Chapter Thirty Seven
Bella
The next morning he was gone but there was a flower laying on my pillow and a sheet of paper with Love J on it. I put it in my drawer and it reminded me of Edwards letter I'd torn up. I wouldn't ask Jasper about the village but he ought to know Edward had written to me. I must tell him when I got the chance. I thought it better to approach Charlie slowly about Jasper, so I cooked his favourite fish dish and made sure there were seconds. Afterwards he went in and grabbed the remote control for the TV. "Dad, before you put that on I just wanted to tell you something". He looked at me, "Oh, OK, what's up?" I took a deep breath, "I have a date this evening". His eyes narrowed a bit and he put the remote down again. "Who with? I didn't know you were interested in anyone". "Well, we've been seeing each other for a little while but we thought I ought to introduce him to you". He sat down in his chair and waited. "Its Jasper Hale".
He didn't get it, "Who? Do I know him? Is he a local boy?" "Yes and not exactly" I explained. "Bella I'm tired and the game starts in five so can we get to the point" he still hadn't joined the dots. "Its one of Dr Cullen's foster sons". I could see him checking them off, "Now I know Emmett is the big one and you told me he had a girlfriend. The youngest one has gone away, that would be Edward, so that leaves..." his eyes narrowed further, "Is that the quiet dangerous looking one? Isn't he too old for you?" If only you knew I thought but answered quickly, "He's only a year older and he's not dangerous, just quiet". Charlie grunted, "Well, we'll see. When he due to pick you up?" I heard footsteps at the door. "I think he's here now Dad. Please be nice". Charlie waved me away with his hand and turned the TV on. Jasper stood on the porch, dressed up in slacks and a dark blue shirt, he'd even slicked his hair down a bit and I had to smile. He was really making an effort for Charlie. I invited him in and took his hand as I guided him to the lounge.
Charlie looked up as he heard us. "Hello Chief Swan. I'm Jasper Hale" and he held out a gloved hand. Charlie looked at it and him for a second before shaking it. "Hello Jasper. Where are you taking my girl?" Jasper shrugged, "Wherever she wants to go. I thought we might catch a Movie and have supper after, if that's OK with you, of course". The flannel was working, either that or Jasper was using his gift. Charlie nodded, "Don't be too late bringing her back". "I wont sir" Jasper said, and I hauled him out before I started to laugh. "So, where are we going?" I asked him as we got in the car. He leaned over and kissed me, "As long as we are together I don't really care. Wherever my beautiful lady wants to go, whatever you want to do"
"What I'd really like to do is go away somewhere very quiet and just cuddle up" I answered. "That sounds perfect" he said and he started the car. "Where are we going?" I asked. "I just happen to know a place that's quiet". I smiled and put my hand on his thigh as he drove, enjoying the feeling of his muscles moving as he changed gear. "That feels good" he said putting his hand over mine. We stayed like that until he pulled up in the woods, a small pull in at the side of the road. "Will this do ma'am?" I looked around, "Oh I think so". He reclined the seats and I climbed onto his lap and curled up, my head on his shoulder, my lips touching his neck. He swallowed, "Am I too close? Is this too much for you?" I asked anxiously. He shook his head. "No, just the opposite. It's good. You have no idea how good it feels to have you this close". Oh I do, I thought but I never spoke. "Bella why did you come back for me? I nearly took your arm off" it was still bothering him. "I had this argument already. You didn't. You avoided me, and the reason I came back is simple. I knew you were there and needed saving from the major, or the beast, or whatever you call that part of yourself". "How did you know?" Ah, I thought, fishing are we? "Well again, its simple".
I took his hand and placed it on my left breast, "I felt it here, I feel it still". His hand felt cool but I never moved it and neither did he. His fingers twitched slightly and he sighed again. "Rose told me about this feeling" I said. "Oh" he sounded nonchalant but I knew he was nervous. "What did she tell you exactly?" he asked. "That this feeling", I pushed his hand against my breast again, "Is a mating pull. That the ache I get when I'm away from you is part of it too". He stiffened and pulled his hand away to push me away and look into my face. "She told you all that?" he was shocked. "Yes. When I explained how I felt about you" I said gently. Again he swallowed nervously. "What feelings Bella?" I hesitated, "Please?" he begged.
I sighed before continuing, "The ache when you aren't with me, the pull towards you. The fact I knew you were still there, that you hadn't surrendered to your dark side. That I needed to get to you". He pulled my head down and kissed me until I was gasping for breath. "You have no idea how good that makes me feel Bella because I feel the same way. I will always be able to find you, the pull works both ways". "Good" I said and I returned the kiss. As my tongue flickered over his lips they parted slightly. I tasted him and wanted more. I teased my tongue between his lips and into the moist cavity of his mouth. He tasted divine and there was a slight numbness caused by the venom.
When I pulled away to breathe I saw his eyes had darkened. I touched the dark shadows under his eyes. "Are you thirsty?" He grinned, "Yes, but not for blood" I blushed slightly, "What for then Cowboy?" He groaned and I felt his arousal as I squirmed in his lap. "Bella if you don't sit still I'm going to explode. You have no idea what you are doing to me girl". I ran my fingers down his face, around his lips and down to the open neck of his shirt, "Oh I have an idea". His hand came up to clasp mine and he brought it to his lips, kissing each finger then the palm and finally the pulse on my wrist. "Does that tempt you?" He nodded "Yes, but not as much as your body". We stayed like this, just within the bounds of decency, although it was a close run thing. Then I saw the time. "I think we'd better get back. Charlie will be out with his rifle otherwise". Jasper sighed and slid me off his lap rearranging himself in the process. "Bella you are killing me". I smiled, "Hold on to that thought".