Chapter 35: Cabin Fever

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight.

Bella's POV:

Waking up from a blissful nap, the realization slowly hit me as to where I was and why. I snuggled closer to my soldier boy. Warm and comfortable, and very relaxed, I yawned and began stroking my fingertips lazily along Jacob's chest. With my head still pillowed on his shoulder; I didn't want to move, afraid of breaking the spell. Less than three months ago, I never would have dreamed that I'd be wrapped in the arms of the only boy I ever loved. The wonder of it was that he loved me too. Just being aware of that fact made me feel worth something in someone else's eyes. He needed me, he wanted me, and loved me despite my past mistakes. I'd be a fool to ever leave his side.

His breathing was slow and even. He was sleeping so peacefully; I was reluctant to wake him up. It was a shame that we'd have to get dressed and go find some place to eat, but I could hear his stomach starting to protest.

I continued gently tracing little circles over his skin. The arm surrounding me suddenly tensed, and a hand grasped mine lifting it to his lips. "Mmn," he moaned. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sleep so long."

Propping myself up on an elbow, I looked up at my sweetheart. His warm brown eyes remained closed. My movement prompted him to peek out of one tiny slit. "Heeeeloooo, beautiful," he murmured. "You hungry?"

"Yeah, darn it, but I don't want to leave this bed."

"Okay, that's settled then. We'll stay here and make love all week long, 'til we die of starvation. The mortuary can haul our good-lookin' corpses off and the tombstone will read. They loved each other to death."

I ruffled his already tousled mane. "You're cute, you know that?"

Both eyes popped open at that comment. "Wait—I thought I was irresistible."

"Mmn ..." I pulled myself up so that I was hovering over his waiting lips. Staring into those knee-weakening, bedroom eyes, I let my mouth confirm what he already knew. He was irresistible—and cute!

The kiss ended and that Jacob grin broke over his face. "Did I tell you that I love you today?"

I nodded," Yeah, you did."

His grin disappeared suddenly, and his eyes took on an intense expression. "Well, let me say it so you can hear it one more time, 'cuz I do. I love you, Isabella—to the moon and back."

He cupped the back of my head, and drew me down to his lips again. That started our motors going once more. It looked like dinner would have to wait a little while longer.

I got a midnight blue velvet sheath out of my garment bag. It had tiny rhinestones scattered on the bodice, resembling stars in a night sky. Jacob helped to zip me up. "Where'd you get this dress?" he asked.

"Rachel lent it to me. Do you like it?"

"Let's just say there's only one way you could look more beautiful. And that would be in your birthday suit."

"Flattery will get you anywhere, mister."

He wiggled his eyebrows mischievously. "I know."

We ate at a Chinese restaurant, and I had fun teaching my big guy how to use chopsticks.

"Hooh boy, if I had to eat with these pincers all the time, I would die of starvation," he groused.

"Oh, boohoo," I countered. "Don't be such a baby. Do you want me to feed you?"

Pleading with puppy dog eyes, he pouted, "No—I'm too hungry. Just give me back my fork."

I sighed loudly for his benefit. "C'mon, Jake. You need to learn to use chopsticks."

His elbow thumped onto the table, and he rested his chin on his fist. "Why? Are we moving to China?"

"No, silly, but it's a skill you should have handy."

One eyebrow quirked. "I don't know, but I think my hands are already pretty skillful. Now give me back my fork ... pleeeaaase? I want to hurry up and eat so I can take you back to bed."

Oh my gosh. I couldn't believe he said that in public. I was mortified, and I felt a curtain of crimson closing over my face. There was an elderly couple sitting at the next table. They were standing, ready to leave. "Shh ..." I cautioned him. "The people over there can hear you."

He shook his head, and casually waved his chopsticks in the air. "Nah, I don't think so. The man's wearing a hearing aide."

As the couple walked by our table, the woman tapped me on the shoulder. I turned in my seat, as she leaned down to my ear. "Just so you know, I don't wear a hearing aide, young lady." Then she added, "If I were you, I'd hurry and eat my dinner. I believe your young man is anxious to have another go." She smiled and walked on by. Her husband followed behind and stopped for a second. He winked in Jacob's direction, and blurted, "Give her a flourish for me, Son."

My eyes somersaulted in my head as I tossed the fork across the table. Jacob grabbed it quickly and dug into his food.

When we got back to the cabin, Jacob called the desk. I learned later that he asked if we could use the pool even though it was closed for the night. The manager agreed, and Jacob went with him to learn how to work the lights and re-lock the gate.

He rapped lightly on the door. On opening it, I was met with the biggest grin, but this time it looked like he was hiding a secret. "Hey, beautiful. Got another present for you."

I smirked at him. "Do I have to strip again for this one?"

"I married a mind reader," he quipped.

Jacob removed his suit and tie and grabbed the two terry robes hanging in the bathroom, and gave them to me. Laying them on the bed, I watched, confused as the rest of his clothes hit the floor. Wrapping one robe about his naked body, he coaxed, "Take off that dress, grab the other robe, and follow me."

"Holy cow, Jake. What has gotten into you tonight? I've never seen you like this."

"I don't know. Maybe I'm drunk on your love. I'm so happy, I guess all these endorphins have gone to my head. C'mon, let's go."

Jacob started yanking me by the arm. I pulled back stubbornly. "Wait a minute, mister. Where are we going?"

His ever present smile widened as he explained. "Skinny dippin', and I'm givin' a whole new meaning to the word dippin'."

"Jacob Black, you've become a raging sex-maniac ... I love it!"

I sat poolside while my bridegroom turned off the lights. The only illumination came from the ones at the bottom and walls lining the pool. We disrobed and Jacob guided me into the man made pond. The water flowed silky soft over my skin. The pool was heated thank goodness, which made it all the more sensuous. I had never gone skinny dipping before in my life. I felt absolutely decadent.

Jacob confessed his intentions as he pulled me toward his chest. "I've had this fantasy of making love with you—in a secluded body of water—in the middle of the night. And here we are."

Being uber responsible, I touted." What about the aftermath? Your sneaky sperm will be swimming around in the pool looking for an unsuspecting candidate."

Jacob roared with laughter. "Jeez, honey, I don't think they can survive in all this chlorine. But just to calm your worried little head, there're only two other couples here, and the manager says they're leaving first thing in the morning. In fact, we'll be the last ones to stay here till next tourist season. He's cleaning all the cabins, draining the pool, and closing up in two days. So, see, don't worry about it. Now, c'mere, beautiful. I've got other things on my mind, and hooh boy, they all have to do with you."

We twirled in a circle clinging to each other, kissing and hugging. His strong arms held me safe even as he backed into the deeper end. The lights from the pool reflected in his eyes, mesmerizing me. He lifted me gently to equalize the difference in our height. I played along, my legs circling his hips. Then, laying me down, upon the bed of water, with his hands supporting my lower spine, he made sweet love to me.

To quote Jacob, Hooh boy, I didn't think I had it in me. But, somehow my lover managed to bring me to the peak, and our cries of passion blended together, filling the still night air. Lucky for us, that the pool was hidden away from the other cabins. My god, Jacob, how do you do this to me?

"Jake," I moaned, "I thought I was going to explode. I wouldn't have to worry about the wiggling little tadpoles. There would be bits of me floating in the water and clogging up the filter."

He kissed my neck and the side of my face. Then pulling me toward him again, teased, "Bells, I've heard about a Bouncing Betty, but never an Exploding Swan."

I had my hands securely around his neck, gazing at him in the dim light. He wasn't just beautiful on the outside, his heart and soul were just as beautiful. Even with his hair all mussed, and dripping, he was a sight that made me flutter inside. I sighed, contented, and tucked my chin into the crook of his neck. "I can't imagine my life without you, Jake," I murmured as we moved through the water. "I just ... I can't tell you how much I love you. Words are not enough. They're meaningless."

Tipping my head up, I met his full lips one more time. He squeezed me tighter, then said, "You told me all day today, and for the last few months. Your every action says I love you, and that's enough for me." He rubbed his cheek along mine, then changing the tone of his voice, whispered, "This is our last chance, so whaddya say, we take a moonlight swim. I'll piggyback you. Just hold onto my neck."

He slipped through the water effortlessly as I hung on for the ride. We circled the pool three times, and Jacob carried me out of the water and to the bathrobes laying on the decking.

We both showered and of course, my man insisted on getting into the stall with me. Afterwards, I donned a black lace nightie I bought last week. Jacob came out of the bathroom rubbing a towel over his head. He stopped, and dropping the towel to his side, did a double take, letting out a low whistle. "That better not be my sister's, or you're gonna tell her you lost it. Hooh boy, if I wasn't so tired, I'd be ravishing you again.

"Now that I've seen you in it though, would you hate me if I asked you to take it off? I'd like to feel your skin against mine for the rest of the night."

I took off the nightie and slid into bed, Jacob joined me after returning his towel to the rack. In mock irritation, I grumbled, "My gosh, I don't know why I packed any clothes; you won't let me wear any of them."

"Hey, I'm just as naked as you are, honey."

Snuggling together, Jacob hesitated, then commented, "Can I ask you something, Bells?"

"Anything ... what is it?"

"Well, you know how much I love you, and how much I want you ... I mean, I really want you—all the time. It seems like I can never get enough of you, or get close enough to suit me. I was bein' funny before—you know—that crack about wastin' away in bed, but sometimes that's what I feel like doin'. Does that ... bother you ... my being at you day and night?"

How could he think that? He always made sure to make it worth my while, and I loved him for it. I drew away slightly so that I could look in his eyes. "Jacob Black," I scolded. "Did you hear me screaming your name back there in the pool? That should answer the question for you. If you were only out for your own pleasure, I'd be seriously miffed, but that's not the way you are. You don't ever do that. You're a very considerate lover. You always take the time to share with me. I love how you love me, Jake. I love how you hold me, how you kiss me, how you know where I ache for your touch. Before I was with you, I never knew it could be like this."

He pushed himself up on one arm. "Damn, girl, are you saying you admire my masculine prowess?"

I huffed out, "Yes!"

"Whew ... that's a load offa my mind. Now I can sleep knowin' my wife enjoys making whoopee as much as I do. By the way, sweetheart, you're not half bad yourself. You know, you're a very clever girl; hell, for a novice, you caught on pretty fast."