Chapter 16

Hours later, after teaching her pool and not so nicely compelling everyone to leave them the heck alone, the two went to dinner. They climbed the three steps that led to the more quiet, grill part of the Mystic Bar & Grill. Now they were on their way back to the lake house and Damon was deeply in his thoughts.

Bella's acceptance of him for who he was and not what he was had become a big factor in Damon becoming more comfortable with himself. He knew it was stupid and that he had been a vampire for so long, that it shouldn't matter what a twenty-two year old thought of him, but it did. When he looked into those big brown eyes that reminded him of melted chocolate all he saw was Bella's unrelenting care and support.

He found himself telling Bella things he'd never told anyone. During dinner they were sitting side by side talking in low tones. Even though their microphones caught everything they said, they still spoke.

They talked of his childhood and how his father changed. Suddenly he no longer was a loving man but a harsh one who didn't like the rebellion he saw in Damon's eyes. His father became a stranger to the young adult Damon once was as Giuseppe cared only for Stefan.

Bella only shook her head. She told Damon how proud he should be for himself. That it was time to leave his father in the past because the man was wrong. That it was time he and Stefan made peace and move on. Damon had a light smile when he confided that they had. He was even happy that Stefan had Elena now and that he'd do anything in his power to protect his brother's love life and relationship.

Bella had smiled at him so brightly that he felt himself blushing. He had expected that Bella would make fun of it but instead she took his hand in hers and kept eating.

Bella told him of her love of books. How she loved reading and the meanings she found in them. How she would use them as an escape when her own life felt too contrite and suffocating.

Bella had somehow wormed herself into his heart and become the best friend Damon ever had. Correction the only best friend Damon ever had. Her loving disposition and giving nature never ceased to amaze him.

A soft moan reached his ears and jolted him back to present as the SUV pulled to the lake house. He looked down to see Bella's serene face as she was sleeping with her head on his shoulder and one arm thrown around his waist like a little koala bear. He didn't want to wake her up.

The driver opened his door. Damon easily lifted Bella in his arms and carried her to the house

"You don't mind opening the door for me. At all"

He compelled the driver. The man did as he was told

"Lucky bastard"

Damon heard him mutter as he kicked the door closed. With his customary smirk he carried Bella through the dark house and to the bedroom. He gritted his teeth when he saw that the bed sheets had been changed.

He put Bella in the bed softly. The girl pouted, mewled softly and reached for him. Feeling a smile build up on his lips he reached down to unclasp her sandals and put them on the floor.

Stealing a glimpse on her face, he reached down to peck her feet. Bella giggled in her sleep. Smiling amused Damon did it again. Bella giggled again. Damon kissed her feet again. Bella kicked him and turned away.

"ow"

With a chuckle Damon rubbed his nose and sat on the bed taking off his own shoes. Removing his mic he lay down and watched in amazement as Bella turned back to face him, stretched and curled up around him sighing contently in her sleep.

Smiling he flicked her nose. Bella let a moany chuckle and nuzzled her face in his chest. He reached down to push the orange ribbon that held her hair back away from her face and threw it on the floor near them. Flicking a loose curl at her nose he chuckled when she pouted and tried to hide her face in his chest more. When he did it again she grabbed his hand

"When did we get back?"

"About an hour ago. You were sleeping"

She rubbed her sleepy eyes and shivered.

"Why is it so cold?"

Damon blinked. It's been years since had felt any cold

"I'll bring another blanket"

Barefoot he padded to the hall to grab a heavy winter blanket from a cupboard

"Kind of too warm"

Bella noted sitting up in the bed. With a shrug Damon tossed it on the bed before settling under the heavy blanket. Almost immediately Bella was in his arms. Feeling shy yet playful he gathered his courage with two hands and kissed her.

For five long heartbeats nothing happened.

Then she moaned and sought out his lips with her own, her fingers clutching at whatever part of him they could reach. Before long he was tearing her clothes off as carelessly as he'd bite in his blood bags and laying on top of her.

They tangled together between laughs and moans with each kiss and each hug. They fit together perfectly and when they came together, he felt like a new person. Eventually they floated back to earth under the light of the crescent moon outside the window.

"Goodnight Bella"

He whispered in her ear running a hand across her sweaty body under the heavy wool blanket.

"Goodnight Damon"

Bella whispered in his ear before biting the lobe of his ear softly eliciting a groan from the vampire. With a sweet smile she shifted in his arms until he held her close.

Before long she was asleep, her head resting on his chest. Long locks of wavy brown hair strewn across his bare chest teasing the scratches her nails left earlier. Every breath stroking his skin.

He didn't want to spend another night without her. He just had to figure out a way to keep her