Thank you all for the amazing feedback.

As always, thankful for my girls' help. Mwah! All mistakes are still mine, because I can't help and change/add stuff in the chapter before posting it.

To answer a question many of you had...Edward did come, but his orgasm was ruined so there was no satisfaction for him.

Ready to meet Rose and Emmett?

On Monday morning, Bella found her coffee waiting for her again. This time, Edward and Freddie were gone for Freddie's walk.

She took the opportunity to call Dr. Cullen and schedule an appointment for both her and Edward. The best option was tomorrow at eleven o'clock, and Bella accepted it.

Once that important matter was settled, she carried her mug to her home office. She had a lot of editing to do. When she'd promised Tia to have the book ready by the end of next week, Bella didn't know she'd find a Sub during the weekend.

Bella was deep in editing when she heard the doorbell. Any other time, she'd have simply allowed her Sub to answer, but Edward was still new to living with her. He didn't know any of her friends, except Jacob and Seth, and by association Jasper.

She hurried into the hallway to find Edward staring at the door, uncertainty clear on his face.

"It's all right," she said softly, sidestepping him and opening the door to reveal her favorite police officer. "Emmett," Bella gasped, surprised to see him there.

Last she knew, he and Rose were house-hunting in New York.

"Hello," Emmett grinned. "I can't stay long, but Rose told me to come over and invite you for dinner tonight."

Bella noticed the cruiser on idle behind her car, and his partner behind the wheel. "That could have been arranged through a phone call."

Emmett grimaced. "Rose wanted to make sure you won't find some lame excuse – her words."

"I'll call Rose and let her know I'll be there. You go and catch the bad guys," she joked.

"Thanks for jinxing it, missy. I was hoping for a quiet shift." He saluted her, jogging back to the cruiser.

Bella sighed heavily, shutting the door and turning to face Edward. He wasn't behind her like she'd expected, which explained why Emmett hadn't commented on the man in her house.

She found him in the kitchen, looking out the window at the cruiser driving away.

"Everything okay?" Bella stared at his back muscles tensing up.

"Police officers are not my favorite people," he admitted quietly, turning away from the window.

"Did you get in trouble a lot growing up?"

Edward smiled in chagrin. "It was the police who came to my door to let me know what happened to my parents."

"Shit." Bella felt awful for not thinking of that particular scenario involving his dislike of the police. "Emmett is my friend. He's actually my best friend's Sub."

"Oh." Edward frowned, glancing over his shoulder toward the spot where the police car had been. "I wouldn't have guessed."

She chuckled. "Like you fall under the stereotype? If Jake hadn't told me, I wouldn't have guessed." Though, she might have noticed it if she'd approached him for a talk.

"I got that a lot when I decided to find my place again. I'd get approached by other Subs, and it took hours to get rid of them. Especially the younger women, they thought I was playing with them."

Bella had to laugh, imagining the whole conversations Edward must have had with young female Subs mistaking him for a Dom.

"I was invited for dinner at their house. We're both going."

"Let me know what time you want me ready."

"I'm going to call Rose and check with her. Oh, I also made an appointment for the doctor tomorrow morning."

"Okay."

Bella returned to her desk, scowling at her laptop. She wasn't going to be able to finish editing the book by Thursday, because Friday would be the day she had to hand it over to Tia. Bella wasn't looking forward to another argument with Tia about her not being able to meet deadlines.

Bella hit save once again on the document, before picking up her phone. She scrolled to Rose's name, then tapped it, placing the phone to her ear and waiting for her friend to answer.

"Wow. That was quick," Rose said cheerfully. "Emmett must be desperate to come tonight."

"I don't share with you such details, Rose," Bella groaned.

"Because you don't have man meat at your mercy. You should get one."

"If you play nice, you can meet him tonight at dinner," Bella teased.

"No way! I need to sit for this," Rose gasped. "You found a Sub?"

"It's very new, like, two days ago, new."

"Holy shit! Is the world still spinning?"

"Fuck you, Rose. You know very well what a hard time I had after Benjamin had to leave."

"Yes, I know, sweetie. Can't wait to meet the boy who made you change your mind about that promise you'd made."

Bella cringed, vaguely recalling proclaiming loudly and very drunkenly that she was over collared Subs. Benjamin had to go to his hometown in Egypt and help his family when his mother had fallen ill. Tia, who was Benjamin's sister, had flown home too, but then she'd returned half a year later. He hadn't.

Until it had happened to her, Bella had no idea Subs could break the contract based on any personal problems. She'd foolishly believed the contract could be broken only if one of the sides had been mistreated or couldn't handle the relationship anymore.

He's not a boy, Bella wanted to say, but she chose to wait and see Rosalie's reaction in person.

Emmett was a baby, almost eight years younger than Rose. He had been thrown into the lifestyle when he'd gone to Black Velvet to grab a few drinks with his new colleagues. Rose had ensnared him with her words and body, and he hadn't batted an eye when he found out what he'd gotten himself into.

Their inside joke was that Emmett had made 'a rookie mistake' by going home with her.

"So, what time should we be there?" Bella asked.

"Seven-thirty? All I hope is that Emmett doesn't get stuck doing paperwork again."

"Okay. I'll see you tonight. It's just dinner between friends, right?"

"Yes, relax. I won't have Emmett kneeling under the table. As much as he'd like to eat me, instead of food."

"Rooose!" It was times like these that made Bella question her sanity when she'd befriended Rosalie Hale. She could be so crass and downright dirty.

After hanging up with Rose, Bella focused on editing her book and only took a short bathroom break some hours later. When Edward knocked on her open door, Bella was halfway through the book, which was a record for her. There was hope for her to finish editing by Thursday evening.

Edward watched her warily. "I didn't mean to interrupt you, but it's two o'clock. Maybe you should eat? I made pasta."

Bella remembered how he'd admitted not to be a good cook. "Just pasta?" She stood, stretching her arms above her head.

"I mixed it with some boiled broccoli and garlic. Is that okay?"

"See, you can cook," she said, amused. "Thank you. It was thoughtful of you."

He smiled shyly, following her into the kitchen. Bella checked the pot of pasta and broccoli, tasting some of it.

"It's delicious."

"Really?" he asked, skeptically.

"It is," she insisted. "Put some in two bowls and bring it to the table."

Edward brought over the bowls and two glasses of water. He sat to her right at the small square table.

"We have to be at my friend's at seven-thirty tonight."

Edward nodded, chewing slowly on his food. "Should I wear anything specific?"

"Jeans and a tee is fine."

"How should I address you, Lady Isabella?"

"It's just dinner between friends. Lady Isabella is fine, or you can test calling me just Isabella, because tomorrow at the doctor, you should drop the title."

"I understand."

"Please, don't be nervous," Bella said softly. She could see the hand holding his fork was shaking.

"I'm slightly worried about meeting your friends."

"Don't be. Please remember, you're safe with me."

A smile sketched on his lips. "I'm trying to remember that."

"Good. Thank you for lunch. I have to go back to my book."

His hand shot up to catch her wrist, and she eyed him surprised. He dropped his hand, staring at her in horror. "I'm so sorry."

"Did you need anything?" She couldn't believe he'd actually done it.

Touching her like that was something she usually punished, but coming from Edward, it must have taken all his courage to do it.

"Edward, talk to me." Bella squeezed his shoulder, stepping closer to his side.

"I apologize for my forwardness, Lady Isabella. I was out of the line."

"First, tell me, what did you need?"

"Uh, you mentioned allowing me to read one of your books," he mumbled. His chin was tucked in his chest, and he sounded close to tears.

"Edward, look at me."

His green eyes were wet and reflecting his sorrow about his actions.

"You won't be punished, but don't do it again."

His shoulders sagged. "You're too kind, Lady Isabella."

"Come by my office when you're done eating. I'll give you the first book of the series."

She didn't wait for his answer, as she returned to editing. Though, her mind was on his large, calloused hand gripping her wrist. For reasons beyond her, that gesture had aroused her more than annoyed her.

By the time Bella had to get ready for dinner, she barely made any progress with editing when she decided to change part of the storyline. Tia was going to blow a gasket.

Bella settled for her favorite navy blue dress and her pumps, then she did her make-up and made sure her hair behaved, before adding perfume. She took her purse downstairs to add her phone into it.

Edward was waiting by the front door. He had a pair of dark jeans and a white dress-shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looked so handsome, Bella was starting to question her decision of not playing 24/7 with him since he lived with her.

To give herself an excuse to touch him, Bella straightened his crisp collar. "Very handsome."

"Thank you, Lady Isabella. You look gorgeous."

She smiled widely, opening the front door. She picked the house keys, noticing her car keys missing. But before she could start searching, Edward opened his palm, biting back a smile.

"Oh. Taking your driver role seriously, are you?"

"I take everything seriously, Lady Isabella."

Bella refused to let him see how he affected her. He'd ruin her panties if he kept talking like that.

Bella selected Rose's address from her GPS. She loved driving, but she wouldn't have been able to stare at Edward's profile if she were behind the wheel, not without crashing the car.

They arrived fifteen minutes early, because once Edward found himself almost alone on the road leading to Rose's house on the outskirts of the city, he'd floored the gas. Bella was of two minds about chiding him. She wasn't a fan of speed, but he looked so happy and content, she didn't have the heart to do it. She was going to mention it on the way back, because she expected him to speed again on the empty roads at night.

Bella hooked her arm around Edward's elbow, leading him to the front door.

Rose opened almost instantly, which led Bella to suspect that she'd been spying on their arrival.

"Bella!" Rose smiled widely, stepping closer and kissing her cheek. Her attention turned to Edward, and Bella cleared her throat.

"This is Edward Masen. Edward, please meet Rosalie Hale, or The Fox, as she's known in the community."

"It's a pleasure, Ms. Hale."

"It's Mrs. McCarty, but Bella is known for her fish memory," Rose joked. "Or, maybe she's not caught up with the news."

"Clearly," Bella hissed. "Mrs. McCarty," she added in disbelief.

"I'll tell you everything. Come in." Rosalie gestured for them to step inside the house. "Emmett is still on his shift. He sent me a text that his boss wanted him and Paul to check on something. Such vague texts end up in him staying at the station until late at night for paperwork."

"Shit. That sucks."

"But he has a few days off starting Thursday. Anything to drink?" She led them to the living room, waving them to the couch.

"Whatever you're having," Bella answered, trusting her friend's choice. "You can have one drink, too," she told Edward.

"Water, please," he said softly.

While Rosalie went to bring their drinks, Bella covered Edward's knee with her hand. "Hey, it's okay."

"Like I said, it might take a while to get used to this new normal."

"This is always normal," Bella said hotly. "What happened to you, that is never normal."

He covered her hand, squeezing her fingers. For once, he kept his eyes on her, as he replied. "Thank you."

Rose returned with the drinks. She placed a glass of clear vodka in front of Bella with a wink. So, it was going to be one of those days. Bella was glad to have Edward to take her home safely.

Rose sat on Bella's other side, checking her phone, before placing it on the coffee table with a scowl. No sign from Emmett returning any time soon.

"What happened to moving to New York?" Bella was dying of curiosity.

Rose's blue eyes frosted, and Bella almost regretted bringing up that subject. "Daddy doesn't approve that I live off my man, who I have no guarantee he'll still be here tomorrow," she said with a roll of her eyes. "We got married last weekend just to spite my parents."

"Jesus, Rose. But you don't live off Emmett."

"Well, I can't tell my parents how I earn my wage, can I now? I don't want to kill them, Bella."

Bella felt herself flush, which didn't happen often. "Of course." Rosalie liked filming herself and Emmett when they played. She had a channel on the biggest porn website, and they paid her handsomely.

"Obviously, that bird has flown – us moving to New York to be close to our families."

"I thought Emmett was from Chicago."

"He grew up in a small town in Tennessee, but moved to Philadelphia before high school. He came to Chicago for the Police Academy," Rose explained. "Anyway, tell me about the miracle." She nodded to Edward.

He was quiet, and a tad too stiff, sitting close enough to Bella for her to feel his body heat.

"This is the result of Jake and Seth playing matchmakers." Bella bit back a laugh at Rosalie's outraged expression. Rose had tried for years to find a new Sub for Bella, with no success.

"W-o-w." She leaned over Bella to look at Edward, and Bella felt a sudden need to protect him from whatever her friend had to say. "I see where I went wrong," Rose said contemplatively. "I thought mature Subs weren't your thing."

Bella squeezed Edward's knee. "Edward's different." And that just about covered the tip of Edward's complex persona. The tip…Bella licked her lips, as her hands slid lower on his thigh until it came to a rest close to his crotch.

Was he wearing underwear?

Was he naked under his jeans?

The only reaction to show Edward knew exactly what she was doing, was his hands curling into fists at his sides.

"Did you get to play with him?" Rose asked eagerly.

"A little." For reasons beyond Bella's understanding, she didn't want to share details with Rose, or anyone else.

"Oh!" Rose snatched her phone off the coffee table when it started ringing. "About time, Tiger … Yes, we're waiting for you … If you think that makes me forgive you, think twice."

Bella chewed on her lower lip, sipping from her glass. "How can you be mad at him because he stayed overtime?"

"That's not why I'm mad at him." Rose placed her phone back on the coffee table. "He told Daddy it doesn't matter if I want to become a housewife and live off my man, or if I become a pornstar, for him it doesn't matter and he'll always love me. In that moment I was proud of him for standing up to Daddy and telling him things I still don't have the courage to tell him. But when we returned home, I was so upset with him for saying such things about me…And he's been trying ever since to find ways to convince me to forgive him."

Bella tried not to laugh, but it was difficult. It would never cease to amaze her how Rose – all grown-up, almost a forty year old woman, and a Dominatrix – was still a daddy's girl through and through.

"Yeah, laugh away. Cops daughters always turn into little angels." Rose huffed.

"Do I look like an angel to you?" Bella snorted, and refrained from rolling her eyes. If only Rose knew her secret.

"Honey, compared to the rest of us, you are an angel. You have to keep him on his toes so he doesn't get bored of your vanilla style."

Bella caught Edward's frown of confusion. "There's a reason why I don't talk about my personal life in public. Trust me, I'm no angel in the Playroom."

They were saved from entering an argument by the front door opening. Rose went to greet Emmett, while Bella met Edward's eyes.

"You're most definitely not vanilla, Lady Isabella." His words melted her on the inside.

"Good to know," she grinned.

Reviews are love. I love reading all your opinions.

There will be some details about Bella's past in the near future, but we won't know more for a while. Though, I'm curious to hear your thoughts. I love your theories so far, keep them coming.

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