Even after Eric has left the room, I can still feel the heat from his touch, the softness of his lips on mine, the hard planes of his body under my palms. I shiver just thinking about the way he moves being such a large man. Every step seems choreographed to showcase the long lines of muscled leg and the broad expanse of his shoulders and back. I shake my head trying to remove the images from my mind, but it is useless. His office is full of his cologne. And it's making my mouth water. Whatever it is, it should be called "May I Have Some More Please Sir," because that's exactly how I feel right now.
The door to the office opens abruptly and I jump in surprise. Eric gets to me in about two strides, saving me from falling onto my ass. He grabs me by the shoulders and lifts me with ease, helping me back onto the comfortable leather cushions. I have to ask where he got this couch…
He looks irritated but manages a small smile. "Sookie, your boss is here."
"My boss? Sam?" I laugh. "Sam Merlotte is here?"
Eric nods.
"But… but, why is he here? Did he ask for me?" Confusion shades my face and Eric is sympathetic.
He takes my hand in his and stokes each finger in turn. He is so delicate yet I'm sure when the time calls for it, he can be a force to be reckoned with.
"Yes. The little man who stares at you when you work. He is your boss, no?"
I nod, knowing my next words will be gibberish, I'm so angry.
"He has been giving Pamela a hard time. He says he will not leave until he talks to you. I want him gone but it is your choice." He stands and walks over to the door, turning to wait for me.
I sigh in resignation and hop up from the couch to follow Eric out into the now fully packed club. He stops me in the hall where his office is and turns to me. His hand on the small of my back squeezes slightly as we stand face-to-face. With that one gesture, I know he's worried.
His hair brushes my shoulder as he leans closer to whisper in my ear.
"I would not allow him back here in case you did not want to see him. Say the word and I will throw him out."
The warmth of his breath against my skin reminds me of what we were doing awhile ago. I shiver, thinking of what might have happened if we weren't interrupted. What was it he said?
"I'm sorry if he's caused trouble, but I'll see him. At least to see what he wants."
Eric nods with a small dip of his head and places a chaste kiss on my cheek. I try to smile but muster a weak grimace of some sort.
We continue out to where Sam is sitting in a booth sectioned off with red velvet ropes draped between two gold posts. He looks pissed. Well, so am I. He stands as we approach, his hand out to me. I look down at it and back up into his eyes.
"Sam, what are you doing here?" I ask, hands on my hips.
"The real question is what are you doing here? And dressed like… like, that!" He looks me over, running his hand through his hair, making it stand up on end.
"You told me I shou—"
"And you decided to do what I said? Seriously, Sookie. I didn't think you'd do something so crazy. I was testing you."
"Testing me? Why would you feel the need to test me? I don't understand."
"You are upsetting her and interrupting our date," Eric growls to Sam. He turns to me and mutters, "I will throw him out now."
"It's okay, Eric. I can handle this."
"That's right, asshole. This isn't' your business." Sam puts his hand on Eric's chest and pushes, but Eric doesn't budge.
Damn.
Eric stands up straighter, towering over Sam. He's such a formidable presence that my breath catches in my throat. Sam swallows audibly and takes a step back. He then turns to me with pleading eyes. "Listen Sookie, come with me."
"Why should I? First you're testing me and now—"
"Because I love you. Can he say the same?" he asks, looking at Eric with contempt.
When I don't answer right away, he turns back to me and throws up his hands.
"Sookie, I asked you a question. Aren't you gonna say something? You know he doesn't love you, right?"
"That's not fair. You can't just march in here and… No. You can't do this."
He grabs both my hands, his eyes never leaving mine. "Do you doubt me? Tell me you don't know how I feel?"
I look between him and Eric as if the answer is written on their faces. "I … um… I…"
"That's what I thought. I know what I did was foolish but I thought… I didn't think you'd listen to me. You have doubts about us? Is that why you're here?"
"I can't talk about this right now." I pull my hands from his and turn to walk away.
I faintly hear someone calling my name, but I don't stop.
I don't head back to Eric's office and I don't look behind me to see if I'm being followed. I make it out to my car, hop in and shove the key in the ignition. I make sure the doors are locked and put my seatbelt on before I put the car in drive. I'm able to pull out of the crowded lot in a minute and finally release the breath I didn't know I was holding. The road is empty, black, silent. I watch the dotted lines fade into one single white line as I press the gas pedal to the floor. My mind goes blank; I don't want to think of what just happened. Sam loves me?
I don't want to feel anything.
"Can he say the same?"
I don't want to do anything but drive. So I do. I drive until the needle caresses the "E" indicating my tank is empty of gas. I pull over into one of the Gas 'N Go stations, keeping my eyes to the ground. If I make eye contact with anyone, I'll snap. I just know it.
It isn't until I go to pump my gas that I realize I don't have my purse, wallet, or cell phone. Shit.
