Author's Note: Hello lovlies, i WOULD have had this out yesterday but had system issues. But it is out today woot! Heat Warning ahead - some Jasper Lettie goodness. Drama approaching the chapters ahead as well...
TWO
It was still light outside when we rolled up to the Cullen home. I had just taken off my helmet when I was lifted from the motorcycle, with undignified squeak was I was pulled into a large hug. I realized it was big bear!
"I missed you!" He chuckled.
I hugged him back with as much as I could in my current predicament. I fear my face would have split in two from smiling so much. I was under the impression Rose and Emmett were still in Africa – a honeymoon for the two of them. A click of the camera got my attention, opening my eyes I noticed Jasper had taken a picture. I stuck my tongue at him, his eyes darkened and an impish smile tugged at his lips. I knew the lines he was following in his mind, he had once warned me, but we were surrounded by family. I'm certain I'd be hearing about it later. Emmett set me on solid ground and I was swept into a hug by the golden blond.
Unlike my sister whom she couldn't stand – especially now so with Bella's recent obsession – she was very close to me. We shared a similar traumatic past and she seemed to take over the mother-like figure I had been missing- well along with Esme of course. As I said, the Cullen family was my second family – a bit odd and dysfunctional, but what family wasn't.
"I thought you guys were still out of town," I said excitedly as she pulled away.
"We wanted to be here," Rose said.
We all congregated inside, where Carlisle and Esme scooped me up for a hug and well wishes on my birthday. Alice was fliting around the house getting decorations set up. Apparently Edward would be bringing my sister by later this afternoon. She did pause half a second.
"There's a dress in Jasper's room for you if you want to change for the party."
No one in the family batted and eyelash when things for me were brought to Jasper's room, we were pretty much established and that I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. Kissing Jasper's cheek I went down to his room, and although the rest of the house was bright and airy, this room was all earth-tones and warmth. Jasper's room was probably my favorite room in the house. The earth tones also just embodied Jasper and vice versa. On the bed was a really pretty (and much to my relief), semi normal dress. The top was sweetheart shaped in white and the skirt was Basque waist in a really pretty peach pink color. The purple present from earlier was sitting on top. A pair of peach/pink color flats was beside it.
I shook my head as I grabbed everything and made my way to the far end of the room and into the attached bathroom. The bathroom was large and as warm as the room. The tile was a light brown, a shower was in the corner of the room, large enough to fit at least three people. The floor and two of the walls were small river stones that went from floor to ceiling in various shades of browns, dark blues and greens. The shower head came from the ceiling into a large waterfall showerhead. Both the showerhead and the temperature controls were in a grey gunmetal finish. There was one wall that was floor to ceiling made of glass, but it was strange almost like a film to it. I wondered if it was the kind you could see out but not see in. There was also a large claw-foot tub in some sort of dark stone, the fixtures were the same gunmetal finish as the shower, but the tub itself could hold two people too. It was placed in front of another floor to ceiling glass wall with the same curious film on it. The sink was attached to the wall in a clean crisp white porcelain with the same gunmetal finishes that flowed throughout the room, the mirror was backlit, and the towels were in varying shades of brown and forest green. The toilet was hidden away in the corner the same stark white porcelain as the sink.
All and all I had – I had bathroom envy. Don't get me wrong I love Charlie and I love our childhood home but come on – this – this was a dream bathroom. Shaking my thoughts I sat on the edge of the tub and opened up the present, I was slightly disappointed to have to rip the pretty paper but curiosity won me over first. Lifting the lid, my face blushed my name sake. I swear she was trying to replace all my dilapidated underwear collection and replace it with French-tagged lingerie. I didn't even want to know how much it cost. Knowing fighting was futile, I pulled them up to look them. I was pleasantly surprised to see they were relatively mild compare to some of the things she'd gifted to me which were currently shoved in a box in my room in my dresser.
The top was a halter that was also high-necked that was the exact stark white as the top on the dress. The panty was the same colored peach/pink and in a cheeky boy-short. Slipping on both, they were comfortable and incredibly pretty. Sliding the dress on next I realized the lace on the high neck bra top flowed pretty seamlessly with the dress. Slipping on the flats I looked myself over before grabbing my other clothes, and the wrapping paper I had shredded and headed back into the bedroom. Entering it however I realized I was not alone.
Heat Warning
Jasper had chosen to sit on the bed facing the bathroom, his clothes were changed. He wore a white button down shirt, the sleeves rolled back to his elbows, dark washed jeans adorned his legs and his trademark boots on his feet. His eyes were deep amber already, and flickering between the wrapping paper and the lace peeking out from my dress.
"Do I look ok?" I asked nervous under his unwavering gaze.
He stood and walked until he was right in front me, all done in human speed. He took the bundle of clothes and the wrapping paper from my hands and deposited it on the nearby armchair. He bent slightly rubbing the tip of his nose over the shell of my ear, his breath gently tickling me.
"Ok? No…"
He lifted me up by the waist, my legs wrap around his own to prevent falling, flats remaining on the ground where I previously stood. My arms wrapped loosely around his neck my hand twining in the hair curled there.
"You look mouthwatering," he whispered gently his voice deep.
I wasn't certain if it was my emotions or emotions Jasper was projecting, but it was suddenly very warm and I couldn't get close enough to Jasper as he capture my lips in a deep kiss that made my toes curl. His hand gently fisted the hair on the back of neck, holding me in place, and when I needed air he tugged gently on my hair tilting my head back – exposing my neck. Although it was limited to find purchase as it was covered with newly acquired bra, but I felt him trace the outline of the outer-ridge of the bra from the neck to where it stopped hidden away by the dress. The sensation sent thrills and heat throughout me.
I was vaguely aware of the sounds I was making and tried to bite my lip to keep quiet. This seemed to spur him on, I felt his lips tug into a smirk as he pulled me into another kiss, freeing my lip from my worrying bite. The one hand that was not holding me still helped bear my weight as we stood, but he found the bed without looking and sat down on the edge of it, sitting me down on his lap – straddling him.
He then moved from my lips back to the other side of my neck he had neglected to trace with his lips and tongue. Then moved to gentle nips and kisses along my shoulder. Thoughts weren't coherent as his hands traced the controls of my neck, shoulders, chest with feather light touches, everywhere he touches tingled alive with electricity. My hands tightened slightly as he found a particularly sensitive spot on my neck, I felt him grin as he gently bit the spot. I didn't think my heart could beat any fast or the heat rush through my veins. Being that I was only wearing a skirt, I could feel the effect our make-out session had on him, and I was slightly mollified I wasn't the only one hot and bothered either.
I could heat coil in my belly, every touch every taste, every nip, only added fuel to the fire. My fingers dug into his upper arms I tried to cling to the sensations that were flooding my body, he didn't seem to stray from the sensitive spot on my neck, determined to drive me insane with it. Which he was very close to doing.
"Jasper…"
I was embarrassed at the sound of my own voice, breathless and needy. One arm snaked around my waist hold me tight to, I felt him. I was hard not to. My breath caught in my throat, I felt him smirk as he continued his caresses. The coil continued to tighten, every touch, every kiss, every nip pulled it closer and closer to springing loose, and I was very, very, very willing to leap off that cliff.
BAM~BAM~BAM!
Somehow my mind formulated that someone was at the door, judging from the sound pounding on the door I had one guess who it was. Jasper mumbled something suspiciously like "go away". A chuckle at the door confirmed and I was slightly off by the largest of the Cullen clan.
"Don't make me come in there," he threatened.
Jasper growled lowly at the door.
"Don't think I won't,"
The door knob rattled ominously. I felt the heat ebb slightly the moment lost. But it still lingered, more rattling, and Jasper put his forehead on my shoulder, suddenly becoming very still, but he still breathed, maybe a bit more labored that normal. A minute later and the door edged open and Emmett poked his head in, he was grinning from ear to ear, dimples exposed. I loved him dearly, but at the moment I wanted to throttle him. I looked him direct in the eye.
"Cock-bock," I said straight faced.
Jasper rumbled from beneath me with laughter, Emmett just grinned.
"Come on, can't keep her all to yourself, Bella and Masen will be here soon."
With that he closed the door on his way out. Sighing I tried to get my breathing back to normal, but my heartbeat was still going a million miles a minute.
"You were so close," Jasper murmured softly.
My face turned red, he chuckled at my embarrassment, I hid my face in the shoulder that was free. He pulled me in for a hug, a bodies melding to one another, my skin still sensitive and tingled when we met skin to skin. He gave one last nip to my shoulder and looked at me, breathless and red-faced. Kissing my forehead, we stayed there a few moments just trying to calm down.
It was hard to look Emmet in the eye after that. I had insisted on refreshing myself before coming down so I didn't we were doing what we were doing. Emmett opened his mouth to say something but a sharp glare from Jasper had his holding his hands up and backing off, still smiling like the damn cat that ate the canary. Esme fed me some chicken parmesan (she knew was my favorite) as we awaited my twin to arrive. While we waited I was allowed to open my gifts from my favorite family. The first was from Carlisle and Esme – a charm bracelet, fitted already with two charms, the first a Red Cross, and the second a figurine of a woman. Both were small but incredibly detailed. Then came Alice's gift, her charms were a shopping bag and s hair dryer and a small jewel studded 'A'. Rose's charm was her namesake – a beautiful rose with jewels among the petals, and a jewel studded 'R'. Emmett's was a very detailed bronze looking grizzly bear charm with gold stone for the eye, and the stainless steel 'E'. Jaspers made me smile – a cowboy hat, a cowboy boot, and a stainless steel heart with a 'J' etched into it. They were all evenly spaced and tinkled lightly against the delicate, yet sturdy looking bracelet.
I felt very loved – cherished as I gave them all hugs, trying to prevent myself from crying. Finally it was a little after seven when we heard the rumbling of the truck. Alice had gone all out on the decorations. Every flat surface was decorated either with candles, flowers or bowls with flowers. Everything kind of lit with a light pink hue. It was pretty – but definitely not Bella's style. When Bella walked in the door there was a chorus of 'Happy Birthday's all around, I could see the low-key panic in her eyes.
"Sorry about this Bella," Carlisle apologized. "We couldn't rein Alice in."
Emmett approached Bella, but not before sending wink at Alice.
"I have to step out for a second, don't do anything funny while I'm gone,"
"I'll try," Bella said red faced.
Alice skipped forward, her teeth sparkling in the light. Jasper leaned against the post at the foot of the stairs. Despite the time spent with her in Phoenix, he still kept his distance. While I was a strong buffer against his instincts, it didn't mean it wasn't completely under wraps. I knew it bothered Bella a bit at his indifference towards her.
"Time to open presents," Alice said.
She gently took my sister's elbow and led her to the piano which was covered with a white table cloth and had shiny silver packages and the pink cake and gorgeous glass plates. I went to stand beside my sister.
"Alice, I told you I didn't want anything."
"And I didn't listen," She interrupted.
She took my sister's camera and replaced it with a big square silver box. Glancing at the tag it read it was from Emmett, Rose and Jasper. Bella opened the box and it was empty.
"Um, thanks?" She said confused.
Rose cracked a smile, and Jasper laughed.
"It's a radio for your truck." He explained. "Emmett's installing it now, so you can't return it."
I grinned at them, Alice and Jazz were always a step ahead of her.
"Thanks Jasper, Rosalie."
She turned towards the front porch where she was sure Emmett could here.
"Thanks Emmett."
I could hear Emmett laughing from outside.
"Open mine and Edward's next!" Alice said, practically jumping in excitement.
Bella glared at her undead boyfriend.
"You promised."
"I didn't spend a dime." He assured her.
He brushed a stand of hair from her face. I handed her a letter opener and she gave me a look and turned towards Alice.
"Give it to me," she sighed.
Emmett chuckled with glee. Bella took the little package, ignoring me with the letter opener and stuck her finger under the edge of the paper and jerked it under the tape.
"Shoot!"
I tensed. A single drop of blood oozed from the paper-cut. Before I could react i found myself being tossed aside, back across the top of the piano. The tablecloth sliding onto the ground, scattering the cake, presents, and I landed in the mess shattered crystal. Jasper tried to side step around Edward but Edward slammed into him, the sound was like the crashing of boulders in a rockslide. Edward kept shoving Jasper back, trying to keep him from me, and I didn't understand why, he was relatively calm considering the circumstances. Along with the fall there was pain, as I had fell I had instinctively thrown out my arms to catch my fall, and I felt the stinging pain that ran from wrist to the crease inside my elbow.
Looking up I was face to face with the thirst of five vampires. Carlisle and Jasper seemed relatively in control.
"That's enough Edward, Jasper is in control."
Edward froze, and looked up at Jasper who seemed murderous.
"Move, boy." He growled.
Edward stood straight as a statue.
"Emmett, Rose, take Edward outside. Esme if you could please take Bella outside, the fresh air will do her good, she looks ill."
Emmett with a heavy hand tugged Edward away, who was still stiff and unmoving. Rose gave me an apologetic smile, and headed out into the fresh air outside, helping Emmett usher Edward outside. Esme gave me a small smile and helped Bella, who seemed to be unharmed, but in shock – outside.
Jasper gave me a once over slowly, his eyes pitch black, but not in thirst. He was angry. He snapped up at the approach of Carlisle, but he side stepped allow the patriarch to come by. Alice came by with a towel. Carlisle shook his head.
"Too much glass in the wound."
He reached over, ripping a long thin scrap from the bottom of the tablecloth, twisting and tying it above the elbow to form a tourniquet, I winced slight at the pain. Jazz growled lowly, but Carlisle seemed to ignore him. The sight of the blood and blood loss was making me lightly headed.
"Lettie, do you to go to the hospital? Or would you prefer to take care of this here?"
"Here please," I murmured.
"I'll get your bag." Alice said softly.
Carlisle turned to Jasper whose eyes watched his every move like a hawk, he was still and not breathing.
"Let's take her to the kitchen table,"
Jasper cradled me in his arms, and Carlisle kept the pressure steady. Carlisle's black bag sat on the table, a large bright light was plugged in as Jasper sat me down carefully brushing bits of debris and glass from my hair and dress.
"How are you doing?" Carlisle asked me watching my face.
"A little light headed," I admitted.
Carlisle looked up at Alice and she was gone a second later. I turned my attention to Jasper was nearby hovering, protective and his eyes still black. With my one not so beat up hand I gestured for his hand. His expression softened and he leaned on the table, taking hold of my hand in his. I squeezed it periodically as Carlisle began poking around in my arm.
"Jasper?" Carlisle asked.
"I'm fine, angry as hell but fine." He said shortly.
The sound of glass plinking against a bowl was unnerving.
"How are you able to do this?" I asked gesturing to my arm.
I noticed Alice returned and gave me an apologetic look before leaving the room.
"Years and years of practice, I don't even notice the scent anymore." He said smiling.
"Do you think if you took an extended vacation and then came back would it be harder?"
Carlisle pursed his lips in thought.
"It's possible I'm sure, but I've never had the need or want to have and extended holiday."
He patted my arm, and hesitantly I looked down, my stomach rolled slightly nauseous at the sight. Stitches butterflied up my arm, he had used iodine to clean the stitching sight, and gently he wound the wound with gauze and some light wrappings.
"Try to not over-extend your arm or lift anything too heavy, although I doubt you'll have that issue." Carlisle said smiling over at Jasper.
I glanced over at Jasper and his eyes were still steely and angry. I tugged on his shirt.
"Don't be mad," I mumbled.
His gaze softened slightly.
"Why don't you take Lettie home? It's been a hectic day," Carlisle offered.
Jasper nodded, Jasper helped me down from the table. Taking the Mercedes key's from Carlisle's outstretched hand we bid goodbye to the family from the kitchen and headed to the Mercedes. Jasper helped me in and we drove on into the night. Tension littered the air ominously, unsettling me.