Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries. I'm just borrowing.

Note: I just got an idea for the next chapter of "Cat and Mouse," and I want to write it before it haunts me. It actually stemmed from looking at a picture of Damon wet and naked in the tub, and I was like, "Okay, I can use that." Thank you for the feedback on Chapter 4. I appreciate it. No spoilers, except the action in this chapter takes place after Elena's meeting with Anna.

Elena's Apartment – Later on...

Elena turned on the water in the tub in the bathroom adjacent to her bedroom. She was so completely stressed out from work that she needed a nice, soothing bubble bath to calm her nerves. The thought that seemed to stick with her the most was Bethany Henderson, Damon's most recent victim, and that she had suffered the same fate as Erika Strauss and the other unfortunate girls. She remembered Damon telling her that he wanted to get her attention and the murders had been his method. God, how she wished that she could slap the cuffs on him and haul his ass off to jail so that he wouldn't harm another innocent girl ever again.

Heading back into her room, Elena took off her jacket and holster before stepping out of her clothes and throwing on her robe and walking back into the bathroom and sprinkling in some bubbles. Peeling off the robe, Elena climbed into the tub and shut off the water, sighing as she sat back against the wall, closing her eyes.

Little did she realize, however, that she wasn't the only one who was looking forward to the bath. In the bedroom, Damon opened the window and quietly climbed in. He saw that the bathroom door was slightly ajar and Elena sitting in the tub. Licking his lips, he stripped, walked into the bathroom and slowly climbed into the tub. Soon afterward, Elena opened her eyes and saw that she wasn't alone anymore, because she was met with the haunting blue eyes belonging to Damon, who was smiling at her.

"Hello, Detective. Miss me?"

Elena gasped. "How the hell did you get in here?"

"Your bedroom window," he replied. "You really ought to get a lock for that, by the , when I saw you in here, I couldn't resist the temptation of joining you in the tub." He smiled again. "You're even more beautiful naked."

Elena pretended not to be flattered by his last statement and said, "What are you doing here?"

"Does a guy need an occasion to see his girl?"

"Damon, let's get one thing straight," said Elena. "I'm not your girl."

"Yet," said Damon. "You're not my girl yet. But, you will be." He pulled her into his arms and whispered against her lips, "I meant it when I said I wanted to make you mine." He felt her squirming and smirked as he kissed her, allowing his hands to roam up and down her body.

Elena didn't find this to her liking and quickly pulled away, earning her another smirk. "You might as well admit it, Detective. You want me."

Elena scowled at him. "I want to see you in a jail cell." Not waiting for his reply, she said, changing the subject a bit, "Why did you put that tracking device on me? I thought you let me go?"

"I did let you go," said Damon. "You're not a prisoner, you're free to come and go as you please. As far as the tracking device is concerned, I placed it on you to protect you."

"Bullshit," said Elena. "I don't believe you for a second. What are you protecting me from?"

"Not what, who," said Damon. "My partner, Klaus."

"The one who rapes the girls you kill?"

"The very same," said Damon. "I don't trust him, Elena. If I had kept you at my hideout, chances are he would've had his way with you and I couldn't risk that. You may not think so, but I love you and I want to keep you safe. If I knew where you were, I'd be able to find you in case Klaus decides to come after you."

Elena blinked. "Why are you telling me this?"

"I have reason to believe that Klaus will betray me," said Damon. "When that happens, he'll kill me and you'll be his next target. I won't let that happen. I'll kill that bastard before he has a chance to unfurl his plan."

At first, Elena didn't know what to say to that, thinking that Damon was only telling her this to get her into bed with him. Damon noticed how quiet she was and pulled her into his arms again, looking into her brown eyes with his blue ones.

Finally, Elena said, "Are you sure that Klaus is going to betray you, or are you just saying that?"

"I'm serious," said Damon. "I know that you don't believe me, but you're in danger and Klaus won't stop until he gets what he wants. While he's currently dating a stripper he met at his favorite gentleman's club, I have a feeling that's not going to last much longer, especially since he's set his sights on you."

"You mean even more than you have?"

"Oh, I still have my sights set you," said Damon. "I just didn't think that Klaus would do the same. Now that he has, you can understand why I had to make sure that I know exactly where you are. I know that you have your suspicions, but I can assure you that I wouldn't be telling you this if I didn't care about you, which I do."

Elena raised an eyebrow. She wasn't sure if she should trust Damon or not, but she also didn't like the idea of being his partner's target either. "All right, I'll bite. But, only because you insist on it."

Damon smiled and kissed her again and cupped her breasts gently, massaging her nipples with his thumbs. Elena moaned against his mouth as she felt what he was doing to her. She hated to admit it, but she liked it. For a vicious criminal, he had a gentle touch and he was a good kisser too. Before the kiss got too deep, Elena pulled away and looked into his blue eyes again. Shit, they truly were gorgeous.

"Damon, please, I don't think this will work between us. I'm a cop, you're a sadistic, bloodthirsty serial killer. Last I checked, cop and serial killer don't mix well together. It's not natural."

"You may think so now, but you'll change your mind eventually," said Damon. "I know you enjoyed being kissed by me, and you liked my hands on you. Besides, they say that opposites attract, and although we're complete opposites of each other, I know that you're attracted to me, like I'm attracted to you."

Elena wanted to protest, but she was then silenced by one of Damon's scorching kisses. Shit, why did he have to be so irresistible? In her mind, she wanted to arrest him for the violent crimes he committed, but in her heart, she wanted to be with him, to be held by him and taste his kisses, as well as feel his body against hers and scream his name during sex.

Note: Here you go, Chapter 5 of "Cat and Mouse" is complete. Damon ought to have a sign on him that says, "Sexy When Wet." :)

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