This is a shorter chapter, but I promise there will be more! I really like how Bella and Jasper are progressing. :) Happy Thanksgiving to my US mates and I hope to hear from y'all shortly. Keep writing - I read as much as you all do! This is too fun.

Okay, here goes...

Chapter 4

BPOV

His Eyes...

His deep, rich, unbelievably sexy blue eyes...

I tried hard to focus on the fashion show, but all I could see was a set of gorgeous blue eyes. Jasper's eyes. The amount of beautiful people mingling all over the room was slightly intimidating. All of the women were tall, slim, and so gorgeous that it seemed unreal. I sighed as I compared them to my short, petite with slight curves, and plain self. Great. Besides the fact that all of the models prancing around in their skimpy outfits wasn't doing much for my ego, the night started out as a complete nightmare. All of my dirty laundry was out on the table before the date even started.

Hi, I'm Bella. I have a crazy ex-boyfriend that will try and kick your ass. Welcome to my world...

Jasper did not have to defend me. I knew a couple of self defense moves if Jake decided he wanted to play rougher than a gentleman ought to play. Jasper did not have to do anything, but he did. He stood up for me. He carried me to the counter to check my head. He made me swoon and become more aroused than I've ever felt in my life. Damn that phone of his.

I looked up toward the small stage and frowned. Another model wearing something else that revealed to me, yet again, that I am definitely not model material. The next beautiful women that stepped on the stage brought everyone to their feet in applause. Rosalie McCarthy strutted out, followed by all of the women demonstrating her designs. I must admit, the girl had talent. I could see myself wearing a couple of her tops and I had fallen in love with one particular dark blue dress.

Just then heat radiated through my hand as I felt his fingers slide underneath my palm. I felt his thumb slowly graze against the top of my hand, head moving toward my ear. He spoke in a low, husky whisper, "I'm sorry but I can't keep my hands off of you, darlin'. This evening you look...stunning. I apologize in advance if any of my actions are un-gentlemanly."

I smiled at his observance and squeezed his hand tighter. My hips slowly found a very comfortable home leaning into his upper thighs, enjoying the sensations that only this man caused my body to have. He dropped my hand and wrapped his strong arm around my waist, pulling me closer. By now, I had his scent memorized. I stood still inhaling his tantalizing smell as I turned my head towards his body, trying to feel his heart beat through his clothing. I felt his breath on my hair and he lifted my chin with his free hand.

There were those eyes again. Smoldering. I felt my own eyes widen as he licked his lips without moving forward, just gazing at mine. I mimicked his action as I licked my own lips and glanced at his mouth. He raised one side of his mouth in a wicked, knowing smile as he leaned down excruciatingly slowly. Jasper paused directly in front of my face, swallowing hard and digging his fingers into my waist. He had a pained scowl of insecurity and something else, so I decided to help him make his decision. I brought my hand up to lay it against his cheek and pull him toward me.

The sensation was indescribable. His lips were soft and smooth, moving slowly against my own. His movements were precise and flawless, making my knees weak as I melted into him. The house lights turned on and people around us began to murmur and stretch. We only had time for one warm, inviting, unbelievably sexy kiss before Jasper pulled away and leaned his forhead against mine. I exhaled as I dropped my hand to his chest, clutching his brown blazer momentarily.

My heart raced as I attempted to gather my wits about me. I just about took a near stranger and almost ravished him in a completely public place. I was intregued. What was it about this man that caused me to lose my inhibitions? How is it that he can read every emotion racing through my mind at any given moment? All I knew was that this night was the beginning of something...

"Do you want to get out of here?" he exhaled.

****

JPOV

"Yes," she replied in a husky voice.

I had never had more of an intense moment with another person in my life. Bella was unknowingly teasing me with her beautifully exposed back and full, red lips all night. She made a wonderful first impression with Emmett and Rosalie, mingled well with others while I made the obligatory rounds, and was completely at ease being by herself when company left her side. She defined grace and beauty and I she truly made me feel alive - a first.

We talked on the way to the show about life, music and pop culture. Truly, we both loved life but admitted something significant was missing. She loved the same kind of music that I listened to; conveniently enough, she just acquired Beatles Rock Band for her Wii. We also discovered our mutual dislike of pop culture and avoidance of that topic entirely. I even shared with her a story or two from my tour in Iraq; Bella listened as I shared some of my battle stories and I even showed her a couple of my scars that remained on my forearm from a mission that went bad. Truly, I hadn't shared any of those stories with anyone since, well, no one has ever heard my war stories. I was flabbergasted with this intensely close connection and I could only thank God for allowing her to step into my life this morning. She was definitely about to completely alter my universe and I was looking forward to it.

I grabbed her hand as I lead the way towards the exit of the venue making sure to say goodbye to my sister and brother-in-law. My hand dropped hers and gripped her shoulders as I leaned down to her ear asking her to wait while I grabbed her jacket. I grabbed her coat at the coat check, I turned with my line of sight on the floor and ran directly into something.

Someone.

Shit.

"Jasper, uh, hi..." he said nervously. He clutched and tugged the hand of the woman chatting idly with another woman passing by. She glanced at him and then at me, her expression startled as her mouth hung open. She didn't say a word but instinctively held her very pregnant belly, caressing it gently.

I stood up tall, running a nervous hand through my hair. My brows furrowed and nodded at each respective individual, cursing them internally, "Edward, Alice..."