"A kiss that speaks volumes is seldom a first edition."
Clare Whiting
Chapter Eleven
It was a beautiful day in Cody despite the obvious frigid temperatures. The sky was brilliantly clear and the blue seemed to stretch on forever above Wyoming's staggering mountain peaks.
Surprisingly Bella had started getting used to the icy cold, although by no means had she begun to enjoy it. In the last few weeks she had put on more clothes than she ever had in years. It was absolutely ridiculous and she fiercely missed those nice summer days when she could just lay out on a chair and bask in the warm, afternoon sunshine.
Oh, how she couldn't wait until spring came around.
Wrapping a bright red scarf around her neck, Bella gazed at herself in the full length mirror and decided that she might as well wear a hat as well. Choosing a nice knitted cap, she slipped it on her head and then headed out of her room, eager to see the horses again.
Ever since coming to Wyoming Bella had discovered a hidden love for horses. She had never really thought of herself as a horse kind of person but after hanging around them the past couple of weeks she had begun to realize what beautiful and amazing creatures they were.
And of course she had a soft spot for Lucky. The red bay colt was stealing her heart more and more with each passing day. Honestly she couldn't help but smile at the thought of the little guy.
Grabbing a small apple from the kitchen counter Bella dashed out the door and headed straight to the barn, not even grimacing this time when she felt the piercing wind slap against her face.
As she approached the barn she noticed one of the cowhands throwing out some bales of hay from the hayloft. She stopped and looked up, trying to figure out who it was. They all looked the same to her - big, tall, and manly; except for Jasper.
Not that he wasn't tall or manly or anything, but he had a certain distinct look about him, a different kind of presence than the others. When he walked, he walked with a quiet dignity, and that same dignity showed in his eyes. He wasn't just simply handsome, Bella decided pursing her lips. He was literally breathtaking.
"Hey! You!"
Bella snapped out of her thoughts and glanced back up again, recognizing immediately who it was after noticing his long shaggy hair blowing in the wind.
Bella waved, "Hi, Jacob."
"You mind coming up here and helping me out? I have a lot of hay to toss."
Bella blinked, knowing right away what a bad idea that would be. She and heights didn't get along at all.
"Um, isn't there someone else that could help? Like another cowhand, maybe?" Bella questioned hopefully.
"No, they're off doing their own thing and the one who was supposed to help me bailed."
Bella tilted her head and said teasingly, "He bailed on tossing bales?"
Jacob grinned down at her and crossed his arms. "Hey, you're funny!"
Bella shrugged. "I try."
"Well, would you mind trying to help me up here?" He raised an eyebrow.
Bella sighed, knowing that she couldn't get out of this one. "Okay, I'm coming up."
Walking into the barn Bella glanced around, wondering how she was supposed to get up to the loft. She had never even been in a barn before coming to Wyoming so this was definitely all new to her. Bella was just about to turn around and ask Jacob how exactly she was supposed to get up when she heard his voice from right above her.
"Climb the ladder beside you."
Bella turned and immediately saw the ladder he was talking about. Biting her lip softly Bella started climbing. Once she had reached the top Jacob reached out a hand to pull her up.
"Thanks." Bella took it and suddenly found herself at the very top floor of the barn. Oh my, she thought, glancing around with wide eyes. There was so much hay! They had to toss all of this?
"Um, Jacob?" Bella said tentatively.
"Yeah? And you can call me Jake."
"Well Jake, um…there might be a small problem."
"Hmm?"
"As much as I would thoroughly enjoy helping you with these bales I highly doubt my measly arms would be okay with the ordeal."
Jake let out a laugh. "Don't worry Bella; we're not throwing down all of them, only a few. And if you get tired you can stop. No worries, 'kay?"
Yeah, no worries, Bella thought, rolling her eyes.
"You can start with that one," Jake said, pointing to a fairly small sized hay bale to her right.
Inhaling a quick breath Bella stepped forward and grabbed the string that was tied around the bale with both of her hands. Surprisingly it wasn't as heavy as she thought it would be, but it certainly wasn't as light as a feather either.
Bella tottered slowly over to the edge, watching as Jake picked up one of the bigger bales and swung it over with hardly any effort at all. After finally making it to the edge of the loft she carefully put the hay down and shoved it hard with her foot, sending it flying. She watched in satisfaction as the hay bale landed with a thump on the ground.
"Hah!" Bella exclaimed, looking quite pleased with herself.
Jake flashed an amused glance at her from over his shoulder as he bent down to pick up another bale. "Congratulations Bella, you have officially kicked your first bale of hay! Now try tossing it next time."
"Um, okay." Glancing around Bella spotted another small sized hay bale nearby and walked over to pick it up. Grabbing the string, she lifted it off the ground and took a couple steps towards the edge. Closing her eyes, she let out a short grunt and swung it with all her might.
There was a sudden curse followed by a loud thud.
Alarmed, Bella opened her eyes and looked around. She noticed Jake lying on the ground with his back to the floor, a stunned expression on his face.
"Oh, shit!" Bella cried, running frantically over to his side. She lowered herself on her knees and exclaimed in concern, "Jake! Are you all right?"
Jake began to shake. It started with his shoulders and then the trembles quickly traveled down his whole body. Bella's eyes widened and she started to panic. Oh God, he's having some kind of body malfunction. Should I call 911?
And then suddenly Jake began to laugh, loud and hard. Bella sighed in relief, her heart beginning to cease its quick, furious pounding.
"Jake, I am so sorry," Bella said, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I honestly didn't mean to knock you out with the hay bale. My eyes were closed and I just-"
"Your e-eyes were c-closed?" Jake managed to sputter between fits of laughter. "What the h-hell Bella?"
"I'm sorry!" Bella apologized, her face turning redder by the second. "It was a mistake."
Finally, Jake began to calm down. Letting out one last chuckle he sat up and brushed off the many strands of hay covering his legs. "It's okay, Bella. Seriously, I'm fine. Don't beat yourself up over it. It was just an accident…a damned funny one."
Bella sighed and stood up. "Maybe I should stop before I seriously hurt someone. Myself included."
"No, no, Bella, it's okay. You're doing fine." Jake stood up and gave her a reassuring slap on the shoulder. "Just a couple more and we'll be done."
"Alright, if you're sure…"
Feeling extremely nervous now, Bella looked around the loft, hoping to find another small bale. Unfortunately the last two she had thrown off had been the smallest. It's okay, she assured herself, I am strong and I am able. I can do this. Brushing her hands together confidently Bella stepped forward and grabbed the nearest one that was closest to the edge. She lifted it up, gasped, and put it back down. Holy guacamole, that's heavy!
"I can do this," she muttered quietly to herself, staring down at the hay bale in determination. Rolling her shoulders back, she bent down and picked it up again, this time with more effort.
Bella took one step forward and then another. She was only one step away from the edge. But as she lifted her foot to take that last step she heard a small squeak and in the very corner of her eye she saw a mouse - scurrying straight towards her.
Bella yelped and dropped the hay bale. She took a couple steps backwards and immediately lost her balance. It wasn't long before she found herself leaning dangerously over the edge of the loft. Another scream ripped from her throat, this one a bit louder and more terrifying than the last.
She closed her eyes and awaited the fall. She was caught by surprise however when a pair of strong, firm hands grabbed her by the waist and yanked her back into the safety of the barn.
Bella stood there in Jacob's arms, shocked to the core.
"Oh god Jake, I almost died," she whimpered. I am never tossing a bale of hay ever again, she decided, shuddering in Jake's warm embrace.
"Don't be so dramatic, Bella. It's okay."
"You saved my life!"
"Bella, relax. Breathe."
"How can I relax when I almost died?"
Rolling his eyes, Jake took a step back and said, "Okay, I think we're done here."
"So we can go back down?"
"Yeah, come on." Gently taking her hand, Jacob led her towards the ladder. "You first," he said once they had approached it.
"Uh, Jake? I don't think my legs are capable of taking me down just yet."
Sighing, Jake turned and without a word swept her up into his arms. Bella gasped softly in surprise and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
Jake made a face and murmured, "Bella?"
"Yes?"
"You're cutting off the circulation in my neck."
"Oh. Sorry."
Chuckling, Jacob began to carefully carry her down the ladder. The moment they were on the main floor Jacob turned around and became face to face with-
"Jasper!" Bella exclaimed, not noticing the hard, sullen expression on the cowboy's face. "You will never guess what happened!"
"What's that?" he remarked coldly, glaring daggers at Jake.
"I almost fell off the hayloft and died."
Jasper snapped his head back at Bella to stare at her in astonishment. "What? How?"
"Well, Jake needed help tossing some bales-"
"You asked her to help?" Jasper shot at Jacob, glaring fiercely at him. "What the hell were you thinking?"
"Look, I'm sorry, I just thought it might do her some good if she helped out a little," Jake explained, glaring back at him. "And by the way, I did happen to save her life."
Jasper took a speedy step forward. "Put her down," he demanded quietly, staring hard into Jake's eyes.
Bella blinked, having never before seen Jasper so angry. She had to admit it was kind of sexy.
"All right, all right. Jeez, no need to get all pissy," Jake grumbled.
The second Bella was back on her feet Jasper grabbed her hand and swiftly led them away from Jake.
"Jasper, hold up! Where are you taking us?" Bella asked, stumbling behind him. "Jasper, slow down."
When he didn't slow down, Bella sighed in exasperation and picked up her pace. They were at the far end of the barn now and as Bella glanced behind her shoulder she noticed that Jake was gone.
Suddenly Jasper stopped and opened a stall door in one quick, impatient motion.
What the hell? Bella thought in confusion, right before Jasper pulled her inside and locked the door behind them.
"Jasper, what-"
She didn't get the chance to finish. A soft gasp escaped her lips the moment Jasper claimed her mouth with his own. He pushed her none too gently against the wall, molding his body against hers as he kissed her with a sweet, fiery passion.
Bella's arms reached up to claim the circle around his neck, her heart pounding madly against her chest. She closed her eyes and sank deeper into the kiss, lifting a hand to weave her fingers through his thick golden locks.
Letting out a groan Jasper broke away from her mouth and lowered his head to plant kisses on her neck. She leaned her head back and arched against him, quivering slightly at the touch of his lips as they grazed mercilessly across her smooth, creamy skin.
Jasper slipped one of his hands underneath her sweater and pressed his palm firmly against the small of her back. Soon she felt his fingers begin to fumble with the clasp of her bra and she wondered how far he would go and how far she would let him.
But then his hand was gone and his lips were no longer invading her neck. Bella's eyes fluttered open and she instantly found herself staring into Jasper's stunning amber eyes.
"Jasper?" Bella whispered, wondering why he had stopped. She stared at him, waiting patiently for him to speak.
"Bella, I-I don't know what came over me," Jasper replied, sounding clearly unsettled.
Bella narrowed her eyes at him. "If you're about to apologize to me, don't. I swear I will leave right now-"
"No," Jasper said at once, lifting a hand to affectionately cup her cheek "Why would I ever apologize for kissing you? Don't be ridiculous, Bella."
Bella smiled at him and questioned, "Okay…what's the problem then?"
"Jake."
She raised an eyebrow. "What about Jake?"
"Should I be…concerned about him?"
Okay, now she was really confused. "Concerned?"
"About his health," Jasper clarified.
"Why should you or I be concerned about his health?" Bella asked, completely bewildered.
"If he kissed you I'm afraid his health might be at risk."
Bella bit down hard on her lip to keep from bursting out laughing. He was jealous!
Now she understood what was going on. Smiling, Bella patted Jasper reassuringly on the chest. "Jasper, it's okay. You don't need to feel threatened by him."
"Threatened?"
"Yes, threatened. We didn't kiss and we're not going to, I promise. You can calm down now."
"I am calm," Jasper remarked, blinking at her.
Bella smirked. "You weren't just a few minutes ago."
"Yeah, but-"
"Ssh," Bella pressed a finger to his lips and leaned forward, whispering, "Just shut up and kiss me."
"Yes, ma'am," Jasper drawled.
And in pulling her flat against him that was exactly what he did.
Hope you enjoyed the update. Now I'm gonna go make me a sandwich. =P
Later, gators! Reviews are love. :)
~LWS