Even my vampire brain struggled to think straight when Edward was kissing me. All I could feel was him, smell his lilac and honey scent, feel his hard lean muscles underneath my hands and the piercing hotness of his lips against mine.

He kissed me like a man drowning and I was his only salvation. I found myself unable to think as I responded with such a ferocity that I surprised even myself.

Too soon the kiss was over and Edward was panting for breath. I watched him closely. His eyes were closed and his breathing was laboured, but he wasn't trying to kill me.

I guess that was a good thing.

As I watched, his golden eyes opened and they were bright with excitement. Pulling in a deep breath and backing away he scowled at me. "That was a very stupid thing to do." He growled, but the anger didn't quite meet his eyes.

I grin at him. "I didn't do anything. You were the one who kissed me!"

He was in front of me so suddenly I only had time to blink. "I had the choice between killing you or kissing you. Are you surprised I chose the latter?"

"You could have killed me." I say nonchalantly.

He shook his head, his bronze hair even more tousled. "You misunderstand Bella. I couldn't have killed you. I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I had." He groans. "I don't know. There's something about you. All my life I've been alone and quite fine with that and then you come along and everything changes. I wasn't looking for love… yet here it is."

I stared at him, frozen in shock. Was he saying what I thought he was? I didn't dare to speak, afraid that this was some figment of my imagination. He laughs quietly, his voice soft. "Bella." He chokes on my name. "I don't know how this can be, but…" He takes a deep breath. "But I think I love you."

I stare at him in shock. "Why are you looking at me like that?" He asks quietly. "It is not obvious how I feel? Can you not see it on my face?"

"Yes," I gasp, "but I never expected you to…" I couldn't finish.

"Feel this way?"

I took a deep breath. "Feel the same way as I do." I admit softly.

Edward's expression is one of pure shock and he looks at me wordlessly before his expression darkens. "This is getting complicated." He murmurs, his voice staggered. "Me loving you is one thing, but you loving me? I can't have that."

I growl at him, a curt shocking sound. "Do you know how hypocritical you sound right now? How can you even say that?"

"It makes things more complicated if you feel the same way. It makes it even harder for me to do the right thing." His eyes are fixed on mine as he speaks.

"For once in your life, do something you want to do, not what you should be doing." I say fiercely.

"But…"

"You said you love me?" I question softly.

"Yes." He says immediately.

I ignore the shiver that runs down my spine at his words. "And you want to be with me?"

"Yes." He says again with no hesitation.

"Then there's no need for this to be complicated. I… I love you and you love me. It's simple." I say fiercely.

He groans but his golden eyes are soft. "Only you would say that Bella."

I smile at him. "No relationship is simple. You need to get used to it."

He instantly flashes me a crooked smile, affecting my perfect articulation. He grins. "Did I just distract you enough to interfere with your breathing?" He laughs.

I scowl at him playfully. "Shut up Edward." I mutter.

He laughs, before turning contrite. "I don't think I can stay away from you anymore Bella. But I also don't want you to get hurt."

I step forward and take his hands, marvelling at the heat of them. "I trust you Edward." I say softly. "Trust yourself."

He looks troubled but sighs. "I'll try." He says quietly before tilting his head forward and pressing his lips to mine.

I gasp as an intense jolt runs down my spine and then I'm grabbing him, pulling him to me with all my strength. My senses are enveloped by Edward, the feel, the smell, even the taste of him. His lips, my lips are burning hot and I don't want to stop kissing him. I feel Edward's lips part under mine and he disengages softly, a look of bitter disappointment on his face.

"I'm sorry." He murmurs. "I'll keep trying."

I take a moment to balance my equilibrium. "Edward that… that was fine." I say awkwardly.

Edward smirks, the disappointed look on his face disappearing. "Just fine?" He asks playfully.

I was glad my complexion did not give away the embarrassment I was feeling. I wanted to dig a hole and bury myself in it. "More than fine." I choke out. "It was… it was great."

Gah. Just run away now Bella.

He laughs at my obvious embarrassment. "Well we'll have to see what I can do to improve on that." He teases.

"Edward." I manage to say before closing my eyes.

He chuckles again and I open my eyes as he very gently takes a hold of my face. "I'm just teasing you Bella." He says softly. I nod, enjoying the feeling of heat emanating from his hands. He looks thoughtfully at me. "May I ask you something Bella?" He asks seriously.

I look into his golden eyes. "Anything." I say earnestly.

"What temperature is my skin to you?" He asks quietly.

I frown. What kind of question was that? He looks at me imploringly. "It's… hot." I say truthfully, still frowning.

His eyes close momentarily. "Like hot on a summer's day or scorching hot?" He continues.

"I don't…" I begin.

"Please just answer me Bella." He says intensely.

"Like… scorching hot." I admit. "But it doesn't bother me. It's… it's a good feeling."

"As I thought." He says quietly. "That's what I feel when you kiss me."

"Is… is that a bad thing?" I ask.

"No." He says passionately. "But it's a sign."

"Of what?"

"When I touch you, do you feel anything else?" He answers my question with a question of his own.

I frown. "Like what?"

"Like…" he hesitates, "intense tingling, electric shocks, that kind of thing?"

My mouth drops open slightly and it takes me a few seconds to compose myself. He eyes are burning into mine intently and I find myself telling him the truth. "Yes." I say quietly, dying of embarrassment inwardly.

He looks relieved. "It makes sense now."

"What does?"

"How I could have fallen in love with you after only a few days." He says sincerely.

I felt completely lost. "Do tell." I say quietly.

"We're soulmates."