Tame Me: A Vampire Quest

By Jill Sanders

Worldly Jamie has mastered the art of distancing herself from anything that remotely resembles a relationship. Trust issues? Absolutely! But she doesn’t let it keep her from having a good time. She loves her boy toys and party life, making no apologies. Pressing the envelope far too often, she’s lucky to have good friends like Emily,

• Language: English
• Publisher: Idealist LLC
• Release date: Jan 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781945100116

Jill Sanders

Jill Sanders is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Pride series, Secret series, West series, Grayton series, Lucky series, and Silver Cove romance novels. She continues to lure new readers in with her sweet and sexy stories. Her work is available in every English-speaking country and in audiobook form, and her books have been translated into several languages. Born as an identical twin in a large family, Sanders was raised in the Pacific Northwest and later relocated to Colorado for college and a successful IT career before discovering her talent as a writer. She now makes her home along the Emerald Coast in Florida, where she enjoys the beach, hiking, swimming, wine tasting, and—of course—writing. You can connect with Sanders on Facebook at http://fb.com/JillSandersBooks, on Twitter @JillMSanders, and on her website at http://JillSanders.com.

Book preview

Prologue

Darkness.

The rhythmic hum of a motor and the gentle sway of the car had her body relaxing, and she sunk further into the abyss.

Then memories surfaced. Bodies rubbing against one another, bumping and grinding to loud music. The bitter taste of alcohol, which had warmed her and dulled her mind. Her vision blurred and suddenly she was consumed with panic of losing control. That memory and fear forced her to peel her eyes open.

The feeling of cold steel against her hands comforted her. Her breath quickened with fear, and she waited.

When a bright light flashed in her eyes, she fought for her life in sheer panic.

The sounds of her heart beating in her head almost masked the sounds of bones crunching as warm blood splashed over her.

Then she screamed.

Chapter One

So, she had fucked up again. It wasn’t as if she had set the bar high in the past few years. Hell, lately, she’d been lucky to walk away from a night like last night at all.

She could only remember flashes and stilled images behind her eyes. Her body ached in places she didn’t want to think about, and she desperately wished for a shower.

Peeling her eyes open, she silently cursed the fake lashes she’d pasted on last night and reached up to rip them off, tossing them onto the floor.

So far, her head wasn’t spinning. She felt the warm body next to her naked one and avoided any sudden movements or sounds. She hated the morning after.

As she rolled silently out of yet another stranger’s bed, she glanced back and thought that the bare ass glaring back at her wasn’t half bad. It was a little pale, but very toned.

She did have a type. Must be fit, fun, without a brain, and under no circumstances want a commitment. Not necessarily in that order. As of a few years ago, she didn’t even care what gender. Sex was sex and all of it meant a good time.

She’d enjoyed a few choice nights with some of the hottest women on campus, maybe even as much as she’d enjoyed her romps with some of the hottest men. And the University of Miami had its fair share of both.

UM was the only place Jamie felt like she fit in anymore. Sure, attending classes was tedious and boring, but she didn’t mind. Maybe it was the fact that no matter how much she screwed up in life, she always walked away with A’s.

She’d always had a knack for learning. Of course, having a photographic memory helped in that arena.

It was her nights that caused her problems. She wasn’t built for a sedentary life. Movement was what she needed at all times to keep her mind away from her past.

Standing in a stranger’s bedroom stark naked always caused her to reevaluate her life. She knew better, but knowing and doing were two different animals. Especially when there was a greater force driving you.

Seeing her skimpy cream dress on the floor, she tip-toed over and pulled the stretchy material over her skin. Her shoes were by the door, and she picked them up, then noticed her purse and an opened condom wrapper next to it.

She may be dumb in some areas, but she was always smart where it counted.

Glancing back at the stark white ass across the room, she wondered if she should get a peek at the face of the guy she’d spent the night with.

When she noticed his breathing change, she bolted for the door and didn’t look back. She walked out of the bedroom, looked around the very high-end apartment, and groaned.

Damn. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against a very familiar closed door. Double damn. She sighed.

Problem?

Jumping at the sound of a deep voice, she held her hand over her heart as she glared over at Rafe.

Triple damn. If Rafe was standing there, that meant… How many more damns did she need to mentally say before she could forget the sight of Blaine Fisher’s ass?

Go away, she said closing her eyes again. If I believe hard enough, maybe last night will just… disappear.

Rafe chuckled. That bad, huh? Rafe walked past her and into his and Blaine’s kitchen, and she followed him. There was no leaving unnoticed now.

Toast? Rafe asked, pulling down a loaf of bread.

Her stomach rolled at the thought of food. She must have groaned because Rafe chuckled again.

Worry flashed quickly in her mind about what she and Blaine had done last night. Had he taken advantage of her? The immediate answer that popped into her mind was no. Blaine wasn’t the type of man who took advantage of anyone. More likely, she’d taken advantage of him.

As if he was reading her mind, Rafe said, My roommate may be many things, but he’s not someone who takes advantage of one of his best friends when she’s drunk. He glanced over at her and scanned her eyes. She tried to avoid meeting them. She knew what she’d taken last night and didn’t want a medical grad assistant at UM to see her pupils or the redness in her eyes. Whatever else he may be—he sighed, and she knew she hadn’t hidden anything from him—Blaine isn’t that guy. He tossed a few pieces of toast into the toaster.

She sat on the bar stool and glanced back at Blaine’s door. She’d been in this apartment more times than she could count over the past year. But, she’d never slept in his room with him. He’d always taken the couch when he’d given up his bed for her. She’d forced herself never to cross that line.

Remembering the condom wrapper, she cringed. Something had happened last night, even if there hadn’t been the actual act of intercourse.

Eggs? Rafe asked, causing her stomach to roll again.

No, she said softly. I’ll send for an Uber. She dug in her purse for her cell phone.

Don’t bother. I’m sure Blaine will drive you… Just then a door opened down the hallway, and they both turned.

Her eyes met Blaine’s and images flooded her mind, causing her body to heat.

This was why she wanted to avoid the morning afters.

Blaine, for his part, froze the second he saw her sitting at the bar. He was only wearing a pair of boxer briefs. His tanned, toned body was something she’d always enjoyed seeing. Now, however, she tried to avoid looking at his perfect six-pack, knowing how wonderful he felt under her fingertips. His longer hair was messy and he definitely needed to trim his beard.

His eyes were running over her, and she winced at what she could only assume was her standard morning-after look.

Her long light-pink hair was no doubt extremely messy, and her short bangs were probably sticking straight up. Without the fake eyelashes, her eyes would look… undone, and they were probably bright red.

She could tell Blaine wanted to rush back into the room. Instead, he moved towards her after a slight pause.

You, uh, forgot this. He handed her the phone she’d been searching for. Someone called.

She took the phone and glanced down at the screen. Seeing Emily’s smiling face, she groaned once more. Tucking her phone into the side pocket of her purse, she was even more determined to hightail it out of her friend’s apartment.

I have… to go. She turned towards the door.

I’ll drive you to your place, Blaine offered, rushing back to his room. She knew there was no point arguing with him. She had yet to win an argument with him thus far.

Sitting back down, she punched a text message to her best friend and roommate.

-Heading home now

-You okay?

-Yup, ttyl

She tucked her phone back into her purse.

Are you sure you don’t want something to eat? Rafe held up a plate with toast and eggs on it.

She felt her stomach lurch and rushed to the restroom down the hallway, making it just in time to empty what little alcohol was left over from last night.

Suddenly, hands took hold of her hair, gently pulling it away from her face as another hand rubbed her back softly while she continued to vomit.

You okay? Blaine asked her softly when she was done.

Yeah. It’s all Rafe’s fault. He kept shoving those eggs into my face. She closed her eyes and took a couple of deep breaths.

He wasn’t the one shoving pills and booze down your throat last night, Blaine said. She narrowed her eyes at him. You did that all by yourself.

What are you, my father? she accused.

No, I’m your friend, he quickly retorted.

Yeah, well, who asked you. She got up off the floor and walked over to rinse out her mouth.

Feeling better? he asked.

Yeah, fine, she said after splashing water on her face. Why couldn’t you two just let me slink away?

Because we’re your friends. He leaned against the door, his arms crossed over his chest. He had tossed on a light shirt that matched his eyes perfectly and a pair of worn jeans. He somehow looked even sexier dressed.

Yeah, well… She couldn’t think of anything to say. Now that her stomach was empty, her head was feeling dull, and she knew it would only be a matter of time before she’d crash again. Hoping to get home before the weariness took over, she picked up her heels and bag again. Are you going to take me home?

Blaine chuckled, causing her headache to spread behind her eyeballs.

Shut up. She walked by him back into the living room. She didn’t pause at the bar to say goodbye to Rafe, but instead flipped her middle finger up in his direction as she passed him. He laughed.

Love you, too, Rafe called out to her, then she heard him tell Blaine, Make sure she gets something to eat.

Yup, Blaine answered, then followed her out the door.

I don’t need babysitting, she said as they walked down the flights of stairs.

Their apartment was in the nice part of Miami Beach. The part that Jamie’s parents would no doubt live in, had they not rooted themselves firmly in DC years ago.

Of course not, but since I’m stopping off at Ray’s Diner on the way, you can at least keep me company. He stepped over and opened the door of his sports car.

She glared at him as she slid onto the leather seat.

Your ass is too white, she said when he got in beside her.

He laughed, causing her head to split even more. Shut up. She held her head and groaned.

My ass is too white?

That’s what I said. She glanced over at him. Haven’t you ever heard of spray tans? Or the sun?

His smile spread as he pulled out of the parking lot.

The day everyone can lie on the beach sunny-side up is the day I pitch a tent and live there.

Are you always this… chipper in the morning? she asked, closing her eyes and digging in her purse for some sunglasses. Coming up short, she searched his glove box and found a pair and slipped them on.

Only after a good night’s rest. He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes.

I don’t want to talk about it. She turned away from him.

Too bad. He slowed and stopped at a light, then turned to her. Sooner or later, it’ll come up. Might as well rip the Band-Aid off quickly.

What is it with medical students? Do you always talk in medical analogies?

Only half the time. He glanced over at her. The other half we spend trying to get patients naked.

She rolled her eyes. Keep it up and I’ll walk home.

By the way you look, I’d wager you wouldn’t make it a block. He started driving again and turned into the parking lot for Ray’s Diner.

The smell of bacon hit her, and she felt her stomach rumble with hunger for the first time in days.

How long had this bender lasted? Did she even really know what day it was?

When the car stopped, she pulled out her phone and glanced at the date.

No classes today, Blaine said as if he knew what she’d been thinking.

She glared over at him, and he shook his head as he got out of the car.

She wasn’t quick enough to open her own door. He was there, holding out a hand to help her get out, like she was some sort of invalid. She brushed it aside and wished for a few aspirin.

Jamie, how long have we known each other? he asked, blocking her in the space between the open door and the car.

She closed her eyes and thought about it. Over two years?

Two and a half years, he provided. In that time, I’d like to think we’ve become close.

She nodded in agreement. She hadn’t planned on liking Blaine and Rafe so much, but they had grown on her.

A few months back, Jamie had finally convinced her conservative friend to visit the Sunset Strip. Both Rafe and Blaine worked at the local strip club along Miami’s beach to help pay their way through medical school.

What’s your point? she asked as he held open the door to the diner. The noise and smells hit her at the same time. The sounds had her head spinning while the smells had her stomach growling loudly.

He was silent as the waitress showed them to a back booth. He waited until they had put in their drink orders before finishing.

I know you. His blue eyes met hers. You’re avoiding talking about last night. He leaned closer to her.

I’m not avoiding… just putting it off. She rubbed her forehead and wished for a dark, quiet place to recover.

The waitress delivered a cup of coffee, and she took a sip of the rich goodness.

Blaine waited once again until they