Don't own Twilight. Life's a bitch.

Ohai bb's! Didja miss me?

Okay so here's what's up. I wrote this little ditty for Ninapolitan's Friday Free For All over on Twilighted. If you don't know, the FFFA is a collection of smutshots from fantastic authors that updates every Friday. If you haven't heard/read it, I highly suggest that you do - HOWEVER, the FFFA specializes in smutshots that lean towards. . .hmm. . .we'll just say, the more unorthodox type of smut. It's delicious, but don't go if that ain't yer thang.

WARNING. As stated above, this is a oneshot I contributed to the FFFA. It is dark, intense, and a bit on the creeptastic side. If that doesn't float yer boat, go ahead and move along - no hard feelings whatsoever. :)

But if you're like me, and like yourself some Darkward. . .well then. Wtf are you waiting for? ;)

"Alright, Bells. Call us if you need anything."

I barely refrained from rolling my eyes as I responded, for the hundredth time, "I will, Dad. Don't worry about me. Go!"

My mom, Renee, sent me a covert wink as I all but shooed Charlie out the door. It had been too long since my parents had gone out, and the last thing they needed to be worrying about was leaving their seventeen-year-old daughter alone for the evening.

Renee understood this. Charlie? Not so much.

"Let's get going Charlie. We don't want to be late," Renee cut in, and I grinned at her as she stepped past him to open the front door. Charlie nodded at her as he turned to pluck his coat from the rack, and I stepped quickly past them to hold the door open, silently ushering them outside.

"Bye Mom! Bye Dad!" I called as they made their way down the driveway.

"The numbers are still on the fridge!" Charlie reminded me once they reached the car, and I couldn't hide my grimace as I waved my acknowledgment. An entire list of local law enforcement phone numbers had been taped to the refrigerator door ever since I had been in diapers, and Charlie absolutely refused to take them down. As if I would ever need any of them. Nothing even remotely dangerous ever happened in the tiny town of Forks.

Sighing, I waved once more to them before closing the door. Just to be safe, I turned the deadbolt, then twisted the handle to make sure it was locked securely. I nodded as the door stayed firmly in place, then smiled to myself as I turned to face the living room. It wasn't the first time I had been left alone, but the times when I had been were few and far between, and I found myself excited at the prospect of spending an entire evening in quiet solitude. Charlie and Renee weren't due back until the early morning hours, which meant I had the entire night all to myself.

First things first, I decided to hit the kitchen. Dusk had already settled, and the weak, pink rays of twilight were filtering through the windows as I approached the fridge. I usually loved to cook, but tonight it seemed almost criminal to waste time mixing and baking, only to have to wash the dishes once I was through. Instead, I chose to dine on a frozen macaroni dinner, along with a big glass of milk.

As I peeled open the cardboard container and set it in the microwave, I stared out the window above the kitchen sink, appreciating the lingering colors of the sunset that were barely visible above the distant trees. Forks really could be beautiful when the clouds managed to untangle themselves, and I wondered briefly if the moon would be visible that night.

As I continued to let my eyes sweep across the dimming skyline, a sudden movement between the trees caught my attention. I quickly darted my eyes to the spot, then squinted out the window, surveying the scene carefully. The shadows of night had already begun to stretch beneath the trees, and the forest had become too dark to make out anything very clearly. Even so, I let my gaze linger for a few more moments, trying to detect any hint of movement. Seeing none, I rolled my eyes at myself before turning back to the microwave. It could have been a deer, or even a gust of wind for all I knew, and there was absolutely no reason for me to get all worked up over it.

A few minutes later, the microwaved beeped, and I quickly stirred the macaroni before shoving it back in to continue cooking. While I waited, I grabbed the milk from the fridge and poured myself a tall glass. I had gotten two new books in Port Angeles last weekend, and I couldn't wait for dinner to be done so that I could delve into them. I was just wondering which one to start with when the microwave chirped again, and I quickly opened the door before pinching the steaming box between my fingertips. Once I had set it down on the counter, I blew gently on the piping hot noodles as I grabbed a fork from the drawer. I waited for a few more minutes until my dinner had cooled enough for me to touch it, then grabbed the box and my glass of milk before strolling towards the table.

The macaroni was pretty good as far as frozen dinners go, and I dug in as I began humming softly to myself. The house was strangely quiet without my eccentric mother chatting away, and I soon decided that some TV would be in order once my dinner was done.

After I had scraped every cheesy shell from the container, I chugged the rest of my milk, then gathered the remnants of my meal before heading towards the kitchen sink. On the way, I dumped the empty tray into the trash, then turned towards the sink to begin rinsing my fork and glass.

Out of habit, I lifted my eyes to glance out the window as I washed my dishes. The sun had already set completely, and the darkness outside seemed to serve as a blackened screen, creating a mirror out of the rectangular pane of glass. I stared back at my reflection as I set my glass on the counter to dry, trying futilely to see through the shining surface.

But as I continued to stare, a sudden feeling of unease swept through me, and I took an unconscious step backwards. As soon as I had done it, I huffed at my own stupidity - it was absolutely ridiculous of me to be freaking out after only a half hour alone. Still, the unsettling feeling refused to dissipate as I studied my reflection in the window, and I couldn't help but wonder. . .

Beep beep beep!

I jumped as my cell phone echoed from the living room, then burst out laughing. I couldn't believe how silly I was being - was I really already getting the creeps?

Still grinning at myself, I turned off the kitchen faucet and headed towards the living room. It took me a few moments to find my phone - I was always misplacing the stupid thing - but a few more beeps had me running towards the bookcase in the corner of the room. As soon as I found it, I flipped it open, then immediately groaned in frustration. A new text message was demanding my attention, sent from none other than my ex, Mike Newton.

"And I thought girls were supposed to be the clingy ones," I grumbled as I entered my inbox. Dating Mike had definitely been one of the worst decisions of my life, second only to sleeping with him. He was boring, self-centered, and none too bright, and now he was irritating to boot. I had never had a real boyfriend before though, and I had been curious - which, of course, had turned me into the proverbial cat faster than I could blink an eye. And it really hadn't been all that great anyway.

Hi Bella. Sup? Are you busy?

I stared at the screen for a moment as I considered carefully. If I answered him, this would undoubtedly turn into another drawn-out conversation in which I would shoot down his advances, assure him that I did not want to get back together with him, then be forced to hear about how well he was doing and all the girls he was planning on dating - girls that I had recently began to suspect were entirely fictional. But if I didn't answer, the probability of him badgering me all through the night was simply too high to ignore.

I sighed as I glanced at the clock on the far wall. If I was going to do this, I would definitely need one of my new books. And probably dessert, too.

My decision made, I set the phone down and headed towards the staircase. On the way, I spared a glance at the front door, then nodded with satisfaction as I found it still locked tightly. I wasn't sure why I checked it, but I figured that I was better safe than sorry anyways.

Once I was in my room, I began rummaging through my desk drawer where I had thrown my books earlier that week. I found one almost immediately, then grinned as I tucked it under my arm and headed back out my bedroom door. I whistled softly to myself as I padded back down the stairs, then turned to stride directly into the kitchen.

After only a moment of contemplation, I decided that a bowl of ice cream was in order. I smiled as I set my book on the counter, then snatched a bowl from the cupboard before opening the freezer door and pulling the tub from the rack. After I had plopped two large scoops of the sugary sweetness into my bowl, I grabbed a spoon, replaced the tub, then gathered my things and traipsed back out of the kitchen.

As I entered the living room, I set my things on the coffee table and headed directly towards the bookshelf. Now that I was amply supplied, it was time to answer Mike. After all, the sooner I replied, the faster it would be over, and I would finally be able to spend the rest of the night in peace.

But as soon as I reached the bookcase, I froze.

My cell phone wasn't there.

I stayed rooted in place for a moment, blinking rapidly as I stared at the stack of shelves. I could have sworn that I had left it there - I hadn't taken it anywhere else, had I? Confused, I stepped forward to dig through the various novels stacked across the shelves. No cell phone. I could feel my heart rate begin to accelerate slightly as I turned around to face the living room, scanning it carefully before stalking towards the stairs. I was sure I hadn't taken it upstairs - I had used both my hands to root through my desk. Had I set it down along the way?

I checked every surface as I walked, scanning above and below each shelf and tabletop along the way. No cell phone.

Where could it have possibly gone?

For some reason, the simple question disturbed me, and I glanced warily around the room again before slumping against the sofa. I was almost positive that I had set it right back down on the bookcase, and for the life of me, I couldn't think of anywhere else that I could have put it. But as I continued to dwell on it, a familiar feeling of unease began to seep back into my consciousness, and I quickly shook my head as I threw up my hands in defeat. This was me we were talking about, after all - I was always losing my phone. And I'd be damned if I was going to let a stupid thing like that spook me again.

With renewed determination, I stood up straight and stalked towards the couch. My ice cream was already beginning to melt, and here I was, wasting time acting like an idiot. Besides - Mike was sure to keep texting me, and it would be all too easy to find my phone once the beeping began again.

With a sigh, I settled onto the couch, then grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. In an instant, the soothing drone of a comedic sitcom and its laughing audience filled the silent house, and I smiled with contentment as I brought my bowl to my lap. The softened ice cream was delicious - still cold enough to soothe my nerves, but just warm enough to not cause brain freeze - and I snarfed it shamelessly as I relaxed into the sofa.

After I finished dessert, I set the empty bowl on the coffee table and immediately picked up my book. I took my time as I settled comfortably in my seat, curling my legs beneath me as I propped the book against my knee. With a satisfied smile, I finally opened the cover, breathing deeply as the unmistakable scent of the crisp, new pages wafted over me. Then, without another moments hesitation, I turned the volume of the TV down a few notches and delved right in.

By the time I hit Chapter Nine, I was deeply absorbed, turning every page with the utmost excitement.

Which was why it made absolutely no sense when my stomach abruptly clenched, my head snapping suddenly upwards.

I'm being watched.

The creeping realization crawled swiftly through me as my skin began to prickle and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. The sensation was unmistakable - I could practically feel an alien set of eyes trickling down my frozen figure, and I swallowed thickly as a chill ran from my head to my toes. Slowly, as though I were afraid of being caught, I swept my eyes across the living room, pausing to peer anxiously at every window, each vacant doorway. Seeing nothing, I twisted my body minutely, then glanced carefully over my shoulder, almost afraid of what I might see.

Nothing.

I was completely alone.

. . .Of course I was. I had been alone all night. Hadn't I?

I surveyed the room once more and, finding nothing, began laughing softly. The sound was shaky and breathless, and I swallowed uneasily as I shifted in my seat. Although my search had revealed nothing, my paranoia refused to fade, and I still felt as though I wasn't quite alone. I knew I was being silly again - and although the rational part of my mind knew it, the other, much more instinctual part of me seemed to be cowering, begging me to run and not look back.

"This is ridiculous," I whispered as I marked my page and set my book back on the table. I was really starting to freak out, and I knew I needed to calm myself down before I did something really stupid. Like call Charlie.

The thought alone forced me to plaster a smile on my face as I uncurled my legs from beneath me. I was fine - just suffering from a slight case of the heebie-jeebies - an unavoidable side effect from years of being coddled like an infant. There was absolutely no reason why I couldn't make it through one night alone.

With a sigh, I rose to my feet, glancing around once more before turning towards the staircase. What I needed was a long, relaxing shower, and I wasted no time as I headed up the stairs and made my way to my room.

Once I reached the doorway to my bedroom, I stared into the dark expanse before reaching around the corner to switch the light on. I still couldn't shake the jittery feeling that had settled in the pit of my stomach, and I peeked cautiously over my shoulder before darting into my room. When I reached my dresser, I dug hurriedly through my drawer, then snatched a pair of pajamas before sprinting back into the hall. Somehow, being left alone hadn't turned out to be all it was cracked up to be, and I picked up my pace as I flew down the hallway, veering sharply into the bathroom.

As soon as I shut the door behind me, I slumped against it and took a deep breath. The small bathroom seemed safer, more secure somehow - which was completely ridiculous, but at this point, I was willing to take whatever comfort I could get. Forcing myself to unwind, I peeled myself off the door and stepped towards the shower. The familiar hum of running water soothed me immediately, and I took my time undressing as I waited for the water to grow hot.

As I ducked beneath the gentle spray, I berated myself for acting so childish. There was absolutely no way that I was in any danger - the house was locked tightly, and I was smack dab in the middle of the sleepiest, dreariest town in the continental U.S. And in a Sheriff's house, no less! There was no reason for me to be feeling so shaken up.

With a drawn-out sigh, I picked up my shampoo and squeezed some into my palm. As I worked the lather into my hair, I hummed in satisfaction, reveling in the relaxation that such a simple motion could bring. Yes, this was exactly what I needed. The warmth of the water combined with the soft massage of the spray calmed me instantly, and I let my eyes slide shut as I began to rinse the strawberry suds from my hair.

But in the next second, everything went dark.

I gasped sharply as my eyes flew open. Somehow, every trace of light had abruptly vanished, leaving me shrouded in suffocating blackness.

A jolt of fear coursed through me as I searched the dark room frantically. I could feel the sting of shampoo as it ran down my forehead and flooded my eyes, but I didn't dare close them as I continued to stare anxiously into the blackness. In spite of the warm water that was raining down on me, I could feel myself breaking into a cold sweat as full-on panic bubbled inside of me, my earlier feelings of apprehension spiking dangerously. Something was very, very wrong.

My stomach twisted with dread as I wondered what had happened to the lights. Had there been a power outage? For some reason, I highly doubted it, and a frightened shudder tore its way down my spine as my hands began to shake uncontrollably.

After a few more moments, my eyes finally started to adjust, and I fought back my irrational terror as I focused on the faint outline of the tiled walls around me. If I could just see clearly enough to make it to the door, I could escape the black pit of the bathroom, and perhaps make it downstairs to the fuse box - or the phone. But as I continued to stare into the shadows, I realized for the first time that my sight was hopelessly blocked - not just by the darkness, but by the heavy shower curtain that was sprawled widely before me, effectively obstructing my view of the blackened bathroom.

Tentatively, I made a move towards it, intent on brushing it aside.

And that was when I heard it.

A slow, deep, and deliberate exhalation - a hiss - sounding from the other side of the small bathroom.

Someone's here.

A wave of utter horror washed over me, freezing my body in place as my useless eyes widened in abject fear. There was someone in the bathroom. I could hear him breathing.

Hot tears of defeat collected behind my eyes as I stared unseeingly towards the curtain. The fear I felt was tangible, and it seemed to consume me as I stayed rooted to the ground, afraid to even move. I had been right. There really had been someone here, all along.

But just as I had resigned myself to a horrific fate, an unexpected burst of bravado shot through me as my rational side began screaming - demanding to see my attacker, to know what it was that hunted me. Surprising even myself, I felt a firm grimace stretch across my lips, and I shot my arm out, refusing to take note of the way my hand was trembling as I curled my fingers around the edge of the shower curtain.

Then, with one last, deep breath, I yanked the curtain sideways.

And was instantly blinded.

The lights came on in a flash, leaving me squinting into the sudden brightness.

But there was nothing to see, anyway. Once again, I was completely and utterly alone.

Too shaken to think straight, I stumbled out of the shower, then grabbed a towel before I collapsed onto the floor. What in the hell had just happened? I was still too terrified to answer myself, and I forced myself to take a deep breath as I buried my face in my hands. One minute, everything had been just fine. . .and then what? The power had gone out? Only to randomly switch back on again?

Those breaths. . .

Another chill trickled down my spine, and I shook my head as I whipped my fingers through my hair in aggravation. If there was one thing I needed to forget about, that was definitely it. There was just no way that anyone had been inside the bathroom - after all, people just didn't disappear. If someone had been there, I would have seen them, or heard the door shut at the very least. But I hadn't seen or heard either - which meant only one thing: no one had been in here. I nodded my head determinedly as I repeated the words to myself. No one had been in the bathroom with me, and no one was here now.

So what had happened to the lights?

I laughed humorlessly as I tilted my head towards the ceiling. Of course it had been a power outage - that kind of stuff happened all the time. Rainy town, remember? Some power source had probably been struck by lightning, or blown over, or God only knew what. The important thing was that everything was back on now, and I refused to think of anything else as I stood up, toweled myself off, and pulled on my pajamas.

Outage or no outage, I quickly decided that it was time for bed. My entire night had been strange to say the least, and I was anxious to go to sleep and leave it all behind me.

I finished dressing hurriedly, then took a moment to brush my teeth and hair before turning towards the door. But as soon as my fingers touched

the door handle, a sense of foreboding swelled in my chest, and I snapped my hand back as I stared cautiously at the door.

"Oh, for the love of God," I muttered, sick of my own stupidity. In one swift motion, I obstinately twisted the handle, then threw the door open, blatantly ignoring the way my heart doubled its pace. Just like every other time, my eyes were met with nothing but an empty house, and I marched through the hallway and into my bedroom, slamming the door behind me.

"There. Was that so hard?" I questioned myself, then snapped my mouth shut. Talking to myself was never a good sign. Add that to all the symptoms I had already been experiencing, and I was almost convinced that I was two steps away from the loony bin.

I rolled my eyes as I pulled down my covers and turned on my bedside lamp. Maybe I was coming down with something. Was it possible to become delusional from frozen macaroni dinners, I wondered? I hadn't checked the expiration date on it, after all. I could very well be experiencing symptoms of food poisoning.

The fact that I was even slightly comforted by the chance of salmonella only irritated me further, and I quickly turned off my bedroom light, leaving the room illuminated only by the soft glow of my reading lamp. I would normally take a book to bed with me, but tonight had already been long enough, and I was more than ready to call it quits.

With a deep sigh, I crawled into bed, pulling the covers over my legs. I sat there for a moment, letting my eyes sweep across my bedroom, carefully checking every nook and cranny in the cramped space. If I was being honest with myself, I would have had to admit that something felt. . .not quite right. I just couldn't put my finger on it, though. The window was locked, my closet door shut tightly, and everything seemed to be in place - exactly how I had left it earlier that evening. But there was something else - a strange static seemed to be hanging in the air, as if the climate of my room had grown inexplicably thicker, heavier. . .darker.

Frowning, I surveyed the room once more before deciding that my nerves were simply having a field day, and it was high time to put them to rest. I huffed as I turned to situate my pillows, then laid down immediately, pulling my comforter up to my chin. After stealing one more glance around the room, I shot my hand out, and in one decisive motion, turned out the light.

And then, I let out a blood-curdling scream.

He appeared with the darkness, a silent, menacing figure, standing still as stone at the foot of my bed. He didn't flinch as my scream tore through the air, and I cut myself off as I shot up in bed, bringing my hand up to clamp it over my mouth. A strangled sob escaped me as I stared up at him in abject terror, and as my eyes began to adjust to the darkness, I noticed that his eyes were black as the night that surrounded him, bearing a striking contrast to his pearly skin. His face revealed nothing as he stared back at me, and he seemed to be waiting, carefully gauging my every move. His arms, though they hung loosely at his sides, were tensed slightly, obvious ripples of muscle bulging from beneath his shirt sleeves, and he looked as though he would be prepared to strike at a half a moment's notice.

As my eyes swept down his arms, coming to settle on his long fingers which were curled gracefully into loose fists, I realized two things simultaneously. The first was that he was the one - the one who had been here all evening; stalking me, watching me, playing with me.

But this knowledge took a back seat to the fact that I knew, without a shred of uncertainty, that there was no way that the man in my bedroom was anything close to human.

Goosebumps broke across my flesh as I let my eyes sweep back up to his face. His complexion was deathly pale, though his lips were full and red as they rested in a tight line. His cheekbones were high and defined as they framed his strong brow, his forehead perfectly smooth until it disappeared into a tangle of deliciously long, unruly copper hair. But it was his eyes - dark as tar pits, yet utterly hypnotic - that caught and held my attention. They were shaped perfectly, framed by thick, long lashes, and so intense that they seemed to be burning straight through me, reaching into my very soul.

He was utterly terrifying.

And absolutely. . .gorgeous.

For one wild moment, I could see myself wrapped around this lethal intruder, our naked bodies dancing and writhing against each other's as we rolled across satin sheets. My heart, which was already racing from fear, instantly skyrocketed, until it was crashing violently against my ribs - whether from fear or my sudden, irrational lust, I couldn't tell. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew it was wrong for me to be having such thoughts, such feelings about this dangerous, otherworldly intruder. And yet, I couldn't quite bring myself to care as I let my hand drop from my mouth, keeping my wide eyes locked intently on his.

His keen eyes missed nothing, and he cocked his head to the side, no doubt sensing my unexpected change in demeanor. His eyebrows narrowed almost imperceptibly as he gazed steadily back at me, and I could feel my entire body responding to the intangible chill of his penetrating stare. My nipples hardened instantly, and every inch of my skin seemed to blaze with life as his eyes swept fluidly downward, following the curve of my body until it disappeared beneath my sheet.

And it was as I laid there, feeling the inexplicable frost of the intruder's eyes pressing heavily against my flesh, that I knew that I was done for. Not because I was alone and vulnerable, with no chance of escaping this glorious predator. But because I knew without a doubt that I would give him whatever it was that he desired - that somehow, within only a moment's time, I had become wholly and completely his.

Just as the thought entered my mind, one corner of the man's lips curved sharply upward in a wicked yet indulgent grin. My breath caught in my throat, and my heart rate spiked dangerously as he took one swift but measured step towards the corner of my bed. As my pulse continued to thud in my veins, his smirk deepened, and he continued to stare me down as he moved closer towards me, stepping around the corner before pausing once more. His body moved languidly, his feet barely ghosting over the floor as his arms swung subtly at his sides. But with his every step, an energy that I could only describe as raw power seemed to emanate from him in waves, giving him a deadly sex appeal that was both threatening and devastatingly arousing.

Slowly, he continued to stalk forward until he was poised at my side, his tall, pale form looming over me. I stayed perfectly still, following him with only my eyes until I was staring up at him, my head craned backwards as I took in every detail of his flawless face. His complexion seemed to glow like the moonlight, and the smirk never left his face as he cocked his head once more to the side, regarding me silently. From up close, I could see every perfect plane of his body, and I ogled him shamelessly as I let my eyes trace the chiseled lines of his form that were barely hinted at from beneath his dark clothes. He was every fantasy I had ever had and then some, and the very sight of him caused the space between my legs to grow hot with moisture. Unable to hold back anymore, I began squirming beneath my comforter, rubbing my thighs together as I kept my wide eyes trained on him.

It happened so quickly that I barely saw it, though I was staring right at him. One moment, I was shifting desperately beneath my sheet, and the next, his arm flashed outward as he backhanded my comforter, sending it tumbling through the air before it landed in a crumpled heap in the far corner of my room.

I gasped as my head whipped towards the twisted pile of blanket, then back to my prowler, my arms flying automatically upward to cover my chest. Without the cover of my sheets, I felt almost naked beneath the heavy scrutiny of his stare, and I swallowed thickly as a slight shiver ran down my spine - whether from the chill of my room or his potent strength, I wasn't sure. His head, which had been turned to the side, instantly straightened, and his brows narrowed as his gaze descended pointedly to my arms, crossed tightly over my chest. In a motion just as deliberate but slightly slower than his assault on my blanket, his hand snapped outward again, and he hooked one, long finger beneath the neckline of my top. Although he had been careful to not come in contact with my skin, the proximity of his hand to my flesh sent a surge of excitement flowing through my veins, and my arms dropped listlessly to my sides as I waited with bated breath for his next move.

And then, with a simple flick of his wrist, his finger tore down my shirt in just half a second, splitting it wide open with incredible ease.

My breath escaped me in a low moan as my top flew open, the shredded material hanging limply from my shoulders. My entire chest and stomach were exposed now, and I felt my braless breasts grow instantly heavy, my nipples pebbling tightly. A dull, steady ache was beginning to spread across my chest, and I bit my lip as I glanced hungrily up to the face of my gorgeous aggressor. He was still smirking, though his lips had parted slightly, exposing a tiny sliver of perfectly white teeth as his eyes swept back and forth between my tits. He wasted no time as he reached both hands to my shoulders, snapping the delicate straps between his fingers before snatching the ruined fabric from my body. He held the scrap up for a moment, then began twirling it around his finger as he smiled devilishly down at me, causing a flash of heat to sear its way across my skin. I still had no idea what it was that he wanted, but as his eyes continued to gleam wickedly down at me, I knew I couldn't wait much longer.

So, in a move of total surrender, I held his gaze as I leaned back slowly, spreading my half-naked body across my bed, offering myself up for the taking. Whatever he wanted, he could have it - because truthfully, it was already his.

A wide smile spread across his lips as he stared down at me, and he leaned his head to the side once more as he balled the remains of my shirt into his fist. For the briefest of moments, he looked as though he were contemplating carefully, and hope and desire knotted in my stomach as I watched his eyes sweep once more across my vulnerable form.

Without a conscious thought, a whispered plea escaped my lips.

"Please."

The sound of my prayer was soft and breathless, and my visitor arched one shapely eyebrow as I gazed wantonly up at him. I knew I should feel embarrassed - after all, I didn't even know what it was that I was begging for. But still, I could feel no shame as I shifted slightly, once again trying to quell the desire that was beginning to pool in the pit of my belly.

Apparently, that was all he needed.

In a movement that was as swift and graceful as a cobra strike, he straddled me, folding each of his legs on either side of my hips. The sight of this exquisite creature kneeling over me was an assault on my senses, and I moaned softly as I arched my back, bending my body towards him as though I was being pulled by an invisible string. As if drawn by the same force, he bent slightly until he was leaning over me, staring intently at my chest. His eyes were like ice against my heated skin, and I continued to writhe beneath him, ignoring all sense of self-preservation as I began bucking my hips upward, searching desperately for his.

Right at that moment, I heard a few quick tearing noises, splitting the air above me. Lost in my lust, I didn't fully register the sounds until I saw my visitor's hands suspended above me, then felt the caress of fabric being wrapped around my wrists. I tore my eyes from his face and craned my head instantly backward, gasping as I caught sight of my wrists. They were tied securely to the bedposts, wrapped completely with the remaining shreds of my very own shirt. Reflexively, I jerked against my restraints, and my heart spluttered frantically with equal parts nerves and longing when the ties that bound me stayed firmly in place.

Just as my heart began to pound inside my chest, my hunter's head snapped upward, his eyes narrowing sharply as they locked on the side of my neck. I didn't know what it was that he was searching for, but I struggled to stay still as I watched a deathly darkness pass over his face. Something momentous was hanging in the balance - I knew it as sure as I knew my own name. And even then, as the weighty silence dragged on between us, I couldn't bring myself to feel afraid.

In a surprising motion, my visitor brought his hands to my hips, hooking his tapered fingers beneath the waist of my shorts as his eyes remained focused on my neck. It was the first time he had really touched me, and I bit back a needy cry at the slight contact, forcing myself to remain silent. His skin was as cold as a late December night, but somehow, I wasn't surprised in the least. Instead, a sudden burst of lust crashed violently over me, and I bit my lip harshly as a steady throb between my legs began to make its presence known.

As if he could sense my desperation, his fingers tightened suddenly around my waistband, and I held my breath as I anticipated his next move. Sure enough, in the next second, I felt the material being ripped from my body, and I squeezed my eyes shut, moaning softly. I was now completely naked beneath him, my entire body bared before his eyes, and a thrill ran through me as I took a deep breath, reveling in the ecstasy that total surrender could bring.

After a few moments of total silence, I forced my heavy lids to open so that I could look once more at the face of my intruder. He was looking down at me, eyes tight, jaw locked, and I could see a battle raging behind his steely gaze as his eyes flickered down my body, then up to my neck. Slowly, as if he were deep in thought, he lifted one arm, then placed his tapered fingers against the side of my neck. I couldn't help the whimper that escaped me at his icy touch, and his eyes flared dangerously as he dragged his fingers downward, tracing the curve of my neck. My breath escaped in heavy pants as he continued his trail across my collarbones, and I arched needfully upwards, begging him with my body to move lower.

His eyes seemed to grow impossibly darker as his fingertips met the swell of my breast, and he paused for a moment, his lips pursing tightly. His fingers didn't budge from the delicate skin of my chest as he remained frozen, a look of utmost concentration etched into his face, and I bit my lip as I waited anxiously for him to move.

What could have only been seconds later, a spark of resolution flashed in his eyes, and he swept his hand purposely over my chest, grazing the peak of my tightened bud before dipping to my stomach. An intense pleasure radiated inside of me as his fingers made contact with my sensitive point, and I moaned deeply, my arms flailing against their restraints. His fingers didn't stop as they continued over the valley of my stomach, tracing a deliberate line over my belly button before trailing towards my growing heat.

And then, without a moment's hesitation, he parted my wet lips with his palm and drove a single finger deep inside of me. My eyes rolled back as a cry of passion bubbled in my chest, but the sound caught in my throat as I felt a heavy, chilling weight press suddenly against my mouth. My eyelids snapped instantly open, and I gasped as I saw the finger of his other hand pressed firmly against my bottom lip. His chiseled face was deathly serious as his black eyes bore into my own, and I stared questioningly back at him, confused by his hesitation. His other hand was still buried between my legs, but he remained absolutely still as he gazed down at me, indecision warring behind his eyes.

At that moment, a sudden, hot pain pierced my lip, exactly where his finger was resting. I winced, fighting the urge to jerk away from his touch as I stared confusedly up at him, struggling to understand the unexpected sensation.

It was then that I felt the warmth of a single drop of blood, rolling down my chin, and I realized what was happening.

He was deciding what to take from me.

By all accounts, I should have been terrified. I knew my life was hanging on the line - and a thin one at that. But all I could feel was the same, inexplicable yearning that had taken hold of me from the moment I had first laid eyes on this stunning creature.

In a flash, my intruder dipped downward, finally pressing his lips to mine. I opened my mouth to him immediately, urging him to take me, but he ignored my mouth completely as he sucked my bleeding lip between his own. At the same time, the hand that was pressed between my thighs finally moved, and he withdrew his finger before pumping it swiftly back into me. The feel of his long finger pressing into my depths combined with the chill of his tongue as he lapped at my blood was the most erotic mixture I had ever experienced, and I moaned deeply as I fell limply backwards.

My hands were bound, my body pinned, and my very existence was resting in the palm of a stranger's hand. And with a sigh of euphoric surrender, I relaxed against my many restraints, willingly awaiting the final verdict.

With one last caress of his tongue against my lip, my captor lifted his head back to mine. His eyes had grown even darker, and his mouth was upturned in a satisfied smirk as he eyed me closely, then pumped his finger into my body once more. Before I had a chance to respond, his hand disappeared from between my thighs as he pulled his fingers up to his face. Then, with the most suggestive wink that I had ever seen, he sucked his moistened fingers into his mouth, tasting the juices that he had drawn from me. I bit my lip to stifle a moan as I watched him suckle my essence, all the while knowing that this was a test of life and death.

Would it be my blood? Or my body?

As his pale fingers escaped his lips with a delicate pop, his eyes flickered for the briefest of moments before solidifying like molten rock.

He'd made his decision.

I watched him as I held my breath - wholly prepared for his dazzling face to be the last thing I'd ever see - and waited for his next move.

With unbelievable speed, he straightened above me, then whipped his shirt over his head. My jaw dropped at the sight of his white chest, almost luminescent in the darkness, and I automatically jerked against my binds, desperate to touch him. As soon as he had rid himself of his shirt, he leaped off of me and shed his pants, moving so quickly that his actions were nothing more than a pearl-colored blur. A flash of hardened flesh caught my eye as he sprung back on top of me, and I began panting loudly as I ducked my chin to my chest, eager to see him.

His naked body was absolutely heavenly, as though an angel had molded him as a gift from God himself. Every dip and swell of his chest was perfectly proportioned as his solid pecs rolled into defined abs, then gave way to the pronounced V that rested just below his hips. But the most glorious part of him rested just inches lower as his thick erection protruded proudly, resting against the soft skin of my stomach. Joy swelled inside of me, crushing my lungs as I realized that this beautiful creature was going to take me, to have me for himself in the most delicious of ways. At the same time, an inexplicable sense of pride pulsed through me as I eyed his swollen length, knowing that he wanted me, that I had done that to him. It was the most intense moment of my entire life. Second only to what happened next.

He wasted no time. One moment, the ice of his cock was pressed against my belly, and the next, it was inside of me. His thrust was rough and forceful as he buried himself completely inside of me, and I gasped as I bowed off the bed, throwing my head back as my arms strained above me.

"Oh God," I groaned as he pulled out and pumped harshly into me again. There would be nothing gentle about his ministrations tonight.

I thought I heard him chuckle then, but the breathy, undulating sound was too low for me to be sure. As I tilted my head towards him, he was grinning wickedly down at me, and he held my eyes as he reared back, only to slam into me again. The pound of his hips against mine was almost painful, and it gave a sharp edge to my pleasure that excited me even more. My stomach was tied in knots, and a steaming pressure was already building inside of me as I began to pant loudly, groaning up at him as he retreated once more.

As he pushed into my depths again, his cold member slicing through my heat like a knife through melted butter, his eyes snapped suddenly up to my arms. His smile widened as his eyes smoldered darkly, and with his next pulse, he leaned forward, stretching his body over mine as he placed his hands on my shoulders. His skin was like nothing I had ever felt before, perfectly smooth yet completely unyielding, like bullet-proof glass. I realized then that my midnight caller - so handsome yet so powerful - was nothing short of indestructible, and a breathy whimper escaped me as he surged forward again. As he moved, his hands slid up my arms until they rested on my tethered wrists, and his lips curved sharply into a delighted sneer, as if he was admiring his handiwork. Sinful satisfaction danced in his eyes as his fingers traced my restraints, and I moaned deeply as I arched my back, pushing my hips against his. Half of me wished to God that I was free - that I could touch him, press my fingers to his perfect body and clutch him closer to me. But the other, much more reckless side of me was thrilled to be dominated by this lethal creature, to be completely exposed and susceptible to his every whim.

With another snap of his hips, his length dug deeper into me, and I couldn't help the cry that escaped me.

"Yes! Oh please!" I panted, then snapped my mouth shut. Despite the chill of his flesh, my entire body seemed to be burning, sizzling with the heat of my passion. God, I needed him.

A throaty vibration rumbled deep in his chest, and my jaw dropped as I recognized the sound. He had just growled at me - and as my eyes widened in amazement, I realized that it had been the hottest thing I had ever heard.

In an instant, he pulled back, then began drilling into me at top speed. There was no space, no break between his beating thrusts, and my entire body began to spasm and tremble as the bed rocked unsteadily beneath us, the headboard crashing rhythmically against the wall. It was all so hard, so fast, so good, that I felt my toes begin to curl as more juices flooded from me, thoroughly coating the stiff appendage that was pounding so ruthlessly inside of me. I knew I was close - I could feel my release building inside my very bones, and I shuddered violently as I barrelled towards my climax.

Apparently, he knew it, too.

In a motion so quick it was blinding, my lover flew backwards, straightening his back before throwing my legs against his shoulders. The tempo of his thrusting never decreased with the movement, and the new position sent his rigid member driving against places I didn't even know I had.

"Ungh, oh, ah, oh, God!" I began screaming frantically, too overwhelmed with the heat of my passion to string two words together. I was so close to my peak that it was almost painful, and my stomach twisted sharply as my caller increased his thrusts, driving harder and faster inside of me than I would have thought possible for me to take. It was all too much; I felt like I was going to orgasm and split into pieces at the same time, and I twisted and writhed beneath him as I tried desperately to reach my summit.

And at that exact moment, my lover pressed the pad of one tapered finger against my sweet spot, shoving me forcefully over the edge.

Stars shot like rockets before my eyes while desperate cries of pleasure ripped from my chest, and it was all I could do to keep my eyes locked on the creature before me as I exploded into oblivion. His upper lip was turned up in a ferocious sneer, but his black eyes remained on mine, even when they ignited with his climax. As he came, a fierce growl tore through the air, and his entire body trembled rigidly, his muscles flexing with devastating strength. His release was like melting snow inside of me, and it struck a sharp contrast to my burning heat, causing me to tremble and shudder with absolute ecstasy.

But then, at the exact same moment that the heat of orgasm unleashed me, I heard the most terrifying sound in the world.

My parent's car, pulling into the driveway.

Before I even had time to panic, an unnatural breeze sent my room into a sudden flurry of motion. I blinked a few times, trying to see clearly through the sudden commotion, but my vision was soon blocked completely by my comforter, sailing towards me before it landed in a sprawling heap on top of me. I snapped my hands downward as I beat the blanket away from my face, but gasped immediately as I realized that my arms had been freed. Bolting upright in bed, I whipped the comforter away from my face as I searched the room frantically.

There was absolutely no sign of my midnight caller.

Startled, I leaped out of bed, scanning the room as I stumbled in a blind circle. Where could he have gone? Everything was so calm, so quiet, so. . .normal, that if it wasn't for my stark nudity and the faint lines of red around my wrists, I could have easily convinced myself that it had all been a dream.

From downstairs, the creak of the front door opening just about scared me out of my wits, and I glanced at the clock as I flew towards my dresser. They were home early, and they were probably expecting to see me. At the very least, Charlie would come to check on me, and I was desperate to keep him away from my room - just in case. As I yanked on a pair of pajamas and dashed towards the door, I shot another worried glance over my shoulder. Of course, my eyes were met with nothing but my own dark room, and with a deep breath, I combed my fingers through my matted hair, then twisted the handle.

"Mom? Dad?" I called as I pushed the door open, trying to keep my voice as even as possible, despite the mind-blowing workout I had just been put through.

"Yeah, Bells. It's us," was Charlie's reply as he rounded the corner and came into my view.

I mustered the best smile I could as I paused at the top of the stairs. "How was your night?"

"It was great!" Renee replied enthusiastically as she appeared behind Charlie. But her delighted smile quickly fell into a frown as she swept her eyes over my face. "Bella, what happened to your lip?"

Oh shit. I had completely forgotten about the cut that my visitor had given me.

Thinking fast, I spouted the first excuse that popped into my mind. "Ah, I accidentally hit myself in the face with the microwave door," I shrugged, smiling sheepishly for good measure before adding, "You know how that thing can stick."

"You should have called," Charlie insisted immediately, and Renee and I both rolled our eyes before she smiled up at me.

"Well, just try to be more careful, sweetie," she scolded halfheartedly.

"I will," I nodded. "Hey. . .I'm pretty tired, I was just going to bed. I'll see you in the morning?" I half-questioned, afraid of raising their suspicions by brushing them off too quickly.

"Okay," they both nodded, and I smiled with genuine relief as they both waved their good-nights, Renee blowing me a kiss. Returning the gestures, I turned around, trying not to break into a run as I headed back to my bedroom. Logically, I knew my caller wouldn't be there - after all, he had all but disappeared into thin air. But I couldn't help hoping against hope that he would be waiting for me, standing in the shadows, just like he had earlier that evening.

But of course, as I pushed my door open, my eyes fell upon an empty room. A gush of disappointment swelled inside me, and I couldn't help my dejected frown as I shuffled forward, closing the door behind me. I wondered if I would ever see him again. In all honesty, I doubted it - a creature like that would have no reason to hang around a girl like me. But I hadn't even gotten a chance to thank him. . . .hell, I didn't even know his name.

With a sigh, I turned to the side, scanning the room one last time before giving up for the night.

And then I froze.

A splash of silver caught my eye like a road flare, and I sprinted towards it, my breath hitched inside my chest. As I approached it, I slowed down, observing it carefully until I was standing directly in front of it, gazing downward with astonished eyes.

Laying unassumingly on the middle of my bed was my cell phone. Shocked, I reached for it, but snapped my hand back immediately, gasping loudly.

It was ice cold.

However, that detail was insignificant compared to what was staring up at me.

An excited shudder trickled down my spine as my eyes remained locked on the glowing screen, where one, simple word had been typed into a blank text.

It read:

Soon.

:Grin: Well, then. Hope you liked it. Please drop me some reviews and let me know if you did. . .and also if I creeped you out or not. I love hearing that, for some reason. Also, if you liked this, there's a good chance you'll like everything on the FFFA, so hop on over to Twilighted(dot)net and take a look-see. Ninapolitan runs Smut Mondays as well, which is the same type of collaborative collection, just a bit on the more 'vanilla' side. I have a smutshot comin' up for that one, too. ;)

Later bb's!