A/N: Still can't respond to reviews for some reason, so another blanket and enthusiastic 'Thank You' to all reading, reviewing, alerting, favoriting etc.

Eric didn't know how long he just held Sookie in his arms. Being this close to someone without actually being intimate was not a common occurrence in his long life. Allowing a human this close to him, since his turning, was an even rarer event, even though he'd always enjoyed a good snuggle. After he had created his child Pam, there had been moments like this with her, but as with any child/maker bond, they quickly sought out others for that specific need.

The conflict over his feelings regarding Sookie weighed heavily on him, especially now that they were more permanently tied together. He was intrigued by her telepathy and surprising familial makeup; compelled by her scent and the taste of her blood. But moreover, it was his feelings for her – the feeling of camaraderie, them against the world – and her willingness to fight and live against all odds, just like him, that had him not wanting to let her go. She was the bravest human he knew, both past and present combined. It didn't seem fair that fate had led them to each other, for they each posed a risk to the other. He invited danger into her otherwise orderly human world. Those who saw him as an enemy would immediately focus on her as a way to bend him to their will. With the inevitability of the vampires coming out and the world's unknown reaction, she would be thrust into more vampire shit than she could shake a stake at. On the reverse side, she was his one weakness, someone that could be the death of him, if he wasn't careful. He had already done things for her that could have easily led to his final death and still might. Her Fae relations posed as an equally dangerous foe for him, even though he'd had his share of run-ins with their kind in the past. Then, there was the fact that she was human. She was aging, even as they lay there. To her, it was infinitesimal, but to him, she would be gone in the blink of an eye, leaving him with nothing but memories – as had happened before in his long existence. Eventually the dam where he kept all those recollections stored would burst and he'd probably go insane.

Just then, Sookie whimpered and twitched. He decided she must be having a bad dream. He pushed comfort and safety through their new bond and brushed butterfly kisses along her exposed neck, shoulder, and back. Even in his deep ruminations, her needs seem to override any other concern he had, forcing him to focus on providing for her first. It was a basic nurturing instinct that seemed to possess him when it came to Sookie Stackhouse née Brigant.

In her dream, Sookie was being chased by a cloaked figure. She had the sense it was death itself. Whoever it was, they were gaining on her and it was only a matter of her making a mistake, like tripping or turning the wrong direction, before she was caught.

Up ahead of her, she saw a waterfall and a unicorn, of all things, bending for a drink. Not thinking, she headed straight for them both and sped headlong into the depths of a large pond the falls had created. When she came up for air, the soundtrack of chirping insects and singing birds surrounded her. Fluttering all around her were butterflies of various sizes and colors, some dipping in to briefly brush against her tickled skin. She glanced around her surroundings and found Eric sitting on a rock, on the outer edge of the pond. It appeared he was nude, but the way his legs were turned, Sookie couldn't be certain. His elbow rested on his knee, while his chin rested on the back of his hand, in an eerily similar version of the famous bronze Thinker sculpture, by Auguste Rodin.

"Eric?"

He looked up at her and smiled. She'd never really seen him smile quite like that. Little crinkles appeared around the corners of his mouth and at the corners of his eyes. "Lover," he crooned, in his baritone voice that she had come to be very fond of. He crooked his finger in a come hither manner.

Her body immediately responded, but so did her heart and that made her pause. Did she actually love this man? She didn't even really know him, even though her instincts told her she could trust him. She was attracted to him, that was obvious by her throbbing lady bits. However, did that equate to love? Something internal propelled her forward and instantly his powerful arms surrounded her. The butterflies seemed to follow and circled them in a sort of insect ring-around-the-rosy. Eric leaned down and brushed his lips ever so lightly to hers and then looked into her eyes, "I hate feelings," he whispered.

"What?" Sookie asked, pulling back from their embrace in confusion. Suddenly, they were no longer by the water and the butterflies had seemed to have disappeared, even though she could still feel them on her skin. Shaking her head and taking in her surroundings, she realized she was in her bed at the safehouse. Eric was in bed with her, his strong arms holding her, just as in her dream, with the exception of his left leg possessively thrown over the top of hers. And of course, he was naked.

"You are well?" he asked, his eyebrows rising to the middle of his forehead and a deep crease of worry forming above the bridge of his nose.

"Yes. Are you OK? You've healed completely?" she said uncomfortably. She didn't have very much on in the way of clothing herself and although they had been intimate before, she was feeling a bit shy and insecure with her current situation.

"Slightly better than OK," he replied, emphasizing his statement was a well executed twist of his hips. His well being evident by the soft yet hard bulge nudging her hip.

"Oh!" she replied, with a blush that spread through her whole body. She turned her head away briefly and bit her bottom lip. Then, she looked back recalling the last time they saw each other. "I'm sorry I was so pissy with you this morning. I've talked with Fergus and with Alcide some and realize I may have jumped to conclusion about you and your intentions. That wasn't very fair."

He nodded, then moved his hand to cup her cheek and feel her heated flesh. He rubbed his large thumb back and forth across her soft skin, all the while seemingly searching for something in her eyes. "We are bonded now, you and I. Can you feel it?"

"I don't know. What does it feel like and what does that mean, exactly?"

"We had our third mutual exchange of blood this morning. This creates a nearly unbreakable tie between us. Your presence is within me and I will live on in you. Not unlike what we have been already feeling since our last exchange, we will be able to sense each other's emotions, except now, there will be no distance limitations. When we are together, we will both be at peace."

"So, if you feel horny, I'll feel that as well?"

"Like right now?" he asked, moving her so that she was flush against him, his erection pressing into her stomach.

Sookie swallowed, trying to clear the sudden dryness filling her mouth like cotton. Her heart began beating so fast, surely it was fighting its way out of her chest.

"How do I know what is really my emotion and what is yours?"

Eric growled and then pulled her in closer to him, kissing her nearly senseless. "What's yours, is mine. You are mine, Sookie Stackhouse and no other will touch you without consequences."

"Pft. I'm not a possession. And I'm not so sure I like the idea of shared emotions. Where do you end and I begin?"

"You are mine in the eyes of the Supe world. And unfortunately, with your mixed heritage, you are a part of that, no matter how much you just want to be normal and go about your human life. Being mine does not mean I respect you any less, it is simply a means of letting others know that you are protected, cared for. You didn't seem to have a problem with sharing feelings before now. In fact, it was been mutually beneficial."

Sookie wiggled a little, trying to put some distant between them while she thought about what he said. "Ohh. Do that again."

She giggled and struggled a some more. He was trying to lighten the mood, so they wouldn't argue and she got that. She honestly didn't have the energy at that moment to do much of anything. Besides, if she wasn't mistaken, he just admitted he cared for her.

He pulled her close again and slowly moved his lips to hers, working them into a toe curling kiss. After a thousand years of practice, he sure knew how to kiss a girl. Her stomach clenched and that sensitive spot between her legs tingled with anticipation. "I want you Sookie. Before anything else comes between us. I have an overwhelming need to claim what is mine." His voice dipped even lower as he spoke the last part.

Their lips were still touching and even though the words were still so proprietary, bristling Sookie's nerves, the idea of being 'claimed' as he put it and the sound of his voice, sent shivers up her spine, making her pulse quicken. She wondered briefly if it was because of the bond that she felt the need to surrender or if that was a feeling all her own, but then decided she wanted this, no matter what was behind the prompting.

"I barely know you," she teased, running her hands over his hard, muscled chest. A light dusting of hair, a bit lighter in color than that on his head, tickled her palms.

"Ahha," he rumbled deeply. "But, you are a modern woman and these things do not matter. I could be a one-night stand, a stranger you met in a bar. If the moment strikes you, you go with it. Yes?"

"What about my Gran? Alcide? Fergus?"

"You want to invite them, too? That is a strange request, but if you truly want them, I suppose it's OK." Eric tried to be serious, but the twitch of his lips, gave away his true intent.

Sookie laughed and Eric reveled in the sound. "What will they think? They must know you are in here."

"They are all adults and for the most part Supes. Sex is not a shameful act to any of us. And trust me, your Gran should be the last person to judge what goes on behind closed doors."

She gasped. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that you are related to the Fairy Fucking Prince and it had to be through her and one of his sons. Unless, good 'ole pawpaw Stackhouse was really pawpaw Brigant!"

"We don't know anything for sure. Not until we talk to her and hear her side of the story."

"And that will be happening, after you yield to me. Besides, we had a deal."

"Deal? What deal?"

"The one where you promised to have sex with me if I kept you and your Gran safe and figured out who was trying to harm you. You are safe and we now know that Russell Edgington was behind at least the Were attack."

"You shouldn't want me to have sex with you because of some stupid bet."

"I don't. I want you because you want me too. Remember, the bond?"

"Stupid thing!" she hissed as he rolled them over, pinning her arms above her head. She automatically shifted her hips, so he could settle between them. He was careful not to put all his weight on her.

"You know, I felt you this morning, when you were in pain - when the sun was burning you. I was so scared I wouldn't be able to find you in time. What would happen to me, if something were to happen to you? What if something were to happen to me?" she asked, suddenly gripped with an unexplainable panic.

"I'm over a thousand years old. You shouldn't worry about these things. Besides, it all worked out and you saved the day! I've been working very hard to make sure nothing happens to you either. You are protected, safe."

"Unless, it's daytime. Then you won't feel a thing. You won't know what happened."

"I'd still feel you. It might be delayed, but I'd still have time to get help to you. Please don't worry about this now," he ordered, kissing her once again.

"Why do I feel like this is a marriage of some kind? I think you are not telling me everything."

"Hmmm. Wife. I like the sound of that," he purred, brushing off yet another unwelcomed feeling - the fear of her death. He tucked his head between her neck and shoulder, nipping at the sensitive spot with his regular teeth and then again lightly with his fang. The sensation sent Sookie into a tailspin of emotion and need. Her hips involuntarily bucked up, meeting nothing but hard flesh and muscle.

He continued his teasing, moving slowly down to her chest, taunting the lace-covered flesh he found there. He alternated dragging his cool tongue along the heaviest part of her breast with blowing his even cooler breath in its wake. Then, he replaced both with soft kisses reminiscent of the butterfly wings Sookie had dreamt of. Her nipples became so hard she thought they might cut right through the cups of her bra. She arched her back, trying to push them toward his mouth, but he purposely avoided her moves and instead, began working his way down her stomach, to her ticklish sides, then around her belly button.

"I think I may need to rip these off. Do you have any objection?" Eric asked, taking the top edge of her panties between his front teeth and tugging.

"Nah," she gasped at the thought. Clearing her throat, she gave a more firm "no" as a thrill of excitement moved through her.

He didn't need to be told twice. As soon as he heard the 'n' leave her lips, the panties became nothing more than scraps floating to the bedroom floor. "Put your hands behind your back, like this," he ordered, guiding her arms from their previous position above her head, until they were folded under her backside. "Don't move them no matter what."

Sookie complied and nodded nervously as his now free hands pushed her thighs apart wide enough to settle his upper body between them. He sat there for several seconds, enjoying the view of her glistening folds. "So beautiful," he whispered, blowing the 'f' slightly as if he were making a wish on a birthday cake.

She moaned at the sensation. He hadn't even touched her, yet his breath was nearly enough to send her over the edge. He chuckled at her reaction, loving how she was squirming with need and desire. Deciding to prolong this as long as he could, he began rubbing his permanent five o'clock shadow stubble along the inside of her left thigh. He started just above her knee and moved up to just before his nose touched her sweet spot and then back to where he started. He made this circuit twice more before moving to her right side.

"Eric!" she begged.

Feeling how hungry she was for his touch through the bond, Eric had mercy on her, and changed tactics once again. He led a slow, cool trail with his tongue up her thigh one last time before continuing on to sensitive skin of her nether lips. He blew briefly on the wetness he had left behind, before moving back for one more pass of her plump folds.

"Oh. Dear. God," she cried, bucking her hips upwards.

Eric moved one of his large hands to her lower abdomen to keep her from thrashing around too much. "Tsk. Tsk. I said don't move, my anxious lover. Now, watch me, focus on what I'm doing. Can you do that?"

"Mmm. Hmm," Sookie squeaked. She inched her body up a little onto a pillow for access to a better view, watching as he licked his lips slowly, devilishly, before using his free hand to spread open her petals, revealing what was hidden inside.

She moaned and her eyes rolled into the back of her head, as he lapped slowly at her heated core. She desperately wanted to run her fingers through his hair and hold him in place for eternity, but she complied by trying to stay still. She refocused her sights on his expert skill, watching as he used his vampire speed to please her like no human man ever could. She couldn't help but want to touch him in some way, to show how much she was enjoying both the show and the physical experience – never realizing before that she was a bit of a voyeur. She discovered by moving her legs over his body, she could explore his taut flesh with her feet and calves. The feeling was so sensual, she lost herself in the sensation, moaning loudly and in the process, egging him on.

Just as she began to feel that familiar tightening start in her abdomen and spread down through her legs, in anticipation of her release, Eric did something she never expected. He used a combination of his fingers and fangs to stretch and arouse her even more. There was the slightest twinge of pain, as he made sure the final barrier between them was carefully stripped away. The way his fingers curled and moved inside her, while his mouth and fangs caressed outside, Sookie never even realized what he'd done. Soon, her nerve endings exploded, stars filling her field of vision, while the most intense orgasm she ever had experienced, ripped through her. Her toes curled, every muscle in her body tensed and spasmed, as surging currents raced between her center and her nipples. Wild cries and moans came out of her, but she was so far gone on the wave of pleasure, it seemed as though the sounds were coming from somewhere far away.

Eric began kissing his way back up her body, snapping the middle of her bra open with his fang. It was time her natural bounty was released from it's confines. Sookie had cum so hard, his fingers were dripping with her sweet honey, which he used to lubricate himself. He rolled over onto his back, continuing to stimulate himself while Sookie came back down to earth.

"My ears are ringing," she sighed. "I can't hear anything!"

"Hearing is overrated," Eric chuckled, using his vampire speed to move her on top of him in a straddling position.

Sookie placed both her hands on his chest, steadying herself. "I don't know about this…" she trailed off, not feeling comfortable being on top her first time.

"This way, you have control. If it's all up to me, I'll hurt you. Because all I want to do is bury myself inside you right now."

Another thrill of excitement ran through her at his words. She nodded her understanding, but didn't move because panic had already started creeping into her consciousness. Eric lifted her and set her right over his throbbing erection. He grasped it and began slowly rubbing it along her still dripping core.

"Relax, Lover. If you enjoyed my fingers, you'll revel in this," he said with a smirk, placing himself at her entrance. His words and his actions relaxed her somewhat, but this was her first time and fear of the unknown still had her tense.

Once he was seated at her opening, he placed both hands on her hips and gently pushed her down, allowing for just the slightest penetration. Then he moved his thumb and began rubbing light circles over her swollen nub.

"Mmm," she moaned, rolling her head back and closing her eyes over the dual sensations of him filling her and touching her. Without even realizing, she soon had taken him completely into her and was slowly rocking back and forth.

Eric used his free hand to gently run the back of it across her cheek, before dragging his fingers down her neck and across her breasts. He wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her down slightly so that her hardened nipples were dangling just above his mouth. He flicked his tongue out to tease one and then the other, while taking the opportunity to start moving inside her.

"Ohh!" Sookie cried.

"Yes," he answered in return. Then he grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her in for a searing kiss. The pull on her tongue from his mouth made it feel as though it was coming from much further below.

Their hands glided over each other while they fell into a sensual rhythm .

"Amazing," he praised.

"Eric," she moaned in response.

Then, he flipped them again, shifting them once more so that he held one of her legs in the crook of his arm. The angle gave Sookie a new, pleasurable sensation that rocked her from head to toe. Spurred by her excitement, he continued to move faster, his thrusts a little bit rougher.

"Don't stop!" she pleaded, grabbing on to his ass as if it were a life preserver in the swelling seas.

"Never," he growled, dipping his head to her neck.

Their time together was growing short, as his shaft became impossibly harder, thicker.

"Oh!" she cried. That familiar surge of electricity ran its course through her body once again.

Eric growled and grunted. Her contracting walls began to milk him for his cool seed. As they both began to climax, he sank his fangs gently into the delicate flesh just below her ear and fed from her above while her body drank from him below. The mutual feelings of lust, desire and pleasure bounced back along the mystical bond that tied them together for an indeterminate amount of time. He had never felt anything like it and decided right then that he never wanted to give it up. He'd do whatever it took to ensure they stayed bound together forever.

Afterwards, they laid, still joined intimately, petting and caressing each other, while trying to pull their thoughts and emotions apart.

"The best I ever had," he whispered kissing the top of her head and sliding them so that he was on his back and she lay across his chest.

"You can't mean that," she replied, dancing her fingers lightly across his silent chest. She considered how awkward it seemed that he was neither sweaty or out of breath, as she was. Nor did his chest echo with the sounds of a beating heart.

"But I do, my lover." Then he paused, a sudden feeling of vulnerability, "I hope you don't come to hate me some day due to this bond, because I can honestly say, I like being this way. Perhaps, you will too."

"Is it permanent?"

"If we never have each others blood again, it will fade with time. But, considering how many times it has come about already, I doubt we can stop that from happening. Besides, I like it when you drink from me. It feels good when you bite me and I like the idea of you playing vampire," he said with a fangy grin.

"All this talk of biting," he said, catching her arm in his grip and bringing it to his mouth, "makes me hungry," he growled, nipping slightly at her inner wrist.

Sookie gasped, feeling something hard prodding the inner thigh she had thrown over Eric's midsection. "You can't possibly be…"

"Oh, why that's the advantage of having a vampire lover, my dear. We are always ready."

"Won't I be sore?"

"The sign of a good lover, is his ability to please another. If he has taken the time to worship and treasure, to satiate to the point of fatigue, then he has done his job. A great lover will leave his partner sore and swollen between her thighs, yet eager to respond, hungry to be touch, to be satisfied once more."

"And I suppose you are a great lover?" Sookie teased.

In the blink of an eye, she was flat on her back, her legs thrown over his shoulders. "An unforgettable lover," he growled, before filling her to the hilt once again.

A/N: So? Too much? Not enough? Just right? About time? Leave me some review love and perhaps you'll get some more. Always Ready Viking Hugs