We ran deep into the forest, the rain lightly pouring now, it was just becoming morning. I was grateful Edward didn't know what I was thinking because all I could think about was him. As he ran in front of me, it made me shiver. He ran so professionally yet gracefully it took me by surprise. I watched the way the joggers he wore pulled over the perfect curvature of his ass as he jumped, the way his hair fell down over his face when it was wet. The way his eyes flickered to me whenever there was a big jump across a river, and the perfect crooked smile upon his face when I messed up a jump or quick turn.

We kept running for a while when we came upon a clearing, he stood waiting for me to catch up. The rain had stopped now, and there was a misty fog in the air. "Wait here," he instructed and disappeared.

I perched on a nearby rock under a willow and surveyed the area. It was beautiful, filled with moss and green. The willows and oaks' leaves hung far, only the slight morning sun peeking through. There was a small pond in the corner and I could hear the fish swimming around. I heard Edward racing around about a half mile away. I realized now he was circling the area making sure no humans were about. He came back with a smile, "I've learned my lesson."

I frowned, the adorable little blond girl with ringlets shadowed my mind. "It's not your fault," he whispered, sitting on the ground across from me in one fluid movement. I sighed, "Neither is it yours."

He laughed and ran a hand through his hair. "Then who's is it?"

I was serious now, "The man that tried to kill me."

He frowned; he didn't like that. I could have sworn I heard him growl. "Carlisle could have left me to die and saved you all this trouble."

He was at my side in an instant, very close to me; I could feel his breath on my face. "Don't say that." His voice was fierce and startling, he was obviously angry. He was leaning over me, his hands supporting his weight on either side of me. I wanted nothing more then to just pull him to me…

"Your life is no less important; you did not deserve death."

I gaped at him, and my breathing picked up rapidly. I had butterflies in my stomach in anticipation. He moved away from me then, almost regrettably, sighing.

"It is no trouble to us…everyone thinks of you as family." There's that word again.

"Except Rosalie," I mused, putting my head down. He chuckled, "Mmm…" He was enjoying some private joke apparently. "But you barely know me,"

He sat down again, crossing his legs and leaning back on his hands. "You're right, I don't. Why don't you tell me more?"

I smiled slightly, embarrassed again. "Only if you do the same."

He shrugged, "Seems only fair."

We talked for what seems like hours; but could have possibly been minutes. He asked me my favorites; colors, foods, used to be, etc. I watched his reactions carefully to my stories. He would frown when I told him something sad; snicker at the embarrassing ones, and smile when I told him happy ones.

We got to the stories of my life; and where I grew up. I got choked up when I started talking about my family; he noticed. "It was just you and your father," he stated more than asked.

I nodded, "I worked at a restaurant to help keep us afloat. Every day after school. And now he's alone."

I realized something, "Rosalie said we were going back to high school." He nodded, "To blend in."

"Won't my face be all over the news?"

"You look completely different than your past life; I wouldn't worry much."

I nodded slowly, wanting to cry some. I had to leave it behind. My childhood, my family, my everything.

"Doesn't it get tiring? Repeating all the time?" I hadn't even gotten to graduate yet.

He smirked and looked at the elaborate basket he was weaving out of twigs. "Yes, and no. It gets interesting sometimes. The younger we start out in a new place, the longer we can stay. Graduate high school and go to college."

I nodded; I'd wanted to go to college, but never had the money. "I have various degree's, as does everyone in my family."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. That was flattering. He was obviously intelligent; they all were brilliant. We were quiet for a moment then he looked up to me. "We will be starting pretty much when we get there; but you can wait a few weeks if you're uncomfortable."

I gulped; a school filled with students. I could kill them very easily. Could I control myself? "I don't know…"

He got up then, placing the finished twig basket next to me on the rock. It looked handcrafted, like someone took hours if not weeks to make it. I was sitting crossed legged on the rock now, in the center. He put both his hands on either side of me again; hovering. His breath was hot on my face and I shivered. He smelled amazing; always. His musk and honey threw me over the edge and I could feel myself starting to get dizzy again. Could vampire's faint or was it just the effect he had on me?

"What if I were there to hold your hand?" He smiled my favorite crooked smile, and I blanked. "Uhm…" I was dazed. He wanted to hold my hand? Act as a couple like the rest of his family?

"Or…would you prefer someone else?" He trailed; his eyes floated from my eyes to my lips. I was frozen, trembling almost. I didn't know what to do. A strange heat traveled from my unbeating heart to my core; filling me with butterflies.

"I'd prefer you." I whispered and he smiled again. "Good." He whispered in my ear; the heat of his breath making me tremble again. He pushed off the rock, smiling at the obvious puddle he'd turned me into.

"Let's go hunt, we have to leave in a few hours."

I groaned and hopped off the rock in one swift leap. I wanted more of him; all of him. But I didn't know if he wanted me too, or just loved to fuck with me. I couldn't figure him out in the least. He also didn't tell me a damn thing about himself as he said was fair. What did he want from me? Did he get off being this dazzling to people and not fulfilling anyone's wishes but his own? Is that why he was alone?

As we ran, I chased him. "You didn't keep your part of the deal mister."

He laughed, a hard-bellowing laugh. He was amused; my last theory was correct. He loved to fuck with me.

"Later," he promised.

We slowed to a walk only about a quarter mile out. He held his hand out as if to hold my position. I breathed then; noticing I had been holding it. Probably trying to protect myself from his irresistible scent. He crouched then, springing and disappearing into the brush.

I scowled and tried to focus. I closed my eyes and let my senses take me over. I was supposed to get used to this, so I may as well become better at it so I didn't kill anyone… I took a deep breath through my nose and instantly smelled something about 400 feet away; 393 to be exact. I heard it then, a coyote, a large one. It was busy digging a bed in the grass in a nearby field. My throat burned in anticipation, and low growl erupted from my throat. I sunk into a low crouch, and took off running, stopping and pouncing exactly 58 feet away. He hadn't even heard me. I felt the air rush by me as I anticipated my kill.

My instincts of my monster-esque completely taken over my body. I didn't care now; I was the hunter and it was the prey.

I attacked, holding the unsuspecting coyote down with ease. Like play wrestling a small child; there was no competition. He thrashed and my throat burned hotter as I could hear and now feel his wet heart beating faster. I sank my teeth into his throat and he slowly gave up the fight.

The red-hot liquid flowed down my throat; finally calming the burn. It felt amazing. Even though I was a bit remorseful at my act, not quite as much as before. I wasn't on the edge of loosing myself this time.

I sighed when I drained the animal, and stood up, looking away from it. I felt like gluttonous guilty 7-year-old who just ate the entire contents of a cookie jar.

I looked over to Edward who was finishing his kill. He bent over the deer graciously. Not a drop of blood on his perfect attire or a hair out of place. As he stood to look at me, the sun hit the side of his face, and diamonds were in its place. I gasped, and ran over. It was as if a million tiny facets covered his glorious face. I stood staring with my mouth open; wanting to reach up and touch it. He stared at me with anticipation, a small smile on his face. It was innocent enough, watching my childlike wonder.

I took that as my answer and reached up to touch the diamonds. As I did, my hand turned into the same beautiful diamonds. I gasped again; unable to contain my wonder.

I turned my hand in the sun, watching it glint and shine. Colors bounced every direction, almost blindingly if I were human.

I looked back to him in awe, still wanting to touch his face. He was calm, watching me. Something burned behind his eyes and I couldn't decide what. I hesitated and touched his face; his eyes stayed on my face the entire time. His skin was smooth, perfect, and silky. I rubbed my thumb across the diamonds expecting jagged edges, but it was just him. Perfect and smooth.

Suddenly, he reached up and took my hand in his, away from his face. The spark sending me to space. It warmed my hand. My eyes glanced to his, golden and almost passionate. I couldn't understand the expression on his face; he was staring at my lips.

I waited; his other arm flew around my waist and suddenly we were flying backwards. We hit the nearest tree, my back against it. He was pinning me to it, his hand still in mine and his other on my waist tight.

I gasped in shock and almost anticipation. He held my waist tightly, and the hand he held he gently released and it flew up to my face. He cupped it, and leaned in.

His lips hit mine with such need and passion, I wasn't sure I was ready for it. He held me tightly to him, against the tree. His lips moved with mine slowly at first, and I could feel my stomach flop. If I were alive, my heart would have been flying, my cheeks red, and my knees giving out.

The last one was almost true; but he held me to him so tightly I couldn't fall. His breath hit me hard and I wanted to bury myself in him. I was gasping, out of breath even though I didn't need air. His lips moved faster now, and I parted mine, hungry for more. I didn't expect this, at all.

My hands traveled into his hair and pulled him closer to me as I glided my tongue along his lip. A small moan escaped his lips as he kissed me harder, allowing his tongue to mine; I could instantly feel myself getting wetter. The beautiful sound that came from him had me wanting more. I wanted to hear him say my name, to whisper it in my ear as he took me.

He pulled back then and I sat gasping. It was abrupt, and definitely too early. His hair was a mess from my hands, and nothing in his eyes but fire; want and a hint of fear. "We need to go, now." He stated, his voice was stern as if it were an order.

Then I heard something; hikers. The quiet snap of twigs as they walked, and the sound of fabric brushing against their clothes.

Fuck.

He took off running, pulling me with him. I had guessed we were going back to the house now; but I didn't bother looking which way we were going. I was a puddle, again much to his amusement. The trees flew by me with such a blur I was sure I would hit them. I wasn't focused, just reliving the way it felt to have him that close to me and the feeling of his lips on mine.

We reached the house after a few minutes and stopped. It was quiet, I'm guessing everyone else left to hunt before their flights in a few hours. He let go of my hand and turned to me,

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that. That wasn't like me,"

I stood, still gasping. "No…I, I didn't mind." Was all I could muster. He sighed and ran his hand through that hair I was just pulling on. He pressed his lips into a hard line and began walking into the house.

Do I chase after him and tell him I wanted him? Or do I let him brood on himself.

I chased.

"Wait, Edward." I called placing my hand on his back halfway up the stairs. He stopped and turned to me.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me up the rest of the stairs quickly, and into his room, shutting the door.