A drink to make and enjoy while reading chapter 2!
Golden Rod Martini
1 part Grey Goose La Poire Flavored Vodka
½ part Elderflower Coridal
¼ part lemon juice
4 parts sparkling champagne
Fill shaker with ice, add vodka, cordial and lemon juice
Shake and pour into champagne glass, top with champagne
Chapter 2
Yes! I could hear inside that pretty little head. This is awesome. Unbelievable…touch her, and I can hear her? Well, well, Ms. Swan, I think you just entered the petting zoo.
When their hands met for that first touch, they both felt a strange electrical force, akin to static electricity, intense but not painful. The surge made Bella gasp and quickly release the handshake.
"It's nice to meet you Agent Cullen," Bella said, quickly retracting her own hand and gently shaking it out. Bella was confused by the intensity of Edward's touch. He had tried to hold onto the greeting and she was relieved when her hand was free.
But now he knew what was needed. With just a simple touch, her mind would be open to him.
Mmm, he mused, this might help me get those beautiful legs spread open quicker, too!
"The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Swan." A smile moved across his lips as he spoke.
Yes, he had definitely heard her. The blush spreading across her face and chest confirmed in his mind that she was attracted to him. This realization made blood rush to his groin.
God, I want to launch this rocket right into her. Swan diving sounds real good.
He couldn't contain his amusement and a small, almost wicked laugh came out of his mouth.
Edward turned back toward the window in order to adjust himself. Thankfully he was wearing his tight boxer briefs today. Like his father always told him, they were good when the soldier needed to salute.
TAT sat behind her very modern glass and metal desk taking in their interaction, aware that something interesting was transpiring between them.
I need to get him alone after this meeting and make sure he chose the right agent for this assignment. We can't afford another partner screw up with him. TAT reflected on Edward's last female partner and her fall from grace within the agency. It was an ugly memory. Hearing her thoughts, Edward flinched.
"Let's talk about the reason I have you both here today."
Bella's mind started to wonder as she kept her eyes on Edward, casually leaning against the wall of windows again. She almost laughed at the ridiculous grin he was giving her. She knew that TAT wouldn't appreciate her mood if she did, so she suppressed it. But seeing the Washington Monument, a perfect phallic symbol, standing next to him once again was almost too much for her. It was as if she was on a movie set and a director had positioned Edward next to the granite structure for effect.
She heard Carly Simon's voice in her head, singing, "You're so Vain."
And all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partners,
they'd be your partner, and you're so vain.
TAT cleared her throat and brought Bella back to the matters at hand.
"We have reports of suspicious activity west of Seattle. Our sources believe that an organized crime syndicate might be smuggling illegal aliens into the country. Right now we are considering this a domestic case." TAT looked intensely into Bella's eyes.
"Bella," TAT glanced over to the window, "we would like you to join Agent Cullen in this investigation. He will be posing as a venture capitalist who's considering the purchase of several seaside resort properties around Port Angeles. You will be supporting him as his personal assistant."
"So I will be acting like his personal assistant?" Bella's stared at Tanya with a shocked look on her face.
Tanya glanced briefly at Edward, and Bella thought she saw a strange look pass between them.
"Yes, you will be working closely by his side during this investigation."
You have got to be freaking kidding me. I have to be his assistant? Look at him all cocky with that sexy grin that I both want to lick and slap off his face at the same time.
Realizing her mouth was slightly open, and worried that the drool might be ready to spill over from lips, she clenched her jaw.
Rejoining the conversation, she asked TAT, "Why me? I've never had an official assignment."
Tanya smiled benignly at her. "Good question. You're excellent at reading people and situations, your Spanish is fluent, and you ranked high on the personality assessments required for this assignment."
Good job on the explanation TAT, Edward thought. He knew that TAT wouldn't reveal his insistence that Bella be given this assignment. He had searched the secret operative agents available to him and once he saw her file, their partnership was sealed for him. He wanted her in more ways than one, and what Edward Cullen wanted he got. Seldom was he denied.
The office went quiet as Bella tried to process everything that TAT told her. The silence was actually comforting to Bella. It gave her a sense of control, because Edward and TAT had to wait for her response.
Breaking the silence, Bella asked TAT, "Who would I be reporting to and how soon will we leave?"
"Unfortunately, we have to move quickly and I'm afraid you'll be heading out in a couple of days. There is a concern about losing some valuable information if we hold off too long. And you will be reporting directly to Agent Cullen. He is the lead in this investigation, and he will be calling the shots."
Edward quietly moaned as he thought about Bella having to follow his orders. He wondered mischievously what his first demand might be.
On your knees, perhaps.
TAT stood up from her desk and moved towards Bella and handed her a large black folder.
She explained to Bella that the folder contained important details about their assignment. TAT expected Bella to spend the next forty-eight hours combing through all the information and to know it like the back of her hand.
But first things first, Bella had a graduation celebration to attend.
"Go and enjoy the dinner tonight. The car service will take you back to your friend's condo."
Tanya effectively dismissed Bella, but Edward longed to have another touch of her skin. He offered to escort her to the car waiting in the bowels of the Pentagon.
"Really Agent Cullen, that won't be necessary. I don't need a guide and am fully capable of finding my way back."
"I insist Ms. Swan, and I would never infer that you were unable to make it back to the parking garage. I was only hoping to discuss a future meeting with you."
"Oh, well in that case, of course." Bella caught Edward smirking at her.
"Cullen, after you see Agent Swan to the car, please come back to my office. We need to go over a few things."
Edward nodded his head, answering TAT's question, and opened the office door for Bella. She tentatively exited into the hallway and turned towards the elevators. Edward followed her, a little too closely for Bella's liking. The air surrounding them felt heavy and thick with a strange anticipation.
I feel so uncomfortable being next to him. God I have to get over this, after all he's going to be my partner. Lucky me!
Edward placed his hand on the small of Bella's back, in hopes that this gentlemanly deed would allow a little peek into her mind. But there was nothing. He didn't hear a single thought. He was beginning to second-guess himself.
Maybe I didn't hear her after all? Or it's only skin-to-skin. Shit, I need to find a way to touch her bare arms or back.
As they made their way down the fifth floor corridor, Edward struggled to keep his hands to himself. Her blue dress exposed the soft, ivory skin on her back and arms. He felt the gentle curve of her delicate shoulders calling out for his touch. Edward decided to push his hands into his pockets for safekeeping.
When they reached the elevator, Edward reached over and pressed the down button. Bella hoped it would be full of people coming and going. The thought of being alone in a closed space with Edward caused her to slightly panic.
They heard the familiar sound of the elevator approaching and Bella looked into the empty metal box as the door slowly opened.
"Shit," she muttered, and quickly moved into a corner as Edward took his position right next to her.
Damn, why did he have to stand so close? O, my god, he's looking right at me
Bella looked up into Edward's eyes as the door closed. She waited, hoping he might speak and break the awkward silence.
"Bella, I think we have started out on the wrong foot, so…."
Edward stopped speaking mid-sentence, as his gaze landed on her full breasts. She noticed that his head fell forward and those beautiful green eyes darkened.
I can't believe it! He's staring at my boobs and it's left him speechless. Way to go girls!
Bella smiled mockingly at Edward.
Shit, that's why he's speechless, Bella thought peering down at her chest. She noticed that her nipples were poking through her dress.
Damn sheer bra. Great, he probably thinks that he caused my nipple erection. It's just a simple chill. So you like the nips hard? Bella took a slow deep breath causing her breasts to push out even further.
"Ms. Swan it is quite chilly in here – do you need my suit coat?" Edward asked her chest.
Edward was desperate to cover up her breasts. He was already aching to touch her, and now he wanted to take her breasts in his hands and run his thumb over her swollen nipples. He roughly bit his lip to hold back a moan and, for the second time this morning, he had to adjust his wood.
But Bella saved him from his struggle by quickly placing the folder that TAT had given her over her hardened nipples.
"Thanks Agent Cullen, but I am quite sure that you don't have anything I really need."
Bella could not believe how rudely she spoke to him. After all they were going to be working side by side and her comments were rather hostile.
What is wrong with me? I never speak to people like that. When will this elevator get to the parking garage?
She found herself staring at the elevator's floor, knowing that she needed to apologize for being so short, but she wasn't able to form the words.
Damn him and his suave manners. His slick appearance doesn't fool me for one second.
Finally the elevator stopped at its destination and the doors slid open. Edward gestured for Bella to lead the way out and he followed her to the awaiting car. He planned his next move very carefully, a nice long handshake goodbye.
"Ms. Swan, we need to meet tomorrow and discuss a few things. I want to introduce you to the person responsible for supplying me with the wonderful gadgets that I use. He's programming a special cell phone for you as we speak. Can I bring it by later today?"
"I am staying at my friend's condo; let me write down the address. I'll be around until 6:30. Listen, Mr. Cullen, I need to apologize to you. I was rather short with you in the elevator."
"Not necessary, Ms. Swan, and I'd prefer you call me 'Edward' when we're alone. There is no need to be so formal in private." His eyebrow slightly wiggled as he spoke. This movement was not missed by Bella.
Bella considered calling him Edward, but she wanted a little distance between them. Greeting him on a first name basis was way too intimate for her.
"I think I will stick with Mr. Cullen for now. Well, I should be getting back."
"Remember, I'll bring your new phone over before 6:30. And Ms. Swan, I am really looking forward to getting to know you better."
Edward felt the ice thawing between them, so he reached out for her hand, shaking it gently. He concentrated on hearing anything he could from her mind; he met her eyes with a sweet smile.
Much to his delight, he heard her anxiety about possibly being alone with him at her friend's condo when he dropped off the phone.
Yes, she was beginning to realize that I was going to be lethal to her virtue.
During the ride back to the condo, Bella clutched the large black folder, trying to process how her life had just changed. Bella was deep in thought and she found herself unlocking the door to the condo, realizing that she couldn't even remember exiting the car.
Once inside, Bella undressed and finally was able to slip off her heels. God my feet are killing me. I've been wanting to get out of these shoes for hours.
She wrapped herself in her favorite green terry-cloth robe. It was Renee's last gift to her and she almost sensed her mother's presence. She wished that Charlie and Renee could have been at her graduation ceremony today. Life just wasn't fair sometimes. She grabbed the robe and pulled it tighter to her, a single tear falling down her cheek.
Wiping her cheek, Bella glanced at the clock. She had three hours before she had to be ready for the formal dinner. She considered pouring a glass of wine to help soothe and dull her thoughts.
However, Bella decided to leave the drinking for later that evening. Jacob had promised to take her to a new club after the dinner. So she went to the kitchen for a Chai tea and a piece of banana bread.
Nothing that a little tea and banana bread can't cure, she thought.
Bella unconsciously thought about Edward, as she sat drinking tea and eating the bread. What was it about him that both enraged and aroused her? She had barely been in the same room with him for 20 minutes. Now she knew why he was asking Jessica about her in the Farm's cafeteria.
Did he choose me for this position? But why me? It just doesn't make any sense. I'm as green as the "jolly green giant."
Bella shuffled through the papers in the file, but her thoughts kept returning to Edward.
God, his assistant?
Bella remembered the grin on Edward's face when Tanya revealed that she would be reporting to the "pretty boy."
Well, two can tango, Edward Cullen.
She would play the assistant perfectly and if it somehow caused him to be a little strained in his pants, then all the better. She sipped her tea. He really thought I was going to be that easy? A wicked smirk spread across her face reaching her eyes as she laughed.
Let the games begin, she chuckled.
Bella returned her focus to the folder in her hands, and her mood became subdued. She realized that they would be investigating some rather serious matters, and attempting to infiltrate the Volturi family operations.
They had built a compound around Forks, Washington. Actually, Bella thought, it appeared to be more like a fortress or castle but missing the moat.
Bella was so engrossed in her reading that Rose's appearance caught her off guard.
"Hey, hope I didn't scare you. What are you up to?"
"Oh, just going over a few details for my first real assignment. Wait till you meet my partner. He's coming over later."
"How did things go with your professor?"
"The professor is very good, thank you!"
"In more ways than one," Bella murmured.
"Bella Swan, what has gotten in your panties this afternoon? Just a little jealous that my monkey man can follow through with his banana?" Rose asked smirking. "Come on you. Let's get you ready for the formal tonight. We don't have much time."
Rose was a goddess with the hair straightener, and she was able to tame Bella's waves. Bella wanted a slick hairstyle to go with her more modern dress. Rose helped her purchase the dress at, Cusp, on M Street in Georgetown last week. They decided on an eggshell colored, Calvin Klein halter-top dress. It had a shirred bodice that was hemmed in a by a strip of charmeuse fabric with a decorative tie. The rest of the dress fell to a liquid draped hem ending mid-thigh.
With her pale complexion, Bella would have never picked off white, but Rose had insisted that it made her skin look luminous. Bella had to admit that Rose was right, and it proved that she was the one with the sense of fashion.
After sliding into her gold tone three-inch strappy heels, she walked to the full-length mirror. Her reflection made her smile, because she saw a grown-up Bella staring back at her.
Rose regarded Bella with a motherly expression on her face, and Bella felt the sharp sting of her mother's absence. Although she had some thought of her mother everyday she didn't miss her every day.
"Damn it Bella, you look so fucking hot. Who knows? Maybe Jacob will put a stamp on that V-card after all."
Rose snickered after her comment and Bella sent her an evil look via the mirror.
Bella was ready to adjust Rose's smart attitude, when they heard a knock at the door.
"Oh that must be Jacob. He just sent me a text saying he would be here in a minute or two."
Bella opened the door and she blurted out, "Jacob, I'm so glad you're here..."
Holy Shit.
Edward stared at Bella, surveying her from head to toe. She looks stunning, he thought. The dress highlights everything that should be showcased on a woman's body
Her breasts would fit perfectly in my hands.
He dragged his eyes back up to her surprised expression. She had a peculiar look in her eyes and he wanted to get inside her mind.
Touch her, touch her, his head cried out.
"Ms. Swan may I come in?" And who in the hell is Jacob?
A/N: We would liked to thank our Special Agents…Beta's Elizabethan and Aquariumjenn