Chapter 3:
After Elena calmed down Damon offered to take her to the beach on the account that she had never gone before.
"I'd love to Damon, but I don't have a bathing suit." Elena said.
Damon could hear the sadness in her voice. "We can stop by the mall and get you one. The sales ladies can help you. Just tell them a colour and they'll get the right size for you."
"I-I don't have any money. It's okay though, really. You can call up a friend to go or something." Elena said, trying to sound as neutral about the situation as she possibly could. In truth, she really wanted to go to the beach for her first time. She wanted to feel the sand between her toes and enjoy the warm water just like she heard about in all the movies and shows she watched even though she was a little, well maybe a lot nervous.
"I don't think so. You may not be able to see it Elena, but we live in a mansion. I'm sure spending fifty dollars on a bathing suit isn't going to hurt our bank accounts." Damon assured her. "Besides, my parents would be mad if I didn't do this for you. Now let's go."
Damon didn't miss the look on her face and sensing that she was about to argue he continued. "Please, just let me do this. Just a little "I'm sorry" gift about the whole thing at Hollister."
"I already forgave you though." Elena said, sighing, although she could sense she would lose the fight.
Sensing that she would be giving in he scooped her up in his arms easily and brought her to her bedroom. She squealed and giggled the whole way as he placed her back down. "Now, Jenna left you a gift. It's a dress that she said she knew would be beautiful on you. It's on your dresser." Damon said. "Put it on and we'll get going." After he finished, he left leaving no room for debate.
Elena got ready, throwing her hair in a high, sleek ponytail and threw on the dress Jenna bought her. She came out and Damon brought her to his car. He drove her to the mall, talking and laughing the whole way there.
When they arrived, with a smirk on his face, Damon led Elena into Victoria's Secret.
They were instantly met with a tall blonde saleswoman.
"Hello, my name is Jessica. Can I help you with anything today?" She asked in a sweet voice, fluttering her lashes at Damon.
Although Elena couldn't see, by the tone of the woman she could imagine she was flirting with Damon. For some reason the thought put a knot in Elena's stomach.
"Well, you see," Damon drawled. "My friend Elena is looking for a swimsuit. She'll need some help though with sizes and looks and everything."
"Oh sweetie, do you know what you're looking for." The blonde asked Elena.
Elena didn't know exactly how to bring up her sight issues in a polite way. She never really found a good way to explain. "I-I um, I'll need help choosing everything. I'm well, I mean I'm blind so..." Elena trailed off awkwardly and embarrassed.
"Oh, well I'm sure between me and your boyfriend we'll find something that will look stunning on you." Jessica replied, instantly letting go of any jealousy she had towards Elena.
Elena and Damon were both too shocked by the comment to correct the woman's mistake, before she walked towards the swimsuit area.
"I think this would look amazing on her, don't you agree?" Jessica asked Damon, holding a white bandeau with a navy anchor broach in the centre and navy blue bikini style bottoms.
Damon could only nod, swallowing thickly after picturing Elena in the tiny bikini.
"What does it look like?" Elena asked Damon quietly.
"It looks sexy." He said attempting to regain his confident, cocky self.
Elena smirked and let Jessica describe it to her. She decided that it sounded cute and that she would try it on. Jessica grabbed a few other choices, describing them to Elena before assigning her a change room.
Elena put on the anchor bikini but didn't know if she was supposed to walk out of the change room and let Damon or the saleswoman tell her how it looked. After pausing, Jessica's voice floated through the door. "Well come on out and let's see how the first one looks."
Elena swallowed nervously and took a breath, walking out of the change room.
Damon was thankful in that moment that Elena couldn't see him. His mouth dropped as soon as he caught sight of her and his eyes widened considerably.
Thankfully Jessica started the conversation. "Honey, you'll have every male within fifty yards watching you." Jessica said looking Elena up and down.
"It looks okay?" Elena asked hesitantly.
"It looks gorgeous, don't you think?" The sales woman asked turning to Damon.
"Um, maybe we should see the next one?" Damon offered. He couldn't help the way his stomach clenched at the thought of all the guys at the beach seeing Elena in that.
He immediately regretted it when he saw Elena's face fall and her cheeks flush in embarrassment.
"I mean," He started, set on getting a smile back on her face. "you just look stunning in it. All the other girls will be jealous."
"Amen to that." Jessica smiled.
"Really? It doesn't look bad?" Elena asked, allowing a smile to creep onto her face.
"None of these could look bad on you, but I think that's the one." Damon said honestly. She did look stunning in it, he had to admit.
"Aw, really Damon? Sorry, how much is this one Jessica?" Elena said pausing, shifting her feet nervously.
Jessica opened her mouth but Damon quickly cut her off. "It doesn't matter Elena. We're getting it." He told her.
"Damon." Elena groaned.
"Now get back in there and change so we can get to the beach." Damon said leaving no room for objection.
Elena huffed but went back inside to change.
She walked back out and the bikini was instantly out of her hands. Damon paid for it quickly, thanking Jessica and handing the bag to Elena.
"Wasn't that easy?" Damon asked her with a smirk.
"Thank you Damon." Elena said in response.
"No need to thank me." Damon said as they got into his car.
They arrived at the beach for three, when it was still hot but not a blazing heat like it was at noon. Damon had worn his swimsuit with a t-shirt throwing an extra pair of shorts and boxers into a bag in the trunk. He walked Elena to the stalls for changing and waited outside trying to maintain his control for when she walked out.
Elena came out nervously, clothes in hand. She was just grateful that at least now she would fit in with the sunglasses.
Damon cleared his throat at her right, getting her attention. She carried her clothes and put them in a separate bag in the trunk as Damon threw his shirt in, before grabbing the beach bag Damon packed for her.
Once they got to the actual beach they laid out towels, staking their own little spot, before Damon offered to take her into the water.
"Just, be careful." He said nervously as they waded into the warm water. The hot humid days that had been constant had increased the waters temperature to a comfortable yet cooling sensation.
"I will, but just in case, could you stay close?" Elena asked sheepishly. She was always nervous in the water since when she was little and Jenna took her to the pool for a day. She stepped right off the edge and plunged into the water. The lifeguard had to pull out a frantic little Elena and at that point she swore she'd never swim again, but here she was just because some guy she barely knew- but had the power to give her butterflies with just one word- asked her to come.
"Of course." Damon answered. He watched Elena walk slowly into the water, taking each step as if she was walking on a balance beam, slow and careful.
"Um, did you want to take my hand? I think we'll both feel better knowing you're safe." He asked slowly.
Elena didn't answer. She just reached her hand out in his direction. He grasped it and once again they both felt the unsettling rush run up through their arms.
"Just thought I'd let you know, every guy within a ten mile radius is staring at you right now." Damon said, a hint of jealousy in his voice.
"Puh-lease!" Elena laughed. "If it helps, I bet if I could see, I would same the same about the girls watching you." Elena said back.
"Probably." Damon said cockily.
Elena scoffed before reaching her hand out and splashing him with the water. They were in chest deep just wading around, hands still clasped together.
"Oh it's on." Damon said giving a flick of the risk and splashing Elena. She released a giggle and he watched her with a smile.
"You'll get my sunglasses wet Damon." Elena said with a fake frown.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I hope you can still see through them with all the water." He joked, but quickly clamped his mouth shut, figuring he probably went too far.
Elena quickly surprised him with a laugh. "Oh, shut up!" She said playfully shoving his shoulder. He quickly caught the hand she used to push him and pulled her closer to him.
Her breathing hitched in her throat, feeling his breath on her cheeks and realizing how close he must be. He gazed at her lips in longing, knowing if he just moved once inch closer…
The intimate moment was ruined when loud, male voices were heard from the beach. "Hey, Damon! Is that you?" A voice called. "Damon? Who's the chick?" Another voice yelled.
Damon instantly took a step from Elena and turned to see his cousin Stefan along with his two friends Tyler and Matt standing on the beach.
"Who is that?" Elena asked quietly, wading so that she was beside Damon, their hands still locked together under the water.
"It's my cousin Stefan, and our two friends Matt and Tyler. They are on their way over." Damon said quickly and quietly. "I'm sorry but we haven't had a chance to tell his family yet so he doesn't know about you living with us or the adoption." Damon whispered as the guys got closer.
"Hey Stefan." Damon said, finally releasing Elena's hand to clasp Stefan on the back. "Matt. Tyler." Damon acknowledged with a small smile.
"Hey Damon!" Stefan said with a smile before turning to Elena. "And who, may I ask, is the pretty lady?"
"Guys, this is Elena. Elena this is Stefan, Matt and Tyler." Damon said, although he already told her.
"Hey Elena." They all murmured.
"Where has Damon been hiding you?" Tyler said with a smirk.
"Oh we just met a few days ago." Elena said uncomfortably. She rarely talked to guys. She couldn't see these guys and she couldn't quite spot exactly which direction they were in.
"Oh okay." Tyler nodded in understanding.
"So, are your girls here?" Damon asked, attempting to get all three guys to stop ogling Elena.
"Um, actually me and Melody are done." Matt admitted. "She's heading to Paris in a few days and doesn't want to be tied down." Matt said with frown.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." Damon said.
"Nah, I'm getting over it. There are plenty of girls around here." Matt said smiling in Elena's direction, unaware that she couldn't see it.
"What about you Stef? Where's Lexi?" Damon asked, noticing his cousins eyes haven't left Elena yet.
"Ugh, don't even bring her up!" Stefan said groaning.
"Bad break up?" Damon said, wishing the answer would be no.
"You can't even imagine. Why do you think we're all at the beach? We need to pick up some ladies." Stefan said, looking at Elena suggestively.
Damon nearly growled but took a deep breath before speaking. "Ah well I'm sure there are tons of party girls down on the south side of the beach." Damon mentioned.
"Yes, but the most beautiful girls are on this side." Stefan said, winking at Elena.
Damon was pushed overboard with the comment and the wink and the flirting. "You realize she can't even see that!" Damon said, fuming.
"What?" Stefan said, turning to Damon confused.
"I mean the winking, the smiling, the little eye thing you do. She can't see any of it so give it up!" Damon said.
He suddenly stopped when he noticed Elena tense at his side.
Not the best way for it to come out, Salvatore. He thought to himself grimacing.
"I mean, she's blind." Damon said pathetically. "She's living with us now. I didn't get a chance to tell you."
Stefan, Tyler and Matt stood there dumbfounded at the new information.
"Well," Tyler said clearing his throat. "That doesn't change the fact that she's gorgeous." Tyler said causing Elena to smile and blush.
"I'm sorry but where are each of you?" She asked. "I can't really tell what direction you're in."
Tyler took her hand, shaking it so she would face him. "Tyler Lockwood, at your service." He said cheerily.
Matt followed suit, shaking her hand and introducing himself.
Stefan went a step ahead, kissing her knuckle. Damon watched, hiding his rage, as she blushed, turning crimson.
"Well it's nice to meet you." She said quietly.
"You too." They all said simultaneously.
"Well, we are going to head to the Grill, a bar and restaurant. You should stop by later. We'll be there all night." Matt said.
"Sure, that sounds fun. If it's alright with Damon." Elena added quickly.
"Why not?" Damon said, trying to sound nonchalant as much as he didn't want to go. He didn't exactly understand the protective, possessive feeling he got with Elena, but he knew he didn't appreciate the three guys ogling her the whole time.
"Okay, we'll see you later Elena." Stefan said warmly before the three guys left.
"They seemed nice." Elena said as soon as they were gone.
"Yeah, they're pretty great guys." Damon said, holding back a sigh.
"Well, enough talking. I want to keep swimming!" Elena said smiling.
"Let's go then." Damon said smiling back.
Elena stuck out her hand before he could say anything else. He easily took it, and for some strange reason instead of their hands clasping together their fingers intertwined.
Elena liked the feeling of her fingers locked between Damon's. It made her feel safe and just knowing it was Damon made her get butterflies and a warm feeling in her chest, little did she know he felt the exact same.
They swam around and splashed each other. After a few hours both were tanned, tired and hungry. "Ready to head to the Grill?" Damon asked her.
"Yup." Elena said, popping her 'P', something she picked up from Jenna.
They walked out of the water, neither one loosening their grip of the other's hand. Only when they had to get changed did they let go.
After they dried off and changed they drove to The Grill.
There was silence for a few minutes before Elena spoke up.
"Damon," She said quietly, nervously.
"Mm?" Damon asked raising his eyebrows, hearing the shaking in her tone.
"I-I had fun today." She said chickening out.
"Me too." He said, but turned to her as they stopped in the parking lot of the Grill. "Now, what were you really going to say?" He pushed.
"I-I-" Elena started. She took a deep breath, turning her head down to her lap before continuing. "I really like you Damon." She admitted. "I mean, for only knowing you for a little while, you've been amazing."
Damon sat in shock, surprised by her confession, but quickly a smile broke out on his features.
He leaned toward her playfully. "Do you want to hear a secret?" He asked her quietly, a boyish grin on his face. "I really like you too."
She turned to him with a smile lighting her features, a nervous blush on her cheeks.
"So, um where does this leave us?" She asked, cocking her head to the side.
He smiled. She looked adorable when she did that.
"Well, I don't know exactly" Damon said with a frown.
He quickly jumped out of the car and ran around to get her door.
"But I do know all three of those guys have their eyes on you." He mentioned as she stepped out.
"Well," Elena said, her hand touching his arm. She ran it down until she met his hand, and quickly intertwined their fingers. "Let's give them something to talk about." She said with a smirk.
Damon couldn't help the smile that lit up his face as they walked towards the Grill.
*I know I might be moving a little fast but I hate dragging out, waiting for Damon/Elena!*(I've waited long enough with the show)
And to answer one question from my reviews-I update every few days, but it can get pushed to a week if I'm schedualed to work a lot. I do my best with my three stories I have going though.
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