Chapter 3~
Eric rolled his eyes and sighed with boredom as yet another black-clad, emaciated fangbanger knelt in front of his throne and offered herself to him. He missed the days when women had more respect for their bodies than to offer themselves up as dinner and a fucktoy. And the curves... yeah, he missed those too. He detested this new fascination society had with waif-like girls. He wanted someone curvy, someone soft, someone he could hold onto without breaking her. With a flick of his fingers at Pam, she smirked and sped over, dragging the pathetic little fangbanger away from him. "Sorry sweetie..." she drawled "No one's interested. Now why don't you run along home and do whatever it is you humans like to do. Like eat a fucking sandwich."
With a frown pulling down the corners of her mouth, Pam approached him, one hand propped on her hip in her usual stance. "Eric. I realize the options aren't terribly appetizing tonight but you have to eat eventually. How about her?" Looking past her, Eric stared at the short, freckled redhead Pam had indicated with a tilt of her head. "I like gingers," she smirked "they're so... feisty." Eric chuckled; his progeny certainly had a way with words. Before he could open his mouth to reply, a scent caught his attention. Shifter. And something else... sunlight? Rising from his seat, his gaze scanned the crowd until his eyes landed on their target. Sam Merlotte. Along with his wife and someone else... a delectably buxom little blonde. Hmm... now that was a woman a vampire could sink his teeth into.
Giving Sam a single nod of his head, he turned and made his way back to his office, his new guests following behind him. As he settled behind his desk, he couldn't help but stare at her. Long, pale blonde hair, eyes as bright blue as his, and a body curvy enough to make a man fall to his knees and weep to the Gods in thanks. He didn't know who she was or what exactly he'd done right in his life to deserve her, but there wasn't a chance in hell that he was letting her get away.
Sookie shifted uncomfortably in her chair as she listened to Sam explain to Mr. Northman what had happened with Bill. Apparently this guy was some kind of vampire sheriff and was obligated to find Bill and punish him. He hadn't taken his eyes off her at all, even during his conversation with Sam, and his gaze wasn't just beginning to make her feel uncomfortable, it had started to make her blush. As the heat crept into her cheeks, she swore she heard him suck in a breath through his teeth. "Um, look..." she began, "I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time here tonight, Mr. Northman, but can you help me or were you just plannin' on sittin' there all night ogling my chest?". She sat up straighter in her chair, swallowing nervously as she waited for his answer.
"Well, Miss Stackhouse... that was saucy. You've been so quiet through this little meeting of ours, I was beginning to wonder if you were capable of talking at all. Good to know you're not afraid to speak your mind." he replied as his mouth curved up in a wicked grin. "And for the record, your chest wasn't the only part of you that I was ogling. You have many other very fine... assets." He didn't even bother to try to hide his interest as his appreciative gaze roamed over her body.
Her hands curled into fists in her lap as she fought not to lean over the desk and punch him right in his smug mouth. His arrogant grin was enough to tell her that he knew he hadn't been the only one to do some ogling during that meeting. Well, who could blame her really? She had taken one look at his backside as she'd followed him down the hall to his office and her mouth had dropped open. She'd had to hold her lips shut just to make sure she wasn't drooling.
"The girl stays with me." His comment pulled her from her reverie and this time it was shock that had her mouth falling open. "If I'm going to be expected to adequately provide you with my protection, Miss Stackhouse, then I will need to know where you are at all times. You will come home with me. You will stay with me, in my home, until Bill Compton has been found and dealt with."
"Excuse me?" she replied as she got to her feet. "What in hell makes you think I'd agree to that? I don't even know you!"
Eric stood, leaning over his desk so that his face was in front of hers. "Your friend, Sam. knows me. And he obviously trusts me enough to have brought you here and ask for my help. I have agreed to give you the help you seek with only one stipulation, I don't believe that it is too much to ask, Miss Stackhouse. Either take my offer or don't. I will give you some time to think about it, but I suggest you don't take very long." The door closed behind him as he left the room, leaving Sookie alone once again with Sam and Tara, who had been suspiciously quiet for the duration of the meeting. It wasn't like Tara not to say whatever she wanted, the woman had absolutely no fear when it came to running her mouth.
"Take the deal, Sook." her friend finally whispered. "Look, bitch, you know I love you and you can always say no and come home with Sam and I. But I think you should accept the offer, Sookie." Sookie was visibly shocked as she sat back down and took Tara's hand in hers. "He was right," she continued "Sam has known Eric for a long time and while they're not exactly fishin' buddies, he trusts him. Eric will do the right thing. He'll keep you safe, Sook. Besides..." Tara smirked at her friend "did you see how tall that guy is? That is one scary motherfucker."
'Scary motherfucker, indeed.' Sookie mused as she sat there, letting her friend's words sink in. "Fine. I'll go with him." she reluctantly agreed. "But if he tries to sink his fangs into my ass, I'm gonna hunt you down and slap the snot outta you for talking me into this."
Tara's response was to chuckle and pointedly stare down at Sookie's breasts. "Relax, Sook. I don't think it's your ass he's thinking about sinking his fangs into."
"Tara Mae Merlotte! You did not just say that!" Sookie couldn't help but giggle even as she chastised her friend.
Sam shook his head and moved for the door, leaving the two friends to their girl talk. He found Eric once again sitting on his throne, glaring at the few people who dared to approach him. "She'll do it. She'll go with you. I hope like hell you know what you're doin' here, Northman. That girl means a lot to Tara and me, and you'd better not let anything happen to her."
Eric couldn't stop the smirk that lit up his face. He had a feeling that a certain little blonde was about to make his life very interesting.
