Just like "Explorations," the first few chapters of this are short, but they'll get longer. This story might actually be longer than Explorations because Edward is able to think so much more quickly and doesn't have to sleep.

It was a relief to finally establish that we were going to try, but I was a little uncertain on how to start. Bella surprised me by trying to kiss me, and I pulled away. I frowned; had she already forgotten her promise? "Bella, maybe I didn't make myself clear before. For this to work, I need to be in control. Totally."

She still looked puzzled when she replied. "Right . . ."

"That means that everything that happens, I have to initiate," I explained. "If you want us to do something, you can ask me, but I have to be the one that makes the decisions. That's the only way this is going to happen. Do you understand?"

She sighed and told me that she understood but wasn't happy about it. "So," she said, "can we kiss?"

I laughed and complied, leaning down and pressing my lips to hers. I kissed her very gently at first, as usual, but when I was sure I was in control I added a little more pressure and allowed myself to taste her. I had to restrain myself already; her lips were so good, better than anything I'd ever tasted save her blood. Bella gasped, and I couldn't resist the opportunity to explore her mouth for the first time. I'd recently overcome some of my revulsion and begun to pay a bit more attention to my siblings' sexual activities, and I knew how this sort of kissing worked. Nothing, though, could have prepared me for Bella's mouth. It was so warm against my cold tongue, so soft and sweet. I could kiss her like this forever, drowning in the taste of her.

I took my time, making sure I was in control and that this kiss would be memorable for us both. Even when Bella became a vampire, I wanted her to remember this moment. I traced her teeth and stroked along the inside of her mouth. It felt so good it almost hurt. Bella was panting and making little sighing sounds, and I had to lock all my muscles in place to keep from doing anything rash. Luckily she kept her promise and didn't grab me, but she did respond ardently to my kiss. I nearly groaned as our tongues slid against each other, but when she tried to press further, I had to stop. I worked to suppress the passion in my face and lightened the atmosphere with mock-seriousness.

"Now Bella, I'm sorry, but anything that happens is going to have to be in your mouth. Razor-sharp venomous teeth, remember?" She turned a brilliant shade of red and I smirked before murmuring, "Now . . . where were we?"

I continued kissing her lips for a few more moments but could not resist the siren call of her body. I moved to the corner of her mouth and trailed my lips down her cheek until I reached her chin. Then I pressed tiny kisses down her throat, savoring her heat and delicious scent and ignoring the beckoning of her blood. I reached her collarbone, which had tempted me for so long, and this time, I didn't have to refrain. I explored that fascinating hollow with my tongue, enjoying the taste and learning the contours of her skin. Bella moaned and I smiled. That was a sound I could get used to hearing every day of my existence.

I trailed my lips back up the side of her neck until I reached the curve just below her ear. It was just begging to be kissed, so I did. I pressed my lips to that spot again and again, until Bella shivered.

Ashamed of myself, I pulled away. "I'm sorry, you're getting cold."

I started to sit back from her but she grabbed the front of my sweater. "No, Edward!" Bella said. "When I shiver from your touch . . ." She was blushing and I stared at her, confused. "It's almost never because I'm cold."

Not cold? Then why . . . oh. Obviously. That meant—

She wanted me. I grinned. I already knew that, of course, but still . . . all those times I thought I was chilling her . . . My smile turned wicked. "In that case . . ."

I moved to the shell of her ear and nipped it very lightly. Of course, I made very certain to cover my teeth with my lips. I pressed another kiss to her ear and let myself taste her once again. Just a fleeting touch, a flickering of my tongue, but she seemed to like it, judging by her gasps. I couldn't help but feel self-satisfied; it was the same as when I first kissed her, first discovered the effect I had on her. It was just so gratifying to hear her respond to me like that. My mouth moved to the lobe and I took it between my lips, sucking lightly. Bella moaned and my entire body tightened with excitement, but then I heard Charlie awakening from his dream.

Very reluctantly, I moved away from Bella. "What--" she began to ask, but I interrupted before she could complete the sentence.

"I'm sorry love, you woke Charlie," I whispered. "He's about to come in—I'll be back as soon as he leaves."

I ran into her closet, feeling slightly foolish but not really caring. Charlie opened the door and Bella started muttering to herself, I assume in an attempt to imitate her dream state. I shook my head, smiling; I hadn't been lying to her, that first night. She truly was a terrible actress.

Charlie was satisfied, though, and that's what mattered. When he left I climbed into Bella's bed behind her and wrapped my arm around her waist. She began to turn around, but I stopped her, whispering, "Shh, it's past midnight. You need to sleep." I could tell that she wanted to argue so I added, "Don't worry, we'll keep going tomorrow. I think I've tested myself enough for one night. Sleep, my love."

That was a lie. Well, not really; I had tested myself enough, but it wasn't nearlysufficient. It was all right, though. I just had to remember what I'd told Bella. More tomorrow. Control tonight. I began to hum Bella's lullaby and as she relaxed in my arms, I knew it would be a long night.