The dom next door

The dom next door

Chapter 4: Bella – Just can't get enough

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When I'm with you baby, I go out of my head
And I just can't get enough, I just can't get enough
All the things you do to me and everything you said
And I just can't get enough, I just can't get enough

We slip and slide as we fall in love
And I just can't seem to get enough of

It's getting hotter, it's a burning love
And I just can't seem to get enough of

Depeche Mode – Just can't get enough

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My high after seeing Edward lasted all day at work. From all the odd looks some of the customers were giving me I suspected I had on the most disgusting, dreamy smile but right now I just couldn't be bothered to be bothered about it.

"So Bella. You seeing Jacob tonight?" my co-worker Annie asked, grinning like the cat that got the canary.

"Yeah, why?"

I was half-heartedly trying to organize the reservation slips so my mind wasn't really in the interrogation I knew she was about to give me.

"Is he the reason for your wide smile today?"

"Not particularly, no." I couldn't very well tell her that I had just met the boy I had loved since I was a little kid. A man, I corrected myself. Nearing thirty, Edward was all man now. I could just feel him gripping my arms, pushing me to the wall and kissing me roughly…

"Come on Bella, no one smiles like that if it's not about a man. Or a woman. Is that what you're trying to tell me?" she arched her beautiful eyebrow.

"Yes, Annie. I've been in the closet all these years. I wonder how you dare to work with me, knowing I have these deep hidden desires for women, especially pretty ones like you." I could hardly keep my poker face on.

"For a second there I almost believed you." she congratulated me, "Just spill it, Swan. You've been seeing Jacob forever, has he finally made his move?"

"We're just friends, Anne. I don't think of him like that."

"You're thinking of someone like that, but you can keep your secret. For now."

I made the worst possible grimace I could.

"You're so sweet Bella when you try to act tough." she cooed at me and pinched my cheek.

I tried to kick her shin in answer but she was too fast for me and she slipped away. Rats.

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I had just enough time to shower and make some snacks before Jacob would be arriving. I hurried upstairs and carefully took off my work clothes and put them in the closet on a hanger. Then I stripped off my underwear and grabbed a fresh towel. I had just wrapped it around myself when it suddenly hit me that my curtains were open and I finally had a neighbour to watch out for again. I carefully walked towards my window and peaked out. I saw nothing of interest, but reminded myself that there was one window upstairs in the Cullen house that shared my view. I wouldn't want to share the view of me, as titillating as the thought might be.

I closed the curtains and went to the shower.

After showering and washing my hair I put on a comfortable pajama with a cat print and went back downstairs to prepare the snacks. I turned on the stove and then put some oil and corn in a kettle. I made sandwiches while waiting for the corn to pop. As I was salting the popcorn I could see Jake from my kitchen window so I put the bowl down and went to open the door.

"Hey Jake!"

I had barely said it as he grabbed a hold of me and hugged me to himself tightly. The man was as affectionate as a little boy and sometimes that made me feel like his very own personal teddy bear. I couldn't believe Anne misread this as dating. Jacob was no more interested in me romantically than I was of him. There was only one man I was interested in romantically or sexually, and he had just moved back next door. God, I was pathetic.

"Hey my sweet. Do you have the snacks ready?" he asked, still hugging me and pecking me on the cheek.

"Just about. Sandwiches and popcorn. What movie did you get?"

"'The Rear Window'."

"Were Bambi and Lassie taken?" I snarked. Don't get me wrong, I actually loved Hitchcock's movies, but they sometimes gave me nightmares.

"Yea, the whole Disney section was empty, What's up with that?"

"Come on in. I think I can survive one Hitchcock movie. But if I get nightmares it's totally your fault."

I pulled him inside and closed the door behind him.

"Don't worry, sweet. If you still feel like getting nightmares after the movie, I'll stay and guard you." he offered.

"I don't think that's necessary, Jake. But if I do get any nightmares at all, you're never picking the movie again. I hope 'The Rear Window' is worth it."

"It's definitely worth it Bella. And the offer still stands."

I snorted and left him in the living room to tinker with the DVD player while I went back to the kitchen to get the snacks.

"You want a beer?" I hollered. Technically he was still a couple of months shy of being able to drink legally

"Sure, if you have one. I don't like to drink alone."

"Two beers it is."

I put everything on a tray and carried it to the living room table. I took one of the bottles and handed it to Jake before taking the remaining one for myself.

"Thanks Bella."

We clinked the bottles together and took a deep swig. Then we sat down on the couch and started to watch how a radiating Grace Kelly tried to snatch a reluctant Jimmy Stewart to herself. Of course there was also the small business of murder in the opposite building.

"I do love this movie, you know." I told Jacob when a character dubbed as "Miss Lonelyhearts" was crying in her room.

"I know." he said, smiling tenderly at me.

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