Bella practically jogged home despite feeling buzzed and wearing a short skirt. The feeling of being watched and a fear of anyone interfering with her plans made her eager to get there quickly.

Nervous about what to expect, she rushed upstairs to the bathroom to 'freshen up.' Bella removed the lace portion of her shirt and kicked off her shoes. She looked around her bedroom, unsure of what to do next. Should she dim some lights? Turn on some music? That's what the MC in a romance novel would usually do.

This wasn't romance, though. It was Paul, the same boy who'd tugged her pigtails, insulted her with Princess comments, and made fart noises in his armpit when they were seven. The same person was responsible for starting a tradition with her uncle that she cherished because Paul made her cry. He was the boy who pushed her into tidepools at ten and called her Ellie Mae for wearing Dutch braids and cutoff shorts at twelve. Paul was the same person she'd told to fuck off upon sight a few weeks ago.

What in the hell am I doing?

She couldn't help but think of the likelihood that he would sleep with her and resume his former behavior after getting what he wanted. Paul had already admitted he mainly wanted her because he believed others did. Knowing he'd be the first only made him want her more.

But then she thought of how he kissed her and the way every single advance had made her nearly ache, physically wanting more. His behavior with her was increasingly tender, and despite his forwardness, he'd been surprisingly gentle. Bella hadn't lied when she told Embry that she didn't want Paul romantically; she didn't and couldn't see them being compatible either way. But physically? Her mind had proven over the last few weeks that the idea of having sex with Paul was an entirely different story. And, now that she didn't seem to hate him, the appeal only grew.

But she wanted Leah the same way. What did that even mean? What in Hell did it say about her when she was so attracted to people that might upend her entire world? Edward. Jacob. Leah and Paul. Each was extremely risky in some way. She wondered if the whole thing would become another Bella Swan-style glorious mistake.

The sound of footsteps coming near made her turn toward the open door. She was almost relieved that it was Leah. One look at Bella's pale, trembling form, and Leah was pulling Bella into her arms.

Leah cooed, "Hey? Are you okay?"

"No," Bella admitted. "Yes. No. I don't know. I'm not good at making decisions that aren't impulsive, Leah. Planning shit stresses me out."

"So I've noticed," Leah said and chuckled. "Bella? You need to calm down. Seriously. If you don't want to do this, you don't have to. We can just tell Paul to fuck off and go home."

The sheer embarrassment of that idea was nearly as unbearable as the anxiety she already felt. Bella squeezed her eyes shut and groaned. "God, I don't want to do that, either…"

Leah slowly rubbed Bella's upper arms with warm hands as she said, "Hey. Hey. It's okay."

After a few deep breaths, while Leah steadily stroked her arms, Bella slowly began calming. And there was no need to wonder why. Leah felt like her safe space - the only one she had besides Charlie. Bella wasn't sure when it had happened, but Leah had felt significant from the start. However, her attraction to her friend was also immediate, regardless of her confused feelings for Jake.

Quietly, Leah asked, "What do you want to do?"

Bella shook her head and looked away. "I…can't tell you that."

Suspiciously, Leah prodded, "Because?"

"Because asking you to be here was already weird enough, and I'm afraid of… everything," she finished lamely.

What was she supposed to say? 'Hey, I really kind of do want to have sex with Paul, but I'd rather it was you'? She'd probably send Leah running for the hills. And Bella couldn't have that.

Leah gently shushed her as Bella's eyes welled with frustrated tears. Leah glanced down, silently appraising Bella's anxious form, and asked, "You honestly are scared, aren't you?"

Bella refused to look Leah in the eyes, staring toward her bedroom door as she answered, "Terrified."

She wasn't scared of having sex. She wanted that experience. The fear of losing Leah is what scared her. Bella couldn't handle losing anyone else. The very thought made her shudder, and she clenched her shaking hands into fists to hold still.

Leah whispered, "What do you want to do, Bella? I just want you to have what you want - whatever that is. I can tell Paul to leave. Or I can leave if you've changed your mind about me being here. If you'd rather be alone, we can do that too."

Paul would be here any moment. You can fuck off and hide like a scared little bitch, or decide to get a handle on shit now. Before things get worse. It was like going from zero to one hundred in two seconds. She couldn't help but think about how speed was necessary to hurdle some situations successfully. Wanting to fuck her closest friend was, most certainly, a big hurdle for one to jump, and Bella had waited too long, crashing and burning last time.

Leah had caught her - as unintentional as it might have been. She was the reason Bella wanted to regain some sense of normalcy, to decide things for herself again. Leah made her feel braver and more at peace with herself. And that had to stand for something, didn't it?

Finally, looking up into Leah's face, Bella said, "I don't want any of those things. I want you to be here."

Leah asked, "I can wait downstairs if y-"

"No," Bella interrupted her. "I want you here. "

Tentatively, she raised one trembling hand to cup Leah's cheek. Bella could practically see Leah's mind whirling behind wide, dark eyes as she gently nuzzled her cheek against Bella's hand.

Emboldened by the affectionate reaction, Bella pressed, "I want you with us. I want this experience with you ." Bella's lips quivered as she waited for Leah's reaction. She blinked back tears, silently begging Leah to understand and not freak out.

Leah's lips dipped into a pout as she whispered, "And that's what you're afraid of? Wanting me here?" Then, Leah's mouth formed a silent 'O' shape as she fully understood. "Of wanting me?"

Bella couldn't help but frown as she looked away again. It hurt to think about what she might see in Leah's face if she rejected the idea. Bella nodded just slightly. "Of course it is. I don't want to make shit weird and fuck our friendship up."

To her surprise, Leah grinned and shook her head. She leaned down to whisper, "Maybe I like our unconventional friendship. Did you ever consider that?" Without warning, she brushed her lips against the flesh where Bella's jaw, ear, and throat met.

Bella hadn't realized she'd held her breath, anticipating Leah's response, until it escaped her in a low, relieved sigh. Bella moved the hand at Leah's cheek to cup the back of her neck as Leah placed several more kisses under her ear. Leah seemed perfectly calm as she kept Bella wrapped in her arms, and the comfort Bella found in them at that moment was nearly overwhelming.

She's not running. She's not freaking out or pushing me away. Bella seriously thought she might cry with relief.

Bella didn't consciously decide to slide her other hand toward Leah's ass, but that's where it ended, eliciting a quiet moan that vibrated from Leah's mouth to Bella's skin. The sensation tickled, making Bella shiver, and they both chuckled. Bella felt as if her heart might explode.

Leah asked, "Are you okay now?"

"I'm relieved you're not freaking out," Bella admitted. "But I don't want you to do something you don't want to for my sake either."

Leah pulled away somewhat to grin at Bella as she rolled her eyes. "I don't do jack shit that I don't want to do, Swan. You should know that by now."

Bella laughed and nodded. "Will you stay, then? There's a big difference between you being in the house and physically being part of…" Well, whatever would happen.

Leah's eyes sparkled as she teased, "You wanna share Paul with me, Bells?"

Bella closed her eyes, blushing as she whispered, "Maybe I want to share you with Paul."

"Oh." Leah laughed as she cupped Bella's face with both hands. "Well. That's up to him, I guess.." She pressed her forehead to Bella's and grumbled, "God, I can't believe I'm saying that. Paul La Whore. At least he's hot."

Bella chuckled. "Right? I don't know, though. He's been a lot nicer lately."

Leah smirked at Bella doubtfully and said, "I just heard the front door close."

Bella's heart skipped a beat at the sound of footsteps on the stairs. She kept her stare locked with Leah's, her left hand still resting on Leah's ass as Paul slowly stepped into the room.

Bella watched Paul's jaw drop in shocked silence in her peripheral. It only lasted a moment. "Oh, fucking sweet Jesus," Paul mock-prayed, squeezing his eyes shut as he turned his face upward. "Just when I thought tonight couldn't get any fucking better."

The women glanced at each other and laughed as they each let go. Bella eased both hands to grasp Leah's forearm. Paul cockily sauntered toward them, licking his lips, and the memory of them latched to her neck left her biting back an eager whimper. Bella's cheeks burned as she held onto Leah a little tighter.

Entirely unfazed by him, Leah asked, "Where the hell have you been, Lahote?"

"Just giving y'all some time to sober up a little," he said as he stepped closer to Bella and rubbed his hands together.

Watching him shift his weight, she could see his thick thigh muscles flex, nearly making her lightheaded. Feigning indifference, Bella scoffed. "I'm a little surprised you care."

Paul blanched but laughed and cockily pointed at his chest. "I might let drunk girls kiss me, but I don't fuck drunk girls, Swan."

He reached up to push the stray curls from her face, trailing his thumb across her forehead slowly. Like a cat, her eyes fluttered shut from the sensation, and she whimpered. She reopened them to his amused smile, and Leah carefully, silently eyed them both.

Paul chuckled and said, "Consent is an issue I won't fuck around with."

Bella was glad to hear it but remained somewhat dazed and slightly wary. He let drunk girls kiss him? Paul had kissed Bella first every time. Indignantly, she huffed, "You kissed me!"

Paul teased, "You kissed me back. And see? This exact argument is why I don't fuck around with consent."

The slight shaking from Leah's silent laughter pulled their attention. She tried to hide her mouth behind one hand, but her eyes shone with amusement. Bella reached for Leah's hand to uncover her smile and, with all the bravery she could muster, stood on her toes to press a quick peck to Leah's Lips.

Leah's face remained affectionate despite her stern tone as she said, "Bitch."

Paul's eyebrows nearly met his hairline as he watched them in wide-eyed fascination. Bella looked toward him and laughed.

He gestured between them and asked, "What's your deal, anyway? What's going on here? Is this some 'experimental college girl' kind of shit? I mean, I'm down. It's no problem. But I'm curious."

"Bella is my best friend," Leah said matter-of-factly. "I'm just here for moral support."

Paul laughed. "Is that your way of politely telling me to go fuck myself, and it's none of my business?"

Still grinning, Leah said, "Precisely."

"Cool," he said, nodding.

Suddenly, his hands were at Bella's waist, and he lifted her toward his chest. She let go of Leah's forearm to secure her arms around his neck and squealed, "What the hell? You gotta warn a person!"

"Paul, be careful! She's a lot fucking smaller than you," Leah hissed.

"She can take it," he teased.

"You've got almost a foot of height and like eighty pounds on her, Lahote!"

"I won't hurt her," he said and chuckled.

Bella shrieked as he bounced her upward and dropped his hands to her thighs. Instinctively, she let him guide her, wrapping her legs around his hips.

"Right where those are supposed to be," he teased, pressing his nose to her neck. Nervous laughter fluttered out of her, and Paul laughed into her shoulder as he slapped her ass, causing her to shriek a second time.

"Seriously, Paul, she bruises easily," Leah muttered.

Before Bella could reassure Leah she wasn't as weak as she looked, Paul said, "I'm already aware she's a clumsy duck, okay? We'll make 'Quack' her safe word. Geez."

Despite her laughter, Bella said, "Hey!"

Paul snickered and surprised her as he pressed a quick, affectionate peck to her cheek. His voice took on a husky tone as he asked, "You're tough, aren't you, Ducky?"

Bella giggled and said, "I'm not going to break."

"You'd better not," Leah joked.

"Don't worry, Leah," Paul said to Leah between pressing light kisses along Bella's jaw, sending shivers through her limbs. "If I feel like getting too rough, I'll save it for you. Something tells me that fine ass of yours can take it."

The gasp that followed was unexpected, and Bella couldn't help but grin at her bold friend's surprised yet heated stare as Leah slowly closed her mouth.

Suddenly, Bella wondered if perhaps wanting Leah there was the right call. Leah had mentioned wanting to hook up with someone multiple times over the last few months. Bella's lack of experience had not kept her from needing physical attention either. To Bella's knowledge, the farthest either of them had gotten was with each other. Paul was very physical and probably had more stamina than Bella could dream of satisfying alone. Although it annoyed her to admit it, it probably would be easy for him to wound her unintentionally.

Then again, she hoped he didn't go too easy on her. She didn't want to think about how very breakable Edward and Jacob had treated her, and yet, she couldn't help but recall how Jacob had reacted when he accidentally touched her breast the first time. While she'd appreciated tenderness most of the time, she realized the fire and unpredictability about Paul excited her. He wasn't afraid to touch her or damage her somehow, and the tenser their conversation, the more physical he seemed to get. She was half-tempted to start an argument and get the ball rolling.

As if sensing her straying thoughts, Paul slid one hand up her back, into her hair, and pressed his lips to hers. Bella moaned into his mouth as he kissed her deeply, gingerly sliding his tongue across hers and back again. She gasped for breath as she finally pulled away, and her eyes fluttered open. He grinned and pressed another chaste kiss to her nose and laughed.

Paul eased them onto her bed, kneeling, but kept her securely against him. Bella watched over his shoulder as Leah slowly sat in the rocking chair, facing them.

Bella sighed as she realized that being honest with Leah and Paul's playfulness had conquered her anxiety. She let herself relax further against Paul. It seemed to be what he was waiting for. He lifted her higher, leaning his face into her neck and inhaling deeply.

"Mmm," Paul half-growled, pressing his lips to her throat. She could feel it vibrate along his torso and seemed to settle between her thighs. There was no humor in his deep, hungry voice as he whispered, "Do you smell this good everywhere? I wanna taste you first, Little Duck."

Bella watched Leah grin as her entire torso reddened from the mental picture of Paul's head between her thighs. Paul glanced behind them toward Leah and back as Bella met his curious gaze.

Barely a whisper, he said, "Leah? Come here, please?"

Leah snorted, looking as astonished as Bella felt about Paul Lahote saying please. Approaching the bed, Leah teased, "I didn't know you knew that word, Pauly. You're such a good boy."

He squeezed his eyes shut and groaned. "Don't start that shit, or I'll start calling you Mami. I swear to…"

"Hush it," she interrupted as Bella shook slightly, holding back laughter.

Paul smirked, fixing his stare on Bellas as he said, "Sit behind Bella, would you? Unless you'd rather just watch? Is that what you want, Ducky? Do you want Leah to watch or join the party? I like watching, too. I'm fine either way."

Bella looked over at Leah, and her heart pounded. Sonofabitch, this is one hell of a night for someone's first fucking time. But Bella wanted it. She wanted them both.

Instead of answering, Bella kissed Paul tenderly as she held her hand out to Leah, silently asking her, again, to have this experience with her. As she pulled away from Paul's lips, she could have sworn she saw the lust spiraling, dilating the pupils of his dark eyes. She'd never noticed the odd flakes of blue-gray in his nearly black eyes before.

Leah took Bella's hand, carefully climbed onto the bed, and spread her legs behind Bella. Bella felt Leah tremble slightly as the reality of their situation settled over them both.

"Perfect," Paul said, seeming far calmer than Bella or Leah were.

Bella chuckled and asked, "This isn't your first time doing this, is it?"

Paul loosened his grip, letting gravity pull Bella down the front of his body, grazing her core over his erection, and she gasped. Guiding her to lay back between Leah's long, firm legs, Paul chuckled and said, "Maybe it is, but I am just fine with that." He looked up over Bella's head at Leah and asked, "And you?"

"She wants me here, so I'm here," Leah said as Bella practically vibrated between the two. Bella's head rested just under Leah's breasts, her body heat seeping into Bella's back as Leah's hands gently trailed up her sides.

Paul looked back down at Bella and wagged his eyebrows. "Good. You can help me undress her, then."

Fair warning, lovelies. The next chapter and part of the following chapter will be smut. Skip if you'd like, but... I hope you enjoy them.

As far as this chapter went - don't forget to review.
No please. Only Paul Says Please. :)