A/N: Big thanks to my beta plainjanedee for editing this for me, and thank you so much for all of your reviews and continued support!

8. Right Here

When your life is going too fast,

Off the train tracks,

I can slow it down,

Just when you think you 'bout to turn back,

Scared you might crash,

I'll be your ground,

Oh when you feel your heart's guarded,

And you see the brakes started,

And when the clouds have all departed,

You'll be right here with me,

And when your tears are dry from crying,

And when the world has turned silent,

So when the clouds have all departed,

You will be right here with me

I will be right here with you

You'll be right here with me

I will be right here with you

You'll be right here with me

When you're trapped and there's just no key,

And you can't breathe,

I breathe for you,

The fire's got you down on both knees,

And the walls are closing in,

But I'll be breaking through,

And when you feel alone,

I'm a be your home,

When others comes and go,

You know I got you,

I will be here right beside you,

Every step you take, yea,

I will be your strength, your shelter,

Shield you from the rain.

Right Here (Departed) ~ Brandy

JPOV

Pissed. Enraged. Furious. They didn't even begin to describe how I felt several hours later. After Jaymie's party had finished, I grabbed a Bud from the fridge, popped the cap, threw it in the trash then collapsed on the sofa.

I was beat-physically and mentally. My shoulders sagged back into the black suede as an exhausted sigh passed my lips. Leaning forward, I set my beer on the wooden table in front of me before raking my hands through my hair, while my thoughts drifted to the beautiful brunette fast asleep on my bed. After the shit she'd been through today, I wasn't surprised she was still asleep. It was a complete mind-fuck. Hell, the entire day had been a complete mind-fuck.

Seeing her so goddamn distraught had shredded me. We'd only known each other a short time, but in that time I'd never seen her anything but happy, and I liked to think I had something to do with that happiness. But this? This was straight-up killing me.

Yeah, it might seem a little extreme, but when you felt the way I did about Bella, things tended to get a little intense. I needed to see her-make sure she was okay. And the fact that she hadn't come out of my room in the few hours since I'd last checked on her was seriously screwing with my head.

When I thought back a few hours before, I couldn't help but grit my teeth and clutch my beer tighter. As soon as I'd thrown those two punks out on their asses, I told Mary to watch the kids for a minute, while I went and checked on the devastated woman who'd ran into my room crying her eyes out. When I opened the door, I swear to God, my heart cracked in two. My beautiful, strong, brave Bells was lying asleep on my bed with her arms wrapped around my pillow and her body was curled into the fetal position. She had dried, angry tear lines streaking down her face, a scrunched tissue clutched tightly in her hand, and her eyelids were red-raw from where she'd been crying.

My fists clenched at my sides. Rage swarmed my body. I wanted to fucking end them. Hunt them down and hurt them in the worst possible way. Anything just make them feel a tenth of what they'd put my Bells through.

"I know you want to raise hell with them, Jake. But right now, that girl lying on your bed needs you," Mary told me sympathetically and squeezed my arm. "Go to her. I can make sure the kids get home and keep Ethan and Jaymie occupied. Just...be with her." She motioned her head to Bella.

I nodded. I didn't need telling twice. I couldn't walk away from her, even if my life depended on it. I'd rather die.

In the hours that followed, I held her tightly; her body curled into the crook of my arm as her tiny, dainty hand rested on my shirt-covered pec. She was so small and so delicate, but at the same time so passionate and stubbornly strong. And damn, she was beautiful-even when she'd been crying. Gently, I swept a stray strand of hair from her forehead and tucked it behind her ear before kissing the top of her head and tugging her closer. Even with her right next to me, it still wasn't enough. It would never be enough. I needed her closer.

Her soft snores and deep breathing comforted and grounded me as I affectionately ran my fingertips up and down her arm in a soothing manner. Leaning down, I rested my cheek on her head and nuzzled her silky soft hair before taking in her intoxicating scent and closing my eyes.

~UH~

Sighing tiredly, I ran a worn-out hand over my day-old stubble before scratching my chin and feeling completely lost

"How's she doin'?" Mary asked worried, as she walked into the living room and took a seat opposite me.

"Out cold," I returned tiredly, taking a swig from my Bud and lolling my head back against the couch. "I don't think she moved the entire time I held her," I cracked a slight smile, thinking back to how peaceful and beautiful she looked as she slept. "Don't think she even knew I was there." That thought cut me like a hot blade piercing my heart. What if she didn't know it was me who'd held and comforted her?

Smiling warmly, Mary sat back on the sofa and placed her elbows on her knees and her chin in her palm. "You care about her a lot, don't you."

That was the understatement of the year. I more than fucking cared about her; hell, I was pretty damn sure that I was falling for her, but I wasn't about to let her best friend in on that little bit of info. That was something I needed to say to Bella before anyone else. If I ever grew a pair, that was.

Inhaling deeply, I pursed my lips together in a long, thin line, lowered my eyes to my beer and stared at the bottle as if it held all the answers I desperately sought. This was uncharted territory for me. I had no clue what I was meant to say or how I was supposed to feel. Fuck. Why was this relationship stuff so hard to figure out?

Sensing my inner battle, Mary quickly added reassuringly, "Relax, man. It's just us...unless you got some kinda big brother thing going on up in here." Her eyes quickly darted around the room, looking for hidden cameras.

Clearing my throat, I took another hearty draw from my beer-needing the courage-and cradled it in my hands. If I was about to bare my soul to Bella's best friend, I needed all the help I could get. "Is it obvious?"

Chuckling as a small smile broke across her face, she held her thumb and forefinger centimeters from each other. "A little bit." Several awkward minutes passed before Mary licked her lips and glanced up at me, puzzled. "Can I ask you something? Just between us?"

Groaning inwardly, I anxiously rubbed the back of my neck and gave her a non-committal, one shoulder shrug. "Sure, go ahead."

"Listen, I'm pretty clued up with human emotion and all that bullcrap, so, I'm gonna take a wild guess here and say you like my girl?" she looked up at with raised brows.

Man card-officially gone. Shit. Grimacing, I closed my eyes while massaging my temples and tried to think of a way I could answer her without giving too much away. However, like the fucking pussy that I was, I lamely went with, "It's not hard to like Bella. She's a very...likeable person." Likeable? Christ.

With both brows raised, Mary stared at me like I'd just grown two heads and blurted out, "Likeable? You think she's likeable?" She echoed my words, exasperated. "C'mon, man. My freaking pet turtle is likable! She's a fucking stone cold Fox!" She stopped and looked at me almost pleadingly. "Throw me a bone here, Jake. Give me something."

I lifted the bottle to my lips to take another hefty gulp of my Bud, only to realize it was empty. "Fuck," I muttered, glaring at the traitorous bottle, all while Mary continued to gawk at me like I was some kind of animal on display. But she was right. Bella wasn't just likeable, she was a fucking goddess. And I wasn't about to insult her intelligence by denying that. It was glaringly obvious; we both knew it.

"Well?" Mary pressed, determinedly.

Goddammit! "Yeah, Mary, I like her, okay? Hell, I like her so much I'm surprised there isn't a fucking neon sign across my forehead that says 'I'm absolutely bat shit crazy for Bella Swan'," I paused to run a hand through my hair, before looking over at her to see her with a shit-eating grin on her face. "Satisfied?"

"A little," she smirked, tauntingly, "But I'm still not sure where your head's at. What's the hold up? Why are you stalling and keeping her at arms length?" Why couldn't she just leave this alone?

Growling, I huffed and leapt off the sofa, stalking into the kitchen. I really didn't wanna go into this. I wasn't good with talking about my emotions. And I also didn't need to hear reasons why I couldn't have the one woman who drove me freaking crazy. Talk about rubbing salt in an open wound. "C'mon, Mary. You're not stupid. We all know she's way outta my league."

Shaking her head in bewilderment, she held up her hand. "Slow your roll there, dude," Mary chuckled, confused, "You think you're unworthy of her?" she questioned perplexed, with her eyes narrowed. "What kinda crap is that?"

"Look, let's be honest about this," I started, cutting the bullshit and getting straight to the point. "She deserves better than me," I exhaled dejectedly, and dropped down onto the sofa. The words were like acid in my mouth, but it was true. "So much better. What can I offer her? A kid that's not hers? A past I'd rather forget? Shit, I don't even have a stable job. Oh, and let's not forget the little fact that I have so much baggage I'd have to pay extra just to get it on a fucking airplane. So you tell me, Mary, how is that good for her?"

Halfway through a swig, she speared a bemused glance my way and placed the drink on the table. "So, let me get this straight. You're denying your feelings for her because you don't think you're good enough?" She asked, bewildered.

My jaw tightened. "Pretty much, yeah." I wasn't proud of it, but she wanted the truth and now she had it.

"Okay. Time to get serious," she stated in a shit's-about-to-go-down tone, while moving to sit indian-style on the sofa. "Firstly, snap outta the pity party, dude. No one's gonna join you. Secondly, my girl loves your kid just as much as she loves Jaymie. Thirdly, yeah, you may have a crapload of baggage and a shitty past, but join the club, my friend. Who doesn't? We all come with issues, Jake. And unfortunately they left the instruction manual for those fuckers out, but you just gotta find that special person who's prepared to help you unpack. Bella's that girl for you. You fucking know it and I fucking know it," she paused for the moment to take another draw from her beer, meanwhile I sat there completely stunned.

"The rest of the bull you just spewed are excuses. Plain and simple. You want her? Want to be the man to kiss her, make her smile, hold her, and have her undivided attention? You gotta work for it, bro. And I can tell you something for damn sure, if I had that special someone in my life that made me look at them the way you look at her? I'd never let them go." Her expression was fierce and unapologetic.

"Sweep her off her feet, Jake, before someone else does," she warned, and as much as I hated to admit it, I was kinda impressed by her persistence. Damn woman. "She's right there, man. Don't give into the fear. Be the man to fight for her. Be the person she knows you can be. You don't think you're worthy of her? Show her you are."

As badly as I wanted to believe that, I just couldn't. It felt too good to be true. Swallowing hard, I asked throatily, "How do you know Bella feels the same?"

The woman rolled her eyes. Literally, rolled her eyes. "Are you fucking kidding me?!" Mary exclaimed, frustratedly. "Jake, c'mon. Grow a pair. I'm not about to let my best friend stroll off into the sunset with a guy who's afraid of his own shadow. Wake the hell up! Do you seriously think I'd be sitting here giving you the third fucking degree if she wasn't into you?"

Jesus. This was too goddamn much for me. Didn't she realize that I'd give anything to be with that woman? Sell everything I owned, and every organ in my body if it meant I could have one fucking day with her where I could just be with her. She had no idea. Slamming my beer on the wooden table, not caring if the damn thing shattered within my grip, I pushed forcefully off the damn sofa and stormed over toward the French doors. Frantically pacing the length of the wall-while wearing a hole in the carpet-I raked my hand through my hair before tugging harshly on the ends in frustration.

"Christ, Mary. You make it sound so damn easy! D'you have any idea how fucking badly I want be that man for her? Shit, you have no goddamn clue! I'd give and do anything! I'd sell my fucking soul to be that guy for her, but I just...I dunno if I can do that to her. Subject her to that kinda life. What if in, say, five years time she grows to resent me? Then what? It'd fucking destroy me if she left me. Destroy me."

Mary stared at me, completely puzzled. "Seriously, what've you done that's made you this sure that she won't be able to see past it?"

I immediately shut down, mentally cursing myself for letting my guard down. "Doesn't matter. I just know that she deserves better than me. As much as I want to, I can't be what she needs."

Her expression softened as she stood up, walked over to me and placed a caring hand on my taut shoulder. "Then be what she wants. Jake, I've known her since college, and in all that time I don't think I've ever seen her as happy as she is when she's with you. That has to count for something, right? Why don't you just open your mind a little bit. You've already been out on, what, two dates?"

I nodded smiling. I knew that Bella had probably thought they were just nights out between two friends-especially after I'd told her I couldn't do the whole dating thing yet. But we both knew that those dates were anything but friendly. I was pretty damn sure a friend wouldn't make me want to kiss her every hour of the freaking day, or make me want to take her to bed and just hold her in my arms.

"Then just see how it goes. Don't label it or have any expectations, just be with her. Enjoy her company. Make her see that you want her as more than just a friend and go from there. Just...whatever you do, don't lead her on. Treat her right, Jake. She's been through too much to be hurt again."

Was she right? Was it possible that Bella felt the same for me? Or was I completely bat shit crazy to even entertain the thought? I was fucked if I knew. All I was sure of was that I did want Bella Swan, as a hell of a lot more than just as friend.

~UH~

BPOV

I woke at what I guessed was several hours later, my eyes were heavy and languid as I rolled over onto my back, and narrowed my still-sleepy eyes into a squint as I fought to see through the blurred haze. Everything was a mess, I couldn't see for shit and I felt like rubbish-physically and emotionally.

God, I hope Jake hasn't seen me like this. Yes, even in my disgruntled shape, I still cared about what he thought of me.

How freaking ridiculous was that-seeing as the mother of my godchild thought it would be okay to publicly air all my dirty laundry. Sure, I'd told him every sordid tale about my past with Gavin, but that didn't make it any easier to swallow. Granted, I had nothing to hide, but I didn't want him thinking I was some weird freak, especially when we'd made so much progress.

Sighing heavily, I closed my eyes and huffed out a pitiful groan. Why couldn't things go my way? Just for once. Why did I always have to fight for everything? Hadn't I fought enough? Clearly not.

Exhausted, I threw my tired and aching body over onto my side, and gathered every morsel of strength I had left to push my lethargic frame off the comfy, blue bedding-Jake's bedding- and into a sitting position. Gosh. If someone had told me two weeks ago that I'd wake up in a man's bed feeling like I'd gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson and way too much tequila, I'd have laughed in their face. Funny how things worked out.

Glancing around the dimly lit room, I rubbed my weary eyes and combed my fingers through my bed-knotted hair. Panels of fading sunlight illuminated the richly painted dark teal walls and shadows from his mementos, wooden furniture and other objects were cast up against the wall.

Looking toward the far wall that held a sizeable and luxurious looking French window, my gaze was immediately captured by a cluster of unpacked boxes placed securely atop of a cozy and almost vintage looking window seat. Pushing my weighted and slightly sore body up and off of Jake's queen-size bed, my bare feet quietly padded across his gleaming hardwood flooring, and onto the large, fluffy black rug covering a huge chunk of the room. Angling myself over the small collection of open boxes, my inquisitive eyes instantly found the object that had caught my attention.

A stunningly ornate and beautifully crafted large tribal wooden photo frame. Inside the frame were several pictures of Jake, a man I could only guess was his father with his arm wrapped lovingly around a beautiful older woman, and two equally beautiful, beaming girls who I assumed were his sisters.

A powerful smile coloured my face as I absorbed the sheer happiness and love radiating from each family member. But the thing that really did me in? As I lowered my curious gaze to the last picture, my eyes widened in awe. There, in the palm of my hands, sat the biggest and most loving picture of them all: the guy I'm pretty sure I'd fallen head over heels in love with, standing in a hospital room holding a sleeping newborn Ethan. My heart literally swelled with inconceivable love for this man and his family. Smiling in admiration, I gently brushed the pads of my fingers over Ethan's gorgeous baby face, and then across Jake's overjoyed and tearful face. So perfect.

Carefully, I placed the photo back in the box before making my way back toward the bed so I could collect my tissues and smooth out the bed covers from where I'd been laying.

As I tilted my body over the bed, I noticed something that I'd failed to before...

The other side of the bed looked as if it had been laid on...but by who? Had Jake been in here? I mean, it wasn't completely unrealistic to think that, since this was his bedroom. But, why would he lie next to me? I knew that we were friends, but did friends do that? Lie next to each other?

I remembered snippets of information, but nothing clear. An arm snaked around my waist, holding me; a nose nuzzling my neck; a warm pair of lips brushing across my jaw line and pressing a kiss into my hair...at least...I think that's what happened.

Perhaps I'd imagined the affection in said touch, wanting to believe it was Jake, and all along it'd been Jaymie? It couldn't have been her, could it? God, did it make me an incredibly bad person to hope that it wasn't her? I didn't want her in here comforting her weak godmother when she should've been out there enjoying her birthday party.

Tears stung my eyes at the thought, and my throat became clogged with emotion. I'd never forgive myself if I ruined this day for her. God. How could I have been so selfish to cause an argument with her mother on her special day?

It's no wonder Jake was hesitant about being with me. After this, I would be too. Sighing heavily, I collapsed onto the bed, fell back into the bed covers, and harshly circled my temples to try and calm my troubled mind. Why did life always have to be so goddamned hard? Why couldn't I just get along with my goddaughter's parents? Why couldn't I go to coffee with my mom like we used to, and talk about meaningless and pointless stuff? At least I'd be with her.

Why couldn't I dance? It had been my dream since was a little girl, and because I dated some heartless and spineless jerk, I had to sacrifice all of that? And dammit, why couldn't I be with Jake? He'd made me feel more alive in the week I'd known him than any other guy I'd ever met. And because of our shitty pasts, we couldn't be together? I knew he felt something for me; I could see it in the way he looked at me, protected me and held me. Hell, even in the way he kissed me! Especially then! It might not have been love, but I'd bet my heart and soul that he felt something for me. So why?!

Raking an angry hand over my face, I huffed petulantly, and kicked my legs out childishly. "Goddammit," I muttered, angry at myself and pissed at the shit Jake and I had been dealt.

I laid there for several pregnant minutes, trying to rationalise and make sense of everything, but do you think I could? Nope! Wiping an errant tear that I didn't even know had fallen, I took a deep breath and composed myself.

That's it. I'd made my decision. I wasn't going to let this shit get to me anymore. If Alice wanted to start something, I could either lower myself to her level and fight back, or I could be the bigger person and look for a way around this bullshit.

As for Jake? Well, I wasn't one-hundred percent sure of what I was going to do there, but I wasn't the kind of girl to give in. When I wanted something, I went after it-even if it cost me everything.

With a new purpose and determination, I aggressively pushed from the bed and sat on the edge with my palms resting on my knees.

Tonight things were going to change. I needed to talk to Jake and find out what was going on in his head before I drove myself completely around the bend.

Moving my gaze to the glowing digital clock sitting on his nightstand, I quickly read the time and my eyes widened in shock.

7:14pm. Holy crap! I'd been sleeping for hours!

Annoyed at myself for letting Alice get to me so much that I'd practically slept the day away, I rose to my feet, and just as I was about to take a step toward the bedroom door, I noticed a white piece of paper perched between a glass of water and some Advil. How hadn't I noticed them before? Reaching for it, my eyes swept over the chicken-scratch writing and I began to read.

Hey beautiful,

Drink the water, take the tablets and come find me.

And just like that. Suddenly all of my fears about Jake not wanting me after my confrontation with Alice this afternoon, had vanished into thin air. I literally couldn't contain the smile on my face if I tried. And I really didn't want to try.

~UH~

I'd never really noticed the beauty of the sunset until now. I seldom had the chance to enjoy it, but tonight, I wanted to take full advantage of the picturesque scene unravelling before my exhausted eyes. I knew Jake wanted me to find him as soon as I woke up, and even though his note made me happier than a kid at Christmas, I just needed a minute to myself. A minute to breathe.

So here I was, sitting curled up on his sun lounger, gazing out over the glistening harbour watching intently as the autumn sun began its descent into the horizon, and threads of light lingered in the sky illuminating and mingling with the rolling clouds. Breathtakingly vibrant, yet calming smudges of ombré orange, dusty pink and sapphire blue filled the canvas of the sky, casting a warm and inviting glow over the entire thriving city. The setting sun's radiant and fiery face was mirrored by the shimmering blue waves of the sea, and unfortunately marred by the eye-sores that were tall high-rises and huge bridges.

A soft, relaxed sigh drifted from my lips as a cool, refreshing breeze glided over my body and fanned through my hair, causing me to break out in goosebumps.

This was...perfect. Tranquil and serene. I hadn't felt this peaceful in...well...ever. Precisely what I needed. Well, that wasn't exactly true. This whole scene would've been one-hundred percent complete if I had the four precious human beings in Jake's house out here with me.

Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply, breathing in the fresh, yet salty harbour air while my ears were teased by the comforting sound of the trees rustling, birds chirping and the breeze howling, as well as the subtle and rhythmic waves crashing together. Behind me I heard the screen door open, and a set of heavy booted feet step out onto the large porch. I wasn't to sure if my mind was playing tricks on me, but I could've sworn I heard a relieved sigh emanate from the pair of lips I longed to kiss.

Out the corner of my eye, I spied him leaning one shoulder against the wall. He stood there cross-armed and legged, watching me carefully. I knew he was hesitant about what he should do next and I knew that he wasn't exactly experienced in dealing with female emotions, but it still pleased my heart to know that he cared enough to come out here and check on me. He was trying. But he was giving me my space, and as much as I'd've preferred it if he came and wrapped me up in his strong, secure arms, I was grateful.

"It's beautiful out here, isn't it?" I hummed softly, keeping my eyes trained on the peaceful view before me.

Pushing himself off the wall, Jake walked over to me and sat down on the edge of the lounger, his eyes placed firmly on me. "Yeah, it's somethin' all right," he murmured as his large, warm hand rested on my leg. My vulnerable heart skipped a beat as a light pink dusted my cheeks. "Talk to me, Bells, please. I hate this," Jake pleaded, worry filling his voice as his large, warm hand rested on my leg.

Ah, hell. Even with that wounded expression haunting his face, I still, for the life of me, couldn't stop my treacherous body from growing hot under his touch. Yup. It's official. I am a terrible person. It was almost as if my body was determined to torture my heart. Make me suffer and give me false hope. Friends, I reminded myself sternly. He just wants to be friends.

Except, the sly little devil said from my right shoulder, friends don't touch one another like this or feel their temperature skyrocket whenever they've caught the other looking.

Remaining silent, I awkwardly scooted down the lounger-being careful to avoid his hands- stood to my feet and walked toward the railing. Sighing, I curled my fingers around the metal and answered, "Nothing's wrong." Crap. That was evasive as hell and I knew Jake would see straight through that lie.

Standing, Jake moved closer until he was behind me, caging my body between his arms and the metal railing, and pressed his frame lightly, yet determinedly against mine. Resting his arms on the barrier he leaned down, grazing his nose over my neck before he whispered a husky "Liar," in my ear.

An inaudible groan left my lips as his sweet breath caressed my skin, and my eyes clamped shut as I tried desperately hard not to let his affects on me show. Friends, Bella. He just wants friendship. As that morose thought sank in, I suddenly felt as if a bucket of Antarctic water had been thrown over my head, completely dousing my desire...okay, not completely. Shaking my head to try and clear some of the sensual haze, I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. "I'm not lying, Jake; it's the truth," I lied.

Resting his chin on my shoulder, he slowly ran a hand over my arm, causing yet another breakout of goosebumps on my skin. Friends, Bella. He just wants to be friends. "You seem to be forgetting something, beautiful. I've come toknow you. I know when you're upset, and I know when you're lying," he informed me, pressing a kiss onto my quivering flesh."And right now, you are lying."

How was he doing this? How was he seeing right through me when he'd only known me a week? No person ever had me figured as quickly as that-not even Mary. It took her months to finally break down my walls-and even then I didn't tell her everything. But with Jake? He knew almost everything about me.

Stroking my hair, he asked, "Is this because of Jaymie's mom or something more...?"

Huffing childishly, I leaned back into his body and rested my head on his bicep. I wanted to laugh. I wanted to throw my freaking head back and laugh my goddamn ass off. Hell, I wished it was because of Alice, but it wasn't. It was everything. Running a helpless hand over my face I replied, "Both."

Nodding slowly, musingly, he asked, "Wanna talk about it?"

I turned my head away from him. "About as much as I want to swim in shark infested waters."

Chuckling, he pressed a kiss onto my temple before murmuring, "C'mon, gorgeous, tell me."

Sighing in realization that he wasn't going to let this drop, I closed my eyes and took a deep, purifying breath. "Fine," I bit out, reluctantly and childishly, "You wanna know If I'm okay? No, I'm not okay." The words flew out of my mouth like word vomit. I couldn't stop them. "I'm physically and mentally exhausted. I'm tired of dealing with Alice and putting up with her cruelty. And I'm mad at you," I admitted, with a petulant pout.

"Why are you mad at me?" Jake asked in a murmur, seeming undeterred by my admission as he swept my hair over to my right shoulder and inhaled deeply. Was he taking in my scent? God, that's hot, I thought dreamily. But totally not the point! Damn him for making me lose focus.

Shaking my head against his shoulder, I turned slightly to look at him. "I'm mad because you kissed me when I asked you not to," I started, facing him fully now and moving my fingers to his bare forearm and toying with the soft hair there. Yes, it was intimate and I was probably breaking a zillion friendship rules right now, but fuck them. I needed to touch him. God, I loved touching him, and judging by the deep inhalation he just took and the way his body stiffened, I'd say he was loving it too.

Glancing up and into his agonised eyes, I continued. "I'm mad because you waltzed into the kitchen this morning, half naked and looking like a freaking Greek god! You made me forget all the reasons why I'm mad at you!" I exclaimed loudly, before lightly punching his arm to emphasise my point. The harrowed expression on his beautiful features quickly transformed into an amused smile at my pathetic attempt at hitting him. Ass.

"I'm mad because I feel like you are playing some kind of game with my emotions; I'm mad because you stood up to Alice and Jasper and made me fall even freaking further for you. And I'm mad because every time you touch, kiss or look at me, I feel like I can't even breathe," I paused to take a deep breath.

"But most importantly, I'm mad that I can't help but love the way you make me feel," I finished on a deep and dejected sigh before quickly adding, "And I know that you only want us to be friends, and I respect that, I honestly do. But I've been holding that in since I first saw you and with what you said to me yesterday, and how you stuck up for me today...I just...hit my limit. But don't worry," my chuckle came out more vinegary than intended. "I'll be a good girl and play by your rules. I know you need time to figure things out, but...it's not fair."

Cupping my cheek, Jake gently stroked the side of my face, his lips mere inches from my own. "What's not fair, Bells?"

Glancing up at him through my my lashes, I sighed in defeat. "To want something so desperately but knowing you can't have it."

"Who said you couldn't have it?" He breathed, his voice soft and warm like honey.

Another sigh escaped my lips, only this time it was from frustration. "You did," I snapped, losing my patience and shrugging out of his embrace. "Don't play with my feelings, Jake, it's not fair. I know you need time to work through your problems, and I want to help you do that if you'll let me. But don't string me along and allow me to believe in something that doesn't exist."

Jake looked at me with a slight smirk and an entertained glint in his eyes, "Finished?"

I nodded mutely and crossed my arms over my chest. Yes, I was behaving like a spoilt kid who'd just had their favorite toy taken from them, but dammit, his behavior was confusing me! He was playing hot and cold with me, and I couldn't keep up! Just for once, I wanted him to be straight with me. Tell me how he really felt. I needed us to get on the same page with our feelings. This to and fro malarkey was giving me headaches.

A wolfish smile lit his face. "You can throw tantrums, pout and whatever the hell else, sweetheart, but what I said to you the other day's the god's honest truth. I wanted to kiss you, more than I've ever wanted anything in my entire fucking life, so I did, and I'm not gonna apologize for it. And if you seriously think that kiss meant nothing to me, you couldn't be further from the truth. That kiss turned me inside out, Bells. Had me in fucking knots. Totally screwed me up, and you wanna know why?" The fire and passion in his eyes was something I'd never seen before-something wild.

I simply stared at him, unmoving. Hell yeah, I wanted to know why!

Cupping my neck and tenderly stroking my cheek with his thumb, he continued. "The second your lips touched mine, I found my home. Sure, it's crazy and messed up because we've only known each other a short time. But why should that even matter? Time means jack. Our kiss yesterday-hell, any kiss I've shared with you-has been the best, most mind-blowing and world-altering experience of my life. Would I go back and change what happened between us yesterday? Fuck no-" he stopped abruptly with his eyes clenched shut, as he ran a frustrated hand over his face. "Shit, that's not true. If I could change anything, it would be the look on your face after I said those messed up things-things I didn't even mean."

"If you didn't mean them, why say them?" I asked, forlornly. Trying to fight the urge to wrap my arms around his waist. His strength and warmth was joyously comforting.

Resting his forehead against mine, he let out a tortured breath. "Because I was a freaking jackass, baby. I let that stupid prick get the better of me, and I shouldn't have."

What guy? Puzzled, I questioned, "What do you mean you 'let him get the better of you'? Who?"

He sighed heavily and moved one hand from my cheek to the nape of his neck, rubbing it vigorously. There's that nervous habit again. "I lost my shit. When I saw that creep checking you out and making sleazy comments about you at the grocery store yesterday, I just fucking lost it." Oh. Him.

Pursing his lips into a thin line, he carried on with his explanation. "It was like a red haze came down in front of my face, and all I could think about was how I wanted to make him pay. The stuff he said had my blood fucking boiling, Bells. I've never felt anything that fierce before in my life."

"You were jealous?" I whispered in disbelief, feeling a flicker of hope dance in my chest.

"Fuck yeah, I was jealous," he rested his forehead on mine and framed my face with his palms. His voice held tones of desperation. "The mere thought of how that asshole was looking at you and talking about you makes me wanna hunt the fucker down and rip him limb from limb."

"Why didn't you just tell me?" My voice was small and uncertain.

"I was ashamed. I felt like an asshole, Bells. The look on your face after I told you that croc of shit just about did me in. You looked so broken and rejected, and I hated that I was the one to do that to you. I never wanna be the cause of your pain, baby, never."

Wow. I wasn't going to lie. Knowing he felt jealous and pissed at the thought of someone taking an interest in me, made me freaking ecstatic! Smiling coquettishly, I lowered my eyes to the decking beneath our feet, and played with the soft hem of his cotton shirt. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I kind of like that you were jealous," I confessed, looking up at him through my lashes. "I know I shouldn't, but it makes me feel good knowing you aren't completely immune to me."

A boisterous laugh erupted from him and he gently squeezed my hand, before nuzzling his nose with mine. "Trust me, baby, I couldn't be immune to you even if I wanted to be -which, by the way, I don't."

A small smile played upon my lips as a blush painted my cheeks. "Good to know." My heart was doing somersaults in my chest! I was over the moon!

"Yeah, it is," he winked and grinned mischievously. "Now, you mentioned something about me looking sexy without a shirt?" He questioned, cockily. "Wanna tell me a little more about that?"

I scoffed incredulously and flushed bright red. Seriously? With the blushing?! "Are you serious?! That's what you got out of all that?! That I thought you were sexy?" I asked in utter disbelief. "I swear, men have one track minds."

"You're avoiding the question, Bells," Jake smirked, knowingly.

Scowling at him, I exhaled heavily and folded my arms stubbornly over my chest. "Am not."

Smiling broadly, his eyes found mine and he whispered gutturally, "Yeah, you are." And while the side of his forefinger gently caressed my cheek, he added, "Do you think I'm sexy, Bells?"

Groaning audibly, I threw my hands up in defeat and exclaimed, "Yes, okay! I find you heart-stoppingly, out-of-this-world sexy, okay? Satisfied?"

"For now," he replied hoarsely, his dark eyes still locked with mine. A charged moment of heat passed between us and his large, chocolate orbs lowered to my ever-so-slightly parted lips. Immediately, my breath became caught in my throat and I froze in place. I felt as if the entire world had stopped spinning and everybody else ceased to exist. It was just me and him. Jake and Bells.

I noticed him gulping hard and working his jaw vigorously as his eyes continued to burn into me, and I had no idea what to do next. All of my snarky and witty comebacks had literally vanished. The only thing going through my brain right now was how amazing it would be to taste those perfect lips again, and have them taste me in return.

"What're you thinking about, beautiful?" Jake asked me, softly.

Smiling meekly, I dropped my eyes to the floor embarrassed. "If I told you, you'd probably run away."

Tilting his head to the side, he gazed at me with those kind, liquid eyes as he held me tighter, almost as if I were the glue that held him together, and he breathed, "Try me."

Shaking from the sudden adrenaline coursing through my body, I squeezed my eyes shut and willed for the courage to get me through this. Taking a deep breath, I whispered, "You."

"Me?" He rasped, the air heavy and permeated with seduction.

Desire circled around us as the flames of intimacy and the promise of something more, erotically began to lick every nerve ending in my being, setting my whole body ablaze. Fisting his shirt and pulling him closer until our lips were barely a hair's breadth apart, I murmured, "Yeah, you."

Resting his hands on my hips, and splaying his large, russet fingers over the small of my back, he leaned down and ran his nose along the length of mine. "What about me?"

Self-consciously, I closed my eyes and lowered my head.

Using the underside of his forefinger, Jake gently lifted my chin while instructing softly, "Look at me, baby."

I wanted to, but I just...I couldn't. What if I saw pity or sympathy? I didn't want to see those emotions. Shaking my head, I kept my eyes tightly shut. This was too mortifying. What if he rejected me like he did a week ago? Could I take that again? Simple answer? I had to, but that didn't stop me from being afraid.

Burying my face in his shirt, I mumbled out another confession, "I'm afraid."

Stroking my hair reassuringly, he pressed his lips into my forehead. "I know, sweetheart. I'm scared too."

That had my attention. He was? So...did that mean I was right? That he did like me in more than a platonic way?

Brushing his lips over the shell of my ear, he said, "Bella, look at me, beautiful. Show me those gorgeous brown eyes."

So I did, and it's one of the most terrifying moments of my life. Pulling back and lifting my unsure gaze to his, my heart literally soared with joy. Instead of the regret and sorrow I thought I'd see lurking in his topaz gaze, I saw nothing but happiness.

Beaming, Jake brushed some stray strands of hair from my face and lovingly tucked them behind my ear. With his eyes twinkling he said, "There she is," he ran his thumb over the underside of my chin. "Finish telling me, Bella," he demanded, softly. "I need to know why you're thinking about me, baby."

Looking him dead in the eye, I offer him a tight, pained smile. "I think you know why I'm thinking about you, Jake."

His captivating eyes remained trained on mine as he said, "I need to hear you say it, sweetheart."

Curling my forefinger around his belt loops, a serious expression masked my face, and my heart began to beat furiously in my chest. I had never felt so nervous in all my life. "Well, it may have something to do with the fact that I can't stop thinking about you, and that I wanna kiss you so much that I can't even think straight. And that not being with you the way I want to be is killing me."

There. I said it. I'd finally told him how I felt, and I could only hope that he'd feel the same.

Taking my hands and lacing them with his, he nodded thoughtfully and dipped down to press his lips onto my forehead, eyebrows, eyelids, nose, cheeks and both corners of my mouth in a intimate and loving kiss. Pulling back and looking directly into my eyes, he said, "Ditto, baby."

I smiled and closed my eyes in relief, while I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him toward me until my nose was nestled in his neck. Jake delicately kissed the top of my head, and encased my waist in his arms as he rested his chin on my hair. Using the side of his thumb, he delicately caressed my lower back. "You're so beautiful, Bells. So fucking beautiful."

Lying my head on the firmness of his pectoral, I inhaled a deep and contented breath, and let myself enjoy being held by this gorgeous, amazing man.

"Stay," he pleaded in a whisper into my hair. "Stay with me tonight-in my bed."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" I asked, glancing up at him.

"Probably not," he gave a throaty chuckle. "But I'll be the perfect gentleman. I promise my hands won't go below the waist."

"You'll promise?" I laughed, but felt strangely disappointed by that. A part of me wanted him to push the boundaries. I wanted him to touch me.

"I'm not a saint, Bells. I'll be on my best behavior, but I can't promise I won't try to hold you."

Grinning into his shirt, I replied, "I can't promise that either," before skimming my nose along his shoulder blade.

Holding me tighter, he rasped, "Good. 'Cause there's no way in hell I'm ready to let you leave."

I couldn't help but smile at his words. "I don't want you to let me leave." And that was the truth.

"Glad to hear that. 'Cause you leaving isn't an option. You're mine tonight." Little did he know, that if he wanted, I'd be his every night.

"Why don't we go inside and I'll make us some dinner, huh?" I suggested, stroking the nape of his neck. "That sound good to you?"

"Sounds fucking perfect."

Thanks for reading!