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.
