Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all.
Rated M for several reasons.
Chapter 36 The Lady in Red
FPOV
I'm not sure about this.
I've no weird certainty about it one way or the other, which is freaking me out since 'events' these days are starting to come with a feeling about whether they're good or bad. And parties haven't exactly worked out well for Mom or me recently . . . .
Nevertheless I can't wait to make my grand entrance, because as much as I loved girlie time with Bren or Maisie back in the day, the pair of them knew fuck all about hair and make-up compared to Rose. I'm not wearing much, just some mascara, a little dark grey shadow on my eyelids and a deep red lipstick, but it's still a whole lot more than Mom, Rose sat and looked at her critically for ages and then just handed her a clear lip gloss and told her to knock herself out.
Because I don't get tired I've been stood in front of my mirror, listening to my iPod, for hours.
Rose wouldn't let me wear one the outfits the Denalis gave me, saying it wasn't in the spirit of the competition. Instead she produced a dark red dress from her closet that she insisted was perfect for me. I've never been one for red but her taste is flawless, I look like a freaking supermodel. She spent ages playing with my hair before we finally decided to put it up, not something I've ever done before other than with a scrunchie. Dad always felt 'up dos' were for grown-ups.
Jesus. He'd have a shit fit is he could see me now.
I've got tape on my nips so they don't show through the filmy dress, not sure I understand why Rose felt it was important, it's not like I'm gonna feel the cold or anything.
I twist from side to side for the millionth time. Does my butt look big in this? Hell no, I know girl's who'd die for this butt, Rose shoved me into a thong so there's no VPL, just a round sweep that the fabric clings to slightly until I move.
The dress is perched precariously on the edge of my shoulders, more tape, dipping daringly between my unsupported boobs. I twist again, examining the expanse of my naked back, a little alarmed by the way the dress skims over the top of my ass. Even more tape making sure everything stays hidden, barely.
Dad's never gonna know about this but Mom sure does and she isn't entirely happy about it.
"It's too short." She objected.
"She's taller than me and she has great legs." Rose shrugged.
"She's practically naked."
Which is when Rose produced the roll of tape, snapping it like a pro.
I giggle, remembering . . . .
Mom's objections were short lived. If I came out supermodel, she came out sex siren. I've never seen her wear blue except for jeans but it really looked good on her. Her dress is as long as mine is short, and somehow way sexier because of it, voluptuous was the word Rose used as she styled Mom's hair to curl down, covering what the dress didn't.
Carlisle, apparently aware of the competition lent us both some of Esme's jewellery.
Diamond studs and a small diamond pendant, that's hanging between my boobs now on a thin silver chain, for me, and a choker of sapphires for Mom that perfectly set off her swan's neck and stellar collar bones.
Yeah. Something's gonna happen tonight, I just don't know what . . . .
…..
"Wow." Em breathes. "The Barefoot Contessa."
"Shut up." I growl as I descend the stairs. "No one here's got heels that fit me."
"We're so gonna win." He laughs, offering me his arm. "Cullen women rock."
"Isn't there a men's competition?" I ask as he guides me through the house.
"Nah, we're all winners already, besides poor Eleazar gave up years ago, nobody can do tux like I can."
He does look rather good, but maybe, then again . . . .
Clearly the boys have been hard at work while we've been pampering ourselves.
The yard is strung with twinkling lights, each one glinting off a ludicrously attractive man, seriously, someone remind me again why being dead is a problem?
…..
Kate descends on me with a squeal, revolving round me like a satellite.
"Wow. Freya." She hums. "Not bad babe. Not bad at all."
"You look pretty good yourself." I admit, taking in her shimmering gold perfection.
"Oh this old thing." She says with a wink.
"Don't believe it." Eleazar informs me as he and Carmen glide up. "It was delivered yesterday, by a security truck."
Carmen, resplendent in a simple white sheath dress, snickers as she pulls me in for a hug.
"They started shopping as soon as you guys left." She whispers in my ear. "It was very serious this time."
"Sure was." Garrett chuckles, joining us. "I've seen more dresses this week than I ever thought possible. Mind you, the changing in between was fun . . . ."
Kate jabs him in the ribs with her elbow, laughing.
I still can't speak to him. Seventies porno aside he's sex on a stick in a tux, even if he isn't wearing a bow tie, or the usual thong in his long hair . . . .
"Nice feet." He murmurs, looking down.
My toes curl into the grass.
"Very nice. Toe nails match the dress, classy toots."
I'm saved from making a fool of myself by Mom's arrival.
"Holy shit." Garrett gasps, breaking into an even wider smile. "There's a brunette I'd make an exception for."
There are too many growls for me to work out exactly who's reacting to his words.
Kate elbows him in the ribs again as he laughs and everyone jerks back into motion.
Tanya, a vision in flatly gleaming silver, moves to greet Mom, the two of them falling into conversation about the house.
Carlisle and Edward break away from their intense exchange to join us. Gold and bronze medallists in the tux stakes . . . .
Jazz stays on the edge of the yard, listening to whatever Irina's quietly telling him. She's wearing red too, it's like she's wrapped in a shimmering column of it, one ghostly hand escaping to capture his forearm and pin him in place . . . .
Rose makes a dramatic entrance a moment later, Em's tongue practically scraping the floor.
Well hell, she does look good in her little black dress. I guess we win . . . .
…..
Like most grown up parties I've been to the men and women drift into separate groups. I don't know what the boys are talking about but like every time I get together with the Denalis and Rose the conversation rapidly descends into the gutter, our laughter getting more and more raucous, even Mom.
"Someone should rescue Jasper." Kate murmurs eventually, directing our attention to the other side of the yard where Irina's practically trying to mount him.
"He's a big boy." Rose drawls disinterestedly. "He'll rescue himself when he's had enough."
"Perhaps he needs a little fun?" Tanya suggests. "It's been years and a man cannot live on bread alone."
"Edward does." Kate giggles.
"Jasper is not Edward." Tanya says, shaking her head. "I wonder about Carlisle though? He's a virile man, he had quite the relationship with dear Esme . . . ."
Mom meets my eyes and we both pull 'don't want to know' faces. But they're nothing compared to Rose's look of pained disgust.
"Tanya. Please." She groans. "Some things really are sacred."
"Sorry dear Cousin." Tanya chuckles, looking anything but. "But it's fascinating, surely none of them can remain single and chaste forever, not even Edward."
"It's not as if you haven't been chasing Edward for long enough Sister." Kate snickers.
"Ah." Tanya sighs. "Such a beautiful man. Such a waste. And so much fun to tease."
Mom's starting to look distinctly uncomfortable so I change the subject.
"What's the deal with Garrett?" I ask, sending Kate and Tanya off into peals of laughter.
"Our poor stud pony." Tanya pouts, eyes glittering wickedly. "He won't play with me anymore, he only has eyes for Kate."
Kate glances over at the stud pony in question and then blasts us with an enormous smile.
"I like him." She admits.
…..
We finished interrogating her on her definition of 'like' at about the same time the men got done with whatever they were talking about.
And suddenly it was time for music and dancing.
Mom's face was a picture, that woman can't dance for shit and I can't wait to see if vampirism has corrected her timing issues . . . .
And you could have knocked me down with a feather when the stud pony, I mean Garrett, glided up and asked me for the first dance.
…..
"I'm pretty sure they didn't dance like this during the War of Independence." I observe as his hands flatten on my naked back, drawing me into his chest.
"We most certainly did not." He laughs. "Progress is a wonderful thing in my opinion."
I try to pull back a bit but he won't let me.
"Trust me." He murmurs, nestling his face into my hair a little. "Causing trouble is what I do best."
"Um, what kind of trouble are we going for here?" I whisper. "Because frankly I'm not a threesome kind of girl."
"Trust me." He insists as his hands start to roam a little . . . .
I look around, as much as I'm able in his iron grip.
Carlisle and Mom and twirling politely, locked in animated conversation. Em is laughing and successfully managing to dance with Rose and Tanya at the same time while Carmen and Eleazar sway together, totally absorbed, Kate and Edward dance expertly past. Irina is wound round Jazz like a snake but she isn't having much luck getting him to actually move, I think I can see his mule ears unfolding as he glares at me . . . . the miserable jerk.
"Don't look." Garrett orders quietly, sliding one hand up under my hair and nudging my head down onto his broad shoulder.
"Don't look at what?"
"You're so funny." He chuckles, pulling back so our foreheads are touching.
"Are you trying to make Kate jealous?" I demand in a suspicious whisper.
"Hell no toots." He shakes his head. "Wrong target entirely."
"Then what the hell . . . ."
"My turn." A low voice interrupts.
Oh brilliant, thanks a lot Garrett, you dick . . . .
He actually has the nerve to wink at me as he hands me off into Jazz's waiting arms.
Awkward much?
I fix my eyes on his mouth as he takes the lead and starts to move us to the music. Our bodies are even further apart than Mom and Carlisle's but we might as well be naked I'm so aware of him right now. At least I know what the nip tape was for . . . .
Oh god I'm so embarrassed. If only I hadn't kissed him, at least then I'd have the teeniest chance of pretending that I don't fancy his miserable ass . . . . thank god he can't feel my emotions, how much worse would that be . . . . he's just good to look at . . . . he's just good to look at . . . . its not like I actually like him . . . . all the time . . . .
While I've been fretting we seem to have gravitated together . . . . this is easier . . . . now I don't have to look at him at all . . . . he smells delicious . . . . I won't lick him, that'd just be nasty . . . . I wonder what his skin tastes like though . . . .
Alright this isn't good . . . . his fingers have slipped over the fabric of my dress and the pads are giving the skin on my back little electric shocks . . . . god I wish we had booze at this party, what I wouldn't give for a swig of vodka right now . . . .
"Relax." He whispers into my hair.
Jesus, even his breath tingles, what the fuck?
"I can't." I admit miserably and totally without conscious permission.
He spreads his hands out on my back, just like Garrett did, and pulls me all the way into his body. This time my head bends and tucks my forehead into his neck automatically.
"That's better." He murmurs.
Yeah, it so is.
I close my eyes, leaning into him as we sway.
This man is going to be the second death of me.
…..
"Jasper, dahling." The heavily accented voice of the drama witch penetrates my little moment. "Are you ready to give me the tour of the house you promised?"
Jazz's hands tighten on my back and I bury my face deeper in his neck, scrunching my eyes shut.
Can you not see he's busy woman? Fuck off, go flirt with Eddie or something.
I feel her fingers brush my arm as they settle on his bicep.
Now. I'm not a fool. I know he's not really mine but we are dancing rather close at the moment and that's just fucking rude.
He starts to release me from his arms and I see red. Figuratively and literally. One quiet word hissing between my lips. More embarrassment for later I suppose . . . .
Before I know it Irina's on her skinny ass several feet away courtesy of my forceful shove. And jesus, couldn't she have at least worn a thong?
Great. That's brought the party to a screeching halt. Everyone's staring at me.
Time to make a run for it.
…..
"I'm not apologising." I huff as he leans himself against the bottom of my tree.
"I wouldn't dream of asking you to." He says with evident amusement.
"Good."
Pause.
"I'm sorry if I put a dent in your plans for later or anything."
"I doubt being knocked on her ass will put Irina off." He chuckles.
Oh hello. More red. The red hot lava of jealousy.
"I'm so fucked."
Oh shit, I said that out loud.
He chuckles again, a deep rich sound, and I feel the tree move as he scales it, it's too late to run again so I shut my eyes instead.
"Your language is terrible." He observes, straddling the branch in front of me.
I shiver as his hand touches my hair, methodically pulling out the pins Rose so painstakingly stuck in.
"What are you doing?" I whimper.
"I'm a military man at heart." He says almost conversationally. "I like to have everything planned out well in advance."
"You didn't answer my question."
"It's a bit like chess." He says softly as my hair gives up the battle against gravity and cascades down. "I like to be the one who makes the first move."
His hands shake out my hair and then come to rest on my shoulders.
"Jazz . . . ."
"I didn't like seeing Garrett with his hands all over you."
Um?
"But I did like the way you marked your territory with Irina."
"Of course you heard that." I groan.
"Mine." He confirms, breath bathing my lips as our noses touch, the electric shock breaking bumps out all over my suddenly warm skin.
His hands slide up my neck, fingers weaving into my hair.
"What are you doing?" I whimper again, too afraid to open my eyes, my own fingers itching to reach out and hook onto the lapels of his jacket so I can pull him closer.
"Making the first move." He breathes as his lips press firmly against mine . . . .