The Guily Ones

Lift me up

When I woke up, it took more than a moment to get my bearings. It was pitch black. Where the hell was I? I turned to the side, my head feeling heavy.

What the hell was James doing beside me?

The memories of the previous day slowly came back to me.

Well, better to be kidnapped than to have had sex with my dead boyfriend's brother...

At least that's how I felt. I stood up quietly, hoping not to wake James, but he seemed completely out of it. Even when I nearly knocked the bedside lamp to the floor with my foot—thankfully catching it just in time thanks to my quick reflexes, no doubt enhanced by Eric's blood—he didn't stir.

I breathed a sigh of relief—that is, until I reached the door and found it wouldn't open despite my tugging and pulling. I took a step back.

"What the—?"

"It only opens from the outside!"

I squealed and jumped back, the air knocked out of my lungs, unable to breathe in. Eric stood smugly in the open doorway, one eyebrow raised as he looked me over.

Was I dreaming again?

My loathed favorite vampire stood there in typical Fangtasia fashion: black muscle shirt, dark jeans, slicked-back hair. And me? I was still in my now sticky, filthy Merlotte's uniform. How long had it been? Two days? Three? Unshowered and far from home, my hair was a tangled mess sticking up in several directions.

So, not a dream. Whether I liked it or not, in my dreams, Eric usually wore less... But what in the world was he doing in the doorway of my room in Dallas? 

Just to be sure, I pinched my upper arm. "Ouch."

"Looks like you need a knight in shining armor to rescue you from sticky situations," Eric said dryly, grabbing me by the elbow and pulling me out of the room.

James, as far as I could tell, hadn't even moved. I hesitated. A Rock and a hard place. Should I stay or go with Eric?

We were already at the elevator before I even had the chance to think, much less speak or act.

"Hi!" I finally managed to say, completely on autopilot, smiling weakly and feeling utterly foolish the moment the word left my mouth. I still wasn't quite awake or something.

Eric turned his head to me, amusement dancing in his eyes, before responding with the same "Hi!" that threw me even more off balance. What was I doing here? I needed to wake up, damn it. Where was my coffee? I needed coffee! And breakfast. When was the last time I ate something decent?

As if on cue, my stomach growled at the thought. I pursed my lips, trying to remember. Last night, I'd fallen into bed fully dressed (thankfully, considering I'd been yanked out of my room without warning). So, no food then. Nothing in the car either. Maybe some fries at Merlotte's to soak up the alcohol...

My blood pulsed loudly in my veins, a side effect of Eric's presence, I sourly realized. As if his blood in me knew he was standing just a few inches away. With each heartbeat, tiny flashes danced behind my eyelids. I pressed my fingers to my temples, massaging them and closing my eyes.

"Headache?"

Eric's voice, deep and throaty, was right at my right ear, sending a shiver down my spine. Of course, it was only because a dangerous vampire was so close to my neck and carotid artery. Not because his cool breath brushed my neck and ear and his voice alone could make my body hum like some hookups from the bars couldn't manage all night long. No, not because of that.

"Hungry," I murmured, turning around so I could look him in the eye, trying to create some distance between us. But Eric and distance were two words that just didn't go together. In one smooth motion, he was standing just inches infront of me. I had backed into the elevator wall, feeling trapped.