Switched Ch 19: Bonded

Charlaine Harris owns almost everything. I own the rest.

You did it! You all reviewed SO much on FF.net that I made it PAST 1,000 reviews! Now, does anyone know how to contact the community to have them add my story? I sure as hell don’t! 🙂 Thank you so much for each and every review, I wouldn’t have gotten here without them!

I am so sorry it took me longer to post than I was anticipating! I got my first round of edits back from my editor, and spent a week working on getting my book a little more polished. It was a grueling, but a very educational, process.

SeriousCrush gave me the green light, which means so much to me. All remaining mistakes are my own.

This chapter is NOT work friendly, blah, blah, blah. You know the drill.

Now…on with the story

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Bonded

Sookie and Eric held each other for a long time, enjoying the night that surrounded them. Eventually Sookie began to feel the chill in the night air and after trying to wrap herself in the blanket, she realized something.

“Why can’t we go in my house?” She spoke into Eric’s naked chest, where she had been resting her head.

“Well…” Eric began, “because your house is under construction.”

Sookie jerked away from him, sitting upright. The blanket fell away from her and her skin was covered with goose bumps almost instantly. “What do you mean it’s under construction?”

Eric couldn’t pull his eyes away from her exposed body, a body he had become so familiar with.

Sookie reached over and cupped his chin until he was looking up into her face. She was smiling. “Well?”

Eric blinked. “I might as well show you. Would you like to get dressed? You look cold.” He reached out and brushed his fingers across her nipples, which had formed tiny pink peaks.

She batted his hand away playfully and pulled the cover-up over her head. “Are you going to get dressed?”

Eric shook his head. “I need to get reacquainted with my body.” He stood up and sauntered towards the house.

Sookie stared after him and laughed to herself. She was relieved that they were together, because otherwise, she would miss that magnificent ass.

Eric led her around the house to the front door. He pushed it open and tried to walk through, but couldn’t. “Why can’t I go in?” he grunted in frustration.

Sookie came up behind him and started laughing again. “Remember? You rescinded your invitation.” She looked inside the house and it was dark. The floor was shiny and the faint scent of lacquer filled her nose. “Why does it smell so bad? What did you do?” She turned to face him and put her hands on her hips.

“Invite me in, and I’ll show you.”

“Eric, won’t you please come in?” she said sweetly.

He gave her a nod and flipped the light on in the hallway. The floors gleamed in the bright light, making even the old paint on the walls look bright and new. “Terry and I refinished the floors, we should be able to move the furniture back in three days.”

They walked through the house, where he showed her one room after another, stopping to explain how he and Terry had done it, and where they had run into a problem with the sander. Eric was beaming with pride.

It was the best the floors had ever looked, and it was the most thoughtful gift Eric could have ever given her. She stopped when they reached her bedroom, and leaned against the doorframe, where she began to cry.

“Please don’t cry.” Eric was in front of her instantly, wiping her tears away and touching her face gently. “It was supposed to make you happy…”

“I am happy,” she said between sniffs. “I am so very happy!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Her lips were wet and warm and inviting. She pulled away from him and smiled. “You did so much for me…the floors, the flowers, the washer and dryer! Eric, why are you so good to me?” She still couldn’t understand.

“Because I love you, and I want to make you happy.” He kissed her again. “Can I make you happy again?”

She smiled at him and was about to explain that she really was happy when he dipped his fingers between her wet folds and rubbed her clit expertly. Her legs felt weak and she was gripping the doorframe. Sookie gasped and came within thirty seconds. She smiled at him. “You learned a lot, didn’t you?”

“Oh yes…”

She let go of the wall and pulled off the cover-up, letting it fall on the shiny empty floor. She reached out and grasped his cock. “So did I.” She manipulated him skillfully, collecting the precum and using it to make the head of his dick slippery. She worked him slowly, making his whole body twitch. “I liked this the best.” She twisted her hand around and around.

“Mm,” Eric managed to get out. He leaned heavily against the opposite side of the doorframe. He relented control, happy to follow her lead.

“But what I really longed for, was you.” Sookie closed the gap between them, crushing her body against his. “Your desire was so powerful. I couldn’t think straight. All I wanted was you.” She rubbed her breasts up and down his chest, still working his dick slowly so the head rubbed against her soft skin. “I wanted to bite you.” She nipped at his skin with her blunt teeth. “I wanted to fuck you.” Her voice was low and rough as she remembered his primal impulses.

Eric slid down the doorframe, until his foot hit the other side, his leg bridging the two. “Yes.”

“Is that how you always feel around me? That all-consuming desire?”

“Yes,” he breathed. “You are so beautiful and you smell so delicious. It is hard to think of anything else.” He gasped when her hot hand gripped his cock tighter.

She swung her leg over his outstretched one, straddling it and rubbing her moist heat all over his cool leg. She closed her eyes and moved up his leg until her body was against his again. She squeezed her thighs together at the same moment she squeezed his dick. “I longed for this heat, this soft, sweet-smelling skin, and this pulsing heart. Your body ached to be with my body. I fought it every moment I was awake. I don’t want you to fight it anymore,” she whispered into his mouth just before she kissed him again.

He opened his mouth to say something and she licked his fang. He growled and gripped her hips tightly, dragging her on top of his raging hard-on.

Sookie released her grip on his dick and put her arms around his neck, lifting herself up. She moaned when he spread her slick lips with the head of his cock, and then she sank down, taking him in all at once.

Their cries of pleasure filled the room, echoing off every surface and spilling out into the hall.

Eric leaned his shoulders and feet against the doorframes and thrust into her wildly, holding onto her hips the whole time. He never wanted to let her go.

She kissed him again, this time, biting his tongue, making him moan and thrust erratically. “I want more…” she begged.

He did not hesitate to give her what she wanted. He pierced the tip of his tongue and pushed it inside her mouth.

Sookie sucked on the tiny wound and moaned as she came. She could feel his blood coursing through her, infusing her body with his power once again.

The growl coming from Eric intensified, and he fought the urge to cum with her as she milked his tongue and cock at the same time. He was waiting…waiting to taste her again.

As if she could read his mind, she pulled away from him, licking his fang as she did. She smiled at him, showing him the smudge of blood across her front teeth. She caressed his face and shifted her body so that her breasts were thrust towards his open mouth. She continued to ride him as he completed the bite. Her skin muffled his moan of pleasure as he thrust into her over and over again as he came. She held onto him and felt a heightened sense of happiness, desire, and oddly, hunger.

“Is that you?” Eric asked as he licked his lips.

“Is what me?”

“That hunger…” He narrowed his eyes as he searched her face.

“Yes.” Her stomach growled as if on cue. “Wait…how can you feel my hunger?”

“It’s been hours since you’ve eaten.” Eric smiled and kissed her. “That was the third time we have exchanged blood. Can you feel me too?”

Sookie nodded. “I can feel your happiness and desire…or is that me?”

Eric chuckled. “Perhaps it’s both.” He hugged her tightly against his chest. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Sookie felt like crying and couldn’t tell if it was his emotion or hers…not that it mattered since they felt the same. “Thank you.”

“Let’s get you something to eat.” Eric lifted her off of his legs and put her on the ground. They both shuddered at the loss of contact. “There’s a little food in the fridge.” He steadied her as she walked towards the kitchen.

“Pizza?” Sookie asked in shock as she held the fridge open and gazed inside. “You’ve been eating pizza? Don’t you know what that will do to my ass?”

“Make it more delicious?” Eric guessed. “I’ll have to bite it later to see.”

“Funny.” She stared at him. She ran her hands over the curves in her hips and ass, not noticing any extra bulges from eating out for a week.

“I’ll have you know that I was very active in your body. I reached my limit of eggs and toast.”

“I meant to show you how to cook other things…I just couldn’t trust your urges.” Sookie shrugged. She pulled a piece of pizza out of the box and ate it cold. “Mm, this is SO good!”

Eric smiled at her. “Terry recommended the place. Said it was the best pizza in a hundred miles.” His face darkened. “What is it that haunts him?”

“The war. He doesn’t talk about it, but I’ve picked up bits and pieces. He doesn’t sleep well.”

“I could tell.” A plan began to form in his head. “I want to help him. Will you help me help him? I don’t think he’ll trust me without you.”

Sookie stared at him again. She stopped eating and narrowed her eyes at him. “You want to help him do what?”

“Forget.” Eric knew that he could glamour Terry, and perhaps with Sookie’s help, he would trust him enough to let him do it without adding to his anxiety.

She hugged him and fought back the tears that threatened to fall. She nodded, but was so overcome with emotion that she couldn’t speak.

“Why don’t we shower first, and then we can call him,” Eric suggested.

Sookie nodded again and finished eating before they showered. She laughed as she watched Eric walk outside to retrieve his clothes and then begrudgingly put them back on. When she opened her closet, she found it empty. “Eric, where are my clothes?”

“I moved some of them, with everything else, onto the porch. I packed the rest away, and put them upstairs.” He led her to the pile of clothes he had left out. “You should wear this.” He handed her a beautiful silk dress.

“Where did this come from?” Sookie scolded.

“Me. Now put it on!” Eric held it over her head and urged her arms into position until it was over her head.

“Eric! It’s too much.” She was looking at the rest of her new wardrobe. She felt like crying again. “Why am I so weepy?”

“You always feel like that!” Eric was smiling. “It’s not too much. You deserve it, and so much more.”

Sookie was on the brink of arguing with him, but then remembered that she had done things for him too…things that would tip the scales, at least a little. “After we see Terry, we need to go to Fangtasia.”

Eric’s eyes twinkled. He could tell she had a surprise of some sort because he could feel her excitement.

“Thank you, for everything,” Sookie said as they walked away from her house. “It is such a wonderful gift.”

“You’re welcome.” Eric squeezed her body against his. He opened her door and helped her in, admiring the way the fine material clung to her body as she settled into the deep seat. He struggled to fit behind the steering wheel, and then laughed as he realized that he had moved the seat all the way forward. “You have the shortest legs!” He slid the seat back all the way and sighed.

“My legs are not short! Yours are gangly!”

Eric lifted an eyebrow. “I was stating a fact, there’s no need for name calling.”

“Whatever lurpy.” Sookie giggled.

She gave him directions to Terry’s. Light was flickering from one of the windows. They got out of the car, and Terry’s dog bayed to announce the presence of visitors.

“Annie! Quiet!” Terry’s gruff voice called out. He moved towards the door after he told her to lay down several times. “Sookie! What are you doing here so late?” Terry gasped when Eric stepped forward.

“Terry, it’s okay. Will you invite us in?” Sookie asked.

Terry nodded numbly, backing up. “Please come in.”

Annie trotted out to sniff the company, and although she was leery of Eric at first, she took a seat on the floor right next to his leg when they all sat down inside.

Eric rested his hand on her head and stroked her. “I can see why you love her.” He smiled at Terry.

Terry shifted uncomfortably and spoke to Sookie. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think we’ve met. I think I woulda remembered a tall blond fella like him.”

Sookie laughed. “This is my…Eric.” She was at a loss for what to call him. Boyfriend? Lover? Bonded vampire? She shrugged. “Eric, this is Terry.” She introduced them to put Terry at ease.

Terry made eye contact with Eric, and his face went slack.

Sookie leaned back and watched the whole process.

Eric’s face was focused on Terry and he spoke in a low voice. “You will forget the pain, killing, and torture. You will live your life with the knowledge that you went to war, but you won’t remember what happened while you were there. You don’t want to remember.”

“I don’t want to remember,” Terry repeated. Tears spilled down his cheeks.

Eric maintained eye contact for a few more seconds and then blinked and smiled. “Thank you, Terry, for introducing me to Annie. Sookie, we should be going.”

Terry blinked and shook his head. His face was peaceful, but confused. “I’m so sorry, I must’ve zoned out for a minute! It was so great to see you again, Sookie and…”

“Eric,” Sookie offered.

“Nice to meet you Eric.” Terry smiled and stood aside while they walked out the door.

Eric patted Annie’s head one more time and then took Sookie’s arm and led her to the car.

“He looked so content,” Sookie commented as they drove away. “Thank you for helping him.”

“I’m just returning the favor.” Eric said, humbly. “Now, what is it that you wanted to show me at Fangtasia?”

Sookie smiled. “You’ll see.”

*******

Fangtasia was bustling with humans and vampires, and as they made their way to Eric’s office, Sookie bumped into a vamp that suddenly stood up from a table. She rolled her eyes when she realized it was Vinnie, who looked as sour-faced as the first time she met him. “What are you going to complain about this time, Vinnie?”

Vinnie pulled his lip back in a sneer and let his mouth hang open in shock.

“I took care of the problem, just like I said I would, so unless you have something nice to say, I suggest you sit back down and shut up,” Sookie added. She pushed past him, bumping him with her shoulder.

He obediently moved out of her way and sat down, looking stunned.

When they were half way down the hall, Eric stopped her. “What was that all about?” His eyes were dancing.

“Oh shit!” Sookie gasped and covered her mouth. “I forgot!” Her pulse quickened as she realized that she just insulted a vampire that could kill her in the blink of an eye.

Eric let out a burst of laughter. “I’ve never seen anyone talk to Vinnie like that before!” He was impressed by her moxie, whether it was intentional or not.

Sookie relaxed and laughed too. “Pam called it ‘getting all southern-lady’ on him. He’s such a jerk!”

“Anyone else I should know about?” Eric crossed his arms over his chest.

“Well, you already met Dan.” She pursed her lips together. “And then there’s Charlotte. She just moved to Bon Temps. She’s very nice. I think we should pay her a visit and introduce her to a few of the locals.”

Eric smiled and opened the door to his office, only to find Pam hovering over Mel, who was sprawled on top of his desk.

Mel’s hands immediately flew to the hem of her disheveled shirt and button of her jeans, which was open. She turned ten shades of pink as she tried to cover her exposed body.

Pam gave them a fangy smile. “Sorry. I didn’t know you were coming in tonight.”

Sookie smiled and turned away so Mel could cover up, “I just wanted to show Eric the paperwork.”

“You mean…” Pam trailed off and ran over to where they were standing, leaving Mel to finish covering herself. “You’re back?” she added in a whisper looking into Eric’s eyes. “If you are, then you won’t mind this.” She cupped Eric’s dick through his pants.

“No, but she might.” Eric nodded his head to me and laughed.

“Hey!” Sookie and Mel shouted in unison.

“Get your hands off, he’s mine.” Sookie pouted.

Pam raised her eyebrow. “Yours?”

Eric nodded.

“My, my, my, you have had a busy night.” She looked at Eric and Sookie, and then at Mel who was staring at her hand, which was still firmly attached to Eric’s crotch. “Sorry, darling, I didn’t mean any harm.” She was back by Mel’s side in a flash.

“Is this what you do when I’m not here? Defile your girlfriend on my desk?” Eric thought he sounded a little like Sookie as he said it.

“Maybe,” Pam sassed.

“We need to get you your own office. I think I’m going to need my desk.” Eric groped Sookie’s ass, making her squeal.

Pam clapped her hands together with delight. “I would love my own office!” She wrapped her arm around Mel’s waist. “Glad to see that things are so…good between you.” She winked at Sookie.

“Thanks for everything Pam.” Sookie gave her a knowing smile.

“Any time. Think about what we talked about. You can do both…and I’ll hire you first!” Pam stopped on their way out of the room and looked at Eric. “Good to have you back, although I have to say that Sookie handled things remarkably well.”

“I saw!” Eric smiled.

Once they were alone, Eric turned to face her. “What is Pam talking about? Why is she going to hire you?”

Sookie opened a drawer full of files and pulled a folder out, handing it to him with a flourish. “To organize her life.”

Eric held the folder in his large hands and thumbed through it quickly. “You?”

“I had to do something to keep my mind off of you! So Pam gave me paperwork to sort and file and label. It took me a while to figure out where everything went, but I looked at the old files in the drawer to get an idea.”

“Thank you. It is so thoughtful and helpful!”

Sookie beamed at him. “Good, now I feel like we’re a little more even… although this is nothing compared to refinishing my floors!”

“Yes it is. You don’t know how much I dread paperwork. Thank you!” He cupped her chin and kissed her face.

“That reminds me…”

“What?” Eric asked, urging her to go on.

“My house is kind of under construction right now…”

“Yes.” He smiled.

“Well, I don’t really feel like sleeping in the kitchen. How many days…”

“Stay at my house. Stay with me.” He punctuated each statement with a kiss.

“Really?” She asked. Sookie had no intention of forcing herself on him, but the idea of being with him day and night made her immeasurably happy. “Are you sure?”

He nodded, rubbing his forehead against hers. “Nothing would make me happier.”

It turns out they both found plenty to make them happy in his office, and then over and over again wherever they went, as long as they were together.

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Please comment… On to Switched Ch 20: Meeting the Queen