Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all things Twilight. I just own my little fantasies.
It was a typical weekend night. I was sitting by a bonfire on First Beach with my pack and their mates. Everyone happily snuggled up with their lovers. I felt alone, out of place. Jake had Bella. Sam had Emily. Jared had Kim. Paul had Rachel. Embry brought some chick he's been dating. Hell, even Leah had a date. Then there was me. Poor old Quil. Always flying solo. Okay so maybe I'm being a little over dramatic. I wasn't the only one here alone. Seth, Collin, and Brady were also going stag. But they don't count. They're practically babies. Barely even 15 years old.
It's not like I was jealous that all my pals had girlfriends. It was hard to be jealous when you've already imprinted. But Claire was only 4 years old. Sure I wasn't looking for a relationship. I really wasn't interested in having a relationship with anyone. But I sure as hell missed having someone to hold in my arms, to snuggle up against around the bonfire. I missed the feel of someone else's skin beneath my hands. Someone else's lips upon my lips. Ugh. I was so horny! The guys were always making fun of me for my perverted mind but I couldn't help it. When you're not looking for a relationship, very few girls, well very few decent girls, were looking to put out. Sex was on my mind a lot lately. I needed to get laid and soon.
A few of the guys got up and started tossing around a football but I wasn't in the mood to play so I stayed at the bonfire. I glance around and notice Bella was seated to my right. She looked like she was shaking. Which if I really thought about it made sense. It was the end of winter and still quite chilly outside if you weren't a hot-blooded werewolf like myself. I barely noticed the cold in my t-shirt and jeans. Bella was bundled up in a winter coat with a scarf and gloves to match and she was still shaking. Seeing as how Jake was preoccupied with the football game and no one else seemed to notice, I thought I'd offer my services.
"Hey Bella," I said.
"H-h-h-i Quil," Bella managed to stutter out through her chattering teeth.
"If you want I could help warm you up," I offered.
"N-n-n-o th-thanks," she seemed disgusted by my offer.
"I didn't mean anything by it Bella. I just noticed you looked really cold and don't deny that you aren't because you're shaking like a leaf and your teeth are chattering. I'm a werewolf you know. I'm fully capable of keeping you warm." She looked at me like I was crazy, or else planning some way to get in her pants. Which I wasn't, I swear. I was just being nice. "Okay, suit yourself. Freeze then." I turned and looked back at the fire.
"O-okay, thanks Quil. Just n-no funny business, all r-right? Jacob would rip your h-head off if you even p-place one finger out of l-line." I laughed because I knew it was true and her stutter was kind of cute.
Bella scooted closer to me and I put my arm around her to try and warm her up. It worked a little bit because her teeth stopped chattering but she was still shaking pretty bad. I got up and walked behind her.
"Quil what are you doing?" Bella asked, soundly frightened.
"I'm just gonna sit behind you so you can lean into me. Soak up more warmth, you know? Don't worry I'll keep my hands to myself. Unless you want me to do otherwise," I winked at her.
Bella rolled her eyes at me and muttered, "No funny business."
I grinned and sat behind Bella with one leg on either side of her body. At first she was rigid and sat up as straight as she could barely even touching me. As she began to warm up though, Bella relaxed and was eventually leaning back against my chest. I kept my word, and didn't touch her. Even though I kind of wanted to. Just having a cute warm body so close to me was an improvement and I had to tell myself not to fuck anything up. Jacob was my best friend and Bella was his girl. I was just keeping her warm while he was away.
I sat there with my legs bent, hands on my knees, with Bella in between them for a good 20 minutes or so before Jacob came back. "What the hell is going on here?" he asked.
"Jacob, I can explain," Bella said as she jumped up.
"Jake, bro, chill. Nothing's going on. Bella was cold. I was keeping her warm. That's it. I promise," I tried to explain.
"He's telling the truth, Jake. That's all that happened," Bella stuck up for me. I saw Jake's eyes dart back and forth between the two of us a couple times before he seemed satisfied that what we said was true.
"Okay." Jake sat down pulling Bella with him. "Sorry I wasn't here to keep you warm, Bells."
"It's okay," Bella responded. "You were having fun with your brothers. Quil was nice enough to lend me some body heat. He even kept his hands to himself for once."
"I was a perfect gentlemen," I said.
"Oh really?" Jake raised his eyebrows in disbelief. "That's a first."
Bella laughs and I couldn't help but feel offended. Sure, I'm perverted but I actually was a gentlemen this time and I get laughed at. I guess that's what I get for being such a creep sometimes.
We sit be the bonfire and everyone else is so engrossed with their significant others that I feel left out again. I look at all the couples longingly and wish I had that right now. Stupid imprinting! Why did I have to imprint on a 4 year old? I guess I could try and have a girlfriend while Claire grows up but it just doesn't seem right to me. I've had the occasional date and one night stand here or there, but nothing that's lasted. I just can't get myself to be into a girl knowing I'd break her heart later on when Claire grew up. That was fucked up.
People started to slowly leave. I was too caught up in my own miserable thoughts to notice. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Bella standing over me. "Thanks, Quil. For before. You know, keeping me warm? That was really nice of you."
"No problem, Bella," I said as I stood up, "Anytime."
Bella surprised me by giving me a big hug. As I pulled away she leaned in to plant a kiss on my cheek. I don't know why I did it but I turned my head so her lips pressed my lips instead of my cheek. It was a quick harmless kiss. A peck if you will, but it seemed to upset Bella.
"What the fuck, Quil?" Bella pushed me away from her and ran off.
"Yeah, Quil, what the fuck?" Oh no, Jacob looked pissed.
"Sorry, bro, I didn't mean to. It was an accident." The look in Jake's eyes is threatening and I start to back away.
"Bullshit! You did it on purpose. Bella's my girl, Ateara, and don't you forget it!" Jake went off and decked me a good right hook straight to the eye. I could feel it swelling already.
"What the hell, man? I said I was sorry." I knew he was pissed but there was no reason to hit me because of it.
"Sorry doesn't cut it, Quil. You upset Bella. You put your lips on my girl. I have every right to hit you," Jake says as Embry and Paul come over to break up the fight.
"I'm sorry, bro. I'll apologize to Bella, okay? Just don't hit me again," I said.
"Fine. But once you apologize, stay away from Bella." Jake shrugs Embry off him and walks in the direction Bella disappeared.