“Prove to me that you're telling me the truth and give me time to trust you,” I whispered in the darkness of the car.
Stefan smiled, the stress leaving his face. “I can do both. I have all the time in the world, vackra.”
The car began to move again and I let my head fall back against the head rest. I sighed softly when I felt his hand take mine, intertwining our fingers together.
A small smile broke across my face as he squeezed my hand gently. My heart skipped a beat as I my mind drifted back over the only part of our conversation that really mattered to me. He had said he had loved me for over 200 years.
He loved me.
Chapter 4
Stefan made the sharp turn into my driveway, his behavior filled with trepidation. The remainder of the trip home had been silent except for the sound of the wind blowing in through the open windows. He stopped the car and turned off the engine and made no attempt to move.
Without waiting for him, I climbed out of the car and closed the door behind me. I tilted my face up to stare at the moon shining brightly in the sky, breathing in the humid air. It was a welcome respite from the tension hanging over us during the ride back to my house.
Stepping onto the porch, I turned to see him still sitting in his car. I shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot as I contemplated what to do. I wasn't good with situations like this. I'd shielded myself from getting close to anyone for this reason. Yet here I was, neck deep in some sort of relationship with a 975 year old vampire.
Karma truly is a bitch.
Dropping my purse on the porch steps, I walked back towards the car. I leaned my arms against the driver's side door and waited for him to look at me. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, appearing to be lost in thought.
It was up to me to attempt to fix this situation since he wouldn't even look at me, let alone attempt to have a conversation about it. This should be interesting since I have no experience repairing any kind of relationship.
“Want to come inside?” I asked softly. He finally turned to look at me, a skeptical look flashing across his face. I gave him a small smile as I reached out to stroke his face, my fingers lightly cupping his cheek. He leaned his head slightly into the warmth of my hand.
“You want me to come inside?” Stefan questioned in a low, composed voice.
“I think I already asked you that. Please come inside, Stefan.”
The car door opened and Stefan got out of the car. As he stood beside me his tall, muscular frame towered over me and I had to crane my neck to look up at his face. His blond hair shined like gold and his skin was glowing in the moonlight. It was a moment like this when I struggled to grasp why he wanted to be with me when he could have anyone he wanted.
“I only want you, vackra. For 200 years, I have only desired you. I meant what I said earlier, Josephine. I have loved-” Stefan said hoarsely. I placed my hand gently over his mouth to stop his words.
“Enough talking for now. Come inside before Georgia hears us and wants to have a sleepover,” I whispered roughly. I couldn't bear to hear him say those words again. My heart couldn't take it.
I walked back to the steps and bent to pick up my purse as I walked by. Fishing out my keys, I unlocked the door and went inside. I glanced over my shoulder to see he was still standing by the car, his face inscrutable in the moonlight.
I switched on the lamp on the table, tossing my purse and keys haphazardly on the table. Turning, I walked outside to rejoin him and brushed my hands over his arms and shoulders lightly. He closed his eyes and I watched his throat as he swallowed hard in response. My fingers ran over the skin of his neck, tracing a finger over his Adam's apple.
“Here's the thing Stefan, I'm not good at this. I've never wanted to take the time to be in a relationship with anyone and now I'm in this complicated one with an immortal man that is absolutely gorgeous. He tells me things I thought weren't true and couldn't happen. Did I mention he drives me crazy in a good sort of way?” My hands slipped under his shirt to rub his chest and stomach and his muscles tightened under the movement of my hands. “So could you please come inside with me? I need you.”
“You have had too much to drink,” Stefan muttered, his lips set in a hard line. “I do not want to you to regret anything.”
A small laugh escaped from my lips. “And exactly whose fault would that be? I know exactly what I'm doing, Stefan. I said I need you. The only thing I'll regret is if you leave right now.”
Seconds passed by and I could see Stefan's reluctance begin to waver. I put all the emotion I could behind my thought. “Do it. Just kiss me already.”