Chapter 23 – Mr. July (cont'd)
"One, two… three, four… five, six… seven, EIGHT! Bella, he has an eight-pack. Not just six. Eight!" exclaimed Alice in a loud whisper, as Jacob peeled off his black t-shirt.
"I can count, thanks Alice," Bella giggled. "Now pick your jaw up from the floor. I thought you only had eyes for Jasper these days." She put her finger under her friend's dainty little chin and pretended to push Alice's mouth closed, all the while sneaking a sidelong glance at Jacob's now-naked torso. Wow. Emmett and Paul had been muscular, but this was something else. The word ripped sprung to Bella's mind.
"There's nothing wrong with a bit of window shopping," smiled Alice, winking at Bella, as she put away her make-up kit in the van. "Especially when the goods look that hot."
Bella laughed and shook her head, casting a quick glance over to Edward, who was busy setting up the motorcycle in a clearing in the forest, several metres from where he'd parked the van on a muddy track. She was strangely relieved to see he was too engrossed in the task to notice her and Alice checking out the latest model (Jacob, not the bike).
Jacob unbuttoned the fly of his jeans and slid them down, revealing a pair of clingy white boxer shorts that left little to the imagination. "So before I treat you to the Full Monty, where do you want me, Bella?" he called over.
Bella left Alice by the van and walked down to Jacob, Edward and the motorcycle. She could see her breath misting in the chill air and was glad she'd wrapped up warm. She didn't envy Jacob having to strip off in this weather. "We'll try some shots with you sitting on the bike first, to see how that works. And remember, if you get too cold, just holler and we can take a break."
"Sure, sure," shrugged Jacob, resting a hand on the motorbike behind him, which Edward was trying to put into position. "I'm pretty hot-blooded so I doubt that'll be necessary. Unless you're offering to warm me up, of course. That would be worth freezing for." The smile in Jacob's dark eyes wasn't reflected on his face, so Bella wasn't sure if he was joking or not. She felt her cheeks flush and forced out a laugh to lighten the situation. She'd never felt more aware of Edward's proximity.
All of a sudden Jacob flew forward, a look of shock on his face, and crash-landed into Bella, knocking her to the ground. "Shit, sorry!" she heard Edward cry out from somewhere above her. "The bike fell! Are you guys okay?"
Bella looked up to Jacob grinning just inches away from her face, as he lay on top of her, his bare legs tangled with hers. The last time this had happened it had been Edward in Jacob's place. Instinctively, she reached her hands up to steady him, touching the smooth skin of his muscled arms. "Oh, I am more than okay," he said, looking pointedly down at Bella, who could feel herself blushing more than ever. She was conscious of something hard digging into her hip, and was even more conscious of the fact that Jacob didn't have any pockets. After throwing herself at the past six male models, this calendar guy was literally throwing himself at her.
Jacob didn't seem to be in any hurry to pick himself up - whether due to embarrassment over his apparent erection, or just because he was enjoying their compromising position, Bella didn't know. But before she had time to ask him to get up, a pair of pale hands wrapped around Jacob's broad shoulders and tried to pull him off her. "Sorry, man," apologised Edward, as he heaved Jacob up. "I didn't realise how heavy that bike was. I let it get away from me."
"Hey, don't worry about it. I think I might have scraped the back of my leg, but other than that, no damage done." Edward wasn't listening. He was crouched down checking Bella wasn't hurt.
"Are you sure you don't want to go and sit in the van for a while?" he asked, his face a picture of concern. "Maybe I could take some of the photos? Give you a break."
"Edward, honestly, I'm fine. It was just more of a shock than anything." Bella wasn't sure if she was talking about the fall or Jacob's arousal digging into her hip.
"Okay, well, only if you're sure," said Edward, tenderly, taking both of Bella's hands in his to pull her to her feet. His hands were cool, with a surprisingly firm grip.
"I'm sure. Thanks Edward." Bella smiled, as she straightened her legs into a standing position, letting Edward hold her for a moment longer than strictly necessary. She felt her heart flutter as he raised his eyes from their linked hands and looked straight into hers, his lips curled into a sheepish grin when he realised he hadn't let go. What the hell was happening?
"Oh my god, are you guys okay?" called Alice, running over from the van. "I heard a crash."
"The bike fell on Jacob, then Jacob fell on me," explained Bella, pulling away from Edward, relieved at Alice's interruption. She wasn't ready to even try and answer the question that had just formed in her mind. She needed to focus and get back to work. "We both survived though, didn't we, Jacob?"
"We sure did. Who knew near death experiences could be so exciting, eh?" He grinned wolfishly and winked at Bella. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination but she could have sworn Edward just stiffened next to her. And not in a good way.
"All right, let's do this," said Bella, clapping her hands together and getting her camera ready. "Jacob, do you want to…?"
"Sure. Let's get this party started," he said, whipping down his boxer shorts and flinging them to the side dramatically. Bella daren't look to see if he was still 'excited.' She waited until Jacob was sitting astride the bike, which Edward had quickly pulled back up into position, and looked at him through the safety barrier of the camera lens. She couldn't deny how attractive he was.
"Okay Jacob, so I want you to look straight down the camera like you want to jump my bones or something," said Bella.
"That shouldn't be too difficult," Jacob smirked, fixing his dark brown eyes hungrily on Bella through the camera. Considering it was his first modelling job, she was impressed. Any nerves Jacob had spoken of in the van seem to have completely disappeared – he oozed self-confidence and Bella was sure she would get some great pictures. She had a feeling that July was going to last a lot longer next year for some Eclipse magazine readers.
After the long drive out to the forest and with the fall evenings drawer in earlier and earlier each day, Bella knew she wouldn't have much time to get the shots in while the sun was still bright enough to pass for summer. She was also conscious of poor Jacob catching his death of cold. He'd bragged about not feeling the chill, but she herself was freezing despite being wrapped up in a warm winter jacket and scarf. She worked quickly and was delighted to see Jacob was smouldering in every shot. In no time at all Bella was ready to call it a wrap.
"Bella, can I have a word?" It was Edward. He'd been quiet all afternoon; Bella had been so ensconced in her work that she hadn't noticed until now. He's probably just frozen too, she thought with a shiver. "You know I mentioned earlier about taking some of the photos for you. Well, I'd actually really like to do that. I mean, you don't have to use them or anything, but I'd love to get some shots for my portfolio."
"Uh, okay, I guess," said Bella, slightly taken aback that Edward would want to photograph a naked guy. "Just make it quick. It's so cold out here. I think Jacob's starting to turn blue." She could see the goosebumps on his honey-coloured skin from here.
"Oh, you're man enough to stick it out for a few more pictures, aren't you, Jacob?" Edward called out with a grin. Bella noticed Jacob flexing his huge pecs as he nodded, all the while trying to stop his teeth from chattering. Male pride, she thought with an inward smile. Edward took the camera from her and starting snapping away. Bella used the opportunity of a break to try and warm herself up, stamping her feet and blowing her warm breath into her hands. It didn't do much good. Her extremities felt like ice. She hated to think what state Jacob's 'extremity' was in.
"Come on, Edward. Let's call it a day. I think I'm getting frostbite here," she grumbled. She could see Jacob getting more and more uncomfortable, the earlier look of lust replaced with an almost pained expression.
"Okay," Edward said, lowering the camera. "It's a wrap. Thanks Jacob. Hope you've still got feeling in your… toes." He grinned wickedly.
"Hey Bella," called Jacob, ignoring Edward. "Is that offer still on for you to warm me up? I might need you to help me get the circulation started again in certain parts of my body." He raised his eyebrows suggestively. The smile on Edward's face dropped almost as immediately as it had appeared.
Jacob clambered off the bike, his body stiff from the cold and walked over to where he'd thrown his underwear at the start of the shoot. Bella couldn't help notice the chill air had not been kind to him. She stifled a snigger, feeling guilty for laughing at his misfortune but at the same time feeling he kind of deserved it after his (literal) cockiness earlier.
Before Jacob had the chance to collect his boxers, a chorus of giggles erupted from the direction of the van. Bella looked over to see a group of hikers – all women of a certain age – who had gathered to enjoy the view. Oh god, poor Jacob! Her feet felt glued to the spot; she couldn't think what to do. Luckily Edward's brain was working a little faster. "Move along now please, ladies. Nothing to see here!" he called out, charmingly, swiftly pulling off his jacket and throwing it over to Jacob to protect his modesty.
"Thanks man," said a clearly mortified Jacob, who hurriedly wrapped the coat around his waist and ran up to the safety of the van, where Alice had opened the back doors to bundle him in. Disappointed the show was over, the party of hikers started to leave, chattering excitedly in high-pitched voices as they went.
Edward chuckled as he started to move the bike back to the van. "At least those women will have a fun story to share at their next quilting club meeting. I'm guessing Jacob's feeling a little embarrassed right about now though. But it was only a tiny incident. He'll get over it. Poor guy."
"Say it like you mean it, why don't you?" said Bella, sarcastically. She couldn't help but think Edward was being a little mean. And it seemed really out of character for him. What was his problem with Jacob? She wracked her brains as she packed up her equipment. Could he be…? No, surely not. And yet… Was Edward… jealous?
A/N: Thanks to everyone who is still reading & reviewing. Your reviews make my life (sad as that is!). To everyone on Twitter, come on over and join me at popsicle99 - I'll follow you right back!