CHAPTER 10,

Hey guys! So I know this story has been neglected for quite some time but I promise, I was only working on the next chapters. Unfortunately, this story is not yet beta ed, so you'll have to excuse my mistakes.

Leave me some love at the end!

I hadn't eaten during the whole flight. Edward had finally given up banging on my door after several attempts. He was angry and desperate by the sound of his voice but I had fallen into shut-off mode. I couldn't hear anything, couldn't see anything except that horrible scene when Jacob had shattered everything and every belief I had kept dear to me.

As soon as my jet landed, I headed straight to the offices in Venice and silenced my phone for the rest of the morning. My dad had called me this morning and told me he was fine. After my repeatedly insisting that he tell me the name of the hospital he was admitted in, he finally gave in. I didn't want to alert the rest of the board or company to find my dad. My dad was the CEO, once people realized he no longer was appropriate for this job, the Cullens would take over my company and corporate and I'd end up with a quarter for the the rest of my life. I visited my dad and although he looked pale, he was fine by Charlie swan-analyzing. At the end of my fourth hour with my dad, he blackmailed me into going back to the office. The day progresses completely peaceful.

But then guess what happens?

My phone was blowing up all afternoon. Edward had sent many apologizing texts and voice mails but sadly, I had moved on. I admit I'd regretted fucking a guy just after making out with Edward, but I had to get my mind off him. It only worked for a couple of hours but again, as I was sitting in my office trying to work, I was reminded of emerald eyes.

I was being pathetic, but I couldn't help it. Edward was the first one since...him. And I had willingly fallen into the game of commitment, jealously, sadness and crying over Ben and Jerry's ice cream again. Being near Edward was like being near your favorite person, the comfort it brings you. I felt safe, protected with him.

His touch made me go crazy and I knew I wanted him but I couldn't. He was my working partner now and it would disrupt the office environment. Not to mention, I was fairly certain that once I got a taste of him, he would be insatiable to me. More than he was now. And that was asking more trouble than I was in now.

Just when I was about to give up, Edward barged into my office, looking breathless and sweaty, clutching some files and papers in one hand. Edward looks over at where I'm standing by my floor-to-ceiling window and I stare at him.

"What the fuck, Bella? I have been calling you for almost 5 hours! What has gotten into you? You're not answering my calls, my texts, you ran out from the airport like something was chasing you!"

"You are chasing me! What do you take me for, Edward? A call-girl? One moment, you're making out with me and then the next moment, your slut walks in because apparently, you thought you could have 2 ducks at the same time?!"

Edward looked like I'd slapped him. With a belt.

"Alright, I admit I may have given Irina my number last night when you were recovering but that's it. I didn't expect her to want some so quickly. I was just trying to be polite."

"Seriously? That's all you have to say for romancing me all week? Great excuse, Edward. I'll take you back." I say sarcastically. He already got to me once, I couldn't let his romantic and sexual notions destroy my life again.

"You know what, Bella? You know you want me, but this little head of yours, is just way too stubborn for you to let a man into your life. A real man." He stalks towards me and once again, I'm lost in a searing kiss as our tongues battle for dominance. He pulls my hair from my bun and starts to kiss my neck. My arms go around him naturally but then he pulls away.

"Guess it's too late, Bella. I'm already in your life. Just you wait, I'll make it a complete mess."