First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for their patience. I've had a lot going on lately, and fall classes have resumed for me. I have been knee deep in getting my books, parking permit for campus, family things, medical appointments, etc. I started to write once or twice, but it wasn't coming. I just really didn't want to write for the sake of writing, you know? So thank you for all your nice emails of concern and flattery of how much you missed my frequent updates! I have really enjoyed writing the story, and have no plans to stop writing, in case you were beginning to wonder. You all are driving force behind my frequent updates, and your reviews and emails make my fingers type faster!!
Chapter Twenty One
The pub was at least half full of people even as late as it was, which was a good sign I would be pretty happy with dinner. Loki was asleep in the back seat with my jacket, and Eric assured me he'd be plenty warm for a good while. It wasn't too chilly out tonight, surprisingly.
As we walked to the front door, Eric's phone started buzzing in his jacket pocket. As I ducked under his arm, which was holding the door open to go inside, he expertly whipped out his phone with his free hand.
"It's Pam." His brow furrowed into a cluster between his eyebrows, and his lips were pursed together in annoyance. "Perhaps Tara needs something" he wondered aloud as he walked behind me as I chose a table. I slid into a chair at an old round wooden table that looked like it could tell some stories.
Eric sat down in the chair next to me and answered the call. While he was occupied, I looked around, seeing a karaoke station set up next to the bar. Two girls were giggling and looking through a huge binder full of what I assumed to be the selections to choose from. In the other dark corner of the pub there was a couple sitting very close to one another, practically getting busy unnoticed. Before I could get any ideas from the two of them, my wandering thoughts were corralled by Eric's voice.
"We've just arrived. Let me talk it over with my future wife, and I'll call you back in a moment." He pressed the end button, effectively having the last word, as usual. I was the only person he didn't hang up on, I mused.
"Your future wife, huh? I thought I already was your wife in your world?" I pushed a strand of blond hair out of his eye and laid my hand on top of his on the table top. He let his phone fall out of his other hand, and laid it on top of mine.
"You are to me, but I recognize the significance of the ceremony to you. In your world, we are not married yet. I'm humoring you" he joked.
"Oh, well, thank you for humoring me" I teased, pulling a hand out from under his to poke him in the ribs.
He leaned back in his chair and put his arm around my back, pulling my chair closer to his. He gave me a very sexy stare, his eyes wandering over my body and back to my eyes. He leaned in very close and put his cool hand on my thigh, just above my knee.
"Pam wanted to know if we wanted company. Apparently the gang's all at Viktoria's wanting to raise some slight hell, and their favorite American isn't around. They want to join us." He was inches from my neck now, his lips ghosting my skin as he breathed cool air over my warm skin. Suddenly I was having a great deal of trouble thinking straight.
"What about Tara and James?" My voice sounded rough, not as put together as I'd like. It was futile to try to act cool when he affected me this way. He could smell me, hear my heartbeat, feel me through our bond....pointless.
"James is staying at the estate with Tara. She's out cold, pardon the expression" his eyes shimmered with excitement. He was aroused, and I had a big giant bulls-eye on me. His hand was not where I last remembered. It somehow had crept up to my upper thigh, his fingers resting inside my legs near where my warmth was growing.
"I'd love to see everyone, tell them to come." My voice wasn't cooperating at all now. I sounded hoarse, like my voice was nearly gone. Were we even going to be able to sit here and act like we weren't wanting to eat each other? Apparently not.
"Mmm, I'll tell them to join us, but you're the only one I want to cum" he leered into my ear, sucking my earlobe. God. I was thisclose to finding a dark hallway for him to make good on that threat. He laughed as he dialed Pam, probably feeling my lust for him loud and clear. I'm sure it had nothing to do with my partly open lips and hooded eyes.
"Pam, tell them to get their candy asses over here, the blood's getting cold." He hung up and tossed his phone on the table, chuckling again. He was in a good mood. Yep, he was up to no good. I wasn't the only one seriously wondering if we were going to make it out of here without some serious macking going on. And there were no tablecloths on these old wooden high top tables. We would have to get a little bit more creative.
One minute I was thinking along those lines, and the next thing I knew I was feeling pretty damn bold. He was just staring at me like he was contemplating the same thing I was. Neither of us said anything for a moment, sizing each other up. His beautiful lips slowly curled into a smile.
Not even the girls' poor attempt at Usher's "Love In This Club" was putting any kind of kabosh on the lust we were zinging back and forth at each other.
"You're pretty damn irresistible, you know that?" I put my hand on his thigh, and leaned closer to him. His eyes sharpened and his smile faded slightly into a more concentrated expression. I definitely had his attention.
"What would you like to do about that?" he asked, his eyes darkened. The look he was giving would make panties drop in a room full of nuns.
It used to be a dangerous game to play with Eric, when I took initiative like this. But I was confident in myself now, and unashamed of our relationship. I could finish what I started now.
I slid out of my chair and straddled him in his chair. His pupils dilated and his fangs descended approvingly. I wrapped my arms around his neck and whispered in his ear exactly what I wanted to do about that. His hands squeezed my hips and ground me into his lap, cranking the flame up from medium flame to high instantaneously.
I lifted myself off of his lap and he quickly stood as well, taking my hand and pulling me off in the direction of the back of the pub. Walking down the hall, there were only two bathroom doors, and another door. He opened the door and flipped on the light, and looked around the door at me with a smirk on his face.
He pulled me into the room and shut the door behind us, throwing me up against the door. My back was pressed hard against the door, and his body was pressed against mine. He turned the lock on the door so we'd have some notice before we were discovered. He flipped the switch off to the room and we were in total darkness.
"Eric?" I was surprised, as he usually wanted to see me, to look at me.
"Shhh...I want to feel you this time. I want you to feel me. Just close your eyes and use your senses, lover." Well, he didn't have to ask me twice.
I closed my eyes and concentrated on the sensations of his cool hands lifting my sweater to cup my breasts through my lace bra. I felt his hands pin mine above my head to the door, exciting me further. The ache between my legs was starting to pulse, my wetness spreading.
I cried out in surprise when he bit my nipple, just hard enough to make my body threaten mutiny if he teased me too long. Holding my hands with one hand, his other unbuttoned my jeans and pulled them down to my knees. I lifted my knee up for him to pull off my shoe and a leg of my jeans. With one leg in my jeans and one leg out, I was flexible now.
His cool hand slid up the inside of my thighs, and slipped into my warmth with no hesitation. I moaned out loud in sheer release, the intense aching inside me somewhat pacified for the moment at some attention.
He pulled his fingers from my warmth at my protest.
"Patience, lover" he purred into my lips as he tasted me.
"Eric, please" I complained, even though I could hear the reason for his fingers' absence. I could hear the metal zipper sliding down forcefully on its track, and I could feel his arm muscles tense as he enabled himself to give me what I so badly wanted.
Once he freed himself his hand was back, plunging inside me to satisfy my needs. I pushed my hips forward, murmuring my thanks. His soft laugh as he nipped my neck made my lust double. He was mine. All mine.
"I want you to" I breathed into his cheek, turning my neck to him. He understood, and kissed my neck before sliding his fangs into my taut skin. The momentary sting gave way as usual to intense pleasure, multiplying what his fingers were already doing to me.
I groaned in satisfaction and threw my leg around his waist. He released my neck and trailed rough kisses down to my breasts. He bit around my nipple and drew only momentarily, sampling the wine.
"Fuck" he growled into my chest, burying his face between my lace covered breasts.
I felt his hand between us, and then he filled me. Hard. Before I could cry out, his hand covered my mouth gently. He wasted no time, thrusting forcefully and rhythmically inside me with authority.
His hand dropped from my mouth when I had control of myself, and his other hand released mine from above my head. I felt his arms beside my head as he leaned into the door for leverage. I dug my nails into his arms, willing him to be rough.
"Harder" I breathed forcefully, letting him know exactly how I wanted it.
"Fuck" he spat, and he complied. I was going to pay, but I didn't care. Over and over he slammed himself into me, treating me to a thorough fucking, Eric style. It didn't take long to get me where I needed to be.
"I'm close" I breathed into the dark where I knew his face was, inches from mine. "Kiss me" I demanded, wanting to bite his lips and taste him as I came.
I felt his lips crash into mine wildly, and knew he was close too. He was always the roughest before he exploded into me. I bit down hard on his bottom lip, causing him to moan into my mouth in ecstasy. I licked the cool sweet blood from his mouth, and snaked my hands through his hair, pulling him as close to me as I could get him.
"Cum with me" he growled into my mouth as his thrusts grew more intense, quicker. His hand slipped between us, and I lost it.
The pleasure started building quickly, making my legs shake as the waves rocked me hard, one after another. I felt almost lost in the dark without seeing his eyes. I could feel him empty inside me, his whole body tense and powerful against me.
"I can't see you" I whispered, suddenly feeling the powerful loss of our most intimate exchange. I could feel tears welling in my eyes, and I couldn't understand why I was suddenly upset about this.
He flipped the light on and ran his hands over my cheek, soothing me. "I'm right here, lover. See?" He brought his nose to mine, resting his forehead down on mine. I couldn't stop staring at him. I wanted to see him, I needed to. God, when did this happen?
"I don't understand what just happened, I'm sorry" I choked out, as the tears fell anyways. I'd tried hard to calm myself, knowing it was ridiculous to feel this way, but not being able to deny the loss of his gaze.
"You always look into my eyes-why are you apologizing? It's me who's sorry for not knowing how much you'd miss looking into my eyes as I pleasured you, love." He smoothed my hair and swiped my tears away from my cheek, licking the salty stupid tears from his fingers.
"I feel things so strongly with you – it's never halfway. This bond is pretty damn strong, isn't it?" I already knew the answer to the question. It was more of a realization.
"Yes, very. That's why I don't like you being upset about how strongly you needed me in that way. The urges are deep inside you now. Don't fight them or fear them. You've amazed me at how boldly you've embraced your feelings the past few weeks. You've done so well. It pleases me that you crave looking into my eyes as much as I do." He smiled at me, and I felt comfort coming from him. I welcomed it, and let it wash over me, calming me in warmth and peacefulness.
"Better?" he kissed my lips and looked at me with a reassuring smile.
"Much" I sighed in relief.
"Excellent. That was fucking tasty, by the way. I love that you asked for me, lover." He smirked at me, effectively reinstating the playful feel again between us. He slowly slid from me and lowered my leg to the floor. He zipped himself up and helped me slid my jeans and panties back on my left leg.
After smoothing my sweater down and giving each other a quick check, he unlocked the door and opened it, guiding me down the hall and back to our table. His jacket was still draped over the back of his chair, but there were seven chairs full of people now decorating our table.
I felt his hand press reassuringly into my back as we walked over to our table to join everyone. How long had we been in there? I'd thought surely we'd have beaten them to our table. He pulled out my chair and I sat, letting out a big contented sigh in spite of myself. I was also grinning in a "I've just been freshly fucked" way. Eric slid into his chair and scooted next to me, also sporting a smug look that resembled mine.
I looked across the table at everyone, recognizing the faces with ease. Pam looked at Viktoria, Yrjan looked at Peter, and then familiar dark haired vamp whose name I would have to ask for again looked at the other two women. Eric laughed out loud and blatantly non-apologized.
"We were a little busy, anyone get any menus yet?" Pam opened her mouth to say something, but decided against it and instead stood up and walked away, mumbling something. Eric chuckled, hearing whatever she said.
"Hello again, Sookie. I hear your friend Tara and her mate James have arrived. Will we get to meet them before the wedding?" Yrjan asked, smiling a knowing smile my way.
"Yes, please. I'm sure they'd love to meet you all. Maybe we could all have dinner tomorrow night?" I looked at Eric, and he nodded.
"Of course, please." He threw his arm around my chair and winked at me. I must have melted right there in my freaking chair. I wanted nothing more than to crawl up in his lap and snuggle into his cold hard chest right then and there. But, we had guests, so I had to remember to socialize outside mine and Eric's bond.
"So, Sookie, I hear your dress is lovely" the dark haired woman purred at me in a friendly way.
"I loved it the minute I saw it. Eric bought it as a surprise, and for once I didn't get mad at him. It was a very thoughtful gesture." He looked pleasantly touched at my words, and I decided to go a step further to brag on him.
"He also found out through Pam what ring I had envisioned, and he had it made for me." I held out my hand over the table, and everyone leaned in close to get a good look at it. Yrjan took my hand and tilted it from side to side, causing the pretty yellow diamond to sparkle under the pub's lights.
"Exquisite, my dear. Very fitting of you. You are like a breath of sunshine. It is perfect for you" Peter smiled. "Well done, Eric old boy. Well done." I almost wondered if he was talking about the ring or me, and felt my cheeks burning with a bit of embarrassment.
I felt Eric lean in to my side, and his hand on my ribs pulled me in to him. He sat very close to me now, and I leaned into him.
"The vamp with the dark hair, and the other two...names?" I inquired quietly.
"Anna, Alrik, and Sven are to the right of Viktoria, and Yrjan and Peter are to her left."
"Thanks" I whispered back at him, grateful for the help.
Pam arrived back at the table with a pile of menus and dumped them unceremoniously on the table.
"They're a bit short-handed, but he's sending someone over. Apparently he didn't know before we got here that anyone was even at this table." She raised her eyebrows at the two of us, smirking at us evilly.
"Oooh, green's not your best color, girlfriend" Sven teased. I liked him already.
"Fuck off, girlfriend" Pam spat back, but with a smile. They're all just as crazy as Pam and Eric can be.
"Thanks, but you're not my type" Sven waved her off with a fling of his wrist. He looked away like he was suddenly bored.
"And you are definitely not mine either" she declared, eyeballing the young waitress hustling over to our table. "Now this delicious morsel, however..." she trailed off, as a hint of fang peeked out from under her red lips.
"Hi everyone, I apologize for the long wait. It was completely dead in here a few minutes ago, but now it's like..." she stopped in her tracks when she took everybody in. "....well, I guess it's still dead in here" she joked, noticing her table was technically dead as well, except for me. "Is anyone ready to order or should I give you all a few more minutes?"
None of us had opened our menus, but we all flipped them open and hungrily scanned them quickly, lest she disappear again. We were all starving, it seemed.
"Well, I'll take O positive" Eric winked at me, giving me a virtual ass slap. He always ordered my blood type.
"Me too" Viktoria shut her menu.
I was looking at the selection of bloods right under the beers and wines. Amazing. You never saw that back home. They had separate menus for the vamps, as a way of making sure the vamps knew humans were in charge. Whatever.
Everyone must have ordered, as Eric was asking me what I wanted.
"I'll take the Korv Stroganoff, please, and a shot of your best whiskey." We gathered our menus and handed them to the curvaceous waitress. She scurried off, and Pam enjoyed watching her ass the whole way back to the kitchen.
"I swear if you don't give that juicy little girl your phone number, Pam, I will." Alrik was just as fixated on the girl as Pam was.
"You horny bastard, you know she's not your type" Sven teased, throwing a napkin at Alrik. Eric laughed and rubbed my shoulder. It was so easy with them. They had known each other off and on for centuries, and yet I felt like I'd been right along with them. I was sure Tara and James would enjoy meeting everyone.
"Fuck you" I heard Viktoria snark, and looked up to see her smack Peter on the back of the head. I must have missed something.
Yrjan said started to tease Pam about the waitress, but broke off mid-sentence as she came towards our table with our drinks. Alrik jumped and cursed under his breath, rubbing his leg under the table. Pam was looking at him with a smirk on her face. Damn, I'd have to stop spacing out to keep up with them. I must have missed the good stuff.
As the waitress passed out their bloods and my shot of whiskey, her gaze lingered on Pam for a noticeable pause, before she blushed and skittered off.
My mouth fell open, and I was suddenly very excited for Pam. She needed to get laid, and this girl was interested.
"Did you see the way she looked at you?" I asked Pam, giddy as hell. "So are you going to ask her for her number or is Alrik going to beat you to it?" I goaded her. Her eyes narrowed, and she stood up.
"I'll be right back. Don't touch my blood, fuckers." She headed towards the bar, and everybody simultaneously burst out laughing. A couple of minutes later, Pam was back. She was smiling, and looking very fearsome. Her eyes were dark and her lips were a bit messed up. She sat down, and everyone looked at her expectantly. She closed her eyes, and looked as if she were straining a bit for words.
Just when we all were about to shout at her all at once to spill, she leaned forward and put her hands on the table. We all leaned forward as well, the drama ratcheting up a few notches.
"She has.....a tongue ring.....and that's not all." She took a deep breath and let it out, looking up at us with this look. She was obviously pretty damn turned on. I'd never seen her this way.
"Well, kitten, did you give her your number?" Yrjan asked, while the rest of us waited to hear the juicy details.
"I most certainly did not....she gave me hers." We all squeed like a bunch of school girls. It was quite hilarious. Well, Eric didn't squee. But he did raise his glass for a toast, so that's close.
"To Pam's vagina, may it be rocked with multiple orgasms" he smirked at her across the table. Everyone's glasses clinked, and I threw my shot back as they drank.
After I finished my meal sometime later, we all agreed it was time to head back to the ranch, so to speak. Viktoria whispered something in Pam's ear, and she nodded back. Everyone said their good nights and slowly started filing out. Yrjan had settled our tab earlier, so we were free to go.
"Thank you for joining us and for dinner" I smiled at Yrjan pleasantly.
"My pleasure, thank you for including us in your private dinner. I hope we don't become too big of a pain in your ass. Just tell us to go to hell if you ever want to monopolize the Viking. We'll understand."
I laughed at that, thinking about how I'd never have company if I took his suggestion. But it was nice to know I could say no to a dinner party and not hurt anyone's feelings.
Eric slipped his jacket on me and pulled me to him as the others filed out. "Ready to go home, lover? I'd like to have some more of you before dawn." My insides sat up and took notice, and the comfortable burn I'd been feeling since I leaned into him at the table all night just went to a medium flame.
"Absolutely" I smiled, giving him a promising kiss. He opened my door and I climbed in. I looked over my shoulder into the backseat, and there was Loki, sound asleep. He was quietly snoring. What a watch dog. Eric got in and started the car, before noticing me looking over my shoulder. He turned, and saw what I was looking at. He grinned, and turned back to start the drive home. I buckled myself in and laid my hand on his thigh. He looked over at me, arching his eyebrows.
"Are we going to make it home or are you going to be good? Because I'll tell you now, I won't hesitate to pull over." He looked at me with a hint of seriousness, and a lot of desire.
"I'll be good....until we get home."
"Deal." The speedometer crept up slightly, I noticed. The last thing I remember was watching that little needle moving slightly over to the right. After that....nothing except the sound of metal colliding. I didn't feel a thing.