AN: First let me say, that I am so completely thankful to all of you that have taken the time and effort to read and review this story. It means so much to me. I have tried to reply to you all and hope that I have not missed anyone, even those of you that don't care for this story that much..lol. Your opinion matters too.

Some of you will like where this chapter leads, some of you not so much. But progress must happen...just don't let the smut fool you. I still have a bit in store for these two. The ending of my last chaper, was not suppose to happen yet but try as I might, I just could not get Sookie to shut the hell up..lol. Also, this is the first chpt with Eric and Sookie's POV. Anyway I hope you enjoy.

Un beta'd.

Disclaimer: The characters in this story are not mine but belong to Mrs. Charlaine Harris.

Eric's POV

"I thought I was over you but I'm not and I'm tired of fighting it." Sookie's words knocked the breath out of me. The last thing I thought to hear from her sweet lips was that she wanted me. Still.

"Say something, Eric." She turned her head up to meet my eyes. I could see hope flair to life there and something else that was just beneath the surface. Love, perhaps? I felt frozen. Fear curled its way into my spine and I let it override my desire to crush her lips to mine. To take this thing, whatever it was between us, and bury it deeper. I was a coward. Unworthy of this adoring creature that lay against me. "Anything. Just give me something Eric."

"Sookie, I.." Just say it you fool. How many chances do you think you will get with her. She was here now, waiting. My vocal cords locked up, silencing what my heart wanted to say. I wanted her. God, did I want her but were we ready for this? Was I? Making love to Sookie again was not something I could walk away from again. If we were going to do this, it had to be all or nothing. It wasn't just us anymore to consider. We had a child. One that I did not want to disappoint or hurt, more than my absence had already caused.

"Why can't you say it Eric?" Sookie said sitting up. She placed a hand against my cheek, turning my face to her. I had not realized that I had turned away from her. "I know you want me too. Just say it Eric, tell me you want me. Tell me what we feel for one another is more than just lust."

I placed my palm against her face, smoothing away the silent tears that had started to fall. Why must I make her cry? I did not want her pain, only her happiness. Three words would wash away her sorrow, and bring us both peace. " I want you, Sookie."

"Is that all?" She curled her legs up beneath her, looking off across the moonlit yard. "You want me? Do you care for me? Can you at least give me that?"

"Sookie, of course I care for you." I pulled her hand into my lap, tracing a pattern against her skin. "You are one of my oldest friends and the mother of my child."

"I see." She said, pulling her hand out of my grasp. "What if I told you that I love you Eric? Always have, always will."

A vise like grip, settled against the center of my chest. It felt as if my heart would burst from the pressure, her three words had caused. I could not believe that she had said them. I closed my eyes, cherishing them, wanting her love more than I wanted my next breathe. But I could not give her my love back. Something inside of me was so terribly broken and it was not her place to mend it. I had used her love so long ago and caused her nothing but heartache. I would not do it again. "Sookie we decided against going down this path."

"You're running again Eric." She leaned back against the railing, her hands across her chest, looking at me with tear filled eyes. "I open my heart to you, tell you that I love you and all I get is; we talked about this? Are you kidding me? You're a chicken-shit coward Eric Northman."

"I know." I wish I could be the man that she wanted but fear of disappointing her was prevalent in my mind. I did not know how to be, her man. Her love, her everything and I sure as hell did not know how to let her be that for me. I was worse than a coward. I was a weakling that was too scared to even try. "I am truly sorry, Sookie."

"Sorry, my hind end." Sookie turned her back on me. I could see her shoulders shaking as she swept a hand against her eyes. " I am done waiting for you Eric. If you can't accept what I feel for you, if you can't acknowledge that you feel the same, then I will not waste another minute; giving my heart to a man that does not deserve it. I am done."

I felt sick at her words. The truth was, I did not deserve her. Never had and never would. She would eventually see that and I knew in my heart, as dark and hallow as it was, that having her love, taking it in, then loosing it would kill me.

"One day Eric, you will look back on tonight and see what you let slip away because you were too scared, to give us a chance." She turned around, facing me. Braver than I had ever been, staring into my eyes, daring me to dispute her words. "Maybe not today, or even a week from now but one day, you will feel like I do now. You will yearn for me as I yearn for you and I will not be there. I will fall in love again Eric with someone that is stronger than you. More of a man. One that is not scared to love me as I love him. Maybe on that day, you'll see what could have been yours, that you so casually tossed away like yesterdays trash."

I wanted to close my heart off to the pain her words caused. She was right. She would find love, she would be happy and it would not be with me. I envisioned her with another man, laughing, smiling up at him with her heart in her eyes like they were in this moment with me. I shut my eyes against the vision that was being played out in front of me. Sookie in another mans arms, in his bed, her body begging for his touch. I shook my head at the thought.

"Can you see it Eric?" I felt her fingers against my skin. Her caress touched me, way down deep inside. Such a simple touch from her could bring me to my knees. "Do you want that? Me with someone else? Making love, wanting someone other than you?"

The vision continued to play out in my mind. Sookie's head thrown back in passion, her breathes coming out in puffs as a figure loomed over her, bringing her release. Her moaning as his fingers, burned against her flesh. His face was one that I knew. In the recesses of my mind, Alcide was there, giving Sookie everything I could not. It was he that she would call out too. Beg to love her, give her, what I was fighting against. "No!"

I pulled her against me as the word left my lips. She braced a palm against my chest as if to push me away but I would not allow it. I ground my lips against hers, banishing the thought of her with another man. Her hands beat against my chest as she continued to try and pull away. I placed a hand against her ass, pulling her further against me, trapping her fist between us as I continued to ravish her lips. Sookie, moaned against my mouth and I took it as an invitation to brush my tongue against hers. The kiss deepened until the point that I knew there was no power on earth that could make me walk away. "You are mine."

"Say it again." She nibbled against my lips.

"You're mine Sookie." I had no idea at that moment what I was doing other than laying claim to the woman I held in my arms. I was scared but loosing her, even if it was a figment of my imagination, was not a risk, I was willing to take.

I picked her up, tossing her over my shoulder. I gave her a playful smack on the ass when she started to protest. "Be quiet or do you want Alex to come investigate?"

"Where are you taking me Eric?" She asked.

I choose not to answer her as I placed her in the passenger side of my car. I flipped out my cell phone and called Adele, insuring that she would look after Alex while Sookie and I finished our talk.

Sookie reached over to open the car door. I leaned over and slapped my hand against the lock. "You wanted to talk, so we will. Do not try and leave now, Sookie. I will only chase you and ravish you on the front lawn."

She gasped as she sat back in the seat, glancing to the lawn then back at me. "You wouldn't?"

I tossed a hand in the general direction of the yard then cocked an eyebrow at her. "Try me." She sat back in her seat with a huff then fastened her seat belt.

There was nothing but silence on the ride back to my house. I had no idea what I was doing. My only thought was of her and how much I wanted her in that moment.

We pulled into the drive and I was thankful to see that Pam's car was not there. Hopefully, she was gone for the night. I wanted privacy and that was something, we would not get if Pam was in attendance.

I shut the engine off then made my way over to the passenger side. I pulled at the door handle, wanting to place Sookie against me and finish what we had started. I met with resistance as the car door was still locked. She smirked up at me then shook her head. "Not until you tell me." She crossed her hands over her breasts, pushing them up against the v-neck of her shirt. My eyes feasted on them, until I heard her laughter. I jerked my eyes up to met hers then patted my pockets for my keys.

"Looking for these?" Sookie dangled the car keys up in front of her face. I had been so distracted that I left them in the car.

"Sookie, open the door." I ran a frustrated hand through my hair.

"Say it Eric."

"If you don't open that fucking car door this minute, I will bust the fucking window and open it myself." I banged my hand against the frame, trying to pull back some control. What more did she want from me? I told her I care for her, that she was mine.

"Why are you so scared Eric?" She shouted up at me.

"Because you are the one person, I want more than anything Sookie." I hit the car again. "You are the one person left, that could destroy me. That's why I can't say it." I took a step away from the car door as I saw her unlatch the door.

"I would never hurt you Eric." She said as she got out of the car. "All I want for us, is a chance. I know you're scared. I am too. But I am more scared of not trying."

God help me, so was I. "What if I fuck it up?"

"You won't." She stood up on the tip of her toes and pulled my head down to hers. "I won't push you anymore tonight. Even if you can't say those three little words to me, I know they're right up under the surface here." She brushed her hand across my chest. "Thats enough for now. But know this Eric Northman, I love you and I will not give up on you. Now take me inside and make love to me."

"I don't think I can do that Sookie."

"Why ever not Eric?"

"Because what I want to do to right now, is not make love, Sookie."

"Oh, I thought..," She let out a squeak as I tossed her over my shoulder again then ran up the stairs with her.

"What I want right now, is to take you up to my bed and fuck you so long and hard, that you will never again tease me with the thought of you with another man." I pressed a hand to the crease between her thighs. "Then after I have wrung every bit of pleasure from you that you think your body could possibly take, then I will think about making love to you."

"Oh God."

"No, its Eric remember." I teased my fingers against her denim covered slit, then gently nipped her thigh with my teeth. "Don't be afraid to say it. You'll be screaming it soon."

I shut down all of the doubts that were trying to surface again. I would not let them rule me in this instance. I had Sookie in my arms and there was no point in trying to argue against it. She was where we both craved for her to be and I would not let my fears rule me anymore.

I tossed her on my bed then smirked at the look that crossed her face. It was one of desire and fear of the unknown. I was happy to see I was not the only one with those thoughts crossing my mind.

Sookie POV

I gasped as my back encountered Eric's ridiculously large bed. I felt a bit of fear cross my spine but my desire for him won out. I was not a young girl anymore and I had nothing to fear from Eric except him breaking my heart. I knew physically, he would never hurt me.

I stifled a groan as he pulled his shirt off, gifting me with a rippling view of his abs. I watched in fascination as his muscles flexed as he dropped the shirt on the floor. I was riveted as his hand, grasped his belt buckle, nearly tearing the closure to pieces. My eyes traced the bulge that nearly burst through his jeans.

I swallowed hard as I leisurely took all of him in. From the tip of his boots, to the top of his gorgeous head. Gone was the boy from my past. Before me stood a man of such immense power and beauty that I wondered, what he could ever see in me. Not that I was going to try and dissuade him. Hell no. I wanted whatever it was he wanted to give me. Now.

I was wearing too many clothes was something that was burning through my mind. My breasts ached to be touched by him. The need to have him inside of me was almost too much to bare. I reached a trembling hand down and pulled my shirt off. The look that crossed his face when he spotted my lacy pink bra, sent chills through me. I was thankful that I had worn it, never expecting at the time that Eric would be seeing it.

Sure my inner self, chided. Thats why you also made sure you shaved your legs and did a little grooming before you put the matching thong on. Who was I kidding? I wanted this from the minute I had left his home earlier this evening. I had wanted to be right where I was, no longer denying my body what it wanted. Eric. Only Eric.

I stood up and unfastened my shorts, keeping eye contact with him as I shimmied out of them. I don't know what clued me in more that I was playing with fire, the growl that escaped his lips or the look that crossed his face as he burned a path over my body. Part of me wanted to dive under the covers and wait for him there, the other part was ready and more than willing to meet whatever Eric wanted to throw at me head on. I had never felt more beautiful or more desirable than I did at that moment.

His hands were on me in an instant. His rough palms, greeted the firmness of my bottom as he lifted me up and wrapped my legs around him. I could feel his length pressed against my core. The heat he was giving off was in no way hampered by the fact that his pants remained. I needed him naked and over me in that bed now.

Eric's mouth came crashing down against my own. It was not a nice kiss. Not one of the ones you hear about or read about in books. Where there are butterflies and rainbows all around. No, it was a melding of the body and soul. I felt everything he wanted to do to me in that kiss. His tongue rammed against my own. All grace gone, just a burning aching need to be inside of me.

I returned his kiss with all the pent up passion that I felt for him. Letting him know that I was exactly where I wanted to be. My hand fisted in his hair, pulling him tighter against me. I ground my center against him, delighting in the moan that left his lips. I let my other hand fall against the band of his jeans and tried to push them down. If I did not get this man inside of me soon, I would die.

My back hit the wall as Eric pressed me against it. He pulled back from my lips, with a hiss as I was finally able to get my hand wrapped around him. He felt like velvet steel in my hands.

Eric dropped his head against my shoulder, as I slowly glided my hand up and down his shaft. I felt powerful as he panted against me. Who would have thought that I could do this to him? He pumped into my hand as he nibbled a trail across my collar bone. " You're playing with fire woman."

I smiled up at him, wetting my lips and tightening my grip on him as he stared at me. "God I hope so."

"Fuck." I gasped as he, knocked my hand aside then hoisted me further up the wall, until my panties were even with his face. "I was trying to go easy on you but if you insist." Eric placed my legs over his shoulders, then leaned forward and began pulling my underwear off with his teeth. I arched my center closer to him and braced my hands against the wall for support.

I think I screamed when I heard my thong being ripped off then his mouth was on me and I lost all train of thought. My thighs gripped his shoulder as I fought to hold my position against his assault. It was heaven and hell as he teased me with his tongue and teeth. His hands gripped my bottom as he pulled me closer to him, he rammed his tongue inside of me and I shouted as waves of pleasure wracked my body. "Eric, please."

I reached for his head that was buried between my thighs. My hand pulled at his hair as I felt tremor after tremor go through me. I was on the verge of something magnificent. He bit the inside of my thigh then looked up at me. His smirked at me as he licked his lips. I don't think I had ever seen anything hotter in my life. "You taste delicious Sookie. I'm not nearly done yet." He leaned back in and placed his mouth against me. I trembled as he hummed against me, causing a vibrating sensation against my clit.

My body was a shaking mess when he finally lifted me from his shoulders then tossed me back on the bed. I had no chance to re-cooperate as he descended on me again. I screamed his name as he shoved a long finger into my aching center, his lips set on tormenting my clit. My hands grabbed at the covers beneath me, trying to anchor myself to something. I felt as if I would burst into a million tiny pieces at one more lick from his tongue. "Please Eric. Now. I need you so much."

Eric smiled up at me as he continued to thrust his finger into me. I arched my back as a second finger joined in his play. "So tight Sookie. I don't want to hurt you." He groaned as he licked me again.

"The only think hurting me, is you not being inside me now. " I grabbed him by the hair then tried to pull him up my body. I only had one goal in ming. Getting him inside me. I didn't care how I got him there, as long as I did.

Eric laughed at me then scouted up my body to lay a scorching kiss against my lips. "Whatever the lady wants." He stood up, kicking his boots off and removing his pants, smiling as I took him in. I felt the wetness seep from me as I gazed at Eric standing there in all of his glory. He was almost too beautiful to look at.

He reached into the bedside table and pulled out a black and blue packet. I sat up entranced as I watched him rip it open with his teeth then rolled a condom down his length. He tossed his hair back out of his face as he smoothed out any wrinkles then he grasped my leg, pulling me towards the edge of the bed. My legs fell open of their own accord as Eric leaned over me and plunged his tongue into my mouth. I eased a leg around his waist and tried to angle my center against his erection. I needed him in me so much it hurt.

His hand went under my hip and I felt him nudge against my opening. I grasped his bottom lip with my teeth and gave him a gentle reminder that I was done with the foreplay. "In me now."

"Yes," Eric slammed into me, sending my body into rapture. "ma'am." He groaned as my muscles started to contract around him. I felt him tense around me as small shock waves went up and down my body. "Jesus." He groaned against me. "You feel like heaven."

He waited for me to come back down before he started to move in me. I traced my fingers across his lips as I panted against him. He turned his head and laid a kiss against my palm, then pulled me further down onto him. I hooked my leg back around his waist then used the other to stable myself for movement. I wanted Eric to come undone just as much as I had. I ground myself against him hard. Enjoying the sounds our bodies made as we came together.

Eric leaned up, still encased in me and began pounding into me harder. I let my leg fall from his waist and used my arms to push back against him. For every thrust he gave, I was there giving it back. He grasped my hips and angled me in such a way that his every thrust brought my oversensitive clit into contact with him. I could feel my body begin to tighten around him and I wanted him there with me. "Say it Eric."

"You are Mine." He ground out as my body once again came undone. I felt him shudder against me as he lost the control he had been so careful to contain. Wave after wave of pleasure shot through me as I felt Eric, tremble as he came. "Always."

He fell against me as tears of joy hit my eyes. It might not have been a declaration of love but it was progress as far as I was concerned. We were together now, and I knew in my heart that I would have those words and so much more from Eric. I just needed to be patient and wait. That didn't mean that I had to be stingy and not say them to him though. " And I love you Eric Northman."