A/N: Unlike 50SoG, I won't have any "inner Goddess" claptrap.
A/N #2: Watch "Fifty Shades of Karnstein" to know the music that should be in your head when they are in the elevator.

The Elevator Scene

We get back to my place and I'm relieved to find the dorm room empty. I was worried that we would walk in on Betty with some guy here and I'd wind up seeing yet another unwanted penis. My stomach rumbles and I look embarassed.

Carmilla stares at me imperiously. She removes her jacket exposing a white blouse, taking stock of the area.

"Sit," she commands, pointing to a chair. I make my way across the room and sit as I've been directed. She roots around and finds the biscuits as she fills my electric kettle and prepares some tea for me.

"English Breakfast?" she asks.

"Yes, please."

She passes me a clean mug with a Twining's English Breakfast teabag. Jeez, she remembered which tea I liked.

"Your hair's still damp," she scolds.

"I couldn't find the hairdryer there." I mutter, embarrassed. Not that I looked. Boys don't usually have them.

Carmilla's mouth presses into a hard line, but she doesn't say anything as she pours herself a cup of tea as well.

"I can't accept that book as a gift," I started, getting up to return it. The sound of her clearing her throat indicated that I should remain seated.

"Laura, trust me, I can afford it." She poured the water into the mug and set the kettle down, reading the note with the quotation I wrote in reply to her.

"To realize one's nature perfectly—that is what each of us is here for. People are afraid of themselves, nowadays. They have forgotten the highest of all duties, the duty that one owes to one's self. Of course they are charitable. They feed the hungry, and clothe the beggar. But their own souls starve, and are naked. Courage has gone out of our race. Perhaps we never really had it. "

She blushed slightly.

"That's not the point. Why should you buy that for me?"

"Because I can," her eyes flash with a wicked gleam, "And I wanted to."

"Just because you can doesn't mean that you should," I reply quietly as she arches an eyebrow at me, her eyes twinkling, and suddenly I feel that we're talking about something else, but I don't know what it is. Which reminds me...

"Why did you give me that book, Carmilla?" My voice is soft. She puts down her tea and regards me intently, her eyes burning with some unfathomable emotion.

Holy crap - my mouth dries.

"Well, when you were nearly run over by the cyclist - and I was holding you and you were looking up at me - all kiss me, kiss me, Carmilla," she pauses and shrugs slightly, "Oh, it was obvious... I felt I owed you an apology and a warning." She runs her hand through her hair. "Laura, I'm not a hearts and flowers kind of woman; I don't do romance. My tastes are very singular."

What does that mean?

"You should steer clear from me." She closes her eyes as if in defeat. "There's something about you, though, and I'm finding it impossible to stay away. But I think you've figured that out already."

My appetite vanishes. She can't stay away!

"Then don't," I whisper.

She gasps, her eyes wide. "You don't know what you're saying."

"Enlighten me, then." We sit gazing at each other, neither of us touching our tea.

"You're not celibate then?" I breathe.

Amusement lights up her face. "No, Laura, I'm not celibate." She pauses for this information to sink in, and I flush scarlet. The mouth-to-brain filter is broken again. I can't believe I've just said that out loud.

"What are your plans for the next few days?" she asks, her voice low.

"I'm working today, from midday. What time is it now?" I panic suddenly.

"Half past eleven, I can take you so you're there on time. What about tomorrow?" She has her elbows on the table, and her chin is resting on her long steepled fingers. I can't help but think of what she could do with those fingers. I forget to answer her.

"So what are you going to do for the fall?"

Where is she going with all these questions?

"I've applied for some internships. I'm waiting to hear."

"Have you applied to my company?"

I flush... of course not. "Um... no."

She looks perturbed. "And what's wrong with my company?"

"Your company or your company?" I smirk.

She smiles slightly. "Are you smirking at me, Miss Hollis?" She cocks her head to one side, and I think she looks amused, but it's hard to tell. I flush and glance down at my unfinished breakfast. I can't look her in the eye when she uses that tone of voice. "I'd like to bite that lip," she whispers darkly.

Oh my. I am completely unaware that I am chewing my bottom lip. My mouth pops open as I gasp and swallow at the same time. That has to be the sexiest thing anybody has ever said to me. My heart beat spikes, and I think I'm panting. Jeez, I'm a quivering, moist mess, and she hasn't even touched me. Her voice is magic to my libido.

"Why don't you?" I challenge quietly.

"Because I'm not going to touch you Laura - not until I have your written consent to do so." Her lips hint at a smile.

What? "What does that mean?"

"Exactly what I said." She sighs and shakes her head at me, amused, but exasperated too. "I need to show you, Laura. What time do you finish work this evening?"

"About eight."

"Well, we could have dinner at my place, and I'll acquaint you with the facts then. The choice is yours."

"Why can't you tell me now?" I sound petulant.

"Because I'm enjoying my tea and your company. Once you're enlightened, you probably won't want to see me again."

Holy shit. What does that mean? Does she white-slave small children to some God-forsaken part of the planet? Is she part of some underworld crime syndicate? It would explain why she's so rich. Is she deeply religious? Is she demisexual? Surely not, she could prove that to me right now. I flush scarlet thinking about the possibilities. This is getting me nowhere. I'd like to solve the riddle that is Carmilla Karnstein sooner rather than later. If it means that whatever secret she has is so gross that I don't want to know her any more then, quite frankly, it will be a relief. Don't lie to yourself - my subconscious yells at me - it'll have to be pretty bloody bad to have you running for the hills.

"Tonight."

Grabbing a change of clean clothes for the day, I brush my teeth and get dressed as Carmilla is on her blackberry with someone.

"They want to?... How much will this cost?... Okay, and what safety measures do we have in place?... And we can deliver it via Suez?... How safe is Ben Sudan?... And when do they arrive in Darfur?... Okay, let's do it. Keep me abreast of progress, LaFontaine." She hangs up and starts to text someone else.

I'm grateful to find a hair tie in my bag. Carmilla is watching me as I tie my hair into a braid, her expression unreadable. I feel her eyes follow me as I sit down and wait for her to finish texting.

"Ready to go?"

I nod. I wonder what her conversation was about. She slips back on her pinstriped jacket, picks up her car keys, and heads for the door.

"After you, Miss Hollis," she murmurs, opening the door for me. She looks so casually elegant.

I pause, fractionally too long, drinking in the sight of her. And to think after all the tequila and the throwing up, she's still here. What's more, she wants to see me tonight. Why me? I don't understand it. I head out the door recalling her words - There's something about you - Well the feeling is entirely mutual Ms. Karnstein, and I aim to find out what it is.

We walk in silence down the corridor toward the elevator. As we wait, I peek up at her through my lashes, and she looks out of the corner of her eyes down at me. I smile, and her lips twitch.

The elevator arrives, and we step in. We're alone. Suddenly, for some inexplicable reason, possibly our proximity in such an enclosed space, the atmosphere between us changes, charging with an electric, exhilarating anticipation. My breathing alters as my heart races. Her head turns fractionally toward me, her eyes darkest slate. It's like she heard my heart race. I bite my lip and her restraint finally breaks.

"Oh, fuck the paperwork," she growls. She lunges at me, pushing me against the wall of the elevator. Before I know it, she's got both of my hands in one of hers in a vice-like grip above my head, and she's pinning me to the wall using her hips. Holy shit. Her other hand grabs my braid and yanks down, bringing my face up, and her lips are on mine. It's only just not painful. I moan into her mouth, giving her tongue an opening. She takes full advantage, her tongue expertly exploring my mouth. I have never been kissed like this.

My tongue tentatively strokes her and joins her in a slow erotic dance that's all about touch and sensation, all bump and grind. She brings her hand up to grasp my chin and holds me in place. I am helpless, my hands pinned, my face held, and her hips restraining me. I feel her need in her kiss. Oh my... She wants me. Carmilla Karnstein, Roman Goddess, wants me, and I want her, here... now, in the elevator.

"You. Are. So. Sweet," she murmurs, each word a staccato.

The elevator stops, the doors open, and she pushes away from me in the blink of an eye, leaving me hanging. Three freshmen holding boxes look at both of us and smirk as they enter. My heart rate is through the roof, I feel like I've run an uphill race. I want to lean over and grasp my knees... but that's just too obvious.

She looks so cool and calm, like she's been doing the Seattle Times crossword. How unfair. She glances at me out of the corner of her eye, and she gently blows out a shuddering breath. Oh, she's affected all right.

"Oh, Laura Hollis, what am I going to do with you?"

The doors open at the first floor, and she takes my hand and pulls me out.

"What is it about elevators?"

Carmilla opens the passenger door to the Jeep, and I clamber in. It's a beast of a car. She hasn't mentioned the outburst of passion that exploded in the elevator. Should I? Should we talk about it or pretend that it didn't happen? It hardly seems real, my first proper no-holds-barred kiss. As time ticks on, I wonder if it was just in my imagination. It never happened, it never existed. Except that I'm slightly wet and I'm being dropped off at work.

No. I touch my lips, swollen from her kiss. It definitely happened. I am a changed woman. I want her, desperately, and she wanted me.

I glance at her. Carmilla is her usual polite, slightly distant self.

How confusing.

She starts the engine and reverses out of her space in the parking lot. She switches on the MP3 player. The car interior is filled with a slow beat and a woman's voice that... Oh wow... all my senses are in disarray, this is doubly affecting. It sends delicious shivers up my spine. Carmilla pulls out on to SW Park Avenue, and she drives with easy, lazy confidence.

"What are we listening to?"

"Crazy in Love by Beyonce. It's a special remix. Do you like it?"

"Carmilla, it's wonderful."

"It is, isn't it?" she grins, glancing at me. And for a fleeting moment, she seems her age; young, carefree, and heart-stoppingly beautiful. Is this the key to her? Music? I sit and listen as it feels like the singer is slinking through a jazz hall, sprawled over a grand piano, teasing and seducing me.

"Can I hear that again?"

"Sure." Carmilla pushes a button, and the music is caressing me once more. It's a gentle, slow, sweet, and sure assault on my aural senses.

"So you like music?" I ask, hoping for a rare insight into her personal preferences.

"My taste is eclectic, Laura, everything from Emilie Autumn to Bach to Nine Inch Nails. It depends on my mood. You?"

"Me too. Though I don't know who Emilie Autumn is."

She turns and gazes at me briefly before her eyes are back on the road.

"I'll play it for you sometime. She's a calls her stuff victoriandustrial: industrial steampunk meets victorian." Carmilla grins at me. "She can shred on a violin, she's been locked up in asylums, and a complete feminist. There's something... magical to her, Laura."

She presses a button, and a marching drumbeat begins. Hmm... I'll have to listen to the lyrics. The music is interrupted by the sound of a cell phone ringing over the MP3 speakers. Carmilla hits a button on the steering wheel.

"Karnstein," She snaps. She's so brusque.

"Mr. Karnstein, it's Hall here. I have the information you require." A rasping, disembodied voice comes over the speakers.

"Good. Email it to me. Anything to add?"

"No ma'am, looks like a good choice."

She presses the button, then the call ceases and the music is back. No goodbye or thanks. I'm so glad that I never seriously entertained the thought of working for her. I shudder at the very idea. She's just too controlling and cold with her employees. The music cuts off again for the phone.

"Karnstein."

"The NDA has been emailed to you, Mr. Karnstein." A woman's voice.

"Good. That's all, Natalie."

"Good day, ma'am."

Carmilla hangs up by pressing a button on the steering wheel. The music is on very briefly when the phone rings again. Holy hell, is this her life, constant nagging phone calls?

"Karnstein," She snaps, sounding annoyed.

"Hi, Carmilla, d'you get laid?"

"Hello, Will - I'm on speaker phone, and I'm not alone in the car," Carmilla sighs.

"Who's with you?"

Carmilla rolls her eyes. "None of your business, brother."

"I'm Laura. Laura Hollis." I interject, wanting to meet her family. Oh god, I want to meet her family?

"Hi, Laura!"

"Hello, Will."

"Heard a lot about you," Will murmurs huskily. Carmilla frowns.

"I'm dropping Laura off at work now." She hits a button and hangs up on him. I look out and see that we are indeed at work. "Nevermind my brother, he's... boys."

"Pick me up tonight?" I ask hopefully. Carmilla smiles as if she can't help it.

"Sure thing, cupcake."