AN: Happy, Happy Birthday Erron! Let's meet Cycleward and Physioella **THIGH ALERT**

Thanks to jcat5507 and Eternally Edward's Girl for their beta'ing and prereading

~~ SHIFTING GEARS ~~

Chapter 1

Givors - Mont Ventoux

BPOV

Stepping off the bus onto the baking tarmac, I relished the warmth of the sunshine on my face. The smattering of freckles across my nose was already more pronounced, and my skin was lightly tanned after only a few days. The hot July sun had been beating down every day since I'd arrived to take over from Alice.

I flipped my sunglasses down over my eyes and picked up my bags, heading across the road to the Team Eclipse hotel. It was the calm before the storm; the riders had finished the race an hour ago and would be arriving any minute.

This stage had been the longest one yet, a 242 km distance with a gruelling climb to the barren peak of Mont Ventoux at the end. Alice was out with the team for her final day before she was flying back to the US to care for her husband Jasper. I winced as I remembered the scenes of his crash on the television.

The peloton had collided, the riders becoming entangled, crashing down to the rough tarmac, leaving many nasty injuries. Their thin racing gear was no match for the roads. Jasper bore the brunt of the force on his head, and it had been frightening watching the teams working on him before he was airlifted to the hospital. Fortunately, he was declared stable, but unfortunately for him—he was out of the race.

I checked into the hotel, winding my way down the corridors to find my room. Unceremoniously dumping my bags on the bed, I grabbed a bottle of ice-cold water from the minibar to quench my thirst. After only a few minutes under the late afternoon sun, I could feel the effects. The riders would have had a tough time being out in it all day. I made a mental note to make sure I had water, energy bars, and electrolyte replacements for my session with Edward Cullen.

Drawing back the curtains to let some light into the small room, I was pleasantly surprised to see my view was over the front of the hotel. Unlatching the windows and the white painted shutters, I pushed them open, leaning on the windowsill as I finished my water, waiting for them to arrive.

It wasn't long before coaches, van, cars, and scooters piled into the courtyard, and the riders and team members, in a multitude of colors appeared, dragging their luggage and kit into the hotel. I looked out for the green and white colors of Team Eclipse and spotted Alice wearing the green short-sleeved polo shirt that I myself had on. The Eclipse team all seemed to be gravitating around the tall and striking form of Edward Cullen.

He would be meeting me for his physio session in less than an hour. I chastised myself for watching him, but it was almost impossible not to when he was still dressed in his lycra. The front of his top was unzipped almost down to his navel, his muscular chest partially visible. He'd removed his cleats and wore a pair of running shoes. I couldn't help my eyes from soaking up his tanned and defined legs. The muscles rippled under his skin as he walked toward the entrance. I should have stopped gawping then, but I didn't, and as if he could sense he was being admired, he looked up, straight at me, the side of his mouth pulled into a crooked grin. If his eyes weren't covered by his Ray-Bans, I knew they'd be devastatingly wicked.

I forced myself to stay in the window, leisurely directing my gaze elsewhere, adamant to appear nonchalant, but I could feel the blush in my cheeks. The last thing I needed was the unwanted attentions of the team lothario directed at me. Team Eclipse had taken a chance putting me with their lead rider, and I wasn't going to blow it.

My eyes alighted on the sandy-blond hair and broad shoulders of my brother, clad in red and black-the Team Volturi colors. Most people couldn't believe we were related, our coloring was so different, but we both had our mother's unmistakable hazel eyes.

I waved down to him, catching his eye, and he returned the gesture before turning back to his discussion with the Team Volturi owner, Marco Volturi. The silver-haired man had a certain understated elegance and wouldn't have looked out of place on a yacht. He certainly lived up to his nickname around the camp-The Silver Fox-but something about him rubbed me the wrong way.

I drew away from the window, gathered my kit, and headed down for the session.

I was preparing the treatment room the hotel had provided for us when Alice bustled in through the door. She pulled me into a hug and handed me her file on Edward Cullen.

"Here you go. I've written up all the niggles and treatments he's been having each day, and there are some thorough notes on his medical history in there too. The main issue, as you know, is his groin strain." Concern flashed over Alice's face as she explained the details. His injury was more serious than I'd originally thought.

"Now, Bella..." Alice gave me a stern look. It was like a puppy trying to growl, and I couldn't help but laugh. "You are beautiful, and Edward likes beautiful things." She raised an eyebrow implicitly.

"Don't worry, I've worked with his type before. I can deal with him," I reassured her.

"I know you will. You're one of the pro's." She winked. "He will push his luck though, and I want you to be prepared."

"Thank you, Alice. I think I can handle it." She looked relieved at my reassurances, and I smiled, imagining the challenge that the veritable Edward Cullen was going to bring.

"He always likes to have iced bottles of water on hand, and he prefers the orange-flavored supplements to the blackcurrant. Oh, and make sure you use this oil. He hates the smell of the standard stuff." She pulled out piles of supplies from her bag, handing them over.

I shook my head, putting it all away while she continued to reel off even more of his preferences. "So he's a prima donna too?"

She laughed, "Oh, like you wouldn't believe. The trick is to let him think he's getting his way."

"That sounds like hostage negotiation." I was beginning to dread his upcoming session, and the grimace on my face gave it away.

Alice reassured me one last time before she turned to leave. "You'll be fine."

"Ask me again when the Tour is over," I joked as she hugged me again. I squeezed her tightly, knowing she must be worried to death about her husband. "Send my love and best wishes to Jasper."

"I will do. Thanks, Bella, and good luck."

I had a feeling I was going to need it.

A knock heralded the arrival of Mr. Cullen. Before I could answer, the door opened and he strutted in. He'd changed out of his team colors, and was sporting a white t-shirt and black running shorts. I had a hard task drawing my eyes away, so I turned around, opened his file and dated a new blank page.

"Hi, take a seat on the table. I'll be with you in two ticks." I wrote out some more unnecessary details to try and regain some composure, but that was shot to pieces when I sensed he was standing behind me. I could smell the lemony mint of his shower gel.

I turned to see his arms crossed over his broad chest as he leaned against the table. The pose was an optimal display for the sinewy muscles in his forearms, veins standing out under his golden skin. I wouldn't have been surprised to learn this was a tried and tested peacock display of his prowess. I bit my lip to contain the laugh that was building as I imagined him practicing his moves in front of the mirror.

He was less than a foot away from me, and I had to tip my head up to look at him.

"Hello. I'm Edward Cullen," he drawled lazily. His lips quirked minutely, revealing a dimple in his cheek.

"Yes. I'd worked that out. Can you hop up on the table?" I squeezed out from the small place he'd hemmed me into, wanting to put some distance between us. It would look highly unprofessional if anyone had seen how close we'd been standing. "I'm Bella. I'll taking over for Alice. I'm sure she's already explained."

He paused for a minute before he did as I'd asked, and jumped up. "She did, but I think she was withholding some vital information."

"And what was that? Maybe I can help fill in the blanks." I patted the head end of the table. "Can you lie back?"

He chose to ignore my request, continuing to appraise me with startlingly green eyes that were swimming with mischief. Team Eclipse had had a rebrand a few years ago, changing their logo and color scheme. Rumors were that the head of marketing had based the new colors on the very eyes that were burning into me. I wouldn't be surprised if she'd succumbed to his charms, and he'd planted the idea in her head. He was certainly arrogant enough.

"Edward. Back!" I ordered, pointing at the bed.

"She didn't tell me you were gorgeous." He still made no move. It was exasperating.

"She didn't tell me you were a pain in the ass," I countered and he laughed, a divine sound that deserved to be heard over and over. No wonder women went all weak-kneed around him. He oozed sex in an obscene way.

He held his hands up momentarily and then pulled his t-shirt over his head, revealing a chiseled body that wouldn't have looked out of place in the Musee D'Orsay amongst the Rodin's—if it weren't for his ubiquitous cyclist's tan. His arms, face and neck were at least three shades darker than this torso.

I had to dig into my reserve strength to keep my eyes level with his face. The smug smirk told me he knew I was under a certain amount of duress.

"So tell me, which part of your upper body is injured. Your deltoid?" I asked, nonchalantly

His brow furrowed slightly, his tone cooling. "It's my adductor, not my shoulder. I thought you would have at least read my medical records. This next stage is crucial, I need to be on top of my game if we're going to take home the yellow jersey."

"I have read them-rigorously. I was just wondering why you've taken your t-shirt off when I'll be working on your groin?" I countered.

He didn't bat an eyelid at my obvious sarcasm. He just got off the table and started to pull his shorts down.

I span around, desperate to hold onto the last scrap of willpower against his charm, and to hide the smile that was tugging at my lips. "Edward. I will write you up if you don't behave. Don't test me."

I heard him get back up onto the treatment table, before I hazarded a glance. Thankfully he was fully clothed with a victorious smile curling his lips.

"Thank you." I set to work, pushing the leg of his shorts up, focusing on the task and the treatment as I'd been trained to do, and pushing thought of flexing muscles, warm skin and frustratingly attractive, egotistical cyclists out of my mind.

Edward seemed to drop his act too, and relaxed into the treatment, as I worked his muscles. He talked me through the day's race and his tactics for the next stage. I was shocked at the vehemence he directed at Riley and managed to catch myself before I faltered in my routine; it was either that or cause him grievous bodily harm.

He obviously hadn't heard who my brother was, and I decided I'd keep my mouth shut for now. The session had started off of the wrong foot as it was, but we'd settled into the pace of the massage and both dropped into a comfortable silence that was only interrupted by a few winces as I passed over his injured muscles.

After the session had ended, I rinsed my hands, giving him instructions for some stretches to perform later that evening and in the morning—thankfully, he seemed to be listening to my advice. Before he left, he offered his hand. "It was lovely to meet you, Bella."

I shook it, his large palm and long fingers enveloped mine, holding it for a moment too long as his eyes searched mine, looking for what, I didn't know.

I drew in a breath, parting my lips. My body reacted to the intensity of his eyes and his closeness whether I wanted it to or not.

It seemed that was the sign he was waiting for. He stepped closer to me, his body almost flush against mine. I could feel the hard planes of his chest and stomach pressing against me as he whispered in my ear. "I really want to run my hands all over your body now." His warm breath tickled my skin, and his words sent sparks to every single nerve ending. I managed to snap out of my haze, my mind winning out, and I pushed him back.

Rejection was a foreign concept to Edward Cullen, judging by the shock that passed across his features.

"That will never be happening, Edward, and if you suggest it again, I'll report you for harassment." I stared at him, schooling my features into a blank and stony expression.

Surprise flashed across his face. He turned and walked away, pausing at the door, swiftly replacing it with a taut smile. "Good Night."

I nodded at him, relieved that he'd decided to be professional. "Night, Edward."

As the door closed behind him, I sat down to calm myself. My heart was beating erratically in my chest. How I'd managed to stand up to him was nothing short of a miracle. I hoped that we could still work together—the thought that we wouldn't, set my teeth on edge.

AN: Thanks for reading! Sparrow & Choc oxox