Music in chapter:

Shelter Point - Serenity

Unfaithful

Chapter Nine

Nine months ago

ELENA

Sometimes I feel so depressed that I'm still single. But I know that I'm doing the right thing. I love Stefan and always will, but getting involved in the vampire world was never something I wanted. Now that my best friend is marrying an Original, that will make me Godmother to her Hybrid baby one day... if that just so happens to be possible?

It was a late Friday evening and I was on my way to the dance studio downtown to watch Caroline's choreographed wedding dance with Klaus. When I parked my car and entered the building, I received a phone call from Caroline as I took the elevator up.

"Hey, Care I just got—"

"Elena, I am so sorry, but I can't make it tonight."

"What?"

"My mom's really sick and I don't want to leave her."

"Have you called Klaus?"

"Please don't hate me, but I sort of set you up. Matt's at the studio, and since Klaus is an expert at the Venetian Waltz, he's going to be teaching you guys how to dance."

"Oh, hell no! Are you insane?"

"Elena, please! You know how much this wedding means to me."

"Of course I do, but why Klaus? I'm sure there are many skilled dance instructors who could teach me and Matt how to Waltz."

"Don't get mad at Klaus. This was totally my idea."

"Yeah, and not one of your brightest!"

"It's just for an hour. Please…"

There really was no point in arguing.

"Does Matt know about this?" I asked.

"Yes, he's going to be there soon, if not already."

I sighed and stepped out of the elevator. "Okay. Fine. I'll do it."

"Ahhhh, I love you! This wedding is going to be ah-mazing!"

"I'll text you later. I'm here now."

"Okay, have fun!"

Hah. Right. As if that was remotely possible around Klaus.

I was expecting to enter an empty dance studio, but there were about eight different couples dancing when I walked in. The space was huge and there was a large disco ball hanging from the ceiling.

"All right, my sexies!" said the flamboyant dance instructor. "Dance practise is over for tonight." He looked in my direction and approached me with a smile. "Are you waiting for Klaus?"

"And Matt," I added.

He smiled genuinely and told me that Klaus would be here shortly. "You have an extremely beautiful figure, my dear. You would make a wonderful ballroom dancer. Those legs! Ugh, I would kill to have my youthful body back."

I laughed. "I'm afraid my skills are only limited to gymnastics and contemporary dance."

"You should sign up for my classes if you are interested in learning Latin dance."

"I've always wanted to learn how to samba."

"Here's my card"—he reached into his pocket—"My name's Javier Velasquez."

"Elena Gilbert," I said, formally introducing myself.

"Enchanté." He kissed my hand.

"I see you've met Javier," Klaus said, appearing by the door.

"Niklaus!"

They greeted each other and had a short conversation before Javier said his farewells and left.

All the dancers had left and I was completely alone in the studio with the one Original I hated the most.

"Where's Matt?" I asked.

"No 'hellos?' " Klaus grinned. "A proper greeting would be nice every now and then, Elena."

I rolled my eyes and stepped toward the floor to ceiling windows. I could see the entire town from this view.

"After all"—he dimmed the lights—"I am to be your dance instructor tonight. I would advise that you stay on my good side, lest I be too harsh on you."

"It's sad that my own best friend had to trick me into coming here because she knows how much I hate your guts."

"Yes, well, don't flatter yourself… we both know I only do these pleasantries on Caroline's behalf."

Of course.

I took off my cardigan and stayed as far as I could from Klaus. The studio was very spacious with a high ceiling. Only one side of the wall was fully mirrored.

God, Matt where are you?

Klaus began to rummage through some records in the corner. He was wearing dark jeans and a black shirt that was rolled up at the elbows—looking sharp, per usual.

Matt suddenly appeared by the door and I was so relieved to see him.

"Sorry I'm late," he said.

Music began to play from the mounted speakers as Klaus instructed us to take the center of the dancefloor.

~oOo~

I spent the next hour getting bossed around by an annoying Hybrid who was severely power tripping. I think Matt had more patience than me, because every time Klaus started picking on his footwork, I would lose it and argue with him.

"I'm only trying to help him improve."

"No, you are only trying to improve your asshole personality," I countered.

"Now that is an unjust accusation."

"Elena," Matt said. "It's okay." He regarded Klaus. "Look, I have to get going early. I have a date."

"Finally! We're done!" I was about to walk out when Klaus appeared in front of me.

"You have another twenty minutes left of practise, Elena. I would advise you to allow me to instruct you on your footwork before you go… Unless you have other engagements?"

"I'm tired, Klaus."

"As am I from watching your cringe-worthy waltzing, but I am still here, aren't I?"

He was not going to guilt trip me into staying.

"Hey." Matt frowned. "Don't force her if she doesn't want to stay."

I reassured my friend that it was okay for him to go and that I could handle Klaus. After much convincing, Matt left and I was alone with the Hybrid jerk.

~oOo~

"Straighten your posture."

"My posture is straight!"

"Stop trying to lead."

"I'm not!"

"You need to trust that I can lead you across the dancefloor."

"I think that's a bit hard to do, considering the fact that you wanted me dead not too long ago!"

Yep, Klaus and I were dancing—well, trying to. He kept pausing to adjust my arm on his shoulder and we'd take a few steps before he'd stop and remind me that I was either messing up the footwork or not trying hard enough to follow his instruction.

"Let's face it," I sighed in frustration. "You and I are like oil and water. We'll never mix. We can't dance together."

He seemed to be studying me as the slightest grin touched his lips.

"I know the solution," he said, walking over to the stereo. "What you need… is something more current, not boring classical music."

He switched records and the music was definitely better. It sounded so sultry and seductive. It made me oddly… uncomfortable.

"What are you doing?" I said as he stood in front of me again.

"Give me your hand, listen to the music, and let me guide you."

With much apprehension, I eventually acquiesced and rested my arm around his shoulder as he took my hand and pulled me closer to his body. I breathed out when I felt his chest press against my breasts. He felt so warm.

The sound of a bass drum was softly pounding in the background as a male vocalist began to sing. I was determined to stare at Klaus's wolf tooth necklace instead of his intimidating gaze.

"Chin up, Elena."

"Why?"

"Because you're supposed to look your partner in the eye when you dance with him."

Hesitantly, I slowly met his gaze.

My own worst enemy…

So close to … insanity.

My heart was racing and I was completely aware of it. He must have heard it too since he smirked at me.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I said.

"Enjoying what exactly, sweetheart?"

"Bossing me around."

"It's in my nature. I exercise control in all things."

"I'm not a 'thing.' "

"Of course not." He dipped me as I gasped, feeling my hair brush against the floor.

"That was not cool." I scowled at him while he held me in that arched position.

"It's part of the dance routine," Klaus said.

"Funny. I don't seem to recall that part when I was dancing with Matt."

"That's because you never managed to get that far into the routine."

He slowly raised me back while I tried not to look so flustered. I decided to close my eyes as he led me across the floor. It felt as if we were gliding.

"You're nervous," he stated.

"I'm not."

"I make you nervous."

"You make me unbelievably pissed off and annoyed. But nervous is not on that list."

I caught him smiling when I opened my eyes.

"Strange," he added. "You seem to be a natural, now. Your friend cannot lead to save his life."

"Don't say that about Matt. Not everyone can dance."

He stayed quiet for a while as we continued to waltz, but then he broke the silence.

"Why can't you let bygones be bygones, Elena?"

I knew where he was getting at.

"You're the most selfish being I know, Klaus, and Caroline is the most unselfish. You're going to hurt her one day and you know it."

"And do you consider yourself a pious saint?"

"Far from it."

"You know nothing about me," he added.

"I know enough."

"In another lifetime… you might have loved me."

"Only in your dreams, Klaus."

My body suddenly jerked forward as I felt him tighten his grip at my back. Our lips were inches away from touching and I felt so dizzy with unexpected sensations that I could hardly register what had happened and why.

"I could conquer you in this lifetime, love, if it so pleased me," he whispered.

My hand was beginning to tremble and he must have felt it as he firmly held it tighter. I could smell the peppermint and whiskey on his breath.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Amusing myself," he murmured.

Oh God, oh God… he's going to kiss me!

I should have pushed him away. I should have slapped him. But all I could do was close my eyes and …

He suddenly laughed and released me from his hold.

"You really are transparent, sweetheart."

Feeling a bit humiliated, I fumed and slapped him across the face.

"The next time you try that on me, you'll have Caroline to answer to."

I heard his glib laughter in the background as I stormed out of the dance studio.

A/N: Thank you for the reviews and feedback, guys! I've decided to keep Klena as the main focus because let's face it… their chemistry is hot!