Working Relationship
A/N: If blood makes you queasy, this isn't the chapter for you. But then, why are you reading a story about vampires? Rated M for many reasons.
The following Monday was my official first day of work at the garage. Jake woke and tried not to disturb me but I shot awake.
"Jake, I can't be late on my first day of work."
"You had another rough weekend. I'll cover."
"You're by yourself!" I forced myself to get up and shower and change. The cramping and blood had dissipated considerably but I still need my supplies. One of my first orders of business will be to clean the garage bathroom – again. And make it female friendly. I had to spend 10 minutes cleaning the toilet last time I was there and needed to make a trip and I still just hovered over the seat. When I was ready to leave the house before Jake, he conceded.
In a few minutes he'd be my boss. I kissed him delicately tasting his lips and he did the same to me, caressing my cheek before breaking it off. I raced him to the garage, beating him by 10 minutes. I cleaned the lot while I waited. We would also need to decorate outdoors; the dead flowers and garbage did nothing for the aesthetic.
As soon as I saw him coming I wiped my hands on my jeans.
"Hi!" I called. "I'm Ness. You must be Jake. I'm a little nervous, it's my first day." He played along.
"Jacob Black, nice to meet you."
We settled in and I pulled out the work orders for the day. To my surprise, I really was nervous. This is my first job after all. And there was a lot at stake. Jacob felt he had something to prove to Emmett. I didn't want to let Jake down. We opened the overnight box. A few customers had dropped their keys in the overnight slot. Many garages refuse to have these nifty little boxes but it's good for business if you can drop your car off when the garage is closed. The problem usually comes as a smash and grab and thieves can help themselves to the keys and available cars. These thieves have not met Emmett or Rosalie. They sourced the toughest materials on the market and had a lot of fun practicing making an 'unbreakable' box. The one that's installed right now takes Emmett a full five seconds to get into. That would be longer than a lifetime for the average human. There's three keys. Jake has one, now I have one and one is locked in the office safe. And you need all three to open the box. I never asked them what it cost to develop this device – I'm sure they did it for the challenge and not the added profit.
The phone was already ringing and I booked appointments, answered questions or took messages for Jake to return if the question was beyond my car skills. At lunch I asked Jake If he wanted anything and ran for sandwiches and milkshakes. After lunch I finally had time to tackle the bathroom. Many years of grease made it a daunting task but in between phone calls I got it to sparkle. I planned to buy a little stand to stash bathroom items including extra toilet paper. Do guys not care if it runs out? Also it needs a new door sign- the faded sticker with the familiar stick male symbol is so passé. And the lock, one of those hook and eye things usually present in outhouses, has got to go. And most people have heard of shower curtains. The hooks were still there but the curtain, long gone. Throughout the day I asked Jake if there was anything I was missing, he kept saying no but I didn't know if he was being polite. That is not typically Jake. He seemed tense.
At the end of the day we locked up and headed home, picking up a few groceries. I showered then I made a salad and grilled chicken, as well as sandwiches for lunch the next day.
I sat on the couch after dinner and Jake joined me, but there was something off.
"What's wrong, Jake?"
"I don't know if I should kiss you."
"What?"
"Well…I've been thinking about it all day and I really want to do this." He pulled me up into his arms and kissed my forehead and cheeks, making his way to my ears and neck before taking my mouth in his. Our tongues jostled playfully and my nipples hardened in anticipation. He pulled off my shirt and caressed my shoulders as his finger slowly traced around my breast to my nipple. I whimpered. He pulled gently on my nipple as he caressed it back and forth between his forefinger and thumb. Our lips separated as his tongue and lips began sucking my nipples to stiff peaks. I was arching, heat building. He teased each nipple with his teeth and tongue, I panted. I could see Jake bulging through his jeans and reached up to feel his hardness which lit a new fire. He moaned and his continued his tease with a renewed urgency. As I cried, "Oh, Jake, please" he pressed into me and even though our garments he could feel me shudder. "Don't stop, Jake" I said, as I lay in bliss. He continued the flicking of his tongue on my nipple and soft caresses as I was paralysed with delight.
"That was quite the kiss Jake."
"That's not all I want to do."
He undid the button and zipper on my jeans but then I stopped him.
"Not yet Jake."
He picked me up, carried me and stood me in the middle of the bathroom.
"Lock the door if you don't want me." He kissed the back of my neck and ran his hand down my spine before he left closing the door behind him.
I ran to the door and locked it. We couldn't, could we? Two days then he could have all of me. I got ready to shower again. Right before I entered the stall, I unlocked the door. I turned on the shower and let the warm water caress me. I took too much body wash and scrubbed until the pink bubbles made their way down the drain. I stood facing away from the door but heard the jostle of the handle. Jake. I could hear his clothing fall to the floor but I didn't turn to look. He opened the shower door and put his hand on my shoulder. He put the unopened wrappers in the soap dish and nuzzled at my neck.
"Jake. Mmmm…" he pulled me into his arms and I could feel his swollen penis on my derriere. He swept his hand across my nipples and traveled toward my waist and hips between my legs, gently spreading me apart. Nervousness at new experiences seems to be today's theme. He found my sensitive nub and rolled it between his fingers. I cried out. Jake continued to massage below. I thrust into him begging for more. I pull his hand to mine caressing and washing as I turn to face him.
"Ness, If you don't want…"
"I want you. But…"
"Shh, Ness. It's only a little blood." It wasn't what he said, but how he said it. Confident, Jake's heartbeat still even. He never hears the word without a tension, a plan to phase and to me protect at a moment's notice; today, he's complete in control.
I nodded, nervous, but safe. Jake unwrapped protection and I rolled it on as he sucked my collarbone. We both moaned. He entered slowly, I squeezed then relaxed for him to fill me. Sigh. Jake pressed me against the tile and thrust. I was sensitive and felt the heat immediately. I didn't mean to beg.
"Please Jake, faster, oh!" I'd never reached climax so hard and fast. He held me as he continued plunging into my quaking form towards his own release.
"OH, Jake!" I cried as he climaxed with me this time.
We held each other still connected under the running water. When we finally uncoupled Jake continued to kiss me as he soaped us up and we washed. The water ran pink, then clear.
He continued his caress but knew I'd need a few minutes "Ness, I'll be waiting in bed." Jake grabbed a towel and left me to dress and take care of business.
When I crawled into bed, Jake kissed me wondering if I'd consider doing that again sometime. I nodded, now shy. Since when was I shy with Jake? I lay prone somewhere between wake and sleep with Jake caressing my back as I tipped into a peaceful slumber.
The next day I woke early and showered. Jake wasn't awake yet but I made pancake batter and started the coffee and sausages. He stirred. I ran to kiss him.
"Good morning, Jake. Shower, breakfast is almost ready." Then I went back to the kitchen to tend to breakfast.
He walked over to me in the buff and pulled me backwards into his arms just like in the shower "Good morning." He kissed my neck playfully, I nearly melted but guided him to the shower and left him there, alone. I kissed him willing for him to understand.
"Hurry Jake 5 minutes."
I finished up breakfast and Jake was sauntering out of the shower. Carrying the towel.
He was doing nothing to help my resolve.
"Jake. Eat. It's ten to eight!" He sat in the buff and dug in. I picked out clothes for him and lay them on the bed. I grabbed shoes and my coat.
"Jake. Your clothes are on the bed. Please give me the keys. I'm going to open." He pointed at our key rack. "Oh, Jake, I love you." I kissed him. He's acting strange again. There was nothing I could do. "Please hurry."
I got in and opened up. There was a walk-in as soon as I opened the door, I added the car to the roster and pulled the other work orders for today's appointments.
Jake finally sauntered in at quarter after eight.
"Hi." I said shyly. Now I was acting odd, but I got down to business and told him about the day's schedule.
At lunch I swung by the hardware store and found some industrial pieces for the bathroom as well as a dual gender sticker, a shower curtain and a fancy new lock. I also bought some paint and a paint brush for the door. We brought out our sandwiches in the make-shift lunch room and, looking around, I knew this would be my next project. We talked about work and I finally pulled out of him that the supply order I was supposed to send was due yesterday. Crap! I finished lunch and left Jake eating while I did work I should have done the day before. When that was done, I asked Jake again…if I was missing anything…of course not. I went through Raelynn's notes…nada. I felt confident to paint the bathroom door and stock the new shelves. I'd put the lock and new door sign on when the paint dried. At four I asked Jake if he'd be ready in an hour. He hesitated. Looking at the four work orders still on the desk I wanted to shake him.
"Jake, do you mind if I do the two oil changes? We can almost get home on time if I help."
"Sure, thanks, Ness" he flashed me the smile I love, his first one all day.
I finished the two cars at five, right before scheduled pick-up. I processed the payments and found Jake. He said he was nearly done with an alternator and we'd call it quits.
As soon as we got in the door that night we finished the leftovers then we sat on the couch. Jake started to repeat his thorough kiss from yesterday but for once I stopped him before my resolve melted.
"Jake. Talk to me. You won't give me any work to do at work. I'm on my own. And then we get home, you're determined to show me how you can wrap me around your little finger – and my-oh-my how it worked yesterday. Would it be better if I quit? Do you not want me at the garage?"
"No! Ness. I need you."
"Then tell me why you won't act like my boss. Give me some direction. I'm in the dark Jake."
"I'm sorry, Ness. I'm just not used to asking you for things. It's against my nature to boss you around."
"Jake I'm not asking to be your slave, I'm asking for a little support – some guidance and direction while I figure out my new job."
"You're doing fine."
"Fine. Great – I'm better than that Jake. So are you and so is the garage. You want your own garage someday you're going to need to let your employees know what is needed. You always asked Raelynn for coffee, an oil filter, to take out the trash. I'm just asking for the same treatment."
"But it's you. I don't want you to think I'm taking advantage of you, you already give me everything I need."
"Why is it different than here. We communicate, we cooperate – you do the laundry, I do the dishes. I cook, you clean, whatever, it works. We certainly have no difficulties in the bedroom…or in the shower." I paused and remembered and even sighed but I tried not to lose my focus. I almost forgot I was angry. "The problem is at the garage I can't do what you do – I don't know a strut from a hubcap, or close. Jake if we work as a team there like we do here we'll be more efficient which translates into more business and more profit."
"Which will still never be enough."
"IS THIS ABOUT MONEY JAKE?" I was starting to get furious. "It doesn't matter and you know it! And don't you dare pull that card that that's the thing rich people say. You're doing what you love. You've been building cars and trucks and motorbikes since before you could walk. Share your knowledge with me, Jake, I want to be a part of it. I swear if you ask me to do something and I don't know how to do or if I don't have time I will tell you. And if I'm overbooking or under booking you, messing up whatever it is that I do I want you to be honest so I can learn. We need to work together, it's what we do best."
"I'm so sorry, Ness. I was thinking it would be easier for you and me at home if I wasn't asking you for things at work. Though I can see it's just made you more frustrated and upset. I'll try to do better. I can. And I'll see if I can at least teach you one thing every day. OK? And if I'm being too demanding or anything, please tell me I don't want you to feel unappreciated. I love everything you do. I love you."
I had to hug him "And I love you."
He kissed me then asked "So, was that our first fight?"
"Yeah, I guess it was." Our first fight as a couple anyway.
"I hear there's something people term make-up sex."
"I'm still…"
"I know." He took me to the shower.
When we woke up the next morning Jake was his usual self again. He made me breakfast and we even left for work early, together. He first showed me what struts were and hung a hub cap in the reception area so I couldn't mix them up again. He was being facetious and I had a sudden urge to kiss him but filed that away for tonight remembering Emmett's rules. The door chimed and I was brought back to reality, I told Jake I'd bring him his paperwork and he left me to deal with the new customer. I got Jake his work orders. I looked at our schedule for the week and noticed it was filling up quickly. I finished the door to the bathroom and also scrubbed and reorganized the lunch room. I figured a little couch for relaxation might be nice but I'd wait until Raelynn returns. Jake and I wouldn't do well with a couch at the office. Emmett and his rules. Summer road trips mean auto-maintenance so I was helping Jake out with a few what were supposed to be simple projects. In addition to my skills at the oil change and tire change I learned to replace an air filter, fix a simple flat and I started to learn how to replace headlight bulbs. You would really think changing a lightbulb is straightforward, but no, whoever designed some cars decided to put the access behind the battery, so what should take thirty seconds takes thirty minutes. Go figure. At least I was learning. The rest of the week was how it should have been. Jake relaxed, I relaxed and after that the garage turned into a well-oiled machine.
I headed to my first real shift at the clinic on Saturday but the orientation prepared me well. No real surprises, but always busy and I was pulled in so many different directions. The problem I was having had nothing to do with my job description. The problem was that most of the nurses and a few of the doctors were still bugging me about Carlisle. A lot. And I was at a loss. They asked about blood draws and his shoe size and I certainly had no desire to talk about either one – for very different reasons. Jake had talked to the pack and Claire was down with a summer cold, Quil was concerned. Mike was still on our mind but he hadn't called Charlie again, thank goodness. By the time Sunday dinner rolled around I was eager to see my family, surprisingly eager.
"How's the clinic?" Carlisle asked.
"It's good" I said slowly. I didn't know how to tell him. "I'm learning a lot but…"
"What is it, Ness?"
"The nurses are considering asking you if I can practice drawing your blood. And when the residents think I'm not listening it's even worse" I admitted, blushing slightly. "I have hinted that you're married – happily and they already know I'm your granddaughter for crying out loud!"
"Not again." He grumbled, turning to Esme brushing his lips with hers. I looked away. It was somehow too intimate. They did not show their affection in public. "I hate asking again, but would you mind if I introduced you around?"
"If it makes you feel better, dear."
"Not me. You know, Ness. She seems little uncomfortable."
"Of course, dear. I want to meet my competition." Esme looked a little like a shy school girl until Carlisle pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"There's never been competition and never will be." He kissed Esme's neck and at that I was quick with another question. I was starting to think Jake and I would call it an early night.
"Grandpa, what should I say if they want to practice on me for blood draws?" I asked.
"Well, I have at times said I have hemophilia. But it's x-linked – afflicting males. You can have VWD type 3, also a clotting disorder but present in both men and women . They won't draw your blood if you're in danger of bleeding out. In my case it's not too far from the truth really. The orgin of the word heme – blood, and then philia - taking an abnormal liking of. Go figure."
"Good one, Carlisle." I said. I'd google the VW whatever at home and keep the lie for an emergency. The problem with lies is remembering them all.
After dinner Jake and I cleared the table and started the kitchen clean-up. Esme thanked us for coming and told us to make sure to take all the leftovers (we always do, but she was looking at Carlisle and seemed a little distracted). When she took Carlisle's hand they said an early goodnight and headed upstairs. Jake and I finished cleaning the kitchen and bid everyone goodnight with utmost haste.