So, lots of secrets to contemplate after the last chapter, yes? In this chapter, Edward and Bella do a little "negotiating". I think you can see where this is leading!

Special thanks to Kikiblue and netracullen for holding my hand through this chapter. Their advice and support truly means the world to me! Thanks also to AMuseFan77 and all of the other ladies on the HiPS Twilighted thread for making me laugh every single day, and for all of their wonderful insight and theories!

Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.

Hide In Plain Sight

Chapter 21: Negotiations

BPOV

"Wh … what?" I stammered, feeling my cheeks flame under the burning intensity of Edward's emerald gaze.

He wants to sleep with me? I thought incredulously. My mind was reeling. I must be dreaming. This can't possibly be real.

I tore my eyes from his and looked at my hands which were pressed lightly against his chest. The gold band on my left hand silently mocked me.

Jake, I thought miserably. No matter what he's done, and in spite of how badly I want Edward, I can't break my marriage vows. I'm on the threshold of hell as it is by kissing, touching and fantasizing about Edward.

"Please, Bella," Edward said quietly, cutting through my guilty thoughts. "I just want you to sleep beside me. That's all, I promise. Last night was the first decent rest I've had in months, and it was because of you." He sighed heavily. "I know I'm being incredibly selfish to ask this of you, but … I know I won't be able to sleep tonight without you beside me."

"Oh," I mumbled, avoiding his gaze while simultaneously feeling relief and regret wash over me. "I thought you meant … never mind." My heart was pounding so that I was certain he could hear it.

Edward was silent for a moment, and then he gently raised my chin so that I was forced to look at him.

"Bella. My Bella," he murmured, scanning my face. "I want you in every sense of the word. Truthfully, sleeping is the last thing I want to do when I envision you in bed with me. But you need to know that no matter how badly I want … more, I would never force you or try to rush you into … that. Besides," he continued hesitantly, "I don't even know if you feel the same way about me."

This is completely surreal, I thought as I gazed up at him in wonder. Is Edward really trying to ask me in that sweet, gentlemanly, round-about way of his if I've thought about making love to him?

"Um … yes, Edward," I whispered, closing my eyes and feeling as though I would die of embarrassment, "I definitely feel the same way about you."

"Really?"

I opened my eyes and couldn't help smiling at the grin that lit Edward's face.

"Yes, really," I replied gently. "But sleeping with you is all I can do … for now. I … I'm still a married woman, Edward, and if I … have sex with you, then I'm no better than Jake." I felt a mortified flush spread across my cheeks and neck.

Edward nodded slowly. "I understand, Bella," he said softly. "You're an incredible woman, and Jake certainly doesn't deserve your loyalty, but I understand how complicated this situation is. I'm just happy with whatever you can give me."

I took a deep breath. "I want to sleep in your bed tonight, Edward, but what about Claire?"

Something flickered in Edward's eyes for a moment, and then was gone.

"Well …," he replied carefully, "you could come to my room after she goes to sleep. I'll leave my door unlocked, so you don't have to bother knocking. And we'll be up before her in the morning. She'll never know."

I chewed on my lip and stared at the floor as I considered Edward's plan. I knew that if I agreed to this, it would be a major turning point in our relationship. It was one thing to spend the night innocently slumbering on the couch with Edward. It was quite another thing to deliberately sleep in his room.

I knew that his intentions were honorable and that he craved the comfort I could offer him, just as I longed to help him. I only hoped that we would be able to maintain our resolve once we were actually sharing a bed.

And then there's Claire. I sighed inwardly. It feels so wrong to do this with her just across the hall from Edward's room. I'm playing a dangerous game that's liable to hurt her if she finds out.

Still, if I was being completely honest with myself, it gave me a small thrill to be sneaking around with Edward. I've never done anything remotely like this before, but even the possibility of being caught isn't enough to make me want to stop. God help me. I know I'm being selfish, but maybe, just maybe, it's time for me to be a little selfish.

"Okay," I murmured, finally meeting his eyes. "I'll come to your room after Claire's asleep. It probably won't be until after midnight, though. That doesn't give us much time to … sleep."

A look of relief spread across Edward's face.

"It doesn't matter," he replied quietly. "Just as long as you're beside me, I'll be able to rest."

"Why don't you head upstairs?" I suggested. "It's getting late, and Claire's probably already getting ready for bed. I'm just going to put this Tiramisu together, and we can eat it tomorrow. I'll be up in a little while."

"Thank you," Edward whispered, enveloping me in his arms and kissing my hair. "You're too good to me, Bella."

We remained motionless for several moments, and I reveled in the dizzying sensations that seemed to assault me every time I was in Edward's arms. The thought of being surrounded by his scent, his heartbeat and his body, all night long, sent a shiver through me.

Finally, I pulled away gently and Edward sighed softly.

"I'll be waiting for you, Bella," he said in a low growl that made my knees go weak. He gave my hand a final squeeze, and then I was alone in the kitchen.

I raced through assembling the dessert, and stored it in the refrigerator. Then I quickly cleaned up the mixing bowl and spoons, checked to make sure that the back door was locked, and turned out the lights.

I climbed the stairs as quietly as possible and paused on the landing for a moment staring at Claire's room. No light shone from the crack beneath her shut door, and I breathed a sigh of relief despite the guilt that flooded over me.

I'm a grown woman, I said to myself firmly as I made my way to my room. I can't let my consideration for everyone else's feelings control my every move. I've done that for too long.

I showered quickly and then stared at my naked reflection in the mirror as I brushed my hair.

Oh God. I'm really going through with this, I thought with a touch of panic. My skin was flushed pink, but whether it was from the warm water or nerves, I couldn't be sure. My eyes looked wide and anxious; like a deer in the headlights, I thought ruefully. As usual, my body betrayed me. My nipples were hard to the point of being painful, and there was a pervasive throbbing between my thighs.

What am I going to wear? I thought with alarm. I didn't want to dress too suggestively, and give Edward the impression that I wanted to seduce him. But, by the same token, there was no way I was going to Edward's room covered up in flannel pajamas or ratty sweat pants in the name of modesty.

I took a deep breath. Okay. First things first. I slid on a pair of sheer, lacy black underwear. Even though Edward's not going to see my underwear tonight, I'll know it's there, and it makes me feel pretty.

Sure. Keep telling yourself that, the devil on my shoulder whispered. You're dying to show Edward your panties. And what's underneath them too.

"Shut up," I said grimly to my reflection. I'm really losing it, I thought with a wry smile. Now I'm having arguments with my inner monologue.

I pulled on a gray tank-top and a pair of black cotton sleep-shorts. It's too warm for pajama bottoms, I rationalized. I braced for a snarky comment from my inner voice of reason, but she remained eerily silent. I should probably be terrified, I thought giddily. Even my rational side has written me off as a lost cause.

I glanced at the clock on my nightstand. It was just after midnight.

"Time to do this," I murmured aloud. Please, God, let me be strong, I prayed silently. Don't let me jump his bones like some sex-starved maniac. Amen.

I couldn't help giggling at how ludicrous my prayer sounded.

I slipped out of my room and padded silently down the hallway on bare feet. I paused for a moment in front of Claire's door, and then I turned toward Edward's room, where a thin strip of light shone from beneath the door. I placed my hand gently on the doorknob, then turned it and slipped quietly into the room before I could lose my nerve.

Edward was waiting for me just inside the doorway. He looked up quickly in mid-pace and was in front of me in an instant. The room was lit by the soft glow of the bedside lamp, and I silently drank in his glorious half-naked form. His hair was shower-damp, and he wore only his thin blue pajama bottoms.

"You came," he whispered with a touch of wonder in his voice.

I nodded mutely. Edward reached behind me and swiftly locked the door with a soft click. Then he lifted me effortlessly and carried me to the bed. The blanket and sheets were turned back, and Edward laid me gently in the center. With one fluid motion, he was in bed with me; propped on his hands as he hovered over me, his lips inches from mine.

I finally found my voice. "Edward!" I exclaimed breathlessly. "Wait a minute. If I'm going to sleep in your bed tonight, there are some terms we need to negotiate first."

Edward stared down at me with a bemused expression on his face.

"You want to negotiate?" he said in a deep voice that was like liquid sex. "What is this, a hostage crisis?"

Suddenly the smile faded from his lips, and he eased himself away, lying on his side next to me.

"You don't feel like you're here against your will, do you, Bella?" he asked worriedly.

"No. No, of course not!" I said hastily, rolling over to face him. "I just think we should negotiate some boundaries so that things don't get … out of control."

I could feel the heat flooding my face, and I was thankful for the dim lighting.

"Boundaries," Edward repeated, giving me a slow, wicked smile.

"Yeah. Um … you know, space. It might be a good idea if we agree not to cross certain lines. You have your space and I have mine." I felt like I was babbling.

Edward chuckled softly. "You know what this reminds me of? That scene from Dirty Dancing. 'This is my dance space. This is your dance space. I don't go into yours, you don't go into mine. You gotta hold the frame,'" he said in a perfect Johnny Castle imitation.

I propped myself on my elbow and grinned at him. "You're kidding, right? I love that movie! And how do you do that with your voice?"

"Oh, you'd be amazed at what I can do with my voice, Bella," Edward said lowly. He began to hum a tune that I recognized at once.

If sings to me, I'm done for, I thought incoherently.

Edward began to sing softly.

"Love, love is strange

Lot of people take it for a game

Once you get it

You'll never wanna quit

After you've had it

You're in an awful fix

Many people

Don't understand

They think loving

Is money in the hand

Your sweet loving

Is better than a kiss

When you leave me

Sweet kisses I miss."

"Silvia …" Edward sang, cocking an eyebrow at me.

"Yes, Mickey," I sang back in a whisper.

"How do you call your loverboy?"

"Come 'ere loverboy," I sang, blushing furiously.

"And if he doesn't answer?"

"Oh, loverboy!"

"And if he still doesn't answer?" Edward grinned.

I gulped as I thought of Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze crawling toward each other across the floor of the dance studio.

I softly sang, "I simply say, baby, oh baby, my sweet baby, you're the one."

Edward joined me for the final verse, and our voices melded as we quietly sang together, "Baby, oh baby, my sweet baby, you're the one."

We stared at each other in silence for a long moment.

I can't even count how many times I went to the theater to see Dirty Dancing as a teen. I used to think that Patrick Swayze was totally swoon-worthy. He pales in comparison to Edward.

"Is there anything you can't do?" I joked weakly. "Acting, playing the piano, singing … what other hidden talents do you have?"

I felt like slapping myself on the forehead as soon as the innuendo-laden words left my mouth. Way to go, Bella. So much for setting boundaries.

Edward considered me thoughtfully. "Juggling," he finally replied.

"What?"

"You asked me if there's anything I can't do," Edward shrugged. "I can't juggle." His eyes glinted. "But I can speak a little French, and I'm pretty fair on the guitar. Do those count as hidden talents?"

"Um … yeah. I'd say so," I mumbled.

"Now," he said seriously, "about these negotiations. You're saying that there are certain lines we shouldn't cross while we're in this bed together, right?"

I nodded. I had apparently lost the ability to speak.

"So …," Edward said softly as he scooted closer to me, "is it still okay if I do this?" He pressed his warm, soft mouth gently against mine. My lips parted involuntarily, granting him access. Edward's hand came up to the back of my neck and he twined his fingers through my hair as he intensified the kiss.

I was gasping when he pulled away.

"Well?" he murmured.

"Yes," I replied breathlessly.

"How about this?" he whispered, lowering his lips to the sensitive flesh of my neck.

I moaned helplessly as his mouth left a trail of fire from just below my earlobe to my collarbone.

"Was that a yes?" Edward asked quietly.

"Oh, God. Yes!"

Edward's body was pressed tightly against me. I could feel his arousal through the thin fabric of his pajamas.

First the singing and now this? Oh, Edward. You're not making this easy for me, I thought wildly.

"What about touching?" Edward said lowly, brushing his fingers lightly up and down my bare arm. Immediately, my skin erupted in goose bumps.

"Um … some touching would be okay," I murmured.

"Good," Edward said soothingly. "Then roll onto your stomach."

I shot him a quizzical look, but complied.

Edward began massaging my neck and shoulders with long, purposeful strokes of his strong fingers.

"What? No …," I tried to protest as my eyelids fluttered shut. "I'm supposed to be relaxing you. You're the one who needs to sleep."

Edward hushed me gently. "This is relaxing me. And you're exhausted. I know you haven't slept for the last couple of nights."

I could already feel the tension leaving my muscles and my mind beginning to grow hazy under Edward's firm touch.

His hands are incredible, I thought incoherently.

"Another hidden talent," I mumbled. "Masseur."

Edward chuckled and pulled me against his chest as he reached over and turned out the lamp.

"Goodnight, Bella," he whispered, kissing my forehead gently. "Sweet dreams."

I don't want to sleep yet, I thought drowsily. I trailed my fingers lightly over the taut contours of Edward's biceps and the hard planes of his chest. He sighed softly as I lingered over the fine curls of hair just beneath his collar bones. The warmth of his flesh and the strong, steady beat of his heart soothed me.

Okay, I really have to stop this now, before I break all of the promises that I made to myself.

"'Night," I murmured against his skin. And then sleep claimed me.

~~~~~~…~~~~~~

I woke before daybreak to the feel of my hair being gently stroked.

For a moment I was disoriented, and then I sighed contentedly as I snuggled closer against Edward's neck.

"Good morning, beautiful," he said softly, as he continued to run his fingers through my hair. "How did you sleep?"

"Wonderful," I murmured. "You?"

"It was sheer heaven," he responded with a slight tremor in his voice. "I'd forgotten how incredible a night's sleep without drugs could be. I can dream again. Good dreams. And then to wake up with you in my arms and realize that the dreams are real …," he trailed off.

"Mmm. How long have you been awake?" I asked sleepily, raising myself slightly and resting my chin on his chest to look at him.

"Not long," he said quietly. He smiled sheepishly at me. "I didn't want to wake you right away. I was enjoying watching you sleep."

I smiled back at him and my cheeks flushed as I remembered his heated kisses and touches from the night before.

Well, really it was earlier this morning, I corrected myself. It was past midnight, after all, when I came to his room. I was amazed that I felt so refreshed after only a few hours of sleep.

"What time is it, anyway?" I asked.

"Almost 6:00."

"What?" I sat bolt upright and looked out the window at the night sky that was just beginning to lighten and turn faintly pink. "Claire'll be up soon! I have to leave."

"I know," Edward replied gently. "Why don't you go back to your room and shower? I'm going for a run."

"By yourself?" I shook my head dubiously. "I'm not so sure that's a good idea, Edward."

"I'm going," he said flatly. "I have to see if that car is still hanging around. If it is, I'm coming straight back here and you're going to call the police."

"I can't do that!" I said in a panic-stricken whisper. "If the police find out you're here, your cover will be blown."

"Hmm … you're right. I didn't think about that." Edward shrugged. "Well, I guess I'll have to take matters into my own hands, then."

Edward sat up and made to get out of bed. In a flash I was on my knees. Keeling on the mattress in front of him, I wrapped my arms around him and crashed my lips urgently against his.

I was trembling with fear and desire as I pulled my mouth away from his and began kissing every exposed part of him that I could reach; his throat, his shoulder, his arms.

Please don't go! my mind screamed. If you confront whoever's in that car, and things go wrong … I couldn't bear it.

Edward seemed momentarily stunned. Then he groaned and grasped my arms. His lips found mine, and he kissed me slowly and tenderly until I was melting against him, my terror and urgency subsiding.

"Bella," Edward murmured, pulling away gently. "I appreciate your concern for me, and your … attempts to distract me." He gave me the crooked smile that I loved so much. "But this is something that I have to do for my own peace of mind. I just want to make sure that no one is stalking you. I have to make sure that you'll be safe when I'm gone."

My heart clenched and I felt tears sting my eyes.

"Go get your shower," Edward said gently. "I'll be back soon. Don't worry; I can take care of myself."

"Just please don't take any chances," I begged him. I closed my eyes as his lips ghosted over mine once more.

With a heavy heart, I climbed off Edward's bed and went to the door. It had been a perfect night, and I didn't want it to end.

I paused with my hand on the doorknob. Edward was suddenly behind me, wrapping his arms around me.

"Will you come to me again tonight?" he whispered in my ear.

I nodded, biting my lip and blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay.

Oh, Edward. What am I going to do when you leave? You make me feel so desired and loved. How can I possibly go back to the life I had before?

Back in my room, I showered and dressed hastily in jeans and a t-shirt. I worried about Edward the entire time. I knew that he was out there, running in the breaking dawn, and I prayed that he was safe.

As I waited for the coffee to brew in the kitchen, I fidgeted nervously. Surely Edward should be back by now. I sighed and tried to quell my mounting anxiety.

Claire came downstairs just as the pot finished sputtering. Her school satchel was slung over her shoulder, and she carried a small overnight bag.

"What's that?" I asked, raising my eyebrows as she tossed the bag against the kitchen island and poured herself a cup of coffee.

"Oh, that," Claire said nonchalantly. "I thought I'd stay over at Kim's for a couple of nights, if it's okay with you. She's still pining over Jared, and her parents are driving her nuts. She said that she could really use the distraction of having me there."

I stared at her in disbelief.

"But … Edward's here until Friday," I said slowly. "I thought that you wanted to spend time with him."

"Yeah, right," Claire said bitterly. "You see how much time I've spent with him so far. I'm in class all day, and then in the evening … well, I guess he's been tired, or preoccupied, or something. He's not fun like he was the last time he was here." She avoided my eyes.

What is going on here? I wondered as I silently contemplated my daughter. Claire was falling all over herself to spend time with Edward yesterday. She was even going to cut classes to take him sightseeing. Maybe it really did hurt her feelings when he turned her down.

"I don't know," I replied hesitantly. "You don't usually sleep over at friends' houses during the week. You're not planning on ditching school, are you?"

"Please, Mom! Give me some credit," Claire said, rolling her eyes. "I'm just trying to help Kim. It's not like we're going to be partying, or anything. And I'll be home on Friday, when Dad comes back."

"Well …," I wavered. "I guess it's alright. Just make sure that you check in with me today and tomorrow. And leave your cell phone on."

The doorbell rang.

"Oh, that must be Edward," I said to Claire, relief washing over me. "He went for a run, and I guess he put the lock on the door when he left."

Claire grunted in reply as I hurried to the foyer.

I opened the door to find a smiling, sweating Edward on the steps.

God. He's magnificent even when he sweats. Is there anything about this man that doesn't turn me on?

"How did it go?" I asked anxiously in a low voice.

"No problems," Edward replied cheerfully as he stepped into the foyer. "The car wasn't there today. I made three circuits of the lake to make sure."

I felt weak with relief. "Thank goodness," I said softly. "I guess maybe we both overreacted a little."

As we walked into the kitchen together, I felt Edward stiffen beside me.

"Good morning, Claire," he said carefully.

"'Morning," Claire mumbled into her cup, avoiding Edward's gaze.

There was an awkward silence.

"Yeah, well, I guess I'm not really hungry this morning," Claire finally said. She set her cup on the counter and picked up her bags. "I'll call you later, Mom. Edward … I guess I'll be seeing you … whenever. I'm gonna be staying at a friend's house for a couple of days," she said carelessly.

A look of shock appeared on Edward's face.

"So … maybe you'll drop me a postcard from England?" Claire said wistfully, finally looking at Edward.

"Yeah, I can do that," he replied slowly.

"Cool," Claire said. "Well, bye, I guess."

I shrugged helplessly at Edward as Claire left.

"I don't know what's gotten into her," I said apologetically. "Out of the blue this morning, she said that she wanted to stay at her friend Kim's house. I don't get it. I know how excited she was about having you here, and now she's not coming back until Friday afternoon, after you'll have left."

Edward sighed heavily and led me to a barstool. He sat and pulled me into his lap.

"Bella, I have to tell you something," he murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. "It's my fault that Claire's acting so strangely."

"I thought maybe she was a little hurt when you didn't take her up on her sightseeing expedition yesterday, but this seems a little overly dramatic, even for her," I said, smiling at him.

"It's not that," Edward said dully. He scanned my face carefully. "Something happened last night when you went to the store."

I felt the bottom drop out of my stomach.

Please don't let him say what I think he's going to say, I thought frantically.

"Claire asked me up to her room to show me some cd's," Edward continued gently. "She tried to kiss me, Bella. It was totally unprovoked, I swear. Maybe I was a bit harsh with her, but she's a child, for God's sake! I would never, ever lead her on in that way. Especially not with the way I feel about you."

I buried my face in my hands and tried to breathe as I processed Edward's words.

He silently ran his hand up and down my back as I attempted to compose myself.

"So, you never actually kissed her?" I asked in a trembling voice, raising my head to look at him.

"No, Bella. I didn't kiss her," Edward said emphatically. "I know I probably hurt her feelings, and that's why she's avoiding me now. I'm so sorry. I should have known better than to go to her room. I hope I haven't hurt you, but I thought you should know the truth."

"I'm not hurt," I said, taking a shaky breath. "To be honest, I don't know how I feel. I guess I feel bad for Claire. I know how much she idolizes you."

Sudden guilt and jealously flooded through me. "And she's not so young," I mumbled, looking down at my hands. "There's exactly the same age difference between you and Claire as there is between you and I. You could have easily taken advantage of the situation."

"But I didn't," Edward said firmly, raising my chin and staring into my eyes. "I want you, Bella. Only you. Please believe me."

He kissed me gently and deeply. His tongue lightly caressed mine and he sucked on my lips slowly and deliberately until they were swollen and burning.

"I believe you," I whispered, finally breaking the kiss. I laid my head on his shoulder and toyed absently with the collar of his t-shirt. "We just can't seem to catch a break, though. Everything just gets more and more complicated for us," I said sadly.

"You're wrong there," Edward replied huskily. "I think we finally did catch a break out of this whole mess."

I raised my head to look at him.

"How?" I asked curiously.

"Claire's gone until Friday, right?" Edward said slowly.

I nodded. Then my eyes widened in understanding.

"We're going to be alone, completely alone, for the next two days," Edward whispered in my ear. "I'd like to re-negotiate the conditions we agreed on last night."

A/N:

First of all, to give credit where credit is due. The movie referenced in this chapter is Dirty Dancing (1987) starring Patrick Swayze (Johnny Castle) and Jennifer Grey (Frances 'Baby' Houseman). I'm assuming that most of you have seen this classic movie (God, it makes me feel so old to call this movie a classic)! If you haven't – what are you waiting for? Do it now! It's funny, sweet and sexy; a perfect coming-of-age flic! The song "Love Is Strange" (1957) is sung by Mickey Baker and Silvia Robinson, and is featured in one of the movie's hottest scenes!

So, what do you all make of Edward and Bella's bedroom "negotiations"? Now that Edward wants to "re-negotiate", what do you think it means for their relationship? Leave me a review and let me know!