He was waiting for me when I arrived by his side. He had hoped I'd see him. He'd hoped I'd come after him.

He wasn't hoping for the reaction he got.

The familiar glowing amber eyes threw me off guard momentarily – and he almost won. I almost fell right in that moment; fell into his arms, his lips, his love. It was so hard to forget everything we'd been through. My addiction had been waiting so long, wanting so long, aching for me to give in. And those eyes gleaming in the darkness, the shadowy silhouette of his cold skin and rough vampire muscles, the way he looked at me with such longing….

It was all too much. It felt too familiar. I knew where that road would lead. And it made me even more pissed off than I'd been the moment I caught him watching me.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing here?" I screamed. He seemed taken aback. He moved back a pace, confusion in his eyes. "We are done, do you understand? Done."

Jacob moved forward in a threatening manner. I whipped my hand out in front of him, barring his advance. "Enough, Jake, this is my fight."

He backed down unwillingly, but he could see the fire burning in my eyes – almost brighter than Edward in a feeding frenzy.

"I just wanted to make sure you're safe. I had to know you're okay…"

"That is not your job anymore Edward. I can take care of myself."

He laughed sardonically. "Come on, Bella, even you know that's not true."

I deepened my glare. "If anyone is going to be protecting me, it won't be you."

His gaze turned to Jake and he scoffed, "What, you think the mutt is going to protect you?" Jacob's visage turned dark yet again and I found myself fending him off from another attempt at intimidating our shared enemy.

"Will you both just stop it? For God's sake, I am not a damsel in distress!"

Both of them stopped and stared at me. They clearly had no inkling of the concept of a strong woman.

"Oh for fuck's sake, will you both please enter the 21st century? Edward, we are done. You will not watch me any more, you will not follow me, and if you do, I will rat your ass out to everyone I know."

He looked taken aback. Maybe even a little hurt. He wasn't used to seeing me this way. He wasn't used to me standing up to him. Fine. Maybe he'd finally leave me alone. Maybe I'd finally lose my appeal.

"And Jake, enough of this bullshit male dominance. You're not a goddamn wolf right now. Cut the theatrics."

Jake looked equally as shocked, but I could tell I'd just won a mark in his book. Great. Not the reaction I was looking for.

"Look, if you both want to hash it out here in the forest to satisfy your testosterone drive or whatever the hell it is, go for it. But it has nothing to do with me." I turned to leave.

"Bella – " Edward reached for me.

"No!" I turned to face him one more time. "This can't go on, Edward. You have to accept that I'm not here for you."

Edward shuffled uncomfortably, glancing nervously left and right. He opened his mouth to speak, but promptly shut it again and went back to his awkward position. I was running out of patience. He needed to understand what I meant. He needed to understand now.

I turned to Jake, reached out to grab his hair, and pulled him in for a passionate kiss. I kissed him hard and I kissed him deep, my tongue digging into his throat, and my hands exploring his entire body. It felt good. Really good. Better than I'd expected. I could feel his enjoyment through my skin, and I reveled in the feel of his hands in my hair. I found myself wanting more. The way I always wanted more with Edward.

It was for show. It was only supposed to be for show. Why was I suddenly wishing I could run my hands under his shirt, and wondering how his strong fingers would feel against my breasts?

The thought scared me and I pulled away as ferociously as I'd began. Jake stared in bewildered shock. He moved to pull me back in but I stopped him. I glanced to the spot where Edward had been standing.

He was gone.

Good.

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