Okay...Chapter ten, as promised. Please please please review!

(Bella's POV)

That was all it took for him. He pushed me onto my back and I gladly complied. My legs gently fell to either side of me and I looked up to him. His breathe hitched softly. So quiet, my new sense of hearing almost missed it, I heard him whisper 'beautiful' over and over as he gazed at my body. He lowered his mouth to plant careful kisses on my legs, my stomach, everywhere but where I wanted him to be. I sighed. I didn't like this carefulness in our intimacy. It made me feel so…human. Something I didn't want to pretend I was anymore. I growled at him softly.

"Don't be so gentle, Edward. I can handle you, I promise." His expression changed from one of concern to excitement. As if he was just remembering…I was unbreakable. He chuckled a bit.

"I had no idea you liked it rough Bella." I could tell he was joking. I had no idea what I liked yet. I did know that I liked whatever he did to me.

He pressed his body into mine again. I could feel his length resting on my stomach. I sighed. My patience was wearing thin.

"Edward, please…!" I moaned and arched into him.

"Bella…I love you…are you sure you're ready for this?"

"Yes, I am…I love you too…I want this…with you, only with you." My words sounded like a mantra as he finally prepared himself to enter me. He slipped his hand back down between my legs, stroking me again. Getting me ready for him. I couldn't help but be excited. I had wanted this kind of intimacy with Edward for so long that it hurt. Every time he touched me, I was reminded of how he would not touch me. I vaguely remembered feeling rather rejected the several times I had tried to push his boundaries as a human. He had said it was for my own protection, and I did believe him, but it didn't soothe those feelings.

But now, I was getting exactly what I had wanted. It proved to only cement my love for him. I was abruptly pulled from my thoughts as he carefully entered me. He went slow. Too slow. I slid my hands down to rest on his rear, pushing him forward, encouraging him. He smiled at me and I was drawn in by his piercing eyes as they made contact with mine. He held my gaze as he settled into me, and I adjusted to him.

"Alright, love?" He whispered to me, pausing his movements.

"Yes, Edward…don't stop now…please." He smirked at me and drew himself out slightly before thrusting back in with new fervor.

"I had no intentions of stopping…" He trailed off into a moan as his hips met mine. I let out a satisfied moan to match his. He began to quicken his pace as I let out intermittent gasps and whimpers of pleasure. Letting out a groan, he stopped suddenly, his breath ragged and eyes wide.

"Edward, are you alrig-" I was cut off by his searing kiss. I moaned into his mouth, trying to express my displeasure for his stopping. Before I could say another word, he had flipped me onto my stomach, my legs dangling slightly over the huge bed. He was inside me again, picking up the pace he had left off at. My mind was dizzy, but I had no objection to this new position. It was like he was filling my body in a completely different way. I screamed his name in pure ecstasy, ripping up the sheets of the bed as I struggled to keep myself grounded. I lifted myself up to meet him again and again. His pace was unbelievable, even for a vampire. If I was human, I surely would have been split in two by now. I smiled to myself, he really was treating me as an equal now, not holding himself back.

"Harder, Edward…I'm so close…" I could feel the familiar sensation from earlier building up inside me again. Coiling like a spring, ready to explode. I wondered if he felt it too. He answered my unspoken question.

"Oh, God…Bella, so am I." He sped up even more and drove into me three more times before I felt my muscles tighten, my second orgasm washing over my body. I screamed out his name, lurching forward slightly at the force of his movement. I felt Edwards' release right after mine. He collapsed on top of me leaning over me to whispered in my ear.

"I love you Isabella…so much." I smiled and flipped our positions. I now straddled him, still connected, looking deep into his amber eyes. I leaned down and pressed my forehead to his, whispering to him.

"I love you too, Edward. And that, by the way, was absolutely amazing." He chuckled and lifted his hands to rest on my hips. "What was with the ah…sudden position change?" I questioned him with a hint of amusement. He looked back at me sheepishly.

"Well…I don't really know. I just felt so overwhelmed. I wanted you in every way all at once." His lips turned out the crooked smile I loved and I laughed softly at him. "Did…ah, did you like it?" He suddenly seemed uneasy.

"Are you kidding? It was fantastic. I can't wait to see what else you have in mind for us." That brought his smile back and he sat up, pulling me to sit on his lap.

"You want to find out right now, love?" he crooned into my ear before flicking his tongue against the lobe. I smirked, grabbed him by his shoulders and pulling him into another breathless kiss.

I wondered briefly if the Denali sisters could hear us from their cabin on the other side of the property. Then I realized they probably could, and that I didn't care. Making love with Edward was unbelievable. Like no other experience I'd ever had in either of my lives. I would never get tired of his kiss, his touch, his wonderful body. And he was mine. We had claimed each other in the most basic and instinctual way, but it felt more right than anything else ever had. Our first night as lovers continued on in absolute bliss. I didn't know how long we were at each other, but when the first hints of sunlight sparkled through the pines outside our window, we both decided that we should make ourselves presentable to our hospitable hostesses.

Just as we had finished pulling on fresh cloths and trying to make our room look somewhat respectable, we heard a knock on the front door. Edward made his way to answer it as I was pulling on my left boot. As soon as he opened the door, a wave of new scents hit me all at once. First, and most prominent, was that of Kate's. She smelled like rosemary with a distinct woodsy aroma. I inhaled and picked out the scent of pines and a herd of deer in the forest, not far off. Then I zeroed in on one I wasn't expecting. This smell was different. Bad. Wolf. I scowled as I walked to meet Edward at the door. His expression was similar. I looked at Kate, and her nose was wrinkled as if she'd just smelled sour milk.

"You um…you have a visitor Bella…" She trailed off, turning to look off too the east of the cabin. In the distance, I could make out a hulking shape among the trees. Jacob. He was barely visible, even with our superb eyesight, because of the space he had put between himself and the cabins.

"We tried to tell him to leave. That this was private property, but damn, is he stubborn! He refused to go until we agreed to let him see you. Stupid dogs…" Kate ended in a mutter, turning to Edward. "Sorry, Edward…if you need us, we'll be out hunting…probably all day, until that awful smell is gone…" With that she gave us a weak smile, turned on her heel and ran to join the tiny figures that I could only assume were Tanya and Irina almost a mile to the west. Then I looked up at Edward, his face was tense, the scowl replaced with a look of concern.

"You don't have to speak to him, Bella." He gripped my hand. "I can go and take care of this. I will make him leave you be if that is what you wish." I thought for a moment. As much as I was angry at him for the horrible things he had said to me, I still loved Jacob, even the slightest bit. I had long ago forgiven him for accidentally attacking me, but it seemed easier for all of us for me to keep up the façade of hatred. I knew we could never be friends now, and to be truthful, I was still ashamed that I had left him for Edward without a second thought. I hadn't even apologized, or given any kind of explanation. Part of me knew that he knew. That he expected me to turn tail and run back into Edward's waiting arms if he returned. Maybe that was why he was so anxious and angry when he arrived at my house that fateful day. He had caught Edward's scent. He knew I had spoken to him. And he knew it was over. I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. I had made my decision. I would talk to Jacob, one more time. Set things straight, apologize even. Then hopefully, he would move on and we would both have peace.

"No, Edward…It's okay. I owe it to him, to talk…just one more time…" He looked down at me, incredulous.

"Bella…how can you? After the terrible things he said to you?"

"I know…but, I realize now…that I left him…without any kind of explanation. He deserves that much from me." I looked down, unable to keep his gaze.

"What he deserves is nothing less than what he did to you, Bella." I felt his fists clench and release, speaking through gritted teeth.

"No. If you let yourself lose control and kill him, then you're no better than he is." Did I just say that? I felt like I was betraying both of them at the same time. Edward only nodded silently.

"I'm going to do this. At least see what he has to say." With that, I took off east towards the forest edge, where Jacob was waiting. Edward caught up with me in two quick strides and grasped my hand. I smiled up at him.

"Don't worry…you've already won." He smiled back at me and pulled me closer."I know, love…I just don't want him to hurt you anymore. Words are powerful things." Nothing more passed between us as we made our way slowly to Jacob. He was standing against a tall cedar, arms crossed against his grizzly chest. His face was a carefully maintained mask. He was trying to look intimidating, I thought. It might have worked, had I still been human.

But now, fear was not the most prevalent emotion that coursed through me. I stopped in front of him, twenty feet or so away, making sure to keep a good distance between us. He kept his eyes locked on me, not even glancing to Edward.

"He's trying to block his thoughts from me…this ought to be interesting…" Edward whispered to me so fast his lips barely moved. I had heard it clearly, but I knew Jacob had not. A scowl settled itself on his face.

"So, Jacob. What do you have to say to me? It had better be good, and quick…you're embarrassing me in front of our hostesses." I looked at him sternly. Not unlike the parental looks Renee used to attempt to give me. They had always failed. Jacob scoffed.

"Who? Those annoying leech bitches? They'll get over themselves." Edward growled softly, I could tell he did not like Jacob insulting those he considered to be family.

"Do not insult our friends, Jacob…just say what you came here to say." A new look of resolve came over him as he retrained his eyes on mine. Then his face faltered. His thoughts must have betrayed him, because before he had time to speak, Edward let out a snarl next to me.

"You will not lay one hand on Bella, you unimaginable bastard. Not while I have breathe in my body." He had taken a protective step forward, and I immediately wondered what had transpired between them mentally.

"What the hell? How did you- ?" I had almost forgotten, Jacob did not know about Edward's special ability. He collected himself quickly and continued. "It's not your choice to make, parasite." Jacob seemed to sputter out the words, still confused over how Edward had known. "Bella would never consider it…" I was annoyed now."Consider what Edward?" He inhaled sharply before looking back at me.

"Jacob wants to kill you, Bella." My eyes widened a bit. I was sure my mouth hung open in an unattractive fashion. Before I could answer, Jacob cut me off.

"I don't mean it like that…I just wanted you to know there's another option, Bella. You don't have to be a monster like him. I could end if for you." I stared at him, disbelieving.

"I'm not sure I understand here, Jacob. Are you threatening me? Or offering to help me commit suicide?" Edward had taken his place beside me again, slipping one arm around me, pulling me close. The contact felt good, because at that moment, I felt utterly disconnected from everything else.

"Bella…just listen. I know you don't want to be this. You don't want to kill innocent people. I know you. You are…or at least, you used to be a good person. I don't want to see you become a monster like them." He gestured briefly at Edward. "I'm the only creature besides another bloodsucker that can end your life…if that's what you want to call it. I would make it quick, Bella. You wouldn't feel anything. You wouldn't have to live like this…" Now I was livid.

"For you information Jacob Black…we are not 'monsters'…" I made sure to use the plural, including myself in his definition. "We do not kill innocent people…we don't kill people at all! And maybe you should have thought about all of this before you decided to rearrange my organs!"

My breath had quickened and I felt Edward clutch me tighter, trying to comfort me. Jacob exploded at me.

"Damn it Bella! I've already apologized for that! There was nothing I could do. What more do you want from me?!" I took in a sharp breath, trying to compose myself before speaking. I would have to be harsh. I would have to break his heart.

"I want you to leave me alone, Jacob. I don't want you to 'end my misery', I don't want anything from you. You've done enough damage. I don't love you. I don't ever want to see you again."

I instantly regretted my words as I saw his face fall. His eyes did not meet mine when he responded.

"I know you don't anymore….but did you even love me when we were together?" Was he a masochist? Did he want me to break his heart even more? I let out a resigned sigh. This conversation had not at all gone in the way I had hoped it would only minutes before. But that was before he had offended my family and offered to kill me. My voice was calm now.

"No. I didn't. I never loved you like you wanted me to. You could never hold the place in my heart that Edward does. I loved you like a friend…a brother even, but never a lover. I only agreed to date you to get you off my back, to make Charlie happy. That's all." I knew I had hurt him, but he didn't let it show on his face. Edward remained still beside me, his face a stoic mask.

I took another breathe and continued.

"You deserve someone who can love you fully Jacob. I could never do that. Someday you will imprint, and your love for me will only be a memory. I am sorry. I'm sorry I lied to you, and I'm sorry things had to end so badly between us, but in truth Jacob, you gave me what I really wanted. I wanted this life. I wanted to be able to be equal with Edward, and in a roundabout way…you made that possible. Thank you for that."

Jacob had retreated a bit into the forest, but he turned back to me.

"I'll just ask you one more time, Bella….is this what you really want. Is he what you really want?"

My answer was simple and sure.

"Yes." He sighed and turned his back on me.

"Fine then. I'll leave now. You won't ever have to see me again, I promise." With that, my former best friend had taken off into the forest, several moments later, he exploded into a cloud of fur and was gone.

Gone.

Forever.

I couldn't help but shudder at the sudden sense of loss I felt. Then Edward pulled me tight against him. I let out a tearless sob into his chest.

"I'm so sorry, Bella. I didn't want you to have to go through that." He held me close and rubbed soft circles on my back. And I let myself be lost in his scent. In the feel of his touch. Realizing that I wasn't about to move any time soon, He lifted me up into his arms and cradled me, walking us slowly back to our cabin. He laid me down on the couch in the living room, sitting down at my head. I scooted up a bit and rested my head on his thighs.

"That was so awful. How could I be so heartless?" I looked up to his waiting eyes. His fingers intertwined in my hair. I couldn't quite place the emotion that was playing over his face.

"No, Bella…he didn't exactly make this easy on you. God…when I heard what he was going to suggest to you in his head…I didn't know if I would be able to keep myself from ripping his limbs off…" The hint of anger in his voice began to fade as he continued. "But then I thought, only for a fraction of a second, that maybe what he was offering would be what you want." I was a bit shocked.

"Edward…did you really think I'd rather be dead than be with you?" His lips turned down and his he closed his eyes.

"I didn't think you'd want to be with me like this…I forced you into this life, Bella." I sat up and faced him, placing both my hands on his cheeks.

"I'm going to tell you this one more time, Edward, so listen carefully. I. Do. Not. Blame. You. Okay? I love you, more than anything. I wanted this life. Did you not just hear me tell Jacob that? I would give anything to be with you. Forever. The only way I would have ever accepted Jake's offer was if I didn't have you." I stared into his soft amber eyes with my crimson ones. I seemed to drive the point home. He took my hands from his cheeks and held them.

"I love you too, Bella…but I think it might take awhile for me to forgive myself." He looked away from me and I sighed.

"I know." I cuddled up to him in the leather sofa and rested my head on his chest. Not a moment later, I felt his cell phone vibrate in his pocket.