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

“I wish to make my own way. I want to start my own business. Dom says you have done very well with yours.”

“Mbrace. Yes, I have. I’m very proud of it.” Karla stood. “Come upstairs and I will show you. How do you feel about your size?”

“Oh, Karla. I hate my butt. And my thighs!” I got up from the stool and the room began to spin. Not good.

“Glory, you need to stop drinking.” Valdez was nearby and I leaned down to grab a handful of his fur to steady myself.

“No kidding! I’m done, don’t worry about that.” I held on. “Karla and I are going upstairs to look at her torture panties. You can’t come.” I smiled at Karla. “That’s what Valdez and I call them. Torture panties. Is that about right?”

She laughed and grabbed my arm. “I should put that in the advertising. Torture yourself to look like you are suddenly two sizes smaller. It will be worth it.” She looked down at Valdez. “Shifter, I won’t hurt her. Ask anyone. I am all about the business.”

I let myself be dragged up the carpeted stairs. Apparently, Karla had a room she’d made into a workshop and dressing room. It was a perk of being head of the Council. When Valdez tried to follow us, two shifters blocked the head of the stairs.

“I’ll be okay.” I leaned against Karla while she unlocked the door. “We are going to play dress up.”

Valdez looked ready to take on the two men who blocked his way. “Karla, let her go. Can’t you see she’s drunk?” He tried to push between the shifters when one of them tried to stop him. “Guys, I’m just doing my job. She’s under my protection.”

“We get it, fur face, but we’ve got a job too. Wait downstairs. Karla calls the shots here.” A tall man who looked like a former football player cracked his knuckles. “I don’t want to have to toss you down there.”

“I’d like to see you try.” Valdez showed all of his teeth. The blast of his garlic breath made the man groan.

“Fuck! What have you been eating?” Football guy fanned his face. “I give. Sit up here by the door where you can hear if she calls for help. Doug, that okay by you?”

Doug looked green and retched. “Hell, yes.” He made a run for a room that proved to be a bathroom.

“I don’t mind if he stays.” Karla threw open her office door. “I have to keep this locked or the women here will steal my samples. Isn’t it funny how no one is happy with their bodies?” She dragged me inside and pushed me down on a chaise covered in orange velvet. “It’s a real shame when you’re vampire. Stuck forever in that body with no chance for change. Unless…” She gestured toward a rack filled with lingerie.

“Oh, pretty.” I tried to focus but fell back on the chaise and smiled at Karla. “You’re right. Every woman I’ve ever met hates some body part. I bet that tall beauty downstairs even hates something. Probably her big toes.” I giggled. Oh, I was soused. “What made you think of making such pretty torture panties?”

“You are drunk. I stole it of course. I swear there are no new ideas, just clever marketing ploys.” Karla walked to the rack and pulled out a lace-trimmed black panty with legs that would hit me at about the knee. Still, it was clearly much too small for me. “Try this on if you can stand without falling down. Maybe your rich sire will buy you a pair.”

“Don’t think so. He claims to like my curves. Besides, I can’t get my butt into that little thing.” I kicked off my shoes. “Seriously? I’m sure it stretches but no way can I force it over my thighs.”

“Try it. I found the strongest Lycra they make. It will take all the punishment you can give it. It will embrace your thighs, pull in your stomach and hips.” She clapped her hands, startling me. “I can’t wait for you to see the miracle!”

“I can wait. Forever.” My stomach was queasy. Too much alcohol and the idea of squeezing it made me feel worse.

“Think, Glory! Look two sizes smaller.” She marched to face me, that tiny torture panty waving in her hand like a flag. “Now sit up and put this on.”

She manhandled me like a rag doll, sticking my feet in the legs. Then she sat me up.

“Use your vampire strength to pull it up. Keep going. Pull! Pull!” She leaned me against her shoulder, ignoring Valdez who growled from the doorway.

“I’m sorry but that’s as far as it will go.” I frowned down at it. My feet were trapped and there was no way to move them apart. This was silly.

“Stand up!” Karla jerked me to my feet and lifted my skirt. “You aren’t even trying, ӓlskling. Grab the panty and pull.”

I could barely stand but I tried. I tugged with all my might. Inch by inch I got that damned panty to move upward. When it hit my hips, I was ready to surrender, my feet were still close together as I bit back screams of pain.

“Karla, I can’t—”

“Oh, yes, you can.” She was steely eyed as she walked around me. “You are a vampire, Glory. Not a cry baby.” She barked at me like I was in her vampire army.

“Gods.” I was sure the secret service could use this on political prisoners. Did Karla need to know anything about me? Secrets? I’d make them up if she’d just stop jerking at that panty. I was ready to blurt out my social security number. The pin number for my bank account. She’d taken over, her red nails gripping the Lycra as she urged it ever higher. I was surprised she didn’t poke holes in it with those long fingernails.

“Stop, stop!” I sobbed, desperate for her to release me. Valdez barked at her and yelled