I do not own any True Blood characters.
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Carli Adams checked herself in the mirror for a long moment, taking in her platinum blond hair and eyes a deep green with gray specks in them that were the focus on her pale face. She had brought them out today with a smoky eye shadow and heavy mascara, and her full lips just had a nude gloss on them. She sighed and glanced at the clock in her hotel room as she walked out of the bathroom, irritated that she and her band had the day off from the recording studio. She was a workaholic through and through, and she ran a hand quickly through her bobbed hair as she sighed. The guys were out eating gluttonous amounts of food somewhere, but she had woken up too late and they could not wait. Starving guys. She walked to the window and looked over the city slowly, and her eyes narrowed on the clouds drifting in from the water. New York called to her, and she bit her lip as she mused over what to do. Carli smiled and grabbed her Ipod and small purse, slipping her card key inside as she slid her feet into heels and pulled on a thin pea coat. She pulled her door shut behind her as she left, and walked smoothly to the elevator as she heard her Iphone sing one of their songs to her. Her band Linger was working on their second album, and they were becoming rapidly successful based on their first and beginning what bands called the real tours. She answered it, smiling ruefully as she heard her fiancé's low voice on the other end. Ryan was in his own successful band and he was on tour while she was in New York, both of them missing their loft in Chicago. She talked to him softly and slowly on the empty elevator and as she walked on the street, glancing up and down the street as she decided where to go. The wind blew her skirt that fell to just above her knee and she held it as she stood still. Carli leaned back against the building and talked to him, missing his straight black hair tickling her bare skin as he would lay over her during one of the rare times they slept in the same room. She had always supported him in his career and dealt with her bad moments, but it had gotten harder now that she had her own busy schedule going. The phone was their main form of contact, and she hung up as he got called to do a sound check with a long sigh. Carli loved her life as a lead singer, but sometimes she longed for a normal relationship. Being on the road got a bit lonely at times. She tucked the phone into her purse and began to walk down the street, glancing at the windows and the restaurants as she strolled. The buildings towered above her and she gazed up at them in wonder, and she laughed to herself. She lived in Chicago, but there was something about New York that always made her lose her breath.
Carli stopped in a place for some pizza, taking a seat by the window as she watched people walk by as she nibbled. She went back outside and walked towards the shopping district, and glanced up at the sky. It was darkening, and she frowned as she pulled her coat closer around her. She was regretting her silk close fitting tee now, and she gazed ahead as she tried to figure out where to go. She drifted in and out of stores aimlessly, wondering where her friends were as she picked up this and looked at that. She didn't buy anything and walked back out into the street and more into the mass of stores. She was surprised when the huge raindrops fell from the sky, and cursed under her breath as she looked around. There was a softly lit art galley just ahead, and she tried to run through the rain to get to it as her hair began to drip. Carli laughed as she ran through the doors, her high trill and heels echoing through the long room. The people inside glanced up at her and she blushed slowly as she smiled down at the ground. Carli walked slower inside and felt someone grab her arm. "Oh my God! You are Carli from Linger!"
"Hey. How are you?" Carli greeted the two girls in their twenties with a warm smile and a hug as they gushed about the band and the music. Their eyes were star struck and she let the shock of it roll around her mind, just as it always did. She would never get used to being recognized, and she shook her head slowly as they ran off after getting pictures with high giggles. Carli bit her lip and looked around the gallery, taking in the art that hung on the walls that were painted in various warm shades and highlighted with small lights. She walked slowly around and gazed at them, taking in the beauty and the depth as she lost herself in it. Carli felt herself bump right into somebody, and she gasped as huge hands caught her by the shoulders to keep her from falling. She felt the heat from the fingers, and she looked at into a striking face and piercing bright blue eyes and one of the best looking men that she had ever seen.. "I am so sorry." Carli breathed, as her heart jumped into her throat and her muscles between her legs clenched tightly. She blushed and stared at him, and a slow smile passed over his face. He was leaning over her since he was well over six feet and she was only 5'7", and his long blond hair fell into her face and ticked her cheek.
"Just as long as you are alright." His voice was husky and it wrapped around her as he spoke, touching her skin as she shuddered. His eyes darkened as he looked into her face, and she licked her lips nervously. His face was close to hers, and she swallowed the lump in her throat as they both straightened up at the same time, and she saw reluctance pass across his face. "I could not help but overhear your conversation with those girls. You are a singer?"
"Yeah. I am in a band called Linger and we are recording our second album for a couple of weeks." Carli said slowly, losing herself in the depths of his eyes. She felt like she was stammering and she told herself to get a hold of herself. She was a confident performer and she had a fiancé to boot, not a fifteen year old nervous student. She continued to stare at him until the shrill ring of her phone broke her reverie, and she blinked and shook her head. "Excuse me." Carli said, eager to quiet the echoing song in the room. "Hey, Jimmy." It was her drummer telling her to get to the place they were eating pronto. They had run into some guys from a radio show that they had been on before, and were invited for an impromptu visit the following morning. They wanted to see her to see what they were willing to do as a group as far as songs and an interview. Carli got the name of the place and jotted it down on her hand, and then hung up.
"If that was your voice, it is very haunting." The voice near her ear made her tingle, and she turned her head to meet his eyes.
"Thanks." Carli whispered, and his eyes slid over her face and down her body. "I need to be going now." Her last sentence was slow and reluctant, and his eyes mirrored her sentiment as he met them again. He reached down and took her hand, bringing it to his torturously full lips to brush them over the soft skin of it. It shot sparks through her, and she struggled to breath for a moment.
"It was a pleasure. My name is Eric Northman, and you are Carli?" He said his name with confidence and ease, and she memorized it and let it roll around her mind as he still held her hand in his.
"Carli Adams." Her voice cracked a little bit, and she cleared her throat. "Thanks again for the save."
"Anytime." Eric told her, and his eyes showed that he meant it. She felt him let go of her hand, and disappointment shot through her. She dropped her eyes to his lips and then up to his eyes again, and smiled a small smile. "I hope we meet again." Carli stared at him and then slowly walked away, her mind dazed with the feelings rushing through her. Eric had reduced her to a teenager again with her first crush, when that was not like her. She was twenty five, a up and coming singer, and she was marrying another similar artist someday when she had a free moment with him. Carli glanced back to see him still gazing at her, and she felt her legs tremble a bit as she reached the doors of the gallery. Carli pushed open the door to parting clouds and the beginnings of sunshine, and she walked outside and looked around as she took a deep breath of the fresh air. She walked to the curb and hailed a cab, letting him know where she was going. She glanced up to see Eric standing outside, watching her drive away. Carli pressed her hand to the window and watched as the cab pulled forward, and then shook her head. That had been different. Carli arrived at the diner and headed to the table with the six guys gathered around it. She said hi to hers and then greeted the DJ's warmly as she shook their hands. They refreshed her memory on their show, and the group agreed to a long interview and then the acoustic performance of three songs to promote their new album. Carli ordered some lunch and a sweet tea, and enjoyed it as they all chatted. She found a salon down the street after, and abandoned the group for the sake of her hair. They agreed to meet for dinner and then it was an early night for all of them since they were up at six for the radio. Carli finished at the salon and headed to the hotel to change into jeans and a long sleeved tee, since it was getting a bit chilly, and she pulled on the same jacket. Carli met them for dinner with their agent and had a long chat about the album and planning a tour with another band as the opener, and she was pleased with the news that the Warped Tour was also interested in them for the following year. That would be amazing for their career. She went back to the hotel and got into a beater and boy shorts for bed, missing someone beside her. She could not say for certain that it was Ryan completely, as she traced her inner thigh thoughtfully with her hand. The blue eyes of Eric entered her mind, and she could still feel the same way she had when they were so close to each other. She closed her eyes and imagined his lips on hers, on her body. She slid her fingers over the material of the underwear, moaning at the dampness. She gave in and slid them under to her wet folds, stroking herself as she parted her legs wider. She brought herself to release, crying out as she felt it slide roughly through her body.
Carli woke up to the alarm under the covers the next morning to the alarm, blinking as she looked around. She sighed as she remembered the night before, and rolled over to look at the clock. Six o clock. It was dreadful. She jumped into the shower and pulled on jeans and a black hoodie after she did her make up as much as she could at that hour. She brushed her hair, smiling at the blue streaks that evenly ran throughout the bob. They were bright and nearly a turquoise color, and she added some pink lipstick to her full lips. She walked to the floor her band mates were on and they were just coming out with sleepy faces and guitars in the case of two of them. Ant and Danny were the musicians for the day as the regular guitarists while Jimmy and Travis got to sit this performance out. They all took a cab to the XM building, and got past the guard and onto the elevator. They were sleepy and quiet on the long ride and Carli smiled at her best friends. They had known each other since they were all in high school and had formed the band five years before, and were just now getting to be known. They walked down the hallway and one of the producers of the radio show stepped out to greet them. Carli glanced down the hallway as he spoke, and her eyes widened slightly as she saw Eric and a woman pushing a tray the opposite direction she was, and her hands shook slightly. They were led into the large studio and greeted the listeners and the show hosts cheerfully, talking about the album and past tours as well as possible upcoming ones. They all settled around in chairs and got ready to sing, and Carli grinned as the guys started to play. She heard her spot and started to sing, looking around at her band as she did. Movement by the window caught her eye, and she glanced up to see Eric walking by and staring at her with interest in his eyes. She stumbled over the verse and glanced down to get herself back in focus. She kept her eyes averted from the window as she continued the songs, and then smiled widely as the audience clapped.
Carli got up to stretch and saw Eric talking to the woman he had come in with down by a doorway. He glanced at her and his heavy gaze lingered, and the woman glanced at her with a knowing smile as well. She was little and blond, and her eyes lit up when she met Carli's eyes. Carli wondered why she was not acting more jealous having a man as visually stunning as Eric, and she glanced up as someone asked her a question. The two hours ended quickly with the friendly banter and great vibe of the program, and she stepped out first of the group. Her band got stuck talking during their break and she stood in the hallway alone for a moment. "Coffee?" Eric's voice caught her off guard, and she glanced up to see him holding a cardboard cup in his large hands. His hands were so large wrapped around that cup and she pressed her lips together as she felt a surge of desire. "I snuck it out of the meeting for you." His eyes gazed into hers, and then at her hair. "I do like the blue, Carli. It suits you." He gazed at her lips next, and she felt as if he was touching them as his eyes took them hungrily in. "You sounded beautiful in there. They had it on out here and it was rather haunting." He handed her the coffee and she felt his hand brush hers as she looked at him. Sparks shot down her arms and she sucked in her breath.
The voices of her band members sounded as they came out, and Carli tore her gaze away from Eric as she looked at them. They asked her if she wanted to get breakfast and head to the studio, and she nodded as she let her eyes slide back to him. "Thanks." She smiled and sipped the coffee, and he watched her as he nodded slowly. The guys walked towards the elevator and she followed after giving him a long stare. She knew that she was acting foolish, but he captivated her in some strange way. She got on the elevator and Danny glanced at her.
"So how did you get coffee and we didn't?" His voice was mildly annoyed, and she shrugged with a laugh.
"He rescued me from destroying a gallery yesterday in an unfortunate fall. He must have remembered me."
"I would say so. It looked to me like he wanted a thank you fuck to me." Jimmy said, and she glared at him as he laughed. "Get used to it, girlie. The fans are starting to eat you up. Ryan should start getting jealous anytime now."
"Hardly. He is the least jealous person I know." Travis argued, being best friends with her fiancé. "Carli won't fall for that anyway."
"Just a guy." She kept her voice light as they went down to the first floor and then looked around outside for somewhere to eat. They found a crowded diner and ordered, and some fans recognized them and had heard them on the show. The group did some signings and took some pictures and settled in with their meals, and then headed to the studio. The guys finished their instrument work and background singing, and Jimmy told them they would be heading home earlier to see their girlfriends and family while she stayed behind a few extra days to finish her vocal tracks. "You're leaving?" Carli asked him after he told her, and he gazed at her with an odd expression.
"We have done that before." Danny reminded her, and she nodded. "There is plenty of shopping here and you know enough people to get by."
"I know. It just seems lonely this time." Carli sighed, and smiled ruefully. "The loft sounds empty right now."
"You'll be home before you know it." Travis told her, and she met his eyes. He didn't have a girlfriend and she smiled at him.
"Stay with me then. We can do a helicopter tour." Carli suggested, and his eyes seemed to consider it for a moment before he smiled slowly.
"I already made some plans back home. Otherwise I just might." Travis told her, and she pouted and stared at him with big eyes. He gazed with serious ones back, and she let out a laugh.
"Fine. Be that way. I will try and finish up fast." Carli told him, and sipped her soda. They headed in to work and they were indeed done that day, and she hung out in their various rooms as they packed to leave. She went last to Travis's and sat on the bed as he finished up and glanced at her.
"You okay, Car?"
"Yeah. Just hating the busy schedule right now. It'll pass and I will love it again." Carli replied, and he sat behind her. He massaged her shoulders and she closed her eyes as she sighed happily. His fingers pressed hard against her muscles and she let her head fall onto her knees as she pulled them up to her chest. He slid a hand up her neck and she shivered slightly. "That feels too good."
"You're so tense." Travis told her, and she smiled. He leaned in to kiss her hair, and he took a strand between his fingers. "I like the blue, by the way."
"I didn't think you had noticed with all the colors I do." Carli laughed, and he slid his hands up into her hair. The touch was soft and she leaned back against his hand as she enjoyed it. She wondered what it would be like to have Eric's hands tangled in her hair, and she felt her body's reaction at the slight fantasy as she shivered. She then imagined his lips on her neck and she let out a tiny moan as she let her mind wander further.
"Carli?" Travis asked hesitantly, dropping his hand. She turned her head quickly to gaze at him with wide eyes, and his were questioning as he stared back. She felt awkward and she looked forward. She was engaged to his best friend, and here she was fantasizing about a stranger. "Miss Ryan?"
"Yeah." Carli said slowly, and closed her eyes as he kissed her cheek. It was soon time for them to leave and she hugged them all and waved as she faked a smile. Carli went back to her room and shut the door as she sighed, thinking about working alone and hanging out for the next few days. She felt unsettled and she stared out of the window at the evening sky. Carli went to her closet and pulled a hat over her head to hide her hair, and added some fake glassed over her eyes. She was not in the mood for fans tonight. She pulled on a heavy sweater and grabbed her laptop bag and slid her hotel key into the pocket. Carli walked to the coffee shop on the corner and ordered a hot tea and grabbed a small couch in the back corner. She slowly surfed the net and checked her email, slipping into a more melancholy mood. She felt something in the room change, and glanced up from the screen. Eric had walked in alone and was ordering, and she blinked behind the glasses. She could let him be and not draw his attention, but her eyes slowly wandered over his tight black jeans and fitted leather jacket and she felt herself sweating a bit. "I must be really lonely." Carli murmured to herself and shook her head. He happened to glanced around that that moment, and his gaze rested on her slowly as he took her face in. He slowly walked back towards her as she felt her heart beating faster, staring into her eyes.
"May I?" His voice was low as he stood over her, and she could see that he knew it was her with his heated gaze. She nodded slowly, and he sat down slowly, their legs touching due to the small couch. She felt the jolt between them and she stared at him as he raised his hand to pull the glasses off slowly. "Why are you hiding your gorgeous eyes, Carli?"