Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, Stephanie Meyer does. I only own this story! Most of these characters and their personalities come from her!

Chapter 24 Stolen Kisses

Jacob held me for a few moments longer, just staring at the chain. The silence dragged on and I wondered if he would ever speak until he finally held me at arm's length.

"What were you thinking running off into the woods like that?" He accused.

"I'm sorry," I admitted "I smelled Milly's blood and I just acted without thinking. I had to make sure that she was ok."

Jacob looked away and took a deep breath letting it out slowly before he glanced back down at me. "You really scared me."

The look on his face made it difficult for me to respond. I pulled him to me, letting him hold me tightly. "I'm ok." I whispered when I was sure it wouldn't sound like a croak.

We stood like that for a while, and I found myself captivated by his breathing. He took deep long breaths and it seemed to help steady both of us. His proximity made my body tingle lightly everywhere our skin touched. I slowly matched my breathing to his. My heartbeat however was still racing, though I wasn't sure if it was because I was still frightened for what could have happened to my friend or if it was something else.

"Let's get you home." He announced, letting me go but keeping a hold on my hand. It was like I was his only anchor to the world, and if he wasn't holding onto me he'd float away. At least that's how I felt about him. His touch was slightly warm and I leaned into him as we walked. He was here for me, always had been, and always would be.

We started walking through the woods moving slower than I would have liked. I wanted to get as far away from the chain as I could, it reminded me of what Milly and John had gone through. I was worried about them, mainly Milly; it felt like she had some deep dark shadows that haunted her. I wanted to help her, to let her know that it was ok to open up.

Jacob's presence was a stabilizing element, and I was thankful for it. Our last time alone together in the woods came back to me in a flash and my body ached for the sensations he could cause. I wanted to feel that way again, dominated, loved. It was then that I realized Jacob was naked. His body glistening in what moonlight was penetrating the clouds and trees. Just the realization that he wasn't wearing any clothes made my entire body feel warm. He seemed unaware of his nakedness as we continued walking at a casual pace.

"He does love you Renesmee." Emily's words came back to me like whispers through the trees.

"I don't want to go home." I admitted causing Jacob to stop. At our quick walking pace we were already halfway there.

"I need to take you somewhere safe Nessie; and I'm sure your mom's worried about you." He responded.

"We can go somewhere safe. Just not home, not tonight."

"Renesmee what are you talking about?" Jacob asked.

"I just can't go home. Please. Take me to your place Jacob, take me anywhere. I just can't go home." I answered feeling helpless. I wasn't ready to face my family after blindly running off like that. I already knew what they would all say. I also knew that we would leave Forks, maybe for good, and I would miss it.

I was acting childish, only delaying the inevitable. I just wasn't ready to face them, at least not yet.

Jacob must have seen something in my face because he nodded; grabbed my hand once more and changed the direction we were walking in.

We continued a while on our corrected course before either of us spoke again. "I kissed Kent." I voiced not meaning to say anything of the sort.

Embarrassment filled me as I glanced at Jacob, expecting some kind of outburst like when he'd first seen the two of us together.

Jacob's face gave no clue as to how he was feeling about my confession. He kept a hold on my hand and continued walking. When the silence had dragged on to the point where I didn't think he had even heard me, his voice fill the space between us "Did you feel anything?" He asked.

I thought for a few moments before answering. "Yes," I admitted. "But nothing like when we kissed. I wanted to feel normal, to be normal. It was nice to be with someone who loved me for who I really was." But it wasn't… you. I thought silently to myself, glancing at him.

Jacob took this all in as we reached the outskirts of Sam's territory. "You are." was his quick response as we made our way past some houses. The night had progressed considerably since we'd left the dance. The moon was low on the horizon and I could see the first lightening of dawn. When we finally reached Jacob's father's house, finding a key under the mat, we quietly opened the front door. Jacob turned on the small light in the kitchen and read off a note that had been put under a magnet on the fridge.

To anyone who is looking for me,

I'm at the Clearwater home for the week.

~Black

The note was in Mr. Black's horrible, but unmistakable, handwriting.

"Looks like it's just the two of us," Jacob smiled walking to his small bedroom in the back; he emerged a few moments later with a blanket and pillow. "I'll take the couch."

I nodded, and then watched as he slowly laid out the makeshift bed. I knew his feet would be hanging over the edge, and suddenly felt guilty. He should be the one sleeping in his own bed, but that's how Jacob was, always putting me first.

"Would you love a vampire without being imprinted?" The words found their way out of my mouth once again without me wanting to say anything along those lines. I secretly wondered what had happened to me tonight to make my mouth start blabbing everything I was thinking without my consent.

"No," He answered, turning around. He quickly walked closer to me, making my heart jump up into my throat. His hands lovingly cupped my cheeks, his mouth dangerously close to mine. A distant part of me begged me to turn away, to run. The rest of me, however, wouldn't let my body move. "But I would love you."

The thoughts that had kept me from giving in to my feelings for Jacob dissolved. I was so afraid to love him, so afraid that it wasn't right. Yet at this moment when I felt the most vulnerable, in his arms was the only place I wanted to be.

"I love the way your eyes light up when you're excited…" He spoke, his breath smelled like sweet warm rain. And my body shivered at his words. "I love how you see the world in images, how much you love to paint those images. I love that when you're embarrassed your cheeks turn a bright red. And when you're angry I love how you express your feelings; that you scream and shout. You hold nothing back from me. Your different Nessie, I know that. Every part of me knows that. It's not just our imprint. I. Love. You."