I do not own any True Blood characters…

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Carli stared at him, taking in his serious expression and his sincere eyes. She wanted to scream yes and jump into his arms as they celebrated, but she held back as she remained quiet. It was too soon, and too awkward right now if she looked at the whole picture. She was already dealing with the aftermath of her choice to be with him, and that would make it so much more stressful. "Can I say yes to saying yes later? When everything is settled and people are comfortable, and I am not dealing with a shit storm of emotions from people around me?" She looked forward and leaned back into him, and he seemed to embrace her uncomfortably. "You make me feel so amazing, but it is so soon and I am just…needing time to think."

"I can understand that." Eric murmured, and she ran her hands over his as she picked up on his hurt feelings. She felt bad and she closed her eyes as she welcomed the warmth of his bare skin against her back.

"I'm sorry." Carli whispered, and she felt his lips brush her neck slowly. She smiled as she shivered, and he moved his hand to lift her damp hair up so he would have more skin. He nibbled gently on her skin as his lips moved over her, and she felt him react as he pressed into her. Carli moaned as her own body heated up and moistened, and she dropped her hands to grip the sheets as she let the sensations hit her. His own hands began to roam over her, and she began to whimper as his hands burned fire over her skin.

"How do you say no when I make you react like this?" Eric asked her, turning her around roughly and staring at her. He kissed her and she slid as close to him as she could as she parted her lips and searched for his tongue eagerly. He complied and slid one hand up and down her back and the other into her hair as they kissed deeply for a few moments. He was getting harder and she was getting wetter, and soon he pushed her back onto the bed and began to kiss down her body eagerly, making her cry out as he drew her nipples into his mouth roughly.

"I love you." Carli cried out as she felt the sheets under her dampen, and him part her legs further as he pressed against her. He responded with a moan as he felt what he was doing to her, and moved down even further. She looked down at his face and met his eyes, and the intensity of them made her slow down and really look.

"Meet me halfway, Carli. Move in with me." Eric told her, and then she nearly screamed as he moved between her legs and did everything that she needed and loved. She cried out as he licked and teased, and sucked and nibbled on her. She did scream when she came hard against him, closing her eyes as the dizziness hit her and she saw black. He moved up and inside of her during that time, and she cried out again as he slid against her tight walls. They were still experiencing small aftershocks and she felt him fill her, burning her as she moaned against his lips as he kissed her. Her taste was all over his mouth and she ate at his lips as he slowly built up the speed of his thrusts as well as the depth. "You feel so good." Eric grunted, before kissing her again. She was open and ready now, and he took her harder and faster all of a sudden as she moaned loud and long. She had just had one hard orgasm, but her body was well on the way to another and she screamed hoarsely as she felt it hit her in long waves. He pushed harder into her tightening walls and made it last before he came, and she whimpered again as he fell against her with his head on her chest.

"Can you make me do that every night if I move in?" Carli breathed as she spoke softly, and lay still with him pressed damply against her.

"I will have a good time trying." Eric replied, and she smiled.

"Let me see if I know anyone that wants a place here in the city." Carli said, and felt him kiss the part of her that was right under him. "I will talk to the guys or something. They need somewhere to hang out here when they visit."

"Maybe Pam." Eric suggested, and she considered that. Pam was still caught up in getting things in order there, and they had not spoken much to her. Carli had offered to come to the service once it was set up, and was prepared to make a flight when she was needed. Pam really wanted to come to New York, but she was trying to do the right thing with the family of Liz. He moved up next to her and cuddled close to her and she felt him kiss her damp hair. They fell asleep together, and she woke up to the sound of her phone. She reached out to hit snooze and then moved close to his naked body, sliding her hand down his arm slowly as she kissed his lips softly.

"I don't want to leave you here." Carli murmured, as she felt him stir.

"Come back tonight. How long is your company visiting?" His voice sounded tired but happy, and he slid an arm around her back.

"A couple nights more. We have a photo shoot tomorrow." Carli replied, and his lips captured hers a little harder this time after she spoke.

"Does that include your ex?" Eric asked, and she sighed as his hand slid down to trace her bare ass slowly.

"I have no clue. I suppose I will find out today." Carli said, her body stirring deep inside. She rolled onto her back and pulled his hand between her legs as she leaned her head back. "Do you mind his being here?"

"Nobody likes someone else wanting their lover, but I am not jealous. I understand his pain." Eric said, his fingers sliding into her wet center. "First thing in the morning, Car?" She moaned as she felt herself responding, and he slid the sheet off of her body. She ended up on top of him after her first orgasm, riding his body hard as she found him hitting her favorite spot. She cried out as a different sensation hit her, and he slid one hand up to her breast as the other gripped her hip. She screamed as she came again, and stared down into his face with blurry eyes as he grunted below her. "I like those kind of wake ups."

"You get to stay in bed, Eric. I have to go to the radio program." Carli said smiling as she slid off of him slowly and leaning down to kiss him.

"I have a luncheon to take care of, but I shall call you later." Eric told her, and she met his lips with hers. "I love you, Carli."

"I love you." Carli told him back, and heard her phone again. She smiled and got out of bed and into the shower, brushing her hair as she stared at the shoulder long length. It needed a cut. She put on a small amount of make up and pulled on jeans and a hoodie, smiling as she saw Eric asleep again. She grabbed her purse and locked the door, catching a cab outside and heading to the station. She was a bit late and hurried to the studio to the chorus of teasing voices from her friends. The guys were set up on the couch and she slid next to Travis, glancing at him. He shot her a curious look and she took a deep breath as she greeted the hosts with a wide smile. They chatted about a possible upcoming tour and the shoot, and moved onto the varied subjects that she was used to. She saw movement outside of the studio, and glanced up to see Ryan. He glanced darkly at her as he entered the studio, and she looked at the floor. She was relieved when it was time for them to do a few songs, and she easily performed their covers as well as three originals. She escaped when she sang, and could disappear into her own world. She realized that they were on a break when they were done, and Ryan slipped out again. "Was he alright last night?" Her soft question was directed at Travis, and she glanced at him.

"A little bitter." Travis told her, shrugging. "You have to understand where he is at, seeing you with him."

"I know, Trav." Carli said, and glanced up to see the eyes of the radio hosts. They were curious and she bit her lip as she glanced back at Travis.

"Everything OK?" Jimmy asked her, and she smiled at the comedian.

"Fine." Carli assured him, diverting him by asking for a cup of coffee. Her previous wake up was diminishing, and she needed the pick me up. She took it when an intern brought it in with a smile and a thank you, and forced her way through the rest of the show. She headed out afterwards, and her band mate Jimmy caught up to her.

"Come to breakfast with us?" Jimmy asked her, and she stared at him. "Carli, we need to figure out a way to work this out."

"I agree, but I don't like the way I feel right now about it." Carli replied, rolling her eyes.

"He's hurt." They walked to the elevators slower behind the others, and her friend stroked her back slowly. "He saw you with someone else and you're happy."

"Does he want me to not have a life? Jimmy, I hate this. I want him to be a friend to me and I want it the way it was."

"Come to breakfast and try to talk to him after." Jimmy suggested, and she groaned as they got onto the elevator. "You are in love with this guy?"

"Yeah." Carli replied, not going into the details about Eric. "I am."

"Well, I am happy for you. I know that you and Ryan were at one time too, but that ended. He does need to man up." Jimmy told her, and she smiled gratefully at him. "It'll be fine."

Carli sat by Jimmy at the diner, and there were enough people at the table to ease the tension. They took a long time to eat as they chatted and met with fans, and then Carli caught up to Ryan on the street. "Hey. Can we talk?"

"I guess."

"I don't know why you came if it was going to be this way." Carli told him, and he looked at her.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay." Ryan told her, looking at her for a long moment. "Did you come here for him? You look so happy, and I could tell that we interrupted something by your face and…..it bothered me. I don't want you with someone else yet. I don't want to see how you are with the guy you fucked behind my back."

"Ryan." Carli sighed aloud, closing her eyes. "I did not come here to run back to him. I came here to just start over, and I saw him and I knew…I knew that I still loved him. I knew that I wanted to be with him, and I am. Just grow up and get over it already. You were dating someone else and I was fine with it."

"Yeah, and look who I ended up in bed with again. You. Always you." Ryan shot back at her, and they stared at each other. "I need to move past still loving you, Car. I am going to book a flight home and just take some time." Ryan walked away and she watched him, surprised and saddened. She caught Travis's glance and looked down as she turned and walked the other way down the street. She let the loss of her best friend for years hit her, and wiped a tear from her cheek. She ended up back at Eric's after some walking, and crawled into his empty bed to sleep for awhile. She woke up to a hand tracing her shoulder and sliding her hair back, and blinked her eyes slowly.

"Eric?" Carli asked groggily, and turned slowly to look at him. "How was work?"

"Just fine, Carli. How was the show?" Eric asked curiously, stroking her face as he looked into her eyes.

"Ryan is leaving and does not want to see me for awhile." Carli said in a glum voice, and looked at him. "He is not stupid and knows who you are. I just have had him in my life forever and I feel a bit lost."

"He'll calm down, lover. I know what he is going through." Eric said, then smiled wistfully. "Though we haven't the history that you do with him and I feel relatively new in your life."

"That may be true, but I love you. You can be my best friend, right?" Carli asked, and he looked at her. "I require it if we are going to live together."

"Take a shower and let's go to dinner." Eric told her, and she took a deep breath and pushed herself up. She looked at him and he kissed her gently, and she smiled against his lips. He was so comforting. She made her way to the shower and changed into some clean clothes and they headed out for a casual dinner. They ran into her band without Ryan afterwards, and ended up going to see a friend's band with them. They got to know Eric and everyone seemed to warm up to him before the show as Carli enjoyed a few drinks to loosen up. She ran to the front to dance with her guys and loved watching the bands and chatting with them after. Eric hung out at the bar, and she ran up and hugged him after the show as he caught her in his arms. He smiled at her and she kissed him, hard and longingly.

"Sorry I kinda ditched you." Carli apologized, and smiled after the extended kiss.

"You had a good time and you needed this. You looked pretty hot up there." Eric told her, and kissed her again as she moaned against his mouth. "You are such a vibrant girl and I love that about you. I love that you are so young and full of life."

"Eric." Carli said, blushing at his deepening tone.

"Did you save some of that for later tonight?" Eric's voice made her tighten lower in her body and she stared into his darkening blue eyes.

"Always." Carli replied, breathing deeply as her body overtook her mind a bit. She came back to reality and glanced over to see her band looking at her, and smiled sheepishly as she blushed. They stepped forward and she turned to face them, smiling as Eric kept one arm around her.

"We are going for some after show food. You guys want to join us?" Jimmy asked, and she grinned widely at him.

"That would be great." Eric replied smoothly, stroking her lower back. "Sound good, Car?"

"Yes." Her reply was instant, and they all headed out to a local all night place. Eric talked about his job and that led to XM, and she burst with happiness inside when they got along. She leaned against him as he chatted, taking sips of her shake slowly as she took in his warmth. They all headed out after their meal, relieved that they had a quiet night without a lot of fans, and she hugged them all tightly.

"You look really happy." Travis and Jimmy both told her, and she smiled at them.

"Actually, I might be moving in to his place and that would free up mine. Interested?" Carli asked them, and they glanced at each other.

"Let us look at some numbers. Maybe we could at least make it a band hang out." Jimmy replied, and looked into her eyes. "You deserve this, Carli."

"Thanks." He shook Eric's hand and glanced at her as he told him to take care of their girl, to which Eric agreed. She walked up and took his hand as he smiled down at her, and they walked back to his apartment and talked softly. He unlocked the door and she reached up to hug him tightly, and whispered that she loved him before walking inside.

"Tonight went well. I like your friends." Eric told her, and she laughed softly as she thought how well they had gotten along. "I don't know how they cannot want you as I do, but I like them."

"They have known me since I was that awkward teenager. It's better that way. I could not handle more Ryans in my life. They didn't even mention him, so I guess he left. He would have been with them otherwise." Carli said thoughtfully, and felt his lips capture hers gently. "I just want to focus on me, on us." She pulled him down for another kiss and that one deepened slowly, and she slid her hands into his hair to pull him closer.

"Were you ever an awkward teenager?" Eric asked her, pulling away slightly.

"Of course. I still feel that way now sometimes." Carli told him, and smiled. "I am sure that you were always this hunky though."

"Hunky?" Eric questioned her term, and she giggled a little.

"Yes, hunky. It is the only reason I am with you, you know." Carli continued her teasing, and stared into his gorgeous face.

"As flattering as that statement is, I do hope it isn't the truth." Eric told her, and she let him pull her close for another kiss. She got lost in her thoughts and realized that he had not presented himself well as a person much of the time. He was sweet to her when they were together, and would do nearly anything to make her happy. There was so much that could still bother her. He had very willingly cheated with her in the beginning, and a girl could question whether or not he was going to be the same way when somebody else came along. They had both slept with Pam, which was just a strange thing to wrap her mind around. As the kiss deepened and his arms tightened around her body, she could not deny the attraction that they had. She slid her hands to the front of his jeans and unbuttoned them, and he growled against her lips. She slid them down when she was finished, finding him bare and very ready as she slid her hand around him. "No touch has ever meant what yours does to me. No woman has ever gotten to me the way you do, or felt the way that you do." Eric's words made her look at him, and his eyes locked with his. He captured her lips as she began to move her hand up and down his shaft, and then she felt him take her by the shoulders and push her to her knees. She stared at his face, at his eyes as they deepened. Carli looked at his tip that was in her face and drew him slowly inside her mouth. She heard him moan and she drew him further, tightening her mouth around his large size. His hands gripped her hair as he held her head, and she teased him further. She used her lips, tongue, and a slight hint of teeth as he swelled inside of her and then he twisted his hands into her hair painfully and began to thrust himself into her mouth. She cried out as she accepted him, feeling her dampness pool into her panties as she took all of him deep into her throat. Carli knew she was in trouble he twitched and came inside of her mouth and deep down her throat, and she swallowed it as if her life depended upon it to survive. She knew that she would take him again and again, and she felt him yank her back by the hair gently and meet her wide eyes. She knew that she loved him, be it sick at this point or not. Eric pulled her up by the hands and led her to the bedroom, and she stood in front of him as he pulled off her jeans. He pushed her onto the bed and finished taking them off, and pulled her shirt above her head. Eric moved in front of her and she stared at him as he stroked her cheek pushed her hair back.

"What is it?" Carli asked him, her voice almost echoing in the dark room.

"I watched you tonight closely. I watched you with your friends as you danced and looked so young and happy. I watched your ass move in your jeans and wanted to bury my cock in it as I watched you do that, and I started to piece together the woman that I love. I saw the Carli that you show to your fans that I have seen so much of, and the Carli that loves her friends, and I saw the Carli that will give herself to me. I saw the Carli that will let me dominate her and fuck her in the mouth because I want her that badly. Do you think anyone else can see that Carli underneath the rest?" His words were slow and thoughtful, and she shivered as he moved his hand to her bare shoulder. "I have fucked a lot of women, Carli. I have never met someone that holds me the way that you do, and I never want to let that go. I want to thrive in it and let it take me over the way I want it to, and I want you to let it take you over as well." His hand unhooked the front of her bra and her nipples hardened in the air as she breathed deeply. Eric slid the bra off and his hands slid over her breasts and teased her nipples as she closed her eyes and felt her desire washing over her. "You know what I want from you tonight, Carli. Turn around and bend over."

"I'm scared, Eric." Carli admitted, and looked at him.

"I'll take care of you." Eric promised her, and she nodded and moved to her knees. Eric slid his hands around her thighs and teased her with his fingers as she moaned and bucked against him.

"Fuck me, Eric." Carli begged him, giving in to her primal need for him. She felt the pressure between her legs and she cried out as she came, feeling it in long waves. She dimly heard the sound of a drawer opening and then his fingers slid up and between her cheeks, stroking her as she moaned softly. She felt him insert his finger into the tightest of openings and she cried out as he slid it further.

"Now I will fuck you." Eric positioned himself and replaced his finger with his slick tip, pushing gently as she felt the sweat pool in her hair. He edged his way deeper inside of her and she found herself moving against him to bring him further inside. He began to fuck her slowly and steadily and she felt his hand slip between her legs as she moaned. He teased her clit in fast circles as moved inside of her and she found herself coming again. It dripped lightly onto his fingers as she cried out, and she felt him thrust hard and cry out her name.

"How can that feel so good?" Carli asked the air, as she breathed deeply. "So tight and so much pressure, but so good."

"Your ass is gorgeous." Eric told her, sliding out of her as she collapsed onto the mattress. "You're gorgeous."

"You're turning me into a whore." Carli said, curling up into the fetal position as her body throbbed.

"I could never be this much in love with a whore." Eric assured her, and she felt his hand in her damp hair. She felt his lips on her shoulder and her neck and she shuddered as he caressed her. She was in so much trouble.