Hi awesome readers! Sorry about the wait; my computer screen cracked and I was without it for about a week! I was seriously dying without it! BUT I'M BACK! WAHOOO! Enjoy, and thank you again for the comments! Love you guys! Thanks for reading. Enjoy!

ps: fun poll on my profile if anyone is interested! Paul and Scarlett or Embry and Lena... choose your favorite couple!

Embry's POV

Lena is sitting in the waiting room about to be called in for her follow-up appointment when I sprawl in the chair next to her. I wipe the sweat on my forehead that formed after I broke out in a run because I got caught in a meeting and thought I was going to be late.

"Ugh," I look up to see Lena staring at me, wide eyes, beautiful plush lips and all.

"Hi," I grin at her. "You look incredible."

She smiles. "Thanks. What are you doing here?"

I sigh and sit up. "I came for your appointment. But I left so late I had to sprint here. If you hear a code blue, that's because I accidentally took down a 85 year old woman trying to get off the elevator."

She clasps her hand to her mouth. Her eyes going wide. "You didn't."

"I did," I moan. "I am going to hell."

Lena giggles now, and the sound is enough to ignite my veins. I wrap my arms around her shoulders and pull her to me. "How you feelin?" I ask her.

"Fine."

"That's it, dark Lord?"

She rolls her eyes and shoves at my chest, though I keep my hold on her. "It willbe fine," she corrects herself. "Once I'm told I can train again."

"And if you're not?"

"Embry," she moans.

"What? You have to entertain the possibility, Lena. You did get shot. Going in there preparing for a 100% good to go isn't realistic."

"Wow, Embry," her voice is heavy with sarcasm. "Did you get that psych degree right along with your law one?"

"Sassy." God, this girl will be a fighter in the bedroom. I shiver at the thought.

"I need to train."

"you need to get better," I remind her.

"I know something that will make me feel better," she rests her head my arm and grins up at me. "I'm offended. I didn't even get one single kiss when you walked in."

"I am terrible," I play along.

"So mean."

"I'll give you one if you ask nicely."

"So now I have to ask for kisses from you?"

"Of course not!" I smile widely at her. "I want to kiss you, too. I just enjoy hearing you beg."

She blushes, and I revel in the sight. God I live for this girl. "I don't beg, Embry."

I rub her shoulder gently. She probably thinks it's a nice gesture, but really I just need to touch her bare skin or I feel like I may explode. "Remains to be seen."

"Why'd you come?" She tilts her head at me.

"For this." I reach for her jaw and tilt her face towards me. I lean down and brush my lips against hers, and then when I feel goosebumps on her arms when I stroke my fingers down them I kiss her harder. Hell, this girl was made for sin.

I stroke her jawline with my thumb before pretending to get up. "Alright. I'm good."

Lena rolls her eyes and pulls on my wrist. "Get back here! Why'd you really come?" She asks sweetly.

I cock an eyebrow at her. "What? A kiss is not a good enough reason?"

She gives me a serious expression. I get the hint and pat her knee.

"Moral support."

"Bullshit. You're spying for my parents."

"Hey," I hold my hands to my chest. "I'm here completley on my own accord. I'm just making sure you don't lie about what the doctor says. That's my only job."

Lena huffs, crosses her arms and plasters a pout on her face. I press my lips together to keep from laughing. Unable to help myself, I press a piece of her hair behind her ear. "You look utterly adorable like that," I tell her.

"I'm not trying to look adorable," Lena narrows her eyes at me. "I'm trying to look pissed off."

"Sadly, the two co-inside quite often."

Now she's the one trying not to laugh.

I smile and rub her arm. "Have you talked to Charlie?"

Lena raises her eyebrows at me. "Chief Swan? No. Why?"

"He called Jake. Asked him to talk to me to talk to you. He's been trying to contact you for a few weeks. Said you won't pick up."

He bites the middle of her lip nervously. "I just don't want to talk about it," Lena says quietly.

"Lena," I begin, immediately softening my voice.

"Embry," Her voice is definitive. "It's over."

"But it's not over, Lennie," I brush some of her hair behind her ear, though she refuses to make eye contact with me. "Not until he's in jail."

"I don't want him to be put in jail, though," Lena moans. "I just want him to get back on his meds. It's not that big of a deal."

"Lena," My mouth drops before I pull it back up together. "He shot you. He stalked you for months. He sat outside of your bedroom and watched you."

Lena pulls her sweater tighter around her as she lifts her knees up to her chest. "I know."

"Do you?"

"Stop it," She lifts her eyes angrily to meet mine and I suddenly notice tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.

I swallow down any other argument that I have and lean towards her, attempting to soften my voice. "I'll go with you to talk to them if you want me to."

She gnaws on the inside of her cheek. "Thanks. I just don't understand what else they need. I already gave my statement. Why can't they all just move on."

"I don't think the sheriff's department works that way, sweetheart."

She rolls her eyes. "I'll call him back," She grumbles.

"Promise?"

"Maybe," She sighs. "I'll promise for sure if you agree to lie about this training date."

"Not a chance," I laugh and hold onto her tighter. "I will take you to lunch after, though."

"Lunch? Hm."

I raise my eyebrows at her. "Is lunch not acceptable, Lena Lahote?"

She presses her lips together to keep form smiling. "Lunch is… fine."

"Just fine? My confidence is taking a serious hit."

She giggles. "I thought you were going to take me on a real date."

I can't help but grin. That was adorable. Lena acts so tough, but she just got seriously offended that I offered her lunch instead of a "real date". "You want an actual date?"

She shrugs.

"Alright then," I nod. "Tomorrow."

"Wow. Got big plans tonight or something?"

"Hot date," I lie. She rolls her eyes. "No. I have a meeting," I clarify with a laugh.

"Lena Lahote?"

A woman in navy scrubs comes out of the back and Lena stands with a sigh.

"I'll be here," I tell her, sitting up in my seat.

She frowns. "Can you come with me?" The edges of her tone show the hints of uncertainness that she was trying so desperately to try earlier. I stand and hold my hand out to her, immediately interlacing our fingers, and then we follow the nurse into the back.

After the appointment, there is a heavy blanket of disappointment covering both of us. In fact, Lena has been mute ever since midway through the appointment when the doctor told Lena that it was completely unrealistic to think she would be able to train at the extent that she was used to in the next few months. From there, I am glad that I was in attendance, because anything else the doctor said I am sure went straight through Lena.

I hold her hand as we walk towards the car. Lena's eyes are on the ground.

"Ice cream?" I nudge her shoulder.

She shakes her head.

"Wow," I sigh once we reach the car. "Not even ice cream can cheer you up. What else is there to offer?"

She rests the back of her head against the car door and closes her eyes, taking a long, deep breath. "Please," She asks. It takes me a moment before I realize that I already know what she is asking without her having to explain.

I gently grasp the sides of her neck and tilts her face towards mine. "I'm not lying about the date, Lennie."

She pouts her lip and nods. "Stupid doctor," She mumbles.

"Want me to kiss you until you forget all about it?"

She smiles just a little bit, and God is that just an incredible sight. Lena is so fucking beautiful; she's the most beautiful girl I have ever laid my eyes on. Proportionally, exceptionally, surprisingly beautiful.

I kiss her softly at first, and then deepen it almost immediately when she reaches for my collar and pulls me closer. I cup her head to make sure that it doesn't hit the hard metal of the car and rest her back against it; fuck. I still can't believe how incredible it feels to kiss her. Lena's lips are like fucking cocaine, that's the only way to describe them that serve them justice. They are so soft, and she tastes like heaven. I wonder what the rest of her tastes like. She is such a good kisser too; it makes me wonder where she learned to kiss like this, before I push that terrible thought down.

Lena pulls away with an embarrassed giggle. "We're in a parking lot," She says.

I turn my face to the side to kiss her cheek and notice two older women walking towards the hospital looking towards us with disdain as they whisper to each other. I wave at them nonchalantly.

"You are going to get me sent to jail," I speak between a smile.

Lena chuckles then rests her forehead against my chest. "I just feel like my soul got ripped out of my chest. What am I supposed to do without dance, Embry?" And for the first time, I get the sense of the young girl who doesn't have everything figured out coming through. "I don't have anything else."

"That's not true, Lena," I tell her as I wrap my arms around her back and rock her back and forth gently.

"Yeah it is."

"No it's not," I sigh. "Maybe before, but not now."

"You have Tanner," I tell her, keeping the distaste from my voice. I still will never be able to speak about him without remembering those damn drunk kisses. "And me."

"Yeah well I can't do you and Tanner. I need an activity. I am going to lose my mind. Just watch."

I raise my eyebrows. "Well I'm glad you're not doing Tanner."

"Embry!" Lena moans. "That's not what I-,"

"Feel free to do me, though."

"Embry," She laughs now.

I chuckle. "I've got an idea. Let's move our date to tonight."

"Really?" She picks her head up, and her eyes widen in excitement. There is a bright glint in them that brings me to life; I love seeing Lena like this. Sadly, though, it fades rather quickly. "Oh, you can't," She says, her voice must calmer now. "Your meeting."

"I'm rescheduling."

"You don't have to do that, Embry," She begins, but I cut her off.

"Yeah, I do," I sigh and kiss the side of her head. I take a deep breath of her hair and close my eyes. Coconut and something sweet and delicious overwhelms me. God, I could just bathe in everything that is this girl. "You're worth it."

Lena's POV

By the time seven o'clock rolls around I am ridiculously excited. No, I take it back; disgustingly excited. I always swore I would never be like this. I hated the girls who spent hours on their hair and makeup, tried on hundreds of outfits until they found just the right one, and then talked about how nervous and excited they were at the same time. Yet here I am, having changed my makeup twice, with the entire contents of my closet having erupted like a volcano all over my bedroom floor, with butterflies in my freaking stomach.

Embry Call has completely ruined me.

I step in front of the full-length mirror next to my bedroom door to inspect myself. I run my hands over top of my dress and then begin gnawing on my cheek. Embry did not mention where we would be going tonight, and so I have no idea what the proper dress code is. At first I had really gone for it, makeup and hair and all, but then I had wondered what would happen if we were just going to a diner or something casual like that, so I had to start from scratch.

I am currently in a solid, black dress that has short sleeves, comes up to the bottom of my neck, and then ends mid-thigh. I paired it with a simple pair of black heels and straightened my hair before pulling it back into a messy pony-tale. I ditched the makeup and went with a more natural look. The only makeup I have on is some concealer, a little bit of blush to highlight my cheekbones, mascara, and then red lipstick. I bite the corner of my lip and do a small twirl, still uncertain.

My phone buzzes on my bed and I rush over to check it. I pick it up off of my comforter and bring it up to my face.

Sorry I'm running a little late. B there in 5 (:

I smile a ridiculously huge grin and then bite the corner of my lip to stop myself. That shouldn't excite me as much as it does. It was just a stupid text. I moan and fall against my bed. I blow the hair out of my face and stare up at the ceiling.

Embry's words from the few nights ago in his truck still ring fresh in my mind. Every time I close my eyes I hear them. Every time I think about him I hear them, too. It was so romantic, hearing him talk like that; it made something happen inside of my chest that has never happened before. It made me yearn for him when he wasn't around. And then there was the comment about the thin bras…

I blush at the thought.

It is as if I am drowning in Embry. Everything that he had completely closed off to me before we started dating is practically flooding out of him; the flirting, the jokes, the honesty. My head it spinning. But I love it so much. I love it too much. It's scary.

I twirl the spare hair tie around my wrist over and over and over again, my gaze stuck on a certain non-important speck on my ceiling. He hadn't promised me that he wouldn't hurt me, but he had promised me that he wouldn't hurt me on purpose. But what does that mean exactly? Does that mean that if he got drunk at a bar one night and he accidentally took some girl home that he would accidentally hurt me?

I shake off the thought.

That's just crazy. Embry would never do that. But I can't shake it. I realize that I am being completely insane, but I can't stop my thoughts from completely running away from me. And along with the thoughts and instances and "what if's" comes a drop in my stomach that can only be described as feeling like a rock just fell from my mouth into my abdomen. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears.

The doorbell startles me.

I jump up with a panic. Shit! I check my appearance in the mirror once more before grabbing my clutch and practically running down the steps to my front door.

I open it quickly and Embry stands on the other side, black roses in his hands and a dark grey tee-shirt, dark jeans, and black dress shoes. Holy shit. I have never seen a man look more attractive in my entire life. I faintly notice Embry's eyes widen as he runs them up and down my body, and that is because I am too busy gawking at him. It's not as though Embry and I have never seen each other dress nice, it's just that we've never gotten nice for each other. His dark skin contrasts against his grey shirt in a way that I swear makes him sparkle. He is freshly shaven, and his light brown hair is more tamed than usual.

He clears his throat. I stand up straight as he blinks his eyes quickly together. "Ugh, w-wow," He says.

I blush. "Thanks."

He holds out the flowers that I had practically forgotten about to me. "Glad I picked black," He says as I take them from him. "They match."

I smile and press my lips together, nodding my head slowly.

"I know you hate flowers, but I couldn't help myself. You deserve to be spoiled, and what kind of guy would I be if I didn't get you flowers for our first date?"

I fight a smile.

He sighs and reaches for them. "I'll throw them out."

"Hey!" I pull them away and narrow my eyes at him. He appears taken aback. "These are mine! Don't you dare touch them."

Embry raises his eyebrows at me. It is impossible not to notice him trying insanely hard to suppress a smile. "Alright then."

"I'll be right back." I walk them into the kitchen and then set them in a tall travel mug filled with water, plastic and all. When I walk back to Embry, there is a victorious smile filling his already dazzling features.

I roll my eyes. "Let's go."

He holds out his hand to me as we walk to the car. I can't resist. Embry's hand is so warm. Ginormous, which is why it is an amazing feeling to hold his hand, because his practically engulfs mine in heat and smoothness.

"Remember what I said about making you a romantic?" He smiles teasingly to me as he opens the door.

I match his eyes with my own. I shut the passenger door, and then open it myself before hopping into the car, reaching to close it from the inside before he gets a chance.

I can hear him laughing outside as he walks around his truck to get into the driver's side.

"I was going to say hi to your parents," He says once the engine roars to life.

"They're at a fundraising event for my dad's team tonight," I answer.

"Oh. Didn't know that."

"How would you have known that?"

"Did you tell them where you were going?"

I lock my gaze with his. "No."

He swallows and nods his head, turning back to the road. "So they don't… know yet?"

"Embry."

"Lena," He lets out a long sigh. "They're going to find out anyways. Especially now that I'm taking you out in public."

"We used to go out in public all the time together. They don't need to know."

"But why?"

"I don't have to explain myself to you."

"Ugh, yeah you do. Or did you forget that we're dating now?"

"They're my parents. Drop it."

"That's true, and because of that I don't want to be disrespectful to them. I don't want them thinking that we're going behind their backs."

I bite my lip and look out the window. It's a stupid thought, I know that, but I can't help but feel like as soon as we tell my parents everything changes. Embry seems to be okay with not putting boundaries on our relationship and letting it happen naturally and with no pressure, but will he feel the same way when my parents get involved? When people start knowing?

"Lena," Embry rests his hand on mine in my lap and then squeezes it. "I'm not going anywhere. Even if your dad chases me out of your house with a gun."

My lips twitch at the corners. "I'm just not ready yet," I whisper.

"Embry remains silent for a moment before he speaks. "Alright. But I want to talk to them before our second date."

I begin to argue, but he peers over at me with raised eyebrows, cutting me off. "That's how this works, Lena. We talk about things. Compromise."

I grumble. "Fine."

He smiles at me. "You look incredible."

"Compliments will get you nowhere."

"Oh really?" He flirts. "Your lipstick is sexy."

I bite the center of my cheek, heat rising to my cheeks.

"Still getting me nowhere?" He laughs.

"Just drive," I fight a smile. "Where are we going, anyways?"

"A restaurant in Seattle."

"What kind of restaurant."

"A steakhouse."

I raise my eyebrows. "Fancy."

"Only the best for my girl."

I grin, unable to help myself. "I enjoy steak."

"I enjoy you in a tiny black dress."

I clasp my hands tightly around his and then kick my heals off, pulling my feet underneath me on the seat and leaning towards him, losing any animosity and annoyance I may have been feeling a second ago.

"And I enjoy you in that grey tee-shirt. Is it new?"

He nods.

I smile to myself. He went shopping for our date tonight. I suddenly can't help myself. I moan, open his hand, and then drop my face into his palm. "My parents will be home around eleven. We can tell them then."

Embry leans over to kiss the top of my head. He pulls his hand out from underneath me to begin stroking the hair on the back of my head. "It'll be fine. Nothing will change on my end. Everything I told you still stands."

I nod and sit up. I go back through everything that Embry had said in his truck that night in my head, thinking through every point, and for some reason trying to find a loophole around his promise, trying to figure out just one thing that he won't be able to uphold.

"You want to clue me in on that?"

"Hm?" I ask, turning towards him.

"You just had an entire conversation in your head."

I blush. "It's nothing."

He squeezes my hand. "I know it's not nothing."

"It's not nothing," I agree. "But I don't have to tell you everything that's going on in my head. I'm sure you don't."

He widens his eyes. "That is definitely a good thing." He mumbles something else about my dress, though I don't catch it. I scoot over in seat and rest my cheek against his arm.

"Put on music?" I ask and demand at the same time.

Embry's fingers delicately trace invisible shapes down my leg on the way to the stereo, and then turn on my favorite station. I am left with tensed muscles and an excitement flooding through my veins. I press my legs tightly together. I am glad that my cheek is against his shoulder so that he is not able to see my blush.

A little while later we arrive at the restaurant, which is much nicer than I even expected. Everyone inside is old with so much plastic surgery they are hard to look at. The waitress leads us to our reserved table in the corner of the main dining room. The lighting is dim in the entire restaurant, but there is a candle in the middle of the table, casting a soft glow on our surroundings. When I see what it does to Embry, I swear my thighs tighten just from the sight. His cheekbones are even more pronounced than usual, and his brown eyes have shiny glint in them that makes me feel like they can see through me. His lips are so plush that there is a shadow beneath his bottom one. His Adam's apple bobs as I watch him.

Oh wow.

I sit up straighter.

Embry's eyes drop to his menu almost immediately. He clears his throat. "What are you thinking?"

Oh. Right. I suddenly remember that we are, in fact, at a restaurant right as the waiter comes over to get our drinks, which is rather awkward due to the fact that I suddenly forget how to speak and stutter the word "w-w-w-w-water" so obviously Embry's eyes actually widen in shock.

I internally moan at myself; seriously, Lena? I have performed in front of the biggest talent agents in the country, and now I am nervous? I've known Embry my entire life, this is just stupid.

"You're nervous," Embry grins, never one to hold back.

I swallow. "No, I'm not."

He shoots me a teasing glance before drinking a sip of his coke. "Whatever you say, Lennie."

"You really seem to be enjoying this," I sigh, resting my elbow on the table and dropping my cheek into it after I realize that there is no pretending around him now that he's already noticed.

"Oh I am," He laughs. "I love watching you squirm because of me."

My eyes widen. I lick my lips, unable to help myself. Was that meant to be taken as sexual as I am taking it right now? Certainly, not.

"This is really expensive, Embry," I divert my eyes and change the subject to something much less sexy: money.

"Get whatever you want," He brushes off my comment. "Except salad. If you order salad I'm getting you a steak and cancelling that order."

I roll my eyes. "Definitely not a salad."

"Good," He lifts his eyes to meet mine. "I like your appetite."

I blush. Now that, that certainly was meant to be taken the wrong way, wasn't it? Is Embry flirting with me?

The waiter saves me from having to respond. Embry orders a T-Bone steak with a side of fries and I try to be a little more feminine by ordering a petite filet with a side of broccoli. Once he leaves again, we're left in silence.

"So thank-," I begin at the same time as Embry beings saying something else.

We both slam our mouths shut.

I blush mercilessly and let my shoulders slump with a shock. "I'm sorry. I'm not sure how to do this. Date you, I mean."

"Me neither," Embry admits.

"I guess it's really not all that different from when we were just friends."

Embry frowns. He leans forward. "No, Lena. It is nothing like that."

My mouth parts.

"I'm not trying to make you more uncomfortable," He clarifies, "But it's not like that at all."

I bite the corner of my lip. "How so?"

His eyes examine mine closely. "Well, for one, I'm not thinking what I used to think when you bite your lip like that."

I immediately lose my hold on my lip, my eyes widening in surprise.

Embry's gaze is unwavering on my face. There is a far-off gleam in his eyes that is making me squirm uncomfortably in my seat. Finally, I can't take I anymore. "What are you doing?" I ask, eying him suspiciously.

He opens his mouth and then closes it again. "We're not lying anymore, right?"

"No." I frown.

"I would suggest you have me lie to you," he tells me seriously.

"What?"

"I would really suggest you have me lie to you, Lena," He tugs on his collar.

"Embry," I pout my lower lip. "What's going on?"

"Fine," he sighs. "I'm mentally undressing you."

My mouth parts. "Oh."

"Very thoroughly, by the way."

I bite the corner of my lip, unable to help myself. the mere mention of his eyes seeing below my dress make the center of my thighs quiver with excitement. I press my thighs together and sit up straighter in my seat. Holy shit. No man or boy or thing has ever made me respond in such a way before in my entire life.

Embry cocks an eyebrow at me. "Sorry. I warned you."

"Why are you sorry?" I bite the center of my lip. "Are you liking what you're seeing?"

Embry leans forward, a dirty gleam in his eyes that I have only ever seen recently. It's addicting, pulling me in and setting goosebumps on my skin. "Are you flirting with me?"

I swallow. "No. You're flirting with me. I'm asking you."

"Oh, that's all?" He teases me.

"Yes," I can't help my lips from pulling up at the corners. "Completely platonic."

"Obviously."

"Well?" I shouldn't be pushing this, but I can't help myself. I press my lips together, and I can tell that Embry notices.

"Why are you pushing it so much?" Hell, he knows me too well. "Are you being bad, Lena?"

Heat rises to my cheeks. Heat rises... somewhere else.

"I'm just interested. If I'm going to be mentally undressed I should at least have the courtesy of knowing what you're seeing."

"That's it, huh?"

"It wouldn't be fair to me if your thoughts didn't live up to the real thing," I tease him.

"Or you don't live up to my imagination?" He counters with a wink, an obvious joke in his question.

"Trust me," I lean forward and find myself rimming the edge of my glass, something that I've never even thought of doing before. I am suddenly reminded of my first date with Tanner, and how different that had been. That had been fun, exciting, interesting; but this. This. This is smoldering. "That won't be an issue."

Embry makes a sound that is half a growl and half a whimper from the back of his throat. "Watch yourself, Lena." He warns me, his voice dropping to a low, husky tone that is the sexiest sound I have ever heard. I suddenly know what people in romance novels mean when they say that the way a man speaks to them makes them want them so much.

"I'm perfectly happy right as I am," I smile and cock my head at him, having no idea how I am so confidently flirting with him when my entire body is spinning with desire and need and nervousness.

"I'm not." Embry licks his lips and leans forward. "I won't be happy until I actually undress you."

I feel like my body is about to burst. Holy shit.

"That's all you're imagining?" I push, my voice more breathless now.

"You're trying to kill me," he moans, but he's not joking. Embry's eyes are serious as he hold my gaze intensely.

I lick my lips. "Tell me more."

Embry grins. "No, you tell me. What color is your underwear?"

I blush. "What are you, 12?"

His smile widens. "No. I'm a man who has been imagining what is five inches above the bottom of your dress all night."

Fuck. I take a deep breath to keep the heat from overtaking me, and suddenly realize that in my haste of trying on outfit after outfit, it had completely slipped my mind to slide my panties on after finally choosing a dress. "I'm not wearing a thong," I admit.

His eyebrows raise. "No?"

I shake my head. "I'm not wearing anything."

Embry's mouth drops. "N-nothing?" He stammers.

I smile seductively and twist a piece of my hair in my finger.

Embry swallows. "I don't believe you."

I shrug. "You can see for yourself."

He looks like a man possessed. "Let's go. Now."

I blush. "No."

"Yes," his eyes are slits as he demands me. It's so sexy I nearly faint. I love when Embry Call takes ownership of me.

"No," I repeat. "This is a date. I haven't even gotten my food yet."

"I'll feed you," he responds, his tone cocky again. I can't tell if he is joking or not.

"Nothing you could give me would be as good as this," I sit back in my seat. "Sorry."

"My pride just took a serious hit," Embry says.

"I'm sorry."

"No you're not," Embry's gaze shocks me. It's intense. Sexy. "You like it."

"Maybe."

"I'm mentally undressing you again."

"Wow," my eyes widen. "You're shameless."

"Yes, I am. I'll never claim not to be when it comes to you."

"Embry," I giggle, still having a hard time believing that this is the same guy who only a few months ago wouldn't even admit to having non-platonic feelings for me. "You're being a caveman."

"You said no boundaries," he sighs at me. "Do you see now why I was so hesitant to give that to you? You... do things to me. I can't have any self-control around you."

I blush. "Self-control is overrated."

Embry widens his eyes and then slowly rolls them, taking a long deep breath. I scrutinize him as he does so, and suddenly find myself wondering if what Embry said about not being able to have self-control around me is true. For one, he all but lost it on the couch our first time alone together since we started dating. All it took was for me to pull on his collar and press my lips back to his and he had lost himself for a while. What would have happened if I had pushed more? Would we really have slept together.

My blush gains in intensity so heavily that I have to take a big gulp of my ice-water.

"Lena," Embry moans. "You're doing that thing again."

"Hm?"

"That thing where you just had an entire, silent conversation in your head without me."

I giggle. "As someone once told me, there is an art to anticipation."

His jaw tenses. "You're doing this on purpose."

"Doing what?"

"You're teasing me."

"Embry," I chuckle. "I'm not teasing you. I think you're taking everything I say the wrong way."

"Bullshit."

I roll my eyes. "Is this about the 'you'll break first' shit? Because I swear I am just sitting here; trying to make conversation with you as you continue to make me feel uncomfortable."

"Lena. It's not my fault that I make you shake just from the things that I say to you."

It is suddenly so hard to breathe. I lick my lips and take a deep, obviously shaky breath. "Holy shit," I whisper in complete and utter disbelief of the turn this conversation took and seems unable to steer away from.

Embry laughs. "What? I was just making conversation," He mocks me.

I cross my legs and shift uncomfortably. "Clever."

"Did I just win?" he motions towards my recent shift

"Don't be so sure, Call." I sigh and twist my hair to one side, stretching my neck out to give him a good view. A vein in Embry's neck tenses.

"Lena," my name slips between his lips.

"Did the score just settle?" I ask innocently.

He smiles and leans forward. "I like games, I really do. But I want you to know that you're not a game to me, Lena. Not even close. Understood?"

I smile. "I know. I like when you flirt with me."

"I'm not disrespecting your honor?" His voice is teasing again.

"That honor is yours to take, so no."

Embry moans. "That may be so, but I won't touch you until you beg me to."

Heat rises to my cheeks. "We'll see about that," I manage to get out, though my voice is unsteady. "I won't beg."

He smirks at me.

"I won't," I am heavy breathing again as his eyes wander up and down my body.

"Careful," he tells me, "You might rip the table cloth."

In my wild heat, I look towards my lap to realize that I am fisting the napkin so tightly in my hands that my knuckles are white. I immediately let go of it, a blush rising to my cheeks.

Our waiter sent straight from heaven arrives with our food.

Thank God.

The food manages to break the sexual tension, and thankfully we are able to get through dinner without fucking on the table, which sounds like a joke, but I was starting to really wonder for a second there. We manage to have conversation that doesn't involve Embry mentally undressing me and leave the restaurant much calmer, almost casually, feeling like an actual couple with Embry's arm strewn around my shoulder as we agree that, that had to be the best steak we've ever had.

Embry and I came to dinner late, so when we arrive at his car in the back of the parking lot, it is pretty much deserted. He goes to reach for my door, but ends up shutting it and pinning me against the car as I go to step inside. His muscles are dominant and strong on my sides. I squirm, unable to help myself.

"What are you doing?" I ask him, my voice a mere breath.

"Making sure you weren't lying to me."

Before I have a chance to ask what the hell that means, his hands find the sides of my thighs and then he slowly begins sliding them up to my waist. My eyes close and then suddenly his lips are on mine. Embry's hands disappear underneath my dress as I breathe into his mouth, my head in the clouds. He slips his tongue into my mouth and I can't help but moan. Embry fingers slide against my hips and then he freezes.

"Fuck," He speaks into my mouth. "You were telling the truth."

I shiver.

Embry smiles against my lips. "Rule."

"You don't get to set rules for me, Embry."

"If you ever lie to me about what you're wearing or not wearing underneath your clothes, you'll be punished thoroughly."

My breath catches in my throat. "Maybe I want to be punished."

Embry moans. "Fuck, Lena."

I love this. I love watching him lose control, I love watching him fall apart… because of me.

"I'm wearing a black, lace padded bra," I tell him slowly, shocking myself with the obvious lie. I want to see if he'll catch it. I want him to catch it.

Embry stares me straight in the eyes. "No you're not."

I gulp. "How can you tell?"

He smiles devilishly. "Because you like to tease me with thin bras," his eyes drop to my dress, and I suddenly notice my nipples. They hadn't been showing before Embry pressed me up against the car, but now they are practically bursting from my dress.

Shit!

I cross my arms in embarrassment to cover them but Embry immediately loosens them. "Nope. Don't hide yourself from me," He looks rather proud of himself as he says this. "You lied."

I gulp. "Actually, I really lied. I'm not wearing a bra either."

Embry cocks an eyebrow at me. "You didn't wear panties or a bra to dinner with me? What are you trying to do to me?"

I giggle. "I forgot."

He shakes his head. "You are something else." Embry's smile widens. He dips his neck, his hands still grasping my wrists tightly as he pins them against the car. I am breathing so hard it is embarrassing. I feel his breath against my neck, sending goosebumps shooting down my arms, my back, my everywhere.

Suddenly, he lets me go and stands back. There is a look of triumph in his eyes. He leans forward again, connects his eyes with my own dazed and confused expression, and then pushes me aside to open the passenger door. "This is your punishment," he grins as he holds his hand out to help me inside.

My mouth drops. "Seriously?" I am shocked, and left entirely unpleased.

Embry lifts me inside when I don't go myself. "Caveman enough for you?" He winks at me.

I giggle, despite myself. "Did I really say that?"

"I'm finding that I can get you to say a lot of things when I look at you a certain way."

"When you're mentally undressing me, you mean?"

We both giggle. "Precisely."

"For the record," I sigh and wrap my arms around his neck. "I love being mentally undressed by you. But only by you."

His grip tightens around my back. "Of course."

I giggle. "Caveman," I repeat.

"I'm sorry," he kisses the corner of my lip.

"No you're not," I sigh. "Let's go back to your place."

He laughs. "No way. Remember that virtue we talked about?"

I sigh and sit back in my seat. "You really are a prude."

Embry's eyes widen. "Huh?" He looks completely mystified.

I roll my eyes. "Megan called you one at lunch the other day. I didn't realize it was so true."

"God, Lena," now he is the one to roll his eyes. "You have such a one-track mind."

"I know," I smile. "I should have been born a guy."

"No," his eyes widen. "You really shouldn't have." Embry's eyes trail up and down my body. "If there is one person on the planet meant to be a woman, it is you."

I blush drastically. "Embry."

He kisses my red cheeks. "I'm not a prude, Lena. I promise. And I'll prove it to you... sometime. I'm not sleeping with you until I know without a doubt that you completely trust me again."

I sigh. "I do trust you, Embry."

"Lena, we talked about this."

I bury my face into his shoulder. "You're right," I speak, my voice muffled. "But I like sleeping with you. You're warm and you smell really good."

He chuckles and then kisses my shoulder. "I like how you smell, too."

"Fine. No sleepover, but can we stop at your place and you give me one of your shirts to sleep in?"

He grins and pulls away. "Most definitely."

I can't help but smile. "Thanks."

"Only if you promise to do something in that shirt…"

"Embry!" I gasp. Heat rises to my cheeks so fast that I actually feel light-headed for a moment, having to rest my head back against the headrest.

He laughs. "I was kidding," Embry reaches for my face and then strokes my cheeks. "I love that you're shy. It's so sexy."

I roll my eyes. I am not naïve enough to believe that. "No it's not."

"Trust me, it is. You're so self-assured in everything, it's fun seeing you be insecure."

"That's quite odd, Embry."

"Freaky in a lot of aspects of my life."

I giggle and shove him away. "Can we go? We probably look weird hanging out in the parking lot after closing. Can I drive?" I grin ridiculously wide in hopefulness.

"No," Embry laughs like I just told a joke. "It wasn't that great of a first date."

My mouth drops.

Embry laughs loudly. "Kidding." He tosses me the keys.

I squeal and climb over to the driver's seat.

"Jesus," Embry moans and rubs his face with his hand. "Please stop making those sounds."

"But I thought you're not sleeping with me?" I flirt.

"Lena. I have morals. But I'm still a man. Don't tempt me unless you're ready for what you're tempting me for."

I lick my lips then turn towards the road. A thought creeps into my mind, and I can't help myself. "Stick shift," I say sensually. "I can't wait to ride it." I pull the car into drive.

Embry moans and slides as far away as he can from me.

I laugh so hard my stomach hurts.

"Laugh all you want," Embry sighs and crosses his arms overtop of his chest. "We'll see if you'll still be laughing when your dad kills your boyfriend tonight."

I freeze, having completely forgotten about that.

Shit.

Who's ready for Paul to FREAK OUT? I'll post next chapter ASAP! I hope you liked it!