He had promised that he would be back soon to visit, and had pleaded with her to stop crying. Although he was too much of a man to cry, he had been as reluctant to release her as she was to release him. When she had finally managed to let him go, she had turned and fled from the house. She knew that her absence from his departure would be remarked upon later, but she didn’t care.
It had been years since she had gone to the tree house, but that was where she sought her sanctuary. She sat in the tree for hours, watching the sun move across the sky as she tried to sort through the mess of her jumbled emotions. As the sun began to set, she realized that she hadn’t even come close to figuring out how she felt. She wasn’t sure that she ever would.
She refused to cry again, no matter how much she wanted too. Crying was not going to solve her problem, and she was already disgusted with herself for being weak. With a resigned sigh, she climbed wearily out of the tree house, tired, and emotionally drained. She reached the ground and wrapped her arms around herself to help ward off the cold chill that permeated her entire being. Kicking miserably at the ground, she made her way slowly down the path, and back to the house.
She couldn’t avoid him forever; she couldn’t avoid all of them forever. She was just going to have to deal with it, and take everything as it came. She couldn’t keep living like this. He would be leaving soon, Jess would be leaving soon, and then it would all be over. That thought didn’t give her the reassurance that it used too, but she refused to linger over the reason why. She couldn’t allow herself to be alone with him anymore, that was all, and no matter what she was feeling for him, it didn’t matter anymore. She didn’t even like him!
That wasn’t entirely true, she admitted to herself. She did like him, a little too much for her peace of mind. Isabelle sighed tiredly as she climbed the steps and opened the screen door. Everyone had come back from working on the house, and they were now gathered in the living room, watching a movie. They all turned to look at her when she entered. “Where have you been all day?” Ethan inquired.
Isabelle shrugged absently. “Around.”
“You missed Aiden.”
“I said goodbye to him this morning.”
She moved forward to lean against the doorframe. She stared blankly at the action movie that they all turned back to watch. She found her gaze traveling involuntarily toward Stefan. He was sitting in one of the recliners; his feet were propped up, his gaze intent upon her. It took all she had to break his stare, and turn away.
“Where’s Jess?” she asked as she moved toward the fridge.
“She moved out!” Ian called to her.
Isabelle froze with her hand on the handle. “What?” she asked in surprise, her heart leaping painfully as a bubble of hope bloomed forth. She quickly shoved it aside. “Why?”
She stepped back to peer into the living room again. All heads were turned toward Stefan. He looked at her, his face hard, and his eyes distant. “We broke up.”
Isabelle’s eyes widened in surprise as his gaze burned into her. She swallowed heavily, her emotions swinging rapidly back and forth like a pendulum. For a moment she feared that she would be sick. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and swung the fridge open. She needed to sort through her emotions. She was also hungry, and in desperate need of a shower to ease the chill in her. She grabbed a bag of blood, and headed for the stairs.
“I’m going to take a shower so don’t even think about flushing the toilets!” she yelled over her shoulder.
“Would we do that?” Jack called innocently. Isabelle ignored their laughter as she made her way up the stairs.
“Why does she do that?” Stefan asked the minute that Isabelle was gone.
“Boss us around? Because it makes her feel better,” Ian answered absently, his gaze riveted on the TV.
“It makes us feel better,” Ethan answered with chuckle. “It keeps her happy, which in turn keeps the rest of us happy.”
“Yeah, Isabelle can make your life a living hell if she’s mad at you,” Mike supplied.
Stefan quirked an eyebrow as he stifled a laugh. He knew first hand just how miserable she could make someone’s life when she wanted too, but all of that was going to change tonight. Jess was gone, out of the house, and Isabelle no longer had any reason to fight him, or herself. He began to harden as he thought about all of the wonderful things that he was going to teach her, and do to her.
“I already figured that out,” he said softly. They all shot him questioning looks that he chose to ignore. “No, why doesn’t she feed in front of you?”
Ian and Ethan exchanged a quick smile. “Because we used to tease her about it when we were younger. We told her that she was ugly when she did it, that she looked like a freak, and all kinds of other stuff. She hasn’t fed in front of anyone since she was eight,” Ethan explained.
Stefan was surprised to find himself highly irritated with them. All he could picture was a small Isabelle, in pigtails, crying over her brothers taunting. It was something that had obviously affected her. His jaw clenched tightly as his hands curled involuntarily into the arms of the chair. It didn’t matter that they had all been children, or that they had all taunted and teased each other, all he could think about was the pain that they had inflicted upon her. He wanted to tell them that it wasn’t funny, but he bit his tongue, they didn’t need to suspect any of his attentions toward her.
He had never felt so protective, or defensive, of someone. He really was growing to care for the girl, he realized with a mixed feeling of awe and dismay. No matter how much he had never wanted it to happen, it was actually a pleasant realization he decided. It was a thought that helped to ease the torment of his dark soul, a soul that he had no intention of ever letting her glimpse.
He was determined to protect her from all of the unpleasantness of the world, including himself. He would have her, she would be his, but she would never know anything about his past. It was the only conclusion that he had come to in the long, discomforting night. She helped to ease his torment, because of that he wanted her more than any other woman he had ever met, but he had also vowed that she would never know the darker side of the world, or himself.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, a small smile crossed his face as he thought about what tonight would bring. He just had to get the little witch to concede to his will, but he was certain that it wouldn’t be hard. He was beginning to understand why she had been staying away from him. For all of Isabelle’s bluff and bluster, inside she was scared, and frightened of being hurt. He could, and would, ease that fear.
The screen door swung open again. He opened his eyes, tensing as Jess came into the house. He had spoken to her a little this morning as he had helped her carry her stuff out, but he hadn’t expected to see her again, and he didn’t want to see her now. They all turned to look at her, their eyes wide in surprise.
“I forgot my toothbrush.” Before Stefan could stop her, she was heading up the steps.
Isabelle was coming out of the bathroom, dressed in one of Ethan’s old T-shirts, with her clothes tucked under her arm when Jess stepped into the hallway. She instantly tensed as Jess’s hate filled blue eyes landed on her. For a moment Isabelle couldn’t breathe from the force of the hostility that radiated from the girl.
“I hope you’re happy now!” Jess hissed.
Isabelle blinked at her in surprise, taken aback by the waves of hatred beating against her. She had never thought it possible for someone to hate her as much as Jess had grown too. “Jess, I didn’t want this,” she whispered.
Jess snorted angrily. “I seriously doubt that.”
“I really didn’t!” she protested. She wanted to tell her that nothing was going on, but she wasn’t going to lie to her. There was something going on, she just wasn’t sure what it was yet.
“Don’t for a moment think that you’re special, you’re just like all the other sluts he’s been with. He’ll use you and toss you aside too, you’re...”
&nb
sp; “If I were you, I would get your toothbrush, and get out.”
Isabelle’s eyes flew to Stefan as he stepped off the stairs. The cold hostility in his voice sent shivers of fear down her spine as Jess turned to face him. Isabelle wanted to tell her to run for her life, but her throat clogged with fear. Isabelle had never seen him look so deadly, so dangerous. Even when he had been angry at her, even when he had grabbed her, she had not been as afraid of him as she was now. For a moment she truly feared, truly believed, that he would hurt Jess.
Jess hung her head and darted quickly past Isabelle into the bathroom. Light pooled into the hall, illuminating Stefan as he glided forward, stopping a foot away from the bathroom door. His posture was casual as he leaned against the wall, but the hostility that radiated from him was almost tangible. She could feel the fury that caused his jaw to clench, and a muscle to twitch in his cheek. Isabelle wanted to shudder in fear, she knew that his anger wasn’t directed at her, but it still frightened her terribly.
Jess came quickly back out, flicking the light off, and casting them back into the dark. She stood uncertainly in the hall, her toothbrush clutched tightly in her hand as she stared warily at Stefan. Stefan waved his hand elegantly for her to pass, his eyes narrowed dangerously. Jess bowed her head as she bolted quickly past them.
“Are you okay?”
Isabelle swallowed heavily, no she wasn’t okay. She was terrified of him, of everything that was happening to her. Jess’s words echoed loudly in her head, and the truth of them had caused a gaping pit to open in her stomach. She bit into her lip as she lifted her gaze to his, and forced herself to nod. Strands of wet hair fell into her face and she instantly pushed them away. He stood silently, his gaze boring into her soul. She didn’t know what to say, what to do. All reasonable thought fled under his intense scrutiny.
“I uh... I’m sorry about you and Jess,” she managed to stutter out.
“Why? I’m not. It’s been over for three days now; I just finally got her to leave the house.”
Isabelle knew that he was trying to tell her something with that statement; she chose to ignore it. Just like she chose to ignore the fact that he had slept on the couch for the last three nights. She didn’t have all of her feelings sorted out as it was; she needed more time to be able to assimilate this bit of information on top of everything else.
“If it had anything to do with me, then I’ll explain that there is nothing going on between us,” she said hesitantly.
“Isn’t there?” he asked quietly, dangerously.
“No!” she cried.
His eyes were feral in the dark as a small smile curved his full, hard lips. “If we hadn’t been interrupted last night...”
“I would have come to my senses!” Isabelle cried, a dull heat suffusing her body at the reminder.
“Ah and tonight?”
Her eyes widened as her mouth parted slightly. Her heart began to trip hammer painfully in her chest as her mouth went suddenly dry. “What about tonight?” she managed to choke out.
“What will you do when I come to your room tonight, and there is no one to interrupt us?”
Isabelle’s body tightened in anticipation as she stared breathlessly at him. She wanted to tell him that she would welcome him with open arms, but it stuck in her throat. It got stuck on her pride. She wouldn’t give into him that easily. She couldn’t. “I’ll tell you to get out.”
He moved slowly forward, the shadows caressing his body as he stopped before her. She tilted her chin defiantly, but she felt anything but defiant. She felt like a quivering mass of raw nerve endings, all of which were screaming for his touch. His hand gently stroked her cheek. Isabelle jumped in surprise as everything in her reacted to his touch. Her heart hammered so rapidly that she was certain it was going to explode.
“Will you really?”
It took her a moment to recall what they had been talking about. His hand had begun to stroke her neck, sending chills down her spine. “Yes,” she managed to choke out.
He took a step closer so that his chest brushed against hers. Isabelle tilted her head back to meet his smoky gaze as he bent his head. His lips brushed against hers in a butterfly touch that caused her knees to tremble. The soft flicker of his tongue against her lips caused the room to tilt, the floor to fall away, and the entire world to become centered on him, and only him.
Her mouth opened beneath the soft flickering of his tongue. He tasted her slowly, stroking over the roof of her mouth, skimming across her teeth. His hand tightened upon her neck as she moaned softly. He had only meant to taste her, to tease her, to show her that she was wrong, that there was something between them. But she tasted so good, felt so good, and she was so responsive that he found himself losing track of his intent, and wanting to devour her.
He broke away before he couldn’t. She blinked dazedly up at him, her eyes dark and smoky as shivers ran through her body. “We’ll find out tonight.”
The bewildered look in her eyes vanished almost instantly as anger sparked through their deep purple depths. “You wouldn’t dare!” she gasped.
“Maybe, maybe not.”
He turned quickly away from her and descended the stairs before he drug her into his room and took her now. The thought of the others downstairs was the only thing that stopped him. He had every intention of seeing her later, but he didn’t want them to know about it. Her room would be much more private, and secure, for what he intended. There would be no stopping him tonight.
Isabelle slumped against the wall, fear and anticipation warring through her so fiercely that she could hardly breathe. She wanted to run for her life, at the same time that she wanted to curl up in bed, and wait for him to come to her. She had no doubt that he would show up in her room tonight. She just had to decide if she would be there, or not.
***
As it turned out, the decision was taken from her hands. The minute she returned to the living room Ian asked if she wanted to go into the city. Normally she would have said no, but tonight she jumped at the opportunity. She ignored everyone’s surprise as she eagerly accepted, and darted down to her room. This would be her chance to prove that she could be attracted to other men, that Stefan wasn’t the only one that affected her.
She ran downstairs and threw on her favorite black dress. Her mother had given it to her for Christmas two years ago, she had never worn it out, but she had tried it on often, loving the way that it felt, and fit. It was lose and flowing, yet it emphasized the gentle swell of her breasts, her small waist, and flaring hips before ending at mid thigh. She knew that Ian went to clubs when he went out, and she was certain the dress would fit in perfectly. Quickly brushing out her wet hair, she grabbed her black, high heeled shoes, and bolted out of the room.
Everyone’s eyes widened as soon as she stepped back into the living room. “Shit Issy, I don’t remember the last time I saw you in a dress!” Mike cried.
“What?” Jack demanded, poking his head around the doorway. His eyes widened in surprise as his mouth dropped open. “You’re not wearing that!”
“Shut up Jack!” she snapped.
“I’m with Jack,” Ethan stated, folding his arms firmly over his chest as he stared at her in disapproval.
She cast him an angry glare, which he matched. “No one asked you.”
“Isabelle...” Jack started.
“You go to clubs, right?” she interrupted angrily.
“Well uh, yeah, but...”
“I can’t walk in there wearing jeans.”
“But...” he stammered.
“For crying out loud Jack I’m twenty three years old! I think I should be able to wear whatever the hell I want!” she snapped, tired of being babied and coddled.
His bright hazel eyes gleamed angrily, but he nodded briskly and ducked out of the doorway. A minute later the screen door opened and banged shut. “You’d better hurry up, he might leave you behind,” David warned.
“I’ll kill him!”
She hur
ried toward the door, slipping her shoes on as she went. “Isabelle, you look nice!”
“Thanks Doug.” At least she could count on someone not to act like a total ass all the time.
She hurried out the door and toward Jack’s idling car. Throwing open the back door she slid in, eager to escape the house and Stefan. Ian gaped at her in the dim light, his eyes wide in shock. “Not one word,” she growled in warning.
“What the hell are you wearing?” he demanded, completely ignoring her.
Isabelle rolled her eyes and turned to slam the door shut. A pair of gleaming onyx eyes stopped her in her tracks. Her heart and breath froze as Stefan stared at her from the front seat. There was anger in his gaze, but also a fierce hunger that caused her toes to curl in her shoes. It was only then that she realized he had not been in the living room.
“Shut the door!” Jack snapped apparently still angry at her for the confrontation in the house.
Isabelle glanced longingly out the door. She could jump out now, say that she had changed her mind and run back into the house. Surely he wouldn’t follow her. Although, she was certain that he would. She was good and trapped. If she got out now, then he would be in her room. If she stayed, she would be able to get away from him at the club, and she would find another man that she was attracted too. With a resigned sigh, Isabelle slammed the door and the light turned off.
Stefan turned around in his seat, his jaw clenching tightly. He could not believe that she had thought to evade him by taking off with her brother, and Jack. He couldn’t believe she’d had the nerve. He also couldn’t believe what she was wearing. A muscle began to twitch in his cheek from the fierce clenching of his jaw. Every man there was going to be after her. The thought infuriated him beyond belief. His hands clenched into fists as he turned to look out the window.
Destined (Vampire Awakenings) Page 15