Klaroline MashUp Event: Day Two: Object prompt: Handcuffs, a paintbrush, and a flower. (Part One)
Chained to the Light.
IMPORTANT BACKGROUND INFO FOR THIS STORY:
AU. The canon events as far as Klaus and the curse are the same except the time frame is different and Caroline is not there for any of it. It all happens right after graduation and Caroline had already left Mystic Falls for New York City as a human. Elena was turned into a vampire after the Hybrid ritual due to Damon's blood being in her system. Klaus left town after the curse was broken, doesn't care about making hybrids, he enjoys being the only one of his kind.
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Caroline glanced in the mirror doing her standard double check before she left for any of these types of modeling gig. The loose fitted ankle-length sundress flowed around her frame giving her a whimsical air. It had just enough embellishments that it would hide the fact that she was not wearing a bra and long enough to keep her lower bits from being flashed to the world should a strong gust of wind decide to tempt fate. Not a single line would mar her skin. No bra strap digging in to raise havoc, no panty lines to have eyes frown and critique her with scolding glares. Her thick overly large black framed sunglasses, definitely not her favorite pair but the only ones she owned that wouldn't leave pinch marks on the bridge of her nose and would block the harsh sunrays from her eyes while she traipsed the streets to her destination. Slipping on her most comfortable and worn in pair of ballet flats she was ready to go.
But first, she thought spinning on her heals sending her long natural golden waves dancing threw the air, a blood bag.
That's right, Caroline had been a creature of the night of just over a year now and was adjusting just fine thank you very much. She couldn't helped but feel smug over how much better she had taken to life as a vampire compared to Elena.
It had happened towards the end of summer after graduation on the first and last time her old friends from Mystic Fall had come for a visit. Bonnie, Elena and two brothers that she had some creepy love triangle with had called her up at the last minute saying they were heading to New York City where Caroline had been living and working as a model while she waited for the fall semester of college to begin.
They went out for drinks one night to a trendy new club Caroline had raved about and loved going to with her fellow models. One thing led to another and Elena had ripped off the gaudy necklace Bonnie had given her and started tearing into her neck. The next thing she knew, the blonde brother with the fluffy hair pulled Elena off while the snarky brother she didn't care for was shoving his bleeding wrist in her mouth as Bonnie tried to comfort her. Then in a blink of an eye her entire life changed. Elena somehow over powered lover number one's hold on her and snapped her neck.
What happened after that was sort of a blur. She woke up in her apartment to the brooding brother looking all guilty like he was the one to snap her neck, handing her a blood bag as Bonnie gave her a ring as they tried to explain what was happening to her. Caroline remembered thinking how at least it was pretty if she was stuck wearing it for the rest of her un-dead life before she had scoffed at the excuses they were trying to feed her about Elena.
"There's no way that was an accident Bonnie. I don't care if you are saying Elena isn't herself right now. You know that bitch and I have always had a weird competition thing going on. She's had it out for me ever since I won Miss Mystic Falls over her. She thought she had it in the bag with all the sympathy votes because her parents died. Hello! You still have to be involved in the town committees."
Turns out, Caroline thought proudly, she had been right. She had been a vampire for over a year now and she hadn't changed for the worst. She wasn't out there ripping into people's throats. Well, she wasn't ripping into people's throats who didn't deserve it anyhow.
Instead of going all coo-coo-bananas like Elena had done, Caroline had excelled. She was able to study twice as much and still keep her job as a model for hire. She finally felt as if she was who she was meant to be all along. Like somehow she was born to be a vampire.
The microwave dinged and as she pulled out the now warm blood her eyes caught sight of the time. She had just enough time to enjoy her meal before needing to leave or she would pass her standard twenty minutes early to her new job.
She had received the call from the Modeling Agency early yesterday evening. It seemed this newer client, Niklaus Mikaelson, went through models like she went through her favorite chocolates. Though this last-minute call wasn't his fault this time. Bethany had been scheduled for his project but had went to the beach during the afternoon and had forgotten to put on that second layer of sunscreen. A huge mistake for Bethany but a fantastic opportunity for her. Not that she wished any harm to come to Bethany, she really liked the girl and she remembered all too well how much having a sunburn sucked the next day. It was just that the project called for a nude model. Meaning the pay would be triple her normal rate.
Caroline glanced at the small pile of bills that still needed to be paid for the month with glee. After today she would have more than enough to cover them and throw a nice chunk of money in her savings. Maybe she'd even splurge on that designer handbag she had been eyeing for the past month so she no longer had to tell herself that compelling the bag for herself was wrong.
Slinging her tote bag over her shoulders she headed out the door with a beaming smiling ready to take on this new project and client. Hopefully he wouldn't be as bad to work with as the other girls claimed.
On the other side of town Klaus growled in irritation as he tossed his phone to the workbench in the space he had rented out. The upper floor of the apartment building he lived in was currently being renovated, leaving the space bare and open like a blank canvas. But that's not what had drawn him here, empty spaces in New York City were a dime a dozen. It was the floor to ceiling windows that let in the perfect amount of natural lighting that gave off the impression that he was standing outside. He had spent the entire night setting up for his latest project only to find he had missed a call inform him that the model he had picked had to be replaced. The only reason he had worked all bloody night on this space was because the wench refused to work outdoors in the nude. Now the agency had picked out a replacement for him without his approval.
He went back to his phone, opening the email they had sent with the replacement model's photos. He had been trying to capture this idea more than a dozen times already but none of them had worked out quite as he had envisioned, leaving him with little faith that this agency would prove to have just the right person he was looking for.
"Well Caroline Forbes, let's see if you will do." He muttered as he opened the file inspecting the photos with a critical eye. She was beautiful there was no denying that, but only time would tell if she would become his the proper muse.
Exactly twenty minutes before was she due to show up a brisk knock resounded at the door. Klaus smirked as he strutted his way to the door, this Caroline Forbes already had one point in her favor, she was early whether done on purpose or not.
He opened the door with a friendly smile planted on his face ready to greet her, no need to show his teeth just yet, only to have the air knocked from his lungs at the sight of her. His eyes traced over every inch of her striking form. Not only was she beautiful, she was gorgeous. And clever as well. His keen eyes picked up on the lack of undergarments underneath her airy dress.
And then she smiled with a tiny bubbly giggle that made her seem more angelic than he thought possible.
"Do I pass the inspection?"
Klaus chuckled lowly, "You're stunningly perfect Sweetheart. I have a feeling we will work well together." Gathering himself he turned, leaving the door open as he began walking back towards his supplies only to turn at the hesitance in her voice.
Caroline ran her teeth over her lower lip, clutching the bag slung over her shoulder, "Well aren't you going to invite me in then?"
She said it so innocently, as if she was gently chastising him over his manners, but it was then that he noticed it. The only excuse he could offer himself was that he was so caught up in her beauty that he failed to pick it up sooner. That faintly softer beat of an undead heart. His smirk deepened as his husky voice whispered, "Excuse my manners Caroline. Please, come in."
He watched as the secretive smirk grew on her mouth as she crossed the entryway.
Interesting. Was she not aware of just who he was? Of what he was?
"The lighting in here is amazing!" She exclaimed excitedly as she walked passed him, allowing him to take a small whiff of her scent.
By the slight scent of human that still clung to her he would wager a guess to say she was no more than a year maybe two old. So, unless someone was helping her, the odds were she had no idea who he was or even how to detect what he was.
"I chose this place because of it. The original model for this piece refused to work outdoors." Klaus casually explained as he followed behind her towards the set.
Caroline threw a cheeky smile over her shoulder, "Yeah, Bethany is always afraid there will be some weirdo hiding in the trees ready to snap pictures and she'll end up on some freaky porn site. I've told her not to worry so much, the agency would be all over it if it happened." Her head turned back around and before he could utter a response she was gasping in awe over the props for the painting he had constructed.
Caroline was speechless over the set-up this guy had erected. There on the floor by the huge windows was a large section of grass, actual grass! Not that cheap fake crap that made her skin itch. All rolled out to cover an area larger than a king-sized bed. A few feet in from all four corners, four silver bedposts were standing up through the grass designed to look as though it was a bed of grass. Shear cream fabric was draped whimsically between each post giving off a wispy cloud-like quality. Off to the side along the wall were buckets upon buckets of more flowers than Caroline had ever seen. Obviously he had planned to add those in after she was already placed where he wanted her.
"You really went all out, didn't you?" Caroline muttered in awe under her breath, turning to look at him she raised her voice slightly, "This is beautiful. I mean seriously beautiful. It had to have taken you days and cost you a fortune!"
Klaus chuckled at her exuberance. "Actually it was all completed last night and as far as the funds go, I spare myself no expense when it comes to my art and vision." The light glinting off the blue stone of the ring on her index finger caught his eye and he wondered how she planned to get out of this one. "You do know this is a fully nude piece correct?"
Her nose crinkled adorably as she tilted her head, "Yeah, why?"
Nodding his head towards her hand, "Your ring."
"Oh, right." She laughed uncomfortably rubbing her hand over the ring in question, "I wear it so much I tend to forget it's on."
"Well be that as it may, it will need to come off." He watched as a look of regretful resignation dropped over her face, as if she was about to do something she truly disapproved of.
"Mr. Mikaelson…"
"Please, call me Klaus." He eyed her, waiting for even a shred of recognition in her eyes at his name but none came. Only more of that odd regret as she stepped in closer to him, setting her bag to the floor.
He realized what she was about to do when he seen her pupils dilate. It was the last shred of proof he needed to that she had no idea just what type of creature he was.
"You will remember me removing my ring. You will not notice it on my hand until after we are finished for the day." She gulped after releasing him from her assumed compulsion with a whispered, "I'm sorry."
It was that guilt-ridden apology that pushed him to play along for the time being as he repeated her command back to her in a monotone voice before slipping back into his normal persona, "Right then. There's a changing screen over there if you'd like to remove you clothing while I prepare my supplies."
Caroline smiled gratefully, picking up her bag and walked away from him to the screen.
Klaus stood still for a moment, his tongue swiping over his lips as he tried to figure out what was happening to him. From the moment this baby vampire walked through his door it felt as though his entire world had shifted with only a single look from her. Never once in her company as of yet did he feel the need, as he had with so many other supernatural beings, to lord his power over her. To instill in her just why it was many trembled in fear at just a whisper of his name. He even let the girl believe she had compelled him, thinking him some weak, spineless human for fucks sake!
His ears tuned in on her soft humming as she removed her clothing from behind the screen and he felt a lulling calm sweep over him.
This baby vampire, this blonde goddess, was different from anyone he had ever met. She was pure, beautiful and full of light. Hell, this woman was the epitome of light itself. Yet she held a darkness inside of her that he could sense she tried to hide from the rest of the world.
As she appeared from behind the screen, a short thin white robe wrapped around her slender frame he smirked.
He had finally found the perfect muse for his vision. Perhaps for even more than just his art.
Caroline had sang softly as readied herself for this session as a way to distract herself. There was something…different about Klaus. Not in a bad way, but it was almost like he carried the scent of a wolf and a vampire all at once. Which was ridiculous, she had scoffed to herself. But still, as much as she hated to use her standard compulsion about her ring on him, it was more of a test than anything.
Vampire 101: Other supernatural creatures cannot be compelled.
She hated to admit it but she was a little disappointed to find he was a human. It would have been nice to finally have another supernatural person in her life again since she rarely even spoke to Bonnie anymore.
Then there were the other reasons she felt disappointment and needed to distract herself from his strange and overpowering presence.
More often than not, the artists she worked with were either way too stuck up and focused on their work or pigs trying to cope a feel and gain a companion for the evening. She was a model not a damn hooker for hire!
Klaus though, she closed her eyes swallowing down a groan, he had a smooth yet rugged way about him. She felt as though she could talk to him for hours and not get bored, unlike most of the men she tended to meet. Plus, with his charm and jaw dropping good looks paired with that accent, it made it hard not to think about letting him cop a feel or two. And maybe a few of her own.
Stepping from behind the screen and seeing him standing there in his low slung jeans and tight t-shirt, both splattered with paint she realized one thing.
There weren't enough calming songs in her arsenal that would keep her lustful urges at bay.
"So, where do you want me?"
Taking in her slender form wrapped in nothing but the flimsy white robe, Klaus bit back a groan and the comment of, "With your thighs wrapped around my waist or head. Whichever you prefer, Love." And instead waved his slightly trembling hand towards the grassy bed, "There in the center if you will."
The husky timber of his voice sent delightful shivers across her skin that she tried valiantly to ignore. If she happened to put an extra sway in her hips as she walked, sue her.
Klaus's eyes fastened on the gentle and provocative sway of her glorious backside as she purposefully added an extra pop to her hips as she walked to the set. He felt a slight twitch in his pants, thanking the Gods above that he held a ridged control over his body.
And then she slowly dropped her robe.
He had always taken much pride on the fact that while in his element and artistic mind frame he never crossed a line. He had worked with many beautiful, sexy, stunning woman over the years and while he had admired them, there were very few that were treated as more than a simple prop or meal at the end of their sessions.
And now there was Caroline.
Caroline with her luscious curves that looked as though they were built strictly for his hands. Caroline with her satin smooth looking skin that his fingers itched to touch and his tongue was salivating to taste. Caroline who seemed to test very ounce of his self-control.
Then she knelt to the grassy carpet, turning to face him as she sat in the center waiting for him to instruct her on which position he wanted her in leaving him salivating.
She was a work of art on a completely different scale. He had a hard time believing that he would ever be able to capture her true beauty on canvas.
He tried to maintain a professional demeanor as he helped her to move in the position he desired her in, but every move she made, every tantalizing whiff of her scent that came his way brought a fire to his blood and a gasp from his lips.
Though, if the darker tint to her blue eyes and the small knowing smirk on her lips were anything to go by, it would appear that Caroline didn't mind it one bit. The little vampire knew exactly what she was doing to him and was enjoying every moment of it.
Well then Sweetheart, if that's the game you want to play, let's see just who will come out on top.
Klaus thought with a devious smirk as he dragged a few of the flower bins closer. He used the time it took to artfully arranging the flowers upon the grass surrounding her as a means to gather what was left of his wrecked control. His ego rose a few notches with every soft sigh and muffled groan from her lips as he bent and flexed his body while arranging the flowers.
Once completed he finally felt he had some semblance of control over his raging arousal. Now the fun part begins, he thought wickedly as he looked her over once more and began describing just what his goal was for this particular piece.
"My focus on this piece is as simple as it is intricate. It requires certain elements to not only appeal to the viewers but express the balance and struggle between dark and light." He was pleased to find Caroline's chest heaving as she hung on his every soft-spoken word. "The title of this piece is, Chained to the Light." He paused for a moment, withdrawing a pair of sliver handcuffs from his back pocket taking delight in her gasp as well as the heat he felt from her penetrating gaze. "Are you comfortable with wearing these Caroline?"
Caroline swallowed harshly at the picture he painted. Standing above her with the light shining on his back casting him in a glow while the shadows danced over his features. A pair of handcuffs dangling from his fingers, clinking together as they swayed like some sinful promise. A small part of her wished they were in a different scenario and the cuffs would be strong enough to hold her. Licking her lips, she cleared her throat before hoarsely replying, "Yes."
A wicked curve took over his lips, "Good." He knelt beside her, motioning for her to lift her arms above her head before clasping the handcuffs gently around her wrist. His voice sounded heavy as he relished in the touch of her soft skin, "Is that alright?"
Not trusting herself to answer Caroline simply nodded her head, glancing up to him with dark lustful eyes.
He nearly fell into them before shaking out of the erotic moment, allowing his artistic eye to take over as he gazed down her body and silently began placing flowers and petals strategically on her body. Her back was arched slightly to the side, pushing her lovely breasts up higher. Her legs were held together with just the barest peak of her dark curls showing from between her thighs with her knees slightly bend and her feet off to the side. She looked like a mouthwatering feast for all his senses.
If he happened to lightly drag a flower here and there over her skin, taking a few moments to admire the shivers he had wrought, she never complained.
Once finished he stood, admiring his new glorious muse yet feeling something was not quite complete yet.
If he had it his way, he would have her vampire eyes on full display with a small stream of blood dripping from her plump red lips.
Maybe another time. He thought, dreaming of all the ways he could entice her into it as he substituted the blood for a dark red rose placed in her hair just above her ear.
"Perfect." He breathed in awe.
Caroline's lips twitched into a small smile before falling back into her seductive pout.
"Keep your lips just like that." Klaus uttered in excitement as the vision that had been haunting him for months now finally was laying there right before him. Now that the artist in him had taken over, his control was not only flagging over his lustful musings but of the need to move about at his supernatural speed to get this lovely creature committed to canvas before she disappeared like the ethereal mirage she not doubt had to be.
He dragged the oversized table closer to the glassy bed, placing the easel and a smaller supply table on top before heaving his body to stand before it to give himself the best view of the painting. As he began, he let himself get lost in the sensual strokes of his paint brush and the honor of having such a gorgeous subject.
For Caroline, staying still in one position had never been an issue but today it was trying every inch of control she had. She had never felt turned on during a session before yet today she felt as though she was being burnt from the inside out. If she didn't know any better she would have sworn that Klaus had cast some type of lust spell over her.
She could still feel the phantom touch of his fingers gliding over her skin as he placed the flowers over her body. The cool metal of the handcuffs was now hot against her skin from the blazing heat her body was trapped in.
She was glad that he had her laying with her legs together, keeping the wetness that was seeping from her core hidden from his gaze.
For at least the hundredth time since starting this session she was thanking her lucky stars that he had proven to not be a supernatural being after all. She could hear every hitch of his breath, every groan from his throat along with the spicy aroma of his arousal. At least with him being human she wouldn't embarrass herself by him picking up on her own quiet moans and the scent of her heavy arousal.
I seriously need to get laid.
She berated herself as another quiet whimper snuck past her lips as his shirt lifted, showing more of his tantalizing skin as he bent to add more paint to his pallet.
He had worked for hours without stopping. The sun was just beginning to set when she heard him set his paint brush down and with a dimpled smile he announced reverently, "It's finished."
Caroline waited impatiently as he jumped off the table and walked over to her to release her wrists from the handcuffs. Taking his offered hand to help her to rise had been a huge mistake. The rough touch of his palm scratching against her sensitive skin brought back all the intense longing she had just started to turn off.
Standing beside him dressed in nothing but her robe, staring in shock at the way he had painted her to look so sensual and beautiful was not helping matters either. "You have an amazing talent Klaus. This is…wow. I've never seen myself painted so…" She trailed off not knowing what to say. He had managed to capture her so extraordinarily beautiful that she had a difficult time believing it was even her.
Klaus felt his chest puff out with pride. This was his best work yet. He turned his head, his eyes blazing into hers, "It's not difficult to create something so beautiful when the muse is more stunning than the Goddess Aphrodite herself was fabled to be."
Caroline choked down a whimper at his words and the heat radiating off him. Clearing her throat, she tucked her hair behind her ear, pressing her lips into a small smile as she removed the flower and went to hand it to him.
Klaus pressed the blood red rose back into her palm, "Keep it Caroline."
"Right. Thanks." She smiled hesitantly, "So I should go get dressed."
Klaus wanted to protest as she disappeared behind the screen. He kicked himself a fool for not claiming the work needed more time. For the first time in a long while he felt intrigued by a woman as something more than just a means to an end. He would be satisfied just spending more time in her presence. That simple, yet massive, realization floored him. As he heard Caroline nearly finishing he knew he was running out of time to think of a way to gain her company a little longer.
Caroline slipped her shoes on as she scooped her hair up in a messy bun. She had to get out of here. She didn't know what was happening to her but if she didn't get out of Klaus's charming presence, her carnal need was going to take over and she would pounce on him like some animal in heat.
She hoped she had covered her obvious lustful wanting of him but as she rounded the screen and seen the heat flare in his eyes she knew she hadn't done a well enough job.
Planting her Miss Mystic pageant smile on her face, she stuck out her hand for a quick handshake, "It's been a pleasure working with you Klaus. Good luck with selling your new piece."
All signs pointed to danger when he flipped her hand and lowered his head to brush his lips over her knuckles. His dark gray eyes screamed sex as his deep voice taunted her hormones, "The pleasure was all mine Caroline." She gently pulled her hand from his grasp as a shot of warmth hit her core at his purr of her name.
Klaus straightened, feeling immense gratification of his effect on her, "The piece turned out to be more than I ever dreamed it to be, and that's all because of you, so thank you."
"Yeah well, I um…should go." Caroline turned to the door but stopped with it halfway open at the sound of his rushed voice.
"Wait!" He didn't want her to leave but now that he had her attention with her brow curved up waiting for him to speak he felt tongue-tied at how to get her to stay, "Would you like to join me for a drink?"
With the way she all but wanted to devour him and have him reciprocate in kind, this was far too dangerous for him. She could easily lose control of herself in the heat of the moment and really hurt him. Caroline felt a twinge of regret but knew this had to be done. "I'm sorry Klaus, but it goes against my contract to see a client outside of working hours." She offered him a small smile and a whispered, "Goodbye Klaus." And was gone.
Klaus was left standing in shock at her refusal. While he was sure her contract read something of the sort he was just as sure that she was only using it as an excuse. The sun sank below the horizon, shadows swallowing the room and him whole as he smirked.
Caroline Forbes would turn out to be the most delightful and rewarding challenge yet.
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YES! There is a Part Two for this. I had planned to have it done and posted today as well but time got away from me. I'm still going to try and do that but if I can't look for it soon!
