Chapter Thirty Seven

Bella

When I finished my glass he poured me another and by the end of that one I was buzzing gently, so taking a deep breath I put my glass down and moved forward until our bodies were touching and kissed him. I wasn't as passionate as I wanted to be, I still couldn't forget Edwards warnings. Then I stepped away just a little to give myself room to undo his shirt buttons with shaking fingers pulling it out of his pants so once I finished I could slip it down his arms and let it drop to the carpet exposing his upper body which I devoured with my hands and eyes. He was perfect although I could feel scars overlapping most of his exposed skin and I let my lips run down from his jaw to his belly as I knelt down and unzipped his pants before hooking my fingers in the waistband and pulling them to the floor. Then took his hands and getting up pulled him forward to step out of them. Now he stood naked before me looking like a statue of a Greek God he was so perfect. I had thought I would be embarrassed or feel awkward but it just felt right and so very natural as he walked forward and slowly stripped off my clothes letting them fall to join his on the carpet. Then he took my hand and led me to the bed and pulled me down to lay beside him.

"You are so beautiful Bella."

As his hands traced the contours of my body I felt shudders of desire run through me and I knew this was right. As he kissed me and stroked my body the need for him grew until it was almost painful and I begged him to make love to me with trembling lips. As he did so I moved from a girl to a woman, from a fumbling child to a confident woman, led by the man I loved and as we climaxed together I collapsed into his cool hard body knowing it was just where I belonged.

Jasper

I had never experienced anything like the sensations that filled my body and mind as I made love to Bella. An aching hole in me that I had never really noticed was filled making me complete and as the night wore on we explored each other urging the other to further heights wondering at each new experience. Bella was mine and would be for eternity. When she finally fell into a deep exhausted sleep I lay thinking about my life to this point and saw that I had only been going through the motions, that now I had my mate my life was fulfilled and I felt myself relax, slipping into an almost sleep like state. Bella roused me from this when she woke up and rolled on top of me with a wicked grin,

"Well good morning gorgeous. Ready for round two?"

I smiled,

"Always, but we are going to be late meeting Renee and Phil as it is"

She looked over at the clock,

"9.30? How can it be so late?"

"I think you wore yourself out last night"

"No you wore me out, and I do hope you're going to do the same again tonight"

"Your wish is my command, for now if you get showered I'll order you some breakfast then we have to face the dragon"

She laughed as she got up naked and stretched making me hard again, then with a wink she disappeared.

Bella

After breakfast which I ate while Jasper showered we left the room reluctantly and headed for Renee's place parking up a few houses down. I took a deep breath and held his hand tightly as we walked up to the front door and rang the bell. Waiting I went on tip toes to kiss him,

"For luck"

He stroked my cheek and then turned as we heard footsteps approaching the door. It was opened by a very glamorous looking Renee,

"Bella, I expecting you earlier. Still you may as well come in."

Turning she walked back to the kitchen having totally blanked Jasper and I felt my anger rising but he squeezed my hand.

"Don't, it's not worth arguing with your mother over me."

"Well I think it is. That was so rude."

I marched into the kitchen almost dragging Jasper behind me and stood in front of Renee.

"Mum, Jasper and I arranged to be here this morning but I never said a time for sure. And why were you so rude to Jasper?"

"Was I? Sorry Jasper if I offended you in any way. Well you're here so what was so important only..."

she looked at her wristwatch,

"I'm meeting Phil and his friends for brunch in half an hour"

"You arranged that knowing we were coming?"

"Sorry, I didn't realize your visit was going to take that long. Is it very important?"

"Do you really think we'd come this far if it wasn't?"

"It was only a short time ago you were here so I didn't think it could be anything that important."

"Well you're right. It's not something important to you mum. Sorry we took up any of your valuable time. We'll go now so you aren't late for your so important brunch"

"Which way are you going? Could you give me a lift to the Country Club? You can tell me what it was you wanted to say on the drive. It would be much more convenient than calling a cab too"

Jasper

I felt Bella's hurt and her anger and I took her in my arms holding her tight and whispering soft words. I wouldn't say what I wanted to because it would only upset Bella more, so I just turned around and walked her back out followed by Renee,

"Are you leaving already? I've got time for coffee if you like."

I didn't say anything, just put Bella in the car and asked her to stay there.

"I'll only be a moment."

Then I walked back to Renee who stood on the porch watching us looking a little put out.

"Well, Bella had more manners when she lived with me."

"I have no idea where she got them from because all she would have received from you is rude ignorance. We came here to tell you that Bella and I are going to be married at Christmas. We hoped you'd be happy for us but I guess Bella's happiness doesn't come very high in your list of priorities. Well you don't have to worry any longer because I'm taking over her care and I will make sure no one ever hurts her again. Goodbye Renee, I don't think we'll be meeting again."

Bella

I didn't know what Jasper was saying but she looked shell-shocked when he walked away and stood open-mouthed as he got in and drove away without a backward glance. He didn't speak for a while and I could feel his anger at my hurt spilling into the atmosphere.

"I'm not going to ask what you said to her but thank you. I've never had anyone fight my corner like that before."

"He pulled up and turned to me looking very serious,

"Bella I will always fight your corner and watch your back. I love you and no one will ever do that to you again, not your mother, not your father, not anyone."

I couldn't help the tears that fell but they were tears of gratitude and love, not pain. I just wished there was something I could do for him but I vowed to fight his corner and watch his back in return.