The air felt warmer than it had in a while and it was evident people were looking forward to the upcoming weather. People milled about town in good moods chatting away with each other. I couldn't help the smile that crept across my face at the sight. I used to be one of them; one of the people oblivious what dangers lurked in the town. If you ask me if I would go back to being in the dark about it I would probably say no. If I hadn't stumbled upon Elena and Caroline that night I would have never known what happened to my father. In a really messed up way it gave me a kind of sense of peace.

And then there was him. Word of advice? Don't even get drunk around Damon Salvatore. After the discovery about my father, and my ancestors which is another story, I went to drink my sorrows away at the Grill. Seeing as Damon has no life whatsoever, he was there already downing another drink. After a few drinks of my own I found myself naked in his bed. The rest I'm sure you could figure out. Oh and by the way? Trying to sneak out after a one night stand with a vampire? No can do. They hear EVERYTHING. I say it never happened; Damon doesn't let me live it down. No one knows except the two of us and possible Stefan if he had been home that night but here's to hoping he wasn't; and if he was, he never let on.

Stefan isn't entirely horrible. Sure he had his whole Ripper phase in which he threatened more than once to either kill me or turn me. I called him out on his bluff which wasn't always a good idea. If Lexi hadn't popped up from her little ghost world I'd be floating along with her. I had to hand it to Elena, she may not have had the stomach to save Stefan but she had the heart.

"Hello there. Wasn't expecting to find you around." I slowly dragged my eyes away from the people in front of me to find them settled on a pair of warm dark ones. It seemed like no matter how hard I tried, I constantly found myself lost in them.

"What do you want Damon? No one else to bother?" I started to get up off the bench I had been sitting on but his hand reached out and pulled me down.

"Actually, nope. Everyone seems to be off doing something except for you. So what do you say, a round or two at the Grill?" With a glare he held his hands up in surrender. "Geez Maddie lighten up you need to have fun for once." I sighed but didn't say anything more. Instead I stared off at the park and counted the trees. It was slightly uncomfortable having him so close, especially as he had placed his arm behind me. "So fun thing you are doing here; trying to pretend I don't exist as you stare off into nothing." He drawled. Closing my eyes I shook my head in annoyance. I knew that if I continued to not speak to him and just ignore him he'd get pissed and leave. It had happened before but only once. I was at the boarding house with Elena and he just wouldn't stop with the talking and harassing. Eventually I stopped trying to shut him up and he got annoyed that Elena, Stefan and I wouldn't say a word. Unfortunately I felt too much like a third wheel and left shortly after. "Madison. Please, a drink or two will not hurt you. I will even pay." He took my chin in his hand and forced me to look at him.

"You can't compel me Damon." I whispered. I saw his eyes flicker to my charm bracelet. Among the charms I had collected over the years was a small locket with vervain inside.

"I wasn't going to compel you. Believe it or not, I am not always a horrible person. Maybe I just wanted to see those beautiful eyes of yours." I felt him getting closer and I knew he heard my heart speeding up.

"Damon don't. Not here." I begged, my eyes locked on his. I felt him loosen his grip and finally let go only to put his hand into mine. Pulling me up Damon led me in the direction of the Grill and I obediently followed. There was no point in arguing and I felt too weak to anyway. I hated the kind of power he had over me, and worse, he knew it. Tightening my fingers around his we walked in and he sat me down at the bar. I ignored the flirting with the bartender and downed the first drink he handed me.

"You should slow down Madison. We all know how you get when you are drunk." His eyes darkened. Ignoring him once again I down another letting the cool liquid burn my throat. I could see the dark haired Salvatore smirking next to me and it pissed me off even more.

"Stupid Salvatore." I muttered knowing he could hear me. As the third glass was pushed into my hand I felt the vampire slide closer until his body was pressed into my side.

"Careful Miss James, you know how your words can affect me. Wouldn't want me share our secret with anyone would you?" His breath was hot on my ear and immediately I snapped my eyes shut and bit down on my bottom lip to keep from moaning. I hated him. "I know what I do to you. I know how I can make you feel." His hand was on my thigh, his fingers dancing across the skin exposed from the rips in my jeans. Halting his fingers between my own I finally turn to face him. He is much too close and I almost fall out of my chair trying to lean back a little.

"Don't touch me Damon. Whatever happened between us happened once and won't happen again. I won't let it." I insist squeezing his fingers before letting them go. I keep my eyes on him as he smirks.

"I doubt that very much Miss James. I just happen to know that right this very minute you want the same thing I do. It can stay our little secret." He had replaced his hand, his lips softly pressing a kiss right below my ear. The alcohol has settled and everything felt warm and too good. I was leaning into his touch now and I could feel the smirk on his lips against my skin. "I'll take good care of you Madison. Just like before." He whispered. Slowly I turned my head, my eyes focused on his lips. The last time it had felt so damn good.

"I shouldn't." I whispered letting my eyes find his. His lips barely brushed mine and it sent a shockwave down my body.

"But you want to." I couldn't argue. I did want to. I knew I shouldn't but I did want to.

"Damon back off." The smirk dropped off Damon's lips and he pulled his head away from mine but left his hand on my leg.

"Ah Alaric, how nice of you to join us. Unfortunately Madison and I were just about to leave." He hoisted me up holding me tight against his side. I was too buzzed to really pay much attention.

"I don't think she is. She needs to go home and lie down. You're taking advantage of her and you know it." Ric stepped forward and held his hand out to me. "Come on Maddie." I looked from his hand to Damon.

"Fine." He groaned gently pushing me towards my history teacher. A few stumbling steps and I felt Ric's arms around my shoulders. Before we made it to the door Damon stopped us, his lips on mine. Pulling back he smirked at Ric. "Just something for the road." I heard a grumble from Ric and before I knew it I was walking down the street and then up some stairs into his apartment.

"What were you thinking? I thought I taught you better than that?" Feeling the couch sag beneath me I curled up onto my side. Gentle hands pulled my shoes off and tucked a blanket around my shoulders. "Maddie I can't keep an eye on you if you keep doing this. Meredith will kill me if she ever finds out. You're lucky Stefan didn't rat you out to her the first time."

"I'm sorry. He just gets me too much." I mumble, eyes closed half way to slumber. I feel his lips on my temple.

"I know. Just sleep. We will talk tomorrow."