Chapter 2
We exited the car and Klaus took my hand leading me towards a barn at the end of the road. He pulled open the door and there stood 2 of the most beautiful horses I had ever seen. I walked toward the tall brown quarter horse and ran my hand up her neck and into her mane. Her head moved towards mine obviously enjoying my attention. As I continued to admire her beauty, I did not hear Klaus come up behind me.
"Her name is Echo" he whispers in my ear as I feel his hands go around my waist. Before I know it he has hoisted me up and into the saddle. I turn to see him effortlessly mounting his own Black Stallion and smiling at me.
"Care for a ride Love" he says as his heels dig into the sides of his horse and starts to move out of the barn towards the pasture. I start to follow him, loving the way that Echo moved underneath me. It has been too long since I was on a horse, I forgot how relaxing it can be to let go and embrace the power of the creature below. I quickly caught up with him to ride side by side, deciding to make the best of the situation.
"Are you enjoying yourself Caroline" he asked me as I approached him.
"Yes, thank you for think Klaus it has been so long since I was on a horse."
"You are a natural. You would have done well back in my time, when we took horseback everywhere."
"Thank you, but I am not sure how well I would have done with no running water and cell phones" I reply back with a laugh.
We continued riding for some time, making small talk, enjoying the scenery until we came over an embankment and I saw a picnic set up by the side of the river. I look over at Klaus with an intrigued look wanting to know what this was about.
"Come let us take a break" was all he said as he hopped off his horse and tied it off by the water. I followed suit, gracefully dismounting Echo and leading her to the river for a drink. I tied her off net to the other horse, took a deep breath and walked over to the blanket where Klaus was waiting.
As I sat down on the blanket, Klaus handed me a bag of blood and smiled. He really is a handsome man when he smiles. His eyes light up and he looks young and almost human. I take the bag of blood from him and start to drink.
"I have to ask, how did you make all of this happen?" I ask shyly while we lounge on the blanket listening to the river.
"I may have been the one behind the tip to Damon. I knew they would send you to keep an eye on me, and I knew that I wanted a chance to be alone with you. This is the farm I board my horses at, you are on Echo and I am on Whisper. When I figured out when you would be coming I had the owner set this up for us. I know that you are not a fancy dining and diamonds girl, but I wanted a chance to show you that I can be the man behind the monster with you." As he was telling me this he alternated between looking me in the eyes and looking down almost bashfully.
"Thank You Klaus, this has been amazing. But what is it that you want from me?" I ask, scarred of the answer.
"I want you to give me a chance. You deserve to see all that world has to offer, you are so much more than a small town girl. You are full of light and goodness that makes me want to try to be a better person. It won't happen overnight but I am asking you for a chance to get to know you better and share with you the wonders and beauty of the world. "
I don't know what to say, I want to say yes and say screw you to all of my friends and everyone who says that this is a bad idea, but I don't want to be hurt again. I muster up all the courage I can find to answer him.
"Klaus, I really like the Klaus I get to see, not the one who hides behind his hybrids and the fear of impending death. I want to get to know that Klaus better, but I can't do that in Mystic Falls. We will never be alone, never given the chance to explore what this could be with your siblings, and my mom, and my friends around."
"Then we will be a secret. We will find ways to be alone and get out of town. I refuse to let you slip away Caroline. Please we will make this work. Trust me." I can hear the pleading in his voice. I have never seen him so vulnerable. Maybe we can make this work. Maybe.
Before I know what I am doing, I have leaned over the blanket and pressed my lips to his. Before he can respond I pull back.
"Yes." Is all I can say before his lips are back on mine kissing me like I have never been kissed before. I can feel his tongue slide along my lips asking for entrance, I open my mouth and he is there. I can feel him mapping my entire mouth with his tongue, fighting with mine for dominance.
I reach my hand up to play with the soft curls at the base of his neck, moaning into the kiss, loving the way it feels to be kissed by the most powerful creature on the planet. He pulls me onto his lap, never breaking the kiss. I can feel how hard he is through his jeans under me. As much as I want this to keep going I pull back and place our foreheads together breathing deeply.
"We should stop; if this is going to work we need to go slow. We should head back to town soon." I finally say pulling myself off of his lap.
We gather up the picnic blanket and untie the horses. We ride back to the barn talking all the way. After we un-tacked the horses, I give Echo a carrot and turn to follow Klaus out of the barn.
He is waiting for me at the car with the passenger door open. I slide into my seat and wait for him to join me. He enters the car and pulls out of the driveway back onto the highway. I reach over and take his hand in mine, it might be a little thing but it is a start.
He pulls off onto the side of the road just outside the town limits. I look at him puzzled and he leans over and kisses me. It was softer than the kiss by the river but it makes me melt. I kiss him back not wanting this moment to end.
"Thank you for giving me a chance. I promise I will find a way to make this work Caroline." He says looking into my eyes and kissing me one more time before continuing the drive to his house.
He pulled into the garage and we could both hear his siblings in the house. It was enough to break the spell we had been under all afternoon. I exit the car, smiling over my shoulder as I left him to go home to my mom.