The Education of Sookie Stackhouse 6. The First Tango in Shreveport Part 2

A/N:

Txone, thanks so much! Loves ya bunches.

All the women at the Sookieverse are the most amazing and wonderful people on Earth. Hope you guys know how much you mean to me.

FF is acting up a lot lately, so there’s a link to my blogs on my profile where I’ll put up the chapters as well.

Okay let us find out what the crazy kids are up to.

As always I own nothing.

***

The Education of Sookie Stackhouse 6. The First Tango in Shreveport Part 2

”Eric, what the heck is this?”

“A vehicle, an automobile, better known as a car.” He said, looking very proud of the object parked outside my apartment building.

The ‘car’ looked like something that belonged in a museum, not driving on the roads.

“Is it safe?”

Granted the dark blue paint didn’t have a scratch on it, but I wasn’t sure it would be classified at operable.

“Of course she is safe. Betty Blue runs like dream.”

She? Betty Blue?

Eric held the door open and waited for me to climb in. No way was I getting into that thing.

“Sookie, get in the damn car, we don’t want to be late.”

I mumbled something unintelligible as I sat down on the seat and then move my legs into the car, like a proper lady would. Eric got in and started the ‘car’, it purred to life. So far, so good. So it ran smoothly, except for the loud engine.

“So this is your car? You actually drive this on a regular basis?”

It was beyond me why he would chose to drive an old 1940’s Chevrolet. I wasn’t completely lost; growing up with Jason had taught me a thing or two about cars. What I didn’t get was why Eric would show up at my apartment dressed like that and insisting on taking me out in this…umm…car, he really had taken this whole role playing thing to the next level.

“No, I only take her out for special occasions. Normally I drive a corvette.” Eric was grinning from ear to ear. So proud of his little toys.

“Of course you do. Boys and their toys…”

“Woman have ‘toys’ too, Sookie.” The innuendo wasn’t lost to me.

Alright Mr. Northman.

“So this…” I waved my hands around, “is a penis thing?”

Eric roared with laughter.

“Not everything is about Sex. Taking you out tonight, for instance, isn’t about sex. It’s about confidence, but from what you just said you’re not exactly lacking it.”

Okay now I’m lost!

“Let me get this straight; the clothes, the car, the freaking high school corsage pinned to my head are about confidence? I don’t get it! And by the way you haven’t told me why you are taking me out or where we’re going. Mind explaining it all to me?”

“Hey don’t disrespect the attire or the flowers, it’s tradition. You’ll see. As for going out tonight – you asked for a rain check, this is it. Look, I’m sorry about last week, I was just going through some things. My wife…ex…”

What. The. Fuck?

“You’re married?! Stop the stupid car, Eric! Right now! Stop. The. Car!” I yelled.

How the hell could I have been this stupid? Of course he’s married.

Stupid, stupid Sookie!

Eric kept driving. Obviously he had no intention of stopping.

“Jesus, would you just listen to me…” he attempted.

“Stop the car! I can’t believe this shit! I would never have…just let me get out of the car!”

“I’m not married Sookie! If you would let me finish I was going to say ex-wife, I’m divorced. The divorce came through last week that’s why I was out of town – to take care of last minute things.”

Eric had a pained expression plastered across his face, gripping the steering wheel tightly so the leather made loud cracking sounds.

“Last week! Last week! It doesn’t change a thing, you were still married when you…when we… Christ I’m so stupid!”

Eric finally pulled over to the side of the road and I quickly moved to get out of the car, we weren’t out of the city yet so I could probably get a taxi home. However, Eric was faster than I was and lightly grabbed my arm, so he wouldn’t scare me or, more likely, agitate me further.

“I’m sorry Sookie, okay. Please listen to me. I should have told you before we started our arrangement. Truth is I’m just as new at this as you are I’ve never done anything like this before.

“Yes, I own a swinger club and yes I’m into the scene, but I don’t mix business with pleasure. The club is my livelihood and I would never do anything to jeopardize that. My ex-wife, Lorena, and I were both into the lifestyle, except we never brought it home, what happens at the clubs stays at the clubs. That was until I walked in on her and my best friend having sex at our house; in our bed. I left her that night. We’ve been separated for a year, and as I said, the divorce came through last week. But it doesn’t change the fact that I should have told you, I’m sorry. Or maybe you could have asked me a little about myself at some point and I would have told you.”

What?

“Oh so this is my fault now?” I swear if I wasn’t a Southern lady, born and bred, I would have punched him in the face. “What happens at the clubs stays at the clubs that seems to be the general rule, right? So why on earth would I ask you personal questions? If you have no idea what you’re doing, then why would you consider doing something like this with me?”

I was furious, I had no idea how to describe our arrangement. We weren’t actually lovers, we weren’t in a relationship, but Eric was right I didn’t know anything about him, so we weren’t really friends either. What was that word Pam sometimes uses? Fuck buddies? I beginning to see what a mistake this really was, more so than before. I don’t have fuck buddies, I didn’t even have relationships anymore. I had absolutely nothing except for my job, apartment, Tina and my two friends, who I was beginning to resent more and more for bringing me to the club that night. I made the decision to go with Eric, so I could hardly blame them, but the state of mind I was in didn’t leave room for hindsight.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry, you’re right. I completely understand if you don’t want to come to the club anymore. Of course I’ll drive you home right now, but I hope you’ll agree to come with me tonight I really want to share this evening with you. Like I said, tonight isn’t about sex - just relaxing and having fun. Please?”

I felt deceived, but I could see the sincerity in his eyes and hear it in his voice. The logical part of myself, the dominant part, told me to go home, forget what had happened the last few weeks, and move on with my life in whatever direction that might be. Yet there was a little voice inside my head telling me that I’d grown further in these weeks, than I had for the last year since Bill and I broke up.

Maybe this is exactly what you need to happen for you to move on to the next stage in your life.

I remembered the words Eric had spoken my second time at the club, the night I saw the beautiful dancer perform for us in one of the closed rooms. I didn’t have time to go over every aspect of my life. Maybe I hadn’t changed much, but a little was better than nothing. There weren’t any expectations for tonight, not from Eric or from me. By now a little fun and relaxing sounded good, what harm could there be in it, except I didn’t expect the night to turn out the way it did.

“Okay.” I agreed and gave him a slight smile.

Eric smiled and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Thank you.”

We drove out of the city, even though I had said yes to coming with him there was still a palpable tension in the car. As always Eric sensed it and turned on the radio to lighten the mood. Blues on the radio and the soft, warm breeze coming through the open windows made me relax; Eric was humming along to the tune. If I was dreaming we would be in a 50’s movie set in some exotic place.

We must have been driving for about an hour, as far as I could tell we were somewhere south of the city. The car turned down some deserted gravel road; shimmering lights were visible through the tree line. Several cars were parked along the road – some new, some vintage like Eric’s.

“We’re here,” he said grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.

“And where exactly is here?”

“You’ll see.”

He got out of the car, walked to my side and opened the door extending his hand to me, yet again.

Hmm the eternal gentleman.

Walking on gravel wearing heels isn’t easy at all, I mentally cursed myself for wearing my beautiful new shoes, but Eric put his arm around my waist holding me securely to his side so I wouldn’t stumble. I could hear soft Latin tunes and laughter coming from just beyond the trees. There was a small path in the trees leading to what looked like an open space, since Eric hadn’t said anything about where we were going I had no idea what to expect. Breathtaking is the only word I could come up with to describe the sight before me.

We were in a large meadow, a little wooden bridge lead us across the creek. There were small bistro tables everywhere, covered with white table clothes, tiny bouquets of crimson roses and etched hurricane candle holders adorning each surface. A large wooden dance floor was placed in the middle of the meadow, and huge band, each band member dressed in white tuxedos, on a podium placed at the top of it. Couples all dressed to the nines dancing the night away. We crossed the bridge and immediately people started coming up to Eric, greeting him like a long lost friend. He introduced me as his date, which I guess I was, but it felt a little weird to tell you the truth. We were seated at a table a little away from the dance floor. A waiter came over promptly with red wine and platter of with different types of bread, meats, cheese, olives and grapes.

“Thank you for coming with me tonight, Sookie.” Eric said and raised his glass.

“You’re welcome. It’s really beautiful here, what is this place?”

So far I was enjoying myself, but I really wanted to know what all these people were doing here, dressed like something out of the 50’s.

Eric chuckled a little.

“Well honestly I don’t know. You see each year a select number of people get a written invitation with only a date, time and place on it and a ‘warning’ not to tell anybody about it and you’re allowed to bring a date. We meet at the appointed location, dance, drink, and eat until the early morning hours. We’ve…I’ve been coming here for the last 5 years.”

Eric might have been separated for a year, finally divorced, and over his ex-wife, but I could still see the hurt in his eyes. A feeling I knew all too well.

“Eric, I’m really sorry about the way I acted in the car. I was just surprised and with the way my the previous few days have been going, I just lost my temper. You were absolutely right I should have asked you about yourself, gotten to know you, and not just…I don’t know.”

Honestly, I felt embarrassed about the way I had acted since I met him. I know people come to swinger clubs to have sex, but I had just joined him no questions asked and then proceeded to verbally attack him the week after, only to engage in more sexual activities with him. I just assumed he was singled and use to this kind of thing, when in reality he had been hurt just as much as I had by a person he loved and trusted. Then it turned out he had never had an arrangement like ours before, it was a new experience to him as well. I just assumed he had done it before, you all know what they say about assuming things.

I must have been deep in thought when I felt Eric placing his hand on top of mine.

“Sookie, are you alright?” He asked tentatively.

“Oh yeah, I – I’m sorry Eric, I was just thinking. Don’t mind me. The food looks delicious, what is it?” I was babbling, hopefully Eric wouldn’t pay any attention to it.

“It’s Argentine picada, similar to tapas. Now what were you thinking about?”

Ah shoot he noticed

“It’s nothing,” I said and shrugged my shoulders.

“Sookie…” it sounded almost like a warning.

“Oh alright, I was just thinking we had a little bit in common. You know bad relationships, new experiences and all,”

“Funny,” he laughed. “I was thinking the same thing.” We both laughed.

The mood has definitely turned lighter since our little argument in the car. We ate the amazing food and had light conversation. After a while the waiter came back and removed the empty plate and replaced it with a plate filled with what looked like a type of small pastry covered with powdered sugar, chocolate powder and coffee to go with it. Eric took one of the chocolate covered cakes and broke it in half with his hands.

“Now these little treats are positively sinful and an absolute must,” he said and lifted one of the pieces to my mouth. From the soft light of the candles I could see his eyes turn dark as I took the cake in my mouth.

Sinful was definitely true. Some of the caramel filling stuck to my lips and I quickly licked it off with the tip of my tongue. Eric shift in his chair, looking a bit flushed. It could have just been the candle light, but it made me smile to think I might have had that influence on him.

“Wow these are amazing and really, really sweet,” I giggled.

“They’re called alfajor, another Argentine specialty. You should have some coffee with that, it will compliment the sweetness.” Eric suggested as he ate the other half of the cake.

He was right. The sweetness of the dessert and the slightly bitter coffee was a great combination.

“Eric, can I ask you something?”

I had been thinking about this particular question since our conversation in the car, and as Eric had said, I had never really asked him anything personal I might as well start now.

“Of course, ask away,” he said and relaxed back in his chair.

“I was just wondering, you said in the car that you never mix business with pleasure. Umm…how exactly do you categorize our…umm…arrangement?”

All of a sudden I felt very self-conscious and very nervous. I didn’t want to cross any lines or break some unwritten club rule by asking him this, but I really needed to know.

Eric leaned forward, rested his arms on the table and smiled seductively at me.

“Pleasure, without a doubt.” He whispered.

His voice did wonderful things to my libido, but I had to keep it together and not let the words get to me.

“But, as you said, the club is your livelihood. Wouldn’t that be breaking the rules or something?”

“The club is convenient. My office has the comfort of privacy, no one will interrupt us there. Somehow I don’t think you would be very comfortable being among the rest of the patrons during our lessons.”

Somebody yelled Eric’s name in the background, Eric scanned the place and spotted the person.

“Sookie, will you excuse me for a few minutes? There’s somebody I need to greet,” He asked politely.

“Of course, take your time.”

Eric rose from the table, but didn’t walk away until he had taken my hand and kissed it.

Dear Lord is it hot here?

I sat for a while, sipped my coffee and had a bit more of the delicious sweet cake. After a short time had passed I decided to get up and take a look at the surroundings. When I stood up and took a few steps I hear a familiar voice call out to me.

“Sookie? Is that you?”

Shit!

“Bill, I’d say it was nice to see you but I would be lying.” My voice was strained and I just wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

“Aaw don’t be like that. You look great. Who are you here with?” He said just as a beautiful woman walked up to him and put her arm through his. The woman he left me for I expect.

Before I even had a chance to respond I felt a pair of strong arms circle around my waist.

“She’s here with me, Compton” Eric replied from behind me.

“Northman,” Bill looked furious.

“Eric, I didn’t expect to see you here.” The woman said.

“Well it looks like we both got an invitation, Lorena.” Eric responded matter-of-factly.

Lorena?

It all made sense now; Bill was the friend Eric had found his wife in bed with. Bill had left me for Eric’s wife and Bill was going to marry her. For some reason I felt compelled to look at Lorena’s hands. My ring, she was wearing my ring. Bastard!

I tensed in Eric’s arms. Why was the universe so set on kicking my ass? It was too much of a coincidence. What are the odds that I would end up with Eric and his wife turned out to be the woman Bill left me for? I was furious to say the least. As always Eric sensed my mood.

“Come, Lover. We haven’t danced yet.” Eric said loud enough for Bill and Lorena to hear it.

He hadn’t called me ‘Lover’ since our first night at the Club. Was he trying to prove something? Reluctantly, I let him lead me to the dance floor.

Violins, guitar, piano joined together in slow tango rhythms. Eric guided us across the floor attempting to put as much distance between Lorena, and us. I kept my face down trying to hide my anger and the tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Sookie, look at me,” Eric requested.

I snapped my head up, not trying to stop the tears.

How did everything get so messed up?

“Don’t let them get to you, Sookie. He doesn’t deserve to see you upset. He doesn’t deserve your tears.”

“Did you know? Did you know Bill was my ex all this time? Did you start this just get back at them? Use me as prop in some sick game?” I did nothing to hide the venom in my voice.

At that moment the mood of the music changed from soft and sensual to hard and demanding. Eric held me tighter against his chest. I could feel his heart pounding. Eric pushed us across the floor. Everything about him mimicked the hard rough edge of the music.

“No! You think I did this on purpose?” He was practically growling at me. “Why would you think that?”

“Oh I don’t know, maybe because you wanted to get back at Bill. Using me in the hopes that he still felt something for me so he would get jealous!”

“What the fuck do you take me for? I’m a lot of things, but I’m not a sick twisted bastard! Bill obviously led a double life since he never told you he and I were friends…since childhood…and he never told me about you.”

The music stopped abruptly. Eric still held me in his arms and was staring intensely into my eyes like he could see everything that was going on inside of my head.

“You don’t trust me,” he sighed.

“I don’t know anymore,” was all I managed before I started crying again.

Eric lifted his hand to my head and carefully removed the flowers and the pins. My hair cascaded down my shoulders and back, he put his hand at the back of my neck and gently started to massage the tension away with tips of his fingers. I hated to admit it but it felt good, throw in a hot bubble bath and I would be out like a light.

He kept massaging my neck as he pulled a handkerchief out of his pant pocket with his free hand and dapped away the tears from my cheeks.

“Ssh it’s alright, Sookie. You had no reason to trust me in the beginning, no wonder you don’t trust me now. I told you this night was about confidence, right? Don’t you dare let him get to you; take a deep breath, straighten you back, let me see that beautiful smile of yours and have some fun. Forget Bill. Forget Lorena. The only person that matters right now is you. Just be here with me tonight and dance. Do you think that might be something you could do?”

His voice was steady and soothing; his eyes soft and pleading. I was beginning to see a pattern when it came to Eric’s body language, especially around me. Whenever I was nervous or upset he would place a calming hand somewhere on my body – the small of my back, my hand or, as now, rubbing small circles on the back of my neck. Maybe it was just me, but I couldn’t remember if I had ever been uncomfortable around him, nervous yes, but never uncomfortable. Even when I was angry he managed to calm me down.

I took a few deep breaths as he had suggested, maybe more than a few. Seeing Bill again after all this time had been nerve wrecking to say the least. I don’t know how Eric could stand seeing Lorena with another man. It didn’t seem to bother him too much, but I’m sure he still felt sad about it that was the vibe I got from him in the car.

After a minute or so I was calmer and even managed to smile a little, which caused Eric’s face to turn into a brilliant smile. Colgate watch out.

The band started playing again, another tango but this one sounded more modern. Eric asked me if I was ready to dance again, but I had to tell him I didn’t know how to Tango.

“Don’t know how to Tango? Sookie, what do you think we were dancing before? The Polka?” Eric was laughing so hard people were starting to stare.

“Well I just followed you. I didn’t think it was an actual Tango.” I blushed at my own ignorance

Eric briefly removed his hand from my neck, to place my hands and arms correctly, but quickly returned his hand back to its’ former position.

Eric started out slowly, moving across the floor with confident steps. I was trying to focus on his feet and anticipate his next step. I loved dancing; like so many other things involving Eric, this was very new to me. Glancing at the other dancers – their moves looked like a battle for dominance, for power – pushing and pulling each other. I glanced back down at our feet.

“Look at me Sookie,” Eric said softly but in a demanding tone. “Don’t look at your feet. Just feel the music and follow me.”

Eric definitely knew how to dance. Every move he made was fluent, gentle and demanding almost like the way he…I shook my head to get the thoughts to disappear. As the song ended he dipped me, only holding me with the hand he had at the back of my neck.

Eric held our pose until a new melody started, smoothly lifted me back up and pressed his forehead to mine. We were both breathing heavily; this evening might not be about sex, but it was probably the most sensual and intimate thing I had ever experienced.

“Un Tango Diferente.” He whispered.

Determinedly he moved us around, guiding me with the lightest moves with his feet. His forehead was still on mine and his hand still at the back of my neck. Out of the corner of my eye I saw we were the only couple dancing, everybody else was looking at us. The attention made me extremely nervous, my entire body tensed and Eric started massaging my neck again, like he did before.

“Trust me, Sookie.”

As the song was nearing its end, Eric trailed his other hand down my side and on the final note he lifted my leg to his hip.

“Thank you,” He murmured and placed a soft kiss on my temple.

We went back to our table and ordered some drinks. Since Eric was driving and I had to go to work we just had sweet tea.

It really turned out to be a wonderful evening. We talked all night and had some more of those scrumptious pastries, we even danced some more. I don’t know why I had considered not accompanying him earlier in the evening. I’m pretty sure tonight would make it to my top ten of best nights, even with the little Bill/Lorena incident.

By the time we left, the sun was already coming up.

*

Tuesday:

I must have nodded off on the way home.

“Sookie, wake up.” Eric was gently stroking my cheek, trying to get me to wake up. Thank God I don’t drool when I sleep.

“Wha…what time is it?” I asked groggily.

“6 am. What time do you have to be at work?”

“9-ish.”

“Why don’t you go upstairs, take a 20 minute power nap and I’ll run out and get us some breakfast? I’ll be back in 30, I’ll call before I get here so I’m sure you’re awake. How does that sound?”

“Hmm.”

“Is that a yes?” he chuckled.

“Mm huh.”

Eric got out of the car and opened the door for me. I have no recollection of how I actually managed to get into my apartment, but I woke up to my cell phone ringing.

“M’ello?”

“Sookie, come open the door for me.”

“M’kay.”

Apparently I had taken my shoes off before collapsing on the couch and succeeded in tripping over them on my way to the door.

“Motherfu…!”

“You alright?” Eric asked when I opened the door. He had his arms full of grocery bags.

“Yeah, just my damn shoes.”

My injured food seemed highly amusing to him, he was trying very hard to stifle the grin that was currently plastered all over his face.

“Um Sookie, you might want to go take a shower, brush your hair or something,”

I put a hand through my hair, which no doubt would put Marge Simpson to shame.

Guh!

“Go take a shower and I’ll make breakfast.”

I waddled upstairs and got into the shower. 20 minutes later I felt half human again. My hair was dried and put up in a pony tail. Even though Eric was downstairs I couldn’t be bothered putting on something remotely tantalizing and this was my home after all, so I just put on my bathrobe and fuzzy slippers. When I got out of the bathroom there was a cup of something hot and steamy on my bedside table, waiting for me.

Coffee!

Oh praise the Lord, the man is a saint.

I took a sip of the wonderful elixir.

Blech! Tea!

The man is the Devil incarnate.

That man real really needs to stay out of my bedroom.

I went to the kitchen to confront him. I suspected he was trying to poison me.

It was truly a sight to behold; Eric had taken off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves and stood at the stove making eggs. On the countertop there were plates with bacon, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, bowls with yogurt topped with fresh strawberries and green grapes, and some strange looking dark bread.

“Eric, what’s all this? And more important what’s this vile drink?”

“Breakfast and green tea. Sit. Eat.” He smiled and gestured for me to sit on more of the bar stools.

“Okay, but can I have some coffee please?”

“Nope, drink your tea it is good for you.” He replied and put a plate with eggs in front of me and dished some bacon, veggies and bread onto it.

Tina was rolling around on the floor doing all sorts of crazy flips and tricks.

“Eric, what the hell did you do to me cat?”

“I bought her some cat nip. Did you think we were the only ones who should get a treat in the morning?”

“Great now I’m going to have a stoner cat to deal with. Maybe you could have asked before you gave it to her?”

“Sookie, eat your food.” He said and pointed to my plate.

Sir, yes Sir.

The food was delicious. I wasn’t very hungry when we got home, but now I felt like I could eat a small horse.

“When you said breakfast I thought you were just going to get some coffee and bagels for us. Where did you get all of this?”

“Do you know the Scandinavian deli?”

“Oh my god I love that place! I went there on Friday. But they don’t open until 10, how did you manage all this when they’re closed?”

“Oh I’ve got connections” He said and took a sip of his tea.

“What kind of connections?”

“I own it.” Was all he said and started on his food.

“What?”

“I own it, but my cousin, Hadley, runs it for me.”

“So um if you don’t mind me asking, why Scandinavian?” I was intrigued.

“I’m Scandinavian, well ¾ Scandinavian, my father is Swedish-American and my mother is half Danish and half Icelandic. I love cooking. It only seemed fitting to open a shop with all the things I love.”

“Wow, ¾ Viking then?” I giggled.

“No Sookie, I’m all Viking.”

And there is that smirk again.

I finished my eggs and went on to the yogurt, which was smooth, creamy and slightly tangy tasting, but the fresh fruit made it sweet and yummy.

“This is really good, what kind of yogurt is it?” I asked and took another spoonful.

“It’s low fat Icelandic yogurt called Skyr.” The way the ‘r’ rolled off his tongue, made me feel tingly all over. I busied myself with eating so I wouldn’t think about it.

“Can I ask you a question?” He asked and sounded concerned.

“Sure.”

“Are you alright after seeing Bill last night? I mean do you want to talk about it?” Obviously Eric was uncomfortable asking these questions.

“Yeah I’m okay, I’m just angry mostly. No scratch that, I skipped angry and went straight to pissed off! Eric, he gave her my ring! My engagement ring!”

Eric chuckled at my outburst.

“It’s not funny!” I yelled.

Tina abandoned her cat nip and went to her basket under the stairs for refuge.

“It kind of is. I’ve seen the ring. It says more about Bill and Lorena than you. The ring is as fake as she is and trust me, nothing about her is real.”

Huh?

I dropped my spoon into the bowl, yogurt splattering in every direction.

“Shit!”

“What do you mean fake?”

“It’s not a real diamond, Sookie. The band is probably low carat silver, but the diamond is fake, glass most likely.

“As for Lorena, well she had her nose done. Her breasts are implants, so are her cheek bones. Liposuction here and there and she had the fat put into her ass. Did you see the shocked expression on her face?”

I just nodded. My mouth had probably hit the floor at some point. Who would have thought a beautiful woman like that had gone through a total renovation?

“Botox. I’m pretty sure she had that vaginal rejuvenation designer vagina thing done right after we separated.”

Total renovation indeed.

“Thank God I didn’t pay for any of it. That would have been a poor investment. She paid for every single snip, nip, tuck and cut herself” Eric said relieved.

“She’s not a natural beauty like you,” he smirked.

“Thanks”

Sookie, stop blushing around him!

Eric was unnaturally tuned to my reactions, like he could read my mind. My now flushed state only made him laugh loudly.

“Aren’t you tired, Eric? Because right now you’re like an overtired toddler hyped up on sugar.”

“Yes, and you’re very grumpy when you don’t get enough sleep. It’s endearing really.”

“Yo…you…you are infuriating, Northman!”

I picked up my plate and mug, went over to the sink to rinse them off, Eric was behind me in a flash. His hands resting on the countertop next time mine, trapping me, his weight of his body pressed against my back.

“You sure about that?”

“Uh huh,”

I really need to take some kind of communication course, since Eric yet again had rendered my almost speechless.

“Maybe you just have a bad temper, Sookie. I think we need to work on that and soon. We can’t have you going off on innocent people like that.” His voice was teasing and menacing all at the same time. His hot breath against my skin made me shiver.

“I think we should work on it during our next session.”

“I haven’t decided if I’m coming back yet,” So not convincing, Sookie!

“Oh you’ll be back. You couldn’t stay away even if you wanted to. You might not want to admit it, but our little arrangement turns you on, you crave it – just as much as I do.”

I quickly spun around, I was pretty sure he was just teasing me, but the look in his eyes said he was speaking the truth. Frankly, that just pissed me off even more, kind of.

“Get out Eric before I really lose my temper.” I said and pushed lightly on his shoulders so I could get passed him. Eric, as always, only laughed, picked up his jacket and went to the door.

“Thank you for a lovely evening…and morning. I’ll see you tomorrow and remember you have an appointment with Lafayette today.”

“Out!”

I could hear him chuckling all the way down to his car.

*

I do not function well without coffee first thing in the morning. I do not function well without coffee, period! Why on Earth Eric feels the need to drink that vile green tea is beyond me. I think my boss should hook up coffee IVs to each cubicle and with a press of a button you could have your coffee of choice pumped directly into your veins. Even better, boss man should hire an on-call massage therapist to take care of our aches and pines – sitting all day in front of a screen is not good for your posture – however, right now, after a night of dancing, my feet and calves could use a little TLC.

This had been the most ineffective day in the history of work days. I had avoided falling asleep after Eric left, arrived at work on time, and proceeded to stare pointlessly at my screen until my head involuntarily fell on my desk, where it remained until I was rudely disturbed by my traitorous, sex crazed, gossiping and too chipper friends.

“Sweetie, what’s the matter with you?” Amelia asked.

“Need. Coffee. Now. Need. Sleep. Now.”

Banging your head against the top of the desk is inadvisable; of course it serves its main purpose of keeping a person awake, but also causes headaches. Pam managed to bundle up my jacket and put it on the desk right before my head fell on it again.

“She’s lost it,” Pam commented. “The sex has finally gone straight to her head.”

Did I mention sex crazed friends?

“Pam I haven’t had sex since the middle of last week and kindly refrain from talking about my sex life while I’m at work.”

“Okay then what’s the matter with you?” She asked dryly.

“I didn’t go to sleep last night and then Eric insisted on drinking tea for breakfast. Really, tea! The man is obviously not right in his head…”

“Wait, back up for a second there darling,” Pam interrupted. “Why were you having breakfast with Eric?”

Ooops!

“Umm…Well...um ErictookmedancinglastnightandIdidn’tgethomeuntil6amsoinsteadofgoingtosleephecookedbreakfastforme…”

“Come again?” They said in unison.

“Eric. Took. Me. Dancing. Last. Night. And. I. Didn’t. Get. Home. Until. 6 am. So. Instead. Of. Going. To. Sleep. He. Cooked. Breakfast. For. Me. How was that?” They both looked absolutely dumbfounded when I told Eric and I had gone out the night before. Honestly, it was beyond me how they hadn’t grasped the severity of the lack of coffee in my system.

“Listen, I’ll tell you all about it if one of you gets your ass in gear and gets me some coffee.”

Amelia sprinted down the hall.

“So you and Eric…on a date, I’m intrigued.” Pam said with a smug expression on her face.

I told them all about the dance, the delicious food and of course running into Bill and Lorena. Pam was as shocked as I was, clearly she had no idea Lorena was Eric’s ex wife or that he and Bill had been friends. We talked more over lunch and I made sure to tell them it wasn’t a date, but merely part of our arrangement, whatever that might be.

The rest of the day passed slowly, I managed the get some of the paper work I had neglected the day before done since I had acted as Sophie-Anne’s assistant.

I decided to go to the Club after all. I was already in too deep so I figured I might as well go through with it though, I didn’t know what was in store for me tonight with Lafayette.

After a well deserved nap, dinner, and a shower I was ready to go to the Club. Obviously, Lafayette wasn’t batting for my team, so sexy lingerie wasn’t an issue. Instead I opted for a simple blush colored slip.

Felicia wasn’t working tonight, so another girl I didn’t know was there instead. Oddly enough, it almost felt like second nature coming to the Club now, although the sounds still embarrassed me a bit.

Lafayette was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for me when I arrived. Tonight he had discarded the gold and wore burgundy instead.

“Sookie, sweetness!” He greeted me and put an arm around my shoulder.

“How do you feel about blow jobs?”

***

A/N:

Hmmm?

If y’all leave me some love there’s going to be an outtake up soon.