I'm back with a new chapter, I'm almost done with the next chapter. I am having so much fun writing this story. I love the relationship between Caroline and Conrad its like nothing I've ever written. There is smut in this.

Disclaimer: I don't own the vampire diaries, the summer i turned pretty or gossip girl.

Xxx

Caroline's hand snakes down the wet shoulder of Conrad her fingers dangling over his nipple. He glances over his shoulder his wet hair in his face and smirks when he sees her blonde hair still dry the water hasn't hit her yet. "What are you doing?"

She smiles at him and in a teasing tone she tells him. "Getting clean just like you."

He starts to wash his body when he feels lips on his back. "You are being very distracting, I have a sailing lesson I need to go too."

She puts her hands up and there is a smile on her face. "I'm not doing anything."

He turns around cups her cheeks. His lips are inches from hers when he says. "Your irresistible."

"What are you going to do about it?" She teases him and he smiles at her the smile lights up his eyes. As he pulls her closer to him his hands resting on her butt her arms going around his neck.

He lifts her up and puts her on a marble built in that was holding a towel. This is a steam shower, the doors and even one side are all glass while the back and even the floor are all marble.

His hands are still cupping her face when he thrusts in to her he swallows the moan she makes as they kiss. Her hands travel down his wet body and pull him even closer. She doesn't know if it's the combination of the cold marble under her, or the humidity from the steam shower on top of Conrad's thrusts into her but it is making her crazy.

Caroline moves her neck back as he makes his way peppering kisses up her neck. Her fingers move through that gorgeous messy wet hair of his and when he sucks on her ear the moans fill the shower.

Conrad comes and reaches down to play with her clit, a couple moments later she comes too and they both slouch onto each other. He leaves a tender kiss on her lips as he softly says. "Good morning."

"Good morning."

He leaves a quick kiss on her nose as he tells her. "I now really need to get ready."

"I wasn't stopping you before."

He smirks at her while he watches her hop off the built in and go for her shampoo. While he is washing up she keeps peeking over her shoulder at him. He caught her a couple of times. There is something about them that they can't get enough of.

Xxx

Bill pulls up to the mansion and both Caroline and Conrad come out as Caroline is closing the front door Conrad's hand goes to the small of her back as she turns around they share a smile.

The peace is shattered when they hear "Caroline who is your new man?" Cameras going off of the two of them. "Caroline are you excited to be back in the city." " What is your name who are you?"

The blonde leans up and whispers to him. "Ignore them."

Once in the safety of the car with blackout windows, Caroline takes her sunglasses off and leans up to Bill to give their destination.

Conrad looks at the blonde that didn't phase her at all it almost seems like she is used to it. There is a group of people outside her home with cameras just waiting for someone to come out. "What was that?"

"Paparazzi, you've always left before they get here. They camp outside my home everyday. You get used to it. We've tried to get rid of them but nothing works so we just ignore them."

That must really suck that every time you leave or come back to your home people are taking photos of you and it's happened so much you get used to it. He can't imagine what that does to someone.

"What time are you going into the office?"

"With my father now there, and a rival from Stanford plus the visitor from last night I am doing work from the home office or more actually the spa floor."

He raises an eyebrow and she lets out a little laugh. "How have I not shown you the spa floor. It's very relaxing or so I've been told not many things can make me relaxed." She doesn't mention that so far there is only one thing that makes her feel relaxed and stress free. And it's him, not just the sex but also being with him talking and laughing with him. "You wanted to after your lesson I could show you the spa floor."

"I'd love that." He can't help but smile too. When he smiles it's with his whole face and even his eyes twinkle.

"We're here Miss Caroline."

Caroline nods and goes to get out but stops and turns back to Conrad. She has been wondering this since that little nuisance last night. "Do you hate me?"

Conrad blinks so confused about where that came from how could she think that. He has loved every moment they've spent together. Since his moms death four years ago he hasn't let himself be happy he's been broody. Caroline is the first person in a while to make him smile and feel like it's ok to be happy.

"What are you talking about? Who could ever hate you? We just made plans to get together later and the steam shower this morning."

"You would be surprised. I just needed to know after that run in with my stepbrother last night, you probably heard some things. I just wanted to know if he scared you off."

He brushes a piece of her hair behind her ear. His fingers linger in her hair. "I'm still here, I didn't hear much."

Xxx

Caroline walks past the reception desk and even past the secretary who tells her he is busy. She puts a hand up to stop the lady from talking. She knows there might be a possibility that the family lawyer is busy but ambushing him is the only way to get a meeting with him at least for her. He doesn't like her very much.

She barges into his office and like she assumed he was just sitting at his desk on the phone. The Salvatore family lawyer Wes Maxfield is a good lawyer bad with dealing with clients. He has been their lawyer for the past twenty years. He mainly has dealt with the triplets and ignores Caroline's calls and doesn't like talking to them in person either or really having to deal with Caroline is his worst nightmare.

He glares at the blonde in his doorway he thought he would never have to deal with her again when she graduated and moved to California. He hangs up and looks at her his short blonde hair parted to the side and his blue eyes but his most standout quality is he has the kind of face you just want to punch and she often wants to punch him. "What do you want?"

"No hi how are you? When did you get back into the city? Turn down your hatred of me I have a serious issue to discuss with you."

Wes sighs and continues to glare at her. "What is it?"

"The restraining order against Kurtz is it still in effect?"

"Yes and so is the one against…." Wes has pulled up her file on his laptop.

"Wes I swear to god do not say that bitch's name." She can feel her chest begin to tighten.

He goes to open his mouth and she spits out rather harshly. "Remember who pays you."

He swallows and bitterly tells her. "Yes both are still in effect."

Xxx

Conrad runs down to the harbor when he gets to the boats and finds the boat he is supposed to be on he finds his friend Cleveland who is an older man in his forties who Conrad helps Sail. "I'm sorry I'm late."

Cleveland has greying hair and met Conrad a couple years ago in the Hamptons. Cleveland was the only person Conrad revealed he knew that his mom's cancer had come back. He was also the only person Conrad had a panic attack in front of. "Were you with a girl? Oh to be young again."

Conrad smiles and can't help the blush that comes to his cheeks. "It's not…. It started like that….. It's complicated. We were just talking and she opened up and she doesn't open up easily so I didn't want to scare her by running off."

"You like this girl. That summer we met you had a lot going on but when I mentioned you liked a girl you got all smiles. Right now your smiles are even bigger."

Conrad turns his head and smiles it even reaches his eyes and he runs a hand through his hair. "Your supposed to be showing me all you learned. So you can write your book."

Cleveland shakes his head Conrad is still the same person he met all those years ago. He takes the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Xxx

Jude and Nora walk into the board room and everyone looks at them. "And where is Miss Salvatore today?"

Jude and Nora share a look it's Jude who tells them. "She is busy doing paperwork so she asked me to fill in for her here."

Xxx

"I do not work for you miss Salvatore."

Caroline swims to the edge of the Olympic size pool her hair pinned on the top of her head as to not get wet her phone on the side of the pool as to not get wet. "Gregor… what if I told you that last night one of the people I have a restraining order against found me and tried to have his way with me. I only escaped because my… Conrad was there to save me."

It's silent on the other end of the phone for a moment and when Gregor does speak he tells her. "There is now an arrest warrant out for Kurtz McCreary."

The blonde smiles to herself she just solved her problem well one of them at least. "Thank you Gregor I feel safer already."

Xxx

Colin takes a breath it is getting repetitive these men keep telling him how he would make a better CEO of royalty. He heard it from Giuseppe, now Gaspar Cortez, Logan Fell, Roman Sienna and Atticus Shane are saying the same thing times four. He also notices the bad died job black haired woman in the corner she came in with Giuseppe.

The men of the board didn't want to meet at Royalty just in case Caroline had spies there so they choose to reserve one of the ball rooms in the building Colin is staying in.

"What is making Caroline such a terrible CEO that you are resorting to immediate take over?"

"She will not follow orders. We know how to run companies and she is not taking any of our suggestions."

"She is never in the office to make decisions. Or take meetings."

"She is too young and knows nothing of professionalism."

Colin cocks his head at that last complaint he has issues with all of their complaints. First of course she hasn't been in the office for the past four years because they were in California at college. Second do they not know he is the same age as Caroline. Ever since he has known the blonde she has been nothing if not professional. Its the way she presents herself you would think she is heartless. She doesn't let things bring her down she plasters on a smile and is ready for whatever the day might bring. It usually is a fake smile but that doesn't matter.

"Ok I see your complaints and if the board votes that I take over I will see that I am always at the office and listening to you."

Xxx

"Dorota I'm feeling things."

The blonde takes a seat at the smoothie/juice bar on the spa floor. She was just in the sauna doing color therapy. She thought maybe they would go away but no they are still here and it's a new sensation for her, she likes the way she feels around him.

"Does this sudden burst of feelings have anything to do with mr. Conrad?"

Caroline avoids the older polish woman's gaze as she makes a raspberry smoothie. "Maybe it's weird in a good way. When I'm with him all my stresses seem to disappear and all I'm left with is happiness and laughter."

Dorota places a smoothie in front of the blonde. And puts a hand on the blondes. "It's ok to be happy it doesn't make you weak. All I've wanted for you three to be happy. First it was mr. Stefan with miss Rebekah, mr. Damon is happy sleeping around but you miss Caroline your happiness is with mr. Conrad. I've seen you both after being with each other and you both are beaming. Both of you smile when the others names are brought up. Nobody has ever made you feel like this."

"I'm scared…. If he knows who I am… he'll leave me like everyone who knows me does."

"I've never left you miss Caroline. Maybe you should call your uncle Sawyer."

The blonde nods as she sips her smoothie.

Xxx

Colin, Giuseppe and the bad dyed job woman get into the elevator at Royalty when they hear an Australian accent say. "Hold the elevator."

When the doors open they reveal a drop dead gorgeous six foot two man with short curly brunette hair. Like always he's in jeans a v neck and a leather jacket with multiple silver rings on his fingers.

The ride is quiet with nobody saying anything. The woman keeps eyeing him up and down. Worried that he'll recognize her and tell Caroline she is here. While the sexy Australian is dressed casual, Colin is in a green suit and a white turtleneck. Giuseppe is in brown pants, and a white dress shirt while the woman has a black knee length dress on with a white collar.

The doors open on the photoshoot floor and the Australian gets out. As the doors close they see Zero and the Australian who is Brad embrace.

Giuseppe goes into the board room and turns towards the woman. "Go with Colin."

When it's just Colin and the woman he asks her. "What is up with you and the Salvatore family. You were banned from their penthouse, and almost kicked out of the building but the father likes you."

"Caroline ruined my life but luckily for me Giuseppe believes me over her."

Nora never let them in the office.

Xxx

"Uncle Sawyer where are you?"

Uncle Sawyer is a tall shoulder length dirty blonde haired guy. He and Caroline not only have a close relationship but they look similar that when they are together people have often mistaken them for father and daughter. Sawyer moves a lot so she always has to ask him where he is. He is also the only family member to actually be cut off from the family fortune,

"South America why what's wrong?"

One of the things Caroline loves about her uncle Sawyer is she doesn't have to pretend with him, she is not playing the perfect daughter in the perfect family role or the put together perfect socialite. She can just be herself who has the weight of the world on her shoulders and needs help.

"I'm scared. I met someone and he's sweet and gorgeous and wants to get to know me. He doesn't care who I am or how much money we have or the craziness that is my life. He sees past the fake ness and he makes me feel things I have never felt. I'm happy with him and that's scary."

Sawyer is sitting outside a cafe and a waiter comes up to give him a coffee while Caroline is on a lounge chair in the lounge area of the spa floor. "My material girl Giuseppe messed all three of you up but you the most. You've push down any feeling and helped everyone else. It's your turn let those feelings out be happy let him in. You don't always have to be so strong. If he hurts you, you can come stay with me. You deserve someone who loves you for you not the lifestyle you have or the fame you have or the public imagine. If he makes you happy and safe and the person I see when you visit me then there's nothing to be scared of."

Caroline nods even though she knows he can't see her. She decided a while ago that she didn't deserve love no one would love her. How could they she is a beyond rich young woman with a crazy family. She would just do what her grandmother does seasonal date. It works for her. She longs for someone to want her and care for her, she can be herself around not the role of perfect. Someone who can love her even when she messes up.

"I love you uncle Sawyer."

"I love you too my material girl."

Caroline smiles at her nickname she has always loved it. She takes a breath and will try to open up more to Conrad even if it scares her.

When she hangs up she notices she has a text that says Brad is back but Giuseppe, Colin and a mysterious woman are in the office.

Xxx

Caroline is in the sauna when there is a knock on the door and Dorota is sticking her head in say. "Mr. Colin is calling you."

Wrapping the towel around herself she takes the phone from Dorota. "What do you Colin?"

"You're a piece of work Salvatore. I'll make you a deal hand the company over to me and you can still keep your salary plus a million extra."

"No and tell the board whatever they throw at me it won't stick. They have nothing."

"I tried to be nice."

Xxx

Conrad comes back from the harbor and notices the town car from earlier is parked in the parking lot with Bill standing outside the car. "Bill? What are you doing here?"

"Miss Caroline didn't want you to waste money on a cab and since I brought you here I am here to take you back to the mansion."

He gets in the car. This is the first time Bill has driven him by himself, he never had a driver. He knows how to drive and has a car at their Hamptons home. It doesn't fit at his apartment in the city. "How long have you driven Caroline's family?"

"Almost twenty one years. Dorota and myself have worked for the family the longest."

When they pull up to the mansion paparazzi are still outside. Like this morning they shout comments at him and take his photo. "Who are you?" "Are you Caroline's new man?"

He asks one of the staff where Caroline is and it's a blonde haired man. "The bitch of the manor has been downstairs the whole day with Dorota."

That was totally uncalled for, also should the staff really be calling her a bitch. "How do you know she's a bitch, she is a really complicated person. Get to know her before you judge."

Xxx

Conrad finds her getting out of the spa shower she is adjusting her towel. When she sees him her face lights up. Seeing him is the best part of her day.

"Do you still want me to tell you something?"

He raises an eyebrow he remembers their conversation from a couple weeks ago. He wonders what changed but also is not going to jinx it or scare her, He nods. She takes a breath "After the tour of this floor then I will tell you something about myself."

She shows him the Olympic size pool with a waterfall more like waterwall. Opposite the lounge area with build ins covered in moss. There is a juice bar opposite the elevator, and next to the beginning of the three story atrium. There is a little gym, and a massage room, lastly she shows him the color therapy sauna. The floor definitely does feel like you've just walked into a spa it has a relaxing feel to it.

They walk over to the lounge chairs and sit their knees touching. Caroline is not making eye contact with him, she is also fidgeting with her towel. She's nervous but doesn't know why they've seen and touched every inch of the others body. She's never been so intimate with someone else. He puts a hand on her knee and she looks up at him. "It's ok."

"No it's not…" she remembers uncle Sawyer's words 'let him in it's time for you to be happy.' "I don't let people in, they always use the information against me and hurt me. I'm tired of just letting the hurt wash over me like it's nothing and be perfect all the time. I want to let you in, I enjoy spending time with you." Her hands are all sweaty this has never happened before.

He lets out a smile, after hearing that it hurts him to hear people have used and hurt her. He takes her hands in his and rubs his thumb over hers. "I enjoy spending time with you too."

She swallows and looks down at their hands he is giving her the strength she needs. "I have two older brothers were triplets I'm the youngest but act like the oldest. When my brothers and I were five we were playing I got hurt and I was crying. My father was in town for a couple of hours on a layover and he told us to never show the world that it has brought you down and never cry in public it takes away your power. There are only two people who have seen me cry and one I couldn't help it I had just been robbed emotions were heightened I regret it. I allow myself to cry in front of my uncle Sawyer he's my person, I go to him if I need to cry, city life is too hard, my father is being more of an ass then usual. He's been there for me in ways my own parents never were."

Caroline avoids looking at him and instead looks at the waterfall. She can feel tears pooling in her eyes she blinks and wills them to go away. That is up there as one of the hardest things she has ever done.

He slides a finger under her chin and lifts her head to look at him. Those beautiful green eyes, those sharp cheekbones she can't get enough of. "Thank you for letting me in." He leans in and leaves a delicate kiss on her lips. Their foreheads touching. She can smell the water on him and it's calming her.

Xxx

"So where is our fearless leader?"

Jude lets out a chuckle Zero fills three glasses of bourbon they found in Caroline's office. Jude, Zero and Brad are sitting at the table, the original three. "She is working from the mansion today. You came back at an interesting time."

When Brad raises his eyebrow Jude continues. "We all might be out of a job soon. Caroline's father Giuseppe has bought his way onto the board and earlier Nora told me two people tried to scope out this office. If Caroline goes they won't accept me as interim CEO. Caroline and I gone who do you think they will go after next."

"We are Royalty's highest paid models."

Jude finishes his drink. " I doubt Giuseppe or really anyone on our board cares about the success of this company.

Xxx

Caroline comes out of her closet tying her short red kimono she got in Japan when she went to visit uncle Sawyer when he was staying there for a couple weeks. She notices Conrad is on her terrace watching the guy Caroline just fired who called her a bitch not only to him but to her face try to get through the paparazzi and hail a cab. "Beautiful is it not."

She wraps her arms around his waist and lays her head against his back. Dealing with Wes and Gregor is small if she has moments like this. Even the stuff with Giuseppe is not currently at the forefront of her mind. She has become so accustomed to drama that small moments like this are foreign to her. He puts a hand over her's and smiles.

"Can I ask you something?" He feels her nods against his back. "Why are the paparazzi camped outside your home?"

She lets out a small laugh as he turns around to face her they take a seat at the table outside. She was never told the real reason how the paparazzi found this house only her brother Stefan and his girlfriend Rebekah know the truth they didn't want to tell her because she was already busy they didn't want to add to her stress. Although she has her theory's about what happened. "I'm pretty sure it was my father, why I don't know exactly but if I think about what was going on when the paparazzi found this home. My mother had just divorced my father and he found out about Royalty. He was mad at both of us and since my mother bought this home and I live here telling the paparazzi would hurt both of us."

His thumb runs over her hand his father is not a good person either but he would never seek to actively hurt them. It baffles him how anyone would hurt this beautiful woman he loves seeing her smile and from what she has told him it doesn't seem like she has had much to smile about and that breaks his heart.

"There is a regatta that I'm in at the end of the month and I want to invite you."

Caroline's eyes widen and a smile graces her lips but it's his perfect smile that catches her eyes because when he smiles it reaches his eyes and his whole face lights up. "I would love that."