Strange Brew by Magnolia822

Official Description:

Soon-to-be college senior Bella Swan needs a summer job. Edward Cullen needs a worker for his new tasting room at Cullen Creek Brewery. She doesn’t know much about beer, but she knows how to push his buttons. Romance/Humor, ExB, M for Lemons/Language

Divorcee Edward owns a brewery that he runs with his brother Emmett. He’s expanding their operation to include a tasting room, and needs someone to run it. Edward comes back from an out of town trip to see a payroll note on the wall in his office.

“Who the hell is Isabella Swan?” I ask as he flips his phone shut.

“Oh… I forgot to tell you. She’s the new hire for the taproom. Came in on Friday just after you left. She’s a cute girl… perfect for the job.”

I’m surprised and more than a little irritated he’s hired someone without my approval, especially since he seems to have done so for all the wrong reasons.

Their conversation continues, with Edward getting more annoyed as they talk. When he asks Emmett about her experience, he finds out she’s a waitress and student, attending the local Catholic college. His thoughts?

St. Michaels is the Catholic school in town. So not only is she a waitress and a college student, but she’s probably a stuck-up, religious prude as well.

Emmett tries to convince him to give her a chance, of course.

“I know exactly what you’re thinking. You’re wrong. She’s a cool chick. Hot too. Not at all what you’re thinking a Catholic chick’ll be like.”

Edward’s irritation grows as he finds that Bella is coming to the brewery to meet him. When she arrives, it’s not the usual fireworks attraction we’re used to. What follows is a tense conversation, Edward antagonizing her with condescending question, enjoying her nervous answers and accidental dropping of an f-bomb. As their conversation comes to a close, Bella still doesn’t know if she has the job.

“I’m a pretty big asshole, but if you can deal with me, and learn all the shit you need to learn, you’ve got the job. Do you think you’re up for the challenge?”

She looks me right in the eye, a slight smirk spreading over her face. “I think I might fucking be.”

From there we follow as Edward tries to teach her everything she needs to know in two weeks. Edward’s impatience with her inexperience brings out Bella’s feisty side, and we see a charged and funny banter develop between them. As we watch their relationship grow and change, the UST ramps up and I’ve wanted to shake my computer and scream “when will you just do it!”

This is a stubborn Edward, superbly written, in a flawless male voice. He fights his attraction to Bella at every turn, citing everything from age, to potential damage to his divorce proceedings, as barriers to their relationship. Magnolia822 does a fabulous job of immersing us in brewery culture, without letting it take over the story or bore us.

The side players in this fic add fullness to the story, without overwhelming. My favorite is Carlisle, Edward’s dad. His embarrassing topics of conversation, and ensuing interactions with Bella, are truly hilarious.

Strange Brew is a smart romantic comedy with characters you’ll love!

What can I add to what NitaReality told you about this story? It’s amazing. It’s fun and smart and I love this Edward–the way he thinks and overthinks–and this Bella. I love this Carlisle and all of the other characters, too. I love the premise of the story and the whole forbidden love aspect:

“I thought you didn’t date employees,” Bella says. “You and Melanie seem quite . . . cozy.” I can smell the alcohol on her breath. Somewhere in my brain I know this needs to stop, but I can’t seem to back away. She stands against the wall, and I have the overwhelming need to press my body against hers.

“We’re not.”

“Oh no?” Bella says with a little sigh as she leans forward, her face mere inches from mine.

“No.”

“Good.”

“Good?”

“I didn’t like it,” she whispers. And she’s so close. So fucking close. I can taste her in the air she exhales, and I want more. “Did it bother you . . . me coming with Seth?” she asks, and God help me I just want to stick my tongue in that warm, luscious mouth.

“Yes, it fucking bothered me,” I confess, pressing her back against the wall. She acquiesces with a little grunt, and now my forearms frame her face, the tips of my fingers playing lightly along her parted hair.

Even in my drunken state, I know this isn’t right. But I can’t seem to stop. I don’t know who makes the first move, but suddenly all I can feel and taste is Bella, her lips opening and our tongues sliding wetly together. It feels so fucking good-her hands in my hair-so fucking good. My hands on her sides, wanting to move higher or lower but able to do neither, I’m so distracted by the way she kisses. Her arms circle my waist and palms touch my back, rubbing and feeling amazing. I grunt against her mouth, and my hands finally decide to move lower, feeling just the top swell of her ass. It’s enough. It’s not enough. I’m completely hard but somehow restrain myself from humping her leg like a fifteen-year old.

My mind is fuzzy as I start to register we’re in the hall. That our friends are outside.

Strange Brew is hot and romantic and just a great story. I really think you’ll love it!

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