AN: Hey Fam! I'm sorry for the delay; I have written and re-written parts of this chapter a couple times, trying to get it right. I ended up writing this chapter backwards lol. It's longer than usual to make up for it 😊 We start seeing a bit of Damon's backstory, and this chapter is just the tip of the iceberg. Things won't be a hundred percent explained off the hop, so strap in for a rollercoaster ride. Insert angst here lol. Also let's establish that based on my calculations *pushes glasses up nose* Damon is thirty-five and Bonnie is thirty-two, in case anyone was curious.
WARNING: Mature Content NC-17
Enjoy! - Vanessa
I Had to Know you – Part IV
We should leave our lovers, we should, we should leave our lovers
I need you like no other, no I'll never find another
.
Damon tossed his keys on the counter, still buzzing from the evening's events. He could still taste her kiss, feel her hands curling in his shirt, hear the whisper of his name on her lips. He didn't think he'd ever tire of hearing it. He shed his shoes and jacket, before pouring himself a drink. He was only two sips in when there was a knock at the door.
He sauntered over wondering who could be here so late, and he let out a sigh when he looked through the peephole. Damon yanked it open and the unexpected visitor walked right in without invitation. With a scoff, he slammed the door shut, turning to face her. "What the hell are you doing here, Katherine? How did you even get in?" He didn't have the energy for her tonight.
She smirked. "I have my ways." He leveled her with a stern glare, and she rolled her eyes, producing a key from her pocket and tossing it on the counter. "Sue me."
"What are you doing here?" he demanded again.
She walked up to him slowly, like a panther, one foot in front of the other. "You've been avoiding me. We had an appointment."
His jaw clenched as she ran a finger down his chest. "I've been busy."
Katherine's dark eyes looked up at him through thick lashes. "Too busy to play with me?" she asked coyly.
Stepping back, Damon put some distance between them. "Look, I don't know if that's such a good idea anymore, Katherine." It shouldn't have happened in the first place, but he'd been drinking…heavily, and she caught him in her web.
Her smirk fell. "You're joking."
"I'm not." He finished his drink and pushed passed her to refill it.
Her lips pursed tersely, as she turned to look at him, his back to her. "Is there someone else?" The muscles in his shoulders tensed, and Katherine closed the distance running her hands over them. "Because I already told you…" she placed a kiss along his shoulder blade. "I'm more than happy to welcome a new plaything to our little game." She whispered.
Damon pulled away briskly, removing her hands from his body. "Not a chance in hell."
She scowled at him. "Well you're in a mood today."
"I'm tired of this little game, Kat. Maybe I want something more…" he swallowed the lump in throat. "With someone else."
It started with a small giggle, that turned into a full bellied laugh. "Wait…this wouldn't have anything to do with Bonnie, would it?" She snarked, earning a look for surprise from Damon when he snapped his head up. "Come on, Damon…like I wouldn't figure it out. You don't even have a password on your phone."
Noted. "You are a special kind of crazy, you know that?"
"Duh. Why do you think the sex is so good. We had an appointment." She repeated hotly. "And you bailed."
He shrugged. "I'm sure you can find some other poor soul to sink your teeth into. Never stopped you before." He grumbled under his breath, finishing his drink.
"Oh please…are you still sour about that? You know that monogamy was never really my thing." She saw the seriousness on his face, and her brows pinched together. "You don't actually think you have a shot with her, do you? She's not some dumb club rat that will fall for all your usual lines…not to mention she's taken." Kat added pointedly.
Damon scoffed, filling his glass again. "She can do better than him."
"Yeah, she can do better than you too." That earned a glare from over his shoulder. "If she only knew the Damon I do…" She walked towards him slowly, looking at him from over her lashes. "All the nasty kinks you have, the things you're capable of...she'd never look at you the same. There's a bit of darkness in you, Damon, and something tells me Bonnie doesn't like a monster in her man."
"Watch it." He warned with a growl through clenched teeth.
"There it is." Katherine laughed, before continuing on, unaffected. "She might not, but I do." She ran her hands up his chest. "Admit it, baby…I know all your dirty little secrets; I know what makes you tick. I'm the first woman you ever loved. Do you honestly think we'll ever be over?" she whispered nuzzling her nose against his neck.
Damon closed his eyes, trying to keep his composure. He didn't want to admit it, but she held something over him. There was once a time when he would have hung the moon for her if she asked; he would have crawled over broken glass for that woman and smiled while doing it. He was young, dumb and broke then, and she was the alluring and mysterious older woman that had him mesmerized. She gave him something he hadn't had in a long time…a place to call home. She was only five years his senior, but she was worldly and experienced and boy, could she show him a thing or two. What had started as a casual sexual encounter, turned into him falling head over heels for her and there was still a younger version of him that held tight to something that was long gone.
"I mean…" She shot him a sickeningly sweet smile. "I am your wife after all."
He leveled her with a glare. "Estranged." He corrected. "We've been over for a long time."
Her eyes hardened in that terrifyingly diabolical way that still made him nervous after all this time. "Oh we're over? Then why haven't you signed the divorce papers, Damon? Why have you been warming my bed for the last few weeks?" Katherine softened, going from hot to cold in an instant, a sly smirk on her face as she leaned into him. "This little arrangement was your idea…remember? You need me, because without me…you'd be going nowhere fast." She patted his chest, leaning up to kiss his cheek as he stood as still as a statue. "Have a good night." She crossed back to the door, spinning around. "Oh, and don't forget…we have dinner at La Vida next weekend with the mayor and his wife."
The door slammed shut behind her, and Damon closed his eyes. What had he gotten himself into?
…
The next morning Damon pulled himself out of bed, nursing a serious hang over. He spent the rest of the night drinking, his thoughts rolling around in his head trying to figure out how he got himself into this situation with Katherine.
Popping a couple of Advil, he hopped in the shower and let the hot water wash over him. He took his time getting ready, already dreading the day ahead of him. His mother was unpredictable. She could be having a good day; happy, relatively sober, and excited to see her boys…or, and more likely, she could be strung out, bitter and not in the mood for company.
On his way out the door, he called Bonnie, hoping that hearing her voice would ease his anxiousness after his unexpected visit last night, but after a few rings it went to voicemail.
…
When he and Stefan rolled into their mother's less than desirable neighborhood, he noticed his brother's wince of disapproval. The building was weathered, and in need of maintenance, and there were a couple people hanging out on the street corners. "All I'm saying is, I hope you know what you're walking into, Stef." He warned as they got out of the car. "She's not the same person you knew back then."
"I'm not a child, Damon, I can handle it." Stefan insisted as they walked up the side walk to the entrance of the apartment. They had been bickering back and forth the whole ride over.
"Yeah, just like when you literally fled to the other side of the country." Damon argued back.
Stefan shot him a look. "Are you done?"
The older brother smirked as he rang the buzzer, the two of them now standing shoulder to shoulder. "For now." The intercom buzzed loudly, letting them in, and they made the climb up to the fifth floor. Damon stopped at her door, releasing a heavy sigh and glancing at his phone. Still nothing from Bonnie. He tried not to let it bother him, but it was unsettling. Was she rethinking things? Having second thoughts? He wished he knew…
When the locks clicked open, Damon tucked his phone away and forced a smile to his face. "Hey mom. Look who I found."
…
Bonnie smiled at the waitress when she left their mimosas on the table. "Thank you for inviting me out today. It's been a long time since I've had some girl time."
"Of course!" Caroline said animatedly, eyes wide like a Disney princess. She had asked her to join in on her NYC shopping spree, and grabbing some brunch while Damon and Stefan met with their mother. "This has been so much fun; I don't ever want to leave." There was a small pause before she leaned forward, mischief in her eyes. "So…what's going on with you and Damon?"
Bonnie nearly choked. "Um…what?" she stalled taking a minute to collect herself.
"Oh come on, you can't pretend like the sparks aren't flying between the two of you! Spill!" She grinned excitedly.
Nervously tucking her hair behind her ear, she thought about what she wanted to divulge. Caroline was sweet, and in even in this short period of time, she felt comfortable around her…and she really could use a sounding board for her dilemma. "Damon and I have been friends for a few months." She settled on.
Caroline's eyes narrowed skeptically. "Just friends?"
"Yeah…until Friday night." She admitted, her face flushing in embarrassment.
"Shut up!" She exclaimed.
"We kissed…and it was good. Like really good." Bonnie blinked, just thinking about it sent a jolt straight to her core. "But as much as I want more, I know I shouldn't." she concluded, eyes landing on her hands in her lap.
The blonde frowned. "Why not?"
With a heavily sigh, Bonnie braved a glance back up. "I have a boyfriend…" She covered her face with her hands, ashamed. "It's terrible of me, I know; I should have never let it get that far, but he's just so…perfect." She was expecting a look of judgement, or disappointment but Caroline offered her a comforting smile.
"Yep, those Salvatore's sure know how to get under your skin. I get it…when I met Stefan, I was seeing someone else too." Bonnie reeled back, surprised. "Mhm. We were engaged; I even had a dress picked out. I fought it for a while, we both did…but one day we just stopped, and the rest is history." She finished with a shrug.
Bonnie gnawed on her lower lip. "And the other guy? What happened with him?"
"It was messy." She admitted somberly. "But it was the best thing for me, and for him. And when it was all said and done…I was happier than I'd been in years." An elated smile split her face.
Bonnie took a moment, thinking it over. Could she take that risk? Could she throw her whole life with Jeremy away after just one kiss? No…no she couldn't. But could she stop after having a taste? No… her mind answered for her.
"You should do what feels right. For you. Not for Damon or your boyfriend…you." She stressed, pointing a long-manicured finger in Bonnie's direction. "Look, Bon, I don't know you that well, and I don't know your boyfriend or what your relationship with him is like, all I've seen is what you're like around Damon, and from where I'm standing…you looked happy."
The rest of their afternoon was spent strategically skirting the subject of the handsome blue-eyed man, and Bonnie was grateful. It was bad enough she'd neglected to answer the last couple of texts he sent, not fully prepared to deal with what would follow. It was a mistake. Bonnie tried to convince herself. But it didn't feel like a mistake when you made it, did it? She argued with herself internally, but by the time she had made it home, she was firm in her resolve. This is crazy! Jeremy is the love of your life. People would kill to have what you have. You could never hurt him that way.
Walking in the door, Bonnie looked around in amazement. The apartment was spotless. Not a dish in the sink, not a throw pillow out of place. The tv was off and the couch was unoccupied. Was she in the right apartment?
"Hey!" Jeremy came out of the kitchen an adorable smile on his face dimpling his cheeks. "How was brunch?" He asked coming around and kissing her cheek. He was in jeans and nothing else, showing off his stocky frame and well-built shoulders.
Bonnie blinked. "Uh, good. Thanks. You cleaned." She stated impressed, dropping her purse on the side table and toeing off her shoes.
"Yeah, you've been working so hard, it was the least I could do." He shrugged casually, coming to stand in front of her, towering over her small frame. "Bon, I'm sorry. I've been in a funk lately and I feel like we haven't really been on the same page. But all that's gonna change. Matt got me a job on his construction site." He grinning proudly when Bonnie's eyes widened. "Yeah! I start Monday. I think it's going to be a good fit." He ran his hands up and down her arms affectionately.
"That's great, Jer." She breathed in relief. It was moments like this that made her remember why she fell for him in the first place. His boyish charm, the way he was able to ease her worries with a quirk of his lips.
"So I thought we'd celebrate. Let's go out tonight, just you and me. We can go to that restaurant you like in the Village, maybe catch a movie?" He raised a brow. "Come on, let me make it up to you." He was practically bouncing on his feet with excitement.
Looking up at him now, Bonnie felt a heavy guilt sit on her shoulders for what she'd done; for what she thought about doing. "Of course." She forced a smile, pushing down the tightening in her chest. "I'd love that." We can make this work. She thought to herself.
Jeremy wrapped her up in a tight hug, engulfing her in his arms, and she breathed him in. It was like being swaddled in a security blanket, suddenly all the uncertainties she felt melted away. She was being irrational; sure, they had their ups and their downs – what couple hasn't!? So he fell into a funk for a while, at least he was trying now, right? "I love you, Bonnie." He mumbled into her neck.
She felt tears spring to her eyes, and her heart clenched. "I love you too." This is exactly what she needed. This was a perfect opportunity to do what was right, and try to patch up the holes in this relationship. Jeremy pulled away, heading to their bedroom to get ready while Bonnie shed her jacket and tugged her phone out of her back pocket. It rang in her hand a second later, and a pang of anxiety ran through her. Damon was calling. What was she going to tell him? Bonnie was quick to silence it, but she stared at his name shellshocked. Her eyes darted to the bedroom, and could here the shower turn on. She wanted to answer it, if only to hear his voice, but something inside forced her not to. Bonnie sighed in relief when the phone stopped ringing, and placed it face down on the kitchen island as she reached into the fridge for a drink.
She took a minute to process, sipping her water as she leaned against sink. What had she gotten herself into? About to flip her whole life upside down for some handsome stranger she met in an elevator? That's insane. No, she wasn't that type of person.
The phone buzzed shortly after, and she straightened, snatching it off the counter with shaking hands.
1 New Voicemail
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Bonnie pressed play and put the phone to her ear.
"Hey Bon…I don't really know what to say, but I guess I just wanted to hear your voice." Her lips curled into a smile. "I want you to know, that if you're freaking out about all this, I don't blame you. If you need some time or space, I can do that. But I can't stop thinking about you and about that kiss…" Bonnie licked her lips instinctively, and a jolt of desire shot through her; his voice was deep and husky warmed her belly. "Just don't be too hard on yourself, okay?"
The line went dead, and Bonnie released a heavy sigh. She was relieved that he was so understanding but also more torn than she had been five minutes ago. With only a few words, he was able to stir up a whack of feelings she spent the last 12 hours trying to push down.
…
It was their first date in months, and it was exactly what Bonnie hoped it would be. It was like stepping back in time. They laughed, they talked, they threw popcorn at hipsters from the back row of the theatre. It was a perfect night, and the day that followed was just as great. It was like the two of them were starting fresh. That was, until Monday night.
Bonnie had come home from work, exhausted from the long day, to find Jeremy packing a bag in the bedroom. "Hey…going somewhere?"
He glanced up with a brief smile. "Hey, yeah, the boys are heading up to the Hamptons, didn't you get my text?" He asked confused.
Bonnie blinked. "No…my phone died." Her brows furrowed. "What about your new job?"
He came around the bed standing before her. "It didn't really work out. But it's fine, cause after this I'm going to really buckle down and find something that's better suited to me. I can do better than low paying grunt work."
Her whole body was tense as she fought the urge to lose her cool. "But it was a job. Something reliable." She gave her head a shake, about to walk out of the bedroom, only to turn back. "You're going to the Hamptons on a week day?"
He shrugged, completely oblivious to her anger. "Yeah, spring break." He stated as if it was obvious. While Bonnie didn't keep in contact with her friends from high school, Jeremy was still friends with the spoilt, rich assholes he used to hang out with. They had the luxury of not working, or taking extended vacations to Cabo, or trips to the Hamptons or Aspen, and Jeremy was quick to tag along for the free ride. "Wait, you aren't mad, are you?"
Bonnie couldn't help the sarcastic laugh that slipped out. "Nope. I'm not mad." She stated, forcing a smile that were he looking at her instead of responding to a text, he'd know she was lying. "Go. Have fun." She seethed on the inside.
He looked up finally. "Cool. Thanks babe." He threw his bag over his shoulder, kissing her cheek as he passed her on his way to the door.
While she was still shaking with anger, Bonnie was grateful for the solitude. She made herself dinner, something she wanted for a change, and she took a hot bath, listening to the soothing voice of Sade, however it wasn't enough to take the edge off. Now that she was left alone with her thoughts, one person popped into her mind…and he refused to leave. She paced a short path on the floor of her kitchen, nails tapping against each other nervously, staring at the phone resting on the island. Should she call him back? What would she say? Finally, her mind made up, she grabbed her phone and keys, and slipped into her shoes before rushing out the door.
…
With all the events of this weekend, Bonnie's name flashing on his phone was a relief. The meeting with his mom had not gone well. Stefan walked out of there with all his illusions of his mother shattered, and in normal fashion, Damon had to pick up the pieces. "Bonnie, hey." He breathed settling back into his lounge chair.
"Hey…"she let out a shaky sigh, collecting herself. "Have you ever done something crazy?" she rambled. "Like so crazy, you have to question your own sanity?"
Damon ran a hand over his face, with an ironic laugh. "Lately…more often than I care to admit." He wasn't surprised by the random question; it wasn't the first time she'd called asking him something completely out of the blue, and he sure as hell hoped it wasn't the last. "Bonnie, if this is about the other night…" He started, but she continued on.
"I don't do crazy things. I usually take the safer route. Do the right thing. My moral compass is straight as an arrow." He could hear the uncertainty in her tone, and he grew concerned for her.
Leaning forward, Damon sobered. "Is everything okay?"
"I don't know." She chuckled nervously. "I'm either about to make a choice that will either be the biggest mistake of my life…or the opposite. And honestly…I'm not sure which one scares me more."
He waited a beat, realizing the gravity of her answer. "How will you know?"
Bonnie sucked in a deep breath on the other end. "I guess we'll find out. Come outside." She breathed.
Damon shot to his feet, padding barefoot to the door and wrenching it open. He was down the steps and at the front door of the brownstone apartment within seconds. He stopped when he saw Bonnie standing on the other side of the door through the glass window. She was stunning in a way he hadn't seen before. Skin free of any make up, and her hair tousled from running her hands through it. She was in converse, a change from her usual heels, leggings and a cropped pull over sweater that showed just a silver of her midriff. He blinked, opening the door, his mouth hung open while he watched her breath heavily.
She was stunned. She didn't know what she expected when she saw him, but she was not prepared for this. He was bare foot, in low hanging grey sweats and a white t-shirt that clung to his chest and arms. His hair was wet, fresh from a shower she assumed. She'd never seen his eyes look this blue. Swallowing thickly, Bonnie joined him at the top of the stairs biting down on her lower lip. "Hey…"
Damon's lips spread in a smile. "Hey…"
Bonnie didn't waste another second thinking, instead she snaked an arm around his neck, pulling him down for a heated kiss. Damon reciprocated with fervor lifting her effortlessly into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist. She felt so good pressed up against him, her scent surrounding him and making him drunk with lust. His fingers buried in her hair, cradling her head as he tangled his tongue with hers. He stumbled back into the building, kicking the door shut and expertly carried her up the stairs. She weighed next to nothing in his arms, but his fingers held her tight, gripping her voluptuous ass and thighs grinding her into him. She moaned into his mouth, and he had to resist the urge to take her right there in the stairwell.
He didn't release her until they were back in his bedroom, and he let her fall back on the mattress, crawling over her like a lion stalking its prey through the tall grass. Her heart hammered in her chest as she stared up at him, lips swollen from his kisses and her green eyes blown out with desire. Suddenly, everything slowed down, and Damon was taking his time appreciating her laying beneath him.
One hand supported him above her, the other trailed down her chest, fingertips caressing the bare skin of her stomach. He pushed it up slowly, his eyes never leaving hers, silently asking for permission, and she nodded, lifting her arms so he could peel the sweater from over her head. He let out a shaky sigh at the sight before him, she wore nothing underneath it but a black bralette, her pert nipples poking through the thin material. He let his thumb brush over them, earning a whine from Bonnie, and with a groan of his own, Damon sat up on his knees, ripping his shirt off from over his head, and tossing it unceremoniously in the corner of the room.
He claimed her mouth again, settling himself between her supple thighs, trailing kisses down her neck and chest, enclosing his wet mouth around her covered breast, making her cry out and undulate her hips against his. She was completely lost to her hunger for him, her only thought was to get closer. Her hands ran through his hair wantonly, exploring the expanse of his bare shoulders and back as he made his way further down her body, kissing her flat stomach and sending a flutter rippling through her. He glanced up at her, looking down at him, her whole body trembling with need.
Agonizingly slow, Damon hooked his fingers into the waist band of her leggings, pulling them and her panties down her toned dark thighs, slipping her shoes off her feet. He released an exhale, running his hands back up her legs and spreading them. When he glanced back up, he got to witness the delicious arch of her back and the underside of her round breasts as she released them from her bralette, tossing it to the corner with his shirt. She was perfection from her dusty brown nipples to the warm glow of her skin to the womanly curve of her hips.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked her breathlessly, running his finger down her wet folds appreciatively.
She nodded emphatically. She couldn't say no even if she wanted to. Her whole body was on fire, and she squirmed under his tender exploration.
Damon nuzzled into her thighs, kissing around her mound affectionately. "I need words, Bon…" he rumbled huskily, nipping at the skin between her legs.
Bonnie keened, throwing her head back into the pillow. "Yes…yes, Damon, please."
He smirked up at her, satisfied with her answer. He buried his face between her legs, relishing in the way her hands tunneled into his hair, holding him there. Her grip only fueled him further, lapping at her in a combination of slow and fierce, taking cues from the way she thrashed around beneath him. It wasn't long before she was careening over the edge, bucking into his mouth as he continued to draw out her orgasm.
She was a panting mess when he loomed over her again, fully undressed now, his massive length bobbing against his abs. She watched drunkenly as he stroked himself slowly, ripping open the little foil packet with his teeth and rolling it on. He nudged at her opening tentatively, preparing her for him, but what he wasn't expecting was her linking her legs around his waist, pulling him down into her in one deep stroke. He had to drop his head to her shoulder, groaning at the delectable warmth and tight fit of her surrounding him. "God, Bonnie…" he hissed, pulling out slowly, only to sink back in.
Her mouth dropped open, her breath stolen from her lungs as he started a deep and sensual pace. He was reaching places inside her that she'd never felt before, grinding his pelvis against her, and adding a mind-blowing pressure to her clit. The build up was incredible; each stroke, every breathless pant of her name making her climb higher.
His hands were everywhere, increasing her pleasure, and bringing her closer to him still. When his tongue lapped at her nipple, it was enough to set her off; clamping down hard on him and coming harder than she'd ever had. Damon growled, rutting into her faster, drawing it out and chasing his own release, snapping his hips against her a few more times before moaning into her neck.
After catching his breath, he raised his head, watching her face for any sign of regret, and was relieved when she smiled giddily, bringing her hand up to brush the hair from his forehead. "You okay?" he asked. He was bigger than average, and she was so small, the last thing he wanted was to hurt her.
"I'm great." She whispered. "That was…" she swallowed bashfully. "It's never been like that for me."
Damon brushed a thumb over her cheek, then her full lower lip. "This is just the beginning, Bonnie…I'm gonna take you places you've never been before." He promised, and he moaned when her muscles squeezed his softening member. He pulled out slowly, and kissed her lips. "Don't move." The demanding edge in his tone sent a shiver up her spine, and she watched as he rolled off her, sauntering confidently to the bathroom.
She smiled, lolling her head to the side to watch his naked ass leave the room. She was still coming down from her high when he came back to join her in the bed, rolling her to lay on top of him. Her hair fell around her face as she braced herself on his chest, smirking down at him. His hands coasted up from her thighs to her hips, up her sides to her breasts and back down again. "You are so beautiful." He smacked her ass, earning a squeal of laughter from her and he shot up wrapping his arms around her and smashing his lips to hers.
Damon spent hours pleasing her, bringing her close to orgasm only to leave her wanting more, writhing and desperately clinging to him. She didn't have a thought in her head besides what Damon was doing to her, and she found herself slipping into slumber with him curled up behind her.
…
AN: oooohhhweeee! *Fans herself* that was fun! LOL I hope you liked that chapter. We have some twists that will be explained in later chapters where Damon's relationship with Katherine is concerned. Thank you for being patient with this one, as it took me a while to get it posted. I think this story is going to end up being longer than anticipated because there is a lot I need to uncover and I don't want to rush it. Thanks for reading! - Vanessa