The grass was warm against the pads of her feet and bits of pebbled dirt were caked in between her toes. Heat from the sun gazed her face and exposed back, the harsh rays making her skin seemed tough and sensitive. She stood near the edge of a cliff, the sound of waves crashing into the jagged tip below thundering around her, waiting for Jake to get the two life jackets he had left in her truck.

Bella cupped a hand over her eyes, shielding away the glare from the water below. She looked into the trees behind her, squinting to see through the green haze. She had no doubt that Edward was somewhere within the overgrowth, watching her while she was with Jake. It made her feel slightly better to know that Edward was angry and jealous that she was spending time with him. She felt a stabbing pressure inside her chest, with something like triumph numbing the pain.

Edward had to make a choice. He was dancing that fateful tango, unable to decide to change her or not. To bite her, to give into his aggressions and desires. It was becoming unbearable, the way he was teasing her.

There had been moments when she thought he would do it - moments when they were alone and kissing, something changing deep within him. His movements would become rough, his hands tightening their hold around her wrist or waist. She remembered the way Edward had looked, a wild and fierce determination controlling his features. He would open his mouth and allow himself to sweep his tongue across her lips, and she would encourage his exploration by moaning and meeting his tongue with her own.

It was a dangerous game -- his teeth could puncture her lips or neck as he kissed down to the small of her stomach. She hoped Edward would slip, lose his control and just claim her. That desire to see Edward so reckless, which seemed to be the only thing she thought about, transfixed her. She couldn't get it out of her mind, especially when she was near him.

"Are you ready?"

Bella turned to see Jake holding a jacket and wearing the other one. His tanned skin had darkened in the sun and his eyes seemed guarded, almost hurt. She knew he felt awkward, especially by the way he smiled softly, his lips stretching over his teeth.

She smiled brightly at him. "Of course I am. I've been wanting to do this since you suggested it."

Jake cocked his head to the side and looked at her. "Why are you here, Bella? I mean, why are you here with i me /i ?"

She took a deep breath, her smile only slightly wavering. "Because I wanted to spend time with you. Why else would I be here?"

"What about him?" Jake asked, his eyes darkening. He motioned to the trees with his chin. "He's watching us, you know."

Bella allowed herself to glance behind her. She looked back at Jake and saw the anger in his eyes. "I don't care. Can we just have fun, please?"

He stared at her for a second and laughed. "All right. A good swim will do you good, anyways. You smell awful."

She laughed with him, relieved to feel the tension between them disappear. Jake helped her climb down the rocky path, holding her waist and waiting for her to get her footing. It was weird to feel his heat so close, skin pressed against skin. His long arm wrapped around her back, and she was surprised when she didn't shiver.

When they slipped down to the landing, Jake stopped and looked up at the top of the cliff. His eyes narrowed, and Bella knew who he had spotted.

"Forget about him," Bella said with a smile. "He's just jealous."

Jake brightened at that. He turned his attention to the water. "All right. I'll climb down into the water and wait for you to jump."

"Do you want me to put on the jacket?"

"Not until you are in the water." He looked at her, a shy smile on his lips. "Don't be afraid -- I'll be there if anything happens."

Bella laughed. "I'm not scared. I can handle it."

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say."

She watched him climb down the jagged edge. He jumped the last couple of feet and swam in a circle a few times after he had come up for air. "Ahh, it's cold!"

Bella laughed and stepped to the edge. She looked above her, expecting to see Edward's angry face, but only seeing the jagged tip of the cliff. Her heart began to pound in her throat. She swallowed, and looked down at Jake, realizing how far up she was.

"You can do it!" He smiled up at her.

Closing her eyes, Bella steadied her legs and attempted to jumped. Her right foot slipped on the muddy ground, and she fell into the air, tumbling head first toward the water. She entered the water in a spin, and the waves push her further to the bottom. Disorientated, she tried to kick her way to the surface. Panic filled her body and she began to thrash violently until she felt strong arms wrap around her. It helped her break through to the surface.

Gasping for air, Bella saw Jake had a bewildered look in his eyes.

"Are you ok?" He asked desperately.

Bella coughed -- she felt the intense burn from the water deep in her lungs. He pulled her closer to his chest with one arm and swam to the shore with his other one. Closing her eyes, she cradled her head against Jake's shoulder, her breathing harsh. Suddenly, she felt a pair of cold arms grasp her roughly around the waist, and she was being pulled with incredible strength to the sandy shore.

Bella's eyes flew open, thinking the worst. Victoria. But all she saw was Edward's infuriated features, his eyes burning and his mouth set in a firm line. His hair was dripping wet, the beads of water rolling down his cheeks and neck. Bella saw how tense the muscles in his jaw were, as if he was biting the flesh on the inside of his own mouth.

"Edward," she croaked. "I'm sorry."

Edward didn't unleash her when they stumbled onto the shore. She could hear Jake's angered yells behind them -- she wondered if he would catch up with her. Edward's leather jacket made sloshing sounds as he pulled Bella to his car. His stony silence unnerved her, and she looked up at him, searching for forgiveness.

"Edward," Bella said again. "Let go of me."

He released her when they had arrived at his car, growling, "Get in" without looking at her. Something was very wrong, Bella could feel it deep in her stomach. Was he going to leave her again? Her stomach knotted horribly and her heart pounding feverishly in her chest at that mere thought.

She fell silent as Edward slammed the door shut and started the car with one quick turn of the key. The tires screeched across the road as they sped toward Forks. Bella saw how tightly he held the wheel, his stone face set in deep, angry lines. She couldn't speak, the words stuck within her mouth. How stupid could she have been?

They turned onto an unmarked piece of land, the car stopping between two enormous trees. Edward turned off the car and stared silently out of the window.

"Edward, I'm -- sorry," she whispered.

Edward's hands tightened their hold around the wheel, his eyes becoming two little slits.

"You have no idea what you do to me," he said, still without looking at her. "Do you think it's fun to torture me like that?"

Edward took a deep breath, his chest expanding. When he finally looked at her, something had changed within his eyes. They were dark, dilated and hunger engulfed them.

"Why would you want to be around someone like him?" The words rumbled in his throat.

Bella's mouth was dry. "I -I don't know."

"Do you love him?" Edward growled.

"No, of course not!" Bella felt the panic and urgency inside her. Of course she didn't love Jake!

"Don't lie to me! I heard you laughing with him -- Forget about him you said!"

"No, you can't think that!" Bella screamed, tears running down her face. She launched herself at him, hoping to touch him, to make him realize how much he meant to her. But Edward pushed her away, and she fell back into the seat, shocked. He stared at her for a moment, his eyes unreadable.

"You can't," he whispered, his expression suddenly hurt. He yanked his soggy jacket off, throwing it to his feet. Staring at her, he climbed over the divider between the two seats. He had her pinned under him before she could protest. She gasped in surprised.

His open mouth was suddenly on her throat. Bella froze, her heart thundering in her chest. Oh, god. He was actually going to do it. She felt Edward's icy tongue swipe across her throat. She shivered.

"Bella," Edward whispered against her skin. His hands slid down to her thighs, his long fingers roughly kneading the flesh. Bella felt his mouth close, his lips pressing a desperate kiss into her neck. He continued to kiss up to her chin, and suddenly his lips were against hers, his mouth opening to allow his tongue to sweep across her bottom lip. "I can smell you, Bella. All of you," he said against her mouth.

Bella felt his hand slide in between her thighs, the feeling of his cold fingers pressing against there made a bolt of sensation crash though her. She was shaking, her breathing harsh and painful within her chest. He kissed her desperately, and oh, god their tongues touched as he lapped her mouth.

For a moment Bella wished his teeth would scathe her lips, for the passion to control him and to feel his teeth slice into her neck. But Edward stilled, his eyes looking to the window, his expression wild. He sprung back into his seat, and before Bella had the chance to register what had happened, someone was tugging her out of the car.

"What -- " she said, looking up into Jake's bewildered face.

"Did he hurt you?" Jake asked urgently. His eyes were full of worry.

Bella tried to catch her breath. "N-no, he didn't."

Jake didn't seem satisfied. "I'm taking you home. I don't think you are safe with him."

Bella looked hopelessly behind her, but Edward had already started the car. He drove away.