Chapter 1

During my human minutes I took the time to calm myself down. That was the time where I would stand in the shower, staring stupidly into space as I forced myself not to think about the gorgeous, vampire boyfriend that was waiting for me to return to his awaiting arms. I tried not to think about his cold skin against mine, sending shivers up and down my spine. I tried not to think about his beautifully formed, topaz colored eyes that stared intently and lovingly at me quite frequently. I tried not to think about his strong arms around me. It was safe to say that each time I failed miserably.

Could I be blamed? How could I forget someone as remarkable and perfect as Edward Cullen? There was not one second out of everyday that I was not thinking about him. My thoughts would stray to his model-like face and his well formed body, as if chiseled from marble. But, unlike most of the females that ever encountered my god, I often found myself marveling his personality and what was found inside of him.

He was so loving and protective of me, always looking out for my best interest in every situation. But although those were his strengths, they were also his flaws. If only he could forget what was in my best interest and change me. Couldn't he see that that was in my best interest? If he allowed me to age on, I would die. I would no longer see my angel. I would no longer feel his icy touch.

As I poured a small amount of strawberry scented shampoo into my palm, I was glad that Edward couldn't read my mind. Had he heard my thoughts, he would have lectured me once more about how he refused to kill me. Then it would lead to another argument in which I protested and he grew angry. I hated our fights.

I moved my fingers through my hair and washed it through as thoroughly as possible. As time went on I had grown more and more worried about my appearance. I still found it a miracle that Edward, the epitome of beauty, could have found me at all attractive – especially compared to Rosalie.

Rosalie. It made me sad to think that she was the only member of the Cullen family that didn't seem to like me. Alice and I had become almost like sisters. She frequently dragged me out to buy me new clothes, always paying for them although I threw a fit each time. I had also befriended Emmett and Jasper, both of them becoming the older brothers I never had. They often joked around with me and were constantly looking out for me just like Edward. Carlisle and Esme had always been kind to me and made sure to let me know that I was always welcome in their home.

I turned the water off after I had rinsed the suds from my hair. I flung back the shower curtain and carefully stepped out onto the small square of carpet on the floor. It would be bad for me to trip and hurt myself, for Edward would come busting in and I was naked. Once I had wrapped a towel securely around myself I went to the mirror and brushed through my dripping hair.

When I had blow-dried my hair and dried myself off completely, I dressed in the clothes I had brought along with me into the bathroom. Edward told me to wear something simple and so I pulled on a pair of jeans and a plain, blue T-shirt with cut off sleeves. After checking myself over in the mirror and running my fingers through my hair one more time, I left the bathroom and went for my bedroom.

Edward, in all of his glory, was seated cross legged in the middle of my bed. His hands were folded in his lap and I could not help but let my eyes linger over his muscular arms. He had pulled his T-shirt off to reveal a wife beater underneath it and I could not stop thinking about how amazing he looked in it. This was paired with a pair of loose fitting jeans. He made the outfit look like the latest craze on the runway.

He cracked an eye open after a time and I could see it accessing me. He grinned when a faint blush consumed my cheeks as he continued to look me over.

"You look beautiful." He told me, opening his other eye as well. He stretched out his arms as he leaned back against the wall, beckoning me to join him. It was an invitation that I gladly accepted. I settled myself comfortably in his strong arms, my back against his firm chest.

"No I don't," I looked up at his perfect face, "you do."

"Bella you are beautiful. You are the most stunning, most breathtaking creature I have ever laid eyes on in my 104 years of existence." He proceeded to lower his face and press his cold lips to my throat. "Absolutely beautiful."

I was unable to speak as he moved his face further forward, his nose gliding across my skin with an electrifying current following along with it. He moved one hand from around me and carefully pushed back my shirt so that he could kiss my collar bone and then my shoulder. His other hand slowly left from around me as well and cupped the front of my neck, his thumb running over my pulse point. I could feel it racing cruelly.

"Edward…" I said breathlessly. It was the only word that my brain could remember. Edward was the beautiful creature holding me in his lap. Edward was the one kissing my bare skin. Edward was the one stealing my breath. Edward.

I could feel him shaking with silent laughter and opened my eyes to see his face again. He grinned down at me having pulled his lips and face from my skin and returning to leaning back against the wall. His arms had resumed their positions around me, holding me against him. His hold was gentle and yet I could feel great strength in his arms.

"Bella." He leaned down, his delicious breath flowing into my face and filling my nose. I closed my eyes once more as he brushed his lips over mine. I was disappointed when he pulled back suddenly. I opened my eyes to see the concern fade from his own.

"What?" I asked, my eyebrows wrinkled in confusion.

"Your heart stopped again." But there was no annoyance in his voice. There was only amusement and love, and I could have sworn I picked up on just a hint of cockiness. Was he proud of himself for nearly giving me a heart attack by just kissing his girlfriend? Apparently so.

"You had better kiss me again Edward Cullen." I threatened, trying my best to glare at him. It would have worked if I hadn't found myself lost in his golden brown eyes. My gaze softened and I saw him smile crookedly. He heard my heart speed up when he smiled like that and nodded.

"Now I will kiss you." He leaned in and our lips met again. I never tired of the fire that coursed through my veins when he kissed me. It was unreal and mind blowing, much like everything he did. When it ended I sighed and I could hear him do the same. "It is time to feed-"

"-the human." I finished, smiling sweetly up at him.

He nodded and grinned widely at me, but before I could question him as to why he was, he had gotten to his feet and thrown me carefully over his shoulder. All of the breath was knocked out my body but I managed to regain it and beat his back with my fists.

"To the kitchen!" He declared loudly, raising his free arm with a finger pointed towards the ceiling. I found myself laughing at this although I continued to punch his back.

"Put me down! Edward put me down right now!" I commanded in between laughs. He did not listen to me and instead carried me down the stairs before dropping me gently into one of the chairs surrounding the table.

"What can I get for you Miss Swan?" He asked politely once he had done so.

"The newspaper." I eyed it on the other end of the table. Although he looked confused he handed it to me and I proceeded to roll it up, smacking him in the arm with it once I had done so.

"What, may I ask, was that for?" He rubbed the place as if it had hurt him. I knew better. Nothing could hurt Edward. As he often said he was 'indestructible'.

"I have feet you know." I said as-a-matter-of-factually, folding my arms across my chest. "And I can also make my own breakfast."

"I know that." He answered. He then went to the fridge and pulled open the door, grabbing the milk without even glancing at it twice. He set it on the table before opening a cupboard door and pulling out a box of cereal. He knew it was my favorite kind. After collecting a bowl and spoon he assembled all of the items in a neat and orderly fashion for me to make my breakfast.

"Thank you slave." I reached across and patted the top of his head as he sat down.

"You're welcome." He watched as I poured the cereal into the bowl and then added the milk. I looked down into the bowl as I spooned some into my mouth and when I looked back up, Edward had put everything away.