Chapter 19: Secret Door

(Song: E.S. Posthumus - Estremoz)

“Bella, where’s the file for the McAllister account?” Charlie’s voice preceded his entry into his daughter’s office where her head had quickly shot up from the notes she was studying at her desk.

He raised an eyebrow as he said, “Studying on the job, are we?”

She sighed. “Sorry dad, it’ll all be over in two weeks, you know.”

He waved his hand in nonchalance. “It’s okay, I know how you are with studying. Which makes me wonder why you are here instead of at home.”

She shrugged. “I can multi-task.”

Charlie shook his head. He knew Bella was excellent at multi-tasking, but he also knew she could run herself into the ground if no one else kept an eye on her. It was something that had been keeping Jacob, Renee and himself on their toes. Granted, Jacob was working just as hard as Bella was but he seemed to know his limits, somehow managing not to run himself ragged the way Bella was doing these days.

The evidence was in the way Jacob still walked around with a smile on his face while Bella was growing more and more short-tempered every day. Of course Charlie had reasoned that Jacob could also still be on the high that came with having gotten engaged to his daughter, but that had been a couple of months ago. Months during which a flurry of activity had quickly followed their announcement.

Charlie and Renee had already known that Jacob was going to propose to their daughter because Jacob had asked Charlie for Bella’s hand while arrangements were still being made for the Las Vegas trip. When Billy and Jacob had told Charlie why the trip was important- the plan Jacob had for Bella- Charlie didn’t have the heart to ruin it for his baby girl. He knew if he had prevented them from going and Bella had found out what Charlie hadn’t let happen, he would have been in the dog house not only with Bella, but with Renee too.

When they had returned home with Bella wearing the ring that Billy and Renee had helped Jacob pick out, everyone had congratulated and hugged the newly engaged, happy couple. Then, Sarah and Renee got to work on planning an engagement party for them which took place a month later, even though Charlie and Billy worried if it would be wise to make it public since they knew not everyone would be thrilled about the news.

Now, a month after the party and public announcement, danger seemed to be non-existent, yet the tension still remained as Bella and Jacob entered into their last few weeks of college before graduating. Jacob had taken everything in stride, yet Bella had been stressed enough for both of them.

“Just go home Bella. You don’t really need to be here.”

She waved him off. “I’m fine dad. And the McAllister file is with your secretary, where you told me to leave it in the first place.”

“Oh, right! Okay, thanks.” He sighed. “Really, Bella, go on home.”

She waved him away as she stuck her head back into the notes she had been looking at before he had interrupted.

Charlie made his way towards his office when Billy caught up with him. “Charlie, got a minute?”

Charlie nodded, “Sure, let’s go to my office.”

Billy followed him to his secretary’s desk first, so he could retrieve the McAllister file he needed. Once she handed it to him, he motioned for Billy to precede him into his office, then shut the door behind him.

Dropping the file on his desk, he sat in his chair and folded his arms over the edge of the desk. “What’s up, Billy?”

Billy sat down in one of the chairs on the other side of the desk, scooting it closer with a sigh. “Got an update from my men, she’s eluded them again.”

Charlie arched an eyebrow. “Really? So she’s moved on then?”

“Yep, her apartment is cleaned out and she left no forwarding address,” Billy paused a moment before he looked his best friend in the eyes. “The men think she’s on her way back here, that she got wind of the engagement.”

Charlie rubbed his face in frustration. “What do you think?”

Billy still looked him in the eyes. There was a heavy pause before he said, “I agree with them.”

“Great,” replied Charlie, voice full of sarcasm.

“Look, I have security already on the lookout for any sign of her here. And I’m talking about all of our security, Charlie. Here and our homes. Thing is, we’re going to have to put personal security guards on the kids again, like they had in Las Vegas. Only this time, we don’t tell them.”

Charlie sat up straight in his chair. “Why not?”

Billy rolled his eyes. “You and I both know Bella doesn’t like being followed.”

“Yeah, but it’s for her safety!”

“I know Charlie, but do you really think she’ll go for it, even if we tell her why? Remember the words she had with us before going to Las Vegas?”

“Don’t you think she’ll figure out someone is watching her even if we don’t tell her? I’d think she’d be angrier if we did this behind her back than if we were honest with her Billy.”

Billy groaned as he sat back in his chair. “Okay, you have a point. Tell you what, let me discuss this with Jacob and see what he thinks.”

Charlie frowned. “Why? Bella’s my daughter.”

“Yes, I know that, but Jacob knows Bella in a way none of us do, plus he might be able to keep her calm when we tell her what’s up.”

Charlie was quiet for a few moments, making Billy think he wasn’t going to agree until he finally nodded his head slowly. “Okay, fine. Talk to Jacob, get him to help us convince Bella that this is the right thing to do.”

With a final nod, Billy got up from his chair and left the office, his stride full of purpose.

*************************************

(Song: Within Temptation - Running Up That Hill) (remake from Kate Bush original)

Bella tossed her cell phone on the bed a little harder than necessary before stomping towards her bathroom. She was furious with her fiancé even though she knew she had no right to be.

Both of them had been studying so hard for their finals while also getting ready for graduating from UW. Not only that, but they had both been working with their fathers, taking on more responsibilities as they got closer to being full-time in the family business. All of that left them virtually no time to simply be with each other recreationally.

It had left Bella feeling a little neglected, especially when Jacob continued to walk around with a smile on his face, charming the pants off of everyone and looking like nothing bothered him. Bella was civil towards clients and the like, plastering a smile on her face when it was needed, but it seemed so effortless for Jacob. What really irked Bella though, was the way he charmed the ladies and they ate it up like it was candy.

Sure, Jacob had always been that way and Bella knew he was always popular with the ladies, but now that they were engaged, it seemed to be upsetting her a lot more often. Couldn’t he just cool it now and not appear like the playboy he once was? He was engaged for crying out loud! He was the one that proposed after all! He needed to show the world that he was a one-woman man now! Off the market!

“Ugh! What is wrong with me?” she snapped at the air as she slammed shut the door to the bathroom.

Turning on the sink’s faucet, she splashed water on her face to try to cool down, then she brushed her hair out before tying it back into a loose ponytail. Returning to her room, she slid into the sandals she had on earlier, picked up her purse and backpack, then headed out the door deciding to go to the library to study instead of moping in her bedroom.

She had been studying at the library for nearly an hour when she received a text from Jacob.

Hey Bells, u busy?

She immediately replied: At library. What’s up?

He texted back. Nothing really. Can I meet u there? Dad will drop me off.

She couldn’t help the grin that appeared on her face when she read that message. Of course she wasn’t going to pass up time with her fiancé!

Sure, I’ll meet u out front.

Cool. Will B there in 20.

Once she looked at his last text, she finished up the last of her notes before loading up her backpack. Eventually she took the elevator and made her way towards the entrance of the library. As she was walking past the check-out lanes towards the entrance foyer, she heard her name being called.

“Bella? Bella Swan?”

She turned towards the voice to see Paul Lahote grinning at her. Her eyes went wide in surprise.

“Paul?”

He chuckled as he approached her. “Yep, it’s me.”

She shifted her backpack a bit before giving him a hug then asking, “What are you doing here?”

His grin widened as he stepped back, but he still held both of her hands in his. “Dropping off my sister.”

Bella shook her head with a laugh, “No, I mean, I thought you were living in New York now.”

He nodded, “Oh that. Yes, I am, but I came down for my parent’s anniversary, so I’m here for a few more days.”

She smiled, “Really? Well congratulations to your parents!”

“Thanks,” he replied before reaching one hand up to touch her cheek. “It’s good to see you again, Bella. You’re looking much happier than the last time I saw you.”

She nodded as she looked down at the ground. “Yeah, Paul…”

“Hey Bells, there you are,” interrupted Jacob’s low voice.

Bella glanced up to see him entering the door with a smile on his face. A smile that clearly wasn’t reaching his eyes at the moment. She quickly took her hand out of Paul’s and moved to Jacob’s side. 

Jacob was doing his best not to seem too territorial over Bella since he had entered the library only to see her looking too cozy with a guy she had once dated. He was glad that she didn’t protest when he wrapped a possessive arm around her waist, tugged her closer to his side then leaned in to kiss her cheek.

“Ready to go, honey?” he whispered against her skin.

She nodded before looking back at Paul. “Paul, you remember my fiancé, Jacob Black.”

Jacob couldn’t help but feel proud that Bella said that in front of Paul, nor could he barely suppress the smug smile that threatened to cover his face at Paul’s wide eyes.

Paul handled it better than Jacob had hoped since he simply grinned at Jacob while holding out a hand. “Yes, Jacob, good to see you again. I guess congratulations are in order for the two of you!”

As Bella beamed up at him, Jacob took Paul’s hand, giving him a friendly shake. “Thanks, yeah, you could say that.”

Paul glanced between the two of them as he asked, “So, how long has it been, if you don’t mind my asking?”

Bella answered, “About three months now.”

Paul whistled. “Really? Hm, I would have thought it was longer than that.”

He winked at Bella, then looked at Jacob. “So, when’s the wedding?”

Jacob tensed as Bella groaned and said, “Oh please don’t mention that right now. We’re concentrating on graduating first, then getting situated at the business before we plan a wedding. I really don’t look forward to the headaches over that.”

Jacob couldn’t help but chuckle at Bella’s pained expression as he leaned down to kiss her temple. “I’m sure it’ll be easier than you think honey, we’ll probably have our mothers trying to do the job for us.”

Bella nodded. “That’s true. I’m sure if they had their way, we’d be married yesterday.”

Paul laughed. “Right! I remember you telling me about your mom.” He shook his head before smiling at Bella. “Well, it was good to see you again Bella, I’m glad everything worked out for you.” He turned to Jacob with a nod. “Jacob, congratulations man. You’ve got a great woman there.”

Jacob returned his nod. “Thanks, she’s the best.” He looked down at his fiancée with a beaming smile.

Bella returned his smile with one of her own before she looked back at Paul. “Say congratulations to your parents for me, will you? Besides that, though, I hope your time here is a relaxing one before you have to go back to fast-paced New York.”

Paul chuckled. “It’s not as bad as you make it out to be, Bella, but thanks anyway. I do plan to relax a bit before I leave. Maybe I’ll see you around, huh?”

Bella felt the slight tensing of Jacob’s arm around her waist, but continued to talk to Paul as if nothing was wrong. “Yeah, we’ll see you around, Paul.” She reached behind her to take Jacob’s hand in hers, then leaned forward to give Paul a quick, one-armed hug. “We’ve got to get going now, but you take care of yourself, okay?”

He hugged her back before stepping away. “Will do! Congrats again!”

He waved to both of them before heading out of the library and out of their sight. When he was gone, Bella turned slightly to look up at Jacob, raising one eyebrow.

He gave her a sheepish look. “What?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Oh don’t you dare, ‘what’ me, Jacob Black! Don’t think I don’t know what you were trying to do here!”

Innocent-looking eyes locked with hers. “Huh? What am I missing?”

She let out a huff as she shifted her backpack on her shoulders before walking briskly out of the library. She didn’t see the smirk Jacob wore as he began to follow her out of the building. They made their way to the parking lot, where Bella used her key fob to unlock her car.

Jacob climbed into the passenger seat besides her, not saying a word as they both buckled themselves in before Bella started the car and drove them out of the lot. Silence reined as Bella drove them to Jacob’s house, even though they both kept sneaking glances at each other out of the corner of their eyes.

When Bella pulled up in front of the house, Jacob turned to look at her. “You coming in?”

She turned to give him an incredulous look, opening her mouth to respond, but Jacob didn’t let her. He leaned over and quickly took her lips in his, kissing her hard, stealing her breath before trailing his lips to her ear.

“Please?” he whispered as he let his tongue brush over the sensitive spot behind her ear. “So I can give you a proper, I’m sorry.”

When he nipped at her neck, Bella couldn’t stop the moan that slipped past her lips. She pulled back to look into his puppy-dog eyes. “Not fair, Jake!”

He pouted. “I really am sorry.”

She sighed. “I wasn’t mad at you.” Then her eyes met his and she grinned. “But anytime you want to remind me that you love me, is fine by me.”

He matched her grin with one of his own before he leaned over to give her lips a quick peck. “Mm, I love you, Bells. So much. Come inside and let me show you just how much.”

She giggled before she turned the car off. “Race you!”

**************************************

(Song: Evanescence - Secret Door)

He was standing in the middle of his room when she finally entered it. He looked so delectable as he began removing his shirt, making Bella quickly toss her backpack against his desk before she shut and locked his door. She leaned back against it, watching as he removed the rest of his clothes in such a slow, teasing way. By the time he was completely naked, she was breathing hard.

His eyes darkened and his lips parted slightly as he made his way towards her. She straightened up as his hands caught hers in his so that he could lead her to the bed. He maneuvered them so that she was standing with her back to the bed, then slowly began to undress her.

Lifting her shirt up, he went down to his knees so that he could brush his lips over the skin he revealed. With each piece of skin that came into his view, he worshiped it with his lips or tongue. Once the shirt was discarded, he removed her bra, tossing it aside to worship each soft, swell that ended with tiny, pink tips hardened by each swipe of his tongue.

Her hands were in his hair, holding him to her as he loved her breasts with his mouth. He let his hands trail down her sides until his fingers met the rough material of her jeans. He teased her skin with his fingertips as they made their way to the button of her jeans, even as his mouth left her pert breasts to leave open-mouthed kisses down her stomach.

As he began to remove her jeans, he let his tongue dip into her navel, smiling at her soft groan and the way her hands tightened in his hair. It was pure torture for Bella as Jacob slowly slid both her underwear and jeans down her legs, pausing to let her slip out of her sandals before he helped her lift one foot at a time to step out of her clothes. 

When she was as naked as he was, he trailed his fingers up the inside of her legs until he reached the apex of her thighs. He leaned forward to press soft kisses against her hip, nibbling her skin as his mouth moved south while his hands pressed her legs open wider. When his tongue leisurely stroked her petal-soft core from back to front, her legs nearly gave out on her.

Jacob’s hands held her up as he leaned back to look up at her with smoldering eyes. “I can never get enough of you, honey. You’re so beautiful to me.”

He stood up, taking her in his arms so that he could lay her in the middle of the bed. Laying his body over hers, he kissed her lips before making his way down her body again. 

With each kiss he left on her skin, he spoke to her. “I love everything about you, Bella…your strength…your independence…the kindness of your heart…the way you look at me…the way you say my name…the way you taste…the way you feel.”

He was between her legs again, once more pushing his tongue through her already moistened folds making her moan. As his tongue swirled over her ripe bud, her fingers once more found purchase in his hair as she breathed, “Jacob.”

He smiled against her skin, pressing a kiss there as he murmured. “I love the sounds you make when I make love to you.”

She tugged at his hair. “Okay,” she moaned again as he sucked her nub into his mouth. “Okay, I get it. Please Jake! Put me out of my misery.”

He chuckled softly. “As you wish, honey.”

Sliding a finger inside of her, he took his time, working her up even as his tongue continued to tease her. He added a second and then a third, finally curling his fingers and sucking harder on her pearl to send her into the first climax of the night. As her body writhed in ecstasy, he continued to lap at her center until he had wrung all that he could from her.

She was settling down against the mattress when he slid his body up the length of hers, both of them sighing at the skin to skin contact. He settled his groin between her hips, propping himself up on his elbows to look down into her lazy gaze.

“You okay, Bells?”

She sighed as she wrapped her legs around his hips. “Not quite yet, but I’m getting there.”

They smiled at each other as he let her lead him into her body, the smiles faltering behind matching groans when he was finally seated deep inside of her. Jacob wanted to remain still, simply enjoying the fact that their bodies were joined as one, but Bella had other ideas. Lifting her hips, she gyrated against him, making him moan as her walls stroked his length.

He lowered his head to her neck, pressing his lips against her skin. Groaning as her inner muscles squeezed him harder. “God, honey! You keep that up and I’m not going to last long.”

“It’s okay,” she panted against his shoulder. “I’m not going to last long either…and we have all night.”

He quickly matched her rhythm with his own hips, letting her set the pace. When she sped up, so did he. When she shifted her hands to his ass, to indicate that she wanted it harder, he obliged. Bodies in-sync with each other, glistening with sweat, they alternated between fast and slow thrusts. Building the friction between them, making it burn hotter and hotter until neither one of them could take it anymore.

Bella was the first to reach that perfect moment, convulsing around him as her lips sought his so that he could swallow her scream of passion. Jacob willingly kissed her, enjoying the way her body contracted around him, coaxing him to explode in bliss. As his body joined hers in that final perfect moment, her lips were there to receive his groan of satisfied pleasure just like he had done for her only seconds ago.

As his body began to weigh hers down, she sighed with contentment, letting her legs fall to the bed while her hands made soothing circles on his back. He nuzzled her cheek, making his way down her neck to her shoulders before returning his lips to hers. He lingered there, feathering his lips against hers with an occasional slow sweep of his tongue until their bodies had calmed somewhat.

When he knew they could breathe again, he rolled to his side, tucking his fiancée into his body then wrapping her securely in his arms. Lowering his forehead to hers, he whispered, “Love you, Bells.”

She smiled tenderly as she replied, “Love you too, Jake.”