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Chapter 3

With impeccable speed, my finger was on the trigger, ready to fire. When I saw who was on the other side of the door, I felt complete and utter shock radiate throughout my body. My breathing ceased altogether and the gun fell limply out of my hands and to the ground. My body became very still—at that point, I couldn't have made myself move even if I wanted to. I blinked a few times in disbelief, not sure if the sight in front of me was even real. It seemed completely impossible.

"Eric," I said. It was barely a whisper.

My memories of him had not done him justice. He was even more radiant than I remembered, dressed in tight black pants and a simple gray v-neck. His shirt hugged his form tightly and I could almost see the outline of his abs. His hair was slicked back in the usual way he wore it, but it looked shorter than the last time I'd seen him.

Eric didn't say anything, but continued to stare down at me, unleashing the full force of his eyes on mine. His gaze was as intense as ever and his blue eyes were even brighter than I remembered. Suddenly, without warning, he raised his hand and held it out to me. His action took me by surprise and I stared at him, searching his face for some kind of explanation. In his eyes, I saw an emotion that I can only describe as desire. There had been a time when I was completely uninterested in the way he looked at me, but now...the look in his eyes was the sexiest thing in the world.

Without really understanding why, I placed my hand in his and chills shot down my spine as my overheated skin met his cool hand. He closed the door behind him and slowly, he moved closer to me, pulling me into his arms. My body felt like it was going to explode as he pressed the length of his muscular body against mine. His fingers trailed along the nape of my neck before moving to my face, gently tracing the outline of my lips. I opened my mouth and inhaled his scent—it reminded me of the ocean.

"Carson," he whispered. "You. Are. Mine."

My breathing ceased with every word he said. I couldn't understand his reaction to me—but the last thing I wanted to do was question his motives. I want him, I thought. I've always wanted him. And before I can speak, he leaned down and his lips met mine. He kissed me gently at first, but then his mouth became more urgent on mine. I opened my mouth and moaned and he took the opportunity to slide is tongue into my mouth which made me moan again.

"Let's take this off, shall we?" he said reaching for my shirt and gently pulling it over my head, leaving me standing in my bra and jeans. Before I could even ask him to, he tugged off my jeans leaving me practically naked. If it had been anyone else in this situation, I would have been embarrassed immediately. But right now, Eric consumed my thoughts and desire pulsed through my body. I heard the familiar click of his fangs, but wasn't even scared. I wanted this. I wanted him. Now.

He held me tighter to him and I could feel his length pressed against my stomach. He eased me towards the bed until I felt it against the back of my knees. He moved down with vampire speed and I realize that he pulled off my socks and shoes. Then, he began to undress, first undoing the buttons on his jeans and slowly pulling them down with his boxer briefs, followed by his shirt. My mouth fell open—I was completely amazed at the site of him naked. He's utter perfection.

He moved closer to me, hovering above me. I moved back further onto the bed and his hands grazed across my hips before tugging off my underwear. His hands then moved to my bra and unhooked it, leaving the both of us completely naked.

"The most beautiful thing I've ever seen," he muttered approvingly. He leaned down and began kissing my stomach around my bellybutton and then moving his lips across my breasts, making me moan and I felt a burning desire flow throughout my body. Eric kissed my neck before moving up so we were face to face, his blue eyes intent on mine. My breathing was completely erratic as he kissed me once again and pulled back, searching my face for something. When I realized he was asking my permission, I nodded and he gave me that trademark Eric Northman grin. He positioned himself at my opening and with one swift thrust, he was inside of me.

I cried out from the fullness of him. At first, he stayed still, letting me get used to the feeling of him inside of me. Slowly, he eased himself out of me before thrusting into me again. He repeated the process and I began to move my hips in rhythm with his. Eric continued to thrust and then his speed quickened, leaving me breathless.

All I could feel is the sensation. There's only me…only him…only us. I could feel myself tightening around him. I'm so close—

My eyes fluttered open and I gasped for air, feeling confused and disoriented. I became aware of my surroundings and realized that I was on the bed. In one swift movement, I was sitting up and I looked around the room. Eric was nowhere to be seen. In an attempt to slow my breathing, I placed a hand on my chest, feeling it rise and fall—but that wasn't all I felt. I sighed in relief as I felt the familiar fabric of my shirt. I looked down to see that I was wearing my jeans and shoes as well. Then, the cloudy and distant memory came back to me...I was having a sex dream about Eric!

When I came to that realization, I quickly got off the bed and paced back and forth in the room; my breathing was erratic and my thoughts were in a jumble. I couldn't believe I was dreaming about Eric in that way—but what really irked me was the fact that I had fallen asleep. Since everything that had happened, I hardly slept anymore. It wasn't safe for me to be completely passed when there were creatures that wanted me dead. I mentally kicked myself for falling asleep. But my thoughts began to drift back to my dream...

"No!" I said aloud. "Don't even go there."

The room was rather stuffy and given what had just happened, I decided I needed to get some air. But I also needed to leave as well. I never stayed in the same place for long. I walked over to the bathroom. My gun was still sitting in its holster on the counter and I grabbed it and placed it in my backpack. I surveyed the room to make sure I had my few belongings and after a moment, I grabbed the room key and walked out towards the small office. Tonight, there was a middle-aged woman sitting in the office, and she didn't ask questions as I handed her the key and the room payment. The door slammed behind me as I began my walk into the Shreveport night.

There was no storm tonight, but it was still humid outside, and I constantly wiped the beads of perspiration off my forehead. I walked a few blocks past some businesses and homes but the further I went, the more quiet the city began. Very few cars passed me when I was walking and the night was silent other than the distinctive chirp of crickets. I stopped in my tracks and looked left then right. I shook my head and groaned in frustration. I was lost.

I mentally kicked myself yet again. The last time I was in Shreveport, I was here for a few weeks at the most and hadn't gotten the chance to learn my way around the city. I could get to Fangtasia...but only from my house. My house, I thought and I was flooded with memories of the home I had lived in. When I had left in such a hurry, I hadn't even packed all of my belongings. I felt a lump in my throat and my eyes began to water, but I shook it off. I couldn't think about that right now. I had to figure out where the hell I was.

I followed the road I was on for several more blocks and eventually, I found myself at a sign. To the left was Monroe and to the right was Bon Temps. I stood there for a second thinking about my next course of action.

I had been to Bon Temps before and had briefly worked in a bar and grill there called Merlotte's. I knew a lot of the people that lived there and I knew that if I asked, my friend and ex-boss, Sam Merlotte would help me. It made sense for me to head there instead of wandering around Shreveport. My questions for Eric would have to wait another day.

I turned right and began the twenty mile trek to Bon Temps. I walked briskly—the warm summer air felt good on my skin and did wonders for getting my mind off the dream. I looked in front of me and behind me to see that the road was deserted. A normal girl would have probably been scared…but after everything that had happened, hardly anything scared me anymore. The loaded gun in my backpack also helped with my confidence. I walked down the dark road, but my journey was soon illuminated by street lights. I listened to the sounds of the night, but then I heard another noise. It was a familiar sound that I knew all too well…the sound of a vampire moving with inhuman speed. I stopped dead in my tracks and quickly reached into my backpack, pulling out my gun. I desperately wished I had invested in some wooden bullets. I wasn't sure if the vampire knew I was there, so I looked around searching for an escape. There were trees—but the branches were too high. I decided I would hide behind some bushes and hope that the vampire didn't pick up on my scent. If it did, I could use the gun...but the gun was good for killing werewolves. I wasn't sure it'd do much damage to a vampire. Maybe I could disorient it long enough to phase and attack it. I quickly darted over to the bushes and waited. My breathing was quiet and the gun was held strategically in my steady hands. And then I saw it. The vampire was on the road and sped right past me—all I saw was the blurry outline of a body. I sighed in relief as the vampire went out of sight and decided to continue my walk in the shadows and off the main road. It'd be safer that way. I walked for a few more minutes when I saw the vampire again. I stopped once again and ducked behind another bush and looked at him. He was undoubtedly tall with broad shoulders and long legs. On the lit road, I could make out that he wasn't wearing a shirt and was just dressed in jeans. I tilted my head in confusion…something seemed weird about this. What would a vampire be doing out here without a shirt on? I gasped. There was something utterly familiar about the vampire's stride and large form. Without hesitation, I jumped out from behind the bushes and onto the road.

"Eric!" I yelled and started walking towards him. He didn't seem to hear me and continued to walk in the same direction. My walk soon broke into a run and within a few seconds, I was right behind him. He didn't turn to acknowledge me at all.

I tried again. "Eric, what are you doing out here?" I asked and finally, he turned to look at me. The expression on his face was something I had never seen before. It was a look of pure confusion…Eric looked lost.

He opened his mouth to speak. "Wh-who are you?" he stuttered. I tilted my head, surprised at his response.

"Eric, I know it's been a while…but it's me. Carson."

"Who?" he asked again. What the hell was going on?

I huffed. "Eric, I worked for you for a couple of weeks. You ruined my life. Sound familiar? You know perfectly well who I am."

He shook his head. "No I don't," he said and continued to walk, leaving me standing in the middle of the road utterly confused. Then, he stopped and began to sniff the air around him. He turned and looked at me and I heard another audible sniff.

My breathing ceased as I heard the familiar click and he opened his mouth to reveal his fangs.

He was hungry.

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