A drink to make and enjoy while reading chapter 1!
Dirty Martini
3 oz vodka
1 oz dry vermouth
1/2 oz olive brine
Chapter 1
Bella wiped the steam off the mirror with the towel she had used to dry her hair. Grabbing her brush she struggled to pull it through her long brown strands. Bella grimaced as the brush caught on a tangle. She stubbornly yanked it through and knew that the snapping sound was some of her hair. "Ouch!" she cried out in pain.
Why couldn't I have smooth, silky hair like Rose? Probably because Rose spends a small fortune on her hair, she thought. Bella hated her long, natural curls, and constantly fought with them. She plugged in her hairdryer and flipped her head over, drying the hair underneath. She was hopeful it might straighten her just below the shoulder-lengthhair. After it was almost dry, Bella stood up straight and ran her fingers through her waves hoping to shape them.
"Bella? I can straighten your hair for you if you want," Rose said poking her head into the bathroom.
"Can't today! I'm already running a little late as usual," Bella said shaking her head.
"What are you wearing for the graduation ceremony?" Rose asked, narrowing her eyes at Bella's towel-draped frame.
"Actually, I was hoping to borrow one of your dresses," Bella confessed sheepishly.
"I have just the one!" Rose grinned, and hurried out of the doorway.
Bella winced. She hoped it wasn't too tight or didn't have a plunging neckline. Unlike high school or even college graduation, they wouldn't be wearing robes to hide what was underneath. She needed her dress to be a little more conservative than Rose's normal sex kitten attire.
Rose walked back to Bella's bathroom, hesitantly holding out a beautiful blue dress. Bella's eyes widened upon seeing how lovely the dress looked just resting on the hanger.
"Bella, I bought this for you as a graduation present." As Bella began to protest, Rose held up her hand.
"Wait, before you say a word. I know that they require you to wear a dress at graduation. I know you hate wearing dresses which explains your lack of them in that dismal clothes collection of yours," she muttered under her breath, winking. "I just thought now that you're a "grown up," you needed to look like one. I want to give you this. Just think of me when you wear it, okay?"
Rose's eyes began to tear. "Damn it, I'm not going to cry, but I am so proud of you, so for christ's sake take the dress." Rose hung the dress on the bathroom door and rushed out.
Bella's eyes had some excess moisture in them, too. She had been training the past few months at the Federal Bureau of Investigation's base in Quantico, Virginia, and spent almost every free moment crashing at Rose's place in Old Towne Alexandria. It was hard to believe that they might be separated. Everything depended on where Bella's first assignment was located. Usually the FBI had new recruits leave the Wash. D.C. area and head out into the real world.
Bella and Rose graduated together from Coronado High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. When Bella was accepted into the FBI training program, she had no idea that Rose was matriculating to George Mason law school. They ran into each other after college graduation while back in Phoenix, and started talking about their upcoming plans.
After Bella and Rose realized they were both headed to the Washington D.C. area, they agreed to try and meet up for drinks. It had been a polite, halfhearted suggestion on both their parts. In the end, it had resulted in a strong friendship they never would have believed possible in high school.
They had run in different circles in their teenage years. Rose was always surrounded by the beautiful and rich kids whose families had no financial limitations. Her group determined who and what was popular in high school. Bella always felt removed from that group, choosing to focus on her studies. She needed a sizeable scholarship to fulfill her dream of attending the University of Arizona. Bella's father was a drug enforcement agent and her mother a kindergarten teacher. They lived in a modest area of upscale Scottsdale.
Throughout high school, Bella didn't need to be surrounded by a crowd of friends. She was comfortable with silence and her own thoughts. She was an avid reader and was known as the pretty girl with her nose constantly in a book. She even thought about studying creative writing in college, and hoped to one day write a book of her own. But one hot, summer day in August right before her senior year, all of Bella's dreams burst. Charlie Swan, her beloved father, was violently gunned down during a drug raid.
She changed courses after her father's tragic death, angered that more wasn't done to prevent such a senseless tragedy. She refocused her career goals and chose to study criminal justice, her way of honoring Charlie's memory. She excelled in her college studies and her ambition and sterling lifestyle brought her to the front door of the FBI. She realized that all those years of being a loner and pouring herself into her studies was paying off quite nicely. Sure, she missed out on all the normal college shenanigans, but in the end she had no regrets. After her initial acceptance into the FBI, she was placed into a clandestine department of the Bureau.
Bella was close to becoming a special undercover operative and would soon be paired with another agent. Her new partner would have been in the field for several years. The FBI teamed up the new recruits with more experienced agents, a type of mentoring program. She was told to expect an introduction to her new partner in a few days. She was a little nervous about the meeting, and she hoped her partner was willing to teach her the ropes, so to speak. But first things first, today she was preparing for her graduation.
Bella slipped on the blue dress, and looked at herself in the mirror. The Herve Leger V-neck dress was lovely, boasting a plunging cut across the back, more so than she would have chosen, but still appropriate for a daytime graduation.
Bella added her diamond stud earrings, a rather extravagant gift from Jacob. She tried to refuse them, but he wouldn't even discuss it with her. She felt that the gift was too much too soon. As she reflected on Jacob, she knew he was a wonderful guy and always made her feel so respected, even cherished. But try as she might, there was just something missing from their relationship, at least in Bella's eyes. She just couldn't put her finger on it.
Bella eased into her four inch peep toe heels. She practiced walking gracefully across her room, hoping that she could somehow keep her from falling across the stage during the graduation ceremony.
Rose demanded that she purchase these "stilts" when they were shopping in Georgetown. She loved spending time with Rose, but felt intimidated by Rose's striking beauty, which to Bella seemed effortless. Even lounging in yoga pants or after a long, sweaty run, Rose could capture the eyes and catcalls of men.
Bella remembered when Rose was approached by a man who begged her to submit some head and body shots to his modeling agency. Politely, she begged him off. Rose told him that she was attending law school and her focus had to remain planted there. But what made it really unfair was that Rose had smarts. She wasn't a vacant beauty who used God's gifts to secure an easy life.
She looked at herself one last time in the mirror. Deciding that she looked adequately groomed, she headed out to the living room.
Rose glanced up and gasped at her. "Bella, you look beautiful."
"It's all the dress, Rose." She shrugged. "You have a gift for making the plain shine."
"What is it with you Bella? It gets so frustrating sometimes," Rose scoffed. "You don't see yourself the way others do."
Before Bella could say anything, Jacob walked through the door. He stopped, his eyes traveling up and down her curvy body, the lust barely veiled in his eyes.
"Hey, Jacob. How did you get in here?" Bella looked at him with a quizzical eye.
"I knocked on the door, but no one answered. You two have the tunes turned up way too high." Jacob laughed and walked over to the stereo, turning down the volume. "Hope you don't mind, Bella. I didn't mean to startle you."
Jacob Black was raised in Oklahoma City. His eyes were brown, almost black, and he had this wonderful, quick smile that lit up his face. He had classic, all-American good looks, a squeaky clean appearance. He was blessed with an athletic 6'2" frame. He used his skills to secure a football scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, where he excelled on the field and in the classroom, and his college advisor encouraged him to pursue law. After applying to several law schools and weeding through the acceptance and rejection letters, he decided upon George Mason University.
‟I don't know if I should let you go to the graduation looking that stunning, Bella. You take my breath away." He glided across the room to her, gently kissing her lips.
"I am so lucky to call you mine," Jacob whispered in her hair and placed his arm around her small waist before smiling down at her. "Ready to become an agent for good?"
Bella nodded, slipping out of Jacob's hold and picked up her purse. Rose opened the door and the three of them headed towards Jacob's car.
The graduation ceremony had as much excitement as getting a tooth pulled. Finally, Bella's name was called out and she walked forward to accept her certificate from Deputy Director Tanya Denali. Bella was proud when she managed to make it across the stage without as much as a stumble. After the swearing in ceremony Bella, Jacob and Rose headed out for lunch at The Palm.
Throughout their luxurious meal, Jacob seemed nervous, almost to the point of being anxious, which was not like him. He didn't follow the conversation and he couldn't keep his hands off Bella. He kept moving his hand down her shoulders and then along her the exposed skin on her arm. His caresses were tender, but filled with sense of desperation. What the heck is going on with him? she wondered.
After stuffing themselves with lump crab meat and key lime pie, they continued talking about Bella's next step as a new FBI agent. Bella thought Jacob's conversation seemed a little forced.
Being the consummate gentleman, Jacob settled the lunch bill. They exited the restaurant and headed towards Jacob's parked car. While they were walking in silence, Rose's phone beeped with the arrival of a text message. She quickly read the text and they watched a wicked grin move across her face.
Oh my god! Bella thought. What is Rose up to now? I know that smile and it usually appears when she is cooking up a man dish.
"Hey Jake do you mind dropping me off at Hazel Hall?" Rose asked, looking up for her cell phone. "I've been trying to meet with Professor McCarty for several days and he's finally available."
"No problemo. Is everything okay?" Jacob had the same professor last semester for immigration law and thought he was an excellent instructor.
"Yep," she said, popping the 'p.' "He asked for my help with a lawsuit that was filed against some illegal aliens. I researched some similar cases, and I want to go over a few things with him."
Rose rustled around in her abyss of a purse and brought out a mirrored compact. She gave herself a quick once over before she realized that both Jake and Bella were glancing her way. Rose narrowed her eyes and her lips thinned out but she didn't say anything.
When they approached Hazel Hall, she practically jumped out of Jake's car. Turning back she looked at Bella.
"Have fun at the dinner tonight. Are we still on for our breakfast tomorrow?"
Bella nodded, "I'm planning on it." Then she smirked and said, "Should I just plan on meeting you at the Bittersweet Cafe in the morning?"
Rose rolled her eyes as she started towards the building, giving Bella the finger.
"What was that all about?" Jacob asked.
Bella shook her head. Men. The sexual innuendos could be right in front of them and they would still need a quick shove up the ass to see it, she mused.
"Come on Jacob. You can't tell me that you didn't see Rose seriously fangirling over Professor McCarty?"
Jacob whirled his head around to stare at Bella with realization slowly replacing the shock. "Well, I'll be dammed," he muttered. "Who would have thought?" His smile started to fade and his jaw tensed.
Bella noticed his changed continence and shifted towards him in her seat. "What is it, Jake?"
He peeked over at Bella, taking her hand and squeezing it gently. "I know that this is your big day and all, but I am worried that everything is about to change between us. Especially since your first assignment is coming up."
Bella tried to smile brightly. During the graduation ceremony, she wondered the same exact thing.
Rose introduced them only a few months ago, when Bella attended a party thrown by some law school friends. Jacob was immediately attracted to the brown haired beauty, and he pursued her relentlessly until she accepted a dinner date with him.
"Jacob, I think we should just enjoy the time we have together. Let's try not to over think where we are and where this relationship is going."
She leaned over and rubbed the back of his strong neck, slightly scratching his skin with her fingernails. Slowly Jacob began to relax under her touch.
"Thanks Bella. You're right, but I have never quite felt this way about anyone else before."
They pulled up to Rose's condo. Jake shifted in his seat, so he could look directly at her. He tilted her chin up with his fingers, and she looked into his brown, almost black eyes.
Before she could respond, Jacob's lips were crushed to hers – roughly at first, and then slowing to a gentle kiss his tongue slowly entering her mouth and his teeth lightly nibbling her lower lip.
Bella felt uncomfortable trying to match his movements, so she pulled back from him.
"Hey, I need to finish getting ready for tonight and you need to pick up your tux, so I'll see you at seven o'clock?" Bella placed her forehead against Jake's, and he pulled his hand through her hair.
"I can't wait."
After a quick chaste kiss on the lips, Jake exited the car and opened Bella's door. He took her hand and walked her to the door. His hand placed firmly on the small of her back.
"See you later, Beautiful!" Jake said as Bella broke loose from his hold.
Bella leaned heavily against the door. Her world was quickly changing. As much as she enjoyed new experiences, change was hard. She didn't really believe all that crap about how people loved change, especially when the change had so many unknown factors involved.
She pushed herself off the door and moved towards the kitchen. She noticed a buzzing sound coming from her purse. Pulling the phone out, she saw it was a text marked "urgent". She pressed the ball (or as she liked to call it, the "clit") and read the message.
Need you to come to my office, immediately. Text me when you receive this.
Shit! It was from Tanya Denali. She was in charge of new recruits. Tanya was a gorgeous woman who had balls of steel and Bella loved hearing her take on the men in her recruitment class. She was one person that nobody wanted to fuck with. Her nickname, Tough Ass Tanya, or TAT for short, summoned her up in three short words.
Bella texted TAT, telling her that she would be there shortly. Damn, Bella thought. Only sworn in for a few hours and already my boss is calling. She grabbed her Metro card and headed out the door. Her heels were killing her feet and she regretted not having time to change into something more comfortable.
Holy Fuck!
There was a black sedan with tinted windows, sitting where Jake's car had just been moments before. A man, dressed in a black suit, was standing next to it. He flipped out an identification badge and handed it to Bella.
"Ms. Swan, right? My name is Jack Rodgers."
"Yes?" she replied, more of a question than response.
"Ms. Denali requested that I escort you to the Pentagon for your meeting." He opened the back door waiting for her to step inside.
What the fuck was going on? Bella thought. Ms. Denali couldn't wait for me to get there on my own? And why hadn't she mentioned this to me?
Bella shrugged her shoulders and climbed into the back seat of the car. Okay, I could get used to this, Bella thought, as she sank back into the buttery softness of the gray leather seats and inhaled the comforting and somewhat erotic scent.
As the car drove away, Bella watched the people on the street from the tinted window. As she started to get lost in her thoughts, her phone began to ring. She grabbed it quickly to silence the silly ring tone indicating that her call was from Angela. Bella had met her during orientation at the Farm, and the two quickly became close friends. They supported each other throughout the grueling months of training. She decided to take the call and tried to keep her voice down.
"Hey Angela," Bella whispered.
"Why the hell are you whispering?"
"Can I call you back? I can't really talk now," Bella muttered.
"I'll make it quick. I just spoke to Jessica Stanley. She was in the Farm cafeteria yesterday and this really hot agent walked up and gave her his card. But the strange thing is he was asking about you. Do you know who Edward Cullen is?" Angela's voice was sounding a little too excited.
"I know of him, but we've never met. Hey, sorry Ang, but I need to go. Call you later." Bella wondered why Agent Cullen was inquiring about her. It gave her an unsettling feeling.
Bella heard a few rumors about him and most of them were scandalous. He had a reputation for being the best agent in the FBI, and habitually prowling around for his nightly prey.
The car slowed as it made its way into the bowels of the Pentagon. Rodgers parked and escorted Bella to the entry elevators.
"Ms. Swan, please return down here when you're finished. I will be waiting to take you back."
Bella swiped her identification card and rode the sterile lift up to the fifth floor. She had visited TAT's office before, but just during a brief tour of the FBI's special covert division. She was still amazed that she was chosen from her class to work with this undercover group.
After checking in with TAT's assistant, Bella was directed to wait. She took her seat in the lumpy, government-issued chair. Great, rush me over in a gas guzzler so I can just sit on my ass and wait. She started checking e-mails from her Blackberry, when she heard Tanya calling out her name.
"Isabella." She walked over to Bella, with a warm smile on her face, and shook her hand.
"Sorry to call you in on graduation day. I know you have the formal tonight, but I have some important things to discuss with you."
Like "Dinner Impossible," she thought, "if you chose to accept this mission..."
Tanya led Bella back to her office and, once inside, Bella realized that there was another person already waiting there.
"Ms. Swan, I want to introduce you to Agent Edward Cullen. He's been with the agency for several years." Tanya moved out of Bella's way so she could look at him directly. Her legs stopped dead in their tracks.
Edward Cullen was leaning against the massive glass window behind TAT's desk. The Washington Monument, with its 555 ft of solid granite, appeared to be standing right next to him in the window. His suit was black and the tie he wore matched the color of his eyes, a dark forest green. His hands were comfortably placed in his pockets.
Mother of Mary, Martha, and Joseph, thought Bella, he is so fucking HOT. God, I want to run my hands through his hair.
Edward Cullen sauntered towards her and his lips turned into a sexy smirk. She noticed that her heart started to race and her breathing became shallow.
He looked into Bella's eyes and then freely admired her sexy curves. He wondered if he should have chosen her for this assignment. Perhaps she might have served her country better in my bed. At least in bed, I don't need to hear her thoughts, because I can read a woman's body.
Bella started to tense as he approached her. I have to get myself under control. This is so silly, but why couldn't he a tad uglier? Shit, my hands are starting to perspire and he is reaching out to shake them. Knowing him, he will probably think I am wet in other places, too. Damn him for being so sexy.
While those thoughts were still in her mind, Edward Cullen reached out for Bella's hand. When he touched her two things happened; a jolt of warmth spread through his arm giving him a shock, and he thought he heard something….
What the fuck, he wondered. Those two words, "so sexy" – were they from her?
A/N: We would liked to thank our Special Agents…..Betas Elizabethan and Aquariumjenn …All recognizable characters and likenesses belong to Stephenie Meyer and Ian Fleming.