Caroline was looking through her closet for something to wear to dinner. She hasn't felt this nervous about dinner; well she's never felt this nervous about dinner. She groaned throwing a dress across the room before she leaned her head against the door. She turned her head toward the dresser when she heard her phone Bing. Caroline picked it up and saw a text from Arden.

A: So you and my dad are having dinner tonight? Alone… ;)

Caroline rolled her eyes, hitting reply.

C: Don't try to text me all innocent. This is your fault.

Caroline walked back up to the closet and stared at the dresses she had out. Her phone binged again.

A: How about you stop acting like you're not excited, even just a little :-P. Plus he told me you two had a wager going on and it would be rude to interrupt it. What is it anyway?

She groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. What is going to happen if Klaus wins? She sighed. At least she didn't make it easy for him. He said she could choose any three cultures she wanted. Caroline had to rack her brain for a few minutes before she gave Klaus her menus. She said she wanted Italian, Moroccan and Caribbean because those were places she visited often over the years. Klaus told her she wasn't going to find out which culture was which until the meal.

C: Klaus claimed that he could cook just about any type of meal out there. So as a way to prove him wrong I said he couldn't. That led to our bet that involved him cooking me a three course meal featuring three cultures of my choice. If I don't like it then I get to determine his punishment, but if I do like it then he gets to determine mine.

Caroline picked up a midnight blue sweetheart dress that fell just above her knees. She didn't remember buying this dress. She held it up to her figure when her phone binged again.

A: Well…I am going to leave you two to it. But one more thing Caroline…I'd prep myself for whatever punishment my father has in mind.

Caroline felt her stomach knot up. Shit, she mumbled to herself as she was about to toss her phone on the bed when it binged again.

A: Also, in case you didn't have anything to wear. I bought you a cute blue dress a while ago. It should be in your closet. There is also a pair of strappy blue heels in a box on the shoe self. Don't say anything, just wear it. I bought it for us to have a night on the town but I figured this seemed suited for it. :-*

Caroline chuckled. She sighed because Arden was really growing on her. It's been a while since she's had any close girlfriends, and Arden was filling that void. It was going to be hard to let her go after her birthday.

C: This is a very beautiful dress Arden. I'm not sure where I would've worn it if we went out, which is making me question your original intent. But, nonetheless, thank you sweetie. I love it. :-*

Now that Caroline settled on what she was going to wear she decided to wonder downstairs to see what was going on. After they returned from the market with everything to prep a full dinner tonight, Klaus told her to wonder and keep herself occupied well he prepped dinner. Now that she was done with her outfit it was only a little after six and Klaus said dinner wouldn't be ready until at least 9.

She got to the bottom of the stairs, walked across the ball room and dining room. She stopped by the door when she heard music playing in the kitchen. She chuckled when she heard Klaus singing along to The Clashes "London's Calling." She pushed open the door to see Klaus wearing an apron and food covering the counters. He had several pots on the stove and the oven was turned on.

She smiled at him when he looked up at her, "enjoying yourself?"

He laughed throwing some herbs into a pot on the stove. He wiped his hands with his towel before turning down the music, "what can I do for you love?"

Caroline walked up to the bar and sat down, "I don't think it's fair that you get to have all this fun in the kitchen when I have to wait," she looked at the clock on her phone, "for two and half more hours."

He smiled at her, "would you like to help?"

She sat up straight smiling, "that wasn't part of the deal."

He shrugged, "fine."

"Ok, ok," she said shaking her hand at him before he turned his back on her. "What can I do," she smiled brightly. Caroline knew her way around the kitchen as long as she had the recipe to follow, but as she glanced around the table she didn't see a book out for Klaus to reference.

"What are you making?" She asked.

He smirked, "that is the surprise darling," he placed a cutting board and knife in front of her and a bushel of fresh herbs.

"How do you know I'm not trying to sabotage you," she smirked picking up the knife, eyeing Klaus.

He laughed, "That is why you are in charge of cutting." He smiled at her and pointed to the herbs, "finish these and then I'll give you another bunch."

She saluted him, "yes sir." Her eyes locked with Klaus'. If she had a heartbeat it would have quickened at the look Klaus was giving her. She swallowed a lump in her throat, "so," she cleared her throat," how do you want these cut."

Before Caroline realized it Klaus was standing behind her with his hand over hers on the knife and his face next to hers. She had to remind herself to breath. He grabbed the other hand and moved the herbs with hers to the center of the board.

"The best thing about cooking is a recipe is more like a guideline then anything," he said, and Caroline felt herself tense as his breath brushed across her cheek. He used the knife to slice the leafy greens in a thin line. "You can add whatever you want to the dish or," he sliced again, "slice things however you want."

She laughed nervously when Klaus' hands loosened on her. She turned her head toward him, their faces only inches apart, "you could've just told me to slice it however I wanted."

He chuckled, "true," he pushed a strand of hair out of her face, "but where is the fun in that." He smiled pulling away from her and flashing back to the stove.

Caroline looked up at Klaus to see him smirking as he lifted the lid off of something cooking on the stove. She glared at him and started to chop up the herbs. Klaus' music shifted to the Ramones and Caroline chuckled.

"Do you have any music from this century?"

Klaus looked up from the cutting board in front of him. He was slicing up some meat. "Just because years go by doesn't mean music gets any better," he shrugged, "I still prefer the classics."

"And the Ramones are classic?"

He lifted up his hand pointing at her, "don't knock the Ramones my dear."

She laughed holding up her hands, "I didn't say it was bad, but Klaus you've been around for a long time. I just figured your taste in music would've adjusted to each time period."

He laughed cutting up the meat, "some generations are more memorable then most," he shrugged, "and it seems this time around it's unmemorable."

"Don't you enjoy something you can dance too?"

He shook his head, "you can dance to the Ramones."

Caroline rolled her eyes hopping off the bar stool and walking up to the speakers where his phone sat. She unplugged his, cutting off Joey Ramone mid chorus. She stuck the cord into her phone and scrolled through her music; she smirked and hit play on a club mix.

She turned around smiling at Klaus when the beats filled the air. He shook his head, he hated club music.

"How is this better?"

She scrunched her nose at him walking up to him dancing, "come on when is the last time you actually danced?" she grabbed his hands and started moving to the beat with him, "do you even dance?"

In an instant Klaus spun Caroline around and let her back hit his chest as his hands moved to her hips. Caroline felt her breath catch as they started moving to the music. She smiled because he was good. She was laughing when Klaus spun her out and pulled her back to his body. He was smiling at her but his eyes suddenly went wide when he twirled her away and flashed to the stove.

"Bollocks," he cursed pulling his sauce off the stove and started scrapping it into the trash. He moved to the sink and washed out the pan before he looked at Caroline.

She was smiling but trying to hold in a laugh. He pointed the spoon at her, "it's not funny." Caroline couldn't help it, she started laughing.

He stood there shaking his head chuckling as he walked up to Caroline, grabbing her elbow and walking her toward the door.

"Hey," she said as Klaus pushed her out of the kitchen.

He smiled, "you are trying to sabotage this dinner by distracting me," he pointed his finger at her, "I'll see you at nine."

She rolled her eyes, "can I at least have my phone?"

Klaus flashed to get her phone and back, smirking as he handed it to Caroline. He looked at his watch, "dinner will be served in about two hours, so I suggest you go find something to occupy your time."

Caroline sighed, "Fine." She held out her hand, "give me some bread?" He cocked an eyebrow, she laughed, "I'm going to feed the ducks in the pond."

He nodded disappearing into the kitchen. Caroline ran her hands through her hair when Klaus appeared back in front of her with a loaf of bread. "Now" he handed her the bread, "I'll see you at nine."

She nodded, smiling, and started walking out of the house.

Caroline looked into the mirror in her bathroom. She smiled as she swiped the gloss across her lips. She felt a surge of excitement as she looked over her makeup and hair. The dress Arden bought fit perfectly. It hugged her curves at the waist before fanning out. The five inch strappy heels were a nice fit and she likes how her blue toes peek out.

She took a deep breath before finally making her way down stairs. Caroline saw Klaus at the end of the stairs; she couldn't contain the butterflies taking over her stomach. She let out a steady breath and accepted the hand he was holding out.

"Evening," he said smiling, as he tucked Caroline's hand in his arm.

Caroline smiled, "Evening Klaus."

Klaus led them toward the dining room. Two places were set up, with Klaus at the head of the table and Caroline to his right. She smiled when she saw there was a small vase of flowers in the center and a few candles.

"Wow," she said when Klaus pulled out her chair. "I thought tonight was about the food," she smiled taking a seat.

Klaus laughed lightly and pushed her chair back in, he leaned down by her ear, "patience love."

Caroline couldn't help the shiver that went up her spine. She swallowed and turned her attention back to the table, placing her napkin in her lap.

"So are you ready to lose," she smirked, hearing Klaus laugh as he took his seat.

"So confidant," he said putting the napkin in his lap, "but I don't think you're going to resist the menu I cooked tonight."

She arched an eyebrow, "well, what's for dinner Klaus?"

Caroline put her napkin back on the table, "I hate you" she said narrowing her eyes at Klaus.

He laughed, leaning forward on the table, "Do you now?" he smirked. "What did I do this time?"

She gestured toward the kitchen, "how is that even possible," she grumbled. "Everything was delicious."

Klaus laughed again, shrugging, "I told you Caroline that I've picked up a thing or two over the years, and cooking is one of them."

She rolled her eyes but smiled, "you set me up."

He smirked, "oh come on now sweetheart, we haven't even gotten to dessert. Remember the deal was you have to like all three of the cultures I present to you."

She smiled and looked at him, "so if I hate this course, I win."

He shrugged a shoulder, "but I doubt you'll hate dessert."

She scrunched her nose at him and started giggling, "ok, bring on the dessert." She smiled.

Klaus motioned to the waiter standing off to the side. He wondered into the kitchen and came out with a small dish.

Caroline eyed it curiously as the waiter put it in front of her, then she groaned, "Tiramisu, Klaus you're not playing fair."

He smirked and picked up his fork, "take a bite, you never know. You might hate it."

She narrowed her eyes at him. She loved Tiramisu; it was one of her favorite desserts. When she spent a little time in Italy this was her guiltiest pleasure. She sighed, starting to admit defeat when she picked up her fork and took a piece off the delightful treat. She brought it to her lips and ate it. She moaned as the flavors melted on her tounge.

"I hate you."

Klaus laughed, forking another piece in his mouth, "you mentioned that."

Caroline sat in silence enjoying her dessert, when she was done she looked at Klaus. "Well Niklaus, you've proven to be an exceptional cook." She leaned on the table. "I'm a woman of my word and I never back down from a bet," she eyed him, only to see a smile tug at his lips. "What is my punishment?"

Klaus smiled, looking at the determined look in Caroline's eyes. He stood up and held out his hand, "come with me."

She eyed him suspiciously, but took his hand as Klaus helped her out of her chair. He tucked her hand in his arm and led her out of the dining room. Caroline felt her nerves get more tense when Klaus led her through the house and up to his studio.

"Take a seat sweetheart," he motioned toward the couch set up in the middle of the room. Caroline looked at him and mumbled ok to herself as she walked up to the couch and sat down.

Caroline crossed her legs and pushed her hair out of her face as Klaus started to set up an easel in front of her.

"What are you doing?"

"Shh," he said, continuing to set up.

Caroline lifted her eyebrows, nodding her head and putting her hands in her lap. She started to glance around Klaus' art room. The last time she was in here it wasn't exactly to admire his work, but now that she got the chance it was beautiful. He had dozens of drawing and paintings lining his walls, some framed, some not. Her eyes fell on a piece she recognized.

"Oh my god," she breathed; she stood up and walked toward it to admire it up close. "You still have it?"

Klaus looked up from what he was doing to see Caroline staring at the landscape he showed her in Mystic Falls. He smiled and nodded, "yes, that's one of my favorite pieces. I couldn't just leave it in Mystic Falls."

She smiled, before walking back to the couch and sitting down. She sat for a few beats in silence before sighing. She looked at Klaus, "are you going to tell me what you're doing?"

He smiled, un cuffing the sleeved on his button up shirt and rolling them up to his forearms, "I'd like to draw you."

"Oh," Caroline said in shock, "uh, ok."

He laughed, "I've never drawn you before Caroline. The last time I drew you it was from memory, but now that I have you here I'd like to give that drawing justice."

Caroline arched an eyebrow, "you drew me from memory" she said, a smile tugging at her lips.

Klaus looked at her from behind his easel and nodded, "the first one is going to be a simple pencil and paper, but the second one I'd like to actually paint."

She nodded, adjusting herself on the couch to get more comfortable, "ok, how do you want me to sit."

Klaus walked up to her and put his hands on her shoulders, "for the pencil and paper I'd like to have you learning back on the couch, but for the painting I'd prefer you actually laying."

She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat as Klaus stood in front of her, his chest only inches from her face. He moves some of her hair out of her face and had a wavy lock resting on her cheek when he finally took a step back.

Klaus walked around the chair and nodded, "ok, don't move sweetheart." He walked back to his easel and picked up one of the pencils. He took his knife out of his pocket and started to sharpen it.

Caroline felt knots in her stomach as her eyes stayed on Klaus, "so is this my punishment," she asked, seeing a smile on Klaus' lips.

"No," he said with a light chuckle, looking up at her.

She arched an eyebrow, "so if I choose to leave I can just leave."

Klaus nodded, "of course, but then that would just lead me right into the dare that I do have in store and I want you comfortable Caroline." Klaus closed the knife and put it back in his pocket. He clipped a fresh sheet of sketch paper to the board on the easel. When he looked back at Caroline he saw a furrow in her brow.

He chuckled, "what?"

"What's the dare?"

He smiled, and walked back toward Caroline, taking a seat next to her. "I'm really glad to hear that you enjoyed my cooking Caroline, and like you I am never one to back out of a dare."

She nodded, sitting up and turning toward him, "ok."

He sighed, "I want you to be comfortable because for the painting I'd like to paint you with a lot less clothing."

Caroline's eyes went wide.

"You wouldn't be completely naked sweetheart," Klaus said, trying to reassure her. "I'd actually prefer you wrapped in a silk sheet. It would cover all the major parts."

Caroline put her face in her hands and groaned, which caused Klaus to chuckle. He grabbed her hands and pulled them away from you face, "come on love," he said softly, pushing her hair out of her face. "Pose for me."

She sucked in a breath, letting it out slowly and nodded, "ok."

Klaus grinned and kissed her cheek, "fantastic, get comfortable. This is the pencil and paper, it's won't take long." He stood up and went back toward his easel.

She nodded and leaned back in the couch, "do you have something to keep me occupied. I have a better chance at staying still if I'm reading something."

Klaus looked at her, and then started to look around his studio. He held up his hand and flashed out of the art studio and came back holding a stack of magazines. "I hope this will suffice, they're Arden's."

Caroline looked up at Klaus smiling, "thank you," she said taking the magazines out of his hands. There were all the goodies, entertainment weekly, vogue, rolling stone and others. She grinned and opened up the rolling stone magazine and leaned back on the couch, "carry one."

He smiled and walked back behind the easel to get started. For some reason he felt a little nervous. He's always wanted to draw Caroline in person and not from memory and now that it was happening he felt like he wasn't going to do her beauty justice. He took a deep breath, and put his pencil to paper.

He started sketching her outline and then moved on to the details. He smiled because she sat there completely still, only moving to turn the page. She even had a small smile on her face the entire time.

For the next 40 minutes Caroline read through the rolling stone magazine and entertainment weekly. She couldn't remember the last time she just enjoyed sitting in silence. When she finished with entertainment she glanced up, "so, how's it going."

Klaus smiled, "just adding the final touches." He looked up at her, "you can move now if you'd like darling."

Caroline smiled and stood up to stretch. She then flashed behind Klaus and her mouth dropped, "Klaus."

He glanced at her over his shoulder and smiled, "what you think?" He asked putting his pencil down. He rubbed his hands together and felt the led from the pencil on the tips of his fingers.

Caroline didn't know what to say. It was beautiful. She's never seen herself like that. He drew her perfectly, and it was amazing the amount of detail he was able to put in in that short amount of time.

"I don't know what to say Klaus," she said, putting her hand out to touch it. "It's beautiful."

Klaus nodded, smiling as she ran her fingers along her hair in the picture. Klaus was happy that she liked it so much. He did a close up of her upper body, from her waist on up. She was holding the magazine in front of her, smiling.

She looked at him, "now I'm anxious to see what you do with paint," she told him smiling.

Klaus felt his breath catch as she stood in front of him smiling. She was only a foot away from his body, he couldn't help himself. He inched forward.

"It still wouldn't do you justice sweetheart," he said, pushing her strand of hair behind her ear.

Caroline looked up at him, she could feel her breathing pick up as Klaus' hand rested on her shoulder. She swallowed the lump in her throat, "really," she said softly. "Why's that?"

Klaus laughed lightly, putting his hand on her cheek, "because you're breathtaking Caroline. Since the first time I saw you in Mystic Falls I knew there was something different about you, and you prove it to me every time we're together."

Caroline put her hands on Klaus' chest, feeling shivers go down her spine when Klaus' hand moved behind her neck. "Klaus," she said softly. "Why—" she was cut off when Klaus covered her mouth with his.

She moaned into his mouth and slid her hands around his neck. The pressure of Klaus' mouth of hers made Caroline clench her fists in his hair. When she felt his tongue slid across the bottom of her lip, Caroline opened her mouth and moaned again when Klaus' tongue started to dance with hers.

Klaus' hands cupped Caroline's face as their kiss became hungrier, he groaned when she sucked on his tongue.

Before Caroline could react Klaus had her pinned against the wall. She chuckled in surprise and in a flash Caroline had her hands gripping Klaus' shirt. She broke the kiss, looking up at Klaus, her hands starting to unbutton. She smiled looking at him, pushing the shirt off his shoulders and letting her fingers sliding down his chest, along his rib cage.

Klaus pushed against Caroline, his hands on her hips. She smiled as her hands explored his chest. This was the first time she's ever touched him and he felt the warmth she left when her hands slid down his stomach and her finger tugged at his jeans.

He smiled, stopping her. He put her hands back around his neck and let his hands slide down her arms to behind her back. He pulled her closer, causing Caroline to gasp as his hands went to the zipper of her dress. Klaus' lips hovered over hers, teasing her but not making contact.

Caroline sucked in a breath when she felt Klaus pull her zipper down slowly. She smiled when she felt his hand slid into her dress and his fingers push into her bare back. She moved so her lips were against Klaus' cheek. She kissed along his jaw line, his stubble tickling her lips. She kissed to his ear and bit his lobe, smirking when she heard Klaus groan.

Klaus moved his hands back up to Caroline's shoulders and started to take off her dress. He slid off on strap, kissing her bare shoulder before moving to the next one. Caroline's head fell back when he kissed across her collar bone, and nibbled on her neck.

"Klaus," she breathed, as he sucked on the nape of her neck.

He smiled, lightly kissing his way up to her ear, "is this what you want Caroline?"

She moaned when Klaus pushed himself against her and she felt his erection against her belly, "yes," she said, feeling her hips move against him.

Klaus pushed her dress off and let it pool at her feet, he sucked in a breath seeing her only in her bra and panties. He licked his lips and picked her up by her ass so she could wrap her legs around him.

Once Caroline was hitched up on Klaus, she bent down and captured his lips in a kiss. She felt Klaus pull her away from the wall and walk toward the couch. He broke their kiss when he lowered her down and Caroline smiled when she felt Klaus' weight on her. She ran hands through her hair and pulled him back to her mouth. She felt him smile against her lips as his hand ran up her rib cage.

Klaus cupped one of Caroline's breasts causing her to arch into him. He started kissing down her jaw, across her collar bone to the top on her breasts.

"Klaus," she breathed, her hands fisting his hair.

He smirked, "call me Nik sweetheart," he said against her flesh as he pulled her bra cup down and dragged his tongue across her nipple. He chuckled at how much she started to squirm before covering her nipple with his mouth.

Caroline moaned when Klaus sucked, "Nik" she said, sucking in a breath when he bit down. Her hips were starting to rock against him. She pulled him off her breast and back to her mouth, pushing her lips against his.

She moved her hands to his waist and started to tug at his jeans. Klaus smiled against her mouth when he felt her pull off his belt. Klaus reached behind Caroline and unclasped her bra, sliding his hands along her rib cage before pulling it off. He sat up on his knees and looked at her, smiling.

"You're so beautiful Caroline."

Caroline smiled shyly and crossed her arms over her breasts, "stop, I'm just like anyone else."

Klaus shook her head, leaning back down on her. He uncrossed her arms and moved her arms over her head. He held her wrists with one hand as he hovered over her.

"You don't believe me," he smirked at her, nipping at bits of her skin as he made his way back down to her breasts.

Caroline sighed happily at the feel of his mouth on her body and the way his stubble scratched at her skin, "no," she said.

Klaus bit her nipple, causing Caroline to arch her back and a small whimper to escape her lips. He smirked, "do you believe me Caroline when I say you're beautiful," he said before dragging his tongue across her chest so he can suck on the other breast.

He kissed around her nipple lightly; "well?" he glanced up at her.

Caroline looked down, seeing a wicked look in his eyes. She could feel the heat in her body rising and at this rate she needed him to touch her. "Yes," she breathed, pushing his hips into Klaus.

He smirked, "good," he said before his mouth covered her nipple.

Caroline groaned, and she started to grind his hips against him. She was getting flustered not being able to run her hands down his back or fist his hair. Each time she tried to move Klaus would tighten his grip on her wrists. He was torturing her slowly, building her up to the point that she would lose control.

Klaus sat up again, his fingers at her hips. Caroline felt her body tense a little when he looped his fingers in her blue lace panties. He leaned down again and kissed her hips, "these are quite lovely," he said smiling up at her before kissing the other hip. He kissed across her abdomen.

Caroline started to squirm at little in anticipation, when Klaus put his hand on her stomach.

"Patience love," he chuckled, kissing her stomach again. He started to inch her panties off.

"CAROLINE! KLAUS!"

Caroline and Klaus looked at each other because they both herd it. Klaus groaned stopping his motions.

"I'm going to kill who ever that is," he grumbled, resting his forehead on her stomach. He kissed it one more time and just then Stefan barged through the door.

Caroline yelped and flashed behind the couch.

Klaus was left on his knees on the couch. He looked at Stefan glaring at him. He stood up, "this better bet good Stefan."

Stefan was standing there breathing hard; he turned around so Caroline could get dressed.

Caroline got dress quickly and flashed up to her friend, "Stefan what's wrong?" She asked because his clothes were ripped and his arm was bleeding. He looked like he'd been in a fight.

He shook his head, and turned to Klaus.

Klaus felt a wave of uneasiness wash over him. He looked from Stefan to the door, "where's Arden?"

.

.

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A/N There you have it. I know i'm horrible for leaving you with such a cliffhanger. I hope you don't hate me enough to come back for the next chapter. I know it's been too long and trust me i know how longs it's been. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please leave me a review. I enjoy reading them.

Until next time.

SickGurl