I don't own Twilight.

Edward

"Mr. Cullen? May I come in?"

Oh, little Alice.

"Yeah, what's up? How's it going?" I ask.

"Good, Mr. Cullen. I am having a great time so far. I'm really learning a lot."

I roll my eyes at her; this Mr. Cullen stuff is only cute when Bella's doing it. Bella.

"Ok Alice, tell me what you want."

"Edward - I want to invite some people over when Jasper is here this weekend. He decided to fly in last minute, so it'll just be something small. You better be there! It's tomorrow night," Alice informs me.

"Of course I'll be there, who else are you inviting?"

"Just some people from high school, a couple of people from the office. Bella, of course. You don't mind do you?" she asks.

"Why would I mind?"

"Partying with your interns and all."

"I'll be there Alice, you can even invite Judge Stanley if you'd like," I say dryly.

"Haha, thanks Edward, but I don't think Jessica will have a good time if her dad's around."

"Ugh, not her, Ali."

"Stop, it's been years, she can't still be that annoying!"

"I suppose. Alright, back to work. We'll talk later," I tell her.

"Edward, you wouldn't mind dropping Bella off after the party would you? I'm taking her shopping right after work tomorrow, so..."

"Ummm, sure. I guess, whatever."

"Edward, are you alright?" she asks, her voice softer than it normally is.

"I'm fine Alice, yeah I'll drop her off."

"Yay! Thanks Edward! You're the best!"

"Back to work, Alice."

"Yeah, yeah."

Alice skips out of the room, forgetting to close the door behind her.

Well, this is an interesting development.

Bella at a party. Girls wear dresses at parties. Right? This isn't prom, Cullen. Prom. Good things happen at prom... mind out of the gutter, asshole.

Discrimination case. Focus Edward. This is important. You're pretty new here, and still have to prove yourself, don't fuck it up. 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Civil Rights Act. Sex discrimination in the workplace, what subsection am I interested in? Let's see. Workplace, workplace... I'll let Alice do the research. Funny, Cullen, this is exactly the kind of shit you should be researching. At what point are you sexually harassing your intern? Is a comment about her tiny dress enough? Would quoting Cummings hold up in court? What would constitute harassment?

Would I be harassing my intern if I were to walk over, place my hands on her hips, and whisper dirty, sweet, honest words in her ear?

Don't have to pass the bar to know the answer to that, Eddie.

Would it be harassment if I were to walk over, ask her to join me for lunch and then proceed to tell her just how pretty her eyes are?

Ok, Cullen, now you just sound like a girl.

Would I be harassing Bella if I did these things at Alice's party? Say, up against a wall, or in my car late at night as I drive her home?

Ugh, you know the answer.

Yeah, I do.

You're missing the bigger issue, asshole. She's sixteen. Wait until her birthday – she'll be seventeen. Right. There's a big difference between sixteen and seventeen – seventeen is practically a woman. Right? Yes. Plus she won't be your intern anymore. Perfect. In the meantime, I'll have to make sure no other man touches her or even looks at her in any way. Obviously, only you get to spend all night fantasizing about how tight she's going to feel around you. About how she's going to bite her lower lip when you're on top of her. And the moans, whimpers, groans.

Jesus. Not at work.

Hello there buddy, you're back.

"Edward?"

Shit. Erection, meet Bella.

"Bella, come in."

"Edward, Alice told me about you driving me back from the party. I told her it's unnecessary. I know you don't want to be driving me around anymore. I was going to take my truck tomorrow. That was the plan, anyway," she tells me.

No, no, no, no, no.

"Bella, forget that," I beg, immediately realizing how desperate I sound. "Uhhh, I thought about it and you know, we should just continue carpooling, better for the environment. Plus, your truck can't handle the distance every day."

"Edward, with all due respect, I don't think that's any of your business.."

"Bella, the wasting of finite resources is everyone's business. I'm your boss. We're carpooling. Done."

"So you don't find it, ummm, inappropriate that you'll be driving me home that late?" Bella asks me.

How did she get so close to my desk that she's running her finger over the edge? Is she flirting with me? Is that a smirk on her face?

"I don't think so, Bella. Just a favor for some friends. You, Ali, Charlie. Nothing inappropriate there."

"Mmm. Young, handsome boss driving home from a party at say, two in the morning, with his underage intern? People would start referring to me as jailbait," she says.

Oh fuck. Say it again, Bella.

"Bella, don't... don't even go there. I think you're over thinking this. Unless you'd rather not have me giving you any more rides, I think we're good."

"As long as you promise to let me reciprocate someday," she smiles.

There are so many ways I can take that comment. And my cock has decided to hear "as long as you promise to let me give you a ride." Yes Bella, please. I'd like nothing more. But right now why don't you just come over here and sit on me? This chair is perfect. Let me take your virtue right here, at 11am on a Thursday morning, with you in that plaid skirt. No need to remove the skirt. I think that's a wonderful idea, don't you?

Flirt back, Cullen. Do it. Don't be a pussy.

I didn't realize not flirting back with a 16-year-old makes you a pussy these days.

"That's the plan, Bella."

"Maybe you'd like to enlighten me as to these plans of yours," she says.

"Bella, I think you've got some work to do, little girl."

Now that, my friends, is an excellent example of sexual discrimination in the workplace. Great job, Cullen. You should be proud of yourself.

"Of course, Mr. Cullen. I'll see you later."

Eyes off her ass.

Well this day is just full of surprises. Bella is hitting on me. She wants me. Well, duh. I'm not the most unfortunate looking guy on the planet. Why wouldn't she want an older guy? Shit. Is that all she wants? Some summer fling with an older guy she can tell everyone about when she goes back to school? Hah. Of course. She has senior year ahead of her, college. She doesn't want a relationship.

Wow, you're really being a fucking girl. Relationship? You haven't managed to have a single relationship since you were "dating" Tanya in tenth grade. It figures the first person you would want one with would be someone who probably wears a training bra.

She's sixteen. What she's got does not fit into a training bra. No, sir. They look good enough to ---

"Fuck."

"Yes, Alice? I see you're back. That's no way to greet your boss."

"Edward, I'm sorry. You're going to kill me," she whines.

"What did you do Alice?"

"I told Rose about Jasper and the party and she and Em are flying in too."

"And why would I be upset about this?" I ask, genuinely confused.

"I don't know... you know..."

"No, I don't know."

"Driving Bella back, hanging out with her..." Alice says.

I raise an eyebrow. She keeps avoiding eye contact.

"Hanging out with her?"

Alice takes a deep breath and I know when she opens her mouth, I'm going to be hearing one of her speeches.

"Let's not beat around the bush here buddy. You like her. And if this was anyone else I'd be reporting him to the feds, telling them to come find his kiddie porn collection. But I know you. I see how you talk to her, how you look at her. I know this isn't the sort of situation you would normally get yourself involved in, and I know you haven't tried anything yet and you've had all the opportunity in the world to take advantage of her. Not that you'd be taking advantage of her, she's not a kid. She's a woman. She's smart, responsible, a hard worker, she's creative. She's not hard on the eyes either, but you know that - "

"Alice, please keep your voice down. She's my intern. Have you lost your fucking mind? Charlie would kill me. I could lose my job, my reputation -"

"Edward, I'm not saying start sleeping with her tomorrow. But you know the age of c-"

I cut her off.

"Alice, I do know. Good to know that you have also looked it up. She's sixteen. That's wonderful, it's the first thing I'll point out to Charlie when he aims his shotgun at me. Please, listen to me, don't bring this up again," I plead.

"I knew it! You like her. Edward, she's not stupid. You're not stupid. You won't do anything stupid. I see how she stares at your door all the time hoping you'll come out, reading poetry all day, swirling around in her chair waiting for you to take her home. Come on, just some romance? Some love letters or notes, maybe? Light handholding? I need some romance in my life with Jasper so far - "

"Alice - out. Get out now. And do not put any ideas into her head," I tell her.

"I'm leaving, Edward, but don't worry, I heard that conversation you two just had and she doesn't need me – she's quite capable of coming up with all sorts of ideas on her own. Maybe some romance would be more appropriate than conversations about who gets to ride who first."

"OUT!"

Alice runs off, giggling. Show me some respect, people.

Great, Cullen, big mouth Alice is apparently also the most perceptive person on the planet. You need to focus, do your work. Think about this later.

There's nothing to think about. Flirt if you must, nothing more.

Maybe if I just brush my hand against hers, see how she reacts, see if I feel anything. Or just grab her hand as we're walking to the car after the party, you know, be a gentleman, a friend, keep her safe.

Fuck it.

I get up and adjust myself, making sure the entire office doesn't catch a glimpse of how happy Bella makes me, and I walk out the door.

Walk? More like run.

"Isabella, I want to discuss the papers I gave you. How about we do it over lunch?"

Bella

Errr, pretend you're not too eager.

"Sure, Mr. Cullen," I nod.

He looks disappointed.

"I'd love to, Edward."

Now he's blushing?

"Excellent. We can grab sandwiches at the deli and come back to my office," he tells me.

"I have my lunch with me, maybe we can meet back here after you grab your sandwich?"

Mmm, he's running his fingers through his hair again. He looks like he just rolled out of bed. Lame, Bella, lame... Ugh, who cares? Why is he so perfect?

"Sure, feel free to wait for me in my office."

As Edward leaves, I grab my lunch and walk over to his office. Alice is right behind me. I love Alice, but I want Edward all to myself. Because two hours a day in his car just isn't enough.

"So Bella, excited about the party? Edward's sister Rosalie is going to be there you know," Alice tells me.

"Cool."

"That's her in those pictures, the blonde," she points out.

Playboy bunny! So that's not some tramp he was dating back in New York.

"Oh, she's pretty."

"She is. She can also be very intimidating. Don't let her get to you."

"Why would she try to get to me?" I ask.

"You know... with you being so close to Edward and all."

"I hardly know him, Alice."

"It's ok, Bella. You can be honest with me," she says, placing a hand on my arm.

"Ummm... about?"

"Edward..."

"Our boss?"

"Yes, also the man you make goo-goo eyes at all day."

"Alice," I hiss.

"Bella..."

I'm probably really fucking red at this point. I can feel my cheeks burning up. Is it really that obvious? He probably thinks I'm pretty fucking pathetic, in love with someone so out of my league. Ugh. Wait, in love with him? I'm so screwed.

"Alice, he's a good looking guy, what do you expect? Of course I find him attractive. But that's all."

"Bella, come on. What do you guys talk about in the car?" she asks me.

"We don't talk..."

"Bella..."

"We play a game," I admit.

"You what?"

"We try to see who can come up with better quotes."

"Quotes?" she asks, looking confusing.

"Like, from poems."

"You recite poetry in the car?"

"It's not a big deal," I say defensively.

Alice looks like a crazy person right now. She is practically jumping up and down. All of a sudden, she calms down and looks worried.

"Whose idea was this?" she inquires.

"Mine, I was bored and wanted to break the silence."

"Is he ever... inappropriate?"

"Of course not, Alice."

"You'd tell me if he was, right?" she asks.

"Listen, I can handle it. But you don't have to worry, he's a gentleman."

Is he really, Bella? Not so gentlemanly today, was he? But you liked it, you loved it. Alice better leave soon because you know you want more Edward. More, more, more. I wonder if he'd do that thing with his fingers that Angela told me Ben does to her? Fingering, moron? It's an actual term, you know. Mmmm, long, piano-playing fingers...

"Ok Bella, I'm going now. Just be careful. And umm... have fun."

I really should be careful. I'm not sure what I should be careful of, but yeah... careful.

"So about those papers..."

I look up and watch as Edward makes his way behind his desk.

"Yes, the papers. Some of these kids are pretty talented."

"Uh huh. Any you'd like to share with me?" he asks, taking his sandwich out of its bag.

"Sure, let me show you this one. He's fourteen, and it's this story based on some local legends. Vampires and such. It's actually really interesting, you should take a look. I especially like the local legend aspect."

"Ummm. Right."

"Edward, do you care at all about the vampires from Forks?" I ask.

"Nope," he tells me.

"Thought so," I smile.

He looks like a little boy, grinning from ear to ear. He doesn't say anything. Why am I here?

"Isabella," he starts. My heart is beating really fast; I hold my breath, wondering what he is about to say.

"Thanks for helping me out with this, I just don't have the time to do it myself right now," he tells me.

That's it? Ugh, what did I expect? Fuck this, I'm not even responding to that. Focus on your pb&j, Bella.

"Is that what I think it is?"

"Excuse me?" I ask, looking up from my sandwich.

"Pb&j?"

"Yeah," I nod.

"You're - that's so cute. Did you make that all by yourself?"

OMFG. Yeah I watch Gossip Girl. Also, did he ask you that? Play along, Bella.

"Yes, all by myself," I say in a singsongy voice.

"Good girl, very impressive."

Oh no he didn't.

"Yeah, I'm a big girl now."

"Are you?" he asks. His voice. Careful, Bella.

Big girl my ass. Keep your legs closed. You are wet. Ridiculous, silly little girl getting wet every time he looks at you with those eyes. Edward. Fingers. Mmmm. I wonder if he would like to feel how wet I am. Gross, probably not. Focus, Bella.

"Uh huh, I'm almost seventeen. That's a year older than you need to be in Wash - "

He looks like he's about to choke on his sandwich and cuts me off.

"Google?"

"Uh huh, Wikipedia lists all the states..." I start.

"Now why would you Google that?"

"That's the sorta thing a girl should know, don't you think?"

"I suppose. Always good to educate yourself. Any potential ummm, 'friends' Charlie should know about?" he asks me.

"I wouldn't tell you, you guys are buddies."

"No, I suppose not. Afraid I'd tell him?"

"Maybe," I lie.

"I wouldn't tell him, Bella."

He's looking at me intently. I want this to go on forever, but I'm visibly shaking at this point. Am I scared? He's not going to do anything to me but I'm terrified. Not of anything physical, just... being in his presence. He can be intimidating. Am I leading him on? You know you are, Bella, and you know you want to. I do, I want to, but it's too fast. That voice, like honey, melting me. It's taking all the strength I've got in me to stop myself from hyperventilating. Just don't let him know how freaked out you are. He'll stop. He must not stop.

"I know Edward, I trust you."

"You trust me," he repeats. It's not really a question… more like a statement. A fact.

It calms me, I trust him, and there is nothing to be afraid of. He's the man my father trusts his little girl with, he's good. You practically throw yourself at him by wearing plaid and pleats and shirts as dresses and he hasn't even touched you once. He's good. And isn't that the most important thing? Yes, looks don't hurt. Oh god, he looks so good. Neither does that voice. Honey. Or his ability to quote my favorite poets. Ugh. But the fact that he's good… that's all that matters.

"I should get back to work," I tell him, not ready to leave, but knowing that I shouldn't stay right now.

"I'll see you later, Bella."

I walk out, and almost trip right outside his door. My knees are wobbly, I don't know what just happened in there, but the atmosphere was so intense that I cannot even imagine what it will be like when he finally touches me.

When he touches you?

Yes, when. I know it's inevitable.

Just breathe, Bella.