The Art of Redemption: Chapter 3 teaser

Hello my lovely readers!

I know...long time no post. Things have been a little crazy lately and I am slowly getting back on track. I don't know when the next chapter for LG will come, but I am working on it; it has been, yet again, reworked. Future events are changing and I have a million and one ideas running through that crazy thing I call a mind and it's just a matter of getting them out. Thank you all for being so patient...I hope that, in the meantime, you are all enjoying my new story!

Anyway, without further ado, the teaser for chapter 3 of TAoR!

***

I couldn’t help but agree with Peter though. Bella looked good tonight…Bella looked real good in them short Daisy Duke’s, tight tank top that was showin’ just the right amount of her pale skin and…fuck me, she was wearing cowboy boots. Her hair looked like she had just crawled out of my bed and ran her fingers through it.

Wait…what the fuck?

I continued to watch her, like I had done all week on the balcony outside her bedroom, and still couldn’t figure her out. She had completely changed from the girl I knew before. This Bella, the new Bella, had a quiet confidence that made her sexy as hell. But, she still had remnants of her old self. She still enjoyed reading classic novels, and her normal day-to-day attire hadn’t changed much.

“You do know your starin’ right?”

“Again, fuck off Peter.”

Bella continued to mix and serve drinks behind the bar until an older gentleman with graying hair approached her.

“I need ya on the floor tonight Bella.”

“The tips aren’t as good.”

“Molly wants to try her hand at tending bar.”

“She can do it on my nights off. You know that Drew and I are you’re best bartenders and were runnin’ on a full house.”

“I know but you know the rules, everyone gets an opportunity to tend bar if they want to. So, I need you out on that floor. End of discussion.”

Bella slammed down a shot glass, nearly breaking it, and walked out from around the bar, out into the crowd, glaring at a petite red-head on her way.

BPOV

The club was quickly reaching its Friday night potential and Drew and I were working non-stop behind the bar mixing drinks and slinging beers left and right. Aside from the occasional bar dance, that’s all I did. Friday night was country night here at Vamped so the sounds of country music were blaring through the speakers as people danced on the dance floor. Country night was always a crowd favorite among the above thirty crowd around here so tonight was filled mainly with thirty-something’s, always a plus for Drew and I as far as tips go.

I was in the middle of pouring a round of tequila for one table when my boss, Ray, approached me. Ray was older, mid fifties, with graying hair and a ‘bigger than the world’ attitude. But, Ray was also a fun and fair boss.

“I need ya on the floor tonight, Bella.” Well this was certainly different.

“The tips aren’t as good,” I stated matter-of-factly, still pouring tequila into the shot glasses.
“Molly wants to try her hand at tending bar.”

Molly was one of our new waitresses that Ray had hired. She was always overeager to be working the bar, my guess was to get closer to Drew because let’s face it; Drew is hot. But I didn’t really give a flying fuck what Molly wanted. “She can do it on my nights off. You know that Drew and I are your best bartenders and we’re runnin’ on a full house,” I said, trying to convince the man in front of me. He knew damn well that Drew and I were his best…we were the best because we worked so well together. We had a system…and it was motherfuckin’ golden.

“I know, but you know the rules, everyone gets the opportunity to tend bar if they want to. So, I need you out on that floor. End of discussion,” he said before walking off into the back office, passing Molly on his way. She had a smirk planted on her pretty little face. I slammed the shot glass that I was holding down onto the counter, nearly shattering it, while anger coursed through my veins. I walked the length of the bar, down to wear Molly was standing victoriously. I narrowed my eyes at her and her bout of victory seemed to falter slightly as I approached, “wipe that smirk off your face before I do it for you,” I hissed at her as I walked by and out into the crowd.

I didn’t particularly like working the floor. The tips weren’t as good and people were grabby; way to fucking grabby. I walked through the crowd around the bar and made my way to the tables.

When I finally made my way to the back table, there he was, looking very much like the ‘hot cowboy’ that Drew pegged him as. He was wearing a pair of dark wash jeans and a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, showing off his muscular forearms. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw him sitting there, smiling at me as I approached.

“You know we don’t serve O negative here, right?” I asked sarcastically, trying to keep the smile at bay.

“Oh, I’m sure someone here can help me,”

“Hands off the patrons,” I deadpanned and he laughed and I shortly joined him. “So what brings you here tonight?”

“Well, rumor has it that there’s a really pretty girl that I used to know that works here.”

“Oh really? You probably mean Sarah…unfortunately she doesn’t work Fridays.”

“Funny.”

“Seriously though, what are you doing here?” I asked again.

“I wanted to see you again,” he said with a sexy smirk. I used to accuse Edward of dazzling me…little boy had nothing on Jasper. All he had to do was give me that look and I was completely under his southern spell.

“Well, in that case, I’m off in two hours and we can catch up than. In the mean time, I have to ask, what can I get ya? And for the record, Bella blood is not on the menu.”
***

Well kiddos, that was it...a teaser. The chapter itself should be up in a few days.

The Art of Redemption; Chapter 2

JPOV

I could feel her fear, among other emotions, as she stood, still as a board, about ten feet in front of me. Her heart was racing out of control and yet there she stood, glaring daggers at me. I took a tentative step towards her. "Relax, Bella. I can feel how afraid you are."

"Don't fucking tell me what to do, Jasper," she hissed. She fucking hissed!

"I just want to talk."

"I don't. Just…just stay away from me," she said as she rushed past me, trying to get back into the crowded club. As she went by, I grabbed her arm firm enough to stop her, but not firm enough to hurt her. She gasped once I grabbed her and she struggled to break free.

"Do you seriously think you can outrun me, Bella? Do you seriously think you can get free?" I asked, a little too menacingly.

"Let go of me," she said shakily, her fear now running to the forefront.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Bella."

"You're eyes say differently."

"I promise I won't hurt you, Bella. Will you please just let me talk to you?" I asked. I could feel her resolve slowly starting to give way; she knew she wouldn't win in a struggle.

"There's nothing to say," she whispered.

"And I think there is."

She took a deep breath, probably trying to calm herself before speaking. "Who else is here? If Edward is here, I swear to fucking god I will find a way to tear him to pieces and dance around his fucking pyre as he burns," she said with a quiet anger.

"None of the Cullen's are with me, Bella. I'm here with a few old friends." Bella's relief flooded me as she visibly relaxed before confusion slowly started to take over.

"Alice?"

"I don't know, Bella, I left her a while ago. After you're birthday, everything changed. Alice started distancing herself and all I felt from her was disappointment and I knew it was directed at me. I couldn't take the emotional climate in the house, so I left. A few months later, Alice sent me the divorce papers. I keep in touch with Emmett and Rose and occasionally send an email to Carlisle and Esme, but I don't know where anyone is," I explained.

"Oh," she said quietly. "Um, Jasper, can you let go of me now?"

"Sorry," I said as I gave her a small smile as I released her wrist. The back door to the bar opened and the male bartender walked out. "B, I'm starting to get swamped in there. I need ya back behind the bar with me," he said as he looked at Bella. I didn't have to feel his emotions to know he was concerned about Bella as he eyed me with distrust.

"I'll be right there Drew."

"Everything okay B?" he asked, not once taking his eyes off of me.

"Yea, he was just leaving. I'll a…I'll be in in a minute."

"Okay," he said as he turned to walk back inside.

"I um… I should go," she said as she walked off back to the bar.

"Will I see you again?" I called after her.

"I don't know," she said quietly just before walking through the door. I don't know how long I stayed in the alley behind the bar. When I walked around back front, Peter and Charlotte were already waiting for me and Peter was wearing his signature shit-eatin' grin.

"C'mon, let's get you out of here. Bella's had enough for one night," Peter said as he slapped me on the back. "She looks good."

"Shame on you for scaring her like that Jasper Whitlock!" Charlotte chastised.

"I know. You two go, I'm gonna stay here," I said, turning back towards the bar.

"She won't like it if she catches you following her."

"Then she won't catch me."

BPOV

My heart continued to race as I tried to calmly finish my shift. A few hours and a few dances later, we were finally cleaning up the bar.

"Spill it, B. Who was the hot as fuck cowboy you were chattin' up in the alley? Are you starting to re-think your once-a-month one nighters?"

"No, Drew, I'm not. He's just from an old life."

"That wasn't…that wasn't your ex was it?"

"No, absolutely not. If that was my ex, he wouldn't be walking away in one piece. That was actually the ex's older brother."

"Honestly, B, was your ex that fuckable?"

"Doesn't matter."

"So are you gonna see Hot Cowboy brother again? Do I get to look forward to having eye candy in the apartment?" he asked excitedly, wiping down the bar counter.

"I don't think so, Drew. Again, he's from an old life. One I don't particularly want to revisit."

"But B, what if it's-"

"Drop it Drew!" I hissed as I walked to an empty table to start counting my tips, Drew following close behind. I continued to count, trying to keep hold of my wandering thoughts.

"How'd you do tonight?" Drew asked.

"Three-twenty-two. Not too shabby if ya ask me. What about you?"

"Two-sixty. Not my best night."

"That's because it was mostly men in here tonight. Come on, Drew, let's go home," I said, sliding back my chair and gathering my money.

"Okay," he said, repeating my motions. We went to the back and gathered our belongings from the employee lounge.

"You take care of Little B, Drew," Tony, the bouncer said as we exited the club.

"Oh come on, Tony! We all know I can take care of myself!" I exclaimed while flexing my arm and kissing my bicep. Tony laughed a jovial chuckle and Drew and I joined in.

"I know Little B. You're a tough shit when you wanna be."

"Damn straight! Drew, take me home!"

We started walking home, silently into the cold Albuquerque night. No matter what I did, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched…being followed. My eyes continued to dart into every alley and all around us to no avail.

When we got home, we both went our separate ways, Drew going towards his room and me towards mine. I went straight towards the master bathroom and started the water for a shower. I stripped out of my work clothes and climbed into the shower. As I scrubbed my body, I couldn't help but think of the events that played out tonight. Unfortunately for me, I didn't know what to make of it. I came to New Mexico because I thought it would fucking be vampire free. But does Bella Swan have luck like that…I don't fucking think so.

At one time, I would have probably argued that I was destined to be a part of that world and finally get my happy-ever-after, but that part of me died all those years ago. There was another time that I would have probably argued that I was still destined to be part of that world…as someone's dinner. But now, I didn't know what to think.

I climbed out of the shower and into my pajamas before getting into my bed. For over an hour, I tried to sleep but still couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me. I got out of my bed and walked to the window and drew back the curtain. As I looked out, I saw…absolutely nothing. Get a grip Bella. I doubt he would follow you home. I padded back to my bed and climbed back in underneath the sheets, trying once again to let sleep consume me.

After about half an hour of tossing and turning, I felt a huge wave of lethargy wash over me before finally succumbing to sleep.

…

I didn't wake up until nine o'clock the next morning. The sun was shining through crack in the curtains. I threw the sheets back and reluctantly climbed out of bed before neatly pulling the covers back over the now empty bed.

My dreams last night were completely consumed by the pair of crimson eyes I was met with last night at the club. Jasper was back and he wasn't following the Cullen's diet any longer. But for some unknown reason, it didn't disturb me as much as it should have. At least it didn't after the fear factor wore off. As long as I, or anyone I care about, wasn't his next meal, it didn't bother me.

I made my way out to the living room where Drew was already digging in to his cereal in front of the TV.

"Dammit Drew! That's why we have a fucking table! I swear to god, if there is so much as a fucking crumb on that couch-"

"Shit B, I thought you weren't ever going to wake up. I was about to call SWAT!"

"Don't be so dramatic," I said walking to the kitchen cupboard to pull out the box of lucky charms. I poured the bowl of cereal and went to the fridge to grab the milk, only to find about a tablespoon of milk left in the jug. "DREW!"

"Hey Bella, we're outta milk!" He yelled sheepishly.

"Fuck you," I mumbled, dumping the cereal back into the box. I went to the coffee pot and poured a cup of coffee instead.

"So what's on the agenda today?" Drew asked from his perch on the couch.

"Well, first we're going grocery shopping. Then I have to come back here and start working on my paper."

"How come I have to go grocery shopping with you?"

"You eat the food Numb-nuts."

"My nuts are not numb!"

"Drew, it's still early and I haven't finished my coffee. I really don't want to hear about your nuts."

"You brought them into the conversation."

"Just finish your cereal so we can go."

"Yes mom."

With my coffee in hand, I went to my bedroom to get dressed. I dressed quickly, grabbing a denim miniskirt and black tank top, paired with some black flip flops. I made my way to the bathroom to style my hair and apply my makeup. Midway through my makeup application there was a knock on the door to the apartment followed by a "Bella, delivery!"

Delivery?

I walked out my bedroom door, sans mascara on one eye, and went to the apartment door where a florist's delivery boy was waiting.

"Bella Swan?"

"Yes, that's me."

"Sign here," he said shoving a signature pad at me. I quickly signed my name and the delivery boy, whose nametag read 'Matt' bent down to retrieve the beautiful arrangement of freesias and purple hyacinths before handing them to me.

"Thank you," I said before shutting the door.

"Who are those from? Is there a card?"

"Jeez Drew, calm down. It looks like there's a card," I said, walking the vase over to the kitchen counter before setting them down. I grabbed the card and opened it.

Bella,

It was nice seeing you last night; I'm sorry for scarin' ya. Please call me when you're ready to talk.

J. Whitlock

J. Whitlock? I flipped the card over and sure enough, there was a phone number. I tried to mentally run through all of the 'J' names I knew and could only come up with three. One was dead; one was dead to me, and one I hadn't seen until last night.

"Oh my god," I whispered.

"Spill it sister, who are the flowers from?"

"It's him," I whispered again, not letting the card out of my hands.

"Him who?"

"Jasper."

"You're not giving me enough to go on. Who's Jasper?"

"From last night."

"Hot Cowboy?"

I nodded my head, not trusting my voice.

"So what are you going to do Little B?"

"I don't know."

"I'll tell you what you're going to do. You're gonna call that fuckhot cowboy. That's what you're gonna do."

"I can't call him Drew! Are you fucking crazy?" I screeched.

"No. And you know it. You know that you want to, I can see it in your pretty brown eyes, B."

"Just go get dressed so we can go," I said as I pointed towards his bedroom.

Drew raised his hand to his forehead before saying, "yes ma'am" in mock salute before getting up to get dressed. I giggled at his antics. I grabbed the card that came with the flowers and went to finish getting ready for the day.

It didn't take me long to finish getting ready since all I had to do was put a coat of mascara on one eye so once I finished, I sat on my bed. I stared at the card with Jasper's number. After five minutes of staring, I was seriously starting to think I was going to burn a whole through it.

I grabbed for my cell phone that was sitting on my nightstand and opened the screen for a new text message.

J. Whitlock? Thank you for the flowers, they're beautiful.

I wasn't ready to talk to him. But, my parents raised me with manners and when someone sends you flowers, you at least say thank you. So I did.

I typed in his number and hit send; knowing full well it wouldn't be the last time that I heard from J. Whitlock.

The Art of Redemption: Chapter 1

The Art of Redemption

Chapter 1

Ow! Shit my eyes fucking burn!

My eyes were stinging and I furiously started blinking in an attempt to remove whatever was bothering them to no avail. I sat up in the huge bed and smiled as I looked at the twisted sheets beside me and the sleeping form of Jack?…Johnny?…Jim?…fuck it, it didn't matter. Whoever he was, he was sprawled out on his back with the sheets resting over his legs and hips but leaving his perfectly chiseled chest and abs exposed. His broad, muscular shoulders, rising and falling with every breath, made me lick my lips, remembering how I had licked, kissed, and felt all over his strong body.

Reluctantly, I tore my eyes from his chiseled body and looked at the nightstand to my right. It was only eight in the morning; we had only been asleep for a few short hours.

My eyes continued to burn with each blink and I realized I still had my crimson contacts in. No wonder my eyes had burned. I sat up and caught my reflection in the mirror across the room. My short hair was in complete disarray so I took my fingers and tried to quickly finger through it in a futile attempt to tame it.

I slid to the edge of the bed, carefully trying to not wake the sleeping form next to me. Thankfully, he didn't even stir. I ever so silently padded down the hall to the living room, following the trail of shed clothing towards the front door. Amongst the tossed men's shoes, jeans, boxers, and torn shirt, I found my lacy black panties.

My matching black lace bra was laying haphazardly on the coffee table and my black dress on the living room floor. I picked up my thigh high boots, clutch, and knee-length coat in the foyer and tiptoed to the bathroom. Turning on the bathroom light, I gasped at the person in the mirror.

Fuck, I look like hell!

My eye makeup was smudged horribly, my lips were red and swollen, and my eyes were dreadfully bloodshot. I opened my clutch and pulled out the container for my contacts and a small bottle of eye drops. I worked quickly and removed the offending contacts, placing them back into their container before dropping a few drops of eye solution in my eyes to ease the burn.

I quickly dressed, sans panties which were now stashed in my coat pocket. Holding my thigh highs and clutch in one hand, I tiptoed to the door, silently praying that whats-his-name would stay asleep. As I tiptoed towards the foyer, I winced as I saw the broken lamp, skewed pictures, couch cushions laying haphazardly in the living room, and a silk black tie lying across the back of the couch. Images of me blindfolded with whats-his-names shirt and tied to the coffee table with his tie flooded my mind.

God he was fun…

When I reached the door, I reluctantly turned the door knob. I silently slipped out of the apartment undetected and clicked the door shut behind me. I walked barefoot down the empty hall to the elevator. Once inside the elevator, I slipped on my thigh highs as I silently rode to the ground floor.

Once outside in the crisp autumn air, I flagged a cab and got in. The driver brazenly looked me up and down before saying, "rough night?"

"Just fucking drive, Asshole."

"Well aren't you in a mood. Where to, Princess?"

I gave the cabbie the name of my apartment building and rode in silence as he drove. As we pulled up to the apartment building, I fished a twenty out of my clutch and handed it to the driver. "Keep the change," I said as I exited the cab.

I walked past the main office and to the stairs as I started walking the three flights of stairs. Once I reached my room, I fumbled with my keys before reaching the right one and effortlessly slid it into the lock and twisted. I slowly opened the door, praying to God that it would be empty. But I, Bella Swan, have no such luck.

"It's about fucking time you got back!" my roommate Drew shouts from the couch.

"Nice to see you too," I mumbled as I set my keys down on the counter in the kitchen. "Did you at least make coffee?"

"It's in the coffee pot."

"Good," I said, making my way to the coffee pot. I grabbed a coffee pot from the cupboard and poured a cup. I grabbed the sugar and creamer and dumped them in before stirring. I grabbed my cup of coffee and silently made my way to the table, where Drew had moved to.

"So…" he started as I sat down across from him.

"So…?"

"How was he?" he asked with a big shit eating grin.

"God, Drew! Can I at least have some coffee before I get the Spanish inquisition?" I said before taking a sip of my coffee.

"Okay, you had some. So, how was that fine hunk of man you went home with last night?"

"It was…" I started, trying to find the exact word, "satisfying."

"That's it, that's all you're gonna give me?" he whined.

"What do you want from me Drew? Do you want me to tell you how he tied me up and blindfolded me before fucking me senseless?" I asked coyly.

"Yea…that's what I want Bella. I want details! Did he really do that?"

"Yes…and then we played role reversal while I rode him into next week," I said with a smirk before taking another sip of my coffee. Drew just sat there speechless.

"So, are you going to see him again?"

"No. You know the rules; I don't fuck the same guy twice."

"God, Bella, you can be such a whore sometimes. You know that, right?"

"I must kindly disagree with you there. A whore would actively seek sex at every opportunity. I don't think one one-night stand a month counts as 'whorish'," I stated adamantly.

"We need to find you a man, my dear."

"Funny, didn't I say that exact same thing to you two months ago?"

"And I found one. He's a good man too."

"I know. You know I adore Kevin."

"So do I," he said as a big smile lit up his face. "But seriously Bella, we need to find you a man."

"I had one Drew. It didn't work out."

"That was what? Three years ago?"

"Four." I picked up my coffee cup and slid my chair back. I stood up silently and took my coffee cup to the sink, not saying another word before walking to my bedroom. Drew knew that we didn't talk about my love life. We didn't talk about it for a reason.

It's been four fucking years since I had my heart broke…twice. The first time was by none other than Edward fucking Cullen because apparently I wasn't good enough. The second time was by my best friend Jake who had betrayed me in the worst way possible. Shortly after my high school graduation, I moved here, to Albuquerque New Mexico, to get as far away from fucking Forks as possible. I had no reason to be there, no more family to tie me to the small, rainy town.

I slowly made my way to the master bathroom and stripped off my clothes. I turned the faucet to the right temperature and waited for the water to warm. Once warm, I stepped into the shower and let the hot water wash away my pity party and calm my nerves.

After I finished washing, I turned off the water and reluctantly stepped out of the shower. I wrapped a clean fluffy towel around my body as I made my way to the bathroom counter and plugged in my blow dryer. I quickly blow dried my short hair and let it lay naturally; I would style it later for work.

After doing my hair, I made my way back to my bedroom and got dressed into a simple pair of jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt, and a worn pair of black converse.

Bella Swan, some things never change.

It was a simple, boring outfit; but what did I care, it's not like I was working. No, my work wardrobe was completely different. My work wardrobe was what skanks were made of; tiny shorts, dresses, and leather pants. A complete one-eighty from my normal attire. And tonight, I would put on the small clothing like I did every weekend, shake my ass, and mix drinks. Despite popular belief, I loved my job. The pay and tips were amazing and I've met some pretty interesting fucking people, including my roommate Drew.

A soft knock at my door broke me from my internal monologue.

"Bella?" Drew's soft voice carried through the door.

"Go away."

"Bella?"

"Go away Drew!"

"Don't make me bust this door down woman!" he screamed while jiggling the locked handle.

"Bitch, you do and die!" I yelled, trying my hardest to not laugh.

"You won't hurt me Bells."

"Are you really willing to bet your life on that one?"

"I am."

I smiled as I got off my bed and walked over to unlock the door. I tentatively opened the door, just a crack, and peeked at Drew. "What do you want?"

"Can I come in?"

"No."

"Then can you open the door?"

"No."

"Please?" he said as he gave me 'the pout.'

"Fine," I huffed like a five year old throwing a temper tantrum. I opened the door and crossed my arms over my chest. "What?" Before I could protest, Drew wrapped his strong arms around me and pulled me close to him.

"I'm sorry I upset you."

I felt the break in my resolve as I hugged him back. "I forgive you," I mumbled into his chest. "I'm sorry for acting like a five year old."

"Don't worry about it. You know I just want you to be happy, right?"

"I am happy. Drew, I don't need a man to be happy."

"You're right, you don't," he said as he led me out to the living room. "Stay here, I know what we need," he said as he went to where our sound system was. He quickly plugged in is IPod and scrolled through his songs before finally choosing. Almost immediately, the sounds of I Don't Need A Man by the Pussycat Dolls started blaring from the speakers.

"You're serious?" I asked, incredulous.

"Of course!" he exclaimed, grabbing my hands and forcing me to dance with him. I rolled my eyes and couldn't hold back a smile. And just like that, we were tight once again.

…

"Come on woman! You're gonna make us late!" Drew called as he drug me behind him on our way to work.

"Sorry, I can't run that fast in these heels Drew!" I yelled back at him.

"How many times have I told you, Bella, you're supposed to wear comfortable shoes until we get to work. Then put on your damn heels!"

"Sorry! Jesus Drew, sometimes I swear you're the woman in this fucking relationship! Don't forget, I'm not the reason we're running late Mr. My-hair-has-to-be-perfect!"

"Quit complaining Bella, you took just as long on your hair as I did on mine!"

"Whatever, Asshat, let's just hurry and get there. You're really starting to get on my last nerve."

"You know you love me."

"You're right," I said as we rounded the corner to the club. We worked at Vamped, the hottest nightclub in Albuquerque as bartenders. I always laughed at the irony. We made our way in through the back entrance and quickly set up for the busy night ahead of us.

JPOV

I finally caved; Peter and Char had wanted to go out for months and I had finally caved. We had been living in Albuquerque for the last eight months living off the scum of humanity in this godforsaken desert, always sticking to the shadows as we hunted.

After my separation with Alice, my other family, my real family, had generously allowed me to tag along with them. I honestly wasn't sure how much longer they were going to put up with my ass, but I couldn't bring myself to leave. After the incident on Bella's eighteenth birthday, things just weren't the same. Alice started pulling away from me and I just couldn't take it anymore. I was done with the family's looks of pity and I was tired of pretending to be someone I wasn't. I was tired of being the weak fucking link. So I left.

"Are you still fucking moping around? I swear to fucking God, you need to get laid," Peter said as he sauntered into my room. "You ready yet?"

"Let's just get this shit over with. Where the fuck are we going anyway?"

"Fuck if I know. Char wants to dance so wherever my wife says we're going, we go. Who knows, maybe you'll find someone to remove that stick from your ass."

"Fuck you, Peter."

We all piled into Peter's truck and headed towards the city. Char was up for some dancing so we were trying to find a local club, despite my protests. We parked in an empty lot and started walking towards Albuquerque's night life. After a while, we finally found a club with a long line out front.

"Vamped?" Char said as she looked at the sign that hung above the doorway. "What do you think, this place could be fun. It looks really popular."

Peter put his arm around his wife, "babe, this looks like just the place we're looking for," he said before kissing her forehead.

After getting into the crowded club, we found a booth off in one of the corners, not too far from the dance floor. A waitress wearing a pair of tight jeans and a black halter top came over to take our drink order. Peter and I both ordered beers that would sit untouched and Char ordered a cosmopolitan, stating that they looked 'cute' and that the women in the movies always ordered them.

Our waitress came back shortly after and placed our drinks in front of us. Peter stood up from the table and held his hand out to Charlotte, "let's go dance." She willingly took his hand before he led her to the dance floor, leaving me alone at our table.

Def Leppards 'pour some sugar on me,' started playing and a commotion at the bar caught my attention. Four women, one of which was our waitress, hopped up on the bar counter and began dancing to the song. They started shimmying and swinging their hips to the beat of the song, slowly dancing their way to either end of the bar where a pole was mounted to the bar and went to the ceiling of the club on each side.

My eyes went to the girl farthest to the right who was now wrapping her leg around the pole and swinging around dancing. I watched as she expertly lifted herself and swung around, over the crowd below before once again landing on the bar. The crowd started cheering louder as the chorus of the song came and the other girl at the same end started pouring drinks on the brunette as she continued to dance around the pole. She looked so familiar, but I couldn't quite place her. The face was the same, but everything else was all wrong. Besides, the only person I could think of was the one person it couldn't be. The person I was thinking of was far too shy and way to clumsy to be dancing like that.

My jaw dropped when the girl's scent wafted over to me above the crowd. It was the one scent I would never forget. Freesia; the one scent that made my life spiral downhill. There was no mistaking that this was none other than Bella Swan. But apparently she wasn't the same little girl my adopted family had left years ago.

She was still slim but she had gained her womanly curves in all the right places. Her hair was also a lot shorter than it was before and styled in a mohawk on the top of her head with the front of it hanging down the front of her face. She was wearing a black crop top that was showing her ample cleavage and some extremely short black shorts and fishnet leggings with a pair of heeled thigh high boots. What threw me the most though, was the bright crimson color of her eyes.

"See something you like?" Peter chuckled as he and Char took their seats.

"It's her," I said as I continued to watch Bella, who was now dancing suggestively with one of the other girls, without an ounce of her trademark blush in sight.

"Who?"

"Bella fucking Swan."

"No shit? Where?"

"There," I said, pointing to the tantalizing brunette on the bar.

BPOV

I hopped off the bar as soon as the song finished. It was the first dance of the night and I already knew, after that performance, there would be more.

"Good job B, that was pretty fucking hot!" Drew shouted above the crowd as he poured two shots of tequila and slid one over. I held up the shot towards him said 'cheers' and threw it back without the salt and lime.

"Thanks, I needed that," I said as I slid him the empty glass.

I continued pouring and mixing drinks until my break. "I'm stepping outside for some air," I called to Drew over the music. He nodded his head as he continued mixing a cosmo.

I made my way out back and the crisp Albuquerque air instantly cooled me off. I didn't know how long I stared out into the night sky, but I was suddenly startled when I heard a smooth, velvety voice behind me. A voice that was too smooth…too velvety and all too fucking familiar.

"It's been awhile, Bella."

I stopped breathing and my heart sped up as I slowly turned around, praying to god I wasn't right about who stood behind me. But again, I wasn't so lucky because I found myself staring into the crimson eyes of none other than Jasper Hale.

"Get the fuck away from me."

...

There ya'll have it, the first chapter of my new story. Hope ya'll enjoyed it as I posted it here, my blog, before I posted it anywhere else.

One Shot Wednesdays

Hi All!

I'm back for another one-shot Wednesday. This week's fic comes from FanFiction, so no account neccessary to read. This weeks recommendation is also a little different from the others as this has no pairing, it's just about one sole person...Rosalie. I'll admit, Rosalie wasn't one of my favorites, well, not until Eclipse when we finally got to understand her a little more.

I was a Little Theatrical Back Then by EnglishFreckle

Pairing: Rosalie

Rating: M for violence

Summary: This is the tale of Rosalie's revenge on Royce shortly after she was changed.

Why I Love It: This one-shot is well written and full of substance, which has been hard for me to find as of late. I love how she has, essentially, captured the essence of a pissed off, vengeful Rosalie Hale. Now, there is some, okay, a lot of violence, but it was a good read.

At the end of the hall stood a lone door, Royce's office, his name stood out on
the plaque that adorned the mahogany wood. From behind it I could hear the
noises of his rapid heart rate and heightened breathing, he knew I was here. I
smirked to myself as I re-arranged the dress one last time and walked down the
hallway slowly. It seemed oddly fitting for me to have some music, so I hummed
'Here Comes the Bride' as I approached the door. As I turned the handle I began
to sing,

"Here comes the bride, here comes the bride, all dressed in white." I could hear the coward's sobs on the other side of the locked door. So I decided to prolong his agony, twisting the handle a few times before it was pulled clear from the wood.

If you've always been left wondering what happened that night, this story will definetely be your cup of tea. It's one of those that hit the nail on the head, so to speak. It was only published a few days ago so could definetely use some love...so go show it some. Until next Wednesdays chickadees...

Amber