ECISLove2010, nette91, trs1, shannoninn369, traceybuie, Haleydove and elaine67. Thank you very much for your reviews. I was really worried about the last chapter but your reviews set my mind at rest. Thank you.

BPOV

It was freezing. Shit I couldn't even move. I was frozen in place. I tried to move. I heard a low chuckle.

"Sleep well love?"

What? I didn't dare open my eyes. I was dreaming. I was hearing Edward's voice again in my dreams.

"I know you are awake love…. Are you cold? I could move."

Oh my god! I lay still so this wasn't a dream. I needed to think clearly to take stock of what was happening. My cheek was against something cold and ticklish. My breasts pushed into the same firm cold as the rest of my body and a very obvious bulge pushing againt my stomach. Even my legs were entwined with cold hard ones… I was lying on top of Edward's body. His half naked body if I can remember clearly. I blushed deeply when I remembered all that had happened last night. And I had fallen asleep right after .. after I reached my peak mm.. how embarrassing. And it looked like Edward never moved. He had lain with me on top of him like this all through the night. I wasn't cold anymore… I was getting warmer by the minute… I experimentally moved my legs I wanted to feel his legs. I hadn't seen them last night and even now the comforter was covering both of us. They felt a bit hairy like his chest. I liked the ticklish feeling against me.

"Bella are you alright?" I heard him sigh.

"I'm sorry Bella for taking advantage of you like that last night… I..I thought you wanted it too.. otherwise I wouldn't have let things go this far… I … mean.. I…."

I had to talk. In typical Edward fashion he was going to blame himself for what happened and frankly no one should be blamed for it they should be rewarded.

"Edward… I really liked it honest." His hands tightened on my back. I felt him inhaling deeply. He was enjoying my scent. Wow… did I really smell that good to him?

"Oh Bella…I loved it too…..you don't know how much it meant to me to be so close to you.. I love you so much Bella….." His voice was rough. He started planting soft kisses on me.

His hands gently touched my face and lifted it to him. I finally opened my eyes to look at him. His eyes were filled with tenderness and love. I reached forward and kissed his lips. He returned it hungrily. I felt his erection jerk against me. Instantly I felt a flood of wetness in my core. I wanted him again. I could see him more clearly in the daylight streaming through a crack in the curtain. I desperately ran my hands through his chest touching him every where. I felt his cold hands on my back. They were touching the skin exposed between my t-shirt and panties. They hesitantly moved under the t-shirt to the small of my back several times. A jolt of electricity shook me every time he ran his hands there, his coldness against my heated flesh. Edward was moaning my name and I heard my own voice repeating his name answering his call while we frantically moved against each other to get more friction. We were not going to last long. I screamed his name with my release and I heard an answering roar as I felt the coldness of his release. It took a while for our breathing to return to normal.

What time was it? I had to get to school. I started to get up when Edward held me tighter to him.

"Bella…" His voice was low and husky.

I looked at him and he was staring at me with a burning intensity.

"Bella…will you marry me?" I gaped at him. What? Did he just propose to me?

EPOV

What had I done? Bella was staring at me in shock. I was so ashamed of myself. This is not the proper way to propose to your beloved. Even an inexperienced teenager would know that. My Bella deserved all the honour and decorum that went with a proper proposal. I had thought so much about how I would make the moment so special for her. And what had I done? I'd just blurted out a proposal in my underwear with Bella similarly scantily clad. It was a dishonour to her. I had to apologise for my unforgivable behaviour. I just couldn't understand how I could have done this. Have I lost my mind?

"Bella.. I wish to apologise to you for my inexcusable behaviour. I did not mean any disrespect to you by proposing in this manner. In fact I never intended to propose to you today. It was meant to be done with more finesse than this. Please please forgive me."

She must be outraged by my behaviour. Any lady would. My only hope is that she wouldn't mention this to Charlie. I should have first asked him for her hand in marriage. But then again Bella wouldn't like that. I was so conflicted with all my thoughts I barely heard Bella speak.

"Er…Edward I think I need a human moment."

She dashed out of the room. I quickly got up and put my clothes back on. Normally Bella's face was an open book. But today I could only read shock and disbelief in her face. I couldn't understand this response. She hadn't been angry with me. That was the response I expected from her. She took much longer than she normally would in the bathroom. Did she take her clothes with her? No she hadn't in her rush she'd forgotten. Should I take her something to wear? I knocked on the bathroom door.

"Bella, I think you forgot your clothes. Tell me what you need. I'll bring it for you."

I heard a crash from inside.

"Bella are you ok?" My hand reached the door handle but I hesitated to open it without asking her first.

"Just dropped the shampoo. I'm fine. Can you get me a t-shirt and a pair of jeans?"

"Sure."

I dashed back to her room. It felt a bit intrusive opening her wardrobe and going through her clothes even though I'd spent a long time in there last night. I picked out a top in my favourite shade of blue on her and jeans. Oh! she'd need underwear….. should I? I hesitated…but she would need it and I had been very intimate with her yesterday…. I knew she kept her underwear on the top drawer of her chest.

Holy shit! I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened it. Did Bella wear this stuff? I saw images of Victoria's secret models merging with Bella's. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I mustn't think of my Bella in that way. But my god! What a collection of stuff! Someday….someday I hoped I would get to see her in some of these. I reached to touch them but immediately pulled my hand back. It was a violation of privacy to go through her under things. But I had to get something for her. I caught sight of something plain white and pulled it out. It was very similar to the pair she wore yesterday but this time it was a red rose in front with a red bow. This would have to do. Now for a bra, I checked the next drawer. This time I was prepared for the flimsy under things I found in it. I didn't want to unnecessarily disturb anything so I sniffed to get a whiff of cotton. I found a plain white bra with lace edging. This too had a little bow in front. What's with the bows? But it did look sweet I had to admit that and sexy.. a little voice inside me added. I ignored it and rushed to the bathroom. I knocked and handed over the clothes to her and went back to her room to wait for her.

Bella came back to the room in record time. I couldn't help admiring her form. A thrill ran through me to realise that for once I knew what she was wearing underneath her clothing. And I had selected it for her. A very delicate blush spread through her when she met my eyes. I think she too had the same thought I did. Mmm.. may be I should have selected the barely there sexy underwear…

"Edward we are late. Can I get a ride with you? Or are you running?"

Just then I heard the horn of the Volvo from front of Charlie's yard.

"Edward you owe me big! The clothes are in the back come and get them."

"Alice is here you can ride with us."

I quickly grabbed Bella's bag and we both went down stairs.

"Bella, your breakfast?" I asked Bella while she was putting her coat on.

"I got her food."

I heard a shout from Alice as Bella went towards the Volvo.

"Bella can I use your bathroom?"

"Sure. Get a towel from the hall cupboard."

I grabbed the clothes from the back and ran upstairs to change. I quickly showered and dressed. I was sorry to wash off the scent of Bella's arousal. I got in just as Alice pulled out.

"Well that was quick."

Bella smiled at me turning towards the back of the car munching on a burger. I knew she was remembering last night and how long I took to change. If I could have blushed I would have. She didn't seem angry with me. She was smiling at me. That's good isn't it? I really wasn't sure. I felt excitement course through my body at the thought that she might say yes to my proposal. I knew Bella really didn't care much about decorum so may be she might overlook my behaviour. Thank god Alice didn't mention it. I was sure she must have seen it.

"Bella we are going to swim in the river and just play around on Saturday. It's going to be a sunny day. Would you like to join us?" Alice asked.

"Esme is dying to see Bella again and so is everyone else. You can't expect to keep her to yourself all the time Edward."

Alice was looking at me from the rear view mirror and although I showed her my annoyance I nodded my head ok. I knew my family was waiting to spend some time with Bella again, specially Esme.

"Sure. Why not? But I don't have a swimming suit."

"Please do come Bella, don't worry about the suit I'm sure Alice can get one for you."

I suddenly felt eager to have Bella spend some more time with my family. If I expected her to join us as my wife she should get a chance to reacquaint herself with everyone again.

"I already got one Bella, so no more excuses."

Of course Alice would have got her one.

"I've got new swimming trunks for you as well Edward."

I groaned. I remembered all the men's swim wear from Alice's Spring catalogs. She'd been playing them repeatedly along with the underwear collection in her mind and of course my photographic memory retained all the information. Information I really really didn't want.

"What's wrong with my old pair?"

I already had some very decent looking swimming trunks. Of course in my time they would have been considered scandalous.

"Do I have to illustrate to you what would happen if you wear them?"

I heard Bella choke on her burger in the front seat and leaned in to help her.

"ALICE" I was really mortified. Did she have to go into specifics?

"You asked for it Edward. How many times do I have to tell you that you can no longer wear your normal clothes without getting into serious trouble?"

"The swimming trunks would have been a disaster with you seeing Bella for the first time in a swimming suit! The new ones are reinforced and specially made for you."

I hung my head in defeat. How bad could it be? At least it would have to cover what my underwear covered right? I was glad she did not say the last part about me seeing Bella in a swim suit out loud. It would have really offended Bella. I wondered what Bella would look like in a swimming suit. What type of a suit had Alice got her? I gave Alice a questioning look.

"It's for me to know and you to find out Edward. Saturday is going to be a lot of fun."

The little pixie gave me an evil grin and started translating Hamlet into Arabic. She used Shakespeare when something really big was going down. I felt very excited now. I guess I'd just have to wait and see. Bella had accepted our invitation. Does that mean that she is not planning to refuse me? I felt more and more positive of her answer but I didn't want to push her so I held back from questioning her.

She had been deep in thought throughout the rest of the ride to school. It was at times like this that I desperately wished that I could read her mind.

It was nearly lunch break when Bella grabbed my hand and pulled me to a deserted corridor.

"Edward…. about today in the morning."

"I'm so sorry Bella I want…" She held up a hand for me to stop talking.

"Let me speak. Thank you Edward for… for…..proposing. You really took me by surprise. It's just that it's the last thing on my mind right now. Please understand. I have to first finish my studies. It is important to me. I also still have to figure out my feelings for you. I'm happy that we have grown closer to each other than before and I want to see where it leads. But marriage….."

She made a face of dislike.

"I'm only eighteen Edward…..I just don't see myself getting married before I'm at least thirty."

It was my turn to be surprised.

"Thirty? That's a long time to wait Bella."

"I don't want to make the same mistakes Charlie and Renee made Edward. They married too young. I want to be responsible and have my life settled before I think of taking such a big step."

I couldn't control my disappointment. I had been so excited by her smile in the car. Bella must have seen something in my face because she moved closer to me and took my face in her hands.

"Edward, look at me.." I did so with the greatest difficulty. I didn't want her to see the pain in my eyes but I had promised my Bella complete honesty.

I heard her sharp in take of breath and the conflict ranging in her eyes.

"Edward please… you have to understand I'm not refusing you… it's just that I barely know you Edward…and I need time.."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How could she not know me? I had spent so much time with her during the past two years. Well not the months I was away, I cringed at the memory but before that and after. I'd spent almost every night with her and we had been practically inseparable during the summer I was with her before I left.

"Bella what do you mean you don't know me? We've spent so much time together. We've shared so much about each other."

"Edward….. I know. I do know a lot about you… but then .. again I don't really know you."

Now I was more confused than ever.

"We've never talked about some things Edward…. Some topics we just avoided. I know you were .. I mean … oh…."

I could see Bella struggling with words and she was blushing…

"I was what?"

"A virgin"

Oh! She was worried about that.

"I still am Bella."

"Oh.. good."

She blushed again. We were both avoiding each others eyes now in embarrassment. I wondered whether she was still a virgin. But I didn't think I could ask her that question right now. I would have been blushing an even deeper shade of red than Bella if I could at this moment.

"So. … well like I said I don't know you.. I mean I don't know many things about you…."

I finally understood what she was trying to say. Yes we had talked with each other.. but we had deliberately avoided some topics. At that time I had thought it wouldn't ever be possible for me to be intimate with Bella so I never really wanted to talk about anything related to that.

"Can..can we get to know each other better Edward?"

"Yes… Bella… I also don't know much about you .. wh .. when.. it comes to …" God. I was stammering. We really needed to get to know each other better this way. Our physical relationship was moving so fast. But we couldn't even talk about simple things related to it. I really did want to know more about her.. in that way.. much much more.

"So.. will you spend the night at my place again today Edward?"

I couldn't hide my joy. She wanted me with her tonight…does that mean I would get to spend every night with her from now on? I didn't want to ask just yet.

"It will be my pleasure Bella."

"A..about the proposal Edward…I need time.. to consider it ok? Like I said I want to get to know you better first." I couldn't deny my Bella anything.

"Take all the time you need love….I'll be waiting for you." I heard myself respond.

"Thanks Edward."

She reached up to lightly brush my lips with a chaste kiss and then pulled me towards our next class. I couldn't wait for tonight to be with my Bella again..

So what do you think? Do you think things are progressing?