Title: After the Storm
Chapter Six: Leap of Faith
Pairings: Jasper/Edward, Jasper/OCs
Disclaimer: This story mine. Characters of Twilight and associated - not mine. OC characters Jimmy Oaks, Bonnie Simmons - all mine. Don't sue. Unless you really want the kids.
Author notes: Dark Edward, possibly dark Jasper, M-rated for violence and other graphic content and use of crude language. Many thanks again rhenea5018 - you are the rock on which I tie my kite. You persevered through the tough moments and I thank you for that. Thanks to KuroiBlackNightingale for your constant advice and my beloved grammar nazi, and to gypsysue, VanpireNZ for their pre-reading and support! And finally the bit that started this whole story, my little 500 word piece is in this chapter!
"A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction,
and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury." ~ John Stuart Mill
The light catches his hair, turning bronze to a burnished gold as the sun's rays filter through the trees. He waits, standing upon a fallen log, his lean figure taut with anticipation over Jasper's imminent arrival. His stance is reminiscent of Bellerophon waiting for his steed.
Deliberately wiping the corner of his mouth, Edward rids himself of the final piece of evidence, the only lingering reminder a bitter aftertaste of the feast he recently imbibed. 'A discerning dinner for a discerning eater,' reflects Edward with a sense of accomplishment. He recollects the flooding of his mouth with the dark, dank blood as he bit down and shudders in pleasure.
'Truly, that man had to go,' agrees his mind. A small smile of self-satisfaction creeps upon his face and reflects in his eyes as they continue to study the dark shade, looking for Jasper.
Worry eats at him. It is taking too long. Edward's eyes pierce through the undergrowth and the shadows, searching for a hint of Jasper's imminent appearance.
Where is he?
Edward jumps down, intending to pursue Jasper, but his ears pick up the slow clop of hooves, pushing into the soft dank loam of the woods and smiling, he moves swiftly to meet his human lover.
The blinding luminance of the sun is relieved as Jasper eases his mount into the cool dimness of the forest. His mind is still somewhat bemused by Jimmy's revelation and the easy gait of the horse's pace matches his thoughts as he filters through the events of the past few days. Jasper recounts his feelings towards Edward and he surmises that if given the chance he will take whatever Edward offers, even if it is the potential loss of his human life. Jimmy is a nice boy, but he is just that to Jasper's mind – a boy. Edward is a manifestation of everything Jasper has ever craved, the epitome and culmination of all of his dreams.
As Jasper nears the clearing, the horse snorts loudly, nostrils flaring, but before Jasper can take stock, Sheik bolts, spooked by something unseen. Jasper can only hold on for dear life. Unfortunately caught unprepared, a low-lying bough sweeps him from his seat and throws him carelessly toward the ground. He braces himself for the jarring impact he knows is coming, but before he can land abruptly on the forest floor; he feels the cool arms of his saviour jerking him to stop, inches from the loamy forest floor as the distant hoof beats gallop away.
"I fear what might happen to you should I not be around," remarks Edward as he props Jasper back to his feet.
"Oh God, Sheik!" Suddenly distraught, Jasper takes no notice of Edward, stumbling as he pulls free of the loose embrace. Frantically Jasper turns, trying to see his beloved gelding, but there is no sign of him. Jasper starts to run recklessly with no clear trail to follow and Edward grabs his arm, effectively restraining him from running headlong into unknown territory. Edward pulls Jasper tightly into his chest where the man struggles futilely.
Eyes wide with alarm, almost delirious with worry and fright, Jasper tugs with surprising strength on Edward's arms, attempting to pull away. "I have to find him, Edward!"
"Do not be silly Jasper! You cannot just run out there!" At the animalistic growls from his human, Edward grabs him and shakes Jasper roughly. "I am not the only frightening thing in this forest!"
"Edward, Sheik is the last tie I have to my parents! I can't lose him, not now!" Jasper continues to thrash and tug.
"Hush Jasper," Edward comforts the man, holding him closely in the attempt to calm him down. "We will find him. He cannot go far."
"Edward! Please!"
The beseeching tones implore Edward to search for the damn roan, and Edward sighs inwardly.
"Fine. Stay here. Do not move. I do not want to have to search for you too." His tone brooks no opposition. "Stay Jasper, I mean it." He admonishes as Jasper looks to follow.
Jasper swallows, but nods and Edward fleetingly moves into the shadows, searching for the fucking elusive horse.
Any normal person would have led the horse back, but Edward is not a normal person. Essentially herding the obstinate beast back towards the clearing and toward his master, Edward manages to stop himself from grabbing the horse and throwing it over the nearest cliff. 'Damn the high strung beasties,' he grimaces as once more he moves sideways as the horse again attempts to bolt.
"Edward! You found him!" Jasper rushes forward, throwing himself not at Edward, but at the hot and lathered roan.
Weary, Edward takes in the reunion between owner and hoofed mammal and sighs. "Come Jasper; let us head on toward that little stream. Sheik is in no doubt in need of a drink and a cool down."
"And I am in dire need of my human," he remarks wryly under his breath.
Reaching their destination finally, the two men flop to the ground, one indifferent and the other emotionally spent.
Silence reigns as they take a moment to pause, each lost in his own thoughts. Edward concentrates on Jasper's hurdles to overcome; Jasper cogitates on how he can break down Edward's barriers against their consummation.
Jasper frowns, carelessly pulling up blades of grass and flicking them away. 'Are there even barriers there,' his mind asks waspishly. He stops. 'Uh-huh, you didn't even ask him right? Good-looking you may be, but not too bright.'
Snorting, Jasper flicks away a blade of grass as his mind continues to chastise him. 'You might try asking the question before you consider how to get past something that may not even exist.'
Acknowledging that this is extremely true, Jasper is now faced with the debate on how to go about asking his private and reticent vampire. His mind irascibly responds, 'Veritas, simpleton. Truth. Try it. You might find it works wonders.'
The sound of Edward spluttering causing Jasper's eyes to snap to him.
"Are you all right Edward?"
At Edward's look of amusement, Jasper decides that upfront honesty is probably the best way to go so coughing lightly before he asks his question, he is somewhat mortified to feel his face infuse with riotous colour.
"Edward?" His face flames at his audacity. "Can a human and vampire consummate err… relations?" At the return gaze of Edward combined with his brow raised in query, Jasper is quick to clarify. "Sexual relations. Does it happen?"
"Succubi, Inccubi. You've heard of them correct?"
At Jasper's nod, Edward further expands, "They are only 'encouraged stories' of the vampires' seduction of humans. Obviously some of the stories are a little far-fetched, but there is truth in them. As I've said before, vampires can and will seduce you in order to get what they want."
Jasper persists, "But do they actually have sexual relations or does it stop before consummation?"
Edward leans in, his eyes gleaming and Jasper feels a thrill as the topic at hand intrigues him and he knows it interests Edward greatly.
"Why do you think they seduce you Jasper? Enthral me with your acumen."
"Vampires seduce you; they entice you to feed off you. You are held in the thrall of the vampire being, their scent and their mere presence intoxicating you to stay with them, and when they feed it can be likened to an orgasm."
"Bravo, Jasper. You did listen when I spoke earlier." His eyes calculating, Edward licks his lips and Jasper's eyes are drawn to the sensual act of his tongue gliding along those full perfect lips. He barely hears Edward's mellifluous resonance, "I know what I have experienced Jasper. Fornicating while tasting my lover is definitely high on my list of erotic and sensual moments and whilst it is definitely another level of stimulus, it is not the only way to feed. I have told you before we can find our prey not only by gentle coercion, but also by use of force if necessary. The act of feasting whilst fucking Jasper, is truly one of the most erotic and sensual moments you will ever encounter and I do hope you will encounter it - with me." Regarding Jasper with a look of thoughtfulness, he strokes the side of Jasper's face as his languorous words flow, "I do think however, that the only thing that would surpass it, would be tasting my lover while making love and in the midst of a separate sanguinary act." A lengthy pause occurs before Edward remarks offhandedly, "It would be the same as feasting on you and fucking you while you murdered Jimmy, for example."
Jasper stares at him, his thoughts racing. Vivid imagery forms in his thoughts as he pictures Edward over himself - Edward's latest victim - the act of Edward thrusting into him as another figure – faceless - lies nearby. Blood drips from the corner of his vampire's red lips, marring that perfect countenance, and onto Jasper's bare chest. The feeling of Edward at his neck, drinking his blood as it pulses out into Edward's waiting mouth, to his shock and consternation, it causes a flooding to his loins and intrigues him more.
Gratified that Jasper's thoughts speak louder than any words, and that it seems the idea of feasting, fucking, and killing, arouses and titillates rather than revolts Jasper, Edward steps up his plans.
They return to a comfortable contemplative silence as they both absorb this new information.
The weather continues to hold clear and sunny as time blissfully passes by. Jasper and Edward have given up the silent contemplation in favour of exchanging stories, Edward leaning back against a tree trunk, his arms encircling Jasper and holding him to his chest. As they sit, Edward squirms beneath Jasper and he leans his head down to brush his lips to Jasper's crown. A contented smile graces Jasper's lips and he rubs his cheek against Edward's chest sleepily. A moment later, a slip of cloth tantalises and teases Jasper as it slides upon his startled face, covering his eyes.
"What's this?"
"Shh…" Jasper shivers as he feels the brush of Edward's lips against his ear and spontaneous slivers of trembling want spasm through his body. Unbidden, his body arches and he feels Edward smile against his skin. "Enjoy it for what it is."
"It feels… strange, Edward," whispers Jasper, unnerved, bringing his fingers to hesitantly touch the silk-feeling cloth. He turns his head this way and that, his hair whispering as it brushes against his skin and the forest sounds become alive around him. Acclimatising himself to this strange sensation of being visually impaired, he hears the low rumble of Edward's quiet chuckle and delights in the sensation of the vibrations as he leans back against Edward's chest.
"So you're a strange boy having an afternoon respite with an extremely mischievous boy." Sensing the shrug from his vampire, Jasper smiles in reply.
Feeling Edward's hands push at him, encouraging him to sit up, Jasper moves awkwardly and he pouts as he senses Edward moving away. Somewhat satiated when the vampire's cool hands lie him back against the trunk, he lays still, waiting in anticipation. The unexpected removal of one of his main senses leaves Jasper reeling with anxiety and yet he is excited.
The scent of Edward's breath is sweet and tantalising, the tenor of his voice dropping to a smooth baritone as he entreats, "I want you to concentrate Jasper. Feel, sense and breathe. Everything around you - I want you to feel it all, Jasper. Revel in it, let it excite you."
Breathing erratically from the distinctly sensual words, and having his sight obstructed, Jasper allows his other senses to take over.
The muted dimness of the forest now explodes into a cacophony of sound; the sounds of insects moving; the myriad of cawing birds and flapping of wings; and even the leaves make sounds as they brush against one another. Whereas the coolness of the forest relieved the sultriness of the humid air, not all the shade is cold or even tepid. His skin is distinctly sensitive to the fieriness of the sun, feeling the slight sting of the pinpricks of light as they strike him through the dappled shadows. The aroma of decaying leaves on the forest floor permeates his nostrils, leaving an earthy loamy taste on his tongue as if he himself had recently emerged from it. It mixes with the fragrance and essence of the nearby vampire, and he licks his lips as his mouth salivates from the heady combination.
Jasper's mind whirls with overtly sexual thoughts. He half expects Edward to whisper "Come for me" breathily into his ear and his heart palpitates tremulously at the thought.
"Soon Jasper, those will be the words that leave my lips," murmurs Edward and Jasper catches his breath as the feel of the cool, icy air flowing over the pores of his skin.
It is at these words that Jasper knows now, without a doubt, that Edward has a gift – the ability to read his mind and something about that seems to trigger a strange response in Jasper.
"Edward – how could you hide this from me? Reading minds? Reading my mind?! How do I know that you haven't been stringing me along all this time?' Jasper huffs, disgusted by this lie of omission. He takes a deep breath when no answer is forthcoming. "Oh God, I knew it. I knew! How stupid I have been to ignore it! And this blindfold? This isn't trust. This is getting me to do something that you want me to do; to accede myself to you; submission by blindfold!"
"Do this for me, Jazz..." Edward glides one finger down the side of Jasper's face, waiting for Jasper to turn into the mild caress. When Jasper does, Edward cups his cheek before he moves his hand down trailing minute circles on the column of Jasper's neck. "...do it for me," he finishes as Edward's hand smooths the fabric of Jasper's shirt.
Trailing his hand higher, Edward strokes a finger down Jasper's throat, sending thrills down towards Jasper's overexcited groin, Jasper summons a small measure of control as his thoughts dryly say...
'Mind reading vampire, no brilliant deductions on how to seduce the human then.'
Fingers abruptly pluck Edward's hand from where they had been tracing circles. Antagonised by both his thoughts, and by the thought of his vampire mind-reading those thoughts, Jasper mutters, "Fuck it, Edward."
With a burst of desperation, Jasper whips off the blindfold – a cravat he absently notes, and ignoring the pale man before him, Jasper gets up and stalks away.
Since he did not possess the speed of a vampire, Jasper's journey to his beloved stables took some time.
"Of all the times to forget the damn horse," he mutters. He felt a pang of remorse for leaving Sheik tethered in the forest, but Jasper thinks, 'Never to mind, Jimmy can go and get him later.' He peers across the slight valley towards the stables. No sign of Jimmy. In his peripheral vision, he catches sight of his house. Pausing, he purses his lips, antagonism apparent in every fibre of his being. "There is no way," he vows, "that I will go into that house tonight."
As he stalks down the path, he talks to himself, anger apparent in every gesture. "I can't believe it! I mean I suspected, but to think not once – not once did he say to me the truth about his gifts. He didn't tell me! Does he not care enough? Maybe he doesn't trust me enough?" Aggravated, he makes wild, gesticulating motions. "That's it isn't it? He doesn't trust me enough to share something so personal."
Jasper conveniently forgets that Edward has in fact given him several hints.
"That's it," he declares decisively, stopping and glaring out toward the forest. "I'm going to head into town. Anything is better than staying here."
Striding aggressively into his hay-strewn stable, he quickly saddles another horse. Leading it outside, he briefly casts a quick glance to the forest, part of him hoping for a glimpse of his vampire, but when there is no sign he shoves his foot angrily into the stirrup and swings into the saddle.
Jasper's eyes are full of suppressed hurt, but it clears in the way of the anger that he lets manifest and fester. He pulls on the roan, briefly glancing back to where he last saw Edward. Full of animosity, Jasper kicks his heels to the flanks and gallops away.
As he rides into town, he casts his mind back to the first fateful night when he met Edward...
**** three days ago***
The trees whispered a wistful song, their leaves fluttering as the heralding winds wove through their branches. The skies were dark and foreboding as the moon hid behind the dark, roiling clouds.
A storm was looming.
On the silent banks of the lake, a lone woman stood with her long brown hair whipping wildly around her in the gusting winds. She was barefoot and unstockinged, seen as her white gown along with her royal blue cloak lifted with regularity around her snow-white limbs, tossed by the flighty wind. Her face was as pale as the moon on a crystal clear night; her full white cheeks were marred only by the trail of her tears.
Her ethereal beauty shone, as if she had once dwelled on a fantasy world and though magnificent in her melancholy, she showed no belief in that world, as if it no longer held meaning for her. But here...here she was bereft of company; alone; anguish and despondency clearly palpable to anyone who cared to see; empty and broken; in complete despair. Her pained face turned resolutely toward the water as she stood on the overgrown path and the misty skies continued to pour grey light over her silent figure.
Who was she?
Her long hair, caught in the swirling wind was tossed fiercely behind her and the sudden deluge of water that poured from the sky saturated her completely, but instead of admonishing the torrent, she welcomed it with open arms. Her porcelain face was upturned; the pale luminescence awash with moisture and her sobs fell along with her tears to accompany the pouring rain.
Jasper watched intently from his window, the shapely figure shimmered through the coalescing raindrops as they pounded on his pane of glass.
The atmosphere that surrounded them flickered and crackled; the crash of thunder a booming accompaniment to the pelt of the raindrops that drummed solidly against the already sodden ground. The symphony of all of nature's elements unleashing its brilliant and wild fury on the earth; a parallel to her unrestrained anguish as she stood presenting her wracking cries to the heavens; her frail humanity a sharp contrast to the black, lightning-streaked skies.
"What torment has caused this tiny woman to rage and cry at the heavens?"
Time had begun to blur as the storm raged around them; he at his window, she out in the elements. His eyes did not, could not, leave the mesmerising picture she presented - primitive; solitary; beauty's stance against the beast of nature. Like liquid coffee, her hair was pouring down the back of her rain soaked clothing. The howling wind wildly plucked at the sodden material, determined to whip it into a streaming cloud behind her; and her cries were clearly heard as her tears fell and mixed with the stinging rain as it pounded against her skin.
He watched, captivated yet numb, as electrifying torrents of foreboding flowed down his back. He listened in astoundment, unable to move as he was enthralled and bound by her.
She keened agonisingly into the night air; head thrown back, the bare whiteness of her throat stark against the flashing background of harsh elements that highlighted her own torment. Her harsh cry was heard over the shrieking wind and the torrential deluge. As if every lie, every truth she has ever encountered was exploding from her as she screamed; all the hate and the pain gushing out in guttural sounds that came from the very depths of her being.
She stood alone in the wildest of storms he'd seen in eons. A flash of lightning forked out of the sky, so blinding he had to shield his eyes. When he was able to look back, there were not one, but two silhouettes. The woman was solitary no longer.
The outline barely showing against the black, the dark figure of a man joined hers. With a loud crackle, lightning showed a glimpse of dark hair plastered across his bare forehead from the onslaught of rain. His dark, waterlogged jacket sleekly hugged his form. Rain ran in rivulets over his perfectly chiselled features, down his cheekbones, over his ruby lips, and his angular, almost aristocratic nose. Tall in stature with wide shoulders that bore the weight of an unknown burden; his eyes closed as he stood before her in defeat.
The lightning struck in earnest, flashes of light streaking wildly across the sky, like Gods at war throwing arrows of white-hot shards at one another, slashing the black sky to reveal the alternating hues of blues, blacks and purples; reminiscent of bruising. The brilliant, intensely-hued colour lit the black sky to twilight level and created a lurid backdrop for the rain-soaked pair.
Colour flooded the woman's face as she took in this man's stance with her anxious eyes. Her arms rose hesitantly from her sides to reach towards him before she dropped them back down. Impassively, he stood before her, head down, refusing to meet her eyes. The woman straightened briefly before she tilted her head back boldly, offering the milky expanse of her neck to the gorgeous creature. A sacrificial stance. The man's eyes opened, and the brightness of their crimson irises gleamed brightly in the flashes as lightning struck the ground around them, and he stared down at her offering.
As Jasper watched intently, the man threw back his head violently, a look of unbearable agony crossing his face and his fists clenched tightly at his sides. An agonised roar ripped from his throat, hurtling through the fury of the storm; the distressing and disturbing sound adding a macabre edge to the storm filled night.
Jasper would always recall that moment with clarity.
Like faceless pawns in a game of chess, they each held their stance, waiting for the other to move; paused in a moment; timeless like a renaissance painting - the man's face lifted to the sky, crying out for any penance; the woman's soul seeking a peace to the turmoil that seethed in her.
Will he? Nil he?
Jasper recalled Psalm 18: verse 11, "He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion 'round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies," as the man held in place by his inner torment stood outlined against the harrowing and intimidating storm. Finally, the man's head dropped forward, lolling briefly, hanging in dejection. He raised his pale face, tongue snaking out to lick his lips; slowly, but surely lowering his head toward her, allowing her the chance to back away and run.
Ruby lips brushed her throat and a shudder shook through his large frame and his broad shoulders. In contrast she smiled for the first time and raised her arms; holding him to her. He lifted his head briefly to look her in the eyes; a glimpse of the inner turmoil in his eyes was seen before he dropped his gaze to follow the movement of his hand. Like an expert musician, skilled at coaxing music from his instruments, he gently brushed her face; stroking her cheek with his thumb as he slid his palm down the side of her face; her gentle acquiesce to his touch clearly seen as the smile remained on her face. She gazed adoringly at him and with a final, lingering touch he tenderly ran a finger down the line of her nose, traced the outline of her full lips as if committing her features to memory then with a suddenness that surprised any onlooker, one hand moved to cover her nape as the other swept her into his arms, lifting her to him as he wound it around her waist.
Another flash illuminated the scene in a harsh white light; his teeth bared, his burning eyes shone and his mouth plundered her throat, like a treasonous man pillaging his own country's ship; but she only parted her lips in a blissful, silent sigh. Blood poured from the wound inflicted on her neck, and dripped down the front of her cloak, staining it forever, but she never once cried out. Her mouth parted in orgasmic bliss and slowly her eyes closed; rain cascaded over her face; her lips curved in a beatific smile. His body jerked and jolted; the war with his soul apparent. The man lifted his head, his arms slackening as if to let her go, but at the sight of her dripping blood, his predatory nature took over and his mouth sought her neck once more. He ravished and despoiled the creamy expanse of her neck, as he laid waste to both her dreams and his.
With a sudden draw of breath, her hands pulling and clawing ineffectively at his shoulders, she gasped as panic dawned in her suddenly wide eyes. Incapable of stopping, he continued to milk the blood from her body helplessly; her small feet tapping against the grass as her body started the dance of death. Tightly he held her as she gave a single anguished scream, the light of life leaving her eyes. He buckled beneath her dead weight as her life slowly withdrew, leaving her heavy and inert.
His energy spent, the man fell to his knees. He carefully cradled her small body; her head held against his before he leaned forward with careful grace and lowered her to the grass. He placed her hands upon her chest as he meticulously arranged her clothing to cover her lifeless form. The tempestuousness of the lashing rain, the roar of thunder reached a crescendo around them as together the rain and thunder worked in tandem to reach the height of the storm.
"And now Athena, looming out of the rafters high above them, brandished her man--destroying shield of thunder, terrifying the suitors out of their minds, and down the hall they panicked--wild, like herds stampeding, driven mad as the darting gadfly strikes in the late spring when the long days come around."
Homer's words plagued his thoughts, as Jasper watched the scene without understanding as the man? creature? bowed his head, shoulders shaking and convulsing in grief. How could he feel grief for the girl he so violently tore from this life? The creature moved his hand to gently stroke hair away from her peaceful porcelain face. In the light of the storm, Jasper clearly saw the blood upon her neck and clothing. Shocked and trembling Jasper retreated from the window, his glass shattering on the study floor as it slips out of his suddenly weakened fingers. Fear fluttered through his tense body and a single thought swam through his petrified mind.
'A creature of the night, a vampire - what evil is this?'
A single impassioned cry broke through Jasper's terror, freeing him from his frozen state and he walked cautiously back to his place by the window. His forehead pressed hard against the cool pane of glass as he tried to make out the other man's features, but he then gasped as he saw the dark trail of blood that poured from the corner of the man's mouth paired with the excruciating inner distress clear in the man's pained eyes.
Jasper would swear that he heard the creature sob as he laid his head against her breast, his forehead against the back of her hands. The words of Sophocles danced in his mind:
'In darkness one may be ashamed of what one does, without the shame of disgrace.'
As the next flash of lightning hit the sky, Jasper saw the man whose anguish burned on his perfect face; whose turn it was to scream and roar injustice at the black sky; his actions had forever burnt away his dreams, and Jasper knew that the man's torment would forever be seared into his eternal memory...
***present day***
His horse shies and Jasper is abruptly brought back to the present ….
"Jasper." His name is growled by the creature before him.
'Edward!' his mind growls. Struggling to control the frightened animal beneath him, Jasper quickly shortens the reins and tries to pull the quivering horse to a standstill. Wildly, the horse starts to buck, trying to free himself from the presence of the predator before him and Jasper is thrown off.
Edward quickly runs to the man's side, but Jasper gets to his feet unaided, shrugging off the vampire's hands violently.
"Edward, leave me be."
"I need to talk to you."
"No, Edward. I need to be..." 'far away from you'
"Jasper, there is no place you can go where I cannot find you."
"Stop it Edward! Get out of my head!"
"Jasper..."
"Go away Edward! I'm riding into town. Do not be at the house when I return!"
He turns and walks away, quickly leaving the vampire still standing far behind him. He prays that Edward will not follow.
Head low as he walks through the town, Jasper can feel heads turning, the curious stares growing from inquisitive to outright animosity. The fervent whispers grow in volume to a loud buzzing hum. The townspeople give him a wide berth until finally, someone steps in front of him and Jasper halts. He lifts an eyebrow sardonically at the dusty boots in front of him before sliding his glance to the face of a man he once called friend.
The jeering face of Ashley Jameson held a mistrustful look and Jasper, his ire up from Edward, could only state coldly, "Step out of my way Ash."
"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in. You dare show your face around here? You know we only tolerate your presence in these parts if you stick to your little abode. We don't come near you, if you don't come near us. Hell, we leave the damned lake for your use," the large burly man spit out bitterly.
"You think I don't know that?" snaps Jasper irritably.
"Seems you don't, if you're walking around here," stated Ashley.
"Well I'm just passing through, so if you don't mind..."
Jasper makes to walk around his former friend. The burly man moves to cross paths and looks insolently down at Jasper. "I reckon you can just turn around and go back to your beloved home. We don't like trouble around here and that's all you seem to bring with you. Philip would attest to that. If he were still alive that is."
Jasper closes his eyes, waiting for cruel words from Philip's cousin.
"Trouble followed you and so did Philip. I have to wonder what it was that caused Philip to follow you to that big city. He did like travelling with you. Said you were always such pleasurable company. He used to send letters that talked incessantly about you - Jasper the wonderful companion." Crossing his arms Ashley continues scathingly, "And why isn't he alive? Oh that's right," As Jasper's eyes snap open, Ashley pushes his pug face forward into Jasper's. "It's because of you."
Temper already kindled by Edward, Jasper struggles visibly as he forces his flaring ire down. The rasp in his voice is only emphasis to the slow burning indignation written upon his face. "I suggest you take your bulldog tendencies and remove them from my face."
"Or what boy?" The jeering tone enrages Jasper more as Ashley tries to crowd him with his larger bulk.
Jasper scoffs, "I used to beat you when we were little and I sure as hell think I could do that now if it came down to it. Only the love of my Momma kept me from taking it out on your hide when I came back." His jaw set, Jasper thrusts his face into Ashley's and growls, "Now I'm walking and not bothering anyone here. If anyone has a problem with it, they can say something to me, but right now, I just want to keep walking and you're hindering me from that."
Surprise and consternation flash on Ashley's face, but when he leans back, the derision is what is clear. "Pretty boy, all talk." He nods scornfully at Jasper, "Well you walk. Go - find that widow that lets a murderer into her bed and lies down with him as if he's somebody. She'll just find herself dead. Isn't that what happens to anyone associated with the likes of you?" Disparagingly he runs his gaze down Jasper's body then he grins insolently, turning to the gathered crowd. Jeering he calls out, "Maybe one of us 'towners' should keep the Widow company? If she is happy with the likes of him then she'd be ecstatic with the likes of any of us."
As the crowd titters and jeers, white-hot anger floods Jasper's form and he grabs the front of the larger man's shirt, jerking Ashley off balance.
Gritting his teeth, voice low, Jasper bites out, "You need to learn some manners, Ashley Jameson." Jasper takes pleasure in the white-faced pallor of the man as the he stares wide-eyed in fear. "You may be bastard in your attitude to me, but never - and I mean never – will you ever talk like that about a lady in front of me. Do you hear me?" With no answer forthcoming, Jasper shakes the man once; his voice intimidating in its chilling softness as he asks quietly, "Do you hear me?"
"Yeah I heard you." The sullen man bites out his reply and Jasper carefully lets him go.
"Glad we came to an understanding. Good day to you Ashley...Ladies," mockingly Jasper bows to the giggling women standing nearby, turns and walks away.
'People can be cruel,' he thought morosely. Ashley and Philip were his friends, but the denial of that friendship after Jasper returned had cut Jasper to the quick. He'd been in need of friendship and support after the news of his parents, but Ashley had denied him even a brief, sympathetic hello.
'Why am I always so alone?' His eyes troubled, Jasper lets his thoughts consume him as he walks slowly along, the late afternoon sun beating down on him. Eyes clouding, Jasper forces himself to remember the time when once he was never alone, when once he had been complete. His eyes become distant as his mind floats back to...
fifteen years ago...
Golden heat - it was summer. As far as the eye could see, emerald-green and amber hills curved and rolled, dotted with small copses of trees offering their dappled shade from the golden disc that hung in the brilliance of the blue sky; fluffy cotton candy clouds bobbed, as did the tiny boats on the glassy surface of the lake. Fat horses grazed, tails flicking in the heavy oppressive heat and the overgrown grass barely moved with the brief puffs of wind that occasionally blew through its golden strands. Shallow valleys nestled cool in the shade of hills that to one ten year old boy were mountain-like and there for only him to conquer. Swelteringly, the sun's rays bore down upon his uncovered blond head as he scrambled through the long prairie-like grass, struggling to get to the lake before the other boys. The glassy surface of the water glistened invitingly for little boys to come and cavort in its cool depths. Summer was about warmth, freedom, and never being alone.
"Jasper! Come back!"
The bell-like voice floated in the dust-filled breeze. Lagging behind him, the small anxious figure struggled to catch up with his much longer strides, but her long dark hair kept getting caught on the overgrowth.
"Jasper!" she would call as she struggled to free her tangled curls from the clutching, grabbing stalks. "Wait for me!"
He would ignore her anxious pleas for as long as he could, pretending that he could not hear her cries as he sauntered through the chest-high long grass, but now and then he would call back aggravatingly over his shoulder, "You need to walk faster, Alice. I can't keep waitin' for you."
"Jasper! Ugh...Stupid things… please wait Jasper! I want to come with you!"
He yelled back, "I want to catch up with Phil and Ashley!" Turning to face her, his young face was exuberant as he walked backwards through the grass. His voice filled with excitement, "They've got guppies!"
"Ew…" She wrinkled her nose at the thought, but ran anyway to catch up to him. He smiled as she caught up, her breathing erratic as she gasped out, "Thanks for waiting…Just let me catch my breath."
"Well if you don' wanna come, then that's all right by me. I'll jus' go without you."
"Mama said you have to take me with you! Please Jasp, oh please," her large luminous eyes were even wider as she pleaded with him, "I promise I'll be good and stay real quiet."
He looked at her beautiful beseeching face and sighed. He never could turn her down. That chubby seraphim-like face was enough to keelhaul him. "All right, but hurry Alice, I can't always wait for little four year olds."
"Oh thank you!" and his young face lit up as she squealed exuberantly and she jumped into his arms. He swung her around and delighted in her peals of laughter. Placing her back on her tiny feet, he held her in the circle of his embrace as the blazing sun bore down on their figures. "I'll watch out for you, okay Alice?" She gave him that wide, trusting smile he adored.
Bashfully, he tugged at her small little hand in his. "Come along then."
They walked through the field, occasionally spying the glass-like surface of the nearby lake. She puffed as she bravely tried to keep up with his much longer strides and it was not long before he was hauling her along, but in the end, she dragged on his hand as she halted.
"I can't Jasper," she puffed, trying not to cry in front of him – her hero. "I'm really trying, but just can't anymore."
Alternately glancing between her to the lake, he felt torn. Looking after little Alice? Or going to catch up with his friends and mucking around the dockside of the lake?
He stopped and knelt in front of her. "I have to let you go or the other boys will get them all and we won't have none okay?"
Tear-filled eyes stared back at him, but bravely she did not let them spill over, although her tiny pointy chin trembled a little before she gathered her courage and stood up to her full three foot height, her angelic face stern. "You go get them Jasper Whitlock," she firmly instructed him and he smiled at her no-nonsense tone. "And you know I'll run along behind you. Don't you let those boys get them all," her frowning face comical to him. Rushing her words she promised, "I'll try to keep up okay Jasp?" Her wide eyes were earnest in her promise. "I promise I'll try to keep up and not be too far behind and I'll make my little legs run as fast as they can okay? I won't let you down."
He chucked her under the chin. "Good, brave little Alice. I'll make sure I save you some." He stood up and gave a quick hug, his mind already down at the lakeside as he heard the whoops of the other boys as they reach it first. "I'll see you down there."
He'd raced off before she could say anything more, his intent to reach his favourite scooping place on the dock where he and Alice could sit together.
"Jasp!"
His head snapped around as a chill ran down his back. He swore he could hear her voice. "Jasp!" It was her! Another shiver ran down his back as he heard the fright and hysteria in her tiny scream. "Jasper!" He dropped his bucket and turned back around. Racing back toward where he left, he came upon her small basket and a piece of her hair ribbon. He held it in his childish hand, fingers caressing it as he spun around, his eyes searching wildly for her dark chocolate curls. "Jasper!" As the thin reedy wail came across the wind he ran towards it, but he could not find her.
He turned abruptly circling, spinning, the long grass blocking his view. He sought for his sister, but she was gone.
"Alice? His voice was small. "Alice?" His ten-year-old self turned in a full circle once more, before his voice rose in pitch as he realised his constant shadow was no longer shadowing him.
"Alice!"
His scream rose above the trees, agonisingly sharp and his face crumpled as he sank to his knees. The constant burr in his side no longer there, but the pain left behind was worse as he realised that he had just lost his little sister. His final wretched cry was so full of torment, birds flew hysterically from the nearby trees, and the silence they left behind smelled like death.
The radiance of the day has wound down to the subdued grey of evening when Jasper finally shuffles his way back home, the muffled gloom of the semidarkness cloaking him. Heart heavy with confusion and his soul filled with demoralization, his introspection is as quiet as the birds on the tree-lined pathway. The dulled magnificence of his childhood home looms as Jasper kicks pebbles along the gravelled path. His disinclination is clear from his peevish actions - - he does not want to walk through his front door.
'I had to walk away. I had to,' his thoughts are circling in turmoil. He sighs and lifts his troubled eyes to his home, wondering if his vampire is waiting inside. His mind clamours his name, 'Edward.' Jasper sighs again, his feet carrying him forward despite his reluctance.
The house is dark. A feeling of unease creeps up on Jasper and he knows...
Walking swiftly towards the study, he stops in the door and he catches his breath at the emptiness and cold found there.
His footsteps echo eerily in the black silence as he walks towards his desk. Fumbling, he lights the lamp and taking a deep breath, he turns. Tightly his eyes close as he chokes back a sob. Edward is not there. He is alone.
Conflicting emotions war at him and stumbling he crashes to the patio doors and rushes outside, gulping the suddenly overwhelming dark night air. His recollections flood him and struck hard with images flashing through his consciousness from the past few days, he stands agonised as emotional pain racks through his lean body. His face and body tense, head thrown back to face the gloomy sky, Jasper bites his lips as he wills himself to escape with his memories.
His pale vampire smiling at him by the lake, his arms tenderly wrapped around Jasper; the curvaceous grin as they peer at a bird's nest together; the auburn hair glowing bronze as they run through the flecked and multi-coloured trees; the boyish smile as they splash around the lake; the murmurings in Jasper's ear as he weeps in Edward's arms.
His heart wrenches at each of the memories.
"Edward," he whispers brokenly.
Jasper is light-headed with exhaustion and his thoughts whirl dizzyingly in his head. Afraid of being alone, he is talking to himself, 'Edward is gone. I don't like it. So is Jimmy. I do not think this is good. I don't like being alone. It frightens me.'
As the blackness of night creeps in and the swirling mist casts its pale fingers out to wind around the gnarled dark shapes of the sleeping trees, Jasper can only shiver as he watches it roll in.
He glides silently through the shadows. The moon is absent as clouds fill the night sky. Edward smiles as he listens to the blond's thoughts. He stands outside the window as Jasper looks down on the corpse; the thoughts of outrage, pity, anger and vengeance flow through the blond man's mind. Sleep has eluded the human again, and Edward is aware that Jasper's hold on sanity is tenuous at best, sleep-deprived as he is. Jasper's thoughts continue to filter through to Edward. The bronze haired man smirks in satisfaction watching from the darkness.
"You will see me soon enough, Jasper," he whispers, leaving a promise hanging in the air. He turns away from the tempting morsel in search of other sustenance. He needs to be sated before he approaches this delectable human again and he knows the perfect man to fill his need. Grinning salaciously, Edward disappears into the darkness.
Everything burns and his surroundings scream as everyone runs, flames burning their lies and burning Jasper's dreams. Everything hurts within and nothing Jasper does can assuage the burn that consumes him.
"Edward!" he screams.
He can see Edward through the flames and he half reaches towards him, but the beautiful face starts to melt with the force of the heat and it is all Jasper can do to watch his entire beautiful vampire disappear before him. "Edward!" The wrenching cry tears at his throat and he welcomes the pain, as it is all that reminds him that he is still alive.
"Shhh Jasper, I'm here. I am sorry I left. But hush, my love. I am still here."
Jasper sobs as he is caught in the timeless place betwixt dream and real world, images mix in his exhausted and anxiety stricken mind.
When he awakens properly, Edward is not there and Jasper weeps as he realises it was only another dream and he is still alone.
Jasper watches the faraway sky. He wonders about Edward, wonders where he has gone. Has he missed him? Did he visit while he slumbered? Has he missed his chance to talk to him? Would he have survived after the talk?
Jimmy has not turned up to work. Jasper worries, thinking that perhaps the other day may have been too much for the young boy. He recalls feeling what he suspects is a similar state to Jimmy after his interaction with Phil. God, Phil. He shivers at the thought. It was a delightful adventure but he felt so dirty and defiled afterward. Maybe Jimmy is in the same way. Jasper worries more. He cannot help the feeling of anxiety that sweeps through him nor the thoughts that crowd his mind. 'Perhaps Jimmy has not simply disappeared. Perhaps he left the same way as Philip.'
Shuddering, Jasper turns from the window, a drink once again in his hand. The burn of the alcohol soothes his soul as he sips slowly. He contemplates the repose figurine by the hearth of his fireplace. He should do something about her, now that Edward is gone. He wonders about the fate of her. Will she turn? Become a vampire like the one that bit her? Had that been her aim? Had that been his? Edward leaving her here so she could feed on Jasper? Should he leave?
Contemplatively, Jasper takes another sip, wondering if a bite from Edward will hurt.
The sunlight beams brightly down upon the lake. The water glistens and sparkles, its deep waters paler in sunshine than the night. Indifferent to the bright sunlit scene, Edward stands beneath the trees, the shadows playing over his face. His keen eyesight focuses on the house, watching impassively as Jasper paces his study. The human is waiting for him, hankering for him. Every thought from Jasper is about him. Silently Edward revels in his success. He waits. He is a patient man. After all, he has time to spare. He has forever.
The room is starting to taunt his nostrils as the smell of decay starts to permeate the room. He glares at Isabella's body. Another night ends and another one of sleeplessness begins as Jasper waits for Edward. "Take heart Edward," Jasper breathes as yet another dawn rises, the burnished red-gold streaks of the sun breaking the horizon and reminding him of his lost vampire, "All is not lost. I will bring you back to me."
Turning emphatically from the window he breathes deeply, not wishing to dwell on what he was about to do. Sensing that Edward has run far away, plagued with guilt , Jasper can only fathom that Edward will not return until all traces of Isabella have been removed. Wanting Edward to return, Jasper's decision has been made. Not wishing to dwell on what he is about to do, Jasper slowly turns away.
Jasper puts on some music, a rather cheery little ditty and turns up the volume to hide any noise. He has moved her from the study into an unused portion of his home. Wearing only a pair of pants, sans shirt, he carefully severs her head from her neck, by use of an axe. Jasper is aware that he has to also remove her limbs from the now rigid torso. They are stiff and unyielding and by the time he removes just one – her right arm – he is sodden with sweat and exhausted from the effort.
Jasper had taken notes of Edward's musing on how Isabella, or any of his kind, for that matter, could be disposed of. More so, however, Jasper recalled Edward's hand running through his hair; a mannerism that Jasper had become intimately familiar with in those few days.
With each moment in time spent with Edward and with each word, something in Jasper had been replaced. The fear he had initially felt in Edward's presence, was now something else. Jasper could feel the protectiveness, the yearning and above all, whenever he heard her name pass through Edward's ruby lips - jealousy.
Using his handkerchief, Jasper wipes his face dry and gazes over the spoils of his labour.
What little blood was left after Edward's ravening was staining his rug. Without the aid of a live heart, and the fact it had been resting in a body too cold to keep it viscous, the blood was a coagulated mess. Tiny fragments of bone littered Jasper's favourite Aubusson, only adding to the surreal macabre scene. With some humour though, Jasper reflected that it was not, at least, his favourite Savonnerie currently adorning his bedroom.
"The rug will have to go," he surmises aloud over the endlessly repeating song. Humming along, Jasper turns calmly to Isabella's head sitting upon the cold hearth. "You've left one hell of a mess, Miss Isabella." Jasper's voice is decidedly cool as he speaks to her disembodied head. "And I'm not sure if I am vexed or happy at the discord you have wrought."
With a sigh, Jasper turns back to her body. "I think this time I've bitten off more than I can chew."
Once more, he places his foot on her lower stomach, steadying it for his initial cut. If he had been able to take her out to the woodshed, he could have put her body into the cradle to make this task easier. After aiming his cut, Jasper swings his axe back and over, letting the weight of the head create the momentum that is required to get a fine cut at her hip joint; all the while delivering his thoughts aloud to her beheaded torso.
"He loved you," as the first blow strikes her corpse, slicing her dormant flesh.
Crunch
He peers down. The whiteness of bone stares back at him. "Good slice," he muses with a smirk. Apparently, first strokes are the hardest. He removes his foot from her stomach.
"He loved you yet you could only think…" Changing his stance, Jasper stands with his feet shoulder width apart. Bending his knees, he lifts the axe with ease; letting the full draw fall into the cut of her body before easing the blade out of the bone, hefting and swinging again, whilst still talking to her. "…of how little he must care for you if he would not turn you."
Squelch
Each draw reverberates through the muscles in his arm, causing them to ache. He mentally shrugs, 'Ah well, just lift and swing Jasper. Lift and swing. Go with the flow of the movement. Don't strain.' It has been a few weeks since Jasper had partaken in such strenuous activity.
Thwack
"I do think that man looks like he's been rode hard and put up wet. Now Isabella, if you have ever ridden a horse, you'd know that's not how to take care of a fine specimen like Edward. You brush them down gentle-like, going with the grain on the hair and put them away carefully in their nice, warm stable. You rode him hard, and you left him standing wet, lathered up and out in the cold. And you wonder why he floundered."
Thud
The blade catches on bone and Jasper has to jiggle it to get it out of the flesh, bone and torn ligaments, making him aggravated, hot and bothered. Finally it is free and he swings at the bone again. "You…"
Crack
"…bitch."
This time the axe wielded by Jasper finally cleaves her leg from the rest of her body. Placing the head of the axe on the floor, he mops his brow and leans upon the handle, trying to catch his breath.
Jasper was disgusted by Isabella's behaviour to Edward. Over the past few days, it never failed to throw his mood into a darker state. Eventually, one by one Jasper is able to sever all her limbs, ready to throw them all into a fire. According to Edward, the burning of the remains ensures that a vampire can never put themselves back together.
Although Bella had not been turned during the time of observation, Jasper could not discount that she might still become one. He had knowledge of many folklores that spoke of different ways one could become a vampire. He could not risk the possibility, hence the reason he was disposing of her as Edward had explained, by chopping her into pieces and burning the remains in the fireplace.
He stands there for a moment before he moves to a nearby chair and waits. He waits for the entirety of the burning, through the pungent sweet smell of burning human flesh and hair; through the stifling heat in the room as he is fearful of the smell wafting into the rest of the house. In hindsight, perhaps he should have moved the operation to the stables or even to an outside bonfire, but to be honest, due to sleep deprivation of the past six nights, it had never occurred to him.
As the body of what was once Isabella Swan blackened, charring on the outside as it gradually burns to a crisp and slowly disintegrates into ashes, Jasper picks up what is beneath his feet.
He holds her head in his hands, impassively looking at her lifeless face. He speaks to the head of what he believes was once the woman Edward loved.
"By misfortune's hand he couldn't stop himself from sucking your blood dry. Now he's guilt-stricken and you caused that. I'll never forgive you for that. Well, Edward will not be held responsible, Bella. I will see to that. I'll take care of him, you needn't worry."
With that, Jasper walks over to the fireplace and holding the head by her hair, he drops it in and coldly stands by as the flesh melts in the searing heat.
"I hope you are rotting in hell. I'll make sure he doesn't."
The curtains sway with the gentle breeze of the open French doors. The room is empty as Jasper is elsewhere with the body of Isabella Swan. Walking nonchalantly around the empty study, Edward pauses by the mahogany cabinet and he smiles, pleased, as his fingers brush against the empty decanter, Jasper's sole source of sustenance over the past four days.
His acutely sensitive ears can easily pick up the sounds of Jasper as he chops up the corpse of one Isabella Swan, Edward's supposed beloved fiancée.
It had been easier than he had originally though to get Jasper to believe. Warmed by the sound, he cocks his head listening intently. The sounds of the axe as it crunches through the hardened flesh calls perversely to him and he moves quickly outside, wanting to peek.
He pauses outside the window where Jasper is busy with his handiwork.
Edward admires the easy gait in which the other man swings the axe, but all too soon Edward finds he has to leave. The way that boy moves; it is a sin. As he saunters away, he laughs quietly at Jasper's choice of song.
"You're a delightful find, Jasper Whitlock," sighs Edward happily, a spring in his step as he meanders back to the study to await Jasper's return. He ponders on what drink Jasper might want after all that hard work. After all, the boy needs a reward.
Puffy clouds float in the clear blue sky as errant balls of seed and dust drift in the streams of the warm sunlight that pours upon the fields. Birdsongs echo over the warm air and their accompanying flutter of wings are the only sounds in the lazy air.
The slow sound of a horse's hooves accompanies its snort as a horse and its rider break from the small copse of trees. Hair turned platinum from the sun, the young man shades his eyes with one hand as he searches the open fields. Satisfied that he is alone, he dips his hand into his saddlebag and pulls out a handful of ash. Slowly, he opens his fist, letting the breeze sift through his fingers carrying the ashes of Isabella with it.
He gives the horse its head as he continues to take out fistfuls of ash to scatter it along their journey. Finally, the ashes spent, he pulls on the reins. Both man and horse are stopped in the middle of an overgrown field, stalks of grass reaching the horse's withers and brushing against the tan boots in the stirrups. He stares out blankly, his eyes squinting against the brightly shining sun, as the ashes, the final remnants of Isabella float in the breeze.
He remains there for a while, letting thoughts drift lazily through his mind as the sun warms his body, relaxing him after the arduous tasks of earlier. The sun allows him to dispel the gloom and blackness of his thoughts, the aesthetically pleasing surrounds let him dismiss the shady and sinful side of the past four days and bask not just in the warmth and light of the day, but also in the righteousness of his actions.
Holding the reins casually with one hand, Jasper takes a final look at the idyllic scene. He lets out a sigh of contentment before taking the reins firmly in both hands. Clucking to his mount, he touches his heels lightly to the flanks and slowly both he and his horse turn back the way they came, the man moving with the rolling gait, his countenance light, focusing only on Edward. He did not, could not, let himself think of the horrific deed he had just completed. He only thought of his want to bring Edward back to the light.
Idle hands are the devil's plaything.
A distant knock alerts Jasper to his visitor. He straightens, listening intently as footsteps sound in the empty foyer below. 'Edward,' he breathes. Shaking his damp hair, he drops his towel and runs out to the landing, looking around wildly for his Adonis, his vampire. Instead he finds it empty. Taking two steps at a time he hurriedly rushes down the sweeping staircase until he lands at the foot. He swivels, intending to head to the study when a familiar voice halts him in his stride, sending a shiver of apprehension down his spine.
"Sugar, you needn't have dressed up to receive me. Or should I say dressed down considering your state of undress."
He sways for a moment, a combination of breathlessness and lack of sleep making him light-headed before he turns to look at the woman behind him. He nods slowly before addressing her politely, "Miss Bonnie. To what do I owe this visit?"
Her throaty laugh grates on Jasper as she walks towards him. "Does a lonely woman need a reason to visit her charming and equally lonesome neighbour?"
Hidden in the shadows, Edward seethes silently.
Jasper's head spins as her lips ravage his throat and her tongue plunders the hollows in his collar. Her hands run up his naked chest, her fingers brush tantalisingly against his erect nipples and he can only moan helplessly as her hands traverse the contours of his hardened abdomen before they move firmly to grip the top of his pants. He had neglected to replace his shirt in the rush to come downstairs and is clad in only his pants. He casts his head back as she pushes them down to his bare feet, releasing his aching cock to the slight breeze, every nerve alight with each ministration. He needs this after the stress of the past few days.
Faintly, he knows he wants this and more only from one person, one man, but for now his body is satisfied to settle for what it can get.
Jasper dimly tries to recall how they got to this state, but her fingers wrap against his turgid length, his thoughts dissipating as her hand moves along him, and he hisses through his teeth, exulting in the pleasure he feels.
Bringing his head up, his eyes ablaze with fiery want, he grabs her firmly by the shoulders, he searching wildly for somewhere, anywhere to take this woman. His eyes alight upon the heavy oak table in the middle of the foyer and he quickly moves them towards it, and all the while, her lips and hands attack his heated flesh.
Gently he chides the woman, "Take it easy honey. You'll have it all, sure enough."
With a quick sweep of his arm he pushes the few papers upon the table to the floor and lifts her up to sit upon its top.
Smiling invitingly at him the woman shifts, leaning back to brace herself upon her elbows; her legs and cheeks of her ass hanging off the edge. He follows her, his lean body inclining over hers, pressing down whilst simultaneously dragging the material of her shimmy with his fingers, inching it little by little up the milky whiteness of her thighs, her light petticoats having already previously disappeared in their haste to undress. His eyes pierce hers as he trails a hand along her inner thigh, intent on reaching his destination, wanting to release the tension in his body. He can feel the softness beneath his fingers, the light down tickles the sensitive nerve-endings of his fingertips, and he draws small circles up towards the apex of her legs.
Each one of his senses is alert; hearing the slight hitch in her breath as he reaches and brushes his fingers through her curls; feeling the muscles in her thighs bunch as he grazes lightly over her heated flesh and her sensitive nub; seeing desire coalescing in her dark eyes as he slides the tip of his finger along her slick folds; the scent of her arousal strong in the heated atmosphere of the study. He dips his head, holding her gaze, as he pulls on her bodice and frees her breasts.
The stormy blue of his gaze fastens on the dark brown of hers; hers the colour of coffee, reminding him of Bella's hair, in turn reminding him of Edward and his eyes while taking Bella's life. His nostrils flare at the memory and it causes intense desire to swell within. Edward.
He sits her up quickly, pulling off her shift in one single movement, causing her hair to tumble free and flow down her back. He grasps her hair roughly with one hand, pulling her towards him as his mouth moves hotly over hers, desire and desperation apparent. He reluctantly pulls his mouth away, his breathing ragged, leaning his hot forehead against hers as he catches his breath. Grabbing her hips roughly, he grinds himself against her and is rewarded with her intense moan of desire which serves to inflame him further and he is caught between wanting to turn her over, push her breasts into the coolness of the wooden tabletop as he drives into her body with one fell thrust; and the want to take it unhurriedly, savouring each moment, letting every ridge of pulsing pussy slide agonisingly slowly along his tumid and swollen flesh.
He opts for the latter and forces himself to deliberately and calmly draw it out. Sliding his hands over the silky smoothness of her cheeks; meticulously stroking every inch, every pore, to the small of her back before moving his hand around her hips, his palms curve around them, pulling them forward before resuming their journey.
Indolently and lingeringly he traces the line from her hip to the damp curls. He raises his eyes to hers, holding her with a penetrating look. Purposely he slides one finger down her cleft and parts her lips, moistening his fingers and taking his time, he lifts his hand up and wipes her juices along her bottom lip. She snakes out her tongue catching the wet digit and pulls it into her damp, warm mouth. She slides her full lips along the length of his finger, causing him to suck in his breath. He pulls his finger back, drawing it slowly out of her mouth until she lets it go with a slight pop. The burn of his gaze almost blazes a trail of scorching heat as he heatedly follows the travels his hand takes in its lingering journey down her body; taking in her bare breasts, the valley between, sliding down the curve of her waist, her mound and finally, reaching once more her swollen labia; the thick, swollen lips that pulse with her desire.
They are slick to the touch, her moistness trickling down the inside of her legs and her back arches to give him access to her willing and pliant body. He dips one finger into her tight passage, feeling the smooth muscles giving way beneath his foraging finger and he slides his digit all the way to his knuckle, all the while moving his mouth heatedly over her bare skin. Her nipples are puckered and he lavishes attention on the erect tips, laving them with his eager tongue as her fingers thread through his hair and grip it roughly; he lyrically coaxes and waxes incoherent responses from her body, burning trails of want and need with his lips and tongue over the swell of her breasts, eliciting deep guttural groans from the woman as he grazes his teeth over the sensitive nubs whilst sliding his hand immeasurably slowly in and out of her, dipping his finger in then out, spreading her juices over the swollen and heated lips of her pussy; all the while, thinking of Edward.
"Jasper...." the woman's gasp intrudes on the moment and angrily he pauses, his thoughts halted by her voice, her nipple in his mouth. He raises his head, not wanting to meet her eyes for he does not want to lose his thoughts of Edward. Wordlessly, he places his cupped hand over her mouth, effectively quieting her and with his other hand thrusts one, two, then three digits inside her inner lips and pushes them all the way in, earning a wide-eyed look from the woman before her eyes roll back in intense pleasure and he feels a deluge of fluid coat his fingers. He shudders, both the scent and feel sending a shot of loathing through him and lessening his ardour; he wants the feel of turgid strength beneath his fingertips; of marbled flesh; she mistakes the shudder for desire for her and pulls him towards her. Carefully shielding his eyes with hooded lids, he lets her pull him into her embrace. She frantically moves against him, anxious to find the friction that she craves and he suddenly feels a fervent desire to finish this quickly. He lifts her form slightly, bringing her heated core against him, and fumbles, placing his flagging cock between her pulsating nether lips, desperate to revert to his thoughts of Edward.
Delectable shivers course through his body as his mind recalls the burning coolness of Edward's fingers sliding down his cheek. He imagines what that would feel like down the length of his body, along his heated cock, and he finds himself harder than before. The ache returns as he thinks about what it would be like to be placed inside Edward's mouth, the cold, Arctic-like breath flowing over him; the icy chill of his tongue swirling around his turgid knob. He seeks to find release.
Fingers digging into the firm flesh of her ass, he lifts and pulls her onto him urgently, sheathing himself in her soft, pliant wetness agonisingly slowly before pulling back until only the tip remains wrapped in her flesh. He locks eyes with her before harshly and abruptly he thrusts his length all the way in, burying himself to the hilt, cleaving her inner muscles; her tightness giving way before his insistent advances.
He slides back slowly before pushing forward, feeling his balls hit hard against her perineum; her curls brushing against them cause them to tighten achingly sweetly, and he catches his lip between his teeth, letting out another hiss at the heightened intensity brought on by his fantasies of his vampire God. He moves his hips, slowly at first before building into a steady, heavy rhythm, intent on completing this as soon as he is able. He becomes aware of a frustration building in him; he won't be able to complete this act - not like this.
He breathes a silent prayer of thanks as she breaks their gaze and keens loudly as his thrusts push her closer to her brink of oblivion. Desperately he grabs her hair and twists his palm, arching her neck and back, hoping to fuel his cooling ardour.
As she shivers and trembles around him, he pushes angrily into her, his aching length plundering between her legs; all the while his mind frantically seizing onto images of Edward. His thoughts call out, wanting, needing him after days of absence and he closes his eyes, striving to find the right image to aid his release.
As images flash through his brain and connect with his groin, each mental picture more illicit than the last, he drives into the woman, his awareness of her presence lost as he concentrates solely on his memories of his personal Adonis.
Edward. Edward. Ed-ward. Each stroke is punctuated by Jasper's silent and frantic call. Pulsating need quivers over his bare skin as he nears his final stroke; he opens his eyes as he senses a change in the woman's frantic movements around him... 'The end is nigh...'
Opening, stormy blue eyes meet deep crimson red as Edward stands behind the woman, his mouth locked firmly on the curve of the woman's neck, her eyes wide open as both pleasure and pain consume her.
Hips jerk forward at the sight; provocative, tantalising, alluring...
Jasper's gaze locks avidly on the scene before him; Edward's blood-coated tongue licking red, viscous fluid from the woman before his mouth closes over the gaping wound. His eyes stare into Jasper's; the woman's naked body writhing and twisting as her muscles convulse and wrap tightly around the turgid heat of Jasper's hard cock as he continues to plunge blindly into her heat.
The combined assault on Jasper's senses takes its toll; feeling the familiar tightening in his balls, the blood starts to pound in his ears, and he can only thrust mindlessly, seeking relief from the want and desire until finally with a wild cry of abandon, practically screaming Edward's name, he shoots his release into the dying woman as she breathes Jasper's name, her legs trembling around his hips as waves of pleasure still course through her body.
Depleted, Jasper leans forward over her with his arms shaking as he holds himself up, his face so close to Edward's he can smell the blood. Fascinated, he stays still as Edward releases his hold on the woman, lifts a pale hand to cup Jasper's nape and slowly, lingeringly he slides his freshly bloodied tongue into Jasper's waiting and eager mouth.
Her wild-eyed look excites Jasper as blood drips down her neck and he alternates glancing between her and Edward.
Instantaneously - simultaneously - Jasper and Edward release both their holds on the woman. They reach for the other and wordlessly their mouths meld, seeking the taste, the feel of the other.
Lying down next to the still-dying woman, Jasper is only able to absorb one fact and one thought. The vision before him; his beautiful vampire is back.
Thoughts tumble wildly around his head as Jasper feels the icy glide of Edward's tongue along his length and he shudders in both excitement and anticipation, as he gets harder under Edward's skilful tongue. The desire that runs through him is almost too much for Jasper to bear.
Searchingly, Jasper looks at his vampire. His heart is elated at his return and he wonders if he can make Edward's fantasy come true. 'Anything for you Edward,' he vows in the recesses of his mind.
Watching, he sees Edward raise his head. He knows that Edward heard his thoughts and shyly, he smiles. His vampire's beautiful smile flashes and Jasper bites his lip in sudden shyness.
Feasting, fucking, sanguinary act...
The words repeat in Jasper's mind and keeping his eyes fastened on Edward's face, Jasper reaches for the woman beside him. Edward slowly lowers his head back to his waiting shaft and as the cool tongue runs up his length, Jasper grasps Bonnie's face and places his hand over her mouth and nose.
He breathes in deeply as Edward engulfs him and the chill of Edward's mouth only serves to excite and arouse Jasper more.
Jasper's hand tightens on her face and he can feel her weakly writhing and struggling as he lies next to her and revels in the feeling of Edward's mouth moving, sucking, and licking.
Each slow sensuous slide emphasizes each ridge; each swirl and pass over his cock creating a frisson of awareness that surges through him and Edward's deliciously cool breath wafts over him, sending tingles up and down his spine, before that mouth engulfs him in one smooth movement - to the hilt.
"Oh God, Edward," the raspy whisper floats on the air and undulating his hips, he pushes further into Edward's mouth until he hits the back of his throat.
Edward looks Jasper straight in the eye before taking his erect length past the barrier and into his throat and Jasper's mind spins out of control.
He slips his hand down to her throat; squeezes tightly as his hips jerk forward, and Edward slides one hand down to cup Jasper's sac. Jasper can feel the tip of his finger bidding entrance and he can only shift his hips up, imploring Edward to slip his finger inside.
"Come for me, Jasper."
As the words are whispered in the air, he can only grip tighter around Bonnie's throat, looking Edward in the eye as he calmly and slowly expires her life away.
**I will now duck the flying tomatoes... TJ