SPOV
"Will you order some clothing for me from the tailor tomorrow?" Eric asked one evening.
"Yes," I answered. " Do you know your measurements?" He shook his head. "Let me get my measuring tape," I responded and went in search of my sewing basket. When I returned to my room, Eric was standing near my bed, completely naked.
"What are you doing?" I asked, working hard to keep my gaze on his face.
"You have seen all of me before. Won't this be the most accurate way to measure?" I was pretty sure Gran didn't measure my Grandaddy this way.
"At least put your underpants on!" He did, slowly.
"These are the measurements my tailor in Paris takes," Eric said, handing me a slip of paper. I stood on a stool to measure his neck, shoulders, and the length of his arms… How I admired his well developed muscles! I tried to touch his flesh as little as possible.
"Are you afraid to touch me?" Eric asked. "I assure you, I don't mind your hands on me." His eyes twinkled with mischief. Measuring his inseam was a bit nerve wracking, but I did my best to appear professional. I have to admit I especially enjoyed running the tape across his amazing backside to measure his hips.
"What does this one say?" I asked, squinting at the last measurement on the list. I swore it said penis.
"Is that a word you are unfamiliar with, Sookie? I would be happy to give you an education," Eric answered with a smirk.
"I am not measuring your penis! Get dressed and get out of my room!" I shouted, rolling up my measuring my tape. "Do you really want new clothes, or was this just a ploy to get me to admire your body?"
"You admire my body?" he asked.
"Out! Get out!" I yelled, handing him his clothes and pushing him towards the window.
"Sookie," Eric soothed. "I wish to talk with you before I leave." I turned my back as he slipped his clothes on. "Would you like to have a few dresses made? Recently, I have relieved several steamboat riders of their money playing poker."
"Maids don't have dresses made," I answered.
"Use whatever is left after paying for my clothes to purchase material for new dresses," he said, handing me a small bag of coins.
"Thank you," I said. I would like to have something to wear besides my uniforms and one ill fitting dress. "Eric, I've been thinking about playing poker." He arched an eyebrow. "If I agree to use my telepathy to help you, I would like 50% of our winnings."
"50%! Now, Sookie. As you can see (he jingled the bag of coins), I do pretty well on my own. Your help won't double my earnings. I'll give you 10% of our earnings."
"30%"
"20% is my final offer," Eric said firmly. I pretended to mull it over, but I was secretly happy with 20%. I nodded my agreement. "We'll need to practice our signals."
"Signals?" I asked.
"Yes. Come sit on my lap," Eric answered as he pulled out a chair.
"Why would I sit on your lap?" Eric grinned at me.
"Women don't play poker, Sookie. Girls at the poker table are for entertainment purposes."
"What are you saying? That I sit on your lap during the game and pretend to be your plaything?" I asked with disgust.
Eric nodded. He was being very still and quiet. "I won't be your whore, Eric," I said firmly.
"I'm not asking you to be, Sookie," he answered. "We just need others to believe you are."
"I don't like this at all," I told him.
"Think about it," he said, kissing my forehead. "We would be unstoppable." He walked to the window, wished me goodnight, and flew out of sight.
EPOV
How I enjoyed pushing Sookie's buttons. I could have just given her my measurements, but having her take them was so much fun. Her soft, warm hands on my skin – I had to fight hard to keep my fangs from dropping. I was a little surprised Sookie brought up playing poker. What did she want the money for? I would be happy to provide her with anything she needed. Would she want the money badly enough to pretend to be my 'plaything'? Oh, I sincerely hoped so.
SPOV
I took Eric's measurements to the tailor the next morning and ordered shirts, pants, undergarments, socks, and a new pair of shoes.
"He sent you all these measurements?" the clerk asked me.
"I was told that tailors in Paris ask for all of these," I answered shrugging.
"Humpf! He's just as likely to be from Paris, Tennessee as the one in France." I couldn't help but laugh. "All this on Mr. Mabry's account?"
"No, I'll pay today." I would be relieved to hand over the money – all the way to the store I worried someone would attack me and run off with the coins. After paying for Eric's things, I had more than enough for new material for myself.
I chose two fabrics at the general store – one blue and one yellow. I also bought myself a penny candy. I smiled all the way home thinking about the extra money I would hide in my room for my steamboat ticket.
