CHAPTER THREE

I wasn't sure what to do. I didn't want to just leave, but Jasper could be anywhere and may not be back for hours. Since he fed on the blood of animals he had probably gone outside of the city. I paid for the three coffees I had drunk throughout the night and stepped out onto the street. It was four o'clock and I wasn't really tired yet, used to staying up most of the night with band practise or shows, but I wouldn't have minded a shower. I had an overnight bag in the Rabbit, just in case I had told myself when I packed it, and now I made my way back to where I had left the car and drove to the motel Embry and I had stayed in the week before.

I took a room and got straight in the shower, glad to be putting on some clean shorts at the very least. Then I sprawled on the bed, the window open, listening to the sounds of the city and thinking about Jasper. Had I made a huge mistake getting to know him? The more time I spent with him, the more I liked him, but how could we be together? The band would be appalled and their wolves would just want to kill him. He was a loner, but the likes of the Cullens would be equally horrified at such a pairing if they heard about it. Or maybe they wouldn't. Bella was with Edward after all. In fact she had become one of them. Not that I had any intention of doing the same thing. Maybe I should just pack up, go home and forget about him, although that would be easier said than done. I continued to let my thoughts wander and time passed, dawn gradually lighting the room.

I jumped as Jasper's feet landed lightly on the floor just inside the window and I bolted upright, my heart in my mouth.

"Fuck!" I hissed.

"I'm sorry I startled you." He bit his lip and his eyes met mine. They were back to their usual golden colour and he almost had a slight glow to him. "I'm sorry about before," he added. "I'm surprised you're still here."

"How did you find me?" I asked, swinging my legs off the side of the bed and sitting up properly.

"I don't know, instinct I suppose." He took a deep breath and sighed heavily. "You know, you should just go home and forget about me."

"Yeah, I thought about doing that, I just don't seem to be able to," I told him.

"But I can't be anything to you, not really," he protested.

"Well, maybe you already are. Come here." I patted the bed next to me, but he shook his head. "Jasper, sit down," I urged.

He hesitated another minute and then crossed the room slowly and sat down beside me.

"What do you want from me?" he asked.

"I want to see you stop looking so damned miserable," I said. "I don't want to come back to the Sun Lounge again and see you dancing for some fat asshole who can't keep his hands off."

"I don't have any choice," he protested. "Where else am I going to find work? Huh? It's easy for you; wolves can blend in, be normal people, no one would ever know what you are unless they royally pissed you off. They don't ask questions in the Sun Lounge; you do as you're told, you get paid, that's the way it is."

I was tempted to offer to pay his rent just to keep him out of the damned place, but I knew he wouldn't accept it. Then an idea which I guessed had been edging into my subconscious all night popped into my head.

"What if I could find you somewhere else to live?" I said.

"Where? With you? As what? Your pet? Your friends would try to kill me and you'd finish up hating me, there's no way..." Jasper babbled.

"Woah, wait, that's not what I meant," I protested, grabbing his hand as I sensed he was about to spring up and probably vanish again. For a second he tried to pull away, but then his hand relaxed in mine and I glanced down at his slim white fingers entwined with my thicker russet ones. "Remember I told you about that family? The Cullens?"

"Yes, they're vegetarians and have some kind of treaty with you and your...pack."

"Well, maybe they could find a place for you," I said, wondering if Carlisle would consider it. He was known for being extremely caring. His coven had been formed of people who were dying that he had wanted to save or simply lost ones who needed help. He treated them like family and they all loved him; even Bella who saw him as a father-in-law.

"A complete stranger? I could be anyone. Why would they even consider taking me in?" he said.

"That's what they're like. They're not killers, Jasper, they're kind people."

"Vampires."

"Whatever. Isn't it worth asking?"

"You'd really do that for me?" Suddenly he looked hopeful and his hand gripped mine tighter, almost crushing my fingers.

"Yes, if you promise you won't go back and work in that club again," I said almost fiercely.

"But..."

"If you have to pay rent in the next couple of weeks, I'll give you some money," I interrupted.

"Jacob, you can't do that," he protested.

"Yeah, I can. How much is it?"

"I won't let you give me money," Jasper sighed, pulling his hand free of mine.

"Then think of it as a loan." I took my wallet out and counted out a few hundred dollars. "If you don't take it and you go back to work I'm just going to come in there tonight and book you for the whole night; how much do you think that's going to cost me, huh?"

"Why are you so determined to help me?" he asked.

"Maybe I just like you. Maybe because you spent half the night telling me how much you hate everything that's happened to you in the last year. If I can fix even a tiny bit of that, isn't it worth it?"

"Yes, ok, thank you," he agreed suddenly, taking the money I held out to him. "I must be crazy; a vampire trusting a wolf." He grinned now.

I felt ridiculously delighted. I was getting way ahead of myself, imagining Jasper moving in with the Cullens, me being able to see him any time I wanted, the band... despising him and telling me I was a fucking idiot. Well, I would deal with that part later. I shoved it out of my mind and slid my arm around him suddenly, realising I hadn't even kissed him yet and now I had the most overpowering desire to do just that.

I raised my free hand to touch his face, letting my fingertips glide over the cool skin. I brushed my thumb along his bottom lip and his eyes slid shut, his lips parting slightly. My heart was pounding unevenly and I began to get hard almost before my lips met his, just from anticipating how it would feel to kiss him. I leaned closer and our mouths touched. His lips were softer than I imagined; soft and cool and moist as they caressed mine.

I cupped his cheek in my hand, my other arm tight around him, his cold hands on my warm chest, his teeth gently nipping my lower lip. I wondered if he would bite and the slight fear mingled with excitement, making my cock stiffen more, curving up against my stomach inside the cotton shorts. He didn't bite, but his lips parted eagerly as I thrust my tongue in, tasting him, feeling his tongue stroking over mine. I had never been so turned on in my life by a mere kiss; I positively ached and I pulled away briefly, sliding backwards onto the bed and drawing him down with me. His body came to rest against mine and I felt immediately that he was as excited as I was. I began to kiss him again, more heatedly than before, groaning into his mouth as my head was filled with images of us naked together, his legs wrapped around me, my cock plunging into him.

I pressed myself more firmly against him, feeling his hardness inside his jeans nudging me, pre-cum leaking from me and dampening my clean shorts. He was holding onto my neck with both hands, but now one slid down over my chest, his chill fingers tracing my pecs, resting for a moment over my heart before stroking lower. He moved away from me a few inches, and his hand glided over my stomach, then continued down over my cock, rubbing me through the shorts. I let out a sound which resembled a whimper and tore my mouth away from his, gasping for breath. He took his hand off me and his lips touched my cheek.

"God, don't stop," I moaned, opening my eyes to meet his.

"I wasn't," he smiled and grasped the waistband of my shorts, beginning to lower them. I raised myself a few inches so that he could pull the fabric out from under my butt and a moment later I kicked them off and his icy fingers wrapped around my heat, beginning to pump me with long slow strokes.

"Fuck..." I gasped, rolling my head back. His hand on me felt incredible, better even than I imagined when I had thought about him doing exactly this. His thumb rubbed over the head at the end of each upstroke and when he reached the base, his hand would tighten like a vice, almost painful, but not quite. I held him tight in one arm, my fingers digging into the hard flesh of his back, my other hand fisted in the bed covers as he drove me rapidly towards the edge. Hell, if it was this good getting a simple handjob, what would it be like fucking him? I shuddered at the thought and a second later I came, spurting into his hand and all over my stomach and chest.

"God, Jasper," I panted.

"You liked that?" he asked and as I opened my eyes again I saw a shy smile.

"Are you kidding?" I let go of him reluctantly and grabbed the shorts to clean myself up. I would just have to go commando on the way home. "I'm going to need another shower," I said.

Jasper slid away from me and sat up and when I got off the bed he stayed where he was.

"Hey, come with me," I said.

He shook his head slowly and I went over to him and grasped both of his hands, pulling him to his feet.

"Come on, you think you can make me feel that good and not get anything out of it in return?"

"You don't have to."

"I want to. I want you."

"No one's ever touched me," he said. "Nor even kissed me before you did."

My heart lurched unevenly and I felt foolishly happy that I was the first to kiss him.

"I won't do anything you don't want," I said. "You can trust the wolf, remember?"

He grinned suddenly, but pulled his hands free of mine and sat down on the bed again.

"I'll just wait here, if that's ok."

"Sure," I agreed reluctantly. "Whatever you want." I headed for the bathroom and paused at the door. "You're not going to disappear again, are you?"

"No. Promise."

I dived into the shower, scrubbing myself vigorously and listening hard for any sound that might tell me he was leaving, despite his promise. I figured he was just reluctant to do anything with me yet - he said he'd never even been kissed after all - but somehow things didn't feel quite right and I didn't know why. So I hurried, grabbed a towel and peeked through the crack between the door hinges while I dried myself. He was still there, sitting on the bed where I left him. I tossed the towel into a corner and headed back into the bedroom naked.

"You should get some sleep," Jasper said.

"You saying I look tired?" I said and then yawned and laughed at the same time. Jasper smiled.

"It's six-thirty," he pointed out. "You've been up all night."

"Yeah, I guess I should crash for a few hours." I threw the sheet back and slid under it. "What about you?"

"I don't sleep."

"At all?"

"No. But I'll stay while you do. If you like."

"I like." I pulled him down beside me and drew the sheet over us. He turned away from me, curling up with his back to me, his head resting on the pillow just inches away. I slid one arm under his neck and the other around his waist, edging closer until my body was moulded to his. He still wore his jeans and shirt and I could feel the coldness of him through the layer of clothes. I almost expected him to pull away, but he nestled back against me with a sigh.

"You're so warm," he murmured. "I miss warmth."

I couldn't imagine what it must be like to go through almost a year alone; a year without physical contact with another person; not even so much as a hug. It didn't seem to matter to me that we were supposed to be on opposite sides of some invisible line. I didn't want to let him go and now I held him tighter, pressing my face into his neck, brushing my lips against the cold skin inside the open collar of his shirt. I moved my hand from where it rested on his stomach and unfastened a shirt button, then another and another, slipping my other hand inside to touch his chest. He was very lean, but toned and I rested my hand over his heart, still finding it a surprise that he had no heartbeat.

Jasper's hands came to rest over mine as if to keep them there to feel the heat and I let my eyes close, exhaustion battling with excitement until the latter gave in and let me succumb to sleep.

When I woke some hours later my arms were empty and I jerked my head up, fearing he had left while I slept, but he was sitting cross legged on the end of the bed, his eyes on me. I licked my dry lips.

"What are you doing?"

"Watching you sleep." He dropped his eyes. "I guess that's kind of creepy."

"No." I shot him a smile and sat up. I was still tired and I would have killed for some strong coffee at that moment. I grabbed up my cellphone from the table beside the bed and checked the time. It was approaching ten-thirty and just as I was about to the put the phone down again, it rang in my hand.

"Yeah?" I answered.

"Jacob, where the hell are you?" It was Embry.

"I'm in bed; where are you?" I grunted.

"Huh, well, you're not in your own bed. I'm in your house raiding your refrigerator. Come on, spill. Who are you with?"

"Fuck off, Em," I frowned.

"I didn't even know you were going out last night. Did you have a date? Or was it some casual pick up. I hope you took rubbers," Embry snorted down the phone.

"Jesus. I didn't need any, I just stayed with a friend, alright?"

"What friend? Me and the guys are your friends."

"I do know other people, Em, I'll see you later," I told him and hung up before he could continue. "That was the guy I came to the Sun Lounge with last week," I told Jasper.

"I guess he wouldn't understand you being with me," he said, smiling slightly.

"No, but he's going to have to get used to it." I grabbed my jeans and began to get dressed. "We better get out of here, I think they kick you out at eleven."

"Ok, I'll get out of your way." He moved from the end of the bed to the window in the blink of an eye.

"Wait, don't just disappear. How am I going to find you when I come back for you?" I said. "Have you got a cellphone?"

"No." Jasper shook his head and then grabbed the notepad and pen from the bed table. "I'll give you my address." He scribbled something and tore the top sheet of paper off the pad, passing it to me. "You're really coming back?"

"I said so, didn't I?" I shoved the note into my pocket and pulled him towards me. "We have a show Friday, I'll come back Saturday."

"Thank you," Jasper said softly.

I brushed my lips against his, then backed off reluctantly and began gathering up my things. By the time I had collected the few items I had left in the bathroom, he had gone.

"Damnit, I hate that you just vanish," I said to the empty room, cramming things into my bag. I went to close the window before I locked up the room, then returned the key to reception, got in the Rabbit and set off back to La Push.

I felt strange on the drive back. When I was with Jasper it had been like he had some kind of hold over me, both last night and this morning. It was only now that he was gone and I was on my way home that it lifted and I realised I hadn't felt quite like myself for some hours. I shook myself and rolled my eyes. I was over-tired and had gotten hooked on him so fast I didn't know where my head was at.

"Jerk," I said to myself.

I reached my house just after twelve-thirty and found Embry still there, sprawling on my sofa, watching my television and eating the contents of my refrigerator. I shoved his feet off of the coffee table and threw myself into the nearby armchair.

"What are you still doing here? What's wrong with your own house?" I said.

Embry sat up straight, resting his elbows on his knees, an eager look on his face.

"You think I'm going to leave before I find out where you've been?" he grinned.

"I told you, I was with a friend." I snatched the jar of chilli dip out of his hand along with the bag of chips on his lap and shoved some into my mouth.

"And I asked what friend and you avoided the question and hung up, which tells me you want to keep it a secret. Which of course only makes me more curious. Who could you have been with that you don't want me to know about, huh, Jake?"

I chewed my lip. He was going to find out soon enough when I brought Jasper back here; I might as well lessen the shock by at least giving him something.

"You were with that fucking creepy little leech, weren't you?" he blurted before I could open my mouth again.

"Jasper. Yes," I said.

"Hell, Jake." Embry made a vomiting noise. "You're out of your mind. You spent the night with him?"

"Yeah, but not the way you're thinking. I like him."

"He's a stripper!" exclaimed Embry. "And he's probably just waiting for the opportunity to sink his teeth into your neck. Or your dick."

I grimaced and scowled. "He's quitting the job," I said. "I told you he hates it. I'm going to ask Carlisle Cullen if they can find a place for him."

Much to my surprise, Embry laughed. "He really saw you coming," he said. "Cool, sexy guy - not that I think that myself - flashing his wallet around, paying to talk to him, being all sweet to him...he must have been creaming himself thinking what he could get out of you."

"Get out," I growled, dumping the chips and dip onto the table and getting to my feet quickly.

"What?"

"I said get out, Embry," I repeated. "I'm not going to sit here and listen to you talk shit about him. I'm going to get enough of that from the likes of Paul and Jared. You're supposed to be my best friend, Em, a bit of support wouldn't go amiss."

"Hey, I'm sorry." He held his hands up. "Don't fight with me, I didn't mean anything by it. I just don't want to see you get fucked over, that's all. I guess I didn't expect you to actually start seeing the guy. You're asking for all kinds of trouble getting it on with a vampire, even if he is genuine."

"I know that. But I like him, ok?" I frowned, wondering why I had lost my temper so fast. I was one of the most laid back people I knew for the most part. I went over what Embry had said in my mind and wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that his words had made me question things. Was Jasper really as sweet and innocent and unhappy as he seemed? Could he possibly have seen in me someone to take advantage of; to make use of? Was I being taken for a fool the way Embry suggested?

"Fine," Embry said now. "I won't say another word. I'll even be nice to him if I see him, ok? Just don't expect the others to be quite so accepting. I think you might have a hard time preventing Paul from trying to kill him."

"Yeah, I thought of that, but if he's with the Cullens he'll be part of the treaty," I said.

"You think that'll stop Paul if the leech is on our land and he gets hungry?" Embry warned. "I know he's supposed to be a vegetarian or whatever they call themselves, but there are limits, even for them. If he's starving will he really turn down human blood if he gets the smell of it?"

"Carlisle and the others do," I reminded him. "How many of us has Carlisle fixed up? I mean humans, not just the pack. He has blood on his hands every day and he deals with it."

"He's the only one that does," Embry pointed out. "The little one that sees the future can't control it so well. I don't know about the others."

"Well, so far Jasper has been fine," I said. "Can we drop this now? I have things to do." What I wanted more than anything was peace and quiet and some strong coffee.

"Sure, I'll get out of your way." Embry grabbed the chips and dip to take with him. "Don't mind, do you?"

"Don't you ever buy food?" I grumbled.

"Not if I can eat yours." He grinned and made for the door. "Call me later."

"Sure." I shifted from the armchair to the sofa, kicked my boots off and put my feet up, staring at the ceiling and thinking of Jasper. Embry's words echoed in my head and I couldn't help wondering if Jasper had as much control as it appeared. What if he got the smell of my blood? Would he bite? I had thought that when we kissed and the idea of it still turned me on, as disgusting as that should have been. I was probably playing a reckless game by wanting him in my life, but I couldn't seem to help it and I couldn't wait to see him again.