Hello dear readers! I am so, so very sorry for the delay on this. Life came in the way of writing. However, it is almost vacation time, so hopefully that will leave me some free time to post more for the foreseeable future. Hopefully!

I want to take the time to thank you for your reviews! I am so relieved I am not the only one who thought that it made sense with the blood! Lol!

Anyway, please do read on. Be warned, lemons ahead!

Aro walked through the corridors at a slow pace to accommodate his human companion. She had found a simple outfit, black jeans and a grey t-shirt. Her hair hung limply around her shoulders, and though her eyes appeared lucid, she did look rather tired. He could see the tinge of purple beneath her eyes, even if she did her best to hide the fact that she was not feeling well.

"Where exactly are we going?" She finally asked, only a mild consternation in her voice.

"I may have a surprise for you. If I have understood correctly, you do not like surprises, but I hope this will tickle your fancy even so."

She frowned with mild curiosity at that.

"Edward," Aro explained simply, making an elegant gesture.

"Oh." She seemed to sort of sink in upon her own thoughts, apparently not quite reconciled with the thought that he knew more about her than she had considered he would know.

"I am sorry, perhaps I should not draw any conclusions from his thoughts?"

She seemed to be thinking for a while.

"I'm not sure. It was quite some time ago." She bit her lip thoughtfully. "But let's see what your intentions are, before I draw any conclusions about my preferences."

Aro considered her for a silent moment.

"As you wish, my dear," he then said placidly, bowing politely at her.

He contemplated the fact that she seemed to try and find herself again, her perspective of certain things apparently having shifted during the last six weeks. He would have to ask Marcus about it. Humans could be so unpredictable. Should he keep a distance from her while she focused on it, or should he perhaps see it as an opportunity to integrate himself in her world more firmly.

He glanced at her profile as they walked. He heard the soft breath that escaped her, saw her eyes close briefly as she licked her lips.

"What are you thinking about?" He finally asked, tempted to take her hand in his.

She shook her head somewhat.

"I'm just having a hard time believing what just happened between us," she said, chuckling softly.

"Do you have regrets?"

"No. Definitely no regrets. I'm just shocked at how easily you managed to… do it." He could feel the heat from her blush.

"I've never… that was the first time I've ever…." She struggled to express herself. She gave a frustrated sigh. "You know," she finally finished lamely.

Aro contemplated her words for a long moment.

"I see," he finally said softly. "You have never climaxed before? Not even by your own hand?"

She shook her head hastily, her face growing even more red. Aro considered the implications of her words silently. He had already figured that she was quite inexperienced, but he had never realised just how new she would be to this. Of course, she was hardly the first virgin to enter his bed, but she was different on every level otherwise. He had to double check every step he made to make sure she was ready. He feared that making one misstep would put them both back where they started, and he wanted to avoid that at any cost.

"How did it make you feel?" He eventually asked softly, rendered quite speechless by her candidness.

"It was definitely something." She gave an embarrassed chuckle. "How you managed to do it so quickly, I can't understand."

He looked at her, halting their steps.

"I take it, you have tried yourself to achieve an orgasm, however you were unsuccessful?"

She bit her lip, looking into his face. Then casting her gaze to the floor, she nodded shyly.

"I tried to talk to Edward about it, but…" she shrugged.

Aro felt a flash of angry, hot jealousy at her words. He felt rather possessive of the young woman, more so than ever after their brief bout of intimacy. He hastily stomped the anger down. He was not about to make any mistakes with her, and jealousy, he knew, would be a grievous mistake.

Even so. His dead heart thrummed with the knowledge that he had won. She had submitted to his caresses and experienced her first sexual release. She was his. Edward had lost.

He swiftly flashed through Edward's thoughts to locate the particular conversation she was mentioning. He watched it rapidly. Edward had refused to talk about matters such as these. Aro almost chuckled. The boy was painfully old-fashioned. Of course, the fact that he knew next to nothing about the subject hadn't helped. He was a virgin too. Aro knew the young vampire had been adamant that they wait until marriage before they did any such things. His thoughts on sex were much like his own feelings of being a vampire. Filled with regrets and shame.

"Do you think you could show me… more?" She trailed off, her cheeks suffusing with more heat, pulling Aro from his ruminations.

Aro bared his teeth at her hesitant question, and without a word, he had her in his arms, kissing her fiercely. She responded to him eagerly, and he relished how far they had gotten since she had first returned to him. He couldn't help but push her against the wall, pinning her in place, taking her lips passionately over and over again. She whimpered, her body giving a most delightful shudder against his. He kissed her until she was breathless. Then he released her lips, resting his forehead against hers.

"I would be honoured to show you everything, amore," he said in a low voice.

She was still breathing rather fast.

"Thank you. I want to experience these things as a human as much as I can before things… change." She licked her lips again, and he almost captured her mouth in another searing kiss.

"I understand, amore."

She smiled softly.

"I like when you call me that."

"Amore?" He smiled back. "But you are my love." He placed a gentle kiss at the corner of her mouth.

She released a sharp puff of air.

"It gives me this… fluttering feeling in my stomach when you say it. I-I think… I love you too, Aro."

Her words pierced him like a hot bolt of lightning, his senses nearly clouding with gratitude, desire and a fierce need to possess her in this instance. He growled softly, his lips crashing down on hers, kissing her with an almost possessive need he could never quite quench. He pushed the length of his body against her, needing to feel her, sensing a new connection between them. If only he could see their bond like Marcus could. It took him a long time to regain his senses, but eventually, he pulled back, noticing her flushed cheeks, her slightly swollen lips.

"It's strange how different you are from him," she eventually said in a low voice, speaking of Edward. "You're much older than he, and yet you don't cling to these old-fashioned notions of propriety."

He caressed her cheek softly, smiling at her words.

"I come from a different time entirely. Sex was a natural part of life back then. Only when religion entered regular society did things change. Even so, we do things a little differently here in Italy. And I had to be able to change, otherwise I would never have made it this far."

He kissed her again, deeply, tenderly. Then he stepped back, taking her hand in his. He placed an open mouthed kiss on her wrist, keeping his gaze on her face. She released a soft breath at his touch.

"Come. I have much to show you, my dear."

They walked on, Aro holding onto her soft hand all the while. She had been quite curious to see what he had in mind. Eventually they were at the eastern wing of the castle, and Aro opened a pair of old metal doors. He pulled her through, and closed the doors behind them again. He turned to her just as she gasped loudly. The sound bounced around the cavernous space. She gaped in open-mouthed astonishment. Her shock almost made him chuckle.

"You have your own pool?" She asked, staring at the shimmering water. Her face was lit by the lights from below the surface. She walked carefully along the edge, peering into the blue depths.

"Indeed," he confirmed, smiling at her delight. "But that is not what I wanted to show you."

He pulled her further along the basin, aiming for another door by the far end. Her eyes glided from the decorative palm trees planted in large pots all over the place to the various scattered areas of relaxation with chairs and sun beds. The walls were painted in calm patterns in pale colours that did not overwhelm the eye.

They entered through the door silently, and she looked around yet again, taking in the moderate sized changing room. Aro kept walking until he reached a smoky glass door at the end. She gasped again as her gaze fell upon the entrance.

"Is that a sauna?" She said, shocked.

"Indeed," he repeated, smiling down at her. "I thought the heat might help with your discomfort," he added softly.

"Wow!" She stood staring for a long time.

"Do you wish to try it?" He asked softly.

She nodded hesitantly.

"Excellent. There are clean towels and bathing suits in the closet over there. Water is over there, feel free to use the bottles. Make sure to drink plenty of water. To cool down between sessions, you can find a cold shower behind that half wall, and there is a Roman pool through that door. It is 15°. You will also find a hot water bath there." He pointed as he talked, making sure she saw his instructions. Then he turned to leave.

"Wait! You're leaving?" She asked hastily.

He regarded her silently for a moment.

"I would not want to intrude," he said softly, bowing lightly.

She bit her lip again. He felt a flash of desire. He wanted to be the one to do that.

"I would like you to join me," she finally said, taking a step towards him.

He made no move for a moment. Then he bowed his head again.

"Certainly, if that is your wish."

"It is." Her gaze was burning.

"Your wish is my command, my dear." He bowed elegantly again.

After gathering the necessary supplies, they walked into a changing cubicle each to shower and change, and soon returned, only wearing bathing suits and towels wrapped around them. He saw her gaze travel his naked upper body almost greedily. He grasped her hand and pulled her into the hot interior of the sauna.

"Is it really only 90 degrees in here?" she wondered aloud as she looked curiously at the sign right by the door. Then she gasped loudly as the warm, dry air hit her like a brick wall.

"Jeez, this is hot!" She wheezed, her eyes closing tightly at the flash of burning air.

"It is supposed to be hot. And it's 90° Celsius," he noted placidly, not really feeling it. Not as acutely as her at least.

Knowing that the higher one climbed in the sauna, the hotter it would get, he placed himself on the lowest bench, pulling her down beside him. She sat awkwardly, looking around the dimly lit room. She took it all in, even the lights in the ceiling, which was nothing but a lot of fibre optic cables, placed strategically to look like stars. They winked down at her in a slow pattern.

He noticed she had a hard time relaxing, her posture slightly stiff. She seemed to be concentrating on her breathing.

"Try and relax. Your body will get used to it eventually. It is only your brain that does not like the heat. It is in fact quite healthy."

After a minute where she sat stiffly mentally trying to ward off the heat, Aro rotated his body, so that he leaned his back against the wall, he swung his legs up on the bench, and then he pulled her with him, so she rested against his chest, his legs on either side of her. She sighed contentedly as his icy skin seemed to cool her down somewhat.

"Is that better?"

"Yes," she confirmed softly.

She settled against him, making herself more comfortable, her wet hair splayed out across his chest. He felt her gradually relax, her body absorbing the heat, her muscles softening somewhat. He had a delightful view of her, the swell of her breasts just visible above the trowel's edge. He had to concentrate to not get an erection by her proximity. Her warm skin exuded the most mouthwatering scent, and he was tempted to kiss her lovely neck, tasting her salty skin. He resisted the urge. Barely.

After a few minutes, she became more restless again, and he sensed the heat was getting to her.

"Come, let us go cool down," he said gently.

"I don't want it to end," she sighed.

"It will not end, dear one. You will see," he added when she looked at him slightly puzzled.

Aro helped her up, and pulled her out into the cooler air.

He hung his towel on a rack by the sauna door and then hastily stepped under the cold shower. He wasn't bothered by the coldness and was soon allowing her the space to rinse off. She had mirrored him and lost the towel. She hesitated for a split second before stepping under the cold spray. She gave a loud gasp, and could only keep under it for a few seconds before hurrying out from under it.

When she looked at Aro, he was grinning delightedly. She tried to shove him playfully, but he was of course immovable. He easily picked her up carrying her towards the door that led to the Roman baths. She shrieked and flailed but he didn't release her, and she couldn't help but laugh at him, until she saw where he was taking her. He was carrying her straight to the cold bath. She struggled to get out of his grasp, but he didn't let her go, only taking the steps down into the dark blue depths, until it reached his thighs. He held her close, her body hovering just above the surface. She was panting slightly, as she looked up at him with wide eyes.

"It is not so bad, you just have to get used to it, my dear," he said gently. He held her close, and she could feel his icy skin touching her. She gave a reluctant nod, and he stepped forward, submerging both their bodies in the cold water. She gasped and grew quite rigid at the feeling. Aro released her so she could dip beneath the surface. When she resurfaced, water was clinging to her lashes, her dark hair plastered across her face. Her body gradually relaxed as she grew accustomed to the coldness. Eventually she began to make her way up the underwater steps, her body covered in goosebumps.

Aro followed her, and she turned around and looked at his body as the water ran in long rivulets down his marble skin. She glanced at his face and saw that he saw her look, and then she hastily turned around. He chuckled softly at her sudden shyness.

"Come, my love, let us return to the warmth."

He led her back into the heat, and they were soon settled against each other again, her body becoming increasingly acclimatised to the dry and hot air around them. They did a few rounds between the sauna and the roman bath, and he could see that she was enjoying herself immensely.

After another dip into the cold water, Aro spread a towel out on the lower rack in the sauna, instructing her to lay down on her stomach. Puzzled, she did as he asked, and then gave a satisfied sigh as he proceeded to massage her upper back gently. He worked slowly, carefully putting pressure where needed, working out the knots and tensions in her body. He loosened the bikini top so that he could work on her neck as well, and she was practically mewling as his fingers glided through her wet hair. He began to work his way down her back, finding the tensions in her lower back, gently massaging the kinks out of her tired muscles. She was breathing deeply, apparently relishing the warmth around them combined with his cold hands. His thumbs rubbed outward circles along the top of her bikini bottoms, his fingers curled around her hips for levity.

"Is that better?" He asked softly after a while, feeling her becoming increasingly liquid beneath his touch.

"Mhmmm…" she purred.

After another moment he instructed her to turn over, and he began the process all over again. He could tell she was a little shy with her top removed, but he merely massaged the tender muscles beneath her breast tissue, making no sexual advances towards her. When she realised he had no underlying motives, she relaxed even further, and he gradually moved lower, rubbing gentle circles into her lower abdomen, where the majority of her cramps were situated. When he was done she was nothing but a puddle of relaxation, and she cracked an eye open to look up at him.

"Ready to go cool down again?" He asked her, taking her hand so she could get to her feet.

She began to fumble with the bikini top, intending to put it back on.

"You do not have to put it back on, mia cara," he said softly.

"But if someone comes in…"

"We will not be disturbed, trust me," he answered.

Eventually she bundled the tiny piece of garment up, and got ready to follow him out. She sighed contentedly as they entered the cooler air just outside the sauna.

"I feel like I'm half naked," she said as they made their way back to the cold shower to rinse off.

"That is because you are half naked dear," Aro responded placidly.

He turned to her, grinning mischievously.

"But I can help you feel less exposed if you wish," he said, smirking.

She regarded him curiously, and then gave a shrieking gasp as he turned around, relieving himself of the bathing trunks around his hips, giving her ample view of his naked bottom. He looked at her over his shoulder, hearing her wheezing laughter. She was doubled over in a fit of hysterical giggles. Smirking somewhat, he stepped under the cold spray of water, not that it was necessary, he didn't sweat. When he exited, he indicated that it was her turn. She hesitated for a moment, clearly doing her best not to stare at his naked frame. Then she shrugged. She hooked her fingers beneath the elastic band of her bikini bottoms and allowed them to fall to the floor. Blushing fiercely, she stepped under the shower. She looked intently at him as she rinsed off, watching as he took in her now naked body. Then her eyes fell to his cock. He was half erect by now, her naked proximity enough to make him want her this instant.

Smiling broadly, he grabbed her hand and pulled her through the door to the cold basin. He let her go and nonchalantly walked down the steps until his body was submerged to the waist. He looked up at her, giving her a challenging smile. She scowled and walked to the steps. Her eyes were practically smoldering by now.

"Come now, tesoro, are you suddenly frightened?" He teased her. She dithered about, practically wringing her hands.

"By all means, take your time. I am quite enjoying the view," he said placidly, allowing his eyes to roam her naked body hotly.

She blushed fiercely at his words, turning slightly sideways. She huffed impatiently, dancing slightly at the edge, clearly not wanting to show weakness, but also slightly apprehensive at entering the waters naked with him so close. Finally she took a couple of steps down, the water coming to her knees. He gave her wolfish grin, and she took a few more steps, the water's edge reaching the tops of her thighs now. He walked through the water towards her, and stood below her, as she was about to take the final few steps down.

Aro was no longer able to keep his hands off her. He was sporting a massive erection, his gaze lingering at the apex of her thighs, where the water was sloshing and lapping about lazily, her soft brown curls on her mound wet, water droplets clinging to a few strands of hair. He looked up into her face, and noted her eyes had gone slightly hooded.

He grabbed her by the waist and lifted her down the final steps. She gasped as she was submerged, but she didn't resist him. He wrapped her legs around his hips, holding her close, and kissed her heatedly. He felt her nakedness and he was struggling to control himself. His cock was bouncing lightly against her thigh, and he knew he only needed to shift lightly before he could enter her. He took a deep breath, barely resisting the urge to fuck her then and there. She had to release him to grab a few lungfuls of air, and he took the opportunity to kiss her throat and shoulders, his fingers spanning her back as he held her to him. She moaned softly, the sound driving him crazy with need.

He couldn't resist her much longer, and holding her close, he walked slowly up the steps, aiming for the hot water bath across the tiled path. He laid her down by the water's edge, eagerly spreading her legs, kissing his way up her wet thighs. She was panting hard as he approached her core. Not eager to wait any longer, he licked her wet folds hotly, tasting her for the first time.

"Fuck!" She gave a harsh cry, her back arching sharply at the sensation.

He used his tongue to probe her gently, allowing it to flutter across her hidden pleasure centre. She responded fiercely to his caresses, her hips rocking up to meet him, trying to gain more from him. He denied her, instead planting wet kisses at the juncture of her thighs, licking her outer labia hotly, tugging gently on her flesh. She was already incoherent, her head thrown back in passion, some of her hair was in the warm water at their side, the tresses flowing gently in the waves. Aro captured her clit quite suddenly, lashing it softly with his tongue. She jackknifed violently, another cry escaping her, and he was spurred on, eager to hear more of her erotic cries.

Her body was shuddering, her hips rising and falling, trying to either get him to apply more pressure or to relent when it became too much, but he kept a steady pressure despite her efforts to direct him, allowing her to gradually build up the tension until she was quite rigid with need. She was so close and she actually whimpered softly, trying to convey her need vocally. He didn't give in, tempting though it was. He redirected his attention to her thighs, and she mewled in frustration, huffing slightly as she relaxed a bit again. He pulled back somewhat, looking at her more directly, spreading her damp folds with his fingers. Using his index, he prodded her entrance gingerly, easily collecting some of her essence. She jerked slightly as the tip of his finger grazed her untouched walls gently. Aro retracted his finger, and instead used his tongue to prod her entrance, her sweet taste filling his senses completely. He barely kept himself in check when he tasted her dew for the first time. His senses were buried with the need to possess her. She was quite intoxicating. He wanted to crawl up her body and fuck her hard and fast, feeling her hot walls clasp around him as he entered her. Instead he began to suckle her clit gently while tentatively entering a digit into her snug heat.

She groaned at the feeling, her cries intensifying as she felt him enter.

"Oh my god, Aro! Oh, that feels…" She panted sharply as words failed her.

She began to tremble, and he slowly began to finger her, allowing his index to drag against her sensitive walls, feeling her insides flutter and clench as she was rapidly hurled towards an orgasm. He found that particular spongy patch a few inches inside her, and began to rub gentle circles into it, while he simultaneously gave a deep pull on her clitoris. Her moans and cries exploded in volume as she quite suddenly felt the pressure build to an impossible peak. Then she grew tense as a board, a hoarse croak released from her. Her body began to convulse violently as she finally climaxed, her thighs closing sharply around his head keeping him in place even as her hips dipped and rolled wildly, her lips producing his name over and over again as she felt her womb clench and flutter within her. He kept fingering her gently through it until she collapsed, doing her best to catch her breath.

He was painfully hard for her now, and he slowly kissed his way up her body, coming to a halt at her mouth, kissing her fiercely. Her skin was pebbled in droplets of water intermixed with her own sweat. He nudged her thighs gently apart, insinuating himself between her legs. He kissed her throat hotly, nibbling at her, breathing in the warm, tantalising aroma of her skin. The only sounds were their mixed breathing and the gentle lapping of the water.

"My love, I desire you so much, do you feel how I ache for you?" He murmured softly, prodding her folds with his member. She moaned in a low voice, as she felt the tip of his cock hit her now sensitive clit dead on.

"I do not think I can stop myself," he whispered against her lips, his body quite rigid with the effort of not penetrating her right here and now.

She put her arms around him and pulled him down all the way on top of her, holding him close as he kept thrusting gently against her core.

"Then don't stop," she whispered back.

He almost growled as she spoke, his body experiencing a visceral reaction to the fact that she felt ready so soon. He kissed her passionately, holding her close. Then he aligned himself with her entrance, and carefully began to press into her body. He knew she was inexperienced, and he really had to check himself to try to make it as pleasant for her as possible. He had only just separated her folds and felt her snug channel ready to receive him, when..

"Aro, we need to talk. It is urgent. The study, now!"

He stiffened, his jaw clamped tight with anger. Caius was calling for him.

Aro halted his ingression into her body even before he had started, and placed his face in the crook of her neck, sighing discontentedly.

"I have to go, my love," he said softly.

"What?"

"Caius is summoning me."

She sighed.

"Oh." She sounded disappointed.

"Indeed," he growled, trying his best to not let his anger show.

He wanted to fight Caius for interrupting them. Of all moments to need an urgent meeting.

He gingerly got up on all four, then sat all the way back on his knees. She raised herself on her elbows to look at him. He sighed disparagingly, taking a few deep breaths to try and calm himself. She glanced at his erection.

"Is there something I can do to help?" She asked tentatively.

Aro chuckled darkly.

"No, amore, I am afraid not. We should get dressed. Apparently it is urgent, according to my brother."

She gulped slightly, disappointment shining from her eyes, but then she nodded.

"Alright."

He touched her cheek and jaw tenderly.

"I am sorry, il diletta. This is not how it was supposed to go."

"It's okay. I understand." She bit her lip.

"I will bed you, Isabella. You will become mine, and I yours. Unfortunately, it will have to wait for now."

She released a sharp breath at his words, and her heart gave a stutter. He felt her shudder as she registered his words. He leaned forward and kissed her again, capturing her lips in hot passion, nearly tempted to push her back down, Caius' summons be damned.

He heaved another sigh, willing his desire to go down and then he pulled her to her feet in one fluent motion.

"Let us go."

The nerve of Caius, eh? *Hides*

Tell me what you think. Too boring?

Yes, I am a sauna freak. COVID has prevented me from going in almost a year now, and I miss it terribly! Hopefully it will open up soon!

-Pancakes