Disclaimer: Charlaine Harris owns the characters – I'm only playing

SPOV

Gran woke me late the next morning as she returned from her Sunday morning service. Luckily I was working the late shift at Merlotte's so I didn't have to rush. I had fallen asleep as soon as my head had hit the pillow last night, so had no time to go over the events of the evening in my mind.

As I walked into the kitchen the most amazing scent hit me, and I saw the stunning display of flowers. Gran had found her best antique crystal vase and arranged them beautifully.

"Are they from Bill Compton?" I asked. "I really don't know my dear but there's a card". I couldn't hide my shock when I read the note in its fine flowing script. Gran looked at me expectantly.

I told her about my evening, leaving out some of the more unpleasant details, and perhaps being a little unkind about some of the patrons of Fangtasia and their dress sense. Gran thought it was all very amusing. "So is he handsome, this Mr Northman" I had to confess that he was gorgeous, and that he was well aware of it. He clearly expected every woman in the bar to drop at his feet in a dead faint. Gran was pleased that I had shown some character in resisting him. "Still you must have done something to impress him. These flowers must have been expensive, and I don't know how he got them to you in the middle of the night". I couldn't for the life of me think what I could have done to get this reaction I didn't think I was the prettiest girl there, and I certainly wasn't dressed to impress. Eric had tried to hit on me of course, but I was sure he was the kind of guy who did that to all the women.

I thought of Bill I gave a little shudder. We had parted on bad terms. After our passionate kiss in the car park, he had gone cold on me. I was confused, and didn't know what I had done wrong. I knew I wasn't a very experienced kisser, but surely I couldn't have been that bad

I had honestly expected the flowers to be from him, trying to get back into my good books, and part of me was disappointed that they weren't. I was beginning to find him very interesting. It was true that his old fashioned ways and formal manners could be a little irritating, but he was certainly handsome. And I had had some rather explicit dreams about him. I had begun to think that maybe he was the one for me.

Now I was just confused. I wasn't sure how I felt about Bill, but Eric Northman was just downright scary. I remembered the way he had looked at me, as if he was mentally stripping me down to my underwear (and probably further but I didn't want to think of that). He was obviously very powerful, all the other vampires in the bar were deferential to him and the humans were just plain terrified. But then I remembered the feeling in the pit of my stomach when he looked at me, and how his voice made me feel all hot inside. I could feel myself turning red on the spot and I had to turn away from Gran – I went to the fridge for a cold drink letting the cool air wash over me.

Honestly, Sookie, twenty five years without a man and now suddenly lusting after two.

"I hope you are going to remember your manners young lady. You need to call Mr Northman and thank him for the flowers" She was right, and now he would be asleep, or was it dead, for the day it would be ideal. I wouldn't have to talk to him. I rang the cell number on the card. His message was abrupt "Eric Northman" then straight to bleep. He was clearly the kind of man who expected others to follow his orders. "Hi Mr Northman, this is Sookie Stackhouse. I'm just ringing to thank you for the flowers, they were really lovely. Er…I guess… well thanks" What a fool, next time think before you speak Sookie.

Merlotte's was quiet that evening. I was pleased as it was easier to keep my shields up, and I really didn't want to be thinking about any Vampires. I hoped that Bill wouldn't come in as I wasn't sure what I would say to him. Gran had asked me to ask him for a date for his talk to the Descendants of the Glorious Dead which put me in a difficult position.

At 10.30 Bill walked in and took a seat in my section. I plastered on my working smile and went over to serve him. "What can I get you tonight Bill" "O positive please, and Sookie may I speak with you" "Sure Bill but you can see how busy it is, you'll have to wait until I get off work" Maybe a tornado would hit town between now and then. Anything to put off having to face him. I was at the microwave heating up his blood when I became aware that the whole bar had gone silent. I looked up and met Lafayette's eyes – he was practically fainting, and suddenly a very bad feeling came over me.

I turned round and there in the doorway was a very tall, very blond vampire. He was wearing black leather pants which left very little to the imagination, and a black sleeveless tank which clung to his chest revealing every muscle. It always amused me the reaction my brother Jason got from the ladies when he walked into the bar. This was Jason times ten, and somehow it wasn't amusing it was rather scary.

Eric scanned the scene. He saw me and gave a broad smile and a wink – great, now everyone in the bar was staring at me. He walked over to Bill and slipped in the booth opposite him. I took Bill's blood over. "Good evening Mr Northman, what can I get you" "Call me Eric, please, and I'll have whatever he's having" He pulled a face which suggested that he would rather drink cat's pee and I couldn't help a smile crossing my face. "right away, one O positive coming up"

They spoke quietly and I certainly wasn't rude, or foolish enough to try to overhear their conversation. Even with my limited experience I knew that Vampires aren't generally big on facial expressions or body language. However it was pretty obvious that Bill was uncomfortable and Eric was rather enjoying himself.

Thirty minutes later I was at the bar picking up a large tray of beers. I was aware of a presence behind me. A dark voice whispered in my ear. "I'm glad you liked my flowers Sookie. Perhaps you would allow me to call on you one evening" I was so shocked and flustered I didn't know what to say. It would be rude to say no,

"yes sure, why not" I blurted out. "I'm working day shifts the next few days, I normally get home around seven" Just as suddenly as he was there he had gone. I looked up to see Sam looking at me with a strange look on his face.

Closing time couldn't come soon enough. Sam was in his office when I went in to pick up my purse and keys. "You should be careful, cher. He's a very powerful guy, and dangerous. You're playing with fire". I knew exactly who he was talking about, but I was furious. Why did everyone think they could poke their noses into my business. I picked up my things and strode out without bothering with a reply.

Bill was waiting by my car. "Eric is very interested in you Sookie, you need to be careful" I just exploded. Shouting at him that I was a big girl and I could look after myself I slammed the car door and drove off. I could see Bill in my rear view mirror. He was just staring after me.