Chapter 4 – Promises were spoiled.

LPOV

Esme, Bella, and I climbed into Carlisle's Mercedes and headed for the grocery store. Bella was staying the night at the Cullen's house and Esme had offered to make dinner for her. Maybe I'll tease those boys and eat a little something myself tonight. Once we parked in front of Safeway, Esme and Bella headed inside while I made a phone call.

"Everything is in order, Miss Cuthridge. The house should be finished by tomorrow and will be spotless by the time you arrive."

I smiled into the phone. "Thank you, Mr. Smith. You will be rewarded handsomely for your helpfulness." After I hung up, I found Bella wandering aimlessly through an aisle, picking up a few things from one side and ignoring the other completely. When I saw what she was so studiously avoiding, I laughed.

"Are you afraid of alcohol, Bella, or is there some other reason you won't touch anything on this side of the aisle?" She blushed slightly, and it made her smell even more delicious than usual.

"Of course I'm not afraid of it! It's just that I'm only eighteen and I can't have it so I just kind of pretend it's not there. Why, do you drink?"

"Well of course I drink, Bella. I'm a vampire." We shared a small laugh at our private joke and she continued to put items in the basket. I looked through the small selection of wine, scoffing at the quality. If it weren't in such a shitty place, I'd make the trip to old wine country. When Bella left me to go meet up with Esme at the meat counter, I ran back to the front of the store to grab a hand cart.

With a mission in mind, I made my way back to the liquor aisle. Tonight would be fun, whether or not Carlisle wanted it to be.

"Lily, she can't drink alcohol. She's underage and she never has before. Besides, alcohol is a blood thinner and it also dilutes your judgment. You can drink all you like, but Bella will not." Edward finished his rant just as Bella rounded the corner. I had made the mistake of pouring three shots of melon vodka, intending two for myself and one for Bella, without asking permission of her great protector.

"Oh? Is that so, Edward? Because, as much as I love you, the last time I checked you didn't own me." Bella's tone was serious but I could see the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I can do as I please, mister." Her face finally turned up into a full smile and Edward chuckled.

"You know you're adorable when you're mad, right? Like a ferocious little kitten thinking it's a lion." Edward wrapped his arms around her, but from my point of view, I saw Bella's smile fall. She pulled back from Edward's embrace and looked him in the eye.

"You never take me seriously, Edward! It's infuriating!" With that, she walked up to me and, looking into my eyes carefully, nodded. I picked up both shot glasses as she picked up her one and we clinked them together before downing the alcohol. I handed her a cup of Minute Maid fruit punch and she chugged half of it, grimacing. Then, she smiled.

"You know, that wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be. The aftertaste is so fruity." She smiled at me and I couldn't help but giggle at her.

"Yes, well, you ought to take it slow. That's why I bought you these," I reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a yellow bottle.

"Oh no," she immediately protested. "I've tried beer before, and it's disgusting."

I laughed. "Well of course it is! I don't drink that shit either. This, my dear, is called a fuzzy navel. It tastes only of peaches and is incredibly dangerous for first-timers with no supervision," Edward growled at me. "Which is why I will be supervising you myself." I pinched the top and, though it wasn't a twist top, it came right off. I handed the drink to Bella and she took a tentative sip after looking at Edward.

"Oh, you're right; this could be very dangerous! I can't taste the alcohol in it at all!" Edward wrapped his arms around her midsection from behind and kissed her cheek.

"You should moderate this very well, Bella. In just a split second you can go from light and dizzy to very sick. I've seen it happen in human minds in the blink of an eye. But, I trust you so, have fun." As he nuzzled her ear, Bella's face flushed and I faked a gagging noise.

"Alright you two, break it up! Bella, let's have one more round so you can get a buzz on then we'll space it out throughout the evening. Edward, please go convene the family." Bella downed her second shot as I finished up my third and fourth. "Bella, you and I need to go talk to Jasper."

She hopped off the stool with the fuzzy navel in hand, stumbling a bit. Edward steadied her with a close eye on me. Bella took a sip and headed into the other room, one hand grazing the wall. Once she was out of sight, Edward walked right up to me.

"I told her I trust her, and I meant it. I, however, do not trust you. If anything happens to her, you are to blame. I will make sure she knows that." Edward's tone was soft but it left no room for argument. I would have laughed if it wasn't so irritating.

I glanced over at her. She was sitting on the arm rest of the loveseat next to Emmett. He was playing a video game and laughing at something she said. "Edward, look at her. She's carefree and having fun for once. I'll absolutely take responsibility for that."

"Lily, I know that you're Carlisle's friend, and that makes me respect you. However, I will not let you harm anyone in my family. I know what your powers are, and you know mine. I don't want this to get ugly but, if you are going to stay here, you are going to have to learn your place." He crossed his arms, challenging me.

"Just so you know, Virgin, this conversation isn't over." I grabbed his consciousness with mine but made him do nothing; just reminding him who he was talking to. I brushed past him, and taking Bella's arm, declared it was time for the evening to start. "Come on darling, let's go."

"Oh yeah! Be back!" she announced as we headed up the stairs, never letting go of her drink. I knocked on the door to Jasper's study. Without waiting for an answer, I opened the door.

"Jasper?"

He was sitting on his desk, looking at us expectantly. "What did you need to talk to me about?"

I held up my hand. "Hold on cowboy. Close your eyes."

He watched me curiously, his gold eyes sparkling before closing them.

"Just feel." I instructed and guided Bella into the room. She took a sip of her drink, looking right at Jasper. His eyebrows knitted together and his lip twitched. He took a few deep breaths.

Bella smiled, "Can he feel it?"

I nodded, watching him. He cocked his head to the side, and opened his eyes.

"What is it?"

"That my dear man is the influence of alcohol." I grinned, looking from him to Bella and back again.

"No wonder I couldn't pin-point the emotion. Everything she's feeling is warm and fuzzy!" He watched the human with curiosity. "I'm surprised Edward went for that."

"I have my ways. You know that." I sauntered over to him, standing in between his legs. His hands immediately found my waist. "I do have a favor to ask." I ran my hand through his hair.

"Anything you want, darlin'."

"If we kept Bella's buzz going throughout the night, do you think you could amplify it so everyone has a good time?"

Jasper laughed. "I think I can manage that."

"Thank you! This will be fun!" I fingered his hair, kissing his cheek. He moved at the last second, catching my lips with his. I pressed my lips more fully into his, my warm flesh melding with his cold. The hands that had been around my waist slid further south to my bottom and squeezed as I opened my mouth to him. The gagging noises behind us made me laugh and I turned to look at Bella.

"Come on now, Jazz. Not too good of a time. Couple the lust you're projecting right now with my drunkenness and there's no telling who will be making out by the end of the night!" A chorus of laughs and growls erupted downstairs. She giggled and skipped out of the office. I was about to tell her it wasn't a good idea to skip down the stairs when I heard Edward use those exact words. He came flying into the office, pinching the bridge of his nose. Jasper shook his head and said, "Don't bro, you'll lose…"

I knew immediately then that Edward was looking for a fight, and I damn sure wasn't about to let him make the first move. I was just about to curl my fingers into a fist when I realized I didn't need to use my strength to get him to do as I pleased.

"Edward, please lighten up. You know what? I'm through with asking you." His eyes snapped to mine, ready to argue, but I already had hold of his head. "You are going to let Bella have fun tonight. You are going to let her drink, curse, laugh, and do whatever else she damn well pleases. And, just for fun, every time someone says Bella's name, you will have the insatiable urge to touch a different part of her body. She'll like that. Oh, and lose the attitude. Now come on, it's time to rearrange the living room."

We went downstairs together and I watched as Jasper and Edward pushed all the couches from the center of the room to make a large empty space in the middle of the floor. After gathering cushions from every available chair and sofa, and stealing the pillows from all the beds in the house, we'd made quite a comfortable circle where everyone could sit together.

"Alright! Listen up!" I yelled over the noisy chatter. I swear, get everyone to sit on the floor and they start chattering like school kids. "Here's how tonight is going to work; we're going to play truth or dare. However, since most of you are pansies and would only pick truth, I'm upping the ante. Every time someone picks truth, they will have to take a shot." I was immediately met with a chorus of "Absolutely not's" and confused glares.

"Up bup bup! HUSH!" Once everyone quieted down, I laughed. "I didn't say you had to go into the kitchen and take a shot of alcohol did I? No. Instead, Bella and I will be taking all the literal shots, and the rest of you will be taking Jasper's shots."

Bella erupted in a fit of laughter that turned her face tomato red and Rosalie said "That's what she..." before Emmett covered her mouth with his hand. What the fuck is so funny? I was thoroughly confused until, from the furthest point of the circle from me, Esme whispered, "That's what she said..." A giggle involuntarily rose from my throat and I looked at Jasper, sure he'd made me feel this amusement. Instead, he seemed to be fully concentrating on Bella and Esme, who were seated next to each other. As I looked more closely at the two, I realized they wore identical expressions: eyelids low and heavy, crow's feet from a permanent smile, one or both hands touching their respective significant other. Once I understood, I launched myself at Jasper, knocking him down, and peppered his laughing face with kisses.

He pressed his mouth firmly into mine and wrapped one hand in my hair while the other trailed lightly down my back before settling on my bottom. I pushed my pelvis into his, relishing in the firmness I felt there. I must have been fully exposing my emotions to him, because whatever he was putting out was a mirror of how I felt. Even though he couldn't tamper with my feelings didn't mean he couldn't make me feel something. His whimper of pleasure was lost inside my mouth as I opened my lips to devour his tongue. His hips pressed up into mine as he withdrew his mouth from mine to suckle my earlobe. My soft moan was the only coherent sound I could make. When I finally regained my wits, I smiled at him.

"You are the most amazing empath I have ever met, Jasper Whitlock."

After a few people told us to get a room, I quickly moved back to my seat. I immediately looked to Alice, slightly concerned that she may have been upset at our very public display of affection. She smiled at me and shook her head, her power not necessary to see what I was thinking. I shared a small smile with her and continued explaining the rules. "As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted," I glared playfully at Bella, "when you choose truth, you will have to let Jasper send you a shot of whatever emotion Bella is feeling because of the alcohol. That could be confusion, lust, giddiness, or any combination of things. So, if you want to stay sober, and I do say sober not clothed, you'd better choose 'dare'."

Esme giggled again before glaring at Jasper. "Jasper...! Jas...! Damn, what is your middle name anyway?! Jasper Middle Name, you'd better stop doing that to me right now! The game hasn't even begun, and you're already cheating!" The rest of the family joined in with Esme's giggling, Alice and Rosalie discussing whether they ever knew a middle name for Jasper. After the noise died down I got up and went to the refrigerator to replace Bella's now empty drink. Once I crushed the cap and she took a swig, we were ready to go.

"Who wants to start?" I asked. Emmett raised his hand quickly and began jumping up and down as much as his seated position would allow. "Fine, Emmett," I laughed. "Go ahead and pick someone."

"This is going to be awesome! I choose..." As he searched around the circle with his eyes, I heard Alice giggle and whisper to Rosalie, "This is going to be hilarious! Wait until you see what Lily did to Edward!" Emmett eye's finally settled on Bella, and she sat up straighter, expecting to be picked. Instead, Emmett chose her partner.

"I choose Edward. Truth or dare, little brother?" Edward rolled his eyes and picked truth. Jasper sent out a small dose of content, coupled with lust and happiness. As Edward's smirk softened into a smile, Emmett laughed. "Excellent! Have you and Bella ever made out?" At the mention of Bella's name, Edward's hand seemed to involuntarily shoot out from his body, going around her waist to settle on her hip. She jumped slightly from the contact, but smiled. I saw Edward's fingers grip Bella's hip slightly tighter before he answered Emmett's truth question.

"Yes, Emmett. We have made out many times. Now, it's my turn. Rose, truth or dare?"

Rosalie answered immediately. "Dare. But, can I have a shot of Bella-is-tipsy-ness anyway?" She looked at me for permission, seeing as I had laid the ground-rules.

"Of course you can, beautiful girl! Jasper, pour her a strong one." I was starting to feel my own buzz and I winked at Rose before turning back to Edward, waiting to see what crazy dare the 106-year-old virgin would come up with.

"Okay, Rose. I dare you to call the police station and talk dirty to whoever answers." After the group stopped laughing, I had to give Edward credit.

"That is actually a really great idea! I mean, I know Rose'll do it, but still, clever! Jasper, hit her with your best shot! No, wait! Bella come here!" Bella was up and scrambling toward me faster than a slightly off-center Edward could reach for her; his hand came up empty when he tried to grab hers.

I grabbed Bella and was out the front door as fast as was possible for me. As soon as I thought we were far enough away I could whisper where Bella could hear but the others wouldn't, I stopped. "Okay Dizzy, here's what I want you to do. Don't say a word, but when we get back, sit down next to Edward and then start thinking about the dirtiest thing you've ever thought of him doing to you. Even if it's bending you over that baby grand and making you forget your name. That way, when Jasper projects a shot of you to Rosalie, it'll be totally lusty! Since she has to give someone phone sex, it's probably a good idea anyway. Ready?" She nodded. With that, I slung her up onto my back and was back through the front door within a minute. Emmett had his shirt off and was flexing as we came into view.

"Emmett," Bella started, "why are you naked?"

Emmett laughed before cheekily replying, "I'm not naked yet, Bella, but I could be. Do you want a strip tease?" He started to move his hips back and forth, his slow movements making his abdominal muscles flex and release in a tantalizing rhythm. Both Bella and I were left speechless.

Jasper shouted, "It worked! You were totally right, Em. Every girl here is hot for you!" After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I snorted at their stupid assumption.

"You two are idiots. First of all, Alice and Bella are like your sisters, and Esme is like your mother. I'd say only two out of five. Sorry, Em."

Esme spoke up then. "If I'm his mother, then call him Oedipus, because that is one fine hunk of man. Oh my goodness, did I just say that out loud? Jasper! Stop projecting!" Esme looked bashful, but still heavy-lidded and slightly lustful.

Jasper's grin turned into a smirk as he said, "I stopped projecting the first time you yelled at me, mom. And, for your information, Lily, Bella and Alice think Emmett is just as sexy as they do me and Edward. Isn't that right Alice?"

"Who said I thought you were sexy?!" Alice retorted. "Emmett is fiiiiiiine." This earned another round of giggles from the group before I realized Rosalie had yet to complete her dare.

"Rose, you've still got to make good on your dare! Bella? Now." Edward's hand landed very close to her left boob this time. She looked momentarily confused but then closed her eyes and did what I had told her. As Bella continued with her train of thought, I could smell the faint aroma of her arousal just before I saw Jasper adjust himself. "Well, Jazz? Give Rose her shot and then give her the phone." Jasper smiled slyly and let me feel what he was going to send Rosalie, though, with Emmett shirtless and Jasper tenting his trousers, I wasn't sure I needed any help getting turned on.

Rosalie's eyes widened before they became dark. "Damn, Bella! What are you thinking about?" Edward's hand moved slightly higher and caressed the underside of Bella's breast. Her breathing hitched, but before everyone could turn to look at her, Rosalie put the house phone on speaker and dialed the number to the Sheriff's station. A gruff voice came on the other end of the line and Bella froze in shock before her eyes went wide and her hand flew to her mouth to stifle her laughter. I paid more attention to the voice on the phone when it spoke again.

"Hello? This is Fork's Police Department, Chief Swan speaking." Swan? Bella's last name was Swan. So this man was her...oh no.

"Hello, Chief Swan…" Rosalie purred into the phone, her voice taking on a lustful timbre and instantly reminding me of an adult phone entertainer. "How are you doing tonight?

"Umm…I'm good. Who is this?" The Chief's voice was gruff and slightly unsure.

"Well, that depends. If you play your cards right, I could be your every fantasy. If not, I could become your worst nightmare." Rose accentuated each word with a short pause and a heavy breath. She really knew how to do phone sex.

"Uh, I'm sorry ma'am, but I think you have the wrong number." You could hear the smile in the Chief's voice, and also a bit of reluctance to end the call.

"Oh no, Charlie. You are just the man I needed to speak with. You see, I have this little problem. I just don't feel safe at home all by myself. I need a man to come and protect me. Could you protect me, Charlie?" Bella's face was as red as a beet, but even Carlisle was struggling to hold in his laughter. I tapped Jasper on the leg and nodded toward Carlisle and Esme. Jasper smiled and lightly brushed my arm, sending an electric current and a wave of pure lust through me. I thought he was trying to manipulate my emotions for a second before I realized he was just showing me what was about to happen to Mom and Dad.

Rosalie continued to taunt Charlie, asking him how big his gun was and if his aim was any good. Bella finally gave up on not laughing and went to the kitchen for another Navel. I focused on Carlisle, wondering if I shouldn't compel him as I had Edward to make this night more fun for Esme. The answer to that question came in the form of Jasper saturating the couple in lust. I was on the edge of my cushion, waiting for Carlisle to take Esme right there in front of his family, when his eyes turned to me, and turned pitch black.

Rose finally hung up the phone and, after recovering from her fit of giggles, chose me. "Hey, Lily! Truth or dare?"

"Dare." My tone was so serious that everyone finally looked at me. My eyes had never left Carlisle's. Rose read the situation perfectly, and gave me the greatest dare for the moment.

"I dare you to give a thirty second striptease to the player of your choosing." A chorus of "ooh's" and "aah's" rang out from around the circle. I gave each of the boys a cursory glance, lingering on Edward for just a moment to make him squirm, before walking to the kitchen to retrieve a proper chair. I came back with the chair in hand, and walked halfway around the circle from where I had been sitting, and placed it directly behind Carlisle.

"Have a seat, Mr. Cullen."