A/N: I don't own Twilight, that's for sure. A huge thanks to my Beta the lovely gooseonline - check out her stories, they're awesome. Mistakes are my own and yes I am still an Aussie so sometimes my spelling may seem alien to non aussies!

Chapter 7 ~ delicious good-night kiss

The rest of my day flew by busy with meetings and planning sessions. I focussed on our new upcoming projects with Angela. Working with Ang was working out better than I had hoped. She was smart, creative and funny as hell. She was a great addition to our executive team and we just seemed to firing on all cylinders working together.

After his research Alec was satisfied that we were covered from any legal implications from James' and Tanya's underhand activities building Denali Investments from stolen knowledge of Cullen & Masen business. It also seemed that Denali Investments had not traded at all in the past week, no surprise there since that is when I shut down their access to me and to my business.

I desperately wanted to know if my Uncle Aro knew anything about what James and Caius were up to. So I had a lunch meeting booked with my Uncle Aro for the next week. I hoped Aro was not involved but I needed to be sure. My Uncle Marcus, Caius' father, was living in Italy having retired last year. After talking with Aro I would contact Marcus and check on his knowledge of this whole distasteful affair.

Emmett had the HR side of things wrapped up with James' dismissal. At my suggestion, Emmett followed up quietly with different members of James' team and found that he had been behaving in a less than appropriate way with several team members. It was certainly enough to justify his dismissal.

Emmett promised to work with these team members to ensure James' behaviour hadn't adversely affected their careers with us. I didn't want to lose good people to James' lewd and bullying behaviours.

I made sure I got away from work at 5.30 giving me enough time to shower and dress in time for my date with the enticing Isabella. I had booked a table for dinner at my favourite french restaurant, Le Pichet. I knew Bella loved French baking so I hoped she also loved french dining.

Like an over-eager school boy, I toyed with my phone as I paced in my room to fill in time once I was ready. I didn't want to arrive too early. I was a little nervous, I hadn't been on a real date in some time.

Despite delaying as long as I could bear it at home, Tyler and I still pulled up outside the bakery a few minutes before seven. I was about to get out of the car when Bella emerged through the bakery door, she turned to wave at someone upstairs, Rosalie I supposed, and she headed to the car. Tyler rushed to make it to open the car door for her.

"Good evening," Tyler greeted her formally.

She looked at him, smiled and held out her hand. "You must be Tyler, I am Isabella Swan but please call me Bella, lovely to meet you," she said.

Tyler had a slightly bemused look on his face. He took her offered hand to shake it. "Delighted to meet you Ms Swan," he said smiling though ignoring her request to call her Bella.

Tyler also called me Mr Cullen, no matter how many times I asked him to call me Edward, so I wasn't surprised that he still called her Ms Swan.

I was, however, delighted that she was so friendly towards him. Tanya and the society harpies I have been with don't even see drivers, or PAs or housekeepers like my Mrs Cope. They just walk on past them like they don't matter. I was delighted to see that Bella didn't do that.

Tyler returned to the drivers seat after seating Bella in the car and we headed off to the restaurant. "Good evening Ms Swan," I said, lightly mocking Tyler's greeting. "Good evening Mr Cullen," she replied. And we were grinning at each other like idiots again.

I chuckled then sighed.

"You look gorgeous," I blurted out. And she did. Most woman who tried to get my attention wore slutty, no-need-for-imagination dresses or things that looked more like lingerie than dresses.

However, Isabella's dark blue dress was modest and sexy hugging her slim, curvy frame without being revealing. It was tantalising. The colour made her skin look even more delicious. She was small but she had lovely curves, long legs and a simply delicious arse. I am sure I licked my lips as I admired her beautiful body wrapped in this deep blue wrapping tied up with a bow to the side of her waist. She looked like a present I wanted to unwrap.

I needed to stop my thoughts right there, as it was I had to cross my legs away from her to adjust myself discreetly. As if to taunt me, she crossed her long legs drawing attention to the cheeky high heels she was wearing which were colourful but not gaudy at all, just sexy and fun.

She was so oblivious to her own sexiness.

She smiled at me. "Thanks Edward. You look very nice too…. and look," she said excitedly, "… we even match." She gestured between us pointing out that we were both wearing dark blue.

I'd worn one of my favourite Armani suits, it was deep blue and I matched it with a slightly lighter blue button down shirt with dark blue tie. She obviously approved as she got that dazed, dazzled look on her face again. I smirked at her, raising my eyebrow at her to show her I'd caught her ogling. We both laughed and relaxed into the drive.

We arrived at the restaurant and Tyler opened the door for Bella. When she had just stepped out and saw where we were she turned excitedly to me, losing her balance a little. I caught her in my arms and smiled at the opportunity to put my hands on her little waist.

"Sorry, Edward," she said as she righted herself. "I am so excited. I've always wanted to eat here."

I smiled smugly to myself. Well so far so good, she liked the way I looked and she liked the restaurant I'd chosen. It's been a long time since I actually went on a date with someone where I didn't have the outcome of the evening bought and paid for, so I was relieved it was going well so far.

Bella thanked Tyler, which was sweet, and we headed in to the restaurant. I held the door open for her and followed her in.

Robert, the maître d', approached us immediately greeting me warmly as I was a frequent guest, "Welcome back Mr Cullen, I have your table ready for you and your delightful dinner companion."

I was about to introduce Isabella when he looked over to her and his face broke into a huge smile.

"Isabella, finally you are coming to eat in our restaurant," he said as he reached forward grabbing the tops of her arms, leaning forward to kiss both her cheeks enthusiastically.

Shocked that he was touching her I reached over about to grab her away from him when she reciprocated to him in kind.

"Thank you Robert, I am so happy Edward brought me here tonight." Kissing both his cheeks, she was warm and familiar with him.

What the hell?

I was left in their wake as Robert walked Bella on his arm to our table, chatting away to each other like old friends, she asked if he was over his cold and he assured her he was well. She touched his arm and then turned to me smiling. I was ready to strangle Robert.

How the hell did they knew each other? Didn't she say she'd never been here? Had she lied to me? already?

Robert was about to pull out her chair for her, so I took my opportunity to slip between them casting Robert a look to kill.

"Bella wouldn't you prefer the cushioned bench seat? It affords a lovely view of the whole restaurant," I offered.

She was delighted "Thank you Edward, that's sweet of you."

Ha, take that Robert! What the hell. Was I, Edward fucking Cullen, competing with the restaurant maître d' for a girl?

"You're welcome Bella. I am sitting here so I can focus on you all evening," I said sitting in the chair Robert still had his hand on which faced Isabella. She blushed at my attention and I felt myself calm again at the sight of her lovely pink cheeks and shy smile.

Robert gave us the menus and touched Bella's arm once more, which caused me to growl, before excusing himself quickly to head back to the front of the restaurant. I can't believe I growled at him. I needed to keep control of myself.

"Isabella?" I asked trying to assume a casual tone and hoping she didn't hear me growl at Robert, "I thought you said you had never been here before?"

"I haven't and I am so pleased to be here, thank you Edward," was all she said.

Was she lying? If she was, this was going to be the shortest dinner in history. I decided to push a little further.

"So how do you know Robert?" I asked quietly but unable to keep the accusatory tone from my voice completely.

She tilted her head slightly looking at me. I think she was taken aback by my tone of voice. But then she smiled lightly and said simply, "I bake the bread for the restaurant. I actually supply them with croissants and some of the pastries too. "

"Ahhh," was my brilliant reply.

Well that makes sense. I feel a little foolish at the wave of relief I feel, realising that she hadn't lied to me. Was I really just jealous … of Robert, middle aged, married maître d'? I admonished myself for being so quick to lump her in with the liars of my past. Have a little faith, you suspicious fucker.

"Do you supply to other places too?," I asked in a softer almost apologetic tone.

"Oh yes, quite a few," she said without any more detail.

I smiled. I felt quite proud of her, genuinely impressed to hear that Bella seems to run such a successful little business. I took a cleansing breath to calm myself, I wanted to get this date back on track and get my suspicious nature under control. Put the focus back on Bella, you idiot.

"Would you like a cocktail or some wine before dinner?"

Bella looked a little embarrassed and shifted slightly in her seat as though uncomfortable.

"Edward," she leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, "I am only nineteen and not legally able to drink. I'll be twenty soon but … well, I …. I hope that's okay."

I gasped slightly and leaned away after having leaned in to hear her whispers.

"Oh" was my brilliant response.

Wow, I thought she was young but she is only 19. I had just turned 27 last June. Was it ok? It's an eight year age difference. Was I okay with that? Well, yes I think I was okay with that.

She's young to run her own business, I wonder how she managed to do that.

I realised she was looking at me sadly probably thinking I was going to call off the date and leave her so I tried to put her at her ease.

"Bella, of course that's okay… um.. would you like a soft drink or….?" I stuttered.

"Sparkling water would be fine, thanks."

So I ordered sparkling water for both of us and Bella smiled a sweet smile which was better than any Bordeaux could possibly have been.

We ordered our meals and took a few moments to look around the restaurant. She was really very happy to be here.

She relaxed as our entrees arrived and we chatted about french cooking which was definitely a passion for her. I spoke about my sister Alice's upcoming trip to Paris. She seemed excited by the idea so I told her how much I loved the city despite its dirtiness and the low esteem most of its inhabitants have of Americans.

We laughed over my stories of rude french servers who assumed that because I was an American businessman that I couldn't speak french and catching them out on several occasions as they spoke rudely about me or my colleagues thinking we couldn't understand them.

"I met Alice yesterday," she said. I looked at her with surprise. "... and Esme," she continued.

I knew Alice and Esme would jump at the chance to meet Bella but I hadn't realised they had done it already.

"Yes, they came in to try out our products and meet with me about doing some catering jobs for them." She seemed so mature and confident as she discussed her business.

"Actually, I'm doing a huge wedding cake for one of Esme's clients." Then leaned in to me and I leaned in as well as she whispered to me. "Some celebrity's secret wedding." She put her index finger to her pouted lips to show a secret.

I leaned back and laughed, she was so damn cute.

"I believe from what Esme said that I have you to thank for the referral," she smiled at me gratefully.

"Your cooking won them over," I said truthfully. "I took that box of little cakes you left for me over to a family dinner. The family fell all over them and Alice stole your business card from the box. That's a good business idea, giving a gift box like that to new customers" I told her with a hint of pride at her good business sense.

"Yes. I get a lot of new business that way. Proof is in the pudding I suppose," she laughed.

It was a very pleasant meal and the food was delicious but our dinner would be over soon and I realised we hadn't really spoken about anything too personal. So as we enjoyed our dessert of 'Chocolate Chaud with fresh cream', I thought I would open with some innocent questions.

"Bella you are very young to own and run a bakery, that's very impressive".

I hoped this would open to her sharing something of her story with me but all I received was a small shy smile and a humble 'Yes… thank you'.

O-kay, I tried another approach. "Have you always wanted to cook?" There that should get her going and it did.

"Oh yes, I love to cook. I started very young. My mother, Renee, was a wonderful free-spirited person who was simply terrifying in the kitchen."

A small smile was on her face as she spoke of her mother but there was a sadness in her eyes.

"I learned very early that if I wanted something remotely edible or nutritious I should make it myself, so I did. I started simply with microwave dishes when I was seven or eight. When I found my grandmother's recipe book I started to try to prepare those dishes. My mother bought me a french cookbook for Christmas when I was ten and well I was lost to all things french cuisine from then on".

She smiled broadly and I could see that this was a genuine passion for her.

I was about to ask her more about her family but just then Bella looked at her watch and exclaimed, "Goodness, is that the time? I am sorry Edward but I need to go home." She grimaced and shrugged her shoulders. "The downside of owning and running a bakery is that I need to be up before dawn every day."

"Of course, Bella. I understand, just let me just pay the cheque and I will take you home. I need to make sure you get enough sleep to be up to make those delicious chocolate croissants I love with my morning coffee. You have me addicted to those things y'know," I joked. "Seriously, I am going to have to add extra time to my workout sessions because I am not going to give them up."

I signalled to Robert for the bill and texted Tyler to let him know we'd be out in a moment.

"Thank you for dining with us again this evening Mr Cullen," Robert said a little coolly, as he returned my credit card. He turned to Bella then and with more warmth in his voice, "and it is so lovely to see you out and about Bella, you should get out more and have some fun, you deserve it."

He leaned down and kissed the back of her hand and I felt myself get agitated again but tried to control myself this time.

I wonder why she didn't get out more? Rosalie had said something about that too. Running a bakery at her age would cramp your social life I supposed.

I left a nice tip for Robert and his staff, it had been a delightful meal and I felt a little guilty for being a bit of dick to Robert earlier. I've got to get a handle on this growling thing.

Tyler was waiting for us as we left the restaurant. Bella greeted him warmly and he smiled and nodded as he held the car door for her.

As we settled back into the car she turned to me and teased, "So you're just interested in me for my pastries then Mr Cullen?"

Okay, two can play at that game.

"I am definitely interested in all your sweet temptations Isabella." I half smirked at her and she blushed her shy blush. So beautiful.

We headed back to the bakery. I noticed when we arrived that the lights were on and someone was moving around upstairs but I didn't think too much of it remembering that Rosalie had said she'd stay in the spare room for the night.

After we got out of the car I walked Bella to her front door with my hand resting lightly on the small of her back and I was again struck by how small she was but what a lovely fit she was against my body.

She turned the key and opened the door a little before turning back to me.

"Thank you for tonight Edward. I had such a lovely time. I've always wanted to eat at Le Pichet and it was so worth the wait." She looked up at me. Her eyes were warm and she smiled shyly.

"I really enjoyed your company too, Edward." she said softly.

I chuckled to myself as this was such a sweet scene. I hadn't been on a real date in such a long time. With Tanya the evening would end as pre-arranged in her bed. This was sweet and innocent and so very Bella.

"It was my pleasure Bella. I hope you'll come out with me again soon," I asked hopeful as I stepped a little closer to her.

"I'd love to Edward. I like you and I would love to get to know you better," she almost whispered.

I smiled a broad relieved smile. She is so sweet and genuine. Not fancy or polished but so beautiful inside and out. Yes, I really want this.

"How about Friday night?" I asked, not caring if I seemed eager.

She immediately countered. "Could we do Saturday instead. I don't open the shop on Sunday so I don't have to be home so early if we go on Saturday. If that's okay?" She seemed anxious.

"Saturday," I confirmed. "I want to take you to a club after dinner. We'll go dancing."

I thought she'd like that if I was right about the way she moved in her kitchen. I was silent partner in a popular club downtown called Twilight. It had a restaurant upstairs and a huge club in the cavernous basement. She'll love it.

"Sounds great. I love dancing, although I have never been to a club so that will be another first for me." She was bubbling with excitement.

I chuckled again at her sweet unguarded enthusiasm. Never been to a club? I suppose she is only nineteen, she is so mature, it is easy to forget.

I stood a little closer again, I liked it when she had to look up at me.

I asked softly, "May I kiss you good night Isabella?"

Before I could consider how she might answer she reached up and circled her hands around my neck to draw me down to her and her lips were on mine.

She kissed me sweetly yet enthusiastically. I smiled against her lips and dropped my hand to the small of her back to draw her closer to me. As her body pressed gently to mine I moved my other hand to the back of her neck and up into her luscious hair. I touched her lips with my tongue, she opened her mouth and I deepened our kiss. She moaned softly as our tongues touched and the sound went straight to my groin.

I gripped her a little tighter trying not to be too forceful with her. She softened against me giving me total control, I loved it. She leaned into me her hands now in my hair. I moaned approvingly.

I knew I had to stop so I slowed us down and moved back gently. We both looked at each other and smiled.

I licked my lips and said, "You are as sweet as I thought you'd be."

She blushed again.

I leaned down, kissed her forehead lightly, "Good night my sweet one".

"Good night Edward," she whispered.

I watched her go into the shop, lock the door and disappear into the darkness before heading up the lit stairs at the back of the kitchen.

I stood there for little while. I touched my lips and sighed. I shook my head to clear my thoughts, turned and headed back to the car.

Tyler opened the door for me and asked if I was heading home. I just nodded and smiled.

"She's a very, sweet girl Mr Cullen," Tyler commented.

I turned to him and smiled. "Yes, she really is".

He drove me home and once there I went to directly to my room and stripped down to my boxers and fell into the bed. Licking my lips I realised I could still taste her on my lips.

"Isabella," I said to no one.

I pulled out my phone and typed in a text.

'Good night my sweet one…. your Edward'

I pressed send, put my phone on its stand next to the bed.

The phone pinged to signal a new message, I opened it immediately as I saw who it was from.

'Thank you for a lovely evening and a delicious good night kiss…...your Bella'

I rolled over and tried very hard not to think placing kisses all over Isabella's beautiful body. I tried but it was very, very hard.

A/N: Well I hope you enjoyed that. I know I did. Yummy first kiss. Please review and let me know what you thought.