A/N: Thanks to Sherry & Tiffany x x

Chapter 52

"Now, when are you going to start trusting me?" Edward asked.

"When you prove worthy," I rasped, hoping he wouldn't add any more ice cubes.

"Bella," Edward said, grasping my face and making me look him in the eye. "I promise that I will never call you by her name again. As I explained, being in the club where Claire killed herself proved to be too much, but I swear to you that I never called you her name because I thought you were her. I've never been with you because I thought you were her."

The look in his eyes, the expression on his face told me that he was being sincere. "Okay," I mumbled. "Did you love her?" I had to ask the question while he as being open. I guess it had been lingering at the back of mind. Was she the reason that he believed that he couldn't love?

"Yes," he said, sadly. "It broke my heart when she closed herself off to me. I tried to help her in every way I could, Bella, but she wouldn't let me. You can't understand what it is like to stand by and watch someone you love destroy themself. I never want to go through that again. I never want to lose someone I love again."

"Untie me," I demanded.

Edward looked up at me surprised.

"Untie me. I want to hold you, Edward. Please," I pleaded.

He leaned forward and loosened the rope on my arms and then my legs. I wasted no time moving to him the second I was free, sending the ice cubes flying all over the bed. I pulled him into my arms and held him against my chest. I had never seen him looking so lost, so broken. "I promise you, Edward. I am not like her. If you let me in, I will never shut you out."

Edward laid me back on the bed, hovering over me as he placed gentle kisses up my neck to my mouth. I grabbed his hair, anchoring his mouth to mine. I found myself craving vanilla. I wanted to make sweet, gentle love to this man. I wanted to assure him that it was okay to allow himself to open up to someone again.

Neither of us was perfect. We both had our own problems and insecurities, but I was certain that we would both find a way. How could we not, when being together felt this good?