A jungle yell, then Trey leaped on the stage, threw Aggie over his shoulder and carried her laughing out of the club. That seemed a fitting end to the party. Everyone clapped and pronounced the event a roaring success. I was exhausted and exhilarated. I jumped on the stage to thank Ray as he accepted a final kiss on the cheek from Flo.
“Thanks for this, Ray.” I sat next to him on the piano bench after waving good-bye to my euphoric friend.
“No problem. We needed to run through the set before the opening. Actually found a few things that need adjusting that the crew can fix today while I’m asleep. I told the guys to hurry out of here, but I have a feeling a few of them are going to get a tumble with a vamp woman tonight. Don’t think they’ll mind or even remember it.” Ray bumped shoulders with me. “Hot costume. I like.”
I looked down. Yeah, I bet he liked. I’d burst out of the top. Too much dancing. I shoved down one of my boobs.
“Thanks. Flo was thrilled that you did this, but I guess you could tell.”
“She loved the whole party. Saw your shifter doing his thing from the wings before we played. That was quite a show.” Ray played a bit from the song “The Stripper.”
“Shhh. No one knows who the mystery man was.”
“So I have something on him now.” Ray grinned. “Excellent. Guy danced like a pro.”
“He’s been around hundreds of years. Maybe he’s done it before.” I yawned. “Dawn’s coming. I just wanted to say thanks.”
“I didn’t do this for you. I told you, I’ve moved on.” Ray played some drama music, and it sounded ominous as hell. “I did it for Flo and access to the club tonight. That’s it.”
“Fine. I get it. But you’re a good guy, don’t try to deny it. ’Night.” I stood and started to walk away but was jerked to a stop by his hand on my skirt.
“Be careful with the shifter. Nadia’s dropped some hints. He’s got a dark side.” Ray lifted my skirt, looked under it and grinned. “Damn, girl. Forget something?”
“We’re done, remember?”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a fine ass when I see one.” He winked, then got serious again. “Remember what I said. You and me? I get it, not happening. But that doesn’t mean I want to see you hurt. Just keep your eyes open is all I’m saying.”
“Thanks.” I jerked my skirt out of his hands. “I don’t want to see you hurt either. Nadia’s been around a long time. Keep your eyes open too.”
Ray laughed. “Babe, I can handle women, even vamp ones. But I’ll be around, and you can see for yourself. Chip’s studio here is where I’ll be recording my new album. My throat’s better in Austin for some reason. Don’t know why but something in L.A. messes with my voice.”
I started to reach for him, worried that he’d had problems, but stopped myself. “Okay, then. See you around. And don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself. Just tell Nadia to stay out of my business.”
“I heard that.” Nadia strolled up from the wings. “No problem, Glory. Ray and I just thought you should know a few things, but you’re a big girl.” She looked me up and down. “A very big girl. We’ll butt out of your business.”
“Thanks a lot.” I started to stomp off but made myself take a moment. “And thanks for the use of the club, Nadia.”
“You’ll be getting a bill. Or at least your friend Florence will. Rafael may want to do you favors, but I’m strictly business and don’t you forget it.” Nadia had her hand on Ray’s shoulder. She slid it up to touch his jugular in an intimate gesture I couldn’t possibly miss.
“Right. Good night.” I started to stalk off the stage, then stopped and turned. Nadia had crawled into Ray’s lap and had her tongue down his throat. “Oh, Ray.”
He came up for air. “Yeah?”
“I’m glad you’re feeling better, and remember, I’ll always be your friend.” I was rewarded by Nadia’s frown. “’Night.” I smiled and sashayed over to the bar where I picked up one more glass of Blott-O and drained it.
“Woo-hoo! Way to shove it in that bitch’s face!” Alesa crowed.
I looked around for Rafe, anxious to talk to him about that dance and Nadia’s insinuations. Was it his demon side that bothered her? Hell, I could handle that. I looked back to where she had her hands all over Ray again. I felt a hitch in my heart. Not right. He was a free agent, but that didn’t mean I didn’t have the urge to fry her where she sat. Too bad it would torch Ray too.
“Yeah, let’s test those powers. You could wipe out this whole place with a look, hot stuff.”
Oh, no. Not going there. Alesa wanted it too badly. And wasn’t that something to think about when I wasn’t drunk on my butt? I hit the door, and the cool night air sobered me a bit. Dawn was still over an hour away, but I was tired.
“Buy you a drink, pretty lady?”I smiled and faced the man lounging next to the door. “I think I’ve had more than enough. But you can carry me home.” I glanced down. “My feet hurt. New shoes.”
Jerry stepped out of the shadows and pulled me up into his arms. “I would have come inside, but I think I’m overdressed.”
“You’re right. You’d have been a big hit in your kilt though.” He had on jeans and a dark shirt. His hair was windblown, like maybe he’d come straight here from Florida. “I’m glad to see you.” I pulled his head down to kiss him. Oh, yes, this was my man. He tasted right, fit perfectly against me. But we were in front of Rafe’s club, and he could come out any moment. I pushed back. “You bring your car?”
“It’s right down the street.” Jerry ran a finger along the edge of my bodice. “What’s with the costume?”
“I’m supposed to be a seductress.”
“It’s working.” He held me tighter.
“Let’s go to your place.”
“Yours is closer.” Jerry started walking down the sidewalk.
“Rafe might come in. He lives there too, you know. Let’s go to yours.” I saw Jerry’s Mercedes and nodded toward it. “We need privacy if I’m going to show you my cancan. I’m a dance-hall girl, you know.” I ran a fingertip around his ear. “We’re notorious for our . . . dancing.”
“I’d like to see you . . . dance.” He grinned and stopped next to the car. After he unlocked it, he settled me inside. “Not much time tonight, but we’ll have more when we wake in the evening, won’t we?” He kissed me, then slammed the door, getting us going in record time.
My stomach knotted. When we woke, I was going to have to tell him about Rafe. I listened to Jerry’s report on his Florida trip while he sped through the deserted streets. He was happy, glad to be back and eager to be with me.
I felt like the lowest kind of slut, unworthy of his trust. He had no clue what I’d been up to while he’d been gone. And did I have any doubt he’d been faithful in Florida? Not one bit. I knew Jerry. He assumed we were together and that meant we were exclusive. Oh, God, but I’d ruined everything. For once I could see no way to fix the mess I’d gotten myself into.
Twenty-two
“Okay. Let’s see this cancan.” Jerry lounged on his king-size bed, stripped down to his briefs.
I savored the sight of his rough-hewn body. I’d explored every inch of it at one time or another yet never tired of the journey. He was so unabashedly male.
“Forget the dance.” I flipped my skirt at him. “Come here, lover.”
His eyes darkened, and he sat up to pull me between his legs. “I like it when you call me that. Now let me see what’s under that skirt.” He drew it up, just as Rafe had. No, no, no. Had to get that name out of my head.
“What’s this? You’re a bold lass.” He took the garter between his teeth, sliding his hand under my leg to pull it up next to his hard thigh. He worked the garter down, his warm lips grazing my skin.
“I like it when you call me that.” I combed my fingers through his thick hair, terrified he’d wonder . . . It didn’t take long. He made it to my knee before he released the black elastic with a snap.
“You wore this to Valdez’s club tonight.” He gazed into my eyes, probing. “Why?”
“A seductress wouldn’t wear panties, now would she? And I hoped you’d make it back before dawn.” I shamelessly reached between us to slide my hand inside his briefs. “I was right, wasn’t I?” Distraction. Of course it worked. I hadn’t lived four hundred years for nothing, and I was fighting for my future. I wanted Jerry to have a wonderful night before I gave him my confession.
“You go, girl. Whatever it takes. This man is yummy.” Oh, God, was I going to have Alesa in this bed too? I couldn’t stand it. I ordered her to close her eyes and shut the hell up. “In your dreams, sunshine.” Her laughter mocked me.
“Gloriana,” Jerry groaned, then he ripped off the hose before flinging me onto the bed.
I looked up at him and realized I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t make love and pretend nothing had happened while he’d been gone. I put my hand on his chest when he tried to come down on top of me.
“No. We need to talk.”
“Now? When dawn is so close?” Jerry smiled and palmed my breast. “I’ve missed you.”
Oh, God. I hated to do this. Hated to ruin what we had, and this would do it too.
Jerry pulled me into his arms and nuzzled my neck. “I brought us something from L.A. to share later. Look on the nightstand.”
I recognized the bottles instantly. “Ian’s daylight drug.” The Campbell enemy made the potion that allowed vampires to stay awake for a little while past dawn. My heart stalled. “Oh, Jerry, I’d love to see a sunrise with you.”