Chapter 5

Luxuria

I titled this chapter Luxuria. Luxuria is latin for the first of the Seven Deadly Sins, lust. I thought most of you would be super confused if I didn't explain. I bet you'd all be like "What?! WHAT DOES LUXURIA MEAN?!?!?!?!?!?!" So to save you the brain cells and the heartache, here is the explanation. Please enjoy chapter 5 of the remake of Soprano and Bass, Can I Stay With You?.

I smiled at the woman behind the counter as I piled my new clothes onto the counter. Jasper was standing patiently by the door waiting, watching me with awe as I entertained myself with the different clothing. When the transaction was finished Jasper approached the counter, "Aren't you going to try them on?"

I giggled at him, men were so dense sometimes but he was awkwardly cute in his ignorance. "I know what will fit me. Where can we find fine men's clothing?" I asked the woman behind the counter. I wouldn't let Jasper leave until I'd bought him the tux from my vision.

"Just down the street at 'His and Hers'." I watched as her eyes drifted toward Jasper and down his body. Her eyes burned and I was slowly overwhelmed with anger. I could hear her warm blood pumping through her veins her cheeks burned bright red. I bit my lip, trying to keep under control as she examined him. He stood, not making eye contact, of course he could feel the lust she was feeling, it looked as if he were uncomfortable. Her eyes drifted back to mine, she was embarrassed. "Your husband will be able to find a wide selection of excellent clothing there."

I caught my breath when she said husband. At least that meant she knew boundaries, even if Jasper wasn't my husband…I looked to Jasper, he seemed rather amused by my embarrassment. "Thank you," I mumbled, rushing to get out, I'd had enough embarrassment for one day.

Jasper and I walked in silence through the evening streets. He didn't seem to be enjoying himself, but that would change…err hopefully.

The vision of Jasper in the tux had been breathtaking but the actual thing…I stood in awe, my mouth slightly ajar as I stared down his frame. The black fabric stood clashed well with his paper white skin. It flowed over his body in such a way that shocked me. I stood speechless, searching desperately in my brain for a compliment but was cut off before I could sift out from the clutter.

"I really don't think I'll need this for the things we'll be doing, Miss Alice." He held his arms out, like in my vision and stared down his body. How could he not want the tux?! He looked positively amazing! "Oh come now, Jasper," I said fiddling with the tags. I prayed my desperation hadn't been heard through my voice. "You don't need an occasion for a tux. Besides you look dashing, we can't leave without this one."

After Jasper was finished changing back into his trousers and shirt, I wondered away to look for some shoes. I knew I wasn't in any real need for shoes, but I needed some thing to keep my mind off of him. I couldn't understand why Jasper had so much control over my thoughts, my actions. Even my words. Just thinking of his face sent small shocks down my spinal chord. It looked as though he was always minding himself around me, like he was afraid of doing or saying something. It hurt to know he couldn't completely be himself around me, but at other times, when we were alone I could feel his emotions slip. He felt…safe when we were alone. Not like me. No, I was what? euphoric around him.

I saw Jasper by the wall with our purchase and decided that I'd held off enough. I smiled as I approached him. He grabbed the bags from my hand, always such the gentleman, and in the other was a beautiful red rose. "A lovely flower for a lovely lady. Are you ready to go?" I gently took the rose by the stem, afraid I'd break it if I moved to quickly. I kept my eyes locked on his. They seemed to flow like water, he was happy.

"Thank you, Jasper…" I smiled at him warmly. He was so sweet… I couldn't help but completely adore him. I pressed my cheek against his chest, the silence of it soothing in an odd way… I felt his arms pull around my and pull me closer. How could we be so close emotionally and physically? We'd only known each other for what twenty four hours. It was like magic. That one moment felt like it would never end. Perfection…

The hot water pounded against my back. It felt nice to bathe. What was it that I felt for Jasper? How could I possibly try to deny it at this point? I supported myself against the wall of the shower as the reality hit me.

I loved him.

How long I'd been denying it I couldn't know for sure. Longer than I'd known him officially though. I'd loved Jasper for months now. He had been my life before we'd ever met, he'd been my reason for existing long before he knew of me. Was that what love was supposed to be? All these confusing feelings piled into one heap that normal people labeled as 'love'?

I felt so strongly for the man sitting in the room beside me. He was my everything. I turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. I could feel the warmth of my new discovering begin to flow to every part of my body. I dried myself quickly and dressed even faster. I wanted to scream to the world. I wanted everyone to know my discovery. I loved Jasper! I loved him with all that I had!

I stepped out of the bathroom, still trying to dry my wild hair. "Ja-" I stopped when my eyes met his. It was like time has stopped as we looked at each other. Jasper had pulled his sweater off and sat bare-chested on the full size bed. The moment time stopped it was someone must had put it on fast forward. My body was suddenly burning hot with a sensation I couldn't recognize immediately. I wanted him. I wanted him so bad it hurt.

"What is that?" Jasper asked quietly. I didn't answer…not wanted to admit it to even myself. "What is that? What are you feeling?" he asked again. So it wasn't his doing. Figures, it was my fault. "…I…I don't know." I practically ran to the window, to get out of his range of sight. The temperature cool instantly. I was livid. I stared at my reflection in the window sickened with myself.

I knew full well what that was. I'd felt it only one other time. Mortified, I looked away. I knew what it was…the burn, the passion in my eyes probably gave me away. It was lust.

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Louise. I'm glad I could help and I'm glad you could help me. You're officially my buddy *hearts*.

Please read the original if you haven't. It's awesome!!! Soprano and Bass by Clairdelunetaz.