Chapter 7

Aren't Vikings Supposed To Plunder & Pillage?

"Sookie, listen to me." Eric's eyes were deep wells of mystery. He was trying to convey something to me with his gaze but my anger was making me mute. "As much as I would love to finally consummate our relationship here and now with Bill in attendance, I know that you will regret it later."

I opened my mouth to protest but he silenced me with a long slender finger across my lips.

"Believe me when I tell you that my blood is influencing you right now to feel things that you would not normally feel."

I could sense the truth in his words, even if I didn't particularly care at the moment.

I could not bear to see you regret our first time together. And I cannot bear the thought of sharing you either. You must be mine and only mine. Let me send him away. Knowing that you belong to me now will be torture enough for Bill. This way your conscious will be clear.

I closed my eyes and nodded to him. "Send him away."

"William Compton, Miss Stackhouse wishes for me to inform you that your invitation has been rescinded."

Bill walked backwards out of my door, his face etched with regret. It didn't melt my heart at all. Bill was a lying cheating asshole and I felt nothing but fury that I had given him my virginity.

"Shall I take my leave as well?"

I would have assumed, before this evenings events thus far, that Eric would only have left if I revoked his invitation as well. Yet here he was, asking me what I wanted him to do. The wonders never cease.

"You'd leave me in the state I'm in, Mr. Northman?" I was trying to play coy but I sounded more seductive than I'd thought myself capable of.

"And what state would that be, Miss Stackhouse?" Dear sweet baby Jesus, he was playing along. As if I needed any more reason to feel like I was seconds away from incinerating.

"Well, Mr. Northman, that state would be a gal who's engine is revved way too high and if she doesn't get some sort if release, she may well blow a gasket. Know any good mechanics?"

"I have been told I am pretty good under the hood."

I'd never heard Eric use this type of vernacular. It definitely wasn't second nature and he insisted on not using contractions (a trait I've found is common amongst the older vamps) but god bless him, he was still playing my game.

"Well, Mr. Northman, the first thing this gal could use is a good wash. I've been through the mud today and I need to feel clean again."

I'd barely finished my sentence and he was gone. The shower was already running. A chill ran down my spine. I was so turned on, just thinking about being alone with Eric and that humongous package he was sure to deliver.

Sookie, the water is ready, join me.

I took my hair out of the tight ponytail and tossed the band to the floor. Walking into my bedroom, I paused to wonder why I didn't feel any fear or better yet, anything other than anger at Bill. I should be scared to death for I knew as sure as grits that Eric was lethal.

Entering the bathroom, I could see the steam rising inside the empty shower. Where the hell was Eric?

I sensed him behind me and before I could turn he bit.