Authors note: So here's chapter 7! All Elena based this time :) Thank you so so much for the reviews and the support, it really is amazing! So I hope you enjoy this chapter and the eigth is almost done! xxxxxx


7

"If we could live without passion, maybe we'd know some kind of peace. But we would be hollow, empty rooms, shuttered and dank. Without passion, we'd be truly dead." – Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Elena reached up to gingerly touch the diamond that currently hung around her neck by the chain completely lined with diamonds and came to a rest just above the valley between her breasts, once again feeling the complete opposite to what she should feel towards such a grand gesture. She had had it for twelve hours and already it was suffocating her. Eyeing it one more time in the mirror before unclasping it and carefully placing it in the draw of her dressing table, she stood up and slipped around the chair, grabbing her black bag and coat in the process. She was actually glad to be going back to work, being alone in the apartment for an entire week was not good for her mental health.

She eagerly exited the apartment and the building, breathing in the fresh air while briskly crossing the pavement to the limousine Frank sent for her every morning to escort her in to work. She pulled open the rear door and slipped in, the same as she always did when it was just her getting in to the limousine after insisting all the limo drivers allow her to do it herself. As usual, it was a short drive to the building, sliding off the leather seats and setting her black pumps onto the concrete outside, Elena smoothed out her waist high black pencil skirt along with the deep purple vest that was tucked perfectly into the skirt, it was a hot day after all. She secured her bag upon her narrow shoulder and promptly moseyed through the entrance of Miller & Anderson, across the foyer, into the elevator and awaited its arrival upon the 43rd floor, then finally down the ivory corridor to her desk.

"Hey, Andie" Elena greeted her colleague as agreeably as possible as she rounded the edges of her desk and plopped down onto her chair, ridding of her bag in the process.

"Hey," Andie replied from behind the desk situated directly opposite her own.

Elena brushed the stray strands of hair from her face and gave out a faint sigh before flipping through Franks schedule for the day. It looked like a moderately easy day, much to Elena's dismay. She would prefer a busy day; at least time went quickly but today would undoubtedly drag.

"Has Frank had his coffee?" Elena queried, and watched as Andie's face fell.

"Oh my god, oh my god, I forgot his coffee," Andie exclaimed frantically, leaping from her chair and running her fingers through her short blonde hair. "He's going to fire me,"

Instinctively, Elena had also bounced up from her own chair and rushed to aid her colleague.

"Andie," Elena caught a hold of her and successfully brought her pacing to a halt, however failed in silencing her frantic babbling. "Andie!" She tried again. "Andie, calm down." A soft shake seemed to have the desired effect, causing Andie to lift her icy blue eyes and regard Elena. "He's not going to fire you; I will go out right now and get his coffee, okay?" Elena appeased.

"Okay," Andie replied weakly.

"Okay." She echoed in a much stronger tone and a small nod of her head. Retrieving her bag from its place on the floor next to her chair and proceeding back down the corridor; Elena settled the strap of her bag back onto her shoulder and came to a stop in front of the elevator doors she had only minutes ago stepped through. She wasn't exactly fond of Andie, for a few reasons, but she wasn't going to let her crumble into an emotional wreck just for Frank's cappuccino. She lifted her wrist and glanced at her watch, it was 8:56am. Fortunately, the coffee shop next door opened at 8:30am, so Frank would have to settle for the regular kind instead of his usual Starbucks which entailed her rushing across town, and that she was not doing. The elevator arrived and Elena stepped inside, naturally requesting it take her to the bottom floor with the firm press of a button with her forefinger. It was only a few seconds after it began moving before it came to an abrupt stop, allowing the gold doors to drag open, unveiling the identity of the next passenger to get aboard the downward ride. Of course it's you. She commented silently and shifted uncomfortably on her feet as her favourite pair of blue eyes ran over her appearance. Due the way they left things, she expected it to be awkward, or tense, it certainly was on her part. But what she hadn't expected was the smug grin on the perfect structure of his lips and the flirtatious twinkle in his eyes to remain.

Damon took his place beside her, and spun gracefully on the spot to watch the doors close, the silence almost deafening her. Not that he thought so, she could tell by the amused half-smirk on his face.

"I'm not speaking to you." She revealed.

"You just did." Damon returned with a soft chuckle, matching her stubbornness and not turning to look at her.

"Well, from now on then." She argued and the small space returned to its prior silence, at least for a moment.

"How can you be mad at me for sleeping with women?" This time he did turn to look at her and she couldn't help but do the same.

Elena forced her eyes to narrow, while inside she was buzzing with adrenaline that rose against her will to the sound of his voice. "I'm not mad at you for sleeping with women," she scoffed.

"Yes, you are. You said I use women and that you weren't going to be used by me." He reminded her.

"I'm not." She confirmed wilfully.

"What makes you think I would use you?"

"Because that's who you are."

He turned his whole body to her now, the deep red colour of his tie catching her attention and that's where she left it. She knew if she lifted her eyes to meet his one more time, her body and soul would beg of her to rekindle it with his, and that she couldn't do. When he did nothing but look at her, she forced her mouth to form words; she needed a distraction from the thought of his eyes on her. "You use women and you toss them to one side."

"Unbelievable." Damon jeered.

"What?" her increasing frustration with him overwhelmed her senses and her eyes reluctantly met with his.

"You, accusing me of using people, when all you did since the moment we met was use me for your fun and games because Frank wasn't satisfying you."

"Are you saying I led you on?" She questioned in outrage.

"Yeah, that's exactly what I'm saying."

"That's funny, because I remember countless times reminding you that I was engaged," she seethed.

"To a man you don't love!" He shot back.

She took a deep breath before replying. "That's my problem, Damon, not yours."

"You're damn right it's not," Damon said, anger still visible in his features while hers had vanished. "Because I'm done here"

Silence had fallen once again, and this time she had no desire to break it. Even if she had, she wouldn't know what to say. She wasn't sure if it was her stomach or heart sinking, but she did know she had succeeded in pushing him away, yet no sense accomplishment overwhelmed her, only sadness. The sound of the elevator doors opening took their attention, and she watched him disappear into the foyer. Shortly following his lead, the saddened steps of her black pumps against the laminate floor took her out of the building, onto the street and into the coffee shop.

Fifteen minutes later, Elena was retracing her steps in returning to the top floor, her sadness gradually reverting to anger the more she ran the conversation through her mind. How dare he accuse her of leading him on? She had never once promised him anything; she made it clear from the very beginning that it couldn't happen. Not that she needed to, it was pretty obvious, because to him and everyone else, she was engaged to Frank. She stepped out onto her floor for the second occasion this morning, a large cappuccino in one hand and the strap of her favourite black bag in the other, her growing anger shown in the quick movements of her feet. She didn't think she had ever walked so fast up this very corridor in the years she had been here, probably because she never cared enough about anything to be so angry, until he came along, of course.

She wanted to be congratulating herself on a job well done, she just saved him from getting tangled up in something not even she wanted to be in, but nothing could ever that simple.

She had almost reached the PA desks of the 43rd floor that belonged to herself and Andie, when Andie caught sight of her approaching and immediately relaxed. "You are a life-saver," She sighed.

"I know," Elena smiled, this time it wasn't forced. "Besides, we are the two PA's with the biggest handful in the building," she gestured in the direction of Frank's glass office. "We should have each other's backs."

"Thanks, Elena."

Elena could tell Andie wasn't her usual chipper self, she had just assumed it was due to lack of sleep or something, but the sad smile and sombre tone of her voice confirmed it was more than that.

"Is everything okay?" She probably shouldn't ask, since they weren't actually friends, they barely spoke most days but maybe they could change that. Just because Damon was using her for sex, didn't mean they couldn't be friends.

"Yeah, just one of those days I guess."

"Damon?" did she just say that out loud?

By Andie's reaction she definitely did. "He ended… whatever it was we were." Andie told her glumly.

"I'm sorry." Elena said with the maximum of sympathy she could provide, which wasn't a whole lot, especially towards their 'beneficial friend' situation. It's not that she disagreed with it; she just couldn't stand anyone who would willingly allow themselves to be used by a man, especially by one who was a known womanizer. Yes, she was being partially hypocritical, or entirely, but if she got technical, it wasn't like she had a choice in the matter. One of her biggest fears was being nothing, having nothing, but wasn't it everyone's? Sometimes she would wonder if it was Frank that was stealing her life from her, or the crippling fear she held within. Maybe it was the combination of both. "I'll just take this in for Frank." Elena dropped her bag down once again, and made her way to Frank's office, ensuring she gave the glass door a quick tap with her knuckles before entering.

"Ah, Elena," Frank greeted her with moderate amiability, which was much more than he usually gave her.

"Your coffee," She held up the coffee in her hand before setting it down on the desk made entirely of glass to match the rest of the office. It revealed Frank's ridiculous obsession with 'image', because let's face it; an entire office made of glass wasn't exactly necessary in a working environment. Except if you're Frank Miller.

He gave her a quick thanks and a small smile, only momentarily lifting his eyes to regard her presence and she left, dragging the glass door to a secure shut as she did.


The rest of the day was spent like no other 'easy day' on the 43rd floor had been; her and Andie actually communicating for longer than 5 minutes at a time, which eventually resulted in asking her along for a drink at Lloyd's with herself and Caroline. As usual, Elena saw no reason to go home and change, therefore she made her way to Lloyd's with Andie by her side, intending to meet Caroline there. She always looked forward to Lloyds, mostly because it was the one place she didn't have to see Frank, but tonight she was especially excited; it was Friday and she had already cleared it with Frank. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at the ridiculous notion that she practically had to have permission to go out, but that's the way it had been for four years.

Arriving through the entrance and heading straight for the bar, she ordered three shots of tequila in preparation for her friend's soon-to-be arrival. As always, Caroline did not disappoint, she joined them at the bar a few minutes later, her blonde curls and blue eyes gleaming. "Hi, friend" she directed her usual greeting towards Elena, and then turned to Andie to deliver the same enthusiasm, "Hi, new friend."

Elena chuckled and rapidly jumped into introductions.

Elena couldn't pinpoint the length of time they had been at Lloyds, honestly she didn't care; she was having fun, and she found Andie's company rather endearing, surprisingly. Abandoning their dancing threesome, she weaved through the crowds of people, manipulating the travel of her black pumps in the direction of the bar. A moment before her arms touched the damp wood; she was interjected by an inwards gliding barrier in the form of a hard, muscled body. Her eyes flew up to meet the blue ones and her body became more than aware of his being inches away.

Elena rolled her eyes. "Twice in one day, how unfortunate."

"Don't tell me you're starting an 'I hate Damon' club." He asked more than amused while bringing her attention to Andie and Caroline currently still on the dance floor.

"Yes, we are actually. After this, we're going to go back to my apartment, make a Damon voodoo doll and stick knives in it."

"Can I come?" Damon's eyebrows danced suggestively.

Her eyes automatically narrowed in response to his flirting, and her mouth readied itself to make a smart comment, but then she stopped herself. "What are you doing?" She asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Earlier you said you were done."

"I was in a bad mood." He explained simply.

Elena couldn't help but laugh. "That's your excuse?"

"It's not an excuse, it's a mere fact."

She shook her head lightly, slipped around him and finally reached her destination. It wasn't long before he joined her, his muscled arms extremely prominent in the fitted navy dress shirt he wore as he rested them upon the bar. She hadn't noticed he didn't have his suit on until now, and her eyes didn't refrain from trailing the entire length of him. His tight black jeans fixed to him deliciously and the black biker boots seem to have the ability to turn her on. Everything about him turned her on if she was honest.

He turned to her and she was forced to snap her eyes from devouring his image. "So, are you and Andie new BFF's?"

"Yeah, we were brought together by our shared hatred of you." Elena answered sarcastically. Moments went by and he made no reply, causing the fear within her that they would be re-enacting their earlier fight to arise. She didn't want to fight with him, and she didn't want him to give up on her, contrary to what her better judgement ordered her to do.

"So you're talking to me?" Damon questioned with his crooked smile on show.

"Obviously" She answered.

"Hmm, interesting." The added twinkle in his eyes made her anxious to what exactly he meant by 'interesting.' Making no reply, only a small scowl, she watched as he leaned in tantalizingly slow and came to a stop a breath away. "I think you can't stay away from me."

Elena managed a scoff while inside she was trembling at the feel of his breath along with the burning flame of his eyes on hers. "Don't flatter yourself." Thankfully, her voice didn't betray her.

Damon chuckled and withdrew, turning his attention to Matt and ordering them both drinks, much to her voiced objection.

"Bourbon," She wrinkled her nose in disgust, nevertheless still brought the glass tumbler to his lips and took a sip. It wasn't until she returned her gaze to Damon did she notice he was staring at her. "What?"

He took a few moments, as if contemplating whether he should say anything, and finally decided on opening his mouth to speak.

"Come home with me."

"What?" she echoed in disbelief.

"Come home with me." He said much slower and firmer.

That, she was not expecting.

"But-

She was at a complete loss for words, mostly because she actually did want to go home with him. "But… today, you accused me of leading you on." She managed with great effort.

"Okay, so I was an idiot."

"You're admitting you were wrong?"

"Not the point here, Elena."

"Right," she snapped herself back to the more important issue.

He sighed exasperatedly and ran a hand through his silky midnight hair. "Would you just," he cut himself off, instead took her hand and pulled her towards the exit. Luckily she kept her bag securely upon her shoulder at all times.

Once outside, he led her around the side of the building into the darkened alleyway, only stopping when privacy was ensured. He placed her against the wall and she couldn't help but shiver at the chill of the stone. He wasn't going to kiss her, much to her relief, or disappointment, she didn't know which.

"I know the drill, I should apologize for asking you to come home with me, I should order a take-back, but I'm not going to. Because I want you, and I'm not afraid to admit it, or show it."

"Damon, you're only feeling like this because I'm unattainable." Elena reasoned.

"No, that's not it. It's different with you."

"You can't be sure of that."

He took a few seconds before making a reply.

"Come home with me," although they were a repeat, the words still held the same power to render her speechless as it had the first time. "I don't care that you're Franks, I don't care if we do nothing, just spend the night with me." All of a sudden, her head was nodding ever so softly and she didn't know why. Of course she wanted to go home with him, but it was completely wrong, and not to mention forbidden. Once her nods became strong, she felt his hand take hers; the flesh instantly alighting. Everything was at stake, his career, the entire life she had tolerated for four years. Was longing for a passionate encounter with man she had only known for a few months' worth losing everything? Obviously her body thought so.

Their interlaced fingers instinctively broke apart as they reached the street, and she took her place at his side for the remainder of the journey back to his place, never forgetting to cautiously check their surroundings. The last thing she wanted was someone telling Frank she was seen going home with a man. God knows what he would do. She wanted to stop, tell Damon this wasn't going to happen, and rush to the safety of her apartment, but when his hand reunited with hers in an intimate embrace, she suddenly felt no fear or panic. Such a simple action, yet it meant everything to her.

Damon led her up the stairs and through the door of his apartment. Quickly shutting the door behind their entry, she turned to peer around the infamous Damon Salvatore's 'bachelor pad'.

"This place is huge," Elena exclaimed, momentarily forgetting the knot in her stomach that had reappeared once he unlinked their fingers.

"You haven't seen anything yet." He suggested with the addition of his crooked smile and a raised eyebrow.

They weren't anywhere near each other and still she felt like her skin couldn't bear to get any hotter. No, she begged to differ, it definitely increased a few hundred degrees when he stalked over to her, placed his hands on the door behind and gave a soft force of his body against hers until her back met with the wood. She was trapped, yet there was no overbearing suffocation involved, it excited her, and the urge to have all of him, to have him possess her in ways she never had been, only grew.

She could feel every muscle of his upper body, the slow in and out movement of his chest and practically taste the sweet spice of his breath. If it was possible for the human body to melt without the aid of fire, she would have at this very moment.

Finally managing to retrieve her brain from the floor and lift her eyes to burn with his, she noticed the intense desire he was willingly showing to her, along with the slight vulnerability. It made her mentally curse herself for almost allowing him to get tangled in a twisted web of lies where Frank was the spider.

"I can't do this." Elena told him.

Damon sighed quietly. "Then why are you here?"

"I don't know," She exclaimed while separating their bodies with a small push to his chest, to which he reluctantly obliged. "I shouldn't have come here; I can't do this to you."

She was flustered, and her overwhelming need to get out of there took over her body, extended her hand to grasp the door handle and twist it to open. Before she even crossed through the doorway, he stopped her with a grab to her arm, turning her on the spot to face him. "Can't do what to me?" Damon asked dumbfounded.

"This isn't fair to you. I have to go." She pulled her arm from his grasp and rushed across the corridor and down the stairs as fast as she could in black pumps. The bellows of her name soon became inaudible as she took off down the street, hoping with every ounce of strength she had that he wouldn't chase after her.