I woke up when a sliver of sunlight flashed in my eyes. I tried to roll out of the sun, but something heavy had a strong grip on my waist. I panicked for a second and I could feel goosebumps form on my skin. With a sharp turn, I was able to see my captor. My lips twisted up into a smile. He had stayed two nights in a row. Just for me.
I leaned closer and kissed his cheek. Jake smiled in his sleep and mumbled something I couldn't understand. Carefully, I lifted one finger at a time and pulled his arm away from his warm embrace. He rolled over and started snoring lightly again.
When I stretched my legs out, there were several groans of protest. I had never felt so stiff before. I hate just laying around all day.
I slowly made my way to my dresser. More than anything, I wanted to put on a pair of jeans and feel like normal again. But today I'll be spending a lot of time on the couch and if I fall asleep… well, it sucks to sleep in jeans. Instead, I grabbed a pair of sweats and a The Who T-shirt. I changed in the bathroom after I took a quick shower. It felt great to feel clean again.
The second I pulled my shirt on, there was frantic knocking on the door. "Emma?" Jake called.
I swung the door open and crashed right into him.
He held me at arm's length and looked me over. "How are you feeling?" he asked and ushered me back into my room. I wanted to protest, but I owe him for being here two days in a row just to take care of me.
I shrugged. "I'm alright. I'm actually feeling much better today."
And then that infernal thing was back in my face. "I swear to God, Jake. If you take my temperature one more time…"
He slipped the thermometer passed my lips while I was talking. I had had enough. I pulled it out and shook it in his face. "I'm fine Jake!"
"Emma" he sighed. "I just want to make sure you're really getting better."
How can I fight those eyes? Damn! That look should be illegal. With a groan, I put it back under my tongue but made sure to cross my arms.
Jake kneeled down in front of me and kissed me on the forehead. "Thank you."
I grumbled incoherently and pushed him aside with a smile. He just laughed and rubbed my back. He nuzzled his head into my neck and sighed against my skin. I pressed my head on top of his and smiled. How did I get so lucky?
A moment later, Jacob slipped the thermometer out from between my lips. He read the number. "Still a little high, but definitely better" he said and kissed my forehead.
"So what's the plan for today?" I asked and tried to disguise the pink touch in my cheeks at Jacob's close proximity and caresses.
Jake clicked his tongue and literally swept me off my feet. I laughed when he swung me around before dropping me on my feet. "Well, I'm thinking you're a little hungry" he laughed as my stomach growled on cue.
When was the last time I ate? Two days? "Maybe" I laughed.
"Want to go out somewhere?"
I shook my head. "That's probably not a good idea. I don't think I should eat anything crazy today. Just to be on the safe side."
Jake nodded and led my downstairs. Sam and Emily were nowhere to be seen which is strange for them because they always seem to be around. Jake must have noticed as well because he grabbed my hips and lifted me up onto the counter. "J-Jake?" I stuttered. He said nothing but smirked and attacked my neck with kisses. I gasped and threw my head back, only giving him more places to attack. His lips latched onto that same place from yesterday and he grazed his teeth along the skin. It was still sensitive and I shivered at the touch of his teeth and tongue. Jake laughed with his mouth still on my neck causing beautiful vibrations to tickle my skin.
I closed my eyes in bliss and waited for the next attack. With a loud popping noise, Jake released my neck and laughed at my longing look. "Jake" I whined.
He only laughed and gave me one lingering kiss on the lips. "What would you like for breakfast?"
"Something simple" I said fearing emptying my stomach again.
Jake pulled out a loaf of bread and put two slices in the toaster. I hoped off of the counter and grabbed a glass from the cabinet. There was milk and orange juice in the fridge. I sighed and decided on water. I felt better, but I really didn't want to be sick again.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt a pair of warm arms snake their way around my waist. But then I relaxed into the strong chest behind me. "I love you so much" I breathed and closed my eyes in Jake's embrace.
"I love you too" he said and brushed my hair to the side. Then he laughed. "It looks like I marked you pretty good."
I reached up to feel the place where he was tracing his fingers. I gasped. It was the same spot on my neck where my skin was sensitive now. Breaking free of Jake's grasp, I rushed to the bathroom. Sure enough, there was a dark mark on my neck. A hickey.
Jake stood in the doorframe and laughed. "Think this is funny?" I teased.
He shrugged and smirked a little. "I kind of like it on you" he said seductively. "I may have to make that permanent." With that he lunged for me with his muscular arms. I laughed and ducked under him and raced out. I didn't get very far before he lifted me by the hips and plunked me down on the couch. He returned in a second with my breakfast.
"Thanks Jake" I said as he flopped down on the couch beside me.
"Only for you" he said and kissed my cheek. I could get used to his kisses. He has the most adorable lips. I can't stop looking at them. They look to be crafted by angels: the kind of lips every girl dreams of being kissed by. They're soft and warm and so passionate. It's unexplainable how much I love it when he kisses me. I feel like a princess. Better than a princess.
Jake snickers and tickles my side. "Enjoying the view?"
I swallow hard and turn away.
"Aww" he coos. "Don't be embarrassed."
"Shut up Jake" I say and shove him with as much force as I can manage. He doesn't even move.
When I finish eating we decide to head over to Jake's house because neither of us has seen Billy in a while and Jake is wearing borrowed clothes from Sam. We have to walk because I don't have a car and Jake had phased to get here before.
As usual, Jake switches into overprotective mode. Although it's June, La Push is still cold. "Do you have a coat?" he calls like a mother.
I roll my eyes. "I've got a sweater" I say.
Jake comes back from the closet holding one of my warmer coats. He shakes his head when he sees my sweater. "You'll freeze and you need to get better, not sicker. Are you sure you don't want me to go get my car?"
"Yes" I say sarcastically. "Because it makes so much sense for you to walk all the way home and then drive back here to pick me up. I'm a big girl Jake. I can walk."
"Yes, but you're sick" he points out.
"Getting better" I defend.
"Going to get worse again" he replies.
I sigh, knowing I can't win this one. I shimmy out of my sweater and trade Jake for the coat. "What about you?" I ask as I'm lacing my shoes.
Jake stares at me like I'm a toddler and laughs a roaring laugh. "You honestly think I need a coat? I'm like a hundred degrees."
"Pretty hot" I laugh.
"Sexy you mean."
I bite my tongue but can't help the smile that breaks out every time I try my hand at flirting. "I don't know about that" I tease and my voice reaches a new octave with my laughter.
Jake charges and I bolt for the door. I jump the porch steps and race over to the end of the driveway. Jake catches up quickly and tickles me mercilessly. I'm breathing hard and laughing until I have no voice. He becomes sympathetic and ends his tickling torture. "Alright. No more running around for you. I need you back on your feet."
We walk with our hands fused together and fingers intertwined. I'm starting to think that I didn't need a coat after all because Jake's body heat is keeping me warmer than the pathetic coat.
Billy is in the kitchen when we get there. "Hey Dad!" Jake calls and wraps his arms around Billy.
"Hi Billy" I add while he's being smothered by his son who doesn't seem to realize his own size.
When he does escape, he waves to me. "Hi Emma. How are you feeling?"
"Much better" I say as I pull my shoes off. "Thanks for letting Jake stay over. He helped me out a lot."
Billy nods and smiles at his son. I can tell that he's very proud of Jake. And I'm glad. I think Billy likes me too. I don't know what I would do if he didn't. I smile thinking that one day he will be my father-in-law. And this may be my home soon. Jake will be mine forever.
But then again, he already is and I am his.
Jake smirks at me suddenly and snatches my wrist. "What?" I laugh. I'm very suspicious of his mischievous eyes.
He says nothing and pulls me to his room. I giggle the whole way up the stairs and squeal when he tosses me on his bed. He isn't far behind and lays down next to me. Without a second's hesitation, he wraps his arms around my waist and buries his head in my neck.
"What's up with you?" I laugh.
Jake shrugs. "Can't I love you?"
I roll my eyes. "You're silly. Do you know that?"
"I know I'm crazy. Crazy about you."
I can't help but to laugh at his silly lines. This boy… he might be the death of me some day.
I jump five feet in the air when I feel Jake's fingers dancing around my stomach. Not on my shirt, but on my actual skin. My eyes shoot down and I see that he's pulled up my shirt and placed his hand on my stomach. I give him my best questioning eyes. Jake only snickers and kisses me long and soft.
My eyes flicker to the door and he laughs. "Don't worry. Just relax" he purrs in my ear. And with a voice like that, I have no choice but to obey. I let my eyes slide closed and focused all my attention on Jake's fingers tracing amazing, tingling patterns on my stomach. The sensations were unbelievable and it felt like I was being kissed by an angel. A small sigh escaped my lips and I could feel Jake's chest vibrate with laughter.
"I love when you do that" he whispered in my ear, causing shivers to erupt along my skin.
"Do what?" I whisper back with my eyes still closed.
"Sigh. It's adorable. It makes me feel so… incredible. Like you couldn't last a second without me."
"Who says I could?"
His hand pulls back and suddenly, he's on top of me. His hands are by my head, making sure I'm not crushed by his weight. My eyes fly open just as his lips attack mine with a hunger I've never seen before. They're all over my lips, eyes, cheeks. I can't keep up. All I can do is love the sensation of his lips on mine. I have less than a second to kiss back and just taste his lips before they move to my forehead or neck.
"Jake" I gasp and pull his head up to me. We lock eyes for a second. Those brown orbs are filled with love and passion. He pants lightly and smirks. I must look just as blissful.
Then he rolls over and pulls me into his chest. And this just makes me love him even more. He has such great self-control. He is able to help me keep my promise even when I'm just about to break. "Don't ever leave me" I sigh and push myself even closer to him.
Jacob's arms snake around me and he inhales deeply. "Never."
