AN: Bella finds out Jasper bought a penthouse in Tanya's building. And she meets someone from Jasper's past.

Thanks to abbymickey24 for her awesome edits!

Chapter thirty six: Meetings and Missed Dinner

Bella, February, 2011…

We arrived in Houston roughly three hours after leaving Henderson. I blushed and thanked Matt who held the door open for me to alight from the car with a grin plastered on his face.

My face heated even more.

Knowing that he had heard what Jasper and I were up to in the back seat was both exciting and embarrassing.

Jasper didn't see a reason to be. He thought that there was nothing to be embarrassed about. We just got caught up in the moment.

In fact, he thanked Matt and grabbed our bags with a shit eating grin on his face. "Jasper, at least try to look less like proud about what we almost did in the backseat," I muttered through my teeth when he came to stand beside me.

Jasper laughed. "Why? I'm not embarrassed. We love each other and we got caught up in the moment."

I looked away from him with small smile. Deep down, I knew he was right. We had nothing to feel embarrassed about. I loved him.

I eyed him with a smirk while he watched me as we stood in front of one of the most beautiful skyscrapers I have ever seen. "So are you admitting defeat?"

He leaned in, his breath fanning my neck, making me shiver and bite my bottom lip. Jasper groaned into my ear. "Bella, unless you want to really be embarrassed because I get us thrown in jail for indecent exposure and whatever other charges we could trump up for having sex in the public's view, stop biting that lip." He kissed my neck and I shivered again. "And no, I'm not admitting to anything."

I turned to him, quirking an eyebrow at him with a hand on my hip. "I won. You're gonna to have a lot of explaining to do when you see Peter." When I say it, his phone rang and he checked it and cut off the call.

"Peter," he grumbled and then kissed my cheek, making me laugh.

I turned my attention back to the building in front of me. The slow screech of tires made me look away to see Sam's SUV pulling up. He got out and smiled and I gave him a small wave which he returned as he hung back, casually leaning up against his truck.

But the building was what interested me. Jasper placed his hand on the small of my back and began to gently push me forward, but I stood my ground. I wasn't moving until he told me why we were here.

"Jasper, what are we doing here?" I gestured to the building.

He smiled down at me before holding both our bags in one hand and taking mine in the other, pulling me to the doors.

"Jasper, seriously, why are we...here?" I asked as I trailed behind him. I looked back briefly and saw Sam casually following us. But the rest of my questions died in my throat the moment we stepped into the lobby. From the marble tiling, to the fabulous chandelier overhead, this place was beauty throughout.

I was speechless for a full minute. Jasper had to stop and snap his fingers in front of my face to make me respond. "I was asking if you liked it," he said with a grin.

I couldn't think of an answer so I asked questions. "Jasper, didn't you say there was a house here in Houston? Why are we here?"

"Because we're home."

My eyes nearly popped out of my head as I took him in; noticing the happy look on his face. "What? What do you mean 'home'?"

He pulled me close while a tall slender man moved from behind the front desk and started to make his way over to us. Jasper kept his hold on me while I eyed the man.

"Bella..." Jasper's whisper made me look at him. He smiled at my expression and I could only imagine what I looked like. I felt like a deer caught in the headlights.

"You didn't..." I shook my head because I couldn't wrap my mind around it. I knew he wasn't lying. I knew he could buy anything in the world. I knew what he was worth because every time I thought about the exact figure I learned of, I felt lightheaded. "You didn't. Jasper, tell me you didn't! I said no more..."

"Expensive gifts," he finished for me with a kiss on my cheek before moving to my ear to whisper huskily, "but I figured that we'd need the privacy. I don't think you'd want my mom or sister seeing us naked. And since I plan on having you naked for most of this trip. I figured this might suit our needs."

"But a penthouse?!" I unintentionally shouted.

The people walking by stopped and stared at us before moving on. I knew I was being loud, but shit, Jasper bought a penthouse!

"Happy Valentine's Day, Bella," he said with a kiss to my cheek.

The shock of it was shaking me to the core. I couldn't believe it. Who was this guy? "It's not here yet," I squeaked out and he laughed heartily.

I need to go lie down somewhere. Thankfully, Jasper was keeping me glued to his side, because I would have fallen over already.

The man cleared his throat and I jumped while Jasper chuckled and turned us to him. He greeted Jasper with a strong handshake and welcomed us both. "Hello again, Mr. Whitlock; your penthouse is ready and I trust you will find everything up to par with your requests. A cleaning service has already been sent up and everything is in place."

"Thank you, Everald," Jasper said while Everald handed him a key. It was obvious they had met before. When did he do this? This man was full of surprises; expensive surprises.

"Good day, Miss Swan," Everald said, turning his attention to me with an outstretched hand.

"Hello," I said in surprise, taking his hand in a brief handshake.

Jasper chimed in. "Everald will always be here. You can just call down to the front desk for anything and he'll help in anyway he can."

I looked back at Jasper. "You've met?"

Both men laughed and Everald answered, "Yes, ma'am."

I gave them both a shaky laugh and a small smile. Everald took our bags and led us over to the elevator. I turned to Jasper on our way there because I had to know. "Jasper, how did you do it?"

He kissed my forehead before launching into his explanation. "We can thank Tanya. She lives in this building. I just got the place because I wanted somewhere that belonged to us."

We? That made me glare up at him in shock and stutter, "Wha...we...what do you mean 'we'? As in we both o-o-own it?"

Jasper chuckled. "Yeah, baby. We own it. This is our penthouse."

The ride up to the penthouse was spent with me, Jasper and Everald in an elevator that could fit way more people. Jasper had his arm around me, thankfully holding me up, while he conversed with Everald. Jasper told him to always treat me with respect and to get me whatever I wanted. Everald nodded and replied that he would. But as I noticed Everald, who was at least two inches shorter than Jasper's six foot frame, with dark hair and blue eyes and who also wore an affectionate smile on his face, Jasper's words danced around in my head.

"Jasper, please tell me you're joking."

He let out a hearty laugh and Everald chuckled. "No, I'm not, baby. I bought a penthouse for the both of us."

"You're not real," I whispered as he came close while Everald turned away from us; giving us some privacy. "You'll never stop amazing me."

"I'm very real, and I love you," Jasper said, pulling me to his lips for a kiss that I gladly accept.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened. We exited the elevator and the first thing I noticed was that there were only four doors on the floor. Jasper walked to the one facing the elevator and put the key in, unlocking it. My stomach did somersaults when I thought about the trouble he must have gone through to do this.

When he opened the doors to the penthouse and we walked inside, I almost dropped. The entrance alone was exquisite. Jasper took my hand and led me further inside while Everald followed. He placed our bags in the foyer and asked if that would be all.

Jasper took his jacket off, throwing it over a chair while I marveled at the beautiful space in front of me.

"Yes, Everald. That'll be all. Thank you." I heard Jasper say, before the doors closed and I felt his arms around me. I leaned into him for support. This was too much. How much more could I take? How incredible was this man?

"So...what do you think?"

I suddenly turned in his arms and jumped on him in excitement. He caught me with a laugh. "I think it's fucking amazing!"

"It really is," he nodded with a kiss on my lips.

"Tanya knew, didn't she?" I asked as he walked us into the living room; his footsteps soft on the lush carpet.

"She hated keeping it from you."

"But how? I saw you. When did you do it?"

"It wasn't easy...but through Tanya," he said, settling me on the plush white leather couch facing the massive plasma television on the wall. He kissed me gently, and then continued, "She planned everything and had the entire place done to my standards. We both met with Everald after a quick drive up here."

"So she wasn't just excited about her place alone then, was she?" He shook his head 'no'. "Okay, this is crazy, and I'm warning you again, if you don't want to send me running for the hills…"

"I'll try to behave," he promised with a grin that said he would be doing something along these lines in the future. But it quickly changed into a look of concern when he asked, "Bella, are you happy?"

I sighed, wanting to kick myself for causing concern. "Yes. I know I freaked out on you and said dumb things like running back to James, and I'm so sorry for hurting you. Please forgive me."

"I'll forgive you if you forgive me."

"I do. And to answer your question..." I got up and walked over to the glassed wall that overlooked the city. Jasper came up to me and took my hand in his with a smile. "I'm happy, Jasper. I've never been happier in my life. Are you happy?"

"More than I have ever been," he said, mirroring my words.

"Good," I smiled. "Now show me around."

We went from room to room. I asked questions and Jasper answered. The penthouse was a gorgeous space with high ceilings, hardwood floors, marble tiling, two magnificent bedrooms, two bathrooms fit for royalty and expensive art throughout. I stopped by the Van Gogh painting in our master bedroom as Jasper had promptly called it when he escorted me into the room, and turned to him with a cocked eyebrow, "Van Gogh?"

"I like art, Bella. You?"

I smiled, happy to learn that about him because he didn't have that much art at home. Jasper was full of surprises. "I do too."

The king sized bed filled the middle of the bedroom, but the room was still spacious enough and its decor spoke volumes about the incredible man standing silently behind me while I stared out of the bay window. Again, from here, I could see the city. I sighed and took in the sights as Jasper's strong arms wrapped around my waist, easing me back into the safety of his embrace. "Like it?"

I laid my head on his shoulder. "So much."

While I admired the city, he dropped small kisses along my neck, making me sigh. I would always love the feel of his lips on my skin. "Jasper..."

"Bella..."

I turned just enough to meet his lips. His kiss was intense and sweet. He turned me into his arms and began to move backward, stopping when his legs hit the bed and pulled away. "Bella, if you don't want to do this, please stop me now. Or if you're tired, we can..."

"Jasper, I want you."

Urgent, heavy and soul binding kisses passed between us while we undressed each other. Jasper laid me down on the bed and then proceeded to set me on fire with his touch. His kisses moved all over my body leaving me breathless and pleading for him. His lips nipped and bit at my willing flesh as soft, deep chuckles left him at my gasps and sighs of pleasure. He was kissing his way up my inner thighs, getting dangerously close to where I wanted him to be, but I realized I wanted this to be more about him than me. He had done so much. He meant so much to me. And I wanted to please him in any way I could.

Stopping his mouth's ascent to my pleading core, I moved to get up. He looked perplexed and I was more than aching for his mouth on me, but I had to do this. I wanted to do this.

Jasper took it the wrong way. "I'm sorry, darlin', I thought you wanted to..." But I didn't give him time to finish the sentence. I pulled him into a heated kiss.

Tearing my lips away, I pushed him down on the bed. "I want to, but, my way."

He smirked up at me, obviously pleased with the turn of events. "Yes, ma'am."

Positioning himself against the pillows, he watched me as I crawled down his body, leaving kisses and bites in my wake. "My, my, Ms. Swan...uhh...I really like your way."

I bit his inner thigh and he groaned and chuckled deeply. "Just you wait." I was eyeing his hard cock and made sure to lick my lips and moan at the sight of it, making him growl.

"Don't tease, Bella."

"I'm not," I replied, moving to where he wanted me; kissing the tip of his dick before sucking the head into my mouth.

"Oh fuck!" I glanced to see him slam his head back against the pillows with his eyes tightly shut.

I smiled and worked my way down his length, sucking his cock in earnest while fondling his balls. When he begged me to let him come, I swallowed around him.

"Bella...fuck...damn...Bella!" Jasper shouted and came down my throat.

I took my time licking him clean before kissing the head and moving back up the bed to lying down beside him.

"Bella..." he chuckled breathlessly. "Bella..."

"I'll wait until you can talk." But I had no intention to. I planned to tease him until he was ready again. I might have been momentarily stunned to know that he bought a penthouse for me and him but I didn't forget his promise before we left home.

"Bella...that was..."

"Exactly what you said."

He eyed me quizzically, and I knew he was thinking with his other head right now so I would have to remind him. "You said that you wouldn't let me leave the bed. I'm just getting a head start."

He laughed and pulled me into a kiss, moaning at the taste of himself. "I love you."

"Mmm...love you too."

"I want you."

"I know." I could feel how ready he was, poking me into my stomach so I pushed him on his back and straddled him. Raising myself up, I took his hard dick in hand and stroking him before placing him at my entrance. Jasper's eyes stayed on me. The intensity of his gaze making me tremble in anticipation from the lust in them.

I slid him into me and sighed in satisfaction. Jasper's eyes closed and he let out a deep moan and arched up to me. He tightened his grip on my hips and guided my movements. I moaned at the feeling of him filling me.

We started to move. Bracing my hands against Jasper's chest, I moved with him in fervor. Our moans grew louder and our bodies slammed into each other's with hunger and vigor. The slap of skin sounded through the quiet space while the tempo of our lovemaking increased.

"Oh Jasper…"

"Bella."

The positions changed every few minutes. From me on top of him, to him throwing me down on the bed and driving into me with wild abandon, and then from behind me with my hair tight in his grasp while he whispered all the naughty things he wanted to do to me during our stay in Houston, making me come screaming his name.

But he didn't stop. And I didn't want him to. My second orgasm was fast approaching as Jasper bounced me on his cock, grunting and cursing while I laughed because I loved him like this. Unbridled and filled with passion. He sat up, changing the angle and reaching deeper into me all in one move, making me scream. "Jasper!" His hungry lips muffled my moans as his sweaty body slid against mine as he pushed harder into me. I would never get enough of this man.

"Bella, God, baby, you're so fucking tight," he mumbled against my lips before moving to my neck where he kissed, bit and sucked the flesh there.

Our tempo was faster now. I was clawing at his back. He was hissing and growling in my ear. I loved it. I loved that I was the one doing this to him. "Fuck, Bella!"

"I love…uuhh…you!" My orgasm wasn't far off and I wanted to fall.

"Bella, I need to come, baby," Jasper pleaded. "I want you to come."

My body was not my own when he talked like that. It was Jasper's and it obeyed him.

Hard thrusts sent me flying over the edge; the intensity of it threatening to blind me as I screamed for him. And Jasper wasn't far behind. "Bella!" He shouted as he stilled and came inside of me before fell to the bed, fighting to breathe and shaking in each other's arms.

"I love you," he whispered and I wasn't sure if I even said it back before falling into a restful sleep.

~~abt~~

The light streaming into the room told me that it was a new day. We had spent the rest of yesterday doing nothing but make love. We only stopped to eat or use the bathroom. Jasper ignored all calls, and at one point, he wanted to throw his cell phones out the window.

I laughed and begged him not to, but that turned into another session of fucking, because I had to 'convince' him not to. I guess coming while shouting my name was as good a compromise as any for saving a cell phone's life.

I blinked and opened my eyes to the well lit room. I groaned and turned over only to be faced with temptation as I watched Jasper pull his pants up over his tight ass.

"Mmmm…" I groaned in need, and not in aggravation by it being daylight and that meant Jasper couldn't ignore the calls any further.

"Don't tempt me, darlin'," he said, turning to look at me with a groan when he saw what I was doing. But it wasn't entirely my fault. It was partially his. He was too desirable for his own good. And it brought out my insatiable hunger for him along with an air of confidence I had grown to love.

So I knew what staring at my bare breasts was doing to him. It was killing him. I could tell from the bulge in his pants. "All I want to do is throw these damn clothes off and climb back into bed with you."

I sat up further and ran a hand over my breasts, pinching my nipples and moaning. "Bella, you're not playing fair."

"What's an hour late?" I asked as my hand trailed lower.

Jasper didn't even hesitate. He took his clothes off and climbed back into bed with me.

An hour and half later, Jasper was rushing through getting dressed and I was relaxed as ever. I even climbed out of bed and walked over to him, naked; handing him his phones and boots.

He glanced down at my nude body and growled, "You're not playing fair, woman."

"Nope," I smiled devilishly.

"You're bad," he smirked and then kissed me…hard.

"Yep," I smiled when he pulled away.

"I'll see you at dinner."

"Are you sure?"

"Nothing will keep me away," Jasper said, kissing me again and then went out the door only to come back through it again and accost me on my way to the bathroom. He kissed me again, making me laugh and then smacked me on the ass before he walked out. I knew Sam was going wasn't going with him today. He was staying with me. But Jasper didn't say where. Sam was staying out of sight. I didn't question it any further. I merely remembered what Sam had said.

I knew he wouldn't let anything happen to me.

After my shower, I got dressed and went to the gourmet kitchen to make myself a big breakfast with no qualms about eating it all.

My dress code for the day was one of Jasper's white dress shirts, a bra and a pair of boy shorts. Maybe I would change later, but for now, I wanted to be close to him. And the smell of him on his shirt was the best way.

I watched movies, listened to music, and danced around the living room; recalling former ballet pieces I had once danced.

I was happy and so glad that Jasper was eclectic like me in his musical choices. He had everything in to suit my taste.

I explored a little and even took a quick nap, waking up around lunch time. I made myself a small snack and then took my laptop out of my messenger bag. I had to document what I was feeling. I wasn't going to see Esme until April and even though I could call her, I wanted to try and handle the time away from our sessions, alone.

After taking a bite of my ham and cheese sandwich and a sip of my Hawaiian Punch, I opened up a new page and began to write.

February, 2011…

Esme advised that I should take this time away from our sessions to be happy. And, so far, it has been time well spent. There have been glitches like my insane idea to run when I found out James had come close, but Jasper made me see that it was the wrong decision. James would kill me and that would kill Jasper.

Jasper has been nothing short of amazing. He's attentive, caring, and sweet. He bought a penthouse in Tanya's building for both us. Sitting here now, I can see a lot of potential in this place. It could be used a little getaway for us without Jasper having to travel too far from home if he didn't want to.

Maybe I'll share that idea with him when he gets back.

I love that he loves my budding friendship with Tanya. She's great. Tanya is everything I want in a friend. She's crazy but I'm cool with it. Her eccentric and sometimes, dirty attitude is a breath of fresh air. I love talking to her.

Rose is amazing too. She's truly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Emmett is so lucky to have her in his life. And Jasper was too; he has a great sister.

Jasper regretted the days he wasn't so thankful for his family and he thought that I wouldn't forgive him for it and his escapades in college. But I did. They were his darker days. He was lost and trying to calm the demons haunting him. He went about the wrong way, but I didn't think it made him the awful person he saw himself as.

But my views on evil are different and perhaps harsher because I can't think of anyone who's more evil than James Carter.

I wish I could forget James. I wish I could wake up tomorrow morning and not be married to him. I wish I wasn't married to him in the first place because then I wouldn't have to risk divorcing him. He's dangerous. He's the devil incarnate.

Jasper wants to protect me but I have to keep him safe. I can't let James get his hands on Jasper. I won't allow it.

What am I feeling that's different from what I was feeling in December of last year when I first came to Texas?

Hope. Love. Contentment (at least sometimes). Courage. Joy.

These were once things that held no place in my life. But now, that has changed with the blue eyed cowboy I am madly in love with and the more I think about it. The more I realize how right he was.

He was always there for me. Through the good, the bad, the horrible, the awful, Garrett was there.

I'm not sure how to do this, so I'll just write.

Dear Garrett,

I dreamt of you and you're always guiding me. Thank you. I'm truly sorry for causing you pain. But, thank you. Because of you, I still knew how to love; how to care and I can bestow those emotions to Jasper.

But most of all, and I truly believe this, thank you for leading me here. I almost lost my way when my car was stolen. I almost gave up hope, but then Maria happened. And after her, Jasper happened. I don't know how you did it, but thank you. Thank you, Garrett.

I'll always love you.

Yours truly,

Bella.

I think it's enough for today.

I saved my entry and spent the next few minutes in silence just crying for my friend and thinking about the great times we had.

I was so lost in thought, it took me a while to hear the knocks on the door. I wondered who it was before rolling my eyes and smiling. It was Tanya. She was probably here to see if I wanted to go do something or tease me about Jasper.

I wiped my tears away and perked up as soon as I got to the door, pulling it open with a wide smile. "Hey! Ta…" the rest of my greeting died in my throat at the sight of the statuesque blond standing there, looking at me like something she wanted to scrape off the bottom of her shoe.

A scowl marred her perfectly made up face. But instead of the timid feeling I should get from her disapproving look, I felt cheeky. She arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms across her chest and asked in a dismissive, slightly irritated tone, "Is Jasper here?"

As much as my heart sank at the fact that she just asked for my boyfriend, I couldn't let it faze me. Even though it was clearly obvious that she was an ex and she knew where the penthouse he bought was, I still couldn't let it break me. I had Alice to deal with. What else was out there? I mean, I had expected quite a number of exes go through, right? Even models.

"No, he isn't here," I said, taking in her attire from head to toe. The Fendi bag, Jimmy Choo stilettos and Dior outfit all screamed 'model'. Even if I thought she was overdoing it a bit. I didn't think you needed to mix designers to show that you had money. Some people were just fucking shallow.

If possible, her arched brow went higher as she took in my attire. "Oh really?" she said in an accusing manner as she eyed me.

Yeah, I knew what I was wearing and I felt cheeky because of it. Take that! I was standing here in Jasper's white shirt and nothing but my panties and bra under it. "Yes, really. You already missed him."

She smirked and I recognized that sinister look anywhere. She was about to say something to get a rise of me. I knew the look because it was how Vicky always looked before she told a lie on me so James would hurt me.

"Well…" she paused, waiting on me to provide her with my name.

"Bella."

"Well, Bella, I guess I'll see him at the office then," she said. She knew where the offices were. "I just thought that maybe he'd still be here and I heard that he bought a penthouse…" She looked over my head, making a quick scan of the foyer. "But I guess I'll just surprise him at the office. I'm sure he'll be happy to see me again."

She turned away, flipping her hair over her shoulder, but I wasn't through with her. No one was going make me feel bad today. "Or if you don't catch him there, then I can always tell him you dropped by. Who are you again?"

She visibly bristled at my nonchalance. "I'm Natasha, Bella."

"Good, then I'll be sure to deliver the message, Natasha." I stressed on her name in the same snide way she stressed on mine before shutting the door in her face.

The afternoon turned into evening and passed without incidents. I explored the penthouse some more and watched TV. I even tried watching one of Jasper's favorite horror movies, but I only made it quarter way through it before I got spooked and shut it off. I needed Jasper's commentary in my ear and his strong arm around my shoulder.

Jasper called twice and while our conversations were brief, they were sweet. In the first call, he apologized for Natasha and told me that they dated briefly in college. By briefly he meant that she was a booty call. When I pointed that out, he laughed and agreed. He said even after he moved on, she still flirted with him like crazy whenever she saw him.

He apologized and I accepted because I doubted she would be the last we'd come across and it didn't bother me. I was too happy today.

We talked until Edward called him away.

The second call came when I was about to get out of the shower. I had already decided on what to make for dinner, but I just felt like a shower. I teased Jasper a little during this call, and I could have sworn that I heard something about flowers in the background, but Jasper covered well. We talked until Maria called him away this time. But Jasper promised to call again.

After fighting with my hair, I put on a red lacy panty and bra set –Tanya's idea to pack it –and donned a flirty summer dress and went to the kitchen. I wanted dinner to be great. It was the day before Valentine's after all. So it was going to be a hearty meal of Breaded Pork Chops, Pasta Salad with Spiced Iced Tea. But knowing Jasper's appetite, I was throwing some biscuits in the mix as well.

Someone knocked the door and I placed the chops in the oven and went to get it. Tanya and Charlotte pulled me into a big hug and then let themselves in. When Tanya realized that I was making dinner, she and Char opted to stay and help if I fed them too; so more chops went into the oven. We chatted and laughed but my mind was partially elsewhere.

Char said that Edward and Peter along with Jasper's uncle Joshua were all at the meeting and it was taking forever. I asked if Jasper sent them and they said no. I believed them. They just understood how long these things took. Tanya said Sam was around and watching over us. He found Natasha's visit funny. He was staying with Tanya apparently and she was in one of the penthouses on this floor.

I was excited about that, but I still wished Jasper would call.

After I took out the chops, I prayed he would call, but heard nothing. While I put the pasta salad together, I mentally begged him to call, but still, nothing. And by the time I showed Tanya and Char how to make Spiced Iced Tea, I sighed and forgot about it.

"It's business, Bella," Char said over dinner after we made plates for the guys, "and it sucks sometimes."

Tanya looked solemn. "It's my fault. It was Paul's debauchery and you girls are getting punished for his greediness. It's keeping the guys away."

Char and I chastised her for that. It wasn't her fault and if we're lucky Jasper and the guys are rectifying that mistake now. So I relaxed and enjoyed the rest of dinner with the girls.

Jasper will be back when he can. I had nothing to worry about.

Next: I fucked up