All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer
Time seemed to stand still as I rested in his arms. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. All I cared about was the feel of his hands as they gently massaged circles into my back. There was no other place I wanted to be. For the first time in my life I felt alive. My world had a new vibrancy and meaning. I still did not understand why he had chosen me. But I could not deny how lucky it made me feel, that this beautiful, godly creature chose me, plain jane Bella, to be with. I would cause me physical pain to be separated from him, and I was more than elated that he was here with me now instead of hunting the Tracker. Guilt washed through me. I was selfish to think such things, to endanger others to keep Edward safe, but that did not change how I felt. He was essential to my existence.
"What are you thinking?" He asked softly pulling me from my thoughts.
My face reddened.
"You're blushing." He stated, confused by my reaction. He didn't have to see my face turn red. I knew all to well that he could feel and smell the blush on my face.
"I was thinking about you…and…me." I hedged hoping he would not press further.
"What about you and me?"
I sighed burying my face in his chest. "Just how much you mean to me. How much I need you." I mumbled into his shirt.
"Mmmm."
I peeked up at him. His face looked troubled.
I reached up and traced his furrowed brow with the fingertips of my hand. "What is it? What's wrong?" I breathed.
He captured my hand in his and laid it against the side of his face. He closed his eyes taking a deep breath then exhaled loudly. When he opened his eyes again they held nothing of the happiness they had earlier.
"This is very wrong. I never should have allowed this to happen. I should never have pursued you like I did. Because of me your life is in danger. You've had to lie to everyone you know and love. I have caused you nothing but misery since I entered your life. I don't know how you can claim to care for me after all I have done to you. I should have left you alone. I should never have come back. " His topaz eyes held a deep sadness like nothing I had seen before.
It broke my heart to see him so troubled, and I didn't like the way this conversation was going. I didn't like thinking about him leaving.
I pulled away from him and stuck my chin out stubbornly. "I'm glad you couldn't leave me alone."
He leaned back against the couch and ran a hand through his messy bronze hair. "Will you ever grasp how dangerous I am to you?" He sighed more to himself than to me.
I stood up as a wave of irrational anger shot through me. For some reason what he said rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't like being treated like a child, and I felt he was being condescending.
I folded my arms across my chest. "I'm not scared of you." I stated amazed at how even my voice sounded. "You're not as scary as you think you are." I added. Even I could hear the lie in my voice but I refused to back down.
At first he looked surprised at my outburst but his expression quickly changed. His eyes narrowed and a mischievous grin crossed his face. His topaz eyes were a light with humor as he stood in front of me. A low growl erupted from his chest and I began to back away from him slowly.
"You really shouldn't have said that."
I tried to remain calm and show no fear as he stalked, there really was no other word to describe his movements, towards me. I held my hands, palm side up, towards him.
"Edward." I tried to sound stern but my voice wavered.
The next thing I knew I was flying through the air. I gasped at the sudden movement and found myself horizontal on a soft surface. I quickly looked around to find myself on the bed in the bedroom with Edward's arms securely wrapped around me, trapping me in place. I had no idea how he had gotten me into the bedroom, let alone so fast. I tried to get free from his grasp, but my attempts were futile. I glared up at him as my breath became more labored. I felt him chuckle from above me and it only proved to anger me further.
"Let go." I demanded breathlessly after a few minutes. He did not loosen his grip.
Finally, I decided to stop struggling. It was no use; his strength was clearly superior.
"Do you still find me not scary?"
I sighed. "You're a very, very scary monster." I said sardonically. "Better?"
"Much." He smiled.
I felt his arms relax around me and finally I really considered the position we were in. He was lying on top of me, careful to support most of his weight so as not to crush me. I could still feel his body against me and my heart quickened at our intimate pose. My hands rested limply against his chest but I could feel how sculpted and perfect it was. He reached up with one of his hands, and he brushed the hair that had fallen into my face from my struggling out of the way ever so softly. He allowed his fingers to linger longer than necessary and my face tingled in their wake.
Our eyes locked and the air electrified around us in a way it never had before. It felt as though sparks were littering the air around us. He kept his hand on my face, tracing over my features with the lightest touch. I closed my eyes as my breathing became even more labored. I was starting to get dizzy. I could sense him getting closer to me so it didn't surprise me as it should have when I felt his cool breath at my ear.
"Bella." He breathed. "Open your eyes, Bella."
I slowly opened my eyes to find him mere inches from my face. My breathing hitched as his liquid golden eyes stared un-relentlessly back into mine.
"Be very still. I want to try something." He whispered seriously.
I froze as I watched his face draw even closer to mine. Out of instinct alone I closed my eyes. I exhaled as soon as his lips met mine. Feelings I had never felt before coursed through me and I found myself driven by nature, no longer in control of my actions. My face flushed as I moved my lips against his. My hands, once limp on his chest, traveled up and wrapped themselves around his neck and my fingers dove into his silky hair. I pulled myself closer to him, securing my body to his. Every line of mine was in contact with his. Almost instantly, I felt Edward freeze above me. No sooner had I secured myself to him, he was pushing me away.
I could feel my face grow hotter as I looked up into his eyes. They were wild and frenzied.
I began pulling away, afraid I had pushed him to far. "Sorry." I muttered as I bit my lower lip nervously.
He stilled my movements, wrapping his arms around me. He shook his head slightly from side to side. "It's not that bad. Please be still." His voice was very controlled. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths before opening his them again. His eyes no longer looked wild as they had before.
"Sorry." I mumbled again tightening my eyes.
He exhaled cupping my face in between my hands stroking my cheeks with his thumbs. "What am I going to do with you? You'll be the death of me yet." He mused, but I could tell by his tone that he was not upset.
I smiled meekly, apologetically, and then shrugged.
He chuckled.
We remained on the bed together for the rest of the afternoon. We were inseparable. Even when Alice got back, from what I discovered was a quick hunt, we never left each other's side.
For the first time in days I fell asleep without fear of any nightmares, as Edward held me close and hummed me a lullaby.