SORRY for the cliffhanger, I thought you might not be happy with me for that. I know there wasn't much Klaroline but I needed to tell the Kalijah story so far. I thought I'd reward you with an extra quick chapter update and hopefully this will more than make up for it

Keeping Up Appearances

Chapter 21: Sexual Healing

19 January 2015, Vail Colorado 5:02pm

"So you just stripped down and left him hanging like that?" Bonnie asked incredulously.

"It was the least he deserved after being so damn cocky Bon."

"Sounds like it." She laughed. "So how was the kissing?"

"Trust you to focus on that part." She scoffed. "It was uh good."

"It was uh good? That's all you've got for me?"

"Okay it was more than good, it was amazing." She felt shivers ripple through her body from the memories, and not because it was freezing cold in the snow.

"I knew it." She chuckled. "So when are you going to finally stop punishing yourself and get it on missy?"

"I think you're forgetting the part where he was so blasé about our sexual attraction and that women apparently can't get enough of him."

"Oh come on Caroline, he was just teasing you." She laughed. "Anyway what's so wrong with giving in and having sex with him? You obviously want to. "

"It's not as easy as that." She stuttered.

"Ah yes it is, unless…" She stopped and Caroline could tell she was thinking.

"Unless what?"

"Unless you have really fallen for him and are scared of the consequences if you do have sex." Caroline was silent unable to answer knowing Bonnie was right.

She'd had to fight every urge racing through her body not to give in the night before and have sex. It didn't help they had to share a bed and she could feel the heat emanating from his body and hear his slow and steady breathing.

At least when she was hiding in the bathroom she could control herself but lying next to him was excruciating. All she needed to do was reach out and with one touch relieve the mounting pressure and fire racing through her body.

When she eventually fell asleep he continued to haunt her, this time in her dreams. Their moment in the snow replaying itself but this time they went much further as Klaus ripped open her top and sucked at her nipples sending her into a frenzy.

She woke up suddenly looking into the darkness madly trying to understand where she was and what had happened or in this case hadn't. She'd never been so upset that a dream wasn't real, its affects however had been and she could feel her nipples tingling. Damn him for doing this to her.

After another hour of insomnia Caroline went downstairs and sat by the remnants of the fire trying to think about anything but him which didn't work. Another few hours of tossing and turning in their bed later Caroline got up and had a much needed cold shower, something that wasn't preferable given the weather outside.

"When you're quiet I know I'm right." Bonnie deduced breaking her from her trance. "Oh honey."

"I don't know." She spluttered. "I mean I'm attracted to him."

"Yes that's not up for debate Caroline, I'm attracted to Kol too and the sex is fantastic but that's it."

"I can't believe you are still fooling around with him Bonnie." She drawled. "How long has it been now, three weeks?"

"What does that matter?" She baulked.

"It doesn't, but your attention span with men doesn't usually extend that far."

"I know call me lazy, I'm going to blame the cold weather for my lack of motivation in finding a new bed mate."

"Or maybe you just like Kol." She replied simply.

Bonnie refused to get close to anyone, especially men. Caroline knew it had a lot to do with her unstable childhood and understood why she was so reluctant to get close to anyone. Since she'd known her Caroline had never seen Bonnie commit to anyone for longer than a few days.

"Yes I like Kol, the sex is good and he makes me laugh even with those bad jokes….."

"I knew it."

"You didn't let me finish." She argued. "I like Kol but not in that way, he's been a great distraction the past few weeks but that's it."

"Does Kol know that?"

"Yes, he's aware of the arrangement. Believe it or not there are people out there who like no strings sex, just like me, although you are not one of them."

"How did this get back to me?"

"Because you were avoiding my questions in the first place. Come on Caroline, there's nothing wrong with admitting you have feelings for the guy."

"I know there's nothing wrong but I'm just so scared Bon." She murmured.

"Scared of what?"

"That putting sexual attraction aside he doesn't like me that way."

"Why would he go to all this trouble and spend all this time with you then?"

"Ah, because I'm helping him get a promotion Bonnie." She shook her head thinking how messed up that sounded. "How did I get into this situation?"

"Well you see it all started on Christmas Eve and there was this big snow storm." She joked. "You need to ask him Care, it's the only way you'll know for sure."

"Yes because that went so well yesterday when I asked him about the kiss and got that great response."

"So what you're just going to leave it?"

"In a few days I'll be home and then we'll never see each other again."

"You've said that every time you're apart and then somehow you find your way back together for whatever reason. I've never been one to believe in fate but all signs point to the contrary."

"Well I'll believe it when I see it Bon." She muttered. "I should really get going."

"What are your plans this evening?"

"No doubt dinner with the Taylors again." She smiled thinking how much she liked them and how much she'd miss them once this was over.

"Your work is never done." She laughed. "Maybe the best thing you could do is spend some time together just the two of you."

"No I think that is the worst idea right now." She shivered thinking about having him in such close proximity considering everything she wanted to do to him and have him do to her. "A family dinner is just what I need."

She heard a knock at the door and some giggling realising her three favourite kids had arrived.

"I've got to go but I'll see you in a few days Bon." She said before disconnecting.

"Who's there?" She asked playing along with their usual joke.

"Howard."

"Howard who?"

"Howard I know!" James said in fits of laughter as she opened the door and they peeked inside.

"Nice one." She complimented him. "So what's for dinner tonight you guys?"

"Pizza."

"I love pizza." Georgia gave Lucy a look which wasn't lost on Caroline. "Why what's wrong with pizza Georgia?"

"We're going out for pizza but you're not."

"Why can't I come?" She asked surprised by Georgia's comment, usually she couldn't get enough of spending time with her.

"Because we're going out with mummy and daddy tonight for pizza and a movie. You're staying here tonight."

"Well what would I do here all by myself?"

"No silly Klaus will be here too." Lucy giggled. Klaus and her all alone in the chalet by themselves was not going to help what was left of her willpower. This little plan had Klaus written all over it, and she had to make sure that didn't happen because she knew she couldn't resist him.

"Well I think pizza and a movie sounds great." She smiled. "I'm sure you guys wouldn't mind if Klaus and I tag along."

"You can't." Lucy said hurriedly.

"What she means is that mum and dad want to have a family night out with just us." James explained. "I think they miss us because we've been spending so much time with you and Klaus."

Caroline couldn't believe Klaus had put these poor children up to his dirty work. She wanted to argue but given it wasn't their fault she knew she had to play along.

"Okay I understand." She smiled. "We can hang out tomorrow though can't we?"

"Yeah, want to have another snowman competition." Georgia smiled while Lucy nodded enthusiastically next to her.

"You're on, and this time we'll win girls. Now you should really get going, have fun tonight." They raced out the door no doubt to tell Klaus about their success in keeping her grounded at the chalet tonight.

Klaus must have been fairly desperate to do that to try to tempt her into sleeping with him. He must have been out for revenge after she stripped in front of him and denied them a shower together.

She wasn't about to let him wear her down though, especially if he continued to be his usual cocky self, that much she knew. Bonnie was right, she was scared of the consequences if they had sex because she did like him, more than she was willing to admit and that scared the hell out of her.

Caroline walked to the wardrobe combing through her clothes, a plan starting to develop in her mind. If he was going to try and tempt her she was going to do the same thing. Game on.

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"So what's for dinner?" She asked walking down the stairs. She could hear the soothing vocals of Marvin Gaye in the background , the open fire creating a warm glow across the room. He really had gone to some trouble to impress.

Klaus looked up surprised by her entry his mouth agape. Caroline 1, Klaus 0 she thought smiling broadly.

She wasn't sure what to pack and how dressy she needed to be in Vail. Turned out it wasn't that formal and she had a little black dress with a plunging neckline in the wardrobe she knew he'd drool over, and she was right.

He continued to stare as she flicked her hair on purpose, doing everything not to laugh aloud at his reaction. "You can cook right, because if not I'm ordering take out."

"Of course I can cook." He spluttered finally finding his voice.

"Well that's a relief because I'm starving." She said perching herself on the kitchen stool trying not to drool herself. When she said starving she didn't mean just for food. He was dressed casually in jeans and a grey shirt tonight but he looked delicious as usual.

"It may take a little while longer; I haven't started cooking yet." He said and she swore he sounded nervous.

"Well it would be nice to eat this year sometime."

"Keep talking like that and you won't get anything Forbes." He shot back. "You know if you want to eat soon maybe you could help."

"I suppose I could do that." She drawled. "What are we eating anyway?"

"Mexican."

"Yum." She said licking her lips causing him to blush; she really was good at this teasing thing. "So what can I do?"

"Ah you can chop the vegetables I guess." He said passing over a chopping board and knife. "I want them all thinly sliced."

"Of course you do bossy." She joked beginning to chop. "So do you cook for all the girls or am I just lucky?"

"You're lucky." He smiled looking over at her briefly making her insides melt. "So don't expect too much from me."

"Well lucky you've got me to assist with any problems that might arise." She grinned.

"Wow I think someone's become a cocky know-it-all."

"Well it takes one to know one." She teased. "I suppose given how much time we've spent together it's no surprise you've started to rub off on me."

"Well I try." He chuckled. "I know I can be a little…."

"What? Arrogant, smug, frustrating…"

"Modest." He smirked. "What I was trying to say is that sometimes I get a little carried away, but at the end of the day it's not really me."

"Oh really?"

"Well maybe a little but most of it is…."

"An act?" She asked looking at him closely. Caroline had to admit this wasn't what she was expecting from him when she came downstairs. It certainly was refreshing to have some honesty for a change

"I suppose." He murmured his eyes downward. "I was an ass yesterday and I'm sorry about that."

"Yes you were but thanks for apologising, it means a lot Klaus." She said sincerely. "I suppose that little strip tease was a little harsh."

"It was more than a little harsh." He joked. " All jokes aside you have been pretty amazing pretending to be my girlfriend to impress my boss and his family, an apology is the least I could do."

"It's tough being this amazing." She teased throwing a piece of capsicum in his direction and hitting him on the shoulder.

"Last time I checked you're supposed to eat the food, not throw it love." He countered throwing some grated cheese at her.

"This is a Chanel dress." She cried inspecting the damage he'd caused.

"Well maybe you shouldn't start a food fight when you're wearing a designer dress." He laughed as she hurled some chopped tomatoes watching them splatter on his shirt.

"Probably not but it's worth it to see that look on your face." She laughed ducking below the kitchen counter as some pieces of avocado came at her.

"This means war." He said flicking a spoonful of sour cream at her and laughing as it landed on her face oozing down her cheek. "Apparently sour cream is good for your skin."

"Oh really, do you think this is good for hair?" She laughed running around the other side of the counter as he pelted her with onion pieces and grabbing a bowl of salsa and holding it over his head.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh I would." She promised trying not to lose her composure with him in such close proximity, his aftershave was making her dizzy. Without a beat he leaned across and grabbed a handful of the salsa and rubbed it in her hair. She dropped the bowl in shock trying to contain it from dripping down her face.

Klaus pulled her closer watching her in amusement; she could feel her heart thumping from the contact.

"You know if you're going to start a food fight you need to actually be good at them." He teased tenderly wiping the salsa from her hair. The feel of his hand making her inhale sharply.

They held each other's gaze for what seemed like forever and she could feel the final shreds of her willpower slipping away knowing she had to do something very soon to break the tension. Grabbing a bowl of beans from the counter she opened his jeans and threw them down his pants in one go, watching his face contort in pain as they made their way south.

"I think that's what they call checkmate." She laughed as he stood awkwardly trying not to move too much and spread them further.

"If you wanted to get into my pants all you needed to do was ask love." He said wincing in pain.

"It was definitely more fun this way Mikaleson."

"You realise that was your dinner right? I'm not sure what you're going to eat now."

"I think it's worth missing dinner to see the look on your face right now." She laughed conscious of just how close they were.

"I suppose seeing you with sour cream on your face and salsa in your hair has its benefits too." He said wiping the food off her face slowly with his thumb. Their eyes met and Caroline knew she was in trouble, she had tried so hard to resist but right now she couldn't fight anymore, she was too tired.

She leaned in closer grazing her nose against his slowly. He tucked a stray tendril behind her ear without breaking eye contact. Caroline felt his arms circle around her waist and pull her flush against him.

"Kiss me." She murmured the throbbing between her legs refusing to disappear and only getting stronger with each look. He didn't need to be asked twice dipping his head and hungrily attacking her lips. He tasted of tomatoes and lime and she couldn't get enough combing her hands through his blonde hair and pulling him closer.

His loud groan took her back to their kisses in the snow, the memory of it only making her want him more. His tongue explored her mouth causing ripples of desire to reverberate through her body. She was completely on fire and all they were doing was kissing.

He pulled back abruptly making her feel confused, did he not want to kiss her? He looked at her apologetically.

"Sorry I just have wet beans through my pants, not really the best feeling."

"Oh yeah of course." She muttered awkwardly.

"How about I have a quick shower, then you can and maybe we can pick up where we left off from?" He asked regarding her closely.

"Yeah that sounds good." She smiled watching him retreat upstairs, feeling cold as soon as he'd left her side. She saw him walk up the stairs wondering what had just happened. Last night he couldn't wait to shower with her and tonight he was suddenly shy?

Caroline wasn't sure what came over her but she strode after him purposefully, the food in her hair and on her face long forgotten. She walked into the bedroom hearing the water running, all reason flying out the window. Klaus was pantless and about to remove his shirt looking up at her in surprise as she entered.

"What's going on?" He asked curiously. She felt her cheeks flush beginning to think this wasn't the smartest or sexiest thing she'd done in her life.

"Uh." She stuttered making him smile.

"You're really cute when you're embarrassed."

"And you're really annoying when you interrupt me."

"Sorry love, go ahead." He smirked.

"Why don't you want to shower with me?" She stammered.

"Did you forget last night Caroline?" He asked. "If you recall I wanted nothing more than to shower together but you didn't and I'd rather not relive the rejection again if you must know."

"Well let's just say I've changed my mind."

"Why?" He asked curiously.

"Well for starters I'm thinking about the environment. A joint shower is a great way to conserve water."

"So you're telling me that you want to share a shower because you suddenly care about the environment?"

"Yes." She spluttered.

"Well if you're so concerned we better get in quickly given the water's been running for a while now." He said gruffly undressing her with his eyes.

"I thought you'd never ask." She grinned crossing the room and ripping open his shirt making him look at her in shock. "Well you did say quickly."

"No complaints here love." He grinned unzipping her dress and watching it pool around her ankles leaving her in nothing but her matching red lingerie. "And here I thought you couldn't beat last night's attire." He whistled appreciatively.

"I've got lots more where this came from." She murmured huskily. "Now take them off, I'd prefer not to get it wet." His eyes were filled with unadulterated lust and Caroline knew there was no going back now.

Before she could even think about what was happening he'd reached around her back and unhooked her red lacey bra in one move. She felt her breasts spring free from restraint, his eyes ogling them in appreciation.

Their underwear flew off at a rapid pace as they immersed themselves in the hot water, not noticing the steam that had filled the bathroom. Caroline felt the water run over her body as his arms looped around her waist. She shivered as he leaned in assaulting her lips, Caroline let the desire take over delving her tongue deeper into his mouth.

He pulled away eventually beginning his journey downward nipping at her neck and making her moan with pleasure. The moan seemed to trigger something in Klaus because the next thing she knew his hands slid down to grasp her bottom, cupping her and lifting her against the shower wall so she was no longer supporting her own weight.

Caroline could feel his impressive erection straining against her leg as he continued on his journey licking a path from her collar bone to the valley between her breasts making her skin feel like it was on fire. She gasped as he began to tweak one nipple with his finger as his wet mouth descended onto her other one biting and sucking it loudly.

"I had a dream about you doing this to me." She panted heavily thinking back to the previous night.

"I've had dreams about doing everything with you but nothing compares to the real thing." He said picking up the soap and lathering it between his hands before massaging her breasts slowly, using his thumbs to rub her nipples in a circular motion.

"Now that you're clean maybe we should take this to the bedroom, can't waste all this water after all."

"Best idea you've had all night, although not sure I'm completely clean."

"That's good because I like you dirty." He said his breath ragged as he put her back down. Caroline looked at his assets admiringly. Klaus was well endowed and she was excited for what was next.

After drying each other off with their white fluffy towels Klaus splayed her out on the bed, his eyes roaming over her causing shivers of delight to vibrate through her body. She gestured him over with her index finger and he readily complied kissing and caressing his way up the length of her legs and moving dangerously towards her core.

She squirmed in pleasure waiting for him to reach his destination, her head spinning in excitement. He ran his hand across the top of her thighs to her centre diving his fingers inside, finding her so wet already that he groaned against her mouth, nipping at her lips as he continued his exploration. Caroline bucked her hips in response as he stroked every moist inch. She could feel herself about to peak at the exact moment he pulled away. Unable to hide her frustration she looked at him impatiently.

"That's not very nice." She grumbled as he smirked at her playfully.

"Oh I plan on being nothing but nice love." He grinned before plunging deep inside her and catching her off guard. Caroline yelped in surprise as he began to thrust inside her, slowly at first before his momentum began to build with every stroke as she moved with him urgently desperate for release.

Caroline's breath came in sobs as she felt him delve deeper, picking up the pace and sliding into her harder and faster. She was writhing under his touch unable to think about anything she was that light headed knowing the relief was imminent. She was melting, dissolving away as he continued to rock her back and forth his hands running through her hair, the sheer intensity of his stare making her unable to look away.

He was close now, she could hear his breath hissing between his teeth as he gasped in anticipation throwing his head back as she felt him release crying out her name. Caroline felt the pressure that had been building finally begin to ebb away in a delicious haze, the sensations so exquisite she closed her eyes to savour them, her cries of pleasure intermingling with his.

He collapsed on top of her as they panted heavily from the workout. After what seemed like forever Klaus smiled at her sweetly pushing a stray hair out of her eyes before eventually rolling over, lying next to her, still trying to catch his breath.

Caroline knew it was going to be great, she just didn't expect sex with Klaus to be so utterly mind-blowing. She had no idea what was next but right now as she felt sleep overtake her she was happy to be living in the moment.