Eric and the Witches of Shreveport Chapter 26, a true blood fanfic

Part 26; Also known as 'a slow comfortable screw against a wall'

(Song by Jason Aldean, Don't You Wanna Stay)

While I have never doubted Pam's business acumen, we sold more cosmos and martinis that night than I could ever recall having done before. What impressed me most, and perhaps impressed is not the right word, perhaps pleased would be better, was the smile on Sookie's face the whole evening. There was just something about seeing that innocent happiness, not colored by the fear or doubt of missing memories and impending threats. No, it was just pure, and she was so playful. Perhaps I should send her shopping with the girls more often? She smiled with every drink she poured, and she looked so alive. She even gave me a few tips, which brought grins to my face. Especially when she told me that I was shaking the drinks too quickly, and demonstrated a slower method that was so blatantly sexual I could barely keep a straight face each time I prepared a martini with the stainless steel shaker.

"It's what the ladies want to see." She whispered to me when our backs were turned to the crowd. I am not certain I am doing the gesture justice with my meager description, but I will leave it to your imagination.

Arthur arrived after about an hour, apologizing profusely for being so late. He related that not only had this person run into him as he had been stopped at a light, but that he had insisted on paying him for the damage as assessed by the police who had attended the scene that very instant. Apparently he was concerned about reporting the accident to his insurance company and had Arthur follow him to a banking machine where he withdrew enough to cover the repairs plus extra for Arthur's trouble. It seemed very odd to me, but Arthur was in enough of an agitated state as evidenced by his stuttered explanation, and I knew that I was going to be questioning him later so I did not want to put him in a defensive posture too early by questioning the full veracity of the tale. As I was quite enjoying myself behind the bar I asked him if he would not mind attending to the door for the evening; and what could he say but 'of course Eric'?

The music played and I watched Sookie as she half danced behind the bar, skipping her feet around and sliding her hips about to my great delight. I was so taken with her private movements, because of course, I was the only one who could see them behind the elevated bar, that I reached out to put my hands on her hips a few times, just to feel the way she moved. She was beautiful.

The hours slipped by, the two of us trading glances and smiles, and covert touches. But finally I had to leave her there, as I did need to speak with Arthur about the woman who had come in the previous night. The crowds had dwindled owing to the late hour and the day of the week, a Wednesday as I recall, and Arthur had come inside some time back, so I excused myself from Sookie and took Arthur to one of the back booths to speak with him while still being able to keep an eye on the bar. I believe that he was nervous about getting a reprimand, as his demeanor changed significantly as I motioned for him to follow me. He had been nearly as animated as Sookie had been, watching her and watching the customers from an unfamiliar vantage point out on the floor. I had no concerns that he was sexually interested in Sookie, he was not that stupid as far as I could tell, but her attitude seemed to bring a smile to most everyone that evening. Even Pam had allowed the corners of her mouth to turn up as she watched her, when she thought no one else could see her.

"Arthur?" I began. "I need to ask you a question."

"Eric?" Yes, I had pegged it, he sounded very apprehensive.

"I want you to tell me about the woman who came in to speak with you the other night?"

I could see he was searching his memory to find the person I was speaking of.

"The one who wore the gloves?" I prompted.

"Oh, yes, Amy, she's a nice girl."

"And where did you meet Amy?" I had no problem asking the questions, even though a human might have found them obtrusive, Arthur knew better. Not only was I his boss, but also his Sherriff.

"We met at a movie." The answer sounded odd to me, though I could not say why just then. "She spilled her popcorn on me and we ended up talking."

"Not through the movie I hope?"

He did not get the joke and looked at me oddly.

"You have been seeing her for awhile then?"

"A month or so. Should I have told her not to come around the bar? If so, I really do apologize Eric. I told her where I worked, she just popped in."

"It is not a problem Arthur. I was simply curious."

He sort of bobbed his head up and down, unsure how to respond to me.

"Perhaps the next time she comes by you will introduce her to me." It was not a request. While she might have had absolutely nothing to do with what had happened to Sookie, I was not ready to dismiss her as simply another fangbanger looking for a vampire boyfriend. For all I knew she could have been a police officer sent to spy on the club for some perceived transgression. One did not get as old and as successful as I, by simply leaving things to chance. As I kept a close eye on the goings on at the club, as did Pam, I had no concerns that Arthur was passing on any information about illegal activities, but things can easily be misconstrued by minds that are not used to certain 'cultures' shall we say. He agreed that he would, but again, what choice did he really have? I looked back over at Sookie, she was away from the bar, which really didn't matter as there were only a few stragglers left in the club, mostly just sorting out their coats and their taxies. Owing to that, I sent Arthur home; he seemed quite relieved actually. Sookie was speaking with the DJ, an acquaintance of Pam's who worked week nights for me, in fact, Pam was over there as well, which put me in the mind of something conspiratorial.

"Ladies?" I walked over, trying my best to look charming.

Pam's friend nodded at me, and excused herself to fetch her own coat.

"You're okay with everything then Sookie?" Sookie nodded at her, which further raised my curiosity. "I'll walk out with you." Pam motioned after her friend, "and I'll lock up the front," she said to me before walking away, leaving Sookie and I alone.

"What are you three plotting?" I asked as I stepped towards Sookie, now finally alone with her in the bar.

"Can I ask you a question Eric?"

"Of course."

"Do you think you could dance with me Eric?"

"Dance with you?"

She nodded and looked over at the DJ's booth, I watched as she pressed one button on the console and a soft song started to play. I did not know it then, but I have never forgotten the lyrics. She held out her open hands to me, and I could do nothing but take them and pull her close. I do not make a habit of dancing, but knowing that Pam was gone and that it was just the two of us I wanted nothing more than to move the way Sookie had been moving earlier in the evening, especially pressed into her body.

I really hate to let this moment go

Touching your skin, and your hair falling slow

When a goodbye kiss, feels like this