Chapter 3

JPOV

Bella said those words, and my body flamed wit anger. Once again, my clothes almost disintegrated, my body elongated, and my vision was limited to no color. I felt all 4 feet. I saw Bella; poor, helpless Bella, who had just said all those things to me. I hated her now. I really did...

BPOV

My head snapped up, taking in the giant red brown... wolf in front of me. Impossible. He looked mad. Mad at me. I felt scared. I got to my feet quickly, not caring that I slipped a few times. I backed away slowly, cautioning him with my eyes. I had terror in my veins.

"Jake..." I said, a near whisper. I didn't want him to hurt me. I hadn't meant any of what I said to him. I needed him to know that. "Jake, please."

JPOV

What was I doing? This was Bella. My life. I felt calm in that moment. Maybe she did mean what she said, but I still needed her. I had to have her. She was my life, and all that mattered was her heart beat. I was stupid. I felt a pain, as I turned back to human, on my hands and knees.

BPOV

He was on his hands and knees, panting. Sweat was dripping from his face. And... he was naked. I tried not to dwell on that fact, considering the situation. I half crawled, half ran to his side, placing a hand on his back.

"Jake? Oh my god, Jake. That was...oh my god." I was breathing harder, but I didn't know why. Probably just the scared excitement of the moment.

"Bella. Tell me..." He drew in a shaky breath. Actually, he was shaking. I was afraid for him. "Bella, you have to tell me, that what you said... did you mean it?" He looked up into my eyes, not caring about anything else. His lashes were thick, and his brown eyes were innocent and beautiful.

"Of course not, Jacob. I need you more than I need air. I... would never -could never- live without you." I said, blushing slightly. He made me feel so good. I'd do anything for him.

"Are you lying?" He was unsure, the way he looked at me.

"Why would I lie?" I smiled slightly at him, and he slowly leaned forward to hug me. I embraced him tightly, turning to kiss his check.

"So... you said you didn't love me... when you were lying to make me mad. Does that mean... you do love me?"

He had pulled away, looking in my eyes, scanning my face, waiting for an answer. Did I love him, or were we just... I... do love him. He was always there... he's my love.

"I... do. I think. I love you. Not quite in love... but I do love you."

"I love you, too Bella."

He leaned in hesitantly, looking in my eyes, then they closed, and he leaned in farther. I matched his pace, and kissed him softly, once, before realizing where we were; well actually, what he wasn't waering, in particular. This could go a lot of ways, but I was not ready for that.

"Jake," I pressed one hand to his chest. It was tight and firm, very muscular. I think that's when he realized how he... looked.

"Oh, god." He suddenly looked down, but I averted my eyes to the woods. "Um..." he moved his hands in front of his... waist.

"Go." I still had my eyes away. I didn't hear footsteps, but when I looked back, he was going through his back door. Wow.

I scrambled up, trying hard not to slip too much. I waited on the couch until he got back, hoping not to be in the way. Then I realized... Wow. It must be late...checked the clock... Oh my god! ^:17. I had to call Charlie.

"Hey, Dad."

"Hey, Bells. Where are you?"

"Um, I'm at Jakes. I might not be home until... late. Is that okay?"

You could hear the smile in his voice. "Of course. But be home on time. Bye, Bells."

I hadn't realized that Jake had walked into the room. He was smiling, wearing another pair of sweats. Grey ones.

"You plan on staying late?" He raised one eyebrow.

I threw a pillow at him. "Not like that, perv." He was still grinning, but he sat down next to me, putting his arm around my shoulders.

I snuggled close to him, smelling him, and tracing his defined abs with my index finger.

"Why do girls like cuddling so much?" He questioned, pushing the Hair out of my eyes.

I had to think for a minute. "Your arms around me. Our body touching. I like the heat of your body. I like being next to you. I like hearing your breath. Knowing your alive, and so am I. Knowing that your mine. I love it."