Hello readers! Thanks for following and commenting. Sorry for the delay, mostly due to Thanksgiving, but also because I tried to add a drop of lemon to this chapter which proved to be a challenge because I prefer lemons in the first person. I hope this will suffice (should it be 'M'?). We're building up to more – I promise. I appreciate your input on how my version of Eric is shaping up, and your thoughts on how the plot should turn.
"I trust you." The words came easy to Sookie, but she felt like it was too easy to capture Eric's attention. In the aftermath of her words, as Eric smiled and pressed against her, running his fingers through her hair and bringing his lips to hers, kissing her deeply, her mind was playing tricks on her. She wondered if she really did trust Eric. She had primed herself to deceive him, but was she really deceiving herself? Hadn't she known everything would be o.k. when he appeared on the scene with Bill? Why wasn't she angry that Eric ended Bill? Was there really any part of her that was inconvenienced by the notion of completing this blood bond? His strong, cool body was making her tingle all over and she was struggling to concentrate. He moved his hands down her sides, dragging more slowly on the swell of her breasts.
She broke away and placed her hands on his chest. She caught her breath and said, "Eric, do you trust me?" Eric's mouth dropped open a little as he calculated his response. Sookie had some amazing qualities for a human, but she was so young and inexperienced and she lacked so much good sense and knowledge that just comes from many years of existence. Eric knew she had told Alcide and probably others (Sam?) about daywalking.
Eric finally blinked and inhaled needlessly. He was stalling. His mind memorized the distinct scent of her arousal. He wanted to ignore her question and gather her up and carry her to her bedroom. He felt her heart racing under his body and he wanted to make it race faster. He had been waiting patiently for her to want him – just him – for all the right reasons. But something was wrong here. Unsure of exactly what she was thinking, he called upon his patience yet again.
Trusting Sookie would be like pledging trust to a three-year-old child. It wasn't that she was untrustworthy exactly, but her actions were unpredictable and seemingly governed wholly by emotions. It didn't change how he felt about her, he was actually beginning to learn to predict and appreciate her behavior.
"Sookie, please stop equating my intentions with how many secrets I tell you. Vampire politics contain many secrets. If I began telling you now, you would be old and grey before I could finish." Sookie scowled at Eric's mention of her mortality. When she was with Bill, she didn't like to think about what it would feel like to age when someone you cared about didn't. She didn't have a reply for Eric. She felt stupid for even asking and she should have known Eric wouldn't really trust her. "I want you to trust me," she whispered.
Eric backed away and straightened up to his full height. He was even more gorgeous when his passion filled eyes reflected his anger too. Sookie was looking up at him through her eyelashes now, willing his body to come back to her. "Thanks for saving my life," she said with a smile and a tilt of her head. "Just returning the favor," he replied quickly and all too businesslike.
Sookie felt rejected. "Well, g'night, Eric." She turned and started toward her house, remembering that she needed to call Sam. He would likely be worried about her. She was feeling a little guilty for not going into work. After Bill's attack, she was too weak to work, but now Eric's blood was making her feel … well, better than she had before she headed to Merlotte's. Eric watched her saunter toward her door. He was still struggling with his regret for the course of actions he'd chosen for Russell, especially the role he'd forced Sookie to play. What's worse, he was worried that he'd inadvertently endangered Sookie.
Suddenly Eric was in front of her and she stopped, startled by his face. He was very serious and speaking under his breath, "When a vampire inhales Faery dust, he can daywalk for a time." "What's faery dust?" Sookie said, conjuring images of magic wants and glitter, almost laughing but trying not to sound too ignorant. Eric looked away and the trouble spread across his face, "Ashes."
Sookie gaped, "What, like cremains? Dead, burnt faeries? Peas and rice!" Eric continued, "I am not sure if your small part faery is enough to produce the same effect, and I intend to ensure no one ever finds out. But I suppose you should know. It does concern you. Thankfully most vampires are not aware of this. I do not believe you are in immediate danger."
Eric reached up to push a few strands of her hair behind her ear and rested his hand at the back of her neck. He felt her fear, but it was not fear of him. He felt her trust. He pulled her entire body to his with his hand. This time, Sookie reached her hands up and circled his neck, her fingers spreading through his hair. His kiss was more urgent now and his hands reached down to lift her up to him. Sookie entwined her ankles behind his lower back and she gasped as she felt his hardness align with her. Her center throbbed with want and she moved against him, praying for him to touch her.
"Eric, please," she was still practically touching his lips when she said it, her breath warming him. Eric paused to smile at her and began to kiss her neck as he worked to undo her shorts. Sookie heard him growl as his fingers slid inside her. He had tried to imagine how she felt since the first time he saw her in Fangtasia, but none of his fantasies were close to the real thing. The only light was moonlight and the only sound was her panting, until Eric looked into her eyes, "Sookie . . . I want you . . . I want this."
Surprisingly, Sookie was the first to notice the truck's headlights closing in on them. "Eric, stop! Someone's here!" "It's your boss," Eric growled. He withdrew his fingers and placed her gently on the ground as she righted herself. Sam's truck door slammed and he came into view. "Everything ok here, Sook?" he said suspiciously, his eyes darting between them. Of course Sam's senses were feeding him most of the information he needed. He didn't believe Sookie was doing this consensually and he wanted to protect her but he needed some time to strategize how to deal with this mighty vamp.
Eric stepped closer to Sookie and circled her waist with his arm. Sookie tilted her head towards Eric's chest. "Sure Sam, Eric was just going. Dawn's almost here. I'm real sorry about tonight. There was trouble with Bill, but everything's ok now. I'm sorry I let you down," Sookie was rambling and it was pretty obvious why. Sam did not seem convinced and he raised his gaze to Eric.
Eric stared back at Sam like the cat who swallowed the canary. He said nothing, but proceeded to bring his fingers to his mouth and agonizingly slowly taste each one, lowering his eyelids to silently convey his pleasure. When it occurred to Sookie what was going on, she turned red with embarrassment. She wanted to look away, or even run away, but she couldn't take her eyes off Eric as he tasted her.
When he was done, he turned Sookie to him, facing her back to Sam. He leaned down so that his mouth was centimeters from her, "You are more delicious than I could have ever imagined. I regret this interruption, I will make up for it tomorrow. Goodnight, sweet Sookie." He placed his palms on her cheeks and kissed her firmly and was airborne with a graceful whooshing sound.
Sam sighed and began to shake his head. He was relieved that Eric had left but he was disappointed with Sookie. "Where's Bill?" Sookie did not like his tone, but she could appreciate how bad this scene appeared. She took a deep breath, "He's finished." Sam looked astonished, "Just like that? What happened?" "He tried to drain me and Eric beheaded him." She was surprised how quickly she got to the point. Was she really being corrupted like Eric said? She was second guessing herself and her drive to know all the facts.
Sam was shaking his head incredulously, "Sookie, you are getting in too deep. Do I have to tell you the dangers of getting involved with him? He didn't get to be that old and powerful by placing others' interests above his own." She sighed and rolled her eyes, "I know, Sam. I know what I'm doing here. It's not what it seems. It might look naïve, but I'm really doing a favor for the Faeries."
Sam brandished a look of pure shock and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Whoa, whoa, whoa … Sookie the Fae are dangerous creatures too. Maybe even more dangerous than vamps. Why don't you sit down and tell me what's going on?" Sookie backed away, "Sam, it's fine, I haven't done anything. I'm just going to be . . . relaying some information to Claudine. Know her?" The words sounded ridiculous even to Sookie and she realized she didn't know Claudine's plan yet and had been foolish not to ask.
"Yes, I've heard of her . . . another very powerful Supe. Sookie, this is very dangerous. Promise me you'll be more careful than ever. " Sookie nodded and watched Sam's old truck pull away before going inside.
Eric was consumed with thoughts of Sookie as he closed in on Fangtasia. When he reached the ground, he saw a shadow shift at the perimeter of the parking lot. Eric froze and focused his senses but could not ascertain anything. He boomed, "The Sheriff of Area Five demands you announce your presence." Godric appeared out of the fog. He was angelic, but his face was stricken with worry, "My child, the Fae will retaliate. Analyze and guard what you hold dear." Then he started to fade. Eric moved toward him, but he had disappeared.
Eric entered an empty Fangtasia and sat at his desk, staring at papers. He mulled over Godric's words. He had predicted the uprising from the Fae. But he struggled to make sense of the last part of the warning. Analyze . . . what you hold dear. . . . Eric fought his fatigue until daylight forced his rest.
The next morning, Sookie awoke with a start. As she was rousing, she sensed she wasn't alone. Knowing it wasn't Eric, her uneasiness surged. Sookie sat up on her elbows and her eyes darted to Claudine, seated in the worn velvet chair beside her bed.
Claudine's voice was deadpan, "Sookie, you're finally awake. The Faery Etain was murdered by a vampire last night. We were unable to find her body and we believe the killing was related to the rumor." Sookie felt the panic well up inside her. She was so shocked and she knew she was staring but she still couldn't read Claudine's face. All Sookie could focus on was Claudine's small, pointed teeth and their razor sharp points that she had somehow never noticed before. . . .