Chapter 25: Seaside Lark

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight

JPOV:

What a lowlife that James character was. What kind of a man threatened a woman? I didn't understand what Bella saw in him. How did he ever become her guy? It didn't make any sense to me—at all.

I felt good about our encounter, but I would've felt so much better if I could've just landed one well aimed blow on that smug face of his. This way, he wouldn't be seeking revenge though, so I guess it was in my best interest to restrain myself no matter how much I wanted to take a swing at him. As it was, he looked like he was scared sh**less when he left me standing at the rear of the club.

I slept like a baby that night, and was up bright and early the next morning I called Bella right after breakfast. I greeted her with my usual charm, "Hi, beautiful."

The little minx sounded breathless as she picked up the phone. It was gratifying to know that she was as eager to see me as I was to see her. Hooh boy, I could almost picture her face, and taste her lips from my hotel room. She told me to hurry, and I responded in kind, "Believe me, I'm hurrying."

Pulling up to the house, I climbed out of the rental, and started toward the door. There was that cute little brunette peeking out the window. My brain immediately popped into third gear, and my feet followed. I broke into a run. Bella apparently had the same idea, 'cuz she flew out the door and into my waiting arms.

My heart was poundin' so hard as I felt her soft form snug in my embrace. I lifted her above my head, swinging her in the air as I spouted, "My god, I've missed you, Bells."

I didn't waste any time. I practically pushed her into the vehicle. Picking up her bags, I said goodbye to her family at the same time.

The expression on Bella's face was priceless when we settled in our seats aboard the 747. Her knuckles were white as the engines turned and the aircraft began to taxi onto the runway. I squeezed her hand tightly to reassure her, but the blood still fled from her cheeks, leaving her face a ghostly shade of pale, and her body, frozen stiff.

"You can relax, honey. I'm sure the pilot has flown this bird at least a hundred times, maybe more."

"Easy for you to say," she whimpered.

I wondered how she'd fare aboard my chopper. Would she trust my piloting skills?

Her body loosened up when we finally got airborne, thank god. And I started chattin' away as usual. I was doin' most of the talking about my buddies back in the Middle East, and the girl who saved my life, Nadeedah. She wasn't sayin' much, so I peered over at her, and caught Bella scanning my face. I realized she was examining every little scar there, not that I blamed her, but I hated to have her dwell on it.

"Hey, earth to Isabella Swan. Come in, Isabella Swan," I spouted, snapping my fingers if front of her nose.

"Oh, Jake ... your beautiful face."

I shrugged it off. "Just pretend I cut it shaving. It could happen, right?"

"But it didn't."

"Are you sayin' you don't love me anymore 'cuz of a few measly scratches?"

Her fingers delicately traced along the well-healed wounds. "No, if anything, I love you more."

"So see, it was worth it."

"Please don't joke about this. I cried when I saw the photo you sent."

"Jeez, if I had known it would make you cry, I would never have sent it in the first place. I only wanted to cushion the blow. I figured if Maria told you about my accident, you both would've blown it way outta proportion, conjuring up this image of me stitched up like Frankenstein's monster."

Bella rested her hand on my cheek. "You promised me, you'd be careful."

I drew her head against my shoulder. "Okay, I'll try to be more careful. And you try not to worry so much."

She tilted her head up, looking at me with those big doe eyes. "When you find out how to make me do that, let me know, because I can't help it, Jake. I'm going to worry about you, no matter what you say."

Re-positioning herself on my arm, she sighed softly. I leaned down, and touched my lips to the top of her head.

As we disembarked, the melodic strains of Hawaiian music filled the air. Bella all at once, realized where she was, and started bouncing up and down like a little kid. The other passengers were amused, as she yelled, "Oh my gosh, Jake. We're in Hawaii." As if I didn't know.

I loved seeing her like that—so happy and without a care in the world. This trip would be worth every penny I spent.

I rented a car for us, and drove to The Kauai Surf hotel, but I wasn't pleased when we entered the room; it only held one bed. I specifically told the travel agent, two separate beds.

Bella tried to convince me that it would be okay to sleep together, since the bed was king size, but being so close to her, I couldn't guarantee the safety of her virtue around this soldier.

"The bed's big enough for both of us—there problem solved," she insisted.

"I'm glad you think so," I scoffed. Jeez, my girl was extremely naïve, but actually, maybe this would force my hand. And since we were already in bed together ... Hooh boy, I'd better switch to another thought fast. And so, I left that sticky situation to be dealt with later.

Unpacking was the next item on the agenda.

"I'll take the bottom drawers," she offered. "I'm shorter than you; I won't have to bend down as far." Ya think?

All our clothes and whatnots were put away, so we were off to look over the hotel and the nearby eateries. We ate lunch at Dukes, and I told Bella, "No girly drinks for me this time. There are some other GIs in here."

Her sweet little brown buttons tumbled in her head. "You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"

I smugly replied, "Not a chance."

The shadows were lengthening, and the full moon was rapidly replacing the sun. It was a great night for a lazy stroll at the water's edge. The pungent fragrance of plumeria rode on the gentle breeze, and the only sounds were the waves rushing toward the sand, along with the faint strumming of the ukuleles from a nearby hotel.

My fingers were intertwined with Bella's, and held close to my heart. It was a magical interlude.

I asked her what she thought of my surprise. She told me that maybe I should pinch her to make sure she wasn't dreaming. When I suggested a kiss from her true love, she broke away from me and took off, running.

"Come and get me then," my saucy girl taunted. Bella didn't get far; she slipped on a piece of wet kelp that had washed ashore and took a tumble. In my concern, I raced to her to make sure she was all right. Damn, was she ever; she grabbed my neck, pulling my head closer so that our mouths were in direct communication, if you get my drift. Then she whispered, "Any time, any place," replicating what I said to her earlier, only she said it with so much more sensuality. In a flash, I had my girl beneath me, pinned to the underlying sand.

Jeez, did she have my freakin' attention! And the girl gave me no resistance whatsoever. Her chest was heaving, and with every breath she took, her breasts would brush against me. I could feel her thighs flush to mine, and her stomach tighten as our tongues tangoed in our mouths. This was bad, really bad—my insides were aflame and screaming with desire. She had no idea what she was doing to me, the little tease. I loved it and hated it at the same time.

Our kisses were no longer sweet and tender—they were a full-on assault, and hooh boy, what a battle we fought. Whoever claimed that women were the weaker sex, had it all wrong. This little girl held total power over me, femininity was her only weapon, and I was hopelessly, helpless. God, I could see I was in for a sleepless night.

If this little tete-a-tete had occurred in the room, there would've been no stoppin' me. I would be a runaway freight train, unable to slam on the brakes. But, since we were getting' it on in full view of the public, our amorous encounter came to a screeching halt.

I rolled off her as a couple came closer, panting, and frustrated as all get out. I helped Bella to her feet, and after brushing away the sand that clung to us, I steered her back to the hotel.

. . . . .

Still feeling the effects of our recent rendezvous, I suggested that Bella get in bed while I took a shower. She was yawning; the jet lag catching up with her.

I removed a clean T-shirt and pull string pants from a drawer. Secretly smiling inwardly, I spotted the infamous box tucked in with my briefs, and thought about Bella finding the condoms in my bag last visit. This time, in addition, she'd find a bottle of Astroglide as well. Her face would be a mess of red from sun-up to sun-down. Oh c'mon, if it happens, I'm gonna be prepared.

Bella was right beside me, grabbing her pjs from the bottom drawer. Looked like she'd been shopping this time, 'cuz the nightie she was pulling out was a black lace see-thru thing. Holy sh**... my imagination was running wild. She leaned over further to grasp the matching panties. In her present position, her dog tags spilled out, the tank top fell open, and I accidentally got a view of two perfect mounds of flesh above the lacy cups of her bra. Jeez, I hurried into the bathroom. I was gonna need that shower.

When I got to the bed, there was my Bella looking like an innocent angel, with her soft lips parted and her hair all wild and splayed all over the pillow. In actuality she was a demon, tormenting me even in her sleep.

I crept under the covers, being careful not to wake her. Lying beside my sweetheart with my eyes wide open, I thought about how stupid this was. Being in the same bed with her was detrimental to my sexual health, and after what happened on the beach, it seemed to be the same for her. If she wasn't so damn tired, maybe things would've played out differently.

Sometime during the night, I woke up, finding Bella pressed into my back, her long, smooth legs tangled with mine. Damn, girl ... get awaaaay from me, before I go crazy.

I wiggled, trying to free myself, but not before I ran my hand down one of her legs. Hooh boy, it felt like a sheet of velvet. Bella stirred, and moaning, turned over, facing the opposite direction. Thank god.

The next morning, I found my girl on top of the covers, her skimpy attire totally exposed to my appreciative eyes. I sat up abruptly. That did it. I was angry—not at Bella, but at myself. Why didn't I have the guts to make my move? She obviously was dressed for the occasion, so why didn't I take the bait? All this skirting the issue was getting us nowhere, so I decided that today was the day, if she gave me the go-ahead. No more shilly-shallying.

I got up, and quietly crossed the room. I retrieved the tiny box and the bottle from the dresser and placed it in the top drawer of the nightstand. I was ready, and hoped she was too, 'cuz, I-just-couldn't-stand-it-any-more.