Disclaimer: still not mine. Although I wouldn't mind to own Jasper, borrow Emmett and Carlisle, and just for giggles, rip Edward apart and hide body parts in different countries to see how long it would take him to piece himself back together.

Chapter 10: Jasper's Tell All

JPOV

"Three years ago my life collapsed around me. Bella, I want you to understand what's going on with me. Why if I seem distant at times, that it is nothing you did."

When we sat down on the sand Bella had sat between my legs and leaned against me. I wrapped my arms tighter around her and pulled her as close to me as I could without sitting her completely in my lap.

This was going to be hard as fuck. I need to tell her though. Maybe I won't scare her away.

I let out a sigh and began my story.

"I was married. I met my wife when I was just a kid. I moved to Texas when I was eight years old. The first person I met was Emmett McCarty, we were fast friends. He was really my only friend for the longest time. Then she came to town. I had just turned ten and Emmett and I were at the pool with a group of kids from school. Her name was Maria. She joined our little group; she fit in like she had always been there. The only person who didn't like her was Rosalie. I think even then Rose knew what she was like. I was blind. As we got older I was drawn to Maria more and more. Eventually we started dating. We were together from the time we were in middle school. We never fought, never raised our voices to each other. It was perfect. Way too fucking perfect. I was blind."

I stopped talking for a moment to collect my thoughts. I felt Bella's little fingers squeeze my hand that was still wrapped around her. That tiny little mindless gesture let me know that she was listening, that she wanted to know me.

I started speaking again.

"We stayed together, even though we went to college on separate sides of the country. We saw each other on summer break. When we were together it was like we were never apart. When we graduated, I decided that I wanted to propose to her. I bought the ring and was waiting for the right time to ask. The right time came, I asked and she accepted. We had a fairly long engagement. We both wanted to get settled into our lives. I opened my own business. I did financial consultations for businesses in our area. She worked for the forensics lab at the local police department. Two years after I proposed we got married. Rose still didn't like Maria; she refused to come to the wedding. Emmett was there to support me though. I knew he didn't like her that much, but he was there for me. Everything was okay for the first year, or so I thought. I came home on our anniversary hoping to surprise her. I was the one surprised. I walked into our bedroom and found her in our bed with two girls. The most fucked up part of it was that it was two girls that neither one of us even liked. She tried to play it off that she wanted to surprise me with some depraved sexual fantasy of mine. I blew up and asked her when I ever said anything to make her believe that I wanted to sleep with anyone but her. Her answer was of course never."

"I blew up and screamed at her. That was our first and only fight. I walked out of the house and called my lawyer. I had him file the divorce papers. I gave her everything except my money that was in my own personal account. I wanted it over with as soon as possible. Emmett and Rose had gotten married and moved down here. I finally gave in and came to visit. I liked it down here, and I missed the two of them so much that I went home and took care of what I needed to. Then I moved down here, bought a house, and opened the bar. The rest is kind of obvious."

"The other night at the bar, that was the first time I so much as looked at a woman since the divorce."

I was crying. I hadn't realized I was. But I did when Bella turned around in my arms and hugged me. She held me tight and ran her fingers through my hair trying to calm me down.

BPOV

How the fuck could anyone do anything like that to him? I just sat and held him until he cried himself out. To know I was the first woman he had touched or been in any way intimate with since that happened made me feel that much more for him. He was just as broken as I was. I made a promise to myself that I would help put him back together if he would let me.

I turned back around in his arms and we just sat there in silence for a while. He never lessened his hold on me, and I never felt more protected.

After about an hour I felt a small kiss behind my ear. I turned to look at Jasper.

"I think we should head back inside. It's getting late, and we haven't eaten anything since breakfast." His breath ghosted over my ear and made me shiver. He just gave a soft laugh.

"I don't want to get up, but I guess you're right."

He stood up first and helped me up, and then he picked up the blanket and whistled for Jake. We made our way back up to the house hand in hand.

He locked Jake back in the basement and turned to me. "Go get dressed, kind of dressy, but kind of casual. Meet me back down here in forty five minutes. I am taking you out tonight."

"Sounds good. I'll see you in a few." With a small kiss and a smile we separated and went to our bedrooms to get ready.

The man must think I'm a miracle worker. He only gave me forty five minutes, what the hell?!

I jumped in the shower after I chose my clothing for the evening. I decided on a short black skirt with swirls and stars on it and a black halter top.

Stopping to think on it while I was in the shower, maybe the halter top wasn't such a good idea. It only served to remind me about what went on earlier in the day. And here we go again. Pervy Bella wants to make an appearance and I only have thirty minutes left to get ready.

I rushed through my shower, dried off, and got dressed. I had never done what I managed to do before, but while I was doing my mascara with one hand I was curling my hair with the other, and I was also putting on my shoes. All at the same time. Damn I'm good at multitasking.

I met Jasper at the bottom of the stairs with just seconds to spare.

The only thing running through my mind was 'sweet baby Jesus and cherry Garcia ice cream' that man is hot. Correction, MY MAN IS HOT! I just wanted to bow down on my knees and worship at the altar that is the perfection known as Jasper fucking Whitlock with my tongue.

He apparently has to put no effort into his appearance. He's just fucking blessed like that, while we common folk are forced to primp before even being presentable.

I broke out of my stupor and snapped my fingers in front of his face. Hah so I wasn't the only one caught lusting. I snapped my fingers in front of his face to get his attention.

"Jasper. Jasper! JASPER! If we are going to go out to eat, I would suggest you close your mouth before you catch more than flies, and let's go."

He shook his head, smiled at me, and pulled me out the door.

We walked down the beach to a small open air restaurant where we were quickly seated. Jasper ordered for both of us, simply because he knew what was good, and what wasn't. While we waited on our food we just kept up a light conversation about what there was to do on the island. From what he said, I gathered he had plans to teach me how to surf. Yeah, that'll be the damn day.

The food arrived at the table, and it was excellent. I have to give it to him. He has great taste.

My inner self centered bitch said 'yeah he has great taste, he chose you'. I quickly shot that thought right into the stratosphere.

When the table was cleared I noticed Jasper stand up. He offered me his hand and requested I dance with him. I listened closely to what was playing. When I heard them playing old school Boyz II Men I quickly agreed.

We swayed on the dance floor with him singing I'll make love to you in my ear. I just couldn't take it anymore. I wanted him to take me home.

Quick, fast, and in a damned hurry.