"What?" Elena asks when they reach the parking lot.

"I want to do something."

"And what would that be?" It's strange that she's thinking so ardently of kissing him.

"I want to kiss you." Damon leans in and brushes his mouth against hers, tugging her bottom lip between his teeth just a little before soothing it with his tongue. And then before she can back away, he drops his mouth to hers.

Heat explodes in his chest. She tastes so good. Damon's hand comes up to cup her face, using it to tilt her head. She leans in, closing the space between them. His other hand finds her hip, pulling her against him. The kiss spirals on. He groans. She sighs. His hand slides into her hair, gripping the back of her neck so he can make it deeper, more intense. He steps forward so her body is pressed against the side of her car.

Her hands fist into his hair and he pins her body between his and the vehicle, pressing his hips against hers, his fingers gripping her ass to keep flush against him.

And then there's a drop of rain and another as a second rainstorm moves in and begins to come down hard.

"Time to go," Elena laughs and unlocks the car door...

Knowing they need to make a plan; Elena decides they should go to her place. No one is on the hunt for her after all. She guides Damon to side door where they're hidden behind the staircase and tall flowering shrubs.

Without warning, Damon maneuvers Elena up against it. She feels the cool metal on her back, but she doesn't mind. Damon's body, hot and solid, is pressed against her enveloping her in warmth and comfort. She sees the unmistakable desire in his eyes as he gazes down upon her.

Her hands toy with the hem of his tee shirt. They're so close that she can feel the beating of his heart. She tilts her head in anticipation of a kiss.

Damon leans forward and kisses her hair. The flowery scent of her shampoo fills his senses and stirs memories of when he used to wash it for her when they would share a shower. That seems so incredibly long ago. Too long.

The smell of his aftershave, strong and masculine just like him, awakens every nerve in Elena's body. His stubble scrapes her cheek as he moves his lips lower and kisses the hollow of her neck. A wave of shivers tumbles down her spine like a gentle waterfall.

She holds back a moan as she slides her hands beneath his shirt.

He trails light, lingering kisses along her jaw, over her chin and up her cheek, teasing her as he intentionally avoids her mouth.

He's driving her wild with anticipation and desire. And when she thinks she can stand no more, finally – at long last – his mouth touches hers. Soft, warm, delicious, lingering, sensual. She quickly runs out of words to describe the sensations as she savors every heavenly second.

Her hands trace his bare skin beneath his shirt as the gentle breeze cools their skin, and the kiss, his kiss is better than her dreams.

And just as she begins to lose herself in it, there's a noise and Damon lifts his head and peers through the railing of the staircase, seeing no one, he turns back to Elena.

"Let's go inside." When she nods, he wraps his arm protectively around her shoulder as they step over the threshold.

Loosening the grip on her bag, Elena sets it down and inhales deeply when they enter her place.

"We need to get on that yacht somehow. Any ideas?" Elena says over her shoulder as she goes into the kitchen to find something to eat.

Damon doesn't answer, instead his eyes sweep over her face, lingering on her lips before meeting her eyes when her gaze drifts towards him.

Neither one wants to be the first to break eye contact, Damon wordlessly joins her, his arm brushing against hers.

"You hungry?" he asks, opening the fridge.

"I am but as you can see, I've been too busy chasing you to go to the grocery store," she replies with a hint of sarcasm.

Damon's face lights up with that panty dropping smirk of his. "Why don't you go change into something more comfortable. I can throw us something together? Any tuna or frozen chicken breasts?"

"Check the freezer," comes behind him as she moves towards the bathroom, dropping her shirt on the floor, giving him a sweet glimpse of her bare back and more just before she slips inside.

"You know," Elena starts, "we really don't know anything about these people, their private lives at least. All we know is what we've observed. If they're willing to kidnap you and Ric, it's doubtful that they'll draw the line at murder."

"I know that, Elena," Damon sinks into his chair, looking uncharacteristically defeated.

She rests her arms on the table, leaning towards him. "We'll figure it out. Now about that yacht - do you have any ideas?"

"We need to get on it somehow and search for Ric," he takes a long swallow of bourbon.

"Well maybe we should go back to the marina tomorrow and do some surveillance? Is someone always on board, how many people...?"

Damon blows out a breath. "You're right. Still, time's running out, we need to find him."

"Maybe it's time to go to the police? They have the manpower and can get a warrant to search the yacht."

"They need to have probable cause for a warrant and he's the mayor. They're not going to listen to us."

Elena lifts a shoulder and shakes her head. "Yeah, you're probably right. So how about we do some surveillance tomorrow? Once we know what we're up against, we can come up with a plan to board it. I could perhaps keep the guard or captain or whoever occupied while you do some sleuthing?"

Damon stands and paces the room. He runs a hand through his hair as he mulls over his thoughts and ideas. "I want another way .. There has to be a way... I don't want to put you in danger." Suddenly, he snaps his fingers. "What we need is a ruse. One to lure the crew out into the open so we can see how many there are."

Elena gives him the once over. "What exactly do you have in mind?"

Damon places his hands on the table and smiles. "You and I are going fishing." His dark brows bounce up and down mischievously.

Elena folds her arms and glares at him. "Fishing?"

Damon spends the next twenty minutes laying out his plan. When he finishes Elena isn't so sure she likes the plan however she begrudgingly admits that it's their best shot at getting on board that yacht...

Chapter title: 'Firework' by Katy Perry.