~A/N New parts. Please let me know what you think.

Copyright disclaimer: Twilight and all recognizable characters are sole property of Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter 2: The Wait is Over

Without further hesitation, he kissed her. It wasn't the sort of kiss she'd ever received in public. On second thought, she'd never been kissed in such a way... ever. Bella forgot everything else but how extremely lucky she was that a tall, dark and handsome Quileute man was totally into her. How'd that happen? His kiss packed more of a punch than Sue's fruity wine concoction. She was definitely getting tipsy, her entire body swayed.

He pulled back and she immediately thought, no more...please. Her lips were still pursed and moist, eager for more kisses. A couple of whistles and accolades were being sent there way. They had an audience, but that's how the whole afternoon had been for some strange reason. It was like they were expecting her all along and that something spectacular would happen.

He encouraged her to step off to the side away from all the gawkers. He whispered close against her neck, "Let's get outta here. I've got the perfect view from my place for the fireworks. They'll be starting in a little over an hour." She had to catch her breath again after feeling his hot breath ghost over her skin.

"But my dad," she reminded.

"I'll talk to him."

"What? No, that's embarrassing. What are you going to say?"

"That we're going to go hang out and watch fireworks at my place and I'll bring you home," he paused before winking and looking all sort of sexy, "or not." Jacob sauntered away with all the confidence in the world. Was he serious?

She lunged to try and stop him, but he was quicker than she was. Bella watched in horror as Jacob told her father some sort of story. Charlie was doing the typical head shake, at every pause in Jacob's speech, but he soon laughed and waved her way. That's it. What kind of a dad was he? Oh yeah, Bella, you're twenty-two years old. Get over yourself.

Jacob met up with her again. He was carrying a bag and a small cooler. He showed her to his car. Of course, he drove a hot looking, black muscle car. They barely drove five minutes before he pulled up at a garage.

"You live where you work?"

"No, I work where I live." He explained how the garage and apartment came to be soon after high school. He and the guys she'd met earlier made the dream come true, with some private funding donated to the reservation for small business growth. Bella asked about Billy.

"He's just down that path. That's where I grew up, so it's no biggie for me to take care of him, but we both have our privacy. It works out well."

She wondered how many other girls he brought to garage/apartment. She needed to get a grip, she wasn't special.

"Are you getting out? I told you we've got a perfect view of the sky from my deck."

She following him to an outside staircase behind the building. His place had an industrial feel to it which fit his personality. Jacob sat the to-go bag on the stainless, island countertop. She could easily get used to his kitchen. It wasn't typical bachelor pad grade. It was the real deal and her mouth watered at the possibilities. The kitchen, she was still talking about the kitchen and yet she was staring at the Quileute demi-god in front of her.

"You designed this?"

"Mostly, but Sue and Leah gave me some input."

"Oh."

"Spit it out, what's on your mind, Bells?"

"I don't know, I just thought maybe you once had a live-in girlfriend or something." She was so subtle... not.

"Or something?" he quipped.

"Yep."

"No, I've never lived with anyone other than my family before I built this. I like to cook. I'm not the best, but my dad and I survived." He lifted his arms and flexed slightly. She admired that he'd nourished himself so well, obviously.

"I'd love to cook with you."

"I bet you would," his honey bass oozed innuendo.

She was suddenly embarrassed, what a dork? She couldn't believe she'd said something so lame. He saw her trepidation. He put his arm around her, "I know you're going to cooking school and I would love to learn a few things from you. Maybe I can teach you a thing or two as well, Bells."

Her nerves were building, so she asked for a private moment before she had any other episodes of word vomit. He pointed her towards the powder room. She talked herself down in front of the mirror. She had no idea how she'd gotten from barely being convinced to go to the picnic to being in a man's apartment that she just met. Of course, they met briefly as children and their fathers were best friends, but still.

Bella was clear when she said that she didn't fool around so quickly, but she'd sent an entirely different message with the way she responded to his kiss and then followed him home. She was usually more cautious. She'd been burned a couple of times, and it sucked. She decided she'd been hiding out long enough. Jacob seemed like a respectable guy. Her father sure liked him. She should just see how it went and not be so uptight.

He had the table set. They had dinner even though he had a late lunch. He'd brought a container of leftover sangria and they both had a glass. Bella was soon very comfortable after her initial hesitation. Jacob made her feel at home. He made her laugh all the time. She was right, Quil was the jokester of the group. He told her some funny stories. His job sounded like more play than work.

They soon made their way outside. He was right, the view from his deck was breathtaking. She could get used to a place like that. Easy there girl, no guarantee you're getting asked back. They got comfortable on a chaise-lounge. He surprised her after pulling her down into the seat with him. Bella was going to sit in a nearby chair. She ended up in his lap instead. He wrapped her up in his warm embrace. She'd never felt so cozy.

"I'm so glad you moved here. I've been waiting a long time."

"Really, for me?"

"Yeah, I saw a picture of you almost two years ago and I had this feeling we'd hit it off if you'd ever come for a visit. It took you long enough."

Was he for real? She remembered what Quil said. It was pretty romantic. She didn't know what to say.

"I'm glad I'm here with you too."

"Bella, trust me. This isn't a line. Sometimes, special forces in the universe work together to ensure a favorable outcome. Do you believe that?"

They were so close, they were sharing the same breath. "I guess so. Jake, I..."

He didn't give her a chance to finish. They were kissing again. His hands were teasing her skin just under the hem of her shirt. His touch was amazing. Each brush from his fingertips set her ablaze. She couldn't wait to feel more of it.

She was about ready to make a decision when a boom startled them. The fireworks had begun off in the distance. They watched as the colorful explosions came one after the other. Jacob took breaks from watching to nibble at her neck which always led to more kissing. She was starting to have a type of similar combustion go off in her body. Her head fell back against his chest. Something told her they were celebrating more than Independence Day, they were reveling in a whole new beginning.

~Thanks for reading.