AN: Sorry this took so long, work has kept me busy :( It ends in an odd place but I promise the next chapter is going to be better! Enjoy

It took less than a nano second for her to decide, she leaned in for another soft passion filled kiss. His hands continued to discover her body.

By now her dress was around her waist, dangerously exposing all of her black lace thong panties. It left little to the imagination as far as Damon was concerned; his fingers were busy exploring the texture and dampness of her panties. Already the scent of her arousal filled his nose and was doing funny things to his dead heart.

Elena slowly explored Damon's creamy smooth skin. Her fingers lightly skimmed the surface of his chest. She raised her fingers up to his chest and slowly ran her fingernails down to his bellybutton, enjoying the sharp intake of his breath.

Damon kissed his way down to her neck running his tongue over the spot he had bitten her earlier this evening. His ultra-sensitive tongue could still identify the two puncture sights. His cock instantly became harder as he remembered earlier in the evening when his fangs had pierced her skin.

Slowly the rest of their clothes seemed to melt away. Elena's overheated skin met Damon's noticeable cooler skin as their limbs tangled together.

His lips trailed down to Elena's nipple. He gently pulled it into his month and suckled her. His fingers travelled down to her sex, cupping her, before massaging her slowly as a low moan escaped Elena's mouth. Liquid heat poured out of her body.

Elena continued to kiss, tip and suck on any part of him she could. His skin tasted amazing, a tangy mixture of salt and bourbon. She kissed her way down his chest past his bellybutton until she was able to pull his cock into her mouth. A sharp groan of pleasure escaped Damon's mouth as his eyes rolled back in his head. His mind was completely blank. The only thing the existed in this moment was him, Elena and her fabulous mouth. Her tongue stroked the full length of his impressive thick cock.

"Deeper…baby…if you can?" Damon whispered as his hands entwined in Elena's hair, totally caught up in the sensation of her warm mouth sliding up and down his length.

She hummed against his length giving the barest nod before pulling him in deeper. Her hands came up to cup his balls. She tugged gently, testing Damon's reaction.

"Aaahhhhhhhhh, again."

Elena pulled down a bit rougher, at the same time unsheathing her teeth on his throbbing length.

If they continued like this it wouldn't take very long for Damon to cum. He forced himself to pull away from Elena.

"Whatcha doing?" she asked, her pouty lip making appearance as she wiggly back up the bed.

"I want YOU now… You ready for the ride of your life?" Damon asked rather cockily. He knew she could handle a rough ride, unfortunately he had heard Elena with Stefan many times. She could be a complete vixen in bed when she wanted to be. On those nights he usually disappeared to the grill and found a brunette stand in. It didn't usually work out that well for the other girl, but whatever, it allowed him to deal with his hatred of the situation.

She nodded, smiling as she scrapped her nails down his back and rubbed her sex against him.

"Good, I'm not in the mood for lots of fluffy romance tonight," he said as he flipped her onto her back. Maybe tomorrow night after he had had his fill of her for the first time, and then maybe he would able to put a little more effort into the romance side, but right now he wanted it hard and fast.

Using his knee he spread her legs apart and settled the tip of his cock her at entrance.

"You ready?"

"Are you?" Elena replied as she reached down and guided him home.

Damon thrust in hard and fast, filling and stretching Elena to the max. Her body instantly arching against his bring him in deeper. A deep moan rumbled in Damon's chest. Her body hugged his tightly. He pumped into her a couple of times enjoying the tight friction of her body before pausing to savor the moment. They were finally together, in every sense of the word. He glanced down to meet her eyes to find her staring at him in amazement. Elena body tightened around him as he once again started to move.

They both rolled over, Damon pulling Elena on top, never once breaking their connection. Her hair fell like a curtain around her. His hands came up to her breast cupping them, his thumb rubbing across her nipple. Elena planted her feet on either side of Damon`s hips using her legs to slide herself up and down Damon's shaft. Unable to stay still Damon's hips tilted up to meet her thrust for thrust.

Pleasure continued to build, her body spiraling out of control. When it all became too much she simply let go…her body convulsed around him, tightening with each pounding stroke. Damon held off as long as he could but her body's reaction was too much. He exploded into her like a raging bull, rotating his hips to assault her sensitive walls. She pulled him as deep as she could, milking his release from him. Finally her shaking arms gave out and she collapsed against his chest.

They both lay there, chests heaving, trying to catch their breaths.

Wow was all Elena could think. Damon was better than she had imagined. She settled against his chest, lightly stroking his sweat soaked skin.

Damon still reeling from his high put both his hands behind his head, relaxed against the mattress. His body felt boneless and sated. He couldn't wipe the stupid grin off his face if someone paid him.

After several moments Elena pulled herself up into a sitting position and reached for the glass Damon had left on the night stand. She took a sizeable gulp before handing it to Damon to finish. She brought her hand up to caress his cheek as he swallowed. They smiled at each other before leaning in for slow, soft kiss. There was no rush this time. This time was about appreciating each other, learning about each other and giving themselves to each other.

Elena lay back against the sheets, pulling him down with her. Her tongue still tasted like bourbon as it swirled around in his mouth, claim it as her own. His tongue met hers and danced as their passion was reignited.

Their bodies met and became one without either of them realizing it was happening. A slow rocking motion started flowing from their hips, their bodies tuned into another's.

Damon gripped Elena hands in his and pulled them up over their heads. Their fingers entwined cementing the bond their bodies had made.

Elena surrendered completely to the moment, never had she allowed herself to give so freely to another person. With Damon it felt right. She felt safe, loved and knew he felt the same in return. There was no barrier between.

This time it was Damon's release that pushed her over the edge. She clung to him as his body shuttered in release. Her body still feeling sensitive from their first time, climaxed around him as he rode out the last bit of his orgasm.

Sated and sleepy they rolled apart from each other breaking their connection. Elena continued rolling on to her side facing away from Damon so he could curl up behind her, spooning her body.

His body heat engulfed her slowing allowing her to descend into sleep.

Elena stretched out her arms in front of her, slowly waking. She could tell that it was daytime from the brightness seeping through the edge of the curtains. Damon's body was still curled up behind her spooning her body. His arm was loosely wrapped around her midsection trapping her to him as if he was afraid she would run when she woke.

She smiled, remembering last night. It had been the best night of her life. Damon was a wonderful patient lover; he made her feel cherished, beautiful and wild all at the same time. Her body felt healthy and whole for the first time in a long time.

Elena slowly twisted her body around so that she was facing him. She was surprised to see that Damon was already awake.

"Hey sleepyhead," He said with a smirk.

"Hey yourself"

Damon's face got serious for a moment, searching her eyes, "No regrets?"

Elena smiled, "None."

"Good," Damon said confidently, "Me either."

He pulled her flush against his body and gave her a soul searing kiss.

Elena pulled back after several moments, needing to catch her breath. Last night was amazing; she didn't know that her body was capable of that kind of reaction to another human being. It wasn't crazy over the top like Elena thought it would be; Damon had a very tender and thoughtful side. There were moments where she could see potential for some crazy stuff. However most the part it was like their souls merged into one and danced. Never before had Elena experienced that level of connection with another person.

She smiled shyly at Damon before rolling over and standing up. Parts of her were deliciously tender and sore. For once she felt very confident of her body standing in front of Damon, naked as a jay bird. Usually the morning after the first time with someone she felt shy and unsure of herself. But he made her feel like the world was at her feet. It was amazing to feel this way, so connected to another person. Elena could read the appreciation on Damon's face. His eyes lovingly focused on hers as she retreated to the bathroom.

Elena paused briefly at the bathroom door to blow Damon a kiss, which he caught in the air and placed over his heart. She melted a little more for him at that sight.

Quickly she started the shower and laid out some towels before returning to the door. Elena peaked around the corner, beckoning Damon to the bathroom with her best come hither look.

A slow lazy smile appeared on Damon's face as he leaped from bed and raced around the floor to bathroom door. He quietly closed the door behind him and claimed Elena with his lips, aligning their bodies from head to toe.

Steam billowed out of the shower as they stood there and kissed. Their bodies slowly became sleek with sweat. Damon guided them slowly towards the shower stall. They both pulled back briefly to step into the shower before continuing to kiss.

The hot water maybe held out for maybe an hour, not nearly long enough to satisfy the passion they had unleashed on each other. Elena backed out of the shower as the water turned painfully cold and wrapped her body in one of the thick terrycloth robes provide by the motel.

Elena walked up to the mirror and wiped some of the steam with one of the hand towels. She barely recognized her reflection. A happy grinning face looked back at her. You could see that a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

Yesterday she woke with renewed energy; after finally making a decision about her search for Stefan, but today her energy was triple that. It felt amazing to finally act on her feelings towards Damon. Elena felt freer than ever. Her thoughts were light and filled with love.

Damon emerged from the shower and wrapped a towel loosely around his hips. He came over to where Elena was standing. He smiled at her reflection before wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I could totally get use to showering like that," Damon whispered in a hushed voice before dropping a kiss on her robe covered shoulder.

"Me too, it's definitely more fun than going solo in there," Elena replied as she twisted her body around to give him a hug. "We need to get clothes on quickly before we waste the whole day in bed"

"I could think of worse things…."

Elena unwrapped herself from their embrace and hurried back into the main room. She quickly dropped her robe and pulled on a tank top and jean shorts. A pair of flip flops completed her outfit for the day.

"So what's the plan for today?" Elena asked as she ran her hairbrush through her hair. "More recon?"

"Well, I do have a few locations I'd like to checkout. I overheard a couple of Vamps talking about an area down around the port, as well as an area in the east end where there are some easy targets." Damon rattled off as he got dressed. He sat on the edge of the bed to pull on his boots before adding "Not sure either place is appropriate for you so if there is anything you would like to do….."

"Appropriate for me?" Elena answered sounding appalled. "I'm far safer with you than on my own, after our little demo last night all the crazies know the doppelganger is in town. I wouldn't be surprised to know that Stefan and Klaus know we are here too."

"Guess I hadn't really thought about it that way….I guess our best bet is staying together. Pack up your laptop and stuff and we'll get going."

Elena hurried around their room and randomly grabbing stuff to shove in her bag. After 3 months of living out of a duffle you tend to get use to packing up and leaving on short notice.

They usually didn't stay in the same hotel for more than 2 nights. Damon was paranoid ever since they had had a little run in with a "former associate" in LA.

Damon slammed the trunk of his car closed after placing both their bags inside. He had made a hasty decision as Elena threw her stuff in a bag that it was time to move on. His duffle was at the end of his bed fully packed just in case anyways.

They drove silently through the streets heading north towards downtown. Elena pulled out her laptop and started to google hotels that were close to where Damon wanted to check out. She found a couple of places that met with all the criteria Damon liked, not fancy, not too shabby and kind of non-descript with a high traffic flow. They tried to not stand out and fly under the radar as much as possible. She managed to find a Holiday Inn that looked ok; she entered in an online reservation for them before returning her laptop to her messenger bag.

"I made a reso for a Holiday inn just off Main and something. From the map it looks to be in the middle of the 2 places you want to check out." Elena glanced over at Damon to make sure he was listening, "Could we stop and get some coffee?"

"Sure, when you see a place lemme know and I'll pull in."

One of the things Elena loved about this city was their love of great coffee. You barely had to drive 3 blocks before a great coffee shop popped up. Within minutes she had spotted the sign for a local chain of cafes with parking right on the street available.

Damon remained in the car idling at the curb while Elena ran into the café and grabbed a round of coffees and a couple of pastries. The smell from her vanilla latte was making her mouth water and her stomach grumble. She hadn't realized that she was that hunger.

She handed Damon his coffee through the open window for climbing into the car.

"So are we going to head to the hotel first or are we going somewhere else," she asked as she bit into a chocolate filled croissant.

Damon glanced up from his coffee, "We should probably check in and stow our stuff first. I don't really see the need for any searching til closer to dark; not very vamp has a daylight ring."

"Cool, that'll give me the chance to check in with Jer and make sure he is still alive and well."

"I'm sure witchy is taking good care of him," Damon added between sips of his coffee.

"I have no doubts that Bonnie is on top of everything, but I'm still his big sister and I should still check in every now and again, he is all the family I have left." A small frown worked its way onto Elena face as she thought first of her parents and then her aunt Jenna.

"Hey don't forget me, I consider you family, maybe not by blood but…we are family and I'm not going anywhere." Damon leaned over and planted a soft kiss on her check.

Elena turned her head so her lips brushed his, "Thanks Damon, I know, I consider you family too, it's just been a tough few years for my family"

"I know, I know…." He whispered as he gently patting her on the shoulder, "You have to look forward to the future, the past is the past and unfortunately it can't be changed."

"You're very insightful this morning?"

"What can I say; sex with you brings out my good side." Damon smirked as he pulled back out into traffic.

Elena swatted him on the arm as she laughed, "Careful what you say mister or that might be the only time that happens."

Damon faked a look of horror, "You mean I might not get lucky again?"

Elena giggled before replying, "Only if you are a good boy."

"Don't worry about me; I'll be on my best behavior from now on."

Elena blushed and looked away. She was slightly relived that he had made the assumption that last night was more than a one night stand. That had been her discrete way of asking him what last night had meant to him without really coming out and asking. Frankly Elena was a little afraid of what last night meant to her…her emotions were all over the place. On one hand how could she switch from one brother to the other so quickly, how would she rationalize that to her friends? On the other hand the heart wants what the heart wants.

She mulled it over while they continued to drive towards their next hotel. If Elena was truly honest with herself their course had been set for a while. Fate wanted them together no matter how hard Elena fought. And fought she did. For well over two years she had thought that Stefan was her destiny, she gave him her heart and soul. She stood by him through various relapses and several disasters. But in the end the pulled that Damon had was too much for her to ignore and now that they had finally acted on their feelings Elena had no idea how she had managed to stay away from him.

Damon pulled sharply into an underground parking spot pulling Elena from her thoughts and back to present.

"Here already?" She asked.

"Well you have spent the last 20 minutes overthinking things," he smirked looking over at her. "You promised no regrets."

"I don't have any regrets, just trying to wrap my head around everything. If I'm being honest I think it was a long time coming. It just took getting together for me to see it."

"Together? Is that what we are now?"

"Damon, I don't know what we are….but I do know that I want to figure it out what this is and gave this a shot." She replied gesturing to the space between them.

Damon sighed and turned to open his door. They met up at the trunk to pull their bags out.

Silently Damon picked up both their bags and headed towards the lobby.

After a quiet elevator ride they both made their way over to the sign-in desk. Elena took a moment to look around the lobby. It was nicely furnished with over stuffed couches and a gas fire place.

Damon paid for the room with his credit card and asked for direction to a local pub with good food.

The receptionist made arrangements for their luggage to be brought up to their room and also provide directions to a neighborhood pub a couple of buildings down.

"Did you want to go eat first or go up the room and get settled?" Damon asked breaking the silence.

"Food sounds good, if you don't mind?"

Damon extended his hand to her, "Nope, let's go eat."

She reached out clasping her hand in his and they headed out the door.

It felt natural to walk down the street holding Damon's hand. It was above all a simple pleasure as far as Elena was concerned. But it did make a very big statement to the world. She belonged to him and he to her. Right then and there she accepted that, maybe even relished it?

Oh man she was back to overthinking things again!

As they walked Elena couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She tried to look around without drawing attention to the fact that she was looking for anything out of the ordinary. She felt a slight change in the pressure of Damon's hand.

"What are you doing?" he whispered without moving his lips or breaking his stride.

Elena pulled her phone out of her sweater pocket and texted him someone is watching us, before handing him her phone. He read the message over and typed back relax and try to not be so obvious

She slipped her phone back in her pocket and continued to walk down the sidewalk casting sideways glance only now and then. It would after all look weird if she didn't look around.

They reached the pub a couple of minutes later, Damon pulled open the door and ushered Elena through taking the opportunity to glance around at their surroundings. Nothing really jumped out at him but he had learnt to trust Elena gut feelings which had saved them a couple of times in the past.

Elena headed towards the bar area and found a table facing the door.

A waiter joined them a few moments later, handed them menus and listed out the specials.

Elena automatically ordered a beer and bourbon as Damon continued to watch the door to see if anyone was going to follow them in.

She leaned over the table so they could talk, "Did you see anyone? I can't explain it, but I could swear someone is watching us."

"No one I could pick out, but I'm willing to trust your gut on this one. It's saved us before."

Damon tipped his head towards her lightly brushing his lips against her temple, "I'll be right back, don't move."

Elena leaned back and nodded as he disappeared from the table. She watched as he made his way over towards the bathroom before ducking out a side door.

"Excuse me miss, could I take your order please. Or do you need another minute?" asked the waiter as he returned with their drinks.

"Ummm, I think we are ready." Elena replied as she quickly looked over the menu. "I'll have a spinach salad and my friend will have spaghetti and meatballs. Could I also get a slice of apple pie to go?"

"No problem, I'll place your order with the kitchen right away."

Elena nodded her thanks and returned to watching the bar for anything odd.

Damon returned to their table about 5 minutes later, "Sorry hun, I got a little lost."

"Oh dear," Elena replied loudly playing along with Damon, "not again?"

"What can I say, they have good bourbon here." Damon said throwing back his glass. He tried to hide his grimace of disgust as he swallowed a rather cheap bourbon.

He processed to pull out his cell phone and type in a text before dropping it on the table and indicating she should pick up hers.

All Clear outside, I didn't c anything

Elena typed out a reply I still can't shake that feeling

Damon smiled at her and reached to her hand giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Soooo, what's the plan for tonight?"

Damon continued to discretely scan the pub, "I figured that we would eat, go back to the hotel, settle in and then you know…?"

"Really Damon?" Elena blushed as she pulled her hand away from his, "Do you have a one track mind?"

"When it comes to you, yah I do. Do you blame me?"

"We've only done in once…."

"So what, I've had a taste and now I want more. If we go back to the hotel early enough we'll have plenty of time to fool around before we have to hit up the clubs."

"Geez I can't believe you sometimes."

Thankfully the waiter was approaching with their food, ending their conservation. They both sat silently eating; occasionally Elena would grab one of Damon's meatballs. Every now and again Damon would steal a mouth full of her salad. She loved that they were at this stage in their relationship already. Both were completely comfortable with each other. It was kind of nice to skip over that silly stage where you didn't know your partner well enough to do stuff like stealing food off each other's plates.

It took them no time at all to clear their plates and down their drinks. Their waiter must have been hovering near by as he appeared as soon as Elena dropped her fork on her empty plate.

"Another round of drinks tonight," the waiter asked hopefully.

Damon glanced across at Elena, "No thanks, just the check please."

"No problem sir, I'll be right back."

After the waiter had left ear shot Damon motioned her in close, "Let's go back to the hotel and settle in and see what kind of time we have left?"

"Sure, I could use a coffee or something on the way back too."

"I think we passed a Starbucks on the way here."

Their waiter returned to the table with the bill, Damon slipped his credit card into the folder without even looking at the bill and handed it right back to him.

They followed him up to the bar where he rang through their purchase and had Damon sign his receipt.

"Miss? One second and I'll grab your apple pie."

"Sure, thanks."

"Mmmm apple pie." Damon looked at her with a surprised expression.

"I know that is your favorite, I was just trying to be nice."

The waiter returned with a to-go box and handed it over to Elena, "have a nice evening and please come again." He said with a smile.

As they walked towards the door Damon leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I don't like that guy, he was totally hitting on my girl."

"What? No he wasn't, it was just good customer service."

"No, no, no," Damon replied wagging his finger at her, "he was totally checking you out while I was outside. I was watching him through the windows. Creep!"

"You or him?"

Damon grunted,"Him! He totally saw us come in together."

"Chill Damon, you don't have to get all territorial on me….lets go back to the hotel and I'll make it up to you."

If Damon could have run back to the hotel using his vampire speed he would have. He was fearful that this was all a dream and he would wake up tomorrow and Elena would want Stefan again. He wanted to spend very moment with her just in case this was all he would ever get. It wasn't the greatest way to live life but you do what you have too.

Instead they walked back to the hotel slowly hand in hand, only stopping so Elena could step into a Starbucks to grab a coffee.

They kept up light general conversation as they made their way up to their room. Damon made an effort to keep things casual. Damon used the key card to open their room door and gestured for Elena to go in first. Their luggage had been delivered and stood next to the hall closet.

Elena walked further into the room and was met by a sweeping view of the city skyline. The sun was just setting over English bay. Freighters and pleasure boats dotted the water.

"Wow, Damon this is awesome."

"I thought we could use a night in a nice room," He smiled from the doorway.

A large king sized bed dominated one side of the room. On the other side was a small kitchenette with bar service. A couch was set up in front of huge floor to ceiling windows to take advantage of the view.

There was a closed door just off the entrance that Elena assumed was the bathroom. When she peaked inside she found a huge soaker tub, along with the usually stuff. Damon joined her carrying a gift bag.

"Here," he paused dangling the bag on one finger in front of her, "this might come in handy."

Elena took the offered bag and pulled out the tissue, inside the bag for a bottle of her favorite scented bubble bath, "Ohhh, you read my mind. The second I saw this tub all I could think about was taking a bath."

"Well if you fill it up now you have enough time to sit and have a decent bath."

"I think I might, did you want to join me?"

"As tempting as that sounds, I think you should relax by yourself."

Elena tried not to look hurt, a small frown formed on her face.

"Trust me, it's not that I don't want too but I think you need some time alone." Damon gave her a smile as he leaned over and started the bath for her. He took the bag from her and dug out the newly purchased bubble bath. He added a healthy dose to the tub; soon the scent of honey and lavender filled the air.

Damon kissed her softly before leaving the bathroom. Elena undressed quickly, leaving her clothes on the floor of the bathroom. She sunk into the bubble filled tub. It felt heavenly; she rested her against the back of the tub and just let her mind wonder. The warm water relaxed her to the near point of sleep.

Damon stood on the over side of the door and listened. He heard her first slide into the tub and then heard the appreciative sigh of relaxation as she settled in. It was then that he knew he had made the right decision to force her to take some time for herself.

As her breathing evened out he headed over to the couch and took a seat to admire the view. Dusk had settled on the city. Lights in the surrounding skyscrapers were being turned on, harbor traffic was slowing down. From this high up the city seemed silent but Damon could see that the street traffic was increasing as people hurried home from work or headed out for a night on the town.

Damon pulled his iPad out of his bag and started going through the list of places he had made. He tried to map out a route that wouldn't have them doing any back tracking or unnecessary travel. He had mostly given up trying to anticipate what was going to happen next. The Stefan he knew no longer existed. Nothing he did fit the patterns of his previous lapses. Damon hated that his brother was so far gone; he could feel their connection slipping. His brother and best friend were almost at the point where there might not be anything that could bring him back.

Damon dropped his iPad on the coffee table in front of him. He felt so frustrated; nothing seemed to be going their way.

Not bothering to get up Damon yelled across their hotel room at Elena, "Are you planning on spending all night in there….we got places to go people to see."

He waited for her response….but the bathroom remained silent.

"Elena? Can you hear me? Come out; come out where ever you are…" He jokingly called out.

Again he was met with silence.

Damon flashed over to the bathroom door and listened at the door. He could hear her even breaths and the beat of her heart through the bathroom door. Either she was asleep or ignoring him? He knocked before pushing open the door.

The bathroom was hot and humid, the mirror covered with steam. Elena's clothes were piled on the floor and a towel was hung over the lip of the tub just waiting to be used.

Lastly his eyes fell on Elena, asleep with her iPhone ear buds in.

He gently tapped her on the shoulder, waking her slowly trying not to scary the shit out of her.

"Hey, sleeping head….time to get out. You've been in here forever and you're turning into a prune."

Elena glanced down at her fingers which were indeed all pruney and chuckled.

"That was the most amazing bath I've ever had, thank-you."

"No problem sweetheart. However you are about to miss the most amazing sunset I've ever seen."

Damon held up her towel for her as she stepped out of the tub. He wrapped it around her carefully tucked the tip in between her breast.

"Come on, it looks amazing out there."

Elena followed silently.

The living room area was lit up by the soft oranges and pinks of the setting sun. It was indeed one of the most beautiful sunsets she had ever seen.

Elena wondered over to the bed after the last of the sun dipped below the horizon. She needed to get dressed. Nothing fancy for tonight, just jeans and a tee. If they were going to be hanging around in dark alleys she wanted to be comfortable and warm.