The town of Mystic Falls was built on secrets—but Klaus Mikaelson never expected his best-kept one to be wearing Salvatore rings and smirking like he knew better. The youngest Salvatore brother was supposed to be off-limits. Too tied to the others. Too tied to him. But Klaus had a weakness for danger wrapped in clever words and blood-warm lips. He was the Salvatore no one talked about. Kept in the shadows. Protected, even from each other.

He didn’t turn around. He’d memorized the sound of that step—lithe, confident, reckless. Like someone who knew Klaus would never hurt him.

“Bit late to be creeping around the mansion, don’t you think?” Klaus asked, swirling his drink without looking.

“And yet,” came the voice from behind him, silkier than it ever was in public. “You haven’t told me to leave.”

Klaus finally turned. The youngest Salvatore stood in the doorway of his study, shirt wrinkled, hair messy. He looked like sin wrapped in secrets, and Klaus hated how easily he forgot the world when he looked at him.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” Klaus said.

“I was never good at doing what I’m supposed to.”

The boy stepped closer, like a dare. Klaus could smell fresh kill on his breath.

“You’re angry,” Klaus noted.

A soft laugh. “You stood next to Elijah today. Never looked at me. Like I didn’t exist.”

“I was being careful.”

“You only say that when you’re scared.”

Klaus tensed. “This—we—can’t be public.”

“I know,” the Salvatore whispered. “But I also know you only love me when no one’s looking.”

Klaus’s hands moved before his mind could catch up, backing the boy against the bookshelf. “You think this is easy for me?” he growled. “I want to walk into that council room and let everyone know you’re mine.”

“Then why don’t you?”

Klaus didn’t answer. He kissed him instead—rough, desperate, like it might be the last time.When they pulled apart, breathless, the boy whispered, “I’m not going to be your secret forever.”

Klaus’s voice was ragged. “Then give me time to burn the world down first.”