Looking at Charlotte, I shake my head. "No. Everyone calls me Bella. It is what I have always gone by. My mother insisted. Well, everyone except my dad. He called me Bells."

Rose and Charlotte looked at each other with smirks and then back at me before Rose added, "Isabella. I just called you that a few moments ago yet you don't seem to notice. And that is basically all Jasper calls you."

I opened my mouth to rebuff, shaking my head but both were staring at me, eyebrows raised. I paused and thought about it. They were right. Jasper typically did refer to me either as the standard "southern" greeting of "darlin'" or as Isabella. And I never corrected him. Rose, on the other hand, has always called me Bella and it was only just now that she switched to Isabella.

"I guess I don't really know. Rose, why did you start? I mean, you always called me Bella before."

She dipped her chin once. "Yes. Before when I could not figure out why you ever wanted to be stuck in such a controlling relationship. It seemed so childish and naïve. But lately, you have started showing some maturity. 'Isabella' felt right."

"Oh. Okay. That explains Rose. But you will have to ask Jasper for him. I don't really know."

Charlotte smirked again before leaning in, whispering quietly. "Well, I can hear the 'look' my mate is giving him right now."

"How does one hear a look?" I whispered back, leaning in as well.

A second later, a growl erupted from the barn and the animals started to scatter. Shortly, a vampire blur took off into the distance over the fields. Emmett sauntered back out with Peter walking our way. Both were covered in hay, and they looked like they had taken a tumble.

Charlotte simply pointed her eyes to the two approaching us, "that is how one hears a look. I am guessing that you were trying to get him to answer the same question I asked over here?" She stood up and walked towards Peter.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I was curious. If this little troublemaker doesn't even realize he is calling her a name she does not usually use, well. I wanted to know why."

Emmett barked out a laugh. "The stare down those two had out there. I accidently piped a comment in and that was when everything seemed to 'blow up'. He chucked us both into the hay pile and then took off. Chicken."

They all started laughing and I sat there. "So, human over here. I did not hear what Emmett said. What was the comment that got him so upset that he threw his friends and ran off?"

Emmett simply laughed louder while Rose shook her head, dragging him away by the arm. I turned my attention to the other two who simply stood there, pursed lips, smirking and shaking their heads.

"Arrgh! Vampires are so frustrating!"

I stood up and stormed out to the fields in the opposite direction that Jasper had run. If he were angry, he was likely calming himself and adding another person's emotions would not have made that easy. Especially since now I was frustrated as well. So, I took it upon myself to give my own tour of the property. Knowing it was owned by Jasper, and occupied by vampires regularly, I assumed I had lots of land I could walk before I was leaving his property, so I just left. If they were going to be keeping secrets from me because I was a human, I did not want to be there to realize it.

After an hour and hoping ten fences, I came across a field full of horses. I paused at the fence, uncertain if I should climb this one. Not all animals liked strangers and I was not very familiar with horses. I leaned my arms across the top fence post and rested my chin on my arms. I could easily see forty different horses. A few with young ones, playing alongside what must have been their mothers.

Many of them shied away from the fence. The largest one in the herd though cautiously approached, ears twitching and tail swishing. The animal was beautiful. His shoulders stood more than 8 or 9 inches taller than me. Granted, I was only average height at 5'4", this horse still seemed quite tall. His coat was a radiant golden shine. All four hooves had about 4 inches of white above them before the gold colour began. The mane and tail were a bright white that was almost translucent.

"Hey there big guy. I am friendly, you coming to check me out?" I calmly spoke to the horse and after a few minutes his head relaxed and he brought his muzzle close to my face, bumping his nose against my cheek. I giggled. "Hey, easy now. That is ticklish."

The horse in response nuzzled my cheek again so I brought my hand up calmly and began to pet his neck. He nickered back in response. After a few moments, his ears perked and he raised his head, effectively bringing is neck out of reach. He pranced on the spot for a few moments, swishing his tail quickly and turning his head to keep his right eye focused on me.

"It's okay. I am sorry. Shh." I spoke, worried I had done something to spook this beauty.

"I'm impressed."

I whirled towards the voice, gasping. Jasper chuckled and I shook my finger at him. "Hey, do not sneak up on a lady. That wasn't nice."

He smirked and came to stand next to me at the fence. The golden horse came back and pressed his head between us, attempting to push Jasper. After a few failed attempts, he switched to pushing me. As I was just a human, and one likely only one tenth his weight, I was easily moved further down the fence.

Jasper spoke. "Easy now, Nugget. I am not going to hurt her."

I tried to look around the nose in my face to Jasper. "What? His name is Nugget?"

He simply nodded. "To me, he is a golden colour, so we called him Nugget. Officially, he is known as a pearl. That is the colour code for his breed."

"Huh, I would have thought pearl would have referenced a white. Why is he pushing me? He was fine before you showed up. Let me pet him and everything."

"Well, I am guessing Nugget is worried. Animals sense the danger in us vampires. We have raised these horses, so they are comfortable with us. Well, as comfortable as they can be. But he is concerned about you."

I turned to him and rubbed his neck again. "How sweet of you boy. Are you protecting me? What a good horse." I murmured.

After a few more moments, Japer spoke again, still from his distanced spot down the fence line. "I am quite impressed that he has taken a liking to you. He has always been aloof with most people. A stallion through and through. Protects his herd and his mares and does not take to strangers. But he seemed to not mind you."

"Oh, well, likely because he overpowers me."

"Perhaps." I heard the shrug that was implied with the statement more than saw it. I was still focused on the horse.

"So, what type of breed is he? He is quite tall. I didn't realize horses could be so large."

"Well actually, he is oversized for his breed. He is an Andalusian and is what we call 18 hands high. Or, about six feet at the shoulders. His breed typically is only about 15 or 16 hands high – or, well about your height at their shoulders. We breed Andalusians here. We managed to bring over several from Spain a few decades ago and this is our herd. We sell them around the world to appropriately screened buyers."

"Wow. He is gorgeous."

"Would you like to ride him?"

I whirled back towards Jasper, mouth hanging open. "Ride him? I have never ridden before. I would fall off."

Jasper approached slowly, even for a human. Nugget snorted at him, and he simply snorted back. Nugget shook his head and mane but stood still, allowing the approach.

"We could ride tandem. I promise not to let you fall."

I bit my lip. This was something I had always dreamed about. The chance to ride a horse someday. And today seemed to be it. So, I nodded to him. Jasper wrapped his arms around me and hopped the fence in one bound. I yelped and most of the herd took off further into the field. He then lifted me and swung me up on Nugget's back and I froze.

"No saddle?" I gripped the mane in my hands, afraid I would fall off.

"We would have to go back to the barn to get his tack for that. I promise, you will not fall. Though you may want to not pull his hair so tightly. He will not likely bite, but best not to push your luck."

I nodded and carefully loosened my grip and then pat his neck, whispering an apology. Jasper then swung up and settled on the horse behind me. He wrapped his left arm around my waist and then settled in tight to my back, my hips and buttocks resting between his legs.

My face heated and I bit my lip. Even with dating Edward I had not spent a lot of time getting physically close to a male. My heart rate sped up and I hoped that Jasper blamed my nervousness on being on the horse and not being in his arms. I tried to let out a slow deep breath.

His lips brushed my right ear as he leaned in. "You ready?"

My lower lip trembled, and I bit it harder to control it as shivers ran up my back. Afraid of how my voice would sound, I only nodded. Jasper made a clucking noise with his tongue and Nugget took off at slow trot.

I gasped and gripped Jasper's arm around my waist, afraid to pull the horses hair again. We bounced along. Well, I bounced. Jasper did not seem to have that issue.

"It is bumpier than I expected." I managed to utter out between bumps on the ride.

I could feel Jasper's chest jostle along my back as he chuckled. "Well, hold on then and I can fix that." Gripping tighter, Jasper clucked again and squeezed his legs against my hips and the horse's sides, and we took off.

I squealed as we ran at full speed over the fields and hills. Part of the herd joined in and were running along beside us, manes and tails blowing in the wind. After a few minutes of realizing that with how closely I was held to Jasper, I knew I would not fall and began to relax, laughing and smiling at the feel of the wind in our faces and hair.

After an hour, the horse began to slow and Jasper spoke, "Okay, easy now." Nugget slowed to a walk and eventually stopped. I let out a breath and rested my head on Jasper's chest and shoulder, gasping from the thrill of the run. His chin rest on my shoulder and his lips were near my ear. "How did you enjoy your first ride?"

With the adrenaline coursing through my bloodstream still, I visible shivered from the chills and licked my lips before responding in a whisper. "It was amazing."

I leaned forward and turned my head to look at Jasper. His eyes were black, yet I did not feel any fear. Instead, a strange sensation settled deep in my stomach. To avoid moaning, I bit my lip again. His eyes followed the movement and held focus on my lips.

He reached up with his thumb and gently pulled my lip free of my teeth. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and then brought his left leg, along with mine, over the head of the horse and we slid to the right. The falling sensation did not last long before Jasper was steady on the ground. His left arm was still around my waist.

I swallowed and stepped back. He released his hold. "You should warn me next time. I thought I was falling for a second."

"So, you want a next time?" I looked up and I was lost in his dark gaze, forgetting what we were discussing. He continued, pointing to the horse. "Riding that is?"

Letting out a quick breath I nodded. "Most definitely. It was a bit rough at the beginning but was much better when we went faster."

"That will get easier with practice. The more you ride, the better you will get at being one with the horse and moving with his gait. It isn't so bumpy then. But I did promise, you didn't fall."

"Thanks." I bit my lip again and dropped my gaze to my feet, heat creeping up my neck. Out here, with the sun starting to set, sparkling off his skin, I couldn't help but think of how sexy Jasper looked. Afraid he could feel my emotions, I fought within myself to just stop feeling anything. "We should head back. Get me some food again."

I stepped back, my legs sore from the prolonged ride. I winced.

"May I?"

I turned towards Jasper, avoiding his gaze but saw his arms outstretched, offering me a ride during his vampire run. I only nodded.

He scooped me up, one arm behind my shoulders and the other under my knees, pulling me close to his chest. We took off and I closed my eyes, focusing on not trying to feel anything. It was hard, because this close to him, my face at his chest, I could smell honeysuckle and the scent that was all vampire, luring in prey. His chest would rumble and vibrate, almost like he was purring or growling. But I could not hear any sound with the wind rushing past us.

After twenty minutes Jasper slowed as the house came into view. He set me down on the porch, keeping his hands at my hips, steadying me. I swallowed. "Thank you, Jasper. For the ride and the run. You have a beautiful property and amazing horses." I raised my gaze to look into his eyes.

The blackness met me, and I could have sworn I felt a "needy" sensation flowing over me. All I wanted was to lean into him and pull him into a kiss.

I cannot do that. He is only feeling my emotions. No human could not be pulled into that desire – the allure of the vampire. He does not want me to kiss him. Don't do anything stupid!

Taking a small breath in, I focused on not feeling as I stepped back, out of his arms.

"Sorry. I should get something to eat and go to bed." Without waiting for a response, I rushed inside.