Welcome to my story. Characters aren't mine. Later chapters will contain lemons so if that's not something you're into I totally understand! If so... buckle up!

It's Summer and Bella really needs some cash. When she loses her bartending job she is unsure what step to take next. It's not until she turns up to a job interview does her path become clearer. EXB. LEMONS. xx

The Bar

BPOV

The first day of summer and I'm covered in stickiness.

Accepting the extra shifts seemed great in theory but now that I'm here, I want to be home. We're due to close in an hour and Steve the manager has asked to speak to me when we do. He was nice enough. His wife always complimented my hair, even though I did nothing to it. Only when I tied it up or straightened it did she say nothing.

Mindlessly I wipe the counter from the spilt alcohol left behind by her last customer. With a quick check of the clock, she silently celebrates that she only has 20 minutes before I can turn 'round the open sign.

I bend down to tidy a shelf of boxes under the bar before hearing the dreaded bell. Maybe they won't want anything. Maybe they'll have made a mistake. Perhaps if I hide for long enough they'll leave me alone.

"Excuse me?" An amused voice asks from above her.

I stand up slowly prepared to tell them they need to hurry up and drink whatever they order. But I can't utter out the words. A gorgeous specimen stands before me. He's tall, dressed well and has tousled hair I picture pulling onto while he licks at...

"Can we order a drink?" A southern voice interrupts.

My eyes follow where the sound came from. Beside the greek god stands a blonde man wearing a similar attire. Only his tie is loosened and he looks like his day was a little rougher.

"What can I get you?" I ask.

Carefully I try to focus on the blonde man. If I look at the man with the bronze hair I'm not sure our clothes will remain on.

"Anything." the blonde grumbles taking a seat at the counter.

Raising an eyebrow I reach for two glasses unsure what to fill them with.

"A sex on the beach?" I offer up.

I look at the bronze man wishing he'd take me up on that offer.

"Jasper. Your mini skirt must be out," the bronze man laughs taking his own seat beside the down man.

"Just get us two scotch and cokes," the man name jasper says.

Nodding I quietly get to work pretending to not eavesdrop.

"She knows where it hurts. Maria was meant to be the one, Edward," Jasper begins.

"In all honesty, I thought she was a bitch." The man I now know to be as Edward shrugs.

Even his name is beautiful.

I place both of their drinks in front of them and smirk as they both reach for their wallets. He needs this. I hold up my hands and shake my head as both begin to hand me black credit cards. Expensive credit cards.

"This one is on the house," I say.

"That's not necessary," Jasper starts.

"I'm meant to be treating him," Edward argues.

"Well, now I'm treating him. You can get the next round. Just know we close in twenty minutes," I smile.

Jasper smirks sadly.

"Whatever woman let you go is ridiculous," I offer reaching for my cloth again.

"Thanks," Jasper nods.

Edward studies me, his cool eyes taking me in. He's not even hiding the fact he's staring at me. I feel vulnerable.

"Bella," I hear from the office behind the bar.

Awkwardly I nod at both the men leaving them to continue their chat. In the next room, I find Steve almost buried under paper. He looked exhausted and slightly upset.

"Bella. Take a seat," he says pointing to a small wooden chair in the corner.

"What's the problem?" I ask concerned.

"It's Lucy. She's sick," he sighs.

"Oh, Steve. I'm so sorry," I offer unsure what to do.

"I need to close the bar. I need to be with her," he says sadly.

Emotions hit me. Sadness for Steve and his wife. Confusion for what on earth I can do next. Fear that I won't find a job to cover rent.

"I'll, of course, pay you out. But I can't afford the upkeep of the bar and afford to pay staff when I also have these medical bills," he sighs, "If I sell the business I'll be better off."

"You don't need to explain. I understand," I say.

"You've been so amazing to us. I'm sorry, Bella. I'll provide the best reference. Next week we're closing the doors for good," he says.

I try my best to appear positive. I nod.

"If you and Lucy need anything just call," I say, "I'll start to close up shop."

Both the men still sit at the bar chatting. Jasper looks a little happier. At least someone's night won't be ending in tears. I walk around the bar trying to fight back tears.

"I'm closing," I state.

"Oh," Jasper says.

Edward is back to studying me again. It's as if I'm a puzzle and he's trying to put me together.

"You can't just stay open till 11? Your sign says 11?" Edward asks.

"It's 10:50," I say agitated.

"So we have ten minutes," Edward says, "I'll have another drink."

I roll my eyes walking toward them both. I reach for Edwards still half full glass. He watches me curious but his expression quickly alters after I chuck back the remainder of his drink. When I place the drink back in front of Edward I sigh.

Jasper looks shocked. But Edward is amused.

"Maybe we should just go," Jasper offers, "seems as if I'm not the only one who got bad news today."

"I think we should stay and watch the barmaid get drunk," Edward smiles.

"If you stay she'll get vicious," I say as I place a stool upside down on the bar.

"Even better," Edward chuckles.

"Edward," Jasper warns.

"Fine," he laughs standing up.

Jasper nods at me before heading to the door. Edward hangs back for a second.

"I'm unsure what news your boss gave you back there. But I'd like to try to make your night," he offers.

"I'm not fucking you," I fire back.

"Pity. I just meant dinner," he smirks crookedly, "Like two adults go and get food. Discuss the weather and what TV shows you might fall asleep through. Perhaps tomorrow?"

I'm too moody to do this. He's beautiful and I know how hard my ass will be kicked if I say no to this man. My roommate had been begging me to get laid. She'd even set up a tinder account in my name and had a random show up on the doorstep. Apparently, I was 'crabby' and 'difficult to live with.'

"Look. If you had asked me at any other time I'd say yes," I say glum.

"I understand," he nods trying to hide his disappointment.

He shrugs on his jacket before walking to join his friend out the door. But he doubles back shaking his head.

"What if I ask you tomorrow?" he smiles handing his phone to me.

"I don't…" I begin.

"If you say no tomorrow too then I'll leave it be," he says hands up.

Unable to fight the smile I put my number in his phone before handing it back. He takes it looking happy with himself.

"Have a nice night," he says smiling.

"You too," I nod.

Sadly I place all of the chairs upside down and turn around the open sign. This time I don't turn it with excitement to get home. I feel helpless.

I'd spent the morning scrolling through job advertisements. I've applied for another bartending position at a nightclub. I applied as an assistant and receptionist job. I would be graduating after next semester with a business degree. I figured I should apply for companies that might up my chances over the summer. I found one paid internship that seemed interesting too.

"Bells." my roommate bounds into the room.

Her hair is all over the place and she's wearing pyjamas. I close my laptop and turn to face the small, pixie-like woman from the couch.

"What's up?" I ask smiling.

"How you holding up?" she asks.

Alice had been my best friend for years. We'd been each other's high school prom dates and she'd been there when my mum died. She was my favourite person. The second I got home last night I woke her to tell her the bad news. I'd also let slip the cute guy situation to be hounded about why I said no.

"I'm okay," I nod, "I applied to a few places."

"I'm sure something will pop up, Bells," she reassures me, "Has mister sexy popped up yet on that phone of yours?"

"When will you quit asking," I smile.

"Maybe after you've had his babies?" she giggles.

"Cut it out," I laugh throwing a cushion from beside me at her.

"I'm sorry. But your eyes lit up when you were speaking about him," she says sitting beside me.

"It's not that big of a deal," I shrug.

My phone buzzes from the coffee table and I gasp lunging to pick it up. The little box on my phone is from a number I don't recognise.

"Not a big deal, huh?" Alice laughs looking over my shoulder.

"Please tell me I get a yes today? - Edward"

"What do I say?" I sigh.

"Don't be you. Be sexy you. Leave him wanting more," she suggests taking the phone from my hands.

Before I can stop her she's pushed send.

"Alice," I squeal.

I snatch back the phone to read what she's sent. My eyes bulge from my head.

"You can have whatever you like today, xx B"

"He's going to think I'm some sexy stupid whore," I argue.

Before Alice can respond my phone pings twice.

"You." - E.

"I'll pick you up at 6:30 tonight." - E.

"You did it," Alice squeals excitedly.

"How can I maintain that?' I groan.

"Maintain what?" She says confused.

"The sex driven person you just created," I sigh.

"Look we'll do your hair, put a bra with extra push on and you'll feel that way anyway! I've always known you're probably a freak in the sheets. You just need that extra push! Besides he seems to not have that as the only thing he wants from you. He wants your company," Alice shrugs taking my phone from me.

She has again hit send before I can even notice.

"There," she grins.

She hands me back my phone smirking.

"I'll get my purse. We're going shopping!" she squeals.

As she races off I look down at my phone. I run my eyes across the letters Alice had sent to Edward.

"I'll let you know what I want tonight. - B"

My eyes widen as his reply appears at the bottom of the screen.

"You're going to make me lose control. - E"

I smirk before my fingers begin typing at their own accord.

"That's what I want. - B"