Starry's Corner: How long has it been? A month? Two? More? Yes, yes I know I updated, but that was Victoria's bit. This is what you guys have been waiting for since I went on vacation and stopped posting. Obviously my vacation has been over, but a few minor family issues (including my father landing in the hospital twice and coming down with bronchitis and a throat/ear infection myself) prevented me from writing. Luckily the month of June has been good to me and I managed to get beyond where I wanted to be before I posted this chapter.
I won't torment you guys anymore...please read on and enjoy this next chapter of Intermediate Imprinting.
Rule Twenty-Three: A first impression is something that can never be repeated, once made it is something that stays whether it be good or bad. Sometimes a first impression is undeserving of us and in that case it is up to you to prove that impression is wrong.
xxx
Denali was much like Edward remembered as he turned down the long driveway that led to Tanya's house. The forests were green and filled with an abundance of wildlife. The air was moist and a faint breeze rustled the greenery lining the dive. Edward wasn't concerned with the nippy Alaskan air because it didn't affect him and, well, the cooler the better for Jacob.
After what seemed like hours of resisting the temptation to look, Edward glanced over at the sleeping teenager, the smallest of smiles crossing his features before he turned his attention back to the road. His hands gripping the wheel as an unexpected warmth curled in his chest and nudged at his heart, sending a tingling sensation through his body with the realization that Jacob was the cause of this mysterious warmth.
He dared to hope that this warmth coiling in him was just a fraction of the emotions Jacob held towards him. He dared to hope that this warmth could bloom into something as consuming and passionate as Jacob's feelings were. He dared to hope, almost as fervently as he had once tried to deny Jacob and the imprint.
Again he risked a look and, while worrying his bottom lip in a nervous fashion, one of his hands left the steering wheel and reached across the space separating himself and the snoozing shifter. Gently he touched Jacob's cheek with the back of his hand, just brushing his knuckles across his skin, marveling at the heat he felt.
The warmth inside him grew and he gasped suddenly, his hand quickly returning to the steering wheel as did his gaze. How was he able to fight something that was just so natural? Suddenly he felt as drawn to Jacob as a bee to a flower. It was so strange...but, at the same time it felt so right.
Bringing Jacob, he decided, had been the right decision. Even if the Denali clan did not accept the imprint immediately. He accepted Jacob and the imprint without hesitation now, and that was all that mattered. Taking Jacob to Alaska proved to himself that whatever was going on between him and the younger teenager was serious. He wanted it to be serious, although he wasn't quite ready to admit that fact aloud.
He wanted what he couldn't have with Bella, but what he was increasingly convinced he could have with Jacob. Perhaps... he could have even more. But time would tell. In bringing Jacob to Alaska he hoped that they'd grow closer without the complications of ex girlfriends and prejudiced wolf packs. And, perhaps, his reasoning was a little selfish; he wanted a distraction when his negotiations with Rosalie turned expectedly nasty.
Finally Tanya's house came into view. It was rustic, sprawling and beautiful. And most importantly to any vampire that valued life out of the way, it was quiet. He reached over to Jacob, laying his hand on his knee and squeezing gently. "Hey. We're nearly there," he said glancing at the shifter from the corner of his eye.
But the younger teenager didn't even budge. It made Edward smile as he shifted his hand, squeezing the spot just above Jacob's knee. A spot he knew was very ticklish. Sure enough that made the teenager shift and laugh in his sleep. Edward kept on squeezing and rubbing, soon Jacob's hand grabbed his wrist. "Alright, alright! I'm awake," he said tiredly, turning his head to give his imprint a smile. "Enough with the tickling."
Edward easily returned the smile, squeezing the area one last time before his hand joined its twin on the wheel. "We're almost there," he said, nodding towards the windshield. Jacob's eyes followed his head, a surprised gasp leaving his lips at the sight of Tanya's house.
"It is beautiful and big," Edward agreed chuckling softly at the stray thought floating through Jacob's mind.
"It looks bigger than your house," Jacob said as Edward pulled into the drive, next to a red convertible he immediately recognized as Rosalie's. He didn't recognize the other cars in the drive, but he assumed they belonged to Tanya and her clan.
"It looks that way, but it isn't," Edward explained, turning a thoughtful eye upon the house, gazing at the cabin-like exterior for a long moment before he turned back to Jacob. "It does have more bedrooms because, once upon a time, my family lived here."
Jacob was quiet for a moment, surveying the house before he nodded slowly in understanding. "So you have your own room?" He questioned, glancing at the vampire, a curious yet worried look on his face, but his mind was oddly quiet.
It confused Edward, but he slowly nodded. "Yes. And I have my own music room," he answered. Again he checked the other's mind, trying to find the smallest hint that would explain to him the sudden change in Jacob. Still it was blank, nothing suggesting that anything was out of place. Either he wasn't thinking about it or there really wasn't anything wrong. "Jacob? Is something wrong?" He had to know. He wouldn't settle until he did.
Jacob's cheeks colored and he struggled to answer Edward's question. He was almost hesitant about saying what he wanted, but at least finally he was thinking. He's going to think this is stupid...
...he's going to think I'm pushing him...but I can't help it...
I need to be close to him...he'll understand, won't he?
Jacob's thoughts floated in and out of his mind like a badly tuned radio with the signal fading in and out. But Edward had caught enough to get a vague idea what Jacob was worried about and the teen's next question sealed it. "Where will I be sleeping?"
The answer was so simple that Edward hadn't even thought to tell Jacob the arrangements that had been made on his behalf. "Carlisle called ahead for you since vampires have no use for beds," he started to explain, a small smile creeping upon his face. "Tanya ordered a bed for you and it arrived sometime while we were on the road."
Jacob's eyes searched his own and he knew he didn't answer the shifter's question, but then again he wasn't specific. Edward decided to give in and tell the younger teen where he'd be staying for the duration of their trip. "You'll be staying in my bedroom. With me. Will that be alright?"
The shifter didn't answer right away, but his mind was buzzing with excitement. So much so Edward couldn't help but to grin, already knowing the answer to his question. "That's fine," Jacob answered, successfully reigning in his excitement, much to Edward's amusement.
"You sure?" Edward double checked, eyebrow arched in question. "There are guest rooms you can use if you wish."
But Jacob shook his head. "No, no. I'm fine...staying with you..." he answered, his flush returning almost full force and it made his scent all the more sweeter. "I want to stay with you."
Edward smiled at the soft admission and leaned forward, sweetly pressing his lips against the younger's before pulling away slightly. "That's all you had to say Jacob," he said, still smiling as his fingers brushed against those reddened cheeks.
Jacob nodded meeting Edward's eyes. "Do you want me to stay with you?" He asked in a small voice and then, suddenly, his mind was plagued with insecure thoughts and dark little demons.
...he's doing this because he knows I need to be close to him...
Not because he wants to. I know it. I just know it!
Edward leaned forward and pressed his lips against Jacob's, successfully stilling the negative train of thoughts that was building in the teen's head. He cupped the younger's cheek and caressed the soft, heated skin with his thumb. His tongue pressed against the seam of Jacob's lips and the shifter opened easily beneath him.
Tongues pressed together and someone's groan was lost to the kiss. Edward's hand moved to the back of Jacob's head, cradling it as he gained dominance in the kiss. Jacob's hands grasped Edward's upper arms and then his shoulders, finally wrapping around his neck as his body shook in muted delight.
Lost in each other they didn't notice the reddish-blonde headed vampire standing outside of the driver's side door. An amused grin crossed her beautiful face as her arms crossed over her ample chest. "Get a room!" She said, leaning over to knock on the window, the two teenagers inside the car hastily parted and turned to look at her.
She waved with a broad grin and Edward heaved a heavy sigh. "Hello Tanya," he greeted as the woman opened the door, the grin still on her face as she leaned in and hugged Edward. Then, she practically crawled over him to hug Jacob as well.
"Hello Jacob! Edward!" Tanya said brightly, making her way back out of the car. She brushed her hair off of her shoulder and clasped her hands in front of her before pinning them with a welcoming and slightly seductive smile on her face. "Welcome to Denali!"
xxx
Jacob wasn't sure what to make of Tanya, but he realized immediately that she was a terrible flirt. Edward's snort confirmed his thought. He did not like the way the strawberry blond was eying his imprint either-he didn't see Edward's smirk at that thought-as they climbed out of the car.
Tanya waited patiently at the front of the car as Edward opened the trunk and the two teen's crouched under the hood to retrieve their suitcases. "Why in the hell is she eying you like a piece of meat?" The words came rushing out of Jacob's mouth before he could stop them, but Edward took them in stride, laughing even.
"You must've not seen the way she was looking at you," Edward replied, his thin lips curled into a smirk as he pulled out a suitcase, laughing softly when Jacob straightened up and looked over the hood of the trunk, surveying their hostess, frowning when she winked at him.
Jacob looked back at Edward, grabbing his own suitcase. "Should I be worried?" He asked, not sure if the question was directed at himself or at Edward.
"About her? No. She loves men. So does Kate. They flirt. They tease. But they know their boundaries. There are lines they won't cross until less the other party is willing. I should think they'd know willingness won't be found here," Edward replied, sighing as he set the suitcase he held on the ground before grabbing another bag. "However that doesn't mean they won't fantasize or try to seduce or flirt with both of us."
The shifter heaved a sigh. "Is she interested in you?" Jacob asked, frowning as he set his down, reaching for the last suitcase. "Or does she always make goo-goo eyes at you?"
"Goo-goo eyes?" Edward questioned. He shook his head and worked to suppress an amused smile. "She's interested in me. Has been for a while. She even propositioned me once upon a time."
Jacob didn't look surprised, but panic edged through his system. "But...you didn't...?" He started in a particularly lame voice he wouldn't be proud of or admit to if asked about it later.
The vampire paused, turning to face Jacob as he smiled slightly. "No. I didn't. And I won't. So don't worry about that." Edward gave a soft chuckle. "I'd be more worried about what she's thinking about you."
The younger blinked, confused. "What's that suppose to mean?" Jacob asked, backing away from the trunk as Edward grabbed the last bag before closing the trunk.
"She seems to think that the smell would be worth it," Edward replied, his eyes twinkling in mirth as the other vampire made her way to the rear of the car, eying the baggage and then the boys as Jacob snorted softly in response to the joke.
"Well? Is that everything?" Tanya asked, shaking her head slowly and the limited amount of bags and suitcases. "How long do you plan on being here? Certainly not a month with what you brought."
Edward's frown was severe, almost pouting as he looked at the girl. "We don't feel the need to pack our entire wardrobe when we go on trips," he replied, almost snappishly, which only made Tanya snicker.
"Oh well," she shrugged, smiling still. "That just gives Katie and I a reason to plan a shopping trip."
"No!"
Again Tanya giggled and Jacob had a sneaking suspicion that they'd be going shopping by force if necessary. "Oh yes, Edward." Her tone held the promise as she beckoned them to follow her, grabbing a bag from the ground before leading them up to the house where another vampire waited, still as a statue.
Another young woman with dark brown hair, so dark it was almost black. She smiled sweetly, yet appraisingly as they approached. "Edward!" She cooed, practically skipping down the steps before throwing her arms around his neck. "It's been too long." She pressed a dainty kiss to Edward's cheek and then stepped back, taking one of the suitcases from Edward's hand to carry in.
"Much too long," Edward agreed, giving the girl a smile. One that wasn't tinged with annoyance like the ones he gave Tanya. "Have you written anything new?" He asked and the girl just smiled mysteriously.
"I'll tell you only if you tell me," She replied in a teasing voice before she glanced over at Jacob. "You've yet to introduce me to your friend, Edward. You're remiss in your manners. Shame on you."
Edward chuckled pleasantly. "Katrina this is Jacob Black," he said, his free hand coming to rest against the other teen's lower back. "Jacob this is Katrina. She's one of the original Denali coven and quite proficient with a violin."
Jacob immediately realized why Edward was so fond of this woman. They shared a mutual love of music. It made sense. He smiled, albeit shyly as the woman leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, whispering softly in his ear, "It's a pleasure to meet you Jacob Black." She smiled as she pulled away. "But I insist that you call me Kate," she said before beckoning them to continue into the house with a crook of her finger.
As they followed her into the house, she spoke in a musical voice: "You'll have to forgive Eleazar and Carmen. They've gone out to stock the house with food." She paused to smile indulgently at Jacob before continuing. "And, I'm afraid, Irina disappeared when you pulled up." Her lush lips were pulled downwards in a frown as they continued forward silently, though an unasked question hung in the air.
"And my sister?" Edward asked, his patience reaching the breaking point. "Where's Rosalie?"
Kate didn't say anything as she took them up two flights of stairs. Ignoring Edward's question entirely, she led the boys to an opened door, Edward's bedroom.
"Kateā¦" Edward growled in unmistakable warning.
"Rosalie has been holed up in the garage since Carlisle called to tell us that you were coming," Kate said with a tsk of her lips. "She is, I'm sorry to say, quite upset and does not wish to see you right now."
Edward frowned as he entered his room, taking his suitcase from Kate as he passed her. He set the case on the bed and kept his back to Kate and Jacob.
"I'll just call you when Eleazar and Carmen return," Kate said just as Jacob began to feel awkward in their heavy silence. "I'm afraid that none of us are really...adept at making human food so...Jacob, you'll have to fend for yourself in that regard. But I'm sure after you both are settled and after you've eaten, the rest of the family would like to catch up."
Edward forced a smile. "That'd be great, Katrina."
"Kate, Edward. Call me Kate."
