A blissful smile curved Angelica's lips. If she was dreaming, it was one she didn't want to wake up from, that was for sure.
Or maybe she was semiconscious in her and Klaus's bed, and this was all real. Whichever it was, she could feel his warm breath on the skin of her neck, then the brief, pleasant sting as he bit down gently.
"Klaus," she moaned, shifting a little, and not wanting to open her eyes, just in case this was a dream.
"Doesn't this feel good, Angel?" He murmured as he nibbled on her earlobe. "It seems like it's been forever since I touched you this way."
"Oh, yes," she agreed, scooting closer to his muscular body.
He growled as they touched, sliding his hand between her legs, his fingers caressing her gently, slowly moving upward to reach the inside of her thigh.
That woke her up. "What are you doing?" She asked and grabbed his hand, pushing it away.
He just shook his head at her, a twinkle in his eyes. "Love, if I have to explain to you what I want to do with you, I'll wonder for the rest of my life how Victoria came along." He smirked.
"You need to stop right this minute!" She scolded, staring into his greenish eyes. "I thought I was dreaming! It was nice until you woke me up!"
"Oh, you dream about me?" He wiggled his eyebrows comically. "That should be an obvious thing, but…tell me more! Are we on the island? Are we naked? I need details!"
"Klaus, this isn't funny!" Angelica rolled away, making space between them on the bed as she pulled the sheet up against her chest.
"Why are you covering yourself up like a blushing virgin on her wedding night?" He asked, trying not to laugh. "You do know that by now, I know your whole body as well as I do my own. Every single inch of it, right?"
"I need to put distance between us," she insisted, chin raised.
"Please don't feel like you need to keep yourself away from me. What do you think you're accomplishing by denying yourself what you want? What you need?"
"You think you know what I need?" Angelica drawled.
"Yes," Klaus nodded. "Judging from how you were moaning and saying my name-" he then paused to demonstrate, which made her want to punch him in the arm-"you really need me to fuck you. Immediately."
"You know we can't do it immediately," she reminded him. "The doctor said—"
"-that tomorrow we could, you know, bow chicka bow wow!" he winked playfully and did a little dance that made her feel things in her core that she didn't want to feel.
"Yes, but that's tomorrow," she said stubbornly. "We're not at tomorrow yet!"
"Oh, come on, Angel," he shrugged. "What's twenty-four hours? And you're probably already healed up! Wee-wee's been awfully patient!"
She narrowed her eyes. "You tell wee-wee that I don't want him or his super powerful sperm even like, several feet away from me, and definitely not close!" She shook a finger under his nose. "There's no way I'm getting pregnant again now."
"Well, if he was several feet away from you, you wouldn't get pregnant," Klaus reminded her and then leaned forward and put his lips against her ear. "I know I'm big, but not that big."
She whimpered and then cleared her throat. "You know what, Klaus? Bite me!" She pushed the sheet aside and hopped out of bed to put on a robe. "Just don't. You're lying there all naked and sexy and I don't want to…I can't…"
"You can't give into temptation?" He chuckled. "I know I'm irresistible."
"No," Angelica lied, hoping he wouldn't see the blush that gave her away. "Because I mean, sure…I have needs too, and tomorrow…tomorrow will be a sort of relief, but…you're you, and…" she knew she was still blushing.
"And what does that mean?" Klaus jumped off the bed and got close to her.
"What it means is that I'll have a football team on my hands if I'm not careful! A bunch of kids to look after just like my mother did and…I can't do everything with that many! I don't want to be responsible for a whole screwed up football team!" She put her hands on her hips and marched into the bathroom.
"Are we buying and coaching a whole football team now?" Klaus asked, his voice rising as he chuckled and put on a pair of jeans and a Hayley shirt with long sleeves.
Then she came out of the bathroom, wearing yoga pants and a fitted top.
"If you think this is supposed to stop me and wee-wee from wanting to throw you down on that bed and have our way with you, you're going about it completely the wrong way," Klaus informed her as he circled her. "Your ass looks absolutely fabulous in those pants." He pulled her in close to his chest. "If you need to wait a few extra days to go back to bed, that's fine. I don't care."
Angelica sighed. "It won't be forever, I promise. I do want you but…" she reached up and put a hand on his chest. "I need…I need to get ready first. It might take…" she screwed up her face, thinking hard. "…ten years, but I'll get it done, and then off we go."
He laughed. "You really think I'm that powerful? I'll take it as a compliment!"
"Oh, you know you are! And your brothers." She pointed out.
"You do realize that soon we'll have guests and it'll just get harder to be alone," he reminded her. "Dealing with both Victoria and Michelle. You may find it hard to believe, but I'm trying to appeal to your practical side here! We should be together while we can!"
"Well, that's just music to my ears!" Angelica's eyes twinkled as she kissed his cheek and pulled away. "The challenge posed by Michelle, I mean. And Victoria. Speaking of her, I'll go see what she's up to before I do my morning yoga and you can do whatever it is that you do."
"You do realize, Angel, that you won't be able to resist me forever!" Klaus shouted at her retreating back, even as his eyes landed on her butt, which was looking firm and perfect in those yoga pants.
"Don't you think I won't try!" Angelica shouted back, looking over her shoulder for a moment and giving him a little wave. "Admit it that the hunt is part of the fun! I know you'd be bored if I just came to you. I'm doing you a favor!"
Klaus made his way to the kitchen, bumping in to Angelica, who had just finished her yoga session.
"Oh, sorry!" She apologized as he grabbed her to stop her from falling and pulled her into his arms long enough for her to get her balance, and then a little longer than that.
"Klaus, you can let me go now," she said, hitting his chest with her fists. "I'm all sweaty and gross! Why would you want to do this now?"
"Mmmm, yes…" he nodded. "But it's the best kind of sweat. The same kind of sweaty you were on the island and every time we've had sex, and has that stopped me? No, it has not!" He chuckled and buried his head in the crook of her neck and shoulder, covering her neck with kisses.
"Klaus!" She giggled and squirmed because she was very ticklish. "What is with you today?!"
Klaus looked into her eyes and grinned wider. "Can't a man just be happy with his girlfriend and their new daughter?" He took her chin in his hand and kissed her parted lips.
"I suppose," Angelica shrugged playfully, then put her arms around his neck, gently caressing the nape.
Then he leaned forward to kiss her again as his hands ran down her back, but they were interrupted by the doorbell before he could go far.
"What is it with this rental house and all the unexpected visitors we're having?" He growled, then gently pushed Angelica away so he could go answer the door.
"Oh, don't you be a grumpy old man," she teased. "Whoever it is, you can tell them to go away."
"Well, I intend to," he nodded, slapping her butt as she cried out in surprise and then stuck her tongue out at him.
He chuckled, then reached the front door. Pulling it open, he was surprised to see his granddaughter, Michelle, on his doorstep.
"Would you tell him to stop following me?" She barked as she made her way inside, tightly clutching a suitcase. "I know you didn't even invite him. He just decided to be rude and come anyway!"
"I won't take my eyes off you while you're carrying my baby!" Nico Fale told her as he came in too, a large backpack in hand.
"Maybe it's not yours!" Michelle spat. "Did you ever think of that!" She turned and poked him in the chest.
"Oh, please, Princess," he scoffed and rolled his eyes. "I'm the only one you've been begging to be in your panties!"
"Well, look who's back already!" Angelica called.
"It appears they are." Klaus heaved a sigh and shut the door behind their visitors. "Nico, as my granddaughter pointed out, you weren't invited, so why are you here?"
"How many bedrooms does this house have?" Nico asked, crossing his arms.
"Seven," Klaus told him. "Why?"
"No, no, Grandpa!" Michelle pouted and stomped her foot. "You were supposed to tell him that there are only three rooms! That's what I told him so he'd go away!"
"Well, I didn't know that," Klaus told her. "If you're going to plot with someone, you have to tell them. I'm not a mind reader, Michelle!"
"Look, I realize I wasn't invited and under the circumstances, I'm not exactly welcome here, but…I think I deserve to be here and be part of my baby's life, right?" Nico argued. "I'll even pay you rent until the baby is born!"
"Did you hear that, love?" Klaus called. "Nico says that if we let him stay, he'll pay rent!"
"Well, considering how horribly poor we both are, that'll help a lot," Angelica smirked as she made her way to the kitchen. "I think I'll go make some popcorn."
"At this time of morning?" Klaus questioned.
"Something tells me I'll need it!" She winked.
"So, I can stay?" Nico asked hopefully.
"Well, since you seem very set on doing the responsible thing by being in your child's life, I don't see how I can refuse." Klaus shrugged.
"Great!" Michelle yelled, throwing up her hands. "Thanks for nothing, Grandpa!"
"Now you need to tell me why you're here already, young lady," Klaus turned to face her. "I wanted to talk to your father before you got settled in here."
"Oh, I…I told him already, kind of," she bit her lip. "And he's on his way here right now."
"What?" Both men cried out at once as they looked at Michelle in shock.
"What exactly do you mean 'I told him already, kind of'?" Klaus pressed as the doorbell began to ring in a consistent and annoying fashion.
"I told him I was pregnant," she shrugged as if she'd told him that she wanted milk from the store.
"Are you fucking insane? Nico cried, grabbing his head with both hands. "I know you're pissed at me about all this, but do you want me dead too?"
"Not dead," Michelle shook her head. "But apparently the only way for me to do as I please is for you to be incapacitated somehow."
"I can't believe you want me dead!" Nico spat.
"What did I miss?" Angelica asked, coming back to the room with a bowl of buttery popcorn and very grateful that Victoria could sleep through everything. Cause she had a feeling there would soon be a lot of shouting going on. She took a seat on the arm of one of the armchairs.
"Adrian is here because my granddaughter felt the need to tell her father she's pregnant!"
"Oh, no!" Angie cried, eyes wide as she shoveled popcorn into her mouth. "Drama!"
"I'll say," Klaus heaved a sigh and made his way to the door. No use prolonging the inevitable any longer."
"What are you doing?" Nico grabbed his arm, looking terrified.
"Answering the door," Klaus shrugged and pulled himself free.
"Do you want me dead too?"
"Nico, that is my son out there! I can't just leave him on the step and driving the neighbors mad with the doorbell!"
He reached the door and opened it, only to be pushed out of the way as Adrian charged in and put his hands around Nico's neck before anyone could say a word. "I'm going to kill you!" he cried.
"No, no, Adrian for fuck's sake!" Klaus tried to pull his son off the younger werewolf, but Adrian was both very determined and full of lots of rage.
"Daddy, don't kill Nico!" Michelle cried, panicked, as she grabbed her father's arm and tried to pull him away. "I may be mad at him, but I don't want him killed!"
While she watched this, Angelica shifted in the large armchair, eyes glued to the battle playing out in front of her as she munched her popcorn and muttered thanks that Klaus was both too sly and too strong for her father to do the same thing to him.
Then, there was another knock on the door and a tall brunette entered, shock plastered on her face.
"Hi, Helene!" Angelica greeted her cheerily. "The battle just started, you're right on time!" She held out her bowl, looking more gleeful than was maybe necessary. "Popcorn?"
Helene gave no indication that she heard her, approaching Adrian and Nico, her eyes dark and stormy, her lip a thin line as she began pummeling Adrian with her fists, feeling a rage toward him that she hadn't felt in a long time. "Let go of my son, you jerk!"
Adrian didn't listen, didn't even feel the punches as he continued to squeeze Nico's throat. Poor Nico's face was beginning to turn purple as he struggled to breathe. Finally, Klaus managed to push Adrian away with such force that he staggered to the other side of the room and fell in a heap by the fireplace.
"Oh wow," Angie got out, dumbstruck. "That was hot."
"That was what?" Klaus turned and raised an eyebrow. "Seems like you're very interested in your Goliath now."
She knew what he meant. "Nope," she shook her head. "It's just a very impressive feat of strength, that's all."
Nico stumbled and coughed, trying to catch his balance and his breath.
"Are you okay?" Michelle asked, her voice full of concern as she tried to put a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't ask me that!" He snapped. "And don't touch me either!" He stabbed a finger in her direction, then went to stand with Helene, who put a protective arm around him.
"You haven't lost your touch, Dad," Adrian conceded as he got to his feet and shook ash of himself.
"You only have yourself to blame," Klaus said firmly. "You're in my and Angelica's house, you'll act civilly and politely. This is a difficult situation for everyone and letting tempers flare won't help anything."
"Fine," Adrian pouted. Then he turned to Helene. "What in the world are you doing here?"
"Nico sent me a text saying that he would be living with your father for a while. I had no idea what was going on so I came rushing over to make sure everything would be all right. And what did I find? You, with your hands around my son's throat! I thought you stopped behaving that way when we were kids and you almost killed me! Haven't you learned anything? What could possibly make you attack someone unprovoked? You better have a damn good reason for this or…or…"
"Or what?" Adrian's lip curled. "You'll tattle on me to your husband and hope he'll stick me in werewolf jail?"
"Oh, if I wanted you in werewolf jail, I wouldn't need to go running to Ludovic," Helene spat.
"Yeah," Adrian's lip curled. "Mommy and Daddy are more powerful, I suppose." He scoffed. "This wasn't an unprovoked attack! Your precious son got my daughter pregnant!"
"What?" Her jaw dropped, then she turned to Nico. "Is this true?"
"Yes, but…" Nico nodded, finding it hard to meet his mother's eyes. "I'm trying to make things right for the baby."
"And did you know about this too?" Helene asked Klaus.
"Angelica and I found out a few days ago and we suggested that my granddaughter come stay with us until the baby is born. Nico came with her because he wants to actually be a father to the baby, which is his right." Klaus explained.
"He doesn't have any right at all!" Adrian cried.
"Who are you to say that?" Helene spat. "Considering that you had kids with your goddaughter that you raised from a child!"
"Oh, shit, I forgot about that!" Angie muttered as she continued to munch on her popcorn.
"That is none of your fucking business, Helene!" Adrian was really angry now.
"Apparently the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree." Helene eyed Michelle dismissively.
"Oh, my god," Michelle spat, coming to stand by her father and take his hand. "Your son got me pregnant and you're treating me like a whore? And may I remind you that it's my parents you're ridiculing?" Her eyes narrowed. "You know what? I don't think I like you."
Helene heaved a sigh. "All right, I apologize if I sound judgmental. I'm just saying that it takes two people to make a baby. That's all I meant."
"Okay, that's enough!" Klaus cried. "Everyone just shut up!" He took a deep breath. "Adrian, Helene…out!"
"Are you throwing me out, Dad?" Adrian asked, dumbfounded.
"Yes, both of you," Klaus nodded as he pointed to the door. Then he looked at Nico and Michelle. "As for you two, find rooms to put your stuff in and then come back to the living room. We need to discuss house rules and boundaries."
"Yes, Grandpa," Michelle said meekly without another word of protest. She picked up her suitcase and then went down a corridor of bedrooms with Nico on her heels.
"I'm telling you, Dad, this isn't over." Adrian jabbed a finger in his father's direction.
"It's over for now," Klaus said firmly. "What's done is done. It'll be a lot easier for everyone if you just accept it. Try and calm down. Maybe if you get to know Nico, you'll like him. He's a good young man. You don't want to kill our kind and get into trouble, do you?"
Adrian growled but remained silent.
"Thank you for saying that my son is a good young man," Helene nodded. "That's very generous of you, all things considering."
"You're welcome," Klaus nodded back.
"I don't know about Michelle staying here," Adrian shook his head. "For all I know, you'll traumatize my daughter at night, like you traumatized me when I was a boy." He gave Angelica a look.
"I have to say that I agree with Adrian on this, if nothing else. I remember exactly what he's talking about and it won't do Nico any good either," Helene agreed.
"What's he talking about?" Angie asked curiously.
"Well, when Adrian was a boy, sometimes, even though we told him to knock before he came into our room, he would come barging in and find Selina and me, you know, in action," Klaus explained.
"Oh," Angelica bit her lip. It was only her father's insane desire to keep all the nutty stuff hidden from her that stopped her from being able to say she'd been in Adrian's shoes, although she knew her other siblings could probably share a story or two with him. "Well, if it makes you feel better, I'm sure Michelle knows all that. I mean she's pregnant."
"Well, thank you for reminding me," Adrian said between clenched teeth.
"Plus, you don't have to worry about us. Your father and I are…holding off on sex for now. And even if we weren't, the only way she'd be traumatized the same way you were is if she came barging into our room without knocking, which I don't believe will happen. Are you done now?" Angelica gave Adrian a look.
Both Adrian and Helene looked at each other, dumbfounded, before bursting into laughter and leaving the house.
"I'm not sure which one of us they're laughing at," Angie remarked, her voice full of concern. "I wasn't trying to be funny."
Klaus grinned and stole her popcorn bowl. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry your little head about," he said and threw some popcorn into his mouth.
Baltazar had just finished settling in for the night, settled in bed with a book in his hand, the loud music from the club downstairs shaking the walls of the studio apartment just a little. He could have found a quieter apartment, that was for sure. But it was very liberating to know that he could come and go as he pleased without some cruel landlord or home association breathing down his neck. He continued to read, until a discreet knock at the door made him put the book down and look up, curious about who it could be.
Roxie sometimes came up to ask him for help carrying boxes inside and get the alcohol on the shelves. Maybe it was her.
Curious, he got out of bed and made his way to the door, pulling it open, jaw dropping a little at the brunette staring back at him.
"Laurelle?" He asked, dumbstruck. "What are you doing here? It's after midnight."
"I promise to explain," she swore, sounding very nervous. "Can I come in, please?"
"I suppose, but…" he sighed warily. "But you really shouldn't be here?"
"Well, you haven't answered any of my calls or texts." She raised her chin and narrowed her eyes at him.
Even though he wore nothing but a pair of ripped light blue jeans, Baltazar let her in. "But only for give minutes." He opened the door the rest of the way and let her cross his threshold. Once she was in his room, he headed to the kitchenette and grabbed a bottle of whiskey, pouring himself a drink and downing it in one gulp. "Do your parents know you're here?"
"No, I told them I was staying at a friends' house."
This made Baltazar burst out laughing. "And they believed that? Do they realize you don't have any friends?"
"Maybe they were hoping," she said with a shrug and crossed her arms over her neckline as he averted his eyes. She wore a short bodycon dress that clung to her like a second skin and really showed off her lovely long legs. It obviously wasn't her dress. More likely she'd gotten it from one of her sisters.
He'd done his damn best the last several weeks to avoid Laurelle like the plague, ever since she'd asked him to have sex with her to prove to herself and everyone else that she was asexal.
He really felt for the struggle she was going through and her desire to get answers, but he couldn't go through with the plan when he knew he was attracted to her. He just couldn't do it!
"Did your aunt see you come in?" He asked, as Laurelle was one of Roxie's nieces.
"No, she was too busy serving customers, so thank Steve for that," Laurelle replied. "I mean, explaining my presence to her wouldn't be as hard as explaining it to Daddy, but still…"
"Good," Baltazar nodded. "Since she didn't see you, I take you home and we'll act like this never happened. Let me get on a shirt first though. And my shoes."
"No, we're not going anywhere!" She told him. "I didn't go to all the effort to get dressed and come here just so you could tell me to leave the second you saw me! We need to talk!"
"About what?" He asked after pulling his shirt over his head. "I can think of one thing that would be relevant but we finished up that conversation weeks ago. The matter is closed!"
"No its not!" She shook her head. "You promised to have sex with me! You know, to prove that…" she trailed off.
"Laurelle…" He whispered her name and closed his eyes tight. "You don't need me to help you prove anything. Give it time. Soon, a young man will come into your life, and you'll feel things, and everything will be fine."
"No," she shook her head. "I don't feel a fucking thing for anyone. My body doesn't react to boys or girls…I feel nothing!" As she got all this out, tears priced her eyes. "I just want to prove that I'm asexual, so everyone will just leave me alone about it!"
"I can't sleep with you Laurelle," he told her. "It wouldn't be right. It would be very, very wrong!"
"Why?" She asked. "Is it because you think I won't give you pleasure? I know I'm not very experienced but because you're doing this for me, I'll make sure you get what you need." She paused. "Or are you refusing cause you think I'm ugly?"
"What?" Baltazar exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock. "Where did you get a silly idea like that? You're so fucking beautiful, Laurelle! You're even my…" he trailed off abruptly and stayed silent.
"I'm even your what?" Laurelle snapped. "Worst nightmare? I get it. I mean, I just…I'm a mess, my grandfather is somewhat…notorious, even in the werewolf world, and I…" she paused. "I'm even your what?"
"Well, that was certainly a delayed reaction," he said with a shake of his head. "Never mind. Forget I said it."
"You're the only one who understands me," she said. "The only one who makes any effort with me at all. And now you're tossing me aside, avoiding me calls, and when it comes to whatever's wrong, refusing to tell me the truth!" She stopped, wiping away the tears falling down her cheeks.
"You're my type of girl," he spat, keeping his eyes on her. "Woman, whatever!" He did his best to ignore her shock. "And I would never take advantage of you. Ever!"
She stared at him, blinking several times before unexpectedly closing the space between them, cupping his face, and kissing his lips gently.
"Laurelle, no…" he mouthed her name over her lips.
"Please promise you won't hurt me," she murmured. "I just need to prove to myself what I believe is true."
He wasn't able to resist her anymore. He growled and promptly picked her up, sitting her on a small table, sliding his fingers over the silky skin of her legs to push her dress up.
"Just to warn you, I'm not wearing any panties," she informed him.
"Are you trying to kill me, Laurelle?" He whispered, a laugh on his lips as he cupped her head with his hand and crashed his demanding lips against hers.
This surprised her for a few seconds, but she didn't fight it.
He then deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue between her lips, something she let him do easily. She moaned, sliding her hands up his chest and burying her fingers in his dark hair.
He knew he should stop now. This should be it. This theory of hers that she was asexual wasn't proven true yet. He wasn't made of stone or wood or whatever else. He couldn't have stopped things with her now if he'd tried. They were past the point of no return because he'd fantasized about this for so damn long!
He devoured her lips hungrily, sliding her dress zipper down and pushing it off her shoulders, his lips sliding down her neck, biting and kissing it softly. Then, he pushed the dress down further, freeing her perky breasts and sucking on them gently.
She leaned backward, panting and moaning his name: "Balti…"
Asexual his ass! She was wild with desire…for him! He stepped away for a moment to remove his jeans, standing completely naked in front of her, grinning as she looked him over and bit her bottom lip.
"Don't bite your lip that way," he teased. "It's driving me insane!" Then he picked her up without another word, then carried her to his bed.
"Wait just a little bit," she said, getting up and grabbing some condoms out of her purse. "You mind putting these on first? I'm on pills but…the point of this isn't to make babies, so…"
"Sure," Baltazar nodded and put one on before slowly entering her.
Even so, she cried out in surprise and pain.
"I'm sorry, baby," he apologized, pausing to kiss her gently and push some of her dark hair out of her face. "I didn't mean to rush, but…you're so beautiful that I couldn't stop myself. I was trying to be gentle, really."
"It's not that bad," she assured him, kissing him again and starting to roll her hips. "I didn't know what it would feel like so I was surprised. But not now. Now it's better."
"Good," he gave her another, deeper kiss, beginning to thrust more rapidly inside her.
He knew it was wrong. He knew he would hate himself for it in the morning. But now, at this moment, as her lips touched his skin all over, all he wanted to do was love Laurelle Mikaelson!
Roxie dragged herself through the club door, yawning as she made her way to the bar, her usually big blue eyes nearly closed as she fought the urge to sleep. Yesterday had been a busy night at the club, but instead of taking the night off as Noah had insisted she and Vince do, they had decided to come in early. It was time to do inventory and it was more of a pain to delay it than to just get it over with.
She groaned and swore softly under her breath as she reached the coffee machine. "I need coffee now," she muttered, running her fingers through her tangled hair, shutting her eyes tight and then opening them again.
"Make that two," Vince muttered as he dragged himself along behind her and set a box on the counter. "Black for me. Very strong. None of that sugary syrup business and no whipped cream!"
"Don't worry, I would never give you any of that," Roxie assured him as she winked at her lover. He was basically her husband by now, even though they'd never formally gotten married like humans did, but it was good enough for both of them. "You think you'll be able to carry all those boxes? If not, I'll get Baltazar up and tell him to bring his lazy butt down here to help you."
"Oh, I don't think it would be a good idea for you to knock on his door now, to be frank," Vince said, shaking his head.
"Why not?" Roxie asked. "I let him stay here and him occasionally lending a hand is part of the deal. It won't kill him. Besides, last night he told me he would do nothing but read and sleep. He's gotta be awake by now."
"I'm not so sure," Vince shook his head, blushing.
"Whatever you know, just spill it, please," Roxie snapped. She was beginning to be impatient, because in spite of the hours she kept running the club, she really was not a morning person.
Vince coughed and avoided Roxie's eyes. "You niece was here," he announced unceremoniously. "Dressed in a very sexy, tiny, body con style black dress."
"So?" Roxie shrugged. "Celine dressed sexy to see Noah. That's not a shock. What the hell's wrong with you?"
"It wasn't Celine." Vince turned and began putting the bottles on the shelves.
"Well, there are two other options so…Michelle?" Roxie guessed. "She comes by sometimes." She crossed her arms in front of her chest and waited.
"Nope," he turned to face her. "Try one more time."
"Oh, you're kidding me!" Roxie shook her head. "It can't be Laurelle! She hates wearing dresses, especially the tight ones her sisters wear."
"Well, apparently last night she made an exception," Vince said. "She came in and looked around like she was hiding something that she didn't want anyone to see, then went up to Baltazar's apartment. She hasn't come down since."
"Are you sure it was her?" Roxie pressed. "I mean, she's a triplet and sometimes, even I have problems telling them apart, which is why I was glad when she asked Laura to-"
"Laurelle's the brunette one, right?" Vince broke in "It was the brunette one that went to see Baltazar."
Roxie's jaw hit the floor. "Oh, my god, this is huge! Why didn't you say something to me before now?"
"Well, because it's none of our fucking business as long as she's not hurting herself or doing anything illegal," Vince answered, more often the voice of reason, compared to his blunt and nosy wife. "Also, you remember how busy things were last night, especially since we were short-staffed! If I'd told you, you would have left the bar for sure and abandoned everyone who wanted drinks. I know you wouldn't want to do that.
Roxie heaved a sigh and leaned on the bar, thinking about this news. "It's bad. Adrian will not be happy. Baltazar is too mature, and a grown man, for Steve's sake, not a nice young guy Laurelle's age!"
"You know perfectly well that age is a more complicated thing in the supernatural world," Vince reminded her. "We're ageless so it doesn't really matter. But I wouldn't be surprised if Adrian had very different thoughts on all this entirely."
"I don't know if it's good or bad, or if I'm okay with it or not. I mean, I like the man. He's nice and helpful around here. And Laurelle's always been so much in her head that…maybe it'll be good for her to have him around for the time being." Roxie shrugged.
"Again, repeat after me: what goes on with Baltazar and Laurelle is none of our business!" Vince urged. "Don't say a word to your brother. He doesn't need to know."
"It's not like I have a death wish," Roxie said. "Being eternal is one thing, but I still don't want a bunch of trouble from my brother." Her eyes widened. "You know, I didn't hear a thing you just told me." She drew her finger across her lips. "Not a thing." Then she quickly made up a cup of black coffee and handed it to him, a secret smile on her lips.
Baltazar startled himself awake, then laid eyes on the young woman asleep in his arms, Laurelle's legs were interlaced with his, her left arm wrapped around his torso, her head tucked in the crook of his neck. She was still sleeping, a blissful smile on her face.
Damn it! He groaned and rolled his eyes. He should have known better. He took the virginity of an innocent woman who he now knew all too well was anything but asexual. Or at least that he inspired sexual feelings in her. And if he hadn't been certain about this before, the fact that they had made love several times throughout the night, including her going down on him, was enough to convince him of the fact.
He gently brushed her silky skin, tracing a line down her spine to the delicious curves of her ass.
Then she started slightly, opening her eyes and smiling up at him. "Hi! When did you wake up?"
"Just now," he whispered and kissed the top of her head.
"I'm a bit sore," she admitted, blushing slightly.
"It's normal," he replied tonelessly.
"Why are you sad?" Laurelle asked as she caressed the scruff that covered his face.
"I'm not sad! He shook his head, grabbing her hand to gently kiss her knuckles.
She raised herself up on her elbow to kiss him gently. Then he moaned, deepening the kiss as she straddled him, his hands sliding from the small of her back to the nape of her neck.
What was wrong with him? Was it that he was finally experiencing love he thought he would never find again after his wife died? That he would never feel again? And with Laurelle Mikaelson of all people! He couldn't let his weakness hurt her. He wasn't that kind of man.
He gently ended the kiss and pulled away, making her roll back onto the mattress. Then he got out of bed and bent over to grab his jeans where he'd left them in a heap by the bed the previous night.
"What is it?" Laurelle asked nervously. "Did I…did I do something wrong? Have I offended you? If I did, I'm very sorry."
He shook his head and put his pants on. "You've done nothing to hurt me, but…you need to leave, Laurelle. It's time."
"Oh, okay…" she bit her lip. "Is this because you need to go help Aunt Roxie? Maybe I could come and help too."
"Maybe, I don't know." He shrugged and handed her her dress without meeting her eyes. "I don't think she needs anymore help, though. You should leave."
"Why are you so desperate for me to leave?" She asked, feeling herself start to cry again as she grabbed her dress. "I know I'm not very experienced, but…"
"Oh, for fuck's sake, Laurelle!" he swore as he ran a hand through his tangled dark hair. "Don't you realize what we did last night?"
"Yes," she shrugged helplessly. "We…we made love. And I liked it."
"Yeah, and that means you're not asexual, doesn't it?" He snapped.
"I wouldn't have figured it out if it wasn't for you, Baltie!" She replied with a sob.
"Don't you call me that!" He snapped. "Ever! In fact, don't call me, text me, or contact me in any way. That would make things easier."
She had used the nickname his wife had favored for him before she'd died. Of course there was no way for Laurelle to have known that, but…hearing it from her lips was too much for him to bear.
"Fine, I'll leave!" Laurelle dressed quickly as tears fell down her face and neck onto the floor. Then she jumped off the bed and put on her high heeled sandals before heading toward the door. "You were the only one who made me feel safe and, dare I say, loved."
"Good," he scoffed. "After what I just did to you, I hope you feel that way." He nodded, chin raised. "Tonight was fun, but you're just a child. Wait a few years, and you'll meet the right man.
"Oh, fuck you!" She yelled and ran down the stairs still crying.
"Damn it!" he growled and punched the wall before pacing the length of the apartment. Then he ran out of the room, planning to run after her. "Laurelle," he called. "Come back!"
Then he found himself face to face with Roxie and Vince and neither looked too happy to see him.
"She left crying her eyes out," Roxie remarked. "Since it's your fault, would you care to explain?"
He froze, his chest rising and falling as he breathed. "I had to…I had to be cruel with her so she wouldn't get attached to me."
Vince put a hand on Roxie's arm since she looked like she was about to murder Baltazar. "Let it be," he warned. "I know you're mad, but don't do anything stupid!"
"I won't," Roxie said, looking at Baltazar. "But if you…you, Baltazar, can't see how special my niece is, then you don't deserve her. I'd say she dodged a bullet!" Then she turned on her heel and headed back to the bar, leaving Vince and Baltazar staring at one another awkwardly.
"Sorry man," Vince said at last and put a hand on the other werewolf's shoulder.
"So am I," Baltazar told him. He heaved a sigh. "You have no idea."