"Care to satisfy my curiosity?"

Even though it's posed as a question, Sookie knows better. His words are an order and it pisses her off. Turning around, she finds him standing a few feet away, staring at her with the usual bored expression on his face. "What do you want, Eric?"

He smiles at her: a small, slow, very patronizing smile like she's a kid who just asked him a very stupid question. And one he's going to indulge for his amusement.

Eric takes a few steps towards her, closing the distance between them. He's blocking her view of everyone else in the room now and she instinctively takes a step back. With her back pressed against the bar table and no room for escape, her stomach clenches with anxiety but she'll be damned if she shows him that.

"How long did it take to wrap Bill around your pretty little finger?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"He jumps when you want him to. Feeds when you tell him to." He gives her a taunting smile. "Does he roll over on command? Do you play fetch with him?"

"Bill is not a dog."

"What is it that you humans say? If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck-"

"He's a better man than you'll ever be."

She didn't think it possible but his eyes shine even brighter as he levels her with an amused stare. "Flattery will get you everything."

"I don't want anything from you."

"Of course you do."

Eric's cockiness makes her blood boil and she has to try her hardest to restrain herself from slapping him. "How you've managed to survive this long, I don't know. If I was a vampire, you'd be the first thing I killed."

"If you were a vampire, you'd be on your knees in front of me," he smirks suggestively, "begging to-"

"You're disgusting."

"Most humans enjoy that."

"I'm not most humans."

He moves with lightning speed, his face suddenly mere inches away from hers. "Evidently," he whispers.

Everything about Eric is cold: his touch, his words, his attitude. Everything except his heated gaze.

She finally understands how people can be glamoured so easily.

He's watching her with those intense eyes, scrutinizing her like she's imore/i than just his next meal. She doesn't like how it makes her feel.

"How often does Bill feed on you?"

"How is that any of your business?"

"I'm curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat. Haven't you heard?"

"Actually, it was a vegan vampire that killed it."

If she didn't know any better, she would think he's joking with her.

"Do you like it?" he murmurs.

It surprises her when Eric's thumb suddenly strokes the very same spot on her neck that Bill has fed from many times before. Instinctively, Sookie shivers at his touch. She tells herself it's because his skin is cold; that the unexpected tingle down her spine is due to the fear he evokes in her.

"Of course you do," he answers his own question. "Bill is alright, but I'm better."

"What is going on here?"

Bill's angry voice breaks her out of her reverie, bringing her right back to reality. Before she can say anything, Bill shoves Eric away from her. She expects Eric to retaliate but Eric merely smiles at them, appearing not even slightly frazzled at the sudden attack.

"Teach your dog some new tricks, Sookie," Eric smirks as he walks away from the hotel bar.

"What was he doing to you?" Bill demands, desperation and fear lacing his words.

"Nothing. Eric was just being an asshole as usual."

"He's very dangerous, Sookie."

It takes her a few seconds to respond. "I know."