*DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to the Twilight Saga and it's characters. This is purely artistic fiction drawn in inspiration from Stephenie Meyer's words.
WARNING: Mature content ahead, reader discretion is advised.
Ya'll aren't readyyyy! Buckle up! ; )
The entire drive to the tiny convenience store on the reservation was full of loud, off key singing, and both windows down all the way. At Bella's request, Jake maxed out the volume on the radio. The loud bass rattled her to the bone; soulful lyrics and catchy melody filling her with a quiet happiness. She couldn't remember the last time she listened to any music besides classical, the boring kind from before the twentieth century. Bella missed it.
They exited the mustang and made their way to the entrance. The store wasn't huge by any means, but it was cozy. The walls were a soothing sage green color. Soft music played in the background, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. The aisles were relatively empty, with only one or two customers browsing. The store was charming and full of character; signs written by hand added a pleasant touch. Bella loved "mom n' pop" businesses. It was better than putting money back into a greedy corporation's pockets.
Jake snatched a comically small basket from the holder behind the sliding double doors, heading towards the first aisle on the left. He was a giant, squeezing into the narrow space between shelves; broad shoulders almost too wide for them. Jake towered over the top of the aisle, which failed to shock Bella. She hated she was still several inches shorter than the highest shelf. Stupid wolf genes. Three boxes of Popsmarts went into the basket.
"I thought we were here for dinner." She recalled.
"It won't hurt to look." He turned around and scanned the first row, craning his neck to read the handwritten sign labeled 'Condiments' on the end-cap. "Got all those. Next."
Bella shuffled behind him into the following aisle, amused but mildly annoyed with his chaotic shopping methods. She preferred to make a list. Jake repeated his process, this time grabbing a loaf of bread and a few other items from the opposite facing shelves. She interrupted him after the second bag of tortillas.
"Do you have any clue what you want to make? Chicken? Beef? Seafood? Pasta?" Bella listed off a few options.
"Not in the slightest, Bells." An infectious grin spread over his face, "what sounds good for dinner?" He clutched a bag of bagels to his broad chest, placing it into the full-to-the-brim basket.
"Jake—you're thinking with your stomach... at this rate, you'll end up buying the entire store." She cupped her petite hand over the top of his much larger one; he stilled.
Jake sported a thoughtful expression, "yeah. You're right. I can't help it. Everything just looks so good."
Bella stifled a laugh. "I'll grab a shopping cart." She shot him a playful scowl, "don't move."
He surrendered, raising his hands with a mischievous glint in his eyes. She took the basket from him, walking to the front with it. Bella emptied its contents into a rolling cart, returning the small basket to its holder. She separated the regular items from the soft ones. That way, they wouldn't get smashed. When she rejoined him in the aisle, he had already grabbed another armful of more food. Bella shook her head, rolling her eyes. Jake froze with a guilty look and straightened, scratching nervously behind his head.
"Do you remember what food you have at the house?" She glanced up at him, eyeing the other items he now hesitantly put into the cart. It reminded her of a child, excited to pick out a toy.
"Uhh," he blinked rapidly, "I'm pretty sure we've already passed everything I have in the cupboards."
"Okay, what about what you have for ingredients for a meal? Like tonight's dinner..." Bella started down the second aisle, eyes skimming over the dozens of products.
"What's your favorite?" Jake smiled warmly, crossing his arms over his chest. "Dish, that is."
Bella's heart skipped a beat. She panicked. Why did it matter? Settle down.
"I prefer vegetarian, but most places have no good options. That, and Charlie hates anything green or leafy. If I had to pick, I'd say pasta. Cheese filled tortellini is always good."
"That makes sense." He was reflective for a moment. "I could make alfredo for you. That doesn't seem too hard."
"I hate to shoot you down, but I cooked that last night." Bella nibbled her lower lip, focusing on a jar of sliced portobello mushrooms.
"No biggie. I like learning new stuff. Maybe I'll try making that tort... erm, other pasta, and garlic bread." Jake threw some spices from the opposite shelf into the cart.
"That sounds good." She replied promptly.
Bella leaned forward, standing on her tiptoes to grab the jar she wanted. The mushrooms were just out of her reach on the top shelf. She still wasn't tall enough. Really? The top shelf? Bella grumbled under her breath. Thinking quickly, she balanced on the end of the cart. The extra inches of height made her tall enough, but she slipped on the smooth metal bar and stumbled backwards. Converses didn't really have tread to grip with.
Jake wrapped one thick arm around her waist and anchored her, setting her feet back on the tile. His touch was comforting, but also somewhat possessive. Bella looked up at him with wide eyes, searching for an explanation. He grinned down at her, his hold loosening, hands firmly planted on either side of her waist.
"I didn't want you to hurt yourself," he said, his voice low and steady. She nodded, feeling grateful for a split second. All this attention was new to Bella. Her heart raced around her ribs. Adrenaline still pumping through her veins from her near fall. Bella came back to her senses.
"I'm fine... I'm perfectly capable on my own." She huffed, swatting impatiently at his arm.
"Yes, I know," he placed a tender kiss to the crown of her head, "and I love that about you, Bells. I just don't feel like brushing up on my rusty first aid skills."
"There wouldn't be any need." She bristled, angrily pouting. "It's not like I'm gonna crack my head open on the linoleum."
"Riiight." Jake let her go and she carefully set the jar down in the cart. "Do you remember the last time you needed stitches in that pretty little head of yours? I was there, and you said almost the same thing before disaster struck."
"Just drop it." She whispered, pushing the cart forward. Bella felt his eyes bore into the back of her head, her cheeks heating with a rosy blush.
"Bella." Both of his massive hands formed over the tops of hers, his chest pressed against her back as he leaned over. Jake's immense heat thawed her frozen finger tips. The cart came to a standstill.
"W-what?" Bella inched forward more and stole a peek at his smoldering gaze, a playful smirk painted on his russet face. Her heart thundered inside her chest once again. He released her and subsequently the cart.
"Nothin'..." Jake murmured. "They gotta dust up here. It's dust bunny city."
After a few beats of silence, they resumed their shopping. Besides the groceries, he picked out popcorn and an assortment of candy for their planned movie marathon. Jake eventually convinced Bella to grab duplicates of her toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and whatever else she needed from the personal care aisle. She hated being doted on. Bella fought him for over twenty minutes before she reluctantly conceded. By that time, the cart was at max capacity, almost spilling over the sides.
When they went to the register to pay, Jake waved politely at the cashier and the bagger with a happy, albeit relaxed expression. The woman ringing had a high ponytail of thick black hair that extended past her waist, a pair of bright orange reading glasses perched on top her head. She was beautiful; hardly any wrinkles graced her narrow face, except around her deep-set dark brown eyes. Both the cashier and bagger wore matching tan vests with the store's name embroidered on them. The boy at the end had the same deep-set eyes, exact same color, too. Were they possibly related?
"Well, if it isn't Chief Black's boy. What a pleasant surprise," the middle-aged woman all but purred.
"Afternoon, Mrs. Byrd." Jake rushed to place groceries onto the belt. It was clear he was uncomfortable with her sentiment.
"Call me Jen. I used to be friends with Sarah." Mrs. Byrd cooed.
Jen touched her hand to Jake's forearm, lingering for a few seconds too long before he brushed it off with a curt nod. Bella prickled at their shared contact, a biting jealousy stabbing the back of her mind. She knew he wasn't interested, nor were they an official pair, but it didn't help the sinking feeling in her stomach. The comment about Jake's mom didn't sit right with her either. He purposefully shifted further away to set a pack of chicken down on the conveyor with a blank stare. There was an awkward silence between beeps of the register.
"How's the hubby?" Jake emphasized, averting his attention to the boy at the end.
"Rich' is on a hunting trip," Jen murmured coolly, the smile disappearing from her thin lips. She finished scanning the last few items, dissatisfied with Jake's blatant rejection.
"Huh. Another trip? He sure loves hunting and fishing..." Jake nodded absentmindedly, getting closer to the end of the register counter and further away from Jen.
"—Hey, Jake!" the boy bagging interjected. He couldn't have been over thirteen, voice still prepubescent sounding.
"What's up, lil' bro? How's school?" Jake finished emptying the cart's contents, helping him sort the scanned groceries into paper bags.
"Boring. Duh. When can I come work for you?" He was beyond excited talking with Jake. Bella couldn't help smile at his lighthearted interaction.
"When you're taller than four feet, dude." Jake chuckled, taking out his wallet, "what's the damage, Mrs. Byrd?"
Jen pulled her glasses down, glaring at the screen with an unamused face, "three hundred and six dollars. Even."
The total made Bella queasy. It wasn't near Cullen level of spending, but it was a lot by her standards. Jake took out three hundred-dollar bills and two twenties, handing one of them to the boy.
"Here you go, Ben. You earned it."
"Wow! Thanks, Jake," his face lit up, "Mom—look! Can I use it to buy that copy of Grand Theft Mobile?"
"We'll see." Jen frowned, glaring at her son, then back to Jake and down at the remaining money he held out toward her. She pressed a combination of buttons on the register until the drawer popped open. Jen took the money, attempting to pull out change. Jake shook his head and stuffed his wallet into his back pocket without taking it from her outstretched hand.
"Keep the rest." Jake urged, setting the last grocery bag into the cart. "I'll be seeing your Escalade in a month. It needs a new timing belt and an oil change."
Jen nodded hesitantly and then eyed Bella, who flashed a timid smile. "Who's this? A friend? I don't recognize her."
"Charlie Swan's daughter. We grew up together." Jake patted Bella's back softly, smiling down at her.
Bella appreciated he didn't introduce her as his girlfriend or something of that nature. No labels, as they agreed. Deep down inside, she hated that actuality.
"I didn't know he was married. Him and Sue sure do spend a lot of time together." Jen shut the till with force and tapped her nails on the counter, a bored expression on her face.
"He's not married. My parents divorced when I was little." Bella asserted, protecting her father's image.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean—" Jen gawked.
"Thanks for the excellent service, Mrs. Byrd. Tell Richard I said hi." Jake began pushing the cart out of the lane, ushering Bella, too. "See ya, Ben."
"Bye Jake!" the boy called. Jen half-heartedly waved and left the register immediately after they left through the double doors.
On the way out to the mustang, Jake explained to Bella that the Byrd family owns the store and were regulars at his shop. He also mentioned that Mrs. Byrd's husband, Richard, was one of the first patrons of the auto shop. He was on the tribal council. Billy spent a lot more time with Richard since Harry passed. Old Quil projected Ben to be one of the next generation to phase. Jake didn't want that to happen, as the Cullen's were no longer in the picture and hopefully there would be no more intruders on their land.
Jake filled the backseat and spacious trunk in two loads. He lifted four bags per trip, insisting that Bella get in the car. She didn't like the idea of not helping but he certainly didn't need it. He bought enough to last for a full month. The amount of food was roughly enough for a small village. Jake's abnormal metabolism would burn through it fast, though. Not including however many days the pack came over and mooched. That was a bigger deciding factor.
On the drive back to the house, they listened to the Nervanna CD from Jake's folio. The lull of Sounds like Teen Angst kept her thoughts at bay. Bella closed her eyes and let the lyrics wash over her, feeling a sense of catharsis as she hummed along. When the song ended, she opened her eyes and looked out the window, noticing how the trees hypnotically blurred together. It was raining. So much for sunny weather. As they pulled into the driveway, the last notes of Aluminum echoed through the car.
Jake gathered his spoils, freshly made popcorn and a bag of blue raspberry sour sticks. Bella begrudgingly chose a bag of fruit Swizzlers as her treat before dinner. She had no intention of eating them but Jake wouldn't take no for an answer. He sprawled out on the chase portion of the massive grey couch and patted the empty space in front of him.
"Come here, little one."
"Only if you say please." Bella scrunched her nose.
"Please, honey?" Jake rumbled, his voice velvety smooth.
He peered up at her with his enchanting umber-hued eyes, lips pursed into a small pout. She melted inside. Bella meekly plopped down into the space in front of him and hugged a pillow to her chest. She hesitated to lean back until he coaxed her. Jake's heavy arms coiled around her center. He ate fistful after fistful of popcorn in between scenes, promptly emptying the bowl after less than ten minutes of the movie. Bella finished exactly one rope of her strawberry Swizzlers.
Bella found the main protagonist of the popular film, Alien Attack, the antithesis of a Mary-Sue, much more interesting than the plot involving a glitched out robot and a murderous demomorph that slowly killed the spaceship crew. It was the first of four movies, although they got progressively worse in quality as they went. By the end of the second film, Jake's stomach growled so loud it scared Bella worse than the infamous 'Queen versus Mech' scene.
"I thought one was in the room!" She protested, elbowing his washboard abs.
He boomed with laughter, apologetically rubbing her arms. "I didn't mean to scare you. I got caught up in the movie and forgot how hungry I was."
Jake wrapped his arms around her once more, squeezing her into his fiery hold. Bella dropped the pillow between her open legs. Her train of thought derailed, his musky scent filling her lungs.
"It's o-okay," Bella mumbled. "I forgive you."
"Are you sure you're alright? Your heart's beating like crazy. Want me to turn it off?"
"No, no, I'm good." She swallowed uneasily, feeling the heat of his breath wash over her.
"I probably should. Gotta start cookin' dinner. It's late." Jake trailed off, resting his chin against her exposed nape.
"Yeah," Bella agreed, massaging little circles onto one of his knees. A low growl began in his chest, almost similar to a purr but deeper in pitch. She leaned further back into his hold, enjoying the consistent yet gentle sound.
"If you keep doing that," Jake crooned, "I won't want to get up."
"You're such a simple creature," she scoffed, squeezing his hand.
"Your skin is so soft," he breathed, "and you smell so good."
"You can thank my body wash. I can't really wear perfume. The alcohol in it irritates my skin." A few seconds passed. The electric current between them was there again, relentlessly shocking her spine. He pressed a tentative kiss to the sensitive highway between her jugular and jaw bone.
"I missed this." Jake admitted.
"What? Watching movies or kissing me?" she whispered, re-calibrating her thoughts. Easy now, she rebuffed.
"Not the movie part. I've seen this one a million times. I missed spending time with you." He whispered.
"What's so special about it?"
"Everything." He continued his war path along the slope of her shoulder. Bella couldn't respond. Her mind was swimming in static. A fresh peppering of goosebumps covered her skin, shiver running down her back.
"We should really cook dinner." Bella forced herself to speak. She broke the trance. "I bet you're starved."
"Mmn," he grumbled, shifting behind her.
He widened the space between his legs, pulling her even farther back. He was so unbelievably hot. Literally and figuratively. She could feel the heat radiating off of him, branding her, making her feel lightheaded. Bella couldn't deny that she was enjoying the closeness, the sensation of his toned body pressed up against hers, but she knew they shouldn't continue like this. She was supposed to be healing, after all. Not lusting. Bella cleared her throat and tried to move forward, away from him, but he only tightened his grip on her.
"What's wrong?" Jake murmured. "Am I hurting you?"
"No, you're not." she said quickly. Trying to keep her voice steady, she bit her lower lip.
"Then what's wrong?" he asked innocently, briefly ceasing his tantalizing movement.
"Should we be doing this?"
"Doing what?" He chuckled softly, a teasing note on the end of his question. Jake pressed his lips to her neck again.
"This," she said, gesturing vaguely, "it's kinda turning into more than cuddling."
"And?" he inquired, hands idly tracing up and down the sensitive outside of her arms. "Do you want to stop?"
"I don't know," she said, feeling her cheeks flush. He was silent for a moment, and she could feel his breath quickening against her skin. "It's complicated."
"It doesn't have to be, and it doesn't have to go any further. I need to know what you want, honey." He whispered, conviction staining his gravely voice.
Was she ready for more? Could she handle it? She hesitated, her mind racing. Her body wanted more, sure, but she was terrified of going further. Was she moving too fast? Bella's thoughts viciously swirled around her head. You have no experience, it'll probably be miserable for him. She lied to herself.
"I don't know," she admitted finally, "I'm not s-sure if I can give you more. I'll probably ruin everything."
"That's impossible. I imprinted on you. Before that, I was already crazy in love with you. There's nothing that could change that." Jake added. "Do you want to stop?" He leaned in closer, his lips brushing her ear.
Bella took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly, hiding her face in her hands. "I don't. But..."
"What is it? You can tell me, Bells." Jake softened, "be honest. You're not gonna hurt my feelings."
"I think I want it," she stated, continuing, "but I'm scared."
"What are you afraid of?" Jake stiffened, ceasing his torment. His thoughts went to a dark place, assuming the worst. What if she was hurt that way, too?
"I guess I just don't want to rush? I mean—I just got divorced, now I'm jumping into your lap. I don't want to take advantage of you. It hasn't even been a full day." He relaxed a tiny amount, resuming his hold.
"You can't take advantage of the willing." He argued, "besides, there's no play-by-play book to this stuff. Do what feels right. You're a free woman."
"I don't want to mess everything up. I just got you back."
"Bella, you won't. You're not going to ruin anything, and what you're feeling is perfectly normal. It sounds like you're dealing with a lot on your mind. I know you're healing. I'll always give you what you need, even if it's space." His voice deepened, a lilt of curiosity about it. "Answer me this. Would you regret it if we did more?"
Bella paused, mulling over his question. She regretted nothing she did with him so far. She wouldn't desire him otherwise. He was always gentle with her, and patient. If things went any further, Bella knew he wouldn't force her into anything she didn't want. Even if they almost went all the way and she changed her mind last minute, he would respect her choice and pull back.
"No..." she murmured softly.
"Do you want to continue? If your answer is anything but a full on, confident yes—then we won't go any further. That's how consent works. Both parties have to be on board."
She sat there and couldn't bring herself to say yes or no. Bella was too worried about too many things, her judgement clouded. He released her, and she tried not to sigh with disappointment. Now look what you did. She pouted inwardly.
Jake continued, "I will never push you. You're ready when you're ready. I'll start dinner."
Bella got off the couch in a haze, all the blood rushing back into her head. She really didn't want to leave his embrace or feel the absence of his touch. He stood from his sitting position and stretched, adjusting himself a little while she was facing forward. Jake began his walk toward the kitchen when she grabbed his arm, striking up her buried courage. All she could think about was how good it felt to be in his arms, and how much she wanted him, too.
"Jacob. Can I ask you something?" Bella's heart shot up into her throat.
"Anything."
"Do you even—" she struggled to find the words, the lump in her throat making it difficult to talk, "do you even want m-me? Like... at all?"
"I want you. I'll always want you. Body, mind, heart, and soul. All of you. No matter what." Jake resumed his motion, looking up toward the kitchen.
"Wait." She called. It was now or never. Bella had a decision to make.
"Bells?" He gazed down into her chocolate brown eyes, held captive by their decreasingly cherubic stare. Tick tock.
Now.
"J-Jacob, I—" she managed, stuttering. "I want you to kiss me. Touch me."
Those words sent him into a frenzy. His desperate mouth sought hers, their lips meshing, claiming each other. The embers within either of them burst into flame. Jake molded her body against his. He was careful not to hurt her, but also remorseless in how he touched her. With her hands furled in his messy hair, she towed him to her level. Bella broke the kiss, raggedly gasping for air. Jake did not stop his pursuit of her, hungrily finding purchase on the hollow between her neck and left collarbone. He lathed it with attention, nibbling and licking the sensitive flesh.
She pulled him back up, bringing his full lips to hers. Another string of crazed kisses, each more insistent than the one before it. The world around them faded away, leaving only the sound of their shared heavy breathing. Bella savored the taste of him, yearning for so much more. Her hidden inhibitions were waning, melting under their passion. A wave of her fresh arousal hit him and strangled his senses. The hormones were intense, flooding his rational mind.
She shrugged out of her flannel, exposing her thin tank top underneath. It crumpled to the floor in a heap. Jake trailed down her chin, over her jawline, across her neck and over the slope of her shoulder, planting feverish kisses as he went. Bella arched her back involuntarily, anchoring her arms around his thick neck. Her knees knocked together, weak from his pointed attention. Jake steadied her, guiding her carefully onto the length of the couch. They never separated once. He knelt between her open legs, his weight pressing down on hers. Their pelvises were alluringly flush. She was on fire.
Bella brought his lips back to hers, bucking up against him and pawing at his tee shirt. In a split second, he sat up and hooked his hands along the bottom of the material, pulling it up and off to reveal his chiseled upper body. Bella gawked at how beautiful he looked; the low light of the movie illuminating every contour of his corded physique. He continued his attention on her neck, tucking his arms carefully under her back and holding her tight against his bare chest. The heat was glorious! She moaned with the brazen contact, her body instantly craving more.
Bella had never felt this way before... she wanted him—no—needed him.
*You'll have to wait and see what the next chapter holds... be patient, loca. ; )
*This chapter was a little bit longer than usual, but I'm sure no one is complaining. I'm almost half way through the next chapter, I'm gonna try to edit and get it up soon. If not this week, then next. I'm doing good!