Stefan put his hands up in a placating gesture. "I meant no offense," he replied. "Truly." Though the vampire was appalled at how she could be so innocent--even prudish--in this day and age. "I am not, despite what you might think, angry at being outbid. It's not my money that will be going to waste. And I apologize for insinuating your intentions towards your...slave...are in anyway prurient. A nonsexual relationship will make things less complicated, in the long run."