Another two days has passed without a single word between us.

"I need to hunt," Ember says, standing to her feet.

I nod and follow her out the door, my head down and hands shoved in my pockets, like a child in trouble. I just feel so bad for hurting her. Usually when we go at each other, someone is there...And never have I been able to break her hold on me.

I was raised a southern gentleman, and though I don't recall much of my human life, I know enough to know that my daddy woulda had my hide for mistreatin' a girl...No matter how infuriating she was.

Finished with my hunt, I find a seat high in a tree and wait, annoyed with the fact that I can't just go back.

My eyes catch movement and I see that it's Ember, stalking a rather large elk. I lean forward, grinning. Might as well enjoy the show.

I have to admit, the little firecracker is an impressive hunter.

She doesn't make a sound as she ghosts through the trees, her prey still very unaware of her presence. The thought of spooking the animal flashes through my mind, but I push it aside, shakin' my head.

I don't like her, but I don't intend to make things worse right now.

She has made it now to where she will launch her attack from. She crouches and for the first time I notice how her body shimmies just before she pounces, just like a kitten playin' with a toy.

That is dang adorable.

The most wicked grin pulls at her lips and she springs from her hiding place, her arms wrapping around the elk's throat and her legs around its shoulders.

Venom pools in my mouth as I watch the muscles in her arms and thighs flex, securing her to the thrashing animal.

Oh. My. God.

No.

In a split second, I'm on the other side of the tree, my back pressed to the trunk as I gasp for unneeded air.

I was turned on.

Big time turned on.

Okay, Jasper...get it together...That is just a natural reaction to watchin' a female hunt.

Any female.

"You ready?" she calls, knowin' I'm up here and I pray to whoever might be listenin' that she hasn't been in my head.

"Yeah," I reply, dropping from my perch.

Ember POV

I can not believe I'm in this situation.

One way or another, Alice and everyone else is going to pay when I get home.

I just can't fathom why on earth any of them thought this was a good idea...Jasper and I hate each other.

Why?

I honestly don't know.

Given his ability, he let me know right from the start how he felt about me and I could care less to find out why.

Jasper had been acting a little strange (even for him) ever since our hunt. I blew it off and took up my usual place on the couch, yet another book in my lap. Just as I finish the last page, I hear the rattle of something in a box behind me. When I turn to look, Jasper is standing there, Scrabble box held to his chest.

"Wanna play?" he croons, that ridiculous smirk pulling at his full lips.

What?

"Er...sure," I reply, sliding off the couch.

He sets the game up on the table, then proceeds to divide up all the letter tiles. Of course I look at him like he's crazy and he grins back at me.

"We play a little different," he explains.

"Please don't tell me this is going to be some freaky version of strip scrabble, because I DO NOT want to see you naked."

He scoffs. "No! That is not where I was goin'...But if it were, you wouldn't have to worry about seein' me naked..."

"Oh, you think you're that good?"

Why, oh why?

"You don't wanna go there, darlin'...I promise you'll be sorry," he says, grinning.

I hate him.

"Pffft."

"Alright then...If you dare challenge me...I accept," he says, a huge stupid smile on his face.

What have I done?

He explains the basic rules. The tiles are divided between the two of us and we will flip a coin to see who goes first. That person then draws ten tiles out of their stash and tries to form a word, using at least three of the tiles. If there is no word, that player loses an item of clothing, but if a word is made, the opposing player loses one.

"What are we playing for?" I ask.

"Hmm...Okay, the first person to either be completely naked or chicken out has to give up any and all rights to the TV for the next three days," he says, an eyebrow raised.

"Fair enough."

I win the coin toss.

I can't help but smile as I lay the tiles on the board to form the word "bear".

Still wearing a cocky smirk, Jasper pulls off his flannel shirt. He's wearing a black wife-beater underneath and my eyes are instantly drawn to the many scars covering his arms and shoulders. Without a word or even a glance at me, he draws his tiles and chuckles as he places the word "boobs" on the board.

"You wish," I mutter, pulling a sock off my foot and tossing it at him.

Jasper POV

So...At this point I'm really wishin' I didn't hate underwear so much.

Good thing I chose to wear socks.

Soon I am down to my jeans and Ember is in boy shorts and a tank...and it's my turn.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I'm able to make a word. "Hot", go figure. I look up at Ember, who is just staring at the word on the board in disbelief. Her anxiety triples and she looks at me.

I should stop this.

I should tell her to forget it, that it was a stupid idea...but I can't.

My competitive nature and the sudden, fierce desire to see more of her aren't allowing the words to surface.

What is wrong with me?

"You win, Jasper," she mutters, standing to her feet and pulling her clothes back on.

I'm disappointed, and like a fool, I let her feel it.

She glares at me, disgust rolling off of her in waves.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, looking away.

This is not good...Not good at all.