Chapter Four

Bella pulled out a pen from the messy bun in her hair, dark waves falling around her shoulders. She ran a hand through it, a habit she did when she needed to think.

Edward shifted in his chair, clearing his throat, catching her attention. "I take it from your reaction that you don't like Secret Santa?"

She shrugged. "We have about six people who don't celebrate the holiday, and it isn't fair to make it mandatory. Also, what if someone among us simply can't afford to participate, you know?"

He hummed but looked unsure. "Understandable, and it makes sense, but they're not the reason you don't like participating in it."

She rolled her eyes. "Fine, most of my coworkers are assholes, why should I spend so much time and effort to essentially reward them for it? I mean, we have to deliver these gifts secretly, it's what makes it fun apparently. And every year it becomes a competition to outdo each other. Besides, I'm kind of an asshole, even if it's the only way to get any work done. What if someone spat on my chocolates?"

"You're not an asshole, more like, you refuse to put up with anyone's bullshit." He went back to the questions.

Bella didn't like how quickly he figured her out and returned to the questionnaire.

Favorite Candy:

Bella huffed, thinking of possible answers. "Oh, I know! Fast Break, 100 Grand, Take 5." She loved her work breaks and her chocolate.

Edward snorted, shaking his head. "You might as well have fun with it." He looked at the next question. "What would you like this Christmas?"

She proceeded to write her answers as she said them aloud. "A boss that would have a conversation with me, instead of my tits. Or a raise, or another job."

Confused, Edward watched her for a few moments. "Please tell me my uncle isn't…"

Bella's eyes widened. "No! Aro and James mostly, on occasion a couple of other colleagues. Sad thing is, I got used to it." She pointed to the sheet of questions. "I'm sort of, how you mentioned, having fun with it, while also having my say."

Edward's concern didn't diminish. "If they bother you or make you uncomfortable please let HR know, Ms. Hale, a good friend of the family, will listen."

She could only nod, not used to having someone be concerned on her behalf. It was rare when she needed anyone to back her up. She could take care of herself and have done that quite successfully since she was eighteen.

Uncomfortable with the topic, she felt vulnerable and needed to change the subject. "Favorite drink?" If Edward saw right through her, he didn't call her on it. She chewed on the end of her pen, deep in thought.

"Hard liquor?" he suggested quietly, his questionnaire capturing his full attention again. His cheeks were once again flushed with color, she wanted to know why.

My man-free diet is doomed to fail with him around.

"Just in case, I'll jot down my favorites. Maybe I'll get me some of those cute tiny bottles." She waggled her eyebrows. "If I do, it'll be a very merry Christmas for me."

They unknowingly leaned toward the other, enraptured by delicious scents and sinful voices as they continued working on the questions. Lauren walked by the employee lounge a few minutes later, with several completed forms, deciding she'd take an early lunch.

However, she saw how cozy Edward and Bella were and decided to interrupt their little talk. "Break is over, Bella," she nearly hissed. Then she realized she likely looked unbecoming, straightened up and repeated herself a little calmer and more professional.

Bella had to look away from Edward's long fingers and leveled the woman with her tried and true, "don't fuck with me" glare. "We have approximately two minutes left on our break, not that it's any of your business considering neither of us works under you, no matter how much you wish it. If you'd like to file a complaint against me, take it up with Mr. Volterra, my actual boss."

Lauren stomped away.

"She doesn't like you much," Edward stated the obvious.

It was Bella's turn to snort. "Normally, she wouldn't have dared to say anything, but you're the shiny new toy that she'd like to play with and she's always been territorial."

Edward looked horrified by the idea. "I need to get back, would you like me to drop that off for you?"

Bella nodded and put the finishing touches on the final question, complete with a few doodles of what appeared to be dildos. "Yes, please." She folded the sheet of paper, handing it to him. Her breath hitched as his thumb brushed the top of her hand.

"I hope we'll see each other again, Bella. Though considering IT is down in the company's basement, five floors below, it might be quite a while."

She grinned. "Aw, nobody down there but the company's most unwanted." A little play with a quote from one of her favorite shows.

Edward laughed. "X-Files fan, nice."

Bella cursed her blush and got to her feet. "I should be going, too. See you around, Masen." She took her lackluster coffee, adding a little sway to her hips. A peek over her shoulder as she left had Edward looking away quickly. He had yet to get up from his chair but the color in his cheeks was enough of an indication that her ass looked amazing in her pencil skirt.

Edward exhaled sharply once Bella disappeared around the corner. He needed an extra minute to get some control. Three years trekking through foreign mountains and exotic locations around the world left him a little starved for intimacy…sex. Once he had returned, casual hookups no longer interested him. His last relationship four years earlier ended horribly. He even thought he'd never want to take a chance again.

Bella proved him wrong.

A few minutes later, he stopped by a small table near Lauren's office with an over the top display for Secret Santa, making note of the rules. There was a box to slip in completed questionnaires and it was almost full. After a moment of hesitation, Edward pocketed Bella's questionnaire and stuffed his in the box.

He knocked on Lauren's door. "Come in."

He popped in his head, offered her a small, neutral smile. "I just dropped off mine and Ms. Swan's forms, do you mind if I pick one now? I'll be in and out of the office all week."

She waved. "Sure thing, honey. If you happen to feel a sticker on it, it may or may not be mine." She winked.

"Sure thing. Thank you."

With a spring in his step, Edward left the office floor but not before catching a glimpse of Bella in that sexy skirt. He hoped he hadn't just made a huge mistake.