The lush, green grass felt wonderful under my fingertips as I waded my hands through the soft blades. The sky was painted a deep, almost ocean-like blue with fluffs of clouds scatter here and there. Falling back into the grass, I close my eyes and breath in the fresh, summer air. The sun was barely peaking over the rolling hills as it began to set. Fragments of light burst through the trees, lighting my spot in the grass. It was so beautiful here; I never wanted to leave. After my encounter - which ultimately decided whether I was staying here or leaving - with Damon, I'd decided to keep my distance from him. Out of sight out of mind, right? Wrong, I huff a breath into the air. Seeing him in that situation had brought up so many unresolved issues between us that I was nowhere near ready to delve into. I'd tried desperately to desensitize myself from everything Damon-esque, but the SOB wouldn't leave my mind alone. My every thought was consumed with images of him and her. With his constant appearance in my thoughts, I figured my out-of-sight-out-of-mind plan wasn't working. And after hundreds of text, phone calls (definitely unanswered) and voice-mails, I decided to turn my phone off for good. I guess when he realized that I wasn't going to answer his calls, he decided to get more personal. He dropped by every day and pleaded with me - from the other side of the door - to hear him out. I couldn't take it anymore; the man was driving me insane. Finally, I asked Jenna for the keys to the lake house, packed a bag and left. I hadn't been to the lake house since I'd lost my parents, so driving up the road had been an emotional roller coaster. Coupled with my conflicting feelings about Damon and the guilt of our night together, I'd spent the better half of that day locked in a room crying.
Even after my tears had subsided, Damon was still making occasional appearances in my thoughts. Occasional? Who was I kidding; he was in every single thought that I had. I'd been here -away from Damon - two weeks already and picturing him and whoever that woman was tangled together made me want to puke. It didn't help that he and I had been "tangled together" a few days before that. Nevertheless, this little vacation was well-needed. It was beyond nice to get away from all that goes bump in the night in Mystic Falls. Being away from all the vampires and werewolves and everything supernatural was a nice change. But, even out of my hometown, Damon was all that I thought about. I sighed heavily and propped myself on my elbows, peering out across the open field in front of me. He and I were done; but, if you thought about it, Damon and I hadn't even started; we'd had sex and that didn't really warrant a relationship. I felt stupid for having some hope that he'd feel the same as I did. Tears prickled my eyelashes as I cursed under my breath. "Son of a bitch," I mutter as tears well in my eyes. I blinked them away quickly as I try to erase his image from my brain. He wasn't going to get the best of me. I straightened myself from the ground and started towards the back of the house.
Humming into the warm air, I muddled over - for the thousandth time - how I'd brought myself to this point; to caring so deeply for someone who didn't want me back. It was ironic, really; our roles reversed. Damon and I had always had this... connection. I didn't know how to explain what it was, but it was there. Now, I'm getting a taste of what Damon went through when I was with Stefan. Hopefully, he hadn't been this tortured. But, Stefan and I hadn't been together for a while now. I still loved him, but we'd grown apart. I knew that he probably would resent me for growing towards his brother. Lost in my thoughts, I neared the back porch with a sigh of relief. Made it back in one peice, I laugh silently.
Snap!
Oh, God! I stop dead in my tracks as a dark figure comes into view. This stranger, being guarded by the shadows, stands completely still and my heart begins beating wildly in my chest. After becoming aware of all the supernatural in Mystic Falls, everything had become dangerous. My brain pleaded desperatly for my legs to move, but I stood frozen in place. It hides in the shadows and I can feel it's eyes all over me. My stomach clenches and my mouth runs dry. I don't want to die, not now, but whatever this is has the potential to hurt me. My body tenses and I clamp my eyes shut, waiting for it to strike.
"I have been looking everywhere for you." My posture eases and my eyes snap open as I realize who the shadows are guarding. He steps into the sunlight and leans casually against a porch post. Dear God, could I not get two seconds to myself?
"How'd you find me?" I wrap my arms across my chest and tilt my head defiantly. This wasn't ideal; I'd wanted to get away from him, but my heart fluttered at the fact that he'd been searching for me.
"Lucky guess," he shrugs as he pushes himself from the post and glides towards me. My blood is thundering in my veins as he inches towards me. The wind shifts and brings the scent of him right into my face. He smells delicious and my blood begins to pump faster as my heart gallops in my chest; no doubt he can hear it. Stupid vampires, I roll my eyes.
"Bullshit," I snap. "The truth, Damon." Now it's his turn to roll his eyes and as if on queue, he rolls his beautiful blue eyes and takes the last step towards me bringing him mere inches from my shivering body.
"Jenna told me," he winks. My hand begins to tremble as I realize that he compelled her to tell him where I was. Without thinking, my open hand collides with the side of his face snapping his head to the side. As my heart beats wildly with adrenaline, Damon turns fierce, almost vampiric, eyes towards me and smirks.
"I like you fiesty," he drawls and I feel more than happy to slap him again. But, instead, I jab my finger into his chest and yell.
"You compelled her! You promised you wouldn't ever do that unless it was what I wanted!"
A growl rumbles in his chest and his body tenses momentarily before he regains control. "I didn't come here to fight with you, Elena. I came to explain what you saw, or think you saw," he says. I have no interest in hearing him for another moment. I look behind him and realize that if I run really quickly, I can be inside the house; the same house that Damon hasn't been invited into. Knowing that if I think about for another second I won't do it, I bolt for the door. In two strides, I am inside staring out at Damon. He hasn't moved from his spot in the grass, yet. As if he were a mind reader, he turns slowly towards me and walks casually towards the door. The true image of a predator, I think as he glides effortlessly up the steps. A smirk is plastered on my face as he nears the doorway. He steps forward to enter but it stopped by the barrier between him and I.
"Sorry, Damon, but you haven't been invited in," I smile arrogantly.
He groans. "What are we twelve?" he quips. I cock my head to the side and glare at him stating, "one of us is." I turn on my heel and head for the kitchen to find something the eat. I can hear him cursing at this part of being a vampire. I find it odd that he'd curse being a vampire when he relished in being one so much. I shrug the thought off as I search the cabinets and refrigerator.
"I'm a very patient man, Elena," he says. "I'll wait you out." I dismiss his statement and grab a bag of chips and soda. Settling into the couch, I channel surf until deciding that nothing was worth watching and turn off the TV. Trying not to be obvious, I peer over my shoulder to find Damon sitting on the steps with his back to me. I groan and heave myself from the couch tossing the empty bag and soda can into the garbage. I know I'll regret this, but I at least deserve an explanation, don't I?
"Okay, explain," I say as I sit down on my side of the barrier. He looks over his shoulder for a moment then spins around to face me.
"That didn't take long." His face turns smug and I see a look of surprised victory wash over it.
"Don't screw around, Damon," I groan. "You said you wanted to explain, so I am letting you explain."
The smug look turns serious as he scoots closer to the doorway and rakes a shaky hand through his hair. "After I left that morning, I was... You really pissed me off, Elena and I needed release. I found the girl totally drunk at the Grill and brought her home; I don't even remember her name. All I did was feed from her, I swear." I see a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes as he tries to defend himself. The vulnerability lasts for only a second and I know that Damon doesn't let any of his tediously built walls come down, not even for me. Unconsciously, my eyes jump from his eyes to his lips. His luscious pout begging to be kissed. I shake the thought from my head as I realize that I'm supposed to be angry right now. But, it's fading so quickly. I mean, come on, look at him! He's practically sex on two legs; how could I be angry at that?
"I know I was a dick," he says and he rings his hands together.
"Yes, you were," I agree. His head snaps up and tilts to the side.
"Do you want me to explain or not?" I roll my eyes at his bitchyness and let him continue.
"I didn't do what you think I did with her; give me a little credit, come on. She was just... I don't know, a midnight snack every once in a while." I shiver at how lightly he compares this girls life to that of midnight chocolate cake.
"Like you said, you and I, we have something." His voice softens into an almost whisper.
"Are you done?" I ask as I prepare to explain myself. His mouth falls open and his eyes widen in pain at my abruptness.
"'Cause it's my turn." He nods and sweeps his hand in front of him giving me to floor.
I take a deep breath and begin.
"That night, ya know with the sex, is still foggy," I say as I swallow hard. "But, let's get one thing straight, okay? I do not hate you, Damon. I care for you way more than I should given who and what you are, but nevertheless I do. So..." I trail off as I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, suddenly feeling very self-concious. "Where do we go from here?"
"Well, for starters," he smiles, "you can invite me in."
I narrow my eyes at him as we both stand up.
"Don't worry, I don't bite." His eyes glitter seductively and my heart skips.
"Hard," he adds. I roll my eyes and turn on my heel towards the living room again. I sink down into the couch and mull over what to do next, leaving a shocked looking Damon outside.
"Uh, Elena," he calls through the open door. "I still can't get in." I laugh as I hear him groan while he tries to force his way inside.
"You said you were a patient man," I say coyly. Damon groans loudly before kicking the doorframe, cursing under his breath. I laugh as I grab the remote from the side table and turn on the TV. If he was arrogant enough to test me, then he'd see how it felt, I thought as I began to mindlessly channel surf.
"Son of a bitch," he yells into the house before taking his position on the steps, again.
I'm not sure at what point I drifted off, but I did. My eyes flutter open and I stretched lazily on the couch before remembering that I had a waiting vampire on my steps. I sigh and feel a little bad for leaving him out there for... I look at the clock and realize that I had slept all the way through the night. It was now 8AM and he was still sitting out there; hopefully, anyways. I stand from the couch and pad across the floor to the still open door. I peek my head out of the doorway and look around. He isn't on the porch or anywhere in the field. Regret washes through me as I realize that I had tested his patience for too long and he'd left. I step onto the porch and whisper softly, "Damon." No answer. Great! I just had to be a bitch, didn't I. I walk into the sunlight that was just now peeking across the mountains and closed my eyes as the warmth encircled me. I lurched forward as a hand came from behind me to cap over my mouth. I tried to scream and pull myself from their grasp, but they kept tightening their grip on me. I could feel warm breath on my ear and neck.
"Don't move," he gritted through his teeth. My heart lept into my throat and a whimper escaped my throat. He removed his hand and spun me around to face him. I didn't want to see the man that would inevitably end my life, so I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Please don't," I cry as a tear drops from my eyelashes onto my cheek.
"Ya know," he says. "Making me wait for ten whole hours wasn't very nice."
My eyes pop open. "Damon?"
He nods, a wide, arrogant smirk plastered on his smug face. My fist tightens as I see red. Aiming for his chest, I throw the punch.
"Ow," he pouts as he rubs the spot I hit.
"You scared me, Damon. Don't do that again," I say. He raises his palms in the air in mock-surrender. I rake a shaking hand through my hair and sigh louldy. Realizing that my appearance probably wasn't the best, I turn and practically sprint back into the house.
"Where're you going?" Damon asks as he catches me before I enter the door.
"I, uh..." Words jumble in my throat as his magnificent, blue eyes smolder. I can smell him and damn, did he smell fantastic. Warmth passes through my body as it screams under his touch. I'm on fire, but it feels fantastic.
"Invite me in, please." It wasn't really a question, I could hear the order in his tone.
I roll my eyes and fain swooning, "please, oh please, won't you come inside." The words came out needier than I intended, but nonetheless it got the job done and we both walked inside. Once inside, I ran towards my room as Damon followed. He spralled himself on my bed and took in my room.
"Nice place ya got here, kitten," he notes as he pulls at the loose strings of my comforter. A small smile twinges the corners of my lips at his pet name for me. Kitten, I shrug, it's nice. I ache all over at the sight of him in my bed. I just want to crawl in it with him and never leave; make a repeat - except for the leaving part - of that night. Damon seductively pats a spot next to him as his eyes drift over my body. I know that he can hear my accelerated heartbeat and I know he knows that it isn't from fear. I drop my head and walk towards the bed, taking my spot next to him. He doesn't hesitate in pulling me into his arms against his chest. My head is laying on his chest and I think that I wish I would've met him sooner when he was human so I could hear his heartbeat as well. Nevertheless, I was entralled with this vampire Damon, and I wouldn't give him up for anything.
"I'm sorry for leaving you the way I did," he mumbles into my hair as he kisses the top of my head. Something about him was different; a good different, though. I make small circles on his clothed chest with my finger and nod.
"It's just... I, uh..." I raise myself up onto my elbow and look down at him. It wasn't natural for Damon to be this uneasy about himself. His mouth falls open as he searches for words. His lips are so beautiful and soft and... kissable! Without thinking, I dip my head down and press my lips to his. He hesitates for a moment before pressing against mine. The kiss is practically everything you would want in a kiss; warm, inviting, hot, long, and full of emotion. I pull away slowly and search his eyes.
"I wish you would've stayed," I whisper as I look away, rubbing my forehead with my shaky hand.
"I thought it was only the alcohol that got you into bed," he sputters as I rise to a sitting position.
"I was pretty drunk, wasn't I?" He laughs as he joins me. A smile prickles at the corners of my lips as he reaches over to enterlock our hands together and pulls my hand to his lips and kisses it softly.
"You," he says as he looks at me under his eyelashes, "were hammered." A deep blush burns my cheeks at my past indiscretion. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and smiles. "You've gotta stop doing that." He trails his fingertips across my burning cheek and tips my chin up.
My mouth gapes open. "Doing what?"
"You blushing is killing me," he mutters as his eyes dance on my cheeks. Trying not to blush is like trying not laugh when something that is terribly funny; my blush simply intensifies. "My self control will only last so long." His eyes darken and fill with lust.
"Sorry," I sputter as I try to calm myself.
He cups my burning cheeks in his hands and smiles. "It's a beautiful blush, though."
I leaned into his palm and sighed. "So... where do we go from here?"
"Well, for starters," he says as he lays back on the bed, "we can discuss how amazing I am in bed. Or better yet, I could show you." He winks at me as my heart flip-flops in my chest. Oh boy, I think as I look him, what have I gotten myself in to.
"We could," I shrug as I stand from the bed. "But I really need a shower."
He sits up and slides down the bed capturing my thighs in his hands. He rubs his hand up my side and looks up at me through heavy-lidded eyes. "Sounds great, but I didn't bring extra clothes." My heart jumps at his words and I can feel my need for him growing quickly. Heat races throughout my body as I drink him in. Dark hair falling lightly into crystal, blue eyes that lay just above the softest, sexiest lips ever put on a man. Oh, I can't take it. I have to get away from him before I beg to be taken. I walk a small step backwards as I drag my finger across the top of his chest. "You're dangerous," I breathe as I squirm out of his grip. "But you're not joining." He falls dramatically onto the bed and I hear him curse under his breath as I shut the bathroom door.
I hope this is an acceptable chapter 2. I really liked writing their apologies; they seem to have a lot of those, don't they? Anywho, this, as you guys have decided, will become a multichapter story. I feel completely humbled my the reception and I want to thank you all.
Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own the Vampire Diaries; if I did, Damon and Elena would be together. Forever. Or, she can have Stefan and I'll take Damon *wink*