"Come now, Bella," he chided, circling me slowly. "How long are we going to keep up this dance?"
"I… I… I don't know what you mean," I stammered, wringing my hands together nervously. I most certainly did know what he meant, but I was too afraid to acknowledge it out loud.
"You don't?" Edward asked, stopping behind me. Resting his chin on my shoulder, he whispered in my ear. "Oh, but I think you do."
Trailing his fingers through my hair, he pulled away and walked to the window. He stood silently, waiting for me to speak.
What did he want me to say? That he invaded my every thought? That when he wasn't around, I felt anxious and unsettled? That the mere sight of him made my pulse quicken?
And don't even get me started on his scent.
How could I admit my feelings to him? Once he knew how I felt, I was sure he would use that knowledge against me, forming and molding me until I was warm and malleable in his hands. He would shape and bend me until I was what he wanted and once I was hard and set, he would discard me.
He must have sensed my trepidation, because when he finally turned to look at me, his eyes were soft and inviting.
"Bella," he spoke softly, holding out his arm. "Come to me."
His words were like music and I found myself swaying back and forth, imagining him whispering in my ear, his sweet breath tickling my neck, his fingers caressing my shoulders, making me drunk with desire.
"Bella," he repeated. "I said, come to me."
Tired of denial and doubt, I acquiesced. It was almost as if an invisible cord had bound my wrists and I was being pulled toward him. His eyes never left mine and when I finally reached him, he cupped my face in his hands and pressed his forehead against mine.
"Mmm, sweetheart," he breathed. "You don't know how long I've waited for you."
Melting into him, I finally bared my soul.
"I'm yours. Take me," I whispered into his chest.
"Where would you like to go?" he asked, kissing me on the top of my head.
"Anywhere…as long as it's with you," I answered, my voice cracking with emotion.
Pulling my chin up, he gazed at me and for the first time, I believed I saw sincerity in his eyes.
"It's all I've ever wanted," he said.