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"So you and Bianca, how many minutes are you two apart?" Khalil asked hand washing the breakfast dishes while Bianca showered and Bonnie watched him from her kitchen stool. So far, Khalil proved himself to be a fantastic cook and Bonnie never witnessed her sister look more enchanted by someone. Personally, she was withholding her opinion on Khalil, she wasn't sure if he was trustworthy just yet. Sure he had the body of an Adonis, the color of caramel and had hazel eyes that looked like you couldn't believe a damn thing he said—all that didn't necessarily mean that he was right for her Sissy.

"Two," Bonnie answered dryly.

"Ahh…"

"So what is it you do Khalil? I know you're a chef—but where do you work exactly?" Bonnie questioned sipping her mimosa.

Turning to Bonnie, Khalil flashed a grin at her completely non-pulsed by this cross examination, "I own a restaurant on the waterfront, it's called 'Q'zine'. It's a soul food place, but with some minor twists."

"Ahh, I see and you are how old?"

"The third degree huh?"

Bonnie finished her mimosa shrugging, "You haven't met our Grandmother yet, when you do—you will know exactly what third degree questioning is, so how are old you?"

Khalil leaned on the counter drying his hands on a kitchen towel, "I'm 33."

"I see…well Mr. Chef and Restaurateur Khalil, you better not play around with my sister or you will see how close twins are. I don't mind going to jail for her," Bonnie asserted before sliding off of her stool and heading into the guest bedroom to get dressed. She could feel Khalil's eyes on her, but she was also aware that she made her point.

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Damon stood in the doorway of the Salvatore kitchen as his mother mixed the batter for cupcakes that she planned to take over to one of the neighbors. Since his father passed away, Lily decided to hang out with some of the neighbors—most of them were in their 70's and preferred to sit around knitting and drinking margaritas.

"So where is your brother? He was supposed to come over and help me with these too," Lily threw a look at Damon, "not that you are helping much."

"I will put on the sprinkles," Damon held up the container and shook it, "and Stefan…he's probably out with his newest victim."

Lily clucked her tongue rolling her eyes, "You know, if one of you would just settle down with one of these women—you would make me very, very happy."

"Maybe you should tell Stefan to stop dating all over the place and maybe you can get exactly that," Damon watched Lily place her batter in the cupcake pans, "and besides, you told me when you begged me to come back home that I needed to take a break. That I needed to slow down, so I moved back here and got a dog."

"And that Andie girl."

"One misstep," Damon raised a finger.

Lily rolled her eyes, "So who's the new woman…Bonnie, is that her name?"

Damon stuck his finger in the empty bowl to gather some batter that was left over before placing it in his mouth, "I met a woman in a bar last night…"

After placing the baking pan in the oven, Lily turned to him and flashed one of her most disapproving looks, "A bar Damon, really?"

"I own a bar, Mom," Damon stared across the counter at his mother.

"A lounge."

"Anyway, I met someone at a bar last night. Her name is Melanie, she's a teacher."

Lily chuckled, "A teacher?"

"Yes a teacher."

"That's new for you," Lily stated.

"Yeah, we're going out tonight. It's a nice restaurant and maybe something else, nothing too crazy."

Lily stood staring at her oldest son, the one that she almost lost months before and the one who always seemed to be hiding something underneath it all, "Well I hope you have a good time with her and it turns into something that can blossom into a real relationship."

Damon cocked an eyebrow, "Do you torture Stefan with this kind of talk too?"

Lily laughed shaking her in the negative, "Why would I? He won't listen to me—you may though…" she trailed off for a moment and then opened her mouth to speak, "were you seeing someone before you left New York?"

Damon's eyes widened. Did she know? Did she suspect? His eyes shifted looking over at Lily, "Why would you ask that?"

"Because…I don't know. You were never available, when I called you—you always rushed me off the phone, it just seemed like you had someone. But I never saw her come to the hospital. The people from your bar did, but never someone who acted like a girlfriend."

She was sitting right next to you, Damon thought before answering, "Mother, there was no one special. Don't you think she would have been crying by my beside too?" he wiggled his eyebrow and was rewarded with a slap on the arm from Lily.

"And to think the doctors thought your personality would change," Lily rolled her eyes.

"Come on, you love my personality…your other son doesn't come here and watch you bake cupcakes."

"If that makes you feel better my son."

Needing to change the subject, Damon's eyes lit up, "Hey, we have a table for the Children's Hospital fundraiser next weekend, do you want to come?"

"Hmm, can I bring Julian as my date?" Lily smiled sweetly causing Damon to immediately frown. Julian was Lily's newest paramour. Damon guessed he was a good guy; he was a lawyer around town who specialized in family law. He was a monotonous bore as far as Damon was concerned, but he seemed to make Lily happy, "If that's what you want," Damon managed to squeeze out and was rewarded with Lily's laugh, "He's not that bad Damon."

"Right, perfect guy. I'm sure Dad is spinning in his grave," Damon retorted.

"I'm happy and that's all Giuseppe could have wanted for me," Lily's eyes misted over at the thought of her late husband causing a small lump to form in Damon's throat. He realized long ago that when his mother brought up his father, his sadness had less to do with his father no longer walking the earth—but more to do with his mother's grief.

Lily Salvatore loved Giuseppe Salvatore with every fiber of her being and his father loved her just as much. They would laugh at jokes that only they knew the punchline to. Her green eyes lit up whenever he entered a room and when Damon noticed that, he wanted the same thing. That love and that devotion.

"Well I'm happy that Julian gives you that and you can bring him to the gala. He can sit at our table next to Stefan," Damon winked.

"My son you are so charitable," Lily shook her head with her normal sarcastic smile.

"Just the way you taught me," Damon matched her smile as the kitchen phone began to ring. Damon shook his head. Lily Salvatore may be the only person in the state of Virginia who still had and used her landline frequently.

"Damon, can you get that!" Lily called over her shoulder while she washed her hands at the large sink near the window.

Damon sighed. With his luck, it would be one of the old women who lived in the neighborhood who loved to either a) flirt with him shamelessly or b) tell him about one of their granddaughters that they had who were single and ready to be married. Lifting the cordless phone off of the charger, he paused as the caller id flashed 'Sabine Reynolds' across the screen.

"Damon, are you going to answer," Lily turned to him waiting.

"Uh, yeah," he clicked the button, "Hello."

There was a pause, "Damon," her voice came through almost strangled.

"Ms. Reynolds," he looked over at Lily who was in the middle of wiping her hands on a towel.

"I thought you'd fallen off of the face of the earth, since you haven't returned any of my calls and texts," she replied coolly.

"Just busy and my mother is right here," he handed the phone over to Lily and quickly picked his keys up off the counter, kissing Lily on the cheek and headed out of the house as quickly as he could.

When he slid into his car, a short prayer crossed his lips that his affair with Sabine would stay a secret another day. The day it ever came to light, there would be fireworks from Mystic Falls to New York City.

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Bonnie tightened her ponytail high on her head before staring at herself in the full length mirror. From the moment Marcel called her and told her that he was picking her up, she hadn't been able to decide on what to wear. After 3 wardrobe changes and no help from Bianca after she disappeared with Khalil, Bonnie settled on blue jeans and a strapless pink top. Wherever Marcel planned for them to go, he hadn't told her and she was actually looking forward to this date. There were no expectations, she was in a different city and Marcel looked like he could be fun and that's what she wanted fun. No commitments, just pure unadulterated fun.

She slowly put her lipstick on and puckered her lips in the mirror when the ringing doorbell caught her off guard. Glancing down at her watch, she realized that Marcel was exactly on time. She hastily picked up her purse and rushed towards the door, picking up Bianca's guest key card on the way. Taking one last look in the mirror, she flung the door open and Marcel stood there standing with a bouquet of pink roses looking every bit of the gentleman. He smiled down at her, "Wow, hello," he grinned as he took in the vision in front of him.

"Hi," Bonnie gave him a wide smile, "are those for me?"

Marcel blinked for a few moments, "Yes…these are," he stated handing her the bouquet.

She smiled taking the roses, turning and heading into the apartment. Finding a vase, she filled it with water, "So am I dressed properly for our date?"

His eyes lazily drifted along her body and he gave her a toothy grin, "Absolutely."

The way his voice said 'Absolutely' made Bonnie's entire body tremble. Had she missed a man admiring her that bad that just a simple flirtation made her feel like the heat had increased in the apartment?

"Well, I guess we should go," she stated clearing her throat and retrieving her purse from the counter following Marcel out of the apartment.

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There was a nice breeze while they made their way down one of the walking paths in Belle Isle State Park. Due to her work schedule, it was rare that Bonnie had dates during the day and day dates were always more intimidating. At night, you had your entire day to discuss. What happened at work? Who got on your nerves? Also, if the date wasn't going well—you could always say you had to get up early to go to work. During the day, everything was a topic and a hasty retreat wasn't as easy.

After walking for a few moments and Marcel pointing out landmarks to her, they found a restaurant not far from the park with outside seating. Seated outside, at a table for two, the waiter took their orders and they were left with their pitcher of Sangria and each other, "So what do you think so far?" Marcel asked with his eyes gleaming waiting on her answer.

"I've visited Bianca a couple of times and we've never come down here. It's nice, thank you."

"I have to confess; I wasn't exactly sure where to take you. I knew that I wanted to take you somewhere so we could talk—get to know each other, you know?"

Bonnie sipped her Sangria, "I'm not that hard to please, I can assure you…"

"I'm sure, but I wanted to make a good impression."

"Why?"

Marcel gave her a look of pure confusion, "Have you looked at yourself lately?"

She shook her head, "Marcel, you are sweet."

"So tell me, why don't you have a boyfriend?" he sat back with a raised eyebrow.

Bonnie lowered her glass, "Well I think the answer is much simpler than you may expect."

"Please share."

"Well I had a boyfriend all throughout college and a little after. It was a relationship that I enjoyed at the time and we did everything together, but after awhile I felt like I couldn't breathe. I felt like I didn't know where he began and I ended. I needed something else, someone else," Bonnie answered, "I don't know—it just got hard."

Marcel nodded, "So when did you two break up?"

"Awhile ago, maybe two years?"

"And you've just been dating since then?"

Bonnie looked across the table. He was fishing, she was sure of that, "Pretty much. Marcel, I need to be honest with you, I don't want a relationship. I was in one for years and right now, I just want to have fun with whomever I want to without any type of commitment. I understand if that's not what you are looking for here."

Marcel shook his head, "I kind of figured that was your position, but I get it. We live in two different states and they're not exactly a short car ride away. I understand and we will just see what this visit does for our friendship."

"Exactly," Bonnie smiled, "but what about you? When was the last time someone was able to call Marcel St. Gerard their boyfriend?"

Marcel picked up his glass taking a long sip, "Well," he licked his lips, "it's been awhile. My job makes it pretty hard to have a relationship. I had a girlfriend maybe 2 years ago and it ended mostly because of my job. It's hard for people to be in a relationship with someone who can't be available to them almost 8 months out of the year because they're traveling."

The way Marcel explained his situation sounded as if he had some regrets, but wasn't ready to confess them, "Understandable, so if you found someone who could accept that and was fine with it—what then?" she probed.

With a face signaling interest, he leaned forward, "Are you asking me if I think I'm ready for the wife and kids?"

Bonnie nodded in the affirmative. Marcel appeared to be a family man, so wife and kids seemed to be a checkbox on his list of life. His eyes twinkled before speaking, "Sometimes I think I am, but other times—I realize I live a very selfish life. My parents divorced when I was young. My mother is an assistant distract attorney in New Orleans. My father is a college football coach in Los Angeles and he rarely came around to do the family stuff. I don't want to be that way when it comes to my kids or my wife. I want to be present. So right now, I'm building my career and maybe when I'm dome with the Devils and with the NBA, it will be time to settle down."

Bonnie breathed out a sigh of relief. It had crossed her mind numerous times that Marcel was looking for a girlfriend and she wasn't interested in being someone's girlfriend. Her freedom was treasured at this point and she wasn't willing to give it up, "So we're on the same page. This is just something easy for the both of us, huh?" Bonnie asked holding up her glass.

"Exactly," Marcel clinked his glass with hers.

"So after dinner, what do you have planned for us?" Bonnie sipped and then placed her glass down while the waiter sat down their entrees.

"Something fun for us…karaoke," Marcel grinned.

Bonnie gagged on her Sangria as Damon's words infiltrated her mind…

"Well if he's trying to get you to become his one and only lady love, he will undoubtedly take you out to a fancy dinner and then show you that he can be a really fun guy…probably take you out for karaoke…"

Bonnie laughed into her martini glass, "Karaoke?"

"He seems like the type of guy who would do karaoke," Damon shrugged.

"Bonnie, are you ok," Marcel asked eyebrows knitting in concern, "do you not like karaoke?"

"Oh I do…I'm sorry, the Sangria just went down the wrong way that's all," she managed to choke out. That Damn Damon! She thought. Of course, he would be right about the karaoke.

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The unusual warm weather had brought out most of the Mystic Falls citizens. They were taking in the slightly breezy night and heading in and out of the bars and restaurants in Old Towne, Mystic Falls. The streets were cobblestoned and it was like going back in time to colonial times, except for the various loud bars where college kids hung out and the concept restaurants. Damon stood outside of the 'The Titled Hook' a seafood restaurant situated in front of a large fountain where the kids loved to cool off during the summer. His hands were stuffed in his jean pockets while he calmly observed Melanie sitting at a table in the restaurant. Calling Melanie for this date was a test for him. Perhaps he was being a little unfair, but he wanted companionship; but he made his mind up before he ventured out, this night would not end with Melanie in his bed or him in hers—he was keeping the vow to himself.

He placed his hand on the door, pushing it open and stepped inside. The atmosphere of light conversation and laughter filled the small restaurant. At the desk in the front, he noticed the hostess' eyes brighten as he made his way over to her before making a beeline over to the table for two where Melanie sat.

"Waiting for someone special?" he greeted her with a smile.

Looking up at him, she flashed him a flirty grin, "I'm waiting for someone."

He laughed taking a seat across from her, "Well I guess the special title could take some time."

Giving him a noncommittal shrug, Melanie answered, "So I was surprised that you called and asked me to go out to be honest."

"Why is that?"

Melanie paused while the waitress collected their orders and disappeared just as quickly as she appeared, "Sooo…" Damon encouraged her to continue.

"Well you have Revel and I expected that when you met me at that bar the other night, it was just a way to pass the time. You know, nothing serious and I thought you worked primarily at night," she explained.

"Usually I do, but I decided to take some time off this week. Every night, I'm overlooking the lounge and I just thought it was time for me to do something else."

Melanie's gaze from across the table unsettled him a little, but he went on with a smirk, "And I liked dancing with you the other night, so I thought I should get to know you."

Raising a skeptical eyebrow, Melanie turned her attention to the waitress placing their drinks on the table, "So you're telling me that you don't have a harem of women that you can see on any given night?"

Damon laughed, "A harem? Not even close, what about you? No mild mannered, stable employed man that you spend your days and nights with?"

Her eyes went downcast for a moment and for a few seconds, Damon felt like the answer he was initially expecting wouldn't be the answer he received, "Wait…is there a mild mannered man?"

Melanie shifted in her seat with her eyes looking around, "Honestly?" she looked at him and Damon blinked at her, "me and my husband separated 3 months ago. We don't know what we're doing exactly?"

How ironic? Damon thought. Another woman who was feeling jilted or whatever by her husband—was he a magnet for them at this point? "Ahh, so I'm a rebound guy?" he retorted.

Melanie laughed, "No…nooo…this is just…it's not a date," she protested, "we're just two friends potentially getting to know each other and maybe one day—it can be more."

Damon sat back. She was cute. She was convincing herself this wasn't a date. He would play along…for now.

Two hours later, Damon sat across from Melanie who had crumpled into tears listening intently to her sob story of love woe. She started out telling him about a movie that she was interested in seeing and then it segued into a conversation about how she and her husband, Randall, loved going to the movies. Then it went to how they had planned a trip to Paris to follow in the footsteps of A Love Affair and from there it got a little garbled, but Damon found himself handing her napkins as she wiped her eyes through her sobs and tried to convince people walking by that he was not the cause of her tears. By the end of dinner and drinks, he was sure that God was punishing him. By the time he scribbled his name on the credit card receipt, he was desperate to get back to Sandy.

Melanie, for her part, mumbled an apology and headed off to her car with barely another look at him. "Welp, I tried," Damon shrugged before walking to his car.

Sliding inside, he dialed Stefan, "You're calling me, I guess you must have done something wrong on your date."

Damon chuckled, "I will have you know Brother, the woman that you so cautiously picked out for me at that bar is a separated teacher who is still deeply in love with her husband."

"Your kind of woman," Stefan quipped.

"I'm turning over a new leaf brother and although, she would have been low hanging fruit—another woman on the rebound from a man who broke her heart is not what I need right now."

"I see," Stefan answered, "so you sent her on her way?"

"I did and I'm on my way to Revel now."

"See you when you get here," Stefan ended the call.

"Right," Damon shook his head turning towards the freeway. At a moment like this, he would call Bonnie to tell her how his luck continues—but then he remembered, she was off with her prince charming doing god knows what and Damon didn't even want to know what the 'what' was.

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Bonnie's laughter hadn't stopped since they left the karaoke club. Marcel's rendition of Getting Jiggy With It had nearly sent her into hysterics. Sitting in the crowd watching him let loose was exactly what she needed during this trip. "So I take it, you enjoyed me making myself look like an idiot for your pleasure," Marcel held her hand as they walked along the Riverfront.

"You did not look like an idiot and I had fun. Thank you."

"Your welcome, I wanted to show you a good time while you were here so that you will give a second thought to coming back," he stopped walking holding onto her hand, pulling her closer while looking down into her eyes. Bonnie could feel the anticipation build between them as her eyes met his, "because I do want us to get to know each other," he tightened his grip on her hand, taking the other one in his.

She smiled, "I had a good time. I've been to Detroit a couple of times, but this is the first time that I've seen this part of the city."

"I can show you soo much more, if you give me another week," Marcel's eyes twinkled.

Giggling she shook her head, "I would if I could, but work calls."

He placed his hand on her neck lightly, "It does, but not right now," he whispered before allowing his lips to graze hers for a few moments before applying more pressure joining them in a kiss. His hand gently found itself at the small of her back. The kiss was sweet. One of the sweetest kisses that Bonnie had ever experienced in her life. Marcel's lips were soft like pillows. When they broke apart, Bonnie smiled, "Come to dinner at my apartment tomorrow," Marcel whispered.

His brown eyes were welcoming, "I would be happy to," Bonnie answered before Marcel went in for another kiss.

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"So let's talk about Khalil," Bonnie thumbed through shirts on the rack at one of Bianca's favorite clothing stores in the mall, "what is that about?"

Bianca held up a short burgundy skirt up to her waist, "What do you mean?"

"That's cute," Bonnie admired the skirt and then answered, "Khalil. You were kind of secretive about the entire thing. When you came to Mystic Falls, I didn't hear anything about a boyfriend or a prospect."

"That's because there was nothing to tell. We have fun, he treats me like the princess that I am and that's all that matters," Bianca admired the rest of the skirts.

"My sister and her impeccable taste in men," Bonnie picked up another shirt.

Bianca shrugged, "Don't get annoyed at me because I am very friendly and can find someone to occupy my time."

Bonnie rolled her eyes. Bianca, Guy Magnet, she had the self esteem of a thousand women.

"So what are you wearing tonight? Shall we also stop at Victoria Secret?" Bianca wiggled her eyebrow.

"Nope, there is no need for that. Marcel is cooking dinner, we will talk…probably watch some television and I will come back to your place. I leave tomorrow, so I doubt we're going to do too much tonight."

"Girl, he is going to get you all in his bed tonight," Bianca laughed, "he has to give you something to come back here soon and flowery words are not going to do it."

"Bianca!"

"Bonnie!" she exclaimed, "you are young, you are single and Marcel is fine. You know you want to give him some, so do it."

Bonnie paused turning to Bianca, "I think he wants more than I do."

"Girl, please. He travels 9 months out of the year, I don't think he wants a relationship just yet. He likes you, a lot. Just enjoy your time with him and tomorrow, you will be back in Mystic Falls having your little coffee dates with Damon again."

Bonnie narrowed her eyes; Bianca mentioning Damon was no accident. She figured that it would only be a matter of time before Bianca brought him up again, "I thought you were a fan of Marcel—why do you bring up Damon?"

"I'm a fan of you and I want you to get some of the best toe curling, name screaming, sheet grabbing sex you have ever had," Bianca leaned towards her, "and maybe you will get that stick removed from your ass. So whether it be with Marcel or Damon, I'm not picky. But I told you why I vote for Marcel."

Bonnie's eyes lowered into slits, "I hate you."

"You love me, but honestly," Bianca wrapped her arm around Bonnie's shoulder, "I think you and Damon have something, not sure what exactly but definitely something."

Bonnie twisted her mouth into an unsure smirk having a flash of him telling her about his affair with Sabine, "Damon is just someone that I want to be friends with," she declared.

Gazing at her twin sister, Bianca heard the uncertainty in her sister's voice. Knowing Bonnie better than she even knew herself—she was well aware that Bonnie had a crush on Damon and for whatever reason she was playing it safe and she would play along, "Well let's focus on Marcel then and getting you something to wear," Bianca held up up a t-shirt that read 'Bad Bitch', "too much?" she wrinkled her nose.

"Yes," Bonnie answered with a shake of the head in amusement.

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Because Marcel offered to make Bonnie dinner her last night in Detroit, she decided to take a Lyft to his apartment on the other side of the waterfront. Sitting in the back of the sedan, she looked down at her phone trying to stifle the nerves that suddenly crept up. Marcel was easygoing and she had a good time with him, but he seemed like he wanted more from her than she was willing to give.

'Bonnie relax,' she leaned back into the plush leather seat in the back of the Mercedes.

"Here we are at The Scott," the driver announced.

"Thank you," she smiled politely sliding out of the car and standing in front of the massive apartment building. She took a quick look at her reflection in the glass of the apartment building windows. She went for a simple skirt and tank ensemble for the evening. After a quick look, she walked up to the front door allowing the doormen who gave her a welcoming grin opened the door. She breathed out slowly as she made her way towards the elevators. She loved her time with Bianca, but she sometimes she hated it; Bianca had a way of turning low key, mundane things into the most exciting and nerve-wracking experiences ever.

As the elevator rose, the numbers illuminated climbing to the 21s floor where Marcel lived. She clutched her purse and rewet her lips with her saliva. The nervousness was now ringing in her ears. The elevator dinged signaling for her to exit and she did, walking down the hallway with her heels clicking.

Reaching his apartment, 2103, she took a deep breath before raising her fist to knock and the door opened, "Hey," Marcel smiled at her. Standing in front of her, Marcel resembled someone that needed to be on the runway of Milan. It was the most dressed down she'd seen him since she met him, but he was as handsome as ever. Wearing a simple pair of blue jeans and a light blue crew neck t-shirt, she could see all of the definition in his abs and she immediately felt a slight flutter in between her legs. What a gorgeous man, she thought.

"Hey," he greeted her holding out his hand and escorting her into the apartment. Bonnie took all in as she stood in the middle of the living room. It was charmingly decorated as if he had someone personally found every piece in it.

"This apartment is nice," she grinned while nodding in approval.

"Care for a tour?" he asked pouring a glass of Rose and handing it to Bonnie.

Sipping and looking around she gave him a nod, "Why not?"

Marcel gave a quick check to the meal he was preparing and gestured for Bonnie to follow him, "So it's not the biggest apartment, but it serves its purpose," he led her to a room right off the living room which contained a loveseat, a computer, a collection of albums and a record player to play them on, "this is the room where I work and do a lot of thinking and listening."

"To these albums?" Bonnie asked walking over to the stacks and picking up one with Aretha Franklin on the cover.

"Yes, they were my inheritance from my grandfather. He considered them his riches," Marcel chuckled taking the album from Bonnie subtly and placing it back when she got it from.

Well ok, she thought to herself as they moved out of that room. He showed her the powder room and then he opened up French doors to reveal his bedroom. Bonnie stood in the doorway. The king size bed was in the middle of the rather large room, with a bathroom to the side. She was impressed by the linens on the bed, that all happened to match. In her experience, men loved to just throw the cheapest comforter on their bed and no color theme what so ever. Marcel had a blue and grey scheme and it fit the room.

"So that's pretty much it, then there's a living room, but you see that already," he gestured around the living room, "so if you give a moment, I will have dinner ready."

"It smells great, what did you make?" Bonnie asked taking a seat on one of his stools.

Marcel threw a look over his shoulder, "A little recipe that my mom insisted I learn when I left for Detroit. She was convinced that I would starve living on my own or eat out every day. It's Mississippi Pot Roast," he stated spooning out whipped potatoes on a plate and covering it was the most heavily smelling meat Bonnie had ever the pleasure of inhaling.

He fixed two plates and brought them over to the table, where Bonnie joined him carrying their wine glasses. He held out Bonnie's seat and she sat down looking down at her plate. The very smell of the food made her mouth water, "I hope you like it," he winked at her.

Bonnie looked down at her plate and prayed that she didn't inhale it in unladylike speed.

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After Bonnie painstakingly managed to eat her food like a lady, Marcel brought her to the place that made him rent this apartment. His balcony, overlooking the city with city lights illuminating the dark purple sky, "This is my favorite place to come, when I just want to think about my life and how content I am," Marcel leaned on the balcony.

Bonnie looked out at the lights of the city. For Detroit to be a busy city, standing on the balcony had a calming effect. She watched Marcel out of the corner of her eyes move behind her and wrap his arms casually around her and she leaned into his embrace. They stood looking at the city lights when Bonnie felt Marcel's soft lips on her neck. She closed her eyes allowing his lips to pay tribute to her neck. She slowly turned to face him as he slowly backed up into the apartment. Their lips joined and the kiss was every type of sweet. Marcel's hands massaged Bonnie's back moving towards the couch.

Their lips did a dance of pure ballet as they gently fell back onto the couch. His lips moved towards her neck and Bonnie closed her eyes exhaling. His hand slowly made its way under her dress and slowly moved the thin material to the side and she gasped as his finger stroked her sweet middle. "You like that, I guess," he whispered in her ear causing her to moan louder than she intended to.

As good as his kisses felt (and they felt amazing) and the fact that his fingers were causing her to rethink her entire single existence, she felt the need to stop it all before it went too far and expectations went further than she wanted, "Marcel," she breathed touching his shoulders, she bit her bottom lip, "I think we need to stop this…" she moaned, "I don't want for things to get too serious between us."

Marcel looked down at her, "I will do whatever you want, but I just want to give you something to make it harder for you not to come back to Detroit."

Bonnie raised an eyebrow, "Do you really?"

Marcel grinned at her before moving down her body and planting a kiss on her toned chestnut stomach, before staring up at her licking his lips and disappearing between her legs. She wasn't sure when he removed her panties, but when his tongue traced around her nub she could barely remember her own name, let alone how she got in this position.

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The vibrating next to her head roused her from her sleep, "What the…" she opened her eyes somewhat discombobulated. The sunlight was drifting in from the window and then she realized she wasn't in Bianca's guest room. Instead, she was lying in Marcel's king bed. The vast amount of pillows that decorated his bed were thrown onto a clothing dresser in the corner of the room and the right side of his bed, which he vacated some time before was still warm.

The memory of the night before replayed in her mind as she rolled over onto her back. Marcel gave his best effort to make it impossible for her not to return to Detroit and to his bed, possibly for the full experience.

"You're awake," he stood in the doorway holding a steaming mug fully dressed in grey sweatpants and a t-shirt.

"Yeah, I'm sorry that I fell asleep last night," she gave him a crooked smile, slightly panicking inside wondering how her hair look and taking a quick glance in the mirror across from the bed.

"I take it as a compliment," he grinned walking over to her and holding out the mug to her, "I know that you like coffee."

She glanced down at the brown liquid in the mug with steam rising from it. Coffee, she rarely drank it outside of A Cup of Life and sitting up in Marcel's bed about to drink it drudged up a feeling of guilt.

"It's black…I wasn't sure exactly how you liked it, but you seemed like a black coffee kind of woman," he stated helpfully.

She glanced down, she could tell by the dark brown liquid in the cup that it was black.

"Umm…thank you," she smiled blowing on the cup and taking a sip. The coffee was bitter, she smiled before swallowing the disgusting concoction that she could only describe as the taste of wet cigarettes.

Marcel stared at her for a beat, before speaking, "I…uh…hate to do this, but I have to go to the office…I will only be a couple of hours, so if you want…I can go there and then take you back to Bianca's when I'm done."

"Actually, I can just catch a Lyft. I need to make sure that I have everything together before my flight tonight," she slid out of bed placing the coffee down on the nightstand. Marcel moved closer, lifting the mug up and placing it on a coaster, "If that's what you want to do," he replied, "but I really want to see you before you leave, how about I give you a ride to the airport."

"I would like that," Bonnie smiled.

He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead, "Then I will see you then."

"Yup," Bonnie managed to respond watching him pick up his keys, "You can just close the door on your way out, it locks on it own," he turned to her before walking out of the bedroom.

"Got it," Bonnie nodded hearing the door open and close.

She looked over at her cell and picked it up, reviewing her text messages. There was one from Bianca, 'You nasty!' it read with 3 smiling faces with their tongues sticking out. Her sister, the wordsmith. Then there was another text, which made her heart skip a beat…it was from Damon. It was the text that roused her from the deep sleep she'd been in. She pressed the text and it opened to reveal his message, 'So did he manage to convince you to stay?'

She shook her head with an amused smile before texting back, 'No, I'm coming home tonight.'

After a few moments, another message came through, 'Guess that karaoke didn't do it.'

'Bye Damon' she texted back before getting her things together to leave Marcel's place.

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Bonnie walked into Bianca's apartment, which was thankfully silent. She proceeded slowly to the guest room and as she touched the knob, she heard, "Well, well, well," behind her.

Turning on her heels, Bonnie faced the person behind her, "Can I help you Bianca?"

"Oh!" she gasped, "you thought that you could just stroll into my place the next morning and nothing would be said?"

"I don't know Mom, I was hoping," Bonnie sighed.

"So did you mean to stay over or were you just so exhausted from Marcel making you cu…" Bonnie raced over and covered Bianca's mouth, who in turn slapped Bonnie's hand away, "I don't know where that was last night!"

"You know what Bianca, last night was nice…"

"Nice…ew…you didn't tell him that did you?" Bianca wrinkled her nose.

"I'm going to finish packing and then get in the shower," Bonnie called opening up the guest room door ignoring her sister.

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"So I hope that you had a good time this weekend," Marcel removed Bonnie's suitcase from the back of his truck later that evening.

"I did," she took her carry on from him, "thank you for showing me your town."

"And I hope that you will be coming back soon," he reached up and gently touched her cheek.

"Well my sister does live here and I did appreciate my time with you, so you may get sick of me," she laughed.

"Never," Marcel whispered before capturing her lips in a kiss.

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The next afternoon, with the sun baring down, Damon parked his Camaro in the back of Revel. He hated coming to the lounge during the day, but there was some accounting that he needed to finish up before they closed their doors for a few weeks for the renovations. He had a rule. He never carried work home with him, so it's either the office or no work at all. He walked along the sidewalk, making note to have Stefan call the company who maintained the exterior of Revel. The neighborhood looked as if a couple of wild parties occurred over the weekend.

He pulled the large handle to the front door to step inside and he was met with his brother standing at the bar talking to a black pencil skirt clad, showing off all of her lovely curves Bonnie Bennett. He stood there for a few moments taking her in, thinking about how he actually missed talking to her when she turned around with a smile, "Hi Damon."

Her voice was light, but the smile and the smirk that followed had an effect on him, "Hi Bonnie," he returned her smile standing in the doorway.

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