I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Cheryl, Noles, and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.

Ch. 4

(BPOV)

I bit back a giggle as I watched Edward take a bite out of his slice of pizza. He looked so out of place wearing an expensive business suit in a pizzeria with televisions on the wall playing a ball game. I had been in a horrible mood before he had arrived. However, for me the atmosphere and present company were calming and distracting.

"How's your pizza?" I took a sip of my soda.

He nodded as he finished chewing his bite. "Better than I remember. It's been a while since I've had pizza. At least it's hot, I get so busy that it's not often I get a hot meal."

I frowned. "I wish I'd cooked for you now. I guess I owe you dinner."

"My bride can cook?" He grinned before taking a large sip out of a beer bottle.

I fought not to roll my eyes; was he ever going to stop calling me his bride? "I can. My grandmother taught me. I took over cooking when I was in middle school."

"I'll be looking forward to it. I can't remember the last time I had a home cooked meal." He looked around the room and I saw his nose wrinkle. "I will admit I didn't think you'd choose a place like this."

"Well, I'm not a fancy restaurant type of girl. And here, strangely enough, reminds me of my dad. Eating pizza while a game is on the television. A sense of normalcy in this chaos." I tried to push thoughts of earlier out of my mind. I'd felt more gutted when I discovered the trunk was gone than when I caught Mike with his pants down.

"I'm sorry to hear about your father," Edward said softly.

"How did…" I thought back to if I had told him about my father's death.

"I connected the dots. He wasn't at the wedding and the look in your eye when you talk about him. I can tell your reaction it wasn't because he hated your ex-fiancé," he reasoned.

"No, if my dad was alive, he would've been at my wedding. In fact, he would try to use his police connections to hide Mike's body," I joked.

He raised an eyebrow as he paused in taking a sip from his beer bottle. He swallowed then smirked at me. "So, your dad was a cop?"

"He was the chief in my hometown. He died on the job, it was a scandal that rocked my small town, but I doubt it was a blip on the radar here. And before you can ask, my mother, she was out of my life before I can remember. I wouldn't know her if I passed her on the street," I said bitterly.

I cringed, aghast at the bitterness in my voice. I didn't want him to think it was a normal thing for me. "I'm sorry, I knew I was going to be horrible company. I should've stayed home. You must think all I do is rant. I swear I'm a normal person."

"Given the circumstances, I can hardly blame you. No one should make you cry. Certainly not Michael Newton, he's not worth it," he stated, surely pitying me.

"Ugh. This is only going to make me sound more crazy. But those tears were never out of sadness. Whenever I get mad and frustrated for some reason my eyes decide to betray me by throwing tears into the mix. Then people end up pitying me rather than take my anger seriously," I confessed.

His lips twitched. "Glad to hear no tears were shed in sorrow over the loser. Even through your ranting, you still cared about my staff being treated right—that's how I knew you had a kind heart. Also, I have seen you with your students, it's obvious they adore you. You're obviously a good person. Are you sure you don't want anything stronger?" Edward asked, pointing to my soda.

"No thank you, I'm never drinking again." I shook my head.

"Why not? I do remember we had a good evening the last time. I know I don't have any regrets about our wedding night." He winked at me.

"I'm not saying some of it wasn't enjoyable," I replied honestly.

"Only some. I thought it was better than that." He grinned devilishly. I hated how his smirk attracted me while my head was trying to stay focused on keeping my distance.

"There were some things I wouldn't have done if I were sober. I mean what does your girlfriend think about you getting married on the fly?" I remembered the lady from the elevator.

"I don't have a girlfriend. Just a runaway bride," he teased.

"Then the woman in the hallway must have been Emmett's." I assumed he was the other Cullen from the bar.

Edward cocked his head to the side. "No, he doesn't…ah. You mean my mother."

"You're telling me I met your mother while doing the walk of shame? She looked so young and perfect." I paled and started to feel sick.

"Plastic surgery. I'm sure it wasn't that bad," he said.

"She asked me how much it would take to send me away?" I huffed, then regretted throwing his mother under the bus.

"She what?" Edward growled, but he also didn't look surprised.

"Maybe I misunderstood her," I backpedaled.

"I'm sure you didn't." Edward sighed, running his hand through his hair. "My mother is a very superficial, highly opinionated snob. I apologize on her behalf."

"She's going to hate that you married me," I pointed out.

A large grin spread across his face. "Probably."

"Why are you smiling? Did you marry me to piss her off on purpose?" I questioned.

"I'm smiling because my bride finally admitted that we're married." He winked at me.

I rolled my eyes. "Wouldn't you rather be married to someone who your family would want for you?"

"No, honestly. The same morning, my mother gave me a list of elite girls she picked for me. All of them share the same things in common. They were all greedy, shallow, and are gold diggers. Not values I want in a wife. I picked my wife, someone who I saw good qualities in. Honesty, a good heart, and a hidden hellcat. Especially in the sheets." He winked at me.

I blushed. "Edward…"

"Before you fight me anymore, I can be a good husband. Loyal. And I will provide anything you may ever desire. If you want to keep working, so be it. But give this a chance," he said softly.

"You said you can't give me love," I pointed out.

"No…but I can take care of you, protect you, and respect you. I'm not the type of man who would cheat on you. If that's what you're worried about. I don't believe in mistresses, they are too messy and have the potential to be problems later on," he told me.

"And what about your children?" After seeing him interact with my class today it was clear he wasn't used to kids. I wonder if he expected the mother to raise the children while he was hands-off.

"I would protect and take care of them also," he stated, but I wasn't convinced.

"I mean would you love them? Play with them? Read to them?" I wanted to know.

"Was that why I was reading to your class? And here I thought it was to teach me to play nicely," he joked but looked uncomfortable.

"You were right the first time. But it was eye-opening. You looked like I threw you into the deep end of a pool and you didn't know how to swim," I mentioned.

"I don't have any experience with kids. And I told you, I can't love anyone when I don't believe it really exists," he said.

"That's really sad. No one in your life has shown you love?" I asked softly.

He shrugged. "Certainly not my parents—they were hands-off. Though it was my aunt and uncle, who showed my brother and me any sort of affection. They are childless but have taken my brother and me on vacations and spoiled us on our birthdays and Christmas." His eyes softened as he spoke of them.

I saw a glimmer of hope that maybe…just maybe, Edward could learn to love. It seemed obvious he didn't believe in it, since he hasn't experienced it much. Though I suspected he did care for his aunt and uncle, even if he didn't want to admit it. At least I had my father, who showed me it daily. His phone rang and instantly an emotionless mask slipped across his face.

"What?" he snapped, making me jump at his tone. His eyes met mine, offering no apology as he started to get up but paused. "See I knew you could do it. And the rat? Perfect."

Only hearing his side of the conversation made me wonder what I was missing. He hung up and looked pleased.

"You have rats?" I whispered softly, hoping not to freak out any customers, who might misunderstand.

Edward smirked. "Not for very long."

"So, you're a businessman, lawyer, and exterminator?" I asked.

"Actually, it's my brother who's the main exterminator. I help him out on occasion as owner, I find it cathartic at times," Edward explained.

"That's an interesting method." I wasn't sure what to think about how he enjoyed killing. Sure it was rats and other pests, but it still gave me shivers.

"What do you do to let off steam?" Edward asked.

"Well I…" I paused wondering maybe we weren't so different after all.

"Well I…" he repeated, waving his hand for me to continue.

"I like to go to the shooting range. And maybe once or twice imagined the person pissing me off in place of the target," I admitted. Maybe it was hypocritical, but I never imagined killing anyone—only giving them a hole or two.

"My bride can handle a gun—very sexy." Edward's eyes darkened. "Shall we go?"

"To a shooting range?" I countered, tilting my head, smirking.

"Would you be imaging me or Newton as a target?" Edward looked amused.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I taunted.

He let out a loud laugh, causing other patrons to turn in our direction. "Perhaps another night. Tonight, I have a wedding gift for you."

"What is it?" I asked suspiciously.

"It's a surprise." He stood and held out his hand to me.

Intrigued, I let him help me from my seat. He tossed a couple hundred on the table and started to lead us to the door.

"Keep the change," he told the waitress as we passed her.

"That was a very generous tip," I commented.

"Well, someone did once tell me waitresses get shit pay." He snickered, holding the door to the restaurant open for me.

"It was still very sweet. She was probably a struggling college student, who could use the extra cash." I kissed his cheek.

The corner of his lips twitched into a smile. "I'm glad to make you so happy. I don't remember getting a thank you quite like that after my donation to the school."

"Maybe you would have gotten something if you didn't threaten to take it back." I crossed my arms and leaned against his fancy car. "There are a lot of children who can actually benefit from a good education with your gift."

He sighed. "I'm not going to take the donation away."

"Thank you." I leaned up and kissed him on the lips this time.

His hands grasped my waist and pushed me against the car. Our tongues entwined and stroked together. My fingers buried in his hair, tangling in the soft waves then tugging. I moaned in pleasure not being able to hide my desire. I felt the bulge in his pants press into my stomach. I had completely forgotten where we were until a horn blared, making me jump.

Edward chuckled. "If that's what I get for the donation, I'm now curious what your surprise is going to get me."

I was too dazed to respond right away. I wasn't going to lie and say I wasn't attracted to Edward. However, I was still uncertain about our whole relationship. In the back of my head, Alice's comment about the mafia echoed in my head. But being around him, I didn't get a hint that anything he did was unlawful.

Once we were settled in the car, Edward turned down his radio. "Before I forget, there's a charity dinner we need to attend this weekend. I will introduce you to my family as my wife."

I gave him a sharp glance. "I don't think that would be a good idea."

"Why not? I thought tonight went well." Edward looked upset.

I sighed. "Can we come to some sort of compromise?"

"Compromise." He furrowed his brows. "Is that another one of your dinosaur books?"

"I'm being serious. We can't show up suddenly married, it would be too much. What if we say we're dating? We don't have to tell anyone we're actually married for now. I haven't told anyone but my friend, Alice."

"Only a small handful of people know on my side. They won't say anything, but what if you're pregnant." He eyes my stomach.

My hand slid over my waist protectively. "Then we go from there, get engaged. Your family is going to think the worst of me if we show up at this dinner married."

He scowled. "Fine. It's a compromise. We can pretend to date even though we're married. Even if I think it's foolish."

"Thank you." I reached for his hand on the steering wheel and squeezed it lightly.

"Can we still have sex?" He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it.

I snorted. "Is sex all you think about?"

"Come on, like you haven't thought about it?" he retorted. He placed my hand down and his hand caressed my thigh.

"Maybe a little." I shifted in my seat as his hand rubbed up and down my thigh.

"There's nothing little about me," he responded, his fingers brushed between my legs. I bit my lip and tried not to moan out loud.

"I guess, you'll have to refresh my memory." I struggled to keep my voice normal.

"Challenge accepted." He pushed my skirt up and his fingers slipped into my panties.

"Oh shit…not while you're driving." I gasped.

I grabbed his hand so I wouldn't lose my focus. He smirked but allowed me to lace our hands together. It would be too easy to get carried away with him and I wanted to stay focused.

"Tell me about this charity dinner. What is it for and how fancy is it? I don't doubt I own anything dressy enough and there's not a lot of time for me to look," I said to him.

"It will be this Saturday night at the Grand Hyatt for the children's hospital. Something I'm sure you'd approve of," he explained. "It is black tie, so it will be formal. I will get you your own credit card tomorrow so you can purchase a dress."

I wanted to refuse, but I knew I couldn't really budget in a dress. "Thank you."

Edward looked pleased I'd given in so easily. "I thought it would be harder to convince you. Now as for where you'll be living."

"I just signed a new lease." I scowled.

"Then I'll buy you out of it." He pulled up to my building. "This place is hardly suitable; in fact, it should be condemned. You're not safe here."

"I never had a problem until today. I'll get my locks changed," I told him. "Besides, I can afford this."

"You're forgetting you have a rich husband, who owns a big house," he pointed out.

"Bainbridge Island would be a longer commute," I said.

"I'll buy you a new car," Edward said simply.

I started to feel guilty, Edward had been more than generous with me. And I didn't have any way to pay him back. He mentioned his dislike of gold diggers, and I didn't want to be perceived as one.

"Thank you for your offer. However, I have a perfectly good car over there." I pointed to my trunk.

"That thing runs?" He looked at it in revulsion.

"Yes. It handles well in the rain and snow and probably can withstand being hit. Best yet, it's American made. Can you say that about your fancy car?" I was offended by his disgust.

"It may not be American made but it can be run over by a tank and not get a scratch." He stroked the steering wheel lovingly.

"Be serious," I scoffed.

"I am. Best on the market for ar… safe cars. In fact, I think I'll order you one tomorrow. What color would you like?" he asked.

"Edward, I really wish you wouldn't spend more money on me. Especially, as extravagant as this. I don't want you to think I'm taking advantage of you," I said softly.

"You're not. I'm offering and I wouldn't if I didn't want to do it. It's my duty to keep you safe and this building nor your truck will do the job. I'm going to buy one, no argument." He got out of the car and slammed the door, making me jump.

Why would I need to be kept safe?

He opened my car door and held out his hand to me. I took it after a moment and slowly got out of the car. He looked mad and it was the opposite of what I wanted.

"I didn't mean to offend you. You mentioned earlier girls seemed to be with you because of your money, and I was only trying to let you know you don't have to buy me things to make me happy," I explained calmly.

His face softened. "You don't have to worry; you're not remotely like them. Shall we go see your surprise?"

"How did you get a surprise in my apartment, anyways?" I asked.

"My secret." He winked.

I nodded then led the way. As much as I wanted to know my surprise, I was a little uneasy that he was able to get into my apartment while we were gone. I know I had locked my door. Maybe he was right about security.

Once in my apartment, I scanned it with my eyes. Everything had been righted and cleaned. My television was back as well as a few other things. What made my heart clench was my grandmother's chest in the middle of the living room. I thought it was gone for good.

"How?" My hands flew over my mouth.

"My brother found Michael, and he relieved him of all your things he took. Check it and make sure everything is okay. Emmett said it was locked when he got it, so he didn't think anything was taken from inside."

I nodded and rushed into my bathroom. I grabbed the key out of my tampon box and returned to the room. I knelt beside it and unlocked it. Everything appeared as I'd left it. All the china looked securely wrapped and unbroken. All of my father's things appeared to be there too.

"You keep the key in your bathroom? That's an odd place." I looked up to see Edward was exploring my apartment.

"I have a secret spot in there. My father taught me not to hide valuables in obvious places. Like under the mattress or sock drawers, it would be the first place a thief would look," I explained.

"Interesting and smart. Emmett didn't find any jewelry on Michael. I hope this means it's all safe?" Edward peered into my bedroom as he asked.

"I don't really have anything except maybe a few cheap earrings. Well and my grandparents' rings but those were in here." I searched the chest for the small jewelry box.

Edward picked up a tablecloth which I had wrapped in tissue paper and examined it.

"Is this Irish lace?" he asked.

"As far as I know. My grandmother on my father's side was from Ireland. It was from her side of the family," I told him, my hand closed on the jewelry box.

Inside were four rings: two wedding bands, an engagement ring, and a promise ring. Edward looked over my shoulder and picked up the claddagh ring between two fingers.

"This is a very traditional Irish wedding ring. Was your grandfather Irish too?" he asked.

"Some, I think he was both Irish and English. My grandfather gave it to my grandmother before he left for Korea," I told him. "When he returned, they got married."

He lifted my left hand and slid the ring on my third finger. He raised it to his lips and gave it a kiss. "Compromise?"

I glanced at it carefully and considered it for a moment. Not many knew the significance of the heart pointed inward on the left hand, certainly not kindergarteners. "I will wear it."

"Good." He looked extremely pleased, taking a seat on my couch.

After I placed everything back in the trunk and locked it. I slid onto the seat next to him and wrapped my arms around him then kissed both cheeks.

"Thank you, and thank your brother for me too," I said gratefully.

"I got a better thank you for the donation." Edward playfully pouted.

Edward pulled me onto his lap then cupped my face before kissing me. I shifted, rubbing up against his erection as I turned so our chests were pressed together. His hand ghosted up my curves and around my back until he reached my zipper. He only had it a quarter of the way down when his phone rang.

"Ignore it," I mumbled against his lips.

He sighed heavily. "I can't."

I moved off his lap and went to the kitchen to see what I had to offer him.

"What?" he snapped.

I turned sharply, surprised at his tone. He was now standing and had gone over to the window. I continued my search since he was now speaking in a low harsh tone. I assumed he needed privacy.

"I have to leave." He sounded closer to me.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Just some business I need to attend to," he answered.

"At this time of night?" I glanced at the clock.

"Unfortunately, when you're the boss, you're on call all hours." He frowned.

"Well, that sucks. Everyone deserves down time. Can I make you something first or do you need to go right away?" I offered.

He shook his head. "I have to go right away."

"I still owe you dinner, are you available tomorrow night?" I asked.

"I'll have to get back to you." He started for my door.

His sudden coolness bothered me. I hoped it was because of work and not something I had done.

"Edward, wait…I think we need to exchange phone numbers," I pointed out.

He pulled his phone and hit a button. My phone immediately rang, and I grabbed it, looking at the screen. It was a number I wasn't familiar with.

"I think of everything, my bride." His hand was my doorknob. "Speaking of which, I will have someone come by tomorrow and change your lock and maybe put in a security system."

"Uh…I think I need to get permission to do that," I told him.

"I'll buy the whole damn building if I need to." Edward walked out the door, letting it slam.

I snorted at his absurdity and went to the door to catch him. "Edward, bí curamach," I called out the door to where he was waiting by the elevator. It was what my grandmother always said to my father if he had to leave at night.

He turned his head in my direction and blinked a few times. There was an awkward moment. Maybe I was wrong, and he didn't know Irish.

"It means…"

"I know what it means, my bride. I will be safe. Good night." He stepped into the elevator.

A/N: Some positive things in this chapter. He managed to convince her to give them a try. Although, Emmett getting her things back, sure helped. Thank you to whoever nominated me to TLS. And thank you for sharing your thoughts with me

Translation from Goggle.

Bí curamach- be safe