Elena reached over to grab her phone when it started dancing around her desk. Glancing at her screen, she nearly fell off her chair when she saw the name Damon flashing up. After a few seconds of staring, her brain finally got the shock message and her heart commenced sprint in her chest. What the hell? What did he want?

She held her phone in her hand, scanning the office to see if the continuous ringing had drawn any attention from her colleagues. It hadn't. She let it ring off.

She made for the editor's office to ask about her latest story coverage, but then it rang again, halting her in her tracks. She took a steady breath and connect the call.

"Hello," she said, stamping her foot a little for sounding apprehensive in her greeting. She was aiming for sure and confident.

"Elena?" His husky voice had the same impact on her weak senses as it did two days ago. But at least over the phone he couldn't see her physically trembling.

"Who's speaking?" There. That sounded better – professional, business-like and steady.

He laughed lightly, and it threw her completely off guard. "Now, I know you already know the answer to that question because my name came up on your phone." She cringed on the spot. "Trying to play it cool?"

Oh, the arrogant arse! "What's up? I'm kind of busy." She lied.

"I need to be able to get hold of you."

"I'm afraid I can't talk to you," she coolly informed him. "I have work to do."

"You are supposed to be on leave," he said.

Elena frowned. "I don't need a vacation."

"I'm not happy, Elena. I'm not happy with your decision."

Her mouth gaped. Who did he think he was? He called to tell her he was not happy? Oh, this man was way past arrogant. She closed her gaping mouth.

"I don't care what you think," she sounded irritated.

"I don't believe you."

"I don't care what you believe," she retorted.

She heard him sighed. "I know you care, Elena." Her name sounded like velvet rolling from his lips, causing a familiar shudder to course through her. "I think you're avoiding me," he added

He was right. He sparked some very unwelcome feelings in her. It scared her.

"Why would I do that?" she asked cockily. That should shut him up.

"Well, because you are attracted to me."

"Excuse me?" Elena spluttered. His self-assuredness knew no bounds. Had he no shame? The fact that he was bang on the money was way beside the point. You would have to be blind, deaf and numb not to be attracted to this man. He was the epitome of male perfection and, quite clearly, he knew it.

He sighed. "I said…"

"Yes, I heard you," she interrupted him. "I just can't believe you said it.' She slumped in her chair.

She had never known anything quite like it. She was completely stunned. They hardly knew each other and he was flirting on the end of the phone with her? What a player! She had to get off of the phone quickly.

"Sorry, I need to go. I have plenty of work to do," she blurted and hung up, staring down at her phone.

That was really quite rude and extremely unprofessional, but she was completely staggered by his forwardness. A text arrived in the next second.

I notice you didn't deny it. You should know the feeling's mutual. Damon.

For heaven sake! She didn't reply – she had no idea what to say to that.

Instead, she threw her phone in her bag and went to meet Caroline for lunch.

"Holy Moses!" Caroline exclaimed, staring down at her phone. "Did you reply?" She looked up at her expectantly.

"Christ, no," Elena laughed.

"Did he have a girlfriend?"

Elena shrugged. "Who knows? He is rich. He might have plenty of girlfriends."

Caroline placed her phone back on the table. "That's a shame. Otherwise he would be a great catch."

Was it? Caroline was far more daring. She would have replied with something shocking and suggestive, and probably made his jaw drop. That girl would give any bona-fide man-eater a run for their money. Not slow in coming forward, she mostly scared men off on the first date – only the strongest survive. She was confident, strong minded and determined.

"Not really," Elena mused, picking up her iced lemon tea and taking a sip. "Anyway, it's only been six weeks since Liam and I split up. I don't want any men in my life, not in any capacity." She liked the fact that she sounded resolute. "I'm enjoying being single and carefree for the first time ever," she added.

"Have you seen the prick?" Caroline's face distorted into one of disgust at the mention of Liam's name.

"No," Elena confirmed.

"Good on you. He is a jerk." She grinned as the waitress approached with their lunch. "We are still going to have fun without men."

"I'm just going to the loo." Elena got up, leaving Caroline dowsing her chips in mayonnaise.

After using the toilet, Elena stood in the mirror re-applying her lip gloss and fluffing her hair. Her phone rang as she made her way back to the table. She dragged it from her bag, rolling her eyes when she saw it was Damon again. He was probably wondering where her reply to his inappropriate text message was. She was not playing games with him.

"Reject." She huffed at her phone, stabbing at the red button and stuffing it in her bag as she continued down the corridor. "Oh God, I'm Sorry!" she spluttered, slamming straight into a chest.

The chest was a very firm chest, and the intoxicating fresh water scent that was washing over her was way too familiar. Her legs refused to move, and She knew what she was going to see if she looked up. His arm was already wrapped around her waist to steady her, her eyes levelled with the top of his chest. She could see his heart beating through his shirt.

"Reject?" he said softly. "I'm wounded."

Elena pushed herself away from his grasp, attempting to regain her composure. He looked stunning, wearing a charcoal suit and crisp white shirt. She laughed at herself and her inability to get her eyes past his upper body for fear of being hypnotised by the potency of this man's sludgy gaze.

"Is something funny?" he asked. He was frowning at her random outburst.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going." She intended to step past him, but he grabbed her elbow, halting her escape.

"Just tell me one thing before you leave, Elena." His voice prickled at her senses, and she found her eyes travelling up the leanness of his body until their stares met. His face was serious, but still stunning. "How long do you intend to avoid me?"

"I'm not avoiding you."

He placed his index finger under her chin and lifted her chin up. "You are lying." He released her elbow.

She flashed him a displeased scowl before she walked back to the table as steadily as her boneless legs would allow. She lowered herself onto the chair, immediately glugging down her iced tea to try and moisten her parched mouth.

When she looked up at Caroline, she was open-mouthed, exposing half chewed chips and bread. It was not attractive. "Who was that?" she mumbled around her food.

"Who?" Elena looked around, simulating unawareness.

"Him," Caroline pointed with her fork. "Look!"

"I saw, and I don't know," she grated.

"He's coming over. You sure you don't know him? Wow, he's hot!" Caroline looked at her but she shrugged.

She picked up a stray piece of lettuce from her salad and started nibbling at the edges. She was tense all over, and she knew Damon was getting closer because Caroline's gaze was lifting upwards to accommodate his height.

"Ladies." His low, throaty voice prickled at her skin, doing nothing to relax her

"Hi," Caroline muttered, chewing rapidly to rid her mouth of the obstruction to speech.

"Elena?" he prompted. She waved her piece of lettuce at him to acknowledge his presence but without having to look at him. He laughed lightly.

Out the corner of her eye, Elena saw his body slowly lowering until he was squatting at the table next to her, but she still refused to look at him. He rested one arm on the table, and she heard Caroline coughed and spluttered on the remnants of her food.

"That's better," he said. She could feel his breath on her cheek.

Reluctantly, she looked up through her lashes and found Caroline gawking at her – all wide eyed. She could think of nothing to say. Once again, this man had rendered her useless.

Damon sighed. "I'm Damon Salvatore, pleased to meet you." His hand reached across the table.

Caroline took it eagerly. "Damon?" she spluttered. "Oh! Damon." Elena could feel Caroline glaring at her accusingly. "I'm Caroline. Elena mentioned you are Alaric's best friend."

Elena scowled across the table.

"Oh, she mentioned me?" he asked softly. "I wonder what else she's mentioned."

"Oh, this and that," Caroline flipped casually, but it was too late to back track on her previous statement. Elena glared at her.

"This and that," he countered softly.

"Yes, this and that," Caroline affirmed

Fed up of the pointless little exchange that they both seemed to be enjoying, Elena took the situation into her own hands, turning her eyes onto him. "It was nice to see you, goodbye."

Their eyes latched immediately, and she was ruined by his mesmerising blue eyes, all hooded, dark and demanding. She could feel his breath waver and it drew her eyes away from his, but only to his mouth. His lips were moist, slightly parted, and his tongue slowly creeped out of his mouth, running a leisurely path across his bottom lip. She couldn't take her eyes off him.

This was crazy. This…whatever this was…it was just crazy. He was over confident and arrogant, but probably had the right to be. She desperately did not want to be affected by this man.

"Nice?" He leaned forward, grasping her thigh, causing hot liquid lava to flood her groin. She shifted her legs, squeezing her thighs together to restrict the pulsation that threatened to break out into a full, hard throb. "I could think of lots of words, Elena. Nice is not one of them. I'll leave you to consider my offer."

Oh, good Lord! Elena gulped as he leaned into her at half height, pressing his damp lips against her cheek, holding his kiss forever. She clenched her teeth in an effort not to turn into him.

"I will talk to you soon," he whispered. It was a promise. He released her tense thigh and rose. "It was nice to meet you, Caroline."

"Hmmm, you too," she responded thoughtfully.

He strode off towards the front door of the restaurant. Good God, he walked with purpose and it was sexy as hell. Elena closed her eyes to mentally gather her wits, which were currently dispersed all over the floor. It was completely hopeless. She turned back to Caroline, finding accusing bright blues gawking at her like she had just sprouted fangs.

Her eyebrows hit her hairline. "Wow, that was intense!" she spitted across the table.

"Was it?" Elena started pushing her sandwich around her plate.

"You better stop with the blah-blah shit now, or I'll shove this fork so far up your arse, you'll be chewing metal. What offer are you considering?" Her tone was fierce.

"I don't know," Elena brushed her off.

Caroline let out a long, over amplified whistle. "I've never experienced that before. I've heard of it but never witnessed it."

"What are you on about?" Elena snapped.

She leaned across the table, all serious. "Elena, the sexual tension batting between you and that man was so super charged, even I was horny!" She laughed. "He wants you bad. He couldn't have made it any clearer if he'd have spread you on this table."

"You're imagining things," Elena snorted.

"I've seen the text, and now I've seen the man in the flesh. He's hot."

"I'm not interested."

"Ha! You keep telling yourself that."

Elena scowled across the table at her best friend. "I will."

"Let me know how that works out for you," she shot back, rather flippantly.

x x x

Elena returned to the office and spent the rest of the day achieving absolutely nothing. She twiddled her pen, visit the toilet a dozen times and pretend to write a coverage story. Her phone had rung four times – all Damon Salvatore – and she had rejected each and every call. She was staggered by this man's persistence and confidence.

She was happy and enjoying her new found freedom, she had no intention of derailing her plans to be single and carefree. She was not getting caught up with a handsome stranger, no matter how handsome he was. And oh, was he mind meltingly delicious. And more importantly, she knew nothing about him and he might be sleeping with dozens of women. This was not the sort of man she needed to be attracted to, especially after Liam and his infidelities. She needed a man, eventually, who would be faithful, protective and look after her.

Her phone declared a text, making her jump and snapping her from her wandering thoughts. She already knew who it was before she looked.

Being rejected isn't very nice. Why won't you answer my calls? Damon.

She laughed to herself, drawing the attention of one of the secretaries, who was rummaging through the filing cabinet near her desk. Her perfectly plucked eyebrow arched. She didn't suppose he was use to rejection. "Caroline," she offered, by way of an explanation. It seemed to work, as she returned to sifting through the cabinet.

It should be obvious why she was not answering her phone. She didn't want to talk to him. He unnerved her, triggering too many reactions. And, quite frankly, she didnt trust her body around him. It seemed to respond to his presence with no prompt from her or her brain, and that could be very dangerous indeed.

Her phone rang again and she quickly rejected it. She was never going to get rid of him. She needed to be brutal.

You should be talking to your other girlfriend about your offer, not me.

There. No sign off and definitely no kiss. She had not said in so many words, but he should get the message. Elena put her phone down, all set on getting something done, but it chimed again. She picked it straight back up, grabbing her coffee with her spare hand as she did.

You are the only woman who will have this offer. Damon. I don't want other women. I only want you in my bed. Damon.

Elena sprayed coffee all over her desk as she coughed. The cheeky sod! How brazen and unashamed could a man be? Did he think she was easy? She switched her phone to silent, chucking it down on her desk in disgust. She was not even dignifying that with a response. Replying would only encourage him.

She watched as her screen lighted up again. She snatched it up, silencing it before it drew attention. She opened her top drawer, dropped it in and slammed it shut on a huff.

She made a meagre attempt to carry on with some work, but she was far too distracted.

The office phone rings.

Glancing up, Elena saw April away from her desk, so she answered. "Good afternoon, Mystic Falls Daily."

"Don't hang up!" Damon blurted down the phone. Elena sat up straight in her chair. Even his urgent voice prickled her skin. Get the message, he would not. He was really quite thick skinned. "Elena, I'm really very sorry."

"You are?" She couldn't hide the surprise in her voice. Damon Salvatore didn't look like the kind of man to offer apologies willy-nilly.

"Yes, really, I am. I've made you feel uncomfortable. I've overstepped the mark by a long shot." He sounded sincere enough. "I've distressed you. Please accept my apology."

Elena wouldn't say she was distressed by his bold behaviour and comments. Shocked would be more apt. Some people might even admire his confidence, she supposed. "Oh, okay," she said hesitantly. "So, you don't want to make me another offer?"

"Elena, you sound disappointed."

"Not at all," she blurted.

There was a brief silence before he spoke again. "Can we start again?"

Oh no. He might be sorry, but that didn't extinguish the affect he had on her. And it didn't escape her thoughts that this was just a ploy to get her back on side so he could re-commence pursuing her

"Mr Salvatore, I'm really not the right person for your offer." She swivelled in her chair.

"It's Damon. You make me feel old when you call me Mr Salvatore," he grumbled.

She didn't know how to respond to that.

"Elena, if it makes you feel better, you can deal with Rose. Why don't you meet her in person?"

"Is she here?"

"Yes, she will be here tomorrow. Why don't we have dinner together and you two can discuss about the offer."

"I would like to meet her," she blurted the words out impulsively.

"Perfect." He sounded relieved. "Dinner tomorrow night?"

"That's sounds good." Elena turned the page in her diary to tomorrow. Her last appointment was at five. "Seven?" she asked, already pencilling him in.

"Perfect. I would say that Rose will look forward to it." Elena knew he was probably grinning. She could hear it in his tone. "I'll let Rose know."

"Shall we meet at Mystic Grill?"

"Sounds like a good idea," he said. "Thank you, Elena."

"You're welcome, Mr Salvatore. Goodbye." Elena hung up and commence tapping her fingernail on her front tooth.

It would be like a dream come true for a news reporter to be able to work at NBC News in Washington DC. Was Rose really interested in employing her? Or Rose was doing Damon a favour? What was his relationship with Damon? Did he sleep with Rose?

Get a grip, Elena told herself. She had to be professional. She knew her work was good and she was a great news reporter. She had to make a good impression on Rose.

If Rose wanted to employ her, it was because she was a great news reporter. Not because of her relationship with Damon.