if it looks like a couple, and walks like a couple...

There was something to be said about Eric Northman's style. He knew he was gorgeous and that arrogance only added to his allure. After waking for the night and a few hours before the party he'd showered, shaved and put on the outfit for the evening.

He never fretted about whether or not he looked good, or if anyone (including Sookie) would find his outfit to be proper. He was Eric fucking Northman and he could make rags look good. After buttoning the last button on the jacket of his suit he grinned and undid the top button of his white shirt, exposing a teasing and mouth watering bit of his neck.



As a 1000+ yr old vampire there weren't many others who topped him in age, and because of that just exposing his neck was like dangling a juicy steak among hungry dogs. His blood was prized and powerful and there were quite a handful of humans and other vampires who coveted it. Once he secured the cuff links to his wrists and passed a lazy hand through his hair he exited his bedroom and stood in the adjoining lobby room that connected his bedroom with Sookie's.

He could still smell her on his skin even after the shower. Not only had she stayed there while he slumbered during the day but had even been nice about asking for some shopping time for her dress, which he obliged.

Now he just waited for her to emerge with what she had purchased. Already he'd had it with Pam and her subtle but no so subtle ways of trying to egg him on. She was cross that he'd 'banished' her to a room down the hall but she'd had it coming after all the comments during the flight over. Even now she refused to look at him, like a spoiled 4 yr old and instead had left earlier with Tara to "scout out the venue". He didn't mind. No one would dare harm his progeny, not if they wanted to continue existing, plus if Felipe wanted to do business he'd be smart and let Pam have her little tantrum.

<the dress she had picked out was perfect; she knew that Eric liked her in light blue.>



<her hair hung loosely down her back, her makeup light to match her dress. She had actually enjoyed spending time with Eric while he slept; he always smelt so amazing, and seeing him so peaceful and happy, content, was something she didn't get to see very often. This was the Eric she knew and loved, not the one that tricked her into marrying him.>

<she sighed and looked in the mirror once more before heading towards the lobby adjoining their rooms. She opened the door and her breath escaped in a quick gasp as she saw him> You look.... really nice, Eric. <offered him a small smile and reached her hand out for him>

Eric grinned. Sookie looked delectable, and the sinful dip in her dress just made him want to skip the party all together, but she'd made it clear that sleeping with him in that sense was out of the question....for now anyways.

He approached her and took her hand, bringing it up to his lips. "And you my dear... look good enough to eat" he whispered, kissing the back of her hand and letting his fangs drop for emphasis at the effect she had on him. He tucked her arm with his.

"Shall we get going? I called the limo over and it's waiting. Pam and Tara already went ahead" he added so Sookie wouldn't worry about her former friend. Why Sookie had decided to have Tara turned he would never know. Turning people against their will was something he despised. It made for very unruly vampires and more importantly, vampires who were willing to betray you at a moment's notice.

<she blushed a bit at his comment, but decided against arguing about it. The admiration was actually much enjoyed at times.> When we get there, do I have to stay right by you? <she knew vampire etiquette was much more strict about human 'companions', and she had no idea how strict they were about 'spouses'. She would try her best, though, to be the good little wife she was expected to be, but she'd be damned if she was going to stand there by his side all night looking like some sort of prize>

<they got in the limo and she let go of his hand, sliding to the seat across from him and stealing the occasional glance. Damn him, he knew how much she liked it when he didn't wear a tie and left his shirt open slightly.> They are going to have food for humans there, too, right? I haven't eaten since this morning. <Don't look at him, Sookie. Don't look at him.>

<God, if she didn't need to get drunk, or get laid. It had been forever. And from the smirk on his face, he knew exactly what she was suffering from.>

Eric shrugged. "I assume once we've been seen by Felipe then you're free to wonder about the premises" he said as he lead her to the limo. As he leaned back, glad for the extra leg room he noticed that she was ogling him. His lips curved into a slight grin. She may be mad at him for whatever female reasons she may have but at the end of the day she desired him as much as he did her and before their little vacation was through he was going to have his way with her left and right and scandalize her properly.

He chuckled at her question about food. "Yes there will be what you called human food. It isn't only vampires attending. Knowing Felipe he invited every rich king pin he could find so he could bleed them dry...." at her stare he continued "monetarily wise that is, I doubt he actually intends to eat them" he added with a devious smirk.

<she fought to not laugh at his last comment, but couldn't hide the small smile that came to her face> You look really nice tonight, Eric. <might as well compliment the man. He did look amazing, and he was doing his best to treat her nicely. She knew it was hard for him, but that didn't change everything.>

<they pulled up to what she assumed was the casino and she fidgeted in her seat; it'd be rude to just burst out of the limo, so she sat there like a good little wife and waited for the door to be opened, and then for Eric to step out.>

<when he reached back to grab her hand, she gripped his gently and her jaw dropped at all the lights. She had never seen anything so fantastic!> Oh wow. This..... <more lights than she had ever imagined, quieter than she had thought it would be, and beautiful. There were people, and vampires, walking everywhere.> Gonna be a little packed tonight, huh? <she said as she tightened her grip a bit on his hand>

He smiled and offered her his arm before leading her inside. Once inside her fears would be laid down to rest. The casino was huge (as are most things in vegas) and there was so much open room despite the number of guests that it didn't feel crowded.

There was staff walking around serving drinks and snacks. Women dressed in red were passing around the bottled blood which looked a bit more like red wine so the other humans wouldn't get too jumpy. There were vip sections and tables reserved, a huge buffet, a giant carved red dragon in the center of the room and a cordoned off area where all the games were, no doubt waiting for Felipe to inaugurate things.

Sure enough as Eric lead Sookie on Felipe showed up and began his little ribbon cutting ceremony. A few people kept glancing at Eric and Sookie, no doubt wondering who she was and why she was with Eric. He kept her close for now until Felipe finished cutting the ribbon and began making the rounds.

As soon as Felipe approached them Eric smiled. "Your majesty, allow me to introduce my wife" he said. Felipe, unlike his minion Victor seemed more polite as he smiled.

"Ahh... so the eternal bachelor has finally tied the knot? I must say I'm surprised you've taken a human lover Northman" he said, implying that Eric would eventually turn Sookie. Eric however didn't miss a beat. "Yes well... I grew tired of vampire politics, not to mention getting frost bite in bed" he added. To that Felipe laughed and took Sookie's hand, kissing the back of it politely. "A pleasure to meet you Ms Northman" he said with a grin before he wondered off to greet someone else.

<plastered a fake smile on her face and tried not to recoil when the greasy looking vampire kissed her hand. She glanced up at Eric and chewed on the inside of her lip> If you'll excuse me, Mr. Northman, I am going to go get something to drink. And wash the filth off of my hand.

<she bowed ever so slightly, in a mocking manner, before turning on her heel and heading towards the drink area. She was stopped halfway there, however, and offered a drink>

For you, Mr. Stackhouse. Compliments of Mr. Madden.

<she looked at the drink and debated for a second against taking it, but decided against it. Eric would have done plenty of research and made sure that everything would be fine. She smiled, nodded her head and took it from him before sipping it.> Oooo, this is good. <took another sip and smiled as the warmth spread through her body.>

Eric grinned. That was his Sookie, fiesty as ever even in the den of lions. He let her wonder off to grab herself whatever drinks and snacks she wanted as he himself went to one of the poker tables to play.

He asked for some chips, all in the millions. He was about to recoup his losses with Pam's shopping spree as well as the problems with the bar and then some. He sat among some high rolling humans and vampires who he all knew vaguely. As the game began he grinned. It had been years since he'd played real high stakes poker, but Godric had taught him how to remain calm, not to mention the best poker face this side of the ocean. As he won hand after hand the vampires at the table were not too happy. He merely shrugged. They were playing with the big boys now.

An attractive female waitress came up to him, handing him a deep wine glass filled with blood. "Compliments of Victor Madden sir" she said. Eric quirked a brow but took the drink. He had no reason to suspect Madden, or Felipe. They wanted his business and they had to play nice to get it. He took a sip of blood and noted it was extremely delicious. He wondered if they had gotten a hold of Kiara's donors because second only to Sookie's blood had he ever tasted something so exquisite.

Woah <her head was already a bit loopy and she still had half a drink to go. Everything looked so much more vibrant. What on earth was in that drink?>

Isn't she with Mr. Northman, the Sheriff of Area 5?
No, no. There's no way. He wouldn't be caught with a human.
Are you sure? Cause I heard that they were married and she wasn't too happy about it.

<she rolled her eyes and fought the urge to yell for them all to shut up like she had at Gran's funeral. She took another large gulp from her drink, smiling joyously at the warmth that quickly spread through her body. Seeing Eric gambling, she walked slowly so as not to fall over to him and winked. Good God if he wasn't gorgeous tonight. And now he was kicking tail at whatever game it was he was playing.> That's my husband! <she laughed loudly, then hiccuped, before walking over to where he sat and wrapping her arms around him, head on his shoulder> Are ya winning?

Eric felt like he was flying, and it didn't have to do with the massive winning streak he had going. He set his empty glass down which was promptly taken and grinned.

"Well gentlemen...I should leave before I make you all really poor" he said as he took his impressive stack of chips to a small case that could hold them all. Each chip was worth at least one million dollars. He grinned even more when he was suddenly embraced by Sookie. She smelled fucking delicious and he was really tempted to just plop her on the poker table and screw her blue.

However a tiny part of him remained somewhat sane so he grinned and kissed her cheek. "Ofcourse I'm winning darling... and I believe winners get prizes" he said as he stood and held her close. One of the employees came to hold the box of chips and they all walked over to the counter to have them counted and cashed directly into his account.

While the counting was underway he dipped his head and gave Sookie a heated, tongue filled and mostly publicly inappropriate kiss. "I want you" he whispered boldly, letting her feel the tent he was sporting in his pants. He looked around the brightly lit casino floor and grumbled.

"Wheres a dark room when I need one?" he muttered.

<her hands gripped at his back and she fought the urge to wrap her legs around his waist> Wait.... Wait, wait, wait. <God, brain, start working. Please start.......>

<his hands were roaming her body and she moaned more loudly than she had planned. Eyes all fell to them, human and vampire alike; the humans scoffed and turned away, but the vampires all continued to stare.> Eric. They're looking at us. <she closed her eyes and leaned her head back as his fangs scraped against her neck and his hands ran up and down her sides>

<so many people watching. THINK SOOKIE! THINK! She opened her eyes and moaned again, digging her nails into his back> Eric. Stop.

He growled. His mind wasn't thinking clearly. He felt loopy, emotional and so horny it was like he hadn't gotten laid in centuries. He wanted her with a desperation that mocked him to the core and if it wasn't because the lady at the counter said the transfer of money was done he would have honestly taken her there, even if she did say stop.

Money.... yeah... that was important too and slowly his mind managed to figure out that taking her when she said no would be a bad thing. He pulled back and ignored the looks they were being given. He was given a receipt for his winnings and he took a step back from Sookie. He looked at her and the look on his face was priceless. He looked like a puppy dog denied its favorite bone, which in a sense was true.

"Please...?" he asked, sounding so helpless it was actually adorable. In this state he couldn't help but have his eyes wonder at every half decent woman around. Already he was so hard he was sure he could drive a few nails if he tried but something in the back of his mind told him that he wasn't allowed to take any other woman but the stubborn and delicious and irritating and beautiful blonde before him.

<God he looked so pitiful. Her body screamed YES, TAKE ME! but her head was having none of it. She put a hand on his chest and pushed him away, her eyes traveling around the room, anywhere but at the gorgeous man standing in front of her> NO. I....... <she shook her head, trying to clear the fog from it. She bit her lip and chanced a glance at him, heat immediately building even hotter and making her ache in such a wonderful way.>

<She met his eyes and shook her head> I.... I need some fresh air. Goodnight, Eric. <she turned on her heel quickly, stumbling through the crowd and not paying any attention to who she ran into. Curses followed her as she ran towards the hallway. Surely there was an exit down here somewhere.>

<Go back to him. Take advantage of him. Consummate your marriage, for Christs sake! She rolled her eyes and continued walking, leaning against the wall to hold herself up as she did so.>

Eric actually whimpered as he stood there. People whispered and mumbled that she had no right to deny him, not to mention a few women who were more than willing to take her place. Feeling hurt he was suddenly joined by 4 very beautiful and scantly clad women who giggled and touched him all over.

"Please Mr Northman... come this way" said one of them and Eric left with them. Men grinned and even one raised his glass to Eric. His sex drive and stamina were the stuff of legends and clearly no one was surprised he was leaving with four women. Eric felt hurt that Sookie didn't want him and even more hurt by the zipper that was scraping him within an inch of sanity. As he and the women headed outside to the limo part of him fully intended to sate at least one desire tonight even if his so called wife wasn't up to task.

-He'd witnessed the whole ordeal between Northman and his woman. The fae blood had worked better than he thought. Eric was so distracted he didn't see the problem with his so called wife running out on him. The women he'd tasked to distract him worked wonderfully and it seemed that despite being drunk, Eric was about to experience a happy ending tonight.-

-He went to focus on the blonde now. She'd ran down a hall and it wasn't hard to catch up with her. She was clearly intoxicated, his drug working wonders on humans. She seemed unsteady on her feet and when he reached for her she didn't even notice him until it was too late. Using a handkerchief he'd previously soaked in chloroform he placed it harshly against her nose and mouth while using his other arm to immobilize her against the wall and himself. He grinned in a sadistic way. The hallway was empty and despite her struggled he was infinitely stronger than her physically-

"Well Miss Stackhouse...we meet at last..." he whispered into her ear.