Chapter 4
The small doses of alcohol kept blood streaming to my face. I ordered Eric to have the bartender bring the tequila bottle into his office, because as soon as I entered the cramped space with the giant vampire, I knew it was going to be a long night. I took another short swig of the bottle, "No way. You have no say over what sick days I take." My fingers felt tingly, and the white walls of the room looked fuzzy, but I wasn't going to take any bullshit. Eric's lurking frame stood over me, and seemed to get closer and closer with every minute that passed. The denim of his jeans started to lightly graze my arm as he read the contract with me over my shoulder.
Thirty-five pages. He wrote a thirty-five paged document in a size eight font. Most of it detailing a confidentiality agreement of what I see going on in the bar, stays in the bar. Which to be honest got me a little worried, but the tequila soon took that fear away.
"Also you're not getting a request for going out at night. Absolutely not. Like I said, you and whatever protection you're giving me is not telling me what to do." I huffed and crossed my arms. My words were starting to slur, and my frustration level was through the roof. Negotiating a contract with a vampire was most definitely like making a deal with the devil. I was finally on the last page, and about halfway through the bottle of Jose Cuervo.
Eric's fingertips slowly ripped through the fabric backing of the chair out of anger at all of my requests. Some had been approved, but most have been denied. I was surprised when I finally heard, "Fine. A phone call will suffice Ms. Cotter." His deep voice seemed to struggle between gritted teeth. My drunk self let out a small giggle.
"Cool, cool. Money looks good. And as far as coming with you when you leave town? I would rather not." With fingers reaching once again for another drink from the bottle, I was thrown off guard when the man above me let out a reproachful growl. Wow so aggressive. Not so professional.
Grabbing the bottle and snatching it away from my approaching hands, Eric let out one last angered sigh, "You will be coming with me if I leave town. You will be compensated. There is no room for argument. Now sign."
Carelessly leaning my head back into his hard chest I let out another giggle, "Well excuse me ya grumpy vampire. I wasn't aware that my safety was such an inconvenience to you." Outstretching my hand up, I allowed it to gently boop his cold nose. My inner sober self that was now shoved in a box by the tequila was screaming in anger. "Now, if you will also be paying for my airfare and accommodations when I am dragged out of town with you, we have a deal."
Finding the metal pen mixed into the papers scattered around his desk, I signed sloppily on the black line at the bottom of the last page.
The contract was covered in scribbles, and last minute changes, but it was done. I had made a deal with Eric Northman, and the severity of that situation hadn't yet impacted me due to my unbelievable level of inebriation. Wiggling out of the large blood colored leather chair, Eric gave me a slight pull to help me onto my feet. Making eye contact with him I sent him a little wink as I grabbed the bottle out of his grasp.
"And with that, I will go find my Sookie," I almost made it out of the office. The door was in sight and my hands were almost on the doorknob. I think. But this gigantic vampire just couldn't let me go.
"I already had Pam escort her home." His blue gaze held the ocean, but no emotion. As if my presence in his office was just a happening, and nothing very important to him. I nodded uncomfortably and went to lean against his large and paper-doused desk. My legs felt like noodles, and having something to rest on comforted me.
"…So…" My hazy gaze seemed to linger on every dull object in the room. The alcohol wouldn't let me concentrate, "Um… How's the vampire bar business going?" Apparently drunk Brooke loved small talk.
A small smile burst from his red lips, "It's doing well Ms. Cotter." I nodded.
"There were a lot of uh-people dancing" My hand lazily pointed at the door. People? Right? That sounded like it covered enough species.
He took a step towards me. It felt as if he was constantly leering down at me. But I guess that's what happens when you're ginormous. "Well that's what humans seem to like when they're drunk," His eye brow lifted as if he asked a question.
I lifted myself off the desk and stood as tall as I could, "When your body feels so warm but numb, dancing is fun." I passed by him quietly but wobbly, "Don't vampires enjoy dancing Mr. Northman?" Don't they like to let go sometimes?" His long blonde hair looked even softer as his hands seemed to melt right through it.
"Not unless we have a reason," A fire spread through his gaze as his blue eyes seemed to brighten. With a playful smile he again advanced towards me. "Why Ms. Cotter are you trying to give me a reason?"
"Honestly Eric?" My boldness seemed to seep out of my skin like sweat. Being looked at by him felt like I was a piece of meat on display for a hungry lion. His head tilted in curiosity, "I don't think I'm the type that would make you want to leave your thrown." I didn't realize I was backing away from him until my unsteady body made contact with the hard door.
Finally reaching me, his hand leaned against the wooden frame above my head as his face reached down to be close to mine. If he chose to breathe at this moment he would take in the violent smell of tequila that I reeked of.
"Why do you say that?"
His face held a look of curiosity, as if I had insulted him and he wanted to know how I could be so cruel. Blue clashed with my brown and I couldn't look away from his scrutiny. I couldn't look at his hair or his pale cheeks or his red lips. Just his eyes.
"Because I'm a human."
"An interesting human." I could have laughed at that. His defense was slim. Finally looking away from his glare, my eyes focused on his lips. Red and full. Probably from his last meal. The only things keeping me away from the fangs he could use at any minute. I am nothing but a toy to him. A plaything. Something he could scare and manipulate whenever he wanted with his strength and intimidation.
Meeting his eyes again I muttered, "But a human nonetheless."
He bore over me for a few more seconds before easing away. Allowing me to take a step forward, he opened the door and held it for me to leave.
Walking out of the small hallway towards the crowded bar felt like a walk of shame. Humans and vampire alike watched the two of us join the patrons enjoying themselves. Glares of jealousy from the humans as they watched this drunk girl leaving the dreamy vampire's office. Looking me up and down their frowns were more prominent. As if I wasn't good enough to spend time with this handsome, colossal and immortal man. The vampires however studied me with curiosity. Why me? Why would the vampire from the throne spend hours with me? What could I possibly have that would interest him? I wasn't sure to be honest.
Looking back, Eric nodded, as he pushed me through the crowd with his hand on the small of my back. The sea parted and let us through. Drunk humans continued to glare but also fawn over Northman. A short lean man in a leather vest cut in front of us, unmoving. He swayed uncontrollably, clearly drunker than I was. "My Viking King," He bowed dramatically. Viking!?
Fully turning around, I could feel my eyes widen as the realization hit me. He was a fucking Viking? That must have made him at least a thousand years old. My drunk self put it a little less eloquently, "Viking? Neat."
Eric subtly rolled his eyes and continued to push me towards the stage where a dancing woman on a pole had half of the attention of the bar. The other half stared at Eric and me. Exiting the crowd, his hand controlled my movements by my waist and lead me towards his thrown. He sat down leaving me to awkwardly stand by his side.
"Eric," I hissed, "What the fuck are you doing?"
His hands fell to the rests of his dark, lavish chair. "I am sitting." A playful expression dawned on his usually impassive face.
"Why am I here too?" Crossing my arms over my chest, I tried to cover myself from the investigative stares of both vampires and humans alike.
He then started to look past me, and towards the beautiful woman on the pole in front of him. Am I going to need to jump on the pole to get his attention? Because I won't.
Still looking towards the woman he answered, "Because you cannot drive home, and I still have a job to do. So you will wait with me." Most of his statements had a finality to them. I wasn't having that.
Wanting to let out a loud huff and a dramatic stomp, I continued to complain, "Eric. What am I supposed to do until then?" Finally looking back at me, his stare was blank and unnerving. Good thing I didn't care. "I am not going to stand here while you play 'king of the vampires' for the rest of the night."
"You can go dance." He smirked, clearly giving me a sarcastic remark.
Letting out a small 'hmph' I confidently sauntered off the stage, through the crowd, and towards the bar. I made eye contact with the bar tender. I gave him the same order as before, and he didn't hesitate to give me what I wanted.
Leaving the money down, I felt eyes on my back as my fingers wrapped around the shot glasses. Licking the back of my hand, I turned around towards the stage where Eric looked on with a glare, as I poured salt on the wet spot. Giving him the second wink of the night, I threw back the two shots with ease. They caused my face to feel warmer and my hands to sweat.
I am drunk.
With lightning speed a pale man with dark hair grabbed my waist and pulled me to the dance floor. His hair was short and jawline was strong. If he wasn't so aggressive, I would have appreciated his looks from afar. He pulled my hips towards his, and a faint click could be heard from his mouth.
I am drunk AND screwed.
A faux confident smile embellished my cheeks, but I knew it didn't reach my eyes. I tried to give myself room by backing out of his tight hold, but no dice. Getting drunker by the minute I couldn't tell if the room was spinning or if I was.
Feeling a strong hand on my arm, I was pulled away from the dark haired man, straight of the crowd and towards the door of Fangtasia. "You are done tonight. I'm bringing you home." Eric's tone was cold, angry and frustrated.
Picking me up like a child, Eric let my arms drape around his neck to keep me steady. Blonde hair danced lightly on my arms giving me goosebumps. He wasn't cold, simply neutral. If he was in a bed he wouldn't produce any body heat next to me, but he wouldn't produce any cold either. But Eric doesn't belong in a bed. He belongs in a museum to be appreciated and ogled.
My cheek lulled to the side against his chest as we reached the parking lot. Eyes heavy and with a spinning world, I let myself have one last glance at the vampire holding me. It seems he had the same idea, because our eyes met with very different expressions. He stared at me curiously as I gave him a loopy smile. He was handsome, I'll give him that. Eric let out a small chuckle. I seemed to lose consciousness as a strong wind whipped around my face.
My body jolted up and I immediately vomited in the garbage can next to my bed.
Jesus Christ.
With a pounding headache, I winced at the light coming into my room from the three windows without shades. What kind of idiot doesn't put shades on their windows? Right…me.
Thoughts trudged through my brain as I attempted to remember how I got into this situation. The Contract. Tequila. And Eric. Brilliant. Leaning back into my pillows, I closed my eyes and tried to let my stomach settle down before I got up. Turning toward my nightstand, a glass of water sat next to my bed with a note.
Ms. Cotter,
Please do arrive at work before noon.
Learn to control your alcohol.
And I am handsome, thanks for noticing.
Always yours,
Mr. Eric Northman.
Thank you guys for reading! It's super rad!
I've been a little busy. If you guys could leave reviews that would be super cool.
I only own the OC.
