Where the Heart Is

Chapter 13

“So, was the sex mind blowing? Eric looks like he could go for hours.”

Sookie blushed under her friend’s appraisal. “I’m not at liberty to discuss that. It was nice, and that’s all you need to know.”

Amelia scoffed. “Nice is so lame, I need the juicy details. Come on, Sook, I’m living vicariously through you here.”

She rolled her eyes. “Says the woman who has sex on a daily basis, you don’t need to live vicariously through anyone. I think you’re doing just fine.”

“True, but I need to know what it’s like to fuck when actual feelings are involved.”

It made Sookie sad to hear her talk like that, but Amelia had never been in love before. She was starting to think her friend was just putting up walls to keep people out, so she wouldn’t get hurt in the process. That was no way for anyone to live, even though Sookie had some experience in that area.

The night carried on like any other, and it was finally time for Sookie to head home. Once she reached the parking lot of Merlotte’s, she gasped at the sight of her car. Someone had spray painted ‘whore’ on the side, and she had a pretty good idea about who the culprit was.

* * * * *

“I can’t believe she did this. Did anyone see her?”

Sookie shook her head as they continued to scrub her car clean, that stuff was a bitch to get off. “No, but who else could have done something like this? I heard some stories about her, Eric. She was obsessed with her cousin and got sent to some mental clinic, this isn’t the first time she’s used a spray can. We have to do something about her; I can’t keep having stuff like this happen. You don’t know how embarrassing it was to drive home.”

He took her in his arms. “I’m sorry about this, dear one. I had no idea just the kind of person Crystal was, I never imagined that she could stoop this low. I regret even more that I took up with her in the first place. Unfortunately, I already know the police won’t do anything without actual evidence.”

Sookie let out a sigh, knowing that he was right. “What am I supposed to do? Just ignore her and hope that she’ll eventually move on?”

“I don’t know, but perhaps you can talk to Sam about having security cameras installed outside of the bar. That way we would have proof if she tries something like this again.”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea. I’ll talk to him tomorrow,” she commented, smiling when he pressed his lips to the top of her head. It felt really good having Eric to come home to, and that was something Sookie never would have expected. It was amazing how much could change in just a few months, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

* * * * *

“Okay, one last ribbon. Perfect, you look so pretty.” Sookie held up a mirror for her to see the finished product.

The little girl smiled at her reflection. “Thanks, Sookie, I love it!” Jessica ran back to her room, bouncing along the way.

Eric smiled as well. “I must admit, you really do come in handy. I can hardly braid my own hair, let alone hers. It would have become a disaster.”

Sookie patted the spot next to her on the couch, taking hold of Eric’s long mane when he sat down. “I’ve wanted to do something with your hair for the longest time now. Have you ever considered getting a trim? Long hair is real sexy on guys, don’t get me wrong, but you have such a handsome face. Why would you want to hide it?”

He shrugged. “I’ve thought about that, I guess it never seemed important enough. My hair has been like this for as long as I can remember, but you’re right, it might be time for a change.”

“Either way, you’ll look gorgeous.” Sookie pulled his hair back, tying a similar braid that she just gave to Jessica and then handing him the mirror. “Now you can see your face, I actually thought you were a model when we first met. I didn’t think anyone could look like you and not be.”

Eric chuckled, shaking his head. “I did some modeling in college.”

“I totally knew it,” Sookie responded, wrapping her arms around his waist. She brushed his braid aside, pressing kisses along his neck and sucking at the pulse point.

Eric’s eyes rolled back, a moan forming in his throat. “What are you doing, lover?”

She grinned. “Marking you, if another psycho ex decides to show up, they’ll know you belong to me.”

He gasped when she reached to his front, cupping his erection through his pants and giving it a light squeeze. “Fuck, I don’t think that’s any secret at this point. I’ve always belonged to you.”

“Good to know.”

Eric turned around, meeting her lips in a passionate embrace and slipping his tongue inside to massage it with hers. He grabbed the back of her head, running his fingers through her golden locks. “God, how I love you,” Eric muttered when he finally broke away for air, this time smothering her throat with kisses as he let her catch her breath.

She glanced up at the ceiling, not even caring that he was likely to give her a hickey. It would be more than worth it.

He slid a hand under her shirt, pleased to find that she wasn’t wearing a bra. Eric cupped her left breast, flicking the nipple as she arched into his hand. He was about to slide his other hand into her shorts, until he realized they weren’t exactly in the apartment alone. Eric broke away, letting out a frustrated sigh. “Any chance you could take the day off tomorrow while Jessica is at school? If I don’t have you soon, I won’t be held responsible for what I do.”

Sookie smiled. “I can take a very long lunch break, but it’s sweet that you’re thinking of her first. I almost forgot myself that we weren’t alone. I lose all ability to think clearly when you’re touching me.”

Eric rested his forehead against hers, shutting his eyes in contentment. “You make me absolutely crazy; I would say we were even.”

It was in that moment when Sookie realized what she had with Bill wasn’t love. He was her first real everything, so of course she assumed that she loved him, but it never felt like this. No, what Sookie had with Eric was true love. It was the best feeling in the world, and if she were to ever lose that, there would be no coming back.