CHAPTER 2

Fuming, Bella made her way as quickly as she could back down the corridor towards the front of the house. Edward Cullen was definitely the rudest, most unlikeable person she had ever met and how he could possibly be related to someone as nice as Carlisle Cullen was a complete mystery. But sadly, Bella knew that if Edward had any say in the matter, there was no chance she would ever be allowed near Carlisle again.

As she reached the front door and let herself out of the house, someone who was clearly the next candidate was approaching up the drive - middle-aged, smartly but sensibly dressed and a younger version of Mrs Cope. Bella wondered how on earth she had ever been stupid enough to think she had any chance of getting the job and her spirits sank even further.

Suitably chastened and just wanting to get away from the house, and from Edward, as quickly as possible, Bella looked around for Emmett, feeling slightly annoyed that he wasn't already waiting for her. The taxi was still parked by the front step where he'd left it, but as he was nowhere to be seen, Bella had no option but to follow the path she'd seen him take towards the back of the house.

This part of the building immediately felt more private than the opposite side which looked out across the open clifftop and the sea. A hundred yards away to the left, a small copse had been planted to act as a windbreak and to shield the property from the worst of the weather and as Bella turned the corner to the back of the house, she found not only a large Victorian conservatory, but a beautiful garden, which included a formal space marked out by box hedges, leading on to lawns and flowerbeds which eventually merged into the distant countryside. To the right there was a walled kitchen garden, while to the left, in the direction of the trees, there was a tennis court and a selection of outbuildings.

Enchanted by this unexpected scene, which contrasted sharply with the windswept cliffs and the sturdy construction of the house, Bella took a moment to appreciate the view, before heading towards the open back door and poking her head around it.

The room she was looking into was an old fashioned kitchen, with a range, a square sink, a sturdy wooden table at the centre and an assortment of pots and pans on view – a comfortable working kitchen, once the domain of servants only, and worlds away from the formal entertaining rooms at the front of the house. Bella's research had revealed that the house had once been an inn and with its thick granite walls and huge stone fireplace, it was easy to imagine this room as it would have looked in the inn's eighteenth century heyday.

Sitting at the kitchen table with their backs towards her, were Emmett and Mrs Cope, who was peeling vegetables while Emmett read out snippets from the local paper. Sensing Bella's presence, Mrs Cope turned and invited her to have a cup of tea with them and charmed by the cosy atmosphere, Bella forgot her desire to get away and sat down opposite Emmett, while Mrs Cope got up to fetch another cup.

Emmett immediately asked how the interview had gone, but Bella didn't quite know what to say.

'Umm… I don't think things went too badly with Mr Cullen, but his nephew seemed to take an instant dislike to me.' Bella eyes stung with angry tears at the memory of the parting glance he'd thrown her.

Seeing her distress, Mrs Cope rubbed Bella's shoulder consolingly, then poured her a cup of tea, while Emmett pushed a plate of chocolate biscuits towards her.

'Don't worry dear, we'll put in a good word with Mr Carlisle. I told you not to take too much notice of Master Edward, his bark's much worse than his bite and he'll get over it. He's had a lot to deal with recently, what with his father dying and this big court case he's got on. We haven't seen him for months.'

'Good,' Bella thought. It would be too soon if she never saw Edward Cullen again and the fact that he had also suffered a recent bereavement was no excuse at all. How could anyone who was dealing with the loss of a parent have been so heartless to someone who was in the same situation?

But it was no use dwelling on her disaster of an interview. What was done was done and after Carlisle phoned her to confirm the expected bad news tomorrow morning, she'd have to get straight on the coach home. As much as she'd like to, she couldn't afford a third night at the Sailor's Rest and the reality of having to share her friend Angela and Ben's tiny one bedroom flat, was really beginning to sink in now.

But as she stared into her teacup, Bella decided there was no point spoiling the rest of her day worrying. If she only had a limited amount of time here, she was going to do her very best to make the most of it. So after thanking Mrs Cope and quickly finishing her cup of tea, Bella took the chocolate biscuit she was offered, waited while Emmett shoved a whole handful into his own mouth and said goodbye.

-ooo-

By the time Bella arrived back at the Sailor's Rest that evening it was nearly seven o'clock and after thoroughly exploring the village, the surrounding countryside and the beach, she was exhausted.

She'd expected the pub to be almost deserted so early in the evening, but when she walked into the main bar to get to the stairs which led to her room, she was met by an unexpected hive of activity and Mike broke off shouting at several harassed looking staff, to explain that it was his wife's thirtieth birthday and they were getting ready for a surprise party.

Apologising for not having the time to sort out the evening meal which was included in the price of Bella's room, he quickly wrote down the name of a restaurant he owned near the sea front, where she could eat in peace while they finished off their preparations, adding that of course she was welcome to join the birthday celebrations afterwards.

Unfortunately for Mike, Jessica seemed to have arrived back early, because as Bella made her way up to her room for a quick rest before going out again, she heard a sudden chorus of 'Happy Birthday', followed by loud squealing, which she assumed meant the party had started. Luckily the fire door at the end of the upstairs corridor cut out most of the noise and kicking off her shoes Bella lay down on the bed and quickly fell asleep.

When she woke it was almost dark and the noise from the party was so loud that she wondered how on earth she'd managed to sleep through it. Music from what sounded like a live band was vibrating through the walls and floors and spilling out through the open windows downstairs, mixing with the sound of voices, shouts and raucous laughter from the party guests and the rattling of glasses being ferried in and out of the kitchen below her, while every so often a door banged, letting out a louder rush of sound, before a car noisily revved up in the car park.

Hoping the restaurant she was supposed to be eating at wasn't already closed and clutching the piece of paper Mike had scribbled on, which included authorisation for her free meal, Bella quickly got up and crept down the stairs.

To avoid being caught and dragged into the party by her rather creepy host, instead of turning left into the main bar, she headed towards the fire exit next to the kitchen. Luckily the only people she met were a surprised barman who nearly bumped into her in the narrow passageway and two or three people who were busily throwing up in the car park, so to Bella's relief she was able to make her escape.

Mike's restaurant turned out to be a bog-standard fish and chip shop a couple of streets away from the harbour and although the blinding glare of the strip lighting emphasised the rather tatty décor, it looked clean enough. So after explaining the situation, Bella nodded to the elderly couple who were the only other customers and settled at a table by the window to eat her meal.

Afterwards she decided to take a final stroll around the quay, although it was too dark to see very much. The streets were almost deserted, presumably because everyone was at Jessica's birthday party and the few people Bella met hurried past without speaking. She'd forgotten to bring her coat and was beginning to feel cold, so after a few minutes she started walking back towards the pub, hoping that by now the birthday celebrations would be winding down a bit.

-ooo-

But far from dying down, the party was still in full swing. The dull thud of the bass line and sudden loud blasts of sound carried by the wind had been audible from the harbour and as Bella got closer to her destination, she was wondering how anyone in the village was ever going to get any sleep.

The packed bar was so full that people were spilling out into the car park, and after trying and failing to force her way through the mass of heaving bodies to get to her room, Bella decided she might as well treat herself to one drink at least, which was all she could afford. But there was such a crush around the bar that she'd almost given up any hope of getting served, when above the general hubbub she heard a familiar voice behind her.

Bella turned and smiled at Emmett, before pulling a sad face and rolling her eyes towards the bar. Immediately understanding her problem, Emmett gestured to her to stay where she was and waded in head and shoulders above the scrum, grinning and slapping everyone on the back in greeting as he passed. Somehow in his presence the crowds parted like magic and Bella soon had a drink in her hand, which Emmett refused to let her pay for.

The noise level was so deafening that Emmett had to bend and shout in Bella's ear to be heard, but after several attempts and a lot of pointing towards the far end of the room, Bella made out his invitation to 'Come and meet the missus,' and she followed him into the snug next door.

This bar was equally noisy and full, but thankfully, just as they arrived, someone somewhere pulled the plug on the music, to a hail of disappointed jeers and catcalls. With her ears still ringing, Bella found herself being led to a small table where a beautiful and gorgeously voluptuous blonde was already eying her shrewdly.

'Hello Miss Swan, I'm Rosalie.'

Surprised that Rosalie knew who she was, Bella shook the hand she was offered and sat down at the table, in an empty chair which Emmett had mysteriously procured for her despite the crush of bodies all around.

'Hi, please call me Bella. I think Mrs Cope mentioned your name, are you related to Mr Cullen?'

'Goodness no! But you could say I do have a vested interest in who gets the job of keeping an eye on him – I'm the district nurse.'

Suddenly finding herself under scrutiny again, Bella nervously waited for the questions to start, but after a long considering look, Rosalie seemed to be satisfied and she was able to relax slightly and ask another question of her own.

'How did you know who I was before Emmett even introduced me?'

Both Emmett and Rosalie spluttered into their drinks with laughter at this unexpectedly hilarious question.

Emmett leaned towards Bella and whispered. 'Don't look now, but you're the main topic of conversation in here at the moment and Mike's been taking bets on who's going to get your job for the last couple of weeks.'

Suddenly feeling the weight of numerous eyes on her back, Bella couldn't help twisting round in her seat, immediately causing dozens of heads to turn in the opposite direction in eerie unison, like something out of a horror movie.

Blushing, she looked back at Emmett. 'What are my odds then?'

'Oh, they were 2-1 on after Mrs Cope put in a word for you - she's Rosalie's great aunt by the way. But they've lengthened a bit since the news of Edward's reaction somehow got out.' Emmett tried to look innocent, but the smile and dimples gave him away.

Bella shook her head and took a sip of her drink. 'Oh well, if I end up staying here I suppose I'll have to get used to this.'

Although she felt she should have been alarmed at the thought of such a loss of privacy, faced with Emmett's beaming smile and sunny good nature, Bella couldn't take offence. And as she talked more to Rosalie and warmed to her directness and obvious good sense, Bella came to the conclusion that after the anonymity and impersonality of the city, where she had often felt desperately isolated and alone, perhaps this small community where everyone knew everyone else's business would be an improvement.

In fact now that the noise level was almost tolerable, Bella began to warm to the friendly atmosphere and she found herself accepting a second drink from Rosalie, then splurging most of what was left in her purse on returning the favour and buying her own round of drinks. She was now almost totally broke, but that wasn't anything new and she'd manage – who needed to eat anyway?

Soon afterwards some of Emmett and Rosalie's friends joined them at the table and now that they could hear their own voices, Bella found she was really enjoying herself, especially when Emmett challenged her to a game of darts and somehow, with beginner's luck, she ended up beating him, earning cheers, kisses and another flurry of drinks all round.

By the time the first batch of party guests began to stumble home at around midnight Bella was feeling happily tipsy. Everyone had migrated back into the main bar now that it was less full, but Bella's tiring journey the day before was beginning to catch up with her and she was just thinking of maybe calling it a night and going up to bed, when her attention was attracted by a slight commotion across the room.

Through a gap in the crowd Bella could see that the birthday girl, Jessica, had emerged from behind the bar to excitedly fling herself at a new arrival. Wondering where Mike was and what he would think of his wife's behaviour, Bella watched Jessica tottering around on her high heels with her skimpy dress hanging off her shoulders, screeching and laughing as she drunkenly wrapped her arms around her victim's neck and loudly refused to let go until he gave her a birthday kiss.

The man had his back towards Bella, so she couldn't see his face, but there was something vaguely familiar about him and she continued to watch as he eventually managed to peel Jessica off and sit down, rather unsteadily, at the bar. It was only when he reached up and ran a hand through his hair that something clicked and Bella realised it was none other than Edward Cullen.

Shocked, Bella turned back to her own table where Rosalie was entertaining everyone with stories about Emmett's worst passengers, but somehow her eyes kept returning to the bar, where Edward was knocking back a succession of drinks and flirting outrageously with a crowd of women who had quickly clustered around him.

Although she only had a side view, Bella couldn't help noticing all over again how unbelievably attractive he was. Even from a distance, his thick but glossy hair, which he had a habit of constantly brushing back from his face, was invitingly touchable. And the jeans and long-sleeved polo shirt he was dressed in emphasised his lithe frame and sculpted muscles, in a way the suit he had been wearing earlier could only hint at.

At first sight this apparently jovial and relaxed version of Edward Cullen seemed a very different person to the one who'd been so chillingly formal and disapproving earlier in the day. But Bella wasn't entirely convinced. At one point Mike had re-appeared, and incensed at finding his wife practically sitting on Edward's lap, he'd clenched his fists ready to take a swing Edward, who appeared to be baiting him.

Luckily the bar staff intervened before an actual fight started and ignoring the threats Mike continued to throw at him as he was forcibly led away, Edward remained at the bar surrounded by his female admirers, looking totally calm and unaffected. But Bella had the distinct impression that on another day Mike might not have been so lucky and as her eyes wandered in Edward's direction yet again, she speculated about what was really lurking beneath that cool exterior.

'See something you like?' Bella started when she heard Rosalie's teasing voice from beside her.

Blushing, Bella realised she'd been caught. 'No way! I can't stand him. He's so rude and arrogant. He really did his best to make me feel like a complete nobody this morning.'

Rosalie's voice was suddenly serious, 'Well just try to remember that. He's pretty but toxic, as most of the women round here have already found out. Whatever you do, don't get dragged into thinking you can sort him out.'

'Don't worry there's no chance of that.' Bella scoffed, as her eyes strayed over to the bar again.

'Seriously Bella, Edward's bad news. He was expelled from so many schools that his father basically gave up on him and if it wasn't for Carlisle and Esme taking him in when he was sixteen, god knows what would have happened. As it was, he even managed to royally screw that up.' For a second Rosalie's eyes misted over, before she blinked and smiled again, 'Anyway, take heed young Bella and give Edward Cullen a wide berth.'

'Fine by me, Emmett's already told me Edward's going back to London tomorrow morning and he's so busy at work that he rarely visits any more, so it shouldn't be too difficult to keep out of his way.'

At the sound of his name Emmett turned round in his seat and challenged Bella to another game of darts, which she lost very badly - so much for beginner's luck. And the next time she looked over towards the bar, Edward was gone, and she breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't know exactly what Rosalie had against him, but as she already disliked Edward so much anyway, she was more than willing to trust Rosalie's judgement.

Bella didn't want to be the first to leave their cosy group, but by one o'clock she could barely keep her eyes open. So after reluctantly saying goodnight, she made her way to the far end of the room and out into the corridor with led to the bedrooms above. But just as she approached the stairs, the last person she wanted to see emerged from a doorway a few feet in front of her.

-ooo-

For a second they both stared at one another in surprise, before a slow smile began to spread across Edward's face. Bella knew it was too much to hope that he'd just ignore her and as she stopped in her tracks and warily looked around the deserted corridor, she felt like a mouse caught by a cat.

'My my, if it's not the oh so sweet and humble Miss Swan.' Edward's voice was silky smooth, but his green eyes glittered unnaturally brightly under the fluorescent lighting and Bella remembered how much alcohol she'd seen him consume.

While the hint of a smile continued to play around his mouth, he took a step towards her, blocking her escape route. Predictably she'd moved backwards as he'd moved forwards and to her dismay she found she'd backed away from the stairs and into a corner, effectively trapping herself.

Edward's face was a mask now and his mouth tightened into a thin line as his eyes scoured her face. Nervously aware of just how much physical strength was at his disposal, Bella could feel her heart hammering in her chest as she stood her ground.

She glanced longingly towards the door to the bar she'd just left, wondering if anyone would hear her if she screamed, then smiled when she realised how overdramatic she was being. What could Edward possibly do to her? After all, he wasn't an ogre and they were in a public place. He was just a bit drunk. She could handle the situation; she just needed to stay calm.

Determined not to show any sign of weakness, she took a deep breath and drew herself up to her full height, struggling to keep her voice under control, 'Hi Edward, I thought you'd gone home. Let me get past please.'

'Wouldn't you prefer to stay here with me for a while and have some fun?' His voice was suddenly soft and enticing and she was almost dazzled by his smile as he raised his eyebrows quizzically, before taking another leisurely step towards her.

Oh, so that was his game. At least she knew what she was dealing with now.

'Edward, get out of my way. I'm not one of your bar room floosies. And this morning you couldn't stand me apparently.' Bella almost stamped her foot in annoyance. Men were so ridiculous. Literally anyone would do once they'd had a few drinks.

But to be honest, Bella wasn't sure if she really wanted to run. Part of her was mesmerised by him and even as she stood there with her heart in her mouth, she couldn't help appreciating how beautiful he was and how gracefully he moved.

Up close his skin was flawless like his bone structure and his unruly hair tempted her to run her hands through it to see if it was as soft and thick as she'd imagined. And now that he'd put himself within arm's reach, her eyes were drawn to where his polo shirt pulled tight over his pecs and hugged his biceps and she had to fight an overwhelming impulse to reach out and test how solid his muscles were.

The idea of trailing her fingers across his skin made her mouth water and she suddenly desperately wanted to feel the weight of his body against hers. Shocked and confused at what she was imagining and conscious of the speed at which her heart was racing and of how breathless she'd become, Bella felt herself blush.

Too aware of how close they were in the confined space, when she looked back up at his face she swallowed nervously, then licked her lips, causing Edward's eyes to flick towards her mouth, before slowly and brazenly travelling downwards over her body. How had antagonism turned into mutual lust so suddenly? Somehow he made her feel as if anything was possible between them and at the same time completely out of her depth.

As Edward moved even nearer, Bella braced herself against the wall. She could hear glasses clinking and the sound of people talking and laughing in the bar, but she felt totally detached from reality. The air was tense with the strange electrical charge she had felt in Carlisle's study and a surge of adrenalin shot through her body, making her shiver.

Edward's voice was almost taunting, 'Ok, it's your decision. Look me straight in the eye and say no if you can and I'll leave you alone. But bear in mind this is a once only offer, Sweetheart.'

His arrogance and the patronising endearment made her glare at him again. It was obvious this was a purely sexual invitation, but still she was tempted and her mouth refused to form the word which would save her.

His eyes were burning now with a smouldering intensity and one of her hands unconsciously moved to shield her breasts, before clutching at the gold chain around her neck which had belonged to her mother. His long eyelashes framed eyes of the deepest, darkest jade and she could see her own face reflected back at her, wide eyed and helpless, while deep inside an answering surge of heat made her skin tingle and her body feel heavy with desire.

She knew it was foolish to give in to the physical attraction she felt for him, but for the first time in her life Bella didn't want to be sensible. She wanted excitement and danger, she wanted passion which was all consuming and risked spiralling out of control. He was so close now that there was only a fraction of an inch between their bodies and Bella closed her eyes, silently begging him to touch her, kiss her, anything to resolve this feeling of being left wanting and adrift.

'Look at me, Bella.'

Startled she opened her eyes to find Edward was examining her face even more intently than before. As their eyes met he let out a long breath and for a second his lips quirked and he smiled a genuine smile, which made his eyes crinkle and her heart thump with sudden delight. She saw his face relax and his eyes lighten and become almost tender, before he gently ran one long finger down her face and across her mouth, then bent to follow the trail with his lips.

They were both breathing heavily now and Bella felt as if her whole body had always been waiting for a moment like this. The touch of his mouth on her cheek was almost unbearably pleasurable. Tingling sparks of heat ignited and flamed under the lightest pressure, burning a path across her skin and unfurling into plumes of sensation which flickered and danced deep inside her. Cast adrift and weightless, Bella held her breath in anticipation as Edward's mouth slowly approached hers.

Time hung suspended while he hovered and then gently made contact with her waiting lips. But before either of them could savour the moment, or deepen the kiss, they were rudely interrupted. The noise from the bar behind them was suddenly loud in Bella's ears, then Edward vanished and Emmett was standing in his place…

Bella blinked several times, feeling as if she'd been abruptly woken from a dream and realised that Emmett had bodily lifted Edward away from her and was holding him captive in a tight grip. For a second Bella felt absolutely and totally bereft.

Edward also looked stunned for a moment, before the familiar angry glare returned to his face.

'Fuck off, Emmett.'

But Emmett refused to loosen his hold and as she slowly came back to her senses, Bella saw that Rosalie was also standing nearby and several curious faces were looking at them through the open doorway to the bar. She blushed a deep scarlet. What had she been thinking? How had she managed to get so drunk that she'd almost let Edward Cullen kiss her?

Rosalie put her arm around Bella and looked daggers at Edward, who stared back at her with venom in his eyes.

'Good evening Rosalie. Unable to mind your own business as usual? It must be so comforting to always be in the right.' Edward sneered and Bella watched Rosalie's hackles rise.

'Just keep away from Bella, Cullen. Or you'll have me to answer to.'

'How could I possibly refuse such a polite request? Your wish is my command, as always,' and after finally managing to shake off Emmett's restraining hand on his shoulder, Edward sauntered back towards the bar, without a backward glance at any of them.

Rosalie looked at Bella sympathetically, 'Bella are you ok? All we could see was Edward looming over you. How did he manage to get you trapped in the corner like that? I'm so sorry about his behaviour. Did he scare you? You can come home with us tonight if you want to.'

'No, no I'm fine,' Bella retreated towards the stairs. 'Really don't worry, there's a lock on my bedroom door, so I'll feel quite safe and the last few people are being turned out now anyway. So thank you for a lovely evening and for looking after me. And I'll see you tomorrow Emmett, even if it's only to take me back to the coach station.'

Rosalie and Emmett both rolled their eyes, ' Not going to happen, I'll see you after lunch to take you over to Carlisle's, when he's officially let you know you've got the job.'

Rosalie leaned in to give Bella a hug, and a kiss on the cheek, and after wishing her new friends a good night, Bella slowly made her way up the stairs to her room.

Sorry that was a bit of an unintended detour - I only wanted to give Bella some friends!

Next chapter, more Bella, more Mrs Cope, more Emmett, more house, & a tiny bit of Edward's pov

Thanks for reading - Sue x

ps I forgot to say there will be approx 3 weeks between chapters