Real Vampires Have More to Love (45 page)

“Don’t you dare cry and ruin your makeup.” I hugged her. “I’m sure CiCi will be able to fix it. Go, make yourself more beautiful. Richard will be stunned and realize he’s the luckiest man on the planet.” Especially when he saw her next to the purple monster acting as maid of honor. I patted her shoulder, then shoved her toward the bedroom where I knew her wedding dress waited.

“But this is a
disastro
!” Flo brushed at the fabric.

“Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out. And my shoes fit. Love them.” Flo had given us each gorgeous designer shoes to match our dresses.

When Flo was out of sight, I turned to CiCi. “Well? Any hope?”

“I’ll cut and pin.” She pulled scissors out of her bag. “But don’t go wild on the dance floor. This is a temporary fix.”

“Fine. I just need to look presentable coming down the aisle.” I sighed when Lacy hurried back in.

“Sorry. Bachelor’s house. The only pins I could find were corsage pins from the florist.” She handed CiCi a box.

“They’ll have to do.” CiCi used my strapless bra as a base. But she was right, the pearl-tipped straight pins were definitely temporary. Sudden moves caused jabs that made even Alesa gasp.

The music started and we assembled at the top of the stairs. Flo stood behind me, Damian at her side to give her away. My best friend glowed with happiness. Her designer gown had cost a mint and looked worth every penny.

Richard waited at the bottom of the stairs, and he had eyes only for his bride. The actual ceremony was to take place outside, and we proceeded out there to the music of a string quartet. Jerry, looking much too handsome in a black tux, white shirt and bow tie, was lined up with the other groomsmen in front of an altar covered in white roses and green leaves. Another ex-priest, a friend of Richard’s, waited to seal the deal though this ceremony was a renewal of vows. My friends had done the real thing in the catacombs under the Vatican.

When we came to a stop, Ray’s voice filled the night with a beautiful song about eternal love. I looked over and saw him at a piano. He didn’t glance at me, only at the happy couple. Eternal love. I studied Jerry, praying he’d feel compelled to look my way and remember what we had. But he stared into the assembled crowd sitting in chairs facing the makeshift altar. Who was he watching?

I searched the onlookers and saw many familiar faces, friends I’d known for years. Then I spotted a woman sitting next to Jerry’s daughter. Oh, no, he didn’t.

“Glory, your heartbeat just doubled, and you’re generating your own heat. Ooo, hate. That beats the hell out of this lovefest. What’s up?”
Alesa would have to wait. The ceremony had started.

I took Flo’s bouquet, gripping it so hard I crushed a delicate orchid. Aggie gasped and jerked it out of my hand. Luckily Flo didn’t notice as she said her vows. The endless ceremony droned on until they paused for Ray to sing another sweet love song. Sappy, sentimental tripe.

“Oookay, Glory. Something’s up. You usually like rocker boy’s stuff. What’s the deal? Who you got the hate on for? I get it’s a woman. Cat fight. Oh, yeah. Destroying this wedding would make my night.”
Alesa gave me a tiny heat flash to get me to answer. Nothing doing. We all knelt for the final prayer and blessing. A pin popped under my arm. Ventilation. Thank you, God. Alesa growled and heated me some more. She didn’t like prayers or the “G” word.

Time to walk back down the aisle. Aggie handed off the bouquet, and I thrust it at Flo. She didn’t notice that it was a little worse for wear. She just gazed at Richard. I gave Jerry a look that should have blown him right out of his black socks. He smirked and offered his arm. I took it, and we strode down the aisle after the bride and groom. I felt another pin go. Fine. I was burning up, and the breeze under my arms was welcome.

“I can’t believe you brought her to this wedding,” I hissed at Jerry as soon as we left the aisle.

“What makes you think—”

“Save it, Jerry.” I felt my face flush and the room blurred. Oh, no. Hang on to your mad, Glory. For God’s sake, don’t cry. Needless to say, Alesa was horrified at the thought. I blinked rapidly and held on to Jerry’s arm. “Damn it, Jerry, that was so . . . mean.” I rounded on him as we reached the living room.

“I’m a warrior, Gloriana. When I’m hit, I use what weapons I have at hand to hit back.” He glanced at Mara, who’d come to stand in the doorway, and smiled. “Good to know I landed a blow.” He lifted my hand off his arm and strode over to Richard, slapping his back and offering congratulations like he hadn’t a care in the world.

“What’s going on with you two?” Flo grabbed my arm. “Glory?”

“The photographer’s calling for us, Flo.” Aggie, who’d obviously seen and heard the whole thing, gave me a shut-up look. “Picture time? Don’t we have to go get photos made at the altar?”

“Yes, yes, she’s right.” I wasn’t about to unload my drama on the bride, so I helped hustle Flo and Richard back toward the altar. I looked down and saw some pins on the floor behind me. Great. I would be down to my underwear before Flo cut the cake. A waiter came by with pink champagne. I took a flute and sniffed. Wow. Joy juice of the vampire kind, and did I need it. The joy, that is. I downed it and grabbed a refill, then moved to my place in line for the photographer, a shifter who’d been hired for the occasion.

“Just a minute.” Aggie reached over and tucked some of my top into my bra. “You’re coming apart,” she whispered in my ear.

I glanced at Jerry, who was ignoring me. “You are so right.”

Aggie gave me an inquiring look, but we were soon in the middle of a whirlwind as the poses began. By the time we were finally cut loose for the reception, I’d gone from hurt to furious to homicidal to numb. Alesa was doing backflips with glee. Nothing like a meltdown to keep a demon happy.

A band had set up and music started. The leader announced that Mr. and Mrs. Mainwaring were going to have their first dance. Everyone clapped as Flo and Richard took the floor.

“How sweet.”

I turned slowly, knowing exactly who hadn’t waited a minute to rub my nose in the fact that Jerry had brought her here.

“Mara. Did Flo invite you?” I knew my friend certainly hadn’t. Flo would never invite the mother of Jerry’s child here. My friend knew I hated Mara because she’d never made her pursuit of Jerry a secret.

“No, Jeremiah asked me to come as his date and to see our daughter, of course.” Mara smiled at Jerry, who was hurrying toward us. What? Did he think I was going to get violent? He should have thought of that before he’d brought the bitch here.

“How . . . interesting. Did you wonder why the last-minute invitation?” I looked up as Jerry stepped between us.

Jerry threw his arm around Mara. “Mara is an old and dear friend, Gloriana. Naturally I’d want to reconnect with the mother of my child.” He smiled down at Mara, and she leaned into him, clearly willing to do whatever it took to latch on to him permanently.

Aggie grabbed my arm while I still reeled from Blade’s sucker punch. “Come on, you two. The wedding party is supposed to be on the floor.” She shoved me at Jerry. “Blade, the best man has to dance with the maid of honor.” She was pressed against the tall English vampire Richard had imported as one of his groomsmen.

Jerry kissed Mara’s pale cheek. “I’ll be right back.” Then he swept me into his arms.

I couldn’t believe I let him get away with it, then noticed Flo and Richard beaming at us. I forced a smile for their sakes. “Thank God this is a slow one. Even you can handle that.”

Jerry looked down at me, not bothering to smile. “Cheap shot. Just shut up and dance.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” I smiled as he swore and pulled a pin from his palm.

“What the hell is this? Your dress is a damned mine field.”

“So it is.” I intended to dance in silence but couldn’t stand it. “Mara, Jerry? Seriously?”

“Why not?” He glanced back to where she stood next to Lily. “We have a history, a daughter together, and she was more than happy to come.”

“I’m sure.” I stared at his snowy shirt front with the gold and onyx studs I’d given him one Christmas. I’d saved for them for months. I felt a lump in my throat and more tears behind my eyes. Would this music ever end?

“You shouldn’t be surprised, Gloriana. Clearly we are taking a break. I was just the last to know.” Jerry stepped back. Music over. He strode away, his shoulders broad, his stride still that of a warrior.

I couldn’t have a crying jag here in the middle of Flo’s wedding reception. I grabbed a glass of champagne, looked around and focused on the enormous wedding cake. The vamps wouldn’t be eating it, but Flo had insisted on the tradition, and the shifters would make short work of it.

The band started a tango, Damian’s favorite, and he and Diana swept onto the floor to the applause of the guests. Show-offs. Several other couples had also taken up the challenge.

“Dance?”

I looked up from my study of the bottom of my empty glass to meet Rafe’s eyes. “Are you kidding? Why would you even ask me after the way we left things?”

“I see an opportunity here. Blade’s obviously moving on. Seems like that clears the way for you to do the same.” Rafe nodded toward where Mara stood close to Jerry, her hands on his chest.

I couldn’t deny I was tempted. The music was sensual and throbbed with desires barely leashed. I loved to dance and knew Rafe was a man with some moves, but . . . “I can’t.” I smiled to take the sting out of my refusal. “Not playing those games.”

“Coward.” Rafe swung me into his arms until we were pressed together hip to hip, breast to hard chest. He grinned. “Blade is patting his pockets like he’s checking for a dagger to throw. At the very least we could make him jealous. I don’t mind being used as long as I get to hold you like this.”

Oh, his body felt good against mine. And I’d never forget how we’d been together. Neither would Alesa. She was trying to glue me to Rafe. Nope, not happening. I wasn’t about to make a scene, but I also wasn’t going to join the couples doing Latin dirty dancing in the center of the floor.

“Give it up, Rafe. I won’t use you, and I’m in a dress that’s a few pins away from self-destructing.”

He looked down and grinned. “I’ll say.” He tucked a piece of fabric into my bra with a familiarity that was probably being duly noted across the room. “What happened?”

“Don’t ask.” I sighed and gently shoved him away. “Quit acting loverlike and hit the buffet. I hear it’s awesome.”

Rafe stepped back, releasing everything but my hand. “Might as well. It’s clear I’m wasting my time tonight. But, just so you know, I meant it when I said I’m not giving up. No pressure. But I’m here for you, Glory. Whatever you need, whenever you need it.” Then he turned and strode away into the crowd.

“Are you kidding me? Go after him. A dance with him would be as hot as the seventh level of hell.”
Alesa growled.
“I swear I’m getting out my pitchfork again.”
She popped me with some heat.

“Gloriana, look at you. Pull yourself together.” CiCi grabbed my arm before Alesa could push me after him. “Seriously. Your bra is showing. Let me try to pin this back in order.” She dragged me into the powder room and did what she could.

“I know, but I’m having a hard time caring. Did you see who Jerry brought to the wedding, CiCi?”

“Mara.” CiCi frowned. “I have never liked that woman.”

“She’s taking dead aim at Jerry.”

“Let her. He watched you talk to the shifter. He was clearly jealous. You were smart to rub his nose in that relationship.”

“I wasn’t. I wouldn’t.” I hadn’t been using Rafe.

“Hell Boy can take it. Get over it and go after him and dance this time.”
Alesa wasn’t worried about a thing. I think the champagne had taken her edge off.

“Come on, Glory. They’re cutting the cake.” CiCi pulled me toward the crowd again.

“Interesting dress. How’s my little devil tonight?” Greg Kaplan held out two glasses of champagne.

I took one. “Don’t know what you mean.”

“Oh, come on. I heard you’ve got a demon thing going on. No wonder you’re shooting the red eye and standing up to Simon.” Greg sipped his champagne. “I’ve already texted my fearless leader about it. He’s thrilled.”

“What? You’re nuts. No demon thing here.” I drained my glass and felt a nice buzz. “Who let you in, anyway?”

“EVs are catering. The champagne is one of our newest items. Rocks, doesn’t it?” Greg polished his off and signaled a waiter for more. “Join our crew, and you’ll have unlimited access to these kinds of goodies.”

“Never. Who told you about this fictional demon?” I accepted yet another glass. Why not? It was a celebration of love. Flo had just cut the cake and smashed a bite into Richard’s lips. Another precious moment for the photographer. Gag me. I couldn’t believe this was me, not Alesa, being so cynical and uncaring. Then I saw Jerry laugh at something Mara said as they drank champagne together. Cozy. Nothing Alesa could do to me hurt like the pain of seeing the man I loved with another woman. I couldn’t stand to watch and focused on Greg.

“Let’s see. Aggie found out from Flo, who apparently did her best to stomp the bejesus out of the demon, which has taken up residence in her BFF.” Greg winked. “Still denying it?”

“Leave me alone, Greg. Flo and Richard are about to take off. They’re calling all singles to catch the bouquet or garter. You still single?” I cast an eye over the eager women gathered near Flo. Mara was there, of course. And Aggie. Even Nadia, who’d danced with Ray and made no secret of her claim on him. A few men had been dragged by Damian for the garter toss, Blade among them. Ray just leaned against the piano and drank some of Damian’s blood with a kick. That worried me.

“Eternally. Never could see any reason to tie myself down.”

“Me either.” I polished off my drink. “Guess I’d better go over there and be a good sport for Flo.”