Disclaimer: I own nothing!

POV?

Why are you always the center of drama, Bells? Dang, last night was crazy. Do you have a new phone yet? Your little boyfriend is freaking out.

That's Manbun's text message to you this morning.

Bella, call me back! Are you okay? What happened last night? Pixie's message says.

You haven't responded to either of them because I have your phone, and I guess you haven't gotten a new one yet, love.

I'm beginning to feel immensely guilty for swiping your phone.

I just had to know into the minds of everyone around you, and having your phone seemed like the easiest way to accomplish that goal.

I'm usually really good at reading people, but you are often a mystery.

I'm going to return it to you today.

Ugh, as I continue checking your notifications, I notice you also have a shit ton of messages and missed calls from Babyface.

Or should I say Baby-fucked-up-face?

I beat the shit out of that motherfucker last night.

Apparently, he came into town to surprise you.

But he got a surprise from me instead.

Fucking asshole prink.

I read through the messages he sent you last night:

What the hell just happened?

Who was that asshole?

My nose hurts so fucking bad!

Bella, are you at home? Can I come over?

Then he sent you one this morning, about an hour ago:

Jacob just told me you lost your phone a couple days ago. I'm gonna come over to your place for us to talk.

Goddamn it!

There's my reason to loathe Manbun again.

I knew I should have brought you back to my place last night.

But I'm a fucking gentleman.

What does a gentleman pirate say to a lady?

Chivalry timbers.

I was trying to be gallant and honorable like the stupid wussies you read about in your classic literature.

You know, be the Mr. Darcy to your Elizabeth Bennet.

Mr. Darcy's kind of a punk at first because he has a tough shell, like me.

And, of course, you are like the beautifully spirted, self-assured Ms. Bennet.

So, because I'm a respectful, responsible dickhead-wuss, I took you home straightaway last night once I was done making Baby-broken-face bleed all over the tile in the kitchen.

I'm pretty sure I broke his nose.

Of course, I didn't even have so much as a scratch on me.

Because I'm always the victor.

No man should ever sneak up on a woman and kiss her the way he did to you.

You were clearly pushing against him to let you go, and he wasn't taking the fucking hint!

With a broken nose as a reminder, he better start paying attention to women's cues instead of being a selfish, unmannerly attacker.

Anyway, long story short, I was your superhero for the second time.

Once Baby-bloody-face was taken care of, I knelt down and helped you take off those death-trap heels, scooped you up into my arms and drove your gorgeously drunk ass home.

Once we were in the car, you explained to me how the two of you were high school sweethearts but broke up when you went away to different colleges. Then you started crying, blubbering about how you hoped Baby-smashed-face wasn't seriously hurt.

I remember rolling my eyes at you because he was fucking fine – physically, anyhow.

But I'm sure I shattered his delicate male ego.

I should ask him if he wants to play another round of Super Smash Bros.

I can make sure he's seriously wounded then.

It's not like my actions weren't warranted.

He assaulted you, Bella! Don't you see that? He was kissing you against your will.

He deserved much more than a broken fucking nose!

I should have knocked some of his teeth out, broken his jaw, fractured some ribs…

But there were too many witnesses.

Once I got back to your apartment, I took you inside and helped you find some pajamas.

You started to change in front of me, which would have been the highlight of my fucking night with that killer dress you were wearing, but I wasn't going to take advantage of you like that, love.

I swallowed at the thought of your sexy little dress sliding up your soft thigh, almost revealing your underwear…

My dick had been gentlemanly, too.

Because he stood straight the fuck up just for you.

But, before I saw anything, I guided you into your bathroom and closed the door behind you. I waited for you in your living room.

Like I said, chival-fucking-rous!

Then, when you came out, I got you some water and a snack before tucking your adorable little ass into bed.

I told you I would come over and check on you this morning since you didn't have your phone then I kissed your forehead and left.

Now, Baby-busted-face is either at your apartment with you, or he's on his way there.

I know you will open the door for him because you feel guilty that he got hurt.

I can't tolerate the thought of you being alone with that jerk-off, so I'm going to show up now, too.

I told you I was coming over to check on you, anyway. I never gave you a specific time.

But first, I open the settings on your phone and turn the passcode feature and Find my iPhone back on. I also turn off your notifications for your messages and phone calls, that way it won't seem like I went through your phone… You'll think your notification settings just got messed up or something.

I shove your phone into my pocket then grab my shit and leave my apartment.

I go through a Starbucks drive thru and buy you a coffee and breakfast.

I bet Baby-shattered-face didn't think about taking care of you in this way, love.

I roll up to your apartment, park, grab your stuff, and walk the short distance to your doorstep.

Your window is closed when I walk by, so I can't glance in to see if you have other company.

Not that it matters. I am going to check on you, regardless.

I knock on your door immediately and impatiently wait.

You open the door a minute or so later.

You smile sheepishly. Your hair is in disarray, and you look haggard.

Nevertheless, you are fucking gorgeous even when you're hungover.

I wish I could have woken up next you.

Brought you breakfast in bed.

Helped you shower before carrying your naked body back to bed to cure your other hungers…

Orgasms are the best cure for hangovers, after all. Didn't you know?

I grin at you. "Hey, drunky. I brought you some sustenance to help with the hangover." I hold the coffee and paper to-go bag out to you.

You blush and avoid eye contact with me. "Thanks. That's very nice of you."

You reach out to take the bag and coffee.

"Oh," I reach into my pocket coolly. "I was going through my backpack and realized I had your phone by mistake. I'm not sure how that happened."

Ugh, I don't like lying to you, love.

But I don't think I have any other choice right now.

I promise to explain it to you in the future.

Your brow furrows in confusion. "Huh, it must have been when we were studying the other day. Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"Um…" you say nervously. "Now's not really the best time to invite you inside… Can we maybe talk later?"

Damnit! He is here, isn't he!?

It's not safe for you to be alone with him, Bella!

"That's fucking him, isn't it?" I hear Baby-crippled-face say incredulously in the background.

I look over your shoulder, but I can't see him.

"xxxx," you turn and say his stupid fucking name. "Relax. Please."

You turn back to me. "Go home, and I'll talk to you later."

"You must be joking," I say hastily before being able to stop myself. "That prick assaulted you last night! You can't possibly think it's safe for you to be alone here with him."

Your eyes narrow and a scowl forms on your face. "I can take care of myself. He's not going to hurt me. I want to finish talking to him, so I need you to go home."

You put great emphasis on the last part of your sentence, making me feel super fucking defeated.

You don't want me.

You are choosing him over me.

You don't like me.

I'm not enough for you.

I'm never enough for anyone.

All I do is try, try, try… And for what?

For fucking nothing.

The best way to not get a broken heart is to pretend you don't have a heart at all, right?

I've been doing well at that until you walked into the bookstore a couple weeks ago.

I take a deep breath, trying to mask the insurmountable sorrow I'm drowning in.

"Okay," I concede after searching your eyes for a second. I'm not happy about this. I don't think you're as safe as you think you are.

I lean forward and touch your arm before planting a kiss on your forehead. I think I hear you gasp slightly at the contact. "We'll talk later? You'll call me if you need something?"

"Yes," you nod and give me a small smile.

I nod back before turning and walking back to my car before I do something insane, like force my way into your apartment to kill the boy in there.

So much for not being intense. That goal is out the motherfucking window after last night.

Am I going to lose my shot with you now, love?

. . . . . . . . . .

"Bro, chill out," my adoptive brother says as he leans back into the couch cushions and continues playing his stupid video game.

I'm pacing back and forth erratically in our living room.

"I can't," I say as I gulp down half of the beer in my hand.

"So, you really beat the shit out of that kid, then?" My brother asks amusingly.

"Yeah," I respond. "I fucked him up pretty good."

He chuckles. "Good for you. Sounds like he had it coming."

I roll my eyes, continue pacing, and take another swig of my beer.

Leave it to my brother to think of this situation as mundane; he's always been good at brushing things off and not seeing them as a big deal.

I, on the other hand, am the exact opposite; it's strange we get along so well.

He looks up from his game, since it's loading, and throws a pillow at me. "Get it together, man. You've known this girl for, what, a couple weeks? Why're you so lovestruck?"

"I don't fucking know," I say before collapsing down in a chair near the couch. "She's different."

"You just need to get laid." He scoffs.

I sigh in annoyance. "When are you leaving? I like having this place to myself. You're a damn nuisance."

My brother technically lives with me, but he's always at his girlfriend's house.

"I can definitely feel the love, little brother," he laughs and looks at his watch. "Crap, I'm late. I'm leaving now."

He switches off his game and goes into his room to grab his shit. He rushes toward the door. "See ya later. Don't wallow in self-pity all night."

I glower at him. "At least I'm not whipped like you, fucking coward."

His booming laugh echoes for a few seconds as he leaves and walks down the short corridor to the parking lot.

I check my phone again.

Still no calls or texts from you, Bella.

I haven't heard from you all day despite you saying that we would talk later.

I envision you still being with Baby-demolished-face…

And I have to finish off my beer. I get up, toss the bottle in the trash and grab another one from the fridge.

What were the two of you talking about earlier, Bella?

Why did he come here to surprise you last night?

Something to do with that sexting debacle from almost a week ago.

I would show up on your doorstep, too, if you sent me those pictures you have in that album on your phone…

Is that why you sent me away earlier? You wanted to fuck him?

UGH! I internally yell, trying to shut off my pessimistic internal monologue.

I go to sit back down in the living room when I hear a knock on the front door.

My brother probably forgot something and is too lazy to use his own fucking keys to open the door.

I roll my eyes as I walk over and throw the door open in frustration.

And…

It's you.

You're here, you're here, you're here!

I feel my face light up as I ogle you like a fucking moron seeing the stars for the first time.

What're you doing here, love?

All my annoyance and worry immediately evaporates.

"Hi," you say shyly. "Can I come in?"

"Yes!" I say too excitedly as I step to the side and gesture for you to come inside. I usher us to the couch to sit down.

You press your lips together nervously. "I found your address in the student directory. I hope that's not weird."

"No, not weird at all," I reassure you.

Trust me, I've done much stranger things to track you down, love.

"Okay, good…" You take a deep breath. "I just wanted to thank you for taking me home last night and checking on me this morning. I wish you wouldn't have broken xxxx's nose, but I appreciate the protection… I always feel safe with you."

I reach for your hand. "I will always protect you."

You nod and laugh once. "Yeah, I believe you. You're like a knight in shining armor or something."

"I don't know if I would go quite that far. I don't really like wearing tights."

We both laugh.

"xxxx left this afternoon," you say, commenting about Babyface. "We're still friends. Nothing more than that right now."

Thank the fucking heavens.

"I'm glad," I say. "He better not force himself on you ever again. I don't know if I'd be able to restrain myself in the future."

"I can take care of myself," you insist before reaching up and touching the side of my face with the hand I'm not holding. Your thumb brushes gently back and forth. "But it's nice that you care about me so much for some reason."

Jesus, Bella. Any touch from you feels like heaven.

I close my eyes for a second and lean into your hand.

"You're so different from anyone I've ever met," you whisper.

"Hopefully a good different?" I question as I open my eyes to read your face.

You smirk. "I'm still trying to figure that out."

I reach up with my opposite hand and cup your cheek, too. "Bella…" I breathe your name in a whisper before slowly leaning my head in toward yours.

You're one step ahead of me and close the distance by firmly crushing your lips to mine.

I'm not prepared for the complete combustion that occurs from this closeness.

It's like fireworks are going off inside my body.

Everything is alive.

Everything is on fire, but not in a bad way.

This is utter bliss, complete ecstasy.

Your hand tangles in my hair and you pull me closer.

I wrap an arm around your waist as our lips continue to dance feverishly.

I part my lips slightly and your tongue grazes my bottom lip.

I take the invitation and slowly slide my tongue into your mouth.

This creates more fire, more passion, more urgency.

"Mmm," you moan against my lips, instantly giving me a hard-on.

Without breaking the kiss, you put your hands on my shoulders and shift so you're straddling me on the couch.

You press your body firmly into mine and rock your hips forward, making a moan escape from the back of my throat as your center presses into the bulge in my jeans.

I break away from the kiss, leaving you gasping for air.

I take my lips down to your neck and pepper you with slow kisses and nibbles. You let your head fall slightly back, welcoming the sensation against your sensitive skin.

I kiss back up your neck and press our lips together again.

You pull away and rest your forehead against mine. We are both panting. "Maybe we should continue this in your room?" You murmur.

Holy fuck.

I wasn't expecting such an alluring invitation so soon, love.

Not that I'm complaining.

"Yes," I say quickly before pressing my lips back to yours.

I wrap one arm securely around your back and the other around your bottom as I stand up. You wrap your legs securely around my waist and your arms tangle around my neck as I start walking to my bedroom.

You start nibbling my earlobe and neck as I walk into my room.

I'm going to show you how much I love you, Bella.

You're going to wish this night would never end.

I'm going to make you scream my name as you come harder than you ever have in your life.

Your body is mine tonight.