Every now and then, the stars align
Boy and girl meet by the great design
Could it be that you and me are the lucky ones

Everybody told me love was blind
Then I saw your face and you blew my mind
Finally, you and me are the lucky ones this time

Feels like, feels like, you know, it feels like
Falling in love for the first time

Lucky Ones – Lana Del Ray

Regan

An hour later, we were still on the couch in the family room, Seth's arm slung around my shoulders as we watched a movie. For as chic as the Cullen's living room appeared, the furniture was plush and comfortable. I easily sank into Seth's side as the movie played. I curled into him like I was made to fit there, under his arm. I was mainly just basking in the feeling of just being able to lean against his arm and feel the warmth of his body next to mine. I looked up at him, expecting to see him engrossed in the manly movie that was playing on the TV screen. Instead though, I was shocked to see him looking straight at me.

"I wish you didn't have to be home so soon," he said softly, reaching up to stroke my cheek. I leaned into his touch, sighing. His voice was low and gravelly as he spoke, making my insides clench again. That voice always managed to do something do me below the belt. His hand dropped slightly, reaching to take mine. His rough fingers stroked my palm. It wasn't supposed to be sexual, but I still found my mind wandering.

"You want me to stay?" I teased lightly, knowing full well that what I had just suggested was an impossible thing. He smirked slightly, giving me a nod as I raised my free hand to touch his chest.

"I always want you to stay, Regan," he mumbled, looking away. He frowned at the television, his expression reminding me of a pouting little boy. I laughed, looking back at the screen as my hand played with the front of his shirt. I kept my movements light, but I could still feel the heat of his muscular chest beneath the material.

To say it beckoned me was putting it lightly.

I knew I was teasing him and yet somehow I knew he didn't mind. I watched him stare at me in the corner of my eyes, pretending to be engrossed in the moving playing. I could care less who the blonde spy on the screen blew up next. Every nerve ending in my body was paying attention to Seth.

Only Seth.

After a few more moments of resisting, I looked over at him. "What?" I challenged.

"Nothing," he finally said, a grin breaking through his pout. We were silent for a moment, just staring at each other with smirks on our faces. We knew what would happen next, and neither of us wanted to play around any longer.

We knew it was inevitable.

More importantly though, our bodies knew it was inevitable.

Slowly, he lowered his face to mine and pressed his lips against my mouth. A low groan from his chest confirmed that he wanted this as much as I did. He kissed me again, slower this time. It was slow and teasing as he dragged his lips over mine. Sometimes when he kissed me like this I knew he was trying to savor it. We never knew when we could be like this again. His lips crashed against mine again and again, his mouth opening to deepen the kiss. His tongue sought entrance between my lips, and I readily agreed, letting him taste me. I moaned against my will; I always hated it when I made an embarrassing noise like that. Seth didn't seem to notice. If he did, he didn't care.

He leaned even closer to me on the couch, his tongue still gently caressing mine with each deep kiss. A low, serene growl came from deep within his chest, and the noise did nothing to calm me. Instead, my hand found the back of his neck and tugged him closer.

It felt amazing to kiss him like that. No one to walk in on us, no one to catch us. He was all I had ever wanted all I ever could want. Getting to kiss him like I meant it was one of the single most wonderful feelings ever. The more I thought about it, the more carried away I became, pawing and grabbing at the front of his shirt like a wanton woman.

We broke apart breathless again, panting this time. I wanted more.

Sitting up, I threw my leg over his lap, quickly settling myself on top of him. The look of pleasant surprise on his face was just what I needed to keep him pinned beneath me. In fact, it was priceless. Better than a kid a Christmas morning. He was excruciatingly beautiful like this; his breaths labored, he cheeks flushed, and his eyes bright and wild. He looked so truly excited and happy to have me there with him that I almost got lost in the moment as I stared down at him.

"Kiss me, Regs. Don't make me wait," he whispered with a laugh. I still got butterflies when he used words like 'kiss me' and then my name in the same sentence.

I could still hardly believe he was mine.

I smiled to myself, leaning down to kiss him sweetly. His eyes opened slowly as I finished my kiss. He looked completely delirious, but in a good way.

I did it again and again and again and then finally, unable to resist, I dipped my head down and kissed him harder. He tasted like candy; probably because he was always eating candy but I didn't care. He was marvelous. I rocked myself on his lap, molding our bodies together in my mind. Clothes kept us from doing what I wanted to do with him, but I would take what I could get. He sighed between kisses, his arms circling my waist as he pulled me closer.

"Regs," he groaned.

I giggled. "Yes?"

One minute we were kissing, making out like two horny teenagers and then the next- don't ask me what happened. It was like a firecracker went off, igniting the dormant but not yet dead spark between us. He pushed my zip up hoodie off my shoulders one moment, then the feeling of his hot, coppery skin against mine made me practically combust with need. His muscled body beneath mine made me come unhinged.

I was hungry for him.

Something about the way his body felt against mine was like…like the joy of hearing my favorite song. The relief of an icy glass of water on a hot day. The rush of a roller coaster. I could go on and on trying to describe the way he made me feel when we were together – really together – like this.

His strong hands poured over my arms, shoulders, down my chest, and around my waist. Rising back up, he cupped my breasts through my tank top as I shifted my hips. I felt his hardness through his jeans and heard myself sigh. I hadn't been with him since before Christmas and my body was screaming for him to give me what I wanted. I didn't think of myself as a needy girl when it came to sex, but...I needed him.

I had stuck to my guns and been mistrusting of him for long enough. Tonight I wanted him.

I leaned forward, pressing my lips to his in another searing kiss. He moaned in surprise, his hands sliding up my chest and neck to cup my face. My body pinned his against the back of the couch as I attacked him with deep, needy kisses. Taking his bottom lip in mine, I nipped him softly and laughed at my own desperation.

"Please," I half whined, half chuckled.

He smiled against my lips, his white teeth parting as he grinned at me.

"You're sure?"

"Never more sure," I replied.

"Here?"

"Anywhere," I begged. I would join with him on the front lawn if that was the only option at this point. My body missed his, if that was even possible.

Seth Clearwater was like a drug, and I….well, I was like an addict.

We kissed deeply after that, our mouths connecting like our lives depended on it. It was funny really, how desperate your kisses can become when you want someone so much. Our breaths were labored and heavy as our hands roamed all over each other. I tugged at the hem of his t-shirt, practically ripping it off his body. We broke apart so that I could get it off his head, our deep breaths echoing off the walls of the small, dark room. The television blared as the long forgotten movie showed in the background, neither of us caring anymore. I moved my hips against his. This time is was his turn to moan.

"Are you sure?" he panted against my neck, placing an open mouthed kiss against my collar bone. I nodded, fisting his inky locks in my hand as his tongue darted out to taste my skin. I felt him suck lightly, making my body shudder.

"Oh god yes," I muttered, forcing my mouth to his. I know I sounded desperate but…I was. My skin pricked as I felt his fingertips grazing the material at the bottom of my tank top. The clothing on my body was suddenly heavy as it begged to come off.

"I want…" he trailed off, his voice scratchy and perfect. Something about the raspiness there made me want to tie him to a bed and never let him go. His hands yanked at my tank top, reading my mind. I followed his lead, helping him pull it off and toss it to the ground. Our pieces of clothing hit the floor one by one, and soon we were completely naked on the Cullen's couch. I couldn't help myself; it had been too long since I had been with Seth, and I wasn't going to let this rare chance escape me.

"They won't….care, right?" I panted, watching as he grabbed his wallet from the floor.

"Um, no," he laughed. "The Cullen's are paired off and they can be…ah, rather amours if caught in the right mood with their mate. I think they would understand."

"Okay, I'll take your word for it, moving myself closer. We were side by side on the large, overstuffed couch. It was big enough for both of us but just small enough that we had to be smashed together or Seth would fall off. He opened his wallet, pulling out a condom with an embarrassed look.

"I was prepared this time," he admitted, finally grinning at me. I felt myself grow a bit more turned on at the idea that he had thought this would happen again. I wasn't sure if it would, given the current state of things. We had been close, but not this close to anything in months. Before Christmas, in fact. I was elated to finally have things back to the way I wanted them. Or in my opinion, how we needed them. I wasn't going to argue with a six foot two, naked, muscled man.

Especially when he was naked.

"Good," I whispered, grabbing his shoulder. I pulled him down on top of me as we sprawled horizontally on the couch. _

I felt bad for doing this in the Cullen's family room, but I was desperate. Seth's body settled on top of mine as soon as he had our protection in order. I knew we didn't want any more slip ups like we had last fall. He rolled it on at lightning speed and I felt myself blush as he rolled between my legs. I could feel the sheathed hardness of him against my thigh, and I was suddenly nervous.

My eyes flicked up meet his in the dim room. The action movie was still playing in the background, casting a flickering light across the planes of his tan face.

"Hi," he offered meekly, a giggle slipping from his lips.

"Um, hi," I laughed back. He lowered himself against my body, his searing skin melting against mine. It felt good, but also foreign. I had missed this; it had been too long and I never wanted to be away from him like that again.

"You're sure?" he asked.

"Of course I am," I laughed nervously. He nodded biting his lip. His body shifted against mine, and soon after I could feel his manhood against me. Arching my back, I closed my eyes and slid down on the couch to better align our bodies. I could feel his excitement pulsing against me as I felt myself grow wetter.

"Seth," I sighed, pulling him down. He hovered above me as he pushed himself against my hips. A warm euphoria spread over me as he pushed himself inside.

Stretching.

Again.

Oh God.

I bit my lip as my body grew accustomed to his once again. I had forgotten the sheer size of him in these past lonely months, and now I was paying for it. I groaned as he slid further in. After a few uncomfortable moments, my body welcomed him as the first burst of pleasant nostalgia washed over me. Would it be like that every time?

I moaned and arched my hips up to meet his. There. That felt better. Warmer. Familiar. He sighed into my shoulder, dropping a wet kiss on my skin.

"Regan," he breathed, his voice gravelly again. He thrust against my hips, deeper this time. I felt my eyes roll back in my head slightly as I let the feeling of his body joined with mine take over.

"Mmm," I answered. All I could do was hum contentedly as his hips moved in synch against mine. Again and again he plunged into me, his movements soothing my frazzled, needy thoughts. I grasped the couch cushion beneath my fingertips, pushing the thought that we were on the Cullen's couch out of my head. We hadn't even bothered to pause the movie. Guns fired and bombs went off on screen as we blissfully ignored them. I tried not to laugh as I thought about the explosion Seth was about to induce from me if he kept this up.

As if he could read my thoughts, he grabbed my bare hip with his hot hand, thrusting with more purpose. I watched his head fall back in sheer enjoyment as he hovered over me.

"I missed this," he whispered, dripping his head to rest against mine. I nodded in agreement, suddenly unable to speak. Lexi had been right. I had it easy compared to her. I needed to let everything else go and enjoy my life with Seth, because I never knew what the future would bring. I was hit with so much emotion that I could have cried. I almost did. Instead, I focused my attention to the beautiful man that was on top of me and making me feel like I could fly.

Looking up, I watched as his eyes fell closed. I reached up, brushing a strand of sweaty hair out of his eyes. His hair was shaggier now, and I had to admit that I kind of liked it that way. He looked positively wild as he moved in the flickering light of the movie in the background. The broad planes of his tan chest rippled, making his muscular body look even more appealing than ever. His arm hooked around my leg, moving around the curve of his hip. The new angle made my back arch in pleasure. He hit a spot deep inside that made me clench against him, desperate for him to never stop. My body shuddered from the inside out, my body wracked with the tingling, firework feeling of going over the edge.

"There," I whimpered, biting my lip to keep from screaming. He chuckled to himself before sliding his nose down my chest. I could feel his hot breath against my breast, and I felt my nipples pebble even more as my body anticipated what was to come. Reverently, he circled it with his tongue before taking it into his mouth and sucking lightly. I turned my head and moaned into the pillow as another wave of pleasure hit me. His warmth mixed with the rigorous workout we were giving each other was making the room steamy, or at least if felt that way to me. I began to sweat as he moved above me. It was like he could read my body like a book. He rose up on his knees, keeping my leg up against his hip. I let my eyes fall closed as his thrusts got harder and deeper.

I balked for a second at the change in position, never having done anything like this before. I was splayed across the couch as he stared down at me, his intense chocolate eyes taking in the view. I was suddenly worried about what he would think of me on display like this – boobs jiggling, stomach pooch exposed, every flaw magnified by his thrusts. Did other girls worry about things like that during a time like this? I tried my best to push my doubts and fears aside and enjoy it, but….it was difficult. I was enjoying this new angle, but I couldn't help but feel like it wasn't my most flattering angle. This was different – the other two times we had been together like this had been more…tame. His Bronco was dark and cramped, and his bedroom had been practically pitch black. Most of my experiences with sex in the past had been pretty vanilla – the backseat of a car, in someone's twin bed. I hadn't even known to experiment with different positions at the age of sixteen. My main goal then had been not to get caught.

I swallowed and tried to focus.

Not on my jiggling breasts and imperfect stomach, but…on the way he was making me feel.

I was still self-conscious, but….

But now I wasn't sixteen.

I was eighteen, technically closer to nineteen.

I was a girl then.

I was a woman now.

This was still Seth, my best friend, but this was also Seth…my wolf.

I bit my lip at the thought. Confidence bloomed through my limbs as he grabbed my other leg, pulling me up to meet his hips. I clamped my ankles above his firm, round ass and finally stopped thinking.

I let myself start enjoying.

And why not? This man, this perfect man…was certainly not looking for my flaws. In fact, as he stared down at me with his lust-filled, determined and even wild eyes….he was anything but. His gaze was concentrated but almost encouraging as we moved together. I felt his arms flex around my calves, bringing me back to the present moment. In the dim, flickering light I could see the beads of sweat forming on his brow. One slid down his chest, getting lost in the caramel dips and curves that were his perfect chest. I felt myself grow wetter.

"Is this…okay?" he panted.

I must have been quite the woman to make even a shape shifter pant like that. I felt a rush of joy.

I could only nod between thrusts.

It was more than okay.

It was fucking fantabulous.

His gaze grew darker, if that was even possible. "Fuck…" he half whispered, half groaned quietly.

"What?" I panted, reaching my hand up. I let it fall against his stomach, watching with fascination as it contracted and rippled under my touch. His skin burned pleasantly against my fingertips, as if to remind me that he was real and not a mythical Greek creature. And then he spoke.

"I….I just want you so bad."

I thought a moment as I watched him. His hand reached out and cupped one of my breasts, his warm palm squeezing it. I let out a tiny cry as his touch made me clench around his length.

So good.

"You have me," I whispered.

My words did something to him. It was all I could think so say, really. His movements slowed, becoming less about speed and more about purpose. One hand held my legs steady around his waist while he slid, fingertips first, down my chest. Reverently. Over my stomach, down my pelvis, and finally to the spot between my legs. He took a deep breath of the air in the now muggy room and touched me with the pad of his thumb.

I think I screamed, or maybe that was just in my head, I'm not sure. Either way it was complete bliss.

We let ourselves go in that moment.

He groaned into the air, his entire body flexing and tensing up. Somewhere in the midst of my own little utopia I felt him spasaming right along with me. He toppled over me on the couch as we both came down from our temporary euphoria.

"Oh my Lord," I panted, licking my lips. I had been with guys before Seth, but absolutely nothing came close to the feelings that overcame me when we were together. He paused on top of me, his weight adding to the delicious Jell-O-like feeling that was spreading through my limbs. He brushed his nose against mine and sighed deeply, his warm breath blowing on my face.

"Is that the best you got?" I nearly gasped.

He grinned boyishly at me.

"Nah. Saving some of it for your graduation."

I felt myself blush at the thought.

He rolled over on his side, yanking the soft throw off the back of the couch. Covering us, I snuggled into his side. I rested my head on his shoulder as we both tried to recover our breath.

"I don't think I'll ever get tired of that," he finally said, grabbing the remote and silencing the TV. I could only nod in agreement and giggle to myself. My body felt boneless as I lay there beside him, but I wasn't complaining.

"Me either," I admitted, shifting my head. I gazed up at him, silently hoping I wouldn't ever have to be away from him again. We had turned another page in our relationship…or this imprint thing…and it was a change that couldn't be ignored.

We needed each other now more than ever.

Seth watched me closely, seeming to read my mind. His face was so relaxed that his dark eyes looked like slits against his tan, flushed cheeks. He was so perfect to me. I was suddenly overwhelmed that it was me lying there beside him and not someone else. How had the universe dealt me such a hand? I had made so many mistakes in my past and done so many things wrong. Now that things were turning around, I couldn't help but wonder what I had done right. I was lucky to have a friend that I could love so much and who I knew returned it back to me.

"What are you thinking?" he asked, brushing my hair off my cheeks.

"I just...love you," I admitted.

"I love you too," he chuckled, pecking me on the cheek.

"You know what I always thought? Even when we first met?" I asked quietly, tracing a small circle on his chest. He shuddered slightly

"What?"

"Well, I told you this once before but…Seth, you'd be hard not to love," I said, voicing the thought I'd always had. It felt good to say it to him now, even better to watch him smile as he heard it.

"So are you."

I had to laugh. "I am so hard to love. I'm terrible! You had to make it through my terrible teens! I still have a year, in fact."

"Yeah well…I'll be here. I'll be here forever, Regs. I love you. Call me crazy, but…I just do. I love you. I always have. Even before we met I…I knew you were out there. You had to be. I loved the thought of you."

"I wish you could have been there for me…before. Before Forks."

"I think I was. I my mind. My dreams. I think I was there. I think that's what brought you to me. Does that sound stupid? Or….lame?"

"No," I laughed. "Not at all. I'm glad it did," I agreed. I lifted my head up, pressing my lips to his to seal our words. The kiss quickly grew more passionate, but that's as far as it went. We stayed together on the couch for another half hour or so. We stayed naked, pressed up against each other for as long as we could. Such closeness healed anything that was wrong with the world. Eventually we got dressed and headed back to Charlie's. But…I found myself longing for the day when I would never have to leave his side.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Can I get a number four with cheese fries?" Claire turned to me, raising an eyebrow. "What do you want?"

I glanced at the neon menu, groaning internally. "Um, a number six. Plus cheese curds and a large Coke," I muttered, shoving my cell phone back into my purse. I winced as Claire ordered our greasy fast food mix. It was the day after my tryst on the Cullen house with Seth, and although I was happy things were a little bit back to normal between us, it was a stark reminder that I was going to prom tonight stag. We were supposed to be at her house, primping for the dance, but our enthusiasm had waned. I had gotten to her house bright and early this morning, but both of us were so wrapped up in everything else that prom seemed pretty minor. Rosalie and Emmett had brought Lexi by Claire's house that morning for a supervised visit. Claire was shocked and of course saddened to know that her friend had been turned into what the wolves sought to destroy. Seth had explained that the Cullens were much different, but I understood that it still didn't bode well for Lexi's relationship with Brady. Or what was left of it. Claire had taken to the news of her change as I had; in shock, but we were both happy to see her again. Vampire or not, she was still our friend. I knew Claire was happy to see her, but any happiness she felt was overshadowed by what she was going through with Quil. Apparently their relationship had taken a backward turn recently as well. Seth had explained Quil and Claire's 'special' relationship with me several weeks ago.

"I wanted to die when he just…dropped my hand. Or kill him,"she added with a growl. They had gone to the movies the night before on a date, and he had quickly dropped her hand when they saw people they recognized. Claire couldn't have been more heartbroken. "I guess I'm just a big secret after all."

"He's probably just waiting for the right time," I added hopefully.

"Maybe. But he makes such a big deal about the fact that I'm not his little 'Claire-bear' anymore. I mean….I think he'd rather have me be six again and have us be best friends rather than….well…what you and Seth have."

I swallowed roughly, trying to put myself in Quil's shoes. "Yeah but Claire…maybe he's still getting used to you growing up. It would be hard to be frozen at twenty something most of your life as you waited for your…imprint or whatever to grow up. It's hard to wrap your head around. Maybe Quil's just…freaking out a bit."

She huffed. "Well he needs to knock it off. I'm eighteen and he's had months to get used to my being an adult. I'm ready to knock boots again."

I nodded, my eyes widening when I realized what she said. "Wait, AGAIN!"

She nodded, blushing. "Yeah, sorry. It was when you and Seth were…having troubles. I didn't to brag about losing my v-card while you were all mopey and not getting any."

I exhaled sharply, not sure what to say. Claire had a way of dropping these word bombs that had a tendency to rock my world sometimes. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised. Leave it to Claire to plan something like jumping Quil's bones. Before Christmas and the whole Charlie debacle we had gone to Port Angeles one day to a clinic. Not that she had to convince me very much to go with her – after my unprotected slip up with Seth I knew that getting on some form of birth control was one of the smarter things I could do. Claire had insisted she was doing it to help regulate her cycle, but I wasn't fooled. In all my misery I had put the trip out of my mind, and taking my pill every day was just part of my routine.

"So….you did it? With Quil?"

She nodded. "I kinda…talked him into it. It's a long story. I may have coerced him to do it. Do you…um…remember your first time?"

I blinked at her a few times, finally nodding. "Kinda. I'd been um…drinking. But I remember it kinda hurt. And then it was over. I remember thinking I didn't know what the big deal was about sex."

"Right," she mumbled, rolling down her window. She handed the woman some money and we sat in silence for a minute.

"Claire were you…disappointed?"

She turned to me, her brown eyes a little wide. "No…I mean…you promise not to tell?"

"Of course."

"I was just…I thought it would be different. I'm just stupid I guess. I thought it would be all rainbow and butterflies after but he just…he kept looking at me like he'd just defiled me. It wasn't…the mood in the room wasn't awkward or tender or loving or any of the stupid things it's supposed to be after you have sex for the first time. He was just…it was like he was disappointed."

"I doubt it Claire," I said softly. "Have you guys talked about it or…done it again?"

She sighed, nodding. "Just once. I practically had to beg him. He was just all shaky and he started to sweat and…he saw that I actually had lingerie on and he just kinda went comatose. Good thing I was on top," she added wistfully, taking her change and rolling up the window. From the tone of her voice, it didn't sound like she was going to say anything else about it so I left it alone. We got our greasy food and parked on the town square to eat. Claire pushed up her sunglasses miserably, grumbling to herself as she unwrapped her burger. I stared at the new town library that was being completed. I knew Brady had helped restore it and build the new section, and once again my mind was taken back to Lexi.

"What would you do if you were her? Lexi, I mean."

Claire paused, stuffing another cheese fry into her mouth. "Why?"

"She just seemed upset the other night when I…suggested she call him."

"Can't say that I blame her. I'm no expert but um…I would think vampire-werewolf relationships are a bit frowned on."

"But that doesn't mean it's wrong."

"No, of course not. It's not about right or wrong though. He's programmed to kill her, tolerate her at best…not love her."

"But she's his imprint. He is programmed to love her, isn't she?"

Claire shrugged. "Yeah, but how far does imprint love go?"

We ate in silence for a moment as I thought about her words. "I was just thinking about her. It could have been either one of us that got bitten by that vampire if you think about it."

"I do," she said slowly, taking a swig of her Coke. "But it wasn't. I mean, I talked to her last night and she didn't seem to have any regrets. She wouldn't rather be dead. At least this way she can actually…experience something. If Lex did anything, I think she lived her human life to the fullest. She seemed content with everything.

"Yeah, but she and Brady were just starting to like…really enjoy being together and then bam! You know? It was all just…gone."

"I think we should let them sort it out."

"Are you telling me to butt out?"

"No, but I'm telling you that our best friend is now a vampire, Regan. Who knows what's going on with her right now? I say we back off and just..okay fine, I guess I am telling you to butt out."

I huffed and sat back in the seat, taking another bite of my cheeseburger. I knew she was right of course; I had no right to force my ideas on Lexi. But was it so bad that I just wanted to help my friend out?

I was distracted when Claire's phone rang suddenly. She frowned and picked it up. "It's a Forks area code," she muttered. "Hello?"

I heard a bright, chimey voice ring through on the other end, and Claire's face lit up with recognition. She nodded a few times, saying some 'okays' and 'uh huhs' before hanging up with a look of surprise on her face.

"What was that about?"

"We…we've been invited to prom. By Alice Cullen."

"I'm…not sure we can take a vampire to our high school prom."

"NO," Claire laughed. "She's invited us to Seth's house. We're having our prom there. With our wolves."