Chapter Seven

"Why did you let me pick this?!" Vanessa hissed quietly, gasping and burying her face in Carlisle's chest without thinking.

He chuckled quietly, leaning his head down.

"I will say, I think this is the goriest, most graphic movie I've ever seen..." he whispered as she peeked up, cringing when she saw the girl sawing her own arm off to stop the spread of the demon.

She inhaled into his hard chest, her pulse quieting when she smelt his comforting scent.

"I don't usually scare easily...but this, is just beyond gross," Vanessa muttered, feeling him wrap his arms around her, one hand running up and down her back in a soothing way.

"Yes, I think even I am a little disturbed," he whispered, making her pause when she clearly felt his cold lips on the top of her head, making her breathing quicken as she felt him inhale on her head, obviously taking in the scent of her hair.

"Does my hair smell okay?" she whispered jokingly.

"More than okay..." he said lowly against her head.

"What do I smell like to you?" she asked, turning her head and looking at the wall.

She jumped violently when suddenly, some girl screamed on the screen, clutching his shirt with force.

She was not looking.

He tightened his arms around her, as if to say she was safe, assuring her.

"It's hard to explain," he said quietly after a moments pause. "I guess I could liken it to peaches..."

She flushed. Of course, she smelt like food. At least it wasn't McDonald's.

"Peaches and cream," she muttered jokingly, and she felt him smirk against her head.

"I believe that when I was human, my favorite food was peaches...if I recall correctly," he said so lightly that she almost didn't hear him.

"Is that all?" she asked quietly. "Just smell like a straight up peach?"

"Hmm. Well, I suppose its as you said. Peaches and cream...and citrus. It's strong," he whispered, tilting his head down to her ear. "It burns my throat."

A shiver ran down her body when she felt his cool breath on the shell of her ear, and she knew he felt it.

"I hurt you?" she asked, frowning. Her smell caused him pain? That didn't sound very good...

"It's not as bad now," he said instantly. "But yes...but I assure you, it is an extremely pleasurable pain."

"Masochist," she whispered jokingly, making him quietly chuckle in her ear.

He paused for moment. "Do you just want to leave? Since we aren't watching and can't stop talking?"

Vanessa thought for moments, glancing at the screen and seeing some girl getting buried alive, but the demon was still inside her, yelling.

"Yeah, lets get out of here," she whispered as Carlisle's arms released her, and she shakily stood. He grabbed her hand again, entwining their fingers as her heart thumped giddily.

He quickly pulled her out of the doors, removing his hand from hers to her extreme disappointment. But, it quickly subsided when he slid his arm around her shoulders, walking out the doors together. As odd as it seemed, it felt like their heights were perfectly proportionate. Carlisle's tall, lean frame was at least 6'2, and she was quite tall for a girl. His arm was able to sit on her shoulders, without him having to bend down or anything.

God, he was bold. But for some reason, she just...didn't mind.

"Where to now?" he asked, stopping in front of the car and letting his arm drop.

Vanessa looked around. There wasn't exactly much to do in Forks...

"Well, since we were talking, we can just go back to my place?" she shrugged, then felt horrified when she realized how that sounded.

"To talk!" she instantly said, flushing and wanting the world to swallow her whole.

His eyes glinted and he smiled knowingly at her, making her scowl.

"As you wish," he winked, opening the car door for her as she scooted in.

He walked around and got in, and she was ready.

"I didn't...ugh, you like embarrassing me, don't you? Just admit it!" she accused, giving him a small smile as he started the car and quickly pulled away.

"Fine, I'll admit it," he gave her a charming smile. "I'm sorry, I can't help it. You're so cute when you get shy and embarrassed."

"...I am not cute," Vanessa said, her voice pitch a little high. "I am terrifying."

"Oh yes, I did call you a lioness, didn't I?" Carlisle laughed, glancing over at her.

"Your words, not mine," she smiled in victory, crossing her arms.

"You're more of a kitten to me. I'm sorry to inform you," he smiled mockingly at her, but ruined the effect when he reached over, gently grasping her hand in his.

Vanessa flushed. All she could think when he said that was, 'sex kitten.'...She really needed to get her mind out of the gutter.

He pulled up to her house, getting out and walking at a human pace again to open the car door for her.

"I'm going to drop my car off at my house and run back," he said quietly. "I'll be right back."

"Why are you dropping your car off?" she asked, confused.

He grinned. "Well, what if you father wakes up and sees my car sitting out here? I don't think that would be a very good thing."

Vanessa's mouth made an 'O' shape as she understood.

He smiled, grabbing her hand and pressing his cold lips to her knuckles, making her flush again.

"I won't be any longer than ten minutes," he said quietly, walking around his car and getting in the drivers seat, pulling out of her driveway quietly.

She stood there, dumbfounded for moments before she ran inside and flew up the stairs.

She quickly pulled out a black tee shirt and shorts, running into the bathroom. She paused at the door, looking down at the shorts. Was she really about to put on shorts in front of Carlisle? She didn't want to wear the same PINK pajama capris again though...perhaps she could just stay under the covers? Yes, that's what she would do.

She quickly changed, throwing them on and looking in the mirror. She brushed her teeth and hair, used the bathroom and bounded back in her room. She closed the door, locking it again.

She turned the light out this time, crawling under the covers. Her grey tabby cat, Mr. Peepers, gave her annoyed looked as she moved around, waking him up. She scratched him behind the ears, and apparently, she was immediately forgiven as he started purring and closed his eyes.

She almost turned her TV on, but she didn't want her dad to see her bedroom light and TV on again if he woke up. He'd definitely be irritated this time, seeing as she had school tomorrow.

She picked up her phone, flipping through Tumblr as she waited. She didn't have to wait long though, as her window slid open to reveal Carlisle elegantly and quietly jumping in.

"That was quick," she commented quietly, raising her eyebrows as he gently closed her window.

All of a sudden, Mr. Peepers was awake on her bed, standing with his fur sticking straight up, his eyes black, and he was growling and hissing at Carlisle.

"Mr. Peepers!" Vanessa scolded, picking up the cat and found that he was trembling as he continued to hiss at him in her arms, making her frown. But, Mr. Peepers was such a friendly cat!

"I feed from animals," Carlisle said quietly, standing near her window still. "He knows that. Animals are extremely wary of me, as they should be. Perhaps you should put him out? He's very afraid. I don't want him to get too frightened."

Vanessa frowned, hugging Mr. Peepers and trying to comfort his racing heart. She scratched him behind the ears, jumping up and opening her door. She sat him outside her door, and the second she sat him down, he flew down the hallway and down the stairs, no doubt to hide somewhere.

She closed her door and locked it with a sigh, turning to see Carlisle sitting on her bed.

"Will he be okay?" she asked quietly, hugging herself. "He won't...like, have a heart attack, will he?"

"No, he just doesn't want to be near me," Carlisle said, giving her a small smile. "He'll calm down in a few minutes without being in my presence."

"Okay, if you're sure..." she trailed off, biting her lip and hesitantly approaching her bed, getting under the blankets again.

"Are all animals wary of you?" she asked, tilting her head as she put her hands in her lap.

"Yes, usually," he gave her a dry smile from the edge of her bed. "Although, animals are much calmer around me than any of my other family members. Most all animals treat Edward as though he's a shark." he chuckled bitterly.

"...Are you comfortable there?" she asked after a moments pause. "You can lean back, if you want?"

It didn't look very comfortable, as he was sitting on the very edge of her bed with his elbows on his knees.

He smiled, quickly pulling off his shoes, revealing his black, socked feet.

The next thing she knew, in a blur, he was laying next to her, causing her to jump in surprise.

WELL, she hadn't really meant THAT.

She stared at him, wide eyed, as he tucked his arm behind his head, stretched out and grinning up at her.

"Thanks, this is much more comfortable."

He knew that wasn't what she meant.

"You're something, you know that?" she laughed, shaking her head.

His eyes flashed in curiosity. "I'm something? And what's that something?" he asked smoothly, running his hand up and down her back lightly.

She tensed a little, before relaxing a little.

"It's a figure of speech, you know that," she smiled, lightly laying down next to him, but she put a distance between them.

He chuckled, moving his hand to hers and entwining their fingers again.

"Don't fall asleep there," she laughed, glancing over at him, staring at his profile.

"Not possible. I don't sleep," he smiled, glancing at her.

She sharply turned her head, causing him to do the same.

"You don't sleep? What do you mean? Like, ever?" she gasped when he elegantly shook his head no.

"..."

"Blood gives us energy and everything we need," he shrugged lightly.

"Wow...anything else?" she asked, turning on her side and propping her head on her hand.

He chuckled, turning on his side as well.

"Well, we're impossibly strong and fast, but you already know that," he glanced down at their hands, his thumb moving over hers. "We don't sleep or eat. None of the classic vampire things can effect us."

"So, no stake to the heart then?" she smirked, thinking of Buffy.

He raised his eyebrows, letting her hand go and she almost protested until he reached in his pocket, pulling out a quarter, holding it in his palm.

She gave him a confused look as he closed his fist around it, squeezing briefly before opening his palm.

Her jaw dropped as she saw all the remained was silver dust, which he threw over his head.

"We're too strong and hard," he smiled ruefully. "It would splinter into a million pieces on contact."

"H-how to you not break everyone you touch?" she asked, very surprised. "or anything, for that matter."

"Easy," he said, his eyes flashing. Before she even knew how to react, in a blur, his arms were wrapped around her, and he pulled her against his chest, holding the side of her head against him.

"Lots of practice," he said quietly, stroking her hair gently as a feather and lightly rubbing her back.

Her breathing caught, and she relaxed into his gentle embrace.

"Practice?" she raised her eyebrows. "You've done this with other women, then?"

He was quiet for moments.

"No, I have not," he said quietly. "Not since I was human. As you know, brothels were quite popular back then-"

"You went to a whore house?" she squeaked, shocked. Carlisle? At a whore house?!

He chuckled. "Well, when I was sixteen, my uncle decided to make me a, 'man.' or so he said. He took me to a brothel without my father knowing, paying a prostitute for me. I vaguely even remember what she even looked like. I barely remember the whole thing, honestly. But, I remember it happened. I went back a few times before I got changed. Of course, my father didn't know."

Vanessa was dumbfounded. So, he wasn't a virgin, but he hadn't had sex in 300 years? Good God...

"Oh yeah, your father was a priest, wasn't he?"

Carlisle paused, then began stroking her hair again.

"Yes, my father was a priest," he continued quietly. "He regularly led raids, trying to rid the world of evil in the form of vampires, werewolves, and demons. But my father was quick to judge, and he unfortunately only succeeded in killing many innocent people..." he sighed, and she heard the sadness in his voice. "When he became older, he wanted me to take his place. But, unlike my father, I was not as quick to judge. I managed to find a real coven of vampires, hiding in the sewers of London. I got the people together and led a raid...of course, we were ignorant and did not realize the strength of the vampires. Most of the people were killed, and I was attacked and bitten. The vampires attention was diverted, and he must have been ancient. He left me bleeding in the street."

Vanessa gave a sad look against his chest, her eyebrows furrowing. She couldn't help but to feel bad.

"I don't think it was his intention to leave me alive," he continued with a small pause. "I felt a searing pain in my body, but I managed to climb into some potatoes and after an unbearably painful transformation, I emerged three days later as the very thing my father spent his entire life trying to kill. I have no idea how I had the strength to keep quiet...I didn't dare go home, knowing what his reaction would be. Son or not, he would have tried to kill me. Not only that, with the burning thirst in my throat, I feared I would hurt him."

"Carlisle..." she said quietly against his chest. So, he hadn't chosen this. Of course he hadn't. She didn't even consider that. Carlisle didn't seem like the type of person that would have ever chosen this life; because of how much he cared about people.

"I spent a long time trying to end my existence out of guilt. I believed for the a time that I was eternally damned, even though I had not asked for it," he said, and Vanessa let out a small gasp, looking up at his face sharply.

He looked down at her with saddened eyes, moving his hand to her cheek.

"I jumped from the tallest peaks in the world, only to land on my fee;, the very earth cracking underneath my feet," he looked at her with a serious expression. "I jumped into the Atlantic ocean, only to sit on the ocean floor for hours, finally having to accept the fact that I did not need to breathe. Until finally, I resorted to starving myself...I went weeks without feeding. The pain was beyond agonizing and unimaginable."

He trailed his fingers down her flushed cheek once more before withdrawing them, much to her dismay.

"I separated myself from civilization. I became so hungry, I was practically ravenous. And one day, while hiding in the mountains, I came across a herd of deer—I attacked without even thinking. After I fed, I found my strength had returned and everything was normal. I wasn't fully satisfied, but it was tolerable. It was then that I realized I could exist without hurting people," he said, giving her a small smile. "I've been dedicated to saving lives, using my unlimited time to study and become an excellent doctor; to make up for what I am."

He stopped talking, giving her a small, worried smile.

"Are you afraid of me?" he asked lowly, reaching and running his fingers down her cheek again. He looked so afraid that her heart ached.

"I really hope you're not," he whispered quickly, looking down at his hand.

"I'm not afraid," she whispered, making him look up at her in the eyes. "I...don't even know why I'm not. I'm just not afraid of you, Carlisle. Even if you are a...vampire."

"Why?" he asked quietly, looking at her intensely.

"I...don't know," she frowned. "I just—I believe you. I don't think you'd ever hurt me."

"Vanessa..." he said quietly, squeezing her cheek lightly as he slowly closed his beautiful eyes.

"You have no idea how that makes me feel. How relieved I am..."

He ran his fingers down her cheek, and across her jaw line, before gently trailing down her neck. A shiver went down her spine and she looked down, embarrassed.

"Your blush is very lovely," he said quietly, making her flush even more, if it was even possible.

"No, its not..." she muttered, keeping her gaze down. Her heart was beating so furiously she thought it was going to bust through her chest.

Suddenly, she felt him moving closer, and she looked up, startled.

His face was inches from hers, and she stared at his perfect face, memorized. His golden eyes were had an almost hooded, unfocused look as they traveled over her face, before settling on her lips.

Oh GOD, kiss me—please! She screamed in her head, taking a sharp intake of breath.

Suddenly, his eyes focused and he moved his face away from hers.

"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-" she was surprised, Carlisle actually stuttered.

"No, It's alright!" she blurted, in spite of herself.

He chuckled, looking at her with tender eyes. "I just got under your good graces again. I don't want to ruin your opinion of me by moving too quickly or making you uncomfortable."

"Right..." she mumbled, looking back down at his lean chest and sighing. Perhaps he was right. There was no reason to rush anything. They had all the time in the world. Well, he did, technically. Was he her...boyfriend? She didn't want to ask that seemingly childish question. Was it too soon to say that? But then again, here she was, curled up in her bed with him after a date. She supposed he was...wasn't he? Why not? It seemed soon, but this wasn't exactly friendship stuff. Her and Bella weren't going to be cuddling on her bed anytime soon. Besides, she was a teenager, did she really have to be super mature about this? Why couldn't she just date Carlisle because she already liked him? Then again, maybe she should be more mature...seeing as he was a vampire and all. Where would that lead them? Would it even work?

She stopped her thoughts. She'd told herself: one thing at a time. There was no reason to rush anything. Just let it flow naturally. If she thought about it, tonight was too rushed, she supposed. But at the same time, it was natural. There were no odd feelings about being in Carlisle's embrace and holding his hand. And honestly, she wouldn't mind if he did kiss her...

"What about you?" he asked quietly.

"Hmm?" she asked, looking up at him as he watched her with careful eyes.

"Do you have any experience in this?" he asked, and she let a small smile slip on her face at his attempt at sounding nonchalant.

"Are you just basically asking me if I'm a virgin?" she chuckled, but her face flushed, so she hid it in his chest again.

"No, I meant in relationships, but...if you want to share, I'll listen."

He totally wanted to know.

"Well, I've never been to a brothel," she joked, laughing into his chest. Even though it was forever ago, quite literally, she couldn't stop the pang of jealously that hit her chest as he'd told her that, or if she thought about it.

"I am sorry if that darkens your thoughts of me," he said quietly, sounding regretful. "But, I was a young man. Also, I was a human then and it was a common thing to do at the time."

"I know...you don't have to apologize for something you did centuries before I was born," she shook her head.

"I feel like I do," he said quietly. "I never really gave it a second thought, but now, I wish I could take those times back. Even after all this time."

"...so, you've been single since you've been a vampire? How is that even possible..." she whispered, completely dumbfounded.

"Yes, it's different for vampires," he said quietly, stroking her hair again. "Of course, there are those that are not mated that engage in sexual activity, but it is usually of little interest until they find their mates. A few others of my kind have shown interest, but I informed them, in the most gentlemanly way possible, that I did not return their interest. I did not want to lead a female into thinking we would be together forever, as that is quite literal. And well, with a human, is extremely dangerous. Especially if the human is the female. It was not a risk I was willing to take for the sake of physical gratification."

"Dangerous?" she breathed, her heart beating hurriedly at this intimate discussion. Yet, she wanted to know more.

He paused for a little while, and she began to wonder if he was even going to answer her.

"Yes, as our strength is so great," he said quietly, his voice a little deeper than it was. "It is a little different for a female of my kind and a human man. But, when the male is a vampire, and the human is a woman...it only takes a second of loss of control, and it can completely shatter the females bones. It's horrid, I've had the displeasure of seeing it before."

Vanessa remained quiet, gulping.

"Of course, loss of control in that situation is common, even in humans," he continued quietly. "but for a vampire, there's our strength...and they may not be able to resist the smell of their blood, being that close to them during an act that lessons your control greatly."

Her thoughts kept going to one thing.

"Bella and Edward...they wouldn't..." she asked, a little scared for Bella.

"No," he said quickly. "Edward knows he does not require the control to act in such a manner. He had told Bella this when she attempts to engage in sexual acts."

Vanessa blushed. WELL, that didn't sound like Bella...but looking at how beautiful Carlisle is, she could see where she'd be tempted.

"...and you?" she asked in a whisper, unable to believe she was asking something like that, but damn, she wanted to know. And they were already on the topic...

His hand paused on her hair, and she heard him take a deep, almost shuddering breath. Her pulse raced, and she gulped. Why was it suddenly so hot in here? She pressed closer to him, needing the coolness from his body.

"I'm...not sure," he said from above her, making her eyes widen when she heard the husky quality of his voice. It sounded like he literally hissed on the, 's'.

"I've never...attempted it before. I'd like to think that I require the control," he continued, beginning to stoke her hair again, but this time, it was a little rougher.

"While I'm not sure, I trust myself enough to pull away and stop once I hit my control limit. It is possible, only because of centuries of resisting," he finished quietly, tightening his fist in her hair for moments, but released it just as quickly.

"Oh..." she breathed dumbly. What if her and Carlisle did work out? What if – what if they had to do that one day? She almost visibly cringed at the thought of showing Carlisle her body. She didn't even like looking at it. Perhaps he thought she'd look better naked than she actually looked?

"So," she cleared her throat. "You've never had a vampire girlfriend before because you're afraid of being stalked for all eternity, literally?"

He chuckled. "Something like that. It's not the same for vampires. You can never escape someone, for they're immortal as well."

"Are all vampires really beautiful?" she asked, wondering if they are were as beautiful as his family. They probably were.

"...Yes," he said quietly. "We all have the same pale features."

"Oh..." she frowned. "So, if I was a vampire, it would just make me beautiful?" she joked, giving a small laugh.

His hand immediately halted. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice low and bland.

"Well..." she shifted. "Would I...get thin and pretty?"

"..."

Suddenly, his hand was under her chin, pulling her face up to look at him with a gasp. His eyes were hard, his mouth set in a straight line. But, in the hardness of his eyes, there was also a sadness.

"Don't ever say that," he said quietly, his voice hard. "You are beautiful as you are, Vanessa."

"Why?" she finally blurted, looking at him with desperate eyes. "Why do you think that?! I don't understand – it doesn't make sense!" she hissed.

His eyebrows raised, realizing she'd been holding that in.

"I don't understand that question," he frowned. "I think you're gorgeous. It's simple. You're beautiful, inside and out. How is that hard to understand, Vanessa?"

Vanessa looked down, flushing.

"Well, I'm not."

"..."

"Yes, you are," Carlisle said gently, and she felt him press his face into her hair, inhaling. "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

"...Now I know you're full of it," Vanessa scoffed. "Just look at Rose!"

"I love Rosalie, as a daughter," she felt him frown. "I have never thought anything different of her, or for Alice, or Bella."

"I think my smell has clouded your judgment or something," Vanessa frowned. Could that be it? She just smelt so good, that the rest of her seemed gorgeous too?

His arms tightened around her. "No, that has absolutely nothing to do with it. I wasn't enthralled with you until I heard your voice. I told you this. Then, I saw you, and I was pulled in even more. When I spoke with you, it pulled me in even further – until it consumed me."

"Looks aside, I still don't understand what you see in me. I'm...odd," she finished. She wouldn't say that she was just like any other girl, but she would go with different. But not in a good, cool way. In a strange, awkward way.

"I know," Carlisle murmured, making her eyes widen. "But you're so wonderfully odd and human. I've never met anyone like you in my 300 years. You're special."

"How do you know?" she asked, tightening her grip on his shirt. "I could be everything you hate-"

"Never," he interrupted, and she felt him kiss the top of her head again.

"Ugh, you're stubborn," she groaned, but couldn't stop herself from smiling into his chest.

"I'm stubborn?" he asked, laughing at her. "No, kitten, you're the stubborn one. You can't accept that you're beautiful."

"Kitten?" she asked, flushing.

"It just came out," he chuckled, his lean chest shaking her head. "It fits. I can't say lioness. Like I said, you're far too cute for that."

"Again with the cute?" she sighed, smiling. "So, I'm the first girl to have an impression on you?"

He was quiet for moments, making her eyes widen.

"I've never told anyone this, except Edward. And he only knows because he heard my thoughts..." he said quietly, sighing to himself as her heart pumped.

"Her name...was Esme Platt," he said quietly. "I treated her when she fell out of a tree in the early 1900's when she was 16. For some reason, she left a little bit of an impression of me. It was unusual, but I didn't think too much of it and went on with my life," he paused, pressing his face into her hair again as if to reassure her. "Years later, I was working in a hospital, and I passed the morgue. I heard a faint heartbeat. Thinking someone that was alive had accidentally been put in there, I went inside, opening the bag that was the source – and there she was."

Vanessa bit the inside of her cheek. Why was this bothering her?

"I recognized her as the happy, free spirited girl I had treated years ago. I was overcame with an urge to save her. Her pulse was very weak, as my vampire ears barely picked up on it. Without second thought, I bit her, not wanting her to die or suffer any longer. But, it was too late..." he whispered. "Her heart was too weak and she was too close to death. I've seen vampire venom do remarkable things, but the heart must continue beating throughout the change to pump the venom through the body."

He'd wanted her? If she had lived, would she had been Carlisle's mate? That question bothered her greatly.

"She'd committed suicide after losing her baby," he said quietly, making Vanessa take a sharp intake of breath. "I felt horrible that I wasn't able to save the free spirited girl, but I tried. I use to think that she would have been my mate, but there's no way of knowing that now. I was only around her for an hour when she was 16, and then in the morgue, where she died. But, I believe everything happens as its meant to, and Esme Platt was not meant to be my companion."

Was that really true? Maybe he was meant to find true love in Esme, and she was simply a shitty replacement for his loneliness? The thought didn't provide her any comfort.

"..."

"Vanessa..." Carlisle sighed, putting his fingers under his chin and lifting her face to look at him. "No one could compare to you. I was struck by you much quicker than Esme. One simple encounter with you for five minutes had you on my mind from that moment onward. It was different."

"But, she was only 16," Vanessa frowned, shifting her eyes down. "If she had just been a little older-"

"It doesn't matter," his voice sounded quietly. "That is only two years younger than you. You struck me like a bolt of lightening, whereas she was a gentle thunder in the back of my mind."

"If you saw me in a morgue-"

His grip tightened on her instantly as he let out a low growl from deep in his chest.

"Don't say things like that. I cannot imagine..." he trailed off gruffly, then sighed. "But, if you're asking if I would bite you...yes, I would. Unless you had specifically requested me otherwise. Even if you had, I cannot promise I'd have the strength to just sit idly by and watch you die, even if that was your wish. My every instinct would be screaming at me to save you, and I doubt I could resist."

Vanessa smiled, sighing against him. He truly did care about her...could she believe that he cared for her more than Esme? He hadn't said that he believed her to be his mate, but it was implied. No doubt he thought he would frighten her with those words. Honestly, she wasn't sure if she'd feel frightened, overwhelmed, or thrilled. Probably a combination of all three.

As she contemplated his stories, her eyes grew heavy as she inhaled the soothing smell that was all but radiating from him.

In the back of her mind, she told herself that she needed to wake up, that she had to tell him to leave. But, she was so comfortable. The blankets were keeping her warm, but his cool chest was also keeping her cool. It was like laying on the constant cool side of the pillow. Granted, it was a little hard, but the soothing smell coming off him made up for it. She was relaxed, and she didn't truly want Carlisle to leave, even though he probably should.

She let out a small breath, and her world blackened as she swore she heard him mutter, "Goodnight, kitten."