Chapter 18: Twisted Desires and Forbidden Nights

Elina's skin still tingled from Damon's touch, her body a wildfire that only he could ignite. As the warm morning sun filtered through the curtains of her bedroom, her eyes fluttered open. Damon was lying beside her—bare-chested, lips parted slightly in sleep, his dark lashes casting shadows on his sculpted cheekbones.

She reached over, brushing a finger gently along his jawline. The events of last night came rushing back like a forbidden dream: the way he had kissed her senseless, worshipped every inch of her skin, whispered her name like a prayer.

"Still watching me, angel?" Damon murmured, his voice husky as he opened one eye.

"You talk in your sleep," she teased, leaning over to press a soft kiss to his shoulder.

"Hmm," he smirked, pulling her closer by the waist. "And you moan in yours. Loud enough to make the moon blush."

She giggled, but the sound quickly dissolved into a gasp as his lips found her neck. Damon trailed wet, open-mouthed kisses along her collarbone, his hands roaming freely over her bare back.

"I can't get enough of you," he whispered against her skin. "I don't think I ever will."

Their lips met again—hot, hungry, and demanding. His tongue danced with hers, teasing, claiming, devouring. Elina moaned softly, her body arching beneath him, her fingers tangling in his messy black hair. Damon's hands slid down her thighs, lifting her onto his lap effortlessly. She could feel him—hard, ready, desperate.

"Tell me you're mine," he breathed against her lips.

"I've always been yours," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Even when I tried to forget."

With a groan, Damon rolled her beneath him, his mouth trailing kisses from her chest to her stomach, down her thighs. Every inch of her was adored, devoured, and worshipped like she was his goddess.

Elina gasped his name again and again as he took her to the edge—and then pulled her over it. The world disappeared, lost in waves of desire and breathless moans, until there was only the two of them. Raw. Real. Wild.

---

Far away, in the dim glow of a luxury bar lounge, Taylor stared at his drink with cold fury. The amber liquid reflected the flames dancing in his eyes. He had seen the way Elina looked at Damon—like he was her world. And it made him sick.

"She never looked at me that way," he muttered.

Across the table, Selena crossed her legs seductively. She was dressed to kill in a crimson silk dress that clung to her curves. Her lipstick matched the dangerous gleam in her eyes.

"Of course she didn't," Selena purred, sipping her wine. "Because she's stupid. Just like Damon—chasing after someone who's not good enough for him."

Taylor raised a brow. "You still want him?"

Selena's lips curved into a dangerous smile. "Oh, baby. I don't just want him. I own him."

He scoffed. "If you owned him, he wouldn't be in Elina's bed right now."

Her eyes darkened. "That's temporary. Once this plan works, Damon Salvatore will be crawling back to me. Broken. Desperate. And I'll be the only one he can turn to."

Taylor leaned forward. "You really think the media will fall for it?"

"They always do," Selena replied coldly. "A few photos. A fake scandal. Maybe even a sex tape leak. Trust me—he won't survive this."

Taylor clenched his jaw. "I'm not doing this for you. I want her."

"And I want him," she said. "Perfect match, don't you think?"

He hesitated. "And your secret boyfriend? He's okay with this?"

Selena's expression shifted—something darker flickering in her eyes. "He's not just okay. He's helping."

Taylor frowned. "Who is he?"

But she didn't answer. Instead, she leaned back, smiling like a snake about to strike.

---

Back in Elina's apartment, Damon pulled on his shirt, watching Elina move around in nothing but one of his oversized shirts. She looked impossibly beautiful—glowing, tousled, completely his.

"You look like trouble," he murmured.

She raised a brow, sauntering over. "And you look like you want more of last night."

He caught her by the waist, kissing her breathless again before resting his forehead against hers.

"I love you," he said softly.

Elina blinked, her heart skipping.

"What?"

"I said I love you," he repeated, not flinching. "I've tried to fight it, Elina. But I can't. You've ruined me. I don't want anyone else. Just you."

Her throat tightened with emotion, but before she could respond, her phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

Curious, she picked it up and read the message.

> You think you know Damon Salvatore? Think again. Watch your email. —X

She frowned. "What the hell...?"

Damon noticed her shift. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah... just spam," she lied, but her heart thudded in warning.

---

Later that night, in the shadows of a private underground studio, Selena handed over a flash drive to a man in a dark hoodie. His face was half-hidden, but the tattoo on his neck—a serpent coiled around a dagger—was unmistakable.

"Make it viral," she said. "Make sure Damon Salvatore's name burns by morning."

He smirked. "Done."

As she walked away, the man pulled out his

phone and texted someone.

> Phase one complete. They won't see it coming.

—J

To Be Continued...