The scent of pine needles and lingering Christmas cheer hung heavy in the air as Caroline and Stefan stood on Bonnie's doorstep, laden with shopping bags overflowing with last-minute souvenirs. Their faces, however, betrayed a hint of sadness amidst the forced cheer.

"Alright, lovebirds," Caroline said, her voice laced with mock seriousness, "we hate to interrupt your post-Christmas bliss, but duty calls us back to Mystic Falls. Alaric's throwing a New Year's Eve bash, and apparently, there's a karaoke machine involved. We wouldn't dare miss the opportunity to inflict Stefan's questionable singing skills on the unsuspecting masses. And I am starting to miss the twins."

Stefan chuckled, wrapping his arm around his wife's shoulders. "Besides," he added, his gaze shifting between Bonnie and Damon, "it's about time you two had some quality time alone."

Bonnie felt a blush creep up her cheeks, but a playful smile tugged at her lips. Their unexpected reunion with her friends had been a whirlwind of laughter and shared secrets, but there was an underlying tension between her and Damon, a yearning for something more intimate, something only they could share.

"Thanks for everything, guys," she said, her voice warm with gratitude. "It wouldn't have been the same without you."

Caroline squeezed her hand. "Anytime, Bon. And remember," she leaned in conspiratorially, "if things get a little too hot and heavy in here, you can always crash at my place."

With a wink and a mischievous grin, Caroline and Stefan turned to leave. As the front door closed behind them, muffling the sound of their receding car, the air crackled with a sudden intensity. Damon, his eyes blazing with desire, turned to Bonnie.

"Finally," he murmured, his voice a husky rumble. "We can be alone together."

He cupped her face in his hands, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. Before she could respond, his lips met hers in a kiss that was both desperate and tender. The lingering sweetness of gingerbread cookies mingled with the intoxicating scent of his cologne, creating a heady mix that sent her senses reeling.

They explored each other hungrily, a pent-up desire finally unleashed. His hands, strong and possessive, roamed across her back, sending sparks dancing across her skin. She felt a sigh escape her lips, a mixture of relief and yearning that echoed his own.

They tumbled onto the couch, a tangled mess of limbs and unspoken promises. The crackling fire in the hearth cast long shadows on the room, painting the scene in a warm, intimate glow. As Damon trailed kisses down her neck, his touch sending shivers down her spine, Bonnie knew this wasn't just a fling, a post-Christmas rebound. This was real, a connection that transcended the boundaries of friendship, a love story waiting to be written.

"Damon," she whispered, her voice husky with desire, "I…I want this."

He stopped, his gaze searching hers. "Bonnie," he said, his voice rough with emotion, "I want this too. More than anything."

And as their lips met again, the taste of possibility mingled with the lingering sweetness of Christmas cookies. "I love you.", he whispered into her hair. She couldn't get enough of hearing it.

I love you too.", she mumbled into his chest and wrapped her arms around him. She could only focus on the softness of his lips as they covered hers. Her senses were filled with his scent, his taste, his touch, and the sound of their lips moving over each other. She wanted to tell him how happy she was. Just like she knew he felt the same.

She kept her eyes closed to relish the rush of emotions coursing through her but opened them halfway a few times, just to make sure that her mind wasn't tricking her. That he was really here. His fingers started exploring the silky fabric of her dress.

They were soft touches, barely there, but they seemed to burn a path through her skin when they moved from her hips to the small of her back and up to the lacy straps covering her shoulders. As if they had a mind, they started to unbutton his shirt.

He assisted her in removing his shirt. He finished taking it off leaving him bare chested. Bonnie looked up into his eyes and could see they were almost black with desire. He seemed to be shaking when he crashed his lips to hers again.

Carefully, he took both her hands in his and moved them to his chest. She complied willingly, ecstatic to finally be allowed to touch him like this. She explored his upper body with her fingers. His broad shoulders, His strong chest. His soft and yet firm belly. The trail of hair led south to the place that had yet to be uncovered. Everything about him felt so manly.

He moaned at her touch and breathed heavily into her open mouth before meeting her again in a searing kiss that made her knees weak. His hands wandered down to her butt. Stroking her firmly before squeezing her. Feeling her over the fabric of her dress.

She slowly ran her hands even further south brushing him lightly but it was enough to feel how much he wanted her. He groaned lowly and squeezed her buttocks much tighter than before. "Bonnie…", he sighed and pushed his hips forward. It was the most arousing thing she had ever experienced, him reacting to her touch like this.

His mouth moved to her cheek, trailing hot, wet kisses to her ear and down her neck. She couldn't help but sigh as every kiss increased the heat that was coursing through her body. She reached to loosen his belt, planning to remove his pants altogether. He let go of her but only to help her open his pants. Then he slid out of his shoes...With one swift move, he backed her to the wall, one hand on her posterior, the other holding her face. Then his mouth was on hers again, kissing her hungrily while his hand slipped from her face down her neck to her cleavage until he was gently cupping her breasts over her dress.

She gasped as he pinched her hardened nipples lightly. She moaned in response and cupped his erection over his briefs, eliciting a low grunt from him."Damon… can I touch you? Please?" She searched his eyes for permission.

He took a deep breath, it seemed he was trying to calm himself down. "Okay.", he croaked.

Carefully, she lowered his pants and wasn't surprised to find Damon bare in all his glory. She tried hard, not to stare, as he stood before her. Damon pulled her face up to him and kissed her softly. She lowered her hand and touched him, just softly, for the first time, holding his gaze. His chest was heaving and he stared back at her as if he couldn't believe this was happening.

Tentatively she encircled him and started stroking him up and down. She looked at his face, curiously studying his reactions to her touch. He seemed to like it, judging by the way he had closed his eyes now and the soft hums that escaped his mouth. Encouraged she grasped him firmly and started stroking him a little faster.

"Bonnie…", he moaned. Then he removed her hand from him and leaned down to whisper into her ear. "You should stop that now before everything is over way too soon."

She giggled. Who would have thought he would get so excited by this? By her. He pulled back a bit and looked her up and down. "You know, it seems a little unfair. I am completely naked, and you haven't even taken off one piece of clothing."

She chuckled lightly. "Well, you could change that if you want."

"Oh, I will.", he replied firmly. "But first, let me tell you how beautiful you look in this dress."

"You think so?", she whispered.

"I do.", he confirmed. "I almost don't want you to take it off." That had been a white lie of course. Because even though she looked ravishing, he had wanted to rip that dress from her body the moment Stefan and Caroline headed down the road to head back to Mystic Falls.

He captured her lips again. Because he had to admit, he was getting addicted to her kisses. And also, because he was trying to keep himself in check. Not being able to resist, he reached for the zipper on the back of her dress. "Can I?", he whispered, just to be sure. She bit her lips nervously. It was adorable. After all those years of making innuendos and trying to get into his pants, she was more nervous than he was. "Yes.", she breathed out and he kissed her again sweetly.

He lowered the zipper of her dress inch by inch. It was still held up by the lacy straps on her shoulders, so he reached for them and pulled them off her shoulders. The dress fell from her body, and he helped her step out of it, folding it too.

He then crouched down in front of her and her shoes before getting up again. He could hardly believe the view in front of him. She was wearing a matching lacy green bra and panty set. The color was the same as her beautiful eyes. "Did you wear this for me?", he asked hoarsely before he could stop herself.

Amy inhaled sharply. "Well…", she started nervously. "I bought them earlier this week. Even if I did not think you would see them, a part of me was still hoping. However far-fetched it seemed at that time."

Damon pulled her close. "I can't tell you how happy I am for the fact you got to see them after all.", she breathed out when he released her again. A warmth spread through him. He was happy too. More than happy. "Thank you for wearing them.", he whispered.

And then he couldn't help but kiss her again. He wondered if it would always be like this now. He had this urge to kiss her every chance he got. He started to explore her newly uncovered body. He was fascinated by the way she felt. The softness of her skin, her feminine curves. There was just one problem. "You're still wearing too many clothes.", he whispered into her ear before gently nibbling on her earlobe. He could feel her exhale shakily. She still seemed a little nervous. But she reached to her back to unhook her bra and bared herself to him.

The way she stood there, looking at him insecurely but not making any attempt to shield herself, he felt overcome with emotions. "You are so beautiful.", he stated firmly before kissing her again deeply. Then he hooked his fingers into her panties and after hesitating only for a second, she assisted him in pulling them off.

They were standing naked in front of each other. He took her in completely. He took her hand and led her over to the extra large sofa they had purchased together when Bonnie first moved into this house, making her lie down. Then he let his eyes roam over her again before lying down next to her. He had meant what he had said. She was so very beautiful. All of her.

She reached for his face and pulled him to her, and he leaned in, pressing his lips firmly to hers. Their mouths moved over each other hotly. She was playing with his hair again. Someday he would tell her how good it felt when she did that. But right now, he had no words.

Finally, he dared to let his hands roam free. Cupping her breasts, massaging them firmly. She moaned between kisses, and he moved his right hand lower. He gasped when he felt the wetness between her legs. It was clear she was just as aroused as he was. He explored her folds and started touching the spot she had shown him two nights before.

It did not take long for her to move her hips against his hand. She was almost there, he could feel it.

He stopped then. She groaned when he removed his hand for her. It must have frustrated her, him stopping when she was so close, but he would make it up to her. He started again kissing her lips and slowly kissing a trail down her neck to her collarbone. And then his mouth was on her breasts, covering them with hot, wet kisses, each one stimulating her immensely. He sucked hard on her nipple while pinching the other one with his fingers. She almost came from that alone.

Damon did not stop there. He started kissing her belly before moving even lower.

"Damon!", she moaned.

"Do you trust me?" he asked. "You know I do.", she whispered back.

And then Bonnie could not think all she could do was feel as Damon kissed her most intimate place. Encouraged by her moans, he started exploring her with his tongue. "Oh my god.", she sobbed. He had found the spot that made her go crazy and began licking it in broad circles. She was almost there already. It was then that Damon tentatively pushed two of his fingers inside her. He started pumping her slowly. He was so careful with her, so gentle.

Just when she thought she couldn't take anymore, he started sucking on her lightly. Her eyes shot open. This was insane. Her climax hit her with an intensity she had never deemed possible. She had no control anymore over the sounds that came out of her. The high-pitched moans, the sobs. And of course, his name again and again.

The pleasure did not seem to stop, because Damon was never letting up until she was completely spent. She had a hard time coming back to earth and processing what had just happened. She only knew that nothing, really nothing in her life had ever felt this amazing.

She was still heaving when Damon came back up to her, looking smug. She would have commented on it, but he had every reason to be.

"Damon… this was amazing.", she stammered, still out of breath.

"Good", he smiled at her, still looking proud of himself.

She reached for his head and pulled his face to hers.

"Please, Damon.", she whispered and bit her lips. She didn't have to say anymore. He knew what she wanted from him. He settled between her legs and let his erection slide through the wetness between her legs, groaning deeply. He pushed into her, a little faster than she had expected. "Oh!" she exclaimed, wincing lightly and closing her eyes. It felt more uncomfortable than she had anticipated. They had not gone this far the other night and it had been a while since she had been with anyone else.

"Look at me Bonnie," he demanded. It was the way he looked at her. With so much love mixed with worry. She knew he cared about her so deeply. It helped her relax her body.

And then, finally, he was fully inside her. "Bonnie…", he moaned helplessly. "You feel so good." Damon sped up his thrust as he felt Bonnie's tightness clench around him. "I…. I don't know if I can hold back much longer." Damon tried desperately to think about something else. Anything but this overwhelming feeling. Her quivering body was underneath him. The tight, wet heat around him.

He plastered her face with gentle kisses and breathed in and out steadily, trying to calm his excitement. He pulled out carefully and pushed back into her again. She felt even better now that she had relaxed a little. Slowly as to not lose control, he pushed into her again and again, while concentrating on her reactions to him. From the sounds she made, she seemed to enjoy it more and more. He almost lost his battle again, when she started moving with him, meeting his hips with every deep thrust. Her fingernails raking over his back stimulated him even further.

Watching her carefully he started pushing into her a little faster. It did not take long for her to wrap her legs around his hips, rubbing herself at him, her hands were gripping his shoulders, and he knew he was doing something right. It was amazing. He had to bite his lip to keep from finishing. Bonnie cried out and felt her contract around him. He crashed his mouth against hers, kissing her deeply as she fell apart.

It was the most incredible thing he had ever felt and finally, he gave in to his own pleasure, thrusting even harder and faster until everything inside him seemed to burst and he was flying. His whole body felt limp, and he collapsed on top of Bonnie, groaning her name. The triumph he felt overshadowed every other accomplishment he had ever made in his life.

He had made love to the woman he was destined to be with, a destiny that he didn't even know that he wanted. And it was wonderful. Divine. He watched Bonnie closely. Her chest was still heaving, her hair was completely tousled up, her eyes were closed, and judging by the goofy smile on her face, he knew she was just as ecstatic about this as he was.

She was his now. He had made her his. He had never understood this expression until this moment. They weren't just celebrating the end of a year, they were celebrating the beginning of something new, a love story born under the Texas sky, a love story that promised to be as sweet as the syrup poured over Bonnie's famous gingerbread house, and as spicy as the stolen kisses shared beneath the mistletoe. This New Year's Eve, they weren't just unwrapping presents; they were unwrapping each other, a delicious and unexpected gift that would change their lives forever.