Chapter 65

Bella

I was mesmerized by his scars and must have stood touching them for far longer than I knew because my arm ached from the movement and he just stood there and let me. When I finally came to my senses I was so embarrassed.

"Sorry Jasper it's just that I'd forgotten how scarred you were. He shrugged and the muscles moved beneath his pale skin sending a few tiny rainbows of colour across its surface.

"I try not to show them, it tends to frighten people".

"How did you manage in school, in the locker room?"

"Speed and the fact there's no outside light so they are almost invisible to the human eye".

I saw him flinch as I touched another more noticeable one near his neck. "This one?"

He took my hand and pulled it away. "That one I'd rather not talk about".

"Oh sorry". I was intrigued, why wouldn't he talk about that scar in particular?

I dragged my eyes away from his chest and shook my head to clear it.

"Well I guess I should get showered then we can leave early".

He nodded, bending to pick up the shirt I'd removed from him to see the scars. As he buttoned it up I couldn't help wishing he didn't need to. His body was so beautiful and I closed my eyes momentarily to remember the sight of him naked as he dressed, thinking I was asleep. It had been just a glimpse but it was etched in stone in my memory like the time at the lake, and I ran into the bathroom embarrassed at my feelings which I knew he could feel.

Jasper

Bella never ceased to amaze me, her acceptance of my scarred body, no sign of fear or loathing and then her emotions as she ran through to the bathroom. I had expected distaste maybe or a little apprehension but what I got was an overwhelming blast of lust, was it me or her? I couldn't believe that the human girl who had stood here a few seconds ago desired me that much, so soon. With my own feelings on top it was too much for my body and I felt an uncomfortable swelling in my groin which no matter how hard I tried just wouldn't subside. Thank god for long shirts meant to be worn over jeans, not tucked in!

Bella

I showered quickly still burning with desire for him and the cold water only helped a little. When I came out towel wrapped firmly around me, he was reading and he never glanced up and I was watching him rather than what I was doing which resulted in one bleeding finger as I shut it none too gently in a drawer slicing it on a screw that stuck out in just the right position for a klutz like me. As I looked, blood dripped onto the carpet and I brought my finger to my lips but he beat me to it. He was there holding my finger, as we locked eyes he brought it to his lips and tasted it with his tongue. I watched as his eyes grew dark with thirst but he opened his lips and took my finger into his mouth, closing his eyes and savouring the taste of forbidden fruit. Then he slid it back out and held it up to me, the cut had vanished, healed by his venom.

"Well how do I taste?" I asked in a whisper.

"Unbelievable" he whispered, "I wanted to know if the taste of your blood was likely to set off my thirst." "And if it did?"

"Then we'd have to make sure you never bled in my presence"

"No, I think I'd already be dead if that were the case."

He sighed, "I couldn't hurt you Bella, it would be like committing suicide."

I stopped him with a kiss which he returned with passion before breaking off, "We need to go"

I looked at him, "Why? Do you have somewhere you need to be?"

He shook his head, "I just don't want to rush things Bella".

I nodded, "OK" and went to get dressed.

We drove all day stopping only for me to eat at a Diner,

"Where exactly are we going Jasper? Do you have somewhere specific in mind?"

He looked over at me with a smile, "Yes I do as a matter of fact. It's somewhere I looked at a long time ago, a place I thought was perfect but if you don't like it then we don't need to stay."

I nodded, "OK but I'm going to need to stop soon, my ribs are aching and I need to stretch my legs".

He looked guilty, "I'm sorry Bella I should have thought about your comfort."

I reached over and touched his face, "No more apologies. I'm happy and I'm quite capable of asking if I need something"

He nodded, "OK. Would you like to stop now? We're only about an hour from our destination."

"In that case I'll wait."

I watched the scenery out the window and had to admit it was breathtaking. As the sun went down we drove a dirt track and came out in front of a huge log cabin which had evidently been empty for some time. He looked over at me,

"What do you think?"

I opened the door and got out of the car, turning to look round me. Then I walked up to the huge oak door and pushed, it creaked open and I walked in to a high ceilinged hall with doors leading off. Jasper watched from the front door as I walked in and out of each room, a great room with a huge field stone fireplace, a smaller room possibly a library or study or the like, then a downstairs cloakroom and a massive kitchen with a range. I walked back into the hall and stepped on the bottom stair. The steps were thick with dust and I left footprints as I ascended. The landing was equally large with a huge balcony looking out the back of the house over rolling countryside. There were four bedrooms each with a bathroom and a window seat over looking the front of the house. When I turned round Jasper was behind me,

"What do you think?"

I reached up to pull his head down and kissed him,

"Its beautiful. How did you find it?"