Chapter Sixty Four

Bella

I must have fallen asleep in his arms because it was very dark in the room when I opened my eyes, the only illumination coming from the clock beside the bed.

"You feeling better?" he asked very quietly.

I nodded, "Yes but I always feel better when I'm with you."

"Well you'll be fine them because I'm not leaving you again."

I pulled myself upright, "I really need a shower."

"You go ahead. Then we'll get you something to eat. Your last meal didn't do you a lot of good."

Oh God he knew I'd been sick! I was so embarrassed. I walked into the bathroom then stuck my head out again,

"You'll still be here."

He smiled and nodded, "I'll be here. I'm not going anywhere."

I slowly stripped off then turned on the shower. The water was warm and I stepped in, enjoying the feel of it on my skin. I washed my hair then realized there was no towel in here. Great Bella! Its turning out to be a really good day.

"Jasper. There aren't any towels in here".

I heard the bed creak as he got up and as I watched he walked in with a huge fluffy towel I recognised as one of Esme's.

"Here you go" he looked straight into my face as he handed me the towel.

"Thanks" I said shyly wrapping it around my body.

Jasper

I heard the shower turn on and closed my eyes. This was cheating but I couldn't help myself, I allowed myself to feel what Bella was feeling, the sensual feel of the soapy water running down her body. I was pulled rudely from this reverie when she shouted about no towels. I knew Esme had packed some for Bella so I grabbed one and walked in with it. Bella stood in the shower naked but I kept my eyes on her face, not that it made any difference, I was still aroused just by the thought of being in the same room with her naked. As she took the towel I allowed myself the briefest flicker of my eyes before turning and leaving her again. That was a mistake because she was so beautiful. The brief glimpse was burned into my memory, her breasts with water droplets running down them, her slim waist and the dark hair between her legs. I groaned as my dick swelled with my thoughts.

Bella

Once I'd wrapped the towel around me I came out into the bedroom to see Jasper standing at the window looking out into the darkness.

"Sorry about that. I should have checked before I got in the shower"

"That's OK Bella, no problem"

But I knew there was one. I knew he loved me, desired me and calling him in while I stood naked in the shower was wrong. When he turned to look at me I saw desire in his eyes although he was trying so hard to fight it. What he hadn't realised was that I too was fighting the same battle...and losing.

"I'm really tired" I said with a yawn

"Would you like me to get you something to eat?"

I shook my head, "I think I'll let my stomach settle down till morning."

He nodded and moved to the armchair by the desk. I saw he had one of my books out ready,

"You going to read while I sleep?"

"Yes, so take as long as you need. I'll be here while you sleep beautiful."

I took my sleepwear into the bathroom and pulled them on noticing how the last of the bruises were now almost gone from my rib cage they were still tender but I could live with that. I climbed into bed and Jasper turned the light out, he could read by the moonlight shining in through an uncurtained window. I watched as he opened the book and started to read. I wanted to sleep but I was afraid I would wake up to find him gone, to find this was all a dream.

I looked at him until my eyes started to close, "Jasper" I breathed and he looked up, "Would you come and sit with me?"

He came over, putting the book on the bedside cabinet.

"What's wrong? Can't you sleep?"

"I can sleep, I'm just scared when I wake up you won't be here."

He smiled and moved me over on the bed to make room for him. He put one arm round my shoulder and pulled me close.

"There. If I try to escape it will wake you."

I nestled into his chest and fell asleep almost instantly. Then the dreams started, Edward and Alice chasing me, jumping from car after car and hurting worse each time, then they disappeared to be replaced by a wonderful calm, Jasper with me, holding me, I was safe.

When I woke up it was raining, or at least I thought it was, I could hear water falling. I opened my eyes and saw I was alone. The bathroom door was open and what I'd heard had been the shower. I looked round, Jasper's bag was open and fresh clothes laid out on the end of the bed. I closed my eyes wondering what to do. Should I let him know I was awake or keep quiet and hope he didn't notice my breathing had changed. I lay still and waited, hearing the shower switch off I opened my eyes slightly.

He came through from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist, hair ruffled from being towel dried. As I watched he dropped the towel and pulled on clean underwear. His body was exquisite, like a Greek Statue, muscles perfect, skin smooth, then he turned slightly and I saw that wasn't true. The weak sun shining through the rain illuminated his chest and I saw again the scars, bite marks, covering his upper body, even reaching up his neck to his jaw line.

He turned and his face went blank. He grabbed the clean shirt and pulled it on buttoning it up to his neck. "Sorry Bella I didn't realize you were awake"

I got up and walked over to him then took his hand and pulled him over to the window. He stood warily as I unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it from his shoulders to drop to the floor. I touched his naked skin and felt the ridges I had seen, under my fingertips. As I trailed my hand down his chest he shivered and tried to pull away but I stopped him with a shake of my head. His chest felt cold and hard and the ridges stood out enough for me to feel each individual one.