Jacobs's POV
"Beautiful Jake! Beautiful."
The photographers voice was beginning to get on my nerves. It was shrill, grating and far too high for a man in my opinion. Despite it, I held the pose although my back was beginning to argue about the positioning. Flashing bulbs, clicking cameras and quiet voices mumbling, things most humans wouldn't pay attention to, distracted me. No matter how many times I did this, it still got to me.
"Now can you face the camera," he cupped his face in his hands, as if to shape a camera, "And I want you to be sexy. As if the woman of your dreams was this camera and you want to give her a look that just says...I'm gonna make you scream."
A small round of giggles came from the surrounding workers. I smiled, I always smiled or so I was told. I'd gotten very good over the years at ignoring the urge to attack. Instead, I smiled, "Anything you say Mitchie."
He always seemed flattered when I spoke. I wondered at times if he went home and- I stopped my thoughts from even entering that area. Moving my arms, I attached them behind my neck. Relaxing my legs, I tilted the angle of my head just a little as I looked into the camera. Then I thought of her. It was always her that I thought of. Whether they wanted angry, hurt, sad, horny - it was always her. Even the years hadn't faded the hurt and anger I felt. It seemed to have gotten worse, a dull ache that arose randomly.
"Oh yea..." Mitchie said, expelling a slow breath, "Right there. That's it...that's the cover."
I gave a smirk, one I knew he'd love. He let out a squeal and I realized why I'd gotten into this business. I loved being the centre of attention. For once it was me everyone loved, no questions involved or triangles to figure out. I was it.
The shoot ended, I changed back into my regular clothing. Regular meaning a nice pair of slacks and a dress shirt, no tie today. I walked out of the changing room, the random handshake and odd photo requested as I headed towards a tall red headed woman talking to Mitchie. I heard them talking, heard them from a lot farther back so when they changed the conversation over as I came near I smiled.
"Baby you were amazing," the red head, my girlfriend and manager Claire, kissed my cheek lightly.
"Of course," I said in response, looking to Mitchie, "I couldn't do it without New York's best photographer."
Mitchie blushed again, "Claire, marry him before I do." he looked me over in a way that made me a little more than nervous.
"Oh shush," she tapped Mitchie lightly on the shoulder, "You're making him nervous." her long manicured fingers wrapped themselves with mine. Her white skin a striking contrast to my caramel coloured own.
"Are we done?" I asked, trying to move the conversation. I really wanted to get home, I needed a shower and sleep.
"Yep! They're going to love them! I don't even think they'll be able to pick just one for the cover." he tapped his lip, "We may have to do a montage."
"You'll figure it out," Claire gave Mitchie a kiss on the cheek and we both waved goodbye. I ran, to avoid his attempt to kiss my cheek as well.
"You really are skittish around gays," Claire said, once clear of the room.
I rolled my eyes, "No, just him. He always looks like he wants to eat me." I winced as we exited the building, the bright light hitting my face. It was a warm day, compared to yesterday. Spring was bringing the weather that made me long to be home. City life had nothing to the forest.
"You coming?" Claire asked, holding open the limo door, "You stand there to long and someone will notice and -"
A large squeal erupted from my left. I knew the sound and slowly turned my head as a flock of five girls descended upon me. I wasn't in the mood for autographs or pictures, but Claire was right, this was what I got for standing in the street. It took about twenty minutes to sign and stand for pictures with the girls, and as usual anyone else on the street who'd noticed. I escaped, but not without feeling guilty as a few others showed up just as we left.
"You're so soft," she rubbed my leg lightly, "Bleeding heart and all." her fingers trailed higher and I closed my eyes. Claire knew my body too well, she knew what to do to distract me. I let out a small groan as she undid my pants. Her small perfect hands finding their target too easily.
"We've got dinner," I said quietly.
"Don't worry," she said, kneeling in front of me, "I promise not to spill."
I closed my eyes, she was too good to argue with. I sighed heavily as her mouth began to lightly suck on the tip of my shaft. I lightly touched her hair and urged her to keep it up. No matter how many times I fucked her, the face I brought forward never had red hair. Silken brown strands, milky white skin, big doe eyes...beautiful Bella.
Bella's POV
"Seriously, I'm fine. The train is just running late." I said, the handset held tightly to my ear as the noise covered the voice coming through. I was meant to be in New York an hour earlier, Charlie had checked in with my landlady and found I wasn't there. I always told him he worried too much. Then again I'd caused enough situations to create such a paranoia.
"Call me when you get there," he said, his voice although firm and calm was doing a rather bad job to hide the worry.
"I will, I promise," I knew my voice was impatient, I really just wanted off the phone, "I gotta go...my batteries dying," I lied.
"Okay, I love you Bella." he said, before we both hung up. I put the phone down into my purse and picked up the magazine I'd been reading. I flipped a few pages full of ads and stopped, my heart skipping a beat as I looked into the dark black eyes of a familiar face. A perfume ad, black and white but even that couldn't hide the fact that Jacobs skin was the most beautiful colour. He was pressed into a woman, their bodies locked together leaving little to the imagination. I quickly turned the page. He'd disappeared after he'd recieved the invitation to my engagement. Despite being away, he kept in touch with the pack. For awhile I asked about him, tried to convince him to come home but Seth eventually told me that Jake had told them to create some distance. He said he couldn't let go if I was still pretending to care. So he'd blackmailed the pack. Well that's what I considered it. He would only keep in touch if they kept out of touch with me.
It hurt. The pain of his loss was real, it was final. This wasn't a childish argument or a dramatic step in the fucked up love triangle in my life. This was solid. It was like the step a teen takes into adulthood. Everything turned serious after that. Losing him had changed me inside and out. I couldn't even look at Edward without thinking of what I'd put Jake through. I hated who I was, what I had done. I still did.
"Ma'am?" one of the train workers came my way, "We are so sorry for the late schedule."
"No, it's alright," I said, sitting up, "I didn't have anywhere to be."
"Nowhere to be in New York? Now that in itself is impossible." he had a kind older face and I smiled.
"I'm just moving there today so, no plans yet."
"Isn't moving a plan?" he laughed, "You're one mixed up girl." he smiled and walked to the next row apologizing again.
"Mixed up.." I nodded, flipping back to the picture of Jake, "You have no idea." I felt a stirring inside of me and I closed my eyes. Where was he.
Jacobs POV
"Sorry we're late, traffic," I said, motioning Claire to the table where two other couples were already seated. It was partially true.
"Not a problem" Demetri, said while shaking my hand and kissing Claire's cheek, "We haven't ordered yet." We both sat, saying hello to the other couple.
"Perfect," Claire said, smiling brightly. I grinned and lightly touched her knee. She slapped it playfully from under the table.
"Jacob, you remember Anna, my wife." Demetri motioned to her, "And these elegant people, are Mario and Gabrielle Foreman. They're in charge of you while on set. If you need anything, they're the ones you talk to."
I smiled and extended my hand, "Pleasure to meet you both."
"Oh believe me, its ours as well." she stared at me, her eyes running down the length of my body, or at least that which was visible above the table. I gulped loudly. I knew the look I'd just been given. Mario's wife had just visually devoured me from head to toe and in front of her husband, "If you need anything, no matter how small...I'm your girl." she grinned and lightly rubbed her husbands hand.
"Forgive my wife," he laughed, " She's a fan."
"Thank you," I said, shifting nervously in my seat. As if perfectly timed, the waiter came over to take our drink orders and to hand out the menus.
"Sir," he said to Demetri, "Your other party called, her train was late but she's on her way."
My ears perked up, "Other?" I then noticed the empty chair next to mine.
"Ah yes," Gabrielle perked up, "We're awful busy on the set and as this is your first movie we thought it best to hire you a specialist PA. She's on her way."
"Specialist?" I asked, "Aren't all PA's the same?"
"Oh no, they'd like you to think it but there are a long list of distinctions. We picked her since, well honestly she's smarter than half the other applicants and she's also familiar with your natural habitat."
I ignored her last comment, as I figured it was a slur on the countryside. I squeezed Claire's hand tightly.
"So, Demetri how's the movie looking?" I decided changing the subject would lighten my mood.
"Wonderfully! The writers are eager to work with you, as are your co-stars of course. I think it's perfect for your first."he picked up his wine glass, "To the newest movie star! Not coming out of Hollywood but fuck the west coast!"
"Fuck the west coast!" we cheered and laughed.
The waiter returned, "Sir, your seventh is here." I felt my heart slowing. That scent, I knew that scent. I gripped the chair, if I'd been a normal human the knuckles on my hands would've been white but in my case the chair would be long broken before that occurred.
"Jake?" Claire whispered quietly, "Are you okay? You look as if you've seen a ghost?"
"I..uhh," I couldn't think. The smell of her was too much and yet, there was a touch of relief in that. She smelled alive, she smelled human. Bella was human.
"Ahh Isabella! " Gabrielle said standing, "So sorry about your train." her long tall form moved away to greet their guest. I turned slowly, sneaking a glance out of the corner of my eye. I heard her heels clacking as she walked. I was surprised, since I'd never seen Bella in heels. My eyes moved from them up her long legs which led into a black far too tight pencil skirt which had a silk blouse neatly tucked away into it. I noticed the colour of her blouse, a deep purple that I knew would look amazing with her eyes. I turned my head away, not looking up any further. My arousal seemed to awaken just at the sight of her feet.
Sadly I wouldn't be allowed to escape greeting her. As it was polite, everyone rose to greet her, Gabrielle introduced her in turned to her husband, Anna and Demetri. Brief conversation passed as they enquired about her trip and how she found New York. Once concluded Gabrielle seemed to take some pleasure in introducing Claire, "Hunny this is Claire, she's Jake's manager and close friend." the words 'close' and 'friend' were said in a way that implied so much more, "You'll be working with her more than Jake most of the time."
"Jake.."Bella said quietly. I bit my lip lightly and took a long sip out of my wine glass. I hadn't heard her speak my name in almost five years. She hesitated, I could feel her nervousness and smiled. She seemed to regret the interruption, "I thought you said it was a movie I was..."
"Oh it is but he's transitioning." she continued, "I guess you'd recognize those shoulders anywhere. Few men are built like him and with such perfect features."
I turned to her, "Hello Bella," my voice was quiet and yet when our eyes met, the memories of the past formed an unspeakable connection that froze the very air around us.
Bella's POV
I couldn't speak. I couldn't take my eyes off him and the unbelievable situation I'd gotten myself into. He looked good, far too good than I remembered. His suit was expensive, the woman to his left seemed uncomfortable with the way he looked at me. I figured Gabrielle was right when she said 'close'.
What do I do! I yelled at myself. I had to respond, I had to say something. I had to...speak. He'd called me Bella. My heart melted, my eyes fought back the urge to cry and I had to restrain every muscle in my body as I both wanted to hit and hug him. Hitting however, had a more painful outcome which I remembered far too well.
"Jake, do you know Isabella?" Gabrielle asked from my side. I panicked, this was my first job in such a place and it was going to define every job I took after it. If being friends..or ex-friends was going to get in the way of my future, I couldn't risk it. What if they thought I couldn't handle working with him or it would make him being my boss awkward.
"No," I said a little to hastily, "I think I would remember knowing someone who looked that good," I bit my lip lightly.
"Are you sure?" Gabrielle raised her brow, "Jake?"
He looked at me as if I'd just cut him, again. For a second I saw his eyes soften, the look was familiar. It was the pleading look he'd given me more than once back in Forks. A look that said, don't do this. It lasted only a second before he shrugged, "Nope. I just like Bella better. Beside,s she looks like a Bella."
"Mmm beauty she is," Demetri added.
"I guess," Jake said, sitting down, "If you like country girls."
