Author's Note: "Like Night and Day" has been nominated for a Wolfpack Award in the category of "Favorite Jacob (rated M/NC-17)." I'm incredibly excited about this! I knew I loved my Jacob for a reason... Anyway, please go to . and vote for my story!

**

I found myself feeling happily nervous once again as I waited for Jacob in my room that night. I was starting to make peace with the unfair reality that, at least for the time being, Jacob would be battling for my heart. I sighed. He really was too good for me. But he wanted me, and we were both happy when we were together. We were good for each other — why would I stop that just because I had memories of my first love?

Besides, I had made the decision that I would try to move on with Jacob, and I was nothing if not stubborn.

I barely registered a soft knocking on my window before he was against me, holding me close to his bare chest. I smiled at his speed, so unlike the awkward, clumsy Jacob I remembered when I first moved to Forks.

"I missed you," he whispered hoarsely, kissing the top of my head. We stood there in silence for a few seconds before he released me and plopped down onto my bed, sprawling back with a grin on his face. "Great news, Bells! I don't have to patrol again until tomorrow morning. That means we can hang out all night if you want."

"That is good news!" I exclaimed, "Because that means you can get a whole night's sleep." I moved to sit next to him on my too-small bed. "You look really tired." My fingers traced the dark circles under his eyes.

He reached up and gently took my fingers in his large hands, bringing them to his lips to kiss each fingertip. I shivered with the sensation. My heart ached slightly as my body responded to its selfish desire, but I shoved that feeling aside. There was nothing wrong with this.

I snuggled against his side, shushing him quietly as I got comfortable. Tonight was one of Charlie's rare overnight shifts, and he hadn't left yet. We whispered softly about school, the pack, and plans for the weekend until we heard Charlie call a gruff goodbye from the foot of the stairs.

"Good night, Dad, be careful," I shouted back before turning to Jacob with a grin on my face as I considered our entire night of freedom. He immediately rolled to his side and began smothering my neck with warm kisses as I giggled and attempted to push him away, listening for the patrol car to leave our gravel driveway.

Jacob's playful kisses began to turn into something else as his lips lingered softly on my throat and his hand began to trace circles on my lower back. I squirmed away, meeting his eyes for a moment.

"I meant it, Jacob…you're going to get some sleep tonight. I don't even know how you manage, with school and patrols and everything. I haven't had to run every night for hours, and even I am having trouble maintaining my G.P.A. lately!"

Jacob rolled back onto his back, avoiding my eyes. "Yeah, that's something I wanted to talk to you about, actually…" He looked uneasy. "I…uh, well. I'm not going to school anymore," he confessed.

I sat up swiftly and glared at him. If I could have growled at him, I would have. "What the hell, Jake? You're what, a sophomore? Does Billy know about this?" My voice was rising along with my temper. "How could you be so…you have to…OH!" I didn't know what to say. Tears sparkled in my eyes, as they did every time I became angry. That made me even madder, and I stood up to put some distance between us.

Jacob sat up, his eyes flashing with irritation. "Actually, my dad does know, and he's fine with it. We both agreed that keeping La Push safe from vampires was more important than geometry — at least for the time being." He raked his fingers through his shaggy hair angrily. "I was hoping you wouldn't react like this…that you'd understand. I'm not quitting for good, Bella. Only until we figure out what's going on with the red-head and things calm down. But even so, you know that I'm not really the scholarly type — I'd rather go to technical school or just get my GED. Whatever, so maybe I can open my own garage someday."

I was stunned. He did have a plan — I couldn't deny that. And when I saw him staring at me, his irritation quickly dissolving into a look that practically begged for me to understand, I knew I wouldn't be mad at him. My werewolf boyfriend gave new meaning to the term "puppy dog" eyes.

I sighed and settled next to him once again. "Sorry for overreacting, Jacob. You have a lot on your plate right now, and I can appreciate that. I can't even begin to understand how hard it's been. If you and Billy agree —"

"And the rest of the pack," he interrupted.

"Yes, yes…if they all think this is the best thing for you, then I can't argue. Doesn't mean I don't wish you were still in school though," I told him, poking his bare chest with my finger, feigning annoyance. He smiled, because he knew I wasn't angry anymore, and wrapped me up in his warm embrace.

***

As much as he tried to stay awake, nuzzling and kissing me sweetly, Jacob couldn't fight his extreme fatigue for long and soon he was snoring softly in my ear, my forehead against his chin and his arms around me. I wished I had left the window open to let the chilly spring breeze flow through my room. It was steaming hot enclosed in his limbs. Freeing myself from his clinging arms took several minutes, as he kept gathering me back against his skin the moment I thought I could slip out of bed. Finally, I shoved away from him as he grumbled in his sleep and walked to the window, wiping perspiration from my brow as I did.

I shoved the pane upwards, welcoming the cool air that caressed my skin; feeling especially freshened in those spots where sweat had begun to bead. I sighed contently and my thoughts flickered to other times when cool caresses had felt so welcome, but as quickly as I let them in, I shut them down again. The reverie was broken, and I turned to rejoin Jacob.

As I did, I caught the slightest bit of movement in the corner of my eye. Something or someone had darted into the brush next to the Johnson's house across the street. I gasped without thinking and immediately regretted it as I heard Jacob stirring. It was probably only a dog or raccoon, and I didn't want to disturb Jacob's much-needed slumber.

"Bella?" his sleepy voice called to me.

"I saw something moving outside, but it's probably nothing…go back to sleep," I soothed, returning to his side. He propped himself on his elbow and ran a hand down my side to rest on my hip. The moment felt strangely comfortable, as if Jacob belonged in my bed, bleary-eyed and adorable.

"It was probably Quil," Jacob said, yawning. "He's on patrol around here tonight." His hand slid slowly up and down my hip and I was aware of his eyes roving my body. Despite my misgivings, I felt a thrill of excitement and my heart rate increased. I knew he could tell.

His eyes continued to burn into mine as I stammered, trying to think of anything to distract myself from the growing warmth in my core. Soon he'd be able to tell that I was aroused. "So, um…is there any new gossip among the pack?"

He grimaced slightly and his hand stopped moving. "Well, other than the, err…complications that are arising with Leah's recent transformation, most of the talk has been about, well…you."

"Me?" I asked incredulously.

"Well, you know that with the pack mind, nothing can really stay hidden, and…let's just say that they're all very happy for me," he said, waiting for my reaction. I was silent for a moment before my eyes widened and I choked.

"Holy crow! The whole pack knows about us, don't they? I mean, they've seen what's in your head…what happened."

He grinned mischievously and took my hand. "What, Bella…what happened?" I blushed crimson and he kissed both of my cheeks softly, chuckling. "I hate to say that it's something you'll have to get used to, but…" he trailed off.

"I'll have to get used to it," I finished for him with a sigh.

He started rubbing my hip again. "Well, I'm certainly getting used to this," he murmured, leaning toward me to softly brush his lips against my mouth. He smiled lazily at me as he pulled away. "And don't worry about the pack knowing. It's the least of their concerns right now."

"Right, you were saying something about Leah?"

Jacob's eyes darkened. "She's not making things easy for us," he explained. "Leah…she's very bitter…not that she doesn't have every reason to be… Did you know that she used to be with Sam?"

I inhaled sharply, surprised. I couldn't imagine Sam with anyone but Emily. "No, I didn't."

"They were high school sweethearts. Well, until he met Emily. What's worse is that Emily has been close to Leah her whole life. They're cousins."

My resentment of Sam flared again. I was angry for Leah. "How could he?" I whispered.

Jacob looked uncertain. "Bella, there are a few aspects of being a werewolf that you don't know about. It's too complicated to get into now, but I promise I'll tell you someday soon." His eyes avoided me.

"As if Leah wasn't enough — we've got so many new wolves right now — we're having to work with them on their control as we're making our rounds trying to find that female. It's distracting," he said, sounding frustrated.

"New wolves? You mean Leah, Seth and Quil?"

"And Collin and Brady, too. They just started phasing last week. They're really young, so they need a lot of direction. It keeps Sam busy, and the rest of us are picking up the slack."

"Wow. That makes…ten?"

Jacob nodded, looking off into space for a moment before focusing back on me. "Can we not talk about the pack anymore? Every moment of my day is about being a werewolf, and I just want to relax with my girlfriend for a few hours." He pulled me to his chest, sighing sadly. "I need you right now, Bella."

My heart ached for him. He had to grow up much faster than he ever should have. I mourned the sweet, innocent Jacob who had walked with me on the beach — that Jacob had perished months ago. We held each other for several minutes in silence, two incomplete people who craved that closeness.

He was the first to break our embrace. His eyes were grateful as he gently cupped my chin in his large palm and bent down to kiss me. The moment his soft lips melded to mine, he sighed against my mouth and I could taste his sweet breath. I parted my lips to savor pure Jacob, running my fingers through his still-ragged hair as I did. My heart pounded in my ears as I felt his hands running down my sides and around to caress my stomach. My breath hitched as his fingers hooked under the bottom of my tank top and he raked them against my skin as he pulled my shirt up to the bottom of my bra.

I held my breath and he stopped. "Is this okay?" he murmured as he nuzzled my jaw with his nose. "Do you want me to touch you, Bella?"

His husky voice was making my body quake in anticipation, but I wanted to set some boundaries before we let things get out of hand again.

"I do, Jake," I breathed in his ear. "But I don't want us to get carried away, you know what I mean?" My body was screaming at me to shut up, because his caress set my skin aflame and I craved more, but I was trying to be fair to him and to me.

I could hear the smile in Jacob's voice as he whispered, "Tell me whenever you want me to stop." He tugged a little more firmly on my shirt and I surrendered to him willingly, letting him pull it over my head. I heard an intake of breath and saw him staring at me, a shadow of shame across his features as he looked at my bruises. I glanced down at them and back at him.

Kissing him on the nose, I murmured, "I'm fine…in a weird way, they're a reminder of our date, and I wouldn't change a thing."

Smiling sadly, he tossed the cloth aside and held my waist with his huge hands, kissing me passionately.

When we broke apart, he grinned at me devilishly, rubbing the flesh above my hips on either side gently. "You're so tiny," he chuckled, his hands following the curve of my hips up and down. "I just want to cover you in my arms so nothing breaks you!"

"Yeah," I laughed, "that's exactly what Edward always used to say…" I realized immediately what I had said and my hand flew to my mouth, my eyes wide. Jacob looked as though he had been slapped. I didn't know what to say, so I just stared at him in horror.

After a moment, Jacob huffed and pulled me close to him again, holding me almost uncomfortably tight. "Well, I'm the one saying it now," he said quietly, his voice fierce. "That's what counts." I answered his hug with one of my own, but my face burnt red and I berated myself for the slip. I thought I felt the slightest vibration of a growl in his chest, but it could have been my own trembling. Suddenly, he fisted my hair and leaned down to attack my neck with his lips. Nipping and licking, he set my skin on fire. I felt utterly possessed by him.

"Oh God, Jake," I cried as he sucked and bit my earlobe, growling softly and tickling as he did. I could feel my resolve crumbling as warmth pooled between my legs. I could hear him in my ear, inhaling deeply, greedily, as my arousal became apparent to his heightened senses.

I squealed as he swept me up from my spot near my pillow and set me gently on the bed, hovering over me like a warm Jacob blanket. I wrapped my legs around his waist and lifted my hips against him as he met my lips with his own. The gentle wind from the window tickled my bare stomach as he slowly moved down my body with his mouth, pausing to kiss my chin, my throat, my collarbone. I loved the feel of the refreshingly icy cool breeze against my skin. Yet, my body was drawn to the fiery heat of Jacob's body. It was such a strange sensation, wanting both at the same time — each sensation made the other more intense.

Jacob's warm fingers brushed my upper arms to my shoulders as he moved to push my straps down.

My bra slipped lower to reveal my nipples and Jacob went to work on them, nuzzling his nose against one tightening peak while brushing the other with his fingertips. I moaned and arched against him as he licked one softly, darting his tongue back and forth against the sensitive nub. I ran my fingers through his hair, pushing his head toward my body as I did. He was breathing hot against my skin as he tickled my nipple with his tongue, suckling it harder as I responded with gasps.

He looked up at me, his eyes dark with desire, his chest rumbling. "Do you want me to taste you, Bella?"

My chest rose and fell. "Yes," I breathed as I nodded. "Please, Jake…"

He moved his hands down my stomach and I lifted my hips so he could slide my pajama bottoms down. My heart pounded as he began to trail kisses along the bottom curve of my breast before moving down. I felt his tongue against the skin of my stomach. He stopped to circle my navel with the tip of his nose, and then pushed himself up so he was face-to-face with my most intimate parts. They were glistening wet for him.

Jacob stared at the dark region between my legs for a moment, a look of wonder on his face. It had been very dark the last time we had been together, so I knew he was truly seeing me in the light for the first time. I blushed lightly. He ran his fingertips along the creases of my legs and my breath hitched. Slowly, he brought his hands to the warm, swollen folds, pulling them apart gently and placing a chaste kiss on my sensitive clit. He inhaled deeply, murmuring "Mmm, so sweet." His tongue darted out and lapped at the wetness. I nearly crawled up the bed as my hips bucked involuntarily. He tickled the sensitive nub with just the tip of his tongue, his eyes watching my face for my reaction. When I threw my head back and cried out, he laughed breathily against my core.

Lifting his head for a moment, he ran two fingers up and down the slick skin, stopping to let them swirl around the throbbing button before moving down so they were at my entrance. He pushed his fingertips in and I gasped.

"Look at me, Bella," he hissed firmly. I locked eyes with him as he slid his large fingers into me fully, hitting my barrier and, without hesitation, breaking through. I cringed and held my breath at the first spasm of pain and Jacob stopped what he was doing.

"Are you okay, honey?" he whispered hoarsely.

I wanted him to keep going — the desire was much greater than the pain. I nodded, and said, "It feels so good, Jake. Just…start slow…" He slowly pulled them out and I took a ragged breath before he slid them back in. The pain lessened. "Aah, aaahhh," I moaned deep in my throat as he began moving slowly in a rhythm — in and out, in and out. I was so wet, they slid easily. It felt pleasant and after several minutes, it began to feel amazing again.

My hips moved against his hand, seeking out more friction. His hands began torturing me with their slow, steady thrusting. I wanted more. "Faster, Jacob…oh, please…faster."

He responded immediately with a soft snarl. I moaned his name softly, deeply, and he bent down to continue working my clit with his tongue as his fingers plunged rapidly into my slick center.

I felt that familiar urgency in my belly and I grasped for it. As the warmth spread across my body, I grabbed Jacob's hair firmly in one hand and my other one slid up to squeeze my breast, pinching my nipple gently as I started to tremble in anticipation. I began to make involuntary "ooh" sounds in my throat as I felt the first throbbing waves take over, until I was consumed by a heat that had every nerve in my body tense deliciously, but also had me feeling utterly weak. I could feel my muscles clenching around Jacob's fingers. He devoured my sex, his nostrils flaring as he savored every drop from me.

I pulled him to me for a kiss, not caring that my own essence shone on his lip, mingled with the slightest tinge of blood. I didn't hesitate at the slight rusty flavor, because the flavor of Jacob overpowered all others. Our tongues danced around each other, and I reached for the button of his shorts. The muscles of his stomach contracted as my fumbling fingers tickled him, but soon I had his fly down and was working frantically to tug the denim over his rear.

"Let me help you with that," he chuckled breathlessly, pushing them down while I reached for the elastic of his boxers. He was incredibly aroused, and I took a quick breath in when I finally saw his erection. It was impressive…and intimidating. Jacob was big everywhere.

I kissed him softly as my fingers grazed up and down his length. His growls grew louder, and he grabbed my hands to stop me.

"If I hurt you, Bella, you need to stop and tell me," he pleaded, desire apparent in his eyes. "I spoke to Sam about my reaction, and I think I know how to control it, but this is all so new."

"I've never done this either," I murmured, silencing him with a kiss and continuing my stroking. I looked down to stare at my hands working on his imposing manhood and saw a drop of liquid glisten at the tip. I wanted to taste it, to take him in my mouth, but I had no idea what I was doing, or what might feel good for him. I just acted on instinct. Quickly, I bent down and licked it off, tasting him for the first time. I don't know what I was expecting, but Jacob tasted much better than I anticipated – salty and slightly tangy.

I licked him again at the tip and heard him groan. Taking a deep breath, I slid the head into my mouth and Jacob hissed, squeezing my shoulders where his hands rested. It turned me on and I moaned against the skin in my mouth. He responded with another groan. Slowly, I took more of him in my mouth, an inch at a time, until he hit the back of my throat. I stifled a gag, and wrapped my hands around the base so he would be stimulated at every inch. Moving back to the tip, I scraped him gently with my teeth and he gasped. Mmm, he liked that! I started to bob my head, sliding him in and out of my mouth, stopping to swirl my tongue around the head, using my teeth occasionally.

Even though it was my first time at this, it was apparently good; Jacob was responding with grunts, tangling his hands in my hair and thrusting gently with his hips. Every few thrusts, I would answer his growls with ones of my own, vibrating my throat against him.

Soon, Jacob became quiet, except for the constant rumbling deep in his chest. I looked up at him as I continued to work his erection with my mouth. He had his head back, his eyes squeezed shut. His arms and legs were rigid and he seemed to be holding his breath. I knew he was close to his orgasm and was trying to concentrate so he wouldn't lose control, but I wanted him to relax and enjoy what I was doing for him. I didn't think he would lose control. I reached up, running my hands across his chest, and murmured, "Jacob?" between licks.

His head rose and he met my eyes. I nodded at him and took him deeper in my throat than before, not breaking eye contact. He began trembling, his hands on my head tugging my hair firmly. His eyes were dark and his face pulled back in a snarling grimace as his hips began to buck more vigorously. I relaxed my throat as much as I could and kept my hands firmly on the base to prevent him from thrusting too deeply. He started pushing my head down with every thrust. My eyes watered as I whimpered around him, aroused and a little bit scared.

He quivered more violently from head to toe before he finally roared, pulling my hair roughly and shoving his hips into my face. I suppressed another choke as I felt warm spurts of fluid hit the back of my tongue, swallowing it quickly and pulling back to lick any traces off of the tip as his member throbbed against my lips.

He had been a lot rougher than I knew he wanted to be, but in a strange way, it made me even more excited. There was something so sexy about him reacting to his primal impulses, and he hadn't hurt me this time.

Even so, his hands were immediately on me, stroking my arms, shoulders, breasts, seeking out any sign of injury. I giggled quietly. "I'm fine, Jake. I'm more than fine, actually." I swiped the tears that had collected in the corner of my eyes quickly, smiling at him sheepishly. His relief was palpable, and his whole body relaxed. He crushed me to his chest as we both came down from our encounter, our heartbeats racing together.

I was just about to pull him to me for a kiss when a frantic howl broke the sound of our excited panting. Jacob stiffened, his eyes widening and his nose twitching as he snapped his head toward the open window. Another howl sounded. He turned to me to utter a panicked, "Bella!" and then he was gone.