"Mmm," she purred as Aiden's lips touched her neck, and then Stefanie realized what she'd down and her eyes flew open. Aiden didn't seem upset at her, though, and part of her wanted to not mention it because it would spoil the moment.

But the last thing she ever wanted was to upset Aiden in any way, and it worried her that later on, he would be. Despite the fact that he'd kidnapped her and was going to keep her here, or that he'd said he loved her and missed her...

"Aiden," she whispered, crying, "I didn't wait, I came but you didn't say... forgive me, please, I'm..." She felt embarrassed. Ashamed. After thousands of years together, she had thought it was down to an art, but it seemed that Aiden could still think up new ways -- like the collar and chain -- that drove her mad with want and need.