ind Alice waiting for me, perched lightly on the hood of her Porsche. Alice stroked the glossy yellow paint.

I havent even had a chance to drive it. She sighed.

Sorry, I spit through my rattling teeth.

You look like you could use a hot shower, she said, offhand, as she sprang lightly to her feet.

Yep.

She pursed her lips, taking in my expression carefully. Do you want to talk about it?

Nope.

She nodded in assent, but her eyes were raging with curiosity.

Do you want to go to Olympia tonight?

Not really. Cant I go home?

She grimaced.

Never mind, Alice, I said. Ill stay if it makes things easier for you.

Thanks, she sighed in relief.

I went to bed early that night, curling up on his sofa again.

It was still dark when I woke. I was groggy, but I knew it wasnt near morning yet. My eyes closed, and I stretched, rolling over. It took me a second before I realized that the movement should have dumped me onto the floor. And that I was much too comfortable.

I rolled back over, trying to see. It was darker than last night  the clouds were too thick for the moon to shine through.

Sorry, he murmured so softly that his voice was part of the darkness. I didnt mean to wake you.

I tensed, waiting for the fury  both his and mine  but it was only quiet and calm in the darkness of his room. I could almost taste the sweetness of reunion in the air, a separate fragrance from the perfume of his breath; the emptiness when we were apart left its own bitter aftertaste, something I didnt consciously notice until it was removed.

There was no friction in the space between us. The stillness was peaceful  not like the calm before the tempest, but like a clear night untouched by even the dream of a storm.

And I didnt care that I was supposed to be angry with him. I didnt care that I was supposed to be angry with everyone. I reached out for him, found his hands in the darkness, and pulled myself closer to him. His arms encircled me, cradling me to his chest. My lips searched, hunting along his throat, to his chin, till I finally found his lips.

Edward kissed me softly for a moment, and then he chuckled.

I was all braced for the wrath that was going to put grizzlies to shame, and this is what I get? I should infuriate you more often.

Give me a minute to work up to it, I teased, kissing him again.

Ill wait as long as you want, he whispered against my lips. His fingers knotted in my hair.

My breath was becoming uneven. Maybe in the morning.

Whatever you prefer.

Welcome home, I said while his cold lips pressed under my jaw. Im glad you came back.

Thats a very good thing.

Mmm, I agreed, tightening my arms around his neck.

His hand curved around my elbow, moving slowly down my arm, across my ribs and over my waist, tracing along my hip and down my leg, around my knee. He paused there, his hand curling around my calf. He pulled my leg up suddenly, hitching it around his hip.

I stopped breathing. This wasnt the kind of thing he usually allowed. Despite his cold hands, I felt suddenly warm. His lips moved in the hollow at the base of my throat.

Not to bring on the ire prematurely, he whispered, but do you mind telling me what it is about this bed that you object to?

Before I could answer, before I could even concentrate enough to make sense of his words, he rolled to the side, pulling me on top of him. He held my face in his hands, angling it up so that his mouth could reach my throat. My breathing was too loud  it was almost embarrassing, but I couldnt care quite enough to be ashamed.

The bed? he asked again. Ithink its nice.

Its unnecessary, I managed to gasp.

He pulled my face back to his, and my lips shaped themselves around his. Slowly this time, he rolled till he hovered over me. He held himself carefully so that I felt none of his weight, but I could feel the cool marble of his body press against mine. My heart was hammering so loudly that it was hard to hear his quiet laughter.

Thats debatable, he disagreed. This would be difficult on a couch.

Cold as ice, his tongue lightly traced the shape of my lips.

My head was spinning  the air was coming too fast and shallow.

Did you change your mind? I asked breathlessly. Maybe hed rethought all his careful rules. Maybe there was more significance to this bed than Id originally guessed. My heart pounded almost painfully as I waited for his answer.

Edward sighed, rolling back so that we were on our sides again.

Dont be ridiculous, Bella, he said, disapproval strong in his voice  clearly, he understood what I meant. I was just trying to illustrate the benefits of the bed you dont seem to like. Dont get carried away.

Too late, I muttered. And I like the bed, I added.

Good. I could hear the smile in his voice as he kissed my forehead. I do, too.

But I still think its unnecessary, I continued. If were not going to get carried away, whats the point?

He sighed again. For the hundredth time, Bella  its too dangerous.

I like danger, I insisted.

I know. There was a sour edge to his voice, and I realized that he would have seen the motorcycle in the garage.

Ill tell you whats dangerous, I said quickly, before he could move to a new topic of discussion. Im going to spontaneously combust one of these days  and youll have no one but yourself to blame.

He started to push me away.

What are you doing? I objected, clinging to him.

Protecting you from combustion. If this too much for you. . . .

I can handle it, I insisted.

He let me worm myself back into the circle of his arms.

Im sorry I gave you the wrong impression, he said. I didnt mean to make you unhappy. That wasnt nice.

Actually, it was very, very nice.

He took a deep breath. Arent you tired? I should let you sleep.

No, Im not. I dont mind if you want to give me the wrong impression again.

Thats probably a bad idea. Youre not the only one who gets carried away.

Yes, I am, I grumbled.

He chuckled. You have no idea, Bella. It doesnt help that you are so eager to undermine my self-control, either.

Im not going to apologize for that.

CanI apologize?

For what?

You were angry with me, remember?

Oh, that.

Im sorry. I was wrong. Its much easier to have the proper perspective when I have you safelyhere . His arms tightened around me. I go a little berserk when I try to leave you. I dont think Ill go so far again. Its not worth it.

I smiled. Didnt you find any mountain lions?

Yes, I did, actually. Still not worth the anxiety. Im sorry I had Alice hold you hostage, though. That was a bad idea.

Yes, I agreed.

I wont do it again.

Okay, I said easily. He was already forgiven. But slumber parties do have their advantages. . . . I curled myself closer to him, pressing my lips into the indentation over his collarbone. Youcan hold me hostage any time you want.

Mmm, he sighed. I may take you up on that.

So is it my turn now?

Your turn? his voice was confused.

To apologize.

What do you have to apologize for?

Arent you mad at me? I asked blankly.

No.

It sounded like he really meant it.

I felt my eyebrows pull together. Didnt you see Alice when you got home?

Yes  why?

Are you going to take her Porsche back?

Of course not. It was a gift.

I wished I could see his expression. His voice sounded as if Id insulted him.

Dont you want to know what I did? I asked, starting to be puzzled by his apparent lack of concern.

I felt him shrug. Im always interested in everything you do  but you dont have to tell me unless you want to.

But I went to La Push.

I know.

And I ditched school.

So did I.

I stared toward the sound of his voice, tracing his features with my fingers, trying to understand his mood. Where did all this tolerance come from? I demanded.

He sighed.

I decided that you were right. My problem before was mor