THRUST

Chapter Eight

Once we're inside, we settle down a little, no longer acting like drunken crazed, college freshmen but more like tipsy, sophisticated women. It's a weird thing that happens... we go from being completely ridiculous, to acting like we have class within minutes.

We sashay up to the bar where I'm introduced to Chaz, Embry, Quil and Seth.

Alice has become bored with our drunkenness and our agreed upon man hunt, so she's bailed to help behind the bar. Angela goes with her.

Briggs is nowhere in sight.

At this point, anyone will do, but it looks like I might be going home with Rose tonight, if Briggs doesn't show up soon.

Or him.

A zing of thrill sweeps through me as Jake bangs through the silver door, bumping shoulders with Chaz and heading to the corner to speak with a man sitting at the bar.

Rose and I are in stools, knee to knee and she sees where my eyes are.

I can't help but stare.

He's gorgeous.

He turns and meets fists with Embry and they exchange a quick conversation as I take inventory of his clothes.

Black jeans. Ripped and distressed short sleeved white t-shirt. Black boots. Silver dog tags, identical to the ones Briggs wears, hang low around his neck. Caramel skin. Glowing hazel eyes... that look my way.

This. Is. It.

"Hey cowboy!" Rose catcalls to him as he walks this way. He smirks like this is completely normal... Rose, yelling out to him.

He strides up to the bar where we are. His jet black hair looks freshly cut and glistening, his eyes gleam and his teeth are whiter than the white tee he's wearing. Two deep dimples on either side of his smile draw me in to him. He's perfect. His smile is wide, showing his stark white teeth, surrounded by gorgeous lips. His dimples make him hard to resist... giving him a babyface yet, the face of a man at the same time.

It's hard to believe that this trashy old barn houses two of the most beautiful men I've ever laid eyes on. Which makes me think of Edward, and how his beauty is the same but so different. How he would be totally out of place here.

How he's such an asshole

How he turned me on tonight.

The need to be touched grows stronger and stronger as the images of Edward's tongue and teeth, on her skin, flicker through my mind.

Jacob's eyes are wild when he finishes speaking to Rose and looks to me. "What are you two birds gettin' into tonight?"

"What are we not getting into is the question." Rose spits out before I can speak.

Jacob completely ignores her, staring at me. "You came back..." He wipes his hand on his jeans before holding it out to me. "Jake Black," I place my hand in his. He grabs ahold, bending to kiss my fingers while keeping his eyes on me.

My smile grows wide, my need for sex stronger.

Even with this beautiful man in front of me, holding onto my hand, I have somewhat of a radar, still out, scanning for Briggs... whom there's still no sign of.

"I'm Bella."

"Yes. Yes you are." He walks around to the other side where there isn't a bar separating us.

I get Alice's attention and mouth the word 'water' to her when I realize it's definitely time to cut myself off. The thought of getting off of the barstool and walking in these heels is a little iffy at this point.