As usual, all character and all thing Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyer
JPOV
As we neared the table where Peter appeared to be patiently waiting, I couldn't help but see the "I love trouble" grin plastered on his face. Knowing he'd not only seen but heard the short exchange between Bella and I moments earlier.
The thing about Peter was that he just seemed to know shit sometimes. He wasn't telepathic like Edward, or psychic like Alice, not even empathic like myself. He however at different times seemed to possess elements of all three abilities. Cocky bastard definitely had a Yoda complex, was irritating as hell.
"Well, well, well Jazz. Wherever did you find these two lovely ladies?"
And it begins I thought to myself. I gauged the feelings of those around me, wanting to be prepared for the probable emotional mine field I was stepping into. Peter was radiating no more than the normal amount of mischief I usually sensed from him thankfully. Bella's companion seemed to be feeling elevated levels of excitement. I was comforted by the genuine affection I could sense her feeling towards Bella, recalling the phoniness, and general spite I'd sensed from some of her human friends back in Forks. Exasperation, combined with sparks of irritation, nervousness, and lust....lust? From Bella? I raised an eyebrow at the dark haired beauty beside me. Seeing her give her head an almost unnoticeable shake, and compose her facial features I decided to carry on with the introductions.
"Bella, McKenna ….. this..." I gestured towards Peter "… is my closest friend and brother, Peter Whitlock."
Peter's name had been brought up in front of Bella on a few occasions when she'd been spending most of her waking hours at our home in Forks, so I wasn't at all surprised that there seemed to be no spark of curiosity from her at his chosen surname. It did not escape my attention, nor Peter's how her gaze lingered on his eyes. He made sure to wear tinted contacts whenever he was going to be in the presence of humans, however a red hue to his irises was still at times visible. I assumed she'd feel fear or at the very least some semblance of repulsion considering her experiences with red-eyed vampires but instead there was only the graciousness that she'd always bestowed on our kind.
Standing, Peter pulled out a chair for McKenna as the attractive human nearly swooned at his feet when he drawled, "Hello darlin', the pleasure is all mine." I was almost impressed that Peter actually had it in him to act like a gentleman, it wasn't exactly something that was part of his nature. And then he blew it.
"Ah the beautiful Bella, finally a face to go with the name and dare I say the legend."
Panic gripped me when I saw the look of complete disbelief combined with hurt on Bella's face while a blast of anger aimed pointedly at me let me know in no uncertain terms that she was not at all pleased with Peter's description of her as a legend. She'd naturally caught on right away that he was of course referring to her being the "Cullen's human." It wasn't a secret that she'd always felt somewhat inferior to my family. Often in the past I'd overheard her describe herself as plain; ordinary; a mere mortal. If there was one thing that Edward had been right about when it came to Bella, it was that she did not see herself clearly. The girl is striking, both on the inside and out. Her rich brown hair streaked with a prism of reds and coppers; fair skin, almost as translucent as my own; the endearing blush that brings such colour to her beautiful face. Her doe like brown eyes are by far her best feature. You can see every thing she's feeling reflected in those brown orbs. Even if I didn't possess my empathic ability I'd be able to read every emotion just by looking into her eyes. She's petite and fragile looking but it this case looks are most certainly deceiving as I'd seen a strength in her that I'd never seen in any other, human or vampire. The love and compassion she is capable of overshadows all else. I've never felt fear, or loathing in her presence or whenever she's been in the presence of any of my family members. There has only ever been acceptance and a vast affection.
"Relax sugar, I assure you it's only good things I've heard." Peter may not have had much skill in being a gentleman, but he made up for it in spades with his own brand of southern charm.
"Likewise Peter, or well mostly all good anyway." I could see the smirk on her face as she locked eyes with Peter. The girl had rarely managed to stay angry at anyone long.
I snickered quietly. It was always so refreshing when there was someone who was not myself or Char that could stand up to the arrogant ass that was Peter.
I could see amusement flickering in his eyes, enjoying the verbal sparring with Bella.
"Darlin' I do believe you and I are going to get along just fine. However, someone is telling you tales cos' I can assure you there is very little good about me. Well other than the outwardly obvious that is."
Even though Peter had a firm control over his blood lust he by no means deluded himself into believing that he was not indeed a predator. He didn't deny his true nature he was just more selective in his classification of prey. Peter did not hunt for sport, merely to abate his hunger. He was also no sadist, his kills were always quick and relatively painless. Torturing and playing with his food was not his style. There was no one that knew him better than I did, including his wife and vice versa. Very few knew that I had in fact sired Peter, he was more family to me than even the Cullens. Nothing he ever did or said shocked me, I'd come to expect it most of the time.
I had to laugh out loud at Bella's description of Peter as a big ol' pussy cat deep down. If she only knew. When required he was the fiercest vampire I knew, next to myself. "Oh now you've done it Bella. You've gone and created a monster. I'll have you know for the rest of the night it's going to be his mission to prove just how bad ass he is."
Again, I felt a spike of lust coming from Bella. What the fuck?! Was I broken? I focused myself, trying to get a clear read on her emotions and there was nothing. It was like I'd met with a wall, blocking the path of my power. Strange, then again her mind had completely blocked out Edward so it wasn't out of the question that she'd be able to block her emotions from being felt by me….but at will? Never had I met a human who's feelings and emotions I couldn't myself feel.
The next time I spoke with Carlisle I'd have to ask him if that was possible. Although, I hadn't decided if, or when I was going to discuss seeing Bella again with the Cullens. I knew I couldn't hide it forever, in fact it's possible had already looked into my future and seen this. I felt a modicum of relief, knowing that Alice would have contacted me if she'd had a vision of me seeing Bella again. My biggest concern was that Esme and Carlisle had been frequently asking me to "come home" for at least a visit. The prodigal son, Edward had returned home for a short stay. I knew without a doubt that he'd be able to pluck this memory out of my head within minutes of being in his presence. His being prone to over dramatize a situation I couldn't see how it would go over well. We as a family had been strictly forbidden from interfering in Bella's life, it wouldn't matter to him that I hadn't planned this little reunion of sorts. Hopefully I'd be able to put the visit off long enough that Edward would take up his wandering again before I ventured back to Carlisle and Esme's for a visit.
Peter shrugged his broad shoulders at me, as though he knew what I was contemplating but having no idea what the outcome would be. So much for his knowing shit, seemed his little gift was as much on the fritz as mine was.
McKenna chose this particular moment, while I was lost in figuring out how to divert a family melodrama, and Bella was surfing off in lala land to ask how we knew each other. The implication she included in her enquiries didn't escape me. Bella didn't even seem to hear the question, she just looked…well she looked almost void. It was kind of disconcerting not being able to feel anything from her. I felt immense relief when McKenna was able to break Bella from whatever thoughts she was obviously lost in. A blush creeped into her face when she realized her little zone out had been witnessed by everyone.
Again, McKenna asked the same question, with the same implication. "Anywho Bella, I was inquiring as to how you and Jasper know each other. Am I wrong in assuming you're quite familiar with each other?" I ran my hand through my curls, taking a deep breath. Whatever wall Bella had erected around her feelings earlier had come tumbling down and I was being bombarded with a plethora of panic and embarrassment. Tapping my long fingers on the table in a staccato beat was finally to much for Peter. Considering the fact that Vampires do not EVER fidget, I could almost understand how he found this situation to be hilarious. He didn't even attempt to hide his reaction, his whole body vibrating with laughter.
My main concern was the subtle wave of sadness that seemed to engulf Bella. It wasn't something that shocked me considering the answer to McKenna's question was that the major ties that binded Bella and I to each other were Edward and Alice. What did shock me was that although there was an underlying feeling of sadness surrounding her, I couldn't feel a spike in any other emotions I'd expected this question to trigger. There was no anger, no grief, no extremes at all. What a confusing little human she was.
Bella began to explain how she'd dated Edward in high school, putting a very human spin to the epic, albeit relatively fleeting love story that was Edward and Bella. McKenna swiftly interrupted, assuming that Peter was the brother in question. Ripples of confusion were flowing off of her, as she looked rapidly between the three of us.
Peter dispelled the notion quickly but with more tact than I thought him capable of. "No, no, don't look at me. I am unfortunately not the brother that beautiful Bella is speaking of."
Grasping Bella's hand in my own I anticipated that considering McKenna's quite apparent rabid curiosity that this discussion was soon going to escalate to include other members of my family. What I had not anticipated was how Bella's fragile little hand would feel in mine. The frigid marble of my skin seemed to soak in the warmth from hers. I'd yet to feel anything like it in my existence.
Despite my gesture I continued to sense the sadness surrounding Bella. I projected calm in Bella's direction. Her shy smile and nod assuring me she was indeed ok. I had the urge to throw waves of lethargy at Peter and McKenna in the hopes that their unconscious forms would allow for this conversation to be over. I realized however that if I even attempted it I would soon be facing the wrath of Bella, something I wanted to avoid at all costs.
Somehow through all my internal musings I managed to offer a very subdued explanation of my family dynamic without going into any detail and including only a mention of my brothers. Through all of it I kept Bella's hand enclosed in my own, which had somehow come to rest on her leg. I could not wrap my vampire brain around the feelings the contact was provoking. My fingers tingled where my skin met hers, I wouldn't have been at all surprised to see arcs of electricity radiating from our joined hands.
McKenna caught my attention in a vice grip when she posed her next question "Bella….that conversation we had earlier….you know, the have not…." she paused dramatically before continuing. "How? More importantly, why?"
I didn't have the foggiest clue as to what the tall blonde was talking about.. Whatever it was though had caused a deep flush to cover Bella's face and accelerate her heart rate. A scent that was so typically Bella, a sweet combination of vanilla and freesia triggered a slight burn in my throat. Although uncomfortable I was able to without struggle swallow the venom in my mouth. I had been pleasantly surprised to find that the smell of her blood had not been at all bothersome until now. Relieved to find the tolerance for human blood, and fierce control I'd cultivated the past two years was holding up even when tempted with Bella's intoxicating scent.
Allowing my inquisitiveness to get the best of me and in tandem with Peter, almost in unison we asked "What?" Our eyes passing back and forth between the two girls.
"Nothing!" was Bella's response, leaving no argument that this topic was closed and off limits.
I could sense that McKenna felt guilty for embarrassing her friend when she quickly turned the conversation back to how Bella and I were so well acquainted.
Little did I know that the shit was about to hit the fan……
Bella continued where she'd left off after being interrupted by McKenna earlier, explaining how she'd dated Edward in high school as well as adding how she'd been best friends with my wife.
A spike of disgust shot from McKenna to me, her eyes darting to mine and Bella's joined hands. Obviously I'd not been acting like a married man in her opinion. Mainly I suppose, because I was no longer a married man. Unfortunately I did not use much tact in announcing that fact in front of Bella.
"Ex-wife." I mumbled, my eyes darting to Bella's, unsure of how she was going to take this bit of news.
With a physical strength I didn't realize she possessed she unceremoniously yanked her hand out of my own, accompanied by a shocked and bewildered "What?!"
Her emotions hit me like a freight train. Fast and furious they were being thrown at me and as soon as I'd be able to get a handle on one she'd feel some other new and extreme emotion. There wasn't a chance I was going to be able to project calm on to her. The sheer magnitude of what she was emitting made it feel like my chest was being ripped apart, not a pleasant experience by any means.
"Darlin' you need to calm down." I was able to force out through clenched teeth.
The weight of her emotions began to lift off of me. The realization that she was causing me physical pain what she'd needed to reign herself in.
"I'm calm, not freakin' out." The small smile she gave me reassuring.
I hadn't expected her to react well to the news of Alice and I divorcing. What completely threw me though was that there was no way that everything she'd just been feeling could have been in response to the ending of my marriage. Considering the rate and force at which she'd been throwing emotions off, from what I'd been able to detect she'd had moments of guilt, elation, doubt, irritation as well as a few others I hadn't been able to fully grasp.
If I thought the surprises were over, I was more than a little mistaken. Without warning Bella seized my hand and said the words that I thought would cause my jaw to hit the table in front of me.
"Come on cowboy, you're going to give me a ride home. Obviously we have more than a little catching up to do.
I felt her gentle tug on my arm. Didn't have to ask me twice. There were conversations to be had that could not occur in front of an audience. Not even Peter. Rising I placed one hand on the small of her back, the heat of her hand having nothing on this part of her anatomy.
"I couldn't agree more darlin'." was my affirmative response
While Bella said her goodbye's to McKenna I took advantage of the lapse in the human's attention to have a tête-à-tête with Peter, lowering our voices and taking advantage of our enhanced speed and hearing.
"Sure this is such a good idea Jazz?"
"Since when have you been the champion of forethought?" I knew I was being a smartass, but it was my typical reaction to Peter's big brother routine. He may have been older than me when he was changed, but I'd been at this existence longer.
"Just saying man….." his voice trailed off.
"If this is about my control don't sweat it. You know as well as I do that I've never had the blood lust under control before the way I do now."
"It's not that, I just get the feeling that there is a lot more between you and Edward's little human than you both realize."
"Quit with the cryptic Yoda bullshit Pete!"
"I can't tell what it is with you two, but there is something there that has nothing to do with Alice or Edward."
"Yeah and what if that's what I'm hoping?"
"Are you completely fucking insane Jasper?! She's a human in case you missed that fact. I get it man, I do., She's sweet, she's innocent, she's unbelievably attractive….for a human. It's not natural!"
"Oh, right. Cos' we're the most fucking natural things out there right? Besides, we're just going to talk."
"Well you do what you gotta do Jazz, but I've never been wrong before and I'm telling you there is something else there between you two."
"I believe you, I do. I'm a fucking empath Peter, feeling shit is what I do. I feel how it's different between Bella and I now, different than when she was Edward's. We'll talk about it later when I get home, I swear. For now though I need to do this."
"Ok, Ok, I'll drop it. For now."
The last of our conversation we carried on at a human's pace. No need to raise suspicion with the human in our company actually unaware of what we are.
"Later man, behave."
"Shit Jazz, you know me better than that."
"Exactly." I threw back at him as I began to walk away, my hand still at rest on Bella's back.
There it was again…….a spike in lust. This time I was more than positive it had come from Bella as I watched her eyes slide between Peter and myself. From the expression on Peter's face, using his Jedi mind tricks he'd figured out what emotion I was sensing from Bella. I silently groaned, dreading what was coming.
" Catch ya later Bella, or should I start calling you lil' miss firecracker?"
"Bite me Peter!" Bella threw over her shoulder.
Of course, only Bell would say "bite me" to a vampire. Another thing Edward was right about, the girl most definitely had no sense of self preservation.
"Tempting sugar, tempting." I saw the flash of Peter's teeth and regardless of the humour in his tone my protective instincts where Bella was concerned kicked into overdrive.
A low growl rumbled in my throat. I wrapped my arm around Bella's tiny waist, pulling her defensively to my side. Peter's triumphant laugh broke through the haze threatening to descend over me.
"Oh you must be a special one Miss Swan. Not often I can provoke the Major to come out in him."
"The Major?" I could hear the probing tone in Bella's soft voice.
"A story for another place and time, now shoo before I really piss him off." Peter's laughter followed us as we descended the stairs.
The degree of instinctive protectiveness I'd felt for Bella floored me. Without a doubt I'd have gone toe to toe with anyone vampire or otherwise to protect her in the past but this had been different. I'd not only felt protective, I'd felt possessive. It felt like a rug had been pulled out from under me. All of these self realizations were starting to get exhausting. It was long past time to get out of this place and somewhere Bella and I could start to address the past, and hopefully garner some insight into the future. With my arm still securely wrapped around Bella's waist, her soft body so warm against my own rock hard form I led her out of the nosy club into the peace filled night.
Bella was nervous. I learned towards her, so that my mouth was mere inches from her ear, allowing my breath to fan past the side of her face. "What's got you nervous Bella?"
It was premeditated, and I knew I wasn't playing fair but I needed to know if she was feeling even a fraction of the connection I'd almost instantaneously felt with her tonight.
"Um, well……does this, I mean…" her initial stutter was endearing " This, us, how comfortable we are with each other considering you know…." Her voice trailed off.
I felt like I'd been doused with ice water, a strange feeling considering fluctuations in temperature didn't have a bearing on my comfort level.
"Considering I attacked you, you mean." My body involuntary stiffened, dreading yet anticipating what her answer would be.
"No Jazz, god no!" her small body turned in my arms, her warm hands resting on my chest" I wasn't even thinking about that. I meant how we were never, you know, close before. I was just wondering if you find it weird that we're not having that problem now after such a short amount of time in each other's presence tonight."
Relief. I felt immense relief that I wasn't the only one feeling this very sudden shift in our dynamic. I couldn't begin to explain it, but it was there none the less. My body relaxed, a foreign feeling of warmth replacing what had felt like a deep chill only moments before.
"Oh… Well to be truthful Bella, it wasn't my idea to not be close to you before, but that's not a conversation for a parking lot. So the short answer to your question is no, darlin' I don't find it weird. And you Bella, do you find this new hmmm comfort level between us odd?"
"No. It's different……good different." She leaned her forehead against my chest, I could feel the heat from her body and her warm puffs of breath against the spot where my heart used to be. "Nothing that feels as right as being around you does could be odd."
The relief and pleasure I felt at her admission expelled in a low chuckle.
"Come on sugar, lets go start that catching up." I gently moved her body away from mine in order to lead her to where I was parked.
The look on her face when she saw my black Ducati was nothing short of priceless. Settling myself on the machine I planted my feet on the ground and leaned forward, gripping the handlebars.
"Hop on sweetheart." I motioned for her to join me on the bike.
A breathless" Wow…" and a subtle darkening of her eyes was her only outward reaction. It was the reaction she was having internally that peaked my interest. My eyes widened as she climbed on behind me and I was hit with a scent even more intoxicating than her blood. Sweet, innocent little Bella was aroused. Passing her the helmet I couldn't suppress the smug smile on my face. When I fired up the powerful engine I heard her heartbeat accelerate, the smell of her arousal becoming more powerful. Fuck me but it was potent.
"Hang on tight Bella." I winked at the beauty behind me before manoeuvring the bike into traffic.
Bella's weight pressed into my back should have been barely noticeable but that was not the case. Her slim arms were wrapped tightly around me, the front of her warm little body flush with my back, her face pressed tightly between my shoulder blades. The small vibrations her voice made and the simple words that she knew I'd hear made me feel a freedom, a lightness that I hadn't felt in two years, if ever. I'm not sure if she realized just how powerful the admission was and the potential it held to help heal the part of me that felt like a monster. My hand clutched Bella's to my chest, needing her to know that I had indeed heard her quietly speak.....
"I never blamed you Jasper."
A/N - Thanks so much to those that keep reviewing and to those that have added this as a favorite story or alert. It's a phenomenal feeling to know that others are enjoying something that until now just jumbled around in my head. I will try to get a couple more chapters up over the weekend and to work ahead so that the updates can happen quickly.