Moonlight in Forks
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.
Some Private Time
"Mmmm…Jake…I have cereal and cereal. That's all there is." Bella frowned in annoyance. The cupboards were completely bare. She was the one who normally did the food shopping, but with all the time she had been spending In La Push, she had left it in Charlie's hands to get the groceries.
"I'm fine with anything." Jacob leaned against the kitchen counter as he spoke. "It all adds to the potential wolf fuel." He feigned rubbing his stomach.
Bella raised her eyebrows. "Wolf fuel?" She questioned.
"Yep!" Jacob popped the P as he reached for Bella and pulled her close. "Us werewolves are known for being able to eat our weight in food in order to keep up with our metabolism."
"Is that so?" Bella rested her hands on his bare chest, the heat coming from his skin warming her palms. "I seem to remember you ate a lot before you phased."
"I did not!" Jacob protested.
"Oh, yes you did." Bella's brown eyes danced with mirth. "I recall when you used to come over for dinner, you always managed to find room for second helpings…and the portions sizes were never small, either." She tapped his chest with her forefinger to emphasize her point.
"So, you're saying I've always been greedy?" Jacob laughed as Bella nodded her head. He leaned down to kiss her and she melted into his warmth.
"If you grow any taller, I'm going to have to stand on a chair to kiss you." Bella complained good naturedly as she stood up on the very tip of her toes to reach his lips. He was nearly bent double as it was. Luckily for her, he was very flexible.
"Or I could just pick you up."
"You wouldn't dare!"
As soon as the words left her lips, Bella found herself cradled in Jacob's strong arms as he scooped her up. She emitted a cry of surprise, quickly wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning against his shoulder to steady herself.
Jacob kissed Bella, his mouth pressed gently but firmly against hers, his tongue sliding just past her lips. Since their first kiss, he had been letting Bella take the lead. Allowing her to set the pace, not wanting to push her too far or too fast, before she was ready.
So, as it was, she took him totally by surprise, when she began to lift her shirt over her head. He breathed more heavily as he watched her reveal more skin than he had ever seen before. He swept her out of the kitchen, taking the stairs two at a time as he headed to her room.
Jacob laid Bella gently on her bed and ran his hands over her legs. Then he pulled off her shoes and climbed on the bed beside her. Carefully, he helped her pull her shirt the rest of the way over her head, Bella laughing nervously as she got entangled in the material.
After gazing at her admiringly for a minute, making her feel like some precious jewel on display, he moved to kiss her again, slow and tender, building up the sexual tension, until when he finally pulled away, Bella was left gasping for air.
Bella lay still, her body completely electrified everywhere his skin brushed against hers. There was no holding back with Jacob, like there was with Edward. They had the potential to go as far as they wanted, without fear of consequence.
Jacob's mouth was back on hers, his warm fingers caressed her shoulders, then slid down her back, until they reached the clasp of her bra. He hesitated, pulling back, looking into her eyes, waiting for her permission.
Bella's breath caught in her throat, as she gazed back up at him, a little nervous, her heart pumping madly with excitement, her skin tingling with the thrill of it all. Slowly, she nodded her head, leaning forward slightly to give him better access.
With one swift click of his fingers, Jacob unhooked the catch, and the bra fell away. There was something so disarming about seeing Bella semi-naked. There was a vulnerability in her eyes he couldn't resist. His eyes travelled from her face to her collar bone, delicate in the semi-darkness, then to her breasts. Without lingerie they sat lower, more natural, less close together, each so perfect and molded to her form. He didn't linger too long, just enough for her to see how beautiful she was to him. It was her heavenly chocolate brown eyes he wanted to see; his hands could tell him the rest.
Bella sat next to Jacob on the sofa, he felt deliciously warm. Heat radiated from him, enveloping her in the comfort and security she had come to rely on from him. She felt relaxed and at ease, her skin still tingling from his touch.
They hadn't gone further than second base-Charlie was due home at any moment-but Bella knew if they had more time alone, some real privacy, then things had the potential to go further. She had complete trust in Jacob. Her nerves had fallen away as soon as he touched her intimately. His almost telepathic ability to read her mind, assess her mood, continually astounded her.
"I still wonder, sometimes, why you want me, why you ever wanted someone as broken as I was." Bella said, watching him carefully.
"I fell hard and fast for you the first time I laid eyes on you. You know that, don't you? I love you, Bella. I have from the beginning."
"And I…I love you." Bella stumbled over her declaration, smiling sheepishly. "You know that, right?"
"I've always known." Jacob returned her smiled tenderly. "It just took you a while to see it, too, that's all."
That night Jacob and Bella got to the clearing last.
Jasper and Emmet were already wrestling-just warming up from the sound of their laughter. Alice and Rosalie lounged on the ground, watching their men playfight. Esme and Carlisle were talking a few yards away, heads close together, fingers linked, not paying attention. Edward stood alone, apart from his family, his face set in its now familiar brooding expression.
The night was much brighter than the previous one. The moon shining through thin clouds. Bella could easily see the wolves sitting around the edge of the practice ring, spaced far apart to watch from different angles.
Then just as Jacob and Bella appeared in the clearing, something strange happened. The wolves left their posts, moving like silent shadows, the moon silvering gray, black, and sandy fur as they passed the Cullens, who all stared at them in confusion. When they reached Jacob and Bella, the wolves swarmed around them, setting up a ring, with them placed firmly in the middle. At the head of the ring was Sam-the Alpha wolf-Jared and Paul Lahote on either side.
Bella was completely mesmerized, unsure of what was going on. She glanced at Jacob. He was totally at ease, as if he was expecting it. "Are you participating tonight?" She asked, hesitant.
"Not tonight." Jacob explained in a low voice. "Sam still doesn't trust them fully."
Now Bella understood why the pack surrounded them in a protective circle. Maybe they sensed potential trouble and wanted to make sure that everyone connected to them was safe. It gave her a warm feeling, knowing that they considered her one of them.
Bella sat down on the ground, it was cold and uncomfortable, once again she had forgotten to bring a jacket to keep her warm. Jacob had changed into his wolf form again. He looked at her, a whine building in his throat. He took a half step in her direction.
"Its okay." Bella said, shivering slightly as the chilly breeze ruffled her hair. "I'll just watch from here."
Jacob leaned his head to the side for one moment, and then folded himself on the ground beside her with a rumbling sigh.
"Really, you can go ahead." Bella assured him again. He didn't respond, he put his head down on his paws.
Bella snuggled against him gratefully, absorbing his warmth. She stared up at the bright silver clouds. She trembled again, not from cold, but from worry about what was coming. Just watching them all practice fighting made it seem more real somehow.
Jacob scooted closer, pressing his warm fur against her left side. After a few moments, Bella felt herself beginning to doze, the heat coming off his body making her fully relax.
The clouds moved across the sky, dimming and brightening as thick patches crossed the moon and passed on. Bella opened her eyes again, shaking her head to get rid of the sleepiness. She began pulling her fingers through Jacob's thick fur, combing it. He made a strange humming sound in his throat, like a contented cats purr.
"Aren't you worried about Saturday at all?" Bella asked him.
Jacob turned his enormous head toward her, his intense gaze conveying just how he felt.
"I wish I could feel that positive." Bella sighed. "I'm worried, Jake. About you. About everyone."
Jacob leaned his head against her leg and started humming again. The reassuring sound did make her feel a little better. She settled down deeper into his fur, resting her head against his neck.
It was strange. Even though he was in his wolf form, she felt so cozy around him, so protected. Down in the clearing, the fighting continued. She stared up at the hazy moon, letting her mind wander. During the fight it had been decided, by the wolf pack, that Bella would stay safely on the reservation, under the guardianship of two of the wolves. Who those wolves were hadn't been decided yet-although she guessed it was most likely to be Leah and Seth. Sam didn't want Leah placed in danger, and Leah would always stay with her brother.
None of these plans had been relayed to Edward or the Cullens yet. Bella could see the potential for trouble. Edward would not be happy that she would be far away from him, relying on the wolf pack for her safety. Well, he wouldn't have a choice. The decision was hers. He was just going to have to accept it.
A/N-thanks for reading!