I pulled the length of my tank up to wipe frantically at my mouth. Thinking about walking back through a crowd had my head spinning. I would reek of Eric, plus my own blood. Movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention.

Pam was standing opposite the entrance to the bar. She moved at an angle to reveal a back door behind her. With a look of annoyance she pushed the door open and motioned for me to proceed.

Instinct told me she wouldn't hurt me. Or maybe that was Eric's blood? "Thank you." I said, escaping into the night air. I desperately needed to clear my head. When I had imagined coming here to chat with Eric, I hadn't planned on the shots. But my body definitely knew I needed those shots to face him. I had sabotaged myself.

"Tell me," Pam instructed. "What is your intent with my maker? What do you want from him?"

I jumped a little at her voice, not realizing she had stepped outside with me. Turning to face her, I took in her presence as she waited for me to catch up. "Well, when Eric expressed interest in me, I didn't really feel like I had a choice in the matter." I paused thinking on why I kept coming back.

"His flaws are obvious," I blurted out. Pam's eyebrow raised dramatically. "But they are vastly outweighed by everything else he embodies." I continued.

"He has a lot to offer." She challenged.

I gave her a small smile. "It's what he doesn't even realize he's offering." I could tell I had her full attention. "Pam, I'm a nobody. I'm mediocre at everything with no luck, no advantage, and honestly, no ambition. And then Eric Northman enters my life and offers me a future of travel, and knowledge, and experiences beyond my imagination." I pointed to myself dramatically. "I jumped off a cliff because he said he would catch me." I paused, remembering the moment. "That is what I want from Eric. Weirdly enough, he makes me feel alive." I said with awe. "Pro."

There was silence for however long. I was lost in my own head until I came back into the 'now.' "God, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to spill like that. I guess it just feels like you are the only one who could really understand."

"I loved my life," Pam stated boldly. It gave me pause. "But what Eric gave me is without comparison. I wouldn't give him up for anything." Her words were calm and her gaze held curiosity without malice until she sped before me. Her heels gave her a few inches on me, though I guessed we were the same height flat-footed.

"You will not cross my maker." Her voice was low.

I had taken a step back with surprise, but remained level-headed. "I wasn't planning on it. If anything, I owe him. I just don't like that he tricked me." Our eyes stayed locked. "Are we cool?" I asked.

Pam rolled her eyes my way. "Yes we are 'cool,' as you put it. You will play by Eric's rules if you want to make things easy on yourself." She said, turning back towards the door.

"You'd think after a thousand years, he would have learned better etiquette. I mean, it's not like I've done this before." I commented as I walked around the building towards the front lot. I had no doubt she heard me so maybe she would talk so sense into the brooding adonis.

Molly and I left, once we convened at her car. I was a mile a minute once on the road, retelling my evening. She had a cigarette, I had two.

"What is happening to my life?" I asked as we sat in my driveway with the car idling.

"I don't know, but you should totally hook me up with a vampire hottie. Does Eric have a younger brother?" She joked.

My insides tightened for a second. "I don't know. I don't know anything about him." I was shocked at how my whirlwind relationship with Eric left us without even knowing each other. I was beginning to worry that the blood had been influencing me. I wouldn't have been so influenced by his desires without it. And yet, remembering any intimate touch was practically disabling. There was no denying the strength of his hold on me.

"Or whoever..." Molly chimed in. "Didn't mean to trigger some drama." She chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

I sighed and ran a hand down my face. "I need to go get cleaned up. Thanks for being there for me tonight." We hugged, mumbling out goodbyes before I went inside to check the damage.

Surprisingly, the cotton of my oversized tank top had done a decent job clearing the majority of my skin. There was still blood residue creating a faint outline around my mouth and a hidden splotch, goopy and dark, that I had missed under my chin.

"A life of wearing all black... not really a pro or a con." I mused to myself.

The next day had me in a tizzy. I had both the pleasure and frustration of Eric filled dreams to leave me restless all over again. Sitting at my desk, my toes tapped, keys clicked, and I played with the adjustments on my chair throughout the day. Anything I could do to keep my mind as fully occupied as possible.

I counted down the hours, not knowing how being home could be any better. Nevertheless, I clocked out thirty minutes early and was home in record time. Pacing my living room, I felt the hyperawareness wash over me again. Without distraction, I became aware of the smells across my home. I heard every critter that scurried within a wall or fly that pelted itself off of a screen.

Before I knew what I was doing, I had my shoes back on and was out the back door. Once inside the treeline, I let my body relax and take in the clean air and abundance of life in the wilderness. Instead of being bombarded by disjointed sensations, I could accept everything in harmony.

After a few moments to acclimate, I began to wander until I found a smooth boulder with a plush layer of moss. I got as comfortable as I could in my knee length dress and sandals. I had left my cardigan inside to my annoyance. Sitting with my legs bent to my left, I let my mind wander and played through my options.

A shiver ran through me, stirring me from my thoughts. I opened my eyes to see that the trees around me had been engulfed in darkness. I could see my living room lamp on through the small stretch of vegetation between myself and safety. My heart skipped until I rationalized my lack of danger. When I really focused, I could feel another source that 'safe' was emanating from.

"What do you fear out here?" Eric asked, from within the darkness.

My heart sped for many reasons while I unsuccessfully willed it to slow. "Getting spooked by creatures of the night." I quipped.

"Silly girl," He said with humor. "Creatures of the night have much, much more in store for you." He moved into my limited vision.

I knew that his blood in my system was allowing me greater detail, even in the darkness. It was only a taste of what vampire vision would offer. "Pro." I whispered.

With nothing but the moonlight to illuminate our features, Eric held my gaze for a moment before moving in. His great height was tested as he leaned forward to slip his hands under the skirt of my dress. His grip encompassed my thighs as he pulled my body towards his own.

I felt my butt slide off the cushion of the moss and I vocalized a little 'whoop!' in surprise.

"That's better." Eric stated as he cradled my butt, letting me lean back against the rock face. Legs wrapped around his torso, I was immediately frazzled. With all my strength set on not writhing against my tormenter, I fidgeted with my dress, attempting to smooth the bunched fabric. "No sense worrying about that." He cooed before catching my lips.

For a dead man, he sure had some fire in him. His tongue and teeth teased the skin of my neck as he began to press me harder into the boulder at my back. With leverage, he moved his right hand from supporting me from underneath, to pulling the hair tie from my bun. With my hair cascading around me, his fingers flitted along my skull. Fingers clenched in my hair before he pulled to fully expose my neck to him.

"No," Eric paused, accentuating my ragged breath, too noisy. " I'm really going to enjoy this." He released my hair and fit his hand between us to tease me through my underwear.

I gasped and writhed against him, fully lost to the lust that had been fueled by blood, dreams, and adrenaline. His lips captured mine again as I felt him release his belt. Between my grinding and the one handed efforts to escape his own attire, we were both losing patience.

Before I knew what happened, a low growl resounded and I was on the forest floor. The slight coolness of the leaves and must of the dirt set my senses reeling. I needed to feel him.

Eric was looming over me. I couldn't stand his gaze so I closed my eyes and turned my head just in case. I couldn't hide though. "Look at me." His steady voice made me envious.

I opened my eyes before turning my head. He was closer than I realized. Turning slowly, he administered a forceful kiss only to back away slightly. Without breaking eye contact he reached for my panties. I lifted my bottom so that he could slide them down and removed my right leg to let them dangle from the left.

Concrete flesh moved in with haste. Eric, of course, had already shed his undergarment. I ran a hand from his chest downward to greet the tip of his excitement. Another guttural noise echoed around us as he thrust into my hand. I shivered in anticipation upon feeling the detail my eyes were unable to make out in the darkness.

"I can smell how ready you are for me. I could feel your arousal as you dreamt of me and I can feel it now. How much you want me to fuck you." I moaned, his words causing me to melt. "You are mine, Jo. We will have forever to enjoy everything from fucking to killing to loving. Do you accept that?" He asked, placing himself at my entrance.

My brain felt like it was on overdrive from sensory overload. I was afraid to speak; that Eric would take advantage of my state so I chose the path of action. I stretched up to lock us in a kiss and managed to nick my tongue on his fang. Eric moaned, distracted by my taste, so I thrust my hips up to draw us together.

We both groaned in unison. Our eyes met, blue on blue, and he smiled. A real, honest smile. Without hesitation Eric finished the distance to bring our hips flush. I had never been so full before and was feeling my body stretch. He watched my features, studying me as my body acclimated to his. "You are fascinating." He mused as he ran a hand over my chest, his brow furrowed. He seemed dissatisfied with my layers. "I desire more of your body."

I shrugged out of the straps in a haze of pleasure. Reaching behind to undo my bra brought our hips together at a new angle that caused a small noise to escape me. With my breasts free, Eric helped himself to my tender flesh. He nipped at me while keeping a painfully slow pace. I moved out of sync with him as I tried to encourage speed.

Suddenly, Eric's left hand held my throat. "Tell me you understand." He demanded. His grip was solid. "Tell me you accept that you are mine. Give in to me."

Still writhing against his sluggish movements, I whined. "I give."

Immediately, Eric's body overtook mine. There was no room for contribution as he switched to inhuman speed, causing me to cry out. His grip on my throat tightened and I felt a new wave of pleasure engulf me. Our mouths locked as we shared a moan until Eric broke away to lift my left leg over his shoulder. I gasped at the change, my head falling back in pleasure.

"Ready?" Came his voice, thick and measured. Eric's gaze was burning as he captured mine again. He slipped his hand between us, finding the heat radiating from my core. His touch was like popping a bubble that released a fire ball of pleasure. In the moment of initial ecstasy, he stretched forward sinking fangs deep into my neck. The combination of pain and adrenaline mixed with my release while I enjoyed the sensation of Eric in his moment of bliss. He lapped at my neck, longer than necessary.

"That was incredible." I sighed with eyes closed.

A scoff echoed back. "That was entirely credible. If nothing else, the terrain leaves that which can be desired." I peeked out from the cover of my arm. " Just think if only you'd given in sooner. We could have been enjoying each other this whole time."

I felt myself flush.

"Oh, is your body already calling for me again?" Gentle touches on my breast confirmed my body was surely aware of Eric's. "Your hunger is promising." He purred.

"Wait," I said, trying to sit up. The massive body before me allowed me space. "What are you even doing here?"

His smile grew. "Pamela informed me I may have not been direct enough with you on some subjects. This was me clarifying." The arrogance was baffling.

"Well, I won't complain about your methods." I giggled. A shiver followed so I pulled my dress straps back up to cover myself. I reached out around myself to gather the rest of my clothes, fumbling across leaves and twigs. My legs couldn't be trusted yet.

"Allow me." Eric requested. He lifted me and my apparel and zoomed us into the house.

A single lamp in the living room was all that illuminated my home, but it was enough of a contrast from the darkness within the trees to give my eyes a hard time.

"I'd offer you a drink, but considering you just tapped the source, I'm guessing a bottle is off the menu?" I commented while washing my hands in the kitchen sink.

"I don't plan on drinking from another source than you until you transition." He said plainly.

I turned to give my full attention. "Why?"

Eric seemed confused by the question. His eyes narrowed with skepticism. "Your blood is delicious and I'm old enough that the little I require won't overwhelm your system." He expressed bluntly.

"Okay." I tried to shrug off the disbelief at his claim. The idea of Eric feeding off of anyone he wanted went hand in hand with how I imagined his sex life to operate. I tried not to think too hard on that. Vampires could be monogamous but, in general, weren't. Eric had expressed a desire to share passion with me. He had not professed undying love.

His icy gaze was staring me down, no doubt trying to figure out what dilemma I was running through my head now. "There is a storm beneath your silence." He spoke, moving to grip my chin. "You will come to understand your worth. I will teach you." A soft kiss was placed on my forehead before he backed away. "I must go. Pamela is becoming annoyed with my absence."

"Wait," I called, before he could zoom away. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to articulate what I needed to say.

After a moment, Eric questioned me. "Yes?"

"We don't really know each other." I started.

Eric smirked. "I know what I need to, about you."

My eyes narrowed. "Well, I can't say the same. I'd like to spend some time... talking when I see you next. I'd like to know Pam as well, but maybe that will come with time."

"That is something we are not short on." Giving a chaste kiss, he held my gaze. "I will indulge your curiosity," A shift took place behind his eyes. "On my terms. I will pick you up tomorrow at dark and we will enjoy a change of scenery. Casual attire." He added, eying my lack of bra before meeting my gaze.

"That's appreciated." I said, rolling my eyes.

Eric tipped his head. "Sweet dreams, Jo." And he was gone.

I closed the door, annoyed at the rudeness of vampire speed until I started contemplating how fun it would be. Will be?

Running a hand through my hair, I stumbled upon a leaf. "Oh, God..." I groaned realizing how disheveled I must be. The shadows could only hide the proof from myself. It almost made me wonder if Eric preferred me this way. Covered in dirt and blood like a proper creature of the night.