"Elena!" Stefan's voice echoed down the hall from their bedroom.
Elena looked up from computer. "Yes, Stefan?" She called back.
"Have you seen my favorite jeans? I need them for the stupid party tonight." He walked down the hall, out into the kitchen. He stopped next to Elena's chair, resting his chin on her shoulder as his arms wound around her waist.
She reached an arm up and around, threading her fingers in his hair. "Hey."
"Hi." He kissed her neck lightly.
"Stefan, you stink." She covered her nose in exaggerated disgust, attempting to wiggle out of his grasp.
"That's what tends to happen after a run, baby." He rolled his eyes even though he knew she couldn't see. Stefan tightened his arms around her, effectively ending her struggle to be free of his sweaty, smelly embrace. "Do we have to go?" He whined against her cheek.
Elena giggled as his breath tickled her face. "Yes. Come on, Stefan. It's New Years Eve. Don't be such a crotchety old man."
Stefan released Elena, reeling back in mock hurt. His hand flew to his heart. "Elena, how you wound me. I am truly, truly hurt by your words." His voice was filled with anguish.
Elena clambered out of her chair, a mischievous smile curling her lips. "Stefan, don't be hurt. It's okay. You're my crotchety old man." She reached for Stefan as she moved closer. He dropped the hurt act and met her hands, pulling her close. "I think you need a shower, Mr. Salvatore." Elena purred, tugging on the hem of Stefan's t-shirt.
He cocked his head to the side and raised his eyebrow at her. Stefan reached for Elena's hips, pulling her into his chest. "Do you now, Miss Gilbert?" He breathed into her ear.
Elena nodded, tilting her head up so that her gaze met Stefan's. "Yes." She moved her mouth a hair's breath away from his face. Her tongue darted out, running lightly over the edge of his jaw. When her mouth was just beneath his ear she planted a light kiss on the corner of his jaw.
Stefan groaned as Elena's hair fell across his neck and chin. His hands tightened on her hips as she moved up to his ear, gently tugging on the lobe with her teeth. He groaned again, when he felt her release his ear and lean back.
"We both need a shower, and if we are going to make it to the Ritz on time then we need to hurry up. You know Care will kill us if we are late to her party." She nipped his chin, eyes darkening with lust.
"Is that so? Party doesn't start until nine and," Stefan glance at the clock on the stove. "It's only five. How could we possibly need four hours to get ready?"
She smirked at him, biting her lip. "I can think of a few things."
"Oh?" He licked his lips.
She nodded, slowly prying his hands off of her hips and backing away, moving down the hall towards their bedroom. "And according to my schedule we are already behind." Her hands drifted to the waistband of her leggings. Stefan watched as she began to slide them down her hips. Elena let go once they were past her thighs and kicked her pants to the floor. She stepped out of them. "Now, we don't want to mess up the schedule now, do we?"
"No." Stefan breathed, mesmerized by the woman in front of him.
"I thought so." She smiled at him, mischief dancing in her eyes. Without warning, she spun on her heel and raced into their bedroom. Stefan caught her around the waist just as she crossed the threshold into their bathroom.
"Not so fast, Miss Gilbert." He nuzzled her neck. "Where do you think you are going?"
Elena giggled as Stefan began to tickle her sides. "Shower." She gasped, wriggling in a vain attempt to be free of Stefan's merciless fingers.
"I was under the impression we were going to do wickedly dirty things to each other." He breathed into her ear. Elena continued to wiggle, although if it was in an attempt to escape Stefan or relieve sexual tension she didn't know, probably both. When Stefan saw the effect his worlds had on Elena, he slowed his assault on her sides in favor of a more effective method. "I was so looking forward to it" He nibbled her ear as his hands slowly slid up her sides to her breasts. He palmed her chest, massaging gently.
Elena groaned, sinking back into Stefan. Her head dropped onto his shoulder as his hands continued to knead and pull her breasts. Stefan grinned and placed a sloppy kiss on her neck before he dropped his hands and pushed Elena away from himself. "Hey!" She exclaimed.
Stefan held up his hands in mock innocence. "I do in fact need a shower. And, I thought we had a 'schedule' to keep." He winked at her. "Besides..." His hands traveled to the waistband of his shorts. "We both know..." He untied the drawstring and dropped his shorts. "That if we are late Caroline will kill us." He swept his shirt over his head, tossing it aside.
Elena gazed at him, all sultry eyes, and pouty lips. Slowly her gaze raked over his naked frame, she licked her lips in exaggerated appreciation for his fit form. "True. Very true." She fingered the hem of her t-shirt. "And we wouldn't want that now, would we?" She slowly dragged her shirt over her head, dropping it on the floor next to her.
Stefan's gazed locked onto hers as Elena reached behind her for the clasp of her bra. His eyes didn't stray from her face as the black lace slid down her arms and onto the floor. "God you are so beautiful. I am the luckiest bastard out there."
Elena stared at Stefan, his words washing over her and stirring a warm sensation deep in the pit of her belly. To be loved and cherished by Stefan was the biggest blessing she had ever experienced in her lifetime. "I love you." She breathed. The moment her words left her mouth, they were crashing together. Both groaned at the sensation provided by so much skin on skin contact. In the frenzy of hands and lips, Stefan managed to get and arm under Elena's butt. He lifted her swiftly, her legs wrapping around his waist the moment her feet left the floor and her arms locking around his neck.
Tearing his mouth away from Elena's, Stefan pulled back just far enough to look into her eyes. Her pupils were large, eyes full of love and lust. Her lips were swollen from the force of their kisses and her chest heaved in time with his in an effort to regain so of the air lost by their kiss. He reached up to her face, tenderly brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "I love you too."
He kissed her nose lightly before his lips returned to his. This kiss was different, gone was the frenzy of before, replaced by the slow burning passion of their love. This was going to be slow and sweet, long and drawn out, filled with tender caresses and murmured sweet nothings. Stefan and Elena were definitely going to be late for Caroline's party.
XXXXXXXX
"There you are!" Caroline exclaimed, pushing past people in order to reach Stefan and Elena as they walked through the door. "Why are you so late? The party started an hour ago." Stefan and Elena turned at the sound of Caroline's voice, Stefan's arm tightening protectively around Elena's shoulders at Caroline's hostile tone. They exchanged guilty glances before both looked down at their feet, attempting to avoid Caroline's withering gaze. "You two were having sex, weren't you?" Caroline asked, crossing her arms and popping a hip.
Neither answered, eyes still studiously avoiding Caroline's eyes. "Well, were you?" She threw her arms in the air, frustrated at the lack of response or even acknowledgement from Stefan or Elena. "The only excuse I will except from you two," and she jabbed a finger at them, her voice rising, "Is if you were having sex so hot it should be illegal."
"Caroline." Stefan snapped, glancing around. At least six heads whipped around as girls attempted to pretend they had not been eavesdropping.
"What?" Caroline asked indignantly. "It is a valid question. Are you two late because of sex?"
Stefan shook his head. Only in Caroline Forbes land would loudly enquiring about your best friend's sex life be a valid question. "Yes, we were, and would you keep your voice down. We try to keep our relationship as low key as possible and you shouting about or sex life is not helping."
Caroline shrugged. "If they don't know you two have sex, and great sex from what I can get out of Elena, then they are just plain stupid." Elena covered her face with her hand, as she attempted to burrow into Stefan's side in escape of the embarrassment brought on by Caroline's words.
Stefan rolled his eyes at Caroline. "Moving on, we are sorry we are -."
Caroline cut him off, eyes zeroed in on Elena, or more accurately, on the ring sitting on her left ring finger. "Elena! What the hell is that on your hand?"
Elena dropped her hand from her face, embarrassed expression gone, replaced by one of mischief. "It's a ring, Care. Never seen one before?"
"Ugh, I know it's a ring, I can see that." Caroline replied haughtily. "What I want to know is what it means on your finger." She jabbed at Elena's hand. "Are you two getting married?" She hissed.
Stefan smiled, bringing Elena's hand to his lips and laying a kiss on her palm below the ring. "It's a promise ring." He said against her hand, barely loud enough for Caroline to hear.
Elena gazed at him, eyes brimming with love and admiration. "Awe, you two are so cute. Okay, you're forgiven for being late." She hugged them both before running off, presumably to find Nik.
XXXXXXXX
Two hours later found Elena more than a little tipsy. Everything seemed to be funny after three glasses of champagne and a shot. She giggled as Kol cracked another corny joke. "Gosh, Nik, why aren't you this funny?" She asked, reaching for her glass of water and missing, causing her to slip partially out of Stefan's lap.
"Whoa." Stefan hauled Elena back onto his lap, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Careful there." He smiled at her indulgently, before kissing her temple. Caroline passed Stefan Elena's glass of water. "Thanks, Care." He handed Elena the glass, making sure she had a steady hold on it before leaning back in his chair.
Nik chuckled, answering Elena's previous question. "Love, I'm not sure it's a matter of my brother's comic relief or the amount of champagne you have had." He winked at her before taking another sip of his scotch.
Elena giggled again. "Stefan, why don't you have a cute accent?" She giggled again.
Stefan's chest vibrated as he chuckled. "Because I grew up in America."
"Oh." She nodded slowly, sinking back into Stefan's chest.
"Stefan." He looked across the table at Caroline. She was noticeably more sober than Elena, sipping a martini, nestled against Nik's side.
"Hmmm?" He stroked Elena's hair as she snuggled into his neck.
"Why don't you take Elena home? Doesn't matter to me if you stay and she looks pretty tired." Everyone laughed, tired was an understatement. Elena had spent the majority of the last two hours on the dance floor and the rest of the time chatting away with Caroline and sipping on champagne. After an hour, she had dragged Stefan out with her.
"What do you think?" He asked Elena, moving her hair out of her face so he could see her eyes. "Ready to go?"
She looked up at him, eyes already groggy with sleep. "Will Care be mad?"
He chuckled. "No, it was her idea." He ran his thumb over her jaw. "I'm ready to go, so don't let that stop you."
She smiled, "Yeah, I'm ready for bed."
Stefan wrapped his arms more securely around Elena before standing from his chair. "Goodnight everyone. Happy New Year."
His words were met with a chorus of well wishes from the other occupants of the table. He turned, winding his way through the mess of tables and chairs towards the doors; Elena nestled sleepily in his arms.
XXXXXXXX
Elena groaned at the light filtering through the blinds of her and Stefan's room. "Drink a little much last night, Lena?"
She turned towards Stefan's voice. Prying her eyes open she peered across the room toward Stefan's lean frame. He was leaning against the doorway to their bedroom. Always with the leaning. She thought to herself. "Ugh, maybe a bit."
He chuckled, "aspirin and water on the bedside table."
She rolled over, reaching for the small pills and glass next to her pillow. "You're precious." She mumbled into her water. Stefan laughed again, moving to sit next to Elena on the bed. "What time is it?" She asked, rubbing her eyes as she set the empty glass down.
Stefan glanced at his watch. "11:30." He replied.
Elena sank back into the pillows, exhaling as she relaxed. Stefan reached out, stroking her arm lightly. "What should be do today? We have the day off."
He winked down at her. "I can think of a few things." Pulling Elena up slightly to press light kisses against her face.
"Oh really?" She teased, wriggling her hips against his back as she tugged the hem of her shirt down, exposing more of her tan skin.
"Really." He tackled her back into the pillows, allowing all of his weight to fall on her, effectively pinning Elena down. "And we won't even have to leave this bed."