Thanks a million to pain jane and Adt216 – I cannot express how wonderful you two are!

I don't own any of these characters. I simply like to play with them a little.

CHAPTER FIVE

-The Ploy-

Love me cancerously

Like a salt-sore soaked in the sea

"High maintenance" means

You're a gluttonous queen.

Narcissistic and mean.

You're a faith-healer on T.V.

You're an office park without any trees

Corporate and cold

Gushing and gold

Leave me alone.

Love meby Ludo

"Do we understand each other, Mr. Cullen?" I ask, my voice taking on its familiar hostility. I know I sound like an utter cow, but I cannot stand the thought of him doing this only to teach me a lesson; and that is exactly the feeling I'm starting to get as Edward proceeds with his so-called terms. I didn't get where I am today by being blindsided by amateurs. I watch his face transform from cocky to utter shock. Don't play with a player, Mr. Cullen.

"Crystal clear, Miss Swan," he finally answers after clearing his throat several times.

"Good." I nod and sigh internally. He's still silent, and I can't help but take in his features once again. From the very first day Edward Cullen walked into Breaking Dawn, I've been raising my fences. He is the most beautiful man I have ever laid eyes on. The first couple of months, I found myself staring through the office windows that separate my office from his cubical like a hormone driven teenager, just mesmerized by the way he would pull his long fingers through his wild hair. Oh. My. Word. The hair! It is the craziest and sexiest thing I have ever seen. It would be impossible to describe the color of the mop adorning his head, but if I really put my mind to it, which I do regularly, it would probably be close to a coppery, red-brown mess. Just…delicious!

"Look, Bella." He's speaking, and once again I'm just spellbound by the velvety smoothness of his voice. The man could read the telephone book and make it sound sexy. I suppress a shiver fighting its way up my spine. "That's the other thing we need to discuss."

"Oh yes?" I raise my eyebrows in interest.

"Yes." He nods decisively and looks at his hands for a moment, before he raises his forest green eyes to mine. Shiver. My body is a traitor. "While I do appreciate the fact that you will be mentioning my book to Aro, I must insist that it be nothing more than getting the manuscript in his hands. I don't want you to force it on him."

"Force it on him?" I ask in confusion.

"Yes, force it on him. You see." He pauses for a second and once again jumps up from his seat, his hands running through his hair, and I scold at the teenager in me fighting to swoon. "If Breaking Dawn picks my book, I want it to be because they love it, and not because you insist upon it."

"I see," is all I can manage, but what I'm thinking is far from it. His integrity is something that I've never doubted, and now he is once again proving to me that he is a man of character and strength. I should probably tell him this, but I don't. "That is very reasonable, and I'm sure that I will be able to comply with your request."

"Thank you." He sighs, and his relief is palpable, whereas my excitement has just skyrocketed. I close my eyes for a second in hopes that I'll be able to resist the grin fighting to spread my lips.

"Excuse me for a second, please?" I stand up swiftly, hurry to the guest bathroom and close the door behind me with a resounding click. I lower myself to the edge to the seat of the toilet and try to take calming breaths. I can't believe how well this is turning out.

When Alice and I came up with the idea, the Thursday evening before I approached Edward, I was hesitant to proceed. However, when I received another call from Aro the following Friday morning, I knew I had no choice but to go through with this. You see, I had no idea that the news of Edward's manuscript had somehow filtered its way to top management. I probably have Jessica Stanley to thank for that. Jessica is also a senior editor; although she is almost ten years my senior, it is no secret that she sucked a lot of…you know what…to get where she is today. Her indecent flirting with Edward is probably how she found out about his book and why she jumped at the opportunity to break the news to Aro. So, when Aro phoned me and told me that he had heard about a brilliant manuscript written by one of his junior editors, I knew that I had to hijack Jessica's plans, not only because I knew I needed to get in on this deal, but also because she is shit at what she does and would never do Edward's work justice. According to Aro, it would be a great boost for Breaking Dawn to have one of their own on the New York Times best sellers list, and he is confident that the book will reach high acclaim…as am I.

Edward doesn't know this, of course, but I already have a copy of the manuscript, and it is everything and more than Aro described it to be. His eye for detail and the manner in which he captures the reader with his storytelling technique are nothing other than awe-inspiring. I told Aro that I would discuss it with Edward and get back to him on Monday. I realize that I myself could have pushed Edward's manuscript, but I withheld it for my own selfish reasons. I was planning on referring it to Aro, but something inside me stopped me from doing this. If I was being completely honest, I would have to admit that I was afraid of losing Edward, and I just wasn't ready for that yet.

I stand up and open the faucet, splashing cold water on my cheeks. I look up and stare at my flushed face in the mirror above the washbasin. I can hardly stand the sight of myself and close my eyes in desperation.

That night when I told my best friend, Alice, about Aro's call and then the later conversation with my mother, informing me that she and my father would be coming to visit me for three weeks, I could see the wheels turning in my scheming friend's head. I finally had to admit to the lie I told my parents, and explained to Alice that I had only told them I was in a relationship so they could ease off the constant questions. I couldn't stand the sympathetic tone in their voices any longer and knew that they were only concerned because of the bad break-up I had had with my college boyfriend, Jacob. Jacob, who is now engaged to Leah, one of our mutual best friends from college and who happens to be the reason we broke up. I guess I would have to admit that I may have gotten stuck in a rut due to the split. The whole sordid affair scarred me for life and is the main reason why I immersed myself in my work. I was hell bent on avoiding a repeat of such pain and humiliation. I promised myself that I would never allow myself to be that reliant on any man again. So I put everything I had into my work and was promoted from intern to junior editor, and finally to senior editor in less that two years. If you want to run with the big dogs, you need to learn how to piss high, I guess.

It was Alice's suggestion that I keep up the ruse with my parents by manipulating Edward into pretending to be my boyfriend, convincing him that the attention Breaking Dawn will be giving his book was my doing, and effectively ensuring that he keeps me on as the editor of his book, seeing as I found him. I know I could be honest, tell Edward about Aro's call and hope that he suggests to Aro that I be the one to work with him on his book, but nothing I have done in the past, especially to Edward, would guarantee that opportunity. Edward despises me…and with reason, and at the rate Jessica is flashing her sagging breasts in Edward's face, I'm sure he'll pick her over me, even if it's just to prove a point. You see, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that Edward is a proud person. I'm sure, if given the opportunity, he would jump at the chance to stick me one up the ass…jeez, that sounds vulgar, but you get the point.

So, that brings us back to the present. He's currently standing in my living room, his presence sucking all the air out of the house and replacing it with a constant tingling feeling that is ticking me off to no end. I realize that the risks of this little ploy are high. If he was to ever find out, he would surely hate me…well, more than he does already, but that's a chance I'm willing to take in order to be part of the next big thing. This could be the push I've been waiting for…the one that gets me the corner office on the third floor and the freedom to choose the stories I work on.

I take another deep breath and smooth my hands over my jean-covered thighs. I open the bathroom door and step into the living room. He's standing with his back to me, staring out the window at the Seattle skyline. Holy crap, he's gorgeous. His lean, tall body is covered in a sinfully sexy pair of jeans, begging for my hands to run over his ass. His T-shirt is pulled taut over his broad shoulders and muscled back. I can see the beginning of a tattoo on his left bicep, which is currently straining against the confines of his shirt sleeve. His hair is standing in every possible direction, probably from his hands fussing with it constantly. He is breathtaking; there is no denying that.

I clear my throat and Edward spins around, pinning me with his translucent eyes. His face is pulled into a frown that he carefully straightens out. He tries to smile, but it's tight lipped and doesn't reach his eyes. His angular jaw is set, and I notice him biting the inside of his cheek, causing the muscles in his jaw to jump.

"Sorry about that," I say gently and move to the couch, breaking the eye contact that leaves me momentarily flustered and irritated with myself. Once I sit, I look up to find him staring at me thoughtfully before he drops his eyes and I move to sit on the chair he was occupying earlier. His proximity affords me a whiff of his scent and I cross my legs to lessen the impact it has on my lady parts. He smells like sunshine and forest and man…and it's intoxicating. I hate it.

"So, Edward." I clasp my hands together in my lap. "We should probably get started with the practice session you suggested. But not before we have a quick discussion about our likes and dislikes. What would be acceptable behavior, if you will?"

"That's fine," he agrees and runs his hands up and down his thighs. "Why don't you start with what you would like me to do?"

"It's not really a matter of like, now is it?" I ask sardonically before I can stop myself. Crap. This guy is going to walk out of here if I continue with my current behavior, and I can kiss my corner office goodbye. I realize that my attraction to him might be slightly less than professional, but there is no room for mistakes now. "I apologize. It will probably take some time for me to adjust."

"No skin off my back." He shrugs and effectively shuts me up. Cocky bastard.

"In that case, let's get started." I try my best to sound civilized. "I realize that some touching will be required, should we…" He raises an eyebrow. "Should I pull this off." He nods in agreement. "I think that any touching of hands, arms and so forth will be acceptable. No thighs." I give him a warning look to which he snorts.

"So, hands, arms, hair. Got it." His face is the picture of mock concentration. "And kissing?"

I swallow thickly. Kissing. Before I can stop myself, my eyes fall to his mouth, which is perfect, of course.

He notices my discomfort and proceeds confidently. "Cheek?" I nod. "Closed mouth pecks?" I hesitate a moment realizing that it would be ludicrous for a couple not to kiss on the mouth and would probably raise some suspicion with my parents. I nod slowly. "Forehead?" I roll my eyes, to which he chuckles softly, and I think it's the first time I have ever heard him almost laugh. It's pleasant. "Hands?" I raise my eyes to his in shock.

"No, no hands," I say firmly.

"What? Why?" he asks in surprised confusion.

"I don't know. It's too…intimate." You have to understand: I'm a hopeless Jane Austen fan and kissing a woman's hand is just too romantic a gesture for comfort. Kissing a woman's hand is a demonstration of love and devotion, and the mere thought of Edward kissing mine is enough to leave me slightly disconcerted.

"So kissing on the lips is fine, but kissing your hand, that's not?" He's obviously stunned. If I was so inclined, I would probably laugh, but I don't, because I'm not sure I still know how to do it without it sounding false.

"Yes. Let's move on, shall we?" He just stares at me for a moment before shaking his head slowly.

"Okay, what about nicknames…terms of endearment and such?"

"Nicknames?" I scold at this. The mere suggestion is ridiculous.

"Yes. Would you prefer if I called you love, honey, sweetheart, darling, baby-"

"I would prefer you called me Bella," I interrupt him swiftly.

"That's a given." He sighs in exasperation. "But people who have been dating as long as we have –" I roll my eyes at the same time he does. "Have certain pet names for each other, wouldn't you agree?" He's smiling broadly now, the sides of his eyes crinkling in mirth.

"I believe you're enjoying this a bit more than you're supposed to, Mr. Cullen." I attempt to tease, but it falls flat; it sounds like I'm reprimanding him. His smile instantly drops, and my heart beats erratically for a second.

"I'm just trying to make this as realistic as possible," he mumbles, focusing his eyes on his hands.

"You're right. I guess whatever nicknames you're comfortable with are fine with me. I'll just have to learn to endure it, I guess." I shrug in an attempt to lighten the mood again.

"Okay," he hesitates and looks up at me again. "Same rule applies to you, then."

I nod in acceptance.

"Any other topics you think we haven't covered yet?" I'm praying for this to be over. My level of discomfort is through the roof, and I'm not sure how much more of this I can take.

"Nope." He replies and licks his lips. Of course I can't help but follow the movement and quickly divert my eyes to avoid being caught staring. His mouth is a definite distraction, and I make a note to myself to avoid looking at it at all costs. "Guess we should start practicing then?"

"Well, now is as good a time as any, I suppose." I fight to even out my heartbeat. I haven't kissed another man since Jacob, and the mere thought has by palms sweating.

"Very well then," Edward announces, stands up and drops down next to me on the couch, turning his body to face mine. I reluctantly turn towards him and look into his eyes. He is sitting a lot closer than I expect and I gasp in surprise. His eyes once again crinkle in concealed laughter, and I drop my eyes to his lips…which he is licking…slowly. It is at this precise moment that I realize that I…am…completely…screwed.

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