Chapter 1
Bella & Embry
Bella shifted from foot to foot while rubbing her hands together. She was standing on the Blacks' front stoop, waiting for Billy or Jacob to open the door.
"Bella. What are you doing here?"
She smiled down at Jacob's dad. "Hi, Billy. Is Jacob around? I forgot a book here the other day." She began to enter the house, but he blocked the way. She stared at him in shock. He hadn't done that since Jacob first phased. "Billy?"
"It's not safe on the Rez right now, Bella. It's mating season." A frown marred her forehead. "There's five unimprinted male wolves around. A lot of hormones."
"Okay. Oh! But I need my book, Billy. I have class on Monday." A wolf howled from the woods.
"I'll send it with your dad. Which book?" Another wolf answered, sounding closer.
Her eyes widened. "American History."
"You better go now, Bells. I'll have Jake call you next week."
"Sure, sure. Later, Billy." She hurried back to her truck. Blasting the heat, she headed for home. Rounding the bend, she slowed down when she noticed someone standing in the middle of the road. She stopped and rolled down her window. The man walked up to her door.
"Hey, Bells." He leaned down to look into the truck.
"Embry? What're you doing out here?"
"Waiting on you."
"Why?"
He reached out to run a finger down her cheek. "Do you know what's going on?"
"Billy said that it's mating season. That I shouldn't be on the Rez with five unmated male wolves around." She looked into his eyes. "He made it sound dangerous."
"It is and it's not." She frowned. "We would fight over the right to seduce you. But Billy's wrong; there's only four males that haven't imprinted. The other four wouldn't stand a chance and back down."
"Who imprinted? When?" she asked, excited for one of her friends.
"It was at Sam and Emily's in March." He ran a thumb over her bottom lip. "I was laughing with Jared. I looked up and met your eyes. My world shifted that day. Then Jacob walked in and got your attention."
She stared at him in shock. "It's me? But . . .why. . .you never said anything."
"You weren't ready. You needed a friend more that a boyfriend."
"Does Jake know?"
He nodded. "I told him later. He was upset, reasonably so. He had been in love with you since we were kids. Then we talked and threatened me to treat you right and everything went back to normal."
Bella licked her lips, skimming her tongue over his thumb. His breath hitched. "What changed?"
"Christmas. Do you remember?" She nodded. "You hugged me then glanced up at me. Then bit you lip. Quil made the joke about the mistletoe. I leaned down and brushed my lips across yours." He put action to words. "Your lips were so soft. I licked your lips." A lick to the seam of her lips. "And your breath hitched, just like that. I knew it was time to start to take things to the next level." He rubbed his cheeks against hers. "Those innocent little touches weren't so innocent. Every touch, every look was leading to this moment."
"What moment is this?" she asked softly.
"That I make you mine." He captured her lips with his, his tongue gaining entrance for her first real kiss.