Perfect Valentine Chapter 12

SPOV

Shit! Eric didn't give me much warning about dinner. And with Debbie Pelt, no less. He'd better find a way to make this up to me. At least it was casual. He and Alcide would be coming straight from moving things to storage, so not only would they be in jeans, they'd most likely be somewhat grubby. Suited me, I'll just leave my hair up in the pony tail and change my sweats for jeans. The t-shirt is fine. God, though, I wish it was just going to be three of us. I like Alcide, we have lots of fun joking around and sort of flirting with each other, but with Debbie along, it's not the same. She is so insanely jealous, make that just insane, that Alcide and I can hardly make eye contact without getting a reaction from her. And she treats Alc like crap, too. I just don't understand why he clings to the relationship so much. Oh, wait, I guess I can't talk, look at my history with Bill.

Grabbing my purse, I jumped in the car and headed into town. I was looking forward to seeing Eric, so I guess I can stand Debbie for an hour or so. At the restaurant, I see that Eric and Alcide are here. I walked into the door to be greeted by my three dinner partners. "Hi, Alcide! Debbie," I said, and had to suppress a giggle as I noticed how much my voice sounded like Seinfeld's saying, "Newman" when I greeted her. I hoped no one else noticed. I turned to Eric with a smile, "Hi, good looking, how was the move?"

He pulled me to his chest for a hug, "Not bad. Hope I don't smell too bad."

"You know I love your smell," I whispered up at him waggling my eyebrows. He gave a nod to the hostess, who led us to our table. When we got settled, I looked up at Eric with a smile. He kissed me lightly on the lips. From the corner of my eye I noticed Debbie reaching up to turn Alcide's face to hers. She laid a wet one on him, causing him to lightly push her away. The look on his face was unmistakably embarrassment. Since the games had obviously begun, I decided to plunge right in, "So, Alcide, Debbie, how have you two been?"

It was Alcide who answered, "Fair to middlin', I'd say. Don't have anything to match ya'll's big news, though. Let's see that rock, Sook." I proudly displayed my ring. Taking my hand in his and pulling it close for inspection, he said to Debbie, "Isn't it beautiful, Deb? I think Eric did a great job picking it out."

"Mmm, nice," Debbie added with a nod, "oh, Alcide, let me tell you what happened at work today. You'll never believe it!" While she rattled on about some lame ass work stuff, Alcide looked at me with apologetic eyes and let go of my hand. I shrugged at him with a slight smile and placed my hands in my lap. I stroked the ring with my right index finger, and silently soothed it, as if it were the one feeling a pang of rejection instead of me. Eric's hand soon joined mine, giving them a squeeze, letting me know he understood my disappointment.

Our waitress approached, and we ordered. Thankfully the food didn't take long to arrive, and we had a good excuse not to converse. I just wanted the hell out of here. Since we'd come in separate vehicles, I had an easy means of making a timely escape. "Well, this has been a treat, guys, thanks for dinner," I said to no one in particular, "but I've got laundry to do for our trip this weekend, so I think I'll take off."

Eric looked at me with an odd expression. I guess he thought I was being rude, but I'd had all of Debbie I could take for one evening. "Sookie, could you do me a huge favor and stop by the pharmacy on the way home? I just know my muscles are going to be sore tomorrow, and I don't have anything to put on them."

He gave me a small, crooked smile, and I couldn't say what I wanted to say, which would have been, "NO!" Instead I said,without enthusiasm, "Okay, what do you like? Aspercreme won't get the sheets all smelly." I hope he could tell I was put out.

"That'll do, then. I just need something. I don't want to take a chance on being so sore this weekend we have to skip some of the activities I have planned." His eyebrows let me know he didn't mean hiking or tennis.

After saying good-bye all around, receiving a kiss from Eric, a handshake and long, understanding look from Alc, and a smirk from Debbie, I got in the car, and drove to the pharmacy. All the way, I fumed. First about having to waste a perfectly good evening in the presence of the biggest bitch I know, then about having to run an errand which, in my opinion, could just as easily been run by Eric. Since when did he get sore after moving a few pieces of furniture anyway? The man was in excellent shape. If anyone was going to need something for muscle aches, it would be me, and I didn't feel the need. I had half a mind to skip it and go on home, but I'd said I would, so I did. Just my luck, the place was packed! Late February was still flu season in Texas, so all kinds of people milled around, looking for something to cure their ills, or stood in the long line at the checkout. How could they only have one register open?

After all was said and done, I finally pulled out of the parking lot and turned toward home. Eric was probably already there. Maybe he'd started the laundry. As if! I needed to lose this pissy mood.

EPOV

It was blatantly obvious all evening how pissed off Sookie was to be in the presence of Debbie Pelt. I knew they didn't get along, with good reason. Debbie can be a total bitch, and she'd outdone herself tonight. I hated to ask my lover to run an errand, but if my plan to reward her for enduring the outing were going to work, I had to beat her home. On my way to the restaurant, I'd noticed the parking lot at CVS was overflowing. Flu season could just be the answer to my dilemma. I didn't want to pretend I was getting sick, but then it occurred to me, since Alc and I had just performed several hours of manual labor, I might have sore muscles tomorrow. That wouldn't be so far-fetched, would it? Anyway, as soon as she'd left, I paid the check, thanked Alcide with a slap on the back, gave Debbie a straight-mouthed look, no smile, but not the frown or raspberry I wanted, and took off for home. I hoped the pharmacy was still busy.

I knew Sookie wanted to wash her new purchases before she wore them this weekend, so I sorted them, and started a load before I headed to the bathroom. I pulled out the candles I gotten on the way to dinner and set them out all round the room. I got out the bath oil and set it on the tub. Pulling out the best towels in the linen closet, I had everything ready to go when I heard Sookie drive up. Time to make it up to her!

I had showered quickly when I got home, since I was so grubby, so I walked out to meet Sookie in a terry cloth robe. I was excited to see how she'd react to my surprise. Hell, I was excited period! I couldn't keep the grin off my face. Seeing her expression as she placed the bag from the pharmacy on the bar, I knew I'd better get this right. Hearing the washer going perked her up a little. Then she noticed me, rolled her eyes, and said, "Well, you've been busy while I stood in line being exposed to God-knows-how-many different strains of flu! Are you washing your clothes or mine?"

"I started with some of your new things, because I knew you wanted them washed before the trip. Mine were too yucky to go in with them!" I walked to her and extending my arms, hoping she still loved me enough to hug me. She did, apparently. She even put her hands under the robe to circle around and stroke my back. "Mmmm," the moan involuntarily escaped my lips as I kissed the top of her head.

"Geez, Eric, it appears you are happy to see me!" she said as I pulled her closer and she discovered my excited state, "what makes you think you deserve to get laid after what you just put me through?" Her words were sarcastic, but her teasing tone shone through them.

"I'll show you," I said, stepping back and taking her hand to lead her to the bathroom. I stopped in the bedroom, "Leave your clothes here, lover, I'll be right back." I went in, closing the bathroom door behind me, and lit the candles, turned on the water, and poured in the rose-scented bath oil.

"Eric, what are you doing?" my impatient partner called through the door. "Why am I standing here naked?"

I opened the door, bowed at the waist, extending one arm, and announced, "Milady, your bath awaits."

Sookie's hand flew to her mouth, but couldn't suppress her delicious giggles, "Eric, you are such a goose!" After looking around, she turned back to me, not with giggles, but with a loving smile, "Oh, baby, this is so sweet. Do you know how good this is going to feel? I guess you do deserve it, after all." She winked at me before stepping to the edge of the large tub.

"We both do," I said, doffing my robe, and coming to stand behind her, "you did great tonight. I know how you feel about Debbie, and she was in rare form. Thank you for keeping your cool." I pulled her ponytail up, clipping it high on her head, and bent and kissed her cheek, then stepped around her into the tub, holding out a hand to help her in as well. For the next half hour we enjoyed each other. Our hands explored and caressed, our mouths and tongues tasted, and our eyes feasted upon beloved flesh made softer and more fragrant by the scented water. When the water became uncomfortably cool, we left the tub and moved to the bed. Before Sookie had arrived home, I'd remade the bed using some of my high thread count sheets. The ones Sookie had were fine for everyday, but tonight was all about pampering her. I had carried her from the bathroom, and as soon as I placed her in the bed, she noticed.

"You changed the bed, too? How long did it take me at the freaking drugstore?" she smiled broadly.

"Barely long enough," I teased, "I had to turn on the afterburners to move fast enough."

"Eric, you spoil me so much!" she said, for about the millionth time since we'd met. Somehow, though, I never got tired of hearing it, and never tired of thinking up ways to do it again. I couldn't wait any longer. I rolled over her, kissing her deeply, letting my body do the rest of the talking. Hers answered in kind. She circled my waist with her legs, and positioned herself for my entry. With an effort, I started slowly, but my own excitement, and her response wouldn't allow for holding back long. We were both moaning, and thrusting, and reaching for release. When it came it was amazing! I never ceased to be awed by the power of our lovemaking. I could only hope that it would always be this good.

After a few minutes of recovery, I said, "I know it's early, but do you want to just stay here, and call it a night?" By way of persuasion, I placed soft kisses along her jaw and chin.

"Stop it, Eric," she chastised, "I can't just stay in bed. I have to move my clothes to the dryer. You could get your lazy butt up and help, you know!"

"Yes, ma'am," I said in perfect military staccato, and got up to follow her to the laundry room.

SPOV

Wednesday morning at six, the radio came on playing punk rock. Eric had messed with the clock radio, obviously. Whatever. I rolled over to face his wicked smile, "You think you're cute, don't you?"

He cocked his eyebrow and answered, "You've been known to think so!" He reached over and pulled me to him. I nuzzled his neck and rubbed his chest. Not that I'd really needed to do anything to get him ready! Thirty minutes later, I padded to the kitchen to start the coffee while Eric took his shower. He had a big day today. His parents would be arriving from Europe in the early afternoon. He wasn't sure, but he figured his dad would make an appearance at the office at some point. He needed to drive in on his own, because he might be late getting home. I just had too much to do getting ready for the trip this weekend to hang around waiting for him. I planned to start packing tonight. Ordinarily, before leaving town, I would scrub, polish, or vacuum everything to within an inch of its life, just because I hate coming home to a messy house, but Lupita starts Friday, and Eric assures me she'll have the house spic-and-span for our return. We'll see. It's not that I don't trust Eric's judgment, or Lupita's abilities, it's just that I'm pretty picky about how my house is kept. Don't worry about it right now, I keep telling myself. While I'm waiting for the shower, I make a list of things to pack. I want to be prepared for whatever Eric and his parents have planned.

Eric surprised me by emerging from the bedroom fully dressed and ready to leave. "Want toast, oatmeal?" I asked before going to the bathroom for my shower.

"No, I'll just have a cup of coffee. I'll get something downtown. Thanks, Sookie," he said as he gave me a quick kiss. "I'll wait until you're out of the shower before I leave."

"Okay, I won't be long. By the way, you look very nice this morning. Is that a new suit?" I asked, feeling the material with my fingers.

"Not new, but not too old. I thought you'd seen it before, but maybe not. I don't wear it too often, especially to work. It's stupid, but I feel like I have to impress Dad if he comes in today. Let him know I am capable of handling the business on my own," he shrugged and had an unusual, sheepish look on his face. I'd so rarely seen any lack of confidence on Eric's part, that it took me aback.

"He'll be very proud of you, Eric. I'm sure of it! I'd better scoot, or you'll be late," I patted his cheek and left him in the kitchen.

When I returned, Eric was checking his briefcase one last time. I could tell he was ready to walk out the door, so I walked straight to him, "Bye, sweetheart, enjoy your day. Call me when you can. I'll be here packing after work." I gave him a big smile, hoping it would convey my excitement about the trip, as well as my good wishes for his day.

"Only two more days, lover. I can hardly wait to take you away from here," his eyes burned into me, as his lips curled only slightly at the corners. He bent to kiss me, picked up his briefcase, and went out the back door. I sighed as I watched his back. I was having a hard time waiting myself. Only two more days!