CHAPTER 9: A TRYING NIGHT

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight

A/N: You are really gonna hate Bella this time around, but never fear, Jake will take her to task in the next chapter.

Bella seemed to relax after our little discussion, and didn't balk when I put my arm around her waist, thank god. Then at dinner, the waitress slipped me her freakin' phone number, written on the back of a napkin. She probably thought she was bein' discreet, but Bella with the eyes of an eagle, noticed, and she gave the girl a look that could broil a slab of mah mahi. Jeez, I shrugged, hoping she wouldn't go off the deep end again.

"What? I can't help it, Bells. I'm just naturally irresistible, remember?" That joke didn't go over so well. An eye roll was her only response.

Kapono rose from his seat to break the ice formin' in the air. He clapped me on the back, and quipped, "You should carry a really beeeg stick, brah. Keep those flirty 'io's away."

Rebecca chuckled, and said, "Sit down, Al. Jake's a big boy, he can take care of himself."

I glanced at the two love birds at the table, but Leah and Embry were no help at all. They were busy communicatin' via telepathy if ya get my drift.

Back at the house, we all stayed awhile and talked, well … mostly listened if truth be told. I'm tellin' ya, Kapono could write a book. He did have us held prisoner in the palm of his hand tho', and he knew it. Even Bella was clampin' onto her sides from laughin'.

The time flew by, and I had to give Rebecca a hug goodbye. I knew there would be tears, and I had a hard time controlling my own, with such a huge lump in my throat.

While in the car, Bella must've felt my pain at leaving my sister, 'cuz she snuggled close to me. It made me feel whole lots better.

# # # # #

Pulling the coverlet down, Leah parked herself on the bed, with her legs folded.

"So … did ya have fun today?"

I nodded, "Yeah, I did."

"Good." She hesitated, then said, "Can I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure, I guess."

"Now, don't get all flustered, but the curiosity is killin' me. What did you ever see in that Cullen guy?"

"I don't really know. Maybe it was because I felt safe with him. He could protect me."

"C'mon …didn't he have to protect you from himself. I heard you were what they call his singer. Didn't it creep you out? He could sparkle and shine in the sun, but look out—when night fell, he was in hunting mode, and showed his true nature."

"No, Lee … it wasn't like that. He only hunted animals."

Leah, glared at me. "You're talking to a Quileute. Every elk and deer that family drained could feed one of our families. They just dropped the beasts after suckin' them dry, to rot on the forest floor."

She had a point. I never thought about that. It was as bad as the buffalo hunters, who took the hides and tongues, and left the rest of the meat to spoil.

"Oh …"

"Yeah, oh. How 'bout that?

"Well, I just don't get it. Don't you think big, strong Jake can protect you? He's encased in a mass of muscle. It's like body armor. That's one bodacious bod. I mean, do you need glasses or what? And—he doesn't kill humans or animals, except to put food on the table. He's got a heart of gold, and he is good lookin'; just ask that waitress tonight."

"I saw. Hawaii is called the friendly Islands. And the girls here are so forward. Friendly is an understatement."

Leah smiled, then declared, "You know, there are plenty of forward girls on the rez that have an eye for him, too. I'm warnin' ya, girl, if you love him, and I know you do, you better jump at the chance to show Jake you care before he gives up on you, and settles for someone else."

I slid under the covers, and thought, "Did I want him to give up on me? Gosh, it was a hard pill to swallow.

# # # # #

Bang, bang, bang! What the hell? I wrapped a robe around myself and answered the door. Leah was standing there, lookin' the worse for wear.

"What's goin' on?"

"I'll tell you what's goin' on. Bella talks in her sleep, and she has nightmares. I've had to wake her up three times already. I've gotta get some shuteye."

"Whaddya want me to do about it?"

Waving her hand in the air, she fired back, "You brought her along, so you go fix it."

She gave me her key-card, and sighed. "Here, get your rear end across the hall. I'm getting in bed with Embry, you can bunk with the screamer."

My jaw must've fallen to the floor. "Don't just stand there. Get goin' and good luck. Nighty-nite!"

Leah climbed in beside Embry, and pulled up the covers.

Oooookaaaay … I put on my flip flops, and walked across the hall. On entering the room, I heard Bella whimpering. All this time, I thought her night terrors had stopped, but apparently not. I kicked off my sandals, and slipped in next to her, spooning her snugly. At first, she struggled, but I whispered to her in a soothing tone, nestling my head against her ear. "Hey, Bells. It's all right. I'm here. No one can hurt you. It's only a dream. Relax, honey."

I felt her body lose all its tension, as she eased into me. I breathed in her scent, and fell asleep, my arms encircling her.

The sheets rustled, and Bella turned over. "Jacob, my sweet Jacob. I do love you."

What was that? She was talkin' in her sleep, and I liked what I heard. Her nose and mine were an inch apart, when outta the blue, her mouth was on mine. Jeez, I tried not to respond, but I had very active hormones, and I willingly joined in, adding a few moans to hers. There was no way in hell I was gonna give up this opportunity. I wasn't that stupid.

Damn, the kiss from Bella exceeded my expectations; it was freakin' awesome. I wondered if it rivaled the longest kiss in the Guinness book of records. Anyway, I drew away a little to get some air in my lungs, and the girl let out a soft whine of disappointment. My sentiments, exactly ...

Shifting her weight, those big brown eyes all at once popped open. She blinked, and then squealed, "Jacob Black, what in the world are you doing in this bed?"

I bolstered myself on one elbow, and grinned at her. "Keeping your nightmares at bay. Doin' a fine job of it too, 'til you woke up."

"I can't believe this. Where's Lee?"

"Across the hall with Em. She couldn't take all the screamin'."

"Well … I … I …" she sputtered.

"Chill out, Bells; nothin' happened. Not much, anyway …

"Go back to sleep, and don't look so worried. I'm not about to take advantage of you."

She hopped outta bed, and started rearranging the bedding.

# # # # #

Jacob was still propped on his elbow with an amused expression on his face. "Cute nightie."

I instinctively crossed my arms over my chest. "Close your eyes, pervert."

"Why? I kinda like the view"

"I'm well aware of that. Now close your eyes ... please?"

"What's the big freakin' deal? I saw you just this morning in your bathin' suit."

"It's the idea; the implication."

"Okay, I'll shut my eyes if it makes you happy."

"Thank you."

I pulled the coverlet over the bed, and folded it in half, forming a sleeping bag. Then, I crawled into it.

"Jeez, it's so nice to be trusted." Jacob turned his body the other way, muttering to himself.

# # # # #

I poked Embry's arm. "Em, roll over. You're snoring."

"Hmn …hmn …"

Gawd, I traded Tink's screeching for Em's snoring. I can't catch a break.

He flipped over again, laying one of his legs over mine. I felt his hand glide along my calf. "What the hell? Damn, Jake, you been shaving your legs?"

"Yes, and I'm not Jake."

With a smile, Embry said, "This is the best dream ever. I don't want to wake up."

"You are awake, moron."

Embry sat straight up in the bed. "You mean you're actually here?"

"Looks that way, doesn't it?"

"Well, damn …"

Laying back on the pillow, he pulled me to him. "This is nice—really nice."

"Yeah, it is, but don't get any ideas in that head of yours. I'm beat. Tink's been blabbing in her sleep nonstop, that or screaming like a banshee. Keep that thought though."

Embry winked. "What thought?"

"Don't play innocent with me, Call."

"Who's innocent?"

I turned my back on him. "Maybe tomorrow."

He brushed the back of my neck with his full, warm lips. "Hey, can I feel your leg again?"

"Knock yourself out."

# # # # #

Whoa, I got an eyeful of that light-blue nightie Bella was wearing. Not her style at all; the mystic pixie must've picked it out for her, but I wasn't complainin'. No siree. It was made outta that fluttery fabric; I forget what they called it. The stuff floated over her body, and it was almost see thru … almost, dammit. Even with wolf vision, I couldn't look thru the fabric, but maybe that was a good thing since we were in bed together. Ugh—how the hell was I supposed to get to sleep with that image burned into my brain?

I was hurt that Bella didn't exactly trust me, but after all, I was a guy, and I was in love with her. Her make-shift bedroll put a barrier between us, essentially nipping any amorous inclinations I might have accidentally come up with. I'm not saying that I would've done somethin' really stupid, but the spirit—of resistance—is willing, and man, my flesh was soooo weak where she was concerned.

Shutting my eyes tight, I tried to go back to sleep. I counted sheep. One, two, three. Crap, they were all wearing light-blue nighties.

My head was full of cobwebs, and my eyes bleary, unfortunately my ears were acutely attuned to the banging at the door … again. What the hell? Was this a déjà vu?"

Leah's voice bellowed, "C'mon, Jake, I know you're in there. Open the damn door, and go to your own room. I need to change."

"Into what?" I snarked at her.

"Smartass. Tink, are you awake?"

Bella sat up, her hair stickin' up on her head like a haystack. "I am now."

"I don't have my key-card with me. I gave it to Jake. Tell him it's time to leave, and let me in, will you?"

Bella gave me a horrified look, pulled the bedroll around herself, and shuffled to the door nearly trippin' on the trailing bedspread. Leah stumbled into the room when Bella yanked the door open.

Leah gave her a curious look. "It couldn't be that cold in here; not with that space-heater sharing the mattress with you."

Huffing impatiently, Bella corrected her. "I didn't want Mr. Bright Eyes, seeing me in my nightie."

"You're kiddin', right?"

My bright eyes floated straight up to the ceiling. "Believe me … she's not."

Suddenly, I was wide awake. I hopped outta bed. "It's all yours, ladies. See ya in a few."

# # # # #

"What are you so mad about? I'm the one who couldn't get any sleep, what with your screaming and carrying on."

"So, you just sic Jake on me? Why didn't you wake me up if I was screaming so loud?"

"I did, and you kept drifting off again, and falling into the same stupid nightmare. I woke you up three times. It was Jake's turn to put up with you."

"Oh."

I walked toward the bed and pulled off my robe, laying it down. "Okay, I'm sorry, but what was I supposed to do? He didn't put the moves on you, did he?"

"Well, no. He was a perfect gentleman—sort of."

"Sort of?"

"Yeah. You know Jake, always with the innuendos."

"Big whoop. I thought maybe he went berserk and nailed ya."

"He would never do that to me."

I folded my arms, scanning little miss innocent in her cocoon of fabric. "Hence the hevlar armor."

"I guess I did overreact."

"Yes, you did. Gawd, you are a trip, girl, and not in a good way. That poor boy, he must feel awful."

"I'll make it up to him." She put up two fingers. "Scout's honor."

"You do that. Now take off that ridiculous wad of batting and get yourself dressed."