Chapter 4
The week seemed to drag by; I went to school, attended classes, went to cheerleading practice, and met with the Miss Mystic Falls Committee. But the whole time my mind was on the upcoming weekend. I was actually looking forward to my date with Klaus. I wanted to see what he would do. I wanted to talk, and laugh and get to know him. And let's be honest I wanted to be in his arms, and have him kiss me until I cannot see straight.
I had a few text messages from him during the week, asking me how my day was, and what I was working on. I appreciated the thought and the interest in the little things but I really wanted to see him in person. I know it would be too dangerous for us to start hanging out throughout the week. We are supposed to be enemies, and enemies don't have a drink and split onion rings at the Grill.
I woke up Saturday Morning with a smile and hopped out of bed and into the shower very eager to get ready for the day ahead. After my shower I blow dried my hair and curled it with soft ringlet's before pulling it up into a high ponytail for my run. I put on the minimal amount of make-up, just enough to make my eyes pop a little extra. I pulled out a pair of my tight cheer shorts that work well for running, and a tight lulu lemon running top. After getting dressed and putting on my runners, I decided to pack a change of clothes just in case we decided to do something else after the run at the falls. I grabbed a light blue sun dress out of my closet and a pair of white flip flops and through them in my bag. Better safe than sorry. I pulled out my phone to send a few quick text messages to my friends, wishing them luck on the weekend adventure, and finally sent one to Klaus.
- On my way to the falls, see you soon :) - Caroline
I had barely made it to my car when my phone alerted me to a new message.
- I will be waiting. Looking forward to seeing you in that running outfit ;) – Klaus
I smile as I read the message and pullout of the driveway making my way to falls and to Klaus. When I arrive he is leaning up against his SUV with a smirk. He is wearing a pair of running shorts, a sleeveless t-shirt and some sneakers. I can still make out his trademark necklaces around his neck, but other than that this is the most casual I have ever seen him.
"Hello Caroline, you look lovely as ever Love" he greets me with a smile.
"Thank you Klaus, you look... different. I like it" I reply. "So you ready for a nice run, at a human pace. No flashing! We are here to enjoy a nice day and each other's company."
"Whatever you wish Love, you set the pace I will keep up."
With that I start off a good jogging speed. He is right beside me keeping the same pace. After a while we speed up to a full out human run. As we navigate the woods by the falls I find that he is falling behind and running behind me. I can feel him staring at my ass. It makes me smile. He may by over a thousand years old but he is still a man.
After running for over an hour we make our way back to the cars and to the falls. I grab a bottle of water out of my car and down some of it, I offer some to Klaus, who takes the bottle and chugs some back. As he hands the bottle back to me he asks. "So what now Love, are you headed home or can we take advantage of the fact that all your little friends are out of the town for the weekend?"
"Well that depends what did you have in mind?"
"I was thinking that we could drive to Richmond and see a movie, maybe grab some food. A very typical human date experience."
"I think that sounds wonderful. Did you want to go home and change or anything before we go?" I ask not knowing what his plans were.
"Yes, why don't you follow me to my house, the siblings are all out for the day, and we can shower and change and be on our way. "
"Sounds good, I will meet you at your house I reply as I get into my car and drive away. A few minutes later I am pulling up in front of the house and getting out of the car. I see Klaus waiting for me at the front door.
"Would you like a shower Love before we go?"
"I could rinse off, that would be lovely."
"Follow me" he says as he grabs my hand and leads me upstairs in the house. I try to take in the upper level which I have never seen before as we go down the hallways but he is moving a little fast. Before I know it he has pulled me into what I am guessing is his room.
"The shower is through that door. There is a clean towel on the rack take your time." He tells me as he points to the bathroom.
I enter the bathroom and close door, as I strip off my sweaty running clothes I admire the simplicity of the bathroom. It is black and grey and red in color, has a nice size shower, toilet and vanity. I reach in and turn on the water to let it warm up. As I step into the shower I try to keep my face and hair out of the water so I don't ruin all my hard work this morning. I let the water wash away the sweat as I reach for the body wash; I open the cap and breathe in the smell that is so Klaus. I didn't realize how much I love the way he smells. Shaking my head I return the body wash to the shelf and turn off the water. I grab the towel, dry off an get dressed in my dress and flip flops and pull my hair out of the pony tail and let the curls cascade down my shoulders. Feeling like I am ready I open the door and rejoin Klaus.
"It's all yours" I tell him as I walk out.
"Thanks, you look beautiful Caroline." He says cupping his hand against my cheek. "I will not be long feel free to explore." He finishes before leaving to get in the shower.
I take a seat on his bed as I hear the water start. I can visualize him in the shower, naked, the water running over his muscular body. I stand up determined to get out of his room before my thoughts spend much more time there.
I start off down the hallway, opening doors and peering inside. So far I have found a few bedrooms and what looks like a study. There is one room at the end of the hall that I want to look in so I head in that direction. As I push open that door I discover what I assume to be Klaus's studio. There are canvases leaning up against the wall, the smell of oil paint lingers in the air. I start to flip through some of the paintings wanting to see more of Klaus's work. I must have been really interested in them, as I didn't hear him enter the room. He is standing behind me as I look at one of the paintings. It is two horses; I am guessing Echo and Whisper, grazing by a river.
"I painted that after our last date" he says as he leans over my shoulder. "I wanted to capture some of the beauty of that day, and it is difficult to capture yours, try as I might."
"It is beautiful Klaus, you are an amazing artist."
"Thank you Caroline, but I believe that we have somewhere to be. Let go" He says taking my hand and leading me out to his SUV once again.
We pulled up to a movie theater in Richmond and Klaus killed the engine.
"What shall we see today Love?" He asked looking at the movie titles and times.
"How about Guardians of the Galaxy? It is supposed to be funny and has some good action in it." I suggest to him.
"Sure, I thought you would have leaned more towards The Re-write. You know a Rom Com and all that."
"I may be a girl, and former Miss Mystic Falls, But I like a movie with some action and violence." I say a little offended that he had pigeon holed me like that.
"Well then by all means Love, let us go see Guardians of the Galaxy" He says taking my hand and heading to the movie ticket line.
After we got tickets and popcorn and drinks we headed into the theater and found some seats in the middle of the back row. As we got comfortable, Klaus put his arm around me and I pushed the arm rest up in between us so I could snuggle into him and hold the popcorn so he could have some too. We chatted about other movies we liked and didn't like until the move started. I spend the entire movie curled into Klaus. We laugh together and make fun of the really cheesy parts together. I notice part way through the movie that his hand is playing with my hair, and that it feels really good to be this close to him. Before I can let myself over think things I take a deep breath and let myself enjoy being with him.
As the movie credits roll, he goes to stand up, but I pull him back into his seat, he looks at me funny obviously confused.
"You never leave till after the credits in a Marvel movie" I tell him like it is the most obvious thing in the world.
"My bad Love, guess you will need to teach me the ways of the Marvel universe." He says with some attitude.
After the clip at the end of the move finished I gather my purse, Klaus grabs the garbage and my hand and leads me out of the theater to the car. We drive the short distance to a quaint little Italian restaurant and we are seated for dinner.
Throughout dinner we talk about this and that. Lots of small talking getting to know each other better, but never is there awkward silence. We do avoid topics like his hybrid army, and Tyler, but it was an amazing meal and I was having a really good time being with him.
After dinner we went for a walk through a nearby park. We wandered for a while hand in hand before stopping at a bench in the middle of the park. I pulled him down to sit next to me.
"Thank you for everything today Klaus, I have had a great day and really enjoyed spending it with you. I had my doubts that we would be able to make this work but I think you are right. I think that we can get over the past and try this." I tell him before leaning in to kiss him. The moment our lips touch it is like fireworks explode in my head. All I can feel is his hands on my and his mouth and that very talented tongue in my mouth.
We pull back and he looks into my eyes, it feels like he can see into my very soul, and quietly tells me "I have never done anything like this before, I have never gone on a date before. I have had women, but never one that I wanted to know like you, never one that I would do anything to make smile, to hear laugh. There is goodness in you Caroline that brings out the human in me. While I am not ready to give up who I am and everything that I have worked for, I am willing to embrace some of that humanity if means that I can have more days like this with you."
I smile and kiss him with everything I am. "That is all I am asking, just let me in and we will figure out the rest as we go."
We get up and walk back to the car. Neither of us is ready for the date to be over but know that I need to home before mom gets off work and starts asking questions. But I know that there will be more dates like this, more kisses, and more time together to explore what is here.