Chapter 6

EPOV

Fumbling with my damn tie, I looked at my reflection in the mirror of the master bathroom. My hair was a mess, as it always was, but more so than usual at the moment because I kept running my hands through it every five minutes with anxiousness. It was almost 6:30 and Ben and Angela would be picking me up shortly. I sucked in a deep breath and tried to tame my hair without much success.

Sooner than I would have liked, the doorbell rang alerting me that my ride was here. Taking my prescription bottle from the bathroom sink, I opened it, took a pill, and replaced the bottle to its home.

Quickly grabbing my trench from the hall closet, I opened the door to see Angela waiting on the doorstep looking back at Ben in the car. She turned and faced me a second after I stepped outside. "Are you ready to meet the masses?"

"Sure, let's get this over with." I locked my front door and quickly slid into the back seat.

My leg bounced nervously during the quiet ride. The only sound was the low volume of a radio station. Occasionally I would catch Ben's eyes in the rearview mirror looking at me in the reflection and I would acknowledge that I was fine with a nod. The two of them did their best to keep me calm for most of the drive.

When we turned on to my parent's familiar driveway I felt like I was going to be sick. Blood rushed from my head making me dizzy and I closed my eyes quickly. Taking a deep breath, I told myself to visualize my place of serenity. Soon my familiar and comforting darkness surrounded me.

When the car had come to a stop and the engine was cut, I was ok to get out, the Xanax kicking in and finally making an effort at calming me down.

We stood outside the front entrance and I rang the doorbell while we waited to be allowed entrance from a member of the house staff. Ben and Angela followed me through the hallway, making our way to the dining area after we dropped off our coats.

The dinner service had just started. Though my mother was probably unhappy we did not make it for cocktail hour, she would never forgive me if I missed the entire evening.

As the kitchen staff was closing the doors to the room, Ben and Angela made their way to one of the tables close to the large window after seeing Dr. Jennings and her husband wave them over. I usually sat with my family at these dinners, and every year they would assign themselves to a new table. I scanned the room until I saw my mother's delicate wave at me sitting the farthest away from where I stood. I walked around the tables in my path to my seat, looking down so not to meet anyone's gaze yet. I really had no interest for someone to stop me to chat. I wanted to just sit down, eat my meal, say goodnight to my family and head out as quickly as possible.

I was rounding the corner when I looked up to ensure I wasn't going to bump into one of my colleagues or the wait staff. I briefly recognized Jasper Hale, my soon to be bother-in-law, sitting at the table I was currently passing, but it was the face next to him that almost caused me to trip and fall on my face.

I only saw her for a second, but in that moment I felt all the air go out of me. I tried my best to focus back on walking to my seat which was a challenge due to the image that now flooded my mind.

Innocent chocolate colored eyes staring at me so deeply, chestnut, curly hair loosely pinned up on her crown, luminous skin with rosy checks, and soft, wet, pink lips that were full and slightly pouted. If I wasn't concerned about how I would look to the others, I would have jumped the table to take her in my arms and kiss her until her lips were swollen red and leaving her gasping for air.

I had to know who the heavenly creature that was sitting next to Jasper was.

I continued walking, lost in my train of thought, hardly paying attention when a loud clatter of silverware hitting the wood floor echoed throughout the room and brought back to the present.

It was at that moment I realized I had been standing still behind the empty chair to the left of my father. How long had I been in the spot? Hopefully not long enough to draw attention. Confused and bewildered at that moment I pulled out my chair and sat down, my face felt red and my heart was pounding in my chest. I scooted myself close to the table and took the napkin that was folded on the fine china dinner plate in front of me and placed it my lap. Taking a quick sweep of the room, I realized that I was not able to see her from my location. Disappointed, I picked up the salad fork from my setting and played with it between my long fingers, wishing that someone would trade me seats.

Would Jasper mind that much to sit with his sister?

As the wait staff was pouring glasses of wine and offering dinner rolls at the tables, my mother leaned over. "Edward, darling, I thought I would let you know you look rather handsome tonight." I blushed and looked over at her.

"Thanks Mom. You look beautiful as always." I smiled softly.

"Hey Ed." A familiar voice boomed. "Glad to see my brother could grace us with his ever enthusiastic presence." Emmett picked up his wine glass and took a swing of the merlot he was just poured and mockingly winked at me. Rosalie was sitting next to him and was distracted from looking at the bauble on her ring finger when he spoke.

"You know me, Em. I can't miss an opportunity to be teased my big brother, I don't know what I would do if I did." The other guests at our table gave a light laugh. "How's New York?" I reached for my water glass and looked across the table at my brother.

"Noisy, busy, expensive, rude, crowded… we can't wait to get back." He reached over to take Rosalie's hand to hold in his own, resting them on the table. She leaned her head on his shoulder. "The investors have me set to go to California for a week after we get back though. It should be better after December when I won't need to take all these business trips anymore. Rose and I will be able to go off on our honeymoon then."

"Oh have you decided on a place finally?" My mother wiped the corner of her mouth with her napkin.

Great mom, now of course they wouldn't shut up about the whole God awful event. And sure enough Rose controlled the majority of the conversation when the appetizers arrived, through the shellfish course until just after they served the beef dish.

I was thankful that I had zoned out through most of it. Instead of being polite and following the conversation, I was having inappropriate thoughts about Jasper's table companion. I tried remembering more details from that one second my eyes were blessed with her image. There was a lot I had taken in within that short amount of time.

Her skin was pale and smooth as porcelain, though it had a soft otherworldly glow in the light of the room. I remembered a bare shoulder had been showing where the navy blue shawl she was wearing had slid off. Oh how I wish the shawl had been completely removed, exposing her dainty collar bones. I would have given anything trail light kisses over them and an occasional nibble here and there. The thought of my lips caressing her skin caused some pleasurable pressure to build in my lower extremities.

Would I be able to coax her into my old bedroom and get her permission to worship every inch of her body with my hands and my mouth? If she followed me, I would be gentle as I undressed her and placed her on my bed caressing her with a tender touch. I would be the perfect gentlemen as I hovered above her up until I was at her entrance. It was almost too much to handle just imagining what I would do next.

The murmuring around me at the table continued as I craned my neck around my neighbor to see if I could find her again when my father interrupted my unsuccessful mission.

"Edward, were you able to see Ms. Swan tonight when you came in?" There was a slight amused tone to his question.

"No, I don't believe saw her. She did come tonight, didn't she?" That's right I actually was supposed to be professional and meet the fellowship recipient. Tonight I was supposed to assert my authority with my new team member. The wait staff started bringing out desert.

Esme nodded, "Oh yes, she's here. I was giving her a tour of the manor just before dinner. She's such a lovely young lady. I think she will be an excellent addition to your research team." The smile my mother wore was contagious.

"Where did you seat her tonight? I hope not next to Jane and Alec." I looked at the table that held the brother and sister duo that worked in the Sociology department. The two were known for creating awkward and uncomfortable situations for anyone in their presence. It was complete torture for me to be near them any longer than a minute.

"Of course not! I would never be so heartless." Everyone at the table laughed at my mother's feigned offense. "No, I placed Bella right next to Jasper at table four. I figured she would be more comfortable with him since he did help her earlier today."

My mouth went dry and my breath hitched in my throat as my mother spoke. The spoonful of the chocolate soufflé froze in the air halfway to my mouth for just a moment. I put the spoon of uneaten desert back down to the dish and was suddenly no longer in the mood to be around my current company, let alone in the mood for food.

The goddess that I had assumed was Jasper's date was in fact the woman I had unknowingly selected to work closely with for (hopefully) the next three years. It was as if I had won the world's largest lottery while being thrown into the deepest pit of hell at the same time. I was at a loss on how I would remain professional, intelligent and in charge when thoughts of me bending to her every whim and desiring to see her naked form sprawled across my bed had taken over all other thoughts in my brain.

My stomach churned with a mixture of anxiety, uncertainty and desire. I was going to be sick. Quickly and noisily I slid back and stood placing my napkin on my chair. Everyone at the table and some of the guests at the next table over looked up at my hasty motions.

"Please excuse me. I just need to a few moments of fresh air real quick. I ate too much." I tried to remain as calm and polite as I walked away from the table.

I fought the urge to run out of the room but decided it would be best not to make myself even more of a spectacle especially in front of colleagues. It was difficult to not look at where I knew she sat as my steps brought me closer to the door to exit. When I knew I was just about to cross in front of her table I shut my eyes. It was the only way I wouldn't be held captive by her gaze which would stop me in my tracks and I would just be standing in the middle of the dining room gawking at her.

The sensation of electricity that coursed through my veins the very moment I knew I was passing her table unnerved me. Picking up my pace, I turned to the direction I knew the double doors would be. I opened my eyes just in time to save me from blindly running into them and exited into the hall.

It had been twelve years since I had a cigarette, and the urge for one suddenly overpowered me. I remembered where my mother stored her secret stash that she would break into when our relatives would visit during the holidays. In the porcelain vase on the table next to the guest bathroom, I pulled out the sterling silver cigarette holder along with the Zippo that was hidden with it. Making a final quick detour at the unattended bar in the living room, I picked up a bottle of scotch and then bolted through the front door.

When we were younger, Emmett and I used to sneak out and smoke behind the bushes near the manor's greenhouse that was now only used to stow away holiday decorations. I figured I could hide here until it was absolutely necessary to return. Sliding down the side of the glass building, I took out a smoke and placed it loosely between my lips and lit it, inhaling deeply. Nicotine coursed through my brains and the toxins attempted to relax me.

I was in a shit load of trouble. I hadn't done anything yet, but I knew that things were not going to be easy and my brain and it's over thinking would make the situation even more complicated. I leaned forward, crossing my arms and resting my head on them as the cigarette burned.

If I just stayed here for the rest of the night I wouldn't have to worry about accidentally attacking Bella Swan with furious kisses and a hard erection that I hoped I was able to hide during my quick exit. I took a swig of the scotch and coughed after I swallowed. My throat was on fire.

"Jesus Christ." I sighed in the darkness. I took another drag of the cigarette that was already burnt half way down and flicked it to shake off the ashes. I held the smoke in my chest and then slowly and painfully exhaled.

I wanted her. If I had looked at her just minutes ago, I would have taken her too. I didn't know much about her life or her interests or what her favorite thing to eat for breakfast was, but I knew that she was the most beautiful creature in the world, and I needed her to be mine.

"Get a fucking grip man." I whispered to myself, taking another drag.

I took turns from drinking the now half empty bottle of liquor and drags from the second cigarette I held in my hand when I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. I looked up, expecting to see my brother who would have no doubt been sent by my mother to bring me back inside, when I was surprised to find Ben Cheney rounding the corner of the building and sat down next to me.

"Can I bum a cig?" He asked holding his hand out to me.

I placed one in his palm along with the lighter. "Does Ang know you smoke?" I took another sip from the bottle.

"On occasion, during times of stress. Spring semester of my senior year with my undergraduate degree, I must have gone through a pack a day." He set the lighter on the ground and I offered him a drink. "Thanks. So, is it really that bad for you in there tonight?" Ben leaned his head against the wall looking up at smoke he blew into the night sky.

"I'm just not feeling so well right now, and I had to get out of there." Before I could jump Ms. Swan in front of everyone. I took an unnecessarily long drag and coughed in the process.

"I hope the scotch helps." I saw him smirk as he took another sip and handed me back the bottle.

We sat there for a few moments before Ben broke the silence, "I got a chance to see the fellowship recipient, Isabella. She was sitting next to Rosalie's brother. Dr. Jennings pointed her out to me and Ang." Why did he have to bring her up? "She's a lot younger looking then what I had imagined." And don't forget more beautiful and sexy then I would have ever pictured in my wildest dreams. "I hope she's up for the challenges she'll have to deal with for the next few year." He really needed to stop talking about her before I completely lost it, and quite possibly blurt out my thoughts of what challenges I would like to give Bella every night that would leave her moaning my name.

"I don't think I can hide out here the rest of the night." I mumbled, giving up. "Esme will be livid if I don't at least try and make an effort to be courteous and sociable." I put out the finished cigarette and attempted to stand with a little stumble from the affects of the alcohol kicking in and slightly mixing with my medication.

After putting out his cigarette, Ben stood up and we both tried to clean ourselves of the dirt and grass from the ground as we walked back to the manor, forgetting to grab the scotch.

Some of the guests had already left during the time I had been hiding, so the driveway was a little less crowded. I saw Jane and Alec pulling out in their little sports car as we got closer, and felt relieved that I had avoided speaking with them tonight. I followed Ben back inside and we both headed to the bar for more drinks. I was glad Angela agreed to drive all of us back when we would leave for the night.

Since the dinner had ended, those left were back conversing in the living room, seated in the chairs and on the sofas, attempting to sober up while sipping coffee. The bar tender was giving Ben his drink and was about to take my order when I noticed a familiar book on a side table out of the corner of my eye.

I picked up the old copy of Pride and Prejudice my mother used to read to me when I was growing up. I thought it was odd that my mother would just leave it down here, especially when it could easily be damaged during the dinner tonight. Ben was still standing by the bar when I told him I would be back after I put the book away in the library.

As I made my way through the living room to the stairs in the hall, going against my better judgment, I figured it wouldn't hurt to look around and see if she was still here. I felt a bit of sadness when I couldn't see Bella anywhere in the room. She must have left when I was outside. There should be enough time to prepare myself when we would officially meet on Monday morning in the lab. Maybe I could convince myself better that lusting after Ms. Swan was a terrible idea especially since I was to oversee all aspects of her responsibilities at the university and with the lab.

I climbed the stairs to the second floor, holding onto the banister tightly so I wouldn't fall. I was still a bit buzzed from my pity party outside.

When I was just outside the library the sound of a female voice that was soft and musical but full of panic met my ears. The woman was trying to find something she lost and cursed like a sailor. for being unsuccessful in her search. Confused since I did not recognize the voice, I entered the room to put back my mother's book and offer some help to the woman inside.

In the next moment I felt someone run right into me, knocking my slightly intoxicated self backwards and I hit my head hard on the floor.

"Oh fuck!" I groaned in pain. I was seeing stars for just a moment.

A throbbing sensation was coursing from the back of my skull, and my breathing was labored because something was pressing down on my chest. When the initial pain started to subside, I went to push whatever was on top of me off. When my hand came in contact with the object, an electric shock jolted through me as I felt someone else's warm and smooth skin beneath my fingertips.

I looked down my chest to see who it was that ran into me and had pinned me to the floor with their weight.

I choked mid breath when my eyes met that of the woman who's face and body had my mind in the gutter for most of the evening.

Bella Swan was lying on my chest, looking at me with wide scared eyes and trembling.

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A/N: Fate would not allow Edward and Bella to put off meeting any longer. They both were going to try avoid meeting for as long as possible. So fate did was it wanted and threw them together with such force. It's Bella's POV next.

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