Chapter Twenty Five

Bella

I had no idea why Jasper had asked me to take a ride with him but I could feel tension in the air and this made me nervous. He must have sensed that because he turned to me,

"I'm sorry that was so abrupt but I felt we needed to talk, in private."

"OK, now?"

He shook his head with a grimace,

"I don't think so, I'd rather we waited until we found somewhere a little more comfortable."

"Jasper if this about Edward or Jay…"

"Its not Bella, this is strictly about me…...and you."

I wasn't sure I understood what he meant and he seemed tense himself, something I'd not seen before.

I sat back in my seat and watched his profile as he drove noticing how very much alike he and Jay were yet there were subtle differences although I couldn't really point them out, maybe it was in the life Jasper had been forced to live. He was more distant and self controlled. Yet at the same time he could seem very vulnerable at times, like his face when he thought the rest of the family assumed he was trying to attack me and now, if he'd been anyone else I would have put my money on him being nervous but that was ridiculous. What did he have to feel nervous about?

When he pulled into a cafe and motel complex car lot I looked around. Was he taking me to dinner? I was hardly dressed for it but I wasn't going to refuse, I liked his company, it made me feel safe and secure, just like it had in Phoenix. He turned to me,

"Would you like something to eat or drink?"

"Coffee would be nice if we can find a quiet booth."

He nodded getting out of the car and walking slowly round to open my door for me. I felt a faint flutter in my chest as he held his hand out for me to help me out.

Inside the cafe was quiet and he chose a booth in the far corner away from everyone and waited until I ordered a coffee and a slice of cherry pie.

"So, what did you want to talk about? If it's to do with leaving me here while you go find Jay I'm resigned to it so you don't need to worry. I won't try any tricks like Phoenix, promise."

He smiled at that memory and he looked so much younger and relaxed for a moment. I found myself wanting to see that expression on his face more often and wished I could put it there for him.

"Can we wait until your coffee arrives Bella, I really don't want to be interrupted."

"Of course."

He didn't take his eyes from me and I became more not less nervous although if someone had offered me the chance to leave I would have laughed in their face, I couldn't think of anywhere I would rather be. I was relieved when my coffee and pie arrived and we could finally get down to what was bothering him.

"Bella I'm not sure quite how to say this, I'm not real good with words."

"You're doing fine."

He smiled again and my stomach lurched strangely.

"I spoke to Charlotte….she has a gift….she sees relationships."

"Oh right."

Was he about to tell me she'd seen Alice back with him? Maybe she'd seen me with Jay although I didn't see that, no way! But then why would he be talking to me and not Alice or Charlotte herself? It didn't make sense.

"I can see I'm confusing you and I assure you that's not my intention. I'm just not sure how to tell you this. Like I said…."

"You're not good with words. How about I tell you then?"

"Sorry?"

"Look if this is about me and Jay I think she's wrong. I'm not attracted to Jay at all."

"I'm mighty relieved to hear that."

"You are? Why?"

"Because I'd hate to have a rival."

Now that took a few seconds to sink in but when it did I blushed furiously and found myself looking at him open mouthed as he nodded,

"Yes, its not Jay that's interested in you it's me. Charlotte told me what I already suspected, that there was something about you."

"Charlotte told you that I am your….."

I couldn't get the word out, not because the idea horrified me, on the contrary.

"That you are my mate? Yes she did and then I understood the times I had felt so protective of you, the time in the hotel when I told you that you were worth it, I meant it, I just didn't know why at the time."

"And does Alice know?"

"Yes, she was there. I think she may have suspected too."

He reached across the table and took my warm hand in his cool one.

"I love you Bella, I guess I always have, I'm just sorry it came at a time like this."

"So what's the right time Jasper? Is there one? You know I always felt I belonged in your world rather than mine, just not with Edward. I never thought I'd meet another va…...well you know."

"How do you feel about it though? Being told just like that, cold. I mean you hardly know me and what you do know isn't exactly inclined to make you like me much."

I put my other hand over ours and squeezed gently,

"Then why don't you tell me."

"Its a long story Bella."

"That's OK we have all night."

His eyes opened wide at my words but I was past all the coy little girl words and actions.

"I'm not sure the cafe stays open all night."

"But the motel does."

He swallowed at my words as if nervous again.

"And you'd be happy to spend the night with me?...I mean alone talking that is."

"Well let's see shall we?"

I was fascinated by him and eager to hear his story, I wanted to know all about this young man, not just the scary bits Edward had used to keep me away from him but the whole truth.

I finished my coffee and pie and Jasper paid, also for a coffee to go and I sat in the car while he rented a room. It seemed a little naughty and I almost giggled seeing him return with the key in his hand but he looked so nervous that I swallowed it down instead getting out to join him as he took my arm and escorted me to a room on the end of the block. He unlocked and handed me the key to the room and the car,

"What are these for?"

"I want you to feel comfortable and in control. This way if you want to leave you can go, take the car."

I took them from him but once inside I lay them on the table looking around. The room wasn't meant for serious conversations with a couple of upright chairs and a huge bed but he didn't seem to notice handing me the coffee and shutting the door waiting for me to choose somewhere to sit.

I deliberately chose to sit on the bed cross legged against the headboard and motioned for him to join me. He hesitated then joined me pulling off his boots first. I took a sip of my fresh coffee and turned to him, his scent and nearness doing strange things to me.

"Well I'm ready if you are."

He sighed then started from the very beginning when he was a boy on the family farm. He said he wasn't good with words but he painted a pretty good picture of his early human life and drew me in. I felt the horrors and excitement of war as he joined up and then came the fateful meeting with Maria and her companions and his journey into the life of a vampire.