Chapter 22

It felt like a dream – it felt like she was soaring on golden wings. Up and above, away from the problems and into the arms of her solution. Stefan. Kissing him under the sun – meant something more than lust it meant something else entirely. Why did it feel like she had found her home? What did this mean?

Caroline pulled herself away, even though it pained her to do so.

"What are you doing?" She asked breathless.

Stefan didn't know the answer to her question. What was he doing? He had seen her sitting like an earthly goddess on the sand – her white luminous skin shining more brightly than the golden flecks in the sand and he just knew that he had to be near her. Had to feel that luminous spirit of hers. It was in that second that he realized that he would follow her – follow her anywhere even if it meant she dragged him into his own personal hell.

"I'm kissing you." He answered simply before leaning in again and capturing her lips again.

Caroline gasped again. Now she understood why addiction was so enticing; she was feeling his lips for the second time and already she couldn't imagine not having his lips on hers ever again.

"I see that but … why?" Caroline couldn't help but break the connection. Her mind wouldn't just shut off and enjoy his kiss.

"I don't know." Stefan ran a hand through his hair, disheveling his hair into wet tangles.

The quietness that surrounded them shook Caroline to her core. She felt like she couldn't breathe, her body was aching as if she had been in a fight. Perhaps she was fighting too hard. Fighting the attraction that had always existed, even though she had told herself countless times that it couldn't possibly mean anything. Maybe her solution was just to throw her troubles into the wind and get caught up in the whirlwind that was this situation. She was tired of standing alone and feeling so cold. Just for once she wanted something that she could have and right now he was offering himself to her.

"Kiss me." Caroline whispered, breaking the silence.

Stefan glanced up and looked into her porcelain face. There wasn't a trace of doubt or fear there. It was as if she was showing him physically that she wanted him and he realized then that perhaps he had wanted her all along. There was no time to think about the consequences there was only now and he needed to reach out and grab it before she pulled away from him and he lost her forever.

"Alright." He answered.

He reached up and tangled his hand into her soft blonde locks and drew her closer to his lips. Stefan's lips caressed her own as if they were dancing together. Caroline had never felt a tenderness like this before, it made her want to believe in silly childhood fantasies.

Throwing all caution she wound her arms around his neck, her fingers entwined into his dampened hair. She felt herself leaning forward into the hardness of his chest. He groaned with a fierceness that shocked them both as he tilted her back into the sand as his hands began treasuring every inch of her perfect body. Distant voices in the background stopped them from going any further.

Stefan pulled back and looked into her eyes. He saw a glimpse of uncertainty in them. He leaned forward and recaptured her lips. He never wanted to see that look in her eyes. Wordlessly he pulled himself up and away from her before, offering her his hand as he gently tugged her out of the sand.

Before she could protest he lifted her and carried her bridal style, until they had reached his place and were in his bedroom. He placed her gently onto her feet. They stood facing each other, only aware of the others heavy breathing and nothing else. Silently the pair undressed together – there was no shame or awkwardness. Everything felt perfect – easy even.

Effortlessly he scooped her into his arms again and brought her to the bed and laid her down gently. He stretched beside her and in that moment – there was only absolute perfection.

An: So it's a short chapter, thought I would leave Damon and Peyton's story for the next chapter before we rejoin the newly lovebirds. Thanks again for the positive feedback