My third (and final) post of the day. Another chapter where they have to deal with the events of the last chapter... and Bella needs some comforting.
Chapter 15.
As soon as Bella walked through the door to their wing; she shook free of his hand and ran to their bedroom as fast as she could. He watched, sadly letting her go; his heart sinking a little deeper with each step she took away from him. He wished there was some way he could help her stop feeling guilty; and he didn't mean by manipulating her emotions; he knew that wasn't the way to deal with this, she needed to work this out for herself and she wouldn't appreciate any sort of assistance from him. He'd been in this position many a time; much more justifiably than Bella was and he knew there was only one way of dealing with this and that was to work through the pain.
When he walked into the bedroom he found her lying on the bed; facing towards the window; curled into a ball. Each step he took towards her made him feel a little better and he hoped his presence was having the same effect on her. Jasper lay behind her; putting his arms around her waist and pulling her back towards him, kissing her hair when she was close enough. He felt her relax against him and hoped that meant he was doing something right; because he knew he'd done more than enough over the last few days to hurt her. He let the silence continue; knowing she'd talk when she was ready to. After several minutes he felt her body begin to shake as she tried to rid herself of the emotion they were both feeling in the most human way she knew; even though as a vampire it was impossible to actually cry; each shudder of body made his dead heart clench but he carried on holding her and kissing her whenever he got the chance. He could feel her pain and knew it would be a while before she'd get past this; before she'd be able to feel anything other than what she did now.
"I'm sorry," she eventually whispered.
"There's nothing you need to apologize for, sweetheart." She turned in his arms and he felt infinitely better when she pressed herself against his body; her head resting on his shoulder as her hands gripped his shirt near her neck. He kissed her temple and felt her relax a little more. "Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"Just keep holding me," she whispered.
"Always." He said just as softly. His hands stroked her back and after a few minutes he was aware of the soft purring coming from her. She seemed a lot calmer now and although he could still sense her guilt and sorrow, while both present, they'd diminished greatly. "Why don't I go and run you a nice hot bath to relax in?" he asked her.
"I'd like that."
He loosened his arms on her and lifted her chin so he could kiss her deeply. "I love you," he murmured before pulling himself away from her and walking to their bathroom. It wasn't long before the tub was filling with piping hot water; some bubble-bath poured into the water was now foaming nicely. He'd also found some candles in the same cupboard as the bubble-bath and he was in the process of placing them around the bath when the door opened and Bella walked in. He lit the candles and then retrieved a large towel for her to use. "Here you go." He said as he turned the main light off leaving the candles casting a glow on the walls; shadows appearing in every corner.
"Wow." She said; her eyes rapidly taking in her surroundings. She turned to look at him and he smiled at her. "Will you join me?" she said; hope in her voice and emotions.
"I thought I'd go and speak to mum and dad first; tell them what happened, if you're okay with that?" He saw the look of disappointment before he felt it and he wished he could stop hurting her. "I'll come back after though and join you if you'd like? I just thought you might prefer it if I was the one to tell them; you might find it easier if you don't have to do it."
She thought about what he'd suggested. "If you could that'd be good. I'd like it if you'd join me after though." She hugged him tightly and kissed his neck. "We never did get to finish what we started earlier." She whispered into his ear before turning and starting to strip.
Jasper froze where he was as her words had the desired effect on his anatomy. He stared at her as she removed her clothes and his body was also paying close attention to each item that fell to the floor. He knew he needed to leave the room before it became impossible for him to do so but his body was refusing to follow the simplest of orders. He took a step forward and put his hands on her waist as she rose to her feet; now completely naked. His fingers brushed across her skin; finding a ticklish spot that made her giggle. He lifted her in his arms; one around her shoulders and one under her knees. She stared at his face as he walked her to the tub; slowly he lowered her to her feet and then helped her sit in the hot water. "I'll be back soon," he said; kissing her forehead and leaving while he could get his body to co-operate.
"Don't be too long, Jasper. I'm going to be getting lonely in here." She called after him.
Jasper closed his eyes as he walked out of the bathroom; wondering if he was mad to be leaving her when it was the last thing he wanted to do. He knew there was one thing he could do for her though that was possibly even better than staying with her; one she needed him to do even if she hadn't realized how much. Fighting down his obvious arousal he walked slowly down the corridor and pulled the door open.
*B-o-B*
Jasper found his parents in the garden and they both looked at him as soon as he walked into the kitchen. He took a deep breath; a human habit that was completely unnecessary but one he couldn't stop; and he walked out of the back door. He knew there was nothing he needed to worry about but he didn't want them to begin to doubt Bella either.
"Is everything okay, son?" Carlisle asked; worry written across his face.
Esme moved and patted the seat on the bench she'd been sitting on. Jasper took the place between them; making a mental note again about the fact he needed to replace this since he'd broke a bit from it yesterday. As he sat down he felt the weight of their stares on him. "What happened?" Esme asked.
"We came across a human while we were out. Bella nearly lost control, she was so determined to go after it but I managed to stop her and talk her back round. Fortunately the human wandered away from us before it was in too much danger."
"How's Bella?" Esme asked.
"Upset she lost control. Guilty because she thinks she's let you both down."
"She hasn't let us down." Carlisle said.
"I know and I've tried to tell her that but I think she could use some reassurance from you both when you see her."
"It must've been difficult for you to stop her?" Esme said softly.
"It wasn't easy." He admitted.
"You could've called us? We'd have been there to help." His father said.
"I would've done but I didn't have my cell with me when it happened." He looked at his father out of the corner of his eye, "We were in the middle of something before and then I didn't have a chance to call you. At one stage I wasn't sure I'd be able to stop her; she's very strong, even for a newborn but I managed to get through to her." He could feel his parents staring at him and he hoped they didn't ask him any other awkward questions; he really didn't want to tell them what they'd been doing; although they had probably guessed.
"Where's Bella now?"
"She's taking a bath and trying to relax."
"Don't you think you should be with her, not out here with us?" Esme said softly.
"I'm going back to her in a minute; I just wanted to tell you what had happened and that she was okay. I didn't want you to worry about either of us."
"Go and be with Bella, son." Carlisle said; a smile on his face.
Jasper got to his feet and took a couple of steps back towards the house; towards Bella. "Jasper, you do know we're always going to worry about you both, don't you?" Esme called after him. "It's what parents do."
Jasper smiled and turned back to them both; placing a kiss on Esme's forehead and gripping Carlisle on the shoulder. "Thanks."
"We'll speak to Bella later." Carlisle said, "We'll make sure she understands we aren't disappointed in her. I'm proud of you as well, son. You must've found it just as difficult as she did to resist the call."
"It smelled good and my throat was burning but to be honest, all I could think about was looking after Bella." As he spoke he realized for the first time that what he was saying was true; while the urge to go after the human had been strong, his need to stop Bella had been stronger. He smiled at them both widely, "I'd better get back inside." He said nodding his head towards the tinted windows that protected their bedroom from anyone's view.
His parents both smiled at him and watched him move back into the house. "He loves her completely." Esme sighed. "I'm so glad they're both happy. For a while I didn't think it would happen."
"He's much stronger with her. I don't even think he'd realized about the fact he hadn't gone after the human himself until he said it to us. She brings out his control so much more."
"I'm glad he's finally becoming more himself; he seems so happy and it looks good on him."
"I do wish Edward and Alice were here though. I miss them both." Carlisle admitted; his voice betraying the emotion he rarely let anyone else see.
"We all do; Jasper and Bella probably more than any of us. I don't think there'll ever be a time when we don't miss them but we need to learn to live without them. They'd want us to do so."
"I know, Esme. I know."
*B-o-B*
Jasper walked quickly to the bathroom and he found her relaxing in the tub; a look of pure bliss on her face. "Hello beautiful." He said softly as he stood leaning against the doorframe.
She opened one eye and looked at him; a smile appearing on her face. "I saved a place for you." She whispered. He didn't move for a second and she lifted her head and looked at him properly. "What are you waiting for?" She said as she tilted her head.
The look on her face was so innocent and yet he knew it was hiding an inordinate amount of wickedness behind its purity. He walked across the room quickly; stripping until he was naked as he did so. He crouched beside the tub and kissed her lips. "I'm done waiting." He murmured against her lips. He got back to his feet and looked down at her. She tugged on his hand and he stepped into the water; shaking his head slightly as she pulled him down to sit between her legs; all four of her limbs wrapping around his body and her lips pressing against his shoulder. He relaxed back against her; feeling her breasts press into his back. His head fell to her shoulder and his eyes closed as her hands brushed across his chest; her fingers once again investigating his scars. In all his vampire life he'd hated them but he was growing to love the times she did this to him; he could feel her adoration of him and the love she was emitting was much stronger than he'd thought it ever could be. He wished she could understand how much he cared for her. He moaned softly as he felt her lips brush across the skin of his neck and shoulder and then when her teeth nipped at the same area he could feel his arousal increase.
Bella was absorbed in what she was doing too; feeling and hearing the way he was responding to her touches and kisses. She wanted to reward him for what he'd done for her earlier; she was so relieved he'd been there and she wasn't sure he knew she was aware of how much he'd helped her but she was. The fact he'd managed to stop her from going after the human was something she'd never forget; especially considering what they'd been doing when it began. She loved this vampire; this man; her man and she couldn't remember ever feeling this strongly about Edward. It had been too early in their relationship which seemed strange when she'd been with Jasper for a shorter time; much less than she'd been with Edward. With Edward there'd always been this battle with his desire for her blood to contend with and while she hadn't thought it was a problem for her at the time; looking back at it now, she could see it had been. She'd always wanted more from him than he was willing to give and she always felt she was never good enough for him. With Jasper it was different. He treated her as an equal and her opinion counted. He wasn't holding back his desire and made sure to share his feelings with her; even the bad one's. While she knew he'd hurt her when he ran away from her just one day ago she knew it hadn't truly been about her; he'd just panicked about what they'd done; and really that was both of their faults; they'd both agreed they should take it slowly; it had been too soon to rush into having sex with each other but they'd gone ahead with it regardless. While she hadn't regretted it at the time and she was glad they'd done it now; it had been… a mistake was too harsh a word; really, it was just too soon. It was nice to be in a relationship that she felt worthy of being in; she never felt like she was missing out on something. Sure it was easier because she was now one of them but part of her knew it would've always been like this with Jasper. Not that they would've had the opportunity to explore it when she was still alive; the thought would never have crossed either of their minds; not then anyway.
He was relaxed against her but he moaned softly when she kissed his neck and shoulder; she bit him softly and part of him became not so relaxed in response. She smiled against his skin, "Do you have a little problem, Jazz?"
He moaned again at the tone of her voice and his hand grabbed hers in a vice-like grip as it brushed across his stomach. "There's nothing little about me, Isabella." He growled.
"Are you sure?" she said; teasing him with her words. "Maybe I need to be reminded." She whispered into his ear.
He growled again and then turned in her arms so he faced her, "You're asking for trouble, darlin'."
"I don't think I am. I think I'm asking for something else entirely."
"And just what would that be?" he said; his mouth caressing her neck before rising to her jaw.
She reached towards him and grasped his cock in her hand; stroking him firmly. "This." She whispered. "And this," she said as she craned her neck to kiss his mouth.
"I'll try my hardest to make sure I don't disappoint you." He murmured against her mouth.
"I don't think you could." She said softly. He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply; his tongue brushing against hers and sweeping around her mouth. She moaned as he thrust into her; the water swishing around them as they moved against each other.
"Is that enough of a reminder for you?" he growled as he thrust into her again, his hips hitting hers.
"No." she said; smiling at him widely. "I think you need to try harder." She purred.
"Bella, Bella, Bella." He said, trying to keep his voice stern but failing miserably. He lifted her and her legs wrapped around his waist; pulling him a little deeper into her. He began to move in and out of her; his movements jerky and hard. She bit her lip and he had to close his eyes so he didn't come right then. There was something about Bella that almost kept him in a permanent state of arousal; even when she'd been human his desire to be near her, while not necessarily completely innocent, had been strong. His brother had the call of her blood to deal with; for Jasper it had been a different call entirely. Initially he'd thought he was just feeling Edward's emotions but then in the hotel in Phoenix; when it was just the two of them there, he knew it wasn't. He'd barely admitted it to himself until now and he never would've mentioned it to Bella if their lives had remained the same. He couldn't deny though that he'd felt a spark of desire towards her; one he'd never have acted on while Alice and Edward were alive and most certainly nothing he'd ever expected to be returned by her.
But returned by her it was; her desire was another constant in his life; gradually increasing over the last few days and that was one of the reasons he was aroused so much; her desire just adding to his and making him constantly hard. He could feel her hands clutching at his back as he pounded into her; his desire running rampant from his body, into Bella and the room around them. Her arms were around his neck and her hands swept into his hair and holding his head in place. She was completely surrounding him in every way and he had never felt so more at home than he did now.
Her body tightened around his cock and it spurred him to move faster; something Bella didn't disagree with. For a fraction of a second he wondered if it would always be like this between them; at this rate they would give Emmett and Rosalie a run for their money. He tried not to think about his parents participating in this kind of activity although he was all too aware of the times they did. Those were days he reveled in taking long hunting trips; the emotions in the house a little too disturbing for him to be around. Bella was murmuring in his ear now as she clung to him; he could barely make out the words but he could feel the sentiment behind them and it felt amazing.
His lips met hers again; forcing her to stop speaking. His tongue brushed against hers and they both moaned. Both of them were moving frantically and he used his gift to push as much of his feelings of love towards her. It was the last thing she needed to reach the pinnacle and she cried out his name; her body arching into his; pressing against him. Jasper watched her face as the emotions ran over it; she was even more beautiful in those few seconds and he marveled each time he witnessed it.
She looked at him suddenly; a smile on her face, "What are you waiting for, baby?"
"I'm not, I'm watching you."
"Then, get with the program, Jasper. Are you going to start enjoying this, or should we just stop now?"
He smiled at her; he'd never realized she had such a wicked sense of humor; he certainly couldn't remember it from when she was human. "Bite me." He said, teasing her.
"If you insist." She whispered; winking at him before moving her mouth to his neck and doing just as he'd asked her to. He inhaled sharply as her teeth punctured his hard skin and he roared as he thrust into her deeply; it was an intense orgasm that made him hope he remembered to ask her to do that again in the future. He could feel the venom oozing from the wound and then her tongue was lapping at the mark; sealing it with a kiss. "I've marked you now, baby."
"Another to add to the collection," he said softly, "One I will treasure. One I hope you add to in the future."
"Really? That's okay with you?"
"As long as I get to do the same to you…" he said, staring into her eyes.
"I can't think of anyone else I'd want to mark me in that way."
TBC
A/N: Good... bad? Let me know. Please review. Probably only one chapter tomorrow... I'll see how I go. They start to prepare for the Bond of Brotherhood next chapter.