VAMPIRE TEMPTATION

The Choice

**

Ruby POV

“Ruby.” Klaus is suddenly kneeling beside me. I stare into his eyes, unable to speak.

“No, that’s not it. You’re not turning into a vampire. In order to turn, you would have to drink my blood.”

As his words filter through, my body goes limp with relief. I suddenly feel silly. Amelia told me as much, but in the heat of the moment, I’d forgotten.

“Thanks.” I let Klaus help me sit up. All around, vampires and humans are grunting and moaning in passion. I try not to look, suddenly self-conscious.

“You can go. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Only as I’m leaving do I realize that Klaus was answering my thoughts rather than my words.

Amelia catches up with me at the elevator, wearing a silly grin. “Hey.”

“Hi.”

So, how was it?”

“Incredible.” I can’t think of another word to describe it.

“The high will last longer next time. Strong emotions – like panic or anger – make it end earlier.”

She certainly still looks pretty high, so I have no reason to doubt her word.

So, have you made the choice yet?”

The choice?” I don’t remember either Amelia or Klaus mentioning this.

Whether to become a vampire or not.”

Oh, that.

“I thought Klaus or Katherine selected

candidates?”

They do, but you should have your choice made before that happens so that you have an answer ready to give.”

I definitely haven’t made the choice.”

But you’re thinking about it.”

I am,” I admit. “What about you?”

I’m going for it if I ever get the chance.

Life is sweet – who wouldn’t say no to more of it?”

Who indeed?

***

Ruby

The bell by my desk rings and I practically sprint to Klaus’s office. He’s never exactly been talkative, and I need to know if last night was as good for him as it was for me.

Ruby, please would you call Ms. Maddy about her portfolio. I think we need to change up some of the stocks she has.”

That wasn’t what I was hoping for. “Sure. Um, about last night..”

“Yes, how did you find it?”

I know he’s just being polite. He knows exactly how I found it because he can read my thoughts, but I appreciate his asking all the same. “It was amazing. I’m certain. signing up for all rituals in the future.”

Good. Close the door please.”

Ooh, am I getting more desk sex? Yes, please.

I do as he says, but I’m disappointed when Klaus doesn’t start undressing me.

“You seemed to enjoy our date. Would you like another?”

That’s even better than my initial fantasy – a date, and most probably sex afterward.

“That would be great! I mean, if you want to as well. I’m kind of at a disadvantage here since I can’t read your mind.”

I enjoyed our date too,” Klaus assures me.

“Then I’ll see you tonight?”

You will.”

Now that I know all the surrounding vampires can read my mind, I work extra hard to keep my mind on my tasks for Klaus and not what I’ll be doing this evening.

If Katherine hears my thoughts, Klaus and I will both be in trouble.

Klaus takes me to a different restaurant this time. It’s fancier, and I’m glad I dressed well.

As we sit opposite each other, I feel the excitement buzzing under my skin. Klaus is just an electrifying person to be around, and not only physically.

Kelly is comforting and loving, while Klaus is commanding and exhilarating to be with.

The glass of wine Klaus is holding in his hand shatters. He’s staring at me so menacingly that I would have backed up a step if I wasn’t sitting down.

Klaus? What’s wrong?”

“You’re with him again!”

Of course. He heard me thinking about Kelly. It’s complicated.”

How is it complicated? Either you’re with him, or you’re with me.”

Am I with you, Klaus? We’ve never talked about what we are. You’re my boss. You’re a – you know what. You’re engaged, for fuck’s sake! Things with us are beyond complicated. Can you really blame me for

wanting something simple and easy?”

He stiffens, his expression going cold, “Then what are you doing here on a date with me?”

“I haven’t decided, ok? Can you just give me a bit of time?”

He stands up, glaring at me like he hasn’t since the early days of our relationship. “To give you time. Go on, get going! Take your time. No need to tell me when you’ve decided -I ‘l know.”

I hesitate. “Can’t we – we don’t have to stop seeing each other just because I’m unsure.

I don’t quite understand Klaus’s expression something between hurt and anger and jealousy.

His hands are trembling, and I know the table will be a goner if he doesn’t let go of it.

I’ve called the carpenter in to repair his desk enough times to realize that when Klaus is stressed or upset, he grabs something. That would be fine if he was human, but with his vampire strength, it makes for a lot of broken furniture.

Perhaps he hears the thought because he lets go of the table and strides out. I don’t bother chasing after him. He has to keep to a human speed while insight, but the moment he’s outside, he’ll run so fast that I’ll have no hope of catching him.

I bite my lip, trying not to cry.

I grab my handbag and hurry out. I stop to pay the bill, but the waiter tells me that Klaus has already done it.

It’s late enough that Kelly is definitely home, and that gives me strength as I drive. I don’t know what this will mean for Klaus and me.

How am I supposed to choose between him and Kelly when Klaus won’t spend time with me? What information will I be basing that choice on?

Maybe this is the choice in and of itself. If Kelly can give me what I need, and Klaus isn’t, what future is there for Klaus and me?

The idea feels like it’s tearing a hole in my heart.

I hurry home, toward my best source of comfort.

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Klaus POV

Hot jealousy pulses through me as I kick the carefully reinforced wall in my bedroom.

I had it reinforced for this very reason – so that I have a way to vent my temper without tearing my apartment down.

I want to rip Kelly limb from limb.

He LEFT her. He doesn’t deserve her. She should be with ME

But she’s not with me, because I chased her away. The realization takes the strength out of my limbs and I sit down abruptly.

Am I really any better than Kelly? He’s giving her time to decide between us, and when she asks the same of me, I send her away. It’s not like I’m much different. I’m to be mated to Katy, after all.

The thought of Katherine sends a shard of ice into my heart.

Maybe I was right to send Ruby away. I need that alliance. I can’t afford to mate Katherine. Nothing can ever come of’ Ruby and me, nothing except snatched evenings here and there, and even those will have to stop once I give my vows to Katherine.

As much as I know it would probably be. smarter to let her stay with Kelly and forget. about me as anything except her boss, I can’t. For so many years, I’ve shut myself. off, deliberately pushing people away.

Living hundreds of years as a vampire takes its toll.

I’ve watched dozens of people I love die. Long ago, I took a vow never to get close to anyone again.

Somehow, Rubina has snuck past my defenses, and now I can’t bring myself to regret it.

I have to try. If there’s any chance for me to have some kind of happiness, I have to try.

My phone is in my pocket. There are no messages from Ruby.

*Ruby, I’m sorry. I overreacted. Time isn’t an unreasonable request. I sent.”

“I’ll do my best to give it to you. If you forgive me for my outburst, perhaps we can resume our date tomorrow night?”

I wait, staring at the screen, but she doesn’t respond. She hasn’t even been online.

I will not do this again. Just put the phone away, Klaus. She will answer when she gets a chance.

I shove the phone into a drawer, but can’t help wondering what she’s doing now.

Is she home? Is Kelly comforting her after our disaster of a date? Or is he just as jealous as I am? Maybe he can’t stand the sound of my name.

I certainly can’t stand the sound of his.

I’m just getting into bed when the phone finally pings. I snatch it, only to have the. The screen goes black.

Fuck. Battery died.

I slam the charger into the phone, tapping my foot on the floor.

What will Ruby say?

I feel like my entire world rests on the. answer.