Guys! I think I got my groove back. I'm kind of madly in love with this chapter, especially the LEMON! Omg, you just don't know. It totally surprised me. Not to be read in public places if you can't contain yourself. Seriously. Even I had issues in my own house. Anyway, you know how I said Ness was terribly monotone to me? Well, I played to it. So this chapter is about that. Only a couple more chapters left in this story before I move onto Jules! I'm keeping the third bundle of joy a secret! Bahahahahahaha

*Disclaimer*

Please enjoy!

Mid-November

JPOV

The church was packed, and not with my pack, but with Walker's. His parents were slightly confused about the mass of people ranging in ages and races. Members of my pack were sitting in the far back except for me and Ness. Walker had glared at me when I had started ushering my wife to the back. Even Christa had given me a look that I could see down the back hallway where she was hiding so Walker wouldn't see her. Caught between the two glares, I shrugged and told Ness we needed to sit up front.

Will was in full nap mode. Hopefully he'd last through the whole ceremony. He'd started getting chatty when he was awake.

Since Haleigh had wanted to be the one to come out with Christa, Morgan and Tricia came out first in silvery dresses and yellow flowers.

Finally, the music started up that was the bride's entrance. We all stood up. Helping Ness up with Will reminded me of having to help her up just a few months ago when she was pregnant at Embry's wedding.

Haleigh led her adoptive mother into the church, throwing fake gold and silver petals. Christa had wanted nothing to do with white. Her dress was a dark gold sheath that loosely hugged the curves of her body. Her bouquet was full of yellow and grey roses. Her blonde curls were free around her shoulders. This was the most beautiful I'd ever seen her.

Looking up at Walker, he clearly thought so, too. His breathing was hitched, eyes glassy, throat working convulsively as he watched her walk toward them. Even though they were already married, it was good to know that they both could still have the normal reactions.

Eventually, she reached him and handed her bouquet to Morgan.

The ceremony was, thankfully, short, sweet, and to the point. Just the way Christa had wanted it. This wedding was more for the celebration that hadn't been able to take place after their actually marriage. The reception was held at the community center on the rez, which Alice and Rosalie had decorated.

Will finally woke up. When he did, Ness fed him. I burped him. And then we handed him off to be passed around the room. At first, Ness was nervous about letting him go, but with this many wolves and vampires around, I assured her that he was perfectly safe, especially with Edward watching his grandson through people's thoughts. All the speeches, toasts, and the couple's first dance were taken care of, so people were milling around.

Standing up, I held my hand down to Ness. "Come on. Come dance with me."

Laughing, she took my hand. "I love weddings."

Spinning her into my arms, I dipped her. "Maybe we should renew our vows?" I suggested, waggling my eyebrows.

She laughed again, that smile lighting up her face. "Not so fast, Romeo. We should wait a few years. But yes, Mr. Black. I would love to marry you again," she said as I righted her against my chest.

There was a giggle beside us. Walker was dancing with Haleigh close by, her little feet on his shoes. He was twirling her around, her hair a cape flying around her.

I looked back at Ness. "I want a little a girl."

She grinned. "Me, too. Think it's too early to start really trying?"

Too startled, I couldn't control my expression. For the past couple months, she'd been all about Will, more serious than she normally was, always watching after him. Now that he was getting older and was able to function better without help all the time, she was starting to glow more. Maybe it had been the fact that she'd barely left the house in the past three months. She hadn't been out among people even though a lot of the women visited the house. Now she was out, reassured that Will was safe, and she was having fun.

"Are you serious?" I asked.

She nodded. "Will's nearly three months old. If I get pregnant again sooner or later, he'll be a year old or so when the baby's born. If human couples can do it, we can." Her hand cupped my cheek. "I know I've been a little off lately. I just feel a little...constricted, I guess."

"From what?"

Her bare shoulders lifted in a shrug. "I don't know. I mean, I'm used to coming and going freely. Now I have to worry about Will because you're at work." Before I could say anything, she rushed on. "I'm not saying I want you to quit or to lower your work days. That's all fine. I also feel constricted because leaving Will with someone else while I do things makes me nervous, but also it makes me feel guilty. I'm his mother. I'm supposed to take care of him. And I'm tired of people hunting for me. I want to run with you in the woods like we used to."

I felt for her immediately. Really, I did. The first day I'd gone back to work after Will's birth was the hardest thing I'd ever done. My need to protect my mate and young had pulsed through me every minute I was away from them. It had nearly killed me. That day, when I'd come home, I'd wrapped her up in my arms and just held her. Then did the same with Will.

"Sweetheart, it's all about little steps. Letting him out of your sight, passing him around the room. That's good. And I know you know this, but maybe you need to hear it. Nobody in this room would let anything happen to him. These kids are the safest kids in the world right now."

"Having new mommy syndrome kick your ass?" a voice said beside us.

It was Shelby, standing there with her arms crossed over her stomach. She was grinning at Ness.

She motioned at me to step back. "Alright, daddy-o. Move. The mommies need to talk. Scooch."

Laughing, I let go of Nessie so Shelby could take my place. Having been dismissed, I went to find Billy, who was no doubt hogging my son.

ShelbyPOV

Resting my hands on my best friend's hips, I couldn't help but think that we finally had traded places. Brayden was now a year old and walking. Seth was busy following him around, trying to keep up with him. I'd watched the anxiousness on Nessie's face as she'd handed Will off to be passed around.

"So, you gonna tell me why you shooed my husband off?" she asked, her hands on my shoulders. We were swaying back and forth even though the music wasn't the least bit slow.

"Eh, he's gonna find your son so he can report back he's just fine."

She sighed. "I know, I know. But-"

"Uh, uh, uh. Listen up, buttercup. You told me to tell you when you were doing the worried mommy thing when lecturing me about it. So I'm puttin' that shoe on the other foot, honeybunch." She smiled and I sobered up. "Seriously, though. You're acting weird. Nobody sees you anymore. And I'm your next door neighbor. You're our alpha female. We want to go shopping, have play dates, gossip with you."

Her teeth worried at her bottom lip. "I know, but-"

Glaring at her, I said, "No 'buts', Ness. As much as you want to, you can't keep Will locked up forever. I know the world makes you nervous now, but seriously, you gotta dip your toes back in some time. I heard you with Jake. Leave Will with me one day and go hunting together. Have some couple time, alright? Seriously, it'll do you some good. Work on making the second kid."

She gave me a withering look. "Are you and Seth working on a second?"

I shrugged, unfazed by her expression. "Maybe. Just like Jake, he wants to try for a girl. I'm not sure what I would do with a girl, but I can try. Look, after I had Brayden, I wasn't sure that I wanted another one. But I changed my mind. I do want one. I don't want Brayden to be an only child. It was a lonely childhood, even with both parents around. Just come down to Emily's with me one day. Leila's huge. We both just sit in the living room and chat. Claire watches over Brayden, Leila, and Henry. Will needs interaction with other kids. Otherwise, he's gonna end up like me. Horrible people skills and a mouth that will blurt anything. Do you really want him to end up like me?"

That made her laugh, and it tugged at my heart. I hadn't heard her laugh, really laugh, in weeks.

Reaching up, I stroked her cheeks. "I know being a mom makes you feel like you have to be serious where other people are all melting from the cuteness, but Nessie, you can't be this distant. You have to interact with the world. And so does Will. I love you. And I love that baby boy. Soon he's going to be walking. Already he's three months old, or close enough. The next minute, he's going to be a year old and walking. Then running. Then he's going to want to go out into a field to play football with the kids he grew up with, crushing on girls, phasing, imprinting. But he needs you to give him that push into the public eye. This," I said motioning to the crowd, "is a good start."

That lip was back between her teeth as she looked around the room. For once, she wasn't looking for Jacob and their son. She was just studying the people. A lot of Jacob's pack was hanging around, watching out for us. Walker's pack was trying to grab his attention. Over the past few months, all of us had gotten closer, the packs mingling and hanging out. A lot of the guys would go the large empty field where the battles tended to take place to play football or some other sport. Many members of Jacob's pack had gone to the land where Walker's pack was building their village to help out where they could. Everything was falling into place. All the children were getting along, chasing each other at the bonfires that were held every month. Shannon, Xavier's girlfriend, had finished high school and had moved out to stay with him in his cabin with Walker's pack. She was going to take online courses at a college to earn a business degree. Rachel had also enrolled in the same classes. The two had become homework buddies. Both packs were melding, becoming a family.

Calahan and Emma had moved their pack south to take over the land that Walker's pack had left behind. Those in their pack that had wanted to stay had permission from Calahan, Walker, and Jacob. It was a surprise to nobody when Rhett stayed to be with Adam and Derek. The three still wanted to travel, but not yet. They all had grabbed some jobs and were saving up for a massive trip.

"These people are our family, Ness," I said quietly. "None of them would ever let anything happen to Will. I trust them with Brayden. And they're all worried about you. You're the alpha of alpha females. Even Walker's females look to you, especially after what you did for us all. The protection you placed on the Children of the Moon. They respect you. Therefore, they worry over you just like I do."

Chocolate eyes met mine, tears creating a sheen of gloss over the color. She cleared her throat. "When are you going to Emily's next?"

Grinning, I hugged her. "Oh, baby girl. I love you so much. Usually our play dates are on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Maybe we can get Haleigh as a regular, too. Claire would love to see her."

"Go where?"

Pulling away from Ness, we saw Haleigh standing beside us, swishing her dress around her legs, her doll clutched in her hands.

Ness crouched down, brushing her fingers through Haleigh's hair. "Maybe your mommy will let you come over to Emily's to play with the babies and Claire. Would you like that?"

She brightened up. "And Will's gonna be there?"

Ness glanced at me before nodding. "Yeah. We're going to start going, too."

"Yay! Can I go ask mommy?"

Laughing, Nessie turned her around and gave her a little push. "Yes, go! Shoo!"

Giggling, Haleigh took off into the crowd.

I grinned at my best friend.

"What?" she asked.

I shook my head. "You need a little girl, one just like you. That would be too freaking adorable. I'd choke on the cuteness."

One of her hands went to her stomach thoughtfully. "Do you think it's too early to start trying for a second?"

"Nah. But I do think that you need to try to get back into your groove so you're not dealing with two kidlets and dealing with anxiety."

She shot me a look. "I do not have anxiety."

I just quirked an eyebrow and crossed my arms.

Sighing, her shoulders drooped. "Okay, maybe a little. But I'm doing okay right now."

"Yes, you are," I commended. "And that's great. It really is. I'm proud." Reaching out, I gripped her hand. "Come on. Let's go outside. Get some air."

As expected, anxiousness touched her eyes. "I don't know."

"Ness, baby steps. You managed to let him go in a crowd. Now let's dip another toe in. Come outside with me. You said you were feeling constricted. This is an excellent time to step into a little more freedom. Just for ten minutes."

"Five."

"Okay, five. Unless you want to stay longer."

"I doubt that," she said, but allowed me to pull her to the doors that led into a little courtyard with a fountain.

The air was cool and crisp. I wasn't cold but I could see Ness shiver. She wrapped her hands on her arms and looked up at the sky. For once, there weren't any clouds hovering. The stars shone brightly down through the trees as well as moonlight. Closing her eyes, she took a deep, smooth breath and let it out through her mouth.

Being as blunt as I was, I blurted, "Are you depressed?"

Swinging her head toward me, she blinked at me in surprise. But at least she stopped to think about the question. "I don't think so," she finally said, slowly. "I mean, I get enough sleep. I love Will. I eat when I get hungry. No body aches." Flushing, she went on. "I had the same thought and looked up the symptoms. I feel fine. There's no way to really explain how I feel, though. My whole world changed when I had him. Being responsible for myself was challenging enough for me. But now I'm responsible for him because Jacob works every day except the weekends. And I feel like this needs to be taken seriously. He's my child."

Gripping her shoulder, I turned her toward me. "He is your child, yes. But that doesn't mean that you have to give up who you are."

"And who exactly am I?"

I gave her a look. "That's the easiest question you've ever asked me."

Another blink. "Really?"

"Mhm. You're Renesmee Cullen...Black. Full of life, love, and laughs. You care about everyone, want to see them happy. You're selfless, rarely selfish. You risked your life to protect people you don't even know and will probably never meet. Not taking people's shit but being nice about it is your middle name. It's disgusting, really, how nice you are. And you're a lot more lively than you've been lately. You're my best friend, my sister. Let me help you. Let me pull you out of this. Especially if you want all those kids. Let the other moms help, too. I'm sure Emily can help. She helped me."

Surprise made her turn back to me. "She did?"

I nodded. "Because it took her so long to get pregnant with Leila, she was always freaking out. Remember how hard it was to get her to leave Leila with you and Jake so she and Sam could have some alone time? She didn't let it show to other people, but she knew she was smothering Leila by not letting her go. So she forced herself, for Leila. Talking to her would help."

Nessie turned back to the stars and nodded. "You're right. I've been...strange lately. And it's not me."

"Ness?"

Light spilled over the courtyard from the open door. Jacob was standing there with a questioning look on his face. Nessie turned toward him and, seeing that he didn't have Will, demanded where he was.

Jacob smirked, stepping out the door. "He's fine. Bells has him right now. She's fending off the wolves."

Despite her worry she smiled. I laughed.

"You must be freezing," he said, shrugging out of his suit coat. "Here, take this." He wrapped it around her shoulders and kissed her head. When all she did was stare at him, his expression became worried. "Everything okay?"

Her eyes slid to me and I took the hint. "I'm just going to go make sure Seth hasn't let Brayden put his face in the cake."

And then I went inside, leaving them to talk.

Our table was near the door. Seth was sitting down with Brayden on his lap, feeding him a banana. As soon as he saw me though, he wiggled, trying to get off Daddy's lap. Seth put him on his feet, steadying him, before Brayden clumsily ran to me, grinning, showing off his teeth.

Scooping him up, I perched him on my hip. "Hey, big boy!"

He smiled, making his "talking" sounds.

Seth followed him, and kissed me when he reached me. "Everything okay?" he asked, his arm winding around my waist to pull me toward him.

I nodded. "Ness is having problems with anxiety with Will. I'm just trying to help her get some separation to let her know it's possible."

"Ah, like we had to do with you."

"Yeah."

Brayden's slobbery hand plunged down my dress to grip my bra.

Seth laughed when I jumped and slumped down at the touch. "That's my son," he said proudly.

"If he ends up being gay, I'm gonna tell him about this just to torture him."

"Mama."

I froze and looked at Brayden. Seth moved so that he was standing beside me.

"Did he just-"

Brayden's grin grew when Seth had stood next to me. "Da...da."

"Oh my god," Seth said, breathlessly. "He just..."

Laughing, I hugged Brayden to me, pressing my head to his. Lately, he'd been so close to talking that it was frustrating. I'd sworn I'd heard him say it before at his nap time over the baby monitor, but I hadn't been sure. Since then, I'd been trying to get him to talk. I didn't care if his first word was "no". I just wanted to hear his voice.

"Seth? Shelby? Everything okay?"

Sue was standing in front of us, looking worried.

"Mom," Seth said. "He just talked."

Her eyes went wide. "What?"

He shook his head. "Plain as day, I swear to God. He just said 'mama' and 'dada', one right after the other, looking at us."

He gurgled in my arms, his little sharp teeth chewing on his hand. I motioned to Seth. "Babe, get his teething ring. He's starting to chew on his hand."

Seth dug out the semi-frozen ring from the diaper bag. Removing Brayden's hand from his mouth, Seth placed the ring in his hand, which then went straight back to his mouth. He gnawed on it.

Getting excited, he started kicking and moving in my arms. But he was watching Seth. Reaching out his chubby arms, he said again, "Dada."

Sue's hand went to her mouth as she teared up.

Seth had to clear his throat as he reached for his son, taking him into his arms. Leaning his forehead against Brayden's, he whispered, "It's about time, son."

I started crying with Sue.

RPOV

"Everything okay?" Jacob asked, coming up behind me.

"I'm not depressed," I blurted.

Jacob's hands rested on my shoulders, rubbing over where his jacket covered me. "I didn't say you were. Ness, what's going on?"

"Shelby and I talked. I'm anxious. But I'm also not...happy, exactly." Turning around, I saw his expression turn wary. "I'm not depressed. I guess, I'm not happy with myself, with how I've turned into a homebody. Shelby invited me to play dates with her and Emily. I accepted. Will needs to have interactions with other kids, to learn and grow up. And I am going to be better at letting other people take care of him so you and I can be together, can be the couple we were before. You know, the fun-loving couple." Taking a deep breath, I finished by saying, "Also, it's selfish, but I want more time with you than just nights and weekends. I know you love your work and being important there, but I need you home with us, too. I know I said I was okay with you working so much, but...I'm not."

For a long moment, he just stared at me, studying me. His expression was carefully blank. No anger, but also no comfort, either.

"Say something? Please?"

His breath puffed out in a white cloud when he sighed. Putting one hand in his pocket, he used the other to rub his forehead. "I'm not quite sure what to say, to be honest. Why didn't you tell me all this before?" His tone held a note of accusation but I could tell he was trying to hold most of it back.

Swallowing hard, I said, "Because I didn't want to think about it too hard. I didn't want to think that there was something wrong with me. Talking about it tonight and Shelby forcing me outside away from Will helped me realize that she's right. I haven't been myself lately. And it has nothing to do with Will. He's perfect. It was me. I just closed us away even though we had visitors. And I thought you'd be around more."

Lowering his hand, he glared at me. "That's not fair, Ness. You said you were fine with me going back to work when I first went. It was hard as hell for me, but I did it."

Shivering despite the warmth cocooning me, I said, "And I meant it then. I didn't think you'd be working all the time though. I figured you'd give yourself more days off through the week. I thought I'd be able to do the housewife thing, but I can't, Jacob. Not full time like this. I want you home. I miss you."

Going from rigid angry to weary, he sighed and came to me, wrapping me up in his arms. "What days are the play dates with Emily and Shelby?"

"Monday, Wednesday, and Friday," I said, wrapping my arms around his waist. The shivering stopped.

He nodded. "Okay. I'll talk to Frank. Tell him those are the only days I can work. Even assistant managers need days off."

"Is he going to be okay with that?"

Jacob shrugged. "He's going to have to be. My wife needs me. Besides, Embry's the manager after me. He can open and close shop when needed."

Gripping him tighter, my chin trembled as I tried to hold back the tears. "Thank you, Jacob. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

His fingers tightened on my hips. "Nessie, all you have to do is tell me that you need me, and I'll be there. You're right. I'm not home enough if I didn't catch how bad it was, so both of us can be blamed for it. But we'll work it out, alright?"

I nodded, pressing my cheek over his heart while he held me. I felt his chin rest on the top of my head. "At least I know I can be away from him now," I said in a pouting voice.

He laughed, the sound rumbling against my ear. "Yeah, that's true. I love you, baby."

"I love you, too."

He hugged me tighter, kissing the top of my head. "Why don't we go back inside? See who's won the tug-of-war over our son."

I nodded in agreement and he led me inside. As he held the door open for me, I felt better. Not all the way, but enough to know that I could do this. Jacob and I had both been away from Will at the same time and nobody had come running outside to tell us something had happened. It was okay.

We were going to be okay.

RPOV

Quite a few more weeks passed. It was now a week before Christmas, and I was feeling better than ever. Jacob and I had taken Will to Seattle to shop for him. Over the past few weeks, I'd gone with Shelby to Emily's three days a week. At first, my heart had broken because Will didn't recognize the other kids. But after a couple visits, he started smiling at Claire and Haleigh when they'd sit on the floor with him. Claire was old enough to watch over them so Shelby, Emily, and I had started moving into the kitchen to talk and laugh, gossiping about our men. I decided to invite Rachel and Christa over as well. Christa only came over every now and then because she was getting housework done, but Rachel loved to come over. She was showing just a little when she moved just right. My excitement for her grew every time I saw her. She was positively glowing.

Jacob and I had actually started trying to get pregnant again, making love every time Will took a nap or at night when he passed out. Nothing so far, but that was okay. I knew I could get pregnant. Will was evidence of that. The first week that Jacob had put his new schedule into effect, Jacob and I had sat down after Will had gone down for a nap and talked. He'd pulled my feet into his lap and rubbed them. And then he'd pulled me over so that I was straddling his hips and commenced the hottest make out session we'd had in a long time, even put the mark on my chest that had faded long ago. He'd left me breathless and panting while he took care of Will when he'd woken up. Every time I thought about that now, I bit my lip and rubbed my thighs together, wanting my man every damn time.

Tonight, I had a surprise for him.

JPOV

When I walked into the house, something felt off. No lights welcomed me. Everything was dark except the embers burning down in the fireplace.

Frowning, I tossed my jacket onto the back of the couch and locked the door behind me. "Ness?"

I checked my watch. Five-thirty, the same time I always came home.

Looking toward the stairs that led to our bedroom, I saw a faint, flickering light. Like candles. Quirking an eyebrow, I walked over there and looked down. Yup. Candle and firelight danced on the walls. Slowly, I made my way down the stairs. When I reached the bottom, I nearly swallowed my tongue at the same time that my body got so hard so fast that it hurt.

Nessie was on the bed on top of a blood-red comforter I'd never seen before. Tons of candles flickered around the room as well as the fireplace. The yellow light painted Nessie's naked skin in warmth and shadows, highlighting a curl of her hair or the curve of her shoulder as it flickered. She was only wearing a pair of tiny panties and black stockings. That was it. Her hair draped over her shoulders artfully to cover her breasts. Chocolate eyes gleamed, sparking from the light as she smirked at me.

I was going to ask where Will was, but the words died in my throat.

She laughed. It was deep and sexy, like she knew what effect she was having on me. "Will's at Shelby's. For the night."

My eyes met hers when I realized what she meant. Clearing my throat, I looked to the open nursery door and back to her. "So...the house is ours?"

She nodded, lips quirking sexily. "For the first time in four months, yes."

This. This was the woman I knew. Slowly, she'd been coming back to me over the past few weeks. I blamed myself for her disappearing because I hadn't been around. Now, she and I had been spending more time together, personal time, and she was doing much better. Her leaving Will with Shelby for the night was a big step. We'd been starting slow by leaving Will with Bella while we went out to eat for an hour, and then longer while we went shopping for a few hours. Working slowly to letting her separate herself from motherhood to just remembering who she was as a person. Hunting, being free to run, had been a big help. She hadn't felt helpless or hindered by having to be careful.

Moving around on the bed, she crawled to the foot of it on all fours, her hair still acting as a curtain. I was close enough that she could reach out, sink her fingers into the waistband of my jeans and yank me forward. She met my body with hers, straightening up. Heat slammed into me when she looked at me from under her eyelashes, her hair falling forward to caress her face. Those white teeth slipped over her bottom lip, but not to worry at it, as she tip-toed her forefinger and middle finger up my chest. All I could do was watch her, pressing her body against mine, her soft belly rubbing my erection through my jeans.

When her fingers made it to the collar of my t-shirt, she flipped her eyes up to give me the sexiest, wildest look just before she gripped my shirt with both hands and ripped it down the front. My body flexed with the jerk, keeping me from tipping forward. Setting her nails in my skin, she caught the edges of the shirt with her wrists, pulling it off my arms like a jacket.

There was nothing gentle in the way she touched me or looked at me. It was all animal. All feral. And because of that, my wolf floated into my consciousness, watching her with my eyes.

"Take your boots off," she demanded in a low voice, her fingers going back down the waistline of my jeans.

I did as she commanded and slipped out of my boots and then my socks.

In a move too fast for me to comprehend, she gripped my jeans with one hand, my arm with the other, turned, and threw me onto the bed. We'd never really tested her vampire speed or strength before. The fact that she could lift me and throw me was sexy as hell. I hadn't even stopped bouncing on the bed before she was on me.

She crawled up between my legs, her hands trailing ahead of her. Gripping my jeans the way she had my shirt, she lifted the material so it was away from my body and jerked until it ripped apart, freeing my pounding erection. Her palm stroked up the length and up my stomach, over my chest to trace her fingers over my lips just as her tongue flicked out to lick me. Another spasm rocked me when she continued to lap at my skin like it was her favorite piece of candy. When her lips closed around the head of me without help from her other hand, my breath exploded against her fingers.

And then she quit teasing me.

Without warning, she slipped every inch of me into her mouth and down her throat, sucking me down. The red comforter probably wouldn't make it through the next few minutes with my fists balled up into it, straining the fabric.

Well, it might.

To my surprise, she reached out for one of my hands and pressed it into her hair. Coming up off me, she licked her lips and said, "Put me where you want me. Whatever you want."

Now my wolf wanted in on the play. He wanted us to push her mouth over us, to keep her there. "Get my jeans off," I said, my voice edging toward a growl.

She did as I told her, jerking them down my legs until she was the only one wearing something. And those panties were definitely not going to last long.

When she was back to kneeling in front of me, I gripped her head and moved her so her closed lips brushed me. "Suck me down."

I felt her take a deep breath before opening her mouth as wide as it would go and sliding over me until her lips hit my body. The wolf loved this, forcing me to keep her there, even as we felt her throat constrict around us. And the trust in her eyes just fueled the heat. She knew we'd never hurt her. The moment she jerked her head, we let her up, air whistling down her lungs.

Mouth poised over me after she recovered, she just watched me.

Groaning, I pressed my head back into the pillows. "Just suck me, Ness. Please."

It was a heartbeat later that I felt her small hand grip the base of me, where I was thickest, before slipping her mouth over me. She gave me a moment to calm down. And then she bobbed fast, her mouth suctioning me, cheeks hollowing out. With her hair surrounding her and tickling my thighs, I could see her breasts sway with her movements.

I cracked.

"Ness, I'm-"

Never got the rest out before my back and stomach burst with tension, my balls burst as my orgasm raced to freedom. Everything I had from the moment I saw her on the bed flew from me to be swallowed down by her. She took everything that my body could give out just as she always did.

And then I was done for the moment, breathing heavily as she eased away from me, sitting back on her knees. She was resplendent in the flickering candlelight. Her copper curls shone and danced even though she sat still. Those eyes were darker than just milk chocolate, something dark and rich with a bitter aftertaste like her mood. Sweet and dangerous all at the same time.

With a finger, I beckoned her to come closer. Nessie crawled over me sensuously, her knees planting on either side of my hips, her hands on my shoulders. Instantly, I was hard again as if her mouth had never been on me. Want pulsed through me, the wolf grinding my teeth, wanting to be rough, wanting to pound into her until she screamed for us. Reaching up, I brushed her hair back and then gripped it at the roots, jerking. A little gasp slipped through her parted lips in surprise, but not pain. In fact her eyes became heavy-lidded, her breathing erratic. She'd always liked a little pain with her sex. I rolled us so that I was on top, using my knees to spread her thighs wider, opening her core for me.

No oral for her. She was going to stay tight and wet, just the way I liked her. Growing my claws, the wolf taking over another inch, I was careful in her hair, but moved my other hand down her body to get rid of the offending red fabric separating us. I'd keep the stockings; I wasn't that stupid. When the strap of the underwear snapped, she gasped again. But this was a mix of pain and surprise. Looking down, I realized that I'd nicked her when a bread of read marked her skin.

Surprisingly not panicking, I looked up at her face. She was smiling devilishly at me. "That felt good," she whispered.

She reached for my wrists and moved my hands so that they were on her breasts, palming her. Her back arched off the bed, pink lips releasing another moan. "So warm. Fuck me, Jacob. Let your wolf take me."

The human me was too far gone to even argue. My fingers flexed on her, the claws barely puncturing her skin. But it was enough. Ten beads of blood welled up on her skin, five over and around each breast.

"Yes," she breathed, and then squirmed. "Please, Jake. I need you inside me."

Didn't have to tell me twice. With a little positioning, I thrust inside her so good and deep. Her back arched of the bed, throat a nice clean line as she let out a yell. Her breasts were offered up to me, the beaded blood sliding over her smooth skin. Lifting her hands as if to grab at my skin to dig her nails in, I grabbed her wrists. Not tonight. Tonight, I'd be doing the bloodletting. Before I started my pounding, I raised her hands over her head and held them both easily in one of my hands. The other went to grip her hip hard to hold her where I wanted her as I started to hammer into her relentlessly with no warning. The sound of skin smacking skin was immediate, fast, and harsh in the room, echoing off the walls. She was wet, that wetness soaking my hips and thighs as I pounded deep and hard and fast. I knew the wolf was pushing my body, making me a machine. I'd never made love to her this hard, this fast, or this deep. But she didn't seem to mind. And neither did the wolf.

He was getting what he wanted.

Her screams were one continuous, pleasure-filled chorus. Back permanently arched, her breasts scraped against my chest, her blood smearing over my skin, too. He liked it. The wolf liked her blood on us. It was almost like her marks on me were signs to the other guys that the sex was good. Our lack of self-control in marking her was a sign that, one: this was our female, and two: that she drove us to pleasure in such a way that we lost our composure.

So, without my ordering it to, my free hand lightly slid down her back to her side and around her front. We didn't want to hurt her, but we wanted our mark on her. Blood flowed, popping up like mushrooms after a rain as my hand moved in to end at her lower stomach. Not one sound of pain from her, just more moans, louder screams as my shaft continuously impaled her over and over. We'd both be hurting tomorrow, but something told me it would be well worth it.

Somewhere in all the movement, she managed to wrap her legs around my thighs, locking her ankles. In one quick roll, she flipped me onto my back and get her hands out of my grasp. A growl slipped between her bared teeth, lips pulled back in a snarl. Hands on my chest, she rode me, circling her hips, dancing over my hips.

After a moment, she stretched up, sitting up straight. She brought her hands up, sliding over her blood-smeared skin, over her neck and up into her hair, balling it up in her fists against her head. Ringlets fell to brush her shoulders and breasts.

A goddess. That's what came to mind. She was a golden vampire goddess, her body firmly on mine, putting me as deep as I could go, her hips swinging in a dance that seemed to conjure up a sort of hypnotic power. There was no way I could keep my hands off of her, which meant my claws scraped more of her skin. She didn't open her eyes to look at me when I placed my palms against her shoulder blades, drawing down over her ass, claws dragging over her skin. And I wanted the marks that I'd made on her side to have a matching set, so I put my hand on her back once more, drew it down her side, and over the front of her stomach. I knew more blood was filling the scratches, flowing over her pale skin. And God help me that the thought took me higher.

So high that I exploded between one sway of her hips and the next. Gripping her hips, I knew I'd punctured her deeper than I had the rest of her body, but I couldn't bring myself to be too worried when she exploded with a scream to the ceiling, body arched sensuously. We both pulsed together, her body milking me, mine emptying into her.

Every muscle in my body was taut, muscles straining. Her hands came down to grip my wrists, nails paying me back by bleeding me, leaving bracelets of blood behind. I could so live with that.

After some tense moments where I was sure my heart had stopped beating, she collapsed on top of me, breathing hard. Her entire body was trembling, jerking on top of me with aftershocks. The wolf inside me retreated, curling up, content. My claws drew back into my hands so I hugged her tightly to my chest. Leaning up, I kissed her sweaty curls.

"Dear god," she panted. "That felt good."

Laughing was a bad idea with how sensitive I was still inside her, but I couldn't help it. I hissed and she jerked at the sensation.

"Sorry," I muttered, moving my hips so that I fell out of her.

Slowly, as if she were moving through mud, she reached back to pat her hand over her hip. When she brought it back to her face, blood was smeared on it. A sliver of worry shot through me. What if she'd liked it in the moment, but would decide I'd abused her once the hormones died down?

"You bled me," she said, blinking blankly at her hand. As I was opening my mouth to apologize, she looked up at me and smiled. "About damn time."

It was my turn to blink blankly at her. "What?"

Her grin lifted more at one corner so it was a smirk. "All the times I've bled you and you're just now bleeding me? About time. You must have had a real choke hold on that wolf of yours until now."

Relief replaced the worry. I chuckled. "Yeah well, tonight you were more animal than you were anything. Or I should say a goddess."

"Goddess?"

I nodded. "That's the thought I had when you flipped us and started riding me like you owned me." I stroked her hair as she flushed. "Skin painted with gold candlelight. Hair shining copper. A look of euphoria on your face. Blood seeping down your skin every time you swung your hips on me. A golden vampire goddess. My goddess. All mine."

Grinning, she kissed under my chin. "Goddess, huh? I think I can live with that." Snuggling down against me, her lips pressed into my chest. "This goddess needs to rest her body. It took a delicious beating tonight."

"Mmm, anything you want. I do belong to you."

Her purr vibrated from her chest to mine. "Pretty sure I owned you tonight."

Knowing I could go with the dirty talk, I chose something more romantic.

Kissing her hair, I whispered, "You've owned me from the moment we first met."

Purring again, she fell asleep on top of me, a smile painting her perfect lips.

RPOV

The next morning, I woke to Jacob's soft touch on my back. I was on my stomach in the silk sheets under the comforter though I couldn't remember sliding between them. The blanket was down around my waist, the silk cold where neither my nor Jacob's body heat had reached it. Turning my head, I saw that he was raised up on his elbow, fingers lightly tracing my skin.

Stretching out a little, and feeling tight skin, I smiled. "Good morning."

He returned the grin. "Morning." His dark eyes went back to my body. "Do they hurt?" he asked quietly.

That was when I realized he was tracing the claw marks he'd set into my skin last night.

"No," I whispered. "They'll probably sting in the shower, but I like them."

"Good. I do, too."

That surprised me. Leaning up on my own elbows, still on my stomach, I looked at him. "Really? I figured you'd be having a fit, expecting me to yell at you or something."

A corner of his mouth lifted. "What you said last night reassured me. I was worried at first when you saw the blood. But then you told me it was about time. I think I've finally learned to trust you about this stuff. And the wolf."

Arching my hips up, I felt a tug on my lower body that wasn't sex aches. Rolling onto one elbow, I looked down my body. On each side, a series of five scratches framed my torso, wrapping around from my back, down over my ribs, to end between my hipbones, just over my panty line.

A low growl made me look up. Jacob was studying my body, eyes fixed on my breasts, lowering down to the apex of my thighs. Looking down at his body, I saw that he was full and ready to go.

Just as my phone rang.

"You should get that," he said in a quiet voice as if he were restraining himself from throwing my phone against the wall and taking me anyway.

Shivering, I rolled over and grabbed my phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, buttercup." Shelby.

"Hey. Good morning."

She snorted. "Man, you must have some serious after-glowing going on if you think it's still morning."

"Well what time is it?"

"Two-thirty. I'm calling to ask if you want me to bring Will back or if you're going to come get him."

Looking over at my husband's dark eyes that were still glued to my body, I swallowed hard and said, "Any chance you could keep him for the day? I'll pay you or something..."

"Shut up," she said disgustedly. "Of course I'll keep him. Are you kidding? This is good, great! Have some bed time with the hubby. Your son is happy and safe over here. We're just gonna watch cartoons all day anyway."

"Thank you," I managed to get out as Jacob swam through the cool sheets to put his hands on my body, hand moving down between my legs, lips on my breast.

"Not a problem. Now get to work. I'll talk to you later."

"Uh-huh," I muttered before hanging up.

Reaching over, Jacob grabbed my phone and tossed it onto the floor where it bounced on the carpet and then slid across the bathroom tile.

"I'm not done with you yet," he growled against my skin.

And then he proceeded to show me in which ways he wasn't done.

Gah! So happy with this chapter. I'm peeking around my writer's block and trying to knock it down brick by brick, so please let me know how you feel. Not a big chapter for Will, but definitely for Brayden, Shelby, and Seth! So please review! I wanna know! Love you!xoxoxoxoxoxo