Leah felt the heat of Embry's breath as each short exhale licked her neck. He pulled his head back, finding the strength in his arms to hold him upright again. Her eyes were closed as she focused on the force of him inside her, his naked body pressed into her own. He was doing everything right as he moved faster and faster, hitting her where she wanted him to. Opening her eyes she saw the concentration on his face in his tightly closed eyes and reddening skin. He was holding out for her but as much as she tried she knew she wouldn't get there. She hadn't in weeks and each time it almost broke her heart. It had forced her to become a master performer and she let out a series of small moans between her rehearsed panting.
"Oh...OH... Bree...Bree, baby I'm..."
As she clenched her walls around him for effect he let out a growl of pure relief, reaching his climax. He was too lost in himself to notice that she didn't cry out like she used to, or that her hips hadn't buckled below him. Taking a second to recover he lifted his head to hers, his eyes still closed as he savoured the sensation wringing through his body. With a soft kiss placed on her lips he let his forehead rest on hers.
"God I love you, Lee."
Rolling to the side he gathered together the blankets they shared as his breathing slowed and moved into a soft snore. Leah turned to face him and watch his peaceful face. She couldn't help but be jealous at the ease in which he fell into a deep sleep. That was something she could barely remember let alone have herself. She brushed a tendril of hair away from his eyes as a few strands clung to his forehead. His golden brown skin glowed with a light sheen of perspiration and, as usual, even in his sleep his lips had formed into a light smile. Just enough to hurt her.
As much as she wanted to deny it, it wasn't working. It hadn't been for a while. This was easier though, easier then being alone. Easier then dealing with being single. Easier than letting someone else in only to lose them when they tired of her shutting them out. She hated herself for leading him on like this, but she hated the idea of losing him more.
It seemed fair to justify it with his happiness. She wasn't completely selfish. She gave him what he needed in return. Sex, companionship, a loyal girlfriend. It was just love that she couldn't bring herself to act out in the production they called a relationship. It wouldn't be so bad, if only he had any idea it was a performance. But he didn't. He was blissfully unaware. And so to him she was the perfect girlfriend, the perfect lover. To herself she couldn't figure out if she was a brilliant actress or a cheap whore.
Leah was careful to close the bedroom door quietly so as not to disturb Embry on her way to work. Seth was already up and in the kitchen eating over the sink.
"You know I hate when you do that." She said to him.
"Saves on dishes. Sink catches crumbs. Crumbs go down the drain. Everybody wins."
"Ugh, that's not the point." She sighed, giving up on the familiar argument.
He ate quickly like this to avoid a sit down breakfast with Embry. He also left extra early to get to school. It was worse before Embry graduated. Em would offer to drive him to school and he would always refuse. Leah would force him to accept in the hopes they would bond. It didn't work out that way. Leah moved to grab her keys and head for the door when Seth called out to her.
"Hey, you don't want to have breakfast? I can fix you up something real quick."
She had skipped breakfast the last fortnight and everyday for the last week he had asked her the same question. He looked genuinely concerned as he stood pointing to the carton of eggs that sat on the counter. It was moments like this that reminded her of why she hadn't beheaded him in a rage already.
"No, I'm fine. I'll grab something at the station."
"You say that everyday Leah. All they have down there is some sort of fried or baked goods with no less then two thousand calories a piece. If that was true you'd look like a heifer by now." He changed course as Leah raised an eyebrow at him and placed a hand on her hip. "But instead you're losing weight. I'm just saying Lee, I know you think you're super woman but you need to eat too."
She was waiting for someone to mention the weight loss. It was becoming more noticeable as her clothes started to hang off of her. It was easy to lose weight when you couldn't bring yourself to eat or sleep properly. It also left her feeling lethargic and in a constant daze. She'd pulled off the 'I'm okay' act so far but the physical signs were beginning to betray her act.
Since her mother Sue had moved out Leah had resigned herself to the idea of being the career rather then cared for. It made her feel good that Seth didn't see it that way, even if she'd never tell the kid. She grabbed a couple of pieces of fruit from the bowl on the counter and bit into an apple theatrically.
"There mom...happy?" She said between chews.
"I'll be happier when you eat an actual meal" He said quietly before returning to his toast.
She pretended not to hear as she walked out the door. Getting into her car she hesitated before starting the engine. It was hit and miss whether it would decide to start. Jake had promised to look at it for her but she was saving it for a time when both Embry and Seth would be out. Whenever the three of them got together it turned into a boys club meeting and she was left feeling like a forth wheel.
As the sputtering engine wheezed itself to a start she realised she had half hoped it wouldn't. Now she had no excuse to call in sick. Her mind was on auto pilot during the short drive to Forks. Charlie had given her the job at the station working under him at the request of Sue. It was one of the conditions she set when she agreed to move in with both him and Bella. He'd accepted reluctantly at first but after only a week Leah had had completely organized the whole office . Now he wondered how he ever did without her.
Leah walked through the same dark wood panelled corridor that she did every morning. Passing Charlies office on the way to her desk she nodded her head slightly to say hello. In the time that she'd been working for him she really came to appreciate the man she'd always known as her father's friend. His mind was as private as her own and they shared a mutual respect for one another, knowing they each had their reasons for keeping to themselves. It was also impossible not to like him even more for the way he loved and cared for her mother. He made his way towards her as she settled into her desk.
"Morning Leah."
"Hey Chief." He always became a little bashful when she called him that, even though she'd done it everyday for the last six months.
"Just letting you know your mom made your favourite last night, Sunday roast."
"And you came to gloat?" Leah cocked her eyebrow at him reminding herself Charlie often didn't get her sarcasm.
"No, no. She wanted me to tell you that there are leftovers in the fridge at our place. You're welcome to grab them at lunch so you can have first go before you take them home. Those boys you live with won't leave you with a bone if you give them half a chance."
"Trust me, I know." She replied. He continued to linger for a second as she grabbed some paperwork to indicate that she was about to get into it. There was clearly something he wanted to say. Moving to walk away he backtracked finding the words he was looking for.
"Seriously Leah, you've been looking a little worn down lately. You know if things at home get too much you can always come by our place. We'd love to have you."
Leah started to grind her teeth. She was clearly the topic of conversation in the Swan house which annoyed her to no end. She hated that they talked about her when she wasn't around. It was unsettling. Mainly because she put up such an effort to perfect her act. If they continued to pry she might crack and then they would know she was only holding onto herself by a thin thread.
"Thanks Chief. I might take you up on that offer one of these days. Now, back to crime fighting or whatever it is that you guys pretend to do with your day."
The conversation was over. She nodded towards his desk to encourage him to leave. He forced a smile in return as he moved away. He had more to say but he knew better then to push her. It wasn't his place. Rather then dwelling on it Leah decided to throw herself into mindless paperwork. She overdid it and had finished a days worth of work by eleven. Grabbing her car keys she headed over to Charlies office.
"Hey Chief, I'm going to grab an early lunch if that's alright with you."
Charlie fought back a smile that lifted the edges of his moustache. It was clear he thought his tiny speech had worked.
"Of course kid, you take as long as you want. You know where the key is. There's also some leftover pie in there for dessert. I'm sure your mom wouldn't mind if you took that too."
"Wow Charlie, parting with pie? You feeling okay?"
"Yeah, yeah." He got her sarcasm that time. "Just go and get your food Leah before I find you something else to do." His face grew serious for a second. "Honestly though, take all the time you need."
Leah nodded in his direction before continuing out the door. It was a short five minute drive to the Swan place and she was there before she knew it. Pulling up to the modest white house, her phone began to ring as she grabbed it from her pocket. It was Jake.
"Hey" She said, hiding the excitement in her voice that always came with speaking to him.
"Hey Lee. Got a proposition for you."
"You want to borrow some of my clothes again Black?"
"You're clothes are too small to hold all of my manliness. I'd be bursting the seams."
"Manliness?" She repeated too quickly to contain the amusement in her voice. "Go on, what do you want now?" She loved the warmth that coated her skin when he made her laugh.
"Actually, I was checking if it was cool to come over tonight and take a look at your car? I heard it spattering up the street again this morning and it's starting to hurt my heart. It needs TLC."
"Oh tonight?" She hesitated for a second before giving in. She needed a pick me up today and Jake would definitely bring it. "Yeah, you're probably right. I was putting it off for a better time but if you're free tonight..."
"What do you mean 'a better time?' When is a better time?" He asked, confused.
Shit Leah thought to herself. Nice fuck up Lee.
"Well I was waiting for you to learn how to become a real mechanic, but since that probably won't happen…"
As much as a comment like that should've upset Jake he laughed into the phone and Leah melted a little.
"Oh, well, sorry to disappoint. Still cool if I pop round about seven?"
"I'll see you then."
She walked toward the Swan's front door with a smile still on her face from her conversation with Jake. Stretching upwards she found the key sitting on the door frame. For a cop, Charlie was pretty trusting. Walking through the door and down the corridor she headed for the kitchen when she heard a low voice. Assuming it was Sue she rounded the corner ready to greet her mom.
It wasn't Sue.
Placed on top of the counter, Bella's naked, skeletal frame was wrapped around a tall, pale boy with bronze hair. Even from behind she could tell it was Edward Cullen, a local kid who she'd seen come into the station a few times. He was your standard teenage delinquent. The only thing that made him memorable was the fact that he was strikingly handsome. His attitude, however, quickly made him lose his appeal. He was probably getting off on the fact he was fucking the Chief of police's daughter on her daddy dearest's counter top.
Leah could feel her temperature rise as the rage that filled her spread throughout her face. Her breathing quickened and her hands balled into fists instinctively. She heard the words fly out of her mouth only after she was done.
"You fucking slut! You GOD DAMN PIECE OF TRASH."
Bella's eyes flew open as Edward continued to plough into her. He looked behind him and flashed Leah a grin as if he enjoyed having an audience. Bella's frail hands franticly hit his back as he showed no sign of letting up.
"Get off Edward, Fuck."
He slowed to a stop and pulled out with a sigh. Turning to face Leah he was completely naked as he pulled up his pants. His slowly reducing cock bulged through the material and he could see Leah's eyes were locked onto it.
"You want a go?" He offered his smirk still in place.
She took a step toward him and moved her hand over the zip of his jeans. He raised his eyes in surprise and she smiled into his face. Moving lower she wrapped her hands around his balls and squeezed onto them so hard he fell instantly to his knees. Her hand was with him the whole way.
"If I twist these just so" she said, twisting slightly "in twelve seconds you'll pass out. One….two….."
His eyes rolled back in his head and his face took on a beetroot like colour. The smirk of before was replaced with an open mouthed gasp as tears began to form in the corners of his eyes.
"four….five"
"Ok!" he screeched. She let go. "You psycho bitch!"
She lifted her hand as a warning but he didn't need it. He scurried to his feet and limped out the front door. Bella had thrown on his t-shirt in the meantime which sat mid thigh. Her arms were folded across her chest as her eyebrow was raised.
"You done?" She asked, her expression unimpressed.
Leah almost couldn't breath she was so enraged. She had just caught Bella cheating on her best friend and all she could do was look like she was mildly inconvenienced. Leah moved into her making sure she took up a good part of her personal space. She held her hands behind her back as she tried to control her shaking fists.
"I'll be done when I've torn your fucking face off."
Bella, unphased, put her shoulders back as she lifted her head in an attempt to reach Leah's eyes. She still fell short by a few inches but the gesture was noted.
"Do it Leah, lay a hand on me. Go on, I dare you. Jake would never speak to you again."
Leah's eyes suddenly flickered as she realised how true her words were. A small smile from Bella showed she had noticed her vulnerability.
"He'll never want to speak to you again when I tell him you've been fucking around behind his back."
Bella's smile grew and Leah shuddered inwardly at the unsettling grin.
"You won't tell him."
"Fuck you, of course I'll tell him."
"Really Leah? You tell him and I'll make sure he doesn't believe you. He's completely in love with me, blinded by it. He'll lie to himself if he needs to. I'll bet my life on it."
"Don't tempt me Swan, your life means very little to me right now."
"You talk big Leah but what have you got to show for it? Nothing. I have the life you want, you know it. The boyfriend you want, your mom, hell even the father you want. Or a father full stop, either way, I have the closest thing to a replacement for Harry. It won't be hard to convince everyone that you've made this up out of jealousy."
A lump gathered in Leah's throat as she suddenly realised how true Bella's words were. Years of being cold and shutting out the world had isolated her from the ones she loved. Bella on the other hand had moved from Arizona to be with her lonely father when he needed someone. Sue loved her and treated her like the daughter Leah used to be, pre Sam. Jake was a lost cause, completely devoted to the girl he thought was the love of his life. Any of them would take Bella's side over hers. Bella had won.
"Don't ever mention my fathers name again." She seethed in an attempt to hold back the tears that were forming in her eyes. Tears of defeat.
"Whatever Leah. Are we clear? You mention this, not only will you lose Jake, I'll make sure you lose everyone else you love. If you think I can't do it just go ahead, give me an excuse."
Leah's fists fell to her side as they shook violently. Bella looked down at them and raised her eyes as a challenge. Leah took a swing at her, purposely missing and hitting her hand against the wall. She split a knuckle as the blood poured down her fingers and onto the carpet.
"Aww…good one Leah. Now I have to clean that."
Leah knew she had to leave now before she took aim at Bella's smug face. She turned and stormed back out the front door. Bella called out to her.
"Hey, you came here for something didn't you?" she asked before opening the fridge and producing the leftovers Sue had wrapped up. "Here. I'm guessing this is what you were after. Charlie and Sue think you've stopped eating because things aren't working out with Embry. I didn't want to tell them you were pining over my boyfriend. Can you imagine their faces if I did?" She let out a shrill sound that was meant as laughter. Leah snatched the food from her hands and headed outside.
She managed to drive around the block before needing to switch off her car. She now had to see Charlie and pretend everything was ok. That she hadn't seen his bony slut of a daughter banging an arrogant asshole on the counter her mother, no doubt, would prepare dinner on tonight. Worst of all, when she was finally free to stop pretending around Charlie, she had to go home and put the act back on for Jake. He'd see right through it. He always did.
Leah's head fell onto the steering wheel and she hit it repeatedly in place. She could feel the headache it was bringing as it began to wring through to the tips of her ears. The hot, dull ache was better then anything else she was feeling so she continued with making it worse.
A light tap on the passenger window startled her out of her pain. She heard the sound of a muffled voice coming from a figure she couldn't make out. Rolling down the window she could now hear the repeated question.
"Can I get in?"