The amount of respect that Caroline received was unexpected, especially considering she was technically a prisoner. The only thing that she wasn't entirely comfortable with were the sleeping arrangements—after her first few days with Klaus's men, Klaus informed her that the only room he'd permit her to sleep in was his own.
Of course Caroline wouldn't be a Forbes if she didn't try to resist, so that is exactly what she did. Every night, for almost a week, she went to sleep with all the blankets provided for her in a random tent that was not occupied by the men of the camp. Each night, however, she would awake in Klaus's arms or in the arms of one of his minions while they moved her into his sleeping quarters. So Caroline settled for sleeping like a well-trained dog far off in the corner, there was absolutely no way she would ever share a bed with a man while she was unmarried.
At first Klaus was content with this, assuming that the ground was uncomfortable and she would eventually give into him, but as time grew on he was introduced to just how stubborn this girl really was. He'd told her that he would much prefer if she joined him on the bed, when she scoffed he assured her that they would do nothing more than sleep. Caroline would still have no part in it so he revoked her blanket privileges.
Most nights Caroline would do just fine without the extra warmth, but tonight was not one of them. Klaus had left that morning, and since he had departed a horrible storm had overtaken the camp, it was loud and demanding as it whipped the tents and pressed on harder making going outside impossible.
The blonde eyed Klaus's warm bed, he was the head of one of the most successful Viking groups she had ever seen, she knew that his bed would be soft, luxurious, and most importantly warm. Caroline's fingers had long since lost feeling, and as her eye caught a glimpse of her own reflection in one of the silver treasures Klaus had lying around, Caroline realized that her lips were turning an alarming shade of blue. Not caring about the consequences she climbed into his bed.
As the soft blankets lured her into sleep she didn't notice the sound of hooves in the distance.
It had been difficult, but Klaus and his men made it back without any damage more than some minor cases of frostbite. As he walked towards his tent he regretted taking away Caroline's blanket and grabbed a few extras to make sure that she wouldn't freeze to death.
When he walked into his quarters, the first thing he noticed was that Caroline wasn't sleeping on the makeshift bed she'd created for herself on the floor. Klaus had given the men he stationed at camp strict orders not to let her leave his tent, and just as he was about to tear them to shreds he saw her.
Lying with her hair surrounding her head like a halo, her lips were still slightly off colored from the cold. Klaus was pleasantly surprised that the storm had driven her to his bed—something he himself had been quite unsuccessful on doing. Adding the extra blankets, because Caroline looked as though she could use all the warmth she could get, Klaus crawled into bed next to her and drifted off into a peaceful oblivion.
When Caroline awoke she felt warm and safe, feelings she hadn't been accustomed to for quite awhile. As she went to stretch she noticed the extra weight around her waist.
The memories from the night before came back and as she opened her eyes her fears were confirmed. Her body was locked into place next to Klaus as he unconsciously held her with an iron grip.
Trying to slip out of his grasp before he woke she moved closer to him, hoping that she could then dodge out of his arm, unfortunately this had the opposite of the desirable effect.
Within seconds Klaus was awake and flipping them over so that his body hovered over hers.
"If you wanted to be closer to me, all you would have had to do was ask, love." Klaus said, gazing lustfully down at the woman whom he'd come to think of as his greatest treasure—even if she found being in the same room as him disdainful.
"I was trying to get as far away from you as I could." Caroline said as she attempted push him off of her.
Klaus chuckled and traced his lips along her neck all the way to her ear where he whispered, "Then why is it that I found you in my bed, willingly without any coercion?"
"I was cold." Caroline said, hoping that the truth would be enough to get him off of her.
"And here I thought you would rather freeze than share the same bed as me." Klaus mussed as he brought his lips down to trace the curve of her neck.
"Next time I will take that into consideration." She growled, once again making a feeble attempt to push him off of her.
Klaus lifted himself up to meet her eyes, "You don't truly think that there will be a next time? That after having you asleep in my arms that I would ever allow you to sleep on the floor?" Klaus asked, getting that same possessive look in his eyes as he had when he'd originally told her that she was his prize—his possession.
This time when he gave her that look it no longer brought fear to her heart, dread perhaps, but not fear. He'd kept his word of not taking her against her will, and as strange as it may seem, Caroline believed him—almost trusted him.
"If I agree to share this bed with you will you get off of me?" Caroline asked.
Klaus smirked at her, "Of course, love." He said flipping them one final time so that she was on top and all of her weight was pressed against his chest, the sensation of her above him caused Klaus to stifle a groan.
As she pushed herself off his chest, Klaus could tell she was trying to hide her blush. He watched every one of her movements, loving everything about her.
"See you tonight, Caroline." Klaus called after her as she made her way out of the tent.
The girl ducked her head unsure of what she had just gotten herself into, but surprisingly unafraid of what the outcome may be.
