. . . . .

"Are you sure you have to go?" I pouted slightly and held tight to Edward's hand. I knew he had to go hunting, but I was never eager for him to leave me for any length of time.

Especially not now. Lately, things were strained. We argued when we were together. And when I was without Edward, I didn't miss him like I used to. That bothered me. Wasn't I supposed to yearn for him like I always had? The abrupt change in our relationship and my feelings troubled me. It used to be that I couldn't go ten minutes without missing him, but now, even days apart weren't reason for drama. So I used every excuse I could to be with him, to hold onto that feeling. To try to make up for whatever strain our relationship had been under lately.

"You know I have to hunt, silly." Edward kissed my forehead and peeled my hand off of his. "I won't be gone long. Emmett and I are going a little east, so two, maybe three days tops. I'll call you as soon as we're back."

He backed off of the front steps and hopped into the Jeep, where Emmett was waiting. Emmett's burly arm reached out of the passenger side window and he waved as Edward backed out and honked twice before the Jeep disappeared.

I stood in the doorway for a minute, just thinking. Then I walked to the kitchen and picked up the phone.

Two rings and he breathlessly answered.

"Hey," I started. "What are you up to?"

. . . . .

I could see Jacob's hulking shadow reflected onto the floor through the front door window. A wide grin spread across my face and I practically tripped down the stairs in my effort to get to the door faster. I missed the bottom step and landed with both feet and an echoing thud. I heard him laugh from behind the door.

"Shut up," I flung the door open, laughing, and playfully pushed my hand into his rock-solid stomach. He leaned toward me and gave me a half-hug in greeting. I could hear him smell my hair and I was glad I'd used the shampoo he liked. He pushed past me and into the room.

"Smells good in here!" He craned his neck to see into the kitchen.

"I made your favorite!" I grabbed his hand and pulled him behind me into the tiny room. "Double chocolate!" I crammed the biggest cookie of the batch into his mouth, giggling.

"Uhhhmmmmhhhhh!" His eyes half-closed and rolled back in his head as he chewed.

"I wish you felt as passionately about me as you do that cookie!" I giggled and playfully shoved him. Why did I say that? My cheeks blazed. Idiot!

Jacob's eyes flew open and he swallowed what was left of the cookie in one gulp, then leaned into me and grabbed my arms. His eyebrows raised. "You know I do."

His voice was low and throaty, and it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

I bit my lip and pushed backward away from him. My big mouth…

"Sorry." He looked down. And then slightly over to the counter where the rest of the cookies were lined up on cooling racks.

I snorted and motioned toward them. What's that they say about the way to a man's heart?

"Help yourself. They're all for you. Except—save a few for Charlie. He'll smell them when he comes home and ask where they all went."

I poured Jacob a glass of milk as he mounded a plate with warm cookies and we bumped lightly into each other all the way into the living room. We sat down on the couch, and the cushions slanted toward his large frame. I slid into him, our bodies pressed together and I could feel his heat seeping into my arm and thigh. I breathed in deeply, taking in his woodsy smell. He pretended he didn't notice, but I could see him smile slightly out of the corner of my eye.

He threw his arm over the back of the sofa and reached for the remote. Without asking what I wanted, he turned on my favorite show. I smiled up at him and cuddled closer. My Jacob.

His arm slid down around me and he nestled his chin into the top of my hair. The cookies and milk were forgotten on the coffee table. I had no idea what was happening on the TV. All I could focus on was Jacob's nearness.

. . . . .

The door rattled open and I woke with a start.

"What are you kids do..." Charlie flipped on the light and his face softened. "Oh. Jacob!"

I pulled myself to my feet, embarrassed. "Um, dad. We were watching TV and must have fallen asleep. I… uh…"

Jacob was standing, towering over both me and Charlie, looking sheepish. "I'm sorry, I'm tired from work or something. I didn't mean to…"

Charlie chuckled and shook his head.

"Nothing to worry about. I'm tired, too. I'm going to head up to bed. You kids just be sure to lock up when you're done here."

I looked at my feet, and then at Jacob when Charlie's feet were all the way up the stairs.

"Will you be in trouble later?" Jacob's concern was etched all over his face.

"No. You can do no wrong, and I can do no wrong when I'm with you," I shrugged. "Not that I'm complaining."

"I should go home; it's after eleven," Jacob looked at the plate of cookies and now-warm milk, and then at me for permission.

"Um, yeah. It's late. I have school in the morning." I stumbled for an excuse. I wanted him to stay. To sit back down and pull me onto his lap. I shook my head again. Where was this coming from? I was glad Jacob couldn't read my thoughts.

He reached down and put his arms loosely around my waist. I looked up into his perfect face. My heart raced. Maybe he could.

"Good night, Bella." His voice was thick with sleep; a little lower than usual.

"'Night." I pushed up against him as closely as I thought safe, and reached up to peck his cheek. I pictured him turning his face. Pressing his lips to mine.

Instead, he slowly let go and walked backward a step or two before turning toward the door.

I watched his frame as he walked through the door and across the yard. Then I sat down on the couch and put a cold cookie into my mouth. What on earth was wrong with me?

. . . . .