The slight drizzle of rain clung to my skin as I walked through the school parking lot. Noah and Paige were standing in the middle of the hallway, hand in hand. A smile flitted to my lips at the sight.

I was a bundle of nerves when I walked into history. That feeling only worsened when I saw that Edward was already seated and staring up at me with the most tender of smiles. As usual, we were the first to arrive, so there was no one around to see the way he was looking at me so tenderly. It was a far cry from his wrathful glare that I had grown accustomed to since we met.

With knees like jello, I walked over and claimed my seat next to him. As I was digging through my bag, his smooth voice washed over me.

"Good morning, Lynna," he said to me. "How'd you sleep?"

"Like you care," was my automatic response.

I was so used to our back-and-forth banter that the words spilled from my lips without a second thought. He quirked a brow at me, his smile growing.

"I do care," he breathed out with a nod, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Let's try this again, shall we?" He paused, chucking lowly, before continuing, "Good morning, Lynna. How did you sleep?"

I furrowed my brows. Looks like I didn't imagine last night after all. My heart stuttered in my chest under his innocent gaze.

"Um, fine," I was quick to say, gulping around the sudden lump in my throat. "I mean.. I slept fine. Thanks for asking. How did you sle…?" I trailed off, stopping myself from finishing the sentence. "You don't sleep," I stated, reminding myself out loud.

He shook his head and laughed musically. "Nope."

He tilted his head to the side, his golden eyes dancing majestically before he reached over and wrapped a stray curl around his finger. My breathing quickened at the simple gesture.

He released my curl and smiled a glorious smile as he said, "I sure wish I could dream though."

My heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in his voice. He slowly reached over and lightly trailed his cool fingers against the back of my hand that was tightly clutching my textbook. I closed my eyes as I relished in his touch. It was as though fire was dancing from his fingertips, igniting my skin in their wake. I longed to feel his touch where the heat settled between my legs. That had me thinking… Would he be able to be intimate with me? Is that even a possibility? His heart doesn't beat… So, could he even get… hard? I knew enough about anatomy to know that you can't get an erection without blood flow, so how could he..?

I shook my head, dispelling the thoughts. That certainly wasn't any of my business. He probably didn't even want me to that extent anyway. I felt foolish for even thinking about it. A blush to end all blushes crept to my cheeks. He swiftly removed his fingertips from my hand and gently brushed them along my blushing cheeks. I shivered involuntarily under his touch.

His dark eyes studied my face as an amused smile sprung to his lips. "You're blushing. Why?"

"N-No reason," I stammered, pressing my lips into a thin line.

He dropped his hand from my face and folded his arms on top of the table, staring at me with a curious glint in his eyes.

"Tell me," He demanded sternly before adding in a softer tone, "Please."

"No," I responded stiffly, fidgeting with the pencil in my hands. His face fell, causing me to sigh. "I mean— I'd rather not. Sorry."

If he could play nice, then perhaps I should as well. It was only fair.

"So mysterious," he breathed out with a smile, his golden eyes lighting up. "Lavender looks lovely on you, by the way."

Another blush flooded my cheeks. "You sure this shirt doesn't make me look easy?" I quirked a brow, remembering the backhanded comment he made weeks ago.

He laughed lowly, his features softening. "I see you haven't forgotten about that," he mused.

I raised my brows. "Well, it's not every day that someone tells you you look easy on the anniversary of your boyfriend's death."

His eyes narrowed into slits and he clenched his jaw before he forced a smile my way. "I'm sorry. Honestly, you took my breath away in that tight little dress. It's permanently burned in to my memory." He pursed his lips, his eyes darkening dramatically before continuing, "You should wear it again."

I felt my cheeks heat up even more. "So, I can look easy?"

His jaw dropped. "No! You should know I didn't mean that, Lynna."

I flashed him a reassuring smile. "I'm just messing with you."

He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief before flashing me another dazzling smile that made my heart do funny things. Then, like the flip of a light switch, his smile turned into a scowl as he forced his gaze from me. My brows knitted together in confusion before Emmett and Alice walked into the classroom and sat down behind us. I pursed my lips at his behavior. I take it he didn't want them to know about our weird little connection, flirty thing we have going on?

"Hey, guys," I greeted them, spinning around to face my two friends.

Edward simply stared straight ahead, unmoving. Emmett flashed me a boyish grin. Alice was looking at me intently before a kind smile flitted to her lips.

"Do you have any plans for next weekend?" She asked me.

I racked my brain before nodding. "I do, actually. My mamaw roped me and my brother into a fundraiser."

Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh! For the humane society?!"

"That's the one," I said with a smile.

"We're so there!" She clapped her hands together. "There's also going to be a car wash here at the school. The drama club is struggling apparently, so, as leader of the planning committee, I took it upon myself to host a car wash on their behalf to raise some money."

Edward spun around in his seat and shook his head before asking, "Why don't you just donate some money instead?"

I was well-aware that the Cullen family were 'loaded', as Emmett put it. Alice narrowed her little eyes at him in annoyance.

"Because, Edward— This is much more fun. Of course, I'll probably end up donating a majority of the money that they need, but I think this will help bring everyone together. It's going to be a blast!" She smirked as she asked, "Lynna, how do you think the locals would react if it was a bikini car wash? We could call it 'Suds N Studs'."

My mouth fell open. Emmett chuckled at my expression. Edward bit back a smile and turned his head.

"Oh, um. I'm really not sure about that, Alice," I told her, horrified by the idea.

"Why not?" She challenged. "I think it's a great idea. We just have to find enough people willing to participate. Do you think you could convince Paige and Noah to help? They could pull off a bathing suit."

"And Tyler. With his 'washboard abs'," Emmett smirked mischievously.

Edward's head snapped in his direction, so he could glower at his brother. My cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

"What?" Emmett laughed in amusement. "I overheard the softball team talking about it."

"Does he really have washboard abs though? That seems doubtful. Does he, Lynna?" Alice asked with an innocent smile.

Edward turned his glare to me with full force. His dark eyes dancing with both anger and curiosity. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, feeling timid under his intense gaze.

"How would I know?" I challenged with an awkward half shrug.

Alice gave me a disbelieving look, causing me to sigh in defeat. "Okay, fine. He does," I admitted a bit sheepishly.

Edward's brows flew up his forehead. I watched as he clenched his fists tightly and couldn't help the smirk that sprung to my lips. And he said he wasn't jealous. Yeah, right!

"Great!" Alice exclaimed with a giddy smile. "Will you ask him to help out with the car wash? I mean, if you don't mind?"

Edward's jaw clenched, causing me to furrow my brows in confusion. "Yeah, I'll ask him, but I'm not sure if he'll go for it."

"Why wouldn't he?" Emmett spoke up.

Alice looked at me curiously, awaiting my answer. Edward was staring straight ahead with a solemn expression, but anger was visible in the way his jaw was set.

"Well, for one, it's for the drama club. It's not like he has anything to gain from it," I explained to them.

"But you'll be there," Alice spoke as if it was obvious.

I pursed my lips. "Yeah. So?"

She breathed out an airy laugh. "Will you just ask him?"

"Anything for you, Auntie Alice," I teased with a smile that she was quick to return.

Throughout class, Edward made a conscious effort not to look my way; I could tell. Halfway through the lecture, my pencil decided to roll off of the table. We both knelt down in sync to pick it up. His fingertips lightly grazed against mine, causing my heart to stutter which wasn't missed by him. His lips twitched, fighting back a smile as he sat back up in his seat.

Edward was leaning against the wall outside of chemistry as I approached the classroom. He maintained a stoic expression as he opened the door and gestured for me to walk through. Per usual, we were the first students to arrive. I quirked a brow at him as I walked into the room.

"What?" He asked with an amused smile as we made our way to our table.

I sat my bag in the floor and climbed on top of the stool before responding, "So, you wait outside of classrooms for me now?"

He laughed— A beautiful, musical sound. "Well, I can't exactly walk you to class without raising suspicion now, can I?"

My mouth fell open. Raise suspicion? "Raise suspicion? About what exactly?"

"About us," he stated, as if the answer was obvious.

"Us?" I breathed out, feeling my heart stutter.

A grin lit up his features. He was so devastatingly beautiful that it actually hurt.

"I can't have people thinking that I actually like you, Holloway. Especially not my siblings," he said with a playful eye-roll.

My brows knitted together on their own accord. "Why is that?"

He sighed heavily, running a hand through his bronze hair as he wore an expression of exasperation. "I just can't. It's… complicated."

"How? What's wrong with actually being civil towards me with Emmett and Alice around?" I challenged.

He sighed once again and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Lynna, I have them fully convinced that I can't stand you, and believe me when I say that it's better we keep it that way."

I breathed out a scoff. "That doesn't make any sense. They're my friends, Edward. Hell, Alice is my aunt! If anything, they'd be happy that we are actually getting along for once."

He shook his head sternly. "No. Trust me. That will just create questions that I can't answer."

What the hell? I twirled my pencil between my fingers and pursed my lips as I studied his stoic expression. "Okay. Whatever."

He exhaled loudly and frowned. "You're upset."

I shrugged half-heartedly. "No. I get it. You just want to be nice to me behind closed doors when it suits you. Makes perfect sense."

"Lynna." My name rolled off his tongue like a melody. "Please don't be that way."

"I'm not being any way," I mumbled as I traced the grainy wood pattern on the table with my index finger.

"Listen," he breathed out, gaining my attention. My eyes locked with his ember orbs and I felt myself drowning in them. "I want us.. to be.. friends."

My heart swelled before it dropped to my stomach. Friends, huh? I quirked a brow at him. "You asked me out yesterday. And now you want to be friends?" The skepticism in my voice was as plain as day.

A humorous grin played on his lips. "Well, I certainly think friendship is a wonderful place to start, don't you?"

I pressed my lips into a thin line and nodded once. His grin widened.

"Have you given any more thought about my proposal?" He wondered, tilting his head to the side.

"You mean about the whole 'date' thing?" My heart skipped a beat despite my best efforts.

"Yes." He breathed out a chuckle. "About that."

The thought of going on a date with him caused my stomach to twist in to knots.

"I.. really don't know," I admitted. "Up until yesterday, you seemed to hate me."

As I was writing in my journal, a light tapping on my window broke me from my thoughts. I already knew who it was before I pulled my curtains to the side and saw his honey-gold eyes staring back at me. My stomach was in knots as I lifted the window and gestured for him to come inside.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him curiously as he stepped through the window with a smile.

"I wanted to see you," he admitted a bit sheepishly with a slight shrug.

My brows flew up my forehead in surprise. His face fell as he studied my reaction before asking in a weary voice, "Is that okay?"

Was it okay? Of course, it was. But why do I want him here? Why am I okay with this? I offered him a genuine smile and nodded.

"At least you knocked this time," I said with an airy chuckle.

(Edward's P.O.V)

I had never seen someone possess such beauty as she. She was so effortlessly beautiful. Her golden hair hung down her chest in rolling waves with curls spun from silk. Her sun-kissed skin appeared to glow amidst the dim lighting coming from the lamps. Her bright blue eyes were as deep as the sea and I found myself drowning in them from afar. Trying to stay away from her was no use. Trying to resist her was pointless. The second I accepted that our connection couldn't be ignored, it felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders and I could finally breathe again.

The second I allowed myself to feel for her, everything seemed to fall into place. The anger that tormented me for months all but vanished. The despair dissipated, as though it was never there. As I allowed myself to study her angelic face, I found different emotions taking hold— Lust, longing, hope. My feet had a mind of their own as they led me to the enchanting girl who was standing there with her arms folded across her chest. She had on a black silk nightgown that hung halfway down her thighs. I longed to feel her warm, soft skin beneath the fabric.

I towered over her small stature. The warmth of her body seemed to wrap around me, enveloping me, dragging me in to her orbit. Her sweet scent engulfed me— permeating my senses. Her sapphire eyes shone brightly as she stared up at me. All I wanted to do was touch her. I wanted to explore that thick, little body of hers. I wanted to know every square inch of her, every scar and crevice. She consumed me. The lust I felt for her was blinding.

I hesitantly reached over and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. Her heart quickened in her chest at the gesture, leading me to believe that perhaps she wanted me as badly as I wanted her. My gaze fell to those pouty lips of hers. They parted slightly, as if begging to be kissed. I slowly leaned down towards her, taking note how her breathing quickened as I did so. God, I wanted her.

"I'm going to kiss you again," I whispered roughly; the desire I felt for her evident in my voice. Her heart stuttered before picking up tempo, causing me to clench my fists as my groin filled with desire. She bit her lip in the most seductive manner and I was nearly undone. "But you must stay very still, okay? What happened last time can not happen again. Do you understand me?"

She was quick to nod, eager for the kiss to transpire. As was I, but I had to be certain I could control myself. The lust I felt for her was downright dangerous. I feared I couldn't be gentle enough with her. I wanted her far too badly to gentle. Despite knowing that kissing her again was a terrible idea, I couldn't help myself. I had to feel her. She was like a drug to me. Not only her blood, but her body— her in general. I was addicted and I couldn't get enough.

"Tell me you understand," I demanded as I leaned in even closer.

My lips hovered over hers. Her warm breath fanned across my lips, making me feel lightheaded.

"I understand." Her voice wavered in a mere whisper.

I couldn't take it anymore. My frozen lips pressed against hers— gently at first as I tested the waters. They felt like warm silk against my own. The electrical current traveled from my lips, leading straight to my groin that was already straining against my jeans. My entire body was on fire as her lips molded against mine. She was kissing me back, but with much more hesitancy than last time. I wanted her to moan against my mouth. I wanted her to press her warm body against mine.

Throwing caution to the wind, I kissed her with much more urgency. The hunger I felt for her taking hold. My mouth filled with venom and my throat was on fire, but her blood was the last thing on my mind. She kissed me back, sighing against the kiss. A strangled groan escaped my throat as her warm breath flooded my mouth. She moaned in response, her heartbeat pulsing through me— Echoing in my ears.

My groin was throbbing with desire as my hands gripped her waist. I could feel the warmth of her skin beneath the silk fabric and I longed to trail my hands along her bare skin. I moaned at the thought before breaking the kiss. My lips attacked her neck, trailing kisses up and down her flesh. Her skin tasted better than I had imagined— She was the perfect mixture of sweet and salty. The blood swirling beneath the surface of her flesh was singing to me, but my groin demanded that I pay attention to other matters at hand. Like the way her breaths were coming in ragged gasps. Like how her heart was beating loudly against her ribcage. Like how her eyes rolled back when my lips trailed along her collar bone.

I thought about ripping the silk gown off of her. My hands gripped the fabric, wanting more than anything to have her perfectly exposed to me. I could see the way her nipples were straining against the thin fabric. With the slightest flick of my wrist, I could have her completely naked. I could explore her body like I've been dying to do. I could touch her in places that would have her moaning my name, begging for more.

As quickly as I had the thought, I banished it. My groin screamed in protest as I pulled away from her, taking two giant steps back. Lust was dancing like wildfire in her sapphire eyes. She self-consciously wrapped her arms around her chest, hiding her tempting breasts from my prying eyes.

"Why do you do that?" She questioned in a mere whisper.

I tilted my head to the side. "Do what?"

"Get me all worked up just to pull away," she breathed out.

I couldn't help the smirk that sprung to my lips. "I get you worked up, do I?" I teased.

A delicious blush flooded her already flushed cheeks. "You know you do."

I chuckled lowly, feeling mighty smug at her comment. I couldn't help but relish in the fact that she desired me, despite how dangerous it was. I walked over and sat down on the edge of her bed before patting the empty space beside me. She was quick to join me, her warm body mere inches from mine. My mind drifted to deluged fantasies that could never transpire in this bed with her. Despite knowing that my fantasies could never become reality, I allowed myself to have them.

I imagined laying her back on the bed and climbing on top of her. Her warm body pressed against mine would be divine. I imagined spreading her legs and allowing my hardened groin to rub against her heat. I could imagine how her body would respond greedily to my own, the friction sending both of us over the edge. I couldn't help but wonder— How far could I go with her? I knew that intercourse wasn't an option, but perhaps we could do other things? There were a thousand different ways I could make her moan my name, I'm sure. But would I be able to control my own building desire if I allowed myself to bring her to the brink of pleasure? I feared I wouldn't.

"Kissing you isn't without difficulty," I admitted to her.

She nodded in understanding. "I figured as much."

"I've never experienced attraction like this before. Not to this extent, at least. But you mustn't forget that your body isn't the only thing I'm lusting after," I told her sternly, locking eyes with her sapphire orbs and trying to relay the message.

Her eyes widened, but not out of fear. At least I hoped not. "My blood," she breathed out breathlessly.

I nodded once. "I've never smelled anything like it. I mean— I have. But it fails in comparison to yours. It's like comparing a mountain to an ant hill. You're absolutely mouthwatering. I honestly have no idea how I'm even able to be close to you."

Why was I telling her this? Did I want to frighten the poor girl. Her heart skipped a beat, fueling my worry.

"It's that difficult for you?" She questioned.

"Yes." I swallowed hard against the lump that had formed in my burning throat.

Even now, I thirsted for her blood. I always did. But there was some strange force at play that was preventing me from even considering acting on my bloodlust.

"Is that why you were so mean to me before? Because you.. wanted.. to kill me?" She asked in a weak voice, blinking rapidly.

I sighed heavily. How could I explain this to her?

"No." I shook my head, frowning at the thought of ever wanting to end her precious life. "It went much deeper than that, Lynna. The first time I saw you, you made me.. feel."

Her brows flew up her forehead in confusion. "When I ran into you at the boys bathroom?"

I couldn't help but laugh at the memory. "No. That actually wasn't the first time I saw you."

She tilted her head to the side, causing golden tendrils to fall across her shoulder in a delicate manner.

"The first time I saw you was at the cemetery. Emmett, Alice, and I were hunting the day before school when I came across your scent. When I first smelled you, I'll admit that I had every intention of killing you. But when I saw you, for some reason, I couldn't. It baffles me to this day. I don't understand it. The monster within me wants to kill you, but for the life of me, I can't." Had I said too much?

Her lips parted as she processed my words. Her brows knitted together, studying my face with scrutiny.

"Have I frightened you?" Fear gripped me at the thought. Perhaps, I shouldn't have been so honest.

The silence was deafening. Then, she oh-so-slowly shook her head. "No. I'm just confused."

"About what?" I asked, on pins and needles as I awaited her answer.

"Why now?" She breathed out. "Why are you deciding now to tell me all of this? Why don't you just keep ignoring me and acting like you can't stand me?"

My brows furrowed on their own accord as fear wrapped around my heart like a vice. "Is that you want?" Could she hear the heartbreak in my voice?

It hadn't really occurred to me that she might not feel the same way. I assumed a connection as strong as ours couldn't be one-sided. Perhaps I was wrong?

"No!" She was quick to say, sounding slightly panicked. Relief flooded through me. "I was just curious. You did such a good job convincing me that you hated me this whole time."

I couldn't help but sigh as I hung my head in shame. "For the longest time, Lynna, I had myself convinced that I did, in fact, hate you. I realize now how foolish I was. I never hated you. Not for a second. I hated myself."

And that was the whole truth in all of its entirety. I hated myself for feeling something for her. For the longest time, I had been nothing but an empty shell— Hollow. And that was how I preferred it. I was numb to the world. Nothing could hurt me because nothing had power over me. This overwhelming amount of lust that I feel for her has thrown me for a loop. After not feeling anything for nearly two decades, having to deal with this forbidden desire was enough to drive a man to insanity.

After a moment of silence, I continued, "I hated the fact that I felt something for you. I didn't know what to make of it. My past is… complicated."

She gazed at me with her heart in her eyes. "What exactly do you feel for me?" She wondered, her voice a faint whisper.

I gulped. I wasn't expecting her to ask that question. I rubbed the back of my neck a bit awkwardly before I answered as honestly as I could. "I don't know exactly. Lust, for sure. I desire you in ways I didn't know was possible. I want you in ways I could never have you."

"What do you mean 'in ways you could never have me'?" The curiosity in her voice was undeniable.

I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. "With what I am, Lynna, we could never.. I could never be intimate with you."

I watched as a delicious blush spread to her cheeks. She pressed her lips into a thin line as if she was fighting back a smile and I was dying to know why.

"O-Oh." A cute giggle escaped her lips before she inhaled deeply, attempting to collect herself.

I narrowed my eyes at her in curiosity. "Does that amuse you?"

She was quick to shake her head. Her blushing cheeks flavored the air, her sweet scent dancing on my tongue, causing me to involuntarily lean in towards her and inhale deeply. My throat and lungs burned in protest, but I didn't care. I just wanted to drown in her scent— to drown in her.

"No, not at all. It's just.. Well, I kind of figured that," she admitted sheepishly, fidgeting with her lower lip.

My eyes fell to her rosy lips. The overwhelming urge to kiss her again all but consumed me.

"You did?" I asked in a low voice, fighting against the urge to crash my lips against hers.

Her cheeks reddened even further, igniting my curiosity. "I mean, yeah. You don't.. You don't have a heartbeat, so it makes sense."

What? I furrowed my brows in confusion. "What does that have to do with anything?"

Her mouth opened and closed repeatedly, like a fish out of water. I couldn't help but smile at her befuddled expression.

"You know…" She trailed off, blushing furiously before she continued, "Without blood flow, you can't.."

I quirked a brow at her. I had a feeling I knew what she was getting at. "Can't what, Lynna?"

"You can't get it up," she blurted out, her blushing spreading to her neck and the tips of her ears.

My jaw dropped before I threw my head back and laughed. I was lucky no one in the home heard my loud laughter. She pursed her lips and squinted her eyes at me. Her expression only added to my amusement.

"Lynna," I breathed out her name, smiling as I shook my head. "I can assure you.. I have no problem with that."

Her eyes widened. I couldn't help but smirk when I noticed her heart stutter in her chest.

"So.. You can?" She asked; I could hear the skepticism in her voice.

I chuckled lowly. "Yes, I can."

She tilted her head to the side and nibbled on her lower lip, drawing my gaze. I clenched my jaw as I stared at her, longing to hang from those lips of hers.

"You said you could never–?" She trailed off, lifting her brows in questioning.

Any amusement I felt evaporated into thin air. My smile quickly turned upside down. "That's right. I could never be intimate with you in that way, Lynna, because I would kill you."

Her eyes grew to the size of saucers as she processed my words.

"My blood…" She trailed off, casting me a wary glance.

"That's certainly an issue, yes, but that's not what I meant." I sighed heavily, locking with her eyes of sapphire. Without even thinking, I slowly reached for her, my fingertips lightly brushing against her lower lip. Her heart stuttered as her lips trembled beneath my touch, setting my entire body on fire. "I want you.. far too badly to be gentle. One wrong move and you're dead, Lynna. In the throes of passion, I would kill you. I could never be gentle enough with you."

Her breathing hitched; lust was dancing like wildfire in her eyes, causing desire to pierce through me. I continued to lightly trace her soft lips. My fingertips were on fire from the simple gesture. The sensitive flesh felt like warm satin against my icy touch. I imagined those pouty lips of hers kissing me in forbidden places, causing my breathing to quicken at the mere thought.

"So…" She trailed off breathlessly; I dropped my hand from her as I waited for her to continue. "What does this mean for us? Are we..? What exactly is going on?"

I smiled at her tenderly as I searched deep within me for an answer. "Well, do you consider me a friend at least?" I finally asked.

Her heart stuttered in her chest. "Friends that kiss each other on occasion?" She teased.

I beamed at her. "Precisely."

She breathed out an airy laugh. "So, friends with benefits without the benefits?"

I quirked a brow at her, smirking as I leaned towards her. I placed my hand under her chin and gazed into her deep blue eyes that were dancing vibrantly. "Well…" I paused, inhaling her sweet scent before continuing, "There are some benefits," I said as I lightly brushed my lips against hers.