Title: The Best Man
Summary: Damon and Elena meet at a wedding, which ends hotter than anyone would have thought. Continuation of a "An Affair to Remember" as requested by Lucy.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is being made from this work.
A/N: This is the one shot that was posted on my tumblr entitled "An Affair to Remember". I decided to post it here as the first chapter for those of you that haven't had the chance to read it. The story picks up right where this left off. Thanks to Lucy for urging me to turn this into a multi-fic story. Hope you enjoy where I take these two...
"And by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride!"
The room erupted into cheers as Jenna wrapped her arms around Alaric's neck and crashed her lips to his. Elena forced back a laugh as she saw the surprise in Ric's eyes before he could hold her to him and give her the kiss she deserved. When the newly married couple finally came apart, their faces were bright with happiness as they looked out upon the gathering of friends and family who had all been waiting for this day.
As the music began the couple took their first steps as husband and wife and walked along the aisle as white flowers were thrown overhead. Elena took her eyes of the scene as she took her steps towards the best man. She hadn't exactly spoken to him and his name had slipped her mind but she knew he was a dear friend to Alaric. He didn't live near here and had flown in just for the sake of the wedding. Through Alaric's stories, she pictured him in cargo pants and flannel tees, but seeing him look so handsome in his tux was enough to thoroughly erase any previous assumptions. The only thing that stuck out was the warning Alaric had given her: that he was a womanizer, and a huge one at that.
With that in mind, she turned her attention back on the scene before her. She had been so caught up in the commotion and beauty that she nearly missed the step beneath her had it not been for the man beside her. Her eyes drifted upwards, catching the bright blue irises that seemed to hold her in place. "Thank you. That would've been embarrassing."
The man smirked. "No one would've seen. They seem to be looking elsewhere."
"Guess if I choose any moment to be a klutz, there's no time like the present."
He laughed and held out his arm. "Shall we? Don't worry. I'll make sure you don't fall."
Mouthing a thank you, she slipped her arm through his and together they followed the bride and groom out of the Lockwood mansion. Elena's smile had become a permanent fixture as they walked down the aisle and she thought back on the long journey to get here. How long had Jenna and Alaric fought against what was between them for fear of coming to this very moment, for fear of having someone to lose. Both had already lost so much; Jenna her sister (Elena's mom) and Alaric his wife (Elena's biological mom). They had met and fell in love in the most awkward of circumstances and yet it had all worked out in the end.
It was that, if anything, that gave Elena hope.
Her own love life was more of a horror story than a fairytale—though it hadn't started out that way. She was queen bee of her high school, head cheerleader, and dating the quarterback, Matt Donovan. Life had been a picture perfect. She was happy and in love and yet something was missing. Post graduation after attempting it long distance and failing miserably, her and Matt broke it off and she decided to enjoy her college years single. It wasn't until she slept her way through jackhammers, one pump chumps, and lazy lovers that she realized what she needed was a little passion.
As they stepped out into the afternoon sun, warmth hit the bare skin of her shoulders and she found herself curling into the best man as they pushed past the group of people that had gathered outside. Blue and white covered every available space from the white bundle of gardenias, garden roses and geranium that made up the flowers, to the blue table cloth that covered the tiny high-top tables and bridesmaid dress.
The best man excused himself, to walk over towards the open bar, and Elena took a moment to congratulate her aunt and uncle. They were huddled in a corner, enjoying a brief moment alone, when Elena interrupted. "Congratulations, you two!"
"Aw, thank you!" Jenna squealed, wrapping her arms around her niece. "I can't believe we did it!"
"Me neither. I'd thought I'd have to kidnap you to Vegas to make an honest woman out of you." Alaric reached over and placed an arm on Elena's shoulder. But she wasn't having any of that; she hugged her new uncle fiercely as they chuckled at her aunt's expense.
Jenna smiled. "You got the huge wedding you wanted, complete with a chunky monkey groom's cake."
Elena groaned at the memory of walking out of her room to find her then history teacher in his boxers and carrying a carton of chunky monkey ice cream. It was quiet an unforgettable way to find out your aunt is banging your favorite teacher. Who knew that after Jenna had walked out yelling about the location of whipped cream and fully embarrassing Elena that they would find themselves here.
"Smile!" a photographer called out, causing the trio to turn and face the camera with adoring smiles dripped with love. "Beautiful!"
"Well, I'll leave you two alone. See you out on the dance floor," Elena reminded with a little shimmy of her hips. With a kiss on both their cheeks, she walked towards one of the vacant tables and looked out upon the throng of people laughing and smiling. The sky was bright and shining, the air crisp and cool. People were surrounded by loved ones and sharing their favorite parts of the beautiful wedding they just witnessed. It was truly a wonderful day for a wedding. She just wished she had someone to share it with.
Movement caught the corner of her eye and she looked up just in time to see the best man approaching, drinks in hand. "Hey beautiful," he smirked, placing a slender flute of champagne drink in her waiting hand. Elena took a sip, enjoying the wetness on her tongue. "I don't believe we've been formally introduced. I'm Damon."
Bringing the drink to her lips and not meeting his eyes, she responded, "I'm Elena. Nice to meet you… formally."
"And now we ask that everyone else join the bride and groom on the dance floor."
Damon held out a hand. "Care to dance, Elena?"
She looked down at his awaiting hand before meeting his eyes. They had spent most of the cocktail hour talking about Damon's travels and Elena's degree. It had been an easy conversation, in which he had thankfully kept his distance and the waiters had graciously kept the champagne flowing. She had already downed her forth glass and the buzz coursing through her body left her feeling carefree and happy. Being this out of control with her reactions and that close to a handsome womanizer wasn't exactly a good idea.
But she had no control over her mouth so she accepted. "I'd love to."
With their hands intertwined, they made their way onto the dance floor and took the position repeated many times throughout the crowd. She was hyper-aware of every meeting of skin and it caused her breathing to become shallow as her eyes stayed focused on his face.
In that one suspended moment of time, she felt more passion and attraction than she had in her ten or so years of dating. She knew there were people around them, that her own family was sharing their first dance, but all she could focus on was him. She studied the shades of blue that created the most captivating pair of eyes she had ever seen. She followed the strong, angled line of his jaw; felt the hard muscles through his jacket.
Her senses were on overdrive and it took everything she had not to give in to what she wanted. The last thing she needed was a morning after filled with regret. The song came to a close, and she stepped out of his arms. Sense finally came to her and it caused her to navigate towards her cousins and some family friends and spend the rest of the night far away from Damon.
It didn't stop her from glancing at him. Occasionally. Okay, a lot.
She needed more alcohol.
Elena sighed as she zipped up the garment bag that held her dress. It had been a beautiful wedding filled with laughter and tears and great memories. Her aunt and uncle had disappeared into the night in a car covered in well wishes and tied with cans. She had waved them goodbye with tears in her eyes and happiness in her heart. With one last round of goodbye to the guests, she retired to the makeshift bridal sweet to change and gather her things.
She was now in a zip up and jeans, her hair still a mess of bobby-pins and curls. Elena longed for the comfort of a shower and some pj's and maybe a quality romantic comedy to help her ease out of her drunken state. The entire wedding party had booked a nearby hotel solid just to enjoy a little getaway from the small town. With one last glance around the room to make sure she had everything, she turned towards the door only to find Damon leaning against the frame and looking as handsome and dripping with sex as she remembered.
"Leaving so soon?"
With a roll of her eyes, she answered, "The parties over."
He took a step closer, invading her personal space and effectively trapping her between himself and the mirror. "Oh, I disagree. I think the party has just begun."
"What are you saying?" Elena questioned with narrowed eyes.
"I'm saying," he drawled, "let's go somewhere more… private."
With a shrug of her shoulders and a mask of indifference, she replied, "Well, I'm drunk and out of my dress anyway. You'll do."
"Drunken experiences make the best memories, you know."
"You don't say," Elena teased, inching towards him and letting her finger graze his lapel. She wanted this. She wanted this bad. "I'm ready when you are."
Damon smirked and the action shot right through her. "Let's get out of here."
They were a mess of limbs as they stumbled down the hallway leading towards the bedroom. In a haste to touch him, Elena had removed his jacket and shirt leaving his dress pants handing loosely at his hips as Damon went about unzipping the sweater that covered her body. His kisses were glorious and their tongues moved in perfect synchrony for two horny strangers.
This was just sex and the fact that Damon was an expert at it made her let go all the more.
They fell onto the bed and shed the rest of their clothing. Damon kissed his way down her body ending his descent at the apex of her thighs. He pleasured her with his mouth, causing her to pull at her hair and fist the sheets beneath her to keep from screaming. It stopped all too quick and she barely had time to argue before his mouth was on her and he was flipping them around so she was on top.
She positioned herself over him, grabbing hold of him and easing him inside her. Her body practically sighed at the feeling and it wasn't long before she needed friction, movement, anything. They started off slow, learning one another and when she couldn't take anymore, she kissed him soundly and moved her hips against him harder. He got the hint immediately and soon enough the bed was creaking the effort.
"You're so wet," he breathed, when a single jostle slipped him out of her. Hastily, he grabbed her hips and pushed back inside her, his finger rubbing against the most sensitive part of her. "What do you want? Just tell me what you want."
Her hands held his face. "I want you." And she meant it. Everything he was doing felt so right and too good, and she couldn't contemplate anything he could add to make this any more perfect than it was. It was the single greatest between-the-sheets experience of her life and a part of her didn't want it to end. Elena felt the beginnings of her climax pool deep within her underbelly, making her movements more frantic and her cries more incoherent.
Removing her one hand from his face, she reached down between them and guided his fingers with their movements. "I'm so close," Damon whispered against her cheek. "Come with me. I need you to come with me."
Slipping her tongue between her teeth, she nodded and focused on the feelings building inside her. She could feel him throbbing inside her; taste the sweat rolling down her cheek. All she could see and feel and touch was him. With a strangled cry, she released and collapsed on top of him. He pulled out of her and Elena rolled off him to lie on her back beside him.
Her heart was pounding and her chest expanded to adapt. Damon rolled to his side and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek before kissing down to her neck, her collarbone, and finally her breast. He pulled the sensitive nub between his teeth and Elena jerked at the sensation. Her body was all nerve-endings and every touch was heightened. When it all became too much and she was sure she would climax again, he pulled away and placed a slow, languid kiss upon her parted lips.
"You can sleep here," he offered, sensing her exhaustion.
"Are you sure? I know how these things work."
Damon held her face, forcing her to meet his hypnotizing eyes. "I wouldn't have offered if I didn't want you to."
Struck silent by his gaze, she nodded. With a smile, Damon reached down and pulled the sheet over their bodies and lay beside her. It didn't take long before Elena felt the beginnings of sleep creeping upon her, her breath evened out and she entered a place of complete comfort. It was at this time that Damon, who believed her to be sleeping, reached over and brushed a strand of hair off her face and brushed his finger down her cheek.
And that was it. One moment of kindness that gave her reason to believe there was something more to him than sex. That despite the rumors, Damon might be more than just the womanizer everyone believed him to be.
It was that more than anything that gave her hope.
Or that could just be the booze talking.