"Where have you been," she asked, attempting to stay angry.

It was five in the morning. Elena awoke to the weight of Damon on top of her. And to the sound of her slip being ripped to her stomach. Damon's mouth moved over her breast, his tongue claiming her nipple. He slid is tongue around it while her other breast was in his hand. Elena closed her eyes for a moment, feeling her anger dissipating. She moaned and then pushed Damon off of her.

"Cut it out," she huffed.

"Oh, come now. What's wrong princess?"

He settled beside Elena, his hand lazily propping his head up.

"Where have you been? You've been gone for two days!"

"Has it only been two days? I swore it was longer…"

Elena raised her chin defiantly.

"I'm surprised you left me…alone." She made sure to put emphasis on the last word.

Damon's eyes darkened quickly.

"So what if I did. I have no reason to worry. You're mine, after all. Right?"

Elena said nothing.

Damon gave a short laugh.

"Go to him, then."

"What?"

"If you want to be in the arms of that drone, then go. I won't stop you. Go crawl in bed with him and beg his forgiveness. Kiss all his moronic tears away until his dick gets hard enough to fuck you."

Elena pushed away at Damon and moved to get out of bed.

"You're disgusting."

Damon pushed her back down onto the pillows.

"Or maybe you already have fucked him…?"

"Maybe."

Damon laughed coldly.

"Please. You've hardly left the room and you and I both know it."

Elena seethed for a moment. Her hand reached out in the darkness, suddenly, and slid down Damon's body, grabbing his erection in her hand. Damon closed his eyes, his dominance wavering.

"I don't want to talk anymore," Elena whispered, her hand moving up and down.

"So stop talking," Damon said as his mouth crushed hers.

His mouth took, tasted, and claimed. Her tongue delved, savored, gave. She moaned into his kiss, one arm hooking around his neck while the other teased him relentlessly. His hand moved down and lifted her silk slip passed her thighs. His fingers moved in between her legs. Her massaged her back and forth like an expert guitarist. Elena threw her head back into the pillows, her back arched. His mouth fell to her craned neck, his teeth raking across her skin. And then his fangs dipped into her flesh, drinking her. Elena whimpered half in pleasure, half in pain. Damon was on top of her now. He moved his mouth back to hers and pressed himself against her. Elena moaned, her hands moving upwards and tangling in his hair.

"God, Damon…" she moaned in between kisses.

Damon sat up for a moment, pulling off the remnants of her garment. He settled himself in between her legs and rubbed himself against her. Elena lifted her hips in encouragement. But he teased her. Moving almost inside of her and then pulling away. She was on the verge of begging when he pushed himself deep within her. Elena gave a low breathy moan and her nails raked down his back with urgency. Damon hissed in pain and thrust deeper, harder. His hands slid to either side of her hips, pinning them against the bed as he drove himself inside the delicious wet warmth in between her thighs. His cupped her breast, his thumb running over her nipple as he leaned forward into her and bent his mouth to capture her lips. He couldn't wait for her. As much as he wanted to…

"Fuck," he breathed. "Elena, I'm gonna…"

And he came in a rush. A flood of pleasure traveled from his loins and through his veins and back again. He was dizzy, disoriented, pleased. Elena moved on top of him and rode him. Damon shuddered and moaned between his gritted teeth. It was almost too much to handle, he was so sensitive. He looked up at Elena and her darkened eyes. She didn't care how sensitive he was. She didn't care that his body was experiencing tremors as she rocked her pelvis back and forth with him still inside her. She was so close. So close. She leaned into his body, her mouth hovering over his. Her tongue darted out over his lips for a moment. His breaths were ragged and he moaned her name. Her hand slid over his neck, to the side of his face and through his hair. She threaded her fingers through his hair and tugged. Primal. Her eyes shut and her mouth fell open. Her climax was so sudden that she shook from her head to her toes.

"Oh my God," she managed to choke out.

She collapsed on top of Damon's chest and her body slowly began to regulate—sweet throbs echoing in her body. She almost purred. She burrowed her head in the crook of Damon's neck and kissed him there. Damon laid with his eyes closed. He put his arm around Elena's back and kissed her forehead. They said nothing.

When they awoke the later that afternoon, Stefan was waiting for them in the living room. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back and his eyes were calm, detached. He wore a shirt was a dark beige, like chocolate muted in copious amounts of crème. His slacks were a fitted pair of dark navy and held with a simple belt.

Elena had begun her descent downstairs in her pearl colored chemise. As soon as she saw Stefan, a small sound escaped her lips and she took a step back. Damon smirked and took her hand, leading her beside him. She couldn't have felt more awkward. Damon was brash in his silk robe, loosely tied at the waist—exposing his muscular chest.

Before Damon could speak, Stefan cleared his throat.

"I, uh…I'm leaving," he paused, "today."

"What? Why," Elena asked, shocked.

Damon gave a side glance to Elena before speaking.

"Leaving so soon?"

Stefan looked briefly at Damon before turning his gaze to Elena. His eyes lingered on her as he spoke.

"I came because…well, I came because I was worried. And with reason. But it's out of my hands now. You're safe. There is nothing for me here. I spent time in Italy at a monastery. I've learned a lot while I was there. Discipline….the harmony of life. I think I'd like to go back."

Damon gave a short laugh. "Don't let the door kick you on the way out."

Stefan nodded and raised his brows, not in shock but in confirmation.

"Damon," Elena chastised.

Damon rolled eyes.

Stefan moved forward towards Elena. Damon didn't move from her side an inch. Stefan looked at his brother, almost pleading. Damon groaned. His eyes flicked over Stefan's ring before he walked towards the foyer.

Stefan reached his hand up and placed it on Elena's shoulder.

"I'll check in on you," he assured.

"You just got here," she said.

"Do you think I'd want to stay," he asked.

Elena blinked and cast her eyes down. She said nothing.

"You're a strong girl," he continued. "You'll be fine."

He squeezed her arm reassuringly.

"Goodbye, Elena."

He leaned in and hesitated for noticeable moment. He kissed her cheek and began to walk away towards the door that Damon already opened for him.

Stefan stopped and looked at Damon.

"Take care of her," he said.

"I already am," he looked towards Elena. She motioned to Stefan and implored him with her eyes as if to say, 'Be nice to your brother.' Damon rolled his and looked away.

"Before you leave," he lowered his voice, "there is something you should know."

Stefan turned.

Damon turned his back to Elena and looked at Stefan. His eyes changed. Gone was the strong façade and the over exemplified arrogance.

His voice was a bear whisper.

"Someone is trying to kill Elena," he said softly.

Stefan's eyes flew to Elena's and back to Damon's.

"What?"

"Calm down," Damon hushed. "I don't want her to know."

"Know what," Stefan's voice said lightly. "What's going on?"

"Someone's been sending compelled people into the house for Elena to eat….the last one had Vervain seeds she said she had to swallow first before seeing her. Something is wrong."

Stefan said nothing

Damon knew immediately that Stefan wouldn't be leaving to Italy.

"As much as I hate you, I need you here right now until I figure out what's going on."

"I don't care what you need. I'm doing it for Elena."

"Whatever."