Chapter Forty Two
Jasper
The next morning after another night sleeping in my arms Bella was dragged out by Alice, Rose and Esme to do some last minute Christmas shopping which I thought was an excuse to get to know her better but I didn't mind, it was good they were making the effort especially Rose. Emmett and I went to choose a tree for the house while Edward and Josie got the decorations out of the attic. That left Charlie with Carmen and Eleazer so I thought he'd be safe from the girls who had plans of their own or at least that's what they said. It was good to be out with my favourite brother who only waited until he was out of earshot of Charlie before quizzing me with a huge knowing grin on his face,
"So hows it going between you and Bella? I didn't hear any sounds of passion. It must be a bummer having her dad close by, having to keep the noise down."
"For a start it has nothing to do with Charlie being close by and not everyone makes sex sound like rutting elephants!"
"Not unless they're good at it and I've heard you and Alice in the past, not what you'd call silent bro'"
"Em its different with Bella, she's young and inexperienced, besides I want us to get to know each other better first."
I waited hoping he'd get the message but instead a grin spread across his face making him look like a hyena!
"Oh I get it, she's a virgin. Wow! I sure hope you know what you're doing Jazz. Its gonna be tough enough trying to hold back but with a girl whose never even..."
"Em enough and if you say anything to Bella or the others I'll make sure you lose the power of speech permanently. Now just find a damn tree."
He didn't say anything else but I wasn't stupid enough to think this was the end of the matter. I just hoped he wasn't going to embarrass Bella especially in front of her father.
Charlie
The house was much quieter with Emmett gone, he seemed to fill any space with his presence but he was loved by everyone from what I could see. There didn't appear to be any sides to him, what you saw was what you got. After breakfast I joined Carlisle and Eleazer for a while, they were discussing plans for a hike later in the week and I was only too aware that a week ago I couldn't even contemplate walking far, now I was ready to join them although they would be much faster than me.
"Don't worry Charlie, it's a ramble not a route march."
The trouble started when Tanya joined us holding a mug of coffee for me, she smiled seductively and I have to say it took me aback, she hadn't bothered me much unlike her sisters.
"Carmen made me promise to look after you while the others are out so I wondered if you'd like to go target shooting with me? I hear you're good with your weapon."
I nearly choked at her words but Carlisle just smiled so I guessed this was normal behaviour for Tanya and decided what the hell why not, what was the worst she could do? So I agreed only to find that she meant in the basement, that confined me a bit so I'd take good notice of the stairs not that I could outrun her!
They had a full size shooting range in the basement and in a huge cabinet were hand guns and rifles of all types.
"So who's the shooting fanatic?"
"Me actually, I love the feel of the long hard barrel on the rifle but then again I like the powerful feel of the hand gun. What about you Charlie?"
I cleared my throat trying not to look into her amber eyes which seemed to be drawing me closer,
"I'm more of a rifle man myself although for work it has to be a hand gun of course."
"Of course, I think guns are very sexual in their nature don't you?"
"I hadn't really thought about it to tell you the truth."
"Well you should, but for now choose your weapon."
She opened the cabinet and I stepped forward to look at the display then felt her close behind me, her body pressed against mine,
"Would you like a little help choosing Charlie?"
I was unable to move forward or back so I grabbed the first rifle I saw,
"No its fine. I'll try this one I think."
I was aware I was gabbling but her voice was a whisper in my ear now and the hairs on my neck weren't the only thing standing up! I was in big trouble here and all I could hope was that one of the others came to my rescue but just my luck, the door stayed firmly shut.
"You know Charlie, the first time I set eyes on you I knew you were special, something different from the other humans I'd met. You resonated inside me."
Her cold lips touched my neck and I shuddered but I still couldn't move without pressing myself against her even harder, how the hell did I get myself in this fix? I guess I hadn't believed all I'd heard about the sisters but it was proving to be absolutely true.
"Charlie, don't you want me? Don't you think I'm sexy?"
"Ah...look Tanya...I'm a bit old for you don't you think?"
Her laughter made her body shake against mine and my blood pressure went through the roof,
"What's age? I'm older than you in fact and it doesn't worry me, or is it that you don't find me attractive?"
"Oh...you're attractive certainly, very beautiful... it's just, well...its been a long time Tanya and I'm not sure..."
She cut me off with a cold hand across my lips,
"I'm sure it will come back to you Charlie, all you have to do is trust me."
I was putty in her hands and as she turned me round to face her I hoped to God Bella never found out about this!
Jasper
When Emmett and I got back with the most enormous tree he could find I looked for Charlie but although all the others were around he was missing, then I noticed Tanya was missing too. Irina walked by with Josie and I stopped her,
"Have you seen Tanya or Charlie?"
She smiled seductively,
"No but if you need some company Jasper..."
"Thanks but no, I'm good. .I was looking for Charlie."
"I saw him with Tanya earlier. I think they were going shooting or something,"
I groaned, if Tanya had got him into the basement he was doomed, still there were worse ways to spend a morning! Emmett and I got the tree into position and started decorating it with the help of the girls and Edward who spent most of his time criticizing what we did until Josie told him to put a sock in it, I was liking the girl more and more but I missed Bella and I'd be happier when she was back with me.
It was mid afternoon before we saw Charlie and he looked exhausted but the thing that caught my attention wasn't him so much as Tanya. I'd never seen such a look on her face before, she was content, for the first time she looked really happy and she was holding Charlie's hand. Emmett gazed at them open-mouthed but I shook my head to stop him saying anything that would embarrass Charlie. The noise in the room slowly stopped as everyone noticed the difference in Tanya's mood then it picked up again as Charlie reddened slightly.
"Nice tree Emmett"
"Thanks Charlie. We had to go quite a way to get the best one. You want to help with the decorations?"
"I think I'll get some lunch first but if you're still going when I finish..."
He disappeared into the kitchen where the girls had prepared a cold lunch for him followed by Tanya who never gave the rest of us a glance. Could it be she'd finally found the one who could satisfy her? If so it would upset the other two, they were still looking.