A/N: Wow you guys just blew me away with your response to this story. Thank you to everyone who reviewed my muse is very happy! Much love to Ethereal Demon for doing all the translations!
I own nothing; I just like playing with the toys of others.
Well this is a fine mess I have gotten myself into; it wasn't the end of the world that he was now aware that I spoke Swedish. He was still grinning at me like a fox in a hen house, it was clear the man liked the taste of his victory in finding out one of my secrets. At least my biggest secret was still safe.
"Well since you're aware that I can understand what you were saying in the suite let me just say that I do not appreciate being discussed. I will have you know that I can be glamorous if I want to. There is nothing different or other about me either. Furthermore what the hell is with you two and the way I smell, if you like my perfume so much you can get your own bottle at Dillard's!" I said venomously.
He looked at me with an amused expression before he full out laughed at me and not a chuckle either a full on belly laugh. Oh that's it; I have had enough of him for one night. "I retract what I said earlier it is defiantly not nice to meet you, have a good night Eric." I seethed and turned around to head back inside.
This job could just be damned I was leaving in just over a week and I was not going to be insulted or laughed at by him. "Come now don't be angry Sookie. This is the best laugh I have had in a long time, you are most amusing." He said mirth still in his voice. I didn't bother responding and yanked the door fully intending to leave him standing there but the door wouldn't budge. Damn it all to heck! Mother trucking door! I felt like kicking the door and having a tantrum but I restrained my impulse to have a fit.
Then his voice was right in my ear "I have not finished speaking with you yet." He purred. How he got to where I was from where he had just been across the roof without me noticing I have no idea but he was holding the door shut and right behind me.
"Alright then what do you want to talk about?" I said annoyed. I turned to face him so he could say whatever it was that he felt was so sure fired important. He was staring at me intensely looking deep into my eyes like he was expecting to find answers there. I took note that he had the most beautiful icy blue eyes I had ever seen.
I was beginning to wonder if he was going to say anything or just stare at me for the rest of the night. I felt a weird prickling sensation in my head; it felt like the beginnings of a headache. I blinked my eyes and shook my head a little to try and shake it off, when I looked back up at him he was looking at me curiously. I heard him inhale deeply and I was barely able to stop myself from rolling my eyes. Really? Again with the sniffing, he is so strange. "You are wrong Sookie, you are very different." He said.
"You can think what you like and I hate to disappoint you but I am pretty much just like everyone else." I replied. It was the truth other then my little quirk I was just like any other 20 something girl. He looked skeptical and it was obvious that he wasn't convinced.
I turned around to lean on the door and he took a step back from me before he continued with his questions. "How is it that you came to speak Swedish? That is different considering that the inhabitants here barely speak a discernable form of English." He snarked.
I burst out laughing at his evaluation of the local dialect, it is true that southerners do not speak the kings English let along a foreign language. Once I got my laughter reigned in I answered him "Well I guess that I learned the same way you did, my parents taught me." At hearing this he raised an eyebrow at me I don't think that was the answer he was expecting at all. He quirked an eyebrow up looking at me expectantly, clearly waiting for me to expound on my answer but I didn't know him and I wasn't in the habit of telling strangers my life story.
"Do you live here in Shreveport?" He inquired. I wasn't sure how much I really wanted to tell him. I had no idea if he was some crazy stalker type but there was something about him that made think it would be alright. "I do currently but I will be leaving to go back home to Sweden after my brother's wedding at the end of the week." I answered. I think I saw disappointment flitter across his face before he locked his features down again. I couldn't figure out why that would disappoint him, he didn't even know me.
"What are you? He asked suddenly. What the hell kind of question is that? Then I remembered what they were saying earlier wondering if I knew what they were. "I am a woman obviously and I am straight." I supplied. He looked confused for a moment and then he barked out a laugh as my words sunk in. "Do you know what I am?" He asked suddenly very serious. Well if he is gay he probably wants to make sure I don't tell anyone. He does some corporate work according to Amelia, perhaps they frown upon homosexuality. Sad as it is to say the people of Louisiana are not very tolerant when it comes to folks being different, trust me I know.
"Gay?" I offered sheepishly, his eyes widened in surprise and he looked incredulous. Well shit, he asked. Didn't anyone every tell him not to ask a question you don't want to hear the answer to. "Don't worry I won't tell anyone. Your secret is safe with me." I said trying to reassure him. He was still gawking at me like I had grown a second head and the incredulous look he had been wearing turned to offended.
"I am not gay Sookie. What on earth would have led you to that opinion?" He asked. Great, that is just wonderful. You know what they say about assuming well it's true and I had just made an ass out of me. I could feel the blush rising on my face "Oh… ok… sorry. Oh my gods this is so embarrassing! I just figured…. you were since I know Pam is and…. you guys were wondering if I knew about you… and shit….sorry." I stuttered out wishing I was anywhere besides here.
He just looked at me with a lopsided smile on his face and shook his head. Damn him, why is it I act like a complete idiot around him. Maybe because he is freaking hot and silent and…..whoa girl snap out of it! It was then that I heard Amelia's loud brain chattering away, she was wondering why I hadn't met her to help clean the last of the rooms and she was hoping I was on the roof. Shit it must be 4 already if she is coming up here.
I almost did hear Eric when he started speaking again "Jag skulle kunna spendera timmar att visa dig hur gay jag inte är." He said in Swedish and I think he was more talking to himself then to me. I was shocked at what he had just said, the nerve of that man. "Ja du, det är väldigt framfusigt av dig Eric. Jag vet inte vilken typ av kvinnor du är van vid, men när du talar till mig så talar du till mig som den dam jag är. Jag vägrar att stå ut med att du är ful i mun!" I hissed at him.
His eyes widened and he had the decency to look properly chastised. Ha! It slipped his mind that I would understand him. It only lasted a moment before he moved closer to me with a leer on his face "I find that I enjoy the sound of you speaking in my native tongue Sookie." He purred.
He looked very sexy his voice had dropped an octave and was full of lust. I felt butterflies explode in my stomach and it suddenly felt a lot warmer out here, just as he started leaning towards me closing the distance for a kiss the door to the stairs burst open and Amelia walked out the door.
"Sookie are you…Oh...Oh my god! I didn't realize…well this explains why you never came down to help me finish." She said with a smirk on her face. Thank gods for Amelia showing up, I almost let Mr. Arrogant kiss me. What is wrong with me? "This is SO not what it looks like!" I exclaimed blushing furiously. I saw Eric grinning smugly barely holding in the laugh that was trying to escape him, I just wanted to slap the smug right off his face.
"Ok, if you say so Sook. I just came to see if you were ready to leave. I got that classic hotty vampire movie and thought we could watch it your place if you're up for it? She said. I saw Eric roll his eyes and snicker when Amelia announced the movie. He could just snicker all he wanted but let me tell ya Interview with a vampire is one of my favorites! "Yep, I am ready to go and a movie sounds great! Let's grab our stuff and get out of here." I replied happy as hell to be getting away from Eric before I did something I would probably regret.
Amelia grabbed my hand and we headed for the stairs just before I walked inside I heard Eric call my name, I popped my head back out and he said quietly "Jag ser fram emot att se dig igen Sookie, och att fullfölja det vi påbörjat." He said his voice thick with desire. "In your dreams Eric!" I retorted childishly before I ducked inside and walked quickly to catch up with Amelia.
Once we made it back to the employee lounge I grabbed my things from my locker and tried not to see the look Amelia was giving me and I sure as heck was trying to not hear what she thought she walked up on. "Soooo, who was tall, hot and blonde?" she drawled. "That was Eric and he lives in the bigger penthouse on the top floor."I told her.
She grinned at me and waggled her eyebrows "Reealllly, I have to know more! He so is in heat for you Sook!" She said. "Amelia!" I squealed. I spent the elevator ride down telling her the whole story and she was completely enthralled. She asked me if I was going to see him again and I told her not if I could help it. In truth I wouldn't mind seeing him again he was the most gorgeous man I had ever seen, his mind was silent and we had things in common. If only he didn't ruin such a nice package by talking.
"Now now Sook my bullshit meter is ready that as false." She chided playfully. I fixed her with a stare but didn't argue with her further. "Ha! That's what I thought. he is single, hot and wealthy. You're single hot and on vacation sort of, Why not have a summer fling?"She gushed. Thankfully I was saved from having to answer her when the elevator dinged and the door opened into the lobby.
As soon as we stepped out of the elevator Quinn swung his creepy gaze over to us and waved. I cursed silently in my head I was so not in the mood for his BS tonight. We walked over to the desk and turned in our badges as we chatted about the movie we were going to watch and trying to decide which flavor of ice cream to pick up at the grab it quick on the corner by my apartment.
"Hey Sookie." I heard Quinn calling right as we were about to walk out the front doors. I rolled my eyes and turned around "Yea Quinn, what can I do for ya?" I asked and immediately regretted my choice of words as I was suddenly assaulted with his vile thoughts of what I could do for him. Ewwww….I felt like I need to bleach my brain after the things I saw!
"I was wondering if maybe you like to go out tomorrow afternoon and grab some lunch before your shift?" he asked with an expectant look on his face. Oh why me? "Umm...sorry Quinn I am real busy but thanks for the offer." I said firmly hoping he got the message and quickly walked out the door. I was clearly wrong because I heard him holler at me down the street "I'll be a Rose's café if you change your mind. It's a block north of here. Noonish." He yelled. Damn I liked Rose's coffee but I guessed I would be avoiding that place I really didn't want to have a close encounters with the creepy kind. I didn't stop or look back I grabbed Amelia's hand picked up our pace and rounded the corner.
Once we were at my apartment we both changed into more comfortable clothes, I grabbed some blankets while Amelia grabbed the ice cream and spoons and we settled in to watch our movie. We had both seen it so many times that we were reciting the lines to each other and cracking up, I was really going to miss her when I went home. Betweens us we killed that half gallon of cookie dough ice cream, we talked about work, laughed at Quinn the creepers antics and Amelia was still trying to convince me that hooking up with Eric was a good idea.
After awhile we noticed that the movie had ended and dawn was starting to break we decided to get some sleep. As I made my way to the room Amelia started giggling "What is so funny Ames?" I asked. She took a few deep breaths and got control of herself and said "Oh I was just thinking how much like vampires we live. Up all night and scurrying off to our resting place as the sun rises."
She was right I hardly ever saw the sun these days I lived at night and slept the days away; I shook my head and laughed "Yea the only difference is when we rise instead of blood we hunt down at hot cup of coffee." That sent her into a whole nother set of giggles"I think we should go to sleep since today we will be finding a new coffee shop to haunt I do not want to run into Quinn." With that I headed into my room and dove under the down comforter on my bed.
I lay there and tried to fall asleep but it was not happening for me and I groaned knowing that I was going to be miserable if I didn't get some rest. I tried counting sheep, no dice. I counted specks on the ceiling, not helping. Then my mind drifted back to my encounter with Eric earlier, even though he was an arrogant ass he was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. He smelled wonderful, had the most amazing icy blue eyes, his body was just downright divine and the way I felt when I was close to him left me wanting more not to mention the silence of his mind. . I wondered what it would feel like to kiss his perfect lips and the next thing I knew my alarm was blaring.
Amelia came bounding into my room and shouted "Wake up Sleepy head! It's time to start the caffeine hunt." I growled at her and informed her she was way too darn cheery for me having just woken up. I reluctantly got up and drug myself to the shower. I stayed in longer than I planned and let the hot water pound the sleep from my body. Once I was washed, scrubbed, and shaved I was ready to face the night. I threw on my favorite dark wash jean skirt a crimson v neck tank top grabbed my purse and keys and we headed out to search for a new coffee shop.
We found a neat little place just a block past the Valkyrie called Josephine's and their coffee was just amazing it was better the Rose's! We walked into the apartment tower to the welcoming glare of Quinn, he gave us our keys without a word and I was thankful for that as I didn't want to deal with any drama tonight. I was already a nervous wreck about possibly running into Eric again so much so that I decided that I would clean his suite last instead of first like I usually did.
Once we made it to the employees' area I stowed my things in my locker, put on my vest and was checking my makeup and hair when I felt someone behind me. I turned and Pam was standing there looking bored as usual "What can I do for you Pam?" I asked. She was eyeing me intensely and I felt that weird prickling in my head again. Why is it I am suddenly getting headaches so often? Why am I always with her and Eric when I do? Probably because they stress me out with their "secret" talk. I shook my head giggling at my thoughts.
Pam looked uncomfortable and I couldn't imagine why. "I just wanted to remind you that I need your forwarding address to mail you your final check." She said. "Oh right. I will leave it on the board in the lounge." I replied. Pam nodded before she went to talk to Amelia well more like flirt with her. I closed my locker and went to load my cart for the evening.
Amelia and I made quick work of the suites on the lowest floor; I didn't even think anyone had used anything in there. The bathrooms were spotless as were the kitchens and bedrooms. I had never in all my life seen people who kept such perfect house, I guess when you work a night and sleep all day there isn't time to do much. It was time for me to head up to clean Eric's floor; I was both excited and nervous about it.
On one hand I really wanted to see him again there was something different about him. I would like to get to know him I got the impression he had quite a story. On the other hand he had a natural talent for getting under my skin. He enjoyed pushing my buttons and seemed to delight in bringing out my sassy nature. I didn't think it was a good idea to get involved with him since I was leaving soon, what would be the point.
I opted to clean the smaller suite before I ventured into his, I know I was being a coward but I just didn't know how to handle the things that stirred in me when I thought about him. Much to my annoyance this suite was just as freaking spotless as the others had been. I dusted everything, washed the windows and ran the vacuum. I spent a few minutes looking around to see if there was anything else I could do trying to delay the inevitable.I can do this, just go in there and do what you have to do.
I listened to see if I could find the vacuum that was his mind but I didn't find anything, guess he is at work. I put in my ear buds and opened the door to his suite; well he had defiantly been here. There were glasses in the sink, sheets all rumpled and as usual there where wet towels all over the bathroom floor. Maybe they all had a sleep over at Eric's. I burst out laughing at that thought. I cued up my favorite playlist and danced my way thru cleaning his place. Eric never appeared while I was there.
I was hauling his laundry in the marked bags to throw down the laundry chute when my phone started vibrating. It was a text from Amelia telling me that she was going to be hanging out with Pam tonight so she wouldn't be meeting me on the roof. I replied telling her that was cool and to have fun.
Since I had an hour left til I had to turn in my key I stored my cart in the housekeeping closet and made my way up to the roof to unwind. I was incredibly tense after worrying all night about seeing Eric and I was looking forward to relaxing in the night air. I walked to the edge of the building and looked out over the city; it really was a beautiful view. I heard Amelia yelling "Hey Sookie!" I leaned out over the edge to see her waving like a maniac.
I waved back to her and watched as she jumped into what I guessed was Pam's car before they sped off. As I stood back up my key fell out of my vest pocket and landed on the little ledge that went around the building. Son of mother…Unfreakingbelievable! I knew I couldn't just leave it there since I couldn't leave the building without turning it in.
The ledge was only about two feet down and I was sure I could reach down and grab it. I hooked my foot under the pipe that ran around the roof to anchor myself and leaned over the edge. I just about had it when a bird that had been roosted nearby got spooked and took flight.
The suddenness of its departure startled me causing me to jump and lose my balance. I clawed at the building trying to stop myself from falling. It was no use, it was like it all happened in slow motion. I slipped off the roof hitting my head on the little ledge and screamed bloody murder as I fell.
One minute I was falling, the next I was cradled against Eric's body, he was flying! My head was pounding and felt blood running down my face from where I split my head open when I hit the ledge. I looked up to see Eric smiling at me, my vision was blurry and my brain felt addled but I swear on my life he had fangs! Then everything faded to black.
A/N—Translations
"I could spend hours showing you how gay I am not."
"Well that is mighty forward of you Eric. I do not know what kind of women you are used to but when you speak to me you will speak to me like the lady I am. I won't stand for any of your nasty talk!"
"I look forward to seeing you again Sookie, and continuing what we started"