It's been a minute, but I'm finally back at it.

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I hope you like this new chapter!

Chapter 5

Bella's POV

"I'll be back as soon as I can. Try not to do anything too funny while I'm gone."

He pulled me in for another kiss. I had to force myself not to wrap my arms around his neck. Not to lock my fingers in his hair and hold him to me. Not to ask him to stay.

"I love you, Bells," he whispered against my lips before vanishing into the dark shadows of the forest.

The second he was gone, I felt a strange, hollow feeling in my chest invade the intense wave of happiness I'd been in. I realized that I already missed him. Now that I really, truly had him, I didn't want him to go even for a moment.

He'll be back. Breathe.

I took a minute to straighten my dress and comb through my hair with my fingers. I could only pray that I didn't look like I'd just been laying on the damp ground. Blood rushed to my cheeks when I thought about everything that had happened tonight. When I thought about the ways Emmett had touched me. How I couldn't wait to touch him.

Stop. Breathe. I commanded myself. You can't go in the house all worked up like this.

When I finally felt like the blush had receded from my cheeks, I carefully walked around to the front of the house - again, avoiding all the windows - and across the street where Carlisle had left my truck.

Just when I was thinking Charlie would probably hear the roar of the engine as it started and look out the window to see me here, the rain picked back up. I smiled as I turned the truck around - making a mental note to thank Alice for the preciseness of her planning later. I parked in the driveway next to the Black's old Ford.

Sighing, I stepped out into the rain and half ran to the front door. The only thing I felt like doing was going upstairs and preparing for Emmett's return, but I needed to get rid of Jacob and Billy first. It was nice that they came here to wish me a happy birthday - and I was genuinely excited to see Jacob - but Billy was probably here to check up on me and give one of his incredibly vague warnings to Charlie about the Cullen's.

"Bella!" Jacob swooped me up into a bear hug the second I walked through the door, "Happy birthday!"

"Can't… breathe… Jake!"

"Oops. Sorry." He grinned as he set me down.

I grinned back. Aside from Emmett and Alice, Jacob was probably my best friend. He was definitely my best human friend.

"Geez, what is Billy feeding you? You've grown like a foot since school started."

He arched an eyebrow at me, "See anything you like? I wouldn't blame you, seeing as you've been with that beanpole for so long."

"Yeah yeah," I rolled my eyes, then hesitated and lowered my voice. "Actually… we broke up tonight."

I only had a second to process the surprised look on his face before Charlie called from the living room.

"Bells? How was the party?"

I walked in to find him and Billy watching the Mariners game and sat down on the sofa. Jacob, eyes downcast, sat next to me.

"Alice went a little overboard with the decorations, but it was good."

"Good, good." Charlie turned his attention back to the game.

Billy nodded to me, "Happy birthday, Bella. This is from me and Jake."

He handed me a small rectangular box wrapped in emerald green paper. I opened it to find an intricately woven leather bracelet with a wolf charm attached. It was beautiful.

"This is amazing. Thank you both so much."

"Here, I'll help you put it on." Jake reached for my left hand. His expression turned to a scowl as he tied the bracelet on to my wrist. "Doesn't really look like you guys broke up."

"Huh?" It took me a second to realize that Jacob was staring at the gorgeous gold ring Emmett had given me. I couldn't help the huge smile that spread across my face when I looked at it. "Oh, no, we did break up. That wasn't from Edward."

Charlie's attention was suddenly back on me.

"You broke up? Why? Did he do something?"

I sighed, might as well get this over with.

"No, he didn't do anything, Dad. It was just time. I've been pushing this off for a while now and finally had the guts to do it tonight."

"So… you're happy about it?" Charlie's expression was cautious.

"Yeah, I'm great, Dad. Really."

"So who got you that then? It looks like real gold." Jacob was gesturing to the ring.

I glared daggers at him. Of course, Jacob would have to draw Charlie's attention to it.

Should I tell him about Emmett? Charlie had gotten to know Emmett pretty well this summer, but that was solely as my boyfriend's brother. Would he be okay with him dating me? He'll have to be.

"It was from Emmett." I shrugged, attempting nonchalance.

Jacob's face fell. "Is that the big one?"

"Yeah, I mean, he's taller than Edward."

"Are you dating him?"

Here we go. Guess there's no point in lying about it.

"Yes."

My heart thudded violently. Somehow, telling my human family made the whole thing feel more real.

Charlie's face was tight, "Isn't he a bit old for you, Bells?"

"What? No, we're both seniors." I tried to feign innocence.

"Well, I guess he can't be much worse than the other one." Charlie shook his head.

"Wow," Jake's body was slightly trembling and his fists were clenched, "you sure don't waste any time, do you?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Jacob scoffed, "You jump straight from the beanpole brother to the giant one? And he just happens to get you a gold freaking ring? I didn't think you were that kind of girl."

Where is this coming from?

"Not that it's any of your business, but this didn't just happen out of nowhere. Emmett has been my best friend since I moved here."

"Oh, he's your best friend? What am I then?" His entire body was shaking.

"Jacob," Billy's voice was harsh, "calm down. Bella didn't do anything to intentionally hurt you. You need to breathe."

Jake closed his eyes for a long moment, "I'm sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me. I need to get out of here."

"Go wait in the car," Billy turned his intense gaze to me, "Bella, I hope we didn't ruin your birthday. Jacob is just at that age. He'll be okay."

"No worries," I could tell Billy wanted to say more - probably lecture me about dating yet another vampire - but he was all too aware of Charlie silently taking in the scene in his living room.

When we heard the old Ford pull out of the driveway a few minutes later, Charlie muted his game.

Uh oh.

"So you and the other Cullen kid are already pretty serious?"

"No," I shook my head. I hated lying to him, but there was no way I could really explain everything, "I mean, not in the way you're thinking. We do know that we care more about each other than we have ever cared about anyone else - does that count as serious?"

"For you, I think it does. You always do seem to light up when you're with him. A whole lot more than you do with the skinny one." He glanced at the ring, his face thoughtful. "Don't get me wrong - I like the kid - but was giving you that ring a little rash? Seems like something he'd give on a first anniversary or as an engagement gift, not on the very first day you two started dating."

"He had it picked out for me months ago, before we ever realized our feelings for each other. It doesn't really mean anything except that he thought I would like it. I only put it on this finger because it fit the best."

I was lying through my teeth, but Charlie seemed to be buying it.

"Hmm…" he leaned back in his chair, "I guess as long as you're happy, I'm happy."

"I am very happy, Dad." I feigned a yawn, "I'm exhausted though, I'm gonna go to bed."

His attention was already back on the game, "Okay, goodnight."

I went out to grab the gifts I'd left in my car before heading upstairs. My heartbeat sped up uncontrollably as I got closer and closer to my bedroom. Part of me was hoping Emmett would already be waiting for me. He wasn't, though. If only I could be at the family meeting right now. I couldn't wait until I was a vampire and wouldn't have to be left out of anything.

After brushing my teeth, I started digging through my pajama drawer to look for something cute enough to wear. Why did I only have old tees and sweats? I was mentally kicking myself for not packing the lace nightgowns Renee had bought for me last summer.

My phone buzzed. I had a text from Alice.

'Under your bed. Happy birthday.'

No way. I was caught halfway between grateful admiration and horror as I pulled out a large Victoria's Secret bag from under my bed. She must have stashed it there earlier today.

Inside were three very lace-y (and very transparent) lingerie sets and two satin slip nightgowns. I tried to hold back the fear that immediately began building in my stomach. This was too much.

No, I reassured myself, Alice wouldn't give it to you if it was too much.

I replied to her text, forever grateful for her power of foresight.

'Thanks! You're the best!'

The light of the moon caught the gold on the Claddagh ring and I couldn't help but admire it. He loves me. He really loves me. I thought about how incredible my experience in the woods with Emmett had been. He had made me feel so loved and desired. I wanted him to feel the same way. I wanted to physically show him how insanely happy I was to finally have him.

I selected a black lingerie set and - after only a moments more hesitation - put it on. I barely recognized the person looking back at me from the full length mirror that sat in the corner of my room. I was extremely shocked to find that, instead of feeling insecure about the amount of skin I was showing, I felt sexy. Everything hugged my curves just right. I put a deep crimson nightie on over it and took in a deep breath. I hope he likes this.

A knock at my door made me jump. Crap, crap, crap. I rushed to put my bathrobe on before opening the door.

"You okay?" Charlie was looking at me skeptically.

"Yeah, you just scared me is all."

He looked purposefully past me and around my room. Thank God I already put the lingerie bag in the closet.

"Hmm… Well I got called in to work. I probably won't be back for a while."

Yes!

"Is everyone okay?" It was exceedingly hard to contain the smile threatening to take over my face.

"Hope so - some campers near the reservation are going on about a giant bear, but I don't think anyone got hurt. I'm going out there to check it out."

"Okay, be safe, Dad."

"I will be."

Once Charlie had safely driven off in the cruiser, I threw my robe back to it's designated spot on my rocking chair, and fell onto my bed to wait for Emmett. I couldn't believe my luck. I wanted to spend many, many nights alone with Emmett, but especially our first night.

Emmett.

The now familiar burning sensation started deep in my abdomen. I couldn't help but think about how good his hands felt. How good his mouth felt. And the way his chiseled body had pressed against mine… Mmm.

I closed my eyes and started to mentally replay the events in the woods. Tentatively, I let my hands roam down my body. After a moment I lifted the satin nightgown slightly to slip my fingers inside the black lace panties.

"Oh my God, Bella. You're fucking mouthwatering."

At the sound of another voice in the room - even the voice I'd just been fantasizing about - I panicked and jumped up so fast I nearly fell off the bed.

"Emmett?!" I half screamed.

He held his hands up apologetically.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you…. I really liked where that was headed."

"How long were you there?!"

"I'd literally just arrived - I swear."

He took a few too quick steps over to me. Hesitantly, he dragged the tips of his fingers across my cheek, my neck, then finally my arm before securing my hand in his. He brought it up to his icy pale pink lips to kiss my knuckles. I shivered.

How does he do that to me so easily?

Now that I'd caught my breath, I was able to really take him in. He'd changed into a pair of light wash jeans and a black t-shirt that tightly hugged his biceps. His windswept curls framed his face in such a perfect way that he looked like a model on the cover of a regency era romance novel.

"I'm sorry I scared you, Bells. Really."

"It's okay. I was just… Uh…" blood rushed to my cheeks as I remembered what I'd been doing, "I really wish you hadn't seen that."

"Why not? It was sexy. You are sexy, Bella." His lips had moved back up my arm and were now focused on the base of my neck. "And this," he pulled at the bottom of my nightie, "makes you look downright dangerous."

I burst out laughing - and silently thanked my lucky stars yet again that Charlie wasn't home. Emmett always knew just what to say to make me laugh. How could I ever look dangerous to him?

Abruptly, he stopped kissing me and stood up straight. He lifted my chin until I was looking into his dark amber eyes. His brow furrowed.

"I'm serious. You're dangerous."

"Yeah yeah," I rolled my eyes at him. "How could you - an all powerful vampire - ever think I was dangerous?"

"Because…" without warning he swooped me up into his arms and twisted through the air. Before I could even blink I was laying in my bed, with him hovering over me, "I love you. So much more than I have ever loved anything in my life. I would do absolutely anything you wanted me to. I'd fling myself off a cliff or into a burning building if it meant I got to see you smile. I am all yours, Bells. I seriously belong to you. You're the powerful one in my eyes."

His hands were rubbing the back of my thighs. I wrapped my legs around his waist with as much strength as I possessed. I needed him to be closer.

"You got it wrong, though." I whispered against his lips. My hands trailed up his brawny arms until they could lock around his neck. "I'm the one that belongs to you. I love you more than I ever thought was possible. For months, I've spent every single night dreaming about you. You have me completely. Emmett, I w-"

I was cut off by his lips crushing into mine. I would never, ever, get tired of kissing Emmett. He kissed me with so much force - so much passion - that I swear I could feel my soul leaking out of my body and melding together with his. All I wanted in the world was for us to be one.

Emmett.

I wanted - no - needed him physically. I needed to feel what it was like to totally give myself over to him. To experience every bit of him I could. I think I'm really ready after all…

"Em, I - Oh! Oh my… Emmett!"

He had pulled down the thin layers of fabric that covered my right breast. Slowly, his tongue swirled around my nipple before gently sucking on it. At the same time, he was rubbing my oh so sensitive nub through what I was sure were now completely soaked panties.

"I love the way you say my name," he slid his lips back up to my mouth, "I'm not exactly sure where the line is, so just stop me if it's too much. Okay?"

"No, I… I don't want you to stop. At all."

His eyes visibly darkened in the moonlight. I could hear a faint rumble emitting from his chest. The desire between us was palpable, but at the same time his body was frozen in place and he'd stopped touching me.

Why is he hesitating?

"Bells," his voice was thick, "I don't have any expectations of you or anything like that. I told you we can take all the time we need and I meant it. I'd wait centuries for you if that's what you wanted. I don't want to pressure you at all."

"As much as I appreciate your chivalry, Em," I strained my neck up to give him a quick kiss, "it's really not necessary. I'm not feeling even a tiny bit pressured. I just want you - and I don't want to wait."

Almost instantaneously, I was overwhelmed by him. He seemed to be everywhere all at once. His hands - moving much faster than mine possibly could - were all over my body. He tore the nightgown off of me in one swift movement and flung it to the floor. I could feel him touching and kissing every bit of my exposed skin. Even my breaths were filled with him. I was surrounded by his sandalwood and rain scent. More. I need more.

I reached down to the hem of his shirt and pulled it up his back. Getting the idea, he sat up to finish taking it off. Oh my God. How is he even real?

I had never seen Emmett shirtless before. I knew, of course, that he was incredibly muscular, but I never imagined just how insanely perfect his body was. My most intense fantasies hadn't even come close. He was a living version of Michelangelo's David mixed with Hercules. My jaw actually dropped.

I reached forward to feel him. To trace the deep lines etched into his marble torso. I kissed my way down the center line that somehow went from the top of his chest all the way to his stomach.

It's like he was literally made for me.

My fingers eventually found the top of his jeans. My heart was pounding so hard in anticipation I swear even I could hear it. He stopped me before I could pull down the zipper.

"You're sure?"

"Yes. Em… I want you to make love to me."

A deafening crack sounded from outside.

"What was - Emmett?!"

He'd disappeared from my bed. My best guess was that he was one of the blurry figures flashing around my room. With a booming thud, everything was still. Emmett's back was to me, but he looked to be holding someone - or something - against the wall. Damn it, he's too big to see around.

After scrambling to my feet, I rushed to Emmett's side. With his teeth bared, he looked absolutely murderous. His hands were wrapped around a neck. He tightened them and the skin on the intruder's face seemed to crack.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

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