Despite the brisk business the party brought, Sam still closed the bar at one-thirty. I was tired, but happy. I felt confident and, from the looks I was getting all night, I felt pretty too. Best of all, not a single vampire came into the bar the entire night. I walked toward my car, which was blocked by Terry's big pickup truck. I was digging around in my purse for my keys. So, when I came around the front of Terry's car, I was stunned to find myself face to face with Eric, who was leaning on my car.
"Eric!" I felt my heart jump into my throat at the sight of him. His long hair was loose, and blowing slightly in the light wind. He was wearing jeans that snugged to him in all the right places, and a black t-shirt that emphasized every one of his toned muscles. Just looking at him sent a warm sensation through my stomach and down lower. Damn him.
"Forgive me Sookie, I did not mean to frighten you."
"Eric, what are you doing here?" I asked. My head was reeling. "If the king needs my services, he's just going to have to wait until tomorrow. I'm exhausted and I'm going home." I was proud of how steady my voice sounded. I was also incredibly thankful to Claudine for blocking the bond. I don't think I could have withstood feeling his anger and his hate of the bond. I was also thankful that he could not feel my heart breaking.
"Sookie," my name flowed like honey off his tongue. I continued pawing around in my purse for my keys.
"Sookie," his voice was more insistent now, "why won't you look at me?" I felt his cool fingers under my chin, forcing my face up. I tried to pull away, but he was insistent.
I looked up at him, expecting to see that pain in his eyes again. Instead, I saw concern and love. Love? I was so confused. Last night he was shutting me out and now this? I started to feel angry. What was he playing at?
"What the hell do you want from me Eric? You've already let me know exactly how you feel. You've 'lain down the law,' and now I'm telling you that I will not come at your beck and call tonight!"
He let go of my face, turned to the side, ran his hand through his hair and began muttering in that language of his. Then he turned back to me, "I came here to apologize to you. Apparently, I am not doing a very good job of this."
I was flabbergasted. Eric was apologizing? Eric the 1,000 year old Viking Sheriff of Area 5 was apologizing to me?
"You're apologizing to me?"
"Yes. What I said last night . . . about wishing I did not remember. I said it out of anger and, perhaps I even said it too hurt you, but I do not mean it. I would not trade those memories for anything. Not for anything."
Wow. As apologies go that was not bad.
"Wow Eric. That was not what I expected. After last night . . ."
"Last night," Eric paused and I could see a ripple of anger pass over his face, "last night I was reminded that I do not know everything. I am sorry I was not there for you last night. That I could not be the one to protect you. It will not happen again."
Well, he pretty much took the wind out of my proverbial sails, and all of my self-righteous anger fled me at that moment.
"Thank you Eric." I reached out and took his hand. "Thank you."
Eric looked at me then, his eyes roaming my entire body, and the familiar twinkle was back in his eyes. "This outfit lover . . . I thought I was going to have to come in and rescue you from the clutches of your many admirers tonight."
"You were spying on me?!"
"Lover, do not be angry. I came to speak with you and realized that it was not the appropriate time. I chose, therefore, to wait until you were done working. I did not think you would appreciate it if I waited inside."
I was slightly mollified. "My 'outfit' is a costume Eric. Little Red Riding Hood."
"Does that make me the Big Bad Wolf?" He waggled his eyebrows at me and took a step towards me.
"Eric," I backed up, but he continued toward me. Stalking me. "Eric," I was trying to talk, but I couldn't think of anything coherent. His fangs were fully out now and in a few more steps he had me against the front of his car, and his mouth was on mine. His tongue sought out mine, ...
[EDITED]
SEE NOTE IN CHAPTER 2