We made our way down the long hallway, to room 203. I was very uncomfortable staying in a room with someone I didn't really know; Paul on the other hand seemed very comfortable with this. Jared has stayed in my room at night, but it's not intimate. Ed-he used to watch me sleep, but with Paul it's different.
I had my overnight bag in hand walking towards the room as Paul stopped, to put the key card into the door. He pushed to door open to a room had terrible green carpet, two full size beds against the back wall with paisley coverlets, and a TV against the opposite wall. A little nightstand with a bible separated the beds. I opened the door to the tiny bathroom, which I didn't know how Paul was going to fit inside, I felt claustrophobic. I placed my bag on the bed, looking over to Paul, who didn't fit on his bed.
Paul turned on the TV to a fuzzy baseball game that displayed on the screen.
"I'm going to shower." Paul grunted walking towards the bathroom.
I wonder what Jared and Dad are doing right now, if they had received the letters I wrote. I hope Charlie understands that I'm leaving to protect him. I don't know what exactly I'm going to do once I reach Florida, but I hope I'll finally heal. Renee is probably freaking out alongside Charlie at this point. I walked to the full length mirror that was hanging on the coat closet. My pale cheeks were flushed; my hair and clothes were a mess. Straightening my hair and outfit, I walked over to the bed laying back, staring at the ceiling.
The water turned off in the bathroom. Paul opened the bathroom door, to my surprise he was standing soaking wet, with the smallest white towel, wrapped closely around his hips. The white towel contrasted against his silk russet skin, showing his broad shoulders. I had seen him without a shirt outside of Jacob's house, but I wasn't taking the time to pay any attention to him. Paul's wonderfully sculpted abs moved with every breath he took. I gasped turning my head.
"What's wrong?"
"Paul, why don't you have clothes on?" I turned to look at Paul.
He grinned at my embarrassment of the situation. "It kind of defeats the purpose, if you wear them in the shower."
Paul's taunting smile, unnerved me. "Why didn't you take clothes with you, or put on the ones you went in with?"
"I didn't pack any clothes for our trip; I didn't exactly plan on going away with you. I ran in those clothes to your house, sweat in them riding in the back of your truck, and then I fought a couple guys in them, so I didn't really want to put them on after my shower." Paul walked over to his bed sitting on the edge.
I grabbed my bag opening it inside was my sweats, and large shirt. I went to the bathroom to change clothes, and get ready for bed. I walked back into the room; luckily Paul had at least put on his boxers, but it still didn't hide his amazing physic.
"I was thinking that we could go to the store across the street to grab some clothes for me, since it bothers you to see me without a shirt." I glanced at the clock it was only eight thirty.
"I'll stay here, you go on ahead." Paul stood towering over me.
"No, I'm not leaving you here, you are coming with me."
"Well you can go in the morning, because I'm not leaving." I placed a hand on my hip. Paul was giving a menacing stare, to which I ignored. I walked over to the side of the bed slowly pulling the covers back, taunting him with my strong will. Paul was lightly shaking, as he stood with his mouth gaping.
"I'll carry you, so I suggest you get into something you don't mind being seen in public." I gaffed at Paul. His vibrating was more abundant, as I didn't move from the comfortable confines of the bed.
"Paul, you will not carry me." I stated forcefully. Paul moved closer, as I latched onto anything that would hold me on the bed. I had a death grip on the headboard, as Paul glided towards my small frame. He easily wrapped his arms around my waist lifting me off the bed. Knowing I didn't have a chance anymore I did the one thing I could, I screamed, and much to my surprise Paul dropped me.
"What! What did I do, are you hurt? What happened?" Paul's voice full of concern echoed through the room. I jumped onto the other side of the bed, holding back my laughter. I win! I silently celebrated in my head while Paul looked over my body trying to detect any harm he might have placed on me. Paul's concerned face played different emotions stress, relief, anger, then to the one I wasn't expecting mischievous.
"Nicely played, but I think you forget who you are dealing with." Paul said amused, as he lunged over the bed. I ran around the bed flying past his eager arms. I heard him hit the ground, and I was closing fast on the bathroom, my safe haven. I was closing generously, but tripped over my own foot. I have learned with my past experiences, that even though I fall a lot I could fall somewhat gracefully. I pushed my arms into my chest rolling my body, so I wouldn't hit the ground with my face. The fall seemed to be going in slow motion, as I watched Paul hot on my trial, not noticing me falling. Paul didn't have a chance to do anything but fall on me, or trample me. I prayed for trample, but I watched slowly as his muscles flexed diving towards my falling frame. His large biceps tightened as his hands planted on either side of my shoulders. Paul wrapped his right arm around me flipping me on top of him so I wasn't squashed by the impact of our bodies. I didn't have control of my body yet as my head smacked his bare chest. I felt trembling beneath me; I moved my head placing my chin on his chest; Paul was laughing.
"I win, you are coming with me." Paul gloated. I giggled at his boy like features when he smiled. His normally hard face was smooth and beautiful. This was a side of Paul I hadn't seen before; he was calm in this moment, happy. He moved his hand from my waist toward my upper back, as his eyes locked with mine, his face became serious, like he was debating. He moved his hand stroking the side of my cheek, moving the fallen hair behind my ear. I hadn't notice the fire taking residence on my cheeks, and I suddenly felt uncomfortable. I couldn't seem to pull my eyes away from his, as he moved his face towards mine. I shot up unknowingly from him standing above him extending a hand, to help him up.
"Ok, I'll go but I don't want to be out too late, we have lots of driving to do tomorrow." Paul gave me a look before responding "Ok, mom."
The large department store was in a plaza with other stores, and a couple bars. We walked into the department store; I was already overwhelmed by the selection of clothing. Paul gave me a questioning look before heading off towards his department of clothing.
"I'm going to look around." I started to walk in the opposite direction, but Paul grabbed my hand pulling me towards him.
"Don't go too far, ok?" His once hard eyes were softly pleading. I nodded, looking down at our intertwined hands. Paul followed my gaze smiling, before reluctantly releasing my hand.
I walked away missing the warmth of his touch. I couldn't gather my thoughts; was I missing his warmth or someone else's. I did miss Jared's friendly touch, but I pushed away any thoughts of La Push. I couldn't believe that less than two weeks ago, Paul and I couldn't stand to be in a room with each other. Now we are sharing a hotel room, and driving to Florida together. I kept walking mindlessly through the store, not realizing where I was until Paul was standing in front of me.
"Looking for anything in particular?" Paul's impish grin was plastered on his face, as his naughty eyes trailed my small frame. I slowly looked around noticing I was in the lingerie isle. My face flushed, as Paul chuckled darkly at my humiliation.
"No" I squeaked. Paul placed an arm around my shoulder, guiding us on our way to the register. Paul removed his arm to pile his clothes on the counter, smiling down at my still redden cheeks.
"Did you find everything ok?" A beautiful brunette with amazing blue eyes smiled at Paul.
"Yep" Paul said looking at the odds and ends at the counter. Her eyes flickered to me scrutinizing, probably thinking he was too good for me. I felt a little twinge of jealously as she looked over to Paul. Paul caught her staring at him, so he smiled.
"I'll be outside." I didn't bother to wait for Paul's reaction, which would probably be 'no wait for me'.
I walked outside wrapping my arms around myself, it was incredibly cold. I looked back in the store watching Paul, and her animatedly talking. I walked out of the sight of the store towards a bar, and grill it had a bench outside the door. I sat on the bench waiting anxiously for Paul to finish flirting. I don't know why I'm the least bit jealous, he is just being nice.
Paul came out a few minutes later, carrying a bunch of bags. We walked in silence towards truck, then to our room.
"Is everything ok?" Paul asked sitting down the bags, opening them up pulling out clothing to take to the bathroom and change.
"Yea, I'm um…tired." I walked into the bathroom changing into my clothes, putting away all my stuff in my bags so I didn't have to pack anything but brush my teeth. I had already put on my traveling clothes, so I curled up under the covers.
"Bella, are you leaving because of us?" Paul sat on the end of my bed, as I sat leaning against the headboard.
"No, not completely, but it helps." I didn't want to talk to Paul about the crazy Vampire after me. Paul would think I was crazy for sure.
"Then why are you leaving?" I turned my head, not making eye contact hoping he wouldn't push it.
He sighed heavily "Fine, just ignore my question." Paul walked into the bathroom slamming the door. I heard mumbling before the door opened again.
Paul had calmed and sat on his bed "You know, this secret that you are keeping from me, did you ever think that maybe, just maybe, we have that same situation. This secret that you're keeping, you can't tell anyone, and it's consuming you with the weight it has on you." I looked at Paul's apprehension as he finished his speech.
"Sometimes secrets aren't yours to tell." I said quietly. Paul gave me a uneasy smile, before he turned off the light, sleep overtaking us both.
I felt someone rubbing my arm slightly, as I heard a husky whisper. "Bella, wake up."
I opened my eyes, seeing it was still dark outside. "It's still dark out" I mumbled as I turned over in the bed. I heard a chuckle "I know, but the more we are on the road, the faster you'll make it to Florida, is that all of your stuff by the door?"
I groaned I knew he was right, but I didn't want to get out of bed, it felt so comfortable. "Yea, that's all of it, except my toothbrush is in the bathroom." I felt Paul's big hot hands push underneath my waist picking me up bridal style. The door opened in the motel, and a freezing gust of wind, made my body convulse.
Paul tightened his grip "I know it's cold, you'll be in the truck in a second. I've already packed it except for your stuff, and it's running so it should be warm." I nodded incoherently. Paul opened the door slowly placing me in the truck, closing it carefully. I heard Paul throwing stuff in the bed of the truck before opening the door, placing a blanket over me. He got in the truck folding out the map, and placing a pillow against the side of his body so I could lie in the seat with my head on the pillow. The truck jerked moving in a direction out of the parking lot.
Warmth from the sun gently caressing my face woke me. A hot hand brushed my cheek, stroking my hair, blocking the sun from reaching my eyes. It took me a while to remember, I was with Paul, and he was driving. I moved my head slowly, stretching the rest of my body.
"You awake?" I opened my eyes watching Paul take quick glances down at me then to the road.
"Yeah, how long was I asleep?" Paul's brilliant smile erupted.
"Only for three hours, but you talk a lot in your sleep, so I was entertained." I blushed; at least it wasn't a nightmare. I hope that I didn't say anything too terrible in my sleep.
"Do I want to know what I said?" I winced. Paul just snickered to himself.
"You named a lot of my friends, including myself. You really do love all of us, huh?" I was mortified, why did I have to talk in my sleep. I sat up from his lap, looking out the window. I caught a brief glimpse of myself in the rear view mirror, horrified with the reflection. I quickly straightened my hair, smoothing it back into a loose ponytail.
"So where are we?" I looked out at the plain fields.
"The long stretch of Montana" Paul sighed. "So, I've been thinking. We should stop for breakfast, and you should call home." I debated, if I called home Charlie would convince me to go back, and if I didn't he would be worried sick. I decide to be strong and just call him, praying he wouldn't try to get me to come home.
"Ok." I breathed. Paul pulled off at the next exit, into a small town called Clinton. We moved the truck into a space at a restaurant, with a gas station beside it in the same parking lot. Paul and I got out of the truck, walking towards the pay phones outside the gas station. I deposited the money, listening to the sharp rings of the phone.
"Hello" a rough strangled voice said into the phone.
"Hi dad" I sighed, already feeling the tears entering my eyes.
"Oh my…Bella…? Where are you? Are you ok?" Dad was rushing his questions out pleadingly almost in tears.
"Dad, I'm fine. I'm in Montana; I just stopped for food and to call."
"Bella do you know how worried we've been, you're lucky I haven't been able to get a hold of Renee yet, she'd be hysterical!" I knew she would be, but did he just say he hasn't got a hold of her. I gave a questioning look to Paul who was staring at me intently.
"You said 'we', Dad who is with you?" Charlie laughed lightly.
"The better question is who isn't with me; it seems the whole male population of La Push has been camped out in our living room." I heard movement in the background. Paul's eyes were wide, and his eyebrows rose with shock. I'm sure my face was mimicking his. I heard the phone moved around.
"Bella…Bella…" Jared's worried voice echoed through the phone.
"Jared, I'm ok."I heard his sobbing from the other end of the phone.
"Jared, it's…" I was cut off by his anger.
"BELLA, How could you leave, you promised!! Come back home now! This is dangerous and stupid!" I could almost visibly see him shaking with anger. Paul was starting to vibrate next to me clenching his fists. I placed a hand on his chest, to calm him. I heard the phone moving again.
"Bells, come back please…everything will be fine." I heard Jake fighting with someone "No I need to talk…Come on…"
"Bella, come back to me, I need you…please I'm so sorry. We can explain everything!" Quil whined into the phone.
Paul next to me quit shaking "We can tell her?" I was extremely confused, how did he hear what was being said? Quil wasn't talking too loud.
"PAUL? THAT'S WHERE YOU'VE BEEN?" Quil roared I heard crashing, and switching of the phone.
"Sorry about that… umm… Quil had to step out for a minute. He was caught off guard, but Bella, has Paul been with you this entire time?" Embry's calm soothing voice echoed through the phone.
"Yes, he wouldn't leave." I gave Paul a quick smile.
"Bella, please I miss you. I'm sorry, but you don't understand it's been hell, without you." I listened to Embry's brief bye before the phone was handed to someone else.
"Bella put Paul on the phone." Sam stated, with anger, but his voice was smooth like he was physically trying to calm himself.
Thanks for all the reviews!!!! I hope you like this chapter! Please review!!! Also so everyone knows… no one has imprinted…yet… haha… you will learn soon enough… sorry for the delay..!