ps forced mine open, and I could feel his hot breath in my mouth.

Acting on instinct, I let my hands drop to my side, and shut down. I opened my eyes and didnt fight, didnt feel . . . just waited for him to stop.

It worked. The anger seemed to evaporate, and he pulled back to look at me. He pressed his lips softly to mine again, once, twice . . . a third time. I pretended I was a statue and waited.

Finally, he let go of my face and leaned away.

Are you done now? I asked in an expressionless voice.

Yes, he sighed. He started to smile, closing his eyes.

I pulled my arm back and then let it snap forward, punching him in the mouth with as much power as I could force out of my body.

There was a crunching sound.

Ow!OW!  I screamed, frantically hopping up and down in agony while I clutched my hand to my chest. It was broken, I could feel it.

Jacob stared at me in shock. Are you all right?

No, dammit!You broke my hand! 

Bella,you broke your hand. Now stop dancing around and let me look at it.

Dont touch me! Im going home right now!

Ill get my car, he said calmly. He wasnt even rubbing his jaw like they did in the movies. How pathetic.

No, thanks, I hissed. Id rather walk. I turned toward the road. It was only a few miles to the border. As soon as I got away from him, Alice would see me. Shed send somebody to pick me up.

Just let me drive you home, Jacob insisted. Unbelievably, he had the nerve to wrap his arm around my waist.

I jerked away from him.

Fine! I growled. Do!I cant wait to see what Edward does to you! I hope he snaps your neck, you pushy, obnoxious, moronic DOG!

Jacob rolled his eyes. He walked me to the passenger side of his car and helped me in. When he got in the drivers side, he was whistling.

Didnt I hurt you at all? I asked, furious and annoyed.

Are you kidding? If you hadnt started screaming, I might not have figured out that you were trying to punch me. I may not be made out of stone, but Im notthat soft.

I hate you, Jacob Black.

Thats good. Hate is a passionate emotion.

Ill give you passionate, I muttered under my breath. Murder, the ultimate crime of passion.

Oh, cmon, he said, all cheery and looking like he was about to start whistling again. That had to be better than kissing a rock.

Not even remotely close, I told him coldly.

He pursed his lips. You could just be saying that.

But Im not.

That seemed to bother him for a second, but then he perked up. Youre just mad. I dont have any experience with this kind of thing, but I thought it was pretty incredible myself.

Ugh, I groaned.

Youre going to think about it tonight. When he thinks youre asleep, youll be thinking about your options.

If I think about you tonight, it will be because Im having anightmare. 

He slowed the car to a crawl, turning to stare at me with his dark eyes wide and earnest. Just think about how it could be, Bella, he urged in a soft, eager voice. You wouldnt have to change anything for me. You know Charlie would be happy if you picked me. I could protect you just as well as your vampire can  maybe better. And I would make you happy, Bella. Theres so much I could give you that he cant. Ill bet he couldnt even kiss you like that  because he would hurt you. I would never, never hurt you, Bella.

I held up my injured hand.

He sighed. That wasnt my fault. You should have known better.

Jacob, I cantbe happy without him.

Youve never tried, he disagreed. When he left, you spent all your energy holding on to him. You could be happy if you let go. You could be happy with me.

I dont want to be happy with anyone but him, I insisted.

Youll never be able to be as sure of him as you are of me. He left you once, he could do it again.

No, he will not, I said through my teeth. The pain of the memory bit into me like the lash of a whip. It made me want to hurt him back. You left me once, I reminded him in a cold voice, thinking of the weeks hed hidden from me, the words hed said to me in the woods beside his home. . . .

I never did, he argued hotly. They told me I couldnt tell you  that it wasnt safefor you if we were together. But I never left, never! I used to run around your house at night  like I do now. Just making sure you were okay.

I wasnt about to let him make me feel bad for him now.

Take me home. My hand hurts.

He sighed, and started driving at a normal speed, watching the road.

Just think about it, Bella.

No, I said stubbornly.

You will. Tonight. And Ill be thinking about you while youre thinking about me.

Like I said, a nightmare.

He grinned over at me. You kissed me back.

I gasped, unthinkingly balling my hands up into fists again, hissing when my broken hand reacted.

Are you okay? he asked.

I didnot. 

I think I can tell the difference.

Obviously you cant  that was not kissing back, that was trying to get you the hell off of me, youidiot. 

He laughed a low, throaty laugh. Touchy. Almostoverly defensive, I would say.

I took a deep breath. There was no point in arguing with him; he would twist anything I said. I concentrated on my hand, trying to stretch out my fingers, to ascertain where the broken parts were. Sharp pains stabbed along my knuckles. I groaned.

Im really sorry about your hand, Jacob said, sounding almost sincere. Next time you want to hit me, use a baseball bat or a crowbar, okay?

Dont think Ill forget that, I muttered.

I didnt realize where we were going until we were on my road.

Why are you taking me here? I demanded.

He looked at me blankly. I thought you said you were going home?

Ugh. I guess you cant take me to Edwards house, can you? I ground my teeth in frustration.

Pain twisted across his face, and I could see that this affected him more than anything else Id said.

This is your home, Bella, he said quietly.

Yes, but do any doctors live here? I asked, holding up my hand again.

Oh. He thought about that for a minute. Ill take you to the hospital. Or Charlie can.

I dont want to go to the hospital. Its embarrassing and unnecessary.

He let the Rabbit idle in front of the house, deliberating with an unsure expression. Charlies cruiser was in the driveway.

I sighed. Go home, Jacob.

I climbed out of the car awkwardly, heading for the house. The engine cut off behind me, and I was less surprised than annoyed to find Jacob beside me again.

What are you going to do? he asked.

I am going to get some ice on my hand, and then I am going to call Edward and tell him to come and get me and take me to Carlisle so that he can fix my hand. Then, if youre still here, I am going to go hunt up a crowbar.

He didnt answer. He opened the front door and held it for me.

We walked silently past the front room where Charlie was lying on the sofa.

Hey, kids, he said, sitting forward. Nice to seeyou here, Jake.

Hey, Charlie, Jacob answered casually, pausing. I stalked on to the kitchen.

Whats wrong with her? Charlie wondered.

She thinks she broke her hand, I heard Jacob tell him. I went to the freezer and pulled out a tray of ice cubes.

How did she do that? As my father, I thought Charlie ought to sound a bit less amused and a bit more concerned.

Jacob laughed. She hit me.

Charlie laughed, too, and I scowled while I beat the tray against the edge of the sink. The ice scattered inside the basin, and I grabbed a handful with my good hand and wrapped the cubes in the dishcloth on the counter.

Why did she hit you?

Because I kissed her, Jacob said, unashamed.

Good for you, kid, Charlie congratulated him.

I ground my teeth and went for the phone. I dialed Edwards cell.

Bella? he answered on the first ring. He sounded more than relieved  he was delighted. I could hear the Volvos engine in the background; he was already in the car  that was good. You left the phone . . . Im sorry, did Jacob drive you home?

Ye