An update – finally! So it's going to be a big one. I've had all these chaps done and posted over at Twilighted, but I've been going through the Project Team Beta process to try to clean up my chapters before posting them over here. Well, with the arrival of my new baby girl, I just don't have time for that now, so I'm posting them as they were, with some minor grammatical changes that I've picked up along the way.

A big thanks to everyone over at PTB and everyone who is reading this story.

SM owns all, and I just like to play with her characters!

Chapter 7 – The Rules

JPOV

Finally. Finally! FINALLY! I was finally with Bella. God knows how it actually happened, or how I still get to keep her after that shitastic start on Friday. She surprised the hell out of me by being all flirty on the phone that morning. I doubt she had any idea what her voice did to me when she dropped it and told me 'she had a surprise for me'. In fact, I doubt she knew what she did to me on a daily basis. At least I hope she doesn't know, at least she hasn't run screaming for the hills yet. If she actually knew about the semi permanent chub I've sported for the last two weeks, she'd probably freak.

I had basically taken to going for long swims in the ocean after our daily visits. The water is supposed to be colder at night, but lately, I just haven't been feeling the temperature drop like I used to. I guess not even the Pacific can cool me off after having been with Bella.

But on Friday, I showed up at her place, and she's singing along to an old rock song, swaying her hips to the music. By all rights and means, she should have looked ridiculous singing into that weird purple plant, but she just looked hot. As usual. And then I go and almost fuck everything up by being a dumbass and thinking that Quil could actually back up anything he goes on about. I'm still not sure why I listened to him – other than the fact he has dated half the girls in our class, and half the girls the year above us. Me? I've dated no one. Up until a couple months ago, girls never paid attention to me. Then I shot up a foot and suddenly they're fawning all over me – completely forgetting about being bitchy and catty to me. Most girls are too much drama for me. I'm not about the drama. Quil ... he's another story. Quil loves the drama. That should have been my first clue that I shouldn't employ 'Quil's Guide to Hooking Up'. That, and the fact that I didn't want to hook up with Bella. I wanted to be her boyfriend and be with her for a long, long time.

Before I had called her Friday morning, Quil came over to drop off some stuff in my garage.

"Thanks for letting me borrow your tools man. Changing my mom's tire would have sucked without your cross wrench. I have no idea where ours went." I laughed, I knew exactly what had happened to his cross wrench. Quil had left it out in the rain after the last time he got a flat, and it was now a rusty piece of shit in their yard.

"Maybe you should take it easy on your mom's car. How many tires have you gone through now?" This had to be the second or third one in a month.

"That's the problem. It's the same tire, we just keep mending it, instead of buying a new one. I'm sure I find the hole, but then it starts leaking again." Then Quil gave me 'the eyebrow', which is never a good sign. "Dude! I just got a sweet idea! If you help me replace the tire with a decent one, I will help you hook up with Bella!" Quil looked smugly at me, as if he were offering me the knowledge of the universe. At this point, I was desperate for anything that would push things a little further. It didn't hurt that last time I was at the scrap yard, I saw the same model car as his mom's with some of its tires intact.

"Deal. We'll go this weekend." I stuck my hand out. Quil shook it then sat down on the old bench I had in the garage.

"Okay Jacob, what I'm about to tell you can't leave this garage. This is my tried and tested, no fail guide to hooking up with chicks. It's what's made me the legend I am today." I tried not to roll my eyes. I really did. Well maybe I didn't try that hard. "There are three golden rules to follow, and I guarantee Bella will be putty in your hands." When he mentioned Bella's name, I paid closer attention.

"Rule Number One: Be the Man." He looked at me like this was the best advice on earth. "Chicks love a guy that takes control. So stop being a pansy ass shit, and kiss her already." Ok, that was fair. I had wanted to kiss her for awhile, and had done nothing about it, because I'm a chicken shit.

"Rule Number Two: Own it." I just stared at him, having no idea what he meant by this. Quil rolled his eyes at my lack of understanding what the hell he was talking about. "Stop living in a bubble, and realise you want this girl. Anytime she mentions anything about touching you, or her bed, or sex, own it. Run with it. Because if she's saying it, she's thinking it, so she wants it." I raised my eyebrow to him, my expression clearly disbelieving.

"I dunno Quil. That sounds like I'm assuming she just wants to get laid." That didn't seem like Bella at all. Quil cleared his throat, clearly not liking being interrupted.

"And that brings me to Rule Number Three: She's the Boss. Jacob my boy, you are about to venture into new waters for you, but not unchartered territory. She's going to be a senior, and she's smokin', so assume she knows her way around the bedroom. I can tell a girl like Bella knows what she wants, so let her be the boss. It's the only way you'll get to keep her after Rule One and Two. Otherwise she'll realise you're a useless tool, and she'll start to look elsewhere for her 'satisfaction'." Quil stood up and clapped me on the back on his way out of my garage. "You're welcome Jake, I expect a new tire by Monday."

I stood with my mouth gaping open, wondering if that conversation actually just happened. None of what Quil had said really made sense, except maybe the part where I man up and kiss her.

Of course he also had to bring up that she's probably been with other guys. I hated, HATED, the thought of any other guy touching her. That more than anything is what led me to stupidly employing Quil's dumbass 'Rules'. I'll admit that 'Rule One' is what I was thinking when I got the balls to wrap my arms around her and start singing. And she seemed into it, so I kept right on with 'Rule One', and kissed her. And it felt ... so right. Like it was totally natural that I was kissing her in her kitchen. So riding my high of success from 'Rule One' I jumped into 'Rule Two', clearly not taking the conversation in context, because if I was really listening, I would have realised she was comparing her bed to a vegetable, and not trying to seduce me. Lucky for me, Bella is amazing, and thought my idiocy was 'cute'. I don't deserve her.

So what did I learn from all of this? Essentially I'm a moron for listening to Quil, who is now in my books, the King of all Tools. The only upside was I got to find out that Bella, like me, is still a virgin. So I don't have to fly to Phoenix and kill anyone. That's a plus. Oh yeah, and the fact that we're now a couple – a huge plus; but I don't want to give Quil any credit on that. The downside? School starts in two weeks, and I feel like I just got Bella to myself. I don't want to share.

I shot outside when I heard her truck approach.

"Hey beautiful." I leaned down to kiss her. She peeked up at me from beneath her eyelashes.

"Hey Jake." She sighed as she melted into my chest, pulling herself closer to me. "I missed you." She grinned up at me.

So cute!

"I missed you too honey. Did Charlie give you a hard time last night?" She giggled and swatted at my arm.

"I thought he might after you kissed me like that!" I loved the sound of her laughter. "But shockingly he's said nothing on the subject."

"Oh, you know you love it." With that I dipped her back and laid a wet juicy kiss on her. It was meant as a joke, but suddenly the kiss morphed from sloppy and wet to hot and primal, as I pulled her closer to me and pressed her up against her truck.

Where did that move come from?

I released my hold on her and backed away slowly. Bella's eyes fluttered open, but seemed unfocused.

"Um...wow."

My feelings exactly.

"I thought I had a question for you, but for the life of me, can't remember it." She shook her head, as if trying to clear it of debris. "Oh yeah, what did you want to do today?"

I tried to collect myself as well.

"Well, did you want to come to the scrap yard with me? I need to pick up a few things for the Rabbit, and a new tire for Quil."

She smiled at me then rolled her eyes.

"Ah...payment for his awesome advice?"

I chuckled, she knew me so well.

"Something like that, although he doesn't deserve it. But I said I would, and I've got to go anyways, so maybe it will be incentive for him to not give me any more advice." She opened the door to her truck, and motioned for me to get in.

"Anything to avoid more advice from Quil." She winked, and walked around to the other side of the truck, then hopped in the cab. I could see that she was thinking about something when that tiny crease on her forehead appeared. She was so easy to read.

"Hey Bells. What's wrong?"

She blinked and shook her head slightly.

"Hmm? What's that Jake?"

I scooted closer to her, and tucked a loose hair behind her ear.

"You look like you're trying to solve complex math problems in your head. What's up?"

She blushed a little, then smiled.

"I was just thinking we're not going to have much more time like this together. School is starting back, and I'm really going to miss spending all my free time with you." I grabbed her hand and squeezed it, then released it back to her. Bella needed both hands to drive. I settled with my arm around her. Of course she would be feeling the exact same way I was. I shouldn't have been surprised; we were usually on the same page about stuff.

"I know, Bells. I was thinking that too this morning. But we'll figure it out. We can do homework together, and I can help you cook dinners and stuff. Plus we'll have weekends. Turn up there." I motioned up the road for her to turn into the scrap yard. "I think the person we should feel the worst for is Quil. He's really going to miss having you around." I deadpanned.

Her head did a double take, and then she poked me in the rib.

"Not funny, Jacob Black." She gave me her best angry face, and then giggled. "Okay, so which pile of junk first?"

I hopped out of the truck and offered her my hand.

"Ah, I see you're eager to learn more, young grasshopper. Don't worry, I'll show you the ropes." I winked at her, and then kissed her on top of her head before leading her towards a small pile at the south end of the lot.

Bella stood by sceptically while I pawed through the final pieces I would need to complete the Rabbit.

"What?"

She had been staring at my little pile of pieces for a few minutes, not saying anything.

"I'm just impressed that you can turn this junk into something that works." She poked one of the pieces hesitantly, as if expecting it to bite her. "Honestly, I have no idea what you're even looking for, and then after you find it, I'm shocked that it's an actual thing, and not just a busted piece of metal." She looked up at me in awe, and I was a little surprised. I had never really considered my mechanic skills something to be proud of; they had just been a means to an end, or something to keep me busy. And yet here I had somehow impressed this amazing girl with my mediocre talent.

I scratched the back of my head with my free hand, feeling somewhat self conscious.

"Thanks, Bells. It's just a hobby, and it keeps me out of trouble." I laughed, then gave her a stern look. "Gotta keep outta trouble if I'm gonna be dating the Chief's daughter." I guessed she wasn't expecting that to be my response because she flushed pink, made a small 'o' with her mouth and then started laughing really loudly.

"Intentions aside," she snorted, "it's still impressive that you're going to turn that into a working car."

"Sure, sure, Bella. I've got skilled hands." I snickered self depreciatingly, and wiggled my fingers at her expecting her to continue laughing. But she just dropped her jaw, and turned the reddest I've ever seen her go. Suddenly it hit me how she took it. I reached out to her, my eyes begging her to believe me.

"Gah! Bells, I didn't mean it like that! I was just ... with the tools ... car ... make things..." Oh God, how was I going to make her see I didn't mean it like that when I couldn't even get a complete sentence out? Between yesterday and today, I was positive she thought I was only after one thing, which couldn't be further from the truth. Well, maybe that's not completely true, I AM a teenage boy, but it's certainly not the ONLY thing I think about. She pulled out of my grasp, and turned on her heel and walked away.

And I thought that was it.

The end.

Then she did the very last thing I expected. As she walked towards her truck she called over her shoulder.

"That's too bad, Jacob. I was really looking forward to seeing how skilled your hands were."

Then she winked. She fucking winked at me!

WHAT?

Then in typical Washington state fashion it started to rain. And I couldn't move. I stood in the rain, my mouth imitating a fish, watching Bella walk to her truck. I fucking loved this new side to Bella.

"C'mon, Jake!" She had stopped with her flirty vixen routine, and was now pulling her hood up over her head. "I'm getting all wet, are you coming?" Of course now that she'd put the thought in my head, the flood gates were open. I was now thinking of a very different kind of 'wet' Bella, and a very different kind of 'coming'.

Welcome back, super erection. I thought you wouldn't be making an appearance today, but I guess I was wrong.

I didn't even bother answering her since I couldn't form a complete sentence thirty seconds before when all the blood was in my brain, I sure as hell wasn't going to be able to form one while the blood was ... elsewhere. I simply ran to catch up to her. I loaded up the back of her truck with all the parts I found, and hopped in the cab. She was smirking as she pulled out of the scrap yard.

"You think you're all kinds of funny don't you?" I raised my eyebrow at her. She tried to keep a straight face, but failed miserably.

"Oh c'mon, Jake!" she burst out laughing. "You make it so easy. I'm not as easily offended as you think. You should know that!" She smiled, but raised her eyebrow back at me. "A little faith please?" She lowered her hood and let her long, chestnut hair fall loose down her back.

Suddenly all I was aware of was her scent. It was everywhere in this tiny space, and all I could smell was her. It was as if someone had dosed the cab of her truck in extra strength Bella perfume. It smelled heavenly, the perfect balance of some type of flower, and fruit – maybe strawberries?

"Um hello? Jacob? I was talking here? Where did you go?" She was waving her hand in front of my face. "What are you sniffing? Did you fart or something, cuz that's just not cool."

Then, just as quickly as the intense smell came, it went back to normal.

"What? Sorry, Bella. Just thought I smelled something, and no, it wasn't fart. By the way, if farts offend you, never stick around if Embry asks if you smell barbeque." I offered.

She raised her eyebrow at me quizzically.

"What does barbeque have to do with farts?" She looked utterly confused.

"What's the first thing people do when someone says they smell barbeque?" I stared at her expectantly.

"I dunno. Sniff with them?" She paused to look at me to check if this was the right answer. I waited a few beats for her words to sink in. "Oh! Oh? That's awful! He farts, and then says something to make people sniff deeply? Is Embry okay in the head?" She looked mortified.

"Also, don't ever accept a cup of tea from Quil." I tried to stifle a laugh.

"Oh my gosh." Bella blushed. "Do I even want to know?" She was concentrating on driving so she wouldn't laugh too hard.

"Let's just say that Quil has been known to fart into a teacup and then try and serve it to you. I don't recommend it." I couldn't help it and started to laugh really loudly. The sound echoed in the cab. Bella actually had to pull over because she was laughing so hard she was clutching her sides.

"No!" She wheezed. "Tell me these aren't the people you hang out with?"

"Still not so easily offended?" I joked.

"You're right. Maybe I should question your taste in friends, and by extension, your taste in women." She got mock offended. "What does this mean about me?"

Tears were now streaming down both of our faces. I hadn't laughed like this in a really long time.

"Oh, Jake." She sighed. "You're so silly." She reached over and pulled me into a deep kiss.

I could now easily forget Quil's 'Rules'. Apparently the way to a girl's heart is through laughter.

As we eased back onto the road, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I felt hyper aware again, but not in the same way as before. It wasn't smell this time, but almost like some other sense had taken over. I looked over at Bella, and she seemed unaware, but I got the distinct feeling we were being watched. I shook my head to try to get rid of the feeling, just in time to lock eyes with something in the woods. And then it was gone.