"Okay, he's really hot," Caroline blurted out while pouring her friend Bonnie some tea outside her bakery one hot Saturday afternoon.
Her friend was on lunch and stopped by whilst Caroline's new upstairs neighbor was currently carrying boxes up and down the side flight of stairs.
"He's got an accent too," Elena their landlord said walking right up to the small outside table the two girls were ogling him from.
"I'm dead," sighed Caroline lifting holding the tea tray almost burning herself in the process, "I'm going inside and try to forget you said that."
Caroline tossed her hair back her head slightly turned as her eyes locked with his by the staircase they would share she smiled kindly enough feeling her cheeks heat.
His friend bumped his chest as he paused looking after her, "Just a second," he said handing his friend the box he had been carrying up.
His eyes followed her muscular legs up to the soft colored skirt and apron bow to her waist and back over her shoulders to her neck before he realized he'd been caught.
"I'm Klaus," he stuttered the second his eyes met hers, "You'll be hearing my stomping feet from time to time," he said growing in confidence the closer he came.
She let out a laugh setting her hand on the counter as she shifted on her feet, slightly biting her lip as she looked up at him.
"I'm Caroline," she introduced herself feeling her stomach flutter, "You'll probably be hearing me as well so I hope we can continue to be amicable."
He chuckled at that even as she cursed herself on the inside, 'Amicable' she asked herself she looked away spotting her friends by the window.
Her eyes narrowed something that amused him as he followed where she had turned to look spotting two women outside, "Friends of yours?" he asked
"Haha," she laughed nervously as his hand met the counter in front of her, "Um would you like a pastry," she asked gesturing to her display case.
"On the house," she added as she trailed her hand over the counter before reaching it and sliding the door open, "Since you're new to the building."
Klaus shrugged following after her on the other side of the counter, "Awfully tempting," he said without a glance at her display, "What do you recommend?"
She blushed deep without even looking in the mirror behind her she knew, "Well there's the blueberry cream cheese Danish and the strawberry twist…"
She began listing the names of the ones that came to her as he surveyed her, "There's also the," she stared feeling a little faint.
"Which one do you prefer," he asked politely interjecting when she paused tucking his head into his neck to peer up at her from half hooded lashes.
"Um I can't seem to remember," she said with a gulp as she bent down to grab the first one she saw in order to distract herself from his piecing blues.
His head appeared on the other side of the glass case as he bent down, "I suppose a baker doesn't get to play favorites," he commented lightly even as his eyes grew heavy.
She snatched the first one she could get her hands on and reached over the case to hand it to him his smile was crooked but unforgettable.
His hand came out reaching for what looked like a cupcake, "Thank you," he said in earnest his hand taking the small pastry his fingers grazing hers.
Her hand darted back so quickly he was surprised he caught it, "Well you're busy so I won't take up anymore of your time," she said with a shrug.
She felt herself cowering and couldn't help herself no matter how badly she wanted to continue talking to him, "Caroline," he said calling for her attention.
She smiled nervously, "In about three hours when my brother leaves I won't be so busy," he began as he leaned over her counter growing closer.
"Would you like to come up and have something to drink then?" he asked as he took a bite of the dessert she had offered him humming with delight.
"I have to close and clean up," she sputtered as she began to wipe down the counter with her apron stilling as his hand touched hers again.
"We can help," Bonnie said walking in with Elena their arms hooked mischievous grins on their faces, "That way you guys can have your night in."
"And I have the keys seeing as I own the building and can help you with the closing," Elena added as they walked around Klaus and then the counter.
Caroline blushed even harder at what her friends where doing, "I'm going to hurt you both," she mumbled under her breath drawing light cackles from each of them.
"Here," Bonnie said leading Caroline around the counter, "Take her now, I think I can handle your brother," she said as Caroline's chest met his.
"We don't even know him," Caroline reasoned as Klaus took a slight step back giving her, her room, she smiled at him in thanks even as she insulted him.
"Background check was good," Elena remarked as she began wiping down the back counter not noticing that Caroline threw her a dirty look as Klaus' brother came in.
"I think I'm going to love you living here Nik," Kol said clapping his hands together as he looked around the room his eyes setting on a particular brunette.
"Easy," Bonnie said already knowing the man would be putty in her hands as he came towards her Elena laughed behind her as Caroline looked up at Klaus.
Klaus for his part couldn't be happier with the way things were going, "I could show you how to make a proper cup of tea," he joked coaxingly.
"Excuse you my tea is amazing," she shot back, "You would weep," she told him as she poked his chest playfully before walking toward the stairs.
"After you then," he said bowing as he tucked his hands behind his back she pursed her lips with a tilt of her head fighting really hard not to smile as he was.
She climbed up three steps before he spoke, "When did you start baking?" he asked as he took the opportunity to follow next to her.
"I guess I kind of fell into it," she told him as they kept their pace feeling him move closer to her as they reached the door to her left.
"Why did you move in to the last apartment over a bakery shop?" she asked him as he opened the door for her letting her slide in.
"Ii just sort of fell into place," he replied with a grin that made her shake her head as he led her into the kitchen, "Now about that tea."