Title: The Gentleman From Washington State

Author: Betty Smith

Chapters: 29

Words: 139,696

Reviews: 4477

Summary: Senator Edward Cullen is the handsome scion of the Cullen family. A playboy's playboy, he is taken with an intern in his office, Bella Swan. She is untouchable for many reasons, and he's in a tough re-election battle with Jacob Black. AH,M Adult Content

The Gentleman From Washington State is the first story where I have come across a politico Edward, and I love it! DC is one of my favorite towns, and I enjoy politics. To top it off, this manwhore Edward is also former Navy SEALward. If he road a motorcycle, it would be the perfect storm of Wards for me.

Edward is a Senator and is introduced to new intern, Bella, at the start of the story. What I love about the interest Edward shows in her from the start is her mind. She is intelligent and a quick wit, and that is Edward's initial interest. That he wants to sit and talk to her. Find out what she thinks of what she is reading and discuss with her his similar interests. That is sexy.

Given their positions, they both know each other are forbidden fruit. So, they both quietly admire the other. They both drift to fantasy when they happen to see one another. After admiring Bella lounging by a fountain one afternoon is one of my favorite, and sweetest moments, in the story.

It was during Edward's fantasy that Bella sensed that someone was looking at her. She looked at the people on the sidewalk around her, and they were all occupied with their own lives. She was about to shut her eyes again and enjoy the sun when she spotted Senator Cullen in the trees across the street. Bella didn't think that she was imagining that he was staring at her. She stared back at him curiously and wondered why he was looking at her. After 15 seconds of them staring at one another, Senator Cullen waived to her – just a small movement of his hand from left to right. Bella smiled as she hesitantly waived back, and a small smile appeared on Edward's face.

The little left to right wave. *melts* I pictured him leaning his shoulder against a tree in it's shade, arms and ankles crossed. Suit jacket hanging open, and then the smile! *shakes head to clear it* Back to the story!

Bella couldn't believe it. The whole silent exchange seemed odd, but also exciting. Edward's smile encouraged her. With a hand movement, she pointed to her chest and then pointed to him, asking him if he wanted her to come to him. As she did it, Bella was happy.

We must remember that this relationship is a big Monica Lewinsky no-no. They both know this, and Edward pulls himself from the moment.

But when Edward saw Bella ask if he wanted her to come over, he froze and panicked. He wanted so badly to nod his head yes and go on a walk with her. Edward wanted to start a relationship with Bella that would take them to that meadow by the lake.

But Edward's whole life had been about duty and honor and responsibility. He thought of everything at stake – a Democratic Senate seat, his family's legacy, and his career – also her career for that matter. It was too much. Instead of saying yes to Bella, Edward shook his head no and started walking back to his office with an anguished heart.

*heart aches*

But no worries. They both, especially a jealous Edward (of THE hottest Mike Newton ever written), don't want to resist any longer. With the aide of his family, Edward begins seeing Bella on the sly. They meet up, always chaperoned by a member of the Cullen family (i.e. they are in the same building, so they have the media excuse of Bella being a "friend of the family" if they are ever busted). They do date and find that they are completely compatible, and we watch as they fall in love.

Bella's V-card is still in tact in this story, and after finally admitted aloud their love for one another, she cashes it in very romantically on a bear skin rug in front of the fireplace in Edward's library. Very nice. Though, after, provides one of my favorite lines in the story:

"We got the rug dirty. And it doesn't matter. We're lying on a bear. He's had worse on him than cum."

Still, there are a lot of things working against them. They have a jealous former lover of Edward's getting suspicious. Edward's political rival, and Bella's former boyfriend, Jacob's people trying to dig up dirt on Edward. Finally, just the taboo nature of their relationship weighing over them. Something is about to give, and I am equally nervous and excited to see how it all plays out.

4.5 out of 5 Bearskin Rugs