I am so sorry for keeping you in the dark for so long with this story! I intended to have this up weeks ago, but something always came up! Not to mention I lost my inspiration for it as well.

I do hope you enjoy this!

Please remember to review! :)


Antonia sat up in her bed, and watched as the sun's rays leaked into her room. She couldn't help the smile crossing her face.

Maybe she would see him today. She didn't know why, but the thought of seeing Kol excited her. Perhaps because he presented the danger she so craved in her life or because his brown eyes had captivated her.

Slowly getting out of her bed, she sighed as she thought of his eyes. He didn't appear to be any older than her, and yet his eyes held so much maturity, they were old eyes, as her grandmother would say, and full of such sadness.

She felt drawn to him. She didn't know why. Quickly dressing in a simple peasant dress, she left her room. Her father had already gotten up at this point, and left to tend to the herds of sheep over the hills.

She sighed as she began to fix her breakfast. Suddenly she heard a knock at her door. Dropping the silver spoon in her hands, she whirled around, and fear crept in her heart at the thought of a stranger visiting so early in the morning. Quickly grabbing a silver knife from the counter, she clutched it in her hands as she approached the door.

"Who is it?" She called out in Italian, her voice shaking.

"Kol Mikaelson calling on one Antonia Gallo." The voice replied from the other side.

Antonia covered her mouth as she quickly unlocked the door, and opened it.

"My apologies, Signor." She remarked, holding the knife up in her left hand as she covered her mouth once more with her right.

Kol smirked as he eyes the knife. "Is this how you greet guests?" He asked, pointing towards the knife.

Antonia looked down at the knife, and couldn't help the blush on her cheeks at the thought. "I am sorry. I thought you were a stranger." She remarked, dropping the knife on the table.

Kol smiled, and nodded. "Well, I'm grateful then that I am not a stranger." He said, with a bow of his upper body.

Antonia smiled, as she brushed her hair behind her ear with her right hand, a nervous habit she picked up through her years.

She took a brief moment to study the man in front of her. He was exactly as how she remembered. Tall with brown hair, and deep brown eyes, that held a hint of coy and something very dangerous.

Her heart accelerated as she studied him, and realized how handsome he was. Shaking her head from the thoughts erupting in her mind, she nodded to him.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Signor?" She asked, looking into his eyes.

Kol smiled, softly, which was almost unusual for him, but he admired her innocence for some reason. It tempted him. Elijah and Nik's warning echoed in his mind. No, he wouldn't try anything with her, but he couldn't help the drawing feeling towards her like gravity well.

"Are you not going to invite me in?" He asked, looking around the inside of her quaint cottage.

Antonia smiled softly and gave a nod. "Would you like to come in?" She asked, motioning for him to.

Kol smirked and gave a slight bow before entering. "Thank you, Signora." He replied, looking into her blue eyes.

Antonia blushed as she stared back. "You did not answer my previous question, Signor." She whispered her voice weak from his gaze.

Never before had she felt such a strong attraction to a man, but she was drawn to him, and she couldn't help it.

Kol smiled as he went to the table, and fingered the blade gently. "I wanted to see you again." He answered, turning back to her. "And ask if you would like to join me for a stroll through the woods. I hear it's beautiful this time of year." He added, crossing his arms over his chest.

Antonia smiled and lowered her head. "That it is, but I'm afraid I must decline." She replied, solemnly.

Kol frowned. "And why may I ask?" He asked, watching her carefully. He hated having someone refuse him. People had been killed for less.

Antonia smiled, and tilted her head. "My papa should be returning for his lunch, and if it is not cooked, he will be very cross." She answered, with a smile.

Kol smirked, and approached her. "What if I promise to have you back before lunch?" He asked his eyes boring into hers.

"I still must decline." She paused, searching his brown eyes. "As much as I wish to." She whispered, feeling her heart beat faster in her chest.

Kol smiled, and took a step closer. "Well, then, we are at an impasse. I'm afraid." He whispered, feeling his veins burn like fire.

Antonia nodded, only slightly, before her face brightened. "Would you rather walk around our gardens? They are not much, but they are beautiful." She suggested, pointing with her right hand towards the back.

Kol smiled. "I imagine they are not as beautiful as their keeper." He whispered, closing the distance between them.

Antonia blushed at his compliment, and swallowed hard. "Follow me then." She requested, clearing her throat, and walking past him outside.

Kol smirked as he listened to her heart beat, which had picked up at his closeness. As he listened, he found he rather enjoyed the sound of her heart beating wildly in her chest, and for some reason, he found it horrible to think it could be silenced.

He paused before he exited the house. Was he really thinking of valuing a human life? His eyes widened as he thought of turning into Finn, and how he had been before Klaus had daggered him. He had been weak, and yet Kol thought he was strong for loving so deeply. Strong and foolish.

Antonia turned around, and noticed Kol had frozen just under the threshold of the house, and frowned when she looked at his face.

"Is something the matter, Signore?" She asked, stepping back towards him.

Kol snapped out of his daze when he heard her, and sent her a weak smile. "Everything is fine, Antonia." He replied, as he stepped outside. "But only if you call me Kol." He whispered, lowering his eyes to search hers, as he lifted his right hand to point at her.

Antonia smiled, and bowed her head. "Very well, Kol." She whispered, with a gleam in her eyes. "And you may call me Toni." She added, smiling.

Kol smirked. "Toni," He tried it out on his tongue, and found he liked it. "I like it." He whispered, in a seductive tone.

Antonia blushed wildly. "Thank you, Kol." She whispered, trying to avoid his eyes.

Kol smiled at her innocence, and lifted his right arm up. "Shall we?" He asked, with another smile.

Antonia nodded, and gently thread her right arm through his left. At the first contact, she felt a surge run through her veins, and she was so sure he could hear it.

Unfortunately he couldn't hear that, but he did hear her heart jump start at the contact, and he had to force down the monster within. Something inside of him began to generate fear. Fear of what would happen if she knew what he was, but he couldn't think like that. He had only met her almost two days ago, and already he felt close to her. He didn't need this. She was just a distraction. A woman to fill his lover card. Or was she?

They arrived at the gate, and Kol firmly pushed the white iron gate forward. His eyes widened as he took in the tall evergreens lining a small path. A small Roman statue stood at the center of the quaint little garden, and surrounding it was a small pond filled with fish.

"This was my mother's garden." She whispered, as she gazed around at the roses in almost full bloom, and the water lapping over small rocks, turning the pond into a small fountain.

Kol smiled and nodded. "It's very beautiful." He whispered, as he looked around him. "Where is your mother?" He asked, turning his head to her. The look on her face was enough to answer.

Her eyes clouded over, and her smile dimmed. She became an apparition of who she was just moments before. "She passed away a few months ago." She answered in a sorrow filled voice.

Kol sighed. "I'm truly sorry, Toni." He said, with sympathy. "I know what it's like to lose a mother." He whispered, turning his gaze to the distance.

Antonia lifted her eyes to his, and searched for the lost pain. "You have my sympathies, Kol." She whispered, touching his arm with her free hand.

Kol nodded, and wanly smiled. "And you have mine." He whispered, searching her eyes. Any other person, who spoke to him with sympathy or what have you, he would have drained, but her, no, she understood what the pain of loss was like, and he knew she wasn't just saying the words.

That he appreciated more than anything else.

Slowly he turned to face her, and reached up with his right hand and touched her face.

Antonia gasped lightly as she felt his hand caress her cheek. He had a soft touch, and she wanted to touch him more.

With hesitant fingers, Antonia lifted her left hand, and touched his face in return.

Kol slightly jerked under her touch, causing her to pull her hand away, but not too far, for he shook his head before she could get far.

"I'm not used to people touching me." He whispered, not understanding why his voice was sounding unsure.

Antonia nodded, and rested her hand on his face, gently caressing his cheek.

Kol held her eyes as he slowly closed the distance between them. He wanted to know what her lips tasted like, and he especially wanted to know why she was bewitching him.

He watched as her face tilted up to his, and he finally placed his lips on hers. He felt her melt under his lips, and his left arm found its way around her waist, pulling her to him.

She tasted so good. He moaned as he opened her mouth, and dove into it with his tongue. He felt her moan and move her hands into his brown hair, and he couldn't have felt better. He felt desire coursing through his veins.

He wanted her. He wanted her body. He wanted… her blood.

With the realization, Kol jerked away from her lips, and cleared his throat. He studied her as her eyes opened and confusion filled her eyes.

"Forgive me, Toni." He whispered, pulling her hands down from his hair. "I forgot myself." He replied, wondering where this gentleman was moments before.

Antonia shook her head. "There is nothing to forgive, Kol." She whispered, with a smile. "I found it quite revealing." She whispered, with a slight blush.

Kol smirked. "As did I." He returned, capturing her blue eyes with his.

As did I. He added in his mind. He was feeling something for this raven haired beauty, and it wasn't just lust or playful manner.

In just two days, he found himself, actually drawn to her, and he shuddered to think what that would or could actually mean.

He couldn't love. He was above that.

Or was he?

He spent the next few hours while she showed him the gardens that her mother had lovingly created, wondering why he was drawn to her. He couldn't figure out why a simple girl would hold his attention. Sure he was attracted to her, but why did he want to make sure she was protected? Most of the women he knew or had been acquainted with only served two purposes: to have sex and to feed from.

With Antonia, it was different. He wanted to get to know her.

He didn't have an explanation. All he knew was, after the kiss, he wanted to keep her and claim her as his for all eternity.

In his mind, he began to formulate a plan to do just that.


What did you think?

I know this wasn't much, but it was all I could do. I hate leaving stories in the lurch, so...

I am going to try to update this story every weekend, since my weeks are now going to be very busy!

Until Next Time...