Carlisle chuckled without much humor as he raised his hands, palms facing me.
"Edward, slow down. Let's start here: is a physical relationship with Bella something you want?"
It seemed like such an odd question considering Carlisle knew, all too well, how overwhelming the sensation of lust was for a vampire.
The question brought me up short - did I want this, or was I simply complying with whatever Bella wanted to make her happy?
The answer was infinitely simple; somehow it was both at once.
Undoubtedly I wanted to have sex with her, but not while she was human.
The image of her body, limp like a marionette and cold and dead beyond venom's repair, flashed through my mind again.
"It's... complicated."
The words were terse and forced.
Carlisle sighed, but it was without impatience.
"I think I understand where you're coming from. Take a breath, son. The first step, I believe, would be to have an honest conversation with Bella. Explain your feelings and perspective to her, and listen to hers. Then see if you can compromise."
Of course, he was right. And he made it sound so simple.
If only reality were that easy.
