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Anna pulled me into a hug. "Stop by the office. We can chat about sex on a stick over there. " She jerked her head towards Stefan as she whispered in my ear.
Hugging her back, I pulled away to give her a non-committal smile. "I'll do that. "
Stefan came up behind me and wrapped his long arms around my shoulders, resting his chin on the top of my head. I leaned back against him, enjoying his cool embrace.
"No you won't. But I still love you like a sister. "
I shrugged and smiled weakly. Anna knew me too well.
"Anna. It was a pleasant surprise seeing you again this evening. Lukas, be safe getting her home," Stefan said, tugging me towards his Audi and opening the door for me. I waved goodbye to Anna as Stefan to slide into the driver's seat. He started the car and headed down the road to my villa. We had barely been driving for a minute when I started asking questions.
"Explain why I would need to meet the Council?" I wasn't waiting for Stefan to explain this to me in a smooth, sugar coated version. I needed more information and I didn't want to wait for him to decide when he wanted to explain it to me.
"They know of you, of course. Other vampires have talents, Josephine. A telepathic vampire was able to see my vision of you many years ago," Stefan murmured, his voice quiet. I silently scanned his face, illuminated by the interior lights on the dashboard. "You would be a powerful ally for us to have. You have the ability to see what I cannot, which is the future of humans. "
I swallowed back a gasp, a mixture of anger and fear making my blood run cold. I was going to be used to read the futures of humans for vampires? My stomach churned and I felt like I was going to vomit.
"Is this the real reason you found me? You and your 'Council' need me to read humans?" I spat, feeling my eyes fill with angry tears. Without thinking, I went into panic mode. I knew it was too good to be true. I'd been lied to once again. Stefan and his vampires would use me like a toy, only to be thrown away when my usefulness had run its course. When I felt the car come to a stop and pull slightly off the road, my jaw was clenched in anger.
"It is nothing like that," Stefan said, his voice strained. I ignored him and stared straight ahead, refusing to meet his eyes. "Josephine, please look at me. "
I turned my head slightly to look at him, my expression hard. Stefan's handsome face was pained, his eyes fearful. I felt my resolve soften slightly as I took in his appearance.
"You must believe me when I tell you that was never my intention. I have loved you for over two centuries. I never searched for you just to find you and use you," Stefan hesitated for a moment, his voice thick with emotion. "Josephine, you have to believe me. What can I do to make you to trust me?"
Hot tears leaked from my eyes in earnest. I may not be able to read Stefan's emotions but I could see them as if they were written on his face. He was tense and worry flashed in his eyes. He was possibly more afraid than I was at the moment.
"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. "
