I am so flattered by the many PM's and reviews I've been receiving. You're too kind. I love writing this story and I'm glad I have an audience for it.

I laughed my ass off writing that last scene. The bathroom and the whole absurdity of it. Romance gave way to necessity. I will make it up to them eventually. Anyone who has ever been in a couple knows about the stupid stuff that happens. Now we go back to real time.

I do not own any of the characters from Southern Vampire Mysteries. They all belong to Charlaine Harris. Bless her for sharing them with us. Mattie is my very own.

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Chapter 20

Bill was greeted with blank stares. I was clinging to him as tightly as I could waiting for someone to respond. No one spoke for what seemed like an eternity, Eric was first to break the silence.

"I was unaware of this change in their association Your Majesty. This must be a fairly new occurrence. I will handle their disobedience swiftly."

I wasn't altogether sure if Eric meant the bond itself or the fact that we didn't let him in on our little plan. He hated losing control.

"Nonsense Sheriff. That won't be necessary. We both know that these things happen. Don't we? We will merely have to make some sort of arrangement for Miss Von Teller to be of assistance to me while remaining in Louisiana and in your employ. I believe we made a similar plan of action for Miss Stackhouse, did we not?"

I couldn't believe that Felipe was actually taking our side in all of this. I must have really knocked him out in the ass-kickery department. Score!

"You are all dismissed for the evening. We will meet again tomorrow to put together some sort of contract. Goodnight Sheriff."

The five of us left the king's suite and marched down the hall. When we got to the elevator, I couldn't hold myself back anymore.

"Holy Crap! Did that really just happen? He let me go, he actually let me go!"

The elevator door opened. As we all climbed on, I had a chance to look at myself in the mirror. Gack! I looked horrible. My clothes were in shreds and my face was bloody and ghastly looking. Not to mention the hole in my arm.

"Matilda, you are my lucky charm little one. That could have ended very badly. I am frankly shocked."

Sookie didn't seem too flattered by Eric's proclamation.

"Hey, apparently charming the King of Nevada runs in the family." I elbowed Sookie and she seemed to loosen up a bit.

"We should all go downstairs and celebrate. I just need to change, get a face lift, a nose job, and we should be fine."

Bill wrapped his arms around me laughing.

"I am sorry Eric that we did not inform you of our plan. I thought it was best for us to handle this ourselves. If it backfired, no blame would have landed on any of you." I'm not sure if that was altogether true, but it sounded good.

" You generally air on the side of caution Bill. That was nothing like you at all. I see Mattie is having quite an impact on you."

I was beaming. Bill loved me, Eric was proud of me. This was a banner evening for Mattie.

"Do not be surprised if we have issues with the king later on little one. We should be cautious at all times. I have a strong feeling this isn't over. Not by a long shot. "

"I know Eric. I won't forget that."

The elevator stopped at our floor and we all went our separate ways for the evening. I was a little disappointed that no one, save Bill, wanted to go out on the town with me to celebrate our success.

Pam obviously needed to make her own way and find herself a little action. I couldn't really blame her seeing that she was constantly hanging around with the four of us.

Eric and Sookie were going off to dinner and sightseeing. Sookie promised me that she would help me adjust to my new situation the best she could. She warned me that it would take some getting used to, being so closely tied to someone. I appreciated her offer. I knew I was going to need all the help I could get.

Bill and I walked hand in hand to our room. He helped me change and clean myself up. The wounds were not as bad as they had initially appeared. Rapid healing was turning out to be another trait I had acquired from Bill's blood.

Bill did have to heal and bandage the bite on my arm. It was really deep and hurt like hell! It took very little to repair and conceal the others.

I put on a fabulous black dress that I was simply in love with wearing. It had a halter top that was cut daringly low in the front. The back dipped down really far. It clung to my waist and flared out at my hips, stopping at my knee. I added some high black heels, my blood red hoop earrings and a matching red bangle bracelet. I grabbed a little black clutch to complete the outfit.

Bill looked good enough to eat, wearing a well tailored black suit and a blood red dress shirt. How could I have missed this in our closet? It was hardly something you could find at the mall in Monroe. I had never seen him look so delicious. This was far from my Docker clad man. I was in Heaven!

I grabbed his hand, lacing his fingers with mine.

"You look lovely Mattie."

"Thank you. You look.......yummy."

I leaned in to touch our lips together, lingering for a moment to take in his scent. His tongue swept into my mouth, brushing against mine and sending ripples through my body. I leaned back to look in his eyes, shaking my head.

"You are so addictive. We need to go now or we may never leave this room."

Bill didn't say a word. He just gave me a crooked smile, letting me lead him out of our suite.

Opening the door to leave, we were met with a slightly nervous delivery man. He handed me a box and quickly took his leave. I looked at Bill not sure what to think of the package. He shrugged and I opened the box.

Bill threw up his hands, rolling his eyes.

"He spoils you like a child."

Eric had taken it upon himself to replace my damaged cat suit. He knows a money maker when he sees one. What can I say, he's a good business man.