CHAPTER 10

Embry POV:

Leah was baking cookies, so I was sitting at the table eating them while she baked them. "Geez, Embry! Save some for Seth or he will be pissed. These are his favorite."

I laughed and popped another one in my mouth. "But they're so good!" I said with my mouth full. I loved cookies right from the oven. Especially chocolate chip, because they were so gooey and good. Just then my phone rang. I swallowed quickly and said, "Hello?" It was Emily.

"Hey Embry. Got the message you left about needing a haircut. I'm free now if you are," she said. Oh hell. I forgot that I called her earlier this morning and left a message.

"Um, well, Em, I left that message earlier. I'm with Leah right now. Maybe I can get that haircut tomorrow?"

Leah said quickly, "Embry! It's OK, I'll go with you."

"Uh, hold on a sec, Em." I covered the phone and said, "What? You'll go with me? To Sam and Emily's? Are you sure?"

"Yes! That was the last tray of cookies. Just tell her we are on our way and I'll explain," she said quickly.

"Emily? Yea, I guess I can come right now. Be over in a few, OK? Bye."

Leah quickly took the last of the cookies off of the tray and then set the tray in the sink. "Let me wash my hands and I'll be ready to go," she said to me as she turned the water on and added soap to her hands.

"To Sam and Emily's? You never go there, Leah, unless you have to. What's up?" I asked her.

She wiped her hands on a dish towel and said, "Come on. Let's walk, and I'll tell you on the way," she said. Sam's house wasn't that far from the Clearwater's.

We walked out the back door and Leah started, "I have been thinking about this for awhile, Embry. I need to go over and talk to Emily. I feel so much better now. Like I left all of that shit out on the beach that first night we talked. I know that Sam and Emily never meant to hurt me. I mean, I was hurt. I felt like I died. But, now I feel alive again! I feel like I can handle things, you know? Especially if you are there with me." She squeezed my hand. "I miss Emily. We were really close before . . . well, before everything happened. And, I guess I'm wondering if there is any way that we can maybe be friends again."

This girl just kept amazing me. I looked over at her and told her that. She smiled that smile that I was really growing to love. "Thanks. You helped you know. I don't think I would be where I am without you."

I stopped walking. She walked a few steps then turned around. "Embry? You OK? I didn't freak you out by saying that did I?" Leah asked her face full of worry.

"No, I'm not freaked out. It's just . . . I don't know, I never felt really needed by anyone before," I said slowly.

"Well, I need you," Leah said quietly as she put her arms around my neck and pressed close to me. She pressed her lips to mine and there it was. That fire that spread through me anytime I touched her. I needed her, too. Much more than I thought. It scared the piss out of me, and yet thrilled me at the same time. I kissed her back, until we were both breathless.

She pulled away and looked at me. "Emily is waiting for you." I bent my head and kissed her neck and whispered in her ear, "Screw the haircut. This is much more fun!"

She finally broke the hold and looked at me. "I know it's more fun, but now that I made up my mind to go, I really want to get this over with, so let's go!" She grabbed my hand and dragged me after her.

"Ah come on," I whined. "Can we make out later?"

"Yes, if you are good boy, we can make out later. I promise," she answered with a grin.

Leah POV:

Emily already had the chair sitting on the porch for Embry's haircut. We approached the porch and he hollered out, "Hey Emily!"

She walked outside with her scissors in her hand and said, "Hey Embry! And . . . Leah?" The shock registered on her face

"Hi Emily. I hope you don't mind that I tagged along," I said.

"Um, no, that's fine." She recovered quickly and said to Embry, "Sit down and let's get started." I walked over to the porch swing and sat down.

Embry sat down and Emily took a spray bottle that was sitting next to the chair and used it to get Embry's hair wet so it would cut easier. Embry wore his hair longer than the other guys. I liked that. He always had a swoop of bangs on his forehead, and when he was a wolf, they were there too!

Emily combed and cut until there was quite a bit of hair on the floor of the porch. She handed him a mirror and said, "How's that? Short enough, or do you want more cut?"

He looked in the mirror and said, "Nope, looks good. Leah? Looks good? Come on, you can say it. I look hot, right?" He took another look in the mirror and said, "Oh yea, I do."

Emily and I both rolled our eyes and laughed. He stood up and hugged Emily. "Thanks, Em. Great job as always."

"Yea, you owe that hotness to me, baby, don't forget it," she said to him. That made me laugh. She took the broom that was leaning against the house and started sweeping the hair off the porch.

He walked over, plopped on the swing and put his arm around me. "Come on, tell me I look hot. I know you want to," he said slowly with this infuriating grin on his face. I couldn't help but laugh at him.

I looked at him and said, "Oh baby, you are soooo hot! I can't keep my hands off of you."

"I knew it," he said, so full of himself.

I smacked him and he laughed. Then he leaned over and kissed me. In front of Emily. "Embry, we're not alone," I said quickly.

I glanced over at Emily who was staring at us. I smiled at her and raised my eyebrows. "Um, Emily, do you think we could talk?" I asked.

Just then, Sam drove in. He pulled the car around to the back. "He bought me garden supplies today. He pulls around back to unload them," Emily explained.

Embry jumped up and said, "I will go help him unload while you two have a chat." He took off around the house.

Emily stood there for a second just looking at me. "You sure?" I nodded. She walked over and sat down on the porch swing next to me.

"Emily, I want you to know that I am so sorry for the way I have treated you. I know that none of what happened was your fault. Or Sam's, really. It just happened." I proceeded to tell her about the talk I had with Embry on the beach that night. "He really helped me to dump all of that bullshit that I was carrying. I have felt dead inside for too long. It's time to be alive again, and I hope, somehow, maybe, we could be friends again? I really miss you. A lot." I could feel the tears in my eyes slide down my cheek.

She had tears, too, as she said, "Oh Leah, I have missed you so much!" She pulled me into a hug. We held each other for awhile and cried. Then she pulled back and said, "I have felt so terrible for so long. Every time I looked at you, the pain was so raw. I hated being the reason for that pain. So has Sam. I know that it killed him, Leah. He felt so guilty. But we are in a good place now, and with the baby coming . . ." she stopped.

I smiled. "It's OK, Emily. You can talk about the baby. I'm excited for you! I really am. I am ready to move on with my life. And . . . Embry's been a big part of that."

"Yea, what the hell is up with that, Leah? Embry? I mean, he's cute and loveable, but he's got a reputation with the ladies . . ."

"I know, I know. Believe me I know! But, it's different. It's like there is something drawing us together. We can barely keep our hands off of each other. When he kisses me . . . well, I loved Sam very much, but I don't remember ever feeling quite like this. Oh, I'm sorry. Was that weird to say?"

She laughed. "No, actually it wasn't. It's girl talk. Something I am DYING for!"

I laughed this time. "Me too! I love being a part of the pack, but hanging out with all of these guys all of the time, well, sometimes it would be really nice to hang out with another girl. Emily, I have really missed you. Do you think you can forgive me?" I asked.

"Forgive you? There's nothing to forgive. I should be asking YOU to forgive ME! I hurt you so much, Leah. And I can't tell you how it has killed me every day since."

We hugged and cried-again. "I'm so glad you came over today, Leah. And I want, more than anything, for us to be friends. . . family again. Please?"

"Yes! That's what I want too. Do you think Sam will be OK with it?" I asked. I didn't want to hurt him by being around.

"Of course he will. Because I will tell him he will."

Leah POV:

We walked back to my house, and I was sharing my little talk with Emily. "We hugged and cried. God, Embry, I can't believe it. I think we can really be friends again. I missed her so much. I didn't realize just how much until today."

"I'm really glad, baby. You two need each other, and I'm glad you can put this behind you."

"I'm starving! How about I make us some dinner?" I asked as we walked into the house.

"Sure. I don't pass up good food," he said.

I walked into the kitchen and found a note on the table. "Seth is out on patrol until ten and I got called into work. Love, Mom" All alone here with Embry. I felt excitement run through me, mixed with terror. Part of me wanted to stay in control, but the other part of me loved the feeling of being reckless, and abandoning any reasoning and just . . . feeling.

He walked into the kitchen and said, "What's up?"

"Um, Mom left me a note. She got called into work, and Seth is on patrol until 10." I looked up at him, and I could imagine him having the same thoughts in his head that I just had. I quickly walked over to the fridge and began pulling food out to make us some dinner. "How about tacos? Is that OK?"

I turned around to see Embry staring at me. Really staring at me. "Um, yea, that's fine. Is there something I can do to help? I really need to stay busy right now."

I smiled and said, "Yea, I get that. OK, I will fry up the hamburger, and you can cut up the lettuce and tomatoes. How's that?"

"That's good. Let's get started."

We cooked side-by-side in the kitchen. It was kind of fun. I decided to get our minds off other things, I would tell him some stories about when I was a little girl. I told him about the time Seth and I first went camping with my dad. "Seth saw a skunk in the woods, and he thought it was a 'kitty'! I mean, he was only 4. Of course he went to pet it and it sprayed him! It was horrible! He stunk for a week. And then I fell down this hill and landed right into a patch of poison ivy. Oh it was awful! I had it everywhere! Dad decided that maybe we were a little too young for camping and he should wait a few years to try again. I think we were 12 and 7 the next time we went. It worked out a little better that time."

Embry laughed and then asked, "You enjoyed being with your dad, didn't you? He was a good man, Leah."

I looked at him as I put the food on the kitchen table. "Yes, he was. I miss him terribly. Come on, enough of this. Let's eat."

We sat down at the table and ate. And ate. And ate! "God, Leah, these are so good. I hate being so hungry all the time. I feel like I never get enough to eat."

I laughed as I began to clear the table. Embry helped and we had the kitchen cleaned up quickly. Maybe too quickly.

I walked out into the living room and looked at the couch. Maybe I should sit in the chair instead. I knew I should, but I went for the couch anyway. Embry followed and sat down in the chair. I smiled. At least one of us was trying to be good.

"You want to watch a movie or something?" I asked. I looked over at him. I could tell by the look on his face he wasn't thinking about TV. "Embry?"

"Leah, I don't think I can do this. I don't think I can sit here in this chair and pretend to watch TV when all I can think about is kissing you." His eyes were so dark. They were really beautiful . . . "Maybe I should go," he said as he stood up.

"No, Embry. Don't go!" I stood up and blocked his way to the door. "I know. I feel the same way." I took his hand and led him back to the couch. I sat down and he sat beside me and took me in his arms and kissed me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hung on for dear life. I let go and gave into the feeling of being out of control. It felt so good! I felt so free! Kind of like when I jumped off of the cliff. I let Embry run his hands all over me and I twisted my fingers into his hair and pulled. For some reason it didn't scare me. It excited me! I pulled his t-shirt over his head and threw it on the floor. I ran my hands all over his back and shoulders. His lips were back on mine and I surrendered to him. I dug my nails into his shoulders and he shuddered. Oh how I want to . . .

Suddenly I heard the garage door go up and Mom pull her car in. "My mom's home!" He instantly rolled off of me and grabbed his t-shirt. I sat up and pulled my shirt back into place and tried to smooth my hair down.

I looked over at him as he sat in the chair. He smiled at me and I smiled back. My heart was racing!

Mom came through the door and it sounded like she had grocery bags, so she must have headed for the kitchen. I turned on the TV.

"Leah? You home?" I heard her call.

"Yea, Mom. Living room," I answered, trying to keep the sheer panic from my voice. What would have happened had she not come home when she did? Would we have . . .

Mom walked in and said, "Hey, kids. How are you?"

"Good, we're good," I answered. "You?"

"I'm exhausted! I brought in a few groceries, but nothing that has to be put away right now. I just want a hot bath and then I am going to bed. Twelve hour shifts are bad enough, but then when you get called in on your day off, well, that's too much for me. I'm getting too old for this crap," Sue said. "Goodnight, you two!" she called as she went up the stairs.

"Goodnight!" we called together.

Once Mom was upstairs, he looked over at me and said slowly, "Leah, what happened . . ."

"I know. What is going on between us?" I asked. "It's getting really hot!"

He got up and came over to sit next to me on the couch. "I was talking to Sam about it. I hope you don't mind. I didn't give him details. I didn't want him to kick my ass. I told him that maybe I am starting to care about you. You know what I mean?"

I just looked at him. I couldn't say anything.

"Leah, I know I care about you. I think about you all the time, and not just because you're so hot that you drive me crazy! I think about things I want to tell you, or ask you about. I like to make you laugh. I want to take you cliff diving again just to watch you get so excited. Like I told you before, I've never been in love, but I think . . . maybe . . ."

I put my hand on his mouth and said quietly, "Don't' say it, Embry. Please."

"Why?"

"I can't. I just can't. Not yet."

"Because of the imprinting thing? Leah, come on! If I haven't imprinted by now, maybe I never will! You can't tell me that you are going to throw away a chance of us being happy because of that?" He put his hands in his hair and pulled. "Grrrrrrrrr. Leah, look. What if YOU imprint on someone? Have you ever thought of that? Because I have. It would kill me! I might even have to kill the guy. But I am willing to take that chance, Leah."

Tears ran down my cheeks as I shook my head. "Embry, give me some time, OK? Just let me try to get over this."

"Give you time." He smiled and shook his head. "In the meantime, you want me to go on kissing you and touching you and it just mean nothing, right? Isn't that funny? That's the way I used to be with girls. I wanted to make out with them, but as soon as they wanted to get all emotional, I backed off. Guess I deserve this, huh?"

"I'm sorry, Embry. You're right, I shouldn't be leading you on. It's just that it feels so good to be kissed and . . ."

"And why does it feel so good? You think this is just physical? It feels good to me because of the way I feel about you! Are you just looking for a good time here, Leah? Am I being a fucking idiot thinking it should be more than that? Cause I can do that. I'm an expert in 'love em and leave em.'"

"No! I'm not just 'looking for a good time.' God, Embry, quit being such an ass. Why can't you understand that I am scared to death! I'm trying to get past it because I think you are worth it, but I just don't know how. I thought we agreed to being 'friends with benefits' or whatever. Why are you trying to make it more?"

"Why?" He put his head down and shook it. Then he looked up at me and said, "Right now, I don't know why. I don't even know why I'm here. Look, I hope you figure out what you want soon, Leah, cause you are making me crazy! I'm out of here." He stood up and walked to the door.

"Embry! Wait!"

He stopped at the door and turned around. I walked over to him and said, "I'm sorry, Embry. I don't mean to be such a basket case. Please don't give up on me. "

He gave me a small smile. He kissed me on top of the head and said softly, "I won't. But please hurry, Leah!"