A/N - My heartfelt thanks to all of you for your kind words of encouragement. I appreciate all your reviews and PMs and welcome any and all constructive criticism. Remember -- this is my first fanfic and I'm counting on you to guide me through this!

CAUTION -- ESN ahead! (I must admit, these are the most difficult chapters for me to write. I laughingly told my husband I just don't think I'm a "heaving bosom/throbbing member" type of author. Hence, the delay in posting. I beg your forgiveness.)

As always, the characters (except the ones you don't recognize from the books) are the property of Ms. Harris. I am simply borrowing them for our amusement and I hope she doesn't mind sharing with us.

CHAPTER 10

I climbed into the back seat of the black Escalade and the driver shut the door behind me. The inside of the SUV seemed cavernous from the back seat. I sank deep into the supple leather and looked around. The interior was covered with rich black leather and accented with warm wood trim. There were actually DVD screens built into the back of the front headrests and two more screens mounted overhead. Wow, I thought. I coulda brought something to watch on the ride to Shreveport. Instead, I relaxed into the seat and watched out the window as we drove.

I guess I must have dozed for a few minutes, because the next thing I knew we were driving through the streets of Shreveport. We pulled into the parking lot at Fangtasia and the driver stopped close to the front door. He opened my door, and I thanked him as I got out of the car.

The parking lot was full and there was a long line, mostly vamps, waiting to get in. Pam was on door duty, greeting the guests as they arrived. She waved me to the front of the line when she saw me. From the piercing looks I got from the crowd, if I had been able to read vampire minds I would have found I was being contemplated as the main course on tonight's dinner menu. "Sookie, it is so good to see you," Pam greeted me. "Aren't you a delectable little morsel tonight?" She arched an eyebrow as her eyes took me in from head to toe. Her nostrils flared slightly as she finished her inspection, and I guessed Claudine's scent was still lingering from when she hugged me.

"Hey, Pam." I returned her greeting with a half-smile. "You look lovely." Pam had forgone her usual gothic door-greeting garb tonight and was wearing a black Dolce & Gabbana bustier-style cocktail dress made of stretchy black satin. It molded perfectly to her trim shape, and the effect was stunning.

"My master is expecting you," she said as she grabbed my arm and ushered me inside. Clancy, who had been standing behind Pam at the door, now moved into position to greet the new arrivals. "He will be pleased you could come tonight," she commented as she led me through the crowd that had begun to fill the bar. "In more ways than one, I am sure, judging by the way you are dressed," she added dryly.

I had the decency to blush like I didn't know what she meant, but since I couldn't think of an appropriately catty response I just kept still. Pam was nearly dragging me by the arm, her eyes scanning the crowd for Eric as we weaved through the throng of bodies. I felt his presence through the bond just as she spied him and made a beeline to where he was standing. I looked across the sea of heads and saw him standing near his regular booth talking to Victor Madden and two other people, one human and one vamp, who weren't familiar to me.

Eric must have sensed me as well because he looked up from his conversation to follow my approach. His sapphire eyes never left mine as Pam dragged me through the crowd to where he was standing. He looked magnificent in a suit of shimmering black silk that fit so well I just knew he didn't buy it off the rack. His gray-on-gray striped tie was the same charcoal shade as his shirt, and his blond tresses were pulled back into a low ponytail. Beautiful is not the adjective one would use to describe a thousand-year-old vampire with Eric's status and power, but he was to me.

I stood there regarding him for what seemed like an eternity, but I knew it was really no longer than a few seconds. I knew I shouldn't be nervous in his presence, especially since last night, but that didn't keep my knees from shaking or my palms from sweating. I could feel my nervous smile start to creep across my face, and it took every ounce of resolve in my body to keep it at bay. I closed my eyes briefly to regain my composure, and when I opened them I was nearly toe-to-toe with him.

Eric smiled at me and leaned down to kiss my cheek. "Hello, lover," he whispered in my ear so only I could hear him. He sniffed a couple of times and I groaned inwardly. "You smell...delicious." He stood straight again and looked down at me with barely-concealed amusement. I glanced at Pam and her eyes were filled with sadistic glee. I knew that if I made it through the night unscathed, I would have some explaining to do.

Way to go, Stackhouse, I chided myself. Trust you to hug a fairy right before coming to a bar full of vampires. What'd you do – eat an extra bowl of stupid for breakfast this morning?

Eric put his arm around my shoulder and turned me to the rest of his group. "Victor, you remember Sookie."

Victor nodded his greeting in vampire fashion, and I inclined my head to him. "Miss Stackhouse, it is a pleasure to see you again."

"Mr. Madden," I replied. For Eric's sake I hoped my distaste for him wasn't too apparent. I hadn't trusted Victor since he lied to Eric and told him he brought four vamps, not nine, to my house to deliver the news of de Castro's takeover.

Eric turned to the other two members of the group. "Gentlemen, may I introduce Miss Sookie Stackhouse," he announced formally, as his arm slipped down around my waist and he pulled me possessively close to his side. "Sookie, this is Michel Ledoux, Sheriff of Area One," he indicated the vamp, "and this is Gavin McPherson; he handles Victor's daytime affairs."

"Pleased to meet you," I nodded as I regarded both men. Michel Ledoux was a striking figure, a couple of inches over six feet, with a trim, muscular build. His thick brown hair was parted on the side and fell to his collar. Full brows hooded his dark brown eyes and his face sported faint razor stubble. On him it looked sensuous, not scruffy. He appeared to have been in his late twenties when he was turned; I had no idea how long ago that was.

Gavin McPherson was a doughy-looking man in his early thirties, several inches shorter than Michel. His thin, mousy-brown hair was cropped short; wire-rimmed glasses framed his watery blue eyes. His pallid color was only a couple of shades darker than Michel's. All in all he was a most unlikely-looking character to have such an important position among Victor's minions.

"Goodtameetcha," Gavin mumbled and extended his hand. I offered mine, and thought that shaking hands with him was like grabbing hold of a dead fish.

Before I could lower my hand down to my side, Michel had grabbed it and raised it to his lips. "The pleasure is truly mine, Miss Stackhouse," he said smoothly as he placed a kiss on the back of my hand. His eyes, which never left my face, had a devilish look of defiance, like someone who knew he was misbehaving but didn't care one bit that he was. Even if he was a sheriff and had the same rank as Eric, he was perilously close to a major breach of protocol with the thinly muted sexuality of his introduction.

I could feel Eric's body tense and his arm pulled me even closer to his side. Michel was walking the fine line between bravery and stupidity where Eric was concerned; I just hoped he was smart enough to know which side to fall toward if he stumbled.

We were spared further discomfort when the waitress, a petite, red haired human, came to take our order. Eric, Victor, and Michel ordered TrueBloods, Gavin ordered a diet coke, and I asked for a gin and tonic.

Whether it was the rank of those she was waiting on, or whether our waitress (I later learned her name was Debra) was exceptionally efficient, our drinks were returned to us in the matter of a few short minutes. No sooner than we had them in hand, Eric made our excuses to the others. "If you gentlemen would excuse us for a moment, Miss Stackhouse and I have urgent business we must attend to."

My eyes shot up to his and I gave him a "WTF?" look. Victor looked suspicious; Gavin looked stunned; Michel and Pam could barely contain their mirth. His arm still around my waist, Eric swiftly guided me through the crowd toward the Employees Only door that led to the back hallway. And his office, I realized.

In record time we were down the hall and through the office door, which Eric promptly closed behind us. I knew I was in serious trouble when I heard him slide the bolt into place. He quickly pinned me to the back of the door with his body and his lips crushed mine in a searing kiss. His tongue explored my mouth as his hands roamed my body. When my initial seconds of surprise wore off, I wound my arms around Eric's neck and leaned into his kiss. My tongue mingled with his, eliciting a low growl from his throat. He pressed against me and I could feel the evidence of his want against my thigh.

"I have waited all evening for this, lover" he whispered against my mouth. "I have been hard since I woke tonight, just thinking about you in this dress." His assault moved from my lips down to my neck; his fangs had run out and I felt them graze my skin as he worked his way down to the hollow between my neck and collarbone. He kissed and nipped at my shoulder, and I thought I would faint from my sheer want of him.

Eric stopped his downward trek when he reached my chest. "Lover, why do you smell so strongly of fairy?" His raised up to look me in the eyes.

"Uh, that would be because Claudine popped in to help me get ready tonight," I answered breathlessly. Eric may have suspended his attack on my senses, but I was still reeling from his nearness. "And she hugged me as I was leaving the house."

Eric chuckled softly. "I thought you would have better sense than to hug a fairy before coming to a vampire party," he scolded. "I will have my hands full tonight, for sure, trying to keep everyone off of you. It appeared Michel was going to ravage you right there in the middle of the bar. I thought it prudent to make a quick exit so I could...how do you say...beat him to the punch."

Before I could respond, Eric put his hands under my bottom and picked me up. My arms were still around his neck, and I circled his waist with my legs. He carried me to his desk and sat me on the edge. His mouth resumed its assault on mine, and as our tongues danced I heard a low rumble from Eric's chest. His hand slid under my dress and up my thigh until his fingers were inside my thong. His progress halted and his head flew back to look at me. His brilliant blue eyes were wide with amazement. "Lover, what did you do?" There was no mistaking the total shock in his voice.

Embarrassment flooded me like a tidal wave on a beach and I blushed all the way down to my chest. "I, um, got carried away with the razor?" I was somewhere between stating fact and asking for belief.

"Hmmmmm," Eric speculated. "Maybe I should make sure you didn't accidentally nick yourself. You may have a scrape that needs healing." I watched his famous leer paint his face and I could only image what lay ahead.

Eric slipped my wannabe panties down my legs and tossed them into a corner of the office. He knelt down in front of me and began to explore my newly shorn folds with his mouth. My breath caught in my throat as his tongue darted in and out of my entrance. He then replaced his tongue with two talented fingers as his tongue flicked at my nub. Eric's ministrations and the erotic idea of being taken on his desk had me at the brink of climax in mere seconds. Two nips and I was already moaning his name.

Surprisingly, Eric didn't continue, but instead stood up and quickly unfastened his belt and pants. He didn't remove them, but simply pushed them down around his ankles. His gracious plenty seemed even more plentiful and hard enough to drive nails, and I wondered if the idea of impromptu animal lust on the top of his desk was as erotic to him as it was to me.

"I am going to fuck you now." Simple, direct, no beating around the bush. I wasn't sure if it was a warning or a promise; all I knew was I wanted to feel him inside me.

Eric's strong hands gripped my hips as he leaned forward and thrust into me in one fluid movement. My legs went around his waist and I locked my ankles for better leverage. His kiss was bruising as he pounded into me; the intensity of his lust was such that I knew neither one of us would last long. I felt myself nearing the edge of my orgasmic cliff; my head went back and I couldn't stop myself from calling his name. "Eric, oh god...Eric..." I let him lead me over the edge, and as I was falling he leaned down and bit my neck. The pulses of my orgasm matched each beat of my heart as he drew on the wound. I felt Eric shudder as he came inside me.

The aftershocks were as intense as the sex had been and I clung to Eric, breathless and a little dizzy. As Eric licked the wounds on my neck to heal them, I took a few deep breaths and tried to gather my wits about me.

"Lover, you are incredible," he murmured against my mouth as he kissed me softly. "I spend many hours in this office and I have often fantasized about fucking you here. Thank you for helping me bring that fantasy to fruition." He paused to give me an evil smirk. "The rest we will play out in due time."

Eric winked at me as he pulled up his pants and for a moment I was saddened to see his gracious plenty be stowed away. I stood up and smoothed my dress as my eyes searched the office for my underwear. I found them laying on the back of the couch, and I went to put them on.

Eric grabbed me for one last kiss, which left me breathless all over again. "It pleases me you wore the earrings," he said softly. "After giving you an entire driveway of rocks, I decided you should also have rocks of a more, shall we say, intimate nature."

"They really are beautiful, Eric." I replied. "I've never received such a gift before."

"You are beautiful, lover. And I intend to show you every day just how beautiful you are. Now, shall we go mingle with the hordes?" With that, he offered me his arm and we walked back down the hallway toward the main floor of the bar.

Eric held the door open for me as he guided me through by my elbow. When he followed through behind me, his arm went around my waist again to hold me close to his side. As we made our way through the crowd toward his regular booth, I caught the fleeting thoughts of the humans in the crowd.

'I wish I knew what her secret was...I've been trying to get him to notice me for weeks...'

'What does he see in her, anyway? She looks too prissy to know how to satisfy a real vampire. I could give him what he really needs...'

'Look at that...fresh fang marks on her neck...guess we know what they've been doing...'

I looked around at the vamps and got expressions that ranged from incredulousness to envy. I glanced up at Eric and was mortified by the smug look on his face. At that point I realized that fang marks on neck plus smell of sex (which I knew the humans couldn't detect but the vampires could) equaled Viking conquest.

I flushed with embarrassment as I realized Eric had orchestrated our office tryst to erase any trace of Claudine's fairy smell, at the same time marking me as his. It wasn't his style to leave bite marks on my neck; now I knew why he did tonight. My mind raced as I planned the berating I would give him when we were alone again.

When we reached the booth he motioned for me to sit, and he slid in beside me. I was glad I was sitting on the inside – I figured I could hide myself between Eric and the wall.

I braved a peeked at the crowd and saw dozens of pairs of eyes staring at us. If there ever was such a thing as an OSM, this was certainly the topper. Eric was completely nonplussed by the whole episode, which made me even more embarrassed and irritated.

As I was desperately wishing for the booth (or the wall, or the floor...at this point it didn't matter which) to swallow me up, Pam flung herself into the booth across from us. Her eyes widened as she saw the bite marks on my neck. I saw her delicately sniff the air and there was an instant gleam in her eye. "Where on earth have you two been?" she asked coyly. "The party has begun and everyone has been asking for you."

Pam then directed her attention to me. Her smug voice was smooth as silk. "I told you my master would be pleased." That Pam.

TBC