Title: All That Glitters

Summary: As a nurse, Bella's seen it all, or has she? When the clinic where she works needs an expansion, the guy hired isn't what she expects. Sometimes all that glitters, is all it takes. Romance/Humor

Author: CullensTwiMistress

Rating: MA

Beta: Midnight Cougar

Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer, but the plot is mine.

.

.

.

"I can't believe they're making all that racket already," I mutter, looking through the pile of paperwork in front of me.

"Hey now, the Docs warned us in the monthly meeting last Thursday. It'll be three weeks of hell, but then we'll have a nice, new bathroom and two completely new exam rooms," Jessica says, handing me the chart I've been looking for.

I look up and sigh. "I know. It's just so...noisy. God, nobody said anything about having to speak louder. I mean, I had to yell at Mr. Watkins to take off his clothes earlier and I think he actually enjoyed it."

Jessica giggles and leans in. "That old bastard is a handsy one." She gives me a pointed look, and I shiver in what can only be disgust.

"Do I want to know?" I ask, because my curiosity goes way beyond being grossed out. Pretty sure I've seen it all in my eleven years working in this clinic.

"Let's just say he thinks I look like his ex-wife." She closes her eyes and then shakes her head. "To put it mildly, he was still...very...attracted to her even after the divorce."

A laugh bubbles from my belly and I put my hand over my mouth to stifle it. It's noisy as hell in here, but I would hate for one of our patients to overhear our conversation. "Are you serious?"

Jessica looks around covertly, then whispers, "He's hung like a horse."

Tears roll down my face and my giggle turns into a guffaw. I'm tired and with the combination of the noise pollution and my bad mood, this is exactly the kind of platitude I need to brighten my morning.

"Thanks for that, girly," I tell Jessica as she rushes off to her next patient, while I look through that chart to locate Mrs. Armstrong's test results. She'll be here in a few minutes and I need to make sure her chart has the final results from her last blood tests for Dr. Cullen.

Some days, it's as if I'm more of a secretary than a nurse, but then I love it here and wouldn't trade it for the world—noise pollution be damned.

. . .

"They said it was temporary," I state through gritted teeth, my head aching from this third day of bang, bang, banging away.

Each patient asks the same question and, at this point, I'm tempted to have Jessica make up a pamphlet we can just hand out to everyone when they ask what's going on.

"Have you gotten a look at the boys working back there?" My patient, Mrs. Cope, asks with a sly wink.

I shake my head. "I've been a little preoccupied." I take her arm and start counting her heartbeat, watching the blood-pressure monitor carefully.

"You're missing out, young thing like yourself." She laughs, while I try to remember what it is I'm doing.

I jot down my results and look back up at her. "I'm not that young anymore," I inform her with a wink of my own. "The doctor should be in shortly."

She's still laughing as I walk away to see my next patient.

. . .

"My, my, my." Jessica waltzes in the employee lounge first thing in the morning, fanning herself and sporting a big, goofy grin. "We've got some handsome man-candy working on these premises, ladies."

It's now day five and although I can hear them, I have yet to see any of this supposed hard "man-candy" at work action the girls have been gossiping about.

"Honey, did you see the blonde one?" Dr. Brandon asks, taking a bite out of an apple. She chews carefully and smiles. "His curls looked so soft and dreamy."

"Christ," I mumble, unable to keep the comment to myself.

"Bella, honey, you've got to go back there and take a peek. It won't kill you, I swear," Dr. Brandon adds.

"Oh, it could definitely kill her ovaries by explosion." Jessica giggles and opens the door to go back to the front desk.

"At least you're surrounded by medical professionals." Dr. Brandon winks at me and follows Jessica out the door.

A whirling, drilling noise starts up and all I can hear is those two squawking and giggling away down the hall while I struggle with my inner twelve-year-old to do what's right.

Do I want to see good-looking men? Of course. Would I sink that low, though? Not usually, but five days of their running commentary on how attractive this handsome twosome are, has gotten me very curious.

According to them, apart from the blond one, there is a tall, gorgeous red-head with a beard who often takes off his shirt in the afternoon when the sun is blazing hot. I wonder if I could go out there and offer him sunscreen as a smokescreen to my ogling?

I lean against the wall and take a deep breath. I've gone five days without being a pervert, and Lord knows it's taken a lot out of me. Today may just be the day I break.

"Think of it as a favor to yourself. Like the gift that keeps on giving... You know, once you're alone at home with your vibrating friend," Jessica says, probably a little too loud, when I pass by her desk to pick up a file.

"You're evil, you know that?" I give her a pointed look and go on to my next patient.

. . .

"Bella, I need you to do something for me," Dr. Cullen says, handing me an envelope.

I quirk an eyebrow. "What's this?"

He sighs. "This is part of the payment for the expansion. I promised the boys they'd get it once they were halfway done and I think they've got most of the outside framed up."

"You think?" I don't know what to think. I haven't been back there to check the progress. All I know is that I've got an annoying headache and too many questions to answer. Oh, and some weird dreams involving muscles and sawdust, which I can't explain if only to blame Jessica and her ongoing jabbering about the hot, dirty construction workers. "What exactly am I to do with this?"

"I have three patients waiting for me. Could you go back there and act like you're gonna break some balls for me?" His smirk has me rolling my eyes. I've worked for this man for a while. He knows breaking balls is my favorite pastime.

"Why not. Should I use a mallet or just my fists of fury?" I take the envelope, cock my head, and give him a questioning look. As if he'll actually answer me.

As expected, Dr. Cullen ignores my witty banter and adds, "Just look around, make sure things look good and solid. I know they're doing a great job, but I've got to be thorough." He then pats my arm, smiles and walks off down the hall.

Rolling my eyes so hard I can almost see my brain, I grip the envelope in my hand and say a silent prayer.

. . .

My mouth is dry and I can't turn away from what I'm watching.

My, oh my, oh my, Jessica wasn't wrong about the scene unfolding in front of me. To my utter surprise, it's a nice, sunny July morning in Forks, Washington. I'm used to the doom and gloom that is our weather, but by golly I'm not used to seeing so many abs and pecs on display all at once.

The two guys, who I know as McHotty and McSexy, are both wearing low-slung blue jeans with their shirts nicely tucked into their back pockets. The blonde one is holding what looks like a two-by-four while the other, taller, bearded guy is stretching his long, lean frame in order to hammer some nails in it.

I don't know what part of the building this is, but it's looking mighty good to me.

I lick my lips and fan myself with the envelope in my hand, unable to utter a word. I'd hate to startle them. It'd be a shame to have to give them CPR, really.

Dammit. I have a feeling Dr. Cullen was in on some sort of bet. There is no way in hell I can realistically assess what the hell they're building back here. He had to be in on it with Jessica and Dr. Brandon.

Mr. Tall, Lean and Bearded sees me first and smiles. I have no idea what I look like right now, just standing here and ogling like a pervert. I smile back, though it's probably more like a scowl or something equally unattractive.

Also, I wave. Because I'm a spaz like that.

I'd facepalm myself but that would make me look even weirder, so I stick with standing and ogling.

There seems to be a sheen of sweat on them that makes them glow in the sunlight. I wonder if I could offer to apply that sunscreen now. Would that be kosher? Or would that be considered sexual harassment?

I have no idea. And I'm not sure I even care.

Before I can ponder other ways to offer my services, the men stop what they're doing and make their way to me.

"Can we help you, ma'am?" Tall and Bearded asks.

I nod, my eyes looking everywhere on his body, but his face. He's got some tattoos and muscles in all the right places. Sweet baby Jesus.

"Ma'am?" The other one says, breaking me from my erotic journey into womanhood. Because, yes, a sexual awakening can happen at thirty-two. I am a nurse; I know these things.

"I'm sorry. Here is your money—well, half of it." I shove the envelope at the blonde one, almost knocking him out in the process.

The other one snorts out a laugh and my eyes immediately find his.

"Are you Dr. Cullen's secretary?" he asks, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

"Who wants to know?" I stand straight and push out my tits. I'm here to break balls, remember?

He extends his hand. "Edward Masen."

I smirk and put my hand in his, tightening my grip and giving it a good shake. "Isabella Swan."

"I'm the boss," he adds, like that's gonna scare me. "And this is my brother, Jasper." I look around and see a large trailer with equipment in it. On the side in big, bold letters is written: Masen Brothers Construction.

"So you're the one I can blame for this headache of mine, then, huh?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Sorry about that, ma'am." Jasper runs a hand through his hair and scratches at the back of his scalp. "Just doin' our job."

I nod. "I understand. You think you can keep it down, though?" It's worth a try, right?

"Sweetheart, you go mend the sick and leave the building to us, all right?" Edward says, smirking.

His words ruffle my feathers and before I can catch myself, I ask, "I'm sorry, what was that?"

I'm smiling, though inside, I'm fuming. Sweetheart? Who the hell does he think he is?

Jasper backs away, looking everywhere but at me, seeming interested in something in the back of his truck, while Edward stands there with his dimpled, hairy cheeks and crooked-perfect grin. "You're the nurse, right?"

I narrow my eyes. "Have they been out here? Did Jessica say something?"

He raises his hands, his eyes wide. "Oh, I don't know who Jessica is, but whatever she said was a lie."

Caught off guard, I narrow my eyes. "What?"

"What?"

We stand there, staring at each other, neither of us saying anything for what feels like forever.

"I'm gonna go now." I back away slowly, getting one last look at Edward Masen.

He shakes his head, and grins, his eyes all squinty as he scratches at that beard.

. . .

"He was glistening, you know?" I whine, closing my eyes and picturing Edward with the sun blazing on his strong shoulders and the beads of sweat sliding down his back between his shoulder blades.

"I know," Jessica agrees, eating a sandwich. It's her lunch break and I'm in here taking five minutes to cool myself off before dealing with sick people. I'm afraid I may freak them out if they see me this way. I may be a wee bit flushed.

"And there was sawdust," I add. In my mind, Edward is illuminated by the sun. "It's almost as if he sparkled."

She waves her hands around. "That's the sawdust. It acts as man-glitter."

"Man-glitter," I repeat under my breath. "That's totally legit."

"Totally." She chews on her food, seemingly lost in her head, kind of like I am.

"Did you have a running bet with Dr. Cullen?" I ask, stealing a potato chip.

She starts to giggle. "We had to get you to see the pretty somehow. Dr. Brandon won, though. Just so you know."

"Dammit. You think I'll live it down?"

She shakes her head. "Fuck no."

. . .

Pulling a twelve hour shift every day of the week is pretty taxing on my body and with the added noise we've had these last five days, Friday cannot come soon enough. The pounding headache I've had all week has been dulled down to an annoying ache just behind one eyeball. It's not so bad now. Maybe it'll be gone by Monday; though with the construction only being less than half done, I'm guessing it'll be back.

Dr. Cullen left a few minutes ago and I've enjoyed these last moments of peace and quiet. Even though the boys only work until the sun goes down, leaving the office with a few hours of quiet time, all the coughing, talking and milling around that happens here is noise enough to be distracting. Friday nights are mine to finally unwind while I tie up loose ends.

Packing up my things, I look around the office one last time. Everyone is gone, though I had to stay and finish up some paperwork. I could have done it on Monday, but I'd rather start the week fresh and all caught up.

I can't believe I waited all week to get a peek at what was going on back there, though. The construction itself is very impressive and the hard bodies add to the allure, that's for sure.

Masen Brothers Construction has a very good reputation around town and I can see now why people have nicknamed them a hot Batman and Robin.

Christ on a cracker, my dreams are going to be good tonight. Jessica and Dr. Brandon were right on point. Kudos to Mrs. Cope, too. I guess the libido doesn't always go down with age.

Locking the door behind me, I press the button on my car remote so that the lights turn on. I always get a little nervous when I'm out here alone, and tonight is no exception.

The clacking of my heels on the pavement brings me comfort. It's the official end of the day and another work week, and I'll be away from here for two full days. I love my work and all, but the weekend is all mine. I have plans involving wine and a steamy romance novel. I'm thinking the lead male is going to be a red-head with a great beard.

And glitter. So...much...glitter.

Lost in my thoughts, I make it safely to my car and go straight home.

. . .

Saturday morning comes quickly and I yawn, staring out the window, watching the birds chirp and flutter around my yard. It's a nice morning for a run.

With my iPod on shuffle, I close the door behind me, stretch my legs then briskly walk to the sidewalk and start a slow jog down the street. It feels good, exhilarating even, to be this free. I'm reminded of that episode of Friends when Phoebe and Rachel went jogging and I laugh to myself as I round the block.

"Something funny, Miss Swan?" I hear my name over my music.

Nobody knows me here, or maybe that's wishful thinking, so I turn around and stand face to face with McSexy himself. "Edward?"

His smile is brilliant and really white. Kudos to his orthodontist. "You remembered."

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding from the jog, or maybe from seeing him outside of work. "I did." I smile, hoping I don't look too bad standing here in workout gear and no makeup.

"You run here often?" he asks, picking up a slow pace beside me.

I follow suit and soon we're jogging side-by-side. "I do. Every Saturday and sometimes when I can before my shift. If the weather and the will permit. You?"

I'm breathing heavily and trying to keep up while he's not even breaking a sweat. Which is too bad really, though sadly he's wearing a shirt today.

"I just moved to this neighborhood," he explains, his breathing getting a little choppy.

I'm not sure what to say so I take out my headphones and tuck them into my pocket to give him my full attention. "How are you liking it here?"

"It's nice. Quiet. I lived in a busier part of town before, so this is definitely different."

"I've been here for the past eight years. It really is great." I take a deep breath and do my best to keep up with him. His long legs are quicker than mine, though, and I have a feeling he usually runs faster than the pace we're keeping now.

We talk about where he used to live; how busy life felt there versus the slower pace of this part of town.

"So these two guys walk into a bar," he says out of nowhere, as we're crossing the street.

"So you're resorting to telling jokes?" I laugh.

He shrugs. "I like it when you laugh." His smile is something out of a magazine. "So a contractor walks into a doctor's office—"

"Wait, I've heard this one." I laugh loudly, and probably snort, too. It's not pretty, but he doesn't seem to care as he laughs along with me.

"Damn, I thought I could impress you."

I grin. I can't help it. "You've already done that."

He slows down a little and shakes his head. He looks so bashful; I want to eat him up.

"How are you single?" I ask, my cheeks getting warm.

"That's a long story for another time," he answers. We keep our pace and he adds, "And what about you?"

I shake my head. "For another time."

It's flirty and all, but light. We jog in front of an older home and Edward tells me about the renovations that are planned for it. He sounds so passionate about what he does, I feel excited simply hearing him speak.

As it turns out he's actually a nice guy...who happens to look like my perfect sexual fantasy.

"So this is me," I tell him, once we circle back around the block to the front of my house.

"I live over there." He points to a two-story walk-up down the street.

"So you saw me leave and followed me?" I accuse, because my place is clearly visible from his. This meeting may not have been purely coincidental.

His cheeks redden, and as if he didn't look handsome enough, he's all shy and awkward all of a sudden, which makes him even more attractive.

"I did," he admits, scratching at the short hair at the back of his head. "I'm sorry. Is that creepy?"

"A little, yeah." I laugh.

"I recognized you from yesterday and I was actually going out running. Let's call it a happy coincidence?" He gives me a hopeful smile and I melt a little.

I nod, snorting out an awkward laugh. "You're cute." I put a hand over my mouth as soon as the words are past my lips. "I'm sorry."

"You're cute, too, so…" he says, eyes all swoony.

Jesus, my heart can't take this crap this early in the morning.

"If you like sweaty and makeup free, I'm the girl for you," I blurt. "And see, this is why I can't date."

His smile falls. "You don't date?"

A little deflated myself, I reply, "Yeah, I mean, no?" I'm not even sure of what I'm saying, though I'm positive he's out of my league anyway.

"That's too bad," he responds, backing away from me, his eyes on mine. "I'll see you Monday, Bella."

I watch him jog up the stairs to his place and then go inside mine.

. . .

"You told him you didn't date?" Jessica practically yells Monday, once I've spilled the beans on my early Saturday rendezvous.

"I just blurted it out; I mean, it was weird. He was there and so...so cute and I just...spazzed out. I can't tell him I'm looking for a relationship. I mean, I want a commitment and that's why I refuse to date pretty boys who'll break my heart, Jess. You know this. That would be a little TMI, you know?" I take a bite from my muffin and chew it thoughtfully.

"But he was nice to you and you had some conversation, right?"

I nod.

"Oh, Bella." She pats my hand lovingly, her eyes kind, though I can tell she's just thinking of the right words to say. "You know, not all pretty boys are built the same."

I sigh, thinking of the man-glitter from last week. "No, but he's the prettiest of them all and I simply can't deal with that right now."

"In all fairness, had you not met him here, would you have freaked out so much randomly meeting him by your place?"

Her question makes me think. "I don't know."

"Do yourself a favor. If he does ask, say yes and live a little. Nobody says you have to sleep with him."

I smile. There's a thought. "I know that. It's not like that's gonna happen, though. He's, like, right back there hammering and drilling away and I'm in here—"

"—thinking about his drill," she interrupts crudely.

I wince, closing my eyes. Damn her. "I'm not...going there this morning. It's too early."

"You've got Mr. Robinson in room three."

And so it begins.

. . .

My ears are burning and my head is pounding—again. They're doing the roof and the nail guns sound like some sort of twenty-one gun salute over our heads.

"Could they take a break and go have dinner or something," I mutter, rubbing my temples.

"You should go back there and ask them yourself," Dr. Brandon replies, handing me a file.

"Alice Brandon, I swear to Christ I'm about to cut someone." I look up at her from my desk, eyes pleading. "I'm not sure I'll live through it."

Wordlessly, she reaches into her pocket and hands me a small packet. "Here. I love mine." She winks, turns around and leaves.

I look down at my hand and sigh. Earplugs. "Couldn't you have shared these last week?" I yell after her. Thankfully, the office is nearly empty because we've tried to schedule only emergency and few regular office visits this week in order to be able to have the renovations done.

Tomorrow, they are breaking through the back hallway and starting the finish work on the inside. I was told the noise level would go down to a more tolerable volume once the roof was done. I'm hoping it disappears altogether.

"Just think of how great it'll be to have an extra toilet around here," Jessica says, walking by me.

"Extra toilet," I repeat one more time before popping the earplugs into my ears and sighing in relief for the first time today.

. . .

It's late and my paperwork is done for today. Because the boys are putting a hole in our wall tomorrow, the office will be closed and I get a day of peace and quiet all to myself.

Truth be told, I've been doing my best to ignore the pull I have to go revisit the guys back there.

Now that I've seen and spoken to Edward, it seems as though he's all I think of. Every bang of a hammer has brought forth nothing but images of his strong arms holding large pieces of wood together while he hammers away.

Sweet Jesus, images of biceps and muscles rippling on his arms and upper body are enough to get me wet. I'd probably combust if I witnessed the real deal.

I go through the office and turn off all the lights, then grab my purse and keys.

Outside, I notice a pick-up by the far end of the lot and it's only when I see a tall figure standing by my car that I realize Edward has been waiting for me.

"About time you leave this place," he comments, taking a few steps toward me.

"You been waiting long, huh?" It's almost eight, so he's been here for the better part of an hour. Damn. I haven't seen commitment like this since…well, never.

He grins and looks away. "Wasn't too long."

I walk past him and make my way to the passenger door of my car, unlocking it with my keys so I can slip my purse and lunch bag onto the seat and have an excuse to be out here with him a little longer. I shouldn't be doing this. I shouldn't be toying with whatever this is, like I am, but the possibility that he may be something good for me is too enticing. I don't want to, but I need to see where this could go.

Words of encouragement from Jessica and Alice come to my mind and I decide on a yes. If he asks.

"That's good then." I lean against the side of my car. "Did you need something, Edward?"

His eyes roam all the way along my body, drinking me in from my feet all the way to my eyes, and I wonder what he could possibly find appealing in my Mickey Mouse scrubs. He steps closer to me. "You look cute today."

I feel heat travel to my cheeks. Dammit. He's smooth. "Oh really?"

He cages me in, his long arms on either side of my head. "I want to ask you out, but I don't want you running away."

"I wouldn't—"

"We both know that's a lie," he interjects.

"How do you—?"

He leans in, his mouth next to my ear. "The break room is near the back, sweetheart."

He takes a step back, dropping his arms. I look up at him, realizing he's probably heard a lot of the conversations that have gone on in that break room, including the one where I told Jessica about my Saturday morning and how I was afraid of pretty boys like him.

"Oh." I cross my arms over my chest and look away.

"Go out with me. Just once. I promise it'll be painless."

I nod. "Okay."

He grins widely and backs away. "I'll pick you up Saturday, Bella."

. . .

Wednesday when we go back to the office, there is a big hole blocked off with two-by-fours and clear plastic, and as promised, the noise level isn't so bad. The hammering has been replaced by drills, but it all feels muffled, whereas the noise before felt like it went straight through me—from my brain to my toes.

I catch a glimpse of Edward in our office for the first time since the project has started. He looks good with his fitted jeans and white V-neck T-shirt. Sadly, there is no glitter today, but I smile at the thought of Jessica's euphemism.

He's speaking to Dr. Cullen, and the two look like old chums as they chat and share some sort of a joke that has them both laughing.

I take my file and resume my task, trying to ignore the fact he's standing right there, looking like sin incarnate.

Later, I'm walking down the corridor toward the back break room when a strong hand grips my arm and pulls me into the supply closet. I'm momentarily startled, until I realize the hand is attached to none other than Edward.

"What the—?" I look up at him, startled. "This isn't high school." I take a deep breath to steady myself. "And I sure as hell am not a teenager."

His smile is worth every bad decision I never made. "Live a little, Bella."

I grin slightly, my stomach doing strange things.

"I just wanted to say hi." He leans in and fingers a strand of my hair, touching my shoulder in the process. The simple touch causes my entire body to flush and my breathing to falter.

"Hi," I whisper, my eyes meeting his.

Without warning, he leans in and his lips are on mine. I don't push back and I don't even panic. Instead, I get up on my toes and grab a fistful of his hair to steady myself as I kiss him back. His tongue meets mine with a groan and we're both fueled by whatever this is between us as we kiss passionately in the broom closet of my office.

Now normally there would be a little part of me that would tell me to stop; that this is not right; and that I should push him away, but in the moment, that part of me doesn't exist.

Edward surrounds me. He smells of sawdust and man; the scent consumes me.

His large, calloused hands grab my ass and he lifts me up, pinning me against the closed door. I wrap my legs around him and groan when I feel him between my thighs.

My pussy aches as I grind against him and he pushes himself closer to me, his hard length rubbing right where I need it.

His lips descend down my throat, burning a delicious path along with his soft bearded cheek. I move my neck to the side and my eyes roll to the back of my head as he kisses my neck, his breath tickling my skin.

I'm lost in a war within myself. I need to get out of this closet and go see if Mrs. Miller had gotten dressed after her exam, but then I also need an orgasm and my body is really close to accomplishing only one of those things right about now.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry," a voice I barely recognize says, startling me out of my euphoric state.

My eyes pop open in time to see a not-so-sorry looking Dr. Brandon staring back at us.

"Shit," I mumble and slowly bring my legs down with Edward's help.

"I'm so sorry, Dr. Brandon," I apologize, stepping in front of Edward. The last thing I want is for him to get fired over this; I mean, it was his fault, but still.

"It was my fault." Edward comes to my defense.

Alice smiles. "I'm going to pretend I didn't see this if we double with that curly, blond-haired brother of yours."

Edward puts his hand out. "It's a deal." They shake on it, while I stand there stuck like a deer in headlights.

"What the heck was that?" I ask Edward, once Dr. Brandon has gone on her merry way.

Edward runs his thumb over my bottom lip and smirks. "That was me getting a second date."

I scoff. "This was not a date, buddy."

"Don't think they're coming with us on Saturday, Bella."

I nod. "Got it."

"And, can I be honest here?" He eyes me from head to toe again, so I know this is going to be good.

"Sure."

He licks his lips. "I've always had a thing for Tinkerbell…her and that glitter she uses."

I start laughing, looking down at my scrubs, and smack his arm. "I can't believe you heard that."

"Paper thin walls, Bella." He winks.

I open the door to the closet. "I guess I'll see you Saturday, then."

He leans in and kisses my cheek. "Not if I see you first."

. . .

THE END...maybe.