A/N: Alright, here's another chapter. Please be kind and review.

Warning: Language and mild sexual references or what have you lie ahead.

All along, I tried to pretend that it didn't matter if I was alone.

But deep down, I know,

If you were gone, for even a day I wouldn't know which way to turn.

'Cause I'm lost without you.

I know it gets hard sometimes, but I could never leave your side.

No matter what I say.

Better Than I Know Myself – Adam Lambert

The restaurant was palatial. And glittered with thousands of chandlers and strings of lights. It cast an air of magic and elegance of a long past era. There wasn't a place like this in Mystic Falls. Because we aren't in Mystic Falls. Caroline amended, shifting under Damon's gaze. The deep red dress she wore conformed to her every curve. It was made of silk and she felt like a goddess. It also barely reached her thighs. She knew that it was pure torture for Damon. She tossed her hair back, allowing a small smile to form on her lips. Despite her best efforts, Damon fought her on this. He was a perfect gentleman the whole evening.

"So…" She began, peering at him through her eyelashes. Damon raised his eyes to hers. "So?" He repeated. "You do realize that if you're just stringing me along, I'll stomp your ass, right?" Caroline said sweetly, flashing him a saccharine smile. A low chuckle rumbled in Damon's throat, "I know." "Good." She settled back in her seat. "So," Caroline said, twirling her fork in a threatening manner. "What'd you bring me here for?" Damon leaned back, watching her. "I wanted to talk. Plus, I owed you a date, remember?" Caroline glanced up at him, "Talk about what?" "Elena and I… kissing." Caroline set the fork down with a thump. "I don't wanna talk about that." Damon opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off, "I mean it, Damon."

Later that evening, Caroline convinced Damon to take her to a dance club before their journey home. Starstrukk by 3OH!3 blasted from the speakers as they ventured into the club. The blonde vampire sashayed to the dancefloor, her hips swaying and swinging to the beat of the song. Damon hung back, watching in awe as she moved gracefully to the song. Her hair flowing through the air like molten gold. Caroline gyrated to the beat, her gaze falling to Damon. Beckoning him closer with her eyes. And he acquiesced, crossing the floor. The young woman grasped the collar of his shirt, dragging him closer.

"Much better." She chirped, moving sinuously to the music. Damon laughed softly, his hands falling to her hips as they danced. Her eyes rose to his, radiating innocence. The dark-haired vampire smiled faintly at her, whispering, "I could never apologize enough for what I've done, Caroline. But –" Caroline shook her head, silencing him as the song ended, a slower one starting as she inched closer to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. "No talking. Not yet. Just hold me. Let's just dance." She sighed, her eyes closing. Damon nodded, "Alright."

His arms found their way around her waist as they swayed slowly. Caroline relaxed, allowing Damon to guide her as they danced. She allowed herself to be lost in the moment. The feel of his arms around her and her body pressed against his was enough to make her dizzy. On top of that, his cologne, a musk that smelled strongly of cinnamon and mint, surrounded her. Just feeling and smelling Damon was enough to make her heart skip a beat. She tilted her face up, standing on tiptoe; she pressed her lips to his. Damon paused, his hand flying up to cup her cheek as he kissed her back. I love you, Caroline.

The words echoed through her mind as she remembered what Damon had whispered to her as she drifted off to sleep. She broke the kiss with a gasp. Her eyes wide as she stared at the man before her. Damon's brow furrowed in confusion as he returned her confused stare. Caroline pushed past Damon and burst through the doors of the club before pulling her shoes off and breaking into a run.

"Caroline!" Damon yelled after her. Caroline burst through the front door of the Forbes Residence, panting as though she'd run a marathon. "Caroline, what the hell?" A disembodied voice demanded of her. Caroline whipped around to face the voice. Damon was standing in front of her. Rage and hurt coiled in Caroline's belly. "You love me so damn much, right?" She snarled, stepping closer. "Caroline –""You love me so much, so you decided to prove it by kissing Elena. Is that right?" She shrieked. He cast his eyes to the floor, ashamed. "Caroline, listen –""No! I'm done listening. Your mouth is so full of shit; I bet your ass is jealous." She scowled.

Damon's head snapped up at her words, hurt clear in his oceanic eyes. "Just go." Caroline pointed at the door sharply. "Get out." "No." Damon finally spoke. "No. I'm not going anywhere." The blonde girl stepped forward, shoving him roughly. "Get. Out." She said warningly. "Or I'll make you leave." Damon dug his heels into the hardwood floor. "Caroline, I told you, I'm not going anywhere." "Why not?" She hissed angrily. "Because, you're right." She froze; her jaw dropping. "What?" "You're right. I was a dick. I shouldn't have ever kissed Elena. God knows what I was thinking. It was stupid and I'm sorry." "Damon –""I love you, Caroline." The words fell from his lips as softly as they had the night he'd whisper them to her. Caroline's eyes rose to his. "I love you too." She said softly.

Damon surged forward, grasping her face in his hands as his mouth covered hers in a savage kiss. Caroline's hands gripped the collar of his shirt as she kissed him back. Damon lifted her against the door, her legs wrapping around his waist.

Caroline awoke feeling more relaxed and happier than she's ever felt in the longest time. She was in heaven. And the man next to her was a god. Caroline rolled onto her side, watching Damon sleep. A small smile painted its way across her lips. Damon looked so sweet and innocent in his sleep, it was hard to believe he could be so devious, mischievous, and cruel. He could also be seductive. Caroline's perfectly manicured fingers trailed down his chest and he finally stirred. Snapping fully alert as vampires do. It was one of the many things about vampires. Waking up, you didn't feel groggy and muddled.

"Morning." Damon drawled, a Cheshire Cat grin molding his lips. "So…" Caroline began awkwardly. A chuckle escaped Damon's lips. "What?" She asked defensively. "You're so awkward." Damon said, amused. "Well, of course!" Caroline retorted, "We – " She gestured wildly – "You know." "Had sex?" "Y-yes…" She muttered, pulling the blankets up to her neck. "And?" "And… where does that leave us?" Caroline blinked up at him. "Well, let's see… we both love each other." "Yeah." "And last night, we had sex." "Yeah." The blonde vampire nodded. "I think that means we're together." Damon finished feeling awkward. Caroline bolted upright, staring at him, wide eyed. "Huh?" She sputtered.

I posted Caroline's outfit for her date with Damon on my profile. Feel free to check it out. :D