CHAPTER 42

Leah POV:

I opened my eyes and was sorry it was morning. I smiled as I stretched and remembered what Embry and I did last night in his truck. I wasn't sure I could ride in that truck again without smiling! It was so raw and so emotional. I had never felt like that before in my life, and it scared me a little. Not what happened, because that was . . . well, Embry was right. It was fucking awesome! But how I felt so driven . . . how I needed it so badly. That was something that I would never get used to.

I laid there a little while longer then decided I should get up. I still had that paper due on Wednesday, and it was now Monday, and I had a lot of work to do if I was going to hand it in on time. I looked at the clock. It was after nine. Embry would be in school now. I smiled as I thought of him trying to concentrate on trig. I would bet he was having a tough time focusing.

Embry POV:

I glanced at the clock. 9:15. God, this day was going to last forever! I stared at my Trig book and tried again to work the problem. I could not get what happened with Leah last night in my truck out of my mind! Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her right there in front of me, and I could still feel her moving . . .

"Mr. Call! Class is over. Didn't you hear the bell?" Mrs. Newly was asking me. I looked up at her and said, "Oh, um, I guess I was really concentrating on this problem."

She laughed at that. "I'm sure you were," she threw at me over her shoulder. I gathered up my books and walked quickly out to the hall. Man, focus here! You gotta make it through the day!

Leah POV:

I sat there staring at the screen on my laptop. What was I writing about again? For some reason, I had no idea. I shook my head and got up to fix myself some lunch. Maybe that will help me concentrate. I had been sitting at the kitchen table trying to write my paper. I got up and went to the fridge to pull out stuff to make a sandwich. I just stood there with my hand on the fridge door handle. I closed my eyes and could feel Embry as he kissed me and teased . . . Stop it, Leah! Sandwich. That's what you want: a sandwich. Yea, right. That's not what I really wanted.

Embry POV:

I sat there at the lunch table just staring at my food. I heard Quil say, "You OK, dude? You sick or something?"

I glanced over at him and said, "No. But you just wouldn't understand, bro."

"What's that supposed to mean? Talk to me, Embry. What's wrong?"

I leaned forward and looked at him and said, "It has to do with sex, Quil. No offense, but you're not really an expert in that area."

"Well, just because I haven't done it, doesn't mean I don't know about it," he answered. I raised my eyebrows at him and he said, "I certainly see enough of it when I'm patrolling around all of you guys."

I laughed and had to admit he was right. "OK, you have a point." I leaned forward so I could keep my voice down. "Last night after we got back from patrol, you know I went up behind Leah and put my arms around her." He nodded so I went on, "Well, I got this feeling that I just had to . . . have her, you know? Like really strong. Like if I didn't, I would die! I mean, I always want Leah, but I've never felt it that strong. It was . . . overwhelming. I took off like a crazy man in the truck trying to think of a place for us to be alone. I ended up pulling down this little lane that goes into the woods, and we just . . . well, it was wild. Like uncontrollable. She felt it, too. And now I can't get it out of my head! It was really hot."

Quil just sat there listening and trying not to show any emotion. "Well, this isn't awkward," he said with a strained smile. "Remind me not to patrol with you after school."

"Hey, you asked!" I laughed at the look on his face. I knew it was going to be hard for him to look Leah in the eye for awhile.

"So what's your problem, dude? You had hot sex with Leah. We should all have such problems." He took a bite of his hamburger.

"That's not my problem. My problem is . . . how bad I wanted it. How I can't get it out of my mind. How I'm afraid I'll want to jump her bones every time I see her! That's my problem."

He put down the hamburger and said, "Look, dude. So you had a wild night. I guess it happens. Just ask Paul. I swear him and Rachel are freaky! Anyway, maybe it's because you two have been holding back a little, and last night you just let go. It doesn't mean it's always going to be like that. Or maybe it's because you were so worried about Leah last night while we were patrolling. You're going to have to get over that because she is not only your girlfriend, she is a member of the pack. You need to start treating her like you did before you loved her, you know?"

He was right about that. I did treat her differently now. I nodded and said, "Yea, I know I do that. She hates that, too." I smiled. I picked up my hamburger and took a big bite. I was freaking out over nothing. I swallowed and said, "Thanks, Quil. I think you helped me after all."

"Good. But from now on, go to Paul or Jared or Sam for your sex advise. I know I told you that I don't 'see' girls right now because of Claire, but I am still a guy, and I do have to take my share of cold showers after hanging out with you guys!" I laughed and shoved him. Man, I really did feel sorry for him.

Leah POV:

I had my lunch, I tried to do research for my paper, I did laundry, I cleaned all the bathrooms, and I was now laying on the couch. Nope. Still thinking about it. What was going on here? Embry and I had sex lots of times before last night and I never freaked out like this. Well, except for the first time, but that was for a different reason.

Just then, Seth came bursting through the door. He slammed the door behind him. I sat up and said, "What's with you?"

He plopped down in the chair and glared at me. "Women. I just don't get it! Ashley is pissed at me, but she won't tell me why."

"How do you know she's pissed at you?" I asked him.

He looked at me and said, "Because she won't talk to me. I walked her to class this morning and she barely said two words to me. Then at lunch, I asked if I could sit with her and she shrugged her shoulders and said, 'Yea, whatever.' I sat with her and she talked to her friends and completely ignored me! Friday was so cool, and I really thought she liked me! I went over yesterday and we went for a walk together. We held hands and we talked about stuff. I thought we were getting along fine, then today, nothing. Now I know why I stayed away from girls."

I smiled at him. Oh, poor Seth. "OK. Yesterday when you went for your walk, did you kiss her?"

He glanced at me and said, "Uh, yea! That was the whole purpose of going over there!"

"OK, now I get it. Remember when I told you to be careful with this girl's feelings? When Embry was teaching you all this stuff, did he mention that you don't go out with a girl just to make out? I think she really likes you, too, but did you make her feel like you were there to make out and not to just be with her?"

He hung his head as he thought about what I just said. "I don't know, maybe." He looked at me. "I mean, I did talk to her. I tried to get to know her a little better. And I thought she wanted to kiss, too! She sure acted like it. She didn't push me away."

I shook my head and said, "Little brother, you still have a lot to learn about girls. Girls like to make out, but they don't like to think about it as just making out. Girls are all about feelings, and emotions. She wants to feel that you want to kiss her because you like HER, not just kissing. Get it? I think you might be moving a little too fast for her. A kiss is one thing, but making out is something all together different. If you really like her, back off just a little. Do something romantic. Like, write her a note telling her you are sorry for coming on so strong. That it's just because you like her so much. Something like that. Tomorrow, offer to walk her to class and smile and be nice. Compliment her on her clothes, or her hair. Let her talk about her. Girls like to do that. Just slow down a little, and you'll be OK."

He nodded and say, "Yea, I guess. But, Leah, I really like kissing." I laughed at that. "Yea, Seth, I get that. I like it, too! Why do you think you're always yelling at me and Embry?" He rolled his eyes at me and got out of the chair and headed to the kitchen.

I sighed and thought maybe I should have Embry talk to him about this physical thing that we wolves seem to have. I felt bad about that. He's only 15. He shouldn't have to be dealing with all of that until he was much older. It was hard for him to be so young and have to go through this.

Embry POV:

School was finally out and I was at Jake's working on the engine for the Jeep. I finally found something to keep my mind occupied! I was so close to finishing it. "Hey, dude," Jake said as he walked in the garage. "How's it going?"

"I think this engine is almost ready to go into the Jeep. I have to finish one more thing then I thought, maybe tomorrow we could put it in?" I asked him.

"Sure, sure," he answered.

We worked until a little before six, and then we knocked off for dinner. Bella was cooking for Jake and Billy tonight at their place, so I knew Jake was in a hurry to get inside. I was kind of in a hurry, too. I really missed Leah and wanted to get over to her place. Then I had to patrol tonight at ten.

"See ya later, Jake!" I called as I made my way to the truck. "See ya," he called back as he headed for the house. I slammed the truck into gear and took off for Leah's.

Leah POV:

I was pacing in front of the door like a caged tiger. I knew that Embry usually quit working at Jake's around six. Mom was at work and Seth had just left to patrol until ten. Of course. The one night I thought maybe we shouldn't be alone, Mom and Seth leave me here . . . all alone!

I heard his truck pull up outside and I about jumped out of my skin! I turned and looked at the door and waited. I watched as the doorknob turned and the door opened, and there he was. I felt a smile spread over my face as he picked me up in his arms. He turned me around and then set me on my feet. He took my face in his hands and said, "I haven't been able to get you out of my mind, Leah."

"Me, either. I have been going crazy all day," I said with a smile. He put his lips on mine and that's all it took. Flashes of last night went through my mind at record speed. I clung to him and heard a small moan escape from my throat. He had his hands under my shirt and was pushing it up so he could run them over my skin. He backed me up until I was against the front door and I pulled and pulled at his t-shirt until I got it off over his head. I put my lips on his chest and sighed as his hot skin burned my lips. He pulled my shirt off and kissed my neck and shoulders. He pulled away for an instant and looked at me. I could see the fire in his eyes. I could feel how badly he wanted me as he pressed into me. He smiled and said, "I guess I don't have to ask if anyone else is home."

I laughed and said, "No, it's just me. And you." He smiled at that. I held out my hand. He took it and I led him upstairs to my room. I didn't know what was happening between us, but I wasn't ready for it to stop just yet.

Much later, we were sitting on my bed, Embry at the head of the bed, and me towards the foot, eating cold leftover pizza out of the box and I was telling him about Ashley being upset with Seth. I was wearing Embry's t-shirt because he said I was distracting him from his food. He was wearing nothing but the sheet over him, and it was till distracting me!

I told him what I explained to Seth about girls. "Maybe you should talk to him about . . . you know, how as wolves, we are more physical? I hate that he has to deal with this at 15, but I feel like now that he has had a taste of kissing, he might be in a hurry for more."

He nodded and said, "Yea, I should talk to him about that. I didn't have this problem until I was almost 17. Think of how many more girls I could have made out with if I had phased when I was 15?"

I smacked him on the arm and he just laughed. He finished off the last piece of pizza and put the box on the floor. He laid back into the pillows and looked over at me. I smiled and he smiled. I really loved these intimate moments with him. Just the two of us. No one else around. Nothing to think about but each other. I wonder if this is what it would be like to be married.

"What are you thinking over there? You have such a beautiful look on your face," he said.

"I was actually wondering if this is what it's like to be married," I told him. His face lit up. "Oh, yea?" I nodded and moved over to lay down beside him. "Yea," I said as I put my head on his chest. "I think I could really get used to this."

He was running his hand through my hair as he said, "Me, too, Leah. I want that more than anything. I have even been trying to plan things out so I can be sure that it will happen someday. Do you want to hear my plan?"

"Yea, I do," I said. I smiled as I thought about the lecture I had just given Jared.

"Well, first I graduate high school in January. Make Mom happy. Then, Jake and I pick up more work at the garage and we keep stashing money until we have enough for a down payment on the shop. Mr. Collins told Jake the other day that he is ready to sell his shop and he wants to sell it to us. So, all we have to do is come up with a down payment, and he will sell it to us on land contract. We are shooting for that to happen next summer."

I sat up and looked at him, "Really? That is awesome, Embry! I had no idea."

"Yea, it's cool. Mr. Collins said that if he has to sell the shop, he wants us to have it because he knows we will take good care of it. I think he almost made Jake cry! So, anyway, a year from now, we move into the new shop. You will keep going to school until you have your degree. How long will that take anyway?"

"Um, well, at the rate I'm going, I won't be able to teach for another 3 years at least. If I could take a full class load year round at the community college, I might be able to get it sooner."

He nodded. "Well, you could keep going to school even after we were married, so I guess my plan would still apply. I want to get married a year from this Christmas. It's still hard to imagine waiting that long, but I want to be able to support you, and I think when we get the shop up and running, I should be earning enough . . ." I cut him off with a kiss. He took my breath away! I had no idea he had been planning all of this. He was seriously planning to marry me!

I pulled away and smiled at him. "I can't believe you really have this planned out."

He smiled and I thought I would melt. "I told you, Leah, I was going to marry you someday. Did you think I wasn't serious about that?"

"Well, yea, but I guess I didn't know how serious. I like the plan, by the way, in case you wanted to know." I reached up and stroked his cheek with my finger.

He smiled and said, "I was planning on running it by you. It's not written in stone or anything, you know. You can have some input."

"Oh, thank you. That's so generous of you! Does this mean we are . . . engaged?"

"Well, not officially. I mean, I don't have a ring yet, and I haven't really proposed. But I will," he added with a grin.

I picked up my pillow and gently hit him with it. He took the pillow from me, threw it on the floor then reached out for me. He rolled me over and looked down into my eyes and said, "I love you so much, Leah. I don't know how I'll wait that long to marry you."

"Me either, Embry. I think I would marry right now, at this minute." He leaned down and kissed me and I was sure that I would run off with him right now and worry about everything else later.

Embry finally pulled himself out of bed and put his boxers and shorts back on. I got up and picked his t-shirt up off the floor and instead of handing it to him, I slipped it on. I was planning on getting some sleep after Embry left because I was on patrol at 2 a.m. I turned to him and he smiled and said, "I really don't want to leave you."

I smiled and walked over to him and he took me in his arms. "It's just for a little while. I'll see you tomorrow." He kissed me then let me go.

"I better get going. I think I'm with Paul tonight which is a good thing. He won't care what's going through my mind." I smacked him on the arm. "Embry! Come on, I hate seeing that look on his face when he looks at me. It's creepy!"

He laughed and said, "OK, I'll try to be good. But I can't promise. Leah, you are just too hot!" He started to reach out for me again and I backed up and said, "Oh no, you don't! You'll never make it on time if you start that again!" He laughed as he walked toward the door. He stopped and turned to look at me.

He smiled and I thought how I wanted to capture that smile as a permanent memory. Like a picture. "See you later, baby."

I smiled and answered, "Yea. I love you."

"I love you, too." He gave me a wink and closed the door. I stood there for a moment then made my way over to the window. I watched him walk to his truck. He must have sensed me watching him because he stopped and looked up at the window before he got into the truck. He waved and smiled and I did the same. Embry got in and started the engine and pulled away. I watched the truck taillights until they disappeared down the road. I turned away from the window and crawled into bed. I put my face on the pillow that Embry had just left and inhaled deeply to find his scent. I was asleep in no time.