Kai's POV cont'd

"Mmm. As tempting as that is, I have a better idea." He knew as much as he wanted to have sex with Bonnie, he needed to give her everything she deserved. What he had done was unforgivable. This woman believed in him. She believed in the person he could become. He had no idea how he would overcome the selfish darkness inside him. But if these feelings had taught him anything, it was that the universe was giving him a second chance.

"Kai, what's going on?"

"Meet me in the pool house in about ten minutes, okay?" He sensed her confusion. "I promise it will be worth it." He wanted to say, "trust me", but those words didn't seem right. If Bonnie was ever going to trust him again, he had to earn it.

"Okay." She smiled at him and turned to walk away. Kai gently grabbed for her hand to pull her back for a kiss. He didn't know if it was her heart or his that had skipped a beat. She giggled.

"What's funny?" he smirked against her lips.

"This is going to take some getting used to. My heart skipped a beat but I swear that I felt yours too."

"I was just thinking I didn't know whose it was. Do you know of anything like this ever happening?" He was genuinely curious.

"Nope. I had never known anything about a siphon until we met you. As far as different bonds go, I know a little bit about a sire bond that can happen between humans and vampires. But from what I've seen, that's completely different than whatever has happened between us. I'll meet you in the pool house in ten minutes."

"Sounds good, Bon." He followed her out of the bedroom and downstairs. The flood of emotions crashed against his heart but he allowed himself to swim with the current. He rushed off to the pool house. The people who had owned this house had a massage table complete with all the candles and oils. So many times before, he had the thought of giving Bonnie a back massage to ease some of her stress. He never thought the day would come that he could ever be allowed to touch her in such a vulnerable way.

He set everything up with candles and towels. This was going to be the most vulnerable she would be around him. He refused to allow himself to ruin this. He looked around the room, making sure everything was perfect. A deep breath in and held, he waited for psycho Kai's thoughts to intrude. Silence. Good. My old self can fuck off and stay away.

Just then, Bonnie walked in. He felt his cheeks flush. She's so damn beautiful, it hurts.

Bonnie's POV

Bonnie's jaw dropped as she took in the scene before her. A massage table? How had she not known that it was there? Candles everywhere gave a warm glow to the pool house. And there was Kai, standing next to the table. He looked so sweet and innocent, just like any other young man in love. He really does love me. Bonnie could feel it. She'd have to research anything she could about this new connection later. It really made no sense. But deep within herself, she felt it. Kai cleared his throat, bringing her back out of her mind babble.

"Um, do you like it?"

"Kai, this is beautiful. It's amazing. I love it." She walked to him and wrapped her arms around him. She felt his tension. "What's wrong?"

"I'm just trying to ride out these emotions rather than fighting them." She placed a soft kiss on his lips.

"I'm proud of you." Tears pooled in her eyes. Kai wiped them from her face.

"I'll let you get ready. Just call to me when you are." Kai turned to walk out of the pool house.

"No, its okay. I don't want you to go."

"What about your privacy?" Bonnie saw his blushing cheeks. I can get used to this side of him.

"Please stay?"

"Okay," his voice broke. He moved from the table to turn his back, still being a gentleman.

It wasn't until then she realized she'd be getting naked in front of him. The part of her that was nervous was quickly overturned by the part of her that had already decided she wanted to give herself to Kai. You're a grown woman. He's a man. Your bond with him goes beyond lust, beyond desire. With that final mental prep, she began to undress.

Kai's POV

Kai refused to admit the number of times he had thought about Bonnie naked. But this was different. Not just because she would actually be naked and he'd be giving her a back massage, but actually being this close to her, he knew he had to respect her now more than ever. When she asked him to stay as she got situated on the massage table, his heart jumped into his throat. He wasn't a virgin, but somehow this was all different.

"Okay, I'm ready."

Kai had no idea what he was doing. He took a deep breath and turned to face her on the table. He decided that placing a few drops of massage oil on her back would be the logical place to start. "Let me know if you need anything." He hated how nervous he felt.

"Right now, I just need your hands on me," Bonnie giggled. She's the perfect combination of adorable and sexy. Kai started from her lower back, being sure to ease any tension in her back. Before he could talk himself out of it, he leaned over and kissed the back of her neck. Her responding sigh made him smile.

Kai added a little more pressure after he was sure Bonnie's muscles were starting to relax. Her skin was soft under his hands. As time passed, he felt the tension leave his own body. Maybe he really could do this, maybe he really could be a good person. Someone worthy of love and forgiveness. He wanted to give Bonnie the world.

"Still awake, Bon?" he whispered.

"Mhm. You're amazing."

Kai swore his cheeks burned then. He was grateful Bonnie couldn't see. Although, she could probably feel his emotions. As if on cue,

"You're blushing aren't you?"

"How could you possibly know that?" He tried to sound nonchalant. She turned over onto her back, exposing her chest. Kai took a deep breath, focusing on her eyes.

"Kai, when are you going to realize, we're starting to feel what the other feels. How long have we been out here, anyway?"

"Um, probably just over an hour, why?"

"Could we go back up to the house to shower? I'm relaxed enough for bed." That smirk of hers left so many thoughts running through his head. Get it together, Kai. You're not going to ruin this.

"Yeah, of course. It is pretty late. Let me carry you back up to the house." He helped her stand up, wrapped her in a towel and carried her to the house. A part of him never wanted to let her go. How could he have lived his entire life devoid of love? He carried her to the couch and sat her down.

"Kai? This isn't the shower." She laughed.

"Ah, yes. But you need water first." He ran to the kitchen and returned to his Bonnie with a glass of ice water. "Drink up. We need to keep you hydrated." By the look of surprise on her face, he realized how bad that could sound. "Oh my God! No! Dammit. I'm sorry, Bon. I swear. I didn't mean anything like that."

She walked over to him. Her hand was warm on his cheek. "Hey, it's okay. I'm the one that should be sorry. My mind has been racing."

"Oh, so its your fault that I can't keep my mind clear." He chuckled at her furrowed brow. "You did say that we're starting to feel everything that the other feels, right? What if that can translate into thoughts, too?"

She kissed him then. "I do believe you were carrying me upstairs to shower." They laughed together as he brought her effortlessly upstairs.

"I'll get the shower ready for you and I'll grab a fresh towel. Oh and extra one for your hair."

"What about one for you?" her voice was serious. She actually wants me to join her in the shower? How the hell am I supposed to keep anything down?

"Bonnie, I don't want you to feel like you need to do anything or that I assume you owe me anything…" she cut him off.

"Shh, Kai. I know. I meant what I said earlier. I want you to make love to me."