Previously…

"Bella."

"No, stop. It doesn't matter." She gazed into his midnight eyes and smiled, "You will always be the most beautiful man I have ever met." He closed his eyes, his head falling. Gently she kissed his jaw. "Always." She whispered again. He held her close for a moment, his face buried in her neck. It was then her sent became totally overwhelming. Her sent mixed with the passion they were feeling was making him begin to lose control.

Gently pushing her back he pulled away, "I have to go Bella, I can't be here right now."

"Tomorrow then?"

"Yes, tomorrow." He quickly got into his car and pulled away. She touched her lips remembering the feel of his and grinned wildly knowing she would dream of him this night.

He decided against being outside her window this night, it would be too difficult. He was fighting a losing battle between his body and his mind. Her touch was like liquid fire that spread throughout his entire being, and he wasn't sure how to handle it, or if he could. He sat alone in an elaborate swing in his back yard. It was far enough away to give privacy, and that was the purpose anyway. He needed to be alone.

Inside Alice and Jasper were on the computer. She pointed, "See, that is the dress I want. Do you like it?"

"I think it would be stunning on you baby, everything always is."

She giggled, running her hand across his cheek. "You are so sweet." He groaned shaking his head, "Where is Edward?" She gave him a look of uncertainty. "He's out back, I think he needed some time to evaluate his situation. I don't know what the big deal is. I mean It's unusual to be in love with a human, but it's not unheard of. They are supposed to be together, I have seen it."

"What did you see?"

She smiled, "Promise not to tell?"

"Alice!"

"Ok, ok I saw their wedding. I saw them at the altar, so in love. They were beautiful. If he keeps to his current mind set this will be." Nodding he turned, "I have to speak with him." She watched as he walked out then turned back to the computer.

He found him with his head in his hands and sat down quietly. "Edward, you are killing me."

Sitting up he sighed, "I'm sorry, that's why I came out here."

"Your feelings are so strong it didn't help."

"Great." He mumbled distraught. Jasper smiled, "I know you are scared, but it is fate. There is always a purpose in everything that we do, even if we don't know the reasons until later."

"I feel so many things when I am with her. I never knew I could feel like this, nothing could have prepared me for the emotions I feel. It's like I can't control myself. She is the moon and I am the stars. I just want to pull her inside myself and keep her safe. But I don't understand it, I have little human instincts and yet all I want to do is feel her against me.

A hand clasped his shoulder reassuringly. "It is called love. I don't know why it chose you or why it chose her but it did and she makes you happy. I feel it and it is so good to see you smile again."

"But she is so breakable, I have to be aware of everything I do. I could hurt her so easily. When she kisses me I lose all thought. The venom fills my mouth but it's not as bad as I thought it would be. My body is another story." Jasper chuckled, "Yes well, your body had to want someone eventually."

"I don't like not being in control. I ache for her. It is driving me mad. The sad part is as much as I would love to taste her sweet blood, it is nothing like compared to what I would like to do to her."

"Edward, you have to be strong. Neither of you can handle taking this any further yet, and in the big picture you have never been with a woman. She is human and that will be another story for you. You will have to be slow, and extremely gentle. It will take amazing strength not to hurt her. In the throws of passion you will be more tempted than ever to claim her."

"It scares me Jasper, I never want to hurt her."

"Relax, It isn't something you need to be worried about now." He stood, "Get some rest brother. Your mind is tired and you need to relax." With that he left. Leaving him alone with his thoughts. He could smell the rain coming and headed inside, this would prove to be a long night.

The storm was terrible, winds gashed through the trees causing them to bend and shake. He watched from his window as lightning bolted brightly across the sky. From his bedroom he could hear his family in the living room playing a game of monopoly. They were often quite amusing with their human traits. It was the lights caught his attention. He looked concerned and quickly ran down the steps to the door and slammed it open, "Bella?"

She was soaked and shaking. "Edward, I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what, get in here you are soaked." Taking her hand he led her to his room ignoring the looks from his family. Closing the door he rubbed her arms, "Give me one moment." In a flash he was back, "Here, put this on and I'll dry your clothes." Changing into one of his blue button up shirts that hung to her knees she walked out finding him on a large black leather couch.

His eyes slowly appraised her, she looked so beautiful in his shirt. He could only imagine… "Here, let me take those. Please, rest here. I put a blanket there for you, I'll be right back." She looked around his room. His walls were almost completely covered in CD's. A large elaborate stereo adorned the corner. She was surprised there wasn't a TV but then again, he loved music and she figured that is probably how he spent most of his time. There was a large fireplace that crackled softly in the middle of the wall.

Snuggling up in the blanket she jumped as the lightning crashed. She hated storms and this one was bad. Returning he shut the door and came to sit beside her gently brushing her wet hair from her face. "I think Alice has a hairdryer if you want."

"No, I am ok."

"Bella, sweetheart why are you here in this weather?"

"My dad called, one of his guys called in sick so he had to stay and cover. He will be gone all night, he is sleeping there and won't be back until tomorrow afternoon and I can't be alone in this weather. It scares me. I am sorry, I know I shouldn't be here but I couldn't think of anyone I would feel safe with but you."

His hand caressed her cheek of it's own accord. "It's ok, I won't let this weather hurt you love. I am glad to see you I was just surprised. You should have called me and I would have come to your house, it was not safe for you to drive."

"I know, I couldn't think." The scared look on her face made his heart drop. "It's ok." He whispered pulling her close. She ended up with her legs across his lap and her back resting on the corner of the couch. "Are you warm enough?"

"Yes."

"But you are trembling."

"It's not the cold." She answered blushing. He smiled rubbing her leg through the covers. "I know what you mean."

"Can we talk?" Her tone was questioning.

"We are talking." He responded as his eyebrow arched. She looked deep into his eyes and reached up running her hand across his jaw. "I can't explain how I feel Edward, or why I feel this way. It's so strong the things I feel. I know you are the first guy that I have really liked but it isn't just that. It can't be. It's as if when I am away from you my heart ceases to beat."

His eyes closed slowly, "Bella….my God what you do to me." She felt him pull her legs up moving closer so she was fully in his lap. "I feel the same way. I don't know why, and I shouldn't. It is not good for me to feel this way. It could be very dangerous for you."

"I don't believe you would hurt me."

His eyes opened and he frowned, I would not mean to, but if I lost control. Bella, I can't guarantee that I could keep you safe. The desire to claim you would be overwhelming."

"Claim me? What does that mean?" Her question was a simple one really but he couldn't explain without exposing himself. "I mean making us one Bella." He tilted his head, "I mean crossing the line." The seriousness in his voice almost scared her. Her mouth formed a silent "O"

"Have I scared you now? Said too much?"

"No I….I don't know if I would stop you from crossing the line." His breath caught in his throat, "You have no idea what you are saying." He pushed her back attempting to disentangle himself from her limbs causing her to fall to the floor with a thud.

"Ouch." She moaned trying to move the blankets to stand. He was quickly at her side, "Are you ok? I am sorry, I…"

"I'm ok. You just move so quick." The shirt she wore gapped exposing more of her pale skin than he should be seeing. Moaning he reached for the shirt, his shirt, and pulled it closed. She looked startled, "Oh." A blushed crept over her cheeks. His hands were suddenly beside her hips.

"Bella." His voice was husky, thick with passion. She met his eyes, as they slowly turned darker. His face was hovering dangerously close to hers. Licking her lips she ran her hands through his hair, "I won't fight you. I can't."

It was an animalist growl she heard as his lips slammed into hers hard and fast. His fingers gripping her hair and pulling hard enough to tilt her head where he wanted it. Her breathing was shallow but her heart was racing. She needed to be closer. Pushing up on her knees she felt him grab her waist. His grip strong, overpowering and then she felt it. His cool hand was on her thigh slowly drifting up.

She felt like she was on fire, like her body threatened to explode. Deciding to be bolder she removed her hands from his hair and pushed them under his shirt exploring his chest. She could feel him growling deeply and then he leaned back meeting her eyes, trying to catch a breath he didn't really need. "Don't stop." She begged pulling on the bottom of his shirt which he allowed her to remove and toss aside before kissing her again, pushing her back onto the floor he gripped her wrists and held them tightly above her head.

She moaned, not in passion but in pain. He looked oddly at her shocked eyes and immediately let her go pushing himself back. She sat up rubbing her wrists. "I didn't realize you were so strong."

He didn't respond grabbing his shirt he slipped it on walking to the burning fireplace. "I shouldn't have done that. Don't you see Bella, you will get hurt!"

"It's ok, you were just holding me a little tight." She answered placing her arms around his waist and resting her face on his back. He pulled away, "You are lucky that is all I did." Grabbing her arms he lifted them, "Look, there will be bruises. I can't…. This is what I was afraid of. I can't hurt you. It kills me."

"A little bruise never hurt anyone. I always bruise easy. It will go away."

He was irate. Yelling at her, "Really, will it. And what if I take your life? Will it return?" She was stunned. Realizing what he said he stormed out of the room quickly. Alice met him at the bottom of the stairs, "Edward are…" He brushed past her, "Don't Alice." She went to follow him but Jasper grabbed her arm, "No Alice, not now. He is too volatile."

"But he can't just leave her like this."

"He's not leaving he's cooling off. Give him time. It is hard for him to reign in his emotions." She shook her head, "I have to check on Bella." He agreed with her. Inching the door open she could hear Bella crying softly.

"Bella?"

She glanced up wiping her face. "Are you ok?" Her only answer was a nod. Alice sat beside her. "Sometimes men have no regard for women's emotions. I am sorry, he just needs time."

"Time to what? Decide he doesn't want me."

"He will always want you Bella. Listen to me he is confused. My brother has never felt like this and he is scared. He will adjust in time. Trust me, I know."

"How can you possibly know?" She questioned as Alice handed her some tissue. "Call it faith, and I do have faith in both of you."

"Why are you helping me?"

"Silly Bella, I told you we will be great friends. Speaking of friends, I am in dire need of this dress I saw online. I was thinking maybe you could go with me to get it tomorrow. I hate to go alone and Jasper has a trip planned with Carlisle and Emmett."

"Jasper?"

Alice giggled, "He's my boyfriend. My brother since he was adopted too. It's weird I know but we were together before Carlisle and Esme adopted us." She stood, "Rosalie has some pants I think you could wear. Let me get them and you can come downstairs and visit."

"Ok."

Alice returned with the jeans. "Here, I'll wait for you outside and then you can meet the rest of the family." Shaking her head she dressed and opened the door. Alice smiled taking her hand, "Lets go."