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A huge thanks to Eowyn77 and vjgm for their two cents on this chapter!

Chapter One - Warmer Choice

I'd given a lot of thought to the conversation I was going to have with Bella when she came to visit this afternoon. With the leech back in town and their relationship getting stronger, not only was my heart breaking, but I was really concerned for the time when they might… Ugh! I couldn't even bring myself to think it.

This was going to be my shot. I was going to go out on a limb and offer Bella another choice. A safer choice. A warmer choice.

The rumbling of her truck brought me out of my thoughts and I rushed out onto the porch to greet her. "Hey, Bells!" I wrapped her in a hug, inhaling her delicious scent. Oh, how I love this girl! "I thought we could go for a walk. Are you up for that?"

"Yeah, where did you want to go?"

"Is the beach okay?"

"Sure, sure."

I loved when she used my words. I sighed and took her by the hand. It fit perfectly in mine, so small. I curled my fingers around hers. I swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the enormous lump that had formed in my throat. Every time I tried to bring up my concerns, it threatened to choke me.

We got to the edge of the water and a breeze blew through. Bella shivered and released my hand, moving hers around my waist and pulling herself closer to me.

I wrapped my arms over her shoulders and around folded them around her in an attempt to keep her warm, resting my chin on the top of her head. "I'm sorry, I should have grabbed you a jacket."

"No, it's okay. With you, Jake, I'll be warm." She turned in my arms, probably trying to warm the front of her body.

I smiled. You have no idea how warm I want to make you, I thought as my smile grew larger. I leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, but forced myself not to take it any further.

"You've been quiet, Jake, is everything okay?"

"Yeah. I just wanted to talk to you about something and I'm not sure how to bring it up. I don't want you to be upset by it…but I'm really concerned."

She looked up into my face and smiled. I wanted to kiss her so badly, but fought the urges that were flowing through my entire body. I hoped she hadn't realized them. I released my grip on her, just a little, and shuffled back, leaving room between our bodies.

"Jacob?" Her eyes were focused on mine. She blinked as the emotions ran rampant through them. "Please, Jake, your silence is making me crazy. Tell me what's going on with you."

"Bells, I'm really concerned about you and… well, your… your… your flower…"

She started to giggle. "My what?"

"Your flower. Your cherry… your… you know, Bells. Please don't make me say it."

"Jacob Black, are you wanting to discuss my…virginity?"

Bella was usually easy to embarrass, so I was surprised that her cheeks were remaining the same color. Mine, however, were not. I could feel the heat rising in them, and I was beginning to sweat profusely.

Her giggles turned into full-fledged laughter and she stepped away from me, holding onto her sides.

"It's not funny, Bella." I glared at her. "This is really a serious matter."

Her laughter was punctuated with a snort as she tried to control herself. "I'm sorry, Jake. My parents have covered this subject. I don't think…"

"You need to think about this, Bella." I narrowed my eyes at her, to let her know I was serious -- deadly serious. "Do you understand who you're going to be jumping into bed with?"

"Yes," she said quietly, putting her hand up over her mouth to stifle another giggle. "Edward."

I cringed, knowing that he was her first choice. "You know you have other options."

"Jacob," she warned. "I'm not going to discuss my sex life with you."

Why don't you just HAVE a sex life with me! I let out a dramatic sigh. "I can understand that. But Bella, I'm really worried about you."

She rolled her eyes.

"Seriously, Bells…."

"What are you trying to do here, Jacob?"

"He's an old man, Bella."

"He's seventeen…"

"No, Bella. He's 108. Do you really want to give your virginity to an old man?" I waited for a reaction, but she just stared at me, so I continued, "That's just nasty, no matter how you slice it." I shuddered at the thought.

"I prefer to think of him as a really mature seventeen-year-old."

"I'm sure you would."

I could see the wheels turning behind her eyes and if nothing else, I had just supplied her with the image of an shriveled old man.

"Edward has a beautiful body -- what I've seen of it anyway."

I winced at her revelation, but reminded myself that she'd once called me beautiful too. We're even there.

"Besides he's waited as well. He's just as pure as I am."

"That's even worse, Bella."

"How do you figure?"

"He's an inexperienced old man!" I laughed. "He's the 108-year-old virgin."

"I'm not having this conversation with you," she grumbled before turning her back on me.

"Fine. Let's talk about your safety for a second."

"My safety?"

"Yeah." I closed the gap between us and took her by the shoulders. "Bella, it's dangerous to have sex with a vampire if you're a human. If he lost control…"

"He wouldn't do that," she cut me off. "He's always so careful when we do anything physical. He's set up boundaries and…" Her eyes looked sad for just a second before she shook her head. "It's okay, I know that he'd never hurt me."

"What if he did lose control? What if he gave into his… pleasure…" I almost choked on the word, "and hurt you…or worse."

"Like I said, Jake, he's always very careful and I have no doubt that he would remain in control."

"Okay, so say he does stay in control…" She was making my point for me. "How enjoyable would that really be?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Bella, I've heard that the best part of making love is the ecstasy you get when you lose control."

"You've heard that, huh?"

"Yes, Bella. I'm as untainted as the two of you." She tipped her head and raised an eyebrow like she didn't believe me. "Wolf thing, Bella. Wolf thing."

Realization struck and she nodded her head slowly.

"Not all of my brothers are as innocent as we are."

She laughed, probably hoping she'd successfully changed the subject. She was wrong.

"Do you really want him to hold back?"

"Jacob."

I'd taken that argument as far as I dared, so I changed gears on her. "Okay, let's say he doesn't hold back. Let's say he ends up giving into his desires for you and…"

She snorted and crossed her arms across her chest. "I can't believe we're even discussing this."

"I'm serious. It's really dangerous. He's strong, Bella. Just make sure you're not on bottom, 'cause I'd hate for him to pound you right into the ground."

She let out a nervous laugh and shook her head back and forth. "Are you saying that you're the better choice?"

"For so many reasons."

"Really?"

It hurt that she was so skeptical. "Yes, really."

"Enlighten me."

"Okay, first of all, wolves wives are all human and have been for generations. History shows us that it's safe."

"And you're not afraid of losing control?"

"Oh, dear Bella, losing control is one of the things werewolves do best."

She let out a roar of laughter.

"Not only that, I've heard that vampires are rather small in that department. Wolves on the other hand are…. Well, look at my feet, Bells."

Her eyes dropped for only a moment to the ground and I couldn't help the smile that graced my lips. I kicked a rock and her face jerked up to look at mine, her cheeks turning the most glorious shade of red.

She looked so beautiful. I reached out, and with my finger tilted her chin up just enough for my lips to match up with hers. My tongue moved to moisten my lips as they made their way to the promised land. I closed my eyes and my body was already anticipating heaven… My breathing was erratic and my heart was threatening to burst from my chest.

"What about your feet?"

Damn, reality! I blinked and focused on her face. "Um… what?" I mumbled.

"Why am I looking at your feet?"

"Yeah, that…. Never mind." My daydream had me so flustered, I couldn't even think. Damn! If only… I turned my back to her and fought for control of my lower region.

She placed her hand on my back. "Are you okay, Jake? What just happened?"

"Nothing," I squeaked. I cleared my throat. "I mean, nothing. I'm fine. We're talking about you here, not me."

"We can talk about you, if you'd like," she teased.

"Oh, no, you don't. I'm worried about you, Bella."

"Charlie already had this talk with me."

"Yeah, well… your father doesn't know the extent of just how dangerous it could be. We're not just talking pregnancy here, Bells." Thank heaven! "There's more at stake."

"Would you rather he changed me first?"

"Yes. NO! Bella…" UGH! She's so exasperating.

She laughed. "I'm sorry. That wasn't a fair question."

Her lack of attention to this frightening issue was becoming infuriating. I stared at her as she continued to giggle. My brothers' laughter came flooding back into my head as I remembered the whole reason for my mind going down this path. It was their fault, I was so stirred up. I'd use their teasing as my last argument.

"Bella?"

"Yes," she said, tipping her head, encouraging me to continue.

"He's really cold."

"Yes, he is."

"Are you sure…" I stared at her, biting on my lip.

"Yes?"

"Have you seen 'A Christmas Story'?"

"Yes."

"Well, you know the part where they're all on the playground and the bully comes through and starts daring the kids…"

She started to laugh, and obviously remembered. "I love that part. 'I triple dog dare you'," she quoted.

"Exactly."

Her laughter filled the air for only a moment before it stopped short, and she gasped. "No!" Her eyes went wide and she started backing away from me.

"Isn't it possible, Bells? Like sticking your hand in ice when it's wet only makes it stick worse."

"No. No. No. No. No…I am not doing this. I am not having this conversation with you." She turned to walk away. I ran to catch up with her. She folded her arms across her chest and quickened her step. "I will not stick to my boyfriend."

"How do you know?"

She stopped and turned to face me. Her eyes were livid. I'd never seen her so angry. I stared at her, trying not to release the laughter that was building in my stomach. I decided to lighten the mood.

"Look, Bella. If you want something hard, you can get it on the internet. If you insist on cold… I'm not sure why you wouldn't rather have heat, but whatever… If you insist on it being cold, shove the anatomically correct thing in the freezer first."

She cracked a smile and I knew I was forgiven.

"At least that won't get you killed."

She burst out into laughter and threw her arms around my waist, pressing her cheek to my chest. "I appreciate your concern, Jake, but I'm sure I'll be just fine."

"I only have your best interest at heart."

"I understand that. Thanks for bringing up this painfully awkward subject."

I leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Anytime, Bells."

"How 'bout if I promise to be careful, and in order to avoid any sticky situations, we'll warm him up in the shower first."

"Ugh! Thanks, Bells…that's just what I needed was a visual."

"Anytime, Jake."