Real Vampires Know Hips Happen by Gerry Bartlett Read Free Book Online Page A

hold of the back of his neck, gently pulling him closer. It had been a gamble, offering myself to him, and he’d just had confirmed that once a slut, always a slut. But I could see that a kiss might be in his wheelhouse.
    “Why not?” He gave in, leaning forward.
    I closed my eyes when his lips met mine. I tasted the man I loved, the Jerry who’d met me at the car with joy in his eyes, so eager to be with me again. I teased open his lipswith my tongue and deepened the kiss when he didn’t at first. Running my fingertip along his ear, I sank into the kiss. It was dear and familiar and yet strangely new. Then over too soon when he pushed back and stared at me.
    “I don’t know you.” He jumped up and stalked to the door to the outside. Before I could even call his name, he was gone, slamming it behind him.
    I held my hand to my trembling lips. He didn’t know me. Well, by damn, before the two weeks were done, he certainly would or I’d catch a plane back home without him.
    Wait a minute. This was exactly what my mother hoped I’d do. Give up. Maybe move on to someone she considered worthy. A fangless wonder handpicked by her if I wouldn’t shoot up to Olympus and start bonding over mother-daughter nut cracking. I shuddered to imagine it. I sucked up my flagging courage and headed out the door.
    I found Jerry staring at the ruins of his once formidable castle.
    “What happened to my home?” He stalked over to shove aside a fallen block of stone that most men wouldn’t have been able to slide even an inch.
    “Your family decided centuries ago to quit wasting money on upkeep when they spent all their time belowground or in Edinburgh at the town house.” They had palatial digs in the big city, near other Scottish nobility, though, as vampires, they’d lost a lot of their power in politics. Still, they had friends in high places.
    “But this.” Jerry strode over to read the sign about the tours. “The National Trust? What the devil is that? Da lets strangers roam the grounds during the day?” He kicked another stone out of his way. “There’s even a bloody tea room.”
    “Well, yes. I think that’s a nice feature. Should bring in a good income.” I moved closer. I hated to see him so upset. Of course it had been a shock to see the home he’d last remembered as a prosperous holding reduced to little more than rubble. Only one tower remained standing and that’s where the tea room and souvenir shop were located. “TheNational Trust is run by the Scottish government. Volunteers probably take care of the actual tours and such. I’m sure your family gets a tax break and maybe some kind of stipend for allowing visitors.”
    “Da lets strangers poke about in our home? By God, I never thought I’d see the day.” Jerry paced around the perimeter of the castle, cursing and picking up loose stones. He stopped at the scaffolding erected against one side. “At least they’re doing some repairs, I see.”
    “Yes, they can’t let it fall down any further. It’s a common thing. The taxes are really high. Many noble families do it, Jer. There’s no shame in it.” I kept up with Jerry as he headed for the stables. Horses. Of course he’d want to check on those. He’d be sorely disappointed. Most of the area was now a garage housing the various 4×4s used in the pastures along with the cars and Jeeps the family drove when in the country.
    “Slow down, will you?” I wanted to prepare him.
    “Why?” He stopped so fast I ran into him. “What is it? More bad news? This new century isn’t to my liking, I’ll tell you that.”
    “I’m sorry, Jerry. But you really do like the progress when you’re, um—” I caught myself before I said “in your right mind.” He narrowed his eyes. “Yourself.”
    “Spit it out. What’s next?”
    “Well, horses aren’t such a big deal now. I’m not sure Angus even keeps any.” I plucked at Jerry’s plaid now thrown over his shoulder against the chill in the air. I