AN: Hey y'all! Ready for more?
Thank you to Delphius Fanfic, for prereading, and Corey, for betaing. My other beta, Layne Faire, is ill at the time...she will be back soon.
I do not own Twilight. Enjoy!
JPOV
If my palms could sweat, they would've been. I had no idea why I was so nervous about taking Edward out on a date. It was all I could think about since I had asked him. When he opened the door, I tried not to blatantly stare at him as my mouth filled with venom. He looked absolutely stunning. Well fit dark jeans with a red shirt that had left just enough to the imagination, and I imagined a lot.
The monster in my chest was urging me to grab hold and pull him to me so I could inhale his scent deeply. I wanted to drown in him. However, I had to hold back. Not only was his family right there, I had promised myself and Carlisle that I would do whatever I had to do to maintain control.
"Hey," I greeted him softly. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah," he smiled, and walked out, closing the door behind him. Just as he had reached out and entwined our fingers together, the door opened again and Edward's father sauntered out. I stopped and turned to face him.
"Hello, sir. I'm Jasper Cullen."
"I know," Mr. Masen said with a smile. "Before you left with my son, I wanted to meet you properly."
Luckily, Edward was holding my right hand, and I stuck my left out for Mr. Masen to shake. The handshake was brief but firm and, just as I suspected, his gaze lingered on my hand.
"You're cold," he commented.
"Yes, sir. Poor circulation."
Mr. Masen nodded. "Well, it's good to meet you, Jasper, and since it seems you are dating my son, I hope to see you around here more often."
"Of course." I assured him, and he turned to look at Edward.
"Midnight, son," he said.
"Okay. Thanks, Dad. See ya."
Mr. Masen turned to go back into the house and I led Edward to my car. Once we were inside and buckled in, I started the engine and drove off. Edward turned in his seat to face me.
"So, where are you taking me?" His face was lit up with excitement.
"You'll see when we get there," I answered with a smirk and he stuck his bottom lip out in a pout. He really shouldn't do that. It only intensified my want for him. "It won't take long to get there."
Our drive to the restaurant I'd chosen was short, but filled with light conversation. As I drove into the parking lot, Edward gave me a funny look.
"Jasper?"
"Yes, babe?" I glanced over at him and he was frowning, looking adorably confused.
"You don't eat, and we're at a restaurant," he said slowly.
"I know. I may not need food, but you do, and I am content to talk while you eat,"
The furrow between my mate's eyes dissolved as he grinned over at me.
"Thank you, Jasper," he murmured, then completely surprised me by leaning over and kissing my cheek. He had no idea what even the smallest gestures did to me.
"You're welcome," I answered. "Come on."
We got out of the car and I took the initiative to hold Edward's hand as we walked in. It was Port Angeles' best place, or so I'd heard, called Mancini's. From the outside, it didn't look like much, but when I opened the door for Edward, we were both surprised at the interior. It was red and gold themed, with plush chairs surrounding small tables. The lighting was dim and gave the room a glow, like it had been lit by hundreds of candles. As Edward and I walked up to check in, the woman standing behind the podium smiled widely.
"Good evening, gentlemen," she greeted us in a kind voice. "Name?"
"Cullen," I offered, and she ran her finger down the list of names.
"Oh, yes. Here you are. Please follow me."
Edward looked all around the place as we followed the woman toward the back of the restaurant. When I called and made the reservation, I'd requested a private table so we could mostly be away from the other diners.
Our table was situated in the back corner so we could survey the entire place, and all of the tables around us had cards on them that said "Reserved". It was perfect. As the woman walked away, I pulled a chair out for Edward and he sat down with a small blush creeping up his cheeks. Beautiful.
I sat down to the left of Edward, directly against the back wall. The menus were on the table already, and I gestured for Edward to look through his. We didn't even have time to start a conversation before a waiter in a nice black suit walked up to our table.
"Good evening, gentlemen," he said in a deep, smooth voice. "I am Matt and I will be your waiter this evening. Can I get you anything to drink?"
"Coke for me, thanks," my mate said with a gorgeous smile.
"Just water, please," I answered the waiter, and with a curt nod, he walked away.
Edward had the menu open, reading the choices, and I watched as the light played in his bronze hair, shadows making it look brown in places and highlights of red in others. I wanted to feel its softness between my fingers once again. Later, I scolded myself.
"Do you see anything you like?" I asked quietly, and Edward glanced up at me, worrying his bottom lip with the very tips of his teeth. Jesus.
"I...really don't know," he said quietly, the small blush returning. Every time he blushed, his scent hit me a little harder as blood rushed faster through his veins. It made him smell even more delicious than he already did.
"Would you like for me to look with you?"
"Yeah," he answered softly, and I leaned in close. Unable to help myself, I inhaled deeply. He chuckled and moved close enough for the side of his head to barely touch my nose. Christ, he was trying to kill me. What a fucking sweet death that would be.
Under the table, Edward's hand found mine and he threaded our fingers together. So that was it. He wanted to be close. That I could do. Sliding my chair a bit closer, I got comfortable and Edward gave me a small smile as he continued to peruse the menu.
I continued to breathe him in as he read. My mind wasn't anywhere close to the items he was looking over. All I could think of was how fucking good my mate smelled, and how happy I was to be here, alone with him again.
Matt, our waiter, returned and set our drinks in front of us.
"Have you decided on entrées yet?" he asked politely, and Edward closed the menu.
"I would like the chicken alfredo, please," he answered the waiter, who nodded then turned his gaze to me.
"And for you, Sir?"
"Oh, we plan to share," Edward replied before I had a chance to say anything. My smart boy.
"Very good," Matt said, and took our menus. "It will be out shortly."
"Thank you," I told him, and he once again left us alone.
I watched Edward take a sip of his soda, then said, "I want to apologize, in person, for what happened the other day, in my room."
My mate squeezed my hand gently. "Jasper, you don't have to apologize to me. It was my fault. If I hadn't...been so aggressive. I was curious is all."
"I know," I replied earnestly. "Believe me, I wanted everything you did, and more. You have no idea how much you affect me."
My mate glanced down briefly, a small smile on his lips, then looked back at me.
"Was Carlisle mad?"
"Not really mad," I answered with a chuckle. "I did get another lesson on control, though, along with a lecture about the dangers. I am more lethal than you realize, Edward."
He propped his head in his hand and stared into my eyes. His looked dark in the low light, and I had to concentrate on what I was saying.
"What do you mean?" he asked innocently.
"You see this table?"
He nodded.
"I can grip the edge, break off a piece, and squeeze it with my hand until all that remains is powder."
My mate's eyes widened. "Are you kidding?"
"No. I can do the same with rock, concrete, anything like that."
"What else?" Edward asked, clearly spellbound. This wasn't what I had planned by telling him all this. I thought he would be frightened, knowing that with one hand, I could cause so much damage. I decided to go for broke.
"I have killed people," I told him quietly. "I have ran up, undetected, behind someone mugging a woman, put my hand around his neck, and broke it with a single twist. Sometimes, I am not safe."
My mate looked unaffected. "I don't care. I know you won't hurt me."
"I might," I challenged. "I am a monster inside. When we are together, I have to keep control of it so I don't give in to my...urges."
Edward moved closer. "You're not a monster, Jasper. I know you're not. You have been nothing but kind and caring with me. I trust you."
He touched his lips to mine briefly, once, then sat back in his chair. I closed my eyes, relishing in the feel of his sweet lips, determined to keep control.
The sudden strong smell of food caused me to open my eyes, and I saw that our waiter was back with Edward's meal. It didn't smell appetizing to me, but Edward leaned over the plate and inhaled deeply.
"This smells very good," he told the waiter. "Thank you."
"Enjoy, gentlemen," Matt said, and moved over towards other customers.
Edward and I made small talk while he ate. He had obviously stated his point about his thoughts of me, and refused to let me argue. I would leave it until another time.
When my mate had eaten his fill, I paid the check and made sure to leave a nice tip. We then made our way back out of the restaurant and to the car. As I drove to the park that was nearby, Edward held his hands in front of the heater to warm them. It saddened me that I couldn't do that for him.
"Thank you for dinner, Jasper," my mate said quietly.
"You're very welcome, babe," I answered.
"I...want to take you out on a date, too," he commented, and a feeling of adoration filled my chest at the thought. His brow furrowed for a moment, then he continued, "It will have to be overcast, though."
Surprised, I asked, "A date in the daylight?"
Edward's face filled with the blood that addled my senses every time the scent became stronger. "Yes," he answered. "There's something I want to show you."
Well, he certainly had my interest piqued. "I accept."
My mate's smile was brilliant and I turned into the parking lot of the park. After turning off the engine and getting out, Edward pulled his coat tighter around himself then looped his arm through mine as we started to walk down the nearest path.
There were only a few people out and about, due to the chill of the night, but it didn't seem to bother Edward any. He was telling me about how Bella was jealous that we were together, and judging by his eye-rolling and chuckling, he was both annoyed and amused.
Watching Edward talk and gesture with his hands, as if I were any other human, baffled me. How could he be so carefree with me, when I had to have such a tight rein on myself? It was as if he knew what I was, but chose to ignore it and be himself. How I wished I could be like him.
The clouds shifted, allowing the moon to shine over the park. My mate looked illuminated in the silvery light, which only added to his perfect beauty. I was mesmerized by him, unable to tear my eyes away even for a second.
Before too long, I noticed Edward shivering and suggested we go back to the car. On the way back to his house, I purposely drove slower than I normally would because I didn't want the night to end. In order to try to get rid of the melancholy mood, I offered to answer more questions for Edward. Like I suspected, he thought it was a great idea.
"You don't drink anything but animals, right?" he asked, and I nodded.
"Correct."
"Well, don't you ever want to drink from humans?"
"Every day," I replied quietly. "The thirst is like a burning in the back of my throat. Animal blood fills me and quenches the fire, but not quite as thoroughly as human blood, and it definitely isn't as satisfying."
"Wow," my other half muttered, surprised. He had that fascinated look about him again, and it caused me to chuckle.
"I want to ask something kinda...serious," Edward stated quietly, like he was afraid I would be angry at him.
"Go on," I told him, concerned.
"Um...what's it like to be...you know...turned?"
I knew this question would come, but certainly didn't expect it so soon. He wouldn't like the answer, I was sure, but honesty was best.
"When I bite you, my venom will enter your bloodstream and travel throughout your body. It will burn immensely and you'll feel like your veins are on fire. This will last for three full days until, finally, all of the venom will collect in your heart and it will stop beating. Then you will wake up."
While I explained, his eyes widened for a moment and he lowered his head. Only when I was finished did he raise it to stare at me.
"What will I look like?" He whispered.
"Like me and my family: hard, cold, and pale skin, but flawless. You will have speed, strength, and enhanced senses. The only difference will be your eyes."
"My eyes? What's gonna happen to them?"
"They will be red because your blood will be in the tissues of your body still, and human blood causes our eyes to be red. The newborn phase lasts roughly six months and, if you can refrain from ingesting human blood during that time, your eyes will change to amber, like mine."
Edward wrinkled his brow. "I couldn't drink human blood. That is just gross, Jasper."
His reaction caused me to smile. "You say that now, but wait. I haven't told you about the bloodlust yet."
"Bloodlust? Fucking hell," he said quietly, and I thought it best to change the subject for the time being.
"I will explain that to you later, babe. You're still far from being changed yet."
Slowly, my mate nodded. He looked thoughtful, and the selfish part of me, my monster, was praying I hadn't said too much and changed his mind.
It wasn't long until I pulled into the driveway of Edward's house, and he surprised me by reaching over and turning the key, effectively shutting off the engine. When I glanced at him, he smiled gently.
"I just thought we could...you know...cuddle and talk or something..." he said shyly and, unable to resist him, I held my arm out to draw him closer.
Edward settled himself against my side, his warmth searing me even through the jacket he was wearing. Leaning my head down, I breathed in his scent and exhaled a soft hum. He started tracing the back of my hand with his fingertips, then slowly moved it to my jaw.
"Is this okay?" he asked, and I nodded.
He continued to stroke my jaw and cheekbone while we sat in silence. His heart rate accelerated a little bit, and I knew he must have been enjoying himself.
After a few minutes, his soft voice interrupted the solitude. "Jasper?"
I turned my head to acknowledge him. "Yes?"
"Do you think it would be...safe...to kiss you?"
Jesus. I closed my eyes for a moment, once again cursing myself for my loss of control, then opened them to stare into his innocent face.
"Yes. I'm in control right now."
The smile that lit up my mate's face was blindingly beautiful. He lifted his head up towards mine, and it faded as I lowered my mouth to his. As our lips touched, Edward emitted a contented sigh, and I mentally swore that I would not try to bite him again.
Our mouths moved together in harmony as they met and retreated, over and over. The only sounds in the car were of our kissing, Edward's escalated breathing, and soft sighs of contentment. It was amazing.
My mate then surprised me by licking my bottom lip, asking me if we could deepen our kisses. Without hesitation, I cupped his face in both hands and slid my tongue into his mouth. Jesus Christ, he felt like heaven, warm and so fucking soft.
Edward did the same to me, and I felt as well as heard his whimper. As our tongues played and stroked each other, I made sure not to become too consumed in what we were doing. I had to keep control.
The deep kiss we were sharing was eventually broken by Edward, who sat back in his seat, panting a bit. He was out of breath, and it gave me a sense of pride knowing it was because of me. My vampire eyes could see the blush staining his cheeks. He looked delectable.
"Thank you," he murmured, and I reached over to stroke his warm cheek.
"No. Thank you, babe," I answered, just as quietly.
"I had a great time, Jasper. Text me when you get home, okay?"
"I will. Goodnight, Edward."
"Night, Jasper."
He got out of the car and I watched him until he was safely inside. I then started the car and drove home at a leisurely pace, letting my mind wander to the incredible date we had. I was rather proud of myself for maintaining my control when kissing him, even though I wanted so much more.
Smiling to myself, I wondered what he had in store for me on the date he was planning.
Hope y'all liked it!
Penny
