Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight…

Ch17:Call it spontaneity

"Leah, baby, we're leaving."

Leah dropped a kiss on the top of Terry's head then placed him in his crate and secured the latch. "I'm coming."

Jacob walked into the bedroom. Terry was whining and jumping up, trying to get out of the crate. "Why don't you let him hand out with the other dogs down at the stables?"

Her gaze swept over Jacob. They were going to Halestone Farms and he had chosen to wear a white shirt, black slacks and slip-ons. "Do you think he'll be all right?"

Extending his hand, Jacob helped her stand. "He plays with them all day. Of course he's going to be all right." Leah still refused to go anywhere near the stables or close to where the horses were exercised or grazed.

"Okay, you can take him. I'll wait for you on the porch."

Leah walked over to the dressing area and picked up a small purse with a shoulder strap, looping it over her body. The light from the table lamp glinted off the band on her left hand. Although she no longer had to lie and pretend Jacob was her husband, she wanted to tell her parents of the change in her marital status—not by phone but in person.

Even if she had wanted to return to Florida, she knew it was better to remain out of the state until the police solved Tyler Crowley's disappearance. It had been more than a week since the prosecutor had gone missing and so far the family hadn't heard a word from the kidnappers other than they were willing to return the D.A. alive if the family paid a ransom. There were news reports that the amount of the ransom still hadn't been set, and the longer he was missing, the odds were against him being found alive.

The heels of her stilettos were muffled in the rug as she walked out of the bedroom and down the hall to the staircase. All of the employees at Clearwater Farm were invited to the Halestone get-together. The exception was security personnel who were scheduled to work that night.

Seth turned his head so Leah couldn't see his grin. It had been a long time since he had seen her bare so much skin. A black off-the-shoulder dress, ending at her knees, fit her body like second skin, while a pair of black stilettos put her close to six feet. One thing he always liked about his sister was that she was very secure about her height.

"We're going to pick up Jacob at the stables." He opened the door and led Leah out into the warm air. It was dusk, his favorite time of day.

Leah looped her arm over the sleeve of Seth's raw silk black shirt. "You look very dangerous dressed in all black."

Seth wiggled his eyebrows. "I feel dangerous tonight."

"Dangerous or reckless?"

"Both."

"Watch out, ladies. Seth is on the prowl tonight."

"My male employees like interacting with Halestone Farms because they say the women over there are much prettier than the ones here."

"I hope they're not talking about their wives."

Seth laughed. "If they are, then they're in for a world of hurt. I've witnessed a few marital spats, and they weren't nice. The difference between this farm and Halestone is that we don't have small children. Of course, their farm is a lot bigger than this one."

"How big?" Leah asked, once she was seated in the Lincoln.

"Halestone Farms is about ten thousand acres. They operate like a small town. They have a church, and a couple of years ago they chartered their own school. So, the kids never have to leave the farm to attend classes."

"I suppose they never have to close the school because of snow."

"You're right about that. Last year we had record cold and snowfall totals."

Seth drove away from the house along a road leading to the stables. Streetlamps were coming on, lighting up the area as if it were daytime. He tapped the horn lightly, garnering Jacob's attention. Slowing, he waited for his brother-in-law to get into the rear of the sedan before driving in a westerly direction toward Halestone Farms.

"You have to come and visit during the fall. Halloween is really special around here. We have hayrides and bonfires and the little kids are allowed to stay up until midnight. They hosted Halloween last year and this year is my turn."

Leah stared at her brother's profile. She had found it uncanny how much he resembled their father in almost every single way. Then there were those in the family who claimed she had inherited her mother's candor. She still didn't see it though.

"What about the older kids?" she asked.

"Believe it or not, they seldom leave the farm. Everything they would want is there. Those who attend school away from the property form friendships with other kids, most of whom wish they could live on a working horse farm."

"What about dating?"

"I haven't lived here long enough to know those statistics, but I do know that Alice and Jasper Hale grew up together and eventually married. You'll probably get a chance to see their triplet daughters."

Leah wanted to ask Seth about Peyton Hale. She had noticed them talking and dancing during the reception. When she and Peyton had gone shopping for gowns, Leah saw another side of the quixotic veterinarian who had grown up with an overbearing, alcoholic father who never let her forget he had wanted a son. It wasn't until she was an adolescent and she had searched the Internet that she had discovered another branch of the Hale family tree. Acting on impulse, she had e-mailed Jasper Hale at the farm who had been able to confirm they were cousins and therefore related.

Peyton had convinced her father to let her spend her summers at the Halestone Farm, and it was Jasper who underwrote the cost of her college education once she had expressed interest in veterinary medicine. It wasn't what Peyton said but what she hadn't said about growing up in a home with a mother who was too frightened to defend herself or protect her daughter during her husband's alcohol-induced tantrums that led Leah to believe that not only had Peyton been verbally abused as a child, but physically abused as well.

She had discovered the vet had a wicked sense of humor that had kept her laughing when they had dinner at a restaurant frequented by college students. Some of the young men tried hitting on the attractive natural blonde, but Peyton easily parried their advances with a look that scared off the most persistent admirer.

All thoughts of Peyton fled when Seth stopped at a pair of electronic iron gates emblazoned with a bold letter B. Leaning out the driver's side window, Seth stared into a camera and gave his name. Within seconds, the gates opened and closed behind them as they drove through. There was still enough daylight for Leah to see white rail fences, stone walls and verdant landscaped grassland.

The road diverged into four directions, but Seth followed the sign pointing the way to the main house. A towering flagpole with an American flag flying atop a black and red one lifted in the slight breeze. Teenage boys were doing double duty directing traffic and parking the many vehicles in an area set aside for parking.

Leah had been introduced to the Hale men and their wives the day before, but hadn't had the opportunity to talk with them other than to accept their warm wishes for a long and happy married life. She remembered Jasper Hale because he had passed his incredible looks on to his sons. Tall solidly built with blonde wavy hair, high, slanting cheekbones, an aquiline nose, and light eyes, the middle aged Hale patriarch had married a woman only two years younger than him and had become a father for the third time.

Jacob alighted from the rear of the car to assist Leah as she placed one foot on the ground, then the other as he pulled her gently to stand. He would be the first to admit that Leah was stunning the revealing dress, but he also didn't want to deal with other men lusting after his wife. The day before she appeared the vestal virgin in white and now, twenty four hours later she had morphed into a vixen in black, and a mass of curls had replaced the sophisticated chignon.

Taking her hand, Jacob tucked it into the bend of his elbow, following Seth and a swelling crowd over to large tents with dozens of tables that were covered with white linen. Folding chairs, swathed in white organza, were tired with either black or red satin ribbon, representing the farm's silks.

The Hales, resident veterinarian Dr. Rosalie Hale and her husband Emmett, who had set up the farm school, were on hand to greet the guests. All of the Hale grandchildren had varying shades of gray eye color.

Peyton stood in the receiving line, holding the third Hale triplet. She was resplendent in a one shoulder black dress that ended inches above her knees. Four inch pumps added height to her diminutive frame, and also called attention to her legs. She pulled her hair back and tied it with a black ribbon. Leah watched Seth as his gaze traveled from Peyton's face down to her compact body before reversing itself. He reached for her hand and pressed a kiss on her knuckle before moving on.

"Don't you dare say anything," Jacob whispered in Leah's ear.

"Do you think he likes her?" she whispered, ignoring his warning.

"Leave it along," he warned again. Leah narrowed her eyes at her husband. "Glare at me all you want, I'm not going to gossip about your brother."

"I'm not gossiping, darling."

"Yes, you are Leah. We're leaving tomorrow and Seth and Peyton know where to find each other."

Jacob's cryptic rejoinder spoke volumes. Men talk just like women talk and Leah was willing to bet Seth's indifference to the pretty veterinarian was a defensive plot not to get involved with the owner of the neighboring farm's cousin.

When Payton had tearfully revealed bits and pieces of her childhood, it served to reinforce Leah's attitude that she had truly grown up blessed. It wasn't her family's money that had set her apart from some of the other girls with whom she had gone to college and worked, but it was the sense of family first.

Any Clearwater, whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted garnered full family backing. If you hurt one Clearwater, then look for the wrath from the others to descend upon the hapless perpetrator. Whenever she argued with Sam, Leah never involved her family—especially her brothers, who were looking for any excuse to 'jack' him up. Trust funds aside, the men were one rung above thug status.

Leah exchanged air kisses with Peyton. "You look incredible, girlfriend."

Peyton blushed. "Thank you. So you do you for a newly married woman." She leaned closer. "I'll never be able to thank you enough for asking me to be your bridal attendant."

Leah winked at her. "Are you practicing?" She pointed to the toddler who was an exact copy of her sisters.

"No. It's going to be a while before I think about becoming a mother. This little muffin will hang with me until the music begins. Then she's going to bed. Maybe we can get together later and talk."

A moment later, Jacob greeted Peyton. Then he pulled Leah gently over to a table and seated her. he leaned over her head. "Are you satisfied, Mrs. Black?"

She smiled over her shoulder at him. "Totally." Leah pressed a hand to her throat. "Could you please get me some water?"

"Do you want anything else?"

"No just the water thank you," she said.

Leah walked Jacob walk, her gaze lingering on his retreating figure. They had slept in late, waking at noon. They shared a shower for the first time, stopping short of making love. Whereas other women had their menses from three to five days, hers lingered for eight. The delay in consummating their marriage only served to heighten the anticipation of making love to her husband for the first time. She and Jacob had decided to forego Saturday's gathering at the other Farm and return to North Carolina.

Once the partying began in earnest, Leah realized her wedding reception served as the kickoff at Halestone Farms that had become the New Year's Eve, the Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby and the Fourth of July rolled into a massive tailgate party. She ate, danced and drank much too much. The hands on the clock inched past midnight, the unofficial time for the celebrating to end, but no one headed to the parking area to retrieve their vehicle.

Leah sat barefoot on the grass, sprawled between Jacob's outstretched legs. "I think you're going to have to be the designated driver tonight."

Jacob nodded in agreement. "I believe you are right. Seth appears to be a little unsteady on his feet."

"Seth isn't much of a drinker."

"Neither is his sister," Jacob countered.

"There are a few teetotalers in the family, not because they're recovery, but because they can't tolerate alcohol."

"Four is my limit."

Leah smiled at Jacob over her shoulder. "I've never been able to finish two before I fall asleep."

"You're a pervert's fantasy. Get the girl drunk and take advantage of her."

"That's not nice m'ijo."

"It is what it is Leah. I've known guys who deliberately get a woman drunk just to have sex with her, because under normal circumstances she wouldn't think of sleeping with him."

"I know, because I've treated enough rape victims who come into the E.R. for an AIDS test. It's only after I have a consult with them that they admit to being date raped. Some of them refuse to name the attacker, but after the urging from a female social worker or rape victim advocate, they give up the name. That's when the police get involved and with DNA as evidence, the piece of garbage is charged with rape."

Jacob buried his dace in her hair. "What's the most bizarre situation you've ever encountered?"

"There are too many to count, but the ones that stand out when patients are brought in with foreign objects lodged in the most unlikely places."

"Ouch!"

"You've got that right. Most times I have to sedate the patient to remove the object." She looked thoughtful. "I miss treating patients."

Jacob closed his eyes, enjoying the soft warmth of his wife's body. It was the first time he had heard her talk about her profession. He opened his eyes. "How serious are you about opening that clinic?"

"Very serious. I own the building. Before I left Florida I was to meet with the contractor to go over the plans so he could begin renovating the space."

"How much space is there?"

"Fifteen thousand square feet."

Jacob whistled softly. "It's pretty big."

"It takes up about a quarter of an abandoned strip mall. I plan to have a reception area, waiting room for the patients, a play area for the children, then there's the examining rooms. I want to offer emergency internal medicine and pediatric care. Future plans include a pediatric dentist, ob-gyn services and nutritionist. Obesity has become a major health issue in this country. If we're able to get kids to eat right, it will prevent more serious health problems before they become adults."

"It sounds like a monumental undertaking, but I know you can do it, baby."

"Thank you."

Jacob angled his head, kissing her neck. "You're welcome. I want you to know even though I may not agree with everything you say or do, I'll always have your back."

"And I'll have yours."

Leah felt her eyelids grow heavy as she forced herself to stay awake. In the end, sleep won out and she didn't remember Jacob fathering her off the grass or carrying her to Seth's car. She woke when he climbed the staircase to their bedroom. She stayed awake long enough to wash her face and brush her teeth before succumbing to a deep, dreamless sleep.

As planned, Leah and Jacob left Virginia Saturday morning to drive back to North Carolina. A softly falling ran slowed traffic along the interstate and it was late afternoon when the house came into view.

Jacob entered the house first checking to make certain it was secure. He unloaded the luggage and Terry. Interacting with the dogs at the horse farm had helped the puppy act like a dog. He no longer soiled the paper in his crate, scratching and whining when he wanted to be let out to relieve himself. The crate was placed in the mudroom with the door ajar and clean pad in a far corner.

Jacob called the Bureau to report his return to the base of operation. Then he checked his e-mail for new messages. He sent one e-mail to Charlie Swan, informing him of a change in his marital status. A smile tilted the corners of Jacob's mouth when he typed in the name of his spouse. He had wanted to be a fly on the wall when Charlie opened and read the e-mail.

Powering off the laptop, he returned it to the carryon, returning the bag to the back of the closet in the guest room. Taking long, determined strides, Jacob walked down the hall to the master bedroom. He paused to strip off his clothes, leaving them on the floor near the door, and entered the bathroom. The sound of running water and Gloria Estefan singing, "Don't wanna lose you" greeted him. He froze when he heard Leah's beautiful modulated contralto singing along with the talented performer.

Leah's voice was lovely and the words to the song so poignant that it gave him pause. I don't wanna lose you now. We're gonna get through somehow.

Were the lyrics prophetic? Would they find love only to lose it?

Jacob approached the shower and opened the door. He knew he had shocked Leah when emitted a small gasp. "May I?"

A sensual smile softened her lips. "Yes you may."

He stood under the spray of an oversized showerhead, staring down at moisture beading up on his wife's flawless face. Lowering his head, he brushed his mouth over hers, as he pulled her to stand between his legs.

Water washed away shampoo and body wash as Jacob pressed Leah against the wall of the shower stall. Slowly, deliberately, he fastened his mouth to her breasts and suckled her until the nipples were erect and hard as dried beans. One hand searched between her thighs, causing her to rise on tiptoe.

Leah opened her mouth to force more air into her lungs. Jacob's thumb moved back and forth over the swollen nub at the apex of her thighs, making it hard to breathe. Hiccupping sounds were torn from her constricted throat as the fire that began between her legs spread throughout her body like the back draft from a jet's engine. Her arms went around Jacob's head, holding him fast.

Jacob hardened quickly, his blood engorged penis swinging heavily between his thighs. If he didn't get inside Leah he knew for certain he would come in the shower. Using all of his strength, he lifted her with one arm while his free hand guided his erection inside her.

And, as they had during their last coming together, he mated with her. He slammed into her, then without warning he pulled out and turned her around to face the wall. He reentered her, this time from behind. Gasps, groans, moans and the rhythmic slapping her buttocks against his belly created a sexual symphony unlike any either had experienced.

Jacob felt his lungs burning, his heat slamming against his ribs, but he still refused to let go of the passion singeing every ounce of flesh from his scalp to the soles of his feet.

Leah pounded the tiles with her fists as tears mingled with the water falling over her head and body. Jacob felt so good that she feared losing her mind. And if she were to go crazy then she wanted it to be in the throes of the most exquisite pleasure she had ever known.

The flutters began, growing stronger and stronger until she knew she could hold back no longer. She closed her eyes, threw back her head and let out a trill like sound that sent shivers up and down her body as an orgasm shook her violently.

Jacob felt the walls of Leah's vaginal canal squeeze his hard flesh, release him, then squeeze him again—harder and longer. Tightening his hold on her waist, he pulled her back against him, and not permitting her motion, released himself inside her still pulsing body.

Spent, they slid down to the floor of the shower and waited for their pulses to return to normal. He heard a sound and at first he thought Leah was crying, but recognized it as laughter.

"What's so funny?" he asked, forcing himself not to smile.

"Why is it whenever we have mind blowing sex we're never in bed?"

This time Jacob laughed. "Call it spontaneity."

"That is what I think I'll call our first born."

"Yeah, right. And you'll have to accept blame when he or she comes home from school after kicking some kid's behind for making fun of him or her." he was still laughing.

"Maybe it can be a middle name."

"We'll talk about baby names when you find yourself pregnant."

"What if I can't conceive?" she asked.

"It doesn't matter, Leah."

"But don't you want children?"

"Yes, I want children, but if we can't have our own, then we'll adopt. My mother adopted my brother after my dad passed away."

Leah tried to move, but Jacob's weight was pressing her down. "Please let me up."

Although he was reluctant to pull out of her warm body, Jacob did. He came to his feet and turned off the water, then reached down to help Leah stand. "What is it?" he asked softly when he saw the strange expression on her face.

"You never told me your brother was adopted."

"That's because you didn't ask."

A swollen silence ensued, before Leah said. "You're right… I didn't ask."

I seem to be working in slow motion today for some reason...

But here is this chapter...

Jacob's slipping haha

Anyways I won't yap off today except to maybe to tell a certain someone *cough* Kei... that Embry is still mine I had a secret interrogation of my own and it's been confirmed unless he's playing both of us! lol

:D

xoxo

Love all the reviews you guys send.. so Review por favor :)