Disclaimer: All publicly recognized characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note: This chapter has more dialogue than any of the previous. You'll probably be seeing more because I want our newest couple to get to know one another – outside of screwing like bunnies. Hopefully, you'll enjoy this next segment! Thank you to my reviewers, favorite(rs), and followers! I truly appreciate your encouragement! (I am going to add a little footnote at the end. Head's up!)

The Soldier
Chapter Seven: "The Vegetarian"

The carnal haze lifted after five days. Their scents ingrained within each other. Bella regained sensibilities upon hearing a phone ring. Naked, she stumbled into the massacred master suite. Randall nipped at her heels, fingers reaching for skin. A girlish giggle sprang from her throat. Love ignited her soul. However, their impromptu mating disregarded one thing – her belongings. Bella had left everything at the hotel. She had only paid for one night. Undoubtedly, the management had commandeered her possessions. The immortal needed to return to the Hilton, dressed. Hopefully, her clothes survived unlike the rest the house.

"What are you doing," Randall growled, playfully.

"I left my things at a hotel. I need to get them."

"Hotel," he grumbled. "I assumed you were just running through the area."

"Yeah, I was just visiting. However, I needed a shower and clothes. I figured that I'd take advantage of the Hilton, sightsee Los Angeles, and then, swing by a Target."

Warm arms wrapped around her waist. Bella leaned into his body. Randall's full lips nibbled on her neck causing temporary memory loss. She turned around, soundly kissing him. The urge to fuck began arise. With a defeated groan, the soldier pulled from the embrace. "It'll only take an hour," Bella promised. "I just need to grab my bag and release my motorcycle from valet."

"Motorcycle? Damn," he growled again, "that's sexy."

"Yeah, yeah," she smirked. "You're welcome to come with me, but I need to hunt. I'll probably make a pit-stop at Topanga State Park."

"Why do you need to stop there? There's plenty of humans wandering around the city. Trust me. You'll enjoy what Hollywood has to offer."

Bella frowned, realizing their dietary differences. "No," she sighed, "I don't feed from humans. I survive on the blood of animals. You might have noticed that my eyes are gold. That's why."

"I see…," he breathed. Discomfort clouded his cheery disposition. Bella avoided his eyes, searching for the discarded clothing. She managed to find jeans, the concert t-shirt, and the Chuck Taylors. Quickly, the soldier dressed, deciding to go commando. Randall remained still throughout her activity. His lips pressed in a hard line.

"Look, we don't have to make a big deal out of it. I'm not going to try to change your eating habits. I just decided a long time ago that I would only feed from animals," she explained. "And before you ask, I have tasted human blood. I've killed nine people. When I awoke to this life, I was alone. I couldn't combat the thirst. However, now, I plan to stick to animals. It goes against my principles to kill human beings."

"We're vampires," he murmured.

Bella smiled despite the conversation. Her perplexed mate resembled a confused puppy – absolutely adorable. The soldier returned to his side, placing a small kiss on his chest. "Don't look so worried," she soothed. "Everything will be fine."

The lost phone rang again. Randall detached himself and dug through the debris. Upon the third ring, he answered the Lumia. A familiar screech echoed throughout the room. Bella snarled, snaking the device for her mate. "Alice," she seethed, "I am going to kill you. Do not ever call this number again."

"Oh, come on, Bella," the pixie huffed. "I just wanted to tell you that I took care of hotel. A delivery service will be bringing everything to you. No need for threats!"

"Fuck you, Alice. I am fully capable of collecting my belongings. I do not need you sticking your nose in my business. I am not your friend. Stop looking into my future."

"It doesn't have to be that way! We were the best of friends! I just want us to start over – rekindle our previous friendship. After all, you can't avoid me for eternity. I am Jasper's mate. We're family."

"Alice, I don't know what you've been smoking, but we are not family," Bella argued. "I am a Whitlock, not a Cullen. Jasper and Peter are my family. I have no desire to have a relationship with you. So, fuck off."

A deep chuckle disrupted the conversation. Randall stuck out his hand, requesting the Lumia. The soldier dropped the phone in his palm; a scowl planted on her face. He clicked the disconnect button and turned the ringer on vibrate. Immediately upon ending the call, the offensive device buzzed against granite skin. Bella debated smashing it into a million pieces. Her mate distracted the urge with a heated kiss. The immortal bought the bait and began to unzip her jeans.

Unfortunately, a knock rapped at the front door. Bella cursed beneath her breath. Her irritation spurred Randall's amusement. The chuckles grew into laughter. Flipping him the bird, the vampire answered the door. A thirty-something year old man stood outside, dressed in a brightly colored uniform. "Miss Whitlock," he greeted, "I have a delivery for you." He shifted towards the driveway, beckoning two younger men to the threshold. "We'll unload the Harley Davidson near the garage, but we can bring the other boxes inside."

"I just had the motorcycle and a backpack."

"The concierge had three boxes for you – packages from a Missus Cullen."

"I am going to kill that bitch," she fumed, frightening the worker.

"Uh, how about I leave the boxes at the doorstep?"

"That's fine," Bella gritted. "Thank you."

The delivery service completed the task within minutes. Without a goodbye, they jetted from the property. Bella moved the boxes inside the house, pissed. Her mate entered the living area once the humans left. A wry smile graced his features. "Well," Randall started, "You may be a vegetarian, but you are a very intimidating woman. Remind me to never get on your bad side. I'd like to keep my dick intact." To back-up the statements, her mate cradled his manly parts, hiding them from view.

"Alice gets under my skin," she admitted. "You have nothing to worry about."

He continued to smile, closing the distance between them. Their lips reconnected causing the world to disappear. Bella hummed in appreciation. Touching him righted every wrong. Randall seemed to agree – onyx spheres full of desire. "I need you once more," her mate breathed. "Then, we'll hunt." The soldier attempted to reply, but the words became lost. The Californian vampire tackled her onto the ground, claiming the spot between her thighs. Bella moaned at his aggressiveness. "You're mine, Little Vegetarian," he smirked. "Let me show you." Show her, he did.

Foot Note: A Lumia is a Windows cell-phone. I've chosen this particular phone because it doesn't require heat to use. At first, I was going to write in an iPhone, but I kept thinking, "How would a vampire use one?" Honestly, they can't touch the screen. So, that's my little ramble. I figured someone might ask.