The Benefits of Chocolate

Damon paused, leaning casually against the doorframe, an amused smirk forming on his lips.

He took the time to observe his state of the art kitchen, now in disarray. A mixing bowel teetered haphazardly on the edge of the counter, the mixer dripping a dark sticky batter onto the granite. Egg shells cluttered over the garbage bin, one having dribbled onto the floor. A dusting of flour covered the entire surface, including the petite young woman who was currently buried in an enormous cookbook, her face etched into a frown.

Her once white apron had a dark stain hardening into the crisp fabric. Her hair was slowly escaping the braid, tendrils falling around her face in wisps. She looked up froze, a deer in the headlights.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" He drawled.

She rolled her eyes, sighing in exasperation. "Don't pretend you don't know," she huffed and continued on with the mixing, slopping some batter over the side of the bowl.

Damon failed in hiding his scowl. "I told you, I didn't want any of this," he growled, sweeping his hand flippantly over her mess.

"Too bad," she quipped churlishly. Peeking up at him through her lashes, she immediately wishing she hadn't.

A predator now stood in the doorway, blocking any means of her escape. A dark and lethal gaze held hers, igniting a slow flicker in her stomach. Elena glued her eyes to the mixing bowl, methodically stirring over and over again. Her legs were quivering but she didn't dare look up again. When she finally found the courage to sneak another glance, the doorway was empty.

Shit.

Elena started, her hearth thumping wildly in her chest. It was too late. A vice like grip gripped her waist from behind, holding her in place.

"What?" His voice was low, like velvet in her ear. Elena stopped breathing. Strong fingers slipped beneath the hem of her shirt, stroking the slip of skin there.

He turned her around swiftly relishing in the glazed look he found in her eyes. In a flash he had lifted her onto the counter, smirking as she let out a squeal. He stood between her legs, one hand resting on her thigh. Elena kicked herself for wearing her ratty sweats instead of jeans. What was sexy about grey spandex?

She gasped as he swooped in. She expected him to kiss her. Honestly, why else had he gotten so close? Her eyes fluttered close and she tipped her head forward, waiting.

"Mmmm." Elena heard a slick wet sound followed by a popping noise.

She snapped her eyes open to see him licking the batter from his fingers. "Vanilla." He murmured his eyes anchored to hers as he slowly sucked the sweetness from each digit.

"Honestly, I pegged you as more of a chocolate man myself." Elena's words came out dazed.

"Why is that?"

Elena gulped, gathering her nerves. "It's dark, sensuous, bitter yet sweet. It's never what you expect, but everything you want." She finished, her voice coming out in a rasp.

"And what if I like vanilla better?" He grasped her hips, pulling her closer to him.

Elena took a good, long look at him. His eyes were fixed intently on her, full of that fire that she had been evading for so long. He was right there, hopeful and waiting for what she had been so afraid to give him. Was it really that easy?

She tentatively brushed her lips against his. Elena shivered as he felt him lift her from the counter. Her hands went to his shoulders to steady herself. He hitched her up closer, and she gasped as his hands rested firmly under her bottom. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she peered up at him.

"Then you're in luck."

"Indeed I am," he said softly, stoking her cheek.

His hands tangled in the wisps of her hair, tilting her head to meet his lips.

Cake batter, he tasted like cake batter, Elena thought. Suddenly it was all so stunningly clear. It really was that easy to love him.

"I'll take my present now," he whispered huskily.

Elena nodded numbly, clutching fistfuls of his shirt in her hands. He had waited long enough.

Damon smiled against her trembling mouth. He had found a whole new meaning to the term Happy Birthday.

Hope you readers enjoyed this! Did anyone catch the chocolate metaphor I snuck in there? I had Elena compare him to chocolate; I thought it fit his personality fairly well. Anyway please review and let me know your thoughts and comments, I love reading the feedback.