Real Vampires: Glory Does Vegas by Bartlett, Gerry (white hot kiss TXT) 📕

“Exactly. You should eat the greenery. Your diet is awful.” I wheeled into the parking lot at the Velvet Slipper, one of the first to arrive. “I hope Manny likes my dance idea.”

“He’ll love it because he didn’t have to think it up.” Valdez sniffed at the lettuce but did eat the tomato slice. “Find me some decent veggies and I’ll eat better. Hit a buffet. Green beans, broccoli, maybe some fruit for a change. That would help my diet.”

“Good idea. But the logistics would be a nightmare.” I stared at him. “Why don’t you change into your human form and we’ll go eat sometime. To hell with Jeremiah’s contract.”

“Easy for you to say, your paycheck doesn’t depend on it. A healthy amount is deposited into my account each month I abide by that contract. Otherwise, I’m fired. Bonus at the end, too.” He sat up and looked out the window. “Forget it.”

“I wouldn’t tell him.” It really bugged me that Jeremiah didn’t trust me with another man.

Valdez looked at me directly. “He trusts me. To tell him the truth, to take care of you and to abide by that stupid contract.” He sighed. “Yes, I read your mind, more than I should. I am a man inside this fur body. I’m not immune to female charms and the temptations are killing me lately. Look at how Misty leaned over me in nothing but a towel. God.” He groaned and laid his head on the worn upholstery for a moment. Then he sat up and looked me in the eyes.

“Change, Glory? Yeah, I’d like to, seriously. But I have a code that I live by. My entire family lives by that code. That’s why a Valdez bodyguard is always in demand and we’re paid well.”

“Really.” I guess I knew that but hadn’t given it much thought. Trust Jeremiah to hire only the best.

“Yeah. I’m stuck in this dog body. Get me some healthy takeout if you’re worried about me, but I won’t be shifting just to improve my diet.” He didn’t look away, just kept staring at me.

I reached over to hug him. I had nothing to say to all of that. He had honor. More than I did, obviously. We’d rock along for a while this way because we had no choice. It wasn’t easy for him. If he could deal with it, I certainly could.

We went in the club and found Manny. As soon as I put on the music, his face lit up with a grin.

“That’s what I’m talking about! The audience will go crazy. Now tell me how you’ll incorporate the feathers.” He frowned when I told him I’d be taking the headdresses apart, but he couldn’t deny the effect would be sexy. The song had been popular with a hot music video. The Latin beat would make the dancing seem more natural and easier to teach.

“Let’s see how it goes tonight, Gloria. If it’s a hit, I’ll want you to come up with another number for the second show. That hula thing isn’t such a winner.” Manny held my CD. “I’ll keep this and put on the song, keeping it on repeat when the girls walk through the crowd for photos. It’s hot, they’ll look hot. I can’t wait.”

“Neither can I. Hot means thirsty. Big tips for me tonight. You have to admit, the headdresses are dated. Makes me think of the fifties in Las Vegas. We need to be different.” Manny agreed so I left him then found Mae and ordered shorts that would actually fit.

“They need to be tight for those big tips.” Mae measured me. “Wear a thong underneath and let the men see that sassy ass. It’s a money-maker, girlfriend.”

I flushed. The truth was I’d always hated my big butt and thighs. To draw attention to them seemed crazy. I had figured out by now, though, that Mae knew what she was talking about. I forked over some of my hard-earned money.

“Dominic wants to see you before you start your shift.” She raised a perfectly penciled eyebrow. “Watch it with him, sweetie. He’s gone through every waitress we’ve had here and most dancers. He seems to like variety. Know what I mean?”

“Sure.” I leaned in. “Anything else you can tell me? I’m working with him on a special project. This isn’t personal.”

Mae laughed. “With a man like that, it’s always personal. He took one look at your hot body and decided on this ‘special project,’ didn’t he? But he’s generous. The women who do get involved with him usually come out of the relationship with a smile on their faces and nice parting gifts as they say on the game shows my Chinese grandmother watches.”

I had to admit, I didn’t mind Mae’s hot body comment. Of course Dom was interested in more than my waitress skills. He’d made that fairly obvious.

Was I interested? I did find him attractive. It was nice to know he was generous. Why the mortal women were left smiling was easily explained by the vampire trick of erasing memories. I was sure he’d used the mortals as blood donors. Why wouldn’t he? It was what lovers did in our world, exchanging blood during sex. I sighed. It had been a while, a long while, for me. I would have to be careful around him though. No way would I let him erase my memory.

“You’re keeping the big man waiting.” Valdez nudged me, bumping his head against my hip. “While you’re fantasizing about getting laid, it’s getting closer to time for you to hit the floor of this joint and start making tips. Or am I wrong?”

I couldn’t answer, since we were surrounded by the dancers who were excitedly practicing the steps I’d laid out as soon as they’d arrived. They loved the Latin beat. Donna and Misty, who were more experienced in these shows, had even suggested some costume changes. At first, Manny had been reluctant, but he soon came around when he saw the way