31

Can he, huh? Can he?

Here is another chapter. I got off of work earlier than anticipated so I was able to edit this chapter so that I could get it posted today. Here you go. I hope that y'all enjoy it.

The story idea belongs to me but the main characters belong to Charlaine Harris.

As we sat down to eat the spinach and tomato pizza, Flynn and Eric told me about their many adventures of the day. They'd gone to the museum and they had brunch at Busy's Café. They went to the Outside Gym and did some fake rock climbing. They sat in Central Park and talked a lot. From what I've heard, they had an all-around great time. The daddy/daughter day was a hit.

"It was a really good day," Flynn said.

"It was a great day," Eric corrected. "I'd never had a better day."

Flynn got up from her seat and went to kiss her dad's cheek. She started to giggle as she sat down. "Mom," she began. "You should've been with us. It was crazy. Everywhere that we went, the women were flirting with daddy. One woman was throwing her hair and another woman was giggling at him. It was funny. They kept telling him that he's 'a great dad' and how 'adorable your daughter is'," she said in a high falsetto voice. "They would touch him on his arm and act like silly people. One lady was jogging and stopped just to stare at him. She even stumbled and daddy had to help her to keep her from falling. And guess what, mom?"

"What?" I asked.

"One lady was wearing a ring but then she took it off when she noticed that daddy wasn't wearing one," Flynn said as she giggled. "They were really flirting with him."

"I figured as much," I said as I glanced at Eric's hand. I don't know why I've just noticed that he wasn't wear a wedding ring. Come to think of it, he wasn't wearing one last night either. "Women have always flirted with your dad." Leaning over and whispering in her ear, I said, "They think that he's hot like that boy that you have a crush on with that group, New Horizons. What's his name again? Henry … Herbert or something like that?"

Flynn rolled her eyes. "They're called One Direction and his name is Harry, mom. It's Harry Styles. You are so old." She shook her head and added, "You know who Brad Pitt is but you don't who Harry Styles is. So old."

I reached over and tweaked Flynn's nose. "Old," I said. "I'm not old, you little moppet. I just don't like One Horizon."

"One Direction, mom. You never listen to me," she mumbled.

Eric's astonished laughter interrupted Flynn's and my banter. "Wait a minute, ladies. Can we get back to the subject at hand?" Looking at Flynn, he asked, "What in the world do you know about flirting, young lady? What are you learning while you're with Pam and Amelia?"

Flynn shook her head. "Pam didn't teach me that. Pam doesn't flirt. She has said a few bad words but I've never seen her flirt. Neither does Amelia. I got that from mom. Mom knows all about flirting. She's really good at it. You should see her, dad. It's kinda weird." She looked at me and smiled. "Aren't you good at it?"

I started to choke on my pizza when she said that. Taking a swallow of my wine, I looked at my child and snorted. "No, I am not and what do you mean? You certainly did not get that from me. You've never heard me say anything about flirting."

"Yes, I did," she said. "Remember that time you were pulled over for speeding because you were running late for a Saturday meeting and I had to be at Ms. Kendrick's house early for my piano lessons. She was filling in for Ms. Bellefleur because she was sick that day and you said that cuss word when you saw him and you told me not tell Gran that you were cussing in front of me?"

I remembered.

"What happened?" Eric asked her as he leaned onto the table.

Flynn's eyes enlarged and she said, "Gran smacked her butt because she said the 's' word while she was watching basketball with Uncle Jason. Her favorite team was losing and she cussed. Gran hit her with the fly swatter." She began to giggle. "It was funny."

It really wasn't that funny.

"Not that," Eric said. "What happened when your mom was flirting with the police officer?"

"Nothing," I said.

Flynn looked at me and said, "Yes it did. You almost got a ticket and when the cop pulled out his notepad, you started throwing your hair and batting your eyes like this." She began batting her baby blues in a fluttering and almost embarrassing fashion. She looked as if she had something in her eyes. "You kept telling him that you didn't realize that you were speeding and then you really started sounding all country."

"That's enough Flynn," I said. I'd never been so horrified in my life.

"No, it's not," Eric refuted. "Go on and tell me more."

Flynn smiled and said, "Okay. He asked her where she was from and he told her that he liked her accent. He told her that he's always liked country girls. She was really giggling when she told him that she's from Louisiana. You should've seen her, dad. It was so funny. I wanted to tell Gran but she wouldn't let me. She said that if I did, she wouldn't let me stay the night with Cori."

Eric laughed as I'd never heard him laugh. "So, you blackmailed your daughter?"

Trying not to laugh, I admitted nothing. "I plead the fifth."

Flynn was nodding her head as she continued talking. "She sure did. When she told him that, he didn't give her a ticket. He told her that he'd let her slide this time." She then looked at me and said, "And after he left, that's when you said every woman has to flirt every once in a while to get out of a speeding ticket and that's when I said that I was going to ask Gran if she'd ever had to flirt to get of a speeding ticket."

"You talk too much, Flynn."

Flynn laughed as she jumped up from the table. "I'll be back. I'm going to get a bottle of apple juice. Anyone want one?"

"No, thanks," Eric and I said simultaneously.

She ran off into the kitchen.

"Flirting with police officers, huh?" he asked.

Giggling, I said, "Just a little."

Eric reached across the table and took my hand into his. "Sookie," he began. "I left Freyda. I know that we were staying in separate rooms but I couldn't stay there with her being so close. I can stay with Niall but I don't want to. I want to be with my family. I want to move in here with you and Flynn."

I remained calm, though I was screaming on the inside. I wanted him to move in but because of Flynn, I can't let her see her mom shacking up with a man. I would either make Alcide move to the guest room before she got up for school or either he'd leave. I don't know about this.

"You want to move in?"

He got up from his seat and sat beside me. "Yes," he said. "I want to be with you. I love you. I love Flynn. Sitting here at the dinner table with you and her; it makes me feel whole again. May I move in with you?"

He had to be serious. He used proper grammar but before I could answer him, Flynn cried out in excitement.

"Yay!" she said as she ran over to us. She placed her apple juice bottle on the table as she jumped up and down and clapped her hands. "I think that would be so great! I'm going to have a live in dad just like Cori and Emma. I can't wait to have a sleepover so that they can meet you." She looked at me and asked, "Can dad move in and after that, can I have a sleepover? Please? Can he, huh? Can he? Can he move in?"

Looking at my child, I said, "As far as the sleepover goes, let me think about it but when it comes to your dad moving in, it's a discussion that your dad and I will have to make."

"Mom!" she said. "You have to let him move in!"

"This is not your decision," I told her. "Your daddy and I have to talk about this before we decide what to do. This is a big decision."

With an innocent look in her eyes and frown on her face, she looked at me and said, "Having a baby is a big decision but you two did that. He should be able to move in."

Eric's mouth fell open from surprise.

I looked at Flynn and said, "You, little girl, you need to mind your manners. That is none of your business. What need to realize is that it's not your choice to make. It is mine. Have I made myself clear?"

She refused to answer my question. "That's not fair!" she pouted. "Dad can sleep in the guest room. What's the point of having a guest room and we don't use it? Daddy can live in there."

I glared at my child before speaking to her. "We have two guest rooms but that mean that you are going to decide who stays in them, little girl. You are not the parent. You are the child and will remain in a child's place and leave the adult situations to the adults. Am I clear?"

She stared at me as tears fell down her cheeks.

"Answer me," I said. "Am I clear?"

She then stomped her foot at me and put her hands on her hips. "You said that I could have my daddy with me every day if I wanted and now you're trying to take him away from me! It's not fair!" Soon after she was off and running to her room.

"Erica Flynn!" I called out.

Instead of coming back to me, she ran into her room and slammed the door.

He then looked at me and said, "I'm sorry. You know that I didn't mean for any of this to happen. That's why I waited for her to leave the room before I brought it up."

As I stood up from my seat, I said, "This entire situation was unavoidable. It's not her fault and it's not yours. It's mine. I never should've kept you away from her for so long. I never should've stopped trying to reach you. I should've flown back to Sweden instead of sending letters; especially with knowing what I know now. It's my fault."

Following suit, Eric stood with me and took my hand into his. "No, it's not your fault. Don't take my enemies blame as your own. Don't do that to yourself."

I closed my eyes for a brief moment. "I won't," I promised.

"If it's any consolation," he said. "You handled that outburst very well. But I tell you what; she's got a mouth on her. I wonder where she gets it." The smirk on his face told me that he already knew.

I chuckled as I looked up at him. "She's gotten attitudes before but never like this. And she is my clone. I hate it when she's mad at me and I especially hate it when she's right. She's too damned smart for her own good. Did you hear what she said about us getting pregnant? Little brat," I added.

Smiling down at me, Eric said, "I like it when you say that."

"Say what?"

"Us getting pregnant," he said. "I like it." He leaned down and kissed me. I wrapped my arms around him and returned it. It felt good to be in his arms again. It's where I wanted to stay for the rest of my life but first, we had a few issues to resolve and one of them was our daughter's behavior and Eric moving in.

I broke the kiss and stepped out of his arms. "What do you mean when you say that you have nowhere to live? Why would you have to move in with Niall? Where is Freyda? Where does she stay?"

"She's staying at the Peninsula … in a separate room but on the same floor," he said. "I told you, our marriage was in name only. And now that I have gotten the separation papers signed, I can move in with you … if you let me. We can live as a family."

I raised my hand to stop him before he could say anymore. "I want that more than anything. But we have to discuss how this is going to work." I pointed in the direction of Flynn's bedroom. "We have to discuss her little tantrum and then we'll make the decisions about you moving in. I will be your lover again but first things first."

He nodded in agreement. "That is agreeable but know this, Sookie. You will be my lover," he said. "And I will never let you go. Before this night is over, you will yield to me. I will have you. I will have you every day of my life. I want to hold you and love you. And I will have you every night … starting tonight and every night after that … for the rest of our lives. I will have you."

Almost choking on my words, I said, "And you will."

"What are we going to do?" he asked as he followed me down the hall.

"We're going to fix this problem with our child," I said as I pulled him down the hall with me. "Now, come on." When we reached our daughter's door, I knocked. "Flynn, may we come in?"

"Yes," she said. Her little voice sounded muffled. She must have her face buried down in her pillow.

"Hey, baby," I said when I opened the door and we entered her room. And just as I thought, she had her head buried down into her pillow. "May we sit down?"

She sat up in her bed and nodded. She wiped her face with the back of her arm and said, "Go ahead. You pay the bills. I just live here for free."

Eric tried to stifle his laugh but he failed miserably. He's going to have to learn that he can't laugh at every little thing that she says no matter how funny it may be.

I sat on her bed and Eric remained standing. "Firstly, we need to talk about your attitude tonight at dinner. It was ugly and very disrespectful," I said. "I will not tolerate it. You have never talked to me like that before and you will never do it again. Am I understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," she whispered.

Eric took that as his cue and spoke up. "I didn't like your attitude or how you spoke to your mom," he said as he wiped the smile from his face. "You owe her an apology for the way that you treated her. She didn't deserve that. You walked in on a conversation that was not of your concern. Not yet."

Flynn looked at us and said, "I know and I'm sorry, mommy. I didn't mean to yell at you. Do you forgive me?"

"How can I not forgive my favorite daughter?" I asked her.

She frowned and said, "I'm your only daughter."

I rolled my eyes before I continued. "Even though you've been forgiven, you are on restriction for the next three days. You are not allowed to stay over at Cori's afterschool. You are to come right home. I will make sure to let Grace know before she takes you to school tomorrow morning."

"But mom," she began.

I cocked an eye at her and she stopped speaking.

"Yes, ma'am," she said. She crawled to me and kissed me. She sat back down and asked, "I guess he's not moving in, huh?"

I sighed as I looked at her and glanced at Eric over my shoulder. "He can move in," I said.

She squealed and wrapped me into her little arms. "You're the best mom in the entire world!" She then jumped from the bed and ran over to Eric. She jumped into his arms and wrapped them around him; her legs wrapped just as tightly around his waist.

He kissed her head and thanked me. "You don't have to do this. I can speak to the board about getting an apartment here. Claude told me that there is one apartment open on the top floor. I'm more than sure that I will be approved for it."

I said, "You can do that but I don't mind you living here with us." Shyly I added, "This is your home too. This is where you belong."

Flynn looked up at Eric and said, "You're home now."

Eric's eyes bore into mine as he agreed. "I'm home."

"Yes," I whispered. I soon cleared my throat and repeated my earlier statement. "Yes but there will be rules."

Eric put her down and Flynn stood at his side; holding tightly onto his hand. "What are they?" they asked at the same time.

"Your life will remain the same, Flynn. All of the rules from before will still apply. You will work on your homework two hours after school and you will only be allowed an hour of TV a night during the week … just as always. Your bedtime will still be at 9:00 and your room is to be cleaned daily. You will remain respectful regardless of how you feel about adult situations," I said as I eyed her.

"Yes, ma'am," she said.

"And you," I said as I stood up and faced Eric. "You will sleep in the guest room and you will clean your room daily. Grace, is only here to give her some free time away from home. She's not really the maid … only she doesn't know that. You will not leave a mess for her to clean up. We will split the utilities and mortgage down the middle. I will speak with Ms. Dunbar tomorrow and let her know that I have a guest staying with us. And if things go as planned, I'll have you added to the lease. Deal?" I asked.

"Yes, ma'am," he said.

"Good," I said. "Since I've laid down the law, Flynn it's time for your bath and then you get ready for bed. You have school in the morning."

She came over and hugged me around my waist. "I love you so much, mom."

"I love you too, Flynn. I'll be in later to read your bedtime story."

Clearing his throat, Eric said, "If you don't mind, may I read it to her tonight?"

"Yeah," I said. "I don't mind at all."

Well, my daughter is finally going to have the family that she's always wanted. She's going to be able to invite her friends over and they can finally her the stories that she's been telling them straight from the source. She's going to be very happy with her new life. With much work and determination, everything will be just fine.

I will make sure of it.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

As Eric read Flynn her bedtime story, I went into the kitchen to clean up from our pizza night. I never got the Pink lullaby from my daughter but that's okay. She sung an even better one. She bathed and made up a song about her daddy being home and never leaving again. She sang it very, very loudly. Eric stood outside of the bathroom door and listened to her sing. He was leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. I'd never seen a happier man. The smile on his face was completely infectious. His eyes sparkled as he enjoyed the impromptu ballad that his daughter had sang just for him.

Once her ballad was done, I took the pizza boxes to the recycling container. I wiped down the kitchen table and I had Pink's 'Who Knew' playing on my phone and I was singing along. Normally, I don't like hand washing dishes. I'd have thrown them in the dishwasher but tonight, I was in a dishwashing mood. Even after all that had happened today, I was in a really good mood. And this time, I wasn't feeling guilty.

My daughter is happy. She has her daddy in her life. She's excited about him going to her school functions. She's excited about her friends meeting him. She's even happier that he's going to be staying with us but only until he finds a place of his own. She's just an all-around happy kid.

And Eric is happy and he's back in my life.

What more can I say about that?

He's back.

I smiled down at the sink as I placed my wet hand to my chest and over my tattoo.

"Why the smile?" he asked as he stood behind me.

"Just happy," I answered. "Is she sleeping?"

"Out like a light," he answered as he stepped in closer to me. "She was sleeping before I finished the story. Does she sleep through the night?"

"Yes," I said as I rinsed the last plate. I glanced at him over my shoulder and said, "She's not three months old, Eric. She's nine."

"Just making sure," he said as he moved in closer to me; almost in my back pocket. "So, what do we do now?" He reached out and brushed the hair from my neck and replaced it with his lips.

I tilted my head to the side in order to give him better access. I placed my hand on his head and pulled him closer. I almost stepped deeper into his body but caught myself. I moved away from him and said, "Follow me and I'll show you."

I walked backwards down the hall and beckoned him to me. He gave me the sexiest look I'd ever seen. This man thought that he was going to get lucky. And from his actions, I could tell that he really believed that he was going to get lucky.

With just a few steps down the hall, he kicked off his shoes. A couple more steps and he was unbuttoning his pants. But when we continued on past my bedroom, he stopped. The sexy look was gone. He looked at my bedroom door and then at me.

"Uh, uh" I said. "Here," I said affectionately.

He was once again looking sexy and following me. He began to unzip his pants. I could see from the huge print in his jeans that he was ready to have some good, old fashioned fun with Sookie Stackhouse.

When I reached the bedroom door, I leaned against it and smiled seductively at him. I opened the door and stepped inside. I'd innocently tucked my bottom lip between my teeth as I watched him. He was removing his pants and I couldn't help but notice that Mr. Happy was very happy because he thought that he was going to meet Mrs. Sunshine.

I sat down on the foot of the bed in the guest room and leaned back on my elbows as I crossed my legs. I began to run my hands over the comforter as I stared at him. I then said, "This is a nice bed. The mattress is firm and very comfortable. It can endure the pressure of almost anything."

He nodded at me as he placed his fingers in the waistband of his underwear and pushed them down his legs.

I then sat up and began to bounce up and down on the bed. "See?" I asked. "You should have a goodnight's sleep in here because from now on, this is your room."

With his underwear down around his feet and his thing poking from underneath his shirt, he stood upright and looked up at me. He asked, "What do you mean that this is my room?"

I jumped up from the bed and said, "Exactly what I said. This is your room. You know where the towels and the extra pillows are. You're right next door to Flynn and I'm just down the hall if you need to know where anything else is."

I'm not sure if he heard me. He was staring at me with his underwear still down around his feet and not saying a word. As a matter of fact, he looked catatonic. I waved my hand back and forth in front of his face and still, he said nothing.

"Eric?" I said.

"But I'm ready," he finally said as he blinked. He looked down at Mr. Happy and pointed. "I thought that we were going to make love." He began walking towards me with his underwear still around his feet and Mr. Happy swinging wild and free … poking from underneath that damned shirt.

Trying my best not to laugh, I said, "Maybe so but I didn't promise you anything. You and I can rebuild our relationship from the beginning … start all over. We can use this time to get to know each other again." I danced around him and made my way to the bedroom door.

He held his arms out to me and they were open. "Please," he said. "I'm ready."

I could hold my laughter no longer. In order to not wake Flynn, I placed my hand over my mouth and left his room. Needless to say, he followed me. His arms were wide open and his underwear down around his feet. I looked over my shoulder and there he was; still coming at me looking like a deranged lunatic with his arms wide open and his … thing sticking straight out.

"Eric, no," I said whispered.

"But I'm ready," he whispered back.

I ran into my room and before I could close the door, there he was. I couldn't stop laughing. No one has ever made me laugh as he has. And that smile is so contagious and so beautiful that it touches every part of me. And his eyes can see to my very soul. I can't believe that this is the boy from the second grade. This is the same boy that proposed to be with a blue raspberry ring pop ring. I can't believe that this is the same boy that has grown into the man that is the father of our child. I also can't believe that he is standing at my bedroom door with his drawers down around his feet and with his arms wide open. And I can't believe that after all of these years, he still owns me.

"I love you," I whispered.

He dropped his arms to his side as he quietly closed the door behind him. He took his underwear off completely. He walked over to me and began kissing me and this time, I didn't step away from him. I couldn't because I didn't want to.

As he removed my shirt, I said, "You know that we should wait until we have everything straightened out? It'll be so much easier for everyone if we'd just wait."

He shook his head no. "No, Sookie, I don't and it wouldn't be. Hush," he said. Soon he'd claimed my mouth once again.

"I've missed you so much," I moaned.

Breaking the kiss, he inhaled the scent of my hair and my body. "You smell so sweet. I've always loved your scent. It astounds me that even in the winter months, you always smell of the summer sun. Do you remember how much I love you?"

I leaned into him; his breath and his touch causing goose bumps to appear on my arms. "I remember," I moaned.

The sensations from that simple kiss took my breath away. My knees began to tremble and my nipples hardened as if the whisper of his lips had passed over them. He caught my bottom lip in between his teeth and I was so gone. I closed my eyes and melted into him.

"Open your eyes, lover. I want to see all of you," he said.

And when I opened my eyes, I looked into his as he caressed my face. A soft moan escaped my lips as he touched me. I swear I've never felt such passion from one kiss, from one touch in my entire life. My body trembled and I felt as if was losing myself. I leaned into his hand as the realization that he was back in my life hit me all at one. Tears began to fall from my eyes as I looked at him.

"Don't ever leave me again," I whispered. "The very thought scares me to my heart."

Eric shook his head. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm never leaving you again. I give you my word."

Closing my eyes, I tucked my bottom lip in between my teeth as he began kissing his way to my neck. Every part of me was his. I became weak and as if he could feel it happening, he pulled my body closer to his. I wrapped my arms around his neck as I stood on my tiptoes. I began to kiss along his jaw and nibble at his neck. The groans that escaped him, made me want more of him.

He then cupped my ass and pulled me closer to him; causing me to silently cry out in his ear. "Oh, God," I whimpered.

Smiling at me, he moved behind me and started to unclasp my bra. As he was doing it, he kissed my back and shoulders. He pushed the straps from arms and the bra landed on the floor. He stood behind me and continued to kiss my neck as he unbuttoned my jeans. Seconds later, I was completely nude.

He cupped my breasts as he stood behind me; kissing my neck and nibbling at my ear. Whispering, he asked, "What else do you remember about us, lover?"

"I remember loving you. I remember how you loved me. I remember your sweet words. I remember your beautiful smile … your eyes, and the feel of your hands." He began to kiss and nibble at my earlobes. I lifted my arm behind me and hugged him closer to me. "I remember how you make me feel. I remember the feel of your heartbeat against mine."

When he was in front of me once again, he kissed me hungrily, seeking, tasting, and taking.

"You still have it," he said as he kissed my tattoo.

"I'll always have it."

We were soon lying in bed and he had my wrists over my head as he stared down at me. He let his hands trail over my body and I watched his every move. I don't know how I missed it but his thumb was soon brushing against my nub; causing me to cry out.

"Shhh," he said.

Moving against his hand, I nodded my okay. I couldn't stop my hips from rolling or the silent whimpers that escaped me. The more he made love to me with his fingers, the harder it was for me to control what was happening to me. My moans were getting louder and he had no choice but to silence me with his kisses. His mouth covered mine as he made me cum over and over again.

As my ecstasy washed over me, I was soon on top of him; kissing him, loving him.

With Eric underneath me and Mr. Happy still standing tall and peeking from under his shirt, I smiled. I bypassed Mr. Happy as I kissed the insides of my lover's thighs. I stroked him as I peppered kisses over his beautiful manhood. With each kiss, he'd thrust forward.

When I finally took him into my mouth, Eric's hand clenched my hair and his breathing quickened. I flicked my tongue over it. He sat up and watched me. As he watched me, I wrapped my tongue around the head him. His fingers tightened in my hair. He growled as I took him deeper down my throat. I pulled up with only the head in my mouth and without warning, took all of him back into my throat.

"Oh, God," he moaned.

I looked up at him and smiled as I made love to him with my mouth. After a few more thrusts into my mouth, I kissed my way up his body. I slid his shirt up as I kissed and licked his stomach. When I pushed his shirt up so that I could lick his nipples, I saw it.

"My name," I whispered as I looked into his eyes. "You tattooed my name on your chest. When did you do this?"

Pulling me down to meet his mouth, he said, "The day after you left Sweden."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I'm yours, Sookie. I told you. I've always been yours."

I soon straddling him as I worked his hardness inside me.

"Oh, baby," I groaned as I wrapped my arms around him.

Just as he'd fully entered me, his kiss deepened in order to silence my cries of ecstasy. My body quivered fiercely as I took all of him inside of me. His hands clenched my hips tight as I rolled against on him … feeling him own me, claiming me. I was trying to remain quiet but it was getting harder and harder to do. Breaking the kiss, I rested my forehead against his as he gripped my hips and held me up just high enough so that he fuck me the way that he wanted. He soon gripped my ass in his hands in order to pull me down so that I could meet his thrusts.

"Yes," I moaned over and over again.

His moans were more than I could stand. The more he moaned, I moaned and the harder and deeper he fucked me. Growling through clenched teeth, he put his hands on my shoulders and held me into place as we came together.

As I collapsed on top of him, he wrapped his arms around me and held me; our sweaty bodies glistening as we settled into each other.

"Sookie," he said as she panted.

"Hmmm," I said as I rested my head on his chest and listened to his voice rumbling through me.

"I remember when we first made love and you were pleasing me with your mouth. You were a beginner then. I felt a few scrapes with your teeth but it was great just the same. But now, you're fantastic. Where did you learn to do that?"

I laughed. "My old college roommate, Bailey, we used to practice on cucumbers. Good thing too because you are about the size of the cucumber that I practiced on," I said as I blushed. "My first deep throat. How was it?"

Laughing, he said, "Fucking amazing."

"Thank you," I said as I did a mock bow. Well as much as one can mock bow while lying down.

"May I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure," I replied.

"Other than me, is Alcide the only one that you've been with sexually?"

"Yes," I whispered. "I've dated other men but you and Alcide have been the only men that I've known intimately."

"I really am honored," he said.

I smiled as I returned my head to his chest.

He held me tighter as he rolled us over and onto our sides. He brushed a sweaty strand of hair from my forehead and kissed it. "I never wanted to marry her, Sookie. You're the only woman that I've ever intended to marry; the only one," he said.

"I know but that doesn't matter now," I said. "We are going to get you out of this mess and it'll be as if the marriage to her never existed. So, do me a favor. Don't worry about her or Victor or your dad or any of those other assholes. This is our time."

He kissed me once again.

"Now," I said. "I have to set the alarm because you have to be out of here by the time Flynn wakes up in the morning. It'll be just a second." And it was. As soon as it was set, I was back in his arms. "What are you going to do about clothes for work in the morning?"

He'd closed his eyes and said, "I have some things in my car. I'll bring them up in the morning before Flynn wakes up."

I began to trace my fingers over his chest before speaking again. "Does she know that you're here with us?"

Again he nodded. "She knows."

"I know that she signed the papers but are you sure that you can trust her?" I asked. "What if she …?"

His kiss stopped my words. "She won't go back on her word. She knows what's at stake here." Caressing my face as he said, "Niall has covered all of our bases on that end. Don't worry, Sookie."

"Okay." I was not going to do this. Not tonight. "How did you know that you'd be staying? I could've sent you back to the Peninsula, you know."

"I knew that you wouldn't," he said.

I started to laugh and then I realized that he was right. And then I really started to laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Us," I said. "This entire situation. I'm sleeping with the boss. You know that we have to be careful. What if the people at work find out? Can you imagine what will be said if anyone finds out about us?"

He looked at me and asked, "Who cares? It's my firm."

"I do," I said. "I just don't want to make waves. I like working there and I don't want the others saying stuff. We have to be careful and I want you to treat me just like you treat everyone else. No special treatment, okay?" I said.

"Are you sure?" he replied.

"Very," I said. "If you have to be hard on me then so be it. I can take it."

I was soon underneath him and he was smirking. "I know that you can," he said.

Our bedroom was filled with my laughter as he peppered me with kisses.