Chapter Seventeen

Jasper

During the flight Bella unburdened her anger at being seen as someone without a brain or decision-making mechanism and I understood her anger. She was very intelligent and made her own choices depending on how she felt. I understood her father being concerned but she was now an adult and free to make her own choices. The one call that annoyed me was the one from Carlisle because I knew Edward was behind it but too much of a coward to speak to her himself. She must have felt my anger because she stopped mid sentence and took my hand,

"He's not worth it you know"

"Who?"

"Edward, that's what annoys you isn't it?"

"I guess so. Like you Bella, everyone thinks they know me better than I do. Everyone assumes I'm out of control and dangerous. Even Carlisle and I thought he was on my side."

"I think Carlisle's problem is that he wears blinkers where Edward is concerned, he comes first every time and because Edward is upset and jealous Carlisle is trying to get me back."

"Would you go back? I mean can you think of anything that would make you go back to Edward?"

"You mean can I see a scenario when I would leave you? No, especially not for Edward, he's a child Jasper, terrified someone else might want to play with his toys."

"A toy? I never envisaged you as a toy but its apt. Edward never grew up because he never had to. All his life he's been shielded and cosseted, by his mother and then by Carlisle and Esme. I don't think they even realize what they've done to him."

Bella

When we touched down it was dark and cold so we got a taxi to a nearby hotel and while Jasper booked us in I checked my phone, there were several messages, from Charlie, Renee, and Edward, what did he want? Upset that Carlisle didn't get through to me? I'd listen with Jasper when we got to our room but while the bell boy took the cases up Jasper led me into the small hotel restaurant for dinner. I wasn't very hungry I was tired, annoyed by the thought of messages from Edward, but mainly excited about my adventure which to me had just begun. I found myself eating more than I'd imagined because I was busy listening to Jasper telling me how he'd found the house as a ruin many years ago and done it up himself.

"It's not much Bella but I like it and I hope you will too. If not we can rent somewhere"

When I finished we went up to our room and I sat in the chair with him at my feet his head on my lap as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Since we had declared ourselves things had shifted, everything seemed comfortable between us. Then I told him about the messages and he tensed so I soothed him by stroking his hair,

"I thought we might listen to them together, it will be about you anyway."

He nodded and sat up as I hit the button to retrieve my messages. The one from Charlie merely asked if I would give him contact details when "you get round to thinking of me and the worry I feel about you somewhere with the Hale guy." I was too tired to let this bother me so I just laughed and deleted it. The next was from Renee and I really should have checked it first, it would have avoided my blushes!

"Bella honey I'm not going to lecture you about going off with a hot date but please be careful. Make sure you use protection and don't let him do anything you aren't comfortable with. I remember your father saying he'd given you pepper spray, the only good thing he ever did, keep it with you and use it if you need to, then dial 911 get a knife out of the kitchen and run. Make a much noise as you can. Other than that, have fun."

I waited for Jasper to comment but he just nodded, I think he was agreeing with her, pepper spray against a vampire? not a hope or of running, and I'd probably cut my finger off grabbing a knife!

I was more concerned when the message from Edward started, even hearing his voice made me tense up.

"Bella I just found out from Carlisle that you are shacked up somewhere with Jasper. Are you out of your mind? Remember what he is, what he did to you, to us. Even Alice decided enough was enough. Please don't do this, I hate to think of you in that animals arms. I know I upset you with my jealousy but sleeping with Jasper Hale is over the top as punishment. Ring me as soon as you can and I'll come fetch you, in the meantime try not to upset him, keep him calm and you'll be safe. I love you Bella."

This time there was a response but not the one I expected, the laughter didn't come but anger did, not anger at what he'd said about Jasper but angry at the slur against me.

"Does that idiot really think you would stoop so low as to sleep with me to make him jealous? He hasn't the faintest idea. How dare he."

I kissed the top of his head.

"Jasper, he's trying to bluff his way back to me. He thinks he can frighten me or make you feel like a heel for stealing me away. Its laughable, don't get mad please."

He looked up at me ruefully,

"I wish I was as even-tempered as you Bella, at present I want to find Edward and smash his stupid smug face in"

I leaned in and kissed him,

"That would be playing right into his hands. See Bella. The animal is attacking, I warned you."

"Did nothing he said make any impression on you?"

"No, why? Should it?"

"You've never been afraid of me have you Bella?"

"No, because I see what the others miss."

"And what's that?"

"The noble man beneath the façade"

"Noble? That's something to live up to."

"You have nothing to live up to in my eyes"

Getting up he stretched again and I smiled,

"What?"

"You really fit in don't you? I noticed you do that before, just as the humans would."

"Oh right. It becomes second nature after a while. All the small things that humans do without noticing but notice their absence in others. It's vital to appear as normal as everyone else."

I got up too,

"Well I'm shattered so if you don't mind I think I'll shower and go to bed, read my book for a while"

He nodded and moved to the door,

"Freeze Mister, where are you going? You hunted already"

"I just thought you might feel more comfortable if I went while you got ready for bed."

"Jasper its going to be very awkward at your place if every night you have to go skulking about the trees while I shower and get ready for bed. Why don't you sit down and relax? I won't be long, then its all yours."