You should totally listen to the Bond theme Sam Smith performs "Writing's On the Wall" It's a perfect companion for this chapter.

I kind of insist on it ;)

"If I risk it all, could you break my fall"

Chapter 30: Risking it All

Jacob slid down the wall until he hit the floor. The apartment was completely dark except for the stove light. He'd spent an hour with Kaleigh trying to get Ace to settle down for bed and another hour at Bella's place when he finally determined the baby needed to be in his regular environment. They both agreed he was missing his normal surroundings. He was finally sleeping and Jacob didn't dare make a sound.

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He was always eager to watch his son when he had a night off. Bella gave him absolutely no warning when she asked him this afternoon. She was all set to let Barry watch him because she didn't want Jacob freaking out. Imagine that. She thought the idea of her going on a date with his number one enemy, not counting the Italian bloodsucker, might cause a little drama. It wasn't like that information would have gone unnoticed. He always knew when she was on the move and who was following.

Bella stammered with her excuses over the phone. He was glad Kaleigh was at the grocery store when she called. If she normally needed to talk, she'd send a text and he'd figure how to get in private. "Um, well, Barry's super excited. Collin just texted him. They're going to that sports bar down the road from the clinic for the night game and to shoot pool. He didn't think he even knew his actual name. You know Collin's been so busy and preoccupied. I couldn't ask him to alter his plans for me, he's been a lifesaver. I think this sounds like a nice idea for both of them." Jacob felt bad for all Collin had been through the past few months, but he didn't know what any of this had to do with him.

"Yeah, like you said, good for them." As soon as he said that, he saw his wife's car coming down the driveway. "Bells, is there something else? I need to go unload groceries." Translation, he didn't want to spend his Sunday fighting with Kay. Jacob was still in talks with a lawyer, but he didn't want to get accused of something he wasn't doing, like spending his time on Bella the minute she turned her back. That would only further complicate the messy situation that was brewing. He was aiming for casting a bad light on Kaleigh instead of taking the blame for everything since certain things came to his attention recently. However, she'd been overly nice after the past few fights about money. He knew she wasn't to be trusted, and whatever her mother was up to was just as worrisome. However, he needed to play the game a little while longer according to his legal advice and he hadn't even had the time to go over that altercation Bella just experienced with Selene.

Bella didn't answer right away so he was prepared to tell her he'd sneak out a little later and see what was up. She blurted it out so fast, if it wasn't for his keen hearing, it would've sounded like gibberish. "I'mgoingtodinnerwithMackenzie."

Kaleigh popped in at the same moment. She studied him. Jacob turned around so she wouldn't see his face. "What was that?"

"Jake, I know you heard me. I'm going to dinner, Mackenzie's coming at six, can you watch Atticus?"

He asked through gritted teeth. "How long?"

"Not sure, probably until after bedtime. He says he has a surprise after dinner." Jacob was ready to punch a hole in the wall. Kaleigh kept going in and out with bags. He muted the phone and told her he'd get the rest but he was trying to get some information. "Bella wants me to watch Atticus."

"Tonight?"

"Yes."

She looked irritated. "I was working on a surprise for you. How long?"

"I'm trying to find out now."

"Of course, it's okay, he's always a delight. Don't worry, I'm almost done unloading the car."

What the hell was with everyone and surprises tonight? He had no idea what Kaleigh's was, probably a new recipe she wanted to test. He couldn't let his mind wonder about what Mack's was or someone was going to the hospital, jail or the morgue tonight.

He hit the mute button a second time, fully prepared to tell her that it wasn't possible. If Bella didn't have a sitter, then she wouldn't go, but as soon as he heard her voice again, she got to him. "Jacob, it's just a friendly dinner. You say I can still live my life the way I see fit. Prove it. He's nice to me and I really would like to know some more people that aren't part of the supernatural realm. I have to work tomorrow. I won't be later than ten."

"Fine, I think Kaleigh's making a big dinner, so I'm getting Ace and bringing him over here. We'll set up the pack n play if he falls asleep." Kaleigh hadn't cooked for him in a month at least, what a weird fucking night this might turn into.

Jacob flicked on his phone so it'd light up the time, 10:20. Kaleigh made a nice steak dinner and was super cheery all evening. Ace was really happy the whole time until he got sleepy. She seemed happy to have him there and didn't make one comment that Bella was with her cousin, but she knew. Mack texted her and Jacob also said it casually right before Bella dropped Ace off.

Kaleigh sent a few messages earlier when he first went back to the apartment to get the baby to stop crying. She asked if he needed help. He told her no, that she should go to bed since she had two big closings the next morning. All night, she really reminded him of the old Kaleigh, which completely caught him off guard.

Ace wasn't dealing with the bottle either. Jacob barely got him to drink less than half. He hoped that was okay. He hoped his own tension wasn't the reason his son was fretful.

10:23

'I won't be later than ten.' Lies Bells, all lies. What could they be doing so long? Scratch that. He didn't want to think about it. All he knew was the latest they probably started dinner was seven. No one ate a three hour dinner.

10:27

Jacob sat his phone underneath him so he wasn't tempted to blast off a load of texts that would land him on her bad side again. How did he even get off her bad side after the imprint reveal? Was he? By the time, he got back in his regular routine with her, she had mellowed or maybe that was a false sense of security. She was most likely bottling up everything that she was still feeling about that and one day she'd explode on him.

10:29

Twenty-nine minutes late. He was the one that was about to blow a gasket. Jacob's son was all that kept him glued to the floor, but the wolf lingered. He was so close that when the car door slammed at 10:30, his skin rippled. He had two choices: he could sit and wait exactly where he was or he could meet them at the door to halt any sort of personal contact that might occur at the end of a date. He was counting down in his head, she had ten seconds. If he opened the door and Mack was pawing her, he was going to fly right off the tiny landing onto the driveway.

She knew to come to the apartment because that was the only text he sent well over an hour ago. He told her that he was putting him down in his crib to make things easier for her. This is how she repaid him for his restraint and thoughtfulness.

...8... 9... 10.

He leaned forward. She turned her key. He fell back to the wall on the side of the kitchen, out of sight from the front door.

She was inside. The door closed. Bella whispered. "Jake... "

He wasn't sitting on the floor in an attempt to scare her, but he was trying to talk himself down from what he was about to do. Bella took a step towards the door to her room which was closed.

Too late, he was laying it all on the line tonight. "Fun night?"

She almost fell to the ground in front of him, he startled her so badly. "Jesus, Jake. Have you lost your mind? Why are sitting on the floor in the dark?"

Her voice was a little too loud, so he put a finger to his lips. "Shhh... the baby's finally sleeping."

Bella tried to catch her breath before she whispered, "Okay, is he alright? Did something happen? You never said there was a problem."

He jumped to his feet in a lithe motion and took a step towards her. She backed up a step, so he took another. She wasn't getting away from him that easy. Jacob told her the quick version of how the night went, that Ace only had issues about eating and sleeping towards the end when he became overtired.

"Well, not sure what that's about, but thanks for taking care of him."

"He's my son, no thanks needed."

Jacob was already analyzing the air. Was there a strong odor of Mack? If so, then how much of his scent was on Bella? He smelled him, no doubt about that. Now to find out where it was the strongest. He walked forward again until he was towering over her. He could see her discomfort but he hardly cared.

"Thanks again, I'm going to bed now." She tried to turn but he blocked her. "What the hell is up with you? I think you need to leave."

"Not until you answer my question."

"What question?"

"I asked if it was a fun night?"

"Get out, Jake."

Jacob pressed her against the wall before she knew what was happening. Of course, she resisted but he held both her wrists in one hand in front of her. He proceeded to sniff out Mack in all the obvious places. He moved his nose across her lips first causing her to suck in the air they were sharing. He went across her face, up high and then across both sides of her jaw, ending up and down her neck. Bella stopped squirming and didn't say a word until he released one hand. It was then she attempted to strike him, but he stopped her so he could smell all the way up her arm, starting at her wrist, ending somewhere near her shoulder.

Mack didn't kiss her, that was the good news, but he'd touched her, maybe held her hand or put his arm around her. Jacob dropped his head slightly towards her chest and that's when she really got combative.

"What the fuck, Jacob? Get off me."

He lifted up but wasn't letting her away from the wall. "You don't smell of his slobber, but tell me right now where he touched you."

"Go to hell, you maniac. For the last damn time, let me go and get out. We're done, Jake. I swear to God, I'm moving out of here no later than next week. So much for behaving, you have completely lost it."

Lost it. Of course, he'd lost it. He was deranged since the moment she walked back in his life at that little coffee shop in LA. He married Kaleigh knowing full well what Bella was to him, that he'd never get her out of his system, but he ignored all the ominous warnings. Now he was surely paying the price. This was torture. The whole night had been a living hell, pretending to get along with his wife while she played house like Ace was theirs and only theirs. All the while Bella was out with a predator. Mack was only trying to check off his list and taunt him in the process.

"You shouldn't have gone. Just so we're clear, there won't be a next time."

"Are you hearing yourself? You are married, Jacob. I have to sit right here with your cozy little love nest right in my face, day in and day out. You told me she was your choice. I'm only your obligation. I swear, I'll prove those damn legends wrong, maybe not with Mack, but with someone. I deserve to be happy too, to find someone I love."

She was wrong about so many things, but he didn't know where to start. That fucking intrusive scent of another male was making his vision hazy, his skin burn and his thoughts jumbled. Single words echoed in his mind : Mate, imprint, family, pack, pup, Bella... mine.

He pulled her against him, rubbed his hands over every spot he could access with her squirming while she tried to get him to release her. He whispered again for her to stop. "Don't fight me. You won't win." It sounded threatening, but it was more than that.

"Why are you doing this?"

"I have to get his scent off you. It makes me fucking nuts. We need to talk, but I can't right now. I have to make you understand."

"I'll change." There she was, the true alpha's mate. She knew what he needed. His requests were irrational, but Bella understood. He loosened his hold, but the second she started to pull away from him, he panicked again. She was going to go in her room. For all he knew, she could lock the door on him. He caught her by the waist.

"I'm coming with you."

"I said I'd change."

"Then change, but you're not leaving my sight, not the way I feel right now."

Jacob slipped the button-down sweater off her shoulders first. She had a long sleeve top under that and pair of black slacks on. Bella lost all inhibitions. She kicked her shoes off to the corner of the room and started to undo her pants. There was nothing rational about her standing in the tiny room undressing in front of him but she was doing it. Bella took off everything but a camisole and her underwear. She opened her drawers, grabbed a t-shirt and slipped it over her head with her back to him. He watched her perform some crazy maneuver that extracted her undershirt and bra to the floor before slipping her arms inside the shirt. He watched and she let him. Bella grabbed a pair of shorts next which didn't cover much more than the panties so he didn't see the point, but the mixed combination of their arousals was already heavy in the stale air. Maybe that's why she was trying to cover up.

She knew better, Bella couldn't hide from him. She turned back around. "There. Happy now? Let's go to the living room. You have ten minutes or I'm screaming for backup."

Leah was the one on patrol and that confrontation wouldn't be pretty if Bella alerted the only female wolf that was suddenly her biggest cheerleader what had been taking place inside there.

She tried to pass him but now that the filthy clothes were discarded out of sight, he wanted a hit off her pure scent. She wanted him as much as he wanted her and yet they continued to deny the truth because of his mistakes. Jacob wasn't going to manhandle her like before. He simply reached out and gently touched her shoulder.

"I miss you every second of the day even when we're in the same room. I'm missing you because nothing is as it should be."

She stopped. He heard her breaths get deeper, more ragged, her heart quickened, she looked up at him with glossy eyes that threatened to spill over soon. "Jake, please don't. It won't change anything."

He leaned over and buried his face in her hair. "How do you know things aren't about to change?"

Her arms remained at her side but she wasn't fighting him. Jacob pressed his lips to her temple and Bella sighed. He turned her around, lifted her hair and brushed his mouth over the shell of her ear. Her legs wobbled, so he tightened his hold around her waist. "I'm a jealous asshole. You have ever right to throw me out. I want to throw myself out and punish myself severely for putting you through all this, but I... " he couldn't even finish because one hand covered his and her other one reached up to pull his head closer.

Fuck.

He'd gone so long without her body fussed with his. How had he'd maintained any boundaries when this was all he craved? He pushed his hips against the swell of her ass so there'd be no doubts about what he really wanted... needed.

Erectile dysfunction was laughable, not when he was with Bella. The only problem he had in that realm was concealing how often she did that to him. Jacob honed in on his mark since her top fell off one shoulder. He attached his mouth there and sucked the sensitive skin in between his teeth. He'd never been so aggressive with it, but he knew exactly what even the slightest touch from him there did to her.

She let a moan escape her lips before she said his name, followed by, "we can't," which was barely audible.

Yes, they could because she was all he could think about. He didn't care about anything else. Jacob guided her back inside the room and turned Bella towards the wall. He pried her hands off him and placed them against the wall. He started to kiss her neck and shoulders. Her skin was like a potent cocktail and he was already wasted.

She tried to turn around but he wouldn't let her. His left hand covered both of hers as his mouth lavished attention to the mark. His right hand searched for more. He went under her shirt to palm her bare breast.

Bella pleaded with him, but it was no longer words of warning or disdain. "Jake, please... "

"Please what, honey?" he growled in her ear.

"Please, touch me. Oh, God... more. I want more. I need you so bad, I can't think straight."

All she ever had to do was ask. His knee nudged her legs further apart, he let go of her hands, but she wasn't thinking about moving away anymore. Jacob used both hands to give care and eventually pleasure to her body. He rubbed up and down her naked thighs a few times. She whimpered. Jake tilted her head to the side, bit down on his mark as one hand slipped in the leg of her tiny shorts. He was eager to push the panties aside next. A millisecond later, he was in contact with her heat again.

"Yes," she said almost too loud, but that urged him on. He was giving her what she needed and it wouldn't take long. Jacob pushed two fingers inside her as his thumb circled her clit.

He only lifted his mouth enough to growl out how wet she was. "That's for me, isn't it?"

She didn't answer him, so he slightly pulled his hand back to tease her. She grabbed his wrist. "Don't stop. Please, of course, it is. No one else makes me like this. I promise."

"Good girl. I thought so. I'm going to give you a reward. Do you wanna come, Bells?"

"Yes," she panted, "yes... please, Jake."

He upped his intensity and a minute later, Bella was hitting the wall with one hand and squeezing her other one around his wrist to the point her nails dug into his skin. She bucked her hips and he felt her fulfillment spill onto his fingers.

His next move was always in the back of his mind but it never was possible until now. He turned her around, pressed her back into the wall and hoisted her up much like he'd done that night in the hotel. She wrapped her legs tightly around his torso. Then she pulled his neck so that finally, once again, his mouth was pressed against hers. The kiss was raw and needy, but more satisfying than he could possibly remember. Her taste, her warmth, her touch surrounded him. What he wouldn't give to be buried in her sweet body again. They had to stop, slow down, come to their senses, but he couldn't and she didn't, so he moved his hand in between them to start removing the barrier of clothing.

A door shut. Jacob heard it. She was still trying to devour him. "Bells."

She hummed against his lips and plunged her tongue deeper into his mouth. He heard steps next, then a knock. He pulled back. They were so fucking busted. If it was Kaleigh, she'd be screaming, wouldn't she?

"B... let me in."

Barry. Still busted but not nearly as troublesome for them.

That, she heard. "Oh my God." Bella's head hit the wall, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. He let her slide down his body. Her top was hiked up, half of her was exposed to him. She adjusted her clothes. He tried to stop her.

"I'll go."

She looked down at his erection which stood out even in the darkness. "No, you wait, hide or something."

Bella went to the door. Jacob listened. Barry was gushing about his night out with Collin. "It was soooo good, still just a friend thing, but I swear there's a spark. Tell me I'm not crazy."

"I'm sure you're not, but Jesus Bar, are you drunk? You smell like a brewery."

"You know what's so sexy. Collin drank as much as me and he was stone cold sober. The man can hold his liquor and I wanted to do wicked, drunken things with him, but don't fret, I didn't embarrass myself. I was fun, he even said so."

Jacob couldn't very well hide much longer. He needed to get the hell out of there. Now that his brain was functioning again, how long had he'd been gone? The only thing he could hope for was Kaleigh was asleep. He was damn lucky she hadn't been the one to barge in. He knew things were history with them, but he had been careful. He was following his lawyers advice so far and the first thing on the list was, "keep it simple with your son's mother, strictly platonic. You don't want her to claim infidelity. The child was conceived prior to the marriage."

Practically nailing Bella to the wall was about the least platonic thing he could do with her.

The next thing Barry said was accusatory, "Oh, no you didn't."

"Didn't what? I think you should grab a shower and go to bed."

"Nope, here I thought I had a good first, non-date story, but you look funny girl. I know you. What did you do with the persistent hottie?"

"Nothing. It was just a dinner and we played golf."

Barry laughed. Jacob repeated it in his head. They played golf at night and that's why she was so late. Damn, Mack was lame as hell. Why had he worried so much earlier?

"Since when does golf give you sex hair? Oh. My. God. He's here, isn't he. Wait, did I notice a car? Oh wow, the big guy's going to explode. Nice one, B. This will get him to take notice."

"Will you shut up and please lower your voice. Atticus had trouble falling asleep. Mackenzie didn't come inside with me. You're drunk and delusional. Shower. Now."

"Will you let me sleep in your bed then? I need cuddles, I'm feeling so warm and fuzzy right now."

That was the last bit Jacob was listening to. He stepped out in the open. "I don't think so, buddy. Get a shower like Bells asked you to and pass out on the couch."

"Jake," she gritted her teeth.

"Oh, hell no. You have got to be shitting me right now... both of you. What did I tell you, Little Bit? You've got to make him earn it, not pass it out freely, not this way. His goddamn wife is so close, you can reach out and touch her."

Bells was right, Barry was drunk as hell. He needed to pipe down and stay out of it. Jacob put his hand on his shoulder and the idiot took a swing at him. "Settle down. Trust me, you don't want to go a round with me, I don't care what athleticism you possessed in high school. Bella asked you nicely to leave her alone. If you wake up the kid, you're in deep shit."

"You promised, jerk. You said you wouldn't use her."

It took two seconds to get Barry to his knees. Jacob had his arm twisted behind his back. "Barry, you know I like you and I don't want to hurt you, but this isn't your fucking business. I'm definitely not going to hash it out with your drunk ass before Bells and I have a chance to talk. Now get a shower and go pass out anywhere that's not next to Bella. She's not your substitute, warm body tonight." He knew Barry was a non-threat, but he couldn't stand the thought of any male near her after he'd been so intimate with her only minutes before.

Of course, Bella was behind him, hitting his back the whole time, insisting he let Barry go. When he finally could stand up straight, Barry headed into the bathroom. She was pissed or regretting things or just as wound up as him.

"You're next. Listen to me for once and get out."

"Bells, honey. We still need to talk."

"No, not happening. I have work tomorrow. Do you even realize how long I've been home. What are you going to tell her?"

He wasn't thinking that far ahead. He just needed to make things right with Bella, get their issues straightened out. He'd been nuts while she was on a date, but what he did with her in the bedroom was so much more than marking his territory.

Bella wouldn't listen, she kept pushing him towards the door. He was giving up for tonight, but he had to get her alone soon, so he could tell her everything. Wow, how quickly things could change when the moment of passion disappeared. Jacob stopped at the bottom of the stairs. He looked up the driveway. Collin had parked, he and Leah were leaning against his car talking. They both looked at him. They were yards away and it was pitch dark, but the expressions were clear to him.

What the fuck are you up to, Black?

He didn't have a clue... nothing new there.

~Thanks so much for reading.

I know you all have opinions. Give me your worst and your best, please. I actually mean that. I've shown such restraint up until this point, but you all knew something was bound to happen sooner or later. The sexual tension between these two is palpable.

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(On a side note: this story or my style is not for everyone, I'm fully aware of that. I don't write to be perfect, I write for lots of reasons, mainly as an escape, but also to get better and try new things, even risky topics that I don't condone. So don't even get me started on my opinions on infidelity in RL, but it happens even to nice, normal people. This fic came with a warning from the start. I used to get all bent out of shape over negative reviews, but they are part of life. I don't have to defend my characters. If they're behaving badly, then I expect to hear opinions that reflect that. However, if I am failing you, the reader with every aspect in this piece of fiction, then why the heck are you still reading? That is all I have to say about that.)