Chapter Twenty Six

Jasper

I found talking to Bella far easier than I had imagined, she was a good listener and seemed engaged in what she was hearing. I felt her emotions change from happiness at my boyhood to concern when I joined the army and tension when I told her of meeting Maria and her companions. I promised I would keep nothing back so I told her all, or almost all, of my time with Maria and it was the first time she interrupted me.

"You still feel guilty about your time with Maria don't you?"

"Guilty at the terrible things I did yes and disgust at myself for others."

"You mean becoming Maria's lover?"

I hesitated but I'd promised myself to be honest with Bella.

"Yes and no. At first I guess I had the excuse I knew no better and I was a creature of the senses, sex being high on the list. Disgust later that I didn't put a stop to it when I finally understood it was how she controlled me."

"Do you still hate Maria?"

"Hate? No I don't think I care enough any longer to hate her. She did what she thought she had to in order to survive. There was a war on among the vampires as well as among the humans and Maria badly wanted to win that war. With me she did, Maria ran the Southern covens for a long time with my help. Maybe I helped save some humans by killing her enemies."

"So you've come to terms with your time with Maria?"

"I guess so, Alice helped me a lot. I loved her and she was good to me."

"I think you loved each other so why did you break up?"

"I think you were the catalyst, we'd been more friends than lovers for a long time and then suddenly that wasn't enough any longer. I guess subconsciously we must have sensed you meant something to me. Charlotte told me that human vampire relationships take time to develop because the mating pull doesn't appear so quickly. I was afraid you might not feel anything for me Bella but you had to know because I will be acting differently with you, there's nothing I can do about that it's purely instinctual."

Bella

I smiled inwardly at the thought this gorgeous and incredibly hot guy was worried I might not feel anything for him. I'd have to be dead not to feel something! Also I didn't think he'd noticed that while we were talking he had taken my hand once more and I was leaning against him wishing I had the courage to ask him to put his arm, around me. We were so close yet still he hadn't asked me how I felt and I wondered what was stopping him.

"Would you like more coffee? You probably need a rest after hearing all that."

"Actually I'm very comfortable right here but human weakness dictates I must leave you for a moment, comfort break."

He nodded and let go of my hand as I scooted off the bed feeling suddenly very alone. In the bathroom I relieved myself then washed my face and hands and used the complimentary toothpaste and brush to freshen my mouth from the stale coffee. I wondered if he would have moved while I was away and if so would he join me on the bed once more. I certainly hoped so, I really wanted to feel him close to me, for him to wrap an arm around me pulling me close, to feel his lips on mine but whether we would get that far tonight I had no idea. Looking at my watch I realized it was after midnight, the hours were going by way too fast.

I opened the door and breathed a silent prayer of thanks to see he hadn't moved. In fact he sat just as I'd left him leaning against the headboard but his eyes were closed as if he were asleep which I found a little disconcerting, I wasn't used to seeing him like this. His shirt sleeves were rolled up a little and the collar open a couple of buttons showing just a hint of pale chest and I suddenly understood that I found him sexually alluring! His eyes snapped open and he smiled hesitantly,

"Everything OK Bella?"

I nodded rejoining him and he took my hand in his as if it were the most natural thing in the world making my fingertips tingle.

"I thought you might be making a break for freedom through the bathroom window, not that it would have done you any good, I'd have heard."

"But what would you have done if I'd run? Fetch me back?"

"I guess that depends on what you tell me when I ask you the only question that matters. How you feel about me?"

"So ask me."

He turned to look into my eyes and I felt my heart miss several important beats, my breathing becoming more ragged with every second that passed.

"Well?"

"Maybe I dont need to ask, perhaps you've already told me without speaking."

"I'd still like to be asked."

My voice was husky with emotion and my mouth dry as I waited for the question.

"Very well, how do you feel about me Bella?"

Deciding that actions spoke louder than words I leaned in to kiss him not sure what to expect. His lips were cool but soft enough and as they met he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me back long and lingering. When I finally broke free I was gasping for breath but smiling.

"Did that answer your question?

He nodded and pulled me close again to nestle against his cold hard body which felt so comfortable to me.

"Yes it did I'm glad to say. So I guess this makes it official?"

I swallowed hard unsure how I'd got into this position with a guy who made me feel weak at the knees. A man I had thought spoken for was now mine for as long as I wanted him.

"I guess it does, so do we tell the others? No of course not, they'll already know won't they?"

"Does that bother you?"

"No, I understand enough about vampires to know its not possible to keep secrets for long. And no I don't care if they all know Jasper, not one bit."

We somehow ended up laying flat on the bed, his arms still tightly around me and his cool breath on my skin as he kissed my neck and face, his wearing at last that look of contentment I had wanted to put there. My own arms were wrapped around his broad chest stroking his back and with my fingertips I could just pick out the faint ridges that were his scars. Those terrible marks he told me warned other vampires he was lethal. He didn't feel lethal to me, he felt just right and I could have stayed like this, in his arms forever but suddenly he groaned and sat up pulling me into his lap.

"What's the matter?"

"We have to go Bella. The plane will be ready soon and I have to get to the airport."

"To Mexico?"

He nodded kissing me again,

"Don't worry Bella, we'll free your professor and be back in no time."

"Are you sure? Maria is dangerous and you still don't know why he was taken."

"True but I'm hoping the professor will be able to help us there. Don't worry Bella, I have the best reason in the world to take care now…..I have you."

I hated the thought that we would soon be separated but he was going to save Jay and that was why I contacted Alice in the first place, not believing for one second I would end up here in Jasper's arms. We were alone in a motel room with a huge bed and no time to take advantage of it but I wouldn't let such a thing happen again if I could help it.