~Maybe I underestimated the things I need to say and will go slightly over 15 chapters, but not too many. Couldn't help myself, another long one and I'm sorry I took so long, RL started back this week. On with the story...

Copyright disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight.

Chapter 12 Promises

When she finally made it to their little group, Jacob listened to the responses as the shock wore off.

"Wow, leech...I don't know what you think you're doing but I can show you the door," Paul barked eliciting a growl from Jake. They got along much better than the old days for his sister's sake, but he wasn't going to let him so blatantly disrespect her.

"Paul," he warned.

Bella pretended it didn't bother her. "Hi Paul, I see you haven't changed. I'm here for Jacob, this is a public place...try and show me the door and I'll send you through it."

Paul stepped in and the two of them both stood their ground trying to prove to the other they weren't intimidated.

Thank god for Seth, because he distracted everyone with his glee. "You look so pretty, Bella. How have you been? I missed you." He eagerly gave her a hug, sure he'd be the only one to welcome her like that but at least it was something. Seth was always so fond of her.

"Okay, it's good to see you too."

She looked to Jake, he smiled and she did the same. Seth continued talking, "It's nice to see you and Jake made up. I didn't know you two were friends again."

Jacob had waited long enough without touching her. He opened his legs and pulled her closer. She stepped in very close to his barstool and he embraced her without completely letting go.

"Thanks for coming," he brushed back her hair and kissed her face.

Then it really clicked with the rest of them.

Seth said, "Oh."

Quil got stuck on his and sounded like, "Oooooo."

Paul calmly stated, "Oh shit."

Jacob bravely stated, "Things have changed, I wanted you all to know, but we don't need your permission. Like I said before, Bella's with me."

Paul held up his hand and asked for another round.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Later, Sam...it can wait. You know Bella's safe. Let's all enjoy ourselves and we'll hash out the serious stuff later."

"Screw you, man...this was supposed to be our weekend and you pull shit like this for shock value," Jared had never gotten so in your face with him.

Bella nuzzled closer into his neck, "I should go, I knew this would happen, but I didn't want you to think I stood you up."

"No, don't go. Guys come on, everybody needs to chill," Seth stood up for them.

Jared walked away, Paul and Sam turned their backs and tossed back their drinks.

"Wow, I knew it...well not that it was her, but didn't I tell ya that Jacob was boinking a married woman and no one believed me. See you guys always try and make me out to be the dumb one. Who's the smartest cookie now?"

"Lower your voice, idiot."

"How's that work?"

Jacob shook his head.

"No, I mean it...how's that work with the wolf? I want to know."

"Thanks for your concern. It works just fine, Quil but don't you have women to scope out? Bells and I have a couple of things to talk about."

He needed to get rid of him before his questions got any more personal. They would and he knew it but he'd never give details, that was just for the two of them and only them.

Jacob placed another kiss to her cheek, "I'm so happy you're here. Did I tell you that yet?"

"No, not verbally, but I can tell," she rubbed her finger over his lips. "You haven't stopped smiling at me the entire time."

His phone buzzed in his pocket

dammit...has Paul finally found a way to get drunk? Tell me his hallucinating and u r NOT with that bitch!

"Really, you already had to tell her?"

He shrugged and the first of Embry's predictions had come true.

Rachel sent another one.

i'm telling dad

Seriously, were they eight years old? She was tattling as quick as she could.

Second prediction. He didn't care, they could all harass him nonstop. She was with him and he couldn't stop looking at her. Nothing was going to rain on his parade.

"Mom says the council's meeting in the morning first thing. I thought you should know," Seth tapped him on the back.

"Huh?"

"Yeah, Old Quil is calling everyone."

"Why? What?" Jacob estimated she had been standing against him for 8 minutes. He wasn't their alpha by any means, but he shouted. "All you fuckers put your phones up and quit gossiping. Jesus."

Quil, Paul, and Seth all slipped their devices back in their pockets.

Old Quil his ass.

He lifted her face and gave her the first kiss on the lips of the evening. "It's fine, it's actually funny."

"Yeah, it's a damn laugh riot," Paul was still paying close attention to everything between them even though he kept his back to them.

"I tried to stop Leah but she's almost here," Seth added. Oh yeah, he'd forgotten her for a second, not one of Bella's biggest fans.

"Leah's coming?"

"It's fine, yeah we invited her."

"What about Eagerly, she hasn't dropped by yet?"

"No, I'm hoping she changed her mind."

"No, that wouldn't do. I've been practicing what I intend to say to her."

"Bells."

"Don't worry, you can trust me."

Jared finally got their attention. Turns out he wasn't just being rude as hell, he'd procured them a booth which were difficult to come by. They moved their little, unhappy party to the table. Maybe he should feel a little bad for springing her on them, but there wasn't an easier way to do it.

Paul made a point to say he wasn't sitting by her so Bella slid in on the outside spot next to him only. She was trying so hard to be friendly. She asked Seth all about college and of course, he went on and on about his girlfriend. She asked Sam how the garage was doing but he only gave one word answers. Quil seemed to get over him being with her almost as fast as Seth. He did most of the talking. Bella tried to engage Embry in a conversation but he was back on his phone again with his imprint. Jacob nudged her.

"We should dance."

"Um, yeah, I guess."

"She's here," Seth informed them but Jacob already knew.

Leah waltzed over, her nose must still be pretty good, to find them first off. She looked at all of them one by one. "Did I miss something? What is this fuckery you asked me to, Black?"

"Good to see you too."

Seth jumped up and gave his sister his seat.

Bella gave her a friendly wave and said, "Hi." Leah always made her nervous even after she changed.

"Yeah, apparently Jacob forgot to give any of us the memo that he's banging a leech. Welcome to the La Push pack reunion party." Paul slammed a glass in front of the former she-wolf and she picked it up and slurped it down in two gulps.

"Hot damn, I almost went home because I was tired, but I wouldn't miss this for the world." Leah tagged a waitress for another drink.

"If it's not too personal, how's Edward?"

"What? Leave it to you to ask that, Seth. Who cares, Bella's not with him anymore."

"Yeah since like yesterday," so Embry could still speak.

"What do you mean by that?" Sam's alpha tone rattled over the music. "You knew?"

Embry should have kept his mouth shut but instead he told them he what he thought. "Since Jake keeps to himself most of the time, we had no idea but this has been going on awhile and she still wouldn't leave her husband, but according to Jake; she did it yesterday. That's why he ditched us."

He was ten seconds from pulling her away and leaving with her. They didn't need all that shit, but Bella surprised him, "I know none of you trust me and that I hurt Jacob. I betrayed you all in a way after you sacrificed everything to protect me. I'm sorry, but Embry's right, I did just leave but I'm not going back and I'm done hurting him. If Jacob wants me around, then I'm staying."

"No offense, lady but your word means nothing to us," Leah told her as she polished off the second glass.

"Fine, then you'll just have to wait and see."

Sam slammed his hands down, "I'm not ever going to condone this."

"I'm not in your fucking pack."

"Because of her and her..." he didn't say it or Jacob would've ripped the table out of the floor. He didn't allow any of them to discuss Renesmee.

"Do you want to go outside, Sam...so you can really tell me how you feel?"

Bella pulled his arm, "Don't."

The two dominants continued to stare each other down. Jacob always knew he could dethrone him if he would've wanted it. He would have Sam in submission within ten minutes if he went outside with him.

"I thought I was supposed to be here to find some booty, come on Em...these fuckers are crushing my mood."

"I imprinted."

Thank you, Embry Jacob thought. Now they could stop talking about him and Bells for a second.

"What?"

"You're joking."

"To who?"

"Right now?"

"No, you idiots...a few weeks ago, to Brady's cousin, Samantha."

Bella whispered, "Avery, just walked in."

"Who's Avery?" Leah wanted to know.

"Jake's assistant that thinks he wants to fuck her tonight but he brought Bella instead," Quil filled her in.

"See it just keeps getting better, damn I miss you guys. Drinks and the theater," Leah said in her worst British accent. "This is fuckawesome."

He didn't go out of his way to wave her over and she didn't have the acute senses to seek them out immediately. He saw another girl that was obviously her sister and Quil was correct, she was pretty damn hot, not that he cared anymore. Bella was hotter. He wasn't sure but another girl was following them but she looked like she was totally out of place. Maybe she wasn't with them.

Quil got his attention. "Jake, I know what you said, but look at her."

"Really, man...please don't. That's too much woman for you."

"Huh? No, not her...look at the girl in the red beanie." Bella looked over her shoulder.

"Oh, she's cute."

"I know, and she's tan...I bet she's Native American, grandfather would be happy about that."

The whole table took notice of the girl he was eyeing. Quil was right, even in those lights they could all see her darker complexion and Jacob could see pieces of jet black hair sticking out from her cap.

Freaking Quil, ignoring the bombshells for the awkward school girl and in the weird getup. She had some sort of red and black plaid skirt with a black turtleneck and her legs were covered in some black long underwear looking thing. He thought his sister always called them leggings.

"So, can I Jake?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Well, I think she's with your assistant."

"No way, I think she just walked in at the same time."

"Are you serious? Out of all the ladies in this joint, that's what your drooling over?" Paul passed his hand over Quil's face to try and get him out of his trance.

"Don't start, because if you insult her and we end up married, it'll always be weird with us."

"Married? You're insane. I didn't say anything derogatory just...never mind."

"Well, I think she's beautiful and she's got a nice body, right?"

"How can you tell? The only skin she's showing are her ear lobes," Jared remarked.

"Quil," Bella patted his hand. "I think she looks sweet and a woman doesn't have to show all her skin to be attractive. She saves that for her special guy when they're in private."

Jacob's hand went under her skirt so he could rub her thigh. He was proud of her for keeping her dignity when they'd all given her a hard time and now she was helping his friend out.

Quil got Paul and Embry to let him up. He waved to Avery, the moment of truth had arrived. She walked over and introduce her sister, Anison.

"Oh, and this is Jen, her roommate...sorry none of my other friends could make it."

Avery already had her eyes on Jacob, she didn't know what was going on under the table or that the woman sitting next to him was with him.

"Hi, I'm Quil Ateara."

Jen took his hand and giggled, "Quil, that's different and call me Jenny. Avery always tells me it's too juvenile but that's my name."

"Jenny, I love it and yeah, long line of Quil's. We're all Quileute, except for her," he pointed to Bella.

"Oh awesome, we're neighbors." Quil took over and introduced her to everyone by name.

"So really, how close?"

"Makah reservation."

"Great, I get up that way often to stretch my legs."

She laughed again, probably thinking he was exaggerating.

"Do you want something to drink?"

Jenny said she didn't drink alcohol so Quil insisted he wasn't a big drinker as well. Seth made the suggestion they all get Shirley Temple's, he was sick of the alcohol even though he only drank two drinks with them. Jacob watched Quil lead the sweet girl away to get them all their virgin specials. He breathed a huge sigh of relief. He'd been worried about him, but picking Jenny out of the crowd was right up his alley. He couldn't believe the luck.

Avery was pretty bitchy when she apologized, "Sorry, that girl's so strange but my sister feels sorry for her, we had to bring her."

"No, not at all, my friend seems to like her well enough."

"So is there any room, can we have a seat?"

Bella stood up, Avery made the move like she was going to take her spot.

But she grabbed his hand and guided him up with her, "Sure you can have our spots, we're going to dance."

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't catch your name, are you one of the wives?"

"Bella, I'm Bella she wrapped one arm tightly around Jacob's waist and extended the other to shake her hand. Avery had a very pained look on her face, he knew she was applying too much pressure.

"Um, I'm confused."

"About what, hun?" Seriously, he'd never heard Bella call any other girl a pet name.

"Um...Mr. Black, I thought you were single. I didn't know you had a girlfriend."

Bella grabbed hold of him with both hands after that comment.

"Well, I don't talk about my private life at work."

"Oh...sure, it's just, I thought."

"You thought what?" Bella cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Nothing, how long have you been together?"

Bella looked up at Jacob. How long had they? That was a good question.

"A long time," he leaned down and kissed her softly right in front of Avery.

He wanted that to be all of it, but Quil was waving his arms like a maniac while Jenny appeared to be headed to the ladies room.

"Can you wait one more minute and then I'll take you up on that dance, I promise."

"Sure babe, hurry back."

He didn't want to leave them alone for very long but everyone else was back at the table, it should be fine.

Quil had to gush about how this girl Jenny was perfect and she'd already given him her number. She was in her last semester of school. She was going to be a teacher and she was moving back to the reservation, but if they didn't have openings, she was also applying at the Quileute school.

"Can you believe it? Sounds too good to be true."

"Yeah, I think it's a sign man."

"I know."

"Well I have to get back to Bella."

"About that, you've always given me support and if you love her, then it's none of our business or the tribe's, it's only between the two of you. I'll do my best with grandfather. And she's always going to be hot, so that's a plus." Jacob gave him a hug and told him how much that meant to him.

Jacob had been trying to listen for Bella's voice, so as he approached, he got in on Avery telling Bella her eyes were really weird, "What color are they?"

"Some say, amber." Bella had behaved so well, but she couldn't help herself, "Your breasts are really gigantic, who's your doctor?"

"Alright...let's go, gorgeous," he pulled her to the dance floor but both could hear Avery complaining to her sister.

"That was rude."

Then Leah agreed, "Yeah, she's a little bitch, but seriously who's your doctor?" Even Bella laughed despite being called a bitch.

He didn't have to worry about the secretary any longer. He saw her and her sister leave their booth and head to the bar where they captured the attention of a whole row of patrons.

Jacob pulled Bella flush against him body but frowned at her, "What? I was good. She called me weird." They started an effortless movement to the music.

"No, she said your eyes were weird and you have to admit, they're different."

"Well, weird's impolite."

"Yeah, maybe so," Jacob couldn't hold back any longer, he gave her a more suitable kiss than all the pecks they shared.

He lifted her up and spun her around, she smiled and laughed until he leaned over and kissed where her neck and shoulder met.

"I remember," she sighed.

"Yeah, so do I; only tonight, you're staying with me."

They swayed slowly to the music completely ignoring the fact that the song was uptempo. "I have to find another hotel someone complained about the noise and I had to pay for the things I broke. I left in a hurry, mildly humiliated, but I really did give them his credit card info."

"My hotel is nice, way nicer than the place you were at. I planned on you coming back with me."

"But the guys are staying there."

"Yeah and we just suffered through an hour of their bullshit so I could be out in the open with you. I have my own room. It isn't any of their business."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive, but I did promise them we'd go one more place tonight. It's more of a guys' place. We'll probably shoot pool and play darts and then I'll meet up with you around one. Is that alright with you?"

"Of course it is. I've totally crashed your guy time already. But I don't want them to be even madder." Jacob picked her up again and spun her around.

"Is that the only move you have?"

"Baby, you know I got plenty of moves."

"Yeah, but I meant some we can do in public."

About that time the song changed, it had a little more Latin flair. She pushed his chest away but he quickly returned, grabbed her and spun her around. Jacob pulled her arm up high over their heads and caressed her skin as he pulled his hand back down. He knew with her enhanced abilities she could do about anything she set her mind to. She turned around and faced him and slowly scratched down his scalp and then stepped over his thigh. The two of them participated in a series of movements that sent a jolt to his happy place. Only she could make it seem like he was having sex with her fully dressed, but that's how she made him feel. She turned around and backed into him again.

"Careful, don't get too excited," she teased.

He growled and nipped at her earlobe. "I want you right now," he rubbed her bare legs on both sides and pushed her skirt a little higher each time, but she slapped them away and went back to her dance to taunt him a little more.

Maybe he should go back to the room with her sooner rather than later. The guys probably were going to all tell him to go to hell anyway. They might not even want to go with him.

Sooner than he wanted, the song and the dance ended. She pulled him by the arm so that they could check on their group. Bella quietly asked if she could speak with Leah alone, but he didn't think that was a great idea. Although, she acted more amused than pissed since she'd gotten there. It wasn't like both of them couldn't take care of themselves and he wasn't going to tell her what to do, that was her previous life. She would soon see just how different he really was from her ex.

Jacob motioned for them all to give Bella and Leah some privacy. Last thing he heard was Leah say, "This ought to be good."

"Are you all ready to switch gears? There's a biker place, nice people, different crowd."

"She's not going is she?"

"No, Dickhead...but she's staying with me at the hotel, so let's get that out in the open right now. I don't need any of you banging on my door and you," he pointed to Quil. "I know your room is against my wall, so don't."

"Don't what?"

"Just don't."

Embry finally spoke up for him. "No matter what you think, I've had a good time and I appreciate you doing this for us. I think I speak for everybody, concerning that. If you have your heart once again set on her, who are we to argue?"

"Thanks."

"It's obvious the way she's stared at you all evening she isn't playing games. I still don't know how it's going to work, but you're determined like always."

So basically it was three on his side and three still dead set against it.

"This has implications for the tribe," Sam again added his unwanted opinions.

"I don't even live on the reservation anymore."

"Will see what the chief and the council has to say, don't forget who you are to the tribe. The treaty still exists, she isn't allowed on our lands."

"Fine, do you guys want to go or not?"

They all agreed. Quil was hard to pry away from Jenny but the two of them had exchanged numbers. She made the comment she loved how warm he was when he hugged her goodbye. Avery and her sister barely acknowledged them.

"Your girlfriend's very beautiful. I guess you don't want me to say anything at work since you don't speak of her."

"Nah, you can...it isn't like she's going anywhere. As a matter of fact, one day soon Bella's..." she came up behind him.

"Bella's what? What am I going to do?"

"Never mind, we'll talk later. Bye Avery, see you at work."

"Yeah sure, Mr. Black." Her face and her chest appeared to deflate but at least now she knew the truth, that he'd never pay attention to her.

He slipped a room key between Bella's fingers when they got outside and told her the number. She kissed him goodbye and promised to be there. For once, he felt like he could believe everything she said to him and it was an amazing feeling.

Jacob quietly knocked since it was pretty late. Bella soon pulled open the door wearing one of the hotel robes. Her hair was up on top of her head and she said she'd just gotten out of the bath. She had a long soak. His mind rewound to the afternoon they'd spent together in her room but he was determined to try something different.

She walked into his arms and gave him a welcome back kiss fit for a year long journey abroad.

"Are you hungry?"

His hands roamed south to her perky butt. "Always."

"I meant for food, I'll order you room service while you get a shower. You need to wash the bar off."

"Are you saying I stink?"

"No, but I only want to smell us in this room."

He agreed, "Surprise me, because I need some fuel, so order a bunch." He'd already warned the guys they were on their own ordering when they got back to their rooms. Quil had confessed to charging a snack to the room in the afternoon.

He enjoyed a long hot shower, but he needed to think of other things other than her being in his bed and his bathroom just a few minutes before. Her scent still lingered in there mixed with some botanical fragrances. He was determined to not go in there and pounce on her. They still had things to discuss and he again reminded himself their night was going to be different.

Eventually, he had no choice to take care of the problem so maybe he'd be able to concentrate. He tried to be quiet, but she could probably hear. At least, it didn't take long. He only had to picture her straddling his thigh on the dance floor and how his hands roamed up her legs and bingo, he was there after a few quick tugs.

He brushed his teeth and combed his hair before slipping on the matching robe. It fit even if it was going to come open on his legs as soon as he sat down. When he walked in the room, she had two things to say, "Food will be here in thirty minutes...I was more than willing to help you out."

"Thanks and I know, but I really wanted to talk."

"Oh, the dreaded talking rule."

"Yeah, we skipped over a lot of important details because of that shit."

"Sorry."

He had to know before he got started with his confession what in the hell did she and Leah have to say to one another.

"It was girl stuff, can we leave it at that?"

"Sure, but I didn't know you were so chummy."

"We're not, but once when you were running a perimeter check while we were expecting the Volturi, she and I got some things out in the open. I needed to tell her I was finally going to fulfill a promise."

"Okay, is that all you're going to share?"

"For now."

"So, she's okay with us?"

"She's accepting, unless I break my promise and she also had some insight to my father, but I'll cross that bridge another time. You're my first priority."

"What happens if you break your promise?"

"Um..I believe it was even if she no longer phased, she'd see to it the rest of them decapitated me and she would burn me in her fireplace." He growled, that was never going to happen.

"It seemed fair to me."

"You're coming home with me aren't you, Bells?"

"Yes, but Jacob we have to talk about something."

"What?"

"Children."

"What about them?"

"You know I can never give them to you and you deserve them. I think the tribe expects you to have an heir. That's what Sam was referring to."

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes it does, you love children. Your whole face lights up when you talk about Wyatt. I'm certain Rachel and Paul would never allow him around me."

"Fine, we'll adopt. You were a great mother, so many kids need a good home."

"I can't do that to a child, it would be too confusing."

"Then don't worry about it. I only need you."

"Being a mother was something I never knew I wanted and now that it's been stripped away, I ache for it everyday. I don't think at only 24 years old, you're able to make such a decision without regret."

He put his arm around her, "I'm sorry that I never got to hold you and help you when you lost her. I wanted to comfort you at least once. How are you doing really?"

"I...I miss her and I knew you did but I couldn't let you. It made it hurt even more to think about you holding me while we remembered her. Edward says I spend too much time at the old house."

"Do what you need to do to grieve, it's not his choice."

She said she felt conflicted in the beginning using her visits to Renesmee's garden as a cover for their liaisons. "She was supposed to be your intended, not me. What kind of a terrible mother does that?"

"We already discussed that once. Now that you've witnessed Quil, you know I wasn't making it up. The imprint doesn't have to be romantic. Also, you were never terrible and Ness wanted us together." There he'd said it out loud.

"What do you mean?"

"The letters, she wrote it in mine. She and I discussed it at length. I can show you when we get home. She knew you and Edward had something missing. She made me promise to take care of you and to make sure you wouldn't always be sad."

"She did?"

"Yeah, and I promised. Of course I thought I was lying to keep her happy, but she was always smarter than the rest of us."

"You're right, she was. So we're not betraying her memory?"

"No, we're honoring it," he'd been rubbing the skin on the back of her hand the whole time they talked on the bed.

"Jacob," she moved a little closer.

"Yes."

"Even though, you already know the truth, it's time I say it," she grabbed his face and stared into his obsidian eyes. "I am so in love with you. I don't even know when it started, I feel like it was there all along just like you said. It just got stronger and stronger, but I refused to admit it to anyone even myself."

He froze, he watched her lips move as he felt like he slipped just outside his flesh and hovered above the room. You sneaky bastard, I'll never understand you, he chastised his wolf in his head.

"Your silence is a little frightening, am I too late? Is it enough?"

"No, you're not too late. It'll always be enough," he leaned over and sealed their commitment with a searing kiss to her cool lips and his hands reached up to the top of her head and freed her hair from the bun it was in. He only pulled back enough to encourage her, "I love you too, as long as I live. I cannot stop loving you. You have no idea how hard I tried."

She slipped her small hand inside his robe where it gaped open and rubbed the smooth skin of his chest until a knock a the door halted the beginning of something.

"Food."

"Yeah, you want me to get it?"

"No, I don't want any man getting a peek."

Jacob opened the door and accepted the tray and signed for his late night snack.

He regretted ordering it since it had interrupted their moment. Bella helped him pull what she'd ordered out of a container...chili cheese fries with jalapeno and ranch. Yum, his girl knew him so well. She lifted the first fry to his lips and he chewed and swallowed. He grabbed another handful and ate some more. If she didn't look so happy to watch him, he would've felt guilty.

"Hey, come here I want to try something." He pulled her mouth to his again and opened so he could slowly stroke her tongue with his. He pulled back to see if it worked.

"Umm, just a hint. I got it, second hand junk food. Thanks, that was good."

"Feel free to use me anytime."

He ate some more, that time coating his food in the ranch dressing. She took what he had to offer again.

"You're amazing," she gushed.

"So are you."

"No, I have a long ways to go to deserve you."

"Stop saying that, if you're going to be mine, then accept it."

"I'll try."

He secretly was so turned on by all the fry action he teased her saying he was tempted to dip his stick in the ranch and let her get it off of him that way, but she said that was probably too much. They laughed and joked, most things made him think of sex but he continued to hold back so that they could really get in a good place before he made love to her. That was what would be different. They weren't going to break the room up or toss each other around, he needed to show her a different side and she would be equally as pleased.

He had one more thing he needed to tell her. "So I was honest about Avery, but there were a lot of others. I needed you to know that before we move on."

"I assumed."

"Yeah, I'm sorry."

"Don't be, I wasn't available...I made a point to constantly shove it down your throat, but do you mean while we were together this year as well?"

"Only the first few weeks and then I quit. I mean, quit cold turkey. I used them to try and forget and it was never enough."

"Yeah, I turned into a frigid bitch, I think that's what you called me, to try and not care, but it didn't work either. I searched out ways to die. Lighting myself on fire didn't seem plausible. My instinct fought it, that's why I tried that day. Once, I thought about going to Sam or Paul but I went to you instead. Maybe it was my cry for help, but it was fucked up and wrong."

"It was, but it somehow started us on the right road."

"Yeah, well I couldn't stop thinking about this since you so brazenly flashed it to me." That time her hand slid up his thigh where the robe fell open. Jacob let out a groan as she proved to him again and again how much she knew about pleasing him.

He stopped her wrist briefly, "Is there anything else we need to say tonight?"

"No, there's some drama with Edward, but please don't make me get into it."

"Come on. What does that mean?"

"Alice sent an email, he's looking for me. She flat out asked if I was with you, because her visions are blocked but she swore to try and protect the truth. I haven't responded. I tossed my regular cell phone as soon as I left, and I've used cash except for the hotel bill."

Bells was right, the quickest way to halt his erection was to talk about Cullen.

He leaned in and captured her mouth, "Okay, we'll figure it out tomorrow."

Jacob slipped her knot undone and she did the same to his so they could discard the robes on the floor. She slipped inside the heavenly bed and he was right behind her.

"No breaking shit."

"Okay, I promise," she clung to his pinky finger with her own.

"And let me do what I want to do," he stroked the back of his hand across her collarbone.

"Anything, please Jake, don't make me wait any longer."

He opened her legs first, then leaned over to kiss under her ear. "Remember the kissing experiment?"

"Yes, how could I ever forget that?"

"Well, we're doing that again." He kissed over her ear where he'd spoken to her and went from there. She was soon begging for him to join with her. He put a finger to her lips. "Quil probably has his ear to the wall trying to figure out how we make it work." After that Jacob, pulled both her hands above her head and pushed inside her. He made the purest and perfect love to her. It was actually his first experience with that sort of sexual expression. They never took their eyes off one another. He couldn't stop saying how much he loved her. She pulled her legs firmly around his ass.

"Is that okay?"

He answered with his body and she moaned against his neck. Finally, he'd found his entire reason for existence. He was with his mate and no matter how unusual the circumstance, they were exactly where they both needed to be.

~Thanks so much for reading.

Ch. 13 preview: Jake and Bella have a face to face talk with none other than her estranged husband.