Fangtasia Stories: Eric's Got Issues
Set before Definitely Dead
Eric sat at his desk, pen in hand, leaning over a large sketch pad. Someone had suggested automatic drawing in order to help 'draw' his memories out of him, but it didn't seem to be working. So far, he'd drawn a picture of Sookie punching a fox in the face and another of Pam windsurfing.
This clearly wasn't working.
"Eric."
"What?" Eric growled. He screwed up the piece of paper in his hand and tossed it on the floor, before looking up from his desk. Pam stepped inside the room.
"If you are going to be all angry, at least do it out in the bar where it can be appreciated by the vermin. Take it out on them, not me."
"What is it Pam?" Eric said, through gritted teeth.
"The photographer has brought in the proofs for the calendar." She held up a large brown envelope. "Do you want to see?"
Eric simply motioned with his eyes and thrust out his hand, and Pam stepped forward to hand him the envelope. Eric opened it and began sifting through the photographs. Looking at them somehow cheered him up a bit, lightening his murderous mood.
"My God, Pam, you're topless in this one. I can see nipple."
"Which one?" Pam said, quickly scooting around to his side of the desk.
"The right one, I think."
"Not which nipple, which picture? I made sure I remained covered at all times."
Eric moved around in his wheeled office chair, swiveling in his seat every time Pam tried to grab the picture. She was using vamp speed, but he countered her with slightly quicker moves each time.
"Eric, let me see."
He got up from his chair, and held all the photographs in the air, flicking through them in his hands, looking up. Pam reached, jumping, but of course failed to make it high enough.
"This one is positively pornographic, you dirty slut. I would be shocked if I hadn't seen it all before."
Pam climbed him like a tree, and when she finally got a knee on his shoulder, he flicked her off so she landed on the leather sofa.
"Svin," Pam muttered.
"Hora," Eric countered. He smirked and went and sat by her, and handed over the pictures. "You look very seductive. You pout too much though, in photographs."
"Oh, I do look good," she said, smiling. "I like this one best."
She pointed at a photograph of her stretched out across Eric's throne, which they'd taken along to the photo studio. She was wearing a skimpy leather outfit, practically just a few straps covering her bare essentials, and some seriously kinky boots, and she was flexing a whip. Some muscular male, naked except for some tiny, black, PVC underwear and a spiked collar, was standing next to her, and she was pressing her heel into his abs.
"Hmm. It is very artistic."
"I am glad you decided we should do a female version. I think this will sell even better."
"Whatever, Pam. You know mine will sell more."
"We will see."
"That sounds like a challenge," Eric said, cocking an eyebrow at her.
"It will be like taking candy from a baby. Name your forfeit."
"Are you serious?" Eric said, picking out a photograph of himself. "You think that this will not win?"
It was a shot of him lounging on a huge white fur rug, completely naked. The position of his legs meant that the shot wasn't too revealing, but the curve of his spectacular ass was very much on display. His hair was all tousled, and he had a sexy smirk on his face.
"That pose is incredibly cheesy. You might as well have had your love broadsword on show, since you are leaving very little to the imagination anyway."
"Did you just call it my 'love broadsword'? You haven't said that in years."
Pam smirked. "You should have covered your cheeks."
"Why? My cheeks are much admired, and the uncovering of them will result in increased product turnover. Let me tell you, Pam, this calendar will outsell any other this year. I know it is only February, but that order we put in for a thousand, they will be sold out by March. We will definitely need to place a larger order. You will need to give yours away for free, and you will still be doing so next year."
"Well, if you are so confident, let's hear the bet."
"We have until December 31st this year to sell as many of our respective calendars as possible, and the one who loses..." Eric tapped his chin.
"Yes?"
"I'm thinking. The one who loses has to lick Bill Compton's hairy man boobs."
Pam immediately displayed her disgust at the thought, sticking her tongue out and making a vomiting sound.
"That is revolting. We should do something more reasonable, like, perhaps the loser has to get flattened by a steamroller, or lose a couple of fingers."
"Well, if you are not confident that you are going to win..."
"Of course I am. Whatever. I hope you enjoy the taste of Compton's moobs," she paused to retch again, "because you are the only one who will be sampling their distinctive flavor."
"You know I always win," Eric said, grinning.
"Yes, but have you seen these photos?" She took some more from him and flicked through them. "Look, Thalia looks incredible in that gold swimsuit. Look at Clancy." She handed him one of the other pictures. Clancy was sitting on a motorbike, wearing some sort of leather chaps, with a fangy grin on his face.
"It's... sexy."
"Oh puh-lease," Pam said, rolling her eyes. "No one wants to see that, even the pathetic fang bangers. Look at this one of our new girl, Felicia." She handed him a picture, of the tall and beautiful vamp, stretched out elegantly on a chaise longue, wearing some incredibly hot French lingerie.
"That's..." Eric brought the photo closer to his face. "Well, that's... rather boring, actually," he lied, tossing it back nonchalantly.
"Yeah, right. You have no chance, and you know it."
"We'll see, Pamela. You forget that I am Mr. January. You mark the female shots you want to use and send them back, I will do the same with the males."
"If we get them back by tomorrow he says we could have actual proof samples of the calendar in two weeks."
"Excellent."
"Now," Pam said, getting up. "Have you fed tonight? You look very pale."
"Yes," Eric groaned.
"I don't think you have. In fact, I haven't seen you so much as lick your lips at a fang banger in weeks."
"Just because you have not seen me does not mean I have not been doing it."
"You are always grumpy when you do not feed. I have seen the empty TrueBlood bottles, too."
Eric looked at her, mouth agape.
"Pam, have you been going through my trash?"
"No, I have just noticed, that is all." She sat down by him again, and put a hand on his knee. "Eric, my master, I am concerned. Has Bill been trying to convert you? You would tell me if you were mainstreaming, wouldn't you?"
Eric flicked her hand off his leg.
"Mainstreaming? Have you gone insane?"
"Well then, what is wrong? Please do not say it is Sookie," Pam said, shaking her head. "It cannot be because you are still pining for the area telepath."
"I am not pining for anyone," Eric said through gritted teeth. "I have not had the appetite, that is all. Now if you do not mind, I have work to do."
Eric stood and went over to sit behind his desk, and shuffled some papers.
"She is technically yours. Why do you not just go and claim her, if you are that bothered?"
Eric just looked at her menacingly and growled, and Pam held her hand up and headed for the door. She knew that look, and she knew when she was pushing her maker too far.
As soon as she closed the door behind her, Eric sat back in his chair, and closed his eyes. The truth of it was, he simply didn't have the appetite. He was repulsed by everything he saw, and the thought of sinking his fangs and drinking from anyone but Sookie was somehow so abhorrent, he had been unable to drink anything but synthetic blood since he returned home.
One time, he'd actually got as far as biting, before he had to stop and withdraw, without taking any blood. He'd actually felt guilty. Like he was cheating! It was entirely absurd, and frankly, quite embarrassing.
Eric took a deep breath full of air, filling his lungs unnecessarily, and exhaled loudly. Then he went over to his mini-fridge, pulled out a bottle, and stuck it in the microwave.
While he was waiting, he stared at the phone. The microwave pinged, and he took the bottle out, shook it, and looked at the phone again. He took a sip from the bottle, pulled a face in reaction to the foul taste, and picked up the receiver. He sat in his chair and dialed Sookie's number.
"Hello."
Eric paused, open-mouthed, and considered putting the phone down.
"Hel-lo?" she repeated.
"Ah, Sookie. It took you a long time to answer. I was going into downtime."
"Eric, is that you? What are you talking about? I answered after two rings."
"It seemed to take you much longer than that."
"Well, okay. I was just leaving for work. Is everything alright?"
Her voice calmed him somehow, and he wished she would carry on talking.
"No. Everything is not alright," he answered, shortly.
"Oh. Well, what's up?"
"I've... I have some very important work for you to do. It is quite urgent."
Eric heard her sigh.
"I thought that the summit was next month. I told you, I'll have to check with Sam."
"No, not that. Something else. I need you to come to Fangtasia, and... do-some-very-important-mind-reading-work," he blurted.
"Oh, okay. But I can't tonight, I'm working. Maybe tomorrow? I'm not working at all tomorrow."
"Fine. Be here at 8:00."
"Yes Sir."
"I would appreciate it," Eric said, trying to make up for his abruptness.
"Sure," Sookie said, tiredly. "I've gotta go. Bye."
Eric didn't know what else to say, so he put the phone down. He stared at it again.
He had been brooding for days, pondering over his conversations with Sookie the last few times he'd seen her, attempting to understand what might have happened between them, and trying to figure out what to do next. The truth was, he just didn't know. It felt like he was slowly going insane.
Speaking with her had the effect of making him both calmer and at the same time more wound up. He cared for Sookie and yet he was infuriated by her. He wanted her yet he wanted to be rid of her. He was hoping she would come to him yet he was hoping she would stay away. He did not know what he wanted, anymore. Years of experience and self-knowledge had meant that he had always stayed one step ahead of everything and everyone, and was always certain of his next course of action, never once doubting himself. Until now.
Eric closed his eyes and banged his head against the desk. Now there was a small issue of finding some mind reading for her to do.
V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V
The following night, Sookie turned up right on time. He heard the distinctive noise of her old car, her quiet tapping on the back door, and the mumbling and shuffling as one of the human minions went to answer it. There was soon a knock on his office door.
"Enter."
The human stepped in, along with Sookie.
"Sookie Stackhouse for you, master."
Sookie rolled her eyes as she always did when any of his staff or underlings called him master. She was looking all formal in navy pants and a cream blouse with ruffles. There was just enough cleavage showing, however, and when the young minion, Justin, who happened to be quite tall, started staring, Eric had to restrain himself from vaulting over the desk and draining him where he stood.
Look but don't touch, fucker. In fact, don't bother looking, either.
"That will be all, Justin," Eric said, firmly and with an undercurrent of threat.
Justin backed off quickly and closed the door.
"Sookie." He rose from his seat and gestured for her to sit down opposite. "Thank you for coming at such short notice."
She placed her purse and red coat on the sofa, and sat down.
"It's all right, I guess."
"How are you?"
"Huh?"
"Are you well?" Eric said.
"I'm fine," Sookie answered, a little startled. "Thanks for asking."
"You were hurt, the last time I saw you. That swine Twining..."
"Oh, yeah. I'm all right, my rib's pretty much healed up."
"Good."
What Eric really wanted to do was lay her out on the couch and give her a thorough examination. Run his hands over her body, kiss everything better. Heal her.
"So... I was summoned and had to come all the way over here because?"
Eric detected something in Sookie's voice, maybe resentment? Maybe apprehension? Excitement? He could also read her emotions through their blood link, of course, but still couldn't quite manage to pinpoint it. Perhaps because it was a mixture of so many. Perhaps because his own emotions were all over the place. When he didn't answer her, she continued.
"You want me to do some work or something? Some mind reading?"
"Yes," Eric sighed. "Mind reading." He sat back in his seat and put his feet up on the desk. He stretched out his unbelievably long legs, crossing his feet at the ankle, and gripped the back of the chair behind his head. He was wearing a tight black tank top today, and was of course fully aware of the display of magnificence. Eric knew how to work his body to it's best advantage. Sookie's pulse quickened and Eric smirked in response.
"How about a little warm up first? Would you like to try to read my mind Sookie?"
"You know I can't do that," she said, looking away.
Eric widened his eyes. "Try," he challenged.
Sookie huffed and crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"Well, I have no idea, but I'm going to guess, oh, maybe, blood, sex, fang bangers, blood, fighting, boobs, vampire politics, sex, money, killing, naked girls, blood, some more fighting."
"Sookie!" Eric feigned astonishment. "You can read my mind!"
"Oh!" She stiffened and held her hands up. "No, no, I was just kidding!"
Eric threw his head back in amusement at his own joke.
"Ah, Sookie." He shook his head. "Wonderful. Is that truly what you believe I think about all the time? Seriously, why don't you try? Give it a whirl, for your favorite Viking."
"You're the only Viking I know."
"Well then, I am your favorite, aren't I? Of course I'm the only one you know. We're all dead, even me, one of the final few unique specimens. I'm quite touchy about it, actually, but as it's you there will be no repercussions. Don't spoil it. Go on," Eric took his feet off the desk and leaned forward. "Read me."
Sookie looked away and pouted. "You know it's not possible, Eric. Not that I'd want to know what you're thinking, anyway. No doubt it's something dirty. Probably something about boobs."
Eric frowned. "Sookie, do people think about your boobs a lot?"
She shook her head, and sighed. "You wouldn't believe."
Don't bet on it. "Well, you may be surprised to learn that I do think of other things when I look at you."
"Oh really?" Sookie said, unconvinced.
"Yes."
Your toned, tan legs, your sexy curves, your incredibly round, pert behind, your sweet, delicious blood, your perfect, soft lips. Your sweet disposition and the way your beautiful, soft hair smells like honey and sunshine. Honey and sunshine? What the fuck? Eric looked away from her eyes.
"What? Eric, you were thinking about my boobs weren't you?" She shook her head. "It's fine. I'm used to it. Humans do it, and Weres, so I don't see why vamps should be all that much different."
"Well, I am not like some dirty, unsavory human or shifter. I do think of other things. Surprisingly enough," he added, quietly.
"Hmm." Sookie raised a decidedly unconvinced eyebrow. "Like what?"
"Like..." Eric looked up, and rolled his wrist in a thinking motion. "Like your lovely hair."
Sookie laughed out loud. "My lovely hair? Eric, I can't believe you of all people just said you think about my lovely hair. That's an absolute riot."
"It is lovely," Eric smiled.
"Hm-mm."
"And also, I think about your incredible, big blue eyes."
Sookie's eyes momentarily betrayed how flattered she was, but then they hardened again.
"Oh, my blonde hair and my blue eyes? Is it just a coincidence that they're the two things we happen to have in common? You're such a narcissist, Eric."
Eric smiled, but inside he was scowling. Always with the defense.
"Why do you say that? Why would I not admire your fine features and compliment you on things other than your breasts?"
Sookie huffed and crossed her arms again. "Because..."
"Yes?"
"Because, you're Eric."
"Hmm. I was Eric when I was at your house, too, but you had no qualms about me admiring you then, so I hear. I'm sure I paid you many boob, hair, and eye compliments, and you still thought I was lovely, sweet Eric." He said that in a whiny voice, for added effect, and couldn't contain the anger seeping below the surface of his words.
Sookie's mouth opened to respond, but she couldn't seem to form the words. He knew from her face and her emotions that she was hurt, and perhaps guilty. Finally she shook her head.
"You're the one that's always talking nasty to me."
"I have fun with you, Sookie, because I believe you have a fun nature, and because I find you attractive and enjoy flirting with you. Do you think this is nasty? Because if you do, I will try to behave more appropriately in future. Perhaps I should stop admiring you entirely."
"Look, whatever, okay? I didn't come here to have some kind of fight with you. God, I don't even know how it got this far. Can we do the mind reading now please?"
"Fine."
Sookie took a deep breath and exhaled. "So, what am I supposed to be picking up on?"
"Some... items, have been taken from my house. It has been going on for a few months, and the only people who ever enter my house are my cleaning lady, Ramona, my daytime man, Bobby, and obviously, Pam."
"Have you glamored them?"
"Of course, but it's not working."
"I seem to remember that happening once before. In fact, I'm having a little deja vu here. No one's gonna try killing me, are they?"
"No," Eric said, with a faint smile. "You are quite safe, I can assure you."
"Okay. So what's been taken? Is it money, something valuable? I need to know what to look out for."
Eric cleared his throat, and mumbled his response. "Clothing items."
"Huh?"
He rolled his eyes. Why didn't he just make some shit up instead?
"Clothes."
Sookie looked at him confused.
"Why would you care if some of your clothes went missing? I mean, I know you probably spend a lot of money on them, but, I mean is it really that important? I thought maybe someone was stealing precious historic relics from you, ancient family heirlooms or something."
"Theft is theft, Sookie, and when it is from my own home this is cause for even more concern."
Sookie sighed. "Alrighty. You want to do it in here?"
Eric considered flashing her a smirk and making some sort of suggestive remark, but after their earlier conversation, right now it didn't seem appropriate.
"Yes." He picked up his phone and pushed a button. "Indira. Bring in Ramona, will you."
Eric stood.
"Why don't you sit here, Sookie. I will stand and make sure that my 64 year old human housekeeper doesn't go for your jugular."
"Ha ha." Sookie went and sat in his big leather chair.
"She is quite a brute. You wait until you see her. You will be glad that I am here to protect you."
Indira opened the door and in shuffled Ramona. She was tiny, maybe 4 feet 10, and fairly frail looking. She looked older than 64. Eric must work her hard, Sookie thought.
"Good evening Ramona," Eric said, quite loudly. Maybe she was a little deaf. "Thank you for coming."
"Well, that's all right, Mr. Northman." Ramona smiled, and looked at Sookie. "Hello, Dear."
"This is Sookie Stackhouse. She's just helping me get to the bottom of a few things, and I wondered if you'd mind if she asked you a couple of questions?"
"Of course I don't mind speaking with this lovely young lady. Is she your lady-friend, Mr. Northman?"
"Ah... she is a friend, yes, Ramona."
Ramona smiled and winked at Sookie, and gave her a look that might have been interpreted as well done, isn't he a catch.
"Well, don't you make a lovely couple. I'm always telling Mr. Northman here that he needs a pretty lady looking after him. Ms. Ravenscroft does, of course, but he needs a real girlfriend taking care of him."
Eric sighed. He really should have planned this better.
"Yes, thank you for your concerns, but honestly, Miss Stackhouse doesn't need to hear about all this. We really do need to move on now."
Eric looked at Sookie, and noted from her smile that the way that Ramona was making him squirm was obviously highly amusing to her.
"Now," Eric continued, still speaking loudly but with a soft tone. "As you know, some things have gone missing from my house and I am concerned about security. You have been with me for many years and I am sorry to have to do this, but I must check if you are telling me the truth. Sookie here has the ability to confirm whether or not you are doing this."
Sookie smiled and held out her hand, and Ramona took it, without question.
"Ramona, the things that have gone missing from Eric's house. Do you know anything about that?"
"No, I don't," she responded, shaking her head. "I never so much as took a pen from Mr. Northman's house and I never would. He's been very good to me, over the years. I don't know who might've been taking things from him. I think it's just awful someone would do that."
Sookie looked at Ramona, and concentrated.
"She's telling the truth," Sookie said, finally.
Eric smiled.
"Thank you, Ramona. I'll have someone drive you back home, unless you want to stay and party the night away in the bar. Show these youngsters some of your wonderful dance moves."
Ramona smiled and laughed like only a flattered sixty-something year old lady can. Eric smirked and picked up the phone again, and Indira came to collect her.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Stackhouse," she said, waving at the door. "Hope to see you again soon."
"Nice to meet you too, Ramona."
They repeated the process with Eric's daytime lackey, Bobby Burnham, who was slightly more reluctant, but nonetheless innocent. When he left, Eric sat and lounged on the sofa.
"Well, this is indeed a mystery," he said. "You got nothing at all from either of them?"
"Nope. Ramona truly wouldn't ever steal from you or betray you at all, and Bobby's the same. Bobby doesn't like me as much as Ramona does, though."
"Hmm," Eric responded, thinking.
"There was just one tiny thing."
"What?"
"Well, it's probably nothing, not even related."
"Go on."
"Well, I caught a flash in Bobby's mind. He thinks Pam's been going through your stuff. I caught an image of him seeing her rooting though your drawers."
Eric's eyes widened, and he stood and clenched his fists.
"Pam!"
Eric didn't usually raise his voice when he summoned his child, but this warranted a shout.
She soon popped her head around the door.
"What? What's with the shouting? You about blew my ears off. Hi, Sookie."
"Hey Pam."
"Sit down," Eric commanded.
Pam looked from Eric to Sookie and back again, and sat down.
"Now then, Pamela. Sookie has been here tonight to read Ramona and Bobby, in regards to some items taken from my home."
"Oh. Really?" Pam responded, shifty-eyed.
"Yes. Really. It appears that neither of them were guilty of this heinous crime, and that leaves only one further suspect."
"Ooh, this is just like Poirot or Columbo or something. It must have been your machine, then. It eats them. You need a new one."
"It is not my washing machine or my tumble dryer that is eating my underwear, Pam. But as your punishment I might make you eat it, or I might shove you in the dryer."
"Your underwear?" Sookie said suddenly.
Pam smirked. "He did not tell you? His underwear has been going AWOL for weeks." She looked back at Eric. "Why do you presume it is me? What use would I have for your underpants?"
Eric ignored Sookie's stifled giggling.
"Bobby saw you rifling through my drawers."
"I have to put the new items I purchase in there."
"Pam, if you do not tell me the truth right now, there will be considerable consequences, do you understand?"
She rolled her eyes.
"God, will you just calm down? It was a joke! I was saving up enough pairs to make one, massive, giant pair of underpants and then I was going to hang it up on the wall outside Fangtasia, like a huge pant-banner. It would have been hilarious. But you had to go and spoil it by getting all uptight and bringing the telepath in."
Eric stared at her for some time, seething. In the end, he just shook his head, and slowly walked out of his office, without a word.
Sookie and Pam looked at each other.
"Well, I thought it was a good joke, didn't you?" Pam said.
"I guess. It doesn't look like Eric did though. Will he punish you?"
She shrugged. "Probably. He will see the funny side in a few years time. I'm sorry you were dragged into this, Sookie. It looks like you can probably go now. Eric has finally solved the mystery of the missing underpants, and I must face the consequences."
They both got up, and even though Sookie looked around, she couldn't see Eric anywhere, and Pam saw her out.
Sookie got into her car, and sighed heavily before starting up the engine. Just as she was about to pull out, there was a tap on her window, and she let out a little scream of surprise. It was Eric. She wound down the window.
"Hey Eric, you scared me."
"Sorry. I just wanted to say thank you for coming. And to tell you to drive safely. Are you buckled in sufficiently?" He reached in and tugged at the seat belt.
"Um, yeah. Okay. I'm glad you got to the bottom of that real important problem you were having with missing underwear." Sookie sounded tired, and maybe a little bit agitated, but she couldn't hide the smile.
"It was actually quite important," Eric said. "Security is paramount for a vampire. The support of good underwear is also a priority. I should have known Pam was the culprit. Of course, I had my suspicions, but couldn't work out her motive. Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay a while longer? I would enjoy the pleasure of your company this evening."
"Well, that's nice of you and all, but I'm a little tired, and it's quite a drive back. I really should get home."
"You can stay over," Eric said, wiggling his eyebrows.
Sookie sighed and shut the engine off.
"You know something? You're really exhausting me."
"I'm what?" Eric said, his smile dropping.
"I don't know what you want from me, Eric. One minute your nice as pie and the next you're treating me like one of your minions. You're a real mystery, you know that?"
In response to this, Eric wanted to push her car over, on one hand, but pull her out and take her in his arms and kiss her senseless, on the other. Yes indeed, he was fully aware of his fluctuating moods and character.
"Perhaps I am another mystery that needs to be solved," Eric said, with a wry smile.
"Maybe if you told me what you were thinking, rather than expecting me to somehow read it in your head, it might not be so mysterious," Sookie said, gripping onto the steering wheel.
"I do think fondly of you." The way he said the word 'fondly' made it sound like some ancient, foreign, hardly-used word. "Can you feel how I am telling you the truth? Even if you do not believe the words coming from my mouth, or trust what I tell you, can you not feel it, Sookie?"
Sookie looked at him, her eyes softening at first, before her face suddenly became more animated. Eric could tell she was contemplating the possibilities of him knowing her feelings, too, through their blood link. Things had indeed gotten very complicated between them, and again, Eric longed for a time when he and Sookie were alone, apparently simply happy and content in one another's company. Talking and laughing like 'old buddies', and having beautiful and no doubt exceedingly pleasurable sex in various rooms of her house. Taking care of one another. Kissing tenderly. Belonging to each other.
"Won't you just tell me what you're thinking?" Sookie whispered.
Eric looked into Sookie's eyes for some time before responding.
"I am thinking that I was lucky to have been taken in by you, when I was in need of your help. I am thinking that I miss being with you, even though I do not remember exactly why. I am thinking that until my memories of that time are restored, I will never be able to understand what truly happened."
Sookie opened her mouth to respond, but couldn't manage anything more than "Oh."
"I am also thinking that it is cold, and late, and you have a long drive back to Bon Temps," Eric continued. "I am thinking that Pam is the sneakiest, most mischievous and annoying child ever created, and am already contemplating suitable punishments. What were you thinking?"
He raised an eyebrow, daring her.
"Well," she looked at her hands, and made sure she was focusing anywhere but on Eric. "I was thinking how nice it was to see you and Pam, and I was thinking how lovely your housekeeper was. I was wondering how you were going to punish Pam for her little joke," she smiled, and gave him a sideways glance. "Oh, and earlier I was thinking about how huge your shoulders and biceps looked in that tank top."
She smiled and made a cute giggling sound, and Eric's eyes widened in shock at her confession. A little honesty could go a long way, it seemed, but Eric was no fool. He knew it would take a lot more work to get Sookie to reveal her true feelings, just as it would him.
He leaned in, and kissed her on the cheek.
"Do they, indeed? Well, I shall remember that, and purchase more, for your viewing pleasure. Drive safely, Sookie. Don't stop for any half-naked vampires."
He stepped back, and she started up the engine.
"Oh, don't worry, I won't."