CHAPTER 7
Bonnie woke slowly, feeling content and warm. She felt someone warm and hard underneath her. Last night came back to her in a rush, and she turned a deep shade of scarlet. It was Kol, she was sleeping on top of Kol. He was her husband now, she still didn't know how she felt about that. She snuck a peak at him and noticed how innocent he looked in his sleep.
She looked down at herself, her legs were tangled with his. To her embarrassment she saw her nightgown was up around her waist. Kol's hands were on her back, underneath her gown. He was only in his pajama pants.
Time to get dressed, Bonnie decided. She tried not to wake him as she sat up. She climbed off him and didn't get further than sitting by his side, before Kol woke.
"Bonnie," he murmured sleepily.
"Good morning."
"Morning," he said, smiling. "C'mere."
Kol tugged on her waist, bringing her closer to him. Her hands ended up on his chest in an attempt to steady herself and she blushed.
"I was going to get up. It's almost nine."
"Who cares?" Kol said, grinning. "No one is expecting us until at least noon, now stay in bed with me, beautiful."
"Just for a little while," Bonnie agreed.
She lay down next to him and wrapping her arm around his chest. Her head rested on his chest and she could hear the steady thumping of his heartbeat. It was strangely soothing. Kol smelled like soap and cigarettes. Underneath that there was the unique scent of him and she inhaled, closing her eyes as his warmth seeped into her. Slowly every muscle in her body unwound. This was nice and she hoped they could go slow. In so many ways, he was still a stranger to her.
"Don't be such a morning person, Bonnie my sweet," Kol grumbled.
He kissed the top of her head, and she snuggled closer, sighing. She supposed she could surrender to a few minutes of cuddling. It wasn't as if she could take herself to see Lucy anyway. As far as she knew, the Mikaelsons hadn't employed a driver for her and Kol had yet to give her those driving lessons.
"Just for today," she said, fingers playing on his chest. "Will you take me to see Lucy?"
"Of course. Only give me a few minutes with my beautiful wife first," he said in a husky voice that made Bonnie blush a deep red.
"We're married," she whispered, uncertain how she felt about it.
"We are."
Kol raised her face up to meet his and kissed her. It was a deep kiss and it took Bonnie's breath away. She felt too hot and his arm around her tightened. She was pressed against him and his hard muscles sent a thrill through her.
"Kol," she said, pulling away. "I want to see Lucy. It's all I can think about. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I should have taken you to see her last night."
"I would have liked that, but I don't know how we were supposed to sneak away from our own wedding."
Bonnie ran her hands through his hair. She had no idea what impulse made her do it, but when she saw the look of content on Kol's face, she was glad she had. His hair was silky smooth and she ruffled it playfully. She supposed in some ways, this was innocent compared to the way he touched her. Yet the heat in his gaze told another story.
Bonnie kissed Kol once on the lips, before getting out of bed. She ignored his frustrated sigh.
"If you want us to leave here unnoticed and without interruption, we'll have breakfast in the room," Kol said dramatically throwing his arm over his eye. "If my brothers know I am awake and not lounging in bed with my gorgeous wife, they will undoubtedly have work for me."
Bonnie nodded.
She knew her chances of leaving the manor without Kol were slim. If Klaus were around, they were zero. There was no doubt in her mind, if Klaus had his way, she would be looked up in this room except for on formal occasions when her presence was required.
Bonnie went to ring the bell to call a maid. She wanted April, not that tiny little thing that worked for Kol. She tried not to be bothered by how pretty she was, but it was harder than she would like to admit.
"Do you think it'll be April or your maid?" Bonnie asked him, trying to sound like she wasn't jealous.
Bonnie wrapped her robe firmly around herself and closed it. Kol was getting out of bed as well. He put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it.
"I have a maid?"
"Yes," she said, looking at him, startled.
"Huh," he said. "It's probably whoever cleans my room when I'm out."
"You don't know who it is?"
There was a knock on the door.
"I've never seen her. Katherine knows to keep the servants out of my room when I'm present, and I've never thought about it before," Kol told her flashing her a smile.
Bonnie went to answer the door, thinking Kol was oddly out of touch with the daily workings of the manor. Men often were unaware of such things. She smiled when she saw April outside the door.
"Good morning, Mrs. Mikaelson," April said, bobbing a curtsy.
"Morning April," Bonnie told her, only a beat too late. It took her a moment to realize April meant her when she said, 'Mrs. Mikaelson'. "Could I trouble you for some breakfast? As well as coffee."
"Of course," April said with a dazzling smile.
"Kol, do you take tea?" Bonnie asked, looking over her shoulder at him.
He was rooting through the dresser, making a mess of his clothes. The cigarette was dangling from the corner of his mouth. With a practiced move, he stubbed it out in the ash tray on the nightstand.
"Yes," he said. "Earl Grey."
"Did you catch that?" Bonnie said to April.
"Yes, Mrs. Mikaelson. Will that be all?"
Bonnie noticed April was a lot more formal than usual. She thought it was because of Kol's presence.
"Once you bring it up, please help me get ready for the day," Bonnie answered, trying not to flinch when April called her Mrs. Mikaelson. That was going to take some getting used to.
"Of course," April said and disappeared in a flurry.
Bonnie smiled and closed the door.
Kol was already coming toward her and he drew her into his arms. Bonnie wrapped her arms around his neck, fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. She hardly noticed that Kol wasn't wearing a shirt anymore. Only that his body was warm and strong, making her feel safe.
"Kol you know how no one tells me anything?"
He nodded. "And I am sorry about that. Anything you want to know, just ask me. You know that."
"Are we going away? On a honeymoon I mean?"
Her cheeks turned red just speaking from speaking the word honeymoon. It was strange to think she would go away like that with a near stranger. Something that should have alarmed her, but Kol didn't appear interested in forcing her into anything she wasn't ready for. He had proved as much last night. She only hoped he would wait as long as she needed.
She hated that she had to ask these questions, but no one told her anything. Kol didn't either, but she was fairly certain he assumed she knew until she asked. Because if she asked him something, he never failed to give her an honest answer.
"Yes, after your father's funeral," he answered, kissing her lips.
"It's the day after tomorrow, isn't it?" she asked, breaking the kiss. She turned her face away, she didn't want Kol to see the grief in her eyes.
"It is," Kol pulled her closer, until she was pressed between him and the dresser. "Will you be alright?"
"I'll have to be," she told him. Shaking off her sad thoughts she steered the subject back onto the topic of their honeymoon. "Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
Bonnie repressed the urge to groan in frustration. Just when she had been thinking how he always gave her an honest answer, he had to do this. It was frustrating.
"If you don't tell me how will I know what to pack?"
"Because I will tell that silly maid of yours," he said with a teasing smile.
"I don't know about that. I think she might be too afraid to be in the same room as you after she yelled at you."
"That only means she isn't entirely stupid. It doesn't mean I'm telling you."
"Kol -"
He kissed her, cutting off her complaint. Bonnie sighed and kissed him back. He took her bottom lip in his and sucked on it. She moaned. He smiled and let go, kissing his way down her neck. Biting and sucking on her throat. She arched her neck, and closed her eyes. She tugged on his hair.
"Do you want me to stop?" he whispered against her neck.
"No," she answered, embarrassed.
There was a knock on the door.
"I'm going to sack her -" Kol growled.
"No," Bonnie exclaimed. "Don't fire her. Please."
"Fine," he said, resting his head against her shoulder.
"Thank you," she whispered, kissing his shoulder where he hugged her to him and tugging on his hair. "You're sweet."
"Call me that again, and I'm definitely sacking her. That ought to teach you."
"That's not funny. It's her job and you better tell me where we're going on our honeymoon."
April knocked again.
"It's a surprise," he said, voice muffled against her shoulder.
"Knock it off," Bonnie said and pushed him away from her. "I don't like surprises."
April knocked for a third time.
"Are you certain you don't want me to sack her? She's rather vexing."
Bonnie gave him a hard look and he held up his hands.
"Come in, April."
Kol just slipped into a shirt as April opened the door. She was balancing a tray with breakfast food and two teapots.
"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Mikaelson."
"Hello April," Bonnie said.
Kol ignored her. Bonnie frowned at him.
"Would you like me to come back after breakfast and help you get ready then, Mrs. Mikaelson or would you prefer to dress now?"
"You're dismissed," Kol ordered. "Get out."
"Yes, Mr. Mikaelson," April said, practically running for the door.
In her haste to escape, April forgot to bob a curtsy. Not that Kol appeared to notice or care.
Once the door was closed, Bonnie turned on Kol.
"What the hell was that?" she demanded, crossing her arms.
"Don't be cross," Kol said, sitting down at the breakfast table.
"You didn't need to be rude," Bonnie told him sitting down.
"How I speak to the staff is not up for discussion, beautiful. And I do not care to have them loitering around my room when I am present."
"Fine," Bonnie huffed. She was angrily placing the cups and plates down. "That's fine, Kol. You can speak to the servants however you want. But this is our room and I need help dressing."
"My apologies," Kol said simply. "In the future, I shall leave you to it."
"You'd better," Bonnie muttered. "And would it kill you to be nice to April? Or at least treat her like a human being?"
Kol gave her a look that was part pleading puppy dog and part complete exasperation.
"I am incorrigble and some women find that to be a part of my charm."
"There are women out there, who think you have charm?" Bonnie asked and fluttered her lashes innocently.
Kol flashed a wicked smile that made heat pool low in her stomach.
"You certainly had no complaints last night."
Bonnie's cheeks were scalding. She cleared her throat and ignored him as she went back to her coffee.
XXX
Bonnie hugged her Grams when they arrived at her childhood home.
"Bonnie sweetheart," Sheila said, ushering them inside. "Good morning, Kol."
"Morning," Kol said, following Bonnie inside.
"Where is Lucy?" Bonnie asked.
"Your old room," Sheila said. "Would the two of you like a moment?"
Bonnie nodded at Sheila over her shoulder. She was already on her way to the bedroom.
She heard Sheila and Kol on their way to the sitting room for a cup of tea.
Bonnie knocked on the bedroom door.
"Come in," Lucy said, her voice sounded hoarse, tired.
"Lucy," Bonnie said, smiling gently as she entered the room. "How are you feeling?"
Bonnie sat down in the chair next to the bed. She assumed someone had pulled it up to sit with Lucy during the night. More than likely her Grams had been sitting there for the night.
"Like I was shot," Lucy answered, grimacing. "Klaus might be a paranoid lunatic, but I can hardly fault his aim. I hear you protected me. Thank you, cousin."
"Don't thank me. You are family," Bonnie said, brushing it aside.
She took her cousin's hand, squeezing it tightly. Lucy squeezed her hand in return.
"Family takes care of each other. I'm sorry I couldn't stop the wedding, cuz."
"Hush now, it's nothing to be sorry for," Bonnie said, smiling faintly. "Kol isn't so bad."
"Must be true love."
"I'm serious Lucy. I'm alright. I'm fine with Kol. It isn't ideal, but he treats me well and I don't need to know anything about the family organization. It could be a lot worse."
"How so?" Lucy demanded. "This is absurd, Bonnie. You should be running things. Not having Kol and Marcel fight over you like you're a chess piece."
"But I don't want to run the business," Bonnie snapped. "That's what I've been saying for years. Sure, I want more freedom, but I want nothing to do with the rest."
"It's the only way you will get freedom."
"Lucy, it's done," Bonnie said harshly. "Kol is my husband now. The deal is made and done, and I've made my peace with it. If I want to be more involved I can, but I don't have to. That's certainly a relief to me. I just wish you could see it that way."
"Why are you defending him?"
"Because he isn't your late husband, Lucy. I'm sorry about what happened, I really am. However, you have to trust that the same mistake isn't going to happen again. All in all, I don't think I've fared too bad. Sure is Kol the man of my dreams? No. But I actually kind of like him. At least most of the time I do," Bonnie confessed with a small smile.
"Very well," she sighed in agreement. "Tell me, what's happening now? Sheila is furious. Raving that Klaus is insane and that of course, I haven't allied myself with Marcel or gone rogue."
"Well that's all that is going on," Bonnie said. "I know you've allied yourself with Marcel, but no one else knows anything for certain. Except for Kol."
"You told him?"
"No, Lucy, I would never! He guessed. He's known since the engagement party. He's protecting us both. He's forced Klaus to back down."
"He isn't protecting us both, he's protecting you," Lucy answered bleakly. "But fine. I imagine it amounts to the same thing as you are protecting me."
"It does," Bonnie said firmly. "But you need to stop this before you end up dead or worse."
"Let me guess Kol threatened me."
Bonnie looked away in shame. But she couldn't lie to Lucy.
"Yes, he said if you didn't stop he would have to lock you up in the manor. I don't think he wants to do it, but he will."
"And you would let him?"
"I don't know how to stop him," Bonnie confessed. "No one ever listens to me. You know that. And I honestly don't think I have anymore control over Kol than anyone else does. He's kind of a loose canon."
"This is exactly why you should run the organization!"
Bonnie scoffed. "Me? I have no idea what I am doing and it's the one thing I have never wanted. Now would you please listen to reason before you get us both killed. Doesn't this all scare you? Because it terrifies me."
"No, dear cousin, I confronted death years ago. It doesn't scare me."
"Fine, be a fool then. But I won't be able to stop Kol or even Grams from locking you up in the manor if she figures out what you have been up to."
"That bastard," Lucy hissed. "That bastard! Kol knew exactly what would frighten me!"
"What might that be?" Kol asked, entering the room.
Lucy froze, and paled considerably. Bonnie turned in her chair, trying to school her expression into one of pleasantry instead of horrified shock. This conversation was not something he needed to hear.
"Nothing," Bonnie said, smiling, and going to him. She touched his arm and smiled up at him. "I thought you were having tea with Grams?"
"You're being very sweet, and charming Bonnie, but you won't distract me and I won't be lied to, beautiful," Kol leaned down to whisper in her ear. She shivered. He turned to Lucy, and in a louder voice said, "Now tell me, Lucy did Bonnie speak to you on my behalf?"
"She did," Lucy said coldly. "It's an effective threat."
"I'm glad to hear it," Kol said, smirking. "I'd hate to upset my new wife, as I'm sure you can understand."
"Naturally," Lucy said, smiling, but it was false and anyone could see it.
"Before you get any ideas, I'd advise against shooting me. If you do, there'll be no one left to stand between you and Nik," Kol said, sounding friendly, conversational even.
"I don't know about that. There's always Sheila."
"I meant someone he might actually listen to."
"Are you saying Sheila Bennett isn't a powerful opponent?" Lucy countered, sitting up to glare at Kol.
"I'm saying you don't understand how truly deranged my dear brother is."
"Kol, Lucy stop it!" Bonnie demanded, stomping her foot. "I've had enough of the two of you fighting! Lucy, Kol is my husband and you are my cousin. You will fall in line with the Mikaelsons and Grams. There is nothing more to say on the subject."
"Then there is nothing more to be said," Lucy agreed.
Kol gestured for Bonnie to sit back down in the chair in front of Lucy's bed. There he put his hands on her shoulders, and stood behind her.
"How are you doing, Lucy?" Kol asked politely.
"I'm expected to make a full recovery," she answered, eyes and voice cold. "I'm sure you'll be distraught as a result."
"Lucy," Bonnie whispered, she leaned forward and took her cousin's hand in hers. "Please cousin."
"I should go," Kol said, nodding at Lucy.
He kissed Bonnie on the cheek before leaving.
"That's it then? One night in his bed and your loyalties lie with him?" Lucy demanded.
"Lucy, it isn't like that. Kol's known what you've been attempting all along, and I have known he knows," Bonnie said gently. "He's protecting us both. My loyalties are to you as yours are to me. I don't want this. I'm scared for you. Klaus frightens me."
"I hear you, but I can't help feeling this is because you've been seduced by your new husband."
"Lucy!" Bonnie exclaimed. "It isn't like that. He hasn't touched me."
"Oh, hasn't he?" Lucy raised an eyebrow, challenging.
"No, he hasn't," Bonnie answered firmly, raising her chin.
"Then the marriage isn't legitimate it gives us the chance –"
"Enough!" Bonnie thundered, frightening even herself with her tone of voice. "I will not listen to this. Your last attempt got you shot. Perhaps next time, you'll die? Is that what you want? Because let me tell you, Lucy I can't bear to lose you!"
"I think it's best you left, Bonnie. At least until this infatuation with Kol passes. It's absurd. I understand he is handsome and has money, he might even seem nice, but -"
"You aren't hearing a word I say. You don't even understand why I'm upset. That it's you I'm afraid for. This has got nothing to do with Kol!"
"It's you who isn't –"
"I'll go," Bonnie said. "Rest Lucy and get well soon because I need you."
"Thank you for coming, Bonnie," Lucy said shortly, eyes already closing.
XXX
Kol was surprised when Bonnie entered the living room where he was having tea with Sheila only a few minutes after he'd left her alone with Lucy. She looked unhappy and it concerned him that appeared to be her default mood. Before kidnapping her, he had watched her for days. She used to smile in a way that was bright and dazzling. She would laugh with abandon and her friends adored her. Now she looked like the last rose of summer.
Kol could not help but feel responsible. If it was not for his family then she would still be the same innocent and carefree girl, she used to be. Now she had lost her father and been married off to the worst man he knew. Kol was aware he wasn't cut out for marriage, but he supposed he would have to do better if only for Bonnie's sake. If only he could find a way to make Lucy see none of this was Bonnie's fault. But he was most likely the last person Lucy would ever listen to.
"There you are, honey," Sheila said smiling warmly. "I'll have a tray taken up to Lucy."
Sheila got to her feet and went to find the servants.
"Are you alright?"
Bonnie looked up at him, startled. She walked slowly as if she wasn't all there and sat down next to him on the sofa. Not very close, but not as far away as she could get either.
"I'm fine," she said, sighing. Her eyes looked tired, defeated.
"Are you sure?"
"Lucy doesn't trust me anymore, but it's nothing," she said, brushing it aside and pouring herself a cup of tea.
Kol studied her, not convinced she was fine at all.
Sheila returned and they visited for a while. He noticed Bonnie was warming to her Grams again, yet he could see the pain in her eyes. He understood her feelings of confliction, he'd been there. Of course, he had the feeling Bonnie would be more forgiving of Sheila than he had been of Klaus.
Kol excused himself to the restroom and turned off to the room he knew Lucy was in. When he entered the room he saw she wasn't touching her food and she looked furious to see him.
"Lucy," Kol said calmly. "I've your purse," he said putting it on the nightstand. "I forgot to return it earlier."
"Did you?" she said, her gaze was sharp.
"I did," and it was the truth, he'd only come to check in on her.
"Why do you have my things and not my cousin?"
"Because I don't want her to have a gun in her possession until she can use one. I was afraid she might hurt herself by accident," he said, looking at her levelly. "I trust we can put this whole mess behind us."
"I don't trust you with her," Lucy said, glaring at him.
Kol wondered what he had done to make Lucy hate him so much. It almost felt personal.
"I'm not going to hurt her. We've been over this, or had you forgotten?" Kol said, rolling his eyes.
"No, I remember," she returned. "I just don't trust you."
"You have that right," he said, shrugging. It mattered little to him if Lucy hated him personally as long as this hostility and her undermining stopped. At the very least if she could attempt to curb the hostility in front of Bonnie. He suspected it was adding to his wife's anxiety and he didn't like it.
"You should be more concerned about what I know, Kol," Lucy said, smirking evilly. "I know the marriage can be annulled. Bonnie told me."
"Did she?" he raised eyebrows, feigning indifference.
On the outside he might look calm and collected however, on the inside it was another story. Rage and fear coursed through him. It was true, the marriage wasn't consummated. It could be annulled at will until that time. It was dangerous information and Bonnie had given it to her cousin. A woman, who decidedly hated him and would like to see their marriage end. He wouldn't let it. He only hoped Bonnie had told Lucy, unthinkingly and not done it on purpose.
"She did."
"I hate to disappoint you," Kol drawled, putting on his most arrogant smirk. She was not going to see him rattled. "But I only thought to give Bonnie a night of rest as yesterday was trying for her. Any illegitimacy on the side of our marriage, will be remedied tonight."
"Good thing I can still kill you, Kol. And believe me, I'll do it happily."
"Must we do this? You'll threaten me and I'll threaten you. It's pointless and quite frankly, I fear it will only result in upsetting Bonnie," Kol said with a grimace.
Lucy stared at him in silent rage.
"As you wish then," he agreed. "You are not the first person to threaten my life and I doubt you'll be the last. That being said, I don't fear you being the first to succeed," he rolled his eyes. "Here's how this will play out; you attempt to kill me. I thwart that attempt and you wind up under permanent guard, locked up on Mikaelson grounds. I'd do it sooner, but as I said, I'd rather not upset my wife any more than necessary."
"Stop pretending you care, it's sickening," Lucy spat.
"You're been warned," Kol said and left.
When he returned to the living room, Bonnie and Sheila were talking quietly. It looked as if Sheila was trying to calm Bonnie, who sounded upset. He caught the gist of it.
"I don't want to be involved!" Bonnie told her, sounding angry. "I've told you and told you and told you! I'm not a mobster!"
Kol sat down next to Bonnie and put his arm around her shoulder, drawing her to him. She was shooting daggers at her Grams.
"Kol would you kindly talk to some sense into my granddaughter!" Sheila exclaimed, sounding as if she was tired of trying to reason with Bonnie.
"I'm not about to force her to be involved in anything she doesn't want to be involved in, Sheila," Kol answered calmly. "Bonnie and I've discussed it and we've agreed it is her decision."
"But surely you –" Sheila shook her head. "Never mind. I have some important business we need to discuss."
"Do you want to hear this, Bonnie?" Kol asked her, taking her hand.
"No," she said. "I'll be in the kitchen."
"Kol," Sheila growled the instant Bonnie was gone. "This is absurd! I wanted her involved with your family because she needs to be in charge of her own life. She needs help to run the organization, not for you to run it in her stead!"
"She doesn't want it," Kol stated firmly. "I'm not going to force her to take the reins or be by my side in all of this because it will only end in disaster unless it's her decision. She has to want it."
"It's rightfully hers!"
"I'm telling you, she doesn't want it," he repeated, feeling himself getting thoroughly frustrated by this entire conversation. "Not even a little interested in it. She isn't Lucy or Katherine, or even you, Sheila. I wouldn't be surprised if she confessed she wanted to spend her life as a school teacher or something of that equivalent."
"I assure you she's made of sterner stuff than that," Sheila sniffed.
"I think you'll find school teachers aren't to be trifled with," he rolled his eyes. "Be that as it may, she doesn't want to be involved in mobster business. And I want her to be happy."
"This is foolish."
"If she changes her mind, then she changes her mind, but as it is now, it's not going to happen."
"Fine," Sheila agreed, in a huff. "If only I'd raised her this never would have –"
"Sheila, the business?" Kol interrupted. "I don't mean to be rude, but I've promised Bonnie a driving lesson today."
"Driving lessons?" Sheila said, and she was smiling softly. "She'll enjoy that. I'll make it quick then. I might have a spy for you. One that can get close to Marcel on our behalf and report back to us."
XXX
Bonnie was laughing as she braked. She'd nearly steered the car into the flower beds. Kol was laughing next to her, and he was trying to tell her how to back the car up.
"I don't know," Bonnie said. "I think you should take it from here. I'd hate to see what Rebekah will do to me if I mess up the gardens."
"As you wish, Bon-Bon. We've been at it for over an hour."
"Have we?" she exclaimed, smiling. "I guess time ran away with me. It was fun, thank you."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Kol said.
He got out of the car and came around while Bonnie moved over to the passenger side. Kol drove the car into the garage and parked, while Bonnie was smiling pleasantly. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had fun and actually relaxed like she had now.
"I think I'm going to like driving," Bonnie told him as he turned off the engine.
"I'm sure you will," Kol said. He slung his arm over the car seat, watching her with those dark eyes of his. "Come here, darling," he said, fingers grazing her shoulder from where they hung down the back of the car seat. It was a lazy gesture yet affectionate, it made heat race through her.
Bonnie hesitantly slid along the seat until she was sitting next to him.
"Thank you," she repeated.
"Don't thank me."
Bonnie nodded, uncomfortable under his scrutiny.
Kol's arm went from the back of the car seat to around her shoulder, pulling her closer still. His other hand was under her chin, and he raised her lips to meet his, kissing her. Bonnie sighed and he took advantage to slide his tongue between her parted lips. She kissed him back, and their tongues swirled.
Bonnie felt too hot and like the other day, she felt her head begin to spin as the warmth spread through her body. Kol's arm tangled into her hair and he was pushing her back onto the seat, so she was lying on her back. His hands travelled down her legs to part them, coming to lie down between them, he lay down on top of her, kissing her. His forearms rested near her head, careful not to put too much of his weight on her.
Bonnie moaned into his mouth, enjoying the feel of him. Kol's body was warm and hard where he pressed against her, encasing her in his comforting warmth and weight, making dampness pool between her legs.
He kissed his way down her neck. Coming to lick and suck on the top of her breasts, the exposed skin of her cleavage where her dress ended.
"Kol," she moaned, hands tracing the line of his back. "What if someone comes in? I don't want to be caught."
"We're married," Kol said against her skin, making her shiver from his warm breath and the vibrations his words sent through her chest. "It doesn't matter."
"Maybe not, but it would be embarrassing," she complained, squirming.
"There isn't anyone around," he said in a reassuring voice. "Besides, who's going to see you there underneath me?"
"Alright," she said, giving in. She was blushing and turning red with embarrassment, as well as passion.
She could feel Kol's smile against her skin. He was kissing her breasts again, and she closed her eyes, moaning. Bonnie was slick with wetness between her legs embarrassingly enough, as she gripped his suit jacket.
Kol's hands travelled down her side, stroking her ribcage and the other tangled into her hair, tugging. Each time he tugged on her hair, she felt an electric tingle go through her whole body, from head to toe, as if she'd been shocked.
"You're beautiful," Kol said, raising up on his arms to look into her eyes, he leaned over her. Bonnie blushed in response to his words. He kissed her once, softly on the lips. "So beautiful," he murmured against her lips. Their lips were close enough they were exchanging breath, and the whole situation was intimate, it made Bonnie shiver, and wish to have him closer. "Do you like being my wife, Bonnie?" he murmured each word between kisses.
Bonnie's head spun, she hardly registered his words.
"So far, it isn't too bad," she agreed in a hoarse voice, trying to gather her thoughts, but Kol didn't stop kissing her.
He was relentless and it was scattering her thoughts. She hardly knew what he was asking or what she was saying.
"Not bad?" he chuckled, kissing her more. Bonnie gasped and clutched his shirt harder. "I'll have to do better."
"Kol," she moaned when he rolled his hips against hers.
"Do you like that?" he whispered in her ear.
Bonnie nodded, certain she was crimson.
"Let's go back to our room, my sweet," Kol continued, his breath tickled her ear, making her gasp.
"Www-what about dinner?" Bonnie asked, pulling on his suit jacket. If they went back to the room now, she knew exactly what would happen. She wanted time.
"We can have that twit of a maid bring it up."
He nipped at her throat.
"Kol, don't be mean," she scolded. Then his words registered, and she felt her heart beat faster. "But surely you want to pass along whatever business Grams mentioned to Elijah or Finn or –" she faltered when she saw how Kol was looking at her. He knew she was stalling.
"Bonnie, are you frightened?" he asked softly.
"Yes," she admitted, knowing if he really wanted to know he could find out. Force the truth from her. "I want to, I do, but please Kol, can't we go slow?"
"If you like," he said, kissing her once softly. "I'm not a patient man, but I will be. For you, my darling."
Bonnie smiled at him, touched. She caressed his cheek, fingers tracing the lines of his lips, and she saw how her wedding band and engagement ring glittered in the dim light. She was pleased when she saw how his eyes warmed the more she touched him.
"Then yes, we can go to our room."
"Good," he smiled wickedly. "Though you did remind me, I do have to speak with Elijah," he frowned. "We can still retire early however, just let me speak with him first."
Bonnie nodded.
They found Elijah with Katherine as well as Sage, and Finn in the study. They were having a drink and smoking with Jo and Kai. Bonnie and Kol joined them, sitting down on the couch.
"How was the wedding night?" Kai asked, smirking.
Bonnie blushed and looked down at her hand, it was intertwined with Kol's in his lap. She saw more than felt his golden wedding band press into her hand. His other arm was around her shoulder, and she was leaned against his side. It was comfortable, but the way Kai was looking at her now, made her embarrassed to be sitting so close to her new husband.
Though she noticed Sage was sitting similarly with Finn, and Katherine's long legs were draped across Elijah's lap, as she rested her back against the couch arm. The Mikaelsons were informal and relaxed in how they went about the house. So much so, that Bonnie hadn't thought twice about allowing Kol to hold her in front of others. Now she was regretting not putting more distance between them.
"Don't make me shoot you, Kai."
"Not again," Jo groaned. "Last time you two fought, you both nearly died."
Bonnie looked at her, surprised. She shivered, and Kol pulled her closer, thinking she was cold.
"Fine, I'll behave, sissy," Kai said, smirking at his sister now.
"How is Sheila?" Katherine asked, changing the subject.
"Quite well," Bonnie answered.
"I've news from her actually," Kol said. "She's found a girl to spy on Marcel."
Bonnie looked at Kol sharply. A girl?
"Seduction should work nicely," Sage said, flashing a smile. "After all, pillow talk does tend to reveal all sorts of interesting facts."
"Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't Bonnie here, Marcel's fiancée? Before she wed Kol of course," Kai asked, though Bonnie had the feeling he already knew.
"I was, what is your point?" Bonnie said, fixing him with a steely stare.
Kai made her uneasy. Kol had called him dangerous. A friend yet one he wanted her to be careful with. It was strange and it put her on guard around the man.
"Well Bonster," Kai said, tilting his chin down and fixing her with a determined stare. "You could enlighten us with some of Marcel's vulnerabilities and flaws that you learned from your pillow talks."
"How dare you?" Bonnie said, angrily.
"That's it," Kol growled. "Outside, now."
"Oh, dear," Jo said.
Kai stood as did Kol. They stood nose to nose, staring at each other, assessing. A chill went down Bonnie's spine.
"Enough," Elijah said.
He and Finn got between the two men.
Katherine and Jo stood, heading for the door. Sage went to Bonnie, she took her arm and led her away with them.
"What's going on?" Bonnie asked her in a whisper, as she allowed Sage to lead her from the room by the arm.
"They are either going to attempt to murder each other, or make up and have a drink," Sage answered, with a cold look over her shoulder.
"You speak as if this happens regularly," Bonnie said.
"It does, when Kai is in town," Sage flashed her a smile. "There now, settle down. He's only a cad. He and Kol are actually good friends."
"So I've heard. Yet they act like – it's strange their friendship," Bonnie said, struggling and failing to put into words what she'd observed.
"Not so terribly strange," Sage countered. "You see, Kai is, well he's a cad as I've said. To be perfectly frank, Kol isn't much better. Yet they get on. Usually if they fight, it's over a woman."
"Excuse me?" Bonnie knew Kol had probably had more than one woman in his past, but she didn't care to hear about it.
"They're a lot alike," Sage explained. "A lot," she said with a pointed look. "It's why they get along and why they fight. They've got the same taste in women. And right now, Kai is paying a little too much attention to Kol's pretty little wife."
"Don't be absurd, he's only trying to embarrass me," Bonnie said, brushing it aside.
"Because he likes you. Kai is like that," Sage countered, sounding confident in her assessment. "Which means you need to stay away from him."
Bonnie nodded.
Bonnie's stomach churned. She didn't like being the focal point of Kai's attention any more than she liked being the source of tension between him and Kol.
"Do you think they'll fight?" Bonnie said as they sat down in the library.
"It'll be fine," Jo said, smiling at her warmly. "Really it will."
The rest of the evening was pleasant. Bonnie and Jo got along well. She heard about medical school and talked to Jo about some of the private teachers' she'd had as a child.
"But really it wasn't much fun, being homeschooled," Bonnie said after answering several questions about being homeschooled.
"Yes, but Sheila said you were a bit of a prodigy," Katherine said, fixing her with a catlike stare.
"Oh, I don't know about that," Bonnie brushed it aside.
It was true she was fluent in both French and Italian, as well German. She could read some Latin too, though she'd never enjoyed learning a dead language. Further she'd been at a high level of mathematics and had been encouraged to continue with chemistry. But Bonnie had never been comfortable thinking of herself as a prodigy. It was just another way she would never be normal.
"Really?" Jo said, looking genuinely pleased. "Perhaps you should pursue a degree as well."
"Oh, I don't think so. I've never thought of it."
For a woman of color, it would be impossible to pursue a degree in the fashion Jo was doing.
"I for one, left school as soon as I could," Sage announced. "I swear, I told my mother to find me a husband when I was sixteen because I was quite done with school. The rest of my family, they're all rather bookish. Everyone's got a degree of some sort, even the women. My mother's a teacher, though she gave that up to marry father. Well I said, no thank you!"
"Oh, I don't know I might I've enjoyed an art degree," Katherine mused. "But you never did much care for sitting still, Sage. I can't imagine you pursuing a teaching degree."
"God, can you imagine!"
Sage's outburst made them all laugh.
XXX
When Bonnie retired early, she found Kol was already in the room. He was sitting on the couch polishing his gun.
"There you are, darling," Kol said, smiling as she closed the door.
"I'm sorry, I thought you might still be fighting with Kai. Otherwise I would have been up sooner," she said, blushing.
"It's dealt with. He won't speak to you like that again."
"Thank you."
Kol gave her a serious look.
"We need to talk."
"What's wrong?" Bonnie asked, a sense of dread coiling in her stomach. She went to him, she sat down next to Kol, taking his hand in hers and kissing it softly, hoping soothe his anger. She knew he was angry about something, she could tell. "Are you angry with me?"
"You're sweet," he said, kissing the top of her head. "And very good."
"What do you mean?" she knit her brows together, not understanding his meaning.
"I mean, this," he said, lips turning up into a crooked smile as he tugged on her hand. "Hoping to stave off my anger? Perhaps evaporate it by batting your lashes at me?"
"Please don't be angry," she whispered. "Please."
"I'm not," Kol answered, kissing her on the lips. "But since you are determined to sweet talk me, at least do it properly. Come sit on my lap, darling."
Blushing and embarrassed at being caught, Bonnie did as he asked. She sat down in his lap, and wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head against his chest, leaning against him. Kol's arms wrapped around her waist and he held her close. She felt warm and comfortable, Bonnie vaguely wondered why she'd never thought to sit in Kol's lap before. It felt safe, she wanted to stay there, even if he might be angry with her.
"So you weren't angry with me when I came in, are you angry with me now? For whatever game you think I'm playing?" she asked hesitantly. It was annoying how Kol always seemed to know what she was thinking and how he knew why she did the things she did.
"If there's one thing I've discovered, its' that I can't seem to stay angry with you Bonnie my sweet," Kol told her gently. "It's about Lucy."
Her head shot up to look at him, heart racing. Was he going to hurt her? Did he take back his promise to let her live? Was that what he was going to tell her now?
"What about Lucy?" she asked, heart pounding.
"Did you tell her what happened last night or rather what didn't?"
"Yes, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have. I realize that's private," she said quickly, heating up under his steady gaze.
"She's threatening to find a way to take you away from me, and to have the marriage annulled," Kol tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Is that what you want? Do you want to go?"
Bonnie looked at him, feeling conflicted.
"I said my vows, Kol," she said quietly, looking away, and pretending not to notice how his hand went from her hair to linger by her pulse line. "We're married and however, that came to be it's not important anymore."
"Then I need you tell her that isn't an option, not any longer when you go to see her. Do you understand?" Kol asked, looking at her seriously. "Or I will."
"Yes, I'll tell her," she agreed, nodding. "I'm sorry, Kol."
"I told you, I'm not angry, darling," he said softly.
"Not even for –"
"For anything," he cut her off.
"That's a relief," she said, running her hands through his hair. Kol often wore his hair without any product, just letting it hang down. She liked that, liked being able to run her fingers through it.
"Give me a kiss, Bon," Kol said in a husky voice.
Her heart skipped a beat as she kissed him. That wasn't enough for Kol, and he licked her bottom lip. She gasped and he kissed her for real. Tongue slipping into her mouth, dancing with hers, making her breath catch in her throat.
Thank you to everyone, who has stuck with this fic. I'm sorry updates have been so few and far between. I have lost inspiration for this fic and I have spent the last month trying to work on it. The problem is, I kind of hate Queen of the Quarter. Every time I read through it I cringe at whatever scene I have written and cringe at the new ones I'm trying to write. That doesn't mean I am giving up on it because I am really trying to finish it. I'm just really struggling with it. Anyway, I hope this chapter isn't a letdown.
- Izzy
Guest: Thank you! I'm so happy you like it!
Guest: Sorry about the delay in the update, but as you can see from my AN I'm having some trouble with this fic. Hope you are staying safe!
Guest: I love married kennett too I'm just not sure this fic does them justice!