Darkest Temptations

Chapter Eighteen: The Kiss

Elena Mikaelson

The sun was just starting to set on our first day back in Utah, and it had been a perfect day from beginning to end. Caroline and April had borrowed Klaus's car to grab dinner for us so we could all enjoy a meal together and spend some quality time that we had missed in the past few days. It seemed appropriate for us to sit down together and discuss our plans moving forward. This evening, the sky was breathtaking with every part painted in a lovely shade of orange. I went into April's, turned on the pool lights, and activated the heat function. One could easily sense the refreshing Utah air, bask in the warmth of the evening sunlight, and feel the heat from the pool on their skin while in the backyard. I carefully arranged a tablecloth on the picnic table outside Caroline's house and set the table for four using a combination of glassware from my house and utensils from Caroline's. Placing red, orange, and purple tea light candles in the center of the table, I lit them after filling the glasses with water. While setting the table, I couldn't help but notice Klaus relaxing on one of the sun loungers that Caroline had bought. He had moved it to April's yard near the pool, facing away from me, simply gazing up at the sky and appreciating its beauty. He had changed out of his shirt and tie from earlier in the day and was now sporting white shorts and a matching t-shirt that accentuated his sun-kissed skin. There was a unique quality to tonight, beyond just the fact that we were alone in the houses for the first time. Klaus and I felt completely at ease in our environment, our smiles revealing our shared contentment. Almost everything surrounding me brought joy, and I was pleased to finally accept and embrace that happiness wholeheartedly. Gazing at our houses, noticing the small lamp in Caroline's kitchen, the aloe vera plant in April's hallway, and my chosen curtains swaying in the breeze. These houses were gradually transforming into homes that I felt we were all already truly proud of. Although we hadn't grasped the challenges of being a polygamist family, we were united in the fact that Utah was our shared home.

Arranging our dinner table for the night while Klaus relaxed didn't feel anyway degrading, even the knowledge that it was indeed Caroline and April out there collecting dinner either. It seemed appropriate for Klaus to take the time to relax now as I knew he hadn't slept when we arrived back home earlier this morning. Whilst Caroline and April had headed into their own houses, Klaus had returned to my house with me as it was my day with him. I had crashed out onto my bed exhausted after our flight. When I woke up Klaus was nowhere to be found, however I immediately noted the blankets around me. Klaus had indeed came into our room while I was asleep, lifted me and tucked me beneath the covers so I wouldn't be cold and uncomfortable. These were the small gestures he was making now almost daily to show us and to prove to himself that he processed the ability to be the man he was born to be. He wasn't in the house when I finally got out of bed either, he hadn't even gone over to Caroline's or Aprils he had just gone out without a word said to any of us. We were all deeply interested to know what he was up to and what the secretive phone calls had been about throughout our vacation. We all agreed that when the time came he would tell us but until then as long as we knew there was no danger behind his actions, we had to trust in him.

I had never been more relaxed than I was at that moment, observing him from a distance, noticing how peaceful he looked while staring at the orange sky. Tonight, I coordinated with him in color by wearing a white linen sun dress with delicate lace straps. I strolled barefoot, the ground was dry and warm since we hadn't had rain since we started our vacation. I didn't have any jewelry on, but I had tied my hair back in a loose ponytail to enjoy the sun on my shoulders and maintain my tan. I wanted to appear as vibrant as I felt inside because I had never felt better. There was a certain magic in the evening air that made me feel pure and innocent, like a virgin. This marked a new chapter in my life, and I had made a commitment to approach it with a fresh perspective. Bidding farewell to my life as Elena Gilbert, I embraced my new identity as Elena Mikaelson. I would value each new day as it comes, overcome feelings of jealousy, and express my thoughts and feelings more openly. I will no longer be timid or suppress my body and its desires. I was Klaus's second wife, I meant something to him, he had decided to journey through life with me, through thick and thin. It was clear that Klaus desired me completely. I had to come to terms with that. Klaus had desired me from the night we performed the spell. April was correct; she had seen him gazing at me the way he used to look at Caroline. By accepting his proposal that evening, I unknowingly communicated to Klaus that I was willing to explore a deeper connection with him. Admitting the truth now to myself, I started cheating on Stefan as soon as I agreed to move to Utah. Elena Gilbert's betrayal of Stefan with his mortal enemy revealed her belief in his exceptional abilities. I found Klaus's mind captivating in an unexpected way. He was fluent in multiple languages, well-read, talented at drawing according to Caroline, and incredibly charming. He was fully aware of the harm he caused to me and my body, yet he persisted in his actions. He was confident in his ability to control me without any resistance.

I wanted to be more vocal, but with Klaus, I found myself wanting him to take control in a manner that left me perplexed. In the past, I would have been disgusted by the fact that I had emotionally betrayed Stefan, but now I was eager to fully accept that Klaus had taken me from him. This man, this extraordinary man had determined I deserved better than Stefan and he had married me to guarantee I never had to go back to a life I didn't deserve. It was clear that even though we hadn't been together for long, Klaus valued my presence. Klaus purchased a house valued at over half a million dollars to ensure I would join him in Utah. And the realization immediately had a physical impact on me once I began to embrace it. I became Elena Mikaelson because he chose to make me Elena Mikaelson, and just thinking about it halted all my other movements. All I could think about was Klaus and what I desired him to do to me and my body, and I wanted to be truthful with him about it. So, I made the choice to utilize the remaining time we had together for my own benefit. I set the napkins on the table before walking over to him, feeling my heart pounding in my chest and realizing I was swaying my hips as I approached. Klaus didn't acknowledge me until I stood in front of him. He appeared quite dashing as he reclined in the lounger, dressed in white clothes that complemented his sun-kissed tan. I was biting my lower lip as Klaus began to smirk up at me.

My gaze remained locked with his as I raised my hands from my sides to the front of my thighs. Klaus's eyes followed the movement as I lifted the dress slowly, revealing my thighs. His lips parted as he watched my deliberate, teasing, and seductive actions. As the dress lifted over my knees, I paused, locking eyes with him. A smile played on my lips as I sat down on the lounger. Klaus moved forward eagerly, but my hands on his shoulders stopped him in his tracks. I hesitated before leaning in for the kiss, pressing my lips against his and gently guiding him back until he was against the lounger. His arms enveloped me as I sensed the cool metal of his watch pressing against my back beneath the delicate fabric of my dress. I lay on top of him, my full weight pressing against his body. Klaus, the strongest creature on the planet, appeared unfazed by my pressure. It seemed he could only focus on one body part, just like me. I let out a soft sound and opened my mouth, savoring the sensation of his tongue meeting mine, only to be withheld. Klaus gently held my face, planting kisses on my jaw and chin before returning to my lips, leaving me breathless.

"Elena," Klaus moaned my name, his tongue dancing in my mouth.

I had to pause our kiss and look into his eyes, gently touching his cheek as I whispered, "Please, keep saying my name."

His lips met mine again and I stayed in the position he wished for, on top of him. Our lips remained locked in an intense embrace, my tongue dancing with his while his hands traced every curve of my body. It was a strange sensation at first, experiencing his touch in unfamiliar places, especially after only being touched by Stefan for so long. Klaus refrained from touching my breasts, opting instead to provoke a reaction by gripping my skin firmly where he touched. His hands moved sensually from the small of my back, gliding over my hips and finally slipping beneath my dress. I gasped against his lips and pulled away, only to be pulled back against his body. He held me firmly in place, his hands caressing my butt cheeks, his nails digging into my skin, creating a mix of pain and pleasure. Raising his hand to tilte my head, allowing him entry to my neck which he playfully licked and nipped at, while his hands caressed my buttocks, his fingers teasingly slipping beneath the waistband of my thong, daring to pull it down.

As we paused, his hands gently moved to my face, pushing my hair back. He then kissed the tip of my nose, causing me to scrunch up my face, which made him chuckle softly while I rested on top of him. My arms were pressed against his chest as I smiled back at him without any hint of embarrassment or guilt. We shared a quiet moment under the radiant sky, feeling the gentle breeze in our hair as he leaned in to give me a sweet kiss on my lips.

I didn't have to psych myself up anymore; it just flowed effortlessly.

"Can I ask you something?"

He didn't reply, only nodded gently and ran his fingers down my cheek while keeping eye contact.

"Did you anticipate this turn of events?"

Klaus nodded once more.

I glanced at my hands on his chest, sensing his breath beneath my warm palms, before locking eyes with him once more.

"Did you always want me?"

"Always," Klaus replied promptly, causing me to avert my gaze as my cheek blushed.

"I don't know if I believe you on that one."

Klaus tucked his hand beneath my chin to turn my head back to meet his gaze, he then reached behind my head and released my hair tie causing my hair to fall around my back and shoulders. He then proceeded to take a strand of my hair and gently twirl it between his fingers causing his wedding ring to dance in the light before our eyes locked once more.

"The night of the Senior pranks. Do you remember what I did that night?"

That was the night Klaus slapped me in the middle of the school gym causing me to crash to the floor in response to his outburst.

"I remember. I won't pretend." I told him.

Klaus couldn't look me in the eye then, his discomfort was obvious to both of us for he had always been arrogant enough to look all his victims in the eye. But seeing him then, I imagined he was recalling the sound of my scream as he sent me to the floor.

"Why do you ask?" I asked him leaning slightly closer "I mean, talk to me, why did you ask me?"

Klaus met my gaze "I'm far from stupid love. I knew I felt something for Caroline long before that night. She just didn't know it yet." He paused and looked down at my hair between his fingers before continuing "But that night, seeing you were alive, your determination to keep Stefan at bay, the fear you had for your friends safety, for Christ sake, even your bloody perfume was capturing me."

I bit my lower lip in response to his honesty begging for more.

He sighed "And so I took advantage of every possible moment, I touched you whenever I got, stood closer than necessary to feel your warmth. I just knew you needed more than him."

"…You did?" I looked away for a moment before looking back at him "Even then?"

"I knew that night and every night since." He said and shook his head "And I should have known that night I came to take you away from him for the sacrifice."

I looked away the second he said that word but he quickly reached out to cup my face.

"I should have saved you that night."

"Saved me from what?"

"From Stefan."

I looked down to his lips then finding I couldn't look anywhere else, all I could think about was kissing him again. He was being brutally honest, something I hadn't expected from him and especially when I was the subject of conversation. For so long everyone had been hiding the truth from me thinking it was better to protect me. But it appeared Klaus's honest did something to my core, his honesty made me pulse.

"Look at me." He demanded and I did.

Say something. Say anything to me.

"I knew you were mine. Not your blood. But you."

I fought the urge to bit my lower lip this time. I just flat out asked the question that was burning within me.

"Did you ever think about compelling me to be with you for a single night?"

"No sweetheart." He asked before brushing his palm across my wedding ring "One night wouldn't have been enough. Not for me."

"…Would you have asked me to cheat with you?"

Klaus didn't answer me until I found the courage to meet his gaze. When I finally did he nodded keeping his eyes fixed on mine.

"I could never have done that to him." I replied

"I know."

I leaned in and kissed Klaus then before pulling away.

"Let me ask you something love."

"…alright."

"Do you feel like you're cheating now?"

I shook my head and he leaned in and kissed me before I finally rested my head upon his chest for the first time.

"You're never going to let us go are you?" I asked.

"Never." He responded confidentially.

I sighed heavily "We don't even know a thing about each other."

"That doesn't matter."

"It does. You know it does."

"Then start right now darling. But not with something common. I have no interest in your favourite colour."

I smiled then and fought the urge to squeeze his ribs.

"I want you to tell me something you want. Something beyond your life in Utah. Something selfish. Something I cannot tell another breathing soul." Klaus murmured to me while his hand grazed the outside of my thigh.

"I…have everything right now. What more could I possibly want?"

"There's always more. Stop hiding. Ask for something outrageous."

"So you can buy me something?"

"Maybe. Or maybe I'll forever deny you of it."

I stayed completely motionless as a myriad of thoughts raced through my mind. He expected me to prioritize my needs and desires, even if I didn't feel worthy of them. He wasn't attempting to transform me into a different person, but rather pointing out my struggle to resist my own aspirations. Several opinions crossed my mind, but I was hesitant to share them with him. Not only would he judge me, but I would also judge myself, and I'm not sure if I would ever forgive myself for making such requests.

"You'll judge me."

"Probably. But I won't go anywhere either."

I shook my head "I can't."

"Yes you can. And you will."

He'll hate me. Or maybe, just maybe, he'll appreciate my honesty.

I took a deep breath and reminded myself to keep my eyes open while speaking. If he wanted honesty, then I was determined to deliver it. I gazed ahead at our home, mustering the strength I required.

"I want to visit Jeremy in New York without Caroline knowing."

Klaus did not reply, causing my stomach muscles to tense up instantly.

"...Anything else?" He finally inquired with an unwavering voice

Does that mean yes? Wait – No finish first. He's asking so just tell him.

I pressed my lips together hard before I finally told him "I'm second wife. I don't want you to sleep with April before me."

Klaus held my face in his hands as I anxiously looked into his eyes, dreading what I might see. However, his face remained devoid of emotion as he simply smiled and asked.

"And if you could only pick one?"

Don't say it! Don't.

But it didn't matter that I didn't respond, my response was all the answer he needed. He leaned in towards me brushing his lips against mine. I closed my eyes and whispered to him.

"I sound like a brat."

"You sound like a Mikaelson." He confirmed before capturing my lips.