This is where the story starts to take a turn. It begins to earn it rating for an entirely different reason from here on. Don't get me wrong, there will still be lemony goodness, but that won't be the main focus :-) Enjoy!

Chapter 21

Emmett's POV

Eu de wolf wafted all around me as I stood on the porch and waited for the mutt to pad through the trees. He probably arrived downwind on purpose just to taunt us more with his stench. Ass.

Jake was quickly making his way to the top of my shit list these days, what with all the crap he kept pulling with Bella. She still wouldn't tell us what he'd done this time, but judging from her emotional state and the way she had retreated to her room, sobbing in the shower, it must have been pretty bad. I had a feeling she wasn't telling us because she was afraid of Edward going all ape shit on his ass. Little did she know that he wouldn't be the only one. I was pretty sure Rosie would hold the mongrel down for me while I ripped off his mangy legs and turned them into jerky.

Jacob broke through the trees in human form, only dressed in ripped denim shorts, and immediately locked eyes with Bella. I inched closer to her, sandwiching her between Jazz and me, while Edward stalked forward off the porch. I could tell from the rigid way he held himself that he was wound pretty tight and could blow at any moment. It would only take the right trigger. Bet the dumbass sets him off with his first sentence.

Before he could say anything though, a few more half-dressed wolf-men emerged. It was like a bad calendar set up. Seth was with them, as was Sam. There were a few others too, but I never thought it important enough to find out their names. They just made the place stink more. I considered holding my breath but I knew how much it would bug Esme if I was 'rude'. And even though she wasn't here right now to keep me in line, I knew without a doubt that our mother would somehow find out everything. She just had ways.

"I came to talk to Bella," Jacob spat out. The way he looked at Edward was nothing less than pure hatred. I didn't even have to see old Eddie's face to know he was smirking.

"She doesn't want to see you. Leave now," Edward said in that disconcertingly soft voice he uses when he is thoroughly and royally pissed off. I'd only ever heard it a few times but the outcome was never good. Jacob was either oblivious to Edward's threat or simply didn't care. He glared openly at my brother and balled his hands into fists. I grinned. This was gonna be good.

"I only came to apologize for earlier. It won't take very long," he growled before swallowing thickly and adding a nearly silent, "please."

Edward turned his head and called over his shoulder, "Bella, love."

No way no how was I going to let her walk down there alone, I didn't care if Eddie was waiting. I tucked her little arm in mine and when she gave me a quizzical look I responded with a tight smile and nod. There was no negotiating this, I was going with her. When I looked off to her right I saw Jasper mimicking my movements. Apparently I wasn't the only one ready to silence the call of the wild.

"Guys, really, she can walk on her own," Edward chided us with a heavy sigh.

Bella said nothing as we approached but I did hear her suck in a deep breath and out of the corner of my eye saw her square her shoulders and raise her chin. Aw yeah, little sister was ready to kick some ass! I was suddenly very thankful I'd have a front row seat. She extracted herself from Jazz and me, then tucked her body into Edward's side, all the while maintaining a defiant stare with Jake. I snickered.

"What do you want, Jake?" she asked lowly.

"Bella, I'm sorry. I – " he started to say when Bella exploded.

"Sorry? You're sorry?" she shrieked and stepped forward until they were toe to toe. She didn't even come close to chest height on him but he stepped back as if intimidated by the tiny furious human who continued to scream at him.

"You called me a whore! You said things that NO ONE has the right to say to me and still be allowed to keep all their teeth!" she hollered.

I was a little worried when she pulled her fist back as if to make good on the threat, remembering how she had broken her hand last time she'd hit him. But then she just lowered it again and crossed her arms over her chest. Jacob, to his credit, just stood there and took it. As well he should have. I was stilled a little stunned at how calm everyone was around me, especially Edward. He must have been able to read in all their thoughts what Jake had done. Why hadn't he stepped in and ripped him to shreds?

"I wanted to give Bella a chance to say her peace," he responded to my thoughts quietly.

He hadn't taken his eyes off the exchange and stood statue still as if calm and collected. I, of course, knew better. This was what he did right before he launched himself at someone and took them down. That someone usually was me. I wondered if Jacob knew that.

"I don't want your apology! Keep it!" she snapped and then looked over his shoulder at Sam, her eyes narrowing.

"It's not like it was your choice to make it. Was this an edict, Jacob? Another command from the alpha?" she sneered.

Jacob tensed at her words but said nothing.

"Answer me!" she screamed and stomped her foot. It took everything I had not to laugh at that.

"No," he all but mumbled. The look Bella threw at him showed how little she believed that.

"It's true," Seth chimed in from the side lines. "We may have had…a few choice words with him, but he's here by his own will."

Seth and the others looked about as thrilled with what Jacob had done as we all felt. Good. Maybe they could extract a little sibling revenge without pissing off Carlisle. I'd seen that once before and never wanted to see it again. He was almost as frightening as Esme when she was angry. Almost.

"I would have liked to have heard those words," she muttered darkly.

"Ah, they weren't meant for a lady's ears, love," Edward said softly. I could tell he was listening to their thoughts and getting the low down on Jake's smack down. I sincerely hoped it was good.

"It was," Edward threw over his shoulder at me. Excellent.

"Yeah, well after what he said to me I doubt it could have been much worse," Bella snapped.

Suddenly Edward tensed in front of me and hissed, his hands balling into tight fists. Whatever he had heard in whoever's thoughts was enough to rattle him and shake off that legendary cool of his. I briefly considered moving to restrain him but was beaten too it. I felt a wave of calm wash over all of us and threw a knowing look at Jasper. He was like a meddlesome old woman sometimes, the way he went around manipulating peoples' emotions.

"Stop it Jasper!" Bella whirled around and glared at him. Jazz held his hands up in surrender.

"It wasn't for your benefit, darlin'. I guess I overreached," he explained calmly.

"Yeah, well cool it Prozac! Let her feel whatever she wants to feel! The way you all control her is disgusting!" Jacob's anger must have finally gotten the better of him and all sense of diplomacy flew right out the window.

"NO. ONE. CONTROLS. ME!" Bella screamed at the top of her lungs.

At that point I was hugely impressed with her. It had always been her way to just forgive him right off the bat no matter what dumb ass stunt he had pulled or moronic thing he'd said. But this time she seemed to be putting him through the ringer. I held back a proud smile. It seemed our fragile little human had quite the temper when the right button was pushed. I would have to remember that after she was turned.

"I wouldn't suggest that," Edward said at vampire pitch. I ignored him. I would make a new wrestling buddy out of her no matter what he had to say about it. Edward simply rolled his eyes at that thought.

"Oh, give me a break Bella! At least be honest with yourself! You can't even pee without permission these days. You need an escort to even set foot on the rez!" he shot back, ignoring the exchange between Edward and me.

"That's for my safety, halfwit!" she argued vehemently.

"The only thing you need to be kept safe from is the parasite you're married to!"

That did it. I took a step forward to place myself between the mutt and Bella when her tiny hand shot up and landed on my chest. I looked down at her in surprise but stopped dead in my tracks.

"No, Emmett. I can handle this," she told me in a voice that left no room for argument. Not even from me. I nodded but didn't move back to my previous spot behind her. She turned back to Jacob.

"I think you should leave now, Jacob," she all but whispered and even I could tell that her temper had begun to cool.

"I didn't come here to fight more with you," he explained in a similar tone. I didn't know why but I believed him. Maybe it was the sadness in his eyes.

"Probably not, but that doesn't change the fact that it's all we seem to do lately. I don't want to fight anymore, but that's all I see happening between us given the decisions I am making about my life," she said sadly but firmly.

I could smell the salt of her unshed tears and it caused a twinge in my icy chest. I hated to see baby Bells cry. I was like the worst type of torture. It was the fastest and most efficient way to make me say 'uncle'. Next to me Edward sighed and I could tell from his slightly pinched expression that it was in agreement with what I was thinking. If seeing her hurt bothered me this much, I couldn't even imagine what it did to him.

"Nothing's been set in stone," Jacob argued defiantly, but I could hear the defeat in his voice. Not even he believed those words anymore.

"Yes it has," she barely breathed out the words and then sighed heavily. She lifted her eyes to his and spoke very firmly.

"As soon as Carlisle gets back he wants to talk to Sam. It will probably be tonight," she informed him steadily. I had to give it to her; she was incredibly self-assured when giving this news. However, Jake didn't handle it so well.

"NO!" he bellowed and began to tremble. Jasper darted forward and Edward and I immediately grabbed Bella and moved her behind the now solid wall of brotherly love.

"You would damn her to…this?" he waved a hand in front of us accusingly.

"It's her choice," Edward responded calmly. I knew how he really felt about her change, but decided now was not the best time to open that can of worms.

"And what about Charlie?" he threw back desperately.

I heard Bella suck in a sharp breath. We all knew that her parents were the one chink in her 'my change is no big deal' armor. I expected to see her falter or for the tears to start falling, but her rosy cheeks remained dry.

"That's none of your concern. Let me handle my family, Jake," she answered even.

I had to give it to her. She was holding up better than I ever expected. After this was finished I was taking her out for the world's biggest, chocolatiest ice cream Sunday ever. I heard women liked that sort of thing when they were upset.

"Jacob," Sam walked slowly up behind him. "You've said your peace. It's time to go now." He tried to put his arm around Jacob's shoulders but was shaken off rather violently. And then to my extreme surprise, Jacob squared his shoulders and looked Sam defiantly in the eye.

"No."

"Jacob," Sam warned.

"No," he repeated. "You have no authority over me. I am the rightful alpha of this pack. I am the rightful heir to Ephraim. When it comes to the treaty, I make the final call!"

Something in the tone of his voice had changed slightly. It was so subtle that I wasn't sure it was really there, but when every wolf startled and their eyes widened in shock I knew I wasn't mistaken. Next to me Edward tensed again and started to lower into a defensive crouch. Just what the hell was going on around here?

"Jacob, what have you done?" Sam exclaimed in shock.

"Edward?" I asked, finally tired of being silent. I needed answers dammit!

"Jacob has just taken his rightful place as alpha," Edward whispered.

I could hear the fear in his voice and immediately lowered into a crouch as well. If this was going to turn into a fight I wouldn't be taken off guard. I saw Jasper mirror us and heard the girls pull Bella towards the relative safety of the house. Jacob turned on us and glared.

"You can't change her! I won't allow it without it breaking the treaty!" he yelled angrily.

"The pack won't stand with you Jake! You will be on this suicide mission alone," Sam interjected.

The few pack members who had accompanied them to our lands twitched nervously near the treeline. Even Seth looked unsettled. He walked carefully up to where Sam stood and held his hands out when he spoke.

"Jake, manlisten to Sam. We all need to go back to the rez and work this out. We need to speak to the elders. Either way, you can't fight them all alone, and you know we can't fight with you until all of this is sorted out," Seth tried to reason.

We all held our breaths, vampire, human, and lycanthrope alike, while Jacob stood stock still and stared. Seth's attempt at logic was a risky one. Miraculously, it seemed to work. Jacob eventually nodded.

"She comes with us," Jacob ordered lowly.

"What?" Bella's head snapped up and she glared loathingly at the mutt. "You're crazy if you think I'm going anywhere with you, Jake!"

"You don't have a choice anymore, Bella!" he bit back. "You put yourself in mortal danger by staying her!"

"For the millionth time you arrogant asshole, no one here will hurt me!" she bellowed. It had to be said, the girl had an impressive set of pipes.

"Oh yeah? Where will you be sleeping tonight?" Jacob challenged while he shot a furious look at Edward.

It clicked with me just then what must have his boxers all in a twist. He somehow had found out that Edward and Bella were getting jiggy with it. Typically this was a big no-no for our kind, seeing as the human usually became a little snack somewhere along the line or ended up a broken bloody mess before the big climax…uh, no pun intended. But that would never happen with my super careful, anal retentive brother. He'd sooner light himself on fire than do anything to risk Bella's safety.

"That's none of your damn business!" she hissed angrily. He nodded once as if she had just confirmed his worst nightmare, which to him, it probably was.

"That's what I thought. Since you can't be trusted to do the smart thing and keep yourself ALIVE, you're coming with me." He started to move towards us with purpose. I'd finally heard enough.

"Like hell!" I shouted and crouched all the way down to launch myself at him. Edward and Jasper grabbed an arm each to restrain me. Jasper used a super strong dose of Vamp Valium on me and I slumped down the earth.

"My wife stays here," Edward finally answered coldly. "She won't be changed until Carlisle returns and has spoken with you or Sam. You have my word."

"You word means shit to me, parasite!" Jake snarled.

"That's fine, Edward. Have Carlisle call me as soon as he can," Sam contradicted. He shot a look at Jacob before looking meaningfully at Edward. There was silence for a full minute before Edward finally nodded and eased back up from his crouch.

"I'll call him myself as soon as you all have left," he assured Sam.

Alright, now what the hell had I missed?

Edward's POV

I had seen everything. Everything. Every word exchanged, every hurt look, every tear my wife had shed. More than that I had heard exactly what that insufferable dog had been thinking when he had spewed forth his vile thoughts and deplorable accusations. I stood frozen, rooted in place next to my furious wife and brothers. I knew if I so much a twitched in his general direction I would do something I would come to regret. Like kill him. Not that I would morn the loss, but I was pretty sure Bella would after she had time to calm down. Plus, I didn't want to be the one responsible for breaking the treaty. Although in all honesty I was about to do that in the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours anyway.

I was so murderously angry with him that I nearly allowed Emmett to turn him into that throw rug he kept joking about. But then I'd heard in Sam's thoughts how out of control the whole situation had become; how the Elders were going to screw Jacob to the wall for his selfish actions and that the pack wouldn't break away from Sam to follow Jacob. They may resent our very presence here and hate everything about our existence, but they were in no way willing to start a war over what was clearly Bella's choice for her life.

After barely escaping the confrontation without any violence we all sat silently in the living room. I'd taken a brief moment to call Carlisle but had to leave a voicemail. Frustrated at my inability to speak with him right away I paced around the room. That was until I saw my wife curled up in the corner of the couch, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. She wore a frighteningly blank expression, but the chaos in her eyes was there for all to see. I hurried over to her, lifted her up and pulled her on top of me before sitting us both down again. Bella practically clung to me while I cuddled her on my lap. Her heart rate hadn't slowed since Jacob had threatened to abscond with her to the reservation and the way she held onto me, like I was the last life vest on a sinking ship, told me she was still terrified he'd come back to take her against her will. I tried for several minutes to assure her that wouldn't happen – over my smoking pile of ashes – but it was as if she couldn't hear me.

All around me people's thoughts were screaming in unison. I tried to hear separate voices through the din, but it was hard to decipher anything besides vulgarity and death threats. I sighed and looked to Alice for some assistance. She snapped out of it instantly, nodded once, and turned to Jasper. Without saying a word I felt a blanket of serenity spread around the room. With the lessened emotional atmosphere I could hear the thoughts around me settle down as well. I breathed a sigh of relief and cast a thankful glance at Jazz. He looked just as relieved as I felt. Able to think clearly once more I turned my full attention to my severely distraught wife.

"Bella, love, why didn't you tell me?" I whispered gently into her hair. She shook her head against my shoulder.

"Because she knew we'd turn him into rawhide," Emmett grumbled darkly. I couldn't disagree with him, but that wasn't the point.

"Bella," I prodded. She sighed heavily and pulled back to look me in the eye.

"I thought I had handled it. And because Emmett's right, I thought you would overreact and pick a fight with him. We have enough to worry about without the two of you acting like a couple of hotheads," she grumbled.

I opened my mouth to object but she pressed two fingers up to my lips and shook her head. Then she shot an irritated look at Emmett who had begun to chuckle during her last statement.

"Don't look so damn pleased with yourself. You were one of the main reasons I kept it to myself. You may have no qualms about breaking the treaty but I would like to do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen," she grumped at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

Huh. She's got me there, Eddie boy. Wouldn't mind turning Jake into kibble, treaty or not. What'd he go and call her that for anyway?

I sighed and shook my head at Emmett. I didn't feel it was my place to pass along the gory details but knew my brother was like a dog with a bone. He wouldn't let it drop until he had shaken out every last answer to his utmost satisfaction. I gave Bella a pleading look and stroked my fingers through her feather soft hair.

"Em wants to know why Jacob said what he did," I murmured.

Bella closed her eyes before turning to Emmett and taking a deep breath. She seemed to be thinking through her answer as she spoke slowly.

"He found out that I'd slept with Edward on our honeymoon. I guess he didn't like it too much," she muttered, a brilliant blush sweeping across her cheeks.

"Why did you even bother telling him?" Rose quipped. Her mind wasn't nearly as accusatory as her tone and I hoped Bella wouldn't take offense.

"I didn't," Bella snapped. So much for not taking it personally.

"Easy, Rose," I chided her under my breath. She snorted and looked out the window, pretending to be interested in the scenery.

"So then how did he know?" Alice asked cautiously.

Bella's blush deepened considerably and she looked down at her lap. It took a full three and half minutes before she mumbled her answer so incoherently that no amount of supernatural hearing made a difference. She must have realized that because she cleared her throat a moment later and spoke just a touch more clearly.

"He could smell Edward…on me."

I had already been privy to this little nugget of information care of Jacob's extremely vivid recount. Part of me was more than a little thrilled that there was a way to mark her as mine when it came to the ever determined mutt, but the rest of me argued at how disgusting and degrading that type of thinking was. And either way I didn't want her to feel embarrassed or humiliated by it. This of course is why Emmett's brain to mouth filter decided to go on the fritz.

"You let him sniff your crotch?" he asked in a confused and slightly appalled voice. Bella's head shot up. Shock and disgust took over her features.

"What? NO! GROSS!" she screeched and threw a small pillow at him.

In his mind I could see the image of Jacob in wolf form sniffing at Bella the way a common dog would a new house visitor, while she tried unsuccessfully to shoo him away. I couldn't help it. I snorted and shook my head. Bella glanced at me for a second before the scowl melted off her beautiful face and she breathed out a small laugh. Pretty soon we were all snickering at Emmett's revolting assumption. She settled against my chest and looked up at me questioningly.

"What are we going to do if they come back for me?" She asked in a small voice. I shook my head and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"That isn't going to happen, love, I promise you. Even if Jacob wanted to bring you back there is only one of him and five of us. Seven when Carlisle and Esme get back. You are perfectly protected here I assure you," I soothed.

"What do you mean one? He's got the whole pack!" she exclaimed.

"No, not anymore. Didn't you hear what I said before? Jake isn't part of the pack anymore. He challenged Sam's authority and became an Alpha, too. It's his by birth right so no one could prevent it from happening. I could see in Sam's mind that he had been waiting for this day to come. He's gone to speak with Billy and the other Elders to make sure that they will override Jacob and allow us to change you without starting a war. Plus, he doesn't want us to withdraw our support while the vampires are still stalking the people on the reservation." I revealed most of what I had heard in Sam's mind when he was attempting to make Jacob leave peacefully and without Bella. I decided it would be best to leave out his fears that Jake might strike out on his own and break the treaty himself by attacking me. There was no need to get her all upset when no one was certain that would even happen.

"Argh!" she growled and fisted her hands in her hair. Emmett snorted. She shot him a menacing glare.

"Argh, really? What are you a pirate?" he chuckled.

Her eyes narrowed and she gave him the finger. It just made him laugh harder. I frowned at her lack of propriety. Such gestures were not the sign of a true lady. She huffed out a breath and rolled her eyes at me as if reading my thoughts. I was just about to say something when Alice's thoughts had my complete attention. I turned to face her and saw her nod sadly.

"Bella, you should know my vision hasn't changed. One way or another you will be on the reservation if you aren't changed soon," she said quietly.

Before anyone could respond my phone trilled in my shirt pocket. I quickly removed it and read the Caller ID. It was Carlisle. I breathed a heavy sigh of relief and answered the call.

"Carlisle, thank God," I muttered.

"Edward, we just got back into a cell reception area. Is everything alright? There are several messages from your siblings saying we need to return as soon as possible. What's going on?" I could hear the panic and worry laced in his usually calm voice. Apparently the rest of them had tried to contact him as well.

"No, not really. It is imperative that you and Esme get back as soon as you are able. There have been several developments in your absence. I can't explain all of it in detail now, but some of the more important ones are that Jacob has defected from the pack and is going to make things difficult in the matters of her change, and we have come up with a few theories as to who the other vampires are." I rushed through my explanation. I would really rather have this conversation face to face.

"What kind of theories? And how did Jacob leave the pack? I thought it wasn't possible for them to do anything against the Alpha?" Carlisle sounded interested, frustrated, and extremely worried. In short, he sounded the way all of us felt for the last few hours. I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Can we please just discuss all this when you and Esme return? I would rather not get into it right now. When should we expect you back?" I asked tensely.

"Of course, son. We should be there before two." I started at his mention of the time. Shooting a quick glance at the clock I noticed that it was a little after midnight. I looked down at Bella. She appeared wide awake, but I wondered how long she would be able to maintain that level of alertness.

"That's fine, we'll be waiting for you," I answered quickly before snapping the phone shut.

"He'll be here in a few hours," I informed the others before turning my attention solely on Bella.

"You can go upstairs and try to sleep some more if you like, love. I promise to wake you when Carlisle gets home." I truly hoped she would take me up on the offer. I didn't want her to suffer from sleep deprivation due to the stress of the situation. I almost groaned when she defiantly shook her head. I should have known she wouldn't go quietly.

"Really, Edward I'm not tired," she reasoned. I saw nothing to the contrary in the brightness of her eyes.

"I need to hunt," Jasper muttered finally. I read in his thoughts some time ago how stressed he had become. If he hadn't made the decision to take the edge off himself I would have made the suggestion. Alice silently trailed after him.

Emmett and Rose are going to join us in three minutes. This will be the last time you two are alone for quite a while, dear brother. Try to make the most of it.

I snorted and rolled my eyes. Nosey little pixie. Still, I would have to thank her later for the information. I knew it wouldn't be possible to spend a lot of time together away from the others during her first few years. She would be much too volatile for that.

"Why don't we go upstairs and lay down until the others get back?" I suggested. She sat back and eyed me suspiciously.

"I already told you, I'm not tired," she griped. I smiled at her.

"I thought maybe we could read for a little while or something," I said smoothly. I really didn't think she would be up for much at the moment and knew she hadn't had too much time to indulge in her favorite pastime.

Her eyes took on a different light and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She nodded her assent and allowed me to help her up off the couch and guide her up the stairs to our bedroom. The second we slipped through the doorway she took off to the closet. I made my way over to the bed and began to undress, slipping into the silk pyjama pants Alice had thought to purchase for me when Bella had moved in. I could hear her rifling around in the closet and muttering to herself as she tried to locate something. I frowned when I noticed that her small pile of books were stacked haphazardly on my black couch.

"Bella, love, your books are all out here," I called to her, now very uncertain of what she was searching for.

"Yeah, I know. I'll be out in a minute. Just make yourself comfortable," she answered softly.

Her voice shook a little and I almost went in to check on her, but decided that if she needed me or was upset she would have told me. So I reclined against the pillows and waited patiently for her to emerge. When she finally did almost twenty minutes later I nearly fell off the bed in shock.

She stood before me in a stunning, albeit incredibly see-through, midnight blue negligee; my favorite color on her. It was short, only falling mid-thigh, and the material clung to her every curve in the most tantalizing way. Her perfect breasts spilled out of a barely-there demi cup bra inset at the top of the nightie. Underneath the sheer fabric I could see a very tiny matching pair of blue panties that barely rose up over her hips, mere strings attaching the triangle of fabric that covered her soft femininity. My eyes must have been bulging from their sockets because she giggled before doing a very graceful little spin, allowing me to get the full effect of this silken torture device. The thin straps did a delicious criss-cross pattern against the creamy pale skin of her back that went clear down to the swell of her hips. I practically stopped breathing when my eyes spotted her naked derrière. That's when I noted that panties – if you could even call them that – were a G-string. I swallowed thickly before trying to speak, hoping my voice wouldn't be affected too badly by vision that stood before me.

"Bella? How do you expect me to keep my hands to myself when you wear something like that to bed?"

Even I could hear how course and rough my voice sounded and I mentally chastised myself for not being a stronger man. But then she blushed and looked up at me through those impossibly thick lashes, her chocolate eyes burning brightly, and I knew I had lost the battle before it had even begun. I would do anything she wanted tonight. I didn't have the strength, or quite frankly the desire, to deny her anything.

"I don't, that's kind of the whole point, Edward," she teased and smiled knowingly at me.

"Do you have any idea what seeing you in something like that does to me?" I truly didn't think she had any clue. She was like a siren, her call more powerful than any other force in the entire universe.

Her eyes flicked from my face down to my lap before her grin became a little wider and she giggled. I looked down and saw that there was no hiding my desire from her as it has manifested itself physically and VERY obviously in my pants. It was then I caught the first whiff of her potent heady scent. I shut my eyes and allowed the fragrance to waft around me, breathing it deep into my lungs. When I released the breath it came out a deep growl. Her scent intensified. And then I felt the bed shift.

My eyes snapped open to see her crawling towards me. She moved lithely and gracefully, like a jungle cat stalking its prey. Her eyes never left mine as she climbed atop me, straddling my hips, her hands trailing up my chest and arms until they found purchase in my hair. My frozen body tingled under the warmth of her touch and undeniable electricity hummed between us. The heat emanating from between her thighs soaked through the remarkably thin fabric of our nightclothes and saturated my entire being. I very gently grabbed her hips, being especially careful not to bruise her again, and pulled her forward into a searing kiss.

Her body shivered against mine but she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck and tugged at my hair, eliciting another growl from me. God, how I loved it when she did that. I had a feeling I would enjoy it even more when she was a bit stronger. I deepened our kiss, pulling her up against me and moaning when she nipped playfully on my lower lip. I ran my hands up her sides and cupped her soft breasts, lightly pinching her taught nipples the way I had learned she liked. She whimpered against my lips and her hips bucked hard against mine, her sex grinding into my hard length. I had to control the impulse to rip her gown to shreds and thrust myself up into her scorching wetness as she continued to rock up against me, moaning and panting loudly.

I reached under the thin material and began to pull the sides of her panties down over her hips as gently as I could without tearing them. She stopped moving and her hands shot down to grasp mine.

"No, not yet," she gasped and shook her head. We were both breathing very heavily at that point and my brain had begun to fog over with desire.

"Why?" I rasped before I could think better of it. I never wanted to push her to go farther or faster than she was prepared to go. I was just about to apologise when she giggled and kissed me soundly.

"Because," she whispered against my lips, "I want to try something first."

My mind reeled with implications and then with confusion as she wriggled out of my arms and backed away towards the other side of the bed. She bit her full lower lip, her eyes burning into mine. A brilliant scarlet blush colored her cheeks, making her skin like cream and roses. She was still close enough for me to reach and touch but I kept my hands at my sides for fear I would do something rash. Like pin her down and run my tongue over every inch of her delectable skin.

She leaned forward slightly and hooked her forefinger into the waistband of my pants and tugged a little. I stopped breathing, our previous conversation finally cluing me in to her intentions. My mind nearly melted when her finger slowly traced along under the silk, scratching seductively against my stone skin.

"Off," she commanded softly. Before she could blink they were gone, ripped off my body with no effort expended at all. Her eyes widened and she licked her swollen lips.

"Lay down," she whispered. I didn't even hesitate in my actions, although the part of my brain which retained some semblance of reason was screaming at me to think this through. I decided to ignore him for now.

I slid down the bed until I was completely horizontal, never taking my eyes from hers. Bella leaned forward slowly and kissed me, placing both hands on my shoulders. My hands somehow found their way into her soft tresses and I wound the silky strands around my fingers. Her breath shuddered against my lips and she began trailing soft kisses along my jaw and neck. Her fingertips slipped down my arms and tantalized me with their feather light dance. Then her lips ghosted down my chest and stomach, her tongue flicking out every so often along the way. She paused directly below my navel and I heard her heart rate accelerate. She looked up at me for a moment before reaching up and extricating my fingers from her hair, pushing my hands up to grip the iron frame of the bed.

"Just in case," she murmured with a shy smile.

I clenched my jaw tightly and nodded before laying my head down and staring straight up at the intricate detailing of the canopy. She was probably right. I shouldn't have my hands anywhere near her head the first time we did this. One little slip and I could kill her. I shook off those thoughts before they could take root and spread like a mood killing weed throughout my mind.

"You don't want to watch?" she asked, suddenly sounding so unsure of herself. I chuckled and looked up at her, shaking my head.

"Not unless you want this to be over rather quickly," I told her honestly.

I was so turned on by the mere thought of what we were about to do that I wasn't sure my body would cooperate and hold out for too long. Actually seeing me in her mouth would be too much. I'd be done before she even started. She caught on rather quickly and smiled at me knowingly, nodding her head before she lowered herself back down towards my body. The last thing I saw was her run her little pink tongue over the fullness of her pouty lips. I was done for.

The downside to not watching was that I didn't know what to expect or what was happening. My entire body tensed in anticipation and I did everything I could to stay perfectly still. But the second her hot lips slid over my tip I practically levitated off the bed. I hissed loudly as she slid further down my shaft, the hot wetness of her mouth swirling around me like molten lava. She stopped about halfway down and then pulled back up, sucking harder on the return journey. When she reached my head I felt her tongue swirl around the ridge and couldn't stop from crying out. I heard the iron in my grip scream and protest when my fists tightened over the frame.

She slid up and down my length several more times, going just a fraction lower on each pass. I had to put all my focus into not thrusting my hips up into her mouth. She wasn't making it easier on me. She had begun to use her hand behind her mouth, twisting and turning it in time with her movements. The sounds I had started making were completely uncontrollable as I was using all my focus to keep from writhing in her very capable grasp. That and keep from embarrassing myself by coming too quickly. I was sure she wouldn't appreciate that. But all that control went out the window when she clamped down with her teeth and dragged them up the length of my shaft.

I practically screamed and felt the entire bed shudder while a blinding white light flashed in my eyes. My back arched as if of its own volition and I felt my entire body tense for a few moments before I came crashing blissfully back to earth. I lay there and waited for my breathing to slow – ridiculous as I had to need to breathe – and felt Bella slowly kiss her way back up my body. She had a very proud grin stretched across her beautiful mouth. She looked over my head and laughed loudly.

"What?" I arched my neck and followed the path of her eyes. I immediately saw the damage I had inflicted upon the bedframe. Metal was twisted and broken, poking off at garish angles, mangled beyond all repair. I groaned and she giggled again.

"I made you break the furniture," she teased in a sing song voice.

Before she could see it coming I grabbed her around the waist and flipped us over, grinding my still fully erect manhood against the soaked material of her satin panties. It was one of the few upsides our kind had. We were always ready and never spent. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she moaned. I growled against the pulsating skin of her neck, grazing my lips and tongue over the surface, tasting her flesh. She was exquisite. With a quick flick of my wrists I made short work of the garments she still wore, tearing them into confetti in less time than it took for her to take a breath. She shivered against my cold, stony chest but wound her fingers into my hair and wrapped her legs around my waist.

"Haven't I told you before, love? You should never…" I stopped to suckle on one of her nipples, making her arch into my mouth and whimper breathlessly.

"…tease…" I replaced my mouth with my fingers, expertly twisting the stiffened little nub until she writhed and squealed.

"…the monster," I finished and thrust into her.

She threw her head back and cried out, her wet muscles pulsing all around me and squeezing me tightly. I rocked my hips into hers steadily, feeling my climax beginning to build almost immediately. I knew she just needed the right push to send her tumbling gloriously over the edge, so I reached between our bodies and pressed the pad of my thumb up against her clit. It only took a few more deep thrusts before she felt apart in my arms, calling my name and screaming loudly. Her orgasm was so powerful it set off yet another of my own and I shuddered against her flushed, panting body.

When we had both stilled and her heart rate had settled a bit I pulled back and looked into her eyes, smoothing her hair out of her face. The look she wore was pure ecstasy. I could see that expression every day and it wouldn't be enough for me.

"Do you need me to stop for a while?" I asked, knowing her frail human body might need a break.

It turns out I needn't have worried. She pulled herself up and brushed her lips against mine, shaking her head minimally. A sexy smile lit her eyes and pulled up the corners of her mouth.

"Don't you dare," she whispered.

Who was I to argue?

So who thinks they know what's coming? Any guesses?