AN: Thanks to Leckadams for paying for this.
So either you are all getting into this story, or you really hated that little cliffy I left you with last time. In any case, I can't believe the incredible response I received from the chapter. You are seriously blowing me away. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I was supposed to work on a one-shot, but the inspiration wouldn't come, and I had to stop once I began forcing it. Because of you girls/guys, these boys are all that's on my mind.
Layne Faire is my hero.
"I think you're right Edward. We need to just be friends."
XXXXX
Really? Really Jasper?
Maybe he should inject some 'reallys' into his announcement to make it all seem more believable – not!
I may have imagined he has feelings for me, but I didn't imagine that massive erection in the car earlier, or the way he had to fight to contain his need.
If attraction is all I'm going to get, then I'm taking it.
"I-I don't want to be just friends," I say, bravely – well, somewhat.
"That's not what you told Pete" he argues.
"No, it's not… but it's not like that," I try to explain, pulling against him even as he rejects me. Somehow, I manage the strength to wrap my arms around his neck and hold on for dear life, while he tries to wrench my body from his.
Abruptly, the struggle leaves Jasper, his arms falling limply to his sides.
I take this as surrender, and my mouth finds his with burning kisses that are fueled by a deep, desperate determination to make him believe me – understand how badly I desire him, but like the rest of his body, his lips are stiff and cold.
"Please Jasper…," I beg, "Just give me time. This is so new to me…don't you remember what it was like?"
My appeal affects him; I can tell he's succumbing. His hands remain clenched at his sides, his lips softening under mine, but he's still not participating.
"I'll get this right. I-I pro-promise," I whisper against his lips. I don't know if it's my broken words or the errant tear that slips down my cheek that force Jasper into action, but oh, does it ever.
He nips my jaw while one hand digs forcefully into my side, and the other clutches a fistful of hair, bringing further tears to my eyes.
He pulls away, "Don't play me Edward. Please…I…" He looks lost, but there's a spark of desire in his blue eyes, a beacon of hope, pleading for me not to give up on him.
"I'm not…I won't. I prom…"
I don't get a chance to finish my declaration; his mouth seizes mine in a kiss like no other. With searing intensity his tongue engulfs my mouth, his nose pushing into mine, causing us both to gladly suffocate on our mutual lust.
My hands…his hands…they're – everywhere. All at once.
I can't get enough, neither can he.
He's here, I remind myself – and so am I.
This is real.
Jesus, this is so fucking hard. I'm so fucking hard.
I have no control. This goddamn passion supersedes all rational thought, governs all motor skills, kills inhibition. It dominates all bodily functions and all transient reservation.
My decimated self-consciousness enables my hands to move freely, and so they do. While his hot mouth devours my neck, my hands skim over silky skin and taut muscle. Fists clench tightly, bunching the fabric of his shirt, causing it to rise and display a tantalizing patch of corrugated stomach. My hand roams over the waves of his belly, dropping lower still, until I cover the front of his jeans, grasping and squeezing his steely rod - feeling it twitch and pulse.
His deep moan causes my dick to leak, accompanied by and a growl to surge from my frustrated soul.
"Take me to the hotel," I demand.
He's in fifth gear before I can blink an eye.
XXXXX
My raging hormones have calmed, the heaviness of the day beginning to weigh upon me. I spy Jasper through the window of the hotel lobby, watching while he secures the room, and obtains a key.
The distance between us is too far for my state of mind.
He waits, tapping impatiently on the front desk, while the girl behind the counter alternates between staring at the computer and him.
I don't blame her. He's beautiful, charming, impassioned - and I almost lost it all…again.
I bury my head in my palms, attempting to waylay the breakdown I'm moments away from having.
When will I stop making these stupid mistakes?
What harm would it have been to tell Peter the truth? Swear him to secrecy and then enjoy the afternoon being the couple I so very much desired us to be?
Instead, I had to imitate his asshole of an ex, Alec. I denied my feelings for him, yet again, but this time he'd overheard, and I'd hurt him. Even though we haven't declared our intentions, I don't hold his feelings of betrayal against him. After all, when he'd repeated my lie, I'd felt it too-the pain of rejection, the sting of feeling used and unwanted.
I never want to make him feel like that again.
Tomorrow, the minute I get back to the inn, it's imperative that I call Alice – persuade her to come see me and Rosalie. I'll beg, if need be. If she doesn't, I'll make a quick trip home or reconsider my position on telling her over the phone.
The thought causes my hands to shake violently in my lap. So soon, after only just realizing it myself, I can't deny that the time is drawing near for me to come out. I hope like hell that informing my family is truly the only reason for my panic, that there isn't some other underlying cause holding me back that I'm not considering.
But I fear…
I fear that, when it's all said and done, – when Alice and maybe the rest of my family know - that I'll still leave my secret here, sinking back into the back hole of my previous existence when I return to Chicago.
I don't want to live out the rest of my life pretending to be someone I'm not.
Thankfully, Jasper jumps in the truck, his easy smile instantly bringing me to the present.
I'll worry about the future later. Right now my sole focus is on this man.
XXXXX
It's eight o' clock by the time we settle into the room. Between the travel and hanging out with Jasper's friends all day I'm beat, but the king-sized bed doesn't stir thoughts of slumber, only promises of pleasure. Adrenaline sweeps away my exhaustion, as though it had never existed at all, and my skin buzzes in expectation, hoping Jasper will finally make love to me.
And as expected, that thought coaxes the fears and apprehension from earlier to return.
I feel him behind me, even before he wraps his arms around my waist. I grasp on to his sturdy forearms that provide an anchor against my whirling thoughts. I lay my head back on his shoulder, shutting my eyes, and relaxing into a level of comfort I've never experienced in the arms of another.
He dips his head, kissing my neck. "You look so tired. We can sleep darlin'. There's no pressure here." His words are a hot lie against my ear. When hasn't there been pressure? He rocks me gently, every movement is like a lullaby, and I feel myself induced into a state of pure contentment, drifting into a sea of luxurious restfulness.
This is where I'm meant to be.
It's not the first time the thought has occurred to me, nor will it likely be the last during my short tenure here in Heaven. Sadly, with the stirrings of an imminent autumn will bring with it the sickening reality that Jasper is nothing more than a summer fling.
Albeit, one I'll never forget.
And time, for us, is not an amenity we can consume frivolously.
Eluding a cloud of sleepiness, I swivel around, and circle my arms around his neck. "As if," I contend.
I entangle my fingers in his hair pulling him down for a searing kiss, searching for the same loss of inhibition I'd displayed in the car just an hour ago. Requiring the feeling that doesn't tolerate insecurities or doubt; the one that doesn't care how little I know or how very self-conscious I am on any given day, but the one that pulses with boldness and confidence.
The feeling that assures me that I am worthwhile.
But none of that shit is forthcoming, and in my desperation, the kiss becomes rough. My fingernails scrape down his chest, digging into the satiny flesh of his biceps.
He not only pulls away, but also backs up a few steps.
"Jesus, Edward," he pant's, watching me while he catches his breath.
I'm equally winded, and more than confused. He smiles, stretching his arm across the distance between us to swipe the hair away from my face. His hand slides to the back of my neck – pulling, drawing me closer, until we're nose to nose. Studying me, he brushes a mere suggestion of a kiss against my lips.
"We're always so hot and heavy," he explains. "Don't get me wrong, I love the passion, and all that you do to me, but we always go up in smoke before the fire has a chance to start." He kisses me again; gently, seductively this time.
Strong fingers press into the nape of my neck, while his hips rotate slowly, but insistent against mine, the decadent friction causing my eyes to roll back.
"I wanna burn. You make me so fuckin' hot, Edward. I wanna bask in it for a while - feel that heat scorch through my veins. And I want you to burn…for me," he murmurs against my lips, his tone pleading for understanding and reciprocation.
"I'm not ready for this to be over yet," he whispers. Capturing my lips in a sweet, languid kiss, he guides my hips in a slow, sensual rhythm…and realization dawns. I get it. I stop forcing things to happen, and just let it be. I follow his lead, savoring the heart-wrenching kiss he offers.
He lifts the hem of my t-shirt slightly to play with the skin just above my waistband.
His hands run along each side of my torso with long, sure strokes while we kiss. It's as if he's rubbing two sticks together…
I feel a spark.
My previously idle hands trace the hem of Jasper's t-shirt before dragging it up and over his head, he does the same with mine. Instead of crashing together at the sight our half-nakedness, I take the time to study him. I run my hands over the flushed skin of his beautifully carved chest, while he leans down and trails kisses along my collarbone. I push my fingers through his hair, and hold him close, while he ravishes my chest with tender kisses. My back arches when he bends further, laving one of my nipples with his tongue before enclosing his lips around it.
"Edward," he whispers on a ragged breath, grasping for my belt buckle, while he continues to suck ravenously at the skin on my chest. I pull his hair just enough to gain his attention, and when I receive it, I kiss him with unrestrained desire.
In contrast to our steamy kiss, our hands are deliberately lazy. Gradually, I pull at his belt letting the leather melt away underneath my fingertips. Once its undone, he lowers his own pants and underwear, so I can finally gaze upon him in all his glory.
I don't hide the fact that I'm taking him all in, every inch of his perfect, hairless body. He is flawless - beauty magnified. His dick is thick, stiff, fluid drizzling down the length of his bulbous head.
His eyes are dark, heavy-lidded, watching me while I blatantly devour him with my eyes. His dick twitches and my breath catches when I witness another creamy bead of his seed appear.
I'm doing this to him. Me.
The revelation stokes the spark within me, igniting it into a single, hot flame.
I shyly lower my eyes when I realize it's my turn, but when I clutch the waistband of my jeans, he stops me, resting his hands over mine. I don't look up, waiting for some instruction, and it's several seconds before I realize what he needs from me – eye contact. He hooks a finger underneath my chin, pulling my head up until our eyes meet. He smiles, and without breaking contact, removes my hands to finish what I started, bending at the knees to lower my jeans and boxers.
My cock isn't sexy like his. It's a decent size, but it's all veiny and it curves ever-so-slightly to the left, which probably stands out like a sore thumb when it's inches from his face.
Yet he can't seem to take his eyes off of it while he waits for me to step out of my clothing. Thankfully, I'm able to do this without leaning on him, which would possibly cause my jutting erection to poke him in the eye. His tongue sneaks out and skims across his top lip, and when he gazes back up at me he looks - hungry.
"Why don't you see it? You're beautiful, Edward." he wonders aloud.
My eyes sting slightly, because it's apparent that he doesn't say it to mollify me; he says it because he means it. He really does think I'm beautiful.
How in the world is this happening to me?
Jasper sits on the edge of the bed, grasping onto my hips as he leans back, intending to take me down with him.
This is it.
The moment of truth. Suddenly, I'm scared-scared that I have nothing at all to offer him. Scared that I have nothing to keep him with me.
I resist only for a fraction of a second, but it's enough for him to notice.
He freezes, his blue eyes inquiring, searching for the root of my hesitation.
"I don't know what I'm doing." I intended to speak it, but my throat closes around the words, despair trapping them there in a thick, choking knot.
He reads the message across my lips and his concerned eyes turn sad. "Edward…," he breathes.
He straightens then, scooting back to the edge of the bed. He gently clasps my hips, positioning me between his knees, while his thumbs painstakingly stroke my hipbones. My cock hangs heavy in front of him, still semi-hard, even after confessing my inexperience.
"I know darlin'." His lips brush across my stomach, his tongue dipping into the hollow of my bellybutton. When his eyes rise, I see something in them that I would've never expected, something I can't even remember the last time I saw it...
Acceptance.
For who I am, what I am – how I am.
Dammit. It's been so, so long since – anyone…
He doesn't let me dwell on that for too long, but it doesn't matter, because just like that my nerves are gone.
And he knows it.
He smirks, watching me with devilishly playful blue eyes. He takes my length in hand, and leaning in, licks the head of my cock. I see my precum on the tip of his tongue just before he swallows it.
Shutting his eyes, he hums in pleasure, and I twitch-pulse, feeling the beginnings of a very embarrassingly, premature ejaculation coming on. The shock of its abrupt appearance startles me, and it's only the fear of humiliation that contains my orgasm, but not before a substantial amount spurts from my cock.
Jasper dives down, capturing the leaking fluid on his tongue, carrying it back up to its origin, swirling around the crown of my dick before sucking it completely dry.
"Did you like that?"
I swallow thickly. "Uh-huh," I manage, dumbly.
"Then so will I. Get it?" he implores.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
"Can I try?"
"Fuck yes…please Edward," he begs, unnecessarily.
I nod my head, happily.
Jasper places a lingering kiss on my hipbone before standing up. He pushes me down gently on the bed, and I wriggle up the mattress to prop my head up on pillows and wait for him.
He sucks in a shaky breath, his eyes shining, burning holes in every inch of my skin and sending blood simmering through my veins.
Crawling over me, lustfully slow, he opens his mouth along different parts of my body on his way up. Licking the length of my neck, over my Adam's apple, he doesn't stop until his tongue is in my mouth.
Jasper lowers his body, and our cocks smoosh together, his hips rotating over mine fluidly. My mouth breaks from his to express my pleasure at the contact, while he holds his upper body up by his elbows. He kisses my forehead, eyes, and cheeks, whispering words that set my soul blazing.
He doesn't stop there. Continuing his journey up my body, he straddles my chest, his legs spread wide. Arranging himself over me, he takes his cock in hand and presses the head against my lips.
And, for the first time in my life, I put a dick in my mouth.
Not all the way, of course. Jasper regulates the amount I can actually take, fisting the difference, which is fine by me, because what he's allowing is still a mouthful.
It's smooth, velvet sliding along my tongue, and salty - but nothing unbearable. His scent is the most pleasant surprise. His odor isn't as strong as I'd anticipated, musky and manly, but not overpowering. Much better than the smell of pussy; which, in most cases, was bad enough to make me gag. He truly smells delicious, and I suck earnestly, happy that one worry is laid to rest.
Taking Jasper's advice, I try to remember what I liked. I've only received head a few times, and the girls that went down on me weren't that experienced, but I do remember liking it when my dick found its way into their cheek.
I tilt my head so his dick rubs and pokes the inside of my cheek, while I watch for a reaction, pleased when his head lulls back on his shoulders, and he groans loudly.
His head falls forward and he stares at my mouth taking his cock. "Fuck!" he spits. He yanks it out of my mouth, but I reach forward, sucking it back in. He lets me, then pulls against the suction until it pops out of my mouth.
"Uh…yeah, do that again," he directs, guiding the head back into my mouth. I repeat the vacuum while he tugs on it, releasing it with another pop.
"Shit, that's hot," he says, with some amazement.
"Yeah?" I question, more than thrilled with my performance thus far.
Jasper drops down, our lips crashing together in a mind-numbing kiss. Hands roam over every exposed expanse of skin, his touch becoming frenzied. He tries to slow down, but my body can't handle any more teasing.
I cling to him when he moves to the side, attempting to put some separation between us, but I follow his movement, hooking my leg over his and continuing to roll our hips together.
"Make love to me Jasper. I need you to…please," I exclaim.
"Not yet, darlin'. There's something else I want to try first, and I know you will, too."
I lean away from him, examining his face. "What's that?"
Jasper's eyes turn predatory when he pushes me onto my back. Once again, he climbs on top of me, sitting right on my dick. He holds his erection, slapping it lightly against my stomach.
Lowering his head, he whispers against my ear accusingly, "I saw you watchin' those two men by the fire that first night, Edward. You couldn't take your eyes off 'em." He watches while my face heats. "Did you like what they were doin' to each other?"
The memory of two hot bodies, sucking each other off simultaneously, flashes through my mind.
"Yes," I hiss out.
He lifts his body, watching my face while he drags the tip of his moist cock along my length, leaving behind a trail of wetness. "Do you want to do that Edward? Do you want to suck my cock, while I suck yours?"
"God, yes," I plead.
"Are you sure about that?" He teases.
My answer is to growl and buck up into him. He kisses me then - long, hard, and breathless. He lies on his side, shifting his position so that he faces my feet. He kisses each toe, and I can't decide whether I'm more tickled or turned-on. He doesn't spend much time on the task though, as we both move in sync, inching toward our targets. As I pass calves, knees and thighs I kiss, lick and suck until finally, Jasper is right where he needs to be and so am I.
I'm out of my element, but I don't permit my naivety to hinder me. I take a moment to breathe him in again, that wonderful scent I find extremely intoxicating. His balls are perfect - a tight package, like a ripe peach, with a perfect seam in the middle. I run my tongue along the jagged line, up the base of his cock, lapping at the salty treasure found at the tip. I roll his essence around my tongue, savoring the taste of him.
I waste no more time guiding him to me, replicating the only experience I have – the Internet. I grab the base of his cock, angling him toward my eager mouth. I swallow as much of him as I possibly can without gagging. Unfortunately it isn't much, but I hope my enthusiasm will make up for my strong gag reflex. As seen on TV, I bob up and down, repeatedly, keeping a quick and mostly-steady rhythm.
Jasper clutches onto my hair. "Edward…darlin', slow down there. You're gonna make me cum too fast." I pull away to stare into Jasper's flushed face.
Maintaining eye contact, he licks my dick from base to tip, over and over again. Like an ice cream cone that's melting in the midday sun, he licks it from every angle until my cock is thoroughly lubricated with his saliva. He pumps my length a few times before he slowly sliding my member in his wet, hot mouth.
The feeling of Jasper's mouth engulfing me resembles nothing of my previous encounters. I'm hypnotized by the sight of his soft pink lips molded around my cock, and the sensation of his tongue circling while he applies a mild suction is almost enough for me to blow my mind and load right here. His slurping, humming…swallowing around me is staggering to watch. He's actually enjoying this, and all I want to do is fill that pretty little mouth with my cum.
My cum. It implies ownership.
I don't consider myself a very possessive fellow, but there's no denying that I want to own Jasper.
It's only fair, since I'm pretty sure he already owns me.
Swirling, sucking, licking, - grazing me with his teeth, I can feel myself harden impossibly further from his expert ministrations. Every pore of my shaft is saturated with quaking tension, stiff and ready to combust. Similar madness spirals in the pit of my stomach. I struggle, clenching my teeth and the muscles of my abs furiously, staving off the ultimate gratification.
I want him to feel this way, too, that's why we're in this position, after all. I attempt to shift my mind from the pleasure in receiving to just giving. So, I take Jasper back into my mouth, but this time I go slow, focusing on just the head first, flicking the rim and slit with my tongue. He moans around me, and I stutter in motion, momentarily centering my energy toward fending off my release.
But hearing Jasper moan his pleasure around my dick is nothing short of amazing, and my confidence soars. It's such a rush pleasuring your lover, hearing his bliss - tasting it on your tongue.
It doesn't take long for us to stop playing around and find an extraordinary rhythm. We both moan and writhe in each other's half embrace. Almost simultaneously, we begin rocking our hips, looking for more.
Jasper tugs my balls gently, rolling them around in his palm, effectively throwing fuel on the embers of my desire. I spread my legs, providing further access, and his fingers take advantage, trailing down to the sensitized area just below my balls, and so close to...
It's then that I become incapable of thinking beyond what he's doing to me. I'm on autopilot as I alternate from sucking to stroking.
Suck – stroke – lick.
Suck – stroke – lick.
My every thought centers on where his fingers are - every press, skim, brush is magnified x1000, not one whisper of a touch goes unnoticed. I visibly tense, then relax – then tense and relax…waiting for that moment.
When he finally does, it's like a shock to the system. His finger presses and plays with my entrance and I whimper, my body stiffening under the heavenly sensation.
Jasper presses harder, massaging - lost in his own world of wanton delight. "Ahh, fuck. I can't wait to get inside you. Your ass is gonna be so goddamn tight…so sweet" he predicts, huskily.
A shift…then wet heat, softness, flicking my hole, lapping – it's his tongue…oh my fucking God…
Without warning my stomach contracts, pulsing waves crashing down on me…
"Jas – Jas…" I shout; trying to tell him I've reached my limits. It's enough.
His mouth surrounds me just in time to for my balls to erupt, sending my fiery release down his welcoming throat. He takes every drop of my load.
I'm still recuperating from the richest orgasm of my life when I take his cock in my mouth again. I'm hardly moving, but it matters none as Jasper's doing all the work. His hips move in earnest now, searching for the same fulfillment.
I do what I can to help him reach his goal. My hands slide up his sweaty torso, finding and teasing his nipple, pinching and plucking with my fingertips.
I reach for the other one. He groans, and his hips seize. "Oh fuck…move!" he cries out.
Still in a blissful haze, I don't move fast enough and a flood of cum fills my mouth. I choke, coughing and spluttering a mountain of sperm and spit. Ever resourceful, I use the sloppy mixture for lubrication, slicking and stroking his cock through its completion.
Jasper lays his head on my thigh, and I mirror him. After several minutes of total relaxation, he opens his eyes, a brilliant smile of infinite satiation lighting up his face. Nevertheless, I still can't help feeling ashamed that I couldn't swallow.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't…y'know," I stammer, pointing to the mess on his lower stomach and base of his softening cock.
He rotates his body so that we're lying face to face. He clamps my chin between his forefinger and thumb and lifts my face to his. He kisses my lips softly. "Don't worry about that darlin'. Swallowing takes practice."
It makes sense, so I can't dwell on it - not when I've just had the most incredible experience of my existence. I wrestle him to his back, and hover over him.
"Well, practice does make perfect, and I suppose getting used to the taste is the first step."
I wriggle down his body and lick him completely clean.
Oh yeah, I can definitely get used to the taste of him.
Climbing back up his body, I tell him so, earning me an outrageously lascivious kiss, followed by words of equal sin.
XXXXX
Stay Still by Edward M. Cullen - cont'd
The interrogation room is gray, cold and dimly lit, but the air is thick with dissension.
"Where were you the night of July 22nd, around eight pm?"
"Are you serious, Jere? You really think I killed those girls?" The hurt is so deeply ingrained in Tony's face, it causes Jeremy's stomach to twist in painful knots.
"We're just responding to the evidence, Tony," James answers for him.
James' expression is tight, clearly not comfortable with the turn of events either.
"What evidence?" Tony sneers.
"Your fingerprint was on Leah's bus pass. We found it in the dumpster not far from where we found her body."
"That's it?" he asks, derisively. "I-I found her bus pass about a week before her disappearance - next to my car in the school parking lot."
"Did you turn it into the office?"
He hesitates, conflicted. "No," he sighs, "she was in my first period, so I just held onto it until the next morning and then gave it back to her directly."
"We need to know where you were that night Tony. Please help us clear your name," James beseeches.
Tony huffs in exasperation. "I was in Ridgeport until about 2am."
"Did anyone see you? Can someone confirm this?" Jeremy asks.
.
Tony looks at his 'best friend' square in the eye, pissed off and defiant.
"Yeah, but I don't recall asking him his name."
XXXXX
Waking up in the arms of my beloved is surreal. Jasper's head is on my chest, soft snores escaping him.
I don't even know how long I watch him, not wanting to disturb his peaceful sleep. I stifle my need to empty my bladder and fill my stomach, so that I can lay as long as possible with him curled up into my arms.
He's always the strong one, the dominant one, so it fills me with insurmountable satisfaction that he sought me out during the night, needing my comfort.
I love him. There had been so many times last night that the words had been on the tip of my tongue…needing to be verbalized, but I'd held back due to the constraints of our circumstances.
Sadly, there's no use.
And I certainly don't want to ruin what we have by scaring him off.
I don't expect him to feel the same way. In fact, if I cared about him at all I wouldn't want him to.
But I'm selfish. I'd love to hear him say he loves me, but I'd hate if he felt obligated to say words he didn't mean because I forced it upon him just to satisfy my own ego.
He doesn't give away much, but I'd be a fool to think he doesn't care about me - at the very least. What I don't know is how much of his feelings he's willing to admit to me.
Jasper shifts in his sleep, skimming his hand over my morning erection in the process, causing me to wince with yet another kind of ache. His hand falls and rests right above my now straining cock. His thumb twitches, finding the tip of my dick, and I huff in frustration.
Thinking that I'm going to have to wake him soon, I feel the bed shake slightly, and it takes me no more than a second to realize he's giggling.
The bastard.
"I'll get you back for that." I jump out of bed, heading to the bathroom for a much needed piss. He slaps my butt as I tumble out of bed, and I throw a glare across my shoulder that causes Jasper to guffaw.
Once I'm done, we trade places, and I can't help but watch his toned ass as he heads to take care of his needs.
Climbing back into bed, he lies on his side, facing me. We're just inches away – close enough to feel his fresh breath against my cheek.
"Hi," I whisper, averting my eyes for one shy second, before returning back to his gorgeous face.
"Hi," he murmurs, his smile matching my own. His hand finds its way into my hair, tangling it in the strands, drawing me in for a good-morning kiss.
A kiss that turns into so much more.
XXXXX
In his arms, wonderfully sated, I nuzzle into his chest before resting my chin just over his heart, gazing up at his perfectly disheveled self. What a sight he is in the morning, all tousled and freshly sucked.
Again, I think of how easy, yet how hard, it is to be with him. I'm trying to live in the moment, not to contemplate my lonely future, but it's moments like this when I feel so content and happy that I'm reminded of how short-lived this is.
Looking for a change in thought, I recall another significant event from yesterday.
"Y'know, Jas that wedding gift you made for Peter and Embry is unbelievable. That wolf - it was amazing."
"Yeah?" He clears his throat. "I used to dream about wolves when I was a kid." He blushes, his eyes rising to the ceiling.
He starts to say something, then stops.
"What?" I ask, smiling.
He's conflicted, hesitating.
"In my dreams, I'd be out in the woods, and two wolves would show up out of nowhere. I should have been scared, but I wasn't. They're savage, but these ones were kinda adorable. It was almost comforting - like they were there to protect me, not hurt me." He chuckles, shrugging. "I still dream of them once in a while, especially when I feel stressed," he admits, his gaze lowering from the ceiling. "Did you know we have wolves in Bon Terre?"
I shake my head – too mesmerized by his tale to speak. I'd never had a recurring dream when I was a kid, and his sounds fascinating, especially since he wasn't frightened by them.
"I hear 'em sometimes at night. I feel like they're calling me." He laughs then, luring me from my dazzled state.
"Stupid huh? If I went out there, they'd probably tear me to shreds."
"It's not stupid," I mumble.
He reaches out and touches my cheekbone as if I'm a porcelain doll, ready to shatter at the slightest touch.
"I've never told anyone that." I'm not even sure he realized that he verbalized that admission, so I don't respond to it.
"You really should consider selling your stuff instead of giving it away," I say, instead of what I'd like to. Why? Why did you tell me? - my heart begs to ask.
But the moment is gone.
"I've thought about it. I've been building inventory for a showroom - eventually."
"What else have you made? Anything with wolves?" If he's created anything else with the beasts, I'll be taking it home with me. Now that I know the story behind it, I can't think of a better keepsake.
"How 'bout I show you when we get back to the inn? But do you really want to talk about that now darlin'? When we could be doing more…enjoyable things?"
"Nope," I answer, without a moment's hesitation.
"Then how 'bout we take a shower?"
Yes sir.
XXXXX
Happily walking back to the inn from Jasper's workshop, I can't quell the gigantic smile that adorns my face. Even Rosalie's worried demeanor isn't going to ruin this mood. I give her the spoils from Peter, which causes her face to brighten considerably. I kiss her on the cheek, then practically skip to my room.
The day had gone marvelously.
Dropping down onto the bed, I'm anxious for the nap that will help me recoup from the lack of the sleep the night before and prepare for the evening ahead.
As I fall into slumber though, I have a nagging feeling that I'm forgetting something…
Something very important.
AN: Hmmm...does anyone know what Ed is forgetting? Well, since it worked so well last time I'll try it again – if you think I deserve a review I'll send you the first part of the next installment. It's true that I didn't leave a cliffy this time, but the first couple paragraphs set up the scene for the whole next chapter, and it's gonna be a really good one I think.