Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyers owns Twilight. I do not. I do however, own my 'gang'.

A/N: Also thanks to my awesome Beta, Blueboarderchick.

Thank you to my reviewers.

Chapter 50

A few minutes later, I'd already changed out of my gown and into a tank top with matching shorts. As I sat on my bed, I glanced at the clock for what seemed like the hundredth time for the night. Any second now, Taylor would show up at my door, then we would go into his room and then… What? Would we have sex? The thought was enough to make my heart thud heavily in anticipation.

But as the seconds ticked by, apprehension began to overshadow any feelings of excitement. Despite my twenty-one years, I was still, what many would call, embarrassingly inexperienced when it came to sex. Hell, except for the missing hymen, I was still a virgin in many ways. For instance, I barely knew what foreplay consisted of, attributed to that fact that Jacob and I had jumped from first to fourth base so quickly. And from what I saw of his ex-girlfriend tonight, I gathered that Taylor was used to women with a certain amount of sexual knowledge. Knowledge that I was sorely lacking.

And what if I said that I wasn't ready to go all the way tonight? Would Taylor get annoyed and try to guilt or manipulate me into sex the way Dillon used to?

In the process of wiping my sweaty palms on the duvet, I realized that I was in over my head. And if I didn't want to make a complete fool out of myself tonight, then I would need some advice, fast! But who could I call? Liz was still at the ball; Leah would be at Emily's party with Zach, and I sure as hell couldn't call Alice and risk Edward accidentally overhearing. So that only left me with one choice: Angela.

She didn't go back to Forks for the holidays, opting to spend Christmas at her apartment in Florida. I dialed her number, hoping she would still be awake and somewhat sober at one o'clock in the morning.

After three rings, Angela picked up. "Hello!"

"Hello… Angela, can you hear me?" I could barely distinguish her voice over the music and noise in the background.

"Bella, is that you? Just hang on a sec." There was a muffled sound as the background noise decreased. After a short moment, Angela came back on the line. "Hi, Bella! What's up?" She greeted me a tad too cheerfully.

"Angela? Are you drunk?"

"Not really. Just a little New Year's buzz. What's up with you?" Before calling, I didn't stop to consider that Angela might be at a New Year's Eve party of her own.

"I'm sorry, Angela. I didn't mean to take you away from your party. I'll call you back some other time."

"You aren't interrupting anything special. Besides, I've already barricaded myself in the bathroom, so you might as well tell me why you're calling me so late."

"It's just… I…" I trailed off, not knowing how to kick off the conversation. Asking for Angela's advice would mean telling her about Taylor, and we had yet to discuss when we were going to start telling people about us.

"Spit it out, Bella."

I squeezed my eyes shut and blurted, "I kissed Taylor!"

"What?"

"He kissed me. We kissed."

Angela fell silent for a bit before saying, "Oh my God. Tell me everything."

With clammy palms and a queasy stomach, I told her everything from what happened in the cave to the masquerade ball. It felt nice finally being able to confide in someone. "And any second now, Taylor's going to show up at my door and I am freaking out, Angela. What am I going to do?"

"Oh, so you're calling for some sex advice?"

"Well, I wouldn't mind…" My cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

"You called the right person, Bella. I've picked up quite a bit of experience from my two years of living in Florida." My mouth fell open at Angela's statement. I never would've pegged her as a sex guru.

"Well, let me tell you up front, Taylor looks like he's a fairly large guy, so your first time is going to hurt."

First time? "Angela, I'm not a virgin," I informed.

There was a brief pause on the line. "You're not?" Angela asked with surprise evident in her tone.

"No."

"But I thought… Wait a minute. Tell me you didn't lose it to the scumbag that cheated on you." Angela sounded positively pissed at the thought.

"No, it wasn't Dillon. It was… someone else."

"Was it Jacob?" Angela probed gently.

"Yeah," I admitted reluctantly.

"Okay, I want you to tell me exactly what you two did."

"Angela!" I gasped in mortification. I couldn't believe she wanted me to give her a blow by blow of my first time.

"What? I'm going to have to figure out what you know if I'm to give you proper advice," Angela explained logically, and I let out a pitiful groan before I disclosed the details of my lone sexual encounter. When I was finished, Angela queried, "So that's it? He didn't warm up the car at all before hopping into the driver seat?"

I was able to gleam the gist of what she was talking about. "I don't think he knew about that stuff, Angela. It was his first time too," I murmured in Jacob's defense. It might not have been the best sex ever, but it wasn't horrible either.

"Well, first things first. If you're sure about tonight then you have to be prepared. Do you have any condoms?" Angela probed in businesslike tone of voice.

I didn't think of that. The only condoms I had were the ones from Ryan and they were thousands of miles away, lying in my dresser drawer. "No, I don't-"

"Do you think Taylor would have any?" Angela pressed.

I was pretty sure that Taylor wasn't expecting sex on this trip. "I don't think so, but I'm on the pill."

"Well, that's better than nothing, I suppose. Now in regards to foreplay, don't let him rush right to the sex part. Spend some time kissing and touching each other. Just do what feels right," Angela lectured.

By this point, I was curled up in a shameful ball on my bed. "Okay."

A soft knock came over the line and I heard someone say, Open up! I gotta go!

Angela asked me to hold on before shouting back, Ocupado! Use the bathroom next door!

"Now, let's talk lubrication."

Oh God! "I think that part's pretty self explanatory, Angela."I spoke quickly attempting to head her off at the pass.

"Oh, all right." Angela sounded a tad disappointed that she wouldn't get to explain that part. "I have a question for you, Bella." Angela's voice lowered to conspiratory tone that immediately put me on edge.

"What is it?" I asked hesitantly.

"Just how kinky are you two planning to get tonight?"

What? "Kinky? I don't understand."

"Taylor strikes me as the type to experiment. So, I'm really asking if you would be okay if he… you know… brought out a few toys to use on you."

My cheeks began to burn. "Toys? What the hell…?"

"Damn, I wish I had my computer so I could email you pictures of the stuff I'm talking about," Angela mumbled to herself before forging on. "I'm asking what you would do if Taylor were to knock on your backdoor."

"Backdoor? My room doesn't have a backdoor. What are you talking…?" My voice trailed off as I began to realize what she was talking about. I gasped and jerked into sitting position as an inebriated giggle came over the line. Lubrication, kinky sex toys and backdoor discussions, I was beginning to suspect that my friend was drunk off her ass. "Angela, are you drunk?" I hissed into the phone.

"Okay, maybe a little." Angela admitted when her giggle fit ended. "Forget most of what I said, Bella, just do what feels right and don't let anyone take your butt cherry if you wanna hold on to it." She advised with a slight slur and I concluded that Angela was so gone.

A knock sounded at my door and I knew that Taylor was on the other side of it. "Angela, I have to go. Taylor's here," I whispered in a rush.

Before hanging up, Angela whispered back. "I want details."

After checking my flustered reflection for the final time, I opened the door to see Taylor standing in the hall. In the time we were apart, he'd removed his jacket, shirt and shoes, remaining in his pants only. My face flamed when Taylor eyes darkened, finally noticing that I was braless under my tank top.

With Taylor trailing behind me, I entered his room to discover that he'd been busy. The gas logs in his fireplace had been lit, distributing light and even heat throughout the room. Blankets and pillows were laid out on the floor, in front of the fireplace.

I crossed the room to stand by the fireplace while Taylor made his way toward the bottle of wine he had chilling in a bucket of ice on his bureau. His body was all sinewy grace as he came toward me with the controlled movements of an animal. I extended my hand, accepting the glass of wine he offered.

"Could it be your plan to get me drunk before taking advantage of me?" I teased while peering up at him from beneath my lashes.

Taylor's eyes were filled with wicked secrets as he observed me with an intensity that made my pulse race. "Drunk? No, I want all of your senses sharp for what I have planned tonight." Taylor's lips curled into a dangerous smile as his hands reached out to caress the bare flesh of my neck with his fingertips.

Taylor grasped my free hand then led me over to the blankets where he drew me down to sit beside him. I chose to sit while Taylor lounged on his side with his head propped up by his hand, regarding me with a curious expression on his face.

"I want to know you." That wasn't among the list of things I expected him to say.

"I thought you already did," I supplied, absentmindedly running my fingertips across his arm.

Taylor shook his head. "I know who you are now. But I'm curious about who you used to be and what your life was like back in Forks."

My fingers halted in their movement and Taylor grasped my hand when I moved to pull away.

"I know that there are things in your past that you would prefer to keep to yourself and I'm telling you that it's okay. Everybody has their demons." A shadow flittered across his face as he said the last part. "You think that you're damaged goods and you're afraid that if you tell me your secrets, it'll somehow change the way I see you. But I can promise you that that'll never happen. I just… I really need you to trust me."

The desire to unburden myself was so strong that, for a moment, I actually considered telling Taylor everything about my old life. It would've been so nice to have someone to confide in, someone else to help me carry my secrets. But I just couldn't do it. I owed the Cullens and the pack so much for saving my life. I would try to repay that debt with my silence.

"I… I'm sorry, Taylor. Please don't think it's because I don't trust you because I do. I just can't tell you." Once again, I tried to pull my hand out of his grip and this time, he let me.

The night was officially ruined. Great, just great. Who would've thought that, despite their absence in my life, both Edward and Jacob would still have the power to cockblock me. My embarrassing, weird-ass phone call to Angela was all for nothing.

I risked a hesitant glance in Taylor's direction. His eyes were fixed on the fire, features slightly hardened as he silently mulled something over in his mind. Did he want me to leave?

"Just answer me one thing." Taylor's voice stopped me when I moved to get up.

"Okay." My hands clenched in my lap, hoping that he would ask something that I could answer honestly.

"These secrets you're keeping, are they secrets about you?" Taylor asked with a vague tone in his voice.

"No, they're not my secrets." The secrets were about the existence of creatures with fangs and fur that liked to drink blood and live forever. Sure, those things used to be a part of my life but not anymore. I was now able to figure out where I began and the supernatural ended. When it came right down to it, I was no longer the vampire or wolf girl. I was just… me.

"Okay then," Taylor sighed as if the entire matter had been settled.

"So you're letting it go? Just like that?" I asked with my eyebrows raised in disbelief. I was expecting him to get mad and try to guilt me into telling him. Maybe even attempt to back me into a corner with an ultimatum. But I should have known that just wasn't his style.

"Why not? You said that they're someone else's secrets. I would never ask you to betray someone else's confidence," Taylor reasoned.

My body sagged in relief, grateful that Taylor always knew when and when not to push me.

Despite my gratitude, I decided to turn the tables on him. "Well, what about you? Trust goes both ways, you know."

"What do you mean?" Almost immediately, Taylor's expression changed from acceptance to wariness. The muscles in his chest and arms tensed as he slowly sat up, searching my face for answers.

This was it, the moment that could make or break our night. I drew in a deep, fortifying breath. "I know you're not an ordinary guy, Taylor." There, I said it.

I licked my lips nervously, watching as Taylor brows drew together, fear slowly creeping into his eyes. My heart sank in disappointment when I realized that he wasn't ready to tell me.

Naturally, my first response was to soothe him. "Don't worry, I haven't figured it all out." Yet, I added silently. "At first, I wasn't sure. All these odd things kept happening. The morning after our drunken night at the lake house. That time when you were meditating by the lake. And then the cliff accident happened and I knew that there was just no way that we could survive that kind of fall with only minor injuries." I conveniently left out my little eavesdropping episode.

The silence was thick as I gazed at Taylor, silently hoping that he wouldn't lie and tell me that I was wrong, that I was just imagining things.

Once more Taylor turned his gaze toward to fire. "As a child, I was taught that secrecy was essential to our survival, the survival of my family. My great-grandmother always said that the people would prefer to destroy something that was different instead of trying to understand it. Do you get what I'm trying to say?"

Oh, I understood all right. "That you can't tell me the truth because you don't trust me."

Taylor rushed to reassure me. "No, that's not it all. I do trust you. You have to understand. Before you, I never wanted to tell anyone, I didn't dare. I want to tell you everything and I will. I promise. You just have to give me a little time to get used to… sharing. Okay?"

I paused for a beat before finally agreeing. "Okay." Despite the fact that Taylor was still keeping secrets about himself from me, he'd made me a promise. A promise to tell me the truth and I had no doubt that he would, someday soon. I could and would wait until he was ready. It was the least I could do. After all, he'd been so understanding about my own secrets.

When Taylor's gaze turned intense, my bottom lip fell victim to the nervous nibbling of my teeth.

"I'd like to try something tonight."

"What?"

"Just a little something to help you relax," Taylor supplied with a mysterious glint in his eyes.

Hmm, sounds intriguing. "Okay."

My eyes followed Taylor's ascent as he stood up and I accepted his hand, allowing him to also pull me to my feet. Taylor then surprised me by suddenly kneeling down in front of me. On his way down, Taylor permitted his hands to trail along the length of my arms, creating goose bumps wherever his fingertips traveled.

Taylor's eyes shifted slightly downward and away from my face. I noticed what he was staring at and promptly turned the color of eggplant. My breasts or more specifically, my nipples had gathered into hard points, printing out against the thin material of my tank top.

Damn it! Now, I knew how men felt whenever they developed an unprovoked erection.

Under his heated gaze my entire body felt hot enough to burst into flames. Turning his attention toward my shorts, Taylor hooked his fingers under the elastic then drew them down. I was relieved that he'd used his hands this time. If he'd used his teeth like last time, I probably would've done something completely mortifying like faint away on the spot.

I heard the sharp intake of breath and held back a smirk of satisfaction. My flimsy black panties clearly had the desired effect as Taylor groaned, "I swear, Isabella. You'll be the death of me."

I bit my lip when he kissed the exposed flesh right above my panties. His tongue darted out, swirling on the sensitive flesh of my lower abdomen.

Taylor stood up and placed his hands on my shoulders, turning me around until my back faced his chest. The deep quality of his voice sent a shiver through me as he suggested, "Tonight's lesson will be about trust."

I blinked. "Lessons?"

"Yes. The first of many that I'll teach you." His words send a wave of excitement through my body, and yet with it, came relief. Taylor wasn't expecting me to be skilled in the arts of the Kama Sutra. He was willing to teach me and I couldn't explain what a comfort that was.

"But I already trust you. What else do you want?" I asked with breathlessness I knew he could detect.

"Want?" Taylor chuckled darkly, hands toying with the edge of my tank top. "I'm a greedy man, Isabella. I want it all, but tonight I'll only allow myself to have a taste." At his bold declaration, I was barely able to still the trepidation that shot through me. It was beginning to look like we were entering dangerous territory here. Taylor the lover was quickly appearing to be much more demanding than Taylor the friend.

Could I do it? Was I up to the task of handling all the demands that this man would surely put on me? I was damn well willing to try. We'd crossed too many lines to turn back to our previous non-groping relationship.

With the decision made, I felt some of the tension leave my body. Taylor must have sensed the shift in my mood before he murmured into my ear, "Lift your arms."

After I complied, Taylor grasped the bottom of my tank top, pulling it up and over my head. It dropped to the floor in a heap. Now naked, except for my little black panties, I felt brave and sexy all at the same time.

With a delicate touch, Taylor caressed the back of my neck. "Now, I want you to lie on your stomach."

As I lowered myself amongst the pillows and blanket, Taylor moved away and walked to the dresser in search of something. Before settling on my stomach, I grabbed one of the pillows, tucking it beneath my chin for support.

I was alone for a few moments before Taylor returned with whatever he'd retrieved from his drawer. He knelt down beside me and I began to tense up again, wondering what he had planned.

"Just try to relax," Taylor said softly, and I rolled my eyes. Easy for you to say, Spanish man. You're not the one lying here all exposed and vulnerable. I don't even know if you're about to shank me or knock on my backdoor.

There was the sound of a container being opened then his large hands landed on my shoulders, moving along my back in long soothing strokes. I noticed the way his hand seemed to glide easily across my skin and gathered that he was using some sort of massage oil. The lavender scent that followed appeared to validate my suspicions.

Taylor's talented fingers drifted across my back, kneading my muscles in rhythmic circles. Gradually, my body began to relax, melting under his tender administrations.

Oh wow, is this foreplay? I wondered, mind dazed and body rapidly dissolving into a melted pile of butter. At first, I was thoroughly enjoying the massage. That was until I began to wonder if he'd used the same oil on Brooke when they were going out.

"You're starting to tense up again; what's wrong?" His long, deft fingers located a knot beneath my shoulders and began to work on it until my eyes crossed behind my closed lids.

"The oil… how long have you had it?" In other words, how many other women have you rubbed down with it?

"I brought it this morning while you and Liz were at Susan's studio. Ryan went with me." His hands shifted downward to my legs then he began to work his magic there.

"Ryan? Did he see when you bought the oil?" Ryan's mouth was even bigger than Liz's. If he saw when Taylor bought the oil, then he might put two and two together.

"No, he was too busy checking out vibrators and… lubricants." Discomfort was evident in Taylor's voice as he said the last part.

A weird thought occurred to me and I asked, "Who do you think they're for?"

"I don't know. I'm not even sure if I want them to be for Liz or not," Taylor admitted reluctantly.

Poor thing, my mind sighed as he began to concentrate on the back of my thigh with light strokes, moving down to my ankles then back up again. Each time, his hands came dangerously close to touching me between my legs. My body grew hotter and hungrier with every squeeze and caress of my legs, and I found myself wanting to have the full body massage experience.

"Have you ever given a massage before?" I queried, seeking to distract myself.

"Actually, this is my first time." Taylor's voice sounded strained.

Hmm, a virgin. "So how do you know where I like to be touched?"

I could think of a few more places that would like to be touched.

"By listening to your body. It lets me know what you-"

Taylor sucked in a breath when his hand missed its mark and brushed against my panties, sending spirals of electricity coiling throughout my body. A blush crept up my neck when I realized that Taylor's massage made me soak through my underwear. His reaction must have come from feeling it when his hand made contact with my panties.

I recognized why Taylor chose to let me leave on my underwear. We were building trust between us, with me learning how to feel comfortable being naked around him.

Taylor still hadn't moved and I was beginning to panic. What should I say?

I wasn't by any means embarrassed. My physical reaction was completely normal. What woman in her right mind wouldn't be turned on from getting a massage by her very own sexy, Spanish cabaña boy?

Taylor still hadn't seen my breasts yet. I decided to be proactive and make the first move. Taylor and his teasing massage. Well, I was about to turn the tables on him.

"You say that you can read my body? Well, what's it saying now?" I asked. A bit surprised to discover that that sultry sounding voice belonged to me. There was no turning back now. Summoning every last bit of courage, I pushed myself up on my forearms before flipping over to lie on my back.

The look of awe on Taylor's face as I lay there, staring up at him with my nipples puckering shamelessly for him to see, filled me with a sense of feminine power. I'd actually managed to render Taylor speechless. Not an amazing feat, considering that Taylor had never been a talkative man to begin with.

My lips curled into a seductive smile as I caught his look, slumberous and heavy lidded. His eyes drifted downward, locking on my mouth as he leaned down and like I magnet I was drawn to him. Our lips met halfway, teasing at first until Taylor covered my mouth with a groan. His tongue speared into the confines of my mouth with a voraciousness that took me by surprise.

I dug my fingers into his silky, black locks, tugging him down in an attempt to draw him closer. Without removing his lips from mine, Taylor slipped a leg between my own, straddling mine in return. It was almost as if he didn't trust himself to settle down between my thighs.

He pressed me back onto the blankets, his fingers leaving a trail of fire as his hand crept up my ribcage to cup the swell of my breast. An unstoppable wave of arousal swept through me when he began to tease one pointed nipple.

Taylor pulled away and I opened my eyes to stare up at his face. Long, thick eyelashes framed his darkened green eyes as they watched me closely. I gazed at his firm, sensuous lips, the strong, lean lines of his face and experienced a turbulent cauldron of emotion that caused my heart to stutter.

He leaned in, lightly grazing my lips before gently grabbing a fistful of my hair, pulling it back slightly until my neck was exposed to him. His thumb brushed my nipple around the same time that he pressed his mouth on the throbbing pulse of my neck, drawing a moan of pleasure out of me.

There was a brief pause before Taylor parted his lips, sucking, licking and biting at a spot on my neck that seemed to fascinate him so. I arched my back, further pressing my breast into his hand. I dragged my fingernails down hard on his chest, feeling the firm, rippling muscles beneath them. He would have marks the following day; I looked forward to seeing them.

Bit by bit, my hand crept down until it met the hard swell at his erection. Taylor let out a hiss when my fingers wrapped around his bulge. But before I could anything else, he grabbed both my hands, restraining my wrists at opposite sides of my head.

"That isn't part of tonight's lesson. If you're not a good girl, then I'll have to punish you. Do you understand?" Taylor's voice was hot, suggestive.

Oh God! His words made me faint with excitement. Damn him and his lesson plans. I was tempted to push him, see what he would do to get me back in line. My big mouth was in the process of coming up with a smartass remark before I forced the words back down my throat. I wasn't sure how freaky Taylor was. Was he use the feather freaky or use the whole damn chicken freaky? Until I knew for sure, pushing him wouldn't be wise.

I offered a nod in reply. I would let him maintain control… for now.

Taylor, evidently satisfied with my response, decided to reward me for my obedience. Releasing my wrists, he spread my trembling legs wider before slipping between them. He leaned in and began to press hard kisses against my throat, working his way downward. He raised his head slightly, peering at me through narrowed eyes. His lips curled into a dangerous smile before they latched on to my nipple, sucking and nibbling.

I cried out helpless to fight against the onslaught of pleasurable sensations as his tongue rasped my nipple. One of his hands grasped my otherwise unengaged breast, kneading and massaging. Vaguely, I wondered where his other hand was. The question was answered when I felt his hand between my legs, moving in a circular motion against my panties. I gasped, a broken sound, wantonly spreading my legs wider in a silent invitation.

A light sheen of sweat covered my body as a new sensation began to well up inside of me, searing me from the inside out. My body tensed, toes curled, nearing the edge of a precipice but unable to fall into it. I sensed rather than felt movement before hot breath washed over the side of my face then Taylor's wickedly sinful voice echoed in my ear. "You have a beautiful voice, Isabella. Open up your mouth and sing for me."

Those erotic words were enough to push me over the edge and I found myself moaning and thrashing uncontrollably. My mind reeled from the bewildering orgy of sensations coursing over my body. Hard shudders shook me, spasms unlike anything I'd ever felt before tore through my consciousness.

I collapsed into a panting, boneless heap on the blankets while Taylor murmured soothing Spanish words in my ear. When I finally opened my eyes again, Taylor was gazing down at me with a tender look in his eyes. But that wasn't all. When I said he was looking at me, I meant really looking. His eyes searched my face like he was attempting to memorize every curve, every pore, and every eyelash.

Why does he look at me like that?

He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my mouth before groaning, "I'll be right back."

And with that, he stood up then made his way into the bathroom adjoining his room.

Hey! Where is he going? Shouldn't there be cuddling now?

When Taylor Reed got back, I planned to give him a piece of my mind. You don't just get up and leave at a time like this. It bruises the ego!

It wasn't until I heard a faint groan coming from the bathroom that it finally dawn on me what Taylor had dashed off to do.

Oh God! Maybe I should try to help. But the very thought of knocking on the door asking, hey, Taylor, need help getting off? was enough to have me burying my red face in the blankets. I was fresh out of brave acts for the rest of the night.

My body had been reduced to a quivering mass of liquefied hormones. Lethargy made it difficult for me to move, let alone help the guy out. Maybe Taylor could turn that into another lesson. I found myself blushing once again at the mere thought of Taylor directing me.

My mind then turned to thoughts of what to say to him when he came back. Should I say thank you? After a moment of contemplation, I decided against it, thinking something like that could cheapen the moment.

Wow, so that's an orgasm, I sighed happily in remembrance. I would never understand people who were addicted to drugs. Who would choose to get themselves hooked on an expensive drug when there were orgasms to be had for free? I didn't think there was a higher high than the one I was still feeling.

Not knowing what else to do, I enshrouded myself beneath the blankets and pretended to be asleep. Several moments later, I heard the bathroom door reopen, signaling Taylor's return. Then he began to tug at the blankets. "Come on, Isabella. I know you're not sleeping."

When I remained silent, determined to continue with my facade, the tugging evolved into poking. Taylor's antics broke my resolve and I squirmed, rolling over with a giggle. My heart began to race as I caught the heated look on his face.

Through narrowed eyes, he watched me, lightly trailing his finger across my neck. "That was your first lesson."

I cocked an eyebrow. "A lesson in what?"

"Your first lesson in being my woman." His green eyes were significantly darker, his expression was filled with lust and wicked intent. His words sent a fresh wave of arousal rushing through my body. He'd made me speechless. What does one say to something like that?

After placing a soft kiss on my lips, Taylor slipped an arm around me, gathering me close to him. Lying there, feeling the warmth and smoothness of his skin against my own, he made me feel desired, cherished and most importantly, safe.

"Goodnight."

I heard the teasing smile in his voice and grumbled, "Oh, shut up."

A day later, it was time to return home. Royce, Walter and Susan gathered in the foyer to say goodbye to us. Monica was absent, and yet no one was heartbroken by her none appearance. Following an awkward handshake between Taylor and his dad, Susan and I shrugged our shoulders in unison as we exchanged glances. True, it wasn't exactly a Hallmark moment but it was a step in the right direction.

On the plane ride back to New Hampshire, I was both excited and relieved to be going back home. That threatening phone call was the last I'd heard from Leah, and I was anxious for any information about how Zach's visit turned out. What news, if any, would Zach have for me of the place I once called home?

AN: Okay so I bugged my beta and she delivered this to me before she went off on her vacation (lucky heifer) and here it is.

Just to give you guys a time check. Bella is in her junior year and about to start her winter semester of college. Her senior year will not be written about as during this time Bella will undergo her final changes. Her senior year will be a mystery to be solved after Bella's return to Forks. I feel sorry for her because she'll go through hell during this mystery year. Don't get too excited though, as there are still somethings that have to happen (for eg, Taylor revelations and some Leah & Zach stuff). But I will definitely try to move it along because I'm getting excited too.

Back to the story: What do you think of Angela, the sex guru?

Taylor promised to tell Bella his secret... Somehow, I don't think he'll get that chance.

Do you think Bella made the right decision by keeping the secrets of the Cullens and the Pack from Taylor?

What do you think of Taylor's first lesson? I'm so jealous of Bella right now.

What news will Zach's visit bring? Good or bad.

AN: Hey just want to remind you guys to check to make sure your PM option is enabled so I could send you your teasers. Just realized that FF had mine disabled for some reason.

Review and get your sneak peek people!