Seventeen
I woke up before sunset. I knew it in my bones. Cool. Even more cool was lying there, the filling in a man sandwich. I could reach out and touch a perfect male chest on either side of me. First, out of loyalty and, yeah, love, I rolled over to study Jerry. Dark stubble that he’d shave as soon as he had a chance covered his firm jaw and, even in sleep, he never seemed fully relaxed. He had long lashes. Nice. His great broad chest with its well-earned scars from so very long ago tapered down to a flat stomach that he certainly didn’t shave like my earlier donor had.
None of us had pulled up the covers. Probably a case of dueling egos with the men and I’d just forgotten. We don’t get cold when we sleep. We just die. I shuddered, suddenly freaked-out at the thought. Stupid, I knew it, but the fact that I could lay my cheek against Jerry’s chest and hear absolutely nothing disturbed me. A sure cure for that was to continue my tour south, to where his briefs bulged. No morning or, in our case, evening erection for a vamp. Nope, just the usual at-ease position. Which was impressive enough. Now down to his muscular legs, so very fine and strong. I smiled and leaned down to kiss his shoulder, then turned to my other side.
Ray. He was as still as Jerry. And I loved him too. When had that happened? Didn’t matter. It did matter that, when he’d tossed in the fact that he was thinking of staying in L.A., my heart had rolled over. Yep, it had really hurt.
I shook off my emotional confusion and focused on the physical. Ray had a nice body. Okay, be honest, Glory. Ray had a great body. Which was a miracle considering his hard-drinking lifestyle before he’d been turned. But he’d hit the gym often enough with his buddy Nate to be trim with naturally broad shoulders and flat abs. He had evening stubble too. Both my guys were dark. Though when Ray opened his eyes they’d be that bright blue that sent his fans into orgasms.
Ray had an arrow of hair pointing straight down to his trademark black silk boxers. They hid the package I knew was inside. I didn’t need to see it. He’d flaunted it often enough. In a comparison, I’d say the men were about equal in the size department. I’d never given Ray a chance to demonstrate his prowess. I sighed, sure I’d missed the boat now. He’d move here, I’d go back to Austin and our fake engagement would be called off as planned.
I collapsed back on the pillow and boldly put a hand on each man’s chest, imagining what it would be like to have them both doing whatever I wanted to please me. I laughed. Impossible. Neither one was into sharing. There’d be a dead vampire on one side of the bed before I got any attention.
“Glory? Are you awake?” Valdez from outside the door.
I crawled out of bed. A glance at the digital clock beside the bed showed me I probably still had some time before sunset. I unlocked the door and opened it.
“Yep. What’s up?” I saw Valdez with Nate hovering anxiously behind him.
“Is everyone okay in there?” Nate looked around me. “Oh, my God! How did you manage that?” He grinned. “Or is one of them dead permanently?” He stopped smiling. “It had better not be Ray.”
“No, they’re both fine. We called a truce. Nothing happens while we sleep, remember?” I glanced at the closed drapes. Brittany sat on the couch. She nodded at me but didn’t say anything. I had a feeling we weren’t exactly friends. Well, what did I do? Oh, yeah, made Valdez my slave, I guess. Ouch.
“That was quite a scene I almost walked in on last night. I hope you guys worked things out.” Nate shook his head. “The people from Designed to Kill have called six times already. They’ve got the hair and makeup people waiting in the lobby for the signal to come up and start on you, Glory. You and Ray are going to be cutting it close.” He glanced at the drapes. “Hey, the sun’s not down yet. What the hell?”
“I took something and woke up early. Wait right here.” I ran into the powder room and weighed. Yes. The red dress would fit. “Okay, I’ll jump in the shower and wash my hair. The guys should wake up in about ten minutes. As soon as the sun hits the horizon, call the TV people and have them come up.”
“I think I should go with you to the Grammys, Glory.” Valdez glanced at Brittany. “In human form. To keep an eye on things. Brittany can stay with Ray when he’s backstage.”
“Do you have something to wear?” I guess I owed this to Rafe. And if Jerry had a problem with it, he’d just have to get over it. Brittany was right. This wasn’t fair to me. Hey, where was the trust? It was nice having a bodyguard, but when I got home to Austin, I was going to learn to live without one and Rafe was going to have to go job hunting.
“Yes, I had Brit buy me something in the shops downstairs. I’ll be okay.” He nodded toward the bedroom. “You should clear it with Blade first.”
“No. Just do it. Brit, go get his stuff. V, you can shower and change in Nate’s room. Is that okay with you, Nate?” I could see Ray’s friend and manager was ready to go in a sharp-looking Armani suit with his usual white shirt and gray silk tie.
“Yeah, sure. I’ve got the two tickets Flo and Richard were going to use. Brit and Valdez can have them to get in and sit up there in the balcony.” Nate pulled the tickets out of his jacket pocket and handed them to Brittany. “Now, get in that shower, Glory. Clock’s ticking.”
“Right.” I grabbed underwear and my robe and jumped in the shower. I was excited. I’d been looking forward to this night for ages and I was going to wear the most glorious dress. My picture would be in the tabloids and they couldn’t possibly say anything nasty about me for once. By the time I rinsed out the shampoo, I was so happy I was humming one of Ray’s tunes.
Then the glass door opened and I wasn’t alone. Jerry, naked and reaching for me.
“This isn’t a good idea, Jer.” I ran my hands over his chest, then looked behind him. Thank God, I didn’t see Ray getting ready to lunge with a stake in his hand.
“Don’t worry. Your fiancé is in the living room talking to his manager. There are television people there too. I’m supposed to be ducking out through the bathroom window.” Jerry leaned down to lick my breast.
“Which is what you’re going to do.” I enjoyed the sensation of his mouth on my nipple for a breathless moment, then reluctantly pushed him away. “I can’t do this now.” I reached behind me and turned off the water. “The crew from the show is waiting.”
“Let them wait.” Jerry slid his hands down my back to grab my ass. “Spread your legs, lass, and let me inside.”
“Jerry!” I gasped as he lifted me until my back hit the tile wall. I closed my eyes as he pushed into me, taking me hard and fast, possessing me. My eyes popped open. Bastard. What had happened to foreplay? He stared into my eyes, his gaze fierce and determined as he held me.
“I’ll not come for you, damn you.” I raked his shoulders with my nails.
“Aye, ye will.” He bent his head and teased the vein in my neck, breathing on it, then lightly stroking it with his fangs. All the while he kept up his rhythm, deeper and faster.
“You’re jealous, aren’t you? Of Ray?” I pushed my hands into his hair and tugged.
“Damned right, I am.” He finally eased back and began to kiss my breasts like he regretted the rough approach. Too late. “I made you, lass. I won’t share you again,” he murmured as he ran his hands over my body, trying to coax a response from me.
“Not your call.” I could see that bathroom window where I’d cried for the dawn and all the pieces of my mortality I’d left behind. Jerry had selfishly taken those from me. For a moment I hated him. I’d been so young, so blinded by lust and a grand passion that I hadn’t realized what I’d be giving up. He’d known but had wanted me with him. Forever. The consequences to me be damned.
Enough. I used my vamp strength to shove him off of me and down to his knees. The look on his face would have been funny if I hadn’t been so near tears.
“Gloriana! What—”
“Beg me for it, Jeremiah.” I kept my hands hard on his shoulders. “You want it so damned badly. By God, beg me for it.” I leaned against the
tile, my head thrown back to expose my throat, my legs still wide. “Say the words. ‘Please, Gloriana, please let me inside you.’”
“Are you mad?” His eyes were cold as they raked up my body.
“Mad as hell.” I pushed him away. “Forget it. But this is why I never married you, Jeremiah Campbell. Why I didn’t take your ring.” I was suddenly sick of this. It was so late in the game. I brushed the wet strands of hair from my face. “I’ve got to go. This isn’t the time or place for this.”
He stood and put his hands on the wall on either side of my head. “Oh, no. Spit it out. You’ve run me a merry chase for over four hundred years. I deserve the truth. You say you love me.”
“I do. That’s the problem and what got me into this in the first place. I gave up my mortality for you, Jerry.” I put my hand over his heart, that heart that died every sunrise. “You took my mortality. I’ve been mad about it ever since.”
“Angry? All this time? But you knew . . .” Jerry looked honestly confused.
“It’s complicated. I need time to sort it out.”
“Damn it, Gloriana, you’ve had four hundred years!”
There was a loud knock on the door. “Glory! Quit listening to that radio and come out of there. The TV people need to get started on you.” Ray pounded on the door again.
“Coming.”
“Shit! We’re not done, Gloriana.” Jerry frowned and opened the shower stall door. He grabbed his clothes.
“I’m afraid we are.” I threw open the window and watched Jerry turn into a bat and fly into the night. I slipped on a terry robe before hurrying to the bathroom door that Jerry must have locked.
“Glory, are you all right? You were in there quite a while.” Ray pulled me into his arms. I could tell he was worried. He looked around the bathroom in case Jerry still lurked somewhere, but Ray couldn’t miss the open window.
“I’m fine. Sorry to keep everyone waiting.” I grabbed a towel for my wet hair. “Let’s get started.” I could see a crowd behind him in the bedroom. A frowning Rafe in trousers and no shirt, Nate, Brittany and the reality show hair and makeup crew, all craning their necks to see what was up.
“Ray, don’t you need to get a shower too? We’ve got to get moving.” Might as well let the prep begin. But, after that scene with Jerry, not even the fact that my perfect red dress zipped up easily could bring my excitement back. Damn.
“Glory, what made you decide to pick Darren’s design as the winner of the green-carpet challenge?” Zia held the microphone in front of me. She looked stunning in a cream silk one-shoulder dress that hit her midthigh.
“I loved the details and the way it fit, Zia. It had a retro look that appealed to me too. Ray and I both agreed that the color was perfect with my hair and skin tone.” I smiled as Ray slid his arm around my waist.
“She looks great, doesn’t she, Zia?” Ray kissed my cheek, totally convincing as my adoring fiancé. “I’m buying her these earrings. They’re perfect on her.”
“Well, I know Beaman’s of Hollywood, jeweler to the stars, will be happy to hear that, Ray. Now, I know you’re in a hurry to get inside.” Zia managed to wedge herself between Ray and me. “For your Grammy-nominated duet with Sienna Star. We’re all going to be rooting for you to win that category.”
“Thanks, Zia. Now we’ve got to go.” Ray pulled me away and down the green carpet that was almost deserted except for the excited fans that still lined the roped-off area outside. They’d screamed and shouted his name when we’d arrived in our limo. The paparazzi had gone crazy too. I’d heard whispered speculation about the new bodyguard in our retinue.
Rafe looked sharp in his dark suit with white silk shirt open at the neck. With his steady gaze and no-nonsense attitude, he fit right in with the other hot guys working the crowd. When one middle-aged groupie had tried to launch herself across the ropes into Ray’s arms, Rafe had simply picked up the screaming woman and gently set her back behind the barrier.
Brittany was kept busy working the other side of the walkway. She managed to look sexy and professional in a black silk jumpsuit unbuttoned just far enough to be interesting.
“Glory!” I turned. Paparazzi? No, the group of women looked angry.
“Sellout!”
“Quit starving yourself!” This last was accompanied by a blueberry pie thrown by a woman with a strong right arm.
Only Rafe’s quick reflexes kept me from getting it in my face. Of course I dodged too, relieved when not one blue drop splattered my skirt. Zia’s Manolos weren’t so lucky and we could hear her curses echoing down the corridor as we rushed into the building.
“That was close.” Ray looked me over. “You okay?”
“Fine. Rafe?” I looked behind me before the door swished closed.
“Never better.” He grinned and licked whipped cream off his fingers. “Guess that was the California branch of what used to be your fan club, Glory. Not exactly happy about your diet, are they? But damn, the ladies can cook.”
Ray laughed. “Did you hear Zia? Hope that wasn’t going out live.”
“No, they’ve learned to delay her broadcasts.” I sighed. The Glory St. Clair MySpace fan club, the Blueberries, had been so great, cheering me on because a woman with curves had hooked a rock star. If the women had just waited a week, they’d see me back in my old body. Back in Austin without my rocker too. Damn. I refused to cry and ruin my makeup. I dredged up a smile and put my hand on Ray’s sleeve.
“You heading straight backstage, Ray?”
“Yeah, I’m sure Sienna’s chewing the scenery by now. I should have been back there and changed ten minutes ago.” Ray whispered, even though we were still in the lobby. The program, televised around the world, had already started, and an usher had quickly made it clear we’d have to wait for a commercial break before we could go to our seats.
“You’ll be great. Break a leg or knock ’em dead or whatever they say at times like these.” I smiled at him.
“Thanks, Glory.” He dropped a kiss on my lips and looked at Brittany. “Let’s go.” They dashed off to a side door that led backstage.
“Commercial break, folks.” The usher looked at our tickets, directing Rafe up a flight of stairs while I got star treatment and his arm to go right down to one of the first rows.
Wow. It paid to be with one of the Grammy nominees. I loved it and felt great in my red dress. I even got a whispered compliment from one of the stars next to me. Cool. The show started again with songs sung by famous recording artists up for Grammys in different categories and more awards were given out.
Then it was time for Ray and Sienna’s duet. The auditorium went dark until there was a single spotlight on the grand piano. Ray sat there in a tux and white shirt, open at the throat. My heart skipped a beat, he looked so gorgeous and so lonely. He started to play the haunting melody I’d heard hundreds of times. He and Sienna had practiced together in Austin before we’d ever arrived in L.A.
Then Sienna strolled up to the piano in a hot pink mini-dress that matched a stripe in her short spiky hair and she started to sing. She sang of missed chances and how she’d lost her love. Ray sang with her, a counterpoint. How he’d wanted to try again. But she said no. They harmonized, then went off on their own riffs. It was beautiful and sad and when it ended, you could have heard a sigh or a sniffle, it was that quiet.
The applause rolled up from the floor all the way to the balcony. Sienna grinned and pulled Ray up from the piano bench. She hugged him, then they both took a bow and hurried off the stage. No time for more. The show was on a schedule.
I sat back, relieved that it was over and that it had been so glorious. Wow. I felt a hand touch mine and looked over to take whispered compliments from artists nearby who I’d admired for years. Double wow. A few minutes later, Ray, now changed back into the black silk suit and black shirt he’d worn in to the awards show, slid into his seat. I leaned over and kissed his cheek.
“You were awesome.” I held on to his hand. “I n
ever heard you sing like that before. With your whole heart.”
“Thanks, babe.” He smiled. “Guess I had nothing to lose.” He looked around, answered some hand signals from some people around him, nodded to others. The smile became a grin. He was beginning to believe he had done well and could relax. I could see it.
We sat back then and enjoyed the show until it was time for the award for best performance by a group or duo. Ray’s category. Sienna and her date, a new guy I’d met just a few times, sat just behind us. She put her hand on Ray’s shoulder when they read the nominees. Their names got a lot of loud applause and whistles, so they were a popular choice.
“And the winner is, Israel Caine and Sienna Star for—” The rest was drowned out by a roar of applause.
Ray grabbed me and gave me a big kiss, then turned around and hugged Sienna. They jumped into the aisle and headed toward the stage to the whoops and hollers of their friends and fellow nominees. Both of them had such joyful grins, I felt myself tear up. Ray held his Grammy for a moment, then handed it to Sienna.
“I want to thank my lady, Glory St. Clair, for literally saving my life. I wouldn’t be standing here today if it wasn’t for her. I love you, babe.” He blew me a kiss and I wiped my eyes and blew one back. “Also, thanks to Chip Rollins and O.B.G. Sounds for keeping the faith.” He winked at me, then turned the mike over to Sienna. She thanked a long list of people until music drowned her out.
A few minutes later, Ray was back in his seat with a Grammy in his lap. “Check it out,” he whispered, then handed it over.
I fondled it, though it was just a piece of metal and wood to me. What mattered was what Ray had told millions of people tonight.
“It’s amazing, Ray.” I handed it back. “I already knew you were a star. This is just concrete proof.”
It seemed to take forever, but finally the last award was handed out and the show was over. Ray and Sienna were surrounded and congratulated. Several of the well-wishers wanted to talk future deals. Nate worked his way forward from where he had been sitting and passed out business cards. Seemed like Chip might have some competition if it came to contract talks again.
Gerry Bartlett - Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs Page 30