Glamoured: Chapter 10

Charlaine Harris owns almost everything. I own the rest.

Thanks to all my readers who leave me such wonderful reviews. I love you all. This chapter is slightly NSFW. You’ve been warned.

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Chapter 10

What had just happened? One moment Eric was sure she was going to yield to him, and the next she was talking about practicing. Her whole body was stiff, and when he tried to take her hand again, she moved out of his way. “Our next show starts soon. You should stay.”

She shook her head and looked at the ground. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.” She walked to her car without a backward glance and then she was gone. Again. Why did she always leave?

* * * *

She was there the next night, just like she promised, and in the same place she’d been the night before. She was tense, he could tell from the gap in the curtain he was using to watch her.

When he walked out on the stage, they made eye contact. Sookie’s face was anxious. She glanced around the room until she found Chow and only then did she relax. She was looking at him instead of Eric, just like last night. His jaw set in a firm line. He was done testing her. He didn’t want to be her distraction. He wanted to be her focus.

The show began, but instead of sending messages to her through the crowd, he followed protocol and told the customers to come back again. Eventually, Sookie looked at him and smiled. This time, when the show ended, she didn’t rush outside. She lingered by the stage.

Eric waited until the last customer was outside before he jumped off the stage, landing quietly next to her. “Thank you for staying.”

“Thank you for making it so easy. You were downright boring tonight.” She cracked a smile. “I appreciate it.”

He returned the smile. He had finally given her what she needed. Silence. He needed to apologize to her.

“Will you stay for the second show?”

Sookie glanced at her watch, and then her eyes shifted back and forth between him and the door.

The next show wouldn’t start for forty-five minutes. “We could go for a walk, if you like.”

“At night?” She frowned.

“I’ll protect you.” He held his arm out to her and waited.

Eventually, she put her arm through his and followed him out the back door, where they would avoid the crowd.

Glamoured sat on the edge of an abandoned cemetery. The headstones were shrouded with lichens and the trees were gnarled, twisting as they tried to touch the sky. It was always quiet, which is why Eric enjoyed it so much. Sookie’s grip tightened as they stepped inside the short stone wall that surrounded the grounds.

The farther they walked, the quieter it became. The only noise disturbing the still night air was their footsteps against the decaying leaves.

When Eric stopped, Sookie looked up at him. “I need to apologize.”

Sookie opened her mouth to respond, but he put a finger to her lips.

“I’m sorry I made you so uncomfortable last night. That was not my intention.”

Her gaze dropped away from his. “I panicked.” She swallowed hard and turned to face him, pulling out of his grasp. “You were right. I do want you.”

“That shouldn’t be cause for panic.” He tilted his head, waiting for her to go on.

“But it is because I…because…I’ve never been with a vampire. Or anyone, for that matter.”

He cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “That is not cause to panic.”

She frowned and then sighed. “I’m afraid. Not because you’re frightening, but because you want to be intimate with me. I’m not good at intimacy.”

Eric smiled. “Practice makes perfect. Isn’t that what you’re always saying?”

A dry laugh escaped her throat. “Yeah, I guess. I’m sure you have lots of practice.” Her cheeks flushed.

“Not with you.”

Her eyes softened and she smiled. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”

He shook his head. “There isn’t anyone else.” Word by word, her body relaxed, and when he bent his head to kiss her, she closed her eyes and moved toward him. Her soft, warm lips opened to him, letting him explore her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tight as they kissed.

His fingers cupped her ass, and lifted her gently off the ground until her face was level with his. She wrapped her legs around his waist and squeezed his body with her thighs. He moaned and caressed her through her clothes.

She pulled away to breathe. “If kissing feels this good, I can’t imagine how…”

Eric grinned, revealing his fangs. “I can. I would start by undressing you. Next, I would kiss your whole body.” He kissed the side of her neck, resisting the temptation to bury his fangs in her flesh. Her head lolled back and a delicious noise came out of her mouth. “And then, I would lick you until you begged for more.” His fingers wound around her thighs, moving slowly to the center of her heat. “Right when you think you can’t endure any more pleasure, I’ll show you that you can…that we will. Together.” He contorted his wrist and rubbed her clit through her skin-tight pants.

The scent of her arousal filled the air as she came, her whole body jerking against his. Her thighs squeezed him over and over again. The vein in her neck throbbed against his lips. Slowly, she came down, her heart and breathing evening out. She was smiling.

“That was amazing.” Her eyes closed and she rested her forehead against his.

As much as he would’ve liked his own release, this moment was about giving her what she wanted. He would have a turn, eventually.

“We should start back. The second show starts soon.” Speaking those words had never pained him so much before.

Sookie cleared her throat and nodded. She released her grip with her legs and slid against his straining erection as she made her descent. His body jerked and a growl rumbled through his chest. Had she done it on purpose?

Their eyes met, and then she was looking at the bulge in his jeans. “I’m sorry you didn’t get to, um, you know…”

“Don’t apologize.” The words were forced through his clenched teeth. “Perhaps next time.” The corners of his mouth lifted into a satisfied smile.

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Oh…next time…

On to Glamoured: Chapter 11