A/N:
Hi gang it's time to feed the Lion. He won't wait a minute longer. So I'll meet you guys down below.
Happymess: If you were a Spice Girl you would be Super Beta Ninja Spice…I'd be Loopy Spice…or perhaps Old Spice, except that I'm 21…forever.
Caro2lalala& Djsmommie: You ladies rock my socks off with your awesome pre-reading skills
*DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight…I'm just a girl that drinks from a platypus*
Lights will guide you home…and ignite your bones…and I will try to fix you
- Coldplay, Fix You
His footsteps padded down on the hardwood floor behind me.
Everything about the man was distinct. He walked over to his bed and settled under the covers without a word. I handed him the tray of food, taking the small plate I made for myself.
"This is totally unnecessary," he balked before biting into his sandwich.
"Says the man who collapsed on the floor from exhaustion." I grabbed my drink from his tray and sat in the chair beside him.
"I did not collapse," he huffed arrogantly.
"Of course you didn't. I'm sure you often sleep on the floor outside your bathroom."
"I don't often sleep," he noted dryly.
"The doctor could prescribe something for that you know." I side eyed him, placing my plate on the nightstand.
"Oh yes, I am aware of what doctors can prescribe." He lowered his spoon. "I won't become dependent on those types of drugs."
"You can't function properly without sleep." He had to know that, but he was too damn stubborn to admit it.
"I'm fine," his tone was firm, but his eyes were heavy from exhaustion. "Our flight will leave in the afternoon tomorrow. I have business to settle in the morning."
"Okay," I said after swallowing a bite of my sandwich. Maybe I could get in a few sights before we left. "Did you resolve the contract issue?"
"No. It will be taken care of." He had that sinister look that paralyzed people on the spot. The man could probably kill someone with his eyes.
"I have no doubt it will be," I smiled at his angry face, he didn't scare me and he knew it. "Are book negotiations usually so hostile? I always thought the publishing business was pretty placid."
"The publishing industry is highly competitive. In negotiations you either dominate or be dominated," he explained smoothly.
"It doesn't always have to be that way. There can be compromise," I argued. He saw things so black and white. I wondered if he knew other colors existed.
"Why would I compromise with an opponent?" he scoffed at the thought. "If I want something I eliminate the competition. Their mere existence is a threat."
"Or maybe if you worked together instead of against each other they wouldn't be a threat, they would be an ally," I reasoned logically, continuing to enjoy my grilled cheese sandwich.
"If they want the same thing I do they are a threat. I assure you I don't respond well to threats." His brow arched in warning.
"You compromised with me." I pushed him a little.
"That is completely different."
"Is it? If I recall correctly we negotiated the conditions of my employment last night, yet neither of us dominated."
"It's not comparable." He waved off my words. "There was no threat."
"You wanted me to be your massage therapist. I threatened to take that from you, but instead of dominating me into getting what you wanted you compromised."
"Dominating you into working for me would be highly unethical." His eyes caught mine. "There were extenuating circumstances that are not present when negotiating a publishing contract." He wiped his lips with his napkin.
"True," I agreed. He was probably never bitten and dry humped before entering a negotiation with anyone else. "But you must admit there are times when compromise is a viable option. That's all I'm trying to say. You don't always have to attack people so viciously."
"Says the girl that waited patiently to be assaulted on a dark abandoned street." His glare was scorching. He really was angry about that. I wondered why it bothered him so much.
"You're not going to let me live that down are you?" I sighed, wiping my hands with my napkin.
"It was completely unacceptable." His voice had that rumble that came on just before a growl.
"How about if we make a deal." I leaned in closer. "I promise to learn how to defend myself properly if you promise to eat and rest regularly."
He thought over my proposal carefully. "Will you be feeding me in bed?" A devious grin lit up his face.
"I don't recall saying I would be feeding you at all." My goofy smile was ridiculous, but I couldn't seem to wipe the damn thing off my face.
"Pity," he frowned. "That was the selling point of the deal."
I glanced down at his tray and noticed he finished every bit of his soup and sandwich as well as his glass of water.
"I'm sure any one of your servants would be willing to feed you in bed."
"Yes, they would," he agreed."But I prefer you."
Was he flirting with me? I couldn't be sure. He spoke as though it was a simple fact, but his stare was quite intense.
"You prefer me?" I repeated, sounding frazzled. How did he do that so effortlessly?
"Yes. Definitely." He nodded slowly.
"Why?" I asked in a bit of a daze.
"Because of your delicious," he moved in closer, "grilled cheese sandwich."
"What about my soup?" I whispered, staring into his eyes.
"It's hot." His gaze flickered to my lips, "with a bit of a kick," he leaned in closer, adding, "Just the way I like it."
He was definitely flirting. Was it wrong that I wanted to flirt back? Probably yes, but my mouth was moving before I could even process that thought.
"Do you like it only in bed?" I asked innocently, sipping my drink.
His eyes darkened. "I like it anywhere you will give it to me."
I choked as I swallowed my drink, coughing lightly. His grin was pure sin. The man was evil.
"And you don't want anyone else to….feed you?" His face was so close to mine.
He shook his head. "Just you."
"Do you have a large appetite?" I wondered aloud.
"Extremely." The word slipped from his lips like honey.
"Fuck," I breathed out, eyes wide open.
There was no doubt we were headed to a dangerous place, a very dangerous place. I couldn't think straight. I was just instinctively responding to him.
The sexual tension was so thick I could barely breathe without panting.
I wanted to kiss him. Hell, I wanted to do more than kiss him, but I definitely wanted to start with his lips. I didn't do it though. How could I even contemplate such a thing?
He was my boss, but that wasn't the main issue. That could be worked out. What couldn't be worked out was his obvious disgust at the thought of even being my friend. No matter how tempting he was I couldn't do meaningless sex.
Could I?
No. It was wrong. Yet, it didn't feel that way. It made no sense to me at all. While I was in a complete state of turmoil he looked cool as a cucumber, his green eyes brighter than I had ever seen them and staring directly into mine.
"Bella?" The sound of my name coming from his lips made me want to do things…bad things.
"Yes?" I took a calm centering breath.
"Do you…feed anyone else?" he asked with great interest.
"Yes." I nodded casually.
His face hardened immediately.
"My cat, Yikes, relies on me for all her meals." I smirked playfully as his eyes narrowed in displeasure.
"What about Jazz?"
His question threw me. "You know Jasper?"
"Jasper?" he snorted arrogantly. "That is a ridiculous name."
"What? It is not." I glared at him. "Actually, Jasper is a cherished gemstone with therapeutic powers if you must know."
"Really?" He seemed impressed. "How interesting. It is also the most absurd name I have ever heard."
"I think it's a unique and beautiful name. How do you even know him?"
"I don't." He leaned away from me, breaking the moment.
"So then why are we talking about him?" My head tilted to the side.
"You were flirting with him on the phone last night," he had the nerve to say.
My mouth dropped open. "Are you serious?"
"Do I not look serious?" He did. He looked more than serious. He looked annoyed. Sometimes the man was a complete mystery to me.
"Jasper is the most important person in my life. He's my closest friend." I knew he couldn't possibly understand it. He never had a friend, especially not one like Jazz.
"Are you sleeping with him?" he asked bluntly.
"Um…no definitely not." Was he still delirious? Then a thought occurred to me. "Would it matter if I were?"
That caught him off guard. He opened his mouth to speak and then quickly closed it. He ran a hand through his ruffled hair as he moved further away.
"No." He shook his head. "It wouldn't matter at all."
"Then why did you want to know?" I eyed him curiously.
"It was just a simple question. Did I offend you?"
"No," I said truthfully. "You would be stunned by how much it takes to offend me."
There really were no limits to offensive questions with my friends, though I liked that he asked. It made me smile. My smile was not returned. His walls sprung up without warning, shutting me out in a flash. I couldn't help but wonder why. It seemed he could be triggered for no reason at all. I had never known a more frustrating person.
"You better get a good night's sleep if you're going to dominate some ass in the morning," I practically shouted as I stood up to put the dishes on the rolling cart beside me.
He coughed so loud I worried he was getting sick again. I was bent over the cart struggling not to drop the dishes I was holding as I spun around. His face was reddened and he was clearing his throat profusely. Quickly, I refilled his glass with water and handed it to him.
"Do not even consider going back to work when I leave," I warned sternly as he chugged the water down.
Why I felt so protective of him I really didn't know. I fought the urge to check his temperature as I left his side. He just seemed so alone and uncared for. I knew exactly how that felt.
I wouldn't go as far as saying his bark was worse than his bite.
It wasn't.
I experienced both and his bite was pretty damn fierce. He could be downright cruel and insensitive at times, yet, I saw good when I looked at him. Not just saw…I felt it. The man was flawed, there was no doubt, but he wasn't all dark.
"You should take your temperature you're flushed." I couldn't stop myself from saying as I stood in his doorway watching him lay in bed.
"I'm fine," was his curt reply.
"Right, but still just check it." I knew he wouldn't. "Oh and finish your water. You're probably dehydrated."
The slight smile that brushed his lips took me by surprise. "Perhaps I should get you a puppy."
My hand went to my hip. "Fine, I won't worry about you anymore."
"Why would you worry about me?" He was genuinely curious.
"Because…" I paused, unsure of how to respond, then deciding to just be honest. "I see good in you." I admitted in one quick breath.
"Do you?" His smile disappeared instantly. "Then perhaps I should get your eyes examined."
"That's not necessary." my fingers gripped the door knob firmly. "I can see quite clearly you're filled with anger and pain. The intensity of it scares everyone away, but what's even clearer to me is your capacity to feel so much more…if you let yourself."
Before he could respond I closed the door, wanting him to think over my words; hoping he would.
The following morning I managed to take in a few sights before we left, heading straight to Strawberry Fields, where I may have hugged a tree, while softly humming Imagine…it was an emotional experience.
Around five that afternoon a car came and brought me to the plane, where I sat waiting my boss's arrival. Mandy, the curvaceous flight attendant immediately offered me a drink while I waited…and waited.
Three drinks and over an hour later Edward's gloating presence filled the doorway. I was surprised his head fit through. His sly grin was infectious and a bit sexy if I was being completely honest.
"What would you like to drink, Sir?" Mandy thrust her maracas straight up in his direction; subtlety was not one of her strong points.
"Black Velvet," he replied not even looking her way.
"Are we celebrating?" Her smile couldn't be more flirtatious.
"I am celebrating. You are working." He walked away before she could respond.
The large leather recliner I was sprawled out in was insanely comfortable. I watched as my boss strode towards me. Damn he was such an arrogant bastard. Slowly I sipped my martini, I rarely drank them, but it felt like New York to me.
"Sit up. We're going to take off any minute," he commanded as he sat down beside me.
I pulled myself up taking in his radiant grin. "So did you compromise?"
"Of course," he said smoothly. "Then we all held hands and sang Kumbaya."
"Very funny." I put my drink down and focused my attention on him. "How many people have you fired today?"
He pondered my question. "None."
"Really?" My eyes widened in shock. "How many have you made cry?"
"I do not make people cry." He slipped off his suit jacket and draped it over the back of the seat. "Their lack of emotional control is not my responsibility."
"Such a softy," I teased.
"Buckle up," he said holding back a grin.
Grabbing the buckle I attempted to click it shut, but it was broken. After trying several times I gave up in frustration and reached for my drink.
"What are you doing?"
"Taking a sip of my drink," I explained the obvious.
"We are about to take off. Buckle your seat belt." He looked annoyed.
"It's broken." I lifted the two ends to show him.
"No it's not," he argued.
"Yes it is." I struggled to clasp it together again, but it just wouldn't click.
"Let me see." He reached over and before I knew it his hands were in my lap trying to fasten the seat belt.
I started to giggle.
There were only three spots I was ticklish, the base of my neck, behind my knees and just beneath my belly button. My hips squirmed up and down zealously as he tried buckling the belt. I couldn't stop the giggling. It was uncontrollable and becoming painful.
"Please!" I finally pleaded for him to stop, but he didn't.
"Sit still," he scolded impatiently, if I didn't know better I would swear he was enjoying my discomfort, but he couldn't possibly be that cruel.
"Please! Please! Please!" I kept begging through desperate gasps of air.
Just as I was about to pour my drink on his head the belt clicked. Instantly he removed his hands. I let out an exhausted sigh before flopping myself against the window completely spent, I tried to glare at him, but the wicked boy grin on his face made me smile instead.
A throat cleared above us.
Mandy was standing there holding his drink with a stunned look on her face.
"Your drink, Sir." Her widened eyes darted back and forth between us. "I'm going to the cock pit to give you two some privacy. Buzz me if you need me."
He waved her off after taking his drink.
"What the hell did she mean by that?" I whisper shouted as she sauntered away.
"Who?" He set his drink down after taking a swig, slowly lifting his eyes to mine.
"Mandy." I was still whispering.
He shrugged. "I have no idea. I wasn't listening to a word she said."
"She's going to the cockpit…to give us some privacy. Why would she do that?"
He stretched out his long legs before him. "I don't know, but if you would like to ask her be my guest."
My eyes rolled. "She thinks we're sleeping together."
"So," was his response.
I gaped at him. "So? That doesn't bother you?"
"Why would it bother me? I don't care what she thinks," he said with complete sincerity.
"She thinks I'm a slut," I huffed.
"Sleeping with me would make you a slut?" His eyes bore deeper into mine.
"Yes…I mean no. I don't know." He was confusing me, damn it. "I'm not a slut," I said defensively.
"Of course you're not," he agreed with me, "unless we sleep together." His charming grin was in direct contrast to my sour face.
Edward was in a playful mood and I was glad since we were in for a long flight. It didn't take long for me to decide I shouldn't care what Mandy or anyone else thought of me. If I could live with my decisions that was all that mattered.
"Don't look so smug," I warned. "It would make you a dishonorable manwhore."
"Would it?" he asked as I nodded. "I've been called far worse than that." He snubbed his nose up high causing me to laugh out loud.
The force of take off pushed me back in my seat. I wanted to paste my face against the window but I refrained, though my eyes were firmly locked on the tiny gateway to the sky. The view was breathtakingly beautiful. The sun was just setting on the horizon.
"Look!" I exclaimed poking Edward without taking my eyes from the window. "It's so beautiful."
"It is," he agreed.
I stared out the window, enjoying my drink until it was dark. When I turned to look back at my boss he was holding a document, scanning it intently, brow furrowed deep in concentration.
"Do you ever relax?" I asked, frowning at him.
He looked up after a few moments. "Not if I can help it."
"You are impossible," I groaned in frustration. "What do you do for fun?"
"Work," he stated before returning his attention to the document.
"When was your last vacation?"
"I don't take vacation," he replied without looking up.
I peaked over his shoulder, wondering what the hell was so damn interesting. It was a contract filled with boring legal mumbo jumbo. That was his idea of fun?
After I finished my drink I decided to somehow get the man to enjoy something…anything other than work. It wasn't healthy for him to never relax or have fun. I reached for my buckle and thankfully managed to open it.
I wandered around until I found the bar. Talk about an impressive wine collection. I was certainly no expert, but when I first moved to Seattle I helped Jake out at the casino bar between gigs. I never understood how people could spend so much money on a bottle of alcohol, though I always wondered how it would taste.
Now I would know.
I grabbed a bottle that was familiar to me and a small cheese platter I found in the fridge. After roaming around a bit more I discovered wine glasses, and a corkscrew. Using the table closest to us I placed the platter, wine and glasses down while my boss sat in the same position I left him, fully engrossed in his work.
As I popped the cork on the bottle his eyes rose up instantly taking in the scene before him.
"Break time." I smiled invitingly. "You need to eat something."
He lowered the document to his lap. "Always so eager to feed me." The crooked grin on his face was lethal.
"If I recall correctly you prefer me to feed you…just me," I replied smugly.
"True," he nodded. "Cheese?" Somehow he managed to make the word sound sexy.
"Yes. Do you want it?" I sliced off a small piece and brought it to my lips as he watched.
"I do," he said with such intensity it was clear he wasn't talking about dairy.
"Then put your work away and take a break," I sliced off another piece and slowly walked over to him, holding it just out of his reach as I glanced down at the document in his lap disapprovingly.
"Feed me," he commanded, his eyes searing into mine.
"Put away the work," I directed, equally commanding, losing myself in the moment.
Our stare was locked, my heart beating faster than the plane was traveling and then without looking away, he did it. He pushed the document away. Something so small, yet it felt huge to me.
Before he could blink my fingertips were at his mouth. His lips parted giving me a slight glimpse of his tongue. I wanted to taste that mouth again, dying to know if it could be a fraction as incredible as it was before. Instead I placed the tiny piece of cheese between his lips and watched as he sucked it in, swallowing it whole.
Mandy was right.
I was a slut.
Based on the wicked thoughts running through my mind in that moment, but I couldn't stop them. To be honest I wasn't even trying. His intensity drew me in. The danger, always present, was irresistible to the masochist in me.
"More." His firm command broke me from my thoughts.
I turned and walked over to the table feeling his eyes on me the entire way. I picked up the platter and walked back to him. His gaze travelled down landing on the grapes at the center of the plate before rising to meet mine again.
I pulled a grape from the bunch and held it just above his lips.
Then I began to lightly guide it as though it were my lips on his. Gentle at first, I brushed it against his mouth, watching in fascination as he reciprocated, wrapping his lips around it, the warmth of his breath heating up the delicate skin of the small fruit.
My own lips began to tingle as he bit down hard into it, savoring the taste for a few heart stopping moments, before swallowing it with one large gulp.
It had to be the most erotic thing I had ever seen.
His lips were glistening with the sweet juices left behind. I never wanted to kiss someone so badly in my life. But I spontaneously kissed him once before and though I didn't regret it I couldn't do it again, no matter how much I wanted it…and I wanted it.
From the look in his eyes he did too.
They were burning into mine, demanding me to kiss him. I could see it. I could sense it. His beautifully damaged green eyes felt everything I was feeling. And though it may sound crazy there was a gravitational pull towards him, as though some unseen force was luring my body to his.
It took strength I didn't even know I possessed not to straddle his hips and give in to the hunger I felt for him. He asked me to feed him and in that moment it was all I wanted to do, but he had to drop his walls and let me in.
I would reciprocate. Lord, how I would reciprocate, but this time he had to make the first move.
His penetrating stare bore into me relentlessly. The man could grab you with his eyes, demand things of you with them, probably eat you alive with them.
I waited frozen in place holding his intense gaze, breathing so hard I actually heard it.
Slowly he smacked his lips together, ridding them of the juices I so badly wanted to lick off. Disappointment flashed across his features as he pulled his eyes from mine. He grabbed the document he had been reading and glanced back up at me.
"Delicious little snack," he emphasized the word little before lifting the paper and going back to work.
I wanted to dump the platter on his head, but I refrained. If he wasn't willing to make the first move then a little snack was all he would get. Somehow I managed to walk back to the table seemingly unaffected by the moment we just shared.
As I poured myself a glass of obscenely expensive wine and took a seat beside him I saw the situation clearly. He gave me mixed signals constantly, pulling me in and then pushing me away like a yo-yo.
If he wasn't such a deeply wounded man I would tell him to go straight to Hell, but how could I do that when he was already there. He needed to work out whatever demons were tormenting him. I hated that he thought he had to fight them alone.
No friends.
I couldn't fathom such a thing, but that was how he wanted it. He was so God damn stubborn I could scream. I glanced over at him working intently. My chest felt a heaviness to it as I tried to imagine what on earth could have damaged him so badly.
Did I really want to know?
The answer was yes, but the true question was how far into the darkness was I willing to go to find the light?
Getting to work on time the next morning was no easy accomplishment. We got in very late and I wasn't able to sleep on the plane. Stepping out of the limo once we reached my apartment I gave my boss a warm smile and waved as I said goodnight to him.
His eyes met mine for the first time since his in flight…snack. To my surprise a faint smile touched his lips as he advised me to report to work at eight sharp.
The gang was eagerly awaiting my arrival in the lobby which was odd since they usually weren't there so early.
"She's alive!" Jessica screeched, clapping her hands with glee.
"But is he?" Emmett's brow rose. "My money was on Bella."
"She sure could use it." Mike looked me over distastefully. "Do you even own an article of clothing from this decade?"
I glanced down at his skinny legs. "I'm sorry, I don't take fashion advice from men wearing blue stretch pants."
"Aqua." He threw me a bitch brow. "They make my eyes pop and my booty stop traffic."
I laughed hysterically as his hips swayed back and forth.
"Looks like you two missed each other." Rose shook her head, smiling. "So how was your trip, Bella?"
"It was good," I said with a casual shrug. I wasn't sure how much of it I wanted to share with them just yet, particularly Aqua Man.
"You missed our first rehearsal," Jessica pouted. "The talent show is only six weeks away." She ran over to her desk in her pink leopard print stilettos and pointed to something on the wall.
I walked over to where she was. She was pointing to a Sir Mix -A -Lot calendar. Who knew there was such a thing? Not me.
"Nobody panic," Emmett said from beside me. "We have plenty of time."
They all let out a deep breath. They really were stressed about the competition, the one I nearly forgot about. I couldn't blame them though, the payoff was huge.
"I promise I won't miss the next rehearsal," I said with an eager smile. "But right now I better get to the massage room before Edward gets there."
I made it about three steps when the group of them yelled, "EDWARD?" In unison.
I glanced over my shoulder at them. "Yes, Edward…our boss."
Emmett shook his head. "No, our boss is Mr. Cullen. Who might be this Edward fellow you speak of?"
"He's the same man. We evolved to a first name basis on the trip." I tried to play it off smooth.
"Oh, did you now?" Mike pranced over to me. "Are you aware the name Edward means wealthy protector? It's a fabulous name."
Emmett snorted. "At least he lives up to half of it. The guy has more money than God, but protector?" His eyes rolled dramatically. "Mr. Cullen doesn't care about a damn thing but himself and his mighty empire."
They all nodded in agreement.
"Maybe that's because it's all he has." I took a step closer to them. "Why would he want to protect people who mock him every chance they get?"
My hands were on my hips and I felt my bitch eyes in full force. Their mouths hung open. It was silent for an uncomfortable amount of time before Jessica finally spoke.
"Does he know we mock him?" She looked petrified.
"Of course he does." I was unreasonably angry. I sensed it had little to do with them, but I couldn't stop myself. "Do you think he's an idiot? You want him treat you better? Well, it works both ways."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Emmett yelled. "He's the one that storms around here roaring at people and making them cry. How can we be expected to like him?"
"Has it occurred to any of you that there could be a reason he's so angry?" I toned down my glare. I wasn't being fair to them and I knew it. "Look, I don't expect you to like him. I highly doubt he wants you to. All I'm saying is sometimes there's more to a person than meets the eye."
"Alright." Mike sucked his teeth as his neck swiveled. "Spill it spinster. What happened on the trip? Did the filthy New York air warp your brain?"
"Nevermind," I sighed. "Forget I said anything."
"No." Rose stepped closer to me. "You have an excellent point, Bella. Sometimes there really is more to a person than meets the eye. Mr. Cullen is such a feared man in this building he's become inhuman to us. But he is human. I promise to try and remember that."
Her warm smile and sincere words doused my fire immediately. "Thank you, Rose. I'm sorry for the way I acted guys. It must be jet lag. I should get to work. Will I see you at lunch?"
They nodded, still looking completely baffled by my strange outburst. What was wrong with me? I hadn't a clue or the time to ponder it.
By lunch that day things were back to normal with the gang. Work fell into a comfortable routine. Other than being on a first name basis with my boss not much had changed between us. Although he did stay awake during his massage sessions and had yet to miss a single one.
There was no more flirting. No pulling me in and pushing me away. In fact, he barely spoke to me at all. Though I did catch him watching me quite intently on more than a few occasions and I often sensed there were things left unsaid; thoughts he wanted to verbalize to me, but he didn't.
Or maybe it was just my imagination.
He was still a hot tempered tyrant, workers fleeing his office in tears on a daily basis. Just the sound of his voice paralyzed his employees on the spot. I stopped trying to be his friend. It was a ridiculous idea to begin with.
I just hated the fact that he was completely alone. To be honest, I still worried about him way more than I should have. I bit my tongue several times, dying to ask if he was eating regularly and sleeping at night.
Then I remembered our deal.
It had been almost two weeks since we got back from New York and I had yet to keep up my end of the bargain. I ran down the hall and found Peter just returning from lunch. When I told him I wanted to learn a few self defense moves he generously offered his expertise.
I discovered Kickboxing…was hard. Really hard. Edward made it look so easy. Thankfully, Peter was very patient with me. I wound up making a fool of myself more than anything.
While attempting a roundhouse kick for the third time I ended up doing a warped somersault cartwheel concoction that landed me flat on my back. Peter burst out laughing hysterically. I couldn't help but join in.
He fell over on the mat next to me. Becoming a ninja might take a little more time than I expected. My hair was all over my face. He pushed it away still laughing at my smooth move. He stood up and held a hand out to me which I quickly grabbed. He brought me up to my feet and held me steady as I wobbled a bit.
His hands were on my waist, keeping me from falling over. Apparently unexpected acrobatics made me slightly dizzy because the room had a slant to it. I gripped his shoulders to stay grounded.
My eyes closed momentarily. That was a bad idea. I swayed in his arms completely off balance. As my eyes flew back open they landed on the door. My boss was standing there.
He wasn't happy.
I knew many of his expressions. This one I had never seen before, but he definitely wasn't happy. He stormed across the room before I could blink.
"What is going on here?" He glared at Peter murderously.
"I was just showing Bella some moves," he replied. "But she's not exactly a fast learner."
"Perhaps if her instructor spent more time instructing and less time flirting the lesson would be more constructive." His eyes were dark as coal, they scanned down to Peter's hands on my waist before snapping back up at him.
He released me immediately. I swayed a bit but wasn't nearly as off balance as when I first stood up. Then I felt Edward's hands on my waist.
"Are you alright?" His voice sounded concerned. It took me by surprise.
I nodded dumbly. Between his close proximity and the way he was looking at me I was frazzled on the spot.
"Are you sure?" He didn't seem convinced.
How could I tell him that other than being spellbound by his presence I was fine? I tried pulling myself together, but it wasn't easy. His fingertips on my waist were like a natural aphrodisiac. My eyes flickered up to his lips which were frowning down at me.
I wanted to wrap my arms around his neck and pull those lips to mine and kiss that frown away. As a matter of fact, I was just about to do that when someone cleared their throat beside me.
Oh, it was Peter. I had forgotten he was there.
"Should I leave you two alone?" he asked awkwardly.
"Uh...no…no. I should go," I mumbled like an idiot. What the hell was I doing?
Edward seemed hesitant to release me at first, but after assuring him I was perfectly alright he removed his hands from my waist, then he turned his stare to Peter.
"Are you ready for a work out?" His eyes were filled with mischief.
"Of course." Peter clapped his hands together. "Let me just grab my gear."
As he walked away I glanced at my boss who looked utterly devilish standing there in black gym shorts and a white t-shirt. Why that appealed to me was a mystery left unknown. For some reason I was drawn to his wicked side.
"Will you have time for your afternoon massage?" I tried ignoring the attraction I felt to him, but it was so powerful.
"Absolutely," he replied. "Unless you're not feeling up to it. I saw you fall. You could have been seriously injured."
"I'm fine. Really, I promise. It's all part of being a ninja." I smiled warmly.
He actually smiled back. A genuine smile and I knew I needed to get the hell away from him before I round housed his sweet ass to the mat and defiled him right there. I backed away with a sudden jolt. Forcing my body in the opposite direction of where it wanted to be.
"Okay, so then I'll uh…see you in the massage room…for your massage. I will go there now and get ready for you." I was rambling. It was so attractive.
"Yes, be ready for me," he said still smiling that genuine smile that made me want to kiss him senseless.
Why was he smiling at me like that? Had he no mercy? I practically tripped over my own two feet several times making my way to the door. I just couldn't take my eyes off his.
"Oh and Bella," he called out just as I was about to turn my back on him. "From now on I will be your instructor," he stated firmly.
"You will?" I was stunned that he was willing to take time out of his day to teach me how to be a ninja.
"Yes." He flashed me a charming grin. "No one else," his tone was so inviting I nearly ran back over to him.
"No one else," I repeated his words before dragging myself out the door.
A/N:
Next up: Edroar teaches Bella how to be a ninja. Oh my! It's getting physical.
Fun Fact: I survived the flight to Florida….both ways.
Huge Love to: The awesome readers that voted this bit of madness as fic of the week at TLS. I am blown away by your support.
That's all for now folks. Let me know what you think…it's my delicious little snack.