The response to the last chapter has been awesome. Sorry this one took so long but I've been a busy little bee.

Enjoy...

*** DPOV ***

"Well Miss Gilbert... Get in."

She shot me a beautiful grin before opening the door and climbing into the passenger side of my Ferrari. God I loved this car. Sleek Italian lines and a powerful engine purring under the hood. There was no doubt it was a sexy car. But the long legged, dark hair beauty that was sitting in the passenger seat made it look like a wreck in comparison. Ever since I had seen Elena in the security screen as she waited outside my door I was taken by what a complete knock-out she was. Don't get me wrong, Caroline was gorgeous too but she is completely Stefan's type; blonde and perky. Me? I prefer the dark exotic beauties that had an air of mystery about them. Elena was exactly my type and as I climbed into the seat beside her I became even more distinctly aware of how much she turned me on. I looked over and all I saw was long legs finishing in tall designer shoes that made her look even sexier. Thank god she was wearing long pants because if I could have seen the olive skin of her legs I might have lost it then and there. The air inside the car practically crackled with sexual tension and it took all my self control to not climb on top of her and take her in the very leather chair she sat.

After I'd manage to tear my thoughts and eyes away from Elena enough to concentrate on driving I started the car and couldn't help but smile; just like I did every time I heard the beautiful purr of the engine.

I looked over to see Elena roll her eyes at my reaction to the car.

"I'll teach you the allure of fine motor vehicles yet, Gilbert." I said teasingly before putting the car into gear and driving out of the basement car park.

As I pulled out onto the empty road Elena gave me directions to her place and I set off a little faster than I probably should have. In my defence I don't speed... I just get up to speed faster than the average driver. Anything to hear my baby purr.

"So Gilbert, have you got classes in the morning." I asked making small talk. The tiny bit I knew about yoga and my knowledge of athletics classes in general told me that they usually run very early in the morning. I looked down at the LED clock on my dash that said it was 1am and hoped Elena would at least get a chance to sleep in... preferably with me. Oh, I couldn't be that lucky.

"No, I got my friend Bonnie to take the morning classes." Elena said conversationally. "She helps me out by taking a few classes a week to give me a break. I have to start the afternoon class at three though."

"So how long have you had your studio?" I asked trying to make conversation to fill the time.

"Two years. I worked all through college so I had the capital to start it up as soon as I graduated." Elena explained and I was pretty impressed. I spent most of my college years partying too hard and mainlining coffee so that I could actually drag my ass to some of my classes.

"You have achieved a lot considering your age." I said, honestly commending her.

"Says the millionaire CEO who's only a few years older than me." She said, putting herself down.

I hated seeing her undervalue her achievements which was kind of weird considering I'd only known her a few hours.

"When I was your age I was only just starting Salvatore Corp and I had my inheritance to get it off the ground. You're the one who has a successful studio that you worked hard for." I turned to her and gave her a warm smile. "Don't sell yourself short, Elena."

I watched as a blush crept up her neck to her cheeks and all I wanted to do kiss every inch of the pink skin on her neck. Why was she having such an affect on me? I'm surrounded by stunning women all the time between work and the ones that throw themselves at me. Then again there was an independence and a fire that Elena had that made her stand out. Not to mention the fact that she was easily one of the most beautiful women I'd ever seen, hands down. I swear I am going to see her contorting her beautiful body into that bendy handstand every time I close my eyes for the foreseeable future. There goes any chance at sleep.

"So are you back to the office tomorrow?" Elena asked, probably trying to get the conversation away from herself. Yet another thing I liked about this girl; she was modest and didn't want to draw attention to herself constantly like so many other women.

"Nope, I don't work weekends." I replied. "One of the perks of being the boss."

"Half your luck." Elena said with a soft sigh. "I'd kill for a day off."

"Why don't you hire another instructor or get your friend Bonnie to do some more classes?"

I couldn't help but be a little concerned. I mean it was natural for someone with their own business to work long hard hours but to not even remember the last time you had a full day off probably wasn't that great for your mental health.

"I've thought about it," Elena replied. "But I don't want to become one of those studio owners who is an administrator not a teacher. I love yoga, that's the whole reason I do what I do."

"But still, all work and no play wears you down." I said earnestly. If there was one thing I knew for sure it was that.

"I know, you're right." She said, sighing and looking out the window. In the harsh headlights of the oncoming traffic I could see the weary exhaustion in her face. She really did look drained.

Elena provided the last few directions to her apartment and soon I was pulled up on the curb beside a modest but beautiful pre-war brick apartment building.

Before Elena had the chance to get out of the car I rushed around and opened the door for her. A lot of people, especially from my professional life, though I was a bit of an asshole but when it came to beautiful amazing women like Elena I could be quite the gentleman.

She smiled as I opened the door and offered her my hand. My Ferrari rides so low to the ground that even I had a little trouble getting out after a long exhausting day.

"You don't have to walk me to my door Damon," She said with a soft smile. "It's not like this is a date."

It was odd for her to mention that, because honestly the whole night had felt a lot like a date. She had my undivided attention all night and I really, really liked this girl. She was smart, amazing, beautiful, flexible... I couldn't help but think about how much I wanted to go on a date with Elena.

"What about tomorrow night? That could be a date." I said without really thinking it through. All I know is that I really want to see her again... soon.

She stopped to look at me with wide doe eyes and a surprised expression. After how well we had hit it off it couldn't have come as that much of surprise that I asked her out. Plus she was so gorgeous I'm willing to bet that she had daily offers.

"Um, Damon..." She mumbled, chewing on her bottom lip. Uh, oh. Here comes the rejection.

"We were just talking about how overworked I am." She said and she really did look a little regretful. "I mean I really like you even though I just met you but I don't have the time to date. I haven't since I started the studio and that probably won't change."

"I'm not asking for a committed relationship, Elena. Just one date." I coaxed her, using all my charm. There was no way that I wasn't going to fight for a girl as amazing as her.

"Yeah but one date with someone as great as you always lead somewhere else and I can't commit to anything. I'm sorry, Damon." She said with a tone of sad finality. "Thank you for driving me home though."

She gave me one last beautiful smile before she opened the door to her building and went inside.

I slowly walked back to my car and slumped into the soft leather. What was she thinking? Everyone is busy in one way or another but we make time for the good stuff so we don't go bat crap crazy because of all the stress. I pulled out my phone and hit Stefan's speed dial number I knew he would still be up.

"Damon?" he answered after a few rings. He sounded a little out of breath.

"Yeah hey. Listen I need Blondie's number."

"Why?"

"I just have to ask her something about Elena." I answered. Geez, Stefan can't you tell from my man-on-a-mission tone that I'm not exactly in the mood for the Spanish Inquisition 2.0.

"Um, well I'm still at her place. If you really want to talk to her I'll put her on."

Well that escalated quickly. Usually Steffy was the go slow (I'm talking glacial, barely moving, slow) and respect the lady type. Maybe Blondie was finally loosening him up.

"Oh really, now." I teased. "A little first night fun, huh Stef? Or should I say, Hef?"

"It's not like that." Stefan hissed down the phone.

"Sure it isn't Playboy. Put your bunny on."

I laughed as he practically growled down the phone.

"Hey Damon." Caroline answered in her ever-perky tone.

"Hey, I just wanted to ask you something. Is it true Elena hasn't dated anyone since she opened her studio?"

"Yeah her last boyfriend was in college," Caroline answered. "I always tell her she needs to get out more. What is the point of being that flexible when your not even going to use it to master every move in the Karma Sutra."

Caroline's rambling was definitely making sure that I wasn't going to get any restful sleep for at least a week. Not with all the delicious images I had of Elena bending a flexing...

"OH MY GOD!" Caroline screamed mid sentence through the phone. "You asked her out didn't you?"

It was hard to gague Blondie's reaction. Was she outraged or happy?

"I may have." I mumbled.

"Don't let her turn you down!" She said with a squeal. Happy it is then.

"She really needs to get out more and someone needs to help her relieve that stress. She says that yoga distresses her but I still say that nothing does the trick like a good old-fashioned, earth shattering org..."

"Thank you, Caroline." I groaned, cutting her off mid sentence. I felt my John Varvatos jeans get instantly tighter.

"Wear her down, Damon. She deserves to be happy." Caroline said in a much softer tone, her BFF side kicking in. "I gotta go, bye."

I laughed when she quickly ended the conversation, probably to get back to whatever Stefan had insisted wasn't happening. He was probably going to kill me for interrupting them when he saw me next.

I threw my phone onto the drivers seat and used the time think about how I could get Elena agree to let her hair down and go on a date with me because there was simply no way that I could let an exquisite creature like her pass me by.

I code named the plan "Operation Scorpion."


I slept fitfully just as I predicted I would, constantly assaulted by images of Elena that made me want to take a cold shower. When I finally gave up on sleep at 7am I used the morning to hash out the finer details of "Operation Scorpion: Phase One".

I know a lot of people probably assume from my cocky, confident demeanour that I'm something of a womaniser. Though it might have been true in my younger college days but despite the evidence to the contrary I had grown up since then and one-night-stands just don't do it for me. I mean I'm thirty now and the days of sleeping with gorgeous but uninteresting women just doesn't hold the appeal it used to. In fact, it doesn't really hold any appeal at all.

I'd had the odd brief relationship in the last few years but I certainly hadn't slept with any woman I didn't at least have some feelings for and it's been hard, I tell you. Especially considering that my sex drive hasn't declined one bit.

So when a woman as intriguing, intelligent and drop-dead gorgeous as Elena comes along I can't take a regretful "No, I'm too busy" as an acceptable answer. I wasn't just some jerk who only enjoyed the chase. I really just wanted to get to know Elena better and spend time with her.

After picking at a bowl of cereal without really eating anything I went to my office to do some much needed googling. After some stealthy PI work I found out that Elena's yoga studio was called "Heatwave Yoga Studio" and the website timetable said that there was a beginner's Vinyasa class (whatever the hell that was) at three this afternoon. The large antique clock on my study wall told me I still had almost six hours to kill.

I spent the next few hours showering, checking emails and restoring my apartment to it's spotless state. Anything to pass the time. When 1:30 finally rolled around I dressed in my gym clothes, grabbed a water bottle and towel and was out the door.

I took almost the same route I had the night before because Elena's studio was very close to her home. By the time I finally pulled into the car park beside the small yoga studio it was 2:30. When I got out of my car I was a little intimidated to see all the women walking into the studio, mats slung over their shoulders. When I walked into the small waiting room with a large desk against one side Elena was nowhere to be seen. I assumed she was already inside the yoga room getting things ready. There was a petite brown haired, dark skinned woman behind the counter signing people in and I assumed that was Elena's friend, Bonnie.

"Hi," She greeted as I approached the desk warily. "Have you been here before?"

"Nope, yoga virgin." I answered with a smile. "That obvious?"

She laughed and handed me a form with the usual details to fill out.

"No, not at all." She joked. "Just fill this one in. We offer a two week intro course which includes mat hire. Most newbies go for that."

"Sounds good," I replied and handed over my black AMEX card for her to process while I filled in the form. After I'd finished she handed back my card along with a rolled up yoga mat.

"You can head straight in." She said with a smile and I followed the flow of women into the yoga room. I was surprised by the immediate heat but then again, it was called hot yoga.

Up at the front of the room my eyes fell on Elena. God, she looked even better than last night. She was wearing a blue athletic top and tight black yoga pants and there wasn't a single curve I couldn't see. Holy crap!

Eventually I tore my eyes away from Elena's perky ass and followed everyone else's lead, rolling out my yoga mat and laying my towel over the top. Elena still hadn't noticed me so I sat down on the mat and watched her for a little while longer. When everyone had arrived and the room had filled up (there were even a couple of other men so I didn't feel so weird) Elena started the class.

"Hi, everyone." She said with a warm smile looking around the room. When she finally spotted me in the class of 30 odd people her eyebrows shot up in the most adorable little shocked face.

"Damon?"


Okay so I wanted to stop here because the rest of this little scene will be in Elena's point of view. I will try to have it up ASAP. Spoiler Alert: It's going to be hot! : P

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