Chapter 4, Jacob Black
I walked into the back of the garage and pulled my cell phone from the pocket of my jeans. I called Sam to check in with leech watch. He answered after the third ring.
''Everything all right, Jake?'' he said before I even said hello.
''I think I imprinted.'' I responded, since we were apparently jumping right over formalities.
''Who?'' he asked. I jumped into a quick rundown, and it dawned on me then that I had only known Amber a day. It had felt like forever. Suddenly, Quil was on the phone.
''We are all going for lunch at the Main Street Grill, bring red haired imprint with.'' I heard Quil grunt and Sam got back on the line.
''Actually, that's not a bad idea...'' Sam said slowly, like he was amazed that Quil had a good idea. I agreed and got off the phone. I walked back toward Amber and Keith. Amber was smiling, and I knew she had landed the job. I knew she would be good at it, and it was another excuse to see her every day. Keith grunted at me and walked back into his office. I followed Amber back to her truck, smiling.
''All right. You win, Jacob Black. I now owe you a favor.'' she said with a smirk. I thought that was the perfect excuse to get her to the lunch date win the pack.
''How about you return the favor right now? Have lunch with me.'' She turned slightly in her seat to look at me before smirking.
''I almost agreed til I saw that look in your eyes. This is somehow already weighted in your favor. What do you have planned?'' I flinched slightly. This girl was psychic! She stared at me with one eyebrow raised and my resolve broke almost instantly.
''Damn woman, you should work with the CIA with that stare. I wanted to introduce you to my friends, and they are over at diner by Newton's. I wanted to surprise you, but I swear you're an interrogator.'' I saw her lips tighten and she gave me a stern look.
''Surprise me, or throw me to the wolves? You can't just drop things like that on a girl. I need some warning first!'' The irony of the words she used caused me to laugh loudly. She gave me an odd look, but them she smiled widely, and I could tell it was sincere. I gave her robot directions to the restaurant and she laughed the whole time. I took her hand in mine without thinking as we walked to the front doors, and her touch was cold.
''Are you alright? Your hand is really cold.'' I took both her hands and tried to rub some warm into them.
'' I'm fine, honey. Just half vampire is all.'' She laughed, but I felt my muscles tense automatically. ''Earth to Jacob Black. Learn to take a joke. Its just poor circulation from breaking my fingers one too many times growing up. I promise I don't bite.'' I forced a smile and nodded. This girl seemed to hurt herself a lot. It made me think of Bella. I waited for the familiar pang of sadness that hit my stomach every time I thought of her, but it didn't come. We walked into the restaurant and I heard Jared and Paul fighting toward the back of the diner. When were Jared and Paul not fighting? I waved my hand at the hostess and led Amber toward the source of the noise. Sam looked at us and smiled, and Quil winked at me. I felt Amber tense slightly as I introduced her. Everyone looked up at us as I approached the table. ''Guys, this is Amber.'' All the guys smiled at her, and I could feel her relax at my side. ''Amber, this is Sam, Paul, Jared, Quil, Colin and Brady. Where are Embry, Seth and Leah?'' I asked, as I pushed two chairs to the end of the table for Amber and I. Quil answered.
''They are on the tail end of their patr-'' Jared punch Quil in the chest and smiled.
'' They are finishing up down on the rez, and me, Colin, Brady and the idiot are taking over.'' Quil and Paul both said 'Hey!', so I wasn't sure which idiot Jared was taking with him.
'' Amber, Jacob says you're new in town.'' Sam turned to Amber, who blushed slightly when all eyes went to her.
'' Yeah, just moved in two days ago. Still working on unpacking. I like it so far though. I love the rain, but I do fear I may get my fill before the month ends.'' she said with a half-hearted smile. I patted her knee gently to reassure her. All the guys started asking her different questions, and she answered without a care. She fit right into the pack like she had known them her entire life. Sam stood and touched my shoulder, asking me to follow. Amber looked up at me, worried, but I smiled at her before following Sam toward the front door for a private conversation.
'' Isn't she incredible, Sam?'' I said, my eyes still on her. Sam chuckled softly, but turned me to face him.
'' If you truly think it is an imprint, you have to tell her sooner or later. I would wait, you don't want to scare her away. You've only known her a day. Let her get more comfortable around you before you bring her in. But you still have to tell her eventually.'' Sam gave me a small smile and patted my shoulder before we walked back to the table. Amber apparently had just finished a story that had everyone at the table laughing hysterically. I couldn't help but smile at how well she got along with everyone. She fell into place like she had always been there. I looked at my watch. It was almost 4. I cursed under my breath.
'' What's wrong, honey?'' Amber looked at me worryingly.
'' I gotta get to work.'' I said with a sigh.
'' We need to p-get down to the rez anyway.'' Quil said, looking to Jared defensively. Amber stood and walked to my side.
''It was very nice meeting y'all. I hope I see you again soon.''
''Why don't you come to the bonfire on the rez tonight?'' Colin suggested. Everyone cheered in agreement except for Sam, who gave me a look. Tonight wasn't just a bonfire, it was a council meeting to explain the tribal legends to the new pack members, Paul's imprint, Cassie, and Embry's Jules. I supposed it was kind of perfect timing. She needed to learn about what I was. But was I ready to risk losing her? I shot Amber a worried look, but she was just smiling and nodded. I led her out the door quickly before she started planning her own wedding. 'Her second wedding.' A jealous voice in my head told me. I pushed it down and turned to face Amber. She was smiling at me as we climbed into her truck.
'' Your friends are great. But I don't need to go to the bonfire thing tonight. You seemed upset when Colin offered, and I don't want to impose.'' She didn't look at me when she spoke, and I could tell it was hard for her. I just chuckled.
'' Maybe I'm just jealous they like you so much. Maybe I was hoping they would hate you so I wouldn't have to share. But no, gotta go being all amazingly perfect in front of everyone.'' She laughed lightly, but shook her head and spoke barely over a whisper.
''You really need to stop calling me perfect, Jacob Black. You're just going to disappoint yourself.'' She had a smile on her lips, but her eyes gave her away. When she was happy or joking, they were a bright emerald. Now, they were a dark hunter green. I took her hand in mine.
''You are perfect to me.'' I whispered, kissing the top of her hand gently.
''You don't even know me, Jacob.'' Her words were soft and wavering, like she was on the brink of tears. Her eyes were focused on some point in the road while she drove, but she had her face turned just enough so I couldn't see her eyes.
''I want to, if you would let me. I know some stuff about you. I know you were born in Maryland, but raised in Georgia. I know you are a Virgo, and have a twin brother named Hunter. I know you hate your father, who died four years ago in July. I know your mom kicked you out when you were sixteen, and you've been on your own since. And I know that your ex husband did you wrong. I don't know what he did, but I can tell he didn't treat you like the queen you are. I know you need time to learn to open up, but I want you to know that I'm here for you when you ever need me.'' I watched Amber as we pulled into the lot at the garage. She still hadn't spoken, or even looked at me. I sighed and started to get out of the truck when she put her hand on my arm. I turned to face her and suddenly her lips were on mine. They were soft and cool, and sent electric vibrations through my body. She had both her hands in my hair, her fingers dancing through it. I felt like our bodies were melting together as I put my hands on her perfectly curved waist. She pressed closer to me, and the feel of her large, soft chest against mine made my heart race faster.
Amber pulled back and buried her face in my neck. I tried to steady my breathing before I had to go in to work, though I wasn't sure how I was supposed to focus on cars after a kiss like that.
