Chapter Eleven
( In a perfect world, when she's with him, she would be wishing she was with me; when she looked at him, she would be looking at me; when she smiled at him, her smile would be for me; when she thought about someone, she would be thinking about me. In a perfect world, she would realize that he wasn't the one she was supposed to be with and I would still be standing here waiting for her still when she finally knows this. But this isn't a perfect world and people do get hurt, you smile when you feel like crying, you act like you're okay when you're falling apart inside and you let it go. You move on, because there's nothing else you can do. You push them away because you can see that they are better for them... And no matter what, you'll always wish that it was a perfect world, every single time you see her. ). ~Ian
I opened my eyes even before my alarm went off and I clicked the snooze button. I thought long and hard last night about everything Dylan had said. I can't let her choose someone else and tonight ill show her what she means to me at the ball. The ball was originally meant for her anyways, I'm holding it in her honor. The charity I'm supporting is for heart failure. I lean up and rub my face. I gotta shave. Actually I need to do a lot of things. I haven't even gotten my tux yet and I have less than four hours to get ready. Great now I sound like Alexis. That girl needs half a day to get ready to go to the gas station and get a candy bar, so knowing her she's been up since last night getting ready for today. I roll my eyes standing and grabbing my phone. One new text and of course it's not from who I wanted it to be.
'Better Talk to her tonight. Hoechlin wants the last dance- play nice. -Dyl '
He's such a loser. I grin shaking my head. He knows how to rile me up to get me to do something. I walk into the bathroom to fix my hair and at least trim whatever it is thats on my face. I'd call it a beard but its too thin to be that so let's just go with scruff, "perfect" I smile and slap some aftershave on.
I grab my keys and run outside to the studio. It'll take too long to go out and rent a tux, why not just use the one I work in as Damon? He's got some nice taste in clothes. Once inside I start fishing. It takes me three whole hours just to find this damn tux. Now I need to find the matching mask. I sigh pinching the bridge of my nose.
"Hello?" I hear Paul say walking around the set.
"Hey. What are you doing here?" I look up and he's already in his Suit. He cleans up pretty well.
"Actually looking for you. Something told me you'd be looking for something to wear tonight. So I thought I'd help you out." He smirks holding out a black mask and I sigh in relief.
"You have no idea how much I love you right now. I've been ripping my hair out going through all of these clothes." I take the mask from him and lay it on the suit, "how much time do I have?"
He glances at his watch, "actually, you're running late. It's 4:30"
"Shit..." I start pulling off my clothes and tossing them onto a chair.
"Jesus dude warn me before you strip. I forgot to bring cash" Paul laughs.
"Don't worry I take visa" I smirk buttoning my black dress shirt and slipping my matching vest on.
"Hold up let me help you out there" he says fixing my tie and I slip on my jacket and mask.
Paul nods slowly, "very nice. Only took you eight minutes. Lets go turtle"
"Hey, I'm not a turtle. You're the one who spends fifteen extra minutes On makeup everyday when I'm already on set" I follow him to the limo that's waiting outside.
"I told you it's because I'm gorgeous and they need to dumb it down so the cameras wont explode."
"Yeah explode from your ugly. You're just jealous because of my natural beauty" we climb into the limo and see Joseph, and Steven.
"What are you lovely gentlemen discussing?" Joseph says adjusting his Bow tie.
"How Ian's ugliness doesn't sit well with make up and that's why they don't put much on him. We don't want people clawing their eyes out- its a family friendly show" Paul pours himself a glass of champagne.
Reaching over I grab one as well and pass the bottle to Joseph, "regardless of my amazingly good looks. I want to thank you all for accompanying me to this Charity Masquerade Ball tonight. So- cheers" Joseph and Steven raise their glasses and smile.
"To an amazing night" Steven says before downing his glass.
"So Ian. Have anyone in particular you'll be keeping an eye out for?" Joseph grins sipping his drink.
"Not really..."
Paul elbows my ribs, "So bullshit. And it just so happens that I know what the girls will be wearing"
"How do you know that?!" I look at him feeling a ping of jealousy in my stomach.
"Because Torrey helped them pick out dresses this morning. They're absolutely gorgeous." He takes another sip as we round a corner and nearly spills the entire glass on himself.
"Tell me what they're wearing..." I look a him and he just grins.
"I can't. But trust me. When you see them- you'll know." He nods as we pull up to a beautiful mansion. It was so nice that the benefactors that own this place actually allowed us to host this here tonight. We step out and I look around. So many masks and unknown faces. Paul nods to me as we walk through the doors. The room is brilliantly lit with candles and chandeliers. I can't believe how beautiful it looks. I told them I wanted 16th century and that is exactly what they have me. I smile taking in all the laughter and happiness around me. Everyone is so happy to be here and apart of this. Paul ushers me to the stage where I'm stuck standing until the huge ball room finally fills with people. Some I can slightly make out because of hair color or body shape and others I haven't the foggiest idea. That's when I notice her. A black dress that cuts off at the knees on one side, but flows freely to her ankles on the other. Around her waist is a maroon corset with black lace around her breasts. Her hair looks darker, almost black in this lighting in contrast with the black mask. She has long black gloves that stop near her elbows. She is absolutely stunning. Beside her I see a girl only an inch or two shorter than her in a white dress that ruffles at the bottom, with a purple lace corset. She has a white mask with pearls scattered around it, and her hair in long blonde curls flowing down her back. Her arm is linked with a man I know is Dylan because of his goofy grin and wardrobe. He's sporting an old fashioned loose white musketeers shirt, with black trousers and shoes. He has a purple cape around his shoulders that stops an inch above the floor. What caught my eye originally was the crown on his head and the black and purple mask. He always did need to match his date. Which means that's Alexis beside him. Despite our hatred for each other she does look rather lovely. I smile and Paul just slaps my back.
"Good luck. I'm gonna go find Torrey" he says but I can't hear him anymore. I start making my way through the crowd, all the sound and commotion completely blocked from my ears as I get closer to her. She seems to notice me as I finally stand in front of her.
I bow respectfully, "Hello..."
"Hello there" she smiles and bows her head slightly.
"What is a gorgeous woman like you doing without a man beside her?" I ask and she stares into my eyes.
"Just waiting for a man with incredibly handsome eyes to walk up to me and ask that very question." She smiles softly.
"Would you like to dance?" I bow again slightly and she takes my hand.
"I would be honored" she takes my hand and I do my best not to laugh at how she plays along.
She keeps her hand in mine and places one on my shoulder, as I place mine on the small of her back keeping her close.
"I've been meaning to talk to you"
"Shh..." She places a finger over my lips, "don't ruin this moment Ian..."
"How'd you know it was me?" I smirk and spin her around then pull her back against me.
"You're the only man I have ever met, with eyes that could make my heart stop dead in its tracks. I would never forget them" she smiles as I lean her back and pull her up against me again.
We stay quiet for several minutes. Just dancing in circles keeping our eyes locked on one another in a silent conversation. People around us begin to take partners and dance. The music becomes rushed and urgent as the piano plays with the violins a drum is occasionally hit. Like two lovers escaping to save what's there's and there's alone. Our movements become faster as we waltz around the room, our bodies becoming one with every step taken. I take both her hands and twirl her around until her back is pressed against my chest and I lean down gently blowing in the nook of her neck. She closes her eyes for a second and I spin her back around to face me. Our hearts race as we claim the room. We gradually slow nearing the end of the song and just as it ends I lean her back. My face mere inches from hers and she smiles. A real smile. one of which I haven't seen in so long it feels foreign to me. Claps erupt from around the room and we stand. I hadn't realized we developed a crowd I was so engulfed by her. Judging by the look on her face neither was she. I bow and her face turns bright red. She takes my arm and I guide her back into the sea of masked bodies.
A woman taps a microphone and clears her throat, "Hello and welcome everyone! I would like you all to turn your attention to the stage while we await to find his way to the stage at this time" the woman smiles and I look at Bryce. She nods and lets go of my arm. I go to say something and she shakes her head.
"Later Ian... Let me enjoy this"
I sigh closing my mouth and nodding. I turn and weave my way through the crowd making it to the stage shortly after. The crowd of people erupts in claps and cheers and I wave walking to the mic.
"Hello my party people. I hope everyone is having as amazing a night as I am" I laugh as the cheers get louder.
"Now I won't take up much of your time, but I wanted to explain a little bit about this charity event. It's in honor of an amazing woman in my life." I look directly at Bryce lifting my glass of champaign that the woman handed me. "The Ian Somerhalder Foundation has held this fundraiser to help raise money to help those with Heart Failure. Pay for a good number of their treatments and help make them comfortable during harsh times"
Bryce removes her mask and covers her mouth as silent tears begin streaming down her face. I smile softly at her.
"This fundraiser means more to me than all of you can imagine, it truly hits home. I hope with all of our generous donations tonight.. We can all make a difference in the lives of strangers, colleagues, friends, family..." I stare at Bryce and smile. "Especially our loved ones.. As we enjoy ourselves tonight, I just ask that you keep them in your thoughts ladies and gentlemen" I raise my glass, "the party doesn't stop till 12:01" I smirk and everyone cheers.
"Enjoy your night everybody" I set the mic down and walk off stage. I stop when I realize Bryce isn't where I left her anymore. I push through the bodies scanning faces and dress attire till I see Dylan.
"Hey, have you seen Bryce?"
"Yep she just ran off with Tyler. Said shed be right back though." He twirls Alexis around.
I sigh, "it wasn't good enough." I whisper shaking my head.
"What wasn't good enough?"
I turn and smile seeing Bryce behind me fidgeting with her mask. I breathe a sigh of relief.
"My speech" I walk closer to her, "where's your date?"
"I'm looking at him" she grins and I roll my eyes.
"Where's Tyler"
She just shrugs, "something came up. I hold my arm out and she takes it. We walk towards an open area and I place my hands on her hips. She runs her hands around my neck and rests her head on my shoulder.
"That was very sweet... What you said up there tonight" she says twirling and playing with the hair at the nape of my neck.
"I said it for you" I smile softly massaging my thumbs into her hips.
"You didn't have to"
"But I wanted to. You told me to say what I feel. I felt the need to say that..." I pull her away slightly to look into her eyes, "Bryce, I'm so-"
"Shh" she says placing yet another finger over my lips to silence me.
"You don't need to say anything Ian. I'm just glad I have you back.. I feel like you were on vacation the last few weeks and the person who took your place was.."
"An asshole?" I cut her off and she smiles returning her head to my shoulder and we continue to dance.
"You did get pretty bad... I mean, I'll admit it, that's not how I imagined my first time with you"
I sigh and close my eyes.
"But it was interesting. If I didn't want it I wouldn't have let you do it..." She twirls a piece of my hair between her fingers and I feel the tingles shoot up my back.
"Who's to say I would've stopped if you asked?" I question.
"Ian you're no rapist. You don't want to hurt me" she smiles and pulls me closer to her till our bodies are touching. I glance across the room and see Dylan and Alexis dancing as well. Dylan smiles at me whereas Alexis scowls as usual. I stick my tongue out at her and she glares. Ill probably pay for that later.
"I could never hurt you" I whisper then look up at a loud chiming clock. Midnight. Jeez I feel like I'm in a Cinderella movie. Quick! To the onion carriage! I laugh at myself and Bryce just pulls away and looks at me with a goofy grin on her face that says it all.
"Tonight went by awfully fast." Alexis walks up sliding her mask up.
"Hello witch" I look at her.
"I believe the word you're looking for is bitch, guess were gonna need to get you back into that speak and spell won't we now" she glares at me.
"Oh shoot, thanks for the concern, Could I borrow yours?" I look down at her and Dylan steps between us.
"Now now children, leave the speak and spell alone." Bryce says taking my hand.
"I've always been more of a blocks kinda guy anyways" Dylan says and we all grin. He's always had a knack for defusing a situation quickly.
"So... What do we do now?" Bryce says looking at Alexis, then me.
"Go home?" I say and she frowns.
"I don't wanna go home! I wanna keep dancing" Alexis pouts and Dylan smirks at me.
"Should we take them?"
I grin, "if you want to"
We don't tell them where were going, we just whisper the location to the limo driver and he drops us off outside a huge building. People line the sidewalk and I hand the driver a hundred and ask him to be back at this spot in an hour. He nods driving off and I turn back to Bryce and Alexis.
"Ready to dance?"
Bryce grins at me and Alexis looks at her.
"Actually first I need a pair of scissors."
Dylan stares at her, "baby you're outside a club and you need a psi of scissors..?"
"Don't question a girls needs" se grins at him.
"I don't have scissors but I have a knife" I say pulling the medium sized blade from the spot on my ankle. She nods thank you and starts cutting at her dress she cuts most of the ruffled bottom off making it look more like a night gown with a sexy black lace bodice.
She looks at Bryce and she shakes her head.
"I don't need any remodeling, I'm pretty content with the amount of skin I'm showing right now" she smiles at me. That's when I realize she was only saying that for my benefit. Gotta love it when a girl respects your wishes.
"Actually you could take a little more off the side, Madame dress maker" she smirks at me and my falls goes blank. Guess she wants to be spiteful. Alexis cuts the bottom of her dress so it cuts off a bit higher on her hip but it still lengthens towards the side. Guess ill have to be okay with it. The girls ditch their masks, gloves and all the scraps and they had and stand in front of us.
"Good to know you guys clean up well" Dylan nods and I couldn't agree more, I continuously felt my eyes wandering to Bryce's cleavage on more than one occasion. She snapped her fingers and my eyes shot to hers. Whoops. Got caught in the act.
"Ready now?"
They smile, "yeah!"
We walk up to the bouncer and he recognizes us and lets us pass. Thank god I don't know if I could deal with that line. It stretched halfway around the block and I was not in the mood to stand. I was in the mood to watch my girl dance for me.
Bryce walked over and claimed a table with Alexis. I took my jacket off and quickly slipped it on the back of the chair as Bryce grabbed my hand and tugged me to the dance floor laughing. Alexis and Dylan were already there, somewhere along the line he lost his crown, mask and cape, the poor guy. Bryce and Alexis screamed hearing a song they knew come on. Little did they know Dylan and I knew it as well. Him and I exchanged glances as we let a little distance fall between the girls and us. He nods to me in a silent agreement and I smirk. Something they don't know about us is him and I practically lived at this club the first year we met.
Dylan starts walking towards Alexis singing and pointing at her, "Here's the situation, fit to every nation..." He slowly drops his hand the closer he gets. Her eyes never leave his as she follows his every step and hangs on to his every word, "...Nobodies ever made me feel the way that you do, you know my motivation given my reputation... Please excuse me I don't mean to be rude" he steps up to her gripping her hip and grinding her against him, "...But tonight I'm fuckin' you"
He continues to sing the rest of the song, having his way with her and I can only admire the balls he has to do that.
I glance at Bryce who's in her own little world dancing to the music. The way her hips move to the base is hypnotic. Sadly the song changes and Dylan looks at me. Shit. My turn. If you're wondering what were doing its sort of a game. Every song that comes on we have to sing or dance to. We alternate between songs though. The first person that can't come up with anything for a song loses. Lucky for me I've heard this song once or twice.
Bryce looks at me and smirks. I slowly and seductively walk up to her, "You're such a flirt, I know you hurt... And so do I, I empathize.. I see you out, you never cared.. A conversation that we never shared" I say giving her my best Heavy stare. I finally reach her and run my hand down her body slowly, "But it's so strange, it's something new.. amazing feelings that I had for you.." I move behind her in one fluid motion and press her back against me. As we dance I run my hand slowly up her inner thigh, "I close my eyes when I'm alone.. Wonder what it'd be like to make you moan."
I nudge her head to the side and kiss her neck softly. Bryce closes her eyes and I can just barely hear a soft moan escape her lips. I look up at Dylan who just smirks. Psh, like he could beat that.
Dylan steps behind Alexis as the next song comes on and I smirk. There's no way he knows this one. He pulls Her body flush against his, "Sexy lady you're my magnet I am your steel, stick your body on me- I know you love to feel" he spins her around and kisses her, "The strength of my attraction, the physical reaction, a love to strong so real-"
"Like a magnet to steel" Alexis smiles pulling Dylan against her and he looks at me grinning. I just roll my eyes and laugh. He nods to me as the song ends and I smirk looking at Bryce who's just waiting for my next move.
"You, you're hotter than a cherry on a cigarette, Bet every dollar mom's a model but you're better yet, Just 21 out on the run and turning every head, Your body's built just like a weapon and you're using it.." I pull her against me.
"But the devil can hear you when you say-" she smirks at me, singing.
"C'mon and get up, Move your body, use your body, Lose Control" Alexis chimes in grinning at Bryce.
Dylan looks at me and shrugs singing, "Rub it right up, Against my body, Take my body, make it yours"
After hearing that Alexis grabs him by his shirt and pulls him against her.
Bryce grins seductively walking up to me, "And just for fun we take your tongue and run it over my lip, You gotta love the way he does it for the hell of it, We're in positions that most people only say they know.." She runs her hand from my chest, down to my belt buckle stopping right above somewhere that could get a little hard to control if she touched, "Ive got my hand right on a land mine ready to blow".
I look at her and she bites her lip. That's when i lost everything, I picked her up and her legs wrapped around my waist. She kissed me passionately. Not harsh and rushed. It felt like our first kiss. Soft, like we had all the time in the world to ourselves. I feel my pocket vibrate and I groan already knowing who it is. I look at Dylan and he shrugs half-heartedly clearly not wanting the night to end either. I look back at Bryce.
"The limo is back" I nod to the door and she just nods taking my hand. I guide her to our table where I grab my coat and we all head outside where surely enough the limo waits. We all pack ourselves in and not soon after are climbing back out. I pay the limo driver for his troubles and walk to the elevator with Bryce. She doesn't talk though and I begin to wonder if she's okay.
"So I'll see you tomorrow Dyl?" Bryce says looking at him.
He nods, "yep, be ready by noon"
Dylan has been taking Alexis and her to set with him for the last couple weeks and I've been kinda jealous. I mean she did come here for The Vampire Diaries right? Regardless, I like her happy so I don't question.
"If you want to sleep late I could just take you in the morning?" I smile at her and she nods smiling back.
"I'd like that.."
We all step out of the elevator and walk to our rooms. I start poking through my jacket pockets and realize Bryce's room card isn't there anymore.
"Don't worry I have mine" she smiles unlocking her door and walking in. That's really strange though. I had her card in my coat pocket. Maybe someone tried To pick-pocket me and only got that? I shake the though and take my coat off slipping it on the chair.
"Are you.. Staying the night?" She asks shyly peaking around the corner.
"If you want me to" I say walking over to her.
"Only if you help me out of my dress" she smirks and turns around. I feel for the zipper and slide it down. The dress falls from her body and she stands in front of me In a black bra and thong. It takes every last speck of strength in me not to grab her and pull her to the bed. She looks up at me with innocent eyes as she unbuttons and slides my vest off. I steady my breathing as she tugs on my tie pulling my face down to kiss me. She runs her hands down my chest to unbuckle my belt. I feel my sanity slipping as unties my tie and begins unbuttoning my shirt. Peeling off my shirt she starts running her finger tips down my bare chest, outlining each defined muscle. I groan once she reaches my pants. I kick off my shoes and socks and She takes the liberty of sliding my pants off.
"Bryce-"
"Shh..." She shushes me pulling me towards the bed. She pushes me back then crawls up beside me.
I getting real sick of her shushing me.
"I want to cuddle..." She says pulling the sheet over her and curling up against me. I smirk and roll my eyes. Here I am getting all excited when I should've known she only wanted snuggle time.
"Goodnight.." I lean over and kiss her forehead, then reach over and turn the light off.
She sighs contently playing with my happy trail, "goodnight"
I'm out like a light probably before she is. Only to fall into a terrible nightmare.