“Let’s get into the water,” I asked after the sun set, playfully tugging on Edward’s hand. He smiled and obliged, standing up and following me to the ocean. When we got to the point where ocean met sand and water was licking our feet, I stopped and said, “Wait.” I peeled off my clothes and threw them away from the water so they wouldn’t get wet.

“You’ll be the death of me, I swear you will, Isabella Swan,” Edward claimed, following suit. I took his hand and led him into the water until it splashed to our chests, and then kissed him passionately.

“As if you weren’t tempting enough…” Edward muttered after our kiss was done, lightly touching my chest, then moving his hand down to my waist. He pulled me into his embrace more tightly and kissed my neck. The proximity of his cold body almost made me regret getting into the water, but I just clung onto him even tighter. I didn’t want an excuse to get out of the water, no matter how legitimate that reason might be. Edward tilted his head and I could tell he was breathing in my scent again.

“Does that hurt you anymore?” I asked out of concern. I was glad that he was able to bear my scent now without losing control, but he seemed more in control now than he had ever been.

“A little. It’s worth it, though.” I rolled my eyes. That was my sick masochistic lion. “Besides…it’s gotten better since I first met you. It’s easier to ignore.”

I kissed Edward’s hard cheek, and then moved on to his lips. He kissed me back, moving his tongue playfully with mine. The kiss lasted maybe a minute before he stopped it.

Giving me his crooked smile, he said, “Now, that is still difficult for me to handle.”

“Just one more kiss,” I asked of him.

Edward’s eyes lightened and he obeyed my wish, though only for another minute. “Bella…if it’s still difficult for me to even kiss you, how do you expect us to get any further?” he debated after our kiss was finished.

“I trust you,” I told him for what could have been the millionth time.

“You shouldn’t. That’s the problem. I don’t want you to be too trusting and—”