Chapter 15

"Oh my God. The amount of sex you're going to have!" Lisa shrieked.

"Lisa, keep it down will you," Bella shushed her friend but could not help but laugh at her bluntness. It was Lisa through and through.

"Hell no, this is so hot. I'm so fucking jealous," Lisa gushed. "Which one is going to come to visit you first? I can't believe I'm asking you this. You lucky bitch."

Lisa took a sip of her white wine. They were out having a few drinks after Bella had asked her best friend to come to help her to sort her head out. She needed to talk about the situation with someone at length. And there was no one more suitable than Lisa to talk about Paul and Embry and what they were about to do.

"Embry," Bella said, her cheeks flushing. "He'll be here this weekend."

"What are you going to do other than the obvious?" Lisa asked, winking.

"He might not want to do 'the obvious'. Maybe he wants to take things slow," Bella offered.

"Yeah, right," Lisa snorted, and Bella giggled too. No, it wasn't very likely. And if it were up to her, they would be at it as soon he stepped out of the taxi. It's not like they had to get to know each other first; she already knew Embry quite well, she'd thought so, at least. She'd missed him so much ever since their last time together. But she was planning to take Embry for lunch after he arrived, knowing that it would probably lead to the bedroom a bit too fast if they wouldn't go somewhere else first. The bedroom was good, but she wanted to talk with him first.

She was ashamed to admit that she sometimes thought of being somehow obscene or immoral for starting a relationship with two men. Like having sex with them when they weren't in a relationship was somehow more acceptable than forming a relationship with them. Wasn't that just absurd?

She wasn't afraid of losing her place in heaven since she wasn't religious, but surely there was a place for a woman who lusted after two men. Yeah, she knew she was showcasing society's double standards where a man with multiple women with good stamina is called a stud, but a woman loving sex and wanting two men was reduced to being a slut, a whore. But although she understood all this, there was part of her that couldn't stop having those thoughts. And that was why she had Lisa here with her having white wine on a Tuesday evening at Joe's. She would talk some sense to her.

"What do you think about this, Lisa? And be honest. I can't help thinking that it is wrong somehow. There will be people who think it's against everything considered proper."

"You know me, Bella. I can't see anything wrong with you being in a relationship with two men. If you all are on the same page and want it, what the hell does it matter if there are people who won't accept? There always will be, no matter what. Most of them will probably be envious bitches or dicks, who either want what you have or want you for themself. Like I think Edward Cullen would do, for example."

Bella winched. Edward had been calling her and asking her out again, but she'd refused to go.

"Have you told him that you won't see him anymore? Or are you going to see him again?"

"Oh my God, Lisa, what do you think I am? Of course, I won't. He has asked, but I refused. I might soon have two boyfriends, Jesus, that sounds weird, but it's not an open relationship. I don't want anybody else, and Paul or Embry doesn't either, at least I hope so."

"You hope so? You haven't talked about that?"

"Well, yes, they said that I was all they could ever want, but can I really be that? And how long until they realize that I'm not everything they need? And is it selfish of me to want them just for myself? I think this is what I struggle with the most. I mean, I get two gorgeous men but don't want to share them with any other woman. Am I a bitch?"

Lisa looked at her with a thoughtful expression on her face.

"No, Bella. I don't think it's selfish. But I guess it's important to talk openly about how you feel. I'm sure you three realize how important communication will be in your relationship. It is hard enough with two people; with three, it feels almost impossible."

"Beth said the same..."

"Beth? You told the good ol Beth. Was she shocked?" Lisa asked, laughing.

"No, she is more open-minded than you think. I was a bit surprised as well," Bella chuckled. "But I think what I need to say out loud is that I don't want to share either of them, but if they ever feel that they need someone else, they have to say it. And depending on where we all are, if such a need arises, we need to talk about what it means. But now I feel pretty strongly that I could not handle them sleeping with anybody else. But they have to share; how it's fair that I don't?"

"They seem to think it is. Whatever you feel, you have to say it exactly as it is. I might not be very good at giving relationship advice, but that much I know. Be honest. Voice your dreams, needs, and fears. And that goes with your guys too."

"You are so right. The good thing is that I have never had any problems talking with either of them, and they've always seemed honest with me."

Lisa nodded and popped salted nuts into her mouth.

"So, what Edward said when you refused to go out with him?"

"Not much, but he was clearly very disappointed. You know, he was there when Paul and Embry came to see me."

"Holy fuck. What did Edward do?"

"He was giving me a lift back home from Alicia Key's concert, and I was about to ask him to spend the night with me, but then those two just showed up."

"Damn, that must have been a pretty awkward situation."

"Yeah, for me, mostly. Edward asked me to get rid of them and come back some other time. When I told him they were my friends from Washington, he left tires squeaking."

"But he'd called you after that?"

"Yeah. He said he was sorry about getting angry and hoped I would go out with him. He even invited me to his boat."

Lisa sighed. "I'm happy you are such a good friend. Otherwise, I would be so jealous of you that I couldn't see straight. Two God-like native men and one of the richest bachelors of Seattle are pining after you."

"I'm fairly certain Edward is just pining after my bookshop and wanting to have fun in the process."

Lisa laughed and emptied her glass. Bella followed her example and motioned for the bartender to order them glasses of wine.

"But seriously," Lisa said. "I'm so happy for you. You've been pretty miserable ever since you broke up with them. And it was just before you were getting back to being happy again after losing Renée and Charlie. You kept the appearance that you didn't need anybody but being with those two started to pull you out of your shell. You, as we all, need someone to share your life with, and now you're going to have two. I would be a terrible friend if I wasn't anything but pleased."

Maybe it was a bit early to talk about sharing her life with them, but Bella was relieved to talk with Lisa and hear her say those things.

"And even if I say you are a slut, I really don't mean that. You understand that, right? It's just a funny word, and we've always used it, haven't we?"

"Yeah. Don't worry about it. I say I'm a slut all the time. And you, my dear friend, are the sluttiest of all."

Lisa laughed, "I haven't been too slutty since I met Adrian."

"That's true," Bella admitted. Lisa wasn't one for spending her time without a male company, and Bella was Virgin Mary compared to her, but she'd been settling down lately.

"But I can't really understand how they can share you. More often, two women share a man than another way around because guys just don't share. If they can do it, Paul and Embry must have healthy egos unless they are fucking each other too."

"I don't think they are. At least not that I know of, and I guess they would have told me if there was more than a friendship between them. Paul had told me that he gets hit on by guys regularly, and he'd tried to have sex with a guy once, but it wasn't his cup of tea," Bella told Lisa.

"That says a lot that he's tried to be with a man and told you about it. He's confident. And Embry, the artistic guy?"

"We've never discussed it. But I don't think he's bi."

"Oh, what I would be ready to do to get it on with two gorgeous bi-males, to be sandwiched between them, watch them fucking," Lisa said dreamily.

"God, Lisa. Your mind is a dirty place," Bella giggled.

"Look who's talking. I'm only dreaming you're about to do it."

"I'm not getting between them," Bella huffed, but her cheeks were flushing.

"You wanna bet? It might not happen right away but just think about it. You would be mad if you weren't."

Bella wasn't mad. The idea was just too stimulating, and she lost all mental faculties with that thought. She could feel getting aroused even now.

It was official; she was a slut, Bella though amused and snorted.

"What's funny?"

"That I'm getting turned on only thinking about it."

"That's my girl," Lisa said and toasted.

"They might not want it. Being naked with each other. I've read..."

"Of course, you've read," Lisa snorted.

Bella gave her friend a stinky eye. "...I've read that it is too much for most of the men. That men think they must be secretly gay or at least bi before they can do an MFM-threesome."

"But Paul has already told you he's comfortable with another man being naked. And surely, they've thought about it if they are getting in a relationship with you."

"I guess, but we haven't yet talked about it."

"But if they won't want to fuck each other, then it will be all about you, and holy fuck, can you imagine that. And maybe it's better that way. What I've heard is it can get a bit rough in gay sex, and you would likely end up as a third wheel there."

"Okay, my slutty friend. I think we covered that part pretty well. Whether we'll ever have a threesome is let to be seen."

"Oh, I give you a month, tops."

Embry was tapping his fingers on a handrest on the backseat of a taxi. The traffic was heavy, and the car hardly moved. He was anxious to get to Bella; he didn't want to waste time sitting in a damn taxi. He would have only three days and two nights before he had to go back to La fucking Push and finish his job there.

He looked around the busy city and felt so happy he didn't know which way was up and which down. To think he would be living here with Bella in mere few weeks.

Finally, the taxi arrived in front of Blue door, and Embry paid the driver. He hopped off the car and stretched his back, looking around. It was a busy neighborhood with shops and small businesses, restaurants, and a park. A lot of trees made it nice and shady. An old man with a white beard and black cap was sitting on the ground next to the bus stop. It must be Old Joe, Bella told them about. He looked kind and harmless. Bella's idea to have a dog and co-own it with the man was probably very good.

Embry entered the store. There were many people, and he didn't see Bella at first. Thomas noticed him and winked at him. He nodded with a smile, and his eyes kept scanning the shop. Then he saw her. She was talking with a customer. His heart somersaulted in his chest. He would never get used to it how beautiful she was. Her hair was in a ponytail, and she was wearing a green summer dress that hugged her in the right places showing off her gorgeous figure. She was saying something with great enthusiasm, and the customer was nodding. They laughed at something.

Then she noticed him and smiled. Embry almost stopped breathing and forgot how to smile back. He recovered fast, and a huge smile stretched across his face. Bella said a few more words to the customer and then started towards him.

"Hey, Embry," Bella smiled. She stood in front of him and reached up to peck him on the cheek, placing her hands on his chest. "How are you?" Her breath fanned his face making him shiver. She smelled of lavender.

Embry cleared his throat, trying to find his voice. "Hi Bella.. Um … I'm good."

Bella chuckled at his stuttering. "Take your bag to my place and come back here. I'm taking you on a lunch."

"Okay," Embry took the keys Bella handed to him and left the bookstore. He opened the door to Bella's apartment and inhaled the familiar scent of tea and the blue elderberry tree that was in full bloom behind the slightly ajar kitchen window. Embry felt that he belonged there. This could be his home; he wanted it to be his home. After his father had died, La Push didn't hold a place in his heart anymore. He had his happy childhood in that place and the years before he met Bella, and he had had a good life there, but it was his past. His future was here in this cozy, beautiful apartment and with Bella. He wouldn't give it up for anything.

He left his bag on the bench in the kitchen and returned to the store.

Bella was at the cashier, now taking money from the customer who seemed to have bought more than one book. Su-Wei was bagging them. The store was bustling. Embry thought if Bella was really able to leave. Then a young man came from the storage room carrying a pile of books, and Embry remembered that Bella had hired the extra help she had during the Christmas season.

"Who wanted these?" the man asked Bella.

"That gentleman over there," Bella answered, pointing at the elderly man standing next to the pet section.

Bella saw him and said something to Su-Wei. Embry didn't hear what; a young child ran, shouting and bumping into him.

"Sorry," the kid said and lifted a cat that had escaped from him.

Embry shook his head, laughing. This place was amazing, so full of life.

Bella came to him. "You up to some fish and ships?"

"Hell yeah. Let's go to Codmothers again. It was damn good last time we were there."

"That's what I was thinking about. Come one. We'll take the cable car; it shouldn't be too busy at this hour," Bella said and stretched her hand for him. He took it, and together they headed out of the store. Embry was drunk with happiness.

It was a beautiful day. The midday sun wasn't yet too hot, and the air was full of different smells, some good, some not so much.

For a while, neither of them said anything. Embry noticed he was a bit nervous. Was Bella too? Maybe he should just ask.

"I'm happy that you're here," Bella said before he got to open his mouth.

"Me too, you can't imagine how happy. I've always loved being here with you."

Bella smiled, "And I always loved having you here."

They continued their walk.

"So, has the principal overcome the shock that you are leaving?" Bella asked.

"Not yet. He's trying to stop me from leaving," Embry chuckled. He was touched that they wanted him to stay, but it wasn't in his cards. "He even offered me a raise."

"Oh, they really want you there. I'm so proud of you; you know that? If you want to continue teaching, I'm sure you'll find a school wanting to hire you here."

"I don't know. I mean, I loved teaching in La Push. But it's a small school, and I pretty much knew all the families that had their kids there. Not sure what it would be like here."

"Yeah, I get what you mean. But you can always try."

"I sure can. But this place makes me want to go back to photography, not only taking portraits but full-time and all sorts of photo shooting. I'll contact The Photography Institute; they are looking for tutors."

Embry could feel the excitement rising. He had already made inquiries about the tutoring and had a good feeling about his possibilities. But Bella was right; he could always find a teaching job.

"Your store was jam-packed. I thought you weren't able to leave,"

"Yeah, it's been getting busier nowadays. I don't know exactly why. But that's why it's great I hired Mike. He and Su-Wei can keep things organized, and Thomas can always help if he isn't making coffee. I should train someone to take over the tea section if this keeps this busy," Bella told them.

They arrived at the cable car stop, and there weren't many people, just as Bella had suspected. They would hopefully get into the first one that came. They run every ten minutes, so the wait wouldn't be that long if they didn't. And Embry didn't mind where he was as long as he was with Bella.

Bella stood next to him and smiled. Embry felt he needed to pull her into his arms, and he did just that. Bella wound her arms around his back and leaned her head against his chest, sighing. It was amazing how they didn't need words to feel comfortable, even if it'd been some time since they last were together like this. It just felt so natural.

"You know how much I love you," Embry said, feeling the need to say that.

Bella moved her head so she could see his face. Her big brown eyes were shining, and the smile on her face was blinding. "I know. And I love you too."

Embry wanted to kiss her, but they were pulled out of their bubble by an arriving cable car.

There was just enough space for them to hop in. They stayed outside standing. Embry enveloped Bella between his arms and kissed the top of her head. Bella leaned against him. His body reacted to her being so close, and the movement of their transportation made their bodies move against each other, making it impossible to hide his aroused state.

"Sorry," he mumbled into her ear.

"Don't be," she answered, pressing her ass against his hard-on. He moaned, and Bella giggled.

"You are evil," he nipped her ear lobe, and it was her turn to moan.

The cable car slowed down suddenly, and they swayed forward, laughing. Embry felt lightheaded. He realized just then that he'd never been this happy as he was right now. It was a powerful feeling.

They arrived at the end station and walked the rest of the way. The Codmother was a small takeaway food truck that sold the best fish and chips in the city.

"What do you want to eat?" Bella asked as they joined the line. There were always people lining up to buy crispy fish.

"I'll take Combo and coke," Embry said. He loved the shrimps as much as the fish.

"Good choice. I can't choose if to take the calamari or fish." Bella said, leaning into him and wrapping her arms around him. "Paul makes excellent seafood paella. Have you ever tasted it?"

Embry was a little taken aback by Bella mentioning Paul, but he recovered fast and found that Bella talking about Paul didn't make him jealous. He was here now with her. Next weekend would be a test of how jealous he would get. It was evitable that he would feel it to some extent, as Paul was for sure feeling right now. But maybe she would think about him too when she and Paul were together.

"No, I haven't."

"We have to ask him to make it sometimes. It's divine. He sold it here in food fairs, and people lined up to buy it."

"I'm sure. All that I've eaten made by him had been phenomenal."

"Yeah. Isn't it great we're having our own personal chef?"

"Sure is," Embry chuckled. This was weird but weird in a good way. Embry knew Bella was just trying to get her head around what they were about to get into. They all did that in their own way.

They ordered their food and walked to the nearby pier to eat. They stole glances at each other, and the atmosphere was getting charged. He was sporting a hard-on, and it was getting pretty uncomfortable. They sat up on the wooden boxes and started to eat. Embry wanted to eat the food as fast as possible so that he could kiss her, but the food was so delicious he wanted to savor it.

After they'd finished, Embry took the papers and threw them into the trash can. He went to stand in front of her, and Bella opened her legs so he could get closer. He stood between her legs, and Bella pulled him closer, tugging her hands in his back pockets.

"Can I kiss you, Bella?"

"Of course, you don't have to ask," Bella said.

He cupped his hands around Bella's face and leaned to capture her lips. The fire was instant. A kiss that was meant to be tender turned into a hungry clash of teeth and bruising lips. He could eat her.

"Damn, Bella, I want you so bad..." he said, breathing heavily, "but I understand if you want to take things slow."

"No, silly, I want you too. I just thought it was a good idea to go out first and talk a little. I knew that if we'd gone to my place, we'd ended up in bed without a word."

Embry chuckled. "You are right about that. Can we go now?" Hoping he didn't sound like an asshole.

Bella nodded and kissed him. "Let's go."

They were lucky to get on a cable car that just arrived at the stop, and half an hour later, they were back at Blue door. "Are you sure you don't have to go to the shop?" Embry asked. He didn't want any interruptions after they started.

"I'm sure. It's a good thing I'm the boss," she giggled as she opened the door to her home.

All rational thinking vanished when the door closed behind them. Embry couldn't get Bella naked fast enough, and they stumbled on their way to the bedroom, laughing, kissing, and ripping off their clothes.

They fell into the bed, and Embry didn't waste more time; he thrust his forefinger inside Bella. She was wet and so damn tight.

"Damn, you're so ready, baby," Embry murmured.

"Yes, Em. Fuck me, please."

"I love it when you beg," Embry chuckled, panting, and reached to take a condom from the nightstand.

"We can go without if you want. I'm on the pill and clean. I've tests made," Bella said, taking him by surprise.

"Fuck. I'm clean too," Embry said, and without any more delay, he positioned himself between her legs and pushed in.

"This won't last... fuck... I've never gone bareback before," Embry mumbled. He was seriously losing his ability to talk. It felt so damn good; nothing had ever felt like this.

He wanted every inch of his body against Bella's, but he needed to ensure she came with him. This would be over soon, damn fucking too soon. Bella wrapped her legs around him, and he pushed incredibly deep. She was already clenching around him. He kissed her deeply, licking her lips, sucking her tongue, fucking her mouth. His whole body was trembling with the sensation and emotions this moment pulled out of him. He set on a deliberately slow and deep pace, grinding his pelvis against hers, wanting her to feel as good as he was. He pulled himself out and grabbed his dick, rubbing it against her swollen lips and clit before slipping in again.

"Ah, Em... so good..."

God damn fuck. This was what he'd been dreaming for months, what he'd been missing like crazy. He wanted it to last longer, but there was nothing he could do to prolong the evitable.

"Oh Em … I'm coming."

And he slammed faster and deeper, making her scream. Her pussy was clenching and sucking him deeper still. Fuck, this was heaven. And it was all it took, and he came. Arching his back, he groaned her name.

"Bellllaa, ah, fuck.."

He dropped onto the bed and pulled Bella with him, not wanting to leave her warm body. He kissed the top of her head and blinked away tears threatening to show up. His throat was thickening, and he knew he was unable to stop the wave of relief and euphoria and the feeling of being safe, being there where he wanted to be, needed to be. It opened the damn he'd been gathering since Bella broke up with him and his father died.

"I love you so much," Bella breathed and kissed the spot behind his ear.

"I love you damn much too," Embry swallowed, trying to hold his tears, failing.

Bella moved to look at his face when she realized he was fucking crying.

"What is it?"

Damn, could it be any more embarrassing? Embry just shook his head and kissed her.

"Baby, Oh, Em, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you," she said softly, brushing hair off his eyes.

How could she possibly know what he was thinking, what he was feeling? He was in awe of her.

"I'm sorry about your dad. About the way, I behaved back then. I'm so sad I didn't get to know your father better. I'm sorry."

Bella kissed his face, his lips, and just held him. And he cried, wrapping his arms around her. Sobbing until he didn't have any tears left.

They made love for hours. Bella whispered loving words to him and kissed every part of his body, her fingertips made feather-light circles on his skin. Filling him with love, promising the future he'd only a little while ago thought he would never have - a Life with her.

Sun was setting when they fell asleep. Blissful, beautiful sleep.

AN:

Aww... Bella and Embry are now reunited. What did you think?

This was quite a lengthy chapter; I hope you don't mind. What do you think Paul is doing right now?