AN: Huge thanks for all of you that voted this story as one of the fics of the week at The Lemonade Stand and for the awesome review by Nolebucgrl. I can't even tell you how much I appreciate all the readers and reviews! It's been really fun hearing your thoughts on Bella, Edward, and their decisions.

If you are on Facebook, come join the NOP group that the lovely Nicffwhisperer made! You can find it at http: /www. / groups/ 461654163848405/ (just take out the spaces).

Thanks to Nicffwhisperer, Kikki7, Vampshavelaws, Julie, KittyVuitton, Stephanie, Perry, Jaime, Nolebucgrl, and Sydney Alice for all of their help pre-reading/betaing and supporting my crazy ass. Special thanks to SusanQ who helps me out with my last-minute changes. I'm always tinkering until right before posting and any mistakes are mine.

Meeting Jasper

I groaned at the incessant beeping noise waking me up from a great dream involving Edward, a kite, and some whipped cream.

I nudged the sleeping man who had my naked body surrounded like a burrito. He only grunted and held me tighter.

"Edward, turn off the alarm."

He mumbled something incoherent and removed an arm. There was a loud crash and a return of blissful silence. I snuggled against his warm body again when his arm returned to hold me.

The next thing I knew, my sleep was disrupted a second time when the house phone started ringing from my nightstand. I was trapped in the middle of the bed, on my back, with Edward sprawled over me and snoring in my ear.

I pulled a David Copperfield maneuver to escape, and that was no easy feat considering I had a two hundred pound man clinging to me like a spider monkey.

I grumbled into the phone, sorry that Hannah had to be the recipient of my morning crankiness.

"Bella, I apologize for waking you. It's 7:15 and Edward has that important meeting at 8:00. I figured he probably broke another alarm clock since he hasn't been down yet."

"Thanks, Hannah. I'll get him up."

I sighed and hung up the phone. The task of waking him up was easier said than done. The man could sleep through a hurricane. I snickered, looking over at the large lump under the covers, and decided to use the only method I knew would work.

Enticing Smugs Jr.

I slid across the bed, smirking when Edward automatically reached out and pulled me back under him. He had some sort of subconscious tractor beam on my location. I managed to shimmy myself enough to get him settled between my legs.

I kissed his neck and ran my fingers up and down his back.

"Edward?" I sucked beneath his ear and bucked my hips against him. "I want you."

His body tensed a little before he moaned softly in my ear. I wanted to raise my arms in victory when his hands started roaming.

"Do you want me, Edward?"

I gripped his hair when he started kissing my neck.

"Fuck yes, baby." His gravelly morning voice made me shiver. "Always."

His fingers were on me. Inside me. His guttural groan when he found me ready made me ache. It was amazing how attuned we were to each other in so little time, as if I was made just for him.

Or him for me.

I moaned out when he pushed into me, filling me up with one thrust. His lips met mine, moving in tandem with his body. What started out slow and sweet, quickly became heated and consuming.

He set a pounding rhythm, his voice demanding in my ear.

"Do you like it?"

Like it?

There were no words. My mouth opened and sounds came out, but I wasn't sure what they were, only that they seemed to spur him on even more.

I wrapped my legs around him, so lost in the sensations that I forgot I was supposed to be getting him out of bed. It was easy to lose track of everything else when all I could see, feel, smell, hear and taste was him.

Not only was it my body that he brought to such highs, he was starting to worm his way into my heart.

As we both came down, he placed soft kisses on my face. I opened my eyes to find him watching me. We both stilled for a few seconds, just staring at each other, and I held my breath when he looked like he was going to tell me something.

But he closed his eyes and the moment passed.

He leaned in, nuzzling his nose along mine. I sighed happily from the tenderness of his motions and smiled up at him when he stopped and looked down at me again.

"That was a hell of a wake-up call," he said with a grin.

"Mmm, I aim to please."

He snorted before blowing a raspberry on my neck. I laughed and tried to push him off me.

"You're not getting away from me that easily, my Bella."

I knew that tone very well, and if I didn't put a stop to it, he'd be ready for round two before long. I remembered his meeting, pushing against his chest and shaking my head.

"Nuh uh uh. You have to get in the shower and get to your meeting. You're already going to be late."

He sighed in resignation, groaning as he left the bed. I smiled and enjoyed the view of his naked backside as he walked toward the bathroom. Once he was out of sight, I snuggled back into the Edward-scented sheets and closed my eyes.

The scene from minutes before replayed in my mind over and over. Only in my dreams he'd told me the things my heart wanted to hear.

It seemed like no time at all before I was roused once again. Edward hovered over me, looking fantastic in his suit, and gave me a kiss goodbye.

"I'm taking off. What time is Rose coming to get you today?"

I yawned and stretched. "She's supposed to be here around eleven."

He nodded, pulling down the sheet so he could ogle my goods. I squealed and pulled it back over me while he grinned shamelessly.

"Why don't you two come down to my office first before you go shopping? We can grab some lunch and I can show you around."

I propped myself up on my elbows, watching his eyes closely.

"You want me to see your work?"

"Yeah, definitely. I'd like to introduce you to Jasper."

I smiled and nodded. "Sure. I'd love to see what you do."

He leaned down and gave me another kiss. "Great, baby. Felix can bring you down there. Just text me when you're close and I can meet you downstairs."

"Okay." I wanted to pull him down and strip that suit off of him again.

It made me so happy that he wanted me to be involved more in his business.

His life.

I jumped in the shower after he left, letting the hot water roll over me as I thought about Edward. In the time I'd known him, it was quite apparent how much pride he took in his company. It was the most important thing in his life, and his whole world revolved around it.

Well, at least before me.

I wasn't bold enough to believe I had become as important as his company was to him, but I wanted to believe that I was starting to fill a hole that he'd lived with for a long time. His life had been all about work and nothing else before I showed up...at least what I knew of it so far.

I frowned, thinking about how little I actually knew about his past. It wasn't even completely his fault for not opening up more. I hadn't asked him to talk to me about it much. I had been skating along for this exciting ride, remaining willingly ignorant.

If he was now starting to open up and share more of his life with me—life outside the confines of the bedroom—then I also needed to step up and start acting like a wife and not just a friend with benefits.

Maybe if I understood more about his past, those words I had dreamed would come from his lips would happen in reality one day.

I took my time getting ready, wanting to look my best for Edward. I left my hair down and dressed in a light blue sundress that showed off my legs. After slipping on some strappy sandals, I headed downstairs to wait for Rose.

Hannah greeted me when I appeared in the kitchen, and I took a seat on one of the island stools.

"More shopping today?"

I laughed and nodded. "Yes, it's been a lot more fun then I ever thought it could be. I'm actually looking forward to it now."

"How about a light breakfast before you go?"

I glanced at the clock; it was already close to 11:00.

"Edward wants us to meet him for lunch, so I think I'll be fine. Thanks for the offer though."

Her smile was almost blinding. "You are so good for him."

I tilted my head, wondering what she meant. She kept going before I could ask.

"He's been angry and closed off for a long time." She paused and wiped the already gleaming countertop with a towel. "I'm not sure how much he has told you about his past." She broke off and looked at me.

I leaned toward her, anxious to hear what she had to say. "Not a lot. I know he has a hard time trusting people."

She sighed and started scrubbing again.

"Kate Forrester."

The venom in her voice surprised me. I'd never heard Hannah utter a single harsh word before, but she obviously felt very strongly about this Kate person.

"Who is she?"

"Carlisle and her father, Eleazar, have been life-long friends. I remember them always thinking Kate and Edward would end up together. When Edward was in his late twenties, they actually were together for a long time. Everyone thought they were a dream couple, had everything going for them." She sighed again and threw the towel down. "I'm not sure exactly what happened, but she broke his heart. Broke him. He's never been the same since."

I felt a pang in my chest thinking about a broken-hearted Edward. Despite my jealousy that he had loved another woman, I wanted to hurt her for whatever she did to him.

Hannah moved around the island until she was standing in front of me. She hugged me tight, and I held her in return.

"I know that you and Edward have entered into something which may be deemed improper by others, but I'm so grateful you're here, Bella. I think in time, you both are going to realize what your hearts already know." She pulled back, her eyes glistening. "He has a light in his eyes again that hasn't been there for many years. Please don't let anything drive you away."

I didn't want to. I wanted to believe Edward and I would be happy together forever. I wanted to promise I'd never leave.

But I couldn't.

Not yet.

Luckily I was saved by the doorbell. I stood and gave Hannah a small smile before moving away.

"That's Rose. I should probably get going." I turned back to her before I walked out of the room. "Thank you for telling me about Kate. It helps me understand Edward a bit better."

"He's a good man, Bella."

I nodded. "I know. Thanks, Hannah."

My mind was spinning with thoughts of what might have happened between Edward and Kate, but I didn't get much time to ruminate. Rose was excited about our side trip to CWI and having lunch with Edward, and chattered away for the entire drive.

I texted Edward when Felix told me we were close and frowned when I didn't get any response from him as we pulled in front of his building.

"I guess we can just find our own way if he doesn't meet us," I told Rose.

"Sure, it can't be that hard."

We both got out, and my mouth gaped a little as I stood in front of the skyscraper. There were two tall towers connected by a large building between. The buildings reflected the bright sun and appeared almost glass-like with so many windows and sharp edges.

Admiration bloomed inside me for the success Edward had achieved, and it was easy to understand why he was so proud of what he'd accomplished. The revelations from Hannah earlier and the sight of everything he had built made me eager to better understand the man I had pledged myself to.

Rose and I made our way inside, and I glanced around the busy lobby, looking for the closest information desk. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a familiar face heading right for us.

"Alec!"

He smiled as he neared, nodding to both Rose and me. "Ladies, how are you today?"

"Great. I'm supposed to meet Edward, but I'm not sure exactly where to go."

He nodded. "He's finishing a meeting. I'm going to take you up there."

Rose and I followed him onto one of the elevators, and I watched as he used a keycard and selected the fifty-fifth floor.

Just as the elevator doors opened to our floor, Alec's phone rang. We paused after walking out, waiting for him to finish his call.

"I apologize ladies. I need to go take care of something. Mr. Cullen's office is straight ahead. He said you could go right in."

He looked apologetic, and I waved off his worry.

"No problem. It was nice to see you again, Alec."

"You too, Miss Sw…er…Mrs. Cullen."

I blushed at his faux pas. He winked and got back on the elevator.

Rose nudged my arm and laughed. "Come on, Mrs. Cullen. Let's go see your man."

The two of us started walking and were busy admiring the smart decorating of Edward's outer office when we were rudely interrupted.

"Excuse me, where do you two think you're going?"

I turned around in surprise at the haughty female voice, finding a tall, strawberry-blonde woman glaring at the two of us like we were insects. She stalked over, her hands fisted on her hips, and I had no idea why she seemed so irritated.

"We're here to see Edward," I explained.

She shook her head and pointed back toward the elevator. "I don't think so. Mr. Cullen is busy and doesn't have time for unscheduled meetings. You'll have to leave and make an appointment."

"But we're…"

She cut me off, and I stood there in shock.

"All appointments go through me, and I know he has nothing scheduled now. You're not even allowed on this floor without my authority. Now leave before I call security."

What a mega bitch!

I turned my head to look at Rose, and she seemed just as stunned as I was.

Before we could say another word, the door to Edward's office opened, and he walked out laughing with Emmett and two other gentlemen. Edward's eyes zeroed in on me, and his smile widened as they walked toward us.

Mega Bitch started in apologizing that Rose and I were there, but Edward ignored her and pulled me to him in a hug.

"Bella! Glad you're here." He gave me a brief peck on my neck before pulling back and keeping one arm around my waist. "I'd like to introduce you to Mark and Jasper. You've already met Emmett."

I shook each of their hands, a curious smile on Jasper's face. When I looked harder at Mark, I realized it wasn't just any Mark.

It was Mark Wahlberg.

"Oh…um…hi." I was a moron.

Edward tightened his arm around me as Emmett chuckled.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Bella. Edward was talking all about you earlier."

I nodded so I didn't say anything else to embarrass myself. It was easy to forget Edward worked with celebrities when he was so down-to-earth at home.

"And who is your lovely friend, Bella?" Emmett asked, taking Rose's hand.

Another round of introductions were made for Rose before Mark said his goodbyes and thanked Edward for the opportunity.

"Are you ready for lunch, baby?"

I nodded to Edward, and the five of us walked together to the elevator. I did glance over at the rude secretary, who was seated behind her desk and glaring in my direction. I refrained from sticking my tongue out at her.

Barely.

I was informed, on our way downstairs, there were not one but two different restaurants within the building, along with a cafeteria. Edward said he wanted his employees to have options if they chose to dine on site. I smiled at him as he explained in detail, not minding at all that he was bragging a little. He wanted to impress me and I wanted to let him.

We eventually settled around a table, the patrons around us looking somewhat nervous that Edward was there. It was hard not to notice all the gawking and whispering going on around us, although Edward didn't seem affected.

I smothered a giggle behind my hand watching Emmett pulling out every line in the book as he kept Rose monopolized on one end of the table. That left me, Edward, and Jasper to ourselves on the other end. After we ordered, I turned my attention to the man across from me.

"So, Jasper, how long have you and Edward known each other?" I asked before taking a sip of my iced tea.

He was a very attractive man, although different from Edward. His classic blond-haired, blue-eyed good looks went well with his carefree demeanor. He seemed light and mellow to Edward's dark and broody.

Good thing the dark and broody fit me to a T.

Jasper sat back in his seat with a smile. "Well, I guess about twelve years now?" He looked at Edward who nodded in confirmation. "I took over Whitlock Media after my father passed away, and Edward and I started running in the same circles. I think we got along because we were more focused on innovation rather than profits, unlike some other companies. Then about six years ago we began serious discussions on a merger of our companies. The rest is history."

He leaned over the table and winked at me before continuing.

"He needs my youthful presence around to keep the ideas hip and trendy."

I wondered how old Jasper was, but I wasn't going to ask such an impolite question. I could always google him later.

Edward laughed and shook his head. "I keep you around just for entertainment value."

I loved the playful dynamic between the two. They seemed more like brothers than business partners. Jasper seemed to bring out Edward's silly side, at least when they were in a relaxed setting.

Too bad it didn't last much longer.

"So what was this opportunity you offered Mark?" I asked.

Jasper smirked and turned to Edward. "I think your Bella has a crush."

Edward scowled and put his arm around my shoulders.

"I do not. It was just a question." I folded my arms across my chest as Jasper laughed.

Edward leaned over to whisper in my ear. "You don't like him, do you?"

I wanted to laugh at the absurdity, but he sounded legitimately worried. I turned my head and kissed him before whispering back.

"I only like you."

He smiled and pulled me closer.

It was so odd that Edward felt threatened like that. It made me wonder if it all went back to whatever happened with Kate. I was going to have to find out exactly what went down between them.

"You two are a trip." Jasper pulled us out of our bubble.

Edward drummed his fingers on the table. "We were just having a meeting concerning a new production Mark wants to begin. We've worked with him before, and it was very successful. It was a no-brainer to support this new project."

I nodded. "So part of what you do is develop new shows?"

They both nodded.

"Among a million other things. But new program development is one of the more fun aspects of running things around here," Jasper said. After the server dropped off our food, he turned back to me. "Edward said you're starting NYU this fall. What are you thinking about majoring in?"

I shrugged and placed the olives from my salad on Edward's plate, knowing he loved them.

"I'm not sure yet. I have to take a bunch of introductory classes to start anyway. Hopefully by the time I have to declare a major, I'll have found something I like."

"Well, you could always go into cinema and business and help us out here," Jasper teased with a wink.

I glanced at Edward, who had been silent for awhile, and was surprised by the small frown and scrunched eyebrows on his face.

What was his problem? Was he mad Jasper suggested I should be involved in his company?

It hurt my feelings that he would be upset about Jasper making that comment in jest. I turned back to Jasper, who was glancing back and forth between Edward and me.

"It seems to me that this place is running quite smoothly already." I didn't hide the coolness in my tone.

I turned my attention back to my salad, spearing my lettuce with a vengeance.

The three of us were silent for a few minutes, concentrating on our lunches, while Emmett and Rose continued conversing away to each other.

Jasper finally cleared his throat and broke the ice again. "How are you liking New York so far?"

I sighed and put my fork down, leaning away from Edward. "I haven't seen much of it yet. My best friend is arriving tomorrow, and we're planning to sightsee as much as possible before the fall semester begins."

Edward made some noise next to me, but I ignored him. When he put his hand on my knee under the table, I pushed it away.

"Sounds like fun. There's a lot to see. I've been here my whole life and I've still not seen all the sights." He grinned and I smiled back.

"We want to see everything. The Statue of Liberty, the Empire State building, Central Park, all the museums." I hesitated, knowing my next words were going to piss Edward off. "We'll definitely have to take some cabs and subways to get the full experience."

"The hell you will," Edward interjected.

"The hell I won't." I didn't care if I sounded like a child. I threw my napkin down and stood up, grabbing Rose's attention. "I'm going to use the restroom, and then I'm ready to leave if you are."

She nodded, and I tried not to feel bad about prying her away from Emmett. I rushed off to the restroom, throwing my purse on the counter and pouting at the mirror. I didn't understand what had turned Edward's mood so sour. He'd seemed happy to see me when we were upstairs.

I sighed and splashed my face with some water. My nerves started to calm a little as I took deep breaths. I patted my face with tissues and jumped a little when I saw him standing behind me in the mirror.

"What are you doing in here?" I turned around to face him as he stalked over.

His hands gripped the counter on each side of me, his arms trapping my body in place. He looked angry, all fiery eyes and flushed cheeks as he leaned in close.

"I came to see what is going on with you. What was that out there?"

"Me? Are you kidding? What was up with you?" I wasn't going to let him get away with making me feel bad. "Jasper makes a joke about me being part of this company and you get all mad and moody. What? Am I not good enough to work here?"

He gave a sarcastic laugh and shook his head. "What the fuck? Is that what you think?"

"What was I supposed to think? Huh?" I pushed on his chest to make him back off a little, but he didn't budge.

Instead, he pressed in closer. "I was mad at myself," he said through gritted teeth.

I ignored how close his lips were to mine.

"Mad at yourself for what?"

His eyes dropped down to my mouth before returning to meet my gaze. He was hesitating to tell me something. I brought my hands up and placed them on his cheeks.

"Tell me, Edward."

He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to mine. "It should have been me," he said softly. His hands moved from the counter to rest on my hips. "When Jasper suggested classes to take and joining the company…you smiled at him. I was mad. I was…jealous."

I brushed my thumbs under his closed eyes, trying to figure out what he was trying to tell me.

Did he think Jasper and I were flirting with each other?

"I don't understand. You wanted me to come here today. To meet Jasper. Do you not trust him either?"

"No, it's not that exactly. I trust Jasper as much as I can." He blew out a heavy breath, opening his eyes again. It hurt me to see the sadness etched so deeply. "I should have been the one to encourage you in terms of your studies. I should have been the one to ask if you had any interest in being involved here. To ask if you wanted to pursue that path. His bringing it up so easily, the first time you two met, made me realize what a shitty person I am. I don't want to fuck this up."

I realized this all led back to whatever had happened in his past with Kate. We were going to have to talk about it, and it was going to have to happen soon.

I mentally flogged myself for my tantrum at the table, knowing it had only fed the fire of his insecurities.

I brought my arms around his neck, hugging him to me as tightly as I could.

"You aren't fucking anything up, Edward. I'm not easily scared away. You are way too hard on yourself…you know that?" I pulled back and looked at him again. "I think we are both going to be a little uncertain at times; it's not like there is a manual out there with instructions for what we have here. I know I didn't help anything when I pushed you away out there."

"Well I understand it more now if you were thinking I didn't want you here. I'm sorry."

I couldn't resist any longer, pressing my lips to his. Our soft kisses soothed my frazzled nerves, and I sighed happily. "I'm sorry, too," I told him.

After a few minutes of heated kisses, he groaned in my ear.

"As much as I want to continue this, it will be all over the building if we get caught screwing on the bathroom countertop."

I giggled against his neck, and I was happy to hear his responding laughter.

"I still can't believe you chased me down in a women's restroom." I playfully slapped his shoulder.

"Bella, there's nothing on this earth that would stop me from coming after you if you run."

His words made my stomach flip because I knew they were the absolute truth.

After straightening our rumpled clothes, we joined the rest of them back out at the table. Rose, Jasper, and Emmett all appeared to be purposely ignoring what had just happened with Edward and me.

I let them.

The rest of the lunch thankfully consisted mostly of small talk. Jasper assured me we would all go out for dinner soon before Rose and I left for more shopping.

Despite the drama between Edward and me, the remainder of the day went by without incident.

I expanded my wardrobe, gossiped with Rose, and chatted over the phone with Alice. But my mind never strayed far from the thoughts regarding the looming conversation I needed to have with my husband.

His skeletons needed to come out of the closet. For both our sakes.

Hannah gives a hint about Edward's past. What do you think happened between him and Kate?

I've had a few people wondering about updates on my other stories and I promise they're coming. I'm working on them now as well as this one.

I hope you all have a great holiday weekend and stay safe if you're traveling!

Fic Recs (some of my favorite completed fics):

The Man in Black by PrettyKittyArtist

Going Under by sparklnfade

Tunes with Tony Masen by Just4ALE

The Fallout by OCDindeed