I'll Be Your Last

And the walls come tumbling down...

I’d made it back to Klaus’ room, blinking back tears, and began to shove things into my tote bag as quickly as I could. If they thought I was staying here in these circumstances, they had another think coming.

I jumped at a couple of crashes downstairs. There was a good deal of yelling, male and female voices. I didn’t try to hear them. I didn’t care what was being said. Well, maybe I did, but my priority was getting back to Mystic Falls. Fast.

“Caroline?”

I didn’t look at Klaus as he walked into his own bedroom. I didn’t want him to see me cry. I finished gathering my belongings and grabbed my phone from the bedside table. Not like I’d be able to go through the ton of messages I had while Klaus was marching in my direction.

“Look at me,” his voice was harsh.

I met his gaze, his blue eyes fierce as he stared at me. Until a tear rolled down my cheek. I angrily swiped it away and tried to make it around him. Klaus was faster, grabbing my arm to prevent my exit.

“We’ve reduced you to tears then?” his tone was softer.

I’d had it.

“I’m crying because I’m that pissed off,” I growled at him. “Considering the string of beautiful, worldly vampire lovers that you’ve had, that came from Elijah by the way, one would think you would know that women don’t just cry because of sadness and despair.”

He released me. A tight smirk forming on his face.

“I have no problem with that, love. I’d much rather have your anger than your tears. Anger is so much closer to passion. Don’t you agree?”

He was looking at the shirt I wore again, he liked that I was wearing it, I could tell.

“Passion?” I snorted. “Well, there’s something that you obviously have more experience with than I.”

His smile was fading. “Meaning?”

“Haley? You know the werewolf that just threw up on your kitchen floor? The one that’s expecting your baby.”

He blew out a frustrated exhale at that.

“You knocked up Haley? Really?” I surprised myself at how raw and angry that came out.

A muscle at his clenched jaw twitched. Yeah, I knew it was a risk to really piss off Klaus. My emotions were all over the place and at the moment, I didn’t care.

“How is that any of your business, sweetheart?” His tone was laced with menace. “You keep reminding me that you have a boyfriend and that you’re spoken for.”

He had me there.

“Am I to live the life of a celibate monk while waiting for you to come to me?”

I had to laugh at that. “And you’re so sure that day will come, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” The single word was uttered with such conviction. His eyes, however, told a different story. There was a note of vulnerability there. And it was that hope I saw there that threatened to tear down the walls I kept between us.

I nodded, tearing my gaze away from him. “You’re right. About it not being my business. That isn’t fair. But you know what’s worse?”

When I looked at him again, I found him watching me so intently.

“Always being second best. And always being reminded of it.”

I grabbed my tote from the bed and tried to speed my way of out his room. He was faster. He slammed the door shut, planting his hands on either said of my head as he backed me against it.