Hands on Me (A Twilight Fanfiction written by IndependentIndividuality)

Chapter 33: In Which There is Search For the Ego

A/N: Hey everybody! I've been meaning to say this the last two chapters and have forgotten, so I'm gonna say it first this time - Hands on Me hit 500 reviews! That's insane, and I hope you all know that. Now I actually think I'm just shy of 550. Wow. Y'all are literally the best. Thank you so much.

Hands on Me didn't make it into the final round for the Indie Twific Awards, but that's all right. It was an honor just to be nominated and thanks to all who voted for me. Voting for The Sparkle Awards lasts until the 30th of this month, I believe, and The Razzle Dazzle Awards until I don't know when. I don't think it's been announced. Links below, if you please:

.com

and

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If y'all would keep voting, that'd be awesome. About the chapter, it's just really just showing some progression and a lead-up of things to come. Some new pet names, some new territory explored; fun for Jake, Nessie, and everybody else. Make sure to let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: Don't own it.

Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to BookRead and AugustFirst who guessed right, as you'll see. They got their chapter lists first since they won and now if anyone else wants, they can review or PM and ask.

In Which There is a Search for The Wounded Ego

she don't care 'bout what's in style

she just likes the way he smiles

- alan jackson, livin' on love

"I can't ever be without you," I told him emphatically, and he nodded back, serious.

"You won't be," Jacob promised, and he noticed this time when I flinched against the tickling sensation the hair on his face made against my skin. He reached up and rubbed his jaw again. "I guess I better go ahead and get rid of this, huh?"

I just gave him a small smile and ran my fingers along the short hair there one last time. It was actually kind of nice. Jake looked very . . . grown up. It made kissing hard though, and I couldn't have that.

"Are you okay now?" He asked before he pulled away, staring directly into my eyes as though searching for cracks. I nodded.

"I'm fine, Jake. Really." And then, just because I felt it needed to be said, "I love you."

Jacob acknowledged my words with a smile that made the room brighter, giving me a scratchy-cheek-kiss before he pulled away and moved a foot over to stand in front of the sink.

I watched silently as he cut the water back on, retrieved the bar of soap from the shower and ran it under the tap, lathering it up. He ran the bar of soap over his jaw and neck a few times, the tendons in his neck stretching nicely as he turned his head to reach all angles.

I turned myself sideways so I could sit indian-style on the counter, facing Jake. I had to be careful, since I was still in his wolf shirt, not to flash him. He rinsed the excess soap off his hands and I saw his eyes cast around for something. I snatched the razor up before his eyes landed on it and offered it to him, which he accepted with a smile.

"Now you're gonna get to see, besides the itching, why I hate this so much," he told me, his eyes on mine in the mirror for a second before he broke my gaze to concentrate.

Jacob tilted his head back, placed the razor against the very top of his throat and slowly pulled it up. His skin returned to its original shade, the hair gone. He ran the razor under the tap a few times then repeated his previous action, dragging the razor along the space just beside the one he'd already shaved.