This is a short chappie I know. But those who've read Dead Until Dark know
what comes next and know it'll be a pivotal time with Bella and
Jasper—equating to a larger than normal chapter

'Twilight' and 'The Southern Vampire Mysteries' are property of their respected authors, Stephanie Meyer and Charlaine Harris, and their publishers. I don't own them, but enjoy playing w/ the characters.*

Chapter 3- Clemency

Last time on Love Bites:

"Then ma'am, how will I show you my gratitude?"

The vampire pondered his own words for a moment, watching my face carefully. I just didn't know what to say. I hadn't saved his life for him to feel obligated. I only worried for his safety. And just as I was prepared to tell him as much, he grabbed the back of my neck and crushed his lips to mine, wholly engulfing me with his mouth.

My world was in a dizzying spin, upside down and inside out. His lips moved intently with mine—two sides of a trick coin. As cool as a mountain stream and as hot as fire, a myriad of feelings coiled up into two exceptionally sensitive portions of my body. I opened my mouth and inhaled his sweet scent. I instantly became drunk on the nectar of his breath as it washed over me. He ran his tongue over my bottom lip, coaxing my mouth to move in strange and wonderful ways. Even though I tried to fight my body's response, I couldn't quell the moan that escaped my lips. He growled almost territorially and pulled my head further towards him, crushing his lips more urgently to mine. I became putty within his hands and he well knew it, clutching my body almost painfully to his.

The vampire laid me gently down on the cool ground and settled himself between my legs, his erection pressing heavily into my core. The feel of his cool body against mine set me ablaze, burning brighter than the sun in the middle of the Louisiana summer. We seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces as though he were always meant to lay there.

He still held my head securely within his grasp, giving him complete control over my body. And for some bizarre reason I'd let him, happy to keep kissing him for all eternity. He could kill me or fuck me and I'd do his bidding. I'd follow wherever he led like a puppy on a leash, wagging my tail, all the while. For God's sakes I didn't even know him but my body craved more and my panties were drenched as a result.

The vampire pulled away and took a deep, almost cleansing breath, sampling the air around him. I was gasping for breath, my breast heaving from loss of oxygen. He bent to the hollow of my throat and brushed his nose infinitesimally against the sensitive skin that swathed the artery below. He inhaled again before abruptly pulling back, his fangs clicking into place. I stilled and my heart began to race, sounding like a jet engine upon take off. Then he gently placed my head back on the ground, and pulled back, balancing on the heels of his boots.

"What are you?" he pressed.

"What do you mean what am I? My name is Isabella Swan and I'm waitress," I said sharply, purposely skating around the truth.

"Miss Isabella you are anything but a mere waitress," he drawled, smiling widely, fangs sill extended. "You my dear are more than human."

What the hell? I was more than human? I think the Ratts took a little too much blood from this boy. He was fucking delusional. But I couldn't help the thoughts that berated my mind, regardless. Somehow this beautiful creature could feel the otherness about my mind. What was wrong with me or special about him that gave him such insight? My curiosity peaked, I dropped my outer defenses and honed in on his mind, but to my dismay it was a void—a fathomless blackness that seemed to distort the air around his brain slightly.

"Oooh," I breathed loudly. I pushed myself up to a sitting position and pulled myself up to knees, moving closer. My hands immediately flew up to his face. His gorgeous blue eyes grew wide at my sudden action. "Sweet Jesus in Heaven. I don't hear anything."

"Ma'am? What don't you hear?" he questioned softly but urgently.

I pulled my hands back quickly and twisted them awkwardly into my chest. "Oh, dear. I'm sorry...I just...I just...," I stammered, jumping to my feet and stepping back in shock.

Tilting my head to the side, I gazed into this man's gorgeous face, wanting nothing more than to rush into his embrace once more. Our lips and bodies crushed together as one. He gazed right back, a rueful scowl tugging at his lips. His touch felt so right and his mind an empty void—fathomless and unencumbered. It felt so wonderful to be in his presence that I'd seemingly fooled myself into believing that what we'd shared was more than what it truly was—a sluttish encounter.

What are you doing to yourself? I silently chided. How could you let some total stranger take advantage of you? Gran would have a heart attack. That vampire doesn't want you. No man has ever wanted you for anything other than a piece of ass- and you're falling into that trap! This isn't a fairytale, girl. He hasn't come to sweep you off your feet and carry you away from this rat infested hole in the ground.

He stepped forward slowly; palms elevated in front of him so as not to frighten me further. My breathing hitched and my sputtering heart resumed its perpetual attack on my sternum, beating like the wings of a butterfly. I stepped back three steps. "I'm terribly sorry, darlin'. I meant no disrespect. I truly only wanted to show my appreciation for your bravery, and then I tasted your sweet lips and was overcome by your intoxicating perfume—an overwhelming explosion of jasmine and sunlight. And I wanted to bask in the glow of your radiance. My apologies, ma'am," he said sincerely, dipping his head in respect.

Oh, God! I feel so dirty! I acted like a wanton hussy—like poor Emmett. 'Cept I don't have the 'blood leaving your head and filling the penis' excuse. I'd just acted like a whore and I felt physically sick.

"You're welcome. I couldn't have you hurt by the likes of that scum. I...I don't think they're coming back. So, for the meantime I believe you're safe. I'm gonna have 'a go," I said dejectedly, spinning on my heel and sprinting off towards my car, tears pricking at my eyes and threatening to run freely down my face.

Before I could reach the door handle on my car, he was before me with his hands on my shoulders and looked deep into my eyes, leaning inches from my face. I pushed away from him and raised my hand to strike him. He grabbed my wrist lightly and laid it against his bare chest. I shivered at his touch, suddenly afraid of the.

He reached up hesitantly and tucked a stray hair behind my ear. "Miss Isabella, I must ask for forgiveness for I've seemed to have unknowingly victimized you. I could've never have guessed such a gorgeous creature from this century could actually be untouched. I've sullied that and I must plead for clemency once more, knowing that I'm undeserving of such compassion," he drawled silkily.

"How did you know? Did you read my mind? Hypnotize me somehow?"

"It seems like you and I aren't what we seem."