A/N: So, this chapter is really short. I've been lazing around lately, dreading school and not wanting to do much but practice my bum skills. Either way, hope you like it.
Quil had been gone for an hour and twelve minutes. I was worried, not about Jamie, but about Quil. I didn't want him to have a run in with the cops.
My tears had dried and I managed to calm myself down with the thoughts of Jamie having his face pummeled by Quil's huge hands. I was thankful that the situation didn't escalate any further than it did. Something much worse could have occurred, but it didn't.
I heard a noise downstairs and it sounded as though someone was coming up the stairs. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in." The door opened to reveal Jake staring at me with a look between sympathy and possession, an emotion that a brother would hold for his sister.
"Quil said to tell you he went for a run to calm down." I nodded my head.
"What did you guys do to him?"
Jake's eyes hardened. "Don't worry. Jamie will probably loose his popularity with his face looking like that."
"Did you assist?"
"Nope. It was all Quil's doing." I nodded my head in satisfaction. If that's the case then Jamie got it good. Jake and Embry may be possessive of me in a brotherly fashion, but Quil's possession reaches a whole new level.
"Will you be okay if we go? Or, do you want us to stay here with you?"
"Nah, it's okay. You guys can go. I've calmed down enough." I gave him a small smile, which he returned before closing my door. I listened to his footsteps and eventually, the front door closing behind him.
I decided that I must look like a wreck, so I headed to the bathroom to take a shower. I relaxed as the water ran down my body, easing the tension in my muscles. I got out before I turned into a prune and took my time putting on my bra and underwear. I didn't look too bad, considering how much I cried.
I opened my door and walked into my room, only to discover Quil sitting on my bed looking at me. My eyes widened and I just stood staring at him. His expression wasn't what I expected, however. Normally, Quil would be super embarrassed and turn his head away, all the while urging me to put on clothes. This time, however, Quil let his eyes roam over my body.
"Come here." Quil's voice was husky and just low enough for me to hear. I felt my eyes widen even more. I did as he asked, though, and made my way over to him, stopping directly in front of his still form. His two warm hands latched themselves onto my waist and Quil gazed into my eyes. Even with him sitting on my bed, our faces were inches apart – he was just that tall. He pulled me closer to him and placed me on his lap, letting out a deep sigh.
"What's wrong?" I trailed my fingers across the side of Quil's face.
"Nothing." He buried his head in the crook of my neck and inhaled. If it weren't for the seriousness of the moment, I would have made a crack about him sniffing me like a dog.
"Quil. Don't give me that." I pulled away and held his face in between my two hands. "Tell me what's wrong. You don't normally go around sighing for no reason."
He sighed again. "Just thinking about today." I saw a fleck of anger spark in his eyes. "I wish I could be around you all the time so you're protected. I feel like I've failed you somehow."
"Quil!" I blew an exasperated breath through my nose. "Do not beat yourself up over this! It's not your fault and it's not mine either." He cast his eyes downward. "As much as you may want to, you're not going to be able to be with me all the time." I pulled his face up so he was looking at me. "I'm okay. If you want, I can go take self-defense classes. Or, maybe Jake and Paul could give me a few lessons. Please baby, don't get all sad and depressed about this." I kissed him on the lips. "Okay?"
He sighed again and I narrowed my eyes. "Okay." Finally, I got a small smile from him.
"There we go. I would much rather see you smiling than sulking around like a dog with his tail in between his legs. No one stole your bone, Rover." That comment earned a playful glare in my direction, and it was only then did I remember I was sitting in his lap half naked.
I cleared my throat. "Uhm, Quil. Do you realize I'm currently half naked and sitting in your lap?" I saw his eyebrows knit together in confusion and he looked down. His eyes quickly darted back up to my face and I saw a light tinge of pink spread across his cheeks. His grip on me loosened and he lightly lifted me off of his lap.
"Uhm, I think you should put some clothes on."
"Aww, do I have to? Wouldn't you rather look at me like this?" I titled my head to the side and stared at him. Boy did he look uncomfortable. He scratched the back of his neck and looked anywhere but me.
"Claire, put some clothes on please." I huffed and shuffled over to my closet. Just when I thought Quil had given in. Some things never change, do they?