Thanks for the love guys. I really appreciate your reviews too, especially from my wonderful regulars, you know who you are. Here's a quick update for your lovely comments about last chapter.
Apologies to those who saw this before it disappeared yesterday. I had this posted but fan fiction is having a few glitches :( and I wanted to wait until it was rectified before posting again. Although I got impatient so decided to post anyway, pretty please send me a review so I know you've read it!
Keeping Up Appearances
Chapter 29: Roses are Red
February 12 2015, New York City, New York 5:38pm
"Why do I have to go to this stupid thing again?" Katherine whined rifling through the racks of dresses.
"Because it will be fun." Caroline explained holding a blue gown against her in front of the mirror and examining it carefully. The girls were indulging in a little retail therapy at Stella McCartney, although it didn't seem to be working for her grumpy friend.
"Poking my eye out would be a lot more fun than this excuse for an event."
"It's called a Valentine's Day Gala." Caroline replied rolling her eyes.
"Remind me what the fun part is again?"
"You have to go Katherine." She insisted.
"But why?" She whinged before adding. "Don't you dare think about using the word fun in your next sentence either."
"Well because it's one of the biggest events in the calendar; the who's who of New York Society will be there Kitty Kat."
"And?"
"The theme is an Evening in Paris; can you imagine how amazing the food will be?"
"Trust you to think about the food Forbes."
"It's at the Plaza Hotel in the Grand Ballroom."
"And?"
"It's for charity." She stood there looking at Caroline obviously still unmoved. "Oh come on it's for the kids."
"So now you've moved onto guilt." Katherine surmised.
"And because your best friend in the whole world is asking you to go."
"And the guilt trip continues..."
"It will be fun." She groaned her patience with Katherine wearing very thin.
"What did I say about the f word Care?"
"You said I couldn't use it in my next sentence, there's been at least five since then." She teased.
"I don't know why I need to go given you and Klaus will be making goo goo eyes at each other all night." Katherine pouted.
"We do not make goo goo eyes at each other."
"Ah yeah you do." She confirmed. "Just ask Matt, Stefan or Bonnie if you don't believe me." Caroline opened her mouth to object but closed it again thinking better of it.
She had to admit since she and Klaus reconnected last week they'd been pretty much inseparable and she'd be lying if there hadn't been a little mush, not to mention a healthy dose of spectacular sexual chemistry. Caroline smiled thinking back to that morning and their rather heated pillow fight that ended in an intense sex session.
"Do you think maybe I could have one of my four pillows?" Klaus asked attempting to prise them out from underneath her warm, naked body.
"Oh you can talk Mr blanket stealer." She scoffed wriggling around as his fingers dived under the covers and found her bare skin.
"I think you're imagining it love. I'm always the perfect gentleman." He grinned starting to tickle her stomach only making her wriggle more.
"Stop it." She cried trying to get out from under his touch.
"But it's so much fun." He laughed continuing his assault. Caroline continued to squirm finally freeing one hand which she used to hurl a pillow at him. He finally relinquished her and shook his head not expecting the surprise attack.
"Ouch." He groaned rubbing his head.
"That didn't hurt you big baby." She chuckled. "Anyway I was just giving you what you wanted."
"I don't recall asking for you to hit me with a pillow."
"Well that's what you get for tickling me."
"Oh really?" He replied his crimson lips curving into a wicked smile. When he did that Caroline knew she was in trouble.
Before she could react his pillow found its way to her face. Caroline grabbed the nearest pillow and retaliated hitting him on the head. They continued like that landing blow for blow all the while laughing uncontrollably. When they'd finally tired themselves out, mainly from all the laughing, they laid on the bed panting happily.
"All that wasted exercise and we could have been doing something much more fun." Klaus said after a while.
"Whatever do you mean?' She grinned knowingly turning to face him and using her elbow to prop up her head.
"How about I show you?" He murmured huskily pulling her towards him like a hungry lion and devouring her lips. Caroline moaned against his mouth running her fingers through his blonde curls.
Since their long-awaited reunion in the bedroom a week ago Klaus and Caroline had been at it like rabbits as Katherine liked to put it. Caroline realised that their night in Vail was only a taster for what was to come.
Klaus was like a wild animal in the bedroom and his appetite was insatiable, not that Caroline was complaining. She couldn't get enough of him and this morning, after four times the night before, was no exception.
Klaus manoeuvred himself effortlessly so he was straddling her. She could feel his impressive erection straining against her thighs as he continued to assault her mouth his tongue delving deep into her mouth.
He pulled back lowering his head nipping at her neck and running his tongue along her collar bone. Klaus continued his journey southward attaching his mouth to one nipple while using his finger to penetrate her wet centre. She cried out pulling him closer and running her hands along his back digging her fingernails in as the sensations pulsated through her body.
She bucked her hips as he explored her warmth continuing to suckle on her nipple. Caroline's skin felt like it was on fire as she climbed steadily towards orgasm. Sensing her urgency Klaus slid inside her easily and began to thrust back and forth gaining speed and momentum with each stroke.
Caroline's vision blurred as she climaxed instantly feeling the pressure inside her slowly beginning to ebb away in a delicious haze, Klaus followed her crying out then collapsing on top of her chest before rolling over next to her, his breath ragged.
She closed her eyes letting the desire ripple over her thinking it didn't get any better than this. "I'm thinking of changing my workout routine to nothing but sex."
"Now that is a good idea." Klaus smiled pulling her closer so her head was resting on his chest. "Although we might need to increase the rate."
"Five times wasn't enough?" She baulked.
"There's always room for improvement." He teased placing a kiss on her forehead. "In fact we can start on Saturday night."
"Saturday night?"
"Yes I believe it's what they call Valentine's Day."
"I know that." She replied shaking her head. "Aren't you forgetting the gala?"
"How could I forget with Rebekah and Lexi yammering on about it?" He complained. "I would much prefer to spend it with you."
"Well I'll be there."
"Yes you and the rest of New York City." He joked. "Although you'll be pleased to know I'm planning our very own after-party."
"Oh do tell." She murmured nuzzling into his neck.
"Well it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you that."
"Way to tease a girl Mikaelson." She groaned secretly happy he'd planned something special for them. "As long as it's just the two of us that's all that matters."
"I can guarantee that." He promised. "It will be nice not to have Stefan's play-by-play remarks on our relationship for once."
"Katherine and Matt too." She groaned thinking how privacy was underrated.
"I thought he was going back to Virginia to formally resign from the Army?"
"He's going back on Monday, he's still got a few days of leave and I think he's enjoying the city, not to mention bonding with his new business partners." She said still not quite sure what happened. One minute he was an Officer in the Army and the next a possible bar co-owner, with her boyfriend of all people.
"Why do you sound so cynical when you say that?"
"You three come up with a grand plan, when you were drunk no less, and you expect me not to be cynical?"
"Some of the best ideas came from drunkenness."
"Oh really, which ones?"
"I don't have a specific example right now.."
"What a surprise." She drawled. "Look this is a big step for Matt; I guess I just want to know you're serious about this."
"I'm very serious."
"I hope so because this plan is all he has at the moment."
"You are a very good cousin to him Caroline." He said running his hands through her golden waves. "I know this came out of left field."
"You're right about that, I mean you barely know Matt and Stefan and you're just going to go into business together?"
"Well I haven't known you long either Caroline but yet here you are in my bed." She slapped him on the chest playfully.
"Are you saying I'm easy Mikaelson?"
"Hey no complaints here love." He joked before getting back to the point. "This bar is going to change the face of the hospitality industry; I only wish I came up with the idea so Stefan would stop bragging."
"Stefan in know-it-all mode is not fun."
"Try living with that." He joked. "Although I don't think I'll have to put up with his wise cracks too much longer."
"Why? Did he find a place?"
"Not yet but he and Matt are going to search for one together."
"Why am I the last to know this?" She asked sitting up. "This weird bromance between you three is kind of creeping me out."
"It's not that bad."
"It is when your cousin tells you what kind of music your boyfriend likes and your best friend tells you what kind of food he likes." She argued waving her hands in the air. "And to top it all off I had to hear from you that Stefan might have a crush on your sister."
"I'm sorry we'll try and tone down our bonding sessions." He chuckled.
"It's not that I guess I just feel like we didn't really get to do the whole getting to know you thing."
"What do you call our road trip?"
"From memory you asked my bra size and favourite place to be kissed."
"Two things you never answered but I can cross them off the list now." He smiled devilishly glancing at her naked breasts.
"Charming." She rolled her eyes.
"Okay so how about a do-over?"
"I am not getting stuck in a car with you for that long ever again, even if you did eventually grow on me."
"Charming Caroline." He grinned repeating her earlier comment. "No I mean how about a proper get-to-know-you first date, although it was genius my picnic ambush doesn't really count."
"That's not the worst idea you've ever had but how about the gala?"
"Yes you, me and our 600 friends including my nosy sister and personal assistant."
"I get your point." She said thinking how much she'd heard about Rebekah and they'd never met. "You've got yourself a date mister." She smiled nestling further into his arms thinking just how happy she was at the moment.
"You're doing it again." Katherine groaned interrupting her reverie.
"What?" She answered guiltily a hot blush spreading across her cheeks.
"That weird smile you get when you're daydreaming about your boyfriend."
"I do not."
"Ah yeah you do and again feel free to ask everyone else who has seen it." She drawled. "The last thing I need is to go to a Valentine's dance where everyone is walking around all sickly sweet like you."
"Hear hear." Bonnie agreed walking up behind them. "Does that mean we don't have to go anymore?"
"Well considering you're the photographer I don't think you can get out if it Bon."
"I only said yes because Jen Taylor asked me personally." She explained. "If I'd known the whole Mikaelson clan was involved I wouldn't have agreed to it."
Jen Taylor was on the board of the New York Philanthropic Society and had invited them to the Valentine's Gala which was supporting childhood cancer. It just so happened that Rebekah's company was organising the event.
"Rebekah is planning the event and Klaus is my date so it's hardly the whole Mikaelson clan." Caroline sighed knowing where this was going. "Oh and Kol..."
"Yes Kol will be there too." Bonnie sighed thinking about a possible weird encounter with her ex-lover. She'd be lying if she didn't miss him. After they ended things Bonnie had thrown herself into work not at all interested in finding a replacement.
"Great all we need is Elijah and it would be really awkward." Katherine said sending Bonnie a sympathetic glance.
"According to Klaus he would never be caught dead at something like that." Caroline repeated what Klaus had told her about his older brother.
"For once I agree with him." Katherine murmured.
Ever since their case had ended abruptly she'd been unable to stop thinking about him. Their kisses had rocked her to her core something she'd never experienced and it didn't seem fair that it had come to a crashing halt without at least an explanation. If there was something Katherine hated it was loose ends.
"Anyway at least you have a purpose for being there without a date Bonnie." She said determined to change the subject.
"Hey I offered you both two very eligible bachelors as partners."
"I think the jury is still out on whether Stefan is considered eligible Caroline." Katherine laughed. At least she finally had a smile on her face.
"We can draw straws?" Bonnie offered.
"On second thought maybe Stefan will have to do." Katherine settled. "Matt is still in my bad books for telling everyone I was upset about Elijah doing the whole kiss and run thing."
"He was incredibly drunk and the others were too so they probably don't even remember." Caroline suggested feebly.
"If it's not true then why do you care?" Bonnie asked curiously.
"I don't care." She spluttered.
"Maybe if he was going you'd have no choice but to talk with him."
"Well he isn't luckily and that chapter is well and truly closed, I mean I won didn't I?" She said purposefully as they both looked at her with dubious expressions.
"So you're both coming?" Caroline squealed excitedly putting her arms around them. "It's time to buy something hot to wear ladies."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Forty-eight hours later Katherine, Bonnie and Caroline were milling around the apartment putting the finishing touches on their outfits. The boys had been offering far too many opinions on eye shadow and accessories and had been banished to the living room until they were ready.
Caroline finished applying her mascara and stepped back to check out her appearance. She'd almost given up hope of finding something until she spied this beauty in the Chanel window. It had been featured in a previous edition of Vogue and although it was worth a month's salary she figured the look on her boyfriend's face would more than make up for it.
She still didn't know what they were doing after the gala but she wanted to look a million dollars doing it.
Her black lace dress fell to the floor and was the epitome of French chic with its form fitting shape. Her hair was swept back off her face in a low bun and she'd accessorised with red peep toe heels and matching clutch and lipstick. The only jewellery she wore was a single strand of pearls that used to belong to her nanna.
"You've outdone yourself tonight Care." Bonnie smiled squeezing her friend's hand.
"I think we've all done pretty well." She agreed as they inspected themselves in the mirror. Bonnie was in a red strapless gown that brought out the rich tones of her skin, accessorised with an elegant faux fur stole wrapped around her shoulders.
Katherine was a contrast in pure white, her long one shouldered gown was simple but stunning and her hair was ironed straight so that it hung at her sides, her diamond art deco style earrings glittered in the light.
"Oh I almost forgot we need to draw straws for dates." Bonnie remembered.
"Do you even have a straw?" Caroline asked.
"No maybe we should play rock paper scissors or toss a coin?" Katherine suggested.
"Or speaking from a fashion perspective maybe we could just see who matches better with whom?" The girls nodded and made their way into the living room, the boys were looking very handsome in their matching tuxedos.
"You don't scrub up too bad Kitty Kat." Stefan wolf whistled.
"Right that's it you can have him, I don't care what he's wearing." She groaned to both girls walking to Matt's side and looking at him seriously. "And no drunken comments got it?"
Caroline looked over noticing Klaus was in a complete trance, looking at her like he'd never seen a girl in a dress before. She walked over and he continued to stare obviously unable to form words. He looked more handsome than ever in his black suit and bow tie, if that was possible.
"Hi." She smiled lowering her eyes shyly. He looked like he might devour her then and there and she probably would have let him if the others weren't in the room and that he'd smudge her meticulously applied lipstick.
"This is the part where you say hello back." Matt commented coaching him through it.
"You might even want to throw a compliment in there if the mood takes you." Stefan suggested.
"Just don't say she scrubs up okay." Katherine added poking her tongue out at Stefan. He shook his head almost like he was dislodging the haze before sending her one of his trademark smirks.
"You look absolutely beautiful Caroline." He uttered sincerely his eyes never leaving hers. "How did I get so damn lucky again?"
"You won't be saying that after you've know her for a while." Stefan piped up cheekily.
"Yeah the stories I could tell you man." Matt teased.
"Well now that you've both ruined that beautiful moment we should get going, the photos won't take themselves." Bonnie reprimanded them before walking towards the door.
"Is it too late to ditch them and have some fun on our own?"
"After what I spent on this dress I want more than five people to see me in it." She laughed linking her arm through his as they made their way towards the lift.
"As much as I love the dress I'd prefer to see you out of it." He replied wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"Well the night's still young."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Grand Ballroom was a stately venue in one of the most iconic hotels in the world. It had been restored to its former glory and the themed décor didn't disappoint either.
An illuminated miniature version of the Eiffel Tower was in the centre of the room and the surrounding walls were covered in a hand painted mural of Paris as if you were looking at a 360 degree view from the top. Tables were scattered around with candles emitting a warm glow and waiters in black and white were offering delicious looking canapés to the beautifully dressed crowd.
Caroline had to admit Rebekah, Jen and the rest of the organising committee had done an outstanding job. Bonnie was working and Katherine, Matt and Stefan had gone in search of their table.
"There's still time to escape, no one will even notice if we make a run for it." Klaus murmured his breath tickling her ear.
"After all the work I've done?" An English accent asked making Caroline look up with interest. Rebekah Mikaelson was stunning, her emerald coloured gown was shimmering in the light from the hanging chandeliers and her hair was cascading down her back in perfect curls.
"Always about you isn't it sister?"
"You know it." She grinned knowingly. "Is this the famous Caroline Forbes I've heard all about?"
"It was all good I promise." Klaus clarified quickly.
"That would be me." She smiled. "Nice to finally meet you Rebekah."
"I see you've heard about me too, I don't think Niklaus would have been quite so kind about his sister." She drawled sarcastically.
"You've done an amazing job with this place." Caroline complimented looking around the room.
"Yes I know." She replied confidently. "Thanks."
"Modesty isn't one of my little sister's strong suits." Klaus shot back unable to help himself.
"Just like decorum is a foreign concept for my brother." Rebekah said without missing a beat. "I hope you don't have an annoying sibling like this one."
"Ah no I'm an only child but Stefan is like the annoying older brother I never had." Caroline laughed noting Rebekah's face colour slightly. She had completely forgotten that something was possibly going on there.
"Is he uh here tonight?"
"He is actually." Caroline said pointing across the other side of the room. "Over there if you want to speak to him."
"Oh no there's only so much annoying I can take." She said attempting to joke.
"Where's our little brother?" Klaus asked changing the subject even if he did enjoy watching his sister squirm.
"Late as usual." She muttered. "He had the nerve to blame it on his date and we both know that's a lie. Kol takes longer in the bathroom than you and I combined." Caroline's ears perked up at the mention of his date.
"I didn't realise Kol had a girlfriend." Caroline said trying to sound casual. Even though Bonnie said she didn't like Kol she knew it wasn't true and her friend would hate seeing him with someone else.
"The words Kol and girlfriend don't go in the same sentence." She giggled. "It will be lucky if Davina Claire makes it past one night."
"The fashion model?" Klaus asked his impressed tone not lost on Caroline.
"I didn't realise you were such a big fashion fan Niklaus?" Rebekah asked curiously.
"Well you know it's research..."
"Research for what?" Caroline prodded hands on hips as she and Rebekah watched him with interest.
"Well you're a fashion writer I'm just trying to understand what you do."
"Pathetic." Rebekah tutted.
"Yeah I'm with your sister." Klaus looked between the two realising he had no chance of getting out of this unscathed.
"Well I'm here sister." Elijah groaned approaching the group and tugging at his bow tie. "Exactly how long do I have to stay?" First Kol with a date and now Elijah showing up, Katherine wasn't going to be happy with this turn of events.
"After dessert."
"Not a chance." He argued the lawyer coming out in him. "I'll stay until after entrée but only if there's steak."
"Well you'll be happy to know it's on the menu Elijah, medium rare just as you like it."
"Damn I was hoping you'd say it was chicken and then I could have left after appetizers."
"Good evening to you too brother." Klaus interrupted.
"Niklaus, Caroline." He said formerly nodding in their direction. "You look lovely Caroline."
"Why thank you." She stuttered surprised by his impromptu compliment.
"Wow I've been standing here this whole time and not one compliment from either of my brothers." Rebekah baulked.
"They're men what would you expect?" Bonnie joked joining them her camera in hand. The two girls had met earlier in the week ahead of the gala.
"Oh Bonnie good timing can you get a photo with all the Mikaelsons." She said pulling them over and ignoring their reluctant expressions.
"Wait you're missing one." A cheeky voice called out. Bonnie looked up slowly trying not to lose her composure, Kol Mikaelson had that effect on her. He looked even more handsome than usual in his dark suit.
"Better late than never." Rebekah mumbled.
"It's all his fault, I was ready to go." Davina offered tossing her glossy chestnut hair over her shoulder like she was acting in a hair commercial. Caroline couldn't miss the devastation on her friend's face but it left as quickly as it appeared.
"Okay let's do this." She murmured busily adjusting her camera and taking a few shots.
"So this is where the party is?" Katherine asked joining the group with Matt, Stefan and Lexi at her sides. It was only then she noticed Elijah standing to the side uncomfortably, the silence was palpable.
"You know it's not too late to make that escape." Klaus whispered in her ear.