2brown-eyes reads for me, and she started posting her new story… Bewitched, so you should be reading!

Stocks are still tumbling for Cullen Corp.

Clauses, clauses everywhere! Stay tuned for the latest developments!

Alice Knows All

Standing there, in all his God-given glory, Edward Cullen is dressed in a hunter-green cable-knit sweater and the most perfectly fitted pair of jeans I've ever seen. His eyes glow under the cheap fluorescent lighting, and the scruff that wasn't on his sharp jaw yesterday makes him look doubly delicious.

Heat burns its way up my neck and fills my cheeks. I avert my eyes, embarrassed, turned on, and slightly pissed. I don't know what he's trying to pull, but whatever it is, he's not playing fair.

Holy fucking moly.

"Bella." His voice is as smooth as silk. "I do apologize for the underhanded tactics, but I didn't think you'd voluntarily speak with me."

As much as I hate it, I meet his eyes. Desperate times call for desperate measures. "I'll speak with you if you give me the five hundred back."

A single perfectly plucked brow rises. "You made it clear that you aren't someone to be bought."

"Yet you paid my boss so I'd have no choice but to cater to you," I retort, sparing a glare toward Charlie who's standing at the ready to rebuke me if I challenge the ultra-wealthy Edward Cullen too much. "At the very least, I deserve compensation for the missed work."

"Fair enough." A breath-taking smile spreads across his lips. My chest constricts at the sight, so I nod instead of responding verbally. "After you," he says with that grand gesture again.

I'm hesitant as I pass him this time, unsure exactly what I'm setting myself up for and wondering if I could actually go through with what I think he wants. He's definitely not hard on the eyes, the chances of getting murdered and my body dumped afterward are slim to none, he'd pay more than I'd ever make at another job, and the chance of getting an STD is probably low.

But just the thought makes my skin crawl.

I swore I'd never be in that position again.

Because yes, for a time after my eighteenth birthday, sex was a way to make money. I'm not proud of it, didn't enjoy it, and am lucky to have made it out mostly unscathed.

"Would you like anything?" His eyes are so fucking green, it feels like I'm looking deep into the forest. "I can have Charlie whip up something for you, I'm sure."

"I'm sure," I say mockingly, "but no thank you." I don't add that I would eat if he could convince Charlie to clean the griddle first because of the fear that he would do just that, and I'd be fired over it tomorrow.

"Bella, I…" He pauses, regarding me carefully. "I think you're a no-nonsense type of woman, and I like that. It means I can speak my mind and you'll do the same." He takes a breath, licking his lush pink lips. "How much do you know about me?"

"Alice Knows All thinks you're on the hunt for a wife," I say carefully, repeating the only likely fact I have on him. "The same gossip columnist called you Forks' most eligible bachelor, but I haven't a clue if that's true." I pause, bringing my eyes to his, a pucker forming between my brows. "But I'm definitely not marriage material for the crème de la crème, so that only leaves one other thing you could possibly want from me, and I don't understand why."

His lips twitch. "Would you deny me?"

My eyes narrow. "Give me the five hundred before I answer that. I'd hate to offend you and not be compensated for my time."

"Fair enough." He pulls a sleek leather wallet from his back pocket and takes out five crisp one-hundred dollar bills, laying them on the table. Then he reaches back in and pulls out another stack, counting out ten more. "No matter how the following conversation turns out, I want you to take this." His eyes darken and his jaw ticks when he clenches it. "Use it toward a living upgrade, please."

His words, which are said in a kind way, send me reeling. Does he not understand the plight of the less fortunate? Is he so obtuse that he thinks fifteen hundred dollars is enough to solve all my problems? Does he think it can bring about world peace?

I'm insulted.

Furious.

And hurt.

And we're back!

We're definitely posting Mon-Fri this week, and when I finish writing this (soon), I'll know if we need to do any weekend posts.

You guys have really turned out, and *blows kisses* it's the best Christmas present you could ever give me.

See ya tmr :)