Awakening (The Vampire Destiny Series Book #3) Read Free Page B

complications.  We will look back on this and wonder why we were ever concerned about these things.”
    Was Stefan right? Would I look back on this in a few centuries and think this was nothing but at best an annoyance?  Would immortality be an endless stretch of never-ending boredom?  Would Stefan ever tire of an eternity of my quirks and stubbornness?
    “I doubt time spent with you will ever be boring.  You constantly surprise me and I find your determination refreshing, Josephine.  If I had my way, we would spend the next 20 years never leaving our bedroom,”  Stefan murmured as he read my thoughts.  “We have an entire world to explore together.  The possibilities will be infinite.”
    “Unless I meet some tragic human death?  A car accident, an airplane crash.”  I waved my free hand dramatically around the expanse of the plane. “Or possibly the temper tantrum of megalomaniac father?”
    “Vackra, that will not happen.  And if it does, I will change you,”  Stefan reassured me.  His anger spiked as he thought of me being taken away from him.  Knowing Stefan, he’d chase down Death himself and demand he return me to him.
    He laughed again at my mental picture, pressing us closer to the window of the plane.  “Possibly something along those lines would happen.  We will be landing soon.  Look.”
    Following his gaze, I peered out the small window.  I could see the lights of the city approaching us, twinkling in the distance.  Smiling, I snuggled closer to him.
    “It’s good to be back home.  I just want everything to be ok,”  I whispered against his shoulder, nudging him with my nose.
    His lips brushed against my temple.  “As do I.”
    ***
    As promised, there was a waiting SUV at the hangar.  We made the transport easily from the airport back to the apartment in record time, more than likely due to the large envelope of money that was exchanged discreetly between Stefan and the driver.
    Anna was now at rest on our living room couch.  I watched her with a critical eye, hoping for some sign that she was changing or an indication that she would awaken.  I’d taken up vigil at her side, nursing a cup of coffee and staring out the windows of the New York night.
    Strong hands came to rest on my shoulders.  Smiling, I tilted my head back to see Stefan standing over me.  He was bare chested, his blond hair wet from his shower.  He leaned to kiss me and his gaze lifted to Anna before shifting back to mine.
    “Come to bed.  It will be late tomorrow if she rises,” Stefan murmured.  His fingers kneaded the muscles of my shoulders softly, his nimble fingers massaging at the tightness that had taken up residence.  My head lolled back, enjoying his attention.  The only drawback was hearing the big ‘if’ word again.  I refused to believe Anna wouldn’t wake.  She was one of the strongest people I knew.
    “I should stay,” I protested weakly.  Stefan edged around the chair and sat down on the ottoman facing me.  He rubbed his fingers across his chin and leaned forward slightly, his forearms resting on his knees.
    “No, you should come to bed.  I understand your concern for Anna because she is your friend.  However, what you are doing is pointless.  She does not know if you are here or not.  Vackra, she is dead.  Either she will rise or she will not.  Either way, the outcome is the same.”
    Tears filled my eyes and I hastily blinked them away before they had the chance to spill over.  He reached for my coffee cup and took it from my hands, setting it on the table.  He stood up, offering me his hand with a tender smile.  “Please.  Come with me.”
    My eyes traveled the length of his long, powerful body.  His red silk sleep pants hung low on his waist, the rippled muscles of his stomach pale in the dim light of the living room.  His broad chest and shoulders glistened and in spite of myself, I wanted to run my hands over the velvety expanse of his skin.  My body