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

“When they see you arrive in my car, they’ll gossip anyway.” Dom opened the door. “Come back anytime, I mean it. You can help me just by being here, talking and relaxing. Hopefully the werewolves have backed off for good.” He glanced at the fireplace. “Maybe we could practice our swordcraft.”

“That would be fun.” I grinned at him. “Whoever draws first blood pays a forfeit.” Uh oh. Suddenly Dom’s eyes darkened. I knew that look.

“A forfeit? Now you’re talking. It’s a date. Come back tomorrow night.” He was out and opening the back door of the waiting car before I could answer. “That’s your night off, isn’t it?”

“Um, yes.” Before I could stop him, he kissed me. Showing off in front of Valdez, he made it a good one. I gave him a shove. “Friends, remember?”

“Friends with benefits.” He murmured in my ear, pulling me close again.

Damned shirt would not stay buttoned. I shook my head and fell into the car, managing to shut the door in his face. I ignored Valdez’s indignant exclamation. He had to wait for Caro to get out of the car and let him in when Dom just strode into the house. I told him to ride in front with her. I had too much to think about.

Valdez hung his head over the seat as Caro drove us away from the house. “Think about this: You’re planning to meet Jerry at the October blood tasting. How is it going to work if you’re having a hot and heavy affair with Dom then? Huh?”

“Valdez, is that any of your business?” Caro poked him in the chest. “We’re bodyguards, dude. That’s all.”

“Maybe that’s how your job works, but Glory and I are friends too. I look out for her in all ways.” He nudged her with a paw then looked back at me again.

“I’m not having a hot and heavy affair with Dom. We’re friends. If we want to flirt, that’s just in fun. Leave me alone.” I picked up the book and flipped through it. Hah! As if I could concentrate on reading when Valdez had brought up exactly what I was worried about. Chemistry. I had plenty with Dom and, oh my aching libido. I needed relief or I was going to die from frustration.

“At least you had the good sense to go to your job tonight. I admit I was surprised. I expected you to invent an excuse to skip out on it.” Valdez kept staring at me.

“I need the money. Besides, Mae put that Chanel bag up on eBay for me. I want to see how the bidding went. The auction ends tonight.” I tried to focus on finances. Boons like this could seriously improve my bank balance. I had to take my business seriously. If Dom was being real about our friendship then he could help me set up a spreadsheet, something I knew I needed. Too bad even the word gave me a headache. Or was that the hangover again?

I was happy to see a bottle of one of Dom’s synthetics in a rack in front of me. His car was set up like a limousine and Caro must have refilled the container there from the night before. I grabbed the bottle and twisted off the top. It was another expensive brew with a kick. I didn’t think it was alcohol, but it had something extra that immediately gave me energy. Good, I needed it.

“You going to do something about your hair?” Valdez was looking at me again.

“What can I do? I’m hoping Misty will have time to fix it. She’s a former beautician, you know.” I tried to run my hand though it and failed. I had to hope I had a decent costume in my locker then I would have to borrow makeup at the club too. There was definitely going to be gossip when I arrived in Dom’s car looking like I’d had a wild night.

“They are going to know you and Dom…” Valdez shook his head. “You’ll be just one more of his conquests.”

“Thanks a lot. I know what I look like. Don’t I get points for helping fight off the werewolves?” I finished the bottle of synthetic, recapped it and put it back in the rack. I was feeling awesome, like I could take on the world. “Caro, whatever was in that synthetic, I’d like to buy some if it’s not too expensive. It was amazing.”

“I thought you’d like it. It’s from China. Lots of things in it guaranteed to give you energy. It’s herbal, not anything like a drug or alcohol. I’ll make sure you get a discount. I sent some to Pops and Gran and they’re hooked on it too.” She quoted a price that wasn’t too bad as she pulled into the parking lot.

“You’ve got about a half hour before the first show. I have to get back to Dom’s place or I’d stay and help you with your hair.” She turned around and gave me a pitying look. “You definitely need some repair.”

“Don’t I know it. For the record, you two, all Dom and I did was die together.” I opened my door. “I’ll definitely take the synthetic. It’s wonderful.” I got out and opened the front car door for Valdez to hop out.

“Thanks a lot, Caro. Come on, V. Time to face the music.” I had the book and my bra in my hands, tennis shoes on my feet and wore Dom’s troublesome shirt over my shorts along with a day-old thong. God, I felt like the poster child for a walk of shame.

The break room was the usual sight of pandemonium before a show. When I walked in the noise suddenly stopped. Yes, you could have heard a pin drop. Cliché but when Mae actually did drop the pin she was using to fix Donna’s broken strap, I heard it. Yes, I did.

“Well, someone had a date last night.” Donna winked