The first time they met, Simon Winchester stole her first kiss, a moment of raw passion that left her breathless and confused. It was sudden, unexpected, and burned its way into her soul.

The second time their paths crossed, Stella found herself falling for him, unable to resist the magnetic pull of the man who was both dangerous and intoxicating. Her heart ached for him, even as she struggled to understand the intensity of their connection.

By the third time, however, the man she loved had begun to unravel before her eyes. She saw not only the depth of his devotion but the madness that lurked beneath his charming facade. In that moment, she was forced to confront the true face of his obsession—the insanity of a love that would stop at nothing, even if it meant destroying them both.

"Do you know what I love about you, Stella?" he whispered, his voice low and dangerous as his eyes darkened with desire.

Before she could respond, Simon leaned closer, his breath warm against her neck. Slowly, his fangs emerged, glinting in the dim light. His fingers traced a path along her skin, slipping beneath the fabric of her shirt, sending a shiver through her.

"Those pure, innocent doe eyes of yours," he murmured, his voice almost tender, "the way they plead with me, like you think you can stop me."

Panic flared in her chest, and she pressed against his firm body, trying to push him away. "Sir, please... I am married. This is wrong—it's a sin to go after a married woman."

His response was a low, rumbling chuckle that sent chills down her spine. It wasn't just the sound of it; it was the darkness behind it. The amusement in his laughter terrified her.

"And I am a sinner, my little fish," he replied, his voice dripping with menace as his eyes flashed with hunger, before sinking his fangs in her neck.