Real Vampires Dont Wear Size Six

by Gerry Bartlett

Chapter Eight

  The set started off well. The band sounded great, Ray was energetic and the crowd went wild. Guess Ray had been right; he could do these things in his sleep or drunk. But he had a look in his eyes that I recognized. A dangerous look. He was on the sixth song, a fast one, when he started working the edge of the stage, leaning down to touch the women in the crowd who reached up to clasp his hand or tossed him a pair of panties or a bra.

  It was actually pretty common at his concerts and he usually played it for laughs, tucking the thongs in his pocket with a wink or pitching the bras to his bass player, who sometimes wore the big ones like a cap.

  Not this time. This time Ray leaned down to kiss three different women, lingering long enough that the crowd went completely insane. The big screen monitors over the stage gave everyone a good view of deep kisses with plenty of tongue. I wasn't jealous but worried. Ray looked wobbly and I had no idea if he could control his fangs when he touched these mortal women. The best I could hope for was that he didn't make them bleed and looked in their eyes at the end of the kiss to erase their memories of those sharp pointy teeth.

  Luckily, song seven was a ballad and he staggered back to sit on a stool to sing with his lead guitarist. The occasional screams made him pause but he got through it, forgetting the words only once. Didn't bother this crowd. They knew his songs by heart and prompted him. He grinned and waved a thank-you, which just got the women in the audience even more excited.

  Finally the end of the set was in sight. I knew it because Nate whispered in my ear that they could wrap it up with this song. It was Ray's greatest hit from last year, a fast, loud rock number that got everyone dancing, Ray included. His hip thrusts made the women squeal and reach for him, begging him to dance right into their arms.

  His shirt was unbuttoned and he jerked it off, tossing it into the audience. The blue satin was shredded in seconds, leaving several women clutching pieces of it, tears streaming down their cheeks as they screamed his name. He never missed a beat, just kept singing and dancing along the edge of that stage like a tightrope walker. So dangerous.

  I jumped up, afraid to lose sight of him when he bent down to kiss yet another woman. Damn it, he really was staggering now. More women grabbed at his black boots and snug jeans but he skipped out of reach, teasing them until he stumbled. He didn't fall though, just grinned and saluted, then aimed for the other side of the stage.

  The music soared toward a dramatic conclusion and I tried to relax. Okay, he was going to make it. I guess I hadn't given him enough credit. Ray was a professional. He'd done this for years. And he'd done it drunk more than once when he was mortal too. Nate had told me that. As a vampire, Ray was stronger than he'd been before. I guess I should quit trying to mentor him and just let Ray go, let him live his own life.

  Then he reached down to kiss one more woman and he disappeared, falling headfirst into the crowd. I held my breath and heard Nate curse beside me. Surely Ray would pop up any second now and wave to us, assuring everyone that he was all right. But it didn't happen. The crowd where Ray had landed was thick, too thick to give anyone space to work a way in. Unless they had a vampire's special gifts.

  I whammied a path to Ray, staring into wide eyes and commanding obedience, until I got to where he lay on the concrete, stricken women hovering around him. The band had gone silent, clearly stunned that their lead singer had literally taken a dive midchorus.

  "Move. Give him air," I said as I shoved the women back and looked down at Ray's pale face. He had a pool of blood under his head and had obviously been knocked unconscious when he'd fallen.

  "Back up, let us through!" Nate's voice. He'd found the paramedics who were always on hand at these concerts and he managed to beat a path to where I knelt next to Ray. A woman shrieked Ray's name and that did it. Screams and shouts sounded from every part of the area. The women who could actually see the blood under Ray's head sobbed uncontrollably.

  "Calm down. He'll be okay. Ray's tough. " I tried to smile, but couldn't manage it. "Let the paramedics get to him. " The women did shuffle back, clinging to each other.

  Two men carrying a first-aid kit and a litter stopped next to Ray and started to assess the damage, pulling out equipment I knew would be useless. This was impossible and I knew what I had to do. No matter what was wrong with Ray, a day's sleep would take care of it. For now, we had to get away from these mortal witnesses. I gazed into their eyes, then told the paramedics to put Ray onto the stretcher without checking his pulse or whatever else they usually did. Nate and I stayed close as they carried him to his trailer. I would handle things from there.

  The crowd got really quiet as a path opened in front of us. I heard the clicks that meant that pictures of this were going to show up in the tabloids. No help for that. Ray deserved whatever bad press this brought him. Nate and a pack of bodyguards kept the paparazzi at bay as we crossed the parking lot. Curious bystanders probably wondered why we didn't load Ray into the waiting ambulance but a brief comment at the trailer door took care of that. Nate just put out a statement that Ray was already awake and refused to be transported.

  Inside, I threw a towel under Ray's bleeding head and had the confused paramedics lay him on his bed. The fact that the wound was still bleeding freaked me out. Vampires usually quit bleeding in moments, even from head wounds.

  "We should - " The paramedic never got to finish whatever he wanted to say. I got in his face and took care of business again. Nate hovered behind them and escorted them out the door with the empty stretcher. After I'd finished with them, all they'd remember was that Ray was fine, awake, with no sign of a concussion. He'd just gotten a little bump on his head.

  Actually, he was still unconscious and I was going to have to find him some decent blood to drink. Not from me; I'd already given my quota for the night and still felt shaky. What I drank to keep me on my feet was from Ray's stash, full of alcohol, and I was feeling the effects. I grabbed another bottle and drained it. Nate was close beside me again and smelling way too delicious.

  "What can I do, Glory?" Nate stared down at his friend. "He's not, uh, dead, is he? You wouldn't let the paramedics do anything. Not even take his vital signs. "

  "Nate, his signs aren't vital. He's a vampire, remember? And immortal. Unless he fell on a stake or the sun came out, he'll live. But I don't like how he's looking. " I put my hand on Nate's arm. "Blood pressure, temperature, they're not going to be in the normal range. Those results would have freaked out the paramedics. " I sighed. "But there is something you can do. Have you been drinking tonight? Drugging?"

  "What? I don't do drugs. And, while I could use a stiff drink, especially tonight, I always wait till after the show is over. " Nate looked from me to Ray. "Shit, I get it. You need my blood. For him to drink. What about yours?"

  "I already fed him before the show. To get him sober enough to perform. I can't give again tonight. " I touched the oozing cut on the back of Ray's head. It was healing now, but slowly, and I didn't even have enough juice in me to speed up the process. "I know you're not enthusiastic, especially after he attacked you before, but it will save him. I don't know how serious this head injury is, but he's not coming around yet. I don't like that. He'll live, but I've seen impaired vampires who never healed properly for one reason or another. I don't want Ray to end up less than he should be. "

  "God, no. " Nate shucked his suit jacket and sat on the side of the bed. He always dressed like the business manager he was and didn't go for a casual look. He unbuttoned his cuff and rolled up his sleeve, then offered his wrist.

  "Thanks. I'm sorry if this hurts. " I bit into his wrist, ignoring how yummy his blood tasted, then pressed the open wound to Ray's lips. "Come on, Ray baby, drink for me. "

  No response. This was not normal, not by a long shot. Usually one whiff of an exotic type like Nate's really did it for a vampire. I lay on the bed next to Ray and pried his mouth open, no fangs in sight.

  "Run
your wrist under his nose. Let him get a good sniff. " I looked down at Ray's chest. Was he even breathing? He didn't actually need to but I pushed on his sternum to move things along. Nate shoved his wrist under Ray's nostrils.

  "Come on, buddy. This is good stuff. Glory's favorite. I hear it's rare and expensive. " Nate glanced at me. "I think his nose twitched. "

  "Yeah, and his fangs are coming down. Brace yourself, this won't be pretty. " I winced when Ray latched on to Nate's wrist with a growl, sinking his fangs in deep. Nate shuddered, then reached out and took my hand.

  "I can handle it. " Nate did hang on to me though.

  I watched to make sure Ray didn't take too much and color gradually came back into his cheeks as he drank. When his eyes fluttered open, I wrenched Nate's wrist away from him and licked the wounds closed. Ray made a grab to get the wrist back but I pushed him onto the bed again, my hands on his shoulders.

  "Forget it. You've had enough. "

  "No. " He tried to get past me, almost knocking me off the bed.

  "Yes. " I sat on his chest. "Get out of here, Nate. I've got this. "

  "You sure?" Nate grabbed his suit jacket, obviously glad to leave Ray in my hands.

  "Yes, I'm sure. Does Ray have any more obligations tonight?" I didn't turn around, just stared down at Ray, daring him to buck me off like I could see he was thinking of doing.

  "No, he's done. The band is taking a break, like I told you. The roadies will pack up the equipment and it's going into storage until we need it again. I'll handle it all from here. Ray's free and clear until the end of the month. " Nate stood at the foot of the bed. "You okay, buddy?"

  "No, I feel like shit. Get back here and let me have some more of your juice. I'm hurt, can't you see that?" Ray's voice was rough. Obviously the set had strained his voice.

  "No can do. Glory says that's all you need. I have to take her word on that. " Nate kept his distance. "As for being hurt? It's your own damned fault. Deal with it. "

  I dug in my pocket, peeled off my apartment key, then tossed him my car keys. "Could you get someone to drive my car to my place? It's a red convertible. I parked it in the far corner of the lot, almost in the trees. "

  "No problem. " Nate moved to the side of the bed but still out of Ray's reach. "Thanks, Glory. I'll say it, even if Ray won't. "

  I smiled at him, then turned and frowned down at Ray, who'd made a grab for Nate again.

  "Yeah, yeah, it's unanimous, I'm a bad boy. Now get off me, Glory, so Nate and I can have a little business meeting. " Ray put his hands on my butt and tried to shove me off. He obviously didn't have any strength and cursed when he couldn't budge me.

  Nate strode to the door. "Here's what I'm going to do. I'll take care of the press, spread the story that you're okay, but already on the way to the hospital to be checked out anyway. Should keep the vultures away long enough for you to make a move. " Nate sighed. "It's what you'd do if you were human, Ray. "

  "Well, I'm not human so get back here," Ray growled.

  "No, thanks. You about took my arm off. Not exactly eager for a replay. " Nate didn't try to keep the anger out of his voice as he jerked open the door.

  "Pussy," Ray snarled.

  "Asshole. " Nate slammed the door and was gone.

  "Get off me. Unless you're ready to spread your legs and let me inside. " Ray's smile wasn't a bit loverlike.

  "Like you could even get it up, hotshot. And no thanks anyway. Right now you're about as appealing as roadkill. " I stayed where I was. "You couldn't thank Nate? And we are human, Ray. I'll set Nate straight on that later. " I glared down at him. He was obviously in pain so I let my anger go. I reached back to gently explore the back of his head. "Hmm. Hit the concrete pretty hard, didn't you? Admit it. You had it coming, strutting along the edge of the stage like an idiot. "

  "My fans expect it. The ladies loved it. " He licked his lips and grinned, finally showing some of his famous charm. "Want a sample? Or should I say a reminder? You seem to like kissing me. And sure I can get it up. Give me a minute and something to work with. " He grabbed my hair and wound his fingers in it. "Still wearing those shades? Lose 'em. " He used a thumb to send them flying.

  "Careful. Those are vintage. And I'm not interested in kissing you. You made a fool of yourself. I hope no one took video of that performance tonight, but I'm betting it'll be all over YouTube by morning. Israel Caine staggering around until he falls off the stage. "

  "Hey, no such thing as bad publicity. I bet I have a thousand get-well cards and e-mails by the end of the week. Enough to freeze up Facebook. " He slid one hand down to my jugular, clearly thinking to take another drink from me.

  I heaved myself off him. "You're probably right. Most women are stupid over you. Not me. " I rescued my shades. "Can you stand?"

  "Don't know. My head hurts like hell. Bring me a drink. " Ray tried to sit up but didn't quite manage it.

  "Not happening. You're coming home with me and putting some nonalcoholic synthetic in your system. " I grabbed his hand and pulled him up.

  "You goin' to let me sleep in your bed?" Ray grinned when I swung his legs to the side and tugged him to his feet. " ' Cause that's the only way I'm leavin' here with you, babe. "

  "Of course, Ray. " I didn't hesitate to lie to him. Whatever worked at this point. I slung his arm over my shoulders, relieved that he had enough steam to actually walk beside me to the door. Even enough to make a lunge toward the booze on the kitchen counter. He was still too weak, though, to resist when I kept it out of his reach.

  "Can't shift. To, um, dizzy. " He leaned on me as we stumbled down the steps. I was glad that Nate really had managed to keep the paparazzi away and the parking lot was deserted.

  "This your car?" I nodded toward a black SUV. Good grief, the things were everywhere, obviously a macho must-have.

  "Yeah, keys are on the visor. " Ray was heavy and he was barely able to shuffle his feet. I was glad to dump him into the passenger seat and buckle him in. He leaned back and closed his eyes. "Head hurts like a son of a bitch. "

  "I'm sure it does. Remember that the next time you decide to lock lips with one of your fangirls. " I said this as I snatched the keys and latched my own seat belt.

  "No need to be jealous, babe. Just part of the act. " He opened one eye and looked at me. "Usually. "

  "You are an asshole. " I started the car with a roar and reversed out of the parking lot. Ray just chuckled, then groaned, closing both eyes again.

  What was I doing taking him home with me? Penny would be there and I shouldn't let him within miles of her. I drove there anyway, alternately worrying about Ray's condition - he seemed to have lapsed into unconsciousness again - and having him around Penny. He was the worst example possible for a new vampire. He was profane, liked to flaunt his hot body and would no doubt do his best to drink his way through my supply of alcoholic synthetic. The first thing on my agenda would be to hide that.

  By the time I dragged him upstairs to my apartment, I was almost frantic. I couldn't get more than a groan from him. I blamed his recent diet of alcoholic blood on his poor healing and myself for not letting him take more from Nate when he had the chance. I was relieved when I saw my door ajar, sure I was going to have to drop Ray on the floor to dig out my key.

  I kicked the door open so I could shoulder him inside, not even stopping to wonder about the lack of security that easy access implied. I'd just managed to dump Ray on the couch when I realized I was being watched from the kitchen doorway.

  "This is interesting. "

  "Jerry!" I straightened, brushing back my hair, and suddenly realized I'd lost my sunglasses somewhere between the car and the apartment. "I thought - "

  "That I'd still be in Florida, taking a break?" He strode over to me, a bottle of synthetic in his hand, and looked down at Ray sprawled on the couch. I hadn't bothered to put a shirt on him and one of his legs had fallen to the floor. He still hadn't moved.


  "Well, yes, that's what you said you wanted. " I inhaled, savoring his nearness. I'd missed him so much I felt tears pop into my lashless eyes. I hated for him to see me like this. No doubt he'd decide to make the break permanent. And here I was toting around Ray, a man he hated.

  "What's the matter with Caine?" Jerry nudged Ray's foot with his boot. "Not dead, is he?" I knew I didn't imagine the hopeful note in his voice.

  "No, but he was hurt tonight, during his concert. And drunk. He fell off the stage and hit his head. He needs more blood but I've given him all I can. " I put my hand on Jerry's arm, unable to resist touching him. He wore a short-sleeve knit shirt in a deep red that looked wonderful with his dark hair and eyes. My heart leaped at the way he studied me for a brief moment. He frowned when he noticed my lack of lashes, but he was wise enough not to mention it. I wanted to bury my face against his wide chest and just breathe him in. But then he looked away, down to the bottle in his hand.

  "Blood. This stuff sure won't do it for him. It's too damned weak. " He set the empty bottle on the coffee table with a grimace.

  "He took some mortal blood from Nathan but I was afraid he'd get carried away and stopped him, maybe too soon. " I couldn't help it. I moved in and slipped my arms around Jerry's waist. I just had to hold on to him. To let him know in a small way that I was only here as Ray's mentor, nothing else.

  "Yes, he'd take too much if he could, especially if he'd overindulged in the alcoholic brew. It lowers your inhibitions. " Jerry smiled down at me. "And from what I know of Caine, he has damned few of those sober. "

  "True. " I snuggled against Jerry. "I'm so glad to see you. It's been a rough night. " I was desperate to ask him why he was here but scared of his answer. It was enough that he smiled at me and kept his arm around my shoulders instead of pushing me away.

  "Obviously. Caine needs vampire blood to heal properly. "

  "I'm sure you're right. " I sighed. "I know you don't like Ray, Jerry, and that the feeling is mutual. I don't expect you to . . . "

  "Just my dumb luck to show up here when you've got this lackwit on your hands. " Jerry put some space between us and rubbed my cheek with his thumb. "I'm sorry you've had a bad night. "

  I blurted it out, just couldn't stand it. "Why are you here, Jerry?"

  "Because I got to Florida and then wondered what the hell I was doing. I don't run away when I want something. " He ran his thumbs up and down my neck, making me shiver. "I stand and fight for what I want. "

  "And what is it you want, Jeremiah Campbell?" I knew the answer, saw it in his eyes and read it in his mind as he opened to me. My own eyes filled and I trembled.

  He pulled me closer until our chests met and I had to look up at him, the gleam in his eyes taking me back centuries to the first moment I saw him, so handsome, so determined to have me.

  "You, woman. I want you, Gloriana St. Clair. Any way I can get you. So I'll woo you and win you, by God. Against all comers. " He leaned down, kissing my cheeks, my chin, then my lips. He seduced my mouth open to take it completely.

  I moaned and climbed his body, trying to show him how desperately I wanted and needed him too. How his words had thrilled me and calmed a terror I'd been feeling ever since he'd left. I hadn't even dared acknowledge it, the awful dread of what life without Jerry, truly without Jerry, would be like. Now I wouldn't have to face it. I clung to him and poured my heart into that kiss.

  "Uh, hate to interrupt, but I'm coming through. " Penny's voice penetrated the fog that had made me forget everything but Jerry. "Oh, my God! Is that Israel Caine on the couch?"

  I eased away from Jerry's arms and turned to see Penny, followed by two burly shifters carrying boxes.

  "Yes, that's Ray. Just finish up. Is that your last load? You only have a few hours until dawn, you know. " I sounded like a snippy house mother, which I was at the moment.

  "Yes, last load. Fellas, the boxes go back here. Follow me. " Penny smiled at Jerry, gawked at Ray, then headed toward her bedroom.

  Jerry and I just stood there silently, patiently waiting until the two men left and Penny had closed the door.

  "Uh, hi, Mr. Blade. " Penny flushed. "Sorry if I'm in the way here. I'll be working on my laptop. " She held up earphones. "These are noise-cancelling. Top of the line. Going to my bedroom now. Music on. Loud. " She headed toward the hall. " ' Night. "

  "Thanks, Penny. I'll explain about Ray tomorrow. I promise. " I smiled at her gratefully. She really was incredibly bright. When she'd disappeared, her door closing with a click, Jerry moved away from me to sit on the coffee table near Ray's head.

  "Now I'm going to prove just how much I love you, Gloriana. " He bit his own wrist, then shoved it into Ray's mouth. "Drink, you sorry bastard. Drink and heal so you can get the hell out of here. "

  I stared at Jerry, my mouth open. As proof of love, this was a doozy. Jerry giving his life force to Ray. And of course Ray latched on. Jerry's ancient blood was irresistible. Ray gulped and swallowed, taking it in and healing, almost before our eyes. The cut on top of his head vanished and the circles under his eyes disappeared. He had his healthy tan back too, the tan he'd had when he'd been turned vampire. I dragged my gaze from that miracle to move behind Jerry, running my hands through his soft hair.

  "Thank you. This means - "

  "What I said. That I love you. That I'll do whatever it takes to prove that. " He jerked his arm away from Ray, swearing as his skin ripped. He kept a hand on Ray's chest when Ray tried to go for another drink. "Cease your whining, Caine. You've had enough. " He leaned down and stared into Ray's eyes, now bright and alert. "Sleep. When you wake up tomorrow night, you should be good as new. Whatever the hell that means to you. "

  To my astonishment, Ray meekly closed his eyes, apparently down for the count.

  "You whammied him. " I stepped back when Jerry rose and pushed the coffee table out of his way.

  "Aye. "

  "I didn't think that was possible with another vampire. Especially one like Ray, who wouldn't want to do anything you ordered him to do. " I glanced at Ray again, who was clearly sleeping peacefully.

  "He's still weak, has enough of my blood in him to be susceptible to me, and no will to resist. " Jerry scooped me into his arms and carried me toward my bedroom. "I'm hoping that last one applies to you as well. "

  "Wait a damned minute. " Even I realized there was no heat behind my protest. I grabbed the doorframe as he stepped over the threshold, stopping us before he was actually inside the bedroom. I had to at least make a token attempt to slow this down.

  Jerry grinned down at me. "You want me to leave? After I went against every instinct that said let the bleeding sod rot? I fed him for you, Gloriana. I'd hoped that would prove something to you. "

  "It proved, Jerry, that you like to make grand gestures. No news there. " We both knew Ray would have healed on his own. Eventually. There was no need to bring that up.

  "Can't say I wasn't impressed. " I stroked his cheek. The roughness of his late-night beard was just another sign of his virility. He was so strong, so all male. I loved that about him. "But do you want me to fall into bed with you in gratitude? For saving Ray?"

  "I'd take it. " He laughed when I hit his chest. "For a start. " He leaned down to kiss me in that hot and effortless way he had that curled my toes and made me grasp his hair. "But I imagine I could get you to invite me there for other reasons with a little time and persuasion. "

  "I'm too easy for you. You left me here crying your name. " I punched him a little harder this time. He'd hurt me but not nearly as much as I'd hurt him when I'd turned to Rafe. I couldn't deny that.

  "I'm sorry for that, Gloriana, but I needed to get some things straight in my mind. A man has his pride, you know. " His arms tightened around me and I knew his pain was still raw and would be for a long while yet. If inviting him to lie with me now would make it less, I was more than willing. Who was I kidding? I wanted him with ev
erything in me. I ached for him.

  "A woman has her pride too. " I pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "But where you are concerned I have none, it seems. Take me to bed, Jeremiah. Make me scream. If Penny hears too much through her earphones, let her be jealous that I have the most delicious, the most expert lover in the world. "

  "Most expert, eh? Now there's a high mark. " Jerry was beside the bed in three strides. He laid me gently on the coverlet and gazed down at me. "I have to ask. What the hell happened to your eyes? They look strange. "

  "I lost my eyelashes. You don't want to know how. " Demons. Jerry would go insane when he realized hell had come calling and that Rafe and I would be working together again.

  "Don't I?" He crawled on the bed, his hands on either side of my head, his knees bracketing my hips. "Why do I think the shifter is responsible for this?"

  I put my finger on his frowning lips. "Stop. The shifter cannot be here now. Not when I'm thinking I wear too many clothes and so do you. "

  "You're right. I'm going to make love to you, Gloriana. " Jerry smiled and glanced back at the candles I'd placed on my dresser, left over from an exorcism.

  Oh, definitely not thinking about demons now, not with the candles suddenly lit and the overhead off. I liked the romantic lighting, much more forgiving as he eased off my sweater and dropped it beside the bed. Another glance from Jerry got soft music from my bedside radio.

  "How did you do that?" I sighed as he released the clasp of my bra. Sometimes it felt more like a cage on my too-full breasts.

  "I have more tricks than you can imagine. " His grin was wolfish as he tossed the bra aside and leaned down to trace the marks left by the underwire with his tongue. "I don't know why you bother wearing such torturous devices. Your breasts are perfect. "

  "They bounce. Not cool. " I shoved my fingers in his hair. "Tricks? I figured you'd shared pretty much all of them over the years. " I gasped when he ran his fangs back and forth across first one nipple then the other.

  "Why don't you just relax and enjoy, lass. " Jerry's eyes gleamed as he slipped open the button on my jeans, then eased down the zipper. "Let me do all the work tonight. "

  "Work?" I tugged on his hair. "Since when is lovemaking work to you?"

  "Clearly I am talking too much. " Jerry swooped down, silencing me with a hungry kiss.

  He was right, of course. No more talk. I pushed my hands under his knit shirt to explore the taut muscles of his back, the ridge of an old scar, the bumps of his spine.

  He was taking care of my jeans and panties, getting me naked with an efficiency that was no trick at all. When he released my mouth to explore my breasts again, I managed to tug his shirt up and off him, then took care of the fastening of his jeans. He sucked my nipple into the warmth of his mouth and I moaned, the flick of his tongue and the pressure making me clench between my legs.

  Jerry obviously knew that because he stroked me there, his clever fingers finding just the place that needed attention and, oh, yes, pressure until I gasped and writhed in his arms.

  "Jerry!" I wanted to touch him, to make him lose his mind like I was losing mine. To hell with this "make Glory wild" mission. Suddenly I resented it, resented the way every man in my life - well, make that Jerry and Rafe - always had to be in the driver's seat. Even in bed. Sure it was all about my pleasure. Yeah, right. But you can bet the farm Jerry would get his rocks off long before dawn and more than once.

  I guess I stiffened or something because Jerry pulled back and stared down at me.

  "What's wrong, Gloriana?"

  I almost didn't say anything. He wouldn't get it. In Jerry's worldview he was making a big sacrifice here. Giving Glory the big O with all the bells and whistles. I reached up and touched his cheek.

  "I love you, Jerry. You don't have to prove anything to me. " The truth was I had everything to prove to him. But I wasn't getting into our issues now. Talk about ruining a mood.

  "I wasn't - "

  I shut his mouth with a deep and, okay, desperate kiss, then eased off again.

  "You know what I want?"

  "I hoped I was getting there. " His hand rested on the damp curls at the juncture of my thighs. He leaned on one elbow and tweaked one of my nipples and, yes, I shivered.

  "Okay, yes, that. " I nudged his erection with my knee. I'd gotten his jeans off somehow. We were both naked, good to go. Why was I talking? Oh, yeah. "But can you forget tricks and special effects and fantasies and whatever cute things you might have up your sleeve and just be with me?"

  Jerry frowned. "First, look, no sleeves. Second, I set a scene, wasn't much of a trick there. And, third?" He lay beside me and pulled me into his arms. "There's nothing I like better than just being with you. I love you. Do with me what you will. But don't expect me to just lie here and take it. " He rolled me on top of him. "You've been known to inspire me. "

  "Back at you. " I smiled and slid down his body to take him into my mouth. His gasp and groan were my reward. He only allowed it a few moments before he turned me so he could taste me as well. We drove each other wild with our fangs and our tongues until I finally pulled away to sit astride him, impaling myself on his rigid cock.

  "Jerry!" I sighed as he filled me, sure no one else quite made me feel this complete. He held my breasts, his fingers clasping my sensitive nipples as he looked at me with love in his eyes.

  I couldn't imagine why I still held his devotion. I had tested it and would continue to strain this relationship. I leaned down to kiss his mouth as we moved, my body convulsing just as his did. We were so attuned, so in sync. If only we could forget everything but the here and now. Finally I trembled and lay in Jerry's arms, too languid to do more than kiss his damp shoulder.

  "I will never be able to look Penny in the eyes again. " Jerry grinned, took my hand and placed it on his chest. "Move in with me and leave her here. Then you won't have to. "

  "Can't. I'm her mentor, remember?" I sat up and stared down at him. "And don't rush me. A half hour ago I thought we were no longer a couple. "

  Jerry glanced at the clock on the bedside table. "That was more like an hour ago. And we will always be a couple. Make no mistake about that. " He stretched, his naked body a thing of beauty and, wow, pure sex on a stick. "I'm spending the day. You couldn't blast me out of here. Not with Caine on your couch. "

  "Did I ask you to leave?" I glanced at that same clock. Another half hour or so till dawn. I got up and opened the bedroom door, glancing down the hall. Penny's music was so loud, I could hear it out here. I guess if she were mortal, I'd worry about hearing damage. I grinned and went to check on Ray, not really worried that I was naked. If he woke up and peeked, Jerry would have a good excuse to knock him in the head again. I would probably enjoy watching that.

  But Ray was still out. I put a hand on his chest and could tell it was a natural sleep, not yet the death sleep that would hit him when dawn came. I took a quick detour to the kitchen, dragging every bottle of synthetic with alcohol into a bag, then grabbed an ordinary one for myself. I picked up the bag and carried it into the bedroom.

  "What's that?" Jerry had propped himself up in bed.

  "Blud-Lite. It has alcohol. I'm hiding it in my closet. So Ray can't get into it. I'm going to help him dry out if he'll let me. " I dumped it in the bottom of my clothes hamper, then threw a dirty towel on top of it.

  "You're kidding. " Jerry jumped out of bed, slid a bold hand over my backside just to show he'd noticed I was naked, then took the bottle of synthetic out of my hand and twisted off the top. "You really think he'll let you do that?"

  "Doubt it, but I'm going to offer. I still feel like his mentor, Jer. " I took the bottle he held out to me and took a swallow. "Ray knows I'm not into him. " I grinned. "Not like I'm into you. " I rubbed my bare breasts against his chest.

  "He'd better. " Jerry jerked me against him. "Come back to bed. "

  "Oh, I am. Just needed to get my strength back. "
I quickly drained the bottle, then set it on the dresser. "You've fed Ray, I've fed Ray. I think we both need to take a rest from feeding tonight. " I ran my finger down the center of his chest to his navel and twirled a curl there. "But not from any other sort of fun. "

  "Fun. Yes, I've got some ideas about that and I think it's my turn. " He backed me toward the bed and rolled us until I landed on top of him. "Remember some of the fantasies we've tried?"

  "Oh, yeah. What can we manage in twenty minutes?" I laughed when Jerry listed four that made me shiver. Oh, yeah. My guy was serious about keeping us together. Now if I could just make sure not to mess this up. Of course there was always help with that.