Eric was standing in the corner of the room staring at her when Peggy opened her eyes. Even though Eric had seen every bit of her that there was to see, and she was wearing a night gown, she instinctively pulled the sheet up to her chin. He was standing back in the shadows and didn't say anything, just kept silently watching with no change to his expression as she sat up and pushed further back against the headboard.
"What are you doing, Eric?"
"I was watching you sleep."
"That's creepy."
"Is it? Not romantic?"
"It's not the least bit romantic!"
Eric chuckled and moved forward into the dim light of the bedside lamp. His grin and seeming good mood was disconcerting, since the night before he'd been moody and sulky to have discovered the loss of the pendant. Peggy watched him move towards her, not even pretending not to be fascinated. He was ridiculously handsome, and big, and so completely un-Godric like that she couldn't fathom how she had come to be so entwined with him.
"It's the blood, isn't it?" she murmured.
"That is making you feel so… stirred up?" Eric asked, gloating slightly. He sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his, putting his cold thumb against the pounding pulse in her wrist. "It's probably just my handsome face."
"The blood…"
It had only been one time. So many, many times Godric had shared his blood over the years, and Eric, just the once, when he had forced it on her at their first meeting to bind her to him. And oh, she was bound.
Maybe Sam was right, maybe she needed to leave him. But having had his blood, Eric would always be able to find her. The only way she could leave him was if he allowed it.
Eric leaned forward and kissed her. His lips were cool and firm, and he was a master of this art, almost bringing her to the edge of pleasure with a kiss alone. He was insatiable, too. He wanted to make love every night, usually more than once. Peggy was glad of it. With Godric, especially over the last few years, it had been more of an occasional sport.
Peggy hadn't known what she'd been missing until Eric.
"You are very distracting," she mumbled against his mouth as he pinned her to the bed and worked on removing her night gown. After about three seconds he got bored fumbling with the tie and just tore it.
"I know," he said, tossing the scraps of fabric to the floor. "And you are very delectable."
Peggy turned her head to the side, offering her throat.
"Not even a little struggle tonight?" he sounded disappointed.
"It doesn't do me any good."
"Oh, I know, but I enjoy it… and so do you. You like to pretend you have no choice in this."
Peggy felt offended. "Do I have a choice?"
Eric considered. "Probably not. Do you want one?"
"Yes!"
"All right, then. Should I stop?" He bent his head and nibbled very delicately at her throat.
"No…" Peggy whispered, and Eric chuckled against her flesh. He lifted his head, grinning, his fangs fully extended and sharp. Peggy felt a slight flash of fear, but it abated quickly. It was too late. He'd seen it in her eyes.
"Where's your bravado tonight?"
"Eric…"
"You usually do not show me fear. I admire that in you."
"I wasn't afraid before because I didn't care if I died," Peggy stated slowly.
"And you no longer wish for death?" Eric asked.
She shook her head. "No."
"You have found a reason to stay alive, now."
Peggy stared at him, her cheeks flushing. "You can go ahead and bite me now. Any time."
Eric nearly crowed like a rooster. "I am that reason! You wish to stay alive to be with me! You love me!"
"I don't even like you, Eric," Peggy snapped, embarrassed. Then she put her hands on his cheeks and began kissing him fiercely. Eric kissed her back and she knew he was shedding his clothes without ever breaking the kiss. She scraped her tongue over one of his fangs, bleeding into his mouth.
Eric tossed his head back. "Not fair! You are making me hungry! You want me to play rough with you so you can pretend you hate it and hate me. Why are you doing this?"
"Because I feel like I betrayed Godric!"
Eric hissed, pushed her face harshly to the side, and sank his fangs into her throat. He was rough and not the least bit seductive or romantic. Peggy felt the tears slide down her face. She heard him swallow. Then he lifted his blond head and stared into her eyes, his mouth red with her blood. "Is that the way you want it, Margaret? You want me, but you want to hate me? You want to blame it on our blood bond, the way you feel. You want to lie to yourself. Well, I will not lie. I know my own heart and I have never denied it."
"Eric—" she cried, grabbing his arms. "I didn't mean it!"
"Godric wanted us to be together," Eric said thickly.
"I know."
"I loved Godric, too," Eric said. "And I would never have taken anything that was his. He gave us to each other. He knew we could care for each other. If we feel something, why should we fight it? He would want us to embrace this."
Peggy put her arms around Eric tightly and put her head on his shoulder, unable to bear looking into his eyes any longer. His skin had warmed with her blood and hers had cooled, and their bodies felt very natural and right together. He stroked her hair very gently.
"Why are we arguing?" Peggy whispered.
"We are not arguing," Eric assured her. "You were being foolish, that is all."
Peggy snorted. "Keep saying things like that and we will definitely be arguing."
"Then I will stop talking and use my tongue for other purposes," Eric replied sensibly, and he did.
Two hours later, Peggy felt much better. Eric drew a bath for them to share, possible due to his demands for a gargantuan tub, and was being so kind and solicitous that he seemed an altogether different person. It unnerved her, slightly. She preferred him overbearing and stubborn, she thought as she lounged comfortably against him in the tub and let his hands wander as they pleased.
"I fear that soon I will have to return to Fangtasia," Eric sighed. "I have been neglecting my duties for too long and Pam will no doubt be angry with me."
"Will you take me with you?" Peggy asked.
"If you like, but I need you to continue to work for Sam Merlotte."
Peggy sighed. "Sam doesn't have the necklace, Eric. So what's the point?"
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes."
"Then continue your employment for just a bit longer. I have a hunch that the shifter may know more than he let on."
"Where will you sleep?" Peggy bit her lip.
"I will commute, for now. I like this house. It is much nicer than my one in Shreveport. It is impossible to find a decent plumber up there, for any amount of money."
Peggy chuckled. "And that's the only reason why?"
"You know it is not," Eric murmured, kissing her ear. "Fangtasia is not my only responsibility."
"Is that what I am?"
"Yes, but not in a burdensome way."
"I should be offended."
"You are offended way too often, Margaret. Relax. Enjoy what we have."
"When are you planning to go to Fangtasia?"
"Tonight, I suppose. But after it closes. That way Pam may berate me in private. Wear that lavender cocktail dress you have. Pam would love it."
"Would she, now?"
"You are jealous. It is cute."
"I am—" Peggy gave up. Why lie? "Yes, Eric, I am jealous. She is the child of your blood, and I am only your plaything."
"You are much more than that," Eric said simply. "Now let me wash your hair…"
Peggy gave in. What else could she do? Fighting him was too hard, and she was tired of it. She didn't want to argue with him, or feel jealous of the others in his life. She wanted to know them. She wanted to learn the thousand years of his life.
She wanted to give in and love him.
He just didn't make it easy.
