Hey my dear readers, sorry for this kinda late update. I got a bit too much real life plus some kind of a writer's block – so I am stuck with chapter 21…
But I still got some chapters to update, so don't worry, until then I might be back ;)
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I wanna thank Kelli for being the beta of this chapter, Doreen for great support in all life things and my readers for reading and reviewing :)
Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns the Twilight Saga.
Chapter 14 – Unexpected offers
APOV
I was confused. All the things which had happened in the last 24 hours made my mind spin and I couldn't concentrate well on the exhibition. I was introduced to some major deans who were probably really important but most of the time I was lost in my thoughts.
I didn't know how much I owed Jasper for saving me from James´ assault and I felt ashamed of the whole situation – that´s why I didn't talk much to him after he brought me to his flat.
I was still afraid that James would come and say sorry or whatever. He was the one and only person I didn't want to see. But I wanted to see Jasper and that wasn't possible because he had something to do with Edward. So he wasn't here at the moment and I had too much time for thinking.
It was so sweet of him how much he cared. He had cooked the most delicious pasta someone had ever cooked for me – at least it felt like that. Probably a five star cook wouldn't have the same opinion. But for me it was the best and I loved him so much for this.
And then, as I wanted to go home and felt terrible just thinking I had to be alone he told me I could sleep at his place. As he gave me a shirt and I went to bathroom it felt strange. If I hadn't had this thing with James yesterday the evening would have been totally different. Jasper was so kind. He had never asked too much, and then I should sleep with him in one flat. I wanted him closer to me and so I asked him if he could sleep with me in one bed even if I said it in a stupid sentence but he understood. He laid next to me – actually too far away for my sense. But I was too tired to enjoy lying with him so I just said ´thank you´ and felt asleep.
And then I had this dream – about me and Jasper, making out heavily and it felt so real. Just now, standing in the exhibition, I remembered that I was a sleep talker (Bella had always complained about this fact) and I blushed. What if I had talked? What if he had heard what I was dreaming about? I tried to not think of this possibility.
But as the dream continued an ugly noise woke me up. It was Jasper´s mobile and Edward was calling. I could have killed Edward in this minute because it meant that this wonderful time in Jasper´s bed was over. I open my eyes in frustration but seeing Jasper lying next to me in the bed, his hair still tousled made me smile. He ended the call soon and as my stomach grumbled he invited me for breakfast. We just stopped for some minutes at my apartment so I could run up and change.
We had breakfast in a small bistro in the city and it was pretty good and even better with Jasper there. I was really happy.
Before he wanted to drive me back directly to university we made a small walk through the nearby park and there I spotted a small ice skating area and I loved ice skating! I felt that he wasn't hooked but at least he didn't say no.
For me ice skating was like dancing, seeing him doing it was really funny, but I tried my best to hide my laugher and just smiled. I simply grabbed his hand and it seemed that with my help he enjoyed gliding. Until he fell…
And while falling he pulled me with him but still he managed that I somehow fell on him and not onto the hard ice.
First I was surprised but then I realized our situation. He was lying on his back, I was lying on him. His face was so close I could feel his warm breath – and his chest moving up and down fast. His gaze caught mine and I was lost. I couldn't think anymore. I was so attracted my mind stopped working. I licked my lips in anticipation and moved my head towards him…
And then this helpful, much too helpful guard came and stopped me. I didn't feel angry, I felt eased. I had nearly gone a step too far. But was he moving as well towards me? I still wasn't sure – damn it my mind because it stopped thinking straight!
Bewildered I thanked the guard and asked Jasper if he was ok. He seemed a bit angry and sexy at the same time. And there my mind blanked out a second time. I felt so much like kissing him.
And thank god his mobile saved me this time. If there was something I didn't want to rush it, I wanted to be sure.
All these thoughts were running through my mind until I felt asleep early in the Sunday evening and they were still there as I woke up the next morning – way too early.
I knew James wouldn't be in school – thank god. I didn't care why he was absent; it was just perfect for me.
I got up and took a long shower. It had started to snow finally and I was looking forward to the holidays although I would spend them alone. It wasn't the first time. Unfortunately I had spent all my savings in Europe and my flat so I couldn't escape in some nice hot holiday on the beach. Jasper wouldn't be here as well and I wasn't sure if our situation would continue so I was glad that we had some days where we were separated. And Bella was in Phoenix so I had nowhere to go. I would never think of going to Mississippi and visit my parents. Who knows if they were at home…
After a tiny breakfast due to the lack of food in my fridge I took the bus to university. The last three days were full of tests for the students and full of work for me in the exhibition, so I didn't recognize how the time passed. It was some time on Tuesday around lunch time and I was really hungry as Jasper entered the exhibition room. There weren't very many people there and he saw me immediately.
He smiled what I took as good sign. We hadn't seen each other after he had dropped me off here on Sunday and I noticed that I had missed him desperately.
I could feel the small butterflies in my stomach as he came towards me. My feelings for him didn't change I convinced myself. I had this some kind of strange angst that this would happen someday and so I needed to assure myself of the contrary.
"Hey, how are you?" He asked me softly and I smiled mischievously.
"I should ask you this question. You are the one who hit his head on the ice." No beating about the bush, I hit the topic straight away.
But he waved aside, just smiled, said "I am fine – still feeling the same." and looked me straight in the eyes. I could feel myself blushing and turned my head down. Breathe!
He could probably see that I wasn't feeling comfortable so he quickly changed the topic. "Hey, what are you doing in your holidays?"
Huh? Why was he asking this?
"Uhm, not a lot. I will stay in Seattle, have some calm days alone, watch lots of DVDs, and go shopping – nothing special though." I sighed and realized how lame my plan for Christmas was.
He gave me a questioning look. "Are you serious? You're spending the festive season alone? I thought you might go and see your family…" He trailed of as he detected his own mistake by mention my family – we had never talked about them.
I tried to save the situation. "They aren't home. It would be useless to go there." I sounded sad.
"Oh, ok." He breathed a sigh of relief and finally smiled.
"Listen, I talked to Rosalie yesterday and she was asking how you are. Why don't you show her how well you have settled in Seattle with telling her personally?"
Now it was my turn to give him a questioning look. "What do you mean?" I didn't understand what he was talking about. Should I call Rosalie or what?
"I mean, I'm inviting you for Christmas holidays to Forks. My family knows you. And you are Rosalie´s best friend – as well as mine." The last words he said much quieter.
Did I really understand what he said? Did he just invite me for Christmas with him and his family?
"Excuse me?" I still was confused.
He chuckled. "Alice, I am just asking for you to not spend Christmas alone. So you wanna come to Forks and see Rosalie or not?"
I slowly nodded but my mind was still working. What did this mean? What was I supposed to do?
"Great! That means we have some things to plan." He grinned now and looked extremely enthusiastic.
Planning? What did he want to plan?
I got distracted by a customer who wanted to ask me some questions about the exhibition and so I had time to recap.
I would spend my holidays with Jasper in Forks – there goes my plan of getting some distance to become clear about my feelings…