Whatever reason Sookie possessed at that moment disappeared when Eric unbuttoned her shorts just enough to push past her panties and slip his fingers inside.

Her breaths came in shallow spurts as he continued to tease her, pleasuring her, and she bit into his skin to alleviate the pressure that was quickly building inside.

Sookie wondered if this all consuming need for Eric would ever end. Even when she hated him in the past, she was still aware of the keen attraction she felt for him. As hard as she tried to ignore it, bury it deep within her, it was always there, brewing just below the surface, so apparent even Bill recognized it. Now that she was in love with Eric, the desire had only intensified.

"Look at me," he whispered, his voice hoarse with passion.

She did. With great difficulty considering how expertly his fingers were working her. And then he kissed her softly, gently, and with such tenderness it made her heart ache.

Just as she reached to unzip his jeans, Pam's acerbic tone interrupted their intimate moment.

"If the two of you are done fucking, we need to get back to Fangtasia."

"Not. Now." Eric growled.

There was no mistaking the fierceness in his voice. Any argument and Pam would suffer the consequences.

Pam was gone instantly but it was already too late. When he leaned closer to kiss her again, his fingers still pulsing inside her, Sookie pushed him away as hard as she could. "Eric, no. Stop."

His eyes flashed with frustration, and his lips pursed into a thin line. "Why?"

Carefully avoiding his gaze, she pulled up her shorts and started to button them. "Because I'm not one of your fangbangers you can just fuck whenever you feel like it."

"You prefer being a tease?" he said dryly.

"Go to hell."

Sookie knew she needed to get out of there, quickly, or this was going to turn into another argument. And considering how their last argument ended...

She ran back inside, slamming the door behind her, grateful Eric chose not to follow her.

Hours later, after a shower and two glasses of wine, Sookie found herself standing in the cubby Eric had built for himself in her home. This was only the second time she'd been down here since the situation with Marnie had blown up and everything had gone to hell.

The flannel shirt she'd bought for him was still sitting on the bed, freshly washed from the last time she'd come down here. And the book he'd been reading lay open, face down, on the nightstand table – just like he'd left it there.

Flooded with the memories of all their time here together, she walked to the bed and took a seat. Even though the linens had been cleaned, she could almost smell his scent on the fabric. Something deep stirred inside her and she found herself reaching for his flannel shirt before draping it over her legs and lying back on the bed.

She could still feel his fingers thrumming inside her from earlier, bringing her so close to the edge it was almost painful when she had to force him to stop. And his mouth... she loved the way his kiss could transform from angry and possessive one minute to heartbreakingly gentle the next.

Every part of her ached for him, not just physically but emotionally as well. The way he held her tightly in his arms when he was thrusting inside her, the sparkle in his eyes when she had her fingers or mouth wrapped around his cock and he was about to lose control, how he nipped her chin or grazed her forehead to calm her down when she was writhing underneath him, pleading with him to make her come.

Soon her body was trembling, quivering in reaction to her fingers, while she stroked herself with Eric's name on her lips.

Eyes closed, lips open, she imagined his mouth sensually moving along every inch of her body, claiming her as his own. Just like him, their lovemaking was spontaneous, unpredictable, and wild. When she wanted it to be slow, he would take her fast. Then there were times when she wanted him desperately, but he would take his time and drive her absolutely crazy until she was practically begging him to finish her off.

"Eric," she murmured, mimicking the way he rubbed her clit while she slid a finger inside.

Then, all of a sudden, she felt someone's hand on the most intimate part of her.

Her eyes flew open, and she found herself face-to-face with Eric. He was hovering above her, watching her as if he was under a hypnotic daze, his eyes the most intense shade of blue.

"Eric?" Still dazed and confused, she practically jumped when his thumb massaged over her clit.

"Don't stop," he whispered, dropping a chaste kiss on her lips and forcing her to lie back again. His voice strained, body tense, he joined in pleasuring her, placing his hand on top of hers and motioning her to continue her rhythm, helping her but not taking charge.

He wanted her to finish, to do this her own way.

And she did.

With his legs probing hers open while he shifted himself onto his side, and their gazes locked, she brought herself to climax. It was hisname she groaned when she went over the edge, and his body she clung to while her heart raced in her chest, ready to explode. And as the tremors slowly washed over her, and she drifted back to reality from the high she had just reached, it was Eric who she shared a slow and languid kiss with.

It was a while before anyone spoke. Instead they lay relaxed, facing each other, their legs intertwined.

"I'm dreaming, aren't I?" she asked, staring into his eyes.

"Why do you think that?"

"Because you're here, you're smiling." She placed a tender kiss on his shoulder. "And you're not mad at me."

Her words yielded an expression of regret from him. He laced his fingers through her hair with the softest of touch. "I'm angry because you keep pushing me away."

"I have to."

"No, you don't."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"And what do you think you're doing now?" he fired back.

Sookie didn't reply, instead resting the side of her face on his chest, the top of her head tucked in below his chin. She didn't know how long they remained in that position, only that she'd never felt more protected.

"You don't love Bill."

She smiled against his skin. Even when he tried to keep the possessiveness out of his voice, he failed miserably.

"No, that's not true. I'll always love him but... I'm not in love with him. Not anymore."

"Because you're in love with me?"

Sookie sensed the anxiousness in him, as if he was waiting for her to argue. She debated remaining silent, to let him think the worst, but she couldn't. "I am," she replied, tracing her lips along his exposed clavicle. "Completely."

This was a dream she never wanted to end - especially when he rolled over, causing her to land under him, and closed his mouth over hers.