I kissed him again. His cold lips melted into mine and his sweet breath filled my senses.

“Wrist, or neck?” He murmured.

“Whatever is easiest for you.”

He stiffened and sat up on the bed. “What’s easiest for me may be different than what is easiest for you.”

“Wrist then, that’s where it was last time.”

He cringed at the memory.

I sat up and settled myself comfortably in his lap again. He wrapped his fingers around my elbow and let them slowly slide to my wrist. He inhaled the scent once more and smiled.

“I’m going to miss that too,”

“But it will be easier for you when I am not so appetizing.” I pointed out.

“Bella, love, you will always be appetizing. But after this, it will not be in a life threatening way.”

I nodded.

“I can’t hurt you.” He whispered again while staring at my wrist.

“Carlisle can do it.”

“No.”

I felt a strong sense of guilt. Edward was torn. One look at his beautiful, tortured face made that obvious. He wanted so badly to do this, but he was so afraid to lose control. I felt so selfish. I felt like I was forcing him to make the most painful decision in the world.

“Edward, if you don’t want -”

“I do, Bella. I will.” His eyes suddenly flashed with a fierce determination. “Are you ready?”

I gulped and nodded.

“Carlisle,” He spoke louder. “We’re ready.”

The response that was only audible to Edward seemed to relax him more.

“Carlisle is there.”

I nodded again.

“I love you Bella.” He whispered against my wrist as his ice-cold teeth settled into position.

“I love you t -” My response was cut short by an irrepressible gasp. The pain in my wrist was surreal. I had no memory of any pain this vivid when I had been bitten my James. I clenched my lip between my teeth to steady myself. I didn’t want Edward to see how much pain I was in.

I felt his teeth suddenly withdraw from my arm, vanishing the pain with their absence. His lips were still in place though. I could feel the steady course of my blood leaving my veins. Edward was still taking my blood. I expected he would allow himself to do so, at least a little bit. I didn’t know how much he considered to be a little bit, though. And what was more, I didn’t know if his idea of a ‘little bit’ would be fatal to me. I should have felt fear. I should have called out for Carlisle. But all I could feel was an undying love for this beautiful creature sucking the life from my veins. All I could feel was love, and then, sick. The scent of the blood was too much for me. I craned my neck, trying desperately to get as far away from the blood as I possibly could.