Chapter ten. Hope you all enjoy.
Kim sat across from Jared in the crowded steak house. He had ordered what she thought was a whole cow. Their fellow diners cast them curious glances. One rotund man had even complimented Jared on his ability to put away so much food while still having a completely flat stomach. A fact that also amazed Kim.
During dinner Jared bombarded her with questions about herself.
"What you you like to paint?" He asked curiously when she told him about her hobby.
"Landscapes mostly."
"What inspires you?"
"La Push. The rain. Anything and everything." They held hands over the table with some difficulty. Jared`s mountain of empty plates were staked between them.
"What music do you like?"
"Depends on the day. And my mood." She said knowing that Jared wouldn`t be satisfied with her answer.
"What would you listen to now?"
"Maybe some Cranberries." He pondered that.
"Linger?" He ventured. Kim blushed.
"Bingo." She smiled down at her empty plate. On cue the waitress came and cleared away everything.
"Would you like to see the desert menu?"
"Yes please." Kim answered. She felt like something sweet. She ordered the cheese cake. "Can I get a coffee with milk as well?"
"Of course."
"The same for me." Jared said.
"You know you are unbelievably cute when you blush." He began to massage her palm with his thumb.
"You know you are unbelievably cute all the time?" She countered. He looked smitten with that.
"You too."
"Are you having fun?"
"Of course I am. Why would you even ask me that?" He kissed the inside of her hand.
"I dunno. I guess I just want you to have fun."
"You don`t have to worry about that Kimi."
"Yes I do. I want you to have a good time with me."
"And I am."
The waitress arrived with the coffee, cake and the bill. Kim wasn`t surprised that it was so expensive. Jared had probably ran through the entire stock of meat they had in the kitchen. She was glad that she had the good sense to bring the money her father gave her. Kim pulled the fifty dollars from her purse and placed it on top of the bill. Jared saw this and shoved it back into her hand.
"No girlfriend of mine pays for dinner. I`m paying. I invited you." He put his money down and pulled the bill away from her.
"But Jared it`s so expensive. It`s not fair that you have to pay for it all."
"It is fair. I ate a lot. So just leave it." She knew he was done arguing. She ate her cake in silence and sipped her coffee. Jared was watching her.
"I`ve upset you."
"No you haven`t. I just feel bad."
"Don`t worry about it. Are you finished?"
"Yep. Thanks so much for the dinner." When they stood up to leave Jared gave Kim a huge kiss on the mouth.
"Mmm. You`re welcome."
"So what now? Romantic walk?" Kim asked.
"Making out?" Jared said waggling his eyebrows.
"Romantic walk coupled with making out?"
"Sounds perfect."
They left the restaurant and walked hand in hand down to the pier. Other couples strolling along like them hand in hand. The salty air was refreshing after the dinner. Kim was reminded of what she had wanted to ask him before.
"Jared?"
"Yes."
"When you changed into a werewolf. Was that when you suddenly noticed me?"
He took a while to answer her. Like he was weighing his words carefully.
"In simple terms than yes. But there`s more to it. Werewolves have a way of finding their perfect match. Imprinting we call it. It`s supposed to be rare but..but yes. When I looked at you for the first time after I changed I imprinted on you."
"And you noticed me before? And don`t lie." Kim had to know. Even if it hurt her. Again he took his time answering.
"I had never looked at you in that way before. But I had noticed you. I knew your face."
"But you thought my name was Karen." She felt the old bitterness come back.
"Please not this again." Jared groaned.
"If you hadn`t of changed then we wouldn`t be here together. If you weren`t forced to love me you wouldn`t even know I exist." The tears were fighting their way to the surface again.
"I am not forced to love you. Nothing can force love Kim! My spirit has always loved you, and yours mine. If I hadn`t of changed then maybe it would have taken a little longer but it would have happened anyway."
"You sound so sure Jared." The tears started to escape. Jared wiped them away and made Kim look into his eyes. She could see only pure love there.
"Love at first sight Kim. Only stronger. Way stronger. We were born to love each other. Believe me Kim, I am never this sentimental or emotional with anyone. Never with any other girl. You are the one that these feelings belong to." He kissed her softly wrapping his warm arms around her.
"What if you imprinted on someone better and forgot about me?" Kim sobbed harder into his chest. Jared clutched her tightly.
"There is no chance of that happening. I belong to you and only you. Please believe me."
"I just love you so much. I always have. I`ve tried to like other guys in the past but it`s always been you. But I was the girl you never noticed. How I wished I could be like those Forks girls. The ones that you dated. You could never know how that felt Jared. And I am not saying this to hurt you."
"I know you are not. But lets forget about the past and focus on our present. Yours is the only face I see now. No bimbo could ever in a million years replace you. So please, be happy." Jared pleaded this.
"Sorry Jared. I ruined tonight again." Kim wiped away the remaining tears and tried to smile up at him.
"That`s my girl." He kissed her forehead and wrapped his long arm around her shoulder. They strolled down to the bottom of the pier. Kim let the salt spray cool her face. Jared wrapped his arms around her from behind so she wouldn`t get cold.
"Why are you always so warm Jared?"
"Does it bother you?"
"No. I thinks it feels wonderful. I was just curious."
"It`s one of our defenses I think. To counter act the bloodsuckers."
"Cause they`re cold?"
"Yes exactly that."
"This is nice. Maybe the best night of my life." Kim sighed. Jared turned her to face him.
"It`s just getting started Kimi." He bent down and kissed her again, this time with more urgency.
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