Chapter 37 - Reconnecting

I averted my eyes from his, "So talk." I knew it was rude, but I just couldn't bring myself to have this discussion right now.

"You have more going on than embarrassment. Why do you feel guilt?"

I remembered my pledge to be as honest as I could with him. I had to tell him and take whatever consequence came with my honesty.

I sighed, thinking this wasn't going to end well. I blurted out, "Quinn asked me to marry him?"

********************

I waited for his anger. Nothing. I couldn't feel anything coming from him, almost like he blocked the bond. His face was impassive, giving nothing away.

We stared at each other, and just as I thought he was going to walk away, he surprised me yet again by asking, "When did he ask you?" He said it so quietly that it almost sounded like an echo in the breezy air.

"He didn't officially…Frannie and I found the ring and a letter from him among his possessions."

Keeping the distance between us he asked, "Would you have said yes?"

"I don't know. I've been trying to figure that out for two days. After the takeover, probably not, but before… He was about to offer me a life that I thought was only a dream for me."

Taking a small step forward, he cocked his eyebrow at me and asked, "So you might have said yes, not because you loved him, but because he offered you your dream?"

Taking a deep breath I responded, "I know it sounds foolish. I just didn't think that it was possible for me to have something…normal."

"Do you love him?"

Thinking through my answer I replied, "No…I don't know. I didn't give him much of a chance for me to find out."

He took another step towards me, "We are wed. Do you not know that I have affection for you?"

"Yes…I guess, but I was not in on the decision of our…arrangement. You only offered marriage as a protection. Besides our marriage, isn't a ceremony I recognize." I said the word marriage sarcastically because that's the way I felt about out tie. I didn't feel the knife ceremony held any weight.

He took another step forward, closing the gap between us, "You may not recognize it, but other supes do, and I do. If I had presented you with the knife and you knew the significance, would you have accepted it from me?"

"I…don't know. I think I would have needed to know why. I wouldn't have done it just for your protection."

He shifted forward again and we were almost touching, "How about if I expressed my affection for you, then presented you with the knife. Would you have accepted me?"

With deepened sadness I answered, "I don't know what kind of life we'd have. You would always stay the same, and I…would grow old. You would tire of me. We'd have maybe fifteen or twenty years together before…

I don't know if I could give myself to you during that time, just to have my heart broken when you leave. You will live on for eternity and I won't."

Inching closer still, he shifted towards me, "Sookie, I would rather savor the time we have together, then not have you at all. I will never outgrow you and leave you. If, down the road, you realize that you want me for eternity, I could turn you. I want nothing more than to have you by my side for the rest of my existence. If I asked you…like that, would you have accepted the knife from me?"

Eric was not a man filled with many kind words of affection, but the last two days he had shown me more of himself. He stared at me expectantly. Did I want to be wed to Eric? I really didn't have a choice at the time, but if I had been given the choice, would I have done it? If he had asked after a date like last night…

"Eric…if you asked me last night after our date, then I would have said yes, but you should know, I don't want to be turned." I felt his hurt through the bond at my final words, then I felt his hope. Hope of what I wasn't sure, was it my concession or something else.

He caressed my cheek with his hand. Closing my eyes, I leaned into his embrace. I felt his lips touch mine and I brought my hands up to his face, entangling my fingers in his blond hair. As much as we fought, as much as I wanted my own life, I felt the safest and most content in his arms. He continued to kiss me slowly, filling my body with warmth and desire.

Pulling away, holding my face in his hands he said, "Let us go back to our room."

"I'd like that."

Brushing his lips against mine one last time, he led me towards the hotel.

When we got back in our suite, no one was around. I was torn between jumping in Eric's bed or going over to check the progression of the auction forms. Responsibility won out.

"Eric I have to see how much Casey did for the auction forms."

He took a step closer to me with a mischievous grin, breathing in my ear he said, "You are telling me this why? Did you have something you wanted to do tonight?"

I stumbled over my words, "Well I was thinking…what I mean is…"

"Yes?"

"I thought we could spend some time together…alone."

He pulled me to him, encircling his arms around my waist, whispering softly to me, "Where would you like to spend this time with me? In the restaurant down stairs perhaps, or watching a movie on the couch, or we could go out…"

He knew exactly what he was doing. He pushed his body into mine making me feel him, all of him. He wanted me to say it. I wasn't going to even try and skirt around what I wanted, because I wanted him bad.

"No, I thought we could be alone…in your room night."

Rotating his hips, pressing himself firmly against me he breathed "Cuddling?"

He rotated one way then the other causing a moan to escape my lips, "No not cuddling…fucking."

His eyes widened feigning surprise, before he huskily added, "I would never just fuck you Sookie, I want to make passionate love to you, teasing your body until you are withering and screaming my name." He kissed me, and boy can he kiss. He claimed my mouth, dominating me, his tongue dancing with mine as he nibbled and sucked my bottom lip. Pulling away leaving me breathless he added; "Now I believe you have auction forms to finish." He spun around swaying his derriere suggestively as he walked into his room.

I stomped off grumbling under my breath. He knew exactly what he was doing, getting me all worked up, knowing I had a few things I needed to do first. He wanted me to pass on the auction forms and jump in his bed, well I'll show him.

I sat down at the computer. Casey had left me a note that he had finished all of the paper requests, but there were more that had been E-mailed to Frannie. I moved the mouse and the hotmail page was open to Frannie's inbox. I scanned all the replies from Alcide, there were about ten more. As I got to work, every five minutes or so, another one would pop up. I decided to create forms for the rest of the items, and then create a few generic forms so we could write in new items received.

I diligently worked. One of the items was a painting by Frida Kahlo, she sounded familiar but I couldn't recall if I had ever seen anything she painted. Alcide put in a request for his services for ten hours of labor for a construction project. I choked when I saw a request for one night with my brother. Jason wanted to auction himself off? I was hacking and coughing when Eric entered the room.

"What is wrong?" he said full of concern.

"This is what's the matter!" Angry, I pushed the computer screen towards him so he could read what caused such a strong emotion of disapproval radiating from me. "My brother, my own brother, wants to auction himself off to the highest bidder! How can he do this? He has no sense of decency, no sense of morals…"

Eric's logic surprised me, "Maybe he wants to contribute to the cause and has nothing else but himself to offer. Not all of us have money or services to donate." My rational mind wanted to understand and believe him, but my emotional mind saw how wrong this really was.

"I just feel like he's going to make this all about him. He's going to show up, charm the crowd and no one's going to remember the original purpose. Every woman will be thinking what a hot stud he is, and fawning all over him with their bids."

"I will make sure that will not happen. I will make sure that Alcide is aware of your concerns. Did your request come through yet?" So clever he was in changing the subject, though I did feel better with his reassurance. I scanned the different E-mails and I couldn't tell what they were unless I opened them. There were only a few that I had not gotten to yet. The next to the last one had my request.

I was shocked to see how the request was worded.

Eric Northman offers the services of his famed telepath for an hour with contractual restrictions. He has the power to veto requests if they are found to be outside what the contact deems acceptable. See attached contract. Value: Priceless

I was flabbergasted for one, I was called a famed telepath, and two, my value was priceless. "I'm priceless?" I looked up at him to get confirmation.

"You are to me. I could never place a value on your worth." His eyes softened with his voice.

I tried again to get my point across, "Famed telepath?" I questioned.

"You abilities are most impressive. You are known for saving lives, famous for it in our world."

"So is this what you had to work on? My request?"

"The only thing I have to work on is you. I had a few business calls to make," he said with a leer.

Ignoring his insinuation, his comment reminded me of something. The business calls jogged my memory of something that Alcide said earlier today. "Do you think that Victor is burying the real Sword of Truth or do you believe that he really wants to bury a replica?"

If he looked surprised by my question he didn't show it. "I am not sure. That was my first thought when you told me of his intent. I could not see why a vampire would offer something so generous, so sacred. It would make sense that he would want to rid himself of something that could potential come back to harm him. The only way we would know for sure would be to test it, but I don't know anyone who would pass, well maybe…"

"Who? Who do you know that might pass?"

He raised his eyebrows at me like I should know what he was talking about. "You. But, I would never want to test something like that on you."

"Me? What would I have to do?"

"According to legends, you would need to be accused of something that wasn't true, and the barer of the Sword, which would have to be a King, needs to strike you with it."

"Is Russell Edgington going to attend?"

With disapproval in his voice he said, "Sookie, whatever you are thinking, it's too dangerous. I would not trust any vampire to strike you with the Sword. Besides, if Victor found out I could be staked for treason."

"You don't know for sure if the wielder of the Sword had to be a vampire King, right?"

"Legends say that it must be, no one besides Quinn ever came out victorious."

The wheels in my mind began to spin. "But, you don't know this for sure. Victor was able to wield the Sword and he wasn't officially King at the time."

"Hmm. We do not know for sure what would happen if you were struck. I do not want to take the chance in causing you harm."

"Who said it had to be a death blow? Victor said he would deliver the Sword tonight. I suggest…" I knew this wasn't going to go over well with my vampire, but it was the only way to know. "…that you try to strike me with it."

Surprising me yet again, Eric always being the diplomat, "I suppose I could nick your hand. Let me call the desk." He strolled over to the room phone and dialed.

I heard his one sided conversation, "Was a package delivered from Victor Madden?" "Inform me right away." He placed the receiver down.

"Nothing has arrived yet. I suspect that it will arrive just before dawn so I cannot examine it. Then the Sword will be buried in the ground before anyone can question it."

"If we do find out the Sword is real, then what?"

"I am not sure. He would not be doing anything wrong until he tries to execute someone with the fake sword in his possession. If Felipe had been a smart King, he would have rid himself of it long ago." At the mention of the former King, I couldn't help the shudder that visibly rocked my body. He was at my side in an instant, holding me close to his chest.

I stammered, "I'm sorry…his name makes my skin crawl."

He growled under his breath, "If he was not already dead, I would tear him apart and inflict so much pain he would beg me to stop. I would have enjoyed separating his flesh from his body."

"That's why I didn't tell you. I didn't want you to be staked for your actions."

"Promise me, that if something like this ever happens again you will not keep it from me. I could not protect you when I did not know. I would never have left you alone, forcing you to turn to Victor for assistance."

"I promise I will tell you, but hopefully something like this won't happen again." I know that it was too much to hope for, but a girl could dream.

"Are you almost done with all this? I have plans for us."

"I need ten minutes than I'm all yours."

He purred, "Oh, I am counting on it." Instead of leaving he sat down on the couch and looked up at me expectantly. I sat down next to him and tried to concentrate on creating auction forms.

He inched his body closer to me, pretending to look over my shoulder at the computer screen. He extended his arm over the back of the couch leaning closer still. Even though he doesn't breathe, I could feel his cool breath on my neck. He placed his free hand on my thigh creating small circles on my leg.

He swept his hand higher, and as my breath hitched he asked, "That one is interesting. A winter trip to northern Sweden. Perfect for vampires. Did you know that in that particular time of year they only have four hours of daylight? Would that be agreeable to you, to be able to have me all to yourself for twenty straight hours in a day?" His hand slipped up my thigh and pressed against my wet heat.

I moaned, "Yes…I think…oh…I'd like that very much."

The hand behind my back very skillfully touched my shirt and unhooked my bra right through my clothing. I set the computer on the coffee table before I dropped it and owed Alcide a new one. I swung my leg over his lap, pushing up my skirt to straddle his body. I gripped his hair with my hands drawing him closer.

He whispered to me through kisses, "I could…bring you to…my home town." He moved his lips to my neck.

Between gasps and moans I got out, "I'd…l-ove…that." In one quick movement he had my shirt off. My bra slid from my arms and was quickly discarded. I tugged at his shirt and he had it off in one swift movement. I stroked my hands down his muscular body. Making my way down to his nipple, I licked, sucked and bit it until I had him withering beneath me.

"Oh…oh…Sookie…yes. Bite me harder." I did as he wanted, biting down. "Harder Sookie." I clamped down even harder drawing blood. I sucked, getting every last drop before his wound closed.

His hands were everywhere in a frenzy, feeling, caressing, shaping, nibbling, sucking, pleasuring my body in ways I never knew possible. Reaching for his pants, I undid the clasp, pulling them off with his help. All that lay between me and pure heaven was my flimsy panties and my hiked up skirt. He unzipped the skirt and lifted it over my head. I was about to get up so I could relieve myself of my panties, when he shook his hand and ripped my panties right off my body.

He took my breast in his mouth and rolled my nipple with his tongue. I attempted to move my body on to his, but he held me fast.

Desperately I cried, "Eric…please."

Teasing me he purred, "Please what, min kära."

"I need you inside of me right…oh God…right now."

"As you command." He loosened his grip and I eased myself on to his stiffness. Feeling him fill me so completely caused me to cry out his name. That seemed to spur him on as he set a pace. I repeated his name over and over, between my cries of ecstasy and calling upon God. He'd bury himself all the way into me then pull all the way out. His pace increased, and my moans became more frantic. In between his kisses he mumbled my name over and over.

Then, he did something he never did before; he opened his mind to me. I was flooded with thoughts of love, want and desire.

I will never want anyone but her. She completes me and satisfies me fully. Such an amazing beautiful woman and she is all mine. All mine… All mine… So beautiful…

His silent declaration of love was enough to bring me over the edge into blissful happiness. He grazed his fangs over my neck and I inclined him to bite. He sunk his fangs in and I felt his body shudder beneath mine. He licked the puncture wounds and mumbled my name over and over into my shoulder. Tears sprang forth in my eyes as I thought of how much he had given of himself to me. How much he had silently declared to me through thought. It was such a powerful emotional moment and I felt panged that it passed.

He held me on his lap, refusing to let me go. He rubbed my back as tears streamed down my eyes.

"Sookie what is the matter, I hate to see you leaking."

Between sobs I said, "I heard you. It was beautiful."

"What did you hear?"

Looking up at him I questioned, "You don't know? I thought you allowed me in?"

"Not purposely. The more you drink from me the stronger our bond will become."

Horrified I asked, "You mean, I'll hear you more? I don't want to be in your head."

Reassuringly he answered, "You won't be most of the time. When I am making love to you, my mind relaxes and my body is at ease. That is probably why you can hear me. What did you hear?"

"I heard how you thought of me. How beautiful you think I am how I satisfy you…"

"It is all true. Now you know; my thoughts cannot lie." Before I had a chance to say anything his phone in the bedroom rang. "I have to take that." I went to remove myself from his lap and he drew me in for a kiss first. Pulling myself off of him, I watched as he got up off the couch and walked into his bedroom. God was he beautiful; I couldn't wait to caress his backside.

Jumping off the couch I decided to take advantage of his absence. I ran into the bedroom Frannie and I shared, well not anymore really, but my clothes were still in it. I cursed myself for not bringing any sexy lingerie. Quickly searching through my clothes in the suitcase, I was disappointed in finding nothing. I opened the closet and wouldn't you know a very revealing black negligee was hung up in front. Pam. Saying a silent prayer, I slipped it off the hanger and took it in the bathroom with me.

It wasn't really my style, but I was sure Eric would love it. The teddy rode up very high on the thigh and the back was the skimpiest thong I had ever seen. I wasn't even sure it could actually be considered a thong. The top was very tight, pushing my boobs further out. When I leaned forward they actually fell out. I slipped the sheer robe over my shoulders and tied it in front. Taking the hotel bathrobe off the back of the door I put it on over my 'present' for Eric. I was all gift-wrapped and ready for him to unveil. Dabbing a little makeup on and fluffing my hair, I opened the bathroom door to go and claim my Viking.

In the closet I grabbed a pair of high heels and slipped them on my feet. I snuck out of the bedroom door, made my way through the living room and knocked on his bedroom door. He opened it and I laughed seeing him in the same bathrobe as me. He opened the door wide for me to step in and tears came to my eyes when I saw that he had lit candles around the room. He pulled me to him and I shook my head.

In a commanding voice I said, "I told you at dinner that you would be punished for what you said to Victor. Go sit on the bed." Playing along he put on his best remorseful expression and followed my lead.

"I am sorry Sookie. I will show you more respect."

Feigning annoyance I asked, "What did you call me?"

"I apologize again my Queen, it will not happen again."

"I am a goddess and I should be treated as such. I need to be worshipped." I untied the hotel bathrobe and let it fall to the floor, giving him an eyeful of his 'wrapped present'. I let the sheer robe fall off my shoulders. Untying it, I let it slip behind me. With exaggerated slowness I stepped closer to him.

His eyes had glazed over with lust, but I was nowhere near done.

"You should be worshipped my Queen, and I plan to show you how I idolize ever inch of your exquisite body." He went to get up and I held out my hand for him to wait. I turned my back to him and let the sheer robe fall completely off me down to the floor. I heard him growl as he took in my bare backside.

I spun around, swaying my hips and walked toward him. When I was a foot and a half away from him, I lifted my right leg and set my foot with my high heels right on his chest. His hands lifted off the bed and I shook my head. He rested them back down gripping the comforter.

I pressed my heel further into his chest and commanded, "Lay down." I removed my foot as he lay down on the bed, and scooted himself up by the headboard.

He had entirely way too many clothes on, "Disrobe," I authoritatively spoke. He untied the robe and pulled it out from underneath him, discarding it to the side. He was spread out completely naked in front of me.

Raking my eyes over this perfect specimen of a man, more softly I added, "Turn over."

He flipped with deliberate slowness giving me every angle of his body to view. I gulped a few times, fighting composure.

I climbed on the bed straddling his body. With careful precision, starting with his neck and shoulders, I licked, sucked, nibbled and massaged my way down his body. He groaned and twisted as I licked my way down the small of his back. I let my breasts brush his back as I gave him attention with my tongue.

Making my way down to my personal favorite, I caressed his ass with my fingertips. Flipping around, I placed my ass nearer to his head so he could feel my breasts on his back while I licked and sucked his delicious bottom. Grinding my wet core into his back, I grazed my hands along the underside of his hip causing his body to buck under my fingertips.

"Sookie…Sookie," he moaned my name over and over. I was quite pleased with my boldness, and moved further down his body. I surged with power as I felt him rock beneath me.

I gave attention to the underside of his knees, grinding myself, and grazing my beasts over his body. After I had given him head to toe attention it was time for him to flip.

I got off the bed, internally groaning at the lost of contact.

In my commanding voice I said, "Turn over."

Just as demanding he shot back, "My turn."

Before I could even react, I was on my back with him hovering over me. His pace was just as teasing, slow and calculated. I could be lost in his lips forever. Oh God, he can kiss. Our tongues danced in synchronization as his hands roamed my body, fondling and rubbing, creating friction.

My legs spread on their own accord as he pushed his stiffness into my core.

"Ah, ah…E-r-ic, my God!" I cried in between gasps.

His mouth attacked my neck, licking and sucking, grazing his fangs along my collarbone. Taking the top of the teddy with his teeth he ripped it right down the middle exposing my flesh to him.

He assaulted my breasts with his tongue causing primal noises to escape me. He paid equal attention, palming one with his hand, and the other, swirling with his tongue. I wanted him lower, much lower.

"Eric, please, I need…you now."

"Where do you need me Sookie?"

"Oh God, please, I need you inside of me."

Sliding down lower, he positioned himself between my legs and nibbled, sucked and licked his way up my thigh. My body was quaking with desire, I needed more contact.

"Higher Eric, please."

"As you wish."

I cried out as he licked my core, nibbling on my clit. I grinded myself into his face, needing more. He slipped two fingers into my hot wetness as he continued to stroke me with his tongue. Just as my muscles tightened, he bit my thigh sending me over the end into eternal bliss.

My breath was ragged and my body quivering as he made his way back up to kiss me. He kissed me with fervor and passion, and it surprised me how excited I felt tasting my own juices on his tongue.

Just as breathless he asked, "Tell me Sookie, who do you want?"

"You, only you, I'm yours."

"Say it again."

"I'm yours."

He buried himself deep inside me causing me to gasp as he filled me to the hilt. I wrapped my legs around his body as he set a rhythmic pace. Each thrust was like a piece of heaven, earth-shattering and beautiful.

I threw my head back in bliss and he demanded, "Look at me lover."

And I did. I met his eyes, his yearning and euphoria washed over me through the bond, sending me over the end. He climaxed shouting my name bringing forth a smile to my lips. I realized for the first time, as much as I was his, he was mine.

A/N: I just wanted to dedicate this chapter to my good friend Courtney who loved a great sex scene. Sorry it couldn't be Bella and Edward, but I just can't write them. You know that.

I love you girl and you will be missed. My dear friend died Sunday night at the age of 29 from Leukemia. She left behind her loving husband Tim, her daughter Dylan who is four months, and twins, Jasper and Ava who are three.

I'm so glad that I already wrote the next chapter which happens to be the human funeral because I don't think I would have made it through otherwise. Love you Court, and I promise to watch over your angels and to throw you the biggest 30th birthday bash I can. You touched so many lives and you will be dearly missed.

Thanks you charverv for your mad editing skills.