Hello everyone,

Hope you all had a great weekend. As you know, I am splitting this fit into different parts. I would like to keep the whole story together versus splitting it up. I truly hope you all continue this ride.

I realize the slow burn in this fic is very slow as someone pointed out. I wanted to build something solid between this couple before moving them forward into a physical relationship. I can promise you that it will all be worth the wait.

Anyway, this will begin the SECOND PART of this fic. Please enjoy.

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PART 2

Edward strolled from his study, pitching hopeful looks over his shoulder. Bella needed a breather. It'd taken all of his willpower to walk out of that study—to respect the wishes of his new fake wife—fake wife. Bella was his fake wife, and he had to remember their arrangement, as difficult as it would be.

The thought of Bella leaving, left him more than a little lost. Everything inside of him froze, envisioning her walking out those front doors caused his stomach to pitch. Lily and his entire household would be devastated, not to mention what it would do to him.

Shaking off the remnants of arousal, his jaw clenched. His entire body was on fire, and he had to get the fuck out of this house before he forgot his promise. He'd just pulled his cell from his pocket when Lily rounded the corner. Once again, business took a back seat as he spotted the smile on his daughter's face. Spotting her in pink princess pajama's a soft smile pulled at his lips as he tucked his phone away.

"Lily, you should be in bed," Edward whispered, looking toward the dark windows. It was well after nine o'clock and normally Esme had long since tucked her into bed. "What are you doing wandering the halls?"

Lily rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Slowly, she approached her daddy. "I just wanted a kiss before bed. Nana said you were having dinner with the princess in your study. Can I kiss the princess too?"

Edward's heart squeezed in his chest at the mention of the princess. This was a big, dangerous game they were playing, and his daughter's heart was once again on the line. Tucking her long blonde curls behind her ear, he lifted her in his arms and held her against his chest. "I will take you to the princess for one kiss."

Edward puckered his lips waiting for the kiss to fall. When Lily giggled and dropped a kiss to his lips, he grinned. "I think I need one more to remember where she is."

"She's in the study, Daddy," Lily laughed when Edward pretended to bite at her neck. Her hands flying up to hold his cheeks, trying to stop him. Still, she puckered up and dropped another wet kiss to Edward's lips. "There. Now, take me to the princess."

"As you wish, little lady," He whispered as he turned back to the study. For the first time in his entire life, his stomach was a jumble of nerves. Edward was not a nervous person, and Bella's ability to inspire this particular sensation was a mystery. He was still contemplating the effects his captive—wife had on him as he pushed into his office.

Seeing her sitting in her chair, gazing out into the dark, he was thrown through a loop when his chest swelled. She must've seen them through the reflection in the window because she turned toward them after a moment. She looked as petrified as he felt, yet he had no idea what had caused the fear in her eyes. The muscle in his jaw worked as he stepped closer with Lily in his arms, and braced against his chest. That was the only thing keeping Edward in check. Staring into those soulful blues, he swallowed the cravings associated with Isabella Swan—his fucking wife. His hold on Lily tightening, "Someone wanted a kiss before bed."

"Oh really," Bella withheld a smile as her gaze darted between Edward and Lily. She had the impression Edward wasn't just speaking about Lily, but she shoved her fears into the pit of her stomach. She wouldn't deny her feelings for Lily no matter what, but apprehension kept her from spilling these suffocating emotions for Edward.

She knew it was ridiculous considering everything that had transpired between them. It was never too late to guard one's heart when the organ was hell-bent on flying off the damn cliff. "Well, how can I possibly refuse?"

Edward's gut clenched when Lily bent low over Bella. "I love you, princess. Do you want to go riding in the morning?"

"I love you too, Lily," Bella murmured, blinking fiercely as tears welled in her eyes. No one in her memory had ever spoken those three words to her before. She'd never realized just how much she'd been waiting to hear them until Lily's sweet innocence declared her feelings. As she kissed and hugged Edward's daughter, she became unable to meet his gaze.

If she did, he would see everything. He would see just how far gone she was. Caution and past relationships or lack thereof prohibited Bella from opening up on that level. Yeah—she could meddle in someone else's family and insist they needed their family for strength … but the Cullens weren't her family.

Despite the kisses and stolen moments she'd shared with Edward, it was all a fucking hoax. Well, most of it. The words—the vows—the meaning behind them. Fake. Fake. Fake. Their chemistry on the other hand was out of this world—off the damn charts and very fucking real. That didn't make her family—or a real wife, however, and that's why she had to guard her heart. Whether Edward knew it or not, he'd plucked it straight from her chest and now held it in his unshakable hand.

Edward didn't miss the shift in Bella's demeanor. He wanted to question it, but with Lily there, it was hardly the time or place. Curiously, Edward watched Bella closely. "I should get her to bed, I have some pressing matters to attend to."

Bella cleared her throat, hurriedly wiping the corner of her eye. She'd be damned if she appeared weak. "Are you going to be gone long? You haven't eaten your supper."

"I will probably eat when I get back," he told her, adjusting Lily's weight in his arms. "You should go on up and go to bed. I'm not sure how long I will be."

"Okay," Bella nodded. She had a feeling his business had to do with her father. Even though she was safe and sound in the Cullen house, a sliver of fear that had nothing to do with her growing feelings for Edward came to life. "Does this have to do with Charlie?"

"Oh yeah," he confirmed with a nod. One long lingering look toward Bella, and Edward left the study. "It should be very interesting."

That was putting it mildly, Bella thought, her stomach somersaulting. She wasn't scared of much but the thought of being handed over to Charlie and that scuzz of a mayor left her shivering. Yeah—she'd fight and kick and scream, but when it came right down to the point, she was absolutely helpless to their whims.

Her gaze skated the study until she looked at her and Edward's dinner. She studied the plates for a long minute. She was Edward Cullen's wife—for better or worse. Ever so slowly, her gaze landed on her hand. Her ring finger was bare, yet perhaps, all wasn't lost quite yet.

Fuck. Minutes ago, she'd told him she needed a breather. She didn't want a fucking breather, and now it was too late to take it back.

After tucking Lily in bed, Edward went on the hunt for Emmett. His brother's warnings regarding his marriage to Bella pissed him off to no end, yet his personal feelings would have to wait. Scouring the house, he found Emmett sitting at the bar in the basement. From the looks of it, Emmett had put away quite a few shots in the time he'd left the study. "Emmett put the bottle away and come with me. We have a shady cop to locate. I want this matter done tonight."

"Some honeymoon," Emmett grunted as he threw back another shot. "If you need it taken care of so badly, you should go handle it. I would just be in the way."

The mention of his honeymoon had Bella swinging right back into Edward's mind. If it were an option, he would grab his new bride and not leave his room for the next week. Unfortunately, Bella's need for a breather had thrown a rock right through his window. Currently, he was rocking unsatisfied hormones from hell, and with nothing left to focus on, Edward did what he did best. Business.

"Some of us don't have the luxury of rolling around in bed all day." Edward's nostrils flared with irritation at his brother's lack of responsibility. "This was your idea, remember? You wanted me to find her a way out of marrying that decrepit old fool. I've done that. Stop licking your damn wounded pride. It's time to find Charlie and let him know his daughter is no longer a goddamn animal to be traded at his whim."

Emmett's face turned to stone. "I don't remember telling you to lead her on. She's innocent, Edward, and doesn't understand the games a heartless bastard can play."

"Emmett, you would do well to stop talking. Bella knows exactly what our marriage is." That wasn't a hundred percent true. Somewhere along the way, Edward had developed a soft spot for the woman sitting in his study. "Just get your shit together and meet me in the truck."

Edward ignored Emmett's middle finger. Promptly turning on his heel, he pulled his phone out and found Laurent's number. "Go find that prick Swan and meet me at the barn. I have some very important information to relate. I really can't wait to see his fucking face."

He was nearly to the garage door when he noticed Emmett trailing him. There was a part—a very small part that sympathized with his brother. Edward didn't condone Emmett's reckless lifestyle. In all rights, Emmett should've been the one to take on the responsibilities of the Kings. When Emmett failed to step up after his father died, Edward had no choice but to fill the shoes of the former leader.

No way would he let his family fall into the streets. This wasn't the life he would've chosen for himself, when he'd been younger there'd been several avenues he would've loved to explore. Upon closer reflection, Edward supposed he harbored some resentment toward his oldest sibling. Yet despite how angry he was over that fact, nothing compared to Emmett adamantly trying to talk Bella out of marriage to him.

Edward's lip curled as he stepped up into his truck. Adjusting his clothing he cast a sidelong glance toward Emmett as he settled into the driver's seat next to him. "You realize the discussion about Bella is far from over." Edward wasn't an idiot, he recognized Emmett's obvious attraction to Bella, and that shit wasn't going to fly. "If you cannot separate yourself from this obsession with …"

"Me obsessed? Now liking someone …"

Edward shifted to face Emmett. "Are you insane? I won't have you attracted to my wife, and residing in this house."

"You mean your fake wife? As soon as we've settled this business with Winthrop, she is free to do whatever she wants, right?" Emmett jammed the key into the ignition and started the truck. "Maybe she will choose me when this is all over."

Edward ground his teeth at the notion, his fist balling at his sides, and with the willpower of a saint, he withheld the urge to hit his brother. His nostrils flared, becoming furious. "Has she ever given you the slightest indication that would be possible? To my knowledge, this is a one-sided attraction."

Emmett didn't respond, glaring into the mirror as he backed out of the garage. He was starting to think he'd be better off if he just packed his fucking bags. There was a lot of world out there left unexplored—a lot of women not wrapped up in Edward. He should be ecstatic that Edward seemed to be putting Irene behind him and focusing on his future. Even so, those weren't the emotions winning out.

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