Author's Note: To my loyal readers, I'm so sorry for such a LOOONG delay. I've been really busy with my life and work. It's almost been two years, I think, since I last uploaded a chapter. But, I just wanted to let you know that I'm still alive. I'm really sorry. I will upload the next chapter next week or maybe sooner ;) Please be sure to follow me on tweeter and also tweet me please! I will keep you guys updated. Also, feel free to send me a message. I will definitely get back to you!
My twitter is JacobsAngelNess.
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Declaimer: The characters are not mine. I wish they were, though.


CHAPTER SEVEN


Something about you now,
I can't quite figure out.
Everything she does is beautiful,
Everything she does is right.

- Lighthouse, You and Me


As she stood in the lone bathroom at Miller's, wiping Jacob's sticky seed away from her thighs, Renesmee still wasn't sure what made her say those words.

Clenching the wet towel grasped in her hand, she flicked them into the nearby garbage with a snort of disgust, wishing her fears could have been tossed away as well.

She wasn't sure what was worse—the easy control Jacob had commanded of her mind and body, or her own helpless need to submit to him.

Why do I desire a man I know wants to control me?

Everything about Jacob, from his unswerving determination, to his powerful presence, smacked of the type of dominant sexual nature Renesmee had rejected years ago. The type of nature she'd sworn off after her experience with Riley Windham.

She'd never understood the needs in her body. The needs that made her want to submit and be controlled, but she'd made a vow to never let those feeling hold away again. Yet, like bad déjà vu, here she stood, trapped in the same boat, prisoner to the desires of another. How she hasn't learned her lesson after the mental and physical beating Riley had bestowed was a question better left for when she obviously had more sense in her noggin.

Shaking her head, Renesmee washed and dried her hands before pulling her sweats back up. She didn't really feel like facing Jake, but she'd already been inside the bathroom for over ten minutes. No doubt he would come looking for her if she didn't eventually show her face. Plus, she needed to get some clothes, so she could take a real shower. Birdbaths were very overrates, and she felt just a tad bit icky.

Frowning at her reflection, she smoothed her fingers through her hair, attempting to take the unruly mess. A real comb, a brush and a can of hairspray would have been best, but wishful thinking wouldn't make her hair look any better.

With one last frown at the mirror, she opened the door.

The first think she glimpsed when she walked out was Jacob, his hips resting against a display table, dressed and ready, his hair remarkably tidy. An embarrassing blush crawled up her skin, and she glanced away from his composed features.

"Take your time looking around. We aren't in any rush," he said.

"I thought you would be tired," she mumbled.

Jacob shook his head. "I can last for a few more minutes."

Ignoring the double entendre in his words, she nervously picked through a colorful rack of shirts. "I'll just get a few things. I-I mean we're only staying here for the weekend, right?"

"Although I'd love to keep you here forever, Nessie, I know you have school."

"What about you? Don't you have to get back to work . . . or something?"

He stared at her, and the gleam in his eyes made her hand still. "I'm on vacation right now."

Renesmee nodded, deciding there wasn't a need for further conversation.

The original plan of arming herself with jeans and bulky sweaters seemed foolish now. The season was already edging into summer. Although it had been cool this morning, the glaring sin promised a warm day.

Quickly deciding on a pair of black sweat pants, two colorful buttoned tops, some shorts and lightweight PJs, she opted for just one pair of jeans and one pink knitted sweater. Her tennis shoes would do well enough for footwear, so she bypasses the few ladies shoes showcased against the wall.

Turning toward the register, thinking she had enough for another couple of days, a thought, like a shout in the dark, stopped her cold.

Underwear!

There was no way she was leaving this damn store without some of those. Moving toward the back, she grabbed few frilly-lace undergarments, and frowned at their sexy design. Well, she figured, at least she'd have some on. Picking up a couple of brassieres for good measure, she finally joined Jacob at the counter.

Renesmee gestures to the clothes in her arm. "I can't just take these. Maybe I should leave some money on the counter," she said, remembering the wallet in the pocket of her sweats.

Jacob was quicker though, quickly retrieving three hundred dollar bills from his own wallet.

Renesmee lifted a brow. "You know, credit cards are safer."

He smiled, flashing a toothy grin. "Cash only, remember."

Was he going to repeat everything she'd said to him that night at the Fuego?

Setting the clothes on the counter, she pulled the tags, opting to ignore his little comment. "That's way too much," she said, adding the figured, and motioning toward his money.

"Don't worry about it."

Must be nice to never have to worry about being broke.

They left the store a few minutes later, after she'd bagged her clothes and written a 'thank you' note to Jeremiah. The middle-aged man probably thought she was some sort of a slut, but she was grateful to have more to wear that just a pair of sweats and an old t-shirt. Plus, she was truly grateful to finally have some panties.

The morning coolness had evaporated under a blazing sun, and a quick glimpse at her watch reveled that it was nearly noon. The streets were now crowded with patrons, many carrying shopping bags or munching on hot dogs. She glanced over her shoulder at Jacob, who was checking that the door had locked behind them, when a full-bodied yawn racked her frame.

"You tired?" he asked, smoothing his hand down her hair.

"Yeah, though I don't know why. I slept the whole ride here."

"Probably just wrung out. It has been an eventful morning."

Renesmee blushed. "You can say that again. What about you? I'm sure you're ready to fall on your face."

Jacob laughed. "I could do with a bit of sleep."

That had to be the understatement of the year. The man had to have been up for at least twenty-four straight hours. A slight twinge of guilt, and another blaze of the undefined emotion that had swept her earlier, ricocheted beneath her breasts, making her heart spasm erratically.

Dismissing the thoughts because she was too tired to examine them fully, Renesmee slipped her hands into his, and smiled up at his surprised expression. "In case you do fall and I have to drag you to the car," she teased.

Immediately all traces of merriment banished from Jacob's eyes and he pulled her close for a short, passionate kiss.

Blinking up at him, Renesmee pulled away with reluctance.

The silent ride back to the cabin took an extra five minutes because there were more cars on the road. Eventually, the traffic lulled as they turned the last corner leading into the private drive.

Renesmee undid her seat belt and retrieved her purse from under the seat, slinging it over her shoulder before exiting the car. She opened the back door and swiftly grabbed the shopping bad sitting on the back seat.

Jacob stepped out of his side of the vehicle, walking around the front of the car to stand beside her, his eyes flicking downward. "I'll carry that."

Handing his the glossy white bag, proudly proclaiming "Miller's" in cursive black lettering, she smiled in thanks before the corner of her lips dropped at the high-pitched beeping coming from her purse.

"Damn," she muttered, pulling free her wailing cell phone. "I must have forgotten to charge it."

What Renesmee didn't say was she had a charger in her car, and had actually planned on giving the phone some juice on her way home.

"Do you need to call someone?" Jacob asked, frowning.

"Well . . . yes. I need to call the club. I left there in a hurry, and I don't want anyone to worry. Plus, I want to call Kim and let her know where I am."

She looked askance at him and glowered at the submissiveness in her voice. If she needed to use a phone, she should be able to use it without having to ask for permission.

"There's one inside the study," he answered, his easy tone stealing away her anger. "After we get settled, I'll take you to it, so you can make your calls."

"Thanks," she muttered, since it was the only thing she could say.

She followed him up the steps leading to the exterior platform of the house, and waited for Jacob to unlock the front door.

He stepped aside, allowing her to enter first, and she glanced at him momentarily. She wouldn't have picked him for the gallant sort, but apparently there was more to him that she'd thought.

"Go ahead and go on up. My room is the second door on the right. Take a shower and get comfortable." Jacob peered at her, before handing her the bag from Miller's. "I have a few calls to make myself."

"O-okay," she mumbled, peering over her shoulder as she walked away.

IllI

Jake waited while Nessie climbed the stairs to the second floor landing, watching until she finally disappeared around the corner before sighing and placing his head in his hands.

God! He was so damn tired.

Surprised the weariness in his limbs didn't lay him flat, he walked shakily toward the study. He did have to make some phone calls, but of truth be known, he needed a moment alone.

Although the first hurdle had been accomplished, the race was still on and he wasn't fooled into believing the battle for her heart was over. Of course, there wasn't a shadow of doubt in his mind the victory would be his, but he wondered briefly what other trials his intractable lover had in store. No doubt, she was up in their room thinking of more ways to thwart him.

She was so intransigent about having a relationship with him, about believing there could be something tangible—viable—between them. Jacob knew most of that stemmed from the confusion and fear within her, but for both their sakes he had to convince Nessie to trust him.

Flouncing down into the large, high backed executive chair in the study, he sighed, ready for the challenge even as his body begged for rest.

The lone phone in the house was concealed beneath a hidden compartment inside the large, cherry and oak desk. "Out of sight, out of mind," his mother had said when she had the furniture delivered.

Lifting and sliding back the lid, he grabbed the handset and first called Constance, his secretary, at home.

"Okay, Mister! Where in the world are you? Jared says you're at the Summit, but you're mother has been calling non-stop for the past week. You missed the fundraiser, and you didn't even show up to the hearing in Washington. What in the blue blazes is going on?"

"I am here at the Summit, Connie. I have some personal issues that need to be taken care of."

"Personal issues?! Personal issues greater than your own mother?

Jacob smiled to himself. He knew Constance had a soft spot for his mom, but still. "I will call my mother, don't worry. I'm calling you though to find out if there's anything important going on I should know about."

Constance cleared her throat, and he could almost see the blush highlighting her skin at his rebuking tone. "Well, you have about a million messages of course, but the only important thing I can think of off the top of my head is

Webster Crouse. He called wanting to know if you reached a decision about Pryco."

Crouse. Of course. He wanted to know if his offer had been accepted. "If he calls again tell him I haven't decided, but if he keeps calling the answer is going to be a resounding no."

Constance chuckled. "I'll tell him."

"Okay, so is there anything else?"

"No, but please call your mother, Jacob. She's worried and I don't know what else to tell her."

Constance used the voice she reserved for him and her grown children, the motherly tone that pleaded, in a commanding way, for him to do what she asked.

"I'll call her," he assured.

Placated, Constance relayed a few other things, most of it having to do with the uproar Grace, Jared's secretary, was feeling due to his brother's impending wedding.

"He told her to cancel all of his meetings for the next month because he wanted to spend some uninterrupted time with Rachael," Constance huffed. "The poor woman had to call the Prime Minister of Egypt for God sakes!"

Jacob laughed. "Did she speak with him?"

"No, but she had to deal with one of his assistants, and from what she told me, that man hasn't even learned the word no." Connie's chortle sounded low, vibrating through the phone lines. "You better never do anything like that, mister. If I ever have to call anyone's Prime Minister, I will quit."

"I'll remember that," Jake said, shaking his head, "Anything else?"

"No, I can't think of anything, but if I do I'll call you, okay?"

After Connie managed to guarantee a few more promises to call his mother, Jake disconnected the call. Still holding the receiver to his ear, he dialed a new number.

Jared picked up after two rings. "You know, bro, you really should call mom. She's burning up the phone lines because I, unfortunately, have my cell on."

Jacob sighed. "I'm going to call her right after I hang up with you."

"While you're at it, call Marie, too. She has no life and loves to call me in the middle of the night when I'm too busy."

Jacob could just imagine. The last time he'd called during the nighttime hours there had obviously been something more important on Jared's mind. "No worries. I'll call her. So, the hearing went off without a hitch?"

"Yes and no. Senator Harcourt was his usual, surly self."

"He must have pulled some serous strings to get on the Finance committee. "I've always wondered what ace he has up his sleeve."

"You and I both, but I'm thinking even with him dissenting, things will still go in our favor."

"They didn't vote then?"

"No, they wanted to review the matter further. And let me tell you now, if they do decide on another hearing, I won't be in Washington for t."

He'd never heard his brother talk this way. Business was—had been—Jared's life. "I'm surprised to hear you say that," Jacob said truthfully.

A light chuckle sounded through the phone waves. "Well, I got other thinks on my mind. And since you obviously can take some time off, I think I'm entitled to do the same."

Jacob ignored the taunt. "So when are you coming back home?"

"Probably tonight, Rachel keeps mentioning school and exams."

Jacob could hear a feminine voice in the background, murmuring what sounded like sweet nothings. Laughing, he shook his head. "So, what are you two up to?"

"I'm taking Rachel on a tour of the capitol." Jacob could hear the smile in his brother's voice. "She's never been to Washington before, and she wants to go everywhere. Right now, she's taking pictures."

"Did you take her to the Smithsonian?"

"No, we just left the Aerospace museum, but we're headed there now. What's up with you though?"

Jacob stared around the room, listening absently to the ambient sounds echoing from the receiver before taking a shallow breath, and rushing ahead with the news he had to tell his brother. "I'm at the summit."

"Yeah, I got caller ID."

"I'm here with Renesmee," he said.

A decided pause sounded and Jake heard his brother swear softly. "What are you doing at the summit with my fiancée's best friend, Jacob?"

"It's complicated . . . and I can't really get into it now."

"You better try. The last think I need is this shit muddying up my life."

Jacob's jaw set, and his fist clenched tight. "What Renesmee and I are dong s none of your business!"

"When you start screwing around in my territory it becomes my business," Jared muttered.

"Your territory? Rachael is your and Renesmee is mine. That's the territory, Jared, and you best never fucking forget it either."

Hanging up on his brother, Jacob immediately sighed in regret.

That call hadn't gone the way he's planned. He figured Jared would be mad, but saying Renesmee was a part of his territory had pushed him to the limit.

Renesmee belonged to him, and no one else.

He thought briefly about calling his mother before deciding against it. Jacob knew she worried, and he hated to cause her any sort of pain, but he also knew both Constance and Jared would assure his mother he was fine.

He also declined phoning Marie. Undoubtedly, both his mother and sister would severely blister his eardrums when he did phone, bit for the time being, he was too tired to face any recriminations. He has enough to deal with in regards to Renesmee and the tumultuous feeling aroused.

Knowing the battle with Renesmee was still far from over, he rose to make his way toward the bedroom.

He hoped she's already taken her shower. Right now, all he wanted to do wash his body and crawl into bed next to her. Though, knowing Renesmee, he'd probably have to coax and tease until she capitulated.

Bone weary, Jacob mounted the stairs. After the depressing conversation with Jared, he was even more determined to bring Renesmee to his hand. His entire family mind descend on him tomorrow, and more so than ever, he felt time was paramount.

The sound of the shower echoed around his room, and clouds of floating steam drifted about. Smiling in gratitude, happy to have a bit of luck, Jacob stripped quickly before walking into the connecting bathroom, he knocked on the thin Plexiglas door before opening it wide.

Nessie stood directly beneath the nozzle, he head bowed.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, entranced by the way the water sluiced down her naked body.

"I'm just about to get out," she murmured, blinking, he eyes bright.

"No need, it's big enough for the two of us," he said, joining her to step under the spraying nozzle.

"I-I really should be going."

"Stay with me. You promised to give me a chance," he murmured, pleading. "Don't go."

Although she looked unsure, Renesmee nodded, and Jacob felt a sense of triumph burgeoning in his soul. Since the month he's met her, the need—the desire—to be close with her had burrowed under his skin. Pulling her into his arms, he ignored the joy and fear inside his heart, and reveled in the feel of Renesmee.

He couldn't lose her.

He just couldn't.


Sneak peek of the new chapter:


Turning in his arms, she peered up at him. "Yet, you seem so sure you can make me happy."

"We wouldn't be here if I thought otherwise."

Tired of fighting the battle within herself, she laid her head against his chest. "I'm not in the mood to be dominated tonight, Jacob. Can you just love me without any commands or punishments?"

Jacob didn't answer verbally. He led her upstairs to his bedroom and slowly undressed her. There on the large king size bed, he showed her, over and over, how much he could love her.


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