CH. 17

Waking up, Elena had never been happier in all her life, or more confused. Damon Salvatore had utterly and completely turned her world upside down. It wasn't that she didn't like it that way. It was simply that she'd never allowed herself to dream of the possibilities he had offered her in such a few short moments. She sighed, remembering how they'd fit together. How he'd moved within her. The feelings she'd felt, simply being with him were indescribable. Now thinking back on her youth she felt as if it had almost been a waste. How many years had she let Stefan control her heart? Ages of torment and agony spent over wanting a man who would never love her back.

Now she had a man.

One that was willing to give her everything—she hoped. She thought back on their previous conversation. Of him wanting to go to Paris, of her being what he wanted. She couldn't imagine a better escape than being with the man she loved.

Loved.

She still could barely believe it. She was in love, but not with Stefan. With Damon Salvatore. In many ways she would never have believed he could be the man he'd become. He had proven to her that he was kind, affectionate, caring and loyal to a fault. He'd shone her the side of him he never revealed to anyone, and in a way it made her feel empowered. As if she was the only one on earth who knew the true him. Just like in one of her favorite stories, The Phantom of the Opera, she was the one who knew the man behind the mask. No one else had ever taken the time to do so. This thought made her sad, and made her want to reach for Damon and hold him close. To never let him go, and to show him someone could love him unconditionally, and without cause.

Unfortunately when her hand reached for the pillow beside her, her hand came up empty. Opening her eyes Elena sat up and looked around the room. Realization hit her hard. Damon wasn't there. She'd given up her virginity. Told him she loved him, and he had left. Her tears were practically instant as she began jumping to the horrid conclusion that he had gotten what he wanted from her. Pulling herself together she took in a breath and pushed her irrational fears away. This was Damon. Her Damon. He wouldn't leave her unless it was something important. The rational side of her told her he was probably working. He did happen to be apart of a major cooperation after all.

Getting out of bed she searched the room for her clothes from the day before. Try as she might, she couldn't seem to locate her panties. Finally after minutes of searching she came to the conclusion that she wasn't going to find them. Sighing she straightened up and found a mirror in the bathroom opposite the bedroom. This apartment really was astounding. It was like having a little hotel room off to the side of his office. Fixing her hair, Elena wondered if she had been the only woman ever to be invited here. She doubted he'd ever brought a conquest here before her, but then again why wouldn't he. It was rather a convenient location, especially for nocturnal affairs. Putting her hair up in a twisted bun, she finished buttoning her blouse, located her shoes under the bed and went to the door to leave. Reaching for the handle, she noticed another door adjacent to this one. Her curiosity peaked, and she opened what she believed to be a closet. If he was going to keep her knickers, she could at least take a Damon scented shirt for the road.

Regrettably the door did not lead to a closet but rather a stairwell. Intrigued as ever, Elena gathered her purse and went down the steps. The moment she shut the door behind her, lights illuminated the corridor before her. The six or so steps led to an elevator. Pushing the button, the doors opened automatically taking a step inside; she soon discovered a button for the first floor, or basement. Convenient, she thought, if he wanted to make a quick getaway. Pressing the first floor button the lift took her down to the first floor where she was able to exit the main foyer without looking too suspicious. Many employees were coming in and out of the building, and none at all interested in seeing her walk of shame.

Exiting the building, she couldn't seem to remember how she'd gotten here. The night had been full of last minute changes, but eventually she remembered she had come here initially, and found her car parked where she'd left it.

Moments later she was driving back on to the Salvatore estate. She suddenly felt overwhelmed with a new feeling. It seemed that in the past every time she'd arrived on their property, she was always anxious to see Stefan. Now it was simply to change her clothes and take a shower. Thoughts of seeing Stefan never even entered her mind. That was until she saw him leaning against the garage door. Glancing in the mirror she checked her reflection. It didn't appear that she'd been out all night, and he hadn't exactly been lucid enough to see her the day before. Seeing him now was astonishing. Parking the car, she got out to greet him.

"Good morning."

"Good morning Elena." He stated. His choice of apparel alone had startled her. He was outside the mansion, holding a cane for stability, and wearing a terrycloth robe. Although, if anyone could pull off a robe and slippers it would be Stefan Salvatore.

"What are you doing here?" she inquired. He'd never paid her a visit before. He had to be looking for her father.

"I was looking for you. Seems we were interrupted the other night, and I was hoping to pick things up where we left off. I know it's not nighttime, but we can still go to the rose garden and catch up. Heck I can even see if I can steal a bottle of champagne and find some plastic cups. I'm through with glasses now…"he said, gesturing to his sore backside. Elena bit her lip to keep from laughing. He was propositioning her, after the night his brother had succeeded. The irony was not lost on her.

"Are you sure you're feeling up to something like that?" she said aloud, before her mind could process what she was saying.

"Of course." He stated, coming closer to her to lift his free hand to her face, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. She had to admit his gesture did feel comforting on her skin. However, it seemed to be lacking…. heat. With Damon, all his caresses had felt like fire on her skin, but in a good way. Every nerve ending in her body had screamed for him to touch her. Not with Stefan. Stefan's touch simply felt like a reassuring caress almost as if a feather had touched her cheek instead. Catching on to what he was implying…she chose to be brave. After all moments of her redeeming herself didn't come often.

"So lets say we do go to the rose garden, what would happen after?" She said suggestively, and in a husky tone. Her body inched closer to his and she glanced up at him with her big doe brown eyes.

"After?" Stefan asked, he practically gulped in fear. She could see him attempting to piece together what he was supposed to say. After all he'd never thought that far ahead had he?

"Well shucks I don't know…" he said tapering off. Elena could tell the conversation had become a bit uncomfortable for him but she decided to push it a little further.

"Because you know how I feel about you, and I wouldn't want you leading me astray," she said, stifling her laughter. Playing with him was just too much fun.

"Oh I wouldn't dream of it Ms. Gilbert." He said, and without warning dropped the cane he had and look her face in his hands. Before she knew it his lips had landed on hers, and Stefan Salvatore was kissing her.

For a moment her brain disconnected, and she forgot about the night before. She had wanted Stefan to kiss her for so long, that she kissed him back. Their kiss didn't last long, as Stefan pulled back to look into her eyes. Elena breathed heavily attempting to process her emotions.

"You can have that, and all of me if you want. You're so beautiful Elena. I don't think I've ever seen you so beautiful. All I know is I want you. Won't you come with me?" he asked breathlessly.

She knew he had her. She knew he could do what he was suggesting, and that they could have a wonderful time, but afterwards would he still want her? Would he be willing to trade everything he had for her? She already knew he wouldn't, she discovered she didn't even need to ask him.

"No I'm sorry Stefan but I think I've made a terrible mistake." She said pulling away from him.

"Mistake?"

"You're engaged Stefan, and believe me, you have no idea how much I've wanted you. But now its too late."
"It doesn't have to be."
"Yes. It does. Goodbye Stefan." She said, and headed up the steps to the apartment she'd called home her entire life, but no longer felt like one. Shutting the door behind her she suddenly heard the phone ring. She knew her father wasn't in by the looks of the place, so she answered immediately hoping it was who she secretly wanted it to be.

"Hello?"

"Good morning" Damon said.

"Damon." Elena breathed, her voice filling with desire. She was hoping he was calling to apologize for not being there in the morning. To ask her to come back and pick up where they left off. That, she could definitely do.

"Listen, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind taking a trip back into the city. I have some business I need to discuss with you." He said his voice clipped and business like. Not at all like the Damon she knew. Her thoughts reeled, and confusion lined her senses. What if Damon wasn't who she thought he was at all? That thought startled her and frightened her. She didn't like doubting him but he wanted to talk business? She couldn't think at all what those words meant.

"Business?" she couldn't hide the disappointment in her voice.

"Yeah. I was wondering if you could meet me here this afternoon?"

Elena hesitated; she probably needed to clear things up with Stefan first. She really didn't like the way things ended, and she needed to be honest about her feelings. Although at the moment she really didn't know what those were herself.

"I don't know there's something I need to do…" she said her voice tapering off.

His voice met hers urgently afterwards, "It would mean a great deal to me if you would." He said, emotion filling his voice. She thought she heard longing within those words and for a moment her heart skipped a beat. He wanted to see her. Perhaps meeting him again wouldn't be such a bad idea.

"Ok," she consented "anything for you Mr. Salvatore." She confirmed huskily into the phone. She couldn't help wanting to get him riled up. She loved it when he lost control like he had the night before.

"See you in a few Miss Gilbert." He replied in his business tone again, and hung up. Her emotions were going haywire. Did he still want her? She couldn't decide. The best option she had was to take a shower, and hope that somewhere along the way her heart would catch up with her head and come to a rational conclusion.

Three hours later, and Elena found herself in the heart of the city. She'd been walking around aimlessly for what seemed like hours. Her walks in Paris had always been a good idea, and usually were. She would walk along the rivera, and write and somehow her thoughts would clear and she would know she was ok. Not now, now she felt anxious and worried she was starting to hope for a future with someone she had never anticipated. Damon. Was he really all that he seemed? Could she be happy? Could she really let go of Stefan. Kissing him, she told herself had been a mistake but had it? There was every emotion imaginable in her mind and nowhere did it say, choose this Salvatore.

Finally, she found herself wandering into the Cooperate building, and pushing the button on the elevator that would lead her to Damon's domain. Entering the office, she noticed the secretary at her seat. Her nametag said 'Rose' and she was inclined to speak when she looked up.

"Oh Ms. Gilbert, he was expecting you several hours ago. I'll let him know you're here."
"Oh you don't need to do that….I'm not quite sure if I want you to."

"But he pays me to tell him." She said smarmily, and pressed the button to the intercom, "Ms. Gilbert is here"

"Send her in" came Damon's voice from the receiver.

Nervously she entered his office, pushing down the thoughts from the night before when she'd rushed right in to claim his lips with hers.

Entering his office she slowly closed the door behind her with a sigh. She noted he was standing behind his desk, calculating her every move. She could barely breathe.

He looked so handsome. His hair was combed back, and his face cleanly shaven, his eyes a fierce blue. He was missing a tie, and jacket but he still emanated sex appeal across the room. Her thoughts were lost on her, until he broke the silence.

"I was beginning to worry."

"Oh? Why?"

"That seems to be a favorite question of yours. Didn't you want to come?" he asked, longing lining his voice.

"Oh um… I asked you first." She relented

"I asked you second." He stated, coming around his desk. Their bodies seemed to be drawing closer to one another simply by sheer magnetism. She couldn't stop it and neither could he it seemed. Unable to avoid the inevitable she relented, "Um…well, I've been wondering around town all afternoon…"

Thinking about you and us and what this means.

"Its something to do with maybe...never seeing you again which is ridiculous because we don't, have to uh, except by accident." You don't have to see me ever again if that's what you want…

"And uh, how could that be a problem?" for you.

Some how she need to know, yearned to know if he thought about her as she did about him. So she began, "When two people…feel this way about each other."

She stopped ash he came closer and paused in front of her. "I asked you first."

"Well, whatever you just said makes whatever I was going to say obsolete." he replied, emotion filling his voice.

"Obsolete?" she asked, coming closer. Hoping…

"Irrelevant." He confirmed.

"Good. I like irrelevant." Just tell me please…

In sudden need to touch him the most obscure sentence erupted from her mouth. Whether in need or in want to know she didn't know.

"Who cuts your hair?"

"Leonardo."

"Yeah?" she asked, her hand lifting to comb through his hair with her fingers. The sily softness of his black hair made her long to pull it. It was getting rather long, and would come to rest in front of his piercing blue eyes often. The contrast was sexy and unbearable for her. She wondered if the effect she had on him was the same as he had on her. Although his body seemed to be responding to her with every touch she made. His pace quickened under her fingers and she could see his body relax with her touch. Something she'd never noticed before. The pull to be with him was there…

"He's my fathers barber. He's 95…perhaps his hand isn't as steady as it used to be." He obliged.

"Its just that its all…" her voice tapered off as Damon's hand rose up to capture hers with his. The touch of skin on skin had Elena's mind racing along with her heart. She suddenly couldn't remember what they were talking about. Although it had seemed very important at the time, something about irrelevance…

"So, what's irrelevant?"

"I want you to come to Paris." He said softly, his eyes begging for her to concede. She must have misunderstood. He didn't want to go to Paris, he must want her to go back.

"You mean go to Paris."

"No. I want you to come to Paris with me." He said. Elena's thoughts went in a million directions. How could he want to go with her. Was he proposing? Did this mean he wanted her? She was utterly confused.

"You're really going?" she asked. She remembered him saying he wanted to go someplace like that and start over. He wanted that with her? Hope sprang opened in her chest and joyful tears started to well inside her eyes.

"Its your fault," he said still holding her hand, "You've made me realize there are some things lacking in my life."

"Like what?"

"Like a life." He admitted simply.

"I didn't think you were listening."

"I was. Will you come? Don't say no." he said harshly, staring into her eyes as if her next words would make or break his life. She couldn't recall ever having this much power over a decision in her life. So much had happened…

"I just got back." She stated as if that would be a reason.

"So? Say yes…now. We leave tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? I can't leave now I have to talk to Stefan."

"Just come away with me. He'll get the idea in a week or two."

This couldn't be happening. He was just this good. In his business he knew how to talk his way through people. Make them see what he wanted. Manipulate them. Was he manipulating her?

"You are formidable aren't you? In business."

"This isn't business."

"Didn't you once say everything is business?" she asked.

"No, but it does sound like me." He said smiling, then his face dropped.

"What will you tell him?"

Elena couldn't think of what to say. His eyes were so beseeching of hers, and his lips were so close. Those soft lips she longed for, and before she knew it she was leaning in. A silent yes to answer his lips with hers. He took her face in his hands and put everything he had into this kiss. His want for her along with desire, and Elena realized he couldn't be misleading her. This was what he wanted. A life with her by his side.

A knock disrupted them, as Rose made her way into the office. "I did knock." She stated coming forward, "Here are the tickets," laying two envelopes on his desktop table.

A look of amusement passed on her face as Elena sprang away from Damon. Both alarmed to be disturbed from one another.

"The other things are being taken care of. Goodnight Mr. Salvatore." She said and exited the room.

Elena was astonished. Walking across the room she looked down on the table and side by side sat two tickets to Paris one in her name and one in his. He was serious. Realization dawned on her and her happiness overtook her. He wanted her. He wanted them to be together.

"You want dinner?" Damon asked, stepping up behind her so that she could feel his heat at her back. Her smile broke out wide on her face.

"No." she said smiling and looking down at the tickets in disbelief.

"You sure? I could order in…"

"Oh Damon," she said turning to throw her arms around him. She kissed his neck and then his cheek and stood back to look at him.

"I don't understand what happened. I hardly know you."

"Oh yes you do."
"I wasn't even interested."
"Gee, thanks." He said laughing it off as she hugged his neck.

"No." she said as giggles pealed out of her, "I was interested in Stefan." She said pulling back again, holding his hands and looking down. "He was so much what I wanted that I had to escape, and I did to Paris, and I wrote in my stupid journal, and I cut my stupid hair, and I came back more foolish than ever before. Oh Damon, I'm so happy. You've made me so happy!" she said once again throwing her arms around his neck, in jubilation.

Suddenly she felt him pulling away. His hands came up to take hers off of his shoulders, and he stepped away from her.

"Damon?" she asked, confused by the coldness entering into his eyes.

"No…" he whispered.

Turning his back he walked away silently towards the windows that lined his office. Staring into his own reflection he admitted almost to himself, "I can't do this."

"What is it? What's the matter?" Elena asked, fear lining her words.

"You were right."
"Right about what?"
"Right about everything. Everything that mattered. It was all a lie, everything I said to you from the moment I brought the champagne into the rose garden."
Elena gasped, as pain crushed her chest. Everything? His declaration of love at the lake house? When they made love? No. She couldn't believe it. No one could possibly lie that good.

"I don't believe you." She said in disbelief. What was he trying to prove?

"I was sent to deal with you. In many ways I sent myself, and I did a hell of a job. There was a marriage; there was a merger. You got in the way. The plan was to take you to Paris and then leave. To get you out of the way."

Damon turned away to look out the window once more as Elena felt her knees buckle underneath her; she grasped the desk behind her for balance as she attempted to make sense of what was happening. Damon didn't want her. It had all been a lie. Their time together, her giving herself away…She didn't want to believe it but his cold exterior told her something else.

How could she have been so wrong?

"Elena…" his voice came from behind her. She'd turned to look at the tickets once more. Remembering what Rose had said.

"She said other things were being taken care of. What other things?" she asked in an even voice. She didn't trust it not to break right now. Now that she was on the ledge of a broken heart.

"An apartment for you in Paris, and a bank account."

Wow. He'd planned this down to the letter. Going with the theme of absurdity she chose to test him.

"How much?"

"500,00 francs."

"You're first offer was better." She said, goading him her heart breaking by the second.

"You can have more." He said behind her.

"I don't want more. I don't want any." She said her voice breaking. She wanted no more of this, of him or any of it.

Rounding she stood to look at him. His appearance betrayed him. His eyes looked like the eyes of a man whose world was shattering around him. The sadness mirrored her own, but his stature appeared upright as he held on to the desk next to him.

"You went to all that trouble just for me? The lake house and the jet?"

"It was no trouble"

"Was I really so bad for Stefan? So wrong? The chauffers daughter; isn't that all over?"

"That's not it." He said blankly. "It's about a business deal."

"Business?"

"Nothing personal."

Elena scoffed; she couldn't believe he was feeding her that line. He might as well have said, 'its not you its me'. Looking down once more she was once again met with the solution that she could go to Paris. The ticket sat staring at her in the face, Premier AIR FRANCE stamped on the front.

Ultimately there was only one way to find out if what he told her was true. If he let her go to Paris by herself then he didn't really love her at all. If he did come they would be happy together. If he didn't, then she would be home. In a place to heal her heart once more.

Looking up at him she asked, "May I?"

He nodded and she lifted the ticket from his desk that had her name printed on it.

"Paris is always a good idea," she stated, turning to look into his eyes once more she declared, " I was happy there." Pausing for a brief moment she stepped forward and placed her hand on his face to add, "You would have been, too," as soft tears escaped her eyes and fell to the floor. Her soul practically begging him to reconsider and follow her to Paris, but when he didn't stop her she dropped her hand, and turned to pick up her purse as she headed for the door.

"I can drive you home." Damon stated, taking a step towards her.

Turning with what was left of her strength, she looked at him one last time, "I'm flying home." She declared and left. Exiting his office and his life.

What she didn't realize was that the second the door closed, the broken man behind the door fell to the floor, as realization hit that the love of his life could now be lost forever.

AUTHORS NOTE****************

/3 This chapter was the hardest one to write. Trust me it gets better. I know it doesn't seem like it could but just stick with me for a couple more chapters. ;)

Thanks for Reading/AWESOME REVIEWS! :D