Okay I know I promised that the ball/formal would be in this chapter, but getting Sookie ready took me a lot longer than I thought. So really, next chapter it's happening. I promise! Thanks for the reviews. I will be updating tomorrow (twice again probably). Good night readers!

Chapter 57: The Trouble With Girls

Eric

Eric opened their hotel room and led Sookie to the bedroom. She looked exhausted, even though she was well rested. She put on a brave face, but Eric could feel deep in the bond that Sookie was still afraid and a nervous wreck.

He sat her on the bed and kissed her forehead as he whispered, "Wait here."

She nodded and lied back, putting her arm over her eyes. He walked to the bathroom and began filling the enormous whirlpool tub that they had yet to take advantage of. But Eric would not be taking Sookie in it. He only wanted to calm and relax her. He wanted to take care of his bonded.

He began running hot water and started the jets. He walked to the toiletries and found that Pam had packed jasmine bath oils and poured them in and then turn the lights low.

He walked out and picked Sookie up and carried her to the bathroom. As soon as she realized what he had been planning, she gasped in relief and happiness.

He took off her clothes and then his own and lowered them both in the hot water.

Sookie groaned in appreciation as the scented water soaked into her muscles and she relaxed against Eric's chest. He wrapped his arms around Sookie and they sat in the water, enjoying each other in silence.

Eric broke the silence after a while and asked, "Sookie, how do you know Amelia?"

Sookie tensed and Eric felt regret immediately. This was supposed to be her time to relax. "I am sorry, I don't mean to make you uncomfortable. You don't need to answer now."

She shook her head, "No, I should tell you. Amelia is a witch. She is the one that broke the blood tie between us."

Eric tensed and was processing what she was saying. She was the woman who tore his Sookie out of him. If it were to happen again, it would kill Eric as surely as if she stuck a stake through his heart.

"Sookie, what is she doing here? Are you planning on breaking the bond again?" he asked, masking the concern in his voice.

She turned to look at him, shock and pain all over her face. "God no! Eric, I will never do that again. It would be too painful. I promise I will never leave you again. No, she is here for the Authority as a consultant with her coven. I was shocked to see her here."

Eric felt relief pound through his veins and Sookie stroked his cheek and leaned in to kiss him. "Eric. May I be clear about somethin' with you? I am in this, with my whole heart and my soul. I will never willingly leave you. Whenever you have doubts, know that my every decision is made so that I get to stay with you always. Okay?"

Eric leaned in and kissed her softly, but it grew more and more intense as Sookie deepened it. She was wrapped all the way around Eric, her chest flush against his. The sensation of her oily and wet breasts against his chest was almost too much for Eric, but he pulled back.

"Sookie," he said in a whisper as he closed his eyes. She was confused. He looked down at her. "You have already had a big day. Don't you want to relax?" he asked.

She smiled and said, "Yes, then we are on the same page," as she leaned in and kissed him again. He wasted no time in responding. If this is how Sookie wanted to relax then he would do it. He was already stiffening in response to her.

Sookie gasped as she felt it between her legs and she reached into the water and stroked it before guiding it to her entrance, "Take care of me, Eric."

He nodded and kissed her deeply as he slid into her tight and wet heat. He moaned as he felt her muscles clench onto him as they adjusted to his size.

"Oh God, Eric. That's what I need," she said as her neck muscles gave out and her head fell back. Eric gently thrust up and reached his hand to her chin, guiding her face back to his. He pulled out and moved slowly, but fully inside of her again. She moaned as his kissed her and looked into her perfect brown eyes.

She kept her mouth against his, not exactly kissing him as they moved against one another in a gentle and sweet way. Eric ran his hands down her back and she shivered as the cool air hit her wet skin. She was panting and moaning into his mouth.

"Sookie, I am in this too. Until I meet the true death," he said as he pumped up into her. She nodded and moaned as he filled her and she kissed along his jaw, lingering on his earlobe causing him to gasp and moan.

She whispered, "I love you so much."

Eric felt he was close. He wasn't able to hold on much longer and neither was Sookie. Her hips were rolling to meet his thrusts and the water was gently rippling around them. Sookie then kissed down his neck and to collarbone.

He panted as he thrust harder into her. Then she bit his neck and drank deeply and he came so hard. He didn't know if Sookie was coming with him because all he could feel was him exploding blissfully deep into her. His eyes clenched shut as he screamed out, "OH FUCK YES! FUCK SOOKIE! I LOVE YOU SO FUCKING MUCH!"

It was only as he began to come down that he registered Sookie's ecstasy in the bond and walls fluttering around him. She had come with him, and thank God because he had never finished without his partner finishing either before or with him. They clung together, still connected as they came down. Sookie continued to drink from him and he could tell she was waiting for him.

He tenderly stroked her neck and licked the vein there and Sookie gasped against his neck, but she reconnected to his already healing bite mark, massaging it with his tongue and brushing her blunt teeth against the wound to keep it open. Eric kissed his way down to her breasts and bit. And Sookie rumbled and shivered in pleasure as his tongue flicked her nipple as he drank.

As Eric healed and he nicked his own tongue to heal his fang marks on his breast they were already moving frantically against each other again, seeking out the pleasure only they could give him each other. Sookie was writhing on top of him and he leaned back so he could pump into her deeply. His thrusts were hard and fast and they were now literally splashing out of the tub because of their pace.

It wasn't long until Sookie came, milking Eric of his own orgasm.

Sookie was a limp noodle against him now and he gently stroked her back as she hummed in pleasure against him. "I feel so much better and relaxed now," she said,

He chuckled with her and they got out of the tub. Sookie decided to shower since she had to get into a gown and Eric couldn't say no to more wet and naked Sookie time. It was brief and moderately innocent, but they emerged clean and Eric towel dried Sookie's hair for her and combed it out as she brushed her teeth.

Pam entered in a pink sweat suit and called out. Eric lifted his eyebrows to Sookie's in the mirror and she looked back at him. "She is here for you makeup and hair, I believe." She smiled brightly at him and he leaned in and kissed her as she walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel.

He began brushing and decided he couldn't wait for this formal. Because everyone would get to see Sookie on his arm.

Sookie

Sookie left Eric to finish getting ready and she already missed him. Every time they exchanged blood, she found she was more and more reluctant to leave him.

She entered her closet and Pam was there waiting for her with two people. The room now had bright lit three way mirror. A tall spinning chair and a counter with so much makeup she could hear the table joints groaning in protest.

"This is all for me?" she asked, pointing to the people and the makeup.

Pam nodded, "And me, they are going to do your hair first and then your hair. I don't sweat, so they can do my makeup first."

"Oh, well thanks Pam."

"Of course."

Sookie walked her closet and pulled out her bra and underwear and a silk robe she had found the other night. She returned to the bedroom and quickly finished drying off and slipping into her undergarments and then into the robe.

She walked to the chair and smiled timidly at her hair stylist. He was interesting and so were his thoughts. He had sleeves of tattoos down his arms and his hair was a screaming read the faded up into vibrant oranges with the tips yellow. To Sookie it looked like his hair was on fire.

"I like your tattoos," she said.

He smirked and ran his fingers through her wet hair.

"Well you're showered and clean already, which is good. So we can get right to it. Do you have any preferences for how you want your hair tonight?" he asked.

Sookie shrugged and said, "I don't even know what I am gonna wear."

"Oh I do! And I have to say, when I saw the dress I knew how I wanted your hair, but wanted to talk to you first. Do you mind?" he asked.

"As long as it doesn't involve a crazy dye job or lots of length bein' cut off I am fine with it."

He nodded and said, "Good."

He got to work and began mixing hair dye, which only made Sookie slightly nervous. She calmed down and reminded herself she could always fix it and dye it back. Or that it would grow back.

She closed her eyes and exhaled. Richard, her hair stylist, was chatty and talked her ear off as he worked like a busy bee. She soon forgot about what he was doing and focused solely on her stylist.

When he turned her chair to look in the mirror, she gasped in shock. It was stunning. Her hair was the same shade, but Richard had added in gorgeous lowlights that made her hair shimmer and look rich and silky in texture.

He had styled it into a sophisticated and gorgeous up-do with elaborate curls and braids mixed throughout the hair.

She turned her head from side to side, appraising it in the mirror and then turned to Richard and said, "It's gorgeous. It has never looked better."

He smiled and said, "Thank you. You will look beautiful. I should go work on Pam. I will send in the makeup artist now."

She nodded and sat back in her chair, looking at the masterpiece on top of her head. A woman walked in and she looked nervous. Pam must have given her a hard time.

"Hi my name is Sara. Sookie right?" she asked.

Sookie nodded and said, "Nice to meet ya!"

"You too. Let's get started. What would you like?" she asked.

"You choose. I take it you have also seen my dress. I had no say in my hair and it turned out wonderful. I trust you will do the same."

Sara looked like she had been slapped and Sookie couldn't help but laugh at her face in the mirror.

She nodded though and got started. While Sara worked on her makeup, Pam escorted another woman in and said, "She will do your nails while Sara does your makeup. Your hair is fabulous, by the way," she said as she slinked out of the room again.

Sookie turned back to the mirror and held still as Sara and the manicurist finished. When they were done they packed up their things and left Sookie to herself. She waited a minute and Pam came in and looked her over with a critical eye.

"Stunning. They obviously like you better than me," she said after what seemed like forever.

Sookie smiled at her and Pam gave her a small smile back.

"I picked this gown for you. I saw it and knew you had to wear it."

Sookie gasped, genuinely shocked that Pam had picked something so glamorous and amazing for her. "Pam, it's beautiful!"

I SWEAR that the ball is coming up next. Review!