Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters. I am making no money…

Special thanks to Jayeliwood for your support and ideas, but most of all for your help with commas. She is the best beta a writer could ask for. I must also thank ObsessingOverEdward and TheSpoiltOne for all their contribution. All three of you rock!

Chapter 6: Working Late

Edward Cullen

I was sitting at my desk with an open file, but my thoughts were not on the case. My thoughts were on the pretty brunette across the hall. Bella Swan was going to be my undoing. I didn't understand why I was completely obsessed with her. I had never reacted to a woman the way I did before. I had my share of them before, and they never effected me so strongly.

I leaned back in my leather chair. I knew the minute I closed my eyes she would be there. She had been there for the past week. I had even gone to a club in the hopes of finding somebody, but all the women failed to get my attention. It wasn't right. My weekend had been spent alone and bored. Not my usual style.

"Mr. Edward?" Leah called as she gently tapped on my slightly opened office door.

"Come in, Leah," I answered, smiling politely as she came in. "What can I help you with?"

"Mr. Phillips wants to change the presentation from Friday to Wednesday," she said hesitantly. I groaned in response.

"I thought we had agreed on Friday. Did he say why it needs to be pushed forward?" I inquired knowing full well that the presentation was not ready. It was going to be hard enough to have it ready by Friday.

"He's meeting with Volturi, Inc. tomorrow and wants to be able to make a decision by Friday," Leah explained. The Volturi brothers were our chief competition when it came to clients and revenue. My father had worked for them for five years before opening up his own practice.

"Move the meeting to Wednesday afternoon. I'll stay late and work on the presentation. Please get me the files on the Phillip's case. And, please have Bella come see me, " I told Leah. I was not going to let the Volturi brothers win over the Phillip's case. Leah nodded before leaving the office and closing the door behind her.

I usually despised working late. But, the prospect of working late with Bella was not too bad. We would be alone in the office and she wouldn't be able to object to dinner. She had to eat.

"Leah says you wanted to see me," Bella said softly, walking inside. Her scent immediately filled the room.

"Have a seat, Isabella," I offered, studying her carefully as she sat down. She was wearing a dark green v-neck sweater that accentuated her cleavage and a black skirt that hugged her small frame perfectly. She had left her blazer in her office. "Have you had a chance to finish the Phillip's file?"

"I finished it this morning. I was about to start researching for the presentation on Friday," she replied, crossing her legs.

"I'm glad you're done," I said. I had to hold back a groan. I wanted nothing more than to run my hands up her smooth legs and under that bothersome skirt. "The presentation has been moved up to Wednesday."

"Wednesday?" she asked in surprise. "There's no way to finish the presentation by then."

"It seems we're not the only firm Phillips is meeting with. They will be meeting with Volturi, Inc. tomorrow and need to make a decision by Friday," I explained. "It is possible to finish the presentation by Wednesday. However, I would need you to stay after hours."

"How late?" she inquired, biting her lip. I could see a thousand thoughts rushing through her head, but her face betrayed nothing.

"I'm not sure," I admitted honestly. The presentation could take anywhere from three hours to eight. It all depended on how fast we worked, and how thorough we were. "You will be paid for the extra hours you put in," I added in quickly, just in case she was worried about that.

"I will need to check on something before I can agree to stay," she replied. Did she have a prior commitment? Did she have a date?

"Please let me know as soon as possible," I said trying to control my thoughts. The idea that Bella was with another man made my blood boil. Was that jealousy? She wasn't even mine. But, I wanted her to be. No, I just wanted to sleep with her. I was so damn confused.

"I will," she said before getting up and heading out of my office. My thoughts immediately turned to what we could do all alone in the office. What would it be like to take her on the conference table? Or, on her desk? Or even on the chair? My excitement grew noticeably larger with each step she took.

Working late suddenly didn't seem too bad.

Bella Swan

I left Edward's office with no idea what I was going to do. I had to pick up Matt and somebody had to watch him. I knew Mike would never take him during a weekday. He was too busy screwing his perfect, plastic girlfriend.

I figured I would be able to call Margaret and John, but I didn't feel like imposing. They both had to be at work early and I had no idea at what time I would leave. But, on the other hand, I needed the money. Working a few hours extra would make a big difference in my paycheck. The logical solution was to stay.

But, logic wouldn't work when it came to Edward. If I stayed I knew Edward and I were going to be completely alone. Nobody was going to be around and I wasn't sure if I could resist him. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to.

I looked at the freesia that Edward had left on my desk. He had been leaving me a flower every morning with a small note indicating what it stood for. The freesia stood for spirited and it was among my favorites. Maybe, he wasn't too bad.

I picked up the phone dialing Margaret. If she was able to watch Matt, I would stay. I could fight off temptation for one evening. He wouldn't try anything at work. At least I hoped not.

"M & J Flower's by Design," Margaret answered the phone.

"Hi, Margaret," I greeted enthusiastically. "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing great, Bella," she stated. "What do I owe this pleasant call for?"

"I need your help, Margaret," I said with a sigh. There was no use in beating around the bush. "Would you be able to watch Matt tonight?"

"Of course, honey. John and I would love to. Do you have a hot date?" she asked curiously causing me to laugh.

"No, I have a big project and I have to work late," I clarified. No hot date for me.

"I don't understand why you're still alone, Bella. You're such a beautiful woman with so much to offer," she began to ramble. "I'm going to have to find you a good man."

"I don't need anybody. I have my hands full with Matt as it is. I couldn't possibly balance Matt, my new job and a relationship," I pointed out. The idea of finding someone was attractive, but I knew most men didn't want me. I had a child.

"I know a nice young man who visits the shop often," she stated causing me to roll my eyes.

"Margaret, I don't need help finding a date," I complained in a neutral, yet forceful, tone. I never raised my voice at Margaret, but I wanted my opinion known.

"When was you last date?" she questioned as if she knew something I didn't. I really had no response for her. I had not dated since I had married Mike. "I'll talk to the person I have in mind. I'll set something up for you."

"I don't like blind dates," I warned, trying to figure out a way out of this.

"Just one," she said in a convincing tone. "If things don't work out, you never have to see him again."

"Just one," I repeated, almost hearing the smile appearing on her lips.

"You won't regret it, sweetie," she replied eagerly. I really hoped I wouldn't. "I'll have John take Matt home. Don't worry about anything."

"Thanks, Margaret," I stated. "You two are the best."

We hung up a few minutes later, and the realization of what I had done began to hit. I had just arranged to spend my evening working alone with Edward. And, I had agreed to go on a blind date. What had I done?

Edward Cullen

As soon as I had found out that Bella had agreed to work on the presentation I began to make dinner plans. I called one of my favorite restaurants and ordered two plates of their lobster and steak as well as a bottle of wine. Dinner would be delivered just before seven, and I hoped that she would appreciate it. I was at a lost over what else to do.

"Do you want to work on the charts?" I asked her from the door of her office. Bella's desk was covered by two thick files and I was surprised to see that she was wearing black glasses.

"Give me a minute," she said, looking up slightly before continuing to write.

"I didn't know you wore glasses," I commented, stepping inside and around her desk.

"I have terrible eye sight, she admitted, sitting back in her chair. "But, I also have sensitive eyes. So, I can't wear my contact for too long."

"I think they're cute," I added, resting one hand on the back of her chair. "What have you found?" I inquired curiously.

"Not anything we didn't already know. Their former lawyers were crooked. They charged them thousands of dollars for unnecessary contracts," she stated. "It's no wonder they are looking to sue. They have quite the case."

"I have the computer set up in the conference room," I added, moving back to allow her to get up. Bella rolled back before getting up and stumbling over her shoe. I instinctively reached to catch her, her weight falling against my chest.

"I'm so sorry," she mumbled as she tried to straighten up, but I was literally frozen. She felt as if she belonged in my arms.

"Are you alright?" I asked, my hands trailing down her arms to steady her.

"I'm fine," she whispered, taking a step back and moving towards the door. I could tell that the closeness had affected her as well.

I followed her to the conference room, my thoughts on how it felt to hold her. It was an overwhelming feeling, but one I could get used to. But, none of it made sense. I didn't want to get used to it. It would all blow over once I slept with her. It had to, because I was not a one woman man.

We worked diligently for an hour or so before my phone began to vibrate. "This is Edward," I answered, finding out that our food had arrived.

"I'm going to set up our dinner," I told Bella.

"You ordered food?" she questioned in surprise.

"You didn't expect me to let you starve, did you?" I inquired causing her to laugh.

"I guess not," she answered, shaking her head. "I'll finish up this graph."

The man with our food was waiting in the lobby, and I quickly paid for it and gave him a handsome tip. I found a table cloth from one of the office parties and even nice plates and silverware. I set everything up in my office, dimming the lights slightly. Everything was set.

"Edward, where are you?" Bella called a few minutes after I was done.

"In my office," I replied, hoping that she would like the surprise. If she wouldn't go to dinner with me, I would bring dinner to her.

Bella Swan

I was surprised when Edward said he was in his office. I had thought we would be having dinner in the break room or even in the conference room while we worked. As I approached his office, I noticed that the office seemed darker than usual.

"Why is it so dark in here?" I inquired. I stepped inside and gasped at the elaborate plate setting. It wasn't a five star restaurant, but it was not what you would expect a quick dinner to be. It was daunting, and definitely out of place.

"Your dinner awaits," Edward said with a gorgeous smile. I felt my knees getting weak, but I quickly chastised myself. This wasn't proper.

"Edward, what do you think you're doing?" I asked in a angry tone. Did he think this was a date? Because, it definitely was not a date.

"I bought us dinner," he stated, holding his hand out to me. "It's going to get cold."

"This is inappropriate," I complained in shock. He had set me up. "It's out of line. If you wanted us to have dinner you didn't have to set up a fake meeting. What kind of woman did he take me for?"

"I have asked you to dinner every single day of last week and everyday you shoot me down," he seethed in anger. "I'm trying here and all you seem to do is ignore me."

"But you have no right to set up an elaborate dinner. This isn't a date. And, you should realize that there is a reason why I haven't agreed to go out with you," I added moving a piece of hair that had fallen in my face.

"What's the reason?" he asked, coming closer to me as I stepped back finding myself against the wall.

"You're an arrogant ass. You think you can have any woman you want," I answered truthfully. "And, you can't stand rejection."

"You're right," he stated with a shrug. "I can have any woman I want, but I don't want any other woman."

"And, I'm supposed to believe that?" I asked skeptically, feeling the heat that radiated off his body. We were only mere inches apart.

"It's the truth," he whispered his lips coming closer and closer to mine.

I needed to push him away, but I couldn't. I was entranced by his lips as they moved closer and closer to my own. I knew it was wrong. He was the boss and I was his employee. But, I couldn't help it. The draw was too strong.

My heart fluttered rapidly in my chest and I was certain everyone in the city could hear it. It was deafening. His lip softly brushed mine. It was almost as if he was testing the waters. He was giving me the chance to escape. But, I didn't take it. I didn't want it to stop.

He brushed his lips with mine a second time before pressing them a little more firmly. His hands held me at the waist softly as my own hands disappeared into his soft, disheveled hair. He kissed me as if he was savoring my taste. And, I was certain I had never tasted anything as good as him. He tasted sweet and spicy.

We broke apart after a second, a minute, or an hour. I wasn't certain how long we kissed for. But, I was certain that it had been the best kiss of my life. It had awaken a desire in me that I thought was dormant. My entire body craved the man before me.

"We can't," I whispered, pushing his chest. "It's not right."

"Isabella," he whispered, his voice husky with desire.

"I won't be another whore for you, Edward," I stated, shaking my head. "I'm not that type of girl. And, no matter how attractive I find you, I will not change my stand on this."

"I can change," he stated in an uncertain voice.

"You are what you are. You're never going to change," I sighed deeply. "The graphs are finished. I will finish the rest tomorrow morning. I'll see you then."

I left the office without touching the dinner. I needed time to think. I had to get away from him, because I didn't trust myself. I knew if I sat down and ate dinner, it would all be over. I would be unable to resist his charm. I would somehow end up in his bed.

But, I knew one thing was absolutely certain. Edward had given me the best kiss I had ever experienced.

Edward Cullen

I was stunned by her words. Did she really think so little of me? I had never cared about what women think of me. I knew they thought I was sexy. They made sure I knew that, but I had never thought that there could be more. She thought I was a man whore. And, she was probably right. But, why did the revelation bother me?

I licked my lips softly, savoring her taste. She tasted fruity, almost like strawberries. And, I still felt like I could feel her small warm body against mine. I would do anything to taste and feel her again.

But, was I willing to change?

A/N: Can you believe another week has pass? Lucky for you it's Monday night and time for an update.

What do you think of Edward's wooing skills? Do you think Bella will crack? I love hearing your thoughts and theories.

On a side not a lot of you are anxious for Edward to find out about Matt, but I have to say that I haven't written that chapter yet. And, I'm very much ahead of myself. You will all have to be patient.

Next Chapter: Setup

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