I heaved myself off him. "You're probably right. Most women are stupid over you. Not me." I rescued my shades. "Can you stand?"
"Don't know. My head hurts like hell. Bring me a drink." Ray tried to sit up but didn't quite manage it.
"Not happening. You're coming home with me and putting some nonalcoholic synthetic in your system." I grabbed his hand and pulled him up.
"You goin' to let me sleep in your bed?" Ray grinned when I swung his legs to the side and tugged him to his feet. " ' Cause that's the only way I'm leavin' here with you, babe."
"Of course, Ray." I didn't hesitate to lie to him. Whatever worked at this point. I slung his arm over my shoulders, relieved that he had enough steam to actually walk beside me to the door. Even enough to make a lunge toward the booze on the kitchen counter. He was still too weak, though, to resist when I kept it out of his reach.
"Can't shift. To, um, dizzy." He leaned on me as we stumbled down the steps. I was glad that Nate really had managed to keep the paparazzi away and the parking lot was deserted.
"This your car?" I nodded toward a black SUV. Good grief, the things were everywhere, obviously a macho must-have.
"Yeah, keys are on the visor." Ray was heavy and he was barely able to shuffle his feet. I was glad to dump him into the passenger seat and buckle him in. He leaned back and closed his eyes. "Head hurts like a son of a bitch."
"I'm sure it does. Remember that the next time you decide to lock lips with one of your fangirls." I said this as I snatched the keys and latched my own seat belt.
"No need to be jealous, babe. Just part of the act." He opened one eye and looked at me. "Usually."
"You are an asshole." I started the car with a roar and reversed out of the parking lot. Ray just chuckled, then groaned, closing both eyes again.
What was I doing taking him home with me? Penny would be there and I shouldn't let him within miles of her. I drove there anyway, alternately worrying about Ray's condition-he seemed to have lapsed into unconsciousness again-and having him around Penny. He was the worst example possible for a new vampire. He was profane, liked to flaunt his hot body and would no doubt do his best to drink his way through my supply of alcoholic synthetic. The first thing on my agenda would be to hide that.
By the time I dragged him upstairs to my apartment, I was almost frantic. I couldn't get more than a groan from him. I blamed his recent diet of alcoholic blood on his poor healing and myself for not letting him take more from Nate when he had the chance. I was relieved when I saw my door ajar, sure I was going to have to drop Ray on the floor to dig out my key.
I kicked the door open so I could shoulder him inside, not even stopping to wonder about the lack of security that easy access implied. I'd just managed to dump Ray on the couch when I realized I was being watched from the kitchen doorway.
"This is interesting."
"Jerry!" I straightened, brushing back my hair, and suddenly realized I'd lost my sunglasses somewhere between the car and the apartment. "I thought-"
"That I'd still be in Florida, taking a break?" He strode over to me, a bottle of synthetic in his hand, and looked down at Ray sprawled on the couch. I hadn't bothered to put a shirt on him and one of his legs had fallen to the floor. He still hadn't moved.
"Well, yes, that's what you said you wanted." I inhaled, savoring his nearness. I'd missed him so much I felt tears pop into my lashless eyes. I hated for him to see me like this. No doubt he'd decide to make the break permanent. And here I was toting around Ray, a man he hated.
"What's the matter with Caine?" Jerry nudged Ray's foot with his boot. "Not dead, is he?" I knew I didn't imagine the hopeful note in his voice.
"No, but he was hurt tonight, during his concert. And drunk. He fell off the stage and hit his head. He needs more blood but I've given him all I can." I put my hand on Jerry's arm, unable to resist touching him. He wore a short-sleeve knit shirt in a deep red that looked wonderful with his dark hair and eyes. My heart leaped at the way he studied me for a brief moment. He frowned when he noticed my lack of lashes, but he was wise enough not to mention it. I wanted to bury my face against his wide chest and just breathe him in. But then he looked away, down to the bottle in his hand.
"Blood. This stuff sure won't do it for him. It's too damned weak." He set the empty bottle on the coffee table with a grimace.
"He took some mortal blood from Nathan but I was afraid he'd get carried away and stopped him, maybe too soon." I couldn't help it. I moved in and slipped my arms around Jerry's waist. I just had to hold on to him. To let him know in a small way that I was only here as Ray's mentor, nothing else.
"Yes, he'd take too much if he could, especially if he'd overindulged in the alcoholic brew. It lowers your inhibitions." Jerry smiled down at me. "And from what I know of Caine, he has damned few of those sober."
"True." I snuggled against Jerry. "I'm so glad to see you. It's been a rough night." I was desperate to ask him why he was here but scared of his answer. It was enough that he smiled at me and kept his arm around my shoulders instead of pushing me away.
"Obviously. Caine needs vampire blood to heal properly."
"I'm sure you're right." I sighed. "I know you don't like Ray, Jerry, and that the feeling is mutual. I don't expect you to . . ."
"Just my dumb luck to show up here when you've got this lackwit on your hands." Jerry put some space between us and rubbed my cheek with his thumb. "I'm sorry you've had a bad night."
I blurted it out, just couldn't stand it. "Why are you here, Jerry?"
"Because I got to Florida and then wondered what the hell I was doing. I don't run away when I want something." He ran his thumbs up and down my neck, making me shiver. "I stand and fight for what I want."
"And what is it you want, Jeremiah Campbell?" I knew the answer, saw it in his eyes and read it in his mind as he opened to me. My own eyes filled and I trembled.
He pulled me closer until our chests met and I had to look up at him, the gleam in his eyes taking me back centuries to the first moment I saw him, so handsome, so determined to have me.
"You, woman. I want you, Gloriana St. Clair. Any way I can get you. So I'll woo you and win you, by God. Against all comers." He leaned down, kissing my cheeks, my chin, then my lips. He seduced my mouth open to take it completely.
I moaned and climbed his body, trying to show him how desperately I wanted and needed him too. How his words had thrilled me and calmed a terror I'd been feeling ever since he'd left. I hadn't even dared acknowledge it, the awful dread of what life without Jerry, truly without Jerry, would be like. Now I wouldn't have to face it. I clung to him and poured my heart into that kiss.
"Uh, hate to interrupt, but I'm coming through." Penny's voice penetrated the fog that had made me forget everything but Jerry. "Oh, my God! Is that Israel Caine on the couch?"
I eased away from Jerry's arms and turned to see Penny, followed by two burly shifters carrying boxes.
"Yes, that's Ray. Just finish up. Is that your last load? You only have a few hours until dawn, you know." I sounded like a snippy house mother, which I was at the moment.
"Yes, last load. Fellas, the boxes go back here. Follow me." Penny smiled at Jerry, gawked at Ray, then headed toward her bedroom.
Jerry and I just stood there silently, patiently waiting until the two men left and Penny had closed the door.
"Uh, hi, Mr. Blade." Penny flushed. "Sorry if I'm in the way here. I'll be working on my laptop." She held up earphones. "These are noise-cancelling. Top of the line. Going to my bedroom now. Music on. Loud." She headed toward the hall. " ' Night."
"Thanks, Penny. I'll explain about Ray tomorrow. I promise." I smiled at her gratefully. She really was incredibly bright. When she'd disappeared, her door closing with a click, Jerry moved away from me to sit on the coffee table near Ray's head.
"Now I'm going to prove just how much I love you, Gloriana." He bit his own wrist, then shoved it into Ray's mouth. "Drink, you sorry bastard. Drink and heal so you can get the hell out of here."
I stared at Jerry, my mouth open. As proof of love, this was a doozy. Jerry giving his life force to Ray. And of course Ray latched on. Jerry's ancient blood was irresistible. Ray gulped and swallowed, taking it in and healing, almost before our eyes. The cut on top of his head vanished and the circles under his eyes disappeared. He had his healthy tan back too, the tan he'd had when he'd been turned vampire. I dragged my gaze from that miracle to move behind Jerry, running my hands through his soft hair.
"Thank you. This means-"
"What I said. That I love you. That I'll do whatever it takes to prove that." He jerked his arm away from Ray, swearing as his skin ripped. He kept a hand on Ray's chest when Ray tried to go for another drink. "Cease your whining, Caine. You've had enough." He leaned down and stared into Ray's eyes, now bright and alert. "Sleep. When you wake up tomorrow night, you should be good as new. Whatever the hell that means to you."
To my astonishment, Ray meekly closed his eyes, apparently down for the count.
"You whammied him." I stepped back when Jerry rose and pushed the coffee table out of his way.
"Aye."