AN: Beta'd by Stratan who I frustrate on a weekly basis. Sorry but thank you.

Co-author Emerald_Rosalie and I had a talk, with both of us working on so many projects; I'm taking over this one. I'm hoping that I'll be able to convince her to do a chapter or two when Bella's POV is more prevalent. I'm not sure I can do Bella's POV not like E_R, at least.

Enjoy.

The Taste of Sin

Chapter Four – Auntie

~Edward

I'd been a complete fucking ass. Watching Bella drive away with Esme was painful. She had come back from school so upset with my possessive treatment of her in front of everyone.

I didn't really understand what I had done wrong at the time. She was mine and everyone needed to know that. When we had first met, I knew she'd be mine and hadn't fought it.

This need, this desire to mark her as mine was based on instinct. Since I had met her, I'd been hit with a wide array of emotions that I had never felt before. Lust, both for her blood and body had been the over powering feeling over all others.

The lust had lead to possession and jealously all the while I had ignored an emotion that had warmed me since I laid eyes on Bella.

Love.

Was that possible? Could I have loved her after just one look? I was never one to believe in love in first sight, but I've seen it happen in my family. Could it really be as simple as that?

Yes, with Bella it could be.

We both had seen it first hand. Jesus, no wonder she'd been confused and frightened of me. She'd seen our family love each other unconditionally since she came into this family, and then to be bombarded by my barbaric behavior… her frustration made a lot more sense now.

Her talk to Alice about me was heartbreaking, especially when she referred herself as my toy. She was nothing of the sort, but upon analyzing our time together, I could see why she had thought that.

She wanted what the other couples in our family had. I was completely unprepared to deal with this new emotion upon meeting her but now…

I would do things differently. I had no doubt that I would've been unable to fight the insatiable hunger I had for her, but I'd make sure she understood what she meant to me.

She wasn't a piece of property. She'd become a part of me.

I needed her.

I paced profusely, waiting for Carlisle to finish his damn shift at the hospital so we'd be able to leave. Carlisle was the only male vampire that was able to control his actions around Bella's pheromone enriched blood.

God, the scent of her blood was intoxicating, but having it mingling with the pheromones was enough to drive me insane. It was taking every bit of my control not to run after Bella.

Now.

Jasper's influence was hardly helping matters, since he could feel my desperation to have Bella with me.

"Calm the fuck down, Edward," Jasper hissed.

"I can't," I growled. "I just need to go to her. What the fuck am I waiting for?" I ran my hands through my hair furiously.

"You have no idea if you can handle being near her while she menstruates," he said calmly, trying to ease the tension in my body with his gift.

"I could smell that she was close, and it wasn't bothering me," I said as I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Liar," Jasper said smugly.

I really fucking hated his power. I glared at him and lunged at him, toppling us over the couch. Jasper laughed and quickly turned us so that we landed on the coffee table. It gave way with our collective weight.

"Edward!" Alice said. "Jasper, stop encouraging him."

Then I noticed what Jasper was doing. He hadn't been able to calm me since Bella had left, so he was trying to distract me. Clever asshole. I slapped the side of his head, earning a peel of laughter from Alice as she appeared at the foot of the stairs. I jumped off Jasper and proceeded to dust myself from the debris of the table.

Alice cocked an eyebrow, grinning. "I already ordered the replacement."

I sighed and patted her on the head, to which she pursed in her lips and growled. "Thank you." Jasper laughed at our display, pulling Alice to him by the waist and nuzzled her neck.

We all stilled when we heard the crunch of gravel by the highway. "He's here," Alice sang. I blew out an unnecessary breath and silently thanked whoever decided to bring Bella into my life.

The first few hours of our drive were quiet; the silence only added to my tension. I couldn't take it any longer. I had to hear her voice. I dialed the number that Alice had pre-programmed in my phone before we left for Alaska.

Hearing her sweet voice was like a lifeline. Something tangible; something I could hold onto with everything that I was. The down side was that just listening to her made me instantly hard. Fucking hell, I knew then that it would be harder than I originally thought to quell the lust.

Unfortunately, my predicament was noticed by Carlisle. I smiled sheepishly, and I shrugged - I couldn't help it. Damn, this little girl would be my undoing.

For the remainder of the drive I closed my eyes and allowed myself to dream of what my future may now hold.

Countless hours, days, even weeks in the arms of my brown-eyed beauty as we made love; traveling with her by my side; taking her to see my childhood home or anywhere her heart desired.

Then of course, my mind chose to dwell on the way we'd spend our hunting trips, not only gorging ourselves on blood of our prey but on each other.

"I'm worried, Edward," Carlisle said, breaking both the silence and my fantasies. I bit back a growl for the disturbance, but from what I read in my father's mind, he knew exactly what he'd done.

"I won't hurt her," I said lowly. "I couldn't."

"You don't know that, son," he replied.

You have no idea how strong the urge to take will be.

I shrugged and chose not to respond.

"Even I have trouble," he whispered.

I turned to look at him and both his expression and thoughts confirmed his statement. "It's not bloodlust. You have no idea how much it bothers me to want her like that."

"I think you're the one that needs to stay away from her," I growled. "Not me."

"I can't leave you with her."

"She's mine," I spat. "She's my mate."

"I know that you think –"

"I don't think. I know."

"It may just be the bloodlust clouding your judgment along with her pheromone enriched blood."

"It could be," I said. "That would explain my behavior when I'm around her, but that won't explain the pain I feel when she's not."

"What are you saying?"

"I think I love her."

I knew we were close when both Carlisle and I inhaled deeply. Good God, I'd never be able to resist. Without waiting for the car to stop, I jumped out of the door, and rolled onto snow-covered ground. I was on my feet in seconds and ran toward her scent. It was so intoxicating.

Carlisle mentally told me that he'd be downstairs with Esme as I crouched and took to the trees. Within minutes, I landed on the second story window of the log cabin we normally stayed at when we visited. I could make out Esme downstairs. Upon hearing my entrance, she left to meet Carlisle.

With another pull of air, I found that Bella had chosen to use my old room. Within moments, I was wrapped around her and that all-consuming scent, but I controlled myself.

I controlled myself long enough to apologize, and tell her a little about my past. Her tears caused an unknown ache to gnaw in my chest. I hadn't meant to hurt her in any way, and I was foolish to tell her of my jealously.

Soon her tears turned into fits of laughter when she questioned my masculinity. Those sweet sounds had lessened the ache in my chest, while her scent drove me to the brink of insanity. I had been aching since I first caught her scent in the Alaskan air. With her so close, it was much more pungent.

Her body temperature had risen another three degrees, and her increased warmth only added to her appeal and aroused me even further. God, I wanted her. Her skin was hot and slick under my fingers. Within minutes, propriety was lost and we both sought more than comfort.

We sought more flesh; our kisses frantic with need and lust. Her moans and whimpers fueled my desire for more, and I needed more. Her urgent hands led my mouth to her throat were I took from her. I took her enriched blood in my mouth, but it only quenched one thirst.

The other fought to take her when she was vulnerable. I had no doubt that if I tore off every scrap of clothes from her pliant body that she'd allow me to have her. I couldn't do that to her. It would break what little trust she had in me.

I couldn't hurt her again.

That didn't stop us from seeking completion by other means. With her blood on my tongue, my hands helped her move across my erection for both our pleasure.

Her skin felt like it was on fire under my fingers. I was so close, and from the flush of her skin and her labored breathing, I could tell that she was too.

I knew my climax would be powerful the moment my body seized, and for a glorious moment, all I heard was her thoughts.

Mine.

Then everything turned black.

I felt like I was in a tunnel, my vision impaired at the corners of my eyes. Slowly the darkness ebbed, and I could hear Bella's anguished cries. Searing pain suddenly engulfed my head.

After a few seconds, I was able to discern from Carlisle what had happened. After I'd promised I wouldn't hurt Bella, we were alone again.

After explaining to her what I felt before I blacked out, Bella remained quiet for a few moments, worrying me.

I took her face in my hands. "Bella," I whispered. I ran my thumbs over the apples of her cheeks as her thoughts had once again become lost to me."

"My mate," she whispered. "For eternity."

I smirked and now understood the look she wore. "About time you figured it out."

She slapped my arm and scowled. "Whatever."

I grinned and pulled her across my lap. "How does it feel to realize that I'm yours, baby?"

She laughed, but pursed her lips, trying to contain her laughter. "Mine," she said.

I nodded and kissed the top of her head. "Like I said before, you are my life now."

"Oh, don't get all fucking mushy with me. It's fine every once and a while, but I also like the big bad vampire part of you."

I grinned, grabbed her ass, and ground her against my erection. "See, that's more like it," she said.

"We have a lot to discuss," I said, kissing her temple.

"Yeah." She sighed and rested her head on my chest. "I'm tired though."

"Glad I can wear you out," I said smugly. She smacked my chest, but then laid a kiss there.

"I should rest," she said with a yawn. I slipped her over the sheets and shifted her to her side beside me.

"Is this alright?" I asked.

"Yes," she said softly. After a few moments, her breathing steadied as her eyes fluttered closed.

"Goodnight, love," I whispered in her ear. "Dream of me as I would of you."

"My Edward," she whispered in her sleep.

"Yours," I said simply.

Hours passed and twice both Esme and Carlisle checked on Bella. They both had been concerned because she had never been able to sleep while ovulating or menstruating. Most of time she spent pacing, and practically climbing the walls.

Carlisle thought that maybe my presence had something to do with Bella's subdued symptoms. He said that the urge and bloodlust wasn't as strong as previous occasions. That didn't mean it would be safe to introduce other males to Bella while in this state.

Carlisle and Esme left to hunt while I waited for Bella to awaken. Twenty minutes after their departure, Bella began to stir, her heartbeat increasing as her eyes fluttered open. My lips lingered on her temple, hoping to convey a moment of tenderness.

That shit flew out the window the moment she ground her pert bottom against my erection. I groaned and quickly flipped our bodies, pressing her back into the mattress.

She smirked and licked her bottom lip lavishly, teasing me as she coaxed my hips between her thighs.

"Good morning," she said huskily.

"It is now," I mused, hovering over her. I murmured in her ear about how good she smelled, how beautiful she looked beneath me, and what I wanted to do with my tongue.

Her hands gripped my biceps hard, forcing her nails to bite into my unforgiving skin. "Oh God," she moaned as her back arched.

"I want you," she gasped.

"I know," I hissed as I licked the white column of her neck. "We can't."

"Why?" she whined.

"Fuck, Bella," I grunted as my cock pressed harshly against her center. "I want to."

"Our family better be testing condoms while we're gone," she whispered against my neck.

"They are," I said with a laugh. I pressed my body closer to hers, loving the way the warmth of her body felt. "I've been getting texts for the past few hours."

Bella giggled as her fingers ran over my bare back. "When did you decide to undress?" Her hands continued to explore and graze over my boxer-clad backside. "Not that I mind."

"During your slumber you kept telling me take off my clothes," I said with a smirk and just for effect pinched her nipple through her tank top.

"I did not," she said mortified. A furious blush crept in her cheeks, and her teeth worried her lip.

"You did, but I'm guessing it was because you became feverish."

"Oh, that makes sense. You're like my instant ice bath."

"Do we really feel that cold to you?"

She shook her head. "It's soothing actually. Do I feel that hot to you?" I smirked and waggled my eyebrows. "I really walked into that one."

"Yes, you did," I said, and kissed her lips lightly as she squirmed beneath me. "Do you need a human moment?"

She blushed, but nodded. "Please."

I pressed one more kiss on her lips and watched as she crossed the floor to the adjoining bathroom. "This is something I really had to get used to."

"Having everyone listen to what you are doing in the bathroom," I said.

"I don't have those kinds of human moments, just brushing my teeth and when I'm on my period."

It made sense that whatever food or blood she'd consumed would be used up in the same way that vampires would.

"So are we going to discuss that epiphany that you came to last night, or are you going to avoid it?" I asked as I heard her brush her hair.

I heard her brush clatter on the floor a second before she was standing right beside me. "You heard that? In my head."

"Yes," I said coolly. I hated the look of fucking horror on her face. Was she still going to fight what she was feeling for me?

"That's all you heard, right?" she said a little more calmly.

My eyes narrowed, and I nodded.

"Oh, thank God."

"What the hell does that mean?" I growled.

She looked at me confused, seemingly lost in thought. "Oh. No. I'm not denying that. I'd just be embarrassed if you were able to see my dreams."

"Denying what?" I smirked as a blush colored her cheeks again. We'd soon discuss these dreams of hers. Once she wasn't so shy about the obvious subject matter.

She rolled her eyes and quickly straddled me. "Mine," she said and leaned down to give me a searing kiss.

"Mine," I said as I groped her ass. I groaned when I smelled the fresh scent of blood.

"Edward," she moaned, my tongue continued to lavish her mouth. "Please."

"Tell me what you need." I'd deny her nothing. I'd fucking empty my bank accounts and buy her everything her heart desired.

"Relief," she murmured. I groaned again, unable to quell the lust running through me. "I need you." Her soft moans and whimpers urged me to continue.

We couldn't have sex yet, but it didn't mean we could both have a little fun. I flipped her onto her back, plunging my tongue in her mouth. Sweetness and warmth surrounded my tongue. From the corner of my eye, I could see a trash can nearby and hoped that she wouldn't be grossed out.

"I want to taste you," I whispered, laying kisses along her jaw.

"Yes," she gasped.

"Here," I said as I touched her gently over her sex. Even through layers of panties and shorts, I could feel that she was warmer here than anywhere else on her body.

"I…"

"You don't have to say yes," I said, easing my touch. If she wanted me to stop, I would. If she didn't want this, I wouldn't force her. I really hoped that she didn't think I'd lose control. I couldn't possibly hurt her now. Causing her pain would kill me.

"I want you to."

Thank fuck.

"Just tell me to stop if –"

She nodded again, taking my face in her hands. "You won't hurt me."

I kissed her gently this time. The kiss was soft and sweet, and a whimper escaped her. With a tentative touch, my hands slowly ran over her hips. My fingers inched under the waistband of her shorts and splayed over her bottom.

Her skin was hot and slick under my touch. I grunted, bucking my cock against her. She arched closer as her hands tugged on my hair, gloriously rough.

I hope Bella doesn't mind me coming by.

Oh fuck – Tanya.

Bella stiffened beneath me, also sensing the intrusion.

I'm sure she'd loved the new slicker I got her. That tight little body needs to be put to good use.

I could hear Tanya's just on the edge of the forest that surrounded the cabin. I could also hear her take a deep breath.

Edward. Oh my, yes. I think it's time I upped the games. A quick visit to my adopted niece and a roll in the snow, and the weekend will no longer be a loss.

Her thoughts started on the last time I'd seen her over ten years ago. I dropped by for a visit and an extended hunt. She had walked into the bathroom while I was showering and tried to convince me that I missed a spot. It hadn't worked. I leapt out the window and hadn't returned since.

Her thoughts then blended into fantasy where I gladly allowed her to wash me. The problem was that Bella couldn't tell the difference between what was reality or fiction.

A growl rumbled in her chest, and her eyes instantly turned wild, almost feral. By instinct, she wanted to protect and fight for what was hers. I pinned her down and matched her growl.

Her eyes snapped from the bedroom door to mine. "Let go!"

I shook my head and tried to distract her by wrapping my tongue around her nipple. Through the fabric of her top, I felt her nipple tighten under the coolness of my mouth.

She bucked her hips as Tanya's fantasy continued to me taking her from behind. Fucking hell. "I don't want her, Bella," I reasoned. "Never touched her, they're not real."

However, there was no reasoning with her, because she thrashed against me. I held her down firmly, and part of me took great pleasure from her writhing body. I stomped down my lust and concentrated on keeping her still. One of her hands managed to escape my hold and grab my erection.

I groaned and was lost to the sensation, giving her what she needed – an edge. She bucked me off her body and leapt off the bed in the same graceful movement. In seconds, she was flying down the stairs to meet Tanya.

By the time I was behind her, Tanya stood just inside the front door. She looked alarmed and recognized the look in Bella's eyes. She was poised to attack.

Oh God. They're together. I didn't know, Edward!

"She can hear you," I said under my breath.

I don't want to hurt her.

"You won't," Bella growled and crouched. In moments, she tackled Tanya out the door. I ran after them, both tumbling in the snow. I was able to hear Carlisle, Esme and Tanya's sisters approaching from the east. This only served to fuel Bella's anger.

Both Tanya and my other half were on their feet, circling each other. Bella's advantage was that she could hear Tanya's thoughts. Tanya's advantage was that she was over one thousand years old.

My phone vibrated from somewhere in the cabin; a lot of fucking good it did for me now.