I felt a tug at my bond as I got closer – Eric was at my house, for once lately it seemed. When I pulled up, he was looking very handsome in downtime leaned against my porch railing.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

"Lover, I do believe you said feel free to stop by."

I sighed and said yes. He merely stood there.

"It's just I thought surely you wouldn't actually come by, and I got talked into getting pancakes with Sam and Em. I really didn't expect you." I didn't add the part about him sounding too busy for me – again.

"Are you not going?"

"I'm changing and then they are picking me up in 10 minutes or something." I stepped onto the porch and put my key into the door. "Do you want me to cancel?"

He shook his head. "But perhaps I should supervise this changing, maybe pick the clothes," he said, fangs down.

I rolled my eyes. "OK, Pam, come on in."

That last comment got me into my bedroom faster than you could say his progeny's name.

He made quick work of peeling my uniform off, kissing parts as they came into view. When he got to the last layer, he stopped and went to my closet.

I groaned, and he laughed.

"I hope that you do not let Pam play dress up with you in this manner."

I shook my head and watched as he flipped through clothes in my closet. He stopped on a navy shirt dress I hadn't worn in months, fingering it before pulling it out.

Not being keen on matching Em, I tried protesting, but he insisted. I drew the line at the black pumps, mostly on the count of me being on my feet all day, and settled on a pair of yellow ballet flats. Eric produced a matching scarf – it must have been Gran's – and tied it around the dress' waist.

My cell beeped with a message: "We just left Sook. Be there soon."

Eric frowned and scooped me into a kiss.

"I want to braid your hair."

"Eric, I don't think you have time."

"Are you challenging me, lover?"

I shrugged and nodded yes. And before I knew what happened, my blonde locks were being woven into a French braid in 30 seconds flat, and I was being placed in front of a mirror. The look was sweet and me. I told him so.

"Perhaps you will prefer me to Pam from now on," he suggested, wrapping his arms around me and kissing the top of my head.

"It is more pleasurable for sure. Thank you." I spun around and pulled him to me with thoughts of getting all the quality time I could.

He pulled away. "They are nearly here."

Another groan. "Maybe I could just say I changed my mind."

"And waste all my hard work, lover? No." He looked pleased as punch with himself.

I heard the footsteps on my porch before Sam called my name.

I pulled Eric into the hallway with me.

"Hey Sam, sorry, I got distracted."

"Shifter."

"Vampire."

"Sook, you still coming out?" Sam watched me for signs of something.

"She is. As much as I would enjoy keeping her here, she has made plans with her friends," Eric said before I could open my mouth. Where is my "She's mine" vampire right now?

Not that I would be arguing with him.

Silence. Great.

"Maybe you could meet Em?" I looked up at Eric before Sam cut me off.

"She's actually taking a business call. That's why I came to the door."

"Oh, well maybe next time."

Sam looked at however Eric was glaring at him and beat a path to the SUV as I locked the door. Sam was making his way toward it and as he turned to get in, Eric scooped me into a serious kiss – at least my possessive vampire was back.

"Tomorrow night?"

"I can't, lover. I will be playing host to Stan, Roger and whomever they bring."

"Roger?"

"King of New Mexico and Arizona. They have business meetings in the area and wish to meet with me as a sheriff. Perhaps I will call in a day or so." He kissed me once more and then he took off in Bill's house.

"Are you going to Bill's?"

He stopped and turned. "Yes. He is required. Goodnight, lover."

I slid in the back behind Em.

"You look smashing. So that is your Viking, no?" Em asked as I buckled up.

"Thanks. Yep, that's Eric."

"Is he upset that you are choosing your friends over him?" she continued as she pulled onto to Hummingbird Lane.

"No, he seems fine with it."

"Why did he go to the graveyard?" she asked.

"He's going to talk to Bill about some vampire shit."

Em's laugh filled the car. "Sam, point the way, my friend."