Here is the new chapter! I've already got the next one underway, so hopefully my update time will cut down. Enjoy!
Special thanks to: vikinglover elle for her help with this chapter!
Unending thanks and love for my beta: evenflo78, for helping me out, even when's she majorly busy. She is made of awesome!
WARNING: Anyone under the legal age to read adult content: scoot. You've been warned.
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Southern Vampire Mysteries/True Blood. SVM belongs to Charlaine Harris & TB belongs to HBO. I make no profit from this story – I'm just manipulating the characters/storyline for fun!
* I do NOT own any brand(s) mentioned in this story.
Chapter Ten: I Like It
(Sookie's P.O.V.)
I woke up feeling something I hadn't felt in certain areas for a long time - at least not since I'd lost my virginity: sore.
It was the 'I took a roll in the hay with a giant of a man' type of sore and it was awesome!
What? Don't look at me like that. It meant that I hadn't dreamt up Eric and I sleeping together.
Speaking of Eric, he was laid out on his stomach next to me, the blanket tangled about his feet.
Curious and almost hypnotized, I let my hand find the back of his neck where it gently rubbed at the skin beneath it. My fingers skimmed across the broad expanse of his shoulders, down his firm back, lingered at the small of his back, and delighted in the firmness of his ass.
Oh my goodness. His ass. It was the best one I'd ever seen.
Tight but still rounded, smooth and unblemished. It was the kind of ass you want to spank and nibble and knead and pay special attention to when washing - just for the excuse to grope it.
If there was an international butt competition, Eric would win hands down - or cheeks up, as it were.
"That feels nice."
I nearly jumped out of my skin when Eric's sleepy voice sounded in my ear, breaking the quiet of the room. He'd turned his head my way and was watching me through half lidded eyes.
"You have a nice ass." I gave his right butt-cheek a pat and withdrew my hand. My fingers mourned the loss.
"Mm, tack." He grinned and scooted closer, a long arm snaking out to curl about my waist and pull me to him. His lips were over mine in an instant and a hand found its way to one of my breasts, fingers pinching and pulling at the nipple. "You have beautiful breasts. Perfect," his head dipped and his mouth traded place with his fingers.
My fingers threaded into his hair, hands gently cradling his head as his mouth worked my nipple to peak.
After a long moment he lifted his head and kissed me. I was a little breathless when he released my lips and settled beside me, head on my chest, eyes closed as we laid together.
It was quiet for a long moment and my mind started whirling.
I'd slept with Eric. It was fantastic and the best orgasm of my life, but I'd only just met him last Friday.
Shit. Damn. Fuck.
Yeah, that about summed it up. Time to put on my big girl panties and start talking.
"So," I paused to nibble at my bottom lip, nerves setting my stomach to rolling, "what are we doing, exactly?"
"Hm?" Eric lifted his head from my breast to stare at me. "Doing, lover?"
"Yeah. That - lover." I frowned. "What are we exactly?"
"Lovers?" Eric rolled onto his side, kissing my shoulder once he'd gotten comfortable again. I curled on my side to face him and he stared back at me.
"Just like that?" I had to close my eyes. I couldn't look at him - I lost myself too easily in his gaze. "I mean, so we see each other when we want to go out or have sex?"
"Ah." The sound held a kind of 'ah-hah' feel to it and then Eric's hands were cupping my face. "You think it is only sex?"
"I don't want it to be." His thumbs stroked my cheeks and I peered at him from between my lashes.
"I know. It's not." He gave me a gentle tug and I scooted forward, meeting his lips. He hummed against my mouth and then pulled back to speak. "We agreed last night, yeah? No sharing, no games."
My voice was quiet, nearly a whisper. "Yeah, I just - I didn't know if you thought it meant anything other than sex." Flushing and hating it and still feeling like a bundle of nerves I hid my face behind my hands. "I don't do that lightly - I've never been like that. I still can't believe I did that."
"That?" Eric chuckled a little, "So shy." He moved my hands aside and I offered no resistant when he wrapped an arm around my waist. "Do you regret being with me?"
"No!" Regret was the furthest thing from my mind. "I've just never been with anyone that quickly, you know?" I found myself looking at his chest and the spattering of golden hair upon it. Frustrated, I blurted out what really bothered me, "Good girls don't have sex with men they barely know. I mean, I didn't even follow the three date rule."
Eric rubbed his hand up and down my back, soothing the tension in my muscles. "I do not have regrets. I enjoyed it and still want you." That was kind of obvious, considering our naked bodies were pressed together and I could feel him hardening against my thigh. "What others think is," he seemed to search for a word, "acceptable, means nothing. If we are 'okay' with it then that is all that matters. What is a three date rule?"
What others think is acceptable. Think.
Gran's words echoed in my head. Loudly. "You're a grown woman. You make your own choices and tough titties to anyone who doesn't like them. Including whatever opinions you might think I'll have. You hear me?"
My face flamed when I realized that Gran had, without truly saying it, given me her 'blessing' to be with Eric. That was strangely disturbing and comforting all at once.
Eric was looking at me, brow raised. I chose to answer his earlier question, since I wasn't sure how to go about telling him Gran had basically set us up. "The three date rule is a guide for women; you don't sleep with a man until after three dates."
"Oh." Eric snickered, then nuzzled my bare shoulder. "We will ignore it, yeah?"
"Y-yeah." One of his large hands had wormed its way between my thighs to pet at my core and the other was cupping my right breast.
"I want you." Shifting he rolled me to my back, his hands never slowing in their teasing. "Again."
"Shouldn't we talk about this - us," I prodded his chest lightly before gesturing down my body to where his hands were still occupied with touching me, "a little more?"
His lips found mine and pressed gently for a moment before he drew back. "Are you the kind of woman who will insist on talking constantly about every little thing?"
I couldn't concentrate with him teasing me, so I growled a little when I spoke. "Sometimes. Are you always so easily distracted by naked women?"
"No. You are beautiful. It's four in the morning. We can talk when we're done."
I spread my legs and tangled my fingers in his hair. "Promise?"
I tugged at his hair until his lips brushed mine and he answered as he kissed me, "Oh yes."
Good enough, I suppose.
He dipped his fingers inside; finding me wet and wanting. I arched into the strokes of his long digits, a whimper building in my throat even as I devoured his lips.
He pinched and rolled my nipple, pulling at it until I hissed. It was slightly rough and the complete opposite of the hand with its fingers buried inside me. He was gentle as he rubbed me; stretching me.
It was nice and all that he was being so considerate, but I wasn't in the mood for soft and easy.
Pushing at his chest I wiggled my way out from beneath him, amused as he pouted at the loss of me. A quick scramble across the bed later I swung my leg over his hip and straddled his lap.
"I want to be on top."
Eric's eyes lit up like I'd just told him Santa was coming to town early. "Please, feel free, lover." He scooted back, stuffing pillows behind him as he leaned against the headboard.
Coming up on my knees I let my nails scratch a path down his taunt abs to the sexy 'V' of his hips that led to his erection. I worked him with my hand; giving a few experimental tugs before pumping him with confidence. I circled his head with my thumb, spreading the pre-cum around to save myself some discomfort later on.
He made a sound low in his throat and I looked up from my fun, biting my lip. "You want it?"
The look I got in return sent a wave of heat through me from head to toe. His eyes said it all and I didn't wait to see if he'd speak. He curled his legs and grabbed my hips; steadying me as I lowered myself onto him.
Oh god. I'd never felt so full. He was thick and long - almost too much so. Circling my hips I lowered and then rose, taking more of him in on each downward motion.
"Knulla mig." I didn't know what it meant, but the gasped words were enough to draw a moan from me.
Or maybe it was because I'd finally seated myself fully on hm.
Maybe it was a little of both.
I rose and fell, hissing and clawing at his shoulders when he began to buck beneath me. We pushed and pulled, hips snapping and rolling, mouths feeding at one another and leaving trails of nips and licks when we parted for air. His fingers were almost painfully tight around my hips as he guided me, showing me the tempo that pleased him - I didn't complain, seeing as I was gripping his shoulders for leverage.
"Eric," his name fell from my lips like a prayer and he swallowed the moan that followed his name.
"Cum for me, lover." His thumb found my clit and pressed against it before he began to make quick circles. "It feels good, yeah? You're so fucking sexy."
"Please, Eric!" Tossing my head back I pushed my breasts forward, crying out when his teeth clamped down on my nipple. It didn't really hurt, mostly just surprised me, but Eric was quick to go from a bite to a suckle.
Eric jerked his hips upward, hitting me at just the right angle, and before I had a chance to draw in a startled breath my body was tensing; jerking and bucking as the heat coiled inside erupted and sparked through my body in little shocks.
I may have been seeing spots dancing in my vision, because he was hitting my g-spot with each thrust. His movements became jerky and he was talking fast and low in Swedish. He slammed up into me hard and I could feel him spasm inside me as he came.
My legs felt like jelly so I leaned against Eric, not yet willing to move. His heart was hammering in his chest. It was a comforting sound.
When I could finally feel my blood circulating again I left his lap and settled back on the bed, curing into his side.
Eric was touchy-feely. Not in a bad way; he just liked to touch me, it seemed. The moment we had gotten comfortable his hands found my skin and began to run over my body. There was nothing sexual about - oddly enough I found if reassuring.
We laid there for a long while, half dozing. It was quiet in the apartment; a change from the symphony of insects I normally heard through my open window at night.
"We should talk, yeah?"
"Mmm," I stretched and hooked my leg over his, "uh-huh."
He pinched my ass. "You first."
"Ow!" I pouted at him until he rubbed away the sting in apology. "Meanie."
He pouted his lip out at me, quickly jerking back when I playfully snapped my teeth at him. "Sorry."
I scanned my mental list of 'things Eric and I need to talk about' and chose one at random.
"So, we're lovers - an actual boyfriend-girlfriend couple, right?"
"Ja. I won't share you. I don't want to play games. None of this 'make him jealous' or other rubbish." He was quiet for a moment. "Aude was one for games. I won't put up with it."
I knew there was probably a very long and grueling story behind the bitterness in his voice. I knew it would come up eventually, but I wasn't ready to face it just yet, so I was fine when he didn't elaborate.
"I don't like them either." My head was resting on his shoulder and I took a moment to place a kiss on the warm skin beneath my cheek. "I was serious about the sharing - cheating - thing. My ex-boyfriend, Bill," I said his name with distaste, "expected me to be fine with him screwing around on me. It's a deal breaker for me."
"Understood. We are telling people we're together?"
"Yeah. It's soon, but I'm not ashamed of it."
"Good."
Such a man answer. I rolled my eyes, despite smiling at the pleased tone he'd had.
"Um, so, what about the distance between us? It's only an hour, so we can meet up easy, right?"
"I have to manage the bar every other night, plus weekends. What shifts do you work?"
"It changes during the week, but Fridays and Saturdays I'm usually there from twelve to close. The night I met you was a rare treat for me to have off."
"I'm grateful that you were." Eric sighed into my hair, pulling me a little tighter against him.
He was just all kinds of cute and sexy and sweet. It made me want to nibble and lick him from head to toe. Maybe coo at him when I was done, if I could still talk after all the work it would take to enjoy every inch of his tall frame.
When did I become addicted to sex again? Surely being relieved from my dry spell wasn't that much of a shock, was it?
"So, how do we work our time? Maybe try to meet once a week or something? Lunch dates if we need to?"
"Yeah. We can trade off on driving or meet somewhere, yes?"
"Okay. We'll aim for weekly, but if we're busy that's okay. What else?"
Humming, Eric lifted my face and laid a kiss on my lips. "You will call me? I'd hate for you to hit it and quit it." He batted his lashes at me.
"Of course. You're my booty-call."
He faked a sniffle. "I knew you'd just use me."
"Oh, please!" I smacked his chest lightly and he was nice enough to pretend that it hurt. "You know you like it."
He waggled his brows at me. "Oh yes, lover, I do."
"We call or text when we can to touch base and flirt." I wiggled my eyebrows this time and it earned a laugh. Eric was handsome, I knew that, but when he laughed his whole face lit up and he was even more attractive than I'd first thought.
"I'm going to assume you're agreeable to keep fucking?"
"Hey!" I smacked his arm.
His lips quirked up into a smirk. "What would you call it?"
"Making love, being intimate, sexually active. Something a little nicer."
"Sexually active. I see." He kissed my temple before trying again. "I'm going to assume you're agreeable to staying sexually active, yeah?"
"Uh, hell yes." My verbal filter apparently busted sometime between orgasms, because I had no control over what came out of my mouth next, "I've never came so hard in my life. Bill hardly ever got me off."
"Oh lover," Eric's eyes darkened with lust, "you have nothing to worry about. I will always please you. I promise."
"Good to know."
We'd been successfully dancing around the most important issue so far, but Eric was the first to break stride, which was fine with me. "We must be careful of Alex and Saga and our relationship."
I felt a little awkward talking about them while laying naked next to their father.
"We've known each other for basically a week. Can we even call it a relationship?"
"We're dating - which is odd for me since I'm twenty-eight and having a 'girlfriend' seems so much younger - so yes. Don't let others perceptions bother you."
True enough.
I wanted to lighten the mood so I focused on what he'd said. "Twenty-eight is not that old, ya know."
"Tell that to my knees."
We shared a chuckle when I waggled a finger at his knees in mock scolding. "Okay, seriously though, how do we handle it?"
We were quiet for a moment, both lost in our thoughts, and Eric made a face before opening his mouth. "Right now, we don't tell them. I want to date for a while before introducing you. I trust you, but, they're, I," he ran a hand through his hair, blowing out a sigh, "I'm not sure how they'll react and I don't want to pressure you or them."
"Okay." I linked one of my hands with his, rubbing the back of it with my thumb. "I agree that we should see how things go at first. We'll play it by ear, alright? When they're comfortable enough to meet me, then you can make that call. No rush, no pressure."
"Will your gran and brother be fine with you dating me? I'm older."
"You're under ten years older. Gran thinks you're handsome and basically gave us her blessing." I took a moment to quote her words at him and he was near tears from laughing so hard when I'd finished. "My brother is so wrapped up in his girlfriends-of-the-week that he probably won't notice and I don't care much for what he thinks."
"Pam may be leery at first, but she'll warm up soon enough."
Curiosity suddenly got the better of me. "How many women have you hooked up with from the club?"
"I haven't been celibate." He gave me a look, but I wasn't exactly sure what it was supposed to mean. "I've taken two out on a date and ten to a hotel for a fuck. I wore protection and was tested every time."
"Oh. Yeah. Okay." I sat up, fussing with the blanket. I wasn't sure what my reaction should be. I mean, yeah, I'm dating him now, but I wasn't then. Did I even have the right to say anything? "I reserve the right to rub their noses in it." I winked at him and pulled the blanket up to my shoulders.
"Of course. I would never deny you." He watched me for a moment. "Are you cold, lover?" One of his sexy eyebrows rose in question, but at my nod he snuggled down in the warmth before spooning me. "You are still alright with not using condoms?"
Somehow I think he was seeing through my 'unfazed' ruse."I can't use them. They hurt. I get dry and just, yeah, they're bad news."
"Oh. Are you tired?"
"Mhmm. You'll have to take me home, that okay?"
"More sleep and then breakfast. I'll take you home then."
I may have nodded, but I'm not really sure because his body was warm and pressed against me and I really was tired. I was asleep in moments.
When I woke up this time, I was wrapped up in the blanket with a pillow hugged to my chest.
I was alone in the bed.
I also had to pee. Like now.
I scrambled into Eric's bathroom and took care of my business. I looked up into the mirror as I washed my hands and nearly died.
My hair was a mess of tangles, fluffed up in spots from where Eric had ran his fingers through it. My makeup - which had thankfully been lightly applied - was a little smeared. I found a rag and washed my face then squirted some of Eric's toothpaste on my finger and made an attempt at brushing my teeth.
I was so not going to face Eric with morning breath, lack of toothbrush be damned.
Once I'd deemed myself somewhat better, I stole Eric's brush and ran it through my hair then went in search of clothing.
I found my panties hanging from one of the bedposts and Eric's discarded wife-beater crumpled on the floor. My dress was missing and my bra was no where to be found, so I stepped into my panties and pulled the shirt over my head before exiting Eric's room.
His freakin' shirt was like a dress on me! Falling off my shoulders and brushing my knees.
The smell of cooking eggs led me to the kitchen. Eric was at the stove, a pair of green sleep pants slung low on his hips, attentively stirring the eggs in the pan on the burner. His skin was golden in the light pouring through the balcony door and I took a moment to admire him; the broad shoulders and defined muscles.
I was distracted from the 'eye-candy' as the scent of coffee began to waft throughout the room.
I moaned.
Coffee! He had coffee started.
Jumping a little, Eric turned to find me leering at him - maybe drooling a little - and smiled. "God morgon. Hungry?"
"Yeah. What are we having?"
"Scrambled eggs and English muffins. Unless you would like cereal?"
"Eggs and muffins sound good." I stepped into the kitchen, giggling when Eric circled his arms around me and kissed my forehead.
"Coming right up." He released me and my first stop was the coffee pot. It wasn't done yet and I may have pouted a little.
"Can I help?"
"Plates are in the cupboard to your right and cups are on the left." Following Eric's orders I found what I was looking for and began to set them out.
When I looked up again Eric was staring at me. "What?"
He grinned. "You look good in my clothes."
I bit my lip,suddenly feeling almost absurdly shy and pleased all at once. He laughed when I flushed and then went back to cooking.
Eric turned off the burner and starting plating the eggs. I threw the muffins into the toaster; Eric dug the butter, creamer, and several different jams out of the fridge. I put a muffin on each plate, he set the condiments out and we both went for the coffee, nearly tripping over each other.
Chuckling, Eric caught me. "You get the coffee and I'll get the silverware."
He scooted by me and began rummaging in a drawer, pulling out several items and taking them with him to the table. I followed closely after him, a cup nearly brimming with coffee in each hand.
Eric immediately poured creamer into his, and after reading the label - Creme Brulee - I decided to try it out.
Tasty. I could see why Eric was humming and sighing into his cup.
We both ignored each other for a few minutes as we had our coffee, making all kinds of happy sounds, before Eric finally spoke up.
"If I didn't think you were such a nice girl, I'd say you were molesting that coffee cup."
I peered at him over the rim of my cup, swallowing my mouthful of coffee before gently placing it on the table. I ran a finger along the handle and batted my lashes at him. "Well, you see, coffee and I have been having a torrid affair for years. I love him no matter what he's poured into. You're the other man."
He'd been slathering jam on his muffin when I spoke and he laughed so hard I was half afraid he was going to stab himself, even if it was just a butter-knife.
"That's alright lover. I've been having an affair with coffee for years too. We'll call it even and still see coffee on the side."
I wiggled my brows. "Ooh, but it'll be kinky if we see coffee together. A lil' menage a trois." He laughed again, shaking his head a little, and I set about slathering butter and jam on my own English muffin.
Breakfast passed in relative silence, both of us focused on feeding our faces. We did trade the occasional glance and smile though.
It was kind of nice, being able to enjoy a meal with someone not in my immediate family.
Things were relaxed between us; fun and easy, and I wasn't really used to that. Not in a relationship. Even when I'd first started dating Bill I'd put a lot of pressure on myself to be a 'good girlfriend' versus being more myself, like I am when I'm around Eric.
When we finished Eric took our plates away and set them in the sink. He turned to face me, leaning against the counter. "It's almost nine. Do you work today?"
"Yeah." I stood and stretched, flattered by the way his eyes roamed over my body. "I've got to work at twelve so I better get a move on."
"Right." Eric moved past me, stopping long enough to run a hand over my thigh, "I'll get your dress."
I followed after him, surprised when he opened the door to the laundry room and extracted my dress - on a hanger no less! - and handed it over. "Your bra is on my dresser."
How did I miss that? "Oh, thanks."
I scurried off to his room and he joined me a moment later. He didn't seem to mind that I was in the room as he dropped his pants and pulled on a pair of boxers, so I enjoyed the free show.
He caught me looking as he was pulling on a shirt and grinned. "Enjoying the view?"
I'd taken a seat on the bed once I was dressed, and I smiled up at him as he came to stand before me. "Uh-huh."
He scooped me up in his arms and carried me out of the room, ignoring my half shouting-half laughing protest. He deposited me at the doorway and went in search of my purse. I slipped on my shoes, took my purse once he'd returned from the living-room, and as soon as his flip-flops were on his feet we were out the door.
The ride back to Bon Temps was rather quiet. Eric held my hand the entire way, save for when he had to change gears, and we had the radio turned down low.
I was sitting in my seat at an angle, my eyes fixed on him. I was staring, but he didn't seem to mind. He kept flicking glances my way, smirking a little while I studied him.
"See something you like?"
I chuckled. "Maybe. What's it to ya?"
He turned off on the exit that led towards Bon Temps and arched a brow at me. "Just making sure you're not having buyers remorse. I don't come with a refund."
"Damn." I crossed my arms over my chest and pouted. "I was hoping I could get my money back."
We stopped at a light and he turned to stick his tongue out at me.
If I wasn't afraid I'd cause a wreck or something, I would have leaned over and grabbed it - with my lips. The light turned green barely a heartbeat later, so the self control was a good call on my part.
We would have held up traffic.
"Technically I come with bonuses. You get into Fangtasia for free and drinks are on the house."
"Well, damn. Trump my 'I can get you a free lunch from my small town bar and grille' card, why don't you?" I reached over to poke his shoulder.
He pouted at me. "Are you always so violent?"
"Only when I really like a guy."
"Ooh. Does that mean your ass is free game? If it is I'll accept that you're going to abuse me, since I'll get to return the favor. If it's not, well, then we may have an issue."
"Trial and error approach?" I was trying hard not to laugh. His face had actually lit up at the mention of my ass being 'free game'.
"Why does that sound like a trap?"
I rolled my eyes. "I'm not going to freak out on you. I'll let you know if I think you've done 'bad' without going off the deep end."
"Fine. I agree to your terms."
We shook on it and I had to laugh at myself. I'd basically just sold my ass for the right to 'abuse' my boyfriend.
It was only a few minutes later that we turned onto my road and soon into my driveway.
When Eric parked I dug my cell out of my purse. "Um, do you mind if I have your home number?"
"Of course not!" He grabbed his own cell and we took a minute to trade home numbers and then Eric walked me up to the front door.
Suddenly, I felt awkward. Did I kiss him goodbye? Give him hug or something?
Eric solved my dilemma.
Quick as a blink he pulled me against him and pressed his lips to mine. It was a soft kiss that quickly turned heated. I wrapped my arms around his neck, moaning softly as his hands found my ass and cupped it. Giving his bottom lip a nibble earned me a groan and with a jerk Eric had me pinned against the front door.
We made out like a couple of teenagers and when he finally pulled away from me - eyes dark and a bulge straining the front of his jeans - I wanted nothing more than to pull him into the house and ride him until we couldn't move. Unfortunately, I had to get ready for work.
He traced a finger along my jaw and leaned down for a soft, quick, kiss. "I'll see you soon, yeah? I have work for the next three nights."
"Okay. I'll find out today when I'll be off again." I leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Now, scoot so I can get ready. You're distracting me."
"Yes ma'am." He gave my ass a swat and jogged back to his car. I was too busy laughing to retaliate. He waved and once I opened the door the Corvette came to life with a purr and he was gone from sight shortly after.
Creeping inside I checked for signs of Gran and was almost ridiculously pleased to find that she was still out. Somehow doing the 'walk of shame' in front of my grandmother just wasn't appealing.
I entered my room to find that a freshly laundered uniform was laid over my vanity chair.
Well, there went my chance to say that I'd been asleep in my bed when Gran had left.
It was a little past ten so I went ahead and stripped, laid out some underwear and socks, hooked my cell up to the charger, then took my naked ass to the shower.
I made quick work of washing from head to toe and shaving, rinsed the tub and then switched from a shower to a bath. I was feeling a little more tender between my legs than before and was hoping the hot water would help.
I soaked for a good fifteen minutes, refreshing with hot water as needed, and then finally dragged myself out of the tub and back to my room to get ready.
I had dried off, put on my bra and panties, and was giving my legs a nice lather of lotion when the house phone started ringing.
I ran down the hall, nearly tripping over Tina - as it was I had to do an odd skip-hop move with a midair twist to avoid kicking her in the head - and got the the phone during its third set of shrill ringing.
"Hello?"
"Sookie!" Gran sounded surprised to hear my voice.
"Hey Gran," I licked my lips, eyeing Tina as she stalked down the hall, ears back and tail flicking in agitation. 'Cause it was totally my fault she was laying in the middle of the floor. "Having fun with the ladies?"
"Yep. We were out and about by seven. I wasn't sure your lazy bones would be out of bed yet."
My cheeks heated. "Um, no, I've been up for a while." It was cute that she was 'veiling' her conversation. "Where are you?"
"Walmart. I just wanted to check on you and ask for a favor."
"Sure, what can I do for ya?"
"Well, we're goin' to be back home around one or so; would you mind if we came in to eat?"
Aww. She wanted to check on me in person. "No problem. I'll let Sam know that the loveliest of Bon Temps will be coming in and I'll make sure you're in my section, 'kay?"
"Sounds good. Thanks sweetheart. I'll see you soon. Love you." She smacked a kiss at the phone.
"Okay, love you, bye!" I hung the phone up and hurried back to my room to finish getting ready.
The lunch shift was in full swing when I got to the bar. I clocked in, tucked my purse away and told Sam about 'my group' coming in while I tied on my apron.
We weren't overly busy, but we were steady. I bustled to and fro, fetching this and that, chatting with a few people along the way. I had a four top, a three top, and a two-top eating, and I'd just cleaned up from another of my tables when Gran and the ladies - the group consisting of five in total - came in.
"Hey!" I ran over to give Gran a hug and led them over to a large booth. They settled into the booth and I handed over their menus, took their drink orders and hustled to get them.
I swung back over with an ice water, two sweet teas, and two diet colas. "Alright lovelies, what can I get for you today?"
The mayors wife, who'd I'd always called 'Miss Ellie', smiled at me. "We ate a healthy breakfast, so I've got to have myself a Burger Lafayette with onion rings."
"I'll have a salad; extra tomato, cucumber, red onion and egg with blue cheese dressing." 'Miss Florence' - the retired school nurse - was religious about her salads. She always used to harp on us kids about eating them daily when she'd see us; in the nurses office, in the hallways, in the cafeteria, in the grocery store, on the street, at church or any other social function. She was serious about it too, but so sweet that you couldn't be annoyed with her.
Maxine frowned down at her menu, hemming and hawing over her choice. "I'll have a turkey club with fries and cole slaw." Which was exactly what she got every time, despite agonizing over the menu.
'Miss Debbie' was the youngest of the group and also the smallest. As in the woman barely came up to my shoulder. She was tiny, full of fire, and also had a wicked sense of humor. "I'll take the chicken finger basket with fries and onion rings. Bring me plenty of honey mustard." Miss Florence sighed at her and got a packet of sugar tossed her way for it. "Oh hush you."
Gran snickered. "I'm starving darlin'. Think you can talk Lafayette into fixing me up some country fried steak, fries, slaw, and greens?"
"Sure." I scribbled her order under the others on my pad and gave the women a wink. "I'll get this in. Ya'll behave or I'll send Sam out here to tend to you." They laughed and Miss Debbie faked a mean face at me which I replied to by blowing her a kiss.
I dropped the order in with Lafayette, got my three-top refills and handed over the bill and some containers for leftovers to the four-top and stopped behind the bar to fill a pitcher of beer for Holly, who was looking a little frazzled. She'd told me earlier that Cody had been up last night with nightmares and she'd hardly gotten a wink of sleep. She swung by and grabbed it, thanking me, then bustled back off.
I kept myself busy while waiting for my orders to finish cooking, checking on Gran and the ladies a few times and bringing refills and a basket of fries - an extra order we had after one of Charlsie's customers changed their mind after ordering - to help hold them off.
Gran got up and headed towards the restroom, motioning for me to follow her. No one needed me at the moment, so I 'obeyed' the summoning.
"You okay?" I wandered into the restroom after her.
She made sure we were alone before digging in her purse. She pulled out a bottle of pills and handed me two. "Sweetheart, take those. You're walking with a limp."
My face felt like it was on fire. "Gran!" I hissed it, not sure if I should thank her or go hide in the freezer.
She waved my fussing away. "I ain't sayin' nothin' bad! I just thought you'd have a better time of it later if you took some now." She shoved the bottle of Aleve into my hands. "Take it in case you need it later. Now, go on." She shooed me out of the restroom and shut the door behind me.
I stared at the door for a minute before laughing and went to tuck the bottle into my purse. I was a little sore still, though I didn't think I was walking with a limp, so I downed the two pills with a swallow of soda before hitting the floor again.
On her way back to the table Gran smiled at me and I blew a raspberry her way. Even though I loved her, she was a brat sometimes.
A few minutes later Lafayette put the five plate order in the window and Holly helped me carry it out. I made sure to bring plenty of honey mustard and dressing and after a final check left the ladies to eat in peace. They were chattering between bites about the DGD; future meetings, fund-raising ideas and even stopped me once or twice to get my input.
The crowd thinned out around two and while the ladies finished up I did some of my side-work and helped Sam set the bar up for the drinking crowd.
I got hugs from each of the ladies before they left and they soon took off, rather quickly at that. I found out why when I discovered they'd left me a seventeen dollar tip. I huffed and stuffed it in my apron, miffed that they'd left me anything at all. I didn't feel like they needed to tip me, especially not Gran.
Sneaky old ladies. You can't turn your back on them for a minute.
I was putting some dishes into the wash stack, day dreaming about Eric, when Lafayette appeared at my elbow.
"Sook, do yous love me?"
"Maybe. It all depends on what you want," I washed my hands and cocked an eyebrow, "and how much it's gonna cost me."
"Bitch, please!" He turned and shook his ass at me. "Do yous know how many bitches would jump to help me?" We shared a giggle. "Grab me s'um buns from the storeroom? Puh-lease?"
"Sure thing. Now get your kitchen-bitch self back to the grills!" It was a few minutes to three and we weren't busy, so I didn't mind helping him out.
"Yeah yeah. I knows I'm the best cook evah."
Snickering I went in search of buns. I found them, of course, on a high shelf. I had to get a step ladder, but I finally got a hold of them.
The door to the storeroom opened so quickly it banged against the wall, sounding like a gunshot. "Sookie!"
"Fuck!" I jumped and nearly fell off the step. Clinging to the shelf, my heart nearly beating out of my chest, I wondered if anyone would miss Arlene.
She rushed over and helped me down, biting her lip nervously. She'd nearly scared me to death! "Sorry?"
Reminding myself that she had kids that depended on her, I flicked her in the forehead.
"Ow!"
"Don't do that! You could of killed me!" I huffed and tromped out of the room and she was hot on my heels.
"I really am sorry. I just," she paused long enough for me to drop off the buns to Lafayette and then followed me to the bar, "wanted to know how the date went."
Ah, revenge would be sweet tonight. I still owed her and Tara for ganging up on me. "Well, the kitchen at the restaurant caught fire."
She stared at me, waiting for more, and I steadily ignored her by wiping down the bar.
Finally, she broke. "What happened afterwards?"
"Oh, we had quesadillas and Spanish rice. It was good."
Arlene's first table of the night came in, cutting off her would-be battery of questions, and I chuckled to myself. I'd give her an hour before she was breathing down my throat for details.
She made it thirty-one minutes.
"Sookie," she whined my name, "you're being mean. C'mon!"
"Fine. We had our dinner at his place." Her jaw dropped and I scurried away to seat some new customers.
She gave a huff and grumbled under her breath while she went to get refills for her two tables.
Sometimes she made this too easy.
Dawn came in at four o'clock and she was in rare form. She growled her greeting to Arlene and I, gave Sam the stink eye, and was as prickly as a porcupine to everyone but her customers for the first two hours of her shift.
The dinner rush was in full swing and we were all hopping. Sam was working the bar and helping cart orders out when we needed. I did notice however that he was getting more and more aggravated as the night wore on. Dawn had went by him snarling under her breath at least a dozen times and he was reaching his boiling point.
Amazingly Dawn, Arlene and I managed to get all our tables situated at once and we met up by the servers station to get a drink and catch a breather.
Leaning against the counter I watched the floor, slowly sipping at my coffee. It didn't taste nearly as good as the coffee Eric had made this morning.
"Okay," Arlene turned on Dawn, "what the hell has got you all riled?"
"Sam." Dawn spat his name and glowered. "I asked for tonight off. I wanted to go to Fangtasia."
That pulled me out of my 'wondering what Eric was doing right now' moment.
"Oh, yeah, it's an okay place."
Dawn looked at Arlene like she'd grown another head. "You went to Fangtasia?"
I didn't like her tone and I certainly didn't appreciate how much of a bitch she'd been in the few short hours she'd been here. Hell, she'd knocked into me and snapped for me to 'watch where I was going'.
"Yeah. She and Tara took me out for some dancing and drinks there last weekend. We had fun." What was so special about Fangtasia?
Aside from the fact that my boyfriend was there.
"There's this guy I like there."
Sam's bark cut through the little world we'd made. "Ladies! Tables!"
"Right, sorry!" Arlene and I went back to work with apologetic smiles directed at Sam, and Dawn went right back to her huffing and puffing.
I went about my job, with a thought jumping around in the back of my mind.
Exactly who did she like at Fangtasia?
At seven-thirty I got to go on break. Which was good, because I was not only hungry and a little cranky, but dying to text Eric.
I was nearly done with my grilled chicken tenders, fries and coleslaw when I finally felt human enough to send Eric a message.
Hey! I know you're probably busy, but I just wanted to wish you goodnight.
It didn't take long for Eric to reply.
Friday is a busy night here, but I always have time for you. How are you?
I kept one hand free to shove fries in my mouth and the other worked on my reply. Eating dinner now. We're busy so I only have a few minutes.
Ah. Well, I will let you get back to it then. I miss you, lover. Have sweet dreams of me, yeah?
My whole face lit up with a smile when he admitted that he missed me. I miss you too. I'm sure I will. God natt.
God natt, lover.
Finished now I headed back inside, only to be headed off by Arlene.
"Okay, seriously, what happened?" She had me pinned against the backdoor, my dishes perched precariously between us.
"Arlene." I gave up. "I promise to give you the full scoop while we clean up tonight, 'kay?"
"Promise?"
"Yes yes! Now move, we've got customers!"
She practically skipped off, clapping her hands excitedly.
I wonder if her mother dropped her on her head when she was a baby? Repeatedly maybe?
Dawn's mood hadn't improved, but Sam had apparently warned her to loose the attitude while I was on break because she stopped muttering and scowling. She just radiated discontent instead.
Fan-fucking-tastic.
Who the fuck did she like at Fangtasia? The question was going to drive me mad, I could already tell.
Around ten we had a lull in incoming customers. The ones that were there were made up mostly of men of all ages with a few women scattered in. The majority were having a few beers and sharing some fries or onion rings between them, talking amongst themselves or watching the news playing on the TV above the bar. Arlene had gotten a break earlier and Dawn had come back from hers not long ago. I was chatting with Lafayette while I stocked the to-go containers and condiments in our shelf system by the kitchen and Arlene was rolling silverware.
I watched her pick up a fork and knife, wrap the ends of a napkin around them and then roll it up deftly. Strangely it reminded me of breakfast this morning. It wasn't a complicated meal, but it was something I was sure I'd always remember.
Dawn could have been helping her, but she seemed more inclined to lean against the wall next to the servers station and watch Arlene work. I wasn't aware that the wall needed someone to laze against it to keep it upright, but whatever.
Lafayette's cell started ringing so I left him to the call and started organizing the to-go cups.
"So," I heard Arlene clearly, "who do you like at Fangtasia? One of the bartenders?"
Thank you Arlene! She'd just saved me the trouble of asking the question that had been plaguing me for hours.
"No." Dawn giggled and toyed with a lock of her hair. "The owner. His name is Eric."
I saw Arlene bite her lip and I waved at her, frantically mouthing my words to let her know not to say anything about me just yet.
"Oh yeah, he's a real looker, isn't he?"
"You saw him?" Arlene nodded and Dawn smirked. "Yeah, he is. I've talked to him a few times, but I think he's playing hard to get. Like last Saturday I went to the bar and he stayed in his office for like, forever! When he came out I asked him to dance, but he said he was 'busy'."
"Are you sure he's interested?"
Dawn looked insulted as hell and for a moment I thought she might smack Arlene upside the head with a serving tray. "Of course he is! I've seen him eye me a few times." She tossed her hair over her shoulder and thrust out her chest. "Who wouldn't be interested in me?"
Wow, confident much?
"I was just askin', jeeze." Arlene rolled her eyes at me when Dawn turned to get a drink.
"Yeah, okay, sorry. I went Tuesday too, but he was behind the bar helping out and dealing with some stuff and talking with that one girl - his sister, I asked the bouncer who she was - and I was gonna go tonight. Guess I'll be going tomorrow instead."
I mouthed 'Jason' to Arlene and she frowned at Dawn. "Um, hun, weren't you looking for Jason Stackhouse the other day?"
"Yeah." She seemed to realize I was missing so I ducked out of sight. After a moment she started again. "I just wanted to have some fun, ya know?"
I'd been hiding long enough that Lafayette was looking at me funny. I waved him off and he made a hand motion for me to tell him later.
Popping out from around the corner I pretended to look for Arlene before charging her way. "Arlene! We've been so busy I didn't even get to tell you my news!"
"What news?" In one second she went from acting to being seriously excited enough to bounce.
"He asked me out! We're officially dating!"
"Oh my god!" She wrapped me in a hug and nearly knocked me off my feet. "Seriously?"
"Yep! I officially have a boyfriend."
"Awww!" Dawn smiled at me. "Who's the lucky guy?"
Excellent. She'd just given me the perfect opening and it was going to be sweet vengeance with a touch of ironic justice.
"Eric. I met him at Fangtasia last Friday."
Her face drained of color. "Eric Northman?"
"Yeah, you know him?" I had the innocent act down to a perfect science. I widened my eyes, smiled and cocked my head slightly.
Her jaw clenched and her face flushed red. I wasn't sure if it was anger over the fact that I'd snagged the man she was interested in or embarrassment that she'd been shown up in front of Arlene after her bold and self-assured statements. "I've been to Fangtasia a few times."
"Oh cool. I liked it when I went. I'll probably visit Eric there sometime this week and keep him company." I did want to see him, but my secondary reason of course would be to prove that we were dating. Because knowing Dawn, she'd freaking investigate it.
"Well, I'd best get back to my tables." She stalked off, mad as a wet hornet.
We waited until she was on the other side of the restaurant before we started chuckling.
"Oh goodness, did you see her face?" Arlene dabbed at her eyes with a napkin. "Hoo boy. Anyhow," she focused on me, "you're serious, aren't you?"
"Yep." I didn't fight the smile. "We're a couple."
She did a little happy dance and I laughed at her. Suddenly though, she stopped and stared at me. "You naughty girl!"
My eyes went wide and I slapped a hand over her mouth. "What?"
"Oo epp idd em!" I didn't understand a word she said and finally she pried my fingers away and whispered, "You slept with him!"
I went beet red. Maybe I should just paint my face that way. I'd save on makeup.
"Shut up."
"You did! I'm calling Tara!"
"For heaven's sake woman! Have you ever heard of a verbal filter? You need one."
Her bottom lip jutted out in a pout. "You didn't tell us. We're your best friends."
"So sorry. Was I supposed to call you from the bathroom while I was at his place?"
She squeaked. "You stayed the night?"
Shit. Open mouth, insert foot. She'd be all over me like a pitbull with a bone.
"Yes. Look, we can talk about it later, okay?"
"Fine."
One of my tables needed a new pitcher of beer so I ran off to take care of it, knowing that the moment I turned my back Arlene was going to text Tara.
"Sookie!" Sam waved at me from the bar. "You've got a call!"
"Thanks," I accepted the phone from him, a little surprised. Normally we weren't supposed to take calls and it had gotten a little busier, but I'd been working my ass off tonight. "This is Sookie."
"I know you work tomorrow, so Sunday when you get off work, we're having lunch and you're going to spill."
"Tara! Seriously, I'm at work."
"I know, that's why I'm keeping it short. Yes, I do expect you to call from the bathroom when something like that happens. Now, I'll see you later. Get back to work. Kisses."
She hung up on me and I stared at the phone for a minute before finally hanging up.
Sam was eyeing me.
"Sorry, I'll remind her not to call unless it's an emergency."
"It's alright chere. You don't abuse the phone like some people." He raised his voice as Arlene came over and she waved her hand at him.
"I've got kids, Sam. They need mama even when she's not home. Now you zip it and get me a pitcher of bud, please."
Even though he grumbled and rolled his eyes, we both knew he wasn't that upset about it. He handed over the pitcher and she sauntered off.
"Hey, Sookie," I turned to face Sam, but we were distracted by the door opening and a group pouring in. "You got that?"
"Yeah, no problem." I headed for the group, who all looked like barely legal kids, and herded them to a table.
I didn't have another chance to talk to Arlene or Sam after that. The kids must have been stoned because not only were their eyes glazed, but they ordered nearly eighty dollars worth of food between the four of them.
I hadn't seen anyone put away that much food since the football coach brought the team in for dinner after a victory game last season.
They left just before last call and then all three of us girls were in a frenzy. Serving the last drinks of the night, washing down tables, refilling salt and pepper shakers, checking the condiments, finishing the silverware, sweeping, collecting dishes and discarded beer bottles. By the time we stumbled outside it was nearly three and even Arlene was too tired to harass me for information.
"Tomorrow." She hugged me and clambered into her car.
"Night Sam!"
"Night Sookie!" He was locking up as I started up my car. "Be careful!"
I waved and headed out of the lot.
Home, pajama's, bed, sleep. That's all I wanted.
I managed to slip into the house without waking Gran, did my nightly ritual of washing my face and brushing my teeth and then finally fell into bed after pulling on an old nightshirt.
There was one major flaw in my plan though. I didn't realize until I'd gotten into bed and snuggled with my pillow, that I wanted Eric.
Somewhere between bed and sleep. Maybe even between home and pajamas. Or both. Preferably naked.
My pillow was a poor substitute, but I finally managed to fall asleep.
I still wanted Eric though.
Translations:
Tack - Thanks
Knulla mig - fuck me
Ja - Yes
God natt – Goodnight
AN: I hope you all enjoyed the chapter ! Feel free to review and let me know!
Huge thanks to everyone for reading, reviewing, alerting, and adding this story to their favorites! You all are freaking awesome!
Reminder: Feel free to send in some fan-mail for any of the All My Love cast to be featured in AML: Fanmail! They'd love to answer your questions!
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