Bloodthirsty Bastard

All I wanted was to escape the scandal.The job offer in California was the perfect opportunity to pack up and head West.A dark, sexy, and mysterious new boss wasn't in the plan.And his secrets run deeper than just his business dealings.When Ethan reveals who and what he truly is, it throws everything I ever thought I knew about the world out the window.Vampire.The word alone brings up visions of blood-sucking monsters.Yet, Ethan is anything but.Falling for him, with his dashing good looks and honed charm, was almost inevitable.But we're from two very different worlds, and the danger in his might just bring an end neither of us saw coming.(Bloodthirsty Bastard - a paranormal story from the Cocky Hero world you know and love.)EXCERPT: Chapter 1After driving cross country, here I stood, inside a gated estate meeting someone named Mr. Dumont.Building up my courage to go inside for my interview, I sucked in a fortifying breath. Just as I turned to enter the building, I was startled by a motorcycle as it sped up the gravel road. A leather-clad figure rode the futuristic bike past the cars before parking on the concrete walk near the door. You'd think the bastard owned the place I leaned against my car, my head cocked to the side as I watched him.Muscular thighs astride the bike, the bastard pulled off his dark helmet and unzipped his simple black leather jacket.A sense of justice rose up in my chest, and I yelled out, "Hey, you can't park there.""Oh yeah?" The corner of his mouth quirked up as he took me in inch by inch. Running his hands through his expensively cut hair, his pale blue eyes met mine."Yeah," I told him, folding my arms across my chest and sucking in a deep breath.Setting down his helmet and backpack, the stranger held his hand out to me. "I'm afraid we haven't met-you are?""I'm Mr. Dumont's personal assistant," I lied, not having the job yet. As I neared him, the heel of my shoe wedged between two pavers. I glanced down and tried to pry it free, but my heel remained stuck.I pulled some more, shaking my foot, rocking my foot to no avail.The bastard's chest began to shake until he was doubled over in laughter. When he controlled himself enough to wipe the tears from his eyes, he approached me.However, my mood was not quite so jovial.I bent at the waist, my pencil skirt hugging my legs as I attempted to undo the thin clasp at my ankle. However, I was so flustered and the narrow strap so tight, that I struggled."Are you stuck?" The bastard chuckled, a slight accent coloring his words.Standing, I blew a breath out and jerked on the foot again. "It looks like."It didn't budge.Closing the space, he continued to laugh at me."Here, allow me to assist you." As he knelt before me, the breeze shifted, and his scent washed over me. It was like the ocean mixed with soap or clean laundry and the wind. I knew it wasn't a cologne but the smell of him.I pursed my lips and thought that if someone could bottle that scent as a cologne, they'd make a fortune.The stranger's warm hands wrapped my foot, sending a jolt of electricity through my body that pooled deep in my belly.With a small tug, my shoe was free, if a bit scuffed.As his touch left my skin, I was surprised at my reaction to the loss of his fingers."Thank you," I said briskly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment."My breath came out a bit shaky as the bastard stood before me with that arrogant grin. I wanted to slap the cocky expression off his chiseled face.This man knew what he'd done to me Cocking his head to the side, he held his hand out again. "I'm Ethan."I raised one eyebrow at him disdainfully. "Caroline," I said, striding to the building.Only the blasted man's long strides beat me. He pulled open the large glass door."After you," he said smoothly.