Day Seven
Bill could not remember a more anxious night. For once, going to ground for daylight was a relief. Sookie said she would return, and he believed her true to her word, but still, in the time being she might have reconsidered. Perhaps she no longer wanted to be with him.
His cell-phone beeped as soon as he powered it on. Voicemail. He dialed and waited, pushing buttons as he was prompted. As always he was amazed by all of the technology now commonplace. Sookie's voice came to him like magic.
"Hi Bill. Sam called. Arlene called in sick so I have to work. Come by Merlottes when you get up. See you."
She sounded normal. Ordinary. She wanted to see him. He showered and changed with inhuman speed into jeans and a clean white shirt.
"'Lo there, Bill." Tara greeted him as he walked in. "Tru Blood Type O?"
"Yes, please." Bill took a seat at the bar. She grabbed a bottle and set the microwave for 60 seconds.
"Hiya Vampire Bill." Hoyt slid onto the stool next to him, nervously clutching a beer. "Whatcha think about all this Vampire marriage stuff up there in Vermont? " He gestured at the television. "It's all over the news. They're gonna legalize it."
"Vermont has always been very progressive."
"Yep. I knew that." Hoyt nodded. "Good news for you and Sookie, ain't it?"
"Any advancement in the rights of anyone is good for us all, don't you think?" Tara sat the warmed Tru Blood in front of him and Bill took a long pull from the bottle.
"Yes, thank you, Tara." Bill slid a bill to her. "Keep the change."
"Hi." Sookie sat her tray on the bar. "Two gin and tonics and a Miller Lite for table eight, Tara."
"Comin' up."
"You got my message, I see." She cocked her head at Bill.
"I was extremely pleased to get your message." Bill smiled.
"You can show me how pleased later." Sookie grinned back at him. Bill felt a hum of desire along their connection. He shifted on the barstool. Tara filled Sookie's order and she disappeared with the tray.
"You sure you ain't heard from Lafayette?" Hoyt asked Tara as she brought him another beer.
"Nope. His mama called me last night wonderin' the same thing. It is gettin' to be worrisome for her. But Lafayette can take care of himself better'n most people I know. He's probably holed up with someone somewhere doing things that'd make a jackass blush. You need another Tru Blood, Bill?"
"I'm fine for now."
Hoyt stared at Bill's half empty bottle. "That stuff really takes the place of....of..."
"Human blood."
"Yeah, I mean, does it taste the same? It's all you um, eat, right?"
"Have you ever had skim milk, Hoyt?"
"Ye-ah."
"Do you prefer it, or would you rather have whole milk?"
"I like whole milk, skim milk is kinda watered down and tasteless. Oh."
Bill took a drink. "This is sustenance. I drink it, but it resembles human blood I imagine much in the same way that skim milk resembles whole milk."
"So do you..." He tilted his head to where Sookie was taking an order.
Bill raised his eyebrows and let the young man assume.
Hoyt lowered his voice. "Ain't that against the law?"
"Not if it is consensual."
Hoyt stared at him blankly.
"Done in private. Between consenting adults."
"Ah." Hoyt winked. "I get it. Like sex."
"Yes." Bill smiled. "Like sex."
**
Sookie lay quiet, one hand on his chest. Bill breathed in time with her, watching her drift to sleep. Or so he thought. Her hand moved, one finger tracing circles on his chest. Eyes still closed, she drew one leg up across his, smiling as she felt him respond.
"Again?' He questioned, his voice low. "Whatever has gotten into you tonight?"
"You." Sookie giggled. "Several times." She swung up on top of him, then lowered herself, kissing his mouth, the line of his chin, his neck. His hands stroked her back as she worked her way lower, tongue circling one nipple, sucking gently. A moan escaped his lips.
"Oh, you like that, do you?" She said, noting his reaction. She moved to the other, paying it equal attention, then continued her downward trek, intent only on his pleasure. Her lips and tongue left trails of fire down his belly. Where had she learned this? Her mouth encircled him and he growled in response. She took more of him in and he arched against her, the heat of her mouth driving him to the brink.
"Sookie. Oh God, Sookie." He groaned. Hands tangled in her hair, he gave in to the waves of pleasure pulsing through him.
Much later, he watched her, a self-satisfied smile on her face, as she moved around the kitchen. She wore his shirt again, and little else. Closing the refrigerator, she sat the bowl of cereal down and picked up a spoon.
"Bill!" She said. "Stop starin' at me. What?" Her voice hinted at irritation, but her eyes twinkled.
"I have been misinformed about you, Miss Stackhouse." His lips curved upward despite the serious tone.
"Why, whatever do you mean?"
"Your skills defy explanation."
Sookie blushed. "I read books."
Bill leaned in close, feeling the heat coming off her in waves. "The kind of skill you possess did not come from books."
A long moment passed. "I asked Tara."
Bill laughed out loud, then checked himself, noting the look of embarrassment Sookie wore. "Sweetheart." He kissed her. "You surprised me, that's all."
"It was...okay?" Sookie asked, suddenly unsure.
"Oh Darling! It was much more than okay, I assure you. It was...amazing." Truly, he thought, he had never known such pleasure as this woman had brought him tonight. "Do you work today?"
"Lunch shift."
"So you are free this evening?'
"What did you have in mind?" She fingered the top button of his shirt suggestively. His Sookie was turning into quite the sex kitten.
"I thought we could have a real date. Maybe go see a movie?"
"That sounds wonderful." Sookie said. She stifled a yawn.
"You should get some sleep." Bill said. "I will set the alarm so you aren't late for work." He took her hand and led her up the stairs back to the bedroom.
"Will you stay with me for awhile?" She asked, crawling beneath the covers.
"Only if you promise to behave yourself and go to sleep." Bill smirked.
"I promise." She held the covers up and he slid in beside her.