**A/N: To answer a question from one reviewer to yesterday's chapter. I considered inviting Pam to the cookout. But she would have been a single person among the couples that are Sookie's friends and family. Also, she's already stated that she doesn't much like kids, so she would have been irritated with all the children running around. It was more friendly to leave her to her own devices. That said, there is some gourmet lemons. Hope you enjoy. Sookie's birthday rocks. Charlaine Harris owns them, but I'm letting them play in my world for awhile.

Chapter 21

Sookie dropped Alana off with Amelia and sat to chat for a few moments. The kids ran off to play in the loft that served as their playroom. Amelia had rigged the room with cameras and had a little monitor that clipped to her belt.

"Mia, is it silly that I'm worried about tonight? It is, isn't it? All I've been told is to dress up. He won't tell me what we're doing or where we're going. I know what I want to happen tonight, but I'm following his lead here." Her cheeks were flushed and her mind racing.

Amelia laughed. "Honey, you're not exactly a blushing virgin. Hell, it's not even your first time with him! What the hell do you have to be worried about?"

"Nothing is the same! He was my best friend for years and yes, it was a friendship with benefits, For me, it was just sex. Spectacular sex, but just sex. For years! This is something completely different. And I don't know that he's planning for tonight to be the night. I just don't know how to get into the right state of mind since he won't tell me what we're doing." Sookie felt like she was on the verge of a babbling jag.

Amelia leaned back. "Have you ever heard of going with the flow?" She lightly shook Sookie's shoulders. "What happened to my carefree friend? You need to chill out and let what will be, be."

"I know, I know. Hey, thanks for keeping Alana this weekend. I have to go get ready," Sookie said, standing. Amelia kissed her cheek, wished her a happy birthday, and wished her good luck.

When Sookie got home, she stared at her closet contents, trying to decide what to wear. "Dress up" had different levels of formality to everyone, but she had a clue of what she was looking for. A glitter of light drew her to it.

She found the dress she had bought on impulse a few years ago, but had never worn. It was a simple satin slip dress in pale shell pink with random shimmery gold threads woven in. The pale color highlighted her summer tan and it came to right above her knee. She showered and shaved carefully, as her hands were shaking slightly. She smoothed herself all over with cherry blossom lotion. She let her hair dry in waves and decided to leave it down. Her makeup was minimal, just enough to play up her eyes. She found the right lingerie so lines wouldn't show through the filmy material of the dress. She checked the clock. She had 15 minutes to force herself to chill out before Eric would pick her up. At ten of seven, her doorbell rang. She smiled and answered the door. Eric and his need to be early.

She opened the door and was speechless for a few moments. His tall frame was clad in a charcoal gray summer-weight suit and a royal blue shirt, tie-less, and unbuttoned at the collar. His eyes stood out like blue flames. And, currently, his jaw was on her porch.

"Hi, Eric," she said, smiling widely. "You look fantastic. I just have to grab my purse and we can go." She turned to get it from the kitchen, but stopped when she felt his hand on her arm.

"Not yet," he said huskily, and pulled her against him for a short, but searing kiss. Releasing her, he said, "Okay, now you can get it."

She quickly grabbed the little beaded bag from the counter and came back. "What was that for?" she asked.

"Your birthday kiss," he said, as though she should have known

He opened the door for her to get in the car. When he got in, she asked, "So, where are we going?"

"Sorry, it's a surprise until we get there," he said and laughed at the frustration on her face.

After a little while, he pulled into Ralph and Kacoos, one of Sookie's favorite restaurants. She clapped her hands happily, like a little girl, when she saw the sign. "Oh, I haven't been here in years! You remembered!"

He opened the door for her and held her had as they went in. She loved seafood, but it was beyond her skill in the kitchen. They took their seats and ordered drinks. He ordered a sirloin and she ordered the avocado and crab salad. They talked about their week. He told her some funny stories about Pam and she told him about Alana and Amelia. Before they knew it, the meal was done. Eric paid the check and led her back out to the car.

He drove a few miles to a park where a band was playing in a gazebo. He walked her to an empty patch of grass and asked her to dance. She giggled like a teenager, but took his offered hand. They danced under the moon to the Sixties beach music. When the band ended and the park started to clear, he said, "We have one more stop to make."

He drove her to the Remington Suites and headed for one of the luxury suites. "I got the key this afternoon. Tell me now if you aren't ready for this."

She just smiled and breathlessly whispered, "Thank you, God!" and kissed him.

He swiped his key card and opened the door. An enormous room spread before her. She wandered in and looked around. "Eric, you shouldn't have done this. It's so much, and most of this room is going to go to waste."

Her pulled her to him. "Not if I have my way. Amelia has Alana until Sunday. It's Friday night. We have a lot of time to spend in here." He gave her her favorite mischievous smile, then kissed her quickly. He led her down the small hallway to the bedroom.

She could feel the heat rising in her face and nerves tighten her stomach when she looked at the king bed. She looked at Eric and couldn't look away. He had hung his suit jack on a hanger and turned around to face her. "What's wrong?" he asked, instantly worried.

"I don't know how to say it. I want this. I want you. I haven't wanted anything like this in so long. I just don't want to disappoint you," she whispered. Her old insecurities had returned. He knew she needed reassurance.

"Sweetheart, you won't. I want this too. A lot," he emphasized, drawing from her a small, anxious smile. "If I didn't think we were ready for this, I'd take you straight home. But we are. I know we are." He leaned forward and gave her one of his feathery kisses, just brushing his lips lightly over hers. He drew back to look at her again. Her eyes were still closed, her lips slightly pursed from the brief meeting with his. He leaned in again and kissed her harder. Her arms went around his neck to keep him from moving away again. She opened her mouth to allow his tongue to explore her's while she lightly ran her nails up and down over the back of his neck, giving him little shivers.

She stepped back from him and started unbuttoning his shirt. Her fingers were shaking. He placed his hands over hers to calm her. His shirt finally undone, Sookie took another step back. The slid the slippery straps of her dress down her arms and it slid to the floor where it lay like a shimmery puddle. Eric growled, seeing her in a pale pink strapless bar and matching thong. It was a fantasy come to life. He pulled her back to him and his mouth went to her neck, that special sensitive spot at her collarbone and right below her ear. She tilted her head to the side to allow him easier access and sighed.

She nestled one hand in his thick blond hair and ran the fingertips of the other hand over his bare chest, brushing teasingly over his nipples and tracing the planes of his abs, smiles as the muscles flexed in response to her touch.

He reached behind her and unclasped her bra, letting it fall to the floor with the dress. He had missed her breasts. He cupped them and heard Sookie purr. His fingers teased her nipples as she had done his, enjoying the way they hardened under his hands. He kissed and licked each one, loving the taste of her skin.

She worked on getting his belt unfastened. Her hands were no longer shaking, but determined. She finally got the damn thing unbuckled and was delighted to see he had gone commando. She stroked him and was rewarded with another deep growl. She pulled his head from her breasts to her mouth, kissing him deeply before sinking to her knees. She took him in her mouth and used her lips and tongue in ways he had never known she could. His hands tightened in her hair as he gasped and surprised her and himself by coming hard without warning. She swallowed everything and wiped her mouth. Her brought her a cup of water and waited until she had finished. "Now it's your turn," he said breathlessly and picked her up and laid her on the bed.

He began lightly running his fingertips over her nearly nude body. There was something delightfully decadent about that tiny swatch of fabric. He leaned over her and kissed her softly again. He proceeded to brush his lips softly over the usually neglected parts of the body: the inside of her arm, her sides, the backs of her knees, getting repaid with goosebumps from contact with those sensitive areas. She squirmed from lack of contact where she wanted it most. He smiled at her frustration and lack of patience. He loved the buildup of foreplay and made the most of it.

He began kissing her along the edges of her thong, but didn't remove it, not yet. His breath was hot on her stomach and her thighs. She whimpered, wanting more contact. She had never know Eric to tease so much and it was building up a tension in her like she had never known.

He slowly, too slowing began to edge the thong down her legs, kissing down her legs behind it. When it was off, he tossed it in the general direction of her dress, not really caring where it landed. He returned to kiss her deeply again. One hand ran down her body and one long finger slid into her gently. Her back arched and she moaned in his mouth. His talented fingers played with her intimately, rewarding him with little cries of pleasure.

He kissed his way back down her body again and sucked and lightly grazed her nipples with his teeth. He dallied there for a bit on the way to his destination. He mouth finally joined his hand and when his tongue ran over her, she cried out loud. He felt her walls clinch down on his fingers in spasms, her cries in little gasps.

He hovered over her, hard again. "Tell me," he said gruffly.

"Please, Eric. I want you. Please. I want you inside me," she moaned, trying to pull him closer.

He pushed into her slowly, relishing her response as her hips raised to meet his. He paced his thrusts, enjoying the feel of her body moving with his. Her breath started coming in gasps as she got closer to her release. She wrapped her legs around his waist and bucked her hips, trying to get him to pick up the pace and give her the relief she craved. Feeling his own moment close, he pushed deeply into her and felt her shudder and heard her cry out as she came again. He shouted with his own release and collapsed next to her. She was still shaking and he wrapped his arms around her. She snuggled closer to him and rubbed her cheek against his bare chest. He pulled the blankets over them and spooned against Sookie's back, her hair silky under his chin. She pulled away and turned over to face him.

She placed a hand on his cheek and looked into his eyes. "I love you, Eric," she whispered.

**A/N: Everyone together: Awwww! She finally admits it! So, does Eric feel it there yet? Does he say it back? Another personal note. I know I have been updating almost daily. Unfortunately, the flare ups are getting worse and updates may be coming slower until my meds get everything regulated. Please be patient with me and know I haven't abandoned you or Sookie and Eric. Just have to get everything regulated before I can get back on schedule. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review!