Real Vampires Have More to Love (19 page)

“She’s wealthy and smart. She owned several really nice vampire clubs in Kiev.” Jerry pulled me down beside him. “You going to tell me what you have going on tonight, or are you going to disappear again?”

“I need to see Flo, work on wedding plans. I am her maid of honor, you know.” I smiled. “And you’re Richard’s best man.”

“Yes.” He pulled me into his lap. “You want to make it a double ceremony? Finally tie the knot?” He slid his hand up to cup my breast while he breathed against my throat with just a hint of fang.

“First, Flo would die if anyone tried to horn in on her big night. And, second, Jerry ...” His mouth settled over mine. His kiss was familiar, comfortable and still exciting. Sort of. I was in big trouble. I grabbed his hair and leaned in, rubbing my hand over his hard thigh. Of course I loved kissing him. We had this thing. I reared back, breathing hard. What the hell was the matter with me? I couldn’t stop thinking, analyzing . . .

“Glory? You okay?” Jerry slid me down to lie on top of me on the couch. “What freaked you out just now?”

“I, I have a lot to do, Jerry. A lot on my mind.” I gently shoved him off of me. Oh, my God. Had Jerry picked up on my thoughts? I smiled at him, reassured by his concern. He wasn’t blocking
his
thoughts, and they were all about a manager robbing him blind. “Rain check?”

“Sure. I have work too. That mess in Florida is getting worse. If I thought you were really all right, I’d fly out there.” Jerry sat up and pulled down my sweater.

“You should go. I’m fine. The Westwoods and I have called a truce. They’re having the crazy will thrown out and agree their dad was a few bottles short of a six-pack with the whole vampire-hunting thing.”

“Glad to hear it.” Jerry stood and pulled me to my feet. “Good. I’ll head out for a few days. Back in plenty of time for the wedding preparations. I’ve got a company out there ...”

Jerry went on about his labor problems, but I wasn’t really listening. He was here now. I should be crawling all over him to send him off with hot memories. Instead, I couldn’t walk him to the door fast enough. The giant secret I was keeping from him—that was my problem. This guilt was all about the Westwood video deal, nothing more. Right?

Eleven

“I can see why you sent Blade off on a business trip. He’d never allow you to deal with Westwood like this.” Rafe had come in a few minutes after Jerry left and made me tell all. To say he thought the whole thing was nuts was an understatement.

“Jerry doesn’t get to allow or not allow me to do anything, thank you very much. Neither do you. I hate dealing with both Simon and Westwood, but what choice do I have? You’d still be locked in a cell being Tasered every time the guards wanted their jollies if I hadn’t agreed.”

Rafe paced the perimeter of the living room, not a bit happy with me. “I can take care of myself, was already working on an escape plan.” He finally sat across from me and zeroed in with dark eyes that saw way too much. “I’m free now so you can forget it. Or can you? Why are you going along with this?”

“I’m stuck. Westwood can give us hell with a computer—clean out bank accounts, you name it. And then there’s Simon. You know how he is.” I didn’t back down, matching him stare for stare.

“Yeah, what’s Simon got up his sleeve this time?” Rafe stalked into the kitchen. He came out with a bag of Cheetos and ripped it open. Let the torture begin.

“Do you have to eat those in front of me?” I sniffed and got a jolt of salt and deep-fried cheese that made my eyes water. God, I loved stuff like that. Damned liquid diet.

“I’m hungry. And I’m waiting for some answers. Spill. What’s Simon threatening you with now? His energy-sucking goddess again? Don’t listen to him. You’ve been shape-shifting your ass off lately, so you’re not nearly the energy fat cat you used to be.” Rafe examined an extra-large cheese puff, then popped it into his mouth.

“Don’t use the ‘f’ word when you refer to me or my ass, damn it.” I stomped into the kitchen. “You keep crunching in front of me, and I’m going to rip out your throat.” I grabbed a bottle of Nadia’s premium synthetic. It wasn’t close to the same, but at least I wouldn’t hear my stomach growl again.

“Oh, yeah?” He blocked me when I turned to go back, and pointed to his neck with a grin. “Help yourself, Blondie. Just be gentle. And I expect a nice thank-you kiss afterward.”

I shoved him out of my way. “Get serious, Rafe.”

“Okay, then. Quit evading and tell me why you’re doing Simon’s bidding.” No smile now. Too bad.

“Okay, here it is. He’ll ruin Flo’s wedding if I don’t go along with this. He’s got his eyes on Westwood’s fortune. With billions on the line, he’ll do whatever he has to, and he doesn’t care how many local vampires he alienates.”

“Bastard. He’d be happy to disrupt a big shindig like that to make a point.” Rafe finally closed the bag and set it on the floor.

“You see why I have to cooperate?” I swallowed some synthetic.

“When’s this video going down?”

“I don’t know. I’m going on business as usual and getting this bachelorette party organized. Acting like there’s nothing in the wind.” This wasn’t going to be easy. Flo knew me too well.

“So he’s going to let you know when the video is happening, and you’re to drop everything and show up for it.” Rafe stopped next to me. “It won’t end there, Glory. You’ll probably have to back up Westwood’s story, verify everything. He’s got a lot to explain away—like his lifestyle before he ‘died.’ Fake video, phony vamp hunting.”

“At least they promised to pay me for my part in this. Westwood’s son is offering a reward too, in case I come up with a body.” I frowned. “If Simon wasn’t involved, I’d be happy to take another shot at that bastard and deliver his body personally.”

Rafe put his hand on my shoulder. “You’re dreaming if you think you won’t get screwed over in this deal. No good ever came from working with an EV.”

“You think I don’t know that? That’s why I’m so freaked out.” I put my hand over his and squeezed, comforted instantly.

We both froze when we heard a knock on the door. Bad news that neither of us had sensed someone coming up the stairs.

“Glory, I hear you in there. Open up.” Flo was here. Let the acting begin. I got up and unlocked the door.

“Is the bachelorette party all set?” Flo had Richard with her, and he was weighted down with packages. “Put them on the kitchen table,
amante
. I want to show Glory what I bought.”

“Just ironing out the details now.” I pasted on a smile. “Have you tried Damian’s synthetics with a buzz?”

“Perfetto.”
Flo was all smiles. “I’ll make sure he donates several cases of his very best for the party.”

“Rafe, Glory, hope you’re not sick of this wedding already.” Richard dropped the bulging sacks on the table. “It can’t get here soon enough for me. You’d think we were planning a coronation instead of simply renewing our vows.”

“Excuse me? Is that the love of my life talking? The man who finally captured my heart?” Flo put her hands on her hips. “We can call it off. Just because there are dozens of our friends flying in from all over the world—”

“Relax, darling.” Richard put his arms around her. “It’s all good. I just like to see you fired up. You’re so sexy when you’re mad.” Richard grinned at Rafe. “You ever tie the knot, run off somewhere with strangers as witnesses. No muss, no fuss. Which is what I thought I’d managed when we eloped. But no, my dearest has to do it again in high style.”

“Flo does everything with style.” Rafe was smiling, but there was something wrong, and it wasn’t just the secret we were keeping. I actually didn’t know a thing about his background. Whether he’d ever “tied the knot” or even his age. He had awesome powers too. More than you’d expect from a shape-shifter.

“It’ll be wonderful, you’ll see.” Flo turned to me. “Is Israel Caine going to sing for us?”

“Absolutely. Ray said he’d be happy to do it for you, Flo. A personal favor.” I peeked into the sacks. I couldn’t solve the riddle of Rafe’s background now, and I had to keep Flo out of my thoughts. “What’s this? A new nightgown? Flo, you should have waited to see what gifts you get at Aggie’s shower.”

“I couldn’t stand it. A sale, Glory. I bought one for you too. As a little thank-you for all you’re doing for me.” She hugged me, then pulled a sheer piece of silk and lace from the bag. “Look, it’s your color and your size.” She didn’t have to say that it was twice as big as the one she’d gotten for herself.

“It’s beautiful.” I held the turquoise silk up to my chin. “My color?”

“Who’s going to notice the color when you’ve got something like that on?” Rafe grinned and grabbed the edge of it. “I can almost see straight through it.”

“Exactly.” Flo looked from Rafe to me. “Glory will look very sexy,
sì
? And it does bring out the blue in your eyes, my friend. I know what I’m talking about.”

“Always, darling. You got Israel Caine to sing at the wedding?” Richard grinned. “How’d you manage that, Glory?”

“No problem. He loves Flo and—”

“Will do anything Glory asks. He’s even singing at my club for the opening.” Rafe dropped the gown and put his arm around me. “Thanks to our girl here, the place’ll be a guaranteed hit.”

“I don’t know if he’ll do
anything
I ask. He was going to be in town anyway.” I glanced at my watch and eased away from Rafe. Flo was pro-Jerry, and she looked like she was ready to step between us if she had to break Rafe’s arm to do it. “I hate to interrupt this, but I’ve got to get down to the shop. None of my clerks could work the late shift tonight so it’s on me.”

“You should hire more staff.” Flo pulled out a skirt and a sweater. “Look at what else I got. For the honeymoon. Richard won’t tell me where we are going this time.”

“It’s only our sixth—or is it tenth?—one.” The usually reserved Richard couldn’t stop grinning. “I’m not counting, just happy to belong to this woman.” He shoved Flo’s finds into the bag and picked up everything. “Come on, darling.”

“Flo, you can always come help out again.” I hid a grin. Flo had subbed for me right before I got back from L.A. The store would never be the same. She wouldn’t wait on “frumps” and had declared some of my vintage finds “tacky” and “too old” to sell. She’d rearranged shelves, stuffing rejects in the back room. I still couldn’t find all my merchandise, and was afraid some of it had ended up in the Dumpster in the alley.

“No, thanks. So many people have no taste, and would they listen to my advice? No.” She laid my new nightgown on the table. “Here is your gown, Glory. Enjoy.”

“I will.” I touched the fine lace and imagined how it would look against bare skin. I glanced up to see Rafe staring at me. Hmm. I had a feeling he was picturing the same thing. I smiled. “Thanks, Flo. It’s gorgeous.”

“Put it to good use.” She sniffed at Rafe. “With Jeremiah. Where is he?”

“Off to Florida. A business crisis. But he’ll be back in time for the wedding.” I walked Flo and Richard to the door.

“He’d better. I figure he owes me a bachelor party, since Florence is getting hers.” Richard opened the door. “I imagine a naked mortal woman in my favorite blood type served to me on a platter would be about right. Or at the very least a poker night and some of Damian’s potent brews.”

“Poker, definitely. No naked women for you,
amante
. And you come home sloppy drunk, and it’s the couch for you, I tell you.” Flo scolded him all the way down the stairs and out of sight.

“You did great. She has no idea her dream wedding depends on you dancing to Simon’s tune.” Rafe picked up the nightgown. “You sure you have to hurry down to the shop? Maybe you should try this on, see if it fits.”

I snatched it out of his hand. “It’ll fit, and you’ll never see me in it, bud.”

“Wouldn’t count on that.” Rafe grinned and followed me to my bedroom where I carefully put the gown away. “I think I’m making headway in taking our relationship to the next level. You were really upset when those guys Tasered me.”

“If you’d seen yourself when they did it, you’d have been freaked out too. You looked like you were break dancing without music.” I sighed and shut the drawer. “You’re my friend, I care about you. But nightgowns like this one ...”

“Are meant for only one thing.” Rafe moved closer until I was against the dresser. “You kissed me back out there, Glory. I didn’t imagine that.”

“Any response on my part was involuntary. I was an emotional wreck, and you had a concussion. I felt sorry for you.”

“Just a bump on the head. And you’re never an emotional wreck.” He leaned in, his body hard and hot against mine.

“Hah! I should record you saying that. And Simon’s chocolates were drugged. I was under the influence.”

“The more excuses you trot out, I figure the more I got to you.” He pushed his hand into my hair and massaged the tight muscles at the back of my neck. It felt so good I wanted to moan and weep with relief. It had been a hellish roller-coaster ride of a twenty-four hours. But encouraging Rafe wasn’t fair to him or to me. Though I was having trouble pulling together the exact reason why with his hands working their magic.