Sorry, I haven't updated this past week, life gets in the way. In fact, as a warning this will probably be my pattern. Updates on the weekends and silence during the week. I work a full-time job (60 hours this week) and have 3 kids so Monday through Friday are crazy for me.
But now it is the weekend so … update!
Thanks again for all the reviews, it always puts a smile on my face to see one in my mailbox.
I don't own anything, just borrowing for a bit.
Chapter 5 – Drawing Conclusions
Sookie hurriedly joined Eric in the hall and continued on to his office, not wanting to hear any details Pam was going to give of their night. Sookie sat in the guest chair, Eric moved to his own. "I know what the dealer looks like."
"Can you draw him?"
That took her completely off guard, "I can't draw, not even a straight line, let alone a mugshot."
"You should learn, it would be very useful. I'll pay for the classes." he offered.
"Really, I don't have any talent."
"Creating a work of art that has the right composition, tension and design, that takes talent." He bent to open a drawer in his desk. "But anyone can learn to draw, it's a skill like any other." He pulled out a drawing tablet, opened it to a page and handed it to her.
She gasped, it was a pencil drawing of her. She had her hair down and a "come hither" smile. "Did you do this?" she asked in awe.
He shrugged, "I learned to draw centuries ago." He smiled, "You can pick up a lot of skills over the years."
"Can I keep this?"
It was his turn to be surprised. "If you want to."
"What else have you done?" She started to turn the page but he was around the desk in a blink, his hand stopping hers.
"No." he said earnestly.
"Why not? Your work is beautiful, I want to see the rest."
"No, you don't." he looked uncomfortable. "Here let me frame this one for you." he tried to lift the tablet from her hands.
"Now I have to see them." she said accusingly, "Let me see the rest." It was a command, not a request.
"You won't like them, you'll be angry." he warned.
"I'm getting angry now."
He let out an exasperated sigh, "I warned you." He walked back to his chair and stared at a side wall, as if he didn't want to see her reaction.
That set her on edge and she was almost afraid to turn the page. With her curse she had seen many glimpses of what turned men on and remembrances of various movies and magazines they would think about at unexpected moments. Some of them made her skin crawl. Please don't let these drawings be like those, she thought to herself before turning the page.
"Oh my," she breathed and saw Eric cringe. The next page was of them together, in profile from the hips up. He was lower than she, maybe kneeling, his hands spread across her waist. They were obviously nude, but her arms were at an angle that covered her breasts as her hands cupped his cheeks and they were looking at each other in pure adoration. It was beautiful and she felt tears welling in her eyes. The next image was again both of them, this time from the front from her waist up, she was facing forward, he was behind her, one arm wrapped across her breasts concealing most of them from view and the other around her midriff. Her arms were reaching up behind his neck, playful lovers' expressions on their faces. Page after page was filled with similar scenes, all thankfully tasteful, but also tender and though she tried to find another word she could only think of loving. A tear escaped and fell on one of the drawings. "Oh no!" she gasped, afraid she had ruined it.
"I know, I'm sorry..." he began, looking at her. When he saw her tears he was instantly by her side kneeling down so he was level with her. "Don't please, I'll burn them." He went to grab the drawings but she pulled them to her chest.
"Don't you dare!" He looked at her in surprise. "Eric, they're lovely." She put her hand on his cheek.
"You aren't angry?"
"No, they're so...loving." She bent and kissed him softly on the lips. Smiling warmly at him as she pulled back. His hand moved to her cheek and his thumb wiped away a tear.
"I'm just glad you didn't see my other sketchbook." he said with relief.
Sookie felt her eyes widen in surprise as she pulled back in indignation. She opened her mouth to demand to see it when he smiled and winked at her, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Augh!" she grunted in exasperation as she realized he was teasing. She shoved at his shoulder and he let it push him back a ways. "Like I said, you are a handful!" she said with mock wrath.
"More than a handful if I recall correctly." Pam drawled from the doorway. "I'm not interrupting anything am I?"
"Just me staking Eric. Nathan all taken care of?" Sookie asked to change the subject, waving Pam to come in. Eric rose to his feet and leaned against the desk.
Pam sat on the arm of the couch, a look of disgust on her face. "Yes, we better track down this drainer soon, I am about done feeding that vermin's fantasies about me, Thalia or no Thalia." She looked uncomfortable and asked "You don't need me to help you get ready tomorrow, do you?"
"I can probably manage, but you are welcome." She replied sincerely. "Actually it might be a good idea to have you sniff the new make-up I buy before I cover myself with more fairy dust like some big vampire saltlick." Pam snorted, but actually laughed when she glanced at Eric. Sookie turned to look at him and caught the look of lust in his eyes and his fangs were out. When he realized she was looking he retracted his fangs. Her eyes were wide.
"That was an intriguing mental picture you painted." he said defensively, Pam chuckled and stood.
"Goodnight Sookie. I suggest you do as I advised to get his mind back on work." She winked and left.
Sookie blushed deeply, as Eric stared at her. "What was that about?"
"Earlier she said that you haven't been focusing on work lately and suggested that if I... if we..." she let it trail off since he obviously knew what she was trying not to say. "That it would solve the problem."
"I see." He looked annoyed and stared angrily at the spot where Pam had sat, as if she were still there.
"Don't be mad at Pam, she's had a rough night. Is it true? Have you been ignoring your work?" Glancing at the sketchbook in her hands she thought that just the drawings must have taken a lot of time he should probably have spent on his duties.
"I didn't think I had, although Pam has been very short with me lately. I'll talk with her tomorrow. It's early yet, what would you like to do this evening?"
Sookie looked at her watch. "It's after one a.m.!"
"Which means I have several hours until dawn. Surely you've kept night hours before?" she nodded in resignation "So what shall we do?"
"Is there even anything open at this time of night?" She knew nothing was in Bon Temps but Shreveport was much bigger.
"Probably no place you would want to go." Sookie knew there were real vampire bars, where only vampires and sometimes other supes went, she had been to one in Jackson and didn't care to repeat it here. They did not keep regular bar hours. "We could go back to the apartment and talk or watch a movie or go for a walk in the park."
"Is that even safe?" She asked and smiled at the expression on his face. He seemed to take her caution that the park might be dangerous at this time of night as an insult to his ability to protect her. "Sorry, I forgot who I was talking to. But 20 plus years of defenseless, human female upbringing drives certain things into your head and one of them is places to avoid late at night." Gran had always said a woman should be able to go anywhere she wanted to, but she would be a fool to think that she could.
"So what shall it be? You are the guest in my town, so your choice." His expression became earnest, "And I guarantee my best behavior."
"The park sounds nice." She smiled up at him. He held out his hand and she took it, rising out of the chair. She held on to the sketchpad but he gestured for her to leave it.
"I'll have it framed for you since you like it so much." He gave her hand a little squeeze.
"Thank you." She thought there were others she liked as well, if not more, but given their current relationship and the nature of the pictures she was uncomfortable asking.
They rode with the top down, making conversation difficult, which was fine for her since she had quite a bit of food for thought from this evening. Eric obviously did think about her a lot, that much was obvious from the time the drawings must have taken. Not only that, but he had hurt his progeny for her, sure Pam had healed, but she was probably the only other person she thought he cared about. Most surprising is that he was ignoring his work, which she had thought was definitely number one to him. But their good-natured rapport was back, would adding a physical element to their relationship ruin that? She really liked being able to give him a hard time and sass at him, would that be lost?
She was pulled out of her musings by Eric pointing out a local landmark, when he realized she had never really explored Shreveport, but just came here on errands, he decided to drive her around and give her the grand tour. He showed her some businesses he part-owned and some of the more popular places in town. She would ask questions or make a comment, but kept drifting back to her own thoughts. He turned to drive along the river for a ways before he pulled into a parking lot, in a wooded area, the sign identified it as C. Bickham Dickson Park. She had expected a more tailored downtown park with manicured gardens and fountains, but this was a very natural setting.
He came around to open her door looking wary. As he offered her his hand he asked, "Is something wrong? You're awfully quiet."
Taking his hand she smiled up at him, "Sorry, I was just lost in thought." Looking around she added, "This is pretty." She continued to hold his hand, and pressed against his arm. "Which way?"
"Over here." he gestured to a path, and turned them toward it. They strolled slowly, passing trees, she could hear the water before she saw the river. He didn't press her to speak and she found the silence comfortable.
As she went through the events of the evening, she remembered the conversation that had been interrupted by Pam's call. "We never finished our earlier discussion." she prompted.
He looked thoughtful, "Which one?"
"What you were like as a boy. You, before you were turned."
A slight smile tugged at his lips, "Oh, well you pretty much got it right. I was very good at getting my own way. I'm tall, even for my people, and I was the chieftain's son, so that was pretty high status. People wanted to be in my favor so it was easy to influence them." His smile broadened. "I was a brat."
"Was?" she asked sarcastically and he laughed.
"Old habits die hard."
They were walking out onto a fishing pier and stopped at the end, leaning against the railing, looking out on the water. The moonlight and city lights dancing across the surface.
"Did you go raiding on dragonboats?" She had been reading up on vikings.
"Yes, several times. It was hard work and very dangerous. But if you survived the spoils were good." He was looking out on the water. "Do you sail?" He asked suddenly, turning to her.
"I've ridden on a sailboat, but I have no idea how to control one if that's what you mean." She turned to him, leaning on the railing with one arm.
"I could teach you." he offered.
"Do you have a boat?" While she had pictured Eric the viking sailing, she never thought of modern Eric doing so.
He nodded, "I've been thinking about sailing down to the Caribbean, but I need a human along I trust, in case something happens during the day."
"You and me sailing the Caribbean?" She asked in surprise.
"Why not, have you been?"
"No, I've never left the country. Heck, I've only left the state twice and both times it was on vampire business." She turned back to the water. "Wouldn't teaching me to sail interfere with your work more?" She asked softly.
He half-shrugged and looked a little guilty, "Probably, but I have been thinking about hiring a manager for the bar."
"What about sherriffing?"
"That's always feast or famine. Most of the problems that we had after the Great Revelation have sorted themselves out. Now it is just occasional problems like drainers and accidents."
"Maybe I should learn when I can see and ..." she smacked her arm. "not be eaten alive by mosquitos."
"I'm sorry, I didn't think of that, one of the biggest advantages of being a vampire is the fact that mosquitos no longer feed off you. Here." He put his arm across her shoulders. "This should keep them away." Sure enough that close to him was a mosquito free zone.
"That's one of the biggest advantages?" she asked skeptically.
"You obviously have never been to Sweden, and remember when I was alive there was no insect repellant." He turned them back toward the the path to the car. "Let's get you back inside, I don't want to share."
"Share?"
"Your blood with the mosquitos." He said smugly.
"Who said you are getting any of my blood?"
"Maybe not tonight, but I am determined to win you over, and when I do I won't share a drop."
"Do I get to keep any?" she asked with a smile.
"I might leave you a pint or two." he capitulated with a grin. He pulled her closer for just a second in a playful hug.
"I'll take what I can get." she glanced up at him. She was amazed how much she was enjoying just being with Eric. She was having fun and felt relaxed around him, at least when he was on his best behavior. While she enjoyed the early days of her relationship with Bill he was always serious and often patronizing. Eric, though he was much older and experienced, did not treat her like a foolish child.
She slipped the arm nearest to him around his waist and brought her other hand up to entwine with the hand of the arm resting on her shoulders. He gave her hand a little squeeze then looked down at her.
"I've really enjoyed tonight." She smiled up at him.
"Really?" he looked somewhat surprised.
"Yes." She confirmed nodding, her head while looking down as they walked over a patch of uneven ground.
"I'll have to tell Pam. She'll be pleasantly surprised." a note of mischief had slipped into his voice.
Sookie raised her head, a puzzled look on her face and then she realized, Pam's attack was tonight. It seemed more distant. "Okay, maybe not all of it." she conceded. "You didn't put her up to that, just so you could be my hero did you?" she accused mockingly.
"Damn, you found me out. Yes, Pam willingly volunteered to get her wrist broken and be knocked out, just for my benefit. She is always so selfless." he taunted back.
Sookie shrugged, "I figured she did it just so she could mess with my breasts again."
"Again?" Eric sounded taken aback.
"Well, she touched them getting me into that dress and she once picked a piece of Longshadow out from between them." she explained plainly.
"So Pam has gotten to touch you where I have not?" he sounded petulant, like the brat he professed to have been.
"Honey, you've touched them plenty, you just found it utterly forgettable." she pouted back.
"Proof that I was under the foulest, darkest magic." he smiled down at her and she laughed.
They had reached the car and he opened her door for her. He put the top up, which she was thankful for since she was a little cold. She glanced at her watch and was very surprised at the time. "It's getting close to dawn isn't it?"
He nodded, "Probably another half hour or so."
"Will you be able to get home in time?" she had no idea where he lived.
"I think so, if not I have a place to sleep at the bar."
He took a more direct route back to the apartment and they got there more quickly than she expected. He parked and was opening her door before she had her seatbelt undone. She took his offered hand and thanked him as she stood. They did not release hands until he opened the door to the building. They waited in silence for the elevator, when it arrived he entered it with her. After she turned the key she smiled at him, "This was really nice tonight, thank you for talking me into the park."
"I miss spending time with you, not that we did a lot of that before, and I can't remember the time I spent at your house. But since then something has seemed to be missing, but it was back tonight." He turned to face her. "Will a goodnight kiss spoil my best behavior status?"
"I think your standing will remain intact." She smiled as she stepped closer.
His hands came up and cupped her cheeks as he lowered his mouth to hers. Again the kiss was tender and gentle, full of longing but undemanding. As the elevator came to a stop he ended it, but she wrapped her arms around his waist. He searched her face.
"Eric, please stay." she breathed, knowing she was inviting him for more than a kiss.
His eyes blazed with passion, but he took her hands from his waist and brought them up kissing each one. "Not now, it's too close to dawn and I want you to be sure. Sleep on it, so you will have no regrets." He kissed her hands again then lightly brushed her lips with his before releasing her and stepping back. "We'll talk tonight." The elevator doors closed.
She stood there a moment blinking at the doors in surprise. She had not expected that, nor did she expect her own reaction, there was no sense of relief that he had just saved her from making a huge mistake. Only disappointment. As she turned from the doors Sookie felt that that removed all doubt. Even yesterday she didn't think that Eric would have let that opportunity pass. Any weakening in her defenses and he would have pressed the advantage. The Eric she had seen tonight had much of "her Eric" in him without being lost. He had listened to her and taken her advice. He protected her, but talked to her like an equal.
She yawned and realized she had been up for over 20 hours. She turned off a few lights and headed back to the master bedroom. She undressed and folded her clothes neatly over a chair, she was in and out of the bathroom quickly and set her travel alarm for noon. It wouldn't be a long sleep but she had gotten by on less. She had a feeling that today, and especially tonight was going to be eventful.