Chapter 3: Truth

He wore a loose pair of dark grey sweats that hung low, exposing the dips in both is lower back and front. Saliva pooled in my mouth as I noticed the rather large slope below the drawstring…. Before I had the chance to speak, Jake turned on is heel and headed for the kitchen, none the wiser that I was sitting on his couch.

He lifted his massive arms above his hand and grabbed his wrists to stretch, pulling his achingly beautiful muscles on his back in an array of different directions. I knew there was a reason I was here…I just couldn't remember what it was exactly…oh shit! Snapping my hanging jaw shut, I stammered to my feet, and saw Jake immediately tense mid-stretch. He sniffed the air and slowly lowered his arms down to his sides.

With his back to me Jake dragged in a long breath and spoke,

"What are you doing here Bella?"

His question rang heavy with annoyance. I blinked furiously, I hadn't even answered him and I was already fighting the urge to cry.

Clearing my throat I took two steps forward, to which I saw his dark knuckles tighten. I froze.

"Why are you here?" He spoke each word separately, each word dripping with anger, but there was also pain. This wasn't helping...

"I have something to say."

I meant for it to sound strong and matter-of-fact, instead I sounded like I was asking permission. The back of his head jerked once in response. Well, I deserved as much. If I was going to have to profess my undying love to his back, then so be it.

I assumed he was still breathing, but the only sound that passed between us was silence and my jack-hammering pulse.

"Jake," I planted my feet and puffed my chest ready for battle,

"Jacob Black, I do not deserve you. You have done nothing but mend every part of my broken soul. I've left you at times when you've needed me most, only to find you standing firmly beside me during mine,"

I saw his position relax, and he turned his head slightly to peer over his shoulder.

This must not have been what he was expecting from me,

"I come to you today as a whole. I am no longer broken and I don't need fixing. I just need… you now…and I need you to know, that I left that night because something happened, and I was...I was...well, terrified…and I know its no excuse but it's the truth and I-,"

Jake turned and stared down on me, interrupting my rambling. His eyes were shimmering with tears on the verge of spilling over and I felt the heat from his stare melt my heart.

"Terrified, why?" He asked.

With all the nerve I could gather, closed the remaining space between us stood directly before him. His eyes never left mine, and his internal struggle to not reach out to me caused him to flinch at my closeness. It stung to see him fight that urge. Worse, I knew that it was a direct result of things I had done to Jacob Black, for him to have to make that choice in the first place.

'Never again, never again' I repeated to myself.

"Because watching you in the garage that night… I realized that I love you..." he didn't flinch; he wasn't convinced

"I came here today to tell you that I am in Love with you. Whole-heartedly, unconditionally, forever yours, in love with you..."

His eyes slammed shut. A ripple formed in between his eyebrows as he pulled them together, and then a single tear slipped down his check and dripped onto his bare chest.

We stayed like this as the seconds passed. I watched as his eyebrows smoothed themselves out and returned my stare. Only now, the anger and resentment was completely washed away with his tears, and affection filled his deep eyes.

In the same instant, he lowered his head to mine and whispered in to my lips,

"God I love you," sliding his lips across mine, before taking my mouth in his.

His warm tongue explored the inside of mouth hungrily.

His right arm snaked around my waist molding to him, and his left hand pressed against my temple. I was putty in his arms. I'd lost all ability to move my limbs. The heat of his body radiated through me and I was warmed to my core. Could this be happening? Was it that easy? Of course it was. This was Jacob. Deep down I knew that my feelings for him would have a safe place to land, and rejection was never really a possibility.

He continued to take control, and I was overwhelmed by this side of his nature that I had never allowed him to show before. Feeling inspired, I slid my fingertips up the back of his arms, over his shoulder and wrapped them firmly behind his neck. He broke the kiss to let out a breathy moan and pulled the back of my shirt up to press his hot hands to the small of my back. This tiny movement lit a fire beneath me, and I jumped wrapping my legs around is waist and found his mouth. I was ravenous. I bit and sucked and licked his lips. He turned to pressed me hard against the wall, the pain didn't even register.

"Bella." he growled while my tongue was lapping at the dent in his shoulder.

He nuzzled his face in my hair and continued to growl. My legs were aching from the vice grip I had around him. The ache between my legs was different. Almost on que, he ran his large fingers up and down my thighs. Stopping to cup my butt and then continued their exploration of my lower half. Soon I began to mirror his strokes up and down his chest pressing his forehead to mine. Gradually, our breathing began to slow and the heat of the moment started to cool. He was intoxicating, and I was dizzy. Jacob pulled back and smoothed my hair into place and smiled. I giggled breathlessly blushing at the new intimacy forming. Jake wrapped his long fingers around the back of my knees and walked over to the kitchen counter to set me down. I let my legs fall and hang. Standing in my middle he continued to knead my muscles and gaze into my eyes. Without my permission my fingers traced the outline of his perfect mouth, to which he opened every so slightly.

He pursed his lips and began to kiss my fingertips and then playfully bit my pinky.

"I, uh, hope you don't plan on going anywhere, 'cause after that I'm thinkin' about locking you up here," his voice was still husky as he made an attempt to lighten mood. I was mesmerized by him and my center still throbbed for relief, I arched my eyebrow,

"I'd even let you throw away the key," I winked.

He groaned and crushed his lips to mine with new intensity. Both of his strong hands grasped either side of my face. I curled my small fingers around his wrists and kissed him back just as hard. Suddenly, an uncomfortable cough came from behind Jake, and he stiffened immediately. I snuck a glance over his shoulder to see Quil and Embry leaning casually against the wall. A huge grin broke across Quil's face, "Hey guys, whats up," both he and Embry started to laugh hard.

"Can you assholes knock!?" Jacob was furious as he tried to position himself in front of me, blocking me from their view.

Gently I tapped his shoulder and he helped me off the counter without turning around. Embry was the first to respond,

"Relax man, we practically beat down your door Jake, we figured you were still sleeping so we let ourselves in,"

Embry's implicating glance darted from Jake to me, and then back to Jake,

"but, we can sleep was the last thing on your mind,"

Jake pointed sharply towards the front door and growled,

"GET OUT!"

The tension in the room began to thicken and I didn't want my first day back to end with a trip to the ER so I interjected lightly clearing my throat. I waved shyly at the boys. Jake softened instantly and turned to look at me. I spoke without leaving his eyes,

" Jake, I'm sure Quil and Embry had the best of intentions coming over here, and I'm sure they are just as shocked as you were…," I blushed remembering our steamy reunion, " to find me here."

Jake gave me an evil grin and kissed my forehead before facing his brothers.

"Alright guys, what's up?" Immediately the tension slackened and they both relaxed their positions

"Well, we were just coming to tell you that Sam said since you worked double shift last night, to take tonight off," Quil smiled at me,"and he said to tell you he's not asking, he's telling….but, uh…something tells me you're not gonna fight him on it this time."

I could feel my entire face flush. Why had Jake been working double shifts? Sam expected Jake to fight him on it, why? Something I would have to bring up later.

Jake's teeth were grinding audibly as he spoke through them,

" Tell Sam I said 'Thanks' and I'll see him at the bonfire tomorrow night…I'll see you guys then too," Quil and Embry nodded, not wanting to test Jake's restraint. Both their eyes flickered to mine,

"Alright. And, it's good to see you Bella…um you comin' tomorrow?" Embry asked reluctance in his voice.

Before I could answer Jake began ushering them toward the door and assuring them I would be there. Once they were gone Jake walked back into the kitchen where I stood trying work out all that had transpired in the last 15 minutes.

"Lets walk." He grabbed my hand without needing an answer from me, and led us down to the beach.

------A/N: Again, Please Review..As the chapters progess there will be more dialogue between the characters? Anything you guys would like to see happen??