Chapter 1

I don't own Twilight, Stephenie Meyer does.

Bella was humming to song on her iPod as she grabbed the bottom corners of the bed sheet to make her bed. After sending the sheet soaring into the air she waited for it to slowly parachute down. As the material settled onto the mattress, she began to smooth it with her hands, working her way towards the corners. And she lifted the edge of the mattress and began to tuck the sheet into place.

"You're not doing that right you know."

At the sound of the voice behind her, Bella jumped and turned in surprise. She'd hadn't realized anyone else was there.

"Edward! What are you doing here? You're never supposed to come to my house.

And it's the middle of the day...And you're in my bedroom." Bella's voice rose as she spoke, pissed at having been startled and at being caught in the middle of a mess.

She knew she looked awful. She had thrown on her oldest pair of sweats and a holey t-shirt and bunched her hair up in a messy bun when she got up. Her hair had decided not to behave and several strands were hanging loose. The waist band of her sweats kept sliding down her tiny frame.

She had already done some laundry and she was also trying to squeeze in some cleaning at the same time. Her room was in a state of disarray. Her bed was in the process of being made. A basket of clean laundry was on the floor by the dresser in preparation for putting the garments away. She noticed that a pair of her panties was hanging out of the drawer and she inwardly groaned in embarrassment. Edward's keen eyes would have missed nothing and she could only imagine his thoughts at the sight of the black satin and lace.

He spoke interrupting her thoughts.

"Yes, it's the middle of the day but no one else is home. I checked. I've been trying to call you all morning but you didn't answer.

She rolled her eyes and gave her head a self-deprecating shake while walking over to her purse to retrieve her phone. "I must have left it on vibrate and forgot to put it on the charger last night. Regardless you shouldn't just walk into my house. Most people ring the bell or knock on the door." She folded her arms and looked sternly at him.

"I did ring the bell but it didn't work and, when you didn't answer my knock,

I started to wonder if you were all right. I came in through the back window in to check..." Edward flashed his little boy grin at her.

Bella felt the disapproving gaze leave her face. It was nice of him to be concerned...

"Okay. I forgive you for invading my inner sanctum. Now, what can I do for you?" She resumed making the bed.

"Well, it's actually Carlisle's idea..." Edward's voice trailed off.

Bella paused in the middle of tucking. She looked back over her shoulder, wondering why he had stopped talking. "What's the matter?"

Edward shook his head. "That's not right."

"What's not right?"

"The way you're making the bed. Those corners aren't right."

"The corners?" Bella stood and stared, Bemusement written all over her face and in her voice.

"I tucked the sheets under the edge of the mattress..."

"But, that's not how it's done." Edward stepped forward, pulled the sheets out and began to instruct Bella on proper military corners and bed making techniques. "I was raised in the military and if there's one thing I can do, it's make a proper bed," he explained, while working his way around the mattress.

Bella watched in fascination. Edward Masen was in her bedroom, making her bed.

She shook her head. Even if she could tell someone, they'd never believe it!

"There!" Edward stood back and surveyed the neat, tight sheets.

Bella chuckled. "I bet you never used sheets with purple polka dots in the military."

"No, I don't think we ever did." Edward stepped away from the bed and rubbed his neck, embarrassed at overstepping.

"Edward, it's okay. Thanks for making my bed. It's very nice."

"Yeah...well," He stuffed his hands in his pockets. "As I was saying, it's Carlisle's idea, but he needs me to go to a meeting with some Spanish company and thought it would help to bring you since you speak the language…and it would look better if –"

"You had a date." Bella finished the sentence for him. "What's the matter?

Will you be out past the curfew of your latest little girl friend? "

"Alisha isn't a little girl and she doesn't have a curfew."

"Then why don't you take her?"

"Well, Carlisle says she doesn't project the right image..." Edward trailed off uncomfortably.

Bella smiled to herself. She knew exactly what Mr. Cullen meant. From all reports, Edward's latest girl friend was rather wild and wouldn't fit in at with polite society.

"So, will you do it?" Edward's voice broke into her thoughts.

"Sure—but only because you helped me make the bed."

"Great. I'll meet you there around 8:00. Maybe you could wear that blue dress you had on at the Russian party a couple of months ago."

"Okay." Bella nodded; surprised that he recalled the dress. He hadn't seemed to notice her at all that night.

Edward surveyed the room, apparently only just then noticing the state that it was in. "It looks like you've been busy today."

Edward's eyes drifted across the room and approached the dresser.

Checking to see where he was looking and remembering the panties hanging out in plain sight, Bella side stepped over to the dresser and bent down, to pick up the offending garment and stuffed it into the drawer. "Not really just the usual laundry and cleaning. I won't be too tired."

"That's good," Edward nodded in apparent understanding. "Well, I'll be on my way." He took half a step towards her, stooped and picked up something from the floor. "If you wear the blue dress tonight, you might need these." He smiled and winked at her, while handing over a pair of silk blue panties.

Feeling embarrassed, Bella grabbed the item from him.

Edward smirked and strolled out of the room, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

Bella stood frozen listening to his footsteps going down the stairs.

Moments later she heard the back door open and then click shut. Sighing, she sank down on her bed, the panties crumpled in her hand. How did he do that? One minute he was so nice and the next...She shook her head and sighed. Maybe he was just getting back at her for her comments about Alisha.