For me.
I heard him let out a loud breath.I couldn't see him because my vision was clouded with tears.
In one instant—the glass in my hand was removed—and then Stefan's lips were on mine.His tongue swept into my mouth—erasing any doubts or nerves I'd had a second ago.
This was Stefan.
My Stefan.
His mouth knew mine just as well as mine knew his.I kissed him back with a ferocity I didn't know I had.I wanted him.
I wanted this man.
I knew he'd be gentle with me.And I knew this because of each and every physical encounter I'd had with him.He never took advantage of me.He made sure my pleasure was his top priority.I'd always felt that.Even if he had been just holding me in bed.
“Fuck,” he mumbled as his hand grasped me behind my neck.“You taste so fuckin' good.”He pulled me tighter to him—so tightly I could barely breathe.But I didn't care.Not one little bit.He pulled away just long enough to say, “I missed you so much, Chesca.So fuckin' much.”
And somehow—hearing those words come out of his mouth—made me surrender any lingering inhibitions I had.I set my hands on his chest, slowly moving upward, feeling his warmth radiating through his dress shirt.I needed to feel what was underneath it, though.And I needed to feel it now.So, I began unbuttoning his shirt while we kissed.When I finished the last button, my hands dove inside, finally touching his bare skin.He felt like—Stefan.
But stronger.
So much stronger.
I felt the vitality beneath his skin.And it had a heady effect on me.
Nothing was going to stop us tonight.
Not location.
Not Stefan's weak, sick body.
It was just us.
No restrictions.
“Let's go to the bedroom.”His lips moved down my chin.Then he kissed my neck, and I nearly melted.I'd forgotten what wonderful sensations his mouth and tongue could create.“I want to spread you out on the bed.”
I blinked and pushed away from him slightly.“There's a bed in here?”I asked, wondering where the heck an entire bed would be hiding.Maybe one of these tables folded out or something?That didn't seem very romantic—but at this stage I'd take anything.As long as Stefan was with me, it didn't matter.
He chuckled and kissed me quickly on the lips.“In the back.Follow me.”And then he stood, grabbing my hand in his.
It wasn't like I had a choice in the matter.But even if I did—I'd still gladly follow him.He pulled me down the aisle until I said, “Wait, I'm stuck.”My dress—I mean, Giselle's dress, had wound around something.If I kept walking, I might rip it.
Stefan turned his head and stopped.After he dropped my hand, he took in the situation.“Here,” he said, and spun me around so my back was facing him.
I twisted my head to see what he was doing.His fingers worked quickly and nimbly on something around my waist.A few seconds later, the back half of the dress floated to the floor.“What did you—” My hands swung behind me, touching to see what exactly he'd removed.But all I felt was my dress, still intact.
“It's a removable train.Relax.”His lips touched my neck and made me shiver.
“How did you know that?”I asked, turning around to face him.
He grinned down at me and set his hands on my waist.“I helped Giselle pin it on months ago when she was sewing it.”
I quirked my head while I imagined Stefan kneeling down, pinning the train to Giselle's dress.“What?Why would you do that?”
He shrugged and answered, “Eve was out with Nick.And she didn't want Carlo to see the dress, so she couldn't ask him for help.And all the kids were napping, so—”
Something warmed in my heart, and I smiled.“Did you help her sew it?”
