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

from Valdez which I ignored. Warnings of course. Dom was not to be trusted. Valdez was ready to come to my rescue if Dom tried to mesmerize me. Blah, blah, blah. I knew he had some reason to worry, but I was an ancient vampire. I could handle my own love life, thank you very much.

Caro drove us, Valdez in the front seat with her. Dom and I sat in the back of his luxurious Town Car, sipping a synthetic that had bubbles Dom claimed imitated champagne.

By the time Caro pulled up in front of a modern house that sat alone on the edge of the desert, I was relaxed and looking at Dom like he was the last sticky bun on the tray. Oh, boy, was I in trouble.

16

“This is quite a place you have here.” I wandered around the first floor. The big screen TV and leather sectional made the rooms masculine. He had a stone fireplace which turned on with a remote control. Crossed swords had pride of place above it. Were they a clue to his past? Interesting.

The kitchen was functional with a big refrigeration system for Dom’s many synthetics. I heard Caroline complain to Valdez that she had to stock her own groceries because they couldn’t get food delivery this far out of town. She offered to make him a snack and he certainly didn’t turn it down.

The bar was equipped with yet another refrigerator and expensive glassware. Dom went straight to it and poured us each a glass of something deep red. I could smell it from across the room and knew it would be hard to resist. I’d never had a synthetic that had a scent as close to real blood as this seemed.

“Please don’t try to drug me. I want a clear head for whatever I decide to do.” I gave him what I hoped was a flirtatious smile. “I mean it, Dom. You mentioned cocaine at the club. I’d rather not go there. Let’s just talk.”

“Fine. Just taste this. It’s got a kick, but it’s nothing illegal. More like an alcoholic kick. I find it reminds me of drinking from a customer who’s had too much top shelf bourbon at the bar.” He smiled and handed me the fine crystal. We clinked our glasses and I loved the sound they made as they touched. Very fine crystal.

“Baccarat?” I stroked the side of the goblet and took a sip, savoring the taste. He’d heated it, serving it warm. “What is this?”

“A Romanian favorite of mine. Like I said, it has a bit of an alcohol enhancement but made from the actual blood of slaves kept for the purpose. The makers keep them drunk for days then take some of their blood for this very specialized brew.” He sipped his until the goblet was almost empty then picked up the bottle.

“Slaves? They don’t kill them, do they?” I looked at the glass with a frown.

“No, Glory. They give willingly. It’s just what the Romanians call them. They are paid well and are happy to drink the different beverages they are given. Haven’t you heard of vampire groupies?”

“Yes, of course. Silly mortals who want to give us their blood and think we’ll turn them someday. They think being a vampire is glamourous. I could tell them otherwise.” I shook my head. Looking around, I could see Dom was certainly living the good life. Perhaps I was the only one who hadn’t figured out how to do the vampire thing right.

I sipped again. Oh, but it was delicious. “You swear these so-called slaves aren’t held against their will?”

“I swear.” His mind opened for just long enough for me to see he was telling the truth. Then he took my hand. “Come, let me show you upstairs.”

“I want to sit and talk.” I resisted his pull.

“We can do that upstairs.” He gestured to Caroline. “Take Valdez outside. Patrol the grounds. We won’t need either of you until the dawn.”

“Glory, what do you say about that?” Valdez stood firm even after Caroline opened a French door.

“I say go on out. Dom and I have plenty to discuss. Leave me to it.” I started up the stairs. Whether it was the drink or my own need to pay back Jerry for his constant affairs, I didn’t know, but I was feeling reckless. I didn’t plan to sleep with Dom, but I wasn’t afraid to be alone with him. I waved my hand at Valdez then stared at him. “You heard me. Go.”

“Yes, ma’am. At your service.” He followed Caro then waited for her to close the doors. Then he stood there and gave me a stare through the glass that had me wishing I’d had time to change clothes. I’d taken off my hoodie in the car. Now I fiddled with my bra strap as I followed Dom up the stairs and out of sight of those eyes that had a view of my butt hanging out of those skimpy shorts. Damn.

“You see? I made this area into my library. I love to read. Do you?” Dom gestured to a velvet couch done in a deep red. The Oriental rug had touches of the same color along with a dozen other shades of blue and beige. The room was lined with books, some very old, some new best sellers.

“I do love to read. I was taught to read late in life. It took me a long time to be comfortable reading. Then there’s the problem of finding the time when I have to work every night.” I strolled over to check out a section that featured some titles I’d never managed to get to. “I’ve always wanted to read this series. What did you think of it?” I pointed to a famous author’s thrillers.

“Loved it. Borrow one if you like.” He came up behind me. “I’d start with this one, a prequel.” He reached for a book, brushing against me. He’d taken off his