Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight and all recognizable characters and situations contained therein. All original content in this fic is property of the author! As always story is rated M, it contains graphic language, graphic sexual content, underage drinking, and the use of marijuana.

A/N: this chapter is going to start with an Embry POV. Yes, this is a Paul/Bella story, but I like to write it as a little bit more of an ensemble story, yes the main focus of the story is Paul and Bella, but that doesn't mean that the rest aren't important. I promise it will be quick!

**Embry POV Directly from last chapter**

Looking over at Bella, I ask, "So on a scale from one to 'I'm a werewolf', how bad have I fucked this up?"

She shrugs with a chuckle, "I would say about a 7."

Bella's face clouds over, and she says, "So, I have to ask… What happens if she doesn't… want to be with you?"

The thought of a straight out rejection has me sweating and nauseous. I look at Sam with what I'm sure is panic written all over my face. He looks at me with pity, "I honestly don't know Emb, I wish I did, but this is all new territory little bro."

Bella attempts to comfort me, "I mean we all know that that's a worst case scenario. I doubt she'd try to cut you off completely. I mean, she'd have to cut me off to do that, and with Angela moving that pretty much makes me her only friend."

Friend, that's a question worth asking. I turn to Sam, "So what about if she just wants to be friends? That could work, right?"

He shrugs, "I guess, I'm not sure how her being Marked will affect that though, I'm not even sure if a purely friendship Imprint is really possible…Jared and Kim are the guinea pigs for that one."

Paul snorts, and asks Bella if she wants to go hang out at his place. She says yes and they head out. Sam is still looking at me with pity, and it pisses me off.

Standing up, I shake it off, "Alright bro, I'm gonna head out. Mom and Charlie are looking at houses all day today up in Forks. So I should be okay to go home."

Sam nods, "Alright. Let me know if you need anything, and don't be afraid to come back here later if you need to."

He looks serious for a minute, and then the Alpha order comes out in the deep timbre, and I feel it lock down as he says, "Do NOT go to Jessica's unless she invites you Embry. You are to stay in La Push unless she tells you she wants you in Forks."

I roll my eyes, "You really think I'm that dumb? That my wolf is that out of control? I got to see her, and hold her today, I'll be okay for a day or so. Not that it matters now, but I give you my word that I won't stalk her out."

He nods again, and I trudge out the door, shutting it just slightly harder than necessary behind me. It's only a few blocks from Sam's place to mine, I move slowly down the familiar streets, anxiety rippling through me. Well through the human part of me, the Wolf, he's just fine and dandy, he doesn't have to really think about the ins and outs of human relationships, all he knows is that he got to see Jessica, got to hold her. That's all he cares about. At least if she doesn't want to see me the contact I had with her today will hold the wolf in check for a day or so.

Turning onto my block, I shove my hands in my pockets, and walk quicker down the street in case any of my neighbors are watching. Mrs. Tullis from across the street was well known to call my mother and rat me out for anything that she thought constituted wrongdoing.

I get halfway up the walk to my house when I hear Veronica's voice calling me, and she sounds pissed, "EMBRY!"

Fucking shit, here we go…Turning to face her, I ask, "Yeah? What?"

She storms up to me, her heels clacking on the pavement "'Yeah, what?' that's all you have to fucking say to me? Where the hell have you been? I've been calling you since Saturday! Where were you on Saturday night?"

I roll my eyes, "I told you I was going with Paul and Bella to that party up in Forks. I invited you to go, you said you didn't want to. I still did, so I went."

Veronica's eyes flash, she is so pissed. I really want to laugh, but that will probably make things worse. Oh well, let's just get this over with…I shrug at her, "Look, here's the thing. I cheated on you and I want to break up."

Her eyes bug out, and she looks like she's swallowed her tongue, her face is purple she's so pissed. Well, so long as she's quiet I guess. Walking past her, I avoid looking at her, as I say, "I'm sorry, but this is best for both of us."

She finally gets a hold of herself enough to say something, and she shouts, "No freaking way Embry Call!"

Stopping in my tracks, I turn to look at her incredulously, "What?"

Veronica looks me straight in the eyes as she stalks towards me, and saying in a commanding voice, "You heard me Embry. I said, no."

Shock and bewilderment on my face, I ask, "No what? This isn't a discussion, V. I had sex with another girl Saturday night. I fucked her brains out, and I don't want to be with you anymore. I'm sorry but that's not up for debate."

She regards me calmly, much too calmly for Veronica Watts, who in every other argument in our relationship has been a hell cat to deal with. I honestly don't know what to expect, but it's definitely not what comes out, as she says very politely, "I understand what you're saying Embry, but I'm telling you no. We are not over. I don't care that you fucked someone else. Well, no, I do care about that, but I know it's not your fault, you hang around with guys like Paul you're bound to pick up some nasty habits, but you are still my boyfriend. That's just how it is, we will get through this."

Throwing my hands up, I shout, "You're fucking psycho! We are over, V. I'm sorry but I don't want to get through this! I'm NOT your boyfriend anymore."

She places her hand on my face, and it's all I can do to not go berserk, as she calmly tells me, "You can keep telling me that you're not, but I'll keep telling you that you are. I'll see you in school tomorrow. Bye babe."

She turns and walks calmly away from me, as I scratch my head….women…what the fuck is wrong with them? I mean seriously what the fuck? What does this mean? Hurrying into the house, I go up to my room and flop down on the bed, hoping that a nap will give me some idea of what to do about this fucking mess.

**Meanwhile, Paul POV**

Taking Bella's hand in mine, we walk slowly up Sam's block, the light electrical hum being passed between our hands feels good, it's reassuring in a way, Bella came into my life and all of a sudden I felt like I had some stability.

She looks over, and we smile at each other, I let go of her hand and wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to me, as we turn the corner. She snuggles in, wrapping her arm around my waist, and asks, "So is anyone home at your house?"

I shake my head, "Nope, we'll have the place all to ourselves. Mom hasn't come home since you were here the last time, that's nothing new, and Dad is at his tattoo shop out in Port Ange today, won't be home till at least 5. That gives us about 7 and a half hours of uninterrupted time."

Her pulse speeds up, I can tell that she's a little nervous, and I rub her arm slowly up and down, "Bella you know that you control the pace of our relationship. I'm not going to do anything without your 'ok'."

She nods, and says, "I know. I'm not nervous babe…"

I laugh a little, as we walk up the steps and I unlock the door, stepping through with Bella next to me.

**Bella POV**

Paul drops his keys on the small table by the front door, and gestures at the couch a few feet in front of us, "Have a seat. Do you want something to drink?"

My mouth is all of a sudden very dry, not because I'm afraid to be with Paul, but because I know that these might very well be my last moments of virginity. I want to be with Paul, there's no question about that, and knowing that we are very definitely going to be together for the rest of our lives, what's really stopping us?

Okay, now I'm nervous…Sam and Leah knew each other for years before he became a wolf and she became his imprint. They had had sex long before that moment happened… Why couldn't I have ever met Paul before, through Leah? Ugh, that would have been so much simpler…

Sinking onto the couch, I huff out a breath, and Paul comes over with some water, "Here, I think you need this. What's got your pulse going like a jackrabbit, Babe?"

I take a deep breath, and in the most embarrassing moment of verbal diarrhea of my life so far, it all comes out, "Well, I mean, you know, I'm a virgin, and I know we did things the other night, and I don't regret those things at all, I just wish we knew each other a little better. I mean, I'm sober today so I guess I'm just thinking too much, but I mean Sam and Leah had forever to just be Sam and Leah and not have to worry about forever. I just, I don't know, I guess I am a little nervous… "

Paul is looking at me like I've lost my mind, and I honestly do not blame him, he smiles, and then laughs, booming and deep, like it's the funniest damn thing. He catches hold of himself quickly though, chuckling as he says, "Bella, you are definitely overthinking."

He sets the water on the simple coffee table in front of us, and sits down next to me, "Let's just…both stop thinking…and see where things go…"

He brushes my hair back over my shoulder, puts his arm around my shoulder, and pulls me close. Leaning in, he traces his nose along the outer edge of my ear, down to my neck, making me shiver.

I move quickly, swinging my leg over his lap, and straddling him on the couch. His hands come to rest on my hips, as I run my hands through his thick dark hair, gently scratching his scalp. He hums in his throat, his hands rubbing my hips in slow circles, and then streaking up my back, pulling me in, my eyes closing as his lips mold against mine.

Tilting my face to the side, I deepen the kiss, darting my tongue out to lightly flick at his lips, probing lightly as his part, allowing him to slide his tongue over mine, the velvety texture making me sigh lightly as we kiss.

I suck his lower lip and nip at it gently, Paul groans low in his throat, and then I feel like I'm flying, opening my eyes I find myself on my back on the couch, as Paul settles between my legs, our eyes locked.

His eyes are dark, serious, as his hands slide over the exposed skin of my stomach, the heat from them and the electricity between our skin causing a reaction like nothing I've ever felt before, I close my eyes, and Paul's voice is firm, "Open your eyes, Bella."

Looking into his eyes again, he smiles, "Good. I want to see you react to my touch."

His hands slide upwards, taking the delicious heat and tingling with them, as they move up under the hem of my shirt. I can feel my heart racing, pounding in my chest as Paul's rough calloused hands move higher, his thumbs brushing the bottoms of my bra covered breasts.

Sitting up, I grasp the bottom of my shirt, and pull it over my head. Tossing the shirt away, I smile as Paul does the same, his muscular chest on display now, I can't help myself as I run my hands over his deep tan skin, from his shoulders, down over his mostly smooth chest, lower, tracing his abs with my fingers, smirking as his breath hitches as I tickle him lightly, enjoying the light tickle of the hairs of his happy trail.

Paul pulls back, "let's take this into my room. I doubt anyone is going to come by but I'd rather not chance it…"

Smiling shyly at him, I nod, "Okay, let's go."

He stands up, swiftly picking me up off the couch and tossing me over his shoulder. I shriek half in fear, and half in delight, and we make it halfway across the room when my phone starts to blare, 'BAD BOYS, BAD BOYS, WHAT YOU GONNA DO, WHAT YOU GONNA DO WHEN WE COME FOR YOU'.

My whole body freezes, and Paul exclaims, "What the fuck is that?"

All of a sudden I feel shaky, and dizzy, and I know I'm fucked, as I groan out, "Fuck my life! It's Charlie! Fuck, fuck, fuck! I'm so fucked, we're so fucking fucked!"

He sets me down quickly, and I scramble to grab the phone out of my backpack. I look up at Paul, and he shakes his head, and blurts out, "Don't answer it!"

I look at him, "Are you crazy? If Charlie knows I'm cutting and I DON'T answer the phone he's going to ground me for a year!"

Paul just holds his hands out, "No, just think about it, does he really know you're cutting? Or will you tell him you're cutting when you answer your cell when you're supposed to be in class?"

It's a good point, and so I wait, and I breathe a sigh of relief when it goes to voicemail, "I don't know, Paul…"

He grips my hand gently, and we both tense up when the phone lights up, and the COPS theme song begins again. I look at him questioningly, and he shakes his head again, "No, he's testing you. Make him leave you a message first. Let him tell you what he knows first."

I nod, "Okay."

Shifting the phone, I move to push the quiet button, and he smoothly takes it out of my hand, "Geeze, Girl! Have you never broken the rules before? You NEVER hit the shut up button! Then he knows that you know he's calling! Just let it ring."

The phone finally goes silent, and I breathe another sigh of relief. Paul's comment kind of stings, I've broken rules before. Maybe I don't break them with the same frequency that he does, but I've done plenty.

I start to open my mouth to tell him that, and my phone's text alert sounds… Paul picks it up and reads it, before a silent curse falls off his lips, and he says, "Babe, grab your shirt, and bag, and move!"

I do what he says, not stopping to question as he drags me along after him into the backyard. He drops his pants, and I don't even get a chance to sneak a peek, as he says, "don't ask questions, just hop on quick, and hold on tight!"

He shoves me away from him gently, as he keeps moving forward, and then morphs into the huge wolf. Paul circles back around and crouches down beside me, and I hurriedly hop onto his back and hold on tight.

Closing my eyes I lay as flat against Paul's back as I can as he pounds the earth at what is probably a very unsafe speed.

.

.

.

I can't say for certain how long it takes, but it's certainly a much shorter time than what it took to get down to Sam and Leah's from the school.

Paul starts to slow down, I grip him tighter to keep from spilling forward off his back, as he comes to an ungainly stop. Opening my eyes, I see that we're in my backyard. He phases back to human and I don't even know where he got the pair of gym shorts that he pulls on over his taught muscular ass, they guys must have a stash someplace in the woods and maybe he grabbed them with his teeth as we ran through the woods.

Paul cocks his head to the side, and then grabs me, jumping up into the tree that goes next to my window, with me on his back.

He stretches across the gap between the window and the branch and works the window up using the tips of his fingers, his thigh muscles bunching with the effort of holding himself steady around the limb of the tree.

Once the window is up, he grabs me again, and leaps into my room. He deposits me on my bed, as I stare at him in shock and confusion. He brushes a couple of twigs out of my hair, kisses me quickly, before whispering harshly, "Get under the covers, and remember, ask, don't tell! Let him tell you what HE knows! I was never here."

Before I can even ask what he's talking about I hear the front door open, and a half second later I hear Charlie's feet pounding up the stairs. Paul gives me a last glance before diving out the window, and making what I'm sure is the world's most daring escape from a dad.

I just manage to get the blanket over me, when Charlie barrels in through the door. I scream as the door bangs against the wall behind it, and Charlie's eyes nearly bug out of the sockets with shock as he looks at me.

He starts to say something, but as he does it's like all the rush, speed of the ride, and adrenaline of this moment dumps into my system, and my stomach flips, the greasy feel of nausea rolls over me, and I lean over the side of the bed, and puke into the wastebasket between the bed and the desk.

I feel feverish, most likely the result of slight wind burn from the superhuman speed of my boyfriend in his werewolf body, as I heave up the contents of my stomach.

Finally it stops, and I collapse back on the bed in a heap. Charlie rushes over to me, grabbing a folded washcloth off the desk where I left it after washing my face this morning, and he uses it to wipe my mouth.

Laying silently I congratulate myself, the puking apparently is what's gonna get me through this, as Charlie says, "Bells, honey, are you alright?"

I shake my head weakly, and close my eyes. He feels my forehead, and says, "Well you're definitely a little warm. Do you want me to bring you some water?"

Nodding, I whisper, "Yes please."

He settles me back against the bed, and leaves the room in a much calmer fashion. Jesus Christ… If this is even half as bad as Lois Lane felt after flying with Superman then just forget that shit. Ugh, if I never have to ride on Paul's back like that again it will be too soon.

My whole body feels like it's vibrating, like it's still trying to move at the speed of wolf. I really hope it goes away quickly. At least I'm not busted yet…