Disclaimer: I do not own nor profit from these wonderful characters.

Rating: PG-13

Chapter 9: Everything Goes:

Jake stood there staring at Edward holding Bella, who was wearing nothing much her pajamas and then he noticed Edward's shirt unbutton. They were walking down the hall and he suddenly felt sick to his stomach as he imagined they just came out of her room.

How could Bella simply invite Edward over without giving him as much as a hint that she planned on having company tonight? Especially if that company was her ex lover Edward. He knew they agreed to be just friends but he really didn't think she would jump in bed with someone before they discussed it. Did this mean she wanted to continue just being friends?

"Jake. Hey." Bella struggled to get out of Edward's arms. Edward realizing she wanted down placed her safely back on her two feet.

"Hey." Jake hoped his voice sounded casual. He was trying to maintain the appearance that he was perfectly fine with what he was seeing before him. He uncurled his hands that had balled into fists by his side.

"Hey Jake. It's been awhile." Edward smiled politely at Jake. He knew that Jake was just a friend of Bella's but watching his reaction to seeing them together he felt an inkling of suspicion that something had changed between the two best friends.

"Yes it has been. How are you?" Jake forced his lips to curl up in a smile.

"Okay. I wanted to thank you for helping Alice out. My Aunt told me how you and your friend Quil had taken care of her after the attack." Edward's voice shook as he recalled the pain he felt learning that his sweet impulsive cousin had been brutally attacked and raped.

"No problem. We would have done it for any woman. I'm just sorry that I didn't keep a closer eye on her that night." Jake admitted with a sad smile.

"Hey, it's Alice. As much as I love her she tends to do what she wants regardless of what you tell her." Edward sighed heavily.

"True." Jake chuckled sadly.

Bella stood between them listening to the polite exchange between the two men wondering why Jake would not look at her. She had honestly done nothing wrong. She did invite Edward over. She just hoped that Jake gave her the opportunity to explain later after Edward left.

"I take it your evening with your boss went well." Jake finally allowed himself to look directly at Bella as he spoke.

"Yes. I meant to call you and let you know I got back but I took a hot bath and lost track of time. Then Mr. Surprise here showed up and we were just catching up." Bella hoped that Jake picked up on the surprise part.

"Well, I will let you two finish what you were doing." Jake nodded his head at Edward and then gave Bella a slight smile before walking past them. He slipped in his room closing the door shut behind him.

Bella ran her hands through her hair as she let out a long sigh.

"Did I miss something while we were apart?" Edward asked curiously.

"What?" Bella walked past him picking up her beer taking a long gulp.

"You and Jake? Something going on?" Edward decided to ask.

He was starting to wonder if perhaps Bella and Jake's friendship was always much more than he was led to believe in the past. Out of all of her friends, he never dreamed she would have moved in with Jake. Was her feelings for Jake behind her real reason for breaking up with him?

"NO! We are just friends. You know that." Bella partially lied. It was true that she saw him as much more than a mere friend now but at the moment their status still remained just friends.

"I know you are friends but has something changed? I mean he did not look happy to see me holding you. In fact he looked almost heart broken." Edward replied bluntly.

"I think he just had a long day. He was probably mad I didn't call him after I left the pub. He worries about me. Especially after the attack on Alice he is a bit more overprotective." Bella was not completely lying about that.

"Oh." Edward found that believable.

"Sit finish your drink. Where are you staying by the way?" Bella decided to continue to be the good hostess and deal with Jake later. She knew he would not make another appearance until Edward was gone.

"I got a hotel a couple of blocks from here. Luckily Bri isn't a complete brainless assistant." Edward laughed.

Bella had to agree that Bri was not always on top of her game. There had been more than one occasion when Bella had called and left a message for Edward and Bri took it and simply forgot to give it to him. Bella wondered if she was truly dense or if she did it on purpose. It was clear to Bella that Bri was fascinated with her boss. At the time Bella couldn't blame her. Edward was a great catch. Now she just saw him as a great guy whom she once shared something fun with.

"You're too hard on her. She truly looks up to her boss." Bella batted her eyelashes trying to make an attempt at impersonating Bri.

Edward crack up laughing. He hated the thought of having to replace his assistant but she was starting to show signs of having a crush on him. She was nice a girl and a loyal employee but he did not dip his pen in the company ink. If she continue to act like she was feeling something for him then he would have to get her a transfer in the company and pick up a new assistant. He couldn't afford to have an affair with an employee at this point in his career.

"Yeah, well I hope she pulls it together or I will be forced to transfer her out of my office." Edward sat back down on the couch across from Bella smiling at her sense of humor. This was one of the many reasons he adored Bella. She could make him smile. She always made him feel like a normal Joe. She was not impressed with his prestigious lifestyle. In fact it seem to turn her off rather than on.

She truly fascinated him. As lovers they also matched well. She knew how to please him and he had found pleasing her to be of the utmost fun.

"That's too bad." Bella made a pout with her lips.

"Shut up." Edward laughed again.

"So seriously how is it going in the big global world of business?" Bella found his life interesting.

"Are you interviewing me Ms. Swan?" Edward teased. He was not going to let her forget that she was a reporter for a magazine that would love to get some dish on his life and career. She wouldn't be the first woman to seduce him into revealing something his company was not prepared to make public knowledge.

"Shut up! How can you ask me that?" Bella snorted but follow it with a wicked smile.

"Don't get your boxers in a twist. I do not write for the business section. I am just a mere social writer. Now if you know about any events with weddings, gala events and so forth I'm your reporter to be intimidated by." Bella laughed.

"Oh okay." Edward laughed with her as he wiped his forehead pretending to be relieved.

"You look happier than the last time I saw you. I can tell this change of status from the mere receptionist to reporter has truly made you even more beautiful than I remembered." Edward flirted.

"Hahaha! Shut up." Bella blushed.

"Seriously you seem to glow." Edward replied.

"I have to say it is from more than that. I like having my own place, being away from Forks was a scary thought but now I can't believe it took me this long to get away." Bella admitted.

"I told you there was more to life than Forks. Don't get me wrong I love going home for a visit but being able to see the rest of the world is just as rewarding." Edward smiled warmly at her.

That had been one of their disagreements when they were dating. Edward would constantly ride her about her less than adventurous side. He would tell her that she could go further with her degree if she moved away from Forks. He felt she was wasting the money she spent on college by being a receptionist at an unknown magazine. She argued that she would move up once the opportunity showed itself. It did and she took it.

"Yes you did. Yes you are right. There are you happy now Edward." Bella stuck her tongue out. She hated when he proved her wrong. It was not often but when it did occur he had a knack for pointing it out.

"Not exactly. I still don't have my girl." Edward's voice deepened as his eyes smoldered as he moved closer to Bella.

Bella felt a sudden urge to run. She liked Edward and if nothing had changed between her and Jake she probably would have been all over him at this point but it had changed. Although her and Jake talked about just being friends it still did not seem proper to allow Edward to believe he had a shot with her. After all she already knew that her feelings for Jake went further than lust.

"I'm sorry Edward. I truly like you and I enjoyed being with you. But for now I just want to be by myself. I don't want to be anyone's girl." Bella was lying about the last part. She wanted to be Jake's girl. Not Edwards.

"Oh. I understand." Edward looked away for a moment truly disappointed to hear that he no longer had an affect on Bella's heart. It was clear that she wanted to be just friends with him.

"I hope I did not hurt your feelings." Bella replied with sincerity in her voice.

"You didn't. Look, you're out on your own. You have a real career. It makes sense that you would want to stay focus on that. " Edward glanced at the watch on his arm and saw that it was late.

"I should get going before I lose my room." Edward joked.

"Okay." Bella stood up following him to the door.

"You know if you ever change your mind I will be here waiting for you." Edward cupped her face as he placed a soft friendly kiss on her cheek.

"I know. Thanks Edward." Bella smiled sadly as he walked away. Locking up the door she turned around to find Jake standing in the hallway with his arms crossed around his chest staring curiously at her.

"You didn't warn me you were having company tonight." Jake replied while continuing to hide his feelings from Bella.

Bella copied his stance standing with her arms covering her chest.

"I didn't know. I mean I had not made plans with him. He just stopped by. He had a meeting in town." Bella stated calmly although her nerves were jumping off the radar. He was making her very uncomfortable. She could not imagine why he appeared to be upset about her having a guest in her own home. It was not like she had done anything wrong nor did he have any right to tell her who was invited or not.

"Oh." Jake's eyes lowered to the floor as he considered what to say next. He was dealing with his own inner demons here. It was not Bella's fault that he felt this overwhelming sense of jealousy pertaining to who she spent her free time with. He had no excuse for acting like she owed him any explanation. He knew he was being an ass.

When he went to his room he could not sit still. He tried to listen for any sounds or voice but all he heard from his room was silence until the door closed. While he waited on her company to leave he picked up his bed, put up some laundry, and hell he even got on his computer and checked his email. Anything to keep him from going back into the room where Bella was entertaining her ex boyfriend.

"So where have you been all night?" Bella ask curiously as she walked up closer to him leaning against the hallway wall.

"Laundry mat." Jake answered with a blank expression.

Bella frown at him. When he came in he didn't have any laundry in his hands. Besides that they had their own washer and dryer here in the apartment. It had been a gift from Angela's parents. They were used but it gave her mother an excuse to sweet talk her husband into purchasing her a new set.

"Seriously?" Bella squinted her eyes staring curiously at him.

"Seriously. I persuaded the guys to do their own laundry and helped Quil pick up a gal. Now Collin on the other hand he discovered that there are many mysteries in this town compared to Forks." Jake's eyes widen with amusement.

"Okay I'm game. Let's sit and you talk." Bella opened her bedroom door. Stepping in she flip the light on and walked to her bed. Plopping down on the edge she noticed that Jake didn't follow her inside. Instead he stood in the doorway. What was wrong with him? He couldn't even be inside of her room now?

"I'm listening." Bella snapped impatiently.

"Quil met a girl named Misty. He left with her before we did. Collin was riding his ass all night and I had to snap him out of it. You know I like Collin as much as any of my friends but it just irks me when he picks on Quil." Jake's nostrils flared.

"Yeah, I'm getting that." Bella chuckled.

"Anyways Collin kept eyeing this one TALL blonde. I warned him that she was not his type and he wouldn't listen to me. We got ready to leave and decided to approach her and get her number. He discovered that Carly goes by Carl when he isn't wearing his drag clothes." Jake finished as he bit down on his lip grinning so hard.

"NO WAY! Oh that is such a sweet ending if you think about it." Bella covered her mouth as laughter erupted.

"Yep." Jake replied popping the "P" at the end of the word.

"Well my boss was interesting tonight. She is incredibly ballsy. I adore her and I am also quite frightened by her at the same time." Bella sighed happily.

"I'm glad you like her." Jake smiled warmly.

"I do." Bella nodded her head.

"So how long will Edward be in town?" Jake hated to ask this particular question but he needed to know if he should expect to see Edward more around here.

"I'm not sure really." Bella admitted.

"Oh." Jake hoped that was a good sign that she had not bothered to ask Edward because she simply did not care enough to know.

"I thought you liked Edward. I mean out of the few boyfriends I've had." Bella ask him as she placed her legs in Indian style.

"He is a nice guy. I don't think he is the one for you. Not in the long run." Jake replied honestly.

"So why did you seem so mad that he was here with me?" Bella decided to ask. She was still offended by the physical distance he kept between them. If he was not going to pursue her, then he had no right to act so damn territorial.

"I wasn't mad." Jake cried out.

"You were not exactly blowing up balloons and passing out party favors either." Bella raised an eyebrow as their eyes locked.

"Why would I? He isn't the right guy for you." Jake ran his hand over the back of his neck trying to keep a straight face. He did not want her to see just how much it upset him because he had been so excited to come home tonight in hopes of spending some time alone with her. He enjoyed ending his day talking to her. He loved just watching television quietly by her side. It was relaxing to be around her. It was the perfect way to end his sometimes hectic days.

"Tell me Jake who is the right guy for me? Is there really a "right" guy out there for me?" Bella made the quote sign with her finger trying to emphasize her point. She was tired of hearing him say over the years that when she found the right guy she would know it. Yet here he stood right in front of her but he was too damn stubborn and stupid to see it. He was her Mr. Right.

"Sure there is Bella. You need someone who loves you unconditionally. Someone who can tolerate your mood swings and makes you smile. You deserve someone who can see the rare jewel that he holds when you give him your heart." Jake felt his own heart flutter as he felt the urge to walked up to her and kiss her until they were both silly with desire.

"You say that but I can't honestly say I believe that he exists. There is no man who could be that incredibly perfect out there for me." Bella's eyes darken as she crawl off of the bed and with slow steady steps she made her way toward him. With just a breathe between them Bella leaned her head back staring up at his face.

"He does. I don't know if he is perfect but he does exist." Jake replied as his throat tighten up. He could see the desire in her eyes. The desire was directed at him. He knew she was about to make a move on him. He was rather surprised by her direct approach. Normally she was not so aggressive.

"If he does exist he better hurry up and find me before someone else less than perfect sweeps me up off of my feet." Bella's voice was thick with desire as she continued to stare into his dark brown eyes. She did not waver for one second as she slip an arm around his neck, placing her other her hand over his heart. She could feel the beating of his heart. It was racing. She was overjoyed.

Feeling frisky she brushed the length of her body against his with a slow teasing rhythm. She smiled seductively at him as he swallowed hard.

Twining her fingers in his short hair she held her breath hoping he would show some sign of enjoying this moment between them.

Jake stood there enjoying her touch. He wanted so badly to pick her up and take her to her bed and make sweet love to her. She was acting like a little vixen teasing him with her body. He knew if they kissed he might not be able to resist her. If they had not been interrupted the first night he had no doubts they would have gone farther than they had.

Why was she doing this? He thought they both agreed their friendship was more important than a night of deliriously, hot, mind blowing sex. Was she changing her mind? Did she want more from him? He knew he did. He knew that once he tasted her there would be no way to go back. It had been harder than hell all week not to touch her, to kiss her, to hold her in his arms like they had before in the past. Back when they were just Jake and Bella good old friends. Nope. This time he would not be able to let her go so easily. He could not be expected to just be her "best" guy friend. He would want the whole package. He would want to be her lover. Her only lover.

"I don't have cooties Jake." Bella whispered.

He felt his adrenaline rushing through his veins. She was definitely pushing his buttons. She was going to kill him if she decided that she wanted to be only friends with him.

His expression furious, he claimed her mouth with his.

The earth began to quake beneath her toes. Jake groaned loudly against her lips as the sensations stripped him of his waning control.

Bella sighed and willingly parted her lips.

She was finally getting her wish come true. She was being kissed by Jake again and it was everything she remembered from the first time.

She had feared that the first kiss they had shared had only been a mystical experience that was due to their drunken state that night. That perhaps she was just so horny that anyone who kissed her would cause such strong uncontrollable sensations to flood her head, her heart and shoot down to her toes. Yet standing here feeling his lips pressing against hers, his tongue lashing around touching her own she knew she had not glorified it in her mind, only imagining that it had rock her entire world

.

This was the real McCoy. This kiss was only surpassing the intensity she had felt from the first one.

No her memory had been dead on. Her body came alive, her lips tingled, her nipples hardened. She wanted every inch of his body in every possible way. On top of her, beside her, behind her in any position that was possible to do.

She began to kiss him back with everything she had. All of the pent up desire she had been holding at bay all week began to erupt and spill over into that kiss. Every second she had been near him but wasn't able to touch him. Every time she saw him and yet could not have him. Every second of every day that she dreamed of nothing else but this kiss.

All thought ceased as Jake, gave himself over to what had been his greatest fantasy: to touch Bella Swan , as a man, as her man.

He felt her body stiffen against him, and the groan of desired that escaped her was the sweetest sound Jake had ever heard. Something exploded between them, and there in her room she was so consumed by need that she was willing to have sex with him and no longer cared about the possible consequences of it all.

Jake tore his lips away from hers with excruciating slowness, catching her lower lip between his teeth and tugging gently. Then, with a last luscious lick of his tongue, he drew back.

Bella swayed as she struggled to keep her knees from simply buckling beneath her. She stared at him blankly. Words? She could not seem to think of even one word to say after that kiss.

Jake search her face intently, and Bella saw a look of pure smug satisfaction in his shiny brown eyes.

"Breathe, breathe Bella." Jake licked his lowered lip tasting the remains of Bella's kiss on them.

Fearlessly she took a deep breathe of air.

"Hmmph" Was all he said as he pulled her into his arms. Holding her tightly against him.

"I'm crazy about you Bella." He whispered next to her ear.

Bella felt her eyes brimming with happy tears.

"I'm crazy about you too." Bella whispered back.

"But…." Jake paused wondering how to say the next set of words that were on the tip of his tongue.

"But what?" Bella's head shot back as she look up at him with frightened eyes.

Surely he did not still believe that they were better off good friends did he? How was that even possible after not once but twice they had shared the most incredible kiss ever in the history of mankind?

If he said those words Bella swore to herself she was going to kick him in the leg and punch him in the balls and never, ever speak to him again for the rest of her life.

XXX