Stefan's Salvation(25)

but it was to no avail. Whether he stayed with her for the next fifty years or left

tomorrow, it wouldn't matter. She would always want Stefan.

Although he made no discernable sound, she felt his presence. Peering into the

darkness, she held out her hand. "What happened?"

The night released him and he walked into the glow of the moonlight that bathed

the swing and the surrounding yard. His stride was long and sure, and as always when

she saw him, she was struck by the sheer massive size of him. He didn't stop, didn't

pause, but plucked her right out of the swing and sat there himself, cradling her in his

arms.

Burying his face in her hair, he held her tight and just rocked her. Sensing that he

needed the closeness as much as she did, she snuggled her face close to his chest and

placed her hand over his heart. She could feel his lips on her temple, the kiss light and

sweet. He sighed and raised his head. "I returned the snakes to the good pastor and

warned the congregation against a repeat of such a thing. You are under my protection

now."

She knew that for him it was as simple as that. He was the kind of man who would

protect those who belonged to him. Old-fashioned or not, it was his way and Laurel

Rose found that although she was an independent woman, she didn't mind it at all. It

gave her a warm feeling inside to know that someone cared about her.

His large hand cupped her jaw as he tilted her head back. Using his thumb, he

stroked her right cheek, tracing the scar there. "You are mine, Laurel Rose." His eyes

gleamed with possession and lust, but beyond that was a deep need as well, and she

found herself responding to it immediately.

"I am," she agreed, giving him a small nod.

Lowering his mouth to hers, Stefan kissed her. Given the tension rolling off him,

she'd expected his kiss to be hard and possessive. Instead, it was a soft, gentle caress.

One that made her feel special and cherished. His lips skimmed across hers, nibbling

and touching every part of her mouth.

But the tone of the kiss quickly changed. Neither of them was satisfied with the

light brushes and barely there touches. Both of them needed and wanted more. His

tongue plunged into her mouth and she welcomed it, sucking it deeper. She angled her

head so that they fit together perfectly. She loved the way he ate at her mouth, as if she

was the thing he craved most in the world. As if only she could satisfy him.

Laurel Rose could feel his erection prodding her hip as Stefan pulled her tighter

into his arms. Desire burst within her once again. She wanted this man and she wanted

him now.

Pushing out of his arms, she stood in front of him. He growled his displeasure but

released her. Dumping the quilt on the ground, she reached for the ends of her shirt,

gripped them in her hands and tugged it over her head. She could feel his eyes

devouring her as she tossed her shirt to the ground.

Emboldened, she bent down and removed her boots and socks, tossing them aside

before stepping forward and standing on the corner of the quilt. "Don't stop, Laurel

Rose." His hoarse plea sent shivers up and down her spine.

Her hands went to the waistband of her jeans and she flicked the button open.

Taking her time, she slid the zipper down over her tummy and the material parted to

reveal her plain cotton panties beneath. The rumble of pleasure that came from Stefan

thrilled her. Ever so slowly, she shimmied the jeans down her hips and legs until they

were pooled around her ankles. Stepping out of them, she kicked them aside.

Clad only in her bra and panties, she stood in front of him. The trees swayed in the

slight breeze, making the leaves dance. The air had a slight chill, but Laurel Rose wasn't

cold. She welcomed the cooling breeze. Her skin felt hot and tight under Stefan's

watchful gaze. The night was alive around them. The trees had a rhythm of their own as

they moved in the wind.

Swaying to the music of the night, Laurel Rose reached behind her back and

unhooked her bra. As she moved her arms sinuously, the thin straps fell down over her

shoulders and the thin cotton fell to the ground. Feeling sensual, she slid her hands over

her stomach and cupped her breasts. Her nipples were tight buds that were begging for

attention.

Leaning forward, she placed her arms on either side of Stefan and braced her hands

on the back of the swing. The movement placed her breasts right in front of his face. His

breath felt hot against her skin and she moaned with desire.

She could feel the restraint with which he held himself, could sense his curiosity as

he waited to see what she would do. "Suck them," she whispered when he made no

move to touch her. She couldn't wait any longer to have his mouth on her.

His cheek nuzzled the small mound of her breast. She gasped as his rough tongue

swiped at the tip of her nipple. The slight touch sent waves of pleasure shooting from

her breast to her sex. Her panties were damp as her pussy began to weep with desire.

Her inner muscles clenched hard, wanting, needing him inside her. But not yet.

His hands were warm on her hips as he rubbed circles on her stomach with his

thumbs. He continued to tease her breasts, circling the swollen areolas with his tongue.

She could feel the weight of his hands on her torso, feel the heat of his big body next to

hers in sharp contrast to the cool breeze at her back. All her senses felt heightened in the

dark of the night.

Shifting his hands higher, he cupped her breasts in his palms, his thumbs skimming

lightly over the engorged nubs. Moaning, she shifted closer to him. She could feel his

lips forming into a smile as he once again covered her nipple with his mouth and

sucked hard. Her entire body jerked with desire as she shifted from one leg to the other,

trying to ease the ache between her thighs.

"Stefan." The throaty whisper was a plea and a demand, but for what, she wasn't

quite sure.

One strong arm wrapped around her waist, supporting her as she stood. With his

mouth still suckling her breast, he slid the other hand down over her tummy. She

sucked in a breath, but he didn't stop. His fingers pushed past the band of her cotton

panties, sifted through the soft hair at the apex of her thighs and stroked over her

heated flesh. She widened her stance as he pushed two fingers deep inside her.

"You're so wet and ready, my sweet." She could hear the pleasure in his voice, but

couldn't find the words to answer him. Instead, she arched her hips toward him,

wanting him even deeper.

He laughed and flicked her nipple with his tongue. "Such a hot, wet pussy. And all

for me."

Laurel Rose whimpered as he almost withdrew his fingers before driving them

back inside her. Her vaginal muscles clamped down hard. The sensations battering her

were overwhelming. The contrast between the warmth of their bodies and the cool

night air, the hard thrust of his fingers into her soft heat and his hot mouth on her

swollen nipple were nearly too much for her.

He thrust his fingers deep into her pussy and his palm slid over her engorged

clitoris. Completion washed over her. Only his strong arm banded around her kept her

from crumpling to the ground. Her hips jerked and she cried out as spasms of pleasure

consumed her.

She almost begged him to stop, the sensations were so overwhelming. But all she

could manage to do was groan when he finally withdrew his hand from her panties. He

lifted her straight into his lap so that her knees were on either side of his hips and

pushed her still-pulsing mound against his rock-hard, jeans-covered cock. His arousal

stimulated her and she pushed her wet panties against it, rubbing her sex over his

swollen shaft in an attempt to ease the ache that still throbbed inside her.

Stefan hissed though his teeth as he dug his fingers into her hips, holding her still.

Staring at him through hooded eyes, she reveled in the desire she saw stamped on his

face. It still amazed her that this gorgeous man wanted her, but she had no doubts as to

the sincerity and depth of his need.

He looked savage in the moonlight. Like some pagan god come to life. Massive and

powerful, there was no doubt he could seize whatever he wanted, but Laurel Rose

knew that he would not take what she did not freely give.

His green eyes were tinged with red as he stared at her, reminding her that he was

indeed very different from her. Sitting all but naked in his lap while he was still fully

dressed, Laurel Rose should have felt awkward. But the emotion filling her was desire

and something else that she was very afraid was love.

The overwhelming sensation seemed to burst from deep within her and she knew

then that she was lying to herself if she believed that desire and caring were all she felt

for this man. Stefan was a creature like no other she could ever imagine. But man or

vampire or both, she loved him with her entire being.

She leaned closer to him, yearning to kiss him, but he stopped her, holding her

away from him. There was nothing soft in his gaze as he stared at her. Hard with lust,

his eyes glowed an eerie red. "You know what I am?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"If you accept me now, there is no going back." She could feel the force of his will

lashing at her, warning her that he would not release her. Ever. Muscles bunched and

rippled beneath her hands as she rested them against his chest. She could feel the hard

thrust of his cock against her pussy. Power radiated from every inch of his body,

surrounding them.

She smiled softly and offered him everything. "I know." And she did know. Fate or