Chapter Eleven

Bella

Esme waited patiently

"I just got her to the good bit. She likes Jasper."

"Good"

Esme looked seriously happy about that.

"He likes you Bella. It's wonderful to see him relax, its been so long since he played the guitar and even longer since he sang. I almost forgot what a lovely voice he has."

"Oh I didn't realize the Jasper Hale Appreciation Society were having a meeting"

Edward came in, obviously his mood no better than yesterday.

"Would you like me to take you home Bella?"

"She's staying, coming ice skating with us later." Alice explained.

Communication was flashing between Edward and Alice although I didn't hear any words and eventually he turned on his heel and stomped off as Alice rolled her eyes,

"He's getting worse Esme."

Esme merely shook her head but I saw a shadow in her eyes.

The others came in then, Emmett and Jasper pushing each other and scattering snow everywhere until halted by an irate Esme.

"Any more and neither of you will be going skating with us tonight."

Jasper came over to me,

"You're staying?"

I nodded,

"Seems like it but I'm not sure ice skating is a good idea, level ground is challenge enough for me."

"I won't let you fall Bella"

He put his arm around me and pulled me into a cuddle cut short as Emmett shot past stuffing a snowball down the back of Jaspers shirt. He pulled it out of his jeans and stripped it off like Emmett had the night before and I stood mesmerised. He was well muscled although not as big as Emmett, but where Emmett's body had been smooth and marble white Jasper's was mottled by what looked like very faint scars. Shaking the snow out over the floor he put it back on buttoning it up before he saw my gaze,

"Oh, sorry Bella I never gave it a thought"

"No, don't apologize I should be the one saying sorry. I didn't mean to stare."

"Yes you did and you liked what you saw Bella, don't lie"

I shot a glare at Alice but she was wearing a huge smile and trying to look innocent. Turning back I shrugged,

"What can I say, I'm a woman, I like to see something beautiful"

"Beautiful?"

His voice held a hint of bitterness and I touched his shoulder,

"Don't put yourself down Jasper, I think you look beautiful."

He relaxed and shook his head,

"You amaze me Bella."

"Why? Because I speak the truth?"

"No, because you see things so differently from everyone else. It's as if your sight is more penetrating, you see almost too much."

I wondered if I'd upset him with my admission but he pulled me back into a hug and kissed the top of my head,

"Thank you for those words Bella, you have no idea how much they mean to me. Would you like to go for a walk?"

"With you?"

"Sure, unless you want Alice along"

"No. Together would be fine. I'll just get my coat and put my boots on."

I rushed and almost broke my neck slipping on some ice water still on the kitchen floor from the earlier prank. Luckily Jasper had followed me and grabbed me just in time. He pulled me close,

"You really aren't safe to be out on your own are you Bella."

"No I guess not. I think I might be better off with a full-time body-guard."

"Well if the position becomes available I'd like to be considered."

I laughed nervously,

"You shouldn't say things like that, I might take you up on it and then what?"

His eyes seemed to bore into mine,

"Then I'd do it Bella. I don't say things lightly, words are too powerful to abuse them thoughtlessly

and feelings too fragile to be played with."

He didn't say any more just waited for me to struggle into my new boots and grab my coat then took my hand and led me out into the snow. We walked for half an hour and I had the feeling he had a goal in mind when suddenly we came out of the trees to look over the mountains in the distance, their peaks iced with more snow. The view took my breath away and I gasped in delight. He smiled,

"Its beautiful isn't it?"

"Yes it is. Thank you for bringing me here Jasper."

"Oh I had an ulterior motive."

"Really?"

The crazy thing was that I still didn't feel apprehensive and I think he knew that because he laughed.

"What does it take to scare you Bella Swan?"

"Why? Are you trying to scare me?"

"No, but I thought my words might have that..."

He stopped and whirled round pushing me behind him and crouching slowly as a heavily muffled figure appeared from the trees.

"What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing"

I thought I knew the voice although I couldn't see the face properly and suddenly the figure charged us.

Jasper whirled me round to keep his body between me and the figure and I saw this was hampering him so I was deciding what to do when he spoke,

"Run for the house Bella, through the trees back the way we came."

I took off running as I heard a snarl and a crashing sound and I knew the two were fighting, Jasper to keep whoever it was from following me. I ran as fast as I could but the trail was littered with hidden tree roots and I fell time and again, ripping the knees out of my jeans and soaking my clothes and hair as the snow melted against my now sweating body.

I looked back and listened a few times but couldn't hear or see anything. Turning back to run after one of these pauses I screamed to see a figure standing directly in my path its face still obscured but the voice although muffled and distorted seemed vaguely familiar. Then he unwound the scarf smiled at me and held out a hand,

"It's all right Bella you're safe now. I saved you from his unwanted advances."

I heard his words but they made no sense, Edward was the one I was afraid of, not Jasper.

"Where is he?"

I panted bending over to catch my breath and think. I couldn't outrun Edward quite obviously and I had no idea how far from the house I was or if anyone would hear my screams.

I felt his hand in my arm and jerked upwards pulling away from him instinctively.

"Bella its OK, you're safe."

"Where is Jasper?"

I still couldn't get my breath well enough to run or scream and my heart was beating fast with fear.

"Don't be afraid of me Bella, I wont hurt you."

"Where is he?"

I managed a shout of frustration.

"Gone. I pushed him over the edge of the cliff, it'll take him at least an hour to get back so I thought we could spend the time getting to know each other better. I'm sure once you get to know me you'll see I'm far better for you than he is."

"Get the hell away from me Edward Cullen."

I backed up and my heel got caught in a root and I fell backwards hitting the ground hard enough to knock the remaining wind out of me.

Before I could struggle to my feet again Edward was on top of me trying to kiss me while holding my hands down with one of his

"Get off, leave me alone."

I could see he wasn't listening and his eyes had red flashes in them which terrified me. Now I was afraid for real! As he forced his lips to mine I took a chance and bit down on his, he jerked his head back angry now.

"Not good enough for you eh? You prefer the rough stuff? Well I can oblige you there."

He slammed my head down with his and the back of my skull connected with something extremely hard and sharp. I felt the flesh part and blood start to flow but that was all. I spun down into darkness feeling sick and dizzy.