Connee's POV:

Looking in the mirror in the bathroom I looked like hell. No amount of make-up could take away my swollen eyelids and my Rudolph nose. I slept only until the sun had risen—a total of two hours. Only then did I know I was safe from Eric. My thoughts were a jumbled mess all day long. I didn't eat. I didn't do laundry like I needed to. I just lay in bed, petting Heather, my only comfort. That seemed to be the norm for me lately.

I knew that Eric becoming my Master made our relationship change, but did I expect punishment to be first on the list? Hell, no. I had always obeyed Him. And here I was with a sore ass, looking like death, and resenting Him. No. Hating Him.

But I was at my place of employment, and I had a job to do. I wasn't going to have Him break me just because I'd been punished. I took several deep breaths, cocked up my shoulders and went to my office. My shoulders quickly retreated into a slouch when I saw Eric sitting in the chair across from my desk.

"Master," I said coldly, but semi-respectfully as I walked past Him.

It was my least favorite word at the moment. He didn't say anything as I sat down—slowly, trying unsuccessfully to hide my ass throbbing protest on my face—into my soft leather chair and pulled myself close to the desk. I grabbed a few invoices and turned to the computer, accessed a screen and keyed the information for payment. If Eric wanted to watch me work, then that was His choice.

"Connee's office, now," He demanded then clicked His cell phone shut. "You're still wearing the collar, I see." He addressed me.

"Yes, Master," I replied, not looking at Him. Why did He think I wouldn't wear it?

Pam walked in and stood beside Eric. I couldn't tell who was looking at whom. "Did I tell you you could play with my sub?"

"No," she answered curtly, and her voice was different somehow.

"And did you play with her when I ordered you to simply prep her for me?" I could then tell He was looking at me while His words were to Pam.

"Yes," she slurred with her Southern charm.

"May I ask why?" He asked angrily, yet under control.

I was hardly paying attention to what I was typing for listening to them so intently.

"I was testing her, Eric," she huffed.

Testing me? Okay, mark Pam off on the Christmas bonus list beside Chow's name.

"How so?" Eric asked her.

"I wanted to see if she could control herself."

"And did she?"

"Yes," she replied impatiently. "She did not cum."

"Apologize to my sub," He ordered harshly.

"I am truly sorry for putting you in that position." There was not one ounce of remorse in her voice.

"Leave." Pam glided out of my office, her shoes making an ungodly swishing sound. "Connee?" He asked right away.

"Yes, Master?"

"Look at me."

I couldn't. I didn't want Him to see my heart breaking, my soul crying, the misery in my eyes. But an order is an order. I turned my head only to look at Him. His face flickered in shock for a brief second, assumingly from my looks. "I have wronged you." I didn't comment.

"I was unaware of Pam's trickery." He was no longer angry. "I cannot take back what I have done to you."

I still didn't say anything. I only nodded. I couldn't find my voice, but He must have read something in my face. He looked almost ... hurt. He tilted His head and frowned at my reaction. Standing, He locked the office door. He then approached me, stood at me feet, and stretched His arms out towards my shoulders.

"No," I sighed, knowing what He was trying to do, and at the moment I couldn't forgive Him. He reached behind my head, and I had to close my eyes. He smelled so damned good I couldn't breathe. He removed my collar and set it on the desk. My eyes stung with the tears that flooded my eyes. He is releasing me?

"No, no, Ma ..." I whimpered.

"Shh, little one." He hesitated briefly before He went back to the chair and sat down. His persona instantly changed, but it seemed as if it was all in my head. His fangs were then retracted, and He smiled with the tiniest bit of tension. He inhaled deeply.

"Su ... Connee Byers, you've told me once you see me as a man, one that I most certainly am not. I find it peculiar and disturbing that ... when we were alone for the first time, just you and me in your bedroom before our date with Bill and Sookie, you made me feel like a man."

As much as Eric Northman tried to control His voice with every word He spoke, He failed miserably every time. I blinked my eyes several times to hold more tears in, but several streamed down my cheek. I did not wipe them away. I leaned back heavily in the high-back chair and continued to listen.

"What happened this morning," He tilted His head towards the front of the building, meaning outside, "was the result of a man reacting in a jealous rage. I can see that now. And I didn't sleep, either," He added, trying to make me feel better. It did.

He looked away, as if trying to say the right thing. "You know, I have lived over a millennium without feeling any real or normal human emotion." He swallowed hard then looked back at me. I knew it was difficult for Him to make that admission. "And then out of nowhere, you came into my life, and made me ..." He briefly looked away, as if the words He wanted to say weren't possible. "The last thing I would ever want to do is hurt you, or compromise your trust. But I have. And for that, I can never apologize enough."

My body started to shake. I sighed, finally wiped a few tears away and looked at my collar on the desk. There was only one thing I could do: I grabbed the collar, slowly stood to appease my aching ass, went to Him, handed Him the collar and knelt before Him, holding my hands behind me, bowing my head. I did not speak.

Eric cupped my chin with the palm of His hand and tilted my head up. It took me a moment to find the strength to look Him in the eyes. I wished I hadn't. There was so much pain in them that it killed me. But I did not break contact. He kissed my cheek so tenderly that I shivered.

"Make no mistake, you are mine and I will not tolerate anyone touching you without my permission." He pulled back and placed the collar around my neck, causing more tears to fall. I smiled for the first time in what felt like ages when He pulled back. He kissed my other cheek. "That being said, I should never have reprimanded you in such a manner. From now on, we will discuss your punishment, and the events that led up to it."

I nodded. "Oh, yes, Master," I croaked, my chest heaving.

He kissed me softly. "Jag älskar dig."

Swedish is an intricate language, with what sounds like lots of tongue rolling—making for a great kisser for any Scandinavian—and not easy to listen to. But hearing it from Him made it the sexiest language on earth. I chuckled nervously and pulled back. "I have no idea what you said. But I forgive you, Master."

He smiled wider. "Ms. Byers, not only does the man inside me love you, but the vampire loves you as well." There was so much conviction in His voice that I knew it was genuine.

I never thought He'd ... in a way I knew He did, but ... I threw myself at Him and wrapped my arms around His neck, crying and laughing at the same time. He clasped His hands around my waist and pulled me into Him. "I ... I love you, too, Eric."

"Yeah, well, I'm so good looking and charming and ... hmm, you're torturing me," He growled. When our heads had met and I told Him I loved Him, I'd been kissing and nibbling His ear, breathing heavy from joy and excitement. He forcefully took my shoulders and pulled me away from Him. When He knew He had my attention, He extended His fangs. "Just how much do you love me?" He asked wickedly.

I returned Master's wicked smile, rested my elbows on the chair cushion, and keeping eye contact still, unbuckled the pant belt, pulling it free from the hoops. Pushing His tank up, making sure to run my hands over His bare, taut stomach and chest. I was relieved when I finally removed it, and tossed it carelessly to the floor. Running my hands back down His body, I leaned in and rubbed His cheek with mine, my eyes closed, before I pulled back. My fingers found the button of His jeans, and swiftly I pulled down. But He didn't push His hips up to allow me to take them off. I looked at Him curiously and confused.

"I am yours, am I not?" He asked.

"Oh, yes, yes, Master!" I exclaimed.

"Do you want me?"

I nodded emphatically. "You know I do," I said, breathless then.

"Would you take me?"

Total confusion set in. "I'm sorry, I don't understand."

"Until we walk out this door, I am yours."

Was He saying what I thought He was saying? "Master, I am your sub, not your Domme."

He took my hands and placed them on the hard bulge in His crotch. "You may do what you will."

Frowning, I cocked my head and thought about it. There was no way I could ever Domme my Master, but He had given me the opportunity. I would accept it, although I may not like it. I nodded.

After I removed His shoes He smiled, but did not lift His hips. "Lift your hips?" I asked, my voice shaking with nerves.

He didn't move, but said, "Was that an order, Mistress?"

Hearing that title come from Him made me envision my head shaking back and forth to keep out the evil Domme voices that came to me when I scened the woman. It was like in cartoons, and the 'boing' noise rattled inside my skull. He really wanted to do this. "Yes, that was an order," I said, trying to sound authoritative. I didn't feel it.

He finally did, and I slowly pulled the jeans down along with His briefs. His erect penis sprung free, my breath caught in my throat. He never ceased to amaze me with His size. I moved my hands slowly up His calves to His thighs, running them on the inside, gently squeezing. I was oh, so ready to take Him, but He wasn't quite in the right position.

"Lie back," I ordered. It actually sounded natural to me then. He leaned back, closing His eyes. "No, keep your eyes open. I want you to watch what I'm going to do to you." I could see His dick twinge as I stared into His face.

I ran my hands over every bit of Him I could reach purposefully keeping away from where I knew He wanted me to touch Him. I just loved teasing that way. I went back to His dick, slid my thumb over the tip of His penis and felt His wetness. He really was into this. Taking Him into my mouth, His body tensed and He moaned, but we kept eye contact. I growled with pleasure, and His dick pulsed.

Regretfully, I pulled away from Him and took a few steps back. Slowly and as seductively as I could, I pulled the dress up and over my head then placed the dress on my desk so it wouldn't wrinkle. I remembered we still had to go to see Bill and Sookie. I turned around, unclasped the bra then removed my thong. I wiggled my hips to give Him a show. When I turned back around, Eric was sitting up and reaching for me with a look of pure lust in His eyes. I shook my head. "Bad, bad boy. Did I say you could move?"

The expression on His face told me, 'No, but I want you to punish me, Mistress.' He'd probably like it too much, but I could not do it, anyway.

"Sit back." He did, and His ass was on the edge of the chair. That was acceptable. I took a few steps closer, as close to Him as I could. With His height and my shortness, His face was right at my breasts. "Take my nipple into your mouth."

I didn't even take a breath before He attached His lips onto my breast, with a groan. I placed my hands on either side of His head, running my fingers through His too-much gelled hair. I thought I'd have to tell Him to stop using any at all. I had to remind myself not to get too carried away with this. But my attention was drawn back to my breast, where Eric had been nibbling and sucking so hard I threw my head back and closed my eyes. "Hmm, that feels good," I moaned, just to give Him reinforcement.

I felt the slightest nip of His fang into my breast and moaned again. Then I saw a streak of red drip slowly down before He began to take blood. "No," I said, pushing His head back and looking at Him sternly. "Not yet." A look of disappointment crossed His face, but I didn't care. I was gone, then. I moved His head to my other breast to leave His reward for later.

Hungrily gnawing and sucking the new-found nipple, Eric's cool, huge hand ran up my outer thigh and latched onto my ass. "No!" I screamed, hoping I didn't say it too loudly. "Your punishment will be that I will not punish you. Continue to disobey me, and I will leave you as you are now—hard and hurting!" Oh, I was more than gone, considering that would have been His punishment.

"Yes, Mistress."

I couldn't take it anymore. I simply had to have Him. "Lie back," I instructed.

Pulling away, He kept His lips around my nipple, taking it with Him. I moaned loudly, though not from pain. He settled back, His hips just past the edge of the chair. I straddled both legs slowly, keeping my feet flat. I put my hands on His shoulders and pushed Him back further, not that He had any further to go. I tilted my hips back to allow my pussy to brush against His dick, but not enter me.

"Hmm, you're sooo wet," He cooed.

"You will not speak to me!" I thought about that for a moment. "When you speak, you will do so in your native tongue."

"Yes, Mistress."

I began to tease Him further by running my crotch up and down His throbbing penis, getting it wet for me. Leaning forward, I took His hands and placed them over His head. "Grab the chair and keep your hands there." He did so. I then pressed my engorged nipples against His chest, making sure to make contact with only them. Flicking my tongue over His earlobe, I immediately got a response when I took it in my mouth and sucked gently.

"Katten," He moaned.

I continued to kiss His neck, nibbling here and there. He tilted His head toward mine and up a little; I'd never known that was such a sensitive spot on Him. I'd have to remember that. More than ready, I pulled back, placed my hands on the arm rests, and slowly sat down on Him until He was completely in me. We both groaned at the exact same moment. Looking over His face, He closed His eyes and dropped His mouth even further.

"Dig känselförnimmelsegoda."

With much control I started to ride Him, up and down, circling my hips until I was in a rhythm, panting and moaning in ecstasy. Leaning into Him, I ran my tongue under His upper lip to let Him know I was there. "Hmm, Er'c," I moaned, barely able to speak.

"Knull," He yelped into my ear, sending shivers through my entire body.

Placing His hands on my waist without objection from me, He bucked His hips over and over, driving me completely insane. He pressed His thumb hard on my clit and a second later the orgasm shot through me. I screamed, wrapping my arms around His neck and pressing myself into Him. His body tensed, so much so I thought He had died when He suddenly came.

I grinned, completely satisfied and fulfilled, burying my face in His neck. "Oh, Eric," I mumbled, kissing Him softly. My heart pounded against His chest as His body then shook, longer and harder than it ever had before when He came.

We held each other for several minutes before my heart rate slowed, He still inside me. I never wanted Him to leave me. "Oh, Eric," I repeated breathlessly. I was surprised to find tears in my eyes, but they were happy tears.

"Min förälskelse." He pulled me away from Him forcibly with His hands firmly on my shoulders. Brushing my hair away from my face, He kissed me softly. I could have sworn I even felt warmth in His lips. "Du är härlig," He whispered then kissed my nose, both cheeks, and my forehead.

I breathed, "I have no idea what you just said."

He chuckled. "I said you are beautiful."

"You make me feel beautiful," I confessed.

Remembering my promise to Him, I leaned my head to the side. "Drink from me."

He didn't even hesitate. He sunk His fangs into my neck and immediately began to suck my blood. I moaned and groaned, twitched and shook. He growled, which I had grown to love coming from Him. That alone sent another orgasm shooting through me. "Ohhh, shhhh't," I whimpered. "Don't stop." And He didn't. I don't know why it was different this time. He'd drunk from me before, but then it was different. Only when I began to feel a little light-headed and nauseous did I say, "That's. Enough."

Promptly He pulled back and looked over my face, as if trying to read me. He had my blood around His mouth again, but I didn't get the feeling I had just the night before with Eric's dinner. And I did the oddest thing: I licked my blood from the corners of His mouth, His chin, leaving His mouth alone so He could savor some for later.

"What did you feel?" He asked curiously.

"Everything, Master," I said, forgetting I was still His Mistress, but not even caring what He thought.

"No, did you enjoy yourself?" He smirked.

Then I understood and blushed. "Yes, but ... I don't know if ..." I shook my head, my body becoming tense with nerves. "I loved it, having you under my control, but I don't think I want to do it again."

He nodded. "Fine. Now, let's get. We have to meet with Bill and Sookie."

By that time, I'd completely forgotten about them. We dressed—well, I didn't until after I'd watched Eric put His clothes back on, admiring His body. Eric walked me to the door. "Har du en begäran?" He asked.

"Okay, enough with that," I said, smiling. "You may speak English now."

"I asked if you had one final demand from me, Mistress."

I chortled. "Kiss me." And He did, with such feeling and emotion that it took my breath away—like so many times with Him. "Thank you. You have pleased me greatly," I teased.

He opened the door and instantly His face changed into the controlling, domineering, vicious, evil vampire that He was, but underneath I knew was still the man that I'd fallen in love with.