Drabble#7: A Kiss and a Prayer
Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight.
That had to be the stupidest thing she had ever done, besides wasting her love on that indifferent, unfeeling vampire. What was she thinking? Jacob was right; it was like a hurricane out there. If he hadn't been diligent, if he hadn't come back in time, she would be at the bottom of the ocean now—dead. And for what? To hear that honey-filled voice? The voice that was laced with lies?
She was in the cab of her truck. Jacob was driving her home and keeping her warm, and protecting her from herself. He was a saint putting up with her reckless shenanigans. Instead, he should have had her over his knee giving her the spanking she deserved.
He pulled the Chevy up to the curb. His quiet voice was talking to her but of course she wasn't listening—not really. She finally glanced up and there was that look in his eyes. She had a hard time not feeling guilty whenever he gave her that look.
Jacob stopped speaking. Oh god, that was worse. Not speaking and that look added up to pushing the boundaries again. Sure enough, he was leaning toward her. Maybe she could nonchalantly move back pretending that she was trying to get out of the cab. So she went for it, only to see the pain of rejection reflected on his face. Why couldn't she love what was good for her? It would make Charlie happy, Billy too—and Jacob? He'd be ecstatic. But what about her? He was her best friend; would that be enough to make her happy? That was the big unanswered question.
Jacob was feeling rejected—rejected by the only woman he ever wanted. It was so hard to love her. She was always out to destroy herself. Didn't she realize how beautiful and smart she was—well, up until she threw herself off the freakin' cliff that is. He knew he shouldn't have done it, but he had to risk it even if it meant being hurt again. It was the only way. Testing the water; that's what it was, and the chilly reception he got was breaking his heart. He wanted to kiss her so badly. He wanted her to say those five little words—yeah, five. She'd already said that she loved him, but he needed to hear, "I'm in love with you." You could love your dad, or your dog, or the flowers in the garden. The difference was, "I'm in love with you," meant so much more. He was beginning to think that he might never be able to hear those words from her and it was killing him.
So with a heavy heart, he climbed down from the truck and trotted to the other side to help her down also. What was she thinking right now? Did his prior actions halt the progress he had made with her? She didn't pull away when he held her hand; that was a good sign. Maybe she didn't realize what his intentions had been. Bella was always a little out of it.
They walked into her home silently. Jeez, all this quiet was starting to get on his nerves. His palms were sweaty as it was.
He couldn't stand it anymore. The silence was deafening. He had to say something—anything. "You're so quiet. You all right?"
"I'm fine." She wasn't fine, not at all, but that was her stock answer. Bella Swan was always fine, no matter what. "You want something to drink?"
Jacob nodded his head. "Sure, sure." Anything to stay here a little longer with the girl of his dreams.
She backed up a step so that she was leaning up against the kitchen counter top, within reach of the refrigerator handle. The light was coming in from the window, casting a glow on her face. She looked so beautiful, that Jacob couldn't help himself. He closed the gap between them.
The unmistakable glint of love shone in his eyes. Bella knew that if she rejected him now, he would be devastated.
She decided then and there that maybe it wouldn't be so bad to repay him with one little kiss. He saved her life today for crying out loud. She owed it to him.
Bella gazed into his hopeful eyes and parted her lips waiting for his next move.
Hesitantly, Jacob ran his hand through her hair. She wasn't stopping him. He moved his other hand to wrap around her shoulder. She wasn't stopping him. He pulled her head closer to his. His heart was pounding away in his chest. She still wasn't stopping him. This was the moment he had been waiting for. Gently, he pressed his lips to hers and the sensation of her lips moving with his sent his heart soaring. He held her a bit more tightly, relishing the feel of her small, soft frame against his. He deepened the kiss, hoping against hope that she was feeling what his heart was saying to her. Please, Bella, please, he prayed silently. I need you to love me.
Jacob's kiss was warm and soft, and sweet and passionate. Truth be told, he stirred something inside of her, and she responded willingly. She felt herself falling—please Jacob, please, she prayed. I know I need to love you. Be patient with me, until I can say the words, "I'm in love with you."
After breaking the kiss, they looked at each other with different eyes. They knew that things would never be the same between them. And Jacob would wait patiently for the day that those five little words would come from Bella's sweet lips—the words that would change their lives forever.
