We had how many fricken pages of Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn before Edward got his head out of his posterior? Well, it won't take quite that many in Dark Salvation. He is flawed. They're human, they fuck up. Jasper isn't perfect and as you'll see below, he admits it and is trying to fix things.
Jake is going to be introduced in the next few chapters, for those of you who have wondered. Fiberkitty just cranked out a 9500+ word Jasper POV and then a thousand word James POV at the end, all in one day while spending most of the morning alternating tears and anger. 11,224 words before I wrote this sentence. That's a lot for a person to write in one day, let alone a person with three young children at home to care for.
Remember, it's always darkest before the dawn...
Jasper POV
I dropped Bella off at home and tried calling Edward but he must not have been home. I thought his car had been in the driveway, perhaps he went out for a run or was in the shower. I wasn't going to leave a message and have her walk in on it, so I let it go with a quick prayer that he'd forgive me for the hell I'd unleashed.
I do understand Bella's anger and in her shoes, I'd be upset too. Edward gets us both, I could have them both, and she's left with our leftovers. It isn't fair and we're going to address it at group therapy tomorrow night. My head hurts too badly to deal with the both of them tonight. Where the hell is my therapist when I need one? I can't even just go home and sleep it off, James will be waiting for any further instructions for the night.
My mind drifted to what I'd do if Bella couldn't forgive him. I should never taken it beyond strictly Master and Submissive. I tried not to, I fought against my feelings. Feelings? Yes, they've been growing for Edward and I cannot deny my affection for Bella. If it wasn't for their inherent jealous natures, a triad relationship might actually work. I should just back out now, have Eleazar work with Edward off the record, and perhaps I could just leave the area and move to Italy. I could be a Master Trainer there and not fuck up anyone else. My heart ached at the thought. I don't want to leave Edward a moment before he asks me to go.
The moment I pulled in, I did the stupid thing. I called Alice. Even though we aren't together, she's still the one who holds the bulk of my heart.
I'd called the house so I was accustomed to leaving a message before she'd answer. When she and Laurent finished their cutesy minute of him repeating her sentences in French, I left my brief message. "Ali-cat, I fucked up."
She picked up before the machine clicked off and I could hear the television on in the background.
"Took you long enough to realize it. What did you do this time?"
"I love him."
I heard the springs of the couch give as she stood up. "I'll be right there, baby. Just wait for me."
I went inside and told James to just finish putting away the clean laundry but otherwise to call it a night. Grabbing a beer, I went out to sit on the tire swing. Alice and I had hung it flat so that we could both sit with our legs down the center or she could sit on my lap. She'd know where to find me.
I climbed up and sat with my ass in the center, my beer in hand. I drank about half of it when I heard gravel flying as she came down the road. Even in the dark, I could see the brilliant yellow of her car. She skipped the driveway and pulled into the yard. The engine was still purring as she jumped out and sprinted to me, using the rope to pull herself up to sit facing me, her legs on either side of my body as she sank down to sit on my lap.
She was in a pair of Sponge Bob pajama bottoms, I think that they were actually mine, and a yellow tank top that clung to her. I rarely got to see Alice without all the designer clothes and makeup. It was nice to see my Alice once again. The girl she was before I left on that damn job.
"I love him, Alice."
She moved to lay down with her head on my chest, her body curling to the side so that she was riding sidesaddle.
"I knew that you would. Have you told him?"
I took another sip of my beer and then she took it from me and had her own. She wrinkled her nose and muttered "cheap ass shitty beer."
"No, and I can't. I can't do that to him or Bella."
"Do you love her?" I could hear the strain in her voice. Alice could take me being with other men just fine but she could not fight her feelings that I belonged to her when it came to sharing my heart with another woman.
"No. I am attracted to her and care about her, but it is not like what I feel for Edward or you, my darlin'."
Alice sat up and looked at me sadly. "You still love me? You haven't said it in ages."
I finished the bottle and tossed it down into the grass. "You're with Laurent, it's not my place. I can't give up my lifestyle, even for you, and I'd never ask you to accept it. I make the best of the moments I get with you. You're still the love of my life, Mary Alice Brandon."
She smiled sadly and kissed me chastely before settling back down against my chest. I could feel her fingernails toying with a loose button on my shirt. She was thinking and I probably didn't want to know about what.
"Jazzy?" I hummed in response. "What are you going to do about it? Loving him, I mean."
"That's the million dollar question, isn't it?" I pulled on the ropes while leaning back and then forward so that we'd start swinging a bit.
"I won't break them up and I know that they would never do well in a sustained polyamorous relationship. Honestly, I don't know if I would either. They have too many issues to work through between the two of them and I'm additional baggage that they don't need. I love him but I can't tell him. If he left me because I vocalized my feelings, I'd understand but it would hurt. I've failed them, Alice."
She reached up and stroked my hair back from my face, just letting me hold her like that. We sat in the swing for about a half hour when her phone vibrated. She opened it and then sent back a text reply.
"I've gotta go, Jasper. You've always been one to wear your heart on your sleeve. Just follow your heart now. The only way you can fail them is to give up on them now. Just tell me how I can help you, and I'll be here."
She kissed me, her lips tasting of her vanilla lip balm and my beer. Alice then slid off the edge of the tire and turned to face me. She was just barely taller than I was in this position and leaned down to kiss my forehead.
"Don't stay out all night. James is in the kitchen window watching. He's creepy but not a bad guy. Let him distract you from Edward."
Alice started to walk away and then turned to look at me over her shoulder. "I love you, Jasper. We'll all be happy one day."
I listened to her car pull away and was just on my way back to the house when I heard another car come down the road. I jogged up the steps into the house just in time to hear pounding on the door.
"Just fucking great. Is Laurent pissed at me now?"
He, understandably, does not like it when Alice comes over here without him, especially since he now wears my ring but she doesn't. I've only been going to their house lately, not wanting to bring more confusion to James.
I waved James off as he came down the hall and he nodded, going back to his room. I ran my fingers through my hair and prepared myself for an onslaught of French expletives. I opened the door, my eyes closed as I tried to figure out the best way to apologize for having Alice out earlier.
But, it wasn't Laurent. Edward was standing there, pissed as all hell. His eyes were wild, his jaw tight, and hands in fists. A glimmer of fear went through me. He was faster than me now from our running and a return to a decent eating plan.
"I need to talk to you."
I winced. I really should have kept calling back. "Edward, I'm so sorry. I know she was…slightly unhinged when I left her there. I thought perhaps you weren't home. I tried to call you, to let you know, but obviously, I didn't want to leave you a message…"
Edward let out a sigh and trudged over to the porch swing looking like a broken man. He put his head in his hands and I could feel the impending tears from where I stood in the doorway.
"Is there anything I can't fuck up, Jasper?"
I walked over to join him on the swing. I longed to hold him and tell him it would be alright, but I couldn't. He's not mine in that way. I'm just here to give him the tools to make his life better.
"Edward, she's still figuring this out. You have to give her some space, you know." She needs space to cool down.
"I know that, but she…she said…"
His voice was shaking and tears were falling down his face. Did she ask him to leave? My brain was going a mile a minute as I worked on ways to fix this. I have to fix them, that's what I do. I fix people.
"What, Edward? What did she say?"
Edward sniffed, but let the tears fall for once, not wiping them away. He refused to look at me. "She said, she said that I would always be your slave, but that you looked at her as if she were a lover, and that there would always be a distinction there."
I closed my eyes and focused on shoving my anger to the back. Anger had no place here. I let her put me in the middle and I have to rectify it. That she told him what was said in private showed me the depth of her jealousy. She was hurt and going to strike out with any weapons possible. She'd tried to hurt me by telling me that he'd always choose her.
"She told me that you told her that you would choose her. Is that true?"
Edward tensed up but did not answer. He was confused in our relationship and while the man in me, the part of me that loves him, was rejoicing that he felt something for me as more than his therapist, Dom, and friend, I was also hurting. Edward was hurt by both of us and unsure of how to proceed. No one was going to walk away tonight unscathed.
I turned to look out over the lake, my body sinking further into the swing as I sighed. "This is the very reason I refuse to get in the middle of marriages, they're so complicated."
"So it's true? You want her, like that, but not me? You just want me under your thumb?"
He was radiating pain and I longed to just pull him into my lap and tell him that I love him. Instead, I settled for grasping his hands and tugging so that he would look up at me. His tear-filled green eyes broke my heart.
"Edward, I want you to listen, and listen well. I told Bella that I want her as a lover, because I do, but not quite for the reasons you think. True, she is exquisite, and Edward, I could have had her in my office time and time again, but I didn't, remember that as well. But the reason I told her that is because I do not want her as a sub. You can barely handle being a true sub, there's no way that Bella could. This life is not for her, that much you were right about. Unfortunately, it isn't for you either, but I'm powerless to stop the wheels. They are already in motion."
Even if your mental state was strong enough for me to walk away now, I don't know if you'd let me. I'm scared that you love me just as much as I do you and I don't know what that's going to do our already messy situation. He looked at me, tears pouring down over his cheeks. I had to stop myself from kissing them away.
"The reason I'm so lenient on you? Is because I think of you as a lover. I shouldn't. I should only see you as a sub, but I can't."
It was time for me to admit my affection. He has to know so that he can ask me to step aside and let Eleazar fix this. I'm just going to make it worse.
"That night? The night I took you for the first time? When I came back from Italy? I made love to you, Edward. I didn't fuck you, I couldn't. Not because of a physical limitation, but I…"
He stopped me, his hands on my face as his eyes implored me to silence. He shook his head side to side repeatedly as if he was fighting his inner demons.
"Don't, Jasper, you don't have to say it, okay? Let's just…we won't name it."
I let out a wry laugh. Yet again, the Sub stops the Dom. But he's admitting that there are reciprocated feelings. Is that the power he has over me? Love?
"Why is it you're the one that had to stop me? What power do you have over me, Edward?"
He blinked away his tears, breaking my heart all over again. "Do you believe in fate, Jasper?"
The need in his voice made me admit to it, even if it wasn't something I like to accept. "I'd like to think so."
"Then, don't you think that perhaps, while fate led me to you, to heal me, perhaps fate also led you to me, so that I could help heal you?"
He echoed the thoughts I'd had the other night, my own eyes prickling with unshed tears. "Have you ever considered a career in psychology, Edward?"
"I only shrink the people that I lo…um, care about."
He loves? My heart leapt in my chest and I fought back the joy it started. So much pain was going to come from this.
I simply nodded. A cold breeze blew in off of the lake. "Come, let's take this inside, shall we?"
We went in to sit on the couch and my mind started going into overdrive. I should send him back to Bella before either of us says something we regret. "Edward, I realize I should send you home, make you work through this with Bella…" But if I have to walk away tomorrow and seal up my heart yet again, I'm going to taste you one last time.
"But I can't."
I crashed my lips to his, my tongue already past his lips to twist with his. My cock jumped to life immediately, aching to be released. I ran my hands down his back, squeezed at his ass before scratching my way up his sides to pull on his shoulders.
Edward whimpered into my mouth and slid his hands into my back pockets, sealing our bodies together. I refused to break the kiss as I directed him back to the bedroom, my voice muffled by our tangling tongues and lips.
I backed him down to my bedroom, barely of mind to close the door behind us and fell to the bed. We stripped each other in a flash, underwear coming up and over our tumescent cocks. Edward rolled me onto my back, his teeth biting at my neck. I moved back on top of him, our cocks grinding together.
Edward rolled me onto my back once more, his hand sliding between us to grip my cock. I let out a sound in my weakness. I should stop this, but I can't. I need tonight so that I can let him go tomorrow.
I grasped his as well, the shaft harder than I'd ever felt on him. His tongue stroked my lips before claiming my mouth again and I relished the love I felt pouring from his every touch. I couldn't repay him for all the pain I've caused, but I could give him this night. I pulled away from his lips.
"Edward?"
"Yes?" His voice sounded drugged in his lust.
"Take me."
"T-take you?" He stuttered, unsure exactly what I meant although I was certain that he had an idea.
I can only hope that Bella will forgive me one more transgression against their relationship. Nodding to Edward, I reached to the beside table and grabbed a condom and lubricant. I considered leaving out the lube, I deserve any pain he would inflict upon me. Edward would never do that though. Despite his anger when he arrived, I doubt he could ever find it within himself to hurt me, to hurt anyone.
"Consider it an apology for settin' Bella on you." Even I knew it was merely an excuse and was asking him to make love to me. Edward and I were close enough that I knew he could read between the lines as if reading my mind. He knew what was happening and that unless something changed, it would be our last time together.
His head shook violently. "No, sir, not…it's not…"
"Not tonight, Edward. We aren't Dom and sub. We're just us. You and I. Just like we were that first night, okay?"
His cheek hollowed as he contemplated the items I had set in his hands. "Are you sure?"
I nodded. "More than."
He was shaking so badly that I took back the condom and rolled it onto him, a small bit of lube going inside the tip. I met his eyes and smiled gently. "I have faith in you, Edward."
"You'll…get pleasure out of this, won't you?" I fought back a laugh at his innocent question.
"Immense."
Edward let out a held breath as I laid down on my back, my legs drawn up. "You mean…you want me to…?"
I want you to make love to me. I don't want you to fuck me. "I'm used to this enough that I'll find extreme pleasure of being face to face with you, Edward, to watch you as you cum…"
He lowered his body to mine and kissed me the way no one has but Alice. There was love in that kiss and in his eyes. "I…"
I pressed a finger across his lips. Don't make it harder for me to say goodbye. "No declarations, right?"
Edward nodded. "Right. But if I could say it, I would mean it."
I fought back a tear and swallowed hard. "If I could say it, I would mean it as well, Edward."
He lubed my cock and then my entrance. It was unfamiliar territory, for the most part, to him. I closed my eyes against the beauty that was Edward's body above me as he tried to enter me as gently as he could. I bucked against him, taking him in to the hilt.
If I thought I was making it easier on myself, giving me one night to love him, I was mistaken. Letting go was going to be hell, but I'd do it. One happy memory to lock into my heart and then I'd leave for Italy as soon as I turned in my notice to Carlisle. Eleazar can handle the subs here. He has the disk now and verified it has all that we need. He can shut down Aro from this side while I work there. I can help the slaves and subs there mainstream once more or put them with new masters and mistresses if they cannot rejoin the real world.
Love pulsed in every vein as he thrust into me. The awe on his face when I finally opened my eyes, made me forget all but Edward. Something startled him and he lost his rhythm, his eyes seeking out mine, and then he started once again. I closed my eyes to the pleasure coursing through me.
No one but Master or Elly had taken me before and they did not do it out of love. In many ways, I felt like a virgin, being taken for the first time. I fought against my own orgasm, thankful for years of restraint. I wanted to make this last.
Edward leaned back down, kissing me lightly. I opened my eyes to see his shining brightly. He looked toward the door and then smirked. I could see James in my peripheral vision and swallowed down a cry. He knew better than to open my door without an invitation.
What had he overheard, what had he seen? His master being fucked by his competition, that was more than enough. Why the hell didn't I lock the door? Did I even close it? Yes, I remember closing it. Why the fuck did James have to come back with me? Oh yes, because Master knew you were falling in love with someone and wanted it to stop. Master Aro knows me better than I do myself. I should have clung to James like the gift he is and not let myself fall deeper in love with Edward.
Edward smirked once more and then spoke what he's undoubtedly wanted to say since my return from Italy. "Jasper, care to tell your sub to fuck off? It's distracting me from enjoying your sweet ass fully."
I put a hand on his sweaty chest to halt his thrusts. "James, back to bed. You aren't allowed to watch, private showing only. I'll deal with you in the morning."
He closed the door, stomping away as he left. I waited until I heard the door to his room close. I pulled Edward down to me, my hand sliding up his chest to cup his shoulder and tug.
"You and he have got to stop this pissing contest, Edward. James is dangerous."
"But you are more dangerous." He spoke like he knew more than I'd told him.
"That's true, very true."
"And I'm not your sub right now, am I, Sir?" His voice lilted at the end, teasing me.
I was smiling once more as I responded. "No, as a matter of fact, you aren't, Edward."
I lifted my hips to him once more. His eyes were on mine as he stroked me, thrusting into me as we moved closer to what we both needed. His body began to flex farther into me and then he kissed me, his tongue mimicking his thrusts.
Edward let out a groan as he twitched within me and I let myself go. The orgasm was intense and draining. The emotions behind it were taking too much from me.
As we came down, he kissed me all over my face, bits of his five o'clock shadow rubbing against me. He withdrew slowly, holding onto the condom and then went into the bathroom. When he returned with a washcloth, I had to fight back a groan as he licked up some of my come from my stomach.
When he came back to lie beside me once more, I stroked the side of his face. It was time to start saying goodbye.
"I assume Bella was true to her word and kicked your sorry ass to the sofa?"
He nodded. "Unfortunately."
"Very well." I kissed him chastely, to soften the approaching blow. "Edward, I hate to do this to you, but you have to go back tonight. She's probably home crying."
"She was pissed off when I left."
I couldn't help my laugh. No shit, Sherlock. For a surgeon, you're not that wise. "She's hurting, Edward, regardless. I'll bring this up at our meeting tomorrow night. Go home, grovel."
I beckoned him to follow me and we went out back and I grabbed some flowers. I broke off the bottom of the stems and handed them to Edward. His cock was flaccid, resting against the top of his thigh and I could see a small hint of his come shining in the moonlight. I shook my head to clear the gutter-driven thoughts.
"Here, Edward. You have been married to her for how long? I've known her for a few months now and I realize what it is she needs." I rolled my eyes at him. "Jackass. Go home, take care of her."
Maybe you'll be able to think with your larger brain instead of you dick now that you've come. He stood upright and saluted me, making me laugh. He looked like a naughty military pinup boy.
I could barely choke out my words through my laughter. "You look like a poster for the naughty military, Edward."
We walked back to the bedroom where I threw on a pair of sweats and watched him dress. He looked up at me while he slid his shoes back on. "What should I say to her?"
Something that won't make it worse until I'm there to help you both. "Just…tell her I gave you some punishment for treating her without care."
He seemed worried about any impending punishment. "Are you going to, Sir?"
"Edward, you are a very smart man, but you're stupid. I can work wonders, I can bend you and mold you, but to quote my favorite comic, 'you can't fix stupid'. So, no, I won't punish you for being an insufferable asshole. That's a personality quirk. We'll just have to work on it." If I'm still around to help you. If James has heard him calling me sir, I'm going to join Angelique soon.
He gave me a flirtatious smile and then pleaded with me. "One kiss for the road?"
I rolled my eyes but could not resist. I cupped his neck and pulled his head up to me. "As I said," I whispered against his lips, "insufferable." I kissed him gently, my lips saying goodbye if this was it. There wasn't a way I could fix this properly, could I?
I swatted Edward on the ass as he walked away and then made a rash decision. I had to give fixing them one last try. "Edward, I'm coming back with you. We need to tackle this head on. Especially after what happened here. Things are messy and we need to clean it up or we'll never have a chance to discover what could be."
I took a breath to steady myself and started, "What we couldn't say in there, I would say it if you wanted and I'd even say it in front of Bella. It is not what I intended or wanted to have happen. I did not expect any feelings to get in the way of your treatment."
Edward nodded, confusion on his features. "So, what happens tonight?"
"Do you have any patients in the morning?" Edward shook his head. "I knew you'd worked a lot this weekend so I assumed you'd have the day off." I checked my watch. "It's late, get the car started and I'll grab a bag and be right back."
I ran into the house and grabbed my bag. I left a message on my audix at work so Jessica would reschedule my one afternoon appointment. We could call Carlisle in the morning if Bella wasn't up to coming in.
I popped my head in on James who was playing with some piece of paper and sitting up in bed. He put the paper face down on his bed as he sat up straighter when he noticed me. "Sir."
"At ease, James. I am going to be out for the night. We will deal with you barging in on me tomorrow. Feel free to take my car into the city tomorrow if you like. I'll call you if I need a ride back tomorrow. Be to Eleazar's by three if you haven't heard from me."
He lifted his chin to me, smiling sweetly. "Yes, Master. I apologize, Master. I thought your friend," he spoke with much venom in his voice, "had already left and you needed my assistance with something."
I closed my eyes to avoid saying something I'd regret and then walked away, closing the door behind me.
Edward drove in silence, not even turning on his beloved music. We pulled in to his and Bella's home just before midnight and he unlocked the front door and headed for the closet off the kitchen where they kept the extra bed linens.
"I'll get you a blanket for the downstairs couch. It will be more comfortable for you."
I shook my head and pointed him over to the kitchen counter. "Make some coffee, Edward, it will be a long night. I'm going to go wake up Bella."
He started to argue with me and I lifted one finger in response. "From now until I leave, I am your master and you will respond as such or you will be punished."
I climbed the stairs and listened for any sounds. I could hear muffled sobs from one room and let out a sigh. I knocked on that door and was met with an angry, "Go away, Edward."
"He's in the kitchen making coffee. He came to see me and then I decided we should all sit down and talk. You're welcome to join us in the den, or I can have the hinges off this door in about three minutes and we can join you."
"I have work in the morning." Her voice was defensive and going to get us nowhere.
I tucked my feelings for the both of them away and assumed my "Dom voice." It was time to cut the crap and put everything on the table. If she wants in, while I won't collar her, I'll let her in if that's what it will take to stop the games.
"Bella, you weren't sleeping so don't you fucking dare to give me the I was sleeping and have to work excuse. I will call Carlisle himself in the morning and tell him that you are staying home if I have to. No one is leaving until we've talked through everything. I've had enough of the games between you two and I'm not going to play into them any longer. Now, get your ass downstairs in two minutes and fifteen seconds or we are coming in."
I spun on my heel and went back downstairs to a rather shocked Edward holding a tray of mugs with shaking hands. "I... I put cream and sugar in the mugs already. The coffee is just about finished, Master."
"Thank you, Edward. I will take the tray down. Bring the coffee when it has finished."
He nodded and then turned around. I moved the furniture out of the way and pulled the cushions onto the floor so that the three of us would make a triangle. I ensured that there was enough space between each of us so that we were not crowded, yet close enough to reach across and grasp hands if warranted.
I set the coffee mugs in the center of the triangle and then went to the secret candy stash Edward kept behind the bar for any late night sweet tooth attacks. I grabbed a box of hostess cupcakes and a few packs of Reese's Pieces and set them on the tray. Maybe chocolate, flowers, coffee, and talking will help. If not, I'll super glue their asses to the floor until we're done.
Footsteps on the stairs came shortly after I'd finished. It was Edward, alone. I looked at my watch and then turned to Edward. "Edward, strip down to your boxers and sit on one of the cushions. I'll be back with Bella shortly."
I stomped up the stairs and waited in front of their bedroom. I could hear her pacing, the floorboards squeaking slightly in two spots. "Bella, it's time to talk. Please join us."
"No."
She sounded like a petulant child.
"We're not going to work through this if you don't talk to us."
Bella opened the door and glared at me. Her robe was open over a navy silk chemise and shorts. "I don't want to fucking talk to you. You're fucking my husband and you're both fucking me over."
"That's why I'm here. We're going to talk about this like rational adults and determine what we can do to fix things."
"Fuck me and then things will just be peachy."
I grabbed Bella by the waist and tossed her up on my shoulder, smack her ass as I descended the stairs. "If you want to fucking act like a child, I'll treat you like one."
She screeched and clawed at me as I took her down to the basement. Edward was staring, wide-eyed, at the scene coming towards him. I smiled and set her down beside him and Bella tried to scramble back to her feet.
"You will sit, or I will make you sit."
Bella glared at me and then settled down onto the cushion.
"Thank you, Bella. I am glad you have decided to join us."
Her eyes were icy as they narrowed at me and then on Edward. I stripped down to my boxers, folding the rest of my clothes and setting them beside my bag. I grabbed a paddle, stack of condoms, and lubricant before sitting down. I tossed them all into the center pile beside the tray.
"It is well past time for the three of us to have a chat. I'm through apologizing though. I apologized last time and all the two of you have done is play ping pong with me in the center as both the ball and prize. Now, the logistics. Bella, you want me to fuck you. However, you're not doing it as any part of therapy or affection, solely lust and a desire to throw it in Edward's face. Am I wrong?"
She turned her face away.
"Am I wrong!?" My voice was raising and I was itching to pull her over my lap. "You will look at me, Isabella."
She turned to look at me and I could see her wanting to stick her tongue out in childish defiance.
"Fucking me like that would be an affair, not therapy. I already told you, I would not allow you to cheat on him with me. If I did, I would have taken you in my office when you were considering kissing me." Bella paled. "Yes, I knew that you wanted me and I even contemplated the ramifications of succumbing to your desire. But, I care about Edward and would not do that to him."
I looked to Edward and he nodded, giving me a half-hearted smile before it fell and his eyes fell to his shaking coffee mug. Swallowing, I steeled myself for her next outburst after what I had to say. "Bella, I told you that my feelings for Edward had clouded my judgment. I thought I was past that and I could compartmentalize my feelings into those for my sub and those for Edward, the man I've fallen in love with."
Both looked to me in shock. "Yes, I've fallen in love with Edward and it has ruined my objectivity. I am incredibly fond of and attracted to you Bella. One day, it could possibly turn into love if given that chance. However, after this last session where we set out all of our cards for everyone to see, I'm leaving. Edward, I will set you up with Master Eleazar who while not as lenient, will be able to help you. I've given you the tools and he can help finish getting you well. I've inadvertently fucked the two of you over but I'm not going to leave until I know that you'll be well again. But I can't stay and make it worse."
Edward started to silently cry once more and Bella shook her head. "No." She turned to Edward. "Eddie, you can't let him go."
"You can't leave him. He needs you, we need you. We'll figure it all out. I'll talk. I promise. I'll stop pushing you both so hard. Just don't go. Make him better. I blew up, I'm sorry. You're right."
Her last words were a whisper.
"What was that, Bella?"
"You are right. I was just using you to get back at Edward. I..." She stopped and started picking at the wrapper on a cupcake. Edward reached to help her and I slapped his hand.
"Edward, she's a big girl, she can do it herself. Bella, you were saying?"
I grabbed a cupcake for myself and peeled off the frosting. I ate the rubbery sugar and oil as her teeth worried her bottom lip. I'd wait her out as long as it took.
"I..." She broke off and looked to Edward and then back to the now open wrapper, blushing slightly. "I chose to see you on Alice's recommendation but only after she'd shown me a picture of the two of you. I was attracted to you." Bella paused, stealing a look toward Edward, shame apparent on her face and in her body language. "He and I had drifted so far apart in our work, personal life, and it was a chore to be together. Before the accident at work occurred, we were rarely together except to try and make a baby when the ovulation tests indicated it was time. I thought that flirting with you might make me feel better."
Edward was tense but watched Bella with nothing but remorse.
"Edward, I wouldn't have slept with him then. I promise. I just... I just needed someone to make me feel pretty again. I wanted someone to look at me the way you used to."
He shuddered and started sobbing. Bella climbed to her knees and reached to pull him over to her. She held him as he cried and whispered "I'm sorry" constantly. I took his mug from him and moved behind him to stroke his back.
After he calmed down, I kissed the back of his neck and the top of her head and then took my seat once more. I refilled my mug and decided that jumping to the next hard topic was going to be best done quickly, like ripping off a Band-aid. Trying to pussyfoot our way in was not going to work.
They each reclaimed their cushions and took a bite of chocolate. I bit into mine, a dab of the cream filling dripping onto my chin. Edward had me pinned before I knew what was happening, his tongue dragging across my stubble to lap at the whipped cream. Bella let out a surprised, "oh!" I laughed and pushed him down onto my lap.
"That was not asked for, Edward, no matter how much it was appreciated. Please keep your hands to yourself unless told otherwise."
I reached across him and grabbed the paddle, bringing it down upon his silk-covered buttocks repeatedly. He groaned and twisted away from the first few smacks but then relaxed against me, only tensing with each crack. On the tenth, I stopped and had him resume his spot. Edward tried to sit on the cushion but quickly adjusted to sit on his knees instead.
"No, Edward. I want your ass on the cushion. You've hurt Bella, me, and yourself. You can deal with some discomfort."
Bella's head spun and where I'd expected amusement there was only anger.
"What would you like to say, Bella?"
"He's hurting now."
I nodded. "He is still my sub. He acted out of turn and has been a stupid asshole for way too long. He needed a good spanking and so I gave him one. Edward, up on all fours."
Bella's eyes were questioning but Edward did nothing but obey. He moved immediately and turned so that his ass was facing us. I handed Bella the paddle.
"He's hurt you the most in this situation. Paddle him."
She gave him a weak tap. I rolled my eyes and grabbed her hand, adding the strength and speed to give him a good smack. He moved forward slightly before freezing his legs in place.
"Did that make you feel better, Bella?"
Tears began to pool in her eyes as she shook her head.
"Punishing Edward does not effect me unless it is for my enjoyment. It does not me less angry with him over a transgression and it doesn't allow me to work out my pain. I do not get some sick pleasure out of it like my master does with me. I physically punish him instead of adding up each hurt in my heart to then let it poison me. Edward, sit again please."
I set the paddle down and resumed my place. "When you hold everything in, the anger becomes a poison that eats away at you little by little. Instead of shoving it under the rug, expose it, deal with it, and then move on. Don't let things like Tanya break up what could once again be a happy marriage. Bella, you love Edward and he loves you."
"But he loves you too."
I turned to Edward. "I'd like to think so."
His voice was soft as he whispered, "I do."
"Then, that's part of what the two of you need to figure out later, what it means to the two of you. But right now, we're going to talk about Tanya. Edward, you start."
He reached over and took Bella's hand in his and then reached for mine so that he was holding both of us. I squeezed his hand lightly.
"Bella, you have these long standing issues with your self-image that boggle me. You are smart, beautiful, and talented. You are worth more than a thousand women like Tanya. I love you, and while I can't say I only love you as Jasper also has a part of my heart, I could never love someone like her. I know you well enough to know you'd be jealous of her and would read more into it than there ever would be. When I was asked to be a part of her surgical team, she did not give my father or I a way out of it."
He looked to me, his hand squeezing mine for strength. I tightened my grip and tried to offer as much energy as I could to aid for what he was about to say. He was going to admit having done wrong and that would be hard on him.
"I chose to lie to you about being requested for the surgery. I was wrong to offer less than one hundred percent honesty. I am sorry and hope that one day you can forgive me."
"She's more interested in Rosalie anyways, oops!" Bella flushed and pulled back.
We both looked at her. Tanya Denali likes it both ways? That was certainly an interesting piece of news to ponder some late night when I was alone.
Edward went to speak but Bella shook her head. "It is not my secret to tell, sorry."
I nodded and squeezed Edward's hand, indicating he should relax. "So, Bella, are you willing to accept your husband's apology?"
She was quiet and drank some coffee. "Only if we can be one hundred percent honest from here on out."
"Absolutely, love. Anything you want."
She looked to me and then back to Edward. "Take away your restriction on me and Jasper."
"Bella, no. I will not be a pawn in your game. Forgive him or not, but don't put me in the middle."
"Yes, I forgive you. But I don't think it is fair for you to sleep with Jasper but say I cannot."
Edward let go of my hand and began to absently stir his mostly empty coffee cup. "Bella, I can't give him up. If you want him, I won't stop you."
She smiled at him and nodded before crawling over to hug him. I felt like I was intruding. Her "I love you, Edward," went straight to my heart like a dagger. I needed out of the room for a bit.
"Now, Bella, you've said that you want me to stay. In what part of your life together are you wanting me to stay in? I can have him assigned to Eleazar, whom I trust, for his Friday night sessions. I can strictly be his master and therapist. I can shove those aside and we can try to make something more out of this. The two of you need to make this decision together. I'm going to go wash the mugs and coffee pot while I leave the two of you to talk."
I put the mugs, coffee pot, and wrappers on the tray and went upstairs. I busied myself in the kitchen and then sat in the dark on the couch, watching the clock tick by. I must have fallen asleep, sometime around a quarter after one, as I soon felt warm arms wrap around me.
"Come on, Master. Let me carry you up to bed. We'll all talk more after some sleep."
I tried to nod and Edward just laughed and lifted me up into his arms. He stumbled slightly, but managed to get me up the stairs despite my half-hearted protest he put me down. I fell asleep, emotionally and physically exhausted as soon as my head hit the pillow. The last words I heard were, "I love you, Jasper," as Edward kissed my forehead and tucked the blanket in around me.
I awoke around eight AM and was in Edward and Bella's bed, alone. I walked down stairs and they were both in the kitchen making breakfast. I tried to sneak down to the basement to get my clothes but Edward caught me.
"I already confirmed with Jessica that you're off today and your clothes are in the washer. I have a robe in the bathroom down here if you want to wear that. Or you can stay in your boxers." He flashed me a saucy wink before kissing Bella's neck and handing her the chopped ham he'd diced.
I noticed that he was only in his boxers, clean ones, and she was in a pair of shorts and a tank top. Both were relaxed and had damp hair from a shower. What the hell. One breakfast in my boxers wasn't going to make a difference in the world. I sat down at the kitchen table and Edward set a coffee cup and glass of juice in front of me.
We ate in relative silence, although they both would look up and blush as their eyes met or looked at me. My lips continued to twitch with my effort to fight a smile. I was glad to see that it appeared they'd made up. Apparently, by the lack of their desire to talk with me, I was out of the picture though.
I cleared my plate and cups, rinsing them in the sink. "Edward, I'm going to go get dressed. If you could please call to the house and request James to pick me up at the entrance to your subdivision, I'll get going."
Both of them looked as if I'd wounded them somehow. Edward came over and dropped to his knees, taking my hands into his own. He pressed his lips to them and then looked up at me.
"You don't want to stay?"
"I... I didn't think you wanted me. The two of you seemed so happy this morning. I don't want to intrude. I can get my things and go. We can have an easy goodbye and I'll have Eleazar contact you with everything else."
His eyes filled up with tears yet Edward continued to smile. "We want you to stay. You're my master and I love you. Bella and I stayed up talking until three and then came up to sleep. You were sound asleep when we slid in next to you."
"You both slept in the bed with me?" My mind was reeling. They want me, with them?
Edward nodded and then lifted up to kiss me. "I love you and I love Bella. She loves me enough to share, to a degree. She made some requests and I thought they were fair. Hopefully, you will as well."
Bella cleared her throat. "One, no more sleepovers every week. Every other Friday night, you're either here with us or I'm there with the two of you after any of the training room, play room, whatever you want to call it stuff has occurred." She paused and waited for me to nod. "Two, I want to know everything about your past and whatever you can tell us about Italy. Three, I want the three of us to go upstairs, right now, and resolve the sexual tension."
Edward looked at me, beseeching me to agree. "Please, Master."
"Get your asses upstairs."
Both of them ran, sprinting the stairs. I could hear by the footfalls that she was running on each of them while Edward took them two and three at a time. I stood by the sink and let my tears fall now that I was out of sight. I wiped them away quickly and splashed my face with cold water. I ran by the bathroom on the main floor and found a travel sized bottle of Listerine in the cabinet. I swished it around my mouth and then spit it out.
I climbed slowly and was honestly a little scared of what was going to happen.
I shouldn't have been. Edward met me at the door and pulled my boxers from me. He kissed me, his tongue sliding into my mouth. His eyes opened, silently asking if this was okay. I inclined my head and closed my eyes, trying to find my balance in domination and love making. This was new territory for me. Even with Alice, it was never love making anymore.
Here, I would be making love to Edward and sleeping with Bella. I couldn't give it the designation as love-making as I do not actively love her. But it is more than a cheap fuck and will not be a domination. This is figuring out how we'll all work together, if we can at all.
I backed Edward to the bed where Bella was already naked. He broke our kiss to climb up onto the higher framed bed and then pulled me up once I had my knee resting on the mattress. I reached for Bella and brought her into the kiss, passing around the kiss between the three of us.
After several minutes, I broke the kiss and gently pushed Bella down onto the mattress. I moved beside her and then directed Edward to the spot between her legs.
"Prepare her for my cock, Edward. Make Bella come only using your tongue. I want one hand supporting your weight and the other stroking my cock. Do you understand?"
He gave me half of a smile before burying his face in her pussy, his left hand reaching out for my cock. I purred as his fingers wrapped around me. "Damn Edward, you're so fucking good at that."
He stroked me, sometimes just holding me while I thrust through his palm, all the while never stopping with his tongue. Bella reached up to pull on her nipples and I shoved her hand away to do it for her. "No need for that when I've got a free hand, darlin'."
I tweaked and pulled at her nipples, cupped and massaged her breast and then leaned forward to suckle one, dislodging Edward's hand. I reached down and rubbed the back of his neck, letting him know silently that it was okay. Bella began to writhe against him, her hips arching into his face. If he was even half as good at eating pussy as he was at sucking my cock, this had to be good.
Her chest was flushed, the pink of her normal blush working down her neck and breasts. I bit down on her nipple, while my hand slid beneath Edward's face to slide three fingers into her pussy. With just a few thrusts of my hand while he worked her clit, she let go with a scream, bucking into him repeatedly.
"You can stop now, Edward."
He'd continued to lick at her until I stopped him and then he sat back on his knees awaiting an order. I licked my fingers once and after enjoying her sweet musky scent, I offered him my hand and he sucked my fingers clean. Edward then moved into a push up position, his mouth level with my cock. I nodded and he opened up, taking my cock down to the pubic bone.
Bella sat up on her elbows, still panting from her orgasm, and watched in awe, fascination, and lust as her husband sucked my cock. "Bella, my dear, your husband is a born cocksucker. He knows just... how... I like... it." I paused between words to let out soft moans as his tongue flicked up and down my length while he bobbed his head.
I pulled him off before my release became imminent and then turned to Bella. "Do you still want this?" I gestured to my erect cock that was coated in her husband's saliva. She swallowed and nodded before looking to Edward. He nodded to her and then to me.
"Edward, move behind Bella to hold her on the pillows please. Bella, lay back against Edward's chest."
I waited until they complied and then moved between their legs.
"Edward, pull her legs up and back for me."
I leaned over Bella and kissed her gently. "Thank you, darlin', for sharing Edward and yourself with me. Your generosity and patience is a great gift that I can only hope to one day repay you for."
She nipped at my lower lip and then reached down to my cock, tugging me to her. I shivered and reached for a condom beside the bed. Edward must have brought them up as they were my brand. I slipped it on and then reached to touch her pussy, she was soaking wet from Edward so I would not need any further lubricant.
I looked up to Edward and met his green eyes that were filled with love. Are you sure, Edward? I asked him silently, hoping he would know. He mouthed "I love you" and nodded, pulling her knees back more firmly.
I brushed my cock against her folds and pushed into her slowly, enjoying the heat surrounding me. She whimpered and then froze as her body adjusted to my size. I held still until her hips rose to push me deeper. Edward released her legs and they folded around me, his hands going to her breasts. He lifted one rosy nipple and I laved it with attention while my cock thrust within her.
Her eyes were closed in ecstasy as her head fell back on Edward's shoulder. I reached down and worked her clit as she moved in small jolts as the pleasure coursed through her. She jerked so hard at times I couldn't tell if she was coming or just overly sensitive.
"Go faster and she'll really scream... Master."
He added the title after but I couldn't fault him. His eyes were glazed with lust as he watched us. I increased my pace until Bella was moaning and her hands clawed at my back, Edward's thighs, and the bed.
He leaned down and whispered, "Come for us, love." And she did.
James POV
I slammed my door behind me. How dare Cullen tell me to fuck off? That rich bastard is going to rue the day he messed with me and my master. He's my master, Cullen. Not yours. You're not good enough for him to collar. Just me. But, I'll take Bella away from you soon. I know where you live. I've been watching your house and you'll never know until it is too late.
I'll start leaving flowers and notes for her next week. She'll like that, girls do. Once I can gain her trust through those, I'll show up a little later with them so she sees me leaving the flowers. Bella will invite me in for coffee before I drive back home. By then, she'll be in love with me.
I heard Master's groan as Edward fucked him and I couldn't help but palm my cock. I stroked in time with their moans that were loud enough to hear through the wall. I looked at the picture of Bella as I masturbated, imagining her pink lips wrapped around my pole. I wonder if I could fuck her in their bed so that Edward walks in that afternoon and sees her riding me?
I'll take them both away from him and then I'll make myself known to Emmett. Edward won't tell him about me, not yet. He'd be too worried about outing his friend. Master Aro wouldn't be pleased if Jasper's secret life was discovered. Edward better be careful or I'll tell Master Aro that others know. Then he'll pull Master Jasper back on the invisible leash we all wear. We'd all be together again.
Maybe I could even get Master Aro to bring Alice and Bella back. They know to much and would be worth more as a slave than dead. Alice is a little spit fire and just the scent of her perfume makes my body thrum. When she showed up to see Master, I wanted to sneak out but all I could was watch her sit on his lap in the old swing.
He loves her, but that is okay. He loved her before we met. I won't make him choose. I'll play with her too. I can bow and scrape my knees for Alice.
My fingers ran up and down my shaft faster as I heard Master's moans get louder and sharper. He was close. Twin groans released down the hall and then I made my own soft moan as my come covered my hand.
I stayed there in bed, recovering until I heard Edward leave, his engine starting up. I wiped my hand off on the sheet, I could wash it tomorrow. I was looking at Bella's photo when Master knocked once and then opened my door.
Quickly setting it down I slid back against the headboard, keeping my lap covered by the sheet. "Sir."
Master waved me off. "At ease, James. I am going to be out for the night. We will deal with you barging in on me tomorrow. Feel free to take my car into the city tomorrow if you like. I'll call you if I need a ride back tomorrow. Be to Eleazar's by three if you haven't heard from me."
I smiled at him, there was nothing else I could do. "Yes, Master. I apologize, Master. I thought your friend had already left and you needed my assistance with something."
I wanted to assist in cock-blocking Edward but apparently, I was too late. You let him take you. He's not your master but you let him take you. First Seth and now Edward, why can't you love me the way Master Aro intended?
Master opened his mouth and then closed it, walking away without a word. I listened as he grabbed a bag, made a call or two, and then left. Dressing quickly, I grabbed my camera and house key from the desk and then went to where Master keeps the spare car keys.
I waited until they had been gone for ten minutes before climbing into Master's car. By now, I knew the way to Edward and Bella's without a map and drove slowly so that they would not be able to see me. I parked down the street and walked to the side yard. The privacy fence and trees blocked most views of the house unless someone parked directly in front of their home. I snuck down the side path and found a vantage point up on a tree limb that would let me directly through the kitchen window and through one of the basement ones. I couldn't hear, but I could see.
I stayed up in my tree all through their weird kumbaya underwear screaming and hugging. When Master came back upstairs I moved down to the ground, waiting for him to call me and bring him home. But then he went out of the room and I couldn't see him.
I went to the front of the house, behind the hedges and peeked at the edge of the curtain. Master had fallen asleep on the couch. I was contemplating the value of calling him and being a good thoughtful sub or leaving him be until morning. My desire to get him out of there was winning just as Edward walked in. He sank down into the couch beside Master and kissed him gently. I wanted to scream and punch something. He's my master, Edward! I can take care of him.
When he picked him up, I had to walk away. I circled the block for over an hour and eventually came back. I crept to the back of the house and climbed the stairs to the back deck and then to the higher deck off of the master bedroom suite. The curtains were open, allowing the pale moonlight to glow on their features. All three of them were in bed, Edward in the middle.
"Mark my words, Cullen, you're going to lose it all, starting with Bella."
Kitty is exhausted after writing so much today and is off to bed. Hopefully tomorrow will bring back some of the joy she had for writing fanfic.
In response to an anonymous review since we can't reply via a message: constructive criticism is not bitching and belittling the authors about what you like and don't like. It is actually offering up something about the writing. If you think there's a plot hole, let us know via PM. If you find that we're consistently making a problem in tense, let us know and give us an example of how it could improve. Telling us that we're ruining our story because it doesn't go the way you want is not constructive criticism. We're not saying you have to butt-kiss in reviews. We're glad that you care about our characters. However, we do not appreciate reviews telling us that we're ruining things, that it's a shitty story, and that you were just looking for the final reason to stop reading. We're people with real lives away from fanfic and little by little, you're taking the joy out of writing it.