Free Miss Me When the Sun Goes Down by Lisa Olsen

not okay with.  I noticed the play of a smile on his lips at that, and it bugged me.  “What?” 
    “Nothing, you ’re adorable, that’s all.”  He pressed a kiss to the top of my head.  “Very well, I’ll attempt a bit more care in my feeding, but only for you, not because of any law.”
    “Thank you,” I mumbled, slightly mollified.  “But you’re sort of missing my point.”
    Jakob stopped, turning me to face him and tipping my face up to his.  “I understand your point all too well.  I promise, I’ll make an effort to embrace your humanity and its practices.”
    “You will?”
    “Of course.  It’s easily done.  I’ve lived among them long enough. I know what it is to blend in.”  Which meant he was still operating under the wrong reasons, but as long as he was prepared to behave, I was willing to take it.  “And now, perhaps we might retire to a more private venue?”
    “Actually, I think I’m ready to call it a night.”   
    His eyes widened in disbelief.  “You can’t be serious.  It’s not yet midnight, and now that we’ve taken the edge off your hunger, I thought…”
    “First date, remember?  I think this is about all I can handle for one evening.”   
    “But there will be other dates?”
    Despite the surge of hormones every time Jakob pulled me close, I wasn’t over Bishop, not by a long shot.  But Bishop was part of my past, and I had to admit, part of me was very interested in learning more about the man beside me.  Despite some of the atrocities I knew him to be capable of, he clearly wanted to change, and all in the name of his feelings for me.  Maybe I could help him recover the humanity he’d left behind long ago? 
    The naked hope on his face was enough to make my head nod in response before I even realized I was doing it.  “Yes, we can date.”
    “When, when can I see you again?”  His eyes fairly glowed with warmth, and Jakob kissed the tips of my fingers, holding himself back from more with a visible effort. 
    “ Um… let me see… when are we?”  I’d been so busy I hardly knew what day of the week it was.  “Oh man, Thanksgiving is the day after tomorrow so I’ll be with my family all evening, and then I’m going shopping with Hanna on Black Friday. (Which for once wouldn’t be a stretch to stay up all night for the early bird deals.)  After that I’m really not sure.  I should probably put in some face time with the local vamps, make sure they’re getting their money’s worth.  I’m supposed to go to Jarrod and Leander’s new club opening, and I’m not sure when that is.  I’ll have to get back to you, okay?” 
    “Make it soon .  There is a limit to my patience, älskling .”
    “You never told me what älskling means,” I realized aloud.
    “Now you have something to anticipate as well.”
    Boy howdy, did I…

Chapter Seven
     
    Even with the early sunset, I arrived at my parents’ house hours later than I usually did.  I’d given them a quick heads up that I’d be late and not to hold dinner for me (especially since I wouldn’t be eating much at all), but my mother insisted we could just as easily eat at a later time to accommodate my schedule.  We were never a football kind of family, and the day usually revolved around cooking and baking, with an impromptu musicale in the evening.  My family members were the only people I didn’t mind performing in front of by myself, and it wasn’t unusual for us all to take turns singing or playing the piano.  Sometimes we all burst into a number together.
    At least this time I had a ride ; Gunnar and Isak chauffeured me without question after I explained I had to visit some old friends for the holiday.  They parked across the street from my parents’ split level home to keep an eye on the place, even after I assured them I’d be perfectly safe inside.  I wore my cream colored dress with the embroidered flowers along the neckline, doing my best not to think of