THANK YOU again for being some awesome readers! I hope you like the direction this chapter takes us in. :P
Stephenie owns 'em. I'm just taking the out for a spin. Enjoy!
The awkwardness Bella had felt in the last few days when she had to face Edward and Jasper individually for the first time was nothing compared to how she felt now with the two of them. She was unsure how to act with both of them in the room. That is, until Bella realized suddenly that Edward was smirking, and it become painfully obvious he was reacting to some thought from Jasper, who was wearing an almost identical look.
"Whatever you two are thinking about, knock it off, right now. No fair communicating telepathically in front of the human," Bella huffed, only half serious.
Edward wrapped his arms around her. "We're sorry, baby. It's a bad habit we will try to contain in the future. I won't go poking around in Jasper's head until you're ready for me to." Despite the sincerity in his words, Bella could feel the lust nearly radiating off the two of them and was certain they'd started sharing images without her.
"You promised to wait to show him," Bella accused Jasper. Jasper grabbed a almost comically large picnic basket off the counter by the fridge and started for the back door.
"It was just a teaser, Bella. I promise, he hasn't seen the good stuff yet." Damn that southern, charming grin. Bella was helpless to remain upset, instead taking Edward by the hand and following Jasper out the door.
Bella spent a good thirty minutes walking side by side with her vampire fiancé and future brother-in-law completely lost in her own thoughts. Mostly, she debated whether this was such a good idea. Edward had not reacted well to Carlisle's offer of assistance with her bandages, and Bella was beginning to worry that jealousy was going to be a far bigger obstacle for Edward than he was letting on. As her thoughts rolled around in her head she reminded herself that Jasper could sense how she was feeling, and Edward was probably picking those thoughts right out of his brain. She was quickly realizing there truly was no personal privacy in this family.
"I'm worried you'll be jealous of Jasper if he shows you," Bella blurted out into the complete silence they'd been walking in. All three sets of footsteps came to a sudden halt. Bella took several large steps forward and turned back towards the boys. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to just word vomit. I'm still getting used to how... transparent everything is between you all."
"Don't apologize. I'm just glad you finally decided to let it out. You've been worrying over this for awhile. It's okay to just talk to us, Bella. You're right. There is a certain transparency in out family, but that just means there's no reason to fret over things. We're more open to talking because of all our abilities. It's normal, to us." Jasper's explanation was soothing to Bella, but she noticed he kept his distance as he spoke, standing a step or two behind Edward even.
"Of course, we're also trying very hard to respect your boundaries, Bella. We know you're not yet used to how open things are between the rest of us. So even when Jasper feels you worrying something over, we're not going to jump right in. We don't want you to be uncomfortable around us or anyone in the family for that matter. We're taking every possible precaution to protect your privacy," Edward reassured.
"Thus the long walks and picnic lunch far from sensitive vampire ears," Bella pointed out the obvious.
"Exactly," Edward took Bella's hand in his and again set off walking, placing Bella between himself and Jasper. "As to the issue of jealousy..." Bella looked at both of them to gauge their expressions and was not thrilled to find neither was smiling. "It is natural for me to be a bit... protective of you, Bella. But I don't think I'm jealous really. Envious, yes. I wish I had been able to be your first. But I am grateful that Jasper was able to give you that pleasure and that I'll get to share in it in some small way today."
"But when Carlisle offered to help with my bandage, you seemed so possessive, like you didn't want me to be alone with him. Is it different with Jasper than the rest of the family?" Bella wouldn't mind if Jasper was the only one Edward was okay with her sleeping with, but she had to admit it would be a little disappointing. She'd already begun to envision herself with Carlisle and Emmett at some point and found to her surprise she was enthusiastic about the idea.
"I have no problem with you being alone with Carlisle once your wound has healed. In fact, I'm sure you'll enjoy it, he's quite skilled with his tongue," Edward staid very nonchalant. "I had a specific problem with Carlisle's thoughts in that moment, but I'm not sure I should share it with you."
Jasper bristled at that. "Edward, you can't expect her to be comfortable with the supposed "transparency" of our family if you leave her in the dark all the time."
Bella felt angry and hurt that Edward would consider keeping something from her but realized that in all honesty he wouldn't have brought it up at all if he hadn't wanted to tell her. He was just stalling. "You should share everything with me Edward, even the things you think may hurt me. It's only fair."
"Carlisle's thoughts when he offered to help with your bandage were not just of what pleasures could result for the two of you. He was thinking about what it would be like to lick your wound. To taste you."
The fury behind Edward's eyes was barely contained. Bella could feel his grip on her hand had tightened as he spoke. Jasper was no more calm than Edward. Bella was simply in shock, at first. Carlisle was one of the most controlled, stable people she'd ever met. For him to fantasize about that... but that's just it. It was a thought and nothing more. Even Carlisle had to face the undesirable consequences of vampire powers. Even his thoughts weren't safe from prying. Surely Carlisle of all people would never actually do such a thing!
"It was a thought, Edward. A fantasy. Don't worry about Carlisle. I know he would never do anything to hurt me." Bella was completely sure of that. If anything, this only proved to Bella that even in their "open" family, she wasn't the only one struggling with a lack of privacy. She was certain Carlisle would be chastising himself for even having the thought, the poor man. "I understand now why you reacted the way you did, but please don't be upset with him."
"I'm not upset, love. He just won't be helping you change your bandages any time soon. And that's that." Edward's tone brooked no argument.
"I think this is as good a place as any to stop for a picnic," Jasper broke the tension, gesturing to the grassy bank of the river. Bella hadn't even realized they'd walked so far. Jasper set the picnic basket down and opened the lid to reveal a large, plush blue blanket, which he handed to Edward. Edward spread the blanket out on the grass and sat gracefully on the edge, inviting Bella to come sit beside him. Jasper handed Bella a bottle of water from the basket and set the basket to the side for now.
"Thank you, Jasper," Bella said, feeling well taken care of at that moment. Bella was sitting leaning against Edward. Jasper sat off to the side, at least an arms length's away from Bella. Bella decided to steer the conversation back to where it began. "If there are no jealousy issues, then why won't Jasper touch me or come near me in front of you?" Bella asked.
Jasper looked to Edward, who Bella saw nod just slightly, before he leaned forward and planted a hot, wet kiss on Bella's lips. The flush of Bella's skin and slightly glazed look in her eye were telltale signs of her immediate arousal. Edward barely let Bella take a full breath before he turned her face to his and gave her the same kiss. Bella's mind was blank for a bit, until she heard Edward's soft chuckle in her ear.
"Do you like that, Bella? If you wanted Jasper to kiss or touch you, you only had to ask." His breath across her neck as he spoke nearly distracted her from the topic at hand.
"But he looked to you for permission first," Bella pointed out. "Why was that?"
"There are certain protocols that we follow to keep the peace in the family," Jasper began explaining. "We each have a primary partner, obviously. Even though we've all been swapping partner's for decades, we still seek out permission of each primary partner before we do anything. It's a matter of respect. Although I don't think anyone has said no yet. It just ensures that no one feels betrayed. Every interaction is completely sanctioned. I wouldn't dream of touching you without Edward's consent. But now that he's given me permission..."
Jasper was suddenly much closer to Bella, pressing her back against Edward's chest as he entwined one hand in her hair, bringing their lips together. His other hand was slipping down her waist, across her stomach, and now rubbing her pussy through her jeans. Edward's hand was snaking below her shirt to her breast, kneading the flesh there and teasing the nipple. Bella arched her back into the sensations.
Jasper pulled away from Bella's lips just long enough to ask her an important question. "Can I show him now, Bella?"
I'm such a tease, I know! But trust me, the next chapter is so worth the wait! And I promise you won't have to wait longer than a week. Sooner if I'm in a good mood. :) Reviews are appreciated! 3's