When the first drops of Eric's blood hit my tongue, a jolt of desire, need and love raced across the bond and hit me head on. I moaned as I began to suck in earnest. Eric's feelings were threatening to overwhelm me again, but instead of fighting them I rode them out. I allowed myself to get washed away in them. His blood coursing down my throat was like honeyed wine. And the love I was feeling through the bond . . . dear God is it possible to feel so much?
I didn't want to let go. I wanted to stay connected to him like this forever. When he pulled his wrist away I whimpered from the loss and actually tried to pull him back to me.
"Sookie, enough," came Eric's voice, hoarse with desire.
I closed my eyes while I tried to clear my thoughts and it took every effort to get a grip on my emotions. Or were they Eric's? This time I was not quite as stunned by the feelings as I was with Bill. At least this time I understood what happened. I understood that, along with his blood, Eric gave me a part of himself.
I smiled up at him. "Thank you." It was then that I really noticed for the first time just how covered in blood he was. I looked down at myself and saw that I didn't really look much better.
"Eeeww!"
"Eeeww? You're saying eeeww to me?"
"Eeww Eric, we're covered in blood!"
"I know," he replied huskily and his eyes lit up.
"Ugh! Where's the bathroom?"
Eric laughed, but stood up, still cradling me in his arms.
"I can walk, you know."
"Shut up Sookie."
I smiled. I could sense his happiness and contentment at having me in his arms.
As we walked to the bathroom I asked him, "whose house is this?"
Eric laughed lightly, "we're in a hotel suite."
"A hotel? The room is bigger than my house!"
He carried me into the bathroom and I think my jaw hit the floor. The bathroom was all Italian marble, with a deep soaking tub and, a separate glass enclosed shower that could easily hold four people. The entire space was the size of my bedroom back home.
Eric set me down on the rug, and began to run the bath. I quickly stripped off my blood stained clothes. I saw Eric's fangs run out.
I grinned at him. "Hold that thought."
I jumped into the shower to quickly wash the blood off of me. I didn't want to soak in it in the tub. I should have known it wouldn't be that easy.
As I was rinsing my hair from the shampoo, I heard the door open and close. I wiped the water from my eyes and took in the sight of my Viking. He was spattered with blood, but he was glorious.
"Woman, I will not hold that thought." And with that ...
[EDITED]
SEE NOTE IN CHAPTER 2