AN: Whew so those crazy kids got carried away with that storm huh? Hehe. Now for the aftermath. ;) Thanks so much to everyone for the awesome reviews and for reading and I hope you like this chapter as well. Enjoy! :)
Chapter 10-Touch and Go
We got back to the house, feeling a little strange both of us half naked in grass stained clothing, but Eric certainly wasn't shy, and he didn't give me much of an opportunity to second guess my actions, insisting I go up and start a shower while he turned on the heat. My stomach flipped and I felt butterflies, and I wondered what I was doing for a minute, but then Eric was back sending my nerve endings on fire again.
I had to admit, he certainly rocked the wet denims, dirt covered chest, no shirt look, and the way he was eyeing me in his tee, I would have to gather, he didn't mind that I was wearing his clothing either.
"I turned the heat on." He replied with that smug smile that I just wanted to wipe off his face, but I also wanted that smile to be replaced by his lips on mine.
"Good." I replied and reached in to turn on the shower…
"And I turned on the shower." I added countering him.
"Good."
He mimicked with a smile and I felt my heart pound faster as he leaned in and whispered in my ear…
"Because your covered head to toe in grass (he pulled a strand out of my hair and then he met my gaze adding,) and me."
I felt my skin turn into gooseflesh as my eyes flicked with his and he leaned back in, his breath coated my skin, and then he licked my neck. My knees nearly buckled there, if it hadn't been for his incredibly strong arms holding me up.
The steam started to fill the room and he leaned in and kissed the other side of my neck and confessed…
"I only wish I could leave my shirt on you."
"Why, to save time on your laundry?"
I asked him coyly turning around to face him and he smirked, glancing down at my chest. As if on command, they pebbled for him and he leaned in, one hand caressing the side of one breast replying with a smile as he licked his lips. And then he kissed each swell of flesh over the tee and added…
"Among other things."
Gah.
Was the only comprehensible thought I could sort out of my mind as I looked into his smoldering blue eyes, and I secretly wondered what was happening to me? I felt like a young woman trapped in the body of an old woman, trapped in the body of a teenager. I was all over the place. I knew this wasn't like me at all. I thought out everything with painstaking precision, I planned, I was modest and reserved, and above all, a lady.
I wasn't the type of girl to cast it all aside, let alone even consider taking a shower with a man, naked, not to mention whatever else Eric had planned. But before my mental thoughts had any more time to question things and object his lips met mine and he pulled me up into his arms, pressing me back against the tile wall of my bathroom, he kissed me with a sense of urgency. In that moment I knew he needed me just as badly as I needed him.
He set me down and I tugged off my shirt as he shrugged off his pants and then like two magnets, I was in his arms again. He looked at me as if to ask permission to enter and I nodded, wanting to go into that shower more than anything, wanting to do the vertical mambo more than anything. It was a strange sensation to do what I wanted, enjoy myself, and be enjoyed.
Up until now I always thought there was a consequence to every action, whether it be good or bad. I still thought that, but wasn't so sure the reaction was so immediate. It would probably all come back to me in a couple of days, but for now, it was nice to be the one holding the cards for once, nice to have some fun, I thought, knowing I could get used to this kind of fun.
I realize up until this point I viewed sex as more of a chore, something I wanted to get done and over with, but that was before Eric. He was something else.
I was wanted and desired, I was large and in charge. I wasn't going to screw it up this time with emotions, I wanted to ride the high as long as it lasted. That funny feeling I got when he looked at me was all part of the excitement. If it was possible to be scared shitless and thrilled at the same time, I was.
Eric took his time in that shower, his mouth doing devious things to my body. I was feeling things I never felt before, pleasure I didn't think was humanly possible and I wanted to return that, exploring his chiseled chest with my mouth, as my hands dropped down to squeeze his perfect ass. He groaned and pulled me closer to him for a hot and scorching kiss.
In return I brought my hands down to his hardness and he brought out the liquid soap and then I finally understood what he meant by cleaning up the mess in here.
-------------------
The storm had gotten stronger and I could hear the pellets of water banging down on the roof. Thankful Eric had just replaced the couple of loose shingles earlier today I felt safe, and my wet body was now dry and warm, to my delight.
Don't get me wrong, the shower part wasn't bad, neither was much else. In fact my body was still unwinding from the things we did in that shower. We couldn't stay in there forever, besides the water was starting to get cold so I suggested we reconvene down in the kitchen. I was starving.
I went to my room to find some real clothes and Eric went down to his in just a towel. God, all I could think was if my Gran were here she'd have a heart attack after she found out what we had been doing under her roof, in that shower.
Once I had a few moments to myself, away from the sexual haze and the man who sent my pulse soaring, I was able to think rationally for a moment.
I felt like when I was with Eric, I was in a dream. A fabulous fantasy dream, but I knew once the clothes went back on, we had to face reality again. I was still Sookie Stackhouse, I still had my skeletons, I still had failed in my one attempt at a relationship with Bill, which disheartened me and made me want to disappear from the world. I still was a screwed up little girl inside.
There was that nagging thought that what if this was just some stupid infatuation that would go cold and cease to exist once morning came. What if I was just a conquest to him, what if I scared him away with all my freak of nature issues? He would eventually realize what I was like once he really got to know me. Once he found out what kind of person I was, and why I loathe that person.
But then there was that something else there too. That something different, and new, yet spellbinding to me. I couldn't shake that either. I sighed realizing I needed to stop thinking so much and just enjoy this. You only live once right? Like my Gran says.
So why was I so scared?
I noticed Eric had opted to keep his shirt off, and the waist of his boxer shorts was just low enough to emphasize that perfect ass. I bit my lip to take my attention off my new favorite anatomy specimen and turned to meet Eric's gaze in question.
Eric asked me what I was hungry for and I opened the fridge and looked inside.
He peered over my shoulder and I felt those tingles again from his closeness, but he simply smiled and started pulling stuff out.
"I know exactly what we can have." He replied with a smug smirk handing me two potatoes and I looked at him in question as he began to pile stuff on the side…
"Okay Swedish Chef, are you going to clue me in?" I asked him and he laughed…
"Yes, you can be my sous chef. Here, cut these up."
I raised my brows but he paid no attention already pulling out a cutting board for an onion and a half clove of garlic.
"So tonight, our menu will contain, Pytt I Panna, translated into English it means a little bit of everything in a pan. It's a left over dish."
I raised my brow in question and asked him…
"So is this something you make often?"
He looked at me and a sheepish smile crept over his face, he shook his head and replied…
"No if I was doing this right, Id get all the proper ingredients, lefsa, lingonberries…but we have to make due with what you have…"
I creased my brows in confusion and asked him…
"I thought you said it was a left over dish, why do you need to get more ingredients if you are making left over's?"
Eric laughed and he looked at me through the sides of his eyes and asked me…
"Have you always been this inquisitive?"
I glanced at him and replied strong with confidence…
"Yes, what's the matter, are you afraid your sous chef might try to out cook you if she knows too much?"
I saw one side of his mouth turn up in a smirk and Eric replied while chopping up his onion…
"I think you can already out cook me, but if its answers you want, its answers you'll get."
I smiled satisfied it felt like I had won this debate and I asked him taking him up on his offer for a little Q & A, because there were some things I was curious about…
"So do you miss it, do you miss Sweden?"
His smile straightened and suddenly I wondered if I had touched a nerve. We were doing good too. I hadn't even thought about any of that Bill business for quite some time and I was beginning to believe we might be able to co-exist in the same house for the next couple months, but now I worried that there may be things that were taboo for Eric as well…
"Sometimes I do." He replied truthfully, cubing some pieces of ham now, he was concentrating very hard on making his lines straight, and admitted…
"I used to make this with my mother, she'd always serve it with lefsa and lingonberry jam."
Suddenly I felt like crap. I acted like live wire when he went to my sensitive place and here I was doing the exact same thing in poking at him. It didn't seem fair.
He drizzled some oil in Gran's cast iron pan, let it heat up and then he tossed the onions and garlic in.
"It smells heavenly." I remarked truthfully, because it did. I looked back at him offering him a small smile and Eric replied…
"Yes, it's good, I don't make this as often as Id like, but I'm sure you will enjoy it."
I smiled and nodded my head…
"I'm starving after the night we had."
I cast him a coy smirk and he smiled again. Moving closer to him, I finished the last potato and he tossed it in the pan along with the ham.
"So what's it like, I've never even been out of Louisiana before." I admitted sure I must sound like some country bumpkin, but Eric simply replied with a smile…
"It's colder, much colder…"
I scrunched my nose, not sure I liked the sound of that.
"Oh don't worry, they are all crazy up there, we jump into frozen lakes in our underwear and roll around in the snow naked, but other than that it's not much different than here, family is important to us, as is education, the economy, healthcare, protecting those we love..."
I creased my brows, my gaze flicking with his for some reason I felt emotion stir inside me when he mentioned protecting those he loved because he had protected me, and I nodded, swallowing I felt the need to redirect the conversation to something a little easier to digest and I asked him kiddingly……
"So you are basically saying you Swedes live just like the polar bears?"
He smirked, and reached over somehow finding the ticklish spot under my arm to get back at me and I squeaked.
He snorted and laughed making fun of me he replied…
"I don't even want to know what that sound was."
I couldn't help but giggle as he turned towards me and assured me seriously…
"Maybe some day you will see snow, real snow, not this pathetic dusting of frost you get here, but real accumulation, and you'll realize that you flamingos got the short stick."
I laughed at his new nickname and replied with a shake of my head…
"No way, I love the sun, the sun loves me, and I hope we will be together forever."
He raised a brow and then Eric replied smartly…
"Yes, well I hope you two will be very happy, roasting together like dried up prunes…"
I smiled and added smartly…
"Thanks, I plan on it."
I winked at him and he proceeded to pull me back to him for what I only could assume was a smoldering kiss, I was lost in his eyes desperate and panting in need, he met my gaze lustfully, which did funny things to my insides, and then he looked at me and replied…
"Eggs."
Not that my mind had turned to goo or anything but, I hadn't the slightest idea what he was talking about…
"Huh?" I asked him, eyes still lucid and he smirked, asking me…
"I need two eggs, would you be a sweet little prune and go get them for me."
I rolled my eyes, now finally understanding what he was doing. He had some sort of spell over me where he could get whatever he wanted from me with one smoldering look, and he was certainly well aware of this little fact.
Sticking out my tongue at him, I left reluctantly and he turned around to stir the pan and add some dill from my grandmothers herb garden on the windowsill.
A few minutes later I was starting down at the oddest looking concoction of food, but it smelled like heaven. He looked at me with a smirk on his face and replied smartly…
"Dig in."
I looked down at the sunny side up egg over a pile of what we southerners called hash took a little piece from the side, lifted the fork into my mouth and felt my tongue water around it.
Oh my god! This was…This was…
"So what do you think?" He asked still watching me as I closed my eyes and imagined this is what heaven tasted like and I simply nodded my head shoveling another forkful in my mouth…
He smiled smugly and asked me jokingly as he swallowed his bite…
"So better than sex huh?"
My eyes opened wide and I coughed up what hadn't gone down my throat, because he was openly discussing what just happened between us like it was as casual conversation about the weather. I wasn't prepared. I looked at him with face red and took a swig of my lemonade. Finally composing myself I asked him, daring to take the bait…
"Do you think it's better than sex?"
His brows rose and he replied coyly…
"Nothing is better than sex, especially with you."
I cleared my throat, my stomach doing all kinds of crazy motions, wondering where all this was coming from. Did someone slip something into Eric's drink earlier too?
"Erm yeah." I replied at a loss for what to say, I bet he said that to all the girls. I took another big swig of my juice, and smiled politely, feeling nervous all of the sudden, like I was some gawky teenager out on my first date with the star quarterback. I was in so over my head it wasn't funny.
He raised his brows and looked back at me knowingly and I looked back at him, a hint of a smile on my face. There it was again, that strange feeling.
I felt anxious all of the sudden and he added...
"Well maybe we'll just have to try to out do ourselves to up the ante then, death by chocolate perhaps, there's a chocolate and wine festival in Monroe this weekend, or maybe the State Fair next week, I hear they are even frying up cherry pie slices this time, could be better than sex, who knows."
He winked at me and I smiled, but then my thoughts turned back to the gist of what he was saying, going out together in public? I suddenly felt very nervous, like we were walking on egg shells. I couldn't help but remember my Gran, she would be back tomorrow, I had to work tomorrow, which meant I had to deal with the same old crap different day, I'm not quite sure if I was ready for this yet, what would everyone think if I jumped from Bill to Eric in only a weeks time?
Not to mention, could I handle another week of whispers behind my back. He was an outsider, a newcomer, I had heard all kinds of rumors from Eric was in the witness protection program to he was some love child of Adele's. Of course I knew it was all bull puckey, but that didn't change how it was reflected off me. I had to work hard enough just to reach normal. If I was dating Eric, forget normal, forget any kind of social acceptance, plus I had no idea what we were doing.
I was almost positive that once his 3 months were up, Eric was gone, most likely gone forever, which made me realize we had to take this slow, very slow.
Finally, I replied cautiously…
"Listen, Eric, maybe before we go any further, we should set some general guidelines with each other."
"Guidelines?" He asked me curiously and I nodded my head in reply, explaining…
"Well in light of this town knowing every body's business and my Gran coming home on Sunday, I think it might be better if we keep this thing on the down low."
He set down his glass and looked at me intently. I felt strange talking about this with him, but well, I wasn't going to be walked on anymore, I had to take control for once, and I kept my eyes unwavering as I met his gaze…
"You are talking about keeping our sexual relationship private?" He asked me. I was relieved he had referred to it as a sexual relationship, I wasn't ready for a full fledged thing yet and I nodded my head encouragingly…
"I think that might be wise."
"So in your mind how would this work exactly?" His eyes dug into mine.
I wasn't sure I wanted to be put on the spot, but I had taken the reigns of my own free will, so I explained…
"Well I guess we'd have to figure it out but I think while we are in public, we behave as we always have and while we are in private, after we're sure it's just us, we can be ourselves."
I tried to sound bright, because I was enjoying myself with Eric and I didn't want to lose this, but in the same sense, I had to draw the line somewhere or I would end up right where I did with Bill, alone and unhappy. I couldn't let my heart get mixed up in this.
I couldn't read his expression, but as his glance locked with mine, the disappointment was quite clear and he replied flatly…
"So you want us to be fuck buddies?"
My smile straightened, hating the sound of it when he put it like that. I creased my brows and shook my head, and offered trying to sell this…
"No, I wouldn't call it that, Id say we were more like lovers, secret lovers."
His brow lowered again, and I felt the pits in my stomach clench. I was worried he might not want to do this and I didn't want to lose this, what we had because it was the first really good thing I had experienced in a long time, something I wanted to experience again, biting my lip I awaited his reply on baited breath.
"This would make you happy?" He asked me simply.
And I looked at him at a loss for words. After everything that happened, he was asking if this would make me happy? I didn't get it. But he was completely serious, and finally I nodded my head and replied…
"Yes it would."
Although for some reason at that moment I felt a pang of sadness run through me. I wasn't sure if it was because I missed Bill or I wanted something else. Either way that wasn't going to happen right now, the more realistic I was, the better off Id be.
I smiled took another bite and then noticed the clock above the kitchen sink read 2:30am.
"Oh crap!" I exclaimed and Eric looked back at me in concern…
"What?" He asked.
"It's 2:30, I have to work early tomorrow…"
He looked back behind him and sat up a little straighter as if in realization he remarked…
"I have to go visit my uncle tomorrow, he's got a Doctor appointment in the morning."
I bit my lip unsure of where that left us and I replied with a swallow…
"I guess we should go to sleep after this then."
He nodded his head and looked down at his hands, both of us clearly unsure, navigating our way through this together. I shoveled the rest of my dinner in my mouth, chugged down the rest of the lemonade and then tried to scoop up the dishes and bring them to the sink, noting he never finished the rest of his meal as he lifted his plate up and joined me.
"Here, let me help you." Eric insisted grabbing the pitcher of lemonade from my already over heaped arms…
"Thanks."
I replied with a smile and he answered smoothly…
"No problem."
I figured the dishes could wait till I got home tomorrow, or maybe if I had a little time before my shift. We worked together to clean up as much as we could, Eric scraping the left over's in the trash and then we found ourselves out in the hallway. I assumed Eric would go back to his room, and I would go up to my room. I looked at him and asked him needing to be sure…
"We're good right?"
He looked at me for a moment, and I wondered what was going through his mind, until he finally nodded and replied…
"Yeah, we're good."
I smiled and nodded, feeling relief in that moment.
"Okay, night then."
"Good night." He replied simply, his eyes never leaving mine.
I blinked not sure what to do, I had never been in this situation before. I felt like I was thinking too much but I couldn't help it, I was paranoid and god it felt so awkward. But as usual Eric bridged the gap effortlessly, bringing me back to the ground.
He leaned in and kissed me sweetly. I felt my stomach flip and I swooned in his arms as his tongue brushed mine once, twice, reigniting those earlier sparks, then he pulled away and looked back at me with a smile…
"Good night Sookie."
What could I say, the man knew how to say goodnight. He took a step towards his room, and I watched him leave with dreamy eyes, feeling a yearning and regret for what I didn't know.
He looked back at me one last time and that something inside me that snapped before came back again.
I caught his hand in mine and brought him with me back upstairs as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
I woke up in the morning to the sound of my alarm. I was groggy and tired, and I peeled one eye open to look at the ridiculously loud buzzing clock noting it was almost 9:30.
I shot up realizing I must have slept through the first 5 alarms, although I didn't know how that was humanly possible and then I saw the indent in the pillow next to mine and blushed. Oh right, that's how.
It's not what you think, I didn't conduct in any hanky panky after we went to bed, I just knew Id sleep a lot better if he was next to me. And I was right, I did.
I wasn't sure how we'd manage sleeping arrangements once Gran was back. I supposed we'd go back to the way things were before, but Id be lying if I said that thought disappointed me.
I had an hour left before I had to get ready for work so I figured, I could finish those dishes and enjoy a little breakfast. There wasn't much time for anything else.
So I went downstairs after brushing my teeth and hair and realized that son of a gun already did them. I flipped my eyes up and then I found a note on the counter, my heart nearly stopped when I saw what it was next to. A vase an old antique vase holding lilac's from the garden. Purple, fuchsia, pink and white. And it smelled euphoric. My heart started to beat faster as I smiled and opened up the envelope.
"My dearest Lover, or should I say secret lover, I can't wait till I see you again tonight, perhaps you will agree to accompany me for a picnic dinner when you return home from work? Don't worry, I have just the spot, where no one can find us…
Oh, and this message will self destruct in 5 seconds. Don't burn your hands.
xoxo-E"
I couldn't help but giggle my smile quite apparent. So he wanted to take me on a picnic did he? That was so cute, I thought, the suspense of where he was taking me almost unbearable but I also knew he wouldn't disappoint.
I tucked the note away in my pocket smelled the sweet flowers and then fixed some breakfast.
------------------
Four hours later I had just given the check to the last of the lunch rush and Tara had served Andy Bellefleur a pitcher of beer when Arlene came bowling in announcing…
"I'm getting married, I'm getting married!"
"Jesus, again?" Tara muttered rolling her eyes she bit back sarcastically as Dawn and the other waitresses went to go examine the ring…
"I think the fact that this has got to be groom number 5 or is it 6 now? Escapes her." Tara replied. I chuckled, genuinely happy for Arlene, but I couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion wash over me when I remembered Bill had proposed to me just a couple weeks ago. It was probably the first and last time that would ever happen for me, I thought sadly.
"What's with the frown, you've been bouncin around like your fucking walkin on sunshine all afternoon, what's the matter Sook, you turning into a cynic like me?"
Tara asked me and I shook my head, and she asked me turning her attention to me as she gave me a once over…
"What happened to you anyway this mornin, you win the lottery?"
"Would I still be working today if I had?" I asked her smartly and then her gaze dropped to my neck…
"Fucking A, you got some didn't you?"
My eyes opened wide and my face colored a deep shade of crimson as I warned her…
"Language Tara."
She just waved my warning away and replied…
"No one gives a fuck if I cry out every name in the book, see watch this (she hollered over to Arlene and her group of waitress chippies) So was it his dick or his wallet that cinched it for ya this time Arlene? Nothin like a good ass…"
"Tara!" I squeaked stunned by her language, but she was right, they ignored her. Tara only got a strange warning look from Sam and I couldn't help but find it ironic.
"So sister, spill the beans, was it with that hot as hell handyman you got shackin up with ya?"
My face burned with heat and I quickly shook my head…
"No, he's staying in my brothers room Tara, please, that's sick!"
God I didn't need her starting in on me too. If she found out about Eric and me, Id never hear the end of it.
"No, that's hot!" She replied with a smug smile, her eyes zoning out. I could tell she was thinking of Eric in not so appropriate ways and I didn't like it. So I moved to go congratulate Arlene and that's when Tara replied…
"It better not be that Jackass Bill, cause if it is, I swear I'm gonna give both of you a good kick in the ass. Come to think of it I haven't seen that chicken shit anywhere around recently, maybe he took up with them crazy shriner folk or something, he always did strike me as one of those old farts."
I let out a giggle, but Tara had a point. Where had Bill gone? Come to think of it, I hadn't seen him recently either.
"I'm glad you dumped his ass, but if I were you Id tap that Viking stat, gotta make up for lost time!"
I rolled my eyes, and shook my head replying…
"Cant I just be happy by myself?"
"Sure, but there aint no need to be wasteful, I mean c'mon, he's like a fucking Adonis, that ass alone…"
My face turned red and I couldn't face her any more after that, turning to make my way towards Arlene.
"Fine don't tell your best friend how Sookie got her groove back, see if I care!" Tara hollered after me as my face fell white in shock.
Sam turned to look at me strangely, but that's when Arlene ran up to him, meaning us and announced…
"Since Billy Ray has gotta go out of town for the next month trappin snakes in the bayou, we want to have a party, tomorrow night."
Everyone cheered. Sam looked back at me and I knew he was dreading what came next…
"Oh Sam, pretty please, there isn't a game on or anything tomorrow, would you mind terribly if we had it here, it would mean so much to me and Billy, and the kids of course."
I had to conceal my eye roll, even for Arlene that was pretty pathetic, throwing her kids into her negotiation tactics, but I knew Sam was a sucker and an all around nice guy and he finally replied…
"Fine Arlene, Ill get the booze but you have to get the food."
"Oh THANK YOU SAM!" She exclaimed throwing her arms around him happily, she almost knocked him over. Luckily the bar stopped them and he nodded his head…
"Yeah, sure."
I smiled, and went to go clean off my tables and that's when I heard Sam call me from behind…
"Hey Sook, wait up a minute!"
I turned around to look at him in question and asked him with a polite smile…
"Yes, Sam, what is it, do you want me to work tomorrow?"
Sam smiled sheepishly and ran a hand through his scraggly hair. He looked back at me with a twinkle in his eye and I suddenly felt like this could be more than just work…
"Actually…(he hesitated for a moment as if pondering his question and then he continued…) Sook, I was wonderin if you'd be my date tomorrow night, Ill get Dawn and some of the other girls to keep an eye on things, but it might be fun to hang out, I've been so busy with work lately and you've been busy with...well (his voice trailed off and he looked at me earnestly...) We could have fun..."
I raised my brows in surprise and I saw Tara nodding profusely and mouthing the words…
'SAY YES' behind Sam's head. I opened my eyes wider in warning, but Sam was still awaiting my reply sincerely. What was I supposed to do? I couldn't tell him I was screwing Eric, we had agreed to keep it secret, this was supposed to be uncomplicated, but oh god, it was so turning into something very complicated, all I could see was Tara's bobbing head behind me and Sam's sweet puppy dog eyes, and then I saw some of the other girls looking over at us and smiling. I hadn't been smiled at for weeks. It was a strange feeling and I didn't quite feel like myself. I knew I was going to regret this, I knew it! I finally closed my eyes took a deep breath and answered…
"Alright Sam, Ill be your date."
I was so going to hell for this!