Chapter 32

The Colossal Fuck-Up

Eric's POV

The sound of Sookie's anger on my voice mail and then the noise of machinery destroying the $23,000.00 ring I had sent her as an apology was not an ideal way to start my night. When I had seen her brothers phone number on my missed call list, I had quite expected gushing and forgiving and marveling instead of the tirade. Perhaps I should have given the verbal apology first. I must remind Pam to be more specific with her advice, I needed to call her anyway.

"Yes, master?"

"I have forwarded Sookie's voice mail to you. She was not pleased by my expensive gift, rather she seemed more pissed off after receiving it. What should I do now?"

"You didn't call her first to soothe things over?"

"I assume by your tone that I have gone about this out of proper sequence?"

Pam sighed with exasperation. "Eric, I forget that you've never had to pursue a woman before. Next time I'll write this shit down for you. You need to call her immediately. What did you send her by the way?"

"A very costly ruby and diamond ring that has now been decimated by some sort of kitchen appliance."

"Ahh, that Sookie. She really is something else. Most women would have sold it and gotten the cash for it. I bet she probably could have bought a car for what you spent on it."

"Regardless, I need your advice on something else."

"Shoot." She sounded like she would rather eat human food than offer me any more help.

"I found out that Sookie was unable to enter her own home last night. I think this is due to the excessive amount of my blood she has ingested. Do you have any idea's on how to help her gain access to her own house once more?"

"So you're thinking if you can help her get back home, she'll be grateful and forgiving? Very clever Eric, very clever indeed."

I would not admit to her that I actually had only been thinking of how horrible it must be for her to be stuck inside that hell hole her brother lived in. Let Pam think what she would.

"I'll ponder that one. She will basically have to invite herself into her own home. She's proud though, she may not want your help."

"Just ring me if you think of anything. Don't contact her on your own."

"As you wish, Eric. Now call her!"

I hung up, feeling apprehensive about talking to Sookie.

I am a powerful vampire Sheriff and I am nervous to call a human.

Yes, but she's not just any human, she practically owns you, now.

The voices warring in my head were making matters worse. There was nothing to gain by delaying it. I dialed the unfamiliar number to her brother's home. It rang several times before she answered.

"What do you want Eric?" Apparently her brother had caller identification.

"We need to talk, Sookie." I reminded myself to keep my tone gentle and respectful.

"Is that a command? Do you forbid me to hang up on you?"

"I command nothing, I merely request that you talk to me and we resolve this problem between us."

"What if there's nothing you could possibly say to me right now that could make what you did okay? What if I'm glad to be out of your control and free to breathe again?" I felt an ache in my chest when I heard her say this.

"Are you glad to be away from me, Sookie?" I asked quietly.

"Yes! And no, both! I love you Eric but I can't be one of those subservient women, I have a mind and will of my own. You scared me bad last night and I don't think that memory will ever leave me. I know that in your own way, you love me too, I just don't know if it's enough. I need respect and to feel like I am an equal. Maybe we just need time to think about of this is the right thing for either of us."

"I do not require time away from you, I know what I desire. I desire you and only you, Sookie. I meant everything I told you."

"Let's just see how true you hold to that when we aren't spending all our time in bed. Things said after multiple orgasms don't really count. If you really love me and want me back, I won't make it easy for you. Now I have to go."

"What are you doing this evening? I would like to come and visit you and talk some more."

Her next sentence truly knocked me for the proverbial loop.

"Not tonight, Eric. I have a date." and then she hung up.

The remodeling bill to renovate all that I destroyed afterwards will surely put the amount I spent on her ring to shame. I'm still angry and feeling murderous. I honestly don't know what I will do when I find whomever she is with tonight, but I will find him.

Sookie's POV

Eric's phone call had been upsetting. I was so flustered that I had actually told him of my date. Dumb, dumb, dumb! It was seven already and I had a feeling that Quinn would be the type to show up early. Tara had offered to stay and help me get ready but I had turned her down. I didn't want her to see all the fang marks that Eric had left on me. That was a can of worms best left unopened, at least for now.

I had picked out a raspberry colored silk minidress from what Tara had brought over. It draped on me in a very flattering way and covered the evidence my vampire lover left behind. She had even been so kind to bring accessories, earrings and a necklace as well as a matching clutch and black heels. The girl sure knew her fashion. I curled my hair and applied less makeup than I thought I would need. My skin looked fabulous, no doubt another benefit of the blood exchange.

I thought of things that Eric had said during his call. He really did seem to be willing to woo me back. He seemed sincere about his feelings and I hoped above all else that things could work out between us. If we were to reunite, there would have to be equal give and take between us. I also knew that I would have to be a lot more accepting of his nature as a vampire. The time for burying my head in the sand was long past.

I had just finished putting on lip gloss when I heard Jason come home. Shit! I would have thought he'd be out later and then end up at some floozies house.

A heard a long wolf whistle as I stepped out of the bathroom.

"Whooooo weeeeee, Sook! Don't you look good enough to eat. Eric comin' by I assume?"

"Not Eric, someone else." My words quickly changed his expression from that dazed, 'I've been glamored' look to one of hostility.

"Excuse me, but does Eric know you're entertainin' someone else tonight?"

"As a matter of fact I told him. I'm sure he wasn't happy about it but he'll deal."

"Hell no! You ain't going out with nobody except Eric, he's a real stand up guy and I like him a lot!"

Word for word, what I had told him when I put the whammy on him at Fangtasia.

"Jason Stackhouse, I am a grown woman and I certainly don't need ANOTHER man in my life telling me what I am and am not allowed to do. I have a date with a man that a delightful old lady set me up with. Now get out of my way!"

There was a loud rapping on the door. Quinn was here and he couldn't have picked a better time. I was just about to unleash some of my new vampire enhanced strength on my brother.

Jason dashed to answer it, his emotions betrayed his intentions of sending my date on his way, alone. I shouldn't have bothered with the split second worth of worry. He flung open the door and stared into the huge chest before him. His face was comical as he strained his neck to look all the way up at the bald head atop it.

"Hello, I'm here to take Miss Sookie out for the evening. You are?" Quinn stuck out a hand that could have easily palmed Jason's head like a basketball.

"S..s...s...Sookie's brother, Jason. Oh my GOD! You're Quinn, John Quinn! I watch you all the time in those Ultimate Fighter cage matches! You're undefeated!"

"Pleasure to meet you, Jason." His eyes found me standing in the hallway and the look of approval on his face gave me a little thrill. My god, but he was a mountain of good looking man. His picture had not done him justice. My insides felt like melted butter.

You're just going on this date to give Eric a reality check, Sookie. Don't become interested!

I was grateful that I hadn't done much pruning on my nether region in the shower. It would keep me honest tonight. I was feeling extremely horny, I had gotten used to having a LOT of sex pretty much whenever I felt like it and although I was away from Eric, my libido was still running full tilt. Being in close quarters with such a beautiful specimen of the male species might prove to be too much temptation.

"Miss Stackhouse, may I be so bold as to tell you how absolutely lovely you look tonight. My aunt described you, but words could never portray your beauty accurately." He bowed at the waist and then extended a hand to me. "Shall we go? Your carriage awaits!" His laugh was genuine and rumbled like thunder in his chest.

"We shall!" I accepted his hand and was amazed at the warmth of it. I guess the shock came from being used to the cool skin of my undead lover. I felt a pang of guilt and sadness as I thought of Eric. I shouldn't be doing this to him. I should just call him and forgive him, I could be in his arms again in no time.

Quinn leaned in close to my ear and whispered softly. "Aunt Grace told me about your situation. Whatever he has done to make your beautiful face wear such a sad look, well please, just give me a chance to make you feel happy. Besides, my aunt will never let me hear the end of it!"

I laughed in spite of myself. I would enjoy myself this evening, nothing untoward would happen. I could just be in the company of this handsome man and feel free to be myself. I could have one date with a normal, albeit unusually humongous man without it being the end of the world.

When will I ever learn to stop jinxing myself?