Must Love Dogs

Chapter Fourteen

-Must Love Dogs- Chapter Fourteen-

"You're going out with her again..Aren't you?" Klaus asked him, watching Stefan grab his leather jacket as he glanced over at himself once more in the full length mirror near the front door. "Yeah, you have a problem with that?" He asked Klaus, turning his head a bit and smiling as he popped his collar to his dark grey button up dress shirt.

"Stefan..Someone's going to get hurt in this little deal you have with her. Or, are you both completely oblivious to that fact? She's isn't here for good, Stefan. She could leave you and then, you'll be back to where you started..Just you, in this big house, alone. Is that really what you want?" Klaus asked, crossing his arms over his chest and shaking his head.

"You're the only one who knows about what's going on between Elena and I, Klaus. And, I appreciate your advice. But, we're adults and not children. If she leaves to go back home, she leaves. We'll still be friends and that's it, that's part of our agreement." Stefan told him sternly, leaning forward to place his hand on the door handle to the front door. "Now, will you excuse me? I have a to go see her."

"All I'm saying is that you're both being reckless about this! I know you, Stefan. Under that hard exterior is a man that's hurt and broken over his ex-wife. You're using sex with another woman as a distraction to avoid your problems and your feelings. You know that it won't take long. Before you're with her, lying beside Elena or making love to her. Then, it'll happen..You'll fall in love with her..Then, what?" Klaus questioned, watching Stefan's body tense and hearing a loud exhale leave past his pursed lips.

"I won't allow it to happen, Klaus. No strings attached. No emotions involved. Once, I start to feel something for her..I just go out with another woman. Elena and I aren't exclusive or tied together by anything and so, it's not going to happen." He reassured him, smiling as he finally opened the door, throwing a knowing look towards Klaus who looked even more irritated by his best friend's ignorance.

"You're going to regret this little deal once you're alone and in love with a woman you can't have or wants nothing to do with you!" Klaus shouted at Stefan, watching the door close as his hand caught it and he leaned against the door that was just a bit adjared. "So, what do you want me to do while you're off sleeping with Elena Gilbert?"

Stefan pivoted on his heels, grinning widely as he yelled back. "I don't know, Klaus...Call up your favorite blonde bartender and have her come over. Make it a date night. And, don't worry about me..You can have the place all to yourself tonight. I won't be home until the morning. That is if her and I can keep up with each other." He winked as he waved him off and walked straight to his car, sending a quick text message to Elena's number and telling her to meet him at apartments.

"I didn't think you'd show up." Stefan teased her, leaning his head into the rolled down driver side window, attempting to steal a kiss.

" Well, I changed my mind. And, you made a offer I couldn't really resist. So, I thought it would be rude to stand you up. Besides, we have an agreement..Am I right? " Elena commented, changing the subject and getting out of the car as she began smiling just a little when she turned her back to him and grabbed her purse from the passenger side seat.

"Yeah, we do. And, this place is my apartment. One of many that I own and sometimes rent out, actually. This one though, is a newer model. So, I haven't rented it out to anyone yet..It's essentially empty except for a few pieces of furniture and a bed of course. I used to crash at this complex whenever Rekah and I were having problems." Stefan explained, walking towards the 40 story building as he buzzed himself in and grabbed Elena's hand, leading them briskly through the lobby and towards the elevator.

"So, what you're telling me is that no one's been here for a while?" Elena heard herself ask him, trying to reassure herself that being with Stefan, alone and intimate in the apartment was a good idea.