Stephenie Meyer owns any Twilight characters and Twilight plot lines that may appear in this story. The remainder is my original work. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without my express written authorization. Don't steal, it isn't polite.

So are we all rested up from the New Year? Man, someone needs to tell me I'm not 21 anymore…sweet merciful Christ. *shakes head*

Anyway, thanks to Isabel for pointing out a seriously lacking area in this chapter. It's a great comfort knowing you always have my back hon. Love you!

And big kisses to my Mel. I miss her very much, but I'm so glad she's taking a much needed breather with her man. Love you Mel!!!!!

And thanks to every reader and every reviewer…your support means a lot!!

And here we go!

P.S. This chappie got really looooong, so settle in! :)


***BPOV***

The second the last bell rang on Friday afternoon, I swear I heard the angels singing on a fucking celestial high. I sighed roughly, pushing my fingers through my hair and scanning the front of the school for the bronze hair and pale skin I knew wouldn't be there.

Stupid fucking sun.

Edward hadn't been in school for three days. Three dreadful days of brightness and clear blue skies. I used to enjoy it—now I fucking resented it. It didn't help that Charlie had taken the past two days off of work. He wanted to spend time with me since he felt like he was neglecting me or some shit. It was actually kind of sweet and I never minded spending time with my old man. But my need….God, my fucking need for all things Edward. It hurt…really fucking deep inside of me not to be with him. Between the Charlie bonding time and the God damned sun, there just weren't enough hours in the day to be wrapped around him.

Not to mention, I really needed his calming presence to settle me the fuck down…because tonight was the night I met his family.

Thankfully he still came to me every night, but by the time I'd get up to my room, I'd usually be too tired to keep my eyes open. Whenever I did try to jump him, he'd lay down the cockblock because my dad was still awake downstairs. I told him what he could put in my mouth to shut me up, but he just smirked beautifully and told me to have patience.

Fuck patience.

We still had our lunch time rendezvous, but he was always second guessing himself…worrying he'd hurt me or take it too far. All he was doing was creating a fucking massive volcano inside of me. It was only a matter of time before we erupted. I was going to go Mount God damn Vesuvius on his ass, taking everyone out in my wake of need and fucking desperation for Edward Cullen.

I was tearing that boy up so fucking hard tonight, he wouldn't even know what hit him. I smiled wickedly, making my way swiftly to my truck in the hopes that I could haul ass and get a few moments alone with him in my bed before my dad got back home.

I needed his teeth in my body. I wanted to suck my blood off his tongue again.

Yes, I realized that was all sorts of fucked up, but I still wanted it.

A clammy hand on my shoulder put a stop to that plan.

"Bella," Mike Newton said smoothly…or what he probably thought was smooth. "You should come to Port Angeles tonight and meet my crew. It's about time you live a little, don't you think, beautiful?"

I swallowed back the vomit that threatened to spew profusely from my mouth and steadied my innocent façade. "I'm not interested, thanks anyway."

"C'mon, Bella." He dropped his lips to my ear, swinging his arm around my shoulder. "We share a secret, you know. You skipped school. Why would a good girl like you skip school…huh?"

My heart started hammering unevenly and I wondered how a sweet and good natured person such as myself could get away with detaching Newton's tiny balls from his body and shoving them down his throat. "Mike, I didn't—"

He chuckled into my ear and I felt his hot breath on my cheek, making my skin prickle in disgust. "And what are you doing every lunch hour, disappearing into the woods and coming back all ruffled and satisfied?"

Fuck. I had no idea he was paying such close attention to me. And now, I was pissed. So God damn pissed that I was going to do something really stupid. Let it be a lesson to anyone who would listen…don't fuck with a stressed out, sexually deprived bitch who's having dinner with seven vampires in only a handful of hours. Yeah, so maybe my pent up aggravation had more to do with nerves rather than Newton's stupid face. Either way, I needed an outlet…and it was standing in front of me with spiky hair and baggy wanksta jeans.

"Come over here with me," I whispered shyly, grabbing his arm and pulling him around the corner of the school.

Mike practically looked like a peacock showing off his shiny fucking feathers as he licked his lips lazily and followed me around the corner.

I wasn't holding back any longer.

I shoved him into the brick building and slammed my hand over his crotch, my fingers curling around the insignificant bulge in his pants and squeezing with fervor. "Listen here, motherfucker. You wanna try threatening me with that petty bullshit? You wanna try to get me to go off to some party full of fucktards just so you can try to fucking date rape me or some shit? Well I have a newsflash for you. You have no idea just who the fuck you're dealing with." My nails dug into his skin further with every word I spoke. "Tell anyone about this and I'll chop your fucking balls off and hang them from my rearview mirror like fuzzy fucking dice, you feel me, Newton?"

His eyes were wide and watering, his hands clenched into fists as he stared down at me. He nodded and I slammed him back further into the wall by my grip on his crotch. "I didn't hear you, Mike," I whispered sardonically.

"Fine, just fucking let go," he groaned through tight lips, his face beet red and his hands shaking.

I let go of him and he immediately cupped himself, doubling over and groaning like a pansy ass. I smiled sweetly, ruffling his hair and giggling softly. "Okay, Mike. Hope you have a great weekend," I chimed, skipping away.

"Fucking crazy bitch," he muttered, his eyes angry as he glared at me.

"Come on now," I smiled. "That isn't any way to talk to a lady, is it?"

I didn't pay him a second glance, just ran in the direction of my truck in a blind need to have some alone time with my vamp boy.

*

I pulled into my driveway and moaned eagerly when I saw Charlie's cruiser was missing from its parking spot. Edward had better be in my fucking room. I ran towards the front door, opening it hastily and racing up the stairs.

I threw my bedroom door open and was met with a lean, hard body sprawled out on my bed. He had pure evil in his eyes as he gazed up at me. "Get over here," he growled sinfully.

I walked straight towards him, a twisted grin on my face and fire in my eyes as I crawled over him on the bed and pulled his hair into my fists. Hard. Really fucking hard. His whole body vibrated against me, lips parted and fingers digging into my skin as we stared at each other. We didn't need to speak, because we already knew what we needed. Mount fucking Vesuvius, remember?

A deep, humming growl escaped his lips as I straddled his legs and dragged my tongue across his mouth. He parted for me, grabbing my ass and pulling me flesh against him as our tongues twisted heavily in the air between us. I pushed myself down on his erection, moaning as I felt the solid cock I was desperate to have inside of me.

I tore his shirt over his head and crashed my lips to his. "Fuck me," I demanded, unbuttoning his pants and unzipping them hastily.

"Oh, Bella," He chuckled darkly, unclasping my jeans swiftly and sliding his hand between my legs. "You have no idea just how hard I'm going to fuck you."

I groaned as he slid two fingers inside my body, pushing so deep it caused me to rise up off his lap. I cried out loudly and crashed my forehead against his as he fucked me with his fingers. "I want your cock," I whimpered frantically, dragging my fingernails over his massive erection.

His groan reverberated through his chest as he sucked on my throat viciously. A moment later I was thrown down on the mattress, hands pinned above my head as he covered my body with his. "You want my cock?" His voice was heavy and thick with sex as his cool whisper traveled along my skin.

I closed my eyes and nodded viciously, trying to control my erratic breathing as I rubbed my thighs together. I needed to cum so fucking bad it hurt. He grabbed my thighs and spread them wide, pushing his denim covered cock against my aching center. "You want it right here?" he whispered darkly, torturing me with everything I ever fucking needed in that moment.

"Please," I begged, pulling on his bronze strands and pleading with him to end the fucking suffering.

He gripped my waistband tightly, tearing it away from my skin and exposing my saturated heat. His lust-heavy eyes met mine and his face was twisted in pain. "I can't….wait," he gritted between his teeth, diving his fingers inside of me once more.

I couldn't let him feel guilty for something that I wanted just as badly. I held his face in my hands, kissing him wetly as I looked up at him. "It's okay," I panted. "Rip yours too, just take me…please fucking take me."

His pants were down his thighs before I even finished my sentence, his fingers curling inside of me as his lips brushed against mine. "Do you have any fucking idea what you created inside of me the moment you defied Mike Newton? Do you know how fucking close I was to exposing myself and coming to you? How close I was to murdering him?"

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "How did you….fuck!" I cried out as he removed his fingers from me and slammed the head of his cock against my clit. He ran his tongue along my bottom lip before growling deeply, the sound vibrating against my skin. "I'm gonna pound your little pussy so fucking good, you'll never forget who you belong to."

I cried out loudly as he ran his cock up and down my slit. "Edward," I whimpered, teetering on the edge of control as he drenched himself with my juices.

"So wet for me," he murmured. "So fucking ready…"

He froze above me suddenly, his nostrils flaring as his head tipped to the side. "You have got to be fucking kidding me!" he spat, stilling himself against me before looking down into my eyes. "Your father is moments away," he whispered breathlessly, slowly thrusting his hips against mine.

He pulled away from me slightly and I groaned in agony at the prospect of stopping now. We were too fucking close. "You have to keep going," I begged, pulling at my hair as I heard my dad's engine shut off.

He looked at me desperately, stroking his cock with one hand and massaging my hot, wet skin with the other. I heard the front door slam. Edward tore my sheets in two, a silent roar escaping his lips. Before I knew it my back was pressed tightly against the wall, his glistening fingers sliding up my body, over my chin and between my lips. "Taste us," he murmured against my jaw, his tongue running slowly along my heated cheek. "Savor the way you taste on my cock. Fucking hold onto it, Bella. Because I'm going to be buried deep and God damn hard inside of you the very moment I'm able. Suck it off of my fingers…harder!" he growled viciously.

I heard my dad calling for me distantly over my urgent panting and desperate moans around Edward's fingers. I sucked them as hard as I could, frantic to do what he asked of me….crazed to absorb the taste of his skin onto my tongue.

He slid his fingers out of my mouth slowly and I cried out against him. "Edward, you can't fucking stop now! Please," I begged, pulling at his hips desperately and nearly crying in my need for him to take me. "I can't breathe, I need you…fuck, I can't…" I drifted off, crashing my forehead to his chest as I trembled against him.

"Bella." Edward's voice was strangled as he slid the back of his hand across my cheek and lifted my chin until I met his gaze. He pressed his lips softly to mine and looked deeply into my eyes. "We can't…"

"Stay with me," I pleaded quietly in one final attempt to keep him. "Please…"

"Bella?" Charlie called once more from the lower level of the house.

Edward's gaze penetrated mine, his frantic eyes searching for the answer. A second later my body was turned against the wall, chest pressing against the cool paint as his hand slid underneath my body and stroked my jaw. "Tell him you'll be right down," he whispered darkly, aligning his hard body with mine. I felt his cock pressing against the swell of my ass, promising to give me everything I've ever desired.

"Dad, I'm changing," my voice wavered in a slightly higher octave than normal. "I'll be down in a minute."

"Okay, Bells," he called.

Fuck yes.

Edward's fingers slid gently over my lips before he clamped his palm over my mouth. "One fucking sound, beloved, and I won't let you cum," he murmured forcefully into my ear, his tongue dragging along my neck as he wrapped my leg around his waist behind me and slid on home.

I moaned loudly against his hand, my legs threatening to give out as he pushed all the way inside of me. He held my hip, steadying my unstable frame as he gave me a few slow pumps. He pushed my hair away from my neck and whispered soft pants of air across my skin. "Remember when I fucked you in the woods, Bella? Remember how fast you wanted it?"

I moaned against his hand, thrusting my hips back and bringing him deeper inside me. He hissed sharply against my shoulder. "Well you better fucking hold on tight, because this is going to be much…much faster."

I pushed my forehead against the wall and held the arm that crushed me against him, groaning into his hand as he slammed inside of me fervently, repeatedly, inhumanly. I couldn't even imagine what it looked like, his cock pumping me so quickly it was like he never left my body. Like he was just vibrating inside me. I wanted to scream, I wanted to thrash, but instead I closed my eyes and felt his body hum in exertion as he gave himself to me not under human restraint, but as a vampire. He was letting go, he was giving into his natural instincts…and he wasn't hurting me one bit.

Quite the fucking opposite, actually.

I felt my climax building so violently I could have brought down the fucking house with the forbidden urge to writhe and scream. I resisted…just fucking barely. Edward's chest was in constant pulsation, his growling and groaning so low in his throat, only I could hear it and feel it. "Are you ready?" he whispered heavily into my ear, lips wet and tongue urgent against my neck. My nails dug into his arm as he thrust his hips against me so viciously, the frenzied slapping of our skin rang out loudly in the air between us.

I nodded fervently, his arm picking me up and slamming me down on his cock as I felt his cool liquid fill me up over and over again. I tensed, every ache and burn of my body exploding around me in a white light of rapture.

I didn't make a fucking sound.

He pumped inside of me slowly, bringing us down and removing his hand from my mouth, kissing every inch of my skin he could reach as he stroked my body reverently.

He turned me in his arms and cradled my face, his eyes holding so much more than I could ever begin to understand. "I have to leave you."

I furrowed my brow…I knew he had to, but it was fucking agonizing every time he left. Especially now. "I know," I sighed, reaching up and kissing his lips.

He pushed me back against the wall and kissed me deeply, his mouth slow and heavy against my lips. He broke away and pressed his forehead against mine, his eyes closing tightly. "I'm bound and fucking tied, Bella."

His voice was intense, agonized, tortured with something he obviously couldn't grasp. Maybe I couldn't either. All I knew was the desperation in his tone and the fire in his eyes made me feel something so undeniably real, I never wanted it to stop.

"Edward…" My voice wavered with the intensity of his name.

Knock, Knock.

"Bells? You in there?"

I lunged myself away from the wall, the pounding on my door scaring the ever living shit out of me.

And instantly, he was gone.

My body was empty and heaving and burning alive without having him on me. It was too fucking much. I ran my tongue along my bottom lip, drowning myself in the taste of him on my skin. "Yeah, Dad. I'm coming." My voice was a low whine as I struggled to come down from the overwhelming emotions I'd just experienced.

"Come out here, hon. I wanna talk to you."

I pulled my fingers through my hair, scratching along my scalp as I eased my racing heart. "Daddy, I said before that I was changing. Just give me one more minute."

I heard him walk away, muttering something about teenage girls as his work boots stomped loudly down each wooden step.

I curled up in my bed and tangled in the shredded sheets, taking hits of his scent from the fabric, and urging myself not to pass out from the heady need that was chipping away at my sanity every second he was away from me.

I could never get enough.

*

***EPOV***

"So it's the brown haired girl? The smart one that hangs out with the other smart one?"

I rolled my eyes and fought to keep my temper with my narrow minded brother. "Her name is Bella. And there's much more to her than what meets the eye…trust me, Emmett."

My cock twitched in agreement.

I buttoned the top two buttons of my black shirt, and then unfastened them again. Either I looked like a prude or a sleazy car salesman. Was there ever a happy medium? With a huff, I left the top buttons undone, running my fingers roughly through my hair.

Alice jumped on my back and giggled in my ear. "You're nervous," she teased in a sing-song voice.

I rolled my eyes and tossed her over my shoulder. She landed gracefully in front of me and called me a barbarian. "I'm incapable of being nervous, Alice," I scoffed, swallowing thickly and running my fingers through my hair once more.

Alice smiled widely and walked away with an all-knowing grin on her face. Ludicrous.

Emmett threw a heaving arm over my shoulder, and the physical contact with my family still unnerved me somewhat. "So she's the hot, brainy type? Like with glasses and a plaid skirt? Naughty school girl? Come on, bro, you've got to give me something."

My lips threatened to turn upward, but I fought the urge. How could I ever begin to explain someone such as Bella? "You'll just have to wait and see for yourself, Emmett." I shrugged out of his grip and clapped him on the shoulder before heading towards the door.

Bella was planning on driving to our home, but I wanted to retrieve her myself. There was still a gentleman somewhere deep down inside of me. Although he surely wasn't present earlier this afternoon when I fucked her against the wall. My breathing faltered as I thought back to the need that had boiled in my veins.

When Alice's vision of Mike Newton harassing Bella assaulted my mind, I'd never felt more at odds with my vampirism. I had decided then to ignore every rule I'd ever known and go to her, consequences be damned. Alice practically had to drop kick me against the wall before she got me to listen to her.

"Edward, don't be daft!" she chastised, grabbing the collar of my shirt. "You take one step into the sun and you've ruined everything for us…as well as Bella."

She had my attention.

Alice smirked and told me to just watch her mind's eye. I growled sharply as Bella gave Newton her best come fuck me look and lured him around the building. The second she verbally—and physically—assaulted him, I felt this immense amount of pride swelling in my chest. My human girl knew how to handle herself, and the sight of her telling Newton where to go made me so fucking aroused, I could barely control myself. I needed to take her. Hard and fast.

The need to protect Bella and seek vengeance on Newton still rippled throughout my body, but my lust for her overshadowed all that. She was mine…and I was going to fucking prove it to her.

I proved it to her right up against the wall. Repeatedly. Spectacularly.

It made me hard just thinking about it.

It had been a handful of hours, and I was already so desperate to consume her. I was going to taste her tonight. Drink the succulent liquid from her veins and let it warm my body and fill me with the very essence that was Bella. I was so fucking ready.

Edward?

Alice's thoughts caught me before I left to collect my most prized possession. "Yes?"

This is the right thing to do. Apart from Rose, she'll captivate everyone.

Alice giggled and covered her mouth.

Tonight will be quite an adventure.

I couldn't help but smile crookedly. "See you soon, Alice."

I waited along the tree line outside of Bella's home, smiling at the uneven pattern her heart was thumping, and the heavy breathing she couldn't quite get under control.

She was nervous as well.

I watched her through her father's eyes, her clothing accentuating the very spirit of what she was. Sweet and devious and absolutely enchanting. She wore a charcoal skirt, not short enough to be classified as mini, but certainly small enough to cause me torment for the evening. She paired it with a form fitting black cardigan sweater that clung to her breasts so perfectly I had to adjust myself through my grey dress pants. It occurred to me then that we very nearly matched in attire.

To the outsider she was clothed modestly. To me, she was dressed like the devil herself. I'd lick every inch of her flawless skin tonight.

"So you're friends with the new Cullen girl," Chief Swan speculated.

"Yeah, Daddy," Bella said innocently. "I'm having dinner with her family tonight, remember?"

Charlie heaved a large sigh as he stroked his mustache. "I remember Bells, but you seem kinda nervous. And you're all dressed up…just for dinner with one of your girlfriends? You got a crush on one of Alice's brothers or something?"

I laughed out loud at her father's inquisition, and I could smell the blush rising along her skin.

"No, Dad," she said exasperatedly. "I'm going to be late for dinner. I'll be home later, alright?"

"That's fine, hon. I probably won't be home until late. Billy and I were supposed to go fishing down at the rez, but he wanted to go to Port Angeles for some car part instead. We'll probably stop off for a few beers while we're there."

Hmm…an empty house with my beloved spread out naked before me. This dinner could not be over with soon enough.

I heard the front door open and shut and my dead heart sprang to life. I stepped into the line of sight, still off to the side of the house in case her father planned on watching her. I listened momentarily and realized he was far too engrossed in devouring an entire pizza to interrupt us. I walked to her at a leisurely human pace, allowing her to overcome each one of my senses.

Every moment she was mine was a moment of pure fucking magnificence.

I closed the distance in a blur, holding her wrist delicately in my hand. She gasped in surprise, and I pulled her back against my chest. Her body relaxed immediately. "I didn't mean to frighten you," I murmured, placing wet, lazy kisses along her jaw.

She sighed deeply, her chest rising and falling dramatically as she intertwined her fingers with mine. "I swear, Edward, it is so fucking hard to breathe when you aren't with me."

I turned her around, pulling her to the side of the house and crushing her against my body. I held her as tightly as I could without damaging her, replaying in my mind the fervor in which she spoke my name. "It's the same for me, Bella. I'm nothing…there is nothing, until I have you beside me."

"Yeah?" she questioned against my lips, her hands sliding around my waist and bunching the material of my shirt against my back. "What about on top of you?"

"Mmmm, that's what I prefer the most," I murmured, kissing her mouth gently before sliding my tongue between her lips, drowning in the taste of the girl who meant everything to me. She pulled herself tighter against me, her fingers sliding up to grab my hand and bring it over her tight ass. I smiled against her lips. "Don't start, you evil girl. I suppose you look so appetizing tonight just to torture me?"

She giggled and ran my hand past her ass to grasp her bare thigh. "I've got other ways to torture you," she whispered against my open mouth. I groaned as she slid my hand beneath her skirt. I was met with warm skin, and absolutely nothing keeping me from all I've ever desired.

I swirled her around and pressed her back against my chest as I walked her swiftly towards her truck. "Do you have any idea what I'm going to do to you tonight, beloved?"

I threw the truck door open and lifted her inside, a small squeal escaping her lips from the sudden movement. "Why don't you tell me?" she purred, looking up at me beneath her lashes and spreading her knees slightly…just enough for the scent of her arousal to permeate the air between us.

I growled deep in my throat, my hands falling to either side of her on the seat as I licked her mostly healed bite. "I'm going to make you cum until you beg me to stop," I murmured darkly, tempted to take my teeth to her succulent flesh. She exhaled unevenly and with inhuman speed, I slid my hand up her inner thigh and ghosted along the wet skin between her legs. I growled at the touch of her heat and how soaked she was for me after mere moments of being together.

I leaned down and kissed her lips chastely as she let out a breathy moan. "Behave yourself tonight, Bella. It's impossible to keep secrets from vampires, and unless you want my entire family to know you're being finger fucked beneath the dining room table, I suggest you keep your beautiful fucking legs crossed while at dinner."

"Edward," she whimpered, grasping my wrist and urging my hand further against her.

"You can be a good girl, can't you, Bella?" I whispered heavily as I pulled my hand away from her deliciously wet skin. My eyes smoldered into hers, never breaking our stare as I slid two fingers inside my mouth, tasting pure, sweet salvation. I leaned down and let my wet lips caress her ear. "I'll taste your sweet pussy on my tongue all fucking night, beloved. And I'll be devouring it later."

The next moment I slammed her door and chuckled as I heard her mutter a breathless "holy fuck" from inside the cab of the truck.

This night would prove to be an interesting one, without a doubt.

*

***BPOV***

Edward killed the engine, and it was eerily silent as he tucked my keys into his pocket. He looked deep in thought, running his fingers through his hair before letting out a large sigh. "Come here," he spoke softly.

I slid across the seat, closing my eyes in contentment the moment he encircled me in his arms. He stared at me for an immeasurable amount of time, his honey eyes sparkling and full of so many things that I hadn't even discovered yet. I couldn't stop myself from leaning up and kissing him gently on the lips. "What is it?" I whispered, running my thumb along the indent of his chin.

He picked my hand up and kissed it softly before placing it against his cheek. "Do me a favor?" he questioned, his voice so hushed it was barely even a whisper.

My heart was sputtering out of control and my stomach was twisting into knots…was it from the way he was looking at me or the impending dinner with his family?

He leaned down to kiss my lips and I knew the answer immediately. "I'd do anything for you…you already know that."

He smiled crookedly, intertwining our fingers and staring at them like they had all the answers. "I know." He was being so gentle and calm in the moment, and I couldn't understand how we went from hot and passionate to slow and meaningful in only a handful of minutes. "Bella…will you please be yourself tonight?" I looked at him questioningly, and he continued. "I don't want them to meet Daddy's girl, or the hard ass that runs with Quileute boys. I just want you…you're all I've ever wanted, beloved. And I want my family to know the real you. To see what I see, every time I look at you."

I pulled him by the collar of his shirt, twisting my fingers in his hair as I brought him closer. "Edward," his perfect name caught in my throat as I tried to work through exactly what I wanted to say. "I don't want to be anything else but yours. The only time I feel real is when I'm with you."

He pulled me in his lap rapidly, crushing our bodies together as he breathed heavily against my skin. "You will always be mine, Bella."

I dropped my head to his shoulder, ready to burst from the sheer magnitude of everything I felt in his presence. "Edward, I just…don't even know—"

"Hey," he murmured, lifting my chin until our eyes met once more. "We've got time. Remember what you told me? Don't try so hard to define it. Just embrace it." He smiled warmly at me, running his fingers gently through my hair as my breathing settled. "Are you ready for this?"

I chuckled nervously. "As ready as I'll ever be."

"It's not too late to change your mind." He picked up my hand and ran his tongue along my knuckles before kissing it wetly, causing my stomach muscles to clench tightly in longing.

"Look who's evil now," I smirked, biting his lip before crawling off of his lap. "Come on, it's time to meet the 'rents."

*

His grip on my hand was nearly painful as we entered the foyer. Immediately Alice was standing in front of us, bouncing on the balls of her feet. She let out a long whistle. "Wow, Bella. Look at that outfit. A human girl who knows how to dress…it's shocking really."

I shrugged. "Just a little something, something," I smirked as she twirled me around by the hand.

"Do you like to shop?" Alice questioned with one quirked brow.

"When I have Daddy's credit card," I winked, bumping her shoulder with mine.

She pulled me away from Edward quickly, our fingers reluctantly detaching as she rushed me away. "Oh God, where have you been all my life," she groaned, dragging me to the sofa and plopping down next to me. She picked up my hands and observed them closely. "You need a mani," she mused.

I snorted, rolling my eyes dramatically. "And you need a freaking Ritalin pill…"

It wasn't until I heard a round of soft laughter that I realized there were five other vampires in the room besides Edward and Alice. My eyes went wide and I hopped up from the couch, smoothing my skirt and fidgeting rather awkwardly. Edward's hand was on the small of my back the next moment, his fingers drawing soothing circles along my spine. "Bella, I'd like you to meet my family. Carlisle…"

Edward paused, allowing the blonde and desperately gorgeous man to my left to approach me slowly. He took my hand and kissed it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Bella."

"The pleasure's all mine," I murmured distantly, watching the way his lips moved as he spoke so graciously.

Edward cleared his throat and shot me a playfully chastising look before continuing. "Carlisle's wife, Esme."

The most beautiful woman I'd ever seen glided over towards me, her smile warm and her eyes dancing happily as she pulled me into her embrace. "Bella," she whispered like my name was sacred. "Thank you for coming tonight, honey."

I couldn't help but smile wide enough to make my face hurt. She smelled like pumpkin spice and her whole demeanor reminded me of something I'd tried to ignore for the past five years. Mother. She was a mother. I disregarded my stinging eyes and squeezed her tightly. "I'm so glad you invited me, Esme. Thank you." My voice was raspy and full of something deeper than politeness.

She went back to Carlisle, slipping her arm beneath his and laying her head on his shoulder, her eyes still not leaving mine.

"My brother and Alice's husband, Jasper." Edward's mouth was right against my ear, and when I looked up at him, his eyes were shining brightly. I turned to Jasper, who remained standing across the room. He nodded his head once and smiled genuinely. "Hello, Bella."

"It's nothing personal, beloved. You just smell so tempting." Edward's words were barely spoken into my ear but it was obvious everyone heard it from the way they smiled and bowed their heads. I blushed fiercely as he continued. "My brother, Emmett."

I recognized him from school immediately, since he was the biggest fucking guy I had ever seen. He came bounding over and stopped in front of me, rubbing his chin and observing me curiously. "Hmm…definitely naughty school girl." I heard Edward grumble behind me as Emmett pulled me into his chest and gave me a brief squeeze. "Welcome to the coven, Ms. Swan. We've got your coffin all set up for ya in the basement."

"God, I wish you would have said something, Emmett. I brought my own…it's in the back of my truck," I deadpanned, nodding towards the front door.

He stared at me incredulously for a moment before doubling over in laughter. "Well played, Ms. Swan, well played."

He gave me a knuckle bump before walking back to a vaguely familiar blonde girl who I had seen a handful of times at school. I smiled at her until I took in the expression on her face. I immediately felt like throwing some holy water on her and yelling "the power of Christ compels you!"

Edward's hands sat on my hips as he exhaled deeply. "And that is Emmett's wife…Rosalie."

She looked me up and down, the sneer never leaving her face. I chuckled softly, having no God damn tolerance for snarky bitches. "It's nice to meet you, Rosalie. Love the dress."

I enjoyed being patronizingly sweet to people who despised me for no fucking reason.

She didn't say a word to me, and I shrugged it off. Six out of seven sure as hell isn't bad.

"Rosalie." Carlisle's voice was smooth and authoritative. Everyone turned to look at him as he commanded the room. "Bella is our guest, and you will treat her as such."

She rolled her eyes before looking at me like she had a sour taste on her tongue. "So nice to meet you, Bella. Tell me, do you have any favorite pastimes besides fucking my brother and ruining the lives of perfectly contented vampires?"

My eyes widened, and my initial reaction was to tell her where the fuck she could shove it. But I looked around the room, seeing the people who could potentially be of great importance to me. People who already accepted me so willingly and I wasn't going to jeopardize that because of my hotheaded temper towards the ice cold vamp-bitch.

Carlisle and Emmett both called her name in harsh tones, and suddenly I felt a strong calming wave wash over me. Then I remembered what Edward said about Jasper's ability, and decided to just ignore the one with the giant stick shoved up her ass. "Are you working your voodoo on me, sir?" I questioned, pointing an accusing finger at Jasper.

He smiled and let out a small chuckle. "I just might be, ma'am."

I laughed delightfully at his charming southern accent. "Why I do declare," I murmured, causing Alice to throw her arms around my waist and effectively detach me from Edward's hold.

"I know right, my man is smooth," she whispered, pulling me towards the dining room. "Don't mind Rose, she's kind of at her peak when she's the most miserable."

I turned around to see the others talking harshly and quietly with Rosalie, and a pang of guilt washed through me. "I feel like shit for tearing your family up just because I'm all about your brother," I murmured despondently.

Alice stopped walking and held me at arm's length, looking at me like I had three heads. "Bella, don't you understand? You aren't tearing us apart…you're putting us back together. Edward's coming back to us, because of you. You just don't know how important you are," she whispered intently.

I felt Edward's solid body behind me and I leaned back into him, my eyes never leaving Alice's. "He's important too," I spoke softly as he turned me in his arms and gazed deeply into my eyes.

"Alice, Esme asked me to send you into the kitchen. She doesn't know if pesto should turn such a shade of green." His voice was a broken murmur, his eyes never leaving mine as he spoke to his sister. She was gone in the next instance, leaving me alone with my vamp boy.

He held his breath as he kissed me deeply, his lips squeezing mine with such fervor it nearly stung. "I'm sorry about Rosalie—"

I put my hand on his chest to stop him. "Believe me, Edward, I can handle Rosalie. Don't even worry about it. The rest of your family…" I drifted off and shook my head, trying to find the right words to describe them. "They are absolutely perfect. We're hanging out over here from now on, screw my boring house."

He chuckled, sliding his hands around my waist and pulling me against him. "Well then, I'll have to keep your mouth covered every time I touch you, Bella. There's not much that goes unheard in this house."

"Or we could outdo them," I murmured against his lips, standing on my tiptoes and kissing him once more.

Edward groaned and slid his hands down to my ass. "You are unbelievable," he breathed heavily against my neck, sliding his tongue along my bite.

I heard a harsh Jesus Christ muttered from behind me, and it was apparent to me that the ice bitch had come back for more. Before I could speak to her, Edward was standing in front of me. "Don't you fucking dare," he spat at Rosalie, shaking his head from side to side threateningly.

"Look, I was told to come in here and apologize, but I won't. You know she'll expose us, Edward. Either she'll talk or you'll drain her or you'll fuck her to death. Humans don't know the meaning of nobility. She can't be trusted."

I stepped out from behind Edward, a twisted grin on my face, because now she really pissed me off. Edward tried to pull me behind him once more but I shot him an exasperated look. "It's not like I'm gonna try to punch her, Edward. I'd just break my hand on her rock hard fucking cranium."

She growled at me viciously and I put my hands up. "Listen, Rosalie. You don't have to like me, and as far as I'm concerned, you can think whatever the hell you want about me and my "nobility." But I have no desire to discuss private matters with anyone, because it's no one's fucking business but ours. And furthermore, you've described my relationship with Edward as "fucking" twice now. Do you really think I'd be in so God damn deep if all we were doing was "fucking"? Give me a break. How old are you, like eighty or some shit? I'd say it's about time you grow up."

The next instant she flew at me, Edward catching her by the neck as she snarled and fought against him. "You won't touch a fucking hair on her head," he growled deeply, walking her out of the room by his grip on her throat.

He walked her all the way to the front door, arguing with her and demanding that she leave to go hunt. Suddenly Emmett was standing next to me, gazing over at his wife with a concerned expression on his face. He looked down at me and his features softened. "You handed her ass to her, and she needed it. I love that woman like crazy, but she's got to understand that she's not always right." He put a hand on my shoulder and leaned down closer. "Let me go deal with my lady and I'll be back for, um, dinner."

I nodded, not really knowing what to say as he left the room in a blur. As if they were playing musical vampires, Esme was the next to join me in the abandoned dining room. She smiled at me hesitantly. "I'm so sorry about Rosalie."

I shook my head, waving it off. "It's nothing. I'm sorry for disrespecting a member of the family on my first night here, but the way she spoke about Edward and I…it really aggravated me, to say the least," I chuckled, shaking my head.

She grabbed my hands, her fingers cold and comforting. Mother. I felt like crying again. "You've done nothing wrong, Bella. You had every right to defend your relationship with Edward. Don't lose your ground just because she's a vampire," Esme scoffed, flashing me an unwavering look.

I rolled my eyes playfully, nodding my head in agreement. "You say that now, but my mouth tends to get me into trouble sometimes."

Esme squeezed my shoulders and smiled slightly, her eyes full of emotion as she looked at me. "We need a little trouble every now and then. Bella, you've brought my son back to me. All I want to do is embrace the girl that has captivated Edward in such a way. You are the glue holding us all together. Do you know how special you are?"

I felt my face redden, not used to so many heavy compliments in such a short amount of time. "I just know I can't be without him." My voice was barely a whisper, and I'd never spoken anything truer. He was behind me then. I felt his body shaking before he even made physical contact with me.

Esme looked over my head sympathetically before squeezing my hands once more. "Well, I've left Alice unattended in the kitchen for far too long. Your dinner may very well be charcoal by now," she laughed.

"Thank you, Esme," I smiled softly as Edward's arms encircled me.

Her eyes danced between the two of us, and the glee on her face was prominent. "No, Bella. Thank you."

I turned to face Edward as she exited the room, his eyes full of fire and fury as he gazed down at me. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

I shook my head vigorously. "No, please don't. I don't care. I mean I get it, I'm a threat. She just doesn't understand…she has no way of knowing how much this means."

"Bella…" He hesitated, his face twisted in an emotion I couldn't exactly read.

"Hey," I murmured, bringing my hands to the sides of his neck. "I just want you, Edward. I don't care if you're a vampire or Bigfoot or the God damn Easter Bunny. I just want you…that's it."

His smile was breathtaking as he pulled me closer and kissed the tip of my nose. "The Easter Bunny?" he questioned teasingly. "You'd still want me if I was a giant, gift bearing rabbit?"

I giggled. "Yeah, pretty much."

He kissed me deeply, his tongue reaching out and stroking along my bottom lip delicately. "Hmm," he hummed against my mouth. "How do you always taste so utterly appetizing?"

"Dinnertime!" Alice called as she entered the room holding a large steaming bowl of pasta.

Edward began pulling away as the rest of the family entered the room, but I stopped him, grabbing him and bringing my lips to his ear. "You can have your dinner later," I whispered heavily, stroking the shell of his ear with my tongue.

I walked towards the table and couldn't help but chuckle when I heard him mutter "evil girl" as he ran his fingers through his hair.

*

I looked at the single place setting in front of me, observing the steaming heap of pasta piled onto my plate. I then looked around the table, seeing that every one of them was staring at me with nothing in front of them. While I knew they didn't eat, I really didn't think about the logistics of how this dinner would go. "Okay," I said hesitantly. "So you're all going to watch me eat then?"

There was a general hum of agreement around the table and I exhaled unevenly. "Are you sure you don't want me to run out to the woods real quick and find you a nice animal carcass?"

They all chuckled genuinely, Edward's hand rising up to stroke along my bite mark as he smiled at me warmly. I sucked it up and began eating as we all conversed around the table. After a few moments, the fact that I was the only one eating barely registered in my mind.

"So Bella," Carlisle said kindly, "Why don't you tell us a little about yourself?"

I felt my heart start to race as I dropped my fork and wiped my mouth with my napkin. I immediately panicked, trying to think of a way to impress him enough to make myself worthy enough of someone like Edward. But I'd promised him I'd be myself, so that's exactly what I would do. Before I got a chance to answer, however, Alice jumped right in.

"Hmm, if my memory serves me correctly… contradicted human, dark in nature, masochistic vampire lover who swears like a—hey, that very nearly hurt!"

I kicked her under the table and winced, knowing she hurt me far worse than I hurt her. "Oh please, you didn't feel a thing, vamp girl." I rolled my eyes in exasperation while she mumbled 'well that's what you get for kicking a vampire, human.' I smirked at her and Emmett started chuckling at our expense. I shook my head and turned my attention back to Carlisle.

"Anyway, there's not really much to say about me. I love reading, and I couldn't even exist without music…or Edward for that matter." My eyes flew open when I registered the severely embarrassing words that spewed out of my mouth. I felt Edward's hand on my knee, stroking it slowly as he smirked and glanced at me out of the corner of his eye.

Carlisle looked at me with a penetrating gaze, his eyes full of heavy emotion as he observed us. I quickly powered through the awkwardness before I crawled under the table and refused to come out. "Um…yeah, anyway learning comes pretty easy for me, so I like to be challenged at school. And I enjoy hanging out with my dad…it's just the two of us now so I really feel the need to look out for him, ya know?"

I started rambling and I frowned slightly as I struggled to find my way back. Thankfully, Esme spoke. "Bella, it's very sweet that you care so much for you father."

I nodded. "Well before I moved in with him it was either the diner or take out every night, it's amazing he hasn't had a heart attack yet," I chuckled.

"When did you move in with him?" Alice questioned.

"When I was twelve after my…after my mother died."

Edward linked his fingers with mine and brought my hand to his lips, kissing me gently. "I'm sorry about your mother, Bella," Carlisle spoke softly.

"It's okay…I mean, people die right? She put up a hell of a fight though. My stepdad Phil always said I was a fighter like my mom…stubborn and opinionated," I smiled, shaking my head.

Emmett chuckled. "Well I think that's already apparent. And I mean that in a good way. You gotta say what you think in this family."

I laughed. "With a psychic, an empath, and a mind reader, I thought words were unnecessary around here?"

Everyone chuckled. "She has a point," Edward said softly, gazing at me tenderly.

"Bella, is your stepfather still in your life?" Esme questioned.

I felt my stomach lurch and looked down at the table. "Um, he calls about once a year, but he's remarried to some 22 year old flight attendant. I miss him, but he travels a lot…he plays baseball…so really it's just me and Charlie. It works for us though, we're not used to having a lot of people around."

"Not like this household," Jasper said wryly.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Yeah, but you're all so different. I mean humans are so petty and self-centered and exasperating. It's a breath of fresh air to be around so many people who are just…real…and not overgrown children pretending to rule the world."

Everyone was staring at me intently, and I felt my cheeks turn red at the attention. They all seemed a little surprised at my outburst, which made my face burn even brighter in embarrassment.

"Wow, look at that blush. She does smell good, Edward," Alice mused.

I nudged her with my shoulder and rolled my eyes. The room was still silent after that and I started getting very nervous. I looked at Edward for help but just then Carlisle spoke. "Bella, you seem very wise beyond your years."

"I don't know about that," I smiled softly.

"She is," Edward murmured. "She's not just any human girl."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before reopening them, gazing back at the beautiful creature that was looking at me like I was the only person that existed in this world.

We broke our trance, and I met the golden eyes of everyone in the room, observing us thoughtfully. Esme looked like she would cry if she could. I chuckled nervously and started eating my food. "Carlisle," she murmured softly, almost too softly for me to hear.

"I know, dear," he mumbled under his breath, taking her hand in his. I suddenly worried that their little "hidden" exchange wasn't a positive one.

I liked them already, so incredibly much. I needed them to know where I stood. "Look, I need you all to know that I would never betray your trust. I don't want to get too serious and damper the mood of the evening, and I know that Rosalie thinks I'll reveal what you are. But please know that I will never do that. It makes no difference to me what Edward is….because it doesn't change the way he makes me feel….and that's freaking embarrassing to say in front of all of you, so I'm just going to shut the hell up now. But please know that I only want to be a part of it all, I don't want to shatter it."

Carlisle smiled widely and nodded his head. "You are quite the wonder, Bella Swan."

Before I knew it, Esme was behind me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. "Oh, Bella," she murmured, kissing my cheek. "I never had a doubt in my mind about your intentions, honey, so don't feel like you have to prove yourself to us. As far as I'm concerned, you already have."

After one more kiss on the cheek, she quickly took her seat next to Carlisle. Edward wrapped his arm around me, pulling me in and kissing my ear softly. "You're incredible, beloved," he whispered breathlessly.

All of a sudden the air was heavy with emotions and significant words. It needed to be lightened up before I started crying or freaking the fuck out from the overwhelming feeling of belonging with this group of amazing people. Because I felt it deep inside of me…I belonged with them.

Finally Jasper groaned. "Okay, I get it, we all adore, Bella. Now if we don't tone it down rather quickly, I may spontaneously combust from all this affection. Bella, quick, do something offensive so they ease up on me," he grinned, his eyes pleading with me in jest.

I giggled. "Jasper, I can't help the fact that I'm so naturally lovable. What can I say, I'm pretty fantastic."

"Woah, look at that big head," Emmett teased.

"That's what she said," Alice and I murmured together before cracking up obnoxiously. She brought out my inner girl, which was foreign and rather comforting at the same time.

Everyone laughed except for Carlisle, who stared at us questioningly. You could almost see the wheels turning in his head before the light bulb went off. He chuckled then, shaking his head from side to side and mumbling that his children have corrupted him so.

The rest of the dinner went….rather perfectly.

I laughed until my face ached as Emmett recounted some ridiculous stories of their past.

I squealed like the teenager I never resembled as Alice and I discussed the new AFI CD and the gothey goodness that was Davey Havok.

I asked Esme how in the world she managed to make such a delicious meal when she didn't even eat food. She explained that she may have made a few practice meals ever since she knew I was coming. My heart swelled at all the effort she put into this for me.

I begged Jasper to mess with my emotions like it was some sort of party trick. He enjoyed my reactions, especially when I chucked a breadstick at him for making me feel hot and bothered. Jasper threw it back at me and Edward caught it, pointing it at him as he spoke. "Easy, or you're going to be getting this in your throat."

Alice and I looked at each other and busted out laughing, not even having to say a word to make us laugh. "Yeah, yeah," Edward muttered. "That's what he said…are we twelve now?" He teased, the smile on his face radiant as he looked between Alice and I.

"Hell yeah!" Emmett bellowed, pounding my knuckle from across the table.

I laughed until my face hurt, and wondered how it was possible to have this much carefree fun with beings that were many, many decades old. It was even more alarming that it all felt completely natural to me.

When I was finished eating, we continued with the pleasant conversation, the fact that I was anything different than they were wasn't even a factor. I got along with them amazingly, I enjoyed their company, and it just felt…right.

As much as I was enjoying the evening, Edward and I were anxious to be alone again. It started with his fingers running along my bite mark. He brought his hand to my wrist, drawing small circles as the blood rushed through my veins. I lowered my hand to his thigh, dragging my nails up and down absently. We brought our bodies closer and closer together until I was tucked right underneath his arm, our chairs flesh against one another.

His eyes searched mine hungrily. Every minute or so he'd lean over and press his lips to my temple, and I couldn't even think anymore. We needed to go. I needed to feel every inch of his bare skin pressed up against mine. It was becoming unbearable.

Edward and I eventually made it to the foyer as the family followed behind us, but I stopped in my tracks. "You never showed me your room," I frowned at Edward, desperately wanting to see where he spent his time when he wasn't with me.

"Come back!" Alice yelled, grabbing my hands and jumping around like a damn bouncy ball. "You'll have to come back! We can show you the rest of the house, and you need to see the backyard…it's simply beautiful. Oh and we have a river a few yards into the forest. I know you're fond of the woods, Bella." Alice nudged me in the ribs and clicked her tongue against her teeth insinuatingly.

I slapped at her shoulder and immediately turned beet red. Edward chuckled behind me, rubbing his hands up and down my arms. "Alice, I wonder how a tiny person like yourself manages to have such an enormous mouth."

Everyone laughed, murmuring their agreement.

"Alice, I'll come back tomorrow if you somehow discover a way to filter your thoughts before they exit your mouth. Cool?" I smirked at her teasingly, but my eyes were shining. I had a friend who was a girl, and I liked her. Immensely. I never thought I'd see the day.

She hugged me securely for several seconds before pulling back and beaming at me in excitement. "I make no promises, human. But you will come back tomorrow." She tapped her temple knowingly and stuck her tongue out to prove her point.

I chuckled and slipped my arm around Edward's waist. "We'll see, vamp girl."

I said goodbye to Edward's family, everyone apart from Jasper hugging me and whispering their thanks. Rosalie still hadn't returned, which was good because I honestly didn't feel like putting up with her shit anymore tonight. One thing was for certain, I'd be around now, and either we were going to squash this shit or I was gonna throw down with the vamp-bitch. Only time would tell.

After another round of goodbyes, Edward walked me to the passenger side of my truck and lifted me inside, his hand lingering on my upper thigh as he snuck in a quick kiss. A moment later my door was slammed and he was seated next to me in the driver's side.

He started the truck and turned the heat on. "Are you comfortable?"

I nodded and he continued to sit there, staring at the dash of the car.

"Are we hanging out in the truck tonight?" I asked playfully, running the back of my hand along his chiseled jaw.

He caught my hand, kissing it once before entwining his fingers with mine. "How…how was it?"

I laughed because he seemed nervous, which was a little redundant considering what was done was done. "It was great," I began, trying to find the right words. "I mean, it was a little weird. Sitting at a table with you, holding your hand, conversing with your family…it was a little too normal for us."

"Normal?" he scoffed. "Is it every day you sit with a table full of vampires?"

I laughed. "No, but so far we've pretty much just been alone. And when we're alone, we never hold back because we don't have to. Being with you here, like this, it's so normal…do you know what I mean?"

He nodded. "I do." He looked at me an instant longer before speaking again. "And what of this normalcy? Do you like it? Do you want more of it?" His voice was low, his eyes penetrating me like my answer was the most important thing in the world to him.

"I liked the normal," I whispered, bringing our hands up and running his along my cheek. "I like both. I like the intensity of being alone with you, of touching you. And I like holding your hand in front of your family and spending time with them. I want it both…and it's really fucked up, because I'd never imagined that normal would be something I'd want."

"It's still not normal, Bella," he smiled crookedly at me. "We'll never be normal."

"Do you think we can have both?" I murmured, staring at him with wide eyes across the seat. "Can I spend time with your sister, and bake with your mother, and joke with your brothers…and still have you like I do now?"

He pulled me across the seat quickly, his mouth crashing into mine. He exhaled unevenly and pushed his forehead against mine. "You can have absolutely anything you desire, beloved."

"What do you want?" I questioned softly.

"You," he said simply. "I'll never stop wanting you. Bella, I can't tell you what it elicited inside me tonight, watching you interact with them…especially how you spoke about…us. The way you put yourself out there…it was just astonishing. It's as if my family was a puzzle, and it's a perfectly fine puzzle, but there was always a piece that was missing. The puzzle would never be complete without that one, magnificent piece. It's you, Bella. And every single fucking one of them—apart from Rose—knows that. You make me feel…"

"What?" I whispered breathlessly.

He sighed and looked me straight in the eyes. "You make me feel like I belong with them."

I groaned and kissed him deeply before scooting back to my side. "You're going to make me cry again, Edward. I fucking hate crying."

A small pout formed on his face. "And why do you cry because of me?"

"Because you're my missing piece…and you make me so unbelievably happy I can barely fathom it. Now take me home and do dirty things to me before I start talking about kittens and rainbows and shit."

He chuckled heartily and slid his palm over my knee. "As you wish," he whispered softly.

*

Just as we turned onto my street, a shrill ringing noise sounded from Edward. I watched as he pulled a cell phone out of his pocket. "You have a phone?" I asked incredulously.

He smiled crookedly before flipping it open. "Yes, Alice?"

His smile immediately fell as he listened to his sister on the other line. "I see. Thank you for letting me know."

He slammed his phone shut and ran his fingers viciously through his hair before parking my truck on the street a block before my house. "What's wrong?" I questioned.

He looked at me warily and I hated seeing him look so defeated. "Our future seems to have disappeared underneath a dark cloud."

One of my boys.

I immediately wondered if it would be Sam again. I tried calling him several times earlier in the day before dinner with the Cullens, knowing that we really needed to talk about everything. I kept getting his voicemail and finally left a snarky message.

Sam, just because you have big fucking paws and a furry God damn tail doesn't mean you can ignore me.

I immediately felt bad about it, because I had been a complete hag to each one of the guys. I'd just been so overwhelmed since Edward came into my life that I'd been neglecting my friends and the enormity of all this supernatural bullshit. Part of me just wanted to stay in my bubble of lust and need that Edward captivated me in.

Real life can be a son of a bitch.

"They're at my house now?" I questioned.

"I can only assume," he said hesitantly. "Bella, I…I can't just leave you. Their temper is so uncontrolled. I know they're your friends, but hurting you would not be done intentionally by them. I'll at least have to stay nearby. Do you understand that?"

I nodded. "I do understand. You've told me they're unpredictable, and I believe you. And I'm glad that you aren't being a giant douche and forbidding me from seeing them or some shit." He looked at me hesitantly and I continued. "I know I need to stay away from them for awhile or whatever. And that's cool…but if one of them is here now, and so are you, then it shouldn't be an issue, right?"

He kissed the back of my hand. "Bella, I don't own you. And do you really thing I'd dictate your actions and live to see another day?" I laughed and he went on speaking. "I trust you to protect yourself, to recognize when you need help. The word trust has never meant a thing to me before you came into my world. But if they ever harm you….even unintentionally…I won't be able to ignore that."

I tugged on his hand and groaned. "Let's not worry about things that haven't happened. Come on…come with me. "

"You want me to come with you?" he asked in a surprised tone.

He killed the engine and was at my door immediately. "Yeah," I smiled, throwing my arms around his neck. "I'm going to singlehandedly make peace between the vamps and the wolf boys."

He grabbed my thighs and pulled me out of the truck, wrapping them around his waist briefly before sliding me down his body. "If anyone could do it, it would be you," he murmured against my neck.

I kissed him with a slow stroke of my tongue before grabbing him by the hand and pulling him along. He palmed my ass and growled deeply into my ear. "How long do you think this will take?" he whispered, his cool breath against my ear sending shivers down my spine. "I haven't had my dinner, and I'm quite ravenous."

I felt a wave of arousal pool between my legs and my eyes closed tightly. Christ, I wanted him. "Patience," I murmured, grabbing his chin playfully.

"Fuck patience," he growled.

I laughed because it was only days ago that I was saying the same thing to him. "Oh how the tables have turned," I chuckled.

Edward laughed quietly next to me but it immediately ceased once we walked around the trees next to my house.

My breath caught in my throat as my eyed drifted to the front stoop. Jake sat on the top step, his posture defeated and his eyes red as his hands trembled in front of him. Two lines of wetness trailed down his russet cheeks, and my heart clenched in pain.

Because this wasn't asshole Jacob trying to get in my pants. This was my friend Jake who was supposed to be a happy, goofy, sweet kid….

And he was broken.

*

*


Awwww…poor little Jakie. Okay, theories anyone? Let's hear 'em!

How did you like the dinner? Did it go as expected? Come on, I wanna know what you think!

Chapter 8 may be posted a little later than normal. I MUST get the SaDT EPOV Epi done…and am denying myself of writing more Bitey boy until the task is complete. Yeah, so I've been putting it off cuz I don't want it to end. I know, I suck. But it's on its way, I promise!

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Until next time, my lovelies!