Disclaimer: S. Myer owns all, but what I wouldn't give for a Jasper of my very own-sigh.

A/N- HUGE, massive creative license taken with Dallas, and Gilly's. My apologies to anyone in that area that might go WTF when they read this. Forgive me? Also my apologies for the length of time in between chapters, I worked on a one-shot that was over23k, as well as an M&A chapter that was over 14k, and another smaller one shot for a contest.

I feel it is only fair to warn you that this chapter may or may not frustrate a few of you, and I completely understand the frustration. Should you choose to walk away, I understand that as well, and if so, thank you in advance for sticking with it this far.

My poor beta has been working her fingers to the bone, so this chapter is once again unbeta'd, so all mistakes, grammatical and otherwise are my own.

As always, many thanks and lots of hugs to Dannie, this wouldn't be here without her.

"**~~**"

One More Day

Location: Dallas, TX (Grateful)

"**~~**"

One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you "~Diamond Rio

"**~~**"

Shifting into park, I glanced over at Bella as she leaned forward, tilted her head and stared up at the brick building. Studying it, she furrowed her brows before sighing.

"Okay, I need one more hint," she said with a twinge of dejection.

"You sure?" I asked, giving her one last chance.

"Yes," she sighed again.

"Okay, just remember what the bet was," I reminded her and wiggled my eyebrows.

"The hint, Jasper," she chided, folding her arms across her chest. I pulled the keys out and stuff them in my pocket as I thought of another clue for her.

"Textbooks," I offered with a devious smile.

"Textbooks?" she repeated, turning her attention back to the square brick building to our right.

"Yep," I nodded. "Let's get out and walk around, maybe it will come to you?" I opened the door and was immediately hit by a wave of intense heat, my tee shirt already clinging to me. Finally caving on the drive from Galveston, we had turned on the air conditioner in the truck. "Damn, I had forgotten how hot Dallas gets."

As she walked up to me, I noticed my tee shirt wasn't the only one clinging and had to avert my gaze quickly. Shielding her eyes from sun, she continued to examine the building. "I know I'm going to hate myself when I don't get this, aren't I?"

Chuckling, I agreed, "Probably. Want the hints again?"

Nodding, she looked up at me, grinning at my offer. It was a simple act, she had done it hundreds of times, and each one was better than the one previous, but then, in that moment, there was something else. It was more than her trying to charm the answer out of me so she could win the bet, it was the way she did it with such ease, a comfort that enveloped us both. The sun reflected in facets off her dark hair, sweat had already started to bead on her forehead, her brown eyes protected under the shade of her hand as she looked expectantly at me. I hid the fact that my breath hitched at her simple beauty by shaking my head and tilting my cowboy hat back off my head a bit.

"Well?" she hedged.

Holding up my hand, I counted off on my fingers. "Historic landmark, Marine, warehouse..."

"And textbooks," she finished, turning to face the building again. "Remind me never to play Jasper's History Trivia again, let's stick to Truth or Dare and This or That, okay?"

Laughing, I grabbed her hand and headed for the sidewalk. "Perhaps another view will help?" We walked up Elm Street where small elm trees lined the sidewalk and the building offered us some welcome shade from the blistering sun.

"Elm St?" she asked, eyeing the green street sign. "Like where the movies took place?"

"Historic landmark? Really, Bella? I mean, it was a good movie and all but not exactly worthy of becoming a historic landmark."

"Was worth a shot," she bargained, looking up at the building, its orange-red bricks, arched windows with dark green trim and thick molding along the top. Finally stopping at the corner of Elm and North Houston, she put her hands on her hips and frowned.

She was ripe for the taking. I had easily won the bet.

"Give up?" I asked.

Frustrated, she looked up at me. I knew she hated to lose, and she was going to be pissed when I told her where we were. Just when I thought she was going to give up, I put my hands on her shoulders and spun in her around. Pointing over her down the road, I directed her gaze to the wide street and park before us.

"Oh my God," she gasped, finally realizing the history around us. "Kennedy," she almost squealed turning around to face me to confirm. I nodded, and she looked back at the building with a new appreciation. "Tell me?"

"I can do better, there is a tour and small museum up there we can do go check out if you want," I started to head for the building, but her hand on my wrist stopped me.

"No."

Confused, I turned, "You don't want to go inside?"

Shaking her head, she replied, "I'm sure it's a great tour, but I bet you tell it so much better."

I think I actually blushed, feeling the heat in my cheeks not caused by the sun's rays. "Are you sure?"

"Definitely," she smiled,"Tell me what you know, Professor Hale,"

"Yes, ma'am. Why don't we go over there in the shade, and I will fill you in." I took her hand and we crossed the street. After purchasing two hot dogs and waters from a vendor, we found a bench under the shade of an elm tree. "Comfortable?" She nodded, her mouth full. "Well, it was the Texas Book Depository, a warehouse for textbooks. Kennedy was in the car heading down Elm Street after they had just driven by the depository. The shot was fired, Kennedy was stuck from behind, the bullet entering his upper back, through his neck and exiting near his Adam's apple." Bella grimaced, taking a sip of her water.

"Only one shot?"

"Well, that is part of the controversy. It depends on what document you read, or what movie you watch. According to the House Select Committee, there were four shots. One hitting Kennedy in the back, and one hitting him in the head. Governor Connolly was also hit, supposedly the first bullet that struck Kennedy, hit him as well. The Warren Commission says three shots, but they both determined that the final shot is the fatal one that hit Kenney in the head. At the time, they didn't know where the shots came from. Witnesses said it was more like a car backfiring."

"How did they catch Oswald?" she asked, her fingers strumming through the green grass beneath her stretched legs. Momentarily, I found myself distracted by her fingers as they repeated their movement over and over again. "Jasper?"

"Sorry," I blushed. "Well, he worked at the Depository, and had been reported missing by his boss. He was arrested about an hour after the assignation for killing a cop who had spotted him in a neighborhood. He was captured trying to sneak into a movie theater. He was charged with the murders that night, but of course, was shot few days later by Ruby."

Looking up at the building thoughtfully, she asked, "Where was he?"

I pointed to the window on the corner on the sixth floor. "Right there, and Kennedy's car was going down that way," I turned, pointing in the other direction.

"Wow, can you imagine?"

"Nope," I replied shaking my head, leaning back on my palms.

"And the conspiracies?"

Snorting, I rolled my eyes. "There are about a hundred of them. First of all, according to the Warren Commission, Oswald was working alone. The House Select Committee claims it was a probably conspiracy. Everyone has been implicated from Castro to Vice President Johnson, the FBI, and CIA. Some even say that Oswald wasn't even involved at all."

"I can't believe they never figured it out," she glanced back at the building, focusing on the sixth floor.

"Well nothing they can completely be certain off. Most people think there was a cover up of some sort, but the only one that really knows is dead," I finished, watching her look up at the building and down the road. "Sure you don't want to do the tour? They have pictures."

Licking her lips after the last bite of her hot dog, she wiped her mouth with the napkin. "Yes, Professor, I'm positive." She smiled before reaching back to twist her hair up into a knot of some kind, her look turning serious. "Did I win the bet?"

"Hmm, I don't know, I had to give you four hints." She raised her eyebrow, and I continued, "And I showed you the road."

When she sighed, I could tell she had conceded. "What are you going to make me do?" she asked, tilting her head up at me.

Deviously, I chuckled and lay back on the grass, "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Simultaneously, she rolled her eyes and shook her head before saying thoughtfully, "Edward would have loved seeing this."

I had to agree, while Edward's love of history didn't run nearly as deep as my own, he certainly had an interest. "Yes, he would have," I agreed quietly. A quick and heavy silence feel between us, thickening with each breath we took.

Although it was not the worried silence from before, he had called on the drive to Dallas. Shortly after taking the exit for Dallas, Bella's cell had rung and after glancing at it, she answered it an excitement and relief in her voice I had never heard before. I had expected a squeal of his name, but instead she answered with a "Where the hell have you been?"

She had been silent while he must have filled her on why he hadn't called. I heard her mumble and apology and ask if everything was alright. Tapping her on the leg, I mouthed to put him on speakerphone.

"Hold on, Edward, Jasper wants you on speaker," she said, clicking the button.

A second later, Edward's voice filled the cab, "Hey, Jasper."

It was all he said but it was all it took to tell he was exhausted. "Are you okay?" I asked without thinking. I was sure he was trying to hide the weariness in his voice, and perhaps Bella hadn't caught it, but I couldn't be fooled.

" Yeah, I'm fine, just…" he paused, "really tired. And I miss you guys, the house isn't the same without," he admitted softly.

I didn't need to look at Bella to know the tears were already falling. "We miss you too," I answered for us both, giving Bella time to recover her emotions.

"It's been a long few weeks," he sighed, shuffling around.

Tell me about it," I began," try cooped up with Bella in the truck for hours on end playing This or That."

He laughed weakly. "So, tell me, what have you seen?" he asked, changing the subject. Bella, having wiped the tears, began telling him about our trip to Galveston, where we had gone, what I had showed her, and that I had been hiding a secret from them both.

"Jasper told you his love for women's clothing?" he teased with a bit more energy.

A belly laugh escaped Bella, "Jasper does look nice in heels, but no, actually, he can cook!" she squealed.

"Over a fire?" he asked knowingly.

She eyed me suspiciously. "Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Because I've camped with him, his dad taught him how to cook over a campfire," he stated simply, as if everyone knew.

"You knew all this time?" she gasped.

"Yeah, I guess," he yawned. "Hey guys, I got to sleep, I have to be at the hospital in a few hours. Be careful."

"Bye, Edward," I said loudly to the phone.

"Bye Edward, get some rest," Bella said with a mom-like tone.

"Bye, Bella, love you," he said as he hung up.

The ache was immediate, only it wasn't because he had told her he loved her. Hell, he had said it to both of us many times, it was the ease in which he had said it. How easily he let those three so very fucking important words fall from his lips.

Why couldn't I do the same thing? What was so fucked up about me that I couldn't express my feelings to her?

Even as I asked myself the question, I already knew the answer.

It was a risk, one I had been too scared to take, for all that it would change, all that it would turn upside down. Not only could she reject my emotions, tell me she loved me too but not the same way that she loved Jacob or Edward. My admission could also drive either her or Edward, or both of them, from my life, or them from each other's. In my mind there was no happily ever after for three of us, it seemed an impossible task.

My only choice was to decide which one was going to be sacrificed or remain status quo. I had often said I was a gambling man, but their friendship, their presence in my life, was not something I was willing to risk.

"Jasper?" Her voiced echoed in my head.

"Yeah?"

"You okay?" She had stopped playing with the grass and moved closer, and reaching out, put a hand on my thigh. Giving her a small smile, I covered her hand with mine.

"Of course."

It wasn't a complete lie.

Thinking for a moment, she watched me, and I knew she was looking for the tell tale signs of my lying. If she saw them, she ignored them. Instead, she stood up and stretched.

"Where to next, Professor?"

"I have a few more places to show you, then a surprise," I dug my keys out of my pocket and began to head back to the truck, Bella following closely at my heels.

"What do you mean a surprise? You know I hate surprises," she reminded me firmly.

"Yes, well, a bet's a bet, Bella," I glanced over my shoulder at her, and heard her groan.

We spent the rest of the afternoon touring the Kennedy Memorial before heading off to find a hotel.

"**~~**"

"Are you ready yet?" I called into the bathroom as I finished tucking my shirt into my jeans and pulled on my boots.

"Is this okay?" she asked hesitantly, stepping into the room. Freshly showered, she was in hip hugging jeans and a plaid button up with a small white tank top underneath, her thick towel-dried hair fell in waves down her back. Most probably thought her body less than perfect with her shorter than average height, light brown freckles scattered over her nose and cheeks, one lip slightly larger than the other, and her breasts were smaller than most guys probably liked. I had heard her described as plain, ordinary, the girl next door.

But to me… she was perfectly beautiful.

I saw a flash of us, naked with sheets twisted about us as we rolled around, bodies touching, hands and lips exploring. All too briefly, I imagined myself under her as she sat astride me, my hands on her slim waist while she slowly rode me, her hair tossed over her face as she smiled down at me, watching me with eyes full of lust and love. It was an image I had imagined hundreds of times, usually in the privacy of my room while taking care of business. Glancing at the hotel bed, I felt my cock twitch.

Eagerness shined in her eyes as she grabbed her ID and some cash. "This is all I need, right?" she asked, bringing me out of my daydream. I mentally kicked my ass again for letting my mind wander where it had absolutely no right going.

"Perfect," I finally complimented, slowly catching up to the conversation. "Yeah, I got my credit card too." I stood and checked the pockets of my jeans. "Ready?"

"Yes! I'm starving," she replied, brushing by me as she headed out the door. "Where are we going?" She had asked the same question all day long.

"You'll see," I replied with my standard answer.

As we climbed into the truck, she said, "I hope wherever we're going has food."

"Actually, they don't, but we will grab something on the way," I promised before starting the truck and pulling out.

"**~~**"

After eating greasy burgers at a small dinner, we headed to our final destination. Pulling up in front of it, I glanced over at Bella and saw her brows knit together in confusion. The building was large and brown with a large neon sign welcoming us.

"Gilly's?" she looked over at me. "As in Urban Cowboy? As in…" she swallowed hard, "dancing?"

"Yes, ma'am." I parked and turned the truck off.

"Jasper, I don't know…"

"A bet is a bet, Bella," I reminded her with a grin. Glaring at me, she opened her door and hopped out. After flashing our IDs and getting an underage bracelet, we entered the main building and her eyes widened.

"Holy shit," she mumbled, taking in the flashing lights, the long bar to our left, and row of pool tables. "Where's the mechanical bull?"

"I don't know but look over there," I pointed over the large square dance floor, my eyes lighting up at the sight while Bella rolled hers.

"Don't even think about it, Jasper," she warned me, leading me toward the bar. Laughing, I pulled out a stool for her to sit on, sliding onto one next to her, not leaving much distance between us, before placing an order for a two Cokes with the bartender. The music started and people dressed in everything from red and white plaid skirts to shirts with pearl buttons flocked to the huge, wooden dance floor. Bella watched them spin and kick in amazement.

"Come on, Bella. You made the bet, and you've done it before," I nudged her shoulder a bit with mine. She dropped her chin and raised her eyebrows as she sipped her Coke and sighed.

"Yes, I have…and I think we both remember the outcome of that night."

I chuckled at the memory of us trying to learn the Macarena at one of Edward's family Christmas parties a few years ago. It had been a disaster and when it was all done, Esme's lamp lay broken on the floor by the table after having been knocked over by Bella when she had backed into it. There were four-year olds that could dance it better than Bella, and certainly with more coordination.

"But, Bella, this is different. It's the two-step, you'll be with me. I'll teach you."

"It looks so hard," she said fearfully as she gazed at the out over the dance floor littered with expertly dancing couples.

"You danced with Edward," I hinted, perhaps a bit of hurt and jealousy appearing in my tone.

"That was Prom, and slow…this is…so fast. I don't know if I can."

"Bella, I have no doubt you can," I assured her.

"I can't believe I made this bet with you," she almost growled in frustration. Biting her lip, she finally admitted, "It does look fun." As I stared at her, I could see her resolve wavering, her fear slowly fading.

It was time to bring out the big guns.

I pouted my lip a bit, widened my eyes and tilted my head so my curls fell across my forehead. "Don't you trust me, sugar?" I laid it on thicker than I ever had before, channeling any and all southern charm I had. She sighed heavily, dropping her chin to her chest.

I knew I had won.

Smiling in victory, I hopped off the stool, holding my hand out to her. "Miss Bella, will you do me the honor of this dance?"

With one last long swig of her soda, a giggle and a roll of her eyes, she put her hand in mine, the spark immediately igniting as I wrapped my long fingers around her small hand. She jumped down from the stool, following me, even a bit willingly, out to the floor. The music had just changed to Brad Paisley's "Ticks" as I turned to her, placing one of her hands on my shoulder, the other I clasped tightly in my left. My right hand settled on her waist, holding her securely, as promised. Her shirts bunched up under my hand, my fingers burned at the skin to skin contact.

"Ok, cowboy, you got me out here, now what?" She arched a brow at me.

Oh, game on, Bella.

"Well, first, we have to be a little closer." Tugging her to me sharply, her breath caught as she fell against my chest. "Okay, ready? First, we are going to do two small quick steps backward." Her eyes grew in fear. "Don't worry, I got you," I assured her. "Next, two larger, slower steps." I felt her body tense a bit and I realized my thumb had begun to gently slide back and forth at her waist. "There's twirl-"

"What?" she gasped. "No, no, Hale. No twirling." I threw my head back and laughed harder than I had in a long time.

"Okay, Bella, no twirlin'," I drawled. Relieved, she sighed. "Yet." Her eyes shot me a warning.

"Okay, here we go," I counted two, four, six, eight in my head and began on beat. We moved together, and actually remained upright for four entire circles around the dance floor. Bella didn't give herself enough credit, her movements were pretty fluid, my toes would be only slightly bruised from the three times she had used them for balance. The song's tempo was upbeat, the other couples keeping time easily. Bella's hand began to warm in mine, her palm a bit sweaty, probably from the exertion of fighting to remain upright and not fall on her ass.

"Bella, I think it is time for a twirl," I suggested hopefully as we took our two slow steps and I turned us.

"Jasper, no twirls," she resisted. I knew she was content to remain as we were, but I was going to push it anyway. It was what I did.

Time for more big guns.

I dipped my head down and let my lips brushed her cheek on their way to murmur in her ear. "I got you." I felt her entire body tense as my warm breath hit her soft flesh, and she nodded.

Putty in my hands.

Mission accomplished, I straightened up.

"After the two quick steps, let go of my shoulder, turn to your right and go under my arm. Let your right hand become loose in mine, so I can release it to twirl you. One twirl, then right back to me," I instructed as I moved us to the side of the floor where we could stop to practice while standing still. She dropped her left hand from my shoulder, turned right, and dipped under my arm. The fingers of her right hand released my left as mine led her into the twirl. After her spin, her hands went back to their positions and I felt her relax a bit more.

Proudly, she looked up at me. "I did it!"

"Yes you did." I was about to burst her bubble, "Now let's try it while moving." Moving us back to among the crowds to the main part of the floor, we began dancing once again. My hands seemed to be holding her slightly tighter. "Ready?"

With a nod, we took our two quick steps, and as if she was born to do it, Bella released my shoulder, loosened her hand, and performed a perfect turn with my guidance. Once back in my arms, we took our two slower steps.

"You did it!" I grinned. Her brown eyes sparkled with excitement, her smile wide and laughter deep as she threw her head back. Almost squealing in delight, her hair swayed with her movement, brushing over my forearms and sending chills through every inch of me.

It was one of the best moments of my life.

We continued to dance, and twirl, successfully through two more songs. Sweat had begun to bead on us, our shirts clinging as clumps of our hair stuck to our necks and foreheads. I could see the flush in her cheeks from the heat, and knew mine were just as flushed. But we didn't stop; we kept going until we had advanced to doing two twirls consecutively. The sheer joy I felt coming from Bella was almost overwhelming. It had not escaped my attention that she had gradually moved closer to me, her body now only a few inches from mine, her breasts grazing my chest when she laughed, the heat emanating from her as we moved around the dance floor, together, in harmony.

"Ok, y'all, we are doing to slow it down a bit, so pull them ladies in and hold 'em close," the DJ announced as the song changed to "One More Day With You". Unwillingly, I released Bella, but still held one of her hands, ready to make our way back to the bar. I was thirsty as hell after all the dancing, but Bella had other ideas.

Instead of moving with me, she tugged on my hand and jerked me back to her. Without a word, she pulled me close and wrapped her arms up around my neck, clasping her hands. Her head rested on my chest, letting out a deep breath just as I sucked one in at our close contact. We had been sleeping in the same bed, often ending up wrapped around each other, but we were unconscious.

This was different. We were awake, alert, and fucking closer than hell.

As my heart raced, I reached up behind my neck and pulled one of her hands down, cradling it to my chest with my own while letting my other arm wind tightly around her waist, holding her impossibly closer to me. Through my shirt, I could feel her moist breath as I closed my eyes and laid my cheek on her head, her damp hair still smelling of her strawberry shampoo.

Slowly we swayed back and forth, the music flowing around us. If there were other couples on the floor, I didn't notice them. As far as I was concerned, we were alone. My hand moved up and down her back in long, languid strokes over her shirt. Her small fingers lightly caressed the nape of my neck, twisting themselves in my damp curls there before releasing them again. Without thinking, I tilted my head and placed a kiss on top of hers.

That was when I felt it.

The slight tremble I always felt when my lips touched her. It encouraged me. My arm around her tightened instinctively, the thumb of my other hand drawing lazy circles on her hand held close to my heart. She felt the changes and pulled back a bit to look up at me.

"Jasper?"

My heart skipped at the one word. How the fuck did she always manage to do that?

While I continued my ministrations on her body, I placed my forehead to hers and began to sing the song to her in soft whispers. "One more day, one more time, one more sunset maybe I'd be satisfied. But then again; I know what it would do, leave me wishing still, for one more day with you."

It was all I wanted, just one more day with her, alone. No Jake, no Edward, no Peter or Charlotte, but it was impossible, I knew our little world was coming to an end all too soon.

It wasn't the days I was counting down until we were home, it was the hours.

We were almost still, her eyes gazing into, searching, questioning…begging. I had never wanted anything more in my life than to just tell her right then.

Tell her how much she meant to me, how in love I was with her, how every fucking move she made filled me with such an impossible feeling that it had taken me years to put a name on it. I was desperate to tell her that she owned me, that I was hers.

Forever.

No matter what the future held for either of us, my love for her would never change, whether we were together, or separated by thousands of miles, or even if she was with Jake. Her body sung to me like no other, no one's touch had ever affected me like hers did. Her mind called to me, always questioning me, pushing me forward, her faith in me kept me sane.

She wanted to hear it.

I wanted to say it.

I am in love with you.

The words were there, on the verge of slipping through my mouth, I licked my lips, ready to let those words free from their years of captivity. My heart raced in my chest, I was certain she could feel it; as her hand had stopped stroking my neck and was now tightly fisted in my hair.

It was time to man the fuck up and tell her.

"Bella, I…" Her finger was on my lips before I could continue.

"Sssh… Just hold me."

So I did.

I just nodded in reply, never taking my eyes from hers. Forehead to forehead, her fingers tangled in my hair, her breath mingling with mine, our eyes fixated on each other's, saying everything we wanted to say verbally, but…couldn't. Clutching our hands to my chest, my arm still snaked around her waist, holding her so close the buttons from my shirt were probably leaving an imprint on her skin. She gave me a faint smile before taking a deep breath and letting it out, her sweet breath fanning over my face while I breathed it in, taking it deep into my lungs to cherish.

She owned my heart, my soul, and now my air.

Deep brown eyes spoke silent words to me. Not of love or lust, but of gratefulness. Of this, I could sympathize, as I was thankful she was in my life, no matter the capacity. My soul would be nothing but damaged goods without hers to save me; she was my salvation. She offered me protection, affection, whether I was right or wrong or lost somewhere in between.

The song ended, and I gradually loosened my arm from around her as the next faster paced dance song began. She stood on her toes, her lips meeting mine in a gentle kiss. With weakened knees and a galloping heart, I let my lips respond, gently brushing back and forth against hers, light caresses with the most intense feeling behind them. My arm tightened once again, holding her to me in fear of the moment ending.

We had kissed before. We had had a drunken kiss, a celebratory kiss, and many kisses to cheeks and hair.

That kiss was different.

It was not demanding, or even passionate, but it said all I needed to hear.

She knew.

My eyes fluttered close while I fought the urge to deepen the kiss. Unable to resist, my tongue ran along her lower lip before I gently tugged on it, sucking it into my mouth.

Coconut.

I tasted faint coconut from the gloss she had applied earlier, and it only made me want more.

Without prompting, she parted her lips for me and I slowly let my tongue entwine with hers. I felt her sharp intake of breath, the tremble in her hands, the shiver that ran up her back. Smiling into the kiss, my eyes opened once again.

She pulled back, lowering herself to her feet and releasing me from her grasp.

"I'm going to go to the ladies room. Get me another Coke?" she grinned, spun on her heel and headed for the ladies room, leaving me standing there in the middle of a relatively crowded dance floor wondering what the fuck had just happened.

Shaking my head in confusion at the mysteries that were women, I wondered over to the bar and ordered two more sodas before taking my seat on the stool once again. Gulping my Coke, I found myself wishing for something a bit stronger to calm the nerves that sparked everywhere in me. The song changed once again, something dance about boots, scootin' and boogies and still no sign of Bella. I stood to scan the crowd near the ladies room and saw women in too few clothes waiting in a line, but no Bella. I continued surveying the bar, my worry starting to increase.

Then I heard it.

Bella's laughter.

My eyes shot to the dance floor and there she was, in the front row of a line dance next to a man easily old enough to be her grandfather. With her hand in his, he taught her the moves to the dance as she smiled at him. His plaid shirt was tucked into his black jeans, a large silver belt buckle that looked big enough to eat off of clasped in front. A tan cowboy hat sat pushed back atop his head, scuffs of gray hair popping out in small curls on both sides. He was spry for an old guy. His feet moved quickly and confidently as he continued to show Bella the dance steps.

Good luck with that, buddy.

Bella and line dances did not mix. I chucked to myself, readying to play the hero, swooping in to rescue her from her clumsiness.

She was about to prove me wrong. After just a few moves, she let go of his hand, and hooking her thumbs through the belt loops of her jeans, feet swiftly moved through the synchronized steps, almost in time with the rest of the dancers. Her heels clicking on the floor while her feet skipped, crossed and kicked their way through one rotation of the line. He was obviously encouraging her, I could see their mouths moving but could not hear them over the music. Proud of his accomplishment as a dance instructor, he grinned at her.

I knew that feeling.

It was then that Bella looked up and caught me watching her, her smile wide and free. Tipping the hat I wasn't wearing, I nodded to her. She giggled, tossing her head back before she spun in the other direction. Her ass was encased in her tight, low slung jeans, the heel of her boot adding another two inches to her height, elongating her legs. She had removed her button down shirt and had tied it around her hips. Her tank top was short, the bottom barely reaching the waistband on her jeans, and every time she raised her arms even just a little bit, it slid up, exposing a sliver of tan, smooth skin that begged me to touch it. Long, wavy brown hair swung with her movements, skimming across her back as she swayed back and forth.

Fuck me.

Her hips rocked side to side gently as she turned toward the next direction, her hair swinging out from her body.

Apparently, I wasn't the only one that had kept a secret.

I could cook over an open fire, and Bella could dance. Briefly, I wondered if Edward, the keeper of our secrets, knew.

She was positively glowing when she turned back toward me, hands resting on her hips as her feet moved in time to the music, and starred right at me, a sexy smirk on her face.

Then she did it.

She fucking winked at me.

I shifted uncomfortably as I got a bit hard in my jeans.

I wanted desperately to go out there and yippee ki-ay with her, as she continued to sway and turn, her feet moving with almost perfect coordination, but she had me stunned motionless.

Fucking stupefied was probably more like it.

Well, that and my erection grew with every swing of that ass in those jeans and moving without pain wasn't an option at that moment. I could only hope that by the time the song ended, I had regained control over my body; or that Bella had lost her sense of sight.

When I didn't join her immediately, she leaned to her dance instructor and motioned to me. He smiled at me and nodded. She made her way through the crowd, and as she got closer, I could see her face was flushed and shiny with sweat.

"Having fun, Bella?" I teased when she reached me.

Pulling her hair off her neck and fanning her face, she challenged, "What? Can't handle a little boot scootin boogie tonight, Hale?" She reached around me to get to her drink; her side pressed against my arm, one of her hands on my chest for balance.

It did nothing but encourage my cock to lengthen.

"Well, I do think your boyfriend is a little old for you." She smiled around her soda at me as she tilted it up and began to drink. Sweat rolled down her neck, her shirt sticking to her in all the right places.

"He's sweet. And one of hell of a dancer." She waved to him from her stool, he waved back, inviting her back on the floor. I leaned down to her, my lips at her ear, and she stilled.

"I don't know, Bella, I think you better tell him you are coming home with me tonight."

"You sure are certain of yourself." She put a hand on my thigh, dangerously close to my cock, and turned her face so she was looking at my eyes. We had been doing that particular dance for years, she teased, I flirted and made suggestive comments. She would pretend to be offended.

"Jasper, You know what I want more than anything?" Her breath was sweet, and her lips were so fucking close to mine.

"Yeah?" I asked in a shaky whisper as her hand slid down toward my knee and back up again.

My erection grew.

"I want to…save a horse and ride a cowboy."

Glimpses of my fantasy briefly flashed in my mind before I forced them away. They would do nothing but encourage the ache contained in my jeans. Before I could reply, she quickly grabbed my hand, yanking me off the stool toward the floor. I laughed when I recognized the song playing was "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy".

As I wrapped her sweaty body in my arms and we were once again two-stepping and twirling our way around the dance floor, our unfinished drinks sat neglected on the bar for the rest of the night.

Hours later, the DJ announced the last song of the night. The floor was practically empty as I held Bella close to me. With her head on my chest, we gently swayed back and forth, my hands resting on her hips, my thumbs rubbing the exposed skin there. She felt so content I actually thought she had fallen asleep. I hummed "Peaceful, Easy Feeling" with the Eagles, my chin on her head. The song ended, and I pulled back a bit.

"Bella? You awake?"

She just nodded against my chest and pulled me to her tighter. "The song's over, it's time to go before they kick our asses out."

She sighed and leaned back to look up at me, her eyes glistening at their rims.

"Jasper, promise me something?"

"Anything, Bella."

Didn't she know I would give her the world? All she had to do was ask.

"Promise me you won't ever forget this trip. That when you are old and gray, you will tell your grandchildren about the summer you took this crazy girl on the best road trip of her life," she said wistfully.

I wanted so fucking much for it to be our grandchildren.

"You bet." I placed a kiss on her forehead. "I will tell them it was the fucking best time of my life."

It was simply the truth.

"Come on, let's get out of here." I grabbed her hand and we headed toward the door. "Bella?"

"Yeah?"

"You sure you don't want to try to find grandpa dance instructor?" She slapped my arm, laughing.

"Don't worry, he gave me his number already," she retorted quickly. I held the door open for her and as she passed through, I swear she wiggled her ass at me.

"**~~**"

Back at the hotel, we both collapsed in exhaustion, falling onto the bed fully clothed. Bella automatically backing up into me as I curled my body around hers, one arm under her head, the other wrapped tightly around her waist, holding her closely to me. Sleep came quickly, but not quietly to her, her body twitching as soft cries escaped from her. Her dreams had been getting progressively worse since we had left, each night they lasted a bit longer or were more intense than the night before. Never comfortable enough to ask her about them, I assumed they were the result of stress, as the proposal still hung heavy in her mind.

I knew that because she often spoke his name in worried sighs in her sleep,

My hold around her tightened instinctively. In her ear, I whispered that I was there; she was safe, hoping my words soothed her fears and chased her demons back to where they belong, hidden deep in her unconscious, knowing she would not remember them in the morning.

That night, her dreams attacked her as soon as she had entered sleep. While her body relaxed, her mind raced, and just as I put my lips to the back of her head to reassure her, I heard it.

"Yes, Jake."

"**~~**"

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