Disclaimer: L.J. Smith created these characters and the CW created this universe. I just play in it.

Author's note: You know, I could have made you wait for this. After all, the anticipation is just as delicious. However, who am I to deny anyone naked Damon? Read on!

Chapter 3

Elena didn't know what she had expected. That was the problem with letting tequila make all her decisions. She turned the hot water on in the shower and stepped in, making sure all the toiletries were placed properly. She closed her eyes and counted to three… no Damon. She let out a huge sigh of relief and faced the spray, letting the water cascade over her face and hair. She reached for the shampoo.

"Allow me," she heard from behind. She gave a little jump and her eyes flew open. She could feel Damon pressed up behind her as he reached around her for the little bottle of shampoo. She didn't dare turn around. Somehow that would make it real, and this couldn't possibly be real. She bit back a moan as Damon sank his fingers into her hair, massaging her scalp and running his hands all the way down through her hair, careful not to make contact with the rest of her body. He smirked behind her back. Round one to Damon. The little minx didn't think he would call her bluff. She didn't realize that she was playing with fire. He resisted the urge to place his hands anywhere else. The next move would have to be hers.

"Now, turn around for the rinse," he commanded.

Elena swallowed thickly. She mustered her courage and turned around slowly, keeping her eyes closed as she felt Damon's… oh, she couldn't even verbalize it in her mind… but she definitely felt the one place where his body was touching hers. She didn't see him smiling as he rinsed her hair in the spray. He was amused at her inability to decide what to do with her hands. They were currently balled up into fists at her side.

"All done," he said.

Elena wasn't sure what came next… she opened her eyes and stared into his face, willing herself not to let her eyes stray downward.

"My turn, don't you think?" he said mischievously.

"Um… yeah," Elena said weakly. He picked up the shampoo bottle and shook it a bit before offering it to her. She took it and tentatively began to shampoo his hair. She felt a little ridiculous but didn't know what else to do. She got lost in the texture of his hair, taking the rare opportunity to run her fingers through it. He kept his eyes dutifully closed, hands braced on his hips. She realized somewhere in the haze of alcohol and steam that her hands had stilled their movements and she abruptly cleared her throat and dropped her hands. "Uh… time to rinse," she said, wondering when her voice began to sound so husky. She wasn't sure what to do next. She could walk backwards underneath the water and end up trapped against the wall, or they'd have to switch spots which would potentially necessitate the touching of way more body parts. It was a lose-lose situation…or a win-win. In the end, Damon made the decision for her. He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her flush against him. Her heartbeat sped up and she grasped his shoulders for support as he turned them around. He kept one arm loosely around her while the other hand quickly rinsed and shook out his hair. Elena watched in fascination and took a moment to realize that she had never showered with a guy before. She was no virgin, it's true, but never had she experienced a more erotic moment. Her cheeks reddened as she noticed that her hands were still firmly grasping Damon's shoulders.

"Better wash off the rest of that gas, hmm?" Damon said, reaching for the soap.

"Yep," Elena said, words beyond her reach at the moment. She let go of his shoulders and took a step back as he grabbed a washcloth and cleaned up. She was mesmerized by the movement of the washcloth as it trailed over his abs and other even more delicious parts of his body. He was clean before she knew it and had a slightly predatory look to his face.

"Now, you," he said simply. Elena closed her eyes and pressed her lips together as he began lathering her up. He started with her arms and reached underneath to soap up her back. He slowly drew his hands along her sides and grazed the undersides of her breasts. She gasped as he teased her, avoiding her breasts and applying soap everywhere else. Her collarbone, her stomach, her ribcage. When he returned to the spot just underneath her breasts she bit her lip and shifted slightly so he was forced to cup them. She held back a moan as he began massaging her breasts under the flimsy pretext of washing. Little did she know that she was testing his self control as well. It was damned hard - pun completely intended - for him to keep his promise to himself and not take her here and now. He wasn't sure why, but he was resolute in the knowledge that she would have to make the first move. He couldn't take it any more and slid his hands back down. He knew her eyes would remain closed but he couldn't resist a smirk as she tensed. He soaped down one leg and up the other, again avoiding the source of her clear arousal. She instinctively gripped his shoulders as he switched them back, angling her underneath the spray of water as he rinsed her off. He mirrored his movements earlier, retracing his path with one small difference. He dipped one finger between her legs, earning a high-pitched squeak from Elena and he slowly drew his finger across her wetness. She opened her eyes just in time to see him raise his finger to his lips, sucking off her juice as if it were the sweetest blood. She thought she might faint then and there, but he turned the water off.

"All done," he said again. He stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel, tossing her a second one. He toweled off and exited the bathroom, leaving her trembling from heat rather than cold. He hopped into bed and flipped channels as he heard her drying her hair with the built-in hair dryer. She eventually emerged from the bathroom, clinging tightly to the towel wrapped around her.

"I guess there aren't any robes or anything, huh," she said, stating the obvious. Damon just looked at her and returned his attention to the television. She furrowed her brow, trying desperately to think of something. More than anything she just wanted to pass out on the bed, but she had to resolve the clothing situation first. The towel was not an option, but then neither were their clothes, tainted by gasoline. Heaven knows what they were going to do in the morning, though she was sure Damon had some solution in mind.

Damon rolled his eyes at her clear turmoil. "Get over yourself, Elena. We just took a shower together - it's a bit late to get all shy and retiring now."

Elena shot him a dirty look. "Fine," she said, dropping the towel defiantly. She instantly regretted the decision as it gave Damon the ability to ogle her while he was safely stowed between the sheets. She hurried over to the other side of the bed and slipped in. Logically, she knew he would be naked under the bed. But the reality still slightly shocked her. She made sure to stay on her side, sliding as low as possible so at least her breasts weren't visible. Damon's face showed no movement, but inwardly he was laughing at her modesty. Didn't she realize he had all those heightened senses of hearing and smell? He was completely confident in the fact that she wanted him. Well, her body wanted him. Her mind might be a different story.

"So what time do you want to…" he trailed off as he realized within those few short moments she had already passed out. He turned off the television and tossed the remote aside. He glanced over at Elena, brushing a stray lock of hair across her face. He snatched his hand back as if it were burned, trying to erase the moment of tenderness. He sighed. "Well, shit," he said to himself. He turned off the light and willed himself to go to sleep.

Author's note: What do you think? Now I'm sure some of you are A. excited that we got to "see" some naked Damon but B. are mad that it didn't culminate in crazy monkey sex. All I can say is wait for chapter 4... the night isn't over yet! (And again I implore you for more kickass reviews. You guys rock, and every time my Blackberry buzzes I get excited, hoping it's alerting me that yet another review awaits!)