Hello everyone,

So we had our first kiss and the introduction of another potential threat in the last chapter. I hope you all enjoy this chapter a little more uplifting for a minute.

Also, if you want some hot fics to read check out Luna Lutz/ Rosalie's Submission. You won't be disappointed. I'm not:)))

Please review ...

Alice was true to her word. Almost a week after suggesting they have a girls' day, she hired a hairdresser, a nail stylist, and a masseuse to come to the mansion. Bella had never experienced such pampering as the one she received. Currently, she was sprawled on a table getting her back rubbed, her head lifting to spy Lily on a small table next to her. As soon as Lily noticed Bella was watching, the brightest smile she'd ever seen spread across the child's face.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Lily?" Bella wanted to know, visually tracing those angelic features.

"Yes," Lily nodded as the woman rubbed her shoulders. "I hope we can find a pretty dress online. Nana usually takes me to Macy's. But I hate shopping, it's so boring."

"You hate shopping?" Alice inquired with a skeptical lift of her brows as she sat back in the chair. Sophia was the best stylist in town and currently, Alice was getting a pixie cut. "That is blasphemy. All Cullen women love to shop."

"Some more than others," Esme interjected with a light chuckle. "Alice could shop for the entire house and never be fulfilled. Some days it can get very annoying."

"Annoying?" Alice glared at her mother, spying Barb spreading burgundy nail polish on Esme's freshly manicured nails. "It's a gift to be able to put together a stunning wardrobe. Anyway, Bella, it's about your turn to take a seat in this chair. Have anything in particular in mind for your hair? It would look lovely with some burgundy undertones."

Bella's lips drew tight as she considered Alice's suggestion. She'd never done anything so exotic but the idea held appeal. "What the heck. Let's do it."

"Let's do what?"

Hearing Edward's gruff voice coming from the doorway, Bella propped her chin on her arms to look at him. His arms were folded across that amazing chest, yet the hard lines of his expression, that had been present since she became personally acquainted with him, no longer existed. He appeared almost human, especially with that intrigued light shining in those dark eyes.

Since horseback riding a couple of days ago, their relationship had changed so much. Whenever they were in the same room, anticipation hummed like a swarm of bees between them. The tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Even now the electric current popped and crackled.

Without breaking eye contact, Bella shrugged, "Alice suggested putting burgundy in my hair. I thought it would be kind of exotic so I said what the heck."

Edward didn't respond, merely stood there silently regarding her, trying to imagine the dark strips in her hair. While he didn't verbally voice his appreciation, Edward felt his blood warm with the thought. The muscle in his jaw pulsed as he clenched his teeth, liking the idea more than he cared to admit.

The kiss they shared days ago still lingered between them and even now his lips tingled as Bella's gaze dropped to his. Edward's lower body immediately responded hardening in all the right or hell, the wrong places. He shouldn't want her like this, but he seemed unable to resist her allure. There was something about Isabella that called to him.

"Lily was just saying we need to find her a pretty dress," Isabella mentioned, her head tipping in the direction of his daughter. "What color would you suggest, Edward."

Weeks ago looking at Lily had hurt his soul, yet now and over the last couple of weeks he'd spent more time with her than ever before. There was a wealth of regret considering all the time that had passed before allowing himself this connection. As much as the bitter knife of remorse tasted, Edward chose not to focus on the sorrow.

Staring into Lily's bright blue eyes, a half-smile pulled at his lips when her small voice came from the table. "What color should I get, daddy?"

"How about pink?" It wasn't hard to guess Lily's favorite color. The little girl lived and breathed fairytales and princesses. There was no way Edward could go wrong with pink.

"Yes," Lily cheered, her face glowing with excitement.

He'd given up trying to keep his family and daughter from bonding with Isabella. Hell, he had practically thrown caution to the wind allowing her to continue to eat supper with him in his study. And that soul-rocking kiss they shared had altered his perspective of her. When he chanced a look at Esme, he backed up a step, noticing the smirk lingering on her lips even though she didn't meet his gaze.

He hadn't missed the way she had excused herself during the riding lesson in the barn. Up until now, Edward had ignored the orchestrated maneuvers that left him alone with Isabella. Hell, he actually was growing quite fond of the she-devil.

Wonderful, now the whole household was privy to the weakness regarding their houseguest. With one last look at Isabella, Edward pivoted on his heel. He had pressing matters to attend to. For one, he had to figure out what he was going to do. Each passing day the money Charlie owed him became less relevant, and the woman before him … shit, he couldn't shake her.

He was near to his study when he crossed paths with Jane. Spying the maid, he threw a thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the parlor where the ladies were enjoying their spa day. "Jane, could you please see that beverages are sent to the parlor. The women are probably parched."

For the first time since becoming employed in the Cullen household, Jane glared at Edward. "Exactly who am I getting beverages for? And what am I getting?"

"Are you catching an attitude with me? I'm not too keen on your tone." Annoyance flashed through Edward, bringing him up short. He studied her expression closely and the hard lines melted beneath his inspection.

A forced smile carved her mouth as she stared back at Edward. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't rid herself of the image of Edward on that horse with that woman. As their shared kiss came to mind, her jaw clenched and she broke eye contact. "Nope, no attitude. I will just go to the parlor and see what everyone would like to have."

"Wonderful," Edward stated, itching his forehead as he continued down the hall. He was about to step into his office when he said, "Can you send Isabella in here?"

Jane was seething by the time Edward disappeared into his office. The need to slap something had never hit her this strong before, and as she turned to the parlor, she knew exactly who her ire was aimed at. That trashy little chick from the wrong side of the tracks. She would love nothing more than to just drown that girl right in the Mississippi.

Pleasure rippled through her at the thought. It would be so easy to just slip the bitch something and throw her ass into the river. The momentary elation died the second Jane rounded the corner and spotted her nemesis. Suddenly the urge to wrap her fingers around the scrawny bitch's neck plagued her.

Jane's nostrils flared. The bitch was accepted into the inner circle of the Cullen household after only a few weeks. What the hell was going on?

With a great amount of effort, Jane cleared the jealousy choking her from her tight throat. "Mr. Cullen asked that I take a beverage order for the lovely women in the room. Also, Ms. Swan, your presence is requested in the study."

Several eyes pinned Bella to the chair she'd just claimed. Thankfully the beautician hadn't started yet. Her cheeks flamed when Alice wiggled her brows knowingly at her. Shooting the woman becoming her best friend with a shut-up stare, she slid from the seat. "I guess, I will be right back."

Bella was lost in thought as she slid past Jane, not noticing the lethal glare following her from the room. The kiss she and Edward was on a steady loop, and Bella replayed those moments at least once an hour. Edward's possession was heavy on her mind as she headed to his office—a soft smile pulled at her lips. Entering the study, she found Edward standing near the chair she occupied during their dinners together.

"Umm, Jane said you wanted to see me." Bella shivered as his heated gaze slid down her form. Her nipples hardened to stiff points as he stared hungrily at her breasts. Coyly, her brows tipped, "Edward, my eyes are up here."

A slight smile played across his lips as he forcibly pulled his attention away from those pouty tips. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

A doubtful light entered Isabella's eyes, and her brow wrinkled as she moved closer. "Did you really call me in here to ask me if I'm having fun?"

"Is that so hard to believe?" Edward asked with a shrug. "You and my family seem very cozy together."

"It is kinda hard to believe. I expected you to shoot straight through the roof when I spotted you in the doorway." The hair on her nape prickled as Edward's fingers drifted over the cushion of the chair where she typically sat. Bella shivered with the memory of those talented hands kneading her breasts. Shaking the feeling away, she murmured, "Since when don't you care if I bond with your family?"

"I will let you do whatever you want for another kiss." As he spoke, he drew closer until he came within an inch of her. Her sweet scent clobbered him with a wealth of need. Light pressure from his fingertips against her side urged her forward as his nose grazed the top of her head. "You smell delicious."

The same drugged lull took a hold of Bella. This man exhilarated her senses. She bit her lip as the electric pull compelled her to kiss him. There was only one problem—that fucking picture still rested in the corner. Regrettably, Bella tilted her face, denying him what he desired. "It can't be here, Edward."

Edward's fingers sifted through her hair and his chest constricted. Following the direction of her stare, he released a heavy sigh. "In the hall? Just one? Then you can go back to your party."

"You are insatiable," she muttered, yet her fingers curled in his and drew him toward the door. "Not in the hallway, but where?"

Edward glanced around for a safe haven. Ducking into the half bath, he pulled Isabella in behind him and shut the door. Abruptly he turned, pinning her to the solid structure. Kissing her forehead, his lips slid down the bridge of her nose to hover above hers. "Burgundy, huh? Sounds kinda sexy."

Bella was pretty sure she couldn't deny Edward anything when he was being so, so fucking sweet. Sweet? Not a word she thought to categorize Edward Cullen with. She was in danger of losing her soul to this man. Shit.

Grabbing him by his tie, she gave a firm yank bringing his mouth to hers. "One kiss, Mr. Cullen."

Edward's hands dove into her hair as his lips played over hers. "Two."

"One," she argued, moaning when his hands cupped her breasts and squeezed. Her arms wound around his neck, and her fingers fisted in his hair. Groaning, she nipped his lips, surrendering when his tongue licked across hers. "Okay, two."

His tongue wound around hers, sucking the morsel before releasing it with a pop. "Sure I can't persuade you into a third?"

They opened a door between them, Bella realized. That poker game had changed things … perhaps not the poker game, but that first kiss maybe had opened shit she'd never imagined. Hell, they were almost friends.

Perhaps they were sailing right past friendship, she thought as they shared kiss after kiss. Finally, she pulled away. "I have to get back before someone comes looking for me."

"One more," he mumbled, unable to get enough of her. "Let me come see you later."

"Mmhmm," she whimpered, gasping as he bit into her ear. "That's not a good idea."

"I didn't ask if it's a good idea. It's probably a terrible idea," Edward mumbled as he possessed her mouth, her captivity, and the money so far from his thoughts. "We can play whatever game you want."

Bella couldn't help but laugh. The big bad mafia king wanted to play games? It was so far out of his element and so out of character. Lightly, she pushed him back, brushing his hair from his forehead. "I really have to go."

"Fine," he grumbled, catching her fingers before she would've slipped out of the bathroom. "I will find you later, woman."

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