The restaurant Damon had chosen was nestled in a quiet part of town, away from the bustle of city life. Lanterns lined the walkway leading up to the entrance, casting a warm amber glow that flickered like candlelight. Inside, the lighting was soft and ambient, strings of fairy lights curling along the ceiling and delicate floral arrangements gracing every table. The corner table reserved for them overlooked a small indoor fountain, the gentle sound of trickling water adding to the serene atmosphere.
Eliana's breath caught as they were led to their seats. Damon pulled out her chair with a small, reverent smile. "You look even more beautiful under this light."
She blushed, smoothing her gown as she sat. "You're going to spoil me with all these compliments."
"Maybe that's the plan," he replied, taking his seat across from her.
They ordered—a creamy lobster bisque to start, followed by pan-seared sea bass for Eliana and filet mignon for Damon. A bottle of vintage red wine accompanied the meal, its aroma rich and inviting.
As they settled into their candlelit corner, the soft jazz notes playing overhead, Eliana glanced around with a faint smile.
"This place is beautiful," she said, her fingers trailing the edge of her napkin. "I love the lighting... it's warm, not too much."
Damon nodded, eyes never leaving her face. "I'm glad. I wanted something intimate. Somewhere you could breathe."
She chuckled softly. "And the music? Classic jazz? That's a surprise."
He smirked. "Surprised I have taste?"
"A little," she teased, then softened. "But it suits the moment."
Their eyes met for a long second before Damon looked down at his plate. "The food looks amazing too. You've barely touched yours."
"I'm taking it all in," she said. "The ambiance, the company…"
His brow lifted, a smile tugging at his lips. "Good company, I hope?"
Eliana's gaze softened. "Better than expected."
But soon, Eliana's eyes drifted toward Damon, curiosity lingering in her expression.
"Can I ask you something personal?"
He looked up, pausing with his wine glass halfway to his lips. "Of course."
"Do you have siblings?"
Damon set the glass down gently. "No. It was just me."
She nodded slowly. "And your mom... what happened to her?"
A shadow flickered across his face, and the air seemed to still.
"I lost her when I was a boy," he said, voice barely above a whisper. "I don't talk about it often."
Eliana reached across the table and gently touched his hand. "I'm sorry. You don't have to talk about it if it's too painful."
He gave her a tight smile, grateful for the grace in her voice. "Thank you."
The moment hung between them, fragile and human.
She pulled her hand back, trying to lighten the mood. "I met someone today. At the store."
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh?"
"A woman named Tilda. Said she knew me from university. Not close friends, but she remembered me. Apparently, I wasn't the type to have many close friends."
Damon chuckled. "Your parents said the same. That you kept to yourself, always lost in your books or volunteering."
Eliana smiled wistfully. "Tilda seems sweet. I think I want to get to know her better. My life could use a few more people in it."
He raised his brows playfully. "Am I not entertaining enough?"
She laughed, realizing how her words sounded. "No! That's not what I meant. You're... plenty. I just meant, you know, variety."
Damon's smile softened. "It's okay. I understand."
As the main course arrived, they ate slowly, savoring the meal and the moment. Damon kept glancing at her like she might vanish, and Eliana found herself leaning in more, smiling more freely.
"You really are full of surprises," he murmured.
"Good ones, I hope."
"The best kind."
After dinner, they stepped into the night air, the stars glittering like secrets above them. The drive home was quiet but filled with tension—not uncomfortable, but charged.
Their fingers brushed in the car. Then, they laced together.
As the car cruised through the city, Eliana gazed out the window, her voice barely above a whisper.
"The lights look different tonight," she said, watching them blur past. "Brighter somehow... softer."
Damon glanced over at her, one hand inching slightly closer to hers. "Maybe it's because you're not trying to escape them this time."
She turned to look at him. "Yeah. For the first time, I'm not running. I'm just... here."
He smiled faintly. "The city feels quieter at night, doesn't it? Like it's finally at peace."
"Or like we are," she murmured, her eyes drifting back to the window. "Funny how the world changes when you're not constantly at war with yourself."
Their hands brushed lightly on the center console. Neither pulled away.
When they pulled into the driveway, Damon helped her out of the car and walked her to her door. The night wrapped around them like velvet.
"Thank you," she said, turning to face him. "For tonight. It was... more than I expected."
He tucked a curl behind her ear. "Thank you for coming."
She looked up at him, eyes searching. Something unspoken hung between them.
He leaned in, slowly, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Goodnight, Eliana."
She reached for the door, but paused. Her fingers hovered over the knob.
He was still there. Watching her.
Before she could fully turn, he reached forward, gently grabbing the door to stop it from closing.
"Eliana," he said, voice low.
She looked at him, heart stammering.
"Don't move," he whispered.
Then, slowly, he leaned in and kissed her. Soft. Reverent.
Her eyes fluttered shut, her hand instinctively reaching for his chest.
When he pulled back, she was breathless.
"I've wanted to do that all night," he confessed.
She smiled, dazed. "Why did you stop?"
Their lips met again, this time with urgency. Heat bloomed between them as the kiss deepened.
They stumbled backward into her room, lips never parting. Damon's hands found her waist, her back, her face. When they reached the bed, he eased her down gently, hovering above her.
But when his hand grazed her thigh, she tensed.
"Damon..." she whispered.
He paused instantly. "It's okay," he murmured, brushing her cheek. "We'll go slow. I'll wait. As long as you need."
She nodded, eyes glistening. "I'm sorry—"
"Don't be," he said, kissing her forehead, then her lips. "Goodnight, Eliana."
He left quietly, the door closing with a soft click.
Eliana sat there, heart pounding. Her skin tingled where he'd touched her. Her lips still burned from his.
She stood slowly, walked to the bathroom, and let the cool water rinse away the fire simmering under her skin. But even as it cascaded over her body, she could still feel him.
Downstairs, Damon poured himself a glass of water, a rare smile playing on his lips. He felt like something had finally shifted.
Back in his room, he grabbed his phone.
Damon: Thank you. For trusting me tonight.
Her reply came quickly.
Eliana: Thank you for making it easy to try.
They texted until their eyes grew heavy.
And somewhere between soft laughs and whispered goodnights through a screen, they both fell asleep—hearts a little fuller than the night before.