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… my apologies for the errors.

**I was on some funk with chap 8 that I wrote "Eric found Sookie"- just to repeat what I wrote on A/N2 last chapter, EFS is not a legitimate part of SCKL. Thanks.

"'Am I in love? –Yes, since I'm waiting.' The other never waits. Sometimes I want to play the part of the one who doesn't wait; I try to busy myself elsewhere, to arrive late; but I always lose at this game: whatever I do, I find myself there, with nothing to do, punctual, even ahead of time. The lover's fatal identity is precisely:I am the one who waits." -R. Barthes

Semi-Charmed Kinda Life

Chapter 8: 'Must Confess

He was sure that this late afternoon meeting will go on for hours since they haven't reached any consensus on the matter that they were currently discussing. He was bored. He was getting restless. His concentration for this meeting was wavering.

'I don't know what makes this meeting so dull but whatever it is- it works.'

His mind started wandering to more pleasant avenues. He was thinking of her again and their time in Viking Island. 'Not again' he chastised himself. He slightly shook his head and tried to concentrate on the board member who was currently addressing them.

The speaker must have noticed his action and interpreted it as dissatisfaction to what he was stating so he nervously asked, "Eric?"

"Continue." He responded to the speaker's query and tried his best to look attentive but it was to no avail.

He was tired. He was fucking tired of her- popping in his head like someone has paid dearly to advertise her face in his mind. She and their erstwhile affair kept playing in his head like some very bad B-rated flicks on a perpetual rerun- their meeting in the lagoon, their first time together, the sex they had on his cottage, the night they spent on her cottage.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and cursed internally. The meeting was certainly going nowhere this afternoon and he was tired of this too.

Looking at the faces of the members of the board, he could plainly see that they were sharing his exact sentiments. As another board member spoke, he contemplated on discontinuing the meeting and having it resumed tomorrow morning. This meeting was proving to be as hopeless as his chances of ever meeting Susannah again.

Maybe I should ask Sophie-Anne or my sisters. Anyone of them could have invited Susannah to Viking Island. 'Hey mom, I had a ONS with a guest from cottage six, did she, by any chance, go there on your invitation?' Yup, he could ask. And that would certainly be, so lovely to see, he mused sardonically.

When one of the members gave out a not so subtle yawn, he made his decision. He let the current speaker finished his less than startling presentation. Then he stood up to address the lot.

"We will continue this board meeting tomorrow morning at 8. And I want…" he continued giving instructions to the members of the board. "That is all."

At his dismissal, he turned his back to the lot of them and walked out of the conference room. He was exhausted, that's for sure. He sighed at the bleak prospect of what he will be doing tonight.

'No, I'm not going to spend another fucking night thinking about Susannah.' It's pointless. She has been lost to him. No use agonizing over some spilled milk. He cursed himself for obsessing something that obviously meant nothing to her.

She probably just used him to pop her cherry. 'Why was she even a virgin?' And why the fuck would he care. He remembered her telling him that she was planning to get laid. His mood darkened.

'What the hell am I? The convenient stud she happened to meet? Would she have sex if it was not me, in the lagoon? Is she doing it with another available guy right now?' For some reasons, he couldn't fathom, that thought really- really pissed him off.

'She's not mine.' That only made him angrier. He felt cheated and he hated her for that. He wanted her.

"Fuck". He cursed; 'so much for not thinking of her. He sighed. 'I'll fuck her way out of my system in no time' he promised to himself.

"Err… Eric… you'll… " He was so caught up with his internal musings that he didn't notice his PA was standing on his path until he literally bumped into her. "Oh! Ouch!" Ness cried.

The poor lady was rendered off balance from their collision so he automatically held her arms to steady her. "Sorry… didn't notice you there, Ness…" He smiled at his PA ruefully.

Ness raised an eyebrow. But tactfully she didn't comment about it. Instead she asked, "How was the meeting, Eric?"

"Grueling" He answered as they started walking through the office suites. "Is everything alright?" He asked. Why else would she be looking for him if everything was peachy? Something must be off.

"Pam." Ness responded in a monotone. Not that she had to expound further. Her cousin's name was an explanation unto itself. She probably bullied Ness into letting her in his office. Ness was quite efficient in keeping unwanted visitors at bay but she isn't perfect. Clearly, dealing with Pam was one of her few limitations.

"In my office" He supplied.

"Yes."

That information wasn't entirely surprising. He had an idea that his bratty cousin will not really give up on her pursuit until she saw him seated in the set of The Buzz next week. Although, he did not expect her to barge into his office so soon. After all, their round one happened only a few hours ago. 'That brat… so eager… I wonder why…'

"I'll deal with her." He assured his PA. "You go on ahead. It's almost 6. Good night Ness"

"'Night boss, see you tomorrow" Ness said as she walked towards her desk. "Good luck," she said skeptically as an afterthought

He nodded and resigned himself for a confrontation with Pam round 2. She could be very childish about it and very crafty. She will be annoying-to say the least. But right now he isn't in the mood to engage Pam. He was tired and their bickering would just escalate until he gives up and let her have her way.

He should just give up. Is there even a point of resisting her? My no, obviously meant nothing to her. 'How fucking exasperating' He was just too soft on her…

'Hmm'. Well, maybe a little compromise wouldn't hurt. There must be a way to make this win-win. He walked towards his door and counted one to ten to calm himself. He shoved it open and he saw Pam seating on his chair. Brilliant

"Oh hello Pam, I am surprised to see you here" He deadpanned

"Well, you barged into my office unannounced, kusin. So allow me to extend you the same courtesy…" She smiled sweetly. 'She's just too cheeky for her own good'

"Well then thank you for your token of depreciation" He said formally. "Now, get out of my chair, Pamela" She snorted.

She kept his seat though and flashed him an even wider smile. "You look worn out Eric- 'bad day at work?"

"Get out of my chair." He repeated.

She sighed and rose. "I was hoping we could keep this friendly" She sat on the seat in front of his desk.

He took his seat and leaned back in is chair locking his hands on his head. Pam was looking at him expectantly. He eyed her shrewdly and then asked in his most nonchalant voice, "What do I get for going in that show?"

"What?" She exclaimed clearly taken aback by him folding quickly. "That-that soon…?"

He shrugged. "It will happen anyway… one way or another… let's just cut through the chase… I'm bored…" He said coolly. A small smile played on his lips. 'Take that you brat'

She was now looking at him with suspiciously. She folded her arms like a child who had been denied her favorite toy. "Oh, don't be like that Eric… half the fun…" She tried to argue.

He said, a drawn out, "borrrringggg…" before she could finish his statement and made a mock yawn. "So what do I get in exchange for agreeing in this stint?" His mood was lightening now. Maybe it wasn't so a bad that she visited.

Pam pouted.

"What are you planning to threaten me with, anyways?" He asked.

"I won't tell you're no fun…"

He raised an eyebrow

"Cherry." She answered smiling mischievously.

Cherry? My Cherry red 1965 Ford mustang fastback? It's unlikely she could get to my garage. But could she? Maybe it was time to change his garage pass code. He rarely used Cherry but she was his first baby.

"Cherry." He repeated and laughed. "You're planning to do something to Cherry? What has she done to you?" He asked amused.

"You love her… you'd never want to see her hurt" She reasoned.

"Yes. She is my first love. Are you that desperate? Using Cherry, really?"

"It's either her or Apple… Apple was easy… " 'Does she honestly think that getting to my first corvette was easy?' He rolled his eyes.

He smiled indulgently at her. He really was too soft on her. It was time to draw some lines. "You brat; you dare threaten me with my babies? It's not like you can get to them… "

Pam looked at him from head to toe as if sizing him. "Don't underestimate me kusin… You do remember Barthes right?" She reminded him. "That was fun… having you to listen to it in French and English…" She smirked.

He rolled his eyes in annoyance. 'Fuck Barthes.' "Right… Hilarious…" He said in a wry monotone. "I just pretended to listen to it by the way, brat"

"Did it even soften your jaded heart? 'Opened it a bit for love?" She teased. Was she kidding me? Again, fuck Barthes. That asshole made saying 'I-love-you' so fucking complicated that he was left wondering why people even bothered with being in love after all.

He sneered. "No… I think the lover is a pitiful creature… he is overly anxious…sickeningly sentimental… and he grovels for sympathy… he is just pathetic" He said with disgust.

Pam snickered. "See? I told you I was brilliant"

He continued with his Barthes bashing, "If anything… it reinforced me to not be in love. Who would want to wait or be plagued with the same woman forever?"

"Not you apparently… right now, you my dear kusin is the other… you are the object of the lover's affection…"

"You mean obsession right? The lover is as obsessive as that overly sensitive vampire from twilight saga?"

"You read it too, you go girlfriend!" Pam mimicked a very girly squeal. It was so unlike her that it was disturbing.

"Why the hell would I read that thrash" He pouted. "I watched the movie… New Moon during a long flight" He reasoned. "Nothing good was on- at that time"

"He is a bit sensitive… what can I say? Some girls dig the emo types and Edward is really pretty" He shook his head.

"Now back to our agreement…" He shifted in his seat. He leaned forward; his hands clasped above his desk. "Why are you so hard pressed on this? There must be some logical reason" He inquired lightly.

"I told you… to promote BLOW" She said ambiguously. What the fuck, was she kidding? She has the word 'Deflection' written all over her face.

'I wonder why she risked antagonizing me over this trivial matter? There must be something… with her there is always something' He pondered.

"And why does it have to be the Buzz? Would their viewers even appreciate BLOW? Is that show even popular, that you bother me with it?" He hasn't even watched the buzz, ever. Not that he was inclined to those kinds of show. He preferred watching the news or ESPN instead.

"They have a decent viewership and with you acting as a promoter- well, I believe that you can sell anything to anyone"

"Cut the bullshit Pam. You don't need to kiss my ass to convince me. We both know it's not just some good idea that popped in that pretty head of yours"

She chuckled. "Eric, Sookie Stackhouse is the host of the Buzz, you know" Pam said.

He cocked an eyebrow. So? What does she have to do with their conversation? He tried racking his brain- but nothing came up. 'Well I know she's a singer.'

"You do know Sookie Stackhouse right?" Pam asked confused.

"Yes… I have heard of her… she is the favorite singer of Alexie and my mother"

"You don't" She clarified. "You don't know her…" She paused as if trying to frame her words the best way she knew. "…personally" she added.

His eyes narrowed. "No… I haven't had the pleasure of meeting her… yet." She blinked then her lips twitched. This is why Pam sucked at poker. Is she planning to pimp me with the host of the show?

"I, on the other hand had the pleasure of meeting her…" She informed. She was also trying hard not to smile. "She's fuck hot Eric… surely that's an incentive for you kusin"

"You can call tibs for all I care" He responded dismissively.

"Hmm… I wouldn't mind that… 'wish she swings my way though… that rack… yum"

"Bully for you then" He was not in any fucking mood to be pimped out right now.

"So you really haven't…"

He shot her a dubious look. "No…but I am familiar with her voice…. How could I not? Alexie loved blasting her songs when she's being emo…"

"She has a nice voice… not that I'm a fan" Pam said.

"And…"

"She will be singing on your parent's anniversary and as an addendum for the contract I asked her manager, Lafayette Renolds, if we could promote BLOW in her show"

"I see"

"This is interesting kusin" She commented nonchalantly. Who was she fooling anyway? Her eyes had that unholy glint that plainly told him that something was up.

"What is it Pam… I can almost hear your brain whirring and buzzing with excitement"

"I'm thinking that this is a good idea. No. It's a brilliant idea!" She grinned. "As for my reasons…" She rolled her eyes and huffed; her look darkening, "My father is visiting 2 months from now… I want to impress him…" She said seriously

"Really?" He commented. Now that is interesting. "Okay fine I'll do it…" He agreed. "What do I get in return?"

"What do you mean? Aren't you going to do it pro bono… I am your favorite cousin after all"

"I let you get away with every one of your shenanigans Pam… I'm a businessman let's make this situation win-win"

"What do you want then?"

"Nothing" He smiled widely.

"How can we make this win-win when you don't state your demand" She glared at him.

"Hmm…" He pretended to think. "Nothing"

"You are not getting out of this stint… you know…" She tried to make her voice menacing. He laughed

"Don't I know it? Well, do you have anything that I would want?"

"No. None…" She said. "How about I leave Cherry and Apple alone? That sounds good."

"No… you'll leave them alone unless you want me to pull my financial backing on BLOW… let see how Sir Marcus Andreas Ravenscroft takes that" He said smugly.

"You low-down jackass… you made me think you're conceding already!"

"I was… you just haven't given me an acceptable exchange."

"You get tibs on BLOW centerfolds of for 6 months"

"Hmmm… sounds interesting… nooooooo… I really don't need you to be my purveyor of flesh"

"Eric! What the fuck! When where you born? '18th century- England? Purveyor? Shenanigans? You sound stuffier than my stuck-up father and he's a marquis!"

He grinned. He usually reads a pocket dictionary to help him sleep. It is positively sedative. "Oh Lady Pamela, watch your manners. Should you really be insulting your dear kusin now?"

"Eric… I swear…"

He decided to stop teasing her. He was hungry. He stated his demands. "You don't get to bother… ask ridiculous favors… coerce… demand… antagonize or bully me for a year… and I get five big favors from you…" He grinned, knowing full well that his cousin won't agree to his demands.

"3 months and one big favor and you have a deal" She shot back

"6 months and 3 big favors," he adjusted his demands.

"Deal" Pam extended her hands and he took it

"Deal" He said and they shook hands.

Pam rose from her seat. "And uhm… kusin you only have 2 big favors left" She winked.

"And why is that?" he asked.

"Oh Eric…you'll know…" Pam waggled her eyebrows.. "bye kusin. As always, it's a pleasure doing business with you" She grinned.

What was she playing at? She was clearly insinuating something. But with Pam it could be anything. He would rather not waste his time trying to figure his annoying cousin out. He'll deal with her mischief as it comes.

Burrowing a slang, he often heard from Alexie and Pam, he tossed his hair theatrically, rolled his eyes and said, "W-F-E Pam!"

Pam laughed. "See you later, kuz!" She said as she turned her back and walk away from his office.

He leaned back on his chair and lifted his legs on the desk. The small bit of amusement that Pam brought him earlier was dissipating quickly. Didn't she leave just ten minutes ago? Now alone in his office, he was yet again faced with the prospect of spending the night alone in his house. He felt a downward shift in his mood.

He didn't like spending his dinner alone but he didn't feel like eating at his mother's table either. Sophie-anne would just bombard him with questions. He would rather fuck. But can he- still?

He remembered the very embarrassing episode he had with Dawn in Viking Island. That morning, he was quite pissed that Susannah left him in haste but at the same time, he was elated that his problem with his libido has been remedied. Eager to get back in sack, he went Dawn's cottage that same afternoon. Why would he look for a woman who clearly didn't want to be found, right?

"Mother fucker." He stop thinking about what happened. It was embarrassing enough. To say the least- his dick miserably failed to rise to the occasion.

His old problem seemed to be back again. But worse… much worse. He sighed. He didn't know what to fucking do with it anymore. He wasn't impotent. He just had some mind-blowing orgasms with Susannah last week. He could also feel his dick stirring every time he fantasized about her.

Maybe it was just Dawn. He can't give up just yet. If worse will come to worst he'll just pretend it is Susannah- he was having sex with. He decided to call Yvetta. Taking his phone from his pocket, he dialed her number.

Hello?

"Yvetta" He begun

Yes. This is she. Eric- honey?

"Yes it's Eric. I was wondering if you want to have dinner with me tonight"

You know I love to, honey. I miss you. It has been a really- really long time since we… She giggled

"Where will I pick you up?"

Hmm… Why don't I just meet you at my fave restaurant. I'll have someone drop me there. Let say- about 7:30-ish...

"Okay. 7:30 at Les Deux Poissons" How convenient, for him at least, that this French restaurant is nestled right into a hotel.

Honey… I really miss you… I can't wait to see you

"Okay I'll see you there then, bye." He hung up.

He made another call to book his usual suite at the 19th floor of the Hotel Gizeh. After securing his office, he walked to the elevator and hit B for basement. He walked over to his car. It was a midnight black 6-speed Jaguar XK8 Convertible, his newest baby. It was a divinely built 4.2 liter V8-powered that can rocket him to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, and it always, always did his bidding in the sweetest way. Unlike human females, he thought resentfully. He got in, started it up and backed out.

'I will fuck Yvetta tonight,' he promised himself.

He was waiting for five minutes in the restaurant when Yvetta arrived. She wasn't late, for a change, he noticed. He guessed that she was quite eager to see him too. As usual, she was underdressed. Not that he was complaining. He gave Miss BLOW December a long appreciative look. She was beautiful.

He stood up and kissed her cheeks. "You look gorgeous as ever, Yvetta." He complimented and smiled. That seemed to please her very much.

"Gorgeous enough for dessert later?" she purred, slithering her body against him for a lip-locking kiss.

He laughed, breaking the kiss. "Uh, maybe later… Right now, I need real food. Shall we order?" She disengaged from him and sat on the chair that he presented.

The waiter approached them to take our order. He asked for a bottle of wine that he knew she preferred. He ordered duck. Yvetta ordered the same. While they waited for our meals, they made small talk and drank nearly the whole bottle of wine.

Yvetta as usual was vivacious. She was very fun to be with. He had enjoyed her company very much during their past dates. And right now, she was here, willing and anticipating a hot night in bed with him.

After dinner he will take her to the presidential suite that he booked for them earlier. He was quite desperate to have some action tonight. But worry crept in his mind. He was again sorely reminded of that embarrassing episode with Dawn.

'What if he couldn't-,'

No- he refused to doubt himself. Tonight his libido will kick into gear. He is capable of having sex. He just had sex a few days ago. Great, hot sex... with Susannah…

His jaw tightened when he remembered the woman. He should forget about the woman already! She was a one-time experience. Why the fuck is he pining over her when there are a lot of options here in L.A.? Here was he was with Yvetta who was so willing to be fucked. She was his for tonight or for any night that he wanted her.

But now looking at Yvetta, he couldn't understand why he can't feel any trickle of lust for her. She's fucking alluring in that dress for cripes sakes! The woman was also an excellent bed partner. The best, like Thalia. But he couldn't feel any stirring in his groin for her anymore. If it has been any other hot blooded man, he would have been all over her by now.

As they ate their dinner, Yvetta talked about her current and upcoming projects. It made him remember his unwanted engagement to promote BLOW on The Buzz. A talk show for fuck's sake! He preferred showing up in sports related shows, not the usual showbiz-oriented types. He was a sportsman, not some pansy matinee idol. But for BLOW and for Pam to finally stop bugging him, he agreed to this talk show stint. 'For a price' he consoled himself.

"Do you know- Sookie Stackhouse?" He asked Yvetta casually. He might as well get some information on the host of the show. 'I wonder if she's as fuck-able as Pam described'. Maybe he should asked Yvetta; that will certainly be one interesting dinner conversation

Yvetta wrinkled her nose. "Yeah. We are under the same film outfit."

"Describe her for me"

"I guess you can call her pretty, with her being all blonde and blue-eyed" She rolled her eyes. "But she's plain and boring. She's very uptight and quite self-righteous" She said with evident distaste.

"What?" What the hell? Did Pam ask him to promote BLOW in a talk show run by a conservative host?

"She thinks that she's better than all of us…"

"Really…?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Just because Niall favored her and she's friendly with Claudine."

"Who is Niall?"

"He owns the Brigant Cinema- Summerland Film Productions. I don't know what she doing to him when they're alone… probably something special… because the old man kept giving her movie projects. I mean honestly Eric she doesn't have any acting talents… I'm so much better than her…" Yvetta complained "My films have…"

She continued to explain how her films were so much better. He really didn't listen anymore. It was clear that she was jealous. He was getting annoyed though. He found that he didn't like Yvetta bashing the defenseless woman.

"Obviously, acting may not be her forte but she sings well. She's a multi-awarded musical performer, right?" He was surprised by his statement. Surprised at how easily he defended the woman whom he hadn't even met.

He actually liked her voice. It was amazing. He can still remember the first time he heard her voice. He was riveted and captivated for a few minutes, just listening to a song being played on an mp3 player. When he asked Alexie whose voice it belongs to… she said it was from Sookie Stackhouse, her favorite singer. He didn't know her, but Sookie's voice was strangely soothing to his senses, like a lullabye, sweet, soft, and haunting.

Yvetta's lips pouted and her eyes narrowed in suspicion, "Why are you asking about Sookie, Eric?"

He shrugged. "I am going to be guesting in her show next week"

"You'll be on the Buzz next week?" She clarified.

"Uh-huh. I'll be promoting BLOW."

Yvetta sneered. "I gotta warn you, Eric. She's a bitch."

"I love bitches," He responded without thinking. Great- 'way to allay her jealousy dolt, he thought sarcastically. He sighed.

He wasn't in the mood for her baseless jealousy. Not that she has any right to, since in the very beginning of their so-called affair, she knew his stance on exclusivity. She knew what she'll be getting only from him- time with his dick- just that.

Yvetta glared at him. "Are you interested with Sookie?" She asked in a clipped tone.

He smiled wryly. "I haven't even met her."

She didn't respond to his statement. Her focus shifted to a dark man talking to the maitre d'. Forgetting that they where in a formal dining setting, Yvetta called the guy- out loud.

"Lafayette! Come here" She said loudly.

'Shit' he cursed internally. Why was I with her again? The restaurant crowd centered their attention on their table. 'She ain't got a lick of propriety.' Was she aware that they were in exclusive restaurant? Clearly etiquette wasn't Yvetta's strongest point. Maybe they didn't teach manners in Estonia. Ah well, she was well-versed on the things that matter to him most. He slightly shook his head and smiled.

'Lafayette- Lafayette… Lafayette,' He repeated his name on his head. He was certain that he had heard of that name before.

The man walked towards their table. He was elegantly dressed and he was clearly gay. He kissed Yvetta on both cheeks and in a hushed tone he scoffed her, "You bitch, where do you get off hollering me like that?"

Yvetta laughed. "Oh you- who cares about them anyway?" She said while looking around. Lafayette just rolled his eyes then his gaze zeroed in on me.

"Ooops, where's my manners?"

'Blown by the wind… or maybe it was taken by a crazed raccoon… nah she probably sacrificed it for Lent' He thought perversely.

"Lafayette, this is Eric Northman, my boyfriend." His lips twitched in annoyance. But he didn't comment. "Eric, honey this is Lafayette Renolds, manager to certain celebrities." Lafayette raised an eyebrow.

He stood up and they shook hands. He invited him to sit with them. Lafayette politely declined citing that he already reserved a table for his dinner party and that he didn't want to intrude to them.

"Oh nonsense Laf, there is no reason for you to sit by your lonesome while waiting for… who are you waiting for again?" Yvetta inquired. "Is it a hot date?"

He didn't answer her, instead he asked, "Eric, do you mind?" He was looking slightly uncomfortable.

"No. Not at all, do sit with us" He motioned at the empty chair next to Yvetta. He really didn't mind. If anything he was relieved. Lafayette's arrival had averted his date's jealous tirade.

"I'm waiting for Amelia and Sookie, Yvetta. They should be here shortly"

Ah-yes. Now he remembered. The guy was Sookie's manager. Pam mentioned him in their recent conversation.

Yvetta pouted. "She's coming here too?"

"Ah, baby girl, your attitude towards Sookie is really unbecoming; she's done nothin' to you."

"I don't know how you can stand her, Laf"

"I don't know why you hate her"

He didn't listen to them anymore. Yvetta was seriously annoying him. He resented her sarcasm. Christ, why do women always get jealous of each other?

He was awakened from his momentary detour to his happy place, which for days now has been in certain spots in Viking Island, when he heard a new female voice spoke.

"Yvetta, Laf"

He looked up. He didn't know this woman. She was eyeing him with curiosity. He waited for Yvetta to make introductions. She didn't. Well not in a manner he expected. Why is he even expecting, again?

"Oh its you, Sookie's PA right?" Yvetta said.

"Yvetta!" Lafayette warned.

"Uh-huh, yes that's me… haven't we met what… like a dozen of times already?" She said to her.

"Really…" Yvetta said. "sorry I forgot" She reasoned lamely. He was fucking embarrassed at his date's crass behavior.

Amelia rolled her eyes. "Do you mind if I burrow Lafayette?"

"He is still informing me about the charity ball that he has invited me to grace"

"One moment Amelia-hun… just a few things to tidy up…"

Eric stood up.

"Awkward huh? It's times like this that I wish I were one of those people who don't need to be introduced" She said while smiling at him jovially. "I'm Amelia Broadway, Sookie Stackhouse's personal assistant" She was looking at him as if she was waiting for something. "and you are Eric Northman"

He nodded and smiled back "Come, sit with us awhile. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms Broadway"

"Oh Eric believe me, the pleasure is all mine" She said, giggling a bit as she sat.

The sound of a chair being moved on the floor caught his attention. And his eyes automatically followed the noise. He saw a black-haired woman standing up from her seat not 15 feet away from where they were sitting. Something about her was familiar… but he couldn't pinpoint where he'd met her.

"Eric" Yvetta called him. "they're just leaving…"

Lafayette and Amelia were giving him a questioning looks. He must have missed something when his attention from them was diverted.

"It was nice meeting you guys" He said smiling. He shot a look back at the dark-haired woman who has resumed her seat.

"We'll see you next week on the show Eric" Amelia said. He nodded. And they left. The waiter served their dessert.

After a while, Yvetta asked, "Eric, we are together right?"

He raised one brow sardonically. Here we fucking go again. He thought her jealous mood has been dispelled already. He didn't like it one bit. He detested any woman's possessiveness towards him in any fashion.

"Yes, we are together now."

Her lips trembled. "I mean, we will be together for sometime, right? For a long time?"

He decided to set the record straight right then and there. "I am not the together kinda guy, Yvetta. You know that. Let's just enjoy each other at the moment, okay?" He answered a bit irritated. He was 100 % sure that with that statement he was dashing his chances of getting laid tonight. But he didn't care. Their night was ruined anyways. He just wanted their date to end and return her home.

"You're a bastard, Eric Northman." she said incensed.

He smiled, raising his glass towards her, unaffected by her bitchy remark. "To the good times with this bastard. You did enjoy them, didn't you?" He said coolly.

"You're so full of yourself, Eric."

He sighed, quietly putting down his fork on the table. He looked at her levelly. "I had no expectations from you whatsoever. If you had any from me, I'm sorry but I never made promises to you that I couldn't keep"

"How convenient for you," she sneered.

"I didn't lie or deceive you Yvetta. You were informed fully. You came into this set-up with openeyes. It's not like I broke you into this. You're already playing the field before we met."

This time, she really lost her poise. "You arrogant pig! What are you gonna do now? Move on to the next BLOW centerfold? What do they have that I don't?"

He didn't answer her question. He wanted to get away from her as soon as he could manage. He signaled for the waiter. "Our bill, please." What a fuckin' disaster of a night. Unfuckinbelievable.

When the waiter came, he paid and then stood up. "Let's go." He said in a very formal tone.

They walk out of the restaurant. The valet returned his car.

On their way to her apartment Yvetta returned to her sweet, seductive self. He rolled his eyes. She started giving tiny kisses on his neck "Yvetta, I'm driving." He warned her.

"Honey, I'm sorry, okay? Please, I'll make it up to you. I missed you so much. I want you, Eric. Let's make love all night."

He floored the accelerator. He couldn't wait to get her home.

"It's late, Yvetta. I'm driving you back to your condo." She smiled widely at him. "Hmmm, that would work… it's really been along time since you stayed on my place…" she said. "And I had installed a new Jacuzzi."

He groaned inwardly. The last thing he wanted was to be in a Jacuzzi with her! He thought of an amicable way to part with her without hurting her feelings. But right now he couldn't think of anything. When they reached the driveway of the high-rise condominium, Yvetta asked confused "Shouldn't we be parking on the basement Eric…honey?"

"I won't be going with you, Yvetta" Her face turned ugly. "What?"

"Don't make a scene, Yvetta."

"You bastard! I don't care! I cleared my schedule tonight just for you, Then you'll just leave me hangin'?"

"I'm sorry, Yvetta. I'll make it up to you, okay? I need to go to office early tomorrow, I'm in the middle of a tough negotiation." He gave her a less then plausible excuse. He was so not in the mood. Not after dinner. And his dick was definitely lying contentedly flaccid, even after her earlier ministrations.

Her face contorted in anger. She forcefully got out of his car and shut his door loudly. "Damn you! Go to hell Eric!"

Great! Just great!

He drove away from her like a bat out of hell.

"What the fuck?" He exclaimed as he woke up with a start.

He looked down. He was lying on a bed with blue and purple bed sheets. The pillow cases and comforter was purple with intricate velvet floral details- what the…? Definitely- 'not my bed… Damn.

He glanced around his environment. He was in a green girly room. It was cluttered. It was adorned… No. It was littered with a lots of un-matching and girly pieces. On the wall was a corkboard with lots and lots of pictures and posters and post-its and junk.

On the corner of the room was a vintage desk with lots of artsy stuff and again- junk. There was an orange Japanese paper lantern hanging, and on the wall there's a shelf full of CDs and other girly stuff.

And there were Christmas lights- in the room. Christmas fucking lights for fuck's sake.

Hell, this isn't my room. But he recognized this room from somewhere. Like he had been or seen it before but he couldn't point out where or when.

Well- this must be some weird dream again. He sincerely hoped it's erotic. It has to be since he is already naked. He smirked at his logical reasoning.

Last night his dream was centered in Viking Island with Susannah. It has been that way ever since he met her. He will see her tonight; he was sure of it. He waited for her with marked anticipation.

The light blue sheer curtains rippled and he heard the tell tale creeking of a window being moved. His pulse rate increased. She's coming.

And she was there. She moved so fast; she was a blur. One moment she was by the window and the next she was standing a few feet from the bed- naked, her breathtaking body was giving a slight milky glow. She was glorious.

"Susannah" he whispered her name. He stood up from the bed but he didn't approach her.

She growled. "My name isn't Susannah, human…" She said haughtily.

"Who are you then?"

"I'm Sookie"

"Right"

A pair of fangs descended on her lips. "What the fuck are you?" he said clearly startled.

"Your harbinger of death, mortal" She walked towards him slowly. Feral- like a cat… She was stalking him. Her gaze on him did not waver. He knew instantly that she was hungry. She was hungry and he was her prey.

"You're a vampire" he said. What else could she be? For the life of him he didn't know why he wasn't afraid. If anything he was aroused.

"What else will you call me?" She whispered in his ears. This time he shivered. Not out of fear but of desire.

"I don't know. A siren?" He answered softly. He wanted to touch her badly.

"Well… I guess you could call me that since I'm here to lure you to your death"

"So, you'll be the death of me, then?"

"Yes" She smiled at him seductively.

He cocked an eyebrow. "Will you at least fuck me before you kill me, vampire?" He requested. He didn't mind death if she was the one delivering it. Not at all.

"Like a succubus?" She teased.

"Yes." He rasped.

"Hmm…" One of her hands lazily traveled in the expanse of his chest. "You have a beautiful body Eric." She pinched one of his nipples. This time it was he who growled. She lowered her head to lick it. She bit. Looking up at him she said, "I wouldn't mind fucking you before killing you"

She pushed him to the bed.

His 6:00 alarm rang. He awoke with one hell of a raging hard-on.

He vaguely remembered the details of his dream. He recalled that it was about Susannah and they were about to have sex. He looked down sadly at his dick.

'Fuck, I couldn't even get laid in my dreams'

A/N2:

* I know, I'm sorry guys no Sookie & Eric moments (read: lame)… I'm a bit put off with this chapter too… but it has to be written. I'm also sorry for the delay in update. Last week, I developed a condition known as procrastinationitis, a severely debilitating disease that affects the writing ability of its victim. lol

** You know how much your reviews will inspire me so don't forget to leave one… what do you think about Eric's dream, did I lay it on too thick, especially with the death thing? Well I'm curious with how you guys will interpret it. Which room was it? As always reviewers will also get a teaser for the next Chapter: 9-Not sure what title yet

*** Pimp: (1) Uhm let me pimp my newfic Cinderella (another by product of procrastinationitis)… although I won't update it as often as SCKL (compare snail mail to email =D). Check it out? Pretty, please? (2) TRUE~blood~LUST FangReaders Group Contact Fairyblood to join the chat: 'me like it… heehee =) although they usually chat around 5 am on my neck of the woods… (9pm GMT; 4pm EST)

**** I meant no offense to the twilight saga lovers… I used to be obsessed with twilight too before I discovered SVM… I even consider Edward Cullen as my first vampire love… although he was totally forgotten when I got hopelessly addicted to Eric Northman. So no offense guys… my apologies.

xoxo,

tabel =D