Chapter 14

Hi there I just wanted to thank everyone for such wonderful reviews. I am glad you are enjoying the story as much as I am. This story is coming to an end, only a couple of chapters left as I don't want to draw it out too long. Exciting things ahead of us!

I was parked outside my parent's house. Well, my house, where Alaric and Jeremy and I suspect Bonnie, live. After spending the day reminiscing and driving leisurely around Mystic Falls, I ended the afternoon outside my house. I knew no one was at home as Alaric had gone to Duke University to get some research for his history class and Bonnie and Jeremy were at the boarding house, probably all getting ready for the final fitting of the groomsmen and bridesmaids outfits before the wedding. Wow, it had all gone past so fast. Today was already Monday Tuesday and the wedding was only five days away (Saturday). I couldn't help but smile at the fact that in a few short days Caroline Forbes would become Mrs Caroline Salvatore. Although, knowing her independent streak she might just remain Ms Forbes. Haha, Caroline.

I put the car into gear and drove back down the tree lined avenue, headed for home. It is true that I had begun to think of the boarding house as home. It was filled with people I love and had a sense of familiarity. I felt like I belonged there and most importantly, my heart was there.

"Elena?" I had just walked into the lounge, swinging my car keys around my index finger as I looked around for signs of life, and of course, bumped into the bride herself.

Caroline was standing at the foot of the staircase in a pair of denim shorts and a button up cotton white shirt. Her hands were placed firmly on her hips and her facial expression expressed a puzzled frown. She was looking at the floor. "Have you seen the Persian rug that was here?"

Oh shit. Henry! He was still upstairs in Damon's room. "Um, no, but I will keep an eye out for it."

"It's so annoying when people just move things!" She through her hands up in the air and then walked out into the garden. "And don't forget the fitting is at six!" She shouted back to me.

"I won't!" I answered normally, knowing that the vampiress would hear me. Once she was out of earshot, I strolled up the stairs to go and find the runaway rug.

Certain that I had seen Damon leave the house this morning, I feared not entering the lair of Damon Salvatore. Confidently opening the door, I was surprised, no shocked … no … hit with a thunderbolt of that that is Damon Salvatore dressed in nothing but a slim pair of black sweats with his damp hair forming into messy curls. Holy Shit.

"Um … I thought you were out today?"

His eyes skimmed me up and down, "just got back. Decided to take a shower."

"Oh." My bravado was gone. I looked nervously around the room at anything and everything but him.

"May I enquire as to why you are in my bedroom, Elena?" He said my name slowly, drawing out the last syllables.

"Oh right. Care wanted me to come and fetch the rug." Remembering his cute and innocent face that night, my bravery returned tugging along my confidence, "Henry is needed downstairs." I folded my arms and lent against the doorframe in a position similar to that of someone I know.

Damon caught on immediately and lent against the bare wall behind him with his arms folded across his chest. That chest!

"Well, why don't you just come and take it."

"It would be unladylike for me to just take it."

"Like that would ever stop you."

"What are you implying?"

"Well, my dear Elena. There are moments where your naivety can be put into question." My mind instantly flashed back to that night in the garage against his car.

"You get that dent out of the bonnet?"

That did it. In seconds I walked forward and met him, chest to chest, in the middle of the room before his lips came crashing down on mine.

As our tongues battled for dominance, he had backed me up against the bedroom door which slammed shut behind me moments before I found myself pressed up against it. My hands found their way between us and traced the contours of his chiselled stomach muscles. The heat between only grew more scorching as his nimble fingers found their way to the hem of my shirt and ripped it over my head before pulling me closer to his rock hard body.

"God, Elena. You're going to be the death of me." He all but groaned as he placed urgent kisses along my jaw to my earlobe and back, before taking my earlobe between his teeth and giving it a soft tug. This only made me melt more as I was on the brink of collapse. Sensing my inability to continue standing, Damon hitched my leg around his waist and I followed suit with the other as he pushed me firmly against the door, effortlessly holding me up as I tightened my legs around his waist.

"Damon," I breathed while his mouth was distracted with the bit of skin just above my collar bone, "bed."

In a flash I was down on the bed with him leaning over me. His soft, warm lips trailed kisses down the valley between my breasts to the waist band of my rolled up jeans and back up until he met my lips with a feverish passion. I allowed my finger nails to dig into his back as he scraped his teeth across my neck. Oh God, what was I doing? But this just felt so right. This was Damon. My Damon. His hands were now unzipping my jeans and then they were gone, slipped off of my legs in a second and replaced with the weight of his naked legs as I realised that he too had shed his slacks in the process and was now only in his underwear.

"Oh my God!" A loud, shocked voice broke us out of out reverie followed by the slamming of the bedroom door. From outside I heard Bonnie shout, "For God's sake, next time put a sock on the door or something!" Too embarrassed to face her, I hid my face under one of Damon's silk pillows. When I looked again Damon was dressed in his slacks once again and added a white vest to the composition.

He leant down over me and gave me a scorching kiss, "Laters babe, gotta go attend a fitting. And if you don't get dressed you'll miss yours and Blondie will have your head." And with that he was gone.

What the hell had just happened? He was acting so … so normal. But maybe this had become our new normal. Maybe things were going forward. But we hadn't really talked about how we felt? I know I have feelings for him, do I still love him? Does he love me? Oh God, I am way over thinking this.

"Elena, if you don't get your clothes on and your ass downstairs, you are going to be late!" came Bonnie's voice again. Sigh.

"Oh wow. You girls look just beautiful! Absolutely perfect!" Squealed Care with delight as she inspected us. Bonnie, Rebekah and I all stood in the centre of the makeshift dressing room in our dark purple bridesmaid dresses which had just arrived from the shop and fitted each of us like our own personal glove. Rebekah gave a little twirl in front of the full length mirror to admire the dresses. "They were a fantastic choice. Well done Bonnie."

"Yes, thank you Bonnie!" Caroline flung her arms around the now beaming witch.

"I do what I can." Bonnie laughed in reply.

The dress was felt soft, smooth, silky and cool between my fingers, "God, I could sleep in this." Caroline's panicked expression had me feign seriousness, "But I wouldn't, of course."

"Blondie?" Damon popped his beautiful head around the door. "Your fiancé is looking for you."

"I'll be right back," she ordered before leaving the room.

"My, my, my, don't we look beautiful." Damon said, almost sincerely, as he entered the room, with his hands in his pockets.

"Nice try Damon, but that won't get you in Elena's pants." Sighed Rebekah as she adjusted her dress, still looking in the mirror.

"What makes you think he hasn't already." Muttered Bonnie, loud enough for Rebekah's vamp hearing to pick up.

"Bonnie!" I chastised.

"Sorry!" Her eyes had swollen to the size of saucers.

Rebekah whirled around swiftly, "Oh my God, and that took what? All of two weeks! I should commend our determination Mr Salvatore!" She was laughing now.

"I will leave you ladies now," he gave me a wink and was gone. Rebekah turned to face me, her eyebrow raised in surprise. At the moment Caroline walked in. Seeing all of our shocked, embarrassed and surprised faces she asked, "Okay, what did I miss?" She put her hands back onto their designated spots on her hips.

"Nothing, now Care, I think you need to try on your dress so that we can see it with these. What do you think girls?" Bonnie asked as she began to usher Caroline out the room.

"Sure." I answered quickly and with a smile, eager to change the subject.

Rebekah followed silently, her face still maintaining its surprised expression.

Later that night, I was lying in bed, absorbed in the world of Heathcliff and his Cathy when my door opened. It was Damon.

"Miss Gilbert."

"Mr Salvatore." I couldn't help but smile.

He grinned in return before closing my door behind him and coming to lie down next to me on the bed. He looked at my book, "Wuthering Heights. How tragic."

"Like you've read it."

"Oh contraire, Elena."

We settled into silence. I though he had dosed off, as his eyes were closed, but I should have known better.

"Elena."

"Mmm?" I asked vaguely, still engrossed in my book.

"We need to talk."

I slammed my book shut.

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