Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns

Jasper

When we left the airport, we took a taxi to our hotel. The whole ride there was made in awkward silence. We all knew Bella was pissed and no one knew what to say. I didn't feel the need to apologize for what I did. I have traveled the world enough to know that some things are necessary. You don't go to a foreign country and not have a place to stay. Aro had agreed for Bella to stay with them, but I didn't feel comfortable with his offer. The car couldn't really be avoided, we were traveling with two boys, who stand well over 6'4 and a standard European rental wouldn't cut it. I understood that she didn't like people to spend money on her, but the way she was acting was a little ridiculous. When we got to the hotel, I pulled her aside.

"Bella, I wasn't trying to piss you off." I couldn't take the silence any longer and I wanted to know how long this was going to last.

"You know I don't like people spending money on me, Jasper. You should have come and talked to me before you did this." God, she's beautiful when she's mad.

"Don't you remember what I told you yesterday? I'll do whatever I want. I wanted to do this. You didn't think this through very well and I was just trying to help. You're going to have to get used to me spending some money. I mean seriously, Bella, what do you think is going to happen when you change? You can't work, at least not for a while. I doubt you have enough in savings to last that long. Fuck, look....even if we stayed in this hotel for the next six decades, I would still have enough money to take care of us. Don't be mad about this. I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think I needed to."

"I'm not mad, not really. I just, I don't know. Until I met the Cullen's I had to look out for myself and it's a lot to get used to. I'm sorry if I made you feel bad. I get what you're saying about the money, but we are going to have to come to some kind of compromise."

"Yeah? I'm sure I can think of a few ways you can repay me." Bella slapped my arm playfully and walked away.

When we walked into the lobby, Bella stopped and gasped. I knew she would be happy with my choice once she got over the price. It really was a lovely place. Alice and I had come once, but it was merely a shopping trip. We didn't get to see very much of the city and I was glad to finally be able to share it with someone who would appreciate the beauty. Bella went to sit with Jacob and Quil, as I checked in.

I was glad the desk clerk spoke English. Unlike most of the Cullen's, I never had the desire to study other languages. While I know a lot about other countries and am very well cultured, I'm a history buff. Once I had our four room card in hand, I started to get nervous our rooming arrangements. I didn't ask Bella if she minded sharing a room, I just assumed it was okay. I was worried about Jacob. I knew he said he was okay with Bella and me, but he also said not to try anything. This trip was about Bella and the last thing she needed was us at each other's throats. It really didn't matter, there was no way I was staying in a room with one of them.

"Okay, I got two suites. Each suite has two bedrooms, so you guys will have your own beds."

"Sweet, where are we going?" Quil asked as we made our way to the elevator.

"All the way up."

"Bells, Quil and I are going to get something to eat. Are you hungry?"

Bella looked down at her hands and answered, "Not really, I think I'm going to order something in. Jet lag...you know?"

"Uh huh...whatever you say Bells." Jacob and Quil were amused.

"Here's your room key. You all should go see the city. There won't be any excitement tonight. Edward has gone to Ireland and Victoria will still be hunting around Forks."

We said our goodbyes to Jacob and Quil and went into our own suite. Bella froze when we walked in. I could feel her happiness and I was glad I got something right."This is beautiful."

"The hotel is very old, but the interior was completely redone a few years ago."

"Wow." Bella said in awe.

I chuckled at her, "Let me take your bags and then if you want I'll show you where everything is." I took her bags and lead her to the master bedroom.

"Actually, I think I would like to shower before I do anything else. You don't have to hang around here for me, Jasper."

"I want to be here. Besides, I should stick around in case they cause too much trouble and need bail money." I said with a wink.

Bella giggled and said, "You're probably right. Well, I won't take too long."

She walked into the bathroom and I heard a sharp intake of breath. I knew she had found the jacuzzi. Bella yelled, "Actually, Jasper, I think I might be in here a while."

"Enjoy."

While Bella was taking her bath, I got online to check my email and stock quotes. When I opened my inbox there was a message from Rosalie.

Dear Jasper,

I'm writing because I want to make sure you are

okay. Emmett and I miss you, terribly. I know

you were upset when you left and I don't blame

you. I don't blame Bella, either. I understand why

she did it. I don't want to ramble on, but please

call me. I just want to know everything is alright.

Love,

Rose

I sat there staring at the screen, not sure what to do. I loved Rosalie very much. She and Emmett were the only ones to every stand up for me. I wanted to call her and put her mind at ease, but feared I would upset Bella. I knew her and Rose hadn't got along. I figured Bella was an understanding person and if I had to I would explain my loyalty to Rosalie.

"Hello."

"Hello, Rose."

"Oh my God, Jasper, are you okay?"

"I'm doing wonderful, Rose. How are you?"

"Not so good. Everything is terrible. Edward left, Alice is either pacing the floor or crying, Carlisle and Esme aren't speaking, and Emmett misses you and Bella."

"I'm sorry. I can't speak for Bella, but I miss you both, very much."

"Then come back."

"I can't do that. I made a promise to Bella and even if I hadn't I would not come back. They aren't my family, Rosalie. I told you before if it wasn't for Alice I would have left anyway. This is good for me. Bella is good for me."

"WHAT? Jasper! Are you serious? OH. MY. GOD. You like her! Don't even try denying it. I heard it in your voice, in the way you said her name."

"Yes, I do, very much. I got to know her and she's not like I thought. I'm going to turn her, Rose."

"You got to know her?"She sounded a little upset.

"Yes and she's amazing. I've never met anyone like her, human or vampire."

"Where are you?"

"We just arrived in Italy today."

"We're coming." Hell no!

"No. That's not a good idea."

"Why?"

"Rosalie, you don't even act like you like Bella. Things are fucked up as it is. Besides, I don't know if you missed it, but Bella wants nothing to do with the Cullen's. We have two wolves with us and they have handled things pretty well. I don't want to piss them off."

"She was okay with you going, you got to know her, and now I want my goddamn chance to find out what's so great about her. She has everyone else stuck up her ass, I might as well jump on the Bella train, too. If she still hates me when I leave then fine, but I'm coming. Now, where the fuck are you staying?"She started yelling at the end.

I sighed, "We're in Florence, at the Hotel Alessandra."

"Perfect! We will see you in a few days."

"Bye Rose." Fucking Perfect, Whitlock.

Bella had made her way out of the bathroom sometime during my phone call to Rose. I wasn't sure how much she heard, but figured the sooner we talk about it the better. "Bella?"

She walked out of the bedroom in her pajamas. "Hey, I thought you were still on the phone." I could feel her happiness.

"That was Rosalie."

Bella's mood changed instantly and she looked at me with a glum expression. "You're leaving aren't you?"

How could she think that? "What? No! Rose and Emmett want to come see us."

"Absolutely not! She treated me like shit every time I was around her. Absolutely not! What did you tell her?"

"I told her where we were. I said she shouldn't come, but she insisted. She said she wants to get to know you Bella. Emmett misses you. What the fuck did they do that was so bad? I've been understanding, but why do you hate the Cullen's so bad Bella?"

"They broke me, Jasper. You all left and didn't say goodbye. Then you come back and act like nothing even happened....like it was okay. It wasn't okay and neither was I. Everyone knew when I was here before I told the Volturi, I would be changed. The Cullen's broke the rules, Jasper and you know why the Volturi didn't take action? It was because of me. I agreed to be changed, but then none of you would do it, because of Edward. Well I want to know why Edward gets to play the goddamn dictator. I begged Carlisle to change me and he said he wouldn't go against Edward. You were there, we put it to a vote. It's not right.

"Carlisle lets all of you get away with whatever you want. Vampires should not fall in love with humans, not if they won't allow them to be changed. How do you think it made me feel to live every day knowing Edward would goon to live forever and I would die. I was going to get old, go gray, get wrinkles, and fucking die. He was never going to change me and his reasoning didn't make sense. He talked about babies and human experiences, but if stayed human and stayed with Edward I would have missed out on those experiences anyway. As for Rose, she hates me. She has always treated me poorly and I don't care for her. I don't want to be around her. I love Emmett, but don't you see? It was all of you. Not just Carlisle, Edward, or Alice. You all left, none of you would change me, to you I was just Edward's silly human. Until you change me, no vampire will ever see me as an equal."

"That's ridiculous, Isabella. I have always seen you as an equal. Hell, I treat everyone as an equal. I've made friends with wolves! Yes, you are extremely silly, but I am sure you will be a very silly vampire as well." I pulled her into my lap and continued."I understand that you are upset and I will stand by you, but you should really give Rose a chance. Rose never thought of you as an equal because she thinks you're better than her. She doesn't understand why you would want this life. Please, give her a chance. At least hear her out." I knew I had to plead Rosalie's case. She never hated Bella, she just envied her.

Bella nuzzled her head in the crook of my neck and sighed, "Okay."

I kissed the top of her head and said, "Thank you. If at any time you want her to leave, let me know. I think this will be good for you."

"Can I ask you a question, Jasper?"

I was curious as to what had her so embarrassed. "You can ask me anything, sweetheart."

"The other night, the way we kissed...well, Edward never kissed me like that. I was wondering why you were able to, but he wasn't. Isn't it dangerous?"

"No, Bella, vampires and humans have sexual relations more than you think. I don't know why Edward was always so careful with you, maybe he was afraid. It was foolish, really. You are beautiful, brave, smart, and so sexy. Don't let what he did, ever make you doubt that."

"Are you afraid?" Fuck, no I'm not.

"Of touching you?" She nodded. "No." I could feel the love and lust coming off of her.

"Will you kiss me, Jasper?"

I gazed into her eyes for a moment, before crashing my lips to hers. I didn't wait for permission, my tongue darting our of my mouth and into hers. This kiss wasn't as urgent as our last. We explored each others mouths, relishing the taste of one another. My hands found their way to the hair at the base of her neck, pulling her closer.

Bella repositioned herself, effectively straddling my lap; the smell of her arousal permeating the air and filling my senses. Pulling away from her lips, my mouth never leaving her skin I began trailing kisses across her cheek, down her jaw, and onto her neck. Bella moaned, the sound causing my already hardened member to twitch against her thigh. "Jasper, please."

I removed my hands from her hair, finding the bare skin on the small of her back, and whispered into her neck, "Please what, Bella? Tell me what you want." I continued sucking, licking my way down to her collar bone; Bella shivering lightly under my touch.

She wound her hands in my hair and began grinding her sex into my jean clad cock. "I want you to touch me." I wouldn't reject her again. I needed it as much as she did. I brought my hands around to the hem of her shirt and removed it from her body. Picking her up by her ass, I gently laid her on the sofa and crawled my way in front of her. Sitting up on my knees I grabbed the waistband of her pants and gave a small tug. Bella lifted her ass, making it easier to remove her bottoms. I quickly threw them to the ground and turned back to the beautiful woman waiting for me.

I took a minute to appreciate the sight before me. Taking my hands, I slowly ran them up her thigh, over the curve of her hip, and up to the swell of her breast. "You are perfection." I took her right breast into my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze."Spread your legs for me, Bella." She did as she was told. I closed the distance between us, carefully laying on top of her. I kissed her mouth once more, before beginning to tease her beautiful breast; rolling her hard nipple in between my fingers. Licking and sucking the other.

"Jasper, I need you." I placed my hand over her mound, cupping her through the thin material of her panties, only applying slight pressure. "I promise to give you what you want Darlin', but I want to hear you." She quickly nodded. I slipped her panties to the side, sliding one finger between her slick folds.

"Fuck, you're wet." I slid my already soaked finger into her entrance, earning me a small gasp. I thrust slowly in and out, before adding a second finger. She was bucking her hips begging for more, but I wasn't ready to let her cum. "Patience, Isabella."

"Sooo... fucking good...please..."

I quickened my pace and began to rub her clit with my thumb. She was panting and moaning, each sound causing me to quicken my pace. "Open your eyes Bella. I want to see what I do to you."

I felt her walls tighten around my fingers and she began to shake. "Fuck....JASPER!"

I continued thrusting in and out of her while she rode out her high. Pulling out, I brought my hand up to my lips and licked my fingers clean. Definitely better than blood.

Bella was lying on her back trying to catch her breath. I sat up and asked,"Is that what you wanted, Darlin'?"

"Yes." She sat up and kissed me softly on the lips. She started to go for the buttons of my shirt, but I slapped her hands away lightly.

"Not tonight, I wanted tonight to be about you."

She snuggled into my side. "It was perfect. Thank you Jasper."

I kissed her on her head and said, "Anytime, Darlin', anytime."

Coming up next: Meeting the Volturi