Perfect Valentine Chapter 13

SPOV

Walking into the house alone knowing Eric wouldn't be home for hours, gave me a lonely feeling. I laughed at myself. I was amazed that I'd become so accustomed to his presence here in so short a time. Love, I guess. I made myself a sandwich to eat, cleaned it up quickly, and went to the bedroom to get started on the packing. Eric had sent a couple of texts during the day, but was too busy to call. He'd sent one just before I left work saying he would, as he'd feared, be held up. His dad wanted to go over every detail of the business transactions for the month he'd been gone. I could just see the smirk on Eric's face. Imagine the man questioning his ability to run the place. I decided a diversion was what I needed, so I plugged my iPod into its dock, and cranked it up. I would sing along, and pay attention to the music instead of brooding over what was going on with Eric. About ten o'clock, the phone rang.

"Hi, baby, how'd it go with your dad?" I asked Eric.

He laughed into the phone before saying, "No hello? The meeting with Dad was fine, better than fine, really. He was actually impressed! He even told me so! That's just so rare for him!"

"Well, I'm glad it went well. You sound so pumped! When you going to be home? I miss you," I sort of whined into the phone.

"Leaving right now, lover. I miss you too," he said, then added, "I'll be there soon." He hung up without another word. I was going to ask if he'd eaten, but he didn't give me the chance, so I guess if he hadn't, he could just have a sandwich too. I went back to packing. I only had a little bit left, and I wanted to try and get it done before he arrived.

EPOV

I couldn't believe how great Mom and Dad looked after their trip. Both of them seemed relaxed and well-rested. I was particularly glad to see Dad looking so well. He'd had a couple of health scares in the past year, and I liked to keep a close eye on him. He wasn't one to say much about how he was feeling, so someone had to. When he asked to see all the books and records for the month since he'd left, I had to fight the old self-doubt that his scrutiny so often brought on. I knew that the business had not only survived his absence, but had thrived under my leadership. I had nothing to fear, and everything to be proud of, but still... As it turned out, he was not only impressed, he told me so. This was a man so stingy with his praise, I'd heard few words of adulation from, even though I'd always done well in school, and in other pursuits. Tonight was different, though. He'd slapped me on the back, smiling widely, and shook his head, "Son, this all looks terrific. Maybe I should just retire and turn the business over to you." You could have knocked me over with a feather!

When I pulled into the driveway, I felt the familiar tug of knowing I'd be feasting upon Sookie's face soon. I wanted to take her in my arms and kiss her long and deep. I was really feeling emotionally charged after the meeting with Dad, and I couldn't wait to "take it out" on Sookie.

"Honey, I'm home!" I called out in my best Ricky Ricardo imitation, "Where are you, Sookie?"

"Bedroom!" she answered. Perfect! Just where I wanted her!

As I walked in, she was closing her suitcase. She smiled up at me and stepped away from the bed. In seconds we closed the space between us, meeting near the foot of the bed in an embrace. I took her face in my hands and kissed her lightly, "So glad to be home. Missed you."

"Mmm, missed you too," she answered, returning my soft kisses, "you need anything? Sandwich? Drink?"

"Only you," I answered, backing her toward the bed. I sat her down on the edge, moved her suitcase to the floor, and took off my coat and tie. In the meantime, she'd scooted back on the bed, and watched me with her lips parted. I joined her there and immediately began to relieve her of the bondage of her t-shirt and jeans. She, in turn unbuttoned my shirt and pushed it from my shoulders. When at last we lay naked together in the middle of the bed, I spoke again, "Sookie, you feel so good. I love you so much. I just..." I couldn't even finish my own thought. I kissed her deeply, to which she responded most appropriately. There was no more conversation then, only our bodies communicating through touches, gasps, and moans.

When we lay sated, she spoke, "Wow, Eric, you must have really had a great day! Thanks for sharing!"

We both laughed for several minutes, before I threw the covers back and settled us both under them for sleep.

SPOV

Thursday was a complete blur. If I got anything accomplished at work, I don't know what it was. I spent all my time daydreaming about what Eric and I would be doing this weekend. After the way he greeted me Wednesday night, I was pretty sure I was in for a wild ride. Maybe I didn't really need to pack all those clothes after all. Eric laughed at me Friday morning for picking up around the house, "Lupita is a housekeeper, Sookie, not a guest."

"Hey, just let me straighten up a little. I'm not used to this, you know. I'll leave the hard stuff for her," I answered, receiving a head shake and a kiss on the forehead.

When we got home just after noon, Lupita was just finishing up. I was impressed with how everything looked, and the whole house smelled fresh. It made me feel so much better, knowing my home would be spotless when we got back Sunday night. Eric introduced me to Lupita, who humbly shook my hand, complimented the house and furnishings, and thanked us both for allowing her to work for us.

When she left, I thanked Eric for suggesting we hire her to clean once a week. Even though I had never thought about having help, I could see how it would free me for other things. Eric carried the bags to my car. He was a little put out that we had to take it instead of the Corvette, but I'd packed too much for his sports car. He, of course, had only one small bag. He had clothes, toiletries, everything at the country house already, so he only needed to take a few things.

As soon as the car was packed, we headed out of town. As we traveled southwest, the houses and businesses gave way to large fields plowed or planted with rows of corn and sorghum grain, pastures with cattle grazing, and areas covered with oak and cedar trees. It was amazing to think how close to the bustling metroplex this rural area lay. We passed through a few small towns, which looked for all the world as if they'd been lifted out of the 1800's and dropped onto the landscape of today. Conversation was sparse, because I was too busy taking in the sites along the highway to keep up.

Finally, we turned off the rural highway onto a narrow, paved road. From what I'd seen on the way down, paving was scarce in this part of the state. Most of the side roads seemed to covered in a dusty white gravel. Eric explained that is was called caliche, and was the least expensive way to go here, as the ground was full of it. It was also fairly effective as an all weather road surface, apparently.

A mile or two down the narrow road, we came to an immense gate built of rough hewn limestone. It spanned the concrete road which led across the rolling hills, dotted with grazing cattle and scattered oak trees. In the arch above the road, a bold, stylized N hung inside a star. This, no doubt, was the Northman property.

Without a word, Eric rolled down the window, punched in a code on the pad mounted there, and the metal grates opened to allow our entry. I looked back to watch the grates close behind us after we'd passed through. Gazing, gap-mouthed through all the windows, I took in the surrounding land. About a mile down the "driveway" was a house, no, not a house, an estate, the largest single family home I'd ever seen, "Holy shit, Eric, how fucking rich are you?"

With a chuckle, he asked, "How fucking rich am I or how fucking rich is my family?"

"Is there really a difference?" I asked.

"Not much, I guess. My parents have a lot of money, of course, but my sister, Pam, and I each have large trust funds from both sets of grandparents, so I guess all of us are pretty 'fucking rich,' as you put it. Is that a problem for you?" he asked, smiling wickedly.

It took me long seconds to form a reply, "I guess I just hadn't expected this. I mean, I knew you weren't struggling, but I had no idea. You don't act like a guy who could buy and sell just about anyone you know."

"I hope not!" he smiled at me sincerely. "I've worked hard not to be that guy, Sookie. If I surprised you today, then I'm proud that maybe I have behaved like an average human being, which, by the way, I am."

"Oh, yes, you surprised me, all right!" I laughed, "I'm blown away!"

"Sookie, I hope you don't feel intimidated by the size of the house. It's pretty casual inside, really, you'll see. And the staff is all friendly, just part of the family. I want you to feel comfortable here. I would like for us to spend a lot of time here," Eric said, as he reached for my hand. We had stopped in a long curved driveway in front of the house. Before we could exit the car, a small, but strong-looking man came out of the front door and opened the passenger side door.

"Mr. Eric, welcome, we have everything ready for you and your lady," he said with a smile on his face. I took his offered hand and stepped from the car.

"Pedro!" Eric said, extending his hand, "This is Sookie Stackhouse. Sookie, Pedro, our right hand man around here."

I smiled, "Nice to meet you, Pedro." He bobbed his head, and immediately started pulling bags from the car's trunk. Eric ushered me toward the house, where a lovely black-haired woman wearing an apron that reminded me of Gran waited with a grin from ear to ear.

"Sookie, this is Maria, our housekeeper and cook, and Pedro's wife. They've both been with us for years," Eric said as he bent to give her a hug.

"Maria," I said.

Without speaking, she stepped toward me and put her arms around me, "Miss Sookie, welcome. Anything you need, you tell us, hear?" I nodded and let Eric steer me into the entry hall of the house. I hoped I didn't look as much the fish out of water as I felt. All around me I saw rock, wood, and glass.

The house had a very open look and feel to it, with high ceilings boasting wooden beams, floor to ceiling windows along three walls, and polished stone floors. As I stared and turned around in awe, Eric laughed, "You okay, Sookie? We can look around if you like. I think you'll like the house if you give it a chance. The stone and wood all came from this property. The exposed wood is cedar, which was cut from the old growth trees near the creek. The columns and fireplace, as well as the exterior is limestone mined from a quarry at the back of the property, and the floors are marble, which also comes from a quarry." As he spoke, he was leading me around the large area. This floor was basically all one room, containing the entry, a seating area, and the kitchen and dining area. It would be ideal for entertaining. I guessed the Northmans did a lot of that. A staircase led to the second story, which held the bedrooms, a study, and a media room. Surrounding the lower floor was a wraparound porch, which extended the living area to twice the size, as it was so well appointed that it could be used year-round. It had outdoor fireplaces, and an outdoor kitchen, as well as couches, chairs, and tables. I tried not to show how overwhelmed I was.

EPOV

I enjoyed showing Sookie our country home, but worried about her first impressions of the place. I had never let her know the details about my family's wealth, not that I was trying to keep it a secret, it just never came up. I had always wanted to fit in, and acting like Mr. Got Rocks didn't let that happen. Dad was a perfect example of how flaunting wealth isolates you. So Sookie paid me quite the compliment by being so surprised. I just hoped she didn't feel uncomfortable. This whole weekend was about having her feel comfortable in my home, with my parents.

After we'd looked around the ground floor, inside and out, Maria brought us a light snack. We sat on the porch and enjoyed the panoramic view as we munched. In the distance we could see hills covered with grass or trees in all directions. The house was built high to allow just such an impressive scene. Sookie had grown very quiet. Again I hoped it was not a sign of discomfort. As we finished our snack, Maria came out to retrieve the tray, and leaned over to whisper to me, "Pedro and I have set everything up just as you asked, Eric. I will bring up your evening meal at the appointed time. Let me know if you need anything else." Then she retreated, and I suggested that we go upstairs to the room we'd be using for the weekend.

"If you want to, Eric, but I am sure enjoying the view here, and the cool breeze," Sookie said to me casually. Good, I don't think she's too overwhelmed, just relaxed.

"There is a balcony on the room, Sookie, if you still want to sit outside. Maria and Pedro have gone to great lengths to prepare the room for our comfort, and I'm anxious to see your reaction," I couldn't help smiling as I spoke of the room. I'm so glad I'd called and asked Maria to tweak my bedroom. I really couldn't wait for Sookie to see it.

"Now you've piqued my curiosity, big boy. I have no choice but to say yes now!" she laughed and punched my arm playfully.

Continuing with the playful mood, I jumped up, grabbed her hand, and pulled her off the couch, "Come on!" I said as I practically dragged her across the patio, into the house, and up the wide staircase. At the end of the hall was the room we'd be using. It had impressive double doors of oak planking, again wood coming from this property. I placed her in front of the door, and whispered in her ear, "Close your eyes." She looked back at me incredulously, but did as I said. I pushed the doors open before her, commanding, "Open!"

She again followed my instructions, and gasped when she saw the room in front of her, "Eric, this is magnificent. This isn't a bedroom, it's an apartment! It has everything you'd need to just live right here!"

"For a weekend? Yeah, that's exactly what I had in mind," I said as I smiled down at her. I was having a hard time, literally, keeping my excitement at bay. "I asked Maria if she and Pedro could add some amenities to the room, so that we could stay here without leaving for as long as we wanted. Of course, if you want to explore the house or the land, we can. And we'll be spending time downstairs with my parents tomorrow evening, but, I think we'll be quite comfortable right here otherwise."

She turned to me then, placing her arms around my waist, and tiptoeing up for a kiss, "You think of everything, don't you? No wonder I love you so much."

As she kissed me again, it became quite obvious that we would be staying here for awhile, anyway. "So, goddess, what's your pleasure, balcony, couch or bed?" I asked, my voice husky with desire.

"Hmm, too bad there's not a bed on the balcony," she teased.

"Who said there wasn't?" I replied, scooping her into my arms and carrying her out the french doors to the covered balcony. There, at the east end, was a bed that hung from the beams of the cover. It was draped in filmy white fabric, which blew gently in the breeze. "See, I did think of everything!" I said into her hair, as I carried her to the bed, drew back the gauzy curtain, and placed her on the mattress. Climbing in after her, I let my hands and mouth explore her exposed skin before removing her clothing, and then my own. We spent the afternoon making slow, luxurious love, and then slept in each other's arms, as the day grew old.