The smirk on Damon's face makes Caroline shiver. She knows it well.
She should be afraid—should be trembling beneath him—but sometimes she is braver than survival dictates she should be.
He leans down, fangs positioned against her neck, and she pushes against him.
Her arms are useless, and she knew it even before she tried; for how could her weak human arms match his brute vampire strength. After a moment, he moves back and looks down at her. "No," she declares. "I don't want you to bite me tonight."
Damon rolls his eyes. "But I'm hungry, Caroline," he says, his tone petulant. One of his hands twists her hair painfully and she cringes.
"I don't care," she says through the pain.
The expression on his face starts at anger and changes quickly to bewilderment. "Who said I was giving you a choice?" he asks mockingly, leaning forward and grazing his fangs against her neck tauntingly.
"Can't we just have one night without biting?" she asks. "Just one?"
Caroline is all too aware that her plea is starting to become a whine, but she can't help it.
Damon sighs and releases her. "Just one," he repeats. "Then you will never complain again."
Caroline smiles as she sleeps beside him; she considers this to be a victory.