I pushed myself out of the chair and hurried to the bar. Halfway there my crotch vibrated, and I almost lost my footing. With every small, careful step I took, the quivering went from my pussy to my feet, and it didn't stop. I had to lean my body forward slightly to control myself, but it helped very little. By the time I reached the bar, I was breathing fast and heavy, like I'd run the 500-meter dash. I glanced into the mirror to see if I could see Eric's reflection, but Doug was blocking the view. I put my elbows on the bar to steady myself, about to ask for the drink when Chitty turned from the lowest setting to full strength in a split second. I gasped and tilted my head down so Chow couldn't see the expression on my face. He'd only have reported back to Eric.

"I'll. Have. A. Truuueeee …" It decreased momentarily then went back to full blast. It didn't stop. My breathing became shallow, and I knew I was going to have an orgasm any minute. I swallowed hard. "Bllllod, Beeee Neg—" I could no longer speak because Eric had courteously turned on Nipsey.

"Miss, are you alright?" Chow asked, although I heard little concern in his voice. As a matter of fact, there was no concern at all; he was trying to hold back a chuckle. Okay, remove Chow from the company's Christmas bonus list.

"Give me. The damned … oh, fffuuuu…" I fought my hardest to stop the orgasm because Eric hadn't told me I could have one. I tried to cross my legs but that only made the vibration stronger and harder. I slammed my fist on the bar.

"Is there a problem here?" Eric said as he stepped beside me.

My face was beet red and my body felt like it was on fire. There was no way I could get away with it. "No. Sir," I gasped.

Eric put His arm around my waist. "I think what this lady is asking for is a B negative, Chow." I closed my eyes tightly and prayed Eric would turn the damned toys off. "Don't you dare cum," He demanded in my ear quietly so others around us couldn't hear. I grunted from the back of my throat, my lips closed tightly. My body shuttered violently. "Don't you fucking cum," He repeated angrily.

I shook my head, took a deep breath, picked my head up and looked at Him. "No Sir."

A clap of thunder erupted so violently a few glasses clanged in the overhead rack. Chow placed the bottle of TruBlood on the counter, and I was expecting Eric to take it. He didn't. So I took the opened bottle as Eric took my hand and we walked back to His throne. Pam was no longer there. Eric took a swig of His drink, all the while keeping His eyes on my face. I could see His hand in His pocket move, and I sighed heavily with relief when He turned Chitty and Nipsey off.

"Did you cum?"

I smiled proudly. "No Sir." At least I didn't think I did.

"Well done." He leaned forward and rested His lips on mine, nibbling on my bottom lip expertly. The man, er, vampire had never tasted or felt so good. I never wanted Him more than at that moment. But fate had another plan.

Pam approached Eric and whispered something in His ear. He looked towards Chow, moved His lips, although I couldn't hear what he said, and Chow nodded. He then turned the music off, stood on the bar and announced, "The bar is closed! A tornado has been spotted on the ground in the next county over and headed our way. All humans MUST leave now!"

Panic set in within me, and I stood up. Eric grabbed my wrist roughly. "Where do you think you are going?"

"Sir, Chow said—"

"I'm well aware of what Chow said. You are with me. Do you not think I can protect you?"

I frowned, confused. "No Sir, of course not ... I mean yes."

While the humans were scampering out of the bar, Eric led me towards the back of the bar. "Sir, what about the other vampires?"

"Oh, they'll be down in a minute." For some reason, I didn't like the tone of His voice.

Walking down the steps to the basement, I dreaded having to see the equipment in the presence of Eric, my Dom—the one person, er, vampire, that would allow me to be a part of it all again. Noticing the lighting was low I could still see clearly, and I could also see the only thing in the room was tables and chairs. There was no equipment whatsoever. I sighed, heavily laden with disappointment.

But then I whimpered and had to stop. "Come, sub," Eric ordered after He turned around and looked at me curiously.

I shook my head. "Sir, I apologize, but," my face contorted in pain, and I pressed my breasts together with my forearms, "The clamp … my left breast … it's slipping off."

"Does it hurt?" I nodded emphatically. "Well, I shall have to remedy that, shan't I?" He walked towards me, a sly grin on His lips, and looked down on me. He unbuttoned the top three buttons and, keeping our eyes locked—I knew not to dare look away—He stuck His hand under the material of the blouse, pulled back the cup of the bra and got a hold of the clamp, removing it completely.

I had been wearing them for almost five by then and they had become very painful. Closing my eyes briefly, I groaned from the back of my throat. When I looked back at Him, His eyebrows were furrowed. "On a scale of one to ten, how bad is the pain?"

"It's a nine, Sir." I fought to keep tears from building up in my eyes. "It'll pass."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. I wouldn't want you to be hurting ... just yet." His hand never moved from inside my bra, but he removed the right clamp, again I winced in pain, and pulled them out.

I groaned in relief. "Thank you, Sir."

"I am disappointed you neglected to tell me. Will you do that again?"

"Oh, no Sir."

Eric smiled then led me to a corner of the room, where he stood behind me, His hands resting on my hips but keeping my body from touching His. I watched as the other vampires casually came down, like they were in no danger at all. If they got carried off by the tornado they'd land hard and be hurt, but they would survive. The business itself is insured for loads of money; I'd seen the insurance policy. But I still wondered why Eric had the vampires come down at all. The last to come down were Pam and Chow, who walked towards us and stood in front of us protectively, as if they'd tackle the 150-mile per hour winds themselves.

So, we stood around and waited, me impatiently, and the vampires in their trance-like state, assumingly to save their energy for having dinner that night. Above our heads, we could hear the winds howling and the rain pelting the building, but we were safe. At least, the vampires were. The only human in the room was in big trouble.

After twenty minutes, and way past the point of losing all of my patience, I was faced head on with complete boredom. And, remembering Eric told me he could feel my emotions, He must have known it. He removed one hand from my hip, but I couldn't tell where he put it. That was until Chitty began to sing its song of joy, while I gasped. I had to control my breathing, but it was incredibly difficult. Closing my eyes didn't do diddly-squat; even keeping my legs closed didn't work. I just had to endure it. Eric pressed His body against mine, and I could feel His erection press hard against my lower back.

"Would you like to cum now, sub?" Eric whispered in my ear.

"Yes, Sir," I gurgled.

"Hmm, not just yet. Spread your legs." I obliged. "How does it feel, sub Connee?" His deep, throaty voice gave me shivers.

"Perfect, Sir."

"Good." He then took His hand under my chin and gently pushed back for me to rest my head on His collarbone. "Lean your body against mine. Can you feel my excitement?"

At first I thought He meant because His fangs were tracing over my earlobe. But when He pressed His hips harder into me, I knew what He meant. "Oh, yes, Sir," I replied breathlessly then melted into Him.

"Close your eyes, sub. Let your body tell you what it feels, what it wants."

I started to whine, which I knew wasn't a good thing, considering the company we kept. After several minutes, which were excruciatingly, enjoyably intense, I mumbled, "Edge." That was one of the words we'd agreed upon when I was on the verge of an orgasm, to be used for moments exactly like this.

"So soon?" He asked, His body shuttering in a small chuckle.

"Yes Sir."

My knees grew weak, even worse than when I went to get Eric His TruBlood. I was then gasping for breath, my heart pounding heavily. He kissed my neck, right below my ear before He turned me around, placed my hands around His neck and pressed me to Him. By then my whole body was shaking, and I held onto His neck tighter. Wrapping His arms around my waist, He told me, "If you need to scream, do so." I rested my forehead on His chest and groaned from the back of my throat. "But do not make a sound."

"No Sir." I wasn't quite sure how exactly I was going to scream but not make a sound.

He removed His hand again and Chitty went full blast. I swore I swallowed my tongue. I moaned, whimpered, and wanted to scream, badly. But as the wave of the orgasm shot through me, I found I was hyperventilating, remaining as silent as I could.

"That's my good, little girl," Eric cooed into my ear. "Now, do you know what I want?" I pulled my head back, smiled then tilted my head aside. "Do you want to give it to me?"

If I moved my head any further, it would tear from my shoulders and roll to the floor. "Oh, yes Sir."

Without another word, he dug His fangs into my neck and drank from me. I heard Him groan as He hungrily took my life source. I allowed Him. It was so different from His feeding off me before. It was more savage, urgent, and I was beginning to worry, even though I could not find my voice to protest.

Suddenly I heard Pam say something, though I couldn't understand what because I was starting to lose all of my senses. But I did feel someone tall—it had to have been Pam because Chow is too short—tear me away from my security blanket. My body was lifted and I was in a pair of strong arms. I had no strength to even open my eyes to find out who it was. As a matter of fact, I thought my life was over.

"Eric! What you done?"

Those were the first words I heard when I regained consciousness. I didn't recognize the voice. I was too overjoyed to realize I was still alive. But I wanted to hear what was being said, so I didn't move, forcing myself not to whine. I felt a sharp pain in the crook of my elbow but didn't understand what it was. There were also two small tubes up my nostrils, oxygen, I assumed, and that helped me come around quicker.

"Don't use that tone with me!" Eric barked. "She's getting the blood she needs."

"That's not the point," came a woman's voice closer to me. I recognized that one. It was the Sookie woman. "You could have killed her, Eric!"

"But I didn't." There was no regret in his voice.

"You need to keep your voices down," said another man I didn't know. "As a matter of fact, I want you all to leave." His voice was commanding and urgent.

"I will not leave her," Eric refused.

I heard multiple shuffles of feet then the Commander man said, "Yes, you will."

"Eric, please," Sookie said as I heard her walk away. "Bill."

I heard Sookie and Bill leave then felt the bed move slightly. Cool lips kissed my forehead. "I know you are awake. I am so sorry."

"Mr. Northman, please," the unknown man said.

"Call me when she—"

"Now."

I didn't hear Eric walk away, but I heard the door close. "Ms. Byers, are you indeed awake?" Slowly, I opened my eyes and looked at the man—er, another vampire, who appeared to be about fifty years old. "I'm Sylvester, a physician. How are you feeling?"

"Weak," I croaked.

He nodded, turned to the nightstand, filled a glass with orange juice and brought it towards me. "Can you sit up?" I tried my best and finally managed. "Good, good. Sip."

He brought the glass to my lips, and I let only a little fall into my mouth. When I swallowed, it was very uncomfortable because my throat was so dry.

"Do you remember what happened?" I nodded. "I've had to give you four pints of blood, young lady."

"Um, is that a lot?" I croaked.

"Yes. The human body has eight to ten. We take at least seven when we ... ah, I tend to ramble. You were lucky Mr. Northman didn't get too carried away. Ms. Byers, my human assistant, will be arriving in a few minutes. It is almost dawn, and we must leave. Lucille will take care of you throughout the day, and I will return at dusk. I can be reached by telephone, though. She'll take good care of you."

"Will ... can Sookie stay?"

"Ah. Dear, you do realize her companion is vampire?"

I nodded, although I wondered why he had brought that fact up. "She's taken care of me before."

"You were injured at Eric's hand?" he asked, his voice concerned.

I was, but it wasn't any of his business. "No."

From the expression on his face, I didn't think he believed me. "All right." He checked the bag of blood hanging from a hooked rod by the side of the bed. "This should be the last bag. You need to get lots of sleep today. Can you do that for me?"

I nodded and squirreled myself back under the covers. "Thanks," I told him then yawned.

"You'll be just fine." He gave me genteel smile and left, leaving the door slightly cracked.

I heard no voices down the hallway, though I didn't really care. I fell back to sleep quickly.

Later that day …

I slowly came around again and felt much better, but I was still weak. I opened my eyes and looked around the room. It was the same bedroom I was in before the night Daniel kicked me out. The needle had been removed from my arm, but it was sore; the tubes were still in my nostrils, though. And based on the fading sun outside the window, it was almost dusk. That meant Eric would be here soon. I'm moving away. If I keep this up, I'll be dead in a week.

"Connee? Hey," Sookie said as she came in the room. "How are you feeling?" she asked as she sat on the bed beside me.

I forced myself to sit up but became dizzy. "Hi, Sookie. What time is it?"

"It's just past seven. Wow, the color has come back. You look way better."

Panic set in when I realized how late it was. "Sookie, please, please don't allow Eric back in here," I pleaded.

Complete understanding crossed her face. "I can try, but I can't promise you anything."

I didn't like the sound of that. "Has Bill ever ... did he ..." I couldn't say it.

"No. Well ..."

"Why are you still with him, then?" I asked incredulously.

"No, no, that's not ... there are times when I have to ask him not to drink from me because I get so weak, but he's never gotten out of control ... Connee. I didn't mean—"

"No, no. It's okay. Where are they, Eric and Bill?"

"They're in their cubby holds somewhere around here."

Good, good. Once Sookie leaves I'll sneak out of here.

"No, Connee, Lucille doesn't want you going anywhere." She promptly covered her lips, her eyes wide.

What? Huh? Did she just—

"Eric never told you?" Sookie asked, surprised.

"Told me what?" I asked a little concerned.

"Wow. I'm shocked. I'm a telepath, Connee."

With those three words, I immediately tried to remember what I'd thought when she was with me before. I had no freakin' idea.

"Connee, I'm going to ask you something, and you don't have to answer if you don't want to. Do you love Eric?"

I swallowed hard. I couldn't breathe. I knew then that anything I thought she'd hear. So, I might as well tell her. "I … honestly, I don't know. Did Bill scare you at all?"

"No, not at first. But there were ... sometimes he'll get a look of hunger in his eyes that make me want to run, but I don't. I am in love with him."

Ha! I can't say the same about Eric.

"Connee, Eric is a complicated man. I'm not very fond of him—can't stand him, actually. But I know he does care for you on some level."

"And what level might that be?" I snapped.

"I'd probably run if I were you. But ... god, I can't believe I'm saying this ... give him a chance. Make him take you out. Don't give him ... let him drink from you. Make him want you so badly he'll treat you like a queen."

I actually smiled. "Why didn't he ... if he took so much blood, why didn't he just change me?"

"Because I don't want to," came a voice in the doorway.

I turned sharply and saw Eric staring at me.

A few minutes before Eric went in the bedroom, Eric's POV:

"Haven't you done enough to her, Eric?"

"Let go of my arm, Bill Compton. I will see Connee." Bill was really making me angry. I glared at him. "I advise you to move."

I could tell from his expression he was thinking about it. Like he had a choice?

"Watch your step with her."

"Oh, Mr. Compton," I snarled, "You are the last one to warn me to watch myself with my human companion."

He actually flinched. I was thrilled.

Walking down the hallway, I felt Bill close behind. I was quite humored by his attempt to stop me. I ran through things in my head I wanted to say to Connee, none of them acceptable even to me. I had taken one step in the bedroom when I heard Connee ask Sookie why I hadn't changed her.

"Because I don't want to," I heard myself say.

Looking at Connee, since she'd been given blood during the day, I was relieved to see how much rosier her cheeks were. But the look in her eyes—she was scared of me. I wasn't expecting that. I at least hoped I didn't show any surprise.

"Eric, Connee doesn't want to see you," Sookie said, not that she could do anything about it.

"That's up to her to decide."

"Get out," Connee stammered.

"Connee, please, let me explain." I knew I sounded pathetic, and if Bill ever said a word about it, I'll tear his throat out.

I noticed a twinge of color leave her face before she shook her head and sunk back into the pillow.

"Mr. Northman, I will not have you upsetting my patient," Sylvester said sternly from behind Bill. He walked beside the bed and asked Connee how she was feeling. She grumbled she was fine. Her gaze never left mine. I did not glamour her to make her change her mind.

"I need to evaluate Ms. Byers, now. Leave us," Sylvester said, apparently meaning Sookie as well, considering he glanced at her.

We all conjugated in the living room, where Pam was getting her bag together to take over Fangtasia for me that night. Somehow, she knew not to say a word to me. That's why I liked Pam so much. She was dependable and kept her opinions to herself, most of the time.

"Sookie, what was she thinking when you were in there?" I didn't look at her, but I expected an answer. I didn't hear a word.

When I finally turned to look at her, she told me, "I will help Connee, Eric. I will not help you. I will only help you as needed—relating to our agreement."

I could do nothing but scowl at her.