A/N: Again, you guys blow me away with your reviews. I am so glad so many of you are enjoying this story.

For the purpose of moving the story, I had to leap in time a bit with this chapter. Only a month and the basics of what happened the past month are in this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters they belong to Charlaine Harris.

SPOV

Since the funeral, Eric and I had spent our nights together. We had been 'seeing' each other for a little over a month now. If I didn't stay at his house, then he was at mine. Something in me, made me want to be around him. I wanted time alone sometimes. But then, when I really thought about being away from Eric, I couldn't stand the idea. So I always stayed or asked him to stay.

We had gotten pretty close over the past month and I had entrusted things with him that I had never entrusted with anyone. We argued, of course, about silly things. Only because he was so damn hard headed, or I was. I wasn't sure.

I still wasn't sure what exactly I felt for Eric. So every time that he tried to talk about feelings, I would change the subject or proposition him sexually. The latter usually worked without fault. But I had a hunch that Eric was onto my attempts at diversion. Thankfully, he allowed it.

Not that I didn't like Eric. I liked him a lot, a lot more than I was willing to admit to myself, much less to him. Admitting it aloud just made it all the more real. And that was definitely something I was not ready for. I didn't hear him confessing any of his feelings; he was always trying to get me to confess something. I was still pretty adamant about keeping the feelings out of it, keeping everything purely physical.

Admitting feelings for someone definitely complicates things. People get attached to feelings. Attachment leads to pain. I was attached and loved everyone in my family and look where it has gotten me. Feelings can get hurt. I wasn't setting myself up to get hurt. Not anymore. Physical things heal. An emotional attachment can do more lasting damage.

I was pretty sure that Eric could have any woman he wanted. He spent a lot of hours working. So, for all I knew he was actually entertaining other women. Not that I had any claim on him. I had set the 'no complications' guideline originally. But the thought of him with another woman made my throat burn with rage.

I hated that every time we went out, some other woman would make eyes at him. Of course, he never really seemed to notice, most of the time. But I know of a few occasions that women had slipped him their number. That was when I felt violence. The thoughts of ripping throats and banging heads crossed my mind in those situations.

There was no partnership, so to speak of, between us, so I had no right to mark him or treat him as mine. So every time some woman ogled him or blatantly flirted with him in front of me, I pasted on a huge grin and swallowed the burning in my throat like a shot of cheap whiskey. The slow burn down to my stomach reminded me that I was still here, and I wasn't numb.

I really didn't think that Eric was seeing anyone else. Somehow, a part of me found comfort in telling myself that. Plus, I wasn't seeing anyone else. The option was always there for the both of us. But neither he nor I had the time, we were always together. So much so, that my shop was really hurting.

I was in desperate need for a road trip. My exotic species were almost depleted. I was fearful of that conversation. That is the only reason that I had put it off for this long.

Eric didn't seem to have as much of a problem as I did with asserting himself in front of other men. Which, I rightfully argued my point against. Making sure he knew I was not his. He didn't have any claim on me either.

Sure, I had been hit on a few times when we were out. I knew the power I had over the opposite sex. But I never gave them a second glance. As far as I was concerned, Eric was the only other person I would ever give a part of myself to. Even if I ever did have sex with someone else, which I really had no want to. They wouldn't touch me like he had. I didn't see it coming, when I first met him. But things happened along the way, and I couldn't stop it. Really without my consent, I had given him a piece of myself. And it was too late to get it back.

My suppliers had been ringing my phone off the hook the past week or so. They know I never make it more than about two weeks without needing something. Now, it had been a little over a month.

So here I was, trying to figure out the best way to tell Eric I had to go out of town, and soon. Just the thought of the conversation made me anxious.

Eric didn't really have any say in what I did. But honestly, some part of me didn't want to go. The thought of spending even one night away from him made me miss him. The other part of me didn't want to argue about it with him, plain and simple.

Given our original meeting had been on one of my outings, I knew that my leaving was going to bring out his possessive side. And that I definitely wasn't looking forward to.

Eric had not asked me anything about our meeting. Or if it was something I did often. He avoided it, thank god. But my leaving was sure to bring that out in conversation. I hoped not, but I seriously doubted I get that wish.

Admittedly the emotional distance was proving harder to keep, especially considering the fact that I was a big bundle of nerves about the coming conversation. Not to mention the fact that I was going to miss him, something that I should not be feeling.

The jealousy thing, well that was something I took pleasure in. I craved it to some degree. Trying to keep myself numb all the time had its consequences. I needed the constant reminder that I could still feel pain. It worked without flaw. Psychotic as it may sound.

My insecurities about the impending conversation were selfish. I really didn't mind telling him what I had to do. It was my job after all. I just knew he would have some things to say about it. And I really didn't want to know how I would feel about his responses. I guess that was what I was afraid of, feeling.

I was going to have to do it, regardless. I already had a shipment of various seeds and a few plants waiting in Canada. Why in the world they wouldn't just ship them to the shop, I didn't know. I knew they did it for corporate chains all the time. I guess, with me being a private business owner, I had to go pick them up personally, and go through the torturous line at customs to get every package checked. It was shit, if you asked me. But what could I do?

I was just about finished at the shop for the day, when Amelia came in. She is Octavia's niece from New Orleans. She came to stay with Octavia after the hurricane. Amelia helped me at the shop when I had to go out of town. She really had a green thumb and had taken some Botany classes at the community college. She was also real handy on the computer and had set up my website. So she was real good to have around. Amelia and I had our differences, but we got along well enough. I might even consider her a friend.

"Hey, Sook!" She shrieked. "Has it been busy today?"

"Not at all, I have had most of the day to myself." I said solemnly. I was definitely hurting for business the last few weeks. But than again, my shelves were barren, all the more reason why I couldn't put this trip off any longer.

"So, when are you leaving?" Amelia asked as she straightened up my mums in the window.

"Tomorrow, first thing. My flight leaves at 6:35." This meant I had to be at the airport at 5:00, and that was not something I was looking forward to. This also meant I couldn't delay the conversation any longer.

"That should make for a great flight." Amelia said with a snicker. "Is there anything specific that needs to be done while you are gone?"

"No. I should be back in two days anyway. I tried to get a flight back out the same day, but it was impossible. Looks like I'll have to spend one night."

"Anxious to get back to that hot Viking of a man of yours, huh?"

"Amelia, he is not my man. We just… well, spend time together." I said uncomfortably.

"Yeah, ok keep telling yourself that. What you may as well say is 'We just do the hanky-panky'." She retorted.

I just rolled my eyes as I spoke. "If you don't mind finishing up here, I think I'll take off." Even I could hear the bit of anxiety in my voice. So, I was sure she would pick up on it.

"You haven't told him, yet?" She shrieked. "You are going to be in so much trouble."

"It's really not any of his business, he doesn't own me. But I am headed to tell him now. So, if you don't mind." I said as I tossed her the keys.

"Sure thing." She said as I walked out the door. I think I heard her mutter something that sounded like 'good luck' but I can't be sure.

The closer I got to Eric's house, the stronger the urge to turn around and go back, got. But I am no coward, so I kept straight ahead.

I tried to think of all the things that Eric might say to me. So I could be prepared, at least somewhat. I knew his temper and I knew that it would play a big factor in the coming conversation. I just wasn't real sure what else to expect. I was most certainly going to have to keep my emotions in check.

I can be real callous at times and I really didn't want to be that way with Eric. What we had together has been working so well for us, thus far. At least, I thought it was.

The sex was… well, amazing. Never in my life had I ever experienced such pleasure. Nor would I ever from anyone else, I feared. That was not all we had though. It was deeper than that, just how deep I wasn't sure. We talked, but if there was nothing to say, the silence was comfortable. We enjoyed each others company, just being. It was nice. I was content.

I wasn't sure how I would react if I didn't have it anymore. I tried not to dwell on it too much. If Eric wanted to be away from me, I'd like to think that I would just be able to let him go. Not only for the fact that he was not mine to fight for, but for him to be happy too. If anyone deserved happiness, it was Eric.

He was good through and through. Sure he had his moments when he could absolutely drive me insane. But even with that, he was the kind of man that would take care of everything you need and then some. That was one of the things we fought about. Eric always thinking he knows what is best for me.

I think that I made my point known every time he did something, without my permission, because he thought it was necessary. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.

That was sure to be one of his arguments today, him not wanting me to go all by my lonesome. He was just going to have to deal with the fact that I am a grown woman.

Every time I thought about why I even needed to have this conversation, I couldn't seem to get past the reasons why it wasn't necessary.

I liked him and I wanted him to trust me. But then why do I need his trust after all? Why did I want it? I wanted things to stay the same, but some part of me wanted more. I didn't want to think about that.

I arrived at Eric's house just as the sun was setting. I knew I could not stay tonight because I still needed to get my bags from the house. And I had to make it to the airport at a ghastly hour, so I needed to get some sleep.

I walked up to the door and pulled out my key. Eric had given me a key about a week ago so I could come in and wait while he finished working. So I made my way in to sit on the couch.

What Eric did on his time was none of my business. Just like, what I did on time was none of his. Not that I ever did anything other than work, but still. That was one of the many reasons why this conversation was unnecessary. But some part of me hoped that if he was going out of town then he would at least tell me. So that is why I am here. I decided.

I noticed the door to Eric's office was cracked so I pushed my way through to make my presence known.

Sitting in front of me, was the evidence of why I didn't want to know what Eric did when he was not with me, and one of the main reasons why this conversation was not necessary.

Eric was sitting in the chair behind his desk with some brunette bitch straddling his lap. I took note of his hands placed securely on her hips. My vision turned red.

I think I may have made some sort of noise just as Eric's head turned my direction. But I didn't wait to find out.

I bolted, shutting the door behind me.

A/N: This chapter was extremely difficult to write. I hope that I did ok. Sookie is still not sure of her feelings and still fights them with her every thought. I tried to incorporate that in the story. I am not real confident in the outcome, but I think I have got it best as what I could. Please let me know.

Don't worry, it's not over yet. We will have dialogue in the next chapter. I promise.

Thanks for all the reviews and input you guys are wonderful.

FYI: Did you know…? That there are over 37,000 species of spiders in the world. I say this because I think at least half of them reside in the trees surrounding my apartments. *EWWW*