…Anastasia POV…

It has been a week since my encounter with Sebastian in the study. My body has not forgotten the craving that I feel for him, the absolute desire. I know his body desired me, but that mind that always gets in the way soon pushed me aside. I truly believe that I need to come to the realization that he shall never be mine again. Who would have thought that his stubbornness runs so deep, but then again, I would have done the same? In fact, I have done worse, and that is with the woman from his past.

Today I am dressing up in an exquisite deep red ball gown; there is a ball that is being held at a Vampire of high stature's home. I must say that I have not heard of him before, but from what one of the servants tell me, he is rather stunning on the eye and even more charming. Now I do not think I would have been allowed to attend as Sebastian shall be there, but they shall honor me for my heroics for saving the Vampire community on numerous occasions.

"Breathe... Breathe Anastasia... Breathe...You can do this."

I say after giving myself a once over in the tall mirror hanging on the far sidewall. Red chiffon and cotton lace cover my slim toned body in just all the right places; a pair of red stilettos is the perfect contrast to finish my ever so seductive image off. I am dressed to impress, but I am nervous.

After straightening my black lace bra for what is the fifth time now, I make my way outside the room. I give Sophia my best smile and pouts my red lips at her.

"Good luck, Miss Anastasia," She winks as I make my way out of the back entrance.

As I get into the car, Lewis looks back, "You look beautiful, Miss Anastasia."

"Thank you, Lewis; it is so kind of you to drive me."

"Anything for you. Are you looking forward to the ball?"

"I am indeed, I have never been to one since I have been turned."

Lewis focuses his glance back on the road and pulls out from the driveway at the very time that Sebastian does. I do not know if it is irritation on his face or just his normal dead stare when he does not care for anything.

"Miss Anastasia, he will come around. Just be patient with him."

"Lewis, somehow I don't think that is going to happen; he does seem quite set in his way."

"I am afraid he is."

After a half an hour drive, we arrive at the mansion, "God Lewis, this is spectacular; I have never seen so many windows, I never thought it would be modern. I am looking forward to meeting this man."

"Be careful; he will sweep you off your feet without you even knowing."

"Thank you, Lewis; I will call for you when I am ready to come home."

"Enjoy, Miss Anastasia."

With that, I make my way to the door where there is a man in a black designer suit greeting the guest. This must be this Vampire that everyone is talking about. And as I come to stand in front of him, I am blown away by his beauty. He has the lightest of blue eyes; his hair is a deep color black; it is spiky and perfectly messed up. His lips are full, and as he smiles, there are sexy dimples that appear at the corner of his mouth. But by far, the best part of him is the sculpted muscles that are toned to perfection underneath his black shirt.

He shamelessly hovers his eyes over my body for more than a few minutes; the mere attention sends a spark to every corner of my weak body.

"I believe you must be Anastasia," he says in a soft, husky voice.

"And you are…?"

"Dante. Your beauty is far beyond what they have described; I say you are exquisite. Now, why is such a queen such as you all alone."

"I prefer the solitude of my own company."

"I find it hard to believe; let me take you on a tour."

My mind screams against it; what if Sebastian sees me on the arm of another man, yet another nail in the coffin. But the desire to feel desired allows Dante to take my arm. Lewis did say I should be careful; well, I think I have just stepped with one foot into the sin of the unknown.

And as we pass the massive reception hall, there I see Sebastian talking to Edward. The instant he sees me with Dante, I see a look of utmost anger spill over his face. He only gives us one brief glance and turns his back on us. But this does not go unnoticed.

"Well, my dear Anastasia, seems that our dear Vampire Master does not think found of you. What on earth have you done to the man, for he does not seem his old self."

"Yes, about that. See, I used to be his beloved.."

Dante freezes in his steps and turns to me with once handsomely wicked smile.

"Now that is quite interesting. What do you say we test his patience?"

"Why on earth would you want to do that?"

"Well, our Master has always been at odds with the woman I keep my company with."

"Odds?"

"Let us just say that we have on occasion seek the companionship of the same woman. But that is not the only reason, I find you irresistible, and the craving you are building in me is a feeling I would love to explore."

And with that, Dante takes me upstairs.

…Sebastian POV…

My irritation has just grown past a level that I cannot handle. If my presence were not required at the ball, I would have excused myself a long time ago. She has now attached herself to Dante, a man that is known for his charm. But his charm goes far greater than just a flirt. This man shall, without any shame, lure you into his bed, and I believe that they have just made their way there. I do not know what the game is that she wants to play, but that shall not hurt me anymore than she has already done.

So much to my own very annoyance, I find myself staring at the stairs waiting for them to come down. But that is not happening soon enough to my liking. I shall for certain cut this woman from my life is she as much as lays her lips on him. I, in fact, have already done so, but the way she carried herself as she walked up those stairs in those goddamn stilettos drives me insane every time. Deep red, why did she decide to deep red today? Why does she do this to me every time I need to stay mad? I do not want her in my life; I need to cut my feelings off.

Then a few moments later, I see Dante and her coming down the steps again. I can smell her arousal. Does she think that I won't? If laying in another man's bed is not enough, now she is turned aflame by a man she does not know. I will rip this man apart if he so much as lays his lips on her. But then again, I do not have the right.

And much to my very disliking, they walk up to where Edward and I are standing.

"Sebastian, it is great that you could join us tonight."

"My dear Dante, it is Master, and you know that I shall come whether I am invited or not."

"Well, Master, I believe you have made acquaintance with our lovely Anastasia."

"Yes, I am afraid I have had the displeasure."

"Well, that is no way to speak to such an exquisite woman."

"Oh my dear Dante, let you not be fooled by beauty that only lies skin deep. I am afraid there is a rather nasty creature lying inside."

Then the damn asshole gets the newfound idea that is only setting my temper to a new height.

"Well, would you be so kind and speak a few words about Anastasia?"

"I shall not say a word about this vixen. Now, if you will excuse me, Edward and I were in the middle of a conversation."

With that, I do not know who is more satisfied; Dante and Anastasia make their way into the crowd. And at that very moment, the music starts. I watch as he rests his hands at the small of her back. He pulls her far too tight into his body. I can see him smile as he tilts her back and kiss her on the sensitive parts of her neck.

Edward sees the fury in my eyes, and he knows what I am about to do. He grabs hold of my arm, "Sebastian, it is not worth it. Please do not give them the satisfaction; they both are playing a game with you."

"Edward, my dear friend, I want her out of our home. Will you please find her a place to stay?"

Before my words are even cold, the man decides to make his announcement now. Thankfully he does not ask me to speak, but what he does next is unthinkable.

"Shall our Master be so kind and have a dance with our dear Anastasia."

My blood boils as I make my way up to them; there is clear satisfaction on his face. From under my breath, I whisper to him, "Consider yourself dead."

The next moment, I have my arms wrapped around Anastasia's shoulders as we turn and turn as we are dancing in a circle around the dance floor.

"Sebastian."

"Anastasia, it is Master. And I am only required to dance with you."

"Can you stop whatever game it is that you are playing?"

"I beg to understand how my heart a game is. Yet again, you have proven that you can not keep your hands off another man."

"But we are not together."

I stop dead in our waltz; the fury is wrapped over my face, "Bullshit. And you know that. We have a bond, and that shall never die."

"Does it mean I should be faithful to you even though you don't want to be with me?"

"Yes."

"Sebastian, that is unreasonable."

"Anastasia, what you fail to understand is you belong to me even though I do not want any part of you."

My gaze lasts but for a full second as my eyes moved to the fullness of her lips. Then I returned my eyes to her very own blue ones that are still reflecting the irritation of my statement. With a look of heat in my eyes, so comes the lust and desire once again. It is undeniable; the chemistry is still there. In the room full of Vampires, we stand apart. I know that once I kiss her, my resistance will crumble. Without thinking much, I slide my hands down her waist to lay it at the small of her back. She does not protest, yet she allows me to pull her further into my craving body.

Now there is only one desire, one wish, and it is just a matter of time before it happens. I can feel her lean her body up against mine, completely closing any gap that existed before. I begin to lay smooth kisses against the delicate skin of her neck, rendering my body even weaker than before. I know that what I am doing is wrong. After just a few delicate touches, my warm lips fall down on hers like cool raindrops on a hot summer's day.

In an instant, sooner than I laid my lips on hers, I pull them away. Only one thought consumes my mind.

"I shall arrange for other accommodation."