Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer.

Note: scene involving attempted rape in this chapter. My apologies to Sam fans, but that's why I changed his name to Sam Joseph. Sam Uley certainly wouldn't have any part of this next bit.

Bella wasn't sure what to make of her encounter with Edward. When he set her back on her feet, her legs felt like wet noodles, warm wet noodles, but floppy just the same. Stumbling into the locker room to change, Bella didn't notice at first the glares of the other girls. It was only as she was folding her gym uniform that she looked up and saw a tall dark-haired girl shooting daggers at her with her eyes. Looking around, Bella saw a few other girls doing the same, but also some looking more confused or bewildered. I guess Coach wasn't the only one who witnessed our "moment,"word must travel fast around here.

Bella kept her eyes down as she exited the gym, flushed with embarrassment. What's the big deal anyway? Lord knows Edward's gorgeous, but he's not popular from what I've seen. Why should they care? Bella's mind replayed the moments she was in his arms, and the warmth returned, along with an awareness that she was aroused, even a little moist down below, just like this morning. Yikes, I'd better get a hold of myself. No telling whether Edward with hate me again next time we meet.

Bella was again aware of the stares of her classmates as she entered the auto shop. She even heard a low whistle just before the teacher announced the start of the class. It's not that it didn't feel good to be appreciated that way, it kind of did, but Bella was uncomfortable being thought of sexually by boys she didn't really know yet.

Class went smoothly, until the teacher announced a practical quiz for the next day. Bella's heart fell. She had missed the first week of school after all, and felt a bit lost when trying to identify the parts of a combustion engine, which is what the quiz was to be on.

Sam Joseph sauntered over after the bell, as she was gathering her books.

"If you meet me back here in 5 minutes, I can help you brush up on stuff for the quiz tomorrow," he offered. Bella was relieved, but slightly alarmed at the twinkle in his eye when she accepted. Still she headed for her locker to grab her jacket and the other books she would need for her homework, then returned to the shop.

When she saw Sam with an engine up on one of the tables she was relieved. She had grown a bit worried as she headed back to class, especially after replaying Charlie's warning in her mind. Sam smiled at her and beckoned her to join him. Bella didn't notice the two boys who took positions by the door, one in the room and one in the hallway.

As she and Sam bent over the engine she relaxed, thinking to herself that he wasn't so bad after all. His large hands were gentle as they moved over the parts of the engine, grazing hers occasionally as she followed along. Sam moved closer to lean over and turn it, saying that they needed to look at the other side.

What happened next caught Bella totally by surprise. Sam pulled her somewhat roughly to him and asked, "So how are you planning to repay me for my lesson?"

Bella tried gamely to push him away. Failing that, she looked up and saw for the first time the depth of the naked desire in his eyes. Holy crap, what do I do what do I do?

"Cupcakes?" she offered, in a wavering voice.

"Is that what you call them in Arizona?" Sam replied as he moved a hand to her breast, squeezing her through her thin black t-shirt and lacy bra.

"No Sam, you don't understand. I don't, I mean I've never….. pleeeeeease let me go!"

Sam renewed his grip on her, one hand falling to her rear, pulling her up against him. Bella could feel something long, hot, and hard against her abdomen. Sam lifted the front of her shirt and moved his hand to the bare flesh pushing up from the top edge of her bra. I don't believe this is happening to me. Fuck, what did that self-defense teacher say to do when attacked? As she struggled to remember, Sam took her silence for assent, and dipped his head to take a taste of her soft pink lips. He moaned and pressed harder against her. Then turned and called over his shoulder to the boy by the door, "The coast still clear?"

"Yeah, but hurry it up, you promised me a turn too, remember?"

At that moment everything turned to slow motion for Bella. She bit Sam hard, surely drawing blood, stomped on the arch of his foot, and then swung the heel of her hand up under his chin as he released her. At the same moment Bella became aware of cry of alarm from the doorway, then a blur of motion to her right. Sam was flying through the air, and Bella couldn't understand why he was now lying on the hood of the Chevy. She turned and her eyes met the most tormented gaze she had ever seen. "Edward" she gasped, as she felt everything zoom away, and the world went dark.