Free Real Vampires Don't Diet by Gerry Bartlett

you. And you're important to him. He's donating blood for you. He knows you're a freakin' vampire and he didn't run screaming into the night. Now that's a true friend." I took a breath. "Try to rest. When Nate gets up here, don't talk, just write notes or type on the computer. I'll come back before dawn and feed you again. Hopefully, by the time Sienna is ready to practice, you'll be able to belt out your tunes per usual."
    "Hope so." He frowned and pulled the covers up to his chin.
    "See you later." I headed downstairs. Valdez was sitting on the bottom step.
    "Glory, would you call off your dog? My guitar is in one of the spare bedrooms and I thought this mutt was going to bite my head off when I tried to go past him. You and Ray aren't the only ones who use the upstairs." A member of Ray's band, a really hot guy who'd been with Ray for years, gave me a sly smile.
    "Sorry, Dex, and the mutt's name is Valdez."
    "Right. You want to help me look for my guitar, sweetheart? Maybe play a tune together?" Valdez growled and I grabbed his collar. "Now, Dex, I don't think Ray'd like that, do you?" I winked. "Sorry about my dog. I'll take him with me." I pulled Valdez along. "Oh, and don't bother Ray right now. He's taking a little nap. Says I wore him out."
    "Aw, Glory, now you're torturing me." Dex put a hand over his heart and looked me over. "If I write a song for you, will you give me some of that?"
    Ray had written a song for me, "The Glory Years," that was going on his new album. Dex didn't have a clue that, with luck, Ray would have Glory centimes. I leaned across Valdez to pat the man's handsome cheek lined from way too much hard living. I inhaled a nice B positive, but with a little too much marijuana for him to be a donor.
    "Write that song and we'll see. But I've got to warn you, Dex, I'm a one man woman. One at a time, anyway." I laughed and dragged a growling Valdez toward the kitchen.
    "Glory, I'm going to head up with this laptop for Ray." Nathan stepped out of the den carrying a black leather case. "Meet me upstairs in about an hour, baby? Had a rare roast beef sandwich and a glass of milk. I'm reloaded and ready to go again." I looked around to make sure we were alone, something Nathan should have done, then smiled. "Relax, Nathan. You need a full twenty-four hours to recover after giving a donation. And this is our little secret. Remember? I'm Ray's girl as far as the guys here are concerned." I stepped out of reach when Nathan moved closer.
    He frowned. "Yeah, yeah, I know what they think. But I know what happened up there. You were into me, Glory. Really into me. I can give you something besides blood. Remember? We were hot together. No need to wait twenty-four hours to recover from that, baby." He gave me a hot look, dropped the laptop and grabbed my arm. It took Valdez about half a beat to grab Nathan's arm.
    "Damn! Okay, I'm letting her go, Valdez. See?" Nathan stepped back and rubbed his bicep. He wore a nice thick wool sweater. Expensive Italian in a beautiful cream color. Which would have to be rewoven now that it had some significant punctures. At least I didn't see any bloodstains. Yet.
    "Valdez, that was an overreaction. You know Nathan would never hurt me." I gave him a fierce look. "Bad dog." I said this in case one of the band members or their ladies happened to be within earshot. Valdez just glared at Nate, daring him to lay another finger on me. Which was actually okay with me for now. Nate really needed to let this go. But I had no one to blame but myself.
    "Nate, I'm sorry. This isn't happening. Big mistake. Please"
    "Come on, Glory, quit teasing. I know this isn't the place to talk about this, but you can meet me upstairs. No one needs to know but you, me and the dog here. Not even Ray." Nathan had put his hands behind his back and he moved closer, his voice quiet and his eyes on my mouth. He licked his lips. "You, we I've never felt like that before. You inspired me." He glanced down at Valdez and