Ten

A soft knock wakes me. I yawn and sleepily say 'come in'.

"Morning," his voice is smooth, the sound rippling down my body.

"Hey," I stretch my arms up looking him over.

I could get use to this morning wake up call. He holds a breakfast tray, is dressed in suit pants and a button up shirt. His tie hung around his neck still waiting to be tied. He's sensational.

"Sleep well?" he asks.

"Very," I nod, "this bed is incredible."

"There's been a change in my plans. I have to duck to work early now so I made you some breakfast," he says, "eat, take your time. Just make sure you lock the door on your way out. Sorry I have to race out this way. Take my car to get home."

"No I can get the subway," I shake my head, sitting up against the bedhead, my nostrils happily taking in the scent of the omlet before me.

He places the breakfast tray across my lap and moves to open up the curtains. It's just a button by the bed. They open automatically. His lifestyle is extraordinary.

"Well you know that it's there for you," he says, "I'll text you tonight."

"Okay," I nod.

He looks at me awkwardly. He's trying to clearly decide if he should kiss me or not. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the stupid morning breath. Eventually he makes a decision, leaning down to place a gentle lingering and tender kiss on my forehead.

"Have a beautiful day," he says.

"You too," I watch him leave the room, annoyed at myself for feeling the way I do.

We had an incredible night together. I'd had him for hours. I'd kissed him and cuddled him. But I still wanted him to stay.

"I'm sick," I whisper to myself, rolling my eyes, as I scoop breakfast into my mouth.

The pleasurable moan that escapes me the most action he's probably going to give me today.


I carefully edge my scissors around the curve of the menu as Alice focuses on dividing personalised crystal wine glasses into tubs for specific tables. With the wedding this weekend, it felt as if every minute of preparation was crucial.

"I thought you paid someone for all this?" I ask.

"I wanted to do somethings. I'm pretty hands on," she says to me, "I plan to make this the only time i get married."

"It is therapeutic to do some craft," I say, "did you design these yourself?"

"God no. Etsy and a printing company," she laughs, "creativity stops at fabric for me."

"Is Emmett creative too?" I ask.

"Absolutely not," she shakes her head, "he tried but he was more excited when dad mentioned camping trips or fishing."

"Edward showed me the art studio," I say, "we actually had a date the other night."

"You're joking," her mouth drops, her hand freezing half way into a box, "he took you on a date? A romantic one?"

"Yeah it was fairly romantic," I nod, "he's actually really sweet. Much more than our first few run ins."

Alice smiles slowly.

"What?" I laugh keen to have the information zipping through her mind.

"He just… he doesn't really do that kinda stuff. He's never brought a girl home. I mean he's had girlfriends but nothing serious enough and not for a few years. I don't remember the last time I head of him even having a date. Emmett and I literally thought he was celibate for a while. But Emmett denied that after one drunk night in April."

"So he doesn't really date much? He's probably busy," I shrug, "he has a huge job and he hasn't had time."

"He still doesn't have time," she shakes her head, "but he likes you. He actually likes you. Wanna know how I know?"

"How?" I ask.

"He is making time," Alice says, "he is forcing you into his stupid schedule. Everything he does is so down to the wire. Down to the time he makes a smoothie each day. You're mixing it up. You are the best thing that could happen to his little routine that is essentially army boot camp every day. You're making him reevaluate what matters."

"Any girl could," I shake my head.

"Our mother asked dad not to give him the ceo job. She was worried he'd pour his entire focus into it and live to work," she admits, "but he's doing the opposite and I think it's because of you. The fact he stayed at that bachelorette and bachelor night - you."

"He stayed for Jasper," I deny.

"Babe. He came for Jasper, but stayed for you," she corrects, "he's smitten. I've never seen him like this. Em and I were texting about it all weekend after the party. He's a new guy. You know he asked Emmett if he wanted to catch a round of golf. Like actual brother time. They are incredibly close but they haven't done that in forever. Edward is always busy with work."

"I've never really had a guy be so interested," I admit, "Like I've never been the girl that they notice in the crowd. Especially when I'm standing beside Rosalie."

"Maybe it's about time you got the attention you're incredibly deserving of then," Alice shrugs, "I think you and my brother have more in common than you might realise."

"He's talented, creative and powerful," I shake my head.

"Babe. You pulled together an entire wedding party for me in a day essentially. You're incredibly talented and creative," she says, "and you hold so much power. The way his eyes draw to you the minute you step nearby him just goes to show how much you have."

"I just don't think a CEO of a massive company would want me on his arm," I shrug.

"Then you're an idiot. The CEO of Earth would want you on their arm. You're everything every man wants to bring home to their family, to plan a future with," she says, "you don't see yourself clearly."

I quietly assess the words she's delivered me. Picking them apart wondering if I could ever begin to apply them to myself.

"When are you seeing him again?" she asks.

"I'm not sure," I shrug, "nothing is planned. The next time I know for sure that I'll see him is at the rehearsal. We've been texting a fair bit though."

By fair bit, I mean constantly.

"That's not until Friday," she groans, "you've got to catch up today or tomorrow so you don't get mixed up in the crazy of the wedding at the end of the week."

"Any suggestions?" I ask.

"Text him and see if he's free," she offers, "even if it's a lunch break visit?"

"Fine," I pull out my phone and begin to type, "he has put so much effort in. Would he feel weird if I suddenly took control."

"I think he'd honestly love it," Alice says, "he's use to being the one calling the shots. I like that you challenge him."

When I hit send I start to muster some ideas for hanging out with him.

"How about lunch and dinner?" He replied!

"Both? Who knows maybe I'll be repaying you as your bridesmaid one day." Alice squeals in delight as I read it out.


Arriving at his office I take in a deep breath. It's the first time I've stood in this elevator without loathing every second of the ride up. I pass my old floor and continue on up to his office. He'd asked me to come on up because he was finishing off some work. I'd hesitated but security said he had insisted.

When I make it to his secretary she motions for me to go on in, while chatting on the phone. I give a little knock and wait for his cool voice to respond to me.

"Come in," he says clearly from the other side.

Opening the door, I smile shyly. I felt like I was at the principal's office or something.

"Hey you," he smiles up at me from his computer, "I'm just sending off one last email."

"I could have waited downstairs," I say, closing the door gently behind me, "or I could have brought lunch to you if you're too busy."

"Absolutely not," he shakes his head, "I need the walk. Any hints about this date you have planned tonight?"

"Not now. You're working," I take a seat in the armchair across from his desk.

He watches me for a second before turning his attention to his computer. There's zero shame. I stare. I watch the muscles in his neck, the way his eyes move along with the words. I'm invested in how each thread on his shirt fits him flawlessly.

"That's the exact desk I pictured," I say suddenly.

"Sorry?" He glances at me.

"That's the desk," I smile standing, turning my back on him, as I walk toward the window, "I knew you'd have a chestnut brown one. But all the papers were on the floor."

"Seducing me while I'm trying to email," he laughs out, "you're lucky you don't still work here."

"Would you fire me, sir?" I look back at him, tilting my head.

"Sir?" he raises an eyebrow smirking.

"Lord of the brainless if you prefer," I smile, "maybe chief of the toxicity?"

"I'll take sir," he rolls his eyes grinning, "I have one more sentence."

"Then you can hit send?" I ask.

"Yep," he nods, "if you stop distracting me. Behave."

"I'll keep my mouth shut," I turn back to the window and smile evilly to myself as I hear keys begin to click once again.

A few seconds pass when I continue my fun little quest to make the long game he is playing just a little more difficult.

"Does this glass have a tint? Can you see in from outside?" I ask.

"Why?" He keeps typing, but there's a smile in his voice.

"In my dream they weren't. Everyone in that building could see in," I point tapping the glass, "when you… you know."

"Bella," he groans out.

"Yeah?" I look back at him, a wide grin plastered on my face.

"Long game," he says.

"I know. You're doing great, babe," I nod, "but it's so cute when you're all hot under the collar. Don't let me distract you."

"Words you'll regret," he mutters, turning back to his computer.

Before I can continue my fun he stands, after hitting a single key.

"Sent. Let's go get lunch you little horny beast," he walks around his desk.

"Horny?" My mouth drops.

"Oh I'm sorry? Was it a draught in here flirting with me?" He tilts his head.

"Perhaps it was the same force that pushed you into me that day I quit. Haunted building?" I move to walk ahead of him, to the door.

But he's quick. He grabs my arm, tugging me back toward him, into his chest.

"The only thing haunting me in this building is you on my mind all damn day," he says, "I'm professional. If I put you on that desk the entire building will hear the sound of my plans unfolding. Next time come up at close of business and I'll show you exactly what I mean."

My chest halts. Breath stops. Eyes widen.

"Yes. The windows are tinted," he leans down, presses a quick kiss to my lips, "so you'll be all mine. At the end of my long game of taking my sweet ass time with you."

He releases me with a satisfied smile, stepping past me as I try and regain composure.

"Sandwiches, baby?" He asks calmly.

Every time he tilts my world on its axis, he pretends as if he didn't.


Thanks for reading x