Chapter Two
Edward's POV
Six, business days later...
I had had a horrible day at work.
My hands gripped the steering wheel of my Volvo S60R in a crushing hold whilst I navigated home at such an early evening hour, my eyes narrowed at the road out ahead with the residual irritation that had riddled through me several times that day.
As a financial advisor for Meyer and Associates, one of Illinois' largest and most profitable financial and investment management firms, it was not a rare situation for me to be met with a few individuals who did not completely understand the merits and consequences of just what they were planning with their money.
This morning, I had been practically facing off against a older man who simply would not listen to the measured points of the high risk factors that I had found within the prospects for his business venture, as he had sharply turned down every one of my researched and extremely valid explanations.
I had it proven in black and white that, should he actually go through with setting up his business, he would not see profit for about thirty-six years, and yet he talked to me as if I was the moron in the room.
"Ugh...I just got to forget about him..forget about his stupid idea," I muttered groggily to myself, slowing the vehicle down as I smoothly coasted into the left turning lane and then came to a halt at the red light.
I sighed quietly, glad that my work day was over, but not without feeling an overwhelming sense of fatigue, general disassociation and boredom, even, as I watched as the west-bound traffic drove out ahead while everyone else waiting, and it was then that I let my thoughts wander back to a certain individual.
For almost the entire week, whenever I was lulled into a quiet moment, my mind would vividly recall that enticing man I had seen outside the restaurant with Alice, getting off of his motorcycle with my eyes still glued to his sunny, golden curls that were styled in an appealing, messy style.
I could still remember his tall, slender form, his strong chest and shoulders that made that leather jacket cling tightly to his arms and back, as he stretched for only me to witness, bending his perfect body over and taunting me with every, sexual fantasy known to man to suddenly infiltrate my somber mind as I had watched him move.
He had been effortlessly graceful, charmingly sexy, and mildly maddening to me, as I could also still accurately picture that saddened expression that had turned his chiseled features towards the pavement.
I was probably nearing a considerable number of hours now that I had pondered over that look, that depressing, sorrowful look kept slightly gilded since he had been downtown in public, and if I had to assign a word to what I was feeling about it...I would admit to obsession.
Wise to the fact that the traffic going west was about to cease and allow for our end to proceed, I straightened up in my seat, trying to put a temporary halt to my mind's seemingly endless contemplations so I may be ready to accelerate as promptly as possible...before...
"...no...fucking...way..." I voiced my blatant disbelief aloud in my car, my mouth left hanging open as I watched a male with stunning but semi-visible features, golden tresses of hair peeking out from underneath his helmet, and nice, strong shoulders where orange and white only lined down one side, suddenly zoom by along the remaining, crossing traffic.
It was him!
That tortuously attractive man from before, the one who has been owning my every waking thought for days now, was right there...driving away.
"You said that you would talk to him the next time you saw him..." my mind did not hesitate to bring forth to my attention, as I caught myself doing nothing but staring at him once more.
"...risks...take risks...you promised yourself you would take some risks and see where they lead you, Edward! Go after him!" my thoughts began practically hollering at me, growing in urgency with the more distance there became between my sitting, idle form and his passing one.
Then, right when I was about to admittedly give up on my incessant, internal ranting and all the adrenaline it had given me to do exactly that, I remembered something that that stubborn, old man had said to me earlier this morning in my office whence he and I were discussing his failure-bound business venture.
"It's not about the money, son...it was never about something like that," he had tried to reason with me and my many forms and charts that forecast his poor financial numbers, "...this is just something I've always wanted to do...and Lord knows, I ain't getting any younger!"
I stamped my foot on the gas, heading towards the west-bound lane when I legally should have made my left, as I hastily cut off the person who had been next to me at the light so I could make it into the appropriate lane in time, following the familiar black motorcycle and the mysterious person I could still see riding it.
Both hands holding onto the steering wheel, my whole body was practically sitting on the edge of my seat as I sped passed car after car, clearly driving well over the speed limit, but that thought hardly entered my mind as I only focused on catching up to that roaring motorcycle, delighting in the fact that I could make out more of his short, blonde curls that were pushed this way and that by the rushing wind.
"Just keep your cool, Cullen...I feel like a stalker..." I laughed at myself, my blood still pumping vivaciously inside my veins at the idea of how I was, for all intents and purposes, truly stalking this man, as I recognized that we were heading back towards the downtown district where I had first seen him.
"...I better slow down..." I reasoned aloud, eyes darting from left to right as I knew of how downtown traffic was not as speedy as that on the highway, coupled with how the lanes were much closer together, as I allowed a few cars to pull out in front of me so I could have some drag-time to see where he would make turns and the like.
"Hmm...looks like he made a right..." I voiced aloud again for its own sake, as I astutely made the same right-hand turn and then slowed down considerably to seek him out once more, nervous tingles coursing even stronger through me with each passing second of ultimately getting closer to this man.
My eyes widened as I watched him park his bike in one of the spots along the side of the multiple-laned road located near the very heart of downtown, placing all kinds of restaurants and stores, bars and clubs to line each way a person could turn.
"Shit! Okay...okay, I can do this...it's...there is nothing to worry about," I suddenly panicked a little as I hurriedly slipped into a parking spot on the opposite side of the road, having to turn away from him as I needed to collect myself before attempting to speak to him, my nerves having just worsened by means of transforming into jagged-edged shards to move throughout my body now that it was upon me to finally meet him.
"Just go introduce yourself...see what he's like..." I encouraged myself as I cast my green eyes up to the rear-view mirror so I may quickly scan over my naturally disheveled copper locks, knowing that they could not look any tamer even if I had tried, before forcing my sweating hand to my door handle so I may let myself out.
Taking a deep breath and trying to force away the small voice in my head that was reminding me how I was about to talk to the same gorgeous man I had only caught a tiny glimpse of before, I locked my Volvo with a push of a button on my key chain before hurrying across the mildly busy street.
I knew I looked like a typical downtown businessman who was late for an appointment or something of the sort, as I still wore my charcoal-grey suit and maroon tie that fluttered helplessly against my white shirt and opened jacket as I hustled towards the sidewalk and then immediately began walking quickly towards the mysterious man's back.
He had only been walking away from his parked motorcycle for a few minutes, his pace extremely mindful of the people walking around him, making him move a little slower than most, and I instantly became grateful for this fact as I practically jogged to the sight of his fitted leather jacket and soft, curly mane.
"Excuse me! Uh...sir!" I called after him now that I was getting close, close enough to make my blood race at a staggering rate all over again, as I took in his measured, somewhat limped gait and square shoulders that were careful not to bump into anyone.
No response.
He must not have realized that I was talking to him.
"Sir! You there...sorry..." I spoke once more, this time while reaching an unthinking hand forward and placing it on top of one of his shoulders to stop him.
My sight was temporarily blinded by a brilliant pattern of sunlight gold that contrasted nicely with the surrounding pink and hazy grey of the early evening sky, as the man suddenly whipped around in his spot, his cobalt blue eyes, as beautiful and stunning as any cloud-laden storm, were wide in confusion at me, as he now faced me directly.
I said nothing for what seemed like an eternity, all of my practicing in the car having totally escaped me, as I blinked slowly at high, regal cheekbones, smooth, tempting skin, and fierce, sex-inspiring lips the color of spring roses, all of his features absolutely stunning and highlighted magnificently by the gentle, wheat curls that framed his face.
"Yes...?" he spoke, his tone speaking of his puzzlement as well as a hint of concern as he took a noticeable step away from my silent, studying form as he awaited my reply.
"Um...I uh..." I tried but quickly decided to lower my gaze from such ethereal beauty for a moment so I could clear my throat and hopefully save a little face with him, my thoughts running in full force in spite of how I realized I was physically unable to voice a single one of them aloud.
"...right..." he mumbled with a quiet sigh of blatant disappointment and perhaps annoyance, before starting to turn away, intent on continuing his walk and, probably, to leave me standing there...forever with my words caught in my throat.
"No, wait!" I thankfully found my voice, my hand reaching forward again and seizing a sleeve of his black leather jacket, automatically clutching the soft garment as if my life depended upon it.
Maybe it had.
This time, he whirled around with narrowed, penetrating eyes, forcefully yanking his arm out of my grasp as he spoke to me with much more strength in his words.
"What the hell is your problem?" his razor-sharp tone, rich with a few, legato syllables and strangely enunciated vowels hinting at a southern upbringing, nearly startled me out of my reverie as I swallowed down the lump that had formed in my throat and steeled my nerves so I may proceed somewhat intelligibly.
"I apologize if I was being rude to you just now, but..." I began in a surprisingly collected manner, my tone not unlike how I would speak to a new client in how I wished to represent myself as best as I possibly could, "...my name is Edward."
Impossibly deep blue eyes were immediately baffled by my simple, straight-forward introduction, my clear-cut wish to know him and for him to know me, his luscious lips parting as he took in my words, as his flawless features remained hardened, guarded towards me, however.
"...what is it you want?" the tall, motorcycle-riding male posed another question instead of offering his own name, his words having become milder to me, and my curiosity was growing exponentially about why he was so obviously cautious with me right now, still maintaining a sizable distance between us as he looked ready to run if need be.
"So...I need to earn his trust..." I mentally surmised about the situation, taking in his worried, pretty eyes, and lovely lips, "...it'll be worth it...whatever will be worth getting to know him...and why he is this way..."
"Only your name...if you'll give it to me...?" I offered politely, a small smirk curving my lips at him as I watched his eyes lower to the pavement for a breath of a second before raising up to meet my own once more with much more softness beneath such swimming depths.
"...Jasper," he provided in that sexy, southern drawl of his, the affect of which only making my grin become broader across my features as I chanced taking another step towards such a beautiful yet reserved man, my right hand lifting to shake his own in a much more friendly greeting.
"Hmm...another old-fashioned name, just like mine...seems to suit him," I mentally recognized the similarity between us right away, as my patient eyes watched as Jasper hesitated in what seemed to be him thinking over the idea of shaking my hand before he ultimately decided in my favor and moved forward as well.
I smiled as he slowly closed even more distance between us so he may take hold of my offered hand and give it a good shake, my heart nearly thudding out of my chest with excitement the moment I felt his warm skin touch my own, his hand a bit rougher than what I had imagined but still granting me a subtle kind of satisfaction that I had earned at least that much of a friendship with him.
Straight away, my mind was in overload with the facts and assumptions I could already safely make regarding this man, like how he needed to be treated almost like an injured animal, requiring to be shown no ill-will or contempt before finally deciding whom he could accept to be a little closer to him, and the idea was consuming to me to gradually edge into his good graces and no longer be seen as some threat.
A lone question immediately sprang to the forefront of my mind of such an understanding of him, however, as the words were unrelenting and repetitive in my mind.
"What could have happened to make him like this, I wonder..." I thought over and over again, a small but increasing part of me beginning to genuinely worry for this man whose calloused, strong hand was currently being cradled gently by my own as I secretly savored having Jasper within my physical grasp, allowing me, a stranger, to be so close.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Jasper," I spoke with a warm, inviting smile, watching intently how he quickly lowered his eyes from mine as if he did not know how he should respond to such a good-natured compliment, a few, stray curls of honey-blonde hair moving across his brow as he did so.
I wanted to badly to run my fingers across his forehead and brush those short, blonde locks out of his eyes, but I dared not to do anything of the sort, as I knew full-well that I needed to take my time with him and let him accept me at his own pace.
He remained silent, still standing close to me as the two of us naturally ended our handshake, my eyes kept soft even though I was unable to help observing every, minute flicker of emotion that crossed over his heavenly features, as I quickly thought of something I could talk about with him.
"Was that your motorcycle I saw parked back there?" I asked him as if I did not know, gesturing with a jab of my thumb back towards the direction from which we both had come.
Upon hearing this, Jasper's eyes snapped up to my own in appealing surprise, gracing me once again with their stormy blue hue, as he briefly licked at his eye-catching lips before speaking.
"Oh...yes, it is..." Jasper spoke kindly but not without a touch of wariness still present in his tone with me, as if he was still not sure about speaking and being around me like this, "...are you into motorcycles, Edward?"
"I love how he says my name...already...in that smoky, southern accent of his...very nice," I internally swooned for a second before voicing my answer.
"I know enough, but I'm really interested in yours," I lied sweetly to the god-like male in front of me, having truthfully wanted to word my reply regarding my general interest in him and not his motorcycle, as it were.
Jasper seemed to perk up considerably upon hearing this from me, however, and I could not regret that I had somewhat fibbed to him, as I saw him shift his weight a little where he stood, making his stature become more confident, more relaxed.
"Well, then let me show her to you..." Jasper offered to me in delightfully plain words, sliding his hands into the pockets of his jeans as he and I both began to turn back towards his motorcycle a few yards behind us.
"I'd like that..." I agreed easily, quite willing to follow this man practically anywhere in this moment, a moment where I truly felt as if I was being allowed to experience something rare with Jasper by him acting this way towards me considering how only a few, short moments ago, he had seemed rather capable of punching me in the face.
Jasper and I approached his black and silver motorcycle and my keen eyes training hard on him did not miss how fondly he gazed down at the machine before he started speaking again, neither one of us minding the people swiftly walking around our stationary forms.
"She's a Ducati Superbike 848 with a Testastretta Evoluzione engine capable of putting out one hundred and thirty four horsepower...one of the best for a middleweight bike that I've ever seen..." he spoke eloquently, passionately about his motorcycle to me, both of us looking over the apparently exceptional piece of machinery that he obviously knew a great deal about, and I had to admit that I was impressed.
I quietly nodded my head at his words, simply loving how he was even speaking to me in the first place as I honestly had absolutely no clue what he had been talking about regarding the specifics of his motorcycle; I was just enjoying being there with him, listening to him talk about what he liked.
"It's a very impressive bike, Jasper," I confirmed in kind, tilting my bronze head towards him just in time to see Jasper smile appreciatively in response, allowing me to see his adorable, dimpled grin as he ducked his blonde head down.
"Her name is Bella," he commented casually, letting his grin comfortably fade from his angelic face as I caught him giving me a quick side-glance with those royal blue orbs whilst he spoke.
"...excuse me...?" I had to ask as I chuckled lightly at the information that he had given his motorcycle a name.
"As in 'Isabella'...it's an Italian bike, so I thought I'd give her an Italian name, " Jasper's logic was vastly endearing to me as I smiled broadly at him, unable to hide or cover the softness my jade eyes held for this man as I got to know a little more about what made him unique, special.
"I was wondering...would you care to join me for a drink, Jasper...?" I put out the offer to spend more time together as smoothly as possible, me being extremely cognizant of the fact that this might seem like a bit of leap to him, but I knew I just had to try.
I truly did not want to end things so soon with him this night.
Jasper looked up from his bike to me, expression showing a slight concern that I might be asking too much, as he first looked at a few of the stores and shops around us, before saying, "I uh...I suppose that'd be okay."
Relief flooded through me at his positive answer, and it was only now that I realized that my jittery nerves from earlier had been wholly dissipated, no longer sizzling throughout my entire body as the fact had at one point unconsciously dawned on me that I was completely comfortable around Jasper; taking heed of his mannerisms and facials expressions, yes, but all while feeling an overall, versatile relaxation.
My having to mind what I said to him made me careful, and that had set out some cognizant boundaries of what I felt was and was not appropriate to do or say around him, thereby making me already feel like I had had a foothold with how I should proceed with Jasper...and that was a very welcome revelation.
X
Only a few, short moments later, Jasper and I were sitting at the bar of one of the more lower-key pubs in the downtown district, both of us sitting on the high bar stools with our second round of beers melting in our hands whilst we chatted and half-way watched whatever sports game was on the televisions overhead.
Sitting with his leather jacket hanging over the back of his bar stool, Jasper looked like he was made to be here at this bar with me, with his long, jean-clad legs resting on the metal railing below, and his tight-fitted navy-blue tee-shirt that gloriously hugged at his hard-planed chest and shoulders, his sculpt arms kept folded on top of the bar whilst we drank together.
He had already disclosed to me that he was originally from Texas, and right now, I knew I was staring at him in awe as he looked like an actual, modern-day cowboy, ready to either win a poker game or a guns blazing shoot-out at the drop of a hat...and all of it with those devastatingly handsome features of his.
"So, Jasper...what do you do for a living?" I asked conversationally before lifting my brew up to my lips to take another hearty swig of the foamy but pleasantly bitter liquid, the rock music playing inside the traditional pub not at all overpowering as he and I had been easily able to talk with only the tiniest raise to our voices.
Jasper, cascaded majestically in the dim bar light that was equally reciprocated off of the polished wooden tables and flooring, slightly lowered his curly, blonde head down, frowning a bit as he did so, which practically screamed his embarrassment or reluctance to answer to me before he did speak his reply.
"...I'm a factory worker," he answered quietly in a tone not committed to speaking on such a topic, his eyes avoiding my own as I studied his troubled but forever gorgeous profile, the way that his beautiful lips were pulled slightly down before the opening of his beer bottle gently touched his bottom lip and was tipped backward to let the chilled beverage run down his delicious-looking throat.
"He works in a factory, huh..." I mused to myself as I drank a little more of my beer and allowed him the silence he wished for before speaking again, "...that would explains his hands...all the cuts and scrapes I see there...God, I bet he looks fucking hot working in that factory, though..."
"Don't be embarrassed...a job's a job," I voiced truthfully, wanting entirely to console him of any foreboding feelings towards me, wanting for him to know that he could tell me anything, "...besides, we all have to be good at something."
My lighthearted comment fell flat on its face as I watched as Jasper chuckled sadly at the last of my words, him probably not believing a thing I had just said to try to make him feel better.
"Yeah..."he voiced in a barely audible tone before setting down his beer bottle and looking directly at me, his murky, unreadable cobalt gaze peering heavily into my own and I almost choked on my own beer from such a sudden burst of mesmerizing color before hastily swallowing what had been in my mouth, "...so what about you? Are you a lawyer or something...?"
This time, I did choke on my beer, but thankfully recovered after only a few coughs and a clearing of my throat.
"No, no...I'm not a lawyer, but I can see why you'd think that, " I answered with a playful smirk, knowing that my suit and tie had been in stark but interesting contrast to his jeans and tee-shirt this whole time,"...actually, I'm a financial advisor for Meyer and Associates."
Jasper nodded his curly, wheat-colored head in polite understanding of my reply, his eyebrows having lifted a bit even though he kept his eyes downcast to the surface of the bar, still as if he was pondering about something else, something important, during this whole time that he and I talked.
"Is something bothering him...? He seems so..." my mental ramblings began to churn inside my head, before immediately hushing up the moment I could tell Jasper was about to speak to me once more, the way he parted his full, pink lips was beginning to be one of my favorite things to notice.
"Well, I wish you luck with that, Edward, but I need to get going..." Jasper announced in his smooth, smokey tone in spite of his words being totally hollow, before standing up from his bar stool, collecting his leather jacket, and then reaching a hand to a back pocket of his jeans to, no doubt, retrieve his wallet.
"Crap...he's leaving...so soon...!" I internally panicked, still not wishing to let this gorgeous, mysteriously quiet man leave my sight just yet, as I still had much more I wanted to ask him, to see him smile more, to become even closer so that there would be no way that he'd...
"Hold on, Jasper..." I purposefully interrupted my own wandering thoughts before they got too involved, as I held up a hand to the tall, southern male and smiled whilst I continued, admittedly trying to buy more time with him, "...I invited you out, so this one is on me. Besides, if you give me your number real fast, we could set it up to do this again sometime, and..."
"Thanks...Edward...but..." Jasper cut me off sharply but with seemingly forced words as he began sliding his arms through the sleeves of his leather jacket, and then gave his head a little shake to move the honey-colored curls out of his face before looking me directly in my eyes, his point about to be made, "...look, you're a really nice guy, but I just...I'm not really trying to make any friends right now."
I stood up, instantly mortified that this might be the last time I saw Jasper, my words leaving me before I had too much opportunity to rethink and evaluate the consequences.
"What if I'm wanting to be more than friends with you, Jasper...huh?" I blindly admitted to him, putting out every ounce of my true intentions with him, as well as pointedly ignoring any kind of hidden meaning within Jasper's own words to me, as the desperation was evident but kept mild in my voice while he and I had this back and forth.
I watched how Jasper lowered his eyes from mine, a force of habit I had noticed with him whenever he felt a little too cornered, as he licked the front of his teeth and then shifted his eyes to a side before speaking with clear, self-loathing in his words, "...you'd be better off with anyone else in here, Edward...trust me."
And with that, leaving me quite stunned in my place that Jasper obviously thought so terribly of himself to say such a thing, Jasper turned his back to me and began striding out of the pub, his scarred hands slipping into the pockets of his jacket as he navigated towards the grand, double doors at the entrance.
"Risks...remember risks...? Well, you've just found a big one...do not let him get away; he's getting away!" my racing mind shocked me out of my stunned state, my hands positively shaking as I threw down a few bills onto the bar and then ran out of the establishment, fueled by my befuddlement, my inability to let the first, goddamn thing that I had truly desired in years to simply walk out of my life.
I caught him just as he had exited the pub and was beginning to make a right down the sidewalk and become just another silhouette of a person whom I still did not truly know in this town.
"...Jasper! Wait just a fucking second!" I shouted into the crisp, downtown atmosphere upon letting the pub doors close behind me, not paying one iota of attention to the many people I had startled as they hurried by me while I rushed up to Jasper and clapped both of my hands onto his shoulders and spun the Texan around to face me.
All of my misplaced anger increased tenfold as I saw Jasper's narrowed eyes and pursed lips, like he himself was agitated that I had not simply taken his word at face value and allowed him to leave as he had wished, as he pulled his hands out of his pockets but otherwise remained silent.
"Just what the hell is wrong with you? You won't even give me a chance to exp..."was all I had been able to blurt out, just before I felt something as solid and heavy as frozen stone suddenly slam into the side of my jaw, making my vision blur for a strange, circling moment as I plummeted to the dirty, cold pavement below.
My unfocused eyes blinked slowly, hazily up at Jasper who had his legs spread wide with one arm crossing over his torso as he had just finished punching me squarely across my face, one of my hands automatically coming up to gingerly cradle my swelling cheek as my frazzled, unthinking mind was still trying to process everything that had happened.
I blinked again, starting to feel the world come back to me along with the tiny river of blood that was starting to run down the split in my lip and onto my hand that I considered was probably holding my jaw in place right now, and, through the fog of my clearing senses, I heard Jasper audibly murmur something before crouching down to me.
"Shit..." Jasper spoke to my semi-ringing ears, placing his hands on my biceps and carefully hoisting me up to my feet as he also stood, his resilient hold on me keeping me steady, "...I'm sorry, Edward."
I wanted to voice that it was okay, but my whole head felt like it was going to fall right off my shoulders should I say anything, so I only groaned in pain the second I opened my bloodied mouth to speak.
"...you can't drive...God, I shouldn't have done that..."Jasper grumbled more to himself than me at the moment, not that I was able to mind such a revelation as disoriented as I was, and I was only able to somewhat feel Jasper sliding an arm around my waist before helping me to walk forward.
"J-Jas...per..." I voiced meekly before squinting my eyes in utter agony, the sharp ache in my cheek seeming to spread up into the center of my brain, trying to rip it apart, as I was only vaguely aware of Jasper briefly lifting me up and sitting me down on something sturdy yet slanted.
"I uh...I guess I'm going to take you to my place for awhile...at least until you can drive home," I heard Jasper speak to me, prompting me to crack open a stinging eye in time to see the gorgeous blonde-haired male, his whole aura positively glowing to my cloudy vision, as he put his helmet on and carefully sat down on his motorcycle in front of me.
"Hold on to me, Edward," Jasper instructed back to me, his words now almost acting as some kind of trigger for my punch-drunk haze to begin lifting from me, as I began to feel the nighttime chill on my nose, hear the downtown noise all around me, and realize that I was about to go to this man's home with him.
Obeying his command, I tightly wound my arms around Jasper's torso, unabashedly hugging him to me as I took in the long lines of trim muscle that constructed him, musing that he owed me at least that much from hitting me as I pressed my uninjured cheek against his shoulder blade and felt him start Bella.
Truth be told, I had never ridden on a motorcycle before, and I realized in a far corner of my mind that I probably should have been more scared than I was.
Perhaps it had something to do with my iron-clad grip around Jasper's stomach, or how I was now finally able to identify his own, personal scent, something I had not been able to distinguish whilst being downtown with him, as I breathed in the rich combination of spiced mahogany and leather that seemed to waft from him as we sped through the streets towards of the outskirts of the district.
His scent was absolutely delectable and I buried my nose against his strong shoulder whilst he took me away from my car, away from everything I had known and knew to be comfortable, as I willingly stepped into his territory...anything to make him feel more secure around me.
Sooner than I had expected, as I had quickly found myself wholly enjoying the euphoria of Jasper's back pressed firmly against my chest, he and I both came to a stop outside a collection of apartment complexes that I did not recognize.
Wordlessly, from feeling possible guilt about such a situation, Jasper parked his motorcycle in one of the spots along the white, beige, and green-coordinated apartments, before fluidly hopping off of his bike and removing his helmet.
"...come on," he said sorrowfully, as he carried his helmet underneath one arm while extending his other hand towards me, granting me a breathtaking vision of his porcelain, carved-out-of heaven features and wild, golden mane set against the black velvet of night that currently surrounded us.
My senses having fully come back to me, coupled with my headache starting to at least somewhat subside, I gratefully took his offered hand and climbed off of the Ducati, only then noticing Jasper's lowered, shameful eyes as he helped me and then proceeded to usher me towards the sidewalk.
Jasper sighed audibly, his troubled state of mind not being hidden from me whatsoever, as he and I slowly ascended the stairs that lead up into the apartments, our pace mindful of my condition even though I was, honestly, feeling a great deal better that what I lead on.
Some large, entirely intrigued part of me...wanted to see how far his hospitality towards me would go this night...I needed to find out.
On the third floor, Jasper and I approached one of the beige doors, my eyes unable to see the number on the wooden fixture due to how dark it was outside, and it was after I heard Jasper unlock and open the door to his apartment did he finally speak to me.
"I really am sorry about what happened, Edward...let me um...get you some ice..."he spoke in a tone too depressing for a mortal conscience to bear as he and I stepped into his humble abode, where I gradually halted my steps while Jasper flicked on the lights from somewhere on my left.
Cherry oak-colored walls of his immediate living room were what caught my eye first, his furniture being a tasteful chocolate brown, which made the whole room quite somber and aesthetically relaxing in nature, like one could not possibly be upset upon going inside such a pleasantly designed space.
I politely navigated to the plump-looking couch to sit down, my head turned towards the white, semi-enclosed kitchen where I could see Jasper from over the bar as he opened his refrigerator to retrieve something and then turned on his faucet.
"...my head is killing me...feels like I got hit by a truck," I muttered with a small chuckle, speaking the truth in the midst of my jest as I rested my forearms on top of my knees and lowered my eyes from all the light.
Then, making me lift my gaze once more, Jasper padded across the room to me, a glass of water in one hand that he promptly offered me as he said, "...here, take these."
After taking the glass from him, he reached his other hand forward and dropped two, small pills into my palm, neither one of us making eye contact but for entirely different reasons; me because of my headache and him because of his evident depression.
I immediately took the provided pills, finishing the glass of water even though I could taste my own blood behind every gulp of the liquid, as I set the glass down on top of the dark wooden coffee table out in front of me, the need to voice something to him, anything, was beginning to make me anxious.
However, just as I was about to call out to the stunning, blue-eyed man, he quickly returned to my side, no longer wearing his jacket and with a damp washcloth in his hand, and my crazed need to speak first vanished as I watched as he practically gave me a personal show of him seductively sliding in between my parted knees and then sinking down to the floor to balance his weight on his own.
My breath caught in my throat, my eyes widening a bit, as Jasper leaned in close to me, enveloping me in his addictive scent and effortless beauty, as he took a careful, gentle hold of my uninjured cheek and slowly turned my head so that he could have better view of my bruised jaw.
I hissed through my teeth, however, the moment I felt the wet washcloth touch the split in my lip, but hurriedly forced away the pain so I could open my eyes again and behold such an amazing sight of Jasper being so close and careful with me with so much emotion showing through his immaculate face.
His cobalt eyes were apologetic as they were fixated on my lips, as he gently dabbed a corner of the cloth against them, cleaning away the dried blood from the small but painful cut there, before using another section of the rag to lightly scrub at my chin.
His actions were so unbelievably mindful that I felt myself charmed in an instant, my quieted mind beginning to put the pieces together about why Jasper had acted out the way he did today...why he had felt as if he needed to defend himself...
It was my heart that ached the most now as I watched with kind eyes as he took his time tending to me.
"Jasper...you don't have to feel so bad...it's okay...really," I offered in low-spoken, serious words, willing away the urge to bring my hands up to his, as I watched as he lifted his captivating gaze to meet my own.
"...how's your head?" Jasper purposefully redirected the conversation as he quickly lowered his hopeful eyes from peering into my own, patient green ones, willing to be patient forever for him to finally come to me, as I allowed him to stand up to his full height and maneuver from being in between my bent legs.
"...so hesitant to...even share a tender moment...like he's scared..." I mentally surmised with a substantial degree of empathy for this man, my self having known exactly how painful it could be to no longer know how to reach out to anyone.
"...the pills are starting to make me feel a little better, but I still feel kind of groggy..." I reported to him, admittedly playing up my condition a little more than necessary as the realization swiftly occurred to me that if I were to tell him that I was perfectly alright again, he would probably ask me to leave.
Jasper licked his shapely lips in thought before turning his head to a side to look down his hallway towards the rooms that were, no doubt, in the back, before settling his gaze on my sitting, waiting form.
"Then...I suppose you can stay here tonight..." he voiced with a noticeable amount of uncertainty in his tone and mannerisms before continuing, "...I'll just...get you some things, and then I'm going to bed."
"So...I am to stay on the couch...at least it's a start," I mentally smiled at my own joke before schooling my features at him prior to speaking, knowing that this had, more than likely, been an uncomfortable decision on his part.
"Alright," I said simply, not wishing to push my luck with him at the moment and risk another punch in the face by saying too much or making him feel even more bothered than he already was.
"Although, if he hadn't hit you...you wouldn't be here right now...maybe we should take hits from him more often," I could not help but tell myself, my inane thoughts making me chuckle to myself as Jasper had already begun walking down the corridor to his room, leaving me to stand up and stretch before shrugging off my suit jacket and loosening my tie.
I had already successfully discarded my tie onto the coffee table and was beginning to unbutton my white, dress shirt when Jasper came back inside the living room, his arms full of a variety of items.
Smoky blue eyes hurriedly turned downward to his empty loveseat adjacent of the couch by which I was currently standing, as I watched him place the neatly folded blankets and pillows on top of the cushions there for me to get when I pleased.
"Here are some pillows and a comforter for you...oh, and some clothes to change into, so...I guess I'll see you later..." he voiced incredibly awkwardly, obviously not used to playing host to many others, another similarity which I found between us, as I hastily intervened.
"Jasper, I...I just wanted to say thank you...for taking care of me and letting me stay here...I promise I won't be any trouble," I said to him, meaning every word as I took a few, unconscious steps towards him whilst I spoke, my sharp eyes glued to how he slowly turned his curly, blonde head back towards me, gaining my gaze once more and filling me with confidence as he seemed to be hanging off of my every, understanding word to him.
"...no problem, Edward...it's the least I could do. Have a good night..." he dodged my unwavering gaze with gentle words, as he brought up a nervous hand to ruffle through his short, styled honey locks, letting them sift through his fingers and palm and I had to admit that I was a tad jealous that I could perform no such deed to him.
"...night," I replied to his already retreating form, my breath leaving me in a rush from my lungs once I heard him close his bedroom door behind him, allowing me to be here in his apartment all by myself.
I realized I could very well leave right this moment, but as quickly as that thought came it was gone, as I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I wanted to stay; I wanted to see him again the next morning.
I wanted to try to talk to him, seriously talk to him, about his actions and the possibility that there was more going on with him than just what appeared on the surface.
I had to know.
Finishing unbuttoning my shirt, I laid the item along the back of the loveseat before picking up the pile of the soft, folded comforter and pillows, topped with a spare, white tee-shirt and grey-and-navy patterned pajama pants.
"...just like his eyes," I thought to myself regarding the appealing mesh of the two colors, again making a lighthearted smirk curve my lips as I briefly ran my fingertips over the material before pulling them away from the pile, ready to change into them and then spread out the huge, queen-sized comforter on top of Jasper's couch, hoping to find some sleep as well.
"Don't lie to yourself, Edward..." I thought smartly to myself, quite enjoying the serene silence of the darkened apartment, so much different than my and house located a little closer to the crowded city, as I slipped out of my charcoal-grey slacks and then pulled on the loaned pair of Jasper's pajama pants, followed closely by his white tee-shirt which was just a little broader in the chest for my own build.
"...you won't be sleeping tonight, and you know it," my thoughts continued, not that I minded my inner musings at such a razor-sharp moment as I deftly unfolded the wonderfully pliant, pleasantly-scented comforter and draped it over the couch, "...you're going to be thinking about curls the color of bright sunshine...of piercing blue eyes that hold so much emotion it could break a man..."
"...you, Edward Cullen;" my internal musings were steadily going out of control in spite of how exhausted I truly was from the work week and now this unexpected evening, as I settled down on top of the couch and pulled the thick comforter over my stretching, relaxing form, "...are going to be thinking about that gorgeous, sexy man in the other room, holding him in your arms and feeling every inch of his perfect body pressed against your own, needing only you...what a lovely thought – Jasper needing only me..."
And I had been right; that had been what I stayed up thinking about instead of sleeping the night through.
No matter.
Maybe I had been sleeping long enough.
X
Author's Note: Oh no...lol. I must admit, I am a little tired of these fics where Jasper is this heaven-sent angel of a dude without a mean bone in his body. Screw all that; Jazz has got some fire to unleash! Leave me a message after the beep, fans! XD