FINALLY! I updated! Oh, Rob. It has been long. And I apologize profusely for keeping you waiting, but some unexpected and ...disturbing, for lack of a better word, things came up when I returned home from my vacation in North Carolina. So now it's almost six in the morning and I've been up all night writing this for my adoring readers. Really, if it weren't for you, this wouldn't have happened this morning. My sister-in-laws laptop decided to get a trojan virus and totally rape the computer while I was in the middle of typing up my favorite part, and the laptop shut off due to its shit battery that needs to be plugged in at all times to function and one of my five dogs ran over the cord, thus pulling it out, and turning off the computer. Luckily, the program saved a back up file with most of the new stuff and only minor things had to be replaced. Done with my pity party. So I would love to thank tby789 for mentioning PF on the Twigasm Podcast, which may I say just might be the funniest shit I've heard. And also I would love to thank TouchStone67 for giving PF such an awesome review on the TwiSlash Unveiled Blog. My reader traffic took a major boost after that! Thank you so much! And before you start your descent into the chapter, I would like to remind you that it's six in the AM and I have been deprived of sleep for twenty four hours. Any spelling or grammatical mistakes: I apologize. I'm usually very anal about that. So here we go!
Disclaimer: Smeyer owns.
I let my legs take me where ever they wanted, leading me far from my room in which Alice most likely awaited me. I found myself in the dark, back alleyway of the building. The tall walls and pillars blocked out the sun, casting the whole alley into shadows. I leaned against one of the walls to steady myself and my breath. My lungs expanded for the air that I greedily gulped down. I closed my eyes for a few moments. It wasn't too long of a time before I heard the door close to me creak open. I expected it to be Alice making her way to check on me. I dove into her mind to see what she wanted, but found only silence until a deep, male voice spoke up in accented English.
"You dropped these back there." I opened my eyes and was met with the gold I had seen when I bumped into the man not too long ago. I felt a sense of calm wash over me when I looked into those eyes. Like my anxiety had never existed. The eyes were warm and bright in the dark alley; I could get lost in them. I remembered that he was holding something he said I dropped and looked down in his hand. He was holding the few coins I had obtained from the old man. I took them from his hand, grazing his skin and feeling the cold that resonated from them. I jumped back, the feeling reminding me of James' own skin. He gave me a confused look and I only blushed.
"I'm sorry for my recklessness, Sir." I tried out my own English, which was probably chopped and barely understandable. He laughed lightly and I could feel myself relax considerably. Something about this man was very calming.
"It's alright, darlin'." It was my turn to look confused. He only smiled and said, "it's a term of endearment." I nodded, feeling my lip quirk up slightly.
"Thank you, Sir." I bowed my head in thanks. He lifted my head with a cold hand, which felt anything but. This man was beautiful in the same as James: pale skin, sharp features, and a grace just when standing. But while James held masculine and brute power, this man seemed to hold a quiet confidence that spoke of great experience.
"Jasper, darlin'." He wanted me to call him by his first name? "I'm not here to pay for your services. Therefore, I see no need for you to call me 'Sir'." I could feel my blush deepen. "Shall we go back inside before anyone thinks you are lost?" I nodded. I waited to follow his lead, but he stayed where he was. "Well, come on, darlin'. We can't stand here all day." He was waiting for me? I walked up to him and he kept pace with me till we got to the door. He reached for the handle and opened it, gesturing with his arm for me to enter. I bowed my head and stepped into the hall. He walked by my side until we reached the main hallway. We were greeted by a fretful looking Aro. Some of the distress left his features when his eyes landed on me. He walked closer and kneeled down, placing his hands lightly on my shoulders. I could see concern and relief in his eyes. His expression made him seem older, and more parental.
"Where were you, Edward? Did you think it was alright to just wander off without informing someone?" He scolded me, but he didn't seem the least bit mad. I didn't answer, but bowed my head from his intense gaze. A cough broke the tension, alerting Aro to the man standing just a few feet from us. I realized that Aro was speaking to me in French. And telling from how Jasper spoke to me in English, he must not know the language.
"I may not be able to speak your language all too well, but judging by your tone of voice, you seem worried about where Edward was. And if I may say, he was barely in danger, but merely outside in the alley getting some air." He spoke with such confidence, but it was humorous and light instead of arrogant. Jasper looked at me with a confident smile winked before turning his attention to Aro. There seemed to be a hidden meaning in his words that Aro caught on to.
"Jasper! Well, thank the Lord you found him. And thank you for bringing him in." Aro took his hand and shook it vigorously. There was relief in his voice, and not relief of me being found, but the fact that it was Jasper who found me and not someone else. "Why don't you run along to your room, Edward. I'm sure Alice is waiting for you." I nodded and bowed to both men before leaving. Aro was right. Alice would be waiting for me with many a question.
Entering my room, I was attacked by my sister. She jumped in my arms and held onto me as if for dear life. "Edward! Why do you keep disappearing from my sight? Once again I wasn't able to see you!" She was sobbing into my neck while I rubbed her back.
"I'm sorry, Alice. I have no idea why you can't see me at times. But I assure you that I was in no danger." I led her to her bed and sat down, Alice still a constant weight in my lap. Her sobs quieted after a few moments and she lifted her tear stained face. I cradled her with one arm around her waist and lifted my other to wipe all the excess tears from her cheeks. I gave her a comforting smile but it soon changed into an look of confusion once she started to assault my chest with her small fists.
"I saw you! I saw you finish with the man! And then you were walking, perfectly normal, back to the room, and then you disappeared! What were you doing, Edward Cullen?!" She was seething and speaking through her teeth, yet she still managed to yell. I made to grab her wrists, but her dainty hands were too swift. My upper body shook with the force of her fists. "Was it so hard to just walk back to the room once you were finished? Agh! Edward!" By this point my chest was starting to ache and I was sure marks would be left. I finally grabbed her shoulders, stilling her.
"Alice!" She looked at me with a owlish expression, as if she had not been ruthlessly beating me seconds before. "I was walking back to the room. But then I decided I would have liked some fresh air before my return." I didn't explain the reason behind my need for fresh air. Wouldn't want to worry her further with talk of our parents.
"Were you alone outside?" Her question seemed innocent, but I could tell it was anything but.
"No, but you couldn't see me when I was with James either." This didn't seem like the right answer. He mind was racing with suspicions and explanations for her temporary blindness. My heart rate started to rise when I heard the words in her head before she spoke them.
"Maybe you should stay away from James. It seems like he is interfering with my vision and I'm not comfortable with that." Her face was serious, her eyes boring into mine. I'm sure they betrayed my feelings, showed how crushed I was by such simple words. "Edward, it's to be safe." Her tone was stern, but she tried to be calming.
"And what if I am hired by him again? I just can't refuse a job, Alice! And from such a high payer! You know that!" I lashed out at her in my hurt state. I wasn't sure why I was so worked up over her request, but I couldn't think of not being with James if he ever wanted me again. To be without his touch, his smell, his demeanor. And from his conversation with Aro earlier, he seemed to have genuine care for me. Not that I would tell Alice of what I overheard.
"Why are you so touchy? He's just another customer, Edward. You've been hired by him once." She had venom in her voice, put off by my harsh attitude.
"And you haven't been with him. So how could you know of how 'dangerous' this is?" I crossed my arms over my chest, wincing slightly from the soreness there.
"And after being with him for one night, the most discussed being whether you want it harder or faster, and you can tell the danger of the situation? And I'm willing to bet that his mind was such a jumbled, lust filled mess, that you weren't even able to read it thoroughly. Am I right?" Alice was starting to take on a stern, motherly tone. She was always so light-hearted and fun loving, but when she was upset, she acted like the older sibling.
"I couldn't read his mind from the beginning." I lifted her off of my lap and placed her on the bed. She was gaping now while I walked over to my own bed and flopped down, covering my face with my hands. "And it was a completely freeing experience. I was able to rely on my own instincts and guess what it was he wanted instead of knowing it." A full grin broke out on my face as I recalled last night. "It was like being new to this all over again. It was relaxing and invigorating all at once, and God, Alice, it was amazing." I couldn't believe I was relaying this information to my sister. We usually didn't share our jobs, but this was just too exciting to not be shared. I could still feel his cool fingers on my skin.
Cool fingers. I was then reminded of the man I met with the same icy touch. Jasper. I hadn't told Alice about him yet. "When you couldn't see me earlier, I was with someone else. I bumped into him on the way to our room before I decided that I wanted some air. I guess he followed me to see if I was all right. He was so..." I paused to search for the word. "Charming. He opened the door for me, and walked by my side, told me to keep my head up and not to bow to him! Alice! He even told me to call him by his name! His name, Alice! I've never been granted such a pleasure. I had to call James 'Sir' last night. But no, not Jasper." I shivered when his name rolled off my tongue. I was sitting up now, facing Alice. I probably looked a bit manic. My sister looked at me with wide eyes and a slack jaw. I fell back on my bed and threw my arms over my face. Alice seemed too speechless to talk so in silence we sat. That is, until my stomach growled in frustration at not being properly fed. I grimaced. A few seconds later, Alice burst out into laughter, the girlish noise resounding in the room. I soon joined in with her, my body shaking with my own laughs.
"Lunch is soon. Let's go." Alice got up once she contained herself. I got up and walked to the door, following her out and down the hallway. We reached the large dining room and sat at the expansive table. It was halfway full already when we arrived and loud with happy chatter. Alice and I dove into conversation with our neighbors; Alice catching up on gossip while I talked of books and playwrights. Soon the room was filled with everyone who was not out with a client. At one end of the table sat Heidi. She was like the mother over all the girls. She taught them what they knew and how to use what they had. At the other end sat Marcus. He was to the males what Heidi was to the females.
Servants came from the doors at the back of the room, bringing out singular dishes. A steaming meal was placed in front of every individual and mouths began to water from the delicious smells permeating the air. The many spices wafted around the room, tantalizing each person to reach out and dig in. But everyone was stock still, waiting for the servers to finish their jobs of filling crystalline glasses with wines and water. When the last server left back into the kitchen, the occupants at the table waited for the sign that they could eat.
"Well, go on then you little harlots. Eat so you don't pass out on the next job." Any average person would see this as an insult, but for those of us who had been here for some time could head the endearment and affection in Heidi's tones. Everyone smile before tucking in to their meal and happily eating.
***
It was just past nightfall when I finally left for my rooms with Alice. I had spent my day away in the library, reading or playing chess with the casual butler or a peer in the same situation as me. Any other day would be spent walking around town and basking in the pleasant heat outside. But for those of us who had worked the previous night would have to stay inside to recuperate and gain back energy for the next night. I was itching to get out of this place and walk around in the cool night, but I had a fear that Alice would see my late escapade and immediately object. To my surprise, there were no visions of me buzzing around in that little head of hers.
It was easy enough to sneak out of this place: special doors were left open for those who would finish and be kicked out late at night. I just had to wait for Alice to fall asleep. Hopefully her day out in the sun drained her of the abundance of energy in that petite body. She stifled a yawn and I jumped for joy in my head. This was going to be too easy.
When we made it to our room we changed into our night clothes. I tried to make my dress as inconspicuous as possible, but also appropriate for the chill of the night air. Alice was down within minutes, her breathing even and shallow. I quietly got up from my bed and crept from the room. The hallways were dimly lit with candles that were checked on ever so often by the night watchers. I had made it to one of the back exits completely undetected; I had a few run ins and had to take a detour one or two times.
It was completely dark out, the stars and moon projecting their bright lights with the light posts holding melting candles. It was chillingly peaceful. My mind was at ease with the utter quiet. My feet continued their walk, taking me to the park not too far from the town. The silence allowed me to think about what had happened in the past two days. So much had changed, and it all happened when James came along. James. The painfully handsome man who came into my life and turned it over within a day. The night I had spent with him was undeniably magnificent. He paid attentions to my body that no man ever had. He faced me and kissed me. It was all confusing and different, but oh so enjoyable. I wished for it to happen again. To see him again. I wasn't sure I would get the chance, seeing as Aro was adamant about keeping him away from me. But for what reason? Just the day before he was practically jumping for joy at the aspect of him asking for my services.
My thoughts had clouded my mind and I soon realized that I was at the park, sitting on a bench surrounded by candles in light poles. I leaned my head up to look at the stars. That conversation with Aro and James today. James said I could give him what no other could. What exactly was that? And Aro was against it, just as James was against Aro selling me out to the local men. But if he was against it, and he was sure that my parents would be appalled by what it was they left their son to do, then why had he created a hypocrisy? He payed money for my services. Could he not have asked for me to give him what he so wants?
Unless, it is me he wants. I shook my head. That would be ridiculous. Why would a man such as himself want me for more than a night? But he was willing to pay obscene amounts of money to get me. My mind was reeling with all of this information. And that wasn't even half! There was still what happened afterwards with Jasper.
Oh, Jasper. I hadn't even been in his presence as much as an hour and he had the effect on me that James had. They were both so alike, yet strikingly different. From my short time with James, I could tell he was haughty and powerful; in all meanings of the word. Jasper, on the other hand, held as much power as James, but didn't show it off. James had a commanding tone to him. Jasper was calm and humorous. James treated me gently and with care. Jasper treated me as an equal. And the way he called me darlin' with that accented drawl. It was like I could hear it now.
"Darlin'?" Wait. I could hear it now. My eyes flew open while my body shot up straight. My face was merely inches apart from Jasper's. I could feel my pulse quicken and my blood racing. Jasper placed an icy hand to my cheek and I felt peace wash over me. I found that I had closed my eyes once again and opened them to the glowing gold orbs that belonged to Jasper. I took in a deep breath, the scent of Jasper wafting into my nostrils and dancing around my brain before exhaling slowly. Jasper's aroma drew me in, pulled on my senses till I was involuntarily closing my eyes and leaning forward to get more of that intoxicating smell. He had a bite to him. Wild and spicy: you wouldn't think so from his demeanor. His smell was rustic and I got the hit of a renegade. It was everything I thought of him different, which made it all the more excited. I felt like I was learning things from him just by his smell. I heard Jasper chuckle and felt a lazy smile spread across my face. "Darlin'?" His mouth was right next to me ear.
"Hmm?" Was all I could respond with. His hand was now at the nape of my neck, chilling the flesh with his touch. All thoughts had completely left my brain. It was Jasper and me. I wasn't this tranquil when I first walked out into the silent night. No, this was something more. And I wanted more of it.
"Darlin', what do you think you are doing out at this time of night?" He was whispering, and even though his breath was as cold as his touch, it left my skin hot and feverish.
"I needed a walk." I was surprised when my voice didn't falter. It was steady and at its normal pitch.
"Do you think it wise to walk around late at night when you nearly gave Aro an early death this morning?" He was speaking into the hair on the side of my head, now.
"Aro didn't seem to mind when you brought me back this morning. I don't see why he would mind now." My face was pressed into his neck. I inhaled slowly to get as much of his scent in as I could. He seemed to be doing the same, his nose pressed firmly into my hair. My heart was running wild in my chest with excitement over this situation, yet I was calm. This might have been the strangest moment in my life, but it was also the most intimate. I didn't feel the need to have this man jump and ravish me. I didn't feel the need to have this man in any position I could think of. I was completely content with sitting her and taking in his scent.
No one moved. His one hand stayed in its position at my neck while the other was stationary on my hip. Both of my arms were around his waist, keeping him close to me. I would have called it a lovers' embrace, had we been lovers. But a name didn't suit it. It was more like...just being. I have no doubt in my mind that we would have sat like that for hours had it not been for Jasper abruptly jumping from my grasp. We were both panting even though nothing physical had occurred. For a moment I thought he was jarred by the context of our activities and I felt hurt come over me. Jasper seemed to notice.
"You need to get back home, Edward. It's too late for you to be out here." He looked panicked, like there was some other reason other than the time, but he didn't relent. "Come on. I'll walk you back."
The walk was mostly silent. But I had a question that I wanted to ask. "How did you know I was at the park?" Jasper tensed a bit.
"I was out for a stroll and saw you. I didn't bother you; you looked so relaxed. Bu soon you were about to drift off and I couldn't let you sleep there when anyone could come across a sleeping boy." He was still tense, but there was light humor in his voice. The walk back was fast, mainly because Jasper insisted on getting me back before the moon was at its highest peak. And of course, we made it. Jasper walked me to the back entry way I had come in.
"Thank you." I barely whispered. Turned to walk in but my wrist was caught. Jasper spun me around and placed a quick kiss to my forehead. I could feel the blood rush to my face. He smiled at me before gently pushing me in the door.
I dazedly made my way back to my rooms. I quietly entered them, trying not to wake Alice who was still sound asleep. While pulling off my shirt and laying in my bed, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched.
Oh, Rob. Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. No smut this chapter ;( but important information did take place! Just as a warning, all of Edward's musings during his walk are important for future refrences!
Jasper has made his appearance! And now our little Edward is stuck with a delimma.
Personally, my favorite part would be the scene where the are just smelling each other. I thought it was so intimate to rely on smell instead of touch. I personally love the smell of a man and if I had myself and Edward or Jasper, I would keep a day just to stay in bed and take in their scent. Does that sound creepy to you as it does to me? Hmm.
WELL, I think I'm going to pass out for a day or two. Reviews for when I get out of my comatose!