DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT OR ANY OF

S. MEYER'S CHARACTERS… UNFORTUNATELY.

I JUST PLAY WITH THEM.

Blood In The Snow Chapter 8

Previously:

I slide into bed with him and hold out my arms to him. With a small smile, he snuggles into my side. I wrap my arms around him and hear him sigh.

"Thank you." He whispers so softly I almost don't hear him.

"I won't leave you, Jazz. I'll keep you safe."

EPOV

Holding Jasper in my arms just feels so right. His warm back snuggles close to my chest and I listen to his soft sighs as he slowly starts to relax. Leaning close to his ear, I whisper, "Sleep well, Jazz. I won't leave you." I mumble almost to myself, so quietly I don't think he can hear me, "… not ever."

"Never… please don't let me go, ever", he murmurs.

I let my lips brush the edge of his ear, whispering that I'll never let him go… he'll never be alone again… I won't let anyone hurt him again. I can feel him relaxing as he drifts off to sleep. I hold him close as my mind races. I have to figure out a way to be sure those men can never again get to him. I know I need to call my dad tomorrow. He knows people in influential places that might be able to help. Jasper can't spend the rest of his life in hiding… in fear.

What is it about this man? I have never had such strong feelings for any one before. I have had relationships before, hell, I even thought I loved Garrett. Our relationship was good for nearly three years. He moved in with me after six months and everything just seemed to click. With my writing, I had a very flexible work schedule that allowed me to accompany him on his business trips. His position as a marketing executive took him all over the world, dealing with his international accounts. He was very good at what he did. Together, we traveled the world.

While he was in his meetings, I would work on my latest book or play tourist. Evenings were reserved for just us. We'd go to the theater, opera and the occasional play. It was wonderful.

Rarely did I not accompany Garrett, but once in a while I would have a book tour that I had to go on. But Garrett was very understanding and we would skype several times during our separation and talk at least once a day. Sometime it would only be for a couple of minutes because of schedules or time differences, but it kept us in touch.

During my last book tour, Garrett was called out of town to placate an unhappy client in New York City. When we talked the night before he left, he had told me that he should only be gone a week or so and would not be able to contact me as often as he'd like. If he was lucky, he might get to call me once or twice. But, he should be home the day I got back or at the very latest, the next day. I was disappointed to lose the daily connection with him, but I understood. Sometimes we just have to do the best we can.

My last stop of the tour had gotten canceled and I thought about surprising him in New York, but quite frankly I was exhausted and I knew he would be too busy to spend any time with me. I'd been on this tour for two weeks, non-stop. I decided to just go home, rest up and have a great 'welcome home' dinner waiting for him when he walked in the door.

The flight from LA to Seattle was, thankfully, peaceful. Coach was full, but first class had several empty seats, one of the next to me. I didn't have to listen to anyone talk me to death through the whole flight. I actually managed to nap for most of the flight. One of the flight attendants was a fan. At first I worried that she might be a problem, but she was very respectful. She simply asked if I'd autograph her copy of my book and then she left me alone, except to bring me a pillow and blanket. Yup, it was a good flight.

SeaTac was busy, as usual. Thank heavens I wasn't some film star! How they managed all that craziness I'll never know. And for that I will be eternally grateful. Collecting my bags from the baggage claim area, I went out, got a cab and went home.

I loved my house the very first time the realtor brought me to see it. I made an offer on the spot and it was mine by the end of the month. Two stories, the back of the house was mostly floor to ceiling windows that looked out over Puget Sound, with Bainbridge Island in the distance. I think the view had a lot to do with my love for the house. All the common areas, living room, kitchen, dining room, music room and exercise gym were all downstairs. Upstairs are three large suites, all with their own bathroom suites and then there is the master suite. My favorite room. The room is so large that my king-size, four-poster bed looks small. There is a huge closet and dressing area that could actually be another guest room if necessary. The bathroom has the usual, plus a four person hot tub, a shower enclosed in glass bricks with six shower heads and room for six, a heated towel rack and a small two person sauna. Who'd ever want to leave that room?

Dropping my bags in the foyer, I went in to the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. What I wanted more than just about anything was to sit quietly out on the deck, sipping coffee and unwinding. While the coffee made, I took my bags upstairs and unpacked. The house seemed so empty without Garrett. I hoped his trip got cut short.

I had been sitting out the deck long enough to nearly finish the pot of coffee and watch as the sun began to slide into the ocean. I heard a soft sound behind me. Looking around, I saw Garrett standing in the doorway, a look of surprise on his face. But, it didn't look like a happy surprise.

He joined me on the deck and quietly began to talk. Apparently, on one of his business trips, he'd met someone. He insisted they had simply started out as friends. But over the last few months, he's come to realize that he was in love with this other man. Garrett cried as he tried to explain everything. I could tell that he never meant to hurt me. It just happened. He swore that he had been planning on telling me when I got back from the tour. He'd made up this business trip to give him the time to figure out how to tell me with the least amount of pain for either of us.

It was obvious that he truly hated hurting me, but it was equally obvious that he truly loved this other man. What could I do? I thanked him for being honest with me, wished him luck and helped him pack his things. Right now, I did not want to even contemplate remaining friends, but I hoped that at some point we could at least be cordial if we ran into each other in public. I held no bitterness towards him, just sadness at the end of a loving relationship.

The soft bluish-white glow filling the room, woke me. Carefully opening one eyelid, I saw that it was snowing again. Jasper's warm body was snugged up to me, his breath softly stirring the light dusting of hair in my chest. His arm thrown across my waist, held me close. I tried to slip away, but every time I moved, his grip grew tighter and he softly whimpered. I brushed my lips across his forehead, whispering, "Jazz. Baby. Jazz…" He stirred, his beautiful blue eyes slowly opening and meeting mine.

"Hmmm?" He looked confused for a minute, then the realization of where he is registered. "Oh." He went to move away, but I held him close for another minute.

"It's okay. You don't have to move." I tried to reassure him. "It's snowing again." I inclined my head toward the window behind him.

"Snow is good." A slow smile crept across his face. "Means no one can get in, right?"

"Right." I eased my arms from around him and reluctantly slid to the edge of the bed, sitting up. "Back in a minute." I mumbled as I headed for the bathroom to take care of morning business. After I finished washing my hands and brushing my teeth, I opened the door to find him sitting up, chatting with Alec. "Bathroom's all yours."

He grinned at me, patted Alec and headed for the bathroom. He's moving better this morning, but the burns on his back look like they need some cleaning up and medicine. I'll take care of that before breakfast.

While he's getting cleaned up, I holler through the door, "Help yourself to clean clothes in the closet and drawers. I'm gonna go put on a pot of coffee."

"Coffee sounds great!" He calls out to me. "Thanks for the clothes, too."

"No problem."

By the time the coffee was ready, I could hear Jasper making his way downstairs. Alec came barreling around the corner, into the kitchen, nearly knocking me down. I don't know what's gotten into that dog. Ever since he found Jasper, he's acted like a lovesick fool. "Alec!" His head whipped around to look up at me with a guilty expression on his face. "You know better than that. Settle down, goofball." He slowly moved over to his pillow at the edge of the kitchen, still in the room without being underfoot. The last thing we needed was Alec knocking Jasper over and injuring him further.

"Mmmmm, that coffee smells so good." Jasper came into the kitchen, still moving carefully. I could tell he was still in pain, but at least he seemed to be getting better.

"Let me take a look at those burns on your back." Jasper pulled his shirt up and turned around. I keep aloe burn cream in the kitchen, so I use it to coat the burns. "That should do it for now."

He pulls his shirt back down while I pour his cup and let him fix it the way he likes it, two sugars and a splash of cream. I'd remember that. We move out to the deck for some fresh air. The cover kept the falling snow off us, but it was still bitterly cold. I reach over next to the table and pull out the portable heater, turning it on. "That'll help some". Jasper grins at me. Nearly took my breath away. It is the first full out, unrestrained happy smile I'd seen. He just about lit up the deck… even his eyes are shinning. He is beautiful.

"Edward…" He hesitated. "You've probably already figured out that my name isn't 'Jazz', it's Jasper. Jasper Whitlock." I nodded. His smile was a little embarrassed. "How much of that newscast did you hear?

"Enough. I know they killed your family and tried to kill you."

"Yeah."

The sorrow in his eyes touched my very soul. I wanted to hold him and make everything better. I moved over to the double chaise lounge, settled in and held out my arms for him. He looked at me for a second and slid down next to me. My arms wrap around him, holding him close as his tears stream down his cheeks. "Oh, baby… I'm so sorry."

Raising his face to me and looking me in the eye, he pulled himself together. "No, I'm sorry, Edward. I'm afraid I may have brought a lot of danger into your world. These men are killers, professionals. If they have any idea that I'm still alive, nothing will stop them until they find me." A shudder ran through his body. "I couldn't bear it if something happened to you." He buried his face in my neck and the tears flowed once more.

I rubbed slow circles on his back, trying to comfort him. "Oh Jasper, baby… it's going to be okay. No one knows you're here. We're both safe." I whisper in his ear. I drag my nose up the side of his neck, softly nuzzling and inhaling his scent. He smells so good. The tip of my tongue peeks out, lightly tasting his skin. Delicious.

I feel him shifting around, bringing his face to mine. His beautiful blue eyes gazing into mine with a question. His gaze drops to my lips as I inadvertently lick them. His eyes raise back up to mine holding my gaze. I move slightly towards him and he meets me. Our lips barely touch. I brush my lips against him again, then intensify the kiss, moving my lips against his. He responds, gently touching my lips with his tongue, asking for entrance. Happily, I open my mouth to him, my tongue exploring him as well. We briefly twist and wrap our tongues together, battling for dominance. I concede and let Jasper take control.

JPOV

When Edward held me in his arms on the chaise, I felt … loved. Weird. He is so gentle and caring. Can this be possible? I want to find out. Chills rush over my body as he nuzzles my neck, ever so slowly dragging his tongue along my neck. I need to see him. Pulling back slightly, I gaze into his brilliant green eyes. I can see the desire raging there. I wonder if he can see the same desire in mine. I lean closer to him and he meets me halfway, our lips barely brushing. He brings his lips back to mine, gently kissing me. I lean in to his kiss, my tongue sneaking out to ask for entrance. He opens his mouth to me. My tongue strokes his, exploring his mouth. Oh god, he tastes so good. Our tongues battle for dominance and control for a moment, then he relents and allows me to take control. I devour him. I can hear him gasping as his hands run over my body, pulling me closer. I groan, rubbing against him. Breaking the kiss so we could breathe, I nuzzle behind his ear, gently nipping. Chill bumps rise on his skin. I think he likes the nips.

Edward pulls back slightly to look at me. "Jasper…" He rests his forehead on mine, his eyes closed. "I want you so badly. But, I think we may have something special here and I don't want to risk it by rushing into a physical relationship." He kisses me on the nose, smiling. "Can we take this slowly?"

"I think I'd like that. I sigh in relief. "I feel it, too."

He pulls me close, kissing the side of my neck, down to my collarbone. I moan at the sensations running through me. I can feel him smile against my skin. How did I get so lucky? Not only to survive the Volturi, but to be found and cared for by such a special man…

A/N: I am also posting this story on The Writer's Coffee Shop and have the most beautiful banner made for me by the extremely talented SlashKitten Mina. I am shewoolf there, too. Please take a look. Thanks!