Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Annabelle's POV

I tried to break free of his hold, but he didn't let me go. In fact, his hold tightened as his eyes pierced into mine, holding my gaze, challenging me to look away.

"Please Stefan, let me go," I said, knowing it was useless to fight him, I couldn't win against his strength.

"Nope. Just relax and stay, " he answered stubbornly. It was more like an order to which I surrendered completely. It seemed my body and heart both wanted to be in his arms.

I relaxed into him, his warmth surrounding me, making me feel wanted, comforting me. My head fell on his chest. I closed my eyes and inhaled his intoxicating smell. I didn't want to leave the comfort of his arms. It felt bliss, almost home. I was confused by this feeling.

"Do you like your room, Rosy?" he asked softly, his eyes closed as he breathed heavily.

"Yeah, it's awesome. My favorite color combinations actually," I murmured against his chest.

I opened my eyes, moving my head to look up at him.

"Whose room was this before? Your wife's?" I couldn't help but ask. I wanted to know since I set foot into this room. It had my favorite color combinations which was an odd coincidence.

"No," Stefan said, gritting his teeth, his jaw clenched in anger. "I bought this house after my divorce," he informed me with furious intensity. I gaped at him after digesting this piece of information. I couldn't hope that he had this room built with me in his mind. It was impossible actually.

"Oh, where did you live before?" I asked curiously.

"I lived in my penthouse. It was my bachelor's pad actually. Claudia and I never stayed with each other. We hated the sight of one another. The one year that I was married to her, she stayed at my parent's place," He informed me, looking at me, releasing me slowly.

My jaw dropped completely to the floor. He never stayed with her? How was that even possible? How did he have a daughter with her then? I was confused.

Stefan went back into the room from where he had emerged. I followed him there. It was a huge room, tastefully decorated in neutral shades of beige and cream giving the entire place an amazing contemporary yet warm outlook. The huge king-size bed with its cream silk sheets looked immaculate and inviting. I imagined Stefan sleeping on it. A faint blush crept onto my cheeks at the thought and I immediately looked away. I was really getting pathetic. The seating area was done in white upholstery, and the ottoman and center table adorned one corner near the door. There was a walk-in closet and a door leading to the en-suite. The huge floor-to-ceiling glass windows had a beautiful view of the garden and park beyond. Silk curtains, a shade darker than the walls, were drawn away. Huge glass doors led to a small deck. The entire room exuded a warmth that instantly made me feel at home and comfortable. It suited Stefan's personality, exhibiting an understated elegance.

It was then that another realization hit me, my bedroom was interconnected to Stefan's bedroom, and he had the keys to the door. My eyes went wide with apprehension. Why? Stefan turned to look at me as he walked out onto his deck. He must have understood my mental state, as he grinned mischievously at my confused expression.

The view around took my breath away. "It's breathtaking and refreshing," I admitted, taking in the greenery and natural beauty of the surroundings around the deck as we stood side by side near the railings.

"Yeah, it's my favorite place in the world. It clears my mind," he said looking around and then at me. I could see why he loved this place. I loved it immensely.

I smiled at him. He had opened up a little to me and I appreciated it. I wanted him to trust me completely. His life was a mystery and I was impatient to know where I stood. His words and behavior proved that he cared a lot about me. But am I so lucky? I didn't know.

"Are you missing Princeton?" He asked, hesitantly.

"No, not yet, but I'm missing giving dance lessons, " I confessed truthfully. Dancing was therapeutic for me. It distressed me and gave me happiness.

"Why don't you set up something here then?" He suggested thoughtfully.

"I don't know how long I will stay here," I confessed. I wasn't living at his house forever. I would have to plan something constructive after knowing where I'd be six months from now.

"Believe me, Rosy, you're staying. I'm not letting you go," he said with a strong conviction that surprised me.

"Please Stefan, don't force me," I pleaded. I didn't like being ordered and being forced to do things. It made me want to retaliate.

"No force, love. You will willingly stay, I promise," he said softly, looking into my eyes intensely. I stared back at him, lost in the strong emotion playing in his eyes. Was it love or am I mistaken? I didn't know.

"I don't know Stefan, I'm so confused," I said honestly.

"I know, love," He said softly and I was compelled to look into his eyes again. How did he know me so well?

"So, what do you want to do? Setup a dance school here or what? Do you need help?" He asked. He looked so warm and his lips looked so inviting that I was lost in him.

"I will take up a job in a good dance school for now. I applied at a few dance academies nearby. Let's see," I explained once I came to my senses.

"Don't you want your own academy, Rosy?" He insisted. I was impressed that he knew I did well.

"Yes, I want to but I don't want to rush it. Next month, on my 22nd birthday, I would be getting custody of my trust fund that Pops left for me. I want to invest wisely," I explained to him. I wanted to do some research and get some experience in New York before opening my own school.

Stefan nodded appreciatively.

Stefan's POV

I was glad that Rosy came over to my office and talked to me. I was too upset thinking that she didn't feel anything for me. I tortured myself to get her out of my head, to concentrate on my work alone but I was already giving up. She lived in every cell of my body and getting her out of my head was next to impossible. She had a way that instantly soothes me to submission. I was glad that she was living with me. My mission to woo her and make her mine had already started.

If she thought that I would let her go, she was mistaken. I would win her over and till then I would continue to pursue her. I wanted her to be happy. I wanted her to settle down here. I knew dance was her passion, so if she had something constructive to do she wouldn't be bored. She wouldn't be in a hurry to return to Princeton.