Hopeless Devotion ~ A Jasper Hale Story

Chapter Nine ~ Unwanted Visitor

I woke slowly, the pale light of morning spilling through the curtains, and realized I was still pressed against him. Jasper. His body was cold beneath my cheek—always that strange, vampire chill—but the way he held me, the way his arms wrapped around me, radiated a warmth that went far beyond temperature.

"You're... cold," I murmured, letting my fingers trace along his chest. Then curled into his side more, muttering incoherently, "I missed you."

He let out a soft chuckle, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. Amber eyes flickered toward me, soft and tender, as if he could feel everything I was thinking.

"Comfy?" His voice was low, smooth, carrying that quiet promise that made my heart twist in the best way.

I pressed a grin to his chest. "Comfy enough... though waking up like this is something I would like every morning."

He chuckled again, tightening his hold just enough to remind me he wasn't going anywhere. Even though his skin felt cold under my hands, every glance, every gesture carried an intimacy that made my chest ache.

I couldn't help it. My thoughts wandered back to last night—Bella running off and leaving a mess in her wake. I smirked.

"Bella... running off like that? Honestly... I found it kind of amusing," I teased.

Jasper's lips twitched in the faintest smile. "Amusing, huh?"

"Yeah," I said, smirking, "she always makes everything so dramatic. You have to admit, it's a little entertaining."

He let out a warm laugh, the sound vibrating through his chest. Then, his voice softened, low and reverent.

"I love you, Tiffany. Always have."

I pressed my forehead to his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat beneath my hands. "I love you too," I whispered. "So much. I don't think I've ever... loved anyone like this before."

He shifted slightly, eyes darkening with memories, shadows of a past he'd carried alone for so long.

"There's something I've never fully told you... about me. About how I became... like this," he murmured.

I lifted my head, curiosity shining in my eyes. "I want to hear it," I said softly. "I want all of you."

He exhaled slowly. Even though his skin felt cold beneath my hands, the sincerity in his voice burned through the chill.

"It wasn't one moment. Wars, Maria... I lost control more times than I care to admit. I was a monster on a leash. But I survived. And then... I found you. And somehow, everything made sense again."

I pressed my forehead back to his chest, heart swelling. "You're not that person anymore," I whispered. "You never were, not really. You're Jasper. You're mine."

He rested his chin atop my head, arms holding me close, cold in body but burning with love. I stayed awake, just enjoying the quiet, the weight of his presence, the way he made the world feel safe.

Unable to resist, I added a playful jab. "Though you know... if Bella does this again, I might start taking bets on how long it takes Edward to lose his temper."

Jasper's laugh was soft but genuine, wrapping around me like a warm cloak despite the chill of his skin. "You'd better hope Edward doesn't lose it too fast," he teased.

I smiled, resting my head against him, wide awake, letting myself revel in the intimacy of the moment—the warmth of his heart, the chill of his skin, and the quiet laughter that made everything feel... perfect.

It wasn't until we pulled up to the Swan house that the unease sharpened.

Something was... wrong.

Jasper felt it before I did. His grip on my hand tightened, his golden eyes cutting toward the door like it had shifted out of place. I frowned, following him inside.