I awoke to the horrible beeping of the smoke alarm. It took a matter of two seconds for me to jump out of bed and fly into the kitchen where there were small billows of black smoke lingering in the air and Edward fanning the fumes away from the annoying fucking alarm with a dish towel.

It also took a matter of two seconds to realize he was only wearing his pants, his beautiful muscles visible to my hungry eyes. I swear I drooled.

"What the fuck happened in here? Are you ok?" I asked snapping myself out of my lust induced stupor.

He jumped, startled at my voice. It was very obvious he was blushing like a God damn virgin from the embarrassment.

Or maybe it was because I only had on a very short t-shirt.

Now I fucking blushed.

"Shit Bella, I'm sorry. I wanted to make you breakfast before I left as a thank you for letting me crash here and instead I almost set your home on fire."

I opened up the windows and patio door letting the vapors escape into the muggy air outside. It was going to rain.

"Any damage?" I asked as I walked back into the kitchen.

Sheepishly Edward showed me a blackened pan.

"I'll buy you a new one, I swear. Hell, I'll buy you a whole set of pans." He stammered.

"Ah shit Cullen, I could care less about the fucking pan. I meant you. Did you hurt yourself?"

"Only thing hurt right now is my pride and ego."

I started laughing hysterically. I know I must've looked like a jack ass but I couldn't help the deep guffaws that escaped from my lips. It wasn't long before Edward was cracking up too. We were both doubled over with tears rolling down our cheeks. The situation wasn't even that funny but fuck if I didn't need a good laugh.

"Get dressed. I'm going to take you to breakfast. And Bed, Bath and Beyond for new pans." He said after we composed ourselves.

"You don't have to do that. It was one pan. I have more. But I will take you up on breakfast. Honestly, I'm surprised I still have an appetite after inhaling that poison you just covered my house in."

"Way to kick me while I'm down. I'm wounded."

"Psh, you're such a baby. The bathroom is right down the hall if you want to shower and for the love of God brush your teeth. I have washcloths and extra men's toiletries in there so help yourself."

Defensively his arms crossed over his bare chest and he raised a questioning eye brow at me.

"Some of it was when the douche bag ex of mine stayed the night but most of it is my dad's. He and Renee come once in a while to visit so I like to be prepared."

His body visibly relaxed and his arms unfolded once again returning to his sides. I gave him a cheeky smile and turned down the hall to my bedroom, closing the door behind me. Less than five minutes passed before I heard the water running. I let out a deep sigh.

I wanted to sneak in there and watch him. My mind was running rampant with images of his gorgeous naked body all wet and hot. I pinched myself hard to stop the arousal I was sure was starting to gather. With deep regret and a throbbing clit, I walked into my bathroom and did all my humanly hygiene maintenance.

I grabbed a long yellow summer dress. It was plain and simple, but oh so cute and comfy. A few swipes of mascara, a little foundation and a swipe of lip gloss later I was ready to go. As soon as I could find my damn shoes.

I was on my hands and knees looking for my woven sandals under my bed when a chocolaty smooth voice broke my concentration and I bumped my head on my night stand.

"You could give me warning when you're about to walk…into…a…room…" I said and then slowly stopped talking as I realized he was only in a towel.

"You've got a little drool on the side of your mouth." Was all he said with a fucking smug grin and then he walked out of my room.

XxXxXx

I had finally found my shoes under the couch and Edward finally put pants on. I wasn't quite as tempted to jump him now that he was clothed. But I still wanted to.

I had just closed the door behind us as we walked down the three flights of stairs to get outside. As soon as Edward opened the door for me, we were bombarded with a swarm of flashing cameras and a million questions.

"Dr. Cullen, is it true you're married to Bella Swan and engaged to Kate Gordon?"

"Isabella, how do you feel about your husband's infidelity?"

Edward wrapped his arm around me as we pushed past those mother fuckers. My heart was beating a million miles a minute. There happened to be a cop car parked a few yards away, the officer getting out of his car and walking over to us. He was one large mother fucker.

"Alright, break it up! Let these folks be! Go on!" His deep voice boomed.

The swarm of maggots stopped following us after he threatened to arrest them for harassment.

"You folks ok?" He asked.

He had a soft baby face with sweet little dimples and a head full of ringlets. He looked like a five year old in a man's body.

"Yeah, thanks. Fuckers came out of nowhere." I growled.

"Wow, you're a feisty little thing." He laughed.

Edward just stood there like a bump on a log.

"I'm Bella by the way. Thanks for that." I said as I offered my hand.

"Officer McCarty and it's my duty, ma'am. Hey aren't you the one getting hitched to that fish chick?" He said as he looked at Edward.

"Yes." He mumbled quietly.

"Congrats, man. Well, I have to get back to patrolling. Catch you folks later."

I watched as he got into his squad car and waved as he drove by us. Then I turned and looked at Edward with furrowed eyebrows and hands on my hips.

"You were so rude, Edward Cullen! I know Carlisle raised you better than that and I'm sure Esme would be appalled if she saw that little act you just pulled."

"I didn't appreciate the way he was ogling you."

"Well Cullen let me set the record straight. First and foremost, you are such a typical man. You failed to notice the fucking wedding ring on his hand, jackass. Second, we're getting a divorce in case you forgot. And you have a fiancée! So if I want to be ogled, that is of no concern to you!" I stomped my foot and huffed.

A low growl escaped out of his mouth as he looked around and quickly grabbed me by my arm and pushed me against a wall of a nearby building, his hands on either side of my head pinning me in. To the people passing by, we looked like any other couple just lost in the moment. His face was dangerously close to mine; I could still smell the toothpaste on his breath.

"Let me set the record straight Isabella. First, yes I did see his ring. Just because there's a ring doesn't mean he can't want. Second, we aren't divorced yet. You are still my wife, not Kate. And lastly, the only person who has any right to ogle you is me. If I see another man fucking my wife with his eyes, yes, Isabella, that is of concern to me." He gritted through his teeth.

"Oh really? You're a philandering asshole. I heard your conversation with Kate last night. "Ok sweetheart, yes darling". You're either stringing her along or you get some kind of sick satisfaction out of breaking women's hearts."

"In case you forgot Bella, it was you who left me. Don't you talk to me about breaking hearts. You made your choice the moment you walked out of that hotel room. And if I'm going to marry a woman I hardly know and don't love, I need to at least try and act like a good fiancé. I will not bring children into this world without there being some sort of love between my wife and me."

I wasn't sure which wife he was referring to; the one he had at the moment (aka me) or the one he'll have in a few months (aka Kate). So I ignored that last comment.

"And you could have just as easily sought me out before you popped the question to her!"

I heard the roll of thunder in the background as Edward stared at me with such intensity. The heavens opened up and poured their frustrations out on us in the form of a downpour. Neither of us moved as the rain pelted us slowly at first and then drenched us minutes later. Droplets were running down his face and getting trapped in his hair. Unable to take the deafening silence between us or stand the pressure of his stare, I spoke first.

"Edward-"

I didn't get a chance to finish my sentence. His mouth crashed into mine and he kissed me with such force, such passion. My eyes closed and I wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him closer to me. His fingers dug into my hips as his tongue fought for entrance into my mouth. I gladly obliged.

We made out in the pouring rain, the streets virtually deserted now. I was freezing but didn't care. As long as I had him touching me, I would be ok. It was then in that moment I realized what an asshole I was, what an asshole I was being.

Eventually he pulled away, our foreheads touching and breathing coming out in short pants. I felt something hard rubbing against my thigh. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what that was.

"Now that I got you to shut up, let's go get breakfast." He finally whispered.

I simply nodded as we walked down the street to the diner. We never did make it to Bed, Bath and Beyond.

XxXxXx

"Thanks for everything. I'll be back Monday evening to pick up the papers." Edward said as I walked him to the door.

It was with a heavy heart I put on a fake smile and told him I looked forward to putting this all behind us. Before he turned the handle to open the large piece of wood, there was a loud knock.

"I'm not expecting anyone." I said as he gave me incredulous look.

"If that's your fucking ex I swear I'll kill him."

I rolled my eyes and pushed him out of the way, opening to door.

"What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you too Bella. Can't we visit our kids?" Charlie said as he, Renee, Carlisle and a woman I assumed was Esme walked in, walking past Edward and I. To say we were dumbfounded would be an understatement.

"How did you know I was here?" Edward asked Carlisle.

"Sit down. Both of you. We need to talk." Charlie said with his no bullshit tone.

"Before you begin Charlie, I just want to say it's a pleasure to meet you Bella. I'm Edward's mom, Esme. You're simply lovely." The petite woman said softly. She had beautiful honey colored hair that fell in waves down her shoulders. She put women half her age, including me, to shame.

"Thank you, Edward's talked so much about you." I blushed.

"Back to business. Isabella Marie why didn't you tell us you were married?" Charlie scolded. I felt like a fucking teenager getting caught skipping class.

"Bella, dear, we're all very hurt that you and Edward didn't even tell us you were married. We had to find out from some horrible reporter this morning. They've been calling both the Cullen's and us since seven this morning. And Edward, who is Kate?" Renee said.

Edward and I just looked at each other and with my shoulders sagged and tail between my legs, I looked at Edward and said, "We need to come clean and tell them everything."

He nodded and cleared his throat before he looked Carlisle and Charlie in the eyes and told of our situation going back to the Christmas party (leaving out the details of the sinfully delicious acts that happened).

"I had no idea we were married until Kate and I went to apply for a marriage license. That's how I found Bella. She's signing the divorce papers Monday. Hopefully this will all be done with soon enough."

"Does Kate know about you and Bella?" Carlisle finally spoke up, his stare very intense as he looked at Edward.

"She knows I'm with Bella now. And she knows Bella won't be able to sign the documents til Monday."

"You are out of your God damn minds if you think about getting a divorce." Charlie yelled.

"I'm sorry?" We both said at the same time.

"Your reckless behavior has really put Carlisle and me in the spotlight. Isabella, not only have you and Edward made fools of yourselves in the public eye, you've also put my reputation as the police commissioner and Carlisle's reputation of being chief medical officer at risk.

The whole city, hell the whole country right now, thinks that we've failed at parenting. The Cullen's and your mom and I have talked it through. Edward, we think it would be in everyone's best interest if you and Bella remain "married" for a few months. Just until this old news.

When you go out in public, you are to act like a happily married couple. I don't care if you try to kill each other behind closed doors. Esme has talked to Kate and she agreed to tell the media you broke off your engagement. Only your folks and Renee and I know the truth. You and Kate can get hitched afterwards in a private ceremony. Her family is not happy they found out their future son-in-law is my current son-in-law if you catch my drift."

"So what you're saying is, Edward and I have to stay married to protect your reputations, never mind how we feel."

"Bella, don't look at it like that. When you're behind closed doors, you don't have to act like husband and wife. There's more at stake here then you and Edward fooling the world. Please. Just for a month or two, possibly longer." Carlisle begged.

"And Isabella, I'm going to throw that little maggot Eric Yorkie in the slammer for the rest of his pathetic life. That conniving bastard tipped off the press. Apparently he knew you two were married before the rest of us. I heard Edward put on one hell of show last night acting like the over protective husband for which I'm grateful." Charlie scoffed.

I was about to protest. Yell and scream at them. How dare they put Edward and I on guilt trips because they were embarrassed of us. I'd rather they disown us for a month then trap us. However, Edward beat me to the punch line and I damn near fell out of my fucking chair when he spoke.

"Alright. Bella and I will stay married. Carlisle, you've trapped me into this arrangement with Kate. I've made my peace with it for now. But I will not trap Bella. She deserves more than that. Commissioner Swan, Renee, I'm sorry for what's happened and I take full responsibility. If you need to place blame on someone, place it on me. Not Bella."

"Edward, it's just as much my fault as it is yours. And you have some nerve coming here, all of you, and telling us to put up a façade because we're a fucking humiliation to you. Who gives a shit what the world thinks? Yes, we made a mistake and we have to suffer the consequences. This is absolute bull shit. Reputation as a commsissioner? Don't make me laugh! The only reason you got that job was because you kissed some precinct ass. Dr. Cullen, I don't know you and by default I'm not going to insult your profession or reputation. But I will say that this agreed arrangement that you and Charlie made is very disappointing."

"Isabella Swan, you will not disrespect me or Dr. Cullen again. I demand you apologize." Charlie stood out of his seat and roared.

I stood up out of my seat, fists at my side ready for a fight.

"I refuse to give you an apology. And it's Isabella Cullen now."

The room went silent and stayed that way for several minutes until Esme stood up and rested her hand on Charlie's shoulder.

"Charlie, she doesn't owe Carlisle an apology. What she says is true, this whole arrangement is absurd. However I would like to say to Bella, I admire your feistiness and passion. I couldn't have picked a better match for my son. I'm hoping we can become friends and you'll forgive all of us someday. And also… welcome to the family."

AN: So a lot of you asked about Edward calling Kate terms of endearment. I hope that clarified. If not, I'll give a brief explanation: He wants to try and love her. If he's going to be stuck in a marriage with someone he doesn't know, he needs to try and love her. For his own sanity.

Thanks to those of you who sent me recommendations. I was notified yesterday that I'm being laid off. Looks like I'll have nothing but time now to read. And find another job. If anyone lives in the metro-Detroit area and needs a nutritionist, let me know. I stayed up all night bawling my heart out having a pity party. Now I'm just pissed.

Have a safe & happy 4th if you're in the USA. Until next time…happy reading.