Safe Haven

by mysticfalls-originals

NIGHTMARES PART 2! "How season 6 should have been" through bonkai's eyes. this is a separate story from Nightmares that you can read as a standalone - only thing you need to know is they had more time alone in 1994 to fall for each other.

25. Chapter 25

Pungent scents wafted through Bonnie's nose awakening her senses before she was fully conscious, letting out a sound of hunger and rolled to the side, breathing in the warmth of cinnamon. Lifting her head off the pillow a tray sat on the bed near the edge with a plate of French toast drizzled in syrup, confectionary sugar, and topped with strawberries and blueberries, a bowl with half of a grapefruit inside, and utensils on it. Sitting up straight Bonnie's jaw involuntarily dropped open, completely surrounded by trays all with different breakfast meals displayed. Going from one side of her to the other she scanned over everything, most covered in fruits seeing a Belgian waffle, yogurt and granola, mini sausage and bacon, dropped eggs on toast, and croissants all within reach. Bringing her hand up to her mouth Bonnie glanced up at the same moment Kai was walking into the room in boxers and a gray wife-beater with yet another tray in hand, perking up when he saw her.

"Well finally, I had this idea that you would wake up when I brought in the first plate and could eat them like a luxurious 7-course meal but that didn't seem to go as planned."

Placing his tray on her lap she smiled at the single pink flower in a little glass jar and looked over the plate of cut up strawberries, orange slices, and tiny pancakes with a bowl of syrup beside it.

"What…"

"Orange juice and milk are right here," he said gesturing to the bedside table next to him and pointed to the other, "coffee's over there."

"Kai, why did you do all of this?"

"Uh, it's Christmas," Kai stated as if it was obvious, "and I owed you for yesterday."

"You really didn't," she uttered looking over all of the options and stayed momentarily frozen, her hands plastered to the bed as he moved around her and eased in beside her.

"Don't tell me you aren't hungry," he said with an edge of uncertainty putting a crack in her rigid frame and glanced over at him smiling.

"I'm always up for eating."

"Well then dig in!"

"I need a shirt first, I'm kind of…"

"I know," he said knowingly, looking down to enjoy the view.

"Can you find me something?"

Sitting there for another fifteen seconds Bonnie was contemplating getting up when Kai leaned forward stretching towards the chair in the corner of the room and scooped up the gray t-shirt that he threw on after a shower the other day, swinging it over her head and through her arms swiftly.

"Thank you," she said feeling three times more comfortable and picked up her fork. "Aren't you going to have anything?"

"Sure."

"Okay so pick one."

"Which one don't you want?"

"I don't know, it doesn't matter," Bonnie shrugged and looked over each dish looking like they were professionally done. "I'll just take a bite out of whatever you're having if I get the urge."

Snickering in response Kai leaned forward grabbing the tray with the mini sausages, bacon, a cup of syrup, and a croissant sticking it on his lap. After popping some of the cut-up strawberries in her mouth along with a few tiny pancakes Bonnie moved onto the meal she's had her eye on from the beginning and switched trays with the Belgian waffle. Blueberries and strawberries were scattered on top along with a red glaze and a dollop of whipped cream was swirled around the middle. Not thinking twice Bonnie dove in savoring every delectable bite thinking this may be her new favorite breakfast food and finished almost the entire thing without even realizing. Swiping the champagne glass of orange juice she finished it too quickly, the cool liquid making her feel less full as it went down.

"How was it?"

"You should really consider getting into the food business, maybe opening up a little shop somewhere; you'd get by just fine."

"I do anyway."

"I know but this money you would actually deserve because you'd be working to earn it."

"It takes some effort to magically make money grow on trees, wouldn't you say?" Kai said with a tilt of his head and she stared back surely looking as puzzled as she felt. "You should check out the backyard sometime."

"You're kidding."

"There's an illusory spell on it so people perceive it to be any other tree but if you pick the leaves there is a high chance they'll turn into twenty dollar bills. It seemed less suspicious than a wallet full of hundreds, I don't want anyone getting the idea I'm doing illegal things."

"So, calling you out on what's actually going on?"

"Yeah but they'll think I'm some drug dealer. I would hand over the wad of cash willingly if they correctly guessed that I fund myself through supernatural means."

"A money tree, right outside of my own home," Bonnie concluded laughing at the information, "that I might have to test out."

"It's a real time-saver," he nodded moving onto one of the pieces of toast with a poached egg on top and cut it into pieces, looking over and taking in her expression.

"Have you ever had this?"

"Can't say that I have." Holding up the fork with a piece already on the end Bonnie leaned into him dragging her lips across the metal and her taste buds came to life with a buttery crunch on top of the strong flavor of yolk. "That's deceivingly tasty."

Grinning Kai moved his plate closer pushing the untouched piece towards her but her utensil went past it back to the already cut pieces choosing the easier route. Eating until she felt like she couldn't move Bonnie moaned and leaned back holding her stomach.

"Food coma?"

"Call an ambulance," she let out in an exaggerated and over the top whiny voice.

"On Christmas? It'll take them hours to find their way here."

The reminder of what day it was had Bonnie shimmying around in place, the start of it already better than she could have anticipated. "So happy it's today."

"Me too," Kai grinned, "so… want to open your gift?"

"Kind of," she let out honestly through a cheerful smile, the light in his eyes shining even more, "you really didn't have to get me anything though."

"I don't have to do anything, that's the best part about being me," he boasted and Bonnie's eyes rolled back, pulling the covers off and placing the tray beside her so she could stand and headed for the living room.

Plucking the present she bought from under the tree she hid it behind her back and sat on the couch sideways with one leg against the cushions, waiting for him to do the same on her left and he held out a small square box.

"You first."

Insides flopping at the de ja vu she was putting herself through again Bonnie took the box out of his hand and trained her eyes down pulling back the wrapping paper and avoiding his gaze. Seeing the name of the jewelry store they were in before the Masquerade written across the cover struck her causing her breath to come out shallow, taking it off and letting out a noise of surprise. In her hands was the same bracelet she was ogling over, the elegant white-gold box chain connected through seven circle diamonds with an Eiffel Tower dangling below the clasp. Lifting it out of the box Bonnie's mouth was straining from how wide she was smiling and looked up to Kai watching her.

"How did you know?"

"I saw you eyeing it," he remarked and her chest warmed seeing how closely Kai paid attention, asking if he could help her put it on and held her left forearm up looking at the Tower dangling from her wrist.

"This is so thoughtful, Kai," she said absorbing the dazzle of the diamonds and pulled him in for a tight hug. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Kai hummed against her neck, leaning back feeling abruptly nervous.

Blowing out a shaky breath Bonnie reached behind her pulling out the wrapped ring box and tossed it in his lap, too jittery to hand it to him. Picking it up with his left hand Kai twisted the box examining in with a blank expression before pursing his lips and looking back to her.

"What?" she said anxiously and he grabbed something behind him with his other hand, bringing forward an identical box and looking over them both before holding one out for her to take. "You got me something else?"

"And I think you got me something very similar," he concluded tossing the box in the air and catching it, his wolfish grin spreading, "there's a comment I could make, but I'll wait until after just to be sure."

Not wanting his full attention on her again they opened their gifts at the same time, pausing to flip the top seeing Kai do it to his. The smile that spread across his features lit up his face, the rupture of delight radiating off of him seeming too contagious to ignore.

"I don't know which design that is, I told the little French woman Celtic which she seemed to understand," Bonnie explained looking at the metallic-black thumb ring with a silver chained Celtic knot crossing through the middle, "and then I pointed you out to say who I was getting it for and this was one of the options. But the best part – it spins."

Mouth popping open Kai pulled the ring out of the box putting it on his left thumb – breathing out a sigh of relief that it fit him – and ran his index finger over it twirling it repeatedly. "No way, that is so cool."

"Yeah?" Bonnie pepped seeing the amazement in his eyes watching it spin and slowed it down to a stop, examining it closer. "I figured you were all set with the necklace, and you ditched most of your bracelets besides the black beads and a couple bands but you didn't start wearing rings until we came here so I took that as meaning it's your current fixation."

"Awh look at you noticing things about me too," he beamed, "that's encouraging. So you don't know which knot this is?"

"No."

"But the woman knew you were getting it for me," he repeated and she drew down her brows in question, "that's pretty funny."

"Why?"

Rocking his head from side to side like he was debating if he was going to tell her, the laughter puffed out of his lips and locked eyes with her. "It's a sailor's knot."

"Okay, what does that mean?"

"See how it's two different ropes weaving and connecting making knots? That's supposed to represent two people and the strong bond they share, uniting them into one. It can symbolize friendship, or affection… or more, usually more. The name originated from the sailor's who were away from their sweethearts overseas."

"Oh… my…" Bonnie uttered, the more Kai spoke the harder it became to breathe. Seeing flashes of the woman on the other side of the counter speaking rapidly she was able to pick out fragments every so often like 'amour' and 'celtique,' but had no indication whatsoever of the hidden intimate significance behind the knotted design. Feeling her heart pound fast enough to ponder if he could hear it Bonnie's mouth was so dry she couldn't swallow the lump stuck in her throat, running her sweaty palms down her bare thighs. "I guess that's a much bigger statement than the runner-up I love Paris shirt I came across."

"Only if you mean it," Kai declared with a coquettish grin, "also it's a little eerie what similar tastes we have."

Dropping her sight to her lap Bonnie flipped the cover and brought the ring box up to her face slowly, the grin appearing the closer it got. The first thing that drew her in was the dark red oval stone in the center, two tiny diamonds on the top and bottom as well as two more in the shape of a sideways V around the points. The silver band was looped together with a simple knot that looks like the exact design she used to make with jelly bracelets, entwining one inside the other and pulling at the ends looking similar to a double-knotted infinity symbol. The knots on the ring were still loosely linked and the red stone sat securely tucked in-between them. Looking up with what she expected was an expression of jubilation Bonnie drew in her bottom lip in an attempt to tame her Cheshire cat smile.

"You got me something Celtic?"

"It seemed only right; I know how fond you are of my necklace."

"Which kind is it?" Bonnie asked taking it out of the box and testing it out, finding a home on her right middle finger.

"Funny story," Kai began, his fingertip spinning the ring absentmindedly and eye-line trailed down to it, smirking. "It's a sailor's knot."

Shooting back down to her finger Bonnie examined the knot with scrutiny, scrunching her eyebrows when she wasn't seeing the similarities from this design to the one on Kai's. "But they're nothing alike."

"They're both two intertwined ropes; yours is the simplest version, which also happens to be the strongest."

Perking her head up and raising her hand looking over the most powerful knot of its kind Bonnie tried not to let the fluttering in her stomach or lightheadedness over the details she just digested about this Celtic pattern gain power over her, but the beating inside her ribcage was becoming insufferable.

"Is this a ruby?"

"Red garnet; I thought if you were going to embody Miss Scarlet you should have a token to wear as a reminder of the seductive temptress you have inside begging to come out. You're like a modern day femme fatale."

"Mm and how would you characterize them as?"

"Dangerous," Kai stated in a low tone, drifting his fingers lightly up her outstretched leg, "and addicting."

"I've been called worse," Bonnie said in a small voice watching his hand dance across her skin, drawing her in.

"Oh have you? I guess I'll have to make a couple visits to people in the near future; I know one leather-wearing vampire that'll be at the top of the list."

"Let's not undersell it, you and I both know Damon's in the top three of just about every one of your lists."

"He does seem to have a knack for finding unexpected ways into my life; there's been a lot of that going around."

"One of the drawbacks of being a former prisoner getting accustomed to the twenty-first century," she teased.

"Prisoner of war," Kai corrected, the term not one Bonnie's familiar with and studied his shift in manner; his gaze distant like he was in a memory before blinking and looking back at her with clear eyes. "But I appreciate the former part."

Bonnie was still looking at him like she was scrutinizing – eyebrows drawn, head cocked to the side – and he stared back in question. "Is there a difference between the two?"

"There is," Kai responded simply, mindful to the fact that he knows the distinction and is choosing not to say it.

"Is that a term that still describes you?" Bonnie asked with a hint of hesitation, the sincerity in his eyes easing the knot inside in her stomach.

"No, and you may or may not have had a hand in helping me out of that one."

"Oh really?" she thrummed lifting her foot and tickling at his ribs with her toes, Kai leaning up towards her as his left hand ran up Bonnie's side and the right gripped the top of the cushion.

"Mhm."

"So essentially you were the damsel in distress and I came to the rescue," Bonnie concluded, mimicking in a deep voice, "Mr. I-can-do-everything-on-my-own."

"I can," Kai protested with a bright smile as he moved slowly like he was stalking his prey, "doesn't mean I want to."

Bonnie had her lower back pressed up against the armrest as he rose on his knees to tower over her, her mouth opening to accommodate her shallow breaths. Bending her knees into Kai's thighs she pushed off the cushion sending him back to sit up and threw her leg over his straddling him, sinking into the couch and involuntarily grinding against him. Not wearing anything under his shirt Bonnie slid over the thin boxer-briefs feeling Kai shiver underneath her, the only material of clothing being yanked over her head before she could register.

Exposed and self-conscious being naked while Kai's fully clothed her hands made their way under his wife-beater pushing it up with the momentum and leaned into her for assistance, slamming him back into the couch with her chest and wrapping her left hand around his neck. Bonnie could feel him getting harder every time she rocked into him dropping her forehead to his and Kai reached between them pinching and twisting at her nipples sending shocks down her spine. Forcing out an exhale she looked deep into pupils that were dilating quicker by the second, wondering if Kai could see the green disappearing in hers during all of the times he refused to break eye contact.

"Kai, I can't-"

"In the house – I know, and it pains me. So I guess that means you won't be performing any sexual acts, I'll do all of the work."

Opening her mouth to speak a moan spilled out as the shocks of pleasure started up again, Kai's lips encasing her breast and biting with just enough pressure to clench around him throwing a hand out to balance herself on the back of the couch. Warmth from Bonnie's core spread to her toes, fingers, and head, swaying from the transition and rammed into him; the grunt escaping from the back of his throat enticing her farther. Fisting his hair and angling his head up the rest of her body seemed to relax into him the moment Kai's soft lips brushed against hers. The tenderness he manages to put into his kissing still leaves her breathless, the sweet nuzzles a contrast and perceptive distraction from his hand sliding between them into her folds and driving two fingers in deeply where Bonnie ached for him.

A noise tore through her composure against Kai's lips and broke apart resting her nose against his cheek slack-jawed, hips churning into his touch. Bonnie glided up and down his hand rubbing against his palm and picked up the pace, the friction kicking her pulse into her throat and pulled both arms around him letting her actions take over. Holding the side of her neck Kai eased his fingers back and propelled them forward pushing his thumb ring against her sensitive skin and legs began to shake at the contact, the second time causing Bonnie to scratch her nails over the front of his chest in a knee-jerk reaction and he let out a sharp noise through his teeth. Leaning back her gaze dropped to the three lines down one of his pecks, none of them drawing blood but all blatantly visible.

"Sorry," Bonnie sighed and let out a strangled screech when Kai twisted his wrist sliding into her and moved his thumb ring over her clit, jerking and quivering around him riding out the orgasm as his hand on her neck kept her anchored to him.

"It's okay," he smirked two octaves lower and the rumbling against her chest sounded like a rasp of temptation, her thighs still vibrating with aftershocks. Flipping her sideways Bonnie's back hit the cushion before the weight of another person pressed down on her, puffing out a shallow noise feeling dizzy from how fast her heart was racing. Linking his fingers through hers Kai rested them beside her head on the right looking them over. "So what does it say about us that we both got the other a ring?"

"That we have similar tastes and spend too much time together," Bonnie tried reasoning, more with herself than him.

"Just a crazy coincidence?" he looked her over awaiting her response.

"Guess so," she got out, her throat feeling too tight.

Turning his head to peer at her out of the corner of his eye Kai gripped her hand and made his way leisurely down her torso, kissing and nibbling as he went. Trailing her eyes from his face to their hands Bonnie lifted them seeing the flashes of the diamond on her ring and the white pattern across his black spinner feeling a twinge in her chest looking at the two of them in their clasped embrace. Tossing her right leg over his shoulder Kai picked up her lower half resting his palm against her left cheek angling her towards his face. The light sensation of the tip of his tongue gliding from the top all the way back to her butt had Bonnie jolting into him, squeezing his hand into the plush material beside her as the other roamed aimlessly. Every little nudge and spasm had her grinding into him unable to escape his firm grasp on her and Kai's rough facial hair against her most tender area has become one of her weaknesses, the mixture between the scratching and sucking burning a hole in her belly until it erupted out of her like a volcano; unexpected and all at once.

Panting out every harsh breath Bonnie was vaguely aware of a sizzling going up her stomach and reached for Kai's hair, pulling until his lips were going up her neck and over her cheek. Even after what he just put her through – especially after that – Bonnie felt desperate for him, the relentless and overwhelming need of wanting more only amplifying each time she's with him. Slipping her hand out of his and into his boxers a jagged noise rumbled in his chest and gripped him with force pulling up to the tip extra slowly, every vein passing underneath her fingers reveal how stiff he is. Yanking at Kai's hips she freed him enough to slide her hand across him easily and her breath hitched when he fell against her hot and heavy, the underside moving through bringing the acute throbbing low in her abdomen.

"Bon," he stated through clenched teeth, the lust in his voice indicating what he's thinking.

"No."

"I hate this rule," Kai huffed, snorting at his temper tantrum and stopped when his fingers slid around her wrist halting her movements, trying again with more determination and glared when he removed her hand putting his boxers back in place.

"What are you doing?"

"If I don't get the satisfaction of having you completely then you don't get any of me; I'm going to make you want me too."

"I do," Bonnie declared grabbing the back of his head and curling her legs behind his.

"I know," he said with a wicked grin and seconds later was standing beside her taking a step backwards, peering down to his legs as he eased out of the living room and started off down the hall.

Hopping to her feet Bonnie listened for which way he went and made a bee-line for the bathroom when the showerhead turned on. Pushing past the butterflies she strode across the tiles and pulled back the curtain, Kai's eyebrows lifting before his smile and shook his head.

"We weren't finished."

"Bad move," he vocalized, biting his bottom lip as an indication and reached for her getting halfway there before pulling back.

Battling between wanting to bring Kai to his knees and listening to his warning Bonnie's stubbornness won over and put one foot over the tub, her back being pressed against one of the walls before she could put down the other. His lips and face were already warming up from the steam and trailed kisses all over, nestling into the side of his neck. Curving around her Kai's bulking frame shielded her from the water and grabbed hold of him with both hands, the corner of her mouth lifting hearing the guttural sound against her lips. Not wanting to draw out her game plan Bonnie skipped over the caresses down his chest and went right for the kill, crouching down to draw him into her mouth when his hands propelled her back up.

"You don't want me to?" Bonnie asked in an innocent tone, running her nails over him.

"Right now that's all I want you to do," Kai remarked darkly, "I'm really getting the shit end of the stick over this, but I got to stick with it; principles."

"Which are?"

"I don't know, I can't think with your hands all over me but it made sense five minutes ago."

"A lot can change in that span of time; think of what could happen in the next five minutes."

Lifting Bonnie up by her inner knees she grabbed onto his neck to keep from falling and sighed when the familiarity pressed into her pelvis moving just subtle enough to ignite a spark. She had it in her head that she needed to be the one to win this round to hold her ground, not let her physical needs take over every ounce of her, and prove Kai wrong so she could throw it back at him one day. Wrapping her fingers around the part of his shaft that was still visible Bonnie took advantage of him having to hold her up and did quick deliberate pumps feeling his stomach muscles clenching and posture turning rigid, a rush of fulfillment overcoming her that Kai was barely keeping it together and she hadn't even had the opportunity to do anything to him yet.

"You're trying to prove your theory by making it happen," he deduced and Bonnie squeezed him tighter.

"I wonder where I picked that up from."

"I think the stone in your ring may have connected with your sorcery just a tad too well, Scarlet."

"I think you may be correct," Bonnie agreed, not untrue that she is feeling uncharacteristically bold in their game of cat-and-mouse.

"But it's not like I left you high and dry, I made sure I took care of you first so you'd only be getting satisfied again in one of our scenarios."

"That's where you're wrong, Colonel." she whispered bringing her face closer to Kai's and rolled into him rubbing her thumb around his sensitive head, the gentle caressing against the tip making him come undone.

Thrusting her up the wall Bonnie clenched around him craving the real thing and her skin charged to life listening to the husky and sensual sounds spilling from Kai's throat, his heart pounding so fast she could feel it inside her chest. Letting go of her knees she pulled them around his hips not wanting to disconnect yet and he seemed to have the same idea, encasing his arms around her back in a bear hug. Pressing his lips to hers a smile crept across Bonnie's face, the fast puffs out of his nose showing he was straining to catch his breath and ran both arms behind his neck.

"You cheated," Kai muttered after another minute or two.

"I didn't realize I could."

"You started saying things, and made things twice as difficult, and switched up my whole game plan."

"Oh now you know how it feels being on the other side of it," Bonnie beamed, a mock-scowl crossing his features. "You better get used to things not going according to plan when I'm around."

"I think it's safe to say I've come to expect that, you've been throwing curveballs since the day you threatened to set me on fire."

"I like keeping you on edge," she purred and Kai's arms tightened nudging his nose against hers.

"Likewise."

xx

As far as holidays were concerned this has become one of Bonnie's absolute favorites, and the day wasn't even over yet. From starting out with breakfast in bed – something no one has ever done for her before, to getting not only one but two sentimental gifts, and displaying a fraction of her gratitude all before lunchtime. Not anticipating having to leave the house Bonnie went for comfort dressing in an oversized long-sleeve red shirt falling off of her shoulders and fuzzy white pajama shorts, her temperature rising seeing Kai strut around in the same wife-beater, black sweatpants, and a matching slouchy beanie hanging loosely at the end.

"I like you in hats," she said sincerely, flashing back to the fedora and noticing both exude an alternate persona of his.

"I like you half dressed," Kai retorted bending down enough to scratch his nails on her outer thigh, shivers breaking out across her skin. "So what do you want to do first?"

"What do you mean?"

"Which part of that question has you stumped?" he replied without missing a beat, her eyebrow lifting.

"I guess the 'first' part, I wasn't aware I had options lined up already."

"Oh yeah; there's watching the best Christmas movies, baking treats, building Gingerbread Kingdoms, decorating ugly sweaters, we could cast a snowstorm spell, or make presents magically appear… to name a few. What do you usually do today?"

"Not much, at least not for the last couple of years. We have the Christmas Eve party so that's the big event and everyone spends today with their families."

"What do you do?" he murmured close to her face and the question made her stomach hurt, gritting her teeth to fight the vulnerable tears threatening to well up.

"This is where I spent every holiday until Gram's passed, so I come here," Bonnie uttered looking away, telling herself to keep it together and change the subject, "at least until I crash Elena or Caroline's plans, sometimes both. But look at who I'm talking to, you've gone through too many Christmas' alone to count."

"Seventeen – but who's keeping track?" Kai joked and ran his palms down her sleeves. "But this one seems promising; maybe our string of bad luck is finally broken."

"Here's hoping," she said mustering up her best smile and he snorted at her attempt, his index finger lifting her chin and kissing her lightly.

"So, what are you in the mood for?" he asked feeling the heat of his breath against her lips and leaned in slightly in a daze, Bonnie's mind and body only coming up with one answer.

"Surprise me."

Flashing his teeth Kai slid his fingers between hers moving out of the way so she could walk first and held both hands in the air swaying hers around, "snowstorm it is!"

"Okay maybe not that drastic," Bonnie expressed through her laughter and heard him sigh dramatically.

"Alright fine; a Gingerbread Kingdom now, and a battle of snowballs later."

The next hour went by in the blink of an eye; not remembering the last time she laughed so much taking part in something normal that she always used to do when she was a kid and the sounds of Christmas tunes were lulling her deeper into the spirit, singing along with them as they worked. Kai's childlike wonder and easily excitable mindset was contagious and soon Bonnie was trapped in his invisible force-field using her magic to assist in their competition of who could build the better house, which turned into two castles.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Bennett-topia is clearly the winner – I have a drawbridge."

"Malachai-ville has a dragon," Kai remarked pointing to a gingerbread creature hanging off one of the sides, "and just the name of it sounds sinister; yours sounds like a carnival."

"You're talking to the Queen and ruler of that carnival-castle."

"And you're up against a King."

"Doesn't nearly seem like a fair battle for you, does it?" she asked in a pitying tone watching his eyes dazzle with mischief.

"Well I don't know, you'll have to check with my best soldier," Kai remarked waving his hand and one of his decorated gingerbread men dressed as Santa Clause stood up and turned facing her direction in a standoff.

"…You want me to take out Santa on Christmas?"

"If you think you can," he goaded instigating her and Bonnie waved a hand over her decorated gingerbreads, Mrs. Clause rising to face him, "got to love the classics."

Before giving him any more time to act Bonnie levitated a small piece of rolled up dough, launching it in his direction and cracking up when it went through Santa's head breaking it off. "You're right, I do."

"Murdering Santa on the day he's just trying to give presents and spread joy to children around the world; wow."

"I'm sure Mrs. Clause won't have any troubles picking up his slack in Bennett-topia," Bonnie responded simply, picking up the decapitated head and eating it.

"And you say I'm the dark one. Okay you won the first round, there will be more competitions."

"Bring it on," she winked, her peaceful state of mind mixing with her competitiveness bringing out a fun and silly side of her, squealing when Kai pivoted her chair to face him.

"Bake off."

"Oh come on," she groaned lulling her head back, "you and me both know who is going to win that."

"I thought you said before you didn't mind baking?"

"I said I was more terrible at dinners than desserts, that's a stretch from not minding it."

"You can break out your touch of magic while I go off my culinary skills, I'm sure I still have you beat."

Intrigue increasing from his remark Bonnie hopped off her seat and crossed the kitchen over to the fridge, brainstorming something she could make. Kai's front crowded into her reaching around her for items and placed them on the counter looking like he already had a plan.

"Don't get too fancy."

"Sure thing," he said over his shoulder looking in the cabinets and pulling out a box and glass bowls before cracking a few eggs.

Not wanting to completely rely on her powers she looked through her surroundings and pulled out a vanilla cake mix, going with it before losing her courage and looked around for all of the correct ingredients. Using an ice cream scooper Bonnie plopped out dollops into cupcake holders in the pan and filled them up, practically glowing with pride that she got this far on her own. Turning to Kai opening the stove to stick in his batch of brownies she stuck her tray on the rack above his and stood by watching him hold his palm in front of the closed stove door, mumbling something under his breath and seeing the oven blaze with heat before opening it back up and taking out both pans fully cooked.

"Convenient," Bonnie nodded poking one of the cupcakes, "I should keep that spell in mind, it's probably the only way I won't burn things."

"I'll teach you," Kai promised and covered his mouth with his hands like he was warming them up before blowing through the opening near his pinkies across both pans cooling them.

Curious, Bonnie pressed her lips to his and let out a soft sound of delight feeling that they were still chilled, his cool hands shaking her frame when they ran up her back underneath her shirt. The tingling deep in her core sizzled, wanting to rise up and take control over her every inaction; twisting and turning painfully when he pulled away and kissed her nose before continuing his dessert. Gripping the counter behind her Bonnie breathed in and out slowly, Kai's rugged sounds of pleasure from earlier spilling through her subconscious feeding the fiend within.

Glancing left she examined Kai's movements as he placed a brownie into a martini glass, followed by a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, hot fudge, sprinkles, and breaking a candy cane in half to stick on the sides. Day dreaming as he did the final touches Bonnie remembered she hadn't finished hers and plucked one of the cupcakes out of the pan putting it on a plate and waving her hand over it, the green frosting twirling up like a Christmas tree and decorated with big round sprinkles for ornaments with a little star on top.

"I need to profit off of these benefits, not just using my skills to save someone from a near-death experience."

"Now that I have magic I don't know how I went about doing half of the tasks in my life without it, I've been missing out."

"I apparently have too. So how do we pick the winner?"

"We judge them off their visuals and a taste test."

Sitting them beside each other Bonnie crouched down investigating each dessert in front of her, Kai making all the necessary 'hmm's' like they do in cooking shows and reached behind him handing off a spoon. Swiping the cupcake up and pulling back the paper a loud grumbled noise of hunger sounded from the back of his throat, giggling at the green icing smeared across his nose, lip, and facial hair in between. Leaning back for a dishtowel Bonnie whipped it at his chest, Kai's smile widening when he caught it and dabbed at little spots on his face asking if we got it all until she did it for him. Lifting up the other half of the cupcake she took a big bite wanting to know how it was and looked up to him with wide eyes, him nodding in agreement that it wasn't undercooked and disgusting like so many times Bonnie's attempted before. Wiping the side of her lip Kai stuck the tip of his thumb covered in icing in his mouth and put down the remnants, going for the martini glass.

Digging her spoon straight through the middle a heaping of ice cream, fudge, whipped cream, and brownie all spilled off the sides and had to lean over the glass to keep it from getting all over her shirt. The moan of delectableness turned bitter halfway through knowing she lost by a landslide before Kai had even taken a bite. Snickering at her reaction Kai grabbed her spoon taking a bite and raised his shoulders blasé like it wasn't one of the best desserts he's made, stealing the spoon and glass out of his hands to finish it.

"Okay so we're tied 1 – 1; what's next?"

"I won?" he asked looking wholeheartedly touched and pumped his arm in victory, "sweet, then we can take a break and watch a movie – or have a quote off and trivia fest during it, whatever we decide."

Brightening at the simple yet sublime string of ideas that Kai has at the ready she headed towards the living room continuing to eat the brownie sundae and plopped on the couch, grabbing a big blanket on the way and throwing it over her bare legs. Popping in a DVD and turning off the music he sat at the other end pulling both Bonnie and the blanket towards him until her left side was pressed up against his and legs were curled up beside her. Making a reference of 'I should have known' when How the Grinch Stole Christmas began Bonnie was taken aback at the comfortable silence they could share with each other, their side comments and quoting lines seeming all too casual.

They had made it halfway through the movie before Bonnie's lust started up again, hitting her so hard she felt off balance becoming aware of their close proximity and what little she would need to do to reel him in. Pressing into the cushion her feet swiveled from where they sat to between Kai's thighs under the blanket, the adjustment causing her posture to straighten and looked up to a dark gaze trained on her. Opening her mouth to let out the exhale that was stuck Bonnie ran her shaking hand from pent-up nerves up his tank top stopping when she felt his heartbeat. Kai's pupils trailed all over her face and she sucked in her bottom lip feeling his arm tense around her back gliding his other hand up her leg from the ankle to the hem of her shorts.

"What'cha doin'?"

"Nothing."

"No? Because it looks like you're doing something that could only lead to so few possibilities."

"I'm just getting more comfy."

"Mhm," Kai hummed, "sure."

The hooting and hollering from the people of Whoville drew his attention to the screen, continuing to look over his profile without the distraction of his gaze. Since the moment Kai asked her to go on a romantic getaway to Paris Bonnie has felt like she's been drifting along in the clouds; no monster-of-the-day troubles or animosity between them to rile up her state of blissfulness. The last few days have been something she didn't think she would ever be able to experience again, seeing extravagant places – creating new memories, and for the first time since Bonnie couldn't even remember when was granted a short time of serenity from the chaos that surrounds her life each and every day.

Not long ago Kai was a vile arrogant kid that she loathed, vocally and physically expressing her detest through a variety of creative ways. Bonnie never could have imagined she would be able to let go of that fear and hostility harbored during the brief period of discovering her and Damon weren't alone to him being shipped back to present day without her, leaving her trapped in an alternate dimension with a sociopath. The walls that were previously standing due to the heartbreak she endured had upgraded upon meeting Kai; a sealed fortress with armed guards and alligators in the moat surrounding the perimeter still not enough to stop his incessant persistence and after months of perseverance has caused a single crack in the barrier, the foundation crumbling around her faster than Bonnie can fight it off.

The person sitting beside her today has changed and grown from who she met during her eternal Groundhog Day, coming to realize this long before the transformation he underwent because of the merge but her strong-willed mind refused to believe it. In some way unbeknownst to her Kai's tenacity managed to break through her barricade, reaching inside in search of her heart; the only part of her that she has left caged and hidden. Bonnie has learned to think, see, and believe in a way she never has before because of him and the things she's discovered about herself and the new outlook has equally astonished and appalled her, sometimes not being able to differentiate between the two.

Being around Kai used to instill her with an unwavering sense of urgency and dread; always seeking out the next escape route and scheme to be rid of him for good, until the day she realized she needed him. Once the nightmares began Bonnie fell into a dark hole of isolation, the lack of contact with human life plucking at her deepest terrors when she was asleep and at her most vulnerable until she was forced to reach out and save herself from hitting bottom. When she felt at one of the lowest points in her existence – questioning what was left for her in an unchanging and everlasting Hell – Kai pulled her out of the depths back into the light helping her remember that her world can still change, even if the one she was temporarily imprisoned in couldn't.

Letting herself feel his presence and what it does to her caused the wrath that had Bonnie contemplating homicide once or twice to flee; the uneasiness and anxiety morphing and adapting to her new perspective, seeping until the chill was deep in her bones. The same issue seemed to arise every time she thought for too long about what Kai really means to her, and how exactly he fits in her life because as of now she has two or three very diverse versions and doesn't know which to truly believe. Sighing out heavily Bonnie's vision came back into focus – staring directly into Kai's eyes. Widening hers she blinked quickly to wipe the haze away and jerked her head back, her nerves heightening at being caught.

"Where did you just go?"

"I'm right here."

"You went somewhere, you had this look like you were deep in thought but your eyes were crystal clear," he said without a hint of sarcasm, scanning her face with attentiveness. "What were you thinking about?"

"You – us," Bonnie laughed softly at the absurdity of both her thoughts and that she was opening up and expressing them. "How things are now compared to when we met, or when Damon left. Nothing turned out how I expected – none of it, and that doesn't happen to me very often."

"Being taken by surprise?"

"And being wrong about what I believe, I'm usually pretty spot on with that."

Kai's head tilted, the corners of his lips just barely turning up, "are you saying you were wrong about me?"

"I may have jumped to certain judgments without giving you a fair chance, without getting to know you and just listening to the things you've done. What you did was terrible, but it doesn't make you who you are – neither does the things your dad put you through."

It never fails to put a smile on her face catching Kai off guard, the occasions so rare since he's fluent in knowing people's actions and how most situations will turn out. The better they've gotten to know each other the more Bonnie has seen the same wide-eyed expression unwinding something within her and drawing her in even closer. The longer the silence stretched out the stronger her other senses became, Kai's heartbeat against her palm pounding as he observed her and a flush of heat blanketed her skin breaking out in goosebumps. A tremor from the sudden change in body heat caused Bonnie to shake and felt his arms curl around her leaning forward for a kiss and stopping when their noses touched, instinctively closing the distance to him.

Kai's heart started to thud faster when her tongue slid across his bottom lip and leaned her knees into his stomach fisting the shirt and pulling until he followed. Crawling backwards with him towering over her Bonnie sunk into the cushions and sighed when his weight lied on top of hers, lifting her legs to give him more room and slid them up his thighs. The first thing that stood out was Kai's lack of incentive to take off hers – or his own – clothing, running his hand down her long sleeves unfazed and making her twice as hot. In truth the entire aura he was giving off was laid back and casual; his lips wandering across her cheeks, jaw, neck, and what limited bare chest he had to work with from her sleeves coming off of her shoulders. The easygoing attitude he was exuding quickly rubbed off on her and found herself savoring this moment; not rushing towards anything or thinking about what happens next, just enjoying what is in front of her. Time managed to slip away, only seeming like a few minutes had passed when the noise from the television started ringing in her ears replaying the home screen music on a loop.

"We missed the movie," Bonnie muttered against his lips.

"I know how it ends," he grumbled back.

"Put on something else," she ordered and he let out a sound of protest.

"Then I'd have to get up."

"I'll be right here when you get back."

Glaring through barely opened lids Kai huffed and puffed as he moved across the living room to the TV and picked up a case switching out the DVDs. The brief silence widened Bonnie's hearing to the chiming coming from down the hall, just realizing she never wished anyone a Merry Christmas and bolted off the couch into her room. Cursing under her breath at all of the missed calls and texts she took a couple of minutes replying to everyone and letting them know she was safe and at Gram's house, doing a double take at the time seeing it was already after 7PM. Heading back for the living room she rounded the corner to Kai still standing in the same spot, arms crossed.

"You are such a liar."

"No I'm not," she said defensively, "about what?"

"Oh just a little 'I'll be right here waiting' and then BAM the second my back is turned," he tsk'd and Bonnie's lip curved seeing the game he was playing, taking casual steps towards him as she spoke.

"Well how rude of me, whatever can I do to make up for it?"

The instant her fingers touched Kai's crossed arms they unwound, scooping her up in between them and humming in the back of his throat in consideration. "Tell me a secret."

"What?"

"A lie for a secret, I think that's reasonable."

"That no one else knows?"

"That's generally the basis behind the term."

Biting the inside of her cheek Bonnie went through half a dozen wisecrack remarks that she could get away with but none of them stuck, the thought of purposely letting Kai in on a piece of confidential information that's stored away ringing of intrigue in the back of her mind – something he has done for her repeatedly. Drifting her hands up around his neck his clear blue eyes on many occasions such as right now have given the illusion that he could somehow see through her, listening in on her internal battles. When he looked at her like she was the only thing on his mind it felt like Bonnie's throat was closing, knowing she was just as if not more vulnerable in these situations than when they're intimately together.

Times like these – when there are no hidden agendas or motives of deception – are when Kai has the best chance of getting her to speak her mind, and he takes every opportunity he finds. Not wanting to waste this moment she gave herself a minute to ponder on something he would like to hear that she hasn't shared with anyone before. Whenever Kai drops his guard and tells her things she believes he hasn't discussed much before Bonnie feels a natural inclination to do the same; a strange sense of support and comfort they've found in one another filling her with dauntlessness.

"This is the first Christmas since my Gram's passed away that I can remember being genuinely happy."

"I don't think I've ever felt like this," Kai responded wiping her expression clean to a blank slate, clearing his throat and finishing with a flash of his cheeky grin, "on Christmas."

Hearing her stomach growling Bonnie glanced down quickly and back up to him, smiling sheepishly for breaking whatever enchantment they were just in. "I think I'm ready for the rest of that breakfast buffet."

"Seeing how you only took a couple of bites out of most of them everything's wrapped up and ready to go in the fridge, but if you want to wait a little longer I can make you something fresh."

"That'll take too long," she said suddenly starving and pulled away from him trotting off towards the kitchen, standing in the archway between the living room and the hallway when Kai stopped her. "What?"

"Look up," he said softly and she obliged, the smile widening seeing the mistletoe hanging over their heads and flicked her gaze a fraction down to his, gazing at her.

Flattening her palms against his lower stomach Bonnie puckered her lips the same time he leaned forward and felt the warmth from his mouth go directly to her core spreading throughout to her extremities. Resting his hands against her hips Kai kissed her with light and easy strokes, no zealousness or over-eagerness in his touch and stayed there lost in the moment until they eventually parted. Smiling and lifting his arm gesturing for her to lead the way she headed for the fridge and began pulling plates wrapped in cellophane out one at a time until the counter was covered in items.

"Oh yeah," sounded behind her and turned to Kai holding up a blender, "I totally forgot about making smoothies earlier."

"Perfect, let's make them now," Bonnie practically salivated taking out the things he'd need like ice and fruits.

While Kai got together all of the necessary ingredients she was switching off between heating up a plate in the microwave and eating the contents off of another, the back and forth working out quite nicely with something always being at just the right temperature.

"What kinds do you like?"

"Strawberry's really the only kind I get."

"Have you tried others?"

"I go with what I like."

Smirking in response Kai weighed out strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, vanilla yogurt, ice, and poured a little bit of water into the blender. "Do you like the taste of berries in general?"

"Yes."

"Okay than you'll love this."

Dumping all of the contents into the blender Kai pressed a cap over the top holding it down and pushed the button shredding up everything inside until it was a purple thick liquid, the aroma of mixed berries all around them. Pouring two glasses and garnishing the top with a strawberry he handed one off to her and Bonnie was in love by the first sip, getting down almost half of it before she could stop herself. Squeezing her eyes shut Bonnie let out a pained noise holding her forehead.

"Brain freeze."

"See? It's inevitable when something is so cold and delicious and you want to consume it all at once."

Peering over at him through her same uncomfortable expression of squinted eyes and a scrunched up face Bonnie tried to blink away the head rush and he stayed sipping his drink casually, hiding his grin behind the glass. Finally passing she went back to the triple berry threat and still managed to finish it before Kai, looking back to the blender and wanting more. Sauntering over she poured the rest of the contents into a pitcher and rinsed out the blender, cutting up strawberries and dumping them inside along with ice, yogurt, and a little milk.

"Do you mind putting back on the music for a few?" she asked scanning the counter for the lid.

"Yeah, sure."

Turning and heading towards the door Bonnie found the rubber lid but didn't see the plastic part that went in the middle anywhere, assuming Kai just kept his hand over it and went to do the same. The spurts of yogurt shooting through her fingers made her yelp pulling her hand back instinctively, the cover exploding off and screamed out in surprise covering her face as the smoothie went everywhere. Gasping she pulled out the plug and looked down at the streaks of white and pink splashed on her shirt over her torso and arms, glancing over to the sound near the doorway and seeing Kai holding onto the side of the counter bent over in hysterics. The moment his head lifted in her direction the next uproar rolled in holding his side as tears pooled in his eyes.

"Something funny?"

"You – you-"he got out between gasps of air, "you got a little something on you. Pretty sure there's a little plastic square somewhere underneath all of that."

"Can you come show me where?"

Taking it as an invitation Kai couldn't stifle his amusement as he closed the distance, reaching back and wrapping her fingers around the handle of the pitcher. As soon as the touch of his lips were against her neck Bonnie yanked off his beanie pouring the thick purple smoothie over his hair as he let out a sound of getting hit with a icy blast of shock, lifting his agape-mouthed expression to hers.

"Just remember who started this."

Recognizing the deviousness in Kai's eyes she tried to run but he was faster and snaked his arm around her stomach pulling her backside into him, flailing to get away when a heaping of chocolate sauce came squirting out of the bottle all over the front of her neck and chest. Shrieking as it dripped down into her shirt Bonnie pushed his hands over her head hitting Kai in the side of the face with the chocolate and turned around in his grip - both battling on who can get more on the other until the bottle was well past empty. Having a chance to check the damage Bonnie threw her head back in such a gut-busting laugh - seeing Kai's face a colorful mess of purple and black and arms a lighter shade of stickiness from her rubbing her hands around them – that she slipped on a puddle they made and he hurled her into his stomach to keep from falling.

The front of Bonnie's shirt was stuck to his and her fingers and toes started to tingle tilting her head up to Kai's perilous smolder, both a sense of danger and risk reflecting in his irises compelling her to delve deeper into his psyche. Like an invisible rope dragging her in she couldn't stop the thoughts and memories spiraling around her, her house rule coming back for her with a vengeance seeing glimpses of Kai during their night in Paris and replaying the carnal promises that were spilling from his lips. The loud sound of a nozzle pulled Bonnie's focus back as he twirled a dollop of whipped cream on top of her head.

"My very own Bonnie sundae; I could devour you."

The phrase had her mouth watering at the suggestion, going for her last ditch effort before she tackled him to the ground tearing at his clothes and turned the nozzle in his hand aiming it away and hitting him directly in the face. Going for round two of tug-of-war the sound from the whipped cream can was getting drowned out by their noises of merriment, Bonnie shouting out when Kai had her pinned to the fridge pouring ice cubes down the front of her shirt and not letting them fall out the bottom by pressing his hips into hers. Shivering at the contact her nipples hardened and strained against her shirt, her arms starting to shake from the abrupt frigidness and leaned off the kitchen appliance pushing her chest into his.

Scooping her up Bonnie's butt landed on the counter as he moved between her open legs spilling the ice over the floor and leaned in sliding his open mouth from the top of her chest up her neck to under her chin, a harsh breath escaping her before Kai sealed his lips over hers and tasted the mixture of sweet chocolate sauce and whipped cream rolling off of his tongue. Moaning into the kiss Bonnie went to move her arms around him and the food had her body sticking to his, turning her head to the right as he continued to suck and bite across her skin reaching for the faucet. Flipping the handle up she snatched the little hose and blasted it at Kai's ribs, his gasp letting her know how cold it was before he turned it on her.

Wheezing for breath between her laughter and drowning from the small stream the both of them were drenched within the minute but the syrupy texture was still glued to them like a second skin, along with Kai's hair still being a prominent shade of purple. His grey wife beater was dampened and could see his taut muscles clinging to the flimsy material, running her palms down gripping onto the waistband. Seeing his hat on the counter beside her Bonnie slid it over his smoothie and chocolate covered hair hiding it from view and the black material popped out his dark facial hair and defined features, unable to take a breath staring back at something so provocative.

"You really do like the hat," Kai uttered lowly through a raised corner of his mouth, pulling her shirt over her head in one swift move and grabbed the sides of her shorts yanking her to the edge of the counter.

"And you like me half naked," she inferred twisting her legs behind his.

"As opposed to fully clothed, but there's a whole other end on that spectrum."

Lifting Bonnie with one arm the other cradled the back of her head before slamming her into the fridge, leaning into him to lick and nibble at the dessert displayed in front of her and recoiled when her naked chest rubbed against his frozen shirt.

"Oh!" she exclaimed pulling back instinctively, the sudden chill jolting her system and peeled the clothing off. "You're freezing."

"So are you."

Pressing her chest flat against his Bonnie's arm's snaked over his shoulders bringing her face next to his ear and whispered, "Warm me up."

Not needing to be told twice Kai's hands winded around her back and squeezed, the heat in his eyes manifesting in his lips feeling the burn scorch her own and sizzled throughout the rest of the her body, igniting her from within. Bonnie could tell by his tense posture and fervent kissing that there was an undercurrent of sexual aggression making an effort to break free but he seemed to be adamant on fighting it off; his tells giving away the losing battle. Gliding across her jaw the suction of his lips had her rolling her hips and dropping her head back in a sigh, core tightening and letting out an expletive when Kai bit down too hard.

Digging her nails into his upper back a deep rumble sounded – shocked that it was coming from her – and felt her temperature rise to the point of believing she was scalding to the touch. Twisting her hand around his neck a flicker of sparkle caught Bonnie's eye and looked to the gift on her right middle finger, licking her lips at Miss Scarlet having full advantage over this encounter and had an unyielding belief that it was only the first leg of their showdown. Up until this moment she figured the main intent behind Kai's gift was to be able to entice the temptress out of her – which it does – but it's more than that; this version of her is wild, free, and gets exactly what she wants… which is him. Reminding Bonnie of her alter-ego brings out a sultry and easygoing mindset that she rarely gets to experience, able to get lost in him as her troubles, worries, and anxieties all drift away. This ring was indeed a reminder of what she has inside her and is capable of demonstrating, but it was ultimately a symbol of what Kai is able to bring out of her and the person she becomes when it's just the two of them.

Moving around restlessly in his tight hold Bonnie heard her own voice soothing out the word 'bathroom' and was on the move at once, the sounds from the shower already trickling down the hall. Rounding the corner into the room Kai dropped her to her feet pulling the shorts down with the momentum and scooped her back up pressing her into the wall as the waterfall from the showerhead poured down the side of their faces. Naked, Bonnie was able to wiggle around sliding her chest over his and laughed into the lip lock feeling his sweatpants between her legs and pulled at the drawstrings, his bulking frame pressing into her harder.

"Why are you still wearing these?"

"Because it's the only thing keeping me from not breaking your house rule," he said in a voice so low she could feel the vibrations in her chest.

"So you're just going to stand there… in a shower, with your clothes on?"

"Mm."

Bonnie's head tilted to the side thinking back over all the little moments today that could have – and should have – escalated but didn't, because of Kai. Even though this was her decision she's shown flagrant disregard desperate to find that overwhelming wholeness she experienced while they were in Paris, in both intimacy and understanding. Being with Kai has brought out a sense of safety that Bonnie doesn't know if she's ever felt before, clinging to it against any external or internal force threatening to tear her away. It terrified her knowing that not only is Kai breaking through all of her shields of protection and opening up about things she never would have thought possible, but he's also beginning to unknowingly possess an influence over her that is continuously growing stronger and making her fall deeper.

Bonnie didn't want to sleep with Kai in Grams' house because it has always been her sanctuary; the place where nothing and no one can hurt her, and the man pressed up against her hasn't been exactly known for his gentle touch. Truly letting him in while they were in her childhood home – the very same location where Kai spent an entire summer alongside the best person she will ever know, meant accepting him as someone significant in her life and bringing him into the closest part of her heart… and Bonnie didn't know if she was ready for that.

"And you're okay with it not going any farther?"

"I'll take you any way I can get," he said in a hushed tone lifting a corner of his mouth.

"Why?" her thought bubble dribbled out before she could stop it, heart dropping into her stomach seeing Kai's expression shift and turn serious.

"What?"

"Nothing, I – I don't even know where that came from."

"Why… what?" he asked again, certain she was momentarily flat-lining from mortification and felt her hands shaking around his neck. "Why am I fine with doing this, or wanting you any and every way I can get?"

Peering over his hard stare Bonnie faltered looking right and running her face under the water, a three second escape from the problem's her big mouth is causing before Kai held onto the side of her neck making her face him.

"I'm serious I really don't know why I said that."

"Well you did, so talk to me," Kai vocalized and saw the crackle of irritation rising under his demeanor, jaw clenching and posture tightening when her mouth remained closed. "You know if the roles were reversed you would have used some ancient truth potion on me by now to finally answer all of the unresolved questions that have gotten piled up over the months."

"You do have many inquiries," she agreed aiming to make light of the topic – unsuccessfully.

"How is it that you can strip down naked in a shower with me, but you won't let me in your head? I used to have a pretty good intuition on you, I could read what you were thinking just by your expression but I got to tell you since I've gotten this physical upgrade my receptors have gone AWOL and I'm over here flying blind."

"Welcome to the real world."

"I'm fine with the real world – spectacular even; it's your little universe I'm grappling with. Why is it so difficult for you to talk to me? No let me rephrase, because you have zero hesitation in going to a war of words if we're arguing but if it's anything real you shut me out; why is that?"

"I don't mean to," Bonnie puffed, "I don't know what I'm doing, I don't know what we're doing and everything gets chaotic when I think about it too much. I like you, but-"

"Don't say 'but'," Kai cut in, "let's skip right past that word."

"However," she reworded noting the flare of his nostrils, "I'm just… hesitant."

"Of what?"

"Of really letting you in."

"Why?" he asked in a dismal tone, the unfamiliar sound catching Bonnie off guard.

"Because I – I'm scared," she rushed out, tripping over her words seeing Kai's unsettled expression, "not of you, of… everything else. See this is why I don't like talking about this stuff; I don't know how to."

"You're doing fine," Kai expressed, waiting for her to go on and turned the dial making the water warmer.

"Kai, I… loved Jeremy more than I ever expected, I went all in and gave him everything – I couldn't live in a world without him, and it ended badly. Horribly, actually, and I've just had that part of me shut off since then. It's ironically not you, as cliché as that line is; I'm damaged."

The steam and speckles of water hitting her cheek efficiently hid the tears of vulnerability welling in Bonnie's eyes, one of her weakest attributes surfacing and rearing its ugly head for the first time in too long. As far as being the most badass witch in town goes there was nothing that was going to cloud her mind and abilities, holding onto the problems of others so she couldn't dwell in her own. When the heartache did finally start to subside Bonnie made a promise not to put herself through that again, unsure if she was able to endure it. Jeremy created a space for himself in her heart that made it somewhat easier to be able to get past the worst of it, still having their friendship to link them together and keep the flame for them alive but since she found out about him hooking up with his deceased ex-girlfriend while they were still dating there has been something vacant within her – almost used to its emptiness before Kai's spark rekindled it.

Tugging her chin up Bonnie hadn't realized her head had lowered and peeked up to deep shades of blue staring directly into hers, the absence of his usual mischief amplifying her skittishness. "Take it from someone who's been branded as defective; there's nothing wrong with you, Bon."

"How can you of all people believe that? After everything I've said and done to you; I killed you."

"Would you kill me now?"

"Wh – no, but-"

"And why not?"

"Because I care about you," she admitted lighting up his somber edge.

"Well I would have accepted 'because you know me now' but that was so much better. You thought I was dangerous and going to hurt you then – which I wasn't by the way, just so we're on the same page – and you were protecting yourself. We had to work our way up past the stab wounds, and I know I was never somebody you wanted to get close to," Kai chuckled, "but here we are, with me telling you that you aren't the messed up one."

"Maybe we're a couple of lost souls," Bonnie smiled wearily seeing the love-starved and emotionally deprived similarities they possess, "but you're not the same person from 1994; the merge had the biggest impact but I think the prison world is where it began."

"Then you must mean when I met you, because I was pretty dead-set on the plan up until that point."

"You mean giving your coven the excruciating death they deserve?"

"Sharp memory," Kai let out a whistle, "I guess it's a good thing we found each other then."

Chin wobbling at the sentiment Bonnie's stomach fluttered and tightened moving her stiff limbs restlessly from being curled around Kai's frame. Rubbing over the sweatpants stuck to his legs her feet hit the ground pulling them down with the momentum and wrapped her hands around his rigidness squeezing up to the tip, his body shuddering in response. Keeping his arms outstretched on either side of her he made no indication of making any sudden movements and Bonnie could feel her hands shaking as one pumped him slowly and the other traveled up his stomach, his muscles clenching under her touch. Her heart was racing like a jackhammer peering into Kai's eyes becoming heavier and darker, his chest rising with more force through each breath and lifted onto her tiptoes trailing her lips up the side the water hasn't hit and massaged across his skin tasting chocolate and berries everywhere.

Dropping his forehead to her shoulder Bonnie could hear the quick huffs exhaling through his nose along with the squeak of his palms sliding down the wall, realizing he wasn't caging her in but physically keeping himself from putting his hands on her. Being hit with the keen awareness made her skin tingle missing being in his embrace and ached for their connection, needing it after the day she's had. Continuing her leisurely caressing over his tautness she pulled her face back and he lifted his to rest it on her forehead with eyes closed, his mouth parted the littlest bit.

"Touch me," escaped Bonnie's lips and dilated pupils locked in on her, breathing through her lips to accommodate the lightheadedness from the battering in her ribcage.

The look Kai gave her signified she was testing his willpower and restraint, and then his face was gone; letting out a gasp as he wrapped her legs around his shoulders and grazed his teeth through her folds lurching her into him. His name came out as a moan when she felt the flutter in her core and was pushed up the wall, tugging his beanie off and gripping at the roots. The weightlessness Bonnie was experiencing from Kai being able to hold her up with ease and still able to move around in his grasp had her grinding into him, all of the pent-up hedonistic energy from throughout the day building within her in one immense gust; rupturing out of her so quickly she couldn't catch her breath.

Kissing up her stomach Bonnie's legs slid down his ribs curling when they got to his hips and Kai groaned at the contact of gliding in between her wetness, the throbbing from being wound up so tight igniting something within her. Gripping her hips to lean back and have her stand her legs locked around him running her hands over his shoulders and paused over the rapid beating, her resolve over what she wanted ringing clearly throughout her mind. Pressing her thighs forward she rocked into Kai's lower stomach breathing out at the contact of him grazing her underside and he held her still, halting her motions.

"Don't mess with me."

"I'm not; I want you to," Bonnie thrummed hearing her voice come out jaggedly due to the jitters and he leaned in hovering close.

"Are you sure?"

"No… yes – maybe."

"I'm going to need to hear just one of those answers this time," Kai murmured observing his first soft smile since the kitchen, the tender expression against his dominant exterior – solely because of her – breaking through her last ounce of uncertainty and enfolded her forearms around his shoulders.

"Absolutely."

The coaxing of his tongue against hers only heightened Bonnie's overwrought state of keyed up excitement and instinctively clenched from the tension rejecting the pressure trying to push through. Pivoting so Kai was against the wall he inclined back with his shoulders and the motion loosened her limbs leaning into his weight instead of being held up, the constraint against her opening still not wanting to budge with these positions. Reaching up he wrapped Bonnie's fingers around the metal rod holding up the shower curtain and pressed his chest flush against hers cradling the back of her head as he went in for an impassioned kiss leaving her high-strung and rolling her hips into his.

Angling them Kai inched forward once more and was at long last granted access, her arms shaking while they grappled to hang onto the bar and a disgruntled sound tore through her vocal cords at the under-bite of discomfort. Legs locking around his Bonnie's straining was making it more difficult for Kai to slide into even with the assistance of the water making them both slick, trying to pull away from the intensity by lifting up and away from it. Snaking his right arm up her spine the other roamed across her thigh and butt, guiding her into him with subtlety.

"I got you, Bon; relax into me."

Hearing the whimper creep up her throat she silently willed her body to loosen up and puffed out a harsh sound feeling her core slacken and open up for him, her airway getting cut off when she slid all the way down and her pelvic bone touched his. Dropping her forehead to his one of Bonnie's hands fell off the metal bar and reached around his neck, pushing her chest into his to rock her hips and bit her bottom lip at the grunt that spilled out of him. Rising up by lifting with one hand as the other pushed off of Kai's shoulder she quickly discovered that she was able to control their movements for how hard or slow she pumped him, this advantageous realization filling her with self-assurance. Going with her pace to pull back Bonnie slammed down clenching around him and a rumble sounded in his chest curling his arms to keep her against him and thrust forward provoking out a choppy moan.

Kai's chest was heaving on hers, the pants coming out and tickling her collar signaling he was already past his limit and in a losing battle trying to hold himself off. Smiling at the pride welling in her system Bonnie had an unyielding need to break him down and get him off before he was able to make her lose her mind again, her hips rolling in its confined spaced pumping him quick and hard. Uncrossing her ankles and digging her heels lower into his legs the different angle had her leaning back – holding her weight up with one hand – as Kai began to tower over pulling into her motions with his arm wrapped around her lower back.

The heavy breathing and broken sounds were like music to Bonnie's ears, her skin scorching against his and tipped upward to bite and suck all along his neck feeling his pulse leap when she slid over his Adam's apple. Being mindful of his abs starting to clench and grip pulling her in tighter she sunk her teeth into a mouthful of rigid muscle, Kai grunting out a sound with a hint of pain and spun pushing her up against the wall forcefully; grinding into her as his orgasm shook his frame huffing out erotic sounds that set Bonnie's fevered mind ablaze.

"Well it's about time," she vocalized through a wide smile, feeling utterly victorious, "I took you down before you could ruin me six times over."

"Exaggerating," Kai exhaled lowly through a quick laugh, "but I love the way you worded that."

"It's not that much of an overstatement," Bonnie shrugged and could feel his chest vibrating with amusement as his lips glided across her wet cheeks.

Holding her to his chest Kai moved pulling back the shower curtain and turned the dial off walking from the bathroom across the small hall into her room blind from his face entangled with hers, letting out a shriek when she was tossed backwards and dissolved into laughter when her backside landed on the bed. Crawling towards her Bonnie scooted backwards until her head hit the pillow and his hands landed on either side of her arms, hovering; looking overhead at the perimeter of colored lights on the ceiling and down the corners illuminating an otherwise dark room.

"So I have a proposition," Kai said casually and she tilted her head in response, "what would you say to adding a little festive kink to our night?"

"You mean besides the desserts we decided to wear?"

"Yeah," he snickered, "or on top of that."

"What did you have in mind?"

Kai trailed his index finger and thumb wearing the ring from her hand, down Bonnie's arm and over her breast continuing south as he spoke. "Something Christmassy, revolving around one of the things we love most. And it will set the mood – well… a couple of moods, and you are bound to love it. What do you say, think you can handle it?"

Any indecisiveness Bonnie had fled her mind in an instant, glaring as her hands reached back fisting his hair and pulled him in closer. "You're no match for me."

"I guess we'll see," he breathed against her face and raised his hand beside them whispering 'ligatum' before her hands were propelled over her head, securing them to the corners of the bedpost against the mattress as two strands of mini Christmas lights twisted around her wrists.

"This is payback for Paris, isn't it?"

"Little bit," Kai said smoothly flashing his grin before stepping around her legs and hopping off the bed heading out the door.

"What are you – where are you going?" she asked to the empty room, looking to her tied lit up wrists and tugged testing its durability.

"What was it you said to me?" Kai vocalized walking back into the room flipping the can of whipped cream in the air. "Oh right, it was along the lines of any acts of defiance will make things worse for you."

"And the tables have turned," Bonnie concluded shaking her head, "they aren't handcuffs, but kinky."

"Cuffs aren't festive, unless you mean the fuzzy kinds you get for special occasions," he said with emphasis crawling back in between her legs, the canister leaving an icy chill against her side when it brushed against her. "Am I going to find a pair of those tucked away in your belongings one day?"

Virtually laughing out loud at the hilarity behind that question her eyes went back up to her wrists; scanning through a quick slideshow of for lack of a better word her 'average' sex life with the only person she's slept with before Kai, no memories of the one's like she's experienced recently coming to mind.

"I wouldn't count on it."

Humming with a sound of enjoyment Kai's warm smile loosened something within her and copied his expression, a light sound escaping her a moment later when Kai pressed down on the nozzle sending a dollop of whipped cream over one nipple. The abrupt change in temperature had her perked and willing when Bonnie felt his lips surround her suctioning and tugging and the delicate bud, going to move her hands into his air and let out a sharp noise through her teeth from the restraints.

"Oh yeah get used to that; wanting to touch me – but can't," Kai smirked going to the next breast and repeating, her legs maneuvering to lift closer to his raised position on his knees.

Clasping Bonnie's upper leg he sprayed little bits of whipped cream across her stomach trailing down farther until the coolness hit her inner thigh, lifting into him and groaned as his laughter vibrated into her and sent an electric shock up her spine. Kai's teeth nipped at her skin nearing her entrance and her thighs were shaking with anticipation tugging to break free and end her slow torment when his sultry echoes grated through her subconscious. Knowing that she would be able to get out of them and that he wouldn't push her if she didn't want them on anymore, Bonnie struggled to internally tell her body to take it easy when it was trembling with desire.

The connection of Kai's mouth sheathing her had her upper back bowing off the mattress, wrapping her fingers around the cords connecting her to the bedpost and let out a racy sound liking the feel of the constriction. Incapable of pushing him away or guiding his movements Bonnie was powerless against his secret sexual expertise that had her on the verge within the minute, at the edge of the precipice before he eased her back down and kissed across her other thigh. Shocked with herself for the second time she couldn't control the roar that bellowed up her throat and rattled her teeth in frustration, Kai left light pecks up until his steely eyes were inches from hers.

Seeing the intent reflected back at her Bonnie let out a breathy sigh that turned raged when he gripped her hips pulling upward to ease him in, instead of the other way around. Not able to move her arms on top of Kai using her body at his will gave her a sense that she wasn't in control of herself; the unwillingness to give him her mind coming full circle and resulting in these unforeseen turn of events taking her corporeally. Thrusting he pushed her up the bed clenching down at the fullness and pressed his arm into Bonnie's upper back wrapping his fingers around the base of her neck dropping his forehead to hers.

Even though her arms were bound it still felt like she had Kai at her mercy; being able to roll her hips faster taking him in deeper by only having to move her lower half and his sensual noises enticed her farther. Driving forward Bonnie's fingers curled around the lights exploding them under her electrified state and moaned loudly against his face, pulling at her wrists forcefully wanting to be enveloped around him and hissed out at the twinge of stinging.

"Don't hurt yourself," Kai rasped and her stomach began to quiver and shake letting out scattered fragments that turned into a wail as her climax ripped through her frame momentarily blinded from black spots.

Before Bonnie could take a breath her arms were untied and was flipped onto her stomach, a sound of uneasiness spilling out when her legs were spread eagle and tied to the bed by the ankles; wrenching forward trying to escape.

"Wait – stop –"

"Breathe," soothed beside her ear, Kai's chest an inch above her backside, "there's a reason I didn't do them both at the same time; you aren't trapped. You can still move around just in a different way, and I promise I'll let you out the second you don't like it. I don't know if you trust me yet, but believe I won't do anything that would hurt you."

"That's a loaded statement, Kai," she gritted internally reflecting on their past and the sorrow she's undergone from getting too close to someone who didn't feel the same passion back.

"I like pushing your buttons, and I know how much you can take even when you think it's past your limit, but I'd never strong-arm you into anything; whether we're like this or in the middle of a heated disagreement. And as far as you and I together go – you don't have to worry about my attention wandering to anyone else."

Turning her head sharply to the left Bonnie's eyes locked on his, nose rested against her shoulder. "Why did you say that?"

Raising the space between his eyebrows her head wretched away, not understanding how but seeing in his eyes that he knew. Coiling from tension her feet tried lifting from their confinement and a frantic exhale puffed out feeling claustrophobic. Running his hand softly across her back Kai left kisses across her shoulders as the other kept him hovering without lying on top of her. Mind spiraling, Bonnie's heart and body jumped into the equation tearing at her sanity leaving her in a frenzied state; not able to distinguish one loud thought from crashing into the next and lacking the ability to vocalize any of them.

"Are you okay?"

"Why are you doing this?" she whispered referencing to their weighted discussion.

Blowing out a breath through his mouth Kai's hand paused its roaming, eventually shifting her gaze over her shoulder and tilted her head noticing the conflicted expression and worry line between his eyebrows seeming deep in thought. As if he felt his eyes on her his lifted and locked in, the cloudiness visibly dissipating even in the darkened room.

"I want you to feel safe with me – in every way."

The unexpected confession had Bonnie's heart pounding so hard it was going to burst out of her chest, a slideshow of recollections experiencing that very same irrepressible affection with him both in the prison world and present day – the staggering information never lessening the blow against her frazzled mind. Protection and security was under no circumstances on the list of Kai's highlights when he entered her life and had no intention of that ever changing but the world around her seemed to be doing everything in its power to shake her beliefs. The man behind her was causing an array of cracks in her shell, one wrong move away from breaking through to her soul – her quintessence – and was wholeheartedly petrified of that happening.

Feeling like she was full of too much adrenaline to speak, Bonnie reached back for the side of his face and pulled him in until his lips were against hers. Kissing her gently Kai made no effort to escalate so she made the first move, arching her back and lifting into his rigid shaft sliding in between her cheeks. Curving his arm under her he pulled her onto her knees and moved back closer to the end of the bed to give her more room to move and let out a shaky sound keeping her cheek flat against the sheet anticipating the inevitable resistance against his size. A sharp gasp was startled out of her when the arched position against Kai sitting up on his knees caused him to sink into her with ease not stopping until he pressed against a spot so deep inside she stopped breathing.

Staying perfectly still behind her Bonnie couldn't tell herself to inhale; the depth and fullness making her insides tighten and panted out quickly getting dizzier as the seconds passed. Leaning down to press calming brushes over her back time seemed to fade away and drew in an overdrawn breath letting every current worry seep out of her, getting lost in the person going above and beyond anything she could have envisioned. Falling into a rhythm the inescapable hold from the string of lights tugged against her ankles every time Kai drove forward pushing against her barrier and his voice chimed in her head to believe that he knows what he's doing with her – to trust him.

Completely at his mercy Bonnie felt a knot unwind in the center of her chest and it was as if a weight lifted with it, her body slackening and heard a winded grunt behind her before his hand was in her hair pulling her up. Propelling into her and picking up his pace after each plunge Kai's momentum was forcing her up the mattress past where her restraints would allow and his hand slid around resting his fingers around her neck loosely. The next move pushed her up harder and her knees lifted off the mattress, thighs clenching down against his being fleetingly suspended in the air and the upward motion pushed her into his grip clasping her nape instinctively.

The untamed growl that rumbled in his chest connected in their cores and could feel his virility and lasciviousness through the sound, his tender side taking a backseat to what lurks inside him. Holding her to him with a tight grip her breath came out hitched when he lunged forward keeping her dangling just over the mattress and began pumping upward, the restraints against her feet pulling her back sharply into him and the fast-paced slapping was drowning out the white noise. The speed of him driving into while she was weightless with a sense of extreme lightheadedness as his grasp held her close forced a scream to pierce through her closed vocal cords as the orgasm rippled throughout her and he slammed them down into the mattress. Moving his hand to slide his forearm around her throat the position lifted her chin and arched her butt up as Kai hammered into her with his face pressed against the side of hers. Too far up the bed Bonnie had nowhere else to go causing Kai to sink down to the base rocking into her in small quick movements as she impulsively jerked back and felt him rubbing against her deep bundle of nerves.

"Kai," she gasped clawing at the sheets to thrust back into him and thought she could feel the entire mattress vibrating underneath her from her trembling – rolling into the following climax with a hoarse cry feeling him jabbing the same spot before convulsing violently and uncontrollably.

Groaning and panting as his body drained all of its energy in one commanding surge Kai moved his arm out from under her neck so she could breathe easier but stayed slick against her backside, his heartbeat sounding like a humming bird thrumming into her back. Scratching his nails up her left arm his fingers curled around the Eiffel Tower charm – his jagged heaves near her face tickling her skin – before he continued up and clasped his hand around hers, the tip of her index finger moving to spin around his ring. Trailing his other hand downward over her ribs his lips brushed against her cheek and beside her eye until Bonnie tilted her head and mewled into his mouth tasting the electrified passion sizzling against his tongue. Taking a few minutes to ease each other down to a somewhat lucid state she pulled their clasped hands underneath her chin holding him close and he kissed across her jaw, biting underneath her ear before he nuzzled into her lulling in a hushed tone.

"Merry Christmas, Bon."