You might be able to tell that things get a little...interesting in this chapter. If you're not over 18, or if you're my mother, I HIGHLY suggest you find something else to read.

Disclaimer: Nope, still down own it, but I would like a taste of Rob's...*grins* well, you know.

*Bella's playtime playlist:

"Master" – Nine Inch Nails

"Spoonman" - Soundgarden

"Tyrant" - The Bravery

"Only" – Nine Inch Nails

"Antisaint" - Chevelle

"No One Loves Me & Neither Do I" – Them Crooked Vultures

"Closer" – Nine Inch Nails

Chapter 2

I left work still frustrated with the day's events, and unable to restrain my thoughts from the enigmatic Edward Cullen. The self-assured smile, the fuck me hair, and those eyes. Damn those green-as-a-perfect-Emerald eyes. I didn't trust him as far as I could throw him, but more so, I started to have this feeling that I didn't trust myself. The mere admission made me even hungrier to fuck with him and get him out of my system. Leave him wanting. I raced as much as one could race against traffic in my favorite toy – an Audi TT – to get home, drink, and get ready for my evening. My condo was easy enough to get to from work, just south of the loop and near UIC. It afforded much of the pleasures of living in the city, without being in the overly popular, anywhere-near-Wrigleyville areas.

In fact, if I was being honest, it was a fucktastic condo, with a balcony that looked northeast where I could see the lake and even Navy Pier in the distance. I'd had it completely redone a year ago, all the amenities, all the conveniences, all the toys.

But the one rule I had about my haven? I never played at home. Rose had come over only twice, because I controlled her and the situation. Besides, she had a second bedroom entirely devoted to her peculiar tastes. With Jasper it was…different. Most of the time he and I liked to find new places, somewhat public, but out of the way. The thrill of being seen or caught, and the rough way he always took me only added to our combustion. He knew my penchant for games and always tried to please. Any other guy who breached the doors of this sanctuary usually left with a rough fuck and handshake from me. Most of time, it was if Jasper or Rosalie were away on business. No, I'm not cooking you breakfast. Get the fuck out. It goes without saying I didn't see many of them again, their pussy-whipped dicks between their legs as they left.

I dropped my briefcase and purse in the doorway, and made a beeline to my kitchen to make my signature drink before heading out to Heaven. Grey Goose, extra-dirty, blue cheese olives. Extra dirty, just the way I liked them. I turned on the condo-wide stereo system to some mood music. Nine Inch Nails.

I took two sips and brought the drink with me into my bedroom. I needed to shower and prep beforehand. Shit, I hadn't been this excited since… I honestly couldn't remember. Maybe the first time? No, the first time I'd been nervous. Maybe the third time. Throwing my clothes on the bed, I stood in front of my full length mirror. The Brazilian I'd gotten the week before had done its trick, making both Rose and Jasper happy as kids at Christmas when they had seen; not together, of course.

I let the hot water flow over my body and then my head. I ran my hands over my arms, my breasts, down across my stomach and between my thighs. New hands would be covering this territory tonight, and the familiar pulling in my gut made me grin.

I couldn't get my normal, run-of-the-mill clothes on fast enough, grabbing my bag from its hiding place in my walk-in closet. It held my rather elaborate costume, and a few other toys I usually brought along with me. Heaven supplied everything else, including the entertainment.

I took the El to the club, a rather dreary but untraceable method of transportation around the city. I used my key to the alley door, and walked in on my way to my own personal dressing room – the amenity reserved for the most respected clients.

"My Queen," Emmett bowed as he spoke, standing outside my door waiting for me. Emmett was like a well-sculpted bouncer, badass bodyguard, and knowledgeable bartender all rolled into one nice package of eye-candy. I'd been trying to get him to let me introduce him to the upstairs playrooms for years, but he took his job seriously, and I couldn't sway him. Pity. He was like a big brother, but I knew little about his life outside these walls.

"I'm assuming the necessary paperwork and Confidentiality Agreement have been taken care of?" I asked, walking through the door.

"Yes, your Majesty. Your new servant awaits you, fully prepped. I think you'll find him quite…to your liking." He said as he smiled at me.

"Thanks, Emmett. I'll be in in 5."

He shut the door behind him and I began pulling out of my bag all of my necessities, including my red satin with black-trim, lace up-the-front corset and matching black thong. I dressed carefully but quickly, the final adjustments my hair pulled back, the most perfect red lip gloss, and my carefully crafted mask. While I'd often thought of getting a wig, I liked my real hair to taunt them, and when I ran it across their hard and sculpted abs, or accidentally down over the taut skin of their shoulders, it was my own personal method of torture. I inspected myself one last time in the mirror, and went to meet my new subject.

I opened the door and walked in, spying him kneeling on the hard floor, no pillow, his head hung in abject adoration, and I held back my grin. Very, very good. My eyes roamed over his body, salivating at its perfection. The defined biceps, pecs, and abs were readily visible. The black silk boxers he wore left only a little to the imagination, although most of it was still hidden by his position on the floor. This one piece of clothing, this loincloth, was my only request if they wanted to be with The Queen. I didn't like to fuck around with the leather, or vinyl, or the numerous get-ups that really only impeded my view of their skin. I liked to see the effect I had on them as soon as I had it, and I like easy access to what I wanted most, even if I punished them for it and made them wait.

I closed and locked the door behind me, walking to a table and setting out my toys amongst my collection of the clubs. Emmett having been extra careful in including all of personal favorites. I grabbed the remote, and turned on my CD of mood music.

"You are free to speak. Do you have any questions for me?" I asked in my most authoritative voice.

He just shook his head back and forth, keeping his gaze to the floor. It's then I noticed his rather peculiar mask. It covered every inch of his head, except for what I found to be the most fuckincredible red lips. I'd never seen anything like it before, and the mystery behind the mask lit a fire deep within me. His face, his eyes, his hair were completely hidden from me, the eyes covered by a mirrored material that he must be able to see out of, but I couldn't see in. The only things that were exposed were those red-delicious lips: well-defined, luscious, and totally kissable. I wanted them sucking on me as soon as his body buckled in pain.

"You should address me as your Queen, or Your Majesty, but only when given permission. Do you know the safe words?" I walked up to stand directly in front of him as he nodded his head in affirmation.

"Good. How shall I address you if the need arises?" I was going to make him talk. I needed to hear his voice.

"I'm Yours, Your Majesty." He finally said.

"Yours?" Wow, that was kinda hot.

"Yes, Your Majesty." I took a walk around him as he said it, and the view sent flames through me.

"On your feet." Oh, what I didn't want to do with him now. He rose up, keeping his eyes down, and I finally got a look at what was to come. Already stretching out of the silk, his cock was semi-aroused, and it was all I could do not to reach out and touch it. With the remote in my hand, I lowered the cuffs from the ceiling, carefully locking one wrist and then the other, digging my fingernails over the skin of his pecs as I walked by. Pressing another button to raise his arms, I made sure the movement was slow, deliberate, as I wanted to see how far I could actually stretch him. I looked down to see his dick even harder through the thin, silk of his boxers.

"So Yours, you're mine for the night. No more speaking from you, unless I tell you. Not. One. Sound. If I hear a peep, I punish you. Those are the rules. Understand?" I goaded.

He just nodded. "Good boy."

It was finally time to start, so I walked over to him and took his dick in my hands, squeezing slightly, as his lips twitched ever so slightly. He was going to be tough. "I have my own brand of…fun, Yours. That's part of my charm. I don't always play by the rules." I let my hand slowly fade across his hip, around to his ass. It was a nice ass. A very nice ass. My fingernails began a trip from his right shoulder, down across his back, until I carried them back around to his flat stomach. He didn't even move.

"I see your experienced, Yours. While I like that, I'm going to have to try harder to break you." I purred, taking the remote and stretching his arms just a hair farther. His bicep muscles stretched, as well as those along his shoulders, torso and abs. I had to admit it was quite a view. From my table of toys, I thought maybe I should start slow, even though he seemed quite controlled. So I picked up the nipple clamps and walked over to stand so close to him that he could feel my breath on his face.

I stood on my tiptoes to whisper in his ear. "You know, Yours, anticipation is as much the torture as the actual pain coursing through your veins." As I said it, I let the nipple clamp close darn hard, watching for his reaction: only a slight intake of breath. So I turned the screw a corner of turn. Again, the corners of his mouth twitched, but that was all, so I clamped the other one on, this time turning it another quarter, waiting, watching. Nothing.

I stepped back to look at him, and realized the pulsating between my legs was turning into a major distraction for me. I hadn't had a newbie in a while, but this one, this David crafted of fine marble, was something more. There was a rockhard steeliness that seemed almost impenetrable.

I went over to my table and picked up my next option. Taking the spiked cock ring, I slowly slid it on, tightening it around him, and running my hand over him as the tiny spikes drove into his dick; this time his mouth opened with a gasp, but still no sound.

"Hmmm." I smiled as I watched his face change back to flaccid acceptance. He was magnificent, and I was already wet. I reached up my fingers and ran them over those rose-hued lips of his; I ached to feel their mysterious texture against my own. As I did, they parted, and I slid my finger in his mouth over his teeth. He didn't bite it, nor did he close his lips around it. Fuck he had balls of stone, but I was getting impatient. Normally I liked to play with them until they gasped for breath, but for some reason this one I wanted capable of fucking my brains out.

"Yours, although I do realize the great pains you're taking to keep quiet, it's rather making me angry that I haven't made you …"

"My Queen, it was my understanding…"

"Ah! What were the rules, Yours?" I hissed. Maybe he wasn't experienced. Now we were getting somewhere.

"No…"

"That's TWO!" I commandingly yelled. I walked back to the table, and picked up my favorite toy.

I walked to stand in front of him again, setting my toy on the side of the bed. I knew he'd seen what I'd chosen, and I could only imagine his eyes behind the mask. Seeing their eyes was a useful tool in judging just how far to push. I didn't have that luxury with my newbie, and I rather liked it. "You had your chance to speak in the beginning, Yours. If there was a misunderstanding between us, that was the time to voice it. Now I'll have to punish you for disobeying."

I pushed the button on the remote for a quick release of his arms, knowing from experience the pain that would course through them as they came down.

"Lay on the bed face down, arms above you outstretched, but keep your feet on the floor." I instructed. I watched as he turned, crawling his torso halfway up the bed, reaching his arms out wide. I also noticed how careful he was with where his nipples and dick went. It was even harder now, and its size made me giddy. I was sure the spikes that pressed it against were driving in.

I grabbed a cuff from the side of the bed, wrapping it around his wrist tightly, crossing to the other side of the bed and doing the same to his other wrist, adjusting the tension of both chains from a dial on the wall, until his arms were straight out and tight, and his body hovered slightly over the bed. As I walked back around, I stood directly behind him and tugged his shorts down, and this elicited a slight movement from him and another sharp intake of breath. But no sound.

I picked up the flogger and went to stand beside him. "Yours, I will be giving you 10 strikes, plus 2 for your disobedience. You will count out loud each one as they hit. Understand?" He hesitated for only a second before nodding, but it was long enough for me to determine that he was having second thoughts. His hands found the chains that held his cuffs, clutching them.

"Do we need to review the safe words?" His head shook back and forth again, this time faster than his affirmative answer, but I could sense his fear as if it were his blood flowing into me. Finally.

I started off easy, sending a whack across his ass cheeks, making him jolt.

"One." His obedience was quickly followed by another, to which he responded appropriately, and I crossed to the other side, sending two more whacks down on his skin. His response was quick but his composure slipping.

I sent four more across the back of his thighs, two more onto his lower back, and then came back to his ass. The red marks were beginning to appear, and I would need to soothe them soon.

"I'm checking-in, Yours. Shall I continue?" The opportunity to give me the safe-word hung over the room like a cloud in smoky bar with insufficient ventilation. I waited more time than I usually allowed for an answer, but he said nothing, a slow nod of his head finally signaled me to continue. I would have self-combusted if even a whisper of a safe-word escaped his perfect lips.

"How many are left, Yours?" I panted, almost unable to stand. I was so hot, so ready. He didn't speak.

So I said through a wide grin, "You may answer me."

"T-two, Your Majesty." His answer was breathy, and it nearly made me come standing up. In quick succession, I let the last two remaining cracks of my flogger meet his skin and his hands pulled at the chains, making the definition of the muscles down his arms and across his back look like chiseled marble. I quickly went to the table and set the toy back, returning with the lotion to softly rub on the red slashes. I intended for my fingers to be as soft as a feather, but with my first touch to his skin he once again gasped, until he realized what I was doing. I covered every red welt, massaging them gently, almost lovingly. I quickly undid his wrists from the cuffs and watched as his body dropped onto the bed.

I crawled up next to him, and leaned in to whisper in his ear, "Yours darling, roll over." The slow movement onto his back spoke volumes, and for a minute I was afraid I had taken him too far. I removed the spikes from around his dick as I moved to kneel between his legs, but instead of my hands, I leaned over and used my tongue to bring coolness to his rock-hard dick. I wrapped my lips around him, lightly gliding them over his skin, his taste like nothing I'd experience before. His head lifted from the bed, and I stopped, crawling up to straddle his stomach and take off the nipple clamps, throwing them to the side of the bed. He was still breathing heavy, so I started to softly run my fingers over his nipples.

"Yours, are you…alright?" I leaned down closer to his face, and when I didn't get a response, I touched my lips to his. I'd wanted to do that all night. He just nodded.

It was maddening that I couldn't see his eyes at this moment. I wanted to see the heat, the passion, or whatever he was feeling. For a moment, I wanted to rip the mask off his head, to see what was underneath, but that was breaking a cardinal rule: if a participant wore a mask this elaborate, it was for a reason.

"You can speak now. You can touch me. You're free to do what you want with me. I'm yours." No sooner had I spoken the words, the fingers of his right hand came up hesitantly to unlace my corset, his initial pull agonizingly slow, teasing me,. His head fell back on the bed, and I could only presume he was gazing at me, until both hands came up to rip at the lacing that held my corset together, tearing it from my body. His hands came up to squeeze both of my tits, his initial touch sending shots of electricity down between my legs. His fingers came down to the edge of my thong, pulling at it, the snaps holding it closed on both sides no match for his insistence. I felt the fire burn between my legs, as his hand reached towards me, his long fingers finding my clit, sliding back and forth.

"Mmm. You can say anything, now." I softly said, giving him permission again, but he just shook his head, as his torso rose up, and he brought his mouth slowly, too slowly, to mine. My hands went up around his neck pulling him to me. My tongue plunged against his, both of them fighting for dominance, as I felt his finger slide again over my clit to my entrance, sliding two in and out in rhythm with his tongue.

"Fuck the fingers. I want you inside me. Now." I commanded, breaking the kiss. He stretched his long arm for the condom that was on the bedside table, ripping open the package and taking it out.

"Wait. Give it to me." I said, taking it from his hand. I slid my body back, letting his dick run over my wet heat, and I expertly rolled it on, careful of the still red spike marks, but my touch just seem to excite him more.

The anticipation of his cock inside me was too much, and I grabbed his dick in my hand and moved to hover over him as he lay back down. My gaze on the eyeholes of his mask, I felt a strange connection to him penetrating the mirrored-barrier that kept his identity from me. I lowered my body until I felt his tip just inside me, and then let my body fall slowly taking him all in, watching as he took a quick breath through clenched teeth. He was so thick and long, the sensation of my insides wrapping around him was enough to make me let out a breathy sigh.

Oh, sweet fuck.

I moved slowly up, and then down, grinding my hips around, feeling all of him. I reached back to let my hands rest on his spread thighs, and the change in position had him hitting exactly where he needed to be. He was everything I'd wanted, everything I could have imagined him to be, and I hadn't even come yet.

I was lost in the sensations he was giving me, when I felt him raising his hips to push harder and faster. I was riding the best dick of my life, the feel of him like the key to my magic lock, the smacking of our skin against each other like a symphony to my ears. Everything in me wanted to cry out, to scream, as my arms and legs started to shake with the prolonged use and tension of my muscles.

As if feeling it, his hand came up to my hip, his fingers beckoning me towards him. I lunged forward, my hands balancing on his abs. His one hand reached up to squeeze my nipple, as the fingers on his other once again found my clit, and pinched the spot that would send me over. I knew he was close, by the sound of his moans, and it was all I could do to hold myself upright when my insides started to squeeze around him like a vice. I barely held on, trying to remember all of my tricks, all of the techniques, trying to prolong it without a sound, waiting for him. But with one last thrust, his arms were around me, clutching me to him as he sat up, my insides exploding so powerfully, a low moan slipped up through my throat. I felt his body rut into me once more, his muscles shaking where they pressed against my skin, his final grunt rocketing him inside me.

I felt nothing, I felt everything, as the waves continued to wash through me and over him. He pulled me down on top of him, my head falling against his chest. Conscious thought evaporated, tiny flickering stars flashed behind my closed eyes. He held me, my body limp, as we both lay there skin to skin, his dick still inside me and my vibrations pulsating around him.

I didn't know how long he held me, a second, an hour, an eternity. All I could do is revel in the all-encompassing feeling of nothingness competing with the electricity coursing through me. It was like nothing I'd ever felt before, and if I'd died at that moment, it would've been a good way to go. His chest rose and fell underneath my head, the sound of his heart beating pounded in my ear. Eventually, I felt him roll me to the side, slipping out of me, and holding my head in his hand, as it lolled back. My body followed to lay flat, his arm protectively cradling my side as it did, but every one of my nerve endings fired shocks throughout my system. By the movement of the bed, I assumed he was getting rid of the condom as I couldn't even force my eyes open.

Again the mattress dipped as he came back, crawling up next to me, moving me to my side so he could wrap his arms around me from behind. His one hand drifted softly over my stomach to my tit, possessively cupping it in his hand, his lips running over my shoulder to my neck, softly kissing it.

My eyelids were lead, my body even more so. I merely existed, the rise and fall of my chest the only clue that I was alive.

"My Queen." He whispered in my ear. "Are you…are you ok?" His whisper was like the Prince's kiss, waking me from my slumber.

"Fuck yeah." It took all the strength I had to say it.

He held me for awhile, I don't know how long. I must've fallen asleep, a soft kiss on my cheek waking me only briefly to know he was gone.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

I arrived in the office that morning at my customary time feeling…incredible, like I was high, and with more energy than any Disney kid on crack. Every nerve ending pinged, but ironically every one of my muscles protested movement, including my arms, the insides of my thighs . . . and the ones I thought I'd never wear out. I half-grinned at the thought. I'd worn one of my black Chanel suits and a demure, yet not really, hot pink camisole underneath. It left just enough to the imagination and allowed me to wear a nice black lace push-up underneath. I was feeling…hot…fucking fantastic really, and I wanted it to show.

I had just locked my purse down in my personal drawer, when…

"Beller." Jasper's voice caressingly breathed from the doorway. Almost unconsciously, my smile faded. After last night, a fuck from Jasper seemed almost…rudimentary.

"Hey, Jasper." I sighed, sitting down in my chair and getting my laptop out of my briefcase.

"You, uh, ready for this meetin'?" He asked harmlessly, as he came through the door, turning it and locking it behind him.

I really wasn't in the mood, but I had to handle him…carefully. "Yes. I think I have my shit together, what do you think he's going to talk about?" I started to dock my laptop, effectively turning my back to him. I hoped the maneuver was subtle but direct enough for the fucktard.

I felt his hands on the back of my chair. "Got me. No one seems ta know." As he said it, he ran his hands back and forth, his fingertips purposely grazing my back.

"Jazz, I've got to get some stuff together, do you think we can wait 'til this afternoon? We can meet later. In the room." I said nonchalantly, bringing up my email.

His laugh behind me wasn't really a laugh. It was more like a derisive snort. "You…you're…" Suddenly my chair swiveled around, his hands on the armrests as he leaned forward. "Beller, darlin'…" he glared at me. "Are ya tryin' ta tell me you're not in the mood?" His face came closer, too close. I didn't like his tone, nor his change in demeanor. I'd taught him better than this.

I glared back, wholly aggravated, effectively quashing the euphoria of my morning. "Jasper, I suggest you remember your place and kindly remove your hands from my chair and back the fuck up. Now." That last "now" almost sounded like a growl. My arms folded across me, hoisting my tits up in the air, trying to keep any part of him from touching me.

He hesitated for just a moment.

"If you don't, I'm gonna knee you in the fuckin' balls and laugh as you bow-leggedly walk into the meeting. I'm sure our new VP will wonder what the hell you've been up to." I sneered, whatever vestiges of patience I had evaporating.

He looked at me for another moment, obviously thinking twice about whatever had come over him, as a lazy smile formed on his face. "Of course, my…I mean…as you wish, darlin'." He pushed away with his arms and took a step backward, sending my chair wheeling back into my desk, my back smacking into the edge of it. I hid the pain behind pursed lips. Pussy-whipped ass.

"Don't press your luck, redneck." I turned once again to my computer, effectively ending the conversation. From the corner of my eye, I watched as he quickly went to my door, flicked open the lock, and flung the door open with such power he had to catch it with his hand before it hit the wall.

"Hello, Jasper." Fuck…no. Edward was standing in the doorway.

"Edward." Jasper stormed by him and down the hall. I pretended to be focused on my monitor, seemingly relaxed and oblivious to Jasper's tantrum tension.

"Bella." Edward greeted as he walked into my office. "How are you this morning?" He smiled as he walked up to my desk. I tore my gaze from my computer to stare him down. He had that fucktastic smile on his face, a smile to swoon a million other women who would cream their panties at the mere sight of it.

I tried to return to the state that I was in when I got to the office. "I'm fantastic, Edward. Thanks. So, wanna clue me in as to what you're gonna throw at us this first official meeting of yours?" I leaned back in my chair as I crossed my legs, turning to face him directly, giving him a grin.

To think, I'd thought his already panty-dripping smile couldn't get any better. Shit, I was wrong. The corners of his mouth went even wider, and I stared at gleam off his pearly whites. I almost chuckled when I realized he must've paid a fortune for them.

"Of course not. Why? Are you…nervous, Bella?" I glanced at my monitor as my notifications box appeared with another email.

"Nervous? No." I half laughed, scooting my chair up to the edge of my desk and placing my hands on it. "Should I be?" Why is it that I felt like we were engaged in the beginnings of a chess match?

In answer to my aplomb, the laughter that came out of him was real. "I don't think so. I'll see you in there." He turned to walk to the door, but when he reached the threshold he suddenly stopped, his head half-turning as if he were going to say something and then changed his mind. He shook it momentarily as if to make whatever it was disappear, and walked away.

I sat back in my chair again and stared at my doorway. Just what the fuck was that? I chewed on my fingernail as I wondered. Sure, I overcame the thoughts that were in the back of my head when he asked me if I was nervous. If he saw what I had found…if he knew…

I quickly up righted my chair, my fingers flying to my computer keyboard.

Yes. That was it.

I pulled up the internal system that held the financial data for each editor's titles, printing out a few key pages from the Profit & Loss statements, or P&Ls. Then I went to the reports that Edward's now secretary had sent even before his arrival on order from his predecessor. Finally, I printed out my handy-dandy spreadsheet where I'd did my own number-crunching of what I'd found.

For some reason, I got the feeling that Edward was trying to tell me something, even in the five minutes he was in here. If he knew all the shit he said he did about me, the one thing he should know was that I was never nervous. So, just for him to ask would mean…

I gathered up the papers from my printer, and started to organize them into file folders. If Edward was asking me if I was nervous, there might be something to be nervous about. What I had in these files was the key. He wouldn't come in here if he had a problem with me. He wouldn't give me a warning if he had a problem with me. This was the way in – the way to strategically and effectively earn his trust. His dick would be in my hand by the weekend. Preferably harder than granite.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

I sat down at the far end of the round table. Yes, we were in the Camelot room, our biggest conference room. A circular table, the middle cut-out, where no one was supposed to appear to have any more power or influence than anyone else, even though the chairs immediately in front of the doors always remained empty until the big dicks arrived. I always sat myself across from them to read them, their expressions, their body language, and their looks at other people across the room. Yes, it was yet another political dance, this room built to foster equality. Utter bullshit. That and the fact that I was one of the three females in it, the other two chicks were Editors and underneath me.

Edward was the last to arrive, and I almost grinned. Wanting to make a grand entrance in front of all of his direct reports? Check. Oh, this was going to be fun.

"Good afternoon, everyone." He began. "While this meeting was supposed to be more informal, a chance for us to come together, I've recently stumbled upon some disturbing information that…I need to address."

The collective breaths of everyone in the room stopped. I chanced a glance at Jasper who just sat with his arms folded across his chest. Jasper and I had developed a secret code over the years, different movements, different hand gestures to signal to each other what we were thinking. Rubbing our noses meant something stunk in Denmark. Putting our chin in our hand on the desk meant we were bored. Hands folded across the chest were not a sign. That coupled with the fact that he didn't even look at me and I thought maybe I should rub my nose.

"Some reports have come across my desk, and after further investigation, I've determined that we are three million dollars in the hole." Edward said, looking around the table.

My body tensed. He had found it. I tried to remain as calm as physically possible. I watched as Jasper held his position, but his face wasn't as relaxed as it had been. I knew that I was the only one who could see it, too. Because only I knew every inch of that man, every nuance, mostly because I brought them all out in him. My eyes went across the space of the table, and back to Edward. He was looking at me. Christ.

I held his gaze and my outward impassiveness, putting on a rather impressive poker face.

Jasper suddenly spoke up. "Edward, perhaps you and I should discuss this outside this meeting. Maybe I oughta take a look at what you found."

"Funny that you should say that, Jasper, since you're VP of Accounting." Edward grinned across the table. But it was in his eyes. They spoke volumes, and I could read them like a large-print book. Whatever Edward had found, whatever evidence he had, pointed directly to Jasper, especially if it was the same information I'd combed over.

I sat straighter in my chair, torn between hanging back to see how this played out, or standing to actually agree with Jasper and taking this pissing session to a more private venue. I surreptitiously glanced at the 15 or so people around me, but everyone's eyes were glued on the two of them. I kept from shaking my head when I realized they were all probably thanking their BMW, Lexus, and/or Mercedes it wasn't them in Jasper's place.

"Edward, I don't know what you're trying to imply, but I'm sure it's an oversight, or a lack of correct information.

"Hmmm. Yes, an oversight." Edward rubbed his hand on his chin, looking down at what I could only assume were the numbers in question.

Jasper suddenly stood and looked around the room. His expression grew dark and menacing; it was one that on occasion, I had drawn out of him. But I'd never seen in it here, in the workplace. "I don't know what you're accusin' me of, or tryin' ta accuse me of…in front of everyone, Edward, but…"

"I'm not accusing anyone." Edward cut him off and stood up, resting his hands on the table, leaning forward towards Jasper. "I want to know why we're three million in the hole, when books are flying out the door with rising enrollments."

Jesus. In about two seconds, they were both going to fly over the table into the center, and duke this out.

Jasper leaned forward, his hand going out to circle the room. "Perhaps we all should take a look at our expense accounts, the amount of money that we spend on corporate events, and marketing."

Edward grinned. "Right. You know as well as I do Jasper, that we don't spend two million on those things, let alone three. I suggest you sit down and we'll discuss this as a team."

"Tryin' ta ruin a man's reputation in front of the team, Cullen, is no way ta gather in the flock." He started to gather his files and papers. "I'll be expectin' a public apology." As he turned to leave, he finally looked at me, and if I'd thought his face was dark before, it was nothing compared to the way his eyes fired mortar shells at me now.

He thought I had something to do with this. He was thinking that this morning's refusal was my complicity in Edward's very public flogging.

He hesitated long enough for me to think he was expecting me to make a move with him, in some show of support. I crossed my arms and looked down at my reports in front of me.

Oh no, asshole. You're on your own.

Although I didn't look up, the door to the conference room slamming was my signal he was gone.

"Meeting adjourned." Edward stated unnecessarily, gathered his things and left.

For about 20 seconds, everyone in the room sat shell-shocked. All except for me. My mind was whirling, because the opening I needed had just fallen into my lap. Jasper was as cooked as a pig that had been skewered over an open fire for ten hours.

I had Edward Cullen in the palm of my hand.

As everyone started to rise amidst their whispers and hushed laughs, I couldn't help but let a small grin grow from the corners of my mouth.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

As I walked up to his corner office, I checked with his assistant, Mary, who told me to go on in. I eyed the closed door suspiciously wondering why it was ok for me to just walk right in, but I wasn't going to argue with her. I knocked twice, waiting for the…

"What?" The curt way he said it told me the anger was still at the surface.

I turned the handle and walked through the door, "Edward? Do you mind if I come in?" assumptively closing it as I asked. With his back to me, he stared out the window of walls to the east, hands on his hips. He whipped around when he heard me, the scowl that had been on his face as he left the meeting still in place.

"Yes. What is it?" he huffed out, running his hand through that fuckme hair of his.

"I…"

"I apologize, Bella. I shouldn't take that tone with you. It's…it's a total lack of professionalism on my part. What can I do for you?" I wanted to smirk, I wanted to smile. You can fuck me like an animal wasthe first thought that came to mind as I walked toward his I held the innocent, rather hurt look on my face more successfully than I thought possible.

"I wanted to give you these. Reports. I've highlighted certain sections in them that you will find enlightening. You were…right in there. And while Jasper is…is a friend, I thought these might help your case. I can get more information if you need it, or if you're unfamiliar with our systems yet…" Stop talking, Bella. I reached out the files in my hand towards him, over his desk. His gaze was like ice, studying me, and I just knew he was running the angles that I might have through his head.

He grabbed the files from me, and sat down in his chair. "Please. Sit." Opening the files, he perused the figures that I had run just two weeks ago, my highlights drawing attention to key entries, and it was clear. There was something amuck.

He let out a sigh as he saw what I intended for him to see. I crossed one leg over the other, letting a little thigh show for effect.

"Why are you giving me these, Bella?" He sat back in his chair, letting the files fall to his desk.

"Because I thought you might need them." I answered plainly.

He got up from his chair and turned around to again stare out the massive windows, his hands again on his hips. I stayed silent at first, trying to figure my next move, my next sentence, but suddenly I was rising out of my chair, my legs walking over to stand next to him. As I stood beside him, he looked down and shook his head.

"Just what the hell are you up to, Bella? I distinctly remember telling you no games."

"Edward, if I were playing games, I wouldn't have given you those files, would I?" I said, looking up at him. "It's just… business. You need to find out what the fuh - what's going on. After the display you and Jasper put on in that meeting, I was embarrassed for both of you. But I can't deny what you said, and if Jasper… if he..." I turned my head to look out the window. "I just brought you the proof you need." I momentarily waited for a reaction. Getting none, I started to walk away, when his hand clenched around my upper arm, effectively stopping me. How I wanted it there. How I wanted him to squeeze even harder, but I had to play my role.

I glanced down at his hand, and then up at his eyes, and he didn't remove it, just inched me closer to him, until his other hand was grasping my other upper arm.

I looked down then, partly because I knew I had to keep up my game. But mostly because I couldn't look at the superbly-colored emeralds posing as his eyes any longer without starting to rise up on my tip-toes to press my lips to his.

"Edward, please remove your hands. I…" I shrugged my shoulders from his grasp, and walked two steps from him, my back turned. As hard as I was trying to remember this was part of my game, I didn't like the way his touch felt. I needed to keep the upper hand here, no emotion whatsoever.

"Bella." I felt him standing behind me. I felt his hands want to touch me again, and it was all I could do not to turn around and press my body into his, the surge of electricity my body felt with his close proximity.

"Bella, I'm sorry. I…I don't know what came over me." He walked away from me, and the sweet sparks went with him.

"You know, I could report you for that," I said with all the composure I could muster, halfway to the door.

"Yes, I suppose you could," he sighed, and I could feel him walking up behind me, but stopping just in front of his desk. I knew I had him, if I turned around now, there was no turning back. My head said to walk the fuck out, make Edward burn a little bit more, but I recognized that burn, and all the synapses in my body were firing, begging me to turn back to him. I'd never felt less in control that I did at this moment, and something in me hated it, but something deeper stirred. Almost unrecognizable, it was a need, a yearning, more than I'd ever felt. Flying by the seat of my pants was not my style, I was a planner, and Edward Cullen had effectively blown whatever my plan had been sky high. Something told me this was going to be wild ride. For both of us. I slowly turned back, and took two steps toward him.

"Bella, I…" The green of his eyes blazed nearly red as he met me in the center of his office.

"Relax, Cullen." I nearly choked on the words, because the last thing I could do was relax. My eyes glanced at his tantalizing red lips, signaling what I was thinking. Would he take the bait?

"Bella, you are the most infuriating woman I've ever known." He said, answering my gaze by raping my lips with his eyes. "I said no games. I can't let this happen…" he whispered, as his hand reached out and tugged mine, and …I let him. My body crashed against his, my tits between his molded pecs and sculpted abs, the force of which made my mouth open. The familiar ache grew between my legs. He brought my hand up to his chest, holding it there like a prisoner. The realization made me want to run, and yet the fluttering in my lower abdomen kept me still.

I slowly brought my gaze up to his. "Then don't." I parlayed, fully knowing it's what he wanted me to say, but taking every last ounce of control I had left to say it. The hand that wasn't holding mine suddenly went to my waist and traced up from the small of my back, slowly, skimming fingertips up my spine, until his fingers clutched the back of my neck. I couldn't help but stare at his parted lips. Those lips…those…

"Fuck, Bella…." and suddenly those lips were on mine, his tongue forcing its way in. The hand that had held mine, let go, finding it's way to the small of my back and pressing me to him. At first his tongue slid gently against mine, teasing, luring, conquering, until it was nearly devouring me, thrusting against mine in perfect rhythm. There was something strange about it, the way his tongue touched mine. But the thought was lost, when I couldn't help my hands as they slid up from where they'd been stationary at my sides around to his back and up to his shoulder blades, the muscles underneath it firm, his dick up against my stomach even more so.

His lips left my mouth and nipped and sucked a path down my neck to the spot where my shoulder started, my neck still firmly in his grasp or my head might have fallen backwards and completely detached from my body. His hand at the small of my back suddenly went under my camisole, the touch tickling and burning my skin. His kisses trailed down to my collarbone, the hand that had been on my back, now sliding the two thin strips of fabric that were in his way down my arm.

Before I realized it, he was moving me toward the couch, sitting me gently back, kneeling in front of me. My gaze caught his, and for a moment, it was like déjà vu, his eyes asking for permission. But I didn't speak, as his hand came up to push back what was the minimal lace and satin of my bra, licking my nipple, and then taking it in his mouth. He sucked, suckled, until my head went back as his pearly whites bit down and I thought my insides would burst.

A knock on the door had my head popping up, and Edward's eyes piercing mine. His fingertips deftly and quickly brought up my bra and camisole straps, as he agilely rocked backward from his knees and nearly ran to sit behind his desk, straightening his tie along the way. I stayed where I was, crossing my legs to fight the need that was near painful in its intensity now.

"Yes, come in." Edward voiced as he sat, and grabbed the files that I had given him.

The door opened. "Edward, can I…" Jasper's eyes left Edward's to focus on my rather outwardly relaxed, but inwardly blitzed position on the couch.

"Jasper, you and I have nothing more to say to each other today." Edward said not looking up from the file he had opened.

"Beller." Jasper nodded in my direction, but even at my distance, I could see his eyes grow dark, even more than they had been in the conference room when they had been focused on Edward.

"I wanted ta discuss what happened earlier, but I can see that you're…" his eyes once again glared at me, "busy."

Somewhere within that statement, Edward had lifted his gaze to look at Jasper, and recognized the intention behind the word "busy" as much as I did.

"Jasper, come in and close the door behind you," Edward said as he rose from his desk and came to stand four feet in front of Jasper. I got up as well and walked toward them both.

"Bella…" Edward said holding his hand to me in a gesture that said stay back. Geez-o-fucking-peet! Whatever was going down, I did NOT need some sort of misguided display of chivalry.

Edward kept the floor. "Jasper, I'm not sure what you're implying…No, I take that back. I know exactly what it is you're implying, and I suggest, before you do something to get your ass fired, that you walk out of here and back to your office and figure out why we're out three million dollars."

I'd seen the expression on Jasper's face only once before. When he'd thought that I'd been fucking one of the VPs in another division. He'd been right, but I had convinced him, with much finesse, that he was mental.

Ignoring Edward's outstretched hand, I walked up to Edward's left, strategically placing myself nearly equidistant from both of them, but not between them. "Jasper, it would imprudent for you to start throwing innuendo around now, considering your display in the meeting this morning." I said, staring him down. Oh, I was treading on thin ice.

"Why you fucking whorrr…" Jasper lunged at me, and in a blink, Edward was standing in front of me.

"Jasper, get the fuck out of my office right now." Edward hissed. He'd put a hand out behind him, reaching for me as he said it, and now, looking at it, I so wanted to take it. But I didn't. I turned my back on both of them, and walked over to the bank of windows.

I couldn't see what was happening anymore, and I didn't want to.

"Edward, I…" Jasper pleaded like the fucking idiot he was. There was no turning back now.

"OUT!" Edward yelled, my shoulders jolting just slightly. Between the two of them, I would have bet big money on Jasper being the better of the two at controlling his emotions. But in the span of 5 minutes in here, and what had been all of 20 minutes in the boardroom, I wasn't so sure anymore. The look that had been on his face, the way he had come at me wanting to what looked like tear my head off, made me…almost frightened.

With the slamming of the door, and the turning of the lock, I let out the breath that I had been holding for what seemed like hours. I couldn't turn around, I couldn't look at him.

"Bella." And suddenly his arms were sliding around my waist, holding me to him, but it was too late. The warmth that had once been his touch now seemed cold, icy. My willingness to leave all that I had been behind and let myself go, gone, replaced by a hard steel wall that had enveloped me behind it. I pulled away and started toward the door.

"No, Edward. I appreciate the whole feeling the need to protect me, but I can handle this. I can take care of myself."

"Bella. Stop and think about this for a minute. He's going to be gunning for you now. I know you've been fucking him. I also know about Rose."

"Whaaat?" I spun around, walking back to face him.

"I told you. I know everything there is to know about everyone who works here. Knowledge is power, Bella. I didn't think I needed to teach you that lesson."

I think for the first time in my life I was speechless. My body nearly shook with the bolts of anger that were running through me.

"Well, Cullen…" I started to say as I walked back to the door. "There's one thing you'll never know," I grabbed the handle, and turned to look at him. "You'll never know what it would have been like to be with the best fuck this company has."

And I walked out.

A/N:

So, yeah, I'm really in love with that last line. Gets me EVERY time I read it.

Let me know your thoughts, if you're so inclined. ;)