Bitten Shame: Bend-Bite-Shift, #2

By Olivia Hardin

Jill Prescott returned from self-imposed seclusion to help save her best friend Devan's life. Throwing herself into Devan's problems and bringing an evil organization to its knees might just be the distraction she needs to keep living without the only man she's ever loved. Her life changed forever when she was hired to spend a week with Doc Massey. On the day she became a vampire her youthful innocence ended, but Doc's love rescued her from being consumed by the darkness. The shadow of that former life continues to loom over her, keeping her from realizing her own self-worth. Running from her past only brings her closer to a destiny that is inextricably connected to what she is trying to escape… 

Every gift has both a reward and a price, because All of it fits…

Intended for readers 18 and up.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olivia Hardin
• Release date: Mar 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524219291

Olivia Hardin

When Olivia Hardin began having strange movie-like dreams in her teens, she had no choice but to begin putting them to paper. Before long the writing bug had her and she knew she wanted to be a published author. Several rejections plus a little bit of life later, and she was temporarily “cured” of the urge to write. That is until she met a group of talented and fabulous writers who gave her the direction and encouragement she needed to get lost in the words again. Olivia’s attended three different universities over the years and toyed with majors in Computer Technology, English, History and Geology. Then one day she heard the term road scholar and she knew that was what she wanted to be. Now she “studies” anything and everything just for the joy of learning.  She's also an insatiable crafter who only completes about 1 out of 5 projects, a jogger who hates to run, and she’s sometimes accused of being artistic. A native Texas girl, Olivia lives in the beautiful Lone Star state with her husband, Danny and their puppy, Bonnie.

Book preview

Prologue

JILL STOOD IN WHAT had become her bedroom in her friend's house and watched as Devan walked away. As she murmured another goodnight, she felt a prickle run along her skin bringing her attention back to the fact that Langston was waiting outside her room for her. Her lips drew into a severe line when the giant man quietly opened the door and approached her with steps too soft for his massive body. His size was such that he should have sounded like a herd of elephants entering the room. He exuded calm and patience and she tried to draw from his composure but her stomach still turned into knots.  Even being a vampire, Jill experienced all the same emotions and feelings she’d had before she was changed. At this very moment she was both terrified and sickened.

Langston’s easy smile didn’t help soothe her any, but instead caused her to open her mouth and begin talking in short breaths. I wish we had more time. I wasn’t prepared to do this yet. I don’t like doing this at all, you know? It’s not right. It makes me feel dirty...

It is not dirty when it is consensual. It is the best way to prepare you. We do not have time now, and we all need the rest, Langston began to use his large hands to unbutton his grey shirt.

Horrified, Jill reached out and waved her hands to keep him from removing  his clothing any further. No, Jill shouted, I can take just as well from your wrist. I can’t... I can’t from your neck. That’s too intimate... you know?

He touched her chin in a gentle manner, not as a lover would do but more as a father might. Shoulders back, Jill. Tomorrow you will be free, no matter if you succeed in your quest or not.

It was an ominous sort of comment, because failure meant her death. Still, strange as it seemed, his words provided her with a sort of solace; an end to her life would at least stop her constant torment. Releasing the ball of tension in her gut, she laughed and shook her head. Ah, Andre, you’re something else, ya’ know that?

He showed little or no reaction to the pet name.  There was no denying the impressive stature of this tall and beefy guy. When they first met she’d thought instantly of Andre the Giant, and the name had just stuck in her mind.

She took his enormous hand in her small one, marveling at how warm he felt to her touch. As a vampire, her body was forever cold and although she could register the feeling, she couldn’t warm herself with it. The heat passed through her and disappeared just as quickly.

"The reverie, she whispered, her lips trembling as she hovered them just over his skin. Are you sure? There’s no reason not to. It isn’t right for you to feel pain for my benefit..." she trailed off as she felt his eyes bore into hers. They had discussed this, several times actually, since the moment he first suggested she should feed off his blood. Each time he refused the reverie which would hypnotize him and thereby allowing her to pierce his skin and suck his blood without pain.

Jill brought his wrist to her lips and closed her eyes. She willed her incisors to lengthen, and with a quick and sure thrust she dug them into his skin. Langston remained immobile. When the first metallic taste of his hot blood splashed her tongue, she tried to pull away, but he took the back of her neck and held her fast to his wrist. Giving in, she sagged against his side and began to suck like a hungry babe.

The taste of him was intoxicating. She hadn’t had fresh blood in such a long time. She was like an addict taking a hit after years of sobriety. And to complicate matters further, Langston’s blood was bursting with strength. His magic tingling her throat with each deep swallow of the luxuriously thick and decadent liquid. Her limbs began to throb and pulse with energy.

This was why she’d fought so hard against the idea of taking Langston's blood. She was afraid that getting just a taste of the real thing again would destroy her ability to resist in the future. She didn’t want to stalk hosts in the night and she didn’t want to take a supplicant; she didn’t want to drink the life-blood from a living creature again.

Most importantly of all, she didn’t want to remember that this was what had broken his will. She didn’t want to take the chance again that someone else would break her own will and give her a reason to forget him...

Chapter 1

The Past – The Strange Arrangement

14 Years Earlier

JILL PEERED INTO A gold-framed, beveled mirror and examined herself closely. She pinched her cheeks and then feathered her golden bangs across her forehead. She wasn’t sure she liked the new shorter, layered haircut Robbie had talked her into. Still the stylist was quick to assure her that it was so in.

Turning away from her own reflection she took a moment to study her surroundings. The sitting room of the mansion was larger than any home she’d ever lived in growing up. There were assorted finely upholstered chairs and settees, none matching but all obviously antique. An opulent lamp, what she might have called a hurricane lamp, centered the room on a marble topped table but instead of providing illumination on its own, it echoed the light from a carefully placed chandelier just above it. She snorted, thinking her friend Devan would probably be used to such finery as this.

Nervousness coiled in her stomach and she wasn’t sure why. It was common knowledge she was great with guys. She knew when to be flirty, when to play coy, how to give serious attention to some important man-topic.  This job would only last a week and she should rock at it. In theory right?

The problem: this wasn’t a blind-date, this was a job. She was being paid to be a companion for some guy. Who does that? she wondered, Is he some sort of weirdo? Is he crazy? A jerk? Why can’t he find a girl on his own? Why does he have to pay for one? And for that matter, why the hell did I ever agree to do this? Isn’t this almost like prostitution?

She shook her head, denying that notion even before it finished developing in her head. This was her last option, and if she allowed herself to follow that train of thought she knew she’d talk herself out of the entire arrangement.

Okay, Robbie spoke as he hurried back into the room. We’re good to go. You look great, Jill, he winked. You’ll be perfect. His green eyes sparkled with mischief, his charm ebbing from every pore in his body. It was any wonder he’d been able to talk her into something like this. And it was any wonder that her best friend Devan was in love with him.

Is this his house? she asked, leaning close to whisper.

Nah, Robbie waved his hand at her. This is the Dearmon Estate. Doc doesn’t really know you’re here...

What? Alarm caused her voice to become a squeak. "What do you mean he doesn’t know–the job is to be his companion, to spend time with him! One week, Robbie. You swore one week and that I wouldn’t be forced to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with. Those were the rules. If he doesn’t even know, then how’s he gonna be willing to follow the rules..."

Shhh... damn, Jill. Don’t freak out on me. I thought you had more gumption than this.

This was a mistake. I should never have agreed to this. She shook her head in frustration and headed for the door. As she stormed away from him, she caught sight of a man just entering the room. He stopped a few paces from the threshold, giving Robbie an intense, cool glare before he realized someone else was in the room. When his eyes met hers she stopped cold, the rubber soles of her shoes wedging against the oriental carpeted floor.

He was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. His eyes were so light blue they could almost have been lost to the whites of his eyes. Heavy black brows rose in question as he looked first to her and then to Robbie. Jill felt her hand itch to reach up and brush the tufts of midnight-black hair from his brow.

Hey, Doc, Robbie almost shouted, rushing forward with his hand outstretched. Wait ‘till I tell you what Leon did for you.

Jill almost thought she saw him snarl at the mention of this man Leon, then his expression turned to ice when he looked back at her again. She shrunk away, stepping backwards toward the wall opposite the two men.

Listen, Robbie, I don’t have time for games. Dearmon said he had a patient for me...

No, not a patient. More of a surprise. As he spoke he walked up behind the retreating Jill and snaked an arm around her waist to introduce her. Doc Massey meet Jill Prescott.

His eyes were no longer just the color of ice, but there was a chill she saw behind them when he turned his gaze to her. His stare alone could have frozen her solid where she stood. She tried to smile, but realized her lip was quivering. She turned to Robbie instead. This is a mistake, Robbie. I... I want to leave.

You’ve got one minute to explain, Robbie. Who is she and where the hell is Dearmon?

Robbie put his hand on Doc’s shoulder, but the other man shrugged away his touch. Still the dark-haired Doc followed him when Robbie motioned them toward the far corner and out of Jill’s earshot.

This is a gift, a show of appreciation for what you’re doing for us, Robbie gushed, trying to be convincing. It was obvious the other man wasn’t persuaded. C’mon, Doc, you know how Leon is. You need to accept this. Take it and take it gladly. Just give her a shot. You don’t have much choice really....

Why’s that? Those ice-blue eyes narrowed sharply as he spoke again with stronger intent in his voice, Why–Is–That?

Charlie will be away for a while. We thought–Leon thought Jill could fill in for him. Perhaps she’ll please you so much you’ll want to keep her around...

Son of a fucking bitch! You get Charlie back here now. And send her, he pointed his finger at her. You get her the hell out of here, Robbie. Now!

The younger man moved his head from side to side. I can’t do that. If she leaves early he won’t give her the pay. Robbie leaned forward to deliver the point that he hoped would seal the deal. She’s a student, Doc. She’ll have to drop out if she can’t complete this job to help pay for her tuition. Would it kill you to help her out?

Stiffness pulled Doc’s back straight as he stared over at the blonde. She was obviously nervous, shuffling her feet back and forth. When his gaze moved to her eyes he realized she was more than nervous; she was afraid. A sick feeling settled in the pit of his stomach because he knew he must be the cause of her fear.

He wouldn’t have gone along with this for any other reason than her. Robbie knew just what he was doing when he played on Doc’s sympathies. She didn’t look cheap and she didn’t look like the kind of girl who would sell herself. If she was here it was because she didn’t see any other options and it must have been quite a blow to her pride to do so. He couldn’t see letting her go through that for nothing.

It was apparent Robbie knew the moment he had Doc because he slapped him on the back with enthusiasm. Glad you made the right choice. Dearmon will be gone for at least a week so you guys will have the house to yourselves.

"No, I’m going home. She can come with me if she chooses, but I’m not staying in his house." And with that he marched from the room, only barely glancing at her again.

When he was gone Jill turned back to Robbie with angry eyes. What did you get me into? He’s so cold.

Robbie laughed, a nervous sound. He should be, he’s–er, listen, he won’t hurt you. Doc’s a nice guy. He’s going to head out to his place and you’ll go with him, so let’s get your stuff.

Jill took his arm as he passed close to her. I’m not going to be left high and dry on this thing am I, Robbie? At the end of the week, I’ll have the money?

He smiled like a rogue and winked at her. ’Course you will, Jill. Would I let you down?

She drew her lips tight as she followed him out of the mansion and then into the night. The interior light in his car flickered bright when he opened the door. She watched him reach inside for her bags and set them one by one on the curb. The sudden feeling that she was being abandoned sent a wave of apprehension flooding her senses.

A noise down the drive raised Jill’s attention and she squinted into the blackness. She knew it was probably just Doc, the man she’d be spending the week with, and she wondered again why she’d ever agreed to this.

Is she coming with me or not? he called out, and it suddenly occurred to her that he’d not even acknowledged her yet. Irritation won over her feelings of abandonment and apprehension. Drawing on the spark of anger she mustered the courage to pick up her bags, even snatching the last one from Robbie’s hand before heading toward the voice.

She’s coming and she has a name, Jill spat, as she reached his Jeep.

Doc watched the skinny blonde throw her bags into the Jeep through the open back flap, then jump into the passenger seat with a huff. He stood a moment outside the driver’s side door and considered his predicament. He didn’t need this distraction. His work was too important and her good looks were enough to distract any man, especially one who was used to living in near seclusion. 

Pulling himself from his thoughts, he wrenched the door open to get inside. He sat a moment, chewing on his thoughts yet again, then started the Jeep with a deep sigh.

They drove a few miles before he spoke. I forgot.

Jill cut her eyes to him and frowned. What?

Grunting then clearing his throat, Doc looked over to her.. Your name. I know you have a name, but I don’t particularly care for your companion and to be honest I wasn’t paying close enough attention to you when he introduced us.

That was a lie. Paying attention to her was the real reason he hadn’t caught her name. He’d been drawn to her immediately. He savored the scent of her,