Walking into the crowded Salty Goat Night Club, hair in messy waves- blue, spaghetti-strapped mini dress- and heels, Elena glances at Damon standing by the bar with a mob of women vying for his attention.
She wishes it didn't bother her to see how they're all fawning over him. But it does, and she can't help it.
Liam gives her a nudge and points to a table.
Elena nods, adding, "We need to get a booth or table with enough chairs. My friends are coming."
I'm going to use the bathroom." Liam excuses himself and makes his way through the crowd to the back of the club.
Elena's conflicting emotions are at war. She's certain Damon is a player and yet she can't help but want him. Although she nearly lost her mind with boredom the last time she was with Liam, she didn't say no when he asked her out again in hopes of raising Damon's hackles.
When she caught him sweet-talking that woman at the beach, anger ensued. It was obvious that whatever Damon was saying to the brunette affected her and Elena hates that it bothers her. She had to fight back the urge to walk up to them, pull the brunette away by the hair, and claim him for herself.
She starts when Liam whispers in her ear, "Is something the matter, Elena?"
She yelps in surprise at his sudden appearance blushing at the fact that she's been caught staring at Damon.
"Not at all..." she attempts to brush it off.
"What are we going to do tonight...?" Liam asks, smiling smarmily.
Elena smiles up at him, "Caroline, Rebekah, and Bonnie wanted to come here," she deflects shrugging, "and at this rate that might just be exactly what I need."
It has been way too long since she'd let loose, and since this trip with Damon is driving her near insane with... well- unwavering emotions. Large amounts of alcohol might just be what she needs.
Liam smirks, glancing up to see Damon glaring at him from the stage. He knows the man is the competition. He takes Elena's hand and spins her around. "A little booze, a little more ridiculously loud music, and when we leave, I can tell you about my fraternity..." he says close to her face.
"Sounds like a scintillating conversation." Elena fakes a smile while internally rolling her eyes.
Liam sits down and grins at Damon who looks like a volcano ready to burst so he is very pleased with himself. "We could talk horizontally..." he raises his eyebrows insinuatingly.
"No!" she lets out at the preposterous notion.
Liam lays his hands on the table and looks off to the side. "Well, I'm pretty good at persuasion..." his eyes focus back on her. "Who knows what the night may hold."
The Salty Goat is packed with college students, all of them eager to let loose and enjoy their spring break. The air is thick with the scent of sweat and alcohol, and the music is loud enough to make the walls shake.
The Ravens play with the energy and passion of seasoned professionals. Damon's voice is raw and powerful and Enzo's fingers fly over the guitar strings with lightning speed. Kai pounds out a driving beat on the drums that makes the crowd jump and dance.
As the night wears on, the band plays hit after hit, each one more electrifying than the last. The dance floor is packed with bodies, all of them moving to the rhythm of the music. The lights flash and swirl, casting the room in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Damon's eyes are fixated on Elena as he sings his heart out. She is standing in the front row, swaying to the rhythm of the music. Her eyes are closed, and she seems to be lost in the moment.
Damon is drawn to her. He is mesmerized by her beauty and the way she moves. He feels like he's singing just for her.
As the song continues, Damon locks eyes with Elena and smiles at her. She smiles back and he knows he made a connection with her although his smile fades when another guy takes her by the arm and leads her to a table.
He grits his teeth and continues to belt out the song.
Elena heads to the bar while waiting for her friends to show up and orders a shot of Tequila. She needs it to sublimate between being bored to tears with Liam and longing for Damon.
She tosses back the shot and asks for another. Where is Caroline, Bonnie, and Rebekah? Elena looks back at the table where Liam is sitting alone and she rolls her eyes.
Who cares? she determines. Her body is vibrating with energy and then she spots Damon again and almost sobers up.
"Damn him!" She curses out loud. With a little luck and more tequila, she might be able to forget Damon even exists.
Suddenly, squinting at the loud shriek of Caroline's voice, Elena turns around to find her friends, who have been imbibing, too.
"You ready to dance!" She slurs over the bumping music. "I love this song..." Caroline drunkenly remarks as she drags Elena, Bonnie, and Rebekah onto the dance floor.
Elena has had two shots but she's feeling pretty good herself.
All four of them begin moving to the beat of the music, hands rising in the air, their hips swaying as they sing badly and laugh at themselves for doing so.
Rebekah is soon pressing herself to Elena's front dancing up against her.
Elena rolls her eyes at her antics, but feeling the effects of the alcohol gives her a good buzz and she settles her hands on Rebekah's hips dancing with her to the music.
Elena smirks as a couple of guys approach their group, eyeing them lasciviously.
Caroline throws herself at the dirty-blonde-haired man and starts making out with him. Rebekah sidles up to a handsome black man.
"What's your name?" she asks as she runs her fingers down his cheek.
"Marcel. Come, dance with me," he takes her hand and they start to sway together.
Elena glances over her shoulder and locks eyes with Liam as he closes the distance between them.
"I think you've made me sit by myself long enough," Liam appears, their lips a breath away and she notices the glazed look in his eyes.
Elena knows she won't do anything serious with him but she did invite him to join her. She rotates her hips into Liam and looks away locking eyes with a pair of fiery blue ones.
Liam's arms aren't the ones she wants on her. Elena puts on a little show to entice Damon.
Damon is staring from the stage, eyes as black as onyx. He groans involuntarily as he feels a throbbing against his dark jeans. Good thing he has his guitar to hide his crouch. His gaze is fixed on Elena, she's flipped his world upside down.
And what is he going to do about it? Her father is not someone to be trifled with. He'd have no qualms about sending his goons to mess Damon up or more likely kill him. He never expected a simple babysitting job would turn into something so unexpected.
He can't help the way his heart races every time he sees her. Damon tries to focus on his music, but his mind keeps wandering back to her. He is consumed by his feelings for her.
He knows he should keep his distance for both of their sakes, but he can't help himself. Damon finds himself peeking out of his suite curtains like some damn peeping tom just to catch a glimpse of her at the hotel. He's not in control and it's making him crazy because he doesn't know what to do. Does he throw his arms up and admit defeat or just find more distractions?
When the set ends, elevator music begins to play. Damon marches to the bar to throw back a glass of bourbon in one gulp. He grabs the redhead who's been vying for his attention and pulls her to the dance floor.
He urges her toward Elena. Damon pulls the stranger against his body moving to the music hoping the doe-eyed object of his affection will notice.
The moment their eyes lock, he gives her that cocky little smirk.
Elena feels anger billow inside her but tries not to give him the satisfaction of knowing it. She turns in Liam's arms and begins swaying her hips against him as their lips hover closer.
Just as Liam is poised to kiss her, she is being yanked away.
"Alright, I think you've had enough fun for the night..." Damon growls pulling Elena by the arm and walking away.
"Let go of me! You can go back to your redhead..." She walks back toward Liam. "I'm having fun with my date."
"I don't think so Elena, you're either coming with me willingly or unwillingly..." he attempts to reach for her again, but Liam moves to stand in front of him.
"You heard her. Elena and I are having fun." Liam holds her to him.
Damon smirks cockily. "How freaked out are you right now?"
"I feel a little threatened, but I think I could take you."
Damon smirks. "Confident. Pfft. Sexy."
"Damon!" Elena looks at him.
Both men stare at her with hardening expressions and Damon says through clenched teeth, "We're leaving Elena."
"You don't have to go anywhere you don't want to..." Liam interrupts.
"Don't you have to finish playing?" Elena asks, crossing her arms over her chest. "And why are you interfering with my date? Where's your other girlfriend tonight?"
"I told you I don't have a girlfriend," Damon counters in agitation, his jaw locking in anger.
Elena's face softens slightly and she turns to Liam. "I'll be right back okay..." she gives him a slight smile as she grabs Damon's arm and drags him outside.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" She spits the moment the door closes the door behind them.
"Nothing..." he growls, "You look like you've had way too much to drink and I don't want that asshole to take advantage of you?"
"Why do you care?" She counters, poking her index finger in his chest. "You're jealous! Why not come out and admit it..."
"I'm not jealous Elena! I don't get jealous! It's not like we even know each other."
"Then why the hell won't you leave Liam and me alone!" she hisses. "You don't own me..."
Silence roars between them like a heartbeat.
"Oomph..." Elena groans into Damon's mouth when he pins her against the wall and takes her lips.
As their kisses grow more frantic, Damon gives in to her... completely.
He wants Elena...badly.
His kisses are smoldering her with desire. The way his tongue sweeps into her mouth tentatively and imploringly has a sweetness to it. Her heart quickens, so mustering as much strength as she can, she pushes him away.
"We shouldn't...Liam is waiting for me," Elena says, raising her palm when he moves to step closer. That searing kiss has stirred something in her.
As if he's reading her mind, Damon stalks over to her, his face mere millimeters away from hers. He places a chaste kiss on her lips whispering, "Tell me to stop... tell me that you don't want me and I'll leave you alone, Elena..."
Words die on her lips the moment he presses his mouth against hers. His lips shower hers with attention, cupping her breasts and laving the fullness that peeks out above the plunging neckline of her dress. Her head goes back as he brings his erection to her core and grinds against her; her dress riding up her legs with the motion and his seeking hand.
"Damon!" Elena gasps at the feel of him and her fingers get lost in his hair.
"Elena? Where are you?" comes from behind them and they jump apart.
Enzo's voice comes next, "Damon, you out here?"
"I'll be right in, Bonnie. I needed a little air," Elena returns as she straightens her hair and dress.
"I'm here, Enzo. I'll be there in a few seconds" Damon calls aloud.
They both head for the door without exchanging another word. Damon stops her from opening it.
"Elena?"
"I need to get back to Liam," she says without looking at him.
Damon isn't happy, but he says nothing else.
Opening the door, they are greeted by the still loud pumping music. He holds it open for her and rejoins his bandmates.
Damon steps away from the microphone for a moment as they get ready to wrap up the night.
The bass thumps in the chest of every person in the room, and the music seems to take on a life of its own.
As the band launches into their final song, the crowd erupts into cheers and applause.
Damon takes a bow, sweat pouring down his face. Enzo smashes his guitar to the ground in a wild burst of sound and fury.
Elena watches raptly as Damon jumps off the stage and strides over to her and Liam.
"Get lost, jerk or do you want another pissing match?" Liam scoffs at him.
Damon yanks Elena away from Liam.
Without warning, his mouth is on hers. He kisses her roughly. Completely unyielding. His hands are on the back of her head, holding her in place. And for a long, suspended moment, Elena's frozen, unsure whether she wants to push him away. Then, heat spreads through her all at once, and she kisses him back.
And, oh, it is good...
Thank you all so much for reading.
Chapter title: Green Is the Color by Pink Floyd.
Paler Shade of Death next.
Have an amazing weekend. Happy Easter to those who celebrate.