A/N:

So a lot of you pretty much hate Edward now, and I get it, and some of you are worried about how this will have an HEA … don't worry! This story is just beginning ;-)

A few of you also wondered how it will benefit Renée if Bella falls in love with Edward, and I will answer that for you.

One of the first things a manipulator needs from their victim is their trust. They lull them into a false sense of security. It gives them power over their victim in a way that's difficult to explain, but I hope this clears up some of your confusion.

This chapter has a mild lemon warning and since you know of Edward's true nature, you might hate him even more after this chapter, but I still recommend you read it :)

Title: The Perfect Partner Program

Author: MarieCarro

Beta: EdwardsFirstKiss

Pre-reader: brwneyedgrl01

Genre: Angst/Hurt&Comfort/Romance

Rating: NC-17

Summary: The summer of 2005 was the summer that changed Bella Swan's life forever. Sent to Ohio by her mother to attend a school for debutante girls not quite up to par, she meets Edward Masen, an apprentice. But is that really all he is? AH

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Word Count: 3, 171

CHAPTER 10 SWEET WORDS AND PROMISES

Edward was helping in the garden again, digging holes for a few new bushes Mrs. Cullen said were to be planted which made it difficult for me to focus on what I was supposed to be doing. However, I wasn't the only girl who had a hard time concentrating on the discussions going around the table about which charities were the most beneficial to support.

I had pretty much zoned out anyway after my suggestion of perhaps helping out at shelters and soup-kitchens had been shot down because apparently, getting greasy wasn't as valued as donating large sums of money to the starving children in whichever country was the most media-covered at the moment.

I was seated perfectly with the vision of Edward right in front of me, so I didn't have to crane my neck like the other girls. His forehead was glistening with sweat from exertion, and when he wiped it with the back of his hand before taking large gulps from his water bottle; I wasn't the only one who let out a dreamy sigh.

I had a slight advantage, though, because all the other girls knew that Edward and I had … a thing, or whatever we called it because Bree had taken it upon herself to spread it around after our first date.

Despite the sweet kisses Edward and I'd shared, though, there was nothing official about it. Both of us knew that, most likely, it would end when it was time to leave. While it saddened me a bit, I was going to enjoy it while it lasted. There was nothing wrong with a harmless summer romance after all.

Eventually, Ms. Brandon realized it was fruitless to continue the discussion when so many of us were distracted, so she dismissed us with a sigh and told us to at least look up a few charities before the next lesson, choose one and discuss among each other why that particular one was the best choice.

I shook my head at the ridiculous assignment, but I was doing what Edward had suggested about turning the bad part of the socialite life around and use it to make a real difference.

It was a beautiful sunny day, and I didn't want to be cooped up in my room and waste the opportunity to enjoy it, so I told Leah I'd see her later at dance rehearsal. I sat down on the grass, took off the light suit jacket I'd been forced to wear for the assembly, and allowed the sun to heat up my bare arms. I pulled my iPod out of my purse and connected my headphones so that I could listen to music while I relaxed.

I had barely listened to the first song when the sun was blocked, and I looked up to see Edward standing next to me with a grin.

"Done with work for the day?" I asked as he sat down next to me with a contented sigh.

"Yeah, Francis said I wasn't any help since all I did was stare at you," he replied, and a thrill went through me.

"Oh really? It wasn't my intention to be such a distraction by sitting here," I said jokingly. "I can go inside so you can continue to—"

I was interrupted by his sudden proximity when he leaned closer to me, his face only inches from mine. "Hell no, I'd choose you over Francis any day," he said, and his breath washed over my face.

My heart started beating faster and my lips parted on their own accord. Edward noticed that, of course, and his eyes traveled down to my mouth before locking back with mine. He could read the want in my gaze clearly and he closed the distance between us quickly by capturing my face between his hands and pushing his mouth forcibly against my own.

Our kisses had remained short and sweet so far, despite the three weeks that had passed since our first date, but this one was different. It was filled with a passion I'd never felt before and it heated my cheeks and caused me to grab onto his arms tightly.

Suddenly, the tip of his tongue pressed against the seam between my lips, and the pleasurable feelings that filled me from the bottom of my toes caused me to open up to him without hesitation. Both of us groaned when we met in the middle, and he deepened the kiss even further.

I didn't stop him. I liked what he was doing too much, but when I was on my back in the grass, Edward hovering on top of me, I felt the obvious bulge in his pants that pressed against my hip, and I turned my head away from him. "Edward, stop," I breathed out. "Mrs. Cullen might look out through her window." I knew she wouldn't because we'd been told that she had business in town and would be gone all day, but it was the only excuse I could come up with to make Edward stop.

The truth was that the situation in his pants scared me. George and I hadn't gone past kisses. I had never touched a guy in any way; outside of or underneath the clothes.

I had always known Edward was more experienced because not only was he older, but his kisses told me that he clearly knew what he was doing. It didn't bother me, but my brain screamed that we were suddenly moving way too fast after having done nothing but kiss for three weeks.

"She left with Mr. Cullen earlier today," Edward assured, and he looked at me with such tenderness it made me question why I'd told him to stop. His weight pressed against my body felt unbelievably good, but then he moved and his hardness became obvious to me again.

"No," I whimpered and shifted out from underneath him. "Anyone on the staff could see us here." I pulled up my knees and hugged them toward my chest.

Edward moved so that he sat up again and placed a warm, gentle hand on my arm. "I would never force you to do anything you aren't comfortable with," he told me and I glanced at him. His eyes were so earnest and open that I couldn't stop myself from straightening out and giving him another kiss.

"I know," I said and smiled at him. "I'm just scared," I admitted, somewhat embarrassed.

"Of me?"

"No." I shook my head. "Of what you're making me feel. I'm not used to feeling so wanted. It's overwhelming."

Even though I had kept the story about my mother locked away nice and tight this entire time, right then telling him all of it felt like the easiest thing in the world to do, and the words just tumbled out of me.

"Renée has always blamed me for how her life was turned upside down, even though it was her rebellious act that created me. I used to be desperate for her acceptance, but I never received it."

"That's horrible, Bella," he said and shook his head in horror. "Nobody should have to grow up without a mother's affection, much less with their disdain."

I let out a small laugh, surprised at myself. "I have no idea why I just told you all of that."

Edward touched my hand gently and then entwined our fingers. "Everyone needs someone. I've already told you I was a loner as a kid and that high school was pure hell for me. For a while, I was so depressed I could easily have jumped out of the window, but I always had my dad to lean on. How about friends back home?"

"I used to have a lot of them, but now there's only Becca. I don't know what I would do without her."

"And here?"

I sighed. "Leah is cool, and I like Jessica and Tanya, but I don't feel comfortable sharing my past with them. You're the only one here who knows."

The alarm on my phone told us break was over, and I looked at Edward gratefully before giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for listening. It meant a lot to me. I'll see you later."

Before I had the chance to get up, Edward stopped me by holding on to my arm. "Meet me out here after dinner tonight. I want to show you something."

"What?"

He smiled widely. "It's a surprise."

My feet were aching by the time we were dismissed from dance rehearsal. It didn't matter that we had been dancing three times a week for a month, I still hated it, but it was expected that I'd waltz at my ball with both a designated usher and Dad. I had accepted that my ball would happen, but it didn't mean I enjoyed what I had to do to prepare for it.

And later, dinner was as stiff as always since we had to practice the rules of etiquette under the watchful eyes of Mrs. O'Shea who didn't hesitate to reprimand us if we ate bites that were too large. A lady was supposed to eat as if she had a secret that would spill out if she opened her mouth too much, and it frustrated me to no end.

I exhaled with relief when it was over and I hurried as much as I dared without breaking into a sprint to go to my room and change. I wanted to get out of the Renée-approved clothes I had on and meet Edward in what I usually wore around him. Clothes that were more me.

I looked around the hall before I went outside because while we were allowed to go out on school grounds until eleven pm, I was certain it would be frowned upon that I was doing it to meet secretly with Edward, and also, I really didn't want to run into anyone … more specifically Bree.

He was waiting for me at the same spot where I'd left him earlier that afternoon, and when he saw me, his face stretched into a wide smile, and he held out his hand for me to take.

"Where are we going?" I asked, curious about where he was leading me and what kind of surprise it was.

"You'll see," he just said, and then led me over to a bike. "We're gonna have to ride this, unless you're not comfortable sitting on the rack. We could have taken my car but the engine would have alerted the others."

I frowned and my step faltered a bit. "We're not going outside the school grounds, right? Mrs. Cullen will call my parents if I break any more rules." She had found out about Edward's late-night visit to my room, and she had been less than accepting of it.

"Don't worry," he assured. "It's technically still inside the premises, but it's at the very edge so no rules will be broken, but we'll be out of sight of the castle."

I still felt hesitant because if Mrs. Cullen called my parents it wouldn't matter that I'd spent the entire summer here or not. I'd still be given hell by Renée that I'd acted poorly, and at this point, I couldn't predict what she'd do to me. She'd sent me here after all.

Edward stroked my arms tenderly. "I would never dream of getting you in trouble. Just trust me."

I shivered slightly but relented anyway and straddled the rack at the back of the bike.

"How much further?" I panted as I struggled up a steep, dirt hill. It felt as if I would faint at any second. The cool air of the darkening night helped very little.

"Just a bit more," Edward said and helped me with the last part. "It will be easier on the way back, but it's worth it, believe me." He kicked down the stand for the bike. "We'll have to walk the last bit."

I looked at our surroundings, at the trees and the large meadows and pens, and when I looked over my shoulder, I saw the silhouette of the castle in the distance. I hadn't realized we were that far away, and it was getting darker. Since it was summer, it was still light enough to see clearly, but the dark had always scared me, so when Edward casually slung his arm around my shoulders, I appreciatively pressed myself tightly against his side.

Suddenly, Edward stopped walking and turned to me. "Now close your eyes and don't open them until I say so."

I giggled at the excited tone of his voice and did as he told me. He took a firm hold of my hand and led me forward. The grass and bushes tickled my legs, but barely a minute had passed when Edward said I could open my eyes, and when I did, I gasped.

I couldn't get a single word out. The scene before me was breathtaking. Edward had led me to a small glade with a brook peacefully rippling through it. The grass was long and unkempt, but the wildness of the clearing only made it more beautiful.

"Wow, this is amazing," I breathed out.

"I was hoping you'd like it. The staff and students never come here, and I know you enjoy solitude, so I wanted to show you this place."

I looked at him for a long moment until he met my gaze curiously.

"What?"

"Sometimes, it's as if you're too good to be true."

He shrugged awkwardly. "I'm just being me."

"And that's what's so surprising. I've never met a guy like you before."

"I hope that's a good thing," he said with a grin and sat down in the tall grass. "I should have brought a blanket for us, but the ground is dry."

I sat down next to him, not at all worried about getting dirt on my clothes—the shorts I was wearing were an old pair of cutoff jeans and the tank top was just a plain black one—and then I laid down on my back to look at the clear evening sky.

Edward soon joined me, and for a moment, neither of us said anything, but when I turned my head to look at him, I saw that he was deep in thought.

"What is it?" I rose up halfway and supported myself on my elbows.

"I was thinking about college. I think I might know where I want to go now," he said quietly and looked at me. "I was thinking of maybe applying to UDub and take a few classes until I know what I want to major in."

My eyes widened in shock. "You're thinking about moving to Seattle? Why?"

"I don't see another way for us to continue seeing each other if I don't." The look in his eyes was so warm, and I didn't know how to handle the feelings he made me feel.

I swallowed hard and blinked back the tears I could feel were trying to force their way out. "What are you saying?"

He stroked my cheek gently. "I'm saying that I'm falling in love with you, Bella, and I want to be with you."

I almost stopped breathing, but his words were so warm and beautiful, so instead of being scared of the unknown when he pulled me closer to kiss me, I felt the longing to please him. I felt completely safe in the glade and it resulted in each kiss becoming deeper and more drawn out than the previous one until both of us were panting with want. Somehow, my top got discarded together with his shirt, and Edward reverently touched my exposed breasts.

When he popped the button in my shorts, though, I whimpered a bit in protest.

"I'm not gonna force myself on you," he said against my mouth, still panting heavily. "I just want to touch you and make you feel good." He captured my mouth again, and I realized that the fears that held me back before were fading, and I was the one who pressed tighter against him, wanting more. I encouraged him when his hand went inside my shorts, although remained outside of my underwear, and when his fingers pressed against me, I was panting just as heavily as he was.

"I want you so much, Bella," he whispered before he boldly pushed the fabric aside and slid two fingers inside me. "Do you want me?"

I had never been touched like that before by a guy, but the gentleness of his touch chased the remainder of my fears away, and the waves of pleasure that washed over me drowned out all potential warning bells.

I didn't care that we'd only known each other for a month. My body was on fire with the need he evoked in me.

His warm breath blew over my ear. "Touch me," he gasped and guided my hand toward the zipper of his own jeans. "I will burst if you don't." He continued to guide my hand until my fingers wrapped around his hard cock.

I hesitated slightly because I didn't know what to do, but when he continued to caress me, I attempted to stroke my hand down toward the base of him and his pleasured moan banished every last ounce of reluctance I had.

The sounds around the glade; the light evening breeze in the grass and the babbling of the brook made for the perfect background music as both our movements got faster and more impatient.

"That feels so good," he breathed out and moved his fingers even faster. "I'm so close. Please, tell me you're close."

I could only moan and reciprocate by stroking him harder which caused him to gasp before rolling on top of me and squeezing my hand around him even tighter.

"Fuck, I'm coming, baby!" His fingers stilled in me, but I was right on the edge, so I shifted underneath him in hopes he would start up again.

It took a few seconds, but then he rolled off me and began moving his fingers with more care than before. "Talk to me, Bella," he said. "Tell me what feels good."

"Just … just keep going," I panted, but then he found a spot that sent a jolt through my entire body and he continued to give that particular spot all of his attention until I was nothing but a puddle next to him. My moan bounced between the trees as my own orgasm rippled through me and I held on to Edward with all the strength I could muster until my muscles relaxed.

We didn't say anything as we lay back down on our backs, entwined in each other's arms and gazing at the stars.

A/N:

Sweet whispered words in her ear and promises indeed! What Edward did here is another key ingredient for manipulators. Give the victim hope of something in the future because as long as that hope lives, it's difficult to confront the trickster.

He also continues making her believe that she has the power of what she wants to share with him, when in truth, she doesn't have a choice. All of these things are steps in how to brainwash a person, and manipulators and liars have this practice down to a T.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter! If you hate Edward, let me have it! Vent your anger about him! Go ahead, I encourage you :-D

Always stay awesome, though!