Disclaimer : lemons
Bella
The next morning, Paul woke up on the couch with a killer hangover.
He barely seemed to notice I was sitting on the loveseat in front of him when his glassy eyes blinked up at the ceiling. Duke was sitting on the floor by my feet, his chin resting on my leg as he stared at Paul with a lazy look on his droopy face. I ran my fingers through his soft fur, loving him for being the only constant reminder that I wasn't entirely alone in this house. My lovable, cuddly companion.
When Paul finally noticed us, he forced himself to rub the sleep off his face and frowned down at my dress. I hadn't changed out of my clothes from the night before, not when I was too scared to leave his side, in case he got sick while laying down. I was angry with him of course, but the last thing I wanted was for him to choke on his own vomit.
"Bella...what? Why are you dressed like that?" He rasped.
I ran a hand over my face, "The Easter party our neighbors were throwing. It was last night, remember?"
"Oh shit. Baby, I'm sorry—"
"You should be," I said coldly, rising from the seat and swaying from the wave of exhaustion that shot to my head, "You humiliated me and yourself for how you behaved. Edward and Jasper had to practically carry you home last night. You groped me in front of them."
Paul cringed, "Fuck. I didn't...I'm sorry."
"What's happening to you? You never drink like this. Where were you last night, Paul?"
When he didn't answer and merely looked down at his hands, I sat on the coffee table in front of him and captured his face in between my hands. I hoped that somehow he could see how truly desperate I wanted to be seen. To let him know that I see him too—that I was willing to see him no matter what he was going through. But he barely looked at me.
My voice broke as I said, "I love you so much but lately it feels like I'm the only one in this relationship. It's...exhausting. Please, talk to me. I want to help you. I want to help us."
When he was quiet again, I couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my face. Looking at the clock hanging on the wall, I released a deep, exhausted sigh.
"I have to go to work. Get some rest and try to get it together before your next shift or don't go at all, I'm sure Charlie won't be happy to see you come in if you're still drunk. And please don't forget to take Duke out before you leave."
He watched me with bloodshot eyes as I stood up and made my way upstairs, never once saying a word. I quickly showered, changed into a green flannel shirt, a pair of worn black jeans, and my boots. When I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, I almost started crying all over again.
I looked like how I felt, how my life current felt—a mess.
I gathered the rest of my things and patted Duke's head in passing, his tail wagging happily until I strode past him and he looked after me with his sad eyes.
I rushed out the front door, closing it a little harder than I intended, hands trembling.
By the time I hurried out to my car, the tears were spilling freely and I was a sobbing mess. I sat in my car for a long moment, staring at the home I once loved that now seemed empty, despite leaving my heart with Paul.
"And that's...all that happened," I said as I finally finished telling Jasper and Edward about my one sided confrontation with Paul.
After my visit to the hospital, Jasper and Edward insisted on having me over for a couple of drinks. I knew it was just an excuse to get me to open up to them but I didn't mind. I needed them, more than I allowed myself to recognize.
They meant the world to me, truly. Sometimes I wondered if my entire world revolved around these two amazing men who somehow care for me beyond words.
We'd taken to sit in the living room, classical music playing on the record player Edward owned, and a glass of white wine in my good hand.
I stared blankly ahead into the vermillion colored evening sky as the sun settled beyond the pines.
"What do you want to do, Bella?" Edward asked me as he sat down his bottle of beer on the coffee table, gently taking my hand in his before unwrapping the bandages. Edward had made it a point that he would be the one changing the gauze frequently until I was all better. My heart only seemed to grow in size with affection for him and Jasper. Lately it feels like I don't know what to do with it. This feeling of love.
Jasper and Edward waited for me to answer and I took another sip of my wine before the latter looked over the stitches, "I know that he listens and he promises to change. He shows me that he is capable of it. I know that lasts for a few days before we're back to...whatever this is. But what do I want?"
I let out a humorless laugh that did little to erase the unease in Jasper's unwavering gaze.
"I don't know what I want anymore," I whispered as tears flooded my eyes. I set my glass down before covering my eyes with it, not once did Edward's gentle touch leave my palm as he applied the salve before wrapping it again. I released a pained breath as I leaned forward, "I'm...scared. I want to find peace again and I know in my heart Paul isn't it anymore. Maybe he never was. And I feel so...fucking guilty for thinking that way."
Jasper's hand pulled mine away from my face, revealing the tears streaming down my cheeks.
His blue eyes were pained as he looked at me for a long moment, "You know better than any of us what you want, Bella. The question is, are you willing to confront it head on or bury it deep down much like Paul is doing?"
"A divorce?" I whispered the words, as if scared Paul would hear me all the way across town. I bit my lip hard, "He would n-never give me one."
Edward's hands rested on my knees as he knelt in front of me. His sudden touch was warm and all too caring. I shuddered against his and Jasper's caressed, warmth filling my belly despite this turmoil inside me.
Edward glanced at Jasper but before I could decipher what that look meant, Edward asked, "Isabella, are you that afraid of him? Of what he'll do to you, or of the change it would signify for both of you?"
My lips parted and closed several times, unsure what the answer was anymore.
Was I scared of Paul or of being all alone for the first time in my life?
"I don't know," was all I could say.
It was all Jasper or Edward needed as they sat on either side of me and engulfed me in their tight embrace. Kissing my temples and whispering kind words, showing me that no matter what happens from here on out—they wouldn't leave me.
Time passed and things didn't get any better between us. In fact, it seemed more like we were two acquaintances living together than husband and wife.
Paul rarely spoke to me unless he needed to know where things were around the house or if I asked him to take Duke out in the backyard.
And I...I spent as little time at home as I possibly could, holding onto Edward and Jasper's friendship as much as they would let me. Which was all the time. Duke went with me too sometimes since I knew Paul often forgot to feed him. Neither of them seemed to mind that I brought Duke everywhere with me and even said they loved having both of us around.
After the incident that landed me in the hospital, I had noticed they rarely left me alone for too long. Not that I wanted to be alone in the first place, but something had changed between us ever since Paul showed up drunk. An unspoken awareness and worry for my wellbeing. It only made our bond grow.
If I didn't call them in a day or two, either Edward or Jasper would to check on me. Always letting me know they were a call away and to not shut myself off.
The three of us were currently sitting in my shop having a cup of coffee they'd graciously brought for me when the sound of the bell ringing caught my attention.
My smile immediately fell when Paul strode in, wearing his uniform and holding a small bouquet of flowers in his hands. Funny, considering I owned a flower shop.
Jasper and Edward remained seated at the small round table while I rose from my seat, granting me wary glances before their expression grew unreadable upon watching Paul. If looks could kill...
"Can we talk?" Paul asked, hoarsely. I could see he hadn't slept well based on the circles under his eyes and my heart went out to him. I also knew he'd been drinking again but after trying to convince me to sleep with him on one of his worst nights, I all but kicked him out of the room.
That had been a long night—full of worry he might bust down the door or get very angry.
I wrapped my arms around myself and nodded.
We stepped out of the shop and stood in front of the large window showcasing the colorful flowers I'd placed this morning. The wind rustled my hair across my face and I tucked the strands behind my ear before asking, "What is it?"
"I'm sorry. God, baby I'm sorry I've screwed everything up. Please, forgive me. Bella, I can't live like this anymore. I can't be without you." The tears filling his eyes made me swallow thickly, feeling all too vulnerable and sensitive lately to maintain my composure.
I whispered as the raindrops began trickling over the awning, "I can't live like this anymore, either. I love you Paul...but I don't know how this relationship will ever get better." My hands were shaking so bad that I had to close them into fists at my sides. My heart was beating so fast, I couldn't ignore it.
He stepped closer, "I'll change. I swear, I'll change and be the man you deserve again."
"Paul, I—" he silenced my next words as he stepped forward and clasped my face in his hands, hurriedly pulling my lips to his in a firm yet pleading kiss. My lips pressed into a thin line against his own as he breathed heavily. I couldn't bring myself to relax even as he wrapped me up in his arms. When we parted, Paul rested his forehead against mine and sounded as heart broken as I was, "Please, give me another chance. I can't lose you, Bella. Not you. Never you."
I cried in his arms for the longest time. Feeling the weight on my shoulders slowly lift away and settle somewhere else—in my heart. Forcing it to acknowledge the love I had for this man for years and years. My first love. My first everything, but never my heartbreak. Until now.
When I walked in with the dying bouquet of roses Paul had bought at the supermarket, Edward granted me a sad smile that mirrored my own, while Jasper kept his focus entirely on the window, looking out onto the parking lot where Paul headed into his cruiser. Not once did they judge me, even though I knew they'd seen our display of affection. Probably noticed the way I never quite returned the kiss or embrace.
After that, things did change for the better. Paul was more open and even made it to dinner on time when I had Edward and Jasper over for a change. When they went home, he told me he liked my best friends and was glad I had people I could bond with. He laid on the friends part a little thick as if trying to convince himself that we were truly only friends. The fact that he insinuated such a thing made my blood boil. Sparking a sudden protectiveness for Edward and Jasper I hadn't quite felt before.
Paul's change in behavior didn't last long. The drinking got worse after that. But I still loved him though the lines of that love had blurred significantly and I just knew...I may love Paul but I wasn't in love with him anymore. It took me all this time to finally realize it, acknowledge it.
The fighting only started the moment I mentioned we should get a divorce and the only thing that remained between us was fear and Paul's barely controlled anger.
"No, no! Jasper you're supposed to dig a deep enough hole into the soil before depositing the seeds," I laughed as Jasper grumbled, clearly annoyed with the tedious task of gardening. When he texted me this morning to help out in the backyard, I immediately said yes seeing as Paul and I had done a great job of avoiding one another all week after a particularly bad night of hauling him up the stairs after his friends Quill and Embry dropped him off.
"Well, I'm sorry Bells. I'm not as patient with these things as you," Jasper huffed, taking to sitting on his ass after growing tired of crouching for half an hour.
He ran a hand through his blonde curls and I glanced at the veins bulging from his forearm. He'd rolled up the sleeves of his orange and black flannel and for some reason I couldn't tear my eyes away from him, or from this muscles of his.
"I honestly don't know how you do it."
I smiled again, deciding to take a break myself, and sat down next to him. We'd made quite a bit of progress with leveling out the lawn and adding in the soil.
The weather in Forks was nice for once. Pleasantly warm with a faint breeze brushing my hair across my face. I stared down at the spot between me and Jasper, our hands a few inches away from touching.
We'd gotten close over time and while Edward is busy at the hospital and he has a day off, Jasper and I hung out either at the shop or here.
Honestly, they were my best friends.
"This is nice," I sighed, resting my head against his shoulder and staring up at the rustling leaves in the trees ahead.
"It is. I'm glad we're spending time together. Get your mind off things for a bit." I nodded. He asked, "How are things going?"
I shrugged, "He's hell bent on convincing me that he doesn't want a divorce. He promises to change. Then he messes up and apologizes. I cry or get mad and eventually let it go just so we don't fight anymore. It's all a repetitive game." I avoided looking at him, feeling Jasper's searing gaze on me the entire time.
"You know it shouldn't be that way though, right?"
I leaned away from him, staring down at my hands that had a bit of dirt on them from the soil. I wiped it away before answering, "I don't know what it should be like anymore, Jasper."
His hand curled under my chin, making me look at his steely blue eyes that always warmed whenever he stared at Edward and lately, at me too. It was the same whenever I caught Edward's gaze. They always knew where I was in a room, always keeping an eye on me.
A strange feeling swirled in my belly every time they looked at me this way, as if I were precious. It made me nervous.
"You do," he said without leaving room for an argument, "that's why you're unhappy. Because you know you deserve more and I believe someday you will get that happiness back, Bella."
"Why are you so sure of yourself?" I questioned him, trying and failing to sound jovial.
His hand moved to cup my cheek while his thumb rubbed the skin under my eye.
I knew he'd noticed the dark circles there the moment I walked into his and Edward's home. Even though neither ever pointed it out, I was sure they'd eventually mention it. I found myself leaning into Jasper's touch though, rather than shying away from him.
Jasper's lips quirked slightly, "Because I'm Jasper. And I'm rarely wrong when it comes to the feelings of the heart, darlin'. Especially when it comes to you. Now let's finish up here and get something to eat, I'm starving."
The rest of the day had been even nicer. Edward got home a little early and asked me to bring Duke over after Paul left for work, if only to keep me for a few more hours instead of wallowing in self-pity at home.
We made dinner together. Lasagna and freshly baked garlic knots with a salad. The wine I brought over had been rich and delicious and after dinner, we found ourselves on the back porch, sitting under the warm glow of the hanging lights talking about nothing at all.
"I mean, she wouldn't stop boasting about how amazing she was in bed. While I was just trying to pay for the groceries!" Edward chuckled, shaking his head at the encounter he had with Jessica Stanley this week. The only woman who was still in denial about the fact that Edward was completely committed to Jasper and vice versa.
Every chance she got to flirt with the poor man, Edward found himself telling us every wild story she conjured up to get his attention.
I laughed, "Sounds like she's really curious."
Jasper grinned, "You think she'd be the kind of woman to try and have sex with two men at the same time? Because that's how I see it going."
My cheeks warmed as Edward turned to face me from his chair, waiting for my answer. I cleared my throat nervously before taking another sip of my wine, "I'm not sure. Jessica has always been adventurous with her sexual encounters ever since high school if I remember correctly. Maybe you should ask her."
"I don't think Jessica Stanley would be the ideal partner to have a threesome with," Edward admits, "Sounds like she has a hard time sticking to Mike Newton enough as it is."
"At least she's having sex," I grumble before grimacing at my blunt words, "Sorry. It's the wine." A gleam met Jasper and Edward's eyes as they looked at each other before looking at me. I stiffened, "What?"
"When was the last time you had sex, Bella?" Edward asked.
"I mean sex...a few weeks ago," when they nodded, eager to hear my take on it, I shrugged, "It was fine."
"Fine?" Jasper quipped, "Just fine? Why, does Paul not know how to last long enough or what's the problem?"
"The problem is that while he can finish...I can't seem to get the same experience," I slapped a hand over my mouth appalled beyond belief that I said that. I set the glass of wine down on the table and blushed, "Oh my god. You know what, forget I said that."
"Isabella," A hand reached for mine and I met Edward's serious gaze, "You haven't had an orgasm? Is that what you're saying?"
I shrugged.
"Why the hell not? Is he not—"
"I don't know...I guess because, by the time we get to my needs, Paul's already falling asleep. And what's the point when he doesn't even care? Might as well do it myself, right?"
A hand cupped the nape of my neck, making me turn to face Jasper next. I really couldn't keep up with them anymore. The wine was getting to my head.
"What do you mean by that, darlin'?" Jasper asked, his voice oddly husky now. A shudder ran through me, making me lean further into his touch. I heard Edward's chair creak beneath him before I felt his long fingers brush away a stray strand of my hair aside. I bit my lip as the latter asked, "You mean, you give yourself an orgasm?"
I released a shallow breath. My eyes fluttered closed as a warmth began to pool in my belly, between my legs. Fuck, I was wet. It was the alcohol. It had to be. There was no way...
"Y-yes," I admitted.
Jasper hummed, his unwavering gaze flicking between my eyes and lips as I licked them.
Edward whispered into my ear, "That's so fucking hot."
"Hot?"
"Yes," Jasper added, inching closer as his other hand came to my bare shoulder, slowly pushing away the strap of my tank top. I shivered under his touch. I don't know when it happened, but suddenly I was trapped between these two men. Under their gazes and their feather-light touches. Jasper's breath tickled my cheek as he pressed a soft kiss on my heated flesh. "So hot."
A hand wrapped around my waist, squeezing my hip as I leaned forward and released a soft moan.
"How do you touch yourself, Bella? With your fingers? Or a vibrator?" Edward asked breathlessly as his tongue slipped past his lips and left a wet trail on the back of my neck. He licked and sucked the sensitive skin behind my ear.
I gasped and gripped Jasper's shirt in my hand, tugging him close enough that he pressed his forehead against mine, cursing softly.
"F-fingers..." I admit, feeling my stomach clench as I pressed my legs together. God, I was so wet and they hadn't even touched me. Barely placed a peck on my cheek...
"Do you want someone to finger you, Bella? Make you feel good?" Jasper asked, his breath fanning my parted lips.
"Yes."
The strands of my hair fell from the bun I had it tied in, falling over my shoulders as another strap of my top was pushed aside. I gasped as Edward nipped the juncture between my neck and shoulder next. Jasper's mouth gently landed on my collarbone, swirling his hot tongue in the hollow there.
This felt so good. Too good to make them stop. The need to feel release started to win overall rational thought as I dug my fingers into Jasper's curls and tugged. He growled into my skin and then...
"Ah," I moaned as a hand pressed between my legs and rubbed my mound through my long skirt. I stared down and realized it was Edward's hand nestled between my thighs now. I watched with hooded eyes as he palmed me up and down, slowly.
Jasper's hands cupped my breasts, pinching my hardened nipples through the fabric and he hissed, "You're not wearing a bra. Fuck, darlin'."
"Is that good, Bella?" Edward asked as his hands drew gentle circles over my most sensitive parts. I really wished I could feel his hand, I wished more than anything that his fingers could be in me. I was on a sensory overload. "Tell me, baby."
I moaned in response as my hips bucked.
Suddenly I wasn't in my wooden seat anymore but straddling Jasper. His mouth pressed into my neck, sucking lightly as I ground into him, feeling his hard cock straining against his jeans. His hands gripped my waist as Edward slipped his hands down my legs, gathered my skirt up before slipping his fingers between me and my soaking wet panties. A groan of approval vibrated across the nape of my neck as Edward kissed the skin there.
"Don't...oh god," I gasped as Edward's long fingers swiped across my slit teasingly.
"So sexy," Edward said from behind.
"You have no idea how long we've wanted to do this. Our sweet, Bella." Jasper groaned as I held onto him tightly, feeling the pressure of Edward fingering my swollen clit and Jasper's hardness pressing into my core.
My mouth found his in the haze of lust and our lips melded together. Jasper slipped his tongue past my lips and we entered a war for dominance. Somehow his tongue thrust into my mouth every time Edward moved his fingers up and down my slick sex. Perfectly in sync and–
"Baby, you're killing me."
My eyes shot open and every muscle in me tensed as I found myself staring up at the wall of my dark bedroom.
I could feel Paul rubbing his erection against my backside. Oh my god. The hand between my legs definitely did not belong to Jasper or Edward and somehow, any lingering heat I'd felt in my dream vanished.
My face flamed with remorse as Paul slipped his hand beneath my panties and began rubbing my clit in a way that hurt more than brought pleasure. His other hand wrapped around my neck as he groaned, "Wake up Bella."
It was an effort not to tense as he squeezed my neck. No! I don't want this. Not...with him.
Choosing the easy way out, I feigned sleep and rolled onto my stomach, facing the window and away from him. Paul reluctantly let me go and suddenly I could breathe again.
Taking it as me truly sleeping, Paul grumbled something incoherent and before long he rolled onto his other side and the snores followed shortly after. Thank god.
I tried to sleep. Tried to tell myself that had been a sick perverted dream I had about my best friends when—it all came back to me.
Think, Bella. You had wine tonight. Edward and Jasper talked to you about sex and...Jasper kissed your cheek. Edward kissed the other, close to the corner of your mouth and then...you got sick from the wine. They walked you back home and helped you get in bed. That's all that happened.
Great. But holy shit. That had happened. In part, that had happened! They kissed me on the cheek but it didn't go any farther than that. I'm only now realizing that I'd wished it had gone farther...
What does that say about me?
Tears flowed and I cried myself to sleep for the hundredth time. Only this time it was because of something I'd done. What I wish I'd done.
Independence Day rolled through and I was suddenly standing in the middle of Esme and Carlisle Cullen's home. The three-story house they owned was positively divine and I was enamored with all of Esme's work.
She was an architect and one of the best, according to Edward. Though she swore he was just saying that because he's her son. They had more in common than they cared to admit.
Dinner was, as usual, amazing. I could not stop complimenting Esme on her lemon tart while she told me how much she raved to all her friends about The Meadow. I found myself laughing and blushing more than I have in a long time.
Jasper seemed to notice my good mood as he sidled up next to me while we watched Edward and Carlisle set up the fireworks in the backyard.
"It's nice to see you smiling again, darlin'." I smiled, ignoring the affect the term of endearment had on me.
"It's all thanks to you guys," I murmured. "I wouldn't be here if you hadn't insisted."
Jasper looked at me for a long time before leaning down and whispering in my ear, "I know you remember the other night on the porch."
I stiffened, "What? I don't—"
"You do, that's why you've been avoiding us this week. I know and I'm telling you now that I'm not going to let you run away from us." Jasper said as he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into a hug. "You're going to have to try a lot harder than avoiding me to accomplish that, Bella."
My breath caught as I hesitantly held onto him, "Jasper...I'm-"
"I know," he said as he leaned back and rubbed my warm cheek with the back of his hand. His expression was unwavering as he admitted, "Trust me the only reason we didn't show you just how much you mean to us that night is because you were sick and you're still sorting through your problems with Paul. And we'll respect that. But don't think for a second that I don't think about you constantly. It's the same for Edward."
I had no words. He grinned slightly, "Did I mention I love making you blush? It's my favorite thing to do."
I gaped, slapping his chest, "You're so annoying."
"Ah, but you love me."
"I guess I do," I pursed my lips as Jasper slung his arm around my shoulders and pulled me along.
Despite my conversation with Jasper and all the...feelings I'd been battling with lately, I was happy tonight.
Not at all disappointed with the fact that Paul ditched me again to go get a couple of beers with his friends from high school. He didn't seem bothered at all that I was constantly going over to my friend's house too or that I had somehow become a part of Esme and Carlisle's family. Esme had become sort of a mother figure to me over time and we always spent Sundays together having coffee.
It was almost as if I didn't exist to Paul. And yet he refuses to get a divorce.
When we finished dinner late into the night, Jasper and Edward drove me home since we decided to take only one car to his parent's home.
We were rounding the corner when I noticed a car parked on the side of the road in front of my house. I knew it wasn't Paul's or any of his friend's cars since he was parked in the driveway and I didn't remember Quil or Embry owning a Volkswagen Jetta. I frowned, "Hm, that's odd. Someone's at the house."
Edward, sensing my concern, quickly parked and insisted on escorting me home. Not wanting to hear any of my protests when they too were somewhat concerned. When we made it to the driveway, the sound of music blasting loudly through the walls and windows made a sense of unease wash over me. I unlocked the door and opened it to hear moans and pants following the harsh music playing on the speakers. Oh my god...
"Bella," Jasper called out to me but I didn't listen. Instead, I shoved the door all the way open until it slammed against the wall and startled my husband and the woman riding him on the couch.
Their pants dissipated and they both went pale at the sight of me and my two best friends behind me. My purse slipped off my shoulder slumped onto the floor with a loud thud despite the roar of the stereo.
"Fuck. Oh, shit!" Paul cursed as he shut the music off and practically shoved the small spiky-haired woman on top of him off. He scrambled up, reaching for his discarded clothes while all I could do was stand there, staring at him blankly. "Bella! I can explain...fuck, no. I..." He sounded like a gulping fish, trying and failing to find ways to excuse his behavior. There was no excuse for this.
I could hear Edward curse under his breath as he moved aside, letting the frantic woman rush out the front door. I couldn't bring myself to look at her even while Edward and Jasper granted her scowls.
All I could do was watch as Paul finished buckling his pants and huffed out a breath. I could smell the alcohol in the air intermingling with the stench of sex.
I released a long-drawn-out breath as I asked Edward and Jasper, "Would you mind if I stay the night with you guys?"
Jasper's hand clasped my shoulder as he said pointedly towards Paul, "You can stay as long as you like."
"I just need to get some things and Duke." They both nodded and offered to get my howling dog from the backyard. The bastard had locked him out for who knows how long. Funny enough, that enraged me more than his infidelity did. Maybe something inside me broke and I finally lost my mind.
"What? No, baby! Let's talk about this." Paul called after me as I walked up the stairs.
"Talk? Now you want to talk?" I breathed out as I wandered into the house, hurriedly piling some clothes into a bag before zipping it closed. "What's there to talk about, Paul? You've made yourself perfectly clear where you stand in this relationship. So now all that's left is this mess you made. We made, because this was a mutual disaster we created. I should have known...and yet you didn't want to get a divorce before you started cheating? How long has it been going on?!"
Silence.
I nearly choked on a dry laugh. It made so much sense now.
I pushed past him and made for the stairs where Jasper waited, an unreadable look on his face. His eyes a shade darker, if that was even possible.
"No, baby just listen to me. Bella!" He grabbed my arm as I made it to the bottom of the stairs, making me whimper as he yanked me back hard and I stumbled.
I didn't have time to push him away because Jasper did it for me. His strong hand shoved Paul away with a force that made my heart pound harder in my chest.
His hands were gentle—a strange comparison after he'd shoved Paul—as he pulled me down the remained of the steps and behind him.
When he spoke, it was with a deadly promise, "Touch her again, and I'll fucking break your hand." I'd never heard Jasper's voice like this before, deadly and low.
"She's my wife, I can do whatever I want with her!" Paul sneered as he shoved Jasper back.
"Paul stop it," I whimpered as the two started getting riled up.
Edward gently moved me behind him next as he stood tall, watching my husband and best friend argue until Jasper forced Paul to sit on the steps of the stairs. Him being drunk might have had something to do with the way he sank to the floor without much of a fight. Either way I was thankful for that. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to get hurt because of me.
I blew out a shaky breath, trying to gather myself and shake away the nausea that roiled through me.
"Bella, you're supposed to be mine. You can't leave," Paul slurred.
I clenched my jaw, unable to hide the sadness in my gaze even as I said, "I thought you were mine too. But tonight you just made walking away a lot easier."
Jasper turned and took my hand gently despite the cold glare imprinted on his face. I didn't fight him as he led me out of the house and Edward trailed behind us with Duke.
Paul's cries for me to come back left a haunting impression on me until we reached Jasper and Edward's home and there was only comforting silence.
Did I get you guys with Bella's dream about the boys? ;)
Thanks for reading!
I love the reviews you guys have been leaving, it's been very fun! Can't wait to share the next chapter with you.