The Right Way To Turn
by wizardtho
Chapter 03:
Ten minutes later, Jasper hummed while kissing my shoulder, rousing me from my dozing state. “The tub's ready whenever you are, Sug. You just let me know when you want to get in.”
I nodded, whispering in reply, “Kay. We can go. Are you still going with me?”
He kissed his bite mark on my neck, then whispered against it, “If you want me to go with you, I'll be there. If not, I can wait out here while Char helps you.”
I instinctively tightened my hands in his shirt with a rush of panic, so he cooed, “Shh... I'm right here, Isabella. I told you I would go with you if you wanted. Let's go into the bathroom. We'll see how you feel then.”
Once we got into the bathroom, Jasper whispered into my ear as he held me close, “Clothes or not, Sug? I need to know how you want to proceed.”
I scrunched my nose at the remembrance of wet clingy clothes, then he said, “I'd never hurt you, Isabella. I'd never do anything you didn't verbally and emotionally agree to.”
I nodded as I whispered, “I know, Jazz. I trust you. The face was thinking of the feeling of wet, sticky clothes.”
He chuckled, asking, “Would you like help, or do you think you might be able to manage it alone?”
I shook my head, “Just standing on my own feet is going to be asking a lot.”
Jasper sat me on the counter, then looked into my eyes while taking hold of my tank. I nodded, then he lifted it carefully over my head, trying not to brush it against my skin more than necessary.
When it was off, I slid to my feet, holding myself up by my hands on the counter. Jasper curled his fingers inside the waistband of both my shorts and boyshorts. I nodded again since he was clearly waiting for permission. He kept his eyes on mine as he slid them down and knelt in front of me. He lifted one foot at a time to remove them before he put them all in the hamper.
His shirt got pulled over his head and tossed in with mine, then he came back to me as he asked, “Are you sure?”
I took a deep breath as I nodded, then kept my eyes on his as he removed his jeans.
He picked me up bridal-style, carried me over to the tub, then carefully got us situated so that my back was to his front with me leaning back against him. As soon as we were settled in the icy water, it felt like worry was rolling off of Jasper in small waves. I slowly turned, nudged his legs, then settled on his thighs before cupping his cheeks. After I studied him for a second, I said softly, “You're worried about me. You're worried because I'm not writhing in pain.”
He gave me an awed look, then said, “Isabella, you shouldn't have known that. I've been hiding it from you since just after I finished making the bites.”
I gave him a sheepish smile, saying softly, “I think I'm a leech.”
He gave me a disgusted look, so I giggled, “No, not like that. I hate that term associated with vampires. I just meant my power. I think I leech the ability to use others' powers. Earlier, the feeling I got was when I was wrapped around Peter. Now, knowing you were worried happened while you were holding me.”
His eyes slowly lit up as he smiled, “Do you know what else? I think you might be able to turn the power inside out. I don't think you're the shield that Carlisle believes... at least not completely. I think you were able to block Edward by turning his power inside out.”
I beamed, then he kissed my neck lightly. “We'll need to see if you can still use the powers when the person isn't touching you. That still doesn't explain the lack of writhing though, Sweet Girl.”
I smiled, kissing one of the scars on his chest in reply, then whispered, “Think about it, Jazz. Too little venom makes the change go cell-by-cell. The venom has to work extra hard to spread, therefore more pain over a longer period of time. One bite and a bit of venom makes the change excruciating, but it only lasts three days. A whole fucking lot of venom still makes the change last three days, but what else would it do?”
He looked at me skeptically, so I said, “The faster it spreads to where it needs to be, to do that three-day job of turning me, the less pain there is. More venom equals faster, since you bit in several crucial spots. Yes, I'll still be in transition for three days, but I won't be in writhing pain. Uncomfortable? Definitely. Achy? Most certainly. Weak? Absolutely. Agonizing pain? Nope.”
He chuckled, kissed my nose in response, then I said, “I have to stay close to you, though. I don't know the whys for that part, but I think it has something to do with you staying calm and your venom in me recognising it. Plus, I'll be more vulnerable until the change completes, and being my sire, you’re the best one to help me through it.”
Jasper nodded, pulling me tightly to him, so I laid my head on his shoulder. We stayed like that for a little while, but my back was starting to feel hot. As soon as the feeling registered, Jasper cradled me to him, then carefully flipped us over so I was underneath him neck-deep in the water.
I hummed at the feeling as Jasper tenderly pushed my hair away from my face. I smiled as I wrapped my arms around his back. His eyes searched mine for a second before he whispered, “I hated being away from you, knowing you were in pain. I was just headed to go see you when Peter called me. He told me to keep running. That Kitten was safe, but make it look real.”
I smiled as I pushed a stray curl from his eyes, then said, “They did keep me safe. Peter kept me wrapped around him so that his temperature numbed the worst of the pain, while Char drove like a bat out of hell to get here. I still owe her a kiss, too.”
Jasper looked at me with a mixture of jealousy and desire, so I said, “She bought me a whole bag of junk food, plus coffee and soda.”
I could practically hear the wheels turning in his head at that. I smirked, “I think I owe you more than one, though.”
He looked shocked, so I explained, “You got me out. You told me you would find a way... that you would change me yourself.”
He smiled tenderly as he touched his forehead to mine. “That was just me keeping my word, Isabella. I doubt that deserves a kiss, let alone more than one.”
I carefully wove my hand up into his hair, then whispered almost inaudibly, “I've wanted to for a while. Are you telling me no now?”
Jasper groaned as his eyes closed, then whispered so close to my lips, “God, how I want to kiss you. I can't, though... not like this. I don't want our first kiss to be with us both naked in the tub. Can you understand that?”
I nodded, whispering in return, “I do, honestly. Just promise to let me have that kiss soon.”
He chuckled as he pecked my nose, “I doubt you'll forget to remind me, but I promise.”
Soon he sat us both in the center of the tub, using a cup on the tub deck to pour the water over my hair. I hummed while my head fall back. Jasper continued for several minutes, then licked his mark on my neck, making me shiver in anticipation out of nowhere. He chuckled, a deep and sexy sound, then whispered, “I'll remember that reaction, little Minx.”
I blushed at his words without lifting my head, bit my lip, then heard Jasper groan in response. A gasp left my lips, my fingers shooting into his hair, when I felt him swirl his tongue around the bite mark over my heart. He licked a path up to the one on my neck, making my fingers tighten as he repeated the swirl. I whimpered slightly when he kissed his way up to my ear, then he whispered in a sexy tone, “I always wondered, but now I know. Do you realise that you blush all the way to your perfect pink nipples?”
I let out a shuddering breath as he trailed his hands along my back, until one settled at my tailbone while the other gently brought my head upright. I couldn't stop my moan as I looked into his dark merlot-colored gaze, then I whispered as my fingers gripped his hair even tighter, “You can't say things like that... do things like that... if you expect me to wait to finally feel you kissing me. It does things to me, Jasper. None of those things are very patient when it comes to you.”
He touched his forehead to mine, whispering, “Just now was the only time I've felt desire from you, Bella. When did you first start having feelings for me?”
I blushed slightly, making Jasper groan again, then whispered, “Since I first saw you in the cafeteria, but it started becoming unbearable after Phoenix... when you first touched me. After that, it was like I couldn't hear your name or see you without at least some part of me wanting you.”
The water had done too good of a job of cooling me down. I could feel it was past time to get out. Before I could say anything, Jasper released the stopper, then got us out of the tub, standing me up. He quickly wrapped a big fluffy towel around me, then one around himself as I held onto his shoulders.
Though I wanted Jasper to help me dry off, I didn't feel that should happen yet. He smiled softly as he cupped my cheek, “I know, Sug. Don't feel bad about that at all. We have all the time in the world. Until you're ready, Char can help you dry off.”
I nodded, then he casually asked for Char to come help me as he carried me to a closet.
When he opened the door, I practically squealed at all of the awesome clothes. Jasper just chuckled while kissing my temple. Char came in seconds later with a smile, “Did I do alright? Major said you didn't like the stuffy shit you were always put in, so I hope I did okay.”
I held out my arms, then once she was close enough, I pulled her into a tight hug, “I definitely owe you huge lingerie shopping time. Huge. This is amazing, Char. I don't think I could have done better myself.”
Jasper carefully set me down, then said, “I'm going to let you two find something comfortable, because if I stay any longer while you're talking lingerie, I might just decide not to let Char help you dress.”
I shooed him away as Char chuckled, then when the door closed, I said, “I'm going to need something soft. I'll be in transition for the normal three days, so my skin will be easily irritated.”
She nodded seriously, then said as she pulled something off the rack, “How about this, Sweets? You won't need a bra, and we can put some soft boyshorts under it.”
It was a pretty empire-waist chiffon sundress with a silky lining underneath. I nodded as I felt the fabric, “Perfect. It's light enough that I won't get warm too quickly, plus I can definitely do without the itchy bra-strap scenario.”
As she helped me dry off, I whispered only loud enough for her to hear, “Are turning marks supposed to be sensitive? Jasper licked one of the marks he made on my neck, when we were in the tub. It gave me a shiver of anticipation out of nowhere.”
She gave me a slightly awed look, then shook her head as she said, “Only in certain circumstances, Sweets. I can't tell you what those are, because it's something you have to figure out on your own. Did he happen to pay attention to any others?”
I nodded, “He liked rubbing his thumbs against the ones on my wrists when my back was to his chest, but when we were face to face, he liked swirling his tongue on the ones over my heart and on my neck.”
She gave me a look that asked if they got the same reaction, so I nodded, “The one over my heart was like an instant shot of heat straight to my lady bits.”
She gave me that slightly awed look again. I didn't know what that was about, but she said, “Yep... definitely something you need to figure out on your own, Sweets. Don't worry, though. You'll know when the time is right.”
I nodded, then she finished helping me get dried off and dressed. She carried me out to the bedroom, sat me on the bed, then went over to the same dresser as last night. She pulled out a pretty green pair of cotton boyshorts with gray ribbon trim, then helped me get them on.
Once that was done, she grabbed the brush from the vanity, then carried me out to Jasper, who was in the small keeping room off the kitchen waiting for me. I smiled when I was transferred to his arms.
Even though I made note of the look that passed between Peter and Char, I couldn't really be bothered with it once I was in Jasper's arms. I kissed a spot on his neck as he cradled me bridal-style. He hummed in response, “You look very pretty, Sweet Girl. Would you like me to help with your hair, or would you rather Char do it?”
I looked up at him, saying, “You, please. I know it sounds crazy, but I missed you in the little time we were separated.”
He nuzzled his nose in my neck, whispering, “It's not crazy at all, Sug. I felt the same way... and I'd love to help you with anything you need.”
Once we were settled on the chaise, with me sitting between Jasper's legs, everyone else gathered to sit around the room. Aaron and Char sat on the loveseat, and Peter chose the side chair closest to us. Jasper started brushing through my hair gently, but the bristles were irritating my scalp. He immediately noticed, of course, so he switched to running his fingers through my hair instead. I sighed at the feeling, then Jasper kissed my shoulder before continuing.
Aaron smiled at that, choosing to ask, “How are you feeling, Bella? You seem to be the contradiction to all we know about changing.”
I smiled at the feeling of Jasper tenderly massaging my scalp, then looked to Aaron. “I was explaining this to Jasper earlier. Minuscule traces of venom make the change severely slow and extremely excruciating. One bite makes the change speed up to three days, but those days are burning hell, because of the speed at which that one bite of venom has to work through a whole body. Several bites in strategic places, though, makes it so that the venom travels easier through the system. It doesn't have to work as hard, because there's more of it to spread around. Yes, I will be achy and weak for three days, but the amount of venom that Jasper pumped into my system ensured that I won't be in pain like I was when the slight traces of venom reached my spine.”
A look of relief passed over all of their features, so I continued, “I won't be able to stand or walk on my own most of the time, Char will need to help me with my human moments, and I'll probably be really cranky at points. My skin is easily irritated, too.”
Peter came over to kneel beside me, then cupped my cheek before asking, “Is there anything we can do to help make it easier on you, Kitten?”
I nodded, “I'm going to need an ice bath every so often. It helps soothe me when I get too hot, like the way you helped when we were in the truck. If you guys could please make sure that there's always ice on hand, that would be a tremendous help. I won't be needing anymore human food, but my body's not ready to take blood yet. Is there anything you can tolerate other than blood?”
I felt Jasper smile against my shoulder, then he said, “I say we open up the bar downstairs, Pete. We should be celebrating Sug becoming a vampire, anyway.”
With that, I saw everyone grin and rush out of the room. Jasper kissed along my shoulder to his bite mark on my neck. He kissed it several times softly, then turned me to straddle his waist. I hummed as I settled against his chest, cupping his cheek, “Thank you for helping with my hair. I noticed after my bath that it was already getting longer.”
He smiled and nodded, leaning into my hand, then agreed, “Yes, almost down to your natural waist. I love the curl, by the way. You should leave it natural more often.”
He turned slightly to kiss my palm, then took my hand to kiss the bite mark he made on my wrist. My eyes fluttered shut at the feeling, just as I felt Jasper kiss along my jaw toward my chin.
When he reached my chin, he playfully nipped it, licked it, then placed a kiss on it. His hand seemed to weave into my hair as mine did the same to his, then suddenly Jasper whispered against my lips, “Ask me, Isabella. Please, just ask me already.”
My eyes opened to connect with his. I practically moaned against his lips at the look of desire in his eyes, “Kiss me, Jasper.”
He definitely didn't need any more incentive, slowly brushing his lips against mine before teasingly sucking my bottom lip. My eyes fluttered shut at the delicious feeling.
Soon his tongue was coaxing mine in a sensual dance. He tasted better than anything I could ever remember, causing me to moan as I pressed myself closer to him. Jasper hummed into the kiss as his hands slowly caressed up my thighs. My breath hitched, then I deepened the kiss in acceptance, only to feel his thumbs gently rubbing the bite marks on my inner thighs. I broke the kiss with a gasp as arousal flooded me from the action, then whimpered, “Oh, God, Jazz.”
He inhaled deeply, a sexy rumble leaving his chest before he said, “Just think. If my thumbs feel that good, how good do you think my tongue would feel? God, how I want you, Isabella.”
Ten minutes later, Jasper hummed while kissing my shoulder, rousing me from my dozing state. “The tub's ready whenever you are, Sug. You just let me know when you want to get in.”
I nodded, whispering in reply, “Kay. We can go. Are you still going with me?”
He kissed his bite mark on my neck, then whispered against it, “If you want me to go with you, I'll be there. If not, I can wait out here while Char helps you.”
I instinctively tightened my hands in his shirt with a rush of panic, so he cooed, “Shh... I'm right here, Isabella. I told you I would go with you if you wanted. Let's go into the bathroom. We'll see how you feel then.”
Once we got into the bathroom, Jasper whispered into my ear as he held me close, “Clothes or not, Sug? I need to know how you want to proceed.”
I scrunched my nose at the remembrance of wet clingy clothes, then he said, “I'd never hurt you, Isabella. I'd never do anything you didn't verbally and emotionally agree to.”
I nodded as I whispered, “I know, Jazz. I trust you. The face was thinking of the feeling of wet, sticky clothes.”
He chuckled, asking, “Would you like help, or do you think you might be able to manage it alone?”
I shook my head, “Just standing on my own feet is going to be asking a lot.”
Jasper sat me on the counter, then looked into my eyes while taking hold of my tank. I nodded, then he lifted it carefully over my head, trying not to brush it against my skin more than necessary.
When it was off, I slid to my feet, holding myself up by my hands on the counter. Jasper curled his fingers inside the waistband of both my shorts and boyshorts. I nodded again since he was clearly waiting for permission. He kept his eyes on mine as he slid them down and knelt in front of me. He lifted one foot at a time to remove them before he put them all in the hamper.
His shirt got pulled over his head and tossed in with mine, then he came back to me as he asked, “Are you sure?”
I took a deep breath as I nodded, then kept my eyes on his as he removed his jeans.
He picked me up bridal-style, carried me over to the tub, then carefully got us situated so that my back was to his front with me leaning back against him. As soon as we were settled in the icy water, it felt like worry was rolling off of Jasper in small waves. I slowly turned, nudged his legs, then settled on his thighs before cupping his cheeks. After I studied him for a second, I said softly, “You're worried about me. You're worried because I'm not writhing in pain.”
He gave me an awed look, then said, “Isabella, you shouldn't have known that. I've been hiding it from you since just after I finished making the bites.”
I gave him a sheepish smile, saying softly, “I think I'm a leech.”
He gave me a disgusted look, so I giggled, “No, not like that. I hate that term associated with vampires. I just meant my power. I think I leech the ability to use others' powers. Earlier, the feeling I got was when I was wrapped around Peter. Now, knowing you were worried happened while you were holding me.”
His eyes slowly lit up as he smiled, “Do you know what else? I think you might be able to turn the power inside out. I don't think you're the shield that Carlisle believes... at least not completely. I think you were able to block Edward by turning his power inside out.”
I beamed, then he kissed my neck lightly. “We'll need to see if you can still use the powers when the person isn't touching you. That still doesn't explain the lack of writhing though, Sweet Girl.”
I smiled, kissing one of the scars on his chest in reply, then whispered, “Think about it, Jazz. Too little venom makes the change go cell-by-cell. The venom has to work extra hard to spread, therefore more pain over a longer period of time. One bite and a bit of venom makes the change excruciating, but it only lasts three days. A whole fucking lot of venom still makes the change last three days, but what else would it do?”
He looked at me skeptically, so I said, “The faster it spreads to where it needs to be, to do that three-day job of turning me, the less pain there is. More venom equals faster, since you bit in several crucial spots. Yes, I'll still be in transition for three days, but I won't be in writhing pain. Uncomfortable? Definitely. Achy? Most certainly. Weak? Absolutely. Agonizing pain? Nope.”
He chuckled, kissed my nose in response, then I said, “I have to stay close to you, though. I don't know the whys for that part, but I think it has something to do with you staying calm and your venom in me recognising it. Plus, I'll be more vulnerable until the change completes, and being my sire, you’re the best one to help me through it.”
Jasper nodded, pulling me tightly to him, so I laid my head on his shoulder. We stayed like that for a little while, but my back was starting to feel hot. As soon as the feeling registered, Jasper cradled me to him, then carefully flipped us over so I was underneath him neck-deep in the water.
I hummed at the feeling as Jasper tenderly pushed my hair away from my face. I smiled as I wrapped my arms around his back. His eyes searched mine for a second before he whispered, “I hated being away from you, knowing you were in pain. I was just headed to go see you when Peter called me. He told me to keep running. That Kitten was safe, but make it look real.”
I smiled as I pushed a stray curl from his eyes, then said, “They did keep me safe. Peter kept me wrapped around him so that his temperature numbed the worst of the pain, while Char drove like a bat out of hell to get here. I still owe her a kiss, too.”
Jasper looked at me with a mixture of jealousy and desire, so I said, “She bought me a whole bag of junk food, plus coffee and soda.”
I could practically hear the wheels turning in his head at that. I smirked, “I think I owe you more than one, though.”
He looked shocked, so I explained, “You got me out. You told me you would find a way... that you would change me yourself.”
He smiled tenderly as he touched his forehead to mine. “That was just me keeping my word, Isabella. I doubt that deserves a kiss, let alone more than one.”
I carefully wove my hand up into his hair, then whispered almost inaudibly, “I've wanted to for a while. Are you telling me no now?”
Jasper groaned as his eyes closed, then whispered so close to my lips, “God, how I want to kiss you. I can't, though... not like this. I don't want our first kiss to be with us both naked in the tub. Can you understand that?”
I nodded, whispering in return, “I do, honestly. Just promise to let me have that kiss soon.”
He chuckled as he pecked my nose, “I doubt you'll forget to remind me, but I promise.”
Soon he sat us both in the center of the tub, using a cup on the tub deck to pour the water over my hair. I hummed while my head fall back. Jasper continued for several minutes, then licked his mark on my neck, making me shiver in anticipation out of nowhere. He chuckled, a deep and sexy sound, then whispered, “I'll remember that reaction, little Minx.”
I blushed at his words without lifting my head, bit my lip, then heard Jasper groan in response. A gasp left my lips, my fingers shooting into his hair, when I felt him swirl his tongue around the bite mark over my heart. He licked a path up to the one on my neck, making my fingers tighten as he repeated the swirl. I whimpered slightly when he kissed his way up to my ear, then he whispered in a sexy tone, “I always wondered, but now I know. Do you realise that you blush all the way to your perfect pink nipples?”
I let out a shuddering breath as he trailed his hands along my back, until one settled at my tailbone while the other gently brought my head upright. I couldn't stop my moan as I looked into his dark merlot-colored gaze, then I whispered as my fingers gripped his hair even tighter, “You can't say things like that... do things like that... if you expect me to wait to finally feel you kissing me. It does things to me, Jasper. None of those things are very patient when it comes to you.”
He touched his forehead to mine, whispering, “Just now was the only time I've felt desire from you, Bella. When did you first start having feelings for me?”
I blushed slightly, making Jasper groan again, then whispered, “Since I first saw you in the cafeteria, but it started becoming unbearable after Phoenix... when you first touched me. After that, it was like I couldn't hear your name or see you without at least some part of me wanting you.”
The water had done too good of a job of cooling me down. I could feel it was past time to get out. Before I could say anything, Jasper released the stopper, then got us out of the tub, standing me up. He quickly wrapped a big fluffy towel around me, then one around himself as I held onto his shoulders.
Though I wanted Jasper to help me dry off, I didn't feel that should happen yet. He smiled softly as he cupped my cheek, “I know, Sug. Don't feel bad about that at all. We have all the time in the world. Until you're ready, Char can help you dry off.”
I nodded, then he casually asked for Char to come help me as he carried me to a closet.
When he opened the door, I practically squealed at all of the awesome clothes. Jasper just chuckled while kissing my temple. Char came in seconds later with a smile, “Did I do alright? Major said you didn't like the stuffy shit you were always put in, so I hope I did okay.”
I held out my arms, then once she was close enough, I pulled her into a tight hug, “I definitely owe you huge lingerie shopping time. Huge. This is amazing, Char. I don't think I could have done better myself.”
Jasper carefully set me down, then said, “I'm going to let you two find something comfortable, because if I stay any longer while you're talking lingerie, I might just decide not to let Char help you dress.”
I shooed him away as Char chuckled, then when the door closed, I said, “I'm going to need something soft. I'll be in transition for the normal three days, so my skin will be easily irritated.”
She nodded seriously, then said as she pulled something off the rack, “How about this, Sweets? You won't need a bra, and we can put some soft boyshorts under it.”
It was a pretty empire-waist chiffon sundress with a silky lining underneath. I nodded as I felt the fabric, “Perfect. It's light enough that I won't get warm too quickly, plus I can definitely do without the itchy bra-strap scenario.”
As she helped me dry off, I whispered only loud enough for her to hear, “Are turning marks supposed to be sensitive? Jasper licked one of the marks he made on my neck, when we were in the tub. It gave me a shiver of anticipation out of nowhere.”
She gave me a slightly awed look, then shook her head as she said, “Only in certain circumstances, Sweets. I can't tell you what those are, because it's something you have to figure out on your own. Did he happen to pay attention to any others?”
I nodded, “He liked rubbing his thumbs against the ones on my wrists when my back was to his chest, but when we were face to face, he liked swirling his tongue on the ones over my heart and on my neck.”
She gave me a look that asked if they got the same reaction, so I nodded, “The one over my heart was like an instant shot of heat straight to my lady bits.”
She gave me that slightly awed look again. I didn't know what that was about, but she said, “Yep... definitely something you need to figure out on your own, Sweets. Don't worry, though. You'll know when the time is right.”
I nodded, then she finished helping me get dried off and dressed. She carried me out to the bedroom, sat me on the bed, then went over to the same dresser as last night. She pulled out a pretty green pair of cotton boyshorts with gray ribbon trim, then helped me get them on.
Once that was done, she grabbed the brush from the vanity, then carried me out to Jasper, who was in the small keeping room off the kitchen waiting for me. I smiled when I was transferred to his arms.
Even though I made note of the look that passed between Peter and Char, I couldn't really be bothered with it once I was in Jasper's arms. I kissed a spot on his neck as he cradled me bridal-style. He hummed in response, “You look very pretty, Sweet Girl. Would you like me to help with your hair, or would you rather Char do it?”
I looked up at him, saying, “You, please. I know it sounds crazy, but I missed you in the little time we were separated.”
He nuzzled his nose in my neck, whispering, “It's not crazy at all, Sug. I felt the same way... and I'd love to help you with anything you need.”
Once we were settled on the chaise, with me sitting between Jasper's legs, everyone else gathered to sit around the room. Aaron and Char sat on the loveseat, and Peter chose the side chair closest to us. Jasper started brushing through my hair gently, but the bristles were irritating my scalp. He immediately noticed, of course, so he switched to running his fingers through my hair instead. I sighed at the feeling, then Jasper kissed my shoulder before continuing.
Aaron smiled at that, choosing to ask, “How are you feeling, Bella? You seem to be the contradiction to all we know about changing.”
I smiled at the feeling of Jasper tenderly massaging my scalp, then looked to Aaron. “I was explaining this to Jasper earlier. Minuscule traces of venom make the change severely slow and extremely excruciating. One bite makes the change speed up to three days, but those days are burning hell, because of the speed at which that one bite of venom has to work through a whole body. Several bites in strategic places, though, makes it so that the venom travels easier through the system. It doesn't have to work as hard, because there's more of it to spread around. Yes, I will be achy and weak for three days, but the amount of venom that Jasper pumped into my system ensured that I won't be in pain like I was when the slight traces of venom reached my spine.”
A look of relief passed over all of their features, so I continued, “I won't be able to stand or walk on my own most of the time, Char will need to help me with my human moments, and I'll probably be really cranky at points. My skin is easily irritated, too.”
Peter came over to kneel beside me, then cupped my cheek before asking, “Is there anything we can do to help make it easier on you, Kitten?”
I nodded, “I'm going to need an ice bath every so often. It helps soothe me when I get too hot, like the way you helped when we were in the truck. If you guys could please make sure that there's always ice on hand, that would be a tremendous help. I won't be needing anymore human food, but my body's not ready to take blood yet. Is there anything you can tolerate other than blood?”
I felt Jasper smile against my shoulder, then he said, “I say we open up the bar downstairs, Pete. We should be celebrating Sug becoming a vampire, anyway.”
With that, I saw everyone grin and rush out of the room. Jasper kissed along my shoulder to his bite mark on my neck. He kissed it several times softly, then turned me to straddle his waist. I hummed as I settled against his chest, cupping his cheek, “Thank you for helping with my hair. I noticed after my bath that it was already getting longer.”
He smiled and nodded, leaning into my hand, then agreed, “Yes, almost down to your natural waist. I love the curl, by the way. You should leave it natural more often.”
He turned slightly to kiss my palm, then took my hand to kiss the bite mark he made on my wrist. My eyes fluttered shut at the feeling, just as I felt Jasper kiss along my jaw toward my chin.
When he reached my chin, he playfully nipped it, licked it, then placed a kiss on it. His hand seemed to weave into my hair as mine did the same to his, then suddenly Jasper whispered against my lips, “Ask me, Isabella. Please, just ask me already.”
My eyes opened to connect with his. I practically moaned against his lips at the look of desire in his eyes, “Kiss me, Jasper.”
He definitely didn't need any more incentive, slowly brushing his lips against mine before teasingly sucking my bottom lip. My eyes fluttered shut at the delicious feeling.
Soon his tongue was coaxing mine in a sensual dance. He tasted better than anything I could ever remember, causing me to moan as I pressed myself closer to him. Jasper hummed into the kiss as his hands slowly caressed up my thighs. My breath hitched, then I deepened the kiss in acceptance, only to feel his thumbs gently rubbing the bite marks on my inner thighs. I broke the kiss with a gasp as arousal flooded me from the action, then whimpered, “Oh, God, Jazz.”
He inhaled deeply, a sexy rumble leaving his chest before he said, “Just think. If my thumbs feel that good, how good do you think my tongue would feel? God, how I want you, Isabella.”