Chapter Twelve-Pushing Limits
And I just hope she knows that she the only one I yearn for
More and more I miss her. When will I learn?
Didn't give her all my love, I guess now I got my payback
Now I'm in the club thinking all about my baby
Hey, she was so easy to love
But wait, I guess that love wasn't enough
"Just a Dream" by Nelly
"If you wanted to make me jealous you should have picked someone besides the accountant," Paul whispered directly into my ear. I tried to turn but he kept me in place with firm hands on my hips.
"He's a financial planner," I snapped. "And if you aren't jealous then why aren't you over there with Blondie McBimbo?" I asked.
"She found someone else more appealing," he answered, turning us to where she was clearly hitting on a slightly mystified Seth.
"He's such jailbait," I commented. One of his hands carelessly pushed hair away from my neck and he leaned forward.
"Get rid of the boytoy, Swan," he said. I managed to pull free from his arms just as Gabriel returned with another margarita for me. His blue eyes took in the sight of the intimidating; 6 foot tall muscled out Paul with only a slight shock. He took it in stride.
"Gabriel Smith," he said sticking out a hand. Paul didn't take it.
"This is Paul and he was just leaving," I said pointedly. I turned my back to Paul again.
"So that's the bad choice, huh?" Gabriel asked taking a sip of what looked like some sort of whiskey.
"One of them," I admitted. "Though he seems to have some sort of preference for sluts." Gabriel's blue eyes twinkled.
"I'm assuming we're excluding present company," he said wryly. I laughed and took another sip of my margarita.
"Considering I was a virgin last week I would say so," I commented drily. He practically choked on his whiskey.
"I thought you were a legal age," he spluttered. I laughed again.
"I turned 21 six months ago," I said. "You're not aiding in any kind of delinquency. No, I just never had the true inclination before last week." Gabriel glanced over to where Paul was now cozying up to the bimbo again. He shook his head.
"I don't see it," he said.
"See what?" I asked. He shrugged.
"I don't understand how a guy could go from you to that," he said. "Seems like polar opposites."
"I'll try not to take offense to that," I said sarcastically. "But he's Paul. It's what he does."
"I was trying, obviously badly, to give you a compliment," he said. "In the morning she'll look like a clown and he won't be able to talk to her. It's obvious you're a natural beauty and it seems you have brains as well." I blushed.
"Well brains enough not to think reaching down someone's pants is the same as a handshake," I joked. He smiled.
"I'm starting to think you're an old soul Bella," he said. I set my empty margarita glass on a table.
"Enough serious talk," I said. "The club's about to close and I want one more dance." The last song of the night at Red was always a country song. I secretly thought the owner had some sort of rule about that but my co-workers always said it was a coincidence. Tonight "Words I Couldn't Say" by Rascal Flatts was the selection.
"So what are the chances I get to see you again?" Gabriel asked as he walked me to my car. I knew my sober driver, the underage Seth was waiting nearby. Stupid wolf bodyguards. Couldn't be irresponsible even if I wanted to. I shivered a little and a moment later he draped his jacket over my shoulders.
"Thanks," I said. "Well I don't know if you know Roth Publishing but I work there. We could maybe get coffee sometime, before work?" I suggested.
"Do you know Ray Dominguez?" He asked. I nodded.
"I'm his assistant/intern/slave," I said.
"He's my half brother," Gabriel said.
"Small world," I remarked. We stopped by the Caliber. Sure enough Seth was waiting, leaning on the driver's door. Gabriel glanced at him.
"Are they all that tall?" He asked. I laughed.
"Just about," I said. "And he's only 16. He's also my designated driver for the night." And my Sam-appointed stalker.
"I'll stop by the office sometime then," he said. He hesitated for a moment and then bent to place a gentle kiss on my cheek. "It was refreshing to meet you Bella." I watched him walk to a shiny silver Mercedes before I turned back to my car. Seth's smirk made me blush.
"Not a word from you, jailbait," I snapped before tossing him my car keys.
"I didn't say anything," he said. "And I am not jailbait." I shrugged and got into the passenger's seat.
"Fine. Cougar bait then," I suggested. He grinned as if it were a compliment. I was anticipating stumbling into bed when I saw Paul sitting on my couch. He nodded to Seth.
"Go home midget," he ordered. "I've got this." Seth hightailed it out of there before I could protest. Little traitor. I kicked off my shoes unsteadily.
"You know where the pillows are," I said. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Or you can explain to me exactly what kind of mind fuck you are playing right now," he said.
"The kind that is too tired to deal with you right now," I said. He caught my elbow as I tried to pass him.
"The only time you're honest with me is when you've been drinking," he said. "So well talk about this now."
"I don't want this Paul," I said gesturing to the space between the two of us. "I want something normal. I want to be able to be with someone normal."
"Like GQ at the bar tonight?" He asked with an edge of anger. I shrugged.
"Maybe," I said. "It would be easier than waiting for the other shoe to drop." He looked confused.
"What other shoe?" He asked. I shrugged again.
"Take your pick Paul," I said. "You could imprint. I know you said because you're only half-Quileute it wouldn't happen but no one knows for sure. Or you could decide while out with the guys that some chick at a bar looks better than what you have waiting at home. I can't take those kinds of risks Paul. I can't do it and I am sorry that Edward and Jake fucked that up for you, I really am, but I am not ready to get my heart fucking shattered yet another time." I panted with my exertion and tried to move past Paul again. He held a palm flat against my stomach this time. I avoided his gaze.
"Don't put what they did to you on me," he said quietly. "I don't deserve that." I pushed his hand away.
"I'm going to bed," I said instead of answering. "You can sleep on the couch or send Seth back. The choice is yours."