"You look incredible," Caroline gasped.
I had just put on my dress for the company party. I rented a long black dress. It hugged me tightly from top to about mid-thigh. It was sparkly and was sure to stand out amongst a crowd. It plunged down in the front showing off my cleavage. I wouldn't normally choose it for a company party but after seeing what my other coworkers were getting, I was fitting right in. There was a slit on one side, that cut up almost to my hip. I wore heels that weren't too high but gave me a little boost. Caroline curled my hair and pinned it into a half updo, leaving pieces hanging around my face. I did my make up with a smokey black eye shadow, but I kept it mild, so I didn't look like a lady of the night.
"I feel so weird going somewhere looking like this, and being alone," I put my cash and cards into my clutch.
"Hopefully you won't come home alone," she wiggled her eyebrows.
"Maybe," I joked. "There's 18 floors at my work building and I only know the people on my floor, which is all HR and accounting."
"There are probably a slew of hot business guys waiting to sweep you off your feet tonight," she said wishfully.
"They're probably all old or married," I grimaced.
"Don't be so negative," she handed me my lip gloss. "Call me if you need a ride home."
"I will, thanks," I smiled at her.
"Oh, and if you meet a hot guy and he happens to have a twin brother, feel free to hook a sister up," she yelled down the hall.
I giggled, shaking my head before leaving our apartment.
Once I arrived at the party, I found a group of girls I was somewhat familiar with and we sat at a table. The CEO started off with a short speech talking about the company's successes over the last year. He thanked everyone for their hard work, recognized some people, handed out a few awards to each department, and then he wrapped it up by telling us to enjoy the night. They had dinner, an open bar, and a DJ.
I ate dinner with my table and got to know some people from different departments, and everyone seemed very nice that I met. I listened to stories of past company parties and there seemed to be a theme every year. There was always someone who had too much to drink, someone who got everyone to dance, and someone to cause drama. I hoped that I would never be one of those people that they told stories about for years to come. So, I stuck to my glass of champagne, and would cut myself off after two. The last thing I needed to do was embarrass myself even more than I already have.
I had a moment to myself after I used the bathroom and I marveled at the ballroom they had rented for the night. It had gorgeous tall ceilings with beautiful architecture, sculptures, and warm golden tones brightening up the room. It was pitch black outside and snow was coming down lightly, and yet I was inside feeling warm. I walked back into the crowd, heading for the bar to get my second and last glass of champagne for the night. "Thank you," I smiled at the bartender as he handed me a glass.
As I turned around, I spotted Damon talking to a group of guys. His eyes seemed to find mine at the same time. And for the first time ever he didn't look totally disgusted by me. His eyes scanned me up and down quickly before turning his attention back to the guys he was talking to. I noticed he was drinking some sort of scotch… Whiskey? Bourbon? Something of that nature. He wore a dark navy suit. It was tailored nicely to his body. The tape was off his nose, but you could still see greenish yellow bruising along his nose. I walked away feeling like I had been staring too long.
"You look incredible Elena," I heard Stacie compliment me.
I stopped to turn to her and another girl Jane from my department. "Thanks," I looked at the two of them. "You guys look amazing too! I feel so out of my element."
"You don't look like it," Stacie took a sip of her drink.
"Well this is the nicest thing I've worn since prom," I flushed.
"Well that was like 4 years ago for you right?" Stacie laughed almost condescending. "You're like 22, right?"
"23," I corrected, not feeling confident.
"You're adorable," she gently touched my arm. "It's like your first grown up job."
I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion, "I'm young yes, but I take this job very seriously."
"Just be careful," she warned me. "I saw the way you and Damon were the other day."
"I opened the door to the breakroom and broke his nose," I reminded her. "I was just trying to stop the bleeding… that's it."
"You guys just looked cozy," she shrugged.
"We weren't, believe me," I took a drink of my champagne. "He hates me," I muttered.
"Really?" she perked up in interest. "That doesn't seem like him. He's friendly to everyone."
"Well… not me. So, looks like there's nothing to worry about," I gave her a fake smile before walking away.
Marion caught me as I walked away, "Do not talk to Stacie," she whispered as she walked with me.
"I'm starting to gather that," I could feel my blood boiling.
"What was she saying?" Marion asked. She could tell I was upset.
"Nothing," I shook my head. "Just trying to start something that isn't even a thing."
"She does that," she rolled her eyes. "Just ignore her. She loves when she can get under your skin."
"She's good at it," I took a deep breath trying to let it go. "I'm going to step outside for a second."
"It's freezing out there," she warned me.
"It'll just be for a second," I promised.
"Do you want me to come with you?" She looked concerned.
"No," I assured her. "I'm just hot."
"Ok," she let me go.
I walked out the giant French doors and was immediately met with a frosty chill. It felt good against my burning skin. I took a giant breath and watched the giant white cloud of air escape my mouth. I tried clearing my thoughts and releasing the tension from my body.
I heard the door open and my heart stopped when Damon locked eyes with me, "shit," I muttered to myself turning away from him.
"You ok?" he asked.
I was shocked to hear something pleasant from his mouth. "Yeah," I tried sounding strong as I stayed facing away from him.
He was silent for a while, and I started to wonder if he went back inside. "It's freezing out here. What are you doing out here without a jacket?"
"I got hot," I made a face feeling stupid. I just wanted to be alone for a minute and I hoped he would catch on to that.
Again, it was quiet for a moment, and I was starting to think he got it. Then I felt warmth on my shoulders, accompanied by that smell that I loved so much. He put his suit jacket around me, and then I heard his footsteps retreat followed by the door opening and silence. I turned around and I was alone. I slipped my arms into his jacket and discreetly inhaled that wonderful smell. I sat down on the bench and let myself just be for a moment.
I swear that I was outside for only 15 minutes or so, but I swear I walked into a different party. People were dancing and laughing and drinking. You could tell people were letting loose and having a good time. I scanned the room, first looking for Stacie so I could go the opposite side of the ballroom as her, and avoid her for the rest of the night. I finally spotted her in the corner down by the bar, I could tell she was gossiping from here. So, I went to the other side where the dance floor was. I looked around for Damon so I could return his jacket. He was off to the side of the dance floor, talking to someone.
He noticed me, just as I noticed him. He gave me a nod as if he wanted me to come over there. As I slowly approached, I could tell the guy he was talking to was the CEO. I almost turned away when he gestured to me, and the CEO looked at me.
"Sorry," I apologized. "I just wanted to give this back to you."
"Is this your date, Damon?" He asked.
"No, no dates this year, remember?" Damon chuckled.
"That's right," he shook his head in embarrassment.
"This is Elena Gilbert, she's one of your new HR's," he introduced me.
"Very nice to meet you," he shook my hand. "I'm Richard Wells."
"It's a pleasure," I smiled feeling nervously.
"She's the one who broke my nose," Damon added.
My smile instantly faded, and I wanted to smack Damon, but then Mr. Wells started laughing. "He probably deserved it."
"He did tell you I was opening a door, right?" I said embarrassed.
"Oh yes," he chuckled. "But he still probably deserved it."
I smiled wishing I could tell him I agreed, but I wanted to be professional.
"You know I don't usually approve of office romance," he turned to me. "But since he's my nephew I'll turn a blind eye."
"Oh, I don't- were not,"- I flustered.
"That's enough," Damon rolled his eyes at his uncle. "He thinks I'm going to be a bachelor for life, so he does this a lot," Damon looked at me apologetically.
"Oh," his uncle spotted someone from across the room. "Excuse me, but I have to go talk to someone. It was really nice to meet you Miss Gilbert." He turned his attention to Damon, and whispered not so quietly, "Dance with her you fool."
I giggled as he walked off quickly to an older gentleman, heading to the bar. "Nephew?" I turned to Damon.
He shrugged, "and suddenly I become more interesting."
"I'm just surprised," I shook my head. "He seems like a really great guy."
"He's alright," he smiled looking at his uncle cracking jokes with a group of people.
"So, does he try to hook you up like that all the time?" I giggled.
"Every year," Damon shook his head.
"He just wants you to be happy," I smiled sweetly.
"He wants me to settle down," he shook his head.
"You don't seem like the type," I concluded.
"I'm not," he took a sip of his whiskey.
It was quiet for a moment and I didn't know what to say. He wasn't nice to me, so this was new to me. "Your nose looks better."
"Yeah," he gently ran his hand over it, "It's not too bad."
"I'm really sorry about that by the way," I apologized again.
"I know," his face was unreadable.
"Well… Thanks for the jacket," I handed him his jacket.
"Yeah," he took it from me. "You're welcome."
I turned away feeling two things. I was happy that we seemed civil, and that we may have turned a corner to civilized adults and coworkers. And I also felt disappointed. He was intriguing to me, yet I didn't seem to intrigue him, and that was fine. I'm young and I lack experience in life. But I just wanted… I don't know. I guess I wanted to feel like I was interesting.
Ten seconds later I felt a hand grab my arm and spin me around. "Will you dance with me?" Damon asked.
I looked at him wondering what his intentions were. "Are you asking so your uncle will be pleased?"
"No," he shook his head. "But that is a bonus."
"Are you doing it to stir up rumors?" I asked.
He almost laughed, "No. Who do you think I am?"
"I don't know," I shrugged. "I have no idea who you are, Damon Salvatore."
He grabbed my hips and walked me backwards a couple of steps, so we were on the dance floor. He moved my arms up around his neck and he rested his on my hips, pulling me close, "Just say yes."
"I'm not sleeping with you," I added.
"Tonight? or ever?" He looked at me.
I tried reading his face, before he broke out into a smile, "You're an ass."
"It's just a dance Elena," he rolled his eyes playfully.
We swayed back and forth to the slow song for a minute in silence. I tried looking everywhere but his eyes, because they made me feel so intimidated. But I enjoyed being in his arms. I loved the feeling of his thumbs gently rubbing circles on my lower back, and the way his breath tickled my ear. His smell was even more intoxicating this close. I felt my heart race when the song slowly faded to the end, but I was thankful when another slow song came on, because I didn't want to stop.
"Why do you hate me?" I finally broke the silence.
He looked at me surprised by my question. "I don't hate you."
"Well you did," I finally looked into his eyes.
"That's just my personality," he shrugged.
"That's not how you treat any of the other women in the office," I disagreed.
"That's because it's different," he seemed uncomfortable with this conversation.
"Because I'm new?" I wondered.
"No," he rolled his eyes. "I don't do romance. I don't date. And I sure as hell don't do marriage and kids."
"What's that have to do with being nice to me?" I asked confused.
"Ok, I clearly need to spell it out for you," He grabbed my hands from around his neck, and gently spun me out and twirled me back into his chest. "You are beautiful," he said as our faces were just centimeters apart. He swung me out again, and this time turned me back in but spun me so that my backside was pressed against his front. His arm hugged across my waist tightly. "You want romance. You want the husband and the kids and the white picket fence. I can't give that to you." He whispered in my ear. He swung me out one last time before dipping me, his face just inches from mine. "So, the only way to keep you at arm's length is to make you hate me." He gently pulled me back up to standing position.
"So why dance with me?" I looked into his eyes. "Why be nice to me tonight?"
"It's just a dance," he shrugged.
"How do you know what I want?" I asked. "I mean you don't even know anything about me."
"You want what everybody wants," he concluded.
"Hmm," I played with his hair in the back. I pressed my hips into his hoping he could feel every part of my body. I looked down at his lips. "Maybe I want what you want…" I whispered looking back at his eyes. "Maybe I want you to take me back to your place and have the most mind-blowing night of your life." I could feel his breathing getting shallow. "Maybe I want you to show me your darkest fantasies." His erection grew thick across my hip bone. "Maybe I just want one night. And that's it. We can go back to hating each other tomorrow," our lips were nearly touching.
I had him right where I wanted him. My body gently pulled away from his, and I could feel him grip tighter. "But your right," He looked at me confused. "I want what everybody wants. So, I'm going to let you watch me walkaway, and think about the best night you never had."
My thumb grazed across his lower lip wishing I could taste him just once. "Thanks for the dance," I exhaled as I pulled away. His hand held mine until the last second, and I could feel his eyes on me, as I left and went home.
A/N: Please let me know what you think. I appreciate the feedback.