Telling the Truth
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-I am so sorry for the delay in posting this chapter. I seem to find it so hard to write Paul! I hope you like this chapter! Nikki
Part Thirteen
Bella tried to concentrate on her homework assignment but Paul was proving to be very distracting. He pushed her hair to one side as he began kissing her neck. He sucked on her skin gently and Bella pushed him away. "Don't, you'll leave a hickey. I don't want my dad to see."
Paul ignored her protests and leaned in to press his lips to her neck again, but Bella became increasingly annoyed and got up from the table. "I told you not to do that, Paul. Why do you always have to go too far? Look my dad will be home in a minute, you should go."
"Why?" Paul demanded, crossing his arms as he glared up at her. "You always make me go when he is due back. I want to meet him, I am supposed to be your boyfriend, or are you ashamed?"
Bella pulled her hair away from her face in frustration. "No, of course not! You are the one who seemed reluctant to play happy families. Those were your words, remember." She reminded him.
"Well that was then, things are different now...or at least I thought they were. Why do you keep stopping me, Bella? I want to get closer to you but you just freeze up on me every time." He said irritably.
"I am so sorry that I am ruining your sex life. I am sure you will find some other girl who will be happy to fulfil your needs." she replied sarcastically.
Paul was about to retaliate when he saw the sadness shining in her chocolate brown eyes, they were shimmering with unshed tears. He reined in his temper and studied her carefully. "Is it because I have been with a lot of other girls and you are still a virgin?" he asked her bluntly.
A red flush tinged Bella's pale skin as she avoided looking at him. Trust him to hit the nail on the head so bluntly. She sat back down and hid her face behind her long hair. "Maybe..." she muttered.
Paul felt a twinge of guilt; he cursed himself for the way he had just acted. He was trying to be more understanding and sensitive but it was hard. The girl's he was used to had no morals and never pushed him away. He was finding it difficult. Bella was the only girl he had ever been in love with, and it was a learning curve for him too. He hated it when she was upset and he was the cause of her pain. Even though he found it extremely difficult, Paul apologised. "I'm sorry, babe. You know me, Mr Tactless..."
Bella raised her head and gave him a rueful smile. "You said it..." she countered. "Paul, I want to be with you, I do but this is all so new to me, I am just...nervous. I mean you have so much experience and...I am worried I won't live up to your expectations."
Now Paul really did feel bad. He reached out and cupped her face in his warm palm. "I am really sorry, Bella. I am glad you felt you could confide in me. I don't want you to feel that way. I have never loved anyone before and believe me when we do make love, it will be like the first time for me too."
Bella stared at him, she slipped her hands around his neck and pulled his head down to hers, kissing his lips softly. "That was a beautiful thing to say, thank you."
Paul snorted with laughter. "Don't get used to it, darlin' I think I might have nicked that from a film or something."
Bella giggled."Well who cares, it was nice to hear." She leaned in for another kiss and they both pulled away, smiling at each other.
It was at this point that they heard a key turning in the lock, Charlie Swan had returned home...
XXXXXX
Charlie was not amused in the slightest to see his daughter wrapped around a strange boy. He knew Paul vaguely; he had seen him around the reservation and sometimes in the company of Billy's son, Jake. He had no idea that Bella even knew him. He slammed his gun belt down on the table and stared Paul down.
"And who might you be?" He demanded.
Paul disentangled himself from Bella and stood up, holding out his hand for her father to shake. Charlie ignored his gesture and continued to eye him coldly. "I asked you a question boy?"
Bella was mortified by her father's behaviour. "Dad, please. This is Paul Lahote..."
Charlie turned his attention onto her. "Really? Why is this individual in my house and more to the point, all over you? I thought you were with the Cullen boy?" he interrogated her.
At the mention of Edward, Paul felt his anger resurfacing. He still found it hard to deal with the fact that Bella had let the leech place his hands on her and she had actually had a relationship with him. "She is not with that pasty faced son of a bitch. We are together now..." he snapped.
Charlie stiffened at the boy's tone; he saw Bella cringe and his own guilt over letting his daughter continue her relationship with the Cullen boy made his own temper rise. He leaned forward, resting his hands on the table and glared at Paul. "You will not talk to me in that manner boy. I have no idea how you were raised but in this house we show respect. As for you being in a relationship with my daughter that is a moot point. I do not know you and from what I have just witnessed you are doing little to impress me..."
Bella couldn't take anymore; she shoved her chair back so hard that it fell over onto the floor with a loud bang. Charlie and Paul were startled and they broke their staring contest and glanced over at her. "This has got to stop...I won't have you talking to Paul like that, dad." She yelled at him.
Charlie was stunned by Bella's confrontational attitude; he had never heard her raise her voice to him, ever. "Bells, stay out of it. I am just concerned about you."
Bella gave an irritated sigh. "I can make my own choices. Alright, some of my decisions have been lousy lately, but dad you don't even know Paul. Please just back off and give him a chance."
Paul looked at her in awe; he had never seen her so determined. He reached out and caught hold of her hand. He then turned back to face Charlie. "I am sorry, sir. I had no right to speak to you like that. It's just that I do not like hearing Cullen's name, it just sets me off..."
Charlie tore his eyes away from Bella and studied Paul closely. "Me either," he admitted. "That Cullen boy has been nothing but trouble. I need you to prove to me that you are not going to lead my little girl down the wrong path too."
Paul glanced briefly at Bella. "No, I can promise you that I will always look after her. She means everything to me..."
Charlie saw the intense look that his daughter shared with the boy; he had never seen her like this with Cullen. Observing her more closely, Charlie could see that she seemed a lot different in this boy's presence; she did not wear the timid expression that she had when with her former boyfriend. Charlie began to relax; he sat down at the table and shrugged off his heavy coat. "Alright then, I am prepared to give you a chance. Bells, I could really use a coffee."
Bella breathed a sigh of relief; she nodded at her dad and went to turn on the kettle. Charlie sat back and gave Paul another intense stare. "So, Paul which team do you support?" he asked mildly.
"The Mariner's," he answered promptly, recalling Bella telling him once about her dad's favourite team.
Charlie gave him a wry smile. "Well you can't be all bad if you support them."
Paul began to laugh.
XXXXXX
The evening wore slowly on; Charlie did not leave them alone for a minute. He scrutinised everything that Paul did. After watching Bella's experiences with her previous boyfriend he wanted to keep a closer eye on any new relationship. Paul held his own against all of Charlie's questions and gradually the tense atmosphere dissipated as everyone began to relax. Paul even managed to suffer sitting through a DVD of the mariner's best performances. He listened respectfully as Charlie launched into a long monologue about his past attendances with Billy at the games. He even managed to throw in a few facts about the players and they shared some banter about the other teams.
Bella was amazed as she watched her father and Paul interact with each other. She was seeing a totally different side to Paul and she loved it. After being a witness to his fractured relationship with his own father, she was impressed that he was bonding so well with her own. Her heart swelled with love for him at the effort he was putting in on her behalf.
The sky darkened as the night drew in and Paul had to leave. He was due to start his patrol; he was reluctant to go as he had been enjoying spending quality time with Bella and her dad. He had never been able to have such a relaxed adult conversation with an older male before and he envied Bella that she had such a good parent. As the clock in the hallway chimed seven, Paul knew that he could not drag it out any longer, he needed to go.
"I better make a move; it was good to meet you, Chief Swan." Paul held out his hand and this time Charlie shook it.
"Come over again at the weekend. The Mariners are playing, you could stay for dinner." Charlie suggested.
Paul gave him a big grin. "I will be there. See you then."
"Bye kid." Charlie nodded and then sat back down in front of the flat screen.
Bella followed Paul into the hallway and then out of the front door, she closed it after her so they could have a smidgeon of privacy. "I wish you didn't have to go..." she lamented.
Paul pulled her into his arms and held her tight against him. "I like your dad." he whispered as he placed a gentle kiss on top of her head.
"You were great with him tonight, Paul, thank you," she replied.
"No need to thank me darlin' your dad is a good man. You are lucky."
Bella gazed up at him. "I know, I have not been the best daughter since I came back from Phoenix. I think I have a lot of making up to do." she admitted.
"I really gotta go now. I'll see you later on tonight. Keep that window wide open," he teased her.
Bella laughed softly. "Always," she stood on her tiptoes so that she could reach his lips. The kiss started off slow but soon turned passionate. Paul wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off of the floor. Bella broke away from his lips and began to kiss his neck, nipping at his skin playfully.
"Are you trying to mark me?" he grinned as she continued to kiss his neck.
"Maybe..." she pulled away to survey her handiwork, there was a slight red mark but it quickly faded as Paul's quick healing ability kicked in. "Ah well I tried."
"Keep trying sweetheart...I wish I didn't have to go." Paul reluctantly set her back on her feet and began to back away from her. "I'll see you soon."
"See you soon," Bella gave him a small wave as he turned swiftly and disappeared into the darkness.
A/N-Thanks for reading!