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Bonnie closed her eyes as the man pulled her close for a kiss. As his lips met hers she waited for that electric charge. This was more like static electricity than being struck by lightning. As the kiss began to go long and Bonnie wasn't being swept away she started thinking about what she needed to get while she was out this afternoon. When she felt a hand inching up under her blouse she put her hands firmly against his chest and pushed.

"No," she grunted under the second assault from Eric's lips. She'd met him at Café du Monde and had a pleasant conversation over coffee. When he'd suggested they go for a walk Bonnie had eagerly agreed. He had grown less charming as time had worn on. Right about now she was wishing that he was a vampire so she could give him one hell of an aneurysm.

"I believe the lady said no," an all-too-familiar voice said and suddenly Eric was no longer suffocating her.

"Man mind your own business," Eric scowled looking like he was itching for a fight.

"I assure you mate she is my business," Kol said. Before Bonnie realized what he was thinking he had wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her against him. When his lips met hers Bonnie went up in flames! The electric charge started at her lips and ignited her whole body pooling deep within her. She resisted only a moment but then she gasped and his tongue slipped inside her mouth and she began seeing stars. Her knees were weak, her vision was gone and her arms wrapped around his neck in hope of keeping herself upright. Oh who was she kidding? She just wanted this kiss – this feeling – to never stop!

As if he knew exactly what she was thinking Kol's arm around her waist tightened minutely to support her and he withdrew for a split second to let her breathe before he was kissing her again. Finally he eased back but he held Bonnie until he was sure she was steady. He smirked as it took her quite some time to recover. She looked around to discover that Eric had disappeared.

"What are you doing here?" Bonnie asked still a little breathless and shaky from the best kiss she had ever had!

"Keeping an eye on you," Kol said, "honestly love I really don't like having to chase down and rescue my girlfriend while she's on a date with someone else."

"I'm not your girlfriend," Bonnie glared at him.

"I think that kiss said otherwise," Kol smiled proudly. "That kiss said you want to be with me as much as I want to be with you."

"It said no such thing," Bonnie said but her heart betrayed her. Kol smiled as he heard it jump. He had enjoyed hearing it race while he was kissing her too. She was amazing! Never had a kiss made him feel so alive!

"You didn't stop me," he pointed out.

"I couldn't…"

"Stop me? You could have given me an aneurysm but that was the furthest thing from your mind. Face it Bonnie – you like me and before you deny it remember your heartbeat is a perfect lie detector."

"You don't do girlfriends."

"I didn't do girlfriends," Kol said sincerely, "but there's something about you Bonnie Bennett and I want you. I don't just mean for one night either. You're beautiful Bonnie and an amazing kisser…" he grinned as he replayed that heated kiss, "but more than that you're an amazing woman and I want to get to know you – every part of you. I hope it takes a long time to do so – a lifetime would be fine."

Bonnie's heart was racing again at his speech and her breath was coming in shaky little gasps. Kol Mikaelson, original vampire, whom they had all declared as psychotic wanted to date her. What did it say about her that she wanted to say yes? He wasn't what everyone else thought he was – when he was with her he had proven himself to be different. There was no denying that she was attracted to him but it was more than that. When she was with him she felt safe, desired – dare she say loved?

"Okay Kol…I'll date you."

"Only me," he frowned.

"Only you," Bonnie clarified, "on one condition – no killing and I mean it Kol."

"I'm already under that deal with Elijah," Kol nodded. "I haven't killed a single human since I've been in the city. Elijah is excusing the werewolf from last week because your life was in danger." They just stared at one another for the longest time.

"So where would my girlfriend like me to take her for lunch?" he smiled.

"How about Tableau? I love their lamb." Bonnie smiled. Kol grinned and then looped his arm around her shoulders as they began walking that direction.

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Elena smiled as she walked past Elijah's townhouse. Thanks to Bonnie they now knew where all of the brothers were.

"Good morning Elena," she jumped as she heard his voice but didn't see anyone. "Use the gate it's unlocked." She looked to the courtyard gate. Maybe she should just walk past and pretend she hadn't heard? Coward – she had walked this way in hopes of encountering Elijah and now that she had she was afraid to face him? She reached out and pulled the gold handle. The gate swung in and she closed it behind her.

This courtyard was spectacular. It was lush with greenery and sported some spectacular blooms from a variety of plants. The courtyard was paved in granite but the highlight was a large rectangular pond with a waterfall at one end and a bell fountain in the center. As she drew closer she saw that it was full of koi.

"Some of them will actually let you hold them," Elijah said and this time she saw him on the stairs from the second story balcony. He smiled at her as he continued down the stairs and then walked to her side. To illustrate his comment he reached in and gingerly lifted up a koi. She reached out her hands to touch it and then he returned it to the water.

"It's beautiful in here," she marveled as she continued to look around and saw the outdoor bar with three barstools and the table and chairs of the sunroom pulled close to the large tri-folding automatic doors that opened the bottom floor of the home almost completely to the sights and sounds of the courtyard if desired.

"It's my sanctuary," Elijah smiled. "I like the city but I have always had a thing for nature." She sat down on the edge of the fountain.

"Where were you off to this morning?" he asked.

"Just wandering around actually," Elena confessed. "Caroline's at work and Bonnie went out early this morning so I found myself bored." Now that Stefan was back he and Rebekah were keeping themselves occupied since she was basically confined to the house. Elena didn't want to stay and feel like a third wheel.

"Well consider this courtyard yours to enjoy anytime you like," Elijah offered.

"Thank you."

"I was just about to quench my thirst. Would you like some?" he asked. When Elijah phrased it that way Elena always knew what he meant.

"Yes please." He left her side and she strolled leisurely around the courtyard admiring the flowers. Beautiful music came on moments later and she realized that it was wired for sound as well. The water in the fountain became colored and the colors began to change. He reappeared with two very tall glasses filled with her favorite red sustenance. She smiled as she took the one he offered and settled in one of the two loungers. Elijah settled next to her.

"Is there anything you haven't thought of?" she smirked.

"The fountain was Kol's suggestion actually. It's growing on me – quite spectacular at night. There's also an automatic sprinkler system for those days when it doesn't rain in the afternoon."

"I'm impressed," Elena smiled. She took a long drink and then her tongue darted out to lick her lips clean. Elijah smirked as he watched her. Was there a more exquisite form of torture?

"So what do you think of the city?" he asked.

"I really like it. Well the quarters and the Garden District," Elena amended. "I love the architecture and the history. Of course I would imagine that's even more exciting if you've lived it."

"It is very rich in history," Elijah smiled. "I remember taking Rebekah to the opera house where a hotel now stands on Bourbon Street."

"I bet that was beautiful."

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