Chapter Twenty Three

Bella

I didn't know who the beautiful blonde was but I had to admit she was as stunning as Rosalie although on closer inspection there was a hint of something in her eyes that reminded me of my mother, I got the feeling she could be hurtful and spiteful if she chose. Jasper came hurrying to my side and took my hand,

"Bella, this is Tanya, a relation from Alaska. Remember I told you they were coming for Edward"

Tanya's smile became broader as if she were enjoying a private joke,

"So you are Bella, I heard of you but I didn't realise you and Jazz were "close"."

The way she said it had me blushing, she made it sound like we were having some steamy relationship.

"Please excuse Tanya she can be a little indelicate at times Bella"

Another woman I had never seen moved forward and held out her hand,

"I'm Carmen, Tanya lives with me along with her sisters and my husband. Its good to meet you."

I shook her hand, yet another cold one and returned the greeting unsure I was welcome but Jasper put his arm around me holding me close,

"We should go Bella."

"Oh surely not yet. Bella just got here and I'm intrigued. Why don't the two of you stay a while"

Esme stepped forward then,

"I think Jasper and Bella have plans Tanya. Come back upstairs."

Esme ushered Tanya still peering at me closely away and up the stairs to the main part of the house while Jasper stood unmoving until she was out of sight.

"I'm sorry, I should have rung first, I just thought I would surprise you."

"No, that's fine. I'm glad to see you but lets get away from here. I do not like Tanya."

I had to laugh, he looked like a hunted deer and as if he couldn't wait to get away from the woman.

"Sure."

Jasper

I was relieved once away from the house and the man eater and only then could I relax. Bella was still apologising,

"Pull over"

She looked at me startled by my tone I think more than my words and pulled off the highway turning to look at me. I didn't speak, I just leaned across and kissed her very gently on those beautiful lips before sitting back,

"Don't apologise, I was very glad to see you Bella. I missed you"

Her eyes were wide and her cheeks flushed pink as she lifted a hand to her lips and I wondered if I had just made a big mistake but then she smiled,

"I missed you too. Can I ask you something?"

"Of course"

I tried to sound less worried than I was at this question.

"Does she fancy you? Tanya I mean?"

I nodded laughing quietly,

"I'm afraid Tanya likes men full stop, and I happen to be the only unattached male in the house, at least as far as she was aware. I'd very much like not to be though so I wondered if perhaps, well if you might consider making our friendship into a little more than just friendship."

She looked at me a little puzzled,

"Are you asking me if I'll go out with you? As in a boyfriend, girlfriend kind of thing?"

"Well yes, Bella would you be my girlfriend?"

She didn't speak just leaned over and returned my kiss then started the engine and drove on towards Port Angeles leaving me breathless, the ache in my chest becoming a flame instead.

As we drove into Port Angeles she turned to me again,

"Where did you want to go?"

I shrugged smiling and touched her cheek,

"As long as its with you I don't mind. I just wanted to spend the afternoon with you if truth be told."

"Then I'll stop here and we can take a walk. Would you mind if we called in at the book store if its still open?"

"Of course but I think you'll find it closed this afternoon. Was there something in particular you wanted?"

"I thought I might try some more Thomas Hardy."

I nodded and took her hand as we walked slowly along the still wet side walk glad that it wasn't raining or sunny. Sooner or later I would have to tell Bella the truth about myself but not yet. I didn't want to frighten her away and I needed to be sure of her feelings for me before taking the irretrievable step of disclosing our secret.

The book store was, as I suspected, closed although Bella didn't seem too bothered, she suggested we could come one day in the week perhaps and I was only too happy to agree to this. We walked around Port Angeles looking in the shop windows until I saw Bella shiver slightly when I steered her into a coffee shop choosing a booth at the back where there were less people. She looked at me a little oddly as I ordered coffee for two but a single drink wouldn't kill me and it would put her mind at ease or so I hoped but as soon as the server had left she took my hand in hers,

"You don't have to order for yourself. I know about your problem. Esme said she had a similar blood disorder. It must be miserable sometimes. What do you usually drink?"

I studied her wondering what she might say if I told her the truth but settled for a small white lie for now,

"Water mainly but you can always drink both coffee's if you like"

We sat together and she started talking a little about her mother proving that the thoughts I'd had about her life before coming to Forks. Although she didn't run her mother down it was patently obvious that she had been treated very badly. Then she stopped suddenly blushing,

"I'm sorry I seem to be monopolizing the conversation. Tell me about yourself."

I told her a little of my upbringing on the small farm in Texas bringing it up to date as best I could and she seemed genuinely interested. I let slip I had other siblings so had to account for not seeing them any more by explaining they had died along with my parents.

"You and Rosalie are quite close aren't you? It's lucky Dr Cullen was able to offer you both a home."

"Yes, Rose has kept me going sometimes when life got hard. She's firm but she's fair and very loyal."

"Yes I see that. Sometimes I wish I had a brother or sister but then I think of my life until I moved here and I know its better that I was an only child. I wouldn't wish my upbringing on another."

We talked until I noticed the time, it was almost six and Bella had told her father she would be back by seven at the latest so we drove quickly back to Forks and I insisted on her dropping me at the entrance to our driveway, I didn't want Tanya meeting her again. We kissed before parting and I promised to meet her the next morning at school watching as she drove away and not moving until she was out of sight. Then I strolled down the driveway hoping our "guests" were gone but their car was still parked before the house so I went up the steps reluctantly hoping I could sneak upstairs but of course Tanya had heard me and came to confront me inside the front door.

"Well Jazz you are a dark horse, a human girlfriend. Does she know about you? What you are? Youdo realise that you can't possibly have a relationship with her don't you? Or is it the thrill of forbidden fruit I wonder? If you're feeling horny after your date with the little girl I can help you out. Why don't we take the discussion upstairs to your room. I'm sure we wont be missed, the others are still discussing Edwards little problem. I don't see the fascination personally, she's like every other human, weak, frail, and homely. You really should look among your peers for a mate...someone like me perhaps, you know how much I like you"

As she spoke she closed the distance between us until she had me almost pinned against the wall, her firm breasts pushing against my chest while her hands wandered to my belt buckle. The thing was that I felt absolutely nothing for Tanya at all, she left me cold and I pushed her away firmly doing up my belt as I did so and making for the stairs,

"Save it for someone who finds you attractive Tanya. I have things to do"

I heard the curse that spat from her pretty mouth and knew I'd been right all along, Tanya just wanted another notch for her headboard.