Authors Note: Thank you so much for all the response to chapter two. Thanks again to my beta: FreeMoment for beta'ing another chapter of ETE!

"You have some time before your shift should have officially ended. I was thinking we could go for a drive?" I said to her. She smiled and nodded.

"I'd like that." I took hold of my love's hand and led her to the passenger side. It had been a weird night since I rose and I just wanted to be alone with my woman. I never thought I'd be one of those men but with Sookie, it felt right and natural doing all the things I wouldn't normally do with other women or people in general, vampire, other or human.

Something happened yesterday evening and I wasn't entirely sure if I liked it or not, purely and simply because it was not created in a way I would have preferred. It was the only thing I could think of to relate it to. A blood-bond would enable me to feel Sookie and make sure she was safe, and feel secure with her by my side. So far we haven't been seen, which was a blessing, though the shifter got a broken nose after he had said some things after smelling Sookie on me.

If she asked, I would be honest. Lying would not get me anywhere with this new development, and I found myself thinking I couldn't lie to her even if I wanted too. IF this was what I thought it was, then I did not want to start this off on the wrong footing. We would build something between us no other would ever dream of having or experiencing - a unique coupling. I briefly wondered what would happen when we do blood-bond, and I try my best not to do that until whenever this big reveal would be.

"What are you thinking about so deeply?" Sookie asked me, bringing me out of my muse.

"A lot of things," I told her.

"Tell me?" she asked.

"What do you want to know?"

"How do you know Sam? Does he know what you are?"

"Yes, the shit knows what I am. He has his own secrets, like we all do, and as much as I dislike him, it is not my place to say. Just know that I'm sort of like his boss, in a way," I answered.

"Interesting. You never said how you know each other?" she pointed out. I mentally sighed! I had a feeling she wasn't going to let the things I didn't answer drop.

"I'm what is known as a Sheriff. IF people in my area wrong me, or others get in disputes or whatever, I am responsible for keeping the peace. Merlotte came to me some years back asking for a loan to build Merlotte's Bar and Grill. He had enough to buy the land his trailer sits on, but not enough to build the barn. We set up a payment plan for which he would have paid it all back by now, due to how surprisingly well business has been doing in your tiny town. Yet he's paid none of it back, it's still a mystery as to where the money's gone. But I will find out," I said.

"Merlotte's is the social hub of the town. There isn't a day where there aren't people trickling in. We have quiet days like today and busy days which are usually Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Why haven't you been to check up on him before?" Good question!

"My kind does not usually mix with humans, Sookie. Our situation is rather unique; I shouldn't be here with you now, but I find myself unable to stay away from you. I'd left Merlotte plenty of chances and time to jump on the plan we'd set up, so I decided to pay him a visit. I wasn't expecting to see anyone but Merlotte yesterday. But I do not regret my decision, or else I would not have met you," I told her.

"Then don't stay away..." was all she said. I pulled up to the land I owned on the outskirts of Bon Temp's side of Shreveport,maybe between half-way. There was an untouched lake surrounded by trees and a clearing on the other side of where my car wasparked. There would be renovation done here soon!

I checked there was no one there, just me and my love. I helped Sookie out of my car, and led her down to the water's edge. She didn't seem afraid, she actually felt calm and peaceful compared to how she felt at Merlotte's. Maybe this could be our get-a-way spot, our secret place.

I sat down on the grassy bank and pulled Sookie into my lap, so she was facing me. Moonlight surrounded us. "What are you doing to me?" I asked her now that we were truly alone. Leaning my forehead against hers, her arms went around my neck, mine already around her waist.

"As I said earlier, ditto. What's happening? I feel like I've been feeling you this evening?" I closed my eyes and reopened them, looking deeply into her blue eyes, the same colour as mine.

"I do not understand what is going on, something happened between us yesterday. We shouldn't be able to feel each other the way we already seem too. I also want to try something."

"Try what?" she asked, curious. Still looking into her eyes, I tried glamouring her into kissing me. She frowned and "Stop doing that, it's giving me a headache," was all she said. Surprise was what I felt and then I kissed her, leaning her backwards, so her back rested against the cool grass and I laid on top of her. This was something I wouldn't have to worry about. She wouldn't be so easily taken from me!

Lust and desire burst through us. I moved my hands down to the bottom of her work shirt and lifted her work top up as she moved her arms from my neck to allow me to remove it completely. The bra came off next, along with my shirt and jeans. Sookie gasped when she realised I had gone without boxers.

I leaned back down and pressed my body against hers, capturing her lips. I didn't think I would ever tire of this woman. The feel of her breasts against my chest felt amazing. I kissed my way down her jaw and neck, down her chest, to the valley of her breasts, my favourite breasts I think I've ever seen in all my thousands of years. I licked my way up the left and took the nipple in my mouth, enjoying the noises my lover was making, her hands in my hair, and my other hand paying attention to her other breast.

I moved my free hand down to her shorts and removed them so I could access my happy place. I had become acquainted with it the day before and she tasted and smelt like heaven. I paid attention to her other breast next, doing the same thing, and kissed my way down to my happy place.

I had to place my arm over her hips to stop her from moving as I came in contact with home. I lost myself within the smell and taste of her and gave her the best fucking orgasm of her life. When her body calmed down, I picked her up bridal-style and brought her into the moon-lit waters.

When I was shoulder deep, I let Sookie wrap her legs around my hips, my cock throbbing with need. But this was about her and when she was ready. I've never forced a woman and I would not take her innocence until she was ready. Sookie had one arm around my neck and the other on my chest and we kissed until she had to breathe. She surprised me when she moved a little further down my body so my dick was sandwiched between our lower bodies, her hot centre on him but not inside her.

"Sookie..." I said in warning against her neck.

"I want this, I want you. I don't know why we feel each other, and I don't understand what's happening, but it feels right to be with you and only you. I want you to do this," she said. I moved so I could look deeply into her eyes. I was definitely building on this land.

"There's no going back after this... I do not share. I am also a very private and secretive man when it comes to my private life. Due to my role in my world, we will have to tread carefully. I cannot treat you like a normal human man would, could," I warned her.

"I understand. Like I've said, I don't understand what this is or what's happening between us, BUT I can't imagine being with anyone else, and when I saw you for the first time this evening, I was overcome with a strong emotion of not realising how much I'd missed you," she told me and that was all the answer I needed. I kissed her with all the passion and acceptance I could.

Moving my hands to her hips, I slid her down on to me gently. When I reached her maidenhead, I paused and rested my forehead against hers, looking deeply into her eyes, hoping she could feel what I felt, and broke it. She gasped and I kissed her tear away and held her in place, whilst whispering mine into the night air, capturing her lips with mine.

She fit me so perfectly, I've never had a woman take me all the way down to my balls. Another sign she had been made for just me. I buried my head in the crook of her neck, memorising her scent and the feel of her body against mine. Things were going to get busy after this weekend and I wasn't sure how much free time I would have to be with my love. Thank fuck for modern technology.

Sookie moved her hips, indicating she was ready, and I made love to her in our lake. It also took every ounce of control I had not to sink my teeth into her perfect skin. I didn't want the shifter getting wind of anything going on between us. Yes, he'd smell she'd lost her virginity, but he wouldn't be able to tell by who. If I gave her my blood and she hers, he'd be able to smell it.

I was pretty sure I could wait. I wanted us to build a solid foundation first as well! So when the Big Revelation happens, which I was pretty sure it would, I would blood-bond with her then. But knowing how things have worked out so far between us... who knew what could transpire? The blood-bond could happen sooner. This was only the beginning of our lives together, and for the first time in a thousand years, I actually weirdly felt at home.

Home...

Hope you are all okay wherever you are around the world.
What did you think of this chapter and what are your theory's?
And hope you all have a fab weekend :)
Friday updates from next Friday on wards.