A/N: Well, howdy. It's been a minute (or several thousand). The writer's block was real, but I finally managed to get it to break loose. Hopefully, it will keep on flowing. Please stay tuned for a Cheating Death chapter later on today, if you read it. Hopefully the Fangs for the Memories one will follow close behind. Maybe in a day or few? I would love a comment or review.

P.S. I would love a comment or review.

Chapter 20

Eric whistled on the walk through the parking lot to the back door at Merlotte's. He tossed his keys in the air and caught them before stuffing them in his leather jacket pocket. He couldn't keep the smile off his face. He was looking forward to rubbing the dog's nose in it.

He and Sookie'd had sex three times, each better than the last. She was everything he'd dreamed of and more. Even though he couldn't drink her blood.

But he needed that, too. Soon. He would work out a way.

The door was propped open with a cinder block and he walked through and went inside. Sam was sitting behind his desk, across from Alcide. Both of their nostrils were flaring. Eric sat down in the empty chair beside the Wolf and smiled.

"Sorry I'm late. I am afraid I lost track of time."

It was five past one. Sam grunted.

"Just… Just shut up about it and let's get down to business. Alcide?"

Alcide looked disappointed.

"I guess I missed my chance. Unless she sleeps around?"

Eric narrowed his eyes.

"No. Now tell us what you found out in Jackson."

Alcide nodded.

"Like I said, I went to Club Dead to talk to Josephine. They haven't been hit yet, either. Maybe we'll all be left alone."

Eric snorted.

"Not likely. Although Sam might slip under the radar, way out here."

Sam shrugged.

"Well, I sure can't count on it. I heard there was a werefox killed in Keithville. I even heard tell of problems in Hotshot."

"They're getting closer. We need to be ready for them."

…

Sookie had an appointment with the plastic surgeon the next morning, followed by a late start to work. After her shower, she stood in front of the bathroom mirror and examined herself. Back in the hospital, when she'd finally woken up, she had been afraid that she would be badly disfigured for the rest of her life. The wounds had been ugly. Ragged. The doctor had done a wonderful job, but she never could have imagined how faint the marks would be, especially less than two months later.

She stroked down her throat and could barely feel the raised skin there. Eric had kissed every inch of her neck the night before and he hadn't seemed to mind.

She shivered. That brought her back to his cool mouth on her skin and the idea that he just might be a little bit dead. Had he wanted to bite her? Was she going to ask him to? To let him know that she (almost) knew what he was?

She just couldn't not think about him and what they'd done the night before, and the night before that. She was kind of giddy. She had found herself smiling at random times all morning. She couldn't wait to see him again.

She pulled into the parking lot outside the medical centre. She almost wished she'd called and cancelled. If it hadn't been paid for by the Grabbit Kwick's worker's comp insurance, she would have.

It was strange that she had to psych herself up before going inside. She knew how it was going to go; the doctor was going to be shocked and she wasn't going to know what to say and the whole thing was going to be really really awkward.

But it was what it was. She got out of her car and went inside. It was very white and sleek. Expensive looking. Immaculate. She supposed a plastic surgeon would have a certain type of clientele. Or this one, at least. She had barely sat down when a nurse called her name and led her to an exam room. The doctor came in shortly after she'd changed into a hospital gown. They exchanged pleasantries and then the doctor examined her legs, her arm, her abdomen, and her throat. He touched the raised skin. He was silent and she was glad he had a snarly mind that was hard to read. She could sense his surprise but she could block most of the rest out. He was definitely pleased with himself, though.

She sat up when he was through and swung her legs around so she could look at him. He leaned against the sink behind him.

"It was very lucky I was there that night. Everything looks good. Very good. The scarring should be minimal."

He took some pictures and, while it made her uncomfortable, she was pleased enough with his work that she didn't complain. She thanked him and was happy to leave.

Sookie stopped for a breakfast sandwich and a cup of bad coffee and then headed back to Bon Temps and Merlotte's for the rest of her shift.

"Hey, Sam!"

"Hey, Chére. Welcome back."

"Thanks."

She tied on her apron and then hurried out onto the floor. It wasn't busy yet, but the lunch rush was right around the corner. She hadn't missed much time at all. Sam wandered out into the bar a few minutes later. He poured her a couple of Cokes for one of her tables.

"How was the appointment?"

"It was fine. The doctor was pleased with my progress. I don't have to see him again."

"Well, that's good news. I'm not surprised. You look great."

She blushed a little.

"Thanks."

The rest of her shift passed quickly, but she was glad to take her apron off a few hours later. Eric had said he'd try to come back later that night, and they had plans to go out again on Friday. She was falling for him, hard.

She decided to heat up some leftovers and noticed the calendar pinned to the kitchen wall. It was a Wednesday, one week away from the full moon. She broke out in goosebumps. She was going to have to make an excuse that she wouldn't be available that night, the one after, and the one before. She was glad it was mid-week, but she and Eric had been seeing each other on weekdays all along. She hoped he wouldn't push her too much. She needed to come up with a good reason she would be unavailable.

She got a shower and reapplied some light make-up, mostly just to eat up some time. She dressed in a pretty sundress and was pleased with what she saw in the mirror. Finally, she went to the TV and turned it on to a game show.

When she heard the tires crunching on the driveway, she turned the television

off and walked out onto the front porch to wait. She hoped she didn't seem too eager.

He parked in front of her and he got out of the Corvette, smiling.

"Hello, lover. You look beautiful tonight."

She blushed. He started up the stairs and she put her arms around his neck and kissed him when he was at mouth-height. He picked her up and finished climbing. Once he got to the top, he spun her around, kissing her harder, and then set her down.

He laughed.

"I'm happy to see you, as well."

He kissed her again and it started to get hot and heavy before she pulled away.

"Can I get you a drink? A Coke or some sweet tea or something else?"

The something else made her shiver but he didn't seem to notice.

"No thank you. But I would be happy for another kiss."

She smiled and kissed him again.

It was a beautiful evening and they sat on the swing and held hands and talked for a little while. She laid her head on his shoulder and sighed.

"This is really nice."

He smiled. "Yes."

He was surprised to find that it was true.

She closed her eyes.

"You smell good."

He laughed a little.

"So do you. Very much."

It was a warm evening and they enjoyed the quiet for another few minutes. She sighed again happily and then looked up at him. He looked down at her and then kissed her again. She touched his cheek gently with her free hand and then smiled when he pulled away. She stood and pulled him up onto his feet. He went easily enough and followed her inside and to her bedroom.

When she kissed him again, she immediately deepened it and buried her hands in his hair. She untucked his shirt and pulled it up and he finished pulling it over his head and off. She kissed down his chest and then fell to her knees in front of him. She looked up into his eyes and smiled. He smiled back. She opened his belt and then unbuttoned his jeans. He wasn't wearing anything underneath. When she pulled down his zipper, his cock sprang free. She pulled his pants past his hips and they fell down around his ankles. He kicked off his boots and stepped out of his jeans and kicked them out of the way.

"Kiss me, Sookie."

She did, placing a soft kiss on the head of his penis and then taking it into her mouth. She kept eye contact with him and stroked his cock with her hand while she bobbed her head and hollowed her cheeks and tongued his frenulum.

When he got close, he closed his eyes and licked his lips, and left them parted for just a moment. She was sure she saw his fangs peeking through. She broke out in goosebumps. It gave her a thrill to know how powerful he must be, even though he'd sometimes been so soft and gentle with her. She wondered how many people had seen him like that. She hoped not many.

When he came, he called out, "Sookie," and placed his hand on her head. She swallowed and then stood up. He kissed her as soon as she was on her feet. It wasn't long before he pulled away.

"You are overdressed."

She laughed and then bit her bottom lip. He slowly removed her dress and then stopped to admire her in her bra and panties set. It was pretty and white and really set off her tan.

"Beautiful."

Soon, she was naked, too. He grinned and then scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed. She laughed again until he crawled up her body and kissed her. Whether or not he was Vampire, he needed almost no time to recover and he was sliding into her in a minute or two.

Their lovemaking was soft and slow. Languid. Looking deep into her eyes between kisses really seemed to turn him on. It turned her on, too. She reached up and touched his face and he kissed her deeply. She started rocking her hips faster and he sped up, too. Soon, he was hitting her in just the right spot with just the right amount of force and she started to fall apart.

"Oh my God, Eric. Yes. Right there. Please don't stop."

He had no intention of stopping. Not until she'd had her finish and he'd had his. His fangs ached to bite her but he didn't. He wondered how good her blood tasted. He was sure it would be perfect, if her smell and the taste of her mouth and her pussy were any indication. Someday. Somehow. Soon. He buried his face between her neck and shoulder and came just as she did.

He rolled off her and she snuggled up against him with her leg thrown over his and her hand on his chest. He reached his arm around her and pulled her close to him, kissing the side of her head. She looked up at him and he kissed her lips gently. He wasn't even a little out of breath, although she was. She sighed happily.

A few minutes later, he picked her hand up and kissed it. When he set it back on his chest, she skimmed it down his body and wrapped her fingers around his cock. She stroked him. She just couldn't get enough of him. He didn't mind. He couldn't get enough of her, either.