Free Ascend (The Vampire Destiny Series Book #4) by Alexandra Anthony

crying out his name when he began a deep, thrusting pace.  Stefan’s lips roved down my neck, roughly sucking my flesh into his mouth as he continued to take me against the wall.
    I couldn't help the long, low growl I released; nor could I stop myself from clenching rhythmically around him.  It was when his fangs grazed along my jaw at the same time his velvet voice purred, "Mine," that I completely shattered, totally forgetting everything but the feeling of being wrapped in his arms and the pleasant, boneless sensation that spread over me.
    He wasn't far behind me.  His head fell back and the roar he released vibrated through our joined bodies.  His arm tightened around me and my fingernails sunk into his shoulders, leaving behind tiny crescents.
    Stefan offered a hoarse laugh as his lips brushed over mine.  “How is it that you manage to destroy me?”
    His handsome face was relaxed, the tiny worry lines smoothed away.  Wrapping myself around him, I locked my feet around his hips.  Affectionately, I nudged my nose against his.  “It seems like we both have the same problem.”
    He raised a single blond eyebrow as his hands cupped my ass.  He carried me into our bedroom and we fell to the bed in a tumble of arms and legs.  I managed to right myself and I sat up, my hands twisting nervously in my lap.
    Stefan silently watched me, his mind probing mine.  He knew what I wanted but was waiting for me to voice my request.  Drawing in an unnecessary breath, I blurted it out before I lost my nerve.  "I want to go home."
    Stefan blinked twice and his blue eyes looked confused.  "You are home.  Our home."
    "No.  I want to look through my uncle's belongings.  The last time..." My voice broke and I looked away.  "I was mourning and didn't pay attention or know what to look for.  I may have missed important things…”
    His index finger slipped over my lips before I could say more.
    "Only mental talk.  Follow my lead."   His voice rang clearly in my mind.  He dropped his finger and traced my lips with the tip.   "Then we go.  We tell no one our exact destination.  We fly into the biggest airport and drive.  We will hide in plain sight."
    Aloud, he spoke softly.  He sat up beside of me and his hand stroked my arm quietly.  “Of course.  There are parts of your human life you need to attend to.”
    "I hate this.”  I moved to snuggle against his side.  "Is it safe for us to leave?"
    "It would be no safer if we stayed."  Stefan looked at me pointedly, switching to mental talk. "After all, the tracker is dead."
    I remembered Adolfo's tracking abilities. He'd been killed in the explosion that had nearly killed Stefan.  I went still in his arms, our bond churning from fire to silk. He kissed the top of my head and mentally spoke the words I'd been dreading as he placed me back against the headboard of the bed so he could easily face me. "Your father is likely waiting us out.  He will strike when we least expect it. He will choose to attack the weakest link."
    The weakest link .  Was that how he saw Stefan?  Or me?  We were one complete being.  If one of us were to perish...the other would as well.
    Or was it Anna and Nikolaus?   My brother’s abilities were dangerous and he was close to bonding to Anna.  She'd shown no discernible talent, but killing her would destroy my brother.  And then there was sweet Lukas...
    "Lukas will be fine.  I have taught him everything I know.  He knows where to hide and how to do it.  We have been hiding for over a hundred years."   Stefan rested his chin on the top of my head. "But we will need to change locations.  It is no longer safe here."
    "Where..." I blurted out, not thinking.  My heart sank as I though about leaving this apartment.  I’d come to think of it as the first real home I’d had since Garrett had died.
    Stefan cut me off with a swift shake of his head and a tap to his temple.   "This apartment could be bugged.  Nothing but mental talk