A/N1:
*Charlaine H. owns all the characters. While some of the plot lines were inspired by the romance novel author Eve M.
** Unbeta'd chapter… so there might be a lot of errors…my apologies
"Sookie, my little bullet-sucker"
"Eric, my big bullshitter"
Semi-Charmed Kinda Life
Chapter 7: I wish I could go back there
"Eric?" She asked when she noticed him walked in carrying a small covered dish. "What's that?"
He smiled mischievously as he uncovered the plate to reveal bowl of strawberries and its chocolate dip. "Dessert..." He answered
"Oh… that looks yummy…" She commented.
"So do you" he added and she smiled at him. She blushed and her pulse sped as anticipation builds up inside her.
"Open your mouth lover" Eric said while dipping a strawberry in chocolate. She heeded to his command and opened her mouth.
"Bite" He brought the strawberry in her mouth. As her lips closed around the fruit he brushed his thumbs over her lips sending a small jolt of electricity right to her core. She moaned as the sweet juice mixed with chocolate touched her palate.
"Is it good?" She nodded as she couldn't find her ability to string coherent words. She licked her lower lips.
Eric groaned. He lowered his mouth in hers and claimed her lips. "Hmm… delicious" He fed her two more times before she stopped him.
"My turn to feed lover"
"D-do you wish me to feed you?" She asked breathlessly
"No I want to feed from you" He guided her to lie down. He removed the blanket that was covering her. She was now lying naked on the bed… fully exposed to his predatory gaze…
"Eric!"
"Relax lover…" He took the bowl of melted Belgian chocolate and upended it, carefully drizzling it over her beaded nipples, down her stomach, between her thighs. She almost hyperventilated with arousal.
"Good enough to eat" he remarked
"Uhm… that… that may not be hygienic…"
He gave out a loud laugh. "Ahh…You'll never cease to amaze me min alskade… shhh, let me…"
The bed creaked under his weight, as he lay down next to her. She tensed in anticipation, and then he brought his lips to her breast… his tongue flicking against one nipple… laving it… cleaning the chocolate of her.
"Eric…"
Her body writhed with pleasure… her back arching to move closer to him. He turned to the other breast and tasted her again.
He followed the chocolaty trail down her body with his lips, leaving prickles of excitement in his wake.
Then he licked her belly… setting her body on fire… Lower and lower he went, his tongue leading the way, dipping down, licking her skin clean and coming closer—so much closer—to where she wanted to feel him…
He was there…his mouth found her clit between her thighs. Sweetly, he licked the chocolate from the heated flesh, at first gentle, and then increasing the pressure. She jerked, her body bucking with each stroke of his tongue.
She could feel the climax building inside her, and her thighs locked over his shoulders, keeping himtight against her. His mouth increased, sucking almost painfully now, pulling her deeper and deeper into the vortex of passion. She curled her fingers in his hair silently urging him not to stop. She was close, her body already primed, and he played her with sweet intensity, taking her to the brink, then pulling back until she really and truly thought that she would go crazy.
"Please Eric…I'm so close…please baby" she pleaded. He sucked and licked her clit a few times more and she couldn't contain the pressure building inside her womb any longer… her world exploded.
"Hello-o-o, earth to Sookie… earth to Sookie!"
"Yeah I'm back… sorry about that Ames" She smiled apologetically
"Have you zoned out to lala land again?"
She nodded burst into giggles, "Sorry… yeah I did"
"it's that good?" Amelia asked
"Indeed" She responded grin plastered in her face
"That must be one heck of a happy place Sook… girl you've got to spill… I want details on that vacation"
"I don't know where to start… it was great vacation Ames"
It was four days since she left Viking Island. She was now back in California… back to the real world. The moment a signal appeared in her iphone and that she was relatively alone, she called her Gynecologist- Dr. Ludwig to schedule an STD panel. She went to her office the next day to be tested. She was informed that the results would be released within 48 hours. This morning Dr. Ludwig called and gave her the good news. She sighed in relief. Although she told her to go back for another STD panel next month as some infections do not appear very early on the test.
She will also be taking a pregnancy test a week from now. She was stomping her hope on this one to prevent herself from being terribly frustrated when the test results turned out negative.
Now that she's back, she debated with herself whether to call JB or not. She did promise him to call once she got back but she has some reservations about it. On one hand it would not be fair to continue dating JB since she was still clearly hung up with Eric. On the other hand, it isn't like she and JB have something serious going on… it will be more of a mutual, no-strings-attached thing, so why would she care if she still has a thing with Eric?
In the end she decided to call him and inform him that she's back. She will not keep him waiting though and she'll tell him that she couldn't date right now. It's the right thing, she convinced herself, since she's undecided...
Preston, who was still abroad for his film, called her and she told him about what happened. She smiled when she remembered him throwing phrases like… 'that is just stupid Stackhouse- really you pulled a Julia-esque runaway bride move?... grow a brain- unprotected sex honestly? and her favorite… what the fuck is wrong with you darling?'
If it wasn't Preston she would have been greatly offended. But it was Preston- her best friend since college. That's just how she and Preston talk… there is almost nothing that they don't talk about and don't call each others bullshit on. She didn't tell him it was Eric though… for now that will be her secret...
For more than an hour they talked about her vacation, the plans she made there, and the possible consequences of what she did. She cried a little when she admitted to Preston, how attracted she was at Eric, how she missed him and how stupid that made her feel. Preston acknowledged how she felt by saying some well meant, 'that must be hard… I understood…' statements. He even offered to fly to the states this weekend to see her… a plan she almost agreed upon… but declined as she knew how busy Preston was with this new film.
She remembered asking him why he felt so attached to Eric and he explained that there are possible reasons for such attachment citing, 'one- he is your first, two- you said it was great and he was very considerate, three- you wanted more but resisted'. His third reason evoked a vehement refusal on her part and Preston was quick to call her bullshit saying, 'stop floating in river d' Nile darling you're in the US not Egypt; who wouldn't want that guy if he is as awesome as you've described? Wanting more out of it is nothing to be ashamed of'.
When she refuted his statement by saying she isn't ashamed; Preston quickly retorted that he understood that she didn't want to expect anything more from him which is good since she's being realistic about it… and not viewing the entire thing through 'rose-colored glasses'… but that doesn't mean that her I-want-more feelings are not there only that they are not in agreement with her logic.
That silenced her for a while. Preston also had his smart ass moment when he said that she is displaying a classic defense mechanism called intellectualization and promptly defined the said word like he'd somehow swallowed a Psych textbook authored by Freud. She responded by saying he could shove his psycho-babble crap to where the sun don't shine and asked when he'd become her shrink. That got a laugh from Preston and he reminded her by saying, that he'd been taking a few online courses in Psychology and asked if she forgot about it or has just been pretending to listen him when he told her. She faked being offended and Preston told her to stop bullshitting him. That got a laugh out of both of them.
Her mood began to lighten as they continued their light banter. She felt great… she felt a whole loads better after talking to her best friend.
He gave her some more advice. She really liked what he said that it's okay to have some mixed feelings about Eric and what he meant for her. He also told her that although she has not been logically acknowledging Eric's loss her heart does. And she would have to deal with that and come to terms with it… and that only time and her acceptance of the loss will quiet it.
She told him that she knew that he is employing more psych-mojo on her, that it was really helping and she thanked him whole-heartedly. He snorted at that and told her that it was his job as her best friend but said that he would have to start charging her by the hour since it was an overseas phone call. She laughed and remarked that no one would believe her if she told anyone what a penny-pinching-tightwad-slash-unlicensed-shrink, that Preston Pardloe, the famous A-list celebrity is.
After talking about her predicaments non-stop for almost three hours, he in turn told her about his recent activities and other mundane stuffs about Italy. He invited her to visit if her schedule permits it and she told him she would arrange it with Amelia. They ended the call with their customary exchange of 'I love you's, you take care and keep in touch more often'.
She slept better that night than the other previous nights. Of course she dreamt of Eric but this time instead of being annoyed and whiny that she's all hot and bothered from her dream, she took a long warm shower and just accepted the fact that her libido would be not be quieting for a while. She knew that her whole body was still humming from a recent memorable sexual indulgence. She would just have to take matters with her own hands and that made it infinitely 'loads better. She giggled.
"Fuck me sideways! Sookie?" Amelia touched her forehead and that startled her yet again. She smiled sheepishly at her PA.
"Sorry Ames"
"Are you sick or something? You are in stupor for a while! Maybe you've caught some bug in that Island… I should call…"
"Stupor…?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, it's in your word-for-the-day calendar. You've not been aware of anything for a few minutes there…"
"I'm just thinking about Preston… Ames we talked for more than three hours last night so I'm…"
"Do you need coffee?" Amelia asked.
"No, I'm good… where is Janice?"
"On her way… she'll be here in about 5 minutes… are you sure you are okay?"
"I'm fine Ames… 'told you I just zoned off to lala land for a while… I'm really sorry… I promise to be a better company this time" She reassured her.
"Tell me… please" Amelia pleaded
"My vacation?" She clarified.
Amelia rolled her eyes.
"I will let's just wait for Laf and then we can talk about it at the house later" She sighed dreamily as an image of a gorgeous, naked man entered her-mind again traitorously.
Amelia pouted. "Okay, but you better spill all the details… I know it's that good if it got you all dreamy and moan-y" That made Amelia laughed out loud.
She blushed. "I moaned? Seriously...?"
Their conversation halted with the arrival of Janice, her make-up artist and hair dresser.
"How was your vacation Sook?" asked Janice as she walked-in carrying some tabloid magazine.
"Wonderful… Just wonderful… hun." She replied. She kissed both of her cheeks
"That's good… you look good…And my…my… what a great tan too. What did you do in the island? Did you indulge yourself in seafoods and coconuts… you are positively glowing!" Janice remarked fondly.
She smiled mischievously "Yes, among other things. I had a great time…Really great time." Amelia was looking at her pleadingly but knew that her question will have to be addressed later.
So with that, Amelia sat on the sofa, burrowed the tabloid that Janice brought and contented herself by perusing its contents.
Janice was looking at her appreciatively walking around her like she was some piece of item that she was considering to buy. "So, what look will you go for today? I was thinking I'd give some classic vamp look. Would you like some ala-Brigitte Bardot hairdo? Young seductive look… with fuck-me-red pouting lips?"
She raised an eyebrow at her make-up artist. Normally she would reply with a resounding no. However she remembered her promise to herself to be more open and accepting of new things.
"That's right, Janice! Her look has been plain and safe for the past three years. It's so tame and boring… give her that look and let's see if it'll look good on her. She badly needs a make-over" Amelia remarked.
She laughed and the two starred at her with their mouth hanging open. Clearly they had expected her to angry or at least annoyed.
"Pick your jaws off the floor guys" She smirked. "Yeah, Amelia's right Jan I think I really need a make over, Lord knows I've been sticking with that forever safe look for so long"
"Is she sick?" Janice asked Amelia confused. She placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head to look at her closer. She met her gaze. Now she's annoyed at their overreaction.
"Sookie, what did you take in that Island? Did the staff feed you some weird food… mushrooms perhaps?"
She blushed when she remembered what she took during her last day at Viking Island. 'Nope… definitely not thinking about that right now' Sookie swatted Janice hands and glared at her make-up artist. Amelia snickered. "You two cut it off and stop making fun at me. So what about this ala-B.B. thing, do you think it would fit me?"
"Oh yes hun! It will make you look vamp, Sookie! Tousled hair, with dark mysterious eyes with red… red kiss-me-hard-lips! Feel!"
She pouted slightly… 'clearly a bit nervous that instead of looking vamp, Janice would make her look like a vampire clad hooker. She would have to not rely on how her make-up artist described it…
She nodded her head in agreement. "We'll just have to see and test how I'll look on it… before the taping"
"You're not going to berate me that I'm going to ruin your class, sophisticated and no-nonsense image?" Janice asked disbelievingly.
"You've mastered my line huh?" She smiled.
"Clearly…"
"Then Janice, you'll plead to make Sookie's look a bit more daring… and complain more that her forever safe look is just an insult to your well-honed skills… you'll even throw in your degree in cosmetology and hair science for a good measure" Amelia added helpfully.
They laugh.
"That's when…" Janice said although she didn't let her finish her statement.
"…when I threaten you that if you love working for me you'll stick to what I want… did you really think that B.B.-thing would look good on me or you just said that to tease me?" She asked.
"No, of course not Sookie… I think you'll really look hot on it" Janice explained.
"Okay then let's test it"
Janice was fixing her hair while she was reading the folder that contains the topic and guests for the next taping of her weekly talk show. She will have three guests on the buzz next week… One, up and coming congressman… one, young dramatic actor… and one, God's gift to women…
"Jesus Christ Shepherd of Judea!"
She released her hold on the folder like it was on fire. The papers it held where strewn on the floor. Her heart was beating like a drum in her chest.
"What's the matter Sookie?" Amelia asked eyeing the papers on the floor curiously.
Sookie bowed and started picking up the papers and its folder with slightly trembling hands. She read the file again. She willed herself to calm. 'He's just a man… just a man…'
'What an effing small world!'
"Eric Northman" she said softly while looking at the picture of the man on the file. 'What the eff is he doing as her guest on the show?'
Amelia nodded and smiled, "Yup. The very same."
"OMFG Sookie, Eric d-sex-on-a-stick Northman is your guest! Drool fest! God, the things I'd like to do with that guy!" Janice gushed. "Tall, blonde, to-die for body, gorgeous and super rich! Yummmm!"
She gave them an annoyed look and hope to God that they didn't notice how rattled she was. 'Who the eff did this? Was it pure coincidence?'
"Amelia why is Mr. Northman in the line up of our guests?" Sookie asked her PA.
"I'm not sure Sookie… the people who have a say on who will be your guests includes you, your director and your producers. Do you want me to ask around?"
"No, I'm just curious…" Sookie look down at his file again. "So he'll be promoting this magazine… BLOW?" Amelia pointed at the side table and saw a copy of the said magazine. And then it clicked… 'Pam…Oh That Pam'
"Of course you are… He's so cute…" Janice said.
She rolled her eyes.
"He is Sookie! Haven't you seen that famous beer commercial… the one where a half-naked guy was riding a black stallion and then they jumped on a broken bridge? That's him!" Amelia squealed.
Sookie winced. It seems like the whole female and gay population of this country was well aware of Eric Northman's commercial. The famous sports celebrity and the heir to the vast Northman Holdings recently obliged his legions of female fans to ogle him on national TV. Incidentally they owned the said beer company that he endorsed.
"Oh that?" She said trying to act unimpressed. "That commercial was so over-the-top. I'd choke at exaggerated masculinity of it and there isn't a drop of relevance on the product that it endorses. What a stupid concept. Honestly? What does a topless guy astride a horse jumping on a broken bridge have to do with drinking beer? It's nonsense." She said a bit incensed.
Amelia laughed, "Now that's my Sookie! Welcome back! We missed you! Haha, who cares Sook? I'd buy a toothpick if he would endorse it like that. It's not so much as the relevance of the concept anymore; its more on how the endorser would appeal to the public… and good lord that man aced it"
"And he is a champion polo player Sookie. He's really good at horse riding. So the commercial was believable because it was Eric" Janice added.
Sookie wrinkled her nose, "As if! What do we even know about Polo? I mean it's an elite-centric sport"
"You're not exactly a pauper Sook"
"Compared to them I am. I wasn't born rich. I've really worked hard to achieve what I have. Eric Northman meanwhile was born with a silver spoon on his mouth. He doesn't even have to work. He's probably spoiled rotten and knows nothing except to indulge on all things his money could buy. I think you guys are better of not being infatuated with with the likes of him…"
Janice giggled. "OMG Sookie you've got beef with Eric Northman!"
Amelia's eyes widened in realization, "You like him don't you… Sook?"
"Don't be ridiculous Amelia… I just don't want him to be my guest on the show." She said dismissively.
"I think he'll like you too…" Amelia teased.
"No. I'm sure he'd rather date socialites…than celebrities"
She back to the real world. The night she shared with Eric in Viking Island was a fantasy. It ended when she left the island. He was a consummate womanizer and that's just not her type. Eric Northman was the man she would ever want to be romantically involved with. Eric will probably give her more heart aches than what she received from Bill. She'd learn her lesson.
"Excuse me, Yvetta Levandi is not a socialite. Janice have you watched the Entertainment tonight segment? They interviewed Yvetta and she proudly announced that she's dating Eric! That bitch… she doesn't deserve him" Amelia said irritated.
"She'll probably just be his flavor of the month… Mind you, I'd jump at the chance to be his meal for the night"
'Me too…No'
"I'd bear his babies too if he'll let me."
"Amelia!"
"Those genes could give rise to one glorious body. And he's super athletic and his muscles- it just yummy-licious. Sookie, aren't you aware of just how gorgeous this man is?"
Oh yes. She knew all about his hard muscles first hand. But her one wild night with Eric would be forever her secret.
"Will you two stop drooling over that guy? Janice please continue the hairdressing. Ames could you hand me that BLOW magazine on the side table?" Amelia immediately handed her the copy. She was perusing the magazine when Janice started blow drying her hair.
Her interest was piqued by something. "I didn't know that BLOW was also owned by the Northman holdings, Ames." She commented casually.
"No it isn't a common knowledge Sook. It's actually run by Pamela Ravenscroft, a cousin Eric's. Now it figures."
"Figures what?" She asked
"Why he became associated with those BLOW cover girls. They were sleeping with the boss." Amelia deduced.
A flicker of irritation flared inside her at Amelia's statement. Eric had been dating sexy stars lately, not his usual socialite girlfriends. 'So what? What do I care who he dates? I don't care'
And now her job demanded that she act professional around him. Could she do it? Will Eric recognize her? She hoped not. What would they say to each other?
"Ahm Janice, do you think I would look good if I dyed my hair temporarily? I think it will compliment this vamp look that you want me to convey"
Janice eyes became as big as saucers, as she processed what she had just said. When she did she gave her a resounding, "Oh hell yessss!"
Eric returned to the states three days ago. He was at work. His corner office was on the top floor of Northman building. The long horizontal windows from the two of the four walls provided his office a great panoramic vista of the city below. It has very ultra-modern decor: glass, stainless steel and strategically placed potted plants. And here he was sitting behind his desk doing nothing. He was pre-occupied. That's for sure.
"Susannah" He whispered her name.
He'd spend useless amount of hours googling her name last night. It was an epic fail. It didn't come up with any useful hits. He tried everything. First, he googled Amy Carmichael… nothing good turned up. Then he tried Susannah Carmichael and it led to another nothing.
He even tried every possible spelling of Susannah (Susana, Susanah, Suisana, etc.). Then when that turned out to be nothing too he tried the diminutive forms of the name… maybe she's Susan, Anna or Susie… 'fuck'… nothing! He didn't have any luck with tweaking the name, Amy as well. He sighed. He was resigned to the fact that he won't find her this way. Those were just her fucking pseudonyms.
'Where the fuck is she? What's her real name?' For some reason, he can't stop thinking about her. Her image has latched itself to his mind. He knew that he had a lot to catch up with his work since he took a vacation. But he sat here looking pathetic, unable to concentrate, and pining over some strange woman that he might not see again. Maybe I just want her because I can't have her. It's a valid reason.
He pinched the bridged of his nose. 'I'm losing it'
He called in his PA through the intercom.
"Ness?"
"Yes Eric?" Ness replied.
"Do you mind printing my itinerary for the following week?" He asked through the intercom
"Okay boss, give me two minutes, I'll just print it."
"Thanks Ness" He hung up.
Ness knocked at the door and he told her to come in. She pushed open the heavy oak door and walked in. She then handed him the schedule she held in her hand. He took it from her.
"Would you like some coffee Eric?" Ness asked.
"No, Ness that would be all, thank you" She nodded and left his office.
He read the copy of the schedule, and his brows creased as he read one particular activity that he'll be doing next didn't bother with using the intercom to summon his PA. He stood up and walked towards the door.
"Ness" he said when he opened his raised an eyebrow.
"Could you come in for a minute?" he requested
Eric walk back to his desk and sat on his chair. He mentally counted to ten. He didn't want to blow his gasket on Ness. This isn't her fault. 'calm…'
"I'm concerned with the schedule I have for Thursday night… It seems like I have to guest in a talk show to endorse BLOW, is that correct?" He asked while giving her an impassive gaze.
"Yes Eric that is correct. I'm sorry but you seemed surprised about it." She remarked as she gave him a slightly puzzled look.
"I am" his jaw tightened.
Ness tried to explain, "Eric, I was informed…"
He cut her statement, "by Pam"
"Yes…" Ness concurred
"Did she tell you that, I've approved this…?"
"Yes. I'll cancel this schedule Eric. I'm sorry I should have known… she never done this before but I should have asked you first" Her PA said apologetically.
"Its okay." he brushed it off with a wave of his hand. "You'll find that Pam can be a brat when she wants something…"
His PA merely nodded severely.
"I'll take an early break and I'll be back at one o'clock. Call me on my private cell if anything arises while I'm gone." He left the building and drove quickly to the BLOW office.
Within ten minutes he arrived at Pam's office. Pam's assistant saw him coming but she didn't said anything. He stormed at her office without knocking. He was sure pissed at his favorite cousin. Who the fuck wouldn't? Pam did something behind his back again.
"Pamela" he addressed her in a don't fuck with me tone.
Which of course she ignored, "Oh hey kusin, how was your vacation? You look great"
He raised an eyebrow "Cut the crap, what the hell are you thinking?"
"What?" She asked pretending to be innocent. He rolled his eyes.
"Pam, What the fuck? Why me? You do know brat that I don't have any friggin' clue on how to promote this magazine… 'right Pam?" He protested.
Pam pouted, her eyes pleading, "Please… please… kusin. You'd make a far better impact with the public. If anybody can exemplify a BLOW man, it would be you Eric… You personify the true blow man free, adventurous, wild, charming, educated, confident, sporty, and a consummate lover. You are the perfect endorser for the magazine, kusin!
He shook his head. For all his notoriety with women, he was a very private person.
"Nope. I won't do it. I'm busy. I have tons of unaccomplished work in the office" He reasoned.
"The taping will just be for 2 hours. Please Eric… it will shoot up our sales this year. You're very hot right now, kusin. I guess that beer commercial is rapidly turning you into a sex symbol, huh?"
He threw his arms in exasperation. "That commercial sucks! I look ridiculous in it! Alcide and the evil twins had a field day on me because of that bloody commercial. I'll never do something as stupid as that again! Not even for the blasted company!" Eric replied angrily. He was forced to do that commercial because of the fierce ad campaign of their main brewery business competitor. It was Pam's idea.
"Tell that to your legions of; shrieking female fans. This is the perfect opportunity for us to tap the female readers, Eric. If they know that you are associated with the company they will buy the magazine. It's just a marketing strategy."
"No."
"Come on kusin. This will bring us money… BLOW is your baby too… please"
"Nope. Sorry, Pam." He said and then left Pam's office. He was at the parking lot when Pam caught up with him.
"Eric Alberkt Northman!" Pam shouted.
"Only my mother gets to call me that, Pamela" He replied in a calm but icy tone.
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way" He chuckled darkly at her statement.
"Brat… Give it up I'm not doing it" He said with finality
"I swear…"
"You've got to be kidding me brat… you're threatening me?" He asked her with disbelief
"I am…" She confirmed.
He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "I'd like to see you try…" He turned his back on her and walked towards his car.
A/N2
* I'm really sorry for the errors... judging from my state of consciousness... I've committed a lot... my apologies.
** On a positive note, yesterday was my 27th birthday, 'guess what I would love as a gift? Clue - Your reviews… lurve ya… thanks for reading SCKL =D
*** Click the review button and get a teaser for Chap8: I must confess
Good night (Big yawn...)