A/N: the quote is from Steve Maraboli
thanks KatandJasper for asking why Jasper didn't want to kill Edward. I didn't realize the possibility that some may wonder about that. I hope I answered it to everyone's satisfaction and if there's anything anyone is missing, doesn't understand, or anything I may possibly miss bringing closure to please let me know.
I know Chanel No. 5 wasn't launched until the year after Alice was changed into a vampire in 1920. It didn't launch until 1921, plus vampires don't really need to wear perfume- with their keen sense of smell it can actually be cloying and an issue when they're hunting, but I can totally see Alice's scent, that smell unique to all vampires, being Chanel No. 5 and other things designer, can't you? Lol.
and next chapter will be the time jump. Sorry if I confused anyone.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Edward
I took a calculated risk tonight. I watched them at the zoo all day, having fun, and it angered me. I left the note and watched with glee as their good moods faded. It hurt to make Bella sad of course but there isn't much choice if I want her to come back to me. I want her to see that Jasper can't possibly make her as happy as I can.
When they brushed it off though I knew I needed to try something else. Imagine my surprise when Alice showed up. I followed them, keeping pace with Bella's truck easily and listened to the conversation, at least the snippets I could hear. Their thoughts, not Bella's of course much to my continued frustration, were easier to hear. Alice was tired of not being able to see what I was doing and for that I was glad.
It meant my plan to get around her visions was still working. I couldn't risk her seeing what else I had planned and warning them. The time for me to back off and leave them alone, to let them get comfortable and less wary, was fast approaching.
When I heard Jasper offer to take Alice back to Seattle, assuming I was done for the day and wouldn't bother Bella, I knew I had a golden opportunity. One I didn't dare squander. So I waited until they were well on their way to Seattle. Until they had probably reached it and then made my decision. I needed Alice to see this one. Because it would slow them further when she pulled over to keep from wrecking. I didn't anticipate Jasper continuing on without her or her calling the pack before him though, so my plan went faster than I had wished.
Bella was still determined to lie to me about her feelings. Even going so far as to show me her engagement ring. What a joke that one was. She wanted a ring? To get married? I'd give her the biggest, prettiest diamond she'd ever see. It would make that piece of garbage my 'brother' gave her look pale in comparison.
I had three more days to try and get her to respond to me and then I would cut off all communication. I knew they'd wonder why and be extra cautious at first but hopefully by the time they left Forks after her faked death they'd be relaxed enough for me to implement the rest of my plan. I just had to make sure I didn't think on it too much so Alice wouldn't see it.
No definite decisions made until they were too late to stop me. By then Bella and I would be long gone; and Jasper would never get her back. I'd use the time I would gain, from where I would probably take her, to woo her back properly. If I chose to take her there, Jasper would never be stupid enough to follow. Good riddance.
Bella
I wake with my arms wrapped around my man and his wrapped around me. Charlie must still be asleep, otherwise Jasper wouldn't still be here. I unfortunately have work this morning, but thankfully I get off at one and by then Charlie will be getting ready to leave for his shift at one-thirty.
Also, unfortunately, I won't be alone at the store today as Mr. Newton has to come in and take inventory and see what all he needs to order. So no Jasper in the back room today. I'll just have to utilize the few minutes I have now, before I have to get out of bed, until I can see him again this afternoon. However, my mind wanders to last night instead.
Last night really shook me and I'm afraid Edward will try to get me alone again. I'm brought out of my musings by Jasper's low whisper.
"What are you thinking about so hard? I can feel your apprehension. You know I won't make the same mistake I did yesterday right? I won't let him have any more opportunities to get close to you, ok?"
"I know Jasper, but he was so close last night and that scared me. I think if Charlie hadn't been sleeping a room away he might have broken the window to get to me."
"He might have. We won't ever know though. For now it's time for you to get up and get ready for work." And with that he stands up, pulls me up off the bed and gives my ass a swat and my lips a kiss, before pointing me towards the bathroom.
When I come back he's gone, Charlie is up though so I can understand and I doubt he's gone further than the forest surrounding the house. He left me a note though.
"I knew you were the one when I realized your smile was my heaven, your laugh my favorite song, and your arms my home." I love you so much. It hurts when I'm not near you. I will protect you with my life and I won't let Edward near you. I'll be following you to work and then I'll be back from hunting before you leave work and will follow you home and meet you at the back door. Again I love you and I'll see you face to face again soon.
All my love,
Jasper
I'm glad he'll be following me. Edward's actions last night tell me he's willing to come to me now, and who knows what he might do at any point in time that I'm alone. Although I'm beginning to wonder how dangerous he really is. I've graduated now but he's still leaving me notes, sending me gifts, and then last night he was at my window. Like Romeo did with Juliet.
It's like he's trying to woo me, in his own confused way. Like he really thinks putting Jasper down, trying to make me see a monster instead of a man, or someone not worthy of me, will work. Like he's trying to make me think that he's the better choice between him or Jasper, but what he hasn't seemed to realize yet is that Jasper is ten times the man Edward can every hope to be; and I can't change my feelings for him even if I wanted to, which I don't.
His words last night about Jasper make me wonder if his attempts to get me back aren't more out of jealousy than love. Like a child whose favorite toy was taken and now he wants it back. Unfortunately for him I'm not a toy, I'm a person and he's picked the wrong person. Jasper may not kill him when all this is over but I'm sure he'd still lose a limb or two for a couple of days.
I'm just tired of this game he's playing. I want to be left in peace. I want to be able to concentrate on good times with Charlie and the pack as well as Jasper and the rest of my friends. June is almost over, we're into the last week of it. It's Tuesday now, Friday is the last day of June. Then I'll only have a month to be with them, to say goodbye in my own way, and Edward is messing with that; and I have to say that if I'm carrying this anger around over the loss of my time with my loved ones when I'm turned into a vampire, I may very well hunt Edward down myself and kick his ass from here to Mexico!
For now I'll put this aside. I have to get to work and I can't do anything about Edward. So I'm going to try my hardest to ignore him and spend these last days with my friends and family. Making memories to cherish and try to keep with me through my transformation. There's the Fourth of July, then the Rez's celebration of the Quileute way of life called The Quileute Days, after that it's the hen and stag nights and then Sam and Emily's wedding. There's so much going on and I won't let that ass ruin it for me.
Jasper
I could feel her anger and confusion all the way out here and wondered what she was thinking about. Probably Edward. He picked probably the worst time to come back and try to get her back. If he ruins these last days with her family and friends, I will find and rip him apart once she's changed, no matter what Carlisle may have asked. I had to call him, Edward getting so close last night frightened Bella badly and I needed him to know that if it happened again and I got a hold of Edward he was dead. Of course Carlisle being who he is told me he understood but asked if I would please try my hardest not to.
He reminded me that Edward is just confused and that he isn't dangerous persay, just bold. He's lucky I respect him so much and know how devastated he and Esme would be if I killed their first "son". They would feel the same way for any one of us, including Bella, of course but they had Edward alone for a long time. To lose him when it's possible to get through to him would hurt them badly. So I told him I would try. That maybe he should talk to Marcus for advice. Maybe the brother would be able to help though I doubt it since he never leaves Volterra, Aro is too paranoid of Chelsea losing her hold over him, and it would be suspicious if he and Carlisle talked too often.
No, I'm afraid this whole thing will only truly end once she's changed and Edward can no longer scent her blood. This is all because of that. I just hope nothing happens between then and now. I know she'll be safe then because of Shannon telling us Bella was a shield that night. So I'm hoping her shield combined with no blood will make him more likely to see reason. Alerting Aro or Caius in any way could spell death for us all.
Although Bella may be like Aro's personal shield Renata and that would mean she could only protect anyone she touches and herself, but I'm sure if we work on it she may be able to project it. All that concerns me though, is her protection. So if she can't project it it won't hurt anything. Besides, I'm more dangerous than any gift Aro has, not that it matters since we're talking Edward here, he doesn't want to go to the Volturi. Otherwise he would have done it long before now, since they've been trying to recruit him for years, Alice too. So I don't even know why I'm thinking about them.
I watch as she comes out of the house and climbs into her truck. She pauses for a minute and I'm wondering what she's doing, since she's looking down at her lap. I don't have to wait long though, as my phone buzzes with an incoming text.
*I'm leaving now, love you. See you face to face later. Have fun hunting, try not to get too messy. I know how you love a good fight with a bear or mountain lion. ;)*
I can't help my chuckle. Cheeky little minx, my Bella. She's always keeping me on my toes. I quickly text her back.
*Alright love. I'll see you later. I'm ready when you are.*
With that I watch as she puts the truck into gear and pulls out of the drive. I run through the trees and foliage, keeping her truck in sight as I go, until she gets to Newton's. After making sure Mr. Newton is there, I head off towards the mountains to hunt.
Once I get back to the house I'm met by Alice, I almost forgot she was still here although it looks like she's getting ready to leave. She comes bounding down the stairs.
"Hey Jazz, I knew you'd get here before I left, how was the hunting? I know you wanted a bear but we do have to leave some of the predators to keep the natural balance," she says with a chuckle.
"Yes I know Alice. So I take it you're leaving?"
"Yes, unfortunately I have to get back to Boston. I haven't just been looking for my mate. I've been working at an art gallery. I told them I had a family emergency so I could come here. I was tired of not talking to Bella. I know I could have just called her but I figured a face to face apology, to both of you, would go over better and you both deserved it that way. I do hope you both forgive me. I know we can't go right back to the way things were but I want to try to be friends again. I love you Jazz and I'm happy you're happy."
"I love you too Alice and I'll do whatever you need to help you find your happiness. Let me know, ok?"
"Thanks Jazz, I'll let you know when my visions become more concrete where my mate is concerned; and if I see anything solid from Edward. Until later!" And she's out the door in a swirl of Chanel No. 5 and exuberance. All I can do is shake my head. She is one of a kind.
Bella
My shift went by fast and it seems like it hasn't been long enough to be almost one. Just as my shift ends I get a text from Jasper letting me know he's outside and ready when I am. I get in my truck and head home. When I get there Charlie is just walking out of the house towards his cruiser.
"Hey Dad, be careful today."
"Always am Bells, I'll see you in the morning." And he climbs into the drivers seat and he's off.
I head inside and, after locking the front door, I head into the kitchen and to the back door. His smiling face is a beautiful sight I must say. It does things to a girl to know I'm the reason he's smiling. I open the door and he steps in. He's changed. He's wearing his usual jeans, but has his cowboy boots on today, along with a light blue button up that makes those gold eyes stand out more, the sleeves unbuttoned and rolled up to just below his elbow, showing those beautifully corded forearms.
I must say that the overall look, including the scars which I can sort of see, is sexy as hell and has heat pooling low in my belly and my breath coming in pants. Which he obviously notices by the predatory look that's now on his face, and the fact that he's begun stalking towards me, pausing only long enough to close and lock the door behind him.
Im apparently in a playful mood because while he's preoccupied with the door I turn and run out of the kitchen towards the stairs. I hit the bottom step and then he's there, picking my up and putting me over his shoulder in a fireman's carry, swatting my butt every other step and laughing. The rat.
"Did you really think that you could get away from me darlin'? Even preoccupied for a moment I'm still faster than you."
"Not for much longer you won't be. Once I'm a newborn I'll be faster and stronger. So there!" I stick my tongue out at him even if he can't see it.
We're in my bedroom before I know it and he sets me down on my feet, steadying me as I'm a tad dizzy from being upside down. Once steady he takes my face between his palms.
"I love you, you know that right?"
"Just shut up and kiss me cowboy." And he does just that. It's deep and passionate, his tongue running across my lips seeking entry that I grant easily. Our tongues dancing together in a timeless fashion.
His hands move to tangle in my hair, tilting my head to get just the right angle. My fingers curl into his shirt, clutching him to me. His lips move to my face and neck and the next thing I know he's divesting me of my shirt and bra. His hands travel down across my shoulders to cup my breasts, his thumbs brush my nipples pulling a moan from deep within my throat.
I move my fingers to the buttons of his shirt and begin to unbutton them, my progress hindered as I get to where his shirt is tucked into his pants. I quickly tug it out and finish with the last buttons, pushing his shirt off him slowly, reveling in the feel of his muscular shoulders and back as my hands travel across them, dropping his shirt to the floor.
He continues kissing my neck, sucking on it. I know what he's doing, marking me. Which means I'll have to wear my hair down when I'm around Charlie. I don't care. It feels too damn good and I want him to mark me. I'm his and he's mine and once I'm a vampire I'll return the favor.
I move my hands down to the button of his jeans, undoing it and pulling his zipper down so I can reach my hands down the front of his pants and rub his erection. As I wrap my hand around him he groans and moves his mouth from my neck, places his forehead against mine and closes his eyes as he takes in the sensation of my fingers wrapped around his dick, my hand pumping up and down, it's not long before he's grabbing my wrist and pulling my hand from his jeans.
Silently he lifts me up and carries me to the bed, laying me down in the middle of it and coming down on top of me. He begins a slow delicious exploration of my upper body with his lips and tongue and by the time he reaches the top of my shorts I'm quivering with anticipation. He kisses the button before pulling them open and, grabbing the hem of both my shorts and panties, he removes them in one swift tug.
He returns to his kissing and licking, moving along my hip bones before settling himself between my thighs, his shoulders holding my legs open. He wraps his arms around my thighs and uses his cool fingers to part the lips of my pussy, using only the tip of his tongue on my throbbing clit. He flicks it over and over causing me to arch my back at the sensation as I try to move my hips, which are pined down by his arms.
I moan deep and loud as he sucks my clit into his mouth, my fingers threading into his hair to pull him closer. My thighs squeezing his head as the sensation becomes too much and I begin to quiver and shake even harder. The orgasm he's pushing me towards coming closer as heat pools in my belly and sets me on fire. He shifts, just enough to push a finger into my dripping entrance, and he begins to pump it in and out as he continues the assault on my clit. It's only seconds later that I detonate, my inner walls clenching around his finger.
He keeps licking my clit as I ride out this amazing orgasm. Once I've come down from the high he moves my fingers from his hair and rolls us over so I'm on top.
"Your turn to ride darlin'."
So I straddle him, grabbing his dick in my hand I give it a squeeze, pumping my hand up and down a couple times before I position him at my entrance and slide down his length, slowly, taking him in inch by inch until he's fully seated within me. The feel of him stretching me is wonderful! He gives me his hands for leverage, and I take them entwining our fingers and start to move, up until only the tip is still inside me and then slamming back down, crying out my pleasure.
I do this over and over pushing myself, and him, ever closer to the brink until, suddenly, he sits up and flips me over onto my back, never breaking our connection. He comes down on top of me wrapping me tightly in his arms and begins to move. Fast, hard strokes, his pelvis rubbing against my clit with every pass and my legs wrap around his waist, heels digging into his ass, my arms around his back where I can feel every muscle moving beneath my hands.
He slams into me, as hard as he can without breaking me, and we cry out our pleasure together. Our climaxes so intense everything seems to stop, as he freezes above me and my back arches, pushing me up into his chest further as I cum, hard. My walls clenching around him, milking him of everything he's got, until he collapses on top of me, his face pressed into my neck.
After a moment he rolls off me, cognizant of the potential of crushing me with his weight, and pulls me into his arms. I'm barely able to move, wrung out as I am. We don't speak at all, just lay there as I try to catch my breath. Sometimes it must be nice to not have to breathe. He may be panting just like I am but it's not to catch his breath, more out of habit.
"Well, darlin' catching you earlier sure was worth it! Damn!" All I can manage is a weak chuckle.
He leans over and kisses my forehead, chuckling himself, before picking up my hand and kissing my ring.
"When you're able to talk, how about we decide what it is you'd like to do the rest of the day."
A/N: I'm totally sorry if the sex scene sucked, my sex muse died right in the middle of writing it. I'm skipping right along on next chapter, it'll be after Fourth of July because honestly you can only write about bonfires so often before they get boring. Lol. Let me know what you think of this chapter. And thanks for understanding ahead of time. We're getting closer to the chapter where Bella fakes her death and other characters come into play. :)
