As all vampires did, Eric Northman had cold skin. Cecilia suspected that perhaps as a former viking and man of the north, Eric Had even colder skin than other vampires. However she found she liked his cold skin. It helped to cool her wolf blood and keep her senses focused. She needed to remain focused with him and not become distracted by his proximity. She needed to be able to smell the moment his hunger and blood-lust overpowered him so that she could protect herself from being drained. But he felt amazingly good beneath her and inside her. So much so that she could hardly think clearly beyond the momentary bliss.

Cecilia had been with a few vampires before. Most of them lost control of themselves and didn't know when to stop even if they had claimed beforehand that they weren't going to kill her. The nicer ones needed an energy shock or a blast of light to push them away. At that point they would apologize and let her go. Others she'd had to fight for survival, even turn into a wolf and tear them apart. She didn't know which variety of vampire Eric was but she hoped it was the former because she wasn't entirely sure that she could fight him off if he lost control.

Yet being with him was intoxicating in much the way that vampires claimed she was for them. She didn't know why this was the case. Maybe it was because it had been so long since she'd been with anyone. She had certainly experienced good sex before, and had been with attractive men, but this was something else entirely. It was surreal. Cecilia had no idea why it was happening but she didn't want it to end. She wanted to pretend he was human all of this wouldn't end with his loosing control and nearly killing her.

Her dirty dress was on the floor, Eric's shirt was gone, and she was astride him. His tongue was in her mouth and his member inside her. She kept waiting with every thrust for him to bite her, but he seemed to be more interested in her body than in her blood. His hands found her breasts and she couldn't stop the moan that escaped her. Eric pulled away, his eyes searching hers.

"Aren't you going to bite me?" She asked breathlessly, half worried half curious.

"Do you want me to?" He asked gently, as is if he was actually leaving the decision to Cecilia. She suspected this was not a question someone like Eric ever asked. If he wanted to feed on a human, he simply took them and fed on them. They didn't have a say in it. She wasn't sure if his question was genuine or meant as a mockery.

"I told you I would let you..." Cecilia didn't know what else to say.

"That's not what I asked. Do you want me to bite you?"

Cecilia shivered at the intensity of his gaze. She shook her head, a single tear slipping out. "No. I don't want you to. You won't be able to stop...I might die...I don't want to die."

Eric reached up an touched her cheek. "I'm not going to kill you. If you tell me to stop. I'll stop. I give you my word."

Cecilia nodded, biting back her tears as Eric sank his teeth into her neck. The pain wasn't so bad. He resumed thrusting into her and she tried to focus on the sensation rather than give in to her fears. Her blood was running down her shoulder, breasts, and back. Eric was lost in the oblivion and intoxication of her blood. She jerked her hips, hoping to divert his attention away from feeding. He groaned and continued suck at her neck. Cecilia moved with him, panting more heaving with every thrust. She felt him come soon after. He was finished but he didn't stop.

"Eric? I'm getting weaker.. please stop..." Cecilia tried a gentle approach.

To her great astonishment, Eric pulled away, resting his head on her shoulder for a moment before looking up into her amazed expression. "What?" He asked, seeing the look on her face.

"You stopped..."

Eric bit his wrist and gave her his blood to heal. She knew the ritual. She knew this would bond her to him and the idea of that was less frightening now than it had been earlier. "I told you I wouldn't kill you. You're much to valuable to waste on one feeding." He said as she drank.

Cecilia knew she should feel insulted by his statement but in truth she wasn't. She had long ago accepted that vampires valued her for her blood, the werewolves valued her strength, just as humans valued her beauty. It didn't mean they were incapable of appreciating her true self, just that they each initially valued different things. At least she hoped so. But the fact the vampires valued her blood had always been a danger to her simly due to their lack of self control. She held onto a little hope that perhaps Eric was different. Not too much hope, she was still wary of him, but just a little.

Eric directed Cecila to a wardrobe where she could choose clean clothes and then to the bath. he left her alone to wash and change. She wanted to feel relief that he was gone but she found that she missed him instead. She told herself that it was the bond that had her missing him. She turned on the water for the bathtub and picked out a modest dress to wear. It had short sleeves, a scoop neck, a tiny blue floral print, buttons all the way up, and a hemline that fell just below her knees. This suited her much better than the skimpy sundress she had stolen from a clothesline a week earlier. but it was still a little less fabric than she would have liked. After bathing she dressed in the new dress, combed her hair, slipped on the new flats that Anita had given her, and rejoined Eric in the bar area. She assumed he would want her there.

Cecilia didn't have to ask what he wanted of her. "Just sit and watch for trouble." Eric said, indicating a chair not far from his.

She nodded and did as he asked. The room smelled of bar food and Cecilia realized just then that she had never finished her meal earlier. It had been well over a week since she'd had a full meal. Nine days to be exact. There had been berries and bits of edible foliage in the woods but no real food until the few bites of burger she had eaten earlier. She was still famished. Cecilia glanced at Eric, unsure if she should ask for food or wait for him to offer it. Vampires could be volatile creatures. She knew that more than anyone. And she didn't know Eric well enough to know if asking for food would insult his hospitality. So she said nothing.

Hours passed. Cecilia alerted Eric to potential fights before they could truly break out and even to a few secrets that people brought with them. She didn't remember falling out of the chair or passing out. She awoke on the red sofa in the back room. Eric was frantically pacing the room nearby.

"What happened?" He knelt next to her, eyes full of concern. "Are you alright?"

"I'm sorry...I just... I'm hungry." She admitted sheepishly. "I haven't really eaten in nine days."

"Why the hell didn't you say anything? Are you trying to kill yourself?" Eric asked frustrated.

"No... no, I thought it wasn't my place to ask for anything."

"Get her some food." Eric demanded of the vampire who stood nearest the door. "Now!"

Moments later a plate was brought to her with french fries, chicken tenders, and ketchup. Cecilia ate quickly. Eric watched, the concern never leaving his eyes. She knew he was worried that anything bad might happen to his new favorite feeding source but it was hard not to be affected by his concern. She brushed it aside, telling herself she had simply been lonely for too long.

"Cecilia," Eric said as she ate. "Part of our agreement was that I would treat you well. I can't do that if you don't tell me what you need. From now on, if you're hungry just take some food from the bar or from the kitchen out back. If you need anything else, be it clothing or entertainment or protection, you need only to ask and you will have it."

She stared at him wide eyed for a moment. "What about the sunlight? What if i would just like to take a walk in the sun by day sometimes? Am I free to leave here?"

Eric swallowed. Cecilia could smell his worry. "You may leave. No one will stop you."

"Why? I thought you wanted me here. You are not worried that I will try to escape?" She asked tentatively.

"You have tasted my blood and so I am bonded with you. I will know where you are even if you do try to escape. If you leave and I sense that you need protection, I will still offer it. But I would truly prefer that you were not afraid of me. Keeping you here against your will is hardly conducive to building trust."

"I suppose so." Cecilia said. Eric's words had taken her off guard. When they had first met he had enjoyed her fear of him. He was a vampire who liked to dominate. Somehow that had changed. She couldn't smell any lies. There was worry, concern, and even a little lust, but no lies. She didn't know what to make of it.

"If you wish to walk in the sun, or go shop in the city while we sleep, then go. If you wish to leave for good, I will not stop you."

Cecilia sighed. "I have no place else to go...you will keep what I am a secret from the others?"

He nodded, seeming to understand her predicament. She would leave if she had a safe place to go. But she didn't have a safe place to go so she was staying, in spite of being afraid of him. "The sun comes up in half an hour. If you are in danger while I sleep, call to me. i will help you."

"Thank you." She said as he left her to go to his rest.