Disclaimer: Stephenie owns Twilight...or maybe we should say that it has owned her for the last 10 years. We know the feeling Steph. Thanks for letting us play with your characters.

Chapter 9

(BPOV)

The last 24 hours have been a rollercoaster. From the dinner with the Whitlocks and James, to Edward's sister's surprise visit and then his leaving, only to come back and apparently watch me sleep...it's all been a lot to process. I can physically feel a change in the air around me. Last night, as Edward and I talked in the dark, there was a difference in his tone and the words that he spoke. I felt like everything he said was coming from a place deeply hidden...somewhere he hadn't been in a long time.

If I'm being completely honest with myself, it freaked me out.

I'm not sure how I feel about him saying that I make him want to be a better man. That's a lot of pressure to put on a girl like me. And, to know that my increased feelings for him are matched by his own for me, it's a lot to accept. For one, the track record for people who care about me sticking around is slim. Outside of Alice, everyone I've ever loved or who've loved me has left.

My mom died.

My dad disappeared.

And, I feel the same way about Edward. I feel like he could just vanish into thin air...like I could wake up one morning and he'd be gone, and this would all have been some elaborate, fantastical dream.

The benefit of being in the line of work that I'm in is not getting attached. My job requires me to be unattached and that's been okay with me, until now.

There's part of me that wants to be attached to Edward. I'm not sure how I'm going to feel when the week is up. Will he let me go? Can I go back to being Bella Donna, the hooker? I feel like I've bared my soul to him. In only a few conversations, I've told him more things about myself than anyone else on the face of this earth knows, except for Alice...and maybe Jake and Garrett. That, in itself, already makes me feel attached - in a way.

The thought of Jake and Garrett brings on a whole new set of problems. I don't know if I can successfully do my job and stay with Edward. The truth is that I might have to leave. How can I possibly seduce James and stay with Edward? It's obvious that their relationship is volatile already. I can't imagine Edward being understanding enough to allow me to pursue James.

That thought makes me laugh, actually. It's very evident that Edward is possessive.

And, that thought makes me tingle all over. The memory alone of Edward claiming me...taking out his frustrations and emotions while pounding into me...it's enough to put me on the verge of an orgasm.

I'm not ready to give that up.

I take a deep breath before walking out of the bathroom, resolved to figure out a way to find out what I need to know about James without fucking things up with Edward. There has to be a way...and if there is, I'll find it.

"Good. I'll meet you at Columbia Center at nine o'clock," Edward says into the phone. "And, James, show up sober. I need you at full speed for this meeting."

Edward ends the call abruptly, turning toward me as I enter the room.

"Good morning, Isabella. I took the liberty of ordering you breakfast," he informs me, motioning toward the table where there are numerous covered plates and a bowl of fresh fruit. My eyes zone in on the sterling silver coffee pot, as I walk over. I turn one of the white porcelain cups right-side up and pour a cup. The aroma alone makes me feel more awake...it's an immediate mood booster.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Edward asks, walking toward me, as I perch on the side of one of the chairs.

"I'm not really a breakfast eater. The only thing that we usually have in the apartment is stale cereal and Alice is notorious for drinking all the milk. Going out of the apartment early in the morning is depressing. The streets at night are depressing enough, but in the daylight...depressing doesn't even cover it. I try to stay indoors until the sun goes down."

A dry laugh escapes his lips. "You never cease to amaze me," he says, as one hand rubs along his perfect jawline. The way he's standing there looking at me, like I'm breakfast, makes my knees weak and the muscles in the pit of my stomach tighten.

The cup of coffee in my hand shakes as I set it down onto the saucer, feeling too unstable to hold it.

I clear my throat, making sure my voice will come out when I attempt to talk. "What is on the agenda today?"

"Well, I would love nothing more than to stay here all day, ravishing your body," he says, stepping forward and untying the belt of my robe, causing it to fall open and expose my naked body. "Feeling your hot, wet pussy wrapped around me."

His hand brushes my side, gripping my hip and pulling me toward him. "Making you scream out my name...over and over," he whispers in my ear. The feel of his breath sends chills up my spine, making me shiver. He lets out a low, throaty chuckle. "Instead, I have a very important meeting today." And, with that, he lets go of me, stepping away.

"Eat your breakfast," he orders. "You're going to need your strength for what I have planned for you tonight."

I swallow the huge lump in my throat, and slowly back up and sit in the chair at the table. I don't trust my legs right now.

As he walks into the bedroom, he calls back, "Go and buy a dress suitable for a black tie event. I have an obligation tonight and I'd like you to come with me." He pauses. "Red...make the dress red," he adds, turning around to look at me. "Oh, and nothing underneath. I need you ready for me at all times."

The wetness between my legs proves that his request will not be a problem.

"Bella?"

"What? Sorry," I say, looking up, realizing that I hadn't been paying attention, my mind still thinking about his touch and his words.

"My request requires a response."

"Yes, I'll get a dress...and I'll be ready," I say. Damn, he's bossy. And, damn, if I don't love that about him.

"Good," he responds, walking away.

When he disappears beyond the door of the bedroom, I walk quickly over to where his briefcase is sitting...wide open. I need something with his office address on it. An idea was forming as he was talking to James on the phone, but I need a little bit of information before I can execute it.

One of his business cards is sticking out of a pocket, so I grab it and tuck it into the pocket of my robe. I don't have time to look at it, but I'm hoping it has the information I need.

Edward walks back into the room, a grey suit jacket on, which matches his slacks. The top three buttons are no longer open, and a black tie is wrapped tightly around his collar. He takes my breath away. I have to bite down on my lip to keep myself from moaning out loud.

He must catch some of my vibes, because he smirks at me, as he closes up his briefcase.

"Have a good day, Bella," he says, as he walks out the front door of the pent house. His ass is just as good as the front of him. He leaves me wanting and completely worked up.

Mother fucker! I'm going to have to take care of some "personal" business before I can even try to do what I plan on accomplishing today. That shit's going to take my full concentration and I can't concentrate with all of this pent-up sexual frustration. Damn him!

*****BD*****

An hour later, I'm relaxed, re-showered, dressed and making my way to 1001 Fourth Avenue.

I look at the business card one more time to make sure I have the address right.

I don't know what to expect when I get there. I have no idea if I'll have to go through a receptionist or if Edward's office will be locked, I'm just going to wing it. This seems like my only chance to try to dig up some dirt on James without actually being with him one-on-one. So, I'm taking my chances.

As I approach the address, I look up to see a tall glass office building. The crisp architecture is totally Edward - the hard lines, the dark grey exterior - I think I could have guessed that this is his office building if I had to pick it out of a line-up. Walking up to the elevators, I peek at the card again, checking to see what floor I need.

Suite 5010.

Of course, it would be the top floor.

When the elevator door opens to the 50th floor, I know I'm in the right place because I see "Cullen Enterprises" inscripted in bronze on the wall in front of me.

There is only one door, so that makes it easy to know where to go; now, I just need to work up the courage to walk inside. The uncertainty is what makes my heart practically pound out of my chest.

What is the worst that can happen? That's the little trick I use to calm myself in nerve-wracking situations. I think about the worst case scenario, and for some reason, just having that in mind makes me feel better about whatever I'm doing. Should the worst thing really happen, I wouldn't be caught off guard.

In this situation, I guess the worst case scenario is that either I can't get in, or there's a bitchy receptionist, or James is still at the office - or Edward. I think I can talk my way around and out of all of those situations, as I'm a very resourceful person.

I look down at my simple, but beautiful clothing. Thanks to the Edward Cullen Fund, I'm dressed in a pair of cropped black slacks, a cream-colored silk tank top, kick-ass black stilettos and my trusty red leather jacket. I wanted to be prepared for whatever story I'd need to come up with to get me into the office. I still don't know exactly what I'm going to do...working with the unknown, it's a little hard to come up with a concrete plan of attack.

I take a deep breath, smooth my hair down, and turn the knob.

When it opens with ease, my heart rate spikes. I guess part of me thought it would be locked and I'd just go back to the hotel until I thought of another idea. The fact that I'm now standing in Edward's office has me panicking.

I shouldn't have come here. It's too risky. I should have thought of something else. I should just call Jake and Garrett and tell them to find someone else.

"Can I help you?" a male voice asks, making me almost jump out of my skin.

I turn around to see a dapperly dressed man, sitting behind a large desk. I notice his eyebrows raise and he reaches down to adjust the waistband of his pants.

Bingo! It's show time!

"Hi," I answer flirtatiously. "I'm really hoping you can help me," I say, letting my words drip with honey. I slip off my jacket and drape it across my arm, as I walk closer to the desk.

"I hope I can too," he says suggestively. Normally, I'd roll my eyes or I'd take him up on his offer, but I don't do either. I do something very uncharacteristic; I giggle...and smile.

"Well, I'm from Mr. Whitlock's office and he sent me over here to get a folder for him."

"I'm sorry, but Mr. Cullen is out of the office, as is Mr. Stanley...but they should both be back in about 30 minutes."

Shit! That doesn't give me long.

Come on Bella, turn on the charm. Get in and get out...this is where you excel...closing the deal. You got this.

"Yes, they're at a meeting with Mr. Whitlock. They sent me over here," I say with as much confidence as I can muster. Half the battle of selling a lie is believing it yourself, right?

"I don't know...maybe I'll just give Mr. Cullen a call - clear it with him first." He hesitates, reaching out to pick up the phone.

"What's your name?" I ask sweetly.

"Demetri," he answers, with a lopsided grin.

"Demetri," I say, as if I'm mulling over his name, "I think we both know how unreasonable Mr. Cullen can be when he doesn't get what he wants, right?"

"Yes."

"And we probably both know how much Mr. Cullen hates to be interrupted in the middle of a meeting, right?"

He nods.

"Then, I think we both know that calling him would be a very bad idea."

"You've got five minutes," he says, glancing to the door and then back at me. I think I already see a bead of sweat forming on his shiny forehead.

"Thank you, Demetri."

Walking past him down the hall, I realize that I have no idea which office belongs to James. When I get to the end of the hall, there is a door to my left and one also to my right. I play a quick game of "eeny-meeny-miny-moe" and choose the door on my left.

Walking in, I try to find something to tell me that this is James' office, but there aren't any personal touches...no family photos, no name-plates. I'm just met with a stark, very modern office. I scurry around to the back of the desk and begin opening drawers.

If Demetri comes in, I realize that I'm going to have to take extreme measures to keep him quiet and I really don't want to have to do that. So, I work as quickly and quietly as I can.

I begin thumbing through files and looking through drawers, trying to find anything suspicious or out of place - any tidbit of evidence that I could take back to Jake and Garrett - any piece of information that would be beneficial: names, numbers, addresses...a client list...anything.

Most of the files I come across are related to contracts and bids. Occasionally, there would be a file on an individual client, but nothing that looked out of place. When I get to the back of the bottom set of drawers, there's a metal box. I pull it out of the drawer and try to open it, but it's locked. Something tells me that if I can get into the box, this whole escapade could pay off.

Rummaging in the top drawer through pens and paper clips, I search for any type of key, but come up empty-handed. Although the lock looks pretty tight, I might be able to pick it with one of the paper clips. I've picked a few locks in my day.

Just as I reach for the paper clip, three things happen: the door handle turns, my heart leaps out of my throat, and I almost piss my pants.

As fast as I can, I slide the box back into the drawer, and pick up a file, so that when Demetri walks in, it will appear that I'm doing what I said I needed to get in here for.

"Bella?" a familiar voice asks from the doorway, but not the voice I was expecting.

I look up and see Edward standing there. His eyes meet mine and I freeze. Slowly, I put the file down and step away from the desk. Suddenly, I feel like a trapped animal. I want to run. I want to get out of here. I wish I hadn't ever come here in the first place. The look on Edward's face is one of fury - maybe some confusion, but mostly anger - and it's directed at me.

"Edward," I say, my voice shaking.

"What are you doing here?" he asks.

"I can explain," I answer, but can I? Can I really explain? Explaining could mean blowing my cover.

"I'm not sure any explanation is needed," he spits out. "I can see what you're doing. You have coerced Demetri into letting you into my office and it appears that you were in the process of going through my files. Am I missing anything? Is there something you were looking for, Bella? Something that interests you?" he asks, stalking toward me - only the desk separating the two of us.

"I...I..." I start trying to explain, trying to come up with something to make him not angry with me.

"You what, Bella?" he seethes through his teeth.

I stiffen and back up farther, touching the glass behind me.

"I changed my mind. I don't need an explanation. Get! Out!" he yells, his voice vibrating off the walls.

I'm frozen in my spot; afraid to move, afraid of him, but afraid to leave. My heart and my mind are battling it out - one yelling for me to get the hell out of there and never look back, the other yelling at me to stay.

"I thought I could trust you! I thought you were different, but I guess I was wrong. I'm not sure how, but my instincts failed me," he says, locking onto my eyes, as he grips the edge of the desk. The wood creaks under his force.

"This isn't about you," I finally manage to say, barely above a whisper. "If you'll just let me explain..."

"Please, just leave." His voice is strained, but the tone has shifted. "Meet me at the hotel room in one hour." He drops his head, his hand tugging at the ends of his hair.

"Edward..." I beg, just wanting a chance to make this better.

"Isabella..." he warns, his voice teetering on the edge of control.

I don't say another word. I quickly walk to the door and make my way to the elevators. I think about taking the stairs, but decide that 50 flights in heels is a very bad idea. So, I punch the down arrow over and over, hoping that'll make it come quicker.

When I'm finally downstairs, I let out a breath and, for the first time in a really long time, tears prick the corners of my eyes.

I feel lost and alone, as I walk back toward the hotel. Normally, I'd call Alice and tell her all about the shit that I got myself into and she would help me figure a way out of it, but I can't this time.

If I call Jake and Garrett, I'll only get the third degree about why I shouldn't have gone there in the first place.

"What kind of stunt were you trying to pull?"

"Why didn't you tell us you were going?"

"You could've blown your cover!"

"You could've gotten yourself hurt!"

"Have we taught you nothing?"

Yeah, calling them would be the worst idea ever.

I'm just fucked.

Either I pack my shit and get out before Edward gets back, or I stay and face his wrath.

Staying would mean telling him my secrets, but leaving seems impossible.

Since I have no idea what Edward's temperament will be like when he gets to the hotel, I decide that it's best to be prepared for whatever happens. I pack up the things that I've acquired since I've been here. It all fits into a few shopping bags, but it feels like...more. The past few days with Edward have felt like so much more than a business deal. I can't help the way my heart breaks a little with every piece of clothing that I fold and stuff in a bag. I don't know when it happened, but somewhere along the way, things have become personal and intimate. A small flicker of hope and something that resembles a dream sparked to life deep inside me. It'll hurt to walk out that door and to walk away from Edward. I actually can't fathom the idea of never seeing him again.

I wish now that I'd never gone into his office. If I could take back the last few hours, I would. I'd rewind back to this morning where my body ached for him, the promises of what he'd do to me still lingering in the air.

With a solemn sigh, I set the last of my bags in the foyer and wait for Edward to walk through the door. First, I pace the confines of the small room, and then I decide that sitting on the couch would be better.

The minutes pass slowly and my mind drifts to the anger that was all over Edward when he walked in and found me in his office. His face was angry, the way he held his mouth was angry, his stance was angry...his words were angry...even his eyes were angry. Their normal amber hue was darkened into almost black - the irises and pupils blending together.

Those eyes mesmerize me. I've never seen anyone with that eye color before - except for his sister. That isn't the only thing about him that mesmerizes me, though. I'm also intrigued by his behaviors - normal, everyday routines that he doesn't seem to have. He never eats. I've never seen him eat, even at the business dinner with the Whitlocks. I've also never seen him drink anything - not even alcohol. He doesn't sleep; he watches me, but he doesn't do it himself. The couple of times that he's laid down with me, I've always drifted off first and wake to his absence.

He doesn't seem real, he's like a figment of my imagination.

Just then, I hear a card slide into the door. I expect him to storm into the room, ready to finish what was started at his office, but his demeanor has slightly shifted.

When I finally catch a glimpse of his face, I see that he's not as angry...the lines have softened. His brow is still furrowed, but it's taken on a more somber appearance. I watch as his eyes scan the room. First, he notices my bags by the door and he quickly looks up, his steps ceasing.

"Edward, sit," I command, as I stand up from the couch and motion for him to have a seat. I don't know what's come over me, but I feel like I have to take control of the situation. At least this way, if things end badly, I'll have no one to blame but myself.

He hesitates by the door, before acquiescing. As he sits down on the couch, he unbuttons his suit jacket, and loosens the tie around his neck. Leaning forward, he rests his elbows on his knees, waiting for me to begin.

I can't believe I'm getting ready to do this, but I feel like I have no choice. Since Alice, Edward is the first person to come into my life whom I've felt any sort of connection to - a personal, human connection - and I refuse to give that up, even if it means telling him my deepest, darkest secrets.

"I have something that I need to tell you, and it's going to be really hard for me to get everything out...so, please, just let me finish, okay?" I look directly at him, into his once again amber eyes, pleading for him to give me a chance.

He nods his head in agreement, so I continue, and I begin telling him the most basic part of my secret.

"I'm not just a prostitute. I'm also an informant for the FBI."

I watch him, waiting for some sort of sign that he's listening and processing the information I'm throwing at him.

He sits up straighter, eyes narrowing a bit...so I keep going.

"I've only been used on a few cases. Actually, this is my third and it's the biggest one I've been on so far." I pause, rubbing my sweaty palms down the front of my slacks, trying to calm my nerves.

"Today, I was trying to get information on my target."

He sits forward, leaning toward me. "Am I your target, Bella?" he asks, incredulously.

"No!" I reply, adamantly. "No, you are not my target. It's actually kind of...complicated. I don't know if I can even fully explain how I got into this position."

"Try me," he challenges.

"The night you picked me up...I approached you because I was supposed to. I was targeting a specific car. When I realized that you weren't the person I was after, it was too late. I was already inside the car."

"You could've stopped me. I would've let you out."

"I didn't want to," I shrug.

For the first time since this morning, a small smile plays on his lips.

"That first night, when I woke up and realized you were gone, I had to get out of here. I had to sort through my feelings and try to get myself in check. I'd let my guard down and that's a death sentence in this industry."

I pause, hesitating briefly, but I decided if I'm telling my story, I should just get it all out there. "I shouldn't tell you this, but I've never had an orgasm before you...at least not with a john." I feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment and vulnerability.

"You have no idea how long I've waited to feel that kind of passion and emotion. So, for it to be at the hands of a john, it was too much...it gave you way too much power over me. I had planned on never seeing you again, until the night you showed up on my street corner."

His eyes are so intense, as he stares at me. I feel like he's looking straight through me...past my walls and armor...straight into my soul.

Bypassing what I'd just told him, he asks, "So, it's James you're after?"

I nod.

"Huh, well, I'm not surprised. Can I ask why?"

"Drugs, mainly. He's also linked to a large prostitution ring they've been trying to bring down for some time now.

"Isn't that a little ironic?" he asks.

"Well, I guess it looks that way, but I see it as a means to an end. I'm helping them and they're helping me. I never wanted to live this life, anyway. People in the business often call what I do 'survival' sex. I was merely trying to survive, Edward; it's all I've ever known. Thanks to my mother, I was born and raised in prostitution. There was a time when I thought I could rise above it and start my own life, but when my mom died, I had no other choice. It was either do this or die. If it hadn't been for Alice, I probably would be dead anyway," I say, my voice cracking. "That's why I'm an informant...for both me and Alice. She's part of the deal."

"I see," he says, nodding. One of his hands goes to his jaw, rubbing along the perfect scruff that resides there. "So, today, you were looking for dirt on James?"

"Yes, and I understand if you want me to leave, but I'm begging you to please not tell him. I know that's a lot to ask, and you don't owe me anything. I also realize that you're his boss and you probably have some sort of loyalty to him, but if you were to tell him, it would end badly for me. So, please..."

I feel myself wanting to get down on my hands and knees out of desperation. The reality of what I just told him sinks in. Jake and Garrett would hang me themselves if they knew I just gave away their secret. They've worked for a long time on their case against James and now that we're so close to nailing him, it'd kill them if they lost their lead, or if James was tipped off. It'd all be for nothing...and I could kiss my free pass goodbye.

Standing in front of Edward, waiting on him to say something - anything - hot tears begin streaming down my cheeks. Every emotion that I've held in for the last few years - fear, desperation, loss - they all seem to find their way to the surface.

Faster than I can blink, Edward is off the couch and he has his arms wrapped around me. It's like I'm in a cocoon - an Edward cocoon - and I never want to leave. I breathe in deeply, allowing his scent to soothe me.

"Shhhhhh," he whispers, brushing my hair away from my wet cheeks. "We'll figure this out." He then presses his lips to my forehead and it's one of the most sincere, intimate gestures I've ever experienced. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

A/Ns:

Jenny Kate: Soooooo, hopefully you got some answers to a couple of questions.

Jiff: Finally! Some answers! We told you they were coming!

Jenny Kate: So many of you have been guessing about what Bella is and what she does since the beginning...what do you think now that her secret is out?

JIff: Some of you were close; a few were right on the money! Good job! There are still more things to figure out so keep your theories coming!

Jenny Kate: We love hearing your theories...even the crazy, off-the-wall-half-vampire-half-werewolf ones! LOL

Jiff: I'd love to hear what you think about Edward's reaction in the office and whether or not you think Bella should've packed her bags.

Jenny Kate: Is anybody disappointed that we didn't get to see Edward fulfill his promises to Bella from that morning? *pouty lip* I wanted him to make her scream his name. *stomps foot*

Jiff: This is where I get to remind you that we are the ones writing this story. If you want screaming, then screaming you shall have!

Jenny Kate: Right...*bits lip*...OK, then. Uh, Jiff, we've got some writing to do. I think we should say goodbye to our friends and get to work!

Jiff: Bye, friends! Thank you Mauigirl60 for being our awesome and patient beta!

Jenny Kate: Thanks for fixing our overabundance of ellipses.