Chapter Twenty One

Bella

When we got back to the motel Jasper said he needed to hunt, giving me time to calm down I think. So I decided to get the lies out of the way first and dialed Forks. Dad was at work which made things easier, he couldn't cross-examine me too much, with luck he'd get called out to a loose bear in town or something making it even more short and sweet.

"Bells? You OK? Any news yet?"

"No Dad but I'm going away for a few weeks with some friends, exploring"

I tried to keep it as vague as possible. I was an adult after all and trying to lie convincingly to my dad about something that was really none of his business!

"Any one I know?"

"No just friends, in Portland"

OK, Not really a lie that's where they were now.

"Where are you going "exploring"?"

That one was a little more tricky,

"Alaska"

"Alaska? You hate the cold and the wet."

"I thought I'd try seeing it in a new light"

"That sounds like something your mother might say, she's not going is she?"

"No."

"Well keep in touch and be careful. Any problems you know my number"

"Thanks dad I'll send you a card."

"A fresh wild salmon would be nice"

I laughed and we finished the call soon after. One down, One to go, now for Renee.

"Bella honey where are you? I had Jude on the phone really upset. What happened?"

"I told him I didn't want to get married mum."

"Oh, well that's good. You're far too young anyway. So why the call? Are you in trouble?"

"No. I'm ringing to tell you that I'm going away for a few weeks, exploring Alaska with friends from College."

"Alaska?"

"Yes"

I waited for the sarcastic comments,

"What's his name and where did you meet him?"

Why was it that when I wanted Renee to act dumb she always cut straight to the chase.

"Mum there are three others going, Jasper, Peter, and I think his girlfriend is called Charlotte, I haven't met her yet."

"What's he like?"

"Mum it's not like that"

"Really? My girl who freaks out at the first snowflake is running away with two guys and another girl she doesn't even know to Alaska and she tells me it's not like that. Is he good-looking?"

I groaned and surrendered,

"Yes."

"Really hot?"

"Mum!"

"OK. Just have fun and be careful."

"I will and thanks mum."

"I want to meet him sometime."

"We'll see"

The thought of Renee and Jasper in the same town, let alone the same room, filled me with horror!

Jasper

I really couldn't work Bella out but then it was a long time since I'd had to understand a humans emotions in relation to me, other than fear. Bella didn't fear me I knew that, but she was very nervous around me and I wasn't sure why, was it because she felt my desire for her or was it her emotions I was feeling. The idea of weeks together and almost alone was very intriguing but there was a fly in the ointment, Peters big mouth. I hadn't accounted for that when asking Bella to read his text message but at least she'd had a taste of his attitude so it wouldn't be such a shock. I did wonder how Bella would get along with Charlotte, I hoped they would become friends but I was wary. Charlotte was very protective of both Peter and myself and she had hated Alice even more than Peter. She felt Alice had manipulated me and ruined my life for far too long.

When I got back Bella was sitting on the bed watching TV in her wrap holding a mug of coffee. She smiled at me in greeting and I felt a warmth deep inside. I wanted to go over to her, take the mug away and kiss her, lay her down on the bed and slowly undo the wrap to expose her body to my gaze then...whoa Major! She must have felt some of my emotions because she colored and sipped her coffee, holding the mug as a talisman or shield and I coughed to hide my confusion.

"Sorry Bella. Why don't you get some sleep, I'm going to shower and read for a while"

Read? Liar, you were going to watch Bella sleep and wish you were laying there beside her.

"I rang Charlie and Renee"

"Oh right, What did they say?"

"Charlie said be careful and ring me if there's any trouble...oh yes and bring him back a fresh wild salmon."

"And Renee?"

"She wanted to know about you"

"Me?"

She laughed at my surprise,

"Yes she worked out I was going away with a guy and she wanted to know all about him"

"What did you tell her?"

"Your name and that you were good-looking"

"Really?"

"Don't act so surprised, you knew that."

"It's still nice to hear, especially when its coming from you"

"Why especially when it comes from me?"

He shook his head,

"Oh no, I'm not making it too easy for you."

Her eyes were so beautiful I could lose myself in them, in fact I did because she coughed loudly bringing me back to the present.

"I'm going to shower if that's OK with you?"

She looked puzzled, yeah two showers in one evening was pretty extreme but I had been to hunt and I needed thinking time.

"Its your room. I'm going to bed."

God I wished she would ask me to join her but I walked into the bathroom and shut the door sliding down it to sit in the tiled floor, my head in my hands. How was I going to cope this close to the girl of my dreams without touching her? The very thought of her in bed in the next room was arousing enough, I thought a cold shower was called for although I had my doubts it would do any good when I knew as soon as I opened that door I was going to be saturated by her scent, her emotions, and the sight of her laying asleep in the bed that was plenty big enough for us to make love in!

I stayed in the shower until I heard her heartbeat even out and her breathing become shallower as she fell asleep then I got dressed quickly and went to sit in the chair, moving it so I got the best view of her face on the pillow, her silky hair spread out around her. Taking a chance I got up and leaned over to place the lightest of kisses on her cheek, she stirred but settled again almost immediately. I returned to my seat trying desperately to get comfortable and hoping she wouldn't wake to see how aroused I was by her presence. My hands itched to touch her soft warm skin but I resisted, then my thoughts were interrupted by my phone vibrating on the dresser. I grabbed it and groaned quietly. Alice again, now what!

"Bella is a liability and a liar. Leave her"

I deleted it but did wonder why Alice was so adamant I leave Bella, what did she know about her?