Chapter Sixty Eight.

Bella

The thought of Peter and Charlotte making love under the open sky reminded me that Jasper and I were still at the kiss and cuddle stage and it was driving me mad, I wanted him so badly. He looked at me unsure what I meant and I smiled.

"Well where are we going now?"

He sighed and the tenseness left his face.

"Back to the house I guess by way of a Restaurant and Motel. You look shattered."

I was tired and I could do with some pain killers,

"What about the others?"

He shrugged, "They'll know how to contact me when they find Alice, if they do, that is"

I was puzzled, "Why do you say that Jasper?"

He helped me into the car and we drove back towards civilization.

"Alice dumped Edward because he was a liability. She used him as bait so Peter would stop looking for her. Now she has a head start and I wouldn't mind betting she's reviewing her options."

I could see on his face that he suspected something,

"What do you think she'll do?"

"Once she sees that we destroyed Edward I think she'll realize she's next unless she acts quickly. I think she'll head for the shelter of the Volturi"

I gasped, "You think she'll run to Italy?"

"It's what I'd do in her place. The only place safe from us is under the protection of Aro. He's always wanted her to join them so he'll welcome her with open arms. It won't be a good option for her but it will be safe."

After that we drove in silence, I thought about Alice in Italy, could she still cause us problems from there? Would she try to set the Volturi on us? Was there any reason to try to destroy the relationship growing between Jasper and myself? I was afraid the answer to that was a resounding Yes, jealousy would continue to burn in her and as they say,

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned".

Alice would be trouble as long as she existed.

Jasper drew up at a Diner attached to a Motel on the main highway and stiff and sore that I was, he helped me to a booth in the Diner and left me to order while he got us a room for the night. I actually felt hungry this evening, perhaps reaction to Edwards death and my safety as a result. I had almost finished my meal by the time he came back and slid in the seat opposite.

"I've booked us in for a couple of nights, you need some rest Bella. You look tired and I saw you slip the pain killers when you thought I wasn't looking".

Damn and I thought I'd been so sneaky!

He paid the bill and walked me to the room. This Motel was more classy than the last one and I made very sure I had towels with me when I went into the shower. The hot water helped my muscles to relax and I was already feeling sleepy when I came back into the bedroom. Jasper had taken out his book and sat reading but looked up and smiled when he saw me.

"You look better, ready for bed?"

I nodded, "I think the pain killers are kicking in, I feel really tired."

He pulled back the sheet and I climbed wearily in, grabbing his hand so he couldn't leave me.

"Jasper, will you hold me while I fall asleep?"

He smiled and nodded pulling his hand free to fetch his book then sat on the bed and put his arm round me. I curled into his body, arm around his waist and face against his shirt clad chest. As I fell asleep I thought about the sight of his naked body and longed to feel it pressed against mine.

Jasper

Bella was dreaming about something because her pulses were racing and she murmured. I only caught my name and from her emotions it was a good dream so I allowed myself to revel in her warmth, putting my book down and sliding until we lay flat on the bed. As I did so her hand slipped under my shirt to caress my naked skin. Trailing burning fingers across my stomach and igniting the fire in my groin again, it was sweet agony laying like this with her, she was so desirable. I longed to run my hands underneath her top and feel the softness of her warm skin but I held back, I just wasn't sure how far she wanted to go, yet.

Bella

I woke up feeling refreshed and with my hand laying on Jaspers exposed chest. In the night I must have become restless and pulled his shirt up exposing his belly and lower ribs. It felt wonderful and his scent was overpowering my senses. As he realized I was awake he moved pulling his shirt back down and getting off the bed.

"I think I'll grab a quick shower" he said moving fast to the bathroom but not quite fast enough, I had time to see he was affected as much by my closeness as I was by his. This was ridiculous, we desired each other but we were both scared to make the first move. I decided then that if he didn't make that move then I would. When he came out with the towel around his hips I decided, what the hell!

"Jasper come here"

He looked at me and walked over, his smell intensified by the hot water he'd been under made my choice for me.

"Yes Bella"

I pulled him down on to the bed next to me and kissed his lips then his throat and he tensed slightly. I tried to hide my amusement but it was a hopeless task. He pulled back,

"You're laughing at me?"

I nodded and put my hand on his bare chest,

"Sorry Jasper I couldn't help it. Every time I touch your body you tense."

"I can't help it Bella. I told you before you're killing me. I'm trying to behave but its hard, very hard with you so close."

"Oh I know its hard" I whispered in his ear and laid my hand on the towel right over the unmistakable bulge there.

He groaned and swallowed, "Bella"

I hushed him and pulled him down to lay beside me,

"Jasper do you have any idea what you do to me? You walk in here almost naked and expect me to ignore the goods on display. Not going to happen mister."

He pulled back to look into my face,

"I never thought about it like that, in future I'll make sure I'm dressed when I come out of the shower."

I laughed, "If you do I will rip the clothes off your back."

He grinned, "Hey there darlin' just cool down. You're giving this guy ideas"

"I certainly hope so" I said as I moved in for the kill.