A/N: Sorry for the couple hours of delay you had to tolerate. Real life's a bitch for getting in the way of kitty's writing. It's a longish chapter to make up for it. Leah- the panty/towel warning is in effect. :) Oh and we still do not own Twilight. Kitty does own a ton of migraine medication at the moment. *whispers so MM1 can't hear* - I'll gladly trade a copy of our story outline for a free chiropractic adjustment and a full acupuncture system tune up. :)

Jasper POV

Three weeks later, Saturday.

Edward stormed through my door and stomped his way to the couch. For the second week in a row, he'd been pissy with me. I'd given him some leeway, I know that the chocolate roses from Jake had set him off on a bend of jealousy as it had done to me. For Bella's sake, I mostly kept my mouth shut. She claimed they were just friends, and I would trust her. If I could not, this relationship the three of us had going would not work.

"Are you ready for our run, Edward?"

His green eyes met mine with hurt evident in them. "No, sir. I don't feel much like running today."

Sighing, I put my shoes on anyway. "Well, that is the best reason to go running. I am, with or without you. James will probably be out soon to make breakfast, just give him your request. I'm fine with anything."

I took off at a slow jog, hoping Edward would come around and join me. I stopped by the tire swing to stretch out after my warm up. I was in a squat when the snap of a fallen branch was the only alert I had before finding myself up and close and personal with the dirt.

James knew better than to attack me, so I just sighed and let Edward sit on my back. Counting in my head, I reached seven before my ribs became uncomfortable. Taking a shallow breath, I flipped sideways, knocking my "attacker" to the ground.

"What the fuck, Edward? Is that anyway to treat your master or your lover? What the hell has gotten into you?"

I climbed to my feet and dropped down slightly, lowering my center of gravity. If he rushed me again, I'd be ready for it. Edward sat up, tears building in his eyes.

"You want her more than you want me!"

What? "I want who more than I want you?"

Edward yelled out, "Bella!"

"Where would you get that idea, Edward? I love you. You have my heart. Yes, you are my sub, but you are also my lover."

I reached for his hand and placed it on my chest. "Do you feel my heart beating? You have helped bring me back to life, instead of just existing, Edward. My heart beats for you and for Alice."

Edward began to cry in earnest. I pulled him up to his feet and gave him a hug, kissing the slight stubble along his jaw. Stepping backwards, I walked us to the tire swing and then climbed in, helping Edward up after me. Our combined weight made the branch creak but it held as I moved us slowly by shifting my body forward and back.

"Why would you think I want Bella more than I do you?"

"She isn't broken..." He paused as he tried to calm his breathing down. "And you've been sending her flowers every other day for the past two and a half weeks."

I was completely, utterly, and every other word I could think of, confounded. "I swear to you I haven't." He was hurt, thinking I was sending her flowers? My train of thought was blindsided by my own jealousy starting in. Who was sending our girl flowers?

"But the cards always call her 'sugar' and are signed with a J. Why are you lying to me?"

My hand twitched to slap him for implying that I was a liar at the same time my heart was breaking. I may be a lot of things, but I would never directly lie to my sub, or lover. "If you believe that I'm lying to you, you may leave and not come back. If you cannot trust me, there is nothing between us. I can hand you off to another master and be done with this entire mess."

My voice cracked as I told him he could leave and understanding dawned on his tear-streaked face. "You d-didn't s-s-send them?"

I shook my head and wiped away his tears with my thumbs. "I swear to you I didn't. I wouldn't have sent her flowers except for a special occasion without sending you something as well."

Edward leaned forward, kissing me softly. "I'm sorry."

I stroked the messy bronze locks from his forehead. "I know. Next time, just ask me. Is this why you've been so pissy lately?"

Edward nodded and then shifted so that he was in my lap. "I... I just felt so hurt. I was scared that I was losing both of you. It took everything to just get out of bed each morning. I had to double my medication just to function. You haven't seen her face each time the flowers arrive."

I thought back on the past few weeks and how happy Bella has been to see me for our dates.

"Jasper!" She lunged out the door and wrapped her arms around my neck. I chuckled and embraced her, carrying Bella into the house. She'd kissed me with wild abandon, while Edward pounded on the piano keys.

At our group therapy sessions, she was much more willing to talk about life, smiling readily at all of my suggestions. She seemed more in tune with Edward, yet he was shutting me out. When I attempted to cajole him into an exercise, he would force a tired smile and comply. We hadn't connected, sexually or emotionally in over two weeks.

It all made sense now. I tugged him as close as possible so that we were lying in the swing, his head beside mine. I kissed his cheek, wishing that my love could physically soak into him and assuage his fears.

"I love you, Edward. I wish you'd realize that my feelings are forever. You're stuck with me until you ask me to go."

His whispered "I love you" made my heart swell. The bottom hem of his shirt was raised, allowing my fingers to slip beneath. As one fingertip trailed along his spine, Edward sighed, relaxing into me.

"I've missed you, Master. I... I was wrong to keep my feelings inside. I should have come to you right away. For what it is worth, I appreciate you not pushing me for sex when I was in such a mood."

I nodded my head and then leaned back, pushing the swing a little faster at the shift in my weight. The change in motion startled Edward and he sat up on my lap, holding onto the ropes. He moved so that his legs went to either side of me, a soft smile upon his lips.

"I missed you as well. I've missed having you mentally present with me instead of just going through the motions."

"There is a certain motion I missed with you, Jasper."

To emphasize his words, Edward shifted against me, his ass rubbing against my cock. The sun was just peeking up over the trees, the light picking out the red highlights in his hair. His eyes sparkled as I looked at him, his face softening when he smiled at me.

"You're beautiful." My voice was soft, reverent almost, as I let my fingers examine his face in a way I'd yet to truly take the time for. His forehead was smooth at the moment, all stress lines having relaxed away after his outburst. When I reached his lips, they parted beneath my touch, kissing my fingertips gently.

"Jasper, make love to me."

I nodded and moved to lower my legs. "Let's go inside."

He pouted slightly, rubbing against me again. "No, right here in the morning light. I want you to make love to me on your swing."

Edward reached between us and into the pocket of my shorts, grabbing the condom he knew would be there. It was habit to always be prepared on our runs, even if he'd been upset with me the past few weeks. His fingers quickly worked the hidden snap on my running shorts and released my cock to the morning breeze. I was not quite erect, but his fingers soon had me standing at attention.

Impatient with his own need, Edward ripped the wrapper with his teeth. He was lucky to have not torn the condom in the process. I watched as he checked it before rolling it over my length. The sight still moved me to desperation. The warmth, lust, and love were rampant.

The morning breeze from the lake tickled the base of my shaft below the rolled edge of the condom. Turning my head, I checked that the kitchen curtains were closed, smiling to Edward as I looked back to him. He was scooting closer, the leg of his nylon basketball shorts drawn up for my access. As discreetly as possible, I spat into my hand and then lubricated the condom.

Edward grasped my cock, and positioned me at his entrance, his hands then going to the ropes to lift a little higher. I reached between our bodies and held my cock, the tight heat squeezing me as I entered him. Inch after delicious inch, he sank down upon me, the creak of the swing as much a part of our coupling as the moans we both released.

Using the ropes as leverage, Edward lifted off of me. My cock was released until the head was lodged at the ring of muscle once more, earning a gasp as he lowered himself. The slow pace was going to drive me mad yet I did not wish to speed up. I wanted this to last forever.

His skin was warm beneath my touch as I worked his shirt up. I arched forward, licking a path along his upper abs to his chest where I nipped and sucked across his collarbone. When my tongue flicked his nipple, his ass clenched around me in response.

I repeated the motion on his other side, my fingers plucking at the other, my eyes on his face. He was in ecstasy; his eyes closed, head thrown back. The faint sheen of sweat from the sprint he'd made to come after me, and then his exertion to work himself over me using the ropes, was glinting in the growling light as if he'd been covered in some of Alice's pixie dust. Edward glittered as if he was a celestial being made just to please me.

I laved his skin, working to his neck until Edward tilted his lips to meet mine. Our tongues danced in the air, no fight for dominance today, they only moved in the revelry of being together. Our bodies drew apart and then came back together as if by magnetic force. We were slow yet uncontrolled, his movements upon me made to draw out our pleasure.

His arms began to tire so I began to lift to meet him, shortening the space he needed to rise above our joining. Wanting him to come with me, I tugged at the drawstring waist until it released. The dusky rose head of his cock peeked above the waistband. Unable to reach it with my tongue, I dipped my finger along the slit and gathered up his pre-cum, licking it off as he watched.

The salty taste was lost as his tongue plundered my mouth, seeking out all traces of himself on me. He growled at me, nipping my lower lip until I tasted blood. "I fucking love it when you taste me, Master."

I palmed his cock, my fingers gripping firmly to stroke while he rode me. Hearing his use of fuck had brought me close to the edge, my balls tightening in response. Edward felt the shift in my body and leaned forward, the heat of his tongue leaving a wet trail along my ear. His whisper was my undoing.

"Make love to me, fuck me, take me, Jasper. I want you to fill me."

His teeth tugged at my earlobe and I buried myself, balls deep, filling the condom as my hips pumped into him repeatedly. Edward wriggled against me, his ass massaging my overly sensitive and spent cock. I whined, my body giving a half-hearted thrust.

"Master, I know you can get hard again. I want to come with you inside me."

His words made me swell slightly, but I was spent from a night serving Eleazar while Seth was away visiting his sister in the city. I could make myself get hard, but I chose not to, continuing to just barely rock my hips into him while pumping his cock through my hand.

I raised my hand to his neck, tugging him down to me. "I love you, Edward."

Kissing him softly, I caressed his lips with mine, coaxing moans and a purring sound from his chest. Twisting my hand as I slid near the head of his cock, Edward groaned, his body gripping me as he rose up the peak to his own climax. Tugging at the hair along the base of his neck, I waited until he aquiesced, his head falling back, mouth open in a silent cry to the sky above.

My lips parted and covered the pulse in his neck, sucking at the flesh. Edward's shaft surged beneath my fingers, urging me on. I bit down firmly, increasing the suction until he let go, covering my hand with his come. His outcry scared a robin who had roosted in the tree, our union not chasing her from the nest.

I chuckled at the ruffled feathers as she flew to a higher branch, slipping my messy hand between us to grasp the condom and gently remove myself from his tender flesh. Edward collapsed against me, sending us off balance and to the ground in a tangled heap. After ensuring there were no injuries, we both laughed as he snuggled up next to me once again.

"Playing doctor is more fun when we're not already spent or worried of actually being hurt."

I smacked Edward in the arm weakly, not rousing myself to make the effort of a full hit. "I think I'll add playing doctor to tomorrow night's group therapy session. We should certainly have you check us over to ensure we're healthy."

Edward smiled into my chest, his lips drawn up before he kissed my cloth covered nipple. "Master? If you didn't send Bella the flowers, who did?"

I thought of the possibilities and my mind kept coming back to Jake. The chocolate roses were extravagant, as was naming his restaurant after her. I can take care of his advances tomorrow night after class.

Tuesday

"Jasper, Esme and I would be pleased to have you and your house guest come over for our family dinner tonight. It's been too long since you were over."

Carlisle smiled at me broadly as he slid his suit jacket onto the chair across from me in the board room.

"I was just over a few weeks ago, if I recall correctly."

His cheeks were suffused with pink as he coughed. "Yes, well, this is a different visit altogether. Esme and I heard about Bella's new found interest in French desserts and she's agreed to make a fresh berry Napoleon for everyone. Esme and I thought it would be nice to have you as well since you were taking Bella to the classes while Edward was busy."

"Yes, well, I'm not certain if James is available."

Carlisle waved his hand as if to say it didn't matter. "Pish posh. It's tangine Tuesday. Rose is coming over to make curried lamb tangines, a type of meat pie it sounds like, along with a roasted almond couscous. Bella's making two or three of the Napoleons to feed everyone. You and James will be there. Edward said that your companion doesn't work out of the house so I see no problem with you being at my home by seven."

No problem except your daughter-in-law slapped me Saturday night and probably doesn't want to see me yet. My mind was saying no, yet my lips formed the word "fine." Damn Cullen men fucking with my responses.

Bella and I took my cherry red Mustang to class, detouring on the way by a secluded little spot. I fucked her on the hood, the back of her dress getting damp from the mist that had collected in droplets on the car. I dragged her up and down my cock, watching her work her clit until she came a second time before finally letting myself go.

Look back, we really should have just fucking skipped the last session of our class. Yeah, our Napoleon was incredible but all I really did was grate orange zest and try to lick cream off her nose when she splattered herself. My mind was focused on how best to defend myself if the Quileute Hulk decided to jump me when I told him to back off Edward's and my girl. I made it until after class when we were all sampling the made desserts and the other couples had packed up their leftovers to go.

Jake was running his finger through a bit of the leftover orange cream. We'd made the homemade puff pastry easily and used it all but had made way too much filling. Jake stuck his finger back into the bowl and then offered it up to Bella. She licked at it and I watched his eyes visibly darken with a hint of lust before he pulled away.

"We haven't gotten to talk much since the first class. You guys have sped out after each session. Am I that bad of an instructor?"

Bella laughed about having to get home to Edward before it ended up too late.

"Your dad said you'd gotten married to a rich doctor here in the city. Does he know about you and...?"

Jake drifted off, gesturing to me. I sighed and nodded, hoping Bella would give me a chance to answer. She blushed and looked down at her hands so I prepared myself for some bullshitting.

"Yes he does."

I was getting ready to explain further but Jake cut me off with a raised eyebrow and a shake of the head. "Treat my girl right. She deserves the best." He turned away from me, ending our conversation as he smiled at Bella, boyish charm evident on his face.

"So, Bells, did you like the flowers? I remembered how you used to enjoy them."

I didn't even have to ask and he confirmed my suspicions. "You son of a bitch! You knew she was married yet you've been sending her flowers three times a fucking week?"

"I thought they were from you." Bella looked between Jake and me, confusion and anger at war in her voice.

"Do you think I'd do that to Edward?"

Bella's hand snapped against my cheek, the sting making me wince. "So, he's good enough to receive your flowers and everything else, but I'm not? At least Jake cares."

"Woah there, Bells. I have no idea what you guys are going on about. I sent you the chocolate roses but am clueless about the flowers. Leah would cut off my balls, dip them in chocolate, and put them out front in a case if I sent another chick flowers."

Leah? Why would his business partner give a damn. Jake reached beneath his shirt and apron, pulling out a leather cord with a simple gold band on it.

"I can't wear my wedding ring when I'm baking. Leah'd have my ass if I lost my ring in a batch of mousse."

He's married. He didn't send the flowers, and I know that I sure as hell didn't send the flowers, so who the fuck did?

Bella did not invite me in that night and I wasn't going to impose or put Edward in the middle so I walked her to the door and apologized for the thousandth time. She had yet to speak to me after we left Chocolate Bells, me having made a heart felt apology to Jake for my accusation. He'd shook my hand, said we were cool, and then whispered that he'd sneak a box of Bella's favorite mint truffles into the delivery truck tomorrow signed from me.

Carlisle reached for the phone and called Bella's desk, telling her to send in the rest of the committee as they arrived. Once he hung up he smiled at me. "It will be okay, Jasper. Bella is stubborn, but you and Edward are more so."

James POV

I slid the shirt up Master's arms and fastened the buttons quickly. I kissed the cotton covering his cock and I drew the pants over his thighs and zipped the fly shut. He absentmindedly patted my head.

"James, do behave tonight around Edward. His father is my employer and I enjoy my job. The entire family is getting together tonight and we've been invited as Edward's friends."

I nodded, dropping to kiss Master Jasper's feet. "Yes, Master. I will behave properly. Master, how shall I address you when we are there?"

He smiled down at me. "Jasper is fine, if you must get my attention. I'd prefer if you were as quiet as possible, to avoid tempting Edward. He is jealous of my time with you, even though he knows that you are my sub, not my partner."

"Master?" I spoke softly, in hopes he'd allow me to speak.

"Yes, James? You may ask your question." Master tugged on my hair slightly until I was looking at him.

"I know it is not my place, but, do you love Edward?"

Master's eyes went hard. "You're right, my personal life is not your place."

"I just don't want to see you hurt, sir." If I wasn't planning on taking you away from him, he'd leave you eventually. Cullen men always leave. I'm protecting you by stealing you away for myself. I won't leave you. I know what that pain feels like. With your help, we'll make all of Emmett's family pay for what he did to me. His fingers turned into a fist, my scalp burning as my hair was pulled. Master took a few deep breaths and released me, stepping away.

"You are a good sub, James. Be a better sub and keep your fucking nose out of my personal life. It does not effect my time with you or my other subs housed at the dormitory. Just because our master saw fit to let me have a life outside of his program does not give you the right to meddle in it. Keep away from Edward and Bella. They are mine."

Not for long, Master. She'll be mine. He's already blaming you. I heard him slam the door Saturday morning to take off after you. I watched from the kitchen window as Edward caught up with you. After Cullen attacked my master, I retired to my room to laugh. No one messes with Master Jasper. I highly doubt that Edward is in Master's favor at the moment.

"Yes, Sir; sorry, Sir."

"Thank you, James. You've been incredibly patient as you've adapted to my lifestyle. I know that you miss Master Aro but I hope that you have not been unhappy here with me."

"Never, Master. You are more than kind to let me stay with you, Sir." I bowed down to rest my head upon his feet.

"Let's go, James. I do not wish to be late. Please grab the basket with the wine."

The house looked the same as it always had. Esme may remodel the inside every two to three years but the outside always looks the same yet brand new. How many times did Emmett, Edward, and I watch new siding being put on?

A large Jeep pulled in behind us and I felt my heart lodge in my throat. "Hey, Jazz!" Emmett's voice was as loud in life as in my memories.

Master got out of the car to greet the loping form of my former lover. If I broke the wine bottle in the car, I could get out and slit his throat in a matter of seconds, no one could stop me. But his pain would be momentary and mine would continue. I want him to watch his family suffer before I turn to him.

Taking several breaths to calm myself, I swung my legs out of the leather bucket seat and stood, tucking the back of my shirt in once more. I grasped the basket and stood, flicking my loose hair back off my shoulder as I did. Master began to introduce us.

"Emmett, this is my friend, Ja..."

"James?" He doesn't deserve to say my name after what he did to me.

"She left me, James. I missed one fucking birthday and she dumped my ass for Rick."

Emmett's voice sounded broken. Neither of us should have been too worried about some bimbette walking off. Emmett is rather good looking and has had no problem in the past finding a place to bury his dick. Sadly, I doubted it would ever be in me.

I've been a closet bisexual since the first moment I realized I was attracted to one of my best friends. Edward was too pretty, his body type too frail for my interest. Emmett, he was powerful. His frame was large, as was his personality.

Emmett and I had gone to a porno showing in the city. Fine, they called it erotic art but damned if it wasn't a live action porno in front of us. The guy at the door didn't even ask for our fake ID's after I smiled. Sure, I ended up in the back with him for a quick blowjob during intermission, but Emmett never missed me.

In the second act, the show had a pair of gay lovers, one of the men was tall with shoulder length blond hair. Emmett had more than a passing interest in him. As the bear of a man palmed the blond's cock, I watched Emmett's pants tent out. It was then that I realized I had a chance with my dream lover.

But I didn't attempt to make a move until today. "Emm, you don't need Lacey. She was nothing but a pussy to fuck and a constant nagging voice to ignore. We can go out this weekend and find you another girl in ten minutes."

"Yeah, whatever. I'll talk to you later, man. I'm gonna go watch the game and take my mind of things. Sorry for buggin' ya with my shit."

"No probs, bro. That's what I'm here for. Later."

I hung up the phone and grabbed my leather jacket. The smell of the leather always made me feel invincible. Mom and Gary, my step-dad, were both out at work so I grabbed the mostly full bottle of Jim Beam from the cupboard. He had two more behind it, so he'd never know the difference. If he did, what would another crack of his belt against me do?

I hopped in the beater my job at the drive in paid for and went to the porn shop. As long as I didn't try to buy anything, the bored looking girl behind the counter wasn't going to ask my age. A Friday late afternoon is pretty much a guarantee for me to trade a hand job for a bottle of booze. I wanted to get Emmett a bottle of Jack Daniels, his current favorite way to forget the problems in life. It would be nothing to go to his dad's bar and steal a bottle of Carlisle's, but I wanted to provide for him, even if it was just some liquor.

I picked through some of the movies, and then Mr. Newton caught my eye. He handed me a few tokens for the viewing booth and slipped into the one beside me. A wank and serious handwashing later, and he let me follow him to the store where he came out with a large paperbag.

"Thanks, Jimmy. You're a good boy."

I smiled and tucked the bag inside my coat before getting in the car. I broke the speed limit by over twenty miles as I flew down the highway to the Cullen Mansion. I let myself in the side door and climbed the stairs to Emmett's room. He was sleeping, his arms behind his head, looking every bit a modern day Atlas. He was only in a pair of cut offs, the frayed denim showing the taught muscles beneath his legs.

Carefully, I sat down on the edge of the bed and watched my secret love sleep. He looked so peaceful at rest. Leaning forward, I kissed him, our lips brushing softer than a butterfly's wings. I moved back before he woke, his blue eyes fluttering open behind dark lashes.

"James, what are you doing here?"

I lifted the two bottles from the floor. "I brought us a remedy for your broken heart. Get your movie stash. Nothing like porn and booze to forget a cunt."

Emmett laughed and slapped me on the back, his hand lingering as he used me to pull himself to a seated position. He swiveled his computer monitor around and reached around me to the keyboard, finding a video he wanted.

Hours later, when we were both nearing alcohol poisoning from drinking so much with nothing in our stomachs but some little bagel pizza bites. We were both horny from the porn, hands pressing down against our erections. If I was going to make my move, it had to be now. I stripped off my shirt and then unbuckled my belt, letting the weight of the crap in my pockets drop my pants to the ground.

"What are you doing, James?"

I wrapped my hand around my cock and stroked it. "I'm horny as fuck, Emm. I gotta get off and it looks like you do too."

I scooted back against his pillows, my hand still tugging as he watched. He muttered something and then stripped down to his birthday suit as well. His cock was huge, thick with the veins prominent along the shaft. My mouth watered to suck him but I denied my own desire.

Emmett took another shot, straight from the bottle, and then switched the chapter on the porno to one of two guys and one girl. You could see her pussy and ass stretching from their cocks. Emmett hissed, he'd grabbed the lube from under the bed and squirted it onto his cock before tossing the bottle beside me. I was smarter and put it on my hand first, still jumping slightly from the cold as I slapped my hand against my cock.

My mind drifted to imagining some leggy brunette like the porn star between Emmett and me as we shared her. I reached for a tissue, knowing that I was about to cum. Emmett sighed and stopped jacking off.

"I can't. I'm so used to being buried in a tight pussy that watching the video is just making me realize what I'm missing out on tonight."

His words were a little slurred. It was now or never. I reached behind his desk for the plastic bag I knew he'd have hanging on a small tack. Blindly fumbling, I grabbed a condom and then sat up.

"Then fuck me. My ass is tighter than any pussy you'll find, Emm. You'll get off, I can finish getting off, and then we'll sleep until noon, waking with massive hangovers."

He shook his head all while getting up on his knees. I opened the package and then reached down between us, unrolling it over his cock. He was hot and hard, his precum leaking out as he looked at me.

"I've never... I'm not..."

"Neither am I. It's just the booze, Emm. We're horny and drunk. Just blame it on Jack and Jim." I love you and if this is the only way I can have you, that will be fine. We can still be friends tomorrow but I'll have this memory to hold in my heart. Maybe one day you'll realize your bisexuality and we can be more.

I squirted plenty of lube onto his cock and then applied some to my ass. It hurt like a son of a bitch when he entered me but I kept my countenance calm. If he saw the pain he was causing, he'd stop. I should have told him you have to enter a little more slowly than with a pussy, but it was too late for that. He was buried in me, his balls slapping against my ass.

The pain let up as I bore down against him, the fire giving way to an ache that duplicated in my dick. I looked up at Emmett, his hands on either side of the headboard as he began to thrust. His eyes were tightly closed, his jaw tense.

His hips began to slam into me, Emmett's sweat dripping from his chest onto me. I tentatively rested my hands at his waist, expecting him to stop at my touch. His face relaxed but his eyes remained closed. I started to rub his skin, my hands exploring every inch of his body that I could reach. If I could vocalize my feelings, I could show him with my touch.

Emmett's thrusts became rougher, shorter, faster, and punctuated with tiny grunts as he worked himself even deeper into me. Even though it meant nothing to him but a cheap fuck, my love for him was growing even more. He was so beautiful in the glow of his monitor against the dark of the room. As he neared the end of our time together, his hands moved to my ass, lifting me up against him as he pounded into me.

With a groan, Emmett dug his fingers into the muscles of my thigh, his body quaking. Once finished, he grabbed the condom and went to the bathroom, not giving me a second glance. I heard the shower run and quickly grabbed my cock, replaying the past handful of minutes as he claimed me. I came silently, not wanting to alert him of my release. Wiping my hands with the crumpled and forgotten tissues, I tossed them into the garbage and slid my boxers on.

I ran downstairs, grabbed two bottles of sports drink from the fridge and hightailed it back to Emmett's room before anyone could see me. I was back on the bed where he'd left me when he turned off the shower. Emmett came out in a pair of wrinkled shorts, no doubt from the top of his dirty clothes bin in the bathroom. I looked over at the tv, his Super Nintendo hooked up and waiting.

I tossed him a bottle of the iridescent green juice and grabbed a controller. "Wanna play Final Fantasy three while we rehydrate?"

After passing out sometime after one, we both crashed on the bed. It was a king, so it wasn't like there was any lack of room. I woke up to Emmett spooning me, his hard cock pressed against my back. His arm was heavy wrapped around me, his hand cupping my chest as if I had a rounded breast.

I knew I was pushing it, but I had to have my lips around his cock. Sliding out of his arms, Emmett turned onto his back, a soft snore coming from his throat. I popped his cock out through the fly of his shorts and lowered my mouth to it. I've lost track of the number of cocks I've sucked in the past few months, but all of them were readying me for this one.

My jaw soon tired from holding open around the meat I was sucking but when his hands tangled in my hair, my strength was renewed. I swallowed, taking him down to the base, Emmett's cock nudging my throat as I bobbed down his length. He came in only a matter of minutes, his cum thick on the back of my tongue as he let loose his torrent.

Emmett shoved me off of him, throwing me the floor as soon as he finished. "Gah! What the fuck, dude?! Seriously. What. The. Fuck? Get dressed and get the fuck out of here."

"Hello, Emmett. It has been a long time." I kept my tone even so that Master would not be upset with me.

I stood next to Master and shook Emmett's hand when he offered it, my heart re-breaking. I kept telling myself he would lose his good looks or get fat, but he didn't. The time we'd been apart had just made him even more handsome. The dimple on his right cheek popped in as he smiled at me, and I had to break eye contact, looking to the ground.

It's your fault, Emmett, that I have to live this life. I love you and I hate you. You'll rue the day you threw me out. A little kindness, and you'd have spared us so much. Their pain is on your shoulders.

Jasper POV

I shoved James into the car roughly, speeding home. I slapped him the moment he got out. This was unacceptable.

"How the hell could you do that to my friends, James? You threatened Edward for touching me, threw wine in Rose's face, and called her a whore for no reason at all. What the fuck is wrong with you?"

James snapped and shoved me to the ground. The gravel dug into my backside on impact.

"You don't know anything." His voice was a hiss as he spoke.

I grabbed his leg and wrenched it sideways, bringing him down beside me. "Inside now. I am your master and you will not act like this to me. You will treat me with respect, no matter what is going through your fucked up head."

The entire dinner was a disaster. Emmett, normally loud and boisterous, was quiet and withdrawn. Rose picked at the meal, which was delicious if not odd. The pear and lamb combined was an interesting taste, one that paired well with the sparkling white wine.

After dessert, Emmett asked James to play a game of pool down stairs and they were gone for not five minutes when they both started yelling. Edward and I nearly broke the door frame going through it together to break up the fight. James had Emmett on the floor, a pool queue at his throat. We pulled James off of Emmett and I told him to go to the door and wait for me. James shoved Edward for stroking my back, his whispered "stay away from my master, or you're next," having not gone unnoticed by any in the room.

Edward and I checked out Emmett who, outside of a scratch on his shoulder, was fine. I made my apologies to Emmett for James' behavior, promising to get to the bottom of it. He told me not to bother that it was a personal misunderstanding best left alone. Edward let out a sharp laugh, silencing when I turned my eyes on him.

"You ruined everything! I hope that you don't lose that precious baby you're carrying. Is it even Emmett's? I doubt it, you skanky, plastic tits, Barbie wannabe, whore."

We walked back into the room just as James grabbed his wine glass and threw the remnants at Rose. The red liquid dripped down her face and onto the white baby doll shirt she wore to hide the slight baby bump. No one outside of the family, and me, knew she was pregnant. That'd he'd figured it out in his unstable mindset was a danger to her safety. Rose's past with Royce King left Rose needing the protection of a bodyguard if she went anywhere without Emmett.

If James made a call to the wrong people, Rose would be in even greater peril. Losing their baby would destroy Emmett. I tied James to the wall and paddled him, following up with my own belt. Normally, I avoided such painful measures, but he had pushed me past my limits. I left him hanging, sobbing, and went to the phone.

I dialed the main office and Gianna answered.

"Gianna, it is Jasper. I need Aro, now. I don't care what you have to do, get him on the phone."

"Sì, signore."

The hold music played for less than ten seconds when Aro picked up the line. "Jasper, what is the meaning of this? I was in a meeting."

"I'm sorry, Master, but this was too important to wait. James needs to go now. He attacked my friends and employer while out to dinner. He is jeopardizing my entire future in Seattle."

I heard the rustling of fabric, some meeting indeed, and then a muffled laugh as he covered the phone's mouthpiece. "I trust that you've punished your sub for his behavior?"

"Yes, Master."

"He's your problem until I choose to take him back. He is a sub and you are the master. Prove it. I will put some additional funds in your account to pay for any damages and to properly apologize to your friends in his stead. Break his will. Until you do, you are stuck with him. Ciao."

The call ended with no resolution on my part. If I couldn't send him back to Italy, I would at least take him to the dormitory for several weeks. I was done with him living in my home.

Grabbing a suitcase from my closet I went to James' room and emptied the top drawer, putting his clothes in roughly. He could fold them later. At the bottom of the drawer were two large sealed manila envelopes. They hadn't come here with him. I tossed them to the bed and finished packing his bags.

When finished, I sat down on the bed and broke the seal on the lighter of the two. It was filled to the brim with receipts from local florists. The earliest one, dated three weeks ago, had Bella and Edward's address on it. I reached for the second envelope and tore it open, photos of Bella naked in their bedroom came out onto the bed when I dumped it.

There were photos of Edward and I, pictures of the three of us, but mostly just Bella. The ones with Edward had a dagger drawn threw his chest, a rope around his neck, or otherwise mutilated. He was going to hurt them.

Something in me snapped; my military training, strength in strategic planning, and desire to protect my mates coming to a pinnacle. I would eliminate James. If I killed him, it would have to look like an accident. Aro would smooth it over with the police and the paperwork would be lost in the shuffle.

The lake. No one uses the lake but me on this side. The wood planks on the dock are slippery near the end. If I made it look like he slipped and fell, falling into the water after a head wound, it would not be pinned back on me. In hand to hand combat, we're fairly equal in strength, I'll have to get the upper hand by using surprise to my advantage. I put the envelopes back, to be burned later, and took his suitcase to the front door. I would take it to the bus station or airport later and abandon the bag along with some tickets to another city.

I sat down on the floor of the living room and calmed myself, meditating to find my center. Maria's face, pale with death, kept accusing me of murder. She would be reunited with her pet at last. Sorry, James, you're not going home. I'm doing this to protect Edward and Bella. I'm doing this for their loved ones. His life is not worth theirs. It will be a fast death, not like what Aro will do to me if he figures it out.

I went to my bedroom and put on a pair of old white jeans and a tee shirt, clothes that Alice would gladly burn if she ever saw them. The peroxide used to take out the blood would not hurt any design this way. I left my feet bare, easier to wash off the blood that way, if there was any.

I let myself back into the play room and looked at James. He was whimpering pathetically, his hair matted to his cheek with tears. I went and put two wash cloths into the sink, soaking them in warm water. Releasing his bonds, I helped him to the mattress.

"Master is sorry for being so angry, but you really must be a better sub."

I worked salve into the reddened welts, treating him as if it was any other day. I carefully washed his face and wiped his neck and chest. His hair was even brushed back off his shoulders with care by the time I'd finished. I handed him the dark blue shirt he'd worn earlier and the pants of mine he'd borrowed for the dinner.

I gave him his wallet and keys, even helped him with his shoes. "Let's go for a walk, James. We could probably both use the fresh air."

We stepped outside into the warm light offered by the setting sun. The last rays tinted our golden hair with a red cast and I looked into James' blue eyes. I reached for his hand, hoping to hide my intentions, even if he could read me too easily.

"Why did you want to bring me out here?"

"You always seem at peace out here, I thought it would be a fitting place to make our goodbyes. I've already called Master and told him it isn't working out. He's having a plane readied tonight. I thought leaving now would be best to avoid further hardship between us."

I would do this. I wasn't going to lose everything now. He nodded, a few blond waves blowing in the cool evening breeze.

"Goodbye then."

He held out his hand and I extended mine, grabbing his forearm for leverage. I flipped him to the ground and he didn't fight back as he was dazed from the fall. I dropped to my knees beside him and smashed his head into the wood beam. His eyes rolled back as the blood began to seep out of a gash.

I rolled him off the dock, his body sliding beneath the surface. A few bubbles rose over the following seconds and then were gone. Using the fishing pole tethered to the dock, I pushed his body under the planks, hidden from my view.

I lost balance as I tried to get up, my feet sliding on the wet boards, and my hands went down into the blood. I was sitting there in the dark, staring at my bloody hands when a light swept across me and I heard footsteps behind me.

"Stay where you are."