Chapter Four

BPOV

Edward took my cold hand in his and walked me through the door. Someone took our coats and handed us tickets.

The scene was overwhelming. Dance music rolled over me like a wave. Bright Christmas decorations and lights were everywhere. A gigantic tree stood in the corner, covered with huge, multi-colored ornaments. It smelled like pine and cinnamon and alcohol. And there were people everywhere, chatting, drinking, and dancing.

I clung tightly to Edward's cool hand. He turned to me and smiled.

"Relax," he said, "You look lovely in that dress. I'll get us drinks." Then he disappeared into the crowd.

I swayed a little, tingling from his touch and his unexpected compliment. I felt light-headed. I wasn't quite sure if I could handle a drink…

"Hello there, beautiful! Where did you come from?"

I jumped at the deep voice behind me, and spun around to see a tall, dark, and handsome guy with brilliant white teeth grinning at me. He waited for my reply.

"Um, I'm here with somebody," I mumbled.

"Well, I don't see him around right now. Would you like to dance?" he asked, and offered me his arm. He seemed so confident and friendly, and it was just a dance, right? I looked around, but I saw no sign of Edward. So I shrugged and took his arm.

"My name's Jacob. What's yours?" he asked as he led me to the dance floor.

"Bella," I said. I looked closely at him. He had an open, friendly face with warm brown eyes, and he continued to smile at me.

"Well, Bella, we don't get many strangers around here," Jacob swept me into his arms and began to dance. "Are you visiting someone?"

"Yes, Esme and Carlisle Cullen," I answered, beginning to enjoy myself. Jacob was a good dancer, and I was surprised at how comfortable I felt with him.

Even though the song was a slow dance, the music was so loud that it was difficult to keep up a discussion, so we just smiled and danced together. When it was over, Jacob took me over to the drinks table.

"Are you thirsty?" he asked.

"Yes, a bit," I said, looking around for Edward. Where was he? Did he ditch me after all? I pushed aside my anger at Edward and smiled up at Jacob, determined to have a good time. I picked up a glass of punch and drank it down in one big gulp. The alcohol burned on the way down, but I shook it off.

A popular fast song started up. The dance floor started to fill up. "Let's dance," I said, and pulled Jacob back to the dance floor. Jacob laughed and followed my lead.

The dance floor was packed. The driving beat was almost hypnotic. As I threw myself into the dance, I started to feel strange. The air felt thick, as if there wasn't enough oxygen. The other dancers began to close in on me. I breathed harder, trying to gulp in more air. My heart pounded. Suddenly, I felt trapped. I had to get out of there.

"I have to get some air!" I shouted in Jacob's ear, and before he could react, I pushed my way through the crowd and headed to the back door of the hall as quickly as I could. The air was like thick soup. Bodies swirled around me.

I flung open the door. A blast of cold air hit my face. I took a deep breath and closed the door behind me. The scent of wood smoke was strong out here. I sat down, shivering, on the curb and leaned forward, willing my heart to slow down. It felt good to be alone.

A wolf howled in the distance. A long, lonely wail. Another howl joined in, much closer to me. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. A shiver crawled down my spine. I glanced up at the full moon and remembered what I promised Edward.

A twig snapped in the dark woods on the other side of the fence. I could hear snuffling noises, and a low, menacing growl. I stood up, suddenly very nervous. I reached for the door handle and pulled on it, but it was locked. A dark shadow appeared on this side of the fence in my peripheral vision. I grabbed a pine branch lying near the door defend myself, and turned to face the shadow.

Suddenly, the door was flung open from the inside, and there was Jacob, huge and dazzling in the suddenly-bright light. The shadow disappeared into the woods.

"What are you doing out here?" Jacob pulled me inside. "Don't you know that it's dangerous out here at night?" He sounded just like Edward. I wondered, again, where he was.

"I…needed some air." My teeth were chattering. I dropped the pine branch by the door.

"Let's get you warmed up. You're freezing." Jacob led me back through the crowd to a large fireplace with a few wooden rocking chairs set around it. Jacob pulled up a chair for me and handed me a fuzzy woolen blanket.

"Thanks," I said, and sunk into the chair with the blanket wrapped around me.

"Where's your friend, anyway?" Jacob asked me. He scooched his chair closer to mine.

"I don't know," I admitted. "He might have ditched me," I added. "I probably need a ride home."

Jacob leaned closer to me, and looked at my silver locket. It gleamed in the fire light.

"Some friend," he mumbled. Then he smiled his brilliant smile at me. "I'll give you a ride."

I started to accept his offer when I was interrupted.

"That won't be necessary." It was Edward. He stood right behind me. My heart leapt at the sound of his voice, and I turned to look at him.

His dark eyes bored intensely into mine. His hair was even more mussed up than usual. I resisted the urge to smooth it down. He didn't say a word to me, but reached his hand out to mine. My anger at him melted away.

With a quick backward glance at Jacob, I stood up and took Edward's hand. It was still cool, as if he'd just been outside, too. I felt completely safe with him.

"Thanks for everything," I said over my shoulder to Jacob.

"Sure, see you around," he said quietly.

Without a word, Edward led me to the front door. But I wasn't quite ready to go yet.

"Stop," I said, a bit louder than I wanted to. "Dance with me before we go. Just one dance. Please."

Edward stopped and sighed. "I'm no good at this," he said, but he headed to the dance floor. I followed him, running my fingers nervously through my hair.

A slow song had just started. Edward pulled me into his arms. He smelled of wood smoke and pine trees and soap. I closed my eyes and just breathed him in. It felt like home, being held like this. We danced around the floor together like we were made for each other. I never wanted the song to end. His hands felt cool through my silky dress, but I was warm and tingly all over. I pulled back to look up into his eyes.

Edward looked down at me at the same moment. Our eyes locked.

He whispered my name, "Bella." Then he growled.

I could feel the vibration of it everywhere we touched. It sent a thrill through my body. I tilted my head up, and Edward bent toward me. Our lips were inches apart. I waited for him.

Slowly, almost painfully, he drew closer to me. I felt completely intoxicated, ready for anything he offered. Finally, his lips touched mine. I was surprised at their coolness. They were soft and gentle, but I wanted more. I melted into him, reaching my hands up to his thick hair, pulling him closer to me.

"Help!" Someone screamed nearby. The mood was shattered. The dancers and the music stopped. The crowd turned to see a woman by the front door, her long dress ripped and spattered with blood. Edward and I turned to look, too.

"Help, someone! My boyfriend's been attacked by animals! He needs a doctor!" She was crying, and a few women hurried over to comfort her. A group of men headed to the front door. They looked angry and determined.

Edward stepped away from me. "I'll be right back," he said. "Don't leave this building alone."

I nodded and shivered. After what just happened, I had no intention of going outside again without him. Edward disappeared out the front door with the other men.

My lips were still tingling from our kiss. My whole body ached to be held again by him. The music started back up and the dancers slowly returned to the dance floor.

I stood there alone, waiting for Edward to return.