Hot as a fever, rattling bones
I could just taste it, taste it
If it's not forever, if it's just tonight
Oh, it's still the greatest, the greatest, the greatest
- The Kings Of Leon -
"Are we still the greatest...?"
Lip tightly bitten, she waits. Bella's heart falters at the silence.
Her hand slips from his fingers as she hangs her head, too ashamed to look at his face, too scared he might see right through. The heat pulsing from the boy-she-almost-loves pushes through her skin, igniting her blood as it races back towards her traitor's heart.
"Bella..." Shyness recedes and the boy holds her close; close enough to burn her with truths and memories.
"I love you Bella. Always have. Always will."
Jacob bends his forehead to hers, and a hot tear falls on her cheek. She is surprised to wonder how there can be any moisture left in his scorching body.
Jacob stands before her once more with his love on display. "I wish you could be free from all this Bells... I wish you would choose me." Shoulders slumping, he turns away.
Always too late, Bella's mind suddenly understands.
He's leaving her.
"Jake! Stop!" Fumbling footsteps stumble after him, and he pauses, jaw clenched for new pain.
"I can't let you go. I ...love you. Please..." Bella's eyes find his.
"Hold me?" her unspoken need a breathy question. Her bloodless lips trembling as she grabs at Jacob's hand.
The icy world dissolves in heat and lust as their lips meet, tears running as one. Jacob's heart slowly rips as their bodies cling and pant together, clothes torn and ripped away, his last spark of hope an ember drowning in tears and sweat.
He knew she could never leave him, and so for the last time, Jacob's heart cracks open in a mess of sweat and blood, tears and unspoken truths. He whispers his goodbye as a shuddering prayer deep inside her.
"You and me Bells, we're still the greatest. Always were."