AN: thanks for the reviews and thanks to bluebaby for betaing this chapter. Remember that updates will be slower until I don't finish Forever is never enough, which should be soon...

Chapter 1

Bella had bought all the ingredients to stock the kitchen and to prepare lunch for her and the obnoxious Paul. While grocery shopping she was thinking that he was the first guy that got under her skin so quickly.

She was usually very good at avoiding situations in which a guy would flirt with her, but with Paul it seemed to come with the package.

When she arrived at her house she saw him shirtless on the roof and stopped dead in her tracks. She had to admit that he had a hot body; those abs looked like they were made of steel. She sighed and shook her head; she wasn't going to get caught ogling him.

With her bags she started the small walk towards her house and when she had managed to be almost there she heard. "Hey babe, would you mind getting me a glass of water?" He descended the stairs and walked towards her. His eyes were calling hers, they were inviting and seductive, she need to keep her guard up.

It was a reasonably sunny morning and his skin was glistening in sweat; she swallowed a few times and she felt her cheeks flaming under his undisguised attention.

His smirk cooled her down a bit but her heart was still beating a tad faster than usual. "So... babe... about tonight, would 8 o'clock suit you?"

Bella glared at him and gave him her back; she started walking towards the kitchen. "As I said before leaving, I'm not going out with you tonight Paul. And stop calling me babe." She had just put down the bags to open the door when she felt him behind her, so close that they were almost touching.

"And I said that we're going out tonight babe, so you might as well stop pretending you don't want to." he whispered hotly near her ear.

Bella didn't like the way he made her feel, not one little bit. She managed to open the door with shaky hands. "I'm not pretending, I really don't like you."

He chuckled. "You're funny little swan, you know? Your surname suits you, you're delicate and aristocratic like the bird."

Bella snorted then and turned to face him. His eyes were black and magnetic, but it was obvious that for him she was just a game. "Nice Paul, if I hadn't been warned that you're a ladies' man I might have believed you. Unfortunately, I do know of your reputation so... you can take your 'babe' and your untruthful compliments and shove them up your..." she didn't finish the sentence but it was obvious where she meant.

He eyed her a moment longer and suddenly burst out laughing. "You've got spunk babe. I must admit I don't mind working to get into your pants... just don't make me wait too long." He winked and after taking a glass of water he left to go back on the roof.

Bella was frozen on the spot. Spunk? Get into her pants? He really was a total prick. Hot and sexy, but still a prick. She shook her head again and went to cook lunch. She would show him that she didn't like him one bit.

She still couldn't figure out how she managed to have some comebacks, she was usually so shy and reserved, but he brought out the worst in her. She couldn't stop blushing when she thought that he really said that he wanted to sleep with her; though he might use another word for that.

Lunch arrived sooner than she wished. She really had to try hard to hide the evil grin that would give her away. She had cooked three pieces of meat; two regular and one with the spiciest sauce she could muster up. Paul was going to get the spicy one first and then when he admitted defeat she would serve him the real meal. Spending her pocket money for that extra piece of meat was going to be worth it.

Paul came in and went to the bathroom while she served the food on the table. He arrived and eyed the meat and the vegetables that went with it with hunger.

Bella sat and started to eat, and after a moment he sat and started cutting the meat. "Ah... what could I ask more than this? A pretty babe cooking me lunch..."

He put the first bite in and chewed. She saw his face change and really bit her lip hard not to laugh. Revenge was a dish best served cold, in this case spicy. He swallowed the bite and drank a glass of water quickly.

She feigned indifference, but after he put a second bite in his mouth she asked, "So how's the meat? Is it cooked the way you like it?"

His eyes were starting to water and that was the final straw. She burst out laughing and laughed until she fell down off the chair. "Oh God! You should have seen your face Paul!"

He was glaring at her but at the same time he had a soft glint in his eyes. "Nice trick babe... really smooth..."

Bella stood up and took away his plate; she plunked the spicy meat in the bin and served him the right meat. "Here... enjoy your meal."

Paul looked at the meat and then at her, she giggled. "That one is like mine, I swear."

He was quick to snatch her plate and exchange it with his. "You'll understand babe if I don't trust you..."

Bella grinned and shook her head. "Be my guest."

The rest of the meal was spent in silence. Bella was finally starting to relax when he said, "You didn't answer me earlier. Is 8 okay with you?"

She looked at him curiously. "I'm not going out with you Paul, not now not ever. Besides, tonight I'm going to La Push. I'm meeting my friend Jacob Black." She had omitted to say that she was going to be introduced to Maria, Jacob's girlfriend, so that maybe Paul would think that she wasn't available.

He looked at her and smirked. "Black is a kid, I'm a real man babe."

She blushed and looked down at her plate; she didn't doubt that he was a man. "Thanks but no thanks." She stood up and started to clean the kitchen.

He walked where she was and put his plate in the sink. "Tonight you're out off the hook, but don't think I won't ask you again... after all, no woman can resist my charm." He picked a loose strand of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. The way he had touched her felt almost sinful. She had to admit that he was a pro at this game.

She shivered and took a step away from him. "Keep dreaming Paul, I really wouldn't date you even if you begged."

He took a menacing step towards her. "I bet you'll be the one begging at the end, little swan." He walked away and out of the door.

Bella shivered again and slid down on the floor. Her little conversation with Paul had left her unsettled and shaken. He really did have charm and she was starting to doubt that antagonizing him would help get rid of him. Paul seemed like the kind of guy who really could get any woman he wanted, and he had made it abundantly clear that she was his next target.

Luckily enough, her father came back around five and Bella didn't have any other encounter with Paul. As soon as he left, her father came knocking at her bedroom's door. "Bells? So... how did it go?"

Bella was tempted to tell her father about Paul's behavior but something made her hesitate. "It went okay; I can deal with him just fine."

He father smiled. "Good. So are you going to see Jacob tonight?"

Bella smiled back. "Jacob and Maria, I'm curious to meet her. He couldn't stop talking about her."

"She is nice and very patient. Jacob is really hyper and she has to deal with him on a daily basis. Billy likes her very much too. Have a nice evening." replied her father.

...

At eleven she got back home after a wonderful evening with Jacob and Maria. She was absolutely beautiful and kind, Jacob was really lucky.

Bella changed into her PJs and then lay down in the bed. She closed her eyes but sleep wasn't coming, she recalled Jacob's words from that night.

Flashback-

"So Bells, how was your first day?" Jacob asked while the three of them were walking on First Beach.

"If it wasn't for that annoying guy, it would have been a nice day." Bella replied, surprised that she had talked about Paul with them.

"Which guy?" Maria asked.

"His name is Paul, he is Quileute and he is doing some repairs to our house. I swear that if he flirted with me some more I would have kneed him." She ranted.

Jacob looked serious. "Are we talking about Paul Meraz? Huge and with an ego as big as the United States?"

Bella laughed. "Yes, that sums it up perfectly. He was so... ugh... confident and he was calling me babe... I mean, come on who calls someone babe nowadays?"

Jacob and Maria looked at each other and some understanding passed between them. "Bells, you stay away from him... that guy is bad news..."

Maria nodded vigorously. "There are tons of girls that could tell you to steer clear... Paul just wants sex..."

Bella sighed and looked at the beautiful scenery, her mind tough was recalling Paul's eyes so deep and fierce at the same time. "I'll try my best to stay away from him... but I can't guarantee he'll do the same."

Jacob squeezed her arm. "Bells, if he keeps bothering you I'll have a word with him."

Bella smiled at him. "Thanks Jacob, I'll let you know."

-End flashback.

It was obvious that Jacob couldn't really do anything for her, but she had appreciated his offer. Paul was her problem and the next day her only option was to avoid him at all cost.