"I'm not an object, Damon," I say coolly.

He stares into me, looking back and forth as if trying to decide which of my eyes to keep contact with.

"Well obviously not; you're a human being Scar, I presumed you would've already known this." He replies with a smirk, still holding me against the tree.

My eye twitches in aggravation, "You know what I mean!"

"I'm afraid I don't love."

"Well then let me spell it out for you: I'm not yours to boss around."

"Yes you are."

"No I'm not!"

"Yes you are," he says slowly, "You owe me, remember?"

A sheet of realization falls over me as I recall his words--'you owe me, big time'. I close my eyes and swear under my breath. He did in fact save me, and I do owe him.

"I'm confused, what are you implying by 'yours'?" I ask.

"I thought this was self-explanatory."

When I don't respond, he huffs and continues.

"You are mine and mine alone. We are not 'dating', but you are not allowed to be with anybody else, at all."

I roll my eyes at his insufferable response. His jaw tightens as his eyes become smoky.

"And you'll stop that too."

"What? Rolling my eyes at you?" I ask in disbelief. Can he be more demanding?

"Yes. You'll regret it if you don't."

"Regret it?" I ask and burst out laughing, "You're so full of shit!"

While laughing, I look him dead in the eyes, and roll mine deliberately. Who the hell does he think he is anyway?

His green eyes darken, and at first he looks angry. But, the corner of his lip quirks up into a smirk and he clicks his tongue disapprovingly.

"Clearly, I'll have to demonstrate."

"Demonstrate?"

Then, his lips are on mine.

His grip on my wrist tightens while he holds my face in place. His body presses against mine, trapping me between him and the tree behind me. His lips crash into mine in a forceful but skilled manor. My eyes widen and I don't know how to react. I don't kiss back at first, but, gradually, I begin to find myself melting into his embrace. My eyes flutter shut as I guiltily respond to his attack.

I can feel Damon smirk against my lips when he senses my surrender. He kisses with a sensual rhythm, but hungrily, as if he's been waiting his whole life to do this. I follow his lead while he takes control. He eventually let's go of me and places his elbows against the tree on either side of my face, resting his clenched fists directly above my head. I take this opportunity to knot my fingers into his loose waves of hair. It's quite softer than it looks, and I'm distracted momentarily by it.

I'm quickly brought back, though, when I feel Damon lightly tug on my bottom lip, sending shivers down my spine. He pulls back and I can't help the disappointed look on my face. He must notice it because his face transforms into a look of arrogant satisfaction.

"Eager are we now, White?"

"Shut up."

I look to my right in a lame attempt to hide my reddening cheeks. He leans in and nuzzles my neck, nipping behind my ear. I gasp, and his lips travel to my ear.

"Don't tell me what to do," he challenges.

"I'll tell you whatever I want."

"Not while we're in this arrangement."

"How long exactly is this 'arrangement' going to last?" I inquire.

"As long as I see fit."

He pushes himself off me. With a sultry look and a wink, he departs, leaving me breathless. I can hear his converse crunching against the leaves while he walks away, the sound becoming softer as he increases the distance. I raise my hand to touch my kiss-swollen lips. My fingers brush over my mouth and I stand, wide-eyed, looking out between the trees at the shimmering lake.

I don't know what I've gotten myself into, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you!" Rachel yells, jogging up to me.

"Oh, I've just been admiring the forest."

"What a strange thing to--wait."

She clasps my face between her cheeks and stares intently at me. Her eyes scrunch up as she peers, then suddenly, they become wide and she releases me in shock.

"You were making out with Damon! Look at your pink lips and tangled hair and dazed eyes! You totally were, don't try to deny it!" She screams.

I immediately smack my hands over her loud mouth and glance around to see if anybody heard. Luckily, nobody is near us, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Watch what you say out loud stupid, I don't need the whole student body knowing that."

"So I was right!" She snickers.

"Possibly."

"Tell me all about it! I want every juicy detail."

Remembering that I still haven't told her about the cigarette boys incident, I lead Rachel over to our tent and explain my most recent events: the kissing, why the kissing happened, the 'owe me' deal, and why the 'owe me' exists (hence explaining that night). She lays back as if out of breathe, even though I've been the one talking nonstop.

"Jeez Scarlet, why didn't you tell me about that. You could've lost your virginity to those scumbags, or worse!"

"I guess I couldn't find the right moment. It only just happened you know."

"I'm just glad you're okay. And Damon gets a check in my knight-in-shinning-armor book. I don't understand, though, why did he specify that you two aren't 'dating'. Is he just looking for a friends-with-benefits deal, or what?"

"I don't know...," I reply.

The rest of the day dragged on dryly with nothing more exciting happening than a game of football with Eric. I didn't see much of Damon except for dinner and from across the field while I hung out with a few girls and he with a group of guys. I took the time to enjoy the little solitude from him, since I so rarely receive it.

The next day passes by in a breeze, with still little to no contact with Damon since our kiss, only lingering stares. At the end of the day, everybody begins packing up, for our spring trip has reached its close. After Rachel and I finished loading up her car, we join Eric, Beth, and Jason to relax some before everybody leaves. While we're talking and laughing, I notice a figure in my peripheral vision leaning against the telephone pole opposite to us. Knowing who it is already, I put on a nonchalant face and glance at Damon. My eyes glaze over his lean body and I admire his fitted black jeans and how they hug his long legs. A breeze blows through his plain white tee while he motions with his head to come over. I comply and make my way towards him.

"What are you doing all the way over here, loner?"

"When we get back home, I am going to need a math tutor," he says raising an eyebrow suggestively, ignoring my question.

"What? You're one of the best in the class, why would you need a tutor?"

"God you're dull; I want you to tell your mother you're tutoring a peer, and then come over to my place. Of course I don't actually need a tutor; I'm even better than you at math."

That last part digs into me, "Are not."

"Am so."

"Are not."

"Am so, and you know it. Now can we get back to the subject on hand?"

"Why do you want me to come over?"

"So we can spend some quality time together," he responds with a lopsided smirk, eyes dancing.

My stomach drops, "What do you mean by 'quality time'?" I ask timidly.

"What a dirty mind you have Scarlett. I was just thinking we'd play a board game and talk about our feelings, but if that's what you want to do then...," He trails off, reeking of sarcasm.

"Oh, shut up." I sneer.

He grabs my chin and raises my head roughly to meet his gaze. His thumb grazes over my bottom lip.

"I told you not to tell me that, remember?" he murmurs with an all-too-knowingly proud glare.

I sneer; he releases me, but retains the close distance between us.

"As I was saying," he continues, "You'll come by my house after school twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we'll spend some quality time together, indiscreetly."

'Indiscreetly' catches my attention, "So that's why I'm 'tutoring' you, so that we will hang out without anybody actually seeing us. Since I'm 'yours' but we're clearly not 'dating', you definitely wouldn't want to be seen out with me in public," I say sarcastically.

"Maybe I just enjoy privacy? I have no problem being out in public with you; you're one to show off, White."

My nerves quicken at his remark, warming my skin.

"Alright, I'll come," I agree, slightly feeling as if I had just signed my soul to the devil.