"Isabelle, we're soul mates. You belong to me, you're a part of me, and I am a part of you."
She nodded as her eyes searched his face. "But—"
"There are no buts," he said forcefully. "That's the way it is. You may not have wanted it, hell I didn't want it." Heartache flashed through her eyes. He silently cursed himself. He was supposed to be easing her troubles and doubts, not adding to them. "But I wouldn't change any of it. If I knew you were here, I would have come for you sooner. I was growing tired of traveling, tired of living alone. When I came here and saw how happy everyone was, I wanted the same thing. When I first met you, I wanted you with an intensity so consuming it bordered on obsession. When I left here, I couldn’t control myself or what I was doing. I have thought of nothing but you since the instant we met."
"What about Jess?"
His eyes flashed with rage. "Shit, Isabelle, why can't you ever listen to what I'm saying to you! Must you always fight me?"
She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. "I don't mean to, I just... I'm jealous," she confessed, her lids lowered to shadow her eyes again as a blush crept into her cheeks.
The confession shot a bolt of pure male satisfaction through him. He was glad she was jealous, even if it did upset her. It helped to assure him she truly did care for him, and he was happy to realize he wasn't the only one in this relationship who became easily jealous. He smiled as he brushed her hair from her cheek and pushed it behind her ear.
"I can't change my past, but the minute I met you, I didn't want anyone else," he said.
He was lying to her, and if he would lie to her about this, he would lie to her about anything. Her eyes flew back to his. "Don't lie to me. I smelled her on you!"
His jaw clenched, and a vein popped out on his forehead. She glared defiantly back at him, refusing to back down.
"I am not lying to you," he grated.
Isabelle fought to break free of his grasp. He pulled her back; his hands on her were rigid as he clung to her. She ceased struggling as she turned toward him, her eyes burning a brilliant shade of red. It was the first time he’d ever seen her completely lose control of the demon within her, and it jolted the anger out of him.
"If you would lie about this, then what else are you lying about?" she yelled.
It took him a second to realize it was more fear than anger riling her up. He reached up to brush her cheek with his finger.
She slapped his hand away as tears filled her eyes. "Don't!"
He took a deep breath and forced himself to remain calm. She was upset, and angry, and scared he didn't care for her. The only thing he could do to put her mind at ease was tell her the truth. That was the last thing he wanted to do. She already wielded enough power over him without handing her another weapon.
"I went to bed that night with Jess, but I didn't finish. I barely started. I couldn't get you out of my head. I got no satisfaction that night, or any afterward, until you. That is the truth."
She sat silently; her head bowed as she thought over his words. The burning jealousy made her want to lash out at him, but she held her tongue. She didn't want to argue with him, but there were so many women in his past, how could he possibly be happy to settle down with just her for the rest of his existence? A tear slid down her cheek; he wiped it away as he turned her head to face him.
She lifted her lashes to meet his tender, loving gaze. It melted her to the tips of her toes. "Besides, what about all the men in your past, maybe you'll run off with one of them?"
He tried to keep his tone light and teasing, but the thought damn near drove him to the brink of sanity as a rush of possessiveness tore through him. He would kill anyone who ever thought of taking her from him, of touching her. All the color drained from her face. He frowned at her in perplexity as she tore her chin from his grasp.
"There are no men in my past!" she snapped, her eyes flashing violently. "You are it!"
He sighed when he realized she’d completely misunderstood. "I know you were a virgin, but you're a beautiful woman I'm sure you had boyfriends in high school," he soothed. "Isabelle—"
"There was no one else," she whispered so quietly he barely heard her. The tips of her lashes were wet against her skin as another tear slid free.
He frowned as he stared at her. "What are you saying?"
Her face flooded with color, and she shifted uncomfortably in his lap. She was certain she’d never been this humiliated in her life. This whole situation was so unfair! She fervently wished she’d flung herself at every boy in high school, and every guy she’d met since then, so she could be on somewhat of a level playing field with him. Then again, even if she slept with every guy in high school, his side of the field would still be a lot fuller than hers.
"Isabelle," he prompted. He hadn't thought it was possible, but her face turned even redder as she stubbornly refused to meet his gaze.
"You're the first everything, Stefan."
Again, he strained to hear what she was saying, but when the words sank in, they knocked the breath out of him. He stared at her in awe, as supreme conquest flooded him. No one but him, had ever touched her. His satisfaction was short lived as another tear slid down her scarlet face. It was then he understood what she was going through, why she was so unsure of herself and his commitment to her. Where her past was a blank slate, his was a scroll covering miles of land. It had to be intimidating to know that.
He reclaimed her chin and turned it to him. "Look at me, Isabelle." She bit her bottom lip as she shyly lifted her gaze to his. "There are a lot of people in my past, but I have never felt about any of them the way I feel for you. Never. You are it, the only one who ever mattered to me. The only one who will ever matter."
She stared doubtfully at him before lowering her lashes again. He nudged her chin upward. When she looked back at him, he continued speaking. "We are soul mates, Isabelle, but the bond isn't complete yet. That's the reason why you have any doubt in me, the reason it hurts you and me when we're not together. Once we forge the bond, we'll be able to communicate with each other all the time. It won't hurt when we're apart, and you will never again doubt the way I feel about you."
She licked her lips nervously, Stefan felt himself harden against her as he watched the delicate tip of her tongue in fascination. "How?" she whispered tremulously.
"We need to exchange blood."
Her face went deathly white in an instant. "No!"
"Isabelle, listen to me. We must do this. It makes the bond complete."
"I believe everything you say!" she cried. "I do! I trust you completely."
He forced himself to remain patient. "It has to be done, Isabelle. I need to do it, and soon. I would rather have you be willing than take it forcefully from you one day."
"You won't," she breathed.
"Yes, I will. I have to; the demon in me has to. I have to mark you as mine; I have to establish that connection. Otherwise, I will snap. I’m holding back because I know you're scared, but it's getting tougher to control every day, with every moment that passes. As long as you don't fight me, it will only be uncomfortable for a second, and then not at all."
She studied him apprehensively. "Do you promise?" she whispered tremulously.
"Yes." Isabelle swallowed down the apprehension threatening to choke her. "You can taste me first if you don't believe me."
"I've never bit anyone," she whispered as a little thrill shot through her at the idea. "I'll hurt you."
"No, you won't. You'll know what to do, and I want you to."
She wanted to do this for him, but she wanted it more for herself. She recalled how tempting his blood had seemed the other night. She wanted to taste him, for him to fill her. Something inside her thrilled at the idea and craved it. Her hands curled in her lap as she closed her eyes against the bloodlust ripping through her. Stefan pulled her against him as she began to tremble.
He closed his eyes as he rocked her gently, the need radiating from her enflamed his own. He lifted
her and placed her on the bed before standing and taking a couple of steps back. He needed to get away from her so he could get a hold on himself. She kept her eyes firmly closed as she fisted her hands in her lap. With the understated white nightgown, and her hair flowing freely around her, she looked so vulnerable and innocent.
He turned away from her and yanked off his shirt off with vicious movements. The beast in him was clamoring to get free. He was concerned he’d waited too long, that he wouldn't be able to stop himself from harming her. If that happened, she would never forgive him, and he would never forgive himself. He tore his jeans and underwear off and took a deep breath before turning back to her. She still sat with her head bowed and her trembling hands clamped in her lap.
He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down before moving back and lifting her. He settled her on his lap and wrapped his arms around her waist. He realized too late he never should have touched her, never should have put himself this close to her. He should have waited until tomorrow when he had more control over himself. He could see the thumping of her heart pulsing through the vein in her neck; smell the tantalizing, sweet scent of her blood. She shook against him.
"Isabelle," he grated hoarsely. "Look at me."
Her shaking increased. She bit her bottom lip to try and stop it, and then cried out as her teeth pierced her skin. She was losing it. Never had she felt this consumed by need. She couldn't look at him, he would see it, he would know, and she was certain the sight of him would cause her to break.
"Look at me," he commanded.
Isabelle's eyes were savage when they flew open. Stefan's body clenched as he saw the thin thread of control she possessed. It almost shredded his tenuous hold. He pushed her back a little, snagged hold of the bottom of her nightgown and tore it off to reveal her magnificent body. He took in her full breasts, porcelain skin, slender waist, and round hips. The triangle of brown hair between her thighs caused lust to surge through him. Her eyes closed as she buried herself against his chest.
She slid her arms around his neck and buried her head in his shoulder. His erection pushed against her thigh, throbbing and warm, as it awakened another craving. Turning in his lap, she pressed her wet center against him. Pleasure and desire shot through her so fiercely it stole her remaining control. She cried out as her teeth elongated against his shoulder.
"Don't fight it, Isabelle." His voice shook from his desperate need as his hands clenched into her velvety skin. "Don't fight me."
She shuddered again, but this time it wasn't from fighting against her urges, but the anticipation of what was to come. She moved her mouth to his neck. His breath froze in his lungs, and she knew a moment of satisfaction as she realized she held him in thrall. He was as affected by her as she was by him. She lifted her hips and slid onto him at the same time she bit deep. The pleasure slamming through her ripped a wild cry free as his blood flowed into her and his rigid shaft filled her.
She felt savage and free as she rode him with abandon. His hands braced her hips as he drove in and out of her, and his mind blended with hers. She experienced his bliss as she rode him and his satisfaction as his blood mingled with hers. She could feel his profound and unconditional love for her, along with a need for her that more than matched her own.
He tasted so fantastic, she could barely stand the delicious torment. She thought she might shatter from the ecstasy consuming her entire body. The power encompassing him shook her as it poured into, and through, her veins. She wanted to cry from the extreme joy and wonder of it all.
Stefan waited until he was sure all her fear was gone, sure she wouldn't fight him. He was trembling with need as he brushed her hair back from her neck. She moaned as her fingers dug into his back. Her need blazed into his mind.
He groaned as he bit deeply into her tender skin. Pleasure nearly devoured him in its intensity as her sweetness filled him, and a feeling of utter contentment tore through his veins. She tasted as sweet as he’d known she would. Her mind poured into his, her intense love nearly shattered him. He trembled as his hands entwined in her thick hair.
Isabelle pulled away from him; a savage cry escaped her as she trembled and shook from the extreme bliss threatening to consume her. She clasped the back of his head to her as his mind seared into hers. She desperately tried to convey her love to him as he had done to her. She leaned back in his arms, riding him with savage abandon as a feeling of completeness engulfed her. She had no control over herself, no control over anything as all her inhibitions melted away. She screamed wildly as the orgasm ripped through her, shaking her to the very core of her existence.
Stefan plunged into her as her muscles convulsed around him and tore an earth-shattering orgasm from him. He poured all his essence into her as she collapsed against him. He held her sweat-slicked body as he breathed in the enticing smell of their lovemaking. Closing his eyes, he relished in the feeling of serenity and belonging filling him.
"I love you, Stefan."
Her words shook his core, and his heart almost burst with joy. At first, he was unable to speak through the lump in his throat and the emotions consuming him. She tried to pull away from him, but he refused to let her.
"I love you too, Isabelle."
She went limp against him as her tears of joy ran down to wet his shoulder.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Isabelle was in the best mood of her life the next day as she helped her mother prepare for Ian's going away party. For this party, instead of being miserable and brooding, she was unbelievably happy. Vicky and Abby stared at her in disbelief as she slipped a platter of hamburgers onto the kitchen counter and flashed them a blindingly bright smile. Her mother bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud, and Willow quickly vacated, mumbling something about morons and love.
The only moment almost spoiling her happiness was when Jess came downstairs with her suitcase in hand. She cast Isabelle a scathing look but quickly lowered her head and hurried out the door. Kathleen and Delia came down behind her also with their suitcases in hand.
"You're leaving?" Isabelle cried, as a wave of guilt flooded her.
Kathleen smiled as she dropped her suitcases on the ground. "Yes, I need to take Delia clothes shopping and get her ready for school. Delia, go on out and help Jess."
Isabelle waited until Delia left before turning back to Kathleen. "It's not because of me is it?" She would hate herself if Kathleen were leaving because of her, and her mother lost her friend, again.
"No dear, it's not." Kathleen patted her hand reassuringly. "If you're even as close to being as happy as your parents are, then I wish you all the joy in the world. He wasn't happy with Jess." Isabelle felt tears well up in her eyes as she clutched Kathleen's hand. How did she have such unhappy daughters? Isabelle wondered as Kathleen pulled away from her and walked over to hug her mom. "I miss you, Sera. This time, let's not lose touch."
Tears streaked down her mother's face as she embraced her friend. Isabelle looked up as Stefan's presence filled her senses. He stood in the doorway, his large frame taking up more than half of it as he surveyed the kitchen before meeting Isabelle's gaze. Is everything all right? The thought blasted into her mind, warming her to her toes as she smiled happily and nodded.
He remained standing in the doorway, not entirely believing her. He felt her distress outside, and with Kathleen present, he wasn't sure if she was just lying to keep him calm. He knew Kathleen and liked her more than her daughters, but a mother would always protect her children first, and he didn't want Isabelle hurt because of that. He turned as Liam appeared beside him; his brow furrowed as he watched Sera pull away from Kathleen with tears streaming down her face. Liam relaxed and brushed past Stefan to enter the kitchen.
"Ah, here they both are," Kathleen said as she wiped tears from her eyes. "And where's the rest of the clan?"
As if on cue, Jack, David, Mike, and Doug appeared to say their goodbyes. Stefan walked into the kitchen and made his way over to Isabelle. Some of his t
ension eased as she melded against him. Kathleen said goodbye to The Stooges, hugging each of them before she moved on to the twins. When she was done hugging everyone, and saying her goodbyes, she walked back over to grab her suitcases.
"You better treat her right, Stefan. There's a hell of a crew here who will kick your ass if you don't!" Kathleen declared.
"I will," he vowed.
Kathleen lifted her suitcases and stood staring at them, a lost look on her pretty face. She dropped her suitcases and spun toward Sera. Stefan braced himself; it was glaringly obvious Kathleen had more to say, and he was scared of what it might be. Instead of speaking, tears poured down her cheeks, and she rushed back over to embrace Sera again. They hugged for a long time before Kathleen reluctantly pulled away, lifted her suitcases, and hurried from the room.
Liam walked over to Sera and pulled her against him. Everyone silently left the room to give them some privacy. They headed down the back steps to the group in the backyard. Some of Ian's old high school friends, and some of his college friends, had come to the party. They were gathered by the volleyball net, leisurely batting the ball back and forth as they waited for more people to join.
"Let's play," Isabelle said eagerly.
Stefan raised a black brow in amusement as she smiled up at him. He couldn't refuse her anything, and she knew it. She took his hand and pulled him to the makeshift volleyball court. He couldn’t help but notice the lustful stares directed her way, and his eyes narrowed warningly on the overeager men. They stared back at him for a second before quickly lowering their gazes. She squeezed his hand reassuringly as she stopped next to Ian, and The Stooges walked over to join them.
"Do you have chosen teams for volleyball too?" Stefan asked.
"Of course," Jack replied. "Same as football, except I don't think Liam will be back for a while. You can take his place on David's team, and Kyle can play again."
Isabelle scrunched her face as Stefan dropped a quick kiss on her forehead and moved to the other side of the net. Kyle eagerly came forward, happy to be included in the game again. She watched him as he excitedly bounced up and down on the balls of his feet. Looking at him now, it was impossible to believe he was at death's door only days before, and she was incredibly grateful he was still with them now.
The Vampire Awakenings Bundle: Books 1-5 Page 51