AN: Hey guys, I know you've been looking forward to this chapter; I tried to get this out as soon as possible.

For you who are asking about my updating schedule; I'll try to update a minimum of once a week or twice a week. I don't have any chapters written, so when the mood strikes, I'll try to get it to you the night I write it.

I'd like to thank everyone for their support and reviews, please keep reading and reviewing and please stay with me

A huge THANKS to my Beta Lamia887

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns twilight… I'm just writing about stolen kisses….

Chapter 10: The Party

With Edward's hand around my waist, we made our descent down the spiraling stairway. Everybody else had already gone to the ball, leaving Edward and me to arrive alone. The plan was that we should make the first appearance separated from the family; steal the spotlight and make our marriage known to the public.

Waiting for us outside the mansion was a black limo. A driver, dressed in a black suit with a white undershirt ushered us in kindly, and closed the door softly behind us.

As soon as I was situated in the car, Edward's eyes were on me; probably sensing my discomfort.

"Are you nervous?" He asked me in a soft voice. The hand he had resting on his knee slightly twitching.

"I am a little nervous, but I guess it's just because I don't know what to expect." I replied.

"There's no need to be nervous Isabella." He said bemusedly, a sly smirk plastered upon his face. "I know this is not something you're used to, but you have to act as if you are not affected by all the flashing lights and glamorous people. You are supposedly a Cullen now, and Cullen's are not intimidated by anything. Just take a deep breath and pretend all these people aren't there to see you; pretend that they are not waiting for you to slip up and embarrass yourself, and you'll do just fine." He ended.

"Yeah, sure." I replied mockingly. "That little speech just made my nerves so much better."

It was like he was one of those people, waiting with a judging eye for me to make the first mistake.

The ride didn't take long, and soon enough, we were at the entrance of a very large and shining hotel. The Hilton? The Plaza? I had no idea, all I knew was that the grand Ballroom was reserved especially for the yearly Fundraiser Cullen Co. organized and planned. The Ball was just an excuse for the rich and wealthy to gather together under the pretense of giving back to the community, an excuse to brag about their money, their glamor, their achievements and multimillion dollar businesses, at least that's what Alice had told me.

Once the door opened and Edward gracefully got out, I made my way out hesitantly behind him. He immediately draped his arm around my waist, pulling me to his side and smiling gently down at me. There was a black carpet encasing the slight walkway from the spot the car had parked reaching the entrance of the hotel. People were bustling up and down the carpet, photographers following their every move.

I took a deep breath as Edward whispered in my ear, "Let's get this show on the road." He said.

Leading me towards the entrance, we were barreled with numerous calls and shouts.

"Mr. Cullen, is this your new bride?"

"Mr. Cullen, how did you two meet?"

"Mr. Cullen, how was the wedding?"

"Mr. Cullen, introduce us to your new wife!" A female reported smiled enthusiastically as flashes of light blinded my eyes and made my heart spike with fear and trepidation.

Following Edwards lead, we headed towards the female reporter. I had no idea why my "marriage" to Edward was that much of a big deal, but these people were treating it like it was the event of the century.

"Jessica." Edward said smiling, "Nice to see you again doll. You're looking good." He winked.

"Oh Mr. Cullen, always the charmer." She said provocatively. "Edward Cullen, one of New York's most eligible bachelors is off the market! Ladies, wallow is your sorrow, some lucky girl has snatched our playboy right up. A lot of people are talking about the surprise marriage, we just wanted to get the facts form the man himself, and of course meet the lucky girl." She looked at me snidely, before looking back at Edward with wonder and mischief. I wondered if she too was one of his many bimbos.

"Well Jessica, when Cupid strikes, there's no way around his arrow. Isabella and I have been seeing each other for a while now, and yes the marriage surprised not only the public, but my family as well." He replied. "They are absolutely taken with her now, and we're doing really well."

"Isabella Cullen, the woman of the hour." Jessica said mockingly. "How does it feel to be married to a Cullen? Let alone THE Edward Cullen?"

As I was just about to reply, Edward rudely cut me off. "Our marriage is still very new, and we're trying to keep it out of the public eye. This is not like one of my very publicized affairs, and as you can see, Isabella is neither an actress nor a model, she's just a normal girl and we're trying to handle this as a normal couple." Edwards arm tightened around my waist, practically dragging me away from the reported and into the entrance of the hotel. I faintly heard Jessica thanking us for our time as Edward walked brusquely away, ignoring the many calls and questions that surrounded us.

As we walked inside the prestigious hotel, Edwards hold lessened slightly and he sighed. "That wasn't even the hard part." He said, looking at me with slight frustration. "Just let me do the talking alright? I don't need you saying something that the media will spin and use against us."

I felt like a child being scolded by her parents, but at the same time, I should have felt relieved; he was practically telling me to shut my mouth and act blissful, while he deal with all the awkward questions. But I'm not that kind of girl, I'm not an arm candy or a brainless bimbo, when someone speaks to me, I'll talk back and try to engage in a conversation. I wasn't a mute, and I didn't want people thinking I was Edward's little trophy wife. That couldn't have been farther from the truth.

Taking a right and walking hurriedly towards the Ballroom, Edward continued the facade of holding onto my waist. As we entered, I was immediately taken aback by the beauty of the room. Silver and black seemed to be the theme; the tables were adorned by black tablecloth, complementing the white open space the room excluded. Expensive looking white and silver china was strategically placed on the tables, with unique center pieces decorating each and every table. Thousands and tiny silver lights twinkled in the room, giving the room the appearance of a starry night sky.

The first person who caught my attention was Emmet. Standing near a table in the center of the room, his height singled him out instantly. Edward held my hand in his as we walked toward the family's table, nodding and smiling at people who greeted him. Once we arrived, Emmet turned his adorable dimpled grin my way and whistled.

"You clean up nice Sweets. Look at all that red!" He said, kissing me gently on the cheek. "And don't you look like a Calvin Kline model there bro." He said turning his attention back on Edward.

Edward smiled and slapped him on the back, turning to greet the rest of the family, and I followed his lead.

A throat clearing made me freeze in my spot. With eyes wide, I looked upon Elizabeth Cullen. I had no idea she was going to be here, my heart suddenly found my stomach way too comfortable, for it decided to stay there for about a minute or two.

"You look nice Isabella; this is a very important night for you two." She said, her witch's voice strong.

"Thank you, Mrs. Cullen." I said, not saying anything more. I didn't want to know how she was or if she was enjoying herself. I hated that woman like a bat hated the sunlight.

After greeting the family, Elizabeth not so kindly suggested that Edward and I to made a round or two of the room. She said we needed the exposure, so Edward, like the good little boy he was, took my hand and lead me away from his family and the watchful eye of his grandmother.

"Pay her no mind Isabella; she just likes to feel like her word matters to any of us."He said, rolling his eyes. "You want a drink?" He asked.

"I… I'm not twenty one." I replied, embarrassed.

"Who cares?" He replied. "It's not like they are going to ask for your ID." He joked.

"I'd rather not, thanks."I replied, surprisingly polite.

"Heaven, I'm not trying to get you drunk." He huffed. "Come to the bar and get a drink with me."

I found no reason to argue with him about a silly topic in front of all these people, so I just followed him toward the bar. On our way there, a man with a blond ponytail stopped to congratulate Edward and I on our marriage, Edward just replied with fleeting thanks before pulling me away yet again. He seemed in a hurry to meet someone.

The weight of his hand felt heavy as he gently entwined our fingers. I looked down toward were our hands were lazily hanging next to Edward's thigh, marveling at the perfect way my hand seemed to fit his. The tingling sensation hadn't stopped since the moment Edward touched me, and I was worried I'd start sweating soon and make a complete fool of myself.

At the bar, Edward ordered a glass of red wine for me, and a Jack on the rocks for himself. We stood patiently waiting for our drinks; him looking at me bemusedly as I tried to figure out what was it about my appearance that was entertaining him so much.

Suddenly, a gorgeous blond woman wearing a very seductive golden gown came up to Edward and threw herself at him in an unfashionable way.

"Edward Cullen I missed you." She said in a whiny voice. She reminded me of that Kardashian chick and her annoying screeching voice. "What's this I hear about you getting married? You know that cock only belongs to me." She said, lowering her voice and dragging her fake bright pink fingernails over Edward's chest.

Edward smiled brightly as he looked down at her overly exposed cleavage. "And the things you can do with a cock Tanya." He replied shamelessly. I stood there, gaping at how vulgar they both were. You'd think these people had no manners at all.

"Hey babe." Tanya replied casually. "How are you this fine evening?" She said, snorting.

"Regretfully, I'm stuck making rounds with the…wife." He said huffing.

Tanya immediately straightened up and looked left and right. "She's here? That slut that took you from me is here?" She asked incredulously.

"I wouldn't exactly call me a slut there honey. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?" I replied, just a tad bit mad.

Her icy blue eyes turned on me and she looked me up and down; unimpressed. "Of course I looked at myself in the mirror. I mean… who could resist looking at this much beauty." She replied rudely.

"No one, of course." I replied. I had to give it to her though, she really was very beautiful.

"Eddie, you could have done so much better than… that." She snorted.

"Believe me babe, I know." He replied, looking at me disgustingly.

I felt my breath shorten as I tried to reign in my emotions. I realized that Edward and I didn't see eye to eye on most matters and that we weren't particularly civil towards each other, but he had no right to stand there and insult me in front of a person I didn't even know.

"So, what the hell? Since when did you even think about getting married?" She replied.

"It's a family thing babe, and I don't want you running your mouth about any of this, you hear me?" He replied coldly. I'm glad he had a way to way to control his little "play things." He wouldn't want granny to find out and take all the money away would he?

"You forced him to marry you didn't you, you little…" Edward didn't let her continue her sentence. He pulled her to him, and turned her toward the bar so nobody in that room could see. He had his hands on her ass, tightly squeezing as he murmured into her ear.

"Let's not make a scene here babe. She's nothing, believe me. Just some small town twit my grandmother though would be perfect for me." He said.

I took a step back, feeling like I had just been slapped. What was he trying to do? Humiliate me? It was totally working; he had me wishing I had never stepped inside this goddamned room in the first place.

"I wanna see you tonight." She replied, whining again.

"I can't doll. Family business." He replied, running his nose lightly on the length of her neck. "Don't think anything about my marriage is going to change how we… roll together alright? And don't go saying shit to anyone okay?" He said sternly.

She just nodded and he smiled bemusedly down at her, squeezing her ass one more time before letting go.

"Bye Fugly." She said looking at me before she walked away, swaying her hips a little more than she really needed to as I stood fighting back tears.

Edward look at me then, having finished watching the show she was putting on for him.

"Models. Can't live with them, but sure as hell can't live without them." He said, a look of complete and utter cockiness on his face.

"What's the problem? Why are you looking at me like that?" He said coldly. "Didn't like the show? Is the little virgin girl embarrassed?" He mocked.

"You… is that a habit of yours? Spitting insults right in people's faces and then acting like nothing happened?" I asked disbelievingly, fighting very hard to keep my volume down. "What the hell was that show? What am I even doing here? What about all the crap you feed me about acting like the perfect fucking couple and not messing this up?"

"Nobody noticed, and if they did, almost everybody in this room knows Tanya. She can get a little handsy. Don't worry your pretty little head about it. You were the perfect… nobody. If we get in trouble, I'll take the heat." He murmured uncaring.

I frowned as I looked at his smug face. I guess that was his plan all along; humiliating me in front his "It crowd." I felt small and pathetic, I felt like such an idiot. My so called husband fondling some slut right in my face as they spat insult after insult at me, and I stood there. I just stood there, quiet, shocked, humiliated and helpless. I stood there, protecting the Cullen name while he spat on mine and set it on fire.

I didn't have the courage to scream at him, to humiliate him as much as he humiliated me. So I did the only thing I could think of at that moment, I walked away.

I walked towards our table, slipping and almost falling twice as I tried to school my face into looking indifferent. Reaching the table, I was a little proud that I'd succeeded. Nobody asked me what was wrong, I'd fooled them all.

The night was just getting started though. And I knew, I just knew Edward was only getting started with his shrewd plans and brazen shows.

EPOV

My retaliation for the two weeks of silence Isabella made me endure was Tanya. I was certain she was going to be at the Ball, and I knew how she felt about me. She was a clingy, slutty girl with the worst intentions, perfect for teaching Isabella exactly who she was messing with. I wasn't too worried about my family's reaction, or if they saw the way I held Tanya with Isabella not two steps away.

My grandmother may have forced me into this fucked up marriage, but she could not force me into celibacy. I was going to give her and Isabella a run for their fucking money.

I hated the way Bella looked as I was speaking badly about her to Tanya, but I felt no remorse. This little girl thought she could break me; little did she know that I could break a titan and make him beg for mercy. Tanya was just a tool I used in my retaliation against Bella and her almighty attitude. My objective was to humiliate her, make her feel bad about herself, make her realize that I'm not some small town little fucker that was going to grovel at her feet.

As she walked away from me, literally catching herself from falling to the ground in a heap, I felt the slightest bit of guilt. I wished I would have introduced her to Tanya or any other of my other "girls" privately. I shouldn't have made her endure the humiliation publicly.

As I followed behind her, discouraged and sorrowful, I saw her blank face, I saw the attitude of indifference she was trying to pull off, but I also saw the watery beautiful eyes she was trying so hard to hide.

We sat there quietly for a little while, before the music started and Esme urged me to dance with my eye-catching wife. I didn't fight her; I didn't try to make excuses or alibis. I wanted to take Isabella into my arms and make sure I didn't hurt her too much.

Getting to my feet, I offered Heaven my hand. "Dance with me." I said in a hoarse voice.

She stared at the hand I was offering her like it was a glass of poison.

"I don't dance." She replied, not trying to hide the hatred from her tone.

"Nonsense child." My grandmother barreled. "Go dance with your husband." She ordered.

I saw Bella biting her tongue, no doubt trying to keep quiet the insult she was ready to spit in my Grandma's face. She took a deep breath and got to her feet, not taking my hand, but leading me to the dance floor.

We stood in the center of the floor, people in flashy outfits surrounding us at all sides. She stood unmoving, her hands balled into fists, preparing herself for the torture of being touched by me.

"I'm going to have to touch you now." My voice was low, regretful.

"I know." She replied stormily.

I took a step closer and took her into my arms, holding her a little more closely than I should have. She was tense, almost vibrating with her detestation.

"Relax Heaven, it's just a dance." I gently spoke in her ear.

"Stop talking. Let's just get this shit over with." She replied.

We danced to the slow song clumsily, her looking everywhere but at me, and me… not able to take my eyes off of her. No other woman had anything on her tonight, but I couldn't let her know that. She'd be too cruel if she found out about my attraction to her.

When the music quieted down a little, she practically fled from my arms, eager to put some distance between us.

I sighed and followed her back to the table, giving her the space she needed to calm down.

She asked for this, she treated me rudely and considered herself too good for me, she insulted my ego, and I had to let her know that she could not walk all over me. She had to know…

No one was at the table but Elizabeth, sipping her drink nonchalantly as a photographer took her pictures and complemented her.

"You don't look a day over fifty Mrs. Cullen." He flattered. "How do you do it?"

"I just come from a great gene pool lad." She replied smugly.

I knew he was full of shit; she looked her age and then some.

"Edward, how about we get a shot of you and you're new bride for the social section huh?" She looked at me, smiling.

Isabella's eyes focused on my grandmother, as if willing her stare to inflict the old witch with a terminal illness.

I gently took Bella's hand, helping her to her feet as I lazily draped my arm across her waist and pulled her closer to me. "Smile for the camera Baby." I said, frowning at the unintentional pet name I called her.

She smiled politely, long enough for the photographer to snap a picture. As soon as she tried to pull herself away from me again, my grandmother made another suggestion.

"Kiss her Edward. Don't act all shy on us now." She half joked, half ordered.

I didn't think, I didn't consider Bella's innocence or purity. My grandmother's taunting made me spin Bella's thin body towards me, and I gently pressed my lips to hers.

I felt her gasp against my mouth, as my eyes screwed shut and I got lost in feeling of her soft, plump lips. A shudder pass through me as I tasted her lips, the softness and fullness completely captivating me.

I pulled away after what seemed like forever, only to look into Bella's weeping eyes, shocked and bewildered. The photographer had moved on, he'd captured his picture and gave us our privacy.

Bella was crying, silent tears streaming down her rosy cheeks.

"Is that enough for you?" She said to Elizabeth, her voice cracking. "Have you tormented me enough?" Her first were shaking, she was trembling.

I felt like such an asshole. I felt like apologizing and begging for her forgiveness. I had stolen her first kiss.

My God, I had robbed her of her very first kiss. I didn't even ask, I just took.

Isabella walked away, to where I did not know. But I wasn't going to let her run away from me crying, so briefly after we shared our first kiss. Catching up to her, I gently held her wrist, turning her to face me.

I had to face the consequences of my own actions; I had to tell her I was sorry for being a thief.

"Heaven…" I breathed. "I'm so sorry, I completely forgot." I offered.

"You're sorry?" She whispered. "You're sorry? You just took my first kiss; you just stole from me something I never even considered of offering. You just treated me like I was one of those whores who threw themselves at you, and you're sorry?" She asked, seething, hurt and almost broken. "Why are you doing this to me? What have I ever done to you?"She demanded.

"Look, I didn't mean to take this from you. The fact that this probably was your first kiss completely slipped my mind. I'm…" she cut me off before I could finish my sentence.

"I don't need your filthy excuses. You stay the hell away from me Edward Cullen." She said as she yanked her wrist away from my grip and ran away.

The regret and sorrow I should have felt from the very first moment I started thinking about my schemes and her impending humiliation hit me like a brick wall.

I shut my eyes tightly, grabbing the back of neck, bolting myself in place. I wouldn't go after her, I've hurt her enough already. I had no right to offer her comfort and apologies.

Little did she know this night wasn't over yet. Elizabeth was visiting the Cullen mansion. Tonight, we had to share a bed. Tonight, I had to endure feeling her sleeping next me without being able to hold her tightly in my arms, and pray she'd agree to stay there for a little while.