Fated(43)

“This is a good thing?” Stefan asked, as he tossed the towel into the hamper. Biting my lip and shrugging, I ran my fingers though my hair.

“I'm not sure if it's good or bad. I'm just blind when you're in the equation. Remember the night you and Georgia had your little disagreement outside and she was poking you in the chest with her finger? I couldn't see her doing that.” I said distractedly, my fingernails tapping against the wood frame. “Georgia is almost too easy to read. I have to work to not see her when she's around.”

Stefan went to his duffel bag and pulled on a black t-shirt, the fabric hugging the muscles of his back. He slipped on cargo-style shorts and stood to face me, sliding his hands in the pockets. He turned his eyes to the side as if he was contemplating the implications of the different scenarios.

“This has never happened before? Only since we met?” Stefan questioned, his voice filled with curiosity. His blue eyes were still unfocused, a large hand running through his thick, damp hair.

I shook my head. “Never. It's just weird. Why are things changing now? I mean, I can't see your future at all and it's the same with Lukas. My theory is that a vampire's influence clouds my visions.”

“I suppose it is something to think about,” Stefan said. He went to the bed and bent over to straighten the comforter. “Now go shower. I have plans for us today.”

“Care to share them with me, Romeo?” I asked curiously. I was suddenly preoccupied with watching the outline of his broad shoulders through the fabric of his shirt as he continued making the bed. Something as simple as watching him do a mundane chore was like watching poetry in motion. By the time my eyes drifted to the sculpted muscles of his arm, my pulse was racing.

“You need to stop eye fucking me, Josephine. I can feel you watching me.” He turned his head to glance at me over his shoulder, his eyebrows waggling seductively. “I plan on sharing plenty with you later. Go.”

“All right! I'm going!” I huffed. Walking into the bathroom, I exhaled a ragged breath and tried to stomp down the burn deep in my stomach. I made short work of showering, hurriedly washing my hair and body, thinking ruefully for the second time that showers weren't nearly as much fun without him.

Turning off the taps and grabbing a towel, I wrapped it around myself as I headed back to the bedroom while running a comb through my hair. I was wondering what to wear when I saw my black strapless bikini placed on the bed. Hesitating for a moment, my eyebrows raised slightly as I clutched the towel around me. Seeing my bathing suit made me even more curious as to what he had planned.

Dropping the towel, I grabbed the bottom of the bikini. I'd pulled on the bottom and was reaching for the top when Stefan came back into the bedroom. His sparkling blue eyes turned serious when they took in my naked breasts, crossing the room to pick up the bikini top in his hand.

“Let me help you.” His fingertips grazed over my nipples as he placed the top over my breasts. I shivered at the coolness of his hands against my skin as he hooked the back closed. “It is a shame to cover your breasts, vackra. They are beautiful.”

My voice was shaky when I finally recovered from his seductive touch and lilting words. “I think you're biased.”

“Try again. Finish getting dressed. I already packed a bag for you while you showered. The sooner we leave, the sooner I get to fuck you.” Stefan lowered his head to brush his lips against mine. He turned to leave the room and I was captivated by watching his muscular frame disappear down the hallway.

One of these days he was going to dirty talk me to death.

Critically looking at the contents of my closet, I finally settled on a black sundress. I dressed quickly, slipping flip flops on my feet and hurried down the hallway to rejoin Stefan in the living room. He was leaning back on the couch, his long legs stretched out in front of him. His eyes traveled slowly over my body, a devious smile pulling at his lips. He languidly rose from the couch and stretched again, his shirt rising to show the sliver of pale, muscular skin of his stomach. My body instantly reacted to his almost feline-like movements, the burn in my stomach increasing.

“Are you ready?” Stefan asked innocently, winking as he bent over to pick up our bags. I snorted at the double meaning of his question. He knew exactly what he was doing to me and was enjoying every second of my frustration.

“Since you won't tell me where we're going, I'm as ready as I'll ever be.” I pouted, crossing my arms under my chest. I hated surprises.

He chuckled lightly and opened the front door, stopping to slide a pair of expensive sunglasses on his face. “You are always so impatient, Josephine. You will find out soon enough. We should leave before Georgia decides to grace us with her presence.”