Gerry Bartlett - Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs

by Gerry Bartlett

  “Mmm. Bit of a treat to taste something besides blood, you know.” His eyes opened wide. “Well, well. How are you feeling, Gloriana?”

  “Great! Awake actually.” I turned to Rafe. “Look out and see if the sun’s coming up yet.”

  Rafe walked over and peeked, then looked at his watch. “Just about. There are sheers behind these drapes. Both of you step way back in the room. I’m going to open the drapes. You two can enjoy the view as long as you stay awake. Just don’t allow a ray of sunshine to hit you or you’ll get burned. That’s what happened to Glory before.”

  “We’ll be careful.” Jerry put his arm around me, and I could see the excitement in his eyes. We both waited until Rafe got the drapes open and the sheers closed to filter the sunshine. The sky was just beginning to lighten.

  “Okay, all clear. Come closer.” Rafe grinned. “Blade, don’t press your nose on the glass. That’s a little too close.”

  “Oh, man, would you look at that.” Jerry laughed and hugged me, his eyes wide.

  I looked. It was a beautiful sunrise. Even through sheer curtains and despite the fact that we weren’t even facing east, the colors were incredible. Jerry and I held on to each other and watched, neither of us sleepy, as the beach came to life. We pulled up chairs and the hours flew by. Children built sand castles, their mothers gossiping with each other as they sat on towels and laid out picnics. It was so wonderfully ordinary. And the sun rose to shine down on all of it.

  “I want Ma and Da to see this.”

  “Why does Mag hate me so? I know I’m common, but—”

  “You’re not common. Don’t ever say that about yourself again.” Jerry jumped up and paced around the room. Rafe had headed into the den hours before, and we could see him asleep on a couch through a doorway.

  “Well, you can’t tell me Mag doesn’t think so. Otherwise, why did she hate me on sight?”

  “Because I’d brought home another. Liza.” Jerry ran his fingers through his hair, keeping a good distance between us.

  “Liza?” Why had I never heard this name before?

  “My wife.”

  “You’ve been married?” I jumped up, knocking over my chair.

  Rafe, obviously a light sleeper, ran in with that stupid broken table leg in his hand. “Glory? Are the MacDonalds outside?”

  “We’re okay, Rafe. Go back to sleep. Please.” I picked up the chair and sat again.

  “I never told you about her, did I?” Jerry stared out at the beach instead of meeting my gaze.

  “No, you didn’t.” And I thought I kept secrets.

  “I was young. Fell in love. Her father was a simple tailor in the village. My mother declared her an unsuitable match for the heir, and so we ran away together. Came back married. This was long before I was made vampire, of course.” He finally turned and looked at me.

  “Of course.” My mind was spinning. Jerry married. And Liza. I’d never heard one soul mention that name in the castle in all these years. Why?

  “I can read your thoughts pretty clearly, Gloriana. I forbade anyone to mention her. That’s why you never heard Liza spoken of in the castle.” Jerry sat across from me. His hands were fists when he dropped them to his knees. He stared down at them. “She carried my child, Gloriana. Then one day I rode out on a raid against the MacDonalds. Heard they were on our land again, stealing cattle.”

  “That damned feud.” My heart skipped a beat. I didn’t want to hear this. “What . . . ?”

  “This feud needs to end. Taking the heir won’t end it. Only stir things up all over again. Make it ten times worse.”

  “Jerry, what happened to Liza and the baby?”

  “The MacDonalds tricked us. While we were gone, they raided the village, burned some houses and killed the few lads left behind to defend the place.” He punched his knees and laughed, a bitter sound. “We have a code, ye ken. They don’t touch our women and children, and we abide by the same rule. I’ll give them this: They fight fair. But fat lot of good that did Liza that day.” Jerry scrubbed his hands over his face, but his eyes were dry.

  I reached out and rubbed his knee. “Jerry?”

  “It’s been a long, long time, Gloriana, since I’ve let myself remember.” He shook his head. “Nay, that’s a lie. I remember every day. Wonder what my son would have looked like. Grown up to be.” He covered my hand with his and squeezed hard. “Liza went into labor that day. It was too soon. She and the babe both died.” Jerry turned his head to stare at the children playing on the beach. “My fault. Ma didn’t want Liza to live in the castle, and I let her have her way. If Liza had been safely inside, she and the babe would have lived.” His eyes met mine, the pain I saw there stealing my breath.

  “Damn it, Gloriana, that’s why when I brought you home, I made sure you were set up in the castle, pushed in my mother’s face. I dared her to object. Ma knew she’d lose me for good if she didn’t go along with it publicly. I’d not have another woman I loved risked because of Ma’s pride.” He looked down and realized he was about to crush my fingers. He loosened his hold. “Of course, I’m afraid she’s done plenty to punish you when I’m not around. That slap the other night wasn’t the first, was it?”

  “Forget it, Jerry. I’ve learned to handle Mag.” Including dodging a few of her attempts at staking me in the back in castle hallways. I touched his cheek with my fingertips. “I’m so very sorry, Jerry.”

  “No, I’m sorry, Gloriana. I set Ma straight after we left you. She’ll treat you with respect from now on, by God, or I’ll never see her again.” He stood suddenly, as if all this talk and eye contact had been too much for him.

  “That’s a pretty heavy threat.” I got up too and followed him to the windows. We were close enough to feel the warmth of the sun through the sheers, and we both watched a surfer ride a wave in.

  “Make no mistake. I meant what I said to her. Ma understood that too.” Jerry didn’t look at me.

  “What did you do after Liza’s death?”

  “I begged to be turned vampire right away. My first thought was to tear out some MacDonald throats. But I soon realized it was me and my own mother who held the most blame.”

  “You were mad with grief.” I put my arms around Jerry’s waist and leaned against him. I could only imagine how he’d felt. Yes, I’d lost my husband as well, but poverty had dulled the shine of my first love for a struggling actor long before he’d been killed in a freak accident. And then I’d had to scramble just to survive. I hadn’t had time to indulge in tears or grieving. I’d been too terrified and too hungry.

  “Yes, I guess I was a bit mad. But Da obliged me, turning me even though Ma wanted me to marry again and have more bairns first. I didn’t have the heart for it and certainly wasn’t going to do anything to please her. Not after the way she’d treated Liza.” Jerry faced me and put his hands on my shoulders. “Once I found you, I held on tight, didn’t I? Maybe too tight. I’ll always protect you, Gloriana, no matter the cost. You needed me when I found you, and I guess I can’t forget that. I’m sorry if that’s no longer to your liking, but there it is. Maybe that’s what’s pushing you away now, seeing as how you’ve become so independent. I’ve tried to change, but I’m not sure I have it in me.”

  When he was right, he was right. I reached up and stroked his cheek. Did I want him to change? Of course I did. No way was I the same woman Jerry had fallen for more than four hundred years ago. But now wasn’t the time to get into that. I noticed that Ian’s drug was wearing off. Jerry suddenly looked exhausted.

  “Thanks for telling me this, Jerry. I wish I’d known it years ago. It would have helped me understand a few things.” Like why my maker had continued to feel so responsible for me. Example: Valdez number whatever sleeping on the couch a few yards away.

  Jerry yawned. “MacDonald’s drug has made me loopy, or I probably wouldn’t have spilled my guts now. It’s not my way to trot out my pain, as you know. But if it makes you happy to know this, so be it.” He pulled me to him and
sighed against my hair. “I’m sorry, Gloriana, but I don’t think I can stay on my feet much longer. How do you feel?”

  “I’m still good for a few minutes more. For some reason, Ian’s drugs don’t work on me the same way they do on other vampires.” I pulled his lips down to mine and kissed him. “I mean it, Jerry. Thank you for sharing so much. I know that was hard for you. I’m really sorry about Liza and . . . and the babe.”

  “It was a long time ago. And I can’t lay the blame on the MacDonalds any more than I can on my own stubborn family. You’re right. The feud must end. I’ll tell Da that the daylight drug works. We’ll use that as our excuse to end it.” He gestured toward the beach. “This was a miracle. I’ll be damned if I’ll let the man who made it possible be sacrificed in the name of an ancient hatred that started over a stolen cow and a tumble in a hayloft with the wrong woman.”

  “Very sensible.” I hid a smile. I knew how these Highlanders felt about their livestock and their women.

  This time it was Jerry who dropped a kiss on my lips. “Now I’ve got to find a bed, or I’ll hit the floor. Are you sure you’re all right, Gloriana?”

  “Fine. I’m going to stay here and enjoy the day.” I smiled and watched him stop to hit Rafe’s foot, then head down the hall.

  Rafe stood and stretched. “He had a pretty good dose of daylight. Think this will really stop the feud?”

  “Looks promising. Uh-oh.” I realized I was sinking fast myself. “I thought I had more time, but now I think I may have run out.” I yawned. “I’ve got to hit the sheets as well.”

  “This way.” Rafe led me down the hall to what looked like the master bedroom.

  “Thanks, Rafe.” I yawned and stumbled after him.

  “Watch your step.” He smiled and took my arm when I bumped into the door.

  “I’m swearing off those supplements. Too much weird stuff happens. Daylight was cool, though.” I patted his cheek. “Thanks, pal.” I smiled back at him, feeling some of that weirdness right then. Like maybe I wanted to kiss him. His human form was so totally hot, and I was more than a little miffed at Jerry for keeping such a huge secret from me for, oh, centuries. Nope, couldn’t do that. Rafe was a pal. Besides, he’d think I was crazy.

  “All part of the job, Glory. Now you’d better take off that beautiful dress. Don’t want to wrinkle it.” He steered me to a spot next to the empty bed.

  “Where’s Jerry?” I tried to reach my zipper but couldn’t manage it.

  “Down the hall, in another bedroom. Stretched out, still in his kilt. This bed is bigger. You’ll be more comfortable here.” He gently turned me around and unzipped my dress. “Wait till I leave the room before you drop that. Lay it over a chair.”

  I yawned again and smiled, holding the dress to my breasts. “Always taking care of me. Don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “You did look amazing tonight, my lady.” He touched my cheek, then sketched an old-fashioned bow. “Perfect.” He turned on his heel and walked out of the bedroom, shutting the door quietly behind him.

  I put my hand on my cheek. Nice. Should’ve at least given him a hug. Oh, well. I let go of the dress, then realized I didn’t have on anything underneath but a thong. I staggered to a chair, dragging the dress over it before I fell on the bed. I was out.

  I woke to a most delicious feeling. Hands on my body, knowing hands that got it just right. Umm. I lifted my hips and then I was naked. Skin against skin. Rough against smooth. I explored a firm back and walked my fingers up through silky hair until I angled his head where I wanted it. I opened my mouth and kissed him, seeking his tongue and his taste. My eyes snapped open.

  “Ray, where did you come from?”

  “Surprise.” Ray grinned and ran his hands over my bare bum.

  “Jerry?”

  “Is dead to the world in a bed down the hall.”

  I sat up, my heart in my throat. “You didn’t—”

  “Stake your lover in his sleep?” Ray grimaced. “Damn, why didn’t I think of that?” He pulled me back under him. “But, no, he’s safe and sound. I doubt Rafe would have let me at him anyway.” He leaned down and drew his fangs along my throat.

  “You’re right. But we can’t—” I realized my legs were wrapped around Ray’s hips, sending a totally different message.

  “Sure we can.” He nibbled my lower lip and pulled my breasts against his chest. “Mmm. This has been too long coming. I need you so bad.”

  “I can feel that.” Obviously Ray had taken one look and decided to strip so he could join the party. He felt amazing against me and tempting beyond belief. What was stopping me? A man who hadn’t trusted me enough to share his past with me?

  Ray kissed me, his thoughts wide-open. He’d reached his limit as far as watching me with Jerry was concerned. If I rejected him this time . . . And part of me ached to finally let go and have him love me like he wanted to.

  But he was going to stay in L.A. I knew it. And I was leaving. I had no choice. My real life was in Austin. This rock-star fantasy was just that. I’d known when it started that it couldn’t last. A one-night stand would just make our parting harder. It was already going to just about kill me.

  He rolled me on top of him and gazed up at me. “Let me look at you. God, you’re beautiful. No more of that diet shit. I want to just fall into these breasts and forget breathing.” He proceeded to bury his face between them, then kiss his way from one nipple to the other with the enthusiasm of a true believer. He explored every inch until I shivered and moaned and clutched his hair.

  I tried to think. Tried to push him away and start a rational discussion of all the reasons why this wasn’t going to happen. Then he slid me up and began to lick a path down my stomach. Oh, this was a bad idea. I grabbed the iron headboard when I meant to push him away. How had that happened? I couldn’t let him . . . But he was strong and he had a goal and knew clever ways to get there. Oh, yeah. Touchdown. Or score. Or home run. Whatever. I gasped and bucked, so far gone I had to bite my lip to keep from keening and slamming my head into the wall behind the bed.

  “Say my name,” he whispered, his breath warm against my thigh.

  “Ray.” I barely managed it. “Ray, don’t.”

  “Yes. Don’t chicken out on me now, Glory. It would kill me.”

  I forced my eyes open and glimpsed the heavy drapes across the room. There, just at the edge, I could see a trace of light. The one thing that, for Ray, might rank above mind-blowing sex at this point. It was reason enough to shove him aside, leap off the bed and hopefully not infuriate him or break his heart. And mine.

  “Ray, look! We’re awake and it’s still daylight outside.” I stood next to the window.

  “I know. Don’t you love it? Ian’s a friggin’ genius for sure.” He dragged his eyes from my naked body to the drapes where I pointed at that sliver of light.

  I grabbed a pillow and held it in front of me. “Tell me how you managed to get here. In daylight.”

  “I took a double dose of Ian’s drug at his place. Then I watched the beach through his tinted windows all day. It was totally cool, Glory.” Ray lay back, all glorious naked male.

  Why was I talking when I could be doing? No, I had a list of reasons why that was a bad idea. I struggled to trot them out again. Ray grinned, doing a little mind reading. Then he climbed out of the bed.

  “I did the same thing. Watched the beach with Jerry.” I put out my hand to keep Ray from getting too close. “But how’d you get here?”

  “I called Fred and had the limo pick me up. Tinted windows. Ian has a covered carport at his front door. So does this house. Sun’s rays never hit me, and here I am.” He moved in and tried to steal my pillow. “With my woman.”

  “But how did you find me?”

  Ray grinned when I did a vamp leap across the bed and out of reach. “I’m in tight with Chip now, and who else is a vampire going to go to for a safe house? My new buddy was happy to help out when I told him you’d practically been abdu
cted by the Campbells.” He shook his head. “The Council isn’t too happy about a feud on their turf. Blade didn’t mention it to Chip when he rented this place. I told my boss I’d make sure the Campbells cleared out.” Ray snatched at my pillow, but I dodged him.

  “No problem. This was just temporary. When Jerry wakes up—” I gasped when Ray leaped and landed behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

  “Gotcha.” He nuzzled my neck, his desire hot, hard and very apparent against my backside.

  “Ray.” I snagged my thong with my toe and dragged it to me. “We can’t—”

  “Sure we can.” Ray snatched the thong and tossed it at the door. “Not thinking of getting dressed, are you?”

  “Come on, Ray.” I dropped the pillow and turned in his arms. “We’ve got a sunset coming. You have any idea how rare that is for me? I don’t want to miss it. Do you?”

  He pushed me down to the bed and fell on top of me.

  “Glory, Glory, Glory. Making love to you would be way better than any sunset, any sunrise. Stick with me, and I’ll buy you a thousand sunsets.” Ray licked the vein throbbing in my neck and I shivered.

  Every inch of Ray pressed against me, and I knew he meant what he said. Which made this so much harder to do. But Jerry was down the hall. And now I understood him. Knew why . . . Then I felt a vibration. No, a hum. Ray had closed his eyes and held me close, his mouth against my throat where the blood pumped slowly to my heart. He rocked us gently to a beat only he could hear. It was a lovely tune, one I’d never heard before. He even sang a few words, his breath soft and sighing against my skin, and my eyes filled with tears. One dripped down my cheek and landed on his forehead.

  “Not the reaction I was going for.” He looked up and smiled sadly. “See how you inspire me?” He braced himself on both elbows and gazed down at me.

  I felt his strength and saw his tenderness. God, I hated to deny him or myself. But I couldn’t do this. He saw my answer and shook his head.

  “Shit. This is going to be one of those ‘crying in your beer’ love songs, isn’t it?”