Chapter 7: A Fleeting Moment
Kale's P.O.V.
Gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white. Her blood was everywhere. I don't know how I can think straight now. The confined space of the car wasn't helping either. Her scent was continuously washing over me. My fangs already elongated to full length and my senses were now becoming hyperactive.
"Slow down," she whispered.
Glancing over at her and I frowned, but I eased my foot off the pedal.
"Take me to my house first."
"Why? You need to get to the hospital," I said.
"I don't want to explain to Charlie about bloody clothes," she explained.
Sighing irritably, but at the next light, I made an illegal U-turn and sped toward her house. Finally arriving at her home, Bella yanked open the door and rushed toward the front porch. I looked down at the floor of the car and groaned. She dropped my shirt and it reeked of her. Sliding down my seat and shutting my eyes. This damn human was stupid and why was she even riding a motorcycle. She could barely use her own truck. My thirst was seriously kicking me in the ass. Quickly looking toward the house and saw no movement toward the front door. I opened the dash and grabbed the only blood bag stored in there. Bringing the thing toward my mouth and I bit into it. My taste buds soared, my body happily accepting the blood flowing into my mouth.
Hearing Bella running out the door, ruined the effects of the blood flowing through me. I shoved the empty blood bag under my seat and waited for her. Slamming shut the door, I put my foot on the gas. Glancing over at Bella and winced at the extend of her injury. Her forehead had a huge gash and a few droplets of blood oozed out of the wound.
"Did you put any antibiotics, or germ killing stuff on the cut?" I asked.
"No, I just wash away the blood."
"Stupid human!" I blurted out.
Tensing up when I heard Bella intake a huge gulp of air and glared at me.
"Why-"
"Here, borrow my shirt," I said hurriedly.
"Why? You're other one is fine," she whined.
"It's dirty."
The next light turned red as I drove up to it. Unbuckling my seat belt and yanking off my white tee. I reached over and pressed the material against her forehead. The light turned green and I drove faster. I could feel Bella taking in my appearance, her eyes assessing my overly pale skin, and toned torso. Dropping my other hand and gripped the steering wheel.
"Your really pale..." she pointed out.
"Stop looking!" I snapped at her.
"Do you have extra shirts?" she asked.
"Yea."
After finding a parking space in the parking lot, I rushed out of the car and opened the trunk of the car. Grabbing a black hoodie and slipping it on. I zipped it up and grabbed Bella's forearm.
She had to get seven stitches.
Seven. Just to close the gaping cut on her forehead.
With a bunch of anesthetic being applied and asking several times if she felt any pain, she just shook her head. But out of worry for her well-being, I gripped her hand the entire time and she wasn't too fond of that. After what seemed like ages, we were finally leaving. After setting myself in the car and Bella in the passenger seat. I dropped my head on the steering wheel and sighed very loudly.
I don't even sleep and this was somehow exhausting. But a warm hand on my shoulder broke my train of thought.
"Thanks. I thought Jacob would have to take me," she said.
"How would that be a problem, your better friend's with him than me."
"I don't know," she mumbled.
"Well, I'm assuming you have to get home now," I said as I started the car.
Walking into the kitchen, I dropped my keys on the counter, and yanking on a fresh tee-shirt.
"What is that smell?" Jane called out dreamily as she strode into the kitchen.
"Bella. Her blood is very poignant."
Jane opened her eyes and glared at me, "you didn't?"
Shaking my head, "no, she had an accident earlier today. She was riding a motorcycle and fell of," I explained.
"How the hell did you manage to deal with that?" Jane asked.
"I just did."
"Aro called..."
Snapping my gaze up to her and frowning, "when?" I asked.
"Today. He wants to know your process."
"I wouldn't know what to say..."I started as I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling unsure.
"You have made progress...right?"
"I guess."
"You need to get this whole thing together! If it weren't for your strange nature, you'd be dead!" Jane growled and her eyes narrowing in anger.
"Jane, I'm fully aware of that. I just need her to stop being so damn stubborn."
"No Kale! You need to go in and make the kill! There was a damn reason why Aro picked you!" Jane shouted, making me flinch at her answer.
"I know! This whole mission is outrageous! I get it! She smells amazing and her blood must taste...so...good..." I said as I started to trail off.
"We all know that! But Kale you-"
"Jane! You don't get it! It's that fact that I can even drink her blood and not have to worry about venom! It's tempting, too damn tempting!" I growled at her.
Jane dropped her head into her hands and sighed, "I knew that would be hard for you. I tried convincing Aro to let this whole thing go, but he's been so persistent about it," she explained.
"Her scent is so invigorating! I'm stuck wanting to drink her dry and wanting to sniff her all day. That sounds weird, but it's true," I mumbled embarrassed.
"This whole thing seems pointless," Jane stated.
"Well as long as I get to drink her infamous blood, I'm good."
"You just need to get on her good side. So far you've only succeeded in making her remembering Edward more. She seems to have endangered herself in dangerous acts to make her remember something. Edward was a good man, but he is very protective and practically treated Bella as a child," Jane said in thought.
"Really? What else was he like? I need some sort of information on him. I need to not act like him."
"Good point. He was the jealous type and he never filled Bella's needs," Jane said and cocked her head to the side.
"What do you mean?"
"He enjoyed avoiding to explain any situation to Bella and always deemed everything dangerous to her. So you would have to be up front with her, don't lie, and..." she stopped and placed her hand on her forehead and frowned.
"What?"
"As much Edward avoided answering her, he also avoided her physical needs the most. Always using his nature to avoid hurting her," Jane added slowly.
"That excuse must have gotten old," I said in surprise.
"It must have. She's a teenager, so she must get very heated..." Jane said uncomfortably.
"Well, that was some needed information."
"She also took quite the liking to his looks. If you dressed less like a hobo and more reasonable, she might find you attractive," Jane sneered.
"Shut up."
The next day I was walking into school with a determined grit in my walk. I grudgingly got my hair cut way shorter-the stylist doing in a more "modern style." Jane forcing me to wear more reasonable clothes, not my usual hoodie and jeans. Honestly, I felt like she dressed me more like Edward. My hair styled similar to his and my style strikingly similar to his. But before getting out of my car, running a quick hand through my hair did the trick. I was more pissed when I realized that my hair no longer reached my eyes, but was instead cut way above my eyebrows.
But several girls caught onto my new look and were giving me appreciative once overs. Gripping the strap of my backpack, I strode straight toward Bella. She was by her locker, searching for school stuff.
"Hey," I mumbled once I was near her.
She jumped and looked in several directions, before her eyes eventually landed on me. A grim expression played itself on her face.
"Let him go," I said harshly.
Forget trying to be soft and honest about him. I'll tell her straight up if I have to.
"I wasn't even-"
"Bella just let him go! I know why you were riding that motorcycle the other day," I explained.
A shocked look crossed her face, "how did you know?"
"I'm not stupid. You made it pretty obvious when you were driving past me."
"You don't get it. I'm still in love with him..." she whispered.
"You're 17! You'll find someone else. Trust me," I said, letting my facade slipping.
A few tears escaped her eyes, she then pushed pass me. Her scent wafted up to my nose and I stiffened. Control.
I watched her walked down the hallway and disappear outside. I followed her. All the way to her damn truck. I stood outside, in the damn rain. Watching as she tried to get the truck started. The down pour growing stronger, finally growing annoyed with the rain, I strolled near her truck. Knocking on the hood of the car, grabbing her attention. She flinched when she saw me.
"Open the hood!" I shouted.
She stared, but complied. The hood opening, I peeked a look inside. Everything looked fine. But with further observation, I saw that her car was over heated. Slamming down the hood and moving toward the passenger side. I heaved opened the metal door and stepped inside. Slamming it shut and glaring at her.
"Turn off the heater. It's causing the truck to over heat," I explained.
She reached forward and switched off the dial. I reached over and gripped her wrist and pulled her closer to me. She yelped and tried moving away from me.
"Hey! You can get sick! I'm just trying to share some body heat!" I snapped at her.
She's in luck, if it wasn't for the fresh blood I had this morning, she would have frost bite. She only settled for shoving her head onto my shoulder and wrapping her arms around my bicep.
"You have no jacket," she pointed out.
"I know."
A few awkward minutes passed by and I slowly felt my control slipping away. Her scent was wafting around me, her slightly exposed neck was driving my instincts crazy. Glaring out the window, hoping for a distraction. But she then nuzzled her nose against my shoulder and my muscles tighten. My fangs grew at the sensation and my insides stirred to life.
"Are you warm yet?" I asked.
"Yep, here let me move."
She removed her arms and I lightly shoved her back, away from me. She stared at me, but only shook her head.
"How did Edward treat you...physically?" I asked suddenly.
I heard Bella intake air and she threw daggers at me, "I'm not answering that."
"Did you guys make out a lot?" I persisted.
"Why would I tell you that?" she snapped.
"I'm only asking," I said calmly.
I finally faced her and my gosh, she was blushing. Facing her body, I reached out again and gripped her knees.
"What are you doing?"
"Making you forget. Temporarily," I said.
Pulling her closer, I left one hand on her thigh and I grabbed a handful of her hair. Yanking her very close to my face and my mouth. Her warm breath hit my lips and she reached up and placed her hands on my shoulders.
"Don't worry. I never hesitate," I mumbled, my eyes straying to her lips.
Her lips were okay, decent enough to kiss them. Instead of the usual soft approach, I went straight in. Attacking her lips, moving fast against her's, trying to get her to respond. Letting my tongue brushed against the seam of her mouth, enjoying the softness of her lips. Tugging on her lower lip with my own. Bella surprisingly parted her lips and moved them against my.
Bella released a low moan and pressed herself closer to me. I traced her lower lip again, and she opened her mouth wider, letting me explore her warm mouth. She was a slightly inexperienced, but she caught on. Bella slid her arms around me, growing curious as she explored my back. Her hands languidly massaging my muscles, moving lower, and stopping at my waist. Her heart was pounding hard and fast and she reacted nicely to my actions. I inched lower, dragging my teeth down the side of her neck. Her breathing became harsh and I marveled at the feeling of her warmth and the way her pulsed raced.
But I ripped my mouth away from her neck and stared out the window. I could barely contain myself. Yanking open the door. I stepped back into the rain and raced away from the truck.
