Hi!

As always Sheri thanks for all that you do. Your words of encouragement always helps me! Thank you to the readers for your support!

I think I'm getting a bit of mojo back so I hope to have quicker updates! I'm going to test things out with these chapters though. Maybe make shorter chapters so I can have it out sooner. Then again, I feel like I'm not saying much without a monster chapter! hahaaha

Thanks for all your support and ENJOY!

Chapter 37 Back to Reality

Bella POV

Pulling up to the Cullen Mansion would never get old. It held me in awe every time I saw it. Even though, my house was almost just as big I don't think I would want this one. This place was just too damn big and I cringed at whoever had to clean it. Granted, Jessica would clean mine but I mostly had taken over my household roles and did it myself.

Edward opened my door and helped me out of the car. He was expressionless and had been that way since we had been on the plane. I could tell his mind was busy but he let me know he was still here by holding my hand or touching me in some way to let me know he was still there beside me.

He had his arm around me as we walked up the steps to his childhood home. He opened the door, not bothering to knock. It was cold walking in and I'm not talking about the temperature, the atmosphere was just chilly. I could hear low voices coming from the living room area and I guess Edward did too because we made our way there.

Emmett, Rose, Alice, Jasper, and Esme all sat around with faces of sadness. It wasn't until we were about halfway in when Esme noticed us approaching. "Edward! Bella!" she cried as she hurried off the couch and came to hug us. Her eyes were swollen, bloodshot and when she hugged us, she seemed frail like she had lost a lot of weight.

"Mother," Edward said and his voice sounded detached. It hurt my heart hearing it sound so cold and emotionless when I had just spent a week hearing it full of love and joy. I nodded towards her and hugged her again. She acted like she didn't want to let me go but once she leaned back, she did.

"The lawyer is here. He needs to talk to you about some stuff," Esme explained as she took a napkin out of her pocket and dabbed her eyes. Edward pulled away from me and nodded to her as Emmett gave Rose a kiss and followed them to a nearby room.

I walked over to the living room and took a seat by Rose. Jasper and Alice sat across from us, Jasper was rubbing circles on Alice's back as she had her head in his lap. He gave us a nod and hello and I returned it. I turned to Rose and noticed she stared at where Emmett had gone. I also made a quick look at her hands and noticed her ring was there. I grinned. I guess that cat's out of the bag.

Alice's sobs became harder as we waited in the living room. The cries echoed across the walls and I could no longer take it. I had to leave the room for a bit. I know I sounded like a bitch but some of the cries sounded fake like she was trying to get my attention. I asked anyone if they wanted a drink or snack. After Jasper nodded, I made my way into the kitchen with Rosalie on my heels.

I pulled out a tray as Rosalie went to get the pitcher of tea in the fridge. "I just made this," she said as I nodded. She then got really close to me as she brought over the teacups. "Thank God, you're here," she whispered. "We announced our engagement a couple of days ago. Edward said it was fine but we told Esme, Alice, Carlisle, and Jasper. Esme, Carlisle, and Jasper seemed really excited but Alice," She trailed off and she didn't have to elaborate any further. I knew what she meant.

I nodded as I poured ice into the cups.

"Now, when the doctor gave his diagnosis, she lost it. She said we shouldn't have told Carlisle. It was too much for his heart, even though it's his brain." Rosalie rolled her eyes, and I did too. "It was a mere two days later, what if," Rosalie's voice changed and I grabbed her arm.

"No, don't you dare let what Alice said make you feel guilty about being happy. She's jealous and Carlisle was already sick so don't do that, Rose," I whisper yelled with my best "don't take shit" face I could muster. She grinned at me and nodded. Man, how the tables have turned.

After Rosalie and I were in better control of ourselves we headed back to the living room. I carried the tray of tea while she held the cups and the snacks she picked up from the counter. Being the wonderful hostess, I am I poured everyone sitting there a drink. Jasper thanked me with a smile on his face. Alice however muttered her thanks and took a sip.

"So, how was Miami?" Jasper asked with a genuine smile on his face.

"It was nice. I really liked having the private beach and all," I answered him and God bless Jasper because Alice shot him a glare.

This bitch really was getting on my nerves lately and I don't know why. Ever since the shower anything involving Alice literally made me angry. Not that I wasn't irritated before but it just seemed like lately anything she would do would set me off. I'm not heartless though, I know her father is dying but damn it, quit with the snooty attitude.

"I heard the baby shower had a bit of a hiccup too," Jasper laughed then his face turned solemn. "Proud of you, Bells, though. That must have taken a lot of guts to stay in that room."

I smiled and Rosalie patted my arm. Alice huffed and walked away from us heading into another room. I noticed Jasper didn't move from his position on the couch. He chugged the rest of his tea though.

"Damn, maybe we need to get some alcohol in here," Rose suggested with a laugh.

"It probably wouldn't be a bad idea," Jasper said as he poured himself another glass.

Damn, poor Jasper for having to deal with her. I wasn't going to ask since it wasn't my business but it seemed like the separation may have not helped Alice. Then again, I had seen instances where she was genuine. I don't know but I wasn't worried about Alice right now. The person I was worried about was in the other room who hadn't mentioned his father once on the plane.

"Bells? You okay?" Jasper asked and then had Rosalie looking at me.

"I'm fine." I took a sip of my tea and looked at Rose. "So, tell me the wedding plans," I said excitedly while Jasper joined in our conversation

****BID*****

After Edward had gotten done talking to the lawyer, we left. Again, he hadn't said a word and I didn't know if that was a good or bad thing. I know he really needed to say something but I knew he was probably processing it all. I would give it a few days before I really started asking him if he was okay.

Walking into my house after being away though? It was a wonderful feeling. It still smelled the same, looked the same and felt the same. Edward said he had to handle some business and I nodded as he headed for his office. He seemed to be back to bottling his emotions and I didn't like that but I had to tell myself that he was dealing with things his own way.

I carried our bags to the laundry room to wash all the clothes we had worn on our trip. I had set the first wash and then made my way to the kitchen. I was a bit hungry. I had eaten a small snack on the plane then the snacks at the Cullen Mansion. Going through the cabinets and then the pantry I found stuff to make spaghetti.

As the water boiled, I put my phone in the dock I had set up in the kitchen and started playing music so I could dance while I cooked. I mixed the spices to make my sauce with while I danced around. I poured the noodles into the boiling pot while I made my sauce. It probably wouldn't taste as good because it hadn't been premade but I was going to make do with what I had.

As I started cooking the meat, the song "Bullet Holes" by Bush came on and I started jamming out to it. I mean I really got into it and started playing the air guitar and grabbed a bottle of wine for my microphone. I was so into it that I didn't hear Edward come up from behind me.

"Ahhh!" I screeched as the bottle of wine went flying and then broke into a million pieces on the floor.

"Tsk,tsk, tsk," Edward shook his head as he came towards me. "That was a very expensive bottle of wine, Bella," Edward admonished as he approached me. I noticed his gaze was heated, no sign of a stoic face on him but definitely something was getting hot in there. It made my nipples harden and my clit clench.

I licked my lips, and Edward smiled. This motherfucker knew what he was doing to me. Walking towards me all like a predator and shit.

"How will you repay me for it?" Edward said as he closed me in on the counter. I smirked, because I could think of a few things to "repay" him for it.

"I have some tricks up my sleeve," I retorted as I squatted down and undid his jeans. His breaths came out in huffs as he knew what I was about to do.

Taking his now exposed cock out, I rubbed the tip against my lips before swallowing him whole. His ragged breathing plus the grip he had on my head told me he was enjoying this. I sucked up and down until coming back to the head of his cock before sucking it as hard as I could.

"Bella," Edward panted breathlessly as I kept going. "Bella, I'm going…," he choked out before letting go of my head and moaned out my name a few more times before he came down my throat.

I rose up and wiped my lips giving a smirk as he looked at me. "I feel like a high schooler who just lost his virginity. I came way too soon." I laughed at him before turning back to the food on the stove.

I wasn't surprised when Edward came up behind me and his cock that was now hard again stood attention against my ass covered jeans.

"Edward, the food," my voice quivered as his hands came around my waist to unbutton my jeans.

"Fuck the food!" he growled as I felt the air hit my thighs and felt the jeans pool at my feet. I then felt his hand knead my ass cheeks in his hands as I turned the sauce down and the noodles on low.

I then heard the tearing of my thong and I yelped at the pulling on my skin. His fingers found their way into my pussy as his thumb started rubbing my clit. I moaned at the feeling and arched my back. My ass arched as well and I could feel my husband's erection poking me from behind.

When I was close to coming, Edward removed his fingers and pushed his cock in. I leaned against the stove as he fucked me against it. I liked this position because I could feel pleasure in every spot. It reminded me of a beast going wild. I moaned as he pushed back in after taking it out and hammering me again with his hard cock.

I could feel pressure on my waist as he gripped it near the point of hurting. I didn't feel any pain because as soon as he grabbed my ass cheeks I was done for and came hard. He didn't last much longer after me when I felt him empty himself inside of me and then slump against my back.

Afterwards, all I could hear was our heavy breathing and I could feel the sweat running down my back. "Let's do it again, but on the counter," Edward said as his breath tickled my ear.

"What!" I exclaimed. Was he really serious?

Edward didn't say anything as he turned me around so that he could kiss me. The kiss deepened and he picked me up and sat me on the counter playing with my breasts before sucking them. I moaned at the feeling and leaned my head back as he played with them. Not long after that he entered me swiftly and fucked me on the counter our food forgotten.

EDWARD POV

Sitting in my office here at Midnight Sun, head in my hands, I tried to stay focused on the task at hand. It was impossible because everything kept going back to the old man. Why? Why did I care? Was it because deep down he had tried to make amends? I had to quit thinking about him. It would make me all feel weird and I didn't want that especially when I just had felt normal again.

I was waiting on James to come by and tell me what happened when he secretly came down to Miami to spy on the Denali Family. We didn't meet up and only Emmett and I knew he came down. I had started feeling like there was a rat somewhere and I was going to weed it out.

I also would be heading to Cullen Enterprises sometime this week to see what was going on with this hacking situation. Since I shut down the main account and had transferred it to another, I had put a tail on Ms. Maxwell, all was quiet according to Jasper.

Midnight Sun was operating normally,there were no issues here since I had left a week ago. Emmett was coming by and he said he had something to discuss with me. It was probably what had happened the past week since I hadn't had much contact with him. I was with my wife and had told everyone to only contact me if it was a dire emergency.

Speaking of my wife, I hadn't been able to get that kitchen sex out of my mind. The way seeing her dance made me so hard I thought my cock was going to burst if it didn't get any relief. I was always so mesmerized at the things Bella did.

She was at the foundation this week, working to the bone to get this project off the ground. We also had talked more about what she wanted to do with her childhood home. I fully intended to see it through for her but it may be when things slowed down. I just couldn't make a trip to Forks right now and I'd be damned if I would let her go without me.

I wasn't 100% sure if all of Black's men were gone. If something was up with the house or whatever they may still be watching if there were any men left. Until I had some free time we would remain in Seattle. I texted her an "I love you" and hit send right when my office door opened.

"S'up, man?" It was Emmett and he looked tired as he took a seat across from me.

"Hey," I replied, taking a drink from my water bottle. "Everything looks good here," I complimented him, letting him know he did a good job holding down the fort while I was gone. I also knew he had the office swept before I came in today so I didn't have to worry about bugs.

"This place was the easiest part; it was everything else that was tiring," he answered, yawning.

I chuckled because this place used to be not so easy, until I hired Victoria to help me. It had been just as tiring as everything else and I wasn't even Boss then. The door sounded a knock again and James stuck his head in.

"Nice tan, Boss," James said as he made himself a drink and I looked down at my slightly tanned skin. Once James sat down, I looked at them waiting on one of them to talk. James was gulping down a drink and I picked him first because it seemed like he really needed to get something off his chest.

"So, Garrett was telling the truth." He finished his drink then sitting down the glass. "I snuck into a nearby boat owned by them. Everything was gone. There was a cop or agent, I couldn't get too close without being seen but a pig nonetheless was keeping an eye on it. Don't know if it's one of Denali's." He sighed. "It was strange though, there wasn't a whole lot of security, if Garrett was truthful about what was going on why only one cop?"

"Have you spoken with Garrett or Eleazar?" I asked Emmett and if the guns and drugs had really been taken up like they said why would someone working with the Denali's be watching it? The Feds would have been all over that and no one would have gotten close.

"Not Eleazar but Garrett called to again apologize for Charles's behavior," Emmett waved his hand. "Apparently, Eleazar has been under the weather lately."

I sighed, trying not to smirk. "All of this sounds fishy. Garrett coming to tell us about the shipments and said Eleazar ran down to Miami to handle it but guess what? Jasper hacked the system and there were no arrests made. That makes both Eleazar and Garrett a liar because I trust Jasper not to lie and he showed me. On the other hand, there could have been some arrests made and someone took a fucking plea deal!" I slammed my hand down.

"They could have wiped the arrests," Emmett wondered and I nodded. "Ask you to go down there, you go near the shipment bam you get arrested!"

"Makes sense why Eleazar is lying low and putting his shit on Garrett." I shook my head. "But Garrett knows I'm not stupid."

"Is it possible Garrett was going by Eleazar's orders?" James said.

"It doesn't matter, from now on until proven otherwise the Denali Family is not to be trusted." I got up to make my own drink. "Everyone is to act normal but do not talk shop."

After a few moments of silence, Emmett started talking. "Another one of Liam's ships was stolen and was later found in international waters. I had Benjamin check records and he found bodies on the ship." My glass dropped and shattered on the floor. Neither Em nor James looked surprised, they knew I wouldn't like hearing that.

"Fucking records?" I turned and looked at Emmett.

"Yeah, it looked intentional though. The records from the Officers state that there were four bodies. None of them the Captain's. Which means…," Emmett trailed off, looking at me with a weird look.

"The captain killed them and fled," I finished for him. "Or there was never a captain only someone impersonating a captain."

Emmett nodded, "My money's on that."

I pulled out a cigarette then. "What's Liam say?"

"Liam said he doesn't smuggle but it was clearly stolen. The whole body thing doesn't make sense. He said the ship will not be traced to him, it's in a different name and he had blocked all access to his port and no drops will be made. He said it will kill his business but it's what is needed right now."

"Fuck!" I yelled out. "Shit!" I threw my unlit cigarette in the trash. "Who the fuck is doing this?" I asked aloud although none of us would know the answers.

"How the fuck did he flee though?" James asked. "I know he didn't fucking swim."

"Someone had to intercept to pick him up, or take him," I shook my head finding the second choice to be less likely. Whoever stole Liam's ship knew what he was doing. "I want you to tell Benjamin and I'll talk to Jasper to see if we can find out anything about this." Emmett nodded. "I also want eyes on everyone who has a Denali name. As of right now they are considered rats. Anyone in my father's upper circle who is close to them that includes Caius and Bernard is to not know of the extra surveillance."

Both of them nodded.

"Fuck," I cursed, wishing my ass was still at the beach. "This shit stays in my inner circle, capisce?"

They both nodded. I'm more than sure I could trust everyone except…, "Maybe we shouldn't have Benjamin look into this; he may slip up and tell his father," I suggested.

"I don't think he would, Ed," Emmett said. "Bernard has been helping mom with dad as well. He is taking his bodyguard duties very seriously. He hardly leaves the house." Bernard and my father weren't just boss and bodyguard, they had formed a brotherly bond over the years. Bernard recommended his son Benjamin to us and he hasn't let us down but I didn't want to take chances.

"Look into it, make sure you tell Mal to stay on Stacey and Tyler on Alec. Have Eric help with the tracking. We need to flush this rat out and find out who's been messing with us!"

***** 1 Week Later*****

I was currently sitting in my chair overlooking the city in my office at Cullen Enterprises. My mind full of shit and nothing being resolved. My poor wife had been trying to pry and me being the asshole I am couldn't tell her anything. It wasn't like I did it on purpose. I didn't have any answers to give her. I just fucked her until she went to sleep. I tried not to let this all get to me but I couldn't burden Bella with it. She was the only saving grace in my life right now. I knew I should turn to her but there was no way I could tell her everything. Granted, I told her I really killed Charlie and Jacob but for some reason I knew she wouldn't say anything about that and wouldn't talk about it. On the other hand, she might slip and tell Mom or Rose some shit and I just can't risk that right now.

"Mr. Cullen," Angela's voice came through the intercom phone. I turned my chair from the view and hit the button.

"Yes, Angela?" I said, noticing it was near the end of the day. I had lost track of time staring out at the skyline.

"Ben wanted me to tell you that the meeting with Core Enterprises will need to be rescheduled. Apparently, Cadmus bailed at the last minute when something came up."

I sighed trying not to let that get to me. I knew it wasn't going to be easy for John to set something up without suspicion. However, to cancel a day before had me at odds, thinking something was going on.

"Thank you, Angela," I said, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice.

"Also, Mrs. Cullen is here," she finished.

"What!" I rose from my seat as soon as my door opened and in came my wife dressed beautifully in a dress that reached her knees. Her hair curled to perfection and smiling like she does which makes her look even more breathtaking.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as I met her halfway to give her a hug and kiss.

"I left early. I thought we could have dinner in the city, "she said while her eyes searched mine. She started touching my eyes. "You look really tired."

"Dinner, huh?"

She nodded with a smile. "It feels like it's been a while since the beach, since we have been alone. I feel like I never see you," she said sadly, tucking a hair behind her ear.

"I know, there is just a lot of shit going on right now."

"And you can't tell me," she finished, looking rejected and upset.

"Bella," I moaned with tiredness and frustration.

"I know, I'm getting on your nerves."

"It's not that. I just don't really have any answers to give you right at this moment. It's just a big fuck all."

"Okay, then what about your dad?" I gave her a look and she stopped talking.

"I really don't want to talk about that right now," I answered here, walking to my desk and pulling out my wallet and keys from my desk drawer.

Bella followed me over and sat on my desk in front of me.

"Get up," I demanded softly, seeing her sitting there had all kinds of pictures in my mind of what I would like to do to her. It also didn't help that she was wearing a fucking dress for easy access.

"Why?" she said all coyly, not moving from her position on my desk. She even uncrossed her legs and my cock twitched at the sight.

"What are you doing?" I asked her and she looked oblivious at my question. However, I knew she was anything but oblivious. Bella knew what she was doing.

"What?" She looked at me with an innocent expression but I could see her fluttering eyes. What a vixen she was.

"That just makes it worse," I moaned as I pulled her legs towards me ready to play her game.

She gasped at the sudden turn of events. I bet she didn't realize I would cave so easily but she was wrong of course, we were just getting started.

"What are you doing?" she gasped out trying to keep the aroused look off of her face.

"You know what we are doing," I said as I attacked her neck in a frenzy of kisses and moved my hand to her breast.

"Edward! Someone will hear!" she said out loud and I questioned her antics for a split second and thought maybe this isn't what she planned.

"Soundproof office," I said as I went back to work and she moaned. My hand made its way inside her dress and started playing with her breast. I flickered her nipple and I was met with a satisfied moan as the reaction.

"Edward," Bella huffed out and I met her eyes, my actions stopping before kissing her on the lips. She then moved her hand from my hair down to my pants where she pressed my ever-growing erection.

I heard her unzip me as I kissed her neck again while attacking her breasts. As I felt her hand make its way inside my dress pants and take me out, I knew I had to be inside her. Picking her up, I made her turn around as she let go of me. She laid down on my desk,l ass in the air when I pulled up her dress hearing her breath hitch once I did.

I stopped when I was met with her bare ass and nothing else. If I thought I was hard before it was nothing compared to now.

"Mrs. Cullen, I do believe you forgot something," I admonished her, rubbing my hand over the soft round flesh before lightly spanking each cheek.

"Oh, ahh." Bella cried.

"I mean what a dirty girl you are, walking around without any underwear on." I spanked her again.

"Edward, please," she yelled out and I moved my hand underneath her to feel her soaking wet core leaking her juices.

"Such a dirty girl," I growled as I pushed one of my fingers inside her.

"Ahh!" God, she was so wet as my finger fucked her.

"Say it, Bella." I coaxed her as I added another finger. "Say it and I'll fuck you."

"Ahh!" I kept on fingering her while she moaned.

"Say it!" I knew I was close to winning her game. She comes here under false pretenses wanting to go out but starts baiting me with those eyes of hers. She came to get fucked simple as that.

"Edward, for goodness's sake, fuck me!" she shouted and it wasn't what I wanted to hear but it will have to do because my cock could not take anymore.

I removed my fingers and I pushed myself in. We both moaned at the contact. I gave her a minute to adjust before I started fucking her. She screamed and moaned while I tried my best not to spill my load.

When she finally came, I let go with her. It was such an intense fucking session that I'm glad she was on the pill because if I would have had to pull out of that I would have been so mad.

After we both settled down and our breathing went back to normal, I pulled out of her. "Fuck," I said as I leaned back holding my office chair. Bella quickly rises up and pulls her dress down. I smiled at her looking truly fucked as she turned towards me. Her eyes glowed and her cheeks were red. "You, okay?" I asked and she nodded shyly before coming to kiss me.

"I don't like games, Bella. You could have just said you wanted to fuck, you didn't have to come and say you wanted dinner."

"I didn't lie though." She shook her head as she straightened her clothes. "I really did want to go out for dinner." She smiled "Then I got horny just thinking about you fucking me on your desk so…," she trailed off

I smiled and let out a laugh. Like I said, this woman truly amazes me.

"Okay, what are you in the mood for?" I asked and she mumbled steak and I was down with that.

"I do need to get cleaned up though and put my underwear back on." Her cheeks burned red at her statement.

"Please tell me, you didn't have them off on the way here," I asked

"No, I took them off downstairs in the bathroom before we came up here," she blushed as she walked into my private bathroom.

"We?" I asked and then I remembered that Seth was probably outside along with Emily. Like I said, it's a good thing I had a soundproof office.

****BID*****

It had a been a few days since the office sex. I was currently going through some files when Jasper busted into my office. His eyes looked scary like he found something I wasn't going to like.

"I found something a little bit ago." I looked at him knowing he was about to tell me some big shit with the way he was acting.

"What?" I asked as he handed me the papers in his hand.

"I kept tabs on Alec's bank account, something was telling me to." I nodded at him shuffling the papers around.

"Alec had roughly around $300,000 in the bank account as of this morning, a complete withdrawal was made." I put the papers down and looked at Jasper.

"'How?" No one could have removed it except for…

Jasper laid down a picture.

Jane.

Holy Fuck.

Thank you for reading!