2brown-eyes reads!

After the events of last night, everyone is left scratching their heads. Did Boy Wonder simply use Isabella Swan to become CEO, or is it really something more? Their debut appearance brought us no closer to finding those answers.

But I'm like a dog with a bone.

XOXO AKA

The lights are bright as the limo slows to a stop behind a line of sleek black cars that are all clamoring to drop people at the same spot. Fancy red carpet lines the sidewalks and candy cane poles with green garland stretched between them ribbon off a slew of people with cameras.

My stomach balls into a tight knot as our car creeps closer to the front. Edward notices my tension, and his palm settles on my exposed thigh. "No one in this building can touch you, Mrs. Cullen. You're better than all of them, more important, and exceedingly more beautiful." His breath blows hot against my skin as he places an open-mouthed kiss on the ball of my shoulder. "I have no doubt you'll captivate your audience and have them all eating out of the palm of your hand."

I push out a deep breath. "I guess we're about to see."

"That's my girl," he says as someone from outside pulls open his door.

He exits the car to a bunch of people yelling his name, and I want to yank the door closed and tell Emmett to step on it. But when my husband leans down and extends his hand, I do what any red-blooded American woman would. I take it and allow him to help me from the car.

Once I'm on my feet, he steps close, his lips ghosting my hair. "Breathe, Bella."

I do.

Deep breath in.

Another out.

Then I nod up at him.

He laces our fingers and pulls me into the lion's den. So many people are yelling that it all becomes one big blur. I tune everyone out but Edward and wherever he guides me, I follow, smile plastered on the entire time. Flashes go off in every direction, and he poses us several times along the way.

When the wide glass doors finally close behind us, his lips brush my ear. "Beautiful job, Mrs. Cullen."

Pride swells inside me, and the tension lessens just a little more. People wearing fine evening wear mill about in the lobby, most of them stopping their conversations to stare as Edward leads me across the sleek marble floors. His chin is lifted just a little higher than usual, and I find his snobbishness extremely sexy.

No one dares to approach when the elevator doors open, so we end up with a private ride to the floors that hold the Cullen Corporation. He's on me in a flash, my back against the mirror, his lips dipping down to capture mine.

The feel of his hands on my hips is electric, sending pulses zapping from his fingertips and traveling to my exposed center. He's hot and hard, and I bury my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer, sucking his tongue deeper, gulping in his heady scent.

A ding breaks us apart, and Edward is smirking as he straightens his tuxedo jacket. The doors open and a large ballroom decked in red and silver sparkles in front of us. Gowns drape the floor and champagne flutes compliment hands.

Eyes are on us, and his palm skims my back before gently pushing me over the threshold. I'd love to be able to say the people in here dared not approach like in the lobby, but that isn't the case.

Not one or two but three women make a beeline for us. They're full of saccharine smiles and fake breasts. "Edward Darling," one of them says, air kissing from two feet away. "You've finally made it."

"Esme," he says tersely. "I'd like you to meet my wife, Bella Cullen."

She turns to me then, acting surprised to see me standing there. "Oh, hello, dear," she says with a ridiculous giggle, until her eyes zero in on my neck. "Oh, how cute, Edward. Always trying to outshine everyone else."

"Bella doesn't need the jewels for that," he says, taking my arm and turning me away from the vapid woman.

"Who was that?" I lean close and ask of the woman who's probably old enough to be my mother, but I can't be sure because her face only has one expression.

"That would be Esme Platt," he murmurs, guiding us through the crowded room. "Unfortunately, she's the CFO of Cullen Corp. I'd like to say I'm going to fire her ass, but she's extremely good at her job."

"As long as her loyalties lie with you," I say as we walk and smile.

"Has anyone ever told you how astute you are?" he asks, surprise and maybe a hint of pride sparking in his gaze.

"No, but that's what made me this way," I mumble, nodding at a redhead who's blatantly glaring at us. "People constantly pretending I don't exist."

He twirls me then, arranging our arms in a fancy pose on the dance floor. "That will never happen again, Mrs. Cullen."

"I don't know how to dance like this," I say, a smile firmly planted on my lips to appease all the nosy onlookers.

Mischief twinkles in his gaze. "Then we'll create a new dance." He takes the first step, and though I'm a beat behind, I'm able to match my movements with his. "As I suspected, you're the picture of perfection." He moves closer, the heat from his body wrapping me in warmth. His lips skim my forehead. "Every woman in this room is jealous of you right now."

"How modest of you," I tease him playfully.

His eyes meet mine, and sadness pools in the dark depths. "They don't care what I look like, only what's in my bank account."

I lay my palm on his chest in the vicinity of his heart. "Well, I only care about what's in here."

He huffs a breath as he looks out over my head. "Let's hope it stays that way."

"Are you assuming it won't?" His comment stings, but all I can do is show him.

His eyes come back to mine, and they soften. "I'm sorry. I put the actions of other people onto you, and that isn't fair."

"It's not," I breathe quietly, "but I understand."

"You shouldn't have to," he says, picking up the pace, swirling us around other couples in grand fashion. They mostly stop and stare. "It's something I'm going to work on."

"I'd love that." I give him a small smile before allowing my eyes to roam to the people surrounding us. "So, tell me, which of these ogling couples are your parents?"

He snorts a laugh, his lips settling into a smirk. "Carlisle Cullen is banned from the building, and Elizabeth would never come without him, even though they privately lead separate lives."

A small gasp escapes me. "How on earth did you accomplish that?"

He shrugs, swooping us into another wide circle. "The board is pissed, but as CEO, I am the boss. They'll overturn it … eventually." His eyes spark with mischief. "But they couldn't do it before tonight, which was what I aimed to accomplish."

Emotion swells inside me.

Even if this wasn't all about me.

Part of it was, and I adore him that much more for caring enough to make my night a little easier.

"Thank you," I say, unable to hold all my sentimental feelings inside.

He presses a kiss to my forehead as he brings us to a halt. "Anything for you, Mrs. Cullen."

Look at this nice, long chapter!

Still sooooo much appreciate the love you're giving this fic. Had a 10-day setback, but I'm hoping to get the last few chapters written this week!

See ya tmr :)