Six

Touch Me...

Paul was tired, but the best kind of tired. The kind of tired that was earned from working hard and taking care of a family – well, as close to a family as a guy like him could get. He watched Bella as she moved around the kitchen, getting Wyatt's meals ready for the next day. Every time they reached this time of day, Paul considered just sitting her down and telling her about the imprint. It was easier said than done. There was too much at risk if she decided it wasn't what she wanted. He didn't want to have to try and be a father from another state. A small smile passed over his lips as she stood on her toes to try and reach the top shelf of the cabinet. Admittedly, he would put stuff up there on purpose just for the sake of watching her grow red with frustration before finally giving in and asking him for help.

"Paul, could you-" He was already at her back, reaching over her head with ease. "Thanks." She smiled and turned towards him, blushing when she realized just how close they were.

Paul took a deep breath through his nose, enjoying the scent of her, especially when she was turned on. It might have been cruel to manipulate her emotions like this, but it wasn't like he didn't get a half-chub just from the smell of her. His eyes moved from her bright brown ones, over the bridge of her nose where several small freckles sat to the full bottom lip held hostage by her teeth. "Fuck it." Paul breathed as he tossed the container aside before grabbing Bella by the waist and pulling her body flush to his. He kissed her soundly, afraid that if given the chance, she would stop him. In the back of Paul's mind, the wolf howled in content, causing his body to hum.

She moaned – sweet and delicious into his mouth as her tiny hands came to rest on his broad shoulders. She was such a contrast to him. Light and dark. Sweet and bitter. Strong and fragile. She was – much to Paul's dismay – his other half. She didn't protest as he caught her behind the thighs, setting her on the counter so he wouldn't have to bend over so far to kiss her. She tasted like she smelled; like wildflowers and strawberries with a hint of something he was sure he would never smell anywhere else. Her pale hands roamed over the width of his chest, her touch nearly cool on his heated skin. Had it felt like this the first time? It was all such a blur of want and need. Had he known she was his imprint then, he would have taken his time… he would have done it right.

"Paul-" She gasped his name as his mouth moved to the curve of her neck, his strong fingers digging into the sides of her ass. Every inch of her drove him crazy in a way he could never explain. "Paul we can't!" Her voice was weak and unconvincing, so he nipped the skin behind her ear, reveling in the way she shuttered. "Wyatt…"

"He's asleep." Paul's voice was deep and husky before he ran his tongue over the shell of her ear, delighted to see that her skin tasted just the same as her mouth. "And I'm wide awake." He growled as he pressed his the tightened front of his pants against her heated center, causing them both to moan.

"No, Paul… I mean… what if – holy crow!" She gasped as he pinched a nipple through the fabric of her shirt before soothing it with the hot palm of his hand. If it was the last thing he did, he would make Bella Swan curse with pleasure.

"Isabella…" He breathed her name as he caught her lips again, watching her with dark eyes. "Do you want me to stop?" He asked, the corners of his lips twitching the slightest bit. Isn't this how it all started? Only now he could stare into those endless brown orbs. Fuck, he was whipped.

She waited a beat, her eyes searching his as her chest rose and fell under his palm. "No, Paul… I don't."

He didn't need to be told twice. Scooping her up again, Paul groaned as her plump lips found the skin of his neck. Bedroom - he reminded himself. They had to get to the bedroom. A deep, guttural growl ripped from his throat as she bit down on his delt. That was so fucking hot. He lowered her to his black sheets, never breaking contact as he took in the contrast of dark and light – just like them. "Shit, baby… you're gorgeous." He breathed, priding himself in the way she blushed.

Paul kissed her again – deeper and slower this time, his hand ducking under the hem of her shirt to feel the soft flesh of her breast. He memorized the way she gasped his name, and arched into his touch. This… this he could get used to. She was perfect under him. The way she smelled… the way she sounded. She was his. The wolf flashed through his mind – possessive and in need of his mate. He was so absorbed in the feel of her warmth where he needed her most, he nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of a small sniffle.

"Mommy? Daddy?" With a low curse, Paul rolled off Bella as she fixed her shirt. "I had a bad dream…" He was rubbing at his eyes with a tiny fist as the other clung to his favorite stuffed animal, Mr. Alligator. "There was a monster..."

"Oh, sweetie." Bella cooed, not missing a beat as she jumped from the bed and scooped him up. Paul was still trying to talk his body down. It was way too early in the kid's development to explain anatomy to him. "Do you want to sleep with me tonight?"

Wyatt nodded with the smallest of pouts. "Daddy too." He all but demanded as he looked to Paul who was finally starting to straighten out.

"Uh – yeah." Paul cleared his throat with a small smile. "You guys can stay in here." He gave Bella a look that said she was welcome to leave once Wyatt fell asleep.

That was how Paul found himself sandwiched into the corner of his own bed, a tiny toddler taking up enough room for two people, and Bella mumbling in her sleep every few minutes about burnt cookies. It might not have been the night he was looking forward to… but it wasn't a bad night by a long shot.

Paul stared into nothingness as the pack loudly discussed Jared's upcoming wedding around him. He was happy for Jared and Kim, but he had gotten next to no sleep the night before, and he certainly hadn't gotten laid. It had been nice to share his space with Bella and Wyatt, but after a ten hour patrol, he was feeling worn down. Bella had taken Wyatt to visit Charlie and Sue, so he had to deal with the distance on top of being cranky. The only upside was that it was sunny, so he didn't have to worry about the leeches hovering around his imprint. From what Seth had told him, Bella had told Cullen that she wasn't interested in being his friend. That was his girl.

"What do you think, Paul?" Jared's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Seeing the confusion on his face, Jared smiled and punched his shoulder. "Would it be okay if Wyatt was our ring bearer?"

"I don't know, man." Paul sighed as he ran his hand over his face and sat up a little straighter. "I'll have to talk to Bella about it. Wyatt's got this thing about being overstimulated in large crowds. Something about sensory overload? The doctor will give us a better idea when we go."

"Shit dude…" Jared looked instantly guilty. "I forgot, I'm sorry."

Anger flooded Paul as his teeth clenched. "It's not that big of a deal. Don't feel like you have to handle the squirt with kid gloves. He's tough, and he's normal. He just has some limitations – like anyone else."

"Hey man, I didn't mean-" Jared was cut off by the sound of the new glass door falling shut.

Paul knew that he would come back – that it was only a matter of time. Selfishly, he had hoped it was a bit longer – long enough to establish what he and Bella were. If Jacob reached a zen place while on his nearly month-long run, it didn't show on his tight face. His hair was longer, and his body leaner from not eating enough. Paul could see the anger and challenge in his eyes as he approached. Standing, Paul squared his shoulders.

No one spoke. Hell, he doubted anyone really breathed at that moment – and not only because Jacob stunk to high heaven. Paul half expected Jacob to punch him, but he luckily didn't. They couldn't afford to keep replacing Emily's door. The shorter male simply stood there… watching Paul. As if he could change the past and make Paul disappear simply by willing it.

After a long moment, Jacob took a deep breath through his nose. "You're not good enough for her."

Paul sneered and crossed his arms. "No argument here. But fate is fate. Bella is my imprint." He drew the line clearly. Jacob can pout and stomp his feet all he wanted. Alpha or not, his hands were bound by tribal law.

"I might not be able to steal her from you – at least… I can't try." Jacob smirked, and Paul wanted to rip it off his face. "But I know you haven't told her about the imprint yet. There's a chance she won't accept it, and if she doesn't… I'll be waiting in the wings."

Paul's form vibrated violently with mental images of Jacob kissing Bella and putting Wyatt to sleep playing through his mind. He would die before he let that happen. "That's enough!" The authority in Sam's tone instantly made both men nearly cower. "Jacob, you will not seek Bella out. She is Paul's imprint. You need to come to terms with that." The alpha order settled around them, and Paul fought the urge to stick his tongue out in triumph. Maybe he had been spending too much time with a three year old...

He got out of there as soon as he could. Jacob's existence was enough to set his hair on edge and bring the wolf to the forefront of Paul's mind. Sure, Bella and Jacob had history, but no imprintee had ever denied the imprint, at least not that they knew of. Then again, Bella wasn't a normal imprint. She wasn't from the tribe, she didn't fully know their legends, and she was already in deeper than she knew. Paul nearly growled as he paused outside of the house, listening to Bella hum off-key to herself as she prepared dinner. Wyatt was speaking to his stuffed animal about some kind of half-baked plan to get a dog from Santa. That calmed Paul down immediately. This was his life. They were his family. He'd be damned if Jacob Black, Edward Cullen, or even God himself took that away from him.

With a deep sigh, Paul pushed in through the back door, nearly smiling as Bella jumped in fright, placing a hand over her chest. "Geeze, Paul. You almost gave me a heart attack."

"Sorry." He smiled lightly and ran a hand through his hair. "You're gonna hear it around the rez, so I might as well be the one to tell you… Jacob's back…" He watched the emotion play over his face and tried to ignore the way his chest clenched. "I know you probably want to see him, but before you do, we need to talk… I need to tell you about something called imprinting…"

AN: I heard you guys like lemons sooo... an almost one? I couldn't just let it happen like that, but it won't be the last!

Thank you again to everyone that reviewed! I can't believe we hit over 100 reviews in only 5 chapters! You guys are making this an amazing experience! I hope you keep reading!