This is a fanfiction story- hence I'm not SM. There you have it.
Huge thanks once again to Diamondheart, who graciously Betas this story and makes it better... way better. Also thanks to all the readers who place this on their Favorites and Alerts. It's amazing to think there is anyone out there who wants to know when this thing updates.
Many thanks to littlefurrycannibals who gave a lovely recommendation the other day. I'm pretty sure most of you are reading her story Fate's Idea of Fun, but if you're not, check it out- I have been laughing my way through it!
This story is rated M, and not just for language. I also post at Jacob-Black-n-Pack in case the fic-patrol comes after me.
Chapter 7 preface
Quite a lot has happened in just a few days, so here is a recap for us all:
It's Friday, the very beginning of spring break, and Bella is still dancing around her feelings for and about Jake. Jake, however, is swimming in happiness at the months of constant companionship with Bella, even though she still cannot quite bring herself to see him as more than a friend.
At a night at the movies with Mike and Jake, while Mike is ill, Bella has the tiniest breakthrough. It carries over to an outburst of laughter after dropping off Mike, and Jake takes the opportunity to invite Bella to a picnic and a bonfire the next day in La Push. During the picnic Bella opens up a little to Jake and during an embrace, Bella and Jake share a kiss that starts to melt the frozen edges in her mind and soul.
Unfortunately, as handsome an image created by Jake cradling Bella as they listen to bonfire stories may be, events are occurring which frighten Sam, Alpha of the Quileute wolves. The pack is small, only three in number; and though their numbers are slowly growing, they are convinced they need the hereditary Alpha. They, despite the misgivings and regret of Jake's father, Billy, create a plan to push Jake's body to phase fully to wolf form and join the pack.
While Jake and Bella have a heartfelt conversation after the bonfire, Embry is welcomed into the pack. On the return trip, as Sam is teaching Embry to be comfortable in his new form, they find a fresh vampire trail that Paul and Jared confirm is coming from the direction of Forks and out of the forest toward nearby cities. Charlie is enmeshed in the intrigue when Sam tracks the vampire trail to an abandoned car from a crime spree in Seattle and Port Angeles discovered in Forks the night before. Charlie is frightened for the safety of his daughter when the danger is confirmed so close to home. During a dinner with Billy and Jake that Bella prepared, asks Jake to escort her on her trips to La Push.
Charlie's tiny town is swarmed with out of town police; though Bella is curious why her father is unwilling to reveal the history behind strong ties to a few detectives. They are like old friends and the Swan home is opened to them. On Monday, Bella and Jake are drawn closer physically and emotionally as they prepare and serve dinner. A glance across a room in such an ordinary yet profound setting solidifies Jake's sense of well being as he claims the coveted title of boyfriend.
And now, Chapter 7.
Bella POV
.
My fingers tapped at the tiny buttons on the cell phone Charlie gave me last night. I was almost finished programming the few numbers that I really needed- too many numbers would just confuse me and frankly, there weren't many people I cared to talk to just yet.
Charlie was pleased with his choice of phones, and he really did a good job. He even programmed his numbers at the station and his work cell, admonishing me to call if I ever felt like I was in danger. The other cops there emphasized the point and, along with Jake, nodded silently in agreement as Charlie made his point.
Dinner had gone well, though, despite the grave circumstances that made it happen. After dinner I brewed a pot of coffee and set out the plate of sweet rolls I baked while they ate their second sandwiches. Drew, the young officer from Port A who looked distinctly out of place, explained that Detective Hudson had to go back earlier that day and he was here to bring back any notes from the meeting. He mentioned an animal attack near the woods closest to the city and paperwork needing to be taken care of at their office's end.
Of course, that just meant Jake and I were now banned from walking in the woods. Jake and I joked about my 'house arrest' while we said goodnight on the porch; the term was actually starting to fit my break. He lightly kissed my forehead, aware of the armed guards inside who might barrel out at any moment. Detective John White, in particular, seemed the type who would enjoy the fun, and in that way reminded me of Emmett.
The little pang nudged my heart and I looked up. Why had I thought that? I unfurled my fingers from around the phone, my scarred hand aching a bit from the cramped position required to fiddle with the buttons.
I'll never understand how people can just text all day.
The phone's screen lit up again a second before chirping and chiming its tune. I had to find a ring that sounded like a phone. Soon.
"Hello?" I wasn't sure who had the number and I hadn't bothered to look at the screen. I'd have to make some new habits.
"Bells! You figured out how to answer the phone! Good job." The deep and cheerful voice could only be Jake.
"Hi Jake. Yes, I can answer the dang thing, and program some numbers. You're speed dial 'two', as a matter of fact."
"And why aren't I your number one?" I could hear the grin in his voice.
"Because that number is Charlie's desk. His work cell is three, and the deputy is four! I'm lucky he stopped there." I paused. "So what are you up to today? Think busting me out could be on the agenda?"
He laughed, and I marveled again at how it could soothe my anxious nature. "Sure, sure, Bells. I've got a lock pick and a hacksaw. I think we'll manage. I have some work to finish in the garage and after that I'm pretty free, but don't you need to make dinner again tonight? I don't mind helping, but we won't have much time out if you have to start cooking."
"Nope, the boys in blue are getting pizza at the station tonight, so I'm off duty. They'll be here tomorrow, though, so I may take you up on the offer then. I guess we could make dinner here or I could cook there and we could eat with Billy."
"Naw, Bells, you've been cooking too much. You've fed me enough lately, why don't we order pizza here? We could hang out and enjoy the evening, no dishes or coffee cups to wash. You need a break, you were pretty beat yesterday." I had been very tired yesterday, and an evening off, so to speak, sounded really good.
"You've got a plan there, Jake. What time do you want to come by?"
"How about four? I still have to adjust a timing belt and do a couple oil changes and few other things."
"Great, I can throw a salad together and use the rest of the veggies from last night. Maybe I'll make cookies if you promise not to eat them all on the way to your house." I knew that guy: a loaf of banana bread once vanished on the trip and telltale crumbs gave him away despite the pleas of innocence. Billy was annoyed but laughed it off.
"I make no promises, but if you seal them up and leave them in the trunk they may have a fighting chance. Deal?"
"Deal." It was the closest I'd get to a parlay for my baked goods. "So see you around four?"
"Yep... Bells?" Jake's voice hesitated.
"Yeah?"
"Uh... nothing... I'll see you then?"
I smiled. "Of course Jake. Uh... Jake?"
"Yeah?" His voice was smiling again.
"Uh... Don't be late."
"Never, Bells. Bye."
.
Jake POV
.
The timing belt took a little longer than I anticipated. Stupid little imports and their stupid little miniaturized engines. I had to angle my arm into the space, getting a gash over my bicep where it rubbed into a sharp spot. The bigger size was cool, and the strength helped a lot when I transferred my dad from the chair, but the constant growing wrecked whatever wardrobe I had and made me more susceptible to angry car parts.
I grabbed the oil pan and got ready to drain out the little piece of crap compact car. I really liked working on the old truck. There was plenty of space and you could see what you were doing. I remembered Bella mentioning asking me to look at the truck, but I wouldn't do it tonight. Tonight was for fun. Maybe we could have a nice walk on the beach to watch the sunset? There were some reports of a storm coming in, and if it was just getting here then the few clouds could catch the rays. Sunsets before storms were always gorgeous.
Hmmm. Bella in the sunset.
My fantasy was interrupted when Quil hollered my name loud enough to rattle the frame of my garage.
"Jaaaake! You in here?" He was just around the corner, out of sight.
"Yes, you ass. Come on in and stop yelling!"
Quil walked in and reached into the ever-present paper bag where I kept a few sodas. He popped it open and leaned over the engine of the car as I started the oil draining and hummed. I waited for him to say something, but he acted like nothing was unusual. My annoyance finally got the better of me.
"So what the hell was that all about?"
"Uh, I was making sure you were alone. I didn't, um, want to walk in if you... weren't." Quil wasn't meeting my eyes. I suddenly felt like a jerk.
"Oh, sorry Quil. I didn't mean to snap your head off. Thanks for not barging in, in that case."
"No sweat," He raised his head and finally looked me in the eye. "So is she coming by today?"
"Yeah, in a couple hours." I couldn't stop the smile that surfaced as I spoke of my plans with Bella. "Actually I have to pick her up. Charlie is nervous about her driving alone with the crime in the area." I couldn't blame him. Something made me want to guard Bells, too.
"Damn, how screwed up is all this, man? Missing people and murders, around here? Wow." News reports and local gossip had passed the stories around quickly. We stared at the engine in silence, sipping our sodas and waiting for the engine to drain. The drips finally slowed and I plugged the hole and got out a new oil filter.
"Hey, Quil, do you remember seeing Embry at the bonfire on Saturday? I assumed he was there and found a chick or something, but Bella noticed he wasn't there at all. Is he sick?"
He looked confused for a moment, but shook his head. "No, I didn't see him at all. Some kids in town have some kind of stomach bug. He's probably got that."
"Huh. You'd think more kids here would be sick." I'm no doctor, but I'm pretty sure half the rez would be sick if Embry was sick. He was just popular with the ladies like that.
We talked about the bonfire and Quil got on my case again about getting so cozy with Bella. If I hadn't been up to my shoulders and kinked around trying to put in that damn filter I would have popped him another one. As it was I managed to clip him in the hamstring with my steel toe.
"Damn, Jake! I was just kidding! I think it's awesome that you are finally getting somewhere with her. It's great to see you and her happy."
I pulled myself out of the engine and looked at Quil. His face was earnest and completely void of his usual teasing. He really was a good guy, and when Embry was around we could pull a Three Stooges routine from our usual conversations. I wiped my hands down my jeans and took a drink of my soda.
"Thanks. I mean that."
There was a knocking at the wall of the garage right about then. Our heads both whipped around and saw a couple bits of gravel dance by the before a pair of very heavily muscled legs appeared, kicking a few more bits to join them.
"Hey Jake, Quil."
"Embry! Are you all right? We thought you were sick." Embry looked like hell, like he was barely standing. His eyes were red and the lids had a purple rim that matched the deep rings underneath.
"I wasn't sick. I've been... working. A new job can really wear you out." His weak smile did nothing to improve his face, which I swear I was looking upward at. He was bigger and older looking. Could that happen in three days? I grew three inches in one month, but this?
"Where'd you get the job?" Quil asked.
Embry's face fell, those exhausted eyes twitching from side to side. "I've been working with Sam. Sam Uley."
Quil and I both gaped, speechless with shock. The three of us had agreed weeks ago that the three huge vigilantes my dad seemed to like so much would never get their claws in us. They were just too secretive and too hard looking to be anything we wanted a part of.
"Embry, what happened? What could he have done to make you join him? I thought you hated his gang, too!" I was ticked now. Sam hadn't just invited himself to my dad's confidence; he was taking my friends, too.
He sighed and drooped his head over to one hulking shoulder. "I can't tell you. I wish I could. I'm not even really supposed to be here and I'll probably catch some crap for it, but so much has happened I had to see you before my next shift." He walked over to me and I got a closer look at his exhausted face. "Whatever we thought they were, whatever you think they are, guys," he glanced over at Quil. "You're wrong. We were wrong."
Another pained look crossed his face and he swayed a little. "I gotta go eat and get some sleep. Sam is letting me get a full night of sleep tonight so I better enjoy it while he's feeling nice."
With that, Quil and I watched, slack jawed, as Embry stepped away from me and out of the garage, shuffling and dragging his feet at bit as he did. When we could no longer hear the sounds of his footsteps we met each other's eyes, exchanging our shock at the altered appearance and one-eighty attitude adjustment Sam appeared to have caused in our close friend. Whatever his intentions, Embry's appearance had only raised more questions in my mind, rather than satisfying them.
"Oh fuck that! No fucking way that's happening to us." Quil sniped.
"No shit. I could never change like that." I agreed, and screwed in the new filter.
.
Billy POV
.
"The change has to happen tomorrow, Billy. We can't put this off any longer, the threat is just too great" Sam had his unruffled exterior on. He had made a decision and had no intention of altering it now. I understood, but it didn't make it any easier. I had hoped beyond hope that the car would be a dead end, but Paul and Jared, too, had made the run to the tent where the car was currently concealed. I now had two new fishing knives from Sam and Jared and a bumper sticker that correlated prowess with a fishing rod to other things thanks to Paul.
I ran my fingers along the handle of one of the knives. I couldn't meet Sam's gaze for the moment.
"When and where?" I sighed and rubbed my eyes.
"Tomorrow, at my place. I'm sending Emily to her mother for a couple days to do some wedding planning. She knows something is up, but hasn't asked, thank god." Sam grimaced. He hated to send her away, but if he could do to her what he did, what about a wolf who wasn't imprinted on her?
"That's good, away from people, in the woods." He could do less to damage to others, or himself. Even with the physical and mental maturity that suddenly appears with the process, it simply didn't take away the fact that I was his father. I feared that the dramatic alterations might leave nothing recognizable of the boy, now nearly a man, that I knew.
Paul stepped into the kitchen. The two men nodded at each other, Paul averting his eyes for a split second as they did so. Pack order even when human, I mused. I wonder how that will turn out?
"Emily has her bags packed and will be ready to go as soon as you say goodbye, Sam." Sam gave a discontented grunt. He hated to send her away, but it was for a good reason. If he could do what he did, what about a wolf who wasn't imprinted on her?
Sam squared his shoulders and turned to Paul. "Are you ready, Paul?"
"Hell yes. He's fawning so much over the paleface I'll just…" I shot my hand out and with speed and strength that surprised him, grabbed Paul by the crotch of his worn shorts. He yelped in surprise and stood perfectly still.
My voice was a growl as I corrected him. "Paul, I love you almost like a son. Almost." I tightened my hold until I heard Paul whimper. "You will do what you have to do. But you will remember whom you are dealing with and that he will be your brother afterward. He will be your Alpha soon, too. But never forget that he is my son." I gave him a little shake before I released him and he panted, recovering from holding his breath.
I turned to face Sam who had watched the exchange serenely. "Sam, this brings up other issues. How do you plan to handle him, and do you intend to tell him about his…position?"
Sam sighed and his demeanor became the weary and careworn one I knew he worked to hide. "I'm not sure how to deal with him, Billy but I've thought through a few scenarios and I think it would be a mistake to tell him about being Alpha at this point. It might overwhelm him, or he may shatter the pack structure without realizing it." Sam shrugged, a gesture he normally didn't make but I suspect he was feeling the pressure more acutely as the hour approached.
"Sam, you are Alpha pro tem and I trust you. You will do what is right." I shook Sam's hand and patted Paul on the back, reminding him that I did, indeed, trust him as well.
"Oh, Billy, Paul and Jared are going to check the trail of the unknown scent tonight. We wanted to wait until dark in case we had to phase to follow it."
"Good. Will you let me know?"
Sam nodded.
The men left and disappeared into the trees.
.
Bella POV
.
The winds had changed during the day from the usual coastal breezes to what you might actually call blustery. It wasn't cold, at least not yet, and I hoped the weather would hold at least until dinner. Jake and I would have some time to kill and I hoped he would be up to a trip to the beach after all the work he'd done today.
I finished getting the coffeepot loaded and left a note letting my dad know just in case he brought the guys back after dinner at the station. A dozen of my fresh cookies would make them all happy, too.
I smiled. Yes, they were clearly doing official, and very serious work, but there was a air of reunion around them all, with the exception of Drew, who looked dogged and harassed by the end of the night yesterday. If they called him junior one more time, I think he was going to just leave.
The shower felt good and I got dressed and dried my hair, having to hurry a little when I realized how late it had become; Jake would be leaving home soon. My shiny new phone rang right on time.
"Hey Bells!" I couldn't help myself; I started nearly laughing when I heard his voice. The change in weather and being alone all day had made me melancholy. He really was like sunshine.
"Hi Jake. How are the cars running?"
"Just fine, even though one was trying to be a man eater. Gave me a heck of a scrape on my arm just to get to a belt!"
"Yikes! What kind was it?"
"A timing belt, and the damn thing was behind about a thousand sharp edges!" I sighed at him, exasperated.
"No doofus. What kind of car! I didn't even know cars had belts."
Jake snickered at me. "It was a Japanese import. Bella, I'm going to teach you how to do some basic stuff with a car. I can't have you thinking that the car holds its engine up with a belt."
"Well then, that car wasn't made to accommodate your giant gorilla arms. The owner will just have to take it to a tiny little Asian mechanic next time." I headed down the stairs to get the salad started. "And what, pray tell, holds the engine up?" I lilted my voice into a southern belle accent just to be cheeky.
"Suspenders. Seriously, engine mounts. I'm leaving right now and you better be ready for a big hug from these gorilla arms of mine. Is Charlie there?"
"Nope, he's at the station and will be there a little late tonight. They're working on some sort of transfer of evidence paperwork and there's some bureaucratic issue about custody." I tucked the phone against my shoulder and started getting out lettuce and the leftover veggie tray.
"Oh good, then I can drive as fast as I want and not get a ticket. Get ready for a monkey hug, Jane."
"The monkey was Tarzan's sidekick, Jake."
"Ooga- booga. Be there in a bit."
"Tarzan doesn't say ooga-booga. He does the vine swinging yodel."
Jake responded by doing a strangled impersonation. "That sounded like wolf howl. You're completely hopeless, Jake."
"You know you like it. I'll see you in twenty?"
"Okay. I'll be ready." I heard movement over the phone like he was moving it away from his ear. "Jake?"
"Yeah?"
"I like it." And I hung up, smiling to myself. Let him stew on that on the drive over.
I was just finishing chopping the last of the celery and tossing it in the bowl about fifteen minutes later. I jumped a little at the sharp knock on the door. I peeked out the window and saw the Rabbit.
"Come on in Jake," I said loudly, and before I could turn around Jake was in the door with his heavy arms around me. He leaned over my shoulder from behind, nuzzling into the space behind my ear.
"Ooga-booga," he whispered huskily by my ear. He held me like that for a few seconds before we were both overcome by giggles. The silly banter over the phone and Jake's over- enthusiastic arrival made us both ripe for a good laugh, and as the giggles gave way to laughter, we both doubled over and had to hold onto the counter.
"Oh God, Bells," Jake wheezed as he wiped his eyes. "Are you about ready to go? I want to show you something before we order pizza, and if we wait too long we'll miss it." He had a sweet and slightly mischievous smile. It was an expression that was so Jake that I felt my heart flutter.
"I will be as soon as I toss the celery in the salad and grab the cookies." I covered the salad bowl and as I reached for the container of treats Jake's arm snaked right by me and snatched them before I got a hand on it.
"Okay, you officially have gorilla arms. Hand them over if you know what's good for you." He gave me his puppy eyes. Damn. "Okay, you can have one on the way."
The drive was quick and we pulled onto the gravel in record time. Billy met us at the door with a bright and open smile so like Jake's that I forgot to say anything for a moment. I let Billy have two cookies and Jake gave him a dirty look for it as he reached for the pizza delivery menu.
"Bells, what do you say we order the pizza and then head down to the beach? It takes an hour to get here anyway."
Billy's deep laugh started and he slapped the rail on one of his wheels. "Good call, Jake. It'll be a nice sunset tonight!"
Jake whipped around to glare at his dad, his already russet skin reddening further.
"Dad! It was going to be a surprise!"
"Don't worry, son. She'll still like it." Billy reached for a third cookie and Jake snatched it out of his hand before he could take a bite.
We spent some time debating how many and what kind of pizzas to order because Billy, ever mindful of his son's appetite, insisted on doubling the order, which would delay the delivery .
Jake's eyes kept darting to the windows and finally he announced the order, wrote it down, and handed the paper to Billy to make the call. I laughed as he grabbed a couple bottles of water and the beach blankets and drug me by my arm out the door.
"So Tarzan, in a hurry? We've got another half hour before sunset." I teased.
"Yeah, but the sun on the clouds as a storm rolls in is the best part. Can you feel the change in the air? There's good one coming!" Jake sniffed at the wind a bit. I inhaled deeply, and indeed I could detect a hint of ozone and chill on the breeze.
We walked to First beach, and then turned to follow the little path that led to our picnic spot. "In case others get the same idea," Jake explained on the way.
He laid the blankets down and sat leaning back on the log. I turned and finally looked at the horizon over the ocean. There were white streaks on the waves that cut sharp lines into the sky that was taking on a purplish hue. Off to one side of the lowering sun was a line of heavy clouds, greenish gray on the sides shielded from the sun, but a most amazing pink, purple and almost iridescent yellow on the approaching faces. Thin and hazy clouds filtered the sunlight and made it tolerable to watch with my bare eyes, diffusing the sunshine and casting a golden glow across the slowly angering sea.
It was beautiful.
I was tucked under his arm, his soft flannel shirt comfortable against my cheek where I laid my head against his chest. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the magnificent live painting I was watching. I could almost see brushstrokes in the tops of the waves, growing higher with more pronounced peaks. Jake wrapped his arm around me as I shuddered at the thought of the storm that must be hiding behind the glittering vision I was admiring.
"Are you cold?" Jake asked, and took off the shirt he was wearing, leaving him in a thin cotton t-shirt. Without waiting for my reply he wrapped me in the flannel and held the arms for me as I sat up and faced him to slip the shirt on over my thin top. My arms were fully extended and the sleeves had a full six inches of fabric hanging off my fingertips. Jake chuckled and rolled the sleeves up. He looked into my eyes and my breath caught in my throat.
He was beautiful, and I couldn't help be in as much awe of him as the scene over the ocean.
The red-gold of the lowering sunset had set his eyes on fire, reflecting myriad colors in the depths, and his russet skin had taken on a glint of a color I had no name for. A fluttering in my belly pulled me forward to him, coiling springs tightening my breathing to a pant. His hand reached to stroke my hair, then my face tenderly.
"Jake, I…"
His hands reached out for me and mine to him. Four months of casual hugs and gentle advances, friendly afternoons and quiet walks came crashing into my mind. Jake never hid the fact that he wanted more than to be a mere friend; never concealing that he wanted me. He loved me, and wasn't afraid to show it. Now I was swept into it with him, not caring anymore what anyone thought. Chaste hand holding and mere declarations would never satisfy us. This was where I was supposed to be, in his arms, kissing his lips.
Those soft lips were sweetly sucking my lower lip between his. The flutters in my belly were furious now, and I followed their command, licking his upper lip and pushing myself into his arms. I stroked my fingers through his silky hair, tugging at it from where he'd pulled it back, and leaned back to gaze at him again in the filtered light of the sunset. Jake's eyes were hooded and passionate, his mouth partway open and beginning to deepen incolor from the pressure of our kisses.
I felt the blush rising in my face and spreading across my chest as he ran his thumb across my lips, trailing his fingertips along my cheek, down my neck, and just barely grazing me through my shirt between my breasts and down my belly. My head leaned back and he nuzzled into the hollow of my neck, breathing deeply and sighing out a hum as he kissed and tasted me there.
I settled myself across his lap, straddling him and stroking his broad chest with my hands that had begun to roam his body of their own accord. My change in position made him gasp against my kiss and I stroked his tongue with mine. He pulled my body tighter to him, crushing me against himself and rocking me in his lap. My overheated and sensitive body curled when I felt the hard ridge there, and as I leaned into Jake's firm guidance, the flutters deep inside me were replaced by little shocks of radiating warmth. I leaned my head back, catching my breath as Jake suckled my neck, going lower and finally pulling at my shirt so he could nip my collarbone. His hands lowered and lightly skimmed the skin under my shirt.
He looked me in the eye. "Bells, can I…?" He whispered diffidently.
"Only if I can, too." A little breathy laugh escaped me as I leaned back slightly and slipped my hands under his shirt. His velvety skin was pulled tight over his muscled frame, bunching and easing with every move he made. He slid his hands under my shirt, caressing every inch of skin, stopping just short of my bra where he paused, holding his breath.
"It's okay, Jake. Please." My voice sounded strangely shaky.
Jake moaned against my lips as he brushed his hand under the satin. Cupping me more boldly, he wrapped his other hand around and placed it flat on the small of my back and pulled me to him once again. Those shocks of warmth became flickers of delicious heat and concentrated where I rode myself along the hard length in his pants. His hand stroked my breast, stoking the heat inside as we moved against one another, feeling each other for the first time.
Jake's movements and breath became ragged, and a crescendo of flame rose and licked at me between my legs and into the very center of my body.
"Oh God, Bells! I… I'm going to…!" Jake crushed my body to him a final time, trembling as he held my body still against himself. We stayed motionless for a few moments, panting and catching our breath when Jake, gloriously disheveled, raised his eyes to mine.
"Bells, did you...?"
I wasn't entirely sure what Jake was asking and my blank look was all he needed. He leaned toward me and kissed me hard. He guided me down to lie on the blankets and came to rest on his side next to me. Jake's hands brushed my cheek and shoulder and down to my waist, settling just under my shirt stroking back and forth just along the top of my jeans.
"Do you trust me, Bella?" He breathed against my ear; jolts of electricity from his words met the trembling caused by his touch on my belly and causing riots of sensation along the entire surface of my body.
"Yes, Jake. I trust you," I whispered faintly.
His fingers deftly undid the button and slowly lowered the zipper of my jeans. I could barely hear the sound over the increased pace of the waves lapping on the nearby rocks and my own pulse that pounded in my ears. He placed his palm flat against my abdomen, only his fingertips under the band of my panties, slowly caressing me, teasing and at the same time letting me know his intentions.
"Are you- is this- okay?" He rested his forehead against my cheek and I could only nod, barely murmuring my consent between my breaths that were catching in my throat in anticipation of meeting an unknown need.
His hand slowly descended, brushing my hipbones and traveling to brush the curls at the borders of my body's center. I bent my legs at the knees and touched his arm to feel what he was doing, lightly resting my hand on his forearm and following it down as he reached the soft and now damp flesh. He lightly explored, allowing me to relax into his touch, and my eyes fluttered shut and for the first time in my life, I allowed sensation to claim my mind.
"So soft, Bells," he purred to me.
Two fingers gently captured and began to massage my sensitive and ready flesh. He worked me, exploring with his touch till my legs twitched from the little spasms of pleasure building and radiating down my legs as his arm moved rhythmically along my body.
"Oh God, Jake... don't stop."
I pressed my hand to his arm, forcing him to increase the pressure against me and I felt a powerful coiling, a molten wave beginning to crest within me and growing with each pass of his fingertips. My breath caught and I wound myself around his arm, grasping at his shoulder with my other arm as a release of heat and tension shot through me with pulses that racked every muscle in my body. I rocked against his hand as the last waves ran over me and, gasping, raised my head to look into Jake's eyes once again. He looked at me with such adoration and awe and I couldn't help but return the feeling. Feeling his release against me had been beautiful, and now I understood what had gripped him so fiercely.
He gently withdrew his hand and held me to his chest, cradling me like a treasure and sitting us up to recline against the log we had picnicked by.
I turned my head from his warm chest and saw that the waves were now angry and had taken on the gray-green of the clouds that were now nearly covering the sun's dying rays. We watched in silence, breathing heavily and caressing each other, as the sunset neared completion. A single golden ray filtered through one last perforation in the clouds, like a lighthouse beacon, before being covered over by the menacing clouds. A bolt of lightning shot across the sky immediately and heralded the arrival of the storm with thunder and a gust of much colder and violent air.
"We need to head back, Bells. It'll rain soon." He whispered into the top of my head.
"I don't want to. Can't we just stay here?" Maybe forever?
"Hmmmm. I'd like to. But a storm is different from rain. Rain I can handle, but this is going to be a bad one. I'd rather you weren't in it either."
As a reminder of out need to return, Jake's empty stomach growled. I giggled against his chest, snuggling into his warm body before picking myself up off of him. He stood and stretched, and before picking up the blankets, ran over to the water and walked in up to his hips. He made his way back to the blankets and handed me one of the water bottles, which I promptly drained.
"What was that for?" I asked, gesturing to the dripping wet mess he'd made.
"Ah, um. Well, see, I… Oh damn. I need to change my pants and I need an excuse so dad doesn't, you know…"
We both blushed. He looked down, embarrassed and started to say something that might have been an apology, but I didn't even let him get to any words.
"Jake, I was there," I touched his face, bringing his eyes to mine. "I was there with you. I wanted to be there with you. This is what I wanted. You're what I want."
He dropped the blankets and pulled me into a tight hug, kissing my face and then suckling my lips once again. Jake leaned back, his face serious.
"Thanks, Bells. But that isn't what I was going to apologize for." His mouth turned up into his mischievous little smile.
"For what, then? I don't understand."
He raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry I didn't take care of you first."
The butterflies in my belly were furious and I took a sharp intake of air. Anticipation? I raised an eyebrow back.
"Maybe next time, Jake." His mouth opened partway and closed again, his throat bobbing with a hard swallow and he held me in a tight and desperate embrace.
He kissed my forehead before releasing me, and we walked hand in hand back to the house.
Elsewhere, after dark…
The two large men strolled along carrying a bright red gas can. They paused occasionally, as if to catch their breath or rest their feet.
"We didn't lose it, did we?"
"No, it's still along the road, Paul. It just moved fast. The footsteps are pretty far apart, but I think it's heading onto a trail."
"Can't we just phase? This would go much faster and we'd be able to track it better."
"Okay, but carry the gas can in your mouth. If we have to get back on the road and walk again, we need the excuse."
The two men stepped into the brush and quickly undressed, shoving their ragged clothing into a bag with rope loops attached to it. The taller man slipped his arms and legs into the loops and, with an odd blurring of the air around him, morphed into the shape of a hulking wolf; the bag secured to his back. The other man made a similar transformation and, with an irritated growl, delicately carried the red container in his maw.
This way, the first indicated with a head nod.
The pair lurched into motion, loping and rolling their bodies over the terrain, moving with the ground as if they were partners in a dance. They wove to and fro, a graceful caper, noses in the lead.
They slowed.
The steps are closer together, and the scent is heavier ahead.
We better not be about to wake up some friggin' hibernating Sasquatch, Jared. I'm in no mood.
Hardly. There are houses up ahead.
Indeed, there were. They followed the thickening trail to the tree line, just outside the yard area of one house. The track clearly ended here, the trails no longer distinct, just one mass of pacing and footsteps. Their target spent a great deal of time here, leaving scent-trails up into the trees and across fallen boughs.
A car pulled into the driveway and the giant wolves crouched, hiding in the brush. The police chief parked the cruiser and made his way to the door, and murmured in appreciation of some pleasant surprise once he was inside.
Oh fuck that. Seriously? The leech lover? Does that mean…?
It might. Paul, we have to get to Sam. He needs to know there's a vampire scouting out Charlie's place. One who can hide really well.
*whew* Was it good for you? I hope you enjoy the story twists as well as my first lemon!
Thanks again to everyone for reading, and Santa leaves Jacob Black under the tree for people who review, too.
By the way, my traffic tracker isn't working, so I can't actually tell how many hits I have anymore. The only thing working is my review count. Seriously, that's the only way I have any more to tell how many people are watching and reading. So please review, and if you know how to fix it, or who to contact to help me, please let me know!
Thanks!
sfiddy