Seven o'clock that night found me in the parking lot of First Beach. Lauren arrived with not only Jessica in tow, but Mike as well as Angela and Ben, who were apparently on a date. Mike's slip apparently gave Angela the guts to ask Ben out since she had a crush on him as well. Great, she brought an audience. Lauren walked over, grabbed me by the arm steering me towards the beach and began in a hushed manner, "Ok so the guys name is Paul Lahote, he's the one over there by the bonfire in the black button down with the sleeves rolled up." All I could see was his back. From this distance I could tell he was ripped, and good lord was he tall. He stood with his arms crossed his broad shoulders tapering down to a slim waist his legs firmly planted like tree trunks talking to another guy. Even from the back I could tell this man was dangerous and apparently I was supposed to seduce him. As it happened Lauren knew the guy he was talking to so she led us straight over to him. "Hey Andrew!" She greeted him kissing his cheek. I blushed at the interaction and looked away, but my eyes instantly locked with Paul's. His face was quizzical. I could tell he was sizing me up. His black hair was cropped short, spiked at the top. His dark, perfectly groomed, five o'clock shadow against his copper skin made him look dangerous or rugged I wasn't sure which. "Andrew this is my friend Bella, she just moved to Forks a month ago. You know the guys" Lauren continued introducing me and motioning to our friends standing behind us. "Who's your friend?" She asked turning to smile brightly at Paul.

"I'm Paul," he held his hand out to Lauren then to me. As I shook his hand my breath caught at the heat of his skin. He was gorgeous and you could tell he new knew it. "What brings you lovely ladies to our neck of the woods." First Beach was on the Quileute reservation in La Push, Washington. Lauren took this opportunity to go in for the kill.

"I came down with Bella who is looking to lose her v-card tonight and get laid." I was mortified, and by the smug look on Lauren's face this is what she was hoping for. To embarrass me in front of everyone and get me to back down and "show my belly" so to speak. I had had enough. I'm not sure where it came from. Maybe I was just so livid that all common sense let me and I looked point blank at Paul and said,

"That's right, you here with anyone sugar? I have to admit I've heard your name around town and that you know how to show a girl a good time. You game?" There take that Lauren I thought to myself. Paul looked surprised he had been glaring in Lauren's direction. As if he was getting ready to berate her for putting the obviously shy girl on the spot. He seemed to shake himself then smiled a great big smile and said,

"Sure doll, I'm game. Want to come back to my place. It just up the path two doors down from the chief's place." I nodded.

"Do you know BIlly?" I asked as he took my hand and lead me away up the path through the trees. As we passed, Jessica and company looked stunned and I could see Angela was warring with herself over saying something to stop this. I just shook my head at her. I would be two doors down from Billy and Jacob. I would just tell Paul I changed my mind and spend the rest of the night with Jacob.

"Yeah, My mom died when I was 16 and my dad took off not too long after so Billy, being so close, helped me get settled and find work around the rez to pay the bills."

"I'm so sorry." I said stopping to look at him.

"Don't worry about it, babe. It was three years ago. I'm over it."

"Losing your mom is not something you get over." I challenged.

"You're right, but time has made it easier," he qualified. I nodded then turned to continue up the path. His warm hand on my for arm stopped me. "Listen I know what that girl did back there. We don't have to actually do anything. We can just hang and let her think what she will." I was surprised but I realized I hadn't actually known him and just because he looked dangerous didn't mean he went around taking advantage.

"Look Paul, I appreciate you saying that and while I'll admit I'm scared out of my mind. This is something that I really want to do and you, my good sir, are hot as hell." Paul burst out laughing, put his arm around my shoulder and said,

"Come on babe. Let's get this party started."