Page 106 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

“We don’t.” With a sigh, he opens the car door, likely intent on ending the conversation—even though I’m having so much fun. “I’m stretching this shit out. He’ll hate me for it.”

Not only is Caldwell noticeably taller than Jun, but they also have different builds. Caldwell is sinewy, while Jun is more… Herculean.

“Well, for what it’s worth, I think you look very handsome.” I leave the car and smile at him over the roof. “I wasn’t expecting you to put this much effort into meeting my parents.”

“I’m not.” His eyes narrow. “I’m trying to make sure they don’t eat me.”

“Right.” I chuckle under my breath. “Because only I can do that.”

He comes to my side, clutching my hand, somehow tender and firm all at once. “Don’t get me started right now.”

“Is that all it takes to get you started?”

“These days? With you? Yes, princess. That’s all it takes.”

I could mock and pretend I don’t understand, but I do. Jun and I have only had sex one time, but I haven’t been able to get it off my mind. I force it away now, wearing a tight smile as we enter my family home.

It looks the same as ever, but the scent of savory roast beef and rosemary wafts through the abode.

“Don’t let it fool you,” I mutter under my breath. “My mother doesn’t cook. I don’t know if she remembers how.”

Jun snorts. “I figured.”

Of course, my mother heard the comment, arriving with a scary smile on her beautiful face. “Are you already filling his head with lies,mon trésor? I know how to cook.”

I lift an eyebrow.

“That said”—she turns away, gesturing for us to follow—“I had some help with tonight’s meal.”

There was likely a time when my mothercouldcook, but after being a vampire for a hundred years, one forgets how. We only eat together on occasions like these, either to look orfeellike a normal human. Tonight, it’s for appearances.

Jun is here. He has a human palate and, hopefully, an enormous appetite. My mother paid for a feast: roasted potatoes and other seasonal vegetables, tender roast beef, pumpkin cheesecake, and bottles of wine.

“Sit down.” I gesture to a chair.

He’s glaring at me again. “You first.”

No way. I see it coming before it happens. I move toward a chair, and he pulls it out for me, wearing a look of defiance.

I touch the back of the chair. “You’re being weird.”

“I’m being a gentleman,” he says through gritted teeth.

Of course, my parents can hear everything we say. We’re already failing at the ruse, and Jun is failing at being a gentleman… but he’s trying, and it’s amusing. I sit down and allow him to push in the chair.

I gaze at him through heavy lids. “But you’realwayssuch a gentleman.”

He rolls his eyes and sits next to me.

My mother takes her seat at one end of the table. “Let me pour you both some wine.”

“Jun is driving,” I say flatly.

Her eyes widen. “You aren’t staying the night?”

“No.” I have a feeling I’ll need time out of the house after dinner.

Hurt flashes across my mother’s haughty face, but it’s swiftly replaced with a smile. “Oh, all right. May I get you a soda, Jun?”