21.

I sat quietly in Paul's arms, since he didn't give me a choice to do otherwise, and thought about where I was going to start when he finally sat me down. I can feel his eyes studying my face as he quickly walked, and tried my hardest to avoid meeting his gaze knowing I'd lose my willpower to be angry.

"We'r—you're home, Charlie." He stated, while leaping on the front porch with ease. His near slip of saying 'we're home' didn't go unnoticed.

"Good, then put me down now." I stated, turning my face from his slightly. In typical Paul fashion, he opened the front door and walked to the couch before he set me down, earning a huff from us both. He turned in an attempt to put some distance between us.

"Oh no you don't," I jumped up and grabbed his hand with my good one. "Sit down." I commanded, as he turned to me with a look of surprise painted on his face, by listened to my demand. "Just what in the hell was that, Paul?" I stood and looked at him, barely having to gaze down. I crossed my arms like I once had while he hauled me over here, and stuck my right foot out to the side. I knew I looked far from intimidating, especially to a giant like Paul, but I wanted him to know I was waiting for answers. If I weren't so pissed, this entire scene would have been a bit comical.

"Look, I'm sorry for, yanno, all that back there." He said while running one hand through his hair, and using the other one to flick at the air while he spoke. "But you have to understand Charlie, all of this is new to me."

"You don't think this is all new to me too? You don't think this was a lot for me to take in, Paul?" I retorted.

"No, no. Of course I don't think that, Charlie. It's just… I don't know—intense." I look at him incredulously.

"It's not just intense for you, yah know." I look at him pointedly before turning away from him. "You can't just scoop me up and carry me away like that whenever you get mad or upset or whatever the hell you were just then." I grab the baking sheet I used to cook the biscuits and turn to the sink, scrubbing it vigorously. "We have to talk about things if this is goi—" Paul grabs me firmly by the hips causing me to drop the pan and sponge, startling me at his sudden closeness.

"You think I was mad? Do you know how I felt when Jaredtold me some guy was hitting on you at the store?" He says in my ear. His large thumbs gently rub my hips, and my heart starts to flutter in my chest. "I wasn't mad, Charlotte, I was livid. Don't you know how territorial wolves are? How am I supposed to feel when I hear someone was drooling over something that belongs to me? You're mine, Charlotte." He growled in my ear sending a shiver down my spine. "Why didn't you tell him you are mine?" Paul questioned, while running his nose up my neck and behind my ear, in his attempt to weaken me no doubt. I grip the sink for support before speaking.

"Am I yours? Am I your girlfriend? We only just met, I didn't want to assume and—" Paul spins me around and picks me up in one swift movement before placing me on the small island counter. Any trace of anger he once had has vanished, and the Paul in front of me now has concern etched on his face.

"You didn't want to assume and what, Charlie?" He questioned, gazing down at me, hands still at my hips.

"I didn't want to assume, and then that not be what you were thinking or wanted," he opens his mouth to speak, and I bring my pointer finger to his lips gently before continuing, "I know we talked about the whole imprint thing, but I don't want you to be with me because you were forced to be…" I trail off, looking down at my legs now, my biggest insecurity laid out for him.

"Charlotte, look at me please," he says in a soft yet stern tone, while taking my face is his warm hands, "I am not forced to be with you. I don't feel the way I do about you because I am forced to. I want so much more with you. I would have found you and felt the same way about you even without the imprint." He brought his face down so his forehead rests against mine, and I can feel the emotions behind his words.

"It just helped me not be an ass or embarrass myself about in the process," he added, trying to lighten the mood. "So, the next time someone tries to make a move on you, you tell them that you have a boyfriend that will literally tear them to shreds, 'kay?"

"Well I don't know about it helping you not be an ass…" I can't help but smirk and jokingly poke his shoulder. He lifts his head back from mine, and moves his hands down to my sides.

"What are you going to tell the next guy that makes his move, Charlotte?" He questions with a smirk of his own, before beginning a tickle assault on my body. I begin to thrash wildly, and I can't control the laughter and shrieks that escape my mouth.

"Paul!" I shout, while trying to protect my stomach from his quick fingers.

"I can't hear you Charlie. What are you going to tell them?" He questions again, his own laughter joining my own, and his assault on me doesn't falter.

"I have a boyfriend!" I shrieked through a giggle, "Stop, I'm gonna pee!" I say, pushing myself from the island and almost collapsing on the floor in a fit of laughter, but Paul's strong hands catch me at my waist. Once I'm steady on my feet, I make my dash to the bathroom.

"I can't believe you did that!" I shout from the bathroom, still giggling. He really just tickled me to get his way.

"All's fair in love and war, baby," my heart skips at his mention of love and the new term of endearment.