Real Vampires Don't Wear Size Six (25 page)

“All right then. But clearly the demons aren’t going to be satisfied with just one soul. Shutting down that goddess should give Lucifer a shot at all the Energy Vampires.”

“I get the heebie-jeebies just thinking about that hole in the ground with the strange noises.”

“Yeah, well, I was hooked up to the legendary energy vacuum pump once. Not that I actually remember it. Just woke up with an empty stomach, what looked like a burn there, and Simon gloating over the fact that he’d just about drained me.” Rafe glanced down at his hand. “Sorry it already quit bleeding. But if you want more, you can always bite me. Anytime, anywhere.” He leaned closer and the cat hissed.

“I think the cat senses your former dog persona.” I smiled, tired of worrying about Simon, demons, all of it. “Usually when someone says ‘Bite me,’ it’s not a come-on.” I shook my head. “Let’s stick to business, Rafe. I’m with Jerry now. End of story.”

“Your story has many chapters, Glory. No end in sight.” He ignored the cat and ran his thumb along the side of my neck. “I’m patient and here for you. If the Scotsman lets you down, keep that in mind.”

“Rafe, you’re going to get hurt and very tired of waiting.” His warm touch disturbed me just like it always did. Then there were his dark eyes on mine, reading me, trying to see if I was tempted and seeking ways to take advantage if I was.
If
I was? It took everything I had to shift my body away from his.

“I’m going to call Simon and ask him to come to the shop. Freddy says Simon was turned down by the goddess when he asked to invite a female Energy Vampire, but Simon doesn’t know I know that. I’ll use that as my opener. But what if he just tells me over the phone to forget it?” I threw out the question in a desperate attempt to get this conversation back where it belonged.

“Before all this came up, CiCi called me about a surprise birthday party for Freddy. She wants to hold it at the club. I’m sure she didn’t plan to invite Simon but you can mention it and tell him you have the perfect gift for Freddy. Claim you can pressure CiCi to include him on the guest list. That should bring him around.” Rafe relaxed at his end of the couch. Apparently he’d seen enough of my confusion to be content.

“Yes, that should do it. Not looking forward to this.” I shuddered and finally let Boogie jump down and run back to Penny’s door.

“I can be there with you.” Rafe moved close again and picked up my hand. “I’m allowed to use my own demonic stuff in this case without worrying about payback.”

“I want to do this on my own.” I slipped my fingers from his; this constant touching was not a good idea. “But we’ve got to have something to offer Simon in return besides this relationship with his son. He seems to have everything he wants as head of the EVs. What else would Lucifer have to offer him?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” A man shimmered into view in front of us and I wished for my sunglasses. He glowed with a white light, almost blinding me. Finally he settled into a mortal form. But beautiful, so beautiful I wanted to reach out and touch.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Rafe held my hand again. “This is Lucifer, Glory. Just stay put. No sudden moves.”

“Good advice, Rafael. You do the same.” Lucifer smiled and his perfect teeth were a dazzling white. He had shiny blond hair, pale skin and brilliant turquoise eyes.

I licked my lips. I’ve known a lot of good-looking men, though my taste runs to muscular types who know how to fight. This guy was glorious, long and lean with hands that looked like they had never touched a sword or a plow. He was as pale as a vampire but without the fangs. While I watched, he added more muscles and stronger hands. Hmm. Perfect. I realized I’d leaned forward, straining against Rafe’s hold on me.

“Don’t underestimate my strength, Gloriana. I can break a man or woman with a fingertip, mentally
or
physically. Can’t I, Rafael?”

Rafe swallowed. “Yes, he can. I’ve seen it. Lucifer has more power in his pinky than Simon’s goddess could ever dream of.”

“Good man, that’s the party line.” Lucifer smiled. “I would like to be rid of that vacuum-sucking sex addict but, alas, there are rules. You, however, could annihilate her and no one could object, now could they?” His grin dazzled me. “Do that and just imagine the rewards. I have the power to give anyone their heart’s desire. Simon; even you.” He waved his hand and I looked down.

I gasped. There I sat, a size six again. Small breasts, narrow hips and—I felt my face, yes!—cheekbones. I had on a different dress too. It was a chic Parisian number, red silk with the kind of tiny straps that didn’t allow for a bra. My normal size would never have fit in it. I looked down at my feet and had the gorgeous designer shoes to match in a shiny red crocodile platform heel.

“How do you like that demo, Glory?” Lucifer’s voice flowed into me, deep and resonant, stirring me like one of Ray’s sexy love songs.

I dragged my gaze up to the gorgeous man again. “I’m tiny.”

“Glory, take a breath. Easy now.” Rafe squeezed my hand. “This is how he works. Hold on to your soul, honey.”

“Now, Rafael, am I going to have to make you mute?” Lucifer clucked. “Guess so.” He waved a hand and Rafe was a statue, his hand cold in mine.

I jerked my fingers out of his and skimmed them down this incredible new body. I did so love the way I looked now. I stood and walked into my bedroom where I’d put a mirror. Not full-length, no way, but a big one that I could use when I was doing my hair. I had a hand mirror too, for checking out the back, and I used it now to do a three-sixty. Oh, wow, how about that view? I
was
tiny. Flo and I could be a matched pair, even borrow each other’s clothes. I teared up.

Lucifer appeared behind me. “Look at you. Why, you could be a model. Is there anything else you would like? Natural curl? A paler blond? How about long lashes again? That naughty Caryon, he can get carried away, can’t he?” Lucifer waved his hand again and I had all of those. I blinked, fluttered those long lashes, and smiled with perfect gleaming white teeth. I almost didn’t recognize myself.

I finally turned and looked up at him. He was irresistible. And he’d given me everything I ever dreamed of. I wanted him, wanted to throw my arms around him and kiss him with everything I had in me. I could drag him to my bed and make love to him. I bet he could make me feel wonderful and I could do things to him, wicked things I’d never even done to Jerry, and we’d both be more satisfied than ever before. I reached out.

Lucifer smiled. “Look but don’t touch, Gloriana. Not yet. Of course I could make you feel wonderful. Beyond anything a mere man of
this
world could.” His glittering eyes lingered on my breasts long enough to make them ache, then moved down until my thighs clenched and I had to lean back against my dresser. I had a naughty vision of us together and closed my eyes.

Yes, there we were, tangled on silk sheets. His mouth slid over my skin as he stripped away my dress. He tasted my breasts, between my thighs, everywhere, until I couldn’t stand it and begged him to take me. He showed me ways to use my body that I’d never dared imagine. To reach a fulfillment that had me riding wave after wave of pleasure. I sighed and finally opened my eyes again. It was almost as if we’d actually been together, touched each other, done those incredibly erotic acts with more yet to come. I was damp, aching and trembling.

“Oh, yes, Gloriana, the rewards are unimaginable. But first you’d have to sign a contract. You’ve heard my boys mention it. Are you ready?” Lucifer’s smile teased me to hurry so he could make my dreams come true.

Ready? Weak, shaking and still not sure where fantasy ended and reality began, I shuddered. I was tempted, so tempted. But I finally managed to shake my head.

He sighed and waved his hand. “So be it.”

I looked down and I was back to my same old size, the one I’d been stuck in for more than four hundred freaking years. Unbearable. My bra strangled my heavy breasts, the straps dug into my shoulders to carry the weight. My panties cut into my upper thighs and into my waist. I wanted to tear them off and throw them across the room.

“Lucifer! Please! Wait! Can we talk about this? Where is the contract? How do I—” I searched the bedroom for him.

He was gone. No sign of him. The hall door opened and Jerry and Penny came in, dragging two metal cages apiece. I heard Penny chatter about how they’d fit them into Penny’s bedroom. Rafe jumped up from the couch and ran to my side. He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.

“Are you all right? I could hear what was going on but couldn’t do a damned thing.”

I shook my head. “Don’t say anything to Jerry.” I leaned against Rafe. What had just happened? In the moment, I’d almost been willing to sell my soul for a dress size. That and pleasure. Clearly Lucifer knew how to probe a person’s mind, heart and dreams and then dangle paradise. Simon, who was a cold and greedy son of a bitch, didn’t stand a chance.

I guess that had been the point of Lucifer’s visit, though if we hadn’t been interrupted . . . I shivered. What else would that Devil have offered that might have pushed me over the edge? He seemed to know me better than I knew myself. And that was his power, of course.

I looked down, then stared into the mirror. I saw myself as I’d been for four hundred plus years. I was fine. Men who I loved, had loved me just the way I was.
I
loved myself this way. This obsession with size was ridiculous. I wasn’t about to trade what I hoped was an afterlife of ease and joy for the creepy tortures of the damned and a body, no matter how incredibly . . . No, not even going to think about it again. No freaking way. I ignored what was suddenly damned tight underwear and put some space between Rafe and me.

“Gloriana? What’s going on?” Jerry stood in the bedroom doorway.

“Just showing Rafe my reflection again. I never get tired of it.” I laughed and squeezed Rafe’s waist like I always hugged him when I was excited. Which was true, come to think of it. Hugged him when I was scared too. He made me feel safe. Just like Jerry did. Both men were blessings in my life and I wasn’t taking either of them for granted.

“Where did you and Penny get the cages?” I eased away from Rafe, then walked up to Jerry and kissed his lips.

“We went back to her lab. I figured since she’d disabled the security that was our best bet and I was right.” Jerry studied Rafe, who’d put on an innocent face. “So now we’re going in there and sorting out the animals. We picked up some supplies too.”

“Good. I hope she can get them all new homes by tomorrow night, though.” I walked back to the living room. “Boogie and I aren’t comfortable with the crowd. Have you seen Penny’s bedroom door? There goes my security deposit.”

“I’d say you lost that a long time ago.” Rafe grinned. “Didn’t some of the broken furniture come with the place?”

“Why are you smiling?” I shook my head. “Jerry’s ordered new and you’re paying half. I hope it was expensive, Jer.” I smiled at him.

“Of course it was. Only the best for my girl.” Jerry kept his arm around my waist.

“Mr. Blade, will you bring those other cages? Boogie, no!” Penny sounded frantic.

“Duty calls.” Jerry frowned. “I’ll want an update on the demon thing after this.”

“Of course.” I glanced at Rafe. “We’re going to go straight to the source. Ask Simon if he’s interested in leaving his goddess. That will let us know how to proceed.” I shooed Jerry down the hall when I heard a crash from Penny’s room, then turned to Rafe. “Do you think Lucifer will come himself and make the offer to Simon once the goddess is dead?”

“He’s not allowed to. Remember? We’ve got to get him to agree before the contract comes out. Part of their ‘rules.’” Rafe collapsed on the couch. “I’m worried, Glory. Now you know how seductive Luc can be. Are you sure you can keep resisting him if he tries to reel you in again?”

“I have to.” I sat and noticed how much space I took up on the couch. “I just have to.”

 

The next night, I heard squeals over the roar of my blowdryer and finally turned it off to investigate. I opened my bedroom door just as Penny came down the hall lugging two crates of rats.

“What’s going on? The animal rescue people come through for you?” I was due down in the shop in a few minutes and running late because I’d taken time to supervise a visit to the beauty shop for Penny. The result was a cute haircut for her but I’d been left no time for my own cut to be blown dry. Now, if mortals were coming, I might need to call my clerk and let her know I’d be even later. I didn’t trust Penny yet unsupervised. I’d been lucky the night before. She’d been so intent on the rat rescue, she’d left any mortals who’d crossed her path alone.

“No. I ran into your neighbor and she’s found homes for all of them.” Penny set the cages by the door. “That’s the last. Don’t know why they’re so upset. Guess it’s all the motion.” She knelt down and tried to soothe the frantic rodents. “Can you believe the luck? Lacy says her family loves white rats.”

“Lacy?” I stomped over to the hall door and jerked it open. “Where is she?”

“She’s taking the crates down to her car. She’ll be back up to get these in a minute.” Penny sighed. “I wish I could keep at least one rat, for a pet, but Boogie has been crazed by this.”

“Yes, and he was here first, weren’t you, big guy?” I picked up the cat when he stuck a paw into the wire cage. “Have you e-mailed the rescue people yet to cancel?”

“No. I’ll do it later.” Penny stood. “This week has been insane. Jenny’s been texting me every few minutes wanting to meet Israel Caine. More e-mails from the university. My advisor and everyone at the lab’s freaking over the rats being stolen.” She ran her hands through her hair. “I just got my hair cut by a shape-shifter. And . . .” She grinned. “Josh called and asked me out for Saturday night!”

“Wow!” I hated that I was about to add one more insanity to her list. “Congrats on the date. We’ll talk about it later.” I was sure she wasn’t ready to be alone with him yet but she was so excited . . . I mentally went through my schedule. I wondered if Jerry would enjoy following Penny on her date. That image almost made me smile. Until the rats squealed again. “You’d better take these rats back to your bedroom.”