All the usual disclaimers......Everything Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer
A/N - Updates may be a little slow in coming through the week. I was on holidays half of last week, which is why the updates happened so quickly. Unfortunately I'm back at work this week, but I will try my best to get a chapter out at least every other day.
BPOV
"Don't look so serious little one, I just want to wish you a happy birthday." The smile on his face was dazzling. My eyes widened as he leaned forward, his cool lips barely touching mine in a brief kiss.
A faint sigh escaped from my lips, the taste of his honeyed breath intoxicating. Without warning it was like a dam had broke inside of me. I fisted my hands in his t-shirt, seeking his lips with my own. Jasper's arms tightened around me, pausing only a moment before reciprocating what was gearing up to be the most intense kiss of my life.
Jasper's mouth angled against mine, lips moulding together. I opened my mouth, tracing his lower lip with the tip of my tongue. Opening his mouth, his wintry tongue gently caressing mine before seeking entrance. I felt his embrace loosen moments before feeling his long fingers tangle in my curls.
A tightening low in my belly intensified as he moved his lips to the corner of my mouth, his breath fanning my flushed face. Soft kisses trailing down my chin, to my neck. His nose nuzzling the sensitive area behind my ear while he continued to place moist kisses on my overheated skin.
Oh my god, I'd never in my life been kissed so thoroughly. Was he for real? Undeniably gorgeous, with the physique of a god; the deep timber of his voice that made you feel like you were wrapped in the warmest of embraces; not to mention the completely delicious southern accent that had the power to make my knees buckle and now to find he's also an amazing kisser. These only scratched the surface of all of Jasper's qualities. I wondered if I should pinch myself, or him for that matter to make sure this was all real, and not just wishful thinking. Suppressing a giggle at the thought of trying to pinch the vampire peppering soft kisses along my throat, I felt Jasper still. Of course he'd have felt the sense of hilarity I was feeling at the wayward direction of my mind.
"Darlin' that is not exactly the response I hope to illicit when I kiss a woman." Jasper chuckled, raising his head; his caramel eyes full of mischief "If I didn't know better Bella, I'd think I was losing my touch. " A cocky grin planted on that oh so sexy mouth of his.
"If you didn't know better? Oh…ohhhh." My face flamed as it dawned on me that he would have been able to smell just how much his kisses had affected me.
"Baby, don't be embarrassed. I love it that I can turn you on." His cool fingers tracing down the side of my face combined with the husky timbre of his voice causing me to shiver.
"Cold darlin'?" One eyebrow arched, a triumphant expression gracing his face.
"Jasper." I all but growled in warning, feeling the flush flame brighter in my cheeks.
"Bella you are unquestionably good for my ego." He laughed as he drew me close to his chest, his solid arms once again wrapped around me. "Besides, my fragile ego needed the boost after your "cute" comment earlier."
I didn't even attempt to suppress the laugh that burst forth. "Awww did the big bad vampire not like being called cute? And fragile? Really Jazz, isn't it an oxymoron to put you and fragile in the same sentence?"
"Really though Bella? Cute? Vampires are never cute." Jasper's tone was full of mock indignation.
"Don't be absurd Jazz, look how cute you're being right now." His teasing growl setting me off into a fit of giggles.
"Well I guess i'll just have to convince you i'm a scary vampire then huh?"
Before I could even consider a comeback I was on my back, my arms pinned above my head in one of Jasper's strong hands. His muscular body held tense, straddling my hips.
"Not so cute anymore huh?" There was a gleam in his eye as his free hand touched the exposed skin where my shirt hand ridden up leaving my midriff exposed. Cold fingers traced icy circles around my navel before trailing to the sensitive dip just above my hip. My teeth bit down on my lower lip that I'd sucked between them as every nerve ending in my body came alive under his touch and a warmth grew between my legs.
This Jasper was certainly not cute, he was however sexy as hell.
Jasper hung his head as a throaty groan rumbled up and out of his chest. "Darlin' I may be having no trouble resisting your blood, but your hot little body is another matter entirely. If we keep this up I'm afraid I'm gonna have a hard time giving you that time you asked for."
Pulling away he stood, offering his hand to help me sit up from my prone position. I knew he was right, of course he was right. However, old doubts caused the familiar feeling of rejection to pour over me. How many times had Edward pushed me away for my own good? I wrapped my arms around myself in the protective gesture I'd adopted after Edward had left.
Crouching in front of me, Jasper made me look at him. His face was stern, his voice full of conviction. "I'm not rejecting you Bella. I want you, god but how I want you. This is going to happen." He gestured between us. "But....I don't want our first time together to happen this way. I want you to be sure that i'm who you want first."
"First time ever." I mumbled, hoping my admission would require no further explanation.
"You mean.....?"
I nodded shyly.
"Well I figured you and Edward...never...but........even since him.........no one?" Jasper's speech was fragmented as though the words were entering his mind faster than he could get them out of his mouth.
Shaking my head I whispered, "no one."
"Baby that's all the more reason for us to wait until you're certain. I'll promise you this though, if you decide that i'm who you want....." Jasper paused, his now dark eyes staring intently into mine. "Have no doubts that I will make you mine."
My pulse raced at the prospect of belonging to this amazing man in every way.
"Alright darlin' I think a change of subject is overdue." Jasper lowered himself to the sofa again, lounging casually beside me. I felt a wave of calm and contentment sweep over me courtesy of the man beside me
"Thanks Jazz, I think I needed that."
"My pleasure sweetheart."
Jasper wrapped me in the fuzzy throw blanket that had been draped over the back of the sofa to ward off the chill of his body before tucking me close to the side of his body. I felt nothing but comfort in his presence. We talked about nothing and everything. I filled him in on the happenings in Forks over the past couple of years. Telling him about how Mike and Jessica had broken up over the summer...again and how according to Jess it was "for good this time." I told him how Charlie had finally decided to quite pining for Rene and was now dating Sue Clearwater. We reminisced about old times, laughing at how the Cullen brothers had taken great enjoyment in torturing Mike Newton. It didn't escape my notice that the memories for once weren't accompanied by a sense of longing , only fondness for the family I'd embraced as my own.
Jasper had actually seemed shy when he'd inquired about my plans for the rest of the weekend. With a confidence I wasn't sure I felt I'd replied. "Spending it with you." His answering grin had confirmed my plans for the next two days. I wasn't at all shocked when he'd confessed to swiping my phone earlier, when I'd taken my human moment in order to program his number into mine, and mine into his.
It seemed like hardly any time had passed at all before I was yawning, my head lolling against Jasper's shoulder as I fought back the exhaustion. I wasn't ready for tonight to end yet.
"Darlin', it's late. One of us needs to sleep and it's not me."
"Suuuuure you're not. So that wasn't you that has spent the last ten minutes yawning more than talking? Nevermind that you're starting to resemble one of those dashboard bobble heads the way your pretty little head keeps drooping then bouncing back up." Jasper chuckled as I pouted. "Besides sugar you can't pull one over on an empath, with what I'm feeling from you I'm surprised I'm not sleeping."
"Fine fine....I'm tired! Happy?" I knew I was being petulant.
"More than you know Bella. And not just because you've decided to stop arguing with me."
Deciding to carry on with the petulant route, I unceremoniously stuck my tongue out at the gorgeous being beside me.
"So cute when you're cranky." he laughed, his twinkling as he teased me.
"You can walk me to the door Miss Cranky Pants." Jasper stood, pulling me up off the sofa with him.
"I am not cranky." I'm positive he was waiting for me to stomp foot for effect.
"Uh huh." was his only response, but I could see the smirk he was trying to suppress out of the corner of my eye.
"So you'll give me a call tomorrow once you and McKenna are done playing twenty questions?"
I groaned, knowing my well meaning friend was going to bombard me with questions about tonight. Then it hit me like a Mack truck. "Oh my god, McKenna! I left her Jazz, I left her with a vampire; that eats humans." Panic saturated me in a cold sweat.
"We don't technically eat our prey Bella."
"Jasper! So not helping! Please, some of your calming mojo would be more helpful than telling me you don't technically eat your prey!" My breaths were quick and shallow, on the verge of hyperventilating.
"Baby, Peter didn't hurt her. I heard her come in about an hour ago." Jasper was quick to assure me, waves of calm settling over me.
"Besides, McKenna is perfectly safe with him; he's has very specific criteria for his prey. She was probably safer with him tonight than any other man in there. Char would rip his arms off and beat him with them. They may have a rather open marriage however it does not extend to bedding humans."
My overtiredness must have been getting the best of me when an image of Peter, sans arms flashed through my mind.
"Ok now that we have that settled it's time for me to go hunt, and you to get some rest."
As he lowered his head, I closed my eyes hoping I was going to be able to experience his cool lips on mine again. Instead I felt him ever so lightly press them to my forehead.
"Goodnight my Bella, sweet dreams." He whispered against my ear and then he was gone.
"Knock, Knock." McKenna's cheerful greeting preceded her through the door. "I'm here to collect my coffee, and I expect it to be served with details."
"Details?" My head popped around the corner of my bedroom doorway, hoping in vain that if I played dumb she wouldn't press. I knew my efforts would be in vain, but a girl has to try.
"Give me a break Bella, I know he was still here with you, so spill!"
"Why do you assume there is anything to spill?" Trying and obviously failing miserably to keep the blush out of my cheeks.
"Ha! I knew it!" She shrieked.
"Do not jump to conclusions Kenna, it's not nearly as juicy as your deviant mind is hoping."
"Are you kidding? Anything to do with a man that looks like him is juicy. He is absolutely fuckable."
"Kenna!!"
"What? Have you not taken a good look at him Bella?"
Conjuring a picture of Jasper in my mind I couldn't deny that he was something to behold. Messy blond curls, his ever changing and always so expressive eyes; straight nose, strong square jaw with just a dusting of permanent stubble; and that was only all from the neck up. His body was a work of art, tall and lean; ripped with muscles without being bulky; long legs. I had to agree with McKenna that he was sort of yummy. Who was I kidding, he was absolutely delicious.
"Of course I've looked at him. He's more than just his appearance though Kenna. Jasper is...." I hesitated.
"Jasper is?" McKenna prompted me to finish
"He's special."
"Oh my god, you should see your face! Bella sweetie, you've got it bad for that man."
"I do not." I denied, lying through my teeth.
Raising an eyebrow McKenna gave me the look. "Bella." She said sternly.
"Ok so I maybe have it a little bad."
"Fucking awesome!" She clapped her hands in excitement.
That was McKenna, always so eloquent.
"So I'm assuming that last night turned into a tad more than you just catching up with your ex's brother?"
"Hmm, yeah. More, definitely more."
"Wow, descriptive Bella." Her sarcasm was duly noted.
I wasn't used to spilling "juicy details". The only real close girlfriend I'd ever had before McKenna was Alice. Although I'm sure Alice would have relished the idea, it would have been awkward for me to dish on her brother, not like there had been a lot of juicy details where Edward was concerned. We hadn't had the most physical of relationships.
"Sorry, this is weird for me."
"What's weird for you? Spending half the night with one of the finest men on the planet, or telling me about it?"
"Umm, both?"
McKenna's laugh echoed through the room. "Uh huh, I can see you're going to make me work for this."
"Alright Bella, you sit." she pointed to my sofa. "I'll ask the questions, you just have to answer." McKenna was in full on Law student mode.
"Fine, I'll play along. Only because I know you will not quit until you break me." I had to laugh at the disgusted look she gave me. "Don't worry Kenna, it's what's going to make you a most excellent Lawyer."
Walking back and forth across the width of my living room, McKenna had her hands clasped behind her back, a rather serious expression on her face.
"Kenna, can you stop that please. Feels like I'm being interrogated."
She giggled. "Sorry sweetie, guess I was getting into the part a little to much."
"You think?" It was my turn to be sarcastic.
"Ok, Ok I'll sit." She rolled her eyes dramatically, flopping onto the sofa beside me.
"Go ahead and ask your questions Kenna." The girl looked absolutely ready to burst.
"Alright, first question. Did he explain the whole ex-wife thing?"
"He did and it's all good. They're separation was amicable. They're still quite close friends. We talked about quite a few things in fact. Him and Alice, myself and Edward; his family. The air was cleared of a few misconceptions."
"Like?"
"Long story Kenna. Everything happened in another time and place. They aren't important anymore."
"Ok, moving on then. Question number two. Did you happen to discuss the mounds of sexual tension oozing off the two of you at the club last night."
Running my fingers through my unruly curls I took a deep breath, nodding my head.
"Do tell, do tell." McKenna was almost bouncing in place.
"Well......it's kind of complicated." Complicated was a mild word for mine and Jasper's situation. Being involved romantically with a vampire was more than a little different than dating your average everyday guy. The intensity alone was mind blowing, nevermind some of the life changing perhaps life ending decisions that have to eventually be made.
"How so?" McKenna cocked her head to the side
"We uh, well we discussed the obvious mutual attraction. He wants to pursue it."
"No way, really?" She squealed. "What's so complicated about that?"
"I told him I need some time to decide." I figured spitting it out was going to be the best course of action.
"You turned him down? Are you insane?" There was that shriek again.
"Settle Kenna! I didn't turn him down. I simply told him I needed some time to sort out my feelings."
"And just how did he take that bit of news?"
"Fine, better than fine really. Jasper was one hundred per cent supportive." I assured my friend who I'm certain was ready to have me committed.
"So what's going to happen now?"
"We're going to spend time together, date I guess." All the human terms just seemed so inadequate.
"That's wonderful! See I knew you had it in you Bella."
"Glad you did, because this is all rather surprising to me. I'm still feeling a little shell shocked at it all."
"I think you tow will make a wonderful couple." I appreciated the reassurance she was giving me. "But Bella, is it going to be weird for you that he's still close to his ex-wife?"
"Why would it? Alice is amazing Kenna, I wish you could meet her. You sort of remind me of her. Not that you look anything alike, Alice is tiny with this crazy black hair that spikes at will." I couldn't help the wishful smile that formed on my lips, thinking about her. "But your personalities, it's uncanny how similar they are. I honestly think I would be more upset if they weren't still close. It's complicated Kenna. Their family would have been beyond devastated if their parting had been ugly."
"As long as you're sure you're good with it, that's all that matters. Now tell me, is he a good kisser." It never ceased to amaze me how she could switch gears like that.
"Kenna! What makes you think I'd have the answer to that?" Once again failing miserably at attempting to play dumb.
"Bella..." She admonished me.
"Alright, alright.....Kenna....he is phenomenal." I admitted "Never in my life have I been kissed like that."
"Never, as in ever?" She seemed doubtful. "Was little brother not a good kisser?"
"Edward was, well he was somewhat old fashioned." It wasn't all false, he had been quite old fashioned. Besides, it's not like I could tell her he was to afraid of losing control and draining me of my blood to properly kiss me.
"Are you going to see each other soon?"
"This afternoon." Nothing could have erased the wide smile off of my face. Ever since I'd opened my eyes this morning I'd been anticipating seeing him again. "I'm supposed to give him a call once I'm free."
"What the hell are you waiting for? Go get yourself ready to go and call him already!"
"Uh I kind of thought I was ready to go." I looked down at the jeans and simple pink fitted t-shirt I'd
decided to wear, it was warm but overcast so I imagined Jasper would want to be outside. "What's wrong with what I have on?"
"Bella, Bella, Bella." McKenna shook her head
"No, no way you are not playing Bella Barbie with me. What I have on is just fine. Jasper is sort of the outdoorsy type and I want to be comfortable."
"I suppose you know him better than I do, so I'll back off; this time. Now call him!"
"Are you that anxious for me to ditch you again?" As wonderful as last night had been with Jasper I was still feeling incredibly guilty. "I am really sorry about that McKenna. You invited me out and I left you there, with Peter no less. Did he play nice at least?"
"It was nothing Bella, I didn't mind at all. Peter was a perfect gentleman, and completely immune to my charms." Her bow shaped lips formed into a pout. "Now quit trying to change the subject, and call him!"
"Anyone ever tell you that you are amazingly bossy Kenna." I laughed
"Yep." she popped the p.
McKenna reached past me to the end table, grabbing my phone she tossed it at me. "Call him."
Pressing the speed dial that Jasper had saved his number under I held the phone to my ear, butterflies erupting in my stomach as I waiting for him to answer.
One ring....
Two rings......
"Hi Darlin." Jasper's deep accent purring in my ear flooded me with warmth.
McKenna's earlier words replayed through my mind......Bella sweetie, you have it bad for that man.......Oh do I ever!
A/N - Next chapter will have alot of Jasper/Peter and an answer to almazuna18's question about why Peter reacted the way he did.