I clasped Robert's hand as we made our way up the stairs in silence. I held the scales, wondering how to apply them. There was no way I could use my fingernails to dig the scales in deep enough. Halfway up I whispered, "Do you have a knife, to cut you with?”

"I think we use the scales."

Good point. It was using part of him to put it back in place. My face felt hot as I realized we both knew what would happen upstairs.

"Robert?" I asked once we reached the landing. It would take all of my newfound courage to ask once and for all how he felt about me.

“Yes?” He held open the door for me to pass. The smell of pine trees and home that I now was a part of hit me hard. He reached for me and petted my hair as he leaned forward for a kiss. This was a good way to start. My lips parted as he neared and the moment our mouths met, a tremor rushed through me.

Robert was my everything. He tried to lead me to the bed. “Wait.” I put my hand on his chest. "I have to ask you something."

"What?" He caressed my arm.

Part of me hoped he'd tell me on his own. I stared at him, but he said nothing. He probably had no idea what I wanted him to say. So I glanced at our hands that were so close they could almost touch. "How do you feel about me?"

He took my hand to his chest to feel his heart beat. "You're part of me, Daphne."

What would happen if he told me he still loved Serena and mated with me out of need? I'd lose the strength that burgeoned inside of me. He pressed his hand on my arm, and I gazed into his eyes. I had to take the chance. "No, how do you feel about me? I know you loved Serena, but do you think you could love me, now?"

His gaze narrowed. "Are you asking if I love you?"

I held my head higher. "Yes."

He took my ring hand and our fingers circled each other. Then he tilted his head. "The sun shines brighter when I'm with you. The nights are shorter because you're home with me. I cannot imagine my life without you in it and I don't want to. Of course, I love you."

My entire body melted.

A cry echoed from outside. I shivered and turned away. "What's that sound?"

"Who cares what the vampires do tonight. No one is opening windows anymore to invite them inside. We're safe."

Tonight it was just us—we didn't have to do anything at all. I held my free hand to my chest. "So you don't plan to go out later?"

He walked me closer to the sleigh bed and held both of my hands. "Not unless we have to."

"Good." He leaned closer and kissed me again.

Peace flowed in my veins. Then he narrowed his gaze. "You didn't tell me how you feel."

Hadn't I already told him? The corners of my mouth curved upward. "I love you too."

He tugged off the comforter of the bed. "So we're in this together, this life?"

"Yes." My body warmed with desire.

I slipped my jeans off at the same time he did his and climbed onto the bed on my knees. Then I stripped entirely and sat on the bed. He joined me completely naked. My pulse quickened as I checked that I put the scales on the nightstand next to my pillow.

"Now where were we?" His finger trailed down my collarbone, and then went lower. His fingers tugged on my puckered nipples. Then he leaned close to me and suckled on my neck. His breath tickled as goosebumps grew all over me. Robert was mine, I thought.

The fire inside me flamed but I glanced at a scale, unsure exactly how to heal him.

I tugged an arm free of his hold, but I couldn't move.

His hand went lower and pressed against my womanhood. I moaned as his finger plunged inside me. I had to cut him, but I couldn't think about where.

The pressure peaking between my legs hindered my ability to think. I closed my eyes and let my body tremble.

Robert stopped before I went over the edge. Right. I had to hurt him. I reached for the first scale and he directed me to a spot on his back.

My hands traced his naked skin until he stopped me. I closed my eyes and pressed the scale into his back. I bit my lip as I pierced his skin. He made no sound, but his muscles tightened as his skin held the scale right where I placed it. When I opened my eyes, I glanced up at him and his blue eyes held a twinkle.

He lowered his head and kissed me.

His cock seemed huge, and yet I knew it somehow fit inside my body. The craving for him increased and I reached for another scale. He directed my hand and I realized it was about the same spot. I pressed in again.

Almost all the scales were attached. Robert leaned over me and I felt his desire building too. I thought he'd take me, but he stopped at my breasts and suckled at my nipple. I reached for the last scale and pushed it into his back.

Once I was done, I tugged on his hair as his teeth gently chafed against my swollen buds. I sighed, more than ready for him.

His lips went to my other breast. The moment his mouth surrounded my nipple, my legs felt weaker. As his tongue met my tenderness, my body jumped. This time he didn't stop.

Finally he pushed his manhood into me and I bucked on the bed. As he pushed deeper and deeper into me, I rocked against him, touching his back.

There were no traces of any marks. My hands roamed his body to check, but soon I forgot everything and just saw the stars in my eyes that spun. Robert knew how to satisfy me.