New Dawn

B o n f i r e

The hot water was relaxing and I stayed under the stream a little longer than I should have. Climbing out, I wrapped myself into my fluffy white towel and slumped out the door and into the hallway. To my surprise, Jacob was in the living room, staring at me with wide eyes.

"Hey Jake." I fidgeted awkwardly under his gaze as a foreign feeling began to build in the pit of my stomach. "Let me get dressed and I'll be right back."

Eyes still wide, he nodded in agreement.

Blushing, I turned and scurried to my room. Once the door was safely secure, I took a deep breath and began to dress. Not in the mood to impress him, I pulled on a pair of my short spandex and his old sweatshirt. After combing out my long curls, I dabbed on a little perfume and slowly headed back to the living room.

To my delight, he had started a fire and was slumped across the small couch. The sight made my heart jump – he was a beautiful man. I was a little disappointed that he had decided to bring a shirt with him. I had grown very accustom to being able to admire the warm brown skin and thick rippling muscles, which made up his upper body. Taking a seat on the floor beside the fire, I curled my knees to my chest and looked up at him. He watched me with weary eyes. Taking a deep breath, he pinches the bridge of his nose.

"Do you hate me?" His question was startling – something I wasn't expecting.

"Hate you?" I looked down at the fire, "I could never hate you Jake."

His shoulders visibly relaxed. "Ness. . . I. . ."

Shaking my head, I stopped him, "No. I talk."

His eyes grew wider as he nodded in agreement.

"Why did you lie to me?"

"What?" He looked at me, a little puzzled.

"I just want the truth. Why all the lies all of the sudden?"

Shaking his head, he looked away from me. "I don't understand. You aren't mad about the kiss?"

His question took me off guard, "The kiss?" I frowned, "That's not what we're talking about right now."

His confusion only seemed to deepen as his forehead scrunched in the center and he pulled his bottom lip between his gleaming white teeth. "I'm sorry I lied. It won't happen again. I just needed a little space."

"Then tell me that Jake. I was worried sick about you. I thought you were ill or dying or something wolfy that I couldn't comprehend," my words came out in a shout as the fear for his safety found me once again.

"I'm so sorry Ness. I never wanted you to worry." He stood from the couch and knelt down beside me, "I just. . .I wasn't. . ." He shoved his hand through his hair in frustration. "Ugh."

Taking a deep breath, I shifted closer to him and rested my head on his chest, "You can trust me Jake. I'm strong."

As he took in a sharp breath, he moved his arms around me and rested his head on the top of mine, "I guess it's time to tell you."

"Tell me what? I just want to know why you lied to me." Shifting, I twisted my neck and looked up at him with questioning eyes.

"To protect you." His eyes didn't meet mine.

I couldn't help but giggle – it was an absurd thing to say. Jacob could never hurt me, he was my protector. So what was he protecting me from?