He was gone, because she had hesitated. It was her fault. She was in charge of him, and she let her parents down and destroyed the family.

After Peter’s death, they moved back to the States. Her parents never blamed her openly, but she knew it was her fault. She never saw her mother laugh again. And her father, he tried everything to cope with the loss and to help his wife as best he could, but the loss of his son was too much for him too, and it seemed like all joy had left him.

Delilah blinked the tears away when she felt Samson’s strong arms wrap around her.

“You were eight years old.”

“It doesn’t change anything. I froze. I didn’t do anything, when I could have saved him.”

He shook his head. “No, sweetness. It should have never been your responsibility.”

“But it was.” His embrace felt good, but she knew it was only temporary. She wanted to soak up as much as she could, before she had to leave him.

“Shh. Think of the meadow. Think of how happy you were back then. I was there with you.”

She looked up. “But how? It’s not possible.”

“Every time you kiss me, you take me there. Because that’s where you were happy, and that’s what you wanted to show me. A place to be happy. Take me there now, Delilah.”

Samson put his hand under her chin and nudged her head up. His lips met hers for a gentle touch, then a deeper connection, before she abruptly pulled away from him.

“I can’t. I can’t stay with you.”

“But why?”

“I don’t know you. You’ve been lying to me so many times. It’s not a basis for a relationship.”

“I’ve apologized for that, and I’ve explained why I did it.”

Delilah shook her head and shrugged off his hand. “You want forever from me. I can’t give you forever. I don’t even know how I’ll feel tomorrow or a week from today.”

“I know it’s hard to accept what I am, but you know that I will never hurt you—”

“That’s not the point. You want me to make a decision which will affect the rest of my life. I’ve only known you for three days. How can you want a lifetime commitment from me after such a short time? How can you even be sure?”

She saw a smile form around his lips. His face was soft and gentle. “I feel the bond between us. I know you’re the one. It’s something I’ve never felt—not with Ilona or anybody before her. I know we’re meant to be together. To be blood-bonded.”

“You talk about this with such certainty. I don’t have that. And blood-bond? I don’t even know what it means. I know nothing about your life. How can you make me choose between my old life and a new one when I don’t even know what I’m choosing?” Delilah felt confused. Nothing made sense. What Samson wanted from her was too all-consuming. It was something she couldn’t control.

“A blood-bond is a unique connection between two people who love each other. It’ll tie us together for eternity. We’ll belong to each other. Everything that’s mine will be yours.”

“I don’t want your money. I want nothing. I don’t know what I want. Don’t you understand? This is too much, too soon …” She felt tears build up in her eyes. “How can you even be sure that you love me? You know nothing about me.”

Samson shook his head. “I know everything about you.” He put his hand to where his heart was. “I can feel you inside me. When you’re in pain, I can feel your pain. When you’re happy, I take part in your happiness.”

“It’s not possible. You just want me because you were starved for sex, needed it like a drug to fix your ‘condition.’ What you feel now will vanish, and then? What are you going to do then? Discard me? No, I can’t do this.”

“Delilah, what I feel for you is true. It won’t go away. So what if we’ve only known each other for three days? Have you never heard of love at first sight? I fell in love with you the moment you fell into my arms when I opened the door. I just didn’t know then. When I’m with you, my world is perfect. The things you make me feel … I’ve never been a tender man, but with you, I yearn to be tender and loving. You bring the best out in me. You soothe me, you warm my heart. I know I’ve made mistakes, but I’ll start all over again for you. I’ll give you anything in the world you desire. I’ll do anything to make you happy.”

His words touched her. She couldn’t deny it. But she wasn’t ready to make a decision like this, a decision she couldn’t reverse. Forever was too foreign a concept.