What Lies Beneath

Chapter 32: Pulse

Damon's bathroom was modern extravagance mixed with old world charm that was expected from people born into money. Bonnie wasn't exactly sure how the Salvatores went about paying for all of the things that they have, but she assumed Zach must have had cash and as his relatives it diverted to them when he…died. Either way the room was brightly lit and smelled a mix of Damon's preferred cologne and body wash. A small bowl of marble soaps rested on the granite counter and she found herself amused by them, wondering if the vampire himself purchased them from Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Looking at her reflection in one of the square bronze mirrors, she exhaled deeply and clutched at the fluffy white robe she wore. The room was warm and surrounded by candles; their flames a dancing sway to the music drifting from the expensive stereo. While she would have been content simply doing the spell in the living room in front of the fire place, Damon thought it should be more romantic with the candles.

Should have known it was just a way to keep me naked.

She chuckled softly at her own thoughts and turned, staring at the white bathtub. "Just because I agreed to do this doesn't mean you get to see anything."

Damon laughed as he checked the temperature of the water. "Bonnie, you forget I've already seen everything." He dropped a blue sponge into the mass of bubbles and turned down the lights before invading her space. "Every little…secret place you think this robe is hiding? I've seen it. Touched it. Tasted it."

She shivered at the tone of his voice; heat creeping up her neck. "In our dreams, maybe. But not in real life. Not face to face."

He nodded. "True. I'm sure as I've been told manytimes before that reality beats fantasy any day. If it'll make you feel better I promise to be the perfect gentleman."

Bonnie snickered. "We're gonna be naked in your tub together…I think you can see how I might not believe you."

Blue eyes danced with amusement. "Considering you have the power to turn me into a fish and then let me wash down the drain, I think we're on the same page." He leaned in and nuzzled her throat, placing a delicate kiss behind her ear before whispering into it. "I won't touch you unless you want me to."

Swallowing audibly, she sighed and managed a coy smile even though she knew what he was implying. She wanted to tell him that she wouldn't ask that but at this point she wasn't sure. It was surreal to be so close to him again. To feel the chill of his smooth flesh or scratch her nails on his skin, watching marks fade before they were even really made. They used to dream in unison almost every night about making love. Vivid dreams with ultimate surround sound that more often than not left her twisted in her sheets in the mornings after with damp panties and an urge to finish something he'd started.

After weeks without so much as a tingle from him, she kinda felt the need to gorge herself on his presence. To let herself drown in everything that made him Damon Salvatore. It was naturally the grace of self control that had kept her from asking for something she wasn't ready for just yet after that earlier kiss. That and probably nerves at taking the final step in our relationship.

Pushing tendrils of black bouncy curls out of her face, she poked him in the chest. "Keep talking dirty and I won't even let you kiss me again."

"But you love it when I talk dirty." The vampire mused. "You get all red and squirmy when I say words like wetand tight and slick."

Ooh boy.She pushed away from him and strolled over to the tub. "Dirty birdy. Now close your eyes while I get into the water."

Slumping back to the counter all shirtless poise and cocky grin, Damon tilted his head at her. "Are you serious right now? C'mon Bonnie, don't be such a prude. I'll show you mine if you show me yours."