Naturally

Naturally (A Jacob Black Fanfic) -36-

Laying under his covers with his arms wrapped protectively around my body I couldn't feel any happier. His breathing was even, relaxed, yet the heat from our previous activity lingered on our skin. It was an amazing feeling. I didn't feel on fire but more like if I were to sit around a campfire or directly under the sun in the summer. I was exhilarated.

The room was quiet, excluded the soft hum of our breathing, and everything felt so peaceful. It was like the world fell still and everything else had disappeared.

I didn't feel dirty or awkward like the few one night stands I've had that I regretted. This was personal and the connection was obvious. I've known Seth since we were barely teenagers and he knew me just as well. We weren't kids. We were adults and this was totally justified. He knew what he wanted and I knew what I wanted. We weren't classified as naïve.

I felt nervous at first. When I was with Jake, barley fifteen, I felt okay because he and I were "meant to be" together. There was nothing wrong with acting on "true love." Psh, young love... I was naïve and foolish and didn't think about the consequences. This was different. I was a mature adult and I understood the consequences of my actions, so did Seth, but we didn't give a damn. Screw Jacob, screw imprint business, and screw what the pack thinks!

But there was still that tiny thought in the back of my head wondering if this would be a bad decision. Would is last long? Seth's kisses erased it. Screw the "what if's."

This was out decision and we were beyond happy about it. It felt so good to not be forced into a decision. I did something willingly and it was like a fresh breath for my heart. My whole life was dictated by other people's actions and decision but tonight it was only Seth and I and what we wanted, not what anybody else did.

I snuggled closer to Seth's body, greedily taking some of his body heat. His body had a distinct smell of subtle mint and I loved it.

Seth mumbled something and I turned my head to see if he awoke but found him asleep. I turned over completely to watch his face. It was content, relaxed, with a hint of a smile on his lips. He murmured something incoherent but I didn't catch it, even with my hearing it was difficult to point out words.

I thought it was insanely cute of him and pecked his cheek. If possible, I swore his smile stretched.

I sprawled myself out on his bed and stared at the window. Despite the cloudy sky, the pane had a blue tint that seeped onto the wood floor. It was fascinating, ironically. So fascinating I stood up to get out of bed, picking up one of Seth's shirts he threw onto the floor and slipping it onto my body before I reached the window to look at the street.

The snow was beautiful the way it iced the concrete. It reminded me of Christmas. It got me thinking about how I'd spend my Christmas since it was approaching soon. Usually, because of my solitary life, I'd visit Taylor and maybe a few other high school friends up in Boston but most likely, I'd spend the majority of it sitting on my couch watching the ABC family movies and cooking my own dinners. One Christmas I tried to distract myself from the loneliness by flying out to Rio where the sun was a welcomed sight but even then I felt out of place and bored. No beautiful beaches or exotic animals could keep my mind off of my childhood Christmases.

"Marisol?"

I jumped back surprised. Seth propped himself onto the mattress with his elbows while looking at me confused. He looked tired from his disturbed sleep.

"Go back to sleep, Seth. It's nothing."

He raised a brow, obviously skeptical. I stepped away from the window and to his side of the bed. I sat down and sighed, tired myself. He pushed his torso off the bed and leaned towards me to examine my face.