Title: Dance with Me
Rating: PG-13 (Adult themes)
Summary: A major league baseball player with a bad rep needs to clean his image. He signs on to do a reality dance show. Will he clean his image and have the right kind of chemistry with his partner?
Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer I own nothing.
Comments: Based loosely on the reality t.v. show Dancing with the Stars and because Bella/Edward is my new favorite ship.

Thank you everyone for reading this story. I don't thank you guys enough, and for that I'm sorry. I'm very happy to see that you guys enjoy this story. Here we have that late night Rumba practice. I wonder what happens?

Happy reading!

Edward's POV.

April 13th 2008 (late night Rumba practice)

We were on the way back to Bella's apartment. Bella and I decided to go and squeeze in another rehearsal tonight. This was the halfway mark in the competition and although I could care less if we won or not, I did however care if Bella was voted off now. She's such an amazing and talented dancer it would be wrong to see her go and leave the competition now.

Glancing at Bella from the corner of my eye I could tell she was tense. I played tonight's events in my head and no doubt Bella picked up on my lack of socializing. It's not that I wasn't pleasant company tonight, that wasn't the case. I was present and cordial enough, though I was also tense and a little bit paranoid.

When Bella left to change backstage for the dance number I was left behind to chat amongst the other celebrities. A couple of people approached me. People who I never thought I would talk to because they were very famous for me to know them. These famous people talked to me about dancing. These famous people love the show and watch it religiously. I was utterly surprised.

But what shocked the hell out of me were the rumors. People, mainly gossip blogs and other tabloid media such as TMZ we're spreading rumors about me and Bella! They were implying that she and I were doing the vertical tango or whatnot. The rage I felt was almost all consuming. I didn't care if they said things about me. I was used to this kind of thing. But the very idea of them saying sick things about Bella was wrong. I didn't want this for her!

I knew I had to keep my cool and remain calm. I very well couldn't go running out and hunt down the vicious paparazzi and hurt them for spreading rumors about Bella and me. So instead I politely told the famous celebrities that it was just a silly rumor and that Bella and I are strictly professional. You would think these famous people wouldn't listen to trash like TMZ but unfortunately everyone likes a good juicy story every now and then.

And after I heard about the rumors I became very docile and silent for a long while. When Bella came back after she had finished dancing she could sense my change of mood. I'm lucky Bella doesn't pry for information. She's nice enough to let me be and knows I'm the type of person who cannot be forced to spill their guts out to you. I needed to think carefully about this. Bella obviously didn't know about the rumors that are slowly spreading about us. I would have to tell her tonight. This wasn't something I could keep from her.

I liked Bella. Like, really liked Bella, I'm attracted to her. I'm not only attracted to her body; I'm attracted to her as a person. I have been contemplating a lot on whether or not I wanted to pursue a different relationship with her. And I was seriously going to ask her if we could pursue a more romantic relationship. The only thing holding me back was the aftermath of our relationship because I knew the media would be relentless. And now, it seems that a potential relationship with her was diminishing. Those damn rumors just had to start? I wonder what we did to warrant the rumors.

The car came to a halt and Bella was squirming around. "Edward, I'll meet you at the studio in half an hour?" she asked uncertainly.

"Yes Bella." I agreed.

"Ok." She confirmed. I got out of the car and then held the door open for her to get out. She put her hand in min and I helped her climb out of the car. I shut the door and then stood to face Bella.

"I'll see you later." She said hurriedly.

I could only nod my head. She waved and I went back in the car. While we were driving I started thinking about telling Bella about the rumors. We would have to deal with these pesky rumors and we would also have to talk about other things.

I got out of the car and went and inside the confines of my home. After closing the door I checked my watch. I would have to meet Bella in about fifteen minutes. I raced up the stairs and into my room. After changing my clothes and grabbing my shoes I bolted down the stairs and ran to my car.

The drive back to the studio was a short one. I'm a fast driver and the studio isn't far away so that helps to. As I parked my car I scanned the lot to find Bella's car. And then I saw it. It didn't surprise me that she was already here. I parked and grabbed my shoes staring up at the sky I silently prayed the Bella would take what I had to say well.

"Hi Edward. Are you ready to get started?" Bella greeted me as I walked inside the room.

"Bella can I talk to you before we start?" I ask her.

"Of course Edward." She says looking at me funnily.

"There's something I need to tell you. When we were at the MS event I heard things." I paused, gauging her reaction. She was looking at me and frowned. I continued, "Apparently there are rumors about you and me. Some media outlets have been running stories on you and me." I picked up her hand and pleaded with her, "Bella I'm so sorry. I don't know why they would spread vile things about you and me. Well ok, I'm used to it but you don't deserve this and I'm really sorry Bella."

To my surprise Bella laughed. She threw her head back and laughed.

"I'm sorry Edward; I don't mean to laugh so much. But really, with this show there are always rumors. The media likes to spin stories on single contestants and their single dance partner. We're used to it really." She explains.

"Really?" I ask.

"Really." She confirms. "It's nothing you did. But with the nature of the dances and the fact that we're both single well, it was only a matter of time before the rumors came back to us."

"So you aren't mad?"

"No Edward. I'm not mad. It's just part of the job." She shrugged.

I heaved a sigh of relief. That was better than I expected.

"Was that why you were so quiet earlier?" she inquired.

"Yeah."

"I see. Edward try not to let the rumors bother you. Just ignore them. But if you really can't, we can always tell ET that we'd like to squash the rumors. But in all honesty, it's better not to talk about them at all. People will always have an opinion so it wouldn't make a difference if we denied it." Bella explained.

"I suppose you're right." I reply.

She squeezed my arm and said, "No worries ok? Now come on handsome, it's time to Rumba."

The Rumba is a very sexy and sensual dance. I, of course, knew nothing about it till Bella broke it down for me. It's really the story of the woman enticing the man. She's basically calling him into the bedroom. In this dance Bella has me touching her in areas I would only touch her in private. Our legs are entwined a lot and there's lots of hip swiveling.

Although the Waltz was a turning point for us in a way it wasn't enough. During the Waltz I knew then that Bella liked me the way I like her. The problem is, none of us vocalized or acted on it. We both knew but there was still a line that we were treading. Now, with the Rumba, it seemed both us were slowly crossing that line.

***

Bella's POV.

But something happened
For the very first time with you
My heart melts into the ground
Found something true
And everyone's looking round
Thinking I'm going crazy

I skipped into Edward's arms and he caught me just like I had choreographed. When his hands were on my hips I stood up a little straighter and lifted my hand to touch under his chin. We backed away from each other and did identical figure eight's. I smiled encouraging Edward with my eyes.

We did some basic step sequence and then we were temporarily in hold.

"No, no, keep swaying your hips." I say as he box steps.

"Keep moving them?" he asks.

"Yes, figure eight remember? You have to keep your hips moving. It is a crime if you do not hip sway in this dance." I say in mock seriousness because although it is a crime to not hip sway when dancing the Rumba I know Edward would take my teasing in stride.

"Can we try it again?" he asks.

"Yes." I answer. "But then we're moving onto the one leg dip." I tell him. Edward loves to hate the one leg dip. It's this move where we're facing each other and I lift my right leg straight up onto his shoulder. Edward holds my leg and place and dips me backwards. The reason why Edward hates this move is because our frontal areas sometimes come in contact. And it's gets quite embarrassing for him. I never tell him I know, but he knows that I can feel in certain areas. Oh, and the reason Edward loves the move is because we'll basically the same reason why he hates it.

I'll admit it; I am teasing Edward with the Rumba. Just a little. I know and Edward knows that I like him. And he knows that I know he likes me. The only reason why we haven't actually done anything because there's this unspoken agreement; we're colleagues. We dance together, we're working together on the show there's this sort of invisible line that neither of us were willing to cross. Yet.

"Bella I think we've done that move a lot. I know I want let you fall backwards." He says trying to get out of practicing the move.

Huh. No such luck for him.

"No Edward. We're taking it from the top and we are going over everything." I say with authority. I am the professional here. I know my dancing and he wouldn't dare undermine my knowledge.

He sighs in defeat. I smile inwardly. Yes! Now it's time to tease Edward Cullen.

Normally, I'm not so aggressive in the ways of teasing and flirting. But I'm thinking Edward and I are not going to be anything more than what we are so what's the harm in having a little fun?

As Edward and I ran through our routine again I could feel him losing control of his body. His mind is telling him how to do the steps and where to hold me and touch me. But his body is betraying him. His footwork is perfect but his touch isn't just a touch and his hold isn't just a hold.

His fingers linger on the side of my face just a little bit longer. He holds me just a little bit tighter. And when he's bending me backwards with my right leg strung over his shoulder I know. My own body is betraying me now because all I can do is throw my head back and look at us through the studio mirrors. This position is oddly intimate. With my other professional dance partners it's just a move. A trick so the audience will remember your dance. With Edward it's real. It's very intimate looking and it feels different.

Our eyes connect through the mirror and Edward slowly lifts me back up. We're supposed to keep dancing. There's a small sequence and then we end our dance with Edward hugging me to his body and my arms are wrapped around his neck. But right now we've both stopped dancing. I'm standing there and Edward is looking down at me. His emerald green eyes have taken this smoldering darker hue. And I'm willing to bet that my dull chocolate ones are lust filled too. Before I can comprehend anything, before I can say we have to take it from the top and keep practicing his lips are on mine and I'm too weak to pull back.

I don't know if he kissed me or if I kissed him. I suppose it was mutual. I leaned forward and Edward ducked his head closer to mine. The contact of his lips on mine is something I've never experienced before. I feel fearless and scared at the same time. I'm fearless because I like the way his lips move against mine. The feeling is so soft and perfect. Our lips in perfect synchronization just like our dancing. But I'm scared because in the back of my mind I know this wrong. He's my celebrity partner. I work with him and for him. We're crossing some major lines here.

To soon we break apart. I know I need to catch my breath and I'm too chicken to meet Edward's eyes. I'm looking at the floor and trying to regulate my breathing. What did we just do? I screamed in my head. We can't do this! It would never work and besides we were just caught up in the moment. I chastised myself. Edward was must have sense my unease because he lifts my head up forcing me to meet his eyes.

"I've wanted to do that since I first met you." He confesses.

"Is that a fact?" I tease.

"Yes it is." He says against my lips and then before I can come back with a witty comment he kisses me into submission.

Just a little FYI, a figure eight is the way you move your hips. For this dance you move your hips in the shape of a figure eight. And yes, their song is "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis. So, how'd you like their practice? I'm guessing some of you really wanted them to kiss...?

Till next time.

Tina