Another day, another chapter. Thanks for all the people who are reading this story, I hope you are enjoying it!
Bella's POV
As we approached the living room, Jacob deployed a masterful distraction for Billy, asking him the score of a game he knew was on a different network. Therefore at the moment we walked by, Billy was transfixed with the TV remote, trying to find the right channel. As he saw us pass out of his periphery, he asked "What are you two up to now?"
By then, we had made it past the living room and into the hallway leading to the bedrooms. At Billy's question, we both poked our heads out from around the dividing wall, innocently acknowledging him.
"I just finished working on Bella's truck," Jacob said. "I was teaching her a few things, and she got some oil on her shirt. I'm gonna let her change into something of Rachel's."
"I heard the engine crank, sounded good," Billy said. As we began to start back down the hallway, he added, "Hey." He fixed Jake with a wizened stare only a father could give. "Keep the bedroom door open. And the score is 14 to 3."
Grinning, we continued down the hall. Jacob was still sporting a considerable bulge in his pants, but he had given up trying to hide it from me. He must have figured since I just had my hands all over him, he might as well stand proud.
He walked into his sister's room, and came out with an old graphic tee shirt that looked about my size. His older sister Rachel was taller and not as petite as I was, but it would only be a bit loose on me. I took it gratefully.
"I uh... I wasn't kidding about that shower. Besides I need to get the motor oil off me. You can wait in my room," Jake offered. I knew where to go. He gave me a peck on the lips and disappeared into the bathroom. Even just the small kiss caused butterflies to bloom in my stomach.
Trying not to think about what he might do while he was in said shower... I entered Jake's bedroom, which smelled like him. Pine, leather, and a hint of a cologne I had smelled on him sometimes. I went to sit on his bed, and took several deep breathes with eyes closed, just breathing him in. It was amazing how much that calmed and comforted me, down to my core. I sighed, standing up and wandering around the room. I had been here before, but this new development in our relationship allowed me to see everything in a new light, as if I was seeing it for the first time.
I found some polaroids on a tiny wooden work desk that must have been much too small for Jacob now. The pictures showed a Jake from a few years ago, and it struck me how much he had changed in such a short time. He was shorter, with rounder features, and long hair tied back. Now, his hair was cut short and messy, and his face was more angular, certainly much more mature and masculine. I wondered if the Jake in these pictures believed in the stories about the Quileute wolf pack, or if he had dismissed them as a whimsical myth. I recalled Jake telling me last year that his father was always 'superstitious.' He couldn't have known the immense responsibility he would someday hold.
Just then, my stomach growled insistently, reminding me that we had been so caught up in fixing my truck and... other things, that we hadn't even thought about lunch. It was already past noon according to Jake's alarm clock.
I quickly changed into Rachel's shirt, and padded out to the kitchen. Since we had just cooked those meals for Sue, I was certain there were some ingredients left over that I could use to whip something together. As I passed by the living room, I asked Billy if he had eaten anything yet.
He seemed surprised, and looked at the clock. "Oh, well no. I figure I could have Jake make us sandwiches."
"Do you mind if I cook something for us?" I asked. By now I had made it to the fridge, and opened it up. As expected, they had all the right ingredients for spaghetti with meat sauce. Simple and quick.
Billy grunted - so much like Charlie, I noted with a smile. Then after a pause, he said, "Sure, go ahead." I could tell in his voice that he was putting on a gruff air, but he was more than happy to be fed. I knew my way around the Black family kitchen by now, and got to work.
Jacob's POV
I exited the bathroom washed, dressed, and feeling much... calmer. I had to take care of my still raging hard-on in the shower, of course. No one had ever made my blood boil in my veins like Bella did, but she was absolutely intoxicating.
It had been so difficult to make her insatiable hands stop stroking me, but any longer and I would've been in a very embarrassing situation. Our clothes hadn't even come off, for Christ's sake! Besides, I did not intend to let Bella get me off without showing her all of the attention I could give her first. I hoped that would be soon. Self control would be difficult, but I was resolved to do my best to not push her, and to savor this phase of our relationship like I promised. I would never forgive myself if I screwed this up with her. She was too wonderful to deserve anything less.
I walked into my bedroom expecting to see Bella, but she wasn't there. Her soiled shirt lay on the floor, and I cracked a smile at the memory of why she had to change out of it. Now here I was, thinking about her breasts again. She was so eager under my touch, her breasts perky and supple. The thought of her writhing into my hand...
Stop it, I admonished myself. If I wasn't careful, just thinking about what we just did was going to get me hard all over again.
I shook my head to clear it of its devilish thoughts as I noted the noises coming from the kitchen. As I started back through the hallway, the scent of something delicious wafted ever closer. I reached the kitchen to see Bella, obviously deep in her comfort zone and diligently cooking.
I silently leaned against a cabinet, observing with a contented smile playing on my lips. How could she be so perfect? She was thoughtful in taking care of the people in her circle, and I could see that spark of life that had returned to her eyes. She seemed so much happier doing the normal things she enjoyed again, now that she had emerged from the fog after that leech left her for dead.
Her brunette hair cascaded down her back in long, gently waving locks, reaching nearly to her waist and swaying as she manipulated the pan of sauce on the stove and checked the boiling noodles. I looked her up and down, drinking in her petite frame with curves in all the right places. Of course, my eyes lingered on her perfect backside, which looked absolutely delectable in those jeans. She was so sexy, and somehow effortlessly and elegantly beautiful at the same time. Finally she turned from the stove, biting her full lower lip in concentration, and caught me staring. Busted.
She beamed at me. "Just in time!" she said. "It's almost ready."
I helped my dad in his wheelchair over to the dining table. He had fixed me with a knowing look followed by a slight nod after he had witnessed the way I was looking at Bella from afar. My crush on her had been obvious for a while now, I was sure. I wondered if he had picked up on the change in dynamic from the past week.
Together, we sat and enjoyed a delicious lunch. Luckily Bella had made plenty for a wolf's appetite.
Bella's POV
Over the next two days, time passed in a flurry of late night patrols and trying to find time to spend with Jake, all while he struggled to keep caught up on sleep. I could tell he was beyond exhausted, even with the extra strength lent him by his supernatural nature. Often before or after a patrol, he came to visit me in my room only to pass out on my bed in the middle of a sentence. I was more than happy to allow him to rest. Many times, I wondered if the rest of the wolves were getting enough sleep. And then, just as often came the pang of guilt when I realized how much they were sacrificing because of my stupid habit of getting tangled up with vampires.
Jacob kept me updated on what was happening as much as he could. I was so thankful for his honesty, even though the news wasn't that positive. Victoria was relentless and cunning. She had continued to toy with them, testing them in unpredictable ways and always remaining just out of their reach.
The wolves and the vampires - Carlisle, Esme, Alice, and Jasper - split the work of keeping a defensive perimeter in the area. The Cullens patrolled around my house, which freed up the pack to spend much more time on their own lands where the Cullens couldn't go. They were eager to protect their own people from the threat too, and would never forgive themselves if Victoria harmed one of the tribe. Still, they insisted on keeping at least two wolves in Forks near me at all times, if only due to a lingering distrust of the Cullens. They knew rationally they didn't mean me any harm, but old habits die hard.
Seth and Leah had finally phased, and joined with the pack officially. While they were obviously still green, they got right to work, which also helped the pack cover more area. Jacob said that each of them was always accompanied by at least one experienced member of the pack... new wolves tended to make rash, impulsive decisions without the supervision of a senior wolf.
I could tell they were all getting increasingly frustrating with their inability to run Victoria down, even when they caught her scent fresh. She was faster than them all. There were times that they had even caught sight of her and attempted a full speed pursuit, only to watch her disappear from view as they chased her to the coast and into the ocean water. Jake told me, albeit reluctantly, something that Carlisle had mentioned in passing... that he thought Edward might be the only one of them fast enough to match Victoria.
The worst part was the longer it took to catch her, the more she was able to test the waters and learn about their limits. Victoria now knew for certain that she could outrun them with ease. The only way they'd succeed is by outsmarting her with a clever strategy, but she was always multiple steps ahead.
On the third morning, after Charlie had left for the station, Jacob was reclined next to me in bed, fresh off patrol, my head on his bare chest and his fingers running gently through my hair. I somehow loved his scent after he had finished patrol... he smelled like the forest, earthy and woodsy.
I thought he might be dozing again when he suddenly stiffened. I looked up at him startled. He was listening and sniffing the air. He looked at me regrettably. "It's Alice," he said, knowing how her presence affected me the last time. Just a moment later, the doorbell rang.
I took a slow, deep breath. "Come with me?" I asked. Jake nodded, taking my hand in his and placing a kiss on the back of my palm.
We made our way downstairs and to the front door, dread building inside me again with every step. I knew I wouldn't be able to avoid speaking with them completely, as much as part of me wanted to. But another part of me, deep deep down, recognized that they didn't have to be here helping at all. Regardless of their motivations, they were helping the wolf pack - and me - immensely right now.
I opened the door to an anxious looking Alice Cullen. There was something very odd about seeing such a worried expression on an otherwise serene form. She stayed on the porch.
"I need to tell you something, Bella," she said, glancing at Jacob. She had the grace to look apologetic. Her topaz eyes flicked down to mine and Jake's hands interlocked, I'm sure picking up on the meaning. "You both need to know."
"What is it?" I prompted, apprehensive.
"I had a vision. Edward... he called Rosalie in Syracuse, and she told him that the rest of us were back in Forks, protecting you. She told him that Victoria was still hunting you," Alice explained. "Bella, he's on his way. Edward is coming here."
Ooooh, cliff hanger. Reviews, gimme gimme. They give me life! Thank you for reading.