Fan Fiction ❯ Everything You Want ❯ Guilty Pleasures ( Chapter 22 )

Everything You Want

Chapter 22:

Guilty Pleasures

 

 

 

Tracing a finger along the spines of the books she was passing as she strolled down an aisle in her school library, Bella closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath. To her there was no scent more comforting than the smell of books all around her.

 

Reading had always been a passion of hers. Getting lost in a story… Bella smiled serenely. Was there anything better than that? She could sit for hours here, the peaceful atmosphere soothing and calming her after a long, stressful day.

 

Hence, the reason she was currently hiding there. Avoiding any contact with Cole was becoming increasingly difficult as day after day went by. Not only did he seem to be everywhere she looked, but in all honesty, she didn't really want to evade him.

 

She missed their easy banter and the way he knew what she was going to say before she even said it. She missed the reassurance of knowing that even when they were apart, he was only a call away. And most of all, she missed his touch.

 

The feeling of being complete, whole… Only he could make her feel like that. His kisses and gentle caresses set her on fire, made her yearn for more. Pressing a hand to her stomach to ease the fluttering of awakened desire there, Bella moaned softly and leaned back into the row of books.

 

`I wonder… Is he as frustrated as I am…?'

 

 

 

 

 

`Dammit, I know I saw her go in here, where the hell did she go?'

 

Stalking up and down the long rows of books, Cole growled impatiently as he scanned the area for any sign of the object of his frustration.

 

`You know you're acting like a creepy stalker right?'

 

Scowling, Cole ignored his annoying and often too accurate inner voice as he continued his search. `Well, if she would quit fucking avoiding me, I wouldn't have to stalk her, now would I?'

 

He'd had it. No longer could he just sit back idly and wait for Bella to come to her senses and realize that any soul searching she needed to do could easily be done with him still by her side. He knew that he'd said he was ok with her decision, but the longer this went on, the more irritated Cole became.

 

`I just wanna talk to her. See her face to face…' he tried to convince himself.

 

The voice just snorted.

 

And then… he saw her, leaning back on the shelves, eyes closed, hand pressed to her midriff. Cole drank in the sight of her. Silky, blond locks pulled tidily back into a French braid, low cut, spaghetti strap, peach colored tank top molded to her slim upper torso, short jean skirt hugging her hips…

 

`Good enough to eat…'

 

Cole smirked. `I thought you were my reasonable half. The one that's supposed to keep me out of trouble?'

 

`Shit man, I'm not blind!'

 

Barely restraining to the urge to laugh out loud, Cole snuck stealthily up to Bella's still form and hovered over her as he waited for her to notice his presence.

 

“What are you doing here, Cole?” Bella murmured softly, not even bothering to open her eyes.

 

Silently, Cole leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly over hers. The feeling of her mouth beneath his evoked an almost predatory sensation within him and her low whimper drove him over the edge he'd been precariously balancing on for weeks.

 

Pressing her back against the stacks, Cole captured her lips hungrily as Bella sank her fingers into his hair to pull him even closer. Warmth unfurled in her stomach as he mercilessly broke down all of her defenses. Sighing against his mouth, Bella parted her lips and melted into his kiss.

 

Did she really have a choice? Could she really refuse when all she wanted was to give in? The demanding tug of his lips, the way he scattered her senses with a simple touch told her no. No, she could never deny him. Not when she wanted him just as badly as he wanted her.

 

Coherent thoughts fading as sensation took over. Bella snaked her hands beneath his shirt, seeking the warmth of his skin as Cole groaned and thrust his hips against her own. Bella gasped as she felt his hardness against her inner thigh and explosions of heat caused her knees to weaken.

 

Cupping her bottom, Cole lifted her to straddle his waist as he devoured her mouth. `Can't… get… close… enough…' his muddled brain insisted as he slipped his fingers beneath her top to scrap along the sensitive skin of her belly. Arching into his hand, Bella moaned and dug her nails into his shoulder.

 

Tearing her mouth free, she mumbled, “Oh, God, Cole…”

 

Nuzzling her head to the side, Cole attacked her neck. Lips and tongue trailed sensual kisses down the arch of her shoulder and back up to the hollow of her throat as the hand underneath her top moved to cup her satin covered breast. Bella barely restrained the cry the contact elicited from her.

 

It had been too long and now neither could control the heat rising steadily between them as their breathing grew ragged and their stroking became more persistent. If it wasn't for a rustling and the quiet pad of feet approaching, who knows how far the situation would have progressed.

 

Pushing against his chest until he released his hold on her legs, Bella slid down Cole's taunt body and stepped away from him with a heavy sigh. Staying silent, they waited for their interrupter to leave. Finally, the sound of foot steps departed and Bella mumbled, “This… We shouldn't have done that, Cole.”

 

“Why?”

 

Snapping her head up in surprise, Bella was shocked at the anger she saw in his emerald gaze. “What do you mean why? You know why!”

 

“I thought I did, but God Bella, don't you miss this? Don't you miss us?”

 

“Of course I do, but-“

 

“No buts, Bella. If you miss me, than end this, because I can't stand not being with you any longer.”

 

Bella shook her head vehemently. “No, Cole. I'm not ready yet, please don't make me feel any worse than I already do,” she pleaded and flinched as Cole growled in frustration and turned his back on her. Uneasy silence covered them like a thick, heavy blanket until Cole exhaled heavily.

 

“I'm sorry, Bell. I don't mean to sound like I'm pushing you into anything… It's just… I-“

 

His apology was cut off as warm arms entwined around his waist and Bella's body pressed firmly against his back. “There's nothing for you to apologize for, ok? None of this is your fault.”

 

“I love you, Bella, always.”

 

Sucking in her breath, Bella choked back a sob and murmured, “Always. I love you, too.”

 

And then she was gone.

 

Cole was left standing alone in the middle of the aisle, wondering how much longer he could take until he reached his breaking point.

 

 

 

 

 

Robert straightened his tie and checked his reflection in his rearview mirror for the millionth time as he took a deep breath in an attempt to calm his frazzled nerves.

 

`Good God, man. You're acting like a sixteen year old boy deliberating over his first real date,' he admonished himself with a disgusted sigh as he slammed the car door and sauntered toward the entrance of the high school.

 

`This is not that difficult. Just walk in there and ask her out. No biggie.'

 

Slowing his steps as he walked through the double doors, Robert frowned.

 

`What if she says no? Spinning around, he back stepped until another thought struck him.

 

`And what if she says yes? You'll never know unless you ask…'

 

Halting again, Robert jumped when the sound of gentle laughter rang in his ears.

 

“Having issues, Mr. Campbell?” a light, tinkling female voice inquired from behind him.

 

Turning around slowly, Robert inwardly groaned as he confronted the owner of said voice. `And now you look like an idiot. Good going genius…'

 

“Uh… I'm looking for Bella. Have you seen her?”

 

Robert could've sworn he saw the woman's pretty face fall in disappointment at his words as she shook her head. “No, I'm sorry I haven't. If you want, I'll tell her you were looking for her if our paths happen to cross.”

 

“That would be great, thanks,” he mumbled and then watched anxiously as she turned away and began to walk back into her classroom. “Wait! Ms. McCloon?”

 

“Yes, Mr. Campbell,” Lacey replied with a smile as she faced the nervous looking man jogging toward her.

 

“I… uh… Would you…”

 

Giggling, Lacey touched his arm to stop his stuttering and murmured softly, “Yes, I'd love to go out with you sometime, Mr. Campbell.”

 

The man sighed in relief. “Please call me Robert,” he requested as the art teacher grinned and reached up to play with a lock of her bright red hair.

 

Nodding she agreed and said, “Ok, Robert, but only if you quit calling me Ms. McCloon. It makes me feel old.”

 

Robert laughed. “Ok… Lacey.”

 

The two continued to flirt as they worked out the details of their upcoming date. Finally they parted after exchanging phone numbers and Robert followed her retreating form with bright, pleased eyes as he fought to tamper down the guilt nipping at the edges of his thoughts.

 

`I'm not betraying Kathy. She would want me to be happy…'

 

Frowning, Robert stared unseeingly into the hall Lacey had disappeared down.

 

`Right?'

 

 

 

 

 

Hugging herself tightly, Bella kicked at the ground as she made her way slowly through town, her thoughts weighed down heavily with annoyance at how easily her resolve had crumbled under Cole's advances.

 

Bella scowled. `Some progress I've made… I'm so predictable...'

 

`I wish there was something I could do to shock the hell out of the people who know me. Something completely out of character, something that no one would ever expect me to do…'

 

A flashing neon sign in the window of one of the many small shops lining the street she was strolling down snagged her attention. Bella stopped and read it as a furtive smile teased the corners of her mouth.

 

`Hmmm… a tattoo…'

 

 

 

*~~~~A/N~~~~*

 

 

 

Alright, where have all my readers gone? Do you guys not like the direction the story is going or something? I don't know these things if you don't tell me! lol :o) I'm feeling a little abandoned… *sniffles* Sorry for the late update, I had a bitch of a time writing this chapter. Hope it's ok! Tchao for now kiddies… :o)

 

 

 

*~~Media Miner Reviewer(s)~~*

 

 

Darkfire Storm: *grins* Good, I'm glad you like. Don't worry about not being able to review; I'll forgive you this time… lol JK Good luck with your sequel.

 

 

*~~Anime Spiral Reviewer(s)~~*

 

 

LT Stryffe: *hugz* Thanks so much for your review. It really made my night. :o)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Chapter: Breaking Point