A/N : Hi so I am back with an update.

Caroline was thanking her stars today. Marina the upcoming quirky Italian designer had turned out to be gracious enough to let Caroline pitch the deal to her at the After event party.

Chicago Fashion Week had been a glamorous event, studded with the flashy and A1 designs from veterans of the fashion world who had yet again outdone themselves to amateurs who had proved their talent with their marvelous new collections.

Caroline was wearing a sparkly sequin beaded magenta silk gown. She had dressed with the intention to make a statement, one she hoped got across to the designer she was here to impress.

Famous models, artists, designers and hairstylists plus some other unknown faces who seemed to run the background show were all gathered for the after party. Glasses clinked and laughters rounded through the hall. All in all the fashion week and the after party were a success.

Marina who had pixie like features with unruly strands of shocking red hair, was dressed in an eye jarring orange jumpsuit which made her look strangely appealing.

Caroline approached her and Marina gave Caroline an enthusiastic hug. "Hey Caroline. How did you like my designs?"

"Fabulous is the word that comes to mind."

"I know. So I've decided I'll work for your company for fall collection."

Caroline's surprised mouth hung open for a few minutes and then she remarked, "I.. thank you. Marina. I assure you this would benefit your reputation as much as our brands."

"Ooh. Lets call it "Symbiosis." Marina added with a flare gesturing with her outstretched arms.

"Uhh. Sure."

"God is that Grant?" she asked squinting at some guy laughing with a woman a few feet away.

"Who?" Caroline asked trying to gauge where Marina was looking.

"I better go steal him for the night. If you get the gist." Marina winked once and left, leaving Caroline perplexed at the entire encounter.

She shook her head once and tried to smother her smile, thinking she would look like a doofus smiling to herself but then thought what the hell and gave in.

She took out her phone from her silver clutch purse and texted Katherine about the good news on Kat's new number.

Kat answered with a thumbs up emoji, a confetti emoji and "gtg still busy" which meant she was excited but was preoccupied with the meeting with the CEO from London.

At least things were great on the work front if not in her personal life. It had been two days since she had arrived in Chicago and Tyler hadn't called her. Although he had left her voice messages but she had needed him to pursue the issue more seriously, perhaps grovel a bit because she wanted more from him, wanted him to realize the severity of the other nights events.

Fortunately she hadn't come across Klaus though. The desire she felt for him was too encompassing and consuming. She didn't require the added stress of constantly being on guard. She felt a unique ease when he was around which disconcerted her, put her back up. He was just Tyler's friend and that's what he should mean to her no more no less but she experienced a pull that was way out of that friendly realm.

Still engrossed in her reverie about Klaus she picked up a flute from a passing by waiter and absently swirled the glass.

Two days ago in the car things had heated pretty swiftly between them, just like their meeting at the boutique and exactly like the first time.

Colour rose to her cheeks and her breath hitched when a vision of what had passed between them flashed in front of her eyes.

She downed the vine in a large gulp and closed her eyes, squeezing them shut and leaning against a large marble pillar for support, placing the glass at a nearby table.

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

Her lids fluttered open and he was standing in front of her. His eyes, so vividly blue bespelled her. Shaking her head as if wanting to clear his image from her mind she tried to move back but collided with the pillar she had been leaning against earlier.

He barely noticed her befuddlement and the shake of her head. He was too busy noticing how her dress accentuated her lush curves. Her sexy cleavage, not quite revealing and not quite concealing the treasure below, teased his urges.

He traced her jawline, unaware of himself and she leaned into his touch. Klaus wanted to follow his finger with his lips. Tasting and teasing. Her pupils dilated telling him she was as aroused as he was by his little gesture.

"Nik..Klaus." Was it a moan, his name from her lips?

"Yes." he whispered.

Caroline's conscious a tiny niggling voice, scolded her for enjoying this intimate moment.

"I can't…"

"Then don't. Just dance with me." he pleaded in a hoarse murmur.

When he saw assent in her aqua eyes. He took her clutch and absently shoved it in the hands of a woman standing beside them. He grasped her palms loving the way their hands fit and how their touch tingled.

He pulled her lightly but she hesitated. A sexy grin lit his face, both soothing and teasing her.

"Come on love. One dance. I won't bite."

There was that annoying little flutter again when he called her love. She let him glide her to the dance floor amidst a few couples who were already dancing on a slow romantic number.

His chest against hers, one hand snaking her waist and the other cradling her soft palm. He absently played with her fingers and touched his cheek to hers. She closed her eyes again, as if basking in the sensation of his warmth. His breath flared near her temples, sending ripples of pleasure through her.

He twirled her away and then back in his arms. His lips just an inch from hers. Who moved closer to whom, it wasn't clear but their mouths almost touched. She broke away from him and ran back to where she stood earlier. He followed her. He called out her name, a subtle whisper, "Caroline."

He grabbed her elbow and spun her towards him.

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

She looked back at him, he was too close. Their gazes locked. He felt those needs surface again, the alien needs she birthed in him. Her taste and her passion had maddened him that night. The memory beckoned him to sample it again, not just sample but possess and make her his own. This single thought rose a possessiveness inside him, his gut clenched like a tightly coiled spring.

He leaned closer and touched her lips to his, his hands moulding her waist. The first light touch ignited him. Ravenous he took her lips in a wild stormy kiss. Caroline's hands fisted against him. The rush of desire, a sweet torment that she welcomed. His tongue seeked entrance in her mouth and she surrendered, moaning when he crushed her closer. Her nipples now taut points under silk gown grazed the fabric of his shirt and it frustrated and aroused her.

He wanted to devour her, hold her so close until they were one. She was beauty, passion, innocence wrapped in one delicious package. His heart thudded in his chest when she bit his lower lip. Somehow a bizarre thought entered his head, that said she was made for him. Her body fitting his perfectly like two puzzle pieces, further fueled his odd thoughts.

His hands roamed over her body. Hers running over his solid chest. He pushed her against the pillar, secluded from the rest of the party. He cupped her buttocks bringing her in contact with the hard evidence of his desire. She stifled a moan when he squeezed her buttocks harshly, his fingers imprinted on her skin, and began kissing her neck. Her fingers dug in his neck pulling him closer. Suddenly she was lying on her back on a plush comforter. Her body naked for his taking. He loomed over her kissed her hot mouth. A hand tracked lower and wedged between her silky thighs. She undulated, and moaned again. His middle finger rubbed her satin folds and his mouth found her nipple, sucking and nipping. He mumbled endearments, foolish incoherent promises. Then he stopped and she let out a sound of protest. He kissed her wanting to soothe then hurried down and clamped his lips to her other nipple which was as hard as a pebble. She arched, hazy with the mounting need. His palms circled her thighs and he slowly parted them. She thought he would slip inside her and end their torment once and for all but he leaned down his head. A mischievous grin adorning his crimson lips. Her breath in her throat, her heart skidded when she realized what he meant to do. Then he buried his face in her pussy, fire, pure and liquid pooled down, trickling low for him to taste it. His tongue darted inside her and she arched again her back twisting like a bow. He savored on her taste for a few torturous minutes. Then he lifted his head, tormenting her again.

He got up, still clothed in his tux he extended his hand, "Let's go. Leave him."

Baffled she asked him, "Who?"

He looked back at the man who lay beside her. Tyler, it was Tyler, her fiance, sleeping soundly beside her. She waited for guilt to strike her but her conscience was perhaps asleep too. She looked back at Klaus's handsome face and she mouthed she can't. As if her words vanquished him, he began to fade right in front of her eyes. She felt tears roll down her cheeks and she lifted one arm to stop him, willing him to come back to her. That was when she woke up.

Her thighs tingled and her breathing a little labored , the dream still vivid. She pushed off her blanket and remembered what had happened last night after their dance.

"Caroline." Klaus said as he had followed her.

She turned back and found his eyes roaming her features, concerned.

"I can't do this with you. Klaus." she croaked, her voice rough with the clot of emotion lodged in her throat.

"We were just …..dancing." he commented feeling just as perturbed.

"No we weren't!" she snapped , "Just stay away from me. Do you understand? Stay away." and then she had fled like her life had depended on it.

She didn't need to turn back to know that he was still standing there looking at her receding form.

Caroline sat on the bed with her legs hanging. She ran trembling hands over her face as she reminisced about the dream and her encounter with Klaus last night. She slid down from the bed and sat on the carpeted floor of her hotel room. Hugging her knees she tried to figure out the ache she had felt when she had seen Klaus fade away in her dream.

Passion wasn't everything, lust eventually burned away and died. Passion was nothing but a transient emotion, a fleeting sentiment. She knew this and had learned from her mother's mistakes.

Companionship, friendship and security were everything and lasted long. Her love for Tyler was based on the above three. But why didn't it seem enough anymore. She rested her head over her knees and instantly jerked when the phone rang.

Sitting on her knees she picked it up.

"Hello."

"Care. Babe how are you?"

"I'm okay Tyler." she had wanted him to call her, first and now that he had she didn't feel satisfied either.

"You're still mad?"

"No. Why would I be?" she got up now and sat on the bed.

"Just .. you weren't replying to any of my texts."

"I was busy." she hated the way she was acting, she absolutely despised holding grudges being a big believer in handling disagreements in a mature fashion.

"I missed you." he sighed, his voice filled with sincerity.

"Tyler. I'm coming back today. And I want to come back to you. But whatever happened with your Mom at the gala it wasn't something that I can just brush under the rug."

"I know. That's why I asked my mom to stay away from us and told her that we are going to plan everything, from flowers to centerpieces to every miniscule detail about our wedding on our own. I promise."

She smiled, "What did your mom say?"

"I don't know. I just called her, rushed on with my speech and hung up. Haven't returned her calls either."

She laughed at that and he said, "I missed your laugh. What time does your flight land? I'll come pick you up."

"I'll check and text you. Take care."

"Come back to me babe, please." Tyler asked and she understood what he was asking.

"I'll try to." she whispered and then he hung up.

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

She had her luggage by her side as she checked out. The bellman came to take her bags to the taxi. She turned to follow the bellman when the manager called out, "Miss?"

"Yes."

"Mr Mikaelson asked us to return this to you." he handed her the silver clutch she had carried with her dress last night.

"Thank you." she took it from him. "Can you send a thank you note to him."

"I'm sorry to say we can't he checked out last night."

"Checked out?" her gut wrenched.

"Yes mam."

"Oh. Thank you again."

"Your welcome Miss."

Caroline then walked towards her taxi and sat inside. She gripped her clutch a little too tightly. She had asked him to stay away and he had left. Again it should have been enough but it wasn't.

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

"I'll miss you." Rebekah remarked as she stood at the airport and said bid farewell to her brother.

Hugging her Klaus reciprocated the emotion, "I'll miss you too."

"I thought you were going to stay for another fortnight. What happened? In Chicago at the after party I saw you follow someone, I'm not sure who. But did something happen? " Rebekah asked hoping to unearth the reason behind Klaus's dejection. Since his return from Chicago he had seemed despondent, as if he was grieving a loss.

He gave her a smile which she knew was a halfhearted gesture. "Nothing happened." and that's what was troubling him. He had left soon after Caroline's distressed outburst because seeing her agitated and unhappy had deeply disturbed him. He had not wanted to leave but her happiness apparently was paramount to him. Why was he being so selfless at the risk of his own gratification?

"Then why are you leaving so soon?"

"I need to get back. Elijah called. Something happened with the shipment in Bangkok. He sorted it out but I still have to streamline a few things."

"I only got half of that but if it's so important I'll forgive you for cutting our vacation short. "

"Thank you!" he exclaimed putting on his chest feigning his gratitude.

Rebekah laughed and smacked him lightly.

The last call for take off sounded and Klaus stated, "That's my call."

He half-turned when she called out, "Nik. Whatever it is you'll get it."

He smiled and then left.

XTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTX

"I am so proud of you my chica. You landed Marina. None of the other brands have been able to book her. But you..mwah." Katherine kissed her own fingers and touched them to Caroline's cheek.

"Well we all know when Care sets her mind to something she gets it." Bonnie remarked sitting beside her two friends on her living room couch and setting the tray with three cups of coffee in front of them.

"I'm ambitious I know. But this one kinda fell into my lap without having to climb up the tree. I was all set to pitch my idea to her, ready with my dramatic speech," she took a sip from her cup, "but when I went to her, she enthusiastically embraced me and agreed. Later I sent her the contract papers and she signed them. I guess we got lucky this time."

"Hmm. Nice. When will Angie wake up? She is always sleeping when I visit. I wanna play with my little bug." Kat remarked.

"I put her to sleep a few minutes before you guys came. Her pediatrician specifically advised that Angie needs 10 to 12 hours of sleep."

"Why'd you take her? Is she okay?" Caroline asked.

"It's just she had been crying a lot and wasn't eating anything. I was so worried but Kai I mean her pediatrician told me it was nothing. Angie just needed proper sleep."

"Kai? You call him Kai?" Kat wiggled her eyebrows.

"He … I called him Dr Parker but then during the one of the recent appointments he asked me to call him Kai. So.."

"Did he flirt? Did you flirt back? Did he insinuate something dirty?" Kat asked.

"No." when both of Bonnie's best friends lifted their eyebrows, a sign that they weren't convinced she added, "Okay. We flirt a little but that's it. I'm not looking for anything serious."

"Why?" Caroline asked.

"Why? Because Angela is still a baby and not to mention the fact that I barely make ends meet. Plus the pediatrician appointments tend to produce a giant hole in my already meager salary. I am nowhere near stable to start a relationship."

"Bon if you need money.." Caroline and Katherine began but she stopped them, "Stop you guys please. I don't need charity okay."

"Fine then work for us." Kat stated exchanging a look with Caroline.

"What do you mean?" Bonnie asked.

"I mean at our company. I know you have a knack for numbers plus you make really great coffee." Kat lifted her mug and set it down on the table.

"Come on Bon you know we have been asking you to come work for us for a while now. We have a great health insurance plan too." Caroline added.

Bonnie sighed, "Fine. But I won't take anything I haven't worked for."

"We agree." Caroline reassured her.

"Let's go back to talking about Kai the sexy pediatrician." Kat suggested.

"How would you know he is sexy?" Caroline narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"I've seen him. Remember the time when Angela had diarrhea." Kat announced.

"Oh yeah." Caroline replied.

"Let's not. Let's ask Caroline why she is not happy even though she is marrying the love of her life and he gave her a rock that almost blinded me the first time I saw it." Bonnie shifted the focus of the conversation towards Caroline.

"I'm happy, guys."

"Really? I'm tempted to disagree. Care, what's going on?" Katherine's demeanor turned serious.

"Nothing, okay. We just had a small spat and now things are back to almost being normal. Honestly it's all I could ever ask for." Caroline's voice contemplative like she was trying to persuade herself too.

"And yet you've never once done your creepy shoulder shimmy in lieu of exhibiting excitement for your upcoming marriage." Kat observed.

"Right? I told her that when she came over and told me she was engaged and she looked like she'd been sentenced to maximum security prison. " Bonnie addressed Kat.

"This means she is hiding something. I called right. That Tyler is shady. I never liked that douche anyway. What weird sexual kink did he force you to participate in this time?" Katherine asked.

"As much as I appreciate your concern and your infuriating meddling I'd like to inform you both I am absolutely content. And he never forced me to do anything I didn't want to do. Also I told you I am fine because the root of our disagreement is gone." she explained her thoughts drifting towards Klaus.

She blamed him, no needed to blame him for the problems between her and Tyler's relationship. They were completely in accord with each other before that sodding night of the threesome.

She had been happy with Tyler until things had started to unravel when Klaus had entered their life or if she were to be fair when she had begun to feel things for Klaus she had no business feeling.

Back at the hotel while checking out she had felt this heart wrenching loss at hearing that he had left, then had spent an entire day trying to reason her disquiet.

Again when she had offhandedly asked Tyler about Klaus, he had told her he was leaving for London in a few days and she had been glum for the rest of her day.

However she hoped she would forget him and get over the patent allure he held for her.

"Care. We are not idiots. We can see something is bothering you." this time Bonnie insisted.

"It was but now things are okay, super okay. Trust me."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Fine. If both of you are being spoilsports about your love lives …"

"Non-existent love life here." Bonnie raised her hand.

"Nevermind." Kat continued, "Then what happened in Bangkok will stay in Bangkok."

"That's so not fair." Caroline and Bonnie said in unison.

Kat shrugged and they laughed lightly.

All of a sudden in all seriousness Caroline remarked, "I missed you guys."

Bonnie squeezed her hand and Kat remarked, "Aww sweetie I know I would have missed me too." they all giggled at that and Caroline knew between her friends she will eventually be okay.

:

( One Month Later)

Klaus entered the lawyer's office. The man at the desk, the lawyer in charge of the drawing the papers of the merger with a company he and Elijah had acquired a week ago, got up.

The blonde haired guy gestured for Klaus to sit. He sat and Matt Donovan, which was his name according to the nameplate placed on his table, sat too.

"Mr Mikaelson. Would you like anything?"

"No thank you I prefer if we got down to business"

"Sure." and Matt began shuffling through a few papers.

"You have already read the contract besides me going through all the clauses with you twice. Now all you have to do is sign," he turned a page, "here," another page, "here," and another page, "And here."

Klaus reached over and signed the papers.

"Congratulations. You and your brother are the official owners of Tech and Power."

"Thank you." Klaus remarked and got up clasping Matt's hand in a formal shake. And with that he left his office.

He dialed Elijah's number as he walked back to his car.

After two rings his brother picked up.

"Yes. Niklaus?"

"It's done. We are the official owners."

"Good. Now you'll have to stay in New York for a few months and supervise to make sure that the merger goes smoothly."

"Elijah. I only came here because you're stuck in France and we wanted to make sure there were no loopholes in the contract before signing it. That's all I ever agreed to. I can not stay here." Klaus reasoned. It had been a month, four weeks and thirty days since he had last seen Caroline and he was still haunted by the passion he had harbored for her. At nights or when he was alone he would be reminded of their lust-filled encounters, the feel of her soft body, her arousing responses and he would ache to be near her. Painting a large portrait of her in one of his insane artistic moods hadn't helped either. Infact that half nude disheveled painting tormented him. At times at his house back in London, he would just stand there and stare at it unmindful of minutes and hours. He was insightful enough to understand that it was not healthy, that's why he needed to get out of USA, be as far away from her as possible.

"Klaus it's just a few months. You know it's important. And you are well aware the company in France needs to be dealt with too. I sent you here because I know how difficult it is for you to work with father." Elijah persuaded.

Klaus now sat in his car. After a long sigh he agreed, "Fine."

"Call me if you need to." with that Elijah hung up.

Great, he now had to stay in America for months. New York was a big city though, if he wanted to he could steer clear of her easily and do the right thing. But his wants and desires were nowhere near respectable as far as Caroline was concerned.

:;;;;;;:;:

"You sure. This is the only option." Caroline asked Tyler as she tucked her phone at her right ear.

"I am. I hope you don't get mad."

"Mad is definitely what I am feeling right now."

"Care. Honey. I have to be with dad for this press conference. We did talk about this a few days ago. Klaus is back in New York for sometime. It's just one dance class for the wedding. I couldn't get a hold of any other of my friends to accompany you."

"The dance class is for our wedding. You should be here not one of your stand-in slash friends. Plus it's just awkward okay."

"Come on that," She felt Tyler lower his voice as if weary of people around him, " Threesome thing happened ages ago. Hadn't I met him a few days ago then we would have paid $5000 for dance classes we weren't able to take. You know how that La Rue lady was so specific about her classes, miss one and you get kicked out and no refunds." Tyler mimicked her Russian accent then added, "I swear I was tempted to sue her."

"Fine. But just this once." Caroline responded.

"Love you." Tyler stated.

"Love you." Caroline hung up the phone and getting up from her office chair went to stand in front of her office window.

It had been a month since she had last seen Klaus. His absence had done wonders, no more was she being tormented with those pesky fantasies about him. If once or twice her mind had wandered in his direction she had shrugged him off of her mind with ease.

It was only one dance class that she had to go to with him because Madam Rue with whom she had and Tyler booked their dance sessions had unfortunately turned out to be very particular. Avoiding Klaus wasn't worth losing five grand, just because Tyler's other friends were busy too. Besides she was fully confident she could deal with Klaus now. She hadn't given him much thought until a few nights ago when Tyler had mentioned him. Surprisingly she had found out she was very neutral towards him. No residual yearning for him whatsoever.

And she was sure she was the only one who was still worrying about this. He probably hadn't even given her a single thought. This annoyed her. Thinking he might have forgotten her, irritated and depressed her a little.

Ughhh she was again fixating over him. She needed to stop now, delete him from the memory of her brain, starting this instant.

Her phone rang. She picked it up. Silently thanking Kat for the much needed distraction when she told her that they had to be in a meeting in an hour.

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

Her doorbell rang and without looking through the peephole she knew who it was.

Klaus was supposed to accompany her to the dance class today. She hadn't thought he was punctual and in her circle of people, punctual men were as rare as endangered species. It definitely earned him some points, points?, points for what exactly? Why was she being impressed by his ability to be on time? She questioned herself with a roll of her eyes.

She took a deep breath and went to open the door.

He stood there with that comely grin and two stupid dimples on his face. Her confidence left her and all those pesky and unwelcome sentiments rushed in like a torrid hurricane. Her heart dipped low in her chest and a prickly awareness bloomed between them. She was instantly attentive to every handsome feature of his. His eyes, those lips, his grin, and his magnificent body adorned in his signature jeans, henley, this time a navy blue one and his necklaces.

"Hello Caroline." he smirk widened and Caroline knew she was in a lot of trouble.

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