I felt him close behind me as we crept fully inside of my apartment. It had been so warm today, yet a cold chill tumbled down my shoulders. I shivered quietly as I led him towards the couch. His presence was distracting, my heart fluttered in my chest as I turned to face him completely.

"Is everything okay now… I mean with the devourer?"

Edward gave me a simple now, his eyes engulfing me completely. "You're safe now. I'm sorry you had to see that wretched creature."

As hideous and grotesque as it was, I couldn't help but pity the thing… it acted like a starving animal … irrationally aggressive… or maybe I was just searching for any reason not to dismiss the creature entirely. I always had a hard time believing that something could possibly be all bad. There was always good in someone. There was no such thing as pure evil. Was there?

"It's a good thing Jacob was there. Even though he is probably the most obnoxious man I've ever met, I'm not sure if I would still be here, if he hadn't protected me."

Amusement danced in Edward's eyes. "Obnoxious you say," A smirk came to his face. "Not usually a word someone would use to describe Jacob."

"He is a complete jerk," I paused, remembering his hostility once he left my apartment. That cold look in his eyes. "I think the feeling is mutual."

I wasn't sure why that bothered me. As much as I tried to convince myself that I didn't care, I still found myself seething over the thought. It was clear that we didn't like each other. I had no intention of being his friend. So why was there a sting in my chest? Why did I want to approach him and try to work through whatever had him so upset with me?

"Don't be too hard on him. It isn't an easy thing… to kill your best friend." Edward muttered with a quiet sigh. He sat down on the couch and pulled me into his arms.

I squeaked in slight surprise at the sudden closeness, but my body responded instantly. I melted into his arms, letting my head rest on his shoulder, while his hands lightly trickled over my body. Delicate as wings of a hummingbird. His fingers swept over my shoulders, down my arms. Chills rattled my tiny frame.

So distracting. I had to focus hard to remain in this conversation.

"His best friend…"

"That's right. The devourer that attacked you today. That was a very good friend of Jacob's. They both were from Galen. They used to be partners. I'm sure today was difficult for him."

I swallowed hard, watching Edward's hands roam down my sides to rest on the tops of my thighs. He was driving me insane. Sharp tingles rushed between my legs. I chewed my lip for a moment, lost in my own desire.

"I had no idea. No wonder he was so angry when he left."

Edward began to plant hot kisses against my neck, melting into my skin. So soft, but passionate. Full of hunger. Our eyes met. His eyes reflected his intentions. My heart was racing wildly, I struggled to control my breathing. I wanted him.

"Bella," My name fell from his lips, nearly sending me over the edge. I twisted myself around to face him fully. I felt something stiff pressing up between my legs, just coming into contact with me. I felt my cheeks ignite as I lightly shifted my hips, rubbing up against the stiffness. Edward's body trembled under me. His eyes were as dark as night, he watched me closely. His lips found mine as clothing began getting ripped away. As fast as everything was moving, at the same time it felt like we were in slow motion. Every touch, every kiss, every desire that stirred within me, just seemed to linger. Like a dream I would never want to wake up from.

Edward now had me pinned down to the couch, I watched up at him, admiring his muscular physique. He was flawless. I couldn't understand why he would want someone like me. I was so thin. And painfully average in everyway. But when he looked at me, with that look, all my doubts melted away. He felt the same as I did.

He paused, using a great deal of restraint. I could feel him just hovering outside of me. My legs quivered in anticipation. His expression turned serious. "Are you sure you're ready for this? Remember what I said before? Sex isn't just sex, when it comes to us."

I nodded, trying to suppress my smile. "I'm more than ready," Slowly I let my hands slide up his back, letting my nails lightly dig into his skin. Edward's entire body trembled, his dark eyes peering down at me, as if he was a predator, about to jump on his prey.

Again, I felt his lips at my neck, I let my eyes close in response. With a bit of cautiousness, I felt Edward slowly slip himself inside of me. Sweat instantly started at the back of my neck. A gasp pushed past my lips. The feeling was euphoric. Something I couldn't even put into words. I held tightly onto him, letting him be in complete control. Our hips clashed together in desperation and greed. I wanted more and more. I wanted to be even closer. If that would have even been possible. Pleasure chewed at every inch of me. It was sweet agony. I couldn't contain myself. The room was filled with my cries of delight and his hard breathing.

"Edward," I breathed in his ear.

His eyes widened a bit, I couldn't read the emotion behind them, before he leaned down to lightly flick my nipple with his tongue. "Yes," He answered in a breathless voice.

I squeezed my eyes shut, enjoying the feel of his mouth against my breasts.

"Don't leave,"

"I didn't plan on it. I warned you Bella. Once we start this… there is no way I can stop." He replied with a devious smirk.

In the past few days my life changed drastically. I never would have thought I could ever be so happy. And it happens to be amongst death itself. After the incident with the devourer I haven't seen Jacob. And I did my best to not care. But I couldn't shake the memory of the cold look on his face, the last time he looked at me. I hadn't known that his best friend had been that creature. I'm sure he resented me; it was my fault that he had to kill his own friend. If I would have listened to him and not gone to the laundromat, he wouldn't have been put in that position. I understood perfectly the rationale of why he hated me. But it didn't change the fact that I felt awful about the entire thing. I just wanted to speak with him.

On another note, Alice kindly restocked my wardrobe, since I had lost practically all of my clothing, because of that devourer attack. I had left everything I had behind. I had wanted to go back and reclaim my clothes, but Edward insisted that I never return to that laundromat. The new outfits hanging in my closet were not even remotely close to something I would have bought for myself. It was all business casual, sleek, professional and glamourous. Everything that I wasn't. I had hoped this gesture meant that Alice was beginning to warm up to me. I mean, she willingly went shopping for me and picked these clothes out for me. I'm sure Edward had some influence over this, but she could have refused.

Of course that was wishful thinking. Friday arrived faster than I would have liked. I knew today would be the day that Esme and I would meet. The thought terrified me. Not to mention I would be officially taking over Alice's role as book-keeper. She would be transferring to the position with Edward's support team. Which was something Alice wasn't thrilled with, but regardless I was standing in her office, which was completely empty now of all of her belongings. In a single word, Alice was pissed. She didn't hide it.

She stood in the doorway, nearly a foot shorter than me. Electric pink heels, with a matching business suit. Her eyes glowered at me, a vibrant gold. In her perfectly manicured hands was a box, with the remaining of her things.

"I really appreciate you training me for this position." I sheepishly moved to the side, to allow her to walk past. But she didn't move. Instead, she narrowed her eyes further, looking at me from my toes to the top of my head. She didn't seem impressed.

"Like I said. I don't like you. I don't want to be friends." Her words were icy and calloused. "You're on your own now. Don't come to me if you mess something up."

I guess our heart-to-heart discussion on Monday meant absolutely nothing now. I had hoped that maybe we would eventually get along. I mean, she was Edward's sister. I wanted to make an attempt. But I was beginning to think that was unrealistic.

"Fine," I folded my arms across my chest. "Good luck with your new position."

She rolled her eyes. "Good luck with meeting my mother." With that, she turned on her heel and marched out of the office. She swung her hips a bit and held her head up. Alice was a very confident person. Even though she felt her new position was beneath her, she accepted. It was hard to say how much this was really bothering her. She always seemed to have a mask on. If anything bothered her, no one ever knew it.

Once she was completely out of sight, I hesitantly shut the door to the office and took a moment to look around. It was a bit overwhelming to think that this was my office now. And directly above me, was Edward.

My heart fluttered a bit, just by the thought of him. There was a burning urge inside me to head upstairs and see him. I didn't have the chance to see him at all last night. He had been called away for a job. But it wouldn't be professional, I didn't want to disappoint him. I was here to do a job. Not agonize over him all day.

It didn't take long for me to realize that I would need to make this office feel a little more inviting. The walls and floors matched, perfect white. It was pretty, but dull. Alice had really made this space a bit more interesting with all the plants and decorations.

Maybe Edward would allow me to do some customizing.

Hope you are enjoying this so far. I'd love to hear some feedback from you all!