AN: Enjoy this chapter! Happy Reading! :)

Chapter 8

SPOV

A soft hum escapes my lips, feeling the gentle caress of cool fingertips trailing over my face and my eyes flutter open, my mind slowly floating to consciousness once more as I take in Eric's loving gaze. A fond smile pulls at my lips, recalling his endearing words from last night and I can't help but wonder why it is it took me so long to see how sweet this man truly is.

"Hey," I whisper as he smiles at me, meeting my gaze with those bright, sapphire eyes of his.

"Greetings, Lover," he answers, leaning closer to press a soft kiss to my forehead. My brow furrows in confusion then as this all suddenly seems too good to be true.

"Dammit, is this another dream?" I question as Eric chuckles lowly, reaching out to pull me against him tightly. "Tell me, Lover, if it were, what ever would happen next?" he questions, waggling his brows suggestively to bring a snort of amusement from me as I quickly realize I'm truly awake.

"Well, normally you'd be dancing around in a pink, fluffy tutu," I tease as his grin widens.

"And I suppose it was this sort of dream you experienced in my office when you were moaning out my name over and over again?" he teases back, bringing a warming blush to my cheeks as I realize he's won this particular argument.

"Touché," I mumble out begrudgingly as he chuckles a bit harder, making me blush harder still.
"So, we're heading back home today?" I question once his laughter softens.

"We are," he concedes. "We will need to leave in an hour's time," he informs me before he's rolling off the bed.

"Eric!" I cry out, covering my face to shield my eyes from his completely nude form with both my hands as he breaks into boisterous laughter.

"You were sleeping with me all day like this, Lover, don't tell me it bothers you now," he teases as I let out a sigh, realizing he's right, but as we were caught up in such a serious discussion this morning, I just hadn't noticed, or at the very least, hadn't been bothered by it.

"Just put on some clothes, would you?" I plead before feeling the bed being weighed down beside me. Cool fingertips are trailing over the skin of my arms to send waves of delicious shivers through me then and I can't help the soft sigh that escapes me at the light touch.

"Is this what you truly wish, Lover?" he breathes against my ear as the unrequited lusts I've carried for this man for some time now are steadily welling up within me. "It would seem you're quite enjoying the thought of me nude at the moment," he purrs against my ear before nibbling lightly upon my lobe to bring a hum of appreciation from me.

"Eric," I find myself whispering softly, pleadingly as my hands are gently lowered from my face to reveal Eric's yearning gaze.

"Just tell me no, and I'll stop, Lover," he breathes out, leaning his face closer to mine as my heart is beating wildly out of my chest. I answer him with my mouth, leaning my face closer to press my lips against his own to kiss him softly.

A surprised squeak leaves me then as my floral dress is torn away harshly to leave me clad in only lace panties. Eric growls lowly, raking his hungry gaze over me and my annoyance at my torn garment is quickly forgotten, feeling the heavy weight of that heated stare.

"So fucking beautiful," he murmurs lowly, leaning forward to run the tip of his nose over the line of my jaw, sending delicious shivers through me. "I fear we only have time enough for one round, Lover, but I promise to make it just as pleasurable as possible," he breathes against my ear before he begins trailing soft kisses along the column of my throat.

"Then let's make every minute count, cowboy," I purr in return, glancing down to see Eric smiling against the skin of my chest as that clever mouth of his trails ever closer to the rosy buds of my breasts.

"Consider it done," he replies, his cobalt orbs sparkling deviously as he encloses my breast into the cool wetness of his mouth. A pleasured moan raises from me as he begins lavishing my aching breasts with teasing licks and tantalizing sucks and I weave my fingers through his golden locks, urging him on as he proceeds to bring me pleasure I've only dreamt about until now.

"Oh!" I cry out in surprise as fingers begin trailing over my wetted sex, teasing me with gentle caresses that manage to fan the flames of my scorching desires higher still.

"Fuck," Eric groans out, meeting my half lidded gaze as I feel his long, cool digit slipping inside me. "So fucking tight, Lover," he grits out, leaving me nodding absently as I'm caught up in my own pleasure, appreciating the feel of his skillful fingers as they begin their deep, probing thrusts into my throbbing sex.

"God, Eric, don't stop," I cry out, gripping onto his golden mane as his mouth and fingers are driving me wild. Soon, I feel that familiar, warmth pooling low in my abdomen and as the Viking proceeds to slip a second digit inside my taut channel, bright stars explode over my vision, my spine bowing above the bed in utter ecstasy as my orgasm crashes over me in rolling waves.

"Are you ready for more, Lover?" Eric asks softly, propping his muscular body over my own as I nod fervently, still shuddering slightly and gasping with the aftereffects of my powerful climax. All the incessant teasing of his, on top of the endless erotic dreams I've had of this man have left me craving his touch, thirsting for more as I feel him aligning himself with my dripping sex.

"Fuck," he whispers as I feel his hardened length breaching my virgin sex. My eyes slam shut as the stinging pain radiates through me before cool hands are cupping my face gently. "Open your eyes, Lover," Eric pleads softly. I readily oblige him, peeling open my lids once more as he releases my face to take gentle hold of my hands. He proceeds to place each of my hands on either of his broad shoulders, giving me a soft smile. "Grip on as tightly as you need, alright?"

"Okay," I whisper, digging my fingers into the pale flesh of his shoulder blades as I feel him pushing slowly forward, working inch after inch inside me, stretching me to accommodate what I can only surmise is his very impressive girth. All the while, his penetrating gaze never leaves my own as those cerulean orbs stare straight into my soul.

"Still alright, Lover?" he questions softy, brushing back my hair before pressing his forehead against my own as I let out a shuddering breath, nodding lightly as I feel his hips pressed firmly against my own.

"Yeah, I'm good," I assure him as he smiles brightly before tilting his face to kiss me softly. His hips begin their wicked dance then, rocking against me in a shallow, gentle rhythm and a soft smile pulls at my lips, appreciating just how careful he's being with me as I continue to stare deeply into the drowning, ocean blue pools of his eyes.

Any form of discomfort is quickly melting away as I proceed to wrap my legs tightly around his firm waist. I begin lifting my hips off the bed then, meeting his gyrating hips thrust for sweet thrust as we continue our gentle lovemaking and I gladly lose myself in the pleasurable sensations, relishing in the feel of sharing this intimate closeness with a man I know I'm quickly falling for.

"Almost, almost there," I whisper against his lips, feeling that coiling heat pulling ever tighter low in my abdomen. Eric's thrust are becoming harder, deeper and my fingers dig sharply into his broad, muscled shoulders as my impending release draws steadily closer.

"Sookie," Eric groans out, his hips pounding harder still before I'm left crying out wordlessly, quickly following him over the sweet edge of release. My orgasm washes over me, sending pleasured shivers through my every limb before we're both reduced to boneless, sated masses, our limbs wrapped languidly together over the bed top.

"Thank you," I whisper softly, pressing a soft kiss to his temple after catching my breath once more. Eric lifts his face to give me a bright, magnanimous smile that leaves me melting for him all over again.

"Any time, Lover," he responds with a salacious wink, making me snicker softly. Still the same old Viking. "You were incredible, so much better than even my wildest fantasies," he whispers before rising off the bed. He disappears into the adjoining bathroom, quickly to return with a damp, warm towel and I smile appreciatively as he works to gently wash me. "We'll need to be leaving shortly, Lover," he informs me then, leaning down to press a soft kiss to my lips.

"Alright, it won't take me long to get ready," I assure him, sitting up on the bed and stretching out my sated limbs before searching out my duffle bag.

"Here, Lover," Eric says then, handing over my bag with a smirk. I raise a questioning brow at him, taking it from his clutches before digging through to find something to wear. A small scowl forms as I'm once more confronted with Pam and Amelia's little underwear prank.

"Ugh," I sigh out, digging deeper before finally finding a slightly wrinkled sundress shoved into the bottom of the bag. Never again will I let anyone else pack my bag, ever. I quickly slip the dress on over my head before running my fingers through my slightly snarled hair. Man, I wish I had time for a shower. Oh well, it was so totally worth it.

"My, my," Eric says then bringing my attention back to him. I turn in time to see him lifting up a revealing, black teddy from my open bag with one finger. "Just what kind of excursion were you packing for, Lover?" My face heats watching his brows waggle suggestively before I clutch the material away from him with a sigh.

"In case you forgot, your child was the one who packed my bag," I remind him as he chuckles lowly, shaking his head as I zip up the bag once more, perhaps a tad bit too aggressively.

"Remind me to thank her," he teases, bringing a smirk to my lips despite myself. "Perhaps next time I could even be lucky enough to see you wearing one of these, Lover," he leans down to purr against my ear, bringing a wide grin to my face. Perhaps I owe Pam and Amelia a thank you after all.

"Perhaps," I retort with a smirk as Eric proceeds to lead me from the room. We're quickly on our way to the airport and except for Eric's ever insane, vampire driving, the ride is rather uneventful. As we take our seats on the private plane, I find I'm not nearly as nervous this time around as Eric is careful to keep me held tightly in his comforting embrace.

"I think maybe you're getting over your fear of heights, Lover," Eric says with a wide grin as I smile up to him.

"I suppose I owe you thanks for that as well," I tell him, eliciting low laughter from the Viking before he turns back to me, hitting me with a solemn expression.

"I need you to know I was serious about what I said last night," he informs me. "I hope to make you mine," he informs me as a small frown forms upon my face. "And I already know your opinion on vampires' possessive natures, Lover," he assures me taking hold of my hand and lifting it to brush my fingertips over his lips softly.

"I'm no one's property, Eric," I state firmly as he nods his understanding.

"I do not wish to run your life; I wish only for a part in it, Lover," he says earnestly, quelling my rising irritancy instantly with his endearing words. "I also wish to keep you safe, to ensure you are protected at all times."

"You want to form a bond with me," I state knowingly, having expected this reaction from him as it's engrained in his nature. "I really like you Eric and I'm happy we're giving this a try between us, but I don't know how I feel about binding myself to you permanently," I admit somewhat cautiously, not knowing how he will accept this.

"That is completely understandable, Lover," he assures me as I let out a small sigh of relief. "And as we already formed the first bond as I healed you from the maenad attack, I wish now to proceed with the second bond, if you would permit me."

I pause then, thinking over his surprisingly polite request thoughtfully. I know I have the threat of my fey prince grandfather behind me, but I also know this is nothing more than a ruse. Plus, after the vicious attack of that pesky maenad, I have to admit, I was left feeling rather vulnerable in this crazy world of supernaturals. Perhaps Eric has a valid point and so long as he's willing to put off the final, binding step, I suppose I'd be rather foolish to turn down his gracious offer.

"Alright," I agree as Eric lets out a loud sigh of relief before pressing a soft kiss to the palm of my hand.

"Thank you for this, Lover," he says softly before reaching over to pull me onto his lap. My heart is racing with the intimate contact, which seems silly after what the two of us just shared together, but what can I say? The Viking's got game. Eric bites into his wrist then and proceeds to hold the small wound before my mouth. "Drink until the flow stops," he whispers against my ear as he trails my hair back behind my shoulder, readying my neck for his impending bite.

"Hmm," I hum out, tasting the rich, earthy flavor of Eric's ancient, healing blood as the thick liquid floods my mouth. Eric's tongue runs languidly along my throat then and my pulse races in eager anticipation before his fangs are biting into my flesh.

"Mmm," Eric moans out, gripping my waist tightly, pulling me closer still as he begins drawing from my throat. The feel is simply euphoric and my eyes close in utter bliss as I quickly lose myself to the incredible feel, simply relishing in this rather perfect moment with the ancient vampire warrior.

"God, Eric," I breathe out, working to lap up what's left of his crimson blood from his pale wrists. "That was almost better than the sex," I inform him, feeling his chest rumble against my back with soft laughter.

"You've yet to experience the extent of pleasure I can bring you in the bedroom, Lover," he assures me before lapping up the remnants of blood from my throat, bringing an anticipatory shiver from me. "Speaking of which," he purrs against my throat. "Whose place are we staying at tonight?"

"You mean you're already up for more?" I question, raising a brow at the apparently insatiable vampire as he proceeds to raise his hips, grinding his obvious arousal against my ass with a devious smirk.

"Always," he whispers, that one word filled with dark, sensuous promise. A light buzzing sounds then and Eric lets out an annoyed growl before working to fish his phone from his pocket. I rise from his lap, returning to my own seat to grant him better access and a small frown forms on my face to see his irritable scowl as he stares down at the glowing screen.

"What is it?" I question curiously as he lets out a sigh of defeat.

"I suppose we'll have to postpone tonight's festivities, Lover," he informs me with a small frown. "It would seem my presence is needed at Fangtasia tonight."

"That's alright, Eric," I assure him, squeezing his hand gently. "I was hoping to speak with Amelia tonight about the possibility of finding a spell or potion that might help us to bring Godric back anyhow," I inform him as he nods firmly.

"An excellent idea, Lover," he assures me. "Though, I do wonder if what happened could be explained by your fey heritage," he muses as I shrug. The idea had briefly crossed my mind.

"Maybe," I answer. "But honestly, I've never exhibited any kind of fey abilities before. I suppose it's worth looking into anyways," I ponder aloud as he nods his agreement.

"This gives us a good place to start," he concedes, lifting my hand to press a soft kiss to my knuckles. "Thank you for being willing to aide me in this, Lover."

"I don't think I'm given much choice here, Eric," I retort with a smirk. "You know, since your Maker is apparently living rent free inside me right now," I tease as he chuckles lowly.

"Is it strange that I'm feeling a bit jealous of him right now?" he teases back, making me break out into bubbling laughter.

"Honestly, I think it'd be more strange if you weren't," I answer back, leaving us both laughing together as the pilot announces our imminent landing. Soon enough, we're exiting the plane together and as I glance down to our combined hands, I can't help the fond smile that graces my lips thinking just how different our relationship is after this crazy whirlwind trip to Dallas.

My smile falters just as quickly as it appeared as an image of Godric's beautifully familiar face floats to the forefront of my mind. We need to get him back to us once more. I need to know why I feel such a profound connection with this ancient vampire and although I'm immensely grateful I was somehow able to harbor his soul within me, I know I will do whatever it takes to have him back once more.