Physical Attraction, Chemical Reaction

Chapter 27 - The Journey of Now


The days in New York had never been brighter to Elena. Ever since she came back from North Carolina, in the same flight as Damon she felt as if her life was starting now.

She had been visiting the studio every week and sometimes more than once a week and he didn't complain at all. Everyone in his crew knew about their relationship, he made sure to proudly reintroduce her as his girlfriend. They had been able to finish the script and start working in the first week of December just like Damon planned. He was very busy those weeks, taking care of everything in the production but she wouldn't complain about their limited time together.

It was now one week away of Christmas and she knew the drill. Damon would soon release the crew for the holidays and she would only meet him again in the new year. Was she ready to go almost ten days without seeing the man that she loved so much? It wasn't even two months since she had met him but as each day passed by she loved him more. But for some stupid reason she suggested him to spend the holidays with his family while she would do the same with hers. But she had so little time with him these days. When she came to the studio they rarely had a chance to be together. She just spent her time watching him work.

The way he moved around. The way he talked to the crew. The way he directed some of the rehearsal scenes to help the director's work. Everything about Damon was mesmerizing. The silly grin that never left his face when he was around her. She had made it to the set a few times without him noticing her and she could see the difference in his features when he knew she was there and when he didn't. Also Jill and Kate had told her many times that even a blind could see how he changed at her presence. It was as if he was six years old all over again and every time Elena appeared was Christmas morning.

Damon was a happy man. He had given up trying to understand how he felt and why he felt like that in such a small amount of time but he realized it was impossible to explain. His days were miserable when he didn't see her. He was doing his best to accommodate her in his schedule, like having lunch or dinner together but he failed more than anything. He couldn't go another day without Elena. He contemplated how much the brunette girl changed his life from night to day. He didn't even recognize himself anymore and he was happy for the change. He thought he was a better man and he was sure he was happier than he had ever been in his life, even if he didn't have her with him.

It was torturing to go through the day without seeing her and it was even harder to have her around and to not touch her silky skin or not kiss her velvet lips. But it also made his heart happy. To see her chocolate eyes filled with pride while she watched him work. To see her lips opening with lust to kiss him with as much desire he wanted to kiss her when there were people around them. To see her playing with her hair trying to distract herself from his devouring gaze. He tried to be his normal self around her but it was almost inhumanly impossible. He almost wished she didn't look so tempting. There was nothing his body wanted and needed more than to touch her again and kiss her without a care in the world. Just kiss her for as long as life allowed him to.

But he was happy she was always coming to visit him in the studio. Some days she just sat around and didn't even follow his work that much. She just sat there and worked on her sequel. She was happy to know the ideas were flowing pretty quickly right now and it had helped her with her guilt towards Rose for what she did when she moved to Mystic Falls and even when she was back in New York.

"Knock, knock" the object of his daydream said from the doorway.

"Oh, my favorite and sexiest writer is here" a broad grin appeared on his face as he walked to meet the woman he did nothing but think about every minute of his days.

"Dan" she hugged the man in front of her. They always did it. Ever since their cab dropped her off in front of her building when they came back from Raleigh they bid and greet each other with a hug.

They embraced each other way longer than normal. They slid their hands over each other's bodies. The caress always comforted and warmed their hearts and bodies and that's why it was so hard to break the contact, leading them to stay even up to a few minutes holding each other. Elena rested her head on his chest and very often closed her eyes as they said their sappy lines about missing and loving each other. But there was one thing special about their bear hugs. They always ended with a long kiss on the lips, no matter where there were.

It was the only physical contact they had while he was working and they cherished it the best they could. Lunches and dinners were the highlight of their days because normally it was only the two of them but also because their old habits, which they never abandoned. She still loved when he kissed her hand and the same feelings she had in the first week they'd had spent together rose in her body. Her heart fluttered, there were butterflies in her stomach and a foolish smile on her face. She also did it to him, occasionally but it wasn't out of mutuality or to keep the habit. It was just natural for them to keep touching each other constantly as they had always done.

"I missed you around this week" he whispered in her hair still holding her. It was Wednesday in the afternoon and she hadn't been able to follow him to The Hamptons on Monday and on the previous day he had been in meetings all day although it wouldn't make much difference if he hadn't. She was pretty busy.

"It's been hectic. I had to do Christmas shopping. It was so wearing down and frustrating. I've been looking for something to buy you for the past three days and I can't find anything. I thought maybe seeing you again would give me some inspiration" her eyes were still closed as her face rested on his chest, her arms wrapping around his waist.

"I have to confess I had no problem at all buying yours" he teased. He knew how to get Elena Gilbert crazy and he was positive he had just done it. And just like many other times he was absolutely right about the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

"You're so telling me" she detached her body from his and for a moment he regretted the banter he was about start.

"It is only fair if you tell me yours too"

"I just told you that I have no idea of what I will give you!" she slapped him playfully in the chest "Jerk" she smiled but soon found her lips on his. She couldn't bring herself to be mad at him. She felt him smiling against her lips and she didn't have to break the kiss to know what she would see. Obviously he was smirking at her knowing that he had provoked her just like he always did and she had easily picked up his bait.

"So when you tell me, I'll tell you, I promise but I can assure and let you know that you will love it. Scratch that, you will love me for that" he walked back to his desk smirking and imagining her lightheartedly infuriated face. But this time he couldn't be more wrong. He was playing with fire and surely Elena would never let him to get away that easily.

"Fine then I guess I can only be this ecstatic when I finally get your gift because there is no way I'm letting you give it to me before I can give yours" she explained and he immediately turned on his track looking at her mischievous smile.

"Bitch" he tried to pull a bad face but the smile was hard to be held back. She was so sexy, childish and beautiful that it was hard for him to even breathe normally around her.

He was putting an extra effort to finish the movie soon. He couldn't wait until he was free to be around her all the time. He hoped it would match the time she finished the sequel or at least sent enough for the publishing house to give her a month break. She told him she had been making incredible progress because he was her muse and that she also couldn't wait until they were free to do whatever they wanted.

"When are you leaving to Raleigh?" she changed the subject. She had waited for him to invite her there many times though she knew after missing Thanksgiving in her own house she owed Jenna and Sophie big time but at the same time she wanted to visit Katherine and the kids again. Truth to be told she had missed the whole family and not only the kids.

After she left the southern city it was even clearer to her how great Damon's family was to her. They never made a comment about what happened. They could have hated her for all she did to Damon but they did quite the opposite. They were there for her even when they could have been there for him. They didn't let her feel like she had really screwed up or that she didn't deserve Damon. She had no idea what would have happened to her and ultimately to her relationship with Damon if Katherine hadn't been there for her.

"I didn't set things up with Kat. I suppose it's not hard to find flights to Raleigh, even in the holidays. Most people leave the city instead of heading there"

"I've got the gifts for the kids" she tried once more. Damon seemed so slow about her attempts to make him invite her and she thought it was odd. When they first started seeing each other he could catch what she was saying even when she didn't mean for him to catch anything and now she had gave him so many clues the whole week that she wanted to go there but she was still waiting for an invitation and he was totally oblivious to her attempts.

But the truth is not that Damon didn't read into her too much. He actually misread her. He thought she was only showing him interest in his family to be the sweet girl she had always been and that time and space certainly didn't imply traveling together. He didn't invite her because he didn't want her to be forced to say yes.

"You're spoiling them" he smirked

"That's what aunties are for, isn't it?" she offered her beautiful smile and playful wink.

"Only special aunties" he told her with his eyes showing how much she was special and he knew she was very special to his family too.

"Well they are certainly special kids, in a special family, that deserve special care" she walked towards him and sat in the desk, just by his side, their legs rubbing each other's.

"I mean you are special, Elena. They couldn't have asked for a more special aunt" he looked deep in her eyes.

"Thank you" she uttered and their eyes kept locked for a while. They didn't use any words but their eyes spoke volumes. The desire, love and affection never went away. Everything was there and if possible it was even more intense than before. He could look into those eyes for the rest of his days and he was sure he wouldn't get tired especially if they showed him all the feelings they were showing now.

Elena loved the man in front of her more than she could imagine she would ever love someone. She not only loved him but also admired, cherished and desired him. Damon Salvatore was a man of so many facets and each of them was more interesting, seductive and beautiful than the previous one. He was arrogant but also sweet. He cared a lot about people but he didn't get anyone's shit. He loved his job so much but he didn't live as if there wasn't anything else. He was a caring brother and definitely a great uncle. He had flaws and she knew a few of them but she just couldn't remember any when she looked at those piercing but yet tender eyes. When she looked into those eyes she could see all the things that made her fall in love with him so quickly and with all her heart.

"So will you give them the gifts for me?" she whispered after several minutes.

"Of course" his voice was just as low as hers and they didn't break the gaze.

"Tell them I love them and I miss them as crazy and I would love to be there" she breathed out.

"I'm sure they miss and love you just as much and certainly not only them"

"I also don't love only them" and the warmth in her eyes just made his heart race in his chest.

Another silence followed. They both knew who they were talking about. It could be his brother and sister-in-law but it wasn't. They knew each other enough to know the look they had now on their faces. The look that spoke more than thousand words. The adoring look that gave both of them hope that they would make it.

"I'll stop by to give you the presents tomorrow" she came out of the trance moving from her position and walking to the opposite side of the table, across him.

"You really didn't have to Elena"

"I wanted to. By the way can you give me your sister's number?" she opened her purse to get her cell phone to register the information she just asked. She was hopeful that if she called Katherine for any reason maybe the older brunette would do what her brother didn't and finally invite her to go there. She also thought there was a small chance that his sister would help her to finally choose something to give to Damon but honestly she would only try this if she couldn't find anything at all. She wanted it to be special and meaningful to them. She wanted it to somehow remember him of her and what they had.

"Well I guess I should get going" she offered quietly after he gave her Katherine numbers.

"Thank you for passing by" he walked towards her and she was comforted that at least they would share another special hug as he opened his arms.

"I miss you" she muttered against his shirt.

He increased his grip around her body and holding her pretty tight he confessed the same "I miss you too"

"Have breakfast with me tomorrow" he pleaded as he allowed himself to rub her soft hair.

"I would love too" she whispered with her eyes closed.

"Villa's or your house?" he asked.

"I don't want to share you with anyone. Not with the people at Villa's" she suggested as she was still attached to him.

She was so perfect in his arms, just like she always used to be. Their bodies were a perfect fit and she smelled so good and her skin was so soft and her voice was driving him crazy. He had to control himself otherwise he would kiss and make love to her in his office. Again. Of course they had no problem having sex like rabbits. Sex had always been the easy part of their connection. It was funny how people normally did the emotional part first and the sex later but Elena and Damon made it backwards. They knew that no matter what other problems and fights they could have in the future sex would never be a problem. They would never need to take it slow about sex because sex was what started their love story.

"So see you at seven?" she confirmed.

"Yes. It is perfect" he kissed her forehead and they broke apart of their very long embrace but not for much longer as soon they found their lips connected.


That day, like many others, he had left the studio late at night. When he worked until the wee hours in the morning he didn't go to her place. She said it was okay and he was tempted to go but it meant he was probably too tired and he wouldn't be able to resist his kitten. He had tried once but the way she tangled their bodies like a feline was too much for him. Obviously they had made love not only once but twice and in the following day he went to the studio like a zombie. Damon was a perfectionist about his work and as much as he loved being with her and making love to her, he refrained himself from doing it when he was too tired. He always put a lot of effort into his movies but this one was special. Not only because it was the first time she would see his work in the theaters but especially because it was about her book.

The night was gone much earlier than he wished; he really needed the weekend that was approaching and he was just getting started with the production. Good thing they would have the holiday break and he could recharge his batteries before the worst came. But now he was going to take a shower and go straight to Villa's to pick her favorites. The breakfast was definitely one of his favorite moments with her. One of the best things they had when they were seeing each other. It made his days start perfectly and he was thankful that today was one of the days that he could afford to have her with him in the morning.

He was still in his bathroom, drying his body when he heard his front door shutting. It was uncommon because the hotel staff never really entered his suite like that. He quickly finished his work with the towel and headed to the living room with it wrapped around his waist. Much to his shock Elena, his Elena, was standing in the middle of his room with a sweet smile on her face. Except for the trip to Raleigh, Elena never surprised him. She said she didn't like surprises, though he knew better than that, and she wasn't one to make them but when she did she really surprised him.

"I wanted to surprise you" she offered simply.

"I guess that's the best surprise I've ever got in my life" he reached for her, helping her with the bags.

"I guess the first time around didn't work out as I planned" she commented and her face dropped but he was fast to raise her chin with his hand "I will always love you for going to Raleigh on Thanksgiving, so let me correct myself, that was the best surprise of my life" he assured her.

"And I will always love you for asking me to go there. The best invitation ever" she looked deep in his eyes and they were again lost in their gazes.

And then it finally hit Damon. After her numerous attempts to make him realize that she wanted him to ask her again to spend the holiday with him, he finally understood.

"I'd love to repeat it" his hand reached for the side of her face and she closed her eyes at his touch. It was like in the cartoons. His fingers brushed her skin and it was like it inflamed her own body from that contact point.

"Maybe this time we could go together"

"No misunderstandings, no mismatches"

"You look so sexy taking care of the kids" he lowered his lips to her neck and kissed her erotically while she closed her eyes and moaned softly.

"That's disturbing" she chuckled.

"I look at you being so perfect with them and I want to make a baby with you and the innocent thoughts in my mind escalate into something very hot and soon I forget about getting any baby and can only think of the many ways I can practice making them with you" he continued his ministrations, moving to her chest.

"I see your understanding now, pervert" she moved her hands to his head and grabbed his hair, almost pulling them off.

"It's no perversion, it's only that making love to you is the sexiest and hottest thing ever" he cupped her breasts in his hands and moved his lips to hers.

Their breath was already ragged and they even realized he was talking about having a kid with her. They were too distracted by the thoughts in his head and the action of his hands and lips on her body. The moment their lips touched Elena's hand immediately found their way to the back of his neck and his to her waist.

The kiss was slow because it was feeding their almost infinite need of one another. The air would soon become a problem if they were too hungry and they just kept a slow pace. Their bodies merged into one and there wasn't a single cell that wasn't warmed by the contact.

"God, I miss you so much!" he sounded tortured and relieved altogether and it led Elena's heart to melt a little bit more. "But we can't do it now. I don't want to rush it. I need to take my time with you. I need to make it right and long and deep. Just like on the beach"

"That's a good memory that I will always carry in my heart, just by the side of my love to you. I more than miss you Damon, I need you" both of her hands reached for the side of his face while she closed her eyes once again. Remembering the first time they did more than have sex was one of the fondest memories she had. Damon had been so perfect that day. It seemed foolish or stupid but those words that at the time she thought he didn't mean, at least not entirely, gave her enough hope to dream again. Now she understood that although her heart didn't believe in his words back them, somewhere in her mind or subconscious she caught the honesty in his eyes, acts and words. And although in the present time those feelings were very clear to her, she couldn't help but feel a little bit down knowing that she still had a lot progress to do to be what he deserved her to be. She shouldn't have a problem with telling him by herself that she wanted to spend the holidays with him instead of her family but she didn't feel confident enough. It was stupid but she wanted him to invite her and now that he had she was relieved.

Damon could see how vulnerable she was in that moment and he did the only thing he could do to the woman he loved. He embraced her with his life. His bigger frame covered her smaller one and her hands dropped from his face to his shoulders while her arm rested against his naked chest.

"Every day you need me, come to me. If you need to see me, see me; if you need to hug me, hug me; if you need to kiss me just kiss me. If you need me to make love to you, I'm more than willing. I'm here for you Elena. I'm here because I love you and I'm willing to do everything you need me to. Everything else can wait, even the movie" he soothed in her hair and it was enough for her to release the many tears that she had been holding back for so many days.

Elena knew those weren't empty love speeches. Damon meant each of those words and she felt tears shimmering in her eyes.

"Thank you for being so patient with me. I know you know I'm still holding some feelings back and that I'm not with both feet yet but I'm getting there Damon. It may not feel much different from when we were just spending five days together but I'm making some progress. I promise. I hate myself for being like this. I wish I was someone else, I wish I wasn't so damaged; I wish I wasn't so weak. I need you more than I can say and still I can't give myself entirely to you. I know sex is easy and kissing and going to the studio is more a pleasure than anything else. I'm not purposefully holding back. I just can't seem to do it" her voice was calm and low. Elena was tired of the same story playing out in her head. She was tired of all her fears and demons hunting her as she rested her head in the pillow. She was tired of being unhappy.

"I want to kiss you and not remember how much I hurt you. I want to make love to you and not feel like you will be swept away from me at any minute. I want to spend the day with you and not have to worry that I will screw it up at the end of the week" she continued and Damon could sense that in that moment even the weight of her body was too much for her to resist.

He carefully took her in his arms and going back to his bed he laid her down. The tears in her eyes still fell though not one sound came out of her mouth.

He sat by her side and pulled her against his body, kissing the top of her head as he felt her tears wetting his chest.

"I don't know what I can do to take those fears away, I don't know what could make you forget what they did to you but I do know that you won't screw up by the end of week. I do know that I won't be swept away from you because there is nothing you can do that will set me apart of you except if that's your will. I almost lost you once and God only knows how much it hurt and I won't ever go through that again. No matter how much you hurt me, no matter how much you avoid me, no matter how much you're afraid of losing me. I won't leave. I feel like my whole life came down to this one moment where I saw your beautiful lips cursing your car behind mine. It was as if I had lived until that moment only to meet you and now that I finally had and I could finally see that something was missing in my life, the biggest part of my life, I won't let it go. I won't let you go" his voice was serene. It was like the water of a quiet river. It brought peace to her heart not only because she believed in every promise he made but also because she felt exactly the same way.

"I'll try harder. I'll dig deeper. I'll go further" she promised nodding her head forcefully in his chest. She couldn't understand why it took her three weeks to finally open up to him again but she was happy she finally did but mainly she was relieved. She could indeed count on Damon.

"And I'll have your back every second of it" he reassured her last thought as if he had read it.

"I love you"

"I love you too"


AN: Elena is having problems to let him in totally. But she's making progress. Thanks for the reviews, guys, you're a amazing to me. Some great words you left to me. Thanks to May, my beta.

xoxo

Babi