Tempted by a Vampire (Las Vegas Vampires, #1)

By Sophie Slade

Newly divorced, I wasn't interested in jumping into a new relationship.

Then I saw him, Lance Steel, owner of the exclusive Caprice Casino and Club Moroii.

He was exciting and adventurous with sinful good looks, reeked of danger, and turned my world upside down.

Then Lance swept me away for the most erotic weekend of my life... and I discovered that he was a vampire.

He brought me into his world, fraught with blood, sex, and booze, and treated me like a queen.

When my world crumbled around me, Lance was there to help me pick up the pieces.

But now I’m craving blood, and people are dying.

Even though I should stay away, he's just too tempting.

But can I walk away? And if I could, do I even want to?

Or will Lance Steel, and my association with him, be the death of me?

Triggers: No cheating, but contains steamy sex, blood, and vampires. 18+
Note: The books in this series should be read in order and end on cliffhangers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sophie Slade
• Release date: May 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005328757

Sophie Slade

Sophie Slade is the author of Erotic Romance. She started writing at the age of fourteen when she took a Creative Writing class and she was hooked. After college, she worked as a reporter, but went back to her first love—writing fiction. Sophie believes that love conquerors all, which is reflected in her stories. Sophie has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, News Editorial sequence, from the University of Tennessee at Martin, and a minor in English. She currently resides in Florida with her husband, children, a persnickety cat, and a very bossy dog. Look for her books anywhere books are sold.Follow Sophie on the Following Venues:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sophie-Slade-Author-786959027989401/Twitter: https://twitter.com/SophieSladeBookWeb site: http://sophiesladebooks.homesteadcloud.com/Sophie Slade-Author Blog: http://sophiesladebooks.blogspot.com/Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Sophie-Slade/e/B00OXT60AI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1451574329&sr=8-1

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Copyright

Tempted by a Vampire

Sophie Slade

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2022 Sophie Slade

Loft Literary Group LLC.

First Edition

Published by Loft Literary Group

All rights reserved. The reproduction of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without permission of

Loft Literary Group, [e-mail].

First Loft Literary Group Printing 2022

All the characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. All work is from the imagination of the author.

All rights reserved.

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-Book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return and purchase your own copy.

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Content

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Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

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About the Author

More From Sophie Slade

Dedication

To my wonderful husband,

whom without his encouragement,

this book series would have never been published.

Chapter 1

Rosa, would you be so kind as to show Mr. Dorman to Examining Room Eight? I asked, checking the chart of a patient I had just examined. Rosa was my head nurse here at Southside Medical Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was about to go on break, but I knew she wouldn’t mind helping me out. Usually, she stayed as long as I did. Although I’d been on my feet for twelve hours straight and it was past the end of my shift, I wasn’t ready to go home yet and face the empty house.

Sure. A smile spread across her smooth mahogany face. I’d be glad to. I handed her Mr. Dorman’s chart and she headed toward the waiting room.

I took a deep breath as I pulled the chart from the wall tray next to Examining Room Seven. The name on the chart read Henry O’Malley, and it stated that he had possibly broken his arm. I knew that I shouldn’t keep him waiting, so I gave the door a light knock.

Come in. A young man in his mid-twenties raised an eyebrow as I entered, holding his arm. A sexy smile spread across his face, despite the pain.

I pretend not to notice.

Good afternoon, Mr. O’Malley. I greeted him with a professional smile, and then turned to check his chart, ignoring his pearly white teeth and the cute dimple on the side of his cheek.

My husband had left me six months ago and had filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Although it had just became final a month ago, I was far from ready to start dating yet, and I never dated patients or hospital staff. Besides, my heart was still reeling from the divorce. I guessed a part of me still hoped Steven and I could work it out. But deep down, I knew it had been over for a long time now.

What do we have here? I set the chart down beside him to take a look at his arm.

Well, I think I’ve broken my arm… or so it seems. He flashed a smile and the dimple appeared once again. He had persistence. I had to give him that.

Well…. I returned his smile. We’ll fix you right up and you’ll be out of here and as good as new in just a bit.

A crease formed between his eyes as he arched an eyebrow. Have I seen you somewhere before?

I laughed, shaking my head. Even though I was only twenty-nine, I had been a doctor for two years now, which included four years of pre-med, four years of medical college, and two years of residency. But my long blonde hair and blue eyes made me appear younger.

Not unless you’ve been to the ER lately. I took the stethoscope from around my neck. Let’s get down to business, shall we?

Sure, if you like. He shrugged, a sly smile lighting his lips. Will this bed do?

Perhaps I should introduce myself first. I forced a smile, ignoring his proposition, trying to be as professional as I could with him coming onto me like this. My name is Dr. Leila Reynolds. I’m one of the ER attending physicians tonight.

O’Malley let his eyes travel up and down my five-foot, six-inch frame and smiled. Doctor, huh? What time do you get off work?

Later, I replied sarcastically, my patience waning. Let’s concentrate on your arm. Shall we?

A lock of his dark-brown hair fell lazily over one eye. As he pushed it back, he gave me the sexiest smile he could manage under the circumstances. If you insist.

I do. I pulled up the rolling chair setting in the corner to get a better look, no longer trying to be cordial. Why don’t you just relax and let me take a look at your arm?

He let me take his arm, cringing a bit. After you set my arm, why don’t you let me take you out for a drink?

I let out a deep breath, smoothing a loose a strand of hair back into the ponytail, looking straight into his eyes. Look, I’m your doctor and I’m here to do a job. Let’s set your arm, shall we?

O’Malley let his good hand trial up my arm, raising goosebumps that traveled down my back, and turned his smoldering, dark brown eyes to mine. Then, afterward, you’ll let me take you out for a drink?

Nurse! Having had enough of his antics, I stood up and stepped away, folding my arms around the clipboard when Rosa walked in.

Yes, doctor? she asked, arching an eyebrow.

I think this young man here needs a sedative. A devilish smile spread across my lips. In fact, why don’t we… knock him out?

Kn… knock me out? he asked, his seductive smile gone. Is that really necessary?

Well, you tell me. Is it? I raised an eyebrow, propping my arm on my hip.

Rosa suppressed a smile, knowing exactly what was happening and why I had called her in.

No, no! Not at all, he stammered, changing his mind. I’d rather stay awake, if you don’t mind.

I eyed him for a moment, letting him squirm. Then I turned to Rosa. On second thought, just a pain killer will do. I don’t think it’ll be necessary to knock him out… yet.

Right away, doctor. Rosa bit her lip, trying to conceal a smile as she walked out and closed the door. She came back a moment later, brandishing the longest syringe she could find.

It was all I could do to keep from laughing.

O’Malley’s eyes grew wide, but Rosa smiled broadly, holding the syringe up so he could see it clearly. All that was missing was her maniacal laughter. Then she let him have it, jabbing him in the ass as hard as she could.

He gasped, trying not to yell as tears came to his eyes. I bit my lower lip, trying to keep from laughing.

A moment later, we began the arduous task of setting his arm. But after that, he was on his best behavior for the rest of the evening.

After I finished setting his arm, Mr. O’Malley was on his way out the door with a temporary cast and a prescription for pain pills.

When I headed out of the examining room, I yawned, noticing the dark shadow of a tall man standing at the end of the hallway. It was hard to tell, but he was extremely attractive with dark, wavy hair that just touched his collar. His eyes were a brilliant green, and he had a regal air. His black Armani suit and pristine white shirt and no tie were evidence that he was a hospital benefactor, a businessman.

I walked to Examining Room Eight and lifted the chart from the wall tray. Trying to be inconspicuous, I lifted a page off the chart and stole a quick glance back down the hallway. He was leaning against the wall, watching me, and making no attempt to hide it.

Thank you for your most generous donation to our hospital, Mr. Steel. Dr. Drake Summerfield, the hospital administrator, walked around the corner.

I looked down at the chart in my hand again, pretending not to notice.

A brunette woman walked up and stood between the two men, dressed in an impeccable Channel woman’s dress suit. Her silky hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and she carried a leather legal-pad folder.

She was gorgeous, despite her effort to downplay her looks by wearing square, black-rimmed glasses that matched her suit. But on her, they were chic. She looked over at Mr. Steel and followed his gaze to me. She quickly snapped the folder closed in an effort to claim his attention, but he didn’t notice.

Ignoring them, I turned around, hit the elevator button, and waited. When I glanced back down the hallway, Mr. Steel was still watching me. I averted my eyes but kept stealing glimpses at him inconspicuously. He was gorgeous and it was hard not to look—eye candy. His assistant scowled as she stormed off.

A moment later, the elevator arrived, and I quickly slipped in and hit the button to close the door. I took a deep breath, leaned back against the elevator wall, and closed my eyes, trying to clear the image of Mr. Steel from my mind.

When the elevator door opened, I took a moment to regain my professionalism, and headed down the hallway, stopping before a patient’s door that read Christina Deluca. I took the chart from the tray and pushed the door open.

Christina was lying on the bed, her skin pale and waxy. A pale blue scarf was wrapped around her head, and a beautiful dark blonde wig with light blonde streaks sat on a mannequin head on the counter beside her bed.

Christina glanced over at me and smiled. Ciao, il dottor Reynolds. Come stai?

She was feeling terrible, I was sure, but she asked me how I was in Italian, her native language. Christina had been my patient for two months now. After she arrived from Italy with her parents, she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of cancer. She was only eighteen.

I knew a little Italian, only having had two semesters in college. I wished I knew more so I could communicate with her easier. Although I was far from fluent, I did the best with what I knew.

"Bene, grazie." I returned her smile as I looked down at her chart to view her recent course of treatment.

After Christina’s diagnosis, her oncologist immediately began a series of chemotherapy treatments. It worked for a while, but now she was no longer responding to treatment.

"Come ti senti?" I asked, wondering how she was feeling.

Christina gave me a weak smile, but her pale blue eyes looked even paler than the day before. My heart sank, but I maintained my professional demeanor in front of her and returned the smile.

"Bene, grazie." Even though she was probably feeling terrible, she still told me that she was fine. Over the past months I’d known her, she had never once complained.

I gave her arm a gentle squeeze. Posso offrirti qualcosa? I asked if I could get her anything.

"No, grazie." She smiled. Please… viz-it… soon?

I nodded. Sì, presto. Molto presto.

Christina nodded, smiling as she settled back onto her pillows. It was clear that the little bit of interaction had drained her.

I gave her air kisses over both cheeks as I helped her with the pillows. "Addio, Christina. Arrivederci."

A moment later, Kellen, a young nurse that just started working at the hospital a few days before, walked into the room carrying a tray with her medicine and set it on the counter next to her wig.

Hello, Christina. A broad smile spread across his face. My name is Kellen and I’m your new nurse. How are you today?

Christina shook her head but returned the smile as her eyebrows raised.

Kellen, she only speaks Italian. She came here from Italy two months ago. I smiled as I looked down, finishing my notes on her chart.

Oh, really? He smiled as he turned back to her. "Ciao, Christina. Il mio nome è Kellen e io sono la tua nuova infermiera. Come stai?"

Her face lit up and her smile touched her eyes. Meglio ora, she replied, saying that she was better… now.

Christina’s interest suddenly piqued. Kellen appeared to be only a few years older than her with dark blond, wavy hair, and was heavily muscled with a wonderful smile. It was good to see that she was still a normal, hormonal teenager, despite the difficulties she was going through.

I laughed, shaking my head as I watched their exchange. Yes, Christina was much better now that Kellen was here. Of course. A good-looking young man was just the right medicine for a teenage girl.

Well, I’ll leave you to it, then. I leaned in conspiratorially toward Kellen. Later, you’ll have to tell me how it is that you know Italian.

But he just shrugged it off, smiling as he turned his attention back to Christina.

I headed down the hallway, smiling as I thought of Christina. My smile quickly faded, wishing that I could do more for her. That was one of the drawbacks of being a doctor. We do what we can, but sometimes our hands are tied and our resources inadequate, despite our best efforts.

The elevator door opened, and I stepped out onto the first floor in the Emergency Room a moment later. Filled with thoughts of Christina, I lifted another patient chart from the tray next to an examining room door and gave it my attention. Unable to resist, I stole a glance to where Mr. Steel had been before. But now, he was gone.

A part of me was disappointed, but another part of me was relieved. Even though Steven and I were divorced, I was still hoping that maybe we could work things out.

But then again, who was I kidding? Before he left, he had spent most of his time out of town on business trips. And when he was in town, we only saw each other in passing.

But I was probably just as much to blame as he was because neither of us had made the effort to change anything until it was too late… and he was walking out the door.

Even though it was past my shift, I prepared myself mentally to take another patient to keep from having to go home to that empty shell of a house… again. But then I thought better of it and shoved the chart back into the tray.

When you start making excuses why you can’t start seeing someone you haven’t even met, then it’s time to go home. I started toward the locker room when Drake and Mr. Steel walked around the corner.

Mr. Steel gave me a breathtaking smile, causing my heart to flutter. Yup, it was definitely time to go home.

Drake’s head snapped up as he eyed me. Lance, this is Dr. Leila Reynolds. Leila, this is Mr. Lance Steel.

Mr. Steel must have been a major benefactor or Drake wouldn’t have been showering him with his much attention. I plastered on a smile to be cordial, never having seen Drake suck up to someone this much in my life.

Well, I won’t stand in the way of your tour. I smirked as I turned to leave, but Dr. Summerfield stopped me.

This will only take a moment.

Of course. I knew from the way he said it that he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Dr. Summerfield was my boss, after all. I folded my hands in front of me and gave the two men my full attention.

It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I extended my hand.

The pleasure is mine indeed, Dr. Reynolds. Mr. Steel accepted my hand. But instead of shaking it, Lance raised it to his lips and kissed it, never taking his eyes from mine. His hands and lips were unusually cold, but it was probably just from being in the air conditioning all evening. I hated that I knew that about him.

Just then, Rosa appeared outside the examining room and gave me a knowing look, arching an eyebrow. I sighed. She had been after me to start dating again since my divorce. But somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to go out with anyone.

Well, I really must go. I turned to leave, preparing to send Rosa home, too. After all, she had been here just as long as I had.

Until we meet again. A smile played at the corners of his luscious lips.

Man, is he hot! As I walked away, a shiver shot down my spine. There was something sexy, sensual about him that I couldn’t quite place, but I quickly brushed the thought aside. I