Destined (Vampire Awakenings) (40 page)

   He sighed softly as he took her chin again and turned it to him. “Look at me Isabelle.” She bit into her bottom lip as she shyly lifted her gaze to his. The humiliation was clear, and vivid, so was the fear. “There are a lot of people in my past, but I have never felt about anyone the way that I feel about you. Never. You are it Isabelle, the only one that has ever mattered to
me. The only one that will
ever
matter.”

   She stared doubtfully at him before lowering her lashes again. He forced
away his
anger, and nudged her chin gently. 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 that 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 that 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 white as fear blazed in her eyes. “No!”

   “Isabelle, listen to me. We have to do this. It makes the bond complete.”

   “I believe everything you say!” she cried. “I do!
I trust you completely.
”

   He sighed softly as 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 snap and take it forcefully from you one day.”

   “You won’t,” she breathed.

   “Yes, I will. I have
to;
the demon in me has too. I have to mark you as mine, I have to establish that connection, otherwise I will snap. I’ve been holding back because I know that you’re scared, but it’s getting harder to control every
day, with every moment that goes by. As long as you don’t fight me, it will only hurt for a second, and then it won’t hurt anymore.”

   She studied him apprehensively, her eyes dark with dread. “Do you promise?” she whispered tremulously.

   “Yes.” Isabelle swallowed down the fear that was 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 too.”

   She wanted to do this for him, but she wanted it more for herself. She clearly recalled how tempting his blood had seemed the other night. She wanted to taste him, to have him fill her. Something inside of her thrilled at the idea, and craved it. Her hands curled in her lap as she closed her eyes against the fierce bloodlust that ripped through her, br
inging
the beast surging forth. Stefan pulled her tightly against him as she began to tremble fiercely.

   He closed his eyes as he rocked her gently, the need that sudd
enly radiated from her enflamed
his own. He lifted her gently and placed her on the bed, standing swiftly. He had to get away from her so that he could get a hold on himself. She kept her eyes firmly closed as she fisted her hands in her lap. With the soft white nightgown, and her hair flowing freely around her, she looked so vulnerable, so innocent that it ripped at his insides and brought a
blast
of need tearing through him.

   He turned away from her, yanking his shirt off with fierce,
vicious
movements. The beast in him was clamoring to get free. He was beginning to fear that he had waited too long, that he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from hurting 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, her trembling hands clamped tightly in her lap.

   He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down before moving back and lifting her up. He settled her back on his lap
and
wrapp
ed
his arms tightly around her waist. He realized too late that he never should have touched her, never should have put himself this close to her, that he should have waited until tomorrow when he had more control over himself. He could see the fierce thumping of her heart pulsing through the vein in her
neck;
smell the tantalizing, sweet scent of her.

   She shook against him, a soft whimper escap
ed
. “Isabelle,” he grated hoarsely. “Look at me.”

   Her shaking grew fierce
r
. She bit into her bottom lip in an attempt 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 hunger, by need. She couldn’t look at him, he would see it, he would know, and she was certain that the sight of him would cause her to snap.

   “Look at me.”

   Isabelle’s eyes flew open, wild and savage. Stefan’s body clenched as he saw the thin thread of control she possessed. It almost snapped his tenuous hold. He pushed her slightly back, snagged hold of the bottom of her nightgown and tore it off to reveal her magnificent body. His jaw clenched as he took in her full breasts, porcelain skin, narrow waist, and delicate, flaring hips. The triangle of dark hair
between her thighs
caused lust to surge through him
,
mingl
ing
with his hunger. Her eyes snapped shut as she whimpered softly and buried herself against his chest.

   His arms tightened around her as she instinctively nestled closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck
she
bur
ied
her head in his shoulder. His erection pressed tightly against her thigh, throbbing and warm, and awakening another hunger instantly. Turning in his lap, she pressed her wet center against him. Pleasure and desire shot so fiercely through her that it ripped away her remaining control. She cried out as her teeth elongated against his shoulder. She buried her head tighter against him as she
struggled
to keep it at bay.

   “Don’t fight it Isabelle.” His voice shook from his fierce 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
t
he anticipation of what was to come. She moved her mouth to his neck. His breath froze in his lungs with expectation, and she knew a moment of satisfaction as she realized that she held him in thrall. That he was as affected by her as she was by him. She lifted her hips and slid onto him at the same time that she bit deep. The pleasure that slammed through her ripped a wild cry free as his blood flowed into her, and his hard shaft filled her.

   She felt savage and wild as she clung to him, riding him with abandon. His hands braced her hips as he drove in and out of her, and his mind surged and blended with hers. She could feel his bliss as she rode
him;
feel his satisfaction as his blood mingled with hers. She c
ould feel his deep and unconditional
love for her, along with a need for
her that
more than matched her own. He tasted so wonderful, felt so wonderful that she could barely stand the delicious torment. For a moment she feared that she would shatter from the exquisite ecstasy that was consuming her entire body. The power that encompassed
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 that all of her fear was gone, sure that s
he would not fight him
. Waited until he couldn’t wait anymore. He was trembling with need, with hunger, as he brushed her hair back from her neck. She moaned softly, her hands digging into his back, clawing into him as she clung tightly. Her need consum
ed
him as it blazed into his mind.

   He groaned loudly as he bit deeply into her. Pleasure consumed him, nearly devouring him in its intensity as her sweetness filled him, and a feeling of utter contentment tore through his veins. She tasted just as sweet as he had known she would, just as wonderful. Her mind poured into his, her fierce love nearly shatter
ed
him. He trembled as he clung tightly to her, his hands wrapping into her thick hair.

   Isabelle pulled away from him, a savage cry escaping her as she trembled and shook from the extreme bliss threatening to consume her. She clasped the back of his head tightly to her as his mind seared into hers. She desperately tried to convey her love, and need to him
,
as he had done to her. She leaned back in his arms, riding him with savage abandon as a feeling of utter completeness, and happiness,
engulfed
her. She had no control over herself, no control over anything as all of 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 she tightened convulsively around him, ripping an earth shattering orgasm from him. He poured all of his essence into her as she collapsed against him, tremors still shaking through her, and into him. He held her sweat slicked body tightly against his, breathing in the enticing smell of their lovemaking. Closing his eyes he relished in the feeling of serenity, and belonging, that filled him. It was almost more than he could
bear
.

   “I love you Stefan.”

   Her words shook his core, tearing at him as he clung tighter to her, his heart almost bursting with joy. For a moment he was unable to speak through the lump in his throat, through the emotions consuming him. She tried to pull away from
him
, but he refused to let her go, pulling her more fiercely against him as she stiffened within his arms.

   “I love you too Isabelle.”

   She went limp against him, her tears
of joy
r
a
n down to wet his shoulder.     

CHAPTER 20

   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 so unbelievably happy that she was fairly bursting with it. Vicky and Abby were staring at her in disbelief as she slipped a platter of hamburgers onto the kitchen counter
and
flash
ed
them a blindingly bright smile. Her mother was biting her lip in order to keep from laughing out loud, and Willow had quickly vacated, mumbling something about morons, and love.

   The only moment that almost spoiled 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, suitcases in hand. “You’re leaving?” Isabelle cried, as a wave of guilt flooded her.

   Kathleen smiled brilliantly as she dropped her suitcases on the ground. “Yes, I need to take Delia clothes shopping, and get her ready for school. Delia, why don’t you go out and help Jess.”

   Isabelle waited until Delia was gone before turning back to Kathleen. “It’s not because of me is it?” she asked worriedly. She would simply hate herself if Kathleen was leaving because of her, and her mother lost her friend, again.

   “No dear, it’s not.” Kathleen reached out and patted her hand reassuringly. “If you’re even as close to happy as your parents are, than 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 tightly. How did she have such u
nhappy daughters? Isabelle
wondered as Kathleen pulled away from her and walked over to hug her mom tightly. “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?
T
he thought blasted into her mind, warming her to
her
toes as she smiled happily and nodded.

   He remained standing in the doorway, not fully believing her. He had 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 he actually 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 slightly 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.