Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, sniffle sniffle.
'Ohh finally', I hear you cry. A little bit of action. Yes I know I've been way slow in giving you this chapter and for that I am sincerely sorry. After my exams which finish in two weeks, YAY, updates will be every week. :)
I stifled a yawn with a glance at the clock, showing the time to be 12.30am before yanking my bedroom door open and starting the descent downstairs. I'd managed to peel myself out of my red dress (which was soaked through) and replace it with a more comfortable pair of leggings and a red hoody. Yeah I might not be the seductive girl of all but ten minutes ago, but the cool water of the shower had rationalised me and I realised that the more flirty I was and the more tempting I looked, the more he'd want me to just be a fling. And that was the last thing I wanted. I flittered into the sitting room, my bare feet smacking on the wooden floor. Sue had left and Eva had already gone up to bed with her usual cup of cocoa. I couldn't spot Paul anywhere and my heart dropped a little. What the hell are you thinking Bailey, Paul has nothing to do with your heart.
"HEY BAIL'S." I jumped a little at the sound of Seth's voice.
"You don't have to shout." I sighed before turning toward him. "I am right here." He stood up from his spot on the coach and patted my shoulder.
"Is it alright if I sleep here tonight?" He asked. I could see his eye lids drooping shut.
"Errm, yeah sure. You all can." The rest of the room smiled thankfully from their sleepy positions. "There's a load of mattresses down in the studio, so we can all just crash there." I took Seth's place on the sofa next to Kimberley and sunk back into the soft cushions.
"Studio? You never said anything about a studio Bail's!" Kimberley turned to face me on the sofa her mouth shaped into a comical looking 'o'.
"It's just for my dancing and stuff." I murmured looking down to pick my nails. "It was a surprise from Eva and Dakota." I looked back up to her with a smile.
"You dance?" I jumped in surprise at the deep voice from behind me. I turned my head to see Paul standing behind the sofa hands resting on the back of it and gazing at me with an interested expression.
"Yeah." I replied. I could feel the blush creeping up my cheeks. I hated telling people about my hobby knowing that they would ask for a routine and I couldn't stand to dance in front of people I knew. I even had trouble when my mum used to come and watch me in shows.
"Full of surprises aren't you?" He asked with a smirk before slapping Seth on the back. "Come on man, let's go sort out the sleeping quarters." I was glad he hadn't intended to talk to me after that smirk which, as subtle as it was made my heart splutter a little. Quil and Jacob followed suit and I heaved myself of the two seater and wavered a little from the tiredness I was feeling.
"Sit back down." Jacob ordered. "We men are quite capable of slugging around mattresses. We don't need you getting in the way." He smirked and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"Well." I mirrored his stance and smirked back. "Do you actually knowwhere the mattresses are?" I laughed as realisation flittered across his face before, realising he was beaten, he stepped out of the way. "Thank you." I smiled again smugly before catching up with Seth and looping an arm through one of his.
Paul was walking ahead of us and he turned around to grin at me, my belly did a little flip at the seemingly innocent gesture. His eyes travelled down toward my arm around my best friends and they seemed to harden, his smile disappearing for a split second before he looked away. What the hell was wrong with him? Number one: Seth was a friend and number two: why the heck did he look jealous anyway. To be perfectly honest it did make me feel a little smug inside, the thought of him feeling any kind of abnormal emotion toward me. He jogged slightly down the stairs toward my beloved room and swung the door open for me. With a smile I un-linked my arm from Seth's and walked softly through the arch-way. Paul followed close behind and I smirked at the sound of a muffled yell as the huge plank of wood swung backward to hit Seth.
"Oi." He shouted when he managed to yank the door open, his hand covering his nose. Quil and Jacob were roaring with laughter as they staggered into the empty room. I threw my hand over my mouth shielding the laughter that was bursting to come through.
"Snooze you lose." Paul stated flippantly, beaming at me.
"Hey Bail's you're not meant to laugh." A snigger erupted as I looked at his dejected expression. I took a deep breath and tried to wipe the grin off my face before turning to my injured friend.
"I'm sorry, but it was funny." I protested. Crossing the room I ignored the confused look from Paul and stood in front of the damaged Clearwater. Gently I reached up and removed his huge hands from his nose. What the hell? I watched, puzzled as the blue mark on the bridge of his nose faded along with the lump from his recent collision with the door. I softly touched the mark with the tips of my fingers and rested my other hand gently on his cheek. I noticed the corners of Seth's mouth turn up and I followed his smug gaze to see Paul a few feet away. His face had turn a light shade of red and his hands were stiffly curled up at his sides, shaking slightly. I flinched away from the glare fixed in his dark eyes and thanked my lucky stars that they weren't focused on me. I quickly took my hands away from Seth's face and watched Paul's expression slowly soften. That can't possibly be the reason for his sudden change in mood, me being close to Seth, could it?
"So, where are the mattresses Bail's ?" Jacob boomed, clapping his hands together and thankfully breaking the tense atmosphere.
"Ermm, In the cupboard." I replied a forced cheeriness in my voice. Jesus, I needed a time out. "I'll get you some ice yeah?" I didn't bother waiting for an answer and without looking up at any of the four beef-cakes I jogged upstairs. Slipping straight into the kitchen I yanked open the fridge door and stuck my burning face inside. Ah God, why did everything have to be so complicated? Why did the guy I like have to be bi-polar. Hang on, did I just say that I like like Paul Blake. No, no I did not. Okay maybe I did but it's not like I meant it or anything, or did I? Right this conversation (with myself) is way too confusing for so late at night.
"Bailey, why is your head in the fridge?" I jumped startled at the voice coming from behind me and managed to successfully smack my head on the veggie shelf. I swivelled around to be met by a snickering Kimberley.
"Clumsy as always, some things never change." She giggled.
"I was just getting Seth some Ice." She frowned obviously confused. "Paul shut a door in his face." I chuckled again and waved her away with my hand.
"Number one: ice is in the freezer and, number two: your eyes glazed over when you said Paul." She put her hands on her hips and looked down at me with a smirk"
"What? W-what the hell..I..what are you talking about?" I rambled before turning away from her as the blush crept up my cheeks.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." She stated dumping herself into one of the kitchen chairs.
"Have you had something to drink Kim? You know you and alcohol don't mix." I rubbed the sore spot on the back of my head and tore a piece of kitchen towel from the roll. I walked past her as she started to pick her fingernails. How could I forget how good Kim was at reading me, I might as well be a bloody book.
"You're in denial." She sighed as I snorted at her ridiculous comment. I wasn't in denial, there was just no way I could have feelings for Paul. I mean yeah he was sweet, and hot looking earlier but that doesn't change anything. I still met him when he was having his wicked way with some random girl.
"Bail's, stop day dreaming. You know I wouldn't tell anyone about it if you admitted it." She huffed crossing her arms over chest and using her stupid little pout.
"Honestly Kim, if there was something to admit, I would but I'm just as confused as you are. Seriously." I breathed taking the ice tray out and popping a few cubes onto the towel.
"Well I think he likes you. I mean the way he was looking at you under that tree outside." She pointed toward the patio doors. "I would have thought you were a couple if I didn't know you better." I blushed and looked down creating a curtain of dark blonde between me and my best friend.
"I don't know." I shrugged. "I don't have a clue what's going on his head." I wrapped the cubes up and scrunched the towel up a little in my fist. I leaned against the counter and kept my eyes fixed on the white stuff which was poking through my knuckles, pretending it was the most interesting thing I'd ever seen. I heard the scraping of a chair across the wooden floor before I felt a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"You'll figure it out Bail's." She said gently, winking at me before clapping her hand down again on my back. "Come on we'd better go and tend to Seth's injury." Smirking she took the melting ice from my hand and started down the stairs.
"You go ahead and I'll get the others." I called before walking through to the sitting room. "Hey guys, they've set up the studio now." Jared and Kim leapt up and started toward the door, their movements so in sync they looked almost like one unit. Which I guess they were, you never get one without the other with Jared and Kim they were literally joined by the hip (or lips). James and Katy were both still chatting animatedly about car jargon and followed the couple down the stairs, not before both of them turned a soft smile toward me. I guess Katy was alright. Yeah she didn't look like the sort of girl I'd normally get along with but she seemed smart and anyone Kimberley was friends with was good enough for me. Embry quickly jogged over to me throwing an arm over my shoulder and pulled me down the steps too.
"Come on Bail's, its movie time." He waggled his eyebrows and bounded through the door.
"If you let Kota choose the movie, we'll be suffering for at least 2 hours." I sighed. Embry bumped me with his shoulder and snorted.
"As if, there's no way us machomen would let her choose." It was my turn to snort as he puffed his chest out and grinned down at me. He swung the door open and strode through quickly making sure to hold it open for me. Kimberly was sitting Indian style on the couch her eyebrows furrowed in confusion and her eyes focused on Seth's face who was sitting next her, looking completely unperturbed about her sudden interest in his face.
"Hey Bailey." She waved me over without taking her eyes from the place they were glued to. I crossed the room, passing Paul, Quil, Jacob and Embry who had settled themselves on the rug and stood in front of the pair. Seth who had only realised the attention he was receiving sat up at little straighter and smiled at me a little confused. "You said he was hit in the face right?" I sniggered a little as she talked as if he wasn't there but stopped when I noticed that the redness had completely disappeared across his nose and he looked the same if not healthier than earlier.
"Yeah I did." I murmured back. "You know what." I announced a little louder. "I give up, way too confusing for me." I snorted and walked toward the shelf, which contained all of the best DVD's also known as my DVD's. "Right, who wants to watch what?" I swivelled around to face everyone and clapped my hands together.
"Bourne Identity."
"Legally Blonde."
"Stuck on you."
"Mission Impossible."
"House of wax."
"Blue Crush."
"Butterfly effect."
"The Notebook."
"Harry Potter."
"Guys, I can't hear you if you all speak at the same time." I giggled and sighed. "How are we going to do this then?"
"Bail's why don't you pick five and we can vote from them yeah?" Paul's voice sounded just as deep and alluring as before and he had calmed down a lot since earlier.
"Okay." I managed to splutter out after a few seconds. I turned around quickly and scanned the shelf plucking out a few now and then. James and Katy were still on the subject of bloody cars and Seth had joined in, not wanting to be left out. Embry had sat himself next to California Kimberley and a huge smile was spread across both of their faces. Jacob and Quil were having a quiet argument about who was better Mat Damon or Tom Cruise and Jared and Kim were snuggled up in the loveseat watching me make my decision.
"Need some help?" A low rumble which I could clearly identify as Paul came from close behind me and I felt his hand land on my shoulder.
"I got it." I replied simply without turning to meet his eyes. I held the five cases close to my chest folding my arms across them. I couldn't ignore the heat that was coming from his heavy hand and the way it made me feel a little light headed, but I was already a little tired and drowsy and it halted the butterflies which were so willing to come out.
"Let's have a look." He said, his voice a little quieter as if it were a secret. I turned to face him and frowned slightly at the dark circles which seemed permanent under his beautiful eyes.
"Patience, Paul, is a virtue." I commented with a smile. Before breezing past him and walking toward the coffee table in front of the table. I didn't miss the jolt of electricity which seemed to flow through me and Paul as we brushed arms.
"Alrighty then." I put my hands on my hips and faced the eleven friends gathered together on the rug. "It's a choice of: Bugs Life, The Notebook, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Saw 4 or The Butterfly Effect." There was a mixture of groans and cheers as I listed my favourite movies and I raised my hands in surrender. "You said I should pick my top five. Don't complain." I smirked before kneeling down in front of them all.
"Right who wants to watch what?" I leaned back as they all bickered, trying to convince each other which movie deserved the votes. Kim managed to sway Jared to join her in her vote for The Notebook and it was the obvious choice for all of the soppy girls in the room, including me of course. Sigh. So that was an easy six points.
"Notebook it is then." I grinned.
"What? I didn't even get a vote." Seth face was incredulous and Paul slapped him on the back, struggling to hold back laughter.
"Mate, Bugs life would never win." A huge roar erupted from everyone in the room and Seth struggled to be heard as a blush crept up his cheeks.
"No, I was going to vote for Butterfly Effect." He whined and the corners of his mouth turned down in a mock frown.
"Whatever Seth." I grinned. "Start the movie and I'll go and get drinks and such." All the voters for my beloved movie smiled back before Dakota jumped up and shoved it into the player. I quickly legged it upstairs knowing that the beginning was the best part and threw myself into the kitchen. I pulled out a 12 pack of coca cola and began to walk back downstairs when a flash of grey flew past the window. I froze on the spot as I felt the horrible tingling sensation on my neck, as if something were watching me. Slowly I swivelled on the spot dragging my reluctant eyes with me and I couldn't hold back the screech that came from my throat.
"AHHHHHH." I moved my hands to my face forgetting the heavy pack of Cola in my hands which dropped and crushed my right foot. "OWWWWWW." Ignoring the huge furry, wolf like (and hugely intimidating) creature in my garden I crouched down resting my back onto the wall and hugged my foot. A piercing pain shot through the balls of my feet as I leaned up a little to check the window with wide eyes. Oh thank the lord, the huge horse like monster had disappeared and despite the fact I was holding back tears I sighed in relief.
"BAILEY?" A heard him before I saw him and the thudding from the staircase was more than enough to tell me of the hunks arrival. I could sense the urgency in his voice as the kitchen door slammed open. I blinked as my vision blurred from the salt water in my eyes and Paul crossed in to my line of semi-vision.
"Bail's what happened." His eyes scanned over my body as if checking for something and they seemed to harden when they reached my hands that were currently curled around my feet. I squeezed my eyes shut and a few tears escaped. I felt a warm tingle on the front of my right foot and even though a few seconds ago I couldn't speak for pain, it seemed to wash away with the soft touch. I blinked my eyes open in surprise and suppressed an 'awrrr' as I looked down to see Paul gently stroking the developing bruise with the tips of his fingertips. I couldn't help but blush as his dark eyes met mine. He was kneeling down in front of me as I leant back against the wall. My hands pressed against the floor either side of me and my damaged foot was resting on Paul's lap and my other was curled underneath me.
"Does it feel a little better?" He murmured without taking his eyes off my face.
"Yes. Thank you." I smiled softly at him, not telling one word of a lie. His big deep eyes had successfully distracted me from any pain I could feel after his soothing strokes and I saw him visibly relax.
"Good." He replied sincerely. "Need some help getting up?" He asked his voice louder than before.
"Please." I grinned before holding a hand out for him to take. I was caught by surprise when his warm arms shot out and encircled my waist, hoisting me up off the floor.
His closeness made me gasp and the smell coming from him almost made me swoon. He smelled fresh and musky as if he'd been running around in the forest but in a clean and undeniably sexy way. I blushed for what felt like the hundredth time today as I realised I was still suspended in mid-air, my hands on his biceps and his around my waist. I looked up at him with what I tried to construe as confusion but only to hide the desire I felt when my eyes locked with his. They were so dark and I could feel myself being drawn into them as his eyes flickered toward my lips. Even though he was holding me off the floor, with ease I might add and I was no stick thin supermodel, he was still a good inches taller than me and as he slowly bent his head toward mine I felt my heart beat increase and a small smile spread across his lips. One of his hands reached up to brush a strand of hair gently away from my face and I watched his eyes darken even further as he cupped my cheek softly. His forehead rested against mine as if asking for permission and I titled my head up a little so our lips were almost millimetres away. My eyes fluttered close as I felt his hot breath fan across my face and I breathed in the scent of peppermint. His nose gently brushed against mine and I moved one of my hands to rest on his chest. He held me even closer to him and I couldn't help but feel like a little doll. His head tilted a little to one side and his lips gently brushed against mine. I could tell that he was testing me, making sure I wanted this before he continued, but no matter how small that kiss was, I knew I wanted more.
Oh screw the friendship first theory.
Without even doubting my actions I took his face in my hands and pressed my lips urgently to his. It didn't take him long to react and one of his hands reached up and twisted in my hair holding my face to his. I needed him closer and I got my wish as he twisted us around so my back was fixed against the wall his right arm still securely around me torso. I lifted my leg up slightly and wrapped it around one of his and smiled internally at the low growl which escaped his mouth. He parted my lips and expertly slipped his tongue in. It was my turn to let out an embarrassing moan this time as my tongue touched his. He was rough but gentle as he kissed me and he seemed almost desperate as he fought for dominance of my mouth which I dutifully allowed. I reached up and twisted my fingers in his surprisingly soft hair and let one arm drape around his neck . My feet still hadn't reached the ground, metaphorically and literally as he leaned down to kiss my jaw softly. We were both breathing so loudly that I was surprised no one down-stairs could hear. His eyes looked into mine again in a way that I felt he was looking into my soul, and I didn't care in the slightest, he could have it if he wanted. He gently kissed my nose and my hands slid down to rest on his chest which was rising and falling quite heavily. I smiled as his award winning grin grew.
"Wow." He breathed.
"Yeah." I agreed. "Wow."
What a god.
You like? Guesses to who the wolf was! And what did you think of the eagerly awaited kiss?