Chapter 21

Damon and Elena stayed at the Grill for a few hours. He kept it pretty low key and only had a few beers since he was driving, and he'd be up early in case the guests or staff needed anything in the morning. He found himself getting into a long discussion with Matt. It turns out Elena was right about their money problems being bigger than were making them out to be. Hopefully, this partnership would help start to inch them out of the debt they were in. Damon offered to come by and go over the books with him, see if he had any suggestions to help save and or make them some money. Matt was really appreciative ad actually turned out to be a pretty nice guy. Damon felt kind of bad for being such a jackass to him his first night here.

He phone buzzed and he glanced at the caller it was the PI, He looked over at the bar where Elena was talking to Jeremy ad Vicky and caught Elena's eye motioning for her to follow him outside. She did quickly and Jeremy was right behind her.

"Could you be more obvious?" Damon asked him as soon as they got outside. "Rick's already asked me questions about our sudden bond and Jenna was staring you down the whole way out the door."

"Big deal we could be talking about the boarding house. I work there now remember?" Jeremy asked.

"Jer we talked about this earlier…" Elena sighed.

"Yes and I said I'm not staying out of it." Jeremy said. "What's going on?"

"I don't know yet the PI sent me a message." Damon said holding his phone up to read the message.

"It says he found the mark and he's in place. He'll let us know if he moves."

"You hired a PI?" Jeremy asked looking impressed.

"That way we know ahead of time." Elena nodded.

"That's smart." Jeremy said.

"So, as you can see nothing to worry about right now. I suggest you go apologize to Vicky for just walking away like that." Elena said crossing her arms.

"Oh…" He said sheepishly almost running back inside.

Damon chuckled a little before pocketing his phone. Her face seemed to visibly relax a little more when she smiled at him this time.

"This is good, really good. I mean, I know I can't get to complacent, but we know where he is now and it's not here." She said.

"It makes me feel a little better." Damon frowned softly brushing her hair silky chestnut hair back from her face. She left her hair straight and casual which offset the little black dress she wore perfectly. She kept her makeup light as always, he didn't believe she ever needed any.

"But I hate that he's out there living his life getting away with how he hurt you." Damon added.

"I do to." She said in a quiet voice. "Let's not talk about him tonight though okay?"

"That's a deal." He said gazing down at her.

"You want to get out of here?" She her eyes shifting sort of nervously.

"Sure, everything okay?" He asked with concern.

"More than okay," She smiled a little. "I just want to talk to you about something."

"All right…." He said slowly starting to feel a little nervous himself.

She was kind of quiet on the way home, she still seemed nervous, her hands were folded in her lap and she was averting her eyes.

She said more than okay, he reminded himself, so it wasn't necessarily bad news, but then why was she so nervous?

When they got out of the car, she took his hand and started walking to the rose garden.

"Thank you." She said when they got closer, she fingered he bench he had purchased for her. "I didn't get a chance yet."

"Of course, you like sitting out here so, might as well have something to sit on." He said his eyes urging her to get to it already.

"Damon." She smirked a little crossing her arms and giving him an expectant look.

"You're welcome Elena." He chuckled a little. He never did really take thank you's very well.

"Damon, I know you think this stuff is no big deal, but it is. It is to me. I appreciate not only the things you do for me or the little surprises you leave, but the meaning behind it too. You got the bench because you know I sit out here and write in my diary. You let me drive your car to work because you know I need to feel that freedom. You pay attention to little details most would probably just forget. Everything you do is for me specifically and especially for me, because you know what I need always." She said her eyes getting a little misty she stepped closer to him.

"I pay attention." He said closing more distance between them.

"Yeah you do, but more than that you just get me." She said.

"So do you Elena, I can't talk to anyone the way I can talk to you." He said.

"I do." She smiled again. "I think we get each other, on a deeper level. I really do."

"This morning I was sitting out here and thinking about you and us, and I realized something." She said her hand reached up to softy graze his cheek; she rested it there her deep browns eyes penetrating into his very soul. "I know what love is Damon, because I have it, with you. I love you Damon."

It was as if time just stopped, he couldn't even hear the rustle of the leaves in the wind or the birds chirping or anything. He could feel his entire body go still and his heart stop. He gazed deeper into her brown eyes and could see it there. He could see her love for him.

"I...you do?" He finally spoke his eyes getting wet and his heart starting racing in his chest.

"I do I love you." She cried out both hands holding his face now.

He dipped his head down and kissed her tears started rolling down his face mixing with her own but neither of them cared.

"I love you so much." He mumbled into her mouth in between kisses. "You have no idea how happy I am right now."

Unable to contain himself he hooked his arm around her waist and picked her up bridal style. She squealed in surprise and giggled when he started spinning her around. She wrapped her arms around the back of neck to steady herself so she could assault him with a kiss this time. He beamed at her beautiful face when she pulled away. He rained butterfly kisses all over that face making her giggle and grip him tighter.

"I don't think there is anything I could say, that would even come close to explaining how much you mean to me." He said gazing down at her.

"I feel it Damon. I can feel your love, in the way you treat me and talk to me, the way you look at me the way you touch me, hold me… kiss me." She smiled softly trailing her finger across his lower lip.

"That's good because you deserve so much love angel." He whispered holding her small body a little closer to his.

"So do you." She said in a soft voice that caressed his heart.

"Damon I want..." She bit her lip for a second looking nervous.

"What is it? Don't be nervous around me silly girl." He chuckled. "Is this why you were all scared in the car because you wanted to tell me you loved me? Honey you made my entire life. You know how much I love you; you had nothing to be worried about."

"Logically I know that I guess, but I still was. It was like a planned thing not just blurted out like you did, and anyway you'll like this just as much, but I'm still nervous." She laughed a little

"What?" He asked her curiosity rising again, they were still in front of the rose garden and he was holding her his arms were getting a little tired, but he didn't want to put her down.

"We love each other." She said.

"That's been established." He said with a little smirk.

"Shush or I'll change my mind." She gave him a look.

"Change your mind about what?" He asked his heart skipping a beat.

She stared at him for a second and then pressed her lips to his kissing him passionately and more aggressive then she normally she was. Her fingers combing through the back of his hair.

"Make love to me." Her voice was barely a whisper into lips, but he heard her loud and clear, his whole body heard her. He felt his pants tighten and attempted to calm himself, but his body was reacting on its own accord. He wanted her for so long, so bad.

"Elena are you sure?" He asked attempting to be reasonable here, was she really going to be ready? What if it brought back images again?

"I've never been surer of anything." She said with no hesitation.

He carried her into the house and directly up to his bedroom. His heart was racing, and he could feel hers doing the same against his body. He had never been nervous about being with a woman before, but Elena was so important. She was everything, the love of his life. It had to be perfect for her, it had to replace that horrible memory.

"Why don't we have some wine?" She suggested looking pretty nervous herself. He chided himself, she was the one who was and should be nervous. She hadn't done this since she was violated and hurt in the worst way possible. He needed to be assured and confident enough for both of them.

"That's a good idea." He took a breath grabbed a bottle and a couple of glasses from the wine rack in his closet. Something Elena had rolled her eyes at when she first saw it. He had to admit he went a little overboard setting up the perks for himself here, but he was a college kid at the time and she did enjoy them. Which was good, he was hoping she'd eventually just move into his room.

He poured them each a glass and took her hand. They walked out to the porch and sat down sipping the wine. She scooted her chair up next to his. He found his hands running through her hair lacing the silky strands through his fingers. He felt his nerves start to ease up a bit as they sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.

"I'm sure I'm ready Damon." She finally said. "I have you and when it's just you and me everything else just goes away. "

"If you get scared or if you think you're having a flashback." He started.

"I'll tell you, but all I have to do is look into your eyes and know where I am, who I'm with and I'll know I'm safe, and loved." She said her deep brown doe eyes boring into his intense electric blue eyes. He grasped her hands in his and smiled softly leaning in to kiss her gently and tenderly.

Elena was never so sure of anything in her life and the sweet soft, loving kiss only further drove home her decision. She was ready to finally connect with him on every level. He stood up and pulled her with him. He picked her up again like he did outside only now his hands felt so much hotter on her skin. Even the way he was holding her seemed so much more sexual she could feel her nerves slip away as her desire for him heightened.

He carried her back into his bedroom lightly laying her down across his bed. He stood there gazing down at her his eyes swimming with passion as they glazed over her. She started reaching for him he let her pull him on top of her. Her lips met his in a passionate frenzy that hardened him instantly.

She could feel him harden against her, but she felt no fear. She looked up and met his intense gaze unbridled passion mixed with a deep love. A love she knew she'd never let go off. His head dipped down to her neck and he started softly brushing his lips against the sensitive skin. It left little goose bumps on her skin and she shivered in delight. She started playing with his hair running her hand through it meanwhile dipping her head back to expose her neck.

He took her invitation and started kissing her neck a little harder, her moans of appreciation encouraging him further.

"Damon." She moaned out loud.

He slipped the straps of her dress off her shoulders, then dipped down and laid gentle kisses on her exposed her shoulders. She shifted her body, so she was more centered underneath him.

She wrapped her legs around him so she could feel him pressing into her. Her dress was riding up past her hips and his hands came to rest on the bare skin there. She looked up and smiled when he moaned, and his eyes pooled even deeper with dark blue desire. Their lips met in a fiery kiss. Damon's hands slid up past her hips her dress sliding up with them past her stomach. She sat up a little to allow him to slip it over her breasts, and then she pulled it off and tossed it aside grinning at him.

"You're so beautiful." He dipped his head down kissing her exposed cleavage. His fingers were lightly pulling down the straps of her bra. The feather like touches gave her little tingles. She could feel herself getting wet with need. He slipped his hand under her back and unhooked her bra easily. She bit her lip when he pulled off her bra. His eyes lit up at the sight of her exposed round perky breasts.

He stared down at her for a long moment his eyes seeming to be devouring her. Her olive skin seemed to glow alive with desire.

"So, fucking beautiful," He murmured capturing her left breast in his mouth.

Her body arched upward, and she groaned in response the action causing her wet core to push against him they both moaned at the increased friction. She started moving her hips in circles the sensations of pleasure washing over both of them. He moved over to the right breast she pushed his head down and he increased the pressure sucking on her nipple she moaned and started moving faster against him. Her hands started frantically pulling at his shirt.

"Need to get you naked now." She huffed out in little breaths. Desperate to see that chiseled chest, those little indents in his hip bones, His strong thighs, the parts of him she hasn't seen yet…

He chuckled a little and helped her ripping his shirt off and tossing it. She smiled and licked her lips trailing her hands up and down his chest. He lightly grazed his hand over her panties her body jerked instantly in response.

"Touch me Damon." She said in a breathless voice.

He slipped his hand under her panties and slowly trailed his fingers around she was moaning and started to writhe underneath him. His hot hand directly on her sensitive skin caused her to start jerking and twitching right away. He slowly inserted a finger inside of part of the way, stopping to gaze into her eyes.

She started craving more friction and moved her hips against his hand. The need to feel him inside of her was nearly excruciating at this point. She was desperate with a need to connect with him.

"I want to feel you inside me Damon." She begged bucking against his hand.

"You're ready?"

"I'm ready please." She begged, pushing her legs up and using them to push his pants down off his muscular legs. He kicked them off the rest of the way and she continued her actions with his boxers. She took in his entire stature he was leaning above her. He really did look like some kind of Greek god.

"You're so incredibly sexy." She told him giving him a smile as he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her passionately.

"You my sweet angel are the most desirable and beautiful woman have ever met." He replied.

"Oh Damon." She mumbled her lips trailing across his neck and her hand running up and down his back.

He positioned himself at her entrance and she nodded him on, her lips parted, and her eyes filled with desire. He entered her slowly inch by inch. His eyes locked on hers, they both took a moment to get adjusted to each other. They both marveled for a moment at the feeling of right and completeness that washed over them both.

"I love you." He said their eyes as connected as their hearts and bodies were.

"I love you too Damon." She said her hand trailing his cheek.

Unable to wait any longer he slowly started moving in and out of her. She wrapped her legs around him pushing him in deeper.

The started building a slow pace their bodies humming with pleasure as they discovered each other.

"Deeper." She breathed and he pushed in deeper increasing the pace.

"Damon, Damon." She started mumbling his name

"Oh god Elena," One of her hands came to grip his hair and her other hand continued to stroke his back up and down. He slowed his pace down a little and then slowly sat up. She frowned when he pulled out of her.

"I just want to try another position sweetheart." He said, and she smiled relaxing.

He sat down facing her and she nodded understanding what he wanted, she sat and straddled his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist holding her steady while she gripped his large member with her small hand, causing them both to gasp a little. She angled forward and pushed herself down unto to him.

They rocked gently against each other slowing the pace and savoring the love and feeling of intense pleasure between them. Their lips met in a slow passionate kiss, Damon's one arm was hooked around the small of her back and the other hand playing with her breasts.

Elena found herself growing wetter and wetter a fire she had never known before building up in her. She pressed her hands on Damon's chest and pushed him back unto the bed. A look of surprise and joy on lit up his face when she repositioned her body so she was sitting on top of him.

She started moving faster the waves of pleasure rushing through her he touched her most sensitive spot and started twirling little circles around it.

"Oh my god, Damon..." She mumbled.

"Oh Elena, my Elena." He started jerking his hips up to meet hers. She sat up straighter and looked down at him with a seductive smile, her hair falling down halfway over her face. She was suddenly feeling sexier and more alive than she ever had.

"Oh fuck I love you." He jerked up, she could feel the release coming on and bit her lip. Her legs got shaky but Damon's arms encircled her lower back. He supported her and she leaned forward a bit her breasts hanging right over his face.

He grinned at the visual and cupped one hand under her perfect round butt, so he could easily control the movements from under her. He slowly started jerking his hips up and down increasing the pace as they both started to breathe heavily their bodies begging for release. They both moaned and chanted each other's name as the pace increased quickly. A frenzy was starting to build between them.

"Oh god Damon," She screamed, her hands clutching his arms the room seemed to be spinning. She could feel her orgasm coming on and she could see it in in Damon's eyes when she looked up at him which only intensified everything.

"Elena." He pretty much grunted her name, sounding so primal it intensified her pleasure even more.

She could feel her eyes rolling back into her head as the intense tidal wave of pleasure hit her and quickly drove her into the most intense orgasm she had ever had. Every nerve in her body seemed to sing at once and then release into a blinding pleasure that left her a little breathless.

She collapsed on top of him with him still inside of her. Her body was quivering and warm. He was breathing heavily his face flushed. They were both smiling words unneeded. They stayed connected as he slowly stroked her hair and she laid soft kisses all over his chest.

The rest of the world was forgotten for the night.

AN: I normally don't write explicit scenes. I tend to write up to that point and leave it to readers imagination. However, in this specific story I felt it necessary as it shows how far Elena has come and was such a moment for her. Which is why I mostly wrote it in her POV. Hopefully it read okay. I tried to make t romantic and not too smutty.

The first chap of the I'm coming home sequel is up btw, It's called we're finally home.

Thanks again for reading!