A/N: So I didn't get flamed as much as I thought I would for the kiss last chapter; I'm happy about that. Maybe things will progress with these two then...

BPOV

It wasn't the same.

I stood under the showerhead, letting the steaming hot water into my lungs to clear my congestion, and just thought. Thought about what happened between Jasper and me.

His kiss had been welcomed, but there was no spark. Not like Edward, at least. When he kissed me, my whole body felt alive. Like it was being jolted with electricity. It was a pleasant feeling. It made me want more. The first time it happened, I pulled him closer to me, wanting the contact, not wanting to lose the spark. Then it was too much for him and he pulled back. Eventually he got over the hump and every kiss since then has topped the other. I could never get enough.

Jasper's kiss was fine. There was some heat and passion, but no real electricity. But it was more comforting than anything else. More like how our future was supposed to go. He had told me now that our loves were dead we needed to move on, to heal. He said that he wanted to take care of me, comfort and protect me. Keep me safe from danger.

I slicked my hair back as the water continued to rain down. My mind thought about last night, how sweet and gentle he was when his lips found mine. His other hand came to my cheek, stroking it softly. It satisfied a curiosity that had been brewing and comforted me in ways beyond belief. That one kiss told me I was safe, that everything would be all right. That Jasper was here and would do everything he could to be with me.

His lips were firm and soft and a little too big for mine. He tugged on my bottom lip, being very careful not to break the skin and licked it lightly. When I had to pull away to breathe, he pulled back. His black eyes showed passion, confusion and fear; as though he shouldn't have done it. To show him that I didn't mind, I pulled him back to me. It was a little rougher than I wanted and his stone body slapped against me. He immediately pulled back but didn't break the kiss, his hands finding their way to my hair.

My body betrayed me. His weight was heavy against me; for a moment I worried I'd be crushed. Finally seeking the contact it needed, I found myself wrapping my leg around him, pulling him closer. He growled lightly and continued to tug on my bottom lip. Then he moved down my jaw line and to my ear. He breathed my scent in and froze.

I knew immediately it was too much and I lay as still as possible for him, releasing my leg from his slowly. He rose up on his arms and as soon as his body was free of mine, he bolted across the room. He stood near the opposite window trying to regulate his breathing. I sat up slowly and watched him.

"I'm sorry, Bella," he said softly. "It got to be too much."

I told him it was fine; I figured the first time was always the hardest. He nodded in agreement and then said I should get some sleep. "You need to fight that fever," he said. I didn't ask for him to lie with me, knowing he was struggling like he was. He needed that space and I was going to give it to him.

What if it's never enough? Edward got over it, what if Jasper never does? He hasn't been away from humans as long as the rest of them, suppose he snaps?

I shuddered at the thought under the warm water. That was definitely a possibility. He could lose control some night and I'd never know it. But I also know that he's been fighting and winning the battle so far. He's even told me he's gotten better. If he plans to stay with me, he'll have to be stronger.

I'm positive that he will do it. He would never hurt me.

"Bella?" he asked from behind the closed door.

"Yeah?" I replied.

"Do you feel well enough to go out today? I've been cooped up too long and want some fresh air."

I laughed. "Sure. And you don't have to stay with me constantly Jazz. You can always leave me for awhile to hunt."

He was quiet for a minute. "But I miss you when you're gone." We've probably only been away from each other about thirty minutes, tops.

Awww it's still sweet…..

"I miss you too. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to finish up."

"Oh shit! Sorry about my lack of manners." I didn't hear anything else but knew he was away from the door.

I smiled. All of the Cullen men were such gentlemen; I guess that comes with the time they were changed. They still haven't shed their old-fashioned ways and I really didn't want them to. It's a part of who they are.

I shut the water off and opened the curtain, noticing the mirror covered in steam. Stepping out on the mat, I grabbed the closest towel. It smelled of Jazz. I thought it odd as he wouldn't have to bathe, but maybe he felt he needed the warmth that the water would provide. I breathed his scent in deeply and began to dry off, starting with my hair.

When I wasn't dripping water on the floor, I wrapped the towel around my body, leaving my hair as a damp mess for now. I opened the door and was hit with a rush of cool air. It felt great after getting overheated in the shower and I slowly stepped into the bedroom. I could hear Jazz's voice in the distance. Since we were basically in a suite, he could be in any one of the rooms and I'd never find him.

"I need more time…" he said urgently.

I padded to the dresser and began pulling things out. Since we were going out, I decided to wear a blue camisole underneath a blue wool sweater. I took my favorite pair of skinny jeans out and threw my Van's shoes in the mix as well.

"I understand, but…" he was cut off by whoever was on the other line.

I glanced in the direction of the voice. Didn't seem like Jazz to not get to finish his conversation. Charlotte must be quite a talker. I can't wait to meet her.

When that would be was a different story. Jazz told me that he wanted to take his time; there was no reason for me to immediately meet Charlotte. He said that they are not vegetarians but wouldn't dream of harming me since I'm his friend. It still made me nervous, knowing that I was going to be face-to-face with a human-eating vampire.

And yet, being with Jasper who could snap at any moment doesn't faze you in the least.

"The situation's changed. I…I don't know if I can go through with it. She's incredibly fragile."

My head snapped in his direction. I tiptoed to the sound of his voice, praying that my klutziness didn't choose now to reappear.

His back was to me in another bedroom. He was looking outside, phone to his ear and right hand in his pocket. I noticed his posture was stiff and he was gripping the phone rather tightly.

"Look, you asked my opinion and I gave it to you. I don't care who's calling the shots; she shouldn't be placed in that situation."

'I don't care who's calling the shots?' What's going on?

"Yes, I'm attracted to her. How could I not be? She's beautiful and smart and funny. Edward has a good woman and the fact that her blood is so irresistible is drawing me further under her spell."

I smiled.

"What makes you think he'll find her? Last time you checked, he was still in Forks."

Who is he talking about? Then it hit me…Jacob! I never contacted him. He's probably worried sick.

I drew a breath in and noticed Jazz tense more. He swung around at lightning speed and saw me standing in the doorway. His eyes narrowed and the breath caught in my throat as I saw the look in them. It was the eyes of a predator…with me as his next meal.

"I'll call you back," he said lowly into the phone. He hung up and started coming to me.

"Bella, what are you doing?" he asked calmly. I slowly started backing up.

Run!

"I'm sorry. I heard you on the phone and I was curious as to whom you were talking to." The look in his eyes remained as he continued to advance. I noticed his breathing was shallow; he was fighting for control.

"Eavesdropping is never polite. I could have been planning a surprise for you." His voice was laced with venom.

I felt my shoulder blades touch the next wall and he was less than an inch from me. His eyes showed no emotion; they were dead, unreadable. What I wouldn't give for some of his calming power right now. But no such luck.

"I-I'm sorry…" I said as his head advanced to my neck. He placed a hand on the other side as he breathed in my scent. His grip on my neck tightened to the point where it hurt. Then I felt something sharp graze the skin; the exact same spot where Edward had marked me.

"It would be easy, you know. So easy," he whispered. I swallowed hard. My heart was beating erratically in my chest. Is this it?

"Jazz, please." I was gasping for air.

"Shhh," he said. "I'm not trying to scare you. I'm just trying to make you aware that this could be over in the drop of a hat. You can feel my teeth against your neck?"

I nodded ever so slightly, violently trembling.

"All I have to do is press against it a little harder and break the skin. Do you want that?" his breath was cool against my skin and sent a shiver through me.

"No," I whispered.

He pulled back and looked into my eyes. "Really? That's what you wanted with Edward. Why not me?"

I stared at him, dumbfounded. Is he serious?

He pulled back further, releasing me from his grip and allowing me access to move. His eyes had changed from dead to full of worry and passion. It was as though Jasper returned and the monster had left. I started to run and he grabbed my arm to stop me. I gasped at the movement. He released my arm as though it was on fire.

"Bella, I'm sorry. I didn't realize what I was doing." His eyes were kind and they told me he meant every word.

I shook my head slowly. "What's going on Jazz? You've never been this way before. I can understand you being upset for my mistake, but don't you think that was a little extreme?"

He gripped his hair with his hand, a movement not unlike Edward's. I realized that they must have picked up each other's mannerisms from all the time they spend together.

"You think I was angry about the phone call?"

I nodded. He sighed.

"I'm not angry, Bella. I just wanted you to know how dangerous it is to be with me. Unlike Edward, I don't have the control. I'm improving, but it's not enough. He can hold you and kiss you and make love to you without worrying about killing you. Me, I can't do that."

He slowly brought his hand up to stroke my cheek. I let him as his black eyes told me he was sincere.

"As I've told you before, I'm attracted to you. I want you in every way and I hate myself for not being able to give it to you. When you were in the shower, all I wanted, all I thought of…" he trailed off.

I stepped closer to him, his mood control now working perfectly. "It's okay Jazz."

He shook his head. "If I was human, I wouldn't have hesitated. I would have enjoyed the banquet before me and probably would have turned into an asshole. But I'm not human. And I'm not an asshole."

I smiled and noticed the corner of his mouth twitching. He was fighting back a laugh. "Jazz, you are a great person and a gentleman. I appreciate that you didn't become an asshole and take advantage of me like that. I'm glad that you respect me enough to walk away." He nodded.

Realizing for the first time that I was in a towel, his eyes travelled down my body. I was suddenly extremely self-conscious. This is wrong! the voice kept shouting.

"You should wear more clothes when out of the shower," he said teasingly. "It might become too much and I might need your blood..or your body. This leaves too many options for me to get it." His hand moved from my cheek to the front of the towel. He tugged lightly and the knot came undone. It started to fall and I quickly made the move to catch it before it fell down.

"Oops," he said sheepishly. "I didn't mean for that to happen." He was telling the truth.

We stared into each other's eyes, daring the other one to move. Finally I shivered as a draft of cold air swept over me.

"Oh, shit! I'm sorry." He moved out of the way to let me pass.

I dressed quickly and put the blow dryer on the rest of my hair. I needed the warmth after Jasper's cool body against mine. Then I sat down on the toilet lid to think.

What the hell happened? It was as though a switch was flipped and he became cold, hostile, murderous. Did he REALLY intend to kill me? Then why did he stop? What made him come back? Why have I never seen this side of Jazz before? Will it happen again?

"Bella?" he called from outside the door.

Déjà vu.

Drawing in a breath and preparing for anything, I opened the door and he took me in his arms. He held me against his chest tightly and laid his cheek on the top of my head.

"I'm so sorry for my actions earlier," he said. "You have no idea how sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you."

I wrapped my arms around his torso and leaned into him. I still craved contact. His hands moved to cup my neck gently and he pulled back ever so slightly. He looked into my eyes, silently asking for permission. I gave a small smile and nod and he leaned in, pressing his lips against mine.

That makes three.

Pulling me close again, he wrapped his left arm around my waist and deepened the kiss. I felt his tongue asking for permission to enter my mouth and I granted it, not wanting a repeat of earlier. Our tongues danced as the kiss continued, him murmuring into my mouth and me fighting for him to stay in control.

It's not the same. It's comforting, yes, but the spark isn't there. He is a good kisser; Alice was a lucky woman. It's not Edward, but I can accept this. I have to accept it.

He removed his mouth from mine when I started losing air, chuckling softly. "When kissing you, it's easy to forget that you're human," he said softly. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

The fact that he had not released me did not escape my attention. "Jazz, are you okay with taking things slow? I'm not completely over Edward but I do want you around."

He nodded. "Plus, the fact that I almost killed you probably turned you off of me."

I shrugged. "Well, a little."

He laughed and pulled me into a hug. "Sure, Bella. We can go as fast or as slow as you want. I've got eternity. And I'm not going anywhere."

For some reason, that didn't comfort me as much as it should have.

A/N: Next chapter we'll check in on the Cullens. Think maybe Alice will get a clue and go check out that abandoned building?

Thanks for reading. Please review!