The Grill was packed. There were bodies dancing, and there were people drinking at the bar. Some were playing pool while others were eating in booths.
"Are we even going to get a table?" I half yelled over the noise.
"Yes, Stefan saved on for us," She said. I shook my head but gave Elena a smile. I should have known she would have called Stefan to help her with me.
"Hello ladies," Stefan said as Elena dragged me to the table.
"Hi," We said together.
"I'm going to go get something to drink, Rora, you want?" Elena asked.
"I'm good right now, I'll just sit," I said. As soon as Elena was out of ear shot I turned a sharp look to Stefan.
"I know what you are," I said simply.
"Damon said you knew more than was good for you," Stefan said, although he didn't seem mad or upset.
"What else did he tell you?" I asked. For some reason I wanted to keep the blood drinking between Damon and myself. The feeling I had gotten from it...it felt private and personal.
"Nothing," Stefan said. I nodded. "Is there more to tell?" He asked.
"No," I said. "Just know this, I won't see Elena hurt again, you will tell her the truth, and soon, or I will." Stefan nodded.
"I will tell her soon," He agreed. Elena rejoined us.
"Rora, do you mind terribly if Stefan and I dance real quick?" She asked.
"Not at all," I said waving them away from the table. Elena was giddy with delight.
I sat alone in the shadows of the booth, watching Elena and Stefan dance. Caroline was dancing with Matt, and Bonnie was talking to a kid that had graduated a few years before. Something seemed off about the guy, and I made a mental note to keep an eye on him.
"If I didn't know any better I would think that you were scanning the crowd for a meal," Damon Salvatore's voice whispered close to my ear.
"That is how you look at a crowd," I reminded him. Damon slipped into the seat across from me. "What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Just checking on my little brother," He said with a sarcastic smirk. I rolled my eyes.
"No, really?" I asked.
"I came for a drink," He said. My eyes widened slightly. Damon laughed and held up a glass of bourbon. "This kind," He said.
I gave a stiff smile. I had enjoyed the feeling of being bitten, and for some reason I wanted to feel it again, but a large part of my brain was saying to fight the urge.
"Vicky was released from the hospital today," I said.
"You're tone implies that I should care," He said.
"You should, you almost killed her," I said.
"I've actually killed a lot more people than you can count, one more means nothing," He said. I gave a dry laugh.
"You always do that," I said.
"Do what?" He asked.
"Act like you're black hearted and made of stone," I said.
"It is like you don't know me at all," He said. I was being mocked and I didn't like it.
"Damon," I said leaning across the table. He leaned in closer to me because I was speaking softly. He could probably hear me just fine, but the tension and heat between us was undeniable.
"I know you," I whispered even softer. Damon leaned even closer. I leaned up to whisper directly in his ear. "I know what you are, you're a big faker," I teased in a soft whisper. As I pulled my head back from his, I paused at his lips, leaving an innocent kiss on the corner of his mouth.
I stood to leave, and Damon grabbed my arm. He looked like I had hit him, or done something that would have shocked him.
"Don't look for any redeeming qualities in me, I have none," He said in a tone as icy as his eyes.
"Then I would be dead already," I said gently disengaging my arm from his grip. "I'll see you later," I added as I got my jacket, letting him know I was expecting him to stop by for a bite later.
"Lena, I'll meet you at home," I said finding her on the dance floor. She nodded and continued to twirl away in Stefan's arms.
When Elena got home she came straight to my room.
"Do you know what you are doing?" Elena asked.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"With Damon, I saw you two in the corner kissing," She said.
"We weren't kissing, of that I can assure you," I said with a hint of disgust in my tone. "We were reaching an understanding."
"Well, Stefan said to be careful of him, he says he can get kind of obsessive, and it never ends well," She said.
"I'm not having any type of relationship with Damon," I said firmly.
"Okay," Elena said leaving my room. I locked the door behind her and opened my window.
I turned to my bed to turn the blankets down. I felt a rush of air, and someone was standing behind me. I turned to see Damon.
"There is a switch you know," He said standing so close to me I could feel his soft breath on my face. "Vampires can flip off their humanity, not feel anything."
"Why?" I asked.
"Emotions are petty and get in the way," He said. I shook my head.
"Emotions give us fire, warmth, and strength. Emotions build our foundation and allow us to accomplish what we otherwise would not be able to," I said.
"I've never had that experience with emotions," He said. He had the pain of a scorned lover in his eyes.
"I pity you then, because with every passing moment of pain you feel, there will be an equally peaceful and fulfilling moment to balance it out, but if you don't allow yourself to feel that pleasure..." I trailed off. I reached forward and let my hand cup Damon's face. "Whatever it is that was done to you, shutting out your feelings will only prolong the pain."
Damon's blue eyes captured mine, and he looked at me for a long time. There was something in his expression, something guarded that he would not let show through. I was lost in his gaze.
"What is it about you?" He asked me stroking my cheek with his finger. I closed my eyes at the feeling of his smooth, cool skin. With a heavy sigh I opened my eyes and held my wrist up. There were still bite marks from the night before, puckered and sore. I knew that wouldn't stop him from taking more.
I saw his eyes begin to change, and felt the sharp pinch of his fangs sinking into my skin. After that all I could feel was the deep sensation of fiery need and intimacy. I rested my hand on Damon's shoulder gently. I let out a small gasp that was a border line moan when he pulled his fangs out of my arm.
"Why does it do that?" I asked as he gave me a bloody lipped smirk. Damon leaned in close to me, licking his lips.
"Nothing," Damon said kissing my throat. "Is more," Another kiss, "Intimate," Kiss, "Than the exchange of," Kiss, "Life," He finished, his lips brushing against my skin with every word before breaking and planting a warm kiss along the artery that ran through my neck. I gasped again, and the breath was broken and shuddering as I exhaled.
I opened my eyes, realizing for the first time that they were closed. I was alone in my room, my heart racing, and my skin warm with the rush of blood. I was getting myself into something bad, something I wouldn't be able to control or get out of, but I didn't care.
I got into bed and turned out the light. But I didn't sleep. I knew my dreams would be full of Damon anyway. All I could do was think about the feelings he stirred in me. Feelings I had only felt with one other person, only no where near as strong.
The sun was rising when Elena knocked on my door to tell me to get ready for the Lockwood's Town Party.