Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thank you for the awesome reviews. Nikki :)

Part Fourteen

Jacob was surprised and pleased when he saw Bella coming into the garage looking for him. He was bent over the engine of one of the cars. He stood up, and rubbed his aching back, before wiping his oily hands on a rag he had hanging from the back pocket of his jeans. He saw Jim Dowling glaring at him through the small office window, but he ignored him. Jacob knew the older man had no complaints, he had been hard at work since six that morning and it was now lunch. He deserved a break. Bella still hadn't seen him as she scanned the packed garage. Jacob crept up behind her and clutched her around the waist, making her squeal in shock.

"Jake!" Bella batted him lightly on the chest when she spun round to face him. "You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"Sorry I couldn't help it." Jacob laughed as he leaned down to kiss her.

"I've brought you lunch." Bella said breathlessly when the kiss was over. Her face was flushed with pleasure. Jacob thought she was so adorable.

"Thank you. I haven't eaten since breakfast." Jacob took the sandwiches from her and kissed her again, leaving her breathless for a second time.

"Wow that's a first for you." Bella raised her eyebrows questioningly.

"The boss has had his eagle eyes on me all day. Since I've just started I want to keep in his good books." Jacob replied with his mouth full.

"You are entitled to breaks, Jake." Bella glanced toward the small office and glared at Jim who was making no effort to hide the fact that he was staring at them.

"I know that. I was just about to head out anyway." Jacob put his arm across Bella's shoulders and steered her out of the garage and back into the open air. "I could get used to this, you bringing me lunch everyday."

"Actually I had a reason for coming over today." Bella confessed.

Jacob frowned as he watched Bella's eyes darken. "Is it Charlie?"

"No. I had a visit from Melissa." Bella stated bluntly.

Jacob groaned and ran a hand through his hair, making it stand up in spikes. "Not again. I am so sorry she keeps bothering you. She followed me to work this morning in her car. I warned her off again but she is still not getting it. I am running out of options. What crap did she say this time?"

"She was doing the decent thing she reckoned. She thought I should know about your sordid past, and that you've left a string of broken hearts behind you. But that's not the best bit."

Jacob sighed irritably. He cursed himself yet again for ever getting involved with Melissa in the first place. "Go on surprise me."

"She said that you and Leah Clearwater had a thing and that she witnessed you both getting it on last night. Can you believe it? You and Leah? Really?" Bella shook her head in disbelief.

"Leah? Fuck. She wouldn't touch me with a hundred foot barge pole. Nor me her. We have never, or would ever have anything going on. Melissa has really lost it." Jacob grimaced at the thought. He glanced at Bella and saw that she was now looking at her feet, her cheeks flushed. He reached out and held her chin in his hand, raising her head so she had to look at him again. "You didn't believe that crap, did you?"

Bella shrugged and tried to avoid his eye, but Jacob knew. "Well only for about ten seconds. That bitch just gets under my skin." She mumbled.

"And mine too." Jacob let go of her chin and continued to eat his sandwiches, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"What do you think we should do about her?" Bella asked when she saw the look on his face.

"I'm thinking that she made a huge mistake involving Leah in her little web of lies. Our resident she wolf can get awfully pissed when her name is taken in vain, especially when it is paired with mine." A slow smile spread across Jacob's lips.

"You wouldn't?" Bella gasped.

"Oh I would. I mean I can't do anything. Melissa is a girl, but Leah?" Jacob laughed as he finished his sandwich and winked at Bella.

"I know nothing." Bella put her hands over her ears.

"Very wise." Jacob slipped his arms around Bella's waist and pulled her close so that her body was pressed taut against his. She felt his warmth surround her and she relaxed against him. He leaned down and captured her lips in a heated kiss, making her heart beat faster and her skin heat up with pleasure. She was breathless once again when it ended.

"You are going to set my skin on fire if you keep doing that." Bella fanned herself down with one hand.

"Good. I intend to make you explode." Jacob kissed her again, his lips moving down her neck and nipping the lobe of her ear playfully.

Bella melted against him, completely oblivious to the fact that they were in full view of passers by. A wolf whistle made her eyes shoot open and her skin flush as she realised they had an audience. She heard Jacob chuckle as he released her just enough so that she could see the group of teenage boys who were standing outside the diner.

"Dammit, I'll probably be serving them later." She complained as the boys called out lewd comments.

"They are lucky to have a hot waitress. Don't worry, honey. I'll come and keep you safe. Make sure you put extra helpings on my plate." Jacob flashed her his sexy smile, making Bella laugh. Melissa and her petty jealousy was now the furthest thing from her mind.

Bella was rushed off of her feet at the diner. The evening shifts were the busiest. The same teenage boys from earlier and some of their friends came inside and, as she had guessed, she was forced to serve them. They kept trying to flirt with her and Cora laughed as she pointed out to Bella that she now had a little fan club.

"You are now officially a cougar." She teased her.

"Well I might as well add a few more to my tally. My boyfriend is actually two years younger than me." Bella confessed.

"Oh well then, get more practice in." Cora laughed. "Make your man jealous when he sees all the little boys panting after you."

"Eww..." Bella pulled a face as she picked up another couple of plates and went to serve some more customers.

Jacob turned up around eight o'clock as promised. He was not alone. He had brought Quil and Embry with him. Bella was delighted to see them. She had always got on well with Jacob's best friends and they had been some of her staunchest supporters in the past.

"Hey you." Quil winked at her and literally picked her up and hugged her tight.

Bella was very flustered, her skin pink with embarrassment when he put her back down. But then Embry did the same, hauling her up into a bear hug and kissing her on the cheek. Jacob glared at him and cuffed him on the back of his head. "Hands and lips off, Call." He warned him, only half joking.

Bella smoothed her hair down as she gave both Quil and Embry a small smile. "It's good to see you."

"And you. Jake has been a lot easier to live with now that your back." Quil revealed. "It must be the sex." He winked at her, making Bella's skin burn with mortification.

Jacob punched him on the shoulder hard, making Embry howl with laughter. They were all attracting quite a lot of attention. Bella's little fan club were in awe of the older men, their eyes round like saucers. She was one hot woman. Their little crushes increased exponentially.

"Wow, sweetie. You were not joking. How do you do it?" Cora sidled up to her and stared at Jacob and his friends, an appreciative glint in her eyes. "I might try this cougar thing myself."

Bella laughed nervously as she ushered Jacob and his friends to one of the tables at the back of the diner. "What can I get you?" She asked when they were all settled in their seats.

Jacob, Quil and Embry ordered half the menu. Bella scribbled the long list down and disappeared to hand it to the cook. Cora had to help her bring all the food to the table. Jacob gave Cora one of his sexy smiles. "Hey, would it be asking too much if Bells could sit with me for a while? I haven't seen my girl all day." He put his head on one side in an appealing manner.

Cora giggled and nodded at him. "Of course, when you ask like that how can I say no." As she passed Bella she pretended to fan herself down and winked at her.

Bella rolled her eyes as she slid into the seat next to Jacob. Bella's little fan club were watching the scene with interest. Jacob, Quil and Embry noticed. "Didn't take you long to attract some admirers." Embry pointed out. "You've got rivals, Jake. Watch it. We all know Bella likes a younger man and you are getting on a bit."

Jacob pulled Bella close and squeezed her around the waist. "Bella only has eyes for me. Don't you honey?" He pouted playfully.

"I don't know, Jake." Bella flirted, getting into the spirit of things. She twisted her head round to gaze at the teenage boys at the other table, who were staring at them all, their eyes on stalks as they took everything in. Bella winked at them and they all reddened slightly.

"Well I'll just have to prove I'm the best." Jacob kissed her deeply, taking her by surprise. Quil and Embry whooped, making all the customers look their way again.

Bella blushed red again, her breathing heavy as she hid her head in Jacob's shoulder in embarrassment.

A/N-thanks for reading!