Hi Ladies,

This chapter didn't get done as fast as I wanted. I wound up sick for the better part of this week. I do hope you enjoy it, and where this story is headed. Don't forget to tell me your thoughts. Thx.

Also, the chapter numbers got messed up because of my prologue. Sorry about that.

Chapter 9

Edward-

After Bella slipped into the bathroom and closed the door behind her, I was left befuddled. Numbly, I stared at the barrier hiding her presence. I'd never met anyone capable of causing such conflicting emotions within me, and I certainly had never met a woman that instigated any type of feeling at all.

On one hand, I was astounded by her fire. I'd witnessed the spark of anger in her gaze when she held the knife to my throat. I didn't doubt her. Underestimating the fear I'd spotted beneath that ire would be a costly error, and I knew she'd put that blade through my jugular if I dared to touch her. Then, there was the vulnerability that left her shaken against that headboard. Someone somewhere had hurt Bella, and that shit didn't sit well with me. What further amazed me was the veil that'd slipped over her face on my command for her to strip. Obviously, I knew—I hoped she wouldn't easily comply when faced with my demand. Doing so would've undermined everything I'd seen buried under the surface in her character. She might pose as a hooker to the outside world but it couldn't be any further from the truth.

When she'd stripped her shirt off, and approached me, I could see the detachment as subtle as she attempted to be. The way Bella had shuddered and goosebumps dotted her torso, I felt the tension radiating off of her in thick currents, stifling the initial heat upon seeing her drop that T-shirt.

"You alright, man?" Emmett asked, nudging me back into awareness. He must've noticed the confusion I was experiencing because his brow pulled tight, and his gaze searched mine. "What's going on here, Ed? You seem inordinately distracted. What type of proposition do you have in mind for her?"

I forcibly tore my attention from the bathroom door, running my fingers through my hair as I contemplated the best way to answer his question. I couldn't even begin to formulate a response because the truth was ludicrous. I couldn't really be considering what I was, could I?

The sudden trill of my cell interrupting the silence pushed me past my limit. Ignoring the call once more, I glanced at Emmett to find him thoroughly enthralled over my reaction to the woman hiding in the bathroom. The slight lift of the corner of his lips testified to the humor he found in my situation. Hoping to divert his attention, I gestured toward the door. "Why don't you go get us all some breakfast at the truck stop? I'm sure she is hungry. Once I talk to her, I will fill you in on my thoughts. Hell, I might need your help accomplishing some of it."

"Fuck. That doesn't make me want to leave at all. What the hell has you looking like you've just solved the riddle of the century?"

I couldn't explain my plan because it wasn't entirely formulated in my mind. Tiny pieces were aligning, and with each passing moment, another piece would fall into place. If my father wanted me to marry, then marry, I shall. Not trusting this ingenuity until I ran the scheme past Bella, I hurried to the door and pulled it open. "Just run and grab some grub, man. I will tell you soon enough."

"I'm kinda interested to see how this all plays out. I'm tempted to pop some popcorn and watch the show." Delight was etched on Emmett's face, and it took all the strength I possessed to keep my expression neutral. To my relief, his shoulders fell in defeat, and he wandered toward the hallway on his own accord. "Fine. I will go, but I want to hear all the juicy details."

"Excellent," I replied, letting the door slam once he crossed the threshold. I would be a pig happy in shit if my family would let me live my own life without wanting to know a play-by-play of every decision I made.

I delved deeper into the room, pacing the carpeted floor, and glanced at the bathroom door periodically. Bella had been in there quite some time, and it was wearing on my patience. Scratching my head as my annoyance grew, I stopped in front of the bathroom door. "Everything alright in there, or do I need to break the door down?"

Very slowly the door creaked open, revealing a sliver of Bella's nose and cheek. "I'm good."

"Great. I would like to have a conversation with you, and not through this door. Would you care to join me?"

Her lashes fluttered as her gaze connected with mine, and with a slight nod, she reluctantly stepped into the room. Still clasping that knife as if it were a lifeline, she sidestepped me, returning to the corner furthest away from me.

"I was sitting in there trying to figure out what your proposal could possibly be." For the first time since I barged into her room, she set the knife next to her on the comforter. Nervously, she pulled her long supple hair over her shoulder and combed her fingers through the strands. "I can't see what I could offer a man that probably has everything. And I'm not lying on my back for you or a friend to repay anything."

Once again, she visibly shuddered and swallowed forcibly. Intently I studied her, trying to figure out how this would work. If my father detected the lie before we started, it would all be for not. Obviously, Bella wasn't keen on my presence, and I had a suspicion judging by her reaction extended to all men, not just myself.

Ignoring her distaste as if I hadn't noticed, I headed to where the bag sat on the floor. Retrieving the duffel full of cash, I crossed in front of the dresser and sat on the flat surface. I dropped the bag at my feet and gestured to the navy vinyl. "How badly do you want to keep the money in this bag?"

She was surprised and shocked by the question, her lips parting before snapping shut. Caution dulled the sparkle in her eyes. "What do I have to do for it?"

"You're used to performing in a manner of speaking, although it is an entirely different performance than the one I will request. I am in need of your expertise, your acting for let's say a year, perhaps. At the end of the allotted time, I will give you the rest of the money in this bag, and you can restart your life anywhere you choose. Hell, I will deliver you there myself." She shifted uneasily, but like a warrior her chin lifted, her gaze never wavering. When she would've spoken, I held my hand up to stop her. This idea was so out of my realm, and if I didn't present my offer right then, I would have rethought the whole plan. "Let

me say this will be the performance of your life, and I need everything to appear real to the outside world."

"You're beating around the bush. Stop making it a puzzle, and state what you want plainly." She pulled her legs on the bed and crossed them giving me her full attention. "I'm a straightforward person and I don't like bullshit. Spit it out already. There isn't much I wouldn't do for the money in that bag. I will say I'm not sleeping with you or anyone else, but aside from that … I'm game."

Bella squared her shoulders and lifted her head. The swanlike curve of her neck momentarily distracted me from my mission. She was already beautiful, but with some styling, I could envision a stellar woman under that harsh exterior. She would compliment me in a way no woman ever had and would help make this more believable.

Her eyebrows rose with impatience, and I chuckled when she promoted me to continue with a wave of her hands. "Well?"

She was so fucking ballsy. Another wave of admiration rippled through me, and I found it difficult to shake this mesmerizing enjoyment plaguing me. She wouldn't scare easily, and once she faced Carlisle that would be detrimental to the success of this ruse. "Fine, then I will put it point-blank. I want you to marry me." Her jaw literally dropped to her chest, her eyes going wide, and once again, she shifted uneasily, shaking her head. Before she could cast the idea aside, I pushed forward. "It will be in name only, but I absolutely need it to appear real in every sense of the word."

She wiggled on the bed, her legs coming up to sit protectively against her chest. "I don't even know how that would work. Why would you want to marry me of all people?" She licked her lips and swallowed hard as her wide eyes roamed my face. "I'm sure anyone would pretend to be your wife, whatever that means."

There was a flicker of interest in her gaze that had me confident this could work. "That's true. I could pay any woman to pose as my wife, but eventually, there would be expectations and maybe an unwanted attachment at the end of the year. I don't want someone getting the impression this would be forever. I just need to dissuade my father of a sick ploy to attach me to a woman I've never met." I gestured to Bella. "I am hoping to have a little more time to find my person, and this fictitious marriage would give me that time."

"I think you're fucking crazy. How am I to convince anyone that we are a match? I know nothing about relationships, nor do I want to." She began gnawing on her lower lip, her head hadn't stopped shaking since I announced my plan. "It's insane. I wouldn't even know where to start with something so devious."

I was at the end of my rope. If Bella didn't agree to marry me, I might just be saddled with a bride I didn't want. It might be tit for tat, but at least this way, I had a say in my fate. After a year, we would say goodbye and be on our way. I pointed at the bag. "You don't think you could figure it out for a hundred grand, and a chance to start all over?"

She glanced at the bag, and the temptation was written all over her face. Finally, she looked up at me. "What do you mean by real?"

This is where it became tricky. A man somewhere in Bella's life had hurt her, and my chest tightened upon the realization. She didn't like to be touched, and I couldn't fathom even attempting to kiss her. She would probably bite my tongue off, and while I enjoyed rough sex, my tongue was made for better uses, one of which, Bella wouldn't appreciate.

Fuck. This was going to be very complex. Well, if I wanted this facade to work, she would need to know what was expected of her. "Handholding, light petting, leaning close, whispering, kissing the whole nine yards."

She instantly paled, and a fit of anger I never anticipated filled me. Gripping the edge of the dresser I sat on, I stared at her intently. "Who hurt you, Bella?"

Bella didn't answer. Instead, she broke the connection of our gaze and focused on the comforter. A tremble pulsed through her form, yet her lips clamped together. Her jaws moved as she ground her teeth, and her eyes slowly closed, trying to shut it out. Shakily, she whispered, "It doesn't matter."

"The fuck it doesn't." I hadn't meant to speak so harshly but once I had a name the bastard was in for a treat he'd never imagined. When it was evident she wouldn't answer, I knocked on the dresser to get her attention. Tears shimmered in her eyes, and another stab of anger shot through my chest. "One day when you trust me …"

I left the invitation open but changed the topic. Her rigid spine slumped in relief, and I carried on. "Listen. It doesn't have to be much, but when we face my family it has to appear real. I will play as much as I can into your comfort zone. Okay? What do you think?"

Her fingers twisted together, and she continued chewing on her bottom lip, her head tipping with indecision. "When? How long do I have to think about it?"

"I'm hoping we can come to a conclusion before my brother returns." When she remained silent, I decided to list my conditions. "While we are married, you will remain faithful. I won't tolerate anyone detecting the deception."

"What about you? Would you also remain loyal?" Her lashes dropped and she studied me closely as if she were attempting to decide if I was being deceitful.

I scratched my chin as I regarded her. "Is my fidelity something you would require?"

Her hard stare was my interpretation of a yes. "Absolutely. I wouldn't want to disrespect you in such a fashion. Also, I will need you to stay in the city, as in downtown. I can't risk your safety by letting you venture to the wrong side of town. Considering my work, your life could be in jeopardy, and if you do need to wander that way, I would have to insist on an escort."

She sniffed, toying with a strand of her hair. "What about Alice? Am I still permitted to socialize with her, or is that also, out of the question?"

"As long as you end your schemes, I see no reason why you shouldn't be friends with Alice, as of yet anyway. I will keep the topic open for discussion at a later date when I know you both better." I could see her starting to waver, and I wanted to press it home. "You will want for nothing. Nothing. You won't go hungry or have to look for a warm clean bed. You will have a home for the next year, and thereafter, wherever you choose. Within reason, you will be permitted to live life as if you truly were my wife."

The room lapsed into calm silence, and Bella looked deep in thought. "Where will I live? Where will I sleep?"

"You will live with me, and have your own room. You will have free reign to do whatever you want, and go where you want within the limitations I already mentioned. There will be events I will need you to attend as my wife, and there can't be any question of our closeness. Does it seem like a job you would be interested in doing?"

Needle anticipation ran through me as I awaited her response. She'd started to rock gently chewing on her cheek. Playing with fringe on her pants, she grimaced as she warred with her internal struggle. "Will there be a lot of touching? And where?"

I took a deep breath, and the desire to wrestle a name from her thinning lips became a challenge to harness. "I will do my best to keep it at a minimum. However, there will be times I need to hold your hand, touch your leg, and embrace you. You cannot act as though the thought disgusts you."

"And then, after the year, I'm free?" Her bright expressive eyes never wavered from mine, watching me closely as I answered her question.

"You won't be a captive, Bella. This whole thing is up to you. If you say no, I will find an alternative, but I feel as though you would get the job done nicely enough." She was pretty in a subtle way, a mixture of hard and soft, and most importantly, understood life on the streets, which meant she wouldn't have a whole lot of questions about my daily operations. "Plus you won't have all these romantic expectations at the end, right? If I meet a woman that fulfills my requirements for a real wife then you will be cut loose a lot sooner."

I could hear the hollow thud of footsteps approaching the room, signaling Emmett's return. I rolled my fingers indicating I needed a response now, I asked, "What do you think? My brother is coming and I need your answer."

Her eyes widened, and surprise was etched on her face as she hesitantly nodded. "Okay. I will do it."

Relief flooded me, and feeling jovial for the first time in months, I hopped off the dresser. "I will have a contract with everything inside it, along with a prenup by the end of the day for you to sign, and everything I promised stated within the documents. No business talk around my brother."

She blinked back at me, digesting everything I said, and just as the doorknob turned, she dipped her head in agreement. "Deal."

Bella shrank slightly as Emmett entered the room holding a bag full of truck stop breakfast. The scent of eggs, bacon, sausage, and potatoes mingled together, wafting through the air. Her greedy gaze locked on to the containers as Emmett lifted them in a teasing gesture. "Hungry?"

"Yes," she replied in a small voice, her throat working fast as she swallowed.

I didn't know her entire story but I could piece together the important parts. Suddenly, I wanted to find the person or persons responsible for this woman's plight. One day someone was going to pay, and pay dearly, for the hunger and fear I'd noted on several occasions on her heart-shaped face.

"Good," Emmett announced, pulling three styrofoam containers from the bag, and holding one out to her. Cautiously, Bella climbed from her position on the bed, and her thin fingers closed around it, he said, "I wasn't sure what you like so I bought a little of everything."

She quietly returned to the spot in the center of the bed, and hurriedly opened the container. With a great amount of effort, I pulled my gaze away from my soon-to-be bride to focus on my own meal. As I consumed the omelet, my attention kept straying to the fraught creature shoveling eggs into her mouth, eating like she feared someone would take it.

I wouldn't rest until I knew her story, and more than that, made people pay for every minute she'd spent on the streets.

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