Charlaine Harris is the sole owner of these characters, and I'm just having a little fun with them.

With much love and gratitude to my awesome beta and writing collaborator, Kristin Elizabeth

Sookie

I closed my eyes, remembering the feel of his hands in my hair, his palms cradling my head as he pulled me close. He stopped just short of a kiss, waiting. I could feel his warm breath on my cool lips. "Sookie, look at me," he whispered, and when I opened my eyes, his blue eyes met mine. The look of raw desire I saw in them enthralled me before he broke the spell when he closed the distance between us, in a kiss that left no doubt about his dominance. His lips, hands, and body controlled mine, and I submitted to him, responding to his every touch, letting go of anything holding me back. His power over my body liberated me, setting me free to feel, almost as if I were human again. He covered me with his strong, hard core, enveloping me in his arms to keep the feelings from drifting away. I lost myself in him.

My first thought upon rising was of Eric, kissing and drinking from him in my office last night. It had been so long since any human evoked such a response in me. While I waited for the last vestiges of daylight to dissipate, I let myself slide into downtime so I could think of those moments in my office in detail. Vampires do not dream like humans, but our "downtime" serves the same purpose, allowing us to uproot our hidden desires and fears that we let no one see. I remembered everything about last night, and my downtime thoughts confirmed what I already knew—I wanted and needed to see him again, and soon.

I silently reprimanded myself for getting carried away drinking from him last night, and knew I must be careful not to do it again. Not only did it take away my chance to glamour him, I could have killed him. I would have turned him if I had drained him. He was just too perfect a physical specimen to let go, and there was something more to him than just physical beauty. Tonight I made it my mission to uncover that special something that I intuitively sensed about him.

By the time it was dark enough to go to the bar, I had formulated my plan to keep Eric in town. I figured I could glamour him first, although I felt a little twinge of worry at that thought. He had resisted my glamour last night, and I knew that some humans could do that, so I wondered if I would be able to glamour him at all. If I could not, then would he be able to handle knowing I am vampire? Because without glamour, there would be no chance I could hide my true nature from him, at least, not for long. For some reason I was not overly worried about that, and I did not know why, but I had a sense that Eric was a man that could accept our differences without fear or prejudice.

By the time I got to the bar, Bill, Clancy, and Pam were there, chatting at a booth. At this time of year, it was dark by six o'clock and on a Sunday night, we would not have many human customers. Most of the townies would be at the Owl watching football in the bar there, and our regulars would not show up until later. I would catch up on area matters tonight, and putting my plan in motion to keep Eric Northman in town would be the first order of business.

Bill jumped up to get me a glass of v-juice when he saw me coming through the door, and Clancy and Pam stood in respectful greeting. I nodded for them to sit, and when Bill returned to the booth with my drink, we got started with our nightly meeting.

"Clancy, Is there any word about our friend at the Big Chief? Do you know if he checked out today?" No sense in beating around the bush, if Eric had left town already, there was no need for my plan.

"I haven't heard anything, Mistress. I'll call right now." While Clancy pulled out his cell phone and dialed, Pam raised her eyebrow at me.

"What, Pam? Something on your mind?"

"No, Mistress. I haven't seen you so interested in a human before, that's all. I'm intrigued." Her eyes sparkled as she teased me.

"Well, I am glad I can provide you with entertainment, Pam. But I suggest you get used to the idea…quickly."

Pam dropped the attitude and she exchanged a glance with Bill. They both watched over me, and I let them, never reminding them I could very well look after myself, since I was older and stronger. Someday, their protective behaviors might just save me, so I did not stop them. No doubt, they would keep an eye on whatever was going to happen with Eric and me.

Clancy clicked his phone closed, giving me a big smile, and I took that to mean he had good news.

"Eric is still registered at the motel and…," he paused and looked around the table, "I hear he is having dinner at the Owl tonight."

"Pam, go over to the Owl and keep an eye on him. If he leaves, give me a call. Bill, I need Sam Merlotte here ASAP. Clancy, you are in charge of the bar, I don't think it will be busy tonight."

The look of surprise on their faces as they realized I was serious about Eric Northman was priceless. They were as excited as I was about having something to do in this cold little town. They left to do as asked, and I considered the next step in my plan to make Eric Northman mine.

Sam Merlotte ran a local mining operation, and if anyone could manufacture a job around these parts, it was Sam. We had an "I'll scratch your back, if you will scratch mine" arrangement, and it was my turn for a scratch.

I met Sam about ten years ago. Like most of the people living here, he just happened to stop by for a night, and ended up staying. He learned the mining industry from the ground up, and ten years later, he was his own boss. Sam was an attractive man with brown hair and eyes, and I might have been interested in him, except for the fact he was a shape shifter, and I was not fond of shifter blood. Instead, we developed a solid working relationship, and I knew he would not turn me down tonight.

About thirty minutes later, Bill returned to the bar with Sam in tow, and brought him over to my table.

"Did you need anything else, Sookie?" Bill asked after Sam had a taken his seat.

"Bring Sam a beer, and then you can relieve Clancy at the bar." Bill nodded and left, "Sam, it's nice to see you tonight."

"Sookie, what is so important that you had Compton come and get me. All you had to do was call, really." Sam's concern lined his face.

"I might be under a time crunch here, Sam, so I wanted to be sure to speak to you in person." I stopped talking when Bill brought Sam's beer to the table, set it down in front of him and left before I continued.

"I have met someone. I want him to stay in town for a while and I would like you to give him a job."

"Are we talking a human or a vamp, Sookie?"

"A human. He can handle manual labor and does not mind working alone. He probably has some mechanical skills from the look of him."

Sam poured his beer in his glass and I could see him considering my motives. I waited for him to ask me.

"So what's so special about this guy, Sookie? Why do you want to keep him in town? I am not getting involved in anything illegal, am I?"

"No, Sam. This is a more … personal matter. Someone I'd like to get to know better, and if he had a job here, he would stay for a while, so I could get to know him."

Sam took a drink and smiled at me.

"Why, Sookie Stackhouse, are you telling me you're interested in this guy for more than just a meal? Well, I'll be damned. I never thought I'd see this day."

I snorted. "You sound like Pam, now. Yes, I am interested in him for more than a meal. How much more, I cannot say yet – that is what I would like to figure out."

Sam continued drinking his beer with a smirk on his face. Was it really so unusual for me to be interested in a human? It was a good thing that Sam and I were friends and I did not take his teasing for insolence. I raised my eyebrow, waiting for his answer.

"Sure, Sookie, I can find something for him. I owed you one, didn't I? Have him come by the mining office Tuesday at eight"

"Thanks, Sam. And as for owing me, yes, this makes us square right now, but I was wondering if you might do something else for me?"

"And what might that be Sookie?" Sam was intrigued, knowing I would now owe him.

"I thought that maybe you could look after my friend during the day, maybe even track him if he leaves town before Tuesday? I have that little problem with daylight, as you know."

"You really like this guy, don't you?" Sam became serious and continued. "Sure, Sookie, I will keep an eye on him for you. I've been shifting into an eagle lately and I could use some flight time." Sam paused and gave me a genuine smile. I got the impression he was a little envious that I had someone to pursue. We really were as close to friends as a vampire and shifter can get. After a moment, he continued. "It's been a long time since I've seen you go to this much trouble for a human. He must be worth it to you." He glanced around the bar. "Is he here? How will I know him?"

I gestured to him to wait a second, opened my cell phone, and called Pam.

"Pam is Eric still at the Owl? "

"Yes, Sookie. He is at the bar watching the football game with the girl that works in the restaurant. They are having a beer and getting cozy." I could hear the teasing in Pam's voice, wondering what I was going to do about that situation.

"Sam Merlotte is going to come by in a few minutes. You need to point out Eric for him. Do not let Eric see you or Sam. I'll take care of the rest in a little while."

"Yes, Mistress."

I closed my cell.

"Pam is at the Owl right now. She will take care of identifying Eric for you."

"Okay, Sookie. I'll help you out. You'll owe me, then." He took a large swallow of his beer, trying to finish it.

"I know, Sam. Just let me know when." Sam was never one to ask for unreasonable favors, and it was worth having his help with my Eric project. He finished his beer, slid out of the booth, and started pulling on his jacket.

"I'll be in touch, Sookie. Have Eric come by on Tuesday at eight. Good luck with your new friend." He placed a light kiss on my cheek before leaving for the Owl.

Once Sam left, I noticed the bar was still very quiet, and I went back to my office to work on some area business. I did not get very far when I allowed myself to slip into downtime.

I licked his long neck in one smooth stroke, from his clavicle to just behind his ear, feeling the pulse of his blood under my tongue. My fangs snapped down and I repeated the stroke from ear to clavicle, this time with the tip of my fangs grazing his skin. He moaned in pleasure with each scrape, pulling his body against mine. While my mouth was busy on his neck, my hand caressed his thigh, moving up to stroke his impressive manhood. I wanted to be naked, impaled on it, grinding my body against his. The thought of our mutual release consumed me. I could not hold myself back from biting him any longer. I showed him my fangs and he touched the tips with his finger, before nodding yes. I licked his neck again, slower, finding the spot to give him the most pleasure. When I found it, my tongue caressed the spot, and I bit, his blood filling my mouth. The taste was exquisite and I lapped at every drop. It was almost like fairy blood, not as intoxicating but just as sweet. With each draw of his blood, I stroked him, and he was putty in my hands. He was mine.

The ring of my cell phone shook me out of downtime. It was Pam.

"He's leaving with the girl. They are going around back to the parking lot."

"I'll be right there."

It did not take long to get to the Owl and Pam showed me to them. I sent Pam back to the bar and found a good spot to watch Eric and his new friend. I smiled when he gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek, although I did feel a twinge of jealousy, as if he was already mine. The girl drove away and I waited for Eric to walk toward me before I stepped out of the shadows.

He seemed startled to see me, and I could hear nervousness in his voice when he greeted me. I smiled when he thanked me for tucking him in, and we were just about to kiss when a couple of rough looking humans interrupted us. Eric looked nervous again, but not about the men, and I became worried he was getting ready to run. I told him of the job, in the hopes it would be reason enough for him to stay.

"I think I've found a job for you in Battle Mountain, if you were still interested. Why don't I walk you back to your motel room, and we can talk about it? Or we could go to my bar and hang out there—it's a slow night."

He agreed to walk me back to the bar, and we talked about the job on the way. Being with him made me feel…content, maybe even happy, and I wanted more. I thought he wanted more too, until he did not jump on the job offer. He wanted to think it over. I did not want to look too eager but, I think he saw my disappointment. Then he took my hand, and pulled me to him for a kiss, we were both lost again, the passion ignited between us. He broke the kiss first, whispering to me, but I wanted him to stay. I asked him to come into the bar. His second refusal made me question what I was doing, and I contemplated draining him before I realized it was all part of the game. I needed to stay the course, go the distance. I would wait, and he would come to me tomorrow night. I was sure of it.

So, what will Eric do when he finds out Sookie is a vampire? Will he stay or go? Stay tuned and I'd love to hear what you think of the story, so please, press the green button and let me know.

I am very honored to say my fic, Every Time a Bell Rings is a finalist in The Naughty or Nice contest. http:// www . fanfiction .net / s /5659119 / 1/

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and read all the wonderful stories, then vote for your favorite. The poll will close on February 5th. Thanks to the awesome Indigobuni and Ehee for running this contest, and to all the judges for putting in their time to read and critique all the stories.