Chapter 18

Elena had to work at the Grill the next day, so Damon managed to guilt Rick into helping him finish up the painting. They got almost everything done but the decorating and final touches and Damon knew Elena would want to do.

He took a bold move this morning and let her take his car to work since he didn't have anywhere to go all day. He never let anyone drive his car before. Much less someone without a license and it was kind of a risk if she got pulled over, she could potentially get into trouble, but Damon wasn't too worried about Liz or the other two deputies in town pulling her over.

He tried not to constantly fear the husband would show up here, but it was sort of always there in the back of his mind. It was hard not to want to shelter and follow her everywhere she went so he knew she was safe. But he knew he couldn't do that to her, she needed to know and feel that he respected her as an equal partner.

He wanted her to feel that independence again. He couldn't forget the look of exhilaration and freedom in her eyes when he let her drive his car the day before. He wished there were a way he could help her get her own car somehow, but without any real identification that just wasn't possible or safe considering her situation.

He chuckled thinking of the countless times Stefan begged to let him drive. His jaw would hit the floor if he knew Damon pretty much forced his keys into Elena's hand this morning and said have fun.

"I can't believe how much we did." Rick said, they sat down in the east wing parlor and Damon tossed him a beer opening one for himself.

"I just hope it's worth it, if I did all this and no one checks in we're screwed." Damon said he was starting to worry. He had put up an ad already knowing they would be ready to go by the weekend, but he hadn't gotten a single call yet. He couldn't lose this place and it wasn't even just about him anymore.

"Maybe you should have Elena write the ad." Rick suggested. "She is a writer after all."

"I can't believe I didn't think of that." Damon said, it wasn't a bad idea she wasn't a writer in the way Rick thought she was, but she did journal. He had seen her outside just this morning writing in her diary again by the rose garden.

The phone in the study rang and Damon groaned it could only be one of two people he didn't really want to talk to.

"Yeah." He answered.

"Damon?" It was Stefan, at the moment Damon considered him the lesser of the two evils he supposed and sat down with his beer.

"What do you want Stefan? A detailed report of what I've done since I got the money?" Damon asked rolling his eyes. "Did dad have you call?"

"No...I uh called for a different reason." Stefan said awkwardly.

"If it's about your wedding forget it. I'm not going, and I can't believe you had the nerve to send me the invitation." Damon snapped.

"What? I didn't send you the…what? Why would she do that?" He muttered.

"Oh for the love of...Stefan don't marry her." Damon found himself saying as he rubbed his temples.

"I can't get into that with you." Stefan said.

"What did you want?" Damon wisely just changed the subject.

"I don't even know how to ask. I'm desperate. I can't lose this job." Stefan mumbled sounding more nervous than Damon ever heard him.

"What are you talking about?" Damon asked.

"I'm about to lose the casino project in Vegas." Stefan whispered. "The biggest investor pulled out, he wasn't happy when I showed up to the meeting today. He doesn't like change, I guess. I don't know… I tried to convince him to stay I tried to charm him but...what do I do now? If I tell dad he's going to flip out."

"Damn." Damon said leaning back he couldn't help but feel a little satisfied; it was always nice to be right. He did however feel kind of bad for his little brother despite his urge not to.

"I know you probably just want to let me tank so dad begs you to come back...but please, if I lose this job Kat will leave and knowing her I'll probably never even see my kid." Stefan begged.

"Okay just calm down Stefan." Damon said. "I want you to shut your office door and have a drink or something. Just relax I'll call you in ten minutes."

"What are you going to do?"

Damon hung up and sighed before thumbing through his cellphone contacts and dialing up William Walsh the main investor from the casino.

"Damon Salvatore?" He answered immediately.

Damon had literally spent months building up a rapport with this guy they were asking him to invest millions in the casino project and it was literally his father's dream. He had spent years on it. Stefan, as loved as he may be, was right if he lost this investor Giuseppe would kill him.

"Will; I just had an interesting conversation with my brother." Damon said crisply.

"What is going on; why were you replaced? I don't trust anyone else with my money." He responded.

"I'm still within the company. A struggling boarding house of ours that meant something to my mother is suffering, so I'm here. But I'm helping Stefan from behind the scenes. He's just a face. It's still me man. You can't back out now not when it's so close to happening. My dad estimates construction to start within the year." Damon said.

"It's really you running things behind the scenes?" Will asked.

"Of course." Damon lied. "You think my dad is stupid enough to trust a kid with his company."

"I didn't think he would be." William murmured.

"He isn't." Damon almost gagged on the words, what was going on with him? A month ago, he would have let Stefan tank.

"Okay then." William said.

"You're still in?"

"I'm still in." He relented.

"What's the deal with this boarding house?" William asked.

"It's just sort of a hidden away little recluse not your ordinary motel. It has a real rustic feel to it." Damon said.

"So us busy people from the cities would love a few days there to get away." William murmured. "Is it the place in that picture of your family on your desk?"

"Yeah." Damon nodded.

"I tell you what I'll be in Vegas, well for the foreseeable future but I'm going to send my wife and one of her girlfriend's up there to stay for the weekend. They are your toughest critics; my wife love vacations, and she's become quite picky. They love it; we can talk money." He said.

"I'd really appreciate that Will." Damon said a cocky smirk on his face, at least he got something in return out of this.

Damon got Will's wife and guest booked into the computer and a sense of satisfaction went through him. The first guests the first step, and if Will invested in him…maybe he could just buy Giuseppe out and not have to be tied to him at all anymore. He could just imagine the look on his dad's face when he showed up in his office with the papers and a check. It would be nothing short of magnificent.

Damon dialed Stefan back still smirking.

"Damon?" He answered right away sounding panicked.

"I saved it." Damon said.

"You did?" Stefan sounded shocked.

"Yeah but listen he thinks I'm running things behind the scenes, so you just have to go with that." Damon warned him. "Like it or not."

"That's fine. Thank god you saved my life. I can't believe you did after everything. Thanks." Stefan mumbled.

"Thank my girlfriend she's got me going soft." Damon muttered rolling his eyes he still couldn't believe he swooped in and saved the day for Stefan.

"Your girlfriend?" Stefan quizzed.

"Just stay the hell away." Damon said spitefully.

"Damon, I wouldn't ever do that again. You have to know that much." Stefan said. "I'm really glad you found someone."

"I'm not doing a hallmark moment." Damon groaned.

"Fine, fine but I know I've said it before, and I just want you to know that I am really sorry. I never wanted to fall for her I just sort of did." Stefan said.

"I don't know what you want me to say Stefan. How am I supposed to forgive you for betraying me? You were my brother and I just can't forget what you did. But I am glad I didn't marry her; she wasn't the right one so..."

"So?" Stefan quizzed.

"So… I don't know but that's a start I guess."

"Yeah I guess it is and you helped me out today." Stefan sounded all hopeful and it kind of annoyed him. He realized he could only stomach Stefan for small periods of time regardless of whatever progress they just made.

"Bye Stefan." He hung up the phone and sat there staring into space.

The grill was busy that afternoon and Elena was relieved for Caroline's sake and her own. Idle time wasn't a friend right now. Her mind would start to race and she would start to worry. She and Damon haven't had a conversation about the; what ifs yet and she knew it had to be coming. The fact was they were together, and she didn't want to apart from him now. Whatever decisions she made she wanted him to be a part of them.

He had let her take his car to work this morning and it felt so freeing so normal she almost felt like she was in a dream. It seemed silly but something as little as driving herself to work made her feel so in control.

Elena decided to take one last table for Vicky since she said she had a date. Elena couldn't help but wonder if it was Jeremy. She and Vicky got along okay but Elena thought it would be too forward to push it and ask her. She made a mental note to call Jeremy later and check in with him.

Elena grimaced when she saw who was sitting at the booth. Dressed to the nines in a tailored suit, her hair freshly highlighted, her nails freshly manicured and her makeup done to perfection was Andie. She took in Elena's messy ponytail and haggard appearance from running around all day with a snotty expression.

"Andie right?" Elena said gritting her teeth and attempting to remain friendly.

"Damon's mentioned me?"

"At the dance." Elena said, when you went and made a scene? Ring a bell? She thought taking a breath.

"Can I get you anything to drink?"

"Spring water, no ice, also make sure it's in an actual glass. I hate plastic. Also, a green garden salad, with lemon, no dressing." She said shutting her menu.

Elena fought back the urge to roll her eyes and went and grabbed the order quickly the sooner she was done with this the better, she'd rather get a root canal then wait on this woman.

"Here you go." Elena set the food down and started to walk away.

"Wait why is Damon's car here? I don't see him?" Andie asked.

Elena felt a jealous angry sort of feeling in her gut. It was none of her damn business where Damon was. She took a breath and faked a smile.

"He's at home. I took his car today." She said casually.

"Why wouldn't you just drive your own car?" Andie asked in a sort of haughty voice.

"Damon and I are one of those go green couples." Elena said with a smirk reminiscent of her boyfriend.

"Look I don't know who you are, but Damon's been through a lot, He doesn't need some gold digger coming into town to take advantage of him." She hissed grabbing her arm.

Elena jumped back her face burning red she looked at her arm and then at back at Andie.

"Don't you ever touch me again." Elena hissed back. "I wouldn't ever take advantage of Damon. I'm not the crazy stalker that researched him."

"I didn't do it to hurt him. I care about Damon." Andie said. "And I don't trust you."

"I'm sorry things got misconstrued between the two of you and you got hurt, but it's over and it has been for a while." Elena said feeling her annoyance growing by the second.

"Don't patronize me, Elena." She said sharply. "I have every right to look after my friend, when some strange girl suddenly appears in town, and all the sudden is taking over his life."

"Like it or not he is with me now, he doesn't consider you a friend, and you need to let this go." Elena said.

"Whatever; Damon can make whatever mistakes he wants." She slammed down a bill on the table.

"I'll make sure to tell Caroline about the wonderful service I had today." She added as she brushed past Elena and headed out the door.

Elena let out a huge breath her hands shaking a little. She was proud of herself for standing up to Andie, but it was still hard for her to confront people.

Elena's nerves were on edge from Andie still when she got home. She needed to talk to Damon about this girl. She found him in the office staring out the window when she got home. Her heart sunk she hoped he didn't have another rough conversation with his dad.

"Damon?"

"I talked to Stefan today." He said.

"Stefan? You did?" She asked, sitting down at the desk he came and sat next to her.

"He was about to lose a huge project and called me begging for help."

"Wow." She breathed. "You knew that was going to happen at some point."

"It did feel kind of good." He admitted.

"Of course, it did." She nodded. "That's okay that it did."

"I helped him though."

"You did?" She grazed his cheek.

"I didn't want him to get canned. That would mean my dad would want me back and I'm not leaving this place." He said.

She smiled softly and rubbed his hair a little.

"Maybe you kind of wanted to help him out? Maybe it was an olive branch?" She asked gently.

"I guess." He admitted a sheepish look on his face. "I don't want us to hate each other forever, but I still have a lot of negative feelings about him."

"That's okay you probably will for a long time, but at least it's a start." She said.

"Yeah I guess." He mumbled.

"So your day?" He changed the subject and smiled at her, kissing her hands.

She hesitated biting her lip; he had a lot to mull over regarding Stefan right now maybe talking about Andie could wait a little bit. It was going to bring up Craig and the, what do we do if, conversation and she really didn't want to add all that to his mind right now.

"It was actually pretty busy. I see you and Rick got a lot done." She said casually.

"We just have to decorate and before Friday." He grinned again and pulled up his computer

"The favor I called in for Stefan was a huge investor we're talking pockets as deep as the Grand Canyon. He's interested in investing in the boarding house. He's sending his wife and a guest here this weekend."

She squealed and jumped up in her chair. "That is awesome! An investor... so would that mean?"

"I could try and buy this place out." He said with a wide grin.

"So it would be yours? You wouldn't work for your dad?"

"He would have no more power over me." Damon nodded.

"Oh Damon!" She jumped over to his lap and hugged him. "That would be awesome. We have to wow these ladies."

"We will." He laughed. "Well the place will."

She leaned down and kissed him softly a tingle running through her body as he ran his hands up and down her back.

She pulled back he smiled at her through hooded eyes she took a breath cooling herself down a little.

"We should get to work." She said rolling up her sleeves.

"You worked all day." He chuckled.

"We have two days and a lot to do, besides, six hours is not all day." She said stubbornly getting up and pulling at his arm. He groaned and reluctantly got up to follow her a secret smile in his eyes.

They worked late into the night and grabbed a quick bite then headed upstairs to crash once they had finally finished the rooms. Elena changed into her pink flannel shorts that he liked with a fitted tee shirt before heading back over to Damon's room.

His eyes sort of glazed over her and she felt little tingles go through her body.

"I was hoping you were going to join me again." He smiled.

"I don't think I'd sleep very good without you." She admitted blushing a little as she crawled up on the bed.

"I couldn't sleep a wink." He said ruffling her hair, his eyes felt like they were embracing her sometimes. A warm peaceful feeling she was starting to get used to settled in.

She curled up next to him his embrace becoming so familiar and so comforting every time she just melted into it. His lips sought hers and he kissed her softly his hands stroking her hair. She threw her leg over him possessively and pulled his body closer to her; her body craving his suddenly. She deepened the kiss a need for him growing.

He ran his hand up and down her thigh slowly and it sent goose bumps over her entire body. Her lips sought his harder and she pushed herself against him. He groaned into her mouth before pulling back taking deep breaths.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." She breathed her heart racing in her chest.

"We don't need to rush." He said in a soft seductive voice his lips grazing her ear.

She could feel her body buzzing with need for him and parted her lips to argue but he captured them with his own into passionate but gentle kiss before she could.

"Relax angel." He whispered his hands stroked her face and then he gently rolled her off him, so she was lying on her back.

"I want you." She whispered but her heart raced a little in fear she wouldn't be able to control her mind and would freak out again.

"Not tonight sweetheart, tonight just trust me. I just want to take care of you. I want you to feel good and feel safe, so we're going to go slow, and if it's too much and you get even a little scared just tell me okay?"

"Okay I trust you." She whispered and she knew she did more than anyone. Maybe she even loved him. She wasn't sure that she actually knew what love was though. If this was it, it was pretty wonderful.

He kissed her again before letting his hands slowly graze down over her collar bone. He was soft and slow, and it tickled a little, but she found herself craving more. She looked up at him and he was staring down at her in her tiny outfit his eyes glazed with lust.

His hands slowly glazed over her chest through the top of her shirt he was even more feather light then he had been on her bare skin, but she still felt her nipples harden. His eyes darkened even more with desire at the sight of the hard buds through her thin shirt. She kept her eyes open and watched him willing herself to stay in the moment. He continued to trace small circles over her shirt she started to moan under his touch.

She reached for him, her hands a little shaky and unsure. He stopped her by grabbing her hands and kissing them.

"Tonight, is all about you." He whispered.

"I…Damon." She whispered back her voice breathy she felt herself relax a little more.

"You're so beautiful Elena." He said in a soft voice his hands were still lightly tracing over her breasts. He started to apply a little more pressure and she moaned in need.

"You deserve so much." He continued his words as his hands trailed down to her stomach, he pulled up the shirt just enough to reveal her flat stomach and resumed his feather light touches.

His hands trailed down to the hem of her shorts and she parted her lips and looked up nodding him on. His fingers lightly glazed over her pelvic bone and her body seemed to light on fire in response. She spread her legs slightly and moaned when he trailed his hand down further, softly, and deliberately grazing the whole area over the safe fabric over her shorts.

"Relax." He whispered.

And for the first time in a very long time she did just that. She threw her head back against the pillow and closed her eyes, as his hands seemed to work magic on her body. She'd never felt pleasure like this. His touch did thing to her she didn't think possible.

"Oh god Damon." She screamed out her body jerking up again a few times uncontrollably until stars were going off in her head. Her legs started twitching before she collapsed back down

against the bed. She was breathing heavily her entre body buzzing pleasurably. Her entire lower half felt like jello she wasn't even sure she could move. Did he really do that to her fully clothed?

"Damon." She breathed out a big smile spreading over face.

He leaned down and kissed her long and softly. He was gazing at her with hooded eyes.

"That was incredible." She breathed.

He grinned a sort of cocky grin but she couldn't blame him after that.

"You are so amazing and patient." She said softly tracing his cheek. His face was flushed with desire and his lips were swollen and darkened from all the kisses.

"I meant what I said angel, you're worth every second." He murmured. "Thank you for trusting me. Seeing you let go like that was incredible."

She kissed him again and he moaned into her mouth.

"Your touches drive me crazy sometimes." He said is a husky voice.

He held her for a while before he got up to shower. She stared after him, hoping her confidence would grow soon and she could make him feel even half of what he just did for her.