Despite promising Paul I wouldn't, not running off to Alaska took all my restraint.

The scenarios running through my head of what could happen to my nephew were horrific. They were the things that inspired nightmares. I clung to the tiniest hope he was in a loving foster home. In my sweetest dreams, he's hidden with Cullens. I didn't doubt for one second Rosalie would protect and cherish him.

Now, however, I had no fucking clue where he was or what was going on. I'd never stop wishing that my family didn't die and he was here on the Rez, where he belongs.

Rosalie had warned us about the vampire royalty that would kill her family if they took in a human child, but I couldn't help but wonder if he was with them. Could their connections protect them from that? I couldn't imagine vampires that could kill Carlisle. And, he and Esme would be kind to a wolf's child. They were kind to everyone, regardless of how anyone treated them…

One issue was that a full-blooded shifter child was bound to phase someday if raised by a bunch of vampires. Would that eventual phase be the catalyst for their deaths? Would it get my nephew killed, too?

Of course, worse scenarios plagued my thoughts. Such as, what if he was with the fucking redhead we've been hunting? Would she kill him? Hurt him? Try to raise him to be her little pet?

While my primary concern was my nephew's safety, I had to admit there might be bigger problems than his whereabouts. Carlisle couldn't be the only scientist in the vampire community. What kind of information could they get out of him? What could they create with his DNA? If he fell into the wrong hands, those hands could use him to wipe our pack off the map. In a worst-case scenario, he could be the reason the vampire royalty eradicated everyone we knew.

The scenarios were endless as my worries grew.

Paul assured me he'd talk to Jake and make a plan. He said we needed our brothers to help us. While it made sense, I didn't like it. If I had my way we'd been on the next flight to Alaska. Hell, I'd run there right now. Paul was right, though. If we were killed, there would be nobody else to save him. Our brothers didn't know what we knew yet and had considered none of the possibilities that plagued my mind. So for now, I would have to be patient.

I loved Jake, but nothing was fast with him. It could be weeks before he had a plan ready. He claimed he would fight Sam for alpha for over a year, but had yet to do it. He wouldn't be my biggest fan after he talked to Bella about how our morning went, so I wasn't counting on him to rush the search party effort.

I didn't speak a word to Paul for the entire drive home. He wasn't in a talkative mood either. We both let Leah down and we knew it. His last promise to her was broken. Her kid was probably with leeches and there wasn't a damn thing either of us could do about it. He dropped me off at Sam's and said he'd drop Leah's car off for me before the end of my patrol.

Emily's smirking face was the first thing I saw when I walked in. "Hi, Sethy."

If her presence wasn't enough to infuriate me, hearing Leah's nickname for me leave her mouth was. I knew it was a minor retaliation over the ring incident. Embry sat at the kitchen table, and I could tell by how he looked at me that my fury was clear on my face.

"Don't fucking call me that," I snapped.

Emily immediately pouted, of course, but her eyes held another emotion altogether. She'd intentionally tried to rattle me and succeeded. She had no right!

"Okay, we're leaving," Embry yelled as he jumped up from the table and pushed me out the door. I knew he was trying to protect me from myself, but it didn't calm me.

"You'll thank me later," Embry said as I glared at him outside. "It's okay if you're pissed right now. I'm pretty mad at you, too. We'll spar after we run for a while."

Embry knew I loved to fight. He was one of the more docile members of the pack and one of the strongest. Embry was easily the most strategic fighter among us, so he was one of my favorite partners to practice with. He didn't rely solely on his speed or strength to win. He knew all the pack's strengths and weaknesses better than most of us did, almost as though he memorized the other's techniques and simply adapted. We considered it his special skill, like Jared's exceptional sense of smell and tracking ability.

I knew all I'd have to do to get back into the good graces of the pack was apologize, but I wouldn't. I could keep her safe without being part of her life, even visiting her new dog when she was at Charlie's and I'd never have to see her.

My wolf didn't like that plan as much as I did. If it were up to the wolf, she'd be in our bed every night, waking up with her curled up against me like I had that morning.

A big part of me wanted Bella. She had always known how to comfort me when we were younger. If I'd give her the chance, she probably could. I wouldn't, though. She was already in danger because of me, and I refused to endanger her further. I could, however, confide in her when necessary, I knew. She might even recall things about vampires that could help us. Edward had told her about their gifts, there was no telling what else he'd told her. Bella was always good with secrets. But confiding in her implied I'd have to be her friend again, and I had no intention of it.

"Oh, will you give it a damn rest?" Embry snapped. "Bella is your imprint. She wants to be there for you and could be if you'd just fucking apologize. I know you went through a lot, and I feel for you, but you're being a stubborn fucking idiot about Bella. I'm tired of listening to it."

I didn't have to ask why he was mad at me. Embry, Quil, and Jake loved Bella as much as I once did. I knew I was 'in the wrong' for screaming at her while still owing her answers. I would not give them to her, regardless. It was better for her if she stayed mad and avoided me.

I glanced toward Embry's hardened stare. He truthfully was pissy with me. I don't think anyone but Paul had been that blunt with me since Leah and Mom died. I didn't appreciate it, but I respected it. Embry was treating me like a person. I was tired of people walking on eggshells around me.

"I will not apologize," I said.

"Then stay the fuck away from her and let her figure out how to move on. Quil has been thinking of asking her out."

An involuntary growl ripped through my chest at the revelation. Embry scoffed, the sound leaving his wolf's body like a hack.

"He'd be good for her, Seth. He'd treat her a lot nicer than you do lately. Let her be fucking happy, she deserves it."

I could stay away from her. I planned to anyway. But, the thought of Quil making moves on my imprint infuriated me. Did they expect me to sit back while my so-called brother dated my imprint? Absolutely fucking not!

I was cool with Bella being with Edward. I even encouraged it because she was happy, but that didn't mean I wanted a front-row ticket to it. Deep down, I knew they could only go so far, anyway. But Quil… Ateara got laid twice in his life and replayed the whole thing for the pack like a cheap porno. Nobody in this pack would see Bella that way if I had anything to say about it. Did they not see how dating another man's imprint would make him no better than Sam? If they got together and Quil imprinted on someone else, it would destroy her.

I was about to tell Embry I was ready to spar when he tackled me. It wasn't like Call to take a cheap shot, but I was ready. Embry hated how Victoria always outran us, and I was the fastest in the pack. I may not be as strategic as Embry but I could outrun and tire him. It was also comical to make him chase me.

"Running like a true coward," Embry taunted.

We ran in circles for about fifteen minutes before we both grew tired of the game. I turned around suddenly and tackled Embry. He was ready for me though, and the two of us rolled around snapping at each other and narrowly missing our targets.

Eventually, he grumbled, "Enough child's play." Embry charged toward me again, and I didn't have time to avoid him. Normally we'd stop when we got each other down, so as soon as my back hit the ground I let my guard down. Embry didn't stop, though. Without warning, I felt my arm snap.

He was off me before I could react, not that I was in any shape to fight back with a broken arm. I had a high pain tolerance, but I'd never had a broken bone. I phased back, screaming as the pain radiated from elbow to wrist. It wasn't a single clean break by any means. It was also my dominant hand, which would prolong the pain. This was no accident; He'd done it on purpose!

Groaning, I hollered, "What the fuck, Call?"

He phased back and sneered at me. "Don't fucking hurt Bella again. I feel for you, Seth, but you won't keep taking it out on my best friend."

Fuck. I couldn't say I didn't deserve it because I probably did. I hadn't expected it, though, and it hurt like a bitch.

"I need someone to help set this up before it heals wrong."

"Well, I'm not doing it. I didn't break it for funsies," Embry snipped, and I growled back.

I couldn't go to the hospital because of our increased body temperature and accelerated healing abilities. They'd assume I had an infection or something and try to make me stay. Mom had been the go-to for pack injuries, and thankfully there hadn't been a lot to deal with between losing her and Billy's quick thinking with the doctor at the clinic. Still, medical bills were a waste of time when I'd have to cut off a cast in just a few hours. It could easily be set without the extra hassle.

Emily had experience in the medical field, but I'd rather have a fucked up arm for the rest of my life than let that bitch touch me. Since the rest of the pack was sore with me, too, Kim was my best option.

I hoped Bella wasn't at Kim and Jared's, though I knew it was likely. There was an entire list of reasons I didn't want to see her, but in truth, I didn't want her to know that Call had broken my arm. I also didn't plan to apologize, so it would be pointless for me to talk to her. We'd only argue again, and I didn't have the patience for it now, especially when in pain.

I couldn't run with a broken arm and risk worsening the break, so I carefully walked to my childhood home instead. Luckily, we weren't far from the house. Embry followed me there in silence. I didn't expect an apology. Instead, I was sure he was relatively proud of himself, enjoying my discomfort. I'd repay in kind, eventually.

I saw Quil before I saw Bella. I had hoped Embry was only trying to get in my head with his comment about Quil but it seemed he hadn't. Quil's arms were wrapped around Bella as she hugged him back at the waist, his smiling lips pressed to the top of her forehead at the hairline. The affectionate expression he wore hardly seemed platonic.

I stopped walking as my mind spiraled. Had I missed the signs? I'd barely been paying attention to Bella lately. Was she seeing Quil now? He'd made plenty of comments about her over the years, and I always wrote it off because of his flirtatious personality. He teased her relentlessly, teetering on the edge of flirting, but Quil behaved that way with most women.

But, most women didn't get held in his arms, nor gained such intimate gestures, though. Quil damn sure wouldn't nearly fight me over any other girl. His lifelong friend wouldn't break my arm for just anyone, either.

Embry called out to Quil, and Bella pulled out of his embrace as her eyes locked with mine. For just a moment, the anger and pain I felt disappeared. I could lose myself so easily with Bella. It was dangerous. No matter what happened, I wouldn't let myself get close to her now. Not with my nephew missing, and certainly not while she played games with Ateara.

My arm must have looked as bad as it felt because her face twisted in horror when she saw it. She sprinted toward me, yelling, "What the hell happened to you, Seth?"

From behind me, Embry teased, "Don't baby him, Bella. He doesn't deserve it."

She lifted one hand to reach for me. I stepped back as she came near, and her hand froze mid-air between us, my mother's ring shining in the sunlight on her left hand. I didn't want her to touch me, not after what I'd just seen between the two of them. I knew it was petty, but I felt too pissed to care.

I grumbled, "Don't concern yourself, Bella. Where's Kim?"

Her face fell. "At a doctor's appointment. Are you sure you don't need some help? You know I took a few semesters of nursing classes. I'm far from an RN, but that is… definitely broken."

I didn't want to admit it, but without Kim, she was my best option to set the stupid break. Fuck.

"I'll find someone else to help me," I answered, glaring toward Quil. "Wouldn't want to interrupt anything."

Quil growled at me, and Bella shot him a reprimanding glare. His eyes softened somewhat as he glanced toward her. It seemed she was keeping him on a short leash.

"Come on, Seth." Bella said, "For once in your life, don't be so fucking stubborn. Quil was just leaving, right? He's going to finish out your patrol with Embry."

Quil glared my way before ducking his head and running off with Embry. For once lately, I held my tongue. I followed Bella inside and sat at my mother's old kitchen table, trying to ignore the barrage of memories of her sitting in this spot. Already worked up, they weren't comforting at the moment.

Bella didn't speak to me as she walked around the room. She returned with a glass of water, a few pills, and a few chocolate chip cookies. They were my favorite. It surprised me she remembered, and I nearly cracked a smile.

Looking hopeful, she smiled at me before she spoke. "I love you, Seth."

It was more of a declaration than an admission, and I didn't know how to respond. I hadn't seen that comment coming any better than my now-broken arm and had no clue how to react.

She 'loves' me, despite my behavior. She wears my mother's ring, but lets Ateara hang all over her? Call me skeptical.

After a short, awkward silence, she said, "This will hurt, ok? So take the pills, eat a cookie, and try to relax. Think happy thoughts or something. Maybe picture the way I'm going to kill Embry for breaking your arm the next time I see him. I thought he was joking when he threatened to do it, or I'd have warned you somehow."

Again, that surprised me, but I couldn't help but grin. Embry was as steadfast as he was strategic. Once he said he would do something, he did it. Bella should have known that by now.

Nodding toward the pills, she added, "It might be best to take those now so they'll kick in sooner."

Ruefully, I indulged her, eating one cookie and taking the pills. I didn't remind her my metabolism would burn them off too quickly for it to help much. I appreciated the gesture, and my wolf certainly enjoyed her instinctive nurturing and newfound aggravation toward Embry.

"Bells, we heal faster than you tiny humans," I told her. "We need to set it now, or it's going to heal all fucked up and Paul will have to re-break it."

She exhaled and said, "Look away, Seth."

I did as she asked, not wanting to see it either. It hurt as badly as expected and seemed to last forever, radiating from wrist to shoulder.

"This would go faster if we talked, you know."

I scoffed. "Wouldn't you rather talk to Quil?"

She sighed again. "Look, Seth. I don't know what you think you saw-"

"I know exactly what I saw. I'm sure Ateara would be delighted to answer your questions."

Her brow furrowed. "I don't want him to answer them. There's little he could tell me I haven't picked up on my own after all this time, Seth. Any answers I still need are from you."

"Well, I'm not going to."

She smirked at me, but she looked more angry than amused. "I didn't think you would. I'm assuming I'm not getting an apology either?"

"No."

I grunted in pain as she jerked my arm hard, and then quickly let it go. "I am not a doctor by any means, but it feels straighter than it did. You'll probably need an X-ray at some point. If you're as stubborn about your health as your relationships, maybe you'll get one in a few years?"

"Ha. Ha." I grumbled. Surprisingly, it looked pretty okay considering she wasn't a medical professional. I'd have Paul look at it later, but it would do for now. "I guess I'll go then."

Again, I didn't expect her response as she muttered, "Of course you will. Walk out on me, again, with no answers. That's your go-to these days, right?"

I resented what she was saying, even if it was true. Mainly, because that was precisely what I planned to do. "I'm not capable of being the man you knew. I don't even know who I am anymore."

"I don't believe that." She crossed her arms over her chest, and I scoffed. Had she not been paying attention?

Harsher than intended, I snapped, "It's the truth, Bella. What the fuck do you expect from me?"

Louder now, she said, "We could start with some fucking decency!"

Tears filled in her eyes and I immediately regretted how harsh my tone was with her. She turned to walk away, so I stood from the table. I was almost out the door when she grabbed my shoulder and turned me back toward her.

Glaring at me behind pained, tear-filled eyes, Bella said, "I don't care who you think you are now, Seth. I know you. I love you, and I want you. Can't you see that?"

"No, you don't," I charged. I could almost swear the loathing between us was mutual if the difference between how she'd clung to Quil and how she glowered at me now was any sign.

"Yes, I do."

The contrast between her soft touch as her hand slid up to the back of my neck and the furious glare that accompanied it nearly made me chuckle in bittersweet aggravation, but I could feel a hint of pride from my wolf as she stood her ground.

"No, you don't," I quietly accused as my pulse quickened. I felt torn between the urge to pull away and leaning into her touch. "You want to know what the imprint does, Bella?" I leaned down toward her, my face merely a breath away from hers. I tried to put as much residual bitterness behind it as I hissed, "It makes you want me… even when you shouldn't. You don't want me."

"Don't tell me what I want," she argued, tightening her grip on the back of my neck as her body arched toward mine.

As much as I tried to ignore it, I couldn't help how good her proximity felt, how it seemed to soothe some of the bone-deep pain I often felt when I stayed away from her too long. But, again, that was the imprint at play. I told myself if it didn't exist I wouldn't want her. I'd probably hate her.

Now, being physically closer to her than I'd allowed myself since she'd shattered what little remained of my heart and refused to help me when I needed her most, my pulse raced as the ache I usually felt settled into a foreign sensation altogether. It was an urge I never allowed myself to entertain where Bella was concerned. Sensations of longing and want, needing to plunge head-first into everything she offered.

"Don't convince yourself that what you think you want is mutual," I admonished myself as much as her.

Despite my warning, my uninjured arm betrayed me as it instinctively reached for her hip. Her breath caught as I jerked her closer, and I could have sworn I heard her heart skip a beat. I expected her to pull back in anger over my abruptness. Instead of being rattled by my sudden, rough grip, her eyes darkened as her gaze fell to my lips. Bella's cool, sweet breath filled my senses as she exhaled, her tiny pink tongue licking her lips. Bella's other hand slid up my side before palming my chest.

When the scent of her arousal hit me, it tugged at the wolf, at the imprint, with an iron grip. It felt like a chain constricting around my heart, the opposite end shackled to hers.

In a soft, sultry tone I didn't expect, she pressed the back of my head, twining her fingers into my hair as Bella spoke, barely brushing her lips on mine. "Stop lying to me, Seth. You hate me because you want me, too. And you know it."

"Maybe I don't hate or want you, Bella. Did you ever consider that?"

Despite my bitter words, I couldn't help but brush my cheek along hers, then lean toward the pulse point at her throat before inhaling deeply. It was a purely lupine instinct, as involuntary as breathing. My eyes fluttered shut as an involuntary groan escaped over the headiness of her scent and proximity. Blatant arousal, nervousness, and just a hint of anger emanated from her, enticing the wolf and luring me in.

Sliding her leg up to hitch around my hip, she challenged, "Prove it, then, tough guy." When her lips pressed to my jaw I frowned, again unsure how to respond.

And then, she bit me. Her teeth scraped over my skin before she pressed another feather-light kiss where she'd bitten my jaw and trailed her lips toward mine. Something inside me snapped as the corner of her mouth reached mine and her sweet breath flooded my senses. I turned to meet her lips, delivering a firm, almost punishing kiss. I pulled in a deep breath as she gasped into my mouth and I instantly became lost in the sweet, full lips of the woman I cherished and often despised. The haze I was sinking into thickened as she parted her lips for me, teasing my tongue with hers without the slightest hesitation.

I tried to reach for her other hip with my injured arm and broke away from her lips to hiss at the pain as I cupped my hand over it, digging the fingertips of both hands into the swell of her ass. I couldn't remember her other arm sliding around my neck, but I could feel her desperate grip on my neck and shoulders as she clung to me.

Bella lowered her lips to the same shoulder as my broken arm, as if she could sense exactly where the pain was currently radiating, and gently kissed it just under my collarbone. I knew it expressed her instinct to comfort, nurturing as she was, but my wolf felt triumphant over the submissive gesture. She was our mate - even if the man wanted to despise her with everything he had. My wolf had anger toward her, it was true. But he loved her, too.

With her wrapped around me like this, the taste of her velvety tongue so fresh on mine, I could barely think. The rush of blood to my lower half firmly pressed to her lower abdomen, didn't help matters.

"I know you don't truly hate me, Seth," she whispered against my skin.

Bella lowered one arm to tuck it under mine and gently trailed her nails down my back. I simultaneously shivered, moaned, and ground my erection against her from the sensation, wanting nothing more than to feel her digging those nails into my flesh as I buried myself inside her. I was barely thinking coherently as my lips began tracing her hairline above the ear, my hands kneading her firm little ass despite the pain.

Firmly, Bella said, "I want you."

She pulled back to look into my eyes, and I could feel her gathering every ounce of her courage as she blinked back tears. I felt my heart breaking over the sadness in her eyes, knowing I had put that there. For a moment, I wanted to comfort her, fighting the urge to give an apology I believed was undeserved as I pulled her closer, pressing my lips to her forehead.

And then I smelled him. Quil. I nearly saw red as I tensed, picturing his hold on my imprint, his lips just above where mine rested now. I clutched her tighter with my good arm as the other hand slid into her hair.

Ours! The wolf possessively growled within me, through me, vibrating from my body to hers as I lifted her with my good arm. I couldn't deny at the moment that I wanted her. The wolf wanted to take her now, right here - much more so because she wanted us, too... practically begged for it. Not to mention, fighting the stupid imprint pull for so long was exhausting.

And my wolf would be damned before letting Ateara fuck our imprint.

Her eyes widened in surprise when I lifted her with my good arm and she scrambled to wrap her legs around me. Nearly panting and my body thrumming from a chaotic blend of emotions, I glanced around the room. Screwing Bella on my mother's kitchen table didn't seem like the best idea.

As if reading my thoughts, Bella chuckled, burying her nose under my ear as she slid her cheek against mine. "If you fuck me where Jared eats breakfast, I'll have to set another broken arm."

I bit back a grin and growled, "Where?"

I grunted as I tried to shift her weight with one arm and she shook with silent laughter as she unwrapped her legs from my waist and I carefully set her down. I saw just a flicker of nervousness cross her face before she replaced it with a smirk and clasped my hand.

I watched the swell of her ass as I followed behind her, trying to ignore my surroundings, but it was impossible not to recall the layout of one's childhood home. I knew Bella spent a lot of time with Kim and Jared, but her fucking scent was everywhere, renewing my comfort, my aggravation, and my lust in waves. We barely crossed the living room toward the hallway before I felt tempted to bend her over the arm of the couch. Instead, she tugged me down the darkened hallway to my old bedroom.

As she swung the door open, her concentrated scent hit me like a brick wall, and every sensation I felt intensified. I couldn't describe how it felt knowing Bella slept here, on my old bed, one newly purchased just months before the accident because of another massive growth spurt. There'd been no need for Jared and Kim to replace it. When Bella initially moved into the basement, I suspected she would take over my old bedroom and was correct. It provided an extra layer of comfort on the rare nights I'd slept under the window to soothe the imprint. And now, the room - the mattress itself - reeked of Bella but I could still smell hints of myself.

My wolf, smug bastard that he was at the moment, couldn't have been happier.

More gracefully than I'd ever seen her, Bella grabbed the front of my shorts in one hand as she gently kicked the door shut with the opposite leg, then backed toward the bed, pulling me with her. She kept her eyes locked on mine, trembling somewhat as she gripped the hem of her shirt and pulled it off over her head. My arms slid around her waist as she shook her hair to one side and tilted her head, unconsciously baring her neck for me. My wolf damn near howled in triumph. I buried my face there, inhaling her scent as I trailed my lips along her throat to her jaw.

I realized my hands were shaking as I reached for the clasp of her bra. Forgetting my arm for a moment, I unhooked the clasp, and the motion pulled at my wrist, making me hiss in pain. I forgot the pain a second later when her simple white bra hit the floor, revealing perky round breasts that were plumper than I recalled - not that I'd intentionally paid attention to them back then. Or since. I raised one hand to palm her breast, listening intently as she moaned when my thumb circled her light-brown puckered nipple.

I stepped back as Bella bent down to remove her jeans, wiggling her hips as she shimmied them down her legs. Again, she tugged me toward her by my shorts and sat on the bed.

My bed.

Again, meeting my eyes, she laid back in nothing but cotton panties, looking like every teenage boy's wet fucking dream as she slid one hand up her side and gently tugged at her nipple while the other went between her legs.

Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined such an arousing sight. Man, I was in trouble.

I followed her onto the bed, kneeling between her long legs and bracing myself over her with my good arm. She cupped my face with one hand, brushing her thumb along my cheekbone. Carefully, Bella clutched my other hand, guiding it down over her stomach and between her legs as she spread them wider for me. The smell of her arousal pulled another satisfied growl from my wolf as I slid my fingers across the soaked fabric.

Her voice was a breathy whisper as she asked, "Can you feel me, Seth? Do you feel how much I want you?"

Like an idiot, ignoring the pain, I gripped the hem of her panties and ripped them away. Bella's hand slid into my hair as she leaned up, crashing her lips to mine. I plunged my fingers between her legs as my tongue slid against hers and she practically yelled into my mouth. She seemed to gather her senses somewhat (must be nice) as she broke away from my kiss and gasped, reaching down to still my stroking fingers.

"Seth," she said between pants. "Seth. Hang on…a second."

As selfish as it was, I hoped she didn't want to stop now, that she wasn't playing some twisted game to prove that I loved her. The very thought of that kind of deception rattled me. I couldn't contain my suspicion or disappointment as I withdrew my hand and moved to sit beside her instead. She immediately moved to kneel on the bed at my side, and I thought, for sure, that she would stand.

'Maybe the panty thing was a hair too much,' I thought.

Feeling more than a little awkward, I grumbled. "Would you like for me to go now?"

She froze, but her eyes raised to meet mine. "No. I don't want you to re-injure yourself."

Bella guided me backward with a gentle nudge to my chest. The moment the back of my head hit the mattress, Bella swung one pale, naked leg over my waist, straddling me. She leaned down to press her lips to mine, kissing me sweetly as her small hands rubbed and kneaded my neck and chest. While her body was much cooler than mine, the heat of her apex now nestled against my skin. I needed it lower, sheathing me, where it belonged.

The sight of her above me, as my hands began roaming her curves, was better than I would have imagined it. I moaned into her mouth as she wiggled, rolling her hips to grind against my abdomen before crawling back towards my feet.

Quietly, I teased, "Where do you think you're going now?"

Her long dark hair hung down between us, hiding her breasts and a mischievous grin as she tugged at my shorts. I raised my hips somewhat for her to pull them off of me and couldn't help but chuckle when her eyes widened over my naked form as my erection sprung free, standing at attention. There was no mistaking how much I wanted her now. I couldn't have lied if I wanted to.

Bella watched me from behind hooded, lust-filled eyes, looking up through her thick lashes as she wrapped one hand around my cock and firmly stroked it from base to glistening tip and back. I moaned as she repeated the motions, licking her lips before leaning further to slide her tongue along the underside of my shaft. I nearly bucked into her as her lips closed over the head and she slid her mouth down. When the head reached the back of her throat I moaned again, but the feeling of her teeth gently scraping along the shaft made my eyes roll back, squeezing shut from the sensation.

"Keep that up," I grunted, "And we just might not make it to the 'fuckin' part."

She chuckled around my cock and it tickled somewhat. Bella let my heavy erection fall from her mouth and crawled back up my body. All humor disappeared, though, as she hovered over me, using one hand to guide herself onto me as the other braced my chest for balance.

I couldn't control the light, possessive growl that ripped from my chest as her tight, slick heat slid onto my sensitive flesh, enveloping me as her channel stretched to accommodate. She gasped and whimpered as she carefully, fully settled herself onto me. My coherence flew away after that as she carefully rolled and lifted her hips, whimpering each time she slid back onto me. My hands cupped and gently kneaded her breasts, my thumbs stroking her nipples, wanting to pull them into my mouth, but our position and height difference made it impossible. It seemed to be enough for her, though, as she found a rhythm she liked, threw her head back in pleasure, and began riding me in earnest. My pulse raced under her hands as they braced my chest and every muscle in my body felt taut with a sensation so consuming that I barely heard her when she spoke.

"Mmm," she hummed, not slowing her ministrations whatsoever. "Seth. Feels so good…"

I looked up into her eyes, unable to form a coherent response. She grinned down at me indulgently and asked, "Do you still believe I don't want you?"

Bella leaned back, moving her hands to brace my thighs above the knee, drastically changing the angle and sensation of our coupling. I was grateful that she asked no more questions and didn't seem to truly expect a vocal response when all of my focus was undoubtedly on my dick at the moment.

And while it certainly was far from the first orgasm of my life (and hers, considering how readily she took over when we got back here), it was the most powerful, fueled by her own as she yelled to the rafters and clamped down on me hard enough that it almost hurt, digging her fingernails into the sides of my thighs while her body arched backward, her breasts heaving hard with her breath, and her eyes squeezed tightly shut.

It was possibly the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, but I had no time to appreciate it as my release ripped through me.

I remained inside her as she collapsed forward, falling on top of me in an exhausted, panting, and sated heap of sweat and limbs. And, as stupid as it was on my part, I couldn't help how my arms closed around her possessively, holding her tight as my eyes drifted shut.

Before either of us knew it, each had drifted off to sleep.