Rescue Me

Chapter 12

"Always keep a quarter between your knees, Caroline. Trust me. It's a sure fire way to keep your ass out of trouble when the hormones start raging."

Her Grandma Ida's voice was echoing in her head, and Caroline was suddenly wishing she had paid more attention to her cranky old grandmother's advice when she was growing up.

If she had, she more than likely wouldn't be in the situation she was in now.

She could practically hear her grandma's "I told you so" from beyond the grave.

Caroline could feel the heat rise to her face the longer Kol—as Klaus had addressed him seconds ago—took in the scene before him with an almost gleeful expression. She didn't miss the way his smug, arrogant smirked seemed to spread the second his eyes dropped below her chin level, and she was reminded very quickly that she was half naked, on a couch, with the other Mikaelson brother.

Klaus seemed to come to the same conclusion, because in a flash, an annoyed growl was crawling its way through his throat as he shifted his position, shielding Caroline from his brother's wandering gaze as he reached down and scooped up her discarded shirt. He turned, shooting her an apologetic glance as he pressed the fabric into her hands. "Put it on, love," he murmured quietly, but insistently, his gaze turning back to glare at his brother.

Kol was completely unrepentant as Caroline pulled the wrinkled material over her head, straightening and pulling at it until she was sure she was fully covered, before running a hand through her tousled tresses in an attempt to tame the mess Klaus' hands had surely made. She let her hand run down the length of her face as she bit back a groan.

A chuckle from behind her finally made her turn, and she watched as the younger brother strolled further into the room, dropping the duffel bag that was perched on his shoulder to the floor with a loud thump. "What? No, 'Hello, brother. Long time no see. You look as dashing as ever!' Honestly, Nik, I was expecting a bit more of a warmer welcome from you."

Klaus scoffed, checking once more to make sure Caroline was properly covered—and trying not to be too disappointed at the disappearance of her delectable skin—before he rose to his feet. "Perhaps a bit more of a warning then, brother," he said, irritation lacing his words. "I think we both know what tends to happen when you go lurking about in doorways."

Kol laughed, his handsome, youthful face stretched out in a wide grin, and Caroline could easily see the younger brother in him. "Old habits die hard," he said, tilting his head as he attempted to peer around his older brother at her. "Though I can easily see why your attention was otherwise diverted from my grand arrival. Hello, darling. Who might you be?"

Caroline rose to her feet, clearing her throat as smiled self-consciously. "Caroline," she said, stepping towards him and holding out of her hand. She caught Klaus frowning at her motion from the corner of her eyes, his gaze traveling between her and his brother as he shrugged into his own shirt.

Kol's face brightened, and he grinned as he took her hand in his. "The same Caroline that's been such a thorn in Rebekah's side for months? Well, in that case, love, we have a great deal in common. I believe we'll be fine friends then," he said, raising her hand to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss on her knuckles. He looked up at her, winking. "Emphasis, on 'fine.'"

Caroline laughed, shaking her head, even as Klaus came up to her side, encircling her waist with his arm and gently tugging her away from his brother's grasp. "That's enough, Kol," he muttered under his breath.

"Nik, please," Kol drawled, throwing out his arms at his sides. "I'm merely exchanging pleasantries with the lovely Caroline."

Klaus ignored him, relaxing slightly when he felt Caroline's hand slip into the back pocket of his jeans reassuringly.