Merry Christmas Coffee Girl fans! I hope you all have a very happy holiday with lots of cheer. I think you'll all enjoy this one.

Thank you as always to my fabulous team: Brie, Kitchmill, Jen, Kelly, and Kim. They rock, but I fiddle until I post, so any mistakes after their work is my fault as always! lol

The other half of Almost Amy is up! Emmy award winning Derek Hough! Total cutie. He is such an awesome guy who gives amazing hugs! Very friendly and awesome to fans. While Mark was my favorite pro dancer on the show, Derek has quickly climbed those ranks and surpassed him as my favorite. He's so original with his choreography.

Chapter Sixteen

I had to admit, I enjoyed the spa. Having someone else style my hair and do my makeup was nice too. They teased the heck out of my hair before combing it back into a faux hawk that ended in a ponytail. To say I was shocked at the final outcome would have been an understatement. The makeup was only slightly heavier than I would have done for myself. The cherry red lips were something I'd never done before, but it worked. They said it was long lasting and kissable, too, so I was happy with that.

When we got back to the room, we ordered room service and ate in the dining room of the suite. I was convinced that this was a dream, but when I pinched myself, it hurt.

At just after nine in the evening, Edward hopped into the shower while I got dressed. Even with the dress still unzipped it was tight and I was glad I put my heels on first. When the bathroom door opened, I turned to smile at my man, but my jaw hit the floor instead.

He was standing there in all his glory, water dripping down his chest before it gathered on the towel that was tied around his waist. He was beautiful, and I forgot how to breathe.

"You look…I don't have any words. You're simply beautiful."

I blushed under his heated gaze. "Thank you. Would you mind zipping me up?"

"I would much rather unzip you." I rolled my eyes at his words.

"Okay, Mr. Cheese, just zip me up so you can actually unzip me later."

"Promise?" he whimpered.

"Yes," I panted as his warm hand caressed the bare skin of my arm.

He would be the death of me, though it might end up being internal combustion from lack of orgasms; self induced or otherwise.

When I turned back around, I was a stuttering mess. "I'm just…I'll be…yeah…I'm going to go wait with Rose. Uh, see you down there."

As I walked downstairs I was met with a wolf whistle from Emmett. "Looking good, coffee girl."

Rolling my eyes around these people seemed to be a permanent quirk I would carry with me. "Thanks, Em. You look rather dashing yourself."

"Where did you get that dress?" Alice abruptly asked. Her tone was hostile and accusing, but wanting to avoid any confrontation, I ignored her and continued over to where the nice members of Edward's family were.

When she latched onto my arm and violently tugged, I almost fell. "I asked you a question."

I jerked my arm from her hands and hissed back at her. "And I chose to ignore the question, you condescending bitch. I don't need to explain myself to you. We're not friends, so what I own and don't own has no bearing on you."

"Bravo, Bella. I wondered if we were going to get to see the feisty side of you again." I couldn't help but smile at Rose.

"What can I say, Malice just brings out the best in me." Rose and Em cracked up at me.

"I can't believe you're taking the whore's side over mine, Emmett." Alice really was a piece of work.

"You know, Malice, the only way I could be a whore was if I had been sleeping around on your brother, but the fact that I haven't even slept with him and that I'm a card carrying virgin disproves your name calling."

"You're a virgin!" The peanut gallery was finally with us.

"Yes, Emmett. I'm a virgin. As I told your brother months ago, I have values and love the idea of only experiencing sex with the man that will be my husband."

Every mouth in the room was hanging open. Edward snuck up and pulled me into his arms. "Isn't she perfect? Made just for me. It's why I plan on marrying her."

I looked up as him and smiled. "I might just say yes, too."

His smile could have lit up the Vegas strip on its own, but our moment was ruined by the demonic elf and her nails-on-the-chalkboard voice. "Over my dead body!"

Edward's head whipped around to his sister's voice. The tone in which he addressed her with was scary, and I felt like someone was walking over my grave, or Alice's as the case was. "That can be arranged. Oh, and Alice?"

"What?" she snarled.

"You're fired. Get your shit and get out of here."

"You can't do that!"

"I can and I did. Now if you don't shut your gigantic fucking mouth, your husband will be out of a job, too, and then how will you be able to shop?" The look of horror that covered Alice's face filled me with mirth.

I wondered if she would go crying to Mommy and Daddy, but I could almost see Esme scolding her for interfering in her brother's love life.

I chanced a glance at Jasper and I wasn't surprised to see the rage on his face. The stoic man had let his mask fall and I tugged on Edward to direct his attention to the man in question. I didn't trust him either.

Jasper hadn't been able to conceal his anger before Edward caught his look. "Well, I can see where you stand, Jasper. You're fired too. You can pack and leave as well, but before you do, I will only remind you once that you both signed non-disclosure agreements. If either of you try to retaliate against Bella, I. Will. End. You."

"I see where your loyalties lie, brother." Definitely the wicked witch of West Hollywood.

"You drew the line, sister, and then you crossed it. I just know where my heart lies." He clasped my hand in his, his grip tight but more secure than anything. "I expect you both gone before we get back. If anything is missing or destroyed, or if you even think of using my name to get anything from anyone, I will find out and make sure you never work in Hollywood again. I don't think you would be able to survive without your credit cards, Alice, and I know Mom would stand by me before you. I don't know what has come over you, but I hope you figure it out. You're not the sister I knew and loved anymore."

With that, Edward led us out of the suite and into the elevator.

The mood was somber and quiet as we met with the liaison from the club. I could see the moment Edward flipped his switch and Actorward was now present. I hated that he had to pretend to get through the rest of the night.

He kissed my forehead. "Wait with Rose and Em. I have to do a red carpet with the press and then I'll meet you inside." I nodded and let go of his hand.

Emmett looped my arm into his and escorted me into the club as flash after flash went off when Edward walked out. I wanted to be by his side, but I understood him wanting to protect me.

The club was loud, bass pumping through my body as the music roared. There were bodies everywhere, even in the VIP area. We were led over to the section that had been roped off for Edward; bottles of Cristal were already sitting on ice and waiters were there to cater to our every whim. It was surreal, but the music made everything better…even when it was so loud I couldn't think. That was probably for the best, though, especially since my mind tended to work overtime with worry and confusion when it came to Eddie.

The DJ was blasting a remix of Pitbull's 'Feel This Moment' that Christina also sang. I couldn't help but move my hips to the beat. I got lost in the moment, as cliché as that sounded. I rapped along with Pitbull and sang along with Christina. I was in my own little world until I felt a familiar set of arms wrap around my stomach and then pull me into his chest. My fingers wove themselves into his hair and we moved together.

I didn't know how long we stayed in our bubble, or even how many songs had played before he pulled me over to the couch and opened us a bottle of water. I chugged half the bottle without a second thought then passed it to Edward, who greedily finished it off before pulling me into his lap.

"You're amazing when you move. You should have seen all the men watching you, thinking that if they could just cross over the rope they could have you. But they can't, because you're mine." He bit down on my neck and a shiver shot down my spine, and in that one instance my panties were soaked. Only this man could do that. "Fuck," he groaned. "I can smell you. So sweet and tempting."

There was no room for embarrassment as he rolled his hips and I slid against his throbbing length. Fire consumed me. I needed, wanted, this man so badly, but I couldn't have him—not yet at least.

I couldn't resist tasting his lips, so soft and warm as they caressed my own. Fireworks exploded throughout my body as our mouths became one, fusing us together for all to see. I didn't care that people were most likely taking our picture or that they had probably already Tweeted out those pictures to the masses. Women hating and calling me crude names didn't matter when every thought that consumed me was about the way his kisses made me feel. The way he made me feel.

Sadly, though, the kiss slowed and the outside world invaded ours again. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's time to head outside for the countdown and fireworks display."

Edward sighed and then nodded. I climbed off his lap and began to settle myself back onto the couch when Edward held his hand out to me. I looked up at him in question.

"Come on. I'm not ringing in our first New Year together without you by my side. 2014 is our year—let's start it out right."

Those around us would need sunglasses because my smile was blinding. Ready or not, this was it. We were truly outing ourselves tonight. He kept a tight grip on my hand as security led us out onto the terrace where an ice sculpture had been erected. The music had been silenced, and once we were in place, Edward was handed a mic.

"Everyone ready?" Screams rang out in response with Edward's words.

The ten second countdown began, and the second after 'Happy New Year' was shouted out, Edward dipped me into another searing kiss that was reminiscent of the one he gave me under the mistletoe. Fireworks exploded above us, but the fireworks we were making were all I cared about experiencing.

When we parted, Edward made a request that I wish I would have denied, but his eyes were my undoing as usual. "Sing in the New Year for us, please."

I growled, but I agreed. He hushed the audience again. "My girlfriend has kindly agreed to sing for us. Please put your hands together for Bella."

I wanted to crawl into a hole, but walking away wasn't an option. As if he could sense my fight or flight response, Edward settled me into his arms and rocked us, humming the classic tune into my ear.

I closed my eyes and drifted as I always did, and began to belt out 'Auld Lang Syne'accapella. One by one the audience joined in and I was able to fully relax and open my eyes, appreciating the moment from Edward's arms.

When the last note was finished, Edward spoke into my ear. "Happy New Year, love."

I replied back in the same. "Happy New Year to you as well, Eddie."

His next question blew my mind. "Will you…go to the Globes with me?"

I froze in surprise before nodding that I would go with him. I was mad that he teased me, but I wasn't ready for the other 'will you...' question just yet. But the whole 'when you know, you know' thought did play in my mind while I toyed with the word 'yes.'

I groaned internally when I realized I was going to need another dress.

Thank you all for continuing to read, rec, and review. I think once the New Year begins, I'll be able to start replying to reviews again. Hope you all have a fabulous rest of the week and I'll see you again by Friday. Now, it's off to work for me.

Also, one last reminder…today is the last day to donate to the Christmas Wishes Compilation if you want to read what was going through Eddie's head when he met coffee girl. The link is on my FFn profile page.

xx Dee