Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. No infringement is intended
A/N: Thank you so much to all my readers! Y'all are the best; all the support you have given me is very humbling. A special thanks to Untamed Loner, SimarilShrugged, and Gredelina1 for taking the time to look this over and tweek it.
I apologize for the lateness of this chapter. Please believe me, as hard as it is to imagine, that I have been working on this the entire time. I hope that everyone enjoys it, and thank you to everyone who has stuck with me throughout all the delays.
Now on to Day 2!
~Bella~
Bella woke as her arm reached out for Jasper. It felt like her body expected him to be beside her. Her fingers curled in the blanket and pulled it to her chest to hug is as she sighed. It was as if the blanket could muffle the ache that she felt in her chest. Bella closed her eyes and focused on the ache and felt the bond. It pulled at her to get to Jasper; to touch him, feel him, taste him. Bella moaned at that last thought; she could not deny that she desperately wanted to feel his lips on hers again.
Bella closed her eyes and concentrated on the bond and felt it pulse with energy, then flare to life. She inhaled sharply when she felt Jasper. He knew she had tapped into the bond and began to send her love and comfort. Bella pushed her face deeper into the blanket and wiped away the tears that had formed at the edges of her eyes.
Bella let him know she was aware of him when she pushed a welcome toward him. She smiled at his amusement and pride then got up out of bed and stretched. She soon found herself dressed and downstairs. She smiled at her father, who already sat at the table with a cup of coffee in front of him.
"Morning Bells." He greeted from behind the newspaper he read.
Bella signed her morning greeting and went to the counter to pour herself a cup of coffee and bowl of cereal. She grabbed a spoon out of the drawer and brought everything to the table as she sat across from her father. As she ate her breakfast her eyes moved to the clock several times, surprised each time that it had barely moved forward. Her chest began to ache again, and she shifted restlessly in her seat as she continued to eat.
She looked up at her father when she heard him chuckle. Her eyebrow raised in question as her head tilted slightly to the side.
"Go on Bells." Charlie told her.
Her brows dipped down in confusion, which made him smirk.
"Bella, you are as antsy as a cat about to get a bath. I know you want to go meet Jasper, so go on." he nodded his head toward the door.
Bella felt her face flush with heat at her father's words. Charlie hid his face behind the paper and she knew he was grinning behind it. He coughed and tried to sound stern. "If you don't get out of here, I'm never going to make it to the comics and then I'll have to wait all day to find out what antics Garfield gets into."
Bella smiled fondly at her father. He always claimed that he read the comics last so that he could end with something funny after all the drama and depression from the rest of the paper. She stood and poured out the remaining cereal and rinsed her bowl before she returned stand by his chair. Charlie looked over at her and she leaned her body into him to give him a little hug. Charlie grunted softly and patted her back awkwardly. With a grin Bella pulled back and showed him the comics she had grabbed from the table while he was distracted. Before he could react she turned and ran away, the comics still in hand. Bella tripped as she turned the corner into the living room, but caught her balance before she hit the floor. She grabbed her bag from beside the front door and left to the sounds of Charlie's laughter.
Bella smiled the whole way to school. She enjoyed that she and Charlie had an easy relationship and could tease each other without it being forced or awkward. Charlie always tried to make up for the fact that Renee had gotten custody of her, even though she had told him numerous times that he didn't have to.
The time it took to get to the school seemed to drag by, but Bella was aware that the closer she got the more the ache with in eased. A grin broke out on her face when she saw Jasper. She was only vaguely aware of the silver car he leaned against. Her sight was completely focused on the man. Bella could feel his pleasure and anticipation as he caught sight of her truck.
Bella carefully pulled into the space next to him and as she put it into park the door opened and he filled the doorway. She looked down and shifted closer to him. Her hands reached out, the need to touch him overwhelmed her. Bella clasped the back of his neck to urge him closer until their foreheads touched and she could breathe him in. His arms locked around her waist and pulled until her side was pressed up against him.
It wasn't enough.
Bella pushed on his shoulders to urge him to step back, and when he did she went with him. She maneuvered out of the truck and her body slid against him as her feet moved down toward the pavement. Jasper tightened his hold on her before her feet could touch the ground and she dangled in the air for a moment as he grinned down at her happily. She flashed him a brief grin in return before she pecked his cheek and wiggled to tell him she wanted down. Jasper gave a little groan of delight and buried his face in her hair as he let her body slide down until her feet touched the ground. His teeth nipped at her neck playfully and she flushed at heat swirled through her. Bella boldly grabbed the back of his head as she turned her face to him and captured his lips with her own. Jasper groaned again, and pushed his hands into her hair as he attacked her mouth. After an indefinite amount of time Bella leaned back with a gasp and then buried her face in Jasper's chest when she caught sight of the smirks on his family's faces.
Jasper's body rumbled with his chuckles of amusement. "You better get used to the attention Darlin'. My family has no concept of privacy."
Alice's bell laughter sounded on the wind. Several students turned to look and did double takes as they took in the embracing couple.
Bella watched as students bounced from group to group, each in turn stopped their conversations to listen then look in their direction. Bella wished she could become invisible and hide, but she knew this would happen the moment someone noticed her and Jasper together. Jasper had been right, he couldn't stop touching her and it seemed that she could not find it within her to remove herself from his embrace. Instead of retreating she moved closer and sought comfort in his touch.
Jasper turned so his body hid her from the wide eyed stares of the other students. Emmett and Alice shifted to that they too were blockading her from the unwanted attention. Rosalie stood apart from them, her hands settled on her hips in unhappy fists. She glared at anyone who dared to look their way and the gawkers moved away so they could gossip in peace.
Bella breathed a little sigh of relief that she was no longer the obvious focus. She was smart enough to know that she was all that was on their lips, but that didn't mean she wanted to see it happen right in front of her.
Bella smiled at her protectors and signed her thanks. Emmett grinned down at her.
"No problem Belly Bean. You just let me know if anyone is mean to you and I'll make sure they regret it."
Bella looked up at Jasper when she felt his irritation through their new bond. She didn't know what had caused his irritation. Was it because Emmett had just threatened the student population or because a threat might be necessary? Or was he irritated from something not associated with their conversation at all? She gained a whole new respect for Jasper in that moment. She was distracted and confused, and that was only from feeling his emotions. Bella could not begin to imagine how he coped with his gift and the ability to feel everyone. Bella wondered if he felt people like she felt him, on the edge of her awareness; strong enough to make itself known but soft enough to be ignored if needed.
Bella let Emmett's words run through her mind again as she took in the expectant look on his face.
"Belly Bean?" she took the time to spell out the words to ensure she hadn't heard him wrong.
Emmett nodded and grinned down at her with excitement. Bella covered her moth to cover her silent laughter as she watched him execute a very Alice-like move when he began to bounce in place as he waited.
Bella waited, curious to see what he would do if she said nothing. Finally he half yelled "Well, what do you think of the name?"
Jasper burst into laughter and Rosalie looked at Emmett with fond exasperation. Emmett scowled at Jasper until she lowered her hand and exposed her wide grin. Then he too began to chuckle at his own eagerness.
"Come on Belly Bean, you know it fits better than The Destroyer." he nodded in agreement to his own statement.
Bella frowned and pulled her eyebrows down before she narrowed her eyes. She folded her arms in front of her for a moment before signing in sharp motions. "Don't I look like a Destroyer to you?"
Emmett just continued to grin. "Nope."
Bella immediately relaxed her body and leaned back against Jasper again. With a shrug she said, "You're probably right. Belly Bean it is."
Emmett gave a little shout of victory along with a fist pump before he pointed to each of his family members in turn and gloated. "Ha! I told you she would like it. Didn't I?"
When no one agreed he turned to Rosalie, "Didn't I say she would like it babe?"
Rosalie rolled her eyes and said, "Yes Em, you didsay that."
Emmett started to do a little happy dance where he bounced back and forth from foot to foot and did a bunch of finger pointing.
Bella had to turn away when Rosalie winked at her and Emmett began to perform little hip thrusts while he chanted, "That's right. That's right. Who's the man? I'm the man. That's me."
Bella shook with laughter and she could feel Jasper's chest quake under her cheek as he too was overcome with amusement.
Alice finally brought them out of their mirth when she informed the group that they would all be late if we didn't start toward class in the next three minutes.
Jasper reached behind him and took Bella's bag from the seat before he slammed the door shut. Bella winced at the loud squeal of protest the hinges gave.
"Careful with my truck Jasper. She needs a gentle touch."Bella scolded.
Bella watched his lips tense and with concern she looked inward to investigate his emotions. Bella scowled when she realized he was trying not to laugh at her.
"There is nothing wrong with my truck! She's a classic. So what if she can't get over 45. It's not like I'm in a hurry to get anywhere around here."
Jasper's amusement increased and started to influence her. Her lips twitched as she herself tried to suppress a grin. With a burst of silent laughter Bella gave Jasper a little slap across his arm. "Stop it."
Jasper grabbed her hand and started to pull her toward the school, but not before she saw him look over her head. Bella glanced back to see Rosalie nod at whatever silent communication she and Jasper had just had.
Bella allowed Jasper to guide her through the halls toward their first class. She watched the students as he navigated. Eyes followed them; most were wide with awe and wonder but some were narrowed with anger and disgust. After a few of the latter glares Bella moves closer to Jasper. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder as she leaned in and placed her own arm around his waist. Her thumb found its way into his belt loop, her palm cupped his hip.
They entered their first class and Jessica rushed over and grabbed her hand. Jessica pulled on her and dragged her across the room until they reached the seats they had occupied the previous day.
"Is it true?" Jessica demanded as soon as she had stopped and turned to face her.
Bella wrapped her arms around herself as soon as she was released. She felt a shiver run through her as she dispelled the uncomfortable feeling that had come over her at the other girl's touch.
Bella focused on Jessica and her eyebrows furrowed as she tilted her head to show her confusion.
Jessica reached toward her as if to touch her again but Bella stepped out of her reach. Jessica's hands flailed for a moment before she used their momentum to gesture toward Jasper in accusation. "Are you and Jasper together?"
Bella nodded cautiously, then looked around her briefly to see what her escape options were. She relaxed a bit when she saw that she had a clear path to Jasper and that he and Alice were watching the interaction closely.
"Like, togethertogether?" Jessica probed.
Again Bella nodded. It was better to get this information out in the open, and Jasper had been right about Jessica being the perfect conduit for the gossip. She would rather just tell Jessica the basic information and let her run with it. The rumors would run wild either way, maybe they would be more contained if there were some facts to ground them. Yeah right, and pigs grow wings and fly.
"You said you didn't like Jasper." Jessica accused hotly.
Bella looked over to Alice and tilted her head to ask her presence. Alice smiled and bounced over to them. Jessica frowned at the petite vampire, and in a demeaning voice asked, "Can I help you?"
Alice just smiled back. "No, but I can help Bella."
"Alice, can you translate for me please?"Bella asked her.
Alice nodded her accent.
Bella tilted so that Alice and Jasper, who still watched, could see her gestures but looked at Jessica while she told her, "What I said was that I didn't think that Jasper would be interested in me. I was wrong."
Bella glanced back at Jasper and then had to look away as the heat in his eyes caused a corresponding heat to flood her body. It still amazed her that he could look at her like that, with such passion and need. It made her feel things she had thought she was incapable of feeling. The fact that he could make her feel so dizzy with want made her feel more stable, not like the chaos one normally describes.
All her life she had been different, and while she had had the occasional crush like any adolescent she had never felt anythingresembling this. Sure, one reads the books and sees the cliché words about love and lust but that was all they were – words. Her lack of passion, in anything, had made her feel just as strange and different as her inability to speak. One more defect; but she had been wrong. She was not defective.
In Jasper she had found her match. Her mate. In him was her passion, her lust, her love. It was his and his alone.
With a blush still on her cheeks she confronted Jessica. "Is there something wrong with Jasper and I being together?"
Jessica gaped at her. "Um. No. I just. Well. Like. Um."
Bella watched her stumble for words with an arched brow. She saw the teacher enter the room out of the corner of her eye. Jasper approached moments later and pulled her against him.
"Darlin', class is going to start. Let's get you set up." his smooth voice interrupted Jessica's inarticulate words.
Bella nodded up at him to acknowledge his words. She slowly moved her hands up his abdomen, her fingers then caressed his chest before they reached his collarbone. Bella's left hand grasped the back of his neck and she pulled herself up his body as she wound her fingers through his hair. As she came up on her toes her face tilted back she let her right hand move along his shoulder. She watched with hooded eyes as his body curled down to meet her. Bella's lips brushed his and sparks danced along her body. She let her lips linger for a moment before her hand took the strap of her bag on his shoulder and tugged it down his arm as she backed away from him.
Jasper watched her in amazement as she stole her bag back, and then burst into laughter when she winked at him and turned away.
Bella took her seat from the previous day and grinned at Alice and Jasper as they walked by her. Jasper grabbed the back of her chair and pulled until she was within reach of his hands. She gave a little gasp and looked back and shook her head when he responded with a smirk.
Bella tried to focus on the teacher as the class progressed, but was distracted the instant Jasper began to run his finger through her hair. As her long locks were caressed she felt a surge of giddiness and contentment. Bella looked over her shoulder at him, but turned back when she saw the heat in his eyes again.
After the teacher concluded his lecture Bella felt Jasper's body close to her own. She watched his arms reach around from behind her and grab the desk on either side of her; he had effectively trapped her in. His scent surrounded her and she closed her eyes and took it in. When she felt his breath wash along her cheek she tilted her head and saw his eyes twinkle. "Ready?"
She bobbed her head in an affirmative and let him pack her things as she tried to compose herself. Jasper chuckled lowly, knowing her struggle.
The next class passed similarly as Bella struggled to focus and push Jasper's touches from the forefront of her mind. She huffed in a bit of frustration as that class ended.
Jasper's brows dipped. "What's wrong?"
"I'm never going to pass my classes with you distracting me so much."Bella confessed.
Jasper smirked and Bella frowned at him. "Jasper, that is not a good thing. What am I going to do?"
Jasper pulled her into a hug and she relaxed as the embrace enveloped her. He leaned back and signed, "I'm sorry. I am trying but I can't seem to stop touching you. It calms me."
Bella watched his eyes lose focus as he considered his motivations.
"It is instinctual, this need to touch you. To know that you are here, that I really have found you. It is taking all of my will not to keep you on my lap and roar to all the males that you are mine."Jasper frowned and Bella knew he was disturbed by his own struggle.
Bella leaned back into him and rested her cheek on his chest. Her arms moved up and down his back in a movement meant to bring him comfort. When she felt him relax she removed herself from the embrace and grabbed his hand. Jasper smiled down at her and led her out of the room.
Jasper paused outside of the cafeteria. "Do you want to eat with us, or with your friends today?"
Bella didn't hesitate before she said, "I want to eat with you today."
Jasper nodded and opened the door. They walked to the table already occupied by Jasper's siblings. Bella gave a little wave to Angela as she passed her and was pleased when the girl responded with a wave of her own. She took note of the variety of reactions of the other table members but did not let her mind linger on their significance.
Bella settled in a chair between Alice and Jasper, who again tugged her over until she was pressed against him. Bella heard the sounds of the cafeteria around her and realized she hadn't made herself anything for lunch. She started to scowl at her own thoughtlessness when Alice slipped a container in front of her.
Bella looked over to her in surprise and opened it to find a salad with grilled chicken pieces mixed throughout.
Alice explained, "Esme was worried that you wouldn't have anything to eat. She knows how overwhelming a new bond can be and little things are easily overlooked."
Bella blushed and smiled gratefully at her. As she ate she listened to the family discuss the current gossip. It seemed as though, naturally, everyone was speculating on Bella and Jasper's sudden relationship. The rumors ranged from the mundane where Bella and Jasper just liked each other, to the wildly speculative version where they met secretly and had a torrid romance over the summer and now couldn't hide it any more. It was when Rosalie revealed the rumor that Jasper was dating Bella as a charity case to make him more appealing to Ivy League schools that he began growling.
Bella eliminated the small distance separating their bodies and nuzzled his neck, which caused a surge in conversations around them. She pressed her lips to his throat and gave little kisses to the tightened muscles. Jasper buried his head in her hair and she could feel him inhale and take in her scent. Turmoil and rage bubbled in him and she could feel his struggle through their bond. She placed her hand on the other side of his neck and continued to nuzzle him as he focused on her, using her touch to calm himself. Jasper kissed the corner of her mouth in thanks once his struggle ended.
Bella jumped a little when Emmett's loud voice broke over her. "Okay Belly Bean, let's see what trouble we can get into today."
She looked around to see that most of the other students had already vacated the cafeteria and headed to the next classes. She narrowed her eye at him in mock sternness. "No teasing the teacher today. I already warned him that you are going to give that poor man a heart attack."
Emmett started to pout. "Ahh, Belly Bean."
"At least wait until tomorrow Emmett. That should give him some time to recover." she flashed him a grin. "Plus you don't want to become predictable by doing something every day."
Emmett chuckled. "I think you are onto something."
They all began to walk to their classes, Rosalie and Alice branched off when their paths diverged. Each in turned waved and smiled as they walked away.
Bella sat in her chair in her Psychology class only moments before Ben approached. She looked up at him in surprise when he tapped her desk to get her attention. Bella could feel Jasper at her shoulder, wary.
"Bella, can I speak to you please?" Ben asked as he looked into her eyes.
Bella's head tilted in confusion before she nodded. Ben glanced at Jasper briefly.
"Alone?"
Bella shook her head. "Anything you want to say you can say in front of Jasper. I have no secrets from him."
Jasper translated her words.
Ben nodded but crouched down so he was more on level with her seated posture. "Is everything okay?"
At her confused nod he continued. "Angela and I are worried for you. This relationship is very sudden. We want to make sure that it is something that youwant."
Bella's eyebrows shot up in surprise and then smoothed out as a feeling of warmth entered her. She began to feel a prick of tears at their concern and smiled gently at Ben. "Please don't be worried for me. This is what I want. I never imagined someone like Jasper would want me back. Tell Angela that she was right and thank you for your concern."
Bella reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of paper and pencil. She scribbled down her phone number and email address. "Can you please give this to Angela for me? Tell her she can text me any time and maybe we can get together some time to talk. My email is on there too, but my computer is ancient so I don't check it very often."
Ben folded the paper and stood and as he shoved it down into his pocket asked. "You're sure?"
Bella smiled at him again and nodded. Ben looked at her closely a moment before he nodded. "Alright then."
Instead of returning to his seat Ben looked at Jasper and scowled at him as he looked him up and down. "I've never had a problem with you Jasper so don't change that. You treat Bella right."
Bella's mouth fell open in surprise as she watched Ben turn and walk away without another look or word.
"What was that all about?" Emmett asked.
Amusement sparkled in Jasper's eyes and traveled across the bond. "It seems as though Bella has a champion."
Jasper winked at her as Emmett waggled his eyebrows.
Bella frowned at their antics. "Stop that. He and Angela are just concerned. At least they wanted to ask instead of just speculating and gossiping."Bella nodded toward a clump of students who were huddled together and glancing their way suspiciously.
Bella continued, "Angela is a good person. She is the only one here I would consider to be a friend."
Jasper pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Not the only person. You have us now."
Bella reached out and squeezed his hand with a nod.
Emmett leaned closer to them. "Isn't Angela the preacher's daughter?"
Bella nodded in confusion.
"Well, don't preacher's daughters rebel and date bad boys? Are you sure she really cares and that she isn't just looking for information?"
Bella scowled and felt her anger rise. "That is ridiculous Emmett. You should know better than to judge on things like who their parents are, what they look like, or where they live. That would mean that I will rebel because my father is the Chief of Police. Or that you are an idiot just because you have muscles. That's just stupid."
Emmett looked astonished. "You don't think I'm an idiot?"
Bella gave an exasperated sigh. "No I don't. You're just a big softy who likes to have fun. You are obviously smart enough to get away with it."
Bella winked at him as he grinned.
Emmett looked at Jasper and gloated, "Belly Bean thinks I'm smart."
Jasper chuckled and took his seat as the teacher called the room to order. Bella waved a warning finger at Emmett, "Remember what I said. Give the teacher a break today."
With a mischievous grin Emmett agreed. "Of course Belly Bean. I'll leave him alone. Today."
Bella shook her head in amusement as he turned forward. Jasper reached out and stroked her arm to get her attention. "He likes you."
"I like him too."Bella responded back as the teacher began to take roll. She hurried to get her things set up before he began his lecture.
Without the distractions of Emmett's pranks the 'World of Psychology' was dry and uninteresting and Bella almost regretted her warnings. Not that she would let Emmett know that, she was sure he would be much worse if he knew she was amused by his mischievous nature.
Bella happily gave Jasper her bag at the end of class, ready for art. Not because it was art, but because it was the last class of the day. She was tired. Tired of the looks, the huddled groups, the boring lectures. She was ready to be alone with Jasper; to be able to touch him, feel him, kiss him. Bella blushed as her thoughts became lust filled.
Jasper chuckled in her ear as he eased her to the side of the hallway and pushed her flush against the wall. He began to nuzzle into her hair and nibbled her neck. Need raged through her body and she lost herself to his touch.
A chiming laughter broke through her haze. Bella blinked when the bright light of the hall flashed brightly across her eyes as Jasper moved back. She looked up to see a frown on Jasper's face. Bella turned to see Alice next to them and she jumped in surprise, not having heard her approach. Bella blushed bright at the smirk on Alice's face and she buried her face into Jasper's chest.
Bella felt a growl rumble through Jasper as he combed his hands through her hair in an attempt to calm her. When she began to feel like she had gained control she took a deep breath and nodded against Jasper's chest. Bella looked up to see that Alice had disappeared and she cocked her at Jasper in question.
"She went ahead to class."
Bella gave a small smile and pulled away so they could continue their walk to their last class.
Before she knew it they had taken up their seats and she was again between Jasper and Alice. She smiled at the dark haired girl with a little blush and Alice just grinned back at her. Jasper began to rub her leg like he had the previous day and she again focused on it and him. She was only vaguely aware of the teacher as she spouted on and on about the joys of art and how to become inspired.
Around half way through the class Bella came back to herself when Jasper squeezed her leg a bit too tightly. She looked at him in question, then turned to the teacher who was looking out the window.
The teacher swept the class with a bright smile and exclaimed. "How wonderful! It looks like we will have a sunny afternoon. Okay, let us finish up."
Jasper murmured, "Alice?"
Several moments later Alice responded. "If we leave directly after class we should be fine. But we need to take our car. We'll have to pick Bella's truck up later."
"Tell Em and Rose." he commanded.
Soft taps could be heard from under the desk as Alice informed her other siblings of the directive.
"What's happening?"Bella asked Jasper in small signs.
"We need to leave for my house as soon as class is done."Jasper answered back.
"But why?"
Jasper shook his head. "I'll talk to you about it later."
Bella nodded her agreement and looked up at the clock. Fifteen minutes. Those minutes seemed to drag by as the tension rolled off of Alice and Jasper. Bella glanced nervously between the two. As the last minute ticked by Jasper took her hand in his and Alice pulled their bags into her lap. As soon as the bell alarmed to indicate that class was done Jasper was out of his seat and she was being pulled along. Bella heard the teacher yell out for the class to enjoy the rest of the day.
The hallways were a blur as they rushed out to the parking lot. Bella looked up to see the clouds had started to thin and streaks of sunlight tried to break free to fall upon them. Rosalie and Emmett met them in the lot and had the car doors open when they got there. Bella was gently pushed into the back seat and Jasper climbed in behind her to claim the seat next to her. Alice took the seat to her other side and Bella smiled at how their arrangement was exactly the same as it had been moments earlier in Art. Rose took the driver's seat and Emmett grinned back at her from the passenger side.
Bella flashed him a smile back then clutched wildly at Jasper's leg when Rosalie squealed out of the parking spot with alarming speed.
Bella tried to keep track of the turns Rosalie took, but was soon lost to where they were. With a last shriek of tires they left the road and were winding through the forest on a narrow drive. Bella briefly saw a gorgeous house with windows everywhere. The sun had escaped the clouds and glinted off the glass.
Rosalie pulled the car into a garage and they all piled out. Bella gaped at the row of cars that filled the garage. Her eyes paused on the wall of tools and equipment and wondered who was the mechanic in the group. Before she could linger the others opened a door and revealed a living room.
Bella held onto Jasper's arm and her fingers clenched around his shirt sleeve as a rush of nervous energy went through her. What if his parents didn't like her? Would they be able to understand her? Would they think she was good enough for Jasper?
Jasper pulled her close and nuzzled her hair and whispered, "It's okay. They will love you."
She leaned against him and absorbed his love and comfort. Bella breathed in his scent and let his calm surround her frazzled mind. Emmett appeared before them and handed Jasper a piece of paper. Jasper glanced at it then turned it so she could read it. It was from Esme.
I have gone to the store to replenish the cookie supplies. I should be back soon. Make Bella comfortable. Be good. Love, Esme
Bella smiled at the 'Be good' line and arched her brow at Emmett.
"What?" he asked.
Bella pointed to the instructions and he huffed in annoyance.
"Why do you think that part is for me?"
Bella's brow arched higher and Emmett pouted. "I know how to be good."
Jasper chuckled and drew her away to the couch. It was a creamy white color and Bella looked at it with worry, afraid she would get it dirty. She looked down at herself to make sure she was okay to sit. With the utmost care she eased her body down on the plush couch. Emmett disappeared into another section of the house as Jasper sat next to her with no consideration.
Bella let her gaze move around the room and finally settled on Jasper's relaxed form. She smiled at him, her nervousness spiked for a moment. In an attempt to distract herself she tried to think of something to ask.
"Why did we have to hurry from school so fast?"Bella queried, her head tilted.
Jasper gave a sigh. "The sun was going to come out."
Bella's eyes widened. "Will it hurt you?"
Bella looked out at the sunlight that filtered through the windows and then back to Jasper. He smiled at her. "No. That part of the mythology is not correct, but we do not go into the sunlight as it will reveal us for something unnatural."
Bella frowned at his use of the term 'unnatural' but let it pass. "What do you mean it will reveal you?"
Jasper held his hand out to her and stood. "Let me show you. It will be easier if you see."
Bella took his hand and enjoyed the warm tingles that came with his touch. He guided her through the house out a door onto a porch. He began to unbutton his shirt and Bella's stomach clenched when she realized his intent. Jasper flashed her a smug grin and gave her a quick passionate kiss before he drew back and pulled his shirt off to reveal a white undershirt underneath. Bella felt a slight disappointment that he was still partially covered but was quickly distracted by the skin he had revealed to her.
Jasper's arms were lean and muscular. His neck and collarbone were graceful and made her want to kiss and nibble them. Jasper looked at her with concern.
"You're beautiful."she signed to him and his tension eased.
He stepped further into the light and Bella gasped as the sun glinted off of his skin, in much the same way it had the windows. As she watched the sun play on his skin she realized that there was a pattern. Some of his skin was a soft glow mixed with the sharp sparkle. Bella took his arm in her hands and explored the pattern. There was a series of crescent marks that wound around his arm. They were slightly raised and were uneven in their elevations. Her eyes could not create a pattern so she looked up to him in confusion.
"What do these mean?"
Jasper's voice was husky, "They mean that I am a dangerous man."
Bella's eyes flew to his. "I don't understand."
His eyes bore into hers. "They are scars Bella. They are the marks left behind by the vampires I have defeated and destroyed."
Rage overwhelmed her, a red haze took over her sight. "Who dared to hurt you?"
A/N: I hope it was worth the wait. Again thanks for reading. Please let me know what you think. I try to respond to all reviews. :)