His & Her Rules- A Steroline Story.

Chapter 4– The Story

They drove down a white pebbled road, pulling up outside a mansion covered in ivy. Caroline was very familiar with the Lockwood house, she had spent many a night here lost in the arms of Tyler. *Click Click* The sound of Stefan clicking his fingers snapped her out of her daydream, as much as she didn't want to face the current reality. "Earth to Caroline! I asked you what the plan was."

"Sorry okay ummm think Caroline think."

"Great you're talking to yourself, I'll get the bags." But it was too late, the front door to the house was opening and Caroline's breath hitched up in the back of her throat. She could see his face, smiling, as he walked out hand in hand with her. She was beautiful, long dark hair that framed her glowing face. Stefan quickly acted and grabbed hold of her hand, stroking the sides to comfort her. "Just breathe, you've got this." He whispered into her ear. "Caroline! I'm so pleased you made it, it's been forever." Tyler said as he let go of Elena's hand to embrace Caroline into a hug. Caroline rested her head on Tylers shoulder, still aware she was gripping Stefan's hand for dear life. "Thank you for having us." She stuttered. "Us? Oh I'm sorry mate I didn't see you there, I'm Tyler and this is my beautiful wife to be, Elena." He reached out his hand to shake Stefan's. "No problem 'mate' I'm Stefan Salvatore, Caroline's boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? Care you never mentioned you had met somebody." Tyler smirked. "Oh it's not a problem, she's been really busy, launching her new book and it's been so successful." Stefan looked at the outstretched hand and dropped the car keys into the palm. "I assume you have valet here." Stefan pulled Caroline closer to him. "C'mon Honey let's grab our bags and Tyler can show us where we're staying." Caroline did what she was told and when she had finally snapped out of the trance she was in she found herself in a white bedroom. The king size four poster bed in the middle of the room. She gulped as she realised she would be sharing this bed with Stefan. "Caroline, it's just us here, talk to me." Stefan wrapped his arms around her to comfort her. "I am so sorry Stefan, i shouldn't of dragged you here." She voice broke as the panic set in. "Kiss me." Stefan demanded. "What?" "I know you are panicking, i am trying to distract you." He grabbed her chin softly and pulled her lips to his. His lips felt soft and warm on hers. She could feel the tingles spread through her body, at first thinking the butterflies were back in her stomach, but these tingles went lower and almost resembled a throbbing. Stefan broke the kiss before Caroline could attempt to deepen it. "You can open your eyes now." Caroline's thick black eyelashes fluttered open. "Woah." She breathed. "Thanks, you weren't so bad yourself. We should probably get used to doing that more if we are going to be a believable couple."

"I'm just going to freshen up, I'll meet you downstairs. Try not to get yourself into too much trouble." Stefan watched her retreat to the bathroom and he heard the door lock. "This is going to be one hell of a weekend." He muttered as he headed out of the room.

Caroline flicked the cold tap on and cupped the cool water in her hands. She splashed her face in attempt to calm her down. "Pull yourself together Caroline!" She tutted. She knew she was in way over her head. There was one person she needed right now, pulling out her mobile from her handbag she dialled the only number she knew from memory. *Ring Ring* "Caroline, what's going on? Are you okay?" Caroline sobbed down the phone. "Bonnie, i don't know what I'm doing, i need you here."

"Okay, calm down, just breathe and tell me what's happening."

"She's beautiful Bonnie, i was foolish to think he would suddenly realise he loved me. I have dragged Stefan into this and he's such a good man."

"Okay first of you didn't drag Stefan, he went with you willingly for a handsome fee may i add. Secondly and what i am about to say comes from a place of love, girl you are too good for Tyler, you deserve somebody that's going to stand next to you when all of your dreams are coming true."

"He kissed me Bonnie!"

"Tyler kissed you already? Didn't think that would happen so fast." She chuckled. "No..Not Tyler, Stefan."

"Oh wow, how was it?"

"I don't even have the words to describe it Bon, my mind was blown."

"Well Care, what did you expect, he does do this for a living." Caroline's mind became still suddenly as it dawned on her that the kiss she has shared with him wasn't good because they belonged together. It was good because he has had a lot of practice. "Bonnie, get a date and get your ass here! I need you to stop me from falling for him."

"You owe me big time. I'll see you soon babe, in the meantime keep your panties on!" Caroline wanted to yell at her but all she could hear was the dial tone.

Meanwhile...

Tyler passed over a glass of bourbon to Stefan as they had gathered in the dining room. "Stefan! You must tell us the story of how you met Caroline." Elena gushed as she cuddled up onto one of the armchairs. "Oh Elena, maybe i should let Care tell you, it's one of her favourite stories." He smirked as he noted Tyler looking more uncomfortable. "She didn't even mention she was bringing you, she won't tell us, go on, i love a good love story." Her eyelashes flickered as she took a sip of her champagne. "Lena, not all stories can be as perfect as ours." Tyler said as he sat down in the chair next to his fiancé. "Okay Elena I'll tell you, so i had known of Caroline for a while, always read her columns in the paper and could just tell from her writing that she was a girl i needed to meet."

"So you stalked her for a date?"

"Not quite Tyler, although she may say otherwise." He chuckled. "Tyler stop it, i need to hear more."

"So one night my brother drags me to this insane bar downtown where it happens to be karaoke night. We're a few drinks in and i hear this beautiful sound coming from the stage."

"That's impossible! Caroline would never sing!" Tyler exclaimed. "Haven't you heard her? She's a beautiful singer, claims to be all shy and reserved but when she's on that stage all inhibitions abandon." Tylers eyes widened as he continued to listen to the story. What Stefan didn't realise is Caroline had made her way downstairs and was stood in the doorway quietly listening to the story. "What happened next Stefan?"

"I watched her, listened to her sing her heart out to the entire Fleetwood Mac Rumours album and cheered her on. The crowd went wild for her but when she had finished i knew i had to meet her. Unfortunately being only a couple of drinks in, i was too afraid so i wrote my number down on a napkin and instructed my brother to give it to her."

"Oh that sucks, would've been so much better to do it yourself." Elena shook her head softly as Caroline coughed to make her appearance known. "I'm not a man of many regrets Elena but that would definitely be one of them. Anyway after a couple of weeks of silence i turned up at a book signing and swept her off her feet." Stefan swiftly wrapped up the story as his eyes locked with Carolines. "That can't be it! That was such a short story." Caroline shuffled over to the bar and began to pour herself out a drink. "I was at my book signing, was exhausted as it had been so busy when my assistant told me i had only one signing left. I looked up to ask for his name and his green eyes took my breath away. He then asked why i hadn't called him and placed a coffee and a muffin in front of me, told me we would start our date there and then. I was such a bag of nerves my coffee spilt everywhere but he was the perfect gentlemen. Asked me about my life, my career and my family. Let me tell you Elena, when he first kissed me, i saw stars!" Elena swooned as Caroline told the story. Stefan just stared at her and Tyler looked pissed. "It all sounds so romantic, you make such a perfect couple."

"Thank you Elena, i am sorry i didn't mention anything sooner, i just enjoyed our little bubble so much."

"That's okay i know what you mean and listen i know you and Tyler have a past but i also know that since then you have been his best friend and i was hoping you would kind of be mine?" Caroline shifted on the spot as the speech began to make her feel uncomfortable. "Furthermore Caroline i would really like it if you would be my maid of honour." Caroline chocked on her drink. "Elena...that's a lovely gesture but wouldn't you rather have somebody closer to you be there for that. We've just met." Stefan silently chuckled to himself. He knew that Elena was trying to keep Caroline close, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. "Don't be silly Care, any best friend of Tyler's is a friend of mine." Caroline cringed at the use of her nickname. "What she meant to say was 'of course Elena' right Care?" Caroline's eyes widened and she slowly nodded her head. "Oh...Kay Elena, I'll do it."

Stefan placed his glass back on the table and grabbed her hand. "C'mon Caroline it's getting late, lets head to bed." He wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively. "Good idea Stefan, go get some rest Caroline, you and me have a busy day dress shopping tomorrow!" Stefan pulled Caroline towards the stairs and up to their room, closing and locking the door behind them. "Stef, what are you doing?"

"Didn't you see it Caroline? Tyler hated the fact you are so happy." He began to unbutton his shirt and hang it into their wardrobe. "I'm talking about the story, i didn't tell you about my love for karaoke or Fleetwood Mac." He spun around to face her. She could see his chiselled torso glisten in the moonlight that shon through the window. "You were listening to that?" Caroline started to undo the buttons on her dress, stopping at just above her belly button. "I heard everything, you know your brother never did give me your number." She giggled. "Well I'm glad he didn't otherwise this would be a huge conflict of interest." He smiled at her genuinely. "Stefan, i know what this is okay. I'm not stupid and i won't fall in love with you. This is a business arrangement right where i have paid for your services. Tell me that this is all there is here." Stefan paused a moment, unsure of how to answer her. He was distracted by her barely covered chest and all the blood rushing to other parts of his body. "I uh... I'm just going to use the bathroom." He swiftly turned away from her and practically ran to the bathroom. Caroline huffed as she stripped out of her dress to change into her pyjamas. Opening her suitcase she began to curse at the fast that Bonnie packed her cases. She had no pyjamas, none that were suitable for a platonic sleepover with an employed friend. She managed to dig out a lace red camisole with matching shorts that would have to suffice. She could hear Stefan banging around in the bathroom and wondered if she had said the wrong thing.

Stefan grabbed his phone from his jeans and dialled the only number that would help him. "Hello brother, how can i be of service?"

"Damon, i need you to get Bonnie and come to this wedding now!"

"What's going on? I thought you could handle it?" He questioned. "I thought i could too Damon but i think I'm falling for her and i can't handle this. Should i just give her back her money and come home?"

"And leave her alone, hell no, plus that was a lot of money she paid for you." Stefan snorted. "It's not even about the money, i don't want to hurt her."

"What makes her any different from any of your other clients Stef?"

"She's the girl from the Karaoke bar."

"...Shit. I'll contact Bonnie and we'll be there asap. Hang in there little bother and whatever you do. No sleeping with her, that will just complicate things more."