Everything Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer, I just like pulling the strings occasionally.
A/N - Thank you all for the reviews and comments. I can assure those with questions about some of the plot such as Victoria/Laurent, etc that their questions will be answered soon.
BPOV
"Hi Darlin." Jasper's deep accent purring in my ear flooded me with warmth.
"Jasper." I could only sigh.
"All done with the inquisition?" He inquired with a playful laugh.
"Yeah, I think she's finished with me. For now anyway." McKenna ever the picture of maturity stuck her tongue out at me.
"So still on for spending the day together?" Jasper sounded hopeful.
"There isn't anything I would rather do." I answered him truthfully.
Before this morning I hadn't realized how I'd been looking at life. It had been just a series of days, the same as the one before, and destined to be identical to the one that would undoubtedly follow. Today, when I'd opened my eyes I had no idea what the day was going to hold for me, only that I was going to see him. I'd felt alive for the first time in much to long.
"Why don't I come there and we'll decide how we want to spend the day?" He asked.
"Sounds perfect, see you in a bit." What I'm sure was a goofy ass grin plastered to my face as I flipped my phone closed.
"He's on his way isn't he?" McKenna crowed. "I'm gonna jet sweetie. You don't need me hovering and I need to go save my pillows from Lenny drooling all over them." She made a face, imitating a gag.
"Kenna, you really didn't have to leave your uh....company." I told her.
"Of course I did, like I could have waited for the scoop. Besides, he is damn near comatose over there." She rolled her eyes. "Oh and you're right, I'm so beyond not finished with you yet. I expect a full report!"
"Maybe." I said noncommittally as I closed the door behind her.
You are not nervous I assured myself. You are not nervous. You are not nervous. I'd never been able to lie to myself with any real conviction. Who was I kidding, I was a wreck. But why? It's just Jasper...........again attempting to fool myself into believing something that was far from the truth. The truth was that this wasn't just Jasper, this was the man I couldn't get off my mind. He'd taken over my thoughts from the moment I'd seen him again. A soft knock at the door interrupted my reverie.
"C-c-come in, it's open." I instructed with more calm than I felt.
My internal ramblings rather than calming, took on a more frenzied pace, my heart frantically beating in rhythm with my thoughts. Bella chill I ordered myself, he'll know. My heartbeat, the nervous energy he would undoubtedly feel, even the smell of the adrenaline flowing through my body would all be a dead give away. Why couldn't I just fall in love with a nice, normal boy; rather than the all knowing, super sensing, emotion reading, ungodly beautiful kind. Whoa did I just think......fall in love......was I in love with Jasper?
"Baby? What's wrong, your heart is beating crazy fast and I can sense......anxiousness, some anxiety." Worry was etched on Jasper's face.
There he was, my all knowing, super sensing, emotion reading, Jasper - dressed in faded jeans, a muscle hugging white t-shirt under a green flannel shirt; sleeves rolled up revealing sculpted forearms and scuffed boots; his blond curls stylishly dishevelled. Could he be any more beautiful?
"God you're beautiful." My thoughts pouring out my mouth.
Jasper chuckled as he lowered his head. Positive he would be blushing if he could, much like I was doing right now.
"Uh um, sorry Jazz. Just kind of nervous I guess." I was mortified.
"No worries darlin', nothing to be nervous about. All the time in the world remember." His voice filled with patience, reassuring me. "Thanks for the um compliment by the way, but no one could be more beautiful than you." The door clicked shut as he walked towards me.
Damn he was good. Waves of calm, compliments of the god standing in my doorway settled over me; soothing my frazzled nerves and addled thoughts.
"Thank you...for the um beautiful thing, and the calming vibe thing."
"My pleasure sweetheart." That sexy swagger of his bringing him closer to where I was standing in the middle of the room, until my gaze was level with his muscular chest.
"I missed you." He whispered, wrapping his marble arms around me.
"Me too." I'd been craving the sight of him since he'd left last night. I was slightly amazed that I wasn't completely freaked out by it. Maybe coming to terms with these strange new feelings for Jasper was going to be easier than I'd anticipated.
"Bella...." I loved the way his velvet voice made my name sound. " I want to kiss you."
"Me too." I murmured.
Jasper laughed "Can you say anything other than me too?"
"Nuh uh." I shook my head no, gazing up at him; my eyes wide.
Still chuckling he lowered his head, moving his mouth ever so softly over mine. As our lips moved fluidly together, his hands cradled my hips while my I ran my finger tips up his chiselled abdomen to settle on perfect pectorals. My desire for Jasper rose rapidly as he nibbled and sucked gently at my lower lip. With a low groan he lifted his mouth from mine, as he cradled my body closer to his. Jasper's lips settled on my forehead as my own sought out his throat. My fingers sliding up his chest, over his wide shoulders, intertwining at the nape of his neck . I interspersed firm, closed mouth kisses with teasing sweeps of my tongue on his icy flesh. The fragrance and taste of his skin were exquisite.
"Darlin, that feels amazing." Jasper's lips moved against my forehead. "But baby, we need to stop." I could hear the regret in his voice.
"I'm not making this any easier on you am I?" I asked, referring to the condition I'd asked for that we take things slow.
"I can assure you, that just knowing I can touch you, or kiss you does actually make everything easier." His fingers cupped the side of my face, gliding down to rest under my chin. Raising my head, I was caught in his gaze. "You already know I can sense what you feel Bella, but when you turn those feelings into actions......I am reassured."
"Reassured?" I cocked my head to the side in confusion.
"Yes, reassured that you are not running from this, from us; but embracing it." He explained.
"Oh. Well ok then." I nodded in understanding. "So uhh why did we have to stop then?" A traitorous blush of course staining my already flushed cheeks a deeper red.
"Cos' baby I could spend forever kissing you." The fluttering in my belly intensified with his words. " And as much as I'd love to spend the day with you wrapped in my arms, the weather is co-operating today and I thought you might like to get out and see New Orleans." He continued.
Glancing outside I took notice that the day was overcast, making it possible for Jasper to be out and about amongst humans.
"I haven't had allot of time, or inclination to do much in the way of sigh seeing." I confessed. "Well other than the campus, and such."
"Then it would be my pleasure to help introduce you to some of what this amazing city has to offer."
"Jazz.......are we going to be taking your umm bike again." I was once again gripped with an attack of uncertainty, unsure if I'd be able to keep my libido in check if I was to spend the any length of time pressed up against Jasper's body.
Jasper laughed, no doubt sensing my emotions. "Silly Bella, no worries sugar. I brought a much more sedate form of transportation today."
I could only begin to imagine what he considered sedate. Considering my past experiences with vampires and their need for speed it was highly unlikely that sedate was an ample description for whatever form of transportation was awaiting us outside.
"I'm shocked Jazz...........a truck?"
"You were expecting something else?" He asked with a smirk.
"Umm just a little." I said truthfully.
Parked at the curb was a midnight blue Dodge Ram 1500. I was almost astonished that I could identify the make and model., seems my time spent at La Push watching Jacob pour over every car magazine he could get his hands on had paid off. What astounded me more was how "normal" a vehicle Jasper was driving. I'd expected, from past experience I suppose; something much more ostentatious. I suppose I should have known better, this was just one more aspect of the new Jasper that differed so much from the one of my past. There was so much different about him now that I was compelled to question if this was a whole new Jasper or just the real Jasper. I guess that would be part of the getting to know each other better.
Opening the door for me, he helped me into the truck. There were definite advantages to lacking in the height department if it meant having his hands on me every time we got in and out of the truck today. I watched him walk around to the drivers side, still not quite believing I was here, with him. Jasper, of course was the picture of grace as he effortlessly slid into his seat.
"So where to beautiful?" He turned his face towards me.
"Umm surprise me?" It was more a question than an answer.
"I seem to recall you not appreciating surprises." His golden eyes were somewhat wary even though there was a smile gracing his gorgeous mouth, almost as though his thoughts were conflicted.
"People change." I stated simply, shrugging my shoulders.
"Ok, so surprise you it is." He put the truck into gear. "Buckle up sweetheart." Jasper's deep laughter filled the cab of the truck.
As much as things change, some stay exactly the same. Jasper's obvious need for speed hadn't changed as much as the appearance of his truck had suggested.
Jasper drove through the streets of the Garden and Lower Garden Districts pointing out some of the more well known landmarks to me. Among a number of galleries including the Anton Haardt Gallery, he showed me the locations of The House of Broel and Grace King House.
"There is no way to see all of this city in a day, so I'll give you the abridged tour today." Jasper explained. "That way you can decide what interests you and we can see those in more detail another time." He reached across the space between us to entwine his fingers with mine.
"Sounds wonderful Jazz." I was elated, knowing that this was only the beginning. His words were beginning to chisel through the fear I had that this was something fleeting, liable to disappear at any moment.
"I meant it Bella. You are stuck with me for as long as you want me." Alright so maybe his being able to sense what I was feeling wasn't entirely a bad thing.
"Jasper, I can't imagine there ever being a reason I'd want you to go away." A cloudy look fleetingly passed over his handsome face at my words. "What is it?" I asked.
"Lets just say there are some things you don't know about me yet Bella, about my past; that may change your opinion of me." He looked..........sad.
"Never." I shook my head vehemently. "I don't care who or what you were before, I know the man you are now."
"I hope so Bella, I hope so." He whispered, gently applying pressure to my hand that was enclosed in his.
Soon Jasper was merging back onto the freeway, his seemed to lighten as he picked up speed.
"I will never get used to the way you all drive." I chewed on my lower lip as I referred to how him and the rest of the family always seemed to have a lead foot on the gas pedal.
Jasper laughed, but slowed down minutely.
"So next place you're surprising me with would be?"
"Really darlin', if I tell you doesn't that negate the surprise part?"
I rolled my eyes. His throaty chuckle causing a tingle to run down my body. Everything about him was quickly becoming an addiction to me. That thought alone scared me. Although I couldn't imagine not having him with me now, I didn't want to be the old me. The old Bella that would fall apart and lose herself if he vanished from my life again.
"Bella?" Jasper questioned, concern on his face; obviously feeling my slight panic.
"I'm fine Jazz, no worries. Just had a fleeting thought about something not important." I fibbed.
I would have to remember to keep my emotions in check around him, at least the ones I didn't want him to know about. This was all so new. With Edward my mind had been closed to him, I hadn't had to worry about what I was thinking. It still wasn't so much my thoughts I had to worry about, but the emotions they seemed to manifest.
"You're sure?" Worry and doubt dominating his features.
"Absolutely positive." I smiled, hoping it would reassure him.
I recognized the area of the city immediately that Jasper had brought us to, courtesy of all of the brochures I'd studied prior to making my decision to attend college in New Orleans. We were in the heart of the French Quarter.
"You approve." It wasn't a question.
"I love it!" I couldn't contain my glee. Truth be told, the thought of living amongst this kind of history and lore that was located in the French Quarter had been one of my deciding factors in choosing Tulane amongst all my other options.
The remainder of the afternoon was spent walking hand in hand through many of the streets of the French Quarter. We toured Bourbon and Royal Streets, where Jasper had my rapt attention as he regaled me with stories about New Orleans and the South in general from the time before he was changed, up until now. Before continuing on through Jackson Square we stopped for few moments to admire St. Louis Cathedral, I was in awe of the magnificent old church. Taking our time strolling around Jackson Square, Jasper continued with his historical tales of the Civil War.
"I knew you had to have seen so many things in your life, but I never realized...." My voice full of wonder.
"Realized what darlin'." Jasper led us to a bench, where we sat facing each other.
"I never realized that the things and places you've seen, that you've experienced first hand; I've only read about in history books. I know it shouldn't come as a shock to me, but I suppose I just generally don't see you that way." I tried to explain.
"Does it bother you Bella?" Jasper was suddenly serious.
"Bother me? Jasper no, it fascinates me!."
The relief seemed to ooze off of him. It really started to register with me that I was not the only one with issues and baggage coming into this relationship. Regardless of the confidence that this amazing man exuded underneath he felt his perceived inadequacies as deeply as I felt mine.
"Jazz......you're stuck with me too." I whispered, referencing our earlier conversation.
"Baby I wouldn't want it any other way." He answered back.
His lips touched mine in a soft kiss, before his arms closed around me pulling me close to his chest. With my face resting against where his heart used to beat, he settled his chin on the top of my head. "Bella, spend the rest of the weekend with me at my house."
"Just you and I?" I asked.
"Well.... Peter and Char have the main house on the same property but yes, otherwise just you and I." He stared at me intently as he continued. "Nothing will happen that you aren't comfortable with Bella. This isn't a ruse to rush your decision."
"Jazz......shhhh." I placed a finger against his lips to shush him. "I trust you, and I would love to spend the rest of the weekend with you, at your house."
A/N I know this is a short chapter but the next one will be much longer I promise.