Once she was panting I gently pulled her face back from mine. As I kissed down her jawline to her neck she asked, "Start over?"

I conveyed all of my sincerity through my eyes as they locked onto hers. "Please."

SPOV

He kissed me again, more slowly. He began to loosen his grip on me and I wanted him to cut it out. Hell, I would probably fall over at this point if he wasn't holding me up. But as he withdrew his arms, I discovered that to be a false.

What was I doing? Thinking? Good lord, was I thinking at all at this point? Probably not. Oh you can shut the hell up at this point. You're supposed to be my Jiminy Cricket and all you've done so far is rub your wings and play love music in the background.

Eric was giving me the most puzzled look. Crap. Now see what you've done? He thinks I'm loony. Well, I probably I am. I did just make out with a dead man. Before he could speak his question aloud, I shrugged my shoulders. "A little bit of self doubt. I'm entitled." The laugh he roared startled the shit out of me. He immediately looked apologetic and assured me that I was, in fact, entitled to my moment.

"Come, Sookie. Let us establish some ground rules." Ground rules?

"Interview is over, as far as I am concerned anyway." What? My head is spinning. I did drink my two bottles of water, why am I feeling woozy?

Apparently I was wearing my thoughts on my sleeve. "How much did you drink tonight?"

"Not much, and then I followed up with two bottles of water. I'm just feeling a bit odd. I'm also tired. I didn't mean to interrupt." Am I being polite? What the hell? Cut it, Stackhouse. The man has had your panties wet for the better part of the evening and he just swept you off of your feet.. literally.

"Let's resume this discussion later. I'll drive you back to your hotel." As we entered the main bar area again, I spied Pam giving us a knowing glance. Shit, she thinks we fucked in his office. I could feel my skin turn several varying shades of red and Eric chuckled again. He followed my glance and narrowed his eyes. "Don't worry. I can deal with Pam."

I couldn't help but snort at this. I don't think anyone could deal with Pam. "You sure? She seems a bit... formiddable." Now Eric was snorting.

"You've no idea. Trust me." He led me to the exit with his hand on my lower back. My stomach was doing flip-flops at his touch. Is every part of my body betraying me tonight, or what? He opened the door to his car and I fell into it. In for a penny and all that jazz. Before I could recollect myself, Eric was in the seat next to me. He started the engine and it purred. Yea, apparently everything purrs when he touches it. I get it.

"Sookie, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Alot of inner turmoil, ya know?"

"Yea, in the few weeks of knowing you, I get that." His smile was gone and he looked irritated. I'm alone in a small, enclosed space with an irritated blood sucker. Good job, Stackhouse.

"Listen, Eric. I won't apologize and say I'm not usually such a bitch because that would be a huge lie on my part." He snorted. "Damnit, stop! This is all new to me. Just chill out, no pun intended, and get me to the hotel. We'll talk, I promise. I just need to sort things out." I don't think he gets it. The long fingered hand he now rested on my thigh gave me some indication he didn't get it. Did I get it? Not really. I closed my eyes and drifted into a light sleep.

~O~

I was riding a beautiful, black horse. His nostrils flared and his grunts sounded as he leapt over the thicket obstructing our path. We were on the run and he sensed my urgency. Faster, I implored him and his hooves seemed to obey. I took a glance behind me and the cloaked figure was still running behind us, leaping over the same thicket we'd been so proud to overcome. I leaned forward and stroked the horse's neck. I nuzzled his mane and spoke of my pride in him. "You can do it, just get us to the woods. We will lose him there." Almost in reply, the horse grunted again. He had no saddle and I could feel the movement of his pelt between my thighs. "Faster, we can make it!" As the shroud of trees covered us, I felt the overwhelming sense of dread. We weren't going to make it. We would be overcome. I felt my fear for myself and for the beast upon whose back I was carried. I felt a longing for him. He'd been good to me and now he was running for his life.. our life. He was running for the love of me. He was loyal to the end. I didn't want to do it, but I knew I had to let him go. His final flight would end in giving me my headstart. I gently tugged on the beautiful black hair flying around my face. As he slowed, I slid from his back and rolled to the lush grass. Quickly, I jumped up and looked him in the eyes. "Goodbye, my friend. May it be." I could see the cloaked figure approaching and I took my leave, hearing my horse grunt behind me. I knew he understood. The monster behind us would find him first. I cringed at the thought.

I jumped over fallen trees, my beautiful white gown snagging on the stems. I didn't care if it tore, I needed to run. With each twig snapping at my face, I ran harder. I ran faster. If I slowed down it would get me. I could hear the whisper soft touch of its feet against the grass and it spurred me on to run faster. The blood pumped in my veins, my arteries. The coppery taste of adrenaline and panic was present in my mouth. With resignation, I realized I would lose this fight. I glanced around at my surroundings, seeking a place to hide. Up ahead was a cluster of trees with their trunks obstructed from view by the ferns. It would hide the path ahead and perhaps the cloaked figure would think I kept running. I ran alongside the trees and instead of continuing, I flung myself to the ground. Panting, I willed myself to be silent. I could hear the whisper soft sounds approach. I closed my eyes. I could be safe here, I willed myself to be safe. Suddenly, I felt the menacing hands grab my face before I was yanked into the air.