48

My mind immediately goes to a dark place. Strip poker with Bella. Bella stripping.

Again, I will not get hard at work.

I'm almost thirty-seven, for Christ's sake.

"Can you pick up a couple rolls of quarters on your way home?" she asks, breaking me out of my lust-filled haze.

"Yes, ma'am."

"And prepare to lose your shirt, Cullen. I take poker very seriously."

Lose my shirt. She said I'm going to lose my shirt. I'd like to see her lose her shirt. I clear my throat.

"Bye, Edward."

She hangs up before I can reply.

My attention is definitely not on the Clearwater's quarterly report after that phone call. I try to focus, but all I can think about is having Bella bent over a poker table, and everything else is just muddy. After I make a handful of mistakes, I give up for the day, check with my office manager, and head home.

I stop by the bank and get ten rolls of quarters because I know Angela is going to want in on the game when she gets home.

Alice and Jasper are sitting on the porch swing doing homework. Well, he's helping her with homework. It's like my kids have been body-snatched or something. I can feel Bella's shield wash over me, warm and welcoming.

"Hello, Mr. Cullen," Jasper greets cordially.

He doesn't start crying or collapsing on the floor, so I'm guessing he isn't trying to fight Bella.

"Hi, Jasper."

"Bella's really excited to play poker," Alice states, not looking up from her textbook.

"I'm sure."

She smirks. "You're going to laugh when you see what she's done with the dining room."

That makes me curious. I enter my house and nothing smells different.

"Hi, Edward."

I just about jump out of my skin and turn around, clutching my heart.

"Jesus."

"Sorry. I thought you saw me." Bella grabs my briefcase and points to the stairs. "Go change into something comfy because this is going to be a marathon," she instructs.

I pass her the bag of quarters and head upstairs.

"And Edward," she calls.

I look back over my shoulder, and she's standing at the bottom with her hand on her hip and a stern look.

"By comfortable, I'm not talking about your emoji underwear."

I snort and fight the urge to flip her the bird.

"I mean a girl can only take so much temptation."

Before I can ask her what she meant by that, she's already disappeared.