Chapter 21: Shower Me With Your Love

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight.

Wrapped around each other, we slept soundly, until almost ten A.M.

Waking up with my girl adhered to my side was a dream I thought could only happen in the future. The sensation of having her near me seeped deeply into my soul. It was a warm, tender feeling that I was reluctant to let go of. Never in my entire existence had I awakened with another person sleeping beside me in bed. My heart was overflowing with the sweetness she brought into my life. It's no wonder the terms, sugar, honey, and sweetheart were names thought up to describe one's lover.

Bella's soft breathing signaled that she was still asleep and I didn't want to wake her. I tried to lie as still as a statue, not wanting to move, 'cuz that would mean we would have to part, and I was not ready for that yet. So I waited another twenty minutes just luxuriating in the feel of her skin next to mine, her heart beating in time with my own, and the scent of her light perfume. But the hands on the clock stubbornly ticked forward, relentlessly stealing our precious time to be together. So against my better judgment, I sat up slightly and began blowing tiny puffs of air across her cheek.

When her eyelids fluttered open, she looked up at me with those big chocolate eyes, and smiling, moaned, "Mmn … Jake."

Once again I was reduced to mush just from hearing my name tumble from her lips. I responded with, "Hi, beautiful. You sleep okay." What I really wanted to say was: Come away with me, I can't leave you here another minute.

Stretching and yawning, she murmured, "Mmn, hmn.

"What time is it?" she yawned.

"Ten twenty five, sleepyhead."

Bella suddenly sat upright, and with her palm flat against my chest, pushed me away from her. "Holy cow! I've got to get home. Michel must've been up for hours.

"I never sleep this late. This is all your fault, you know. You and your seductive lips, and those dark bedroom eyes and your … your … your everything else."

She was just so darn cute, sitting there in my big ol' tee shirt, with her chocolate pools wide enough to drown me, and her hair all wild and carefree. I couldn't stop the grin that was encroaching upon my face. I couldn't stop myself from reaching out and capturing her before she got to the edge of the bed either.

Standing up with her at the side of the mattress, I imprisoned her in my arms, letting the image of her saturate my brain. Her pink lips parted, just begging to be kissed. So, I did—long and hard.

She straight-armed me. "No, no, no, no, no! Don't do this to me. You'll get me all crazy again. I … we can't … I've got to call my mom."

I let go of her and watched as she sashayed over to snatch her cell out of her purse. I could faintly make out her hips swaying under my tee. Hooh, boy, I wish I had a camera …

It wasn't too hard to overhear her conversation: "Is Michel okay? I'm sorry, Jacob missed his flight, and I fell asleep and … What? Are you sure? I can come home …"

I was frantically waving at Bella to get her attention.

She turned to look at me. "Hang on a minute, Jacob's trying to tell me something."

"Don't go, Bells. Ask your mom if she can drop Michel off here; I don't mind."

"Did you hear Jacob? No … I don't know yet, he hasn't made arrangements.

"Okay, if you're sure. I'll call you when I know more. Yeah."

Bella laughed and I wondered what her mom said to her.

"Love you too. Bye, Mom."

She snapped the phone shut, dropping it back inside the purse, and walked up to me.

I leaned down slightly so we were on eyelevel. "So …"

With her lips curling at the corners, she told me, "My mom, says to spend as much time with you as I need to."

Oh man, did I ever need her to spend time with me. "You know, I'm really starting to like your mom's way of thinking." I started to slink my arms around her shoulders. "C'mere, Bells. Now where was I?"

She slapped my arms away. "Oh, no, you're just trying to seduce me again."

I jerked back in feigned shock. "Now, wait a minute, beautiful; my memory of last night seems to differ a great deal from yours. I distinctly remember getting ambushed right outside this room. And then, later on, I was minding my own business, sitting on the bed, when all of a sudden, you jumped me, bodily attacking with your feminine wiles. I didn't stand a chance; it was hand to hand combat. I surrendered—I knew when I was beat."

Bella cocked her head to one side. "I didn't hear you whining about it."

"I'm a soldier. I don't ever complain; I just try my best to maneuver into a more strategic position."

"And that position was …?"

"Anywhere you wanted me, girl!" I pressed her to me. This time I was on the offense, and she wasn't retreating.

Making a phone call of my own, I notified Fort Huachuca of my situation. They had another flight out of Sky Harbor at 3:00 that afternoon, and I'd be on it. When I finished the call, Bella was removing my tee shirt, and had all her clothes laid out on the mattress. My first thought was: I am never washing that tee shirt ever again. My second thought was: I've gotta get her into the shower with me. Every guy's fantasy, right?

"Wait, wait, wait," I yelped, grabbing her arm. "Aren't you going to take a shower first? I'd like you to join me." I winked at her as I explained, lamely, "We can shower together and conserve water."

She looked at me, horrified. "I don't know, Jake."

Why was she looking so shy all of a sudden? "What are you afraid of? I've already seen you naked."

Hooh boy, the most gorgeous shade of crimson overshadowed her face.

She shook her head. "That's not it."

I was trying my hardest to understand her reasoning. I was scratching the back of my head, confused. "Then what is?"

The lip biting started up. "Well … you know … I already told you. You'll get me all worked up again. I can't let you do that."

So that was it? She couldn't control herself around me. Well, I had news for her, the feeling was mutual. I attempted to ease her mind. "Why not? It's no problem. I'm more than willing …" and able, I thought, "… and besides, I still have one condom left."

The color in her cheeks flamed intensely brighter.

Taking one finger, I lightly stroked her jaw. "What are you getting so embarrassed about? We were just naked; your skin on my skin—in bed, under the covers only a few minutes ago. You don't need to be embarrassed. You are beautiful, Bella.

"C'mere, sweetheart." I pulled her closer and tucked her head beneath my chin, brushing my fingers through her hair. "I love you, and you know I want to marry you, right?"

Bella gazed up at me, those big brown eyes burning into the depths of my inner self. Her voice was just above a whisper as she spoke. "We haven't actually discussed that yet."

"Maybe not in so many words, but I had hoped I pretty much made it clear that I want you to be my wife."

She tensed up, beginning to draw away from me. "Okay, file that away for later, but for now, will you fulfill my ultimate fantasy; join me in the shower? You never did say no …"

I cocked an eyebrow, taking her by the hand. "C'mon, Bells, whaddya say? Let's do it."

There was no answer verbally, but she followed me into the bathroom, padding softly in her bare feet.

We stepped into the shower, and I allowed her free reign to lather me up anywhere her little heart desired. Did a thorough job of it too. Then I had some good clean fun sudsing her up as well. The image of me running my soapy hands over her silky skin would be fixed in my mind for as long as I live. Man, it was getting hot in there, and I wasn't describing the temperature of the water, either.

Seeing Bella dripping wet, gave her an unearthly glow. She became my own personal siren beckoning me to my undoing. As she stood under the spray of the water, I leaned into her, nestling my head upon the valley created by her shoulder and neck. I let the crystal droplets cascade in a stream over the both of us at the same time. It seemed symbolic somehow, uniting us as one. It was as if we were newly baptized, not with water, but in this instance with pure love.

I could have stayed in the shower with her forever, but being human, we had to eat sometime, and my stomach was starting to balk. No wonder—I hadn't eaten for nearly twenty-four hours. I doubt if Bella had eaten anything since lunch yesterday either. I turned off the tap, and holding her close, helped her step out onto the mat.

Pulling a towel from the rack, I stretched toward her to towel her off. Bella rolled her eyes at the idea. "Indulge me," I entreated her.

I fluffed her up with the terry cloth pretty good, then offered. "Now it's your turn."

She started rubbing a towel over my hair, then stopped, staring at me intently. "Gosh, Jacob, How did I hang on—resisting you for so long? What a fool I was to deny ever loving you. You're such a good guy. You deserve to be loved."

Never breaking the connection between us, I continued looking straight into her eyes. "I don't give a rat's ass about that. I only want to be loved by you."

"I do love you, Jake. I've never loved anyone else before we met. You're my very first love, and you'll be my last."

I took the towel from her fingertips, and encircled it around us, binding us together. "I'm gonna love you forever, Bells. No one's ever gonna take you away from me."

We talked all during breakfast, then gathered up my belongings at the motel. Next, we high tailed it to Sky Harbor, had a light lunch and went on to the departure gate, walking hand in hand. There was a young musician with a guitar case near his seat. Bella was so busy hanging on my every word that she accidentally bumped into it, nearly sprawling flat on her face. I caught her before she landed on the floor, asking, "You all right, Bella?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

She said she was fine, but she had this funny look on her face like she was trying to place the man.

The guy peered at her, and apologized. I did the same to him and we sat down a few seats away.

When the overhead speakers sounded the message to board the plane, I told Bella, "What, no tears this time?" We shuffled forward following the people in line. "I guess it's old hat by now, huh?"

Bella hesitated, "No … it's … I've got a surprise for you. I'm moving to La Push on August 26th. That'll give me a week to get ready for school."

I came unglued and hoisted her in the air, spinning us giddily. "Miss Swan—why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Her broad smile took up half her face. "I wanted to give you something to take home with you."

"Jeez, Bells, I'm about ready to crack a rib. My heart's slammin' around inside of me, threatening to bust out."

I held her hand to my chest, and added, "I've got a job interview tomorrow afternoon, then I'll go apartment hunting for us. Damn, girl, I'm so happy I could howl."

That musician guy was standing right behind us, privy to every word we said. He tapped me on the shoulder. "Hey, Buddy, the line's moving." He motioned ahead. "Do you mind?"

I stepped aside, all the while, hugging my girl tight. Just like my previous visit, I was the last man standing at the gate. Unlike last time though, there was a lightness in my step as I boarded the plane.

Bella's POV:

After dinner and putting Michel to bed, I was filled with happy thoughts about my coming plans for the move, and of course the best shower I ever had. I slept peacefully until around 2:00 A.M. The phone rang, waking me up, but when I answered, there was no one there. Was it a wrong number?

A horrible consideration crossed my mind, causing my earlier calm to turn to dread. Who would be bold enough to call at this hour? My imagination was running on high octane. Could it be that unwelcome ghost from my past? Oh god … please, not James. Not now!