AN: thank you all for all the reviews, I do enjoy reading your theories.
Regarding vampire mates vs imprinting, for me the difference is that vampires choose each other, while wolves are compelled even against their will (Sam/Emily) to be together.
7.
Time was passing quickly, another two weeks went by and the relationship between Bella and Paul was deepening.
Paul was always kissing her before leaving for the hunt, and she had noticed that his lips would linger longer on hers. While Bella would snuggle closer the nights when they talked, and then fall asleep together.
That night they were sitting next to the fire, and he had placed an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.
"Can you believe that we have only one more week before we start the trip to meet the shaman?" Paul said. "And then we'll be able to go home. I can't wait to get that bitch, and make a bonfire of her dead body."
Bella shivered slightly, she was scared for his well being. "Remember to be careful, Victoria is dangerous."
Bella was thinking about going back, and the closer the time to go home was getting, the more she actually didn't want to go. She was getting cozy with Paul, although he had never crossed the line of friendship, she could feel his interest. Now her problem was that she didn't know how to push him to reveal his interest to her. She knew he was hot headed, but she knew as well that he was stubborn.
Imprinting was at the forefront of her mind, but she had faith in Paul, and if he said that he wasn't going to imprint then she believed him. Besides Bella didn't care about it, Paul made her happy and she wanted to be with him for a month, a year or more. He had been right when he had told her that they were too young to think of forever, and she wanted to enjoy being with him. She knew it wasn't yet love from her, their relationship was evolving slowly, but was deepening and strengthening.
Bella was making up her mind, so she decided to seduce him, and then see where it would go. Her only doubt was if she was ready to go all the way with him, Paul wasn't Edward and there wasn't going to be any hesitation, if he wanted her, he would take what she was willingly offering.
…..
The next morning Paul kissed her, and she reached for his hair with her hands and pulled him even closer. She felt Paul's surprise, but he then deepened the kiss and she let him. It was the best kiss she had ever received. When they separated he gazed at her questiongly, but she just smiled and then left him to go working with Utla.
To seduce Paul she had to think of a strategy, she decided to start with her clothes. She had been wearing dresses that covered her down to her knees, so she asked Utla for a skirt and tube top that showed her shoulders and her bellybutton.
She noticed that Paul's eyes, when he came back from the hunt, were riveted on her body. Bella suppressed a smile, and behaved like nothing was out of the ordinary. After dinner, they went back to the tepee and sat next to the fire.
"So… what's up with your clothes?" He asked.
Bella blushed. "Utla gifted me with this new clothes, and I didn't want to offend her. Don't you like them?"
"They… hmmm… they suit you. Very …. fitting." He replied, and she noticed he looked flustered.
Inside her mind Bella was celebrating, her plan was working. The next day she would try to do more, she didn't want him to suspect her of foul play.
When they went to sleep, Bella snuggled closer and placed her head on his chest. She felt his warm hands on her back, and her heart stuttered. She bit her lip, and closed her eyes trying to relax. But after a moment she found herself lying on her back with him on top.
She blinked, and looked into his dark eyes.
"Care to tell me what's going on my shipa?" He growled, and then slowly he lowered his head and rested his mouth in the hollow between her neck and shoulder, and nibbled slightly.
Bella trembled under him, feeling warmth in her stomach, and a blush on her cheeks. No words were coming out of her mouth, her brain had taken a vacation. She actually couldn't think clearly when he was so close to her.
"Bella… you don't need to seduce me. At the moment I just want to rip your clothes off and kiss every inch of your body. I'm crazy about you, but I haven't been acting on my desire for you because you're worth more than a one night stand. The truth is, that I really like you, but I want to wait and get back home before acting on my feelings. I want you to get back to real life, and I want that you choose me because you really want me, and not because there's no other choice. I'm not saying no, I'm saying not yet." He whispered.
Bella knew about his thoughts on choices, and she understood that he was giving her the time to really be sure about her feelings for him. He was wiser than her in wanting to wait when real life would rear its ugly head. She was sure about how she felt, but at the same time there were many things that could go wrong back home. She sighed, and pulled him closer. "I understand, I'm not happy about waiting, but you're right let's get back home and then we'll talk about us. But I want you to know that I am crazy about you too, and I won't change my mind."
He sighed too. "I want to kill that bitch that is hunting you, and I want to kick Cullen's ass for hurting you. And if after you see him again, you're still sure about us then I'm in. You are aware that I might imprint, but we can live in the moment and choose each other every day."
"I like that, I love the idea of you choosing me every day and me choosing you as well. I know that imprinting exist, but I know as well that I can't be scared of something that might or might not happen. It's settled then, we go back home, get rid of Victoria and then we talk about us." She told him.
Bella now knew that he liked her back, and it was more than enough at the moment.
They stayed in each other's arms for a while, until Paul moved away and pulled her with him. She rested her head on his chest and they fell asleep.
