If Bonnie was his Alice, he wondered, did that make him the mad hatter or her white rabbit.

Kol preferred the latter.

He could still taste her in his mouth when he woke up the following day. He liked the way she'd cried out his name when she came in his mouth last night, excited by the way she'd moaned as he lapped up her juices…right down to the last drop. He'd been thrilled by the way she'd arched her back to him, the way she'd clawed his back in a frantic frenzy when she climaxed. The first time he met her she had reminded him of Hina, the classical cellist he'd dated while he was in Japan. Like Hina, Bonnie had seemed shy and inhibited but underneath all that restraint was an unbridled passion he longed to savor. At Daniel's the satisfied expression on her face had jogged his mind back to Parisian Aubrey, the fashion buyer with wild red hair and come-fuck-me heels but last night, her primal exhibitionism reminded him of Raquel, the sculptor from Argentina. It had never been about sex with any of the women he had been with; it was about the thrill of discovering a stranger, a stranger who would then love him with everything in her. It had always been about the human connection which was a very human condition.

In New York, Bonnie was fast becoming his human connection.

Kol swung his feet to the floor and dragged a hand down his face. He was tired but not hiking-up Mount-Kilimanjaro-tired or even trekking through the Amazon tired but perhaps he wasn't as young as he used to be. In three months he was going to be twenty nine years old and to him that was a milestone. Staggering to his adjoining bathroom suite, he opened the seamless glass doors and stepped inside the shower. After twisting the crystal knobs, he allowed a spray of warm water to pound against his tan flesh. The water felt like rain striking his body and he groaned at the glorious onslaught. By the time he stepped out of the shower, he felt more relaxed. When he tilted his head, he had to clench his eyes shut against the tormenting sunlight from the skylight. Snatching a towel from a silver railing, he toweled himself off, rubbing his hair vigorously. He stared at his face in the mirror for a moment, one hand scrubbing his stubble. He looked rugged, like a mountain man who'd just rolled out of bed. He chuckled thinking how much Elijah would loath it if he were to show up at Monday's meeting with this just rolled out of bed look.

It was a scorching morning in Manhattan and he was fast considering a trip to SoHo House, the exclusive New York club with a refreshing rooftop pool.

After dressing up in a cool navy Tom Ford tee-shirt, he went to the lounge to get a drink and ring Alfred, his driver. He had just hung up the phone when he heard the ping of the elevator. Kol turned around and slapped a hand across his face. The minute Klaus stepped off the elevator; he knew that his day had gone to shit. His brother was here to discuss more pressing matters than which cocktail to order at the SoHo bar.

"Klaus, to what do I owe the pleasure?" He smiled, setting a crystal decanter back on the counter.

"You have to start taking some responsibility, brother" Klaus said, advancing toward him. He was dressed in a dark suit, sans tie but to Kol it still looked ridiculously boring and tiresome.

"Where's the fun in that?" Kol rolled his eyes, moving aside as Klaus seized an empty whiskey glass.

"Aren't you weary of being the old Mikaelson lush?" Klaus raised an eyebrow and Kol sighed as he made his way to the wall of windows overlooking the Hudson.

"No, can't say that I am" he replied over his shoulder as he scanned the city from his spectacular vantage point.

"You should be" Klaus slipped a hand into his pocket, the other idly twirling his fresh glass of whiskey.

"You know I can't seem to recall whether your ex-wife called me an old lush when I was fucking her last Christmas" Kol pivotedand flashed his boyish grin at his older brother.

"Aah Camille, I love how she looks post-orgasm, don't you?" Kol 's smile broadened, thinking back to that night when he'd disempowered Klaus by his sleeping with Camille, better known as an extension on Klaus's narcissism. Klaus didn't date women, he never bothered to know them or fall in love with them. To him they were all just beautiful props; Hayley Marshall had been the latest trophy, something to look good on his arm.

"Touche" Klaus nodded, a sardonic smile spreading across his lips, "I have your best interest at heart, brother" he said and took another sip of whiskey. They glared at each other for what felt like ages before Klaus cleared his throat,

"Look, you'll be set up in a nice corner office, a descent suit and a good salary. You'll be feeling like a million pounds before you know it" he said in an animated manner which only served to infuriate Kol more.

"Not interested" Kol hissed through gritted teeth.

"You'll be working with a bevy of beautiful women and-"Klaus expanded and then paused, "you know I'm not going to try and sell this job to you because frankly speaking, it's your last chance. This position is your life-jacket."

"And If I don't take it?" Kol took another swig from his drink, "What, daddy revokes my trust fund or something?" he chuckled tearing his gaze away from his glass to look at his brother.

"What's going on with you and Hayley's assistant?" Klaus blurted instead. Catching Kol off-guard.

"Who's Hayley's assistant?" he cleared his throat, turning around so he give Klaus his back.

"The hot brunette with the green eyes, the one we lunched with at Daniels" Klaus explained, undeterred.

"Oh…Bonnie, what about her?" Kol frowned, pulse quickening.

"What are you doing with her?"

"Nothing"

"Kol…" Klaus warned and peered at him, "Hayley mentioned something about you, Bonnie and page six"

"She's writing a sex thesis and I'm assisting her" Kol said, his heart beat speeding in line with his lie.

"Careful brother, it's not wise to fraternize with the help"

"I'm not consorting with the help; I'm barely even fucking the help." Kol mumbled, glaring into the amber liquid inside his glass.

'It would be wise to heed my counsel" Klaus smiled over the rim of his glass and heat rushed through Kol like fire.

"Careful, you're starting to sound like Elijah" he said, lifting his glass again.

"Look over the job spec; you have until Monday to make a decision" Klaus advised as he set his unfinished glass back on the bar. He flung a file toward Kol and it landed on an armless chair in front of him.

-oOo-

Friday, they had a rooftop brunch at a quirky Mexican place that overlooked the glittering Empire State building, if you craned you neck at just the right angle.

"His name is probably something moronic like Dwight or something" Katherine pointed her chin at an obvious tourist taking selfies with his cellphone. She fanned herself with a napkin, the high altitude of the restaurant not quite helping with the sweltering summer morning. Bonnie reckoned that they were in for a searing hot weekend and she was beginning to rethink her decision to order a spicy posole soup but she needed the chili to quell her hangover. She leaned back in her chair and allowed the waiter to place a cool glass of cranberry juice in front of her. It was chockfull of crushed ice, just the way she liked it.

"So I may have jerked off to your new boyfriend last night. He gave me a huge lady boner at that party" Katherine moaned, taking a bite from her fried tortilla. Her face morphed into ecstasy with each swallow. She was wearing raven black today because it was oh so very New York.

"He's not my boyfriend" Bonnie slanted her head forward, gathered her hair in her hands and tied it into a tight knot on top of her head. She schooled her face into nonchalance as her friends observed her, narrowed eyes looking for cracks in her resolve.

"Right, he's your fuck buddy" Caroline offered as she rubbed the back of her neck then slurped her iced tea from a straw. They were all tired and practically melting over the table.

"Well, the consensus is that we like your non-boyfriend" Matt smiled, raising a glass of ice water with a twist of lemon to his lips.

"Nice scarf" Katherine reached out to feel the smooth fabric, her narrowed eyes studying the Aztec print.

"Thank you" Bonnie simply mumbled and tried to avert her curious gaze.

"Since when do you afford such nice scarves?" Katherine pressed and Bonnie swore under her breath.

"Oh my, it's from him isn't it? "Suddenly Katherine's eyes sparked and she slapped the table with both hands.

"Mr. Moneybags is already buying you gifts?" Caroline's eyes lifted to Bonnie's face and she swallowed hard.

"You know what this means right, you're fucking him" Matt laughed, wrapping arm around Bonnie who's groan deepened. She was in hell; her friends would never let this go.

"I'm not screwing him" she defended herself and kept her eyes on Caroline because seemingly that's where most of the judgment was coming from.

"Yet" Matt emitted a delicious moan as he swirled his glass.

"You're so lucky, I love men with money. Money gives financial power and power attracts women" Katherine placed her elbows on the table, her fingers tightening around her champagne glass.

"No, money attracts women" Caroline scoffed, one eyebrow still lifted at Bonnie.

"Some women" Bonnie corrected, meeting Caroline's glare head on. Caroline's palm-tree print cropped shirt was starting to give her a headache.

"Most women" the blonde made a comeback and Bonnie inhaled sharply.

"You wouldn't get it but power is very sexy" Katherine purred, oblivious to the tension around the table.

"How's Markos?" Matt managed to redirect the conversation and Bonnie gave him a silent thank you.

"Blurgh, that cultural parasite?" Katherine made a face and sipped her champagne. Caroline opened her mouth to say something but Matt cut her off with more questions directed at Katherine.

When they went back to their respective jobs, she wondered what Caroline's deal was but decided to brush it off. She settled into her office chair and continued her morning but she knew that she was experiencing the first signs of an obsession when she spent about an hour of company time not researching the latest kinks or vibrators on the market but rather researching the Mikaelson clan, namely Kol Mikaelson.

-oOo-

Later that evening after avoiding Caroline and holing up in her bedroom, her mobile rang and exuberant smile flashed across her face when she realized that it was Kol.

"What are you doing this weekend?" he asked.

"Uhm…nothing" she replied after much hesitation.

"Then come away with me" he suggested and a long drawn out breath escaped her pursed lips. Stay calm, she advised herself as her head whirled with what Kol had just proposed.

"Are we eloping or something?" she asked playfully, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow morning" he said smoothly and a knot tightened in her gut.

As soon as she hung up on Kol, she barged into Caroline's bedroom and told her the great news.

"You said yes?" the blonde shrieked, bolting up from her pile of silk pillows. She tossed her book aside and blinked at Bonnie, her blue eyes shooting fire.

"Duh, it would so suck if I said no to the possibility of hot sex with this guy" Bonnie admitted, hands fixed to her hips to try and assert her dominance.

"But he's your fuck buddy. You don't do a weekend away with your fuck buddy" Caroline cautioned and swiped a hand through her bed-hair. Bonnie crept closer and sat down on the edge of her friend's bed.

"Why not?" she asked, picking at Caroline's duvet.

"It's a no-strings-attached relationship and therefore, no strings. A weekend away together is serious strings "Caroline huffed and Bonnie gave her a bashful glance before taking in a deep breath.

"Fine, then I choose to implement a no rules thing with him" she confessed and waited for Caroline to say something.

"Are you sure that's such a good idea? This guy sounds like bad news "Caroline frowned and shook her head as the tendrils over her shoulders shook at the gesture.

"You don't even know him, Care" Bonnie stretched out her hand and patted Caroline's foot over the duvet.

"I know his type."

"I can handle it" she assured her friend and hoped that she'd lay the matter to rest.

"Famous last words" Caroline scoffed while Bonnie scooted closer to her.

"What happened to you? You used to be the optimistic flower child?" Bonnie grabbed her friend's shoulders and shook her playfully.

"And you used to be the cautious one" Caroline smirked, trying to fight the smile sneaking into her charming face.

"Care, I need this. Just let me have this...please" she smiled, pulling Caroline into a firm hug.

-oOo-

She was a jumble of nerves the following day as she took a shower. She'd hardly slept a wink because all she could think about was spending the weekend with Kol. Squirting a handful of organic blackberry shampoo onto her hand, she rubbed her hair vigorously to wash out the smoke from Thursday's party. She closed her eyes as water ran over her head, trailing down her body. She imagined what it would be like to completely alone with him, not another soul insight as he made love to her. Surely he was going to make love to her, wasn't he? He wouldn't merely drag her all the way to the Hamptons to tease her relentlessly like he had been doing all these weeks. Bonnie imagined that the water was his hands, running down her body, skimming the insides of her thighs.

She bit her lower lip as a quiver tickled down, heat mounting between her thighs. She needed to get out of the shower before she took matters into her own hands.

Stepping out of the shower, she took a towel and wrapped it around her body, then used another towel to squeeze water out of her hair. The white subway tiles were cool under her feet as she brushed her teeth, pausing every so often as he mind drifted to Kol and his yet undisclosed intentions for the weekend. She never dated anymore and took sex whenever it was offered by a delectable candidate. She didn't need a man who was going to hurt her with ridiculous mind games, a man who would make her wait for hours for a phone call that never came. Manhattan men got off on the power of their mind games and Bonnie had learned that casual sex was far better than trying out for love.

She dressed up slowly, choosing an unforgiving lace and mash thong with a matching demi-bra. The dress she picked was hopefully cool enough to avoid melting all the way to the Hamptons but she was sure that his car had ample air conditioning. She selected a white chiffon dress with a caged top and a layered hemline that hit just above her knees. After slipping on her oversized sun-glasses, her phone buzzed with a text from Kol, he was outside. She grabbed her bags and flew down the stairs until she was met by an overwhelming city heat outside.

"Hi" Bonnie waved, taking him in as he leaned against a sleek, black Aston Martin. She swallowed, struck by how devastatingly European he looked. A quick stride brought him closer to her as he took her bag from her hand.

"Miss Bennett, your carriage awaits" he said and her heart beat even faster. She climbed inside the sexy automobile and felt immediately transformed in to the type of female Kol Mikaelson dated.

"Buckle up" Kol gave her a little wink before he started the engine. She leaned into her leather seat and exhaled as he shifted into gear.

"What music do you like?" he asked, motioning to his CD case.

"Got anything with base?" Bonnie laughed, thumbing through his collection. They weaved through traffic, his powerful engine purring before they broke out into a double lane highway. As they left the city behind, her mind cleared as Charles Aznavour sang about sunshine and faraway shores.

"There's a market, not far from the house. It sells the catch of the day, fresh from the sea" Kol motioned when they zipped down a freeway. He would glance at her every so often, sing along to the songs every time she changed the CD and squeeze her thigh everytime he shifted gears. She was starting to like this driving out of town thing with him.

Before she knew it, they were cutting into a gravel road with a small sign hammered on a gnarly tree stump. Kol helped her out of the car and she marveled at the sight of the farmer's market.

Everywhere she looked there were crates of fresh fruits, colorful vegetables, freshly cut flowers and boxes of wine. The air smelled like freshly cut tart apples and everything seemed to sparkle even with the grey sky over them. They walked around, sightseeing and picking out a few items before ending up at a smoothie stall. Kol purchased two smoothies, glancing at her over his shoulder before making the orders.

"I used to love coming here as a kid" he said, handing her a freshly made smoothie. She lifted the tumbler to her lips and when she tasted the strawberry, her taste buds thrilled to the taste. If this was what being healthy tasted like, she wanted more of it.

"When I used to come here, I always ordered the banana flavor" he grinned and gestured to his banana smoothie. Bonnie raised her eyes to his beautiful face and returned his eager, crinkle-eyed smile.

"My mom would drag us here every Sunday. She loved to come up to the Hamptons during the weekends and she loved this market. "He continued to speak as his gaze roamed over the bustling market but she only had eyes for him. Bonnie stared at his profile, his glowing hair and that brilliant smile. Suddenly she wanted to run her hands through his soft, glowing hair but she stopped herself. She focused on what he was saying instead and heard the crack in his voice as he spoke about his mother.

"She used to say she loved the sea and the sun but I think it was mostly to get away from my dad" Kol shrugged, licking his spoon and she tried very hard not to imagine that she was that spoon. Before she could offer her words of wisdom, Kol's brilliant brown eyes were sweeping over her as he draped his arm loosely around her shoulder.

After gathering enough supplies, they continued with their journey and Kol's hand remained on her thigh for the entire drive. A short while later, his Aston Martin slid up to the front of a two-story gray timber beach house. Humidity smacked her face as soon as she climbed out of the automobile. It was a cloying heat that filled her nostrils, wilting her hair. When she swung her eyes to the sky, dark clouds were looming overhead buy she quickly dismissed that when her eyes landed on the view overlooking the house. She smiled at the sea, her gaze roaming over its expansiveness before drifting to the screeching gulls above the swelling waves.

"It's so beautiful" she said while he took out their bags from the trunk.

The smell of rain braided itself with the sharp, briny smell of the sea. Bonnie could almost feel the fresh sea spray on her face as her heels dug into gravel, digging out seashells while she took hesitant strides to the house. They took a moment to stare at the building before clambering up a set of shingled wood stairs to the wide French doors.

It felt surreal that she was here with him. Just him.

She was going to be alone for the entire weekend with Kol Mikaelson.

Her eyes scanned the kitchen with its extra-long island with a butcher block countertop, white cabinets and a stainless steel double sink with chrome faucets. There was a stainless steel stove with double ovens and an exhaust hood but the real charm was a walk-in wine cellar with wood panels. Her heels clacked on the terracotta tile floor as she followed Kol deeper into the room. He set the groceries down on the rustic countertop and glanced over his shoulder to give her a slow, sensual smile.

They were quiet for a moment, looking at each other, breathing the same air. Bonnie let her gaze rove over him, her gut tightening at the sight of him unbuttoning his shirt.

"Come over here" he motioned her over with a slight nod. She bit her lip, conscious of her body as she proceeded toward him. She wanted him so bad that she ached for him. The primal way he looked at her was affecting every cell in her body. The closer she crept to him, the drier her mouth became and it was as though Kol was watching every nuance of her body with his darkened eyes.

"Thank you for being here" he said, lifting her chin with his forefinger so that she could look at him.

"Thanks for inviting me" She skimmed her arms up his chest and wound them around his neck. When his mouth slid over hers, a moan erupted from her that made Kol intensify the kiss just enough to leave her yearning for more. The wrought iron pot rack shook above their heads as her hands quested down the hard, pulsing muscles of his broad back over his firm buttocks and squeezed. The chuckle erupting from Kol's mouth made her smile and his kisses morphed into pecks that trailed from the corners of her mouth to her cheek.

"Let me show you the rest of the house" he whispered and placed a heated hand on the small of her back as he guided her around the rest of the house.

She loved the rustic pine-wood dining table with chunky balustrade legs fringed by wicker dining chairs. Her eyes were darting everywhere, big and curious as they rushed to the row of French doors leading out to the canopied patio. When they reached the master bedroom, she was sure that she was experiencing a Martha Stewart induced orgasm. The room was anchored by a big bed with an eggshell blue tufted headboard trimmed with silver nail-heads. It was a bed made for lovemaking and she was pretty sure that its sturdy legs could take whatever Kol had to give this weekend.

Kol dropped their bags on a pair of wingback linen chairs trimmed with the same nail-heads as the headboard.

"Nice bed" she smiled, crossing her arms against her chest.

-oOo-

They spent the afternoon discussing Voltaire and Beethoven over wine as the storm intensified outside. They were nestled inside the small library which occupied a room downstairs. Bonnie smiled languidly taking another hearty sip of wine as she watched him, he was so beautiful, she thought. Kol traced his finger along the spines of a row of books as thunder crackled in the distance. She was about to argue the merits of Beethoven's love letters when Kol looked up at her and the force of his gaze made her forget her words.

"My heart is full of so many things to say to you, "he said as he closed the gap between them, "ah, there are moments when I feel speech amounts to nothing at all" he murmured, his gaze drawn to her lips. Bonnie knew well enough that he was reciting Beethoven but her stomach still clenched at the impassioned words. Before she could give her own recitation, Kol backed her into the wall of shelves, wrapping his arms around her waist. He pulled her right leg over his hip and traced his thumb over the supple fullness of her mouth. The rumble of distant thunder seemed echo inside him as he slid his mouth over hers. His tongue, his mouth, his fingers as they tangled into her hair, everything about him was overcharged with an electric current.

"I'm gonna fuck you like I own you" he breathed into her ear then scooped her up, draping her supple legs around his hips. He set her on top of the table, his hands fisting her tousled hair as he attacked her mouth again. By the time she relished in his radiating kisses, Kol was pulling back. His chest rose and fell with his breathing and Bonnie bit her lower lip as his gaze drifted down to her thighs. He ran his magnificent hands along her calves, up the back of her knees, her thighs and pulled her closer to him. Bonnie focused on the feel of his hands over her warm skin and when he tugged her head back, his mouth sliding down her neck, she gasped with pleasure.

He hooked his fingers in the waistband of her lacy thong and pulled it down her thighs, her legs until he was lifting her legs in the air. With slow deliberation, he kissed her right foot, his mouth drifting over her big toe. When his tongue twirled around her toe, Bonnie's head fell back and a moan escaped her mouth. Kol took his time, kissing her ankle, teeth nipping her skin as his tongue travelled up her leg. He opened her legs wider to give him better access to the exquisitely sensitive skin between her trembling legs. Bonnie dared to lift her head so that she could look at him but the darkened gaze that met her between her thighs just made her shiver with yearning.

She wanted him so much; she was ready to beg for it.

Kol pulled back, slipped a hand into his pocket and ripped open the condom he'd retrieved. She watched as he pulled it over his arousal, the thick veins of his erection pulsing inside it. Bonnie swallowed, stared and gasped when he pulled her right leg toward him.

"Watch me" he rasped and her eyes slid back to his erection. Slowly, inch by deliciously stretching inch, he entered her slick heat until he was buried inside her. Drawing her hips closer to him, he lifted her legs onto his shoulders and gripped her tighter, urging her to take him all the way inside her.

He felt so fucking good, she wanted to cry. Right now, she was his and he was hers.

"Open your eyes" he whispered, running his hand down the length of her quivering stomach. "Look me in the eyes; if you look away I'll stop" he commanded as he rocked slowly against her. Bonnie's eyes fluttered closed again, the ache in her groin building and building as he slid in and out of her.

"Do you want me to stop?" he paused and she bit back a scream, outrage at him withholding such intense pleasure from her.

"No, please…oh god, no…don't stop" she managed, her hands gripping his wrists. Smiling wickedly, he lowered himself over her, his mouth working her earlobe as his thrusts intensified. Bonnie's hips thrust up at him as he pounded into her relentlessly.

Holy Shit is the only thing she would stammer as she shuddered against him.