A/N: Oh...so now the plan is hatched...we have to see how Bella's going to worm her way out of trouble with Rosalie...hehe.

This chapter is dedicated to Mich...she loves Jasper...so this is just for you!

Disclaimer: I regret to inform you that I don't own Twilight. But the playboy Jasper is all mine! LOL

CHAPTER 11 - HELL HATH NO FURY

BPOV

After spending an hour getting ready, Emmett picked me up, looking hotter than usual dressed in a pair of fine brown dress pants and a white shirt, which hung loosely off him like he was a pirate. Like a lot of gay boys, he took care of himself, and there was never a hair out of place. His tanned, chiselled body always looked perfect and he never failed to attract female attention. God, what a waste!

We drove to the club in silence, and I was deep in thought about the events leading me here. As we parked a few blocks away and got out of the car, heading toward our judge, jury and executioner Emmett took my hand and led me down the street, trying to steady me as I walked. I felt like a fucking dead woman walking. "Come on Bellacakes, cheer up. What will be, will be!" he said in near frustration, my mood beginning to bring him down as we made our way toward the club.

"Oh spare me your Doris Day routine!" I snarled as I pulled out my cigarettes and lighter from my pants pocket and lit up, realising that now I was only bothering to smoke when things got stressed in my life. And lately, that was just about all the time. He took out his pack and took my lighter from me while I waited for him to speak.

"Look, Bella. You just need to swallow your pride, go in there with your tail between your legs and kiss some major ass!" he retorted as he lit up and put my lighter in his pocket. "No big deal."

Ignoring his advice, I took in a deep drag and blew out a gush of smoke in frustration. "Ah, the old philosopher! Got any other pearls of wisdom oh-Emmett-the-wise?" I said with sarcasm and anger. "Because I can't wait to hear your next words spew out of that mouth of yours...oh seer of seers!"

I chucked the half smoked cigarette on the pavement and crushed it under my sensible flat black patent leather shoe. Yeh we looked odd. Here I was, standing outside the hottest club in Seattle looking like a goddamned librarian with my hair pulled back into a knot, and I was being escorted by a walking sex god. A gay sex god, but a sex god nonetheless.

"Listen, don't turn on me just because you have a problem being nice to people," he snipped as we found ourselves in front of the club. Blatantly ignoring the long line of people that stood there waiting for admittance, I headed straight for the entry door.

"Well, not that it's any of your business, but I'm not gonna change how I am just for some princess to like me," I replied unfeelingly as two men stood at the door, effectively blocking our entry. Just great.

One beefy guy stood there, front and centre, with his arms folded and was obviously the muscle out of the two of them. The other smaller one leant against the wall adjacent to the door and held a clipboard. The larger one had blond hair which was drawn back into a ponytail, and wore a constant scowl, and the smaller one had a dark hair done in the style of Justin fucking Bieber. The large one eyed the both of us as the crowd of people to our right began to whine about us jumping the line. I didn't give a flying fuck. It was already after nine so we were late, and I didn't have the patience or the good grace to wait.

"Can I help?" he asked as he arrogantly stood behind the red velvet rope, his cruel uncaring eyes giving me the chills. He took a step forward just as I did, effectively blocking my way, and his arms were still folded as if he would never budge from his position. Both of them wore black suits on and dark sunglasses, looking like something out of the Blues Brothers. Well, this was going to be interesting.

"We're here to meet someone," I snapped at him, still pissed off by Emmett's comments. "So if you don't mind..." I stepped forward once more and he unfurled his arms and abruptly stuck out his lump of an arm to stop me, his hand inches from my body. Not a good idea. I opened my mouth to tear shreds of him and clenched my fists, but Emmett placed a hand on my arm and grasped it, letting me know he wasn't about to allow me to retaliate.

"End of the line's that way," the guy grunted, jerking his head towards the crowd. Sensing that things were about to turn ugly, and to stop me from bitch slapping this prick to kingdom come, Emmett quickly pulled me back towards him.

"Hey!" I complained as I tried to shrug away from his firm grasp.

"Oh Bella, just let me handle this," Emmett said sweetly.

I grunted at him, but said nothing, sensing that I was a little out of my depth.

"Hi boys," Emmett said, oozing charm and sex appeal. "Sorry my friend here's being so testy, but she's had a bitch of a day." Getting nowhere with the asshole who wouldn't let me in, he smiled at the smaller doorman, who then looked up and used his free hand to lift up his dark glasses and give Emmett a little wink.

"Emmett! I almost didn't recognise you!" the obviously gay doorman said as he suddenly took a few steps forward, smiling widely at my best friend, Emmett's reputation seemingly preceding him.

Emmett stepped forward and looked at him with a sense of recognition, and then grinned at him. What the hell? Was this guy good! Gaydar all present and one hundred percent correct!

"Oh is that you, Alec? Well it's a small world isn't it?" Emmett near squealed as he let go of me and gave him a quick hug. "How's Jane doing? She still with that girl...what was her name?" he queried as he stepped back, frowning and clicking his fingers as he tried to remember. Oh this was fucking perfect. Old gay week in full swing.

"Bree," he said. "Yeh, they're still going strong. You with anyone at the moment?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows.

"Nah, still footloose and fancy free as usual, Alec. You?"

"Oh still with Demetri," he said, sighing. "Tied down like a married old woman," he joked. "What the hell brings you to this place anyway, Emmett? Trawling for men to turn?"

Emmett chuckled and shook his head vehemently. "We're here for a business meeting with someone who likes to hang here," he said, rolling his eyes as if this was the last place on earth he wanted to be. I knew how he felt.

"And who might that be?" he asked.

"We don't know," he said, shrugging. "But he's with Rosalie Hale if that helps out any."

"Oh you mean Jasper Whitlock?" he asked as he stared down at the clipboard, his eyes scanning the guest list.

"Wow, yeh I guess I do," he said, staring at me incredulously. I couldn't believe it. Rosalie was with the hottest guy I'd ever laid eyes on? Damn! Life just wasn't fucking fair!

"You're Bella, right?" Alec asked me, finally bringing me into the conversation.

"Um, yes," I whispered, my throat suddenly tight with nerves as I realised that I had given shit to the boss of the parent company of my employer. Fucking perfect! As if I hadn't dug myself into a shithole deep enough, here I was, shovelling deeper...and deeper...

"James, this is the couple we've been expecting. Let them in," Alec commanded with authority. James grunted in protest, but reluctantly obliged and unclipped the velvet rope to let us by. If I wasn't so distracted by the realisation that I'd insulted a very good looking and powerful man, I probably would have poked my tongue out at James and the crowd that groaned in unison as we were allowed through the door. Instead, I let out a nervous laugh as we entered the building.

"Say hi to Jane and Demetri for me, Alec. And thanks!" Emmett said as he smiled and waved at his friend.

Emmett took my hand and we walked through the doors and followed the signs to the Card Room, passing the doorways to two dance floors as we went, my body feeling the thump of the music as we walked by.

"So, what's the story with Alec?" I asked, trying to distract myself as we found our way down the hallway, the distant thumping of the bass still there, but we were able to speak now without having to yell.

"Oh, nothing. We just have a few common acquaintances," he replied vaguely.

"Like who? Anyone I know?"

"Nah." I watched his awkward expression, and in an instant I knew there was more to it than he was letting on.

"Well then who's Jane?" I asked.

"Alec's twin sister," he replied quickly.

"And she's gay," I confirmed.

"Yep...they're the only gay twins I know," he said, suddenly laughing as we walked through the door of Card Room. "Now let's fuck this duck fast so we can get out of here," he whispered in my ear, and I couldn't help but let out a nervous snort.

The Card Room was a quiet place that had an eclectic Asian vibe to it, the ceiling lit with huge red lanterns, and the tables and chairs all in black and red. The room had a large black bar in the centre, and the walls to the right of it were lined with tables for two. Towards the back of the room were tables surrounded by square ottomans, and that's where we found them.

"Okay, let's do this," I whispered, nervously clearing my throat as we strode hand in hand towards them. There was no doubt about it...the man was jaw-droppingly handsome, and as much as I hated Rosalie, she looked stunning sitting opposite him in her read off the shoulder dress. She appeared positively giddy, her laughter resonating through the quiet room as we approached.

Jasper tilted his head up and spotted us, immediately standing to his feet and gracing us with a beaming smile. He wore a blue shirt with no tie, and his blond curls were unruly but styled to perfection. Adorning his face was a closely cropped, perfectly shaped beard which he'd grown in since Em had taken his shots the week before, his ice blue eyes, and sinfully full lips rounding out the package very nicely. Sensing our intrusion, Rosalie turned to face us, her smile immediately disappearing as she rolled her eyes, her reaction only serving to make me even more nervous. My hands were suddenly shaking and my palms were sweating. Emmett gripped my hand harder, trying to silently comfort me, but his palms were sweating just as much as mine were.

Perfect.

I released my hand from Em's and tried to discreetly wipe it on my pants, hoping that no-one would notice the other bullets of sweat that were now seeping from under my arms, through my bra, and from my brow. Emmett placed his hand on the small of my back, silently guiding me to my doom. At the same time, my breathing quickened and my heart pounded in my head, and the room began to feel uncomfortably hot. If I had a tie to loosen, I would have...and in fact, if I didn't feel so fucking nervous, I would have stripped off every bit of clothing off my body then and there.

Shit.

"Well, well, you must be the famous Bella Swan," Jasper said as he winked at me and reached his hand out to shake mine. I hoped that my hand wasn't too disgusting, but had no choice but to reach out and reciprocate. His hand felt soft but firm, and as his fingers clasped around my skin, I felt a sudden wave of reassurance overcome me, and in an instant I began to feel better.

I took in a cleansing breath, and feeling a little more at ease, I said, "Yes, I am. And you are?" I raised my eyebrow at him just to accentuate my question further.

He burst out laughing, his hand still lingering in mine as he said, "Now darlin', I'm sure that being the fine journalist that you are, you already who I am, don't you?" He pulled my hand upwards and tilted it, placing a gentle kiss on my knuckles.

Holy hell.

"Yes, of course I do, Mr Whitlock," I answered formally as he slowly released his hand from mine.

"Jasper. Call me Jasper, please," he insisted.

"Okay, Jasper it is," I answered softly, suddenly feeling Emmett's fingers poke me in the back to get my attention. "Oh, and this is Emmett McCarty, the best photographer at Hale Publishing, but you already know that," I boasted, and in response Rosalie snorted. Bitch.

I wasn't sure, but I could swear I heard Emmett let out a girlish giggle, and I had to use all my strength to keep a serious expression on my face. This guy Jasper sure oozed charisma.

"Of course. Good to see you again, Hale Publishing's best photographer," he said with a wink as he reached out and shook Emmett's hand.

"Good to see you again," Emmett finally replied as his hand lingered in Jaspers way longer than necessary.

"He's also my best friend," I added, punching Emmett in the arm, trying to subtly get him to let go of Jasper's hand.

"Well that's great. Any friend of Miss Bella here is a friend of mine." Emmett just stood there and blushed, wearing the goofiest smile I'd ever seen on his face as he finally let go.

"Well, don't just stand there you two. Pull up square and join us," Jasper laughed, shaking his head with amusement.

"Yes, do," Rosalie chimed in, finally speaking as she attempted to smile. I knew she was far from impressed that we were intruding on her time with this guy. Can't say I could blame her either.

"Rose, just settle down there honey," he said to her smoothly, and she smiled at him and even batted her eyes! She was seriously gone over this guy.

"Fine," she huffed.

"By the way, I've already taken the liberty of ordering for us all," Jasper said, ignoring her not so subtle protests as I found myself staring at him, mesmerised by every word that left those plump lips. I don't know how, but I immediately felt at ease with this man, and now understood why Rosalie was with him. He calmed the savage beast in her. My inner beast, however, was beginning to rear its ugly head. So was Emmett's.

"Thanks," Emmett said, his goofy grin only getting wider. Jasper clicked his fingers and waved at the waitress who immediately came to our table.

"What can I get you?" she asked in a soft voice, glancing toward us all.

"Get us that nineteen ninety Grange Hermitage thanks sweetheart," he ordered, nodding at her. Fuck. I didn't know much about wine, but I bet my ass that with the initially shocked expression on the waitress' face that it was an expensive drop. And with the blush on her face and her sudden demure expression, I knew that he'd immediately placed her under his spell. God he was good.

"Certainly," she answered as she cleared her throat, turned and walked away.

"So, Bella. What was so important that it couldn't wait till Monday?" Rosalie rushed out as another waitress brought us plates of food.

"Jumbo prawn dumplings, barbecue pork humbows, pork and shrimp with sui mai," she announced, carefully placing the food on the table. The food looked fucking amazing and was presented in a mixture for all of us to share.

"Hold your horses, darlin'. Food first, then business," Jasper insisted as the wine waitress returned and poured a small amount into his glass. He waved his hand once more, silently letting her know to fill each glass, then picked up his glass and raised it to make a toast, and said, "To new acquaintances." As we lightly tapped our glasses together, Jasper gave me a sly wink, and then turned to smile at the suddenly livid Rosalie.

I realised that with what I knew of Jasper's reputation, Rosalie had every right to be wary. I also realised that if I wasn't careful, I may get in a shit-heap more trouble than I was already in if Jasper didn't calm the hell down.

I nervously took a sip of the red, which was sheer ambrosia. I was usually a beer drinker, but I could get used to wine if it was always as good as this. I closed my eyes and let out a little moan as I took another sip and held the wine in my mouth for a moment, letting the flavour envelop my tongue, while at the same time wishing that I could leave here with all my body parts intact. I opened my eyes and realised they were all staring at me. Both Jasper and Emmett were smiling, but Rosalie's scowl kind of cancelled that out.

Sensing the tension, Jasper turned his attention to Rosalie and took her hand in his. "So Emmett, you're a photographer for Rose's magazine, huh?" he asked, trying to keep the conversation civil as I picked up my chopsticks and put a whole dumpling in my mouth.

Emmett immediately relaxed, the subject of photography always making him feel comfortable in any setting. "Yes, and I'm getting together quite a portfolio at the moment," he said proudly.

"Are you? Well that's interesting. I'd be interested in taking a look at your work sometime, Emmett," Jasper countered, his expression genuine.

"Oh for fuck's sake, he's my assistant!" Rosalie blurted, the bitch she was. "How the hell could he have a portfolio already?" Way to bring someone down, bitch. Emmett shot her a shocked stare, and his mouth gaped, but no words escaped him. Well if he wasn't gonna stand up for himself, I sure as hell was.

"As a matter of fact, he does Rosalie," I spat. "And if you must know he's in negotiations to have some of his work shown, so you might want to start looking for a new assistant." As I lied through my teeth, Emmett turned toward me and smiled, not giving away a thing. There was no way in hell he was returning to work for her, and I knew he had a few bucks in the bank thanks to a trust fund that he could survive relatively well if he left.

"Really?" Jasper asked, his eyes brimming with curiosity. "Well that's interesting. Which gallery?" he asked.

Fuck. What the hell do I say now? Think Bella, think!

There was a gallery that I always passed on my way to work...and I struggled for a moment to remember what the hell was it called, before the name finally dawned on me.

"Biers Gallery," I blurted, suddenly picturing the name signed in ornate gold on the front door of the place. Jasper smiled wickedly in response, and I sensed he figured out I was lying, but I didn't care. No-one upset my friend like that, and I was fed up to the back teeth with Rosalie's ways.

"Biers Gallery? I know it well," Jasper said. Oh that would be right. Trust me to pick the one gallery in the universe that this guy knows about.

"Well, well, Emmett. I will be looking forward to seeing your work on display," Rosalie said icily. Oh Christ. I think I just dug myself further into my shithole, and now I was dragging Emmett down with me.

"Nothing's confirmed yet," Emmett said nervously.

"I hope it all goes well for you then, Emmett," Jasper said as he popped a pork humbow in his mouth as if he was trying to stop himself from giving me away.

We ate in relative silence and made quick work of the wine, talking about anything but work with Jasper leading the conversation for the most part, and getting a little tipsy while he was at it, until Rosalie spoiled the party.

"So Bella, I don't have all night. What's wrong?" Rosalie asked.

I took in a deep breath, looking at them all and said, "Well I think I may have insulted Alice, so I don't think she's gonna give me that interview now."

"What the hell Bella?" she snapped. "You just can't help yourself can you!" Oh great. She was treating me like a fucking child. I shrugged in response, knowing I deserved her wrath, briefly wondering if I was too old to work at Maccy D's.

"No need to get upset, darlin'," Jasper drawled slowly as he took Rosalie's hand in his and stroked her skin, working his magic on her, but his brow was creased with worry as he stared at their joined hands. Interesting. Oh, I sensed embarassment on his part for sure...but with the way he was looking at her, I knew that there was something more. Emmett shifted uncomfortably in his seat and looked so embarassed that I would not have been surprised if he bolted for the door.

"No need to get upset? Jasper this is none of your concern, and it's not the first time that Miss Swan here has let me down!" she snarled as she tore her grasp away from him. Oh crap. Here it comes. "You listen to me and you listen well, Bella fucking Swan! If you don't get done with that article by my deadline, you and the gay boy here are fired! Capiche?"

"Keep it down, Rose," Jasper urged calmly. She shot him an angry stare, but she'd already said her piece, and I was sure that it was the only reason why she shut her trap at that moment.

I inhaled a deep breath, trying to keep a handle on my emotions. My job and Emmett's were at stake here, and as much as I felt like bitch slapping her to kingdom come, I couldn't afford to cause a scene. I knew I'd just have to be done with it and take my medicine all the way up the ass. I opened my mouth to speak, but as usual, Rosalie had me at a loss for words.

"Don't worry Rosalie, you'll get your article," Emmett piped up, trying to rescue the situation. I shot him a grateful glance, feeling weakened by this woman's fury. Considering what was at stake, I knew I had to remain calm and not aggravate things further, so I decided to take the high road. It was so unlike me. Who'd have thought? Maybe it was the wine talking, or maybe it was the guilt I felt over insulting Alice.

"I could use a smoke. I'll be right back," I whispered as I rose to my feet, and Jasper stood up at the same time.

"Think I'll join you, if you don't mind," Jasper requested.

"Sure, why not?" I conceded, realising that I couldn't possibly be in any more trouble than I already was.

"I'll be right back, Rose," Jasper said, frowning at her once more before giving Emmett an apologetic stare.

"Yeh well don't take too long," she snarled as her lips disappeared into that angry mouth of hers and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Oh don't worry you two, Rosalie and I will get ourselves a cocktail while we wait," Emmett reassured me with a wink. I gave him a grateful smile before turning to walk away.

Jasper followed closely behind me, not saying a word until we stood near the entry to the Blue Room, which was a retro style dance floor with blue and white decor. It was spectacular. The ceilings were high and mirror balls hung everywhere, and the music was from the eighties and nineties. Shame I didn't have a special someone to dance with in this place. I stood there for several moments enviously watching couples dancing, sighing as their bodies writhed against each other, before Jasper cleared his throat and spoke.

"You wanna dance?" he asked sheepishly. I shook my head and let out heavy breath, turned and headed towards the front exit. Jasper followed quietly behind me and we made our way outside, walking past Alec and James. "We won't be a moment, gentlemen," Jasper said as they both nodded at him silently. Alec lifted his glasses and gave me a wink and I smirked at the idea of what he was thinking, but hey, we were only having a cigarette. We turned the corner of the building and headed down the side street, and a few people milled about, smoking and talking amongst themselves.

Then I groaned in annoyance as I spotted one couple kissing passionately before they turned to walk back into the club. I was surrounded by romance everywhere I went tonight, and it was beginning to aggravate me.

"You okay?" he asked me as I turned and stopped, pulling out my pack of cigarettes from my pants pocket, my hands searching for my lighter as well. Shit.

"Emmett's got my lighter. You mind?" I asked as he retrieved his cigarettes and lighter from his shirt pocket and lit mine, followed by his own. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, taking the time to calm myself. "Sorry about that," I said, apologising for my stupid behaviour. Well that was something new. I very rarely apologised for my behaviour to anyone, yet here I was saying sorry to a complete stranger.

"It's no problem, darlin' I understand. Rose can be a little..."

"Bitchy? Cantankerous? Downright cruel?" I fired as my eyebrow rose, waiting for him to argue with me.

He laughed as he took a deep drag of his smoke before dropping it to the ground and crushing it under his foot.

"Well, you could say that I guess," he agreed. Well, at least he wasn't blind to her faults. Then just like that, he was staring at me with those mesmerising eyes and was moving in closer. "But you? You don't seem that way at all," he said smoothly.

Feeling more than a little uncomfortable with his suddenly shifting mood, I backed away from him and found myself leaning against the brick wall.

"You only just met me, and believe me, I can give Rosalie a run for her money when I put my mind to it," I said, laughing nervously, beginning to feel more than a little awkward. "You remember when we spoke on the phone, don't you?"

"Oh yes, I do," he purred. "But I think there's more to you than meets the eye, Bella."

I found myself unable to look at him, and my eyes darted everywhere as I tried to stop myself from blushing. Like that was ever gonna work.

"Am I making you nervous, darlin'?" he asked with a sly expression as he moved another step closer.

Oh God! This was not happening. I felt the heat cross my face, and was pissed off that once again, my blush was giving away my embarrassment.

I turned away from his advances and slid along the wall towards salvation, nervously stubbing out my half finished cigarette on the roughened bricks and letting it drop to the pavement. Before I could move to go back inside, he reached up and rested his palm on the wall near my shoulder, effectively blocking my way.

"Err, Jasper. What are you doing?" I squeaked as he came even closer, so close that his breath tickled my furiously red face.

"Oh, I don't know," he shrugged as he closed his baby blue eyes and leant in, his breath smelling of wine, his lips brushing against my own before could find the will to turn away.

My head and rapidly beating heart were briefly at war with one another as the moments passed, his lips searching for more contact.

"I just want to forget about her..." he breathed against my face, his words jolting me out of my haze.

I poked my finger in his chest and pushed him away, causing him to pout in response.

"What? No?" he asked as he reluctantly retreated. As attractive as he was, there was no way I was messing with my boss's lover, especially when he was using me to forget about her. And Emmett said that Jasper was nice. Yeh, I could think of other words than that to best describe this guy!

"That's right. No," I answered, shaking my head, trying to regain my faculties. What was this guy doing?

"I-I'm so sorry Bella. I don't know why I just did that," he said lamely as his eyes blinked in quick succession, the action seemingly snapping him out of whatever funk he was in and sobering him up big time. He appeared to regret his stupid behaviour, and as much as it pissed me off, I decided to cut him a little slack.

"Forget about it," I said as I ducked under his arm and moved to walk away.

"Wait, Bella. Let me explain. Please?" he begged, his expression suddenly desperate as he reached out and gripped my arm. Oh, this ought to be good.

I shook loose from his grasp and folded my arms, waiting for his lame excuse to come from those pouty lips of his. I was tempted to make him get on his knees and beg for my forgiveness.

"I know I shouldn't have done that, but it's Rose...Oh God I'm so fucked!" he said vaguely.

"I figured as much," I said, scowling at him as I waited. This guy was acting like a real sleaze. Mind you, I had to agree that associating with Rosalie Hale guaranteed he'd be fucked...and not in a good way.

"Christ, you must think I'm such a sleazebag," he said.

"It's like you can read my mind," I snapped. "Look, it's obvious that you're having problems with Rosalie, but that doesn't give you the right to molest me to forget about them."

"I know, and I'm sorry. It's just that..."

"Look, I'd rather not know, okay?" I interrupted, unable to handle knowing anything more about the bitch from hell and her fucking problems. "Now before you say or do something else you might regret, I'm gonna get Em and go."

"Sure. Sorry," he said as he stepped back, let out a heavy sigh and briefly stared up into the night sky.

"Come on," I said with a wave of my hand, but as I moved to head inside, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, the feeling of being watched overwhelming.

"Fuck!" I hissed, suddenly frozen in my place as my fears were confirmed, spotting both Emmett and Rosalie standing on the street corner. By the expressions on their faces I knew that they'd probably witnessed the whole thing. Emmett's jaw hung open and Rosalie was standing there, glaring at the two of us with her arms folded and her face angrier than I'd ever seen before. I was so dead. So dead. Fuck. My. Life.

A/N: Bella just can't seem to stay out of trouble, can she? Show me the love people and you will be richly rewarded! Remember...reviews make me write faster...and the faster I write the faster we can get the little bitch and bastard together! Hehe...I'm sooo EVIL!