We were sitting in the hot tub on the private deck outside our cabin. Sookie had taken up a position sitting against me, her back against my chest. She still had her bikini on which was a little disappointing, but I was determined not to rush her. I was so close to my goal, it would be foolish to jeopardize it by being overhasty.
Besides I still got to feel her velvet skin, and breathe her intoxicating scent.
"Eric, you know if I thought for one minute you were genuine about investing in this business I would say go for it"
"I am perfectly serious. This is their demonstration site, but if it is a success they are planning a chain across the country. They need investors, and I have money in the bank doing nothing. It's a brand new market, specialist holidays for Vampires and their human companions. That is always the best market to invest in, in my experience"
She gave a little wriggle against me. Had she not realised what effect her closeness was having?
"Sookie, dear one, you should know that everything I tell you will always be true"
"That's a little different from promising to always tell me the truth"
"Yes of course, I was careful in my phrasing. I may hold things back from you if I think they might hurt you.. or me… but I will never lie to you"
She tensed a little. She didn't realise quite how acute my senses were. I could hear her swallowing. There was something she wanted to ask me, but she was reluctant. I had a horrible feeling I knew what it was going to be. I wanted to tell her to be silent, not to spoil the moment, but I knew I had laid myself open to this.
"You've had thousands of women, haven't you?"
"Yes of course, I have existed for over a thousand years, how could I not. I have had many men as well, does that shock you?"
"Of course not, just because I'm from a small town doesn't mean I'm small minded"
"And most of them were one night stands weren't they – just a happy meal to you"
"You must understand Sookie, things were very different in the old days. It was very rare to meet a human we could trust with our secret, most of the time we had to move on"
"Have you ever truly cared about anyone?"
I was silent for a while, my mind went back nearly two hundred years to the last human woman I had cared about. I told Sookie the story. After I turned Pam, we stayed in England for a while, but we had to move around to avoid recognition. The English aristocracy were all in the habit of spending their winters at court in London. They would lock up their grand country houses and leave just a few staff to take care of their animals. They made an ideal winter resting place for a vampire.
The house we chose one winter only two staff, a brother and sister. They discovered Pam and I one night, and much to our amazement showed no fear of us. They were both beautiful and we became lovers. They were very adventurous for the time and happy to share. They allowed us to feed off them so we didn't need to hunt. The next year we went back, and again for eight more years. I began to look forward to going back. They had created us a safe sleeping space in the cellar, and made it very comfortable. It was a great relief not to have to go to ground as we often did.
The ninth year we returned to find the house totally empty. By careful questioning we discovered that an epidemic of cholera had swept through the village in the summer. Our lovers were dead. We left England soon after and never returned.
I hadn't thought of them for so long, I had forgotten that I was capable of feeling. I think it was that experience that gave Pam her hard shell. She was a new vampire at the time, she still had some vestige of human feeling. She was hurt even more badly than I and I think that made her determined never to suffer the same experience again.
I was silent for a few minutes. I realised Sookie was crying. "Dear one, I didn't mean to make you sad, I brought you here to make you happy" I turned her round in my lap and kissed the tears from her face. "It's just such a sad story"
I kissed her neck and nuzzled her ear. "Would you like to go dancing? I think there is a live band tonight"
"I'd rather just stay here with you. It's so peaceful, and it's nice to sit and talk"
I smiled and pulled her closer. She put her arms around my neck and pressed her warm cheek to my cool shoulder. I stroked her hair, and felt her tremble, just a little. She shifted back to her original position, so I could no longer see her face.
"Tell me about the Fae"
"Your Grandmother told you then"
"Yes, just before she died. She said that a fairy was really my Grandfather. What does it mean?"
"She told me his name was Fintan. I believe him to be family to Niall Brigant who is one of the few remaining Prince of the Fae. I don't know if he was full or part blood fairy, so I cannot tell how much is in your blood, but I would say you are at least one eighth fae. There are very few fae left in this world, it is rare to see them. There used to be many more of them, years ago. Some were killed by humans who thought them witches or demons on account of their powers. I am afraid that many were killed by Vampires."
"Why"
"Well, a full blood fairy is completely intoxicating to a Vampire. We lose all control around them, and if they do not mask their scent, well, I'm afraid we drain them dry"
"So does this mean my blood is particularly attractive to Vampires?" Something in her tone of voice worried me, she was not happy.
"It's not obvious. I did not recognise it when I first met you. I did think you smelled different somehow, but I did not recognise it as Fae. I only realised that evening we drove out to the bayou. You remember I had to lick the blood from your arms"
She had pulled away from me, and moved to the other side of the tub. "So really its not me you are interested in, its just the fairy blood"
"No, Sookie" I said fiercely "Truthfully, I wanted you from that first night when Bill Compton brought you to Fangtasia."
"You tried to glamour me"
"Yes, strictly contrary to Vampire etiquette of course, but then it is my club" I shrugged.
"Eric, I know what a reputation you have as a ladies man. You promised to tell me the truth. Am I just a trophy for you?"
"No, Sookie you are not. Well not now. That first night, if you had come to me then, who knows I probably would have taken you as a trophy for my collection and then discarded you, but now that I have spent time with you, no." I saw her stiffen just a little
"Sookie, I am Vampire. I am not one of your romantic heroes from those books you like so much. I am most unlikely to whisper sweet nothings in your ear" she laughed softly at that.
"There are things about me you will not like. My position as Sheriff means I have to maintain discipline in my area, sometimes to punish people, sometimes just to scare them. But you must know this, I am fond of you, I enjoy your company,"
"So can I call you 'baby'"
"Sookie, I am over 1,000 years old, do you really think that is appropriate?
"Honey? Sweetie"
What would you like to call me?
"'Honey', I think"
"Well just don't say it in front of Pam, or any of my Vampires for that matter. I have my reputation to maintain"
She got out of the hot tub and walked into the kitchen. I could hear her open the fridge and prepare a drink. Gin and tonic, with ice, I thought.
She walked back out and sat down at the table. She was silent and I could sense that she was contemplating something important. I put my head back and gazed up at the stars. 1,000 years of existence and this was the first time I had ever really cared about a decision which a human would make.
She walked round to me and slipped back in, straddling my lap. Reaching up to lace her fingers into my hair, she pulled my mouth to hers and kissed me. I pulled her close and unleashed the full force of my 1,000 years of practice. I could feel her moan deep in her throat. She pulled away and looked into my eyes
"Eric you know I…"she tailed off
"Yes my lover"
"You could smell it I suppose"
I smiled gently and pulled her back into my kiss. "There is nothing to worry about, really"
"I'm worried I will disappoint you"
"That is not possible my darling, Everything about you is perfect, beautiful. Nothing you could do could possibly disappoint me. Well unless you decide to refuse me, that would be a terrible disappointment"
"Are you going to refuse me Sookie?" she shook her head
"Do you want me? A slow nod
"Now?"
"Mmm, yes please" I needed no further encouragement. In seconds we were in the master bedroom. I didn't care that we were both still dripping wet. I had my prize and I was going to claim her.
One thousand years and I had finally found a woman capable of surprising me. She was little nervous at first, somewhat overwhelmed, but that just turned me on even more. Once she had relaxed a little, with the help of some gentle attention from me, she gave herself to me more fully than any woman has ever done. Body and soul she was mine, completely, utterly.
I tried to be gentle but lust overwhelmed me. She matched my passion, wrapping her legs around me and digging her nails into my back as she cried out in passion. We climaxed together. I did not withdraw but held her close, stroking her hair. I noticed tears leaking from her eyes. "Sookie, are you alright? Was I too rough, did I hurt you"
"No, no, it was just so… wonderful. I truly never expected that anything could feel so good"
"Believe me lover, this is only the beginning. When we return to Louisiana you will be my woman, together we will discover many things. You have powers that you do not even know of, if you choose to develop them. Sookie, you have chosen me. You will not regret your decision."
A/N I was planning to end here with Sookie making her choice, but as I've had so much interest in this story, and some great feedback I will add a few more chapters.
Bill won't let things lie and will try anything to win Sookie back, and is Eric really all he seems?
There will be a bit of a gap though as I have some one shots ready to post which I want to get up first.
Thanks so much to everyone who had reviewed, alerted and PM'd me – I really appreciate it.
