All recognizable names are the property of Stephenie Meyer. We just like playing dress up in her shoes.

This story is not suitable for those under the age of 18. It is rated M, so if you're not old enough to buy a pack of smokes… we don't wanna know!

Chapter 6 - Bella

And you, you knew the hand of the devil
And you, kept us awake with wolves teeth
Sharing different heartbeats
In one night
Heartbeats by Jose Gonzales

I retreated into the house as soon as he was out of sight. I felt the loss of him almost immediately as the sound of his footsteps faded into the tree line. I wasn't sure how to handle the situation. I had a feeling he was angry but I couldn't put the why to it, which left me where?

Once again I was left feeling lost in his wake, but at least he was coming back. His words had rang with a promise he hadn't had to reassure me of, because I felt it in every crevice of my body.

"Bella, you're soaking," Charlie said from behind me, the concern in his voice more than evident. I could hear the creaking of his recliner as I pushed the door closed.

"It's raining," I said numbly.

"Well I can see that, but maybe you should go and take a shower and change?"

Now that Paul was gone, I ran his words through my head and tried to understand what he'd been so upset about. How had he known I had talked to Edward? How could he have possibly known that he'd even touched me? Was there cologne that I couldn't discern on my jacket?

None of it made any sense, but I robotically picked up my bag and moved to the stairs. With one last look at Charlie to reassure him I was, indeed, fine, I made my way to my room and stripped. Leaving everything I was wearing on the floor by my feet.

Picking up my towel I headed into the bathroom and turned the water on warm before climbing in and scrubbing myself clean. If Paul was coming back I wouldn't have him be upset because of a smell of someone helping me out.

Just to make sure it was never going to happen again, I took the wet pile of clothes and headed downstairs, holding the bundle as far from my body as I could get it. Thankfully I had the sense to empty the pockets before I dumped it in the washer and hit start.

Holding the box the watch came in; I examined it carefully, analyzing it as I pictured it on his wrist. I had such a strong vision of him in my head that I held it there, neglecting everything but the picture of him in my minds eye. I could see so clearly the water running from the tips of his hair and over his shoulders as he looked at me with those eyes.

Then, as though he'd called my name, I was aware of him just as much as I ever was. the knowledge he was close almost intrinsic as I felt that pull to him. I ran to the front door, starling Charlie but uttering only one word as I passed.

"Paul."

He seemed to settle back into his chair as I darted through the door and hopped the porch for the second time in one night. My feet didn't seem to carry me half as fast as I wanted them to, so I launched myself into his arms the moment I was close enough, my chest releasing all the air as I came against his powerful body.

The rain fell around us in sheets, but I was oblivious to the cold when I was this close to him. His warm body wrapped around me was all I would ever need on a cold night.

He lifted me into his arms and walked us to the porch without a word, but I could see the intensity in his eyes, felt it in his touch and the shudder that spontaneously moved through his body.

The moment we were on the Porch, my legs were around his waist, and his lips were against mine. He wasn't gentle and reverent as he'd been last time, this was urgent and necessary, his teeth nipping and pulling before he moved his tongue deep in my mouth in a possessive, needy motion.

I was so lost in his touches I found my body reacting of it's own accord, my thighs tightened around his muscular body with need. It was then I knew exactly how aroused he was. Not only could I feel him, but the expletive he rolled with his tongue confirmed it.

Feeling more powerful than I had in my life and possessed with the fire that raged through my body, I chanced repeating the action with more fervor. I ground into him feeling more than I'd anticipated.

His lips pulled away from mine and moved to my ear so he could growl out a warning that made gentle fingers of pleasure roll up my spine. I was desperate for him to kiss me with that much need again, but the moment had passed, leaving the tempestuous air to cool between us.

He wanted to talk, and he confirmed as much, his voice a little cooler than the growl he'd used previously. Unable to speak, I pointed to the door, and immediately missed his warmth as he lowered me to the ground. Without his body heat, I was freezing cold and he let me lead us into the house, where I refused to do anything until we dried off. Both of us were saturated so I threw him some of Charlie's clothes from the laundry room and left him to change, while I got into my flannel PJ's and old t-shirt.

Charlie was stood outside my door as I came out, his face calm filled with that understanding I couldn't place.

"I'm headed to bed. Not too late."

"Yes, sir," I replied gently, not arguing, even though it was the weekend. "See you in the morning."

Charlie nodded and turned away from me, but I could have sworn I'd seen a smile making his mustache twitch. He headed into his room and pushed his door closed behind him without another word. I gave the door a nod of respect and appreciation, I really hadn't given my dad the praise he deserved. Taking a deep breath, I headed down the stairs and padded my way into the living room, where I found Paul on the couch with his head in his hands.

He looked so young sitting there like that I wanted to reach out and touch him, but I stifled the need and instead moved to sit next to him. In the dim light I could see the scars on his back sitting in rigid lines, casting gentle shadows over his unmarred skin.

"What's going on, Paul?" I asked, unable to fight the temptation of touching him in any way I could. My fingers ran down the lines of the scars feeling the heat pulse gently under my touch. Whatever had done this; had hurt him, mentally as well as physically, it was just another inclination that I didn't need confirmation on.

"I want to be with you, Bella," he said quietly. My breath was pulled into my lungs by a sharp intake, and for a second I wanted to ignore the 'but' that hung unspoken at the end of the sentence, however, wasn't that what this was about?

"But?" I asked anyway, prompting him to continue.

"But before that can happen I need you to know why you shouldn't be with me. I need to tell you about that," he said with a general motion to his body that was marred with the puckered pink lines.

I knew it wasn't going to be easy to hear, but when he started talking, my heart bled for him. Such a small child brutalized by the one person in the world that was supposed to love him unconditionally. His protector had turned abuser and had left him scarred, and not just with the welted lines burned into his skin, it went deeper than that. It went to his very soul.

He ended explaining that my dad had been the one to arrive on the scene, and I'd never been more thankful that he was a cop in my life. He was the only one that could have shown Paul the compassion and love he needed to get through that. For a man of little words, Charlie Swan had a starling ability to make you feel wanted. I'd known that the moment I'd stepped off the plane, and here again it was being confirmed.

"I remember your waking up a few times a few days after that," I said gently, recalling the memory that I had buried so long ago. "And Charlie was always there. He used to tell me about you, you know?"

I remembered those days, they stuck out to me, because I though my dad had replaced me, and even though I hadn't wanted to deny a little boy that needed him, I couldn't stop myself from feeling as though I had been shut away. In those early years, those were the few days he'd missed his nightly phone call to me. Being eight that was the kind of thing that stuck with you.

Paul refused to look me in the eyes and picked at his fingers instead, the shame was rolling off him in waves as he tried to do the impossible and tell me how he felt. He was so much like Charlie and me in that respect. He was trying so hard to find the words to explain this to me.

"Bella," he started, his mouth forming my name with those full lips. "I have grown up to believe that falling in love made you a monster and I swore that I would never let anyone into my heart because of it. I've used girls for sex and thrown them away without a second thought. You have no idea of the repulsive things I've said and done . . . But I've been going to therapy because I want to be better . . . For you."

It took a couple of seconds to get past the part with the other girls, I had to admit that even to myself. The only way I could rationalize it in my own head was that I didn't know him then, that wasn't the Paul I knew; that wasn't my Paul. Beyond that, the words formed and morphed into so much more. I understood what he was saying. He loved me, and he thought he would never be good enough for me.

These scars of his that ran so deep made him see what love could do to a person, they had made him bitter and angry but that wasn't who he was with me. When I looked at Paul I didn't see the scars on his body, I saw him and who he was. I saw the man that no one else could see. He was beautiful and gentle, tormented and deep. The love I felt for him rang through my body like a wildfire and I wanted to help him, I wanted to make him see the person he was.

With a sigh, he got up and I realized that he'd taken my silence as a dismissal, he loathed himself and his past so much that he couldn't see the way I felt. He'd misread me.

I reached out to him, my arms wrapping around his defined body and I pulled myself closer, willing him to feel the emotions that were running through me.

"Oh, Paul," I said with all of the love I felt for him. My lips brushed against the welts on his skin as I willed the pain into myself so I could free him from the bond to his past. "Love doesn't make you a monster. Your father was just a sick, demented man who lived in a bottle and took out his anger on a little boy. That could never be you, Paul."

He closed his eyes as the emotions he tried so hard to hide creased his brow. I knew he was strong, I knew that he didn't like to show his weaknesses like this so I sat still and let him work through it. When the battle looked painful, I shifted so I could see his face.

"Do you want to know how I know, Paul?" I asked, shifting closer to him, fighting the need to touch him in case it wasn't what he wanted. He nodded, taking a deep breath with the action so his emotions wouldn't spill from him.

"I see you, Paul." I said liberating the realization I'd come to. "Not who you think you are, and not the Paul you show to everyone else. And you know what else? If you were a monster you wouldn't have tried to protect me from you. You would have taken what you wanted from me. You wouldn't have gone to therapy, and you wouldn't try so damn hard to be good for me."

He looked up at me, his eyes sparking open and searching my face for the answers he'd fought so hard to find in himself. It killed me to think he believed he wasn't good enough for me. Especially when he was the one person in the world that gave me a purpose, made me feel whole and complete. He was the one person that I knew would protect me from anything.

Before I could suck in another breath, I was on my back on the couch, his lips against mine. I could feel the emotions running from him in waves as he pushed deeper with his lips. There was so much passion, so much truth in the way our lips connected that I found myself pushing deeper against him in a need for more.

It felt so right to be with him like this, the whole world melted away and there was only him and I and this moment we had together.

He pushed into me gently, his lips leading mine in an intricate dance. I could feel him everywhere, his heat enveloped me as his hands caressed and explored with so much reverence I could barely pull in a breath.

His body was a trembling mass hovering over me with so much need I did the only thing I knew how to do, my body fit like his and moved in motion with his as I felt every part of his masculinity working against me making my skin shimmer with an electrical charge.

He muttered from above me as we moved together. Then his hands moved up, grazing my breasts and making my body react of it's own accord. I was aware that I was making sounds, but when his hands cupped me and tweaked the flesh I could think of nothing but him, being with him, showing him everything I felt when we were together like this.

"Paul." It was the only word that made sense to me. It was the only word that sang like a bird from my heart. He was everything I would ever want and I needed him to know that. I needed him to feel that.

"Angel, we have to stop," he choked and the reality of the situation came crashing down on me. Had he changed his mind? Was I not what he wanted after all? "Charlie's awake and uh . . ."

I felt my cheeks burn as the reality washed over me. My dad was upstairs and I was on his couch trying to convince a guy to go to third base with me.

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?" he asked looking hungry and predatory. "How much I want to touch you . . . Taste you . . . Mark you as mine."

I could feel my body reacting to his words as though attached with an invisible string that would do his bidding without question. Charlie's heavy footsteps on the stairs finally snapped me into consciousness and had me arranging my clothes and hair before pulling my legs to my chest and hoping I looked innocent. When Charlie came around the corner with pink cheeks Paul broke into a fit of laughter that had me elbowing in an attempt to get him to gain some control.

"Sam needs you son. And, uh, you remember what I said when I told you Bella was coming?" Charlie asked, his eyes resting solely on Paul. Paul sobered up and swallowed. Nodding his reply.

"Well, that still stands," Charlie said, hiding his smile behind his mustache, I had a feeling he did that a lot. I wasn't sure what they were talking about but I had an idea. Saving face, I decided it was better not to ask, even as Charlie retreated up the stairs and closed his door behind him.

"That wasn't awkward," I said rolling out of the fetal position I'd managed to get myself in before Charlie had rounded the corner.

Paul leaned forward and brushed my lips with his as they curled into a smile. I knew he had to go but I was so desperate for him to stay.

"I have to go," he said, placing another chaste kiss on my lips. "Can I come see you tomorrow?"

I nodded and smiled, happy that he seemed to be initiating the contact between us now. Paul got up, which only served to make me blush as the tight pants showed a little more than I had been ready to see at that moment.

"Um . . . do you need your shorts and shirt?" I asked, blushing wildly and ducking my head.

"Yeah please, I'd never live it down showing up in these," he laughed, not even realizing the general area he was pointing to. I got up and walked toward the laundry room, leaning against the wall the minute I was out of view.

I knew the smile I was wearing could have lit up the forest, and as my hands clutched at the t-shirt over my chest, I tried to get a grip of myself. This was probably one of the best nights of my life and I couldn't have been happier that Paul was the one I had shared it with.

As I opened the dryer, I pulled out his shorts and shirt and noticed the watch sitting on top, staring at me as though challenging me to do it. I had bought it for him and I would have to give it to him eventually.

Clutching his clothes in one hand, and the box in the other. I made my way back in to the living room and handed him his clothes, standing around awkwardly as he disappeared to get dressed.

When he reappeared, I steeled my nerves, and followed him to the door, holding it open as he gave me one last kiss goodnight. I held out the box and pushed it into his hand as he started to walk away.

"What's this?"

"Open it later. I saw it and thought of you."

My heart pounded in my chest as he looked down at it with fascination. The way he regarded it I was sure the box would be good enough for him at this point.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" he asked.

I nodded my confirmation and smiled as he leaned in to kiss me yet again. Much more of that and I wasn't going to be willing to let him leave.

"Goodnight, Paul."

"Oh it's a good night," he laughed, jumping from the porch and heading into the night without another world. I closed the door and locked it, leaning against the cool wood as I replayed the kiss, and his touch over and over in my head. There was no way I was going to be able to resist him the next time I saw him. And I had a feeling he knew it too.

Nostalgicmiss: Paul is such a charmer when he makes the effort. Poor Bella is powerless against his manly ways! Hell, at this point who wouldn't be? At least they were able to work through their issues and be a little more open with one another. Bella still has no clue what he is, but now they've decided to try and have a relationship I think there's a time limit on that! Thank you so much to all of you that read, alerted, added the story to your favorites and of course reviewed. You're comments on this still blows our minds and we love every single one of you for it. You're all amazing! Sabi, you're my BFF and Twinnifer and I love you loads! Writing with you is always an amazing experience and I'm just so glad to have you in my life! I miss you, but I am glad you're having fun! Love you! MWAH!

Sabi'sSookie: Weezy is right, Paul is definitely a charmer with his caveman ways! Yum! Am I right, ladies? And I know many of you are concerned with the wolf/vampire thing… Paul wants her to care for him enough not to run when she finds out. He thinks that if she really learns to care for him then she won't leave him when she finds out. I know! He should have more faith in Bella! And he also wants her to be sure of her feelings without the pressure of the imprint. But no worries, it will happen! I am so sorry I haven't had time to respond to all your reviews, but know that I read and love every one! You always amaze me with your thoughts! And thanks to all those who alert, favorite and just simply read! Weezy, as much fun as I am having, I miss my bestie loads! You are my bestie and definitely my beloved Twinnifer! I am so blessed to have you in my life as my friend and my partner-in-crime! Writing with you is always one of the best parts of my day! Love you! *SMOOSHES*