Through Rivalry Comes Love

Chapter 47

Elena brushed her teeth that night, full from the pizza she had made Stefan get her. It had been a great night as they watched some ridiculous TV show and Stefan tried to convince her that he could be on the next game show and that he would ultimately win. For her.

Elena put her toothbrush down and looked up into the mirror. She found Stefan's eyes looking back at her. He smiled, and so did she. "I love you" he mouthed into the mirror.

Elena's heart melted just a little. "I love you" she mouthed right back.

"You want sex?" he asked, tilting his head to the side as he tried to be funny.

"No" she laughed, dropping her gaze in the mirror. "You totally ruined a romantic moment, you know" she told him, smiling.

Stefan's arms were around her instantly, pulling her against him as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "My sex is romantic" he whispered.

Elena grabbed his hands with hers as he playfully tried to tickle her. "Not tonight" she told him, resting her head against his chest.

"No?" he asked, kissing her hair, taking in the scent of her shampoo. "What about a really good massage?" he asked.

Elena closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of him holding her. "Any excuse to touch me" she murmured.

"Damn right" he growled against her skin, kissing her neck softly. "So?" he asked, hoping she would say yes. It would do wonders for her tension and her stress.

"Okay" she said, giving in. As soon as he had the green light, he quickly picked her up, holding her as he walked with her to their bed. He set her down gently, and then landed on top of her, pressing his body into hers and kissing her. She almost let him get away with it. "Stefan" she warned.

"I know, I know" he sighed, trailing his lips down her neck and along her shoulders. "Turn over" he told her, nipping at the sensitive skin on the inside of her arm. He heard her hiss quietly and knew he had her right where he wanted her. Like she could tell him no when he was touching her like that.

Elena sat up and took her shirt off, letting him get a nice view before smiling at him as she turned over on her stomach. So, she was a little tease that night.

Stefan straddled her legs, reaching down and pressing his hands against her back. Slowly, he massaged her skin, moving up her back and to her shoulders. She had her eyes closed, and her content sighs made him smile. "This feels really nice" she murmured softly.

He smiled as his fingers gently worked into her tense shoulders. "Hey Elena?" he asked. He waited a moment before continuing. "What do you think about us buying a house together?" he asked. He had been tossing around the idea since his mother had suggested it.

She was quiet for a moment, before she turned her head slightly to look at him. "You want to buy a house with me?" she asked.

Stefan smiled. "Yeah. I'm marrying you. It only makes sense that we get a house too" he explained. "Unless you like living here in the city. I just thought maybe a little more privacy would be nice" he explained.

"Two months ago, I didn't have anything" she said, remembering how Gregory had left her and taken her job from her. "And now I have a job, and a fiancé, and we're getting a house" she said, smiling.

Stefan leaned down, resting his head against hers. "You've had me since the night we met" he whispered, kissing her temple lightly. "Even if you didn't know it."

Elena turned onto her back slowly, reaching her arms around him and pulling him closer to her, so she could feel his weight against her. It made her feel secure. "Stefan, I love you" she whispered, feeling silly that she was now crying. Sometimes, her emotions got the best of her, especially when he was being so sweet and loving. "I'm sorry" she said, not wanting to cry in front of him like that.