Real Vampires Have Curves by Gerry Bartlett Read Free Book Online

of looking out for myself?”
    â€œHere we go again.” Blade tightened his hand on my waist. “For once, lass, can we no’ just enjoy the moment?”
    He’d brought out the big guns. He knows I’m a sucker for the Scottish accent. And I actually was a little blown away. I never dreamed he’d seek me out again so soon after I’d turned him down in the desert.
    â€œEnjoy the moment. Fine. But we need to talk, Jerry.”
    â€œJeremiah, lass. Och, but I’ve missed your fire.”
    â€œHmmm.” What could I say? Fire? Right now I was a four alarm. Blame it on my long dry spell, but if we’d been alone I might have shown Jerry some fire works. We’d always clicked in bed and he wasn’t even put off by my thunder thighs.
    How do I know? When we’re making love, Jerry lets me into his thoughts. Talk about erotic. In their heads, men get pretty graphic, but they love the female body. When they’re getting lucky, they’re grateful and very appreciative. You might say “blinded by passion.” Cool, huh?
    I knew he was reading me. He slid his hand down to my butt and pulled me closer. And we danced. Even got two slow ones before the pace picked up and the lights brightened. Jerry led me back to the table where Derek and Freddy were talking.
    â€œLet’s go outside.” Blade issued his order then guided, no, pushed me toward the door with his hand on my back. Naturally Derek and Freddy followed.
    â€œJeez, who died and put you in charge?” What had I just said? I had to get a grip on my big mouth. Blade’s face hardened and he just looked at me. And let me see his grief for Mac. Dark, bottomless, the loss of the brother of his heart. And all his fault. If he’d only—
    â€œStop it!” I grabbed his hand and held on. “You are not responsible for Mac’s death. Westwood is.”
    â€œI should have sensed the danger sooner. Mac and Mara were there visiting me. ” Blade squeezed my hand. “I’ll not lose you, too, dearling.”
    Derek and Freddy were watching us. Freddy, for sure, was picking up on my chaotic thoughts, though no one could read Blade unless he let them in.
    â€œCome home with me, Gloriana. I’ll keep you safe or die trying.”
    I shuddered at that promise. I didn’t doubt he meant every word.
    â€œNo freaking way.” I grabbed his arm. “You mean well. I get that. Look at me, Jerry.” His dark eyes met mine. “Read my mind, my heart. Whatever.” I saw his jaw tighten.
    â€œI have plans, Jerry. A life that doesn’t include cowering inside a damned casino while you throw yourself in front of me to catch arrows in your chest.” The world swirled around me for a moment and I wobbled on my high heels. Blade caught me, holding me tight against his side. I took a breath and pushed away from him, relieved that I was steady again.
    â€œBelieve me. I can take care of myself. And, if I do need help, I have friends here.”
    â€œShe’s right, Blade. We’re perfectly capable of protecting her and she’s opening a store here.” Derek. Who’d obviously not been around Blade enough to realize he didn’t exactly welcome interference.
    â€œI’m sure you think you can protect her, Derek”—Blade swept him with a dismissive look—“when you’re not trolling for students, that is.” He locked eyes with Freddy. “Frederick, I’ll talk to you later. Gloriana and I need to be alone.”
    Freddy, the coward, the deserter, the first-class chump, merely nodded. “You have a place to stay?”
    â€œAye.”
    And Freddy took off, dragging Derek with him. Just like that.
    â€œWhat if I don’t want to be alone with you?”
    Blade leaned down and kissed my lips, slowly, thoroughly, sliding just the tip of a fang across them until I was damp and dizzy.
    â€œCome along, sweetheart. I need