I do not own any True Blood characters.

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Carli blinked nervously as her eyes were bare again, and she looked up at him as he seemed to press closer to her. "I just try to be a little incognito sometimes when I want some privacy. I think my hair draws more attention than anything, so leave that on." Her voice was weak as she felt the sparks shoot between their pants where they touched, and he nodded slowly. "How did you know it was me?"

"I saw you looking at me and recognized you despite your best efforts. I could also feel the heat in the room." His eyes darkened as he looked at her, and she swallowed nervously. The couch seemed to shrink, and she moved over as much as she could. He chuckled and she frowned at him, but found herself smiling anyway. "Just relaxing this evening?"

"All alone for the rest of the week. The guys finished their stuff and I just need to do some singing." Carli told him, and then bit her lip. A few days all alone with Eric were very tempting, and she let her mind wander to things she simply should not think about, much less do.

"You sounded really good this morning." Eric told her, his voice close to her ear. She smiled her thanks as she looked sideways at him, and he looked at her. "I heard the whole show since they were playing it in the conference room during set up."

"Why were you there?" Carli asked him, feeling a cold sweat come over her as her muscles clenched tightly and her body grew wet with desire.

"I own a catering business and we do every function for XM and Sirius, as well as several other companies. The woman with me was Pam, and she is my partner in the business." Eric replied, and she nodded. "I was at the gallery scoping it out for an upcoming event as well. I was lucky enough to meet you there."

"Lucky?" Carli asked, thinking that it might be easier if it had not happened.

"Yes. You don't think so?" Eric asked her, and she had to look away from him. "Let me change your mind over dinner tomorrow. I know a great seafood place, if you like that. We can talk and get to know each other some more."

"I don't know, Eric." Carli said hesitantly, and felt his fingers sliding up the back of her neck to her hair above her sweater. She gasped at the touch, realizing how different it was than the one a few hours before with Travis. Her skin danced with fire and she felt him tangle his hand in her hair under the hat as she leaned her head back.

"ON account of your fiance?" Eric asked her, and she whimpered lightly, realizing where she was. "I heard the things you said today and I heard the reluctance in your voice. You don't want to set a date with him, do you?"

"We just have been to busy." Carli defended herself and Ryan as she took a deep breath.

"Tell me that at the end of this week." Eric suggested, and she felt her face turn to look at her without thinking about it. "Dinner tomorrow. Where are you staying?"

"I'll meet you." Carli told him, overwhelmed by her reaction to him. She didn't want to not see him, but the idea of him in her hotel room was too much to take. "What is the place called?"

He told her and she jotted it down as well as the time. They sat together for a bit longer, just talking, and walked out together in the dark night. Eric insisted on driving her to her hotel, and she nodded as she looked down the dark streets. Eric led her to a red corvette with his hand on her lower back firmly, and she looked up at him as he opened the door for her. His eyes locked with hers, and she pressed her lips together as she slid into the car. Eric was making her question her life with Matt, and her willpower, and it frightened her. She looked forward and he got in next to her, and the musky smell of him filled it as she inhaled. Carli told him what hotel, getting a compliment on the high quality of it. She did like it herself. He drove the car swiftly there and pulled up to the curb, and she looked at him. His handsome face was close to hers and he looked good in the lights from the building as he leaned a bit closer. "Would you like me to walk you up?"

Carli felt a wash of moisture pool into her underwear at the idea, and she knew that she was blushing. "I will see you tomorrow. What should I wear?"

Eric looked her up and down and then met her eyes again as he smiled. "A dress. Something for a nicer restaurant, if you have it." He stroked her cheek with his hand and she stared at him. "Something that shows off your incredible legs with some heels." He let his hand trail down her cheek and then traced her neck gently before leaning forward to brush his lips against her cheek as she tried to remember how to breath. "Since we both know it would be easier, I will pick you up. Seven better for you?"

Carli nodded mutely, and he touched her lips with his finger. She mumbled a good night as she got out of the car and walked into the lobby on shaky legs, feeling anxious and angry with herself. Matt was a good man that deserved much better than his fiancée falling apart over some random guy. She knew that she could blame the fact that they were hardly home together and that she had not had any sex other than with her own hand for a few weeks, but is was not a good justification. She could not deny the throbbing between he legs that screamed for Eric to fuck her the way she wanted, and she stumbled into the elevator. She made her way to her room and jumped into the shower, crying out as she masturbated against the wall. She felt like she could not get enough release as she felt another coming on, and the tears slid down her cheeks when she was sitting on her bed wrapped in a towel. She pulled on a tank for bed and stared blankly at the television until she could sleep.

The next day was a full one recording, and she felt her stress easing with every song that she sang. The producer complimented her on her emotion that session, and she smiled weakly as she thanked him. Carli left feeling near confident that she could handle it and that she was overreacting as she hailed a cab back to her hotel. She saw the desk clerk wave at her as she glanced in his direction and he beckoned for her to come over to him. "Yes?" Carli asked, shuffling over to him in her flip flops.

"This package arrived for you, Miss Adams." He produced a silver box with a deep plum ribbon tightly wrapped around it, and she raised one eyebrow.

"Thanks." She smiled and held it in her arms as she walked to the elevator, setting it down once inside. There was a card tucked into the immaculate ribbon, and she pulled it out. Just in case…Eric. "Of course." Carli murmured, feeling her heart start to race. She hurried to her room and closed the door as she set the box down on the bed. She carefully pulled off the ribbon and lifted the box to see a garment folded up inside. "Holy shit." Carli breathed as she lifted the gray dress out of the box. It reached her mid thigh with a loose silk skirt and the bodice was tight with a slightly plunging neckline and delicate cap sleeves. She stared at it for a long moment and checked the size as an afterthought, nodding with approval as she saw that it was right. She glanced into the box to see a pair of deeper gray heels resting on the side, and she eyed them with a smile. "The man has good taste." She started to feel the gnawing away of her morals and knew that she would insist on paying him, though she was a bit scared of how much that could be. She headed to the shower to quickly wash off and straightened her hair before pulling it into a tight ponytail with a strand hanging down her face. Carli did smoky eyes again and a faintly silver gloss, adding a necklace to the ensemble. The dress looked really good and she could not deny that, The cleavage that showed might be a bit much, though she was not hanging out completely. The thigh high stockings could not be seen by anyone, and the shoes were amazing. She grabbed a small purse and walked down to the lobby as the fear set in. She nearly turned back when she saw him standing against a pillar in a suit, staring at his phone. It was well fitted and sexier than she had ever seen in her life, and she stopped and stared. He slowly lifted his gaze to her and took all of her in with his beautiful blue eyes. She felt the familiar tightening and fluttering, and she gave up the fight as she stepped towards him.

"You look beautiful." Eric told her softly, once she was face to face with him. He eyed her up and down again, unashamed as he devoured her with his hungry eyes.

"Thanks for the surprise, but I do insist on paying you something." Carli told him, and his eyes seemed angry as he met hers again. "You look really good as well."

"You have thanked me enough by gracing this dress with your body. That is all the payment I need." Eric insisted, and she pressed her legs together as she saw the open lust in his eyes. She looked back at the elevator as she considered running away, but he turned her face back to his with a gentle touch of his hand. "Don't run away from me. Let's see how this goes."

Carli knew where she wanted it to go, and she stared at him. She nodded slowly and he offered her his arm so they could walk to the car. She knew that she was recognizable in certain circles, so she fought to keep a neutral look on her face. He opened the car door for her again and she stared forward as she slid inside, as well as when he got in. "I really do want to pay you for the dress. It isn't right taking such a gift under the circumstances." Carli told him, and he silenced her with a finger over her lips.

"I only knew that you were traveling and might not have anything. Pam selected it once I told her what sizes to look for." Eric told her, and she turned her head to stare at him. "You are very much like her, and the same size. It was easy." Something about the mention of her name stirred Carli's curiosity, and she remembered the knowing look that she had received from her.

"Is she someone you are involved with?" Carli asked him, and was met with a chuckle.

"She would much rather fuck you than me." Eric told her, and she have him a wide eyed look. "Pam has been into women for a few years now and liked you quite a lot. As did much of the staff on that floor."

"What do you mean?" Carli asked him, and he started the car and eased into traffic.

"You had all of the young interns there hot and bothered. They were saying quite a lot about you everywhere I was." Eric replied, and she blinked. "You're a beautiful and talented woman, Carli."

"I am a decent singer and really not that worthy of what you say. "

"You need to look closely into the mirror sometime." Eric told her, and his eyes reflected the sincerity of his words. "I was taken by you the moment I saw you, not to mention when I touched you." Carli stared at him, feeling very inadequate at the moment. She, like any other woman, had her moments of insecurity and low self esteem. She almost hated that she was a girl in this business of gorgeous and talented women that towered over her in their talent. Carli was always struggling with what looked good and always strived for more, and she usually felt like she did not measure up.

"Good thing I have you fooled." Carli said slowly, and shook her head slightly. She looked out of the window at the water and then up at the Statue of Liberty as they passed it, caught up in it all for a moment. "I love New York." Carli said almost automatically, and smiled.

"Have you considered relocating?"

"No. My home in in Chicago right now, with the band. It would be more traveling than it already is." Carli sighed, and glanced at him in the dim glow of the street lights. "How long have you been here?"

"Five years. I moved from Shreveport to start this business with Pam and have never looked back." Eric told her, and she nodded slowly. "I will show you the city during this visit and take you places you might have never been."

Carli looked at him and thought that he had already taken her to places she had never been, and crossed her legs together as he met her gaze for a moment. They pulled into a parking lot and she looked at the large building on the water as he parked, and stepped out of the car as he opened her door. She saw his gazed rest on her cleavage as she stood, and she stared at him as he lifted his eyes to hers. They walked to the railing to gaze at the water for a moment, and she stared at the city lights that reflected on it. "So beautiful."

Eric slid a hand up and down her back and she felt him press closer to her. "Yes, you are."

"You're making me blush." Carli chided him, and he kissed her hair with a hard press of his lips.

"What else am I making you do?" His voice was a whisper in her ear, and she jumped visibly. He turned her to face him and she stared into his eyes. "I know that this is wrong. I know that you have a fiancé. I have never pursued someone like I am doing with you with so many odds stacked against me, but I cannot stop." He lowered his face to hers and she found the strength to press against his chest, almost losing it when she touched the muscles under his clothes. "One kiss, Carli." He brushed her lips with his and she found her arms sliding around his neck to keep the contact, feeling her knees weaken and turn to useless much as he pressed her into the railing. He slowly traced her lower lip with his tongue and she met it with her own, and he kissed her again as their heat mingled. His body pressed into hers and she felt his hardness pressing into her thigh as she felt the kiss getting heated. She pulled away with a gasp, and he stared at her with darkening blue eyes. She knew that if they were alone that this could become dangerous, and she slid away from him to give herself some distance. "Should I apologize?"

"I can't throw this all on you. I am here, I am wearing this, and I seem to remember kissing you back." Carli said, and felt her stomach growl. "Besides, I am hungry and have not eaten all day. Let's go inside and cool off a bit."

"Yes, ma'am." Eric said, and she followed him to the door. He opened it for her and soon they were seated in a corner by the water at a small and intimate table. Candlelight danced across the pristine glass and she looked around to see the though it was crowded, it was also very private. She gazed at him, just a couple of feet away from her, and he seemed to look curiously at her. He gazed at her empty hand and then up at her face. "Where is a ring, if you are indeed engaged?"

"We have been to busy to get one, I suppose. It was probably a bit impromptu on his part and I was OK with it that way." Carli replied, feeling stupid for leading him on that day at the gallery probably with no ring. "I used to think I didn't need one to know I was engaged, but now I find myself distracted from that."

"By me?" Eric asked, and glanced up as the waiter came to take their drink order. Eric ordered a fine vintage wine, and then glanced at her. "We should make a decision on dinner." They picked up their menus and stared at them, and Carli glanced back and forth between him and the words as she reflected on the kiss. It had stirred up so much heat in her body, and she knew that she was at a weak point right now with him. She realized how hungry she was as she gazed at the choices, and settled on the crab and lobster ravioli with a house salad. The waiter brought their wine and filled their glasses, and they ordered their food, and she looked at him as they were left alone again. She felt the heat again and looked around the building at the people dressed like they were, enjoying their own dinners and conversation in the quiet place. She then looked out of the window to the view she had been enjoying earlier, and rested her head in her hand as she let her thoughts drift. "Carli?" Eric asked, and she looked across the table at him. "Where is your mind right now?" His eyes were curious and she took in his handsome face with her eyes.

"I should not have kissed you." Carli's voice was low and she sipped her wine as she savored the taste in her mouth. "I am not available to do so."

"You enjoyed it. You certainly returned it." Eric told her, and a blush tinged her pale cheeks. She looked up at him and his gaze was curious.

"All of that is true, but I cannot continue to do that. I want to enjoy this dinner and this evening, but we should not consider any kind of relationship beyond a friendship." Carli told him, and he smirked at her. "What?"

"I can sense how much I get to you, Carli. That is hard to keep denying."

"I am leaving in a week. I think that we can control ourselves for that amount of time." Carli argued lightly, and he raised one eyebrow.

"We shall see." Eric said, and proceeded to ask her how she grew interested in singing.

"I have been singing since I could talk, like most kids, but my mom heard something in it and got me into training at a pretty early age. I did alright and the guys and I formed the band five years ago, and here we are." She felt Eric reach under the table and bring her foot over his leg, and he stroked her calf with one finger gently. She shot him a warning look, but could not bring herself to remove her leg.

"You seem to work well together as a group. They feed off of your ability, and you theirs. Some bands I have seen at the station seem sloppy and not very put together." Eric told her, and she smiled. "Have you ever slept with any of them?"

"Why do you ask?" Carli said in surprise, feeling her cheeks darken again. He kept doing that to her.

"It must be hard not to when you spend so much time with four males. I just wonder if you have ever crossed the line." Eric said, and she swallowed. "So have you?"

"No. The only other guy for me has been a boyfriend before Ryan. I have been with him for five years since the band got together. Travis is his best friend, so anything with the band would be strange to say the least."

"I suppose so." Eric told her, and his hand rose to the soft skin behind her knee. "Tell me, are these full or thigh high?" His hand traveled up high enough to find out, and she gasped as his fingers touched her bare skin. He leaned forward and stared at her as he traced her skin gently. "Want to have an orgasm right here and now? I could make you."

"No." Carli said, pulling her leg away and straightening her skirt. "Did you hear anything I said?"

"I chose to ignore it." Eric told her, and she glared at him. Their plates arrived, and she stared at it instead as her hunger hit her full force. She waited until they were alone again and took a slow bite, smiling as the taste filled her mouth. "I take it you approve?" His look was heated and she glanced at him before staring at her food again.

"Very much. I don't eat this well too often." Carli said, and gave him a look that made him smirk.

"Don't even think of offering to pay." Eric told her smoothly, and she sighed. "Whether or not you end up in my bed, I will buy you dinner tonight. Friends do that."

"Friends." Carli repeated, and took another bite. The food alone could allow her a friend like him as she chewed it, and she shook her head slowly. They talked about each other during their slow dinner, and she found herself laughing to many things he said. Eric was direct and intense, but charming and witty as well. She leaned towards him over the table as their plates were removed and he ordered dessert, and she grinned again as they shared the rich chocolate mousse. They finished their wine as they chatted more, and she felt a bit lightheaded as she stood up. "Are you okay to drive?" Carli asked as they reached his car, blinking for a moment as she swayed.

"I don't think you noticed that you had a glass more than I did. You must have been too nervous about my presence." Eric told her into her ear, sliding his hands around her to hold her. He kissed her neck slowly and teasingly, and pulled her against him. "You smell so good, Carli." She moaned as his lips traced her skin, and slid her hands around to touch his legs as she tried to think. Eric pressed her into the pristine car and she cried out as she felt one hand sliding up her body.

"Stop, Eric. We cannot do this." Carli told him, knowing that she was losing control. "I can't do this."

"Oh really?" Eric's hand stopped just below her breast and slowly stroked her. "I want you, Carli. I want you in my bed screaming my name."

"No. Take me back to my hotel." Carli told him, struggling to get out of his arms. She turned to face him, her face strained and her breath heavy. "Please, Eric. I cannot do this, as much as you get to me."

"Fine." Eric told her, and opened her door for her as his face set. They drove quietly, and she stole a few glances at his angry face. He pulled up to the curb sharply, and she took a deep breath.

"Thank you for dinner. I did have a nice time." Carli tried to offer him something small, but he only glanced at her.

"Enjoy your remaining stay, Carli. I won't bother you any longer." She stared at him with wide eyes, and he let his gaze trail over her. "I do not see how you deny what you want." His eyes met hers again and she looked at him for a long moment. She didn't want to leave the car, but she finally broke the stare.

"Good night." Carli told him, and sighed as she got out of the car. She felt regret and a strange sense of loneliness that she had never felt on the road as she walked to her room, longing for reassurance from herself that she had made the right choice. She still didn't have it when she was falling asleep after staring at the television for awhile as she rested against her pillows. "I need to get home." Carli moaned, and closed her eyes.