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He started the engine and we slowly drove down the long driveway to pull out onto the main road, heading towards the Seminyak. My eyes drifted to look out the window, my mind filling with questions. I knew what vampires eat, that much was obvious. However, I knew nothing about how he eats when I'm not around. Does he go around biting people? Wouldn't that draw attention if people woke up with bite marks?
The sound of his deep laughter brought me out of my inner thoughts. Shooting him a dirty look, I felt my cheeks burning in embarrassment. I should have known he'd be listening to my thoughts.
"Ask me your questions, vackra. I will tell you whatever you need to know. You know this," Stefan said, reaching his large hand over to intertwine our fingers together.
I drew in a deep breath of courage. "How do you. . . eat? I mean, I get how you eat. I just wonder how you go about doing it. You don't just pick random people and bite them do you?"
"No, I do not pick random people and start biting. " His sunglass covered face observed me for a moment before focusing back on the road. "I am nearly 1,000 years old and require very little blood to survive. You are the only one I long to bite. "
Shuddering from the sensuality of his words, I was amazed at his ability to take a serious conversation and make it sexy. I ran my hand through my hair as I glanced at him. A grin had spread over his face, exposing his white teeth that glinted in the sunlight.
Sighing deeply, I sent him my mental thought. "Sexy talking bastard. "
His eyebrow raised slightly, shrugging his broad shoulders brazenly in response. "You know this about me, yet you still love me. Amazing. "
"What about when I'm not around? You were gone for almost five days. You had to be hungry," I retorted, immediately wondering if I really wanted to know the answer to that question.
"I forget that there are so many things you do not know. Many of us choose to integrate ourselves into society. We not only walk among you, we work with humans as well. Some of us are lawyers, police officers and some are even elected officials. Quite a few of us work in the medical field. We have established networks that give us access to human blood, Josephine. However, there are vampires that have no issue biting and draining a human to the point of death. Their victims disappear, either being turned or dying and being disposed of. "
A cold shiver ran down my spine as I thought of all the missing person stories I'd read in the paper or had seen on TV. I was now wondering how many of those missing people were actually victims of vampires.
"Not all vampires are pleasant, Josephine. Most are calculating and cruel. You have only met two of my kind, myself and Lukas. You need to remember that we are the exception, not the rule. " Stefan glanced over at me again. His expression was serious and his lips were set in a thin line.
"Speaking of Lukas. . . how exactly do you know him? Something was going on between you two the other night at dinner. When you told him to stop, he did it like he had no choice. "
Stefan said nothing, his eyes staring out the windshield. His thoughts were heavily guarded and he was obviously deciding how to proceed.
Deciding not to push him, I chose to look out the window while I waited for his answer. The smell of salt was thicker in the air as we got closer to Seminyak and the beach. He still hadn't answered my question, his long fingers were tapping nervously on the steering wheel.
He finally slowed to turn into a driveway that led up to a large beach house that made my villa look like a tiny shack in comparison. It was two stories, a mixture of white stucco and dark mahogany timber, the landscape littered with tall spikes of bamboo. I was still gaping at the house when I heard the car door open.
"Will you join me, Josephine? Or are you satisfied spending the day in the car?" Stefan chuckled deeply, offering his hand to help me out of the car. Pensively taking his outstretched hand, I slid out of the car to look at Stefan with confusion.
"Where are we?" I asked softly, my eyes drifting back to look at the impressive house.
"This is my house," he replied quietly. He led me forward, his hand pressing against my lower back. We walked up the steps onto the front porch and Stefan opened the large door, motioning for me to go in. I cautiously stepped inside, blinking as my eyes adjusted from the sunlight to the much dimmer light of the house.
The main room was large and the ceilings were high and vaulted. A large, beige couch stretched the expanse of one wall, littered with pillows. At one end, the wall was filled with ceiling to floor windows with an elegant dining room table dramatically placed to take advantage of the landscaping and view outside.
Wandering down the hall, I entered into the kitchen, which was large and modern with stainless steel counter tops and appliances. The double doors were open and led out to the upper patio, which offered an impressive view of the Indian Ocean. I took a step out on the patio, stopping to rest my hands on the dark wood of the railing and inhaled a deep breath of sea air.
Glancing down, the level below had another deck that was scattered with sun beds around a large gradual-depth pool. There was a covered area with a large sofas and lounge chairs that surrounded a large fire pit. I could picture myself straddling Stefan on the couch, the sound of the waves crashing and the breeze from the sea brushing over our naked skin. I unconsciously shivered at the vivid image in my mind.
"I take it you like it here?" Stefan's voice startled me, bringing me out of my silent musings. He had been following behind me, watching in silence as I walked from room to room.
"Like it? It's unbelievable," I murmured in amazement. Stefan walked to stand behind me, leaning over to wrap his long arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. I leaned back against him, a tiny smile breaking over my lips as he lightly kissed my cheek.
"It is just a house. I like it much better now that you are here," Stefan's lips murmured against my face. I twisted in his arms to look at him, his arms still wrapped loosely around me. His eyes were covered with sunglasses and the sea breeze lightly ruffled his blond hair. I couldn't resist the urge to run my fingers through the thick golden strands, his silky hair gleaming and warm from the sunlight.
"Why is it that we've been staying at my house when we could have been here? This place makes my villa look like a shed," I asked curiously. Stefan drew in a deep breath, tilting his head back. His lips parted to speak when a piercing voice cut into the peacefulness of our conversation.
"My, my. Look what the cat dragged in. Stefan and Josie! What a wonderful surprise. "
Lukas. I suddenly understood why Stefan had chosen
to stay at my house.
"Does that answer your question, vackra?" Stefan's mental voice had an exasperated edge to it. "He is my immortal version of your Georgia. "
