Sorry it's taken me so long to update. College is a beast.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the genius responsible for creating these characters, not me.

Enjoy! )


My face was still warm, and, judging from the heat that was still radiating from my thighs where Jake had held me, I suspected that if I checked later I would surely find the shapes of his enormous hands permanently burned into my skin.

Focus! I told myself.

Jake was currently trying to explain to me how to operate my new bike, and I was still so distracted by these new and unexpected (though not necessarily unwelcome) feelings I was having that I wasn't sure I'd be able to remember what he said when it was finally time to try the thing.

It was a good thing I was part vampire, or otherwise I'd probably kill myself if I tried riding in this state.

This was so weird. Of course I cared about Jake. He was always there for me - the best friend a girl could ask for. I had even had a crush on him for a while, but this was different. The energy of attraction that had my stomach tied in knots this time was so...physical.

I was a little uncomfortable at the thought. Jake had practically raised me, and now it seemed my body was telling me it was time for that relationship to change. I'd known it was coming. My mother had explained imprinting, and all of its implications, to me when I was still very young.

But until now I had been totally content with Jake the best friend. Was it time for Jake the boyfriend? It was so weird. If we took that step, we could never go back, and I wasn't sure I wanted that yet...

"Nes...?"

I snapped back to attention, realizing my contemplation had taken me completely out to space. Jake was watching me patiently, and as I gazed into his eyes my stomach started doing back flips. I vaguely wondered if he was feeling this confusion too. He definitely didn't look like he was.

This was so frustrating. Normally I could talk to Jake about anything. But I couldn't talk to him about him... I decided to talk to Aunt Alice when we got back. She always knew what to say.

Jake had finished his lesson, and now it was time for me to give it a try.

"Here, you climb on, and I'll sit behind you, so I can take over if I have to."

I got on the bike and he sat behind me, his warm chest pressed against my back. I tingled all over.

"Go ahead, give it a try."

I stomped down hard, starting the bike. I gripped the throttle and took a steadying breath. Here's hoping I remember what he told me, I thought.

Suddenly we were flying, and Jake was laughing.

I was on cloud nine. The thrill of it took me by surprise. It was better than I ever could have imagined. We raced through the trees, my naturally enhanced reflexes allowing me to steer down the treacherous path at the bike's top speed.

"You're a natural, Nes!" Jake shouted, clearly ecstatic.

Suddenly his hands let go of my waist and slid down to my hips. I felt his lips on the back of my head.

The bike wobbled slightly as I let go of the throttle in my distraction. I turned, and his face was inches away, his eyes suddenly intense.


What are you doing!? My mind was screaming, but my body wouldn't stop.

As Nessie looked at me, her exquisite face so close to mine, I suddenly had an irresistible urge to kiss her.

And then it was Bella's face I was seeing, and Edward's voice was in my head. "If you kiss her again, I will break your jaw for her."

I jumped back, shaking my head, trying to free myself of the bad memory. I wasn't hung up over Bella anymore, obviously. I loved Nessie, and I was going to spend my life with her.

But I was still a little wary of Edward Cullen when it came to kissing girls he loved...

"What's wrong?" Nessie looked confused, maybe even a little hurt.

"Nothing." I took a breath and looked into her eyes. I would not let my irrational fears get in the way. If I was feeling this way, that meant Nessie was ready for it. At least, I thought that's what it meant.

I would have to talk to Alice when we got back. As much as she annoyed me at times, she did give good advice.

I hugged Nessie to me, my mind racing.