The Twilight Series belongs to S. Meyer, no copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing with the characters.

Every day they found some time to spend together. Sometimes at her house, others at his, and more often than not at First Beach. It wasn't that she was trying to hide him from her family—okay, maybe she was. But he made her feel something other than sad.

There was something about him and she couldn't pinpoint what it was. He had become her rock, very likely her savior in her darkest time. When she needed someone to listen, a shoulder to cry on; he was there. And she never realized until she began to spend more time with him how much she cared for him.

The possibilities of what it all meant were endless. She still thought of Sam each and every day and her heart ached knowing he was gone. But she had found comfort in his serene presence. He was the warmth that took the chill out of her frozen heart and made it beat again.

He didn't seem to mind when she talked about Sam or curled into his side. She always had a place in his arms. And more often than not, she could be found in the circle of them, her head resting on his chest. She listened to his heart beat; her own heart trying to beat in sync with his.

Her tears gradually slowed until they stopped. It became easier every day to smile and laugh. The guilt she felt the first time she laughed in earnest had faded. It was replaced with lightness, an overwhelming sense of peace.

They were laying in her bed. She didn't know exactly when they stopped pretending to watch movies on the couch and instead went straight to her room. It was more comfortable for the both of them; no worries about one of them falling off the couch or a limb falling asleep.

His fingers trailed through her hair and she sighed. Whatever this was—it was where she wanted to be. But she still worried. What would everyone think? Was she really that fickle with her emotions? She sighed again, louder this time.

"What's wrong?"

His hand stilled in her hair and she sat up to look at him; the look of worry on his face so unnatural that her hand reached up to soothe the lines in his forehead without a second thought. "Do you ever think about...what if...?" It was too difficult to finish her musings.

"If Sam was still here?"

She nodded. His eyes intensely bright as he answered truthfully, "Sometimes but everything happens for a reason." His hand brushed down her cheek, her eyes closing at his gentle touch. "I can't help it but there's a part of me that's glad—not that he's gone but that I'm here with you."

"Me, too," she agreed softly.

She leaned down as he rose upwards. Their lips touched; the first touch similar to a butterfly's wings. One hand tangled in her hair and the other pulled her closer to him. His tongue thrust forward to brush the seam of her lips and her mouth opened with a sigh.

The kiss deepening and both of them felt the first blossoms of desire. Without breaking contact she moved, her thighs spreading so she could straddle him. Her movements caused their groins to touch; the perfect amount of pressure and friction. Her name fell from his lips like a prayer.

She wanted to be closer to him; needed to feel his skin against hers. The doubts that had lingered in her mind about losing her virginity left her. This was just him and her—and surely this was the way it was meant to be.

When she broke their kiss to sit up, she took in his flushed cheeks and lust-filled gaze. His lips appeared swollen and she reached a hand up to touch her own; finding the same swelling. Her fingertips trailed down to the hem of her tee-shirt and she lifted it over her head and threw it away from them.

Her hands reached behind her for the clasp of her bra; the hooks sliding free with ease. The cups sagged away from her breasts but she was unable to finish and pull the straps down her arms. As though he sensed her sudden nervousness, reluctance, and fear—he sat up.

When he changed positions, she sucked a breath in. She could barely contain the desire she had to rock her hips against his; his hardened length pressing urgently against her. His lips touched her again; the kiss no longer tentative but urgent and hungry.

"Here let me," he whispered against her lips. His fingers grasped the straps and pulled her bra off. Like her shirt it was tossed into some corner of her room. Her nimble fingers had already started the journey along his muscled chest and abs to pull his tee-shirt upward.

His breathing ragged and unsteady at the first touch of her fingers against his bare skin. She continued to slowly pull his shirt upward, exposing his skin inch-by-inch; her actions too slow and measured for his liking. Her hands were in the way preventing him from pulling her closer and touching her soft skin. Impatiently he brushed her hands away, apologizing in the same breath as he ripped his shirt up and off his body.

"Sorry."

His single word barely a whisper before his arms wrapped around her and pulled her tight to him. His lips met hers for the briefest moment before they began a journey along her jawline and down her neck. His hands measured, stroked, and categorized every inch from the nape of her neck to above the waistband of her pants.

His skin was warm; hot enough to burn her skin. Her nipples crested, the stiff points abraded as his chest rose and fell with each breath. Her hands fisted in his hair, trying to pull his head lower down her body. She needed more; the feeling of his warm, wet mouth on her neck was pure bliss and she wanted to feel his lips on the rest of her body.

He circled his hands around the front of her body; along the sides of her chest, reverently counting her ribs. She twitched in his arms, fighting the urge to giggle.

"That tickles."

Despite her meek protest, his fingertips continued their slow journey. His hands cupping her rib cage, continuing upwards until his thumbs brushed her nipples. She moaned at the same time she rocked her hips. His fingers dug into her back at her movements.

"Leah," he groaned.

Her rocking motion continued and she smirked as his eyes closed, his head dropping to rest near her neck. His breath hot against her skin; his breathing slow, steady, and deep. A shudder ran through him and his heart pounded so loud he was sure she could hear it.

Untangling her hands from his hair, she leaned back. Her palms flat against the bed as she arched her upper body. Her eyes half-closed as she waited for his head to lift; their eyes met once he did.

"Beautiful," he murmured against her skin. The word swallowed as his mouth surrounded her nipple. Gently tugging the peak in and laving it. His hips rocked against hers; their rhythm uncoordinated at first but soon in sync. His mouth, lips, and tongue moved across her chest; paying the same attention to her other breast.

Slowly he pushed her backwards and she understood his unspoken direction. She reclined until she was supine. Her legs moved further apart to accept his lower body between them. He pushed against the apex of her thighs; hitting a spot that caused pleasure to shoot through her body. She felt her panties grow wetter. But there were still too many barriers in the way to relieve the throbbing ache which continued grow inside her.

Kneeling on his haunches, he kept his eyes focused on her face, reading her expression and gauging her reactions to his next movement. His fingers rested on the button of her jeans. Hovering over the smooth metal as he traced the contours until he finally slipped it free.

With a slight nod from her, his fingers gripped the zipper and pulled it down. He leaned down and trailed kisses from her chest down her stomach; pausing near her navel as he blew a raspberry there. She squirmed, her stomach muscles tensing. He chuckled against her skin; thumbs looping into her belt loops and tugging on her jeans.

"This okay?"

Instead of answering, she lifted her hips; her hands joining his as she helped slide the jeans downwards. Once they were over her hips, he sat back again and his hands moved to the cuffs; pulling them one at a time down her legs and then throwing them somewhere close to the rest of their clothes.

He swept his gaze down her body, taking it all in. Her mussed hair, pink cheeks, swollen lips, and the red marks along her neck and chest from the slight stubble he had. It was barely enough to bother shaving but enough that he didn't care to have the tiny patches stick out.

He settled once again between her thighs and kissed her. Her legs wrapped around his lower back, holding him close to her. Their kisses and touches were becoming more desperate. Her hand reached down along his back, nails biting into his flanks as she thrust her hips up; trying and failing to soothe the ache.

"Please," she pleaded softly; her hands shaking slightly as she brought them around to the front of his shorts. Her trembling hands were brushed away; his hands replacing hers. The button and zipper was easily undone before he shucked his body free of them.

He shuffled slightly in bed to lay near her side. His hand caressed its way down to the edge of the pink satin panties. He traced the lace-rimmed elastic band, debating his next move. She made the decision for him; placing her hand over his and pushing it underneath the fabric. His first touches hesitant and unsure but he quickly caught on as she showed him exactly what to do.

His fingers delved into her slick flesh, bumping against her swollen clit and causing her to arch into his hand. His fingers stroked further downwards towards her opening until he slid one finger into her tight center. He sucked in a choking breath when her hand reached underneath his boxers and gripped his cock. Her hand slid up and down the smooth flesh, stroking him.

"Fuck," he swore when her thumb slide over the tip, gathering the pre-cum that leaked from it.

The motion of her hand and the feel of her hot, wet flesh underneath his hand and fingers had him stiffening as he held himself back. If their play continued the way it was he was going to end up embarrassing himself. He slid a second finger inside her, hoping to distract her as he plunged them in and out. His plan was met with some success as her hand moved from him to her panties.

She needed more of him and less clothing. Considering they each only had one item of clothes left—it didn't make much sense. Her hands jostled his as she pulled them off. His eyes searching once again to make sure she was okay. Her hands tugged at his boxers and he took her gesture as the answer to his question. The last barrier between them gone and he moved again between her thighs.

Both of them closed their eyes at the first feel of complete skin-to-skin contact. He rubbed against her, small shunting movements as he edged closer to entering her. Just as he was poised above her; the tip of his cock pressing into her, she stopped him.

"Wait," she said with a small shove at his shoulders. "We need a condom—I'm on the pill but just in case, you know."

His held breath was released with a sigh. "Right, umm...I don't..."

"The nightstand...my dad..."

He nodded and moved away toward the nightstand. Opening the drawer he spied the black box and torn it open, removing a single gold foil wrapped package. He tore the wrapper open and slid the condom on before getting into position again.

As he pressed forward, sliding into her as slow as he could manage; he was grateful for the barrier of latex. It dulled the sensation just enough that he didn't feel so close to climax. Small, shunting movements; in and out—his eyes focused on her face.

She was trying to relax; willing her muscles not to tense up but it was so difficult. Even though she felt wet and excited, the condom supplying additional lubrication—it didn't change the fact this was her first time. There was an uncomfortable stretching intermixed with a burning sensation. So, she closed her eyes and focused on her breathing and thought about how good their earlier touches and caresses had felt.

He continued his slow descent into her depths until he was fully seated. Finally, he couldn't push forward any further and so he paused, letting her adjust to him and him to her. Leaning down, he kissed her again; waiting to move until she started making small movements with her hips.

His thrusts started slow and shallow. His body propped up on his arms; sparing her from his complete weight. Her hips thrust in sync with his; her legs rose to wrap around him again. One hand entwined in his hair, the other resting on his lower back.

His slow pace didn't last for long and she was glad when he finally started moving faster and harder. She felt every nerve ending, her entire body racing toward something. The sensations furled in her belly and she felt lightheaded; a combination of her racing heart and her inability to catch her breath. She was so close, clinging to him; waiting.

But whatever she was waiting for wasn't meant to happen this time. His body stiffened above hers and he groaned. His lips crashed into hers while his arms pulled her shoulders down; trying to get deeper. His body relaxed and his limbs felt heavy; no longer could he support his own weight and for just a moment, he collapsed on top of her.

Realizing he was squishing her; he pulled out and rolled onto his side. His head burrowed into her neck. Both of them lay there catching their breath; skin glistening with sweat. He snuffled her neck, breathing in her scent—a mix of wildflowers and juniper.

"I'm...sorry..." he started; the words muffled as they were whispered against her neck.

"We just need to practice." Her hand found his and their fingers lacing together.

FF_8756144_7 12/07/12 4:29PM