Free Real Vampires Hate Skinny Jeans by Gerry Bartlett

the truth? That after we have our sweet nights together and you drink your fill, you are stronger, your senses enhanced and your libido…” I laughed and wanted to slapmyself back to sanity. “Well, I’m here to tell you, it’s certainly five star.”
    “Stop this. I won’t deny you have a wonderful taste and that you fill me with a certain”—he ran his hand through his hair—“I don’t know, feeling of well-being, I guess, call it euphoria. But I’m damned if it’s more than just great vintage vampire blood. And that feeling is happiness, by God. Because I’ve been with the woman I love.”
    “Either you are fooling yourself or you’re a damned liar.” I collapsed on the sofa.
    “If you were a man, I’d kill you for saying that.” Jerry stared at me until I looked away.
    “I’m tired. I can’t think about this anymore tonight.” It was the simple truth. The only truth I could grasp right now. “I’m sorry if I’ve said things… I know you’re an honorable man. Maybe you don’t even realize…” I shut up, not sure what I could say at this point that wouldn’t destroy our relationship.
    “MacDonald filled your head with these doubts.” Jerry’s eyes were dark with hatred for Ian as he sat beside me. “I’m thinking I have a broadsword with Ian MacDonald’s name on it. This time you won’t be stopping me, Gloriana. He’s gone too far. I will meet him and settle this. Our reckoning is overdue.”
    “You will not touch him. Not if you claim to love me.” I put my hands on his cheeks and made him look into my eyes. His jaw was rigid with his fury.
    “Of course I love you. That’s what brings me back to you again and again, not some blasted blood. And you were human, no matter what that bastard told you.”
    “Just… listen.” I took a shaky breath, summoning up the evidence. I’d had time to think about it since Ian had first dropped his bombshell. Not human. Jerry pulled me tight against him.
    “Whatever it is, lass. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere, you ken?” He murmured the soothing words in my ear andran a hand up my back. “Spit it out and let me call it nonsense, there’s a girl.”
    “If only it were that simple, Jerry.” I wanted nothing more than to lay my head on his broad chest and forget it all. But I was ever practical. That much of me I could see as a human quirk. “There’s something off with me. Even you have to admit I’ve never been a normal vampire. I don’t have the killer instinct. And look how long it took me to shape-shift. Hundreds of years!”
    “I admit that was frustrating. But only for your own safety.” Jerry shook his head. “Still, Gloriana, you had your reasons. You were just sensitive. Afraid you’d be stuck in another skin. I understood.”
    “Yes, well, it seemed logical at the time.” Seriously, I’d had terrors that I would shift into a bat or something equally ugly and be stuck. Now, I was comfortable that I could get back to Glory as usual, no problem. “Maybe the fact that you came to London and found me then is just more of the Campbell curse.”
    “There
is
no curse. And what I found was an uncommon woman, Gloriana. Warm, generous, with a good heart. Thank God you don’t have the killer instinct.” Jerry smoothed my hair. “Why did I fall in love with you? I don’t think it was because you were some kind of strange paranormal creature. I think it was because you made me feel like a human man again, not a freak. That’s your gift, Gloriana. A human gift. Don’t let MacDonald convince you otherwise.”
    “Jerry.” I was determined not to cry again. “This isn’t about Ian trying to convince me of anything. With him it’s all science.”
    “Well, know this: I don’t give a good damn what you were, I know what you
are
. Mine. My beautiful girl.” Jerry lifted me into his arms and carried me into the bedroom. He slowly peeled away my clothes, worshipping me with his mouth and hands until he had me naked.