"I don't know how to do this." I murmured as Edward leaned forward more and more, giving me no choice but to lie down. I realized then that despite the decision I was firmly holding onto, the nerves were really beginning to flutter in a threatening way around the pit of my stomach. I was wrenching in nervousness! Edward's hands trailed from my shoulders down my arms, leaving shivers in their wake, crossing over my stomach and lingering around my waist.

"What makes you think I do?" He asked delicately, glancing up. The gold in his irises melted into a warm caramel.

"I guess we just have to trust each other." I responded, keeping my eyes persistantly on the cieling. I was afraid that the smoldering warmth radiating from his eyes would throw me off balance.

"All right but you have to promise me one thing." Edward still had his head raised, staring at me unwaveringly.

"Of course." I croaked, glancing back down at him. After all, I was already making him do something he didn't want to- well, not now at least so the least I could recompense with was to give him whatever he asked for.

His tone hardened, his forehead creased and serious.

"You'll tell me if I hurt you. Promise me."

I nodded.

"Promise." He sounded urgent.

"I promise."

"Bella.." Edward sighed. I wasn't sure if the sigh was due to a thought such as "look what you make me do.." or something else but it made me nervous, all the same. I didn't dare shift under his stony hands which were still around my waist. Swiftly, he eased himself forward until his stomach was inches from my own.

My mouth instinctively waited for his approach but to my surprise, as I slit my eyes open, the icy touch was at my collarbone.

"You know," He murmured while trailing his lips to the hollow of my throat, pecking gently as he climbed up. "In the beginning, I was hesitatant to touch you because I was afraid you would brush me away like you did with Mike Newton."

"Mike Newton." I snorted. Ridiculous. "How could you compare yourself with Mike…hm….Newton?" The interruption was provoked by a groan on my part when Edward kissed his way up my throat a bit more roughly than before. I felt his breath unsteady against my skin when he chuckled.