Patience was not a skill I excelled at. When I was in the military it was something I could stomach since I knew that it unnerved the enemy, to be left in suspense of when we were going to attack.

Waiting on a call… it was maddening.

It had only been two days since our little chat and Bella still hadn't called back. I was tempted to hunt her down, but refrained. Fucking would be so much more enjoyable if she came to me first.

So I sat in the forest, waiting… and then the call came.

"Jasper?"

"Bella." I couldn't help but grin like a mad man. "So when and where?"

"You're so presumptuous, as always. Perhaps I was calling to tell you that I no longer wanted to continue this very strange relationship." I held the phone away from me and growled before calming down enough to respond.

"Bella, Bella, Bella, is that what you want? That's not what I want."

"What is it that you want again?" She said in a teasing tone.

"It sounds like you want to play."

"Play? Interesting word choice." Her tone suddenly became serious. "I don't want this just to be about 'playing'."

"Is 'playing' such a bad thing?" I tried to keep things light, but her sigh made it clear that I had not succeeded.

"I'm serious, Jasper."

"What if 'playing' is all I'm good for?" If I wasn't fighting, feeding, or roaming around I was fucking. We couldn't fight, feeding off her wasn't on the menu, and I doubted she wanted to roam.

"I don't believe that." There was a loud noise in the background. "My father just got home. I have to go. I can be in Port Angeles by five tomorrow. Text me where you want to meet, okay?"

"Okay, Bella-" There was a clicking and I glanced at my phone. She had ended the call.

I had made an ass out of myself. I had shown a weakness, a vulnerability. I limited myself by implying I was only good for fucking. It's too late to take that back though.

Tomorrow by five… I needed to get a place. I had already scouted a few hotels. I just had to throw enough money at one of them to make sure they didn't ask for an ID card or credit card. I had been accumulating cash, just for this occasion.


Short chapter, a transition, but it shows Jasper's not 100% hardass. What do you think of this 'weakness'?