AN: Bella talks to Sam and Vicky is upset with James.

Thank you abbymickey24 for making this incredible.

THIS IS A RE-POST. HAD TO PUT IN A MISSING CHAPTER AND IT MADE THINGS JUMP A CHAP AHEAD. NEW CHAP COMING UP SOON. THNX!

Chapter Thirty-five: Soon

Bella, February, 2011…

His soft kisses trailed up my spine while his teasing hand followed. It felt ticklish, but I smiled against the pillow and stayed still. His lips moved up to my neck where he swept my hair aside to lay soft kisses there. His hand slowly moved down my body and over the curve of my ass, grasping it and then smacking it.

"Ow!"

He chuckled deeply and gently bit the shell of my ear. "Wake up, darlin'."

I spun around to face him, watching his stormy eyes dance with mischief while he massaged the spot on my ass he had just smacked. "I'm awake."

"And half the day's gone."

I slammed my head back down into the pillows with a pout, not wanting to get up. I wanted to stay here, locked away in the haven of his bedroom with him and give the outside world a break.

"I don't want to."

"I don't want to either," Jasper said, laying kisses between my shoulders, "but we have to. Besides, I love looking into your pretty eyes way too much to stand them being closed to me any longer."

I smiled at his words and peeked at the clock. That was the time? Jasper wasn't serious. Not after last night? "Jasper, it's six in the morning."

"Mmhmm and half the day's gone," he moaned into my ear.

"No, it's just starting, and I really don't want to go anywhere," I whispered softly as his hand moved down my body.

It hadn't escaped my attention that Jasper was already dressed. His jeans, t-shirt and boots ensemble told me that he was ready to head out on the ranch. But I didn't want us to. I wanted us to stay here.

"Bella, there's nothing more I'd love do than stay here, but…" I jumped up and pulled him into a kiss, silencing whatever else he was going to say.

He broke the kiss with a laugh. "You're not playing fair."

I pulled him back down on top of me, fully aligning his hard body with mine. "Never said I was," I smiled, "now shut up and kiss me."

He obeyed my command and from then on, no words were exchanged between us as I slid my hand under his shirt to feel his hard muscles flex against my fingertips while our lips met urgently. To have him this close was heavenly. We kissed until our need for each other became unbearable, and together, we vigorously stripped off his clothes amidst his laughter and my impatience.

I sighed in satisfaction when he finally settled on top of me and pushed inside of me because there was no better place to be than in his arms.

"I love you," he sighed reverently as he rocked against me.

"I love you, too," I vowed, pulling him down into a kiss.

Despite my objections of spending the morning outside of the haven that was Jasper's bedroom, I couldn't deny the beauty of it.

After my shower, I changed and grabbed a cup of tea before heading outside to find the sun taking its place in the sky with promises of what would be a warm day. I found Jasper waiting by the stables with Thunder and Mystery on either side of him.

"Mornin' again, darlin'," he smiled when I walked up to him and took Mystery's reins, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"I still say we could be in bed right now."

"What a woman," he sighed in jest, "all she wants to do is ravish me."

I shook my head at him and climbed up on my horse while he laughed at his own joke. "I'll never get tired of ravishing you." I said, grinning down at him.

He paused and eyed me with nothing but pure unadulterated desire; his eyes darkening considerably at my statement. I chuckled at him and clicked my tongue to get Mystery moving, leaving him to think about that.

Everyone was pitching in this morning, even Maria and Rose were out here. They called me over and we stayed together, chatting while we watched the grazing animals. Jasper was with the Sam and the other ranch hands.

Maria and Rose kept the conversation light and fun. We talked about Rose's upcoming wedding; which she wanted me to attend and mine and Jasper's disappearing act at the Fair.

"Soo…" Rose probed.

"So?"

"What happened?"

"I don't think I should hear Bella's answer to this," Maria chimed in.

"Oh come on, mom," Rose scolded. "I know what you and Dad were doing when we went to stay with our other aunts and uncles."

Maria shook her head in disbelief at her daughter's bluntness and smiled. Rose turned her attention back to me, demanding to know what happened.

"We came back here," I said, stupidly hoping she would be satisfied with that.

"And?" Rose pushed, wanting the rest of it. "What happened?" The teasing tone of her voice made me blush and that was all the affirmation Rose needed. "Oh! You didn't."

Why bother? "We did." I glanced at her smiling face out of the corner of my eye. "All night."

"And I didn't need to know that," Maria said.

"Mom!" Rose chided and turned back to me. "Bella, Bella, you naughty girl."

"I love him, Rose," I told her while staring out at Jasper across the field from us.

She sighed and followed my line of sight over to Jasper, who was talking and laughing with Sam and the other guys.

"I didn't think there was someone like him out there. Much less, that he existed and he would love me." Rose smiled at me and I went on, "Rose, I never thought that I'd have a chance to be free, happy, and in love."

"I never thought Jas would stop punishing himself for his past mistakes," she shared. "I thought he was happy with Alice. I didn't realize until it was too late that he was forcing himself to be. Bella, I'm glad they're over. With you, he doesn't have to try. He's just in love."

I didn't say anything. I couldn't, because her words had moved me to tears.

"Why are you crying?" she asked with concern.

"Happy tears."

When my tears had dried, we moved onto other topics. Maria couldn't wait for the wedding to get here, wanting nothing more than to see Rose walk down the aisle. Rose turned the argument back to sex when Maria drifted to the topic of Alice's involvement in the wedding.

"Oh mom, she's only doing it to impress Jasper," Rose told us. "She thinks he's just messing around and punishing her for cheating on him."

"Well, we know the truth about that," Maria smiled triumphantly.

Rose smirked at me. "Yes, we do and I know for sure that my brother has moved on. He's happy. And Bella will be around so they'll be able to sneak off somewhere to fuck."

"My daughter just said, 'fuck' to me," Maria noted while I tried to hide my laughter.

"Mom!"

It continued like that until we parted ways.

After chores, I went home, checked the pantry and the cupboards before deciding to go shopping. Jasper found me in the garage after I made my list and told me that Sam was heading to town with me. I asked him why, and he begged me to trust him with a promise that he would explain later.

I agreed, although I didn't quite understand.

Sam met me outside of the garage. I opened my car door for him, and he eased his six foot frame into the passenger side.

"Hi, Bella."

"Hi, Sam."

Our drive was filled with silence. Sam wasn't a very talkative person and neither was I. Instead of filling the air with meaningless chatter, we watched each other. I had never really taken the time to look at him but Sam was very handsome. He had a rugged quality to him, with tanned skin and a hard body; probably from years of hard work on the ranch. Although it wasn't his only portfolio around here. Sam also protected Jasper. He was his bodyguard and had been so since Jasper's kidnapping.

I pulled into the parking lot of the megastore and got out. Sam followed. He walked me inside the store and grabbed a cart, pushing it. I trailed behind him as he wandered down aisle but this was bugging me.

"Why are you here?"

He stopped and turned to me; looking at me for a second before responding, "I thought you were humoring Jasper."

"Yes, I am, but…"

"Then humor me and pretend I'm not here to protect you," he smiled knowingly. "What aisle are we going to? Do you have a list? I don't want to wander around aimlessly."

"You can't just ask me for a list after you said that." What was Jasper worried about? "You can't just pretend we're here to shop."

He scoffed. "Yes, I can. And I also assume that you're smart enough to you know that something is wrong. That's why I'm here."

My mind only came up with one possibility. "Is it James?"

"List, please," Sam said with his hand held out. "We're beginning to look a little funny just standing with a cart and nothing in it."

I fumbled through my pocket and produced the list I had made. Sam took it, surveyed it and walked off with me trailing behind him.

"You didn't answer me. Is it James?"

He dropped a few items in the cart. "I assume so."

"Then why aren't you with Jasper?" I asked anxiously. "You're supposed to protect him!"

"I protect who he says to protect, and he's not going to leave the ranch today," he replied calmly with his back to me. "He won't go anywhere without me watching his back."

That thought was comforting; even if I didn't like the thought of Jasper there without Sam to protect him. But that was home. He was safe until Sam and I went back.

Sam and I continued through the aisles. He pointed out things I had written down and I grabbed them hastily and throwing them in the cart. I felt nervous and angry.

"Try and stay calm, Bella."

I stopped and looked at him long and hard. "How can I, Sam? I've got a psycho husband on my ass! He wants to punish me and if he gets his hands on Jasper, I'll lose another person who dared to love me! Don't fucking tell me to be calm!"

I stormed off feeling like an ass. I shouldn't be taking my frustrations out on him. Sam was here to protect me. But I couldn't help being angry.

Why couldn't James forget about me? Why couldn't he find another person to terrorize?

But then again, I wouldn't wish that man on another innocent girl. I couldn't stand the thought of someone going through what I went through with him.

Why couldn't he just stick to Vicky? She was as nuts as he was.

"Coming up with solutions?" Sam's voice made me jump and I turned to him.

"Not really."

I gave him a small smile and he returned it before pointing to the fridges and asking, "Mind if I grab a few things too? I've been dying for some chocolate chip ice cream."

I actually laughed and he joined in. "Good. It's nice to see you smiling again, but I'm serious about the ice cream."

We finished our shopping together with Sam grabbing a few things for himself. We picked up some takeout and had a slow drive back to the ranch. The drive back wasn't as quiet and I ended up learning a lot about him.

He was a runaway that Jasper's dad had taken in. He had worked on the ranch to pay back Jasper's dad in his own way. When Jasper got kidnapped, he was involved in the search, since he was a good tracker. He could find a needle in a haystack. And between him and Mr. Whitlock, they'd found Ricky. He didn't continue after that since I knew the rest of that story.

Once home, Sam helped me put the groceries away. Jasper wasn't there so Sam and I continued to talk. I learned about his wife, Emily. She was a caterer, who worked for the Whitlocks on occasion. She mostly worked out of Houston. They were married very young. She was a local girl and Sam said that the day he met her, he knew. There was no other woman for him. Their love was beautiful.

Sam went on to express that he knew about my history with James and he was here for me.

"So, you're a friend?"

"Yes, and that's good for you, but bad for James," he smiled with an intense, unnerving look in his eye that sent a shiver ran up my spine.

"You're dangerous, aren't you?"

Sam chuckled. "Only when I need to be. And as for your soon-to-be ex…"

I laughed interrupting him, "My soon-to-be ex?"

He nodded, "If he touches you, he's dead."

There was no need for Sam to elaborate. I understood perfectly. James could make it here and even try to take me, but he wouldn't get far. He wouldn't leave here alive.

He got up the breakfast bar, rounded me and headed toward the side door. I knew he was on his way to tell Jasper we're back. But I had to know.

"Should I be afraid of you?" I whispered. Sam paused at the half opened door.

"No," he answered and everything in me believed him. "You have nothing to fear from me, Bella. Like I said, I'm only dangerous when I need to be."

Sam left me after that and I busied myself with laundry, cooking and reading. I was going out of my mind with worry but I didn't call Jasper. I didn't go over there and demand that he tell me what was happening. A part of me wanted to, but I ignored it. And Jasper didn't make an appearance until later that evening and he was no mood to talk. Dinner was riddled with nothing but tense silence. He was furious.

Despite the questions bubbling inside of me, I gave Jasper his space; he looked like he needed it. I busied myself with cleaning up after us and he retreated to his office without a word or a kiss.

I blamed myself. I was sure he wasn't like this before I came along with my problems.

After doing the dishes, I went back to my book, picking up where I left off and immersed myself into the words.

His heavy footsteps sounded even against the carpeted floor as he walked up and plopped down on the couch next to me, leaning his head on my shoulder. I didn't look away from the pages of my book as I took his hand in mine, playing with his fingers.

"There are other ways to read, you know," he said offhandedly.

"I know, but I love paperback," I sighed and let go of his fingers long enough to turn the page. "There's something magical about them to me."

"What does it do?" Jasper whispered and I peeked at him to find him staring intently at me.

Holding his gaze, I said, "It transcends me. It brings me peace. There's nothing like getting lost in a story."

"I'm sorry," he said sadly, gripping my hand.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," I told him. "I should be the one saying sorry. I'm the one who brought this bullshit in your life." I let go of him, closed my book, and got up.

"You have nothing to be sorry about."

I laughed at him. "Are you crazy, Jasper?" My anger was suddenly rising with impeccable speed. "I caused this! I brought James into your life! I have you running around, setting up security detail all because I was too stupid to tell my mother to go fuck herself! I should have run! After Garrett died, I should have run! I shouldn't have stayed. This is happening because of me!" It was the hard truth and it was time I accepted it. I was only hurting the people I loved.

Stomping off, I put some distance between us and then turned to him with a ferocious glare. "Fuck this."

"What do you mean?" he said deadly. He moved to the edge of the couch, his elbows leaning on his knees while he glared at me. If I wasn't so angry, his glare would have scared me.

"I mean, I'll go! I can't stand it! I can't be happy with you. I can't be in love with you. Don't you see?! I'll never be happy and I can't do this to you…not anymore."

I ran out of steam there and thought Jasper would see the light and just end things. Just send me away and let James find me. I was ready to give up. I couldn't stand it.

Jasper had to understand. But he didn't. And the only I had done was further piss him off.

He got off of the couch so fast I almost didn't see him move. He was towering over me in about a half a second. I was afraid. This was the guy I had met when I first came here. "Are you fucking crazy? You really think I would let you walk away? What is wrong with you? You're actually considering running so that fucker can find you?!"

I jumped at his tone but he didn't back off. "I'm busting my ass to keep you safe because I'm so in love it fucking hurts be away from you for even a second, but it's so goddamn easy for you to want to walk?!"

Wait a minute. I wasn't going to take this. I refused to feel bad about it. I was expressing myself. My goddamn therapy was all about expressing and finally fucking feeling something besides fear.

"Fuck you!" I screamed, getting into Jasper's face. "You think that was easy to say?!" he moved to answer and I screamed again, "Shut the fuck up!" He was breathing heavily; his eyes were blazing but he stayed quiet. "That was the hardest thing I ever had to do! To lie like that. Walk?! You think I want to?! I'm in love with you, you asshole! I see you and I see my future. Do you know how fucking scary that is?! To run away from one man only to fall so deep in love with another that you can't think about anything but him?! You think it's easy? Knowing what James will do when he gets his hands on me? Knowing what he will do if he gets his hands on you?!"

He stepped away, his eyes filling up with tears. He backed up until his feet hit the couch and he plopped down on the arm of it. He looked defeated.

I went over to him. "You don't have to tell me what happened. I know what happened. James came here when we were at the fair and he saw me. I know because I'm so afraid of that bastard, I can tell when he's near. It's this chill. I always feel this cold, evil chill creeping up my spine. When I felt that at the Fair, I freaked because I knew it. In the depths of me, I knew James was here." I palmed his cheeks and forced him to look up at me. "Jasper, things would've been so much easier for you if after Alice, you'd picked another girl." His angry eyes darkened and tears spilled from them but he said nothing as I cried, "It's not too late. You can walk away. I'll never be able to thank you for all you've done; for loving me, but it's not too late."

"Bella..." he said, pained. But I didn't let him go on.

"I'll always be in love with you, Jasper. I wish I had met you first. It's impossible to change the past. But I really wish I had met you first."

I didn't wait for him to say anything. I turned and ran upstairs.

An hour later, Jasper came into my room. And I silently thanked him for giving me that time to myself. I was wrapped around my pillow and crying my eyes out.

He walked over to the bed, but didn't sit down. He stood at the foot of it and said in a soft, pained voice, "I'm sorry I shouted at you." His apology made me cry harder. "Please don't cry. I don't want you to be sad. I'm sorry I kept that information from you. I just found out today, and thought that you didn't need to worry about James." I tried to catch my breath amidst my tears as he went on, "I wanted you to have a good day. The last few days have been nothing short of amazing, and I just wanted…I was angry that he was here, right under our nose, and I couldn't do anything about it. I couldn't get my hands on the bastard. I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

"I should just go back."

Jasper's sharp intake made me turn and look at him; his eyes heavy and glistening with tears. "No, Bella. He'll kill you. You'll die this time."

I turned away. "Maybe it's for the best. Where I'd go, he couldn't hurt me anymore. He couldn't ruin lives because of me."

"What about me, Bella?" His voice was laced with hurt. And when I wouldn't look at him, he stepped closer and pulled me up to face him. His grip on me was tight, but his questions were harder. I sobbed because of them. "What about me? You're just going to walk into my life, let me fall for you, and then go and get yourself killed? You'd kill me. You're just going to leave me here to die alone? I wouldn't want anybody else, Bella. I'd only ever want you."

I shook my head. "No, you'd have your family. You can move on. I meant what I said downstairs. You can stop. I'll always love you, but I don't want to be a burden anymore."

The fury was back in his eyes. He looked at me with such pain, I cried harder. And when he hastily let me go like I had slapped him and spun around, stormed out of my room, slamming the door behind him, I dissolved into tears until I couldn't breathe.

I was wrong. I shouldn't have said that. Why was I pushing him away? I got up and tried to go to the door but collapsed on the floor in tears instead.

Lying there, I cried for everything that was ever taken from me. My soul, my love, my heart, Garrett, and now, I was pushing Jasper away because I saw no other way. I laid there and bawled.

I didn't know he came back into his arms until his strong arms wrapped around me, and I held on to him, whispering apologies as he lifted me off the ground.

His lips brushed mine and I held his face to me, wanting more, craving his closeness. "I'm so sorry," I uttered quickly before pulling him back to my lips. He set me on my feet and cried against my mouth while gripping my sides, holding me to him.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, moving away long enough to pull his shirt over his head. I ran my hand up his chest and he sighed, closing his eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too," I said softly, kissing his taut stomach. He pulled me to his lips and I relished in his roughness. We needed this.

He ran his tongue along my bottom lip, seeking entrance to my mouth and I granted it, only moving away long enough to let him pull my shirt and bra off. Jasper pulled me in, moaning into our heated kiss as he twisted and pinched my nipples. I moaned into his mouth at the exquisite feel of it while he used his tongue to play mine like his own personal instrument.

I would never get tired of kissing Jasper. How the hell was I supposed to walk away from him? He was everything. I was dumb to think that I could.

He bathed my body in soft kisses as he stripped me. He laid me down and fed on me like I was his last feast. I came screaming his name as he licked everything I had to give. I sighed in completion when he pushed into me. The feel of his bare flesh delving into my depths made me see stars.

"Jasper…" His name was a mantra on my lips and when we found our end together, it was with a shout of our love for each other.

We laid there without words for felt like hours exchanging soft meaningful kisses until he needed me again and I obliged.

This time wasn't so tender and sweet. He had a hunger to fill and a need to claim me. He pounded into me from behind with a tight grip on my hips while I shouted in pleasure. I was as hungry for this as he was. I wanted to feel him fill me. I needed to know that I belonged to him and no one else. And Jasper needed the same. He pulled me back to him by my hair, holding me to him, whispering harshly while his cock drove into me. "Say you're mine."

"I'm yours!"

"Say you're mine!"

His cock swelled inside of me, making me tremble with my impending orgasm as he fucked me. "I'm yours!" His powerful thrusts were driving me over the edge. I could feel myself clenching around him. "God! Jasper, I'm yours!" I was gone. I was lost. He filled me like no other man ever had.

"You'll always be mine, Bella!" he groaned into my ear; pulling out and then slamming back into me with such force, I screamed while he thrust into me hard and deep. "No one will ever fuck you like this! You're mine!"

He was there. I could feel him coming and it triggered my own orgasm making me shout in ecstasy, "Jasper, I'm yours!" milking his cock while he held me tight. We rode out our orgasms until we couldn't move and collapsed on the bed in a tangled web of tired limbs.

Not long after Jasper got up and disappeared from the room. I was drifting in and out of sleep when he was here, but once he got up, I was wide awake. He wasn't gone for long though and came back, lifting me into his arms.

"What are you doing?" I asked as he carried me out of my room.

"Savoring the moment. We need this."

He brought me to his room, bypassing the bed and heading straight for the bathroom. He had run a bath for us. He placed me in the soothing warm water and got in behind me, pulling me back to him. My mind was at ease while relaxing in his arms. All the craziness from earlier was gone. All I wanted to do was stay in Jasper's arms forever. The thought of leaving him for his own good was slowly becoming a distant memory.

"I'm sorry for what I said about leaving," I told him. "I hope you know that I didn't mean a word of it."

"I know, but just so you know, I had no intention of letting you go alone. I would hunt you down and we'd hide together forever."

"You wouldn't have let me go?"

"I packed that bag for you, not because of Esme's suggestion but because I expected a day when you would get scared and reconsider staying," he explained. "But I wouldn't have let you go alone."

"I think Esme anticipated this," I laughed humorlessly. "She knew I would get scared and want to run. And she knew you wouldn't let me go alone."

"She's smart," he chuckled and then we fell back into silence.

We bathed each other, exchanging gentle caresses and tender kisses until the water ran cold, and we got out. We dried off and then Jasper took my hand and led me to the bedroom. We climbed into bed, naked, happy and in love. He pulled me into his side and wrapped the thick sheets around us. I kissed his chest and he hummed in contentment. After a moment, he asked, "How were things with Sam, he didn't scare you, did he?"

"I think I've gained a friend."

"That's good. He's family."

"He'll kill James if he gets his hands on him," I said matter-of-factly.

"I know," Jasper whispered back.

"Then I shouldn't be afraid to stay."

"No, you shouldn't."

I fell asleep peacefully but woke up in terror with Jasper sitting up in front of me, running his hands up and down my arms and telling me to breathe, I was safe, and everything would be alright.

"I was dreaming about him hurting you." The tears ran down my face as I struggled to catch my breath.

Jasper kept rubbing my arms and willing me to relax. "He can't touch me."

"Jasper…" I cried.

He laid back down and pulled me into his arms. "I won't let him hurt you, darlin'."

I cried harder into his chest; the heavy sobs wracked my body. "He knows where I am, Jasper. He knows where I am."

James, February, 2011…

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Vicky screeched, towering over me with a hand on her hip and staring down at me.

I didn't like it. She was lucky that the drugs in my system were keeping me calm or else I would have snapped her neck by now.

"How can you go to some hick town, see the bitch, and not grab her?! Are you fucked in the head, James?"

Her annoying shriek of a voice was getting on my nerves! But I had to remain calm so I sat there, smiling up at her because her time was drawing to a close. Soon, it would be me and Marie.

Of course, that would be after I killed that asshole, Whitlock, for taking her from me. I was going to use his death to teach Marie a valuable lesson for crossing me. And then we would be together forever. Nothing will ever tear us apart again.

"Why are you smiling?" Vicky shouted, peering into my eyes. "Oh fuck, you're high!"

I stared at her menacingly. If only she knew what I was thinking.

"And don't look at me like that," Vicky sneered, "I know you want to rip my throat out, but you need me, James. I can get to the bitch faster than you. It's obvious she's fucking Alice's man, so we find a way to lure them away from all the damn guards, kill him and take Bella!"

I fucking hated that name. "Don't call her that!"

Vicky chuckled, "Oh shut the fuck up, James. It's her name. I kinda like it. It sounds better than Marie. Think about it this way, Marie is your pet, but Bella, she's the bitch that ran away."

The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. "You need to shut up," I seethed.

"Or you'll do what?" Vicky challenged with a laugh. She thought I was joking. I'll show her who's joking.

Springing up, I backhanded her.

She snapped back up, staring at me in shock. "You think this is Bella you're dealing with?"

She moved to hit me back, but I punched her and then grabbed her throat, pushing her over to the glassed wall and slammed her back into it. She was gasping for air as I squeezed her neck; cutting off her air supply. "You think you're special, Vicky?" She looked furious. I knew she was dying to answer me. "It's not time yet."

I was frustrated and in need of a release. All this talk about Marie made me horny. "Get on your knees." I didn't wait. I pushed her down as I undid my jeans and held her mouth open. "Don't you dare bite me or I'll give you a taste of one of the lessons Marie will learn when she gets home." I said as I pushed my dick into her mouth.

Vicky's eyes widened in surprise, but she obeyed and sucked my cock until I was coming down her throat. I pulled away even more ticked off than when we had started. Something was missing.

I wanted Marie. She would have been far better.

It was funny how in her absence, I really got to see that the sex with Vicky wasn't as good without Marie around. She was the star of the show with her silly little pleas and whimpering.

I actually missed it.

Vicky was coughing and choking while picking herself up. I didn't feel anything for her anymore. Life wasn't complete without my perfect little pet around. Marie has to come home. I would have to re-train her. There were so many lessons to go over. I couldn't wait to kill Whitlock for taking her away. She should be here…serving me!

"Get your hairstylist over here to wash this shit out of my hair!" I ordered Vicky without an ounce of sympathy.

Soon, Marie, we'll be together again, soon.

Bella, February, 2011…

"You know, we can cancel," Jasper said for the thousandth time as I smiled and zipped up his bag.

"No."

He came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "We can spend Valentine's day here," he suggested. "How about a naked Valentine's?"

"Is sex all you think about?" I smirked at him over my shoulder and asked.

He appeared thoughtful for a second before nodding yes. I smacked his arm and moved away from him. "I don't want to miss your surprise."

"I thought you didn't like surprises," he arched an eyebrow at me challengingly.

"I'm forgetting about that rule."

"Forever?" he asked expectantly.

"No. Until your surprise," I sighed and sat down on the edge of his bed. "I want to think about something besides James."

"Well," he said seriously. "This trip will help. After the meeting, you'll have me all to yourself."

He came over to me, dropping down to eye level with his hands on either side of me. He moved to kiss me and I asked quickly, "Any chance you'll tell me what you're planning?"

He smiled coyly and brushed his lips against mine. "Not a chance."

I pulled him down on top of me, kissing his cheeks, his neck… "What about persuasion?"

He grinded against me, letting me feel the semi hard erection he was sporting. "I can definitely be persuaded."

"Mmm…" Our lips were inches apart when Tanya screamed my name making me curse under my breath.

"Bella! Get out of there now! Come and get dressed! And no, 'come' did not mean what you two want it to! Get in your bedroom now, woman!"

"Fuck off!" Jasper screamed, making me giggle.

"I have to go."

He dropped his head to my shoulder with a groan. "She's a fucking cockblocker."

"Come on, get up…" I pushed against him, and he pushed back. I moaned and he pulled me into a kiss. "Jasper, I have to go. She'll come in here. Uhh." He grinded his hips into mine and I was about to take him up on his offer to forget about Houston and stay here for a naked Valentine's when Tanya pounded on the door and screamed at us again.

Jasper pushed off and threw himself down on the bed. He was taking deep breaths and his eyes were closed. "You should go before I change my mind."

I kissed his cheek and whispered, "We'll pick this up another time." Jasper groaned and palmed his crotch.

I laughed and left the room.

"Bella!"

I was going to kill Tanya. "I'm coming!"

She laughed loudly. God, was her mind always in the gutter?

About twenty minutes later, I was dressed and Tanya and I were walking down the stairs together. I hugged Sue goodbye. She would be in charge of things until Maria got back. I could feel Jasper's eyes on me but purposely ignored him. Tanya was right about the dress. She said it would have that effect.

It was a chic floral mini dress that I paired with my black boots and black jacket. I left my hair down and curled it at the end before fighting with Tanya to keep my makeup simple.

I moved toward the door, wanting to head out to the town cars, but Jasper pulled me back. "I need to discuss something with you in private."

"Okay," I laughed curiously.

He took me to the kitchen, out of everyone else's view, and just as I was about to ask what he wanted to talk about, he crashed his lips to mine. I returned the kiss with as much fervor, slamming him back into the wall behind him.

When we broke away, it just so he could say, "Once that fucking meeting is over and those greedy bastards accept the no I'm telling their asses, I'm going to find you and fuck you six ways to Sunday for wearing that dress."

"Is that promise?" I asked with a wink; moving away from him.

He wasn't having it. He stalked up to me and pulled me close, his mouth hovering over mine and his hand moving down my side to dip under my dress. I gasped as his fingers found their way into my panties, circling my clit before he dipped one inside, pumping it in and out of me while I held on to him for dear life. "Bella, the only reason we'll leave the bed, is to shower and eat."

I almost fell over when he stepped back and licked the same finger before he held out his other hand for me to take.

If Jasper wasn't holding on to me when we walked outside, I'd have melted to the ground.

I couldn't wait to get to Houston.

Two town cars were moving away as we descended the steps. Jasper leaned in and whispered that Rose and their mom were in the first one and Edward and Tanya were in the second. He might as well have been reading a porn script to me because all I could think about was how was I going to get him naked and on top of me or under me as soon as I possibly could.

He seemed to know what I was thinking about and kept smirking at me while introducing our driver, Matt, to me.

I noticed a black SUV parked behind the town car and the engine was running. It was tinted dark so I couldn't see the driver.

"Who's that?"

"Sam."

I looked back at the SUV and smiled. It made me feel even safer knowing Sam would be with us. We climbed into the car. Matt got in and we were on our way. "Will Sam be staying with us?"

Jasper looked at me like I was crazy. His eyes were definitely asking if I was crazy. "Not unless he wants to see my naked ass."

With a roll of my eyes, I shook my head and laughed. "So you plan on being naked a lot?"

He didn't miss a beat. "Very much so." He started texting when I challenged, "Oh really?" running a hand up his thigh and making him jump.

He stopped and eyed me with a smirk; pinching my leg. I yelped and laughed. "You're in trouble when we get somewhere private."

"I can't wait." I said as he went back to what he was doing.

Jasper's phones rang almost every minute. He was busy and I was bored. I had reading material but getting engrossed in a book was the furthest thing from my mind. This drive was taking too long. I was sure I would enjoy it another time. But not this time around. Right now, all I wanted to do was mess with Jasper.

And noticing him on the phone again was giving me a golden opportunity. He had gotten various calls since sitting here. From Jenks, reporting on James' movement or lack thereof, to Edward talking business to his mom to his uncle Joshua, who was waiting for them in Houston. Jasper was hardly off of the damn thing!

I was going to mess with him.

I waited until he was on a call with Peter. I told Matt I was going to raise the privacy glass between us and he nodded his agreement. Jasper was distracted by Peter going on about business that he wasn't watching me. I scooted closer, running a hand up his thigh. He gasped and mouthed my name with a questioning glare on his face.

I ignored that, leaning in close to kiss his neck. He groaned and Peter asked him something.

"What? It's nothing." I smiled against his neck and kissed it again; this time nibbling on the area a little. He shifted in his seat and I ran a hand up his thigh and palmed his cock.

He moved the phone from his ear in a ragged breath, "Bella, what are you doing?" I bit my lip and didn't answer.

"Bella…" He was trying to sound stern but he was breaking.

He slammed his head back and moved the phone back to his ear. "Yeah. I hear you. Umm, Peter, I can't…" he started but Peter wouldn't listen. He kept talking. "Yeah, Peter, listen. No, I know. Yes, we're driving up there now. Yeah."

With a sigh, I shifted closer to him, stretching a leg up over his.

"Yeah…Peter…yes…fuck…What? No, umm…I'm looking at something."

I wanted to laugh but I couldn't. I would lose my nerve.

With a kiss to his cheek, I continue to stroke him while nipping along his jaw until I got to the shell of his ear and took it between my teeth. His free hand moved up my thigh and under my dress, squeezing my ass. I ignored how it felt and kept focused on my own task.

His breath hitched when I unbuckled his belt. Whatever Peter was talking about, Jasper was struggling to listen and not moan as I dipped my hand inside his pants and freed his hard cock.

I was determined to make him give himself away. Peter was already suspicious, but Jasper was covering, and I had to prove Peter right.

"No, I'm not up to anything funny! Yeah, I'm listening!" he tried when I started to pump him, so I amped things up.

Making sure his eyes were on me, I continued to stroke him while kissing my way down his chest until I got to my destination and kissed the head of his dick before taking a long lick up the underside of his cock to the tip and then sucking on the head…hard.

Jasper gasped and moaned. I could hear Peter screaming at him. "Shit…" Jasper moaned. "No! Jesus, Peter, get off my case!"

I smiled and moved back up to his neck, to kiss, lick and bite him while I pumped his cock. His hand trailed to my moist center. He moved my panties aside and dipped a finger inside of me. He was trying to distract me, but it wasn't going to work. This was my game. And I was going to win.

I pumped him hard, making him lose his focus and stutter. Peter's raised voice made me smile and groan against his neck. His finger felt so good. I grinded into his side, seeking friction and he added another but I was determined to make him come first.

My stomach was tightening. I was too wired and my orgasm wasn't far off. I pulled away to look at him, and his dark, lustful, pleading eyes met mine. He mouthed my name and the phone fell to the floor of the car, forgotten.

Next: Long time no see.