Chapter 11. Forbidden Fruit
Large, clammy hands gripped her as she lost balance and her world finally began to tilt. Something was terribly wrong. She was never one to be a lightweight, but her tolerance had decreased due to lack of consumption. Not to mention her poor diet that was finally altering for the better could have caused this sudden whirlwind of instability.
"Elena?" The male voice met her delicate ears. His voice was a smooth as a wave upon shore. He was visible, but the edges were blurred. She recognized the outline of his misplaced hair that could be mistaken for sex and his blue eyes that were brighter than ever.
"What are you doing here, Salvatore?" Klaus exclaimed.
Even through the haze she saw them exchanged glances. Two powerhouses, two men with the need for control were battling for who had the upper hand. Elena was realizing that business disagreements were just the surface. What they truly loathed about one another went deeper. Her involvement was just the accelerator.
"Elena, you don't look well." Damon spoke firmly and directly toward. He was ignoring her man handler of a boss. "Let me take you home."
"I got it." His said possessively.
Tension was putting it lightly. Her drunken spurt was clearing from initial reaction, but she still felt dizzy and extremely uncomfortable. She squeezed out of her boss's hold and she stepped closer to Damon. His arrival was blunt and instinctive knowing she was with the one person he wanted to rip to shreds, but she was also grateful. Something simmered inside her indicating whatever this odd reaction her body was having wasn't normal. Things had been smooth with a slight bump here and there, but she would never have suspected it to end like this. Whether Klaus was innocent in the matter or not, all she wanted was to leave and with Damon.
"Elena." The simplicity of her name being said was like a command. She slipped through Klaus's grasp and stepped toward Damon willingly. She could feel the heat radiating off the man, her boss.
"Mr. Salvatore, may I say your arrival is convenient." He said. Hostility was in his voice.
"Are you okay?" Damon asked continuing to ignore Klaus.
With this scene of unfortunate events, she was positive come tomorrow she would be out of a job. It was obvious her "friendship" with Damon Salvatore was more than it led on to be. A friend is loyal, but Damon he was more than that.
"I'm fine." Elena lied knowing fully well he didn't believe her for an instance.
An aggravated and defeated Klaus slapped the table. He put down a twenty-dollar bill sprawled out next to her empty glass and his barely touched drink. Elena took another step closer toward Damon. The tips of his fingers touched the back of her arm sending inward shivers.
"You think you have it all. Don't you?" Klaus spat close to Damon's face. "I'm on to you Salvatore. This isn't over."
His brash threat made her tremble. For the first time she was seeing the sort of evil Damon had embedded into her head. Things were out of place and knowing his temper, Damon was only making it worse. Elena deep down knew her physical distraught was because of Klaus. All signs were pointing to the obvious, but she still did not want to believe it. He was her boss. What would he want with her? Why would he want to sabotage her well-being?
Like a crisp, bitter wind Klaus Mikaelsen pushed past them in an irate state. The hands that engulfed around her skinny arm were welcomed. His hold was strong and she did not worry about losing her balance or drifting off. Damon would guide her. They stood quiet for minutes until the roar of the engine outside dissipated.
"I'm taking you back to my place. Come on." Damon demanded and directed her out the door.
Elena did not object. However, his timely arrival would not go unnoticed. He would hear about this one and his previous actions earlier in the day once she felt her dizzy spell was gone. For now, she felt her body floating out of the bar into the dusk of night.
"Wait, my car." Elena stated twisting in his hold.
"You're not driving home." He said. "We will get your car later."
"Damon, I can't leave it here over night." She argued.
Resisting him finally, she felt his cold, slender fingers tighten around her arm. Through her spinning haze, she saw the menacing expression across his face. He was serious. She knew he was not only upset about Klaus, but at her. Elena didn't care how mad he was because none of this would have happened if he hadn't been so bold. What he had done left her unimpressed.
"Don't worry about it." Damon sighed. He swung her around holding both her arms and staring at her with great intensity. "You need to go home and get some rest."
"Fine, but don't think I don't have a bone to pick with you Salvatore." Elena threatened. She felt his body close in and his hot breath on her lips.
"After you rest." He replied.
Half expecting some sarcastic and seductive remark, she knew Damon was in no mood to be played with. Power surged through his veins. Control emanated through his face. He was no man to be messed with and yet she saw past his mask. Worry was instilled in him. She was capable somehow of knowing this. The stone had cracked and through those cracks she witnessed his humanity. He tried so hard to patch it up and hide what really lied beneath. A man, who was broken and hurt, lost in this world and trying desperately to fit in. He may have achieved just that, but he never would truly be a part of the bigger picture as long as he held his secrets.
Elena followed him to his car letting the effects of the situation settle in. She curled up on the leather passenger seat closing her eyes. Trying to resist would only make it worse. Her anger from before was still bundled up inside waiting to be released, but for now she would rest. She would clear her mind before she could really lay down the law with him.
When she opened her eyes, she saw the four walls of the Salvatore home surrounding her. She had been placed in the bed that belonged to her supposedly with Damon nowhere to be seen. The silk sheets were cold against her skin. This room she never grew fond of. It was a barrier between them, or had been. She wanted to be in his bed, to have him next to her when she awoke. Where was he?
"I'm here." He said from the doorway appearing abruptly.
Startled by his entrance, Elena pushed herself up resting against the pillows.
"How you feeling?" He asked.
"Better." She answered.
"Look, I know you're mad at me…" Damon began.
"Mad is a light way of putting it." Elena interrupted. She saw his blue eyes flash as the rest of his exterior remained still.
Damon sighed. "I'm only looking out for you. Clearly, tonight you saw what he could do. Elena, he drugged you!" He could no longer keep himself together. He was pissed.
"Drugged?" She questioned.
"I'm not positive, but judging by your actions something made you be that way." He explained in a calmer voice. Damon took a seat at the end of the bed. "It only took on sweep of the situation to understand what was going on. Your empty glass and his barely touched. His hands…his fucking hands on you like you were his."
"Damon, I'm not his." Elena assured him as she scooted forward.
"It was a trap, Elena. Whatever Klaus Mikaelsen wants, he gets." Damon stated so coldly it made her shake. "I'm sorry you're mad at me for stepping in and doing the right thing, but now that I have partnership with the company I can make sure this won't ever happen again."
"None of this would be happening if you hadn't referred me, you do know that?" Her tone was low and slow.
"I fucking know that! Don't you see that! This is why I have to protect you!" He shouted and punched the bedpost. The bed shook violently and Elena feared it would break. "This is my fault and now I'm fixing my mistake. If Klaus makes one more false move, his ass is fired."
His temper was a bit extreme. Elena understood is frustration, but he was being over dramatic.
"You don't have to do any of this. I'm the one who should be solving my problems, not you." She spoke with caution and waiting for another blow up.
Damon pierced his lips together and crossed his arms. He paced the length of the room.
"How can you know for sure that Klaus drugged me?" Elena asked.
"I would need a blood sample." He confirmed.
Blood. His weakness. The topic was delicate and she knew he was cringing just thinking about her blood spilling more than it already had.
"Fine." She responded and held out her wrist. Damon snapped her a bewildered look. "Take it."
"No. Absolutely fucking not." He uttered. His jaw clenched and the veins in his arms popped.
"Then I guess we will never know." Elena sighed and dropped her arm to her side.
He was so stubborn. An ounce, a simple drop of blood seemed like nothing to her, but to him it was everything. It was his source. It was his feed. It was the substance that kept him going. His promise to never taste her sweet veins again were holding true despite the hunger in his eyes at the mention of it.
"There is another way." Damon specified. "I'll be back."
"Damon." She shot up from the bed. He was halfway done the hallway. "Damon!"
He did not flinch or even pause from her pleas. He strutted down the hall with a purpose and that scared her. Damon was capable of anything.
"If you hurt him, you will regret it! He may be a douche bag, but you're better than that." She shouted.
Turning the corner, he was gone with the blink of the eye.
An hour passed and Elena found herself sitting in the living room of the Salvatore house. Her finger throbbed as she placed a rhythmic pressure on it. Drip drop. The dark red blood bounced into the glass. A sterilized needle lied on the table as she let her blood spill slowly, but surely. She knew Damon would be beyond mad at what she was doing, but she had to this. If there were still traces of the drug in her system she wanted to do it in a justified way. Her figuration of the need for her blood meant Damon tasting it. He could detect it. Instead, he was off somewhere probably beating Klaus to a pulp. She squeezed her finger harder. The blood spilled faster.
"Stop it!" He barked and the grasp on her punctured finger slipped.
His eyes were fixated on the glass. He tried to hold himself together, but she saw the pain in his face. Elena quickly realized how stupid she was.
"I'm sorry." She apologized softly and bowed her head.
Damon did not move an inch. The blue iris turned faintly red. His face cracked and wrinkled slightly and he took in a sharp breath. "What the hell were you thinking?" He whispered loudly.
"What were you thinking? Leaving like that?" Elena returned the anger. "What did you even do anyways?"
"I went back to that scummy ass bar that you were at with him." He explained. "I compelled the bartender to tell me everything she saw."
"And?" She asked.
"And Klaus didn't drug your drink." Damon said sounding disappointed.
Elena spoke in a shock state. "What?!"
"She said he never touched your drink, but she was advised to." He continued to tell her. Elena felt tears stinging her eyes. How could her boss be this cruel? Fear was settling in again. "She told me Klaus handed her a small vile of a date rape drug and a wad of cash she couldn't refuse. However, her conscious got the best of her and as she was about to do it, she backed out. A tiny ounce mixed into both drinks and she honestly didn't think it would do a thing. Then you started to fall and look distraught and she knew she had messed up. Klaus wanted to make it look like the she did and not him by drugging both."
"Oh my god." Elena choked on her words. The throbbing in her pricked finger became worse. "What, what are you going to do? What did you do to her?"
"I told her to forget about the entire thing and keep the money." He said rolling his eyes. "She may have almost gone through with it, but the fact that she stopped herself says something. I couldn't be too harsh with her. The real offender is Mikaelsen."
"How could such a small amount make me like that?" She tried to understand as her heart began to race.
"Any amount could have an effect, plus you weigh next to nothing right now. Did you even eat today?" Damon asked.
Elena looked up at him. She swallowed hard and replied, "No. I was too distracted by you. Food was the last thing on my mind." She felt her cheeks flush.
"Damn it, Elena." He cried. "You promised me you would start eating better. You can't do this to yourself. Now it's no surprise one fucking drink went to your head. The drug just accelerated it."
"I'm sorry." She whispered falling back down on the couch.
Her mind could not wrap around the idea of what had happened. She didn't even want to face Klaus knowing what he had done or tried to do. What if Damon hadn't come to her rescue? What would have happened to her? She couldn't bear to think of it. However, this was her job on the line now and she liked her job.
"He can't know that we know." Elena blurted. "Damon, I know what I'm asking is stupid, but please. We can't give into him like this. You said one more false move and he's gone. I trust you to do the right thing."
"You're asking me to ignore the fact that sick fuck almost tried to take you home with him and do God knows what?! Fuck no!" He shouted.
"Yes. I was stupid and I know how idiotic that sounds, but this is my battle." She said shaking with anger. "Let me deal with him. If he does something again, I give you full permission to do what you want. I can protect myself and I see now what he can do. I won't let it happen again."
"Elena…"
"Damon, please." Her voice was weary.
The anger for Damon was gone. His protection over her was something she understood finally. How could she be mad at him for seeing what she couldn't see initially? What she did feel was anger toward herself. Disappointment swarmed her at how blind she was. Klaus Mikaelsen wasn't just a creepy boss; he was a determined creepy boss. And there wouldn't be a next time with him because she was ready. Whatever he had planned, she would be quick to react.
"I don't even know why I am agreeing to this." Damon growled.
"Trust me." She pleaded.
He paced the length of the room like he had in the bedroom. His eyes flicked back and forth from her and the bloody glass. The red tint was circling his pupils again and his breathing was erratic. She knew how torturing her decision to release her blood in the open around him was, but something wicked coursed through her.
"Take it." Elena demanded.
"No." He replied shaking his head still pacing.
"How are you going to learn to control yourself around me, my blood if you don't try?" She taunted him. The bleeding had finally diminished, but the small amount in the glass was fresh.
"I told you, I'm done with your blood." Damon exclaimed. "And I do have control."
"Then drink it. If you have control you shouldn't have a problem with mine. It's just like any other type." She tried to convince him and picked up the glass.
"No, its not." He snarled.
"Then I guess I'll just pour it down the drain." Elena stood up and the glass nearly fell out of her hand. Damon was focused on the red substance. His eyes were glowing fully red and his face was transforming. He licked his lips and his hand trembled as he took it from her.
Come on, you can do this. She quietly thought to herself. Her blood was temptation. It was the forbidden fruit.
The awful memories of her blood being spilled from her neck still processed in her mind, but she was trying to not dwell on it. Her blood had led to the downfall of his control and she knew that. However, she wanted him to find his center. She wanted him to not feel like he couldn't be free around her because her blood boiled beneath her skin. Things had to change and he had to learn. This was who he was and there was nothing changing him. She had accepted that.
Damon raised the glass to his lips. She watched him intently. The blood poured down slowly against the sides dripping past his pink lips. He let out a breath of relief. Though it wasn't much, she knew it was the perfect amount. It was just enough to edge him back into tasting her again. However, she was awaiting a rage. So small and barely quenching his thirst made him crave more.
"Damon." She whispered.
He removed the glass from his mouth. His eyes focused on something far off. Gradually, the wrinkles and cracks were gone. His eyes were the perfect shade of blue. He returned his gaze on her and she held her breath. Reaching down, he pulled the hand with the pricked finger up. He examined the tiny wound that bled barely. His lips parted and her finger dipped inside. Elena froze fearing what could happen. All it took was one taste and he could lose himself. Instead, he sucked sensually on her finger. His cheeks sunk in and her eyes grew heavy. This wasn't painful, but arousing. How could he make something like this into a sexual drive?
Removing her finger slowly from his mouth, his hand snaked around her waist and he pushed her hair off her face. No words were needed in this moment. She knew well enough what he was thinking. A telepathic thank you was being sent and a tender kissed placed upon her lips. This battle would be long, but worth it. He would feed on her again with time. But for now, she forgot about every outlandish thing he did. She forgot about her almost dreadful night at the bar. She forgot he was even a vampire.
Right now, he was just a man. A man who she knew was falling in love with her.
**From the feedback, I'm guessing most of you hate Klaus and you should. The next chapter is going to be even more drama filled. I have through chapter 16 planned out. It's going to get very steamy and crazy. Thank you for reading as always and reviewing. I highly enjoy reading them. Just to let you guys know I posted two new videos on my YouTube account. Please go check them out. Also, follow me on Twitter at mystfallsfanfic. Peace & blessings.**