Another chapter, hope you like!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, or any of its characters

Proposition

Bella woke up the next morning, breathing heavily. To her surprise, there was a thin line of sweat along her hairline. Even more surprising, if not shocking, her legs were parted and her hand was resting between them. In an embarrassed rush, she pulled herself together, sitting up instantly and pulling her knees into her chest.

Bella had, undoubtedly, just woken up from the raciest, most erotic dream starring her and…Edward Cullen.

Flashes of the dream were still on her brain. Edward crawling onto her bed, wearing the incredibly appealing black marina, those powerful arms on either side of her body. Edward not wearing the black marina, and not wearing much of anything else, while he lay positioned between her legs. Edward's charming smile, nearing her face, those gorgeous eyes burning into her flesh. These were only snippets, of what was truly the most intense REM cycle Bella had ever experienced. She could have only hoped that the moans she cried in her dream were not cried out loud as well.

And yet, Bella was unsettled. She did not know Edward Cullen, and had only met him for the first time the day before, in what was one of the most uncomfortable situations possible. How did the awkwardness and uncertainty she had felt upon meeting the guy turn into the passion and ferocity she had dreamed up? She couldn't deny Edward's attractiveness, but she had felt way too nervous about him hearing her music to really grasp everything he had to offer physically. Or at least, so she thought. She seemed to have dreamed up the contrary.

Her roommate wasn't present in the room, though Bella wasn't surprised. In the first month of her freshman year here at Ambrose University, Bella grasped early on that her roommate, Jessica Stanley, had more important matters to tend to than spend time in their shared room. Not that Bella minded: the times she had spent with Jessica were less than desirable. And certainly after last night, she was more than grateful that Jessica had been absent. Jessica was one of the nosiest people Bella had ever encountered, and she knew that if Jessica had noticed something suspicious, she wouldn't let Bella live it down.

Then again, now that Bella's breathing and heart rate had slowed and she was thinking more clearly – the effects of her dream state wearing off, she thought now that maybe Jessica's presence wouldn't be so detestable right now. Surely Jessica would know more than enough information on Edward Cullen, and Bella was curious enough to listen to the girl harp on him for a few minutes.

As stroke of luck would have it, Jessica came bursting into the room. Her physical freshness made Bella aware of the fact that she not only looked unshowered, but frazzled from her dream events. Jessica didn't hesitate to point that out.

"Bella, you look horrible!"

"Thanks, Jess," Bella murmured.

"Are you just waking up?" Jessica asked as she came into the room. "It looks like you had a rough night."

You have no idea, Bella thought to herself. "I just haven't showered yet, is all," Bella told her. Then she said, "Do you know Edward Cullen?"

Jessica's light brown eyes widened in surprise. "Do I know Edward Cullen?" she gaped. "Who doesn't know Edward Cullen? He's only the hottest guy on campus."

Bella waited for her to continue, but Jessica just stared back at her, looking as if she had told Bella enough information for recognition to set in. It was obvious that nothing else was coming unless Bella asked. "Well, who is he?" Bella pressed.

Jessica rolled her eyes in a way as if she couldn't believe Bella could need any more information on – clearly – the most popular boy on the planet. "He's a junior here, and he plays for the lacrosse team. And he's a super talented musician. And he's fucking hot of course."

Well that only gave Bella a snippet more of who exactly Edward Cullen was. But then again, how could she expect superficial Jessica Stanley to ever want to know something substantial about another human being? It had probably been an effort for her even to find out he was a lacrosse player and that he was a musician.

"Why do you care?" Jessica wanted to know.

Bella should have expected her to ask, but she still hadn't come up with anything clever to say in explanation. Which was bad, because she could see the inquisitive gears in Jessica's head turning, formulating their own ideas.

"You don't like him do you? Because I wasn't even under the impression that you knew him. I mean, you had to ask me who he was anyway, so like, what's up?"

It took Bella a minute to actually understand what she was trying to say, but once she got it all together, she replied, "No I don't like him, I was just wondering who he was. I don't really know him at all actually."

Jessica seemed hardly satisfied by this answer, but she didn't press. Instead she sauntered over to her side of the room and started sifting through her drawers. Bella glanced down at herself, realized she was still sitting in bed, and figured it was time to get up and take a shower.

Once she was showered and dressed in a white tank top and navy blue sweatpants, she headed for her dorm building's dining center. She still had an hour to her next class so she decided to have a late brunch beforehand. The dining center was empty save for those who worked as staff. Bella chose a chicken salad wrap and bottled water for a meal. As she went to take a seat, she heard people coming in behind her. To her personal horror, Edward Cullen was among the bunch. He hadn't noticed her yet, laughing with a small and attractive girl with short, spiky black hair. Bella saw this as an opportunity to duck out before he did notice her. But it seemed that just as the thought had come to her, and she started gathering her lunch together, he locked eyes with her, and she knew she was caught.

"Bella," he said softly.

His voice sent a warm rush to her cheeks. "Edward, hi," she replied in a tone not as smooth.

He smiled at her. The two of them came over to where she was standing while the others behind them went off in their own directions. Edward gestured to the girl next to him. "This is my sister, Alice. She's a sophomore here."

"Nice to meet you Alice," Bella said politely, stretching out her hand.

"You too," Alice said brightly, taking Bella's hand firmly. Bella was surprised that such a petite looking girl had such a strong grip. "Edward has told me so much about you."

Another flush covered the original one of Bella's face. "Oh?"

Alice grinned at her brother, who was now smiling…almost shyly? "He told me that you have a great singing voice," Alice explained. "You know, there's a winter music recital inn December. Just before Christmas break."

"Oh no," Bella said quickly. "I'm hardly that good."

Alice shook off Bella's comment. "Hardly anyone with talent actually goes. I mean, there's some talented people, but last year, someone went and played a series of songs from Guitar Hero III on expert." Alice shrugged. "It's really casual. If you're as good as Edward made you sound, you'd definitely be the most talented person there."

Bella found now that she was blushing furiously. Even Edward seemed to be shying away from Alice's boldness, but he was still smiling at Bella, which was continuing to warm her insides.

"I'm in charge of the recital," Alice said. "Let me know if you want to do a set."

"Thanks for the offer, but no thanks," Bella said. Then she explained, "I don't really like to play for others."

Alice rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me your one of those people who are so humble about their talent that they don't like to share it."

"She writes her own stuff, and she almost had a heart attack when she thought I had read some of her work," Edward explained, looking directly at Bella when he said this.

Alice frowned. "Sounds like you're stuck up."

Bella bit her lip nervously. "It's not like that, I'm just–"

Suddenly Alice laughed, "I'm just playing with you Bells. You don't mind if I call you Bells do you?"

"Well my–"

Alice cut Bella off again, turning to speak to Edward. "Listen Eddie, I promised Jasper I'd meet him for coffee, so I'll have to catch up with you later." She then turned to Bella. "It was nice meeting you again," she said. "I hope I'll be seeing more of you."

Alice bounced out of the center, leaving Edward and Bella standing alone.

"Sorry if Alice seemed somewhat impulsive," Edward said, running a hand over his auburn locks. "She can be kind of jarring at first, but you learn to understand her for it."

Bella only smiled in response to his words. Edward shifted his weight and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "So, can I join you for lunch?" he asked.

"Well, I was just about to leave actually, when you guys came in," Bella started.

Edward raised an eyebrow at her. "You have a class or something?"

"Yeah, in about," Bella looked down at her watch. The truth was she still had forty-five minutes till her next class, but she said, "fifteen minutes."

Edward looked skeptical, but didn't comment on it further. Instead, he said, "Is there no way that I can play for you sometime?"

The question surprised Bella. "Play for me?"

"Play music with you, I should have said," Edward explained. Then he went on, "Truly, you have one of the most unique voices I've heard in a while. And you're clearly capable of writing music, even if the lyrics are kind of fluffed up."

Bella's heart dropped. "Fluffed up?"

Edward shrugged. "Romantic. Lovey-dovey if you will. But to each their own."

It was the exact response she was trying to avoid. Edward seemed to see her face paling, because he suddenly backpedalled. "Don't get me wrong, they were beautiful words–"

"Sorry, I can't play with you," Bella said firmly. "I don't share my 'fluff' with others."

"Don't misunderstand me," Edward said. "They were beautiful lyrics. I guess I've just never felt that way about someone else you could say, so to me their somewhat maudlin. But if you have someone in your life that means that much to you, then that's wonderful."

Embarrassment, and maybe even a hint of humiliation followed Bella's next statement. "I don't have a boyfriend or anything like that," she muttered.

Edward shrugged again. "Well that part is irrelevant anyway. I just want to play piano for you or something. I truly enjoyed toying with the song I had heard. What was it called?"

Bella hesitated. It was weird talking about her music – her mind was telling her to bolt. But her body seemed to be unattached to her brain at the moment. "It was called 'If That's What It Takes'," she whispered.

He nodded approvingly. "How long have you been writing your own music?"

"For about a year now or so I guess."

"I'd really love to collaborate with you on an occasion or two, at your discretion of course. We wouldn't have to play your music, if it upsets you so much. We could just play covers. Maybe one for the recital?"

Bella felt her heart seize at the thought. "No, no thank you," she said quickly.

He gave her a lingering look, golden eyes smoldering. "What's up with you and people hearing you sing? You do have a great voice you know, if you weren't sure."

What could Bella say? She knew that her voice was at least decent enough to be heard in public, she just happened to have developed an incurable case of shyness. Something about people – masses of people – watching and waiting on her every note…what if she were to fumble on her strings, or if her voice was to break? She didn't think she could handle the shame that followed making public mistakes.

Edward took her silence for what it was: a no. "Fine, no recital," he said. "Maybe you could just sing for me one night in the music building. We could go at night, so that no one else will hear you but me."

Bella glanced up at him, but couldn't hold the anxious intensity in his eyes. "No offense, but I'm not comfortable singing in front of people who I don't really know."

"But I've heard you singing already," Edward said playfully. "Doesn't that give me an opportunity to hear it again?"

"I had gone to music building on that particular day to be alone. I hadn't meant for you to hear me."

"Well that's why I suggested a late night meeting, so that no one would hear you," He smiled that pleasant smile of his. "Come on Bells," he added teasingly.

She winced. "I was trying to tell Alice before....my father calls me that."

Edward winced too. "Good to know. I'll be sure not to say that again."

A small smile came on her face. Most of the awkwardness she had initially felt with Edward had melted away. He made her comfortable, even though he was coming on strong about the music session. But instead of being able to say a flat out 'no' as she was accustomed to doing - this wasn't the first proposal she had ever received - she suddenly felt uncertain about whether or not she truly wanted to turn his offer down. Her mind floated back to when she heard him playing her music. As unsettling as it had made her once she recognized it as her own, she had been captured by the sheer beauty and skill of the melodies being played. And she did recall Jessica telling her earlier that Edward was a musician.

Edward glanced down at her watch. "I hope I haven't made you late," he said.

Bella glanced down at her watch as well. She still had ample time before her next class, but she told Edward that she had to be in class soon enough. "No not yet," she said. "But I should get going."

"Well maybe I'll see you later?" he asked her. "Maybe at around eleven-thirty, in the music building?"

Bella shrugged, but she was smiling. "Maybe," she said in a voice that sounded surprisingly flirtatious. "If I can find the time."

"You would leave me sitting alone in the music building would you?" he said.

His voice dropped considerably and he took a step towards her, immediately closing the gap between them. He was so close that a slight tilt forward would have her nose grazing the center of his chest.

Her face flushed at the thought, but she didn't step away from him. She just raised her head a bit higher. "I guess that would be wrong." Her tone was still flirtatious. "I suppose I could meet with you."

"And sing for me?"

"Well that much I can't promise just yet."

Edward smiled again, and Bella felt her knees weakening. Being this close to him, remembering her erotic dream about him, everything was making her own personal temperature rise. She found herself gazing into the smoldering gold of his eyes, and licking her lips absentmindedly.

"Well I don't want to keep you any longer," he said softly. "But I'm looking forward to tonight."

Secretly, and for reasons Bella didn't completely understand yet, so was she.

Review please! I love feedback.

I'm in the midst of working on a few more chapters, but those who don't know me as a writer, should know that I'm good for updating. And I pretty much make it a point to finish all the fics I start, because I try not to leave readers hanging. But then again, if it feels like I have no readers, I might have to close this story early (AKA review)

See you all soon in the next chapter.

--Brin--