A Hocht (8)

A/N: Well, it most certainly isn't Friday at all, but I have some extremely excited individuals that I decided to indulge. Not much to say up here, except I'm loving reading your comments and thoughts on Edward. Keep it coming, lovelies! Thanks always to the amazing ladies I have standing behind me. Prereaders Maplestyle, AGoodWitch, BitterHarpy, 2 Brown eyes, and Sassy Noles. Mel C betas and she is insanely amazing! Onto the chapter.

After a 12-hour shift followed by a 20-hour shift the next day, I was dead on my feet come Wednesday morning. Carlisle had called the night before to make sure we were still on, and I was quick to confirm. Then an accident—a three-car pileup—had come into the ER. I had two back-to-back surgeries, and I had revived the mom that had been driving one of the cars, but after her six-year-old son coded three times, I wasn't able to bring him back the last time.

I was still emotional, six hours later. I had tried to sleep it off, but it still hurt. Losing a patient was never easy, but this was the first time it was someone so young, and it gutted me. When Edward knocked on the door that morning, I didn't even try to hide my puffy eyes or my disheveled appearance. I opened the door wide, standing to the side to allow him to come in. To my utter horror, his dad followed him inside. Carlisle's eyebrows furrowed as he took in my appearance.

"I'm so sorry. I got off later than I was supposed to. I was just about to go get dressed, sir."

"Isabella, it's clear you've been crying. Are things okay?" he asked calmly, looking around for anything amiss.

"Oh, yeah. Nothing to worry about here. Just a tough night at work, you know, hazards of the job. I'll be right back," I said, gesturing to my room with my head. I could feel both sets of their eyes following me as I slipped inside the door. Once the door closed behind me, I let my head fall back, gently banging it against the cool wood. I pulled myself together, moving to dress in a pair of skinny jeans, a fitted t-shirt, topping it with a brown cropped leather jacket. My hair only needed me to comb my fingers through it, since I was happy that it was behaving for once. I was about to open the door when there was a light knock. Pulling the door open, I wasn't surprised to see Edward standing there. "Sorry, I didn't know it was taking long. I'm ready."

I went to walk past him, but his arm shot out against the door jamb, barring me from passing him. He gestured to my face. "What's going on? Don't give me the shit you fed my dad."

"It's not a big deal."

"I call bullshit."

"I don't give a shit what you call, Edward. The last time you and I saw each other, it didn't go well."

"I told you that you needed to try and be patient with me. I'm sorry I lost my temper. I'm genuinely concerned. What happened?" He dropped his arm and crossed them over his chest.

The earnest look in his eyes and his genuine tone made the dam break, and soon I was crying all over again. "I lost a patient earlier this morning. He was six years old, and I couldn't save him."

Warm arms engulfed me, their hold gentle yet firm at the same time, and I was pulled into his strong chest, his scent enveloping me. My agony spilled from me, pouring out in wretched sobs as I gripped the front of his shirt, allowing myself this moment of vulnerability. Instead of telling me to suck it up or looking at me as weak, Edward tightened his hold, laying his head against mine, surrounding me with his support and compassion. "Oh, Agra, I know enough about you to know you did everything you could. People die, it's a fact of life. I'm so sorry that this is weighing on you so heavily," he said softly. Somehow, with the way he worded that and being completely enveloped by him, my heart felt lighter.

"Thank you," I said. My voice was muffled by being so close to him, and my words came out as fain new. I felt his chest shake with laughter and heard the chuckle he let out. He backed off, still embracing me, but letting me breathe. He swept my hair back from my damp face and wiped away the tears that still lingered with the pad of his thumbs. I looked up and his eyes locked with mine. He inhaled sharply, and before I could even register what was happening, he let go of me and stepped away. I was left feeling cold and the atmosphere in the room felt awkward. Why had he pulled away so quickly?

"My dad is waiting in the car. Are you okay?" he asked. His tone was still concerned, but his face was guarded, the look in his eyes blank. He was closed off to me.

I shrugged and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine," I said, not trying to hiss the words. I was getting tired of his mood swings. Of all the hot assholes out there, I had to be stuck with the guy who had a mercurial temperament.

I followed him outside and wasn't surprised to see the black SUV again. He put his sunglasses on as I got in the back seat, after Edward opened the door for me. He closed the door gently and went around to the driver's seat. It was different seeing him behind the wheel. Usually, Emmett drove the SUV, but the last time I was in this vehicle, Edward and I had been coming back from the club. Carlisle started talking about some of the places we were going to check out. I just had to make the decision of what place I liked the best, and he would handle the rest of it. Not having anything to add to the conversation, I just nodded and continued to look out the window. I was surprised when he brought up the charity event.

"Esme and Alice told me that they invited you to come. Have you thought about it anymore?"

"I would love to, Mr. Cullen, but I need to find a dress and a date. Alice said I couldn't show up without either," I said.

"Well, I spoke with Demetri, and he has made it known that he would like to take you. It would be a great place to meet some people, expand your network," Carlisle said, looking back at me.

I noticed Edward's head snap toward his dad. I couldn't decipher what he was thinking because he was wearing his sunglasses again.

"I will call Alice later tonight," I said, trying to end this conversation. I saw the muscle flexing in Edward's jaw and I knew that meant he was pissed. His speed had also increased from the speed limit of 35 to 50.

"Edward, slow down. You're going to get us pulled over. Do I need to drive?" Carlisle said sharply.

"No, sir," he mumbled, lifting his foot off the gas to slow the car down as his father had commanded.

I sighed quietly. It was gonna be a long day.

When I got home that afternoon, after dealing with a surly Edward and a polite, calm, and friendly Carlisle, I was exhausted. Rose was sitting on the couch, reading, and I crawled over the couch and dropped my head in her lap while groaning in frustration.

"What's wrong, sister dear?"

"Fucking Cullens."

"I think you want to fuck one of them and that's the problem."

I put my hand over her mouth. "Shhh. No ruining this with your lies."

Rose pulled my hand from her mouth, laughing. "I take it today didn't go well?"

"Just weird. Mr. Cullen was the picture of composure. Edward, on the other hand, was just in a pissy mood or something," I said, then I continued with telling her what happened earlier when he hugged me.

"Bells, I still maintain that you are attracted to each other, and neither of you is willing to admit it."

"Well, if I'm unwilling to admit it, why do you keep bringing it up?"

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Okay, subject change, yes?"

I nodded and sat up next to her. "Yes."

"Emmett asked me to go to some charity event as his date."

"Oh, that fucking charity event. I'm so happy for you though, Ro. Things are progressing between you and him then?"

"I like him so much, sissy." She smiled and got a far away look in her eyes. "He is like everything I never knew I was looking for. He makes me laugh, but he can also be serious and listen to me."

I nodded as she talked about Emmett. I had seen all those things from him in my interactions, and I knew that he cared about my sister. He looked at her like she was the center of his universe, and that she was all he needed. "I'm really happy for you both, Ro. He seems like a good guy. I was invited to that same event by Alice and Esme."

"Oh, awesome! Finding dresses is going to be a bitch though."

I nodded. We were quiet for a moment, and then my phone started ringing. I looked at the caller ID and it was Alice. "Wow, that was fast. It's Alice," I said, sliding the answer button on the screen, and before I could bring the phone to my ear, I heard her yell "put me on speakerphone." I chuckled and did as she said.

"So, a little birdie told me that you both are coming to the event."

"A little birdie?"

"Work with me, Bella," Alice said, exasperated. Rose and I laughed. "Anyway, my stylist will be here Friday. Are you guys available to come over then?"

"I have Friday off," I told Alice.

"I'm still looking for a job, so I'm available," Rose answered.

"Okay, I need sizes," Alice said.

After we told her our sizes and discussed more details about the event, Alice announced that she was giving Demetri my phone number and I acquiesced. There was really no point because I imagined she could be as stubborn as her brother. When I finally hung up, Rose pounced.

"Who is Demetri and why is Alice giving him your number?" she asked, the smile on her face was wide and mischievous.

"Oh, he's someone the Cullens work with. I guess he's my date for the event."

"Edward isn't taking you?" Her eyebrows were drawn together, like she was confused.

"Why on earth would he take me?" I asked. As much as we fought, the idea had bad written all over it, but I couldn't help but imagine that Edward was the one taking me. I had no idea what went on during an event, but I still think it would be nice. That is, until one of us inevitably killed the other one.

"This is gonna end badly," Rose mumbled.

I just ignored her, because regardless of whether or not there was an attraction between Edward and me, it didn't matter. We didn't get along, and I refused to budge and be the mindless automaton he expected me to be. Yes, master. How can I serve you, master? Tell me what to do, master. No, that was not my thing and never would be. I had a mind and good judgment, and it just infuriated me that he was trying to curb that. "It takes more than attraction to make things work out, Ro," I said with a tone that warned her to drop the subject.

I got up off the couch and went to my room, slamming the door. I changed into comfortable pajamas, set my alarm, and intended to sleep more before my shift that started at midnight. Luckily, it was just a regular 10-hour shift, and then I would be off for two more days, before I started my last week working for the hospital.

The money that Edward had handed me this weekend was three grand so I was able to pay that bill he was so flipped out about and the rest I was saving. Along with the other $3000 I had for helping him and Emmett, I was fine to not work until the clinic was built. I also had no illusions that there wouldn't be other jobs that came up.

I was about eight hours into my shift that morning, and I was talking to Jane, a nurse in the ER, and Bree, an ER doctor. I had just finished a surgery, so we were taking a minute to debrief. I was standing, leaning against the triage desk, my back to the front of the building, and they were facing me and the doors. I was saying something when they both intently stared at something over my shoulder.

"Oh my god. He's hot," Jane said.

Bree nodded her head in agreement. I had a bad feeling about this because there was always this charge in the air when Edward and I were in the same room, and right now, the hairs on my arms were standing straight up. I turned around, and sure enough, Edward was standing there, coming closer to the desk.

"Fuck," I whispered. I didn't know if I was supposed to act like I knew him or not.

Edward approached the desk and was all charm and polite hellos, smiling widely, and I felt my colleagues' pain, because that smile was like kryptonite. Then he turned those green eyes to me. "Bella," he said, his eyes turning a darker shade of jade. "I need to talk to you."

I turned to Bree and Jane. "I'm gonna go take my fifteen minutes, radio me if you need to." I grabbed my headset from the desk and put it in my ear, connecting it to the walkie talkie in my pocket. I walked over to the elevator banks before turning to Edward. I pressed the down button to go to the cafeteria in the basement.

"What do you need that justifies coming to my job?"

"You'll be gone soon enough. Th—"

"Stop!" I interrupted him, holding my hands up. "I'm trying, Edward. I really am. I understand that there is shit going on that I know nothing about, and believe me, I don't want to, but I can't have you trying to control every aspect of my life. You say dismissive shit like we aren't friends, dating, or even really working together, then tell me you want to sleep with me. Then earlier today, there was also that hug that you initiated and then pulled away from. Yet, when your dad mentioned Demetri, and the offer for him to take me to the gala, you sulked the whole afternoon afterwards. Are you trying to fuck with my head? 'Cause I'll tell you, you're doing a bang up fucking job!" I was breathing heavily by the time I finished my tirade.

Edward ran his hands through his hair, but before he could reply, the elevators opened and we both got in. As soon as the door closed, Edward closed the distance between us, getting in my personal space, pushing me back until I came flush with the wall. He grabbed my hips, squeezing tight. Before I could stop it, a moan fell from my lips. Edward's eyes locked onto mine, the surprise evident. I shifted my weight, causing my hips to roll into his. A deep rumble originated in his chest as he dropped his forehead to my shoulder, letting out a groan before lifting his head to whisper in my ear. "This mouth of yours. There are much better uses for it than yelling all the time."

Before I could come up with a good comeback, his lips were on mine, and I forgot all about doing anything other than kissing him. One of the hands on my hip brushed up my side and into my hair. I was wearing a ponytail and he took out the hair tie, letting my hair loose, and then ran his hands through it to grip it at the nape of my neck. I slid my hands underneath the suit jacket he was wearing and gripped one of his shoulders, the other lightly scraping down his back. "Come on, Bella, you know you wanna be rougher than that."

I bit his lip and sucked it into my mouth, while moving my hands to grip his hair, pulling on it. I heard that sexy growl again, and his hand gripped my chin. He moved my head to the side and ran his nose down my neck and then gently bit the juncture and I moaned again. "Fuck, Cullen."

"Say my name, out loud." He moaned into my neck and bit down again harder.

"God, Edward!"

Grabbing my throat, I heard his chuckle. "No, just Edward, but I'd love to make you scream my name again."

That comment, while completely turning me on, brought me back to reality like a bucket of cold water. I was in an elevator, at the hospital where I worked, and kissing a man who in equal parts pissed me off and aroused me. I was not going to sleep with him, and it probably wasn't the smartest idea to even be kissing him, so I pushed him away gently.

He must've seen the panic in my eyes because he backed off. He fisted his hands in his hair. "Fuck, Bella, that's not why I came here." He looked a little guilty and upset. The elevator door dinged and opened. I picked up my hair tie, then Edward and I walked out of the elevator.

"What? Why are you here then?"

"Eleazar, my dad's friend, the older guy in your meeting that day, passed out walking to his mailbox. I need you to come look at him."

"Edward, I can't leave. I could get into a lot of trouble. Give me his address and I'll call an ambulance. I get you guys don't do hospitals, but that is the only way I can help. I'm sure you guys have fake IDs and health coverage."

I could see the emotions warring in his eyes. He didn't want to make this harder, but I knew he was worried about this guy; the emotion when he said his name gave him away. "Do it."

He rattled off the address, and I radioed Jane and told her to call an ambulance to the address I gave her. "Okay, I'm going back." I recalled the elevator and punched the button for the elevator to go back to the 1st floor once we got on. Gathering my hair together, I pulled the hair tie around it, making a messy bun.

"What am I supposed to do?" Edward was out of his element and didn't seem to know how to help.

"Make some calls and tell whoever you need what's going on before the ambulance gets there and let me go do my job." The elevator door pinged open, and I left him standing there, a smug smile curling up my lips.

A/N: Well, how are we feeling now? Seems like Dr. Bella felt like she came out on top there and that she may be more attracted to Edward than she wants to admit. Leave a review and let me know how you feel. I'm sure I'll see y'all in a few days! Later Lovelies!