He stood up straight and retracted his fangs. "Let us try something different. Close your eyes."
Sighing heavily, I obediently closed my eyes, waiting for what he was going to do next.
"Your father has killed me. Kian is coming for you," his voice was barely audible. A mixture of grief and anger filled me at the thought of his death at Kian’s hands. "Pretend that I am him. You must stop me."
Without thinking, my hands flew up as I sensed him approaching me. I pushed my emotions outward, focusing on keeping him away from me. I felt the shield push out, wrapping around Stefan, securing itself around him like a vice.
Through barely opened eyes, I watched in amazement as Stefan struggled against my hold on him. He was trapped in mid-stride, incapable of moving. His mind was wide open to me while under my shield. He was furious, his mind filled with rage at his own vulnerability, incensed at his helplessness.
"It worked!" I exclaimed excitedly. “You can’t move at all?”
"Not at all." He pushed against me, unable to free himself. "Release me."
"I don't know if I should. You're a scary vampire." I teased. “Did you ever think I’d be able to hold you back? Maybe I should call Lukas. I could use FaceTime and he could see this live.”
His eyes darkened and the corner of his mouth twitched. "Vackra..."
"Fine." I lowered my hands and he stumbled forward as my shield retracted.
He darted to my side and had my back against the bed, hovering over me. He kissed me, his mouth hard against mine. "Tell no one of this ability, not even Lukas. What you just did can protect you if I cannot."
He was always pragmatic, thinking three steps beyond everyone else, planning and scheming. Stefan would protect me with his life. Knowing that I could stand beside him with my own ability made me feel like the scales were even.
"You should not be worried about such things." Stefan rolled to my side, staring into my eyes. “I never wished for things to be so difficult. It is my only regret.”
“Stop.” I placed my palm against his face. “It doesn’t matter, Stefan. With or without you, Kian would have found me.”
“Perhaps.” Stefan replied quietly. “So you have no reservations, Josephine?”
“Not a single one.” I let my fingers caress the curve of his cheek. "It's worth it, you know?”
"Hmm?"
"To be with you forever. It's worth all of the worries and fears. I have you."
I glanced up at him, meeting his gaze. His blue eyes were soft, filled with love and devotion. His hand rested against my chest, his fingers stroking the pendant around my neck.
“Att ha din kärlek är en välsignelse. Du är min älskare, min vän och min kära kompis. Jag älskar dig."
"I've only been using the CD’s for a few days, sweetheart. I understood that you love me. What else did you say?"
"I said to have your love is a blessing. You are my lover, my friend and my cherished mate.” He lowered his mouth gently to mine. “I love you.”
"Jag älskar dig, min man." The words sounded strange and felt peculiar on my tongue. It was worth the discomfort to watch his eyes sparkle as he heard me speak in his native language.
"Until the stars stop shining?" He used my words from a few days ago.
"And then some."
"You need to sleep. You need to wrap up your affairs tomorrow."
"Yeah, yeah." I snuggled against him.
He nuzzled his nose against my hair, breathing in my scent. He groaned softly in response, his hands rubbing over my back and ass possessively. I pulled back, letting my eyes travel over his face. Unable to resist his lips, I pressed a kiss to the top and then the bottom before devouring his mouth, the taste of him addictive and sweet.
The pads of his fingers cupped the back of my neck as he answered my kiss. His mouth became more insistent, our legs tangling together as we moved closer to each other, languidly kissing each other with wet, open mouthed caresses. When he lifted his mouth from mine, his lips went to my neck, scattering kisses and tiny bites across my skin. His hand slipped between us and he gently stroked my clit with his thumb while his fingers filled me.
"You begged me to come for you earlier. I want you to come all over my hand," he said huskily against my neck.
His fingers and thumb stroked and thrust inside of me, teasing and insistent. His blue eyes stared intently at me, watching every expression that crossed my face. When they curled up and plunged harder I gave in, falling apart over his hand, sighing breathlessly when I felt him release against my stomach.
Stefan captured my mouth in another kiss. "That was beautiful, watching you come for me."