Having suffered through a difficult night, the smell of cooking batter was enough to entice her from slumber. The baby had been overly playful that night and she had finally accepted that she might as well get up.
Letting curiosity take over and grabbing a robe, Renee followed the wafting scent of breakfast into the kitchen.
XxX
At the shuffled sound of footsteps, Bella looked up from the batter mix to see her mom appear.
"Hey you, what time did you get in last night?"
Bella blushed and Renee's curiosity grew.
"I didn't. Paul dropped me home half an hour ago. He had to work."
Renee feigned disapproval. "Oh really? You were out all last night?"
Bella shrugs. "It's the weekend."
"Well in future, young lady, send me a text if you're going to be late."
Bella nodded, defeated.
Renee lowered herself onto the chair as Bella poured an orange juice. "So, now that the lecture's over, what's this in aid of?"
"I felt like pancakes, is all."
Defensive and defiant, interesting combination. "That's not the whole truth, sweetheart."
Bella placed the batter on the side and joined her mother at the table. "We, well, we…"
The mother watches patiently as Bella fidgets. She could probably guess what happened but she's not ready to let her daughter off the hook.
"We slept together. It was our first time."
Nothing could have prepared her for the look of happiness or the aura of serenity emanating about the room.
She reached forward and took hold of those fidgeting hands.
From the moment she was born, Renee knew her baby was special. What's more, he knew too. Ever since they brought her to the Rez, he'd been looking out for her. He'd protected her from harm when the adults were oblivious, held her delicate body in his youthful hands. Watched over her. Loved her at first sight…
It seemed fitting that they would get together. It had been a long time since Renee had believed in fate but she was ready to concede to it now.
"How do you feel?"
"Awed. Surprised. I never knew it could be that way."
Oh yes, Fortune was definitely smiling on her daughter.
"Well, maybe you can ask him to dinner some time. Not tonight, of course. It's a shame he got called in."
Bella nodded. "He almost bit Sam's head off this morning. But Jared had to go too and Kim is away at the moment, so…"
"So you remembered your family, huh?"
Bella's eyes widened apologetically but Renee waved them off. She remembered that first flush of young love. How it felt, exploring each other, learning everything all over again.
XxX
She heard the car pull up and saw Bella rush to the door. He stood there, filling the doorway, his face aglow with the sight of Bella.
How wonderful to be that much in love!
Charlie mumbled something about curfews and not making them worry.
"Oh don't be silly Charlie, it's the weekend. Let them have their fun!"
They would have theirs tonight!
XxX
The door closed behind the young couple as Paul took Bella's face in his hands. His lips claimed hers, battling her tongue for dominance. Bella's arms were about his shoulders and she idly wished he wasn't such a giant.
She felt the bed behind her leg as the mattress rose to welcome her. Paul's body flattened her as his hands stroked her body, his heat seeping through the layers of clothing. She felt his tongue on her mark and sighed. She hadn't been able to focus on anything all day, memories of the night before disturbing her every moment.
Paul had been furious at Sam's summons and it had taken the delicate touch of Bella's hand on his arm to soothe him. His breath was heavy as their foreheads touched and her hands stroked his hair.
"The sooner you go, the sooner you'll be back."
He'd breathed in her scent, his lips travelling over her face before he followed her to the truck. Even then he'd held her close as he drove the short distance to the Forks house. He jumped from the truck to lift Bella down and held her close, taking one last caress, leaving her breathless.
The call from Sam was a further unwelcome distraction and it gave Bella a few seconds to regain her breath. Paul reluctantly lowered her to the ground and waited until she was safely inside before returning to his truck and speeding off.
XxX
She felt him straining against her legs as his hands fumbled against her jeans. His hands stroked her, preparing her for him. Her hands pulled at his jeans and he slid straight in. Paul looked down at her blissful expression, covering her face with kisses as he moved inside her. Their breaths heightened and mingled as they came together. Afterwards, he pulled her body into the crook of his arms and ran his hands down her face. "Missed you honey."
"You were gone so long!"
He paused before answering. "We had a vampire to chase."
She sat up and looked down on him. "Do you do that often?"
He shrugged.
"Paul?"
He sighed. "I never told you about what's involved, did I?" She shook her head. He stroked the curve of her face. "We often work daily patrols of the tribe. Then if a vampire comes on our lands, well we have to hunt them down. If they've killed, well, they won't last long against us."
"What happens if they cross onto Forks?"
"We can't touch them. Forks is Cullen territory. If anything happens, it's on their head."
"How do you stand it? You all work so hard and for what?"
His eyes grew distant. "We do what we can."
Her eyes widened. "No Paul, I know how hard you try. It's them I can't stand. They've had their chance and yet they put others at risk just so they can have the lives that should be lost to them."
He sighed and pulled her down to him. She sank into his arms as his lips touched her hair. "Don't dwell on it baby. They won't change and personally I don't care to talk about them."
XxX
She felt his hand travel up her inner leg, stroking her thigh. Despite his eyes being on a book, she knew it was all a charade. Besides, he'd been on the same page for the last twenty minutes.
His touch was delicate, assessing her reaction and when her breath hitched, only then did he close the book…
XxX
She was in class the next day when her spine stiffened as Edward Cullen took the remaining seat.
"Good morning Isabella."
She ignored him.
"It's very rude to ignore people."
She turned briefly. "Hi."
"Was that so difficult?"
She rolled her eyes and breathed easy as the teacher entered and she could tune into the lesson.
XxX
Paul's fingers travelled further up her leg, causing waves of passion as he neared her core. She gripped his shoulders, pulling his gloriously naked body close to hers, relishing his heavy form on top of hers…
XxX
"Isabella?"
She was back in the room, perturbed that her daydream had caused her to be the last one in the class. Why didn't Angela pull her arm or something?
"Believe me, Isabella, your friends tried but you are so stubborn."
She didn't like the way he looked at her. There was something completely creepy about him that unsettled her. The whole family were freaks. Why did he have to disturb her private fantasies?
XxX
His voice was husky as his large hand cupped her chin, ensnaring her eyes.
"Is this what you want?"
"Yes. I want you Paul. I love you."
Those words were deliciously sweet to his ears. As he slipped inside her sweet wetness his wolf purred that they were finally claiming their mate. Seeing her, so relaxed, so tuned into his desires made him love her even more.
He pushed her resistance, holding back his release so that she would feel satisfied. Her orgasm was building as she begged for oblivion but he wanted to ensure that she never regretted their first time together.
"Please…"
He captured her lips urging her further still, holding her there until her body shattered and lay complete in his arms.
He kissed her forehead, tracing the outline of her face, her petite curves, and her breasts. The blush on her face followed his journey his fingers took, his earnest features revealing the pursuit of her pleasure…
Afterwards, she lay wrapped in his arms, his legs covering her own. Normally she disliked having someone holding her so close; in fact, she considered it an invasion of her personal space. But Paul understood her reticence and helped find a way to accept the gesture for what it was.
Comfort. The most basic of human needs…
XxX
She heard the rumble of his truck arrive and was about to hobble over when she felt that familiar chill.
She saw Paul emerge from the car and before He could say a word, she whispered, "Get bent, Cullen!"
His eyes were wide as she reached the mutt's car and sent a two finger salute in his direction. He growled at the shifter and hissed, "You are absolutely, completely, unequivocally detestable."
This couldn't be born!
XxX
They'd overheard Tyler and Bella's plans for the night of the party and were disgusted. Edward couldn't bear to think of that oaf mauling such a delicate flower. If he were still alive, he'd be retching right about now.
Alone in his room, he marvelled at the pale beauty of her skin, the scent of fresh strawberries and warm lazy days of summer.
Why she hid that beautiful skin in unflattering jeans and oversize t-shirts, he didn't know. A woman like Isabella should be clothed in silk and satin. Beautiful gowns that would show everyone that figure as he escorted her about town, as a reminder that she was his.
If only he could get close to her!
He'd treat her like the lady she was, spoiling her rotten on her special day. Then Alice could be the one to organise the party. Not these buffoons who didn't have the means, or the imagination to make the night a spectacular affair. Thank God, they conceded to the cake. It would ease the thought of having to deal with paper plates and plastic cups!
He turned his mind once more to the welcome thought of Isabella. If only he could get her away from that oaf. If only he could hold her in his arms, caress that beautiful hair. Worship that delicate skin…
"Edward, no!"
The door crashed into the wall as whirlwind Alice entered.
"You can't do it!"
"What Alice, I can't do what?"
"You mustn't claim her."
She was to be his? Finally, his wildest dreams had come true!
Alice clutched her head, as visions of Bella and Tyler filled her mind. They were laughing as Tyler stumbled up the stairs. Her eyes glowed as she pulled him into the room and he pushed her down on the bed. The scent of sex mingled with strawberries enticed Edward as he burst into the room, snatching Bella into his arms and biting her neck as he entered her slick, lithe body…
"This will happen?"
"Yes. Tyler and Bella intend to use Mike Newton's room. We can't let that happen!"
XxX
Jasper had returned from his weekly hunt to see Alice and Edward waiting on him. He smiled but Alice's form echoed hurt as she flounced out of the room.
"Darling?"
"She's upset."
Jasper sighed. He wasn't in the mood for the boys observations.
"Alice had a vision about the party."
"What do you do?"
"It's not I Jasper. It's you."
"Me?"
"Yes. You pursue Bella. You attack her and drain her dry. You steal her from her boyfriend, Tyler and all because you can't control yourself!"
"But that's impossible. I love Alice and Bella; I don't even care for her!"
"Well maybe you're good at pretending. Bu you can't fool Alice. You kill Bella Swan!"
XxX
Jasper couldn't bear the thought of betraying Alice. He already had enough blood on his hands without adding Bella's.
"What must I do?"
XxX
Edward watched as Lauren indulged in the beverages on offer. Despairing of the drunken state, he motioned her to Jasper. She'd do perfectly.
Jasper focused a haze of lust on the unwitting girl. He watched it cloak her as she scanned the room. Finding Tyler, she slid through the crowd until she was by his side. Tyler had finished his drink and idly looked for Bella.
He was surprised to see her standing before him.
Caressing her soft face, he took her hand to bring her closer to him.
"Follow me."
She nodded and together they walked towards the stairs, tripping over a couple on the stairs, stumbling towards Mike Newton's bedroom.
XxX
Edward watched as Bella raced downstairs and out of the house. He was about to follow her when a pull at his arm stopped him.
Snorting, he faced Alice. "Get your hand off me!"
Alice shook her head. "Now is not the time."
He growled. "When?"
Alice smiled. "Soon."
XxX
He'd been patient enough through those long months, only to find Isabella had aligned herself with the mutts.
Well, she'd soon learn what a mistake she'd made.
Then he'd take her!