A/N: Still don't own Twilight. Oh, and a lemon-warning is in order ;). By the way, if you like Harry Potter fanfic, I recommend you search out Colubrina. Her stories are quite amazing, and she's a Dramoine shipper, just like me. What is it about the bad boys, I wonder ...
Chapter 11 - Togetherness
Esme left after breakfast at Bella's request. Then Bella changed the sheets in their bed so there wouldn't be the scent of someone else there by mistake—Emmett had been in there, for instance. She showered and did her best to make sure that there was no scent left from the Gertrude incident last night. She felt slightly guilty from keeping that event from her conversation with Jasper when he had called, but she didn't want him to worry unnecessarily. She would tell him later. She also put a call in to Albert to send up a bag of blood. She was pretty sure that Jasper wouldn't need to feed, but if he needed to, she didn't want him to have to wait for it to be delivered. She didn't know exactly what to expect when he got home, so she blushingly dug up some lacy lingerie from the bottom of the drawer. The set was light blue—the color he had said looked nice on her. She fussed a little about what to wear until she capitulated and pulled on her blue jeans and a brown blouse. The blouse made her eyes warmer and richer in hue. She liked that. Then she opened all the windows and aired the flat out properly. She knew he probably wouldn't mind Esme's scent, but Emmett's was a whole different story.
When she was all done and had eaten her lunch it was still about three hours to go. She realized quickly that she was far too restless to concentrate on a book, so she flipped on the TV. She surfed the channels without looking. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and she startled. She wondered who it could be.
"Who is it?" she asked through the closed door.
"Laundry, Miss Swan," Allison answered. Bella sighed with relief and opened the door. The maid services here were amazing. They cleaned the apartment without her noticing, and the laundry was collected and returned with unmatched speed. Bella had never met the actual maids, and it was usually Allison who delivered the clean laundry to the flat.
Bella took the hamper filled with neatly folded clothes and smiled. "Thank you, Allison." The woman returned her smile with a nod and then disappeared. Bella closed the door again and busied herself with putting the clothes away.
Slowly, so slow that at first she didn't notice it, the ache in her chest started to lessen. She could breathe easier, and she started to feel a lot calmer and happier. She knew it was because Jasper was getting closer, and her whole body shivered with anticipation and joy. Finally, the ache was completely gone, and she knew he was near. Maybe even in the castle. She put the last of her clothes away, grabbed the hamper and walked out of her closet. She stopped dead in her tracks and dropped the hamper to the floor when she saw him. He stood just inside the doorway to the bedroom, a wide smile on his lips, and he was even more beautiful than she remembered.
"Hey, sweet girl. Missed me?"
She didn't say a word but ran to him and jumped up into his arms. He laughed as he caught her and lifted her up so she could clasp her legs around him. She held him oh-so-tight and inhaled his scent, her face buried at his neck. He did the same.
"Oh, Bella," he whispered. "How I have missed you." His lips trailed from her shoulder, along her neck, and up to her ear. She straightened up and cupped his face in her hands, kissing him eagerly and almost desperately.
When she let go her eyes were shining. "I've missed you too, Jasper. Welcome home." She leaned forward and kissed him again, her hands moving into his hair. While he held her up with one hand, his other hand caressed her back. Her kisses were urgent and needy, and as he let his hand move to her side and almost touched her breast, she moaned slightly. He could feel her need and lust for him almost overpowering his senses. He took a small, careful step backward to close the bedroom door behind him.
Bella hardly noticed that he moved until he gently set her down on the platform around the bed. Her hands slowly travelled down his chest, mapping the now familiar contours of his body. He inhaled deeply, and his eyes got darker. She wanted him, she needed him, and she had to make sure that he was still hers, that he was okay. She slowly started to undo the buttons of his black shirt. He groaned, and then his lips were on hers once again. His hands wandered up from her hips and cupped her breasts. She gasped with pleasure as he flicked over her nipples through the fabric. She had missed this, she had missed him, and her blood heated up within her. He started on her buttons, her blouse on the floor in seconds. She hurriedly undid the last buttons of his shirt and pulled it out of his trousers. Then she took hold of his wrists. While not letting go of his eyes, she undid his cufflinks and let them fall to the floor. She slowly pushed the shirt off his shoulders.
She let her fingers trace the planes of his chest, and he kissed her again. This time he took command, and his tongue probed her mouth, tasting every inch of her. His hands caressed up her sides, lingering on her breasts and swiping gently over her nipples through her bra. She moaned and pressed her hips against him, feeling his arousal. Her hands moved down to the waistband of his trousers and started on the belt. He beat her to it, and in the blink of an eye she was on her back in the bed. She was wearing only her panties and bra now, while he stood naked before her, looking at her. His eyes were pitch black, and she felt how she flushed and panted. She wanted him, more than she had ever wanted anything else. He stood there, silent, for another second.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered. "And I really like these." He climbed up in the bed and caressed the lace on her hips. She groaned as his hands were nowhere close to where she wanted them.
He slowly moved up her body, caressing her skin and kissing her, until he was covering her completely. She put her hands around his neck and pulled him down to her. He kissed her deeply and she reveled in the taste of him. She had missed him so much. She tried to focus her feelings and pushed all of her love and need at him. He growled deep in his chest. She knew that sound. It reverberated through her body, and she could feel how she started to get moist between her legs.
He broke their kiss and looked down at her, one of his hands running through her hair. She was feeling lust and need, and she was so excited—but at the bottom of it all, smoldering, was her love for him. Part of his mind still had a hard time believing that this amazing woman actually loved him. The other part was completely lost in her eyes and her scent.
She smiled at him. "I love you."
He smiled back and started a trail of kisses down her neck and to her chest. The blue bra made her skin look like cream, and he kissed her breasts on top of the fabric. Her nipples were hard little peaks that showed through the lace. Abruptly he sat up on his knees and pulled her with him, so she straddled his lap. She gasped and giggled, and he held her close to his chest and nuzzled her neck. With deft fingers he carefully unhooked the clasp of her bra and removed it, throwing it on the floor. She pressed herself against him, and the contact of her warm skin made him growl with anticipation. She moved slightly and then ground herself against his arousal.
His eyes widened. "Heavens, Bella. You're going to unman me." She stopped moving, instead placing her lips on his neck and kissed right over the spot where her mating mark should go. He shivered with pleasure as he closed his eyes and laid them both back on the bed. He lavished kisses and caresses on her breasts, as he knew she liked, before he started his journey down.
Her hands were in his hair, and she was panting. When he dipped his tongue into her sweet little belly button, she moaned, and he smiled against her skin. Moving further down, he caressed her on top of her panties with his fingers. She writhed on the bed. Inhaling deeply, he started to slowly ease them down, and she raised her hips to help him. He smoothed them down all the way, letting his hands travel down the soft skin of her thighs, her calves, and then her feet. She was looking at him, propped up on her elbow, and her eyes were hooded and dark. As he started his way back up, caressing and kissing her, he wondered how this would end. Was she ready? He hoped so, because his self-control was failing.
As he reached her center, he let his tongue travel through her folds, and she moaned loudly as she fell back on the pillows again. She was soaking, and he carefully eased a finger into her. She arched her back in response and whimpered.
He smiled and continued. Her emotions swirled around him, and he growled in response, his member aching to be inside her. But he would take his time. If she was willing, then this would be her first time, and he would make damn sure that she enjoyed it. He carefully added another finger, eliciting a small cry of pleasure from her. It didn't take long before she came around him. He moved up her body again, so his face hovered above hers, and she slowly opened her eyes. She smiled at him, her eyes shining with happiness and love.
"Bella, I can't—"
She interrupted him by putting a finger over his lips. "I want you, Jasper. Please. All of you."
He could feel her sincerity and her need for him. "Are you sure?" he asked hoarsely, and she nodded. He placed himself at her entrance and then looked at her once again. Her eyes were wide, and he could feel a twinge of anxiety from her. He pushed his love and lust onto her, and she relaxed. Then he thrust into her, and she cried out. He stilled himself, shocked by how complete he felt and how warm she was. He wanted to give her time, to make sure she was okay. She took a few deep breaths, and he made sure that any pain she might have felt was lost in a cloud of pleasure. Her hands came up and clasped around his neck, her eyes locked on his.
"You feel so good," she whispered. He started to move, slowly at first to give her a chance to keep up. She arched into him, and her legs came up and clasped around his hips.
He took in all of her feelings and then gave them back to her together with his own, over and over again, and they were both building fast—both of them lost in a haze of emotions. He could not lose himself completely, though. He had to concentrate hard not to bite her. He steeled himself and moved his face so he looked at her instead of being buried at her neck. To be inside her was the most fulfilling thing he had ever experienced, beyond anything he had ever felt before. She made him whole. She came hard around him, screaming out his name, and he followed right behind, unable to resist her. His roar as he came was loud and resonated through the room.
He rolled them gently so he wouldn't crush her, and then they both lay panting, her on top of him. Jasper slowly stroked her hair and made soothing circles on her back.
"How do you feel?" he asked with a low voice.
She looked up at him, propping herself up on his chest. "Better than ever," she answered and smiled the most beautiful smile.
Jasper returned it, feeling elated and filled with love for his mate. "I love you, sweet girl. So much." He gently moved her up a bit and slid out of her. She gasped at the feeling, but he kissed her. Then it hit him—the faint scent of her blood. He froze. It couldn't have been much, but he wanted to be sure that it didn't appeal to him before he let go.
Bella looked at him and frowned. "Jasper? What is it?"
Satisfied that the blood of his mate did nothing for him, he smiled at her. "There was some blood. Very little. I just had to make sure I wouldn't go crazy."
Bella blushed a deep red that spread down over her chest. "Oh, my god, how embarrassing," she whispered, turning her face down into Jasper's chest.
He chuckled and made her look at him. "Bella, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. You've made me a very happy man."
She smiled a small, content smile. "Is it always like this?"
He traced her chin with his finger. "Yes. Or better."
She raised her eyebrows. "Better? My god, why are people even going outside?"
Jasper laughed. "Because there are other things that are good too."
After a little while of comfortable silence, he moved her off his chest and turned to face her.
"Do you want to take a bath with me?" he wondered, watching as her whole face lit up.
"That would be wonderful."
"Wait here, then." He rose from the bed and went into the bathroom. As he started the water he noticed the flowers and the candleholders. He had of course seen the other changes as well, and he liked it. However, it didn't matter to him what he thought of it—his only concern was that Bella approved. He checked the temperature of the water that quickly filled the large tub and poured in some bath oil. The sweet scent of orange flowers filled the room and puffed out behind him as he went back into the bedroom. She was sitting up on her side of the bed and had pulled the sheets up around her. Her eyes wandered over him as he stepped closer to the bed, and she smiled at him. Then he saw the bruise that was forming on her upper arm, and he halted.
"Damn," he said, and she frowned.
"What is it?"
He sighed and felt like crap. He walked up to the bed and gently caressed the mark that was forming. "I held you too hard. I'm so sorry."
She looked at her arm, both looking and feeling confused.
"I didn't even feel it, Jasper." Then she looked up at him and saw his face, filled with regret.
"Oh, no you don't." She sat up on her knees, cupping his cheek and looking him square in the eyes.
"This is not your fault, Jasper. Don't you dare feel guilty about this."
He relaxed and even smiled a little. "You didn't even feel it?"
"No." She leaned forward and kissed him, and he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bathroom.
There was a full height mirror in there, and Bella went to look at herself. There was the bruise on her arm, but it wasn't that bad. There was a shadow of a bruise across some of her ribs, but the worst was on her left thigh. She could almost make out his fingers, and that one was darkening fast. She smiled crooked at herself, and Jasper appeared behind her.
"I'm still sorry. I should have kept better check on myself."
She turned around and put her arms around his neck. "Well, I hear that practice makes perfect."
He laughed and then took her left hand in his. Carefully he removed her brace.
"All ready for your bath, my lady." He lifted her up and climbed into the warm water. He sat down and sat her in front of him, both his arms around her and her legs resting between his. He turned off the water and silence filled the room. Bella leaned back against him and inhaled the soft smell and relaxed.
A new feeling of contentment filled Jasper. She was his mate, and he had claimed her. No other vampire would ever doubt that. It made him feel lighter, as if there had been a weight on his mind and now it was gone. And Bella … He breathed in her scent and closed his eyes. She was such an amazing woman and all his. He couldn't imagine his life without her. Her love and happiness swirled around him, and she moved slightly. He gently nuzzled her neck.
"Are you sore?" he wondered.
Bella opened her eyes. "A little. But not much, I thought it would be a lot worse."
"Good. I'll take some credit for that." He nipped at her neck, and she giggled. His deeper chuckle joined in.
"Tell me now, Jasper. Did everything work out with the mission? And where were you?"
"Everything went exactly as planned. We were in Georgia—not the state, mind you, but the country—way up in the mountains. Not a human in sight."
She giggled. "I do know my geography, Jasper. Did you catch them? The Romanians?"
He pulled her hair to one side and started to kiss down her neck. "One of them," he said between kisses. "We got Stefan."
She could feel his arousal against her behind and her own body's response to that. Bella hesitated for a mere second, and then she sat up straight and turned around.
"But not the other one?"
He shook his head and reached for her. "No, we didn't. Please, love, I don't want to talk about them right now."
She smiled at him and straddled his lap. "All right, no more talking." She kissed him deeply, and his tongue grazed hers. When she broke it off he looked at her.
"Bella, I don't want to hurt you."
She smiled at him. "You wont. I'll tell you to stop if I can't handle it. I need you, Jasper. What we just did was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I've never felt more complete and happy. You're mine." She leaned forward and kissed him again. He groaned and lifted her so she could sink down on him.
"Oh, there's water all over the floor," Bella said and giggled when she stepped out of the bath.
Jasper smiled and held her hand, supporting her as she got up. "I'll take care of that." Suddenly the familiar signal from Jasper's phone broke through their comfortable bubble, and he looked at the door to the bedroom.
"That's strange. I told Demetri only to call me if there was an emergency."
Bella frowned. "Demetri? I thought Peter was in charge?"
"He usually is, but he and Char had to stay behind for a little while." Jasper sounded distracted but made sure she was steady on her feet. "I'd better go and see what's the matter."
As Bella stepped into the shower, Jasper found his phone on the floor and answered.
"Yes?" He knew his voice was hostile and cold, but Demetri better have a damned good reason for calling.
"Major, I'm so sorry to call. Andreas is outside your door with Miss Swan's dinner and no one was answering." Demetri sounded amused, and Jasper had to laugh.
"I see. So he called you?"
Demetri chuckled.
"Yes. He didn't dare to call you directly, so he called me. And I figured that Miss Swan wanted her dinner. Or should I send it back?"
"No, that's fine, Dem. I'll deal with it. Thank you."
"No problem, Major. Have a very nice evening."
Jasper hung up and chuckled to himself. The soundproofing was good, but it could apparently cause problems. He pulled on some pajama pants and quickly stepped into the bathroom. Bella was in the shower, and he realized he could stand there for ages, looking at her.
"Bella? Your dinner is here. I'll get it for you."
"Thanks," she answered over the running water.
When she emerged, her dinner was set up at the dining table and Jasper sat in his usual chair, reading something on his tablet. He smiled at her. She was dressed in sweatpants and a tank top, her wet hair brushed out but not dried. Her scent permeated the air. She sat down and smiled at him.
"So this was the big emergency?"
He laughed. "Apparently I'm too scary to call. The poor guy who delivers your food didn't get an answer when he knocked, so he called Demetri."
Bella blushed and concentrated on her food. "So now he knows, and Demetri knows …"
Jasper interrupted her. "Bella, we are mates. Everyone here regards us as … married. For lack of a better word."
She looked up him with a raised eyebrow. "Really?"
He nodded. "You know that, love. You've talked enough about it with Char and Esme. Mating is sacred. As long as you are still human you will go by your own name, but as soon as you are changed, people will start to call you Bella Whitlock."
She blushed a pretty pink. "Hm, maybe I should hyphenate." She grinned at him.
Jasper laughed. "Sure, do that if you want to." His eyes were glittering.
"So," she said and took a bite. "It's the same here as in the US, I take your name?"
Jasper suddenly looked concerned. "Not really. Your problem—if I may call myself that—is that I'm well known, and a coven leader. You are part of the Whitlock coven, and therefore people assume that you'll take my name. You don't have to."
She smiled sweetly at him and reached out so she could caress his cheek. "Don't worry, Jasper. I'll take your name. I mean, Peter and Char did, so why shouldn't I?"
He seemed to relax and returned her smile. She continued to eat, but he could sense that there was something she was pondering.
"What is it, Bella?"
She laughed. "It's hopeless to keep anything from you. I wanted to ask you something, but I think you might … I'm all right, okay?"
Jasper frowned. "What do you mean?"
Bella sighed and put down her cutlery. "I sort of ran in to Gertrude yesterday."
Jasper froze and stared at her. "You did what?" he whispered.
"Before you go ahead and try to take someone's head off for this, it was my fault." She could see Jasper pale, she had never seen that before. She took his hand.
"Jasper, love, I'm all right. Allison was there really fast, and then Marcus came. But it was your name that stopped her."
Jasper blinked and relaxed again, eyes wide with surprise. "My name?"
Bella nodded. "Yes. She asked what I was doing here, and I told her that I was your mate. She said she respected you and wouldn't kill your mate. But she called you something strange."
Jasper shivered slightly and Bella found herself seated on his lap before she could even react. He buried his nose in her soft, wet hair and inhaled deeply.
"And what was that?" he asked with a low voice.
"She called you the God of War. What did she mean by that?"
Jasper stilled and then straightened up. He looked her in the eyes. "Bella, you were inches from your death, and that's what you want to ask me? Why didn't you tell me this sooner? Why were you alone?"
Bella sighed. "Esme and Draupadi were taking me home when Draupadi got called away and Esme got a phone call. I walked up the stairs, and it was empty and quiet everywhere. I told Allison and Patrick that I was just going home and that Esme would follow me shortly. Then Gertrude was there. I've never seen anyone move like that."
Jasper hugged her close. "No, if you had I would've been worried. Have you any idea of how dangerous she is?"
"I do now. Allison and Patrick saw what happened. Allison ran up to Gertrude and me, and Patrick called Draupadi. Draupadi and Marcus were there very fast, and so was Esme. Draupadi stayed while I ate and told me about Gertrude. It was a stupid happenstance that she ventured out form her quarters at the same time I walked in the hallway. I've never walked alone in the castle before. What are the odds?"
Jasper released her marginally, so he could look at her. "Very few people know this, but we suspect that she's actually out and about a lot more than we think."
"Really? Oh. Still, nothing happened. I didn't tell you because I didn't want to worry you. And I got caught up in you." She poked him in the chest and he smiled a little. "And you are avoiding my question, Jasper. The God of War?"
"I will answer if you promise me that you'll never go without an escort again."
"I promise. And I'm sorry."
He took a deep breath and then hugged her close again.
"It's really nothing," he murmured into her hair. "It's just an old epithet from the Vampire Wars."
Bella frowned. "It didn't sound like nothing," she said, and she could feel Jasper sigh.
"It was what Maria called me, her 'Dios de la Guerra.' She called me that because I never lost a fight and because I knew how to be tactical. The name spread some, and when Peter came along and heard of it, he made sure to spread it further. In our own army I was the Major, but to those who opposed us I was the God of War."
Bella looked up at him. His eyes were dark and his thoughts seemed to be far away. She cupped his cheek.
"I still don't understand how Gertrude would know of that. Was she ever in the Vampire Wars?"
"No, she wasn't." Jasper took another deep sigh and met her inquisitive gaze. "There is some old prophecy or another that talks about a God of War. I never gave it much credit."
Bella raised her eyebrows and sat straighter. "A prophecy? About you?"
He shrugged and she could sense that he was not entirely comfortable with this topic, but she was curious now.
He rolled his eyes and then looked at her again. "Not about me, I'm quite sure. A very, very long time ago, just as the Volturi came to power, the Kings apparently visited a seer. This seer told them that they would rule for ages, but then the God of War would overthrow them, and everything would change. That's it."
Bella blinked and her eyes widened. "Why don't you take it seriously?"
He shrugged again. "Why would I want to overthrow the Volturi? Nah, it's just nonsense. Besides, I don't trust seers. Take your Alice Cullen as an example. She sees the future, then someone changes his mind, and everything's out the window."
"That's true." Bella pondered this. "That seer, do you know who it was?"
"Sort of. They burned him right after that. He had apparently made a habit of demanding human sacrifices as payment for prophecies. In a quite spectacular way at that."
Bella grimaced. "Oh. Yeah, I can see why that would be bad. But the Kings know?"
"Oh yes. They know all of it. It was a part of why Aro so desperately wanted me to come here."
"Good," she said and smiled.
She kissed him and climbed out of his lap and sat down on her own chair again. She took a few bites before she asked her next question.
"Where are Peter and Charlotte? You said that they had to stay behind?"
"Oh, yes, I never got to tell you." He grinned at her, and she blushed a little, recalling how she had greeted him.
His face turned serious again. "We found that the Romanians had a prisoner, a girl named Rebecca. She has an amazing gift—she can talk to others with her mind."
"Really? Like telepathy?"
He nodded. "Indeed. And from quite a distance, too. If she does it by touch she can even control your actions. Vladimir and Stefan kept her prisoner in the most horrific way and tried to train her to dominate people. If she didn't succeed they would tear a limb off."
Bella shuddered. "That sounds horrible."
"Yes. And she's so young. We think that she was around seventeen when her sire changed her, and he handed her over to the Romanians when she was only three months old. She was never taught properly about vampires. They kept her locked up in a steel box for six years. She never saw the sun."
"Oh, my god," Bella whispered.
"She's quite damaged and broken, so Char took Rebecca under her wings. The girl is terrified of touching someone—or someone touching her—because the only time that happened, she was made to force a subject to do something. Or she was dismembered. She has no idea of how strong she is or how sharp her senses are. To make things easier for her, they are taking her in the private jet that Caius and I came back in, but on the second turn. There will be far less Guards travelling with them, so it will be easier on Rebecca."
"Poor girl," Bella stated, and then she frowned. "I wonder if she can affect me at all."
"I would guess not. I'd like for you to meet her when she gets here, if it's safe. Char will be the judge of that. It might help her to be able to touch someone."
"I'd love to help if I can. Oh, and talking about helping—I met Liberty in the library."
"Did you now?" Jasper smiled, and his eyes twinkled at her.
She smiled brightly at him. "She's a fun person. A little overwhelming, perhaps, but very nice. She wants me to meet Edward." Bella hesitated and looked at Jasper, worried that he would get angry.
"Hm. As part of his therapy?"
Bella's eyes widened as she took in Jasper's calm demeanor. "Yes, exactly. Jasper, why aren't you going through the roof right now?"
He chuckled. "Because I'm calmer now that you are completely mine. I've claimed you, and you've claimed me. It soothes my inner beast." Bella blushed a deep red and looked away from Jasper's grinning face. Soon she felt his cool hand on her cheek, and he gently turned her head to look at him.
"Please, Bella. I thought we covered this subject already?" His eyes were soft and smiling, and she smiled back at him.
"I guess we did." She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes.
Jasper could feel that she was happy, that she loved him, and that she was tired. When she was finished with her food, he carefully lifted her up in his arms and headed back into the bedroom. He put her down between the sheets and slipped in behind her. She snuggled into his chest, and he held her close as he started to purr.
"Oh, I've missed this," she said as she yawned.
He chuckled softly. "So have I. I'll talk to Liberty, because you're still his singer. If you want to help him, we'll work something out."
"Great."
He could sense the moment she drifted off to sleep.
She woke up a couple of hours later, the clock showing half past eight, and she found herself still securely in Jasper's arms. She had turned in her sleep, and he was spooning with her. She sighed happily and felt how his arms tightened slightly around her.
"Done sleeping?" he asked, and she could hear the smile in his voice.
"For now, I think." She stretched and turned so she faced him. He gently caressed a strand of her hair from her forehead and tucked it behind her ear. She smiled at him.
"Do you have to work tomorrow?" she asked and saw how he tensed up. She had no idea why.
"Yes. There will be a trial in the afternoon. We brought back prisoners."
"Oh. I see. And you will of course have to be there."
He nodded. "But I don't want you to come, Bella. The judging is more or less done already. It will only be Aro reading them and then executions. I don't want you to see that."
Her eyes widened. "Executions?"
"It's the punishment that exists for crimes such as the ones Stefan and his followers have committed. And the Kings are all for swift justice."
"I know about the death penalty, but they do it there? In the hall?"
Jasper nodded.
"But that's … That's just … With an audience? Who is the poor bastard who'll execute them? Or do they man up and do it themselves?"
Jasper closed his eyes and she could feel how he tensed up even more. She finally connected the dots and sat straight up in the bed. He sat up beside her, his eyes pained. She climbed up in his lap and cupped his beautiful face between her hands.
"Oh, Jasper, no." Her voice was low, almost a whisper.
He shrugged and averted his eyes. "It's part of the job description."
"Jasper, look at me."
He didn't want to, but her voice made him. When he met her eyes he could feel her love roll off her and straight into his heart.
"How do you survive that?"
He sighed. "I have to. I'd rather not force someone else to do it." He paused and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer, inhaling her scent. "When Aro told me what being Captain of the Guard meant, he said that it wouldn't be a big thing for me. He remarked that I had killed so many on the battlefield and in the culling of newborns already that this shouldn't bother me in the least. Besides, I could be sure that they were all guilty." He sighed and paused for a little while, burying his face at her neck.
"But he was wrong," he continued, whispering close to her soft skin. "This is very different from killing someone in a fight. It's even worse than culling newborns. I always tried to keep the newborns unaware about the order of things, take them by surprise … To have people kneeling before me, knowing what will happen, is … I have to shut my gift down, or I would probably break down completely." To his despair he could feel how she started to sob, and he raised his head so he could look at her. Gently he swiped her tears away with his thumbs as he held her face.
"Shh. Don't cry for me, sweet girl. It has to be done." He kissed her, and she responded with fervor. When she broke off the kiss, breathless, she leaned her forehead to his.
"I love you, Jasper. Never doubt that. Whatever happens."
"As I love you," he responded in a whisper.
She kissed him again, and she made sure her love for him reached him. She straddled him and pressed her chest against his. He groaned a little, and she smiled inwardly. He had taken her places she hadn't even known existed, and she wanted to go there again. She wanted him to forget tomorrow and only know that she loved him. She leaned back and let her hands trail down his chest and stomach. He groaned again, louder this time, and she found herself on her back with Jasper hovering above her. She met his eyes, and he was silently asking her.
She entangled her fingers in his soft hair. "I'm not sore, love. I want this. Please, Jasper."
He smiled down at her, and she let herself be swept up in the pleasures he lavished on her. Soon her clothes were gone, and she could feel his arousal. His lust egged her on, making comets fly by before her closed eyes. She pushed on his shoulders, and he willingly rolled over so she was on top. She sat up, feeling him press on her beneath her.
"What an amazing view," she said, looking down at him, her eyes glowing with passion and lust.
"I agree," he responded hoarsely. Then he gripped her hips firmly but gently and lifted her so she could sink back down on his member. She moaned as he filled her but didn't let go of his eyes. They were a glittering black, and she could lose herself in those eyes. She braced herself on his chest and started to move.
Her completion exploded inside her, and she could hear his roar when he followed from a distance. She fell down on his chest, utterly spent. He encircled her in his strong arms and started to stroke her back. Slowly she returned to him. Absentmindedly, she traced one of his scars with her finger.
"Wow," she whispered. "You were right. It can get better."
He chuckled. "You have no idea, sweet girl. Just wait until you're changed."
She lifted her head so she could look at him. "Really?"
"Yes."
She put her hands under her chin and tilted her head to the side slightly. She let her eyes wander over his face, taking in his strong chin, his straight nose and his full lips. Then she moved her gaze and met his eyes. They were still black and glittering.
"I'm so happy that you're my mate, Jasper."
His eyes grew warm and tender and she reached up to kiss him. Before she knew it she was on her back on the bed again.
"So am I," he whispered, trailing kisses down onto her chest.
Bella woke in the morning and found herself alone. She panicked at first, her hazy mind thinking it had all been a dream, before she heard Jasper talking in the living room. She couldn't make out the words, but she got up and put her robe on and then walked out and looked around. It was morning, and sunshine flooded in through the windows. Jasper was on his phone, dressed in pajama pants hanging low on his hips. She loved the view of her Jasper half-naked. He smiled at her and came up to her, giving her a one-armed hug. She put her arms around his waist and snuggled into his chest, his scent calming to her.
"Yes," he said into the phone. "That's good. Anything else?"
Bella could hear someone talking on the other end but not make out what he said.
"Good, see you later then."
Jasper hung up and threw the phone onto the couch.
"I'm sorry, I tried not to wake you."
She looked up at him and smiled. "I woke up because I was alone. Who was it?"
"Peter. He and Char are here now, with Rebecca. Everything went fine getting here." He leaned down and kissed her.
"Good."
There was a knock on the door. Jasper grinned at her and went to open. Bella could only hear a soft murmur, and then Jasper came back with her breakfast.
"He apologized again for causing such trouble yesterday," Jasper said, still grinning. Bella blushed.
As she ate, she reflected over how things had changed. Before they had made love the first time, she knew that Jasper was her mate. Now she felt it. She didn't fear that he would leave her any more. It was just as impossible as the thought of her leaving him. She felt safe with him, safer and more at home than she had ever felt in her life. As she was pondering this, her eyes wandered over him.
"Seeing anything new?" he asked with a smile, and she giggled, caught in the act.
"Nothing new. But something I love."
He reached over and gently tucked her hair behind her ear. "You look lovely like this, Bella. So happy, and with that very messy hair."
Her cheeks turned pink, but she didn't turn her eyes away. "That's your fault, you know."
He chuckled. "I know. Eat your breakfast and I'll help you with it, okay?"
She nodded.
"I also talked to Char. She says that Rebecca would benefit greatly from being able to touch someone. As it is, she seems almost disgusted with the scent of humans, so it should be safe for you to meet her. Would you like to?"
"Yes, I would. Has she met Liberty yet?"
"No, but she will very soon." He stood up from the table and lifted her from her chair. "Come on, sweet girl. Let's get those tangles out."
She giggled and kissed him deeply.
Thank you for reading.