Chapter Four
Damon POV:
Six weeks ago/1864:
My thoughts will not cease to follow the intentionally cruel path of one Miss Katherine Pierce. Every waking moment, I am plagued by images of my only love engaging in carnal endeavors with my younger brother, Stefan. At dinner tonight, she played the charming and adorably wry houseguest for my father, while I agonized about when I would have the honor to see her alone again. No, she was not my first experience in unholy intimacy, but she has been and will always be the only woman to matter to me in this way. She has my heart and soul, but she still chooses to share the affections of two brothers. Before Katherine, my relationship with Stefan was much better, but now I cannot help but resent him, even though I know he is just as enamored as I am and equally as innocent to be trapped in her snare. After dinner, I had initially requested that she share my bed tonight, not with the expectation of laying together but with the hope that we may be able to begin planning our beautiful life together. I only wish to hold her sometimes at night even when she insists on me performing some of the most unusual sensual activities with her. Truly, my life has been so transformed by this one woman's presence in my life. However, she has chosen to spend the evening with Stefan and very evilly told me that she is still teaching him not to be afraid of the blood sharing and instead to relish in the pleasure of it, like me. Why do I love someone so uncaring of my feelings? Still, I must relay that I love her more than-
My furious writing is interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. Who could be awake at this hour? I quietly close my journal and set my pen down as I stand and approach the door. The knocking begins again, and I take a deep breath before opening the solid, wooden door. There, in the rain, is the woman who I was just writing about. At the sight of her, my heart expands substantially when I realize that she must have preferred to spend the night with me instead of Stefan. She truly loves me!
"Katherine? I thought Stefan was meant to accompany you tonight," I taunt her with a cold tone and narrowed eyes.
I do not want her to think that I am not incensed by all the copious amounts of time spent with my brother, my current adversary. I let her stay out in the rain, enjoying the way her nightgown has become like a second skin, allowing me to roguishly appreciate her underlying nudity without her noticing. Additionally, I know she will not truly become cold outside as her body is already dead, so I am really only teasing her.
"Dammit, Damon! Let me in," I hear from her, and much to my astonishment, she pushes past me and into the cabin-without being invited in.
This is most obviously not Katherine, and I am nearly shocked into total silence. Who is this girl who looks exactly like my love?
"Who are you?" I ask her, and she turns around with an unhappy look, as if she was not the one to rudely intrude on my night of journaling.
"Not Katherine," She scoffs and turning away from me.
None of this is making sense! My mind continues to whirl around with confusion and awe as she sets down an intricate glass on my desk-right on top of my closed journal. She turns to me again, and my eyes fly up to meet hers so she does not realize I had been very rudely ogling her through her transparent nightgown. I keep having to remind myself that this is not Katherine, and therefore, I cannot treat her like anything other than the lady she must be.
"I did not invite you in," I murmur lightly, and she shivers again in her soaked clothing.
"Close the door. I'm cold," the strange girl begs, wrapping her arms around herself for warmth.
Instantly, I close the door, feeling completely coarse in my lack of manners.
"Of course. I am so sorry, miss," I apologize and run over to the hearth to coax out a fire for her comfort.
Once the fire in started, I turn and find her sitting on my cot, and it nearly knocks me over at her overly-familiar actions. I cannot believe she is sitting on my cot and looking so content when she is not even my wife or has known me more than 10 minutes. Clearly, she is lacking manners as well, so I feel a little better at my momentarily lapse of etiquette. Slowly, I walk towards her, and my heart beats even more quickly. She is quite enchanting. Even though she favors Katherine's appearance in nearly every way, there is something very raw and intriguing about this strange girl.
Her long, drenched hair trails down her back like a gorgeous waterfall, and her cheeks are pink and complimented by long, delicate eyelashes. Brown eyes, which are like Katherine's in color but not in any other way, stare into mine, and I am momentarily lost. Something about her feels so familiar and warm. Unlike Katherine's eyes, this girl's eyes are bright and show her most sacred emotions, melting any thawing in my chest.
I shake myself from these inappropriate thoughts and drape a blanket around her shaking body. Then I kneel before her and inspect her with my eyes.
"Are you hurt, miss?" I inquire gently, wondering if she was running from something.
Why else would she be running around outside in the rain, dressed in only her nightclothes? Is she in danger? Immediately, I feel the desire to protect her rise in me, and I am confused by this.
"I'm fine, Damon," She huffs and rolls her eyes, another unladylike manner for an unmarried woman such as her.
"How do you know my name?" I whisper in wonder.
Again, she surprises me by kicking me over until I sprawl in front of the now-roaring fireplace. Then she throws her body on top of mine, which startles and arouses me intensely. I am having trouble keeping my thoughts from straying into inappropriate territory. Her entire, luscious body is pressed against mine in every way except our faces, which are so, so close. Those red and plump lips are tempting me to ravage them, but I must be a gentleman. I do not know this girl. Much to my surprise, she is staring at my lips as well with great interest. The fact that she desires me too causes my body to awaken in places that would make it hard to hide if I should stand up suddenly.
"This is a dream," the beautiful girl tells me.
"Perhaps it is," I reply breathlessly, needing to close the gap and kiss her.
She pulls herself up and off me, much to my dismay, and stares at the fire with longing. I realize she must be cold still. There is no way she will get warm with all of her soaked nightclothes still on.
"Ma'am, if I may suggest...I hope I am not being too forward...if you would like to remove your attire, I promise I will remain a gentleman and turn away so as not to see," I find myself saying, completely mortified at my forwardness.
I am torn between her getting warm and maintaining an appropriate atmosphere with her. Although I worry that if she takes her clothes off, I will not be able to stop myself, I also feel the overpowering urge to protect her from catching a cold and developing pneumonia.
"Okay," She agrees with a shy smile, surprising me again.
I had nearly expected her to slap me for my uncouth suggestion. What type of woman would agree to take off her underclothes in front of a man who is not her husband? I turn around, praying that my body will not react in the ways I am currently feeling. I try not to listen to her undressing, but I hear her wet nightgown flutter to the ground, and I am overtaken by complete and utter lust. In order to stave off the desire to grab her and make passionate love to her, I clench my fists.
"Damon," I hear from behind me, and I tense my entire body in response.
"Yes?" I ask through gritted teeth, begging my body to behave itself.
"Turn around."
My shoulders lock, and my fists clench and unclench in order to find some relief. I know it is wrong to turn around, so I stay where I am. For her benefit. If I did turn around, I would be tempted to take her virtue, and that would be very wrong of me. I would be putting her entire life in jeopardy. If anyone found out that she was not pure, she would never find a suitable husband, and she would have to fight for the rest of her life to simply get by. I hear her steps, and I have a fleeting hope that she is walking away to put distance between us, but when I feel her hands running down my back and her lips on my neck, I nearly fall over in surprise. Despite her continued roaming hands, I do not react. My noble restraint is waning, though, when she roughly rids me of my shirt and then reaches for my trousers. Her naked breasts are pressed against my naked back, and I stop her hands before they can get anywhere near the painful throbbing in my pants.
"Please," She begs softly, and my control breaks like a dam holding back centuries worth of water.
I turn and see miles upon miles of flawless, naked flesh. Her body is the same as Katherine's, except that it is softer and glows more luminously in the light. She also wears a glorious tan that makes me feel as if my hands will feel warmth when I touch her. My eyes scrunch briefly when I see how strange her undergarments are.
"These are very small pantaloons," I mumble, reaching out and feeling the luxurious texture.
They are in the shade of pink, with delicate white lace outlining where I long to be. She shudders when I touch her, but when our eyes meet, I see that she is moved by unfiltered passion and is not afraid of me. This emboldens me.
"You are so beautiful. I conclude that I must be dreaming as well," I announce and then exhale heavily at the prospect of what we are about to do.
I pull her to me, and she melts into my hard body with a blissful sigh. Her heat is scorching me through her small undergarments as I feel her dampness through my trouser leg. She wantonly grinds herself into my leg, searching for relief, and I begin to realize (with relief) that she may not be as innocent as I initially made her out to be. Surely, a maiden would not have been so bold with a stranger, but I am not complaining. Our lips meld together like moving waves, sometimes violent and crashing, other times, gentle and lapping. In a well-practiced move, I lift her, and she wraps her arms around me without question. I place her onto the bed, and she hastily pushes my trousers down and off with her agile toes and seems surprised and amused that I have nothing on underneath. Without giving her time to think, I continue to plunder her mouth, trailing my tongue and lips down to one of her full breast and biting on a nipple. I smirk when she squeaks in surprise and pleasure; my cock jerks and tingles from the sounds she is making. Quickly, I pull off her strange underthings. Unable to help myself, I bring the soaked fabric to my nose and inhale heartily, causing her to gasp in embarrassment. So, she still is innocent in some ways, I note with a wolfish smile.
She lays there looking too enticing for her own good, so I prowl back up her body and bring my fingers between her legs. Her sheath is warm and dripping, so I rather impatiently run my swollenness up and down her lips, teasing and preparing her. Except I cannot share myself fully with her until I know more.
"What is your name?" I pant, looking down at her expectant, smiling expression.
"Elena," She answers with a melodic and gentle voice.
"It has been a pleasure meeting you," I declare, finally driving into her until I'm completely encased in her fluttering inner grip.
Her subsequent tortured groan brings me back from my visit to the heavens.
"Elena?" I gasp into the crevice of her neck.
I notice almost immediately that she seems to be struggling to accommodate my girth, and I feel angry and disappointed at myself for not taking more time to prepare her.
"Have I hurt you?" I demand, forcing her expressive eyes back on mine.
"No, no...it's just...so big," Elena moans, constricting almost painfully around me.
In apology for my brute behavior, I give her tender kisses on her forehead, cheeks, eyelids, and lips. My remorse increases dramatically when I see tears falling from her eyes, making her hair wet again. She seems almost sad and has a faraway look in her eye, which pains me as well. Maybe she is thinking of someone else? Surely someone so beautiful must have many suitors waiting for her return.
"I don't want to wake up from this," She mumbles, as if reading my mind.
I cannot believe I am being so unfaithful to Katherine, but I remember that she is also in bed with my brother at this exact moment. Still, there is something about this girl that has intrigued me-possibly capturing my heart in the process?
"I would prefer to stay this way forever," I can't help by answer, and her glimmering smile is all the reward I need for my honesty and kind words.
I begin to move, hoping I am not hurting her, but she seems to be enjoying this as much as I am. All thoughts of anything else cease to exist in my mind as I zero in on the goddess beneath me. She's so beautiful, and she feels so soft all over. My heart beats twice as fast as she gives everything back to me that I give to her. For such a young girl, she seems very unafraid and unashamed of our intimacy, which is strange but I welcome it.
"Damon," She moans, and I briefly question again how she knows my name.
Elena seems to like it when I say her name in her ear, and I relish the little shivers and arching of her back when I whisper over and over again. I can feel her about to let go, so I grip her hands in mine and flick my hips into hers while staring invasively into her eyes until she falls over the edge with a keening cry. The sound causes my entire body to feel as if I have been struck by lightning, and my abs and lower back clench almost painfully as I empty myself into her. I collapse onto her chest and tears leak from my eyes at the intensity of what has just occurred. In her own little world, Elena relaxes back into the cot with a dreamy smile until I slowly withdraw myself and fetch her nightgown. Tenderly, I help her redress, and she gives me a confused look when I put my trousers back on.
"So I will not wake you up in order to have you again," I explain, and her entire face looks like delectable cherries in color.
Keeping my trousers on is a good idea, especially since I am already hungry for her again, but I will let her rest...until morning that is. I slide in behind her and hold her, which she gladly welcomes as she snuggles back into me and sighs happily.
"I feel as if I have met you before, Miss Elena," I confess, holding her tightly to me, afraid that if I let go, she will slip away like a long-forgotten dream.
"You have," She answers lightly, causing me to smile at the absurdity of her words.
When she drifts off to sleep, I strain to keep my eyes open so I can watch her unguardedly. So as not to wake her, I gently caress her pink cheek and brush a strand of hair from her face. Although it has only been one encounter, I feel as if I may fall in love with this stranger. She has so much more warmth and love than Katherine. Innocence and joy radiates from Elena whereas Katherine is twisted and cold.
In the morning, I reach out for Elena, but there is nobody in the cabin with me. With a mournful feeling spreading throughout me, I roll onto my back and stare angrily at the ceiling. Perhaps it was a dream, but why do I still feel her here with me? I jump to my feet when I hear a knock on the door, hoping that Elena has come back, but when I see my visitor, my heart falls infinitely.
"Katherine," I greet stiffly, and she gives me a short, playful curtsy.
"My love, you were not at breakfast," She croons, enticing me with her eyes.
I look back at the ruffled bedcovers and repress a sigh. It was all a dream, I suppose.
"May I make it up to you with a walk around the gardens, Miss Pierce?" I offer graciously.
"You may," Katherine accepts with her predatory smile.
"Then please come in while I make myself presentable."
xxxxxxxxx
Six weeks ago/Present day:
I scrub my hands over my face tiredly as the hot water in my shower stings my back. The search for Stefan is wearing on me, but I would never tell Elena that. She's already being such a pest about it, and she really has no idea what we're dealing with anymore. The Stefan who left is no longer the Stefan she knows. He's a monster-even worse than me now. Thankfully, he's a messy monster, which has made tracking his little indiscretions even easier. Now, if only I could get Elena to back off somehow...
My head shoots up when I hear a car door close from the driveway. I step out of the shower and peer out the window, seeing a flustered and tired-looking Elena rushing into the house.
"Weird," I mumble to myself.
I don't remember her making plans to come over here today. Throwing on a loose pair of pants, I silently walk down the stairs and watch her tossing the pillows off the couch and frantically looking for something in the den. I clear my throat, and she jumps with fright, turning around with a guilty expression on her face.
"By all means-make yourself at home," I drawl, surveying the newly cleaned interior of the house.
It has been six weeks since Elena's birthday party here, and I have just now finished bringing the house back to its former glory. The rug took weeks to fix after countless cans of cheap beer were spilled on it. I shudder at the horrible injustice.
"Sorry, I just...I left something here, I think," She replies shakily, her eyes averted from mine.
She's acting even weirder than usual, but I don't want to push her. Elena is about one more bad day away from going psychotic, I estimate. Pillows continue to be thrown about as Elena continues her search, and I continue to watch her while she's not paying attention. She looks haggard and is carrying herself lightly, as if she's afraid to really commit to her body's actions. Careful. She's acting careful-like she doesn't trust herself. And pale. She's pretty pale.
"You're sick?" I ask suddenly as I conclude that's why she looks so horrible.
"What?" She gasps dramatically, and I roll my eyes in exasperation.
"Are you sick?" I ask again, announcing each word for emphasis.
"Uh...no. I don't know. It's not a big deal," Elena stutters, evading looking into my eyes.
"Well, you look terrible. That's why I ask," I tease, noting that she suddenly looks angry.
She whirls around with an outraged expression and tears in her eyes. What the hell?
"Screw you, Damon," She growls, making a run for the front door.
I blur in front of her, blocking her exit.
"What's wrong?" I demand, grabbing her chin and looking into her eyes.
She fights me, despite knowing my superior strength, and my interest is even more piqued at her odd behavior.
"Nothing! Leave me alone!" She throws fists at me, and I reluctantly let her go so she won't hurt herself.
While I'm this close to her, I notice how different she smells now. It's her usual scent but with an added scent...smells like sweet milk almost. The newer scent draws me in because it's flowing right under her translucent skin. I lean in to inhale, and she gives me an affronted look, reminding me of who she is and where we are. This is my brother's girlfriend, I remind myself sourly.
"I'm leaving," She sniffs angrily at me, pulling away and throwing open the door.
I become even more consternated when she intentionally leaves the door open because she knows how much that annoys me. The Virginia heat will fuck up the older wood in the house, so I'm always railing on her about it. I shut the door and blur up to my room to watch her get into her car and drive away. Without thinking, I walk over to my wardrobe and lift out the fake bottom, grabbing my forbidden treasure from inside. My thumb caresses the material softly, and I close my eyes, remembering that night with a heavy, bursting heart.
Tenderly, I place Elena's pink and lace panties back into the hidden compartment and close the draw quietly. Elena may think she dreamed it all, but I unfortunately cannot deny that it was real.
xxxxxxx
Six weeks ago/1864:
Katherine steps into the room, immediately tensing up and pushing me against the nearest wall.
"Who was here?" She snarls with her fangs and purple veins prominent on her beautiful face.
"What? No one," I try to explain, and she slams me into the wall before letting me go.
She raises her nose in the air as if contemplating her next move, and before I can register what she's doing, she is grabbing something from under the cot and holding it up triumphantly before me. The pink and lace underthings send a shock through my system. So it wasn't a dream then. It was real.
"Where is the owner of these?" Katherine sneers, waving them before my face.
"I don't know. She was gone when I woke up," I promise, trying to keep my fear from showing, knowing it will only make her more excited.
"This is what we will do," She sighs, blurring in front of me suddenly.
She grabs my face, and I do not fight her because I know better.
"The wench who stopped by for a midnight snack does not exist. It was a dream. You missed me so much last night that you conjured it all up in your dreams," She murmurs, stroking my face and compelling me.
I step back when she releases me and blink sluggishly. With confusion, I watch Katherine drop the piece of material to the ground and then kick it away in disgust.
"What is that?" I inquire blankly, and Katherine gives me a knowing smile.
"Nothing to concern yourself with, love. Now, how about that walk?"