Chapter 16

Paul was giving the punching bag a beating of a lifetime. It was all he could do not to lose his fucking mind. He was afraid Bella would realize it was Embry she needed, not him, that the idea of them both being in the relationship with her was bullshit, and she didn't want him anymore. These thoughts had been going on his mind on a loop ever since Paul knew Embry had arrived at San Francisco and was with Bella. Embry had texted him yesterday when he'd been in a taxi from the airport, complaining about the heavy traffic.

It was early morning in the gym. Paul had been there already a couple of hours. Sam was coming to spar with him any time soon.

He decided to take a break and went to sit and have some water. He noticed he had a message. He wiped the sweat off his face and took off his boxing gloves. His fucking hands were shaking. What was he expecting? Bella sending a message telling him not to come next weekend?

It was a message from Embry.

Our girl

A huge grind stretched onto his face.

It was a photo of Bella. She was sleeping on her bed, hands tugged under the pillow and under her chin, covering her naked upper body, only the undersides of her round breasts showing. Her messy and tangled hair was spread all over her pillow and mattress. A white sheet was covering her from her hips down, revealing the curve of her waist. She was absolutely breathtaking. The bed looked like they'd been fucking on it, hours till the end, and they probably had. Paul's cock twitched. He pressed down his jealousy; he would be there with her next weekend. And he couldn't fucking wait. He had to literally talk himself out of leaving until it was his turn. He was just that desperate to reconnect with her.

The photo was one of those that only Embry could take with his damn phone alone. The light in the room was that of an early morning. So, Embry had taken it just before sending it.

The message was all that Paul needed to be able to let the fear and frustration go. Embry was a damn good friend. He'd known Paul would be climbing on the walls by now.

Yeah. Damn. Having fun?

Fuck yes. Don't worry I'll tell her I sent this.

Thanks

Paul knew Embry understood what all he was thanking for. He sat there looking at the photo feeling the anger vanishing, and he didn't feel like wanting to kill someone anymore. It was a bit safer mind frame to be in when sparring with Sam. He didn't want to hurt his friend.

"Fuck Paul, who's that?" Sam's voice startled Paul from his haze. He was looking over his shoulder at the photo on Paul's phone.

"Bella," he told Sam. Paul hadn't told Sam about his plans yet. That he was going to move to San Francisco to live with Bella, together with Embry; knowing Sam, he would be okay with the two first, but part including Embry wouldn't go down well. Not that it mattered rat's ass what Sam thought, not really. Paul knew they would hear a lot of shit about the way they chose to live their lives, but it would be nice if his friend would keep his mouth shut.

"Damn. That's a classy photo. Looks like something Embry would take."

Embry's talent was well known around the rez; he'd been taking photos in every celebration and event in the rez in the last five or more years. Well, except for Sam and Emily's wedding. There had been another photographer there, some of Emily's relatives. And Paul could hardly forget Embry had been with Bella that weekend. How fucking mad he'd been then.

"Yep, it's Embry's."

Sam looked baffled. "Why you have a photo Embry has taken of Bella? And didn't she break up with you? And Embry?"

"You know she did. I've been wallowing in my shit months because she dumped me, but we're back together," Paul said, grinning like a fool. He hadn't told Sam anything yet because he didn't want them to end up a gossip topic number one in the rez, and that would inevitably happen if he told Sam. He was the gossip number one with his damn wife.

"That's great, man. I've been bored out of my fucking mind of you moping all the damn time. But..." Sam was clearly out of his depth now, "Embry has taken that photo?"

"Yeah." Paul didn't say more. He wanted to see how long it would take him to get it.

He didn't mind what people might say about him, and Paul knew that Embry didn't give a fuck either, but he cared what they might say about Bella. He cared damn much about that and didn't want to hear any bullshit about her.

La Push was a close-knit place where everybody knew everyone and their business. Bella being an outsider and not even a native but a pale face, as so many called non-natives, would get bashed. It was shocking, really, how racist some of the people around here were. It was 2020, for Christ's sake.

Paul would lose his shit if he had to listen to people talking shit about Bella, and for that reason, he'd been putting off telling Sam. But now, there was no going around it.

"What the fuck you are not telling me, man?" Sam asked. "You're fine that Embry sends a naked photo of Bella that he has taken, but you are back with her?"

"Yep," Paul said, waiting for the lights to turn on.

"Is Embry with Bella now?"

"Yep."

Finally, Sam got it; Paul had to laugh at his expression of disbelief.

"You are both with her? Fucking her?"

"Yep," Paul didn't want to talk with Sam about fucking Bella, so he didn't elaborate that he was yet to fuck her since their decision to be together.

"Are you fucking mad!? Is it some sort of polyshit you're in now?"

Paul had to laugh. Sam looked like he was going to puke.

"Hey, don't judge, man."

"I'm not judging. I just can't fucking understand how you can share your woman. It's sick man."

"No, it's not."

"Damn, it is. Are you fucking her at the same time? Are you tapping Embry too?"

"Sam, fuck chill, man. It's very new. I haven't been with her yet since we decided to try this. Embry is there with her now. And no, I'm not going to fuck Embry. We haven't suddenly become bi."

Sam was shaking his head in disbelief. Paul knew him well, and he had a hard time with this. Not that he should give a damn, not really. It was Paul's life, not Sam's.

"I ask you not to tell anybody, not yet anyway. Are you able to shut your trap?" Paul asked.

"Hey man, you know that I tell everything to Emily."

"You could hold it for a few weeks, please, man. I haven't asked you many things, but I'm asking you this."

"Why?"

"Because I know people around here, they will start throwing their opinions and shit around, and I don't want to be here listening to it."

"I don't know. I hate keeping things from Emily."

"Goddamit, Sam. This got nothing to do with her."

"Embry treated Leah like shit," Sam said. "And she's heartbroken. Emily has tried to help her to get over it." Sam said as if that would give him a reason to tell Emily.

"Leah was stupid not to let Embry be."

"Embry fucked her and then threw her out. No one treats a woman like that," Sam almost shouted now.

"He didn't throw her out. Damn Sam. You know that. Embry isn't a dickhead; he would never treat anyone like that, especially anyone he cares about, as he does for Leah. Embry only told her he didn't want her. It's not the same as throwing out. Embry probably shouldn't have slept with her, but she pushed herself on him. On the day of his father's funeral fuck's sake, he was out of his fucking mind then. Doesn't that sound a bit looney to you?"

Sam didn't say anything. What was there for him to say? Leah was a crazy bitch, and Sam knew it. She brought the shit on her herself.

"But man, what is this batshit idea of sharing a woman?"

"Watch it, Sam," Paul warned.

"No, really. I can't understand how you can do it. And as for her, what kind of woman ..."

"Last warning Sam..." Paul was getting pissed. He got up, clenching his fists.

Sam shut his mouth, knowing Paul. He wasn't stupid enough to earn a beating because that's what he'd do if Sam said one more word suggesting anything about Bella.

They stared at each other for a while.

"I think it's best to call it off. I don't want to kick your ass now," Paul said, trying to ease the atmosphere.

"Yeah, right," Sam made a strained laugh. He knew Paul wasn't kidding.

"I'll just hit the bag on my own for a while."

"You'll do that. But seriously, man. I know people, including you, don't understand. And we don't need you to. It's our life, and we'll do what we want. We're not hurting anyone..."

Sam's expression told Paul he disagreed with him.

"No, Leah hurt herself. She can't accept that Embry doesn't love her, doesn't want her. Maybe it's because Embry fell in love with Bella. Maybe it isn't. But that's life, and life is shit most of the time. She has to grow up and stop whining."

Sam just looked away, not saying a word.

"Look. We will be out of here in a few weeks, and then you can go on with your lives, and we'll go on with ours."

Hurt crossed Sam's face. And Paul hated this. Sam really was a damn good friend.

"Paul, you're my best friend. Hell, we've known each other all our lives. I don't want you to leave, but I get that you want to get out of here. It's not like you can get very far with your talent here. But don't ever think that I don't want to have you around."

Paul looked at Sam and knew he meant every word.

"Okay. But you'll need to get it into your head that I'll never put up any bullshit about Bella, you understand? I love her with everything I have, and I'm a lucky bastard that she loves me. That is all that matters. She's an amazing woman, and she has love for both of us. It's not for you to judge us. Can you do that, Sam?"

Sam was silent for a long time. Then he said, "She must really be something else. I hope you don't get your heart broken."

"You don't have to worry about my heart," Paul chuckled.

"Are you cooled down enough? Maybe I could let you beat my ass after all."

"Yeah. I'll beat your ass, alright. So you remember to keep your mouth shut next time."

"Oh, isn't it number two," Thomas quipped behind his coffee machine, winking at him.

Paul flipped him off, laughing. He liked Thomas, he was a decent guy, a good friend to Bella, but he looked a bit paler and thinner since he'd seen him last. Paul hoped his treatments were working.

"Where is she?"

Thomas nodded towards the storage room.

A grin stretched across Paul's face. Perfect. He wasn't about to go on lunch with her. He'd waited for this forever and could not wait any longer to take her to bed.

Paul went into the storage room, and there she was, crouching next to a pile of books.

She heard the door closing and spun around to look at him, her hand clasped over her heart. He'd startled her.

"Paul, you came early," she breathed with relief as the most breathtaking smile turned her lips upwards.

"Yeah, couldn't wait any longer." With that, he went to her and lifted her from the ground.

Bella gasped as he pulled her against his hard body. They stared at each other. Her eyes were welling up with tears.

"Bella, why are you crying?" Paul asked, cupping her face with his hands, trying to push down the fear they caused in him. Was she going to tell him to fuck off?

"Happy tears. I was …" Bella said, clearing her throat, "afraid you weren't coming."

Paul was floored. How could she think something like that?

"Of course, I came, and I won't ever leave you," Paul said softly.

Her smile blinded him, and they continued to gaze into each other's eyes.

"Hi," Bella whispered, her eyes darting between his eyes and lips.

"Hi," he answered and leaned to kiss her. She parted her lips, sighing. Brushing her full lips softly with his own, Paul was lost in her, her taste, her scent, and how she felt. He'd waited for this so long, to feel her lips against his, him kissing her, her kissing him. He hadn't kissed anybody since she dumped him. Her lips were the only ones he wanted to taste, wanted to pull between his, suck, lick, bite...

Bella deepened the kiss weaving her fingers through his hair and pulling him closer. She traced his lips with the tip of her tongue and pushed it into his mouth. He grabbed her hips and lifted her onto the desk behind her. The kiss got heated still; they ate each other, licking, sucking, biting, teeth clashing, moaning. Paul's heart was bursting, and his shaft was so hard it hurt.

They kept kissing until Paul felt lightheaded, and he moved to kiss her face. Kissing every spot with light pecks, the chin, cheeks, the tip of her nose, her closed eyes, and eyebrows, chanting, "I love you, I love you, I love you..."

"I love you too," she breathed.

"Can you leave?" Paul asked, kissing her neck.

"Yeah," Bella moaned when he sucked the spot behind her ear. "I just have to tell Su-Wei."

They left the storage room, and Paul went to get his bag, which he left next to the cashier.

Paul had planned to take Bella straight to the bed, but he wanted to know why she'd thought he might not come to see her.

"Why you thought I wouldn't come?" Paul asked after they entered Bella's home, and Bella went to the kitchen to put some food she took from the shop in the fridge.

"It's silly, I know, but I just couldn't believe that this, us three, could really happen. I was afraid that you'd changed your mind."

Paul could not believe his ears. Could she really think that?

"I've gone through enough of shit to last a lifetime or two, and I know that you are all I want and need," Paul told her. "But I was scared of the same thing when Embry was here. That you've come to realize that you only want him, not me," he confessed. He had thought he would never have the guts to tell her about his insecurities, but here he was telling her, and it felt incredible, to be honest.

"Now you are silly," Bella chuckled as she came to stand in front of him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "There seems to be quite a lot of uncertainty among us. But this is so new to us. It's what we should expect, right?"

"Yeah. But there is nothing uncertain about how badly I want to make love to you now."

"Yes, Paul, I want it too."

Bella let Paul lift her into his arms and carry her to her bedroom. Her whole body was trembling with different emotions, with want, and need. She'd really been a bit freaked out, doubting that Paul might not want her anymore. It was irrational; she knew that. But it was essential to acknowledge all the feelings, talk about them and try to understand why she felt them. As it was to any of them.

The weekend with Embry had been intense, and Bella did not doubt that it wouldn't be the same with Paul. Different but the same.

Paul was uncharacteristically tender, and his hands shook when he helped her take off her jeans. Bella realized that he, too, was caught up in the whirl of emotions and did not want to speed up something he wanted so badly.

"Paul, we have all the time we need," she whispered, kissing his neck and skimming her hands down his hard muscles on his side and his abdomen. She opened his jeans and pulled them down.

"Yeah. We do," Paul whispered back and moaned when she squeezed her hand around his weeping hard-on.

"I'm not getting out of that bed other than to fuck you in the kitchen or the shower," he smirked, his face losing its severe expression, and he was again more of the Paul Bella recognized. Not that she didn't love the tender side, the sensitivity he clearly had in him but didn't let others see.

Paul peeled off the rest of her clothes and kissed her long and deep, nipping her lower lip with his teeth and sucking it into her mouth.

Bella pulled him to bed with her and moaned loudly as his hard body pressed her against the mattress, his hard shaft pushing between her legs.

She opened her thigh and grabbed his cock into her hand. She rubbed it over her wet folds and guided him into her wanting heat. She was so ready for him already.

"Damn Bella," Paul moaned. "This is... fuck …. damn.. So wet...so tight..." he was panting, and Bella moaned when he pushed in slowly. "Never gone bareback before."

His body was trembling.

It felt so good to have him inside her without any barrier. He was so hard and so so big. He stretched her walls deliciously, pleasure and pain combined; the sweetest torture. He started to move but moved achingly slow. She could feel the very texture of his hot cock as he rocked in and out of her. But he was touching just the right spot inside her, and she could already feel her first orgasm coming.

"Ah.. Paul.." she moaned as her walls started to clench around him, pulsing with the rhythm of her heartbeat.

"Fuck Bella yeah, just like that."

He pumped faster to ride down her orgasm causing aftershocks to spread all over her body. He was propped onto his other arm, and he bent her knee and pressed it against the mattress to open up her more. And kept thrusting deep and slow. They were staring at each other, and Bella could see Paul's eyes getting moist.

"Bella, fuck … this is.." He swallowed.

"Hmmm..."

She pulled him down to kiss her.

"I love you," Bella whispered.

"I love you," Paul's voice was huskier and shaky. "So damn much."

He propped onto his knees and pulled her to straddle him, and he got even deeper this way. Bella arched her back, and Paul kissed her other breast, sucking the nipple into his mouth.

They ground against each other, chasing the perfect friction between their bodies. It felt like she was dancing on him.

His hot breath fanned her skin, and his hands on her spine made her tremble. He pushed her back flat against the mattress, wrapping her legs over his arms, spreading her wide, and slammed into her.

"God baby... fuck... ah.. Jesus..." Paul mumbled as he drove into her with more speed. "Come with me baby … one more time," he panted.

Bella moved her hand between their joined bodies and rubbed her nub ending herself over the edge as Paul's whole body started to jerk.

"Belllaaa!" he shouted her name, and she could feel how he shot his cum deep inside her, filling her, intensifying her orgasm, her whole body trembling with his.

Paul pulled her against him as he laid down on the bed.

"Baby, damn... being with you has always been mind-blowing," Paul said, breathing heavily, "but this... was something else."

It hadn't been what she'd expected from him; she'd thought Paul would have fucked her against the front door as soon as they had closed it, and she wouldn't have minded, not at all. But this had been so much more. Bella realized she didn't know all there was to know about him. And she was so happy they were set to learn each other better, and they had their whole lifetime to do that if they wanted. She knew she did.

AN:

These last two chapters ended up being pretty similar, but meh... we needed a bit of fluff, eh.

Thank you for supporting this story. Love to hear from you, as always. :)