CHAPTER TWO
Bella POV
"Jasper!" I had to pull my hands over my mouth to stop myself gasping. What was Edward's brother doing here? They hadn't so long ago left Alaska.
"Hey Bella, Rosalie"
Rosalie grumbled a returning greeting, still sulking in the doorway.
"So. Can I come in?" he didn't finish the question before I was pushing him inside, I was afraid to be alone with Rosalie again at least until she'd been literally done for the night. Jasper gave me his usual kiss on the forehead as a hello before sitting down, Rosalie looked at him curiously but didn't say a word.
"What are you doing here?" I asked with a smile, it was nice to see a safe friendly face.
"Well I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I couldn't find you at the wedding," it was no secret Jasper didn't approve of Edward's bride, so the idea that Jasper was there surprised me.
"Then I saw you and Blondie" Rosalie snorted at the name, "get into your car and I knew I wasn't going to let you get away without saying goodbye" he grinned, I felt myself blush. "But… but- I- Edward, he doesn't know does he?" Jasper's face seemed to drop at his name, had they had a fight over this?
"Newly married, Edward has enough on his plate" Jasper pointed out, I had to admit he was right. I could feel Rosalie's glare, but with Jasper's beaming grin standing opposite me it was hard to take notice. "How long are you here?" I asked, my neck straightening so I could no longer see Rosalie. Jasper must've sensed the tension because he raised his hands and made the casual suggestion, "how about I stay the night?" I smiled, it was just like Jasper to invite himself like that.
Suddenly Rosalie came back to eyesight and sat next to Jasper, smoothly pulling her sleeve up. "Bella has the floor, I have the bed, you'll have to share with one of us.." her voice faded, I rolled my eyes. Jasper leaned slightly in the opposite direction, his voice slightly strained as he said "I see.." and his gaze returned to meet mine, making me feel happy again for the first time in so long. It was as if I was seeing Jasper with new eyes.
Rosalie jumped from her seat and disappeared into the bedroom, I could hear her re-arranging the pillows for a second person. Jasper's eyes didn't leave mine, it was if my heart was being touched and it was shuddering in response. My name almost sounded unfamiliar when Rosalie called out to me, I left the room to find Rosalie had put a robe on which gave me a great sense of relief. Who knew what the dress she was wearing was a nightgown? Rosalie didn't look pleased.
"Oh dear, look who has a thing for the brother" she taunted with a raised eyebrow, as if I had no chance in hell. I made a break for the door and Rosalie followed me, she really had a strategy when it came to stopping people in doorways. I could hear Jasper asking if I was ok on the other side, Rosalie swished her tongue over her top lip and let me go. Moving had changed her, or maybe she had changed long ago, and I had been too caught up in my unrequited love to notice. I practically fell through the door as it opened, feeling Jasper's arms around me as my body halted from it's fall.
I caught a slight scowl exchanged between Rosalie and Jasper as I returned to my feet. "Your sure nobody will wonder where you are?" I asked him, and he shook his head.
"Everybody is too pre-occupied with the wedding and the baby on the way, I could disappear for a few weeks and they'd ask me if I changed my hair" Rosalie let out a forced giggle, I folded my arms at this unmasked version of my friend. I didn't know how she got men to fall all over her, she wasn't that good at flirting. Jasper gave her a friendly grin which I could tell was for my sake, and turned his head to the fridge. "Stocked this thing yet?" he snickered, I put my hand against the fridge door to stop him opening it. "We've only got the lunches we planned to have when we arrived, now you stay away from our food" I teased and leaned my back against the refrigerator so he couldn't open it. I could see Rosalie's eyes widening, as if I was trying her tricks. She would be wrong, her tricks would've evolved this from refrigerator games to dirty displays that I was ashamed to say I had walked in on too many times before. I couldn't help but wonder if that was the type of woman a man like Jasper, or a man like Edward wanted.
Jasper placed his palms beside where my arms laid flat against the refrigerator door, "sure you want to challenge me Swan?" I could feel against the door his arms tensing. I had unintentionally started breathing heavily as he got closer, "Just remember it's the bed or the floor" I threatened playfully, Jasper grinned, and I could barely hear his whisper;
"I'll take the floor" the corners of his mouth twitched as the door pushed me forward and Jasper successfully pulled it open. I managed to stay on my feet but I was beginning to feel a little dizzy. I noticed the sky getting darker outside, and they hadn't even made any sort of start unpacking. "Here" I passed one of my bags to Jasper who was helping himself to my microwave popcorn, "you can help us unpack" he graciously took the bag with a cheeky smile as he poked around it as subtly as he could.
"Your not going to find any underwear in there"
"Damn"
