How we cite our quotes: (Chapter. Paragraph)
Quote #21
[Edward to Bella:] "That's certainly a problem. But that's not what I was thinking of. It's just that you are so soft, so fragile. I have to mind my actions every moment that we're together so that I don't hurt you. I could kill you quite easily, Bella, simply by accident." (14.286)
Edward thinks they shouldn't have sex because he's afraid he'll accidentally kill her.
Quote #22
[Bella to Edward:] "Of course not." I flushed. "I told you I've never felt like this about anyone before, not even close." (14.279)
This is both Edward and Bella's first romantic relationship.
Quote #23
[Edward to Bella:] "I know. It's just that I know other people's thoughts. I know love and lust don't always keep the same company." (14.280)
Edward knows sex and love don't always go together. In this case, Edward and Bella have love without sex.
Quote #24
[Bella:] "Your human instincts…" I began. He waited. "Well, do you find me attractive, in that way, at all?"
He laughed and lightly rumpled my nearly dry hair.
[Edward:] "I may not be a human, but I am a man," he assured me. (14.294-296)
Bella wonders if Edward is sexually attracted to her. She doesn't want to only be appealing to Edward's "vampire instincts" (smelling delicious).
Quote #25
[Edward to Bella:] "What am I going to do with you?" he groaned in exasperation. "Yesterday I kiss you, and you attack me! Today you pass out on me!" (15.100)
He should probably stop complaining and take her actions as enthusiastic compliments...
Quote #26
I wasn't so lost to the soreness of the fog of medication that I didn't respond to his touch. The beeping of the monitor jumped around erratically – now he wasn't the only one who could hear my heart misbehave. […] He leaned in slowly; the beeping noise accelerated wildly before his lips even touched me. But when they did, although with the most gentle of pressure, the beeping stopped altogether. (24.61)
Even wounded, in the hospital, and on pain medications, Bella is attracted to Edward.