Fated(29)

“I'm fine and I have the right to be pissed off, Stefan. Sometimes I think we're miles apart in the way we think.”



He relaxed slightly, his chest rumbling with his responding chuckle. “Ah, Josephine. That we can agree upon.” He took one of my hands and led me back to the couch, sitting down and pulling me onto his lap. I rested my head on his solid chest, waiting for him to continue.



His voice was steady and deliberate when he spoke. “I am ready to move on with my life now that I have found you, Josephine. I have searched, waited and loved you for two centuries. I have been patient,” Stefan paused, drawing in an unnecessary breath. “I have found you and I do not want to play games. Be with me, love me and let us progress. Is that too much to ask of you?”



Was it too much to ask? I'd been alone a long time, even prior to my adoptive parents’ death four years ago. I'd never been normal, so why would my first and possibly last relationship be normal? I was still attempting to baby-step my way into this situation instead of blindly jumping into the deep end like he was expecting me to do with no reservations.



“Stefan, let me tell you what my life was like prior to meeting you and letting you turn it upside down.” He rhythmically began stroking my hair and I closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of his hands in my hair. “I was alone, with the exception of Georgia and Anna. My adoptive parents died four years ago in a car accident. I can't locate my birth parents no matter how much money I spend or how hard I search. I move from place to place and I never settle down. I'm used to being alone and then you sweep in and I'm supposed to just go with the flow? That's sort of is the opposite of how I operate.”



Stefan pressed his lips against the top of my head. “Yet I am over 900 years old and can change. Explain what you want from me, Josephine.”



Laughing deeply, I wrapped my arms around his neck. “There are many things I want from you. But I need time. Time to adjust to us. I need to get used to being in a relationship.”



He nodded. “Then I will give you time. You have to promise to meet me halfway, Josephine.”



I swallowed the lump that had risen in my throat. My mouth was dry when I finally spoke. “I promise.”



“Now is the part of the cheesy romance novel where we kiss and make up, yes?” Stefan asked, his eyebrows waggling and blue eyes twinkling with humor.



“Kiss me, you big idiot.”



I didn't have to ask him twice.





Chapter 5


I was listening to the rumbling thunder as I lay draped across Stefan's hard, muscular chest. His face looked peaceful and innocent as he slept, his long lashes casting shadows under his eyes. I lightly kissed his cheek and rolled out of bed, yawning as I stopped to grab clothes from the closet. My eyes took note of his large duffel bag that was prominently displayed on the chaise lounge in the corner of the room. This was going to be one of those moments where I was going to have to adapt and meet him halfway without panicking. I walked over to his bag and ran my finger across the handle. I just needed to keep reminding myself that he loves me and wants to be with me. That's all that should really matter.

But there was more at stake than just knowing he loved me. He was making me break all of my rules, forcing me to do all of the things I said I'd never do.

Like fall in love.

Sighing deeply, I pulled on a tank and capri yoga pants and walked barefoot into the living room. I decided to take advantage of the quiet and the time alone to meditate and turn off my over-thinking mind for a little while. Unrolling my mat, I stretched briefly and settled down on the floor to clear my thoughts. It took much longer than usual for my mind to settle and relax.

I'd lost track of time when I felt the hum of Stefan's presence in the room. I opened my eyes lazily to look up at him, my heart lurching wildly as my eyes roamed over his body. He was leaning his shoulder against the door frame, his straight blond hair sweeping across his forehead and his arms were crossed against his massive chest. He was completely naked, his blue eyes boring into mine.

My eyes immediately drifted south to focus on his semi-hard cock, a delightful shiver of want running through my body. My mouth went dry and my panties flooded with moisture as I boldly stared at him from my mat.

I could count relaxing any part of my body out of the equation now.

Squeezing my eyes closed, I attempted to slow my breathing down. It took all of my strength to force myself to stay seated on the mat instead of wrapping myself around him like a human pretzel and having my way with him without any regret or remorse.

“You are meditating?” Stefan questioned, his voice deep and thick with sleep. “I will join you.”