The morning left me without remembering any more dreams. I was thankful after the state that I had found myself in only hours before. It was certainly alarming, the effect that I had experienced the pull of death so strongly. I felt a shiver run down my spine in queasy remembrance.

I got ready for work in a sluggish manner but made it out the door nonetheless. The day itself went by fast enough with lots of projects to keep my mind occupied and before I knew it, it was half past five.

My hand hovered over the shut down option on my computer. There was a hesitance to call it a day and I snatched that thought before it could skirt away.

Being a mild workaholic meant that I actually cared about my job. I had a passion for my work and a sense of pride. This being said, I like to book it when that whistle blows. I work hard and then I enjoy the time that is mine.

So why didn't I want to get my butt out the door?

My plans for the evening flowed into the forefront of my mind as the obvious answer. Evidently, last night's scare still had me on edge. Yet Eric's pull appeared to be everlasting.

I stopped off at my house since I had more than enough time to change before heading to the shop. My closet had me feeling dismal as I found myself caring about my appearance again. Ethereal beings had a way of doing that to a girl.

Settling occurred, which had me placing aside an olive cargo dress and black knee high combat boots. The after hours look was decidedly fun considering I didn't tend to go out. Out to a clothing boutique after hours? This would be the first.

A shower and dinner helped to clear my head. I wanted to be on my game tonight despite what Eric had in store. He had caught me off guard last time, which had led to very pleasant escapades.

My breath hitched as I reminisced on how he had handled my body. His expert touch was all too thrilling. I was consumed with both anticipation and terror in anticipation of what was to come.

Unfortunately, as intoxicating as he was, I knew that if I allowed him to keep the reins that I would indeed die by his will.

Trying to get back on task, I added some light eye make-up and a dusting of powder before collecting my bag and heading out. The drive was short and I spotted some flashy speed demon of a vehicle in the parking lot. This one was yellow.

I parked a solid three spaces away and still had images floating around my mind of somehow denting or scratching it. Stepping out of my Saab, I noted that there were a few lights still on in Athena's Wardrobe. I made my way to the front, and only, street entrance. I figured there must be some sort of backdoor to check if Eric hadn't made the front accessible.

A swift pull on the door revealed that it was indeed locked. I checked my cell just to make sure Eric hadn't sent further direction. As I was glancing back up, my sight filled with that of the blond vampire.

Eric Northman was dashing, per usual, but the suit he donned this evening really amped up his handsomeness. His bright blue eyes were glowing in contrast to the deep navy of his jacket and pants. The pinstripes were ever so close to his eyes, if only a shade darker, while his shirt was a pale gray.

When my gaze made it back to his face, he was wearing a smile as wide as possible. "You approve?" He teased while he held the door open for me.

"You clean up well." I quipped walking passed him.

Eric was suddenly in front of me. I stopped short but still found myself bracing against his arms to keep from falling into his chest. "Tisk tisk Jo. You forget, I can read you." His words were still playful though his stature had begun to morph into something more predatorial.

Something deep in my stomach flipped. There was an erotic danger to Eric that I was enjoying far too much for my fragile human state. I felt my body lean into the vampire before me and he seemed to purr. There was a deep and low sound that emitted as Eric threaded his right hand into my hair to pull my mouth closer. He met me halfway with a passionate but languid kiss.

I hummed as our sensual connection flared inside my veins. The heat I felt from a dead man was astounding. There was a piece of my consciousness, in the way back, that was struggling to remind me where I was.

A tremble shook through me as I took a step back into the open air of the room. I took a shaky breath before looking around the dim shop to distract myself from the pull of Eric's talented mouth. "What are we doing here?" I asked. A hand came up to smooth my vampire companion's lapel. The movement was so automatic that I became distracted by it, letting my digits linger on the expensive material. "And what are you dressed for?" My continuation was more of a thought, spoken softly and absentmindedly.

"This is my way of inviting you to a charity event this weekend." I felt a smile tug at my lips. The idea of being seen on Eric's arm was intimidating, but I was thrilled to get to see a new side of him. I knew I shouldn't let myself become enthralled with him, but it was far too easy. The chemistry was captivating and he was proving to be someone I was beginning to care for.

I wanted to get to know him. I had from the beginning. That was my downfall. I should have known better than to get attached to a vampire. No matter what kind of man he turned out to be, there would be trouble.

Eric's fingertips grazed my forehead then traced over my temple and into my hairline before dissipating. "What are you thinking?" He asked in a gentle voice.

"I thought you could read me." There was a small smile to match my message, but I knew he was waiting and I really didn't feel like jumping onto the 'where is this going?' path.

"I'd be glad to accompany you. I take it that I am to find a dress?" I spoke with question in my voice. I moved towards the racks trying to gain some distance and a new distraction. Eric's mood reading was becoming inconvenient to my honest nature. I didn't want to have to lie or to walk on eggshells, but there was a newness to the lack of privacy that I wasn't accustomed to.

A shadow followed me into the masses of silk and tulle. "You are distancing yourself from me." The shadow stated.

I pulled a navy blue dress off the rack to inspect, but my frown was directed at Eric's prying. "For someone who has eternity, you like to move awful fast." I deposited the dress back where it came from before turning to gage his reaction.

Eric's face was stonewalled, leaving me clueless to his thoughts.

"What's the rush?" I challenged.

"Life." He said automatically. "You could die tomorrow. And if you don't, if I'm patient, your life will pass in no time to me."

I stood staring at Eric. The way he spoke to me, about me, had me scared. He was right about my fragility and my impending expiration date. But I hadn't made a decision yet. It was a doozy and deserved proper contemplation. Eric, I wanted to accept, but we hardly knew each other. If he wanted me to agree to give him the rights to my life just because he 'saw something in me,' I needed time.

Eric moved forward to bring my wrist to his nose, just as he had the first night we met in his club. "Jo, it is rare for me to be so invested in a human." He took a deep breath with closed eyes before releasing my wrist and meeting my gaze again. His icy blues were penetrating as he moved in to hold me against his chest. I felt him nuzzle into my hair before saying, "I will miss your scent."

I froze at his words. I knew he was referring to the fact that I would lose my human smell once I was undead. He was so determined he was going to change me. There was a sense of powerlessness that washed over me and I felt the hold around my body tighten in the slightest.

"There was a time, not long ago, I wouldn't have hesitated. You would have been mine days ago."

I shifted away so that I could connect our gazes again. "I thought I was yours already?" I questioned in a small voice.

"My blood marks that an old and powerful vampire has laid claim. Only someone stupid and disrespectful would dare touch you." Eric traced my lower lip with his thumb. "But soon," He came in for a kiss then, quick and heated. "We will be like one."

My blood was singing. His touches were growing increasingly distracting and we were delving into some very tense matters. That was the recipe for rash decision-making.

I pushed back from him again wanting to shake off the sweet nothings and find some clarity. "We should probably look at some of these dresses at some point tonight, don't you think?"

Eric moved to a rack at the end of the counter that held the register. I looked like a hold section or possibly pieces to be put back out on the floor. "I've pulled some options already."

I came up beside my vampire personal shopper to see what he had set aside for me. As I flipped through the selection, I realized that they were all in my size and in cuts that would be flattering on me.

My look to him must have been one of disbelief because he chuckled and sped up behind me to press our hips against one another. "I've had enough opportunity to learn your body, though that is only superficial. I'll soon know you inside and out." He purred confidently.

I couldn't get over how everything he did oozed with sex. Knees weak, I clutched the countertop for balance and tried to focus on Eric's second double-meaning in the sense of knowing my thoughts more clearly; as my maker.

"Try this one first." Eric handed me a lacey black mid-calf length number with three-quarter sleeves. I eyed it admiringly before taking it into the dressing room. There was a definite wariness to undressing with Eric so close, even though he had seen all of me before.

I made haste of my changing which did nothing productive to my creeping anxiety. When I presented myself, Eric had moved to the opposite end of the shop. He had been looking out towards the parking lot and road before speeding up to me. His gaze flitted over me. "No." He said before moving past me to snatch another dress. This one was slinky in a dark navy and was softer than anything I had felt against my skin.

"Oh." I said before scurrying off to change again. Dress shopping just got exciting. While I did love to dress up, I was not used to high end quality. Hands over head, I held the material of the dress before letting it slip over my body to fall all around me. I stared at my reflection realizing there was no way I could afford anything in this store. It was then that I noticed there wasn't a price tag on either of the pieces Eric had handed me.

Without an actual number to drop my jaw, I let myself enjoy the image before me. There were thick straps with a second set of even thicker off the shoulder straps. The neckline plunged to an impressive V and though I loved the effect on my breasts, that plunge matched with the hip height slit made for quite the statement. One I definitely couldn't live up to.

I knew I had to show Eric to get another dress, but my embarrassment kept me glued in place. "What's the hold up?" He asked from outside the curtain. Of course he could hear that I had been stationary for a few moments now.

Before he could enter the dressing room out of impatience, I poked a hand out from around the curtain. A grand horizontal sweep moved the fabric aside to reveal the lack of modesty provided by the dress.

My personal shopper stood very still. All except his eyes. "No." He spoke but with a heavy voice.

"No?" I questioned. Though I sure wasn't planning on wearing such a number out and about, I couldn't help but feel offended. The dress made me look good. "Your eyes are saying something else." I did a slow spin. When I had made a full circle, hands were hovering over the silky fabric. It slid against my skin in an intoxicating way that made me writhe in place.

"This dress will be saved for another occasion. One where I can properly show you off." Eric's grip tightened on my hips for just a moment before releasing me. "For now, I need you in something that won't have you drawing every eye." He turned away to locate the next option for me to try but stopped short when I let out a very ladylike snort.

"Did I say something funny?" The questioning tone also held a hint of annoyance.

"The dress is very flattering- I'm not denying that- but let's not get delusional here." I chuckled, waving off the notion he was insinuating.

Eric squinted at me in thought before resuming his task. "This is the one." He said, handing me a burgundy chiffon maxi. The upper chest to the neck was covered in a thick lace pattern that ended in cap sleeves.

"If you knew this was the one, why have me try on the others?" I asked.

"I was cataloging them for later." A cheeky smile appeared.

I looked the dress over and then back to the clothing rack at the two or three more I hadn't tried. It was obvious Eric knew how to pick out women's clothing- so why the show? He could play up his sexual prowess all he wanted, but there was always an ulterior motive. What on Earth was he gaining from having me play his life-sized doll?

"If you are that confident, I don't think I need to try it on. I'll take it, and you can see how it looks when you pick me up for the benefit." I went to take the hanger from his hand, but knew that was only if he let me. He didn't fight me, but his smile had vanished when I met his gaze after carefully draping the garment over my arm. "I'll need shoes."

My mouth twitched as I held back a smile. Though I found his games infuriating at times, it was sort of fun to play along. I tried to remind myself that what I was playing with was dangerous. Eric was fire and I was going to get burnt. But the heat provided now was soothing. The temperature was only slowly creeping up and if I didn't pay attention, my playmate would distract me to my death.