Sookie spent the entire next day overcome with anxiety. She felt so stupid, letting Eric get to her in a way he never had before. Deep down inside her somewhere, Sookie was remotely aware that she was awakening to her feelings. Eric himself hadn't changed at all in the way he regarded her, nor his attitude toward her. Sookie was simply beginning to react to it. She couldn't exactly deny it, not while her dreams and fantasies were forcing her towards the inevitable conclusion, but every time she let the thought in for a second, the guilt overwhelmed her.
Technically, Sookie hadn't done a damn thing wrong. She'd fantasised about another guy, but so what? Bill probably did, too. In fact, he'd drunk from other women. Sookie knew that as a fact, and for a vampire, the lines between hunger and lust were very much blurred.
"Don't make excuses, Sookie." She scolded herself out loud, earning a few wary glances from the townsfolk around her. She had entirely forgotten where she was.
She looked up to see Sam watching her concernedly. "What's up, Sook?"
Sookie exhaled in frustration as she regarded Sam. He'd not only been a great boss, but he'd also been a wonderful friend to her for the past five years that she'd worked at Merlotte's, and she'd confided many things in him over the years. Somehow, though, Sookie didn't think that Sam would quite digest this information whilst still respecting her.
So Sookie did what she did best, she raised her mental guards against the piercing minds surrounding her, and mostly; judging her, and smiled the brilliant nervous smile she wore so well.
"Nothing, Sam. Just eager to get off work, is all." She replied earnestly. It was true, in a way.
Tonight was the night that Eric had requested Sookie go to Shreveport, to the vampire bar Fangtasia. Although 'requested' may have been too nice a word, 'ordered' was more like it.
Sookie was nervous, not about what plans Eric may have in store for her, she was pretty used to his wild demands by now, demands that usually resulted in her suffering. No, Sookie was nervous because she was acutely aware of every single heartbeat in her chest, every flutter of her eyelash, every hair standing upright on her body, all at the mere suspense of seeing Eric Northman alone. She wasn't sure she could handle it; Sookie's self-control had been somewhat off lately.
Sam was still fixated at Sookie, his features worrisome; "Something going on tonight, Sook?"
You could say that. Sookie's mouth twitched slightly while she pondered telling Sam about her visit to Fangtasia. It couldn't hurt; she wouldn't have to tell him the true reason for her anxiety.
Sookie spoke quickly before she changed her mind. "Eric pretty much summoned me to Fangtasia tonight, that vampire bar in Shreveport." Sookie paused to make sure Sam knew where she was talking about. He nodded expectantly, everybody knew about Fangtasia. "Well, I'm just a bit nervous about what he has planned for me and my, ah, disability."
This wasn't technically a lie, but it wasn't the truth, either. Still, it was a good excuse for her jittery behaviour and poor customer service today. Sookie wasn't the best barmaid in the world, but she usually managed each shift with a bright smile and a helpful attitude that earned her a fair amount in tips. Today had been different, and that difference had clearly caught Sam's attention. Not good.
"I thought you'd seemed distracted." Sam frowned, his eyes darting around in thought. "Listen, I know you're not supposed to finish for another hour, but if you're going to Shreveport at nightfall, as I assume you are?" Sookie nodded in assent. "Well, you need the time to get ready and prepare yourself. Here is the last place you need to be if you're anxious."
Sookie could have kissed Sam right there. She knew, though not from their words exactly, that her fellow waitresses thought Sam favoured her. She often wondered that her-self, but the truth was that Sam and Sookie were just close friends. He'd even slept on her bed in the form of a collie, once. Sam was a shapeshifter, see, and he'd confided that secret in Sookie. Although finding Sam's naked body in the space the collie had been wasn't a great way to reveal such a huge secret, Sookie thought.
Sookie shook herself back to the here and now.
"Oh, Sam, are you sure? You wouldn't be slack of waitresses without me?" Sookie resisted the urge to hug Sam, but she couldn't hide the gleeful hope behind her eyes.
"We'll manage. Holly has just come in, and Arlene's on 'til closing. Though you can make it up to me by working your Saturday off, if you want" He smiled at Sookie warmly.
"Of course I will, thanks Sam." Sookie gave him an answering smile, already discarding her apron and making her way to the back door. She didn't have the time or the will to say goodbye to anyone. She craved a hot shower, and in spite of her head's warnings, Sookie wanted to choose a nice outfit to wear for Shreveport. It was Fangtasia, after all.
After her warm shower, Sookie felt remarkably more relaxed. She dried her hair mechanically, taking time to make sure each golden strand lay smooth and flat. She knew that she was playing with dangerous territory, but she wanted to look nice. She also felt incredible anger towards Bill for leaving her unannounced and unprotected, and that only made her want to distract herself even more. She was so sick of Bill hurting her.
Sookie's anxiety returned, crawling through her veins like tar as she surveyed her wardrobe. Eric usually remarked on anything she wore, so she wasn't sure why she was suddenly being so choosy.
Finally, Sookie picked out a simple, blood-red dress. She realised how tantalising it would look to the vampires in Fangtasia, but she had always admired the contrast between the bold red of the dress and the softness of her blonde hair. It wasn't fancy or ostentatious, no, just a knee length, long-sleeved simple dress. Sophisticated, Sookie realised.
She slipped into her plain, white pumps on her way to the door. Sookie loved her pumps; they were a source of comfort and practicality. She wasn't a high heels kind of woman, never was and never would be. Her feet simply protested them.
The drive to Shreveport seemed to fly, though Sookie couldn't remember speeding at any point. Her grandmother had always told her that time had a knack of speeding up when you were dreading something. Sookie wasn't exactly dreading this meeting with Eric, but she was wary of it, and she guessed that that amounted to the same result.
All too soon Sookie was at the door of Fangtasia, where the burly vampire bouncer immediately stepped aside to let her in, Eric had clearly informed him of her visit. She gave him a nervous smile as she passed by.
"Evening, Miss Stackhouse." The man's deep voice boomed. Sookie reddened, she wasn't sure of the man's name, so she acknowledged his sentiment with a nod. It seemed to satisfy him, however.
"Hello, Sookie." A voice greeted her almost immediately. Pam had been watching for her entry, evidently.
Pam was not exactly what you'd call a friendly vampire, but she was one of the closest Sookie had come to. She was fiercely loyal to Eric, as he was her maker, so really she could be capable of anything. Sookie didn't underestimate that fact.
"Hi Pam" Sookie greeted the young-ish vampire. "Eric around?" She already knew the answer, but it was best to be polite with Pam.
"He's awaiting you in his office, looking rather smouldering, as I'm sure you'll find out." Pam winked at Sookie teasingly and moved away to talk to one of her clientele. Eric made sure that the vampires at Fangtasia worked their slots at the bar. Their jobs weren't exactly conventional, Sookie only knew that they sat around while humans gaped, and in some cases, tried to seduce them. These humans were known locally as fang-bangers.
Sookie tried not to read into Pam's departing statement and wink, she had always acted that way, after all. As she made her way to Eric's office, Sookie felt goose pimples rise on her body that had nothing whatsoever to do with the cold.
She reached the large, heavy door to Eric's office and paused awkwardly. She'd only ever been here with Bill, and at the moment she was struggling to remember the procedure for entering the Sheriff's office. Sookie decided a conventional knock was her best bet.
"Enter." Eric's deep voice sounded; the same voice that had whispered her name so passionately in her dreams. Sookie felt her-self shiver, and opened the door cautiously.
"Sookie, sit." Eric smiled briefly from behind his desk, arching an eyebrow at her quizzically. Sookie realised she was openly gaping at the man behind the desk. He was dressed in nothing but tight black pants; and they didn't leave a lot to the imagination.
"You seem nervous." He noted, his lips curling in a very mocking smile.
Sookie forced herself to tear her eyes away from the beautiful pale skin of his chest to sit her-self in the chair opposite him. She was briefly aware of her heartbeat speeding up, and knew Eric could hear it too. Not only that, he could sense her moods, she remembered with a pang.
"Just anxious as to what you want with me now." Sookie responded truthfully. "Why on earth are you dressed like that? Or should I say not dressed?" Sookie looked him over, faking contempt. In reality, she was using it as an excuse to admire his physique.
"Scantily clad, you mean?" Eric asked innocently, Sookie nodded. "Pam thought it was a good idea for the male vampires to ah, show more skin. She didn't think it fair that the women had to dress so skimpy, and not us."
Sookie wasn't expecting that, she'd thought he'd simply tried to seduce her. It would have been very Eric.
"Sounds fair" she agreed.
Eric nodded enthusiastically. "The times have changed. I don't want Fangtasia to be seen as sexist. Plus I do like the chance to show off."
Sookie couldn't stifle the giggle that erupted from her mouth. Showing off was definitely what Eric did best, modesty was not.
"Do you like it?" He asked suddenly. Sookie jumped slightly, caught off guard with Eric's question. She looked at him questioningly, but Eric simply looked back expectantly.
"You look dashing, Eric." Sookie replied mockingly. He didn't need to know what she was really thinking, but of course, he could feel her mood.
"I know your mood, even if you won't admit to it." Eric grinned at her knowingly. "Your heart beat did not race because you were nervous. Not that type of nervous, anyway."
Sookie flushed; something she hardly ever did. She recomposed herself relatively quickly.
"Well if you know, there's no need to ask." She replied with warning, not taking her eyes from her hands in her lap. She didn't trust herself to look at Eric just now.
She heard Eric sigh and chuckle. "You will be mine, Sookie, there is not long to wait." He said it matter-of-factly, and if there was one thing Sookie hated, it was people deciding her future. She was about to snap at Eric when he continued; "Now, down to business. I summoned you here because I suspect that someone is trying to steal from me. There are no human staff here tonight, but if you can come by again tomorrow night to ah, interview them, I would appreciate it."
Sookie knew that Eric had attempted to phrase this in a polite way, but the intent was there. She had no damn choice. Luckily, she wasn't scheduled to work tomorrow night so she wouldn't have to disappoint Sam. She felt like she'd had already, anyway.
"You sure seem to get yourself into a lot of trouble, Eric." She wagged her finger at him, somewhat flirtatiously.
"Trouble finds me, actually." Eric disagreed, his eyes widening in mock innocence. "Anyway, tomorrow the same time" Eric stated.
"Sure, okay." Sookie knew her willingness wouldn't matter, but Eric wanted it because he wanted her. "How much will I be paid for this?" Sookie asked dangerously.
Surprise flickered across Eric's face for a split second, and then it had vanished before Sookie could even swear she'd seen it.
"Is that payment in cash, or physical favours?" Eric winked "I'd be happy to oblige."
Sookie reluctantly squashed down the excitement bubbling through her. "I'll take cash, but thanks for the offer." She attempted a nonchalant roll of the eyes, but it didn't quite come across.
"I hear the rejection come from your mouth, but your feelings are telling me otherwise." Eric murmured interestedly, leaning across the desk towards her.
Sookie attempted miserably to supress the flips her stomach was doing in that moment. It was no use. Eric simply got to her.
Eric abandoned his usual demeanour and gazed at her intently. "Sookie, what's changed about you?"
"I-" speech was seemingly failing Sookie for the first time in as long as she could remember. Sookie had never been this nervous with a man before, at least not with one that she already knew. She felt the throbbing between her legs as she glanced over Eric. His hair was dishevelled, and Sookie found herself longing to run her hands through it.
Realisation dawned on Eric's face, and a smile flickered on his lips. Sookie wanted to slap herself; she couldn't even control herself for one night. She needed to get out of there, away from Eric, before she did something she would regret.
She turned awkwardly in her chair to move, her sight and thoughts foggy with the dizziness that had consumed her. A cold hand found hers, and pulled her into an upright position.
Sookie registered that she was pressed up against a muscular, toned body. Eric's. His fingers were trailing down her arm, sending shivers through her. It must be another dream, Sookie thought to herself.
"Sookie" Eric whispered once, before his mouth descended on hers. His lips weren't quite forceful, but they met Sookie's with certain urgency. She found herself forgetting everything, all her restraints and guilt fell away as she melted into the kiss. It felt like finding something you'd lost a long, long time ago. Sookie felt at home.
Eric was everywhere. He was clouding all her thoughts with his lips and his deep, soulful eyes. His hands were caressing Sookie all over, pausing here and there while he moved his lips to her neck. It must have been incredibly hard to resist biting her, Sookie realised, but Eric managed it.
He paused to look at her properly, lust evident on his face. He'd wanted this for a long time. Not only could Sookie see that in his attitude, but he'd told her a thousand times.
Eric's fangs were extended slightly, a tell-tale sign that he was turned on, or hungry. Or both. Sookie, feeling daring, raised a finger to brush one of his fangs lovingly. It extended even further, if that were possible. Sookie heard a faint moan sound from Eric's throat.
"I will have you, Sookie, now that I know you want me too." Eric whispered huskily, his fangs preventing his speech from being perfectly clear. Sookie heard him, and felt excitement pulse inside her in response. It was even better than her fantasies.
His lips were on hers again, and Sookie thought she could quite happily kiss Eric forever. He was a thousand years old, and his technique was quite perfected. She felt a gasp leave her mouth as Eric brushed a hand against her inner thigh.
At that moment, the door to Eric's office flew open. Pam was mid-speech.
"Eric, some vampire is complaining-" She paused, eyebrows raised as she took in the scene. "My my, Sookie, I guess you found him smouldering after all."
Sookie separated herself from Eric quickly, untangling her arms from around his neck awkwardly. He stepped back too, then towards Pam, who clearly felt his anger as she backed away.
"You knew I had company, Pam. Knock in future." It sounded perfectly polite, but anybody who knew Eric could read the threat under those words. Pam nodded soundlessly, backing out of the door.
The mood had been somewhat broken since Pam entered the room. Sookie felt embarrassed at herself for giving into a half-naked man so easily. She rearranged herself, making it clear that they were not going to be continuing. Eric brushed a strand of golden hair from her face, and reluctantly sat back in his chair.
Sookie's breathing was still erratic, but she looked at Eric defiantly. "See you tomorrow."
Eric's lips formed a smile, and he nodded eagerly. "Tomorrow, then."
