Paul was sound asleep when Bella woke, her face against his chest and his arms wrapped protectively around her. Unlike the nights when she woke hazy and confused next to Jacob, Bella knew precisely where she was and who held her.
That has to be some crazy imprint thing. I will have to ask if Emily wakes up foggy-brained next to Sam. Bella needed to pee terribly. She carefully lifted his arm from her side and slid away from Paul before darting to the bathroom. Her cell phone was still in her jeans pocket on the bathroom counter. She rushed to answer texts from Jacob, letting him know she was safe. Less than a minute later, he requested a video chat.
Instead of her usual greeting, Bella asked, "Why aren't you sleeping?"
He smirked and tilted his phone, showing a mess of blonde hair next to him, peeking out from under a blanket.
Bella asked, "Are you at her house?"
He nodded and whispered, "You okay? I checked on Dad last night, and he told me what happened at the diner."
"I'm fine," Bella said. "Thanks to Paul. He saved my ass. I'm glad you checked on Billy. I should have, but I just-"
Jacob interrupted, "Bells, I know how you shut down when something overwhelming happens. I'm just glad you are safe at Paul's. I wondered if you were drunk in the garage with Embry and Quil again."
Bella laughed, immediately recalling the night the four of them and Leah had all been drunk as skunks in the garage, falling over one another and laughing up a storm. Bella had sworn herself off cinnamon-flavored liquor the following morning as she nursed a hangover from hell. Her weakened state gave away her activities the night before, getting her grounded for a week and severely hindering her time with Jacob. He snuck in her window at night anyway, and Charlie never knew.
Jacob asked, "How did the date go?"
"Ugh. Bust. It lasted like ten minutes," Bella groaned out as Jacob chuckled quietly, his laughter shaking the bed and stirring Reagan. The blonde pulled the blanket down to uncover one eye and looked directly up at his phone. Her fingers crept out of the blanket and wiggled at Bella in silent greeting. Bella waved back awkwardly.
Jacob leaned closer to Reagan and whispered something. She giggled and pulled the blanket back over her head as he laughed and refocused on Bella. "Rae is nuts," he said, grinning. Bella gave him the best smile she could muster for him. He looked happy.
Jacob frowned and asked, "You sure you are okay? You are not just hiding out in the bathroom while he snores away, are you?"
Bella snorted. "No," she said, "I'm fine. And I haven't heard Paul snore once."
"Shove him onto his back. You'll see."
Bella covered her mouth to muffle her laughter. "When do you plan on going home?"
"Um, that is up to Paul, I suppose," Bella said. "I guess I could always start walking."
"Don't you dare, Bells!" Jacob said, scowling. "It's not safe."
Bella teased, "You afraid something will try to eat me?"
"Yes," he said bluntly. Bella could only nod in understanding. She didn't particularly want to walk home in the dark, either. The pack was not the only wolves out and about in the area.
"I think I will go back to sleep now," Bella said. "See you at home later?"
"Call me if you need a ride, Bells," Jacob quietly warned her.
"I will. Love you."
"Love you, too."
She set the phone back on the counter as their call disconnected, finished her business, and washed her hands. She took her phone to the living room and carefully crawled back into the little nest Paul had made for them on the couch. He squinted over at her as she settled next to him. As soon as she pulled the blanket back over herself, he chuckled and yanked her to him. They resumed their earlier positions, and Bella carefully tucked one of her knees between his thighs.
Bella whispered, "You make a pretty good snuggle buddy, you know?"
"Yeah?" Paul yawned and smacked his lips a couple of times before burying his face into her hair. "I wouldn't know. I'm not usually a cuddler," he mumbled. "You can come over and snuggle with me whenever you want."
Bella grinned. She trusted Paul. He proved to be far kinder and more mature than she had expected. If the inside of his immaculate home was any indication, there was more behind his rough exterior than most people knew. Her father obviously trusted him. That was impressive by itself.
Tentatively, she said, "I just might. It is nice to just hold someone sometimes. Better when you trust them."
Paul asked, "Is that your roundabout way of saying you trust me?"
Bella chuckled, pressing her forehead to his chest. "Yeah, I guess so," she said. "You might get sick of me hanging around."
"Nah," Paul said. "If you get on my nerves, I'll just make you take another shower with me."
Bella gaped up at him and tried not to laugh. The smile on his face made it clear he could see her blushing despite being in a darkened room. She reburied her face in his chest as he shook from laughter.
Paul said, "I'm sorry, beautiful. Did I embarrass you?"
"Shuuuuu," she whispered. "Time to sleep."
Paul cackled again and then cooed, "Come on, Bella. Didn't you enjoy that shower just a little?"
She pretended to snore, and he laughed harder. She held her position and hid her grin from him until his laughter finally ceased. Bella heard the smack of his lips more than she felt them as he plopped a kiss on the top of her head.
"Someday, maybe I'll let you into my sandbox," Paul teased as he closed his eyes.
She asked, "Do I get to bring my pail and shovel?"
Paul mumbled, "You can shape the towers. Leave the hole digging for me." The implication behind his words made her blush radiantly as she looked up into his lecherous grin.
"You are a dirty boy," she teased. "Maybe I don't want to play in your sandbox."
"Dirty, huh?" Paul sat up abruptly and yanked Bella up into his arms. "Guess we need another shower, then."
Bella squealed, laughing as she tried to scramble away from him. They playfully tussled, laughing as she tried to escape. Paul eventually pinned her down, grasping her wrists above her head as he straddled her left leg. When he inadvertently ground his thigh against her sex, Bella sucked in a sharp breath. Heat bloomed throughout her limbs as a slow burn settled in her belly.
Amused, Paul stared at her, his dark eyes boring into hers. Both were panting from their playful exertion, and their laughter calmed as he glanced down at her parted lips. Unconsciously, her tongue snaked across her lips, wetting them.
"God damn," Paul blurted out without thought and frowned. He released her wrists and climbed off of Bella abruptly before walking to the bathroom in a huff.
What the hell? Did I do something wrong? For a moment, Bella believed he might kiss her. For about half of that moment, she hoped he would. Friends, Bella. Idiot, always playing with fire.
Bella lay back down and covered herself anxiously. Sexually, she could tell he was interested, and only an idiot would have been oblivious to it. However, he had been more than willing to accept her hesitation and keep them firmly in the friend zone. He had offered to be just friends before she ever explained why she was hesitant in the first place. Bella had been in multiple compromising situations with him already. Despite his teasing, Paul never took anything too far.
The more she knew of him, the more she cared about him. She had been worried that he was too much like Jacob, that she would compare them too much. Paul, however, had his own appealing qualities. The attraction Bella had for him was as strong as what she felt for Jacob at times. The imprint pull was difficult, and Bella knew that the connection made her at ease with the other wolves. She had not had sex in weeks, and her libido was, well… raging. Damn it, she thought as she glanced down at her crotch and scowled. Behave yourself, you horny bitch.
She yipped in surprise as Paul plopped down beside her, and he snickered. "You guys are much too large to move so damn quietly," she grumbled, making him laugh outright.
"I got about an hour left to sleep if you are okay with that," Paul said as he got comfortable. "I can run you home before I go on patrol if you would like." Any hint of earlier aggravation was gone as he smiled, holding his arms open for her. Bella slid back up to him and sighed, content as she settled against his chest.
"Whatever you want is fine," Bella said, yawning.
Paul offered, "You can stay here if you want. Sleep or whatever. I patrol from six to ten, and I could run you home afterward."
"Whatever is easiest for you, Paul. I can always have Jacob pick me up on his way home, too," Bella said sleepily. He had done so much for her already. She didn't want to inconvenience him when she had more or less taken over his evening the night before.
"Is he staying with Reagan tonight?"
"Yes," Bella said and grinned as she thought about the blonde waving at her from under the blanket.
Paul asked, "What do you think of her so far?"
Bella said, "She is beautiful. And funny. She is mouthy, like me. Reagan is smart, too. Jacob is happy, and that is all that matters." After a moment of hesitation, Bella asked, "Paul? Did I piss you off or something earlier?"
"No. What could you have possibly done to make me mad at you, you goofy ass?"
"You took off in a huff, and it just … seemed like you were mad. I wondered if I did something," Bella explained. Paul groaned and then laughed, washing his hand across his face.
"I wasn't mad," he said. "And you didn't do anything wrong, okay? Do you want the honest truth?"
"Please."
He chuckled again nervously and said, "You … turn me on, Bells. Way too easily, and I know you have seen it. It's not your fault by any means. I just… You want a friend, and that's what I'm trying to be, okay?" It was what she had already assumed, but hearing him admit it was comforting somehow.
"Bella?"
"Yeah?"
"How come you haven't mentioned the imprint yet?" Bella swallowed nervously, and Paul shook with silent laughter. "It's okay," he said. "I'm not judging anybody, I swear. I just wanted you to know that I know and get it out in the open." He began rubbing her back as she sighed.
I guess now is as good a time as any. Bella said, "Jake … he doesn't want Billy to know because the council will consider us married or some dumb shit. I just try to pretend the imprint does not exist whenever I can. I love him to death, but he is not the man I want to spend my life with romantically. I could, I suppose. It would be such a natural thing ... to just accept it and be together. Paul, I don't want to marry my best friend and push out his five giant babies just because some source of ancient blood magic thinks we would have cute kids. Jacob doesn't want that, either. He is so happy with Reagan now."
Paul chuckled, nodding his agreement into her hair, his nose brushing against her ear. Bella giggled as she shivered, moving her head away just slightly.
Paul teased, "Ticklish ears, huh? I will have to remember that."
Bella begged, "Please do not ever poke or flick them."
Paul scoffed and asked, "Why the hell would I?"
Bella said, "You would be surprised how many people have the urge to touch ears, and my mom used to flick them as a silent reprimand. It makes me instantly pissed. I hate it."
"But you don't mind this?" Paul brushed his nose against the edge of her ear again, and she shivered, squealing as she pulled away.
"Eventually, I will find a way to retaliate," Bella mumbled, ducking her head to protect her ear from another assault.
Paul laughed, yawned, and said, "Whoever you end up with will be a lucky guy, Bella."
"Yeah, yeah," she said sarcastically. "If I find one."
"Are you hard to please, Bella?"
She dutifully ignored the implication behind the question. Bella grumbled, "It's hard to not be picky when everyone you have a history with is supernatural. I will probably end up with some poor human who is nowhere near as tough as he thinks and calling my werewolf best friend to solve my problems."
Paul turned his head away from her as he roared with laughter. "Is that your goal? Are you trying to get away from dating monsters, Bella?"
"I only dated one monster," she admitted. "Jake and I never actually dated."
Paul raised his eyebrow suspiciously and asked, "But you have slept together, right?"
"Correct." There was no point in hiding it from Paul, and she didn't want to lie.
As if he could sense what she felt, Paul said, "It's cool that you're honest. You could have just told me it was none of my damn business."
"I could have. You're my friend, though, and part of the pack. I would rather not lie," Bella said. "I trust you. I trust most of the pack, but Jacob, and you, are different… Sam, too. Don't tell Leah I said that." Paul cackled, nodding. Bella grinned up at him and said, "Maybe it's just fucking trauma bonding, I don't know. You guys have seen me through some pretty intense shit."
Paul said, "I feel like a real dick for not remembering you better. Back then, I was focused on so many things. I resented being a wolf, I resented the damn leeches for reactivating the gene. Honestly, it is very likely that I subconsciously chose to ignore you because you were tied to them. Plus, Jacob has always kept quiet about you, keeping his thoughts about you private. I feel I really missed out somehow by not getting to know you until now."
The sentimental tone behind his words surprised her. Butterflies exploded in her chest as she searched his face for any sign that he was teasing, but there were none. She buried her face in embarrassment, swearing she could feel the heat of her blush down to her clenched toes. Paul yawned again and tugged her closer. Bella wrapped her arm around his waist and tucked her knee back between his thighs.
"Okay, I have to nap," Paul whispered sleepily. "Sweet dreams, beautiful."
"Sweet dreams, Paul," Bella returned as she closed her eyes and waited for sleep to claim her.
(Paul POV)
When Paul's alarm sounded, he reached to shut it off before it woke Bella. Damn it, he thought as her eyes fluttered open and she stared up at him.
"Hi," he said, grinning. "I gotta get up." She groaned as he pulled away from her and slid off the couch.
Sleepily, she asked, "Are you ready to get rid of me yet?" Paul chuckled, wishing he could just say fuck it and crawl back in next to her.
"I will make you a deal, okay? Stay here and sleep or if you decide to go home, just take my truck. Text me, and I will pick it up after patrol. How does that sound?"
"Generous," she said, grinning. "I'll probably just tell Jake to grab me on the way home."
Paul did his best to keep from frowning. His proposed options would at least allow him to see her again in a few hours, but he wasn't going to plead with her to hang around. "Whatever you think is best, beautiful," Paul said dismissively and walked into the kitchen. He poured and quickly chugged a glass of orange juice, reminded Bella she was welcome to help herself to his kitchen, and asked her to lock the door on her way out. Paul stepped out into his backyard, kicked his pants off, and tossed them on a tree limb before phasing. Sam, Quil, and Seth greeted him happily just as Embry and Leah phased out. Paul glanced back toward his house and spotted Bella leaning in the doorway.
Paul chuckled to himself as he darted back toward the house and up to the back door.
Quil was immediately on edge as he asked, Why the hell is my cousin at your house, Paul?
Sam chuckled and said, Paul, you didn't…
Paul snapped, What? Nothing happened, guys. Shut up. You sound like Jake.
Bella stepped outside, holding her hand out to the massive silver wolf. She laughed and asked, "Who is all phased today, huh? Hey, guys."
Paul gave her a wide, wolfy grin and asked, So, was I the last to learn that Bella knew about the wolves?
Sam chuckled and said, Uh, you and Jared. But only because you guys never tried to get to know her or anything. B has known the rest of us for years.
Seth said, Paul, please tell me you're not trying to bone my sister.
Paul said, Actually, I'm doing my fucking damnedest to keep my hands to myself, Seth, but she's so hot. Sam roared with laughter as Seth and Quil both groaned.
Bella crouched in front of Paul, scratching her long sharp nails behind his ears. Oh, I see. You can fuck with my ears, but if I touch yours … Paul's tongue whipped out and licked her left cheek, sliding up and across her ear.
"PAUL!" Bella groaned through her laughter as she wiped his spit away on the sleeve of his hoodie. To his surprise, she leaned forward and gave him a quick peck above the wet part of his nose. "Thanks again," she said sweetly. "Now go before you get in trouble."
Yeah, loverboy, Sam teased him. Get your ass moving.
Paul nudged at her as she stood, slightly pushing her back toward the door. He nodded toward the house and huffed.
"Yeah, I'm going," she grumbled, still grinning at him as she turned her back to step inside. His laughter sounded like coughing as Paul pushed her forward by shoving his snout right into her buttcrack. Bella shrieked and jumped as he flopped on the ground, laughing.
Seriously, man? That's my cousin.
My sister.
Come on, Paul, Sam said again, still laughing. You can sniff her ass another time. We gotta go. Seth and Quil growled at the comment as Paul hopped up and took off like a shot into the forest.
The patrol was uneventful as Paul reached Third Beach. The fresh, lingering scent of a vampire caught his attention first, and then Sam growled, instantly furious.
Seth asked, Do you need us there?
Sam said, Is that side clear? Are you sure?
The northeast side is clean, said Quil.
Seth said, Southeast, too.
Sam ordered, Then get over here just in case we find trouble. We are going southwest after this trail, but it appears the vamp ran as close to the ocean as possible. Get to Third Beach and follow the scent in the other direction.
Will do, Seth said, digging his paws into the dirt as he charged in their direction.
Quil said I am going to First Beach and will meet you in the middle, Seth.
Good thinking, Sam said. Paul had remained quiet through their exchange, following the bleach smell as if his life depended on it. They were far too close to the reservation and all the imprints to his liking.
Sam said, I know I recognize this scent, Paul. I don't like this.
Paul said, Same, brother. Do you think any of the Cullens would come back here?
Sam scoffed. Why would they? It has been almost five years, and they would still look the same. Way too risky. I don't expect they will be back here in our lifetime.
Good, Paul huffed. Now can we find this fucker and make sure they leave.
Nearly an hour later, all four boys came up empty-handed. The trail suddenly disappeared near forks. The bloodsucker had climbed a tree and kept to the treetops, leaving Paul wondering if they knew about the wolves. It made sense when the scent was familiar.
It was probably someone we have already chased off, Sam said. Hopefully, they were only passing through, and fuck off.
Paul asked, You don't think that old bleach smell we got from the car yesterday was a leech, do you?
Sam froze where he stood as Quil and Seth both whined in concern. That would only mean one possibility, Paul.
Seth sounded almost panicked as he asked, Please don't tell me someone is after Bells again. I thought yesterday was a freak accident.
Quil said, Let's not jump to conclusions, guys. She has been on her own and safe without our protection for years now. She drove across the country alone.
Quil is right, Sam grumbled. It has got to be some crazy coincidence. If a vampire wanted Bella, they would have had ample opportunity.
Paul took a deep breath and said, I am sure you are right. Paul would be keeping his eyes peeled, regardless. He hoped Bella would still be there when he got home. Paul wanted to talk to her about the trail they found and warn her to be careful. Paul had fought to keep her safe long before meeting the girl. He sure as hell would not let someone hurt her now.
When Paul returned home, he was disappointed to find her gone. Checking his phone, he found a message from her.
Jacob picked me up around nine-thirty. Come over if you want some breakfast with us. I promise to hold back a plate for you so that Jacob does not eat it all.
Perfect, he thought. As he walked through the living room, he realized Bella had put away the hide-a-bed, folded the blankets, and put his pillows back on his bed. The bathroom was spotless as if she had never been there. Paul hurried to get dressed and climbed in his truck, eager to tell her and Jacob about the trail.
The following two hours passed quickly. Paul arrived just in time. Bella made plates for everyone, and they ate together while Paul told her, Jacob, and Billy about the trail they came across. All three men were surprised by her nonchalance over the situation.
"Vamps are going to pass through the area from time to time. It goes along with living on this side of the country because they can easily hide in places like Forks. I think Quil is right. If he thought I was in danger, he would freak. I trust him with this."
"She is not wrong," Jacob said, nodding. "Quil would do anything for Bells."
"I'm starting to think we all would," Paul said and winked at her. Jacob and Billy cackled as she blushed furiously and shook her head before focusing on her plate.
Bella walked Paul outside when he left. He pulled her into a hug and thanked her for breakfast.
"It was the least I could do," she said.
"Hell, you did plenty with that backrub in the shower," Paul teased, grinning as she flushed again.
She giggled despite her embarrassment and said, "Anytime."
Paul asked, "How did you manage to do that without clawing me anyway?" He snatched one of her hands, pulling it up to look at her sharply-pointed blue nails.
"The same way I type for my job. Carefully and with lots of practice," Bella said, laughing.
Paul hesitated as he contemplated asking her to hang out later. He let go of her hand to comb his hands through his hair, pushing it out of his face. Paul still needed that damn haircut. After a brief awkward silence, he said, "What are your plans later? There is a parade in Forks tonight. The city fair starts up tonight afterward. A couple of the rides are up already. Feel like going?"
Bella grimaced and forced an apologetic smile at him. "I'm actually meeting someone later."
Oh. Paul nodded as he tried to mask his disappointment. "Another first date already, huh?"
"Yeah, sort of," Bella said. "I accepted it a few days ago. If I had known, I wouldn't have-"
"It's okay," Paul said. "Another night, maybe? The fair will be here for a week, and the rest of the rides will be going by Sunday. They do this shit the same way every year."
"Yeah," Bella said, "I remember. I only got to be here during Fair Week a few times growing up. I planned on going a few times this year. I love carnivals and rides."
"Yeah? Me too," Paul said, grinning. He yanked her back to him for another hug. As he turned to climb into his truck, she walked toward the little red house. He called out, "Hey, Bella?"
"Yes?" She turned back to face him.
"My spare key is hidden above my front door if you ever need it."
His heart raced as she gave him the same flirtatious grin she wore the day they met. She asked, "Is that an invitation?"
He said, "I told you, you can snuggle with me anytime." Paul laughed as she grinned at him like an imbecile and walked toward the house. He pulled the door shut and cranked the engine, mentally patting himself over their progress.
He was winning her over. He could feel it in his fucking bones. Her easy affectionate response to his wolf that morning had meant more to him than he knew how to express. It doesn't matter how many first dates she goes on, Paul thought. He was more determined than ever that the best man would be him in the end. In the meantime, he needed to make sure she did not fall for someone else.
It was time to figure out how to hijack terrible date number two.
How is Paul doing, guys? I want your thoughts on this chapter. Please review :)
