A/N: Stephanie Meyers owns Twilight. I'm just having some fun. I hope you enjoy this chapter, I had a lot of fun writing it. Thanks to Gooseonline for her beta goodness. See you at the other end!

Sweet Temptations chapter 23 Sweet Fig Crostini

"Hey Emmett, what flower do you think signifies luckiest fucker in the world?"

"Roses?"

"I'll have to ask Riley." I took out my mobile and started scrolling for his number.

"Only you would have a florist on speed dial!"

I turned to face him because for some unknown reason we all face the front when we get in an elevator, whatever.

"Emmett, do you know how many times I have fucked up with Bella since I met her?"

He chuckled, "Okay good point. But hey man, take it easy, you're making us mere mortals look bad with all these flowers."

"Fuck if I care. That woman is the best thing that ever happened to me and I am lucky she hasn't kicked me to the kerb with all my fucked up behaviour."

I turned back to the front of the elevator as the doors were about to open. "But instead, she loves me. I just want to make sure she knows that I know I don't deserve her."

Shaking his head, "Whipped."

Punching his arm, "Fuck you."

I stepped out of the elevator, walked over to Jess' desk and placed a coffee and brioche on her desk. She was on the phone and just looked up with a smile.

She'd forgiven me for my shitty behaviour while Bella and I were on the outs. I think the gift certificate for her and Lauren to enjoy a weekend in a suite at the Fairmont Olympic with dinner for two in Shuckers probably made forgiveness come a little easier. I was a little bitch and she shouldn't have to put up with that from me. She's the best PA I could ask for and she's also a good friend.

"Morning Angela, Alec." I place the tray of pastry on the meeting table in my office and Emmett placed the tray of coffees down.

I was practically living at Bella's so Rose had our standing pastry and coffee order ready for me each morning when I came down through the bakery to give me girl a goodbye kiss before heading out to a waiting Tyler for the drive to work.

Our morning executive catch-ups were always relaxed with everyone giving updates from their sections.

Angela's updates were always the most interesting to me. She heads up the New Proposals team which is a key part of the Venture Capital Investment wing of my business. Sometimes we receive proposals from businesses who lack capital to move but want to take their business in either a new direction or want to expand. Other times we approach a business we see as having potential.

Either way once we get involved with a business we can invest and seek a return, we can become partners in a joint venture with them essentially making me part owner. Other times we buy the business outright either to operate which Emmett looks after or to sell it off in part or as a whole which is what Alec looks after.

When it goes well it is a thrill. Success requires creativity and business acumen which I have but I also employ, a large pot of money which of course I have and a healthy approach to managing risk which is one of greatest strengths. I know just how much risk we can balance at any one time making us a very steady, profitable and growing company. It's fun. Well I think it's fun anyway.

Since Angela took over the team from James I've noticed an increase in the number of really interesting opportunities for potential new projects come out of her team. One of these potential new projects which had Angela's interest was Artemis investments. She was surprised on Monday when I'd told her that Bella was both the money and the brains behind Artemis.

Angela has some great ideas for different options for Artemis but now that she knew it was Bella she was unsure how I wanted to proceed. I told her at our Monday meeting, "Go for it, just like you normally would, I'm curious to see what you come up with." As a consequence Angela had a meeting set up with Bella for next week over at the Bakery. I declined to join them. I wouldn't normally be involved at this stage in a deal unless it was my own project so I didn't want to interfere. As tempted as I was to see Boardroom Bella in action. Sexy woman.

We ran through our usual updates. Alec had been working on some new security measures for our contracts and Emmett was working with Rev J, as he now called Jacob, on his job placement program to see if there were any opportunities here at Cullen & Masen. Overall, everyone moving ahead nicely.

"Edward, sorry to interrupt, Bella is on line three."

Jess felt really horrible that she had to block Bella when she called last week and I refused to take her calls. So after I apologised to Jess for my behaviour last week, we made a few changes. We agreed that even if I lost my mind again, was in a bad mood, was in a meeting with the Pope, if Bella called she was to put her through. Jess was never going to get in the middle again.

"Thanks Jess." I excused myself from the meeting table as the others kept going with the discussions and went over to pick up my desk phone. I'd only seen her an hour ago and was a little concerned that something might be wrong, "Isabella, is everything okay, sweet one?"

"Sorry to call you at work baby." Damn, I don't think I'll ever tire of her calling me that.

"You can always call me, love. What's up?"

"I just wanted to remind you that Lil Bit is having a sleep over at Jacob and Leah's tonight so I was going to take her over to their place around three this afternoon."

"Okay, love. I should be home," I fucking loved saying that to her, "around half past five. The fashion fiasco doesn't start until seven so that's plenty of time."

She snorted, "For you maybe. I need a little more work than you do to be 'fashionista' ready."

Women!

"Okay love, but do try and get a nap today. You were up very early in the bakery kitchen this morning and Alice's extravaganzas usually go quite late. I'm worried you'll get too tired."

"I will baby. I told Lil Bit she could call us before sleep time so I'll give Leah your mobile number okay."

"Good deal. I'll get back to work now and Bella - you can call me anytime for anything, okay."

"Okay baby, love you."

"Love you too."

I hung up the phone and realised it was strangely quiet. I turned back to the others still sitting at the meeting table to find Alec sitting with his hand held tightly over Emmett's mouth.

"We're happy for you and Isabella, boss." Angela stated.

"Yup, that's right. We're happy for you boss. Isn't that right Emmett?" Alec still holding his hand over Emmett's mouth, nodded Emmett's head for him.

"Okay, well we're done here. C'mon Emmett." He tried to move Emmett but I knew that wasn't going to happen so I tilted my head slightly waiting for Emmett to get loose of Alec's hold, which of course he did. I raised my eyebrow at him, challenging him to say whatever he was going to say.

"That's right. We're very happy that you are now a whipped boring family man." He teased expecting me to fight back. Instead I grinned insanely back at him "music to my ears Emmett, music to my ears. Now get out of my office and get to work. I shooed him off.

He left shaking his head mumbling something about me being sad and whipped. I knew he was just teasing and that he couldn't be happier for me.

"See you tonight at Alley's fashion frenzy!" I called out to him.

My day went by in a blur of meetings and reports and I was finally on my way home seated comfortably in the back of my town car. Before heading home to Bella, Tyler had taken me back to my place to pick up my suit for tonight, some other clothes and other things for this week.

I was almost home when my phone pinged with a text from Alice. I opened it straight away in case she needed something for tonight.

'call me - urgent… Alley'

I dialled her number immediately. She answered on the first ring and just started talking without even letting me get a greeting out.

"Forgive me brother please. I am sooooo sorry. One of my models had to pull out from tonight's show. She's got food poisoning, which is ridiculous because the woman obviously never eats so what could possibly have given her food poisoning unless she had a bad lettuce leaf.'

"Alley, what the fuck are you talking about? You're rambling."

"What? Oh. Sorry, I am a little stressed. One of the models for tonight pulled out and the agency sent over a replacement."

"Okay, disaster averted. What's the problem? Why are you sor…. oh fuck Alice don't tell me the agency sent Tanya? Please do not tell me that!"

"Okay. I won't tell you that."

There was a few moments of silence before she spoke again, "But the agency did send Tanya."

Fuck. My. Life.

I realised then that the door was open and we'd arrived. "Mr Cullen? … Edward? We are here Sir. Are you okay?"

"Yes. I'm fine." I'm not though, I am fucked. I sighed and got out of the car. I took my bags and my garment bag from Tyler and confirmed that we'd need him to drive us to the fashion drama at seven o'clock. I took a deep breath and headed upstairs to see my sweet one.

When I reached the top of the stairs I turned down the hall towards our room and I couldn't help but smile as I could hear music playing. I knew Bella would be dancing. She always danced about when she had her music playing, especially when she had Justin Timberlake cranked up.

As I got to the door of our room, I was stunned into silence by the sight of my beautiful girl dancing around in her sexy blue boy shorts and matching blue bra. She had sexy smokey looking makeup on her eyes and her hair was tied in complicated knots and braids with the tail coming down her neck and caressing her neck to flow down to her breasts. I didn't move, I didn't want to break the spell. She was so naturally sensual. Damn, my pants were getting tighter by the second. She danced into the walk-in robe and moments later strolled out wearing five-inch high fuck-me heels, she stood in front of the full length mirror to admire the heels. A deep moan escaped from me. Her eyes lifted to stare into my eyes reflected in the mirror.

I dropped my bag and stalked her. I kept my eyes locked with hers and she was caught unable to look away. As I stood behind her I slid my arm around her waist pulling her tightly against my body so she could feel just how much the sight of her affected me. She blushed just like I knew she would as we stood in front of the mirror and I lasciviously gazed at the reflection of her luscious body barely wearing only her sexy lingerie.

"Hello my love, you look beautiful." I started kissing the curve of her neck where it sloped down to her shoulder. She moaned lightly and tilted her head making it even easier for me. My hands slid down her delicious body. "You look stunning." My finger ghosted over her breasts just dipping under the edge of her lacy bra. "This colour is my favourite on you, love."

"I know" she whispered.

I looked at her face again the mirror. I smirked. "So you are deliberately teasing me then, love. Wrapping your beautiful body in this delicate blue lace."

My hand slid down lower to skim over her panties. "I don't think I can resist you a moment longer, love."

I turned her in my arms to her and held her tighter in my embrace.

"Oh Edward," she gasped softly. Her hand slid up my chest and she began to play with my buttons. She looked into my eyes, seeking permission. I just smirked at her. As if I would say no! She smiled and undid my buttons and I pulled my shirt from my pants. She reached in to place a small kiss on my chest as her hands undid my belt and popped the top clip of my pants.

I dipped my head to capture her lips with mine. We kissed passionately and when we parted I hungrily made my way down her long elegant neck, licking, sucking and biting in between open-mouthed kisses.

I walked her to the bed, reached behind her and with a flick of my fingers unclasped her bra. I slid it slowly off her arms. My lips wrapped around her nipple and bit down gently. She moaned. My hand massaged her other breast.

"You're delicious… so responsive."

I gently laid her back on the bed moving my way down her body sliding her panties down as I moved. I kissed my way back up her legs until I reached her sex. She was wet and ready for me. "Mmm, I need to taste you, love." I licked the length of her sex and she dropped her legs open for me. So sexy.

I feasted on her on her until the urge to be inside her became too strong. I nibbled on her clitoris and slid two fingers inside her pumping them in and out until she clamped down on me and her legs shook. I grinned watching her respond to my touch. I loved to watch her cum.

I took off my pants and boxers, throwing them and my shoes across the room. She giggled.

I climbed up her body and stilled for a moment just looking at her beautiful face. "I love you Isabella."

"I love you with all my heart Edward."

I slid my cock inside her and we moved together both euphoric with our intimate connection. She still had the fuck-me heels on and with her legs wrapped around my waist I could feel the heels digging into my butt. So fucking good.

"More … Edward… please baby."

I lifted her legs so her feet were over my shoulders and with those fuck-me heels on either side of my head I quickened and deepened my strokes. We both groaned with the new depth. Damn, I was close. I just needed to hang on until she reached her peak.

I could feel her start to tremble so I pumped just a bit harder, I didn't want to hurt her. As her orgasm overtook her she called out my name like a prayer and I lost it, my pace became erratic before I came deep inside her.

I rested my forehead to hers and we were both panting.

"Delicious," I said as I rolled off her.

"That was wonderful, baby." She was panting softly and her hand was gently stroking my chest.

"I'd really love to stay her wrapped up in our own bubble but if we don't get up and get ready we're going to be late and Alice will make our lives miserable."

Bella sat up suddenly putting her hand to her hair, "I think you ruined my hairdo Edward." She mocked anger. I knew she didn't care.

"That's okay. I prefer it hanging loose anyway, love." I did. She had great hair and I loved the way it bounced and flowed down her back.

"C'mon, let's shower." I pulled her out of the bed and she flicked off her shoes.

"I fucking love those shoes."

"Edward… language!" She slapped my arm.

"What? Lil Bit isn't here."

We hopped in the shower and washed up, laughing as we tried to keep our hands to ourselves and failing.

It didn't take too long to dress. Bella looked stunning in a deep blue silky dress with fucking ruffles on the front and the back wrapping around her delectable arse. Damn I loved that woman's butt. Once she added those shoes my pants tightened again. We had to get out of here or I'd attack her again.

I went to my bag and found the box I'd taken from my safe at home.

"I have something for you, sweet one." She looked up at me with her gorgeous smile.

"It's a necklace. … um… It was my mother's. It was a part of a set that my father had given her one piece at a time. It started with her diamond and platinum engagement ring and then he'd bought her other pieces to match."

I opened the box and Bella looked with awe at the necklace.

"I'd like you to have this piece first." She looked at me in shock. "First?"

I kissed her nose. "I have all the pieces he gave her and I'd like to give them all to you. Starting with this necklace."

"Oh, Edward." A tear rolled down her cheek.

"Turn around love and I'll put it around your neck." I took the necklace and dropped it around her neck as she lifted her hair so I could complete the clasp. She dropped her hair and ran over to the mirror to admire it.

"It's so beautiful baby."

"It's a diamond riviere necklace. It is set with fifty-five graduated brilliant-cut diamonds mounted in platinum. The diamonds increase gradually in size towards the front of the necklace."

"I love it baby."

I was so glad she didn't give me any protest. She was my forever girl and this necklace although extremely valuable was more sentimental to me. I wanted her to know where we were headed.

"I love you Isabella Swan… forever."

She turned to me with her hand on the necklace. "Forever, Edward."

Tyler texted that he was outside so we made our way down together.

"Good evening Tyler, how are you?"

"I'm very well thank you. At the risk of the boss growling at me, may I say you look stunning this evening."

She blushed and I rolled my eyes. "Okay, okay enough teasing the boss."

Bella giggled as I ushered her gently into the car.

"Actually Edward, could I have a word?"

"Sure Tyler"

He stepped away from the car for a moment and turned so his back was to the car so Bella couldn't see him.

"Um, Mr Cullen… Edward. Do you know how Bella and Lil Bit travelled to Rev J's to drop off Lil Bit today?"

"How they travelled? What? you mean car, taxi?" I hadn't really thought about it. I knew she didn't have a car but I honestly hadn't thought about how she got around.

"Bus." he said flatly.

"What? You mean like a public bus, waiting at a bus stop, walking from bus stops that kind of bus?"

He nodded slowly. Fuck!

"I only mention it cos Zaffy told me that's where she was when I stopped by earlier and I just knew you wouldn't like it."

"No, I don't want them on a fucking bus. Anything could happen to them. Fuck. Thanks man. I appreciate you telling me. I'll talk with her and then we'll talk about a suitable vehicle and car seats for Elizabeth. Okay?"

He nodded once and we both headed back to the car.

"Is everything okay baby."

"Yeah everything is fine. So tell me what you and Zafrina have cooked up for us tonight."

I wanted to distract myself from getting cross with her for the whole bus thing. I was working on keeping my possessive protective nature in check so I wanted to talk about it when I was calm. So I thought if she talked for a while it would calm me and it did.

"Well, when we looked at the clothes that the designer wanted to showcase tonight, Alice, Zafrina and I decided to do a funky midsummer night's dream type of look for the function room. Wait until you see it, Zaffy is so magical the way she can make you feel like you are somewhere else completely. It's so gorgeous. We even found a local group who play sort electric celtic hippie music and they are going to play atmospheric ethereal music with electrified violins and beautiful pipes while we eat and mill around and then as the models move around in the clothes they'll play a more drum based set. You'll love it, baby."

I squirmed a bit in my seat at the mention of the models, I had yet to bring up the Tanya situation.

"The food menu I designed is all plated to suit standing guests. I wanted to combine lots of aromas, colours and textures." I loved it when she talked about food. I leaned my head back on the seat and held her hand. As she talked I just watched her mouth and drifted into a comfortably aroused state. Sexy woman.

"I've made sweet fig crostini; sirloin squares; sweet potato cakes with fresh cranberry relish; pancetta-wrapped scallops with lemon; Arancini - those are deep-fried risotto balls - served on a bed of thinly sliced prosciutto and served garnished with bundles of fresh thyme and rosemary; coconut shrimp with curried hummus; chilli chicken bite-sized quiche as well as smoked salmon ones - you'll love those baby; grilled salmon with dill and seared sea scallops wrapped in bacon…. what else? Oh yes! pepper crusted beef with horseradish on sliced baguette and my favourite caprese skewers. I love them, they're so fresh on the palate with grape tomatoes, fresh basil and bocconcini on little skewers. Then there's assorted baked savouries and breads plus of course my trademark petit-fours for after the parade served with coffee and liqueurs."

I moaned and was very grateful we'd made love earlier or I'd have lost my load listening to her describe her food. Fuck, I love a woman who cooks. Neanderthal man? Fuck yes!

"Of course some things will have to be cooked on-site but I prepped them all and Eric is running the kitchen tonight. I'll just pop in and make sure all is well. Rose is coming with Emmett. Zafrina will be there too of course and she'll run the floor staff making sure everything is as we expect it. "

I had met Zafrina earlier this week but only briefly. She was a very striking looking woman and I could certainly see why Tyler was so captivated.

Just then my phone rang, I pulled it from my pocket but didn't recognise the number. "Hello?"

"Eh-wed, is me, Lil Bit!"

I chuckled and put my phone on speaker holding it between Bella and myself. "Hello Little Love are you having fun?"

"I is a having wots of fun wif Sef. He's my speshal fwend."

"I know that little love. Momma is here too, do you want to say hello to her?"

"Hello momma! I is a good girl. unca ja-coob is weading stowies. He is funny."

"That's lovely Elizabeth. You always are such a good girl. I'll be over in the morning to collect you, after the morning rush is finished, okay."

Not on a damn bus you won't my dear…. later, Edward, we'll take that up with her later.

"Okay momma. I has a kiss good-night pwease?"

"Good night angel, mwah." Bella puckered her lips and air-kissed loudly.

"I wov oo momma, I wov oo Eh-wed. mwhah." She made the loudest kissing noise and I chuckled.

"Good night my little love I will see you tomorrow. I love you too, mwah."

"Bella? Edward?"

"Yes Leah. We're here, how is it going? Thank you so much for babysitting for me tonight…. I mean babysitting for us, tonight." She gave me a small smile. I beamed back at her glad that she knew she wasn't alone anymore. I tried not to feel hurt when she forgot to include me when it came to Lil Bit. So independent, it would take time.

"She's fine guys. She and Seth are two peas in a pod as you know so they just play together the whole time."

She whispered then, "I just wanted to let you know that she got a bit upset when I said she couldn't sleep in the same bed with Seth. She said he's her special friend like Edward is momma's special friend and that you too sleep in the same bed."

"Oh dear." Bella bit her lip. "Jacob wouldn't have like that much."

"Uh, that would be a no. He did not like it at all but he didn't say anything other than grown up special friends are different to children special friends and that seemed to placate her. I just thought you should know."

"Thanks Leah. We'll talk about it and then we'll talk to Elizabeth about it." I looked at Bella hoping I hadn't overstepped and she just nodded at me.

"Have fun guys. See you tomorrow Bella."

I put my phone away and we looked at each other. I raised my eyebrows at her, "Well, that was awkward." Then we both burst out laughing.

"Seriously Bella, we'll have to talk about this but tomorrow, okay."

"Tomorrow," she agreed.

The car stopped and we were about to get out when I remembered that I still hadn't warned her about Tanya.

"Hold on a minute Bella." I lowered the privacy screen and asked Tyler to give us a minute and then put the screen back up.

"Before I came home tonight Alice called me. She was a bit stressed about tonight. Apparently one of the models dropped out and she had to find a last-minute replacement. She called the agency and on such short notice they only had one suitable model available. Unfortunately it was someone who Alice has worked with before and they don't get on…. at all."

"Oh, that's annoying for Alice. But Edward I am sure this sort of thing happens all the time. Alice is very professional, I don't think she'll lose it over something as inconsequential as not liking one of the models. Don't worry baby, I'm sure Alice has it all under control."

She patted my hand softly.

"Yes. You're right she'll be fine, it's just that this model … well… I know her too."

Bella narrowed her eyes slightly trying to work out what I was trying to tell her. "You know her? You mean you know her know her?"

I chuckled nervously. "Yes. I know her, know her."

"Oh" she said quietly.

"It's Tanya."

'OH!" she said a little louder as realisation set in.

"Tanya… as in your Tanya… that Tanya?"

"Yes.. I mean no, she's not my Tanya… but yes that Tanya."

"Oh." She was quiet again.

"Bella we don't have to go in if you'll be uncomfortable."

She gave me a sharp look. "Of course I am going to go in. Alice is expecting us. My team are catering … and… I will not be chased away from this event I've worked on by someone … like Tanya."

She moved to get out of the car so I climbed out first and held the door for her. I didn't think it was a good idea to say anything at this point so I just put my arm out for her and she took it.

I couldn't really tell if she was angry with me or just steeling herself to see Tanya. I had no idea how to handle this, I'm fucking clueless. But I didn't want to go in there with this between us. I stopped and turned to Bella holding her hands in mine.

"Sweet one. I am deeply ashamed of the relationship I had with Tanya. I didn't think I would ever find a love that loved me. So I tried to protect my heart by being with someone who I knew was shallow and only wanted my money thinking I could control her and the situation.

"I had no idea there was someone meant for me but I know that now. I have you now. I love you with my whole heart and I would never do anything deliberately to hurt you. But I am clueless when it comes to love and I just might do something accidentally and I pray you will always find it in your heart to forgive me. I can't change my past but I know what my future is.

"My future is you, Ms Swan. My future is my life with you and with Lil Bit," I stepped close and gently placed my hand on her abdomen, "and with whoever else comes along. I love you. Please don't let Tanya being here spoil our night or spoil what we have together. Please love."

She looked at me for a long time and then finally she reached her hand to my cheek. "I love you, you silly man." She chuckled lightly. "You're right though, we have each other and I won't let Tanya or anyone else get in the way of that, we're better than that. But if she is fool enough to try anything Edward I can't promise not to let her have it."

My fierce little kitten.

"To be honest, Tanya isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Despite me kicking her out and cutting her off she just might come up and try something with me. But I need you to know you can trust me. You know that right."

"I know that Edward. C'mon, let's go have some fun."

I leaned down and kissed her cheek. I took her arm and we walked towards the entrance. There were photographers everywhere as all the elite of Seattle society streamed into the Hotel. They took our photos and asked questions. We politely answered them and headed inside.

We headed to the banquet room where we were greeted at the door to have our names checked off the guest list. We then went through the inner doors and I was amazed how beautiful the room looked. Scattered around the room were tables which were all under canopies. The tables and canopies were covered in draped fabric and vines giving a woody fantasy feel. All around the room were pots of shrubs small trees and pathways winding their way around the room. The paths were lined with small shrubs and flowers and the paths themselves were laid with deep brown carpet. It really looked like we stepped into a forest. Zafrina was good.

All the wait staff looked like woodsy nymphs in brown and black colours with vines draped across them. A waiter came to offer us drinks. Bella looked to me wanting to take a glass of champagne but I shook my head 'no' and she asked for a mocktail instead. I ordered a whisky. I needed something stronger than wine, this night had the potential to go south very fast.

As though the fates heard me and wanted to prove me right out of nowhere I was wrapped in a tight embrace my face smothered in deep auburn hair…. Victoria!

"Edward, you gorgeous creature, how the fuck are you?"

I tried to push her back a little but she really never did have a sense of personal space, such a tomboy. "Victoria, I am well. How are you?"

"Fucking fantastic."

Yup, that's Victoria. I chuckled, shaking my head. I turned and saw Bella staring at Victoria.

Victoria was a truly stunning looking woman. She was tall and in her heels she was almost matched my height. She had a great figure and long red sort of auburn hair, which was really wavy and flowed down her back. She had brown eyes. But she was not what you'd call a refined woman, she swore like a sailor, worse than me by a long shot. She drank like a wharfie and had next to no tact. She was sweet though and loaded. Very, very wealthy.

"Sweet one, I'd like you to meet Victoria - my cousin James' wife and Aro's daughter-in-law." Bella was still staring but nodded lightly.

"Victoria, this is Isabella Swan, my everything."

"Are you fucking kidding me. Edward are you in love? Fuck that's just fantastic."

Bella was so shocked by Vicky she simply stood there with her mouth agape so I nudged her lightly to try to break her out of her shock.

Bella reached her tiny hand out Victoria, "A pleasure to meet you." She was on automatic still so shocked by Victoria's larger than life persona.

"Isabella, wow your name is as much of a fucking mouthful as mine. Just call me Vicky, okay. How about you?"

Bella giggled, good, she was coming out of her shock. "Bella, you can call me Bella."

They shook hands. "Wow, good grip for such a little thing."

"Baker."

I choked on my drink at Bella's comment, remembering how Bella's strong grip had pleasured me again last night in the shower. Baker. Damn I love her.

"Isabella's a baker, Vicky. She and her team actually did the catering and theming for tonight." I waved my hand around the room.

"Are you shitting me! This is the best one of these bloody things I've ever been to and I go to a lot of them. The food I've had so far is fan-fucking-tastic and I know food my family are in the industry. This stuff is top-notch."

I laughed watching Bella trying to work Victoria out. She had such a foul mouth and Bella never swore, except in bed sometimes when I had her thrashing with an intense orgasm. But even then she tended to say my name rather than swear.

But Vicky was harmless. So I was hoping Bella would look past it.

"I love your dress Vicky, you look stunning."

"Thanks Bella. that's really sweet of you hon. I am useless at picking this shit so I have a stylist who helps me. James likes it when I look nice so I do it for him. He's an idiot but he's my idiot and I love him. Which reminds me…Edward. Why did you fire my idiot husband? What did he do? Lose a big deal?"

"Something like that." Poor Vicky. I wasn't going to be the one to tell her that her husband whom she adored, was cheating on her with Tanya. Nope, I wasn't going to break her heart. For all her gruffness, she was a sweetheart and incredibly loyal. She loved James. I have no idea why but to each his own. Damn they're all here tonight. Tanya, James and Victoria! This was not going to end well.

"Oh well. Business is business and family is family. That's what my daddy used to say and I reckon he knew what he was talking about. He built his business from scratch to being one of the biggest in the country. Before he died he sold his controlling ownership of the company to his second in command because he said that no-one in the family had the killer instinct to run that business. He was probably right."

"He left me wealthy with a minor holding in the company so his business is still a success and the right person is running it. Business is business."

"Just like you hey Edward. You could have joined Volturi but you went out on your own. Aro still wishes you'd come in to Volturi. He'd rather have family run the business but with James and his shithead cousin Caius the only ones in contention I reckon he'd be better off doing what my Dad did. Keep business and family separate."

I nodded. I didn't want to say anything about what Aro, Marcus and I had agreed but she wasn't too far off the mark.

Turning back to Bella Vicky stuck her foot right back in her mouth, "Well, you're beautiful, that's for sure but you're pretty young there missy. Just how old are you? Edward robbing the cradle?"

It was Bella's turn to choke this time. "Actually I am nineteen but I turn twenty in a few weeks".

"A fucking teenager Edward, you sly old dog."

I was terrified Bella would be offended but she laughed. I think she likes Vicky. Good. I do too.

"Edward, is that you honey?" Oh god, Tanya. Fuck. My. Life.

A/N: Well what do you think about Victoria - she's a hoot isn't she.

I am almost finished the next chapter so I should post very soon. Tanya coming up!

Leave me your thoughts.