A/N: I am so so so sorry. There's so much going on for me this summer and the Cultural Anthropology class I'm taking is kicking my butt. Thank you so much to everyone who has stuck with me up to this point and I hope you continue to be patient as I try to balance school and a new job (starting Monday). I'm sorry that keeping up with reviews is proving to be impossible but I read every single one of your words and love them! Please continue to write me after each chapter, it really keeps me motivated. I have every intention of seeing this story through til the end and we still have a long way to go so I hope you enjoy.

None of the publicly recognized elements are mine. I own nothing but the mistakes. -K

I woke up to the most annoying sound I'd ever heard in my life. My eyes flew open and then closed involuntarily, temporarily blinded by the sun filtering in through the shades. It was too early to be this damn bright. Edward shifted in bed beside me and I opened my eyes carefully, watching him as he reached over the edge of the bed and fished his cell phone out of his pants pocket to silence the shrill alarm. He rolled onto his back, eyes still closed, and stretched; our arms brushed and I felt him stiffen beside me.

Slowly Edward's beautiful green eyes came into view and a dazzling, panty ruining smile spread across his face. "Good morning," he greeted me, his voice deep and a little rough from sleep. Not yet fully awake, I offered him a weak smile and rolled onto my side to face him. "I have to go to work," he frowned and I resisted the urge to kiss the contortion off his face. "Will you have dinner with me tonight?"

The question caught me off guard and I hesitated, contemplating Alice's suggestion. We'd gotten to know each other a little bit; I knew the basics. The question was—did I want this to go past sex? I was lying to myself if I said that it didn't already mean more than that. I hadn't had any income coming in since I met him; I hadn't even contemplated working since that Sunday at the Laundromat, either. He was already changing my life and I was concerned about dinner? "Sure," I finally managed, wetting my lips when the sound came out wrong.

Edward's eyes caught the motion of my tongue and I watched his eyes darken, followed by the familiar pull inside of me that he seemed to elicit so easily. Our eyes met and he grinned, shaking his head at me before climbing out of bet. I huffed petulantly when I saw the way his body had responded but he only ignored me, grabbing his clothes off the floor and proceeding to get dressed for work.

"You're free to shower if you want, I'm not quite ready to join the world of the living yet," I told him, stretching out in the center of the bed and stealing the warmth he'd left behind.

He chuckled, fastening his belt and leaning down to place a sweet kiss on my forehead. "I've got a shower and a change of clothes at the office, but maybe I'll take you up on that offer another morning," he winked suggestively and I felt my cheeks heat up at the implication. "I have to go my Bella or I'm going to be late for a very important meeting, but I will see you tonight?" It was a question and my heart throbbed for him when I saw the uncertainty in his eyes; this was just as new to him as it was to me. I nodded and he seemed to relax, pressing his lips to mine before pulling away and heading towards the door.

I watched him hesitate by the door, looking pensive as if he might say something but changed his mind at the last minute. Seconds later the front door closed and I knew he was gone physically but mentally he was right here with me. The pillow he'd commandeered sometime in the night smelled like him and I hugged it to me now, rolling onto my side and trying to get a few more hours of sleep.

Edward called me around two that afternoon to say he'd pick me u p outside my building at eighth and to wear something nice. Unfortunately he refused to tell me where he was taking me so getting ready was challenging. Why do men just think they can tell women what to wear and that makes it okay? Just because a restaurant is "nice" doesn't mean that any "nice" outfit will work.

I settled on a black halter dress, minimal cleavage but the back dipped low to expose the small of my back without being too revealing. My hair my clipped back, out of my face, and hung long down my back in loose curls; I'd kept the makeup minimal. I stepped into my black peep toe pumps and felt confident I'd managed an outfit that would fit in regardless of where he took me.

As promised, a black sedan pulled up outside my building at eight o'clock sharp and the driver got out, opening my door for me. I smiled shyly at him as I slid in beside Edward and turned to face him, my heart practically hammering in my chest when I took him all in. His eyes were heated and appreciative as he followed the line of my legs until they disappeared beneath the material of my dress and continued at the exposed skin of my breasts, up the curve of my throat to rest on my lips.

I couldn't help but blush and offer a shy smile; he smirked in response. "You look beautiful Bella; very appropriate," he winked and I felt that he knew how much I'd struggled in picking out something to wear.

"Well I'm glad, you didn't give me a lot to work with. You look quite handsome yourself Mr. Cullen," I leaned across the seat and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. Edward turned to me as I pulled away, grabbing the back of my neck and pulling my lips against his with an urgency that left me frazzled and hungry for more. I parted my lips and Edward used his tongue to caress mine as his free hand found purchase between my legs, slowly sliding up my thighs and lightly brushing my core through my panties.

"So wet for me," he whispered against my lips and I peaked nervously towards the front seat but the driver didn't seem to be paying attention. Edward pressed his lips to my earlobe, flicking it teasingly with his tongue and whispering his dirty words. "You naughty girl, already to ready for me. It's going to be a long night for you." He pressed firmly on my clit and I gasped, then he withdrew his hand and gave me a wink.

We pulled up in front of the restaurant ten minutes later, a gold sign outside read Bella Italiana and Edward smirked at me. Obviously he thought he was cute, which he was, but I worried we wouldn't be able to get in. Rose had been trying to get a reservation for months but they were booked solid, had been since they opened last fall. Edward opened his door and began to slide out before I reached across and grabbed his wrist gently. "Edward, this is so sweet but it's a little over the top. You don't have to do this, we can just go-"

Edward pressed his lips against mine to stifle my nervous ranting and pulled back with a smile. I felt the door behind me open and Edward gestured for me to get out, releasing himself from my grip and sliding out gracefully. The driver helped me climb out, protecting my modesty and allowing me to seem as graceful as my date who rounded the back of the vehicle to take my arm. "You worry far too much, Isabella."

I rolled my eyes and allowed him to lead me towards the divinely dressed host waiting near the door. "We'll never get a table, Rose has been trying since it opened without any lucky."

"Mister Cullen, welcome; we've got a private table waiting for you as requested," the host bowed at the waist slightly and held the door open for us. I looked up to Edward, shocked, and found his smirk firmly in place and I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at him like a petulant child. Of course Mr. Money Bags could get a private table at such a popular restaurant with less than a day's notice.

I was speechless as we were lead through the restaurant at the air of sophistication that surrounded the diners. Whether it was an implied atmosphere or the clientele themselves I couldn't be sure but it was present none the less. The host parted french doors made of dark wood, their windows mostly covered by red door panel curtains, and led us into a private dining room with a singular table set for us. Two straw covered chianti bottles were placed in the center of the table, a red taper candle mounted on each and the wax dripped down the side of the glass.

"Madame," the host spoke, pulling me from my own observations, as he pulled out my chair for me and waited for me to sit down. Once I sat, he pushed me in carefully and laid a white linen napkin in my lap.

"Thank you Joseph," Edward dismissed him, taking his own seat across from me, and nodding in respectful acknowledgement as he bowed again before leaving.

"Do you bring all of your dates here," I asked, my voice light and teasing but the words stung me with a feeling I was unaccustomed to.

"What dates," Edward asked, leaning his forearms across the table to grip my hands in his. His beautiful green eyes glistened in the candlelight, entrancing me with his good looks. He was charming and brilliant, beautiful to the sense of perfection, but it was his eyes that pulled me to him the most. They seemed to study me curiously and I blushed slightly, realizing I'd been staring unabashedly for longer than might generally be considered appropriate.

"You're sort of beautiful, you know?"

Edward smiled in good humor and I realized what I'd just said. "You're sort of beautiful yourself," he pulled my right hand to his lips and kissed the skin of my knuckles softly. Our private moment was interrupted by the soft knock of our waitress before she stroud into the room, her steps faltering as she got a closer look at my date. I watched her eyes look to me and she hid a smirk, obviously pleased with what she felt was a lack of competition, before turning a flirtatious smile to Edward.

I sat up straighter, observing the way that she seemed to lean forward and create maximum cleavage as she introduced herself as Irina. Irina was tall and thin, her platinum blonde hair was pulled back out of her face but cascaded flawlessly down her back and her sapphire blue eyes were locked on Edward like a missile that located its target. Her naturally full lips moved seductively as she talked, if that was even possible when discussing restaurant specials , and I couldn't help catalogue the vast differences between us.

"Bella," Edward looked at me for an answer and I realized I hadn't been paying attention to anything she said. Irina seemed satisfied with my obvious ignorance and I narrowed my eyes at her to let her know I knew what game she was playing.

"Whatever you want baby," I purred at Edward uncharacteristically. I caught him off guard but he quickly recovered, ordering a bottle of wine I'd never heard of and two plates of the mushroom ravioli. When he turned back to me without a second glance at Irina, she huffed audibly and all but stomped off like a petulant child.

"Baby," Edward asked, his tone amused as he reached for my hands again.

I rolled my eyes at the cocky persona he'd adopted and shrugged. "She was looking at you like she might jump you on the table, I thought I'd remind her that I'm not exactly your sister."

Edward laughed, "thank God for that otherwise last night was completely inappropriate." I felt my cheeks heat slightly and laughed at his joke.

Irina returned quickly with our wine which she uncorked and pulled a small sample into one of the wine glasses that had been set out prior to our arrival for Edward to taste. He sipped and nodded his approval before she poured each of us a glass, nearly spilling a few drops on me in the process but I was quicker and prepared for the possibility of her tricks. Irina's eyes glared as she sweetly apologized, depositing the remainder of the wine bottle in a bucket of ice before leaving us again.

My eyes found Edward's and they looked annoyed, borderline angry. I squeezed his hand comfortingly and he seemed to focus on me again. "I'm sorry, Bella; her behavior is completely unprofessional and I will speak with the manager before we leave."

I shook my head, "Edward it's okay, just ignore her. I don't want her to ruin our night." I offered him a reassuring smile and it seemed to placate him; his eyes softened and his thumb traced the pulse point in my wrist. "Thank you for bringing me here; Rose is going to be so jealous when she finds out you were able to get in."

Edward chuckled, taking a drink from his wine. "The owner is a friend of my father's. I'm sure I could get you and your friend a reservation if you'd like."

"Really," I asked, picturing the look of excitement on Rosalie's face when she found out.

"Sure. Talk to your friend, find out what works for her and I'll give Aro a call."

"Thank you so much Edward; that's very sweet of you," I was grinning like a fool but felt no shame. Something akin to adoration had been growing inside of me since he picked me up at my apartment earlier and it was beginning to blossom in the pit of my stomach.

Irina entered once more, not bothering to knock or even look friendly. Edward tensed again at the brisk way she placed our dishes in front of us and walked away, but once she was gone he only chuckled at her pettiness.

The food was spectacular; while we ate, we talked. Edward told me about how they started their business, how it started as a few small family-friends in need of alarm systems and spread through their contacts. I watched the way he lit up as he talked about building his business with his brothers and couldn't help but reflect his enthusiasm back at him. It was one of the rare moments I'd seen that he looked his age, young and full of life. I was so screwed.