Real Vampires Have More to Love (35 page)

“You and Rafe? I can’t read your thoughts. Who is this Rafe?” CiCi touched my arm. “Can we sit and talk now, Glory?”

“Sorry but I’ve got to go. Seriously.” I glanced at my watch. “Late date. Rafe is Valdez. You remember my shape-shifter, the dog. He’s done with his contract as my bodyguard, and now he’s in human form. Hot human form. He and I . . .” I grabbed my purse and my case of Blud-Lite. “Well, we got together.” I couldn’t look at CiCi. She was solidly in Jerry’s camp, like most of the ancient vampires in Austin would be. Seems they thought vamps should stick with vamps. Some people would say that’s racist. I wasn’t about to start
that
debate.

“You and Jeremiah broke up?” CiCi was on my heels all the way to the door.

“No, not officially. Not at all, actually. But ...” I sent CiCi what I figured was a desperate look. “Can you come by tomorrow night? Maybe you can help me figure things out. I’ve got a hell of a mess on my hands.”

“I heard that, girlfriend.” Flo was suddenly right next to CiCi. “We’ll both be there. I don’t care what wedding stuff is going down. Your friends are here for you. See you right after sunset in your apartment. Am I right, CiCi?”

“Of course. And don’t worry about the waitstaff.” CiCi watched a wild-eyed Rudolpho scurry past, his tray full of debris. “I like that one’s type. I’ll take care of him and the rest. Glory, are you going to help Florence with her gifts?”

“
Grazie.
But that’s not necessary. There are too many, and my convertible is too small. I called Ricardo to pick me up in his big car.” Flo glanced back at the huge pile of gifts. “A great haul, eh? But now I need a favor, Glory.”

“Sure, anything.” My buzz really was fading, and I needed to get moving. I wondered if Flo would take my case of drinks since I was going to have to shift to meet Rafe at his club.

“Will you drive my car back to your apartment? You can take your prize and just keep the keys for now. I’ll get them tomorrow.” Flo dropped them into my hand.

“You want me to drive your car? Your new car?” I stared down at the keys. “I can’t believe . . .”

“It’s fine. Thanks. Pick up an extra case of the Blud-Lite. Aggie had plenty.” Flo licked her lips. “Delicious. I’m ordering some.” She picked up a sheer flame red nightgown. “It’s made me very amorous too. I told Ricardo to hurry. Tonight we start a new honeymoon.” Flo turned to speak to a departing guest.

I sighed, totally jealous. I’d been fighting my own hunger for something more than EV nachos since I’d started knocking back those margaritas. Jerry’s phone call had made it worse. But I couldn’t just use Rafe to scratch an itch.

No way. I pushed my good versus evil war to the back burner and hugged Flo.

“Thanks, I’ll be super careful with the car. I swear.”

“I know. Run along. I bet Rafael is waiting for you. Am I right?” Flo glanced at CiCi. “Don’t frown at me. Glory can have a little fun with a handsome man. Remember the time you . . .”

I left them arguing about CiCi’s affairs in Paris and ran out to the car. I popped the trunk and carefully stowed my two cases in the back, then settled into the driver’s seat, adjusting it until my feet touched the pedals just right. The car started with a roar.

“Going somewhere?”

I paused with my hand on the gearshift. “Looks like it.” I grinned. “Want to ride with me to Rafe’s club?”

“You sure you’re okay to drive? Someone told me you’ve been hitting the joy juice pretty hard. Don’t blame ya. It was good stuff.” Ray laughed and jumped into the passenger seat. “Sweet ride. Tell me you finally gave up on that junker you were drivin’.”

“Yeah. This is Flo’s, but I’ve got one on order for myself.” I put the car into reverse and backed out of the parking spot. “Looks like you tried the joy juice yourself.”

“Sure. They even have a Scotch-flavored blood. I’m feeling no pain.” Ray leaned back and grinned.

“My buzz is fading fast, but if you’re scared to ride with me, jump out now.”

“No, I’ve always liked to live on the edge.” He did buckle his seat belt.

“Hang on. Let’s see what this baby’s got.” I put it in drive and hit the accelerator. “What are you doing out here?”

“Met with the owner. He’s a shifter. My record label is throwing a party here. Part of the music festival.” Ray didn’t have to shout over the wind noise; our vamp hearing did its job.

“It was a great venue.” I was on the open road now and having trouble concentrating on what Ray was saying. The car drove like a dream.

“Looked like you girls were havin’ a good time. Felt sorry for the mortal waiters. I saw one of them being taken down a pint out by the Dumpster and two other vamps in line.” Ray put his hands in the air to feel the breeze.

“Yeah, one tempted me. AB neg.” I was really rolling now, taking curves like I was practicing for the Indy 500. Ray put his hand on the back of my neck.

“Pull over. That stuff I drank made me horny as hell. You still up for a pity play?”

Boy, was my hell side ready to rock and roll. Guess my buzz was still there too because I actually thought about it for a second. But a second was all. My rational side knew better than to start something with Ray now. Not fair to him, definitely not fair to Rafe or Jerry. And even if I could get my conscience to take a hike, showing up to meet Rafe with rocker sex all over me was suicidal.

I sighed, not about to let my demon have her day, er, night. I managed to shake my head.

“Sorry, Ray. As flattering as that offer is, I’ll have to pass. Obviously that ship has sailed. Right now I’ve got to go out to the lake. We’re remaking
Titanic
only without the ocean liner. Simon’s directing.” Nice water thing going here. My demon screeched, ready to drown me in the nearest puddle.

“What the hell?” Ray flinched when I almost clipped a guardrail.
Someone
had pulled the car toward a rest stop for that scratching session.

“Sorry.” I fought it back to the road.

“Just be careful. Dent her new car, and Flo would—”

“Kill me if she could find me. I’d know better than to make it easy.” The car swerved again before I dragged my eyes from Ray’s pretty blue eyes and hot body. Tonight he had on a black silk shirt, unbuttoned low, and snug jeans. Horny? I squirmed in my leather bucket seat.

“
Titanic
? Simon?” Ray kept his hand on my neck, one finger sliding up and down my jugular. “What’s up?”

“We’re”—I had to clear my throat—“uh, we’re making a video so it’ll seem like we staged Westwood’s death. Then the hunter’ll hop up at the end and show he never died. Confess he didn’t really kill any vampires. That all the stuff on his Web site is bogus. He’s going to take the video to his kids and get access to his money again.”

“Rise from the dead.” Ray let his hand graze my breast. “Why’re you helping him? He threatenin’ you?”

“Simon.” I plucked his hand off of me. Fumes. Ray had really hit the alcoholic blood hard. “Simon’s the one with the threats. He’s got video of me with Rafe. Says he’ll send it to Jerry if I don’t cooperate.” We were out of the hills and into a populated area now, and I stopped at a red light. “I can’t hurt Jerry that way. If I want to tell him about Rafe, I will. But to have it just show up in an e-mail ...”

“Yeah, that’s cold.” Ray yawned when the light turned green. “So Simon’s got you. Bastard. But then he’s always been one. No news there.” He dropped his hand on my knee. “Sorry, babe.”

“I’ve got a script in my purse.” A messenger had dropped it off right after Simon’s call. “Check it out. Simon’s got us talking like we’re in a bad horror flick.”

Ray pulled my purse from the backseat and found a picture first. “Naked man? Obviously these guys you hang with aren’t taking care of you right.” He slid his hand up my thigh. “Glory, baby, don’t you know you can call, anytime, and I’ll be glad to give you the real deal?”

I shivered and managed to lift his hand off despite Alesa’s screeches in my head calling me all kinds of an idiot.

“That picture’s part of a bachelorette game. Not going to use it now. No games at the party. Flo really hates them.” I’d printed half a dozen. I was surprised Lacy had left me one. Ray naked. Oh, boy, did I remember the perfection of his body. “Grab the thick pack of papers, Ray.”

He skimmed it, laughing. “No one talks like this. ‘You’ll rue the day you ever killed a vampire, you evil monster.’” Ray laughed. “Sorry, honey, but seems more likely you’d have called him a sack of shit. Don’t remember what the hell you said that night, but Destiny would do better to make it a silent picture than have you spout junk like this.”

“You’re right. That’s a good idea. Westwood can say the audio went out.” I turned onto Sixth Street. “Thanks for being a friend, Ray. I mean it. I needed to just talk about this. I haven’t been able to with anybody except Rafe.”

“Yeah, and Dog Breath is all about being the big protector, am I right?” Ray rubbed my knee. “Let me out here, a few blocks from the club. I’ll walk the rest of the way. Need to clear my head before rehearsal. I admit that blood with a kick knocked me for a loop. I sure as hell don’t feel like another face-off with your furry friend when I’m not in top form.”

“Rafe
is
my protector. Being out there in the middle of a bunch of Energy Vampires isn’t easy. Rafe makes me feel safe.” I pulled over and stopped.

“But does he make you feel this?” Ray leaned in and kissed me, one of his deep and searching kisses that never failed to heat me from head to toe. Spots in between lit up like he’d put a torch to them. The booze cooperated, and I clutched his silky shirt, then ran one hand inside to stroke his cool skin.

I wouldn’t listen to Alesa, who, for a change, seemed to make sense.

“Sure you don’t feel sorry for me tonight, Glory girl?” Ray whispered as he palmed my breast and licked my jugular. “You don’t owe that dog your loyalty, now do you?”

“A woman would have to be a fool to feel sorry for you, Israel Caine.” I eased back and took a breath I didn’t need. Alesa shrieked so loudly my ears rang. “Not saying you aren’t temptation wrapped in a hot body, but my life is way too complicated already.” I sighed. Yep, my life was so far off the rails now, I couldn’t even imagine fixing things.

Ray stared at me, trying to read my mind. No luck of course. “I thought I had you there for a moment. I swear I did.”

“Yeah, you’re good. No doubt about it. But this is where you get out.” I smiled and ran my hand over his cheek, rough with an early-morning beard.

The look on Ray’s face made me yank my hand away. I closed my eyes against the dare in his. Suddenly I felt his fangs drift across my jugular, and my eyes popped open.

“Relax, babe. I’ll make it great for you. Turn off the engine, and we’ll ditch the car. Go somewhere private. No one will ever have to know.” He stared down at me, willing me to forget everything and go for it.

Go for it. Alesa urged me to go for it too, and it took everything in me to ignore her screams to take Ray up on his offer.

“Sorry, but
I’d
know. I’m not doing this, Ray, and when you sober up, you’ll realize you didn’t want it this way either.” I shoved at him gently. Damned demon. Damned alcohol. I never should have kissed him back, but something in me couldn’t seem to resist him. The world swam as tears filled my eyes. Ray didn’t deserve my “now she wants me, now she doesn’t” act. He proved it when he didn’t force the issue but leaped out of the car.

“Guess I did drink too much ’cause I’d told myself I’d never beg you for it again. Do me a favor and forget this happened. I just made a damn fool of myself.” He shrugged, his smile crooked. “Good luck with your men, Glory girl. Count me out of the panting pack. Israel Caine is finally movin’ on.”

He whirled and became a hawk, silently flying out over the rooftops, away from Rafe’s club. Hopefully the flight would sober him up. I sighed, pulled my clothes together and pressed my head against the steering wheel. No way could I drive yet. Not with tears blurring the street in front of me and my hands shaking. I had the sick feeling that I’d lost Ray forever this time.

I should have known Alesa would feel the need to comment.

“You are the dumbest dipshit I’ve ever had the misfortune to inhabit. Now don’t screw up things with this next guy, or I’ll really make your life a living hell.”
One final jab with what felt like a stiletto heel right between the eyes made the street go out of focus for a moment. Then she settled back for the ride.

I tried to think about what had just happened. Ray had always just been a fantasy man, the rock star I’d been lucky enough to attract by accident. Dumb me didn’t know what to do with a man who treated me as an equal from the get-go. A twentieth-century male.

Ancient males. Yep, that was my type. Always had been. Then I bitched and moaned about the reality of their bossiness and possessive attitudes. Jerry and Rafe were just the current members of the club. I banged my head on the steering wheel until I realized I might damage it and couldn’t afford the repairs. Time to make a move.

I pulled up in front of the club minutes later. Rafe stood out front. His eyes widened when he saw what I was driving.

“Flo’s car?” He leaned in and looked it over. I saw him sniffing the air but ignored it. He didn’t ask about Ray so maybe he assumed Flo had taken him for a ride recently.

“I have to put it in back of the shop. Are we shifting out to the lake?” I dreaded it. The weather was cool and clear, a perfect Austin spring night. But shifting was one more stress I didn’t need.