"Here you go, sweetie," Sybil said as Princess Leia padded into the kitchen. "Your food dish and water dish are full and I promise I won't be gone long. Mommy just has to go to a job interview so she can be a contributing member of society and make actual money cause I know the Council won't pay for me forever!" She went to look at herself in the hall mirror one more time: She wore a flower covered dress and white ballet flats. Her make up was soft and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. "Perfect," she whispered to herself. "Not too fancy, but still professional and approachable." Then she winced as thunder boomed. It had been raining for ages She couldn't forget to grab her jacket.
She patted the cat on the head, grabbed her blue cross body bag, put on her coat, and sprinted outside to her car. If she wanted to be early enough to make a good impression, there wasn't much time to lose. She threw her bag in the passenger seat and sat in with her hands on the wheel. "Geez what a mess!" She whispered to himself. "Couldn't this have happened on a sunny day?" She eyed herself in the rearview mirror one more time and pushed back a strand of hair that had escaped from her ponytail. "At least I look good," she told herself resolutely. "That helps a little."
Sybil then found her eyes wandering to the seat beside her. Her cell phone had bounced out of the bag when it hit the seat and was now resting nearby. Still. Silent. She picked it up, telling herself that the only reason why she was checking her messages was to see whether or not there was anything that had been sent to her about her interview. No other reason. Certainly not because Mikael Mikaelson, her charming stalker, hadn't tried to contact her for a few days. It definitely wasn't starting to worry her; In fact, it was a good thing. He'd gotten the message that she didn't want anything to do with him and was behaving accordingly. Finally, some sensible behavior from that man! And yet...
A lump began to form in her throat as she tossed the phone back in her bag and shook her head. Without him, she had to admit she was becoming depressed. Sure, he was probably one of the biggest jerks on the planet, but he'd also been the first man to make her feel any sort of desire in a long time. And the thought of being without that...and spending the rest of her life with just a cat for company...it was too horrible to think of.
"Oh, come on, Sybil!" She muttered to herself and hit the steering wheel. "He is not the only man on the planet, so you can forget about him! You'll get this job, you'll meet new people, and if you're lucky, there'll be a nice, sweet, handsome, funny guy in it for you too!"
This put her in a good mood, which quickly evaporated when her car wouldn't start.
"No!" She groaned. "No, no, no! Don't do this to me now! I have an interview to be at in twenty minutes! Isn't it bad enough that it's pouring?"
Eventually, after lots of begging, pleading, and swearing, the car started and, breathing a sigh of relief, Sybil started to make her way to her interview...at least until the car gave one last finally gasp and stopped completely at the edge of a street of very fancy buildings. "Shit!" She swore after trying several things with no luck. "I thought we agreed you weren't gonna do this to me!" Then she realized that she had to get out, in the pouring rain, and go look under the hood, which she did with extreme reluctance. Once she was sure the car was dead, she got back in, wet as she normally was after a shower. She grabbed her phone to try and call the people who were conducting her interview that she needed to reschedule, but quickly noticed that there was no cell service. "Great," she muttered as she tossed her phone back in her bag. "What else can be done to me today? This storm will last for hours and I can't even call someone to come and get me. I'm stuck here!" Then she stopped. Get a grip, she told herself. You can handle this. I'm sure there's someone around here who would let you in to use a phone. You just have to figure out where you are."
She lowered her hood, wiped the water out of her eyes, and squinted to try and see the writing on the nearby road sign. "River Road Street," she said. "Why does that seem so familiar?" Then it hit her, causing her to gently bang her forehead on the car horn several times, producing several brief beeps. "It's his street!" She said. "The one Mikael Mikaelson's penthouse is on!"
Growling, she hit the car horn, starting at the very loud beep. She hated all the choices she had: staying here in the rain, asking a total stranger for help, or, worst of all, being at the mercy of Mikael Mikaelson. As much as she didn't want to admit it, he seemed like the best best bet because he would actually let her into his place to call a service. It wasn't like she'd be around him forever.
Taking a deep breath before she could talk herself out of it, she grabbed her bag and sprinted to Mikael's building, doing her best to keep herself as dry as possible, but it was clear from the way the doorman looked at her that she still looked like a soaked kitten. Hopefully an angry soaked kitten. "What?" She cried. "Haven't you seen a wet person before? It's raining, so I don't think you need to look at me like I'm some sort of criminal just because I'm wet!"
"Yes, miss," the man said. "May I help you?"
"Can I have access to the elevator please? I need to go to the penthouse."
"Not yet," the doorman stopped her. "Is Mr. Mikaelson expecting you? He prefers I don't just send random people to his door."
"No, he's not expecting me, but...if you need to call him and tell him something, say...Sybil is here," she replied. "He knows me."
The doorman was doubtful, but he did it anyway, a little shocked when he found out her story was true.
"See, told you!" She cried. "Now, may I go upstairs, please?" She asked, not knowing why she was suddenly so pleased to be allowed access to Mikael Mikaelson's penthouse.
"He says you're expected, so..." the man pressed the button and gestured at the open door. "You may go on up."
"Well, thank you for your permission!" She spat, getting into the elevator. As the doors closed, she gnashed her teeth. Having to beg him for help like this, especially after being bulled by that stupid, snotty doorman, was the worst thing ever. The most miserable thing to happen in an already miserable day.
Still dripping water from head to toe, she straightened her spine and strode to the penthouse door, knocked, and waited.
The door opened, and Mikael looked her over. She opened her mouth to speak, but since it was obvious he'd just come out of the shower, and he was barefoot with torn jeans and an open white shirt, her mouth hung open. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she took several deep breaths to try and get it to calm down.
"Are you all right?" He asked. He was leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed and his head tilted. "And why are you so wet, my dear? Is it storming out? I haven't looked out the window lately."
Sybil swallowed and tried not to shiver or shake in front of him, even in her soaking dress. "I just want to use your phone to call a car service. Yes, I'm...I'm all wet," she said, even though he'd made it clear he noticed that. "As you can see."
"I can," Mikael nodded, whispering with his lips against her ear as he pulled her close against his body, his hands moving slowly down her waist and hips. "Both your car and your phone broke down by my building and you rushed here. You weren't trying to see me, were you? It's okay if you were."
"Yes my car and phone broke down in front of your building, no I didn't come to see you specifically. Her hands were balling into fists. "Can I please use your phone?"
"Oh, you'll see," he said with a grin. "As for using my phone, it surprises me that you think I'll let you since, as you've said repeatedly, I'm a terrible man with no redeeming features whatsoever."
She chuckled nervously and hit him but it barely moved him at all. "You...know you're such an ass. If you want me to beg, I will!"
His lip quirked. "That won't be necessary...at least not at at the moment. It'll still cost you though."
"How much?" Sybil asked. "It can't be more than thirty dollars because that's all I have in my purse."
"I don't want your money," he shook his head. "I think something else would be better."
Sybil went pale. "Please tell me you're joking."
"I'm not," he shook his head. "You came to me, and it will cost you."
"You're a pig!" She cried, poking him in the chest. "No, you're worse than a pig. You're a rat and I've never been so humilited! I swallowed my pride to come ask you for a small favor that wouldn't even inconvenience you and...you know what, you're disgusting! I'll take my chances with the storm!" She spun on her heel and pressed the elevator button.
"I just want twenty-four hours," he said. "Twenty-four hours of you being entirely mine."
"Go to hell," Sybil spat without looking at him.
"Well, all right," he sighed and went back inside his apartment, counting the seconds until he heard a knock at his door. He opened the panel and looked into her eyes.
"Is that a yes?" He asked.
"Twenty-four hours," she said carefully. "And you want to..."
"Fuck you all the ways I want," he answered matter-of factly.
She swallowed as he opened the door for her. She took a few steps inside and he placed her handbag on the table. She took a few more steps backward, kicking off her flats as she hit the entrance wall.
He stepped forward and undid her raincoat so that it fell to her feet.
"I'm all wet," she repeated once more. It seemed like it was all she could say, especially as he leaned in close and put a hand on either side of her waist.
"I bet you are. And it's just the beginning."
"You're an ass!" She said.
"So we agree," he murmured before gently inhaling the scent of the skin of her neck. "You, me...24 hours? You'll see what it's like to be completely mine? What you've been denying yourself?"
She sighed and began running her fingers lightly over his neck. "Mikael," she breathed, the word turning into a moan before he captured her lips with his. Then he broke the kiss and she moaned as he nuzzled her neck and kissed her again before busying himself with undoing the tiny pearl buttons on her dress.
"My god, woman," he whispered in frustration. "I haven't had this much trouble getting a woman out of a dress since women wore corsets! Just what were you thinking?"
"I was thinking I wanted to look professional for a job interview!" Sybil told him. "I didn't know I'd be having sex instead! And you better not rip this! It was expensive!"
"Oh, stop," he rolled his eyes, gave her a spank and kissed her soundly.
While he struggled with her buttons, she had much less trouble with his, backing him up against the wall to undo them and run her fingers over his chest. Finally, he got all the buttons undone and the dress fell into a heap at her feet.
"Never wear that dress again," he whispered. "I beg of you."
She smiled. "Get on your knees and say that again."
"Tell me you want me," he whispered.
"Only after you get down on your knees," she whispered.
He got down on one knee. "Burn that dress," he said. "I beg of you."
She bit her lip as a small sigh escaped. "I want you," she whispered as he grabbed her and his mouth crashed against hers. They made out in the hall for several minutes until all either of them wanted was to be naked under the sheets.
Mikael began carrying Sybil toward his bed, and even as she kissed him, he noticed that she was shivering. "What's the matter?" He asked, reluctantly getting his face out of the reach of her lips. "Are you cold? You're shivering." He stepped inside his bedroom and shut the door with one foot.
"No," she shook her head and took a deep breath; I'm just nervous."
"But why?" Mikael questioned. "It's only us."
She opened her mouth to reply but couldn't think of the words. "Never mind," she whispered and shook her head.
He kissed her forehead and lay her down gently on the bed, kissing her ankles and up her legs. As he hooked his fingers under the band of her panties to take them off, he heard a sharp intake of breath. He paused. Her eyes were wide. "Are you ready for this?" He asked.
"Yes, please," she breathed, eyes on him as he slid off her panties, her hips bucking just slightly. "Let me get my bra off while you do that."
"And do it quick," he panted. "Darling, I don't think I can wait any longer." He quickly stripped himself of his clothes and once they were both undressed, he climbed in bed and situated himself between her legs.
"Oh, god," she moaned as she felt him sucking gently on her nipple as she gripped his hair in her fists.
"I won't be able to wait this time," he told her. "I hope you're ready."
"Please," she begged. "You don't have to wait. Come inside me." She then let out a moan as he filled her completely, her legs wrapping around his waist while he continued to thrust inside her, although a little more gently now
Her eyes were shut tight, at least until she heard his voice. "Sybil, darling. Please open your beautiful eyes and look at me. Please."
She obeyed and found him smiling back at her. "You're mine," he said, whispering against her ear as they began making out again. "All mine."
"Here," Sybil said, handing Mikael a coffee. "How's the crossword puzzle going? Any luck? I think taking a break was a good idea." They were somewhat dressed now, her clad in one of his white shirts, and him in a pair of blue jeans.
"Thank you. I just...I don't know if I can figure this one out," he said, pushing his glasses back up his nose as he tapped the crossword puzzle with his pencil. "What you do after a shower; Twelve letters..." He absentmindedly ran his hand down Sybil's back and bottom.
"Ouch!" She yelled.
His eyes widened and he put an arm around her, pulling her close. "What?" He asked. "What have I done? Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Sybil nodded. "Yes...that's still a little sore there."
"But I put lotion on it and everything afterward," he pointed out.
"Yeah," Sybil nodded. "I know you did and I'm not trying to say you did anything wrong. Heck, I thought what we did this afternoon would be enough to soothe it too, but apparently the aftereffects of repeated, hard spankings last longer than we thought."
Mikael sucked in a breath and pushed some strands of hair out of her eyes. "Well, that's enough of that, then. I don't want to do anything to you that would cause you to be seriously hurt."
"Oh, no," Sybil shook her head. "I'm sure that once my body gets used to it, it'll be better. And I...I liked it when we were doing it. So you better not stop!" Then she blushed. "I liked that and the other...the other hardcore stuff, even though I know I was better at the vanilla things; I hope it was good for you too and you didn't think I was incompetent."
"Is that why you're blushing?" He asked.
"Well, I just..." She shrugged. "It's me, you know? Obviously I'm a female demon and no stranger to sex, but...I can't just do it, you know? I need to feel really at home with the other person and I...I haven't had that with many partners and definitely not for a long time." She scoffed. "Even before I died, it had been a while."
"As gorgeous as you are?" Mikael raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I wanted-"
"The best?" Mikael interrupted with a wink. "I don't blame you!"
She lightly hit his chest. "You're so full of yourself! Did you know that?"
He chuckled and began kissing her fingers, shifting position on the sofa. "Oh, I know.
"You know," she trailed off, leaning her head against his chest, her arms wrapped around his waist and her legs entertwined with his. "You have beautiful furniture here. Italian?"
"Oh, yes," Mikael nodded. "It's my favorite kind; I like it very much."
"Might I suggest a few beige or sand colored throw pillows?" She asked. "I know it's not really my place, but...I think it would look nice. I could send you a link with pictures of some that I've found."
"That might work," he nodded. "Go ahead. Thank you."
Then she gasped and her eyes widened. "Moisturizing!" She cried, out of the blue.
"Well, thank you," he said with a smile, trying not to show that he was confused.
"Not you, the word!" Sybil cried impatiently. "What you do after the shower, 12 letters!"
"That could be it!" He nodded and grabbed his pen to count the letters. "Yes," he nodded. "It fits! Thank you!"
"Yes!" She exclaimed and smiled. "I knew I was right!"
"Yes, you were," he said, gently kissing the top of her head.
She raised her head to look deeply into his blue eyes, then straddled him, gently lowering his zipper down.
He chuckled, nuzzling her neck. "You naughty woman," he said, shifting her so that she was rubbing against him as she moved.
"I have to be to keep up with you, dirty man," Sybil replied with a chuckle, rubbing up against him and kissing him soundly.
"Oh, gosh, that was amazing," Sybil breathed, smiling contentedly and nearly rolling off the sofa.
"Don't do that!" Mikael yelled and grabbed her. "We're not on the bed now. You don't have enough space to roll!"
"Oh, damn!" She yelled, grabbing at a pillow with one hand while Mikael grabbed her other wrist and kept her still. "Thank you." She let out a deep breath. "See, this is one of the reasons why more throw pillows are a good idea."
"Are you okay?" He asked, pulling her onto him again.
"Yes, but...maybe you should be on top when we do it on the couch again," Sybil suggested. "It's safer that way."
They separated, Mikael lit a fire, and she reached for a blanket to wrap herself in. "Oh, this feels so good against my bare skin," Sybil remarked. Then she grinned wickedly. "Not as good as cashmere to wrap your naked body in, but..."
"Oh, come on," Mikael gave her a look. "You have a blanket around you, you have a fire in the fireplace..." He got right up close to her, a twinkle in his eye. "Is that not good enough for you, woman?"
"I'm not saying it's not nice," Sybil continued, softly biting her lip. "But it's not cashmere. It's not your fault. I wouldn't expect man to know the difference. Even one as sophisticated as you."
"There's a difference between not knowing and not caring," Mikael smirked. "I thought you said I had good taste in furniture!"
"Furniture, yes," Sybil nodded. "Pillows and blankets, not so much. Don't confuse the two."
They laughed and he kissed her forehead softly. "I have to thank you for choosing to have a penthouse on the highest floor of this building," she murmured. "Otherwise, people would have seen us walking around naked all afternoon and that's more than a little embarrassing." She blushed.
"No need to blush," Mikael shook his head. "People would have been jealous because I have such a beautiful woman in my apartment. An extremely beautiful woman."
"Well, thank you," Sybil nodded. "You know, you're really not so bad yourself." She rested her chin on the hand that was spread on his chest."
"Good to know," Mikael winked, making her blush again. "So kind of you to say it out loud." He paused. "Why are you always blushing?" He asked. "Not that there's anything wrong with that, and it's adorable in its way, but..." He trailed off, shaking his head.
Sybil shrugged. "It's just...it's the way you always look at me and talk about me like I'm something special. I'm not used to that. And don't let it go to your head, but I'm going to compliment you again: You really do have the most beautiful blue eyes."
Now it was his turn to blush, but not as deeply as she did, only a light shade of pink coloring his cheeks.
"Oh, look at that!" She grinned and pointed a finger at him. "You blushed! I saw it!"
"I don't blush," he said stubbornly, blushing more as a consequence.
"Yes you did! I saw it! I saw it!"
Mikael laughed and took Sybil's face in his hands as he stared lovingly into her eyes. "I look at you because I can't stop myself from staring at the most beautiful woman I've ever met in my entire life," he said.
"No, no, stop," she protested with a shake of her head. "I'm not beautiful. My hips are too wide."
Mikael snorted. "Oh, yes, that's a terrible problem to have when I want to spent hours burying myself inside you." He put his hands on her hips and kissed her lightly for a moment before she pulled away.
"Oh, no," she shook her head. "Don't you talk like that!"
He was planting kisses down her neck when her stomach growled. "What was that?" He asked, putting a finger under her chin. "Was that your stomach?"
"Y...maybe," Sybil nodded. "I had to rush out of the house for an interview and I only had time for tea and dry toast."
"Well, that's not good enough for my woman," he said. "Why didn't you tell me you were hungry?"
"I was," she said, her eyes flicking downward. "But I wasn't thinking about food."
"Understandable," he winked. "But I really think you need something in your belly..." he gave her his shirt to put on before putting on his jeans and gave her a spank. "I'll make you the best pasta you've ever eaten."
Sybil grinned. "I can't believe you're feeding me," she joked. "I thought you were just gonna tie me down and have your way with me until I passed out."
Mikael snorted. "Well, what fun will that be if you don't have the energy for it or you're thinking about how hungry you are?"
"Good point," Sybil nodded, barely having enough time to button her shirt before he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the kitchen. "I really had no idea you could cook!"
"Of course I do!" He gestured around the kitchen, which was very high tech. "Would I make the kitchen this fancy and full of stuff if I couldn't cook?" He paused. "What about creamy shrimp Pasta Primavera? You aren't allergic to anything, are you?"
"No," Sybil shook her head. "Nothing that I know of. That sounds delicious!"
After finding all the ingredients, he made it, refusing Sybil's help.
"Are you sure I can't do anything?" She asked.
"I'm certain," he said. "This won't take very long, I promise. I have this recipe down to a science."
"Well, fine," Sybil grinned and began looking around in the cupboards. "You just make your pasta, and because I don't want to sit like a lump, I'll make chocolate mousse and whipped cream."
He eventually sat a large bowl of pasta down in front of her, and she dug in, taking a large spoonful and putting it in her mouth.
"What?" She asked. "Do I have sauce on my face? This is the best pasta I've ever eaten, by the way."
"You just have a little something on your chin," Mikael informed her, using his thumb to wipe it off. "There. Now it's gone." He paused. "I'm pleased you're enjoying it. It's one of my favorite dishes too."
"Where did you learn to cook like this? People don't just get this good overnight." She paused. "No offense."
Mikael shrugged and shook his head. "None taken. When you live for hundreds of years, you meet a lot of people and you learn a lot of things. I met a cook who was from France. He was just...he was a magician. It was during World War I and although everything seemed to be crumbling around him, he just...he would wake up every day, push up his sleeves, and make these amazing dishes...hardly charge much for them at all. Said in the midst of it all, he wanted to be a bright spot in the world."
"Awww!" Sybil put a hand to her heart. "That's so sweet!"
"Yes, well...he was an uncommonly perceptive man," Mikael told her. "He was of the mind that knowing how to make food and enjoy food could bring the utmost happiness to anyone." He chuckled. "It's a shame he never met my daughter-in-law. She always says the same things about pies and cakes. I think they would have got along nicely. He saw that I wasn't in the best of spirits, took me in, let me live in the apartment over the bakery, and...showed me a trick or two."
"And did it work?" Sybil asked. "Did it make you feel better?"
"It did, actually, for a while," Mikael nodded. "Then I had another dark turn, also in France and involving my daughter in law, that took much longer to get over."
"Why'd that time take so long?" Sybil asked. "Why couldn't you have just called up your friend? Do you still keep in touch with him?"
Mikael shook his head. "No," I couldn't. He was human and he...he died of the Influenza. Not a lot of people were safe from that. It was a real loss to the world when he passed. I went to his funeral and it...it helped a little."
Sybil reached out and put a hand on his and intertwining their fingers. "I'm so sorry," she said.
He shrugged. "It's the downside of being eternal, I guess."
They sat in silence and finished their pasta and after the plates were put away, Sybil smiled. "Now, in the spirit of your chef friend, what do you say to some chocolate mousse? I know it won't be as fancy as your pasta but it will be just as delicious, I promise."
Mikael chuckled and then smiled. "Another thing the chef taught me: chocolate doesn't have to be fancy to be delicious. I'm sure your mousse will be amazing!"
Sybil chuckled and ran her fingers over his cheeks and chin. "You know, that's the first true smile I think I've ever gotten out of you. I like it."
"Well I've never had the chance to have you here with me before," he reminded her and kissed her fingers before going to grab two cups of mousse, two spoons, and the whipped cream.
"Oh, no," she shook her head and gave him a small grin as she waved her finger at him. "I see what you're doing, Mr. Mikaelson. Don't you start."
"What?" Mikael asked innocently as he sat down. "I just want to feed you chocolate mousse. Is that so wrong?"
"'feed you chocolate mousse' my ass!" Sybil got out. "I see the whipped cream in your hand, buddy!"
He scooted closer to her. "It's beautiful ass," he murmured. "One I'm going to be more than happy to bite into later on."
"Yeah, yeah, you just drop that can of whipped cream right now."
Mikael chuckled and sprayed some on his finger, sucking it off in a way that made certain parts of feel very warm. "Are you sure you don't want any?" He asked. "Just come closer and open your mouth."
"I don't know if I trust you," Sybil replied, even as she inched closer. "Can I?"
"That's a decision you have to make for yourself," he said.
Sybil got right up close to him, and opened her mouth. He got some in and then sprayed more on her.
"What the hell was that?" She yelled. "You better run and hope I don't catch you!" Soon, they were running around the kitchen. Mikael refused to surrender the whipped cream, spraying her liberally. She grabbed the spray head from the sink and soaked him in retaliation before rinsing herself off, realizing the mistake she'd made as he eyed her hungrily.
"Was this a trap you wanted to lure me into?" She asked, backing up against the sink.
"Yes, my little mouse," he grinned, leaning up against her and kissing her before going to get a cup of mousse and feeding her slowly, his cock throbbing every time she licked some off her lips. Then she snatched the cup away and put some on her neck.
"You can lick it off if you want," he said. "Even bite a little."
"Are you sure?" He asked.
"Yes," Sybil locked eyes with him. "I'm sure."
Eventually, they got a blanket and lay together on the kitchen floor, licking mousse off each other until every bit Sybil had made was gone.
"I'm covered in spit and bits of mousse, but don't care because that was amazing," Sybil got out."
"I enjoyed myself immensely too," Mikael told her. "Promise me you'll make mousse again."
"I certainly will," Sybil promised.
"Did it hurt when I bit you?" Mikael asked. "Tell me, honestly."
"No, it actually felt very nice," Sybil assured him.
"Good," Mikael nodded, gently pulling her to her feet. "Now...what do you say we take a nice warm bath?"
Sybil grinned and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. "I thought you would never ask," she said. "Let's do it!"
"Can I come in yet?" Sybil asked, bouncing on her feet outside the bathroom door. Mikael had told her to wait in the hall because he had some "setting up" to do before their bath. "How long does it take you to undress? And frankly, I'm kind of bummed that I'm missing it!"
"Just a second," Mikael called from the other side of the door. "This is about more than getting undressed."
She heard the water running and he opened the door. "Now you may come in. But please keep your eyes closed until I tell you."
"What in the world?" Sybil asked, closing her eyes and letting him guide her into the bathroom. "What are you doing?"
She took a few steps and then Mikael told her to open her eyes. A sight met them that made her gasp. "Oh, my gosh...is all this for me? I mean us?"
The Jacuzzi tub had bubbles in it, there was an open bottle of champagne, a few candles softly lit the room. "Mikael, it's beautiful!"
"Well, the good news is you don't have to stare at it." He grinned. "Go ahead and hop in."
"You just want me to go in first so you can look at my butt!"
"Oh, you have discovered my evil plan!" Mikael winked.
Sybil humored him and got in first, letting the bubbles run through her fingers and blowing some in the air. "I had no idea you'd have a tub like this," she remarked as he joined her.
He pulled her close, his fingers itching to pull her hair out of its loose bun. "Well, it's not really my taste, but...it comes with the complimentary bullshit offered by the people who own the building." He shrugged.
Sybil nodded. "Considering what this place must be costing you, you deserve a few extras, don't you?"
He shrugged. "I'm filthy rich, Sybil. I have to put my money somewhere."
"No, no," Sybil shook her head. "I wasn't criticizing! I think this place fits you very well! It's classic and sophisticated and surprisingly warm and inviting."
Mikael chuckled. "You think I'm warm and inviting?" he asked. sneakily "That's new. No one's ever told me that before."
"Hey!" Sybil protested as Mikael let her hair down at last, not being able to hold back any longer. "You'll get it all wet."
"Well, in case you haven't noticed, I don't mind you wet," he told her with a wink.
"I bet you don't," Sybil nodded, running her fingertips all over him. "You're a dangerous addiction, Mikael Mikaelson."
"I'm an addiction to you?" He chuckled. "Hard to believe."
"Now you're just fooling with me," she said, running her foot down his leg. "I bet you knew since the day in the alley that I...felt things for you."
"Well, of course I like to think you did," he nodded. "People usually turn and run the other direction when they feel something for someone."
"You...you were dangerous," Sybil got out. "I was scared."
"And now?" Mikael asked. "How do you feel now?"
"That you're still dangerous," she replied but gave him a wicked grin. "Now, however, I like the danger behind those blue eyes." She reached under the water and touched him slowly. "Not to mention the benefits."
"Oh, there are certainly benefits," he replied, pulling her close and kissing her soundly before climaing. She moved her hand as he gave her a serious look. "Now," he told her after a couple of deep breaths. "What were you saying about a job interview?"
"Oh," she moaned and put a hand to her forehead. "I had one today. In fact, I was on my way there when my car broke down and the storm got bad. It was a secretarial position. I really should call them and apologize."
Mikael raised an eyebrow. "A receptionist? Really? Are you sure that's what you want to do with your life now?"
"Well, not all of us can live in penthouses with Jacuzzi tubs," Sybil pointed out. "What I really want to do is work with supernatural animals."
"So why don't you?"
"Because learning that takes time and money I don't have," Sybil told him. "The Council is offering everyone who came back a certain amount of money for a certain amount of time, but once that time is up, they won't grant you extra. That's why I need to get whatever job I can for now."
"That's unreasonable," Mikael replied. "I'm sure I could talk to someone to allow you more time, and funds to do what you really want."
"No," Sybil shook her head. "Thank you, but...I don't need or want you to fight my battles for me. Don't influence them in any way!"
"Would you help me if I were in your shoes?"
"Yes, of course," Sybil nodded. "But-I prefer that you don't. Will you promise?"
"I promise nothing," Mikael said stubbornly.
Sighing, she lowered her head back onto his chest and wrapped herself in his arms. There was no point in taking that line of conversation any further.
He ran his fingers absentmindedly through her hair. "You know, if you would have just talked to the guard downstairs and explained your situation, he could have easily called you a taxi and a service for your car. George is wonderful like that."
"I know," Sybil sighed. "I just thought..."
"You just thought?" Mikael grinned.
Sybil looked up at him, teeth bared. "I wanted to see you. There, I admit it. Are you happy now? You were a pain in the ass texting me every day and then you stopped without a word of explanation. What's up with that?"
Mikael chuckled and put a finger under her chin. "I was playing hard to get; I hoped I'd catch you in my net."
Sybil sighed. "Well, you got me."
"Yes, I did," he nodded, grabbing her and turning her so that she was straddling him.
"Now, about those hips..." he continued as he pinched and played with her breasts. "I really need to grab them and bury myself inside you."
"Do you?" Sybil grinned. "Oh, Mikael..."
They went at it until the water was cold and some of it was sloshed on the tile of the bathroom floor, then got out (with Mikael going first this time) and wrapping themselves in towels.
As they stood there in their towels, Sybil couldn't help but notice the many scars that covered Mikael's right upper arms and chest. She hadn't said anything before because of how busy they'd been earlier in the day, but...now that it was evening, and for the moment, things seemed to have calmed down...
"Where did these come from?" She asked, getting close and gently stroking the scars with her fingertips.
"Don't!" He snapped, fire in his eyes as he grabbed her wrist and squeezed it hard.
"Let me go!" She cried, struggling against his grip. "You're hurting me!"
"Keep your nose out of my business!" He snapped. "Stop putting it where it doesn't belong."
"Fine," she snapped, finally managing to free her wrist, then rub it and flex it. Nice Mikael had apparently left the building and she had no desire to spend the rest of the time with Crazy Mikael. "You just...stay here and be miserable! I don't have to put up with this. I'm leaving and I'm not coming back!"
She had planned to storm out, but instead, she put both hands on the door and sobbed.
"Darling, I'm sorry," Mikael's voice came from behind her, gentle once more. "It's just...my past. I don't want to talk about it; I can't talk about it. But I should have done a better job of explaining. I shouldn't have grabbed you or spoken to you in that tone of voice." He kissed her hair. "Please forgive me, darling. Please."
She sighed as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hair. "Fine," she said. "Just don't do it again. Ever. There's only one time I want to hear you talk like that: when I'm tied to your bed. Understood?"
"Oh, yes," Mikael grinned. "Loud and clear."
Sybil couldn't find her breath, her wrists were attached to the bed by one of his ties, her legs were wrapped around his waist and hips, his hands were grabbing her ass for dear life, while thrusting deep inside of her, he growled loudly when his release came, while she cried his name. He'd taken her request very seriously. Possibly too seriously for both of them, even though she was enjoying every minute of it.
"Damn," Mikael breathed as he collapsed on her stomach and grinned. "Damn, woman! What are you doing to me?"
"Excuse me," Sybil snorted but grinned back. "What am I doing to you?" She shook her hand in the restraints. "I think you're the one who's doing all the doing around here! I did nothing!"
"I wouldn't quite say that," he said, running his hands over her hips and inner thighs. "I found the heaving of your breasts and the arching of your hips to be...quite inspirational. Not to mention how my name sounds coming from those beautiful lips of yours." He kissed her gently and undid her restraints before easing out of her.
"I have a question," Sybil told him. "Now, it's kind of personal, so you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but..." Her eyes dropped to her chest and a blush crept into her cheeks. "Did you...Did you and-"
"No," Mikael interrupted. "Don't you even worry about that."
"You don't even know what I was going to say!" Sybil cried.
He chuckled and nibbled on her fingers. "You're very transparent. It's obvious you want to know about me and Charlotte. Yes, we did it in general, but no...it's nothing like what you and I are doing. This is much better." He took her face in his hands. "Much, much better."
"That wasn't what I was gonna ask at all!" Sybil protested.
"Oh, shush," he ordered, putting a finger over her lips. "You're lying, you're blushing, and you're jealous. All that makes me extremely happy."
"I'm not jealous!" Sybil shook her head and pushed his hand away, an evil grin playing on her lips. "So...about me and Klaus..."
"Oh, don't try and make me jealous by bringing up your time with my step-son," Mikael chided her. "It won't work. I know you never had it as good as me."
"Oh, my god," Sybil turned her back to him. "You're-you're-"
"I'm-I'm what?" He asked her with a laugh, pulling her back against him and putting his arms around her waist.
"Cocky, pretentious, and-"
"And?" Mikael questioned, kissing her neck as one hand cupped her breast and the other slipped between her legs.
"Mikael," she moaned, lowering her head onto his shoulder so that he had better access.
"Mmmm?" He asked. "Are you ready to say it?"
"No!"
"Yes, you are," he grinned.
"I...oh!" she began moaning loudly as he rubbed her harder. "I...I never had it as good as you," she said when she could finally get the words out.
"See, now was that so hard?" He asked and spanked her bottom.
They laughed and lay in each other's arms with the blankets over them, watching the rain fall through the French doors that led onto the terrace.
"It hasn't stopped all day," she observed, kissing his hand. "Not that that matters since we're indoors. If it's light enough, there's something soothing about the rain."
"I agree," he nodded and kissed her cheek. "Just like there's something soothing about having you in my arms."
She smiled. "Right back at you."
They hugged each other again and continued to watch the rain, until Mikael asked, "My dear, what's going on in that beautiful head of yours?"
"Nothing," Sybil shook her head.
"Try again," Mikael told her.
"You're larger than life!" She told him. "And you've been with not one, but two female divinities. I'm just me, Sybil. How can I compare to that?"
"Hey," he said firmly, grabbing her chin so that she was looking him in the eye. "Don't you ever talk about yourself that way. You're an amazing woman who, just by existing, drives me crazy with desire. You're a goddess who has infiltrated my bloodstream and won't leave! Do you understand?"
"Yes," she nodded shyly, surprised by how sure he sounded. Then her eyes widened. "Oh, my god!"
Mikael rolled his eyes. "We just got done with Charlotte and Gwen; Please don't bring Steve into this too!"
"No, you don't understand!" Sybil shook her head. "It's my cat, Princess Leia! My baby is home alone! I thought I was only gonna be gone an hour or so!"
"Calm down," he said, putting a hand on either side of her face. "Your animal is being taken care of."
"Oh, yeah?" Sybil asked. "How?"
"I called your neighbor, Mrs. Anderson. Lovely old woman, by the way. And she promised to check on your cat and give her food and water until you returned."
"How do you know about Mrs. Anderson?" Sybil asked, narrowing her eyes.
"My dear, you don't think I know everything there is to know about you?"
Sybil swallowed. "I don't know how I feel about that."
"About that, or about me?" Mikael asked with a wink.
"Ass!" She responded and punched his chest playfully.
"The important thing is that the monster...I mean, your cat...is taken care of."
"Well, thank you, Mr. 'I Know Everything'," Sybil told him. "And Princess Leia is not monstrous!"
"She is if I'm allergic to her!" They smiled at each other and he slowly began caressing her face, cheeks, chin, and neck. "Show me, please."
"Show you what?"
"The last part of you that I didn't see yet."
"I don't know what you mean," Sybil replied, looking down at her naked body. "I don't know what more there is to see." Then she realized what he meant and the idea filled her body with unease. She froze and began sliding away from him on the bed, but he grabbed her and pulled her back toward him.
"Don't try to escape from me," he said. "Don't try to escape or hide; I'll always find a way to bring you back."
Sybil shook her head. "Mikael, why would you want me to show you that? You hate demons, so why have me show you my demon form. I don't want to seem less than I am."
Mikael shook his head. "I understand why you're nervous, but I swear I would never ever make you feel less than you are. I only want to see every part of you. That's all."
"All right," she nodded reluctantly as tears filled her eyes. "I'll show you, even though I know it'll make you hate me afterward."
"That won't happen," Mikael assured her.
Sybil then shut her eyes and Mikael soon found himself looking at a blue-skinned being. And when she opened her eyes, they were orange.
"Okay," he said.
"Okay?" Sybil asked. "That's all?"
"Sorry," he said and kissed her blue lips, grinning at the surprise on her face. "There."
She turned back into her human form after, and he was smiling back at her. "That's it? A smile? No 'You're the ugliest thing I've ever laid eyes on'!"
"That would be the biggest lie about you to come from my lips, whether we were talking about your human form or your demon form," he told her truthfully.
"Really?" She sniffled.
"Really."
"Thank you," Sybil told him.
"No, thank you for trusting me," he told her. "I know it had to be hard, but you did it anyway."
Grinning widely, she snuggled next to him in bed and he hugged her close. "Are you cold?" He asked.
"A little."
"Can't have that," he said and pulled the blanket over them before clearing his throat. "When I was a boy, my father was very cruel and when I wouldn't do what he asked, he would burn me. Sometimes for a little while, sometimes for a long time...and the scars have stayed with me my whole life, it seems. I still haven't figured out why."
She stared at him, her eyes wide with dismay and shock. She wanted to say how sorry she was that he'd had to endure something so horrible, but she knew that pitying him would be the worst thing she could do at the moment, so she just grinned at him, grabbed his chin and kissed his cheek, grinning as she felt his body relax and his expression lighten. Then she yawned.
"I think someone needs to go to sleep," he told her.
"No, I don't," she yawned again. "I'm perfectly fine."
But after her third yawn, he turned off the light and they both sighed with contentment before falling asleep in each other's arms.
Mikael was still asleep when Sybil woke up the next morning. She dressed quickly and made her way to the front door of the penthouse, her heart pumping wildly as she hoped she could make a clean getaway. A lump formed in her throat as she realized that when she went through that door, it would be forever. There was no reason for her to come back.
She wasn't stupid or naive; The whole point of this was to help Mikael get her out of his system and now that he had had his way with her, he could move on without being trouble by desire for a female demon. And she'd known when she'd come here that that was going to be the case. She'd come here knowing that she'd feel something for him and that when she left, her heart would be crushed afterward.
"Forget something?" He asked.
She turned and saw him holding her bag. "Or were you just going to leave without it?"
She flushed. "I...I was going to come back for it; I just needed to pee first." She strode up to him and held her hand out for her bag. "There's no need for you to bother with that."
"It's not a bother," Mikael insisted with a shy smile. "I've called the car service and a taxi is waiting for you downstairs."
"Oh, thank you," she told him, and rummaged around in her bag. "I'm sure I have enough money for-"
"It's paid for," he said firmly. "Don't bother looking for money in your bag and don't fight me on this."
"Right," Sybil nodded and cleared her throat. "Well, I guess this is it then. I've stayed longer than the 24 hours we agreed on. I've worn out my welcome."
He shook his head. "Sybil, don't talk like that. It's not how it is between us and you know it!"
"I don't know how to leave these things because I don't usually have...you know..." She lowered her eyes.
"Have what?"
"Well, we can't call it a one-night-stand because technically..."
He put a finger on her lips to quiet her. "Don't ever say that to me again, because it's not what we are. Do you hear me?"
She began to cry. "So there's a 'we' now? Even though, after all we shared, you're kicking me out?"
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I don't want to do it this way, but I'm protecting you!"
"And just what do you think it is you're protecting me from?" Sybil demanded. She thought she saw Mikael flinch but she had to have imagined it. "Explain it to me. Help me understand!"
"I'm protecting you from me, Sybil," he said. "From the monster that I am. From the man who was able to put what I'm feeling now aside until I got what I wanted and is now sending you away. Tell me that's not a monster."
"Don't talk like that!" She demanded. "Who told you that you were a monster? I don't think you're one. This was the best time I've ever had in my life. I...I'm glad there was a rain storm. I'm glad I got wet and had to come to your apartment." She paused, starting to cry. "Do you...do you really think so little of me that you believe I'd give myself to the man you've described? I hope not."
"No, no," Mikael shook his head. "Of course not;" he grabbed a tissue from a nearby box and handed it to her. "Please don't cry, darling. I'm sorry for making you cry." He gave her a smile. "You'll be fine out in the world. You'll get a job interview...you'll get Princess Leia a nice big cat house with all the cat nourishment she can eat...it will be wonderful. Much better than here with me. You'll be fine."
"I...in some ways I will," she conceded. "But what's the point of having everything in the world if you're lonely?"
"You won't be alone forever!" He tried to encourage her. "You'll find someone else who loves you. Who will make you happy! Someone more worthy of you than me!"
"Mikael, please," she begged and caressed his chin, running a finger over his bottom lip.
"My god, you're beautiful!" He murmured, pulling her to him and capturing her lips with his. Against her better judgment, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him back, and soon, their hands were all over each other's bodies, but as she heard him unzip after pushing her against the elevator door, she pulled away.
"No," she shook her head. "We're not doing this again; Not when you're just gonna throw me out afterward.
"Oh, no, no!" He grabbed hold of her wrists. "That's not true. You mean more to me than anything else in my life!"
She shook her head and he watched in horror as she began to fade away. She turned, pressed the button, and entered the elevator.
"Sybil!" He yelled. "Sybil!" When he got no response he hit the closed elevator door a few times, then called Malachai, growling in frustration when it went straight to voicemail.
"Malachai, if you're ignoring me, you better pick up. And if you're not, when you get this message, you better tell that girlfriend of yours to find out what's wrong with Sybil and find it out now!"
Meanwhile, the taxi driver got quite a shock when he saw Sybil, seemingly appearing out of nowhere in his backseat, sobbing softly. Had he been called to pick up one of those ghostly hitchhikers? If so, it was lucky he'd been paid in advance.
"Where'd you come from?" He asked nervously. "What's your name?"
"Never mind," she said, writing down her address and handing it to him. "Just take me home, please."