Title: The Harsh Light of Day (Tentative Title)

Author: Michelle Kay

Rating: M

Disclaimer: I respect the work of Stephenie Meyer and no copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: The gentle swell of the ocean brought our bodies closer. His lips were only centimeters away from my own; the feeling was intoxicating. Our lips met… Our bodies met. His cold skin brushed against mine in the midst of the warm Atlantic waters. He wrapped around me apprehensively, pulling my body closer to his.

***

"I promised we would try," He whispered, suddenly tense. "If… if I do something wrong, if I hurt you, you must tell me at once."

I nodded solemnly, keeping my eyes on his. I took another step through the waves and leaned my head against his chest.

"Don't be afraid," I murmured. "We belong together."

I was abruptly overwhelmed by the truth of my own words. This moment was so perfect, so right, there was no way to doubt it.

His arms wrapped around me, holding my against him, summer and winter. It felt like every nerve ending in my body was a live wire.

"Forever," He agreed, and then pulled us gently into deeper water.

***

We tread water, there, for what seemed like an eternity. The moon shone down on Edward's pale skin, and it was beautiful. I could hardly contain myself. My eyes wondered. The gentle swell of the ocean brought our bodies closer. His lips were only centimeters away from my own; the feeling was intoxicating. Our lips met… Our bodies met. His cold skin brushed against mine in the midst of the warm Atlantic waters. He wrapped around me apprehensively, pulling my body closer to his.

"Bella," Edward whispered, his eyes pleading. His face was torn, and it pulled at my heart. "I can't hurt you… I don't know what I'd do…" He glanced away from me, instantly making me self-conscious. This is what I'd been waiting for, what I'd been hoping for, pleading for… But I couldn't do this to him. It wouldn't be what I needed it to be if he was only worrying. Not enjoying.

"Edward, we can wait. I want you to be here… with me…" I hesitated before shooting him a quick glance, trying my best to be convincing.

"I am here with you, Bella. I want to do this for you. I am true to my word." He looked down at the water flowing between us. I lifted my arm out of the water, brushing the hair out of his lovely face. Oh, the look he gave me. I could see it, the love, written across his striking features. I kissed him, and I thought I might cry. The feel was so wonderful, so awesome. Awesome, in the true sense of the word… Inspiring an overwhelming feeling of reverence or admiration, produced by that which is grand, sublime, or extremely powerful. I rambled off the meaning in my head. His hands found his way into my damp hair, his lips meandered from mine, making a trail down the nape of my neck.

"Edward…" I mumbled, almost incoherently; I'm certain. He pulled back. Did I dare open my eyes? What if he honestly wasn't ready? This would be his first time as well. I dared, but before I knew it he had scooped me into his cold arms, and we were on the beach. I was suddenly aware that our bodies were exposed. I could feel his toned chest against my side, his hands touching my bare skin. His eyes bore into my own. It was as if our souls were connected.

We breezed through the open doors, and into the beautiful bedroom that had been awaiting us. He laid me, lovingly, on the white bedding. The lights seemed bright to me. Harsh. As if he could read my mind, he went to switch off the light. I watched him as he walked to the light switch. In this moment of freedom, I studied his body. His muscles flexed, subtlety, creating a tingly sensation that washed through my body, and to my core. He turned, now bathed in candlelight. My eyes flickered south.

Edward made his way over to me, and motioned for me to scoot over. I obliged, willingly. He lay down beside me, intertwining his legs with my own. I was acutely aware of what was pressed against my thigh as his lips found mine. We shared a passionate kiss as our bodies molded together. I took a deep breath and I tore my lips away. Somewhere, in the midst of our kiss, he had found his place above me. His weight hardly shifted, but his hand lifted from beside me, finding its place on my breast. His fingers traced lightly across my warm skin, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Goosebumps had now spread across most of my exposed body.

"Oh…" Edward said, a cool breath escaping his lips. His brow furrowed.

"It's okay." I assured him. I couldn't bear for him to not continue. He seemed to relax. I took this moment to let my own hands explore a little. They brushed along his back, finding their home at the small of it. He cupped my breast, and lowered his head. He kissed the warm skin of my chest, leaving a trail of kisses across my bust. I captured his lips with mine, urging him to move forward. He slid back up, letting a little more of his weight rest on me. His body settled between my legs. This was it. I closed my eyes, and heard him take a deep, unnecessary, breath before slipping inside of me. The feeling made me gasp, quite audibly. Edward looked at me worriedly. He had hit my barrier. I nodded very delicately. Edwards' hands grasped the sheets under me, gripping them tightly. I felt him advance. Slowly. Suddenly, the barrier was no more. He filled me completely. I opened my eyes, only to have his search them for some kind of confirmation that he had not hurt me. I smiled.

"Oh, God…" Edward moaned, as he began to thrust harder. The pain was almost non-existent at this point. His expression of lust set me on fire. I wrapped my legs around him, and felt him slip deeper inside my center. His eyes opened suddenly, and he let out a breath. I moaned his name as we passionately explored each others bodies. His body was rock hard, but seemed softened in this moment. He was still resting on one hand. The other had found its' way beneath me, and was holding my torso up slightly. I assumed, for better access. He lowered his head and left a trail of kisses from my stomach to the nape of my neck. His thrusts became more urgent, and a low growl emitted from deep within his chest. His lips rested there, at my neck, for a moment; I could feel his cool breath and he knew that I trusted him completely. His lips opened slightly and his teeth grazed across my delicate skin. So sharp, so deadly. He grabbed my arms, pinning them at my sides. I wasn't scared, not for a second. He was barely hurting me. The pleasure coursing through me would be blocking out any pain I might be experiencing anyway.

"Bella," Edward moaned. His lips continued their trip, and found their way to my mouth. His tongue swept across my lower lip seductively. I parted my lips slightly, granting him access. His cool, sweet tongue invaded my mouth hungrily as he continued to thrust into me. I could feel the pressure inside of me building. My hands found themselves in his wildly disheveled hair. I grasped and pulled at it and Edward lifted my torso even higher off of the bed. I could feel low growls rumbling inside of his chest. I closed my eyes and the feeling climbed even higher. I let out a big breath I hadn't realized I was holding. The feeling climbed higher. I moaned again.

"Open your eyes." Edward moaned. I did, and the moment our eyes locked I felt a magnificent release. My body shook and I arched my back as he spilled himself inside of me. He collapsed beside me on the bed as I took in this new, wonderful feeling. I turned to face him. Edward. My husband. The word no longer left a bad taste in my mouth. I smiled at him as he leaned in to give me a lingering, romantic kiss. He broke this kiss, and rested his forehead against mine. I suddenly found that we were beneath the covers, a sheet between us. I still felt his body pressed against my own as he guided me to turn and face the opposite direction. I nestled myself against him, and quickly found myself falling asleep as we spooned together. The beautiful night slipped into the darkness as my eyes fluttered shut.

A/N: I am debating on whether or not to continue this as a full-length story. This is the tentative 'prologue', and I have an idea as to where this story will go if I decide to pursue it. Comments are appreciated. Thank you. - Michelle Kay