She stood so close to him. His lips contacting her inner thigh, made her want to hurl her already empty stomach on the beautiful living room floor. As he continued his journey up her leg, she couldn’t bear his touch anymore and snapped backward. “Marlena,” he muttered to the thin air, “what is wrong?” Stefano reached his hand to grab her wrist once more. 
She couldn’t go through with it. 
She raged; she failed John, her children. Her gaze roamed around the too-humid room, trying to think of a better plan.

There must be a better plan! 
Why didn’t he fall asleep? 
What was happening? 

​

“Marlena,” he repeated and stood up, hearing her name, shook her back to reality.
“I… I’m... It’s just that I..” she tried to find an excuse for her behavior without letting him know she was up to something. He grabbed her arms, locking his eyes with hers. 
Laughter broke the silence in the room. 

At once, the laughter stopped, and he pulled her body closer to him. So tight, so closely he held her, she could feel his breathing on her face. His eyes were dark and lustful.
 
He tsk.

“Marlena, Marlena...You honestly believed you could fool me? I am no fool...but, I must admire your courage and…. your body...” he voiced, licking his lips, his eyes roamed her perfect breasts that peeped out of her white corset. She struggled with all her strength to get free from his hold on her wrist to no avail.
“Let go of me,” she hissed, her eyes burning with anger. “Let go of me now, Stefano.”
“You are in no position to make demands, my dear...however... I am.” He released her arms, backing away to reach his wine vanity, smiling his cunning smile. She scurried to gather her clothes and had them pulled tight to her body, clinging to them as if they would keep her safe. 
But she knew better. 

​

Stefano had never forced himself on her, and he wouldn’t...would he? The look in his eyes told her he was getting angrier by the minute at her deceit. 
He watched her. 
Her legs were so long and smooth; he knew what was waiting for him up there, where her thighs met.

She buttoned up her blouse when she felt his presence behind her; finishing quickly, she turned to face him, taking a step back, trying to get a little more space. 
“You were trying to save John, were you,” he stated, not really waiting for an answer,  enjoying watching her squirm. “I thought you would realize by now that there is no tricking me. Nothing and no one can save John Black.”

She tried to move, to put some needed distance from his body, but he grabbed her arm again; his strength was fierce.
“Stefano, please, you’re hurting me,” she whimpered as his hold on her tightened, "let go of me. I thought I could do this, but I just can’t.” she cried. “I can’t...”

“Not even for your beloved John, Marlena.” he hissed. “You’d let him die just to keep that voluptuous body to yourself. Are you that selfish to let him suffer.” he snarled and released his firm grip on her arm, turning to pick up his glass of wine. 

"How dare you?"
“Marlena, it’s really simple,” he smirked. “You trade your body for John’s mind, and we’ll be through, once and for all.” He said, staring at her, his eyes never leaving hers, even when he sipped his alcohol.

She felt her heart beating fast, her breathing ragged, but she would not give him what he wanted; he wouldn’t get the satisfaction of seeing the fear in her eyes.
“John is going to escape. He is going to fight you; he fought you before and won. You will never win, Stefano,” her lips pursed, and her gaze was full of determination. 

​

“Ahhhhh, but Marlena, you see, I have already won. John is locked down in the dungeon, and you-” when he got closer, she started to step backward until she reached the nearest wall and was forced to stop; he leaned into her, pressing his weight on her. 
“-you are here. With me.” He inhaled her scent and closed his eyes, his action sending shivers down her spine. His breathing smelled like wine, and it made her sick again. She felt his fingertip trailing along her bear arm. Opening his eyes, he lowered his mouth to her lips; she shifted, quick as a viper.

“Marlena,” he whispered, pausing for a moment, organizing his thoughts, “I can give you want you want.” Her eyes glanced at his lips, still not facing him directly nor speaking. This pig was the master of deception, and nothing he would ever say would make her believe he’ll do as he promised.
“I could free John and you,” he continued, “let you go back home to your family, but I will need something in return.”
She twisted herself out of his closeness, stepping away from him. He smiled, loving the idea that she thought she was capable of overpowering him. He could hold her so tightly that her wrists would turn blue if he wanted. 
The thought of her, bound without the ability to move, desperately trying to break free from his stronghold, excited him.

“Aren’t you going to ask me what I want?” he stepped closer to her, desiring to smell her intoxicating perfume again; her smell made his member twist in his pants. 

She turned her back to him, trying to ignore what he had to say. 
Deep down, she knew what he wanted. 
She couldn’t bear to hear him utter it. 
He stood behind her, his thick solid fingers closing around her forearms. 
“Marlena,” he whispered into her ear. 
“I need you. I want you. I want to make love to you as no man has ever made love to a woman before.”
His words dripped of venom. The thought of letting him touch her shook her to her very core. 
He turned her, pushing her back until the wall prevented her from moving any further. She glared at him with disdain. He knew she was playing with him before, and he didn’t take kindly to it. However, he also knew she would do anything for her precious John; she even betrayed Roman to be with him. 

“What will it be, Marlena, one night with me or a lifetime with your family?” he asked. “To be honest, I am quite a passionate lover, or so I’ve been told.” he grinned.

"S-Stop talking about it"

She was getting sick.

His presents...he was so close to her. 

“you do understand that this would be one-sided, don’t you?” she asked. 
“Of course, Marlena, but it has never stopped me before; I have slept with a lot of women, some I loved, some I didn’t, some just for carnal desire,” he reminisced. 

“I would make love to you until I had my feel; I can assure you of that. If all I get is one night, it is one I will never forget, and who knows, Marlena; you might even enjoy yourself. But I will tell you this; you won’t tease me again; once you agree to give yourself to me, there will be no turning back like earlier, you made a fool out of me once, and you won’t get another chance. You will be mine.” he spat. 
They were now eye to eye. 

He grabbed her arms; his touch stifled her. He inhaled her scent, delirious with desire; he whispered, “and I would fuck you so hard, you won’t be able to walk straight.” 

She inhaled, closing her eyes.

Paralyzed with fear, with disgust.

He was against her.

So close.

 

His face was an inch from hers, and just as his lips reached hers, she tried to turn her head. Only this time, he grabbed her chin and pulled her back. She could feel his hot breath on her. 

His lips found hers; she could feel his tongue forcing its way into her mouth. Tears started to form in the corner of her eyes. He pulled back and looked at her; she was so mesmerizing even when she cried; all he wanted to do was ravish her right there and then, but he wanted to hear her say it. 

“I-” she managed, wiping her tears, “I need more time to think..” her voice shook.
“Very well. I will come to your bedroom in an hour for your answer,” he said, starting to walk away, “oh,” he stopped, “-this would help you reach a decision,” he called her attention to the monitor. 
John was there, but he was not alone now. Celeste stood by his bed and injected him with more of the serum. 
“NO!” she yelled, running toward the monitor; she fell to her knees “no…please....” she murmured. 
John collapsed on the floor, twitching with pain.
Stefano smirked and left the room.