A/N: Thanks again to everyone who has read, reviewed etc.

Enjoy the chapter xx

Double Dare.

Chapter Eleven.

Edward's POV

Previously...

"I dreamt that you two met, and you would be perfect for each other. And trust me, you are," she insisted. "I know it sounds crazy, Edward, but I knew as soon as I saw Jasper, all that time ago, that we would end up together," she added quietly. "And I get the same feeling about you two."

I frowned at the conundrum before me.

I knew I had fallen for Bella.

I had fallen hard.

And I believed in my sister.

But did I believe in destiny?

----

I stood quietly in the living room, staring blankly out of the window. Jasper had taken Alice out for dinner, and Bella had been asleep most of the day. I didn't feel like going out anywhere. I didn't feel like doing anything. I just wanted Bella to wake up.

I still had no idea why I overreacted last night at that ridiculous party. I've never exactly been a jealous person, but when I saw that Newton guy drooling over Bella, I felt fury bubble in my chest. Why had I been so possessive? It's not like I had a right to be.

I flopped down on the sofa, and ran my hands through my hair. My head was so messed up.

I heard a shuffling sound in the kitchen, and jumped to my feet. Bella was there, wrapped in a purple blanket and fluffy pjs, pouring herself a glass of milk. I grinned at her, and she blushed.

"How are you feeling?" I asked gently.

She nodded slightly. "Better, thanks," she replied quietly. She sat down at the table with her drink. I stood in the doorway, not quite sure what to do. Should I mention last night? Should I pretend it never happened?

I went over to sit at the table opposite her. She seemed far away, contemplating something.

"Is everything okay?" I asked carefully.

She nodded, and pulled her blanket tighter around her. She turned to me with a frown on her lovely brow.

"You told Alice about those stupid dares," she accused.

I gawked at her. "No I didn't."

"Well she seemed to know about it."

I sighed. "Alice... sees stuff sometimes. Haven't you ever noticed?"

Bella nodded slowly. "Yeah, I know what you mean. But you're saying she saw our dares in her head?"

I shrugged. "Maybe."

Bella quietly finished her drink, and left the kitchen, leaving me to wallow in my own thoughts. I hadn't told Alice about the dares; she must have seen them. I just wished she'd keep her little pixie mouth shut.

Bella came back a little while later, wrapped up in about five tops, old jeans and thick socks. I chuckled.

"Warm enough?"

"Just about," she mumbled.

She stood at the window, staring out at the darkening sky. I went over to her, and she turned to look at me. My breath hitched in my throat. I was suddenly lost in those beautiful eyes. And I couldn't turn away.

Bella blinked her wide chocolate eyes at me, and a rosy blush spread across her cheeks. She looked away, breaking the trance I was in. I cleared my throat self-consciously, and glanced back out of the window. The weather was pleasant, and the evening seemed warm.

"Do you wanna go for a walk?" I asked suddenly.

Bella gave me an adorable quizzical expression, but nodded. "Fresh air would be good. I'll get my jacket."

I couldn't help but smirk. "Don't you have enough layers already?" I asked, gesturing to her multitude of sweaters.

"Shut up," she muttered under her breath.

----

Bella's POV

We strolled through the park, along the edge of the stream. The night was warm and the air was sweet, and I felt better instantly for being outside. Edward never let up about all the layers I was wearing.

"Seriously, how can you even walk in all that stuff?" he mocked.

I glared at him, but he just laughed. I charged at his side, trying to push him into the water, but I didn't even knock him off balance. I grumbled at him.

We walked quietly for the most part. I glanced up at him a few times, and he seemed troubled – there were worry lines creasing his brow.

He stopped abruptly, leaning against a tree. I spun round slowly to face him, waiting for him to speak. He obviously wanted to say something...

"Bella."

I waited for him to say something else. He didn't.

"Yeah, I'm Bella..." I said, as if I were speaking to a child.

He smirked, and sighed.

"Do you believe in destiny?"

"What?"

"Destiny. Fate. What do you think?"

I shrugged. "I really don't know. Why?"

He leaned against the tree, not moving, looking my feet, refusing to meet my eye.

"I'm sorry about punching your friend."

I frowned a little, and shifted awkwardly. I didn't understand his trail of thought. "He's not exactly a friend."

Edward rubbed his hands over his face and through his hair. "But still... I mean, you're free to dance with whoever you like."

I sighed quietly. "I didn't wanna dance. I don't dance... I just don't."

"It wasn't my place."

"Edward, shut up!" I couldn't believe I had to spell this out for him. "I'm glad you did what you did. I didn't want to dance with Mike. And I certainly didn't want to kiss him."

Edward finally met my eye.

"What about me?"

I shook my head a little. "What about you?"

"I dared you to kiss me."

I felt the blood rush to my cheeks at the memory.

Edward watched my reactions carefully. "Did you want to kiss me?"

I took a shaky breath, not wanting to say anything, but knowing my face would give me away. It always did. I looked down at the ground, letting my hair fall around my face. Edward was there in an instant, pushing my hair back behind my ears and trying to meet my eye.

"Bella, did you want to kiss me?"

I forced my eyes to stay on the ground, not to look up into those lovely green orbs. "I don't know," I replied quietly, honestly.

I heard him sigh quietly, felt his breath on my skin. I shivered.

He reached out his hand to my cheek. "How about now?" He gently lifted my chin so I met his gaze. My skin tingled where his hand caressed my cheek. "Do you want me to kiss you now?"

I could feel the blood in my cheeks, burning like fire. I could feel my heart hammering away in my chest.

Edward hesitated, then slowly leaned closer to me, his lips brushing mine ever so softly. When he spoke again, his voice was low, and it quaked with intensity.

"Do you want to kiss me now, Bella?"

My head was swimming. I couldn't even see him. My pulse raced in my ears, and my lips were alive with electricity.

I did.

I did want to kiss him.

My hands trembled as I slid them slowly to his face, to his hair. Edward exhaled slowly, and closed his eyes.

I could almost hear the seconds ticking by around us, even though the world must surely have come to a standstill.

And then the whole world spun around me, twirling in a puddle of colours and smells and sounds, as his lips crashed to mine.