"I know the food helps," he said, as he watched the road and drove carefully, precisely, as he did most things, "but you need to feed the ardeur soon, or am I wrong?"
"You're not wrong," I said, between bites.
"You could go into any bar in the city and find someone."
"No," I said.
"You complicate your life, Anita," he said, as he turned onto the street that the motel was on.
"I just can't do casual. I don't think I ever will."
"I thought the ardeur wiped out all that, and you just had sex."
"It can, but it can also be addictive, and some people are more susceptible than others."
"You mean like drugs—some people get addicted quicker than others."
"Exactly. I'd hate to pick some stranger and he turns out to be one of those. He'd be addicted to something he might never be able to find again, and I'd feel guilty, and have to take him home with me like a stray puppy."
"You would, too," Edward said, like he found it a character flaw.
"You wouldn't feel guilty, would you?"
"You mean could I fuck someone, addict them to the ardeur, and just walk away?"
"Yes," I said.
"Yes," he said.