Damon Salvatore's….What was she? His woman, girlfriend, friend with benefits? She still wasn't sure what she was to him, but the fact that he kept claiming her as his she knew he was only setting eyes on her. He was completely captivated by her and she wasn't exactly sure what it was about her that made him feel that way. Although, even with the open ended questions she had Elena knew she was fully enjoying being his.
The musical number ended and another one began. Damon looked down at her as he stopped dancing and kissed her delicately. His hand wrapped around her neck and the back of her head. The soft whispers were now loud and as she slowly opened her eyes a bright flash of light went off. The man with camera from before was standing in front of all the elegant patrons and snapped photos of them as they shared their sweet moment for everyone to see. It was really official now. Everyone would know Damon Salvatore wasn't single even if he wouldn't admit to their relationship as dating.
As they parted the crowd moved around and out came a scruffy looking Alaric shaking his head. "You really know how to keep them guessing Salvatore. Always playing up the media when you feel the need." There wasn't a glass in his hand this time and she wondered if he had hit his alcohol in take for the night. He didn't seem drunk or incoherent. Alaric seemed together, but there was a glazed look in his eyes.
"I'm just giving them what they want for once." He said looping his arm around her waist. "They got their few good photos and now they don't have to bother me for anymore for awhile."
"I sure hope so." Alaric responded and glanced over at her. She barely smiled at him and dropped her eyes to the floor. He made her feel so unwelcome. Why did he not like her?
"I'm sure you didn't come barging out of the crowd just to ridicule me, what is it?" Damon asked.
"They announced the highest bidders for the auctions. I didn't see either of you during the announcement so I'm sure you don't know the results." He stated clearing his throat. It was like he knew they were up to no good earlier. Elena felt uneasy. "Damon you were announced as the highest donation for the night and Elena now has full ownership of your estate in the Gulf."
Her jaw dropped. She didn't actually believe she would have won his island, but then again Damon did change her bid too much higher amount. Damn you Salvatore again.
"Congratulations, Miss Gilbert." Damon squeezed her. "We will have to go over the paperwork later to make it official."
"I can't accept it." She sincerely spoke and shook her head. "You paying for your own island. Give it to the next highest bidder."
"So modest, we will discuss this later." He said in a business tone and drew his attention back to Alaric. "Anything else we missed or you need to inform me about?"
"Oh, I have a bone to pick with you definitely, but you know that already." Alaric smirked. His tone was sarcastic, but Elena couldn't help but feel he was serious at the same time. Their heated discussion from earlier left her knowing there was a clear discussion that was meant to be had later since this was neither the time or place to have it. Alaric looked over at her again and his smirk grew larger. "I was actually wondering if I could dance with Miss Gilbert for one song."
Shocked and caught off guard, Elena stared at him amazed by his small request. For a man who made it obvious he was not impressed with her, it was odd that he wanted to steal a dance. She peered over at Damon who seemed tense and hesitant to the idea, but he unlinked himself from her and gestured for Alaric to dance with her. As he left her, she noticed he glared back and it made the moment even more awkward than it already felt.
Alaric took her hand and she made sure there was a good gap between the two of them as they danced. The orchestra played Nat King Cole's 'Unforgettable' softly and she wished she were dancing with Damon again to this beautiful song. It was her parent's song. Every time she heard it she thought of them. They danced to it the first time they met and even on their wedding day. Sadness filled her and she let her eyes wander on everything and anything but Alaric.
"Elena, I do hope I don't make you uncomfortable." He spoke and she snapped back to the small bubble she felt like she was in.
"Why would you assume that?" She asked nervously.
"It's all over your face." He lowered his voice. "I'm sorry that I do. I don't mean to."
At a loss for words, Elena weakly smiled and took in a deep breath. The song couldn't be slower. She wanted for the first time listening to it for it to end.
"The real reason I asked you to dance is because I wanted to talk to you about Damon." He lowered his voice even more. No sight of Damon made it known that Alaric had been planning this. "I know more about him than I should and I'm sure he has informed you of what I do in my spare time. He is a good man with good intentions and trust me I wouldn't let him be living so to speak if I thought he was a threat to the community."
Elena listened carefully feeling on edge with every word he spoke. What could he possibly tell her that she didn't already know? He was a vampire. He had an ex-girlfriend, who clearly had a lot in common with her. He was a bit of a control freak and a tad bit obsessed with controlling his lifestyle and his women. What else could there possibly be?
"However, he is deeply messed up. There are things you don't know about him…his past." Alaric said looking casual as he spoke even though his topic of conversation was anything but casual. "I don't feel it is my place to inform you about all that. You can ask him, but from what I've learned he is capable of doing much more than breaking your heart. He…he will hurt you."
"Hurt me?" Elena gasped. She was curious, stunned, and slightly offended. "How? Because I remind him of his ex-girlfriend?"
"You know about Katherine." He seemed surprised and tensed up at the sound of her name.
"Stefan told me that I remind him of her." She murmured.
"Look, you deserve better than him." Alaric confessed and became quick as he spoke. "What he is doing with you isn't right? It's not helping him. You must understand that he can never fully get over her as long as you are with him."
The music faded once again indicating the end of the song. Damon vanished in thin air next to them and leaving Elena wanting to know more without any answers. She didn't want to believe Alaric. For all she knew it was his drunken stupidity talking, however she couldn't deny her curiosity either.
"Hope you didn't scare Miss Gilbert off with your terrible dancing?" Damon chuckled.
"No." Alaric stated. "I must be going."
"Hitting up the local bar before it closes?" Damon asked in a snarky tone.
"You know me well. I'll leave you two to enjoy the rest of your night." He tipped his head. "Damon…Miss Gilbert."
"Alaric." Elena mimicked his tone assuring him she understood his last bit of information wasn't left unheard. He nodded and turned on his heel.
The party was becoming loud as the alcohol was simmering and enhancing the volume of each and every conversation. The night was also becoming late and after everything, Elena was growing tired. There was so much to digest. It was all so overwhelming.
"You've become quite popular tonight." Damon suggested and saw the exhausted and confused expression on her face. "What's wrong?"
"Why do you assume something is always wrong?" She sighed.
"Because you are not very good at hiding your emotions." He told her.
"To be honest, I'm just tired. This night has been a lot for me." Elena said being truthful, but not giving him the whole truth.
Damon fixed the sleeves on his jacket and stood up straight. "If you wish to leave, we can. However, we still have to discuss the contract. I figured we could do that at my office since it is a formal matter we must discuss."
The contract. She knew this moment had to come, but after everything she just wanted to zone out and not think about anything. No way Damon was going to let her postpone this talk any further, so she agreed to leave with him and head back to his office.
As they left, Damon said his goodbyes to a few couples and placed his hand on the small
part of her back to gesture her outside. They waited for the car to come around and Elena remained silent even all the way through the entire ride back to his building. There was no questioning to why she stayed quiet as Damon did the same. Maybe he was thinking over the final thoughts about the contract. Her head was spinning with what Stefan and Alaric had said. The contract was the last thing on her mind and anyways she already knew her decision.
"Thank you. I will let you know when you'll be needed to bring Miss Gilbert and myself home." Damon addressed the driver as he pulled up to the front door. He got out the car and opened her door and gently helped her get out. Keys jingled in his pocket as he withdrew him and unlocked the double doors to Salvatore Corporations.
The silence continued as they rode up in the elevator reminiscing the thought of what they did it not so long ago. Elena could not help but bring a girlish smile to her face thinking of them having sex for the first time in this small place. She secretly looked over at Damon knowing he probably was thinking of their rendezvous in the elevator as well. However, as she sneaked a glance he was solid as stone. No expression of a happy thought crossed his face, but instead a sullen and worried looked swarmed him. Oh no, he knows. Damon knew the conversations from tonight; he had to by the look on his face. She began to worry as well.
Slowly, the doors opened and Damon exited with her following. He unlocked the doors to office and closed them behind her. "Take a seat." He demanded and she sat down in the same seat that she occupied the first time she met him. Damon sat opposite of her and she felt a moment of déjà vu.
Opening the jacket of his tuxedo, he pulled out a fold document and placed it on the desk in front of her. He put a pen down and sat back in his seat with his hands folded on the desk. "Miss Gilbert, have you made a decision on whether you will sign the contract or not?" He was very business like.
"Yes." She answered.
"And?" He waited for her anxiously to take the next step. There was still worry on his face.
Elena scooted forward in her seat and picked up the document. She stared at it for a moment to make sure she knew what she was doing. Her heart was beating fast and she bit down on her lower lip. Now holding the document in both her hands, she inhaled for a long time and as she exhaled she ripped the document in two. The priceless, hurt expression upon his face was something she had never seen before.
"Let me explain before you decide to assume or interrupt me." She stated firmly. "Please just listen."
He was tense in his shoulders, but he soon released it and gave her his full attention.
"This contract is a part of you. I understand that." Elena explained slowly. "I understand you have expectations and rules. I know why you have these in place and for your past relationships maybe it was necessary…but not for me. I don't want to be treated like some business agreement. I know that's not what we've been doing here. What has been going on for the past few weeks have gone against most of what you want in this agreement, so why changed it? Why have me sign it when what we have is fine as it is? I'm with you most of the time. I have accepted you to feed on me cautiously. I have pleasured you in more ways than one. And I promise to never tell a soul of what you are. I'm sorry Damon, but I can't sign something that we've already broken and if you don't agree I understand."
A huge weight felt like it had been lifted off her shoulders. She felt breathless as she finished her explanation. Now, she waited impatiently for his response. He appeared as if he was taking it all in and then he rose from his desk. Damon sat on the edge that was closest to her and stared at the document as now it was in two pieces.
"I want to be with you." She pleaded trying to assure him that even though her choice wasn't what he wanted, she was still hoping they continue on. Right now she wasn't so sure. "Please, I don't want to lose you."
"Having a contract in my relationships sets the tone how I control what goes on." He began his response to her dramatic answer. "Control is my life. I need it in order to keep me in line, to keep those involved in line. I need someone who can assure herself even if I don't compel them always to obey me. I need to make sure they are fully mine and…I want that to be you."
"But?" Elena knew there was another part of this discussion.
"But, I don't know how I can do that without this contract. How I can be one hundred percent sure that this right." Damon spoke sternly. "But, I don't want to lose you either. I have enjoyed my time with you and you keep me on edge every second of the day, which is something I despise, yet I accept that about you."
"Damon," She stood up and placed her hands on either side of his face. "We haven't followed your every rules since the beginning, why start now? You say I tempt you in ways that I shouldn't. How do you know that if I even signed this you wouldn't do something against what you expect anyways? I promise you if you accept this decision to even try to meet some of the expectations or even follow some of your silly rules along the way. I just don't want to be bogged down by them."
It was as if he was fighting his own battle within. She knew this was tough for him, the need for his control entirely. However, she hoped she was getting through to him with her points. Damon grasped her wrists as she still held his face. He stared hard at her with them same icy blue eyes she saw the first time she met him. Then as she felt he was going to tear himself away, he lunged on to her. He kissed her passionately and held her face too. The butterflies danced with excitement and she kissed him with the same passion.
As he pulled away, Damon shook his head. "Miss Gilbert, I don't know why I letting myself accept your decision, but all I know is I want you to be happy with me. I don't want you to feel forced ever." He picked up the document pieces and ripped those up into more pieces. Elena's smile grew bigger.
She snaked her arms around him and kissed him again. Damon held her close as they shared their tender moment. She couldn't have been happier with him, but as she let him kiss her more she felt the overwhelming questions of his past swarm her. Now that they were away from the craze of the Gala, she knew she couldn't keep it in any longer even if it meant ruining this wonderful moment. She had to ask about Katherine.
Chapter 34: A Salvatore History Lesson
Sparks ignited in her as his lips traced her jawline. He was getting carried away with the moment and filled with excitement upon reaching their agreement. Elena attempted to resist his arousing actions and she felt herself slipping into the oblivion that was Damon Salvatore, but the nagging questions poked and prodded her.
"Damon," she breathed pressing her hands on his chest. "I need to ask you something."
"Miss Gilbert, you're spoiling this prime moment." He sang muffled against her neck.
"Seriously." Elena pushed away from him and turned her back facing the door. His piercing blue eyes scorched through her from behind and she closed her own anticipating how the conversation would play out.
"Alright, what is it that you must ask of me so desperately?" Damon huffed. His tone was aggravated and he smoothed out his shirt still leaning against the wooden desk.
This wasn't going to be easy, but it needed to be discussed, much like the entirety of their relationship. "When I was dancing with Stefan and Alaric tonight were you listening in on our conversations? Honestly." She held her breath waiting for him to answer.
"Honestly, no." He responded quickly.
"You swear?" She sent out another rapid question.
"Yes," Damon replied in a disturbed voice. "You thought I was listening in on you. Why would you assume I would do something like that?"
"Because the fact that your brother and your best friend both wanted to dance with me wasn't a little odd to you? I thought maybe you were curious to hear what they wanted to say to me." Elena argued and held her forehead. So much for an uneventful evening they were having? So much for her ruining a perfectly good moment. Anxiety coursed through her body.
"Of course I was curious!" He shouted. "I fought every urge not invade your privacy. I feared they were goi
ng to try to scare you away or…"
Elena knew even though he respected her too much he was boiling from not listening in on their conversations. His need for control was wearing thin and now she noticed it for the first time tonight. He gritted his teeth and ran his hand through his hair knowing he wanted to hear every word of what Stefan and Alaric said. Fear filled his eyes because he knew without warning what his brother and his friend were trying to do.
"What did they say to you?" His voice calmed and he stared out the window at the quiet town of Mystic Falls. "Honestly."
Toying with her own words, Elena grew nervous with the truth. Stefan's comparison of her and Katherine and Alaric's warning to break it off before she ended up hurt was about to be an open topic for discussion. She wasn't sure how Damon was going to handle it, but she had to know. The whole honesty card had been drawn from the deck tonight and now it was in full play.
Fifty Shades Of Dark - Damon Salvatore Page 23
