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 9: Balance

Bella Swan

Edward Cullen was encompassing each and every one of my thoughts. I had spent the entire weekend thinking about our date and fantasizing about him. I found myself even counting down the hours until Monday morning. I had to see him.

But, I was scared. Was I really ready to accept this? Was it smart to get involved with him? He was my boss and a womanizing bastard. Yet, he was capable of so much more. He had been nice, almost sweet on Saturday. He had behaved like gentleman and never once made a pass at me. Was there hope for him? I had to believe that there was, because I was absolutely smitten with him.

I arrived at my building taking a side trip to the restroom to check my appearance. I had to make sure my hair was tamed and that I had no lipstick on my teeth. I had chosen to wear a navy skirt with a white button down silk shirt. I was very fond of the combination, and I hoped Edward would like it.

"Good morning, Jessica," I said with a smile as I walked into the lobby. "How was your weekend?"

"It was fun, Bella. How about yours?" she answered cheerfully.

"I have no complaints." I admitted, though I did have one. I would have preferred a real kiss goodnight from Edward. The peck had been wonderful, but it left me craving so much more. "I'll see you later."

I walked into my office finding a light pink flower sitting on my desk. It looked somewhat similar to a rose, but I knew it wasn't really a rose. I gently picked it up smiling when I read the small note Edward always attached.

Ranunculus- radiant

I placed the flower on the corner of my desk before taking a seat. I literally couldn't wait to see him.

I checked my emails and formulated my plans for the day before beginning to concentrate on the research I had to finish. Yet, I found it impossible to concentrate. It seemed as if I was counting down the seconds until he would arrive.

At exactly 9:30, I heard soft tapping on my door before he stuck his head inside. "Good morning, Isabella," he purred stepping inside with two cups in his hands.

"Good morning!" I replied looking up and smiling brightly at him.

"Are you in the mood for hot chocolate?" he questioned walking to my side of the desk.

"Always," I replied biting my lip as he handed me my cup.

"Well, it's just the way you like it one sugar and light whip," he added before leaning against my desk.

He looked like the picture of perfection in his gray suit and dark blue tie. His hair was disheveled and his green eyes almost seemed to sparkle. He was mesmerizing.

"Thank you," I answered, trying to figure out what I wanted to do.

"Mr. Edward?" Leah called as she stepped through the open door. "You have Mr. Phillips on the line. He says he has reached a decision."

"I'm on my way," he answered before Leah left the room. "I'll see you later on."

"Of course," I replied mustering up my courage. I could ask him to lunch. There was no rule saying I couldn't ask him. "Would you like to go to lunch with me today?"

"Lunch?" he questioned looking surprised for a minute.

"I wanted to ask you a few things about the cases," I clarified quickly. Most of my questions had been answered already, but I didn't want him to think this was more than business. We were in the office, and everything had to remain professional.

"Lunch sounds good," he answered with a smile. "What time?"

"Is noon alright?" I inquired nervously.

"Noon is perfect," he answered leaving the room and leaving me alone to my thoughts.

I couldn't believe that I had actually asked him to lunch. What was I going to ask him? Where were we going to go? Did he accept because he felt obligated? Why did I suddenly not feel so confident?

Edward Cullen

I took the call from Mr. Phillips and was relieved that he had agreed to go with our firm. The call didn't last long, and I soon found myself contemplating what had happened. I had played it cool with Bella and had been pleasantly surprised when she had asked me to lunch. She had disguised the proposal with work, but I knew better. There was more to it than that.

But the idea that there was more excited me and scared me. My plan was obviously working. I was slowly and surely breaking down her defenses. Yet, I felt as if she was breaking mine as well. I had been unable to take her out of my mind. She was literally consuming my every thought.

I threw myself at my work hoping to get my mind off of her. But, it proved impossible. All I could was stare at my clock and will it to move faster. Noon could not come fast enough.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity it was time for lunch. I straightened out my tie before heading out. I informed Leah I was leaving for lunch and should not be interrupted. I walked across the hall smiling at the sight before me. Bella was completely engrossed in her work and she looked positively edible.

She was biting her pen top as her nose scrunched up in frustration. She was extremely attractive when she was confused. I had to control my urge to just grab and kiss her senseless.

I knocked on the slightly open door to get her attention. She simply looked up at me and smiled. "Are you ready to go?"

"Of course," she said smiling at me. "Let me grab my purse."

I held the door open for her as we stepped out into the streets. "So, where would you like to go?" I inquired once we were outside.

"There's a deli at the end of the block," she suggested and I knew just the place. I had picked up my lunch many times from there.

We walked in comfortable silence, but I couldn't help myself from trailing back to get a good look at her. Her tight skirt fitted her like a glove. I wanted to feel her ass under the palm of my hand as I kissed her. She was obviously wearing it to tease me.

"What are you doing?" I heard her suddenly ask knocking me out of daze. "Do I have something on me?"

"That's ridiculous, Isabella," I replied with a chuckle. "Come on, all the good food is going to be taken."

I took three steps forward matching my stride to hers, before taking her small hand. I couldn't grab her ass, but I would settle for her hand. We walked the rest of the way holding hands. Her hands were incredibly soft and I couldn't help but feel right when holding them. Almost, as if, they belonged in mine.

What was I saying? Her hand felt nice in mine, but that was our attraction. I mean, she's a woman and I'm a man. The spark between is undeniable. It's just part of the process. It just has to be.

We arrived at the deli and remained quiet as we both studied the menu. There weren't many people in line and it was soon our turn.

"What may I help you with?" a cute blonde girl asked looking at Bella and smiling.

"I'll have half a turkey sandwich with light mayo and a small fruit cup," she ordered, the cashiers' eyes looking down at Bella's tits. Who gave her the right to look at what was mine?

"Anything else?" she asked licking her lips suggestively. Was this woman serious?

"I'll have a California Club and a cup of vegetable soup," I added, giving her my credit card. I had to take away the attention from Bella. It just wasn't right. Well, it was hot. But, not right. I adjusted my pants as discreetly as possible.

"What are you doing?" Bella suddenly asked with a frown.

"What do you mean?" I questioned in confusion as she moved my hand.

"It means you're not paying," she clarified. "Separate our orders, please," she told the cashier, who began to giggle.

"I don't see why," I huffed rolling my eyes.

"Because, this isn't a date," she explained, bending down to sign her receipt.

"It could be," I pointed out with a smile.

"But it's not," she replied forcefully. "You're Mr. Cullen, and that is unprofessional," I smiled at my title. I liked it when she said it. I would have to remember it for later use.

"I love your shirt," the cashier added when she handed Bella her tray. "It brings out your eyes."

"Thank you," Bella answered with a grin. "It's one of my favorites."

"And that necklace!" she commented reaching for the small pendant that adorned Bella's neck. Now she was touching her. She was taking this too far.

"My food is ready. Can I have it please?" I said trying to control my anger. Nobody was allowed to touch Bella except me.

"If you insist," she sighed indifferently before picking up my tray and handing it to me.

"Let's go," I said to Bella leading her to an empty table in far corner of the restaurant. I wanted to make sure that the cashier slut couldn't see her. She was my toy not hers.

"What's up with your attitude?" Bella questioned as soon as we had sat down.

"Didn't you notice that the cashier was flirting with you?" I asked in frustration. She was not even sly about it. It was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Flirting?" Bella inquired with a giggle. "Everything is not about sex, Edward."

"You had to have noticed, Bella," I replied taking a deep breath. "She was staring at your tits."

"And how would you know?" she answered with a roll of her eyes. "You had to be looking at them too."

"But, I'm supposed to look," I stated.

"What the hell does that mean?" she asked with a glare. "My breasts belong to no one but me."

"You know what I mean," I sighed taking a bite out of my sandwich.

"And what is that?" she questioned pursing her lips.

"Nothing, Bella, just eat," I answered. I was completely frustrated with her. I know her tits weren't mine, but they sure as hell didn't belong to the cashier.

"I don't go all caveman when Jessica flirts with you," she commented starting her sandwich.

"Jessica flirts with everyone," I pointed out. Jessica had a tendency to smile and flirt with both of my brothers and my father. She wasn't too picky.

"It doesn't make it any better. Plus, you flirt back," she responded.

"Let's drop the discussion," I said hoping to change the subject. "Tell me something about you. Where did you go to school?"

"I went to school in the University of Washington. The campus is right here in Seattle," she explained as she ate.

"So you were born and raised here?" I asked. I had this longing to know more about her, but I knew it didn't mean anything. It was natural curiosity that everyone has.

"Not far from here in the small town of Forks," she clarified finishing up her sandwich and reaching for her fruit cup. "How about you?"

"I was born in Chicago. But, I was raised in Seattle. My dad got the job with the Volturi brothers about a year after I was born," I answered realizing no woman had ever asked me about my childhood.

"Where did your study?" she continued to ask questions popping a grape into her mouth.

"I studied Law at Yale and have been working for my dad ever since," I admitted licking my lips. "Why didn't you continue to study? I mean it's obvious you love law."

"Long story," she replied with a sigh. Yet, I could see the pain in her eyes.

"We have time," I urged.

"I got married while in college," she admitted rolling her eyes.

"What happened?" I asked double checking that she had no ring. I did not go after married women, too much drama.

"Divorce happened," she answered anger flashing in her eyes. It didn't take an expert to figure out she had been hurt badly.

"I never would have pegged you for the type to give up. Divorce I mean," I mentioned. She looked like the type that would try to work through it.

"Well when you walk in on him and his stupid blond secretary it's easy to change your mind on certain matters like divorce... or castration," she replied seriously and I had to take a sip of my water. She didn't seem like she was playing around.

"I'm sorry. He had to be an idiot," I replied cringing at the last word.

"It's over and done with. I've moved on," she assured me with a small smile.

The rest of lunch was pretty uneventful. But, as we were walking back to the office I noticed she hadn't asked her work related questions. I thought the whole premise of lunch had to do with work.

"What did you want to ask about the case?" I asked as we entered the office.

"It's not important," she replied with a shrug before making her way into her office. Something told me that there really was no such question, and it had been a guise.

Bella Swan

I was a bit confused about Edward. There were times when I was certain that he was turning a new leaf, or at least was capable of turning a new leaf. But, other times I wasn't so sure. The fact that he had been jealous of the cashier proved the uncertainty. In one way, it was nice that he was looking out for me. Yet, he had referred to my boobs as 'his.' It seemed like he only cared about sex.

I rested my head against the palms of my hands trying to figure things out. I really did like him and I really wanted to get to know him. But, I was terrified of doing so. I knew I wouldn't survive another heartbreak. My divorce had practically shattered my entire life.

I poured myself into my work for the rest of the day. There was no answer to my predicament. I had to play it by ear and see where it lead. I would try to get a clearer understanding of him during our date Saturday.

It was almost five when Edward came into my office with a smile on his face. "I'm leaving a few minutes early," he informed me making his way around the desk to stand behind my leather chair. "What are you working on?"

"I'm just reviewing the Phillips contract. Leah says he's coming in tomorrow to sign," I replied as he leaned over me to read.

His warm breath hit my skin and I felt like moaning. He stayed close reading over my shoulder and I was almost certain I was going to melt. He was driving me insane. I had to use all my self control to keep from kissing him.

"It looks just fine," he whispered in a low and sexy tone. I was going to need a cold shower the moment I got home.

"I thought so," I almost squeaked biting my lips.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he continued pressing his soft lips to my ear before kissing the pulse point of my neck. "Have a good evening, Isabella."

Edward left my side not looking back as he left. How could he have so much damn willpower? I was going to explode if he didn't kiss me properly soon. I couldn't take the teasing.

I took a deep breath before collecting my things. I wasn't going to get anything else done today. There was no reason to stay. I just wanted to pick up Matt and get home.

A/N: It's Monday and that means time for a new update! So what do you think? How long is the teasing go to last?

I want to remind everyone that there is a forum for this story over at Twilighted. Go check it out. If you guys have questions I will usually answer them there and I post previews every Friday. Come join in the fun!

Next Chapter: Second Date

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