Sookie's POV:
"I can't believe you did this!" I exclaim, still surprised at the set-up Alcide had arranged for our first date.
"Well, I can't take all the credit, I had help," Alcide smiles as he pours some champagne in a glass for me.
We were sitting outside in a screened veranda that was on the private property of the Bellefleur family. Their mansion, which had deteriorated over the years, was nearby. Portia and Andy still lived in the mansion. I glance towards the house, wondering if they were currently in there watching us. That would be a little creepy. Chinese lanterns hung around the exterior and the pathway. There were blue lights on the nearby trees that looked like falling rain. Bouquets of flowers in large white vases were situated around us. A beige linen tablecloth covered the round dining table and there was a gorgeous centerpiece of more flowers and candlesticks on the table. The cutlery was gold-plated and the china was an elegant blue pattern.
I was glad that I bought a new dress for this date. I didn't have time to browse Tara's shop, so Tara had chosen a lovely blue/green tropical print halter-style dress with a flouncy skirt. She also added a pair of blue-suede heels from her personal collection to go with it.
I wore my hair down and added some soft curls to the back and front.
I almost cancelled out on this date for Grans' sake. She received a call from Remy, my cousin Hadley's husband. He had told her that Hadley had taken off again and that he needed help with childcare for Hunter as he was heading to work tonight. I offered to drive Gran the three hours to where Remy and Hadley resided, but Remy came to pick her up instead. Though I loved Hadley, she was self-centered and selfish. She never hesitated to leave her husband and baby son whenever she felt like it. She always made it known to anyone that she married and had a child too young and 'was never able to live her life' (her words). From time to time, Gran would go there for a few days to take care of Hunter while Remy went to work in the mines.
A server comes and places the first course on our plates.
"This looks so delicious," I say to Alcide.
After we finish the last course, the servers take everything away.
"That was probably one of the best meals I've had in a long time," Alcide comments. "I don't think anything can beat Louisiana cuisine."
"You're right about that," I reply.
Soft romantic music begins playing on the speakers that were attached to the ceiling of the veranda.
"Did you plan this as well?" I ask with a soft laugh.
"This wasn't part of my plan," he laughs back. "I'm guessing my assistant must've set this up."
Alcide stands up and walks towards me, then offers his hand to me. "Since we now have music, would you care to dance with me?"
I smile and nod as I take his hand.
An old Elvis Presley song begins playing as we begin to sway to the music. I close my eyes, just enjoying this intimate moment, as Alcide holds me close to him. I had my hands on his upper shoulders and he had his around my waist and lower back. I lean my head against his chest, listening to the song and the sound of his heartbeat. I could feel his warm breath against my hair as he relaxed against me as well. I didn't want to think about the emotions that were swirling inside me, but the longer we stayed in this intimate embrace, the more I couldn't ignore what was happening between us. We continue to dance slowly in silence before I finally look up to meet his eyes.
Was this real? I run my fingers down the side of Alcide's face and neck. He leans down to kiss me on the lips once and then looks into my eyes again. He leans down once again and this time we deepen the kiss. After a few more minutes we break away from each other for air.
"Wow," is all I could muster as I catch my breath.
"You're so amazing Sookie," Alcide responds before he places his lips on mine once again.
I don't know how long we stand there making out, but I knew that I wanted more. I had been debating in my head all day long yesterday about how far I should go with Alcide. In the end, I just decided to let things happen naturally. I was still a woman with needs after all. Alcide had ignited a fire of passion and desire within me that I thought was permanently extinguished.
"Do you want to come to my place?" I ask him.
He nods his head with enthusiasm.
A short ride later, we were at my house. I fumble with unlocking the front door as he kisses my neck feverishly from behind.
He stays attached to me like an octopus, with his hands all over my body, as I lead him into my bedroom.
We make out some more before we begin to take off our clothes. He takes off his dinner jacket and white-buttoned shirt to reveal a very muscular and toned chest. I take a huge gulp at the sight of his upper body. Not only was his face beautiful, but his body was beginning to look breathtaking as well.
I close my eyes to ponder for a moment. I didn't give myself so easily to anyone unless I was sure. I had only been intimate with one man before and even then, I waited several weeks before I had sex with Eric because I wanted to be certain that I was ready. I was pretty sure that I was ready now, even though I had met Alcide just a few days ago.
I turn around and face the bed. I move my hair from my back and glance back. "Can you unzip my dress?"
Immediately, I feel Alcide's fingers unzipping the back of my dress. He runs his fingers on my skin causing me to shudder with desire. I let my dress fall off my body. I then ask him to unclasp my bra and that falls to the floor as well.
I then turn around to face him. I could hear my heart beating fast, but I was breathing normally, feeling confident about how this night was turning out. I look into his gorgeous green eyes and I begin to undo the belt buckle of his slacks. Once I had his belt off, I undid the button and pull his slacks down.
Alcide cups my breasts with his large hands, while pinching my nipples softly as we kiss. The erotic sensation pulsates down to my core. I run my fingers through his hair as he lifts me up. I wrap my legs around his waist and he places me gently on my bed.
He goes to pick up his jacket and grabs something from the pocket, it was a condom. I was glad that he remembered protection. I didn't have any in my room, as I had never planned to have sex with anyone, that is, until now.
I prop myself up with my elbows as I watch him remove his boxer briefs. He had a small patch of brown hair down there and he was fully erected. His manhood was thick and long. I could feel my lady bits pulsating even more as I gaze at him with lust in my eyes.
He rolls the condom on and joins me on the bed. He removes my panty and situates himself between my thighs.
"Is this what you want?" Alcide whispers to me.
"Yes," I answer breathlessly. "I want you."
We kiss as he begins to enter me slowly.
"You're so tight," he whispers against my mouth.
I mumble incoherently as he slowly moves in and out of me. He begins to quicken the pace. It isn't long before I reach my climax as I run hands over his fabulous butt.
"Harder," I command.
He begins to thrust into me more deeper and quicker. It isn't long before he reaches he climaxes. His orgasm triggers another one in me at the same time.
"Perfect," he says as he tries to catch his breath.
I rub his back as he continues to lie on top of me while still inside me. We lay like this for several minutes before he pulls out and goes to the bathroom to dispose the condom. He then comes back and lays beside me. We were facing each other on the bed with our hands clasped together.
"I don't usually do this….. with anyone," I say to him shyly.
"I know, I could tell," Alcide responds.
"Ohhhh," I say with disappointment. I guess my lack of sexual experience really showed tonight.
"Sookie, I didn't mean it like that. You are perfect and it was amazing. I just meant that I know you aren't the promiscuous type," he explains. "And you know what? Neither am I."
I give him a small smile of relief.
"I'm glad you chose me," Alcide says. "Because I am so happy to have found you."
We lay like this and talk for a little while longer, before I begin to get tired.
"It's getting late," Alcide comments.
"Would you like to stay with me tonight?" I ask him softly.
"I was hoping you would ask me that," he smiles back.
He gets up to turn off the lights and rejoins me on the bed as I move the blanket on top of us. I turn around to fall asleep on my usual side and he spoons me from behind.
"Goodnight Alcide," I whisper softly.
"Goodnight Sookie," he says back to me. "I'm glad our first date hasn't come to an end yet."
I wake up with him early in the morning as he had to be on-set at 6am in the morning. He takes a quick shower before putting his clothes back on.
"What are you doing tonight?" Alcide asks me as I walk him to the front door.
"Nothing much, it's my first day off in a very long time and I was planning on just staying in and reading a novel," I tell him.
"I'll be done at about 6. Could I come by after work?" he says with a grin on his face.
I inhale deeply and smile back. "Yes, I would like that."
"Great," he responds.
He kisses me with the same passion as he did last night. I break away from our kiss.
"You should get going, or else you will be late," I tell him.
He kisses me one last time, before leaving.
I lean against the front door after he leaves and breathe in deeply.
What was I getting myself into? again…..
I sleep for a few more hours, before getting up to start my day. I tidy up the house, read my novel, and call Tara at her shop.
"Oh my god! I was waiting for you to call me to tell me about your date! How was it?!" Tara exclaims.
"It was….. incredible," I respond with a huge smile on my face.
"So, was Alcide Herveaux a good kisser?" she asks me.
"Yes, he is a very good kisser," I respond coyly.
"Wait, did you sleep with him?" she asks with astonishment in her tone.
I don't respond.
"Oh my god, you did! Sookie I didn't think you had it in you! I mean you literally did have it in you!" she howls out in laughter.
I laugh along with her. I give her a few more details about our night.
"Are you going to see him again?" Tara asks.
"Yes, and very soon. He is coming over again tonight after work," I tell her.
"Wow Sookie, I mean, god, I'm really happy for you. You deserve to be happy," Tara says.
"Yeah, I'm feeling hopeful about him. I mean I'm not going to let my emotions run wild with him, I'm trying to be a bit more cautious I guess. I don't want to go through with what happened with Eric all over again," I say.
"Yes, but it's always good to put yourself out there once in awhile," Tara comments.
We end the call a little while later.
I look towards the kitchen and come up with a plan for tonight. I was going to cook him dinner. I send him a text to see if he wanted to have a home-cooked meal with me tonight. He responds about twenty minutes later with a yes.
Immediately, I begin prepping. I take some pork chops out of the freezer and put it in cold water to thaw. I wanted to make some biscuits using Gran's recipe, so I take out all the ingredients for that. As for dessert, I planned to make my famous strawberry cake with whipped cream.
Awhile later I get ready for tonight. I put on my cream-coloured off-shoulder cashmere sweater and my denim mini-dress. I slip my slip sandals on and brush my hair to give it some bounce. I just leave my hair as is and don't add any styling products to it. I also kept my makeup minimal.
I check to see if the pork chops were done, when I hear a vehicle pull up to the front.
My heart skips a beat and I hurry to go greet him. There was still a bit of daylight outside as I open to door. I stop for a moment and watch Alcide step out of his black truck.
"Hey," he calls out with a warm smile on his face. He had changed his clothes into something more casual, a blue t-shirt and gray trousers.
"Hi," I respond back.
He walks briskly towards the house and up the steps. I go to meet him and I immediately launch myself into his arms. I wrap my legs around him as he cups my butt to hold me up.
I kiss him feverishly as he carries me into the house, rushing past the kitchen and dining room, to my bedroom.
"Don't you want dinner?" I ask Alcide, with a soft tone between kisses.
"Dinner can wait," he responds.
Forty-five minutes later, we were still in bed, sated and content, our clothes strewn all over the floor. His head was between my breasts and he was absentmindedly playing with my nipple while I rubbed his back gently.
"The food might be a little cold," I laugh softly.
"I forgot about that," he says. I could feel him smiling against my skin. "You have the most incredible breasts that I have ever seen."
My face reddens. "Thanks, I guess."
A little while later, we put our clothes back on and go out to the kitchen. Alcide helps me reheat the main course and set the table.
As he finishes cake, he groans in pleasure. "MMMMMmmmmm, this has to be the best cake that I have ever tasted in my life."
Gran and I didn't have a dishwasher, so I fill up the sink with soap and water. Alcide offers to do the dishes but I help him by drying.
"You are a very good dishwasher," I amusingly tell him.
"Thanks, don't let my posh English accent fool you. I'm perfectly capable of washing dishes and using a broom, a mop, and other cleaning supplies," Alcide teases.
After we clean up the kitchen, we go sit in the living room. He carefully looks at the pictures around the room and I tell him whose who in all of them.
We talk more about other things and I found myself enjoying his company increasingly even more. He was so charming, witty, and intellectual, but yet also so humble. Our conversations seemed to flow easily between us. Despite how different we appeared to be, we seemed to share the same values about the important issues. We both valued our families and friends above everything else. We also seemed to have the same outlook when it came to relationships as well.
"I really enjoy being with you Sookie," Alcide says. He puts his hand on my thigh and rubs it. "I hope we can spend more time together. I'd like you to come to Shreveport and meet my family. My parents are having a family dinner this weekend at their house. It's just my sister, her husband, and my nephew who will also be there."
"I would like that," I respond with a surprised smile on my face. That took me by surprise that he wanted to introduce me to the family already. I think back to my short relationship with Eric, he hadn't introduced me to his father or any of his friends from town. Alcide was turning out to be different from him.
I begin yawning as it was getting late. I wanted to call it a night, mainly because I had to work in the morning. But at the same time, I didn't want my evening to come to an end with Alcide.
"Did you want to stay with me again tonight?" I ask in a hopeful tone. It was so uncharacteristic of me to ask a man, whom I'd just met days earlier, to spend the night with me, much less two nights in a row. I wasn't sure what was compelling me to do so. Perhaps, it was because of the way he was making me feel. I know I had said that I wouldn't rush again, but I couldn't help myself.
"I could stay with you every night, Sookie. You don't even need to ask," he says.
We make love one more time before we fall asleep. As my eyelids become heavier and as I enjoyed the warmth of Alcide's body next to mine, I think to myself that I needed to make an appointment with the clinic to go on birth control. I knew that Alcide was clean and I was as well, but if we were going to have an active sexual relationship, then I may as well get a birth control patch inserted.
The busy week rolls by and Alcide had the weekend off from filming. I also had the weekend off as well.
We went to Alcide's parents' house, that was located in the upper-class neighbourhood of Shreveport, on a Saturday afternoon. His parents had lived in the same house since they moved to the town over ten years ago.
Jackson and Grace Herveaux welcomed me into their home. Alcide's mother was friendly and warm, while his father seemed similar, but with a firm temperment. His sister, Janice, would arrive later with her husband Dell and young son Tommy.
"So, you're from Bon Temps? We've done a few projects in the area," Jackson says to me with a fading English accent, as he continues to barbecue steaks. We were sitting out on the deck, while Alcide's mother Grace, was in the kitched preparing the rest of the food. I had offered to help, but she politely declined.
"You know, I wanted Alcide to work side-by-side with me, but he chose a different career," Jackson adds. "But I'm not disappointed. He graduated with honours from university and I'm happy he's done well for himself."
"Yes, you and Grace must be very proud of him," I say while Alcide rubs my shoulder.
"Hello everyone!" Alcide's sister says as she comes to greet us outside followed by her husband and son.
An hour and a half later after a delicious supper, Janice and I were sitting in her old room looking at old pictures from their home in Buckinghmshire, England. Alcide was in the living room talking to his parents and Dell.
"This is Alcide and I at football practice. I used to follow Alcide everywhere, so of course I wanted to be on the team as well. There was only a boys' team in the town and the coaches didn't want me on it. So, you can imagine how furious my parents were. They went to the town council and eventually the coaches resigned. My dad became the coach after they quit."
I look at a few more old pictures of them. "You both look so happy."
"Yes," Janice beams. "Alcide was probably the best striker our team had. But as he got older, he became less and less interested in the game."
She pulls out more photos from high school. "I think this was from our first year of school here in Shreveport."
She and Alcide looked so glum.
"I'm guessing you both weren't exactly overjoyed at moving to Shreveport," I comment.
"That would be an understatement," Janice says. "We were both soooo angry and upset with my dad. I could tell my mum was as well, but she loves my dad and would follow him anywhere. But, I'm about how life turned out. If we didn't move here, I would've never met Dell and had my son. Both of them are my world."
She tells me a little bit more about her life and her salon she opened just recently. I tell her a little bit about my background as well. Janice was so easy to talk to. She was warm and friendly like her mother.
As she tells me her story, I flip through a few more pages until I stop and become startled at one picture. It was Alcide…. and Eric. I blink a few more times, wondering if I was seeing things clearly. They looked to be about 17 or younger. They had their arms over each other's shoulders and looked happy. They were standing in front of a movie theater. I flip to the next page and find more pictures of them together along with Janice and other people.
"Oh, that's Eric Northman. But I probably don't have to tell you that, since he's one of the biggest movie stars on the planet and everyone knows him," Janice says. I could feel the colour draining from my face.
"Alcide and Eric were friends?" I say blankly.
"Yep," Janice says. "Best friends. They were practically joined at the hip through high school and they went to uni together. I think it was Eric who influenced Alcide to become an actor. Didn't Alcide tell you that?"
I shake my head and gulp.
"They were best friends I mean. They still would be if it wasn't for that bitch Debbie," Janice says.
I look at her.
"It's not really my place to tell you what happened between them, but perhaps Alcide will tell you the story. I'm just glad my brother finally stopped being a dumbass and dumped her," she says. "She was poison and sooo wrong for my brother."
We continued with the visit, but I was a lot more quieter as the evening wore on. Eventually Alcide noticed.
"Are you okay Sookie?" he asks me.
"Uhhh yeah, I'm just a little tired," I answer with a faint smile.
"We can go to my place," he says.
A little while later, we were at the leased condo he was living in while he was filming the movie.
Alcide offers me an iced tea as I go sit on the gray sofa in the living room. I was twiddling my fingers, trying to decide how to tell him that I knew Eric in the past. I needed to tell him that Eric and I had a brief relationship and how serious it was, for myself of course. With the way Eric treated me, I was guessing I was just another notch on his bedpost.
I let out a deep sigh.
"There was something I wanted to show you tomorrow," Alcide says as he hands me my drink. "I wanted your opinion."
"Oh," I say as I look down at my glass.
"Are you sure you're okay? You've been pretty quiet since you and Janice talked in her old bedroom. Did she say something that offended you?" he asks in a serious tone.
"Oh no Alcide, your sister is wonderful," I reply.
"That's a sigh of relief," Alcide says as he takes a sip of his drink. "My parents liked you. They liked the fact that you're a local girl who works hard to support her family. They respect that."
"Awww, that's very sweet. I really liked them as well," I reply with a smile.
"So, what is the matter?" Alcide asks again.
I let out a deep breath. "Your sister showed me pics from your youth and teenage years. I noticed that the two of had a lot of friends growing up."
"Yeah, we did and still do I guess," he says. He raises his eyebrow, "Wait, did you see someone you recognized in those photos?"
"Yes," I respond.
"It's probably Eric Northman that you are wondering about. I doubt it's Billy Quarters. Though I admit, I am somewhat curious about what Billy has been up to these days," he says with a chuckle. "Yeah, I know Eric. We were best mates for many years. I don't think I could've gotten through high school and uni without that chap. If you're looking for an autograph, I'm not sure if I could arrange that."
Oh dear… "I knew Eric too…. I mean I don't know him now, but I knew him a long time ago."
I tuck some strands of my hair behind my ears and stand up. "I met him over four years ago, in Bon Temps, when he was filming a movie in town too."
"Okay…." He says, waiting for me to continue. He had a bit of an uneasy look on his face, which began to make me feel uneasy as well.
"I was twenty years old. Young, naïve, never had a boyfriend….and we….. well we had a brief relationship when he was here. It didn't last too long," I tell him.
I look down at him. He was still sitting on the sofa, staring at me with kind of a hazy look, like as though he was trying to comprehend what I had just told him.
"I don't remember him ever mentioning you," he finally says after a few minutes of silence.
I let out a sigh again. "Yeah, I am not surprised that he never mentioned me. Because we only dated for a brief time. Once the movie was done filming, he left for California and never came back."
That wasn't completely true. I didn't see the need to tell Alcide that he came to see me briefly a couple months later. Nothing came out of that meeting.
He takes another swig of his drink, remaining quiet.
"I honestly didn't know that you and him had a prior friendship before I met you. I don't read gossip magazines or look celebrities up on the internet. I'm not that type of fangirl," I tell him.
He was still silent.
I stand there for what felt like forever, feeling more and more uncomfortable. I had no idea what he must be thinking. Maybe he was thinking I was some sort of floosy who bedded any male celebrity she met. Maybe he was thinking I was trying to use him to get to Eric, as this point I had no clue, but his silence was telling. And it wasn't good.
"I should go," I say solemnly. "I can see that this wasn't something you were…. expecting. I wasn't either, to be honest. It's a small world, a really small world."
I walk briskly towards the door.
"Sookie!" Alcide says as he brushes past me quickly and stands in front of the door. "I'm sorry for not responding. I guess I was just surprised."
"Please don't go," he says. "I want you to stay."
I nod and he leads me back to the living room.
"I should explain some things," he says. "I've known Eric since we were fifteen. We met at Shreveport High School and became friends rather quickly. During school, I only dated one girl, her name was Maria-Star, while Eric dated…. god knows how many…. Well let's just say, he wasn't the one woman type of chap. When I moved back to the UK after we finished uni, I met Debbie, the second woman whom I've ever dated. She was, I mean she still is an actress, from Cork, Ireland. Debbie was strong willed and had a bit of a temper, but I loved her. Unfortunately, none of my family or friends, including Eric, liked her at all. They just didn't see Debbie the way I saw her. I guess you could say I was blinded by my love for her. We finally broke up last year, for good. I found out that she was cheating on me with another actor from London. He sort of resembles an owl. But anyway, a few months before I found out about her affair, Eric had tried to warn me about Debbie. But I wasn't having it. I didn't want to believe it, but since Eric was my best mate, I confronted Debbie. She concocted a very believable story that Eric had tried to seduce her, but when she refused him, he tried to force himself on her. I mean, she could win the academy award for best actress, because that's how convincing she was. She even had receipts and emails, texts, you name it. After that, I confronted Eric, who denied it immediately. Well let's just say, that confrontation didn't end well. I said some pretty vicious things to him and we ended up having a big fight. Hotel security had to break it up. He left after that and I haven't seen him since. I did find out after my breakup with Debbie that her story about Eric was a huge lie. That just….. wrecked me, that I my friendship because of that woman. I did try to apologize to Eric, but he refuses to speak to me."
I sat there with my mouth agape.
"I think I was surprised, that you had a connection to Eric," Alcide says. "I mean I can't believe that he left here, without you."
I let out a sigh. "Me neither. I mean at the time, I was utterly devastated. I guess I thought what we had was special, but obviously it wasn't. But I'm well past that. I'm not pining after him, I got over it years ago."
"It really is a small world," he laughs lightly.
I laugh along with him.
I clasp my hands together, "So, it doesn't bother you, that I dated Eric?"
He ponders briefly, "No, it doesn't. It doesn't matter, what only matters is what is happening now and in the future."
He leans over to kiss me. We embrace and hold each other in an intimate manner.
It felt like such a relief to tell him about Eric. It was starting to feel good to let go of my past feelings for him and to be able to move on. I really liked Alcide and I was beginning to feel like that there could be something for us, something that we could build together.