Spellbound
I want to apologize to y'all for the major delay in the posting of the chapters. RL has been kicking my behind something terrible. To make up for it, I will do my best to post at least 2 chapters this week; consider the fact that since this chapter is being posted today, this will be the beginning of my week. So hopefully, the next chapter will be posted by the 11th or the 12th. Enjoy.
The characters belong to Ms. Charlaine Harris. The story is mine.
No matter how much she pestered him, Eric would not tell Sookie where they were going. He was as tight lipped as she's ever known him to be. Whenever they went anywhere, private supe meetings or summits, she always knew where they were going and who was going to be there. They would discuss the pending meeting, prepare for their trip and be on their merry way.
She giggled to herself. She realized that the summits and meetings were awful comparisons to what was going on tonight. They weren't surprises. She always knew what awaited her but not tonight. She hadn't a clue.
Even though she desperately wanted to know, Eric was determined to keep in her in the dark about where they were going. Sookie hadn't received the surprise that Eric had in store for her but she did get another one. Even though it was completely out his character, Eric was relaxed. He was never relaxed when they had to go to meetings. It suddenly dawned on her that whenever they were together, she's never seen him so laid back. He was always stiff and on edge. Since it was a night of new beginnings; a night of baby steps, she decided that she was going to comment on his calm and unusual demeanor.
"You're not as stiff as you usually are," she observed.
Eric looked at Sookie. "What do you mean 'stiff'? I'm never stiff. I am a vampire of unlimited dance moves. I'm graceful and refined. I have never been stiff a single day in my life. Not even when I was human; if I can recall."
She laughed so hard it took her a moment before she could respond to him. "There are two things that you should know about yourself, Eric. You do have limited dance moves and you're always stiff. Whenever we have supe business, you're always on edge. You'd sit tall and with your hands placed firmly on your lap. If I'd brush against you in the car, you'd practically jump out of your skin. You would always look straight ahead; never looking anywhere other than straight ahead. Until now, I thought that you had a thing for the back of Clancy's head." Pausing, she added, "If you want to know the truth, I've always felt that your stiffness was because of me."
Eric was taken aback by her words. He didn't realize that she noticed. She never said anything about it but then why would she? "It wasn't because of you." He then unnecessarily cleared his throat. "I apologize for lying to you. It was always because of you."
Sookie's heart stopped. Her mouth suddenly went dry. She couldn't believe what she'd heard. She was so surprised, that she couldn't tear her eyes from his face. She wanted to yell at him but she remained silent. So much for the baby steps, she thought. No. She wasn't going to do that. It would be of no benefit to them or to their marriage if she flew off the handle before letting him explain what he meant.
"What was it that I did to make you so uncomfortable?" she asked him awkwardly.
Keeping his eyes on the road, he answered. "We always made love before we left home."
Her eyes widened. She didn't understand his meaning. "We made love? When?" Sookie chuckled. "We've never made love. We've only ever …"
"Don't say it," Eric said as he glanced at her. "Don't say that ugly word. That word should never be associated with what we do. You don't see it as making love but to me, we made love."
Ever so slightly, Sookie opened the bond. She felt that he meant those words. Since she didn't know what to say, she asked him to explain. "I apologize for my choice of words but please do me one favor. Tell how that would make you stiff?. If anything, I would think that you feel more at ease; more relaxed."
When they stopped at the street light, Eric turned to face Sookie. "You would look so beautiful and smell so sweet. You were so tempting, that I knew that we wouldn't have made it to the meetings. I would have had my way with you in the car on the way there. You wouldn't have been presentable. There would have been no time for showering. I would have made sure that my scent was on every inch of you and you on every inch of me. They would have known. It was best for us both that I looked straight ahead with my hands placed firmly on my lap." Just as he'd finished speaking, the light turned green.
Sookie didn't know what to say. She knew what she was feeling but the words weren't there. Her breathing was rapid and her pulse was racing. When Eric turned to look at her, she swallowed deeply. He inhaled and closed his eyes for a brief second. Springtime was suddenly on the forefront.
"You're awfully relaxed," she repeated.
Eric filled the car with easy laughter as he returned his eyes to the road. "I have every reason to be. I'm going to spend a wonderful evening with my beautiful wife."
"Did you change?" she asked. "I mean before we left home. Did you change your clothes?"
Shaking his head, he said no. "I'm wearing what I was wearing when I came into the living room." He's brow furrowed. Sookie's fainting spell suddenly came to mind. "Should I take you home? If you're sick, I can …"
"I'm fine. I just didn't realize that we were dressed alike." He was wearing a pale blue v-neck sweater and jeans. He looked quite handsome. "You look very nice, very handsome."
He winked at her and smiled as he said thank you. "Hmm," he said as he looked from himself to Sookie. "I didn't notice it either. I guess great minds think alike."
She didn't say anything but she also realized that their hair is the exact same shade of blond. She reached over to brush a stray piece from his brow. Her finger lightly grazed his cheek. She could feel him as he shivered at the slightest feel of her touch. "You had a stray hair," she whispered. "That's all. I was just (swallow) brushing away the hair."
This time without stopping at a street light, Eric looked deeply into her eyes and said, "I miss your touch."
His voice was deep raspy; almost hoarse. When she didn't say anything, he thanked her for tucking the stray hair safely and securely behind his ear. The tension in the air was thick and it was getting harder and harder for her to breathe so Sookie did the next best thing, she began questioning him about tonight. Even though she knew that he wouldn't tell her, she began asking him where they were going. And just as before, he refused to answer her.
He continued telling her that she needn't worry. "I just want you to enjoy the night."
He could see that she expected more but he didn't say another word. She stared at him for a moment; trying to get a read on him but his face told her nothing. She leaned her head back against the headrest and closed her eyes. She thought of the things that had happened in the last couple of months; her decisions, her visits to her grandparents and to Andromeda, and the baby steps with Eric. She thought of the things that had been done and the words that had been spoken. She thought of the different things that she's learned and wondered about the other mysteries that were possibly being hidden from her. She thought of the future that she and Eric could possibly have and the possibility of them not working out at all. No matter the outcome, there was still so much that lay before them. There was so much that they could do together. See together. Be together. What she wanted more than anything was happiness for them both; especially for him. Whether they were together or apart; he deserved it.
Eric gave her a glance quick enough that she didn't notice. She also didn't notice the smirk that sat prominently on his face because her eyes were closed. It pleased him to be able to surprise her; to do something that he should've done years ago. Eric happily sped along in the Corvette without any concerns to the speed limit; his only thoughts were of Sookie. He wondered what she was thinking and what she was feeling. He wondered if she would ever open the bond again. He wondered if they were going to have a future or if this was their final hurrah. He didn't want it to end and he was going to do everything in his power so that she would remain a part of his life; in his life. And if things didn't fare well for them, he was going to abide by his promise to her. They would remain married but only because of their contractual obligations. He would go his way and sadly, he would have to let her go hers. He thought that no matter what happened between them, he wanted her to be happy. She deserved nothing but happiness. Whether they were together or not; she deserved it.
"We're here," he said in a softer voice.
Sookie rolled her head in his direction and stared at him. Something had changed in the span of five minutes. Something wasn't quite right. She sat up in her seat and asked, "Are you alright?"
A small smile was soon on his face and he answered her with a nod.
She reached over to touch his arm but pulled her hand back. "We don't have to do this. We can go and rent Iron Man if you want."
"No, my lover," he said. "This night is for you."
When he called her 'lover', her heart melted. He'd never said it with such tenderness before. He'd never said it as if he meant it until now. Before she knew it, he was out of the car and opening her door. Even when she got out of the car, she didn't notice where they were; that is until he stepped from in front of her.
"Fangtasia?" she asked. She was not happy with this. She didn't want to start over in the bar; especially the bar that held bad memories for her. Fangtasia was the last place she wanted to be when they were trying for a new beginning. "You bring me here?"
Before she could start ranting and raving, Eric cut her off. "Sookie, there is a reason why I brought you here. It's our new beginning. I wanted to bring you here because I …"
The sounds of a rumbling car pulling into the parking lot and parking beside them, cut off Eric's sentence. He swore under his breath when he saw the car and the person that was behind the wheel.
The man emerged from the car. Sookie could see him clearly underneath the dark and starless sky. He was tall and dark. He was muscular and bald. His eyes glowed against his bronze skin and he was gorgeous. He had a huge and friendly grin on his face as he walked over to greet them. Sookie didn't mean to be so open with her staring but she couldn't help it. His presence was as large as the night. He walked as if he was a man on a mission and nothing was going to stop him. As she stared at him, she knew that there was something more to him. She knew that he is a supe but she wasn't sure of what kind. She'd never met anyone like him before.
Being careful not to touch him, Sookie stepped in close and looked into the Were's eyes. Eric mimicked her movements. "Your eyes are violet," she said to him.
He looked down at her and smiled. "Yes, they are violet."
When she tried to step in closer, Eric placed his hands on her shoulders as to stop her. He then pulled Sookie into his body and glared at Quinn. Though she didn't see the glare, she took the hint and stayed close to him. "What are you?"
A bountiful roar left the Were's mouth as he laughed. "I am a were-tiger," he replied with a bow.
Sookie's hand went to her mouth. She thought that she'd never live to see a were-tiger. She'd believed them to be myths. There weren't very many of them anymore. She turned around and looked up at Eric. If she noticed the angry look on his face, she didn't comment on it.
"You know a were-tiger?" she asked.
The smile that was on her face melted away the jealousy that he was feeling when he saw how she reacted to Quinn. "Unfortunately, I do. I've known him for years."
"Sentiments shared," Quinn replied. He continued to stare at Sookie as he talked to Eric. "After six long years, you've decided to bring the princess with you. I have to say, I understand why you've kept her away." Finally speaking to Sookie, he said, "It's an honor to finally meet you. I'm John Quinn." He gave her a killer smile and Sookie couldn't help but return it.
"My wife knows who you are," Eric replied.
Keeping her eyes on Quinn, she replied to Eric's statement. "No, I don't. I have no idea who he is. I've never met him before. I've never met any of his kind before. Have you never been to any of our summits?"
Quinn shook his head no. "Sadly, I have not. I would usually be away on business." Knowing that he was getting under Eric's skin, Quinn continued to openly flirt with Sookie. "But I tell you what. If I had known that you are as charming and as beautiful are you are, I definitely would have canceled my business dates. Tell me, Mrs. Northman; am I really your first were-tiger?"
"Yes, you're the first one I've ever met and I have to say that the honor is mine." Quinn laughed at the mesmerized look on Sookie's face. "My cousins would be so thrilled to meet you. We've always been told that we'd never see a were-tiger because your kind is so rare. Our great-grandfather told us that there was only a handful left. If Niall was still alive, he would love to meet you."
"Well, Niall was right," Quinn replied. "There aren't many of us left and when I met him, he was thrilled to meet me."
Sookie's hands went to her mouth as she admired the were-tiger. She could feel the heat radiating from his body. She could see the life that filled his eyes. They are piercing and glowing. She could see that he had verve for life but there was something hidden behind those eyes; something that he wanted to keep hidden.
Without thinking, Sookie touched his arm. Loneliness; he's lonely and he's never had love. He's decided that it is his fate to be alone. Her heart filled with pain for him. He thought that it was too late. Sookie knew better. "No, it's not. She could be the one. Don't think that your fate has been sealed, because it hasn't it," she said as she squeezed his arm. "It's not too late. It's never too late." She was about to take him into her arms when Eric's voice stopped her.
"Sookie!" Eric exclaimed. She blinked several times before realizing what she'd done. Eric removed her hand from Quinn's arm. "You can't do that," he said.
She didn't realize what she'd done. It was against the rules. She was never supposed to read anyone without their permission or without just cause. She felt horrible for invading his mind. "Forgive my rudeness. I wasn't supposed to do that. I was wrong." She looked up at Eric and repeated her apologies. "I never meant to …"
"I know," Eric said soothingly.
Sookie looked at Quinn and began rambling. "We can speak with the council if you want. You can request that I no longer have any contact with you. Though I didn't alter your feelings, I had no right to read you. I wasn't supposed to do that. I forgot myself. Whatever punishment they decide for me, will be just. I had no ..."
Quinn's voice interrupted her. "It's okay." When she looked into his eyes, she could see that they had softened and his posture had changed. "It's okay." He looked at Eric and asked, "May I?"
"No," he replied. Eric didn't care what Sookie had done to Quinn. He wasn't going to let Quinn touch his wife and she wasn't going to be punished. It was an honest mistake.
Quinn pretended to be holding her hand and he made the wild gesture of kissing the air. "As I said before, it is a pleasure to finally be able to meet you."
Sookie was no longer appalled at her actions. Once again, she was at ease. "Thank you and it is truly a pleasure to meet you as well, Mr. Quinn."
"Call me Quinn," he said. He then almost repeated Sookie's faux pas. He reached for her hand.
"She'll call you dead if you touch her," Eric forced Quinn's hand back into his own space.
Sookie choked back a giggle at the sight of Eric's jealousy. His eyes were narrowed down to slits and his mouth was pulled back in order to show his fangs. She was about to take Eric's hand but thought better against it after what she'd done to Quinn. Even though she had no intentions on changing either man's mood, she didn't want to take any chances with Eric. So instead, she clasped her hands in front of her.
"Cut it out, Eric. It's a pleasure to meet you, Quinn," she repeated. She wanted to tell him that he could call her Sookie but because she is Eric's wife and holds a position of power, Eric has to give him permission to call her by her first name and from the way it was looking, Quinn would forever call her Mrs. Northman.
Looking slyly at Eric and winking, Quinn said to Sookie, "Would you like to go inside?" He looked around the parking lot and said, "Most everyone's here. You can come in and mingle … meet the supe gang."
"You go," Eric answered instead. "We'll see you inside." He was doing his best to keep his temper under wraps but it was obvious that the longer Quinn stayed close to them, the harder it was going to be for Eric to remain calm.
Quinn looked at Sookie and said, "Well, Mrs. Northman, I will see you inside. Maybe we can talk more then." Looking at Eric, Quinn said, "Eric."
"Quinn."
With that said, he was gone.
Once he was out of ear shot, Sookie turned to face Eric and said, "He seemed quite nice. Have you two been friends long? If you have, it surprises me. You two don't seem to like each other at all." She couldn't tell whether or not Eric heard her because he was staring at the backdoor of the bar.
"Eric? Did you hear me?" she asked as she tapped his shoulder.
He looked at Sookie and said, "He was flirting with you."
"So?" she replied.
Eric couldn't believe his ears. "Did you say so?"
"I did."
His face looked as if it was made of stone. His eyes were icy and cold. His body had stiffened with anger. Eric was ready to explode. He didn't understand her response to Quinn flirting with her. He couldn't believe that she said so. It was much more than so. It was offensive and it wasn't the first Quinn had pulled that stunt. The difference is that it never mattered before. Before Sookie, the others were no more than something to do. Sookie is his wife. Quinn had no right to do what he'd done.
"He was flirting with you, Sookie."
"I heard you the first time," she said. She leaned against the Corvette and folded her arms over her chest and stared up at him. "What's the problem?"
Eric was thisclose to Sookie. "You're married … to me."
"Eric, you may not know this," Sookie began.
"What are you guys doing out there?" Pam yelled from the backdoor of the bar. "Are you two coming inside or not?"
"What is it that I don't know?" he asked curiously as he ignored Pam. He thought that he knew everything about her. She is an honorable and chaste woman. He was her first lover, her first everything. As far as he knew, she'd never so much had a boyfriend. She'd gone out on a couple of dates but that was it. There never should have been a 'so' to his response.
He kept staring at Sookie as he spoke. "We're coming." When he heard the door close, he moved in closer to her; their bodies were touching. Leaning in to whisper in her ear, he said, "We're going to go inside and we're going to have a good time. Quinn is not going to flirt with you because you are my lover; my only lover. And I am yours."
Sookie couldn't stop the shimmer or the shiver of her body as his mouth brushed against her ear. The fever of springtime was trying to take over. The chills ran up and down her spine. She could feel his hardness on her stomach. "We're taking baby steps," she whispered.
He nuzzled her hair as he repeated her words. "Baby steps, my lover," he said. He stepped out of her space and took her hand into his. "Come, Sookie." He took her hand as he led her to the backdoor of Fangtasia.
The weakness in her knees slowly faded as she followed him. "Baby steps," she repeated to herself as a reminder.
When Eric reached for the doorknob, he turned to Sookie and said, "And once we get home, we can have a little talk."
Sookie frowned up at him and asked, "About what?"
"About what I must not know about you and my limited dancing skills," he said with a wink.
Their laughter filled the backroom of Fangtasia.