Disclaimer: Somewhere in Time and Twilight are not mine... still.

A/N: Hello, Hello, Hello! I am in a chipper mood! I saved all my reviews so I could reply to them all at once. It was an uplifting experience to read them all in one sitting! I got seven for the last chapter; seven is the most I've gotten for any chapter so far! Being that I'm a newbie writer and this is my first multi chap story, I'm flattered. I just like hearing from you guys. Even if it's just to read 'update soon!' LOL

Enjoy!

Chapter 7: Strictly Business

EPOV

We are back at her room now. It's time to say goodbye. I didn't think it would be this hard. I try not to think that in a few hours she will be packed up and on her way to Denver. I just didn't have enough time with her.

Hat in my hands, I open my mouth but I'm not sure what to say. More than that, though, I'm not really sure what is customary when saying goodbye after the day we've shared.

Bella bites her bottom lips and thrusts her hand out to me awkwardly. "Well, thank you, for a most pleasant afternoon," she says in farewell.

I take her hand and step toward her. "Couldn't we talk for just a little while longer?"

Bella offers an excuse and slowly pulls her hand from mine. "I think I should rest a while. The play…" She seems unsure so, I push farther.

"Please…" I'm not too proud to beg. I take a step closer and she is backed up against her door in a sorry attempt to keep some space between us.

She's very torn. She's just standing there worrying her bottom lip with her teeth, like she's afraid to say yes, her hands fidget with her room key.

I hold my breath and implore her with my eyes. Please, just a little more time with you. I don't want this, whatever it is, to end so soon. Please!

She sighs and gives in, "Very well then," and adds, "But just for a moment or so..." She hands me her room key with a small smile and then avoids looking at me as I unlock the door and hold it open for her.

Bella enters the room quietly, hesitantly, and walks over to the foyer table. She sets down her hat and gloves and leans her parasol into the corner. She stills when she hears the door click shut. The room seems suddenly very quiet. Very… private.

When that door clicked shut it seemed to have trapped all the tension in here, too. Outside of the room, it had somewhere to go. Inside, it just keeps building and building. I walk up behind her and raise a hand not sure if I should touch her, not sure what to say.

Bella takes several steps away from me then says over her shoulder in a hushed voice, "What did you want to talk about, Edward?" She then turns to me and leans against the doorway to the inner room. There is a slight blush staining her cheeks and she's not looking at my eyes, she's looking at my mouth.

I hesitate for a second trying to calm myself, to think this through. I set my hat on the table next to hers and when I look up at her she meets my gaze and her blush deepens and then… then she licks her lips.

It takes two strides to get to her. I turn to face her fully and I tentatively reach out to lightly cup her shoulders. "No," she whispers and the whole world stills at her words. I stop, my fingertips just barely grazing her upper arms. I keep eyes contact with her and try and let her know that I will not hurt her. That she can trust me. She relaxes just a fraction but I am so in tune with her I feel it. My hands begin to move up, once again, and this time they reach their target.

So, I just I stand there before her, with my hands lightly cupping her delicate shoulders and gaze into her eyes. After I give her a moment to adjust to my proximity, I slowly take a small step forward almost completely closing the gap between us. Again, she offers no resistance and the tension builds once more.

I wait for a reaction when I raise one hand to her face. She breaks eye contact and looks down at my chest and closes her eyes. Her breathing quickens when I lightly run my fingertips across her cheekbone. She is so beautiful. I gently take hold of her chin and lift her face back up to mine. I cup her cheek and lean my head down a little closer still.

Her warm chocolate eyes finally meet mine again and she tilts her chin higher. I give her a small smile and move to have both hands cupping her jaw. I am completely transfixed by the moment, by her. I am really here. She is so close I can taste her sweet warm breath. Her hair smells like sunshine and flowers. Her creamy ivory skin is so soft, so beautiful. I can see dark grey flecks in her amazing brown eyes. Her lips…Her lips look so inviting. The lower is slightly swollen and red from her biting it earlier. So innocent. So sexy.

"Oh God," she whispers, "Do something." The last comes out almost as a whimper and it snaps me out of my reverie. I lean in so slow and brush my lips across hers lightly once, twice, three times. With that she unclenches the little fists she's kept at her sides and places her palms flat against my stomach and leans into me.

The hesitancy is gone and the more my lips touch hers, the more pressure I use, the more she moves her lips against mine, the more the tension leaves the room to be replaced by euphoria. I wrap my arms around her waist and, when she slides her hands up my torso to grasp my shoulders, I crush her to me. I raise a hand to cradle the back of her head and open my mouth to trace my tongue along her luscious bottom lip …just as there is a loud knock at the door.

Bella flies from my embrace like a scared bird and turns the corner into the open bed chamber. I watch her closely, afraid to move, afraid to speak, afraid she regrets the amazing kiss we just shared. We both struggle to get our breathing under control and she checks her appearance in the mirror on the wall grimacing at the guilty blush marking her cheeks. The knock comes again, slightly louder and more insistent.

"Isabella?" James Meadows calls from behind the door.

Dammit. I didn't want her to get caught in her alone with me. This is bad. I stand motionless, waiting to take my cues from Bella.

"Come in," she calls out. I'm surprised and take a few steps backward to distance myself further from Bella and further from the bed. The door opens to reveal a very agitated Mr. Meadows. My back stiffens under his glare but I dare not meet his eyes. I don't want to challenge him. I don't want to make things worse for my Bella.

"I think you had better go," Meadows addresses me sternly.

"Have you been waiting all this time for our return?" Bella confronts him, her voice trembling with apparent anger.

"I think this is hardly the time for this discus-" He starts in a placating voice but Bella cuts him off.

"Have you!?" She demands her face flushed and her eyes throwing sparks. She is stunning.

"Yes," he says with a hiss. "Does that surprise you?"

"Our relationship is strictly business." She informs him.

He seems affronted. "Strictly business?"

"I am involved with you as an actress, Mr. Meadows, not a doormat. Do not attempt to wipe you boots on me." She sounds lethal.

James Meadows is stunned speechless. I'm under the impression he thought she would bow to his will on this like all other matters. I feel somewhat embarrassed for him that he is put in his place in front of a virtual stranger. He is a proud man, after all. This is my cue to go. I quietly turn to grab my hat off the table, hoping to slip out the door and leave them to this. My Bella seems to have a firm handle on things.

"Edward?" Bella calls for my attention so I turn to her and meet her gaze. Her face softens and the venom has leaves her voice when she speaks to me. "I shall leave a ticket for you at the door."

I give her a crooked smile and a brief nod in acknowledgement, grab my bowler and walk out the door quietly to let them finish their discussion. I hope they can both come to terms with this. I never wanted to hurt Bella or make life difficult for her.

James Meadows needs to understand that her heart lies elsewhere.

A/N: Reviews are my brand of heroin. ;o)