Yes we are finally back. I'll get straight to it. See you all on the flip side.
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, it belongs to S. Meyer. I'm just playing with her toys again.
This storyline is still mine though, so please no fiddling with it without my permission
From Chapter 18...
The relaxing atmosphere here is like a warm blanket, comforting me. I am just about starting to enjoy the evening when something causes the hair to stand up on the back of my neck and my good mood to evaporate.
I look towards the door as two men walk into the main bar. Two very familiar men. One of them catches my eye and winks and my stomach drops into my boots.
Jacob is here.
Chapter 19 I'm Not Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf
I think the universe really does hate me. In fact, I'm sure this time.
Just when I think I have been given my fair share of grief and stress, that it must surely be someone else's turn, the ex from hell reappears before my eyes.
Ugh.
Jacob.
I haven't seen him in years. Every time I have visited my father back home I have never run into him.
Why on earth is he here?
This is not his regular stomping ground. This is miles away from his comfort zone, in fact. He is rarely to be seen anywhere but in his local, the La Push Inn, where all his other arsehole mates hang out.
So what the bloody hell are they doing here? Walking into MY local?
It's an American Werewolf in London moment. The whole pub stills as the locals swivel their heads and stare at the new arrivals. The silence is deafening. I almost expect someone to call out, "Stay off the moors." In my knowledge, this has never happened before. Even when Rose first brought me in here I was welcomed with open arms.
Oh, Rose. How I could do with you being here now. Why oh why did you decide to "leave us to it" and go home half an hour ago?
Slowly conversation resumes and everyone returns to what they were doing before the intrusion. Embry and Quil have melted away from us, back to the dartboard. Eli, the landlord, is polite but cold as he serves the two newcomers, Jacob and his crony Paul.
Oh great, Paul, the most unpleasant member of Jacob's little gang. He used to laugh and laugh at Jacob's snide remarks, hanging on his every word.
And the way he used to look at me? Well, frankly it gave me the creeps. I always made sure to avoid being alone with him at all costs.
I shake my head from side to side trying to clear it. I blink furiously in the hope that when I open my eyes he will not really be here, and this will be just some kind of evil hallucination. It has been one hell of a day, after all.
Edward has already sensed my change in demeanour. My body language has gone from relaxed and happy to rigidly tense in the blink of an eye.
"Bella, what is it?" he asks, frowning at me in concern as his fingers gently stroke my palm.
I swallow nervously and squeeze his hand tightly. I can feel my palm becoming clammy with sweat. The expression on Edward's face progresses from concerned to downright worried. My stomach is churning with nerves. This is not going to end well.
"Bella?" he repeats.
It is as if I'm frozen. I literally can't move. I'm trembling.
I consider doing a runner, glancing over to gauge the distance between us and the door.
Maybe I can make an excuse and we can go home?
Jacob and Paul haven't moved from the bar...yet. Before I can make a move they collect their drinks and saunter cockily over to where we are sitting, plonking themselves into the spare seats, completely uninvited. Oh hell.
"Room for two more?" Jacob asks, smirking. I don't know why he is asking when they have already imposed upon us.
Edward eyes them curiously. He can tell something is up. He smiles, but it is a glacial smile that doesn't reach his eyes. I feel him clutch me closer to him, his arm drapes around my shoulder and he caresses me gently, placing a soft kiss upon my temple. It's a sign, a statement: back off, she's with me.
Jacob smiles his fake smile to begin but once he sees Edward touching me it evolves into a sneer; his heavy monobrow furrows as his small brain works overtime. Paul lounges in his chair, eyeing us both sceptically.
The air is thick with tension as Jacob and Edward stare each other down. Neither has spoken; they seem to be preparing themselves.
Who will crack first, I wonder?
I squirm awkwardly in Edward's embrace.
How long is this standoff going to last? Dammit, I had better say something.
I clear my throat noisily. Three heads swivel to look at me.
"So...umm...Edward, this is Jacob Black, my ex." Edward nods, coldly. He is still holding me very close to him. I try and take comfort from the warmth of him. He can give me strength.
I will not let Jacob intimidate me. Not this time. I am not that scared little girl any more.
I don't bother with the other half of the introduction. Jacob does not deserve any favours from me.
"So, what can we do for you, Jacob?" Edward asks, icily. The question we all want to know.
Just what exactly are they doing here?
"We were just passing through and fancied a change of scene," Jacob utters, trying to be casual. His excuse is wafer thin.
No way is he just passing by. He has to have made at least a fifty mile detour.
"Really?" I am unable to refrain from asking.
Jacob nods, following through with the lie; trying to intimidate me with his stare.
He really is thick. How did it take me so long to notice this?
"So, Bella, how have you been?" he asks, as he looks me up and down appreciatively.
"You're looking well. Very well. Finally managed to stick to a diet then?"
He just had to; the jibes have started. Same old Jacob.
But I am not the "Same Old Bella". I have grown up so much. I am strong now. And I have Edward by my side.
I am not going to let this man bully me any more.
Before I can get a suitable retort in, Edward launches into the attack.
"I beg your pardon? How DARE you speak to her like that!"
He is out and out glaring at Jacob now. Green eyes blazing with fury; nostrils flared with anger. I can almost feel the heat of his rage. His voice isn't overly elevated but icy cold with contempt.
Jacob is instantly flustered. No one stands up to him. I never did. Our fellow drinkers have noticed Edward's raised voice and are watching intently.
Jacob squirms. He tries to bluff it out, shrugging his shoulders, but I can see he is seriously rattled.
"Sorry, man, I was just making an observation. You see Bella was a little different to look at when I knew her. Had a little more meat on her bones, you know."
Jacob makes a crude gesture with his hands, as if he's squeezing my backside in mid air. I cringe. This goes back to Jacob at his worst; his desire to belittle me and portray me as the little woman, a mere sex object, his property.
It's revolting. I feel sick.
Edward isn't fooled for an instant. His freezing glare remains.
"That does not give you a reason to speak to my girlfriend like that. If you can't be polite, and show her the respect she deserves, I suggest you leave," Edward snarls.
Yes, please leave. Please go back under the rock you crawled out from. Leave us in peace. Let me sit here and ponder the fact Edward just called me "his girlfriend" in public. Well that's what you are, Bella. You love him. He loves you. You've been more than intimate. Stop being surprised every time he comes through for you.
Jacob smiles. Well, he tries to smile. It is more of a twisted leer.
"There's no need for that. I'm sure we can all be friends here."
Um, I don't think so. I feel a little sick at the thought of it. We can't sit here and have a cosy chat.
Edward is still tense. I sidle closer to him, hoping he will pick up on my need for him. I just need to be closer. He grounds me.
Edward turns away from trying to intimidate Jacob and slips me a small wink, before scooping me up into his lap. I lean into his chest, welcoming his protection. I feel more confident.
We can get through this.
Unfortunately all this seems to do is wind Jacob up even more. He scowls angrily at our obvious closeness. Edward glances at our empty glasses and offers to buy some more drinks. Jacob and Paul still have full pints so they aren't included. I don't want Edward to leave me with them. I whisper in his ear.
"I'll get them, love."
Edward smiles and makes a show of giving me the money to pay.
Ha! This should be one in the eye for Jacob as he never used to pay for anything.
I take the money from Edward and go to the bar. Eli catches my eye.
"Everything all right over there, Bella?"
"Yeah, I think we have things under control thanks," I reply as I place my order.
By the time I walk back to the table things seem to have eased slightly. Well, there are no signs of bloodshed anyway. Just the awkward atmosphere you could cut with a knife.
"So Bella, it seems things are going well for you. I ran into your Dad last week. He was telling me how you are doing. Still playing with horses, I hear?"
So that explains the impromptu visit. He has most likely come over here to make trouble, as I thought.
"Actually, Bella is a very accomplished rider," Edward interjects.
Of course Jake and Paul have to see the innuendo in this and snort like a pair of teenage boys.
However, this proves to be a bad idea for them as Edward simply adopts his "cat that got the cream" smirk.
"In more ways than one." He can't resist adding, eyes twinkling with devilment.
Jacob's smirk instantly transforms to a scowl.
Oh, what is it with men and their damn pissing contests? This is ridiculous.
I need to put an end to it before things get out of hand. I take the bull by the horns.
"So was there actually something you wanted Jacob? Only it's been a very long day for us and Edward and I need to be getting home." I yawn, theatrically, just to make a point.
Jacob appears taken aback by my apparent bravery. Although some of it is down to the man by my side, I actually feel strong; stronger than I have ever been. I don't have to live with his taunts any more. I'm not that scared little girl who thought she would never do better than the likes of Jacob or James.
I can do this.
"Um...no," he stutters, at a loss for words for once. "I just thought I'd say hi, and all that. Nothing important."
I thought he would be bound to cause trouble. I can't believe my luck. Definitely time to get out of here before it runs out.
I down my glass of wine and stand, taking Edward's hand. He is all smiles now, actually shaking Jacob's hand as we turn to leave. Edward excuses himself to the Gents on the way out.
It is a pleasant enough evening so I decide to wait outside in the car park. There's no one around. The alcohol has gone to my head a little so I use the quiet calm to sober up and gather my thoughts. Today has been such a rollercoaster of emotions. I'm exhausted and just want to flop into bed. I don't hear the footsteps behind me. Well, I hear them but they don't really register until a slimy voice murmurs in my ear.
"Abandoned you already has he?" Jacob's beer soaked breath wafts in my face.
Just how many pints has he had tonight?
"N-no...he's just in the loo," I stammer. My earlier bravado has diminished as Jacob has me cornered. I back away instinctively and bump into the wall. There's nowhere to go now. He leans in, leering.
"My, you really are quite fit now, aren't you?" Jacob's meaty paws roam down my body. His touch makes me shudder with revulsion. My heart is racing.
Where oh where is Edward? Surely it doesn't take this long to have a pee? Unless...
Dread sinks into my stomach. Paul is missing. Where is he? Visions of Edward cornered flood my brain.
Hang on a second, no, Edward works out. He can handle himself. Paul wouldn't have been able to do anything. Except detain him long enough for Jacob to...
Jacob leans in closer, pinning me against the wall.
"So, you enjoy it do you? Giving it to Pretty Boy? Does he not mind what a lousy lay you are? That you just lie there like a sack of potatoes?" The insults are coming thick and fast.
My voice has deserted me, no words are forthcoming.
I should have known better, that Jacob wouldn't just let this go. He always was a poisonous bully.
He leans in closer.
"Does he know you like it rough? Maybe I'll tell him, give him a few tips. Or we could show him..." Jake eyes me greedily.
I try to scream, but nothing comes out. My useless mouth gapes. I feel sick. My head is spinning. So much for adrenaline rushes. I feel useless right now.
"N-no," I manage to push out, but it's barely more than a murmur.
"What was that?" Jacob chides. "I can't hear you."
"No," I utter, a little louder this time.
"Too bad," Jacob huffs.
"I'll...I'll..." I try and force the words out from my dry throat.
"You'll what, Bella?" Jacob mocks.
"I'llscreamifyoutryanything," I blurt out, trying to sound braver than I feel.
"No, you won't," he states. "Doesn't matter if you do, no one to hear you. Doesn't look like Pretty Boy is coming to your rescue anytime soon.
Jacob decides to snatch his moment. He leans in and shoves his tongue in my mouth. It is foul and I almost gag. My hands helplessly attempt to shove him away.
Of course if this was a movie my knee would fly up and hit him in the groin. Or a passer-by would come to my rescue. But it's not. It's real life. No white knight is coming for me.
I struggle helplessly in his grasp, trying not to be sick, when suddenly there's a commotion.
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU PLAYING AT YOU FILTHY BASTARD! GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER!"
Edward's piercing yell can be heard across the car park. Jacob is yanked away from me and Edward floors him with a punch to the face. I sway slightly, shocked.
Jacob staggers to his feet, clutching his bloody nose. All his earlier swagger has disappeared.
And Edward?
Edward is furious. His face is an angry mask, eyes glittering with unrestrained fury. He grabs Jacob by the throat and pushes him against the wall.
"If you ever...EVER...lay as much as a finger on her, in fact if you try and breathe the same air as her...I'll make you wish you had never been born, you understand?"
Silence.
"You understand? Meathead?" Edward taps his knuckles on Jacob's temple. "Get that into that thick skull of yours?"
"Y-yeah," Jacob grunts.
Edward reluctantly releases him.
"Good," he utters. "Now I suggest you crawl back where you came from before I go back into that pub and tell all of Bella's friends, yes her FRIENDS, what you did. They might not go as easy on you as I did."
Jacob nods and shuffles off, bumping into Paul who is staggering towards him. What became of him I have no idea, but it doesn't look good.
That can't simply be from too much to drink?
I lean against the wall, breathing hard. My head is still fuzzy and it's all I can do to remain upright.
Edward takes a deep breath and pinches the bridge of his nose before turning back to me.
"Are you okay?" He takes my hand and I stumble against him. He catches me easily and pulls me into his embrace. Once in the safety of Edward's arms the dam breaks and I fall apart, sobbing. Edward pulls back slightly, frowning at me in concern, anger still evident in his eyes.
"I swear...if he's hurt you...I'll..."
"It's okay. I'm okay." I lean into Edward. "Can we go home please?"
Edward left his car at my place so we have to make the short walk along the lane to get home. I lean heavily on him, his arm wrapped tightly around me. My legs feel like lead and it is all I can do to stumble and trudge along by his side. Soon I see the comfortable lights of my little home up ahead. My bed is calling me right now.
I can't wait to get there.
We don't talk on the way home. Once or twice I think I hear Edward mutter a few things under his breath, but I can't make out what they are. He still seems so tense, almost businesslike as he tows me along.
What if he's mad at me? Surely he can't think I actually wanted Jacob's hands on me. He must realise how repulsed I was.
Once we get in I drink a glass of water at Edward's request and we go straight to bed. I hold off the urge to just flop down fully clothed and I undress and slip on my favourite pyjamas while Edward strips to tee shirt and boxers. He pulls me into his arms.
I close my eyes and drift. I don't want to talk. I know there are questions to be answered but right now I am just too tired. Luckily Edward seems to realise this and doesn't push me. He kisses my hair as he holds me close.
My brain refuses to play along, however. As I listen to Edward's breathing even out as he falls asleep I remain awake. The horrors of the past few days wash over me. Whirling around and around in my head, tormenting me. I'm unable to stop the flow of tears that fall from my eyes.
I'm not meant to be happy, it seems.
Since Edward has come into my life there has been disaster after disaster.
Maybe I should remain alone? It would be less complicated that way. However as I gaze at this gorgeous man sleeping beside me, my eyes fill with tears. I realise I don't want to be without him. I truly don't. I cry and cry until eventually I fall into a troubled sleep.
When I awaken in the morning Edward has already left. There's a lukewarm cup of tea by the bed and a note saying he had to leave early and he'll call later. I rub my tired, red eyes and clutch the tea desperately. I have a feeling I'm going to need it today. I feel exhausted as if I have barely slept at all. Well in truth I have barely slept at all.
I down the rest of my tea and slump back against the pillows. I need to shower and get my head together. As it's a Saturday, I can enjoy a rare lie in. I grab the remote and flick on the television, hoping the breakfast news can distract me a little. Absorbed by a story of a missing girl I feel my eyes grow heavy and I drift off again.
When I wake its gone eleven and I have a stiff neck together with a stack of missed calls on my phone. Three are from Edward, one from Rose and one strangely from my Dad.
This is odd, he rarely calls me in the middle of the day.
I stagger out of bed before I can fall asleep again and drag myself into the shower. Fifteen minutes later I am dressed and feeling a bit more awake. I make myself another cup of tea, grab my phone and get ready to tackle my messages.
I call Dad first. It's not a lengthy conversation but the gist is he ran into Jacob last week, sadly not literally, so he thought he should put me on my guard.
Such a shame that this conversation has come twenty four hours too late.
Dad is concerned when I explain I have already crossed paths with Jacob. Of course when I tell him about Edward and his part in my rescue he insists it's about time I brought my boyfriend home to meet him. I promise to arrange something soon.
There it is again. That word, boyfriend. After being single for so long I finally have a man I can call my own. It certainly takes some getting used to.
I mull this over as I head over to the stable yard. I text Edward on my way, explaining that I missed his call because I slept late and that I will talk to him later. I figure it will be easier to speak to Rose in person. The tale of last night is after all not the sort of conversation you want to have over the phone.
Rose is, as I expected, horrified. She fusses over me like a mother hen, apologising profusely for not being there to help. I feel surprisingly matter-of-fact about the whole ordeal and am able to relate it relatively easily.
Maybe I'm just numb?
Rose is proud of my strength in dealing with Jacob and very keen to hear about Edward putting Jake in his place and getting all riled up. She seems to enjoy that part a bit too much.
I go back out to the yard and try to lose myself in physical work for the rest of the day. The horses are in desperate need of some exercise. Two long hacks and a marathon tack cleaning session later I decide I have done enough. Physical exhaustion should ensure I sleep tonight and I manage to get through the afternoon without needing a nap.
By early evening, I am indeed exhausted and trudge back home. To my surprise I find Edward is waiting on the doorstep for me, looking tired and anxious. I feel momentarily guilty that I never called him. He pulls me into his arms showering me with sweet kisses.
I try to shrug him off as I feel sweaty and in desperate need of a shower, but this doesn't deter him one bit. He simply follows me up the stairs and when we get to my room he insists on helping my remove my clothes. Within a matter of moments we are both naked and stepping under the shower together.
I lean back under the warm spray, letting it wet my hair and soothe my aching muscles. For a moment Edward simply stands and watches me. I close my eyes feeling embarrassed under his scrutiny. Then I feel his touch. Edward's hands are everywhere as he lathers soap all over my body, his long fingers firm but gentle at the same time. He trails hot open-mouthed kisses down my neck and over my collar bone while his hands do their work.
He pulls me closer to him, pressing his firm body against mine. I feel his need for me pulsing against my belly. I baulk a little. I have a simple bathtub with a shower above, it is a little cramped at the best of times.
Can we really manage anything in here? Maybe we can just wash each other then fall into my bed and take things further?
Edward has other ideas as suddenly he lifts me, wrapping my legs around him and presses me against the tile and rapidly buries himself inside me, making me gasp in wonder.
My eyes roll back in my head a little. Oh wow. I feel the power of him as I rake my fingers over his back, tracing his rippling muscles as he drives into me. Any sweet tenderness from before is forgotten. This is primal, raw need. He grunts as he thrusts into me harder and harder, hitting spots I never knew existed.
For a moment, Jacob's horrible words echo in my head.
"Does he know you like it rough, Bella?"
I shake my head, slightly to deter these thoughts.
Edward is different. He isn't just taking what he wants. He's giving me what we both need. He needs me.
He buries his face in my chest, sucking and licking my nipples as he drives on. The cries that escape me are brazen, wanton. I find myself calling his name aloud as I fall apart around him, my orgasm crashing over me all of a sudden. Edward follows with another animalistic grunt, filling me as he pants into my shoulder, growling out one word.
"Mine."
That was intense, so intense.
Where did it come from?
I turn the water off while it's still warm and we walk to the bedroom collapsing on the bed wrapped in our towels. I lay my head on Edward's chest as his fingers trace lazy shapes on my back. We still haven't really spoken much. I am content to lie in his arms; my cheek pressed against his warm skin as I lace my fingers with his.
I know we desperately need to talk. My head is a total mess right now, but for this moment all that matters is I am his and he is mine.
I close my eyes. I'll worry about it later.
But just as my eyes grow heavy and I am about to drift off to sleep I hear Edward speak.
"Bella...I think we need to talk."
A/N
Yes I did it again...*hides*
Where do I start? First huge thanks to you all for sticking by me despite the epic failure with updates. This has been a very difficult few months for me but things are slowly improving. I can't promise regular updates but they should be far more frequent.
As always this chapter wouldn't be here without the sterling help of my prereaders annetteinoz and kymclark plus the truly wonderful beta team of EMCxo and JAustenlover. I don't have enough words to thank you as much as you deserve.
Rec time
I'm going to pimp to two brand new sparkly first time authors. It's almost a year since I uploaded FMLW and I know how nerve-wracking an experience it can be. If you could show them some review love it would truly mean a lot.
Best Laid Plans by toni0204
This only went up yesterday and is showing great promise.
Opposites Attract by love2read30
An interesting plotline and definitely worth a look.
So what exactly does Cuddleward want to say? I would love to hear your thoughts as always. Your reviews are greatly appreciated and I wish I could reply to them all.
I recently uploaded 2 new things – Edward's POV for Part of the Furniture and a new oneshot, Checkout, originally written for SFFR. Hope you like them.
I'm off to enjoy this glorious sunshine while it lasts. Laters taters.
HKP