Apricity {Jasper CullenxMale OC}

Chapter 20

"Uh- um, come in," Kova stuttered a little as he tried to regain his bearings.

He felt a little scatterbrained, which was a rare thing for him. Although, Kova was discovering that Jasper tended to have that effect on him. He really hoped he would get over it soon. The werewolf was blushing like mad and stepped out of the entry way faster than humanly possible. Jasper could feel Kova's nervous energy like a zing in his nerve endings. He could also feel the undeniable attraction that the werewolf was doing his damnedest to suppress. It set Jasper's skin on fire just to feel that particular emotion coming from his mate as he stepped inside.

Jasper took stock of his surroundings as quickly as only a vampire could. Perhaps a werewolf too, but thats debatable.

The Swan home was exactly what he expected. Homey, lived in and loved, with an air of comfort. Kova cleared his throat, leading them into the living room before taking a seat on the couch. Jasper wasn't going to let the opportunity to sit as close to his mate as possible pass him by, so he immediately sat next to Kova. As he did, his eyes were drawn to the pictures hanging on the wall. They were mostly of Bella over the years, but Jasper's interest piqued when he caught sight of several images of a young Kova. He was laughing in almost every one, or wearing a smile so big it threatened to crack his cheeks. Kova was held close by Bella, or a beautiful woman who looked too much like Kova to be mistaken for anyone other than his mother, and there was even one with Charlie's arms around both of the kids. Jasper felt a phantom warming in his chest as he looked at younger versions of his mate with bouncy brown curls and chubby cheeks.

"You were a cute kid," Jasper observed with a sidelong grin at the werewolf.

Kova glanced at the wall in horror, and his immediate embarrassment pressed against Jasper insistently.

"I forgot those were there," he cringed, making Jasper smile in amusement. The werewolf bit his lip, glancing at Jasper and trying to decide where on earth to start the conversation they both knew needed to be had. "What did meddlesome mind reader tell you?" He asked.

Jasper laughed under his breath, meeting Kova's beautiful brown eyes. He took a moment to read how the other was feeling- sensing embarrassment, worry, nervousness, and a longing that was reciprocal. The wolf was clearly on edge, sitting rigidly on the edge of the cushions was his back as straight as an arrow. Jasper turned slightly to face Kova, allowing his knee to brush against him intentionally. The physical contact offered a form of support and comfort to the werewolf, and he visibly relaxed a little in his seat. It was better than nothing, and Jasper simply sent a wave a reassurance Kova's way before he started to speak.

"Edward is good at... interpreting thoughts," the vampire started to explain, hoping to reassure, "He explained that your pack's emissary was looking into the details of a mating between a werewolf and a vampire. He said that, normally, when a werewolf mates with someone, they need to bite each other. But because I'm a vampire, and my bite is therefore venomous, that... complicates things."

"Well, he was honest, even if his little gift is mildly irritating-," Kova started, but was cut off by the shrill ring of his cell phone. He frowned, pulling it from his pocket to see Deaton's name flashing across the screen. Why did his and Jaspers conversations always get interrupted with phone calls? "Speak of the devil," Kova muttered, before picking up with an apologetic smile at Jasper. "Hey Deaton!"

"Kova, how are you?" Deaton greeted politely.

"As well as can be expected, I guess," Kova answered honestly.

"Yes, I expect control isn't coming as easily to you as it normally does, is it?" He remarked, and Kova scoffed in response. "That's why I'm calling, but I'm sure you know that."