He closed his eyes and tried to sort through everything. He hadn't recognized it because he’d never thought it could happen to him. He’d never given much thought to the soul mate thing. He knew about it and what it meant, but he never thought it would affect him.
He’d lived a long time and never met anyone he would consider changing for or settling down with forever. After all these years, he hadn't believed it was possible to find anyone. He knew now he was completely and utterly wrong.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he tried to absorb and sort through everything. "Shit," he whispered.
"I'm amazed you didn't recognize it sooner," David said, the amusement in his voice only aggravating Stefan more.
He remembered the way they’d all behaved around him the night she was hurt, and it suddenly made sense. He opened his eyes and looked down at her. She looked so innocent and angelic, but he knew how much looks could be deceiving. She was an irritating, infuriating, hellion, and for better or worse, he was stuck with her. He had to admit no matter how much she aggravated him, he didn't mind the idea of being stuck with her for eternity. It was a rather appealing concept.
"So am I," he muttered. "How long have you guys known?"
"Since the night at the club," Jack answered.
He glanced up at them. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"You left before we had the chance," Mike reminded him. "And once you came back, we assumed you figured it out."
Stefan frowned as he glanced back at Isabelle. David started to laugh as he turned and walked toward the house. "You look like someone just punched you in the gut!" he called over his shoulder.
He felt like someone punched him in the gut. He started walking again, marveling over what he’d learned. He saw the way Liam and Sera were together, their constant need to communicate with each other, their need to touch, and the deep love they shared.
He frowned as he thought about that. He didn't love Isabelle. He liked her, he admired her, he cared for her, but he didn't love her. Did he?
He glanced back down at her as a deep, unknown emotion welled up inside him. It was something he’d never felt before, and he didn't understand it. He wanted to keep her safe. He wanted to see her laugh and be happy. He needed to be with her and near her. Today, in town, he felt like he was crawling out of his skin without her. He knew now it was because he needed to be near her, to touch her, to hold her at all times. Was that what love was?
He slipped into the house behind everyone else and carried her down the basement stairs. He pushed the door open and kicked it closed behind him. Isabelle stirred as he put her on the bed, but she didn't wake. He undressed her slowly, careful not to rouse her as he pulled off his shirt and the baggy pants.
He stood for a moment, admiring her long, sleek body and gentle curves. The silvery glow of the moonlight highlighted her creamy skin. He tore his gaze from her and quickly stripped out of his clothes. He crawled into bed beside her, gritting his teeth against his carnal urges as he drew her into his arms. She murmured but still didn't wake as she rested her head on his shoulder. It took all he had not to wake her and make love to her, but he knew how badly she needed sleep, how exhausted she was.
It was a long time before he finally fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty
"What are you doing?" Isabelle demanded with a laugh as Stefan guided her along.
"You'll see," he whispered huskily in her ear.
Chills shuddered down her spine as she moved closer to him, relishing in the feel of his solid, warm body against hers. She didn't think she would ever get used to the way he made her feel. She cried out suddenly as he bent and swept her up. Her hands instinctively gripped his broad shoulders as he chuckled in her ear.
"I won't drop you," he promised.
She smiled at him as he carried her rapidly along. She knew they were going to the new house, but he insisted on blindfolding her for it. Her heart beat with anticipation as he climbed the porch steps. She was dying to see the house, as they had refused to let her near it the closer it was to being completed, but being this close to Stefan was causing another desire to awaken —one she couldn’t satisfy enough over the past few days. She snuggled closer to him, pressing her breasts provocatively against his chest as her hands rubbed the back of his neck.
"Unless you want me to take you in front of your brothers, you better stop," he growled.
Isabelle smiled at him. "Stop what?" she asked innocently.
"You know what."
A door opened and closed. "Can I see yet?" she asked eagerly.
"Not yet."
She sighed as he climbed the stairs and moved briskly down the hallway. She frowned as she lifted her head from his shoulder. "I think we're missing most of the house." A door banged shut. Isabelle's forehead furrowed then cleared as a delicious shiver swept through her. "Where are my brothers?"
"Packing their stuff," Stefan said as he set her on her feet and turned her to untie the blindfold. "Keep your eyes closed."
She nearly jumped up and down as the blindfold fell away. "Okay," he whispered in her ear. "Open them."
She gasped in amazement and delight when she saw the room. It was painted in the soft cream color she’d selected. The wood trim surrounding the room was stained a light oak and gleamed in the sunlight spilling through the windows. Beaming, her gaze settled on the four-poster, king size bed, with its beautiful green, white, and yellow quilt.
