I DON'T OWN THE RIGHTS TO THE SOUTHERN VAMPIRE MYSTERIES OR ANY RESEMBLANCE THERE OF.
Chapter 5 – Dream Girl
(Sookie POV)
I figured it wasn't lying if I didn't say anything right? I didn't know how Alcide would take the whole posing nude thing - to be honest I still wasn't sure how I was feeling about it either - but a dinner date hardly seemed like the time to discuss it. When I got downstairs he twirled me around and whistled appreciatively. I got in the car and we went to this sweet little French place in SoHo that a friend told him about. It was quiet and pretty and lit by candles… he knew what he was doing.
After dinner we walked around and found a little cafe. We talked, drank coffee, and enjoyed some excellent pastries. The night was going so well and he was so damn cute! He wouldn't let me touch my wallet, stood every time I did, and pulled out every chair and opened every door. I wondered how lady-like it would be to bring him home so soon? As if anticipating my question, his hand found itself to my knee toward the end of the night. He kept it there for a moment and when I didn't protest, he moved his hand higher up my thigh, under my dress.
"I think it's time you took me home Alcide." He looked like I just shot his dog or something. He obviously thought I was brushing him off… silly boy.
The ride home was quiet and when we parked, he looked a little crestfallen.
"Give me a goodnight kiss?" I asked, coyly.
He whipped his head toward me, undid his seatbelt, leaned over and took my head in his hands.
"I've been dying to do this all night."
It was no sweet peck goodnight; it was a full on, I-want-to-rip-your-clothes-off-kiss. Oh man, I got little shivers down my spine. When we came up for air, and before he went in for seconds, I asked him if he wanted to come up. While he parked, I got out and ran to my apartment. I couldn't remember what state I had left it in, and although I was pretty sure he was gonna see them anyway, I didn't want a stray pair of panties waiting for him when he walked in.
"Not bad Sookie," I said to myself when I walked in. No random bras lying anywhere. I fluffed some pillows and quickly made the bed just as the buzzer rang. I buzzed him up and fluffed my hair up in the mirror near the door. He knocked and I opened the door. He kissed me immediately and started walking me backward as he closed the door behind him.
"Sookie," he said in-between kisses, "I don't want you to think that this is what I was thinking of when I asked you out tonight."
"Okay," I said as I tried in vain to get my shoes off. Then he kissed me again as we made our way through the living room to the bedroom.
"And Sookie," he continued, "I'm not some guy who sleeps with a girl and never calls again."
"Yeah," I said, as I was unbuttoning his shirt.
"Sookie," he said again.
"Alcide, I get it, now take off your pants."
He looked a little surprised, but threw his shoes off, and hopped up and down as he pulled his socks off too. I unwrapped my damned Espadrilles, undid the belt, and took off my dress. When I was just in my bra and panties, and he was just in his boxers, he stopped me.
"I just want to take a good look at you," he said earnestly. "Turn around for me, darling." I did, shaking my ass a little more than needed for the simple move. "I am a lucky, lucky boy," he said pulling me toward him.
He was such a man; big strong chest and a trail of hair leading to the Promised Land beneath his boxers. He smelled like a real man too, like earth and tools and leather. His big arms reached behind my back and finding the clasp of my bra and he quickly undid it. I pulled away from him and slowly took the bra off.
His eyes went wide, "damn, Sookie."
I got on the bed and lay down. He stood there looking for a moment then slowly followed, hovered over me. I pulled him to me, letting his body rest on mine, and could feel exactly how much he wanted me. He rolled off and took my right nipple into his mouth and began sucking on it softly. His hand found its way down my stomach to the elastic of my panties. He let one finger dip below just slightly, and then ran his finger back and forth – never dipping below the panty line. It drove me crazy and I squirmed.
That man had done everything right. He was charming, handsome, never took his eyes off of me and now I wanted him in the worst way. Maybe it was those damn dreams I'd been having, they made me horny and needy, but the teasing thing would have to stop. I wanted him. I took his hand and lead it lower to where I was aching to be touched. "Shit Sookie, you're so wet." I was, I had been since I got out of the car. He took care of that little issue right quick along with some other itches I needed scratched.
***TAN***
I woke up the next morning to a happily snoring Alcide by my side. I could get used to that, I thought to myself as I carefully slipped away from him. I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and quickly put a brush thought my hair. I threw on my robe and tip-toed to the kitchen where I started a pot of coffee and pulled out some biscuits to warm in the oven. Just as I was pulling the biscuits out, Alcide walked into the kitchen, in his boxers, still a little bleary-eyed.
"Coffee?" I asked. He nodded. I handed him a cup as he sat at the table. I took out the sugar bowl, milk, butter and honey, and placed the warm biscuits on a plate between us.
"I could get used to this," he said smiling.
"You know, I was thinking the same thing," I said, smiling back.
"So," he said after a few more sips of coffee, "what's on tap for today?"
Hmmm, I had to tell him about the art class. I didn't know how he was going to take it, but if there something more between us besides a couple of dates and sex, I had to be honest.
"Well, you know all those odd jobs I do?"
"Mhmm," he said taking another bite of biscuit dripping with honey.
"Today I'm trying something new," I said as I handed him a napkin.
"Oh yeah? What's that, darling?"
Just tell him straight I thought, like ripping off a Band-Aid "I'm going to be posing nude for an art class this afternoon." He damn near choked on his biscuit! He swallowed and looked at me with an odd look on his face. "You okay?" He nodded. "Say something, please?"
He took a long pause, "well, I'm not gonna pretend I love the idea, I mean is it safe? What if some sleaze ball gets the bright idea to take it farther than just looking, Sookie?"
"I'll be with J.B. don't worry." In hindsight, that wasn't the best thing to say.
"Who the hell is J.B.?"
"He's Tara's fiancé, you know the model? I told you about them last night?"
"The dumb one?"
I chuckled a little, "yeah, the dumb one."
"He won't let you out of his sight?"
"Nope, he gave me his scout's honor," I said, thinking back to J.B.'s mixed-up salute.
He thought for a second, "but I'm driving you there and if anyone tries anything..." The protective thing was so damn cute! Unnecessary, but really, really cute. I got up, sat in his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Alcide Herveaux, you are by far the sweetest man I've met in a long time," and I kissed him.
He stood up, taking me with him, my arms around his neck, my legs wrapped around his waist. "Shower?" he said, raising one eyebrow. I nodded and we went to the bathroom.
True to his word, Alcide stuck around until it was time to go to the class. He drove me there and didn't leave until J.B. showed up. He shook J.B.'s hand, asked him to take care of me, (again, unnecessary but cute), kissed me goodbye, and J.B. and I made our way up to the classroom.
I came up with a strategy for the whole naked in front of other people thing. I would completely ignore everyone around me and just focus on the wall instead. So when J.B. and I were in our robes and walked out in the center of the class and stood on the little platform there, I just stared out at the paint splatter on the opposite wall that looked remarkably like Abraham Lincoln. When J.B. nudged me, I looked to him and realized he had taken off the robe and was now in his drool-worthy birthday suit. After I collected my mouth off of the floor, (Tara was a damn lucky woman, I'll leave it at that), I took a deep breath, undid the tie to the robe, and let it slip of my shoulders to the floor.
The teacher told J.B. to hold me in a particular way and asked me to put my leg here and my arm there, and then "freeze." My eyes went immediately to good ol' Abe. Abe was my best friend that day. J.B. and I would shift, get the instructions from the teacher, and then I was back to Abe. As far I knew, the only people in that room were me, J.B., Kenneth, (the art teacher), and Abe. God. Bless. Abraham Lincoln.
When the class was over, I closed my eyes as was handed my robe. Putting it on, I opened my eyes and walked as quickly as I could to the changing room. I had done it. I was actually kind of proud of myself. When I checked my phone there was already a text from Alcide:
I wanted to be there to pick you up Darling, but had a meeting with a developer. It go Ok? J.B. keep his word? Anyone try anything?
Hmmm, okay, the over-protective thing wasn't going to be cute for too much longer.
Went dandy, J.B. was a trooper, no one tried a thing.
After I had pulled myself together, I stepped out of the changing room, (which was actually just the empty room next to the art class), and into the hall. J.B., having fulfilled his protecting duties, said he was late for another job and left before me. When I stepped into the elevator, a very elegant older man joined me. He had long salt-and-pepper hair pulled back into a ponytail and was wearing a seersucker suit.
"You were lovely, my dear," he said.
"Thank you?" I said not sure what the appropriate answer was.
He laughed a little "you're quite welcome. I hope you'll be back next week."
I hadn't really thought about it, but I didn't see why not. "I think you just might," I said sweetly.
We to the lobby and stepped out to a very warm afternoon. "I look forward to it then Ms…?"
"Sorry, where are my manners? Sookie Stackhouse."
"Sookie. Charming," he said as he kissed my hand. Oh my! I wasn't expecting that. "Call me Niall."
"Pleasure Niall," I said laying on the accent maybe slightly thicker than I normally would. Just then a car honked and very handsome black man wearing an ascot, an actual honest-to-god-ascot, got out and walked toward us.
"And who is this adorable creature here?" he said looking at me.
"Lafayette, this is Sookie Stackhouse, she graced us today as our model."
"Well Ms. Sookie Stackhouse, you are just as sweet as sugar!"
"Thank you, but I don't know that grace had anything to do with it. To be perfectly honest, I was scared stiff!"
"Oh tosh, you were lovely," said Niall, flicking the air with his hand.
"Well sweets, we have a dinner date to get ready for," said Mr. Ascot.
"Quite right. Ms. Stackhouse, I hope to see you next week?"
"Yes Niall, see you then." Why not? At least now I had someone to look at besides Abe, someone who I was sure wouldn't "try anything," as Alcide would say. Lafayette took Niall's things and they both climbed into the back of the car and drove away.
"Never know who you're gonna meet in this city," I said to myself smiling.
(Eric POV)
After picking up a bottle of Niall's favorite Proseco, I made my way to his duplex on the Upper East Side. Although the mood was always casual there, the food wasn't; it was always a feast worthy of a king. I was feeling crappier than I had the other day and was considering canceling the whole night, but figured the food would be good, and the company would be even better, so why not just suck up my drama and enjoy?
When I arrived at the building, I entered the private code to the door, and walked in. One short elevator ride later, and I was being hugged, (maybe a little too tightly), by Lafayette.
"And don't you just look delectable as always, Eric."
"Thank you, Lafayette. What's with the ascot?
"You like? I thought I'd try to single-handedly bring it back in fashion."
"If anyone could, it would be you," I joked.
We made our way to the living room where Niall greeted me with open arms. We hugged and I handed him the bottle.
"My favorite, you never forget, dear boy."
I went to the bar in the corner and got three flutes. After pouring, we made a toast to friendship, and relaxed into our seats. We talked about this and that, but nothing terribly important. When the chef came in to tell us dinner was ready, we made our way to the grand dining room and sat down, Niall at the head of the table. Once our soup course was done, Lafayette got down to business.
"Now, tell us what all the moping is about. Resistance is futile so just save us all some time and spill."
Right, there was no getting away from it now. "A man comes to an age…" I said sarcastically, trying to avoid the truth.
"Cut the nonsense Eric, tell us what's wrong," said Niall.
"I need a break."
"A break from what, dear boy?"
"Everything. The clubs, the bars, the speed of New York… women."
"Nothing wrong with that, you work very hard, always have. In fact, I can't think of the last time you went away from more than a few days."
"Me neither."
"But there's more, isn't there?"
"No."
"Oh please, De-Nile is in Egypt, not on 71st and Lex," said Lafayette seeing right through me.
"When Ina left me," I started, not sure what I was going to say next exactly, "I said I was through with commitment, with devoting myself to someone. Why put everything you have into something that could break so easily? But, lately I find that… I want something more."
"I see, and what exactly brought on this change, Eric?" asked Niall.
"You're going to laugh."
"Try us," he urged.
"It makes me laugh…" they just sat there waiting for me to answer. "A dream. I've been having very vivid dreams about a woman that I don't know. A woman I don't know but that I love."
There was silence. No one was laughing. We sat there quietly for way too long, "oh for Christ sake, someone say something," I blurted out.
"Why don't you go to my house in Puerto Rico for a few weeks? No one is there right now, it's on a private beach. You could stay for as long as you want."
"You think I'm crazy don't you?"
"No, quite the opposite in fact. That being said, I think a nice long break would do you some good regardless."
"Maybe your right."
Maybe he was. Time away sounded nice. The beach sounded nice, too. Once dinner was done, I excused myself to the bathroom before dessert was served in the living room. I passed by Niall's office and noticed that the easel was set up in the corner and there was a new canvas on it. I always envied Niall's talent for painting and drawing, a skill I wished I had. The canvas was facing away from the door, though. I walked closer and turned it to face me.
Not possible! Slowly, I sank into the desk chair beside me and tried to comprehend the charcoal drawing in front of me. It was her. Dream her. Susannah… Sookie. It was undeniably her! How was that possible? She wasn't real, right? Real or not though, I was looking right into the eyes of the woman I dreamt about.
I noticed her hair first, the same long locks that graced her body. Her body, it was exactly as I dreamed it, an endless range of soft curves. Those beautiful heavy breasts, those elegant hands. I knew her eyes were blue, I knew her hair was blond. I knew that her hair below was a slightly darker blonde and curly. I knew the color of her pink satiny-colored skin. I knew she smelled sweet and tasted of honey. I knew her name was Susannah, but to me she was Sookie.
I don't know how long I sat there, dazed, in my own world, but suddenly I was snapped out of my trance by Lafayette.
"Eric? You okay? Have you been sitting here all this time?"
"Lafayette, who is she?"
"I don't really know, all I know is that she was the new model at Niall's art class. Why?"
"That's it? That's all?"
"Eric! Now what's going on?
"Lafayette, please!"
His face softened when he heard how serious I was. "Yes, that's it… No! Wait I do know more, I know her name. Funny kind of a name actually." He thought for a moment then he yelled out for Niall, "Niall?"
"Yes?" I could hear him say faintly from the other room.
"Sweets, what was the name of that adorable girl from the art class today? You know the new model? It's completely left my head."
He said something that neither of us could hear. "What was that?" Again, nothing but a mumble. "Come on," Lafayette said to me, "let's got to him."
When we reached the living room, he looked up at us and said "her name is Sookie Stackhouse."
My heart was beating so fast I thought it might jump out of my body.
"Are you alright dear boy? You look dreadful. Come and sit."
I walked over and sank into the couch. "Sookie," I said to myself. "My Sookie, she's real."
A/N:
OOOO we all know what happens next right?
Reviews are like dinner with Niall and Lafayette.
