AN: Thanks again to all my wonderful reviewers and for reading. Still pushing ahead at full steam. Ive decided to just concentrate on this fiction before I tackle 'Written In Blood' so at least that means The Birth of Eve updates will be faster. ;) Thanks again and hope you enjoy this chapter. It's got some nice eye candy. ;)
Chapter 3-Nightmares and Dreamscapes
The long shower helped clear my head and I decided in the morning I would go to Eric and offer him an apology. I was drunk after all and I wasn't myself. I would beg him to keep this between us and then I would go make things right with Bill no matter what it took. If he wanted me to stay over night at his house, I would.
But all those thoughts disappeared when I closed my eyes and felt the hot angry pellets of water pounding against my back. I closed my eyes for just a minute and saw Eric standing there watching me. It was in my imagination of course, but that didn't stop my body from reacting to it.
I knew by that point I was going to have a very long night. I woke up to the sound of a dog barking outside. My body chilled and aching from what was probably the best sex dream of my life, followed by another dream portraying my wedding to Bill where I was put on trial during our vows, and humiliated in front of the entire town for what I had done. It was chilling to say the least. So relieved when I realized it was just a dream, it definitely brought things home knowing what I needed to do. Last night never happened and I had to patch things up with Bill of course. I got up to go look out my window. I saw my Gran pull away in her old pick up truck and wondered just where she was going.
About 15 minutes later after dressing and covering myself from head to toe, even in the July summer, I made my way downstairs. I was very careful to be especially quiet outside Eric's room, not even sure how I was going to face him today, or if I even wanted to.
Wasn't there a way I could avoid him for the next few months? Maybe we could work out shifts, I could take the day and he could take the night shift, and then we'd never have to see each other. I wondered.
I mulled over in my head what had transpired last night for the five thousandth time and realized I felt bad enough, it was a stupid slip up that would never have happened had I not been drunk and I deserved a free pass with my moral conscience for this one little mistake.
Reaching the kitchen I saw my Gran's note on the counter.
"Sookie, I went to the grocery store to get milk and eggs, help yourself to grits and fruit. Be back soon.-Love, Gran"
I sighed feeling bad that my Gran was going to the grocery store by herself. I usually helped with that, but she was trying to prove to me that she could manage this place by herself. It still made me feel uneasy though. I liked doing those things for her.
I went over to the stove and put on a pot of water for the grits, and then cut up some fruit from the fridge. I figured Eric was sleeping in so I made him a bowl too. I didn't want to be inhospitable after all. Plus I knew Gran would give me hell if she found out I didn't make him anything.
Since Eric wasn't up and it looked like it was going to be another sweltering Louisiana day, I thought I would take a stroll around the property. I rarely had time to myself these days and figured I could use it to clear my head and get some fresh air. I still had a small headache from last night so I hoped being outside would do me some good.
One step outside and I realized it was ridiculous to be wearing a sweater and my heavy fleece pajama pants so I went back up to my room and changed into a tank top and my daisy dukes. I figured by the time Eric was up my Gran would be back and have him fast at work, so I took the risk.
Rather than walking through the cemetery, and risking repeating memories of last night, to which it had taken me all morning to compartmentalize and store away by way of lock and key way way deep back in my head, I opted to take the eastern side which skirted around a small wooded grassy area and ended up by our lake. We even had a small rowboat, which I liked to take out on occasion. Not sure if that was something I wanted today, but I was hoping the scenery would offer me some inner peace at the very least.
So I put on my flip-flops and headed down towards the lake. I wondered to myself whether or not Bill was up by now. It wasn't even 8am yet, so I figured most likely not. I knew for a fact he was a late sleeper because he never called me until after noon to schedule dates.
I sighed still not quite sure what to do about everything. Maybe the answer was-nothing, I thought.
Finally I made it to the lake and kicked off my flip-flops so I could wade in the water. It felt cool on my feet, scratch that, it felt like heaven. I could tell we were going to have another blisteringly humid day, wondering if I could just skip work and hang out here all day, I began to lift up my tank top realizing a swim would be nice when I spotted a pair of denims off to the side.
I looked around wondering if anyone was here with me, or possibly down the shoreline a bit further, but I couldn't see anyone, and figured it must have just been some kids messing around last night when all of the sudden I heard a splash.
My head turned to the side and I stepped back startled. It was like a scene right out of a movie. The morning sun was glistening on the water, in dark silhouette like a phoenix rising from its watery grave, Mount Eric erupted from the calm water like Poseidon himself in all of his glory, wearing absolutely nothing but his birthday suit, completely and totally stark naked.
My mouth dropped open as the water poured down his body, following every contour and curve, the level of the water where he submerged just high enough to reach his mid thigh. And like a train wreck I couldn't help but stare even though I knew I was going to hell in a handbag after this.
His size was dare I say very impressive, but that sculpted ass...I nearly melted on the spot. I mean what could you really do in a situation like this but marvel right? Still to say he was a surprise, an overwhelming surprise, one I certainly wasn't prepared for at all would have been an understatement.
"Morning." He finally replied pulling me out of my stupor and I looked back at him mouth still agape at a loss for what to say.
And then he began to approach me and I backed up instinctively. Now that the sun was to the side of him I could see everything. He really did look like one of those famous paintings one would see in a museum, perhaps a DaVinci, or Michelangelo, or Botticelli.
I bit my lip suddenly apprehensive because he was coming dangerously closer to me with that lethal smirk plastered across his face and he added...
"You should come in, the water feels amazing."
"Um I don't think so." I replied still in shock, and quickly skirted back towards the sand to recover his pants.
"Here, put these on, I'm sorry to have disturbed you."
I answered flinging the jeans at his chest still unable to look at him in the eye and then I turned to leave.
"Wait, Sookie?"
Closing my eyes I didn't want to turn around afraid he would see how red I had become, plus I wanted to avoid him today, but that was clearly easier said than done, finally looking over at him in question knowing this was inevitable, I replied…
"What?"
He asked me stepping closer...
"How are you feeling?"
I knew he was testing the waters, but all I could think was how could I possibly have this conversation now, when he was standing right in front of me, all of his glory on display?
"Eric why don't you put your pants back on and then I can tell you how I'm feeling."
I suggested my eyes flicking down before I met his gaze. He simply smirked; clearly pushing my buttons in more ways than one, and finally obliged my request…
"I apologize, I didn't think anyone would be out here so early...I guess we both wanted to get away for a bit and found the same place." Eric offered.
I turned around to hide the heat rushing through me once again reminding me of those dreams, but worse yet, my dreams couldn't even compare to the real deal.
After a long moment with my hands on my hips in frustration I asked him cautiously...
"Are you decent?"
He laughed his twinkling stare blinding me as I dared to look at him and he replied...
"That depends on who's asking."
I closed my eyes in relief that he was now fully clothed, but that didn't help my vivid imagination as the drops of water clung to his perfectly sculpted chest in suspended beauty. I took a deep breath knowing if I wanted to do this, to confront him, I would have to center myself, and I got down to business, replying...
"Eric, I'm really sorry about last night, obviously I had too much to drink and...and.."
"Why should you be sorry?" He interrupted me and took a step closer forcing that frog back into my throat again I swallowed looking up into his penetrating stare, which demanded nothing less than my complete honesty, and I shook my head confused I replied...
"Because I acted inappropriately? I mean I have a boyfriend." I corrected myself and then I looked up and there was that smug smirk again, which was really starting to annoy me.
"You shouldn't be sorry for acting out what came naturally to you, I just didn't want to take advantage of you while you were drunk." He answered.
Okay that did it, if I wasn't pissed before I was pissed now. Of all the arrogant condescending egotistical things to say and I argued sharply my voice raising just a pitch...
"It didn't come naturally to me, it was the alcohol, and if you had taken advantage of me I would have kicked you to kingdom come."
"If that's what you want to believe." Eric replied smugly, his tee was buried in his pocket and he was using it to dab drops of water away from his chiseled jaw and that rock hard torso. Oh Christ! I thought wondering which one of us would be welcomed into hell first.
"Its not what I believe, its the truth, you forget I work at a bar, where there are drunk people, I see them do all kinds of crazy stuff that they would never do while sober!"
Eric smiled tucking the tee back into his waist like a wipe rag and he replied surely...
"I like to call it liquid courage, see the alcohol just makes you do something you would never have had the courage to do, but you wanted to do it underneath it all."
"That is the biggest crock of bull puckey I've ever heard," I argued, and he leaned into me. All I could do was stare at him like a deer caught in the headlights and he whispered...
"Maybe I can prove it then?"
His hand came up to stroke my cheek. I felt the heat flush into my thighs once more and then my legs turned into melted butter and he smiled his eyes flashing down to my nipples which were now pushing blatantly through my tank to prove his point, and my face turned a deep shade of crimson red feeling all of the sudden like I was being cornered my lid almost ready to pop off.
"Go to hell!" I spat back, thinking him the biggest pig that ever lived once more and then stormed off back towards the house so mad I felt like I could spit.
Thankfully when I got back my Gran had returned and I helped her put away the groceries and then I went over to see Bill before work.
I was also thankful Bill didn't remember much of what happened the night before, but he did remember Eric kicking his ass at pool, which rekindled his intense dislike for him. Then Bill asked me again when he was going to leave. He even went so far as to suggest I stay with him while Eric was living at Gran's, but there was no way I would leave her all alone, with Eric's help or not.
By the time I got home from work I wanted to do nothing more than collapse on the couch. It was well after midnight so when I got home I certainly didn't expect Gran and Eric to be in the living room watching old Buffy reruns and laughing together.
On what planet was I on again? I wondered looking at both of them strangely and my Gran noticed me come in and welcomed me with a beaming smile…
"Oh Sookie darling, how was work?"
I looked back from her to Eric again confused, because I never in a million years pictured my Gran watching Buffy reruns, with Eric of all people, and I replied hesitantly…
"It was fine, the usual crowd, Laffey got in a fight with one of the customers who had complained about his cooking again, but Sam threw him out and the rest of the night was fight free."
"Oh lord!" My grandmother exclaimed finishing off her glass of beer. I had to do a double take cause yes she was drinking beer! And she shook her head and replied in empathy…
"I don't know how that poor boy deals with those idiots day in and day out, Sam Merlotte must have the patience of a Saint."
I nodded my head and then the credits began to roll on the current episode they had been watching and my Gran announced…
"Well I'm going to get some shut eye! You two enjoy yourselves (she looked back at Eric and replied…) Thanks for the company Eric, I had a great time, and thanks for fixing up the siding too."
"It was my pleasure Mrs. Stackhouse." Eric replied and she waved her hand cutting him off she insisted,"Now you stop that, it's Adele, unless you want me to start callin you Mr. Northman again."
Eric smirked and I looked outside to see if there was a full moon tonight or something, but Eric simply replied…
"Good night Adele."
She smiled and replied…"Good boy."
And then she came over to me and she insisted…"I got some ice cream at the grocery store earlier today, help yourself in the freezer." She smiled and kissed me on my cheek and I replied with a smile in kind…
"Thanks Gran."
She smiled back at me and had just reached the stairs when she stopped again and turned around like she had just remembered something…
"Oh and Sookie dear, I'm going to head over to Maxine Thortenberry's Monday morning. We're going down with the church to help feed the Habitat for Humanity volunteers in Haiti, Ill be gone for two weeks."
"What?" I asked her caught off guard. This was the first I had heard about any trip to Haiti. And when did my Gran get her passport? This was so sudden! Not entirely sure if I liked this idea and she just simply waved me off and explained…
"Don't worry, Eric has a list of things to do to keep him busy and you know what your assignment is. (Her eyes twinkled as she glanced over at me, and she continued…) So have a nice night you two, don't let the bed bugs bite."
I smiled uncomfortably and then glanced at Eric. He had remained strangely quiet while my grandmother had been talking. All I could think was we would be stuck together in this house for two whole weeks after tomorrow night. What could be worse?
"Are you going to bed too?" Eric asked me after my Gran was gone, breaking the spinning thoughts in my head and I looked back at him in confusion.
"What?"
He stood up while awaiting my response and he explained…
"I just wanted to finish up this DVD, but if you are going to bed, Ill turn it off so the noise doesn't disturb you."
I looked back at him strangely, remembering the last time I saw him today he was naked and suggesting that I came onto him. It still pissed me off. Being reminded of his arrogance I turned on my heel and replied sharply…
"No I'm not going to bed, I'm going to get some ice cream."
I went into the kitchen to pull whatever ice cream my Gran had purchased out of the freezer, happy to see she had gotten my favorite, 'Strawberries and cream' when I heard a voice behind me…
"Rough day?"
I looked back at Eric and rolled my eyes not really in the mood to talk to him. I had enough bull shit for the day and replied honestly…
"Same crap different day."
He moved towards me and I stiffened on guard but reached past me to grab the chocolate sauce.
"Strawberry's my favorite." He smiled grabbing a bowl for himself as well.
I looked at him oddly not thinking of Strawberry and chocolate but it sounded good so I poured some on my dish as well.
And then Eric replied…
"You know I happen to have connections, you shouldn't have to feel stuck at that place, I'm sure you could get at least double what you're making now."
I glared back at him thinking he had some nerve to tell me what I should do for a living and replied sharply…
"It's not about the money for me…Sam is a great boss, its hard to find good people these days."
I looked back at Eric to see if he had gotten my message, and it appeared that he did because he didn't say anything else, drawing back into himself.
And then of course I felt guilty for lashing out. Desperately needing to break the tension we walked back into the living room. I made sure to take the couch opposite him and finally asked him as Buffy resumed…
"So where are you from anyway, I can tell you aren't from around here?"
I knew nothing of the world, but he definitely had a European accent, it wasn't really detectable unless he spoke out, thinking it was possibly Dutch or Danish, I had no idea.
"I was born in Sweden." He replied licking the chocolate off his spoon and I suddenly found myself fixated on his tongue.
"Oh really?" I replied pretending to be more interested in his words, and he nodded…
"Yes, I was sent over here to live with my aunt and uncle when I was 16."
I looked back at him thoughtfully and replied…
"That must have been hard to leave all your friends behind."
He looked at me and I swore I had just caught a glimpse of child Eric, innocent, naive, vulnerable, like his whole world had been crushed in one day and he found out that Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy were all made up, but he willed it away for my sake and Eric finally replied…
"In my life I have learned not to get too attached, it ends with more pain than good."
Making it clear that he was done on the subject Eric changed the subject quickly…
"I never knew they could get so much off that terrible movie, but this really is an entertaining show.
I realized he was trying to defer the topic not so subtly. But I couldn't blame him. I had lost my parents as well. In a car accident that took them both away from me on the same night. It wasn't something I liked to talk about, especially with strangers. After listening to Eric talk about attachments, it strangely made me want to know more though. I wondered what happened to him, or his parents, and I wanted to know what caused him so much pain that he couldn't bear to talk about it, realizing we both had something in common. We were both raised by outside family, and something emotional stirred inside me. Something deep down inside.
I sat back and put some ice cream on my spoon and replied gently…
"My parents died when I was 8, maybe that's why we can identify with Buffy, she grew up in a non traditional home too."
Offering him a small smile in peace, Eric smiled back at me sadly and we enjoyed the rest of the show.
Eric was right, strawberry and chocolate was a good combination and before long I was yawning and ready for bed.
I had expected for Eric to make some crack about last night or some backhanded comment about my behavior, but he didn't, which surprised me. I said goodnight and made my way up to my room and went to bed.
I wondered how it was possible to be so magnetized to someone after knowing them for only two days. I thought about how unfair it was to Bill, and vowed to myself that I would spend more time with him tomorrow.
Right after I indulged in my new favorite dream fantasy, a reenactment of that delicious midnight kiss, and more. After all my thoughts were my own. What other people didn't know couldn't hurt them right?
Of course I came to regret that decision and even feel guilt once morning came. My Gran woke me up before dawn even and informed me that she heard from one of the neighbors that Bill had been a victim in a drunk driving accident. My heart panicked as familiar fears rose to the surface again after all those years of my parents meeting their fatal end the same way. I refused breakfast and even a ride from my Gran jumping into my little yellow Gremlin and sped to the hospital.
