I frown as I stroke my hands through the silky tresses of her hair. I can't stop touching her. I can't get enough of her. And I'm tired of hearing her call us a mistake.
"This is not a mistake," I tell her simply. "We're meant to be, and I'm not letting you out of my sight ever again."
This is non-negotiable. I will not release her. While I don't want her to resent me, I'm not going to chance losing her. Not now that I’ve finally found her.
She lets out a little huff before she changes tactics. "Okay, so maybe we are meant to be or whatever, but you can let me go. Let me go home, and then we can keep seeing each other. We can date or whatever you want,” she proposes hopefully.
I let out on amused chuckle. I see right through her, of course. Does she honestly think she can trick me?
"Oh, little bird, you are precious," I tell her as I rub my thumb along her puffy bottom lip.
I watch the hope dim from her eyes and her shoulders deflate when she realizes her little tactic didn't work.
I try to ignore the pang her disappointment causes me, telling myself that she'll adjust to me in time.
"Let me show you to your room," I offer.
Even though I'm dying to, I won't claim her tonight. My little bird needs time to get used to all of this, so I'll give it to her.
But make no mistake. She is mine, and I will be taking her soon.
Five
Brenna
I'm cursing myself for ever believing in that stupid fucking prophecy. I've gone from a hopeful girl wanting to come into her non-existent power to the captive of an insane, possessive, obsessive vampire.
And captive is certainly what I am because Jasper keeps me locked up in this room. Oh, he visits me every day—multiple times a day—to spend time with me.
He tries to engage me in conversation. He kisses me. He skirts little touches all over me, but he doesn't push me for more—as much as I can tell he wants to. That tent in the front of his pants doesn't lie. I know he desires me, but he's not going to force me, and for that at least I am grateful.
I'd be lying if I said that his touches and kisses don't bring me a certain amount of pleasure.
The vampire is obviously a very skilled lover. For some reason, I feel a prickle of jealousy within me at the thought that he's been with other women. Because I mean, you don't live to be as old as he is without having some sexual experience.
But then it just pisses me off that I even feel a prickle of jealousy because he's nothing to me. He's my kidnapper, my captor, and I refuse to allow myself to fall for him, despite his insane notions that were fated to be or some shit.
I've got to get out of here. The only problem is I have no clue how to do that.
It's not even worth it to try to run from him because he can move in the flash of an eye. There's no way I can outrun him, so what I'm going to have to do is outsmart him.
"Why the dour countenance, my little bird?" he asks me as he strokes his hand through my hair.
He's always petting me like I'm a favorite pet or a little kitten. I grudgingly have to admit that it feels good to feel his fingers stroking through my hair. Of course, I'll never tell him that, though.
"I'm bored of sitting in this room day in and day out. Will you please let me go outside, Jasper?"
He blinks at my use of his name. I studiously refrain from saying it because I know how much pleasure it gives him. For some reason he likes to hear me saying his name. It's probably some sort of Neanderthal fetish of his.
He studies me thoughtfully for a moment before he finally speaks. "We can take a walk out on the grounds if you would like. There are several roses in bloom right now."
I reward him with my most genuine smile. "That sounds lovely!"
He looks surprised by my amicable nature. I'm usually surly as hell to him and pout the entire time he's around me, so I'm hoping he won't see through my guise. Hopefully, he'll just think that I'm starting to accept my situation here and am trying to make the best of it.
I don't really know how I plan on getting away from him when we get outside—only that I have to try. Running is out, so the only other thing I can think of is to somehow harm him, but how in the hell am I going to harm a centuries-old vampire who's stronger than an ox?
I'm contemplative as he selects a coat for me from the wardrobe he had stocked. Yes, Jasper thought of everything. He had a closet full of clothing that looks like it's hand-tailored just for me brought in. Every piece of it fits me like a glove, and I have to admit that these clothes are way more beautiful than anything I've ever worn in my entire life. Yet somehow he made sure they’re just as comfortable as they are beautiful.