Day 4

He so had me at, "Don't go." I did anyway. I regret it now, especially after that kiss, but Alcide did come all this way for me. How ungrateful would I have been to not spend at least a little time with him? He's a great guy, I can't deny that. He's not pressuring me to do anything and we're having a good time. I had to get away, but I really miss Eric. I'm not sure if what he said about Pam being okay with everything is true, but I can't wait to find out. And, he said he loved me. I couldn't have heard that right, could I? "I love you Sookie. I do. I know we haven't known each other for very long but you can't deny there's something between us…" No, I didn't hear that right. Who am I kidding? I heard him and wanted to squeal, and jump up and down, and clap, and hug him and maybe even say it back. Yeah, right. I was soooo not going there.

At least the day with Alcide had been great. We took a tour in a really cool open-topped boat, called a Paddan boat, that traveled through an old moat and a few canals around Gothenburg. It was absolutely beautiful. Oh, and I learned that the Swedish pronunciation of Gothenburg is Göteborg. Won't Eric be impressed? Shit, there I go thinking about him again.

I'd never seen so many bridges in my life. There was one called "the cheese slicer" because it's so low it's like, well… a cheese slicer. I was a little worried about Alcide being clipped in the head because he's so tall, but he came out the other side unscathed. We laughed at the close call he had and I felt like we may have bonded a little. I noticed I didn't pull away when he put his arm around me, pulling me into his side. It was comforting and I think I needed that.

There were so many different castles and other cool buildings to look at. There was no way to take it all in without looking like a tourist. I was so pissed I'd forgotten my camera. Oh, well… There was one place that really caught my eye and I know my mouth didn't close until we'd sailed past it. The GöteborgsOperan or Gothenburg Opera for us English speaking persons, was just breathtaking. Very modern design, and just beautiful. I had no words hence my gaping open-mouth stare. I decided then that I really needed to get out more often.I had no idea there was an opera house here and I would love to go but the more I thought about it the more I really couldn't wait to get back to Stockholm. I couldn't help but think of wanting to experience this trip with Eric.

Back to our day of fun. Let's see, we did a lot of walking and shopping. We ended up at a shopping district called Nordstan. I can't say that we have anything like it in Bon Temps and I was in shopping heaven. Two avenues of shops, bars and restaurants spanning two floors, and I stuck to H&M. What can I say–I love their clothes. I never get a chance to go shopping because I'm always working and I was definitely taking advantage of this trip.

Alcide didn't complain once when I asked him to hold things or sit and wait while I tried a few outfits on. He was very helpful in the decision making process, if you can call being flustered when I asked what he thought about something, helpful. I caught him staring a few times and wiping the drool from his chin. I have to admit, I felt like I looked good in the outfits I tried on when he did that. He never said anything one way or the other because he was in 'shock.' I laughed it off because I thought it was really sweet. I didn't want him to put too much into my response. I kind of think he thinks I'm beautiful. Then a nagging voice in the back of my mind said, "Eric thinks you're beautiful, and he loves you too." I promptly told that voice to shut the fuck up and let me have some fun. I haven't heard a peep out of it since.

Once we got back to the hotel, I felt like we'd walked around for hours–which is exactly what we did. Aside from the boat tour we walked everywhere we could possibly walk. We talked about everything (except for our love lives, thank goodness) and he really kept my mind off of Eric. I didn't want to think about him anyway. I wanted to have a good time with a great guy, which I was.

After all of the walking we did, I sort of complained about my feet hurting. Maybe too much. I couldn't help it. I was trying to get a foot rub out of the deal. Alcide suggested we go back to the hotel where he offered to rub my feet. His suggestion played right into what I wanted to do anyway, so of course I agreed and he came back with me to my room. But then everything kind of went downhill from there.

"Wow, I didn't know there'd be so much to see here. I mean, when Pam and I visited we hardly did any sightseeing."

"You didn't go out at all when you were here last?"

"No, we just kind of did our own thing. To be honest, I didn't see her the entire week we spent in Stockholm. I was surprised she knew when our flight was leaving and made it back to the room to pack. I never did find out what she did all week."

There was no way I was going into that story. Plus, I haven't told Alcide that I want to go back to Stockholm yet, and I'm not sure how to break it to him. I don't think he'll be upset, but I'm sure that I would be if I were him. What a mess I've gotten myself into. I sit down on the edge of the bed to remove my shoes when he stops me.

"Let me help you with that." He picks up one of my feet and removes my shoe placing it just under the bed before turning the do the same thing to the other foot. I know I moaned out loud just to have my feet free of those damned things. "Feel good?"

"Mmm hmm…" I nod to make sure he knows I'm saying yes.

His fingers begin to work magic on my poor tired feet. I get so comfortable I lay back on the bed while he kneels at the foot of the bed, taking his sweet time rubbing my pain away. He is very thorough. He starts at the heel of my foot, paying lots of attention to my arch, then works his way up to my toes. Once he reaches my toes I know I cry out. I can't help myself. That shit feels incredible. It's probably the second most erogenous zone on my body and I am not letting that little nugget slip out. Boy, if he only knew…

I close my lips as tightly together as I can to keep stifle my moans. Hell if that works. He's working my toes between his fingers like a professional and I can't keep quiet. I think I hear him chuckle at my enjoyment. He finishes with my toes and uses his thumbs on the top of my foot, inching toward my ankle.

"Oh God, that feels so good… unh…" I really did not mean for that to come out.

"I'm glad I can help. One of my gifts that not too many people know about. Are you relaxed?"

"Very. You keep that up I might go to sleep on you."

"We can't have that now can we? Still have to get some food in you. How about you tell me some more about that guy at the train station?"

"Oh, uh… Eric."

"I tried to give you your privacy at the station, but I saw him kiss you. Is he your boyfriend?"

"No, not my boyfriend." Forget that I want him to be.

"An ex then?"

"Not quite an ex."

"Should I be concerned?" I sit up leaning on my elbows for support.

"Concerned? What would you be concerned about?"

"Well, since we're being so honest with one another I feel I can tell you this. I like you Sookie and I know you'll be coming back to the States soon. I was hoping maybe I could see you again. Maybe go out to dinner or something?"

"Oh. You know, I um, ooh, that feels incredible. Um, wait–what were you saying?"

"Should I be concerned? I'm up for a little friendly competition. That is, if you don't mind having two men vying for your affections."

"First, Eric isn't vying for… ooh. Um, I really would rather we not, uuh… and you say you're a writer? You should definitely be a professional masseuse. Listen, I… Eric is–"

"He's what you needed a distraction from?" I can only nod. "Well how am I doing so far, distracting you?"

"Fucking fantastic! Except that now we're talking about him and I'm so confused and I really just want to not think. About anything. For a while." Shit, I'm worked up right now.

"Okay. Well, how about I tell you a little more about myself and you can just listen. No thinking involved." Another nod. "Well, I'm not dating," he chuckles wryly. "My last relationship ended about three months ago. Her name is Debbie. I figure I should tell you that since I know Eric's name. Um, I was with Debbie for a few years. I thought about marrying her but in the end I'm glad I didn't get the chance to propose to her. I thought she was the one but she was a little on the crazy side. Nothing to worry about but she'd fly off the handle at the slightest thing and I just didn't have time for that. You know what I mean?"

I sober up for a minute thinking about my ex, Bobby. "Yeah, I think I do."

"So anyway, that was probably the longest relationship I've ever been in. She helped me with my writing career more than she knows. The reason I started writing was because of the crazy shit she pulled. I couldn't believe some of the things we went through and had to start writing them down. Some of her tantrums were just so out there that I didn't think anyone would believe I wasn't making it up. I kept going over my notes and somehow managed to put together a relationship book. The funny thing is she's read it and loved it. Has no idea that she's the crazy behind the whole thing but I guess that should have told me something too. What I'm getting at Sookie is that I understand if you and Eric had a thing and you're trying to get over him. But I meant what I said before. I want you to be comfortable with me and I want to get to know you better. We'll take it as slow as you want. I just want to know if I have a chance."

"I can't really answer that because I don't know what I want. That's the whole problem. I like spending time with you, I mean today has been amazing, but I'm fighting with wanting to go back and talk to Pam. She's with or at least she was with Eric and now he wants to be with me. It's a complicated situation."

"Well, I have another foot to rub so why don't you tell me all about it and I'll see if I can help?" He is too good to be true. And he gives a great foot rub. There's got to be a catch. Ah, yes. The crazy ex-girlfriend.

"Okay. I guess I can do that. Maybe talking it out with someone who's not involved will give me a different perspective on everything." He nods to get me to continue.

I gave in. I kind of had to. I would have done anything while he rubbed my feet. I told him the whole sordid tale about my vacation with Pam, meeting Eric, 'spending time' with Eric and his dating Pam. He seemed really intrigued by the whole story and looked so reassuring. His green eyes would sparkle when the light hit them just the right way. His deep, rough laugh washed over me, relaxing me further. I kept thinking how cute his dimples were and how much I liked seeing him smile just to catch a glimpse of them. Even talking about Eric I wondered about taking Alcide up on his offer. I was going home after all. We could meet up and go out for dinner sometime or something. He does have a beautiful smile.

But Eric's kiss. When Eric touches me, I feel something. I'm not sure what it is but there's something there. Alcide's been rubbing my feet for at least forty minutes now and there's been no jolt of electricity at all. That doesn't mean anything though, does it?

I think I'm even more confused now than I was to begin with. I brought this all on myself. I know exactly what Gran would say. She'd tell me to give Alcide a shot seeing as he's unattached. But I kind of have to wonder about his ex, Debbie. Crazy and I don't get along and I'd hate to have to deal with someone's crazy ass ex-girlfriend who can't let go.

"So listen, I was thinking of cutting our time short here and heading back to Stockholm." I pause to gauge his reaction.

"You want to go back because of that guy, Eric, right?"

"Um, well–"

"It's okay if you do, Sookie. I just want you to know I'm a patient man. I know you wanted me to be a distraction, which I hope I was, and now that you've had time to think… What I mean is, I hope you've come to a decision about what you want and that you'll share that with me. No pressure, of course." He smiles and I laugh. He has a way about him that makes me comfortable. It could be the effect of the foot rub too. Which reminds me…

"I think I need to get up because I'm too comfortable here and I um..."

"That's probably the best compliment you could give me. So you really want to head back…?"

"Yeah, I want to go back because of Eric. I need to talk to him and my best friend before I can decide on anything. I don't want to lead you on, Alcide. I like you, I do, but I'm not ready to hop into anything. I hope you can understand."

"I do understand and thank you for being honest and upfront with me. But you should know that anywhere you wanted to lead me, I would happily follow. I'm here for you, in any capacity. You want to be friends; I'm cool with that. You want to be more; I'm cool with that, too. We can take things as slowly as you need. I won't press you. I just want to spend time with you, Sookie. I'll take it any way that I can."

Well, what do I say to that?

A/N: Just want to give a quick thanks to everyone who reviews, puts this story on alert, adds it as a favorite, and adds me as a favorite. I heart you all, very much and you keep me writing. I love answering your questions and replying to reviews. So don't be shy…

Thanks again to the lovely ladies who help me out when I need it–frlarsson (expert in all things Swedish) and Suaru-chan for her expert eyes. I'm much obliged. So, what should Sookie do? xoxo

In case you want to see the opera house Sookie was referring to, here's the link to Gothenburg opera house http:/en(dot)opera(dot)se/om-oss/om-operahuset/