Chapter 14

Turning off the engine, Lena grinned heartily. It was meant to be a surprise, one that would blow him away. After telling Gabe of her plan to surprise him, he'd given her specific instructions. She opened the door and got out, her adjusting her sweatpants.

It was Saturday, the happiest day of the week. Though Lena thought it was about to get happier, seeing as she planned on spending the entire day with Damon. Grabbing the basket of freshly baked chocolate cookies and muffins, she started for the huge building.

As she already knew where to go, she didn't have to bother going to the front desk. She passed the reception, skipping right ahead for the elevator.

She got in, hoping he would be surprised as she thought he would be. She pressed the button for the first floor, then waited as she counted the minutes till she would see him.

After dinner with his family on Thursday, she was feeling a bit reckless. It was like Damon had opened her to a new world, one where she didn’t have to be alone anymore. Balancing the basket on her other arm, a smile lit up her face.

Was she scared? No, she shook her head. She was excited. More than she thought she would be. She couldn't deny she wanted him, in every way. Slowly, he was craving out a niche for himself in her heart and she found herself realizing she didn't mind one bit. It had been about six weeks since she had sex with him, and every nerve in her traitorous body was itching for him.

The elevator dinged, and she stepped out. Looking around, she saw there was only one door on the floor. Shrugging, she walked towards it. Made the job easier. Lena knocked softly, then waited.

Nothing.

Knocking again, she let out a sigh. Boys will always be boys. It was eight thirty in the morning, where could he have possibly gone?

It occurred to her that maybe he was still asleep. On instinct, she reached for the doorknob, turning it slightly. It creaked open, and Lena resisted the urge to roll her eyes. How careless. What if there'd been a robbery?

She stepped in, gasping at the sight. It was... breathtaking. It was all white and black, making the entire place mysterious, just like its owner. Seriously, the couches were black, and the wall white. As she went further, she realized that the places or things that were white, had a bit of black around and the places that were black had white paint. It was beautiful.

It was a penthouse, a very big one if she did say so herself. Too big for just one person, in fact. She took her time, the sight too invigorating to rush through. The kitchen was also black and white, giving off a misty look. It was spotless, too. The China ware glittered in the sunlight, and the black counter shone. How did he find time to clean up? The fridge was black, the cutlery too. The place was a fine black, the cups too.

Damn.

The walls were white though, and Lena let out a laugh at the craziness of it all. She placed the basket on the counter.

At the corner of her eyes, she spotted a staircase. Climbing up, her eyes roamed. There were pictures on the wall. Pictures of Damon and EJ, of Damon only and EJ only when they were younger, some were of Damon, Gabe and another guy. He was handsome, she concluded, giving it another look. There were some of the family members she'd met some days ago. One in particular caught her eye. It was a picture of Damon, Gabe, EJ, the other guy and Vanessa. They looked happy, and young. Maybe eighteen, she guessed.

In the picture, Vanessa didn't look cold. Her eyes were a warm emerald green, and she was smiling with her arms around Damon's neck. A shot of jealousy ran through her, and she swallowed at how comfortable and happy they looked with each other. She scolded herself, telling her herself that she didn't know him then.

Whatever happened in the past, stayed in the past.

She climbed further up, passing several doors. She didn't know which was Damon's. Walking down the hall as quietly she could, she stopped in front of the last door to the far right. Somehow, her heart started racing.

He was in there, she knew it. She could smell him.

Lena took several breaths, then twisted the doorknob. Her eyes peeked in and she inhaled. Jesus. There had to be some sort of black and white fetish going on. It was all black and white. The walls were a mixture of black and white, and the ridiculously spacious room seemed to flow with it. In the middle of the room was a kind sized bed, with black covers.

The figure of the bed was on his stomach, his hand sprawled out around him. The black duvet covered his waist down so only his head torso was visible.

Her eyes roamed the room again. At the far left was a door Lena guessed to be the bathroom. In front of the bed was the open doors that showed the balcony, which in turn displayed a beautiful image of the busy streets of New York. Next to the balcony, was a big walk-in closet, which was no doubt filled to the brim with designer suits and jackets. A small library occupied a corner of the room and Lena's brows raised. She hadn’t pegged him as the reading type.

Lena dragged her feet slowly across the room to Damon where he was sprawled out face first on the bed. Her hand lightly trailed down his cheek to his jaw, and with a smile on her face she traced his neck to his back.

He looked so peaceful, like all his demons were at bay. Like there were no demons troubling him. With his face down, she could only see the side of his face that was visible. His lips were in a straight line. Her smile widened. A part of her didn't want to wake him up, but her brain disagreed with that part because then, he wouldn't know there was a surprise in the first place.

Her hand stilled when she noticed a small round wound down his back. What the hell was it? Her eyes were probably deceiving her but it looked like a... bullet wound. It looked old.

What the hell had happened to him?

She was still wondering when his hand instantly grabbed hers, pulling her down under him, his hands going to her throat in a lock.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Lena?” he growled.

Lena was scared out of her wits. Jesus, he had animal instinct. His hands on her throat loosened their hold, and she was able to breathe again. In those few moments, his eyes had glowed a dark blue, his breaths coming out raggedly. Lena could bet all her properties that he wasn't used to people sneaking up on him hence, he could fight like a bitch.

It scared her, but it also excited her.

“Uh... surprise?” She gave a hopeful smile.

Damon sighed, then let her go completely. “Fuck it if I'm not happy you're here love, but sneaking up on me like that, I strongly advise against it.”

“Sorry. I didn't think it—”

“Do you ever?” He sat up straight.

Lena's temper flared. Here she was hoping someone would appreciate her efforts. “Well, then, I guessed I'll just go. Next time I feel inclined to do something good for you, trust me, I'll resist.”

She would've left if Damon had not held her back. “Lena, I'm sorry... I'm just... I'm in a bad mood.”

He brought her close to him on the bed, sitting her on his lap, “I take it you're not a Saturday person then.” She crossed her arms across her chest.

Damon chuckled. “Oh, I am. I just have a bad history with people sneaking up on me.”

Lena decided to let her anger go. It was Saturday after all. “I wanted to surprise you, baked you some cookies and muffins.”

“You're the woman of my heart. After my mother, that is.” He winked, then kissed her puckered lips.

“Mommy's boy,” she teased, deepening the kiss. His hands roamed her sides, bringing her close. He swung them around, laying them on the bed with him on top of her.

She broke the kiss, “You live alone?” she breathed.

“No. EJ's next door.”

Her eyes widened. “You live with EJ? Wow.”

“Yeah. Never a quiet moment.”

“Must be fun.”

“And frustrating.”

“I can imagine.”

“How did you find this place anyway? I never told you where I lived,” he asked.

“Gabe.”

“Right.”

“Now shut up and kiss me.”

“Gladly.”

He latched his lips onto hers, kissing her with new found glory. To Damon, she was a piece of art. Beautiful, delicate and full of emotions. Hilariously funny yet devastatingly sad. She was a badass with a good heart, unapologetic and honest. She was the kind of woman one went to war beside—not against.

“What are you thinking about?” Lena asked as she pulled away. Her hands ran over his face, smoothing down his cheeks.

“You.” He kissed the hand closer to his mouth, smiling. “I always think of you.”

Blushing, she traced his beard with her hands. “I really like your beard. Can I touch it? With my vagina?”

Damon almost choked on his drink, then remembered he didn't have one. “What?”

Lena burst out laughing. “You should see your face.”

He shook his head, but he laughed along with her. “You're crazy.”

“I know.”

He pecked her lips. “So... I have a thing this evening.”

“Yeah?” she urged.

“Yeah,” he repeated, offering another peck. “Gerald’s hosting this charity event and I'm a sponsor, so it's kind of mandatory I be there. Besides, as one of his best friends, I have to be there.”

“Okay...” she drew out, pulling back.

“You're coming with me. As my date.”

“That's a funny way of asking me out.” She frowned.

“Am I?” He smirked.

“You're so full of yourself,” she huffed.

“Would you rather be full of me?” His smirked widened.

“Go fuck yourself.”

“I'd rather fuck you,”

Lena snapped, “Okay, that's it. Get the hell off me.” She pushed him, and he fell on the floor beside the bed, laughing.

“Ah!” she screamed loudly, covering her eyes.

Why?

Because he was naked.

Stark naked.