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

the fight and needed something to bring me down. Ordinary? Compared to the cheap synthetics I was used to, Dom’s drink was like a gift from the gods. I took a second, long drink before I handed back the bottle.

Dom grinned and pulled me into his arms. “We never finished anything, Glory. Come on now. Back in the shower? Or to bed?”

“I need to get to work. Are you going to ride back with me or do I try to get a cab to come out here? You know that’s going to be impossible.” I didn’t push him away but I wasn’t going to encourage him. I had decided sleeping with Dom wasn’t going to happen. That window of opportunity had closed.

“Get someone else to cover your shift. Play hooky. That club can run without you for one night.” He nibbled my ear then down to my jugular.

Clear thoughts weren’t helping his cause. “This time the answer is no, Dom. I need the money I get from tips. I have to work. Understand? If you don’t want to go to the club maybe Caro can drive me and Valdez there.” I leaned away from his mouth on my neck. “I’m not in any shape to give you blood and I don’t want to take yours. Or have sex.”

“That’s blunt enough.” He let go of me. “I wish you could see yourself in a mirror. Or could have seen how you looked outside holding that sword and wearing shorts that showed off your ass to perfection. Then there was that shirt which wouldn’t stay buttoned. My God, but you were a sight. Wait!” He ran out of the bedroom and in a minute came back with a laptop.

“I have cameras outside. Security. Let’s see what happened.” He set the laptop on the bed and pushed some keys.

I couldn’t help it, I wanted to see myself for a change. I sat next to him while he found the right camera and backtracked to the time when we had been fighting the wolves.

“There! You’re coming outside. See?” He glanced at me. “Holy shit, you’re hot. You hold your sword like you’re ready to take care of business. Then that wolf dives at you. Bam!” Dom slashed with his arm, making the bed rock and computer jump. “Yeah, there you go, giving that wolf quite a wound. He ran off with his tail between his legs then collapsed. I hope he’s dead.” Dom put his arm around me and squeezed. “I’m so proud of you!”

I leaned against him while we watched the rest of the fight. There was no sound, which frustrated Dom. He vowed to upgrade his security system then and there. But he rewound the copy again, excited by the action.

After we’d watched it a third time, he turned to me. “You kept me from doing something I would have regretted. I don’t want to get distracted right now from my business. A war with those damned wolves would have done just that.” He kissed me, not one of those “let’s have sex” kisses but a sweet “thank you” kiss. “I won’t forget this.”

“I’ve seen lots of fighting in my time, Dom. I really didn’t want that to escalate into a blood bath. You know what I mean?” I rested my hand on his chest. “Now are you going with me to the club or not?”

“Not. I’ve got work to do here. Planning for the blood tasting in October. I can do that on the computer here without distractions. I’ll get Caroline to drive you to the club.” He shut the computer lid and climbed off the bed, offering me his hand to help me scoot off. He wasn’t totally through trying to seduce me, teasing open my shirt when I slid into his arms as my feet hit the floor.

“You had a rough start this evening.” He slipped his hand inside to cup my breast. “You could stay here, relax and read that book you were going to borrow. Indulge yourself in my hot tub outside. It’s nice to sit there under the stars.” He pulled me closer. “How much would you make tonight anyway? A hundred bucks? I’ll—”

I put my hand over his mouth. “Don’t you dare say it. Don’t you dare offer me money to stay here.” I knew he was used to a certain kind of relationship with women. Was that all I was to him? I stared into his eyes and let him see how I felt. Hurt and, yes, angry.

He took my hand and kissed it. “I’m sorry, Glory. That was stupid and an insult to you. I get that. Stay if you want to. Don’t let me keep you from doing what you feel is necessary.” He dropped my hand and stepped back. “I’m an ass. I want us to be friends. I don’t have many vampire friends and I could use someone to talk to who understands our world.”

“So could I.” I buttoned my shirt. “I’d like to come back and enjoy your hot tub on my night off. I’ll borrow that book too.” I kissed his cheek. He had developed a scruff and it looked good on him.

“Grab a bottle of something out of the fridge to drink on your way out.” He walked me to the door. “How’s the hangover?”

“Somehow fighting werewolves helped me forget all about it.” I winced when he bellowed for Caroline to bring the car around. “Well, almost.” I glanced at a grandfather clock in his library that we passed through before we walked downstairs. “I’m going to be late.” I grabbed the book I’d wanted and hurried down the stairs.

“I’ll call Manny and let him know you were helping me with a special project.” He kept his hand on my shoulder while he escorted me to the front door where Valdez waited.

“Please don’t do that, you’ll have everyone in the club gossiping about us.” I’d put on my thong, but held my bra and knew Valdez was