Eric Northman walked into Merlotte's bar and grill. He looked around, smirking, seeing Sookie Stackhouse and Bill Compton sitting together at the bar. He walked over and offered his hand to Bill,"Congratulations, Bill." Tonight was the party celebrating Bill and Sookie's engagement. Eric had had his infatuation with Sookie but he knew deep down that Sookie loved Bill and if he cared for at all, he would let her go. Which he had. He was actually happy for Sookie and he and Bill had even patched things up between them, more or less. He looked at Sookie, blond hair all in waves, dressed in a stunning yellow cocktail dress with matching heels. "Breathtaking as always, Miss Stackhouse."

Sookie hugged him,"Thank you for coming."

Bill smiled at Eric,"We appreciate your support, Eric."

"Of course," Eric smiled his usual smile. He was still six foot six of blond, muscled Viking but he had learned to smile more. Sookie has taught him that. Or tried. "Pam should be along soon. Or not. She was quite occupied when I left her."

"What's her name?" Bill chuckled.

"Amy Benveau," Eric replied,"A vampire from New Orleans with a passion for piano. Pam's taken quite the shine to her. It's unusual."

"Well, hopefully, she'll show up but we understand how Pam feels about all this," Sookie said. "In any case," Sookie smiled,"Enjoy the party, Eric." She walked away to talk to Tara and Arlene.

"You will indeed have your hands full," He chuckled, sitting beside Bill.

"I'm looking forward to it," Bill replied, drinking a True Blood,"Want a blood?"

"You know I don't drink that swill," Eric wrinkled his nose at the synthetic concoction. "I don't judge you for it but no thank you."

"As you wish, Sheriff."

Eric looked around the room and his eyes landed on a woman sitting across the room near the pool table. Her hair was the color of fire and was braided in a long braid that reached below her mid-back. The braid showed off the natural golden highlights and brown lowlights in her hair. She had pale skin for a human that looked as smooth as silk. All of her creamy skinned collar bone and shoulders teased him in the navy blue dress she had on. It had halter straps and a deep v-neckline revealing the absolute perfect amount of cleavage, the skirt came down to just below her lower thighs and was lined in white stripes, just loose enough to bounce when she moved. She had on a thick, navy, silk ribbon around her neck that matched her dress. Her long legs went on forever and Eric ran his cold eyes over them. She was no stick figure, she had curves to her and it reminded him of the women in his kingdom back when he'd been human. Built beautifully. Not too full in figure but he could wrap her around him easily.

Bill snapped his fingers,"Eric. Did you hear me?"

"No. I stopped paying attention."

Bill followed his gaze,"She's a friend of Sookie's. Thorn."

"Interesting name. Short for something?" Eric asked.

"Ask her yourself," Bill said. "She's a nice girl. Tad closed off to most… Bit of a wild streak."

"Wild how?" Eric grinned wider. He liked wild. Wild was fun.

"Eric, she's a good girl. Don't use her."

"My dear Mr. Compton, you act as if she won't beg for it."

"As you like," Bill rolled his eyes. "You know, it's not an easy task to catch your undivided attention at first glance. Maybe you should speak to her."

"You don't need to tell me, William," He walked away from Bill and went over to Thorn. "Well, hello." She looked up at him and if Eric had any breath, it would've caught in his throat. Her eyes were hazel, not an uncommon color, but something about the way gold and emerald fought for dominance in her gaze struck Eric. "I'm-"

"Eric Northman." She smiled. Her smile was warm, he liked it.

"I… We've met before? There's no way. I would remember something as stunning as you."

"Something?" She raised a brow,"Beg pardon?"

"Someone," He corrected. "Apologies. I'm not known for my eloquence."

"Sure you are," She said,"Sookie told me all about you."

"Oh? What did she say?" He may need to bend Miss Stackhouse over his knee if she was speaking ill of him. Naughty thing that she was.

"That some tall, blond, Nordic douche-" She cleared her throat, stopping the word on her lips,"…. Gentleman… Would likely show up tonight and hit on every pretty girl in the room."

"Is that so?" He grinned,"Well… Here I am, Miss?"

"Thorn," She extended her hand to shake his But he kissed her hand. She smirked,"Thorn Kolt."

"Miss Kolt, you are gorgeous."

"So are you, Mr. Northman."

"What else did Miss Stackhouse say about me?"

"She said you have an impressive-…" Her eyes ran down Eric's body to his waist then back up. She chuckled,"… Set of fangs."

"Oh?" He grinned and released his fangs.

She smirked,"They look like Halloween teeth, Honestly."

"I assure you, they're quite real."

"Oh I know," She toyed with the silk ribbon she wore around her neck, never losing her smile but Eric could tell that there was something she wasn't saying. "Back to my question. What can I help you with, Mr. Northman?"

He smirked,"Why don't we get to know each other?"

"Sure," She moved from the billiards table to a regular table with him. They made small talk about politics, how they both knew Sookie and Bill, Small pleasantries, and about Fangtasia. "Nope never been before. Not my thing, really."

"A bar or a vampire bar?"

"Both."

"You seem at home in Merlotte's."

"Because I can name every person in this place. I partied enough in my teens for a lifetime." She chuckled,"So, how old are you?"

"You're not supposed to ask age."

"A lady's age. To my knowledge, you're not a lady."

"Okay, you got me," Eric rather liked this girl.

"Now. How old?"

"Old enough to know better and too old to give a shit."

Thorn laughed. Her laugh made him think of the ocean, the way he loved the sound of the sea waves crashing onto the shore. This was interesting. He smiled a little. Smiling was still strange for him but he was getting used to it. Thorn smiled back and her eyes slid closed when a song came on,"Mmm, I love this song. Do you like music, Mr. Northman?"

"Some. Modern music doesn't entirely interest me. Much less impressive than some of the classics."

"Do you dance then?"

"I know how. Why?"

She stood up,"Because you can either join me or sit here and watch," She smirked and went to the dance floor, moving her hips to the beat of the song.

When you came in, the air went out… And every shadow filled up with doubt… I don't know who you think you are but before the night is through… I wanna do bad things with you.

Eric watched her body move and sway and before he knew what he was doing, Eric had risen from his seat and made his way over to her. He pulled her against his body, her back pressed to his chest as she moved. His hands ran down her arms and she shivered.

I'm the kind to sit up in his room… heart sick an' eyes filled up with blue… I don't know what you done to me but I know this much is true… I wanna do bad things with you.

Thorn's hips rolled and she pressed against Eric, his hands moving from her arms to her hips to hold her there. His skin was so cool and it felt so nice, especially in the Louisiana heat. She smirked, rather impressed that he could move as well as he was to the music. He was very tall and usually very tall meant tripping over your own limbs. But it didn't surprise her as much when she remembered that he was a vampire and had better coordination than most humans.

As his hands ran over her sides, she resisted the urge to moan. She hadn't ever danced with someone like this. Something about his touch was just… It felt unreal. Especially as the beat mellowed and the lyrics became spoken word, they pressed against each other much closer…

When you came in… the air went out… and all those shadows there, filled up with doubt…

Thorn was shocked when Eric grabbed her wrist and spun her around as the beat in the song kicked up again, her dress flying up as she spun. But she smiled as he spun her back into his arms and put a hand on her hip, moving with her to the music.

I don't know who you think you are but before this night is through… I wanna do bad things with you… I wanna do real bad things with you.

Thorn laughed when the song ended. Eric's eyes were fixed on her. The way her smile struck him, the way her laugh rang in his ears, how soft her skin was. As assumed, it was like hot, ivory silk. Why was she so….

Thorn led him back to the table and they started talking again, nothing too deep. Silliness here and there, lots of jokes and laughing. Eric was actually laughing. This was definitely new for him. Humans were usually quite boring and typical to him. But not her.

The party went on and the humans ate cake in celebration of Bill and Sookie's engagement, the vampires drank true bloods, the happy couple opened their gifts, they talked and mingled.

By the end of the night, Eric and Thorn were outside. Thorn had a cigarette in her hand but burst into laughter,"Hold on. You kicked a guy clear across the room for licking your shoe?"

"Yes. Of course."

"Why?"

"They were expensive shoes," Eric shrugged,"And he didn't have permission."

She laughed again. He liked her laugh. "No offense, but licking your shoe is it's own punishment. Do you know unsanitary that is?" She shuddered but smiled. She took a drag from the cigarette.

"No more unsanitary than the poison you're puffing on," Eric took the cigarette from her and sniffed it out. "I dislike smoking."

"Does it bother your nose?"

"Yes. It's heinous. At least cigars can smell sweet."

"Sorry, you should've said something earlier."

"Do you smoke often?"

"Nah. Only on special occasions." She smirked, sitting on top of a stack of crates,"So…"

"Yes?"

"If I kiss you, where is this gonna go?"

He raised a brow but grinned,"Probably intense fucking for the remainder of the night, the likes of which," His cool fingers ran down her cheek to her neck,"I can promise you've never felt before."

She gulped,"Good God." She gripped the front of his shirt. "Straight to the point, aren't you?"

"Why not? I desire you and you desire me. We could have an amazing night together."

"I'm already having an amazing night," She replied. Eric hated to admit it, but so was he. He, honestly, couldn't remember the last time he'd had this much fun with a human woman without taking her to bed.

"Then why not perfect it?" He touched her hair. He wanted to snap that hair tie from her head and watch her fire colored locks fall around her.

"Would you bite me?" She shivered.

"Yes," He grinned, baring his fangs.

She bit her lip and hesitated a moment, then pulled him down to her level slowly, "In that case.." She stopped just before their lips touched,"I'm gonna have to pass." She got up.

Wait a minute. What? Eric looked at her,"I Beg your pardon?"

"I have no doubt in my mind that you'd rock my world, effectively ruining all other men for me," She giggled,"and you're likely the most attractive man I've ever laid eyes on." She touched his cheek,"But I'm gonna have to say no tonight."

"Come now," He pulled her close.

"Eric," She touched hands,"I don't do biting, Okay?"

"I'll restrain myself."

"Do you want me that much?"

Eric gave a shrug but in his head he was screaming, YES!

She kissed his cheek gently,"Maybe another time. Just means you'll have to come see me sometime. Or I can pop over to your bar." She slipped a piece of paper into his hand and walked away.

Eric watched her then looked at the slip. It read: I hope you'll call some time. And then her phone number.

Tonight had been much more interesting than he had thought it would be. An interesting woman who had denied him and he wasn't even bothered by it because of how much fun he had actually had with her. She could be very bad... And Eric liked bad things. He smirked and made his way home.

—-

A/N: The song used was True Blood's theme song. "Bad Things" by Jace Everett. I do not own any of the music I use in this story and I will post the name of the song and the artist in an author's note in every chapter that has one.