Title: Stunned Still
Genre: Drama, Friendship, Romance
Rating: M
Pairing: Embry/Bella
Summary:
Bella's in college- and struggling to pay the bills. Embry's out for a night on the town celebrating his 21st birthday with a few pack mates. Destiny is a funny thing and it's inevitable when they meet- in the most unlikely of places.
Disclaimer:
All characters and known situations belong to their respective owners. Everything else came from my own mind. In no way shape or form have I made nor do I intend to make a profit from this story…. All rights still belong to Stephenie Meyer…
Pre- Reader: my awesome fic twin- KatastrophicKat
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Bella sighed and adjusted her makeup in the vanity mirror where she sat. The teenager she used to be had disappeared the moment she left Forks after her high school graduation. She'd moved to Seattle for college and hadn't once looked back at the sleepy little town. She blew a kiss to her reflection and stood.
Her outfit- a black cowboy hat, a plaid button down shirt that showcased her flat stomach, a pair of daisy duke style cut off shorts and a pair of black snake skin stiletto boots- earned her a few whistles as she passed by the other girls sitting in the dressing room vanity stations. She smiled and made her way to the door before disappearing to the left.
"I didn't know you worked tonight hon. I thought you had a paper due." A man with red hair and kind blue eyes mused when he saw her.
She shrugged. "I asked for a few more shifts. Bills and food… you know how it is." She teased.
He nodded his head. "That I do. College life is ever so fun." He frowned when the sounds of a fight reached his ears. "Duty calls. Knock 'em dead, sexy." He grinned.
Bella shook her head and rolled her eyes. Gavin Brooks could rival a bear in size, but he hated fighting if he could help it. Most men left him alone due to his height and muscle mass. Bella and the rest of the girls in Sinsations Lounge knew him to be a teddy bear unless they got messed with or someone started a fight.
"Ladies and gentlemen…we have a special surprise for you tonight. Here on center stage, for your entertainment, we present to you… Rayne!"
Cheers, cat calls and wolf whistles filled the room, nearly drowning out the sounds of the music that had started to play. Bella smirked and sauntered onto the stage. She'd been a crowd favorite since the first day she stepped onto the catwalk.
The lone pole at the end of the catwalk used to terrify her.
She'd applied to be a bartender and waitress at the lounge in her first year of college. She loved it, she did... but she also couldn't help but admire the confidence the dancers had. when one of the dancers, Cali, asked her to give it a try when the lounge closed, she shook her head and told her she'd never be able to dance the way they did. Cali taught her everything she knew and built Bella's confidence higher than it had ever been under the careful watch of her friends in Forks. She told Bella about her own foul experiences with men and told her on the stage- everything melted away.
Bella started small- little twirls with both hands on the pole before grinding down the metal the way Cali instructed- before growing more bold as time passed. She'd even mastered hanging upside down with her legs curled around the pole. Cali had become her best friend in the space of time she'd been her teacher- even moving to replace some of her friends in Forks.
She'd been a 'dancer' for close to three years now and she loved every second of it. She moved flawlessly, smirking and winking at the men- and the occasional woman- who waved their hard earned money her way. She even offered one woman a kiss- filled with plenty of tongue to get the crowd roaring- in repayment for her donation.
When the song ended, Bella gathered her clothing and her money, tipped her hat and sauntered off the stage to cheers and shouts for more. She stopped at the end of the floor and threw a kiss over her shoulder. She never noticed the stunned eyes of four men sitting in a back corner booth.
Embry Call let out a shaky breath. When Paul, Jared and Quil announced they planned to take him to a club for his birthday, he never guessed it would be a strip club. He never guessed he'd see Bella Swan dancing as a stripper either. The four wolves stared at each other in shock, trying to make sense of what they'd just seen.
"Who knew Bella stripped?" Jared blinked. As far as he knew, the pack thought she worked as a bartender and waitress in an upscale bar. Her dad had told them that much. "Guess it's a good thing Jake isn't here."
Embry only nodded his head. She may not have belonged to Jacob anymore, but their alpha still held a tiny candle for the girl- same as Edward Cullen always would.
For the most part, she avoided La Push. Her failed attempt at romance with Jacob left her less than willing to see the rest of the pack unless she had no choice- as in the days her dad went to visit Billy. He'd seen her off and on since she moved to Seattle. She'd come to stay with her dad for holidays and a few weeks over the summers, but he never guessed she'd become a stripper. He shifted in his seat trying to get the image of her hanging upside down on the pole with her legs held wide open out of his head.
"That wasn't Bella…" Quil finally muttered.
Paul nodded his head slow. His wolf would never forget her scent. She'd been the only female brave enough to smack him with no fear of retaliation. "That's her alright."
Jared nodded too. "You think she saw us?"
"It's possible. Did you see the kiss she sent towards Embry?" Quil teased.
Embry rolled his eyes. "She didn't look at me." He huffed.
They shared a look between them that caused Embry to roll his eyes. He wouldn't tell them to shut up again, they never listened anymore. Fate didn't exist- the same as spirit wolves didn't exist. How he hated fate sometimes.
"At least she put her clothes on again." Jared mused.
They followed Jared's line of sight, watching as the lithe brunette they'd just seen dancing sauntered around the tables, dressed once more in her daisy dukes and a plaid shirt. She flirted and greeted men and women alike, sitting in their laps or kissing their cheeks and posing for pictures with them.
They turned and eyed Embry, waiting to see if he'd cause a scene. With a sigh of relief at his calm behavior, they turned back to watch Bella. She'd transformed from a shy, uncoordinated teenager into an outgoing, graceful young woman without them noticing.
Paul caught the arm of a passing serving girl with a light touch to her upper arm. He grinned when her blue eyes roved over his body, doing the same in turn to Jared, Quil and Embry. "Hey gorgeous, do me favor." He purred.
"What can I do for you doll?" She giggled.
Paul smirked. "Just answer a question for my friends and I."
"What question would that be?"
"Is Rayne's real name Bella Swan?"
The girls' eyes hardened. "I wouldn't know. If you need something else, one of the other girls can help you. Now if you'll excuse me, gentleman, I have work to do." She huffed before storming away with her blonde hair bouncing.
They watched in amusement as the girl made a show of helping other visitors to the lounge before sauntering over to Bella, pulling her off to the side. After a minute of hushed conversation, both girls turned their way while the serving girl pointed towards Paul.
Embry sighed and banged his head against the table while Jared patted his back and Quil let out a bark of laughter. He nearly wished Jacob had come with them. His alpha's imprint,however, had put her foot down and told them under 'no uncertain terms'did she want him in a club. She'd have blown a gasket to hear said club housed strippers.
"So who's asking about Bella?" She asked when she stopped in front of their table. She'd changed so much from the teenager they once knew.
Quil grinned. She wanted to play feisty. "Some old friends."
"Friends? I don't see any friends here." She mused.
Paul's eyebrow raised. "When did the leech lover grow a set of balls?"
"The same time you handed yours over to your alpha's sister, Cujo." She snapped with a roll of her eyes.
Jared choked on his drink. "Damn Paul! She just owned your ass!"
Embry sighed. "Look, we don't want anymore trouble than we've already caused. We'll pay our tab and leave. Sorry about Paul, Bella." He said.
Bella shook her head and sighed. Ever the peace keeper- she'd missed Embry. "You don't have to leave guys. Look… I'm sorry… it's just a surprise to see you here. I'm gonna clear a private room for a few minutes."
"The owner won't say anything?" Paul wondered.
She rolled her eyes. "No. If I tell him your friends, he's cool with it. I don't have to dance again right now so it's fine."
Quil grinned when they walked into a large room with two-way mirror glass windows that gave the room's occupants a clear view of the stage area. The room sported two couches were covered by black leather and on the coffee table sat a variety of expensive alcohol.
"You've been living it up, haven't you, Swan?" Paul mused.
She arched an eyebrow at him and closed the door. "What makes you ask that?"
"I just assumed you had it made. Don't stripped make easy money?" He wondered. He missed Embry's growl and Jared's tense shoulders.
She rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time since she confronted him. "You know what they say about assumptions, don't you?"
Embry grinned. "They make an ass of you and me." He shrugged when his friends stared at him with raised eyebrows.
"Exactly." Bella chuckled.
Paul rolled his eyes. "I guess you haven't changed as much as I thought."
Quil shook his head. "Not the same girl from the Taj… that's for damn sure."
Embry sighed. He, like his friends, watched Bella close. Hurt flashed in her eyes before she hid it away. She had missed them after all.
"So what brings you to Seattle. I thought the wolves weren't allowed off the reservation." She wondered. She didn't want to talk about her estranged friendship with Jacob Black. She'd never forgive him for not telling her about his betrayal to their relationship. She threw Edward in his face the last time they talked and while she felt ashamed of her own actions and how she handled things, she couldn't find it in her to apologize yet.
Maybe one day.
Jared nodded towards Embry. "Embry's 21." He snickered bringing Bella from her thoughts. "We're celebrating. Sam would have come, but his pup got sick and Emily is down for the count with whatever it is too. "
"Jake's not here?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
Quil sighed. "His imprint doesn't like him out of her sight."
"It figures." Bella huffed with a roll of her eyes.
Jared blinked. He, like the pack, knew that Jake had neglected to tell Bella about his imprint when it had first happened. He also knew that Bella hadn't said a word before taking off to Seattle- nor had Charlie for that matter. He couldn't help but wonder sometimes if she would have stayed closer had they not tried to pursue a relationship.
A knock on the door interrupted anything she would have said. She smiled when she saw Gavin's face in the opening. She waved him in, telling him everything was ok when he asked. She introduced him to her friends, laughing when he teased her for being so tiny compared to everyone else in the room. Gavin left two minutes later, satisfied she'd been unharmed.
"You nailing the bouncer or what, Swan?" Paul snickered.
Bella rolled her eyes. She huffed and turned to his friends. "Didn't you put him through obedience school?"
"He failed, sorry Bella." Jared smirked.
She rolled her eyes and looked at Paul. "No, Rover, I'm not nailing the bouncer- not that it's any of your concern."
Embry glared at Paul. "Must you antagonize her?"
"Sorry… too easy." He grinned. Jared shook his head and pulled Paul from the room with the promise of drinks if he stayed quiet.
Quil sighed. "Same old. Same old. Rachel's tamed him… some… but he's still an ass most days."
"I doubt Paul will ever change. He wouldn't be Paul if he did." She mused.
Quil grinned. "You've been missed loca." He said when the silence had stretched long enough.
"Quil…" Embry warned, eying his friend.
He held his hands up to placate him. "I said my peace." He wouldn't tell Bella that Embry had imprinted on her before she'd left. He only gave his friend a pointed stare and raised his eyebrow in challenge.
Bella sighed. She poured herself a drink and eyed the two. She wished she knew what the pointed looks and warning growls meant. She wasn't used to Quil and Embry fighting at all- one or both of them with Jake, but not with each other. "You want the truth?" She finally asked.
"Don't friends usually tell each other the truth?" Quil mused.
Bella held her glass up towards him. "Anyways… I'm coming home once I graduate. Billy offered me a job on the rez teaching in the tribal school."
Embry grinned. "That's awesome. The pack will be happy!"
"I'm betting so. I've missed you guys too… for the record." She said with a smile directed towards Embry.
Quil nodded. "Not to change the subject, but I gotta piss. So… I'm gonna go… you two have fun!"
Embry rolled his eyes. "Only Quil." He shook his head.
"Captain Obvious much?" Bella giggled when she saw him slide over to the bar.
Embry nodded and sighed. "Yeah… that's Quil for you. He just wants to drink and flirt with the girls."
She sighed and shook her head after a length of silence. "So you're 21 now." She grinned.
"Shocking huh." He grinned. "Why they thought I needed to come to a strip club is beyond me."
Bella chuckled and sauntered towards him. "You've always been more cautious and reserved than some of our other friends."
He nodded. "True… they have done some stupid things." He mused.
She slid onto his lap sideways, giggling when he froze and turned wide eyes on her. "You've always been so shy. It made you so unassuming." She teased before turned so her back rested against his chest.
"Bella... you- I- oh wow…" His eyes closed when she started moving in his lap.
"Did you enjoy the dance earlier?" She purred.
He clenched his fists at his side. "I did…" He hated his wolf at the moment. They couldn't lie to their imprint. He wanted to tell her she didn't need to do what she'd started to do- but the wolf may as well have rolled onto his back to present her his belly.
"Did you get turned on by the show?" She wondered, her voice innocent though her eyes danced with mirth.
He swallowed and hard and nodded. "It's hard not to get turned on by something like that. I envied the pole." He mused.
"You got jealous of the pole?" She giggled. "Silly wolf." She teased.
His breathing sped up as he worked to control his wolf. He'd had his fair share of women in his bed- much to the annoyance of the wolf- but Bella fell under a different category all together. She was his imprint- his everything. Her scent- ambrosia to his wolf- filled his lungs and ripped a needy moan from his lips.
"I got jealous of the woman you kissed." He finally growled in her ear, his voice husky with desire.
She smirked. "Does it turn you on, Embry? Thinking of me with another woman?"
A growl rumbled through his chest before one of his hands snaked it's way up her front to rest on her neck. He held her to him, tilting her head so his lips could reach the skin of her throat. He smirked when she shivered. She'd never seen him so dominant before, and by the scent of her arousal, she liked what she saw.
"You know what turns me on Bella? The thought of you, naked and bent over that table… the thought of me pounding my dick into your soaked pussy while you scream my name… the thought of filling you with my cum night after night... the thought of calling you mine... That's what turns me on and that's what I want."
Bella gasped and turned her head to look over her shoulder. Her half lidded eyes met his as she continued to move against him. She didn't understand why she'd sat in his lap with all the familiarity of a life long girlfriend- she only knew it felt right. It took her a moment to realize where she'd seen the kind of behavior before now. Her friends- the other imprints- acted the same way.
Bella swallowed, meeting his eyes as she looked over her shoulder at him. "You imprinted on me."
He nodded, the wolf in him pleased that she'd figured it out for herself without him having to tell her. He wasn't prepared for her to leave the warmth of his arms so soon though. She stood and glared down at him with her arms over his chest. He'd never seen her more gorgeous.
He swallowed. "Bella?"
"When?!" She growled.
He swallowed. "Uh… three years ago?"
"Why didn't you tell me?! Did they all know?! Did Jake know?!" Bella hissed.
Paul, Jared and Quil made their way back into the room, having heard her shouts. They saw Embry standing with his back to her, his hands trembling at his sides. From the looks of it, and the smell of the room, she'd figured out just what she meant to him before he'd had any fun.
"Bella…"
"No! You shut it, Quil! You knew! You all knew! Dammit! Embry why didn't you tell me!" She growled.
Embry sighed, fighting with his wolf to comfort her. He deserved some of her wrath. He stepped away when she moved closer, not seeing that she'd corralled him into a corner before it was too late. His friends watched on, anxiety growing. His wolf lay just under the surface and his anger started to climb- anger towards himself for keeping something so important from her.
"Bella… come on chicka…. Step back." Quil tried. He winced when she slapped him away.
"Tell me the truth Embry. You owe me that much!" She hissed again.
Embry's growl caused her to take a half step back. "You want the truth? The truth is that I didn't want you to want me for some damn wolf voodoo! I didn't want you to see me just because of the damn imprint! I wanted you to look at me and see who I was without the wolf! I didn't want you tied down when I knew you wanted to go! Dammit Bella! I've loved you since I saw you in the Taj that first day! Am I wrong for wanting you to love me for me- the fucking man and not the damn wolf?!"
The sound of the door closing broke the silence of the room causing Bella to jump. She took a step towards him, only to be brushed aside as Embry walked towards one of the couches. Bella sighed and closed her eyes, trying to gather her thoughts.
"It's always the quiet ones." She finally mused.
Embry snorted but remained quiet.
"Embry…" Bella sighed and moved to stand in front of him. She bit her lip in debate before lifting his chin to look at her. Shock filled her when she saw the tears and defeat in his eyes.
"I told you earlier Bella… we'll pay the tab and leave. I didn't want to cause drama." He sighed.
"Don't you dare leave me, Embry Call." She growled, fire dancing through her eyes.
His wolf sat up and took notice. Their imprint wanted them here. "Is that a request?"
"That's a damn order. I didn't say I wanted you to leave!" She huffed.
He nodded and swallowed. He didn't want to tell her how gorgeous she looked riled up as she was. "I'll stay then."
She took his hand in hers and laced their fingers together after she sat next to him. "Can I tell you a secret?"
"You know you can." He said with a quiet, soothing tone.
She sighed. "I may be pissed as hell at you for trying to keep this from me, but I'm glad it was you to imprint on me. I did see you in the Taj… I saw the quiet, gentle giant of a boy who would sacrifice himself for his friends if it meant they'd be happy and safe. I saw the man- strong, sweet, compassionate and willing to provide for a family and I saw the dominant predator hell bent on destroying the evil creature after his family. I saw that in you Embry… I always have."
For the second time that night, Embry stared in awe of the woman before him. He promised his wolf in that moment- hearing those words- he'd never doubt him again. The wolf had known all along what would happen- he should have listened to the spirit.
"Hey Bella… time to get dressed for your next dance sweetheart." Gavin said, knocking on the door.
Bella nodded and waved him away. She kissed Embry and told him to find a seat and enjoy the show. When the lounge closed, his pack mates found Embry and Bella by her car. Embry had her pinned to the hood while his hips slammed into hers. They wrote it off as too much sexual tension and tried to forget the way she screamed his name before they finished.
A year later when Bella walked down the aisle to him- dressed in a white high-lo halter style wedding dress- the breath got sucked from his lungs yet again. Paul had to remind him to breathe before he passed out at the alter. If he thought her gorgeous the first night he saw her dancing- she looked a vision then. He had to smirk when he saw her shoes: clear, 6 inch platforms that she'd worn only two nights prior- for his eyes only.
"I love you." He whispered before sealing his wedding vows with a kiss.
Bella grinned when they made it to their hotel room after the reception.
Time to stun her husband- again.