The Heat of You
by Wizardtho
Chapter 17:
The moment Sue and Old Quil pulled out onto the main road from the driveway, Paul had the phone in his hand. He spent the next few minutes telling Sam what we had been told, then I saw Paul nod in thought at something Sam must have said.
I went to Paul’s side, curious, but he just gave me a reassuring smile before kissing the top of my head. He hummed, then told Sam, “Got it. Will do. I’ll call back if need be. If not, we’ll see you tomorrow when you check in.”
Paul pressed end on the phone, then gave me a cheeky grin. “You have any more of those outfits you cleaned in?”
My eyebrow rose, but I nodded, “Several.”
His grin widened, “Go put one on, put some socks and shoes on those cute painted toes, and meet me out back.”
It looked like Sam worked out a plan with Paul, so I quickly went to the bedroom. I chose a gray fitted tee with a twisted front, a black pair of fitted yoga pants, gray sports socks, and my gray sketchers sneakers. Changing took me less than 5 minutes, and I was walking out the bedroom door onto the back patio.
I met Paul in the center of the backyard. He still had that cheeky grin on his face. I couldn’t help but chuckle and fist my hands in his t-shirt as I asked, “What’s on the agenda? Whatever it is seems to please you.”
He leaned in to kiss his mark, then hummed, “Want to take a run with me? First, we want to see how fast you are, so we’re going to run a few of the easier-to-navigate paths in the woods. I’ll be right next to you the whole time.”
I shrugged, “Sure. I’m not a big runner, but I was in the middle of the group when the coach made everyone run laps on the track during gym class.”
He nodded, “Good. That gives me an estimate of what you can do. Ready?”
I bent down and ensured my laces were knotted, then offered, “Good to go.”
We started easily across the lawn, then onto the well-worn path into the woods at the side yard. Over the next ten minutes or so, I could feel Paul speeding up a bit a few times, but each time, I was able to keep up with him without a problem. Then he finally grinned at me, “You good? Think you can go faster?”
When I rolled my eyes and nodded, he shook his head, “Well, come on then. Show me what you’ve got, Swan. Sprint as fast as you can straight to the boulder where the path splits. I’m right behind you.”
Knowing he wouldn’t leave me, I chuckled and pushed myself, running as fast as I could. It was incredible how amazing it felt to just run… to feel momentarily free. By the time I made it to the boulder, which didn’t take long, I needed a break. I stopped and bent over, my hands on my knees, chuckling breathlessly.
When I saw Paul’s feet stop in front of me, my eyes lifted to connect with his, an ear-to-ear grin still on my face. His breathing hitched slightly, then he said in what sounded like awe, “So fucking beautiful.”
I shook my head, but Paul brought me to stand up before wrapping an arm around me. His eyes bored into mine as he swore, “I wish you could see into my head right now like the pack can. You are extremely beautiful when you are happy and carefree. Even for just those few minutes, I was left speechless by your smile and your laugh.”
I ducked my head, trying to hide my blush, but Paul chuckled as he lifted my eyes back to his. Kissing both my cheeks, he offered, “That, too, is beautiful. Never feel you need to hide from me. Now come on, Swan, let’s jog back. If you aren’t worn out when we get back, we’ll move on to phase 2.”
As it turned out, phase 2 was testing my strength. After taping my hands, Paul donned 2 punching mitts, similar to what Charlie wore when teaching me to defend myself. I immediately adjusted my stance in relation to his position, which made him laugh, “Guess you know what these are, huh?”
I nodded seriously, “Charlie taught me to defend myself. When practicing my punches, we used mitts similar to those. Yours are more detailed, though.”
He grinned, “Good. Then you know how these work.” He smacked the mitts together before facing them towards me, “Give it to me, Swan. Don’t go easy on me.”
For the next 20 minutes, Paul tested me on the strength of my punches. Then he laughed, “Press pause, Slugger. Let me call Sam and see if he can come over for a few minutes. We’ll need him for phase 3.”
Fifteen minutes later, Sam arrived, which was when I found out that phase 3 was Paul and me actually sparring. Sam was needed to referee when one of us made a takedown on the other. Though I was shocked that he initially suggested it, once we actually got into the spar session, I let loose. I didn’t even realize it was happening at first, but at some point, I realized my head was super clear. No worry, no fear, no memory fragments… nothing. My head was clear, my heart didn’t feel heavy, and I felt in control for the first time since I woke.
The realization stunned me for a fraction of a second, and I barely managed to turn Paul’s attack against him. When I had the chance, I knocked his feet from under him and landed squarely on his chest, my hands holding his wrists to the ground and my face millimeters from his.
Without a thought, I pressed my lips to his. It took Paul a second to respond, but then he practically melted, his whole body vibrating with his moan while his mouth moved with mine.
Sanity broke through when I heard Sam laugh, “Bella clearly won that round… though I don’t think Paul minds in the least.”
I quickly sat up, gasping as my hand covered my mouth. I couldn’t make myself move, though, because Paul was looking at me with the most beautiful smile. Before I could say anything, he cupped my face in his hands and promised, “I’m just going to be grateful. I’m not going to ask, but if you want to talk about whatever the cause was after our showers, I’ll be right here to listen.”
I nodded, then whispered, “Later,” before climbing off of him.
Needless to say, sparring was ended for the day, and Sam sat with both of us to get Paul’s take on everything. I was more than a little surprised to find out that I was both running and sparring at close to Paul’s strength and speed. Paul was sure that his own strength and speed hadn’t suffered; when I looked at Sam, he confirmed it. “Bella, I have watched Paul spar many times, and I’ve sparred with him myself many more. I didn’t see any signs of his speed being reduced. He really wasn’t taking it easy on you. You honestly did better than Jake and Embry both.”
When I asked what that meant for me, Sam shook his head, “I really don’t know, Bella. I want you and Paul to both keep an eye out for anything odd… anything out of the ordinary. We don’t know what effect Paul’s double marking will have going forward, and I want to be as prepared as possible.”
I let out a breath, then nodded, “Okay, makes sense. Is there anything specific you’re watching for?”
He shared a look with Paul, then he offered, “Like I said, we don’t know the full ramifications of the double marking. Anything could happen. I just want you to be aware of yourself, so you know if anything changes. I really think it would be good for you to see Melody in the next couple of days, too.”
I nodded, “I’ve already agreed with Old Quil and Paul that I should see her. We just need to make the appointment.”
Sam smiled softly, “Good. If nothing else, it will help you get some answers to questions I know you have.”
He left a few minutes later, after reassuring me that I did incredibly well today.
The moment Sue and Old Quil pulled out onto the main road from the driveway, Paul had the phone in his hand. He spent the next few minutes telling Sam what we had been told, then I saw Paul nod in thought at something Sam must have said.
I went to Paul’s side, curious, but he just gave me a reassuring smile before kissing the top of my head. He hummed, then told Sam, “Got it. Will do. I’ll call back if need be. If not, we’ll see you tomorrow when you check in.”
Paul pressed end on the phone, then gave me a cheeky grin. “You have any more of those outfits you cleaned in?”
My eyebrow rose, but I nodded, “Several.”
His grin widened, “Go put one on, put some socks and shoes on those cute painted toes, and meet me out back.”
It looked like Sam worked out a plan with Paul, so I quickly went to the bedroom. I chose a gray fitted tee with a twisted front, a black pair of fitted yoga pants, gray sports socks, and my gray sketchers sneakers. Changing took me less than 5 minutes, and I was walking out the bedroom door onto the back patio.
I met Paul in the center of the backyard. He still had that cheeky grin on his face. I couldn’t help but chuckle and fist my hands in his t-shirt as I asked, “What’s on the agenda? Whatever it is seems to please you.”
He leaned in to kiss his mark, then hummed, “Want to take a run with me? First, we want to see how fast you are, so we’re going to run a few of the easier-to-navigate paths in the woods. I’ll be right next to you the whole time.”
I shrugged, “Sure. I’m not a big runner, but I was in the middle of the group when the coach made everyone run laps on the track during gym class.”
He nodded, “Good. That gives me an estimate of what you can do. Ready?”
I bent down and ensured my laces were knotted, then offered, “Good to go.”
We started easily across the lawn, then onto the well-worn path into the woods at the side yard. Over the next ten minutes or so, I could feel Paul speeding up a bit a few times, but each time, I was able to keep up with him without a problem. Then he finally grinned at me, “You good? Think you can go faster?”
When I rolled my eyes and nodded, he shook his head, “Well, come on then. Show me what you’ve got, Swan. Sprint as fast as you can straight to the boulder where the path splits. I’m right behind you.”
Knowing he wouldn’t leave me, I chuckled and pushed myself, running as fast as I could. It was incredible how amazing it felt to just run… to feel momentarily free. By the time I made it to the boulder, which didn’t take long, I needed a break. I stopped and bent over, my hands on my knees, chuckling breathlessly.
When I saw Paul’s feet stop in front of me, my eyes lifted to connect with his, an ear-to-ear grin still on my face. His breathing hitched slightly, then he said in what sounded like awe, “So fucking beautiful.”
I shook my head, but Paul brought me to stand up before wrapping an arm around me. His eyes bored into mine as he swore, “I wish you could see into my head right now like the pack can. You are extremely beautiful when you are happy and carefree. Even for just those few minutes, I was left speechless by your smile and your laugh.”
I ducked my head, trying to hide my blush, but Paul chuckled as he lifted my eyes back to his. Kissing both my cheeks, he offered, “That, too, is beautiful. Never feel you need to hide from me. Now come on, Swan, let’s jog back. If you aren’t worn out when we get back, we’ll move on to phase 2.”
As it turned out, phase 2 was testing my strength. After taping my hands, Paul donned 2 punching mitts, similar to what Charlie wore when teaching me to defend myself. I immediately adjusted my stance in relation to his position, which made him laugh, “Guess you know what these are, huh?”
I nodded seriously, “Charlie taught me to defend myself. When practicing my punches, we used mitts similar to those. Yours are more detailed, though.”
He grinned, “Good. Then you know how these work.” He smacked the mitts together before facing them towards me, “Give it to me, Swan. Don’t go easy on me.”
For the next 20 minutes, Paul tested me on the strength of my punches. Then he laughed, “Press pause, Slugger. Let me call Sam and see if he can come over for a few minutes. We’ll need him for phase 3.”
Fifteen minutes later, Sam arrived, which was when I found out that phase 3 was Paul and me actually sparring. Sam was needed to referee when one of us made a takedown on the other. Though I was shocked that he initially suggested it, once we actually got into the spar session, I let loose. I didn’t even realize it was happening at first, but at some point, I realized my head was super clear. No worry, no fear, no memory fragments… nothing. My head was clear, my heart didn’t feel heavy, and I felt in control for the first time since I woke.
The realization stunned me for a fraction of a second, and I barely managed to turn Paul’s attack against him. When I had the chance, I knocked his feet from under him and landed squarely on his chest, my hands holding his wrists to the ground and my face millimeters from his.
Without a thought, I pressed my lips to his. It took Paul a second to respond, but then he practically melted, his whole body vibrating with his moan while his mouth moved with mine.
Sanity broke through when I heard Sam laugh, “Bella clearly won that round… though I don’t think Paul minds in the least.”
I quickly sat up, gasping as my hand covered my mouth. I couldn’t make myself move, though, because Paul was looking at me with the most beautiful smile. Before I could say anything, he cupped my face in his hands and promised, “I’m just going to be grateful. I’m not going to ask, but if you want to talk about whatever the cause was after our showers, I’ll be right here to listen.”
I nodded, then whispered, “Later,” before climbing off of him.
Needless to say, sparring was ended for the day, and Sam sat with both of us to get Paul’s take on everything. I was more than a little surprised to find out that I was both running and sparring at close to Paul’s strength and speed. Paul was sure that his own strength and speed hadn’t suffered; when I looked at Sam, he confirmed it. “Bella, I have watched Paul spar many times, and I’ve sparred with him myself many more. I didn’t see any signs of his speed being reduced. He really wasn’t taking it easy on you. You honestly did better than Jake and Embry both.”
When I asked what that meant for me, Sam shook his head, “I really don’t know, Bella. I want you and Paul to both keep an eye out for anything odd… anything out of the ordinary. We don’t know what effect Paul’s double marking will have going forward, and I want to be as prepared as possible.”
I let out a breath, then nodded, “Okay, makes sense. Is there anything specific you’re watching for?”
He shared a look with Paul, then he offered, “Like I said, we don’t know the full ramifications of the double marking. Anything could happen. I just want you to be aware of yourself, so you know if anything changes. I really think it would be good for you to see Melody in the next couple of days, too.”
I nodded, “I’ve already agreed with Old Quil and Paul that I should see her. We just need to make the appointment.”
Sam smiled softly, “Good. If nothing else, it will help you get some answers to questions I know you have.”
He left a few minutes later, after reassuring me that I did incredibly well today.