Damon had been watching her for a few minutes now after he got back from meeting with some of his grandfather's business contacts. Elena hadn't even noticed him come in, she was lost in her own thoughts as she lied there on the bed.

He cleared his throat to which she jerked. Looking over her shoulder, she spotted him near the foot of the bed, "Hey, you're back." She said sitting up.

"And now, so are you." He said getting up on the bed and towering over her, "You've been in bed all three hours I was gone?"

"No, I called Caroline."

"What's wrong?" he asked softly. Elena licked her lips, looking away, "I had a dream."

"How Martin Luther king of you." Damon said cupping her face so she would look at him, Elena chuckled, knowing well he was trying to lighten the mood.

"In my dream, I was back in school after the summer. Everyone hated me." She shuddered as if she could see it in front of her.

Damon huffed, slightly annoyed why she cared so much.

"No one will hate you. Look." He tipped her chin up with his finger, "You've been the school's queen all your life, these people always needed a reason to bring you down. The more you react to this, the easier is the win for them." He closed the distance between their faces to brush his lips against her temple in soft kisses.

She pouted, "How do you suggest I react to this?"

"Hmm well for starters, you need to stop being ashamed of it. Look, what happened- I didn't want it to be out in the world. You might think it doesn't affect me but it does. Being with you that night was magical. What we shared belonged to me and now it's out there for people to see. That is hard to deal with. But no matter how much we're mocked and ridiculed for it, I won't ever take it back or regret it."

She smiled as he held her hand in both his and kissed the knuckles by bringing them up to his lips, "Just relax. No need to have nightmares so soon. I am not going to let anything bad happen to you so please let me take care of you." He pulled her into his arms, Elena melted in his arms as they both lied back against the propped up pillow.

"I like you." She murmured.

"Hmm? Wasn't that a given?" he spoke against her hair.

She looked up at his face, as she brushed her hair with his fingers, "Yeah, well when people say that it usually means that they are attracted to the other person, I've been attracted to you- for a while now but I think I like you now too. It's more than just being attracted to you, I feel like I can never get tired of us together, I can talk to you all day, or just sit in silence. I like this, I want more of it."

He blinked at her confession, just wondering how someone like her could want him so much, like him so much- he liked her too. A lot.

Instead of saying anything, he kissed her sweet mouth that opened for him that instant, her hand wrapped around his neck to deepen the kiss.

She was right, he could spend all day, kissing her or making love to her and he wouldn't get tired of it. He had been lying by her side on the bed, making out with her for minutes that turned into hours, and if he had it his way, he would stay there forever.

"I forgot to ask you, how did it go with your old contacts?" she asked while he pulled away from her lips to kiss down her neck, her fingers threaded through his hair, holding him close to her skin.

"I can't seem to care about it when I am inches away from-" his lips brushed over the goosebumps raised on her collarbone down to the tempting line of her cleavage.

"Here." He sighed, pulling her silk shirt down, thankful that she didn't change out of her sleeping attire.

She chuckled softly, "Did you tell them about the start-up plan for next year?"

He whined against the swell of her breast, "Hey I am doing some of my most dedicated work here, you mind?" his mouth closed around a hard nipple that was covered by lace.

She winced in excess of pleasure and rested her head back down on the mattress, letting him cover her body with his. She liked whatever he was doing but ever since the tape, an irrational fear had taken over her. Like she was being watched, the world could see her and ruin her.

His hand reached to grab her leg, looping it around his body, Elena gasped when he pushed his erection against her core.

"Wait." She said between raspy short breaths. "Just a second." Elena pulled away, propping herself up on her elbows as she shook her head getting the image of people out of her head, "Can we turn down the lights?"

"Is something wrong?" he asked cupping the side of her face, she looked so scared for some reason.

"No. No- it's fine but I just, I am sorry. I should be fine with this." She looked at her lap to avoid eye contact, Elena heard him huff out of frustration.

She didn't want to make him mad but here she was.

"I know this some post-trauma stress thing but at least look at me." He pulled her face up to look into her eyes, "Now tell me what's this about?"

She felt tears coming to her eyes, was she screwed up for life? Will she always be this scared?

"I don't know but I feel like someone is watching. Even though I feel safe with you, I don't feel safe with us." She sounded like she'd break into tears any second.

"No one is watching anything, It's just you and I here. So calm down, take a deep breath." He rubbed her back, "If you're not into it let's not-"

She snapped out of frustration, "Its not about me not being into it. I am. It's just- that night we thought we were alone, but we weren't, and after that, each time there's this voice at the back of my head who just screams caution."

"Okay." He caressed her cheek.

"I am sorry, I am ruining it." Her tone seemed disappointed as if he wouldn't understand.

"No, no- don't be sorry. Look I want you to be comfortable and I want you to enjoy it. So if you need time to get over it, then take time to get over it." He kissed her cheek sweetly and pulled the blanket up to her chest, "Here. Get ready. I have to take you somewhere. And we're already late."

Elena watched him get up, and adjust his pants that seemed to be uncomfortably tight, despite what he said, he didn't seem happy to stop it and she wasn't either.

"Wait, where are you going?" she said when she saw him heading out again, "Getting a car. Get ready."

……

…..

Elena was clueless regarding what to wear after her shower, he didn't even tell her where they were going.

Dinner date?

Beach?

A meeting where he would show her off?

She called the only person she knew would help.

"Bon, what do you wear to a possible date, meeting, or whatever because I have to get ready with no clue where I am going." Elena said searching for the perfect outfit that she hadn't yet wore.

"Hmm why do you sound so pissed?" Bonnie jumped right into inquiry mode.

Elena huffed sitting down on the seat in the wardrobe portion.

"I think I've messed up a bit."

Bonnie immediately asked, "Don't tell me you already told him you love him?"

Elena shook her head as of Bonnie could see her, "No that's not the problem. Well- I had some issues with sex."

"Elena, I do not wanna know." Bonnie groaned.

She chuckled, "No, no- I mean the issue is that I am scared, ever since that tape I keep imagining people peeking and watching. It's like a nightmare on repeat. I don't do it on purpose, it just happens. I've refused him like three to five times now."

"Oh." Bonnie hissed.

"I know, he's starting to think it's him I don't want. That's not the truth. I feel safe with him I just don't feel safe with me." She ran a hand through her hair.

She knew Bonnie would get right on to her therapist duties and she did, "Look I don't really understand what you're going through because I haven't been in your position but I know it must be tough. But you need to stop feeling so guilty, I mean it's just sex."

Elena scrunched her nose as she pulled out a red dress that seemed a bit too skimpy

Bonnie continued, "The girls and guys at school who gave you shit about it do that stuff all the time, except it's not on camera. But that's not your fault. Matt should be the one feeling ashamed of invading your privacy. You don't need to be."

"Damon says the same thing." She sounded defeated.

"Yeah because unlike you, he doesn't care about everyone's opinion. He's been with half the skanks at school and he knows what they are like. So them giving you shit is ridiculous. You have to stop being so closed off, you love him and you'll lose him if you keep being like this."

That was her only fear, what if he decided he couldn't be with her anymore? That she was hard to love?

"You're right, Bon. I need to get over it. It's not like I did something horrible. I won't apologize for being with him." She decided, suddenly feeling capable of standing up for herself in mystic falls, at school and everywhere else.

"That's my girl. Now go get that pervert." She encouraged.

"Bonnie!" Elena laughed, "Okay, I'll talk to you later."

"Yes, I want all details. Call me- ouch." She heard Bonnie gasp.

"Is everything okay?" Elena asked. Bonnie seemed to be whispering to someone. "Hello?" Elena asked again.

"Yeah, babe- talk to you later, I just stubbed my toe." She said a bit unsure and hung up.

Elena looked down at her phone in surprise, "She totally lied to me." Maybe her friend was with someone, maybe a guy? Caroline would know the details for sure.

Elena shrugged the thought of it, deciding she would find out later as she looked through her clothes. Picking up a simple print dress for the date-lunch-meeting , she also picked out some lingerie for later. A black set to be exact that she had bought on a whim with Caroline.

It had a garter belt with sheer lace thigh highs.

It was the only way to tell him that she no longer cared.

Elena quickly changed into the underwear, did her make up and wore the long printed dress on top.

When she was putting finishing touches to her hair, he came back, looking a bit relaxed then she last saw him.

"Lena, ready to go?"

She walked out of the restroom, leaning against the door, only hoping she looked as hot as she felt. Of course he wouldn't know what she wore underneath her 'nice girl's conservative dress that covered everything but her arms.

He smiled was he took her in, "You look- perfect."

Elena raised a brow, if he thought this was perfect, he was in for a good time. When he reached out to hold her hand, she delicately put her hand in his palm.

……

…...

They had been driving quite for a while now. The car had a roof that rolled back but he kept it over it, Elena was grateful because she didn't want to ruin her hair.

"Where did you get this car?"

She asked turning her body towards his, he shrugged. "I rented it for a few days."

"I like it." Elena said with a grin, "Where are we going?"

He shook his head, "Wait a while. You'll know."

But she was impatient, very- for the first time in months she felt relieved, freeing herself from the guilt felt amazing. Though now that she wasn't thinking about eyes and opinions, she was thinking about him. His body, the way he made her feel when he touched her.

It was making her restless. And he didn't even notice it, which somehow seemed to turn her on more.

Inching slightly closer, she put her hand on his thigh, stroking upwards, "I want to know."

He looked down at her tiny hand, testing his patience, what was going on with her? He didn't know, though he liked it but if she wasn't planning on going through with it, this was torture.

"You really think seducing me is the way to go about it?" he let out a dry chuckle.

"Hmm. Isn't it working?" she said moving her hand closer and closer to his zip.

"Okay now-" he clasped her hand before it would even get there and discovering how stiff he was. "We're almost there so you might want to keep that for later."

She looked around the area, it seemed covered with trees and hills, so not so much of a meeting or party area. Very private.

When the car stopped at a gate, she got more curious. High security.

Where were they?

When they passed though the gate, Elena turned to him again, "I give up, where are we?"

He grinned, "My house."

"Your house?"

"Yeah. This is the safest we can be. No one can pass through this gate if they are not a Salvatore or not have a Salvatore's permission." He wiggled his brows, "So you never have to worry now."

"Damon, that's so sweet." She wanted to tell him she wouldn't care any way, but to think he brought her here to make her feel safe was such a nice gesture.

"Yeah well don't tell anyone." He winked, stopping the car near many other cars that were lined up.

Now she truly could see how 'rich' he was.

How did he ever settle in a town like Mystic Falls that could fit in this sole property?

Or go to a school that was the size of a shoebox as compared to this place?

"Wow." She gasped when she got out of the car, "This is your house?" she looked up at the huge expanded mansion that she felt an ant compared next to.

"Yeah. I know. It's difficult to get claustrophobic here."

"Champagne problems." She tutted. He walked around the car to hold her hand, "Well we won't get used to it."

Yeah as if that was easy.

They were greeted by an old man in a suit who seemed to be familiar with Damon, "Young Master, home at last."

"Steven. Like I remember." He seemed very respectful of the old man. Not at all typical Damon who didn't even care about Giuseppe.

"This is Elena. My- girlfriend." He said as if the words were odd. She smiled big as she shook his hand, "Nice to meet you Steven."

"Likewise. Miss."

"Steven manages the manor. He's been with us for most my life."

"Horrific years."

"Oh yeah, Stefan's his favorite."

"Someone had to like him." Steven said leading them inside, "I got the call from your uncle Zach. Stefan was not pleased." He shook his head. Damon shrugged, "He'll get over it."

"What's going on?" Elena asked, squeezing his hand. "I'll tell you later."

"Steven, I'll show Elena to my room. Why don't you inform the kitchen that we're having dinner in a while?" he said as she directed Elena up the wide staircase. Their footsteps echoed in the large house. It seemed so cold. Everything in this house seemed like a formal to the point that it seemed uncomfortable.

"We're going to your room?" she asked as they walked in the empty corridor.

"Uh- huh. Don't worry it's cozy in there."

As if he read her mind.

She smiled holding his hand tightly, "How many years did you live here?"

"On and off. We lived here forever but my grandpa and I rebuilt it a few years ago. Took us a whole year."

"Well this place is a maze. It should have." She seemed a bit intimidated by this new information. Should she be worried about how small town she was?

Of course not. He liked her for her.

Besides Damon was out in the world now trying to make it for himself. He was staring from scratch.

When he opened the door to his room, her jaw dropped again. It was beautiful. Though spacious, the design was something she had only seen in movies. Her favorite detail was the fireplace that had one of the most precious looking rugs she had seen in front of it.

The theme of the room was reds, browns and old castle like aesthetic.

"Do you like it?" he asked a bit unsure if she did. Or was he scaring her.

While Elena thought of all the times he had been in her room. She bet his closet space would fit two of her rooms together.

"Its nice." She sighed, "Doesn't look like a place a child would grow up in."

He chuckled, "Well I didn't. During the redo of this place, I changed my entire room. Its actually a couple's bedroom. It was from my mom's archive designs. She had marked it for herself. Unfortunately marriage sucked out the inspiration. But my grandfather told me about it and I wanted to make one of her ideas concrete." He wrapped his arms around her, "It's a bit much."

She shook her head, "No, no I love it. Its beautiful." She turned in his arms. "I never knew you were so- creative. Its like I am seeing a whole new side to you."

"Well there's still a lot more. So don't run away just yet." He joked. She cupped his face, shaking her head as she captured his lips in a searing kiss. His arms enveloped her completely, pushing his tongue past the barrier of her lips into her mouth, warm , sweet and addictive kisses immediately swept him up in a storm, making him forget whatever he wanted to say or do.

He pulled back, "As much as I'd like to continue, I have to go check on something. Be right back, make yourself comfortable ."

He kissed her temple and walked out of the room.

She sighed of relief, stepping back towards the couch.

There was no better time.

She pulled down the straps of her dress and unbuttoned the front of it. Then she began slipping out of it, feeling nervous. They did seem to work each other up on the way here and she was far more interested in them then any buffet food.

Once the dress was off, she sat down on the soft couch and propped up against a cushion, trying her best to look inviting and sexy.

But in a few moments, she started feeling anxious and nervous.

It wasn't like it was their first time.

But it was the very first in his house, in his room as his girlfriend.

She pulled her legs up on the couch to find a more elegantly-seductive pose, then lowered them again.

When she heard the handle, Elena let her back curve against the cushion, as she pretended to play with a strand of her hair, "Took you long enough master Salvato-" her husky voice trailed off as she saw Damon standing there, with a woman. An old woman with dark and silver hair, wearing a peach blazer and dress, staring back at her in surprise, "Well she does seem nice."

Elena screamed, "Oh my god!" She lunged to get her dress and slipped off the couch, all the while Damon walked to stand in front of her, facing the woman, "Ruth, Um- Elena needs a moment."

"And by the looks of it an epi-pen." The woman laughed as Damon rushed her outside, "Dear, its nothing to be ashamed of, you look like a modern day Venus of Urbino ." She said looking over Damon's shoulder towards Elena who was wearing her dress with shivering hands.

"Okay now." Damon huffed closing the door and stood against it.

Elena got up on her feet, still shaken up by the whole thing. "Who was that?"

Damon turned around with raised brows, "My grandmother."

Elena's mouth dropped, and she clutched her hair, "No. No. No. Damon. No."

He shook his head as he walked closer towards her, holding her by her arms. "Calm down."

"Calm down? She saw me dressed like a stripper. Why did you have bring her to your room?"

"Why did you have to wear that?" he gestured to her dress, Elena pursed her lips, glaring at him, "I cannot believe that among the three people who saw me as naked as this, one is my boyfriend's grandmother."

"Three? Whose the other?" he asked going off-topic.

She slapped his arm, "Oh my god, Damon. I can never meet her now. Just take me back to the hotel or better, kill me, because I'd rather dig myself a grave in your room than go see her."

He chuckled, "Okay that's a bit melodramatic. Look, it's fine. You're my girlfriend."

"Exactly, she'll think I am just another one of your pea-brained bimbos." Elena whined, "I wanted her to like me."

Damon hissed, "Well I believe first impressions aren't last. Now on the other hand if you choose to dig yourself a grave here, she might think of you as a weak, cowardly bimbo. So take your pick."

She looked at his face as if wanting him to give her a third way out but when he didn't, her shoulders sagged, "Fine, I'll meet her, but I hate you."

"That's funny. A girl once told me that. Now she's my girlfriend." He said putting his arm around her waist, "Yeah don't get too cocky."

"Oh you love it."

Elena rolled her eyes as he escorted her out of there, "Now don't get nervous, just don't talk about it. My grandmother is a very open-minded woman, she won't give you a tough time."

Elena gripped his hand, "Did you talk me up?"

"Yeah. But I didn't say anything that wasn't true."

"That's not reassuring."

"Elena. Relax." He laughed, "God- she's not like the rest of my family. You have nothing to be worried about."

Once they entered the dining room, Elena took in the royal room and spotted his grandmother at the table, "Mrs.-" she realized she didn't know her name.

"Monroe. Its Ruth Monroe." She said gesturing to the chair near the head of the table, "I didn't take my husband's surname. Campbell. My father would roll over in his grave if I were to be known as his business rival's name."

"Forget it, you're not telling Elena your 'forbidden love' love story." Damon said pulling a chair for Elena, surprising her with his 'gentleman-ish gesture."

"No way, I want to know." Elena said looking at Ruth, whose blue eyes sparkled. "Well Ronan Campbell was my father's one arch nemesis and by association, I hated him as well. He was the whizz-kid my father despised because well, my father didn't believe in people actually going to school for business. He called them eh- preppy boys."

"He wasn't wrong, business is more about instincts." Damon interrupted taking a seat next to Elena who gestured at him to shut up.

"Well- Ronan was different, he always wanted to do things right and taking opportunities. Even if it meant going to Wharton. After business school, he started pretty strong and at the same time unfortunately, my father had a slight set back."

Damon interrupted, "He lost 3 billion. That's not a set back it's bankruptcy."

Ruth shook her head at Damon's impatience, "Do you want to tell the story?"

"No please, continue." He huffed like a kid.

"So my father had a minor set back and Ronan was the only one ready to make a deal with him for partnership in the company. It was the same time I was working my summer as my father's intern." She blushed, "Even though I hated his guts, he was one handsome bastard."

Elena giggled along with Ruth as if she could picture it.

"And then he bought out my father in the company, I felt like I would always hate him but that didn't happen. He offered me a job, challenged me to take it all back. I took the offer."

Damon interrupted, "Then he charmed her completely and proposed with 55 percent ownership in the company."

"He didn't charm me, he made me see how different the world was than what I was told. How I had to make my own choices, take my own path. He was a visionary. None of the men in society at that time were as intelligent and evolved as him. So yes I was drawn to him."

She sighed, "He also felt like a stood out from the crowd, we fell in love and yes he proposed with the stolen kingdom." She chuckled, "My father didn't speak to me for months but when he found out we were having Lily, he gave in." she laughed.

"You must miss him." Elena could only wonder how lonely it must be to go everyday without the love of her life, only reminiscing over memories.

"Well some days I miss him, others I miss Lily but the ones I miss everyday are my two boys, who have become strangers after moving to Virginia." She frowned at Damon, "I talk to you all the time, Stefan's the one you should complain about." He countered.

"Stefan's been here all June." Ruth feigned annoyance.

"Stefan is here?" Elena asked him.

Damon was also surprised, "Stefan is not-"

Ruth interrupted, "Damon, I am all the help he needs. You did wrong getting your uncle to send him to rehab and you did all that using my excuse that I wanted him here? Well guess what? He is here. You can't just do that to your brother."

Elena sat back, she could literally feel how mad he was getting, "I know you mean well but Stefan is past the point where you'll be any help."

"Let me be the judge of that. He's my grandson and he would never lie to me. He needs family, not a bunch of b-list celebrities in California on their 3rd rehab stint." She shrugged it off, then she turned to Elena, "Elena Gilbert, I've heard a lot about you. You've got my little heartbreaker to go all Norman Rockwell for you."

Elena looked over her shoulder at Damon with a smile, "Oh well I doubt I can ever do that. He's been a romantic since the start."

He scoffed, "Tell that to the ladies throwing darts at my picture on Valentine's day."

She shot him a disapproving look, to which he let of an exasperated sigh, "What? I am saying you changed me. Made an honest man out of me." He put a hand to his heart, she bit the inside of her cheek, trying not to let his annoying humor get to her.

His grandmother laughed at the dynamic between them, "Oh you two remind me of Ronan and I. But unlike Damon, he wasn't the train master at slut Central Station."

He rolled his eyes, "I'll have you know Ronan was a Casanova of his time, we all know you have a thing for bad boys Ruth. That's why you love me more than Stefan."

Ruth put some salad in her plate, "I've heard enough from you, I want to know more about Elena from her. A description that isn't so full of praises."

She blushed looking at Damon who shrugged, Elena turned to Ruth as Damon started putting food on her plate.

"Well, I am graduating High school next year. My dad is a doctor and I've looked up to him my whole life, so I want to be a doctor too. Particularly a neurosurgeon. That's what my dad and I planned but I am also open to other things. I have a younger brother, Jeremy. And I've pretty much lived my whole life in Mystic Falls." She said generally excited about telling this woman everything.

She felt Damon rub her back as if telling her to slow down. "Mystic Falls? I didn't like that place as it took my grandsons from me, but I am starting to come around."

Elena tucked her hair behind her ear as she smiled, "It's a lovely place. Though I can tell your grandsons rather be here with you than there."

She pursed her lips, "Well as much as I want my boys home, I want them to find their own path. Damon is doing good for himself already."

"I haven't even started, you give me gold stars for the bare minimum." He complained, "But thank you for showing so much faith in me that I already feel like I am disappointing you."

Ruth coughed, "Well anything is better than you working on the copy machine at Giuseppe's. At least you didn't inherit his ways." Elena noticed the tension between them and didn't want to interrupt, Damon also grew quieter as if not wanting to defend or speak against his father.

Ruth noticed and pursed her lips, "You are not thinking of taking a hand out from him now, are you?"

His head snapped up, "No, but if I did its nothing wrong. That estate is mine and Stefan's. Mom intended it that way."

She hissed shaking her head, "I won't stand for it. If that's where you end up, I hope you know what that will mean for us."

"Yes, I'll be in 'Ruth exile'. You've made your point now let's just have dinner." He gestured to the plate.

Elena raised her brows, knowing she cut the tension in the room with a knife. "So any embarrassing Damon stories?" She tried to break the ice.

Ruth looked up from her plate, holding a napkin to her chin, "He doesn't embarrass easy." Still pretty cold towards her loving grandson.

Elena's smile flattened, not knowing what to do now, Damon was calmly eating dinner, not responding to it.

"I don't know if this counts as an embarrassing story but-" Ruth huffed, "Lily really wanted a girl when she was pregnant with him, and once he was born, we dressed him in pink onesies and flower-print dresses for a good six months."

Damon shook his head with a laugh, "I've burned all the pictures, there is no proof."

Elena giggled as Ruth shook her finger at him, "Not the ones I have."

"Whatever, I am very comfortable with my masculinity." He shrugged.

"Okay Princess Peach Salvatore." She enunciated his last name. Elena raised her brows at him, "Wow that Gemlin-45 thing is tamer by comparison now."

"Is it? Is it Miss Lace and thigh highs?" He teased. She gasped punching his arm, "Damon!"

"Don't listen to what he says, you look great." Ruth said some how embarrassing her further, "If he has a problem with it, he can take the guest room in the east wing."

Elena grinned seeing the sudden 'taken aback' look on his face, "Yes, I think he might have to."

…….

……

"Hey" Damon said as he entered his room. Elena was standing next to the shelf, holding a book in her hand. " 'The Age of Innocence', You've got a good collection here."

"I was on bed rest for months after the bullet incident so yeah I read." He took the book from her hand and put it on the shelf, pulling her by the waist to himself, "So, you want me out of the room?"

She smiled looking down at his chest, "I certainly thought about it but what good would that be? Retributive punishments never fix the offender."

He let his forehead fall against hers, "Exactly. You should try and fix me with affection." The sound of her short breaths filled his ears like music, her hands came to rest against his chest, running them up and down, "You didn't even have to bring me here. I no longer care what anyone thinks about us. I have feelings for you, so if anyone's opinion matters to me, its mine or yours."

She sighed when his curved finger tipped her chin up, so she could look into his eyes, "That's what the underwear represents?"

She chuckled, "Yes. That's what it represents."

"Are you still wearing it?" his eyes narrowed in playfulness.

"Hmm I might be." She said bringing her finger up to his mouth, she traced his lower lip with her finger, "But the question is whether you deserve it after taunting me like that."

He raised a brow as if taking the challenge, she shrieked when he suddenly picked her off the floor into his arms, bridal style- she kicked her feet as he walked to the bed and threw her on it. "Are you crazy?" She asked fixing her hair that were now in front of her eyes, he laughed getting closer and cupping her face, moving her hair out of the way.

"I am crazy about you." He said pulling her up till she was straddling his lap, she kissed him, letting her body lean on him as she started unbuttoning the top of her dress. As soon as she opened the front, he pulled up the dress from her and threw it back, looking down at his seductress. "Holy hell, I didn't get a look earlier but-" he snapped one of the belts holding her thigh highs against her skin, "Wow. Promise me only I get to see you like this."

She whispered, "Only you." His fingertips ran over the curve of her breast down to the garter belt leading to her sheer socks, the back of his hand grazed against her inner thigh inching close to her aching center. Her heart was racing at the mere yet sensual touch, "Only I get to see you." He repeated in a whisper, "Well, both grandma and I."

Elena's chuckled, "Okay, you have one more shot before you make this a scarring memory."

"Oh it'll be a memory you'd never forget." He promised, leaning down to capture her lips, she moaned into his mouth, her hands threading through his hair as he moved her back on the bed until she was lying on the pillow. He gazed down at her in a way a hungry predator would look at its prey, but his eyes also had that softness, as if she mesmerized him and he belonged to her just as much as she did to him.

Her face had no guilt, no reservation as he let his hands wander over every curve while he began kissing down her neck, "Elena, Elena, Elena. Elena." He breathed her name with every kiss, "I want so much more with you. Your body, your heart, your every laugh and tear- I want it to be mine."

She arched off the surface of the bed, "I want more too. I am ready for us. I trust you, more than I trust myself."

His mouth descended on hers, while his hands wandered all over her body, puling her flush against him. He sat up, parting slightly, "Get on your hands and knees."

She was surprised at the request, "Why?"

"I'll make you feel good, better than you've ever felt. Trust me, okay?"

She nodded, feeling a bit foolish but going through with it. Her heart was beating hard as he un-did her belts and made her slip out of her panties, she looked over her shoulder to see him talking off his shirt, he threw it on the pile on the floor and un-did his belt to take off his jeans.

"Is it going to hurt? I haven't done anything like this." She swallowed thick.

"I know, that's why I want to do this, I can bring you pleasure in so many ways, baby. Just let me." He ran a hand down her back, her warm, soft and smooth skin was unlike anything he had felt.

"Okay." She quickly pecked his mouth before getting back on her hand and knees, his hands massaged her back, while he placed kisses against her spine. He lightly clutched her round hips, one of his hands reached around to rub her throbbing clit, her heartbeat echoed in her body as he pushed inside her, a stifled moan escaped her as began moving in and out a steady pace, letting her walls hug him each time. She clenched around him perfectly.

"Oh." He let out a groan holding her hip as he thrust harder and deeper, feeling like he was being swallowed into oblivion. His ears could still catch the moans and cries that she was letting out, urging him on. She begged him to never stop and he didn't plan on it himself. He would never do something so stupid.

His hands wrapped around her to cup her breasts, pushing them out of her bra, finally finding a rhythm, she began pushing her hips back and her breasts forward on every thrust, matching his pace, a carnal sound vibrated in his throat and he let his left hand clutch her hair, keeping their speed in his control.

"Yes. Damon. Yes." She clutched the sheets in her hands as he pushed her to edge and with one deep stroke, she was crying his name in vain, her head fell against the bed surface but it did little to stifle her moans.

Hearing her say his name like that, respond to his body the way she did set him off too.

But it was far from over, and they both were on the same page about wearing each other out because he made sure she had once been against every surface and furniture of the room.

"Tonight will be a memory." She whispered when they were lying spent under the covers, his lips were brushing against her cheeks and her nose in small kisses.

"It definitely counts as one of my favorite days too." He smirked.

Her hand reached up to stroke his chest, all the way up to his face, she looked at him with so much warmth and dare he say…love?

Not that he would know because he had never been in love.

Just when he thought her lips were parted to confess it, the look vanished from her eyes.

"This room is soundproof right?" she asked a bit worried.

"What am I? A serial killer?" he raised a brow.

Her jaw fell open and an embarrassed blush covered her whole face now, "Your grandmother lives here!"

"In a separate wing. Relax."

"But the house help?"

"They will sing praises of what a generous lover I am." He wiggled his brows.

She gasped, slapping his chest, "You're not funny!"

"What happened to not caring what people think?" he tried to pull her back to his chest when she was trying to get away. He immediately wanted her skin in contact with his, it felt oddly comforting.

"Yes but I don't want to scar them. Or make them regret working for you people." She gave in, resting her head on his chest again, "I am sorry but you know how freaked out I get if people don't …immediately approve of me. I know you never let other's people expectations get to you but I can't be like that, I am working on it, I promise." She huffed with a pout.

"This is working on it?" he chuckled, "Look I don't care about fulfilling expectations because I am bad at them but you? You're perfect. And I just don't mean that as your boyfriend. You do whatever takes to give your best, even if it doesn't reward you."

She sighed, "I am not perfect, Damon."

"Yes you are, last year- the whole summer leading up to school and there, I was a complete asshole to you. After how I snapped at you at the founder's auction, you put your safety in jeopardy to bring me back a piece of jewelry."

"Meaningful jewelry." She corrected.

"As far as you were concerned, it was a skank souvenir. You didn't have to do anything for me. That night, I couldn't stop thinking about you." He said brushing her hair back from forehead to tuck them behind her hair, "I tried to look for reasons why you could have done it because my father famously says that no one does any good without wanting something in return. But you didn't want anything. Not me, not my money, you didn't hold it over me like I would if the situation was reversed, in fact I am not so sure I'd even have bothered to save you let alone a necklace."

She pursed her lips as he continued, "Everything I thought I knew was wrong. And all that came back tenfold when you literally jumped to take a bullet for me."

She felt sour at the scary memory, "The bullet wasn't for you."

"You didn't know that, Elena. After I completely fucked us up by putting Rebekah in the mix, you showed up anyway and put your life in danger to save someone like me. And I knew that moment that you own every drop of my blood. I was shot before, I know what death feels like- my own father who was on the scene didn't save me. But you did."

Elena frowned as she sat up with a jerk and turned to face him, "Giuseppe was on the scene? What do you mean?"

He closed one eye as if the detail had slipped, "The guys threatened him, but he refused their conditions, so they shot me. Ruth had called back up even though my father made sure no one knew what was going on but because Stefan called her behind my father's back and somehow I ended up to get to the hospital. Had it been my father handling the situation, we would have never gotten out of there." He let his arm around her, assuring her everything was fine.

"That's why she hates him. Your grandmother hates him because he almost got you killed." She put two and two together, he cupped her face. "Well amongst other things."

"How can you be okay with this? Why did you choose to move with him when he put you in so much danger, you could have lived here, with Ruth who- loves you to no end." She let out an exasperated sigh. Damon nodded, drawing circles on her jaw with his thumb, "Look, he has Stefan's custody for 6 more months and both of our estate management till we're both 21. I can't be anywhere without my brother. I am all he has. Besides, if I didn't move with him, I wouldn't have met you, how dull would that life have been."

She smiled, circling her arm around his neck, climbing in his lap, she pushed his hair back looking at him with that familiar look from a few moments ago, "It would have sucked."

"You would still be with that jock-jackass Donovan in a passionless relationship, forever preserving your virginity." He said as if disgusted at the idea.

"And you would still be the jackass I throw a drink at."

"Come on, admit it. You thought I was hot." He raised a brow, she snorted with a laugh "Unless you used hypnosis to put that in my head, I've never thought that."

"The more you deny it, the more it turns me on because I can already picture you under me, screaming my name." he rolled them over, getting on top of her. He said firmly, sure of it.

"Ha, your confidence is precious , Princess Peach Salvatore."

He rolled his eyes, "You're so going to take that back."

Before she could tease him further, he started tickling her, Elena laughed, trying to shake him off but he bound her hands above her head.

…...

……

Despite sleeping way past after midnight, she had woken up early in the morning, feeling thirsty and hungry as well. The dinner with Ruth had been so nerve-racking that she didn't eat properly.

Damon on the other hand was sleeping like a log by her side. Elena smiled as she stroked his jaw, tracing her hand down , where his chest rose up and down with each breath he took. Elena slowly untangled herself from him and got out of bed, she found his closet and surprisingly it full with clothes. She picked out a plaid shirt and some jeans that could fit her with a belt.

After she got out of the room, intending to follow the same way Damon brought her up because this house was a castle.

She had memorized the paintings but there were so many corridors and rooms, in about fifteen minutes, her search for finding the kitchen was long forgotten as now she just wanted to find Damon's room again.

"Elena." She heard a familiar voice and turned around to see that Stefan was standing a few feet away, "What are you doing here?"

Elena was surprised to see him but Ruth did tell Damon that Stefan was here.

"Stefan. I am- I am here with Damon, I um lost his room."

His green eyes narrowed on her as he stepped closer, "Here with Damon? Why did he bring you here?"

"We've been travelling for the summer, for his startup. After what happened, I couldn't stay in town." She hesitated over mentioning the incident.

"Oh. I didn't know that, well how would I? My brother and I have no contact anymore." He said in a slightly bitter tone.

She swallowed thick, was he mad at her too?

"I am sorry Stefan. I never doubted you, but I guess I was so freaked out that Damon lost all sense of judgement too." She hoped he would say something because he was looking at her with no emotion in his eyes.

"Its not your fault. Come on, I'll show you to his room." He gestured towards one of the corridors.

"Uh, can you first take me to the kitchen, I am really hungry."

…….

…….

"What is this? It tastes so good!" she was crying tears of joy while eating the leftovers with Stefan, who surprisingly was more than eager to join, "Its Lobster Mac and Cheese."

"God I thought you were gonna say some French name that would be way too pretentious to be delicious." She said putting her fork down after completely devouring her bite, "I've never been so full."

"Hmm guess there's no room for ice cream."

"There is room for ice cream." She feigned being offended at the statement. He shook his head with a laugh as he got them a container, "The kitchen opens at 8. You said Grandma seems to like you right? Then you might want to save some room for the village she's going to serve for breakfast."

"I can eat. Don't worry about that. You just keep the pretentious but tasty food coming." She said taking a spoon from him to devour the ice cream.

"So, you and my brother are an item now." He huffed, "And I thought I'd be the first to bail on my dad set precedence of never being exclusive with a woman."

She was so tired of listening about Giuseppe. He seemed to be a really toxic parent. Especially after she found out how he did nothing to save his own child.

"There's nothing wrong with being exclusive." She shrugged, "I think commitment takes a lot of balls."

"Huh, I am not sure if you're attacking me." He tapped his fingers against the table, "But I'll tell you commitment needs the 'balls' in question on both ends. Its why you're with Damon. Obviously you both are equal victims of being in love and had the 'balls' to admit that."

She swallowed thick, feeling like an imposter because she hadn't told him what she felt. Not in clear terms, but he didn't either.

"I can see how your relationship is different than those flings he used to have. A few looked very promising, I'd say that girl from New York, Katherine Peirce was in this crest and through thing with him. But then he never did the whole meet the parents thing with her like you." He sighed at the end.

Elena couldn't help but feel the whiplash from Stefan's words. Katherine Pierce as in the Pierce group.

Why didn't Damon tell her?

Come to think of it, he didn't say much about his past. Only yesterday she found out so much about him.

Stefan was looked at her with a slightly tilted head as if trying to know what she's thinking about.

He hissed, "You didn't know." Then cursed and sat straight, "Oh I am sorry I thought you did. Its just- it was such a big part of his life, I thought he told you."

Elena bit her lip, trying to see if he was being genuine, he didn't look like his intentions were bad, "No it's fine. We haven't had much time to talk about all that stuff."

Lie, if they could plan vacations for the next three years last night, he could have easily slipped in a bit about Katherine. After all, he knew her exes.

"Stefan."

They both looked towards the entrance doors, Damon just seem to walk in, he was shirtless and wearing only jeans.

"Damon." Stefan replied in acknowledgement.

"I see you escaped rehab." He said in a disapproving tone as his arm looped around Elena, leaning down he planted a kiss on her lips, "I was looking for you. Baby."

"I was right here." She smiled with a shrug.

"You taste like chocolate." He said with uncertainty.

"I just had chocolate ice-cream." She chuckled.

He grinned and leaned in, kissing her again, this time plunging his tongue into her mouth. Not caring that Stefan made a barf-gag sound.

She kissed back for a moment but then parted when she realized Stefan was there.

"I didn't escape Rehab, Grandma decided I was better here." He said once Damon looked at him for an answer.

"And are you?"

"Yes." He said confidently.

Damon tutted as he reached into his jeans and pulled out three zip-lock bags with a white powder in it and threw them on the table, "I guess that's extra sugars you keep in the old family album that just happens to be in your room."

Damon chuckled humorlessly, "So he's a liar too."

Stefan's lips parted as he looked at the drugs Damon had retrieved from his room.

"You went through my stuff." He stood up.

"You don't deserve privacy at the moment." He snarled.

Elena looked in between them, she had instantly believed Stefan when he said he was clean and here it was, evidence that he wasn't.

Damon added, "Now if I show these to Ruth, what do you think she'll say? Let me take a guess, she'll tell you how much of a manipulative asshole you are, she will ask you where the money for this shit came from since all your cards and bank activity is on our watch, then you will lie about not pawning every valuable thing that you stole from this house without anyone noticing-"

Stefan's eyes widened, "You can't tell her that. If not for me- she'll be heartbroken."

Damon sat down on the chair, next to Elena, and gestured him to sit, "Fine. Lets make a deal, right fucking now."

"Okay." He hesitantly sit down.

"I'll get rid of this shit, no one finds out how much of a douchebag you are, in return- you go to rehab."

"I can't. Not before- well I did something." He hesitantly admitted.

"What did you do?" Elena asked, but Damon showed no reaction, as if he expected it at this point.

"I didn't know, I pawned a ring I found in Grandma's room. Turns out it was some promise ring Grandpa gave her back in the day and I've pawned it for quarter of its value. Anyway, I heard Steven telling everyone to look for it, she's worried sick about it." He explained with a huff.

Elena looked at Damon, only hoping he wouldn't explode now, he was looking at the bags on the table. "Fine. We'll get the ring back, then you're going back to your 12-step."

Stefan's eyes were on the bags before he could make a move to grab them, Damon picked them up, "Don't you dare."

His brother gave him a glare before walking out of there, Elena pursed her lips, "For a second I thought you'd lose your temper."

He looked at her, as he put the bags back in his pocket, "Its not my first time dealing with this crap, it's certainly not going to be my last."

"I am sorry, this must be hard, its difficult for me to see it and I am not even- that close. So if you want to talk about it, I am here." he said holding his hand and squeezing it, he intertwined their fingers, "I am fine, Lena. Don't worry about it."

She could tell he didn't want to tell, just like he didn't tell her anything about his past. Whether Stefan intended to tell her about Katherine or not, she wanted to know who she was. More importantly, who Damon was.

……

……

A/N: sorry for skipping one week. The guest reviewer who reviewed all chaps last week, love you! I had a very rough weekend and your reviews cheered me up.

I had a few assignments and deadlines but I am done now so maybe I'll post within the week again. Will you guys read? Also what do you think about the chapter? Did you like her meeting the family?

Did Stefan tell Elena on purpose, will this pawn ring mission divide or unite them? I can't wait to know what you think. Please Review and for story updates follow me on twitter @nosweetendings

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