Part IV

Eric walked the entire five miles back home, which took him over an hour on the long stretch of road. He felt lucky, the night is cool dry and there was not a lot of traffic on the road that leads directly to his house. When he arrived at the corner of St. James and Gregory Lane, he ran to his car.

The car engine sung to the lone country roads, Eric relished the roaring winds that swirled in his long blond tresses and whistled in his ears. His phone pinged as he stopped at a railroad crossing and checked his text from Pam.

Pam: You're off the hook tonight.

Eric: How?

Pam: Told the old people you were groped and propositioned in the bathroom by your ex and her boyfriend.

Eric: WTF? Why?

Pam: Why not? LOL

A horn honked from the car behind him, removing Eric from his texting, he tossed the cellular phone in the passenger seat and sped through the intersection. He chuckled. His sister was eccentric, sassy and he loved her dearly. As he pulled into Tara's driveway, he felt better about the situation, knowing his family would enjoy their night out at the theater without him.

The moment he turned the ignition switch off he could hear the sounds of screaming in the background. Angry voices echoed in the silence of the surrounding area. One of the voices was unmistakable. It's Tara. She's yelling and being yelled at.

Eric leaped out of the vehicle, onto the porch and peered into the open door. The front room was dark, only faint traces of light pooled into the hall, "Tara," he called out while simultaneously knocking on the wood of the yellow-painted screen door. "Tara, it's Eric," if he didn't see her soon, he'd come in uninvited.

In less than a second, he was rewarded with a visual of her. He admired Tara's shapely silhouette as she emerged down the hall, she turned on the lamplight. In those moments, watching her move, Eric knew that she is so much more than a pretty girl; she is love and laughter, the light of his life.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, her voice trembling, her face stained with tears. Her pain was apparent and he wanted nothing more than to take her away.

"I needed to see you," he whispered, his voice was so tender, it felt as if she were wrapped in a blanket of his caring.

"It's not a good time," she sighed heavily, "It's good to see you though, but you should leave now." Tara couldn't help but compare the night with her own state of mind. Just like the darkness and the bubbling storm clouds in the sky, her insides were in chaos.

"I'm not leaving until you tell me why your crying and how I can help you." His eyes showed the kind of gentle concern that she was not accustomed to receiving. He laid his hand lightly on her shoulder, and instead of flinching like she usually did, she was soothed by it. "I want to be there for you, I want to be your man." He left his hand there and spoke with such a soft voice she felt his words calming her more by the way they were said that the actual words. How could she not consider his actions now, now that she could see how profoundly they affected him too.

"Wait right here, let me get my bag and I'll be back."

"I'm not going anywhere."

Eric waited patiently on the porch; an older man stepped out from his home next door. The way he peered at Eric was obvious, the man disapproved of the Thornton's or anyone who associated with them. For all Eric cared, he could cast his judgment if he felt entitled to do so.

And then the yelling started again.

"WHERE YOU THINK YOU GOING?" Tara's mother screamed and instead of waiting for a response she took the final swig of Jim Beam. She never had a sober day if she could help it. She did everything drunk. She drove, shopped and went to work drunk.

"I'M LEAVING!" Tara shouted back, that was the way she was accustomed to communicating with her mother when she was intoxicated.

"AFTER YOU ACCUSE ME OF STEALING, DON'T COME BACK!" Lettie would not allow herself to feel guilty, she had only taken fifty dollars and intended on paying it back next Friday. She didn't think her daughter would notice since she had over five hundred dollars in mostly one-dollar bills.

"YOU DID STEAL, I NEED THAT MONEY TO PAY FOR MY COLLEGE FEES!" Tara was more upset with herself than her mother, she knew her mother stole from her and usually, she hid her money better.

"I TOLD YOU I DID'NT DO IT!"

"LIAR!" Tara shouted, tears blinding, stinging her eyes as she stuffs the last article of clothing into her duffle bag.

"YOU UNGRATEFUL BITCH!" Lettie sneered and threw her empty Jim Beam bottle, missing Tara's head by mere inches, the bottle crashed into the wall, cracked and shattered once it hit the floor.

"FUCK YOU!" Tara sneered back, storming towards the door, Lettie blocked her path, drew back her hand and slapped her hard. It was an open-handed smack, it stung her face, blurred her vision and she staggered backward, clutching her face.

Eric could hear everything, the slap was loud as thunder, Tara, began to sob and Eric felt a chill run up his spine and his heart ached. He couldn't let this go on any longer... So, he took a deep breath and walked into the house.

"Tara let's go." He called out, in a commanding voice.

Lettie staggered towards him shouting in unrestrained bitterness. "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE, DON'T YOU BE WALKING IN MY HOUSE LIKE YOU OWN IT!"

"I'm not leaving without Tara," he didn't raise his voice, although he wanted to, he was angry with her, how could she treat her child like that.

"TAKE HER, FUCKING CRACKER AND DON'T BRING HER BLACK ASS BACK!" she screamed, she didn't just raise her voice, it was seething, saliva spitting out with each jagged word.

Tara came running down the hall and past them both. She was so humiliated she just kept running until she was out of breath, her lungs felt as if they were on fire, and she leaned up against a tree for support; there she wept.

Eric ran out of the house in search of her. He couldn't believe what was happening. He drove frantically searching along the gravel road on Burke Street, the road was secluded and he figured Tara would not want to be seen running aimlessly in their small town.

A few moments passed and Tara was able to gather her composure, she was in the front yard of the Stanley's, she looked up at the quiet farmhouse and squinted. She could see a shadowy figure looming in the background. He was standing at the side of the house next to a large tree. Tara knew very Stanley's very well and this figure did not match either of the men. Rodger is willowy and tall and Thomas is a seven-year-old boy, whose head has not grown into his body just yet.

The sudden approach of a vehicle driving so slowly down the lonely gravel road pulled her from her observations and she turned to see who was. She smiled as the unmistakable roar of Eric's Corvette slowed and stopped in front of her. She looked back at the house... the shadowy figure was gone.

They were both so happy to see one another, that no words were exchanged. Tara did not want to talk about her current situation and Eric was sated with just being in her company. The young man drove to the only place he knew where the two of them could be alone.

For Eric, the Bon Temps Motel brought back fond memories. He and his friends would divide the expenses and with fake id's they would buy alcohol and check into the hotel, they'd have their way with girls, smoke pot and leave the room trashed before going home in the early hours of the morning.

For Tara, the memories of the very same place are bittersweet. The motel was one of those seedy places men with beer guts went to bang other men's wives with promises they couldn't afford to keep. There were at least two screaming matches going on in separate rooms, and the cars in the lot wouldn't have been out of place in a wrecker's yard. Tara casts her tired eyes around the room that was home to her and Lettie years ago. When her father left them, Lettie was only working part-time and Tara was too young to work. It took six months for Lettie to make full time at the grocery store and they were finally able to save the deposit needed to move into their home.

It was a little after 10 PM when Pam sent Eric another text. She wanted to know why he wasn't at home. Eric knew he had to be back on campus by 9 am, that meant getting up early, packing and having breakfast with his family. None of that mattered, so he ignored her text. All that matter was Tara, all he wanted to do was be with her, make her happy. That was his purpose, that was what he wanted, that was all that he wanted.

"I just want to take a shower, have the rest of the Jack Daniels in my flask and go to bed."

"Do you want something to eat?" Eric asked, looking at the menus on the desk, there were only two delivery options in Bon Temps; China Feast or Lou's Pizza.

Tara was busy rummaging through her duffel bag. "I don't have much of an appetite, but thank you." She paused and when their eyes met, she smiled brightly at him. "Really Eric, thank you...Thank you for being you." He was her prince, her white knight, with him around, she could escape her loneliness. The loneliness that consumed her, swallowed her. With him, she could forget, at least for tonight.

"I'd do anything for you, Tara Mae." He smiled back at her, basking in the feeling of her happiness, making it his own. His eyes sparkled with desire as the object of his affection removed her Bon Temps t-shirt, revealing a lacy purple bra. She smiled coyly and went into the bathroom.

Eric decided to make a quick trip to the vending machines. He filled the ice bucket with ice, purchased a few Cola's, bottled waters, chips, cookies and candy bars. Tara would need to eat something if she planned on drinking. He placed the items neatly on the desk and turned on the tube TV. The picture was fuzzy and there were not many channels to choose from. Eric was certain that the TV has not been replaced since the opening of the hotel back in the early '90s.

He smiles, takes a deep breath and in a split second, he is opening the door, entering the bathroom. The sound of the water masked the sound of his arrival. He removed his clothes and pulled back the shower curtain, Tara emits a tiny gasp when she noted the familiar glazing over in his eyes. she enchanted him, ensnaring him with her gaze. They both knew it was coming. She gave him a wary look before he pulled her face closer and their lips met. Their lips fitted perfectly- as if they were meant for each other; the scent of his cologne drifts into her nostrils, a scent she'd quickly became addicted to. He squirmed with desire and rest his hands on her hips, pulling her closer to him. The acceleration of his heart-rate has nothing to do with fear and everything to do with what his body really wants. As their lips crushed together, she felt like she was walking on air. It was magic, the way his lips connected with hers. His mouth was so warm, the caress of his lips softer than she could have imagined and she opened her mouth with a low moan. A little time passes and Eric turns off the shower and reaches for the towel on the counter. He wraps the towel securely around her body and then grabs another, wrapping it around his waist.

Tara's body is screaming with desire, but her mind is reeling with conflict. On shaky legs, she exits the steamy bathroom and smiles. She notices the snacks on the desk, they are such a thoughtful gesture.

"I'd like a Jack and Coke, how bout you?" She asked while grabbing her flask from her jacket pocket.

"Don't mind if I do." Eric smiled and plopped down on the bed.

"Coming right up." Tara grabbed a handful of ice cubes and dropped them in the glasses, she twisted the cap of the flask and poured herself a double shot and a single shot for Eric; then topped the rest of the glass with the cola. All the while Eric watched her in pure wonderment; Tara was a beautiful sight to behold and he longed for her. Eric swallowed deep and hard, expelling all the urges he had bubbling up inside.

She modestly tucked the towel under her shoulders before picking up the glasses from the table.

"Here ya go," she smiled handing him the glass. She wasted no time and took a big gulp.

"Thank you," he smiled and took a sip. "Let's toast."

"Toast?" she repeated, "Toast to what?"

"To us," he leaned forward and softly kissed her lips. He had decided, he was not going to go back to college, he wanted to run away with her.

She kissed him back with an aching desire, and simultaneously they placed their glasses on the nightstand. Eric presses his mouth firmly to hers, his tongue sweeps into her mouth. He could no longer contain himself and through his own raging lust, he yanked off his towel and covered Tara's body with his own, settling between her thighs. Tara gasped at the feeling of his erection pressed against her thigh.

"I want you, Tara," A savage groan emerged from his chest. He crushed his mouth into hers, immediately swiping his tongue inside. She gasped with the suddenness of his invasion and it took her but a moment to catch up. Soon, her lips and tongue moved against his just as eagerly, one hand sliding up to caress the side of his face. He gently removed the thin cotton towel as if unwrapping a precious gift. He gazed at her breathtaking form worshiping every inch of her flesh. He slides his hand down from her breast and rests it gently on her lower abdomen. He then looks up into her eyes and brushes a thumb over her clit. His hand dipped, long sensitive fingers stroking her entrance. The wet sounds were evidence of her arousal.

Eric lowered his body, settling his head between her thighs and with one flick of his skillful tongue, he was rewarded with her sweet cries of pleasure.

"Eric! Oh, that feels good!"

An aching throb soothed and drove her mad all in one flick of his darting tongue, his skillful tongue moving in and out, up and down circling her sensitive nub. The pleasures crashed, tighten in a coil and snapped. Her fingers dug into his scalp as she sobbed with desire. As he rose to cover her body Tara took the moment to admire his long lean, muscular form. His golden hair wild in disarray, his blue eyes darkened with lust.

Tara swallowed hard; Eric looked ...big. She wrapped her hand around his swollen cock. The swollen head dripping with clear pearls of fluid.

Eric sucked in a ragged breath muttering expletive, "Fuck Tara…oh, Tara…" he chanted her name, layering every seductive tone in her ear. "Tara, I need you." He gently removed her hand from his throbbing cock, parted her legs a little more and he entered her slowly; savoring the exquisite sensations of her drizzling tightness. He moaned deep into his chest and he stilled, "Are you okay?"

"Yes, Eric, make love to me." She whispered seductively, her hands adroitly caressing her own breast. Like a wave, his length washed over her as he slowly, smoothly pumped in and out. They shared breaths looking deep into each other's eyes, marveling at the beauty of their joining. He licks with a flattened tongue and then sucks her nipple hard enough to make her hiss.

"Tara," He hums and moves to her left breast to repeat his actions she is melting right now. Her walls are contracting around his shaft and her honey is pouring out over him.

"Oh God," she gasps as her orgasm rocks her body. This is better than she ever imagined sex would be.

"Mmmmm," he hums hovering over her and looking down at their joined bodies as he slides in and out. "Look at that," he tells her as he watches her lips stretch around his length.

"It's beautiful, Eric," she moans when he thrust forward and fills her completely. He dips his head to kiss her again as he fills her over and over, pulling almost all the way out before driving into the hilt so she can feel every inch.

"I'm not going to last, baby," Eric whispers into her mouth when the pressure starts to build. "I'm ready to explode."

He is pounding frantically into her, resting his full weight on her tiny body, her curves look so small next to his larger frame. The beautiful contrast of her ebony skin next to his pale body is like stars in the night sky.

"I'm coming again." She croons as the second wave of her wet clenching orgasm washed over him.

The feeling of her tight, hot heat and the sounds of her pleasure cause Eric to become undone. He can feel her sex pulling him deeper as she pulses around him. Eric was unable to control the jolting of his body, and he comes, roaring like a wild animal, shooting stream after stream of cum into her tight pussy. He grunts and grinds a little as the incredible sensations marginally diminish. He moves his lips back to hers and they kiss a little longer before he pulls out. Spent, he collapsed beside her and after a few moments, spooned her close to him, kissing her forehead.

"Runaway with me," Eric said while tracing lazy circles on her shoulder.

"Eric, that's crazy."

"Why?"

"Why," she repeated, pulling herself from his warm embrace. "Because you can't throw your life away because you feel sorry for me." Her back was facing him, she couldn't bear to look at him. She waited a moment and when he didn't respond, she felt her reality come crashing down. She jumped out of bed and began getting dressed.

"Tara, I don't...you...you won't...what are you doing." He said stumbling over his own words, still trying to figure out why she was so upset.

"I'm making this easy for you." She scooped up her things, shoved them into the duffel bag and ran out the door.