I turned my face toward her so that we were looking at each other again. Love and fear shine in her eyes. I had expected a mixed reaction to my presence.

I  narrowed my eyes to emphasise my point. “I don’t believe you.”

“Believe what you want. I don’t want you anymore.”

Liar!

“You’re lying. I can tell. I’ve always been able to.” I smirked.

“It’s the truth. I wanted you before. I don’t want you now.” she said, as if, if she kept saying it, it would be true.

I moved closer. She froze. If she shifted even half an inch, our lips would touch. I wanted that so badly. After that first kiss I was dying for more.

“My exterior . . . my power, yes, that’s different. Better. But otherwise, I’m the same, Roza. My essence hasn’t changed. The connection between us hasn’t changed. You just can’t see it yet.” I tried to explain.

“Everything’s changed.” adamant as always.

With her lips so close, all I kept thinking about was that brief, passionate kiss we'd shared after I kidnapped her.

“If I’m so different, then why don’t I force you into an awakening? Why am I giving you the choice?”

I hoped that was a fair point.

A snappy retort was on her lips. I could see it. But suddenly she seemed lost in thoughts. After a minute I smiled “No answer. You know I’m right.”

I crashed my on to hers again. She made a small sound of protest and tried vainly to escape my embrace. I was too strong. I had her pinned, and after a moment, she didn’t fight anymore. That same sensation as before flooded me. Her lips were soft, and the kiss burned between us. Fire and ice. Stone against a flower. And I was right in my moves—She did kiss me back.

I wound her hair around my hand hands, letting the fingers get tangled up. My other hand slid up the back of her shirt, cold against her warm skin. She instinctively pushed myself closer to me. I felt the pressure of the kiss increase as my own desire picked up. And we kissed frantically as if our survival depended on it — maybe it did.

Then, in the midst of it all, her tongue lightly brushed against the sharp point of one of his fangs. And suddenly she had jerked her head away, pulling out of the kiss. My guard had been momentarily down, allowing her that small escape.

Her breathing was heavy. I could feel her whole body still wanting me. Lust shone in her features. Her cheeks were petal pink, her lips luscious and softer. But she seemed to be debating withing herself — her mind against the pull of her body.

“No,” she murmured. I wasn't surprised by how pathetic and pleading she sounded. “No. We can’t do this.”

“Are you sure?” I asked. My hand was still in her hair, and I forcibly turned her head so that she was face-to-face with me again. I couldn't let this moment slip away. “You didn’t seem to mind. Everything can be just like it was before . . . like it was in the cabin . . . You certainly wanted it then. . . .”

The cabin . . . I knew she remembered that part... We both did.

“No,” she repeated. “I don’t want that.”

I  pressed my lips against her cheek and then made a gentle trail of kisses down to her neck. Again, I felt her body’s yearning shift for me. It was as if her small body fit snugly into the hollow of mine. We were made to be together. Two  pieces of the same puzzle. “What about this?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper. “Do you want this?”

“Wh—” she began

I closed my mouth down on her neck. I didn't know why I did that but I was desperately running out of moves in this game. A rush of bliss and joy poured through me. It was so sweet. I had never felt so wonderful in my life. It reminded me a little of how it had been when I drank from my prey. That had been amazing, but this . . . this was ten times better. A hundred times better. It was maybe because I had an undeniable attraction for her body. She tasted of earth and lavender and all things good. It was a heady sensation, filled with that all-consuming, joyous feeling.

I felt my self control run out. It was like an addiction and her blood was my personal brand of whiskey. But I had to be strong. I wouldn't drain her and risk having to turn her without her consent. I didn't want her to hate me just as I hated Nathan after he turned me. I had endured it. I never wanted her to go through that kind of pain. She always will have a choice as long as it is with me. Maybe that's why I was bidding my time.

When I pulled away, it felt like all the happiness and wonder in the world had vanished. I ran a hand over my mouth, and she stared at me wide-eyed. She seemed to be fighting past the blissful daze that my bite had sent her into. It gave me a sick sense of satisfaction seeing my bite having that effect on her. More than any Moroi could give her.

“Why . . . what . . .” her words slurred a little. “You said it would be my choice. . . .”

“It still is,” I said. My eyes were wide. I’d been just as affected as her. Getting addicted to her wasn't a part of my master plan. Addictions are bad. They make you take wrong decisions.

“I’m not doing this to awaken you, Roza. A bite like this won’t turn you. This . . ." why did I bite her? I had no explanation in place. Why am I giving an explanation anyway? She'll be mine someday. She is mine. She's mine to control, the ravish to enjoy... To LOVE...

"Well, this is just for fun. . . .” Then, my mouth moved back to her neck to drink again. Starbursts danced behind my eyelids and we lost track of the world, drowning in pure ecstasy.