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

“Many married couples have one partner who is dependent on the other. Then, in a divorce, that dependent can be left high and dry.”

“I’ve told you I don’t think vampires should get married. You seemed to go along with me on that.” He left the sheet alone. “Forever is a long time. Look at my parents. They hate each other, but have been stuck together for centuries.”

“They could divorce.” I personally hated his mother. Mag Campbell had tried to have me killed centuries ago. She didn’t think I was good enough for her precious son. Unfortunately, I agreed with her. I had never been good enough for blue-blood Jeremiah Campbell. But her trying to kill me had gone too far.

“They should. But they won’t. Ma likes the status of being married to the laird of Clan Campbell. She won’t let go. Da finds it convenient when he wants to be shed of his current mistress to lay the blame on his wife.”

“That’s a cold marriage. No wonder you’re against the institution.” I shuddered. “Do you think marriage to me would end that way?”

“I never thought about it.” He looked away.

I knew that for a lie. “Be glad I won’t consider it, Lord Campbell.” He’d won that title when he’d been in the favor of King James long ago. “We can part ways for a few years and it will go by fast. Let me prove to myself and to our friends that I can make my own fortune. It is for my own benefit. Is that such a horrible thing to ask?”

“Years? I hate to hear it right now when you are naked in my bed. It is a cruel thing to ask.” He ripped the sheet from me. “Come here. Take blood from me. Wherever it is your pleasure to take it. I was greedy and drank too much of your life force, I freely admit it.” He jerked me to him, laughing when I managed to nudge his manhood with my knee in a fake resistance.

“Yes, you owe me. You almost drained me dry. I wonder if I have the energy to take what I need.” I kissed him deeply. I would surely miss him when we parted. We made love again, slowly, as the music continued playing from the CD player across the room. The throbbing Latin beat made me yearn to take him again, riding him this time.

I drank my fill from his jugular and had barely finished when we both realized we’d been caught at sunrise. One last look into his eyes and I fell into the darkness of my death sleep, still in his arms.

9

Iwoke in Jerry’s arms at sunset. I couldn’t deny it was easy to forget all my great ambitions while I lay there against him.

“Come back to New Orleans with me,” he murmured in my ear.

That quickly he’d dismissed all my arguments for independence. I didn’t want to fight with him so I rolled out of bed and held out my hand.

“Shower?”

He grinned. “Definitely.”

And what a shower. Both of us had learned to love that particular modern convenience. We made love again, against the tile wall. Jerry brought me to a screaming climax that had me raking his back with my nails.

“I wish we had time to fill the whirlpool tub.” I gazed at it longingly when we climbed out of the large glass enclosure.

“Come back after work tonight and that can be arranged.” Jerry handed me a towel while he stood dripping in naked splendor. I could have looked at him like that for hours.

“Tempting. Now I have to hurry. I can’t be late for work.” I wrapped the towel around me and plugged in the blow dryer. It was another modern invention I would hate to do without. Soon I was ready to get dressed and realized I had a problem. Since I’d destroyed my t-shirt, I had to wear one of Jerry’s shirts.

“You really are taking this job seriously.” Jerry pulled me into his arms while I looked through the meager contents of his closet. He hadn’t brought much. Apparently, this was going to be a brief trip. I pushed down my disappointment at the thought.

“I told you. I’m concentrating on making my fortune. Dom is paying me well, the tips are good and I’m looking forward to the blood tastings he’s arranging. Tips there should be even better.” I couldn’t resist one of his Egyptian cotton shirts, pulling it from a hanger. He’d never liked starch and it was soft but perfectly ironed.

“Must you go in so early? I know how late it is when those shows start.” He reached inside to tease my breasts, keeping me from buttoning the shirt.

“I’m showing the girls a new dance.” I swatted away his hands, even though I really didn’t want to. “I have to get there and tell the manager what I plan, get his approval.” I gave up with a sigh and leaned against him. He’d slipped into those silky pants again but wore nothing else. How could any man be so sexy all the time? It didn’t help that we were both insatiable.

“I could buy the club. Then you could be the manager, do what you want.” He was nibbling my neck while his hand strayed down my stomach to where I had only the tiniest patch of curls after an incredibly painful waxing.

I jerked away from him. “You will not buy the club. I told you, I’m proving myself. I don’t want or need your help with this. Stay out of it.”

“Shall I also stay out of this?” He slipped a finger to where I was already damp with need for him. “How can I simply leave Las Vegas and go about my business after the incredible night we had?”

“It won’t be easy for me to be without you either, Jeremiah.” I wound my arms around his neck, enjoying his strength as he lifted my legs and fitted them around his waist.