Everyone's reviews made me so happy last chapter! Freely admitting it makes me day to know you guys are sticking with and enjoying the story. Although yeah you're totally right, things get a little tougher with the Cullen's return.
Once again: M rated story! Definitely don't read if you're not prepared.
Enjoy the chapter!
After a few quiet days at work, I lifted myself into my car with a huge sigh, shutting the door as my head slumped back onto the headrest. Only Wednesday and I'm knackered. Still, only a week more to do before a holiday! I had decided to make good on Jackie's offer and actually take some time off. I was worried it would come across as a little cheeky given the amount of time I had been unwell, but if anything, she seemed relieved that I am actually taking a break.
Once again I state, despite her bitchy attitude, I do have the best boss ever.
Conveniently, this break has also tied into helping Emily with stepping up the wedding preparation, god help us all. The thought of Sam's terrified face when confronted with bouquets, which in his eyes looked the same, made me chuckle as I started my engine and pulled out of the office carpark, making my way back down the familiar roads towards La Push.
Thankfully the evenings are rapidly getting far lighter, meaning that although it is now early evening it is still light and dare I say…sunny? Well ish, anyway – as in the sky is something other than a dark grey. It's far nicer than it has been over the past few months, so I can hardly complain.
I also have further reasons to be happy today, mainly being that I received a phone call from Jack Young this afternoon, saying that Claire's mother is now being a little bit more reasonable. It seems that my threat of taking her to court actually did the trick, leading the family to have what Jack described as a 'tolerable family Christmas'.
Even though my services are no longer required, I have a sneaking feeling I will be seeing them both again sooner than expected, especially if Claire is allowed to visit La Push to stay with her father. Emily is her aunt after all – I may even get the chance to meet the little girl who Jack fought so adamantly for. I bet she is a complete sweetheart.
Driving along I barely recognised I was still wearing heels, having quickly mastering being able to drive in them soon after moving to the US. Instead, my mind turned to the pack dinner we're having at Emily's later, as well as the comfortable flats I always keep at hers. Yes, nice food and comfortable shoes could be my haven for tonight. It is just hard to believe how busy it'll be considering how quickly the pack has grown. I mean when I was first made aware of their existence there were only two!
Paul had just been a simple human with a temper back then, a thought which makes me smile. Although, I can't help but wonder what he was like before the change. I haven't heard many good things admittedly, but I like to think I would have fallen in love with him all the same. He is the first to admit he is a little rough around the edges even now, yet he's improving with each passing day. At least he no longer flies off the handle at small things; we take each victory as they come.
My mind wondered as I drove down to Sam and Emily's, so much so that I barely registered when I had arrived, moving on autopilot as I switched off the engine and stepped onto the well-worn path, loud voices immediately becoming evident from Em's kitchen. Crossing the grass, my smile grew as I saw who was leaning in the doorway…Jacob.
"Hey Jakey" I greeted the younger but much bigger man as I walked up to him. He immediately turned, a grin to match my own adorning his face as he held an arm out to me, greeting me with a comforting side hug. After his slight scrap with Sam last Friday he had come back to apologise to both Emily and me, after which we had sat and had a long and very chilled conversation. Within the hour it's clear we each have mutual respect for the other, a relief considering the rather rocky start. Yet I know he has a good heart through and through – he's just more than a little taken with the Swan girl.
And so, I didn't hesitate in wrapping my arm around his waist in return, greeting him enthusiastically as he kissed my cheek welcomingly. It's funny to think that the first time any of them had tried to be affectionate with me Paul had practically bitten their heads off, until I had told him that level of protectiveness just wouldn't fly.
He has since then managed to tone it down slightly…as long as they don't touch me for too long, that is. I feel that will never change, despite how close we are as a family.
"Hey" he smiled down at me, his height towering over mine even in heels "it's been a long while since I last saw you"
"As in five days?" I raised one eyebrow; amused smile crossing my face "has your poor brain taken a battering with all the phasing?"
"Not as much as Paul's just did…we got in a slight scrap" Jacob confided in me quietly, nodding over to my imprint who was sat at the table staring at me, a cute little smile all over his face. I sent him a smile and a wink back, making a mental note to ask him about said scrap at a later date.
"Hey sweetie! How was work?" Emily stood next to Sam in the kitchen, pulling out what looked like a batch of huge, blueberry muffins. I am willing to bet the contents of my bank account they're not the first tray either, judging by the varying degree of full mouths which accompanied the chorus of greetings from the others.
"Hey, you know, same old thing" I grinned back, feeling completely relaxed in their company as I kicked off my shoes.
That is, until my gaze settled on a figure who was standing awkwardly to the side of the room. My blue eyes met her brown ones and I gave the unknown figure a small smile and a wave, surprised when she only gave me a half-hearted wave back, eyes travelling up and down my body. As though nervous? No not nervous…almost as though she needed to judge me? Assess my relationship with Jake?
Ah yes – that is definitely it. From what I can see, the way her eyes are fixated on Jacob's arm which a minute ago sat around my shoulders. This girl has quite the crush, or at least a need to have his full attention. Which can only make her one person…
"Hey G, meet the girl who hangs with the bloodsuckers" Jared supplied, stuffing half a muffin into his mouth. Ah, so that confirms it. Bella Swan. It appears we finally meet! Although admittedly I never saw our first interaction being in my friend's kitchen. In fact, this is probably the last place I would have thought of if I am honest, given the events of last Friday.
I took just a second to assess the situation from the rest of the group. Ranging from the way in which they all seem inclined to not hide away who they are…the slight downward set of Sam's eyebrows as he curled his body protectively around Emily's…so it appears Jacob found a way around his gag order, then.
That really didn't take long at all.
"So you must be Bella. I have heard so much about you from your dad…and of course this one here" I smiled, nudging a red-faced Jacob in the side. He shot me a light glare which I happily ignored, taking after my boyfriend in that manner – we do enjoy light teasing whenever the opportunity presents itself.
"You know my dad?" she asked, twisting her hands together in a painfully obvious display of nervousness. Still her gaze held mine, full of so many questions she was too afraid to ask.
I admire her for even showing up here, though. Especially since she knows wolves and vampires don't exactly get along – although I guess she does at least owe them a courtesy, considering they saved her life only a few days ago. I didn't pry too much into the details, however I do know that the wolves took the vampire down just before he attacked Isabella.
I stopped Paul midway through his enthusiastic account of decapitating said vamp because honestly, I really don't need to know the details.
"That's right, Chief Swan's a good man" I smiled at her, remembering just how no-nonsense he had been when trying to find my attacker, however unsuccessfully "I'm a solicitor up in Forks so we work together a lot"
"Right...Forks. Then I don't mean to be rude but why are you here?" Bella asked, the second sentence coming out in a rush, as though she had gathered all of her energy and nerve to push that sentence out.
A brave and I suppose valid question, but still my eyebrows rose at her abruptness…it seems someone thinks she has a claim on the boys, Jacob especially. Odd, considering Jacob never shuts up about how she is pining over her now ex-boyfriend, Edward.
Unfortunately, the rest of the room froze for a second, all eyes snapping to Bella, who to her credit only looked vaguely startled at the reaction.
"Bella" Jacob chuckled awkwardly "this is Gemma. She and Emily are basically the pack moms"
"That's right…I'm also the girl lucky enough to land this one" I said good naturedly as I reached for Paul, who up until this moment had been glaring venomously at the Swan girl but thankfully remaining frozen in place, clearly battling with the idea of attacking a defenceless teenager. From his body language I think he isn't entirely sure what to make of her yet. But I say we give her a good chance, if only for Jacob's sake.
Thankfully he automatically calmed under my touch, pulling me onto his lap and burying his face in my neck. I only smiled, curling up into him as I grabbed a muffin, pulling a chunk off and holding it to his mouth.
"Oh…y-yo-you're Paul's imprint?" she stuttered, confirming my suspicions. She clearly knows an awful lot more than she is supposed to.
Someone is going to need to give me some information, and fast. I mean what the hell happened in the hours I spent at work today to warrant such a change in circumstances? Only a few days ago Sam and Jacob were at each other's throats over this girl, after all.
"That's right, she's my girl" Paul answered proudly, before kissing me on the forehead, nose and finally lips. I smiled and leant into the contact, bumping my nose against his gently in greeting, completely forgetting about Bella, who muttered something to Jacob about how Paul was a completely different person around me.
"Yeah well, she's all smiles now but wait until she hears about what you did to Paul" Embry snickered from next to us, earning a glare from Jacob as my head snapped up, my blue eyes immediately focusing on Bella.
"What's meant by that?" I asked, my gaze turning ice cold as I zeroed in on the Swan girl who shifted uncomfortably.
"Bella hit Paul around the face" Jared exclaimed loudly through a mouthful of muffin, earning a whack from Emily on her way past.
"Stop stirring the pot" she snapped at him, making said wolf quieten immediately. To say the atmosphere turned awkward was an understatement, as everyone turned to look between Bella and me. All semblance of being welcoming towards the girl left my body as my eyes narrowed, heat flaring in my very blood as I thought about her laying a hand on Paul.
"I see. Tell me, why would you think that is acceptable?" I asked, noting I had slipped into the voice I only reserved for in Court. Level and calculated but most definitely laced with a whole lot of 'do not fuck with me'. Paul's arms tightened around me as he too noticed the change, pressing a kiss under my earlobe.
Bella mumbled something, looking down towards the ground as she shifted awkwardly, placing herself behind Jacob who glared at me, causing Paul to growl at him menacingly.
"Let me speak to Bella, Jacob" I stated shortly, my gaze never wavering off the girl.
"Oh back off Gem" Jacob glared at me, hand stretching out behind him to hold Bella's, who clung to him like a lifeline "Paul deserved it anyway"
"Were you there, when it happened?" my eyes flickered up to meet his, the younger boy floundering under my gaze as I refused to back down, voice deadly calm. Someone goes around punching my boyfriend and I am going to want to find out why, in this case Jacob is just going to have to accept that.
"Well no-"
"Then I would like to speak to Bella about it" I cut him off, my voice leaving absolutely no room for arguments. Yet Jacob clearly saw my words as a distinct threat as he once again pulled back his shoulders, his own eyes darkening.
"Don't you think it's a bit much bullying a girl 5 years younger than you? Quit being a bitch, Mitchell" he sniped back irritably, making Paul leap to his feet, placing me down behind him in one smooth movement as another growl ripped from his chest.
"Watch it. You insult my imprint again and it'll be the last thing you do" he bit out. I blinked against the rapidly escalating situation, considering my options. The last thing we need is more fighting, after all. I hadn't expected Jacob to take my questioning quite so personally, but I guess when it comes to Bella nothing is impossible…
Plus, it appears that despite Jacob having a bit of time to settle into his new body he is still quickly triggered, especially where the teen is concerned. A sweet notion but I can't help but wonder whether this is the real him. Or whether his feelings for Bella are blinding him slightly; like he is still clinging onto an imprint which just isn't going to happen.
"Enough" Sam's voice boomed from where he stood in front of Emily, cracking through the kitchen "Gemma is perfectly entitled to know why Bella hit Paul – it's their bond, she can't help it. Jacob, act aggressively towards any imprint ever again and I'll make your life hell. You know this already"
"It's fine, Sam" I moved to stand next to Paul, ignoring the way he shifted his torso towards me slightly, clearly still prepared for any kind of attack. It seems that even despite Sam intervening he isn't completely trusting of Jacob, who to be fair was still stood with his fists clenched "Bella, whatever happened between you and Paul is evidently resolved, so I won't hold it against you" I nodded my head, noting the relief that seemed to seep through both her body and Jacob's.
"But" I continued, eyeing her levelly "if you ever act in that manner towards Paul, myself, any of the pack or their imprints I will see to it that you land yourself in a shitstorm of trouble."
"I didn't-" she mumbled but I held up one hand, the action alone shutting her up as she continued to cling to Jacob.
Somewhere in the back of my mind I noticed that the entire kitchen had fallen silent, everyone staring at me in shock as I finally let my feelings about the situation come forth. It is a well-known fact that I am by far the most difficult person here to piss off, after all – something the pack member's take great joy in teasing us about, considering Paul's infamous temper.
"In the meantime, I suggest that until you're willing to be nice, you don't show your face here again. Oh and whilst I'm at it please stop stringing Jacob along – it's very rude."
With that I sat down once again, contentedly picking at my half-eaten muffin which I had left on the table. Slowly the room started to move again, recovering from the kind of outburst that is extremely out of character for me.
But the idea of anyone causing any pain to Paul, superficial or not, made my blood boil. Not to mention the way Bella is around Jacob. Just seeing the way that she hangs off his arm, curling her body around his like a doting girlfriend, is enough to make me feel sick.
After all we both know that if the Cullen's ever return she will run straight back to them and Jacob will be forgotten. That is the hardest pill to swallow out of everything.
Suddenly unwilling to dwell on those unpleasant thoughts I stood again abruptly, grabbing my imprints hand and yanking him out of the room. No one bothered to call out for us as I yanked open the front door, pleased that Paul kept up with ease, clearly sensing my fried emotions.
"Where are they going?" I heard Bella to ask as we stalked out together, Paul's arm moving to settle around my waist.
"To have sex" Jake stated as a matter of fact. Bella only sputtered at that information, a response which no one missed given the humorous reaction of the other occupants. Laughing like hyenas, would be accurate.
Well I suppose I have to say, he's not wrong.
"You are sexy when angry" Paul muttered as he I practically dragged him into the forest, completely bypassing my car, much to his confusion. I wasn't in the mood to travel back home though; I need him now. My own instincts screaming at me to touch him, to remind him how much he is loved. It seems that the longer we spend in each other's company, the stronger our bond gets. To the point that I now feel the same protective, animalistic urges towards him, much like he does towards me.
"Can they hear us?" I asked him as we entered the woods, turning to face my imprint. Honestly in this moment I don't care, they can stand and watch with the number of fucks I give.
"No, they will be polite" he murmured against my lips as he pushed me gently back towards a large tree, the bark pressing against my back "but I can get us home in minutes, if you want"
"No need" I pulled him towards me at that, crushing myself against him, nails tracing down his back. He shuddered under my touch, releasing a low groan as his tongue entered my mouth, hands tracing the curve of my waist before ghosting over my breast, making my nipples automatically harden into stiff peaks.
He let out a grunt of surprise as I spun us suddenly, all but slamming him into the tree as I pressed myself against him, tasting him fully as his lips parted, his own hands threading into my hair as he crushed himself against me.
I didn't let it stop there however, instead trailing kisses and nibbles across his jawline and down his neck, gradually moving south as I knelt in front of him, giving him a deadly smirk as he met my eyes
"Gemma" his voice cut off with a gasp as I undid the ties on his shorts in one smooth move, gently pulling them down over the now visible bulge in his pants "I won't last right now"
At this point he sounded almost strangled, his dark eyes now looking pitch black as his mouth fell open, his head resting back against the tree with a light thud as I finally touched him, running the flat of my palm over him seductively
"Tough. I am showing you" I murmured, pressing teasing kisses along his hip bone as I did "how much I love you"
For a moment I think he tried to stop me, to tell me that such actions just weren't necessary when we are outside and in the open, however my determination to see it through won out altogether. I can't explain my need to love him, both physically and emotionally, in this moment.
"Ge-mma" he whispered brokenly as I took the tip of his member into my mouth, teasing it with my tongue, raising my eyes to meet his, which darkened as he held onto the tree for support. His whisper turned into a full-on groan as I traced my tongue from base to tip, sucking on the very end as he lost his breathing pattern entirely, hand threading through my hair and tugging on the blonde locks.
And then suddenly his hands reached under me, pulling me to my feet so fast I didn't have time to react.
"Wha- What are you doing?" I asked in shock, head spinning as he kissed me, trying to work out why the hell he would stop what I had just started.
"I told you" he murmured seductively "I won't last through your teasing right now. You're just so fucking hot"
The last word came out as little more than a growl, and before I could process what had happened my back was pressed against the tree once more, one leg hitched over Paul's shoulder as he knelt in front of me. My knees nearly buckled as his tongue explored my core, pressing against my sensitive clit in a way that nearly undid me there and then. Thankfully he recognised this, his own hand coming up to support me, holding me upright as I threw my head back against the tree, mind going blank with pleasure.
"Oh god" I vaguely heard myself moan as he took me higher "please, I can't last either"
He ignored me however, not stopping his near torturous pace as I hurtled towards the cliff edge which would finally give me my release. He seems to always know exactly what I need to get me there, yet every time we have sex I'm surprised at how easily he undoes me.
Even now, leant awkwardly against a tree in the middle of a wood, one leg slung shamelessly over his shoulder, I can't stop the tremors that wreck through me as he loves me, the bond permanently binding us near humming with anticipation as I climbed higher and higher, desperate for that all-consuming climax.
I felt myself tense, knowing that I was so close to that release, just a few more seconds and-
I looked down when suddenly he pulled away from me, instead planting kisses on the inside of my thigh over his shoulder, smirking up at me evilly.
It appears he is in no mood to mess around today.
Slowly he stood, keeping his dark eyes locked with mine as my leg slid from his shoulder, catching it with one hand and winding it around his waist. He said nothing, the look that he was giving me providing all the promises I needed. All the promises of pleasure beyond imagination. And so instead I waited patiently, barely breathing as his eyes never left mine.
And then he shifted forwards, sliding into me, filling me so completely that we both moaned aloud. My head once again tipped back as Paul's lips attached themselves to my pulse point, biting down hard enough that in any other circumstance, it would have hurt. Then I lost all sense of coherency as he began to move, slowly at first, intent on drawing it out for as long as possible.
But I didn't want the loving, gentle sex. Oh no, after the way he had just been treated by Bella, my own instincts were going insane. I need him.
He made a noise of surprise as I shifted my hips into his somewhat urgently, my hands tugging at his hair as I crushed my lips against his, my levels of passion obvious through that one action. That was all it took for him to release a ferocious growl of his own, picking me up completely, one arm around my waist holding me up, the other braced against the tree trunk by my head.
My nails dug into his shoulders as he pounded into me, the sheer power of his frame giving him the strength to hold me up with ease, muscles taut as he slammed into me repeatedly, the force making my breasts bounce with every movement.
I started to lose all sense as I bit down on his neck, his moans of pleasure reaching my ears as though I were underwater, drowning in the pleasure and masculinity that is Paul. He shifted me slightly higher, giving even deeper access as his pace quickened, continuously hitting the spot which had me mewling, not caring who or what was around to hear.
My orgasm hit me out of nowhere, crashing over me before I was fully prepared for it, ripping my breath from my body. Paul began to shake as I tightened around him, his pace becoming slightly irregular as he struggled to stay in control, pulling nearly all the way out before slamming back into me repeatedly, continuing to hit the spot which undid me all together.
I was barely conscious when he finally finished, moaning my name into my neck as he wrapped me back up in his arms securely, cradling me as we stood together in the woods, struggling to come down from our high. Neither of us spoke for a few moments, Paul only shifting to press little kisses to my flushed cheeks and forehead.
He gently bumped his nose against mine upon seeing I still had my eyes closed and I nodded at the silent question, my imprint clearly worrying about my lack of communication. Opening them, I came face to face with a content looking Paul, who honestly seemed happy to stand there and stare at me for the rest of the day.
I however became quickly distracted by something else – mainly the state of his neck.
"Oh god, I'm sorry" I huffed as I regarded the dark purple bruise, correlating perfectly with here I had been attached to him, too lost in pleasure to realise the damage I had done "did I hurt you?"
"I should ask you the same thing" Paul nodded at my collarbone, before placing a kiss where I assume he must have marked me in return "I'm sorry, I lost control"
"And I loved it" I murmured as he finally put me down, only to immediately wrap me up in his arms, burying his nose into my hair "although I bet I now look awful"
"You look hot as fuck" he disagreed, looking down at me with his signature sexy smirk "and you smell exactly like me, I love it"
"I do?" I asked, confused
"Oh yeah" he almost groaned "my scent is literally all over you, as yours is over me in return. There is no mistaking that you're mine"
"I am yours" I pulled him down to kiss me, still amazed at how this massive man becomes like putty in my hands. He would do absolutely anything for me, there is no doubt about it "but you're mine"
"All yours baby" he smoothed back my hair, which I know by now is an absolute state, much like Paul's from the amount I ran my hands through it. Sex hair is a good look on him though, knowing it's completely my own work
"We should get back" I sighed, after just a few minutes of staring at one another "Em wants my help making food. I think Bella is staying"
"Hmmm if we have to. I have to say though, I wasn't lying before" he pulled me back against his chest as I made to put my clothes back on "you are incredibly sexy when angry"
I couldn't help the moan that escaped me as he let out a low growl, my head falling back onto his shoulder as he placed open mouthed kisses on my neck, his own hands beginning to wander down my body, despite the act we had completed just moments before.
"Now now Mr Lahote" I instead breathed, turning in his arms and smiling up at him "I have to help Em out, there will be plenty of time for that later"
"Is that a promise?" he sounded almost pleading, the intensity in his eyes almost making my resolve crack. Honestly if I didn't feel like Em needed the help, I'd drag him straight back home and not let him out of the bedroom for the next few days.
But alas, I am a nice friend so it would seem.
"That is a promise" I said instead, planting one final kiss to his lips before dragging him back towards the house, only laughing at his grumbles and complaints.
We eventually got back to Emily's, neither of us caring at the state of us. There was no hiding what we had just done, given that despite Paul's accelerated healing, the mark would be there a good couple of hours. He wore it with pride however, a smug smile plastered all over his face as we greeted the rest of the pack.
Thankfully they didn't bat an eyelid, those with imprints having been in that position many times themselves, with Embry and Jacob not caring enough to comment on our rumpled state. Paul still hadn't bothered to fix his hair, meaning it was sticking up in all directions. If I looked into a mirror I know for a fact mine would be no better, the buttons on my blouse incorrectly done up as we stumbled into the kitchen together, dumb smiles covering our faces.
"Better?" Emily smirked as we entered, knowing that considering the number of times I have walked in on her and Sam, I wouldn't care about any comment she made.
"Oh much" I gave a self-satisfied smirk, accepting the kiss Paul pressed to my temple before he wandered off to sit with the guys "but hungry"
"I bet. Dinner is in an hour but there's loads of muffins left"
"Thanks babe" I smiled, my eyes lazily wandering over to Bella, who had been gawping at us since the second me walked through the door.
Now that I have literally had the anger banged out of me, I am starting to feel a little bad for my outburst. After all the girl has been through heartbreak, it's just unfortunate that the first thing I heard after meeting her was that she decked my boyfriend.
I guess it is time to make some kind of effort, for Jacob's sake.
"Are you alright, Bella?" is what I settled for, after a couple of seconds of her shameless staring. By the shock on her face, I am going to go out on a whim and say she doesn't have a lot of experience with physical love. In fact, she looked not only mortified but also very confused as to how we could have possibly gotten into such states.
Bless her.
She immediately dropped my gaze, her cheeks flaming as she looked nervously between me and Paul, who now sat bantering with Jared. Her gaze fell squarely on the newly formed bruise on his neck, eyes widening as she fidgeted in place.
So, the penny drops for her. I would have outright laughed if I wasn't trying so hard to be polite.
"Yeah, I'm good thanks" she mumbled, before standing a little too quickly and making her way over to Jacob once again.
Yet needless to say she could look neither of us in the eye for the rest of her visit.
