Note: Once again, this chapter earns its M rating and is intended for mature readers only. It is the couple's honeymoon, after all! :)

We enjoyed a lazy afternoon on the beach. After Bella was thoroughly warmed by the sun, she ventured to the shoreline to let the water curl over her bare toes. I joined her, wading out a bit deeper, as the cold caused no discomfort to me.

She found several pretty shells and lifted them into her hands, studying them carefully and imagining the little creatures that had once dwelt in them. I loved her inquisitiveness and creativity.

When she expressed an interest in seeing what lay beyond our cove, I bent so that she could climb onto my back, then I scampered up over the cliff and down to the long stretch of beach beyond. She found more shells in the shallow water, delighting in each one.

A cool breeze swept in as the sun began to sink. When I saw Bella shiver, I decided it was time to return to the house. I could not warm her with my body, so I had no recourse but to take her inside.

As I helped her onto my back again, I could feel another little shudder run through her. My skin was causing her further chill. Cheerlessly I wondered if she would ever regret marrying a man with my limitations. I was unable to keep her warm. A touch of my hand could bruise her. And, perhaps worst of all, I could not give her children.

"Edward?" Her sweet, lilting voice pushed through the haze of my lugubrious musings. "Sweetheat, is something the matter?"

We were back at the house now. I lowered her to the ground. "No," I replied.

"You were very quiet, and you look so serious. What were you thinking about?"

"I was just worried that you were cold. Let's go inside, and I'll make a fire." I tried to smile, but it felt wooden to me.

"I'll make some tea. That will warm me up soon." She kissed me quickly then hurried inside.

I followed her and began placing wood in the hearth. How long would she tolerate the cold, powerful, barren creature she had married?

Bella's merry demeanor drew me from my little funk; it was almost impossible to feel melancholy in the presence of her smile, her soft caresses, her melodic laugh. After she ate her supper, we sat before the hearth and I played my violin for her. I had composed a new song shortly before the wedding, the notes reminding me of her quiet yet vibrant character. She listened as I performed the piece, her expression one of joy. When I finished, she threw herself into my arms and kissed my cheeks, lips, and mouth, proclaiming the song the most beautiful she had ever heard, with the possible exception of her lullaby.

I played the latter then, knowing how much she enjoyed it. By the final notes, she looked a little sleepy. She yawned discreetly as I was putting my violin back in its case. Of course I heard her.

"Perhaps it's time to think about going to bed," I suggested.

She nodded. "Yes."

I took her hand, and we ascended the stairs together. I prepared a fire and lit several candles, casting the room in soft, luminescent light. Bella retired to the alcove to change, and by the time she emerged I had changed, as well. Tonight I donned a flannel undershirt and long drawers. I hoped that I could hold her closely as she slept if I covered my cold limbs with heavier fabric.

Bella wore the pretty negligee again. She had brushed out her hair, too, and it shone in the gentle glow of the fire. She paused before the small hearth.

"It's so nice and warm here. Come and sit with me for a minute?"

A thick, soft rug was spread across the floor in front of the hearth. Bella sank down and held out her hand to me. I walked to her, took her hand in mine, and sat down.

"Move a little closer," she encouraged, nudging me softly toward the fire.

I did, and after a minute I could feel the heat upon my face, arms, and chest. I touched my undershirt to find it quite hot. Bella moved to kneel behind me, gripping the hem of my shirt with her nimble little fingers. When she began tugging it upward, I did not resist; I was curious to know what she was thinking.

I lifted my arms, and she pulled the shirt over my head, dropping it to the floor. She pressed her palms over my chest. "Mmm, you're already warm. Let's wait a bit longer…"

She ran her hands over my pectoral muscles then down along my abdomen. Her touch was igniting my desire, and, from the deepening of her scent, it seemed it was having a similar effect on her.

She pulled her hands away, and I missed her touch immediately. I heard a slight, soft rustle behind me, then she crept around to my side and urged me to turn to face her. She had removed her gown and was now completely bare before me. Her cheeks and neck were beautifully rosy in the firelight. My eyes moved down to her breasts. Her pretty nipples were peaking even as I watched.

She touched my chest again as she settled on her knees. Her legs were open a bit, and I could smell her arousal very distinctly now.

"Your skin feels wonderful," she said. "I love it when it's cool like marble, and I love it when it's like warm stone. Both are amazing."

My left hand was very close to the fire. I lifted it to her cheek. She sighed at the sensation, so different than my usual cold touch. I traced along her jawbone and trailed my fingertips over her neck. Then I cupped her breast, rubbing my thumb over her nipple. I bent to kiss it, loving the way it responded to the coolness of my lips.

I lifted my head to gazed at both tight, pink buds jutting out for me. When I took each gently between thumb and forefinger, rolling and squeezing very lightly, Bella arched her back, and her legs spread wider.

"Oh Edward," she gasped.

I glanced down further to see the glistening pink flesh between her thighs. "Are you still sore?" I choked out.

"No… everything feels wonderful."

I bent my head to take her right nipple into my mouth as I continued my ministrations upon the left. Her hands gripped at my hair, and she threw back her head. She was breathing heavily, and her heart was thumping wildly.

"Take… off…your pants," she commanded softly.

I obeyed instantly, ripping them away. Quickly I returned my hands to her lovely breasts. She began to lie back.

I shook my head, moving my hands to slide them under her bottom. "No, I have an idea," I said huskily. "Let's just try this…" Despite my lust-induced haze, I remained determined to prevent her from feeling any more pain.

I lifted Bella so that she sat upon my lap facing me. I could feel the heat and wetness radiating from her center. I returned one of my hands to her breast while the other moved downward to slide through her curls then to caress her slick, hot folds. She moaned at the touch. My finger entered her of its own accord, and she gave a little mewl. I glanced up at her face to ensure that it was a sound of pleasure; it most definitely was.

She thrust against me, driving my finger deeper. She clenched once, tightly, then pulled back.

"Am I hurting you?" I asked with concern.

She shook her head, her hair dancing about her shoulders. "No… far from it. But I want you—" She paused to wrap her fingers around my rigid length to indicate precisely to which part of me she referred. Her thumb stroked over me, and I grasped. "I want you," she repeated, "inside me now."

I nodded, quite happy to obey her sultry command. The feel of her fingers around me was divine, but I knew that there was something even better. She shifted as if to lie back.

I moved my hand to keep her upright. "Yes, I want that, too. Let's stay as we are, though."

For a moment she appeared disappointed, thinking I was denying her request. Far from it: I simply had another position in mind.

"No, love," I clarified, "I just mean that we could try something different…"

She looked down then grinned at me when she understood my suggestion. She got up on her knees and positioned herself over my hips. Slowly she slid down, ensheathing me in her warmth.

I groaned at the rush of sensations. She pushed down a bit further, then she lifted her hips and lowered them again. It felt wonderful.

Even so, I forced a shred of my attention to remain pragmatic. "Darling," I rasped, "stop if it hurts…"

She nodded, her eyes dark and her lips parted. She sank down another scant inch, wincing slightly but then making a noise that reminded me of a cat's purr. I watched her face carefully to ascertain if she was feeling any discomfort. She shifted minutely, then she groaned softly and murmured, "Mmm, yes."

I leaned forward so that I could kiss and suckle her nipples, then I raised my head. There was something I wished very much to see.

"Bella, look," I said, my gaze lowering to focus upon our joining. "My God, you're so beautiful."

She tilted her head downward, seeing the connection of our bodies.

"Oh!" she gasped. Her hand touched the base of my shaft; it was all that was visible.

"So, so beautiful," I repeated. I placed my hands upon her thighs then used my fingers to gently spread her folds a little wider. The bundle of nerves at her apex bulged out, and I flicked my thumb very gently over it.

Bella cried out. I repeated the motion, and she bucked against me. To my absolute delight, one of her hands rose to her breast, her fingers rubbing over her tight nipple. It was the most erotic thing I had ever seen.

She gripped my shoulder with her other hand and began lifting and lowering herself as my thumb continued its very agreeable work I could feel her starting to clench around me, and my own muscles began to tighten. I wanted desperately to push up into her even further; but I knew it was important for Bella to control the depth and intensity of the thrusts. Still, I had to restrain myself consciously from moving.

I kept the lower half of my body motionless as she continued to bounce upon me. My eyes drank in every bit of her: Her flushed face; her full lips; her slim, elegant neck; the slender fingers at her breast; her soft belly, tightening now as the muscles began to contract; and the swollen, wet flesh encasing me. It was almost too much to process all at once. I felt my control beginning to crumble.

Bella shifted back very slightly, and my tip pressed even harder against her hidden flesh.

"Edward!" she gasped.

I increased the pressure of my thumb infinitesimally and wrapped my other hand around her hip, using the last bit of my self-control to ensure that my touch was not too firm. Bella's fingers tightened around my shoulder, and she made the most delicious noises, little gasps and oohs as her climax shook her.

I let myself go, too. I kept my thumb upon her but my hips lifted from the floor, my body jerking as a powerful orgasm crashed through me. It was even more intense than the one I had experienced the previous night.

I thrust up just once at the height of my climax. She continued to quiver around me, but after several very long seconds she sank down, and I felt myself buried even further within her. As my senses began to calm slightly, I slid my hand beneath her bottom to lift her so that I remained inside her but not as deeply.

She leaned forward to collapse against my chest. I kissed her hair and wrapped my arms around her. It took her several minutes to regain control of her breathing. I felt her heart slowing gradually, too. I stroked her hair and shoulders and let my fingers trail gently down her back.

Finally she began to shift, sliding up on her legs a little. I remained almost fully erect inside her, and I felt a little throb of despondency at the thought of losing her delectable warmth around me.

"I could stay inside you forever," I whispered.

"Mmm…" Her lovely brow wrinkled in mild confusion. "You can go again? I mean, are you ready?" She blushed prettily. "Last night, after we were finished you um, didn't seem like you could…"

"I didn't want to hurt you, darling. The knowledge that I had caused you pain diminished my excitement fairly quickly."

Her eyes widened. "Can we do it again?"

I grinned. "It would be my pleasure, Mrs. Cullen… unless you're sore?" Had my one uncontrolled thrust been too deep for her?

She shook her head, her expression earnest and eager.

I could feel Bella's body becoming prepared for me again; the thought of a second climax was arousing her. I grew even harder. My mind felt very clear, and I had regained all of my control. My release had done wonders for my mental status. I was not worried about becoming carried away now.

So, keeping myself encased in her warmth, I laid Bella back on the thick rug. I kissed her throat and the outer edges of both breasts before taking each nipple between my lips in turn and flicking my tongue over them. Both hardened fully as her scent became even sweeter; I knew her body was ready for continued pleasure.

I eased myself out of her warmth then thrust into her again very gently, delighting in the little sounds these motions made. She was extremely wet, and her swollen flesh pillowed my rigid length each time I withdrew partially. Suddenly I wanted to taste her, to know her unique flavor; scent and touch alone were not enough.

I pulled out completely, and she whimpered. I tried to apologize by giving her right nipple extra attention and slipping two fingers inside of her. Lord, she was scorching, her moisture pooling against my palm.

I kissed a trail down her belly and over each hip, moving my fingers slowly in and out of her. She was breathing heavily, her legs spread wide, toes curling slightly at the edge of the rug.

I looked up once to take in the sight of her open mouth, bright eyes, flushed skin, and taut rosy nipples. Then I lowered my head to the heavenly flesh between her thighs, running my tongue over her entire length. She tasted like honey, strawberries, nectar, wine… I swallowed the juices upon my tongue and moaned in pleasure.

Bella was moaning, too, as my fingers continued their little motions and my tongue darted out to the very sensitive bundle of nerves that once again protruded from the delicate flesh surrounding it.

Bella climaxed after only seventeen flicks of my tongue. Her walls squeezed my fingers, and before she stopped twitching I moved quickly yet gently to join our bodies again. Bending over her, I kissed her deeply. She responded with equal passion, wrapping her legs around my back, urging me closer to her.

I kept my rhythm relatively slow and did not push in as far as I could. But it was more than enough for me, and soon I felt that wonderful tightening sensation again.

"Oh God," I groaned into her mouth, "Bella…"

"I love you, Edward."

That drove me over the precipice, and my second climax of the night shuddered through me. Bella's hands stroked my shoulders and back as I gradually calmed. I was not fully sated, but my intense lust had faded, and my erection began to subside as I once again started to fret that I had been too rough or too intense with her.

I pulled out slowly, listening to her heart and breathing for any signs of pain. She appeared exhausted but not uncomfortable. She was smiling softly at me, her expression one of adoration.

I rolled onto my back and tenderly moved her onto my chest. My skin remained warm from the fire, and I wondered if she would be terribly uncomfortable sleeping before the hearth tonight. The thought of holding her in my arms, her bare body pressed over the length of mine, skin to skin, was very appealing.

We talked quietly for a little while—of nothing substantial, yet every word she spoke seemed monumental to me. After half an hour, her eyelids began to lower; she was becoming sleepy.

I hummed her lullaby, and she slipped into slumber. When she was deeply asleep, I moved away carefully to pull blankets and pillows from the bed. I arranged the pillows to cushion her shoulder and hip as I settled her over my chest again. I tucked a blanket over her then spent the rest of the night listening to the beautiful sounds of my wife's heartbeat and breathing.

To be continued...