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

on my cleavage for a long moment, smiling like he knew a good pair of original double Ds when he saw them. Great.

“Dominic, I’ll be honest with you. I really need this job. I’m not one of those rich vampires you meet who have been smart in the stock market or buying up companies.” I looked around the room. The office was well-furnished, a nice setting for a successful businessman, but the Velvet Slipper itself was not such a great thing. Dominic might own this club but it wasn’t exactly thriving. “Maybe you understand where I’m coming from.”

“Completely. But couldn’t your sire do more for you than just hire this hound to watch your back?” Dominic steepled his hands. They were manicured perfectly. “He obviously cares about you or he wouldn’t bother with the bodyguard.”

“He does, he’s been great. But I won’t allow him to do more. His support would come with strings. I love him, but can’t live with him. I hope you’ll understand that my personal life is my business and respect my choices.” I smiled to take the sting out of that. Time for a subject change. “But, listen, what about you? How did you get to be a vampire? Have you been one long?”

“A while.” He was obviously keeping his own secrets. “I was mugged in New York. Luckily a vampire found me and saved my life. It took me some time to be grateful for that. No sunlight, no food.” He stood and walked around the desk. “I’m sure you went through those regrets too. Mine were a bitch. I was a restaurant critic for a newspaper. Talk about irony! I had to continue writing about food. Imagine doing restaurant reviews and I couldn’t taste anything. I tried doing it for a while, relying on my sense of smell and sight. But I was caught spitting out my dinner one night and that was the end of that career.” Dominic’s laugh was bitter.

“I’m so sorry!” I couldn’t imagine it.

“Water under the bridge. I found other things to do. I lost my girlfriend at the time, of course. I loved her, but I wasn’t about to turn someone else vampire. Not when I was so horrified with my new life. Drinking blood! God. After being so hooked on food, I thought I’d never get used to that.” He ran a hand over his head. “Never dying, though. I finally realized I had been given a gift. I got over the bad and embraced the good. What about you?”

“I became vampire for love. I miss the food too. Still mourn chocolate.” I smiled at Dominic and we shared a moment. “But I asked to be turned so I can’t say I have regrets. My sire and I part from time to time, that overprotective thing. I have to admit though, that it’s nice to meet the dawn with someone watching over me so I let him provide the bodyguard.”

“I get that.” He glanced at the clock. “I’d better let you go. I won’t be asking you to work a day shift, that’s for sure. We don’t open until late here anyway. Keep this job, but I do need to talk to you again. I might have an opportunity for you. When you come in tomorrow night, stop by to see me first.”

I wondered if he needed a vampire friend or if he had something else in mind. He wasn’t bad looking. He came closer, ignoring Valdez’s growl to take my hand.

“Vampires should stick together, don’t you think, Gloria?” He kissed my hand in an old-fashioned way that made me wonder how old he was.

“I agree, Dominic. I’m new to Las Vegas and haven’t made any connections here except for my synthetic dealer. He was referred by the guy who sold to me in Los Angeles, my last stop. I’d like to make more vampire friends. Maybe you can help me with that.” I eased my hand from his when Valdez wedged himself between us. I kicked my bodyguard, my heel making good contact.

“It’s hard to get to know vampires in a new town. Did someone tell you to come here?” He didn’t look at me, just walked back to his desk and picked up those glasses.

“No, it was dumb luck. Crazy, isn’t it?” I smiled. “See you tomorrow.” I walked to the door, very aware of the view my boss was getting of my abundant butt. If he was fairly ancient, that could work in my favor. Ancient men liked women with a little meat on their bones.

Once we were outside in the parking lot, Valdez let me have it.

“Are you telling me you have the hots for that guy? He’s exploiting women. Blade could take him apart and not even break a sweat.” Valdez groused as I opened the car door for him.

“I do not have the hots for Dominic. He’s trying to earn a living, I get that. Besides, he has nice manners and dresses well.” I threw the bag with my clothes in the back seat. “You have to admit it’s a lucky break that he’s my boss here.” I slammed the car door and walked around to the driver’s side. Even at night the seat was hot. I sat on a towel before I turned the key in the ignition. The car moaned before the engine caught.

“Just drive. The sun will be up in a matter of minutes.” Valdez put his head out the car window. “Yes, it’ll be easier with a vamp in charge of the club. Maybe you can hold onto this job for a while. Unless he makes a move.” He looked at me. “I saw the way he licked his lips when you leaned over to show him what you’ve got. Next, he’ll be ordering the waitresses to serve topless. What are you going to do then? Huh?” He raised a furry eyebrow.

I ignored him. I could feel the dawn approaching and now wouldn’t have time to shower before