"A little experiment,” he told her.
Sidney shook her head. “He wouldn't do that. Mike maybe, but not my father."
"Mike's the brains, but your dad is the money, baby, deal with it.” He angrily replied.
Stefan took a deep breath, showing her every one of his muscles as they moved. She stared at him as he flexed his arms as much as he could and closed his hands into fists then relaxed them.
"What are you?” she tried again, getting frustrated at the game he was playing.
Stefan grinned, teasing her. “What do you think I am?"
"Stop playing games and answer my question,” she snapped, running her hands through her hair. Sidney turned her back on him. She took several deep breaths. When she turned back around, she tried a different approach. “Please."
"Such manners,” Stefan smiled. Even being chained to the wall, Stefan had his sense of humor. “And what makes you think I am playing a game?” All humor suddenly left him and he boldly met her gaze. “Your father isn't playing."
"I want to know what he wants with you?” Stefan heard her frustration when she spoke. “He just doesn't take boys off of the street for no reason. Were you trespassing on the grounds? Did you steal something? What does he want?"
"You ask a lot of questions.” His eyes captured hers and his voice lowered into a deep growl. “Sidney."
* * * *
Sidney stilled. Real, raw fear gripped her at the sound of her name on his lips. She took a step back, watching him with caution. “How ... how do you know my name?
He inhaled deeply. “Sweet.” His voice changed more. Deeper, thicker, more in need. His eyes closed and his breathing changed, coming harder and more labored.
"What?"
Stefan opened his eyes, cocking his head to one side. Eyes, with a hint of red in them looked at her very heatedly. “You smell sweet. Pure.” He took another deep breath. “Untouched."
When he met her gaze, a shiver went down her spine. Words didn't come, and the thought of leaving never crossed her mind. All Sidney could do was stand there and stare at him.
"What do you dream about, Sidney?” he purred. “Do you dream about the knight in shining armor, or are your dreams more sensual. Lovers holding hands, kissing under the full moon or setting sun. I want to know, Sidney what runs in your veins at night?"
She stiffened and took another step back. “How did you know my name?” she demanded again, anger filled her voice, giving her a new kind of courage, allowing her to take a few steps closer.
"I know a lot about you,” he stated in a bored, matter-of-fact voice.
"You know nothing.” Tears started to form in her eyes as she swung around, giving him her back again. She was hurt and angry at the same time. Why, she didn't know.
"I know you are only seventeen,” he told her softly. “And if I have read it right, your father pushes you aside. Everything but you comes first. Even the lab. I'm more important right now than you—to him, at least."
"That's not true,” she whispered. “He loves me in his way.” Sidney thought about the way her father loved her, and knew it wasn't love. He put up with her, used her, and this boy was right. He probably was more important than she was.
"He can't love himself,” his voice lowered to a more caring manner. “How can you expect him to love you?
Sidney shook her head, her back still to him. She could feel the tears falling. Deep down, she knew that everything he said was true. Her father didn't love her. Not the way he should.
"He'll never change,” he went on gently. “Nothing in this world will ever make him love and cherish you the way you should be loved,” he said, his voice as soft as a caress.
"Shut up,” she whispered, fighting her tears. More tears fell, causing Sidney to head back to the stairs, but his voice stopped her.
"You dream about me,” he growled.
Sidney stopped as her foot landed on the first step. Her hands started to shake and she felt as if she couldn't get enough air into her lungs. “What?"
"I know your dreams, Sidney. You see me in them,” his voice was calm and sure.
"No. I see no one in my dreams.” Sidney shook her head.
He took another deep breath and then rattled his chains noisily. Sidney turned back to see him yanking at them. He met her gaze. “It calls to me. It beckons the animal.” With his eyes shifting in color again, hair began to sprout on his face. “That scent!” His head went back, and he took deep, panting breaths like an animal. “God, I love your scent!"
Sidney found herself moving away from the steps and back toward him. “What did you say?” she asked with deadly calm.
The humor in his eyes was gone. All that was there now was raw emotion. Emotion Sidney didn't want to have to admit to. She didn't want to feel the attraction to him that she was feeling, didn't want to think about those arms wrapping around her body, holding her, comforting her. She sure as hell didn't want to think about those lips kissing all her tears away.
"You heard me,” he told her. His voice was rough. She could hear the need in the deep timbre. Slowly, she raised her gaze to him and was held entranced by the way they kept changing back and forth from blue to a deep red.
Looking at him, Sidney felt like she was in a kind of hallucination. Her mind swirled with the thoughts that assaulted her suddenly. What would it be like to touch him? How would his skin feel? Would his kiss be soft and sweet? Or hard and violent? Almost like him. She'd never been kissed before, and a sudden longing to have her first be with this young man overwhelmed her.
"I can make your every fantasy ... your every dream come true,” he purred.
The air suddenly felt thin. Mist filled everything, leaving sight of anything impossible. Sidney found herself back in the dark room. Glancing around, she saw nothing. Sidney turned around in the hopes of holding onto something, yet nothing was there. When she turned back around, she came face to face with him.
He was so close she could feel his breath on her, and it made her body burn. A new sensation filled her until Sidney felt as though she was going to die from pleasure. His hands stroked her bare shoulders, drawing her into his arms. His breath brushed her neck, his lips so close she wanted to beg for their touch.
"Watch me touch you."
Her eyes opened to stare at his hand. She followed it, felt the feather caress to her neck, shivered as it moved down her body to the lace of the white chemise that rested against her thigh.
"You are a dream come true,” he purred.
One hand trailed down her body, and the other slid up her leg. Her head fell back at the feel of his hand under her chemise Still, he didn't put his lips on her, but she knew they were close.
A moan escaped her lips when he fingered the curls between her legs. She was wet and waiting for him to embrace her, almost to the point of begging him. He took two fingers and lightly rubbed her on the outside of the lips, not stroking what most craved his caress.
This was how she had always dreamed it would be.
This was what she wanted the most.
When he finally slipped a finger inside her, she almost climaxed right then. So absorbed in the new feelings going through her, Sidney didn't notice a strap from the nightie had slipped off, exposing one breast to him. Something was keeping her mind and all feelings focused on what was going on at that moment.
He pressed her clit, and she cried out. She was wound so tight, she held on to him, afraid that if she let go, she would be lost in this world.
"Say you will be mine, Sidney,” he whispered in her ear. “Say it and I will let you come."
Again, he fingered her clit. “No man will have what is mine, or touch you the way I will."
Sidney felt the mist start to subside. She wanted to say the words that would give her the needed release and pleasure. However, something was breaking the connection between them. Someone was calling her, dissolving the spell that he had woven around them.
"Sidney!"
Sidney dr
opped to her knees as the breath rushed out of her. Weak and drained, Sidney couldn't resist the strong arms that picked her up and carried her from the room. All she could do was open her eyes and look at the boy chained to the wall. The heated expression he gave her was enough to send chills racing down her spine. Halfway up the stairs, she heard a deep growl of warning.
"No man shall touch you ever!" whispered through her mind before her eyes closed on their own.
When Sidney opened her eyes, she saw that she was back in her bed with Mike looming over her. How much time had passed, she didn't know. Sidney tried to sit up. “What happened?” The dizziness forced her to lie back down.
"I think he did some kind of mind connection,” Mike stated. “I have heard of it, but I've never seen it. Until now."
"What is that?” Confusion was in her voice. Sidney didn't understand what that boy was doing down there, and she knew she didn't understand what Mike had just said. She wanted to scream out with the pain of the confusion that raged in her mind. She turned pleading eyes to Mike.
"He was seducing your mind,” Mike seemed grim as he spoke. When he finally glanced at her, the kindness that he had always showed her was back in his eyes. “Why did you go down there, Sid?
Sidney shrugged. She worked hard at keeping all of her face clear of any emotion. “I don't know."
"What is it, Mike?” Sidney watched him. The way he kept his eyes on her made her uncomfortable. She had never been that way around Mike before, but now something was off.
Mike never got the chance to answer. They heard a scream come from the basement followed by a deep growl. Mike rose from the bed and ran from the room without a glance back at Sidney, who tried to get up. When she fell once again, she felt Stefan in her head.
"When you are ready, I will come for you. You are mine!"
Sidney closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The moment her mind cleared again, she opened eyes and almost screamed. The boy who had been chained to the wall stood at the end of the bed, clutching the jacket she had seen earlier in his hand. He smiled at her then tossed the jacket to her. Before she could say a word, he started to climb on the bed. The power in his arms as he held his body above hers amazed her.
"I can make one small dream come true right now."
Excitement hit Sidney, and her eyes to widen when he lowered his head to brush his lips to hers. The kiss was quick and light, but a kiss no less, and it was her first one.
"Don't forget," he whispered in her mind. "Mine always."
Sidney closed her eyes and waited while he climbed off the bed. Her heart pounded and her lips started to tingle from her first kiss. Ten minutes passed before she noticed she clutched something tightly in her hand. It was the jacket. There was no need to go back to the basement. She knew he was gone.
* * * *
Stefan stumbled into the dark foyer of his home, naked, bruised, and bent over slightly. Natasha watched him from the side of the stairs in a dark corner, feeling her anger rise with each step he took. It wasn't a full moon, so in her eyes, there was no damn reason for him to be out hunting, but deep down, she knew hunting wasn't what he was about. He was there, back at the woods where her mate, his father, had been taken and killed.
Natasha strolled out of the shadows, head held high, shoulders back in her anger and walked up to him. When he looked and spotted her. “Where have you been?” she demanded.
"I went back to the house, Mother. I had to see if they still lived there or not,” he answered, swaying on his feet.
Natasha slapped him as hard as she could across his face. The blow knocked him to his knees. “You promised me you'd stay away from that place,” she hissed in full anger. “I will not lose you like I did your father."
Stefan stayed down on his knees before his mother's feet, head hung down low. “I had to go."
Natasha turned her back on him. Rage filled her delicate body. She was so angry that she shook. “Going back to that place will not ease your pain, and revenge will do nothing but blacken your heart.” She started to pace, then stopped, turned and knelt down in front of him, taking his face in her hands. “I miss him as much as you do, Stefan. Your father was my heart, but you children are my life. If I lose one of you, then there won't be much more left."
Stefan gazed into her eyes and smiled. “I found her,” he whispered.
Natasha frowned, not knowing what to say.
"I found my mate,” he went on, clutching at her arms.
"No, Stefan.” Natasha barely got the words out, shaking her head. “Tell me it isn't..."
"It is, Mother.” He stood, leaving her on the floor. “And I'm going to claim her."
Natasha glanced up at him, not wanting to believe or face what her son had said. For him to go back to the place—the house of Lonzo Martin—where her beloved had died and then come home to tell her he had found his mate was something Natasha knew would be devastating for their family.
"Who is she?” She knew even before he stood up who he was going to say.
"Her name is Sidney."
"Martin?” She peered up into his eyes, waiting for the nod that would confirm it all.
"Yes."
Natasha lowered her eyes and head to the floor, letting Stefan go up to his room.
"Stefan.” Natasha stopped him halfway up the stairs. She didn't look at him, or stand, but knew she had his full attention. “Be sure about this.” She turned, and gazed at him. “This choice you are making could start a war, one that could cost us everything we hold dear.” Natasha stood and strolled up to him slowly. She took his dirty, bruised face in her hands, regarding him closely seeing her beloved in his eyes. “Be careful,” she whispered to him. “I don't want to see you hurt.” She kissed him gently on the cheek, then went up to her room, leaving him standing on the stairs.
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Chapter Two
Four years later...
Sidney stood at the hotel window, gazing at the thousands of Mardi Gras revelers. With each passing second, the crowd grew, and Sidney couldn't wait to be a part of it. As she watched the people, her thoughts drifted back to the last night she had spent at home, the last night she had seen him. It was to be the last time she would sleep in her bed, yet she hadn't known that at the time. The next morning her father had shipped her off to a boarding school. Once there, Sidney discovered he had placed many regulations on her head, had controlled every aspect of her life. No dating, minimal phone calls, no leaving the school alone, and many more rules she couldn't remember. Sidney was away from her authority figure, but not away from his control. He still ruled, even from miles away she felt his power over her. Sidney wondered after some time went by if her father wasn't doing this for some other reason. Hell, every time she thought about the no-going-out-and-no-dating rule she became pissed. Sidney had no life. Plain and simple.
If she hadn't met Jaclyn, Sidney knew she wouldn't have had half of the experiences that she did. Jaclyn was the classic rule breaker. She bucked each and every one of them. Sidney loved it. She lived most of her time there through Jaclyn. Sidney wanted nothing more than to be carefree like Jaclyn, to live life and experience all there was. So from the first day Jaclyn showed up at the boarding school, she and Sidney connected. She showed Sidney that there was much more to life than following the rules. And in doing so, Sidney was now here. Twenty-four hours after she graduated, and two days before she was due to return home at her father's order, Sidney was with Jaclyn in New Orleans. In Sidney's eyes, this was the only chance she may ever have to experience life.
Sidney heard the shower turn off and pulled herself from the window. When she heard the bathroom door open a few minutes later, she turned with a smile and watched her best friend, or more like her only friend, walk out.
Jaclyn Davis had towels wrapped around her head and her body. A faint smile turned up her lips as she studied Sidney, who still wore her jeans, shirt, shoes, and the faded jacket the boy her father had captured had given her
.
"Okay. You need to get in the shower, unless you plan to go out like that.” Jaclyn wrinkled her nose.
Sidney took a deep breath, overwhelmed by the feelings of sadness that hit her as she studied her friend. “You know he is going to kill me as soon as he finds out.” She gazed back out the window. “I know too many of his secrets. I came in contact with him. And he knows it!"
"Well, doll. I'm not going to tell him you are here,” Jaclyn stated. “He keeps you locked up far too much. And besides, what's he think this guy is going to do? Come back and find you?"
Closing her arms around herself, she felt the jacket she always wore and took a deep breath. “What if he does?” Strangely, Sidney once again felt comfort when she hugged herself wearing the jacket, or more like she got a sense of calmness from touching the jacket. It was almost as if he was holding her, wrapping his arms tightly, protectively around her. “He said he would,” she mumbled, thinking again about that quick kiss.
"Just because some nut said he was going to come doesn't mean a damn thing.” Jaclyn kept her voice gentle.
Sidney had told Jaclyn most of what went on years ago, had explained how her father was obsessed about finding proof that werewolves were real. She also told Jaclyn how he kidnapped some boy and chained him against the wall, and of how the boy had escaped.
"I'm sure he is long gone.” Jaclyn finished. “And if you don't get that ass in gear, we are going to spend this great night in the hotel instead of out there!” She smiled.
Sidney smiled, grabbed the bag Jaclyn held out to her, and headed to the shower. Along the way, she ran her fingers over the worn denim of the jacket. It brought back the dreams she thought she had forgotten and the memory of her first kiss. Sidney could almost feel the warmth of his lips pressing on hers again. She felt the thrills and the chills of it as if he were standing before her now, kissing her sweetly.
Shaking off the feelings, she slipped off the jacket, tossing it on the chair. Flashes of his face hit Sidney. She could see his humorous blue eyes and that charming smile. The memory of the way he had looked at her had her shivering.
Shifter: Stefan's Mark Page 2