It Happened In Rhodes: Chapter 7

Charlaine Harris owns almost everything. I own the rest.

Just in case you don’t follow my September Roberts blog or my facebook page, I’ve got amazing news! I just signed a contract for my third book!!! I’ll post more info when I know more about the release date and all that. 🙂

What does that mean for you? That I’ll be spending my writing time working on edits with my publisher instead of writing FF stories. But don’t worry! This story is already completed, so I’ll stay on top of posting every Friday until it’s done. I’ve already started the sequel for Detox, but it will take a back burner while I work on my book. I hope you all know how much I love writing for you and receiving reviews! Writing original fiction is stressful and not terribly rewarding most of the time. I’m SO happy to have your support here! Not only do you inspire new stories, you motivate me to keep writing even when I think I suck. So thank you. ❤

Thank you, Meridian, for editing and reassuring me. For those of you who asked why Sookie and Eric hadn’t met before, I hope this chapter answers your questions. Short and NSFW!

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Chapter 7

Sookie’s POV

The room buzzed with energy as the Ancient Pythoness stood to announce her verdict.

“I find Jennifer Carter guilty of attempted murder.”

Murmurs of agreement rang out around Sookie.

The old vampire turned her milky eyes toward the noisy crowd, compelling them into silence.

The Ancient Pythoness continued, outlining the terms of her sentence. She saddled Jennifer with a hefty fine, and based on Sookie and Barry’s testimonies, stated Peter Threadgill was just as guilty as Jennifer. With all her wisdom and power, she stripped Peter’s title from him on the spot, and promised to make arrangements for his replacement.

No one had expected that.

Hotel security escorted the entire Arkansas entourage out of the room. They didn’t struggle, but just before they left, Peter looked right at Sookie and bared his teeth. No one else seemed to notice, already too wrapped up in the celebration of victory.

The Royal Room emptied slowly, only a handful of vampires lingering for the trial for the King of Illinois, which had been moved to accommodate the more important trial between Arkansas and Louisiana.

Sookie couldn’t quiet the alarm going off in her brain, and when she asked to leave for the rest of the night, Rasul followed her.

“Did you see him?” she asked when they walked out together.

“Who?” Rasul’s dark eyebrows drew together.

“Peter. He snarled at me before they took him away. He’s not done.”

“Of course he’s not,” he said, summoning the elevator. “Why do you think I’m here?”

She sighed as the doors slid shut behind them and then pushed the button for the seventh floor.

Rasul frowned. “Where are we going?”

“I’m going to the seventh floor.” She touched his arm lightly. “Listen, I appreciate you keeping me safe, but I have plans tonight.”

“With Northman?” He spat the name out and sneered.

“Yes.” She straightened her shoulders. “What have you got against him?”

“Why did you choose him?” he asked, not answering her question.

“What have you got against him?” she repeated.

“He’s using you,” he murmured.

“Or maybe I’m using him,” she said. The elevator came to a stop and she stepped out into the hallway. She held her hand up, keeping Rasul at bay. “He’ll watch over me for the rest of the night.” She turned away from him and walked down to room 707. The thought of spending the rest of the night with Eric put a big ol’ smile on her face. With her hand poised, ready to knock, Eric opened the door.

“How was the trial?” he asked before she could speak.

Her smile fell. “Long.”

Eric poked his head out and scanned down the hall. “He’s not staying, is he?”

Sookie’s mouth turned down when she saw Rasul leaning against the wall across from the elevator. “Goodnight,” she said firmly.

He scowled at Eric and then disappeared down another hall.

“Please, come in,” Eric said, adding, “before he comes back.”

She chuckled and stepped inside his room.

“Pam won’t be back until sunrise,” he stated, grinning.

“Pam from the booth downstairs? I thought she was with what’s-his-name, creepy dude with the sideburns.”

Eric’s smile spread to the corners of his eyes. “Pam is helping Bill during the convention, but she and I run a bar together in Shreveport.”

“Huh.”

He cleared his throat. “The trial was long?”

Sookie kicked off her shoes and strolled around his room, squinting at the impossibly dark glass. “Peter isn’t King of Arkansas anymore,” she blurted out.

“What?” He shouted.

She jumped slightly and spoke to his reflection in the inky glass. “Yep. The Ancient Pythoness stripped him of his title and fined him and Jennifer for attempted murder. It’s a mess. The most compelling evidence was what Barry and I saw and heard.” She tapped the side of her head.

“I’m sure the queen is grateful for your service,” he said, rubbing her shoulders slightly.

Her eyes drooped and her arms relaxed for the first time that night. “I promise I didn’t come here to use you for your magic fingers again,” she mumbled.

“I don’t mind.”

“That feels so good.” She sighed. “Do you have a jetted tub?”

“Yes. A very large one.”

“I think we should take a bath.”

The moment her words left her mouth, Eric sped to the bathroom and started filling the tub with water. He returned in a flash and resumed massaging her shoulders and arms.

“You look beautiful in blue,” he said, fingering the silky material.

“Thank you,” she said, blushing at his compliment. Remembering his request that morning to rub her bare skin, she unbuttoned her blouse and let it fall to the floor. “Is that better?”

Eric groaned. “You’re so warm and soft,” he whispered.

“And tense,” she added.

He pushed her bra straps out of the way and planted kisses across her shoulders, inhaling deeply. “And delectable.” His fangs scraped her skin, sending a shimmer of pleasure down her spine.

“How would you know?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady, lingering somewhere between exhaustion and lust.

“I can imagine.”

“I’m part fairy,” she said. “I’ve been told my blood is delicious.”

He groaned again. “You’ve been bitten?”

She scoffed. “I work for vampires.” And then, there are the others…

“Fair point,” he said, moving his fingers to the back of her bra and unclasping it. “If I got a taste of you, I might not be able to let you go.”

Another ripple of desire moved through her. “Is the water ready?”

“Probably,” he murmured, running his hands over her ribs.

“We should get in.”

“We should.” He cupped her breasts and rolled her nipples between his fingers and thumbs.

Someone knocked on the door, forcing Sookie’s eyes open and stilling Eric’s hands. “What?” he shouted.

Incoherent words came through the door. Eric shook his head. “Fucking Bobby.”

Sookie smothered a smile. “I’ll be in the tub.”

He growled and stormed toward the door, practically ripping it off the hinges.

Sookie ducked out of sight and hoped Eric wouldn’t bring attention to her presence. She listened to their conversation and slipped into the water just as Eric closed the door. “Everything okay, master?” she teased once he came into the bathroom with her.

“I like the sound of that,” he said, smiling.

“Don’t get use to it, buddy.”

He frowned. “I like that less.”

“Are you going to join me?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” He dropped his pants to the floor.

She hadn’t tired of looking at him naked. Maybe she never would. Perfect muscles, lean legs, and strong hands. Every time they were together, he excited her. But it was more than that. He put her at ease – a rare quality for a vampire. She scooted forward, clutching her knees to her chest to make room for his very long legs. He stepped into the tub carefully and sighed. “What did he want?” she asked.

“Bobby is taking care of the arrangements for the queen’s ceremony tonight,” he said as he got back to massaging her shoulders. “He’s very dedicated.”

Sookie scoffed.

“I know he didn’t make a great first impression,” he said, his mouth very close to her ear, “but he’s the best day man I’ve ever had.”

“I have a feeling he’s the reason we all flew to the Summit together,” she said, struggling to keep her eyes open.

“Why?” he asked, his hands hovering above her shoulders.

“The queen usually sets up meetings with humans who have dealings with vampires in her circle. Bobby said he hadn’t been with you long, which explains why I haven’t met you before. Same with Gervaise. Until he hooked up with Carla, there wasn’t anyone to investigate.” She revolved to face him, keeping her knees between them. “Since I can’t read vamps, I’m only valuable when humans are involved. I guess you don’t usually keep human company.”

“No. They’re too … easy,” he finally said.

She smiled. “Easy? Like me?” We had sex the night we met. Doesn’t get any easier than that.

He let out a short laugh, like a burst of air startled out of his lungs by her words. “No. You’re not easy. You’re…” he trailed off and swept the hair out of her face. He ran his thumb down her cheek and across her jaw, finally ending up on her lips.

She opened her mouth and sucked his thumb inside. He blinked in slow motion. She let her legs fall open and then pushed closer to him. His cock bumped against her sex, sending a thrill through her like nothing ever had. She scraped his thumb with her teeth and said, “What am I?”

“Spectacular,” he replied. His heavy eyes wandered over her exposed body, starting at her neck and lingering on her breasts. He tucked his fingers under her ass and lifted her up and onto his lap, sucking one nipple into his mouth.

Her mouth fell open and a moan spilled out. Supported by the water and his very large hands, she wiggled on top of him and wedged her feet around his body until they were intertwined. He slid down in the tub until his shoulders were submerged. She sighed when she aligned their bodies, his dick pressing against her opening. He kneaded the globes of her ass and moved his mouth to the other breast, sucking and licking her nipple. She tilted her hips and lowered her body, taking him in slowly, replacing the clingy droplets of water coating his length with her slipperiness.

Once he stretched her all the way, she sighed and opened her eyes. He had been watching her. He looked hungry. She couldn’t turn away, his intense gaze holding hers as they started moving. Her first orgasm built quickly, spilling out of her without much warning. She held onto his shoulders, digging her fingernails into his flesh as she rode the waves of pleasure.

She gasped and pulled her hands away, looking at her fingers in horror. Bright red blood tinged the water, diffusing quickly. “I’m so sorry,” she said.

“Don’t be.” Eric grabbed her wrists and quickly cleaned the trace of blood under her fingernails. He groaned and sat upright, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. He held her steady and fucked her hard and fast, splashing water up and over the lip of the tub. Another orgasm erupted through her, dragging a scream out of her throat. He cradled her quaking body for a long minute, nuzzling the crook of her neck while she caught her breath.

Whether it was from the euphoria or the selfish desire to make him want her more, she whispered, “Bite me.”

Eric pulled away, his fangs glinting in the soft overhead light. “What?”

“You heard me,” she said. “Bite me.”

He leaned in toward her neck but she held up her hand to stop him.

“Make me come again first.” She wiggled on top of him, needing more.

“Gladly.” He kissed the side of her neck and pulled out of her almost all the way. When he slammed back into her, she moaned. Another kiss was followed by another thrust. He crashed into her over and over again, until her moans melted together, forming an incessant din of pleasure.

“Yes! Don’t stop,” she shouted as she teetered on the edge of release. Every muscle in her body tightened, and just as pure bliss washed over her, Eric sank his fangs into her taut neck.

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Seems like Sookie is getting comfortable with the idea of Eric not letting her go. Find out now! It Happened In Rhodes: Chapter 8