A/N – I think you guys will really like this chapter : )

Eric POV

"Eric, may I have a word with you?" Pam asks after the meeting finishes. Everyone is slowly filing out of the room until only Pam, Eric, and Sookie remain.

"Yes, of course." Eric looks towards Sookie who's watching him with trained, calculated eyes. She's been staring at him like that for the entire meeting. He speaks to her, "Sookie, I'll be back in my office in a minute. Please meet me there."

"All right, then." She gathers her notebook and hurries out of the room.

Eric sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. Today has been a bit of a nightmare, and unfortunately, all the misfortunes point back to Sookie. First she spilled ridiculous hot coffee on his dress pants, which was, of course an accident. Then he became inappropriately aroused. And then, Sookie was late bringing his clean slacks back to him, and therefore, he was late for a very important meeting.

"Something wrong?" Pam asks in a pointed tone.

"Is there something you'd like to say to me?" Eric snaps, throwing his frustration in the wrong direction.

"I had a chat with Sookie earlier today. She doesn't seem very competent. Why is it again that you hired her?" Pam rounds the large office table so that she's standing right in front of Eric.

Because she is funny and sweet and beautiful. "Everyone deserves a chance at a good job. I was just trying to help her out after everything Bill put her through. But, I guess, maybe she just isn't working out." The words taste bitter in Eric's mouth, but they're true. Sookie hasn't exactly been helpful today- out of laziness or incompetence or both.

"Funny, that's exactly what I was thinking. Now look, Eric. I know you have a lot on your plate with the Swensons. I'd be more than happy to look into hiring a new secretary for you. I'd even fire Sookie if you'd like. Trust me. I don't mind."

It's tempting. Things would be easier if Sookie was just out of his life. After all, he needs to stop pining over someone who doesn't seem to hold any interest for him. But Eric knows it's the wrong thing to do. He hired Sookie, and he should give her a chance. At least for the couple of trial weeks he promised. "No, that's all right Pam. She only signed the contracts for a trial period. If things don't improve, than I'll handle it myself."

Pam rolls her eyes. "Fine, then. Suit yourself." She grabs her leather suitcase, holding it with perfectly manicured nails. "I'll see you later, Eric."

"Pam." Eric nods a goodbye as Pam steps out of the room, and after a deep sigh, he follows.

Eric finds Sookie in his office. But to his shock, she's not sitting in a chair waiting for him, no, she's rifling through his desk drawers. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Eric asks, unable to hold back the level of his voice. Sookie snaps up, a pile of papers clutched to her chest. Her wide, brown eyes are filled with anger. Why the hell is she angry? Eric thinks. "Answer me! What are you doing in my desk?"

"Looking for evidence," Sookie snaps.

"Evidence? Against what? For whom?"

"Against you, jerk. You denied it once, but how stupid do you think I am? You're still working for Swenson & Sons, and I'm sure the only reason you hired me is to go after the same files Bill wanted. Well you're sure as hell not getting them from me!" Sookie strides up to Eric and slams a stack of papers against his chest. He grasps at the documents, his eyes moving between the words on the pages and Sookie's very angry face. "Look! You still have files on the case my Gran was part of years ago. Why would you keep these? Why are you still working with the Swensons?"

"Sookie," Eric says.

"What?"

"Shut the fuck up." Stunned, Sookie finally closes her mouth. "Sit down," Eric says, walking towards her until she backs up into a chair and settles into it. "I thought we went over this when I hired you- I have no interest in the evidence Bill was after. This case is closed, and I don't intend to open it."

"Then why do you still have the files in the desk? Why are you still working with the Swensons? Why did you hire me when I'm obviously not cut out for the job?"

Why are you asking so many fucking questions, Eric wants to respond, but controlling himself, he bites his tongue. "I still have the files, because if you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly organized. I had no clue those documents were still in my desk. I haven't looked at them forever." He takes a deep breath and starts pacing around the room, Sookie's eyes following his every motion. "As for the Swensons, they're a big client, and they bring in a lot of money for this firm. I'm not going to drop them as long as they're willing to pay for my help."

"All right, then." Sookie stands up and walks over to Eric. She stops right in front of him, and he is all too aware of the vicinity of her body, of her flushed skin and rapid pulse. "Well, then, why did you hire me? If you aren't trying to get information from me- then why- I mean, I'm obviously not cut out for the job, and –"

"I hired you, Sookie," Eric says in a low voice. "Because I like you, and I want to help you, and I want to be near you." Stupid, stupid, stupid, Eric thinks. What the hell are you saying?

"You what?" Shockingly, instead of stepping back, Sookie takes a tiny step forward.

"I like you, Sookie."

And then, maybe because she's just standing there, finally silent for once in her life- or maybe because she looks so damn attractive with her sheer blouse and red lips- or maybe because just because he can't think of a reason not to, Eric bends down and kisses Sookie.

At first, she gasps in shock, but when he gently tugs her arms and pulls her forward, she melts into his body. Her soft mouth starts moving against his, and he groans when her warm tongue begs at the tips of his lips. Her tiny hands grasp at his shirt, pulling herself closer towards him, pushing her body against his in a fevour he never expected. He rips away his lips from hers and rapidly kisses down the soft skin of her neck, receiving tiny sighs and whimpers every time he touches her flushed skin.

He wraps his arms around her small body, pressing himself against her, finally unembarrassed by his arousal. He explores the soft muscles of her back before finally making his way to her bottom, cupping it with both hands, pleased at the sound of approval coming from Sookie. He picks her up, and her legs wrap around his waist, her body fitting tightly against his arousal. He walks backwards until they bump against his desk, and he settles her unto it.

"Eric," she murmurs as her lips descend to his neck.

"Eric!" Suddenly there's another voice, a loud knocking. "Eric!" There's someone at the door.

Somehow, Eric manages to pulls himself away from Sookie, detangle their limbs. He stares longingly at her reddened lips as he calls out, "Wha-" he has to clear his throat, "What is it? Who is it?"

"It's Pam. Swenson just called. It's urgent."

"Okay, one moment." Eric looks back at Sookie, but she's avoiding his eyes. Taking slow, deep breaths, he tries to straighten his hair, adjust his tie. "I should go talk to, Pam," he says. Still, Sookie is silent. It's like he kissed the onslaught of words right out of her. "I'll be back," Eric says. "And then we can talk. All right?"

Sookie looks up at him, her brown eyes unreadable. "All right."

A/N – So- good chapter? I hope I tied up some confusing things in this chapter. I realized that things were starting to sound a little contradictory. Sorry about that.

How did you like the kiss? Too soon? Or you were ready and happy for it?

Thanks for the R&R!