“That’s entirely up to you.” I faced him and made sure he was looking into my eyes. “Because I have a condition, Jeremiah. If we are to be together, really together, then I want a promise from you.”
“Why am I feeling dread in the pit of my stomach?” He let go of my hand and stood. “What do you want from me, Gloriana? I have said I love you. What else must I do?”
“Promise me you will be celibate during these two years.” I saw his eyes widen. “Certainly, you may come see me when your needs overwhelm you. I am only asking you to give up your other women, not sex entirely. Prove to me you can be faithful. Can you do that?” I was literally holding my breath, the breathing that I didn’t need any more. How much did he love me? Could he promise such a thing?
He paced the small area, kicking aside an empty Cheetos bag. He ran his hand through his hair and even cursed, using a word he normally avoided around me, a lady.
“You don’t like me much, do you, Gloriana?” He stopped and fell to his knees then grabbed both my hands. “I mean it. Asking me this shows how little you think of the man I have become—selfish, uncaring, and interested only in my own wants and needs.”
“Jeremiah.” I didn’t know what to say. I certainly couldn’t deny it. “You have to be strong. Have always had to be strong as a warrior and leader of men. Even in these modern times you carry big responsibilities. I understand that requires you to focus on leading above all else. I’m asking you to think about my feelings first for a change. My wants and needs.” I paused. Was I worth denying his masculine urges? When he didn’t say anything, I sighed.
“I hate being so needy, but when you share your body with another woman, it’s an intimacy that I want you to have only with me.” Did he really understand me?
“Intimacy. That’s a woman’s word.” He let go of my hands and sat on the bed again. “Gloriana, men don’t think that way.” He looked into my eyes. “What you’re asking…”
“Is non-negotiable. No sex of any kind with other women until we meet in Austin in two years’ time. Am I worth it to you? Do you love me that much?”
He took me into his arm. “You are worth everything to me, Gloriana St. Clair. I have never loved a woman like I love you and am sure I never will.” He kissed me then. When he pulled back, he finally said the words I’d needed to hear.
“I will be with no other woman until we meet again in this benighted Austin.” He threw off his shirt. “Texas? You would pick a state that refuses to allow legalized gambling. That’s one of the ways I make my living, you know.”
I stood, my hand on his belt buckle. “I’m sorry but that was another good reason for me to choose it. I got in trouble with that demon because of gaming and have no good feelings about it.”
“Before we declare this settled, you need to hear my terms.” He stepped out of reach, not easy in a small room crowded with furniture. We’d left Valdez in the living room. Now Jerry faced me, serious as he gazed into my eyes.
“What are your terms, Jeremiah?” I wanted to touch his face, trace his lips then kiss him until his knees buckled. I could do that to him. Just as he could do that to me. I unpinned the clasp at my shoulder and let my bodice fall to my waist. He smiled, eyeing my breasts.
“No, do not think to seduce me, my love. I am serious.” He opened his belt, his kilt close to falling to the floor. “You say I must be celibate when I am away from you. Then I insist you come to me. One weekend a month. Without fail. I will send the jet. I must finish the hotel and casino in New Orleans before I can move to this blasted Texas.”
I pushed my dress down until it fell to the floor. I wore my black lace panties and high heels, nothing else. His eyes darkened but he didn’t touch me. In fact, he stepped back against the wall, knocking against the dresser there.
“I work on weekends. I can give you two days during the week. Will that suffice, my lord?” I couldn’t look away when he pulled his belt free and his kilt fell to the floor. He wore his hose and nothing else. We were torturing each other. I grinned.
“Two days, every month.” He gave up, reaching for me. “I have your word, Gloriana?”
I pressed against him. “I will save as fast as I can, Jeremiah. I think those days will be not nearly enough to satisfy me.” I laughed as I fell back on the bed, pulling him on top of me. “It seems we are destined to be together forever.”
He held me, very serious. “I knew that the moment I saw you centuries ago. Our road has not always been easy, but I am glad to be on it with you, Gloriana.”
I kissed him then, tired of talking. I’d got what I wanted and already missed him. Part of me wanted to follow him, stop this foolish quest for independence. But he had agreed to my demands. I should be happy. I was happy. Two years would go by quickly and then…
“Stop thinking, Gloriana.” He kissed me then pulled off my high heels and tossed them against the wall. “Let me love you. I want your undivided attention if this is to be our last time together for a while.”
“Yes, love me, Jeremiah. I’m sorry if you felt my mind was somewhere else.” I kissed his chest, his neck, his mouth. “I’ve become a worrier. Foolish of me.”
“Not foolish. I think we’ve both learned things that have made us mature.” He ran his hands over me. “If we never changed, how dull we would be.”
I knew he was right. I was counting on his change, allowing myself to be distracted by his clever hands and mouth. We came together as we always did, joyfully, tenderly and then wildly. I would miss this. I hoped his time without the relief he got from other women would help Jeremiah realize how much he needed me, only me.
The sunrise was pulling at us when we lay spent, hearts pounding from a fine ending to our lovemaking.
“If each time we are together is as satisfying as that, I will have no problem saving myself for you.” Jerry toyed with a lock of my hair.
“You have your own plane now. If your two days a month is not enough, just fly to my side.” I rolled on top of him. “Remember, I am yours.”
“And I am yours.” He smiled and closed his eyes. “Only yours.” He hummed a tune.
“Is that a Texas song?” I lay my head on his chest.
“Aye. I heard it on the radio a while back. It just came to mind. ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’.” He laughed. “I hope to hell that’s not true.”
I poked him in the ribs. “So do I. Meeting one tonight was bad enough.”
“I would be surprised to find any in this Austin.” He opened one eye. “You will believe me if I swear I have been faithful while we are apart? Or do we need to arrange a spy? Like I have Valdez with you.”
“I know Valdez is your spy. I resent it, but I take it as proof of your love.” I stayed where I was. He’d brought up an important point. Yes, he could lie about his celibacy. Most vampires lied easily. It was necessary to keep our secrets.
“I will let you see the truth when we are together. I won’t block my thoughts. That should be proof of my devotion.” He rubbed my back. “The sun is rising. I can feel it. Good day, my love.”
“Sleep well,” I said, even though it wasn’t a sleep but a death. I fell onto my pillow next to him. He would let me see his thoughts. He would be true to me. It was enough. We would be together forever. I believed it and so did he. It was enough.
About the Author
Gerry Bartlett is the nationally bestselling author of the REAL VAMPIRES series about a vampire who was bloating the day she was turned in 1604. Gerry is a native Texan who enjoys setting her books in the state she loves. She has also written six Texas contemporary romantic suspense novels—the Texas Heat and the Lone Star Suspense series. This former teacher still lives near Houston and enjoys treasure hunting for her antiques business when she’s not busy writing her next romantic adventure. You can check out Gerry’s website and her newsletter at www.gerrybartlett.com
Also by Gerry Bartlett
Books by Gerry Bartlett in the Real Vampires Series
Real Vampir
es Have Curves
Real Vampires Live Large
Real Vampires Get Lucky
Real Vampires Don’t Diet
Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs
Real Vampires Have More to Love
Real Vampires Don’t Wear Size Six
Real Vampires Hate Skinny Jeans
Real Vampires Know Hips Happen
Real Vampires Know Size Matters
Real Vampires Take a Bite Out of Christmas-novella
Real Vampires Say Read My Hips
Rafe and the Redhead
Real Vampires and the Viking
Real Vampires: When Glory Met Jerry-prequel-1604
Real Vampires: A Highland Christmas-prequel-1604
Real Vampires: Glory and the Pirates-prequel-1605
Real Vampires: Glory Does Vegas-prequel-2005
Texas Heat Series:
Texas Heat
Texas Fire
Texas Pride
Lone Star Suspense Series:
Texas Lightning
Texas Trouble
Texas Reckless
Real Vampires: Glory Does Vegas Page 35
