A/N
Thank you all for reading. Happy to see some FF readers still like J&E stories.
Stephenie Meyer owns everything Twilight-related.
My thanks go to the wonderful and talented maryhell AKA Taylin Clavelli - my lifesaver.
…oOo…
...oOo... Death is not the end ...oOo...
Chapter Three
The bartender had poured him his third drink - usually the last one before he left. If I wanted to make a move, I had to do it now.
For a brief moment, I feared he was already leaving the bar, but noticed he just picked a coin from his pocket and went to the jukebox instead of the door. I wondered what song he would choose. Not that it mattered. I could hear the machine work and mere seconds later the familiar first notes of 'Sympathy for the devil' filled the room. He chose one of my all-time favorites – at least we had something in common. I doubted there would be anything else, but I planned to find out.
The stool next to him was still empty, as he had discarded all offers as the previous nights. I took the seat. Jasper didn't pay any attention to my close presence, and that was strange. Maybe the soap did the trick after all. Usually, when close enough, humans were drawn to me like magnets, as the scent of a vampire was more alluring than any aftershave.
"Took your time," he suddenly said without even turning around to face me, and only loud enough for me to hear.
Had he been playing me all night and the previous nights? Had he turned all the other offers down because he had been waiting for me to approach him? I would not keep him waiting any longer…
"Hello, my name is Edward Cullen," I said, hoping he would turn around. "I didn't have a chance to introduce myself last night. You must be Jasper Whitlock?" I continued.
"That is correct. May I enquire to how you know my name?" he asked as he turned his torso toward me.
"Oh, I have my wicked ways." I raised an eyebrow when I stared into his blue eyes. If only he knew how wicked my ways often were.
"I know you have… can I buy you a drink, or is this liquor not you kind of brand?" He sounded mighty sure of himself when he pointed to the empty bourbon glass in front of him.
"I'd like a whiskey, neat," I told the bartender when he headed toward us.
"So, Edward. What are you doing in an establishment like this at 2.30 am?" Jasper asked as the bartender placed my drink in front of me.
"I could ask you the very same, Jasper?" While I lifted my glass, I took the opportunity to study him; he was even more stunning up close.
"Guess I'm just a night owl, seeking the company of other loners," he mumbled and nipped his bourbon.
"Well, I haven't exactly seen you accepting any of the offered company. You must have high standards… a few of the women were rather good-looking," I fished.
"Maybe, I didn't notice." Instead of turning toward me, he was fidgeting with his drink.
I liked his reply. Once again, I considered whether he preferred men as opposed to women, but deep down I hoped he actually liked me and wanted me to keep him company - and eventually more.
Mick Jagger continued whining about being 'Pleased to meet you', so I took the opportunity to continue our conversation and nodded toward the jukebox. "So, The Stones? I would have picked you for a more contemporary-song-kind-of-guy."
"Nah… nothing beats the old classics. This particular song is very appropriate for the situation, don't you agree?"
Whatever did he mean? Being mere inches from him hadn't strengthened my connection to him either. I caught none of his thoughts. Did he possess a special gift I'd never heard of? Not being able to read his mind was a pain in the ass, but also interesting. This had to be what it was like to be an ordinary human or an ungifted vampire, for that matter. You had no idea whether your flirting was effective or not.
At least I didn't scare him, and he wasn't repulsed by my presence – otherwise I presumed he would have told me to leave him alone.
The Stones faded out, and a young girl picked Nirvana's 'Smells like teen spirit' for the next song. Not a bad choice. Jasper did smell young and alive… very much so.
"Well, it was nice meeting you Edward, but I have to go home now," he said when I realized he was about to offer me his hand. I couldn't shake his hand without him noticing how cold mine was. Even though, I wanted nothing more than to feel his warm hand in mine, I buried my hands deep in my pockets and gave him a nod instead.
He hesitated for a few seconds as he read my body language, and gave me a nod in return. I could feel his stare on my pocket-hidden hands as he put on his jacket.
"Will you be here tomorrow night, Jasper?"
Jasper contemplated something for a minute before he fixed his gaze on my face. "I have nowhere else to be, so I might as well, Edward. Maybe we could grab a bite to eat before the drinks. Sam's wife, Emily, is an excellent cook. Around 9 pm?" He looked at me with anticipation.
"9 pm it is. Drive home safely," I said before he left and walked straight to the door, without turning around.
Jesus, he had a fine ass.
I followed him out the door and watched him as he entered his truck, but tonight I let him drive home without following.
…oOo…
The journey back to Forks was liberating. I couldn't believe I finally had a date. A date with the most beautiful, sexy, and mysterious man I had ever met. As I ran, insecurities started playing in my mind when I recalled his reaction to my lack of a handshake. He'd seemed confused, maybe even bewildered when he noticed my pocket-buried hands. Had he taken me for being rude or had my actions confirmed what he'd already suspected - that I wasn't an ordinary man. Was tomorrow's suggested date only a pretense - an excuse to leave early and escape me?
All sorts of questions kept popping up. It was actually rather exhausting and confusing, being attracted to someone. How was it not possible for me to read his mind, why did he come across sullen, and why did he smell like heaven?
I would have to wait patiently for another eighteen hours before hopefully, I found out.
…oOo…
A/N
And so they talked...
If you hit the button below and leave me some love, I might take them out to play on Tuesday.
