Just real quick, this is a re-post not a new chapter! Just fixing some errors like a do after a post. Tragic I know but you guys deserve my best! Thank you to all who have reviewed this chapter and to the guests who i can't respond to. I've already started the fifth chapter which if you all recall was going to be the last. That is now up for suggestion. Should it end or continue at the fifth chapter? That is all. -(So fun to say)
"Verona?" Klaus asks his mind and body at a standstill over the long legged blonde-haired woman who has reappeared in his life. His hand began fumbling with the frame of the door on his left the other clutching the back of his jacket away from her sight.
The two stare at one another as time manages to hold still for just a moment or two. Klaus' eyes in longing and Caroline's in utter shock making his eyebrows furrow when he says, "I'm british Love," correcting her without actually trying to.
Caroline stutters scratching her head, "No I just, I thought you were the pizza guy," she responds her left hand leaving the door to scratch the side of her face nervously as she staggers forward. "Yup, love my pepperoni." Caroline quips crossing and uncrossing her arms under his lingering gaze.
He squints his eyes hesitant because he is unclear as to what she's speaking about he thinks of humoring her but teasing her always brought interesting results. "The pizza man really?" he probed his fingers tapping on the wall outside her apartment. "Is that the best you've got?"
She winced squinting her eyes at being caught rather obviously in her lie Caroline straightened her back squaring her shoulders to him as if to say she wasn't intimidated. "What are you doing here?" she snipped placing her right hand at her hip as if his presence bothered her.
He ignored her righteous look choosing to focus on the view in front of him, one he had not been expecting. One he was certain he would not see again, "You look…" he trailed off the end of his sentence unclear to them both.
Klaus wanted to say, ravishing, delectable, radiant, he wanted to describe the sweet misery he felt at losing her and seeing her now, again in the strangest of circumstances. "Well," he finished lamely his courage waning. "I hope you didn't get sick." He said gesturing to his jacket.
Caroline vaguely understood his reference to her leaving that brisk morning nodding as she quickly shook herself of those thoughts once she realized, "What are you doing here," she asked finding her voice her hands straightening out her skirt as she saw the look in his eyes.
It was best described as if he had found the lost treasure which wasn't reassuring considering everything, "How did you find me?" she continued. He felt his shoulders slump as she stepped closer to him an inquiring look in her eye almost judgmental.
Klaus dismissed it considering she was the one who left he thought bitterly, "I didn't," he replied finding it hard to concentrate on the facts until he remembered why he was actually there, "I wasn't here to find you. If anything you should have come to me."
He shut his eyes angry at the way she got under his skin with only five words taking a deep breath Klaus quickly back-tracked the conversation. "I may be at the wrong door but I'm here to meet someone," Klaus responded moving in a step closer to her as he opened his eyes.
His hands still lay against the walls on either side of her door his fingers making incessant tapping noises out of nerves as she bit her lip. Klaus smirked watching her try and bite back a response to what he said before but he still had to pull his hands away from the wood to hold them at his thighs restlessly.
"Oh," Caroline remarks silently thanking him for moving back her eyes shutting embarrassed with her engrossed tone. His eyebrow quirked upwards at the sound, "I mean 'Oh,' that's nice.'" She added flippantly shedding her guilt with the muddled thought of him admitting he wanted to see her again.
Unable to think of something to say she's happy no one she knows is here to see this because she can't remember a time when she was actually stumped like this before. Focusing instead on the man in front of her she saw him shifting on his feet clenching and unclenching his right arm like he might reach out.
Like he just might touch her and she'll once again get to feel the rough skin on his hands run over the softness of her own kindling the brash burn and shudders she experienced in his presence before. Caroline grimaces when he rubs his neck looking like he's filled with anxiety instead.
"Right," he responded after he replayed her words in his head coming out of his own wistful thoughts about her. Klaus unclear about what she meant watches the blonde in front of him his eyes traveling up and down her form again.
He was upset that he had even had secret hopes of seeing him again, those thoughts thwarted at the look of her face when she swung open her apartment door. He felt disappointed that she wasn't as happy to see him as he was to finally see her again. Klaus couldn't help himself he hated to admit he missed her.
Caroline pulled herself together letting out an exasperated sigh more at herself then at how they came across each other once again. She felt the need to get away from his forearm porn and chiseled chest and pouty eyes, and hot dimples. It had to end now or she'd pull him inside her apartment.
"Listen," he said starting to remember how words worked but she put her hand up stopping him her fingers brushing his lips accidently in the process. His mouth went dry his only thought was how to get her to touch him again as he swallowed.
Caroline felt a shock run through her staring at her fingers before she brushed them down the skirt of her A-line dress trying to get rid of the feeling. "Well I'm meeting someone too so, bye!" she said in a pitchy voice as she started shutting the door on his face.
"Hey," his muffled voice sounded on the other end as she made sure the door was shut firmly behind her before leaning her back against it her hands covering her face in shame. "Holy mother of," she whined to herself finally taking a moment to catch her breath then there was another knock at the door.
"Oh thank god," she thought thankful she didn't have a moment to think about how she had just sent away the guy that had been on her mind all this time. Quickly spinning to face the door she fluffed her hair and opened it once more.
Her eyes were not disappointed, "You," she said mirroring his words and he smiled tilting his head his hands enfolded behind his back his confidence seemed to be growing with each second. Caroline liked his smile and found herself staring rather than reprimanding.
Klaus felt his smile grow at her flushed cheeks and heaving chest peeking out of her sweetheart neckline, "Me." he replied pointing to his chest. He took his hand from his chest and placed it on the numbers of her apartment looking them over once again.
Klaus moved his other hand to his chin as if to mull something over playfully as he watched her, his eyes narrowing at her reaction to him, "I just had a moment to check your door number and it's you I'm supposed to meet actually." He wasn't exactly upset with her response.
"Me?" she asked pointing to herself stupidly, Caroline didn't like where this was going from a renters view but she was enjoying their extended time together. She crossed her arms fighting back a smile at how much she had missed him and it was easier to admit because she didn't have to tell him so.
Klaus was absolutely giddy at the thought of her having to spend the next hour or so with him, "Yes," he answered her a shiver went down his spine at the feel of her arm rubbing against torso.
"Oh," she replied thinking she really needed to stop and think of another word to say other than 'Oh', she tilted her head pretending to scrutinize him before her face cracked into a smile, "You sounded like a woman on the phone." She heard him chuckle as her eyes ran back up his face.
Klaus leaned his head in trying to see her face behind the veil of her blonde hair, "Yes, well that would have been," he responded tucking his hands behind his back. "Err, uh." He stumbled trying to recall his sister's name. "Rebekah couldn't exactly make it today," he answered her timidly.
The woman who was going to be living here and save her from having to move back home was her one night kiss' brother. She had mentally decided this and failed to acknowledge it until now. She might have preferred the ton of bricks to him catching her unawares and knowing where she lived.
"Of course she's your sister," she sighed unbelieving of her circumstances she leaned her head on her hand as she moved to shut the door. He saw the apprehension cross her features his hand instinctively reaching for her face his fingers outlining the side of her face.
Caroline smiled internally at his entire vibe, "Rebekah," she questioned leaning in slightly even thought they were about four feet apart. The dirty blonde god before her then nodded to her and the information hit her like a ton of bricks.
"Don't worry she can afford it," he said pulling his hand from is back gesturing to her with his head her expensive looking apartment that was unlike his own in every way. Her hand came up to his by her neck holding it there.
Klaus smile as he added, "My sister comes from money." Explaining himself and completely misreading why she was nervous. "I do not." She was silent so he continued to ramble, a trait he wasn't sure he had until this moment.
Her eyebrows moved together forming a small crease in the middle of her forehead, "That is I have to work for what I have." He said his other hand still holding the doorframe on the other side as she stood unmoving, wishing he could get a read on her but she was like a statue.
Caroline snapped out of it responding finally, "Me too," her voice low like when she complimented his home as he had begun to turn away from where he stood taking his leave. "I'm sorry I'm being totally rude, I'm just stunned." She explained to him she thought she saw relief wash over him.
She couldn't understand why he was going on about his livelihood, she understood him more than he thought actually. She only lived here because of Stefan and now he was gone, she preferred little places like his homey and perfectly old and filled with creeks. She felt him pull away.
She was still a little unsure about what he was talking about concerning his sister Rebekah, were they not really related? She would have to pump him for more information after the customary interview questions.
Klaus stilll disconcerted stuttered,"My-sister-couldn't-make-it." as he half-explained his words slurring together in excitement. He began rubbing his hands together as he repeated his words again so humans could understand him. "My sister wasn't able to come that is." Klaus said shocked at his lack of speech.
He sighed looking at her ceiling instead of her to try to refocus his thoughts her steady and patient breathing was calming as it was stimulating. It was impossible that she was here right now he had chalked her up to an illusion in his mind.
"Come in," she said smiling warmly as she stepped aside pushing her nerves aside as the guy who haunted her every moment walked into her home. He smelled good too, she realized as his scent washed over her making her fan herself from how warm he made her feel.
Klaus accepted with a nod of his head garnering his self-assurance he began stepping in to her apartment. Accepting their comfortable yet awkward silence as she shut the door behind him, he smiled when he looked over the living room and saw she had artwork hung on her walls.
He was impressed considering it was actually good. "Oh," she said watching as he looked her apartment over almost as if reminiscing over their time together that one night. "Is she alright," she asked not at all concerned when he turned to face her a blindingly beautiful smile gracing his lips.
"She's fine, just fickle." Klaus replied holding his hands behind his back as he looked at her, "She lives by that saying." He pretended to think for a moment smirking at the light blush on her cheeks. "Why do something today when you can get someone else to do it tomorrow." he quoted.
She chuckled as they moved further into her apartment giving him a side glance inadvertently giving him a flirty smile, "You're usually the 'Someone else' then?" she questioned a finger to her lips trying to keep from smiling but failing as his grew too.
Caroline felt herself move into his touch his fingers running down her face gently, "Was this some kind of ploy or something to get to me?" she asked unclear about how he was here with her. His hand froze before he pulled back completely her eyes went to his seeing his hurt before a stoic look took over.
"Now who's full of themselves," he countered remembering their night his irritation ebbing away instantly as she blushed under his penetrating glare and playful smile. "I assure you," Klaus said smoothly, "I'm only here because my sister asked me."
Caroline tried not to look so downcast as she looked up again, "Really?" She asked disheartened as he began to move about the living room. She watched him from her spot by the front of her apartment thinking about how he actually fit here amongst her things.
"She's the one in need of a place to stay I just came to assist her," Klaus explained, "Had I known it was you though I would have put my apartment up for lease ages ago." He winked to her as he placed himself next to the love seat leaning against the back of it.
Caroline couldn't help it, she let out a laugh at his lack of tact the situation automatically losing some of its tension, "What makes you think I wanted to see you again," she asked teasingly before looking at him directly recognizing she had a way of making his face fall.
Klaus felt himself drop about ten floors with her response hitting the chink in his armor, "You made your view clear to me the night you snuck away," he stated unmistakably desolate clearing his throat to remove the gruffness of his voice.
Caroline took a step forward feeling uncomfortable again seeing as they weren't passed the whole she left him without an explanation, "About that I just want to," she said clamping together her hands as she thought about what to say.
Even though she didn't know him and she definitely didn't owe him anything but she still felt bad about the way she bolted. There were other ways to handle the situation as she chickened out like she never had before on her one night stands.
"Don't, really," Klaus said ready to dismiss it as he strode towards the window moving the curtain aside but not admiring the view she had. He couldn't help but drop his opinion on her as he heard her tiny feet move towards him.
So he turned back around surprised but satisfied that his face inches from hers as he licked his lips, "Just for the record" he said indignantly as his eyes locked with hers. "I woke up delirious that you had stayed only to find you hadn't. You ran and I thought you might come back but you didn't."
Caroline shut her eyes his words and closeness beginning to be too much for her, it was the middle of the week and she was backed up at work and somehow dealing with him at the moment was becoming unbearable. If she wanted a roommate however she would have to get through it so she stepped back.
Taking a breath she gestured to a spot on the couch, "Have a seat," she suggested walking further away from him still keeping her distance. She moved to the small chair siting herself upon it crossing her legs at her ankles, "Tea?" she asked, "It's iced lemon." She shrugged sheepishly.
She saw him move his tongue around inside his mouth biting back a laugh as he sat down the action rousing something inside her making her almost not want to sit down on the furniture a ludicrous idea but still her stomach flipped as she took a seat on the armrest of the couch he was on.
"So this is where you live," he ventured his lips touching the glass as he spoke before he took a sip of his drink. It was a statement but she nodded, "It's nice," he told her, "Homey," he added winking as he finished the glass in a gulp.
She blushed thinking back to her compliments of his home excited that he copied her words, that he remembered her words. "Some more," she suggested leaning forward to reach for the pitcher just as he was their fingers brushing their eyes locking before looking away again.
Having gotten the pleasantries' out of the way Klaus warned her how moody his sister could get and how either way she would be lucky to have someone like his sister in her corner. They discussed all the details both sharing the reasons why Caroline and Rebekah needed each other at least in a living aspect.
Caroline to her credit was transcendent, magnificent, everything he wanted his work to be when he sketched and yet he knew his hands could never make a beauty like hers. Her home was sophisticated and well-designed at least from what little he knew about his sister's décor style.
He couldn't stop the feeling that washed over him as he watched her lips move after asking if it was her name on the answering machine outside. Embarrassed she nodded a small laugh escaping her mouth, Klaus gripped the glass harder when she moved over shuffling another cookie into her mouth.
Her chest was in full view every single time she did that, she had no clue what she was doing to him did she? He was moved from his trance when she gasped, they stood up at the same time Klaus a little disconcerted however.
Caroline's eyes shut as she silently cursed herself after looking at the clock, "Sorry, I – I have to get back to work, I've already been gone too long." She exclaimed sliding out of her shoes and pulling her hair back into a messy bun.
She saw him move to grab some more cookies before he reached for the tray to put it in the kitchen, "I'm so late." She said trying to distract herself from how cute he was being at the moment. Caroline picked it up hating that their time was so short but knowing they would see each other again.
"I'll help," Klaus ventures standing to take the tray from her hands her body going almost stiff to the touch, "It's okay," he murmured rubbing her hands with his fingers until she let go. "The kitchen is right there and I know how to work a fridge."
He winked as Caroline swatted his arm. "Go," he told her pointing to the only room he hadn't seen during her earlier tour of the place. "Get ready and I'll walk you out." He tried his best not to smile widely as she smiled gratefully walking past him to her room. Inside he was beaming.
She took four steps before he cleared his throat making her head turn sideways to look at him, he looked at her very seriously for a lapsed time before he spoke again. "For the record," Klaus said before he lost his nerve glad he was making her turn to see what he had to say. He faced her fully the only things between them being those few feet and an almost empty tray.
Klaus took a deep breath while taking a step towards her he looked at him her response was to roll her shoulders back giving them both room without actually stepping back any further, She refused to be intimidated by what he might say next when he had that serious look in his eye, "No," he shook his head waving his hand, "Nevermind," he muttered a slight wince at her reaction before his face turned stoic.
Caroline to say the least was disappointed. A big part of her wanted him to admit something about that night, something real. Her hands shook as they went up to her face rubbing down and back up distress. She heard him begin too shuffle around in the kitchen a hint of hostility in every move he made. She frowned as she turned away.
As Klaus moved from his place turning towards her kitchen before she could respond to him in anyway mentally exhausted with the turn of events that had transpired on this day. He scolded himself for losing his nerve in front of her thinking clearly the cause while he hadn't meant that to be the result.
Hearing her shut the door made him shut his eyes thinking about how he was in Caroline's apartment, the blonde who had invaded his sleep and work schedule. Yet he stupidly hadn't even told her his name 'Yet' being the keyword he told himself. Klaus was glad that he had gotten most of the words out of his mouth after weeks of wistful thinking and sleepless nights.
Still it hadn't been enough because while his words and feelings were caught deep in his throat. He realized by the look on her face, her actions speaking volumes saying she simply needed time to think, rationalize before he could do anything. He knew Caroline was the kind of girl you wait for smirking to himself and feeling a lot better at future opportunities to see her he got back to work.
Taking the now empty tray to the kitchen he placed it on the counter before grabbing the pitcher and putting it in her fridge. he started happily humming as he thought back to before this whole mess, her laugh and smile. He thought about how she subconsciously preened herself s she spoke never looking looking away from him.
He thought bout her soft hands and the way they moved as they offered him a glass or a snack and how they felt against his chest , his neck and how soon they would be back on him again. They were having fun up until a few minutes ago he thought taking a bite out of another cookie before placing a paper towel over the plate.
Caroline groaned pouting as she readied herself to go back to work, adjusting then readjusting her top or her hair as she listened for movement outside her door. She reprimanded herself time and again for not having the courage to tell him she had thought about him almost every moment since that night.
He was even better than she had thought up in her silly little head late at night which was he only time she could admit to herself that he meant something to her. Earlier he had disappeared from view before she could work up any courage looking at the clock she knew she was running out of time for work and with him.
She had never been so affronted and stimulated all at once, if it had been any other man Caroline knew that she would have said something. This man just had a way of messing with her head shaking her head she looked at her reflection again a stern look in her eyes as she talked herself up before nodding and walking to her bedroom door.
Klaus heard her door open the excitement of seeing her once more thrumming in his bones making him feel as though he couldn't help himself so he turned his head to her direction to see her. He felt his heart stopping at the sight, his hand clutch the granite of the counter. Caroline the business woman stepped out of her room looking like quite the dominatrix even wearing her glasses. She looked incredible.
Caroline caught the way he was looking at her the sight unnerving as she shut her bedroom door in order to not have to look at his eyes devouring her. She held back a smile heat rising in her cheeks as she moved in closer, "Hi," she mumbled pulling her bangs back and fixing her hair maintaining a confident exterior.
He waved mesmerized as he walked towards her. Klaus thought she was adorable the perfect mix of innocence and woman on a mission as he stopped in front of her loving everything she wore or did. No matter what it did to him, bottom-line she wasn't good for his health but he didn't mind. "Shall we," he asked extending his arm she tucked her hand into his elbow as they began walking to the door.
Klaus took a breath enjoying her touch her scent filling him up making his head dizzy with whimsical ideas he would be playing out in his head for year to come like a movie reel. As she pulled her keys from her back her opened the front door giving her room to step out before him she thanked him removing her hand from his arm before moving past him.
Both seemed to sense their imminent goodbye and Klaus took the opportunity to ask something of her. He shut the door behind him and reached for her hand as she went to lock the door, "What are you doing tonight?" she looked up at him like a deer caught in headlight her sweet mouth popping open distracted from her action focusing on only him. From what he could see under her crisp white-collar shirt she was burning red.
"I didn't have anything booked yesterday but I was invited out tonight," she responded his face falling, "It's an Art Gallery, Kol invited me." his face contorted it seemed she couldn't say anything right. "For his brother, Klaus I think." His frown upturned even as he continued looking at the ground. "Your brother right?"
He smirked nodding to her as he licked his lips,"Well I'll just see you there then." He said as he took her hand in his pressing her delicate fingers that once hand his nerve endings on fire to his lips leaving a burning reminder of him until then. He heard her gasp as he pulled away giving her space to respond any way she deemed necessary.
She gave him a reserved smile nodding not knowing just what to make of him, "Right," she replied taking her hand from his. She felt his eyes chipping away at any resolve she might have feeling the need to respond to his kiss in an intimate way. "Why hadn't she asked his name yet?" she thought.
He smiled back his perfect face burning itself into her making her smile brighter before she quickly locked the door her body pressing to his side warmly as she pressed a kiss to his cheek before moving down the stairs. As she descended the stairs without him trying to stow nerves the last hour had washed over her. They had somehow danced around the elephant in the room for the last hour.
She didn't want to do that anymore but didn't know how to broach the subject. She bite at the corners of her nails fighting to gather her courage turn around and ask him who he was and just when was she going to see him again. Caroline knew he would be around because of Rebekah but did he rally want to see her again, just the two of them?
Klaus in a daze watched her go from the top of the stairs loving the way her body moved his fingers hot with the need to run over her contours. On impulse he asked, "So what's supposed to make me think you didn't want to sleep with me now?" jokingly making Caroline give him a side glance at him over her shoulder.
He grew bold taking more steps towards the stairs his right hand on the banister as he spoke, "That you don't want to now even." She stopped moving as he finished taking the first step towards her. Tucking his hand in his left hand into his back pocket as he waited for her to reply needing more than a few moments with a retreating figure.
She looked up at him tilting her head a thought clearly crossing her mind before she grinned, "Because I would have done it already and you wouldn't have said no." she told him crossing her arms victoriously as he fought back a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. Caroline caught it though and she knew if she ever did see him again she would call him on it.
She absolutely beams with pride when he doesn't say anything after a few short beats deciding it was time to take her leave even as he's watching her every move with intent curiosity. She decided it but can't bring herself to look away until he nods taking the answer before she is compelled to turn around once again.
"Caroline," she hears him call her by her name, finally. Halting her movements she waits listening to his slow steps coming in closer until she can feel the heat of his body close to her without actually touching. His lips tickle her ear but what he says isn't funny, "When I kissed you I wasn't kissing you goodbye Caroline. I was just kissing you goodnight, but you didn't feel the same."
Klaus takes his hand from his pocket pulling out the sketch of her he's carried around in his wallet for ages handing placing it in her hand, "I'll see you soon," he says promise dripping from his words. He felt her shake as she took the one thing he held dear to him for weeks into her hand holding it to her abdomen before leaving.
Caroline felt herself almost come undone at the feel of him beyond glad he was behind her when a sweet and welcome thrill ran up her spine stemming from his honest words. The thought of him feeling the same as she suddenly made Caroline realize she couldn't wait for tonight. Her hands held the piece of paper he handed her with trepidation worried about what it could possibly be.
Steeling herself she unfolded the thick paper with soft worn edges feeling his breath still linger by her face as she turned it over to see what was inside. She let out a short breath in response to the image, her right hand reaching for support on the bannister but landing on his instead. His fingers taking hers over his own his thumb rubbing soothing circles into the back of her hand.
"It's missing a name," she whispered her throat swollen with feelings she was trying to push down as she sucked on her lip to keep from quivering. Her eyes traced the lines of the drawing the way he made her look was indescribable. The Mikaelson's sure had a knack for beautiful things she just couldn't believe she was on that list.
Klaus placed his left hand on her hip before running it over her stomach to push her into his chest, "It's Nik to you," he murmured his lips touching the skin of her cheek as he relished in her panting. Thinking this was enough for now he moved away from her with much reluctance knowing he shouldn't try anything further than what he had just done. He would see her tonight anyway.
She didn't look back or respond in anyway partly because her throat had gone dry with his actions she was about to turn around when she heard the front bell ring signifying that someone was on their way up interrupting her moment with Nik. Thanking her lucky stars she managed to pull herself out of the pile of goo he had just made her into leaving him once again making sure her front building door is closed before she raced of to work.
AN: Hi,
sorry it's taken so long to get anything out. I hope you all understand though, this story really means a lot and while it's not as great as the ones you or I read I'm really proud and want it to be the best that I can make it be.
So thanks for showing your kindness in reviews, follows, favorites and suggestions!