Real Vampires: Glory Does Vegas Bartlett, Gerry (good fiction books to read .txt) 📖

radar.” Dom had managed to refill our goblets. “They disapprove of my club, especially since I took it topless.”

“I’m not crazy about the concept, but you haven’t gone vampire on anyone. Not that I know of. You act like any mortal owner of a club like that would act.” I had to admit, knowing Dom had its perks. His synthetic blood was delicious and much better than I could afford.

“Thank you. I’m not breaking any of their precious rules. You should see the magic shows one of them puts on. Right there on the Strip!” He leaned forward. “He mesmerizes whole audiences. Shifts, does stunts that put us all at risk and they let him get by with it.”

“You’re not saying that guy with the white pigeons is…” I took a deep drink from my goblet. I’d had a chance to see part of his show and wondered how he’d made the animals behave as they did. “Can you mesmerize animals like you can mortals?”

“What do you think?” Dom eased closer to me. “Forget him. Forget all of them. They are prudes. Some, like Karla, are hot heads. You do something wrong and they’ll come after you.”

“Something wrong. Like make a deal with the Devil?” I drained my glass.

Dom laughed. “Who would be dumb enough to do that?” He slid his bare foot along my leg. “Come on now, Glory. Let’s play. Take off that horrible costume. I’ve dreamed of seeing you topless. Did you know that?”

“Vampires don’t dream, Dom.” I stood and climbed out of the tub. “I’ve got to get out of here.”

“Wait! No!” He walked right behind me as I snatched up a dry towel. “Why did you come out here? Don’t be a tease.”

“Stop right there. Tease? Doesn’t a woman have the right to change her mind?” I turned and faced him. “You kept the vampire council a secret from me. I won’t forget that. I asked you when we met about other vampires in town and you just shrugged, like you didn’t know of any. I have to think about how I’ll go on in the future if I can’t trust you. Send me Karla’s number. If I don’t get it later tonight, then…” I looked up at those stars. I hated to say it but trust was a big deal to me. He’d lied to me. I’d made a mistake thinking I could have any kind of relationship with him other than boss/employee.

“Then what, Glory?” He looked me over, his eyes on the way that wet wool showed every detail of my body from the pebbles of my nipples to the curves of my abundant thighs. “You going to quit? Good luck finding another job.”

“Maybe I should quit.” I held up my hand when he started to speak. “I know, it won’t be easy, but I need to think about what working for you has done for me.”

“Yeah, think about that. I know Caro slipped you a case of the good stuff at a deep discount. Perks like that are worth a lot. Why do you think Karla took off in such a hurry?” Dom was dripping water, his bare feet slapping on the tile floor as he followed me to the kitchen.

He gestured at Caroline. “Glory’s leaving. I hope you finished whatever the hell you were eating. God, it smells delicious. Open some windows. I don’t need this kind of torture in my house, Caro. You cook again, do it outside on the grill.”

I saw Valdez’s plate sitting on the floor and it was still half full. I shook my head then pulled my clothes and laptop out of my tote and swept the contents of the plate inside.

“We’re taking it with us. I’m sorry, but I can’t be here another minute.”

“Fine by me.” Dom threw open the front door. “Go. I won’t fire you because I’m not the asshole Karla says I am. But I won’t help you with your business plans either. Let her help. She’s started a successful business. Something to do with women’s underwear. You might like the shit she sells.” He looked me up and down. “It squeezes your stomach and thighs until you look like you magically lost ten pounds. It’s making her millions. Some women are desperate to look slimmer.”

I hissed at the way he stared at my hips. “You son of a bitch! Valdez, in the car, now!” I gathered up my clothes, clutched my laptop and stuck my feet in my sandals. It wasn’t easy to carry all my stuff without dropping something. When Caro came forward as if to help me, Dom shook his head.

“Let Ms. Independent do it herself. Look up Karla Falk’s phone number and text it to Glory. She’s interested in connecting with that bitch.” Dom slammed the door, almost catching Valdez’s tail.

My bodyguard looked up at me as I struggled to open the car door and throw my clothes into the back seat. I was driving home in a wet bathing costume. Stealing one of Dom’s towels was a bonus.

“What was that all about?” Valdez settled into his usual spot after I remembered to let him into the car. “You’re steaming. Do I need to go back and teach him a lesson?”

“What would be the point? Once an asshole, always an asshole.” I gripped the steering wheel and made myself calm down. He hadn’t fired me. Good. And he was stuck in a house that smelled like fine dining. Better. For a former restaurant critic, that was pure torture. I glanced at Valdez.

“What did Caro cook for you?”

“Beats the hell out of me.” His stomach gurgled and we both smiled. “All I know is that it tasted as good as it smelled. I was trying to go slowly. Savor it, you know? She spent some time at the Cordon Bleu, taking lessons. She’s wasted as a bodyguard. She should open her own restaurant.” He looked into the back seat. “Thanks for saving the rest.”

I pulled over and grabbed my