Jacob and Bella Story

Chapter Nineteen

Bella's P.O.V.

The doorbell rang again, and I raced downstairs and opened the door. As expected, it was Jacob. Although blind, Alice was quick.

Jacob stood six feet away from the door, his nose scrunched in disgust, his face otherwise unreadable. Although he didn't deceive me, I noticed his hands trembling slightly.

Waves of hostility emanated from him. That awful afternoon when he almost picked Sam over me, it came flooding back. I'm so relieved he didn't.

My chin jerked up defensively, I realized.

Jacob parked his rabbit at the curb; Jared was driving, and Embry sat in the passenger seat. This situation clarified that they were afraid to let him come here alone. I felt sad and a bit annoyed. The Cullens were different.

"Hey," I finally said when he didn't speak.

Jacob's lips were pursed as he hesitated at the doorway. His gaze darted across the front of the house.

I clenched my jaw, a storm brewing inside me. "She's not here. What do you need?" I inquired, the tension palpable.

Jacob hesitated. "Are you alone?" he asked.

I let out a long sigh. "Yes," I finally answered.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Of course you can, Jacob. Come on in."

Jacob briefly looked at his friends in the car over his shoulder. I noticed Embry shaking his head slightly, which irritated me immensely.

I gritted my teeth once more. "Chicken," I muttered, barely audible.

Jacob's eyes burned into mine, his black brows drawn together in anger. With a firm jaw, he proceeded—his movement indescribable—up the sidewalk and brushed past me to enter the house.

I made eye contact with Jared, and then Embry's stare made me uncomfortable before I shut the door on him.

From where I stood, I could see Jacob in the hall, eyes fixed on the pile of blankets in the living room.

"Slumber party?" Jacob asked, his tone sarcastic.

"Yeah," I responded with the same level of acidity.

Jacob's attitude grated on my nerves. "What's it to you?" I snapped.

Jacob scrunched his nose as if something rotten lingered in the air. "Where's your friend?" he asked, his tone sharp enough to cut glass.

"She had some errands to run. Look, Jacob, what do you want?" I asked.

The room's atmosphere unnerved him; his long arms trembled. He did not answer my question. Instead, he went to the kitchen, his eyes darting about restlessly.

I followed Jacob. He walked back and forth along the short counter.

"Hey," I said, putting myself in his way.

Jacob ceased his pacing and looked down at me.

"What's your problem?" I asked.

"I don't enjoy having to be here," Jacob responded.

That hurt. My wince caused Jacob's eyes to narrow.

"Then I'm sorry you had to come," I muttered. "Why don't you tell me what you need so you can leave?"

"I have to ask you a couple of questions. It shouldn't take long. We have to get back for the funeral."

"Okay. Get it over with, then," I said.

Maybe I was overly antagonistic, but I didn't want to show him how much pain I was in. I was aware of my fairness. In the end, I chose the bloodsucker instead of him last night. I would injure him initially.

Jacob inhaled deeply, calming his shaking hands. A serene expression settled over his face.

"One of the Cullens is staying here with you," Jacob stated.

"Yes, Alice Cullen," I responded.

Jacob nodded, deep in thought. "Just how long will she be here?" he asked.

"As long as she aspires to be," I responded. The belligerence was still there in my tone. "It's an open invitation."

"Do you think you could—please—explain to her about the other one…? Victoria?"

I went pale. "I mentioned that to her," I said, shaken.

Jacob nodded. "You should know that we can only watch our land with a Cullen here. You'll only be safe in La Push. I can't protect you here anymore," he said.

"Okay," I said.

Jacob looked away and out of the back window. He didn't continue.

"Is that all?" I asked.

Jacob kept his eyes on the glass as he answered, "Just one more thing."

I waited, but he didn't continue. "Yes?" I prompted.

"Are the rest of them coming back now?" Jacob asked in a calm, muted voice. His calm manner reminded me of Sam's and how Jacob was becoming more like him. I wondered why that bothered me so much.

Silence enveloped the moment as my lips remained sealed. Jacob's gaze pierced through, searching my face for answers. "Well?" he inquired, an edge of impatience in his tone.

Jacob's serene expression masked his inner turmoil.

"No," I said, my voice heavy with weight. "They aren't coming back."

Jacob's expression remained as still as a painted portrait. "Okay. That's all," he declared, a blend of finality and calm.

I fixed him with a glare, annoyance flaring up once more. "All right, go on and run along to Sam now," I said.

"Okay," Jacob repeated, still calm.

That was it. Jacob quickly left the kitchen. I listened for the front door to open, but it didn't. The ticking of the stove clock mesmerized me, highlighting his newfound quietude.

What a disaster. How could I have alienated Jacob so entirely in such a short time? Would he forgive me when Alice is gone? What if he doesn't? Are we over? This situation hurts.

Leaning heavily on the counter, I hid my face in my hands. How could I have messed everything up so badly? What other options do I have? Looking back, I still can't see a better choice or a perfect solution.

"Bella...?" Jacob asked in a troubled voice.

Pulling my hands from my face, I saw Jacob hesitating in the kitchen doorway. The sight of clear, sparkling drops in my hands triggered my tears.

Jacob's calm expression disappeared. He ran back and lowered his head to be at eye level with me.

"Did it again, didn't I?" Jacob asked.

"Did what?" I asked, my voice cracking.

"I broke my promise. I'm sorry."

"Oh," I mumbled. "I started it this time."

Jacob's face scrunched in disbelief. "I knew how you felt about them; this shouldn't have caught me off guard," he admitted the weight of realization heavy in his voice.

I saw how disgusted he was in his eyes. I planned to describe Alice to him to counter his judgments of her, but intuition told me to wait.

So I said, "Sorry," again.

"Let's not worry about it, okay? She's visiting, right? She'll leave, and things will return to normal," Jacob said.

Jacob wiped away one of my tears and stroked my cheek with his fingertips. Like static electricity, a jolt surged through my body from where he touched me, and I couldn't help but lean into his touch. My feelings for Jacob have grown even more, a warmth spreading like sunlight. We sometimes argue, but we always resolve our conflicts. That's the key to any strong relationship or friendship.

I looked Jacob in the eyes and pouted. "Can't I be friends with you both simultaneously?" I asked, my voice not hiding an ounce of the hurt I felt.

Jacob shook his head slowly. "No, I don't think you can," he said.

My nose twitched, and my eyes watered again. Jacob's enormous feet were the focus of my gaze now. I was afraid to look up. I wish things could have been different. I refused to choose between him and Alice. It felt wrong.

"But you'll wait, right? You'll still be my friend, even though I love Alice too?" I asked.

Jacob lifted my chin, causing me to make eye contact with him. "Hey, I'll always be your friend," he said as he wiped away my tears. "No matter what you love, I'm right here."

"Promise?" I asked.

"Promise."

Jacob's arms encircled me, and I melted into his warm chest. I could still feel the remnants of my sniffles. "This really sucks," I sighed, the frustration bubbling within me.

"Yeah," Jacob said.

Jacob leaned down, sniffed my hair, and said, "Ew."

"What!" I shouted, craning my neck to lock eyes with him. His nose wrinkled in disgust, a clear sign of something amiss. "Why does everyone keep scrunching their noses at me? I swear, I don't smell!"

Jacob smiled a little as he held me closer to him in his arms, and boy, it felt good to be in his arms. I never want to leave them. "Yes, you do—you smell like them. Blech. Too sweet—sickly sweet. And... icy. It burns my nose."

I looked up at him, surprised. "Really?" I asked.

That was strange. Alice smelled unbelievably fantastic. To a human, anyway. "But why would Alice think I smelled too, then?" I asked.

That wiped Jacob's smile away. "Huh. Maybe I don't smell so good to her, either. Huh," he said.

"Well, you both smell fine to me," I said.

Jacob smelled different now. In addition to his minty and lavender scent, he now had an amazingly warm, woodsy fragrance that hung in the air, filling my nostrils.

I rested my head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart, and hugged him tighter. As I do, the realization hits me — a wave of longing for him, and I understand how impossible life feels without him. The strength of our connection is overwhelming; my knees still buckle with a longing absence when he's away. He is my healer, his calm presence soothing my troubled soul. With him, my heart mends, the ache in my chest softening with every shared moment, replaced by warmth and comfort. This love for him is a burning fire, a consuming passion I can't describe with words. I'm struggling to understand it. I wonder if he knows what it is; a strange feeling washes over me when I think of it.

The thought of life without him felt like a slow, agonizing death, a feeling I knew all too well from times past. The memory aches in my chest, a dull throbbing like a fist clenching, reminding me of the gut-wrenching pain when Edward left. Metaphorically, I felt an inexplicable pull towards Jacob, a connection I couldn't ignore. I couldn't compare because I hadn't seen Edward, but the energy between us was electric, a silent hum that felt like a tangible connection. The surprise hurt because my bond with Edward felt deep and unique. But the thought of Jacob leaving caused an intense pain in my heart. His departure would leave a terrible void in my life. I don't want to let him go. I wish for him to remain here with me.

I despised this treaty. I wish Alice would stay forever. Her leaving felt like the end of my world. How could I manage not to see Jake for such a long time? As I've mentioned, I can no longer resist Jacob. He means the world to me. This situation is a disaster.

Jacob nestled his face against my neck, breathing in my essence. "I'll miss you," he whispered, a mirror to my thoughts. "Every minute feels heavy. I hope she leaves soon."

"It doesn't have to be that way, Jake," I said.

Jacob sighed. "Yes, it does, Bella. You... love her. So I'd better not get anywhere near her. I'm not sure if I'm even-tempered enough to handle that. Sam would be mad if I broke the treaty," his voice turned sarcastic. "You probably wouldn't like it too much if I killed your friend."

I flinched, pulling from Jacob's embrace, but he only tightened his grip. "There's no use dodging reality, Bells. This is how it stands," he insisted.

I pouted. "I don't like the way things are," I said.

Jacob freed one arm, his calloused hand warm against my skin, cupping my chin again to make me look at him. His face was inches from mine, his breath warm against my skin. His dark brown eyes, intense and captivating, were gorgeous.

"Yeah. It was easier when we were both human, wasn't it?" Jacob said.

I sighed and nodded.

A long moment passed as our eyes locked. Jacob caressed my skin. My face betrayed the wistful sadness I felt at the thought of saying goodbye, yet briefly. His face initially mirrored mine, but his expression shifted with sustained eye contact.

Jacob traced my jawline, and his touch sent shivers through me, leaving me breathless. My breathing grew faster, and I perceived his trembling fingers, not in anger, but I think Jacob felt that too. His burning hands trapped my face between his palms, pressing against my cheeks.

"Bella," Jacob whispered.

Jacob's eyes shifted to my lips and then to my eyes, and I was utterly still. Was Jacob on the verge of kissing me? I was not prepared. My decision was still pending; I was unsure if I could handle it, and time was running out. Rejecting him now, I realized, would have consequences, making me seem foolish.

Jacob wasn't mine, but he had the potential to be. His face was familiar and beloved. I loved him profoundly but questioned whether I was in love with him. I'm unsure. Though I needed more time, he was my refuge, my source of comfort. I could claim him as mine right now.

Alice's return was temporary, making no difference. I've lost true love forever. The prince never came back to kiss me awake from my enchanted sleep. I was not a princess, after all. So, what was the fairy-tale protocol for other kisses? The mundane kind that didn't break any spells?

It could be easy, like Jacob's hand in mine or his arms embracing me. It may feel nice. It might not feel like a betrayal. Who was I betraying? Only me.

Jacob leaned in, tilting his head, his intense gaze piercing my thoughts. My mind spun like a top, caught in a cyclone of uncertainty. Then, his lips, soft as clouds, brushed against mine, igniting a spark. A jolt of electricity surged through me, setting my lips ablaze. A delightful tingling spread as his gentle kiss deepened my awareness.

What was I thinking? A fantastic guy stood before me, his eyes brimming with longing. The weight of my hesitation pressed down, holding him back. Unable to resist it, I kissed him back, and shivers danced down my spine.

Electricity crackled between us, a symphony of sensations vibrating through our bodies. My arms wrapped around Jacob's neck, drawing him closer, his captivating scent enveloping me. Jacob's hands on my waist tightened with an urgency infused with every kiss he gave.

Edward's delicate touch was a far cry from this; he laced his kisses with worry. Jacob's warm lips pressed firmly against mine as he deepened the kiss, sending thrilling waves through me. Here, with him, there were no fears to hold back.

I didn't want to stop; the thrill of the chase consumed me. The feeling was intoxicating; a delicious rush coursed through him, and Jacob didn't want it to stop. Jacob pressed me against the cool countertop, his hands warm on my waist. My fingers tangled in his soft hair, tugging gently as he let out a low groan of pleasure. I parted my lips, allowing his tongue to slip into my mouth. We danced with our tongues in a sweet, intoxicating tango. We stood like this for a minute, breathless, then pulled away to catch our breath.

My breath hitched in my throat, a frantic drumbeat echoing the frantic pounding of my heart. That kiss, the most amazing of my life, left me breathless, my heart pounding like a drum. The kisses with Edward had been electrifying — a whirlwind of passion — but this was on an entirely different level.

I gazed into Jacob's eyes as he rested his forehead against mine, my hands moving from his neck to his chest, near his heart. I felt his heart pounding against my hands. Did I affect him that much?

"That was our first kiss," Jacob said.

I couldn't speak because I was out of breath. I'm still reeling from our kiss. Pardon me. It was the best kiss I have ever had.

Jacob's thumb stroked my cheek as his hand rested there. A grin spread across his face before he kissed my forehead. "I must go," he stated.

Jacob then pulled away from me and was about to leave, but I grabbed his arm, feeling the heat of his skin. "Now," I said with a pout.

Jacob turned to me and smirked. He nodded. "Funeral, remember."

"Oh... oh yeah," I said, nodding.

With a chuckle, Jacob unexpectedly grabbed my face and kissed me again before he left. His touch set my body ablaze. The kiss was sweet this time.

As Jacob walked off, my hand, which was still on his arm, slid down to his hand, and his fingertips slipped away from mine, losing their touch, which affected me. He opened the door and closed it behind him.

Alone in the kitchen, I leaned against the counter with a sigh, still trying to make sense of things. The feeling of Jacob's kiss still lingered on my lips. I smiled; my fingertips dabbed at my lips.

I couldn't deny how I felt about him anymore. My feelings were obvious, but was pursuing someone else a betrayal of Edward? He abandoned me permanently, though. It may be time for me to move on and give Jacob a chance.

Alice will probably be here soon, so I tidied up a bit.

Jacob's P.O.V.

Following an intense kiss with Bella, I went outside. Smiling, I approached my rabbit, where I found Embry and Jared. Upon entering the back seat, I met Jared's questioning gaze and raised my eyebrows.

"What?" I asked.

"What happened there?" Jared asked.

They must have heard my thoughts; I need to block those out.

"Hum, nothing," I said with a grin.

I attempted to conceal my grin, yet failed. I'm overjoyed right now. I finally kissed the girl who is my dream girl, soulmate, and imprintee.

"Ah, huh, sure," Jared said.

The boys chuckled, and I rolled my eyes. They pulled out and headed to Harry's funeral.