The Descent
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 03
My new life as a vampire began with hearing the strains of a song I recognized as one of Charlie's favorites. What was the name of it? It was by Hendrix… Ah! Yes—The Wind Cries Mary—that was it. I laid there and listened, oddly comforted by it as it played on, the familiar lyrics, bluesy guitar licks and gritty-smooth voice of Jimi soothing me after such a hellish burn…
Will the wind ever remember
The names it has blown in the past,
And with this crutch, its old age and its wisdom
It whispers, "No, this will be the last."
And the wind cries Mary.
The song ended, the last strains dying away into silence as I finally opened my eyes to peer around the room I'd wound up in. It too was familiar to me and as I looked closer, I realized it was Alice's old room. Of course, it was now missing all of the personal touches that had made it uniquely hers, which explained why I didn't immediately place it.
Thoughts of Alice inevitably brought to mind Jasper and as his name ghosted through my mind, the memories of my very last human moments came with them. 'Damn,' I thought, as I recalled his body…his hard, lithely muscled planes against mine…within mine…just before he killed me. 'What a way to go,' I couldn't help but think.
The whispering sounds of steps from the hallway reached me and I sat up as the door opened slowly to reveal the subject of my most recent thoughts.
When he saw me up and aware, he entered the room fully and stood feet from the bed I was on, quietly observing.
"Hello Jasper," I greeted under his steady assessment. I smirked. "Are you waiting for me to flip my shit?" I asked as I arched a brow.
"Frankly, yes," he stated baldly.
I nodded and stood from the bed, just now noticing the unfamiliar clothes I'd been dressed in. I looked up from the clothes and met his steady gaze. "Some of Rosalie's?" I asked, gesturing to the clothes.
"Yes. Nothing from your bag would fit you anymore with the changes. Fortunately, Rose left behind plenty so we won't have to worry with clothing for you for a while, unless of course you destroy them on a daily basis."
I smirked. "I seem to recall you being the one to destroy the clothes I was wearing last."
A smirk finally curved his luscious lips before he spoke. "It's a non-issue. They wouldn't fit now anyway. You're much more…" his eyes trailed over my body before meeting mine again with that smirk. "…curvaceous."
"Great," I said flatly as I walked toward him. "So what now?" I asked as I circled him, slowly trailing my fingers over his chest and arms as I did so. "Where do we go from here?" I whispered near his ear.
He turned his head and stared down into my eyes for a beat before answering. "Where do you want to go Isabella?"
I trailed one hand into the hair at the nape of his neck and pulled him down into a kiss and as his tongue played against mine and our lips pressed and nipped, the answer came to me. "Italy," I finally whispered into his parted lips. "I want to go to Italy."
He drew back and arched a brow. "Italy," he said flatly. "Any particular reason why?"
I smiled widely as I looped my arms around his neck and played with the silky blond waves that tickled my fingers. "I hear they're the baddest of the bad-asses." I shrugged and smiled and he chuckled as he pulled me close.
He leaned down and his breath wafted over my cheek and neck as he whispered, "So, you do like danger…" as if it was merely an affirmation of something he'd sensed all along. Knowing his particular talents, it probably was.
I looked up into those dark red eyes and grinned. "Yes, I do."
~o0o~
We arrived at a private airstrip in Seattle just as the sun was setting. I watched as Jasper smirked as he left the keys to the tiny sports car in plain view on the dash. Popping my door open, I arched a brow in question as I glanced back at him. He grinned broadly. "It's Edward's car and he loves the fuckin' thing. It won't last here five minutes after we leave it."
He got out and I chuckled and stood, closing the door behind me. "Serves the prick right," I muttered as I took my bag from Jay and we walked toward the jet he'd chartered.
"Now, whatever ya do," he said before we boarded, "don't eat the fuckin' pilot. I hate flyin' so I never bothered to learn how to fly one of these tin cans. A crash won't kill us unless there's plenty of fire involved, but goddamnit, I sure as shit don't feel like swimmin' either."
I inclined my head. "Got it, don't eat the pilot."
I smirked and climbed the stair set into the jet. I really wasn't worried. He'd taken me for my first meal to the seedy part of the city and I'd had my fill. The part I knew he found curious was my complete lack of attraction to the scent of humans. It wasn't that I hadn't enjoyed the blood once I'd tasted it, it was just that their basic scent didn't spark anything in me. Seems my oddities carried over into this life too.
As I settled into my seat and took out the book I'd chosen from the many Carlisle had left behind, I felt a tiny smile curve my lips as I watched the female flight attendant fawn over the icy cold Major. He sat and stared out the window as she proceeded to offer to be of assistance in any way she could. When he gave a sharp nod and an absent wave of his hand, she busied herself elsewhere.
"At least one of us has the potential to be satisfied on this flight," I muttered as I turned a page. From the corner of my eye, I saw him smirk.
"Dear Isabella," he said lowly. "Here I thought I'd made it clear, I wouldn't leave you wanting." He opened his own book and continued. "Just say the word and I'll take care of you."
"How altruistic of you Major," I replied with a small grin and his lips quirked as he turned a page.
On the long drive and ferry into Seattle, he'd taken it upon himself to brief me on his past. To say I'd been impressed was understating even though I was pretty certain he'd toned it down. Still, what he'd told me made me wonder why he'd spent so many years playing the stressed, shy school boy with the Cullens. I'd yet to ask. I didn't want to pry.
"What is it Bella?"
I closed my book and focused on him. Seems the curiosity lacing my thoughts had affected him. "I was thinking about your past as the Major."
He closed his book and inclined his head as he held my gaze, obviously waiting for me to continue.
"Why the Cullen coven, and why so many years with them? With your…talents, it seems such a waste."
"You would think so, wouldn't you? However, my reasons were purely personal. I was tired Bella—tired of the killin' and the violence. To be frank, I needed a break—a nice long break. With the Cullen coven, that's exactly what I got. When not around humans, I was finally able to relax for the first time in decades. I was also able to pursue higher education which pleased me greatly." He laid his book aside and folded his hands over his abdomen as he relaxed back. "Lately however, I'd found myself becoming more restless with each year that passed. I also found it more difficult with each passing day, not to pop little Edward's head off and turn him into a roman candle, the self-righteous little worm," he grumbled.
For the first time in weeks, I found myself wanting to laugh, but I turned my head and smiled instead until the urge left me.
"Why do you do that Isabella?"
I turned back, my brow pinched in silent question.
He elaborated. "Stifle any good emotions—why?"
I shrugged. "I guess it's just something I became used to. Looking back, I've never been a very demonstrative person to begin with, but when Edward and I became involved, I felt the need to…" I sighed, searching for the right words. Jasper obliged.
"Hide yourself—your true self," he qualified and I nodded, a bit stunned at the accuracy of his summation.
"Yes," I admitted aloud. "That's it exactly."
"And the cutting, that was your release," he stated plainly and I nodded. "All these scars," he gestured and I nodded. "They were my release." And with that statement, I realized, for the first time, there was another being on this planet who understood. It made me feel hopeful.
He smiled, a genuine smile as those dark red eyes continued to study me. "We're not so different, you and I."
I returned his smile with a wan one of my own. "I guess we aren't."
I took up my book again as I thought about the warmth I now felt inside. I had made a connection with Jasper. We had connected over our discovered sameness and it made me smile. He was now special to me and that was a rare thing. Not even my family had held that distinction with me. For some reason, I had despaired of ever developing such ties. Renee—Charlie—they were in my life by biology and circumstance, but this tie with Jasper was a willing one on both our parts, and I decided right then, I would guard it jealously.
~o0o~
The jet touched down in Italy in the dark of night which I was thankful for. I didn't relish the thought of being stuck inside with nothing to do while waiting for darkness. Now that I was in another country, I was anxious to do and see all that I could.
Jasper eyed me curiously as we approached the car he'd arranged. "That's the most enthusiasm I've felt from you Isabella. Care to explain?" he asked as he slid into the driver's seat. I got in and closed my door with a smile. "It's simple Jasper—we're in Italy!"
He chuckled, put the car in gear and tore out of the lot. "Yep, we're in Italy," he glanced at me. "Now, do you wanna go straight to Volterra, or sight-see first?"
I turned in my seat to face him. "Do you mind if we look around a bit first?"
He rested his hand on the wheel as he glanced at me. "I wouldn't have asked if I had Bella, now where?
I thought about it for a minute. I really only wanted to see Volterra proper before visiting the castle. "Just the city of Volterra I think. Then we can head to the castle. Sound good?"
He nodded. "Makes it easy for me," he said as he pinned me with a serious look. "…however, you need to know you can't kill in Volterra. It's a rule and I don't feel like takin' on the whole Volturi if ya break it."
"Damn," I muttered. "And here I thought we could have some fun."
He cocked a brow at me and I nodded. "Don't kill in Volterra…got it."
I could tell we were getting close by the number of homes that dotted the landscape. Soon, we were slowly navigating narrow stone streets between small shops with upper floor apartments. There, my senses picked up the sounds of countless lives as they played out under yellowed lamp-light filtered through dust-laden curtains and opaque glass. It made me lonely for some reason and I sighed.
"What happened to all that excitement Bella?"
I shook off my depressing thoughts and smiled. "What indeed? I guess I let my penchant for sadness get to me." I looked at where we were and back at him as he slowed. "Are we stopping soon?"
He pulled into a central parking lot and cut the engine as he arched a brow at me. "This soon enough for ya?"
I chuckled. "Yeah. So, what now?"
"Now? Now my dear, we walk, sight-see," he grinned at me, "…and hit a few bars."
My brows rose and I shrugged. "I'm game," I said as I got out.
He met me around the back of the car. I took his arm and gestured forward. "Lead on good sir."
"My pleasure Ma'am," he said as we made our way to the main street where any action at all was. The amount of people out for the night surprised me really, along with the festive atmosphere. I had to admit, it was infectious, which considering my earlier mood, was a welcomed change.
After walking a while and people watching, Jasper nodded toward a bar. "How about that one?" he asked.
"Well, considering I've never been in a bar in my life, I'll defer to your judgement."
"Good," he said. "That one it is." And he steered me toward it. Inside, it was as I expected; dark and somewhat smokey. What came as a shock was the loud music. I knew it was loud to humans, but to my newly sensitive hearing, it was deafening. Jasper looked askance at me. "You'll adapt in a bit, don't worry."
He led me through to a table and we sat. Leaning over, he spoke lowly, but amazingly, I could hear him. "Stay here, I'll be right back."
Seeing him head for the bar, I let my eyes wander over the teeming dance floor, realizing with surprise, Jasper was right; I was getting used to the noise.
As I watched the couples move together, I found myself longing to be out there with them which was another surprise. I had never pictured myself as the type to dance in a club, but as I thought about it, with my boring and sheltered life, what did I really know about myself? After all, I'd never had the chance to experience much of anything. I'd gone from being the responsible one in Renee's household, to being the responsible homemaker/student in Charlie's. The craziest, most rebellious thing I'd ever done was not run screaming from the puritanical Edward when I'd figured out what he and his family were. And let's face it, Edward was not even close to being a social rebel. I could just picture the disapproving look on his face if he could see me now.
Jasper interrupted my thoughts as he set a bottle of something and two small glasses in front of me before sliding into the booth seat beside me. "Isabella," he said, as he gestured to the bottle, "…meet Don Julio."
I cocked a brow and he grinned. "Some of the finest tequila available darlin' and trust me, it takes the good shit to even touch our kind."
My gaze flitted warily between him and the innocuous looking bottle. "I don't know Jasper, I'm an anomaly in every other way…my luck, It'll put me flat on my ass."
He poured a shot and slid it to me. "In that case, I'll pick you up." He poured one for himself and held it up with a cocked brow. I sighed and raised my own. "To loosenin' up little Miss B," he toasted. I smirked and downed the shot just as he downed his.
"Shit," I wheezed and he laughed. If I hadn't been struggling to draw breath, the sound of that laugh would have been beautiful. As it was, it was hard to concentrate on anything but the burn that was thankfully lessening, becoming a steady, spreading warmth.
I shot him a glare. "You could have warned me. I mean, the stuff looks like water."
"Water it ain't Miss B." He poured two more and nodded at mine. "Now, pound that, and then we're gonna go dance."
The second shot went down a lot smoother than the first and I smiled as he pulled me from the booth. Before I could walk off though he stopped me and tugged out the tails of my tucked shirt. "What…"
He cut me off as he began unbuttoning it from the bottom. "Just trust me darlin'."
I sighed and moved my arms to the side to let him do whatever he was doing. When he was through, my shirt was tied in a tight knot just under my breasts and resembled a crop shirt. He grinned as he surveyed his handiwork. "There, now I got somewhere to put my hands."
One of said hands grabbed one of mine and he led me to the middle of the crowded dance floor where he turned me away from him, placed his hands on my bare waist and whispered in my ear as he began to move with the beat. "Just feel Isabella, close those eyes and feel…" I did as he said and soon my body was swaying in time with his as he pulled me close. "That's it sweet B, feel me…move with me…" His voice, like raw crushed velvet entranced me as much as the feel of his hands on my skin and the hard, lithe lines of his body. It was like sex, without the intercourse and I found myself becoming more aroused by the second.
As our dance continued, I rolled my head back onto his shoulder and reached back to bury a hand in his hair while pushing back into him. My undoing was when I felt him against me, hard and ready and I moaned his name as our hips rocked in sync. "Jasper…"
His lips found mine and I sucked and nipped before opening fully for his tongue that played against mine. We were lost to the taste and feel of each other for moments before he retreated to soften and end the kiss. "I want you," my voice was but a whisper, but I knew he heard me when he turned me and took my hand. He led me toward our booth which was thankfully in a very dark out of the way corner.
He slid all the way to the corner and poured two more shots as he murmured, "Slide in and get rid of the pants."
I felt my eyes go wide. "Here?" I questioned and he smirked and knocked back his shot.
"Yes," was all he said as he met my gaze challengingly. I reached for my shot and tossed it back, never breaking eye contact as I set the empty glass back on the table.
"Fine Major," I said as I popped the button of my jeans and slid into the booth, kicking off my shoes as I did so. "You're on." I shimmied out of my pants and panties and he crooked a finger at me.
"Hop on darlin'." he said with a smirk and so I did, thanking every deity I knew for now having the grace of a vampire as I straddled him.
My arms circled his neck as he buried a hand in my hair and pulled me in for a kiss. He was aggressive and forward, yet gentle and passionate; his lips soft and sensual, his tongue like chocolate and silk as he delved into my mouth.
His fingers brushed my wet center and he groaned into our kiss as two of them slid into me, mimicking what I longed for his cock to do. I broke the kiss and gasped as I rode his hand and he smiled against my lips. "Time for a real ride sweet B."
He removed his fingers and began to enter me and I moaned low and long as I felt the delicious stretch as he filled me. "Sooo gooood," I groaned out as I settled fully onto him with a roll of my hips.
"That's it darlin'," he muttered in instruction, "Drop and roll just like that."
With his hands guiding me, that's just what I did and the crowds and noise fell away as I rose and fell in a slow rhythm, tilting and rolling each time I sank down. God, he was delicious and I couldn't get enough.
The feel of his mouth on my nipple took me by surprise and I opened my eyes to watch as he sucked and squeezed and nipped as I rode him. My hands went into my hair and I found myself moving to the beat of the music, just as we had on the dance floor, but this time, I was working toward something… I was working toward sating that burgeoning ache in my center; a tension and ache that only increased each time his cock slid, inch by delicious inch into my wet core.
Soon, I became frustrated as it seemed I couldn't reach relief at the pace I'd set. "Jasper," I moaned as I gripped his shoulders, "…more Jasper, I need more…"
I felt him shift just a bit as he gripped my hips and then he thrust up to meet me, each stroke slamming into me and stealing my breath as I tossed my head with the sensation. I wanted to scream, I really did, but I held back, whining and whimpering instead as he grunted quietly with his efforts.
My orgasm built and peaked quickly as he fucked me and I felt the tension crest as my release burst through my center. The sensations spread through my body as my walls pulsed and gripped his rigid length. As I threw back my head, he fucked me through it, drawing my orgasm out almost to the point of pain before finally slamming deep with a growl as he filled me.
I clung to him as we recovered and he kissed me sweetly as I rested my head against his.
The sound of slowly clapping hands drew a growl from him as he pulled me close and glared over my shoulder at the intruder. I could tell from the scent he was a vampire and I tucked myself closer to Jasper as the new vampire spoke.
"Quite the show Major Whitlock," the vampire drawled in a lightly accented voice. "Very entertaining and quite unexpected. What, pray tell, brings you to Volterra?"
I could feel Jasper smirk and I peeked up to see the one that spoke. He was regal and breathtaking; easily as beautiful as Jasper, although in a different way. Still, I was captivated.
"We're actually here to see you," Jasper answered with humor lacing his tone. "Isabella, meet one of the three Kings, Caius Volturi."
My new life as a vampire began with hearing the strains of a song I recognized as one of Charlie's favorites. What was the name of it? It was by Hendrix… Ah! Yes—The Wind Cries Mary—that was it. I laid there and listened, oddly comforted by it as it played on, the familiar lyrics, bluesy guitar licks and gritty-smooth voice of Jimi soothing me after such a hellish burn…
Will the wind ever remember
The names it has blown in the past,
And with this crutch, its old age and its wisdom
It whispers, "No, this will be the last."
And the wind cries Mary.
The song ended, the last strains dying away into silence as I finally opened my eyes to peer around the room I'd wound up in. It too was familiar to me and as I looked closer, I realized it was Alice's old room. Of course, it was now missing all of the personal touches that had made it uniquely hers, which explained why I didn't immediately place it.
Thoughts of Alice inevitably brought to mind Jasper and as his name ghosted through my mind, the memories of my very last human moments came with them. 'Damn,' I thought, as I recalled his body…his hard, lithely muscled planes against mine…within mine…just before he killed me. 'What a way to go,' I couldn't help but think.
The whispering sounds of steps from the hallway reached me and I sat up as the door opened slowly to reveal the subject of my most recent thoughts.
When he saw me up and aware, he entered the room fully and stood feet from the bed I was on, quietly observing.
"Hello Jasper," I greeted under his steady assessment. I smirked. "Are you waiting for me to flip my shit?" I asked as I arched a brow.
"Frankly, yes," he stated baldly.
I nodded and stood from the bed, just now noticing the unfamiliar clothes I'd been dressed in. I looked up from the clothes and met his steady gaze. "Some of Rosalie's?" I asked, gesturing to the clothes.
"Yes. Nothing from your bag would fit you anymore with the changes. Fortunately, Rose left behind plenty so we won't have to worry with clothing for you for a while, unless of course you destroy them on a daily basis."
I smirked. "I seem to recall you being the one to destroy the clothes I was wearing last."
A smirk finally curved his luscious lips before he spoke. "It's a non-issue. They wouldn't fit now anyway. You're much more…" his eyes trailed over my body before meeting mine again with that smirk. "…curvaceous."
"Great," I said flatly as I walked toward him. "So what now?" I asked as I circled him, slowly trailing my fingers over his chest and arms as I did so. "Where do we go from here?" I whispered near his ear.
He turned his head and stared down into my eyes for a beat before answering. "Where do you want to go Isabella?"
I trailed one hand into the hair at the nape of his neck and pulled him down into a kiss and as his tongue played against mine and our lips pressed and nipped, the answer came to me. "Italy," I finally whispered into his parted lips. "I want to go to Italy."
He drew back and arched a brow. "Italy," he said flatly. "Any particular reason why?"
I smiled widely as I looped my arms around his neck and played with the silky blond waves that tickled my fingers. "I hear they're the baddest of the bad-asses." I shrugged and smiled and he chuckled as he pulled me close.
He leaned down and his breath wafted over my cheek and neck as he whispered, "So, you do like danger…" as if it was merely an affirmation of something he'd sensed all along. Knowing his particular talents, it probably was.
I looked up into those dark red eyes and grinned. "Yes, I do."
~o0o~
We arrived at a private airstrip in Seattle just as the sun was setting. I watched as Jasper smirked as he left the keys to the tiny sports car in plain view on the dash. Popping my door open, I arched a brow in question as I glanced back at him. He grinned broadly. "It's Edward's car and he loves the fuckin' thing. It won't last here five minutes after we leave it."
He got out and I chuckled and stood, closing the door behind me. "Serves the prick right," I muttered as I took my bag from Jay and we walked toward the jet he'd chartered.
"Now, whatever ya do," he said before we boarded, "don't eat the fuckin' pilot. I hate flyin' so I never bothered to learn how to fly one of these tin cans. A crash won't kill us unless there's plenty of fire involved, but goddamnit, I sure as shit don't feel like swimmin' either."
I inclined my head. "Got it, don't eat the pilot."
I smirked and climbed the stair set into the jet. I really wasn't worried. He'd taken me for my first meal to the seedy part of the city and I'd had my fill. The part I knew he found curious was my complete lack of attraction to the scent of humans. It wasn't that I hadn't enjoyed the blood once I'd tasted it, it was just that their basic scent didn't spark anything in me. Seems my oddities carried over into this life too.
As I settled into my seat and took out the book I'd chosen from the many Carlisle had left behind, I felt a tiny smile curve my lips as I watched the female flight attendant fawn over the icy cold Major. He sat and stared out the window as she proceeded to offer to be of assistance in any way she could. When he gave a sharp nod and an absent wave of his hand, she busied herself elsewhere.
"At least one of us has the potential to be satisfied on this flight," I muttered as I turned a page. From the corner of my eye, I saw him smirk.
"Dear Isabella," he said lowly. "Here I thought I'd made it clear, I wouldn't leave you wanting." He opened his own book and continued. "Just say the word and I'll take care of you."
"How altruistic of you Major," I replied with a small grin and his lips quirked as he turned a page.
On the long drive and ferry into Seattle, he'd taken it upon himself to brief me on his past. To say I'd been impressed was understating even though I was pretty certain he'd toned it down. Still, what he'd told me made me wonder why he'd spent so many years playing the stressed, shy school boy with the Cullens. I'd yet to ask. I didn't want to pry.
"What is it Bella?"
I closed my book and focused on him. Seems the curiosity lacing my thoughts had affected him. "I was thinking about your past as the Major."
He closed his book and inclined his head as he held my gaze, obviously waiting for me to continue.
"Why the Cullen coven, and why so many years with them? With your…talents, it seems such a waste."
"You would think so, wouldn't you? However, my reasons were purely personal. I was tired Bella—tired of the killin' and the violence. To be frank, I needed a break—a nice long break. With the Cullen coven, that's exactly what I got. When not around humans, I was finally able to relax for the first time in decades. I was also able to pursue higher education which pleased me greatly." He laid his book aside and folded his hands over his abdomen as he relaxed back. "Lately however, I'd found myself becoming more restless with each year that passed. I also found it more difficult with each passing day, not to pop little Edward's head off and turn him into a roman candle, the self-righteous little worm," he grumbled.
For the first time in weeks, I found myself wanting to laugh, but I turned my head and smiled instead until the urge left me.
"Why do you do that Isabella?"
I turned back, my brow pinched in silent question.
He elaborated. "Stifle any good emotions—why?"
I shrugged. "I guess it's just something I became used to. Looking back, I've never been a very demonstrative person to begin with, but when Edward and I became involved, I felt the need to…" I sighed, searching for the right words. Jasper obliged.
"Hide yourself—your true self," he qualified and I nodded, a bit stunned at the accuracy of his summation.
"Yes," I admitted aloud. "That's it exactly."
"And the cutting, that was your release," he stated plainly and I nodded. "All these scars," he gestured and I nodded. "They were my release." And with that statement, I realized, for the first time, there was another being on this planet who understood. It made me feel hopeful.
He smiled, a genuine smile as those dark red eyes continued to study me. "We're not so different, you and I."
I returned his smile with a wan one of my own. "I guess we aren't."
I took up my book again as I thought about the warmth I now felt inside. I had made a connection with Jasper. We had connected over our discovered sameness and it made me smile. He was now special to me and that was a rare thing. Not even my family had held that distinction with me. For some reason, I had despaired of ever developing such ties. Renee—Charlie—they were in my life by biology and circumstance, but this tie with Jasper was a willing one on both our parts, and I decided right then, I would guard it jealously.
~o0o~
The jet touched down in Italy in the dark of night which I was thankful for. I didn't relish the thought of being stuck inside with nothing to do while waiting for darkness. Now that I was in another country, I was anxious to do and see all that I could.
Jasper eyed me curiously as we approached the car he'd arranged. "That's the most enthusiasm I've felt from you Isabella. Care to explain?" he asked as he slid into the driver's seat. I got in and closed my door with a smile. "It's simple Jasper—we're in Italy!"
He chuckled, put the car in gear and tore out of the lot. "Yep, we're in Italy," he glanced at me. "Now, do you wanna go straight to Volterra, or sight-see first?"
I turned in my seat to face him. "Do you mind if we look around a bit first?"
He rested his hand on the wheel as he glanced at me. "I wouldn't have asked if I had Bella, now where?
I thought about it for a minute. I really only wanted to see Volterra proper before visiting the castle. "Just the city of Volterra I think. Then we can head to the castle. Sound good?"
He nodded. "Makes it easy for me," he said as he pinned me with a serious look. "…however, you need to know you can't kill in Volterra. It's a rule and I don't feel like takin' on the whole Volturi if ya break it."
"Damn," I muttered. "And here I thought we could have some fun."
He cocked a brow at me and I nodded. "Don't kill in Volterra…got it."
I could tell we were getting close by the number of homes that dotted the landscape. Soon, we were slowly navigating narrow stone streets between small shops with upper floor apartments. There, my senses picked up the sounds of countless lives as they played out under yellowed lamp-light filtered through dust-laden curtains and opaque glass. It made me lonely for some reason and I sighed.
"What happened to all that excitement Bella?"
I shook off my depressing thoughts and smiled. "What indeed? I guess I let my penchant for sadness get to me." I looked at where we were and back at him as he slowed. "Are we stopping soon?"
He pulled into a central parking lot and cut the engine as he arched a brow at me. "This soon enough for ya?"
I chuckled. "Yeah. So, what now?"
"Now? Now my dear, we walk, sight-see," he grinned at me, "…and hit a few bars."
My brows rose and I shrugged. "I'm game," I said as I got out.
He met me around the back of the car. I took his arm and gestured forward. "Lead on good sir."
"My pleasure Ma'am," he said as we made our way to the main street where any action at all was. The amount of people out for the night surprised me really, along with the festive atmosphere. I had to admit, it was infectious, which considering my earlier mood, was a welcomed change.
After walking a while and people watching, Jasper nodded toward a bar. "How about that one?" he asked.
"Well, considering I've never been in a bar in my life, I'll defer to your judgement."
"Good," he said. "That one it is." And he steered me toward it. Inside, it was as I expected; dark and somewhat smokey. What came as a shock was the loud music. I knew it was loud to humans, but to my newly sensitive hearing, it was deafening. Jasper looked askance at me. "You'll adapt in a bit, don't worry."
He led me through to a table and we sat. Leaning over, he spoke lowly, but amazingly, I could hear him. "Stay here, I'll be right back."
Seeing him head for the bar, I let my eyes wander over the teeming dance floor, realizing with surprise, Jasper was right; I was getting used to the noise.
As I watched the couples move together, I found myself longing to be out there with them which was another surprise. I had never pictured myself as the type to dance in a club, but as I thought about it, with my boring and sheltered life, what did I really know about myself? After all, I'd never had the chance to experience much of anything. I'd gone from being the responsible one in Renee's household, to being the responsible homemaker/student in Charlie's. The craziest, most rebellious thing I'd ever done was not run screaming from the puritanical Edward when I'd figured out what he and his family were. And let's face it, Edward was not even close to being a social rebel. I could just picture the disapproving look on his face if he could see me now.
Jasper interrupted my thoughts as he set a bottle of something and two small glasses in front of me before sliding into the booth seat beside me. "Isabella," he said, as he gestured to the bottle, "…meet Don Julio."
I cocked a brow and he grinned. "Some of the finest tequila available darlin' and trust me, it takes the good shit to even touch our kind."
My gaze flitted warily between him and the innocuous looking bottle. "I don't know Jasper, I'm an anomaly in every other way…my luck, It'll put me flat on my ass."
He poured a shot and slid it to me. "In that case, I'll pick you up." He poured one for himself and held it up with a cocked brow. I sighed and raised my own. "To loosenin' up little Miss B," he toasted. I smirked and downed the shot just as he downed his.
"Shit," I wheezed and he laughed. If I hadn't been struggling to draw breath, the sound of that laugh would have been beautiful. As it was, it was hard to concentrate on anything but the burn that was thankfully lessening, becoming a steady, spreading warmth.
I shot him a glare. "You could have warned me. I mean, the stuff looks like water."
"Water it ain't Miss B." He poured two more and nodded at mine. "Now, pound that, and then we're gonna go dance."
The second shot went down a lot smoother than the first and I smiled as he pulled me from the booth. Before I could walk off though he stopped me and tugged out the tails of my tucked shirt. "What…"
He cut me off as he began unbuttoning it from the bottom. "Just trust me darlin'."
I sighed and moved my arms to the side to let him do whatever he was doing. When he was through, my shirt was tied in a tight knot just under my breasts and resembled a crop shirt. He grinned as he surveyed his handiwork. "There, now I got somewhere to put my hands."
One of said hands grabbed one of mine and he led me to the middle of the crowded dance floor where he turned me away from him, placed his hands on my bare waist and whispered in my ear as he began to move with the beat. "Just feel Isabella, close those eyes and feel…" I did as he said and soon my body was swaying in time with his as he pulled me close. "That's it sweet B, feel me…move with me…" His voice, like raw crushed velvet entranced me as much as the feel of his hands on my skin and the hard, lithe lines of his body. It was like sex, without the intercourse and I found myself becoming more aroused by the second.
As our dance continued, I rolled my head back onto his shoulder and reached back to bury a hand in his hair while pushing back into him. My undoing was when I felt him against me, hard and ready and I moaned his name as our hips rocked in sync. "Jasper…"
His lips found mine and I sucked and nipped before opening fully for his tongue that played against mine. We were lost to the taste and feel of each other for moments before he retreated to soften and end the kiss. "I want you," my voice was but a whisper, but I knew he heard me when he turned me and took my hand. He led me toward our booth which was thankfully in a very dark out of the way corner.
He slid all the way to the corner and poured two more shots as he murmured, "Slide in and get rid of the pants."
I felt my eyes go wide. "Here?" I questioned and he smirked and knocked back his shot.
"Yes," was all he said as he met my gaze challengingly. I reached for my shot and tossed it back, never breaking eye contact as I set the empty glass back on the table.
"Fine Major," I said as I popped the button of my jeans and slid into the booth, kicking off my shoes as I did so. "You're on." I shimmied out of my pants and panties and he crooked a finger at me.
"Hop on darlin'." he said with a smirk and so I did, thanking every deity I knew for now having the grace of a vampire as I straddled him.
My arms circled his neck as he buried a hand in my hair and pulled me in for a kiss. He was aggressive and forward, yet gentle and passionate; his lips soft and sensual, his tongue like chocolate and silk as he delved into my mouth.
His fingers brushed my wet center and he groaned into our kiss as two of them slid into me, mimicking what I longed for his cock to do. I broke the kiss and gasped as I rode his hand and he smiled against my lips. "Time for a real ride sweet B."
He removed his fingers and began to enter me and I moaned low and long as I felt the delicious stretch as he filled me. "Sooo gooood," I groaned out as I settled fully onto him with a roll of my hips.
"That's it darlin'," he muttered in instruction, "Drop and roll just like that."
With his hands guiding me, that's just what I did and the crowds and noise fell away as I rose and fell in a slow rhythm, tilting and rolling each time I sank down. God, he was delicious and I couldn't get enough.
The feel of his mouth on my nipple took me by surprise and I opened my eyes to watch as he sucked and squeezed and nipped as I rode him. My hands went into my hair and I found myself moving to the beat of the music, just as we had on the dance floor, but this time, I was working toward something… I was working toward sating that burgeoning ache in my center; a tension and ache that only increased each time his cock slid, inch by delicious inch into my wet core.
Soon, I became frustrated as it seemed I couldn't reach relief at the pace I'd set. "Jasper," I moaned as I gripped his shoulders, "…more Jasper, I need more…"
I felt him shift just a bit as he gripped my hips and then he thrust up to meet me, each stroke slamming into me and stealing my breath as I tossed my head with the sensation. I wanted to scream, I really did, but I held back, whining and whimpering instead as he grunted quietly with his efforts.
My orgasm built and peaked quickly as he fucked me and I felt the tension crest as my release burst through my center. The sensations spread through my body as my walls pulsed and gripped his rigid length. As I threw back my head, he fucked me through it, drawing my orgasm out almost to the point of pain before finally slamming deep with a growl as he filled me.
I clung to him as we recovered and he kissed me sweetly as I rested my head against his.
The sound of slowly clapping hands drew a growl from him as he pulled me close and glared over my shoulder at the intruder. I could tell from the scent he was a vampire and I tucked myself closer to Jasper as the new vampire spoke.
"Quite the show Major Whitlock," the vampire drawled in a lightly accented voice. "Very entertaining and quite unexpected. What, pray tell, brings you to Volterra?"
I could feel Jasper smirk and I peeked up to see the one that spoke. He was regal and breathtaking; easily as beautiful as Jasper, although in a different way. Still, I was captivated.
"We're actually here to see you," Jasper answered with humor lacing his tone. "Isabella, meet one of the three Kings, Caius Volturi."
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.