Denying Temptation

I tredged through the mud, a mixture of emotions causing me mental grief. I was disappointed and angry. This vampire, whoever it was, was very good at hiding their whereabouts. I hadn't found any trace of where they could be and worse yet, I was hungry. I had given thought to staying longer in the woods to hunt bear, but I knew it would upset Carlisle. He had forbidden hunts alone thanks to our new nusiance. I sighed as I neared the house, frowning to myself. Bella, what would I do about her? Dealing with the scent of her blood had been painful, but bearable. Now that I was hungry, I wasn't sure I could control myself.

"Perhaps I'll send her to the servants quarters' tonight after all," I said softly to myself.

I felt a small pang of disappointment at my words, but I wouldn't risk harming her. She had become too much of a mystery to me now, I had to solve her. As I reached the entry way, I saw Alice and Jasper laying together in front of the fireplace. They were silent, but I took the allowed time to listen to Alice's thoughts.

Edward's new girl hasn't come out of his room all day, I wonder if she's alright.

A mental image of me drinking her blood, and then another of me taking advantage of her. I grimaced. Was it that obvious to Alice how much I wanted her, in both ways?

Edward wouldn't be cruel enough to do that, would he?

Her thoughts clouded to Jasper and she kissed his chest, sighing softly. I sighed and stepped into our home, setting my weapons on a table nearby. I ignored Alice's probing questions of whether or not I found anything and went straight to my room, resolved to send Bella to the servants quarters' for her safety. I went into my room and saw her small figure sitting on the ground with her back against the wall. The smell of her blood was overpowering and it took every ounce of my concentration to focus on removing my cloak, on remembering what I was going to say, to keep her safe.

"Bella, I think I've changed my mind about where you shall sleep tonight."

I expected some kind of response, but to my surprise I only heard the soft sound of her breathing.

"Bella?"

I turned around and chuckled softly to myself at the sight of her. Her head was resting on her knees, her mouth slightly open. Her legs were bare, a new sight to me. I avoided letting my gaze fall to under her thighs, letting her have that small bit of privacy while I watched her sleep for a few moments. I looked instead, at her ankles, her calves, taking note of how perfectly shaped they were. Her feet were petite and they seemed to be a secret, hidden away under the folds of her dress. I allowed myself to sit at her feet, focusing on other things about her besides the smell of her sweet blood. She mumbled softly in her sleep, the words incomprehisible. I smiled and lifted one of her tiny feet in my hands, gently massaging it with my fingertips. She sighed softly and I smiled wider, moving to her ankle. I saw her eyes open with a glance to her face and I saw a lazy smile find its way to her lips. I smiled back and started to massage her other foot when her smile turned to a look of confused terror.

"What are you- You shouldn't be- This isn't at all-"

"Proper?" I cut in, grinning. "You are right about that; however I see no reason to fret over it."

"Your father-"

"Will know nothing about it. Think of it as your reward for making my room look so lovely."

She sighed and I finished massaging her foot, my grin still in place.

"I've never known a person to object having their muscles relaxed."

"I don't want to get in trouble."

"If any punishment were to be given, it would be mine to give."

I stood up and watched her dress fall over her beautiful legs as she copied my motion. I half turned to start to walk to my bed when she took a step to the side of me and stumbled over her feet. I reached out and steadied her, my arm around her waist. I turned back to face her and studied her soft brown eyes, keeping my voice light to keep from scaring her.

"Are you alright?"

"Fine."

Her voice was breathy and her cheeks her flushed; it only made her look more beautiful. I heard her heartbeat quicken and I pulled her tighter to me, keeping my voice soft.

"Are you afraid of me?"

"No," she whispered, eyes wide.

I sighed and shook my head, letting my face come closer to hers.

"You should be."

I pressed my lips softly against hers, reveling in their warmth. They were so soft, so full. I felt her hesitation and I drew away, hiding my disappointment.

"You are sleeping in the servants quarters' tonight."

She nodded wordlessly, her eyes wide. I flicked my hand in the direction of the doorway, trying not to think about our kiss as it came with discomfort.

"You may go now, I will bring your dinner to you."

She curtsied low and quickly fled from my room, her footsteps soft against the ground. I pinched the bridge of my nose and inhaled slowly cursing myself. She was a servant, and a human no less, I shouldn't be thinking about her this way, in any way. I laid on my bed and closed my eyes, my thoughts drifting to the kiss. My discomfort grew and I groaned, trying to will it away. Alice appeared in my doorway, a small smile playing her lips.

"She enjoyed it you know."

"Go away Alice."

"I knew how you would react, so don't use that as an excuse."

"I mean it Alice, now is not the time."

She chuckled and turned to leave, but of course she had to have the last word.

"You might as well do what you were thinking of, she'll be back tonight and I don't think you'll want that in the way."

I groaned and she left, her laugher carrying down the corridor. I looked back down to my longing and sighed softly as I took it in my hands. I thought of her as I found release and spoke quickly as I finished.

"Forgive me Bella."

---------------------------------Bella's Point of View----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I laid on Jacob's bed, my breaths panting. I touched my lips again, the tingle still rippling through them.

"Why would you let him kiss you?"

"It's not like I told him to."

"You didn't fight it, I saw you."

"It's none of your concern anyway."

He scowled but it kept him quiet at least. I closed my eyes and thought to the kiss again, my body tightening in strange places.

"Are you even listening?"

"Hm?"

"I said we should get away."

"You mean run?"

"Yeah."

"I can't, you heard Caretaker."

"She won't catch us."

I sighed and shook my head, standing up to stretch my legs.

"No Jacob."

He scowled again and left the tiny room, his footsteps obnoxiously loud as he angrily stomped down the hall. I laid back on the bed, and thought about the kiss again, trying to place what in it had caused my lips to tingle so much. I'm not sure how long I laid there, thinking about it, but when I took the time to notice, most of the beds were already filled with sleeping servants, soft breathing and snores being the only sounds in the room. My stomach growled and I tiptoed out of the room to see if maybe I could ask Jacob for something from the kitchen. I passed his room and stopped in the doorway as I heard him groaning softly.

I quickly ran in, although I wasn't sure why.

"Is something the matter?"

He turned, unstartled and tossed something casually behind his shoulder.

"I just um, broke something."

"I might be able to fix it."

I ran around him and felt my mouth open in shock. Laying before me was the corpse of a small rabbit, still fresh. I gagged and turned my head, shaking.

"Bella, let me explain.."

I shook my head, fear creeping into me.

"No, just... I need to go."

"Wait!"

He dropped before me, his hand on the back of my neck.

"Please, let me explain. I found it in my room. Emmet left it in here as a joke."

"I find no humor in it."

"Nor do I. I was going to go make him do something with it when you arrived, and I didn't want you to get scared."

I searched his face for a lie, but found nothing. I nodded and turned to walk away when he spoke softly.

"Why aren't you in the servants quarters' sleeping?"

"I was going to see about getting some dinner."

His eyes widened and he grimaced as he looked at me.

"I forgot, forgive me Bella. I will get you something right away."

"What about the rabbit?"

I'll make sure it's taken care of. Run along to the kitchen and I'll be right there."

I curtsied and quickly stepped out of his room, going toward the kitchen.

--------------------------------------------------Edward's Point of View-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I threw the rabbit corpse out the window and cursed myself as I walked to the kitchen. At least now I could let her sleep in the room with me. I wanted to learn how to resist her blood, I wanted to learn so much about her, from her that I felt ridiculous. I saw her waiting in the kitchen and I quickly made a salad of greens covered with olive oil and watched her eat it, bititng my cheek to keep a smile from forming. As she took the last bite, i took the bowl from her and set it down, taking her small hands in mine. She looked at me with surprise as I gently eased her off the chair into a standing position.

"I've changed my mind about your sleeping arrangement tonight."

"Oh?"

"You'll be staying in my room."

She nodded, any hint of emotion undetectable. I kept one of her hands clasped in mine and I pulled her to my room, releasing her hand once we reached our destination. I laid on my bed and pointed to the spot at the end, smiling gently.

"You'll sleep there."

"Will there be room?"

"I assure you, there will be plenty."

She nodded and climbed into the bed, laying where I'd told her to.

"Are you comfortable?"

"Yes sir."

"Edward, please."

"Yes, Edward."

She smiled when she said my name which in turn, made me grin.

"Let me know if you want anything."

I reached under my bed and pulled out a blanket, a deep red color that seemed to make her hair and eyes become a more powerful brown.

"Sleep well Bella."

"You as well Edward."

I saw her close her eyes and it didn't take long before she fell asleep, her breathing slow and even. I leaned over her sleeping figure and gently kissed her forehead, the sudden urge to do so too great.

"Dream of me Bella."

I watched her and I could've sworn I saw a smile find it's way to her lips, but I let it go. I laid back down against my bed and watched her sleep, a part of me wishing I could always do this.