Bella stared at him with wonder as his head dropped next to hers.

"Really? You don't have enough excitement in your life?"

Disbelief filled his handsome features, and Bella couldn't help but notice the differences between Emmett and Edward. For being blood brothers, how the fuck did they look so different? Even so, they were both very nice-looking men in their own right. Still, the way his eyes darkened as he regarded her caused her to squirm a bit. "I mean fun excitement. I haven't had enough fun ever."

Jovial sounds drew Edward from the confines of his study. After his last encounter with Bella, Edward had taken great pains to avoid the little minx. He was right on the brink of a life-altering development. He hovered between wanting to choke her, kiss her, or, hell, bend her right over his knee. And the punishment was not what he had in mind when he envisioned bending her over.

Yet when Edward had been sitting in his silent study for the third day in a row, he couldn't dispute missing their heated exchanges. He'd never met someone so adamant about going head to head with him. When a light moan caught his attention, Edward eased up from his chair.

Those weren't exactly sex sounds. Curious to find the source of what sounded pained almost, Edward opened the study door and looked both ways down the hall. The faint groan erupted again, and Edward found himself searching, the muffled noise leading him by the ear, so to speak. As he progressed down the hall, the sounds seemed to get louder, and his pace quickened.

Instead of finding the source of that particular sound, however, he stood in the main dining room, watching his 'prisoner' interact with his family as if she were an old friend.

Edward wasn't sure what irked him more; the way his family cooed over Isabella or this weird draw to be a part of the phenomenon. Even as every cell in his body came to life, urging him into the scene before him, another part held him in place. They had never treated Irene with the same candor as they were showing Bella. Edward's jaw clenched at the thought. They'd always been pleasant to his wife, but pleasantries are where it had ended.

Bella knew Edward was standing there before Esme's eyes lifted and surprise etched across her face. Her cheeks burned, pulling her gaze up until they connected with Edward's. A spark shot from her eyes to his as they stared at one another. When Emmett shifted next to her, she once again became aware of his big body leaning into her, and the way Edward's features darkened had her putting more space between them.

She didn't miss the way his dark blues flashed and the way the muscle near his temple ticked. He looked right on the verge of blowing a gasket, and Bella fortified herself against the argument that was sure to follow. Lifting her chin, she heard the words before they ever left his lips.

"Isabella, can I have a word with you in private?" Edward dared her to refuse. He couldn't explain the basis for his welling anger but grow it did until he felt on the brink of exploding. If she didn't climb out of that chair in two seconds, he'd haul her away over his shoulder.

Emmett's attention honed in on the attitude his brother seemed to be emitting. Knowing he was partially responsible for Edward's demeanor, considering he'd insisted she come have dinner with the family, Emmett felt honor-bound to defend her. "Edward …"

"Shut it down, Emmett, and stay the fuck out of it." To Edward's astonishment, a tight-lipped Isabella scooted her chair out and climbed to her feet. Her gaze never wavered from his as she came to stand before him. "Go to my study. I will be there in a minute."

"If you are going to talk about me, I have a right to know what is being said," she snapped back.

Fire crackled from his irises, and his pupils narrowed. "Unless I say it directly to you, it isn't any of your business. Go. Or I will carry you out of here."

Not wanting to be humiliated any more than she already was in front of his family, Bella skirted Edward and headed in that direction of his study. While she couldn't understand the words, Bella heard him barking at his family. Fuming over the crass way he'd spoken, Bella slammed into his office with her hands on her hips.

She barely stepped over the threshold before the stomping of feet came closer, and the door slammed shut behind her. Bella whirled around to face him, blanching at the seething anger on his face. While she knew he had a temper, she had no idea what she'd done to provoke it. "What do you …"

"I came to the dining room to see you speaking to my family as if you were old friends. How is it going to be when you aren't here anymore? Huh? You already have my daughter wrapped around your fingers," Edward growled, his nostrils pulsing with irritation. Raking his hand through his hair, he glared at her. "She is going to be devastated when you have to leave. Did you think of that before worming your way into her heart?"

Bella's brow wrinkled as she tried to process where this was all coming from. Days ago, Edward had given her permission to tutor Lily, and now he was once again biting her head off. Scratching her head, she returned his gaze as confusion set in. "Edward. I don't understand. I was just eating dinner. What have I done to piss you off now?"

"Just having dinner," Edward began, "every one of them is treating you like you belong here. Once the money —."

"I know," Bella huffed, "once the money comes, you will toss me out. So, I had dinner with your family; it's not an earth-shaking event. Just dinner, get a grip, would you?"

Edward was so conflicted he wasn't sure what he was doing or what he was feeling. All he knew was this woman was turning his life upside down, and when she left, he'd be the one left picking up all the pieces strewn throughout his house. As if that weren't bad enough, Emmett's arm had been flung across her chair as if she were his date instead of this family's captive. "You sure looked comfortable with Emmett's arm around you. What has been going on while I've been locked in this study?"

Bella scoffed as she shook her head. "Are you suggesting something is going on between Emmett and I? And what would it matter if there were?"

Edward stormed forward, backing her up until she bumped into the wall. "Is there something happening between you and Emmett?"

The images that sprang to mind of Isabella entangled with Emmett infuriated him on so many different levels. Honestly, what did he care if she got involved with Emmett? He had no hold on the tempting baggage, yet for reasons he wasn't ready to contemplate, the thought troubled him.

His razor-sharp gaze landed on her lips, and an intense craving ripped at his gut. As he studied her bottom lip, her soft, pink tongue came out to graze the plump flesh, sending ripples of lust heading straight to his dick. His lips curled, baring his teeth; he fought the urge to sink them into the tender lip she licked.

Bella glared back at Edward. She wasn't sure if she should be offended or flattered. What she did know was, Edward was red-faced, looking like he wanted to explode, yet he was staring wantonly at her mouth. Gulping, she wasn't sure if he was going to choke her or kiss her.

Did she want him to kiss her? His breath skimmed her lips, and a wonderment slammed through her, and suddenly, she did want him to. Silence passed between them, with Edward staring hungrily at her lips. He'd asked her if something was happening between herself and Emmett; perhaps if she answered that, he would kiss her. "No."

The word no echoed in Edward's brain, and instantly he tore his eyes from her sensual mouth and backed up several inches. His hands curled into fists to keep from reaching for her. Confused, he mumbled, "No."

Bella fought for composure, shaken by this overwhelming heat claiming her soul. Huskily, she replied, "Nothing is happening between Emmett and me."

Edward stared at her as if she'd grown a second head. He continued creating space between them until he sat with a heavy plop into his chair. Isabella took him by surprise when she slowly approached his desk.

"Have you eaten?"

"What?" What the hell was she talking about? Food was the last thing on his mind.

"Have you had supper?" Bella wasn't sure why she cared or what brought on this particular topic, yet the loneliness in his eyes stabbed a familiar spot deep within her. She knew that feeling all too well. Sometimes, people just needed someone to take care of them, and since Edward wasn't prone to look after his own well-being … well then, she would do it.

"No … I'm not …" Edward was going to tell her he didn't want food, but she'd already slipped out of the study.

Moments later, Bella returned with a plate in hand and sat it before him. Sitting a can of soda next to the plate, she stared him in the eye as she sat in the chair in front of his desk. "Eat!"

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