"If you don't like the music, I can change it." He said as he backed out of the spot and sped off.
Elena felt herself being pushed against the seat. She let herself relax and replied, "No, it's fine. I don't have much of a preference when it comes to music."
"You don't?" Damon asked still speeding down the main drag of Mystic Falls. "I find that hard to believe."
"Why?" She asked turning to look at him.
His sideway glance sent chills down her spine. He was so close.
"Everyone preferences something. It just may take them time to understand what that is." His words were smooth as usual and she finally got her first scent of him. It was a sort of warm cologne he drowned in. She was not sure what brand, but it was delicious.
"Does that have do with your whole control thing?" She blurted out knowing she could be crossing a line, but by the smirk on his face he didn't seem offended.
"Knowing what you prefer gives you control of knowing what you want and how to get it." Damon explained to her and took a sharp turn. The Mystic Grill was up ahead and she figured that was where they were headed. "So yes, Elena, preference does have to do with control. I see you still recall our conversation in my office."
"More like interview." Elena stated. "And yes, how could I not forget."
How could she not forget that traumatic experience? It was awful and embarrassing and yet here he was, Damon Salvatore driving her around town and grabbing a drink with her. Clearly, she had not scared him off even after her what she thought was a horrible interviewing experience.
Pulling into a parking spot outside Mystic Grill, Damon turned off the car and quickly got out. Elena had her hand on the handle, but before she could get out Damon was already one step ahead of her. He was fast, she thought noticing he was at her door only milliseconds after he had shut his.
"Is this place all right? I know you work here and all." Damon locked his car and stared up at the dully-lit sign.
"It's fine." Elena lied. She wished they had gone somewhere else considering work was the last place she wanted to be at, but she was with him and that's all that really mattered.
"We can go somewhere else," he said pointing off into the distance. Was it obvious on her face that she wasn't thrilled with his choice? She felt transparent.
"No! It's fine, I promise." She shook her head and grinned at him.
"Then lets proceed." Damon held the door open for her.
The place was dead and Elena saw Matt working behind the bar collecting glasses. He stopped and stared at her as mister tall, dark, and handsome stood next to her. Much like Caroline she had a feeling Matt wasn't crazy about the guy either. She brushed it off and suggested a booth off in the corner where she didn't have to make judging eyes with Matt.
"What would you like?" He asked her.
"Um, you choose." She folded her hands on the table. "When it comes to drinks I don't really have a preference for that either."
"Now, I find that really hard to believe." Damon said seeming suspicious.
"What do you prefer?" Elena leaned forward. "I'll have what you're having."
That cold smile slithered onto his face. "I don't think you would enjoy what I prefer, not yet. I'll go up to the bar and get something."
What did he mean by she wouldn't enjoy what he preferred and not yet? Was there some drink out there she had never heard of? Was he going to introduce it to her? Elena was confused, but it did not sway her knowing it was probably one of his mood swings.
Damon returned with two short glasses filled to the brim with a dark brown liquid. Elena eyed it for a second and debated whether to drink it. She was always told to never take a drink from a stranger, but he seemed harmless. Hesitant to drinking it, she took a small sip and placed it back down. It was strong.
"Bourbon?" She licked her lips. "Is this what you prefer?"
"I prefer it, but there are other drinks I prefer more." He took a large gulp and leaned his elbows on the table.
"And that would be?" She tried to pry his answer out of him.
"Very persistent aren't we? What I prefer to drink really isn't important right now." Damon changed the topic. "So, you've lived in Mystic Falls all your life? That's what you said the other day."
"Yes," Elena took another sip, but a larger one. "All my life. Never took a step outside of it either."
"Really?" Damon cocked his head to the side.
"Yes, and I'm guessing you find that one hard to believe to." She joked with him and his harden features softened.
He replied, "You're family lives here too?"
Elena felt her heart drop into her stomach. She curled her fingers around the cold glass and stared down at it. Her family wasn't something she spoke of considering the tragic history that came with it. However, she was feeling bold and brave and took another gulp of the bourbon.
"Did." She stated. "They did live here. My parents passed away a few years ago. My brother, Jeremy is in college out of state and I live with my best friend in my family home."
The smile that swarmed his face faded and he grew serious. "I'm sorry about your parents Elena."
"It's not something I really talk about. Not often." She looked down and felt embarrassed knowing she had changed the mood of their conversation down.
Damon reached across the table and grabbed her wrist. His cold fingers gripped her arm lightly and she stared at him. The spark ignited in her and she felt breathless. Even drowning in the sorrow of her parents, she felt comfort in his touch. Maybe she could brave her past a bit more.
"I was there when they died." She spoke quietly with him still holding on to her and her eyes flickered from his hand, to her glass, to him. "We drove off the bridge and into the water. Our car submerged immediately and somehow I survived. I somehow managed to get out."
"Well, I would call that a miracle." Damon squeezed her arm and let go.
"That's what everyone says." She shook her head. "I just don't remember how I got out. I just woke up in the hospital."
Looking off beyond her, Elena watched Damon as if he concentrating on something. She turned around to find nothing behind her but the wall. It was one of his mood changes and she finished the rest of her drink.
"And that's my sad story." She laughed and pushed the glass aside. "What about you?"
Chapter 9: Expect The Unexpected
"What about you?" Elena huffed and crept her stare up slowly toward Damon, who was lost in the shadows of the corner booth.
Damon did not smirk, but proceed to swirl the melted remains of his ice cubes in his glass of bourbon. He finished the last large gulp and pierced his thin lips together. "One brother, younger. Parents not around. Not much to really share."
Not much to share? He barely gave her any insight into his life like she had. Judging by his demeanor he wasn't one to share and if he did it always led to more curiosity. Elena knew if she pushed and prodded him for answers he would only lead her farther away from where she started, although trying could only do little harm.
"And you've lived here all your life?" She asked crossing her arms and resting them on the table.
"Born and raised, but Mystic Falls hasn't always been my home." Damon replied bringing the corners of his lips to curl up ever so slightly.
"Where else did you live?" Elena continued to prod.
He exhaled a short chuckle. "Miss Gilbert, I do believe the interview was a few days ago."
"Sorry," she bowed her head. "I'm just trying to get to know you. I mean that is why you asked me for a drink."
"I asked you for a drink because I wanted to know more about you." His voice emphasized his last word. Elena for a moment felt discomfort with his presence and she drew distant letting her back hit the booth.
She pulled her phone from her pocket and checked the time. The thought popped into her head of excusing herself feeling the urge to catch her breath away from him, but as the thought became more plausible Damon brought her back.
"I'm sorry, I
don't mean to come off strong." He apologized. "I'm fond of you Elena."
Her heart nearly leaped out of her chest at his confession. Fond of her, Elena gasped. The shortness of her breath continued and she was beginning to be pulled back in. No discomfort, but desire. The desire to hold on to every word he said and contain her inner lust for him. Damon Salvatore was definitely interested. He was fond of her.
"I should probably be returning you home." Damon said altering the direction of the conversation.
No! She wasn't ready to leave him. Damon had just admitted he was interested and now he wanted to get rid of her? Elena grew urgent and felt herself losing control of the situation.
"What about another drink?" She tipped the glass hoping he would indulge in her offer.
"As much as I want to, I can't." He shook his head. "I have to head back to the office."
"Okay." Elena lowered her voice and grabbed her bag. "Let me use the bathroom first before you take me home."
He nodded and she slid out of the booth. Matt was still working behind the bar glaring at her as she walked across the restaurant toward the restrooms. The place was deserted, which was a rare sight for the grill. Only a few regulars occupied the bar stools and she was happy she wasn't on the clock.
As Elena washed her hands in the sink, she stared at herself in the dirty mirror. With barely any make-up and flat hair, she still couldn't understand what Damon Salvatore saw in her. She was nothing special and yet he was fond of her. His words wouldn't escape her mind. He was more than she ever imagined. Despite his bipolar behavior, she was quite fond of him too.
The door to the bathroom creaked open. Looking over her shoulder through the mirror, her heart stopped and she froze. Damon was standing behind her with lustful eyes. Those ice cold blue eyes that were intense and lying upon her.
"What are you doing in here?" Elena asked spinning around being thankful she was alone in the women's bathroom. Her eyes darted toward the door hoping no one would walk in making it an awkward situation to explain.
He didn't say anything and the intensity in his eyes grew. His shoulders were round and he kept his face stone straight. She held her breath staring back at him and cocking her head to the side. Suddenly, Damon came rushing toward her and she opened her mouth that was forced closed. His cold lips crashed on to her and the back of her legs made contact with the counter. The spark that ignited in her was now like a sparkler on the Fourth of July. His hand curled around the side of her neck and up to the bottom of her jaw. She melted at his touch and she kissed him back hard. Damon pressed his body against her feeling every part of him. Elena snaked her arm around him while the other made its way up to his hair. His lips left hers and continued his lustful kisses down her chin to her jaw line and to her neck. The sensation tingled and she closed her eyes letting him enjoy himself. He hovered at her neck and she felt his hot breath radiate off her skin. She wanted nothing more than for him to continue. However, the pleasure of him surprising her and giving her satisfaction she had been wanting for a while ended abruptly.
Damon turned his head away still breathing heavily and she grabbed hold of the counter to steady herself. "Damon." She sighed and he slowly turned back to her.
"We should go." He said looking around. "I don't want anyone to catch us."
Confused, Elena ran her hand through her hair and she pressed her lips tight together feeling the tingling sensation of his still upon hers. She had never been kissed like that before. She never had any boy want her like that. She never had made out in the bathroom of where she worked before. There was a first for everything she assumed.
"Come on." Damon grabbed her hand and pulled her out the bathroom. Her eyes went directly down to their conjoined clasp. With everything that just happened she would go anywhere with him gladly.
They hurried out the bathroom and to the exit of the grill. Elena didn't dare to look back knowing if Matt saw them leave the bathroom together and holding hands he would only have disappointment in his eyes. She was sure she would hear it from him later.
"Hey!" A man called out to them and she whipped around to see who it was.
A burly and scruffy looking man, who Elena had served plenty of times stepped in front of them. He was twice the size of Damon and she feared that he was drunk and looking to start a fight.
"Did you twos just come of the bathroom together?" He asked slurring his words. "You did. I'm gonna has to inform the manager about this. Yo….!"
Shit! This was the last thing she needed. If her boss came over and found out what she had done she was sure she would be out of a job. Elena hid behind Damon and prayed for the embarrassment to end.
"Buddy!" Damon said drawing the drunken man's attention back on them. She couldn't see Damon's face, but the man was like a deer in headlights. He stared at him with glazed eyes as he spoke to him softly. "You didn't see anything. You're drunk."
The glaze faded and the drunken man seemed to come back to reality. He laughed and stumbled pass them heading back to the bar. Relief hit her and Damon continued to drag her out of the grill. Once outside he unlocked his car and opened the door for her. Elena got in and buckled herself in. Within seconds Damon was in the drivers seat and speeding off down the main drag of Mystic Falls taking her home.
"What was that?" She spoke aloud shaking her head and staring out the windshield.
"What was what?" Damon asked.
"That man, he was like in a trance when you were talking to him." Elena explained.
He smirked and replied, "The guy had too much to drink."
The man was drunk and was probably almost incoherent, but there was something off with the situation back at the grill. Elena swore to she had seen the same glazed eye look on other people who had talked to Damon. Maybe she was seeing things, but it was odd.
Racing along the streets, Elena remained silent for the rest of the ride home. She didn't know what to say after their encounter in the bathroom. What do you say to someone after they abruptly kiss you out of nowhere and then end it without even acknowledging the situation? The only thing she was sure of was she wanted it to happen again. The way he kissed her with such force knowing he wanted her and lusted for her was exhilarating. She closed her eyes for a split second replaying the scene over and over again.
"What street do you live on?" He asked interrupting her joyous thoughts.
"Um, Manor Road." Elena said and looked over at him.
Damon was smiling making her nervous. Had he been watching her as she reminisced on their make out session? She decided to leave her eyes open knowing this way she could make sure he wasn't watching her.
Within minutes they were on Manor Road and Elena pointed out her house to him. He pulled up to the curb cautiously and he put the car in park. She unbuckled her seatbelt and stared at him. Was he going to walk her to the door? Was he going to kiss her again? She hoped for the second option. Damon's left hand was still on the steering wheel and he turned his head to look at her.
"I had a good time." She said breaking the silence.
"Me too." He replied with his sexy smirk and she knew he was thinking about the kiss in the bathroom.
Elena sat for a moment waiting for him to lean in, but he didn't. He just stared at her and she realized he wasn't going to kiss her. He wasn't going to walk her to the door. He was just going to drop her off and drive away. This was not what she wanted, but she knew she was already expecting too much. Him kissing her was already more than she had ever hoped for this early on.
"Well, I better go." Elena opened the door. "Hope to see you around Damon."
"I hope to see you again Elena." He spoke softly, but still with force. "Very soon."
She smiled at him and exited the car. He kicked it into geared and drove off. Her hair tossed around with a breeze that chilled her skin. Touching her lips, Elena screamed on the inside. Her lips still tingled. Her thoughts were still racing.
Damon Salvatore had kissed her.
Chapter 10: No
Means No
Finally dodging Caroline and her game of twenty questions, Elena felt she had given her sufficient amount of information about her date with Damon. When speaking with her about every little detail, she had mentioned Damon had kissed her, but she censored most of it. The thought and speechless expression of Caroline finding out he had cornered her in the bathroom to make out for a few minutes would have been priceless, however Elena wanted to keep that information for herself. It would be her and Salvatore's dirty little secret.
Fifty Shades Of Dark - Damon Salvatore Page 5
