Chapter 25

I Hope That Wasn't An Antique!

It was a real shame about that desk. It looked sturdy enough but it just couldn't hold up under the enthusiastic how-do-you-do that Eric and I were giving each other. I never knew that I could be so bendy, and I also never knew that I could get off just from seeing the look on my lovers face. But I surely did just that, in addition to getting off multiple times from the rubbing, nibbling, biting, fingering and pounding. A little less than midway through the festivities, that poor desk just gave out and collapsed. I was too far gone to care and Eric didn't seem to notice at all. By the time we were exhausted, we had pretty damn near left no area unchristened. I was a little flustered that Chow had walked in on us at one point, he seemed to think he might stay to watch the show. Eric directed a fierce growl at him to convince him it wasn't happening. Yeah, we broke the desk and a few other pieces of office furniture and put some dents in the drywall. Time flew and before I knew it I was on back and Eric above me, having just brought me to my fifth orgasm of the night. I felt dazed and a little sad when he slowly pulled himself out of me. It was like losing a part of myself. Unless he was snug between my legs, he was too far away for my liking.

I sat up and was trying to piece the shreds of my dress into something decent enough to get me back to Eric's house when I remembered the painting of myself that I had found. Curiosity was killing me! Part of me wanted to know all about it and part of me didn't want to risk upsetting Eric. He might not like knowing that I had taken certain liberties to explore while he was dead to the world. I decided not to ask about it, maybe he would tell me one day on his own.

"Alskarinna, (lover) why do you shield your thoughts from me? What could be so wrong that you cannot share it with the one who loves you?"

I was shielding my thoughts from him? If I was, it was without realizing it, completely unintentional. I didn't even know I could, having never needed to before a day ago.

I felt bad about the hurt sound in his voice. Hearing that was worse than the possibility of angering him so I took a deep breath and admitted, basically, that I was a nosy bitch.

"I found the painting, of me, the one you tried to hide." My words came out in a rush. " I'm sorry that I snooped but I was just so curious about you and I found it and now I can't help but want to know all about it. Please don't be too angry with me."

There was a lot of things I was prepared for after my confession, but hearing him laugh was not among them. Vampires were so complicated and confusing.

"Sookie, whatever would I have been angry for? My home is now your home, my possessions are yours as well. I have no secrets to hide anymore. I promised you my love and loyalty and I take those pledges seriously. Even if it may not be what I feel is best for you, I cannot keep things from you anymore. It is a most solemn oath for me. I hope you can appreciate what I have risked to make such promises to you."

"I have an inkling." I nearly whispered. He had such a way with words, he was childlike in his direct honesty but with the seriousness of a wise man as well. Every time I believed that I couldn't possibly love him more, I was proven wrong. How much love can a human heart contain before it explodes? If anyone was destined to find out for sure, I know it had to be me.

"Come. Sit with me, alskarinna." He patted his leg, his naked leg that was attached to his naked lap and ass which sat in the now crooked chair that we had mangled during a round of bumpin' uglies.

I approached him slowly, half of me worried that this was a trick and he might bend me over his knee and spank my ass. Why was that thought giving me the warm and fuzzies? When I finally decided that he really was just offering a seat, I crawled onto him and wove my arms around his neck. He felt so good to me, like my body was made to entwine with his. I leaned my face into his chest and sighed deeply. Home.

"I am sure that you figured on your own that the vampire artist, Julia Via painted that portrait and that it was from a memory of mine." I nodded in agreement. "I am also sure that you put together that I have not visited you at your workplace, not that you were aware of anyway. Correct?" Another nod.

"The reason I took the painting down and obscured it was because I know how precocious you are and that it wouldn't take long for you to realize that I must have been spying on you. I was unsure how you might take that, afraid that it might send you running and screaming."

"So, you think that even though I can handle being in love with a vampire, live everyday with hearing people's thoughts, and worst of all, just recently saw the genitals of people I have known for years at some ugly orgy, you didn't think I could handle seeing that memory of yours put onto canvas? And here I was worrying that I was the dumb one." My words were teasing and he took them how I had meant them.

"You amaze me, lover." He closed his eyes and leaned into me. "I could never tire of looking at your face and seeing my destiny in the depth of your eyes, my dreams in the warmth of your smile."

I was pretty damn sure at that point that Mr. Northman had missed his true calling as a poet or someone who writes for Hallmark.

"Another question, if you don't mind." This was the one that I was dying to know the answer to.

"Anything for the woman who reduces office furniture to kindling." Touche', Eric! Diffuse the situation with some humor.

"Why that memory? That moment? The look I have on my face is the one that I get when I'm overwhelmed from hearing other people's thoughts and almost to the point of screaming."

He looked down at my hand entwined with his, his expression apprehensive and maybe a bit scared.

"No more secrets, right? Loyalty and oaths and all that?" I had to know but I didn't want to push too hard.

"It was, quite simply, because of that look. As I saw the worry and sadness on your face, I came to realize that I would do anything to make sure you never wore that expression again. It was at that moment, I knew that my world meant nothing without you in it. I felt love that I would die a thousand final deaths for. I commissioned that painting because every time I gaze at it, I fall in love all over again. That portrait kept me sane until I was able to bring you home once and for all."

I knew it was hard for him to openly express feelings of that magnitude, the effort made him even more pale than normal. I couldn't think of a single thing to say to him. So I leaned my face to his and gave him tiny kiss after kiss until I had covered his entire face at least twice.

Pam had told me that there was one thing that was certainly a way to keep Eric from going to trial, a sure fire plan to break Bill's claim on me forever. If Eric were to make me a vampire, we would be free and clear of Bill Compton and his claims to me.

Was I willing to give up my human life to save Eric's undead existence? That idea, not too long ago, seemed like a total impossibility but now looked more and more plausible. I had much to think about, I wouldn't rush into this decision lightly. I had to be sure that when Eric said forever, he meant it. I also knew that Vampires could be easily distracted and quickly grew bored.

Yes, I had much to think about but I wasn't going to get a whole lot of pondering done with Eric's fingers moving my legs apart to gain access to my lady business.

"How can you possibly be ready to go again so soon?" I half said, half moaned. "Not that I'm complaining, mind you."

"Did I not tell you that vampires become more and more insatiable the older that they get?"

I couldn't form a coherent thought right then as his tongue was tracing a path down my neck towards my breasts. My nipples could have cut glass, they were so hard from the promise of his tongue finding them.

He stopped his movements and I all but screamed in frustration. I heard him call for Pam, mentally and she appeared instantly.

"Sookie and I will be leaving. Could you start the process of finding me a new, sturdier desk and chair? These did not stand up very well to the durability tests we performed on them tonight."

"Of course, Master." Her smile was sly and knowing and she wasn't even trying to hide her fangs. "You might want to put on some pants at least, if you plan on driving my Mercedes."

"Why Pam, surely you don't believe that I've never gone, what was the term Sookie?, commando while driving your car before!" Her face revealed that the thought not only had never crossed her mind but she was rather repulsed by the thought.

"Pants, Northman! Or call a cab!" She turned to where I was now standing and gave me a sexy little smirk as she ran her tongue suggestively over one of her glistening fangs. That saucy wench!

"Sookie, don't hesitate to call me should you two need a helping hand."

I couldn't help but think that before all was said and done, I would know a lot more about Pam in a very delicious way.

**** Hi ya'll! Just a quick note to apologize for only one chapter tonight. I have my inlaws in and we have been sightseeing and due to family obligations, I only got one chapter written. I have a huge job interview in the a.m. So please send me lots of good luck thoughts! Some of you have pm'd me and asked how I manage to write so much while taking care of three kids, The answer is simple, I really don't sleep. I am one of those weird people who thrive on 3 hours or less a night. I sometimes go for the days without sleeping at all and I function just fine! So, I hope to write much more tomorrow so look for the updates! I LOVE MY READERS!!!!****