"No." Damon chuckled. "You think I let her remember a thing like that? I fed her my blood and compelled her to forget. She should be good as new by now. Most likely the doctors will release her in a few hours."
The clock next to her bed read, five thirty in the morning. The sun would be rising soon and now as she began to grasp reality she grew tired.
"Alright, I've clearly told you more than you can handle for one night." He sighed and stood up reaching for his shirt and pulled it over his head. "I have to be at the office in a few hours and I need to sort a few things out. You should rest, Elena."
"Wait, you're leaving?" Her voice peaked and she suddenly erased all memory of what he had just shared. She didn't want him to go yet. There were so many things let unsaid and she wanted to know more. She wanted him to stay.
"You cease to amaze me Miss Gilbert." Damon curled the corners of his mouth into his lovely smirk and dazzled his blue eyes at her. "One moment I can tell you want nothing to do with me and the next you're begging for more. What am I going to do with you?"
"Stay." Elena reached out her hand. "Please. Just for a little longer. I want to ask you more questions."
He gave her a bigger smile. "For another time." Then his mood changed and he became serious. "Elena, I must ask you though to not tell anyone what I am. If my secret got out I would be ruined. The whole town doesn't need to know."
"Why would I tell anyone?" She returned a smirk to match his and it reappeared upon his face. "You may be an atrocity Mr. Salvatore, but I don't want this town to have to sleep with one eye open at night. I won't tell anyone, don't worry."
"Miss Gilbert, I trust your word." He spoke as if he was retreating to old times.
"You have my word Mr. Salvatore." She responded noticing a hint of stinging pain glaze his eyes for a second. Whatever it was it didn't stay and she wondered was it something she had said or done. With him everything was a mystery.
Damon tugged on his shirt and leaned down placing his hands on either side of her. "Come stay with me this weekend." His breath was hot and close making her want to kiss those luscious lips of his.
"At your place?" Her inner school girl crush soared high.
"Yes," he answered. "I promise I can answer more of you questions…and then some. Please?"
"Okay." Elena breathlessly replied. No compulsion needed and no thinking it over. She obliged to him her acceptance and he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Her eyes fluttered close as he did.
"I'll pick you up tonight. Seven o'clock sharp." Damon stated and stood up.
"Wait," She called out to him before he left her vulnerable and alone in her room. "What are we going to do about your brother? He attacked Caroline."
"I'll handle it." He assured her. "And Elena, be careful who you invite in."
Chapter 17: House of Salvatore
"Hold on," The peppy voice of Caroline Forbes piped up from the couch.
For someone who had lost a serious amount of blood according to Damon and the doctors was looking as healthy as she possibly be could. No strange bite mark blemished her neck, the color in her cheeks was full and warm, and her bubbly and persistent self was in full swing. Caroline was completely normal and healed to perfection considering her attack only happened a few days before and nearly left her for dead. Elena guessed she had to thank Damon for that. His inhuman blood like he had told her cured her.
"While I was recovering in the hospital, alone, you were cozying up with Damon Salvatore under the roof of this house." Her eyebrows raised and interrogation had begun.
Shit. She hated explaining herself especially to Caroline. What could she tell her anyways? The secret that Damon carried she swore to keep and she planned on it, but it was eating away at her inside. Vampires, fangs, blood spilling over Mystic Falls. None of that could be said and Elena bit her tongue letting the truth hide somewhere where no one could find it.
"Wait, don't tell me you…" Caroline hinted toward sealing the deal with Damon and gave her a wink.
"No!" Elena sighed loudly and rested her back up against the wood trim of the living room. "I'm not that easy Caroline."
"Oh god, Elena. I'm not saying be easy or that you are, but come on, you haven't done it in forever." She responded fervently.
"My sex life is my sex life." The topic was bothering her. Elena wasn't a fan of the whole sex topic because unlike Caroline she was very inexperienced. Losing her virginity wasn't as glamorous as she had expected and dwindling on the memory of it only brought back unhappy thoughts.
Emotional and stressed, she found herself in a bedroom not her own at a party right after her parents had passed away. The pressure to get out and try to live again was Caroline's idea and unfortunately Elena thought alcohol was the cure. The beer goggle effect sent her over the edge that night and she ended up sleeping with some college football player type. It was messy and gross from what she remembered. The pain of sex for the first time was enough for her to shy away from trying it again and so here she was three years later sex free. However, her feelings toward it were changing thanks to Damon. She never wanted someone so bad in her life until now. It was a lingering thought instantaneously.
"Fine. All I'm saying is if the opportunity presents itself go for it." She smiled wickedly.
"I thought you were the one that said you didn't trust him," Elena said and tucked her hair behind her ear. "And now you want me to go sleep with him?"
"I don't trust him, but that doesn't mean you can't use him for a little fun." Caroline spoke in a tone almost too clever.
Typical advice from Caroline, the ex-cheerleading captain and football team's go to girl. Elena knew Caroline wasn't sleazy, but the opportunity sure did present itself to her quite often and she never passed it up. Trying to change the topic, Elena went into the kitchen to fetch some tea. The tray was heavy and she set it down on the coffee table. "The doctor said you should rest."
"I don't want to lay around anymore. I feel fine honestly." She whined and took a cup and poured herself a cup of tea. Elena joined her on the couch with her own cup. "It's weird how quickly I recovered."
"Yeah," Elena replied weakly and took a sip of the hot scalding liquid. Only if she knew the truth of how she recovered so fast. She couldn't tell her. It was another part of the secret she had to keep buried.
"Have they said what bit me and…" Her voice got quiet and she blew on her tea. "What killed Bob?"
"No," she lied once again. Sure, it was a vampire that attacked you and left Bob for dead. Don't worry it might be Damon's brother. Oh, did I tell you the guy I am currently seeing is a vampire and so is his brother? The fictional conversation played out in her head. Even thinking it made her sound stupid. No one would believe her and especially not Caroline.
"Well, I hope they catch it and kill it." Caroline gritted through her teeth. Anger seared in her eyes and she gripped the cup hard. "Maybe they will even let me take a shot at it if I'm lucky. I love to see whatever it is was that bit me suffer."
Despite her freshly burnt tongue, Elena gulped down her tea that stung her mouth and decided not to react or respond to Caroline's sudden rage. The thought of Damon being shot or killed for his crime of lusting for human blood made her scared. Not because he was vampire, because he could get caught. She was still unsure to why she growing more comfortable with his monstrous side, but she was. She honestly believed he wasn't going to hurt her and she trusted him. That thought really scared her.
"So, I'm going to stay at Damon's this weekend." Elena blurted out slowly. She didn't know when was the right time to tell Caroline of her plans and the hours were getting shorter before he would be at her doorstep to pick her up. Now seemed like the best time to do it.
Nearly spitting out her tea across the room, Caroline placed her teacup on the table and stared at her. "You're going to stay with Salvatore? Why? Elena, I'm serious I don't trust the guy and you suddenly going to stay with him…"
"I know it sounds sudden, but I like him."
She admitted and played with her hands. "Oddly enough, I trust him Caroline. I know that's sudden too, but I do."
"Maybe you should go to the hospital and have yourself checked out." Caroline laughed.
"Look, I've never stopped you from making bad decisions." Elena spat finding newfound bravery in herself. "Please, just let me learn if I make a mistake here. I let you do the same."
A speechless and hurt Caroline stared at her. This was a first. Elena rarely stood up to Caroline and just rolled with the punches when it came to her criticizing her life, but something inside of her boiled. She really wanted to see Damon again and having Caroline shoot her down every time was frustrating.
"Well, don't let me tell you I told you so." Her tone was soft, but still sweet. Caroline wasn't mad at her outburst. She seemed almost impressed, but Elena knew she had finally hit a nerve with her. Elena Gilbert 1, Caroline Forbes 0.
…
The hairbrush ran through her long dark locks of hair fast and hurried. The clock read ten till seven and Damon would be here any second. Elena threw the brush down and walked back into her room. Her oversized bag sat on her bed and she stood debating what she should bring. She was going to be spending the weekend with him so she was going to need a change of clothes and other things, but her mind was no where close to thinking about packing. It was set on Damon.
Trotting over to her dresser, she grabbed a few shirts and a pair of jeans along with some fresh underwear and tossed it in her bag. She bit her lower lip feeling her heart race rapidly. Ever since her sex talk with Caroline she couldn't help but think about it with Damon. Maybe this weekend she would seal the deal with him. He seemed to be leading in the direction with her, but his urges were what kept them from furthering. Elena hoped he would be able to fight it.
Ding dong. The doorbell rang and she shot up. Caroline's voice called for her knowing Damon was at the other side waiting and she picked up her bag. Her feet stomped down the staircase and she stopped at the bottom. "How do I look?" She asked Caroline, who was lying on the couch.
She raised her head and examined her. "Beautiful. Don't forget…opportunity!"
"Yes, Caroline." Elena rolled her eyes and opened the door.
Gorgeous and tall with tousled hair that screamed of sex, Damon flashed his seductive smile at her and immediately she was lost in his blue eyes. He greeted her politely and she said goodbye to Caroline. She closed the door behind her and followed him out to his Chevy Camaro.
"You look beautiful." Damon complimented her as he opened the passenger door for her.
"Thank you." She shyly replied and got in.
The Camaro roared as he pulled away from the curb and relaxed back in his seat. He was dressed in all black. Black pants, black shoes, black cotton shirt, with his black leather jacket over it. The devil in disguise is what he was.
Hush murmurs of the radio played as he twisted and whined around the roads and drove away from the heart and soul of Mystic Falls. Damon had not said one word to her as they had been in the car. She felt like she needed to break the ice.
"How was work?" She asked fidgeting with her sleeves.
"Long. Lots of meetings, but I am working on a new project." His voice cased with excitement as he reminisced on work related things.
"New project?" Elena asked.
"Yes, I want hospitals to be more energy efficient." Damon said curling his fingers around the steering wheel and taking a left. The street was lined with trees.
"Sounds…interesting." She replied not really sure how to respond.
"I'm so glad you agreed to stay with me, Miss Gilbert." He lowered his voice and glanced over at her. Taking her hand, he kissed her knuckles. Chills spiked through her body.
"Me too."
He was so mesmerizing. Elena had to control herself from staring at him as he drove faster down the country road. Damon was by far the most gorgeous man alive.
Eventually the car slowed and he turned down a nicely paved driveway with a rather large gate surrounding it. He pressed four numbers on the keypad and the gate opened. Damon drove up the driveway curving around letting the house come into view. Expecting him to live in an upscale and newly built home, he resided in a rather older home. Brown brick made up the exterior and large dark double doors gave way to its entrance. The house was only two stories, but judging from the front Elena knew it was big. Its ancient feel was warming and it was astonishingly beautiful for an old home.
Damon stopped the in front of the front door and turned off the car. He quickly got out and opened her door. Elena stepped out and he offered his arm. She wasn't sure at first what to do, but she looped her hand around his bicep and he guided her inside.
"This is my home." He chimed as he unlocked the front door and much like the depressing feel to the Salvatore Corporations building she felt it here too. Everything was dark and shadowed desperately needing some light.
"Hello, Mr. Salvatore." A voice boomed from around the corner and nearly startled her.
A rather tall and gangly man stood dressed in a dark suit with his hands folded at his waist. He smiled and as he glanced over at her she swore she saw something disturbed flicker in his eye. Damon nodded at him and said, "Hello, Mr. Lockwood. This is Elena Gilbert."
"Nice to meet you Miss Gilbert." He moved his hands behind his back and nodded at her. Elena did the same.
Whatever she saw in Mr. Lockwood's eyes, she didn't like it. Elena let her hand slip out of Damon's arm and he turned to face her. Mr. Lockwood proceeded out of the foyer and she suddenly felt better. Looking up at Damon, he smiled and she couldn't help but smile back. It was forced though. She felt strange being in his home. Already she had so many questions.
"Where should we start Miss Gilbert?" He asked slyly.
Elena's heart raced.
Chapter 18: Agreement
Lost in those blue eyes and the interior of his home, Elena did not know where she should start. With questions still swirling inside and the inappropriate thought of pouncing on him was mixing her into a jumble of confusion. She was stuck to the floor with imaginary glue and couldn't move.
Damon cocked his head slightly and swayed his shoulders as he took a step closer letting her draw in his scent. The smell of him was warming and she wanted to cave into him. He took another step and brushed his hand against the sleeve of her shirt. "Miss Gilbert, I told you I couldn't read minds." His voice hushed close to her ear.
"What do you want to do?" She asked trying to not let her voice shake. "You got me here. Is that where your plan ends?"
"Very amusing you are Miss Gilbert." Damon snickered and continued to circle around her. Every hair on her body was standing up. Instant adrenaline pulsed sending a welcoming surprise of hot flashes coursing through her. "I like it."
Teeth chattering chills waved the hot flashes away as Elena felt him brush his fingertips across the exposed skin of her collarbone. She wanted to trust him and stupidly she did, but something still spooked her, as she knew he craved her scent, her blood. Half blindly she was being lead down a road of uncertainty.
"Come with me." He said more as a request than a suggestion. Elena followed him as she studied his sculpted back that was visible through his tight black cotton shirt. No longer wearing his bad boy leather jacket she admired his in shape and muscular physique.
Damn.
Her eyes were diverted as they entered a high ceiling room lined from wall to wall with bookcases. Over a thousand books must have filled the shelves. She was in awe as she examined every inch wondering how it was possible to acquire so many books, but then she remembered Damon's little secret. He had been around a long time and someone like himself would have endless days to spend reading and obtaining such a collection.
The floor dipped down with two steps that led to a common area occupied by two rusty brown leather couches with two arm chairs to match. The furniture was in excellent condition and yet it still kept up its ancient antique appearance.
And just as she
expected, dark curtains covered the three ceiling to floor windows barely letting in an ounce of sunlight. She desperately wanted to draw them open letting light and happiness pour in.
"Amused Miss Gilbert?" He asked standing in the dead center of the room.
Elena softly stepped down and unto the cream rug to meet him. "This is, beautiful." The words escaped her breathlessly and her eyes finally fell upon him. He curved his crooked smile.
"You should see the rest of the house." He said in a coy tone. "But, for now I would like to talk."
"Talk?" Elena raised an eyebrow toward him with suspicion.
"About an agreement." Damon plopped down onto the rather large brown couch and patted the seat next to him gesturing her to join. Elena obliged.
Fifty Shades Of Dark - Damon Salvatore Page 10
