AN- Thanks again to all who read and review! Your encouragement makes my day! Here's the next chapter. We still haven't quite caught up to the end of the BPOV in "The Talk", but I'm getting finished as fast as I can!


Last Time- "Yes," I said softly. Knowing she would truly gave me confidence, "you did." We lay together in silence for a moment. The possibilities began swirling around in my mind. I was eager to attempt this brilliant idea of hers.

"When would you like to schedule our first 'practice session'?" I asked, my voice smooth and low with longing. Bella's heart began to race again.

Practicing

"Um, now?" She asked.

Hell yes! I thought, but more smoothly breathed softly into her ear, "Your wish," I moved to barely touch her lips, "my command." Could my life get any better? I loved her so much, wanted her so much. She was truly my everything. I moved my lips back to her ear, "I love you more than life itself, Isabella Swan," I whispered. My voice was raw, exposing my feeling.

Bellalaughed. Did she think I was kidding? Could she possibly still not believe? I pulled back, to see her face."After all this time, you still doubt my feelings?"

"No, no, that's not what I meant!" She apologized, "I only meant, that I'm the one who loves you more than life. At least, I'm the only one of us who can prove it."

Her comment struck the very core of my being. I moved to sit on the edge of her bed. It was true. Bella was the only one actually giving up her life, so she could be a monster, like me. The horror of it still left me sick.

"Edward," she whispered sitting next to me and taking one of my hands in both of her tiny ones, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

I couldn't speak. I sit here, horrified at the monster that I am, and she feels like she needs to apologize? I couldn't let her feel bad for something that wasn't her fault. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to compose myself. "No, Bella My Love, I shouldn't be so sensitive," I had to explain that this wasn't her fault. It was always my fault.

"I'm just still horrified at the thought of taking your life. I know it's the only way we can be together. I know it's what's best for us." I shook my head, there was no end to the argument I was constantly having with myself, "It just doesn't change the fact that I'm planning to murder the only woman I've ever loved."

Bella knelt down and put her arms around me, once again encircling me in her warmth. I wrapped my arms around her small frame and bent my head to her chest. Her heartbeat was steady, comforting. And I was going to stop it forever. What if something went wrong? What if I lose her?

She kissed the top of my head and began to run her warm fingers through my hair. It felt wonderful. I relaxed, a little.

"Not murder, My Love, not murder," Bella soothed, "You're simply taking this short, weak life in exchange for giving me an eternity of bliss with you." My angel kissed the top of my head again. At least I know what ever happens, she will still love me. She always forgives me. Yet I still clung to her, unable to let go of my worries.

She sighed, the smell of her breath soothing me even more. "Talk about a mood killer," she said. I laughed tightly at her joke. "It's just as well," she continued, "we're probably better off starting from cold, than with our engines already idling."

Of course Bella would be able to pull me from my macabre worries. She had a talent for distraction. Remembering the conversation we'd had only moments ago, I looked into her smiling face. I caught her eyes with my own.

"Bella," I said smiling wickedly, "Since that day in the meadow, my engine is always in idle." To my great pleasure, Bella blushed furiously. I touched the delicious crimson pool. "Which rule are we bending tonight?" I asked, my mind fully back on track.

Bella closed her eyes, I was entranced by her glowing face. "Ummm, how about we start with just kissing?" She asked.

I wanted specifics. "How is that different from what we do now?" I asked. When she opened her eyes again, I was grinning.

"I mean, kissing more. . . aggressively?" She suggested. She sounded a little unsure again. I decided to play with her a little.

"Where?" I asked, leaning closer to her beautiful body. She nearly choked. "Breathe, Bella!" I laughed. This is going to be fun

"From the neck up?" She managed.

I swept her into my lap. "Does this count as your neck?" I asked, touching a finger to a shoulder her tank top left bare. I heard her breath catch.

"Sure," she whispered.

Lots of fun, I thought, tracing her skin from her shoulder to her collar bone, "And this?"

"Uh-huh," she agreed, closing her eyes again. I chuckled at her reaction. Too easy.

Finally, I touched the hollow in the base of her throat, "This?" I whispered.

"Yes," she whispered in return, her heartbeat resounding in my ears like hummingbird wings. I wonder. . . I slowly drew my finger down, testing her resolve.

Her eyes flew wide in shock, "No!" she cried. I quickly covered her mouth before she woke Charlie.

"Just checking," I said, shaking with laughter. Bella started laughing too. I was glad she wasn't mad.

Enough jokes, I took her hands in mine and asked her, "Ready?"

"Yes," she agreed.

I gently lay her back on the bed. Her heart stated racing again. Did she want to be sitting up? "Okay?" I asked, watching for any sign of hesitation.

"It's, tolerable," she replied, smiling. I laughed, remembering the very first time I had tried this kind of self control. I love this woman so much!

Bella put one hand to my face and closed her eyes. I decided to start by pressing my lips to the smooth skin of her shoulder. Enjoying the soft warmth of her skin, I slowly made my way to her neck. Here the scent of her blood pulsing through the vein mixed with the scent of her hair and breath. It was intoxicating. I then moved up to the ear that had so thoroughly distracted her earlier. My tongue once again lightly traced the lobe.

Bella sighed, "Edward,"

I paused, was it too much?

"I love you," she whispered, gazing into my eyes in a way that left no doubt.

"I know," I replied, smiling. Bella stopped breathing again, but only for a moment, so I turned my head back to her ear.

Starting there I kissed my way down to the hollow in her throat. Her heart began to flutter again. I smiled, loving the effect I was having on her. Who am I kidding? I loved the effect this was having on me, too. My lips were on fire with the warmth of her sweet skin, my head swimming in her delicious scent.

I rolled over, suspending myself above her so she couldn't feel my weight. Her body radiated heat like the sun. I trailed kisses up her lovely throat to her perfect chin. I noted her breath was becoming ragged, so was mine. Sliding one hand behind her head, I wove my fingers into her soft hair. I gently tilted her face down, so I could more easily reach her luscious lips. I pressed my mouth firmly against hers. I parted my lips to trace her lower lip with my tongue.

Bella's hands pressed tightly against the mattress, her body tensing beneath me. Too much, I thought and started to pull back. Her hands were back at my waist, then they ran up and down my back. My desire began to roll like the waves of the sea. But I'm still under control, I though, pleased with myself.

I went back to her juicy lips. I wanted to taste the inside of her mouth. I wanted her to let me in. I traced her top lip, then gently pressed up on it, urging her to understand.

"Mmmmm," she moaned against my lips, me too, I smiled.

I tried again to get her to understand what I wanted. I returned to her lower lip, tugging at it with my tongue as I had the top. She opened her mouth and the scent of her breath grew stronger. Is she still breathing? I wondered momentarily before slipping my tongue between her lips. I leaned deeper into the kiss, pressing against her. Her tongue was warm and sweet. She's tastes so good!

Several things happened all at once. Her hands knotted into my hair, her leg was around me, pinning her hip to mine, and she was gasping desperately. The ocean of my desire rose and threatened to drown me if I didn't come up for air. This is not what she wants! I shouted in my mind, flinging myself back and away to keep myself from doing something she'd regret.

As I left the bed, I realized I needed to take further action. I flipped over mid-fall and landed silently on my hands and feet. That was close! I thought, I could have fallen right through the floor! Then it really hit me. I just fell out of bed! First I fall for Bella, then I fall out of bed!


I will update ASAP, I promise! The next chapter will take us to the end of the scene from "The Talk".