I do not own Twilight. Many more thanks to my good friend Sherry.

Bella.

.

I had been working for Mr. Cullen for three weeks with no sign of the new assistant anywhere. I must remember to speak to Mrs. Cope regarding the matter as soon as possible.

We were now on our way back from another business meeting that had gone very well, despite the client, Mr. Hunter giving me the creeps. I had been organized and precise in my research giving Mr. Cullen the upper-hand in the negotiations.

He sat beside me in the black limousine looking relaxed. I found myself staring at his face. Bosshole was great eye candy, especially when he was relaxed and not scowling.

"You did very well in there, Mr. Hunter is a difficult man," I jumped slightly, and watched as he picked a piece of lint from his trousers.

"Thank you." I gave him what I knew was a timid smile. I was not going to get my hopes up that his yo-yo moods had improved. I was not setting myself up for the disappointment. I could keep a casual, cool appearance when needed and when dealing with Edward Cullen it was definitely needed. You never knew if you were going to get the lion or the lamb.

The limo pulled up outside Cullen Enterprises and Mr. Cullen stepped out first and offered me his hand. I took it instinctively, but regretted it almost immediately. Little sparks of electricity spiked up my arm, making my breath catch.

It made me uneasy, feeling those sparks of attraction. I couldn't afford to be pining after my boss, especially when he didn't even like me.

He doesn't like anyone Bella.

I stepped out of the limo and stood in front of him. Our eyes met and we both paused, my breath stuttered out of me as our gaze held. His eyes sparkled in the light and the tingles moved along our palms.

Shit. I was still holding his hand, no wonder he was staring at me. What must he think of me?

I dropped it like it stung me and took a step back. "Thank you for taking me with you, it was very informative."

He stepped back. "You're welcome," he took another step. "I won't be back to the office today. I have a meeting, so just finish your tasks and you can leave for the day."

"Okay, have a good meeting." He jumped into the limo and left.

Leaving me frozen on the sidewalk.

I could not be attracted to my boss.

I was not attracted to my boss.

I will not fall for my boss.

Oh God, I wanted my boss.

Heading straight to the office, sending Alice an SOS text, asking her to call me. I finished the rest of my work in record time. Sitting at my desk, I found myself staring into Mr. Cullen's office. What was I going to do?

The sound of my mobile brought me out of my thoughts.

"Alice!" I cried.

"What's the emergency Bella?"

"I just had a bad day." I couldn't do it, I couldn't tell her about my attraction to Bosshole. I heard her laugh over the phone. "This is no laughing matter Alice. I'm..."

"Bella... Your boss is going to drive you crazy." My silence must have spoken volumes. "He's all you talk about. Is he really that bad."

"Yeah." My throat went dry and I was impressed that I managed to croak out any words at all. He's not all I talk about. She clearly must be over-exaggerating.

"It's okay, Bella. Why don't I pick up a bottle of wine and meet you at your place later." Her voice spoke soothingly to me.

"Okay." I guess this kind of thing requires wine.

~CC~

The next day had been tense. I had been a little hungover and Mr. Cullen had been sullen and terse. I didn't know how to deal with it. So, I decided avoidance was the best option.

The phone ringing woke me from my thoughts.

"Hello." It was Security downstairs in the lobby at Reception.

"Miss Swan, there is a lady here who wants to come up, but she isn't on the approved list. Mr. Cullen does not allow guest up to his floor without prior knowledge." I knew this, Mr. Cullen insisted that the visitor's logs are to be updated daily. No unexpected visitors were tolerated.

I heard a female voice that I'm sure sounded familiar.

"Her name is Miss Brandon and she says she's here to take you to lunch." Damn, I knew she would show up. I had accidentally made my feelings known when speaking about my boss; and last night I had used the words, hot, fuckable, and asshole to describe him. Granted, I had had a couple of glasses of wine, but I knew she wouldn't pass up the opportunity to come see him for herself.

It was a miracle she held off until now.

"It's okay, Mike, tell her I will be right down." I guess there would be no problem with me taking my lunch fifteen minutes earlier today. I grabbed my things and headed straight for the elevator when Mr. Cullen's door opened and he peered out.

"Who was that?" His stare was piercing and I had to remember to breathe.

"Just Mike from Reception. Someone wanted to come up, but they didn't have an appointment. I'm off to lunch." I turned towards the elevator.

"I can fit someone in, I'm free for the rest of the afternoon." I stared at him, astonished that he was willing to allow someone an unscheduled visit.

"That isn't necessary. The lady wanted to speak to me, it was my best friend, Alice. I have a sneaking feeling that she's here to meet you." It was better to be honest. Right?

"Well then, I suggest you do not disappoint her and tell her to come right up." I stared at him, my mind in shock.

"Let her up." I gasped. Oh no this was definitely a bad idea, Alice had no filter, at all.

"Yes, Miss Swan, I can spare a few moments to meet my assistant's friend, can I not? I wouldn't want to seem rude." Yes, because you are so concerned with people's opinion of you.

"Okay," I called down to Security at Reception requesting that they allow her up. We both stood staring at each other in awkward silence until the elevator's ding broke us apart.

"Hi Bella, I was hoping we could go for lunch together." My best friend's voice made me whirl around, she flashed me a winning smile before turning to face Mr. Cullen. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Cullen, Bella speaks very highly of you."

I was going to kill her.

"It's lovely to meet you Mrs...?" Alice laughed, and waved her hand.

"It's Miss and it's Alice, and your Edward? May I call you Edward? We're all friends here." My hand ran through my hair, I cannot believe her.

"Well, I guess that would be fine. You are not under my employment, so it wouldn't be unprofessional." Mr. Cullen looked a little uncomfortable and before I could comment, Alice jumped in once again.

"Oh, you don't allow Bella to call you Edward?" Now he definitely looked uncomfortable.

"No Miss, I mean Alice. It is Miss Swan and Mr. Cullen." He looked tense, so I decided it was time to leave.

"Right. I'm off to lunch Mr. Cullen, would you be needing anything before I leave?" I grabbed my bag and Alice's arm.

"No, I'm fine Miss Swan, but I insist you use my driver while the weather is bad." I looked outside to see the rain pounding hard against the glass.

"No, that won't be necessary." I didn't need a driver, we weren't going far.

"Come on Bella, I don't want to get soaked and Edward kindly offered his driver," she smiled sweetly at him, and leaned forward whispering in his ear. His eyebrows rose and then furrowed in frustration as he turned to me and all the tension left his face.

"Please Bella, I would feel better if you took my driver." I gasped at his use of my name and my heart skipped a beat.

"Erm, well, okay, if you're sure." His smile was blinding and made him look so much younger.

His face dropped into his usual mask and he cleared his throat, "Yes, I'm sure."

Alice kissed him on the cheek, and then grabbed my hand. "I will have her back to you in no time Edward," She smiled a wicked smile at me, "say bye to Edward, Bella."

I blushed and rolled my eyes, "See you later Mr. Cullen." I went to leave, but Alice had a firm grip.

"No, Bella it's Edward, not Mr. Cullen." I turned to argue, but the look on Mr. Cullen's face stopped me. Did he look hopeful or was I just imagining it. I decided she wasn't going to leave unless I did as she asked, I could always apologize to him later.

"See you after lunch, Edward. Thank you for the driver," I pulled Alice away. "If you change your mind about wanting anything, don't hesitate to call my cell," I called out behind me.

As I stepped inside the elevator I could see that Mr. Cullen, I mean, Edward, hadn't moved from his spot, and when his eyes met mine, I gasped at the heat in them. His green eyes looked darker, he looked so primal, he licked his lips, his eyes still firmly on mine until the elevator door closed and broke our gaze.

Whirling around to face my friend I spoke between gritted teeth. "What the hell was that."

"Nothing, I was just being friendly Bella, honestly?" She huffed out a breath, trying to appear displeased with my accusing tone.

"That wasn't friendly. That… That was completely inappropriate." I screeched at her, surprising myself. "Alice, he's my boss."

"I'm well aware of who he is Bella." She waved her hand and walked out of the elevator and towards the reception desk.

"But-" She turned to face me effectively stopping my words.

"He wants you too. I can tell." Her laugh echoes through the reception area.

"You don't know that," I hissed at her, "and be quiet, people might hear you."

"Oh, but I can." She leaned forward and whispered in my ear. "I told him if he ever wanted to get into your panties, then he would have to remove the stick from up his butt hole." She spun and walked towards Mr. Cullen's driver. Leaving me gasping like a fish behind her.

"What?" My voice carried through the reception area, making everyone pause and stare at me.

She waved her hand over her shoulder, not caring about my obvious distress, and batted her long lashes at Mr. Cullen's driver.

"Hi, I'm Alice Brandon. You must be Edward's driver. I guess you're taking us to lunch." She linked her arm through his and proceeded to walk him out of the building.

"Yes, ma'am." He tipped his head to her, pursing his lips, probably trying not to laugh at my pushy friend. "The name is Jasper Whitlock, and I would be honored to take you to lunch."

What the hell had Alice done.