I officially am the most impatient writer in the world! This was supposed to be for AU Week but...
I might have to write all my AU drabbles next week the night before so I can't post them early!
This idea came from the awesome NikMik for a"klaus as caroline's boss & he secretly likes their banter" prompt. It took on a life of its own. I hope you like it, lovely.
Shook Me All Night Long
Half Moon Resort: Kingston, Jamaica
"The weather bureau has upgraded the storm to category 4. Hurricane Louise is headed towards Jamaica and is due to hit landfall in around five hours' time, stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding situation," the radio reiterated.
"Just great," Caroline murmured, checking the forward schedule on her phone.
"Oh, let me guess you've got another opinion on his latest speech?" She looked up into the gorgeous but scowling face of Klaus Mikaelson.
Most people were scared of him, probably because of his habit of barking at anyone who didn't hold the same view on the world. Caroline had no intention of cowering to him, even if most people in their office did.
"Excuse me?"
"Well, we both know how freely you like to share those thoughts. What was wrong this time?"
"Okay, number one, I don't appreciate your wild assumptions and, number two, I was referring to the fact that this hurricane is really going to mess with the Secretary's schedule."
Caroline was Executive Assistant to the US Trade Secretary and had been working in his employ for a year now. If anyone could organise someone that high profile, it was her. Which is why he insisted she travel with him but unfortunately that meant having to spend time with his arrogant Chief-of-Staff.
"Okay, number one, I think we've got a bigger problem to worry about weather wise and, number two, it's not a wild assumption." He shot back, sarcastically.
He did have a point on the first part but given her control freak tendencies she hated anyone messing with her plans, even if it was Mother Nature. She was also fairly certain that thinking about her job was distracting her from thoughts of the impending storm.
"Fine, if you really want to know I thought it was a little rich for him to lecture the audience on border protection policies when Jamaica is such a valued trade partner." He was quiet for a moment, obviously processing her comment. She couldn't miss the smirk tugging at his mouth. Bastard.
"It was ninety seconds of a thirty minute address and I'd hardly call it a lecture," he replied. "I knew you couldn't help yourself."
"Hey, I was minding my business when you decided to interrupt my peaceful reverie." Maybe peaceful wasn't the right word to describe it given the howling winds coming from outside.
"We need to get going, the storms close and they want us to get to the shelter."
"But where's…"
"The Secretary is already there with the Jamaican Prime Minister." He answered, guessing her question. If there was anything people knew about Caroline it was her extreme loyalty. They made their way from the ballroom and cut through the hotel kitchen like they had arrived with their security detail. Staff were running around hurriedly, obviously in the process of evacuating.
"What was that?" She squeaked, hearing a loud crack of thunder followed by what sounded like a tree crashing down. "I thought the storm hadn't hit yet."
"It hasn't but that doesn't mean the winds aren't strengthening in preparation of its arrival."
It was at that point Caroline realized the enormity of what was happening and stopped still unable to move if she tried. Klaus was rushing ahead but turned around when he noticed she wasn't following. "What are you doing?"
"It's really coming."
"Yes and if we don't get a move on, we'll be directly in its path," he murmured. Caroline was fairly certain he said something but she couldn't make out exactly what it was. She felt his hand on her arm, the warmth spreading through her body as a result. "It will be okay."
"Promise?"
"I promise, love," he murmured, his dark blue eyes gazing into hers. She didn't have time to process whether he was right or why he had suddenly used a very familiar endearment before he pulled her forward. It was at that point the lights began to flicker and they raced through the hotel, knowing if they didn't get to the meeting point soon they'd be lost in complete darkness.
The lifts weren't in service so they made their way down the nearby fire exit, it was at that point Caroline realised she was still hanging for dear life onto him. She decided to blame that on their current situation and temporary insanity. It was at that point they were plunged into complete darkness, somewhere between the fourth and fifth floor. Caroline screamed as she lost her footing just as she felt his strong arms wrap around her preventing a fall. She'd spent a lot of time being close to Klaus because of work but it had never been this intimate before. His aftershave filled her nostrils making her dizzy and it was at that point she forgot where she was.
"Are you okay?" He asked. She was still in his arms and could feel his heartbeat thudding loudly against her chest.
"Um, yeah," she finally managed to get out. "Thanks."
"We'll be fine," he reasured her obviously reading her mind. "We just need to get to the door on the next level. Can you feel your way down the stairs?"
"Yeah," she replied, grabbing onto the ballistrade and making her way downwards. She figured holding onto that was a lot safer than his hand given all the foreign sensations it was causing. Klaus got to the door first and she heard him curse in the darkness. "What's wrong."
"The door is locked," he groaned in frustration.
"How can it be locked, isn't this a fire escape? Last time I checked the purpose of one of these things is to facilitate a quick escape."
"The storm must have caused the automatic locks to malfunction or something."
"You'd think they'd have mechanisms built in to avoid this kind of a situation. Seriously, this poor excuse of a hotel is going to hear all about this when I post my review on Trip Advisor. So, what exactly do we do now?"
"We wait," he sighed and she could hear him taking a seat on the ground. "There's people everywhere, someone will find us."
"Yeah sure."
"What does that mean?"
"Well, excuse me if I'm not entirely confident about that," she scoffed, reluctantly taking a seat next to him against the door.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're really moody during a crisis?"
"Well, I'm sorry if my three biggest fears are playing out right now."
"I'm almost too afraid to ask."
"Darkness, enclosed spaces and thunder," she growled. "Anyway, you can talk about being moody."
"Wow, is this how you talk to all of your bosses?" Her comment probably was out of line but he had the tendency to bring out her bad side especially when she was under duress, like now.
"I can't believe you're playing the boss card right now," she muttered. "Number one, you're not technically my boss because the US taxpayer funds my salary and number two, I think given our present dilemma that's the least of our worries."
"Well, number one, I may not pay your salary but I'm the boss of the staff, including you and, number two, why are you always listing things?" It was a bad habit she'd developed in school from one of her teachers and never really grown out of even after all these years.
"I think it's best we wait in silence," she scowled. "Otherwise I can't be responsible for what I might do to you in the dark."
"Oh really? Do tell."
"As my boss do you really think that's appropriate language?"
"Says the girl who has just threatened bodily harm against me," he drawled. "Anyway, my intentions were completely innocent so it isn't my fault if you have a dirty mind."
"What was I saying about silence?" She was almost disappointed when he actually respected her wishes and remained quiet from that point. Caroline realised it was probably the worst thing she could have demanded given she spent fifty per cent of the time worrying about their predicament and the other half trying to block out the enticing smell of his aftershave and the effects it was having on certain parts of her body.
Caroline would be lying if she said she'd never thought of Klaus in that way. It was difficult not to given just how gorgeous and intelligent he was, two of the main traits she looked for in a guy. One thing she didn't like were arrogant smart asses, her only saving grace. She also didn't like mixing business with pleasure and had so far resisted the raw lust he caused to course through her body when he was nearby, like now.
"Am I really that bad?" He asked, after about fifteen minutes. Obviously her comments had had more effect than she thought.
"You definitely have your moments," she admitted.
"I know you all call me Mussolini behind my back."
"If I deny that nickname would you believe me?" She asked, feeling a little bad that he knew about the secret name they'd given him.
"Not a chance," he murmured. "I probably need to work on my people skills, huh?"
"Well given your job is to manage people, it might be a good idea," she offered, surprised by just how honest he was being with her. Maybe she wasn't the only one shaken by the storm. "Maybe you should get to know everyone better, funnily enough people like it when you show a genuine interest in their lives."
"Like the fact that you have a pet cat called Snickers." Her breath hitched in her throat, how the hell did he know that?
"You know I have a cat?"
"He's named after your favourite chocolate bar," he explained. "Don't think I haven't noticed all the frozen ones in the work freezer. Apparently that's the way you like to eat them." She was deathly silent, trying to process the fact that her Chief-of-Staff who had never shown any interest in her knew such personal details about her. "Your prolonged silence is telling me that you think I'm a creepy stalker."
"Well, a little," she joked. "I'm just surprised, that's all. My curiosity is piqued, what else do you know about me?"
"I'll never forget the first time I met you."
"Well, that's an easy one given it was at the interview."
"I remember you were wearing a black and white dress with red shoes but what stuck with me the most was how you answered my curveball question."
"You asked me if I could associate my work style with any well-known brand, what would it be and why?" Caroline recalled, thinking just how unexpected and genuis she thought it was at the time. Having to come up with an answer on the spot was one of the hardest things she'd ever had to do.
"And you said IKEA because you're practical and have a range of creative organisation solutions," he chuckled. "I've asked that question so many times during my career but I've never had a response that innovative before."
"It was pretty good if I say so myself," she boasted.
"I also remember that time I asked you to book me a flight when my assistant was sick and you said it wasn't your job to organise my affairs and you proceeded to give me the airline's phone number instead."
"I have a tendency to say what I think," she offered sheepishly, by way of explanation. "In my defence it wasn't even a polite request it was more like an order."
"How about that time you made those amendments to the Secretary's speech without my knowledge?"
"I just added a bit of polish," she said, attempting to play it down. "It was for the White House Correspondent's Dinner, it was supposed to be funny but the jokes were so corny and if I recall correctly the Secretary and the audience loved my amendments."
"I've got a lot more memories to share you realise."
"I can't believe you remember all of this."
"I remember everything, Caroline," he said, his voice barely louder than a whisper. She felt her stomach flutter at his reply and the emotion it seemed to carry, the nerves well and truly taking over.
"Why?" She asked, desperate to know if it was the reason she was hoping for.
"I think your idea of silence is probably best right now, Caroline." Just hearing him say her name so softly was causing feelings she never knew existed to wash over her all at once. She was probably going to regret this tomorrow but who knew if they'd ever get out of there alive? Well, that was her excuse anyway.
"You called me love before," she began. "Why did you do that?"
"It must have been a slip," he explained, feebly.
"I don't think you just do things like that if there isn't some sort of feeling behind it, Klaus." He was silent for the longest time, the suspense killing her with every second he didn't respond.
"This isn't appropriate," he bit out. "I should have never said..." She placed her hand over his, silencing him immediately.
"You're right, this isn't appropriate," she murmured. "But once it's out there it's kind of difficult to take back."
"Caroline."
"Shhhh," she said, placing her spare hand over his lips, which even in the dark she knew were the colour of deep crimson. "I think we've done enough talking, don't you?" He grasped the hand she'd placed over his mouth pulling it downwards and placing a sweet kiss on top. It was a sweet gesture she wasn't expecting and the fact it was dark made their subsequent moves even more exciting.
Caroline felt his hand reach up to cup her face, the feeling of his thumb grazing her cheek enough to cause heat to spread through every pore. She could feel his hot breath on her face as she leaned in to reach him, her need for him at that moment so immense. She wasn't sure if it was the storm or her feelings that were driving her right now but she didn't care.
His lips found hers, rubbing against hers hesitantly and she could sense his nerves with every stroke. She began to lose herself in the kiss before he pulled away unexpectedly. She immediately felt cold from the loss of contact.
"Obviously your bark is worse than your bite." She teased referring to his management style at work.
"You really need to stop talking back missy," he warned, nuzzling his nose against hers. "I am the boss after all."
"Well, maybe you need to start acting like it." Her provocation had the desired effect and she yelped in suprise as he pulled her onto his lap so that she was straddling him.
"Don't ever question my management skills," he murmured, crashing his lips against hers and beginning his assault on her mouth. He ran his tongue along her lips and dipped it inside her mouth to continue his exploration. She groaned against his lips, overwhelmed by the feelings his kisses were doing to her. If she knew how good it was she would have done this a long time ago.
One minute they were practically devouring each other, the next the lights came back on, startling them both. It was one thing to kiss him in the dark but being faced with her boss in such a compromising position was a little awkward. They looked at each other, panting heavily, holding a silent conversation with their eyes. Was this just a symptom of the situation or was this something much more?
Caroline felt the door begin to open and she jumped up in fright, straightening her skirt as she did it. A hotel staff member was on the other side, smiling curiously in their direction.
"Here you are! We've been looking everywhere, the Secretary was worried about you," he explained, his relief obvious. "I'll take you to the shelter." They followed dutifully behind, Caroline was unable to focus on anything but him. She felt him grab her hand and pull her around the corner out of view and against the wall, his hands strategically placed on either side of her head.
"What are you doing," she hissed.
"When this storm is over, I am going to take you out. Then I'm going to take you out again and then I'm going to meet Snickers and obtain his approval and then I am going to take you to my bed and finish what we started here, love."
"You like me," she teased, unable to help herself.
"I like you," Klaus reiterated, flashing those dimples in her direction and causing her legs to almost buckle underneath her.
"Well, lucky I like you too, even when you're giving me a hard time, boss."