Chapter 7: First Time for Everything

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight


BPOV:

I was out the door and on my way to La Push. That was the only thing I had to do; simply drive over there. Paul wouldn't let me lift a finger. He said he had it under control. Everything was set up, food, eating utensils, etc. I wouldn't have minded bringing part or even all of the food, but it was nice for once to have someone else take the responsibility off my shoulders for a change. I could relax and just have a good time.

Paul was waiting for me when I drove up to his house. We took his car to Second Beach. I'd never been there before; it was pretty much secluded, and covered with fallen pine logs as I was told.

The view was still beautiful, and Paul had cleared a path through all the timber, leading to a tent he put up especially for me as a shield from the wind and cold. He was so considerate, always anticipating my safety and comfort.

We laid out a blanket, and Paul placed the food out on it, sandwiches, potato salad, and bottled water.

I gazed at him while we ate, and couldn't help smiling. The food wasn't exactly fit for a king, but it was the thought that counted. I jokingly asked when we finished, "What? No dessert?"

He smirked, and answered, "I didn't forget. It's in the tent."

I wanted to talk for a while more, but the clouds began to gather and a fine drizzle put a kink in our plans. Paul took my hand and helped me up. "Time to duck for cover, I guess."

We went inside, and I was startled to see that Paul had placed an air mattress on the floor of the tent. There were blankets and two pillows at one end.

"Make yourself comfortable," he said.

With my legs folded underneath me, I removed my hoodie, Paul did the same, but he removed his shirt as well. "Warm in here, isn't it?" He grinned as my eyes got round.

It was difficult to look away from all of that masculinity. My heart started pounding at the sight. "It's nice."

His grin widened. "Very nice."

Those wolf senses could probably detect the acceleration in my heartbeat, but there was nothing I could do to change it.

Paul moved a bit closer to me, and tilted my chin up so he could peer into my eyes. "You know, Bella. You are beautiful, I mean it, and I really like you. I've never felt this way about any other girl."

His hands cupped my face and instantly his mouth was busy with mine. As the kissing continued, he gently lowered me onto the mattress, his body pressed to me. Good lord, I was in heaven. He pulled away, and nuzzled his way down my chin, and neck to my collarbone. Then, one of his hands reached out for a paper bag near the other pillow. Our dessert, no doubt.

He drew out a small bottle, and a tiny tin-foiled package. "I brought you a treat. One you'll really like."

I lifted my head slightly to see what he had in that bottle, and read: Astroglide? The switch in my brain suddenly flipped on. "Wait … What?"

He pushed me slowly back down to the pillow. "Now just relax, Angel, I know what I'm doing."

My gosh, this couldn't be happening. Where was the sweet considerate gentleman I thought he was? So Jacob was right about him? I started to panic. "Whoa, slow down, this is not the program, Paul. I've never been with a guy before—not this way. I am not ready for this. "

"Oh, no …but you are ready; I can smell it from here. Don't worry … I know you're a virgin. I won't hurt you. I've done this several times before. You're in good hands. You'll thank me later. Just think, your wedding night will be all the more enjoyable when you don't have to stress over getting your cherry popped."

I tried to free myself, but he was too big. Pushing at him with my hands, I whined, "Paul … no."

His head jerked back slightly. "I don't get it. I can tell you were turned on just a microsecond ago. C'mon, baby, you just need to chill out. I'm giving you a gift here. You should be grateful. Don't you wanna experience the big 'O'?"

He looked at the pained expression on my face, and shook his head in disbelief. "This is unreal. I've never had any girl tell me no before. I'm not a beast; I don't wanna force you. Why can't you just lay back and enjoy it like all the others?"

Sighing, he continued, trying to persuade me. "Look … I'll stop if that's what you want, but if you'd just let me get your motor purring, you won't want me to. No girl has ever complained about my performance, and that's an undisputed fact."

He pinned my arms beneath him, and his fingers quickly undid the top two buttons of my blouse, then slid inside the front of it, one finger tracing along the edge of my bra. "I promise I'll get you so excited that you'll beg me for more."

I was shouting now. "Paul, no, please—don't!"

A growl sounded outside, and all at once I heard fabric ripping and a big russet wolf sailed through the opening, charging at Paul. They tore through the other side of the tent, both now phased, and snarling at each other.


JPOV:

I rested on my haunches, with my eyes zeroed in on that damn playground that Paul constructed to execute his sordid plan. Waiting like a sentry for the signal to attack, I had my ears alerted to any sound coming from the tent. I overheard every slick syllable that spewed out of Paul's mouth. Man, that guy had it down to a science. He was an expert at seduction, and Bella was as naïve as they came. She didn't catch on to his freakin' scheme until the bottle of lubricant made its appearance. How dumb can you get?

For a while there, I even worried that she was going along with it. All her bodily reactions were saying, bring it on. I had a hard time distinguishing want from sheer panic, 'til I caught the scent of her fear.

My hackles rose when I heard her say, no, and I spurred into action when she shouted the word. I flew from my vantage point above the area. There was a fire in my gut as I shredded the tent with tooth and claw, in an attempt to get him off her.

Paul went out the other side and phased. With my canines chomping at the air, I followed, hoping to sink them into his shoulder. I was bigger and faster than he was and madder'n hell.

We jumped up and over the ridge overlooking the beach. I pounced on him, knocking him to the ground. We tumbled 'til I got him flat on his back, my muzzle right in his face. Stay away from her, Lahote. I told you, the bet is off!

What are you so mad about? Nothing happened. I wasn't about to force her to give it up. You know that's not my style.

Do I? Who's to say what you might've done. It was a blow to your freakin' masculine pride to hear her refuse you.

You're in love with her, aren't you? What a sap! Take her; the little innocent virgin isn't worth it. I'm done here. All that effort for nothing.

It wasn't for nothing. At least now, she knows what a wolf you are.

I'm going back to get Bella. After we've gone, you can clean up the mess you left behind.


I trotted back toward the tent, listening all the while to Paul still ranting about what a wuss I'd become. He could think whatever he wanted to. I did what I had to do, and wasn't sorry for it. Kiss my ass, Paul.

The tent—or what was left of it—was a few feet away from me. Shifting back to human, I pulled on my shorts and stepped forward. Bella was sitting inside, crying. When she saw me entering the front flap, she catapulted herself into my arms. I lifted her easily, and carried her to the Taj where prying eyes wouldn't be able to disturb us.


BPOV:

Everything just happened so fast. At first I was thrilled that Paul found me attractive, but his moves all of a sudden became more aggressive. It then began to dawn on me that his charm was a put on, an act to get me in his bed, like Jacob and Jessica told me. Why didn't I listen to them?

I was scared. I didn't know if Paul would take no for an answer. It seemed like he was doing his best to have his way. I liked him or the guy he pretended to be, but I didn't love him, and I certainly didn't want my first time to be with someone I didn't love.

When that growl alerted me, I knew in my heart that it was Jacob. And when the russet wolf burst into the tent, I was so relieved. Jacob would take care of Paul; of that I was convinced.

I could hear the howling and the sound of their paws as they pounded the earth. My breathing normalized, and my pulse slowed. Paul was gone; I was safe. The rain and the wind began to gust into the battered tent, and I picked up my coat and slid arms into the sleeves.

Strangely, I felt calm, almost as if nothing had happened. But then I glanced about my surroundings and my eyes fell upon the tiny bottle, and the tin foil package containing a condom. The realization hit me that this could have had a very different outcome, and I started to tremble uncontrollably. The tears came next. I was frozen, and couldn't move from the spot, and yet I wanted to get out of there so badly.

Jacob must have heard me crying, because he walked through the tent flap with his arms open wide. My inertia vanished, and I flung myself into his warm embrace. I didn't utter a word when he scooped me up, nudging the side of my head to his sturdy shoulder. I was transported to his garage in ten minutes. My picnic with Paul was a thing of the past. I was secure with Jacob's arms enveloping me.


JPOV:

I was in paradise with Bella's little hands wrapped so snugly around my neck. She came to me; she literally flew into my arms. I realized that she saw me as her savior, but still, I reveled in the feel of her cheek against the bare skin of my chest. Now if only I could keep my heart from exploding.

Trying to be realistic about the situation, I told myself, This is nothing. Bella was only reacting to a traumatic ordeal, and I was there to help in her escape. She was grateful … that's all. At least that's what the logical part of me said. The rest of me yelled—yes, a chance to start over.

With Bella still clinging to me, I settled down on the old sofa in the Taj, keeping her held tightly on my lap. I nestled her head under my chin, one hand gently pressing it to my shoulder. While she wept, I removed her coat and rubbed her back in soothing circles with my free hand, whispering, "It's okay honey, go ahead and cry. It'll make you feel better."

The whole time she was sobbing her heart out, I thought back to the times I'd tried to take advantage of her. Is that how she felt then? It sickened me to know that I could make her react that way too. How could I have been such a hormone-driven animal?

Now that I'd changed, I wondered if she would ever believe me. Only time would tell, and I had to exercise patience if I wanted to see that happen.