Chapter 17

[The next morning]

He lay next to her, cuddled into the sofa. She had had arm around his waist – and this time it wasn't an accident – she opened her eyes to a bare body and warm sensation

"Morning, sweetheart" she looked up to see his smiling face looking down at her

"How long have you been awake?"

"I never really slept" he wasn't lying, he was too absorb in her and everything that happened. He longed for her touch, since the moment he met her, he knew there was that spark and he wanted her. Last night, they bonded in a way that he never thought would or could happen.

She was beautiful in every way.

Of course he noticed before – how could he miss it – but now that they had opened up to each other, it was like he didn't feel guilty for thinking about it

"What we going to do now?" he leaned down, softly laying a kiss upon the frown on her forehead, smiling as it softened. He walked his fingers up her arm as a cheeky grin appeared on his face

"I know plenty of things we could do"

"You know I didn't mean that" she giggled under his touch. They lay bare underneath a small blanket, wrapped in each other's arms. They were content in the moment, but Caroline wasn't one to just take life a step at a time. She needed to have a plan, a future. She couldn't be a spur-of-the-moment kind of girl - she looked down at her naked state - maybe she underestimated herself.

There was silence for a while as Klaus thought about it. He knew what he wanted but he didn't care about that, he wanted whatever Caroline wanted. As long as there was that sweet smile on her face, he didn't care what happened or what she decided

"Whatever you think is best, love" she sat upright in his arms, so that her face was looking at him. He wasn't paying much attention to her face, as he looked around her living room, noticing the red stain on the wall

"No Klaus, if you have an idea, tell me, please" he looked back at her – how could he resist such a face – he smiled kissing her lightly on the lips before he spoke

"It's just a thought but how about you move to Paris with me?"

"But where would we live? You've sold Tyler's house, haven't you?" he didn't speak as he chuckled

"Leave that to me, love. Question is, would you be willing to do that? Give up all this-" his hands motioned to the room around him as he watched her eyes scan the area "for me?" Caroline got up, in her naked form as she stood and looked at the room before her, taking in his proposal as she did so.

Yes, this was her home, where she had been staying for the last three years, but she didn't feel attached to it at all. She didn't feel saddened that she would leave it behind, that it would be sold off. It didn't bother her.

She smiled slightly, what was she staying around for? Her eyes glimpsed at the red wine – a reminder of what this really was – this was Tyler's dream home,

not hers

"Yes" she said, spinning round and looking at Klaus and he still laid on the sofa looking up at her in awe

"Yes?" he sat up, still wrapped in the towel. His one eyebrow raised as he couldn't stop smiling at her

"I'll do it, I'll move to Paris with you" he got up to his feet, taking the blanket and cocooning them both in it as he brought her close. Her warmth was on his, as he had his arms around her waist

"You're remarkable, did you know that love?" he kissed her forehead "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"More than anything else in the world" his face was glowing he didn't think she could ever want to be with him. He didn't think anyone could. He had bad experiences that left him wondering, if he could be loved.

Klaus wanted to lift her up in his arms and never let go; of her and this moment

"Won't you miss this place?"

"No, I don't think I will. I furnished this with Tyler, every day I'm in here, it's a reminder of what was and frankly, I don't want to be reminded of that" her eyes slowly looked up to his "I want you Klaus, all of you. I want to go to Paris, I want to grow old with you" She giggled "I've never felt like this about anyone" It was then that the words came out of her like word vomit. She didn't care if it seemed too early; she felt like it for once it was the 'right place, right time'

"I love you, Klaus" His eyes shot up to her, was he dreaming? She blushed under the blanket. He could feel the warmth of her cheeks on his shoulder as she buried her head "I know they're strong words, but that is the only way I can explain how I feel. I completely understand if you think it's too early to –"

"I love you too, sweetheart" he interrupted her babble as she stopped, smiling up at him. It was weird hearing the words come out of his mouth. Tyler never said anything like that to her, thinking about it now he never told her he loved her. Why she seemed to be oblivious to these little things was besides her.

His thick British accent made everything sound more sensuous and she couldn't help but melt under his touch. He had a hold of her, mind body and soul

"When do you want to go? We can go as soon or as late as you-" their bodies parted slightly, letting the coldness sweep between them

"ASAP" she rushed her answer, making him chuckle

"Your wish is my command"

© Ms Zola, Nov 2012