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

a fool when you hear about his other women. Are you ever going to cut him loose, Glory? Or is that idea a nonstarter?”

“Stay out of this, V.” I stopped in the bedroom and grabbed my robe then faced him in the hall. “I don’t say this very often, but remember your place. I’m not going to let you tell me what I should do about Jerry. Remember who signs your paycheck.”

“Fine. But you will expect me to help with this demon shit, won’t you? And I’m sure you want me to keep Jerry out of the loop on that. Funny, but that lengthy contract I signed only said I’m to keep your body safe. Where your soul goes? That’s not my problem.” He turned his back on me. “I’m returning to my place. Wake me up when you’re ready to leave. I need a nap. This job has the worst hours you can imagine.” He glanced back over his shoulder. “That’s why I’m paid the big bucks.”

I watched him settle on the couch and close his eyes. I felt horrible, ungrateful. He deserved better. He was right. Not only was I going to need his help with this demon, but I demanded his loyalty. We kept things from Jerry all the time when I knew Valdez was paid to tell my sire everything. I should apologize but I was operating on my last nerve, not only thinking about the night ahead but how to deal with a demon who held all the power as far as I could see.

“I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.” Jeremiah pulled me into his arms as soon as he opened the door to his hotel suite. “It’s late.”

I wiggled away from him before he could kiss me. “Sorry. I had work then a visitor dropped by. I got here as soon as I could.” I said hello to Sherie, Jerry’s bodyguard. Now it seemed strange that he’d picked a beautiful woman as his guard. “Do you use Sherie as your guard in New Orleans?”

“No, I don’t. Well, not often. Why?” Jeremiah followed me into the living room.

“I’ve heard you’ve been seen with some beautiful women in New Orleans.” I walked out on the balcony to look at the view of the Strip. It was a cool, clear night. How I wished I had the nerve to fly away, soar above the clouds. I closed my eyes and imagined it, concentrated. But no wings sprouted. I was a failure. Once again.

“Gloriana?” He stood next to me. “Do you have a question for me?”

“Why bother?” I faced him. “I know you have sex with other women. You make no secret of it.”

“I have told you before, it means nothing to me.” He was smart enough to keep his hands on the iron railing. “Usually, it’s their blood that draws me to them. If I must bed them to get it, so be it.” He stared into the darkness, not meeting my gaze. “I don’t love them.”

“Must bed them. How awful for you.” I heard my bitterness and didn’t care. I hoped he realized how much he hurt me. No, we weren’t married. But what difference did that make? This centuries-long tie surely meant something. Valdez was right that Jerry providing security all these years was keeping me close to my sire.

My sire. He was so much more than that. Now I was worried about him. Davenport planned to hurt me through Jerry. How? When?

“Gloriana, look at me.” He had turned to face me. Now he put a hand on my shoulder. “What do you want from me? If you won’t come be with me, I don’t know what to think. Should I live like a monk? Would that make you happy?”

“Yes.” I touched his dear face. “Live like a monk except when you are with me. Know no woman but me. That’s my dearest wish.” I stroked his cheek and could feel the tension there. “But I realize that’s asking too much.”

“I have willpower. If I knew you would soon be joining me, I could do that.” He kissed my palm. “Give me a timeline, my love. I am not an animal with no self-control.”

“A timeline.” I sighed. I knew how much money I needed to have now, thanks to Karla and her mentoring. I was looking at years, I was afraid, before I had enough saved to establish a business with any chance of success.

“I know you are saving for your business. Many businesses start with a loan. I would be happy—” He stopped when I put my fingers over his mouth.

“No loan. You have done more than enough for me over the years. I know now how much it costs just to have Valdez with me.” I replaced my fingers with a kiss. “It is all too much, Jerry.”

“I can afford it and knowing you are safe is worth every penny.” He pulled me closer. “Are we finished talking yet? I would love to send our shifters downstairs and greet you properly.”

I resisted when he tried to move us into the living room. “I realize how lucky I am, Jeremiah. That you keep coming back to me. I appreciate how patient you’re being. I know it’s been a trial.”

He kept his arms around me. “I will keep coming back, Gloriana. I can’t seem to help myself.”

“Four hundred years.” I stared into his eyes. “Some might say I have bewitched you.”

“Honestly, Gloriana, you and I have always fit together like two halves of a whole. Why? Only God knows.” He didn’t look away, just let me see his truth. “What I have with you, I have with no other.” He held out his hand. “I told you I am not an animal. Well, that’s not true. In some ways, I am one. I crave the relief I get from sex. It’s merely of the flesh, Gloriana. My heart and mind are not involved.” He took my hand and squeezed