A HUGE 'thanks' to my awesome betas! Many thanks to you wonderfully consistent and awesome reviewers, you keep the muse in working order. For you first-timers, pleased to meet you. Hope you enjoy!
Thursday had Bonnie marking time at the town's annual raffling off of its eligible bachelors. She was in charge of entering the contestants and calming their nerves; the job had made for an interesting early evening activity. The men were, for the most part, humble about being dragooned into service, and she couldn't understand the fuss being made about them. The auction was bringing out a disturbing rapaciousness in the usually self-restrained women in their town.
Running a lint roller over the jacket of what she hoped was the final 'prize' entrant, she gave the older, distinguished-looking bachelor an encouraging smile. "You'll do just fine, Deputy Jarrett. Just eat with your knife and fork and remember to use that sparkling wit of yours on your date. Just think of all the people you're helping out in this town."
"Thanks," he said, giving a bemused shake his head.
"Oh! Hold still. I forgot to attach your number," she remembered, trying to pin it to his lapel.
Suddenly, Bonnie noticed that there was a hush which fell over the room. Looking around, she followed the gazes of admiration in the women in the ballroom. Her mouth opened with an audible 'pop'. Holy Mother of Gawd!
Clad in a black-on-black custom-fitted Armani suit, Damon strolled indolently up to her table.
Bonnie swore she could hear the music for Timberlake's "Sexyback" run on a perpetual loop through her head.
"Ouch." The deputy frowned.
Bonnie tore her gaze away from the vision Damon made and focused her attention back on the man in front of her. "I am so sorry, Deputy!" She patted his lapel soothingly, managing to attach his number to his jacket as opposed to him this time.
Jarrett smiled indulgently. "No harm done, Bonnie. Thanks for your help." He said and moved away to greet his fellow comrades.
"Hello…witch." Damon grinned at her, lazily perusing her form.
What is it about this guy's scrutiny that makes me feel like I'm not wearing a stitch of clothing? Flushing with embarrassment, she greeted him with her customary frosty tone. "What are you doing here, Damon?"
"What's it look like? I'm entering the auction."
"You? But you're-," Bonnie sputtered, floundering for words.
Damon rolled his eyes. "Relax. I don't intend to snack on my date. I'm just here to give a soccer mom a fabulous time while helping out the good folks of Mystic Falls. It is my town, too."
She hissed under her breath, "Yeah, like you could ever replace the people you've stolen from said town."
Holding up three fingers in the Boy Scout's promise, he vowed with mocking seriousness. "I've been on a steady diet of blood donations for some time, now, Bon-Bon."
Pulling his hand down, Bonnie remarked in a sugary-sweet sotto voice. "Oh, so you're a good vampire now? Should I expect that you'll be sparkling all over the next time I catch you out in the sun?"
Damon laughed out loud, highly amused. Leaning into her face, and running a finger along the line of her jaw, he said, "You've got jokes now, Bonnie?"
"I'm a laugh a minute, fang-boy," she answered, angling her head away from his touch. "Since you seem determined to enter this thing, sign in and I'll pin you."
Once he was signed up, she raised her hands to pin on his information. He clasped both her hands in his, looking down into her eyes. "You stick me, witchy-poo, I'll stick you back," he taunted.
"Like I'd ever let you get that damned close," she retorted, her breathing escalating uncomfortably.
"Oh, I can promise you that my prick will be way bigger than this little pin you're wielding." He said, squeezing her hands in gentle emphasis before releasing them to her task.
Rolling her eyes in feigned indifference, she failed to stop the blush that crept into her face. Pinning him without incident, she stepped away from him abruptly, rounding the table to put space between them. "Guess you'll have to stick that prick somewhere else," her tone dripped sass.
Damon smiled knowingly. "Riiight," he drawled, moving away from her. He called over his shoulder, "Pleasant dreams, Bonnie," as he strolled, hands in pockets, towards the circulating throng of people.
Bonnie shook her head, eyes unconsciously following his wake. "Always on the fucking make."
A/N: It'll get a bit more heated next installment. Want more? Let me hear from some of you in the back;)