CHAPTER ELEVEN

EVER DANCED WITH THE DEVIL IN THE PALE MOONLIGHT?

"That was not nice," Caroline scolded when they reached the open doors.

Klaus inclined his head. "But true."

He was right, of course he was, but she really didn't want to discuss her best friend's love life with him. With a smile, he raised his glass to hers and whispered, "To you, love. I do apologize for the alarming lack of quality champagne. You will experience the real thing soon, I promise."

They drank, and Caroline watched him crinkle his nose in disgust. To distract herself from the double meaning behind 'experiencing the real thing soon', she raked her brain for a topic that could help her relax and steer the conversation into a more harmless direction. She would be spending the evening in his company, it would seem, so she needed to relax, otherwise she would probably pass out shortly.

"What is your favorite brand of champagne, then?" she asked in a conversational tone.

"Oh, a few individual champagnes are quite bearable," he replied animatedly. Right topic, apparently. "From the grand names, I would say Dom Pérignon Rosé, certain vintages of Bollinger, and for more mundane occasions, Ruinart Rosé or Nicolas Feuillate. For every day, Moët & Chandon. Contrary to what many people will tell you, Veuve Clicquot is absolutely appalling."

Caroline nodded with mock disgust on her face. "Yeah, that's what I always think when they serve me that crap." A round of giggles unfortunately spoiled the line. Klaus chuckled, amused, and went on.

"In general, I prefer rosé champagnes for their complex composition," he smiled, and his eyes lit up. "But there is only one House whose every vintage is a masterpiece. I would go as far as claiming that every single bottle that has ever left the House since it was founded back in 1843 was simply perfect." He sipped his champagne again, and Caroline couldn't help being amused at how he seemed almost insulted by its taste.

"So which one is it then?" she asked, a bit intrigued by something that earned his approval so entirely. That stuff must be remarkable indeed.

"It is called Krug." The way he pronounced the name almost reverently – and on top of that, in French - sounded sinful and overwhelmingly sensual. Gotta try it one day. Whatever makes Attila the Hun swoon like that has to be close to ambrosia.

"The House of Krug is part of a large conglomerate nowadays, but contrary to what one might suspect, it did not alter the champagne's quality in the slightest. They are the only manufacturer still fermenting their wine in oak barrels, which is one of the contributing factors to its unique taste. Even the so-called Grande Cuvée, the champagne which ranges at the bottom of their portfolio, is still way more valuable – and expensive – than the most of the other Champagne Houses' great vintages." His eyes were shining now, and his enthusiasm was catching.

"I am very much looking forward to seeing your reaction to your first taste of Krug, love. We will start off with the Grande Cuvée, and bit by bit, you will taste them all. Come to think of it… excuse me for a second, Caroline," he smiled excitedly. In a flash, he grabbed her glass and emptied it into a flowerpot, holding his mobile phone to his ear with the other hand.

"Mark. Do me a favour, will you, mate? Get down to the wine cellar and grab a bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée from the champagne cooler. Yes, the one with the golden label. Two glasses. Bring them over to me at Town Hall. I'll be in the garden. Five minutes. Yes."

He broke the connection. Caroline looked at him through narrowed eyes. "One of your hybrids, I presume? You didn't have to order him around like that. Couldn't you have gone to get it yourself? You would have been back in just a few minutes, what with the hyper Original speed and all."

"I know. But he doesn't have anything to do right now anyway, so he might as well make himself useful. And why are you surprised?" he asked with a wink. "I am still me. The Alpha Male? Ring a bell? Apart from that, I am not risking you taking off on me without a dance," he snickered.

"You'd have me back here in a second. And I can't really run very far in this dress anyway," Caroline shot back.

"I am glad to hear it, sweetheart, as I honestly can't wait to have you in my arms again."

"Don't get any ideas. We're talking dancing here."

"If I am not completely mistaken, dancing generally involves being in each other's arms."

"So we'll dance a minuet then," Caroline suggested, fighting to ignore the heat that was spreading inside her at the thought of being in his arms. The memory of those very strong arms encircling her the two times they had danced together and particularly the day he had held her after her encounter with the warlock was just intoxicating.

Klaus laughed. "Good one. But if I may just make one thing very clear – it is to be a dance of my choosing. And I was bored out of my senses by minuet even when it was still en vogue, so not a chance."

"If we leave this to your choice, I'll probably end up pole-dancing," Caroline exclaimed with a hint of humour gleaming in her eyes. Klaus took her hand and raised it to his lips like he had done before, again not touching her skin. And again, she trembled.

"Who knows," he murmured, "one day you might actually want to dance for me. But for now, I desire nothing more than to dance with you. Well, that is probably not quite true," he added with a salacious grin. Caroline slapped his shoulder. "Behave, or you will be the one ending up pole-dancing," she threatened.

"Wouldn't that be a sight to behold," Klaus grinned. "What would you have me wear, love?"

Mercifully, Mark's arrival saved her from a reply. Klaus took the champagne and the glasses from him, and being aware of Caroline's stare, he threw Mark a quick thank you. The boy left with a nod, and Klaus took Caroline's hand to lead her to one of the deserted wooden tables on the lawn, near the stone portal. He set down the fragile-looking crystal flutes and deftly opened the bottle of Krug. A small smile played around his lips as he poured the pale liquid into the glasses. Caroline forced herself to take her eyes off him and look at the champagne instead. She was really curious now, but due to her lack of experience with actual French champagne, she didn't think her palate would be sophisticated enough to really appreciate it.

Klaus handed her a flute and tipped his glass to hers. It sounded like wind chimes. He did not say a word when Caroline lifted her glass to her lips and cautiously took a sip. Her eyes closed involuntarily at the sudden sensation of total luxury in her mouth. Oh God, she thought, this is liquid elegance! Never in her life had she tasted anything like it. The champagne sparkled on her tongue, and when she swallowed it, there was a subdued afterglow that differed from how it had tasted in her mouth. Wow.

She opened her eyes and saw Klaus watching her with an unfathomable expression. He looked almost… proud.

"So," he probed, "what do you think?"

"It is simply divine, Klaus. I have no idea how to describe the sensation… well, maybe… this will sound tacky, but… I think if gold had a taste, this would be it. Not that I have anything to compare it with, but I seriously doubt it can get any better than this. Thank you for sharing it with me," she said, giving him an honest smile.

"I have never heard anyone describe the taste so aptly, love. I am very glad you like it. And I can assure you, it does get better. You will get to know every vintage Krug has ever produced. Until one day, we will arrive at the ultimate champagne. If you perceive the Grande Cuvée as liquid gold, that one could probably be compared to liquid diamonds and platinum combined. It is called Clos d'Ambonnay, and I consider it the epitome of everything that is luxury, taste and elegance. No other champagne could ever compare. It comes at around four thousand dollars a bottle." There was the swoon again, Caroline thought, and it touched her somehow. He was as passionate about champagne as he apparently was about everything in life.

"But that one bottle, dearest Caroline, will be kept for a very special occasion."

Caroline decided to ignore that last comment and took another sip of her Krug. Her eyes closed again, and she let herself be consumed by her taste buds.

Klaus fell silent and watched her, fascinated. He had expected her to like the wine, who in their right mind wouldn't, but her reaction was more than he could have hoped for. It was like looking into a mirror, for it showed him exactly what he had felt at his very first taste of Krug.

Oh, the wonders he had in store for her! She would love the world, and the world would love her. Once he had sent Prelati and whoever was behind all of this back to the stinking hellhole they had crept out of.

After a while, the music paused, and Klaus took the glass out of her hand, setting it on the table. He inclined his head in a slight bow and held out his hand. "May I have the honour of the next dance, Miss Forbes?" he asked in a formal tone. Here we go, Caroline thought. "Yes, you may," she replied, her own voice sounding hollow to her. Placing her hand in his, she turned towards the ballroom, but Klaus held her back, unmoving. Lifting a quizzical brow, she looked at him.

"Dance of my choosing, remember? Well, love, it is right here and right now that I wish to dance with you."

Caroline let out a shaky breath. It was a bit too romantic, a bit too seductive for her liking. She constantly had to remind herself that this wasn't a date, and he was not Prince Charming. Lord Voldemort was more like it. The ridiculously wonderful champagne, Klaus' shining eyes on her, and now a dance in the shadowy gardens… danger ahead! But what harm could one dance do after all? It wasn't like this was the first time they danced. She placed her hand in his, desperately trying to ignore how warm and soft it was.

He pulled her to him the second the music started. Caroline recognized the song and groaned inwardly. The Rose. Positively the slowest song in the history of smoochy dancing. Did you expect anything else? Honestly.

Klaus' right hand sneaked around her waist, resting on her back, one finger touching her bare skin at the hem of the skirt. His other hand pulled hers up to his chest, placing it right above his dead heart and covering it with his. Very slowly, he began to sway them to the rhythm of the music, easing her closer with every move.

Caroline was completely surrounded by Klaus. His incredibly enticing scent, his hand on her back, his mesmerizing eyes on hers… and her hand on his hard, chiseled chest, with his fingers almost imperceptibly caressing hers. It felt… good to be this close to him. No, not good, she corrected herself. It felt fantastic. A bit too fantastic. Oh, to hell with it. Worry tomorrow, moral authority. And she closed her eyes and let herself sink into the music. And into Klaus' arms.

Some say love it is a river
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed

Some say love it is a hunger
An endless aching need
I say love it is a flower
And you its only seed

It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking

That never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying

That never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed
That with the sun's love
In the spring
Becomes the rose

The dance seemed to last forever. And it seemed to be over in a nanosecond. When the music stopped, Caroline's eyes were still closed, and they were still dancing. After a short while, she noticed the silence and slowly lifted her head to look at him. Her breath caught at the sight of his completely relaxed face. He looked almost… happy. His eyes were closed too, and she felt that there was not a trace of Big Bad Original Hybrid, no trace of darkness in him now – he was just a man enjoying his dance with a woman.

Apparently, he had noticed her move, as his eyes came open now and immediately locked with hers. The butterflies in her stomach seemed to have turned into eagles or flying dinosaurs or something of the sort.

He pressed the length of her body to his in a deeply sensuous move and held her there for the blink of an eye. Then he released her, still holding her hand firmly in his.

"Thank you so much for this wonderful dance, love."

Klaus lifted her hand to his lips in an incredibly gracious move. The moment her hand had almost reached his lips, he turned it around, placing an unbearably tender kiss on her palm. Everything inside Caroline went soft. It was ridiculous to feel so elated by nothing but an old-fashioned gesture, but she did nonetheless. He just made her feel so… feminine, so absolutely a woman. Yeah right. Hellooo, Houston to Caroline! Reset the romance novel mode!

Slowly, he lowered her hand again, and his head followed the path of their now interlaced fingers. Caroline looked at him, open-eyed. She had no idea what he was up to when his lips softly brushed the delicate swell of her breast at the seam of her mail shirt.

Caroline's mind went completely blank as her spine began to tingle. A low sigh escaped her. His lips did not linger on her skin, but he lifted his head just a fraction to look up at her, still hovering over the spot he had just kissed.

He smiled delightedly at what he saw on her face. Oh yes, she did want him. She fought it bravely, and there were so many conflicting emotions tormenting her, but however hard she tried to deny it to him and even to herself, the desire was also there, shining brightly in her timeless, beautiful eyes. His whole body seemed to react to this discovery, his determination becoming absolute. No matter how long it took, and no matter what or whom he would have to fight, he would use every skill, every experience, everything he had ever been taught in his thousand cursed years, to make her his. To make her look at him with nothing but raging desire in her beautiful eyes. He had given her those last few weeks because he knew she needed the time to mourn her relationship with Tyler. But all bets were off now. Grace period over. Very deliberately, he rose, steadily closing the short distance to her lovely flushed face.

Caroline held her breath. Not that she had really been breathing before anyway. He was going to kiss her now, and she braced for his kiss, faintly realizing she couldn't - wouldn't - push him away. But his lips never met hers. Instead, he rested his cheek on hers in an unbearably intimate way, barely with the hint of a touch.

"Remember this, my Caroline," he whispered hoarsely, the soft sensation of his breath against her ear making her tremble ever so slightly, "remember this very first moment when my lips touched your skin."

She was unable to move so much as an inch, completely captured by the echo of his words and the sound of his dark, husky voice. In what seemed to be slow motion, his face moved away from hers, brushing her cheek all the way. Caroline felt the world on hold for an instant. He stopped to look at her, his face only inches from hers, and the world came to another halt when she saw the raw emotion pouring from his stormy blue eyes into hers. He had never looked more human to her, but at the same time, he had never been more Klaus.

"Remember. Because I will take this moment with me through all of my eternity."

He brought his face even closer to hers and lingered, their lips almost touching. But not quite.

He raised his hands to both sides of her face, almost touching. But not quite.

And then he adoringly whispered her name against her lips. Caroline knew she was going to either combust or scream or die if he did not touch her now. Probably all three.

Then he was gone.

Caroline fought the raging turmoil that had ignited inside her. How dare he leave her like this? How dare he leave her standing here, all… all… Come one, Caroline, all what? All hot and bothered? Wanting to tear off his clothes? Wanting him to take you, take you until you beg for mercy? Oh, shut up. Right now. He is off limits. Calm down and breathe, you are more or less in public for crying out loud!

She steadied herself, concentrating on breathing slowly and consciously. She needed to get a grip and return to the dance before anyone came looking for her.

And right after experiencing the single most erotic moment of her entire life. Courtesy of Niklaus Mikaelson.

"I hate to say it, but besides his admittedly excellent taste in liquor, Count Dracula sure as hell knows what he's doing," a well-known voice sounded behind her with a chuckle.

Her cheeks flaming red, Caroline turned to face Damon, who was casually leaning against the arch of the portal, half hidden in the shadows, his arms crossed over his chest, smirking.

"How long have you been here?" she snapped, her eyes looking daggers at his grinning face.

"Long enough to enjoy the overture, the first act and the grand finale," he admitted without so much as a hint of guilt. "Or should I say, the climax?" he added pointedly.

Caroline looked around for something, anything, she could throw at him. Damn. Never a stake available when you needed one to send the nosy bastard to hell. She gave up with a sigh, looking at him with resignation.

"Okay then, let's hear it. Give me the big lecture, how I am just a stupid teenager, how the mighty Klaus is using me to gain his own ends, how I am being the dumbest baby vamp you have ever met in your hundred umpteen years. Go ahead, get it over with!"

Damon looked at her with a thoughtful expression on his face.

"I wasn't going to lecture you," he said earnestly. "Make fun of you, yes. You would be disappointed were it otherwise." "Yeah right," Caroline huffed.

"What I was actually going to say is – if you need someone to talk to about whatever this …" he gestured towards the space where she and Klaus had stood moments ago, "is, I… am here. I know you usually rather talk to Stefan, but I would highly advise against that when the topic is Klaus. And while we are at it – you are everything but dumb, even though evidence might currently suggest otherwise."

She looked at Damon, nonplussed. "Where does that come from, Mister I-was-there-when-they-first-invented-sarcasm Salvatore? Since when have you been upgraded to BFF?"

"Hey, you will get your share of sarcasm, don't you worry about that, Barbie," he grinned at her, "but you were there for Elena, for my brother and for me on more than one occasion now, and I believe it is high time I repaid you. Not that I don't find it beyond disgusting to see you making out with Lucifer's disciple. What am I saying? He is Lucifer. Who incidentally was as zoned out as you were, judging by the way he didn't even notice me." He winked at her.

Caroline couldn't help but laugh. "Thanks, Damon. I really appreciate it, and I might take you up on it at some point. But… I don't think I want to talk about it right now. I just want to go back inside, have a drink and dance and forget about all of this. Okay?" She looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Sure. Take your time. But do be careful. I am pretty sure he would never hurt you, but he is Klaus, after all," Damon warned.

"Will do. Thanks again." Caroline started to leave, when he called, "Blondie?"

"Yeah?" she replied, stopping at the door and turning to him. He gestured to her face.

"When a man can make you look like you just had the best sex of your life without even having to touch you, it should give you a lot to ponder."

And with his trademark crooked smirk, he grabbed the still half-full bottle of Krug and strutted past her into the ballroom, leaving her standing openmouthed, gaping after him.

When Caroline ventured inside, Elena had just finished dancing with Stefan. She waved to Caroline and motioned for her to follow her to the ladies'. Caroline sighed and obliged, while Stefan joined Damon who was dangling the bottle of Krug in front of him with a smirk. "Look what Darth Vader left before he went off to wreak havoc on the galaxy," she heard him say before closing the door behind her.

Elena quickly checked the cubicles to make sure they were alone.

"Okay, Care, where have you been all this while? I was beginning to worry that he might have carried you off to enslave you in some hidden harem!"

"Don't worry, nosy Mr. Salvatore the Elder can give you the play-by-play." Caroline rolled her eyes. "We were in the garden, talking about French champagne. He had a bottle brought over from his crypt for me to try… you can't believe how that stuff tasted! All velvety and silky and golden, it was amazing! And that was only the basic vintage, there seem to be…"

Elena interrupted her impatiently. "Care, you're babbling!"

"I am, am I? Sorry, it was just so good," Caroline said, her face flushing slightly pink. Elena's eyes narrowed.

"Are we still talking champagne?"

"Of course we are! What did you think I was talking about?"

"Care. Don't play me for an idiot. I have known you for too long, and I can see there is something going on between you and Klaus. He gives you this incredible dress – which by the way is the most stunning thing I have ever seen – stares at you like a lovesick puppy, drags you to the garden to have some ridiculously fancy champagne… what else happened?"

"Nothing!" Caroline exclaimed, a hint of panic in her voice. "We danced, that was all!"

"Wait a minute, you danced in the garden?"

"Yes, he said it was to be a dance of his choosing, and he wanted to dance in the garden. Nothing happened!"

"Liar," a sneering male voice came through the closed door. Both girls gasped, and Caroline's face turned flaming red. Damon. That bastard! She was about to bolt outside and snap his neck, when Elena put a hand on her arm and mouthed, "Allow me." Silently, she ghosted to the door and yanked it open. Damon leaned in the frame casually, grinning and unrepentant, bottle still in hand.

Elena smiled at him sweetly, cupping his cheek and leaning into him. "Damon," she breathed huskily, and his entire demeanor changed instantly. He leaned into her hand and stared at her intently. His eyes seemed to burst with his feelings for her. Caroline could see Elena swallow. Her friend was getting caught up in her own trap, so she gave a very delicate little cough. Elena heard. She closed the distance some more. "Oh Damon…" He melted like ice in the sunshine.

"Yes, Lena?" he sighed longingly.

"There is something I need to tell you," she whispered in his ear, and Caroline could see his eyes closing.

"Anything."

"If you ever… and I mean ever… pull a stunt like this again, I will deliver you to Klaus myself. Bleeding and gift-wrapped. Now get the fuck back to the bar, or even better, get the fuck out of here!" She snatched the bottle from him and slammed the door in his perplexed face.

Caroline laughed out loud, and Elena joined in. "You almost blew it, Lena!" she snickered. Elena rolled her eyes, shaking her head at herself. "I know. That's what I meant this morning. It's driving me crazy!" She carefully opened the door again, but he was actually gone.

"Bleeding and gift-wrapped? Badass! " Caroline giggled.

"Is this the stuff you were going on about?" Elena held up the bottle questioningly.

"Yep. Try it, it's incredible!"

Elena took a tentative sip straight from the bottle. Caroline had to giggle again at the vision of how this would probably break Klaus' heart.

"Wow, not bad!" Elena admitted, taking another sip. "He does have taste, doesn't he?"

Caroline was silent, holding her hand out for the bottle and taking a swig herself. Involuntarily, her eyes closed again. She knew she would forever link this particular taste to Klaus.

Elena cleared her throat. "What did Damon mean, 'liar'? What happened between you and Klaus, Care?"

Caroline looked to the floor, shaking her head. "I don't know," she whispered. "We were dancing to this really kitschy song..."

"Let me guess," Elena interrupted, "The Rose?" Caroline nodded, and Elena snorted. "Figures. Go on."

"So the music stopped, but we were still dancing. Then he kissed my hand and…"

"And what?"

"He kissed me… only for a second… here," Caroline mumbled, pointing at the spot Klaus' lips had touched so tenderly. She could still feel his lips on her skin. "And then he disappeared, just like that." Why do I have to sound so disappointed?

Elena stared at her incredulously, apparently asking herself the same question. Then her eyes softened, and she motioned for Caroline to sit with her. Putting an arm around her shoulders, Elena spoke again, very gently this time.

"Do you feel something for him?"

"No! No, I don't, how can you even think that! I mean… I don't know, Lena," Caroline replied in a small, broken voice. "He is Klaus, for crying out loud! I can't have feelings for Klaus of all people! He is a killer, he is evil and he hates everyone. Everyone hates him! And I need a good guy, someone solid and normal and... I mean…" She broke off, catching her breath, and looked at her friend, total confusion in her eyes.

"Uh-oh," Elena muttered. "Seems I'm not the only emotionally messed up baby vampire around." She squeezed Caroline's hand encouragingly. "We will sort it out. Both of us." She sighed when Caroline looked at her gratefully.

"It might just take some time."