Howdy readers! This is my longest chapter yet, and I hope you like reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it :)

A BIG THANK YOU! to "GeezerWench" for creative consulting / prereading

Thank you all for reading, reviewing, following and favorite-ing

We have arrived at Fort Boise!

Thankfully, Peter fell asleep within the first few minutes of the long ride back into town. Charlotte and Bella nodded off soon after. They had had a very long, hard, stressful day and the gentle rocking of the carriage soothed them to sleep.

Dr. Edward Cullen didn't rest. He couldn't. He found himself transfixed, watching Bella as she slept—her full, parted lips, her long dark lashes, the way her chest rose and fell with every gentle breath. The moon shone down onto her face from the window, illuminating her; making her look like a porcelain doll. Albeit one that hadn't been cared for properly.

I can take care of that. Edward thought to himself.

He was still confounded over the reasoning his uncle and aunt used when they sent Bella out west with the Whitlocks. They obviously trusted them, but Edward couldn't help but wonder if they had made a misjudgment. Why did Bella agree to marry Jasper? Had he compromised her innocence in some way?

Edward knew all the details of Bella's unfortunate situation at Fort Bridger from the letter Carlisle and Esme had sent him, which foretold her arrival. Edward knew about the farce, that she had been attacked by men, and the murder of her father. Carlisle and Esme had saved her from the frying pan then tossed her into the fire, it seemed. If Edward had only known how special Bella was he could have made the trip and escorted her himself, but in all honesty there would have been little that anyone could have said or done that would have pried him from his work, or convinced him to bring an innocent young girl to Boise. Nonetheless, she was there, and he would have a few days with her alone to find out if, indeed, she wanted to marry Jasper. Perhaps he could convince her otherwise.

Jasper spent all night tossing and turning within the dismal, empty tent. His bed was cold and his arms were empty. He couldn't help but to worry with Peter's ominous words running through his head all night. At the break of dawn, Jasper was on the trail. He had already made the trip by horse and he reckoned that the mules, burdened by the weight of the wagon, would make it to Boise in two or maybe three days tops.

He vowed to make it in two days somehow. He set a grueling pace, but as much as he wished to be there, the mules could only go so fast.

It was the middle of the night by the time the stagecoach made it to Dr. Cullen's house. He instructed the drivers to carry Peter inside, and they laid him on a cot, which was set up for patients of the makeshift hospital. The weary women slept on cots downstairs while the doctor retired to his bedroom upstairs.

The next morning, when Edward came down to check on his still-sleeping patient, he was pleasantly surprised to find Bella and Charlotte, already awake, making breakfast in the kitchen.

The women were so grateful to Edward for coming to Peter's rescue, they fussed over him incessantly, treating him like royalty, doting on him as they filled his plate with hot-cakes, eggs, and side meat.

"How do you take your coffee?" Bella asked, her eyes downcast, her cheeks rosy with a demure blush.

"Black, please," Edward answered politely.

She set a mug on the table, and filled it, while he captured her with his eyes.

Then he took a taste, and his features transformed with surprise. "This coffee is exquisite," Edward marveled. "You must show me how you do it. To think, I use this very same coffee, but when I prepare it, it doesn't taste nearly as good. You must show me your secret."

"Bella is a fabulous cook," Charlotte interjected as she slid into her chair. "She's taught me a lot about baking."

Bella wasn't good at accepting complements. They embarrassed her, so she just nodded silently and took her seat.

It was then that Peter woke up and started calling for his wife.

Charlotte set her napkin over her plate and stood to go check on her husband, when Edward reached out and grabbed her wrist, stopping her. "I want him on a diet of broth and crackers for the next few days," he commanded. "Doctor's orders."

"He's not gonna like that," Charlotte sighed as she shook her head slowly, then made her way over to check on her fussy, sick husband.

Edward finished his meal with gusto, complimented the women many times over, and then stood to apologize for having to leave so abruptly. He explained that he had many appointments to keep, house calls to make with his other patients, and things to take care of. Edward told the women about the letters Esme had written, and said that he would gladly mail his aunt a return correspondence as soon as was needed. He instructed the ladies to make themselves at home and help themselves to a bath. With one more reminder about Peter's strict diet, he tipped his hat and rushed out the door.

As soon as the door was closed, Peter picked up his boot from beside his cot and lobbed it at the door.

Charlotte straightened her back and marched over to where her husband's wayward boot had landed. She picked it up and shook it at him. "You listen to me now, and you listen to me good, Peter Whitlock! You are goin' to do everything that kind, wonderful doctor says, and do it with a smile. We are guests in his home, and he's been a godsend."

Peter turned his head away from his wife, crossed his arms, and frowned as she continued on her tirade.

"Do you know how lucky we are that he spent his own money and hired that coach to bring you back here? You sorry ingrate! You almost died, Peter, and you've been nothing but a pain this whole time. I don't know how we'll ever repay the man for his kindness, and there you sit, throwin' stuff like an ornery jackass."

Bella decided to go clean up in the kitchen while Charlotte and Peter finished their quarrel. She wished they wouldn't fight, but the tension they'd all endured over the past few weeks had made everyone cross, even Jasper. As her thoughts turned to him, she wondered how he was doing, and how soon he'd return. She hoped it was soon. She missed him terribly.

Peter was a difficult patient. He seemed to take pleasure in running the women ragged and complaining about everything; especially the food—or lack thereof. Bella and Charlotte were extremely happy when he finally took a nap, but he didn't sleep for long. There was a knock at the door that startled him awake.

The women looked at each other, not knowing what to do, wondering if they should answer it.

Charlotte finally decided to peek out the window and saw that it was a delivery man carrying two large boxes wrapped in brown paper, and what appeared to be a bag of food.

The delivery man tipped his hat when Charlotte answered the door. "Dr. Edward Cullen sent these here. Said they was for the ladies, and these vittles here are for dinner.

Charlotte took the packages and thanked the man, then carried them inside excitedly. "Bella, come see! has sent something for us. I wonder what it could be?"

Peter was mad as a hornet, not liking one bit that Dr. Edward Cullen had sent some kind of presents to his wife and his brother's fiancé, but he watched in silence as the women descended on the packages; cooing and clucking like hens.

There were small envelopes tucked under the string that was tied around each one.

Charlotte opened hers first, and read it out loud. "It says, please accept this gift as a token of hospitality and admiration of your bravery and perseverance."

Bella opened hers, and to her surprise, the note was the same.

"Lordy, what could it be?" Charlotte wondered as she tore off the paper and opened the box. Her hands flew to her cheeks as she gasped in surprise. "It's a dress! A brand-new dress!" It was a beautiful formal-looking style that had a high, tight collar and long sleeves that buttoned around the wrists. The color was dark brown, and reminded Charlotte of molasses. The trim was a beautiful white lace.

Peter rolled his eyes. He didn't cotton to the doctor buying his wife such a fine gift. It just wasn't right, and it made him feel like less of a man.

"That's a nice dress. If'n you were my grandma," Peter scoffed.

"Hush up, Pete. It's good and clean, and just what I needed."

Bella opened her box and found a similar dress in navy blue with a pair of matching slippers.

Charlotte fawned over the shoes. "I can't believe he bought you shoes. Isn't that thoughtful? Do they fit?"

To Bella's surprise, they did.

"I'm so excited!" Charlotte spun around in a circle as she clutched the dress to her bosom, her eyes aglow. "This means we get to take a bath—a real bath—and change into a clean dress. Imagine that."

Peter started to pout, and he ran his hand sadly across his stubbly beard. "I didn't get no box, and I need a shave. Honey, when are you goin' to fix me up?" Peter asked.

"You have to wait until you get better, sugar." Charlotte said as she held the dress up to her body and admired it. "Jasper will be here any day with your clothes, and I'll fix you right up then."

"I don't like it," Peter argued. "Here I am, on my deathbed, and the doctor is wooin' my wife. It just ain't right."

"Aw now . . . lookie here. The doctor is just bein' hospitable, and you're just bein' silly. Now rest up, 'cause I need you to get better." Charlotte gave Peter a little seductive wink, which made him feel a little better, but just barely.

After stowing the fresh meat, that Edward had sent, in the ice box, Bella and Charlotte took turns taking long, luxurious baths. Dr. Cullen had a fine porcelain claw foot tub, soft white towels, and fancy soap that smelled like flowers. The women felt like they had died and gone to heaven.

After they had cleaned up, they made Edward a special meal and set the table with heavy sterling silver utensils and delicate bone China. They had cooked a feast for him: roast beef cooked with root vegetables, rice with gravy, and apple dumplings.

When Edward walked through the front door and smelled the good food, a smile danced across his lips. He nodded at Peter, who scowled back, and then he walked into the kitchen and greeted the women. He was pleased to see that they were wearing the new dresses. They were both lovely, since they had cleaned up, and he couldn't take his eyes off of Bella. The way her skin looked against the navy blue of the dress was strikingly beautiful, and the way she had fixed her hair with her fine silver comb looked very elegant. She was a vision, from the top of her head down to the new slippers that adorned her dainty feet.

The women both greeted Edward as if the king had arrived. They thanked him over and over for his gifts.

"It was well worth it …" Edward said, smiling. "… to see you both looking so lovely." But as he spoke, his eyes never strayed from Bella, causing her to blush and turn away.

Charlotte took a bowl filled with beef broth to her husband, and he rewarded her with a grimace. She kissed him sweetly on the cheek and went back into the kitchen to join Bella and the Doctor.

After everyone had finished their meal, Edward asked Bella to follow him upstairs. He said he had something to show her. When they reached the top of the staircase, Edward opened the first door on the left and stood back to let Bella enter.

"I fixed up this guest room for you, as soon as I knew you were coming. I know it's not much, but the bed is much more comfortable than the cot." Edward shoved his hands into his pockets and watched her as she looked around.

The room was lovely. The walls were painted sky blue, and it was filled with a complete matching set of furniture, including a wash basin with a beautiful porcelain pitcher and a tall cedar wardrobe. The bed was covered with a cheerful yellow and white checkered quilt.

"You did all of this for me?" Bella asked.

"Yes, I assumed you would be staying here." Edward's eyebrow rose as he chose his next words wisely. "I do hope you'll consider staying, at least for a while. You see, I'm in need of a good nurse, and I had quite depended on you being able to help me."

Bella nodded in understanding as she toyed with the trim of her bodice and gnawed on her bottom lip. She didn't want to disappoint Edward; especially after all he had done for Peter. She decided that she'd wait and talk everything over with Jasper before making any rash decisions. Maybe he'd change his mind and allow her to work for the doctor. Lord knew they needed the money.

"You should sleep here tonight," Edward said smiling again.

Bella thanked Edward and that night she did sleep in the room. Although the bed was very comfortable, and it had soft feather pillows, she couldn't sleep. All night she tossed and turned. Thinking of Jasper, she missed the warmth of his body against hers, the sound of his gentle breathing, and the safety of his strong arms.

The next morning after breakfast, but before Edward left to visit with his patients, he told Bella and Charlotte that he would be back around two o'clock, to accompany one of them to the store. He wanted to buy more food, and since the women were the ones doing all the cooking, he wanted them to think about what they might need.

His eyes had been plastered on Bella all morning, and it hadn't escaped Charlotte's attention. As the door swung closed, Charlotte released a heavy sigh, and then whispered so that only Bella could hear. "I believe the doctor is sweet on you."

Bella didn't know what to say, but she was sure that she hadn't done anything to encourage the doctor's affections, and beside that, Edward knew of her plans to marry Jasper. Bella just laughed it off, and told Charlotte that she was imagining things, but Charlotte knew better.

Lo and behold, when Edward returned, he decided that Bella should go to the market with him, which didn't surprise the Whitlocks one bit.

Bella was eager to get out and see Boise, so she grabbed the letters that were addressed to Esme from the top of Edward's golden oak, roll-top desk, and they were on their way.

Edward decided they should walk to the store. It wasn't far, and it would give him plenty of time to be alone with Bella. He wanted to get in her head, to figure her out, to see what made her tick. He offered her his arm and she took it politely.

"Are you cold, my dear?" Edward asked.

"The air is a bit cool, but I feel comfortable. Thank you," Bella replied.

"Last winter was a horror. We had over five feet of standing snow for many weeks. It was brutal. Wagons couldn't travel in or out, so many people died." Edward shook his head with grief. "I would hate to see anything bad happen to you. I want you to remember, no matter if you work for me or not, that if you ever need anything, you shouldn't hesitate to come to me."

"That's very kind of you, Dr. Cullen."

"I know you are planning to marry Jasper, and I assume you will both be headed to Oregon."

Bella nodded.

"To be honest, I think it unwise. I would never subject a woman to such a wild place, out in the middle of nowhere. If you haven't much money, you'll be living in a tent while he builds a sod house. Nasty things, those sod houses. They're not good for the lungs."

Bella placed her hand to her chest in shock, and Edward continued.

"You wouldn't believe how many families that make it to Oregon come right back here. Swarms of locusts eat their crops, leaving them hungry and penniless, then they come back here. The poor women and children often times don't make it."

"That's awful!" Bella exclaimed, her free hand flying up to cover her mouth.

Edward nodded slowly. "Greed is an ugly thing. The men in their greed for land sacrifice the comfort and safety of their women and children. For your safety, and the safety of your children, Bella, please think things through."

Bella furrowed her brow. Edward had certainly given her a lot to think about.

Meanwhile, Jasper finally made his way up the street to Dr. Cullen's house. He was dirty and dog tired, but the thought of seeing Bella and his family renewed him. He had decided that since Bella hadn't kissed him goodbye, he was going to get a kiss hello.

He was happy to see that his brother's condition had improved, but his heart fell when he realized that Bella wasn't there, and that she had gone off shopping with the doctor.

So many emotions stirred within Jasper, as he listened to his brother rant and rave.

"That damn Dr. Cullen has it out for us," Peter shouted; his voice raw and gravelly. "He won't feed me anything but pot-liquor. I just know that he's tryin' to starve me. He wants me dead, so he can take my Charlotte."

Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Peter is just talkin' crazy, Jasper. Edward has been nothin' but kind and very good to us all."

Peter worked himself into a coughing fit and then begged Jasper to listen, grabbing at his shirt sleeve. "You see? She's callin' him by his first name already! I think she's in on his plan." Peter raised his voice a few octaves in imitation of a woman. "Edward is so nice. Edward buys me pretty things. Edward has an indoor water pump in his kitchen, and it makes washing so much easier . . ."

"I can't stand to listen to the foolishness comin' out of your mouth!" Charlotte spun around and left the room to get away from her husband, and his baseless accusations.

Peter continued, undeterred. "He bought the both of them new dresses, and they've been traipsing around the house wearin' em, and he's already moved Bella upstairs into her own room. What do you think of that? I think it's a just a short, little walk across the hall—that's what I think."

Jasper didn't like the sound of it one bit. He told Peter that he'd take care of everything and then stormed off.

The first thing Jasper did, to work off some steam, was unload the wagon. It worked him into a sweat, but he didn't feel the least bit tired. He needed to sell the wagon and team, and fast. He wanted to get Bella and his family out from under the doctor's roof as soon as he could. If he had his way about it, they'd be out before sundown, but things didn't go as quickly as he had imagined. By the time he found a buyer, it was already dark, but at least he had his money and a plan.

Jasper paid for a room and a bath at the large hotel on Main St., ate a decent meal, got cleaned up, shaved, and put on some fresh clothes. He wanted to look good on the outside, even though he was feeling terrible and worn down on the inside. The thought of Bella gallivanting around with the doctor made his blood boil with jealousy.

By the time he made it to Dr. Cullen's porch, Jasper had worked himself up into a rage. He could tell, from the light and shadows that shown in the downstairs window, that everyone was still awake. He didn't think he could handle being in the same room with Edward Cullen and not punch him in the face, so he paced outside until an idea came to him.

Jasper needed to speak with Bella alone, so like when he was a major in the Confederate Army, he did what he had to do. He scaled the side of the porch and hoisted himself up onto its roof, then crawled into the upstairs window. It was somebody's bedroom, and he figured it was Bella's because he found her old dress hanging inside of the wardrobe.

Jasper sat down on the bed, waited in the darkened room and stewed, until he heard footsteps on the stairway. He jumped up and hid behind the door in case it wasn't Bella. He didn't want to get caught.

He watched in silence as she entered the room and made her way to light the lamp that sat on the dresser. She was more beautiful than ever, but it didn't soothe the ache in his chest over missing her. Seeing her somehow made it worse. He watched in silence as she let down her wavy brown hair and began to brush through it with her fingers.

Bella heard the door creak close behind her, and as she turned towards the sound, a large calloused hand wrapped around her face, muffling the noise of her scream.

"It's me. It's Jasper. Be quiet!" he hissed.

Bella's body immediately relaxed, limp with relief. "Oh, Jasper. You scared me," she whispered, and she threw her arms around his neck.

Jasper was taken aback by her enthusiastic reception, and it healed his heart when she murmured quietly the words he had longed to hear. How happy she was to see him, how grateful she was that he was okay, how she had worried, how she had missed him. She ran her hands over his face and looked at him with hungry eyes.

Although Jasper felt relieved, he was still mad as hell. He peeled Bella off of him. He needed to get a better look at her. His strong hands wrapped around her arms, and he held her away.

Bella was worried by the serious expression that Jasper wore on his face. Was he not happy to see her? Why was he keeping her at arms length? "What is it? What's the matter?" she worriedly asked.

"You left me without kissin' me goodbye." He frowned. "And when I came by earlier today, you weren't here—you were runnin' around with the doctor. Is he your new beau?"

"What are you talking about?" Bella asked, more confused than ever.

"I know he bought you that dress. Why did you accept it?" Jasper growled.

"I needed something clean to wear. Are you opposed to the dress?"

"Yes. I mean . . . no." Jasper ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "I want to be the one to buy you nice things, Bella. Don't you understand? It's a man's job to provide for his woman."

Jasper's mouth became dry, and he studied the floor. His words barely made it from his throat. It was hard for him to ask the question, but he felt that he deserved an answer. "Are you still my woman, Bella? Have you changed your mind about marrying me?"

"No, I haven't changed my mind. Have you?" As Jasper's grasp weakened, Bella pushed herself up against him, embracing him. "I love you."

A great sigh of relief pushed itself from Jasper's lungs, and all his tension fell away as he melted into her. She loved him. He took her by surprise with the intensity of his kiss. His mouth crashed into hers as he finally got the kiss he had wanted, the one he had been waiting for.

There was a possessiveness about the way he captured her lips, and when he finally pulled away, they were both gasping for air. "I love you, too, and I've been waiting to kiss you for two days," he panted.

His eyes traveled between her swollen lips and her bodice. He hated that dress. His eyes darkened and narrowed "Take it off," Jasper commanded.

"Jasper!?"

"What? You're not plannin' on sleepin' in it are ya'?"

"No." Bella felt her cheeks warm with her blush. "But, you'd see me in my shift."

"I hope to see you in a lot less than that by the end of this week."

Bella was shocked by Jasper's request, but her trembling hands rose to her collar and she began to undo the small, rounded buttons, one by one.

"I've sold the wagon, and I've got plenty of money to buy you dresses. I'll buy you a new dress tomorrow. Promise me you won't wear this one again."

"All right, I promise."

The offending fabric fell to the floor, and Bella was left standing in front of Jasper in nothing but a thin, gauzy, white-cotton undergarment. Jasper's eyes widened, and his trousers became uncomfortably tight. What in the hell had he been thinking?

Even though the light in the room was dim, he could make out the fullness of her breasts, the rosy-pink coloring of her nipples as they puckered and hardened under his gaze, and the gentle curve of her hips.

He tried to turn away to remain a gentleman. "Get in bed," he grunted, his voice thick with longing.

Jasper waited until the rustling of the bed coverings stopped, and then turned back around to see Bella lying under the quilt. God, she was beautiful. With the last bit of self-control he could muster, he softly kissed her on the forehead, bid her good night, and strode over to the window.

Just as the window scraped open, he heard a small, shaky, feminine voice beckon him.

"Jasper?"

"What is it, darlin'?"

"Would you stay with me? Just until I fall asleep?"

Jasper clenched his eyes shut. He wanted to lie beside her, more than anything, but it would be torture—sheer torture—to keep his hands off of her. He was only a man, after all, not a saint.

"I . . . I haven't been sleeping well," Bella admitted. "I've missed you. If you have to go, I'll understand. I shouldn't have asked," Bella rambled on as Jasper sat frozen on the window sill, a look of pain and indecision on his face.

She put her hand up to wish him farewell, and his resolve to leave crumbled. How could he refuse her?

"I want to stay more than anything, honey." And with those words, Jasper toed off his boots and pushed himself under the quilt next to Bella—his Bella. "I couldn't sleep without you, either," he whispered, as he ran his hand down her spine. "Can we get married in the mornin'?"

"But Peter's not—" Bella's sentence was cut short by another one of Jasper's blistering hot kisses.

His hands traveled down her back, through her silky hair, and onward down over the soft curves of her buttocks. He squeezed her tender flesh and pulled her closer to him, until his thigh settled between her legs. Her body erupted into flames as he rocked against her. Then suddenly, she found herself rolled onto her back, and Jasper was on top of her, making love to her mouth with his tongue. She shuddered when she felt his rough hand slip beneath her shift. He pushed it all the way up exposing her hip. His fingers crept closer and closer to her womanhood with every caress, but he stopped short of touching her there, right where she ached to feel him the most.

It was a maddening sensation, and it drove Bella wild. She began to squirm and swivel her hips, until at last she pressed herself fully into his hand. She moaned into his mouth with relief and ecstasy when Jasper's fingers finally danced across her most private place.

"I want you so bad," he growled. His mind was clouded with need, and a primal urge to join with Bella, to make her his own. He didn't want to wait any longer. He wanted to have her tonight. "Let me pleasure you." He wanted to watch her fall apart on his fingers, and when he did, he wanted her lying bare beneath him with her hair spread out over her pillow, just like he had dreamed. Still kissing her senseless, he moved his hand up over the satin-smooth skin of her stomach towards her breasts, pushing the shift up as far as it would go. "How do you get this confounded thing off?"

"Do I get to see you as well?" she asked, the huskiness of her own voice surprising her.

Jasper stood quietly from the bed and quickly parted the buttons on his shirt. His hands were quaking as he slid off his pants, and then let his shirt fell to the floor.

Bella had never seen a more beautiful sight. Jasper's body was entirely masculine and hard. Her eyes took in the broadness of his shoulders, his thick muscled thighs, and his very impressive, rigid shaft; the long, thick piece of man flesh that she had mistaken for a gun only weeks ago.

Emboldened by Jasper's confidence, and obvious arousal, Bella pushed aside her modesty, and removed her shift. She wanted to give herself to Jasper, in every way imaginable. She watched in delight as his eyes drank her in, and his member twitched under its own volition, as he crawled back onto the bed beside her.

His greedy hands enveloped her breasts, and her back arched off the mattress when his thick fingers squeezed and kneaded her creamy flesh. Jasper covered the sensitive peaks with his hungry mouth, one by one, and began to suckle her. The sensation she felt caused a delicious ache to build and pulse between her thighs, and Bella could hardly contain her moans. Jasper had to slow his ministrations to remind her to be quiet. The last thing he needed was Edward Cullen coming in and finding them both naked, in the throes of passion, in his guest bedroom.

He reclaimed her mouth, as he settled between her legs. His tongue slid between her lips and twined with her own, then withdrew, and entered again. The motions of his hips mirrored his kisses, as he sought her softness with his hard, straining flesh.

Bella remembered Charlotte's words about what making love would feel like—like kissing but without any clothing, and she wondered if Jasper was making love to her now. She liked the feeling, but the throbbing between her thighs told her there was more, so much more, and she wanted Jasper to show her.

She removed her hands from the muscle of his shoulder to search lower down his back and finally around his front, where she found his thrusting hardness, like steel covered in the softest silk. Jasper's eyes rolled back in his head as she stroked him gently. Her touch was light as a feather. He groaned into the crook of her neck. The sound was low and long. Afraid she had hurt him, she timidly drew her fingers away. "Did I hurt you?"

"No, it felt so good. Let me show you what it feels like." Jasper ran his fingers over her folds and then dipped into her warm, moist sex. Oh! She was so tight, and he was afraid of hurting her, so he only used one finger as he delved into her gently, with a slow, languid stroke, up and down, and in and out, as he locked eyes with her. "Does this feel good?"

Bella could hardly breathe much less answer, but she managed to whisper "yes" as he continued his sweet, slow torture with his fingers, and then lowered his mouth again to her rosy-tipped peaks. Jasper was propelling her to new heights, building up an incredible feeling inside her, and Bella began to search out his fingers with the thrusts of her hips.

She lost the ability to think. She could only feel. "Jasper," she whispered his name, and his response was to increase the tempo of his fingers and the urgency of his sucking with his mouth, hot as lava, against her breast.

The combination was more than she could bear, and she felt herself clench deep inside, then uncontrollable, rhythmic convulsions rocked her body, and she swore she could see stars.

When the tremors subsided, Bella gazed into Jasper's still wanting, ravenous eyes, and she realized that he had not felt the same pleasure and release as she had, and was entirely disappointed. He hadn't enjoyed it. "What did I do wrong?" she wondered. "Why didn't you feel it, too?"

"Oh, darlin', I felt you, and it was the most beautiful thing. You didn't do anything wrong." He smoothed her hair back and kissed her swollen lips, until she pushed him away, undeterred.

"I want to bring you pleasure as well, Jasper. I just don't know what to do. I need you to teach me." Bella let her hand drift down below the quilt.

He sucked in a quick breath as her fingers traveled across the muscles of his torso and found their destination at his eager erection. "I'll feel my pleasure when I am inside of you."

Bella guided him between her legs. "Show me," she whispered.

"Are you sure? It might hurt a little," Jasper warned her. He had never lain with a virgin, but he had heard that it could be painful. He searched her eyes and prayed that she would say yes. He felt like if he didn't have her he was fit to burst.

Her tongue darted across her lips, moistening them, and she asked, "Will you be gentle?"

"Oh, God, yes, honey, I don't want to hurt you."

"Then, take me, Jasper. I'm ready."

He might have mumbled sweet lord and baby Jesus as he entered her. Bella couldn't hear over the sound of her lusty moan as he eased himself inside of her, filled her up completely, and then stilled.

"Are you alright?" Jasper asked.

Bella was amazed at the sensation of Jasper inside her and pressed against her, their bodies joined perfectly. She had only felt a twinge of discomfort, and then a delightful stretching. "It feels wonderful," she gasped. Her hips ground against his, seeking friction.

Jasper pinned her down to the bed. He was already close, and they hadn't even started yet. Being inside of her was like nothing he'd ever imagined, and then he began to move. Unhurriedly, he sank himself into her again and again. He had missed her so much he was helpless against the need to make her his own. He made love to her with tender urgency, his mouth covering hers to drink in the sounds of her throaty whimpers. When Bella began to undulate beneath him, against him, he strained to hold back. Then, as if she'd responded to his silent plea, he felt her shudder and climax.

With surprised cries, her body began to milk him, and he couldn't hold back any longer. With a straining groan, he erupted inside her. He clenched his jaw and pressed his lips to her soft shoulder to keep from crying out, as they rode out the waves of their passion.

Blissfully sated and boneless, they collapsed into each others arms and fell asleep.