Hope you enjoy! (I do not own Twilight!)

I couldn't breathe. I stood frozen in the quiet room, his absence felt like an icy void, suffocating me. Every moment, every choice that had led me here and away from honesty. had haunted me. His assurances that he would respect my pace, only made the distance between us feel even more overwhelming. I didn't want this silence. I didn't want this misunderstanding, this ache in my chest that had been festering for so long.

It was my own fears that had kept me from speaking. And now, I had pushed him into a corner, forced him to doubt himself, to second-guess everything we had built. He needed to know the truth.

He deserved to know it.

But how could I make him believe me now? How could I explain that I hadn't changed my mind and that I wasn't afraid of this new side of him? How could I convince him that the desire I felt for him was just as powerful as his? That I only avoided him because of a stupid promise we agreed too.

Such a coward.

I was a coward for not telling him from the beginning. For not saying the words that had been choking me. I could feel the tears building in my eyes as I quickly wiped them away, not allowing myself to feel the relief of crying. I looked at the book still in my hands, feeling the anger building towards myself. With all my might, I threw the book across the room. Hoping it will give me some kind of satisfaction… It didn't.

I wasn't sure how far Edward had gone or if he heard my distress, but I didn't care. I knew one thing for certain; I couldn't spend another second lying to the man I loved. I would go to him, fall to my knees and beg for his forgiveness if I had to. I would admit how wrong I had been, how I had failed to tell him the truth about my feelings. No more walls, no more lies. Just the truth, no matter how much it scared me.

Before I could react, I heard the sharp ring of my phone in my pocket. I pulled it out seeing the caller ID flashed Alice's name. I quickly answered.

"Alice..." I whispered, my voice breaking.

"I think you know why I'm calling," she replied, her voice as light and melodic as ever, yet laced with an unmistakable understanding.

The sound of her voice was like a dam breaking inside me. All the emotions I had been desperately holding back came rushing to the surface, and I couldn't stop the tears from flowing freely.

"I messed up, Alice… I've ruined everything!" I choked out, my hand trembling as I tried to wipe away the tears that kept falling.

On the other end of the phone, I heard Alice exhaling softly, her voice steady but warm. "Bella, you haven't ruined anything. Trust me..."

"I'm going to tell him everything, Alice," I said, my voice determined but shaky. "I'll march right in there, beg for his forgiveness, and tell him how wrong I've been—"

"No!" Alice interrupted, her tone urgent. "You can't do that, Bella."

I could feel my confusion written all over my face, though I knew Alice couldn't see it through the phone. She continued, her voice firm yet gentle. "That's actually why I'm calling. You can't do what you're planning, Bella. It'll only make things worse."

I blinked, trying to process what she was saying. "Is he here?" I asked, my voice faltering, realizing he could have heard our conversation.

"No," Alice replied, her tone softening. "You were running out of supplies, so he left to get more."

My nerves calmed a little. "Alice, not telling him the truth got me into this mess. I can't lie to him anymore."

"If you tell him, he will just blame himself anyway. He'll think you are only changing your mind because of the conversation you had with him. It wont work."

"Then what am I supposed to do?" I asked, my voice heavy with defeat.

There was a moment of silence before she spoke again. "Have you thought of using your actions instead?" she suggested. "You've been avoiding his advances the entire honeymoon; show him how much you want him. Show him that you really do want this. Sometimes words aren't enough."

I thought for a moment before continuing. "He won't go for it Alice..." I cried, "You should have heard him today, the way I made him feel."

"Listen to me," she said, her tone shifting into that familiar, determined cadence. "He's…different, I can't pinpoint it but if you test him enough, he will give in." She let out a sigh. "Apologizing for the past will only take you back to square one."

I let her words sink in, the weight of them settling deep within me. I knew she was right. I knew Edward. If I told the truth now, he would pull away, too afraid to touch me again, worried that I wasn't sure of my own decisions. "What if he just pushes me away like he has in the past?"

"Has that ever stopped you before?" She asked, clearly knowing the answer.

I took a deep breath, the tears still welling up in my eyes as I tried to process Alice's words. She was right, of course. I couldn't let my fear of rejection hold me back from showing Edward how I truly felt. I thought back to the way he had looked at me, the way his face had fallen when I had pushed him away. I thought of all the times he did the same to me in the past. With the roles reversed, I now realize how he must have felt. This sickening feeling of denying the one you love…

"Okay, Alice," I said, determination creeping into my voice. "I'll do it."

I could hear her excitement over the phone. "That's the spirit! Ok, here's what you're going to do…"

Hours had passed since I'd hung up with Alice. She had helped me face my fears, guiding me with the clarity I needed to understand what had to be done.

I glanced into the mirror, taking a moment to admire my reflection. I wore a simple nightgown dress that flowed gently around my body, the fabric soft against my skin. I let my hair fall in loose waves over my shoulders, allowing it to cascade down my back. I wanted Edward to see me, not just as his wife but as the woman who longed for him.

With the plan still clear in my mind, I set to work. Alice had told me I needed to create a comfortable, low-pressure environment, one that wouldn't feel overwhelming. I decided to start by setting up a movie in the living room, gathering a few pillows and blankets from the bed. After arranging the sofa into a cozy haven, I went to light several candles around the room, casting a soft, romantic glow over the area.

I scrolled through the hundreds of movies the Cullen's had downloaded, deliberately steering away from the romantic films Edward and I usually gravitated toward. Instead, I chose something unexpected. A horror movie titled Vampire Slasher.

This should be interesting...

I headed to the kitchen to grab the snacks and drinks, but just as I was pulling the last soda from the fridge, I heard the front door close.

"Bella?" Edward's voice called out.

This was it.

I quickly grabbed a few candy bars, the bowl of popcorn I'd made, and made my way to the living room. As I stepped in, I found Edward standing in the center of the room, large bags piled on the dining table behind him; far too heavy for one person to carry. His gaze shifted around the room, taking in the cozy setup I had created: the sofa now a makeshift bed, pillows and blankets scattered across it, and the soft glow of the candles flickering in every corner. His expression was a mix of curiosity and surprise.

"What's all this?" He asked, his gaze finally shifting to me. I watched as he visibly tensed, his eyes scanning over my body. The dress I wore was short and low-cut, revealing more than I usually felt comfortable with. I could see his hands clench into fists, then loosen again, before he shoved them into his pockets.

"I thought we could have a movie night," I said, keeping my voice light and innocent. "Is that okay with you?"

His eyes lingered on mine for a moment, before he cleared his throat unnecessarily. "Um... yeah, of course."

A smile spread across my face as I saw his hesitation fade, and I made my way over to the sofa. I set the snacks down on the coffee table and sat, patting the spot next to me. I glanced up at Edward, noticing the way he seemed lost in thought as he slowly walked over and lowered himself beside me.

I grabbed the remote, pressing play, and snuggled closer to him, settling the bowl of popcorn in my lap. The room felt charged with an unspoken tension, but I did my best to act casual, enjoying the closeness.

"Vampire Slasher?" He raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the title on the screen. "A little too scary for you, isn't it?"

I shot him an exaggerated offended look. "No, of course not. I can handle it. Vampires aren't that scary."

I heard the chuckle in his voice as he turned his attention back to the TV, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His hands finally coming out of his pockets and laying one on my thigh, rubbing delicate circles as the movie started.

A couple minutes in, I grabbed a handful of popcorn eating the snack slower than normal. Slowly drawing one of my fingers to my lips, savoring the buttery taste theatrically. I could see Edward move his attention from the movie towards my mouth, catching a flash of tension across his features before he quickly looked away, trying to assert a semblance of restraint.

I glanced over, "Wanna taste?" I asked, my voice laced with innocence, even as I sucked my fingers clean.

He inhaled sharply, his chest rising and falling with each breath, his gaze fixed on my fingers. I knew the question was unnecessary, but it carried a deeper implication, one I could feel him picking up on. For a moment, he was silent, his breathing halted.

With his lack of response, I shrugged casually, continuing to eat while deliberately ignoring the weight of his gaze on me. After a moment, I set the half-empty bowl of popcorn on the table and reached for my soda. As I tilted my head back to take a sip, a small dribble of liquid ran down my chin and trailed down my neck. I paused, letting it linger, I wanted to take my time before stopping the liquid from reaching the nightgown. I set the drink down on the table, reaching up to wipe away the small trickle of soda. Before my hand could reach my neck, Edward's hand shot out, gently stopping mine.

I turned to him, slight confusion flickering in my eyes. He released my hand, his fingers tracing lightly up my neck until he reached my lips, gathering up the liquid. His touch was steady, cold, but left a tingling sensation in its wake. His gaze was locked on my mouth, intense and unwavering. I held his stare, searching his eyes. We sat there for what felt like an eternity, suspended in a heavy silence.

The sudden, loud shriek from the TV shattered the stillness, snapping him out of whatever trance he had fallen into. He quickly pulled his hand back, placing it on his lap, and turned his focus back to the screen, his attention shifting away from me. I gave an annoyed sigh and brought my attention back to the TV.

As the movie progressed, the plot began to unfold. The vampire in the movie would plunge the house into darkness before stalking its prey, feeding off the fear that radiated from the terrified humans. He would give them a fleeting sense of hope, making them believe they had escaped, only to corner them at the last moment. The jump scares and screams came more frequently. I seized the opportunity to play along, showing fear and jumping at all the right moments. With each sudden scare, I moved closer to Edward, gradually inching my way into his lap.

Before long, I was fully settled there, my legs draped to one side of him, one arm looped around his neck, the other gripping his shirt tightly. Whenever the tension in the movie escalated, I turned my head into his neck, pretending to hide from the scary scenes, subtly shifting and pressing myself against him as I jumped in response to the scenes.

His hands had shifted, one to my waist and the other holding the arm of the sofa.

He was tense beneath me, his breath quickening each time I pressed into him, and I could feel the battle raging within him, the pull of desire warring against the instinct to maintain control. I could sense how tightly he was gripping the couch, how his free hand trembled slightly at my waist. I could feel the hardness grow below my butt with each passing moment.

"You really think you can handle this?" he asked, attempting to sound teasing, though the gravel in his voice hinted at a deeper struggle. His gaze flickered from the screen to me, then back—an endless loop of temptation and frustration.

"Absolutely!" I declared, my voice overly confident but shaky. "I love scary movies."

He let out a breath, moving his eyes back to the screen. The movie hit a particularly intense moment, and I instinctively curled into him, burying my face in the crook of his neck. I oh-so-casually let my body relax into his, delighting in the contrasting coolness of his skin to the warmth radiating from mine. In this moment, I wasn't just a girl seeking comfort; I was a siren luring him into the depths of desire.

For a heartbeat, I felt his hand on my waist tighten just slightly, as if he might yank me away. But then I sensed a flicker of something deeper—a palpable yearning that shone through the layers of his caution. My heart raced at the realization that my plan had been working.

"Are you sure you want to watch this? We could switch it to something else…" Edward's voice was low, almost pleading, though it felt more like an invitation than a genuine offer. I could hear the tension in his words, the thin veneer of control that was beginning to crack.

"No way," I said, pulling my head back just enough to lock my eyes on his, allowing my fingers to toy with the collar of his shirt. "You think I'm afraid of some scary vampire?" I smiled mischievously, relishing the moment, teasing the edge of our dynamic.

"You should be…" he warned softly, his voice almost a growl, edged with restraint, but I could see the way his gaze softened, captivated and marred by my proximity.

My gaze drifted down to his lips and back up to his eyes. His adams apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed. I could taste the air between us as he exhaled, his breath warm against my skin. The intoxicating scent of him surrounded me, and with each passing second, I could feel my control slipping away, drawn deeper into the pull of him.

Focus…

I blinked quickly, turning my head to the TV, my gaze catching his reaction in my peripheral vision, breaking the tension between us. I felt his grip on my waist loosen, his body shifting as he leaned back slightly, creating a small but noticeable gap between us. But there was a hesitation in his movements, a reluctance I could feel. Instead of pulling away entirely, his eyes flicked back to the screen, trapped in a mixture of horror and fascination. I could see the conflict in his expression, the internal struggle clearly written across his face as he shifted once more, seemingly more aware of the hardness pressing against me.

As more time passed and the movie neared its ending, I began to subtly shift in his lap, pretending to find a more comfortable position. Of course, I knew exactly what I was doing, but at the same time, it was just an attempt to settle in.

His lips pressed together in a thin line, and his jaw tightened. A soft groan, bleeding into his voice. The muscles in his arms flexed against my sides, gripping the sofa arm to the point of ripping and pulling me tighter toward him. I could see the way his control was slipping, how his breath quickened, every instinct in him seemingly teetering on the edge.

I shifted again, my body moving almost of its own accord, rubbing gently against him. I savored the way his breath hitched, the subtle breaking of his resolve. I wanted to test just how far I could push him before he completely lost control.

The movie progressed further into its chaos, the horror reaching heights that should have driven me to hide my face in his neck out of fear. Instead, I leaned even closer, dragging my lips across his skin as I feigned terror, eliciting another desperate sound from him—a low, barely restrained growl that echoed deep within his chest.

"Bella, please," he rasped, his voice strained. I could feel the tension in his body, as though he was forcing himself to stay completely still.

"Too scary?" I teased, my voice sweet as I seized the moment, rolling my hips deliberately against him. I watched as Edward's eyes darkened, the war within him palpable as he struggled to process the flood of sensations overwhelming him. The tension in his frame was electric, and I could feel his body react instinctively, rising to meet mine.

"God," he muttered, and I heard the fabric of the sofa rip slightly as he fought to hold back the wave of desire coursing through him. I could sense the sheer effort required to maintain the fragile facade of control he had clung to so tightly.

I felt him inching dangerously close to the edge, his breath a whispered groan that sent shockwaves through me. When I felt that control start to break within him, the movie cut to black. The credits rolled in stark contrast to the heightened moment.

And then, as if someone had flicked a switch within me. I suddenly pulled back, catching my breath as I looked at the now-still screen. "Well, that was fun," I said, feigning innocence as I stretched languidly, relishing the chaotic energy hanging in the air.

"What…" he whispered, his voice a mix of disbelief and a barely contained growl.

I stood up, stretching like a cat, and glimpsed at Edward, who looked ready to explode. "I think I'm going to head to bed now. I'm really tired…" I said, the smile on my face innocent and teasing, not quite hiding the glee at the delicious confusion I was leaving behind.

"Clean this up for me?" I say sweetly, pointing at the snacks on the table. As I began to walk away, I felt the heat of his glare burning into my back, the unfathomable frustration and mounting desire crackling in the air. Before I closed my bedroom door, I cast a quick glance over my shoulder, drinking in his expression—part confusion, part anger, and part undeniable need.

"Goodnight, Edward," I chimed lightly, the finality of the moment settling around us as I disappeared into the safety of my room, leaving him there raw and vulnerable, bursting with a frustrated tension.

As I leaned against the closed door, the weight of the moment settled in, and I let out a trembling breath I hadn't realized I was holding. My heart was still racing from the intoxicating encounter, my skin tingling with the remnants of his touch. That raw energy filling the air.

Even as the cautionary voice inside me whispered warnings about playing with fire, I dismissed it for the moment. I felt exhilarated, not just because I had drawn that need from him, but because I had held my own. A vengeful part of me reveled in the power of that moment.

But there was a flicker of worry behind my pride. I couldn't pretend there wasn't discomfort in Edward's strained breath or the way his muscles tightened like coiled springs as I tested him. What if I had pushed too far? I shivered at the thought, but the rush that followed was stronger, a heady mix of adrenaline and something deeper, I had done everything that needed to be done.

It's all apart of the plan…

Oooooo... Is it hot in here, or is it just me. Going to have to rent Vampire Slasher someday, I wonder how it ended...