"So how's the chocolate mocha?" Rebekah asked as she sat opposite her brother in the small cafe.

"This truly is a work of art." Klaus responded over a mouthful.

"I knew you'd love it. This is the best place for chocolate Mocha in New York. I come here often."

He smiled and when he just gazed off in space she snapped her fingers in front of his face, "Nik! Nik! Are you okay?"

"Yeah why?"

"Look I know you have a habit of just going off all broody and weirdly staring into space. But this is way too uncharacteristically broody off you. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing it's..nothing."

"Come on."

"Have you ever wanted something so much that it just grabs you by the throat and you keep on choking until you can't breathe. But you're sadistic enough to love that suffocating feeling and yet you want to escape. So much want and so potent that you just don't want to want it because wanting it makes you feel paralysed."

"Ooookay. I don't get it. What do you want Nik?"

"It's a woman. She…"

"Of Course. It's a woman and here I thought you were having an epiphany about life that you finally found your calling for a higher purpose."

He leaned forward as if desperately wanting her to understand or perhaps help him rationalize this newfound and sudden possessiveness for Caroline. "You don't get it. It's not just about sex. It's more than a want, it's like a yearning, a burn. Like the desire I'm sure Da Vinci felt when he saw Mona Lisa the desire to paint her or the desire Beethoven felt to play a melody. It's like that but maybe even more strong and passionate."

Rebekah cocked her head to the side and smiled as her brother tried to sort out what he felt.

"I have this need for her and it's eating at me." he gestured with his hands.

"Are you in love Nik?"

"What? Love? No ...no ...no nah.no … nah han...I don't do love little sister."

"You sure seem to... right now."

"Look I can not have her much less be in love with her. She's …. She's a friend's fiance."

"What? Oh lord. You just went from being adorably profound to creepy in a matter of seconds. Nik look at me."

"I am looking at you."

"Nik! LOOK…. AT…. ME…Stay away from her. This is just you being your manwhore self who sees a challenge in a woman he can't have. She is the female version of " The Forbidden Fruit." for you. You know you can not have her and that's why you want her."

"Is that any way to talk to your big brother? I'll have you know I haven't been a manwhore as you so succinctly put it for five years now. I have reformed my ways."

"Good. And you wouldn't want to start back now. The fact that she is engaged is the universe's way of telling you that she is not for you."

"She wasn't engaged when I first saw her."

"Seriously you regressed from creepy to creepy juvenile "I saw her first". Hey just come with me to Chicago. You'll have fun and you'll forget all about her."

"I hope so."

;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Caroline slammed the door behind her and Tyler came out of bedroom. Furious with Tyler for him lying to her she took off her coat and hung it in the closet on one side of the small corridor that led to her living room. She pushed up the sleeves of her silk top and asked him, "You said you didn't know Klaus."

Tyler witnessed the ire on her face and cautiously answered, "I don't. Not exactly."

"Don't lie I saw him talking to you just now. It was pretty clear you two knew each other. Why would you lie to me?"

"Babe. Calm down." he took hold of her arms when she shrugged away his hands, he let go with a sigh. "Look I'm sorry okay. I haven't been in touch with him in a long time."

"Not being in touch with him and him being a total stranger are two different things. You pretended you didn't know him at all."

"Why are you overreacting?"

"I'm overreacting? You know how I feel right now. I feel like you two had some sick joke going around about me, behind my back." Caroline threaded her hands through her hair attempting to get a hold on her turbulent emotions, fury, dismay and disappointment.

"Care. Honey. It was nothing like that. I knew having a threesome was a huge step for you so I chose someone whom I could trust. I wouldn't risk your safety." Tyler pulled her closer once more.

"How do you know him?" She tried to control her temper.

"You know I went to boarding school in London when I was a kid. I know him from there. He was was my roommate. We had each other's backs. After a few years I came back to America. We lost touch until a few weeks ago when he came to America and we got together for drinks."

"A few weeks ago, Huh? So you had planned all this and you didn't even tell me?"

"No. No. It wasn't like that. That three way thing wasn't planned. In fact it was one of those spur of the moment things. And choosing Klaus for that night I was just being careful because I care about you and didn't want you to get hurt."

"The fact that you lied and then tried to use my inexperience to manipulate me into doing something you knew I wasn't sure about to begin with shows how much you care about me. At least have the decency to admit you chose your own friend because you were insecure about letting some stranger touch me."

"Care, honey. You need to understand…"

She shrugged again this time more harshly than last time, " I'm not the one who needs to understand Tyler. It's you who needs to understand that lies even by omission are still lies and they will only damage our relationship. And how do I know you're not lying again?"

"Caroline. Just.."

"No. Stay away from me tonight." her voice now a hurt whisper , then she paced off to the bedroom door and added, "You can sleep on the couch."

Tyler rubbed his forehead and a moment later heard the door slam shut. The door opened again and he saw Caroline throw out his pillow and his blanket. With a heavy heart and regret Tyler went to pick up his bedding.

:;;;;;;;;;:;;;:;;;

Caroline woke up to the smell of waffles and orange juice. Groggily she sat up in bed and saw Tyler enter her bedroom with a tray of breakfast in his hands. It was 7 in the morning. A glance on the clock in her room told her she still had an hour before she had to be at the office for the meeting with a supplier from France.

Unease etched on Tyler's handsome face he stood near the door and waited for her to give any indication that she was ready to forgive him.

When she said nothing just tucked her hair in a loose bun over her head he came to sit beside her.

"Honey. I am really sorry. Please.." he placed the tray on the nightstand and continued, "Just forgive me."

"So this is blackmail breakfast. Is it supposed to soften me up?" Caroline was still more than a little irked.

"Yes." he picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. "I know I shouldn't have lied to you about Klaus. He would be leaving soon in a few days anyway so I thought why bother with the introductions." On hearing that Klaus might be leaving soon gave rise to an unexpected twinge which she tried to ignore.

"But that's.."

"No reason to hide things or lie. I know. I'm sorry. It's just with your inexperience in these kinds of sexual matters I just wanted someone I could trust with you. You were right it was my own insecurity but Care it was also about you. I care about you." She softened a little and let him kiss her palm. He moved closer, "I love you, Caroline. I was stupid and selfish. Forgive me?"

She sighed, "Uhhh. Okay. But Ty you know I have a difficult time trusting people. Because of my dad, men especially. So please don't give me a reason to question us."

He kissed her forehead and nodded. He took her in his arms and she didn't resist.

Pulling back he added, "Care. There is something you should know. Mom knows about our engagement and she invited us tonight to her charity gala."

"Ty…"

"Trust me I didn't tell her. Our jeweller mentioned the engagement ring and she called me last night. After our fight."

"I can not go. You know she hates me. Even though I own a successful company she thinks I'm homeless and a gold digger. So just please make some excuses."

"Care. Hon. Dad also insisted. You know I can't say no to him. He still controls my clients. He would pull all of them back and I'm still sort of struggling with my law practice."

"Why do you let them control you this way?" she ran her hands through her hair.

"I have my own office, my own independent business but it's still a work in progress. I would never have taken this step without your encouragement. But dad is already established. With his influence and money he can make sure my efforts turn up fruitless. You've supported me through all of this I just have a few more steps to walk don't back away now. I need you to do this for me."

"Okay. But I'm not responsible for anything I say to your mother."

He laughed, "Fine. I'll pick you up from your office at six. The gala begins at eight."

"Sure whatever." She moved the blanket aside and was about to get up when he grabbed her waist and kissed her. Caroline kissed him back.

A few minutes later he leaned back and confessed, "I love you."

"I love you." she replied and hiding her unease she got up and walked to the bathroom.

Once inside she leaned against the door and wondered could Tyler perceive how unsure she felt every time she kissed him back or professed those words to him.

:;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

"Hey. Did ya miss me?"

"Omigawd, Kat. Where have you been? I have been calling you non-stop but it said your phone was out of reach. You weren't even replying to any of my emails. And when in the hell are you gonna come back?" Caroline jabbered into the phone when Katherine called her.

"I forgot the sequence of your questions so I'll answer them randomly. My phone was stolen. I am still in Bangkok. There was some additional hold up with the suppliers. It might take me five more days to sort out this mess. The suppliers got our shipment mixed up and now their CEO wants to fly in tomorrow from London himself to simplify the situation and compensate us for the inconvenience."

"Five more days? It's already been a week that you've been away and you need to be at the Chicago Fashion Week, this week. Marina insists she can spare us a few minutes while she is there." Caroline replied, mentioning the meeting with the Italian designer, whom they wanted to design for their company for the fall designs.

"I still can't remember whose nincompoop-ish idea it was to try and set a textile business/company. Care I can not be there. This guy from London. He is some hotshot CEO. I'm planning to wowza him and get us a 25% discount for our inconvenience. You'll have to go yourself." Katherine said over a spoonful of soup.

"Are you eating? What time is it?" Caroline swiveled in her chair and grabbed a file from the far end of her desk.

"Yeah. I skipped lunch. Gosh I missed you my hoe-mama."

"Hoe-mama? Real nice. I'm cringing at the prospect of going to fashion week. I really hope she doesn't ask me to attend the main event. I can be there for the after party, I think."

"Why the cringe?"

"You know. My dad could be there. Anywho I'll manage."

"I'm sorry sweety you know if it could be avoided I would have." Realizing how hard the situation was for Caroline.

"Don't apologize." she shuffled through the file. When she couldn't find what she had been searching for she put down the file and rubbed her forehead. "I'll go to the fashion week. Kat?"

"Yeah."

"Tyler and I.."

"Oh god. You got engaged didn't you?" Kat asked in an accusatory tone.

"Yeah. I miss you."

"You okay. You don't sound okay? Why aren't you happy?" Kat inquired perceptively, picking up on the hesitation and fatigue with which Caroline had talked to her about her engagement.

"It's nothing like that. I am happy. It's... I don't have both of my girls to fangirl with."

Katherine knew something was not quite right. But she didn't press the issue because she knew when Caroline was in a mood to evade her problems she was very tight-lipped. Her friend's moods varied a lot, sometimes she wanted her friends to pursue the issue, sometimes she just needed a close friend without any questions or advice. And this was the latter.

"I'll be back in a week. Okay? Just harass Bonnie until then. How is she and my little bug?"

"She's hanging on, trying to be strong for Angela. I just wish things were different for her. Like maybe she and Angela could be happier."

Katherine sighed all of a sudden the lethargy of the whole tiresome week catching up on her. "I know, me too. But we're the three badass-kteers we'll rise out of the ashes."

Caroline laughed, "I still think that moniker is lame."

"Who cares what you think? Me and Bon like it so it's two against one out of three. Anyway, gotta go. I'll bring you up to speed after this meeting and try to be back as soon as possible."

"Bye. Take Care." Caroline responded and hung up the phone.

:;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

She was dressed in a dull gold gown, that hugged her petite frame, and paired it with golden heels. Her was hair pinned up in a messy bun with golden hoops at her ears and she knew she looked good.

She was applying perfume when Tyler walked in fastening the cuff links on his black tux. He was looking handsome.

He came to her and kissed her forehead. "You look amazing."

"You look dashing too."

Caroline moved forward to grab her clutch from her vanity when Tyler said, "Care. Mom might be a little mad that I didn't tell her about my engagement and she had to find out from the jeweller. I just got lectured on the phone."

"Well it's not the first time she's mad at you when I'm about to show up with you at one of your family events."

"It's not that."

"It is. She hates me for trying to trap his precious son." Caroline was getting pissed off. Tyler's mother Carol thought of her as someone beneath her family. A poor money-grubbing forty niner who did not deserve her son.

"Hey I was just warning you because I did not want to upset you. Don't spoil your mood over my mom. Come on." he hugged her. "You know how my mom is. Don't let her get to you. We just need to show our faces and if you want to leave we will leave asap." a small pause and he added, "I love you and you are the woman I want to spend my life with." His declaration should have reassured her but it didn't.

She plastered a fake smile and kissed his cheek.

"You're right. We just need to get this gala over with."

:;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

The hall where Carol Lockwood's charity gala was being held was gigantic because according to Carol the Lockwoods never did anything halfway.

The chandeliers sparkled, the hall adorned in tones of lilac, white and black with an open bar on one side and a few tables in one corner with a large dance floor in the middle.

Couples mingled, societal greetings exchanged, fake courtesies and laughters shared.

Like any other society party appearances mattered, who wore whom, both on their bodies and at their arms being discussed like today's weather.

Caroline stood near the bar with her husband to be and silently took in her surroundings.

She saw Carol Lockwood approach her and turned to pick up a flute of champagne.

"Tyler honey. So glad you could make it." Carol hugged her son. For all her bitchiness and her being a self-important snob she at least loved her son.

"And Caroline. I thought you were too busy running your little company to show up." she smiled.

Caroline recognised the dig on her company and couldn't resist. "You had enough time to plan such a sensational event. Besides running your huge company I had to make time from my own busy schedule."

At that Carol's smile faltered. Tyler began, "Mom. This really is a great event. I mean charity for underprivileged women." he tried to lessen the tension between them.

He always did this, digressed, never confronting his mother over the way she treated Caroline. He never took a stand for her and for them, which she resented him for sometimes.

"Tyler sweetheart, your father wants to talk to you about a few clients. Let me have a chat with my future daughter-in-law. Go."

Tyler placed a hand on Caroline's back and kissed her cheek. It was his way of reassuring her.

She smiled and he left.

"So Caroline. Welcome to the family." Carol hugged her and Caroline was shell shocked at her sudden change of behavior.

"Oh come on I was just teasing you. I'm glad you're marrying Tyler. He chose well." she continued and left Caroline speechless for awhile. Then she stated, "Thank you Carol."

"You're welcome dear. Oh and don't you worry about the wedding preparations. I have planned everything. You won't even have to lift a nail."

Carol's snobbery and high-handedness always offended Caroline because Carol always treated her son's girlfriend as someone she regarded inadequate based on Caroline's background and family history. It brought out Caroline's own insecurities and anxieties. Hence her reaction to Carol's evident disdain for her background made Caroline respond more harshly than usual.

"Excuse me. I think this my wedding." then on an after thought Caroline took a deep breath to calm herself ready to give Carol the benefit of the doubt she proceeded, "I really appreciate what you want to do for us but me and Tyler will arrange everything."

"What do you mean you and Tyler? You know his father will be running for Mayor this year and he is going to begin his campaign next month. Tyler won't have time for these preparations. That's why we have decided I'll handle everything and you will have the wedding four months from now. How does August 24th sound? I'm going to send away the save the date cards next week." Carol's smile never even wavered once.

"Are you serious? You picked out a date for our wedding without even asking me." Caroline bit out, unable to hold her temper.

"What's there to ask you? Who are you?" Carol now revealed her original contemptuous expression she made while talking to Caroline.

"I am the woman who's marrying your son. So if nothing else than at least think that should count. If you think I'll just stand by and let you decide everything you're very wrong Mrs Lockwood. This is our life and you don't get to decide anything about it."

"How dare you talk to me this way? Tyler is my son I can decide anything I want for him." Carol lost control of her own temper gaining people's attention.

"Yes you're his mother not mine so I do not appreciate your interference in my life and would advise you to stop immediately."

"Or what? Are you threatening me? I am Carol Lockwood, I own half of this city. My father was the Mayor and my mother was one the most reputed lawyers of her time. Where do you come from? Who is your mother? A gold digging prostitute who thought she could trap a millionaire with a pregnancy hoax. Thank goodness Bill Forbes got the good sense to finally get a paternity test before he made the mistake of letting your third class mother continue her charade."

"Enough Mrs Lockwood. I.." before she could finish her sentence Bill Forbes, her father and his second family came over. He knew she was his daughter but he had conceded under the pressure from his family and had doctored the paternity test all those years ago.

Her arrival in Chicago had turned a few nosy and curious heads her way but the speculations had always been discarded as rumors before any of those made into the papers. Bill Forbes was still an influential man, money had easily shut up the wagging tongues.

Horrified and panicked Caroline looked around. People had begun staring at them.

"Carol." her father warned with a smile. Caroline had known they ran in the same circles but if she had been aware that he would be here tonight she wouldn't have come.

"You do not want to make a scene here." His face menacing. Caroline did not have a single memory of her father's fury. He had always looked at her with love until he had left her when she was six.

His second wife Celia gave Caroline a sympathetic smile and his daughter, Liv looked uncomfortable.

Carol heeded his warning because she might be rich and predominant but not more than Bill Forbes so with a last glare at Caroline she stormed off.

Then Bill rested his hands over Caroline's. She was too shocked and paralyzed to react.

He loudly remarked, "I am so sorry Miss Forbes. Just because we share a name you still have to face drama and false rumors from half a decade ago. Come to think of it, just having blonde hair and a last name Forbes was irrefutable proof of being related to me. I think I might have a few hundred daughters in this city."

The people around them laughed and Caroline knew he had successfully averted the crisis Carol had wrought.

Caroline backed away. All around her people were laughing and jesting now but she felt like sobbing. A woman had just humiliated her in front of hundreds of people and the man who was supposed to shield her from every horrific thing in this world was among those laughing faces.

Her own father yet again disowned her in front of the whole world. And Tyler he was nowhere to support her through this. To stand up for her. Her eyes watered and choking back her emotions she excused herself. Bill took a step towards her but with one angry tilt of her head she told him she would rather die than take his help. Then she fled to the powder room.

;;;,;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

"I am so sorry, Care. If I had known…" Tyler was interrupted by her, "If you had known then what? What would you have done? Tell me Tyler?" she bellowed as he continued to drive.

"I wouldn't have let my mom humiliate you like that." when she just snickered he asked, "What do you want me to do? I'm asking in earnest. Tell me."

"I won't marry in August. I want your mom to stop meddling in my life. I have tolerated her barbs but this time it was too much. She.." Caroline swallowed another pang and looked away from him at her side of the window.

Tyler placed a hand on her arm.

"Care. But we have to get married in August. Dad's campaign will start in September and I won't be able to make time."

"I'm not free until november. So it's either November or we won't marry." Caroline needed to stay firm on this. She had been adjusting her life for Tyler but this time she needed not to give in. Her self-respect demanded that.

"But elections…"

"I won't compromise on this thing."

"You're acting out because of Mom."

"I didn't lie when I said I'm not free but if you wanna take it this way fine."

"I'm sorry. Fine. November it is. And I'll ask my mom to back off."

"Good. We can discuss the rest of the stuff after I get back from Chicago."

Tyler still felt distressed because he knew Caroline was still mad. It was times like these that she held herself back from him and he didn't know how to get through to her. He loved her and at the moment he felt he was doing a pitiful job of showing it to her.

It was his mother's fault he knew he had to fix this one way or the other.

;;;,;;;;,;;;;;;;;;;;;

"You have got to be kidding me." Caroline remarked when she saw Klaus already sitting in the seat next to her in the plane.

Her statement caused him to look away from his phone and look up at her. Did he just smirk? Miffed was too mild a word for what she was feeling right now. She quickly stuffed her handbag in the overhead luggage carrier and sat with a huff. He didn't say a word, just kept gazing at her with that irritating smile which ignited a biting heat low in her belly.

Klaus heard her voice and looked up to see the face of the woman who was quickly becoming his obsession.

Rebekah had called her "The Forbidden Fruit" but he was mature enough to comprehend that it was more than his tendency of not being able to resist a challenge. Caroline was so much more, why?, he did not have a clue. But her mere presence, even her thoughts stirred needs he wasn't aware he had inside him.

Even now he couldn't stop looking at her, that overwhelming attraction between them pulling taut like a string.

He knew she felt it too. The knowledge gave him immense pleasure.

"Stop."

"Stop what?" he finally said.

"Stop staring at me."

"I wasn't staring just observing. Tyler mentioned something about you going to Chicago. I …"

Caroline didn't let him finish,"If you knew I was going to Chicago on this flight you should have cancelled. Especially after what happened at the Boutique."

Klaus wanted to laugh heartily because he felt a sudden joy, at now for certain knowing that he wasn't the only one cognizant to this magnetic draw between them. But he didn't laugh instead replied, "I did not know you were going on this flight." he smirked at her then continued, "What happened exactly? And do you presume I should've cancelled my flight just because I helped a friend's fiance with her dress."

If she had thought she was miffed before now she was seething with anger. It didn't sit well with her that their last meeting which had left her shaken and full of doubts had meant nothing to him. Maybe she did imagine it all because she was looking for reasons to not get married. Rage now became misery, these days it seemed she knew no other feeling, alternating between one or the other.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come at you like that." she looked back at him feeling despondent at her own behaviour and helpless reaction towards him.

He saw sadness permeate those beautiful eyes and his heart constricted painfully. He had merely intended to tease her, and perhaps get her to admit that it had meant more to her as well. But her sudden despair was agonising and had struck him like a thorn.

He wanted to make her smile. He wanted to hold her, wanted her to lean on him. These emotions for her so foreign yet he wasn't struggling against them in fact he felt a commanding urge to soothe her.

However it seemed he wouldn't get a chance to do that. The air hostess showed up just when he was reaching his hand forward, her name not more than a mute sound from his lips.

Caroline asked the hostess to get her a window seat. The hostess complied and gave her a seat in the opposite row. Without looking at him she grabbed her stuff and went to sit. He gazed at her for a few minutes as if willing her to look at him but she kept staring out of the window.

:;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Klaus had been looking for her since the flight had landed at O'Hare International. He grabbed his duffel bag and wondered how in the hell would he find her in such a huge place among throngs of people.

A thought, a quote crossed his mind, if you're meant to find something, fate finds a way for you to have it. He smiled at his own thought just as it occurred to him he saw her, as a couple of men parted from a small crowd.

She was struggling with her trolley bag and it seemed she had broken its handle.

He walked towards her. She looked so adorable trying to half drag and half lift it.

"Could this day get any worse?" she asked out loud as Caroline attempted to lift her bag once again. Why did she have to dump her luggage trolley back near the luggage claim thinking her huge trolley bag would work just fine, she berated herself.

As she unsuccessfully tried to heft her bag once more, a strong calloused palm closed over her hand, gripping the bag's handle.

The contact sizzled between them and she knew it was Klaus. She wanted it to feel wrong, this gnawing awareness between them, but it didn't, so she snatched her hand away a little too forcefully.

She jerked her hand back like she had burned, Klaus couldn't prevent hurt from seeping in. But he ignored it.

"Let me help you." He stated.

"No. I mean thanks. I can manage." She replied, her tone edgy. She attempted to tow her bag again.

"Caroline. I felt something too that day." he leaned forward and whispered.

She looked up, he saw something flicker in her eyes but didn't understand it.

Caroline swallowed his confession leaving her breathless, confused and happy. Why did it give her joy? All of this was just too bizarre.

"I feel as if I need to tell you this. I don't understand why?" he confessed, "Maybe I don't want you to be mad at me anymore or perhaps I do not want you to think it meant nothing to me when it shook me to my core."

Oblivious to the rest of the world around them, they gazed at each other. Both of them trying to sort the onslaught of emotions that plagued them.

"Why are you telling me this now?" she asked. Did she lean towards him?

"Because it matters that you know. Why does it matter? I don't know for sure." her eyes fixed on his. They were alluring and magnetic, pulling him in. He wanted to lose himself in them.

The intensity in his blue gaze was intoxicating her senses and she did lean towards him. His lips were so close that she just had to tilt her head and taste his wild flavor.

She pulled away abruptly. "Klaus.."

"Look, for now we can forget about it. Your bag is really heavy. Just let me help you with this. I can drop you off. My sister sent a car for me."

It wasn't wise to argue any further cuz she knew she won't be able to lift her bag unless she asked someone to help her and get a trolley for her. Plus that might take more time besides she was exhausted. After last night at the gala and this morning with a whole load of meetings she was mentally drained and didn't need any more problems. She could surely survive a car ride with him.

"Fine." she made way for him to pick her bag and took his duffel bag from him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, love."

The small endearment made her smile.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing."

"So where are you staying?" Klaus questioned as they began walking side by side.

"I have reservations at The Waldorf Astoria."

"I guess fate works in mysterious ways. I have reservations at the same hotel." his smirk was cute, it made him look even more dashing.

"It's not fate. It's just a coincidence." she said with a tight smile and hurried to sit in the car.

When he joined her in the car's backseat she realized she wasn't very sure about this car ride now. He was way too close, although there was more than half a seat gap between them. She could still scent him. His presence was compelling, the necklaces around his neck, his off-white henley and black jeans made him look exotic. Her eyes landed on his face and he was already staring at her. The sexual tension between them was too thick. She wanted to but she couldn't look away.

She was sitting beside him and his hands itched to feel her softness encased in a pink shirt and blue jeans. He fisted his hands. There was something between them, a unique pull that flared every time with a mere look. He knew he desired her, but he also wanted to possess her, be possessed by her, which was something new.

The car suddenly halted and he grabbed her preventing from falling, his first instinct to protect her.

The driver mumbled something about a dog coming out of nowhere and apologized, but it fell on deaf ears.

Klaus was savoring the sensation of her in his arms. His hand around her waist, her breasts pressed against his chest. Her hands held onto his arms for support. He pushed one curl away from her wanting to look at her gorgeous face. The pulse at her neck was thudding. He felt her nipples harden to tight peaks. It took all of his self control not to shove her down on the car seat and taste her sweet nipples which he knew were dusky pink. He pulled her closer and she didn't resist.

The car honked which broke the bubble they were in. She didn't jerk out of his arms like last time, just slid out slowly as if processing what had happened. She turned away and began looking out the window, her hands curled into fists.

He shook his own head and chided himself. Whatever little progress he had made with her was lost. She was back to ignoring his presence. His excitement and desire from earlier plummeted and he looked away mirroring her pose.

Had she thought it would be a harmless car ride and that she could handle it? How wrong had she been? He had helped her from falling, his hands around her waist and she had wanted him to run those rough hands over her bare body. Why was she so desperate when he was close? What was this toxic thing that made her helplessly respond to him?

Guess he was right, fate was working in mysterious ways, in ways she didn't want to understand. All of this was not right and yet she didn't feel guilty, just a hollowness.

He would be staying at the same hotel as hers and she knew with her luck, they were bound to run into each other, was she anticipating it? She sighed and thumped her head softly against the window, cursing fate because she felt that her meeting Klaus here was definitely a part of its mysterious ways.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;