Chapter Eleven
Bella
I lay still wondering if last night had been just the most wonderful dream but as I moved I could feel a strong cool body pressed against mine and when I opened my eyes Jasper was smiling lazily down at me. He brushed my hair away from my face then kissed me long and slow.
"Hello, there beautiful, did you sleep well?"
I murmured assent praying that I didn't look as dishevelled as I usually did first thing in the morning but fearing I did. As if he could read my mind he shook his head,
"I don't think you have ever looked as beautiful as you do right now, not to me anyway. I love you, Bella Swan."
I could have stayed here just like this all day and had almost decided on that action when Jasper groaned and pulled away.
"I hate to spoil this but we have a quiz to report on."
I groaned,
"Do we have to?"
"Unless you want to look for a new job I'd say yes, regretfully we do."
He slipped out of my grasp and out of bed in one fluid motion and I couldn't help admiring the view which was spectacular.
Then with a mischievous grin, he pulled the covers to the floor leaving me naked.
Scrambling up I launched myself at him only to find myself held close and kissed so hard I couldn't breathe.
"Come on you, shower time."
I guess I should have expected he would join me under the warm spray but what I hadn't expected was for him to take the sponge from me and slowly lather my whole body and then shampoo my hair and it was so erotic we ended up making love in the shower.
I hated having to get dressed but even more I hated to see Jasper cover that magnificent body. He turned still smiling that sexy slow smile,
"I really hope they get through to the final."
I knew what he meant, another night alone in the hotel together.
"If not then I guess we'll just have to stay anyway."
"Sounds like a plan to me darlin'."
Jasper
Last night had passed all my expectations and allayed my fears. I had no trouble controlling myself and found, just as Carlisle had predicted, that being tender and loving had come quite naturally. Bella had been timid and embarrassed at first but she soon let her needs and emotions take over. She seemed a little surprised at my actions in the shower but to me, it was as natural as hunting, a desire to be as close to my mate as possible.
We were both excited when the Port Angeles team made it through to the next day's round of finals and couldn't wait to get back to the hotel as soon as we had finished our work. I took a few photo's of the celebrating teens and Bella interviewed them. If they won we would, of course, need to do more but for now, it was enough.
Bella wasn't even interested in food but I insisted we order from room service although I'm not sure how hot the food still was by the time she got around to tasting it. Neither of us could wait nor get enough of each other and only rested when Bella was so exhausted that she was falling asleep against me.
Again I had to get her out of bed reluctantly but a repeat of the shower scene from yesterday cheered her up and this time we arrived at the venue before the quiz was due to start rather than halfway through the second round! However, I don't think either of us were really concentrating properly and when our team won it took us rather by surprise. We had to work hard to get a good story although the photos were easy enough. Lots of smiles, a trophy, and lots of celebrations. We were invited to join the team for a celebratory meal and felt we couldn't refuse although Bella made sure to explain that I wouldn't be eating much. She was becoming as protective of me as I had always been of her which was a nice feeling.
Afterwards, it was time to check out and make our way back to Forks although it was a wrench. Tonight Bella would be sleeping back in her bedroom while I would sit missing the feel of her body beside mine, her company, even the smell of strawberries I loved to inhale from her shampoo. As we drove back I was conscious of her watching me and of her unhappiness.
"Not looking forward to getting back?"
She shook her head,
"I hate the thought of being separated from you, my bed is going to feel very empty tonight. You realize I won't see you once you drop me off until tomorrow morning?"
I squeezed her hand,
"I'll miss you too but I don't think your father would appreciate finding me in your bed in his own house."
"I know, I really wish I had a place of my own right now."
I liked it that she would miss me but I couldn't sneak into her father's house to spend the night with her easy as it would be, it just wouldn't be right.
Bella
The closer we got to Forks the more depressed I became and the more I wished we didn't have to be parted. I found the thought hurt me physically, was this what love felt like? I wondered if Jasper really felt as miserable as I did.
"Would you like me to pick you up in the morning? We could ride to work together that way."
"My dad will have a fit of he sees me on the back of your bike."
He laughed,
"I'll use the car and if you need transport you can borrow it, I'll look all lost and helpless and borrow Betty's if I need wheels."
"Don't you dare! She'll want something in return and if she looks at you wrong I'll scratch her eyes out."
He threw his head back and laughed louder at this and I thought how sexy he looked when he smiled.
The house was empty when we got home and I kept him there as long as I could, clinging to him and kissing him as if I would never let him go until he pulled free gently,
"I have to go, Bella, Charlie will be home in a few minutes. I'll see you in the morning, I love you."
"I love you too, come as early as you can Jasper."
He ran down the steps turning to throw me a kiss before driving away just as Charlie's cruiser turned into the street.
He wanted to know all about my weekend although he only got to hear about the quiz we covered.
"What was your room like? Did the paper push the boat out for you? You didn't have to share did you?"
"No."
I tried to sound scandalized by the very idea and he grinned,
"Just fooling Bella although I know how close you two have become. I'm happy, he's good for you, much better than Jake and more of a gentleman."
Yeah, I thought, I doubt you'd be thinking that if you knew the truth!
Jasper
I hated having to leave Bella but my thirst was becoming a living creature especially after our extremely active weekend and I really needed to hunt. When I parked up I saw Rose and Emmett were back as Alice was sitting on the porch swing as if waiting for me. She ran down the steps to throw her arms around me,
"You look like the cat that got all the cream. I guess you had a good weekend Jazz. Wow! You're eyes are so dark, wanna hunt?"
"Oh, yes. Come on."
"OK, but I want the whole story, every dirty moment."
"No chance."
She turned to me with a smug look,
"Wanna bet on that brother?"
I didn't Alice had a way of finding out what she wanted to know although I knew she wouldn't really pry, she was just happy to see that I had found my mate at last.