Book Two in the award-winning Shifter Sisters series
The first time Tori let a man steal her heart, she went to his bed a virgin and woke up a vampire. Kind of a two-for-one special; lose your maidenhood and your humanity all in one night. For Tori, that was enough -- she swore the first time would also be the last.
Now, though, she's being pursued by a rich and mysterious man and whether Tori wants to admit it or not, she's tempted.
But what is up with Drake Foster? One minute, he's charming and witty; the next he's arrogant, demanding, and even sexier than before. Even worse, he seems to have an uncanny ability to be in two places at one time. Is he just one more supernatural bastard out to fuck with her life -- or has Tori, all unwittingly, found herself another two-for-one special?
Either way, she's having one hell of a time resisting Drake's advances -- or her attraction to this powerful, strangely multifaceted man. And despite her fears, Tori's starting to think about taking another chance on love.
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Reviews
5 Ribbons! "What an amazing roller coaster ride of passion, deception and above all else, a happily ever after. Ms. Dafoe did it again!" -- Romance Junkies
4 1/2 Hearts! "Once Bitten, Twice Shy was awesome!" -- Night Owl Romance
4 1/2 Stars! "Well written and very fast paced, so hold on to your hat... It's a whirlwind affair of sexual dominance versus tenderness with more than a few surprises." -- Just Erotic Romance Reviews
"Shifter Sisters 2 is a page-turner!" -- ParaNormal Romance
"Hot sex, fabulous and intriguing characters, and a romance that sizzles. ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY is a terrific read and I highly recommend it." -- RRT Erotic
Shifter Sisters 2: Once Bitten Twice Shy M/F sensual romance
Publisher: Changeling
Format(s): eBook
Length: Novella Order eBook
Excerpt
During her turns at the mike, Tori found it hard enough to breathe, let alone sing. She was way too conscious of the man sitting there, watching her. She was grateful when Lu, glancing at her inquisitively, took over most of the singing, allowing her to fade back and just play bass. One good thing about Sean joining the band, besides being rid of Persia's awful guitar solos, was that Lu did a lot more of the singing now. Sean loved Lu's voice -- and Lu loved Sean. It was that simple.
Why couldn't things ever be that simple for her?
Persia was antsing behind the keyboard, impatient for this final set to be over, eager to get acquainted with the mystery man.
Her mystery man, rather. Only she didn't want him.
Yeah, Tor. Say that enough times, you might start believing it.
As they played through their final number, the tension in her belly knotted tighter. She'd purposefully ignored the man since they started this set -- surely that'd be enough for him to take the hint?
You'll find I can be quite persistent -- when I really want something.
As the house lights came up, Tori spun to the amps, unplugging cables with a frantic concentration -- but she'd already seen him rise from his chair and start deliberately toward the stage. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't think. Glancing from the corner of her eye, Tori felt something like a wail build in her chest as she saw Persia standing in an attitude of expectant anticipation, her generous cleavage heaving slightly as he smiled down at her -- and walked right on past.
Oh, shit. Shit oh shit oh shit. Crouching down quickly, Tori glued her attention to the mixing board, feeling Lu's startled gaze on her -- and heard his footsteps stop at her side.
Lu cleared her throat loudly. Tori refused to look up.
"Need a hand with that?"
Tori shook her head sharply. "No."
Yanking the last of the cords out, she rose, gripping the heavy mixer -- and found his arms sliding alongside hers as he lifted it easily from her grasp.
"I said I've got it!" Tori snapped.
"I heard you," he replied, mildly enough. Without waiting for her response, he strode toward the stage door, leaving Tori staring after him, both outraged and frightened. Glancing around helplessly, she caught Lu's amused grin -- and the look of blind fury in Persia's sapphire eyes.
Oh, fuck.
Hurriedly, Tori followed the mystery man out into the hall. He was already heading for the loading dock door, and she scurried to catch up. "Look, I appreciate the thought, but I'm really not interested."
"Really?" He glanced down at her briefly and pushed open the exit door.
"Yes, really."
"Mm-hmm." He nodded at the van. "Is it locked?"
"No."
"Good." Sliding the cargo door open, he put the mixer inside, and strode back into the club.
"Jesus!" Tori swore, and followed. In the hallway, he passed Sean who was lugging an amp, and the two men nodded distantly to each other. Sean grinned at her as she darted past. Tori threw him a glare, and went after the man.
"Look, Mister..."
"Foster. Drake Foster." He didn't stop, didn't even look down at her. Lu, carrying a drum case, glanced at Tori sidelong as she passed them, her eyes twinkling under the fall of her shaggy hair.
"Fine. Drake. Would you leave my goddamn stuff alone, please?"
"Are you hungry?"
"What?"
"Are you hungry?" he repeated as he opened the stage door. Tori was relieved to see that Persia had disappeared somewhere -- probably up at the bar, furiously sucking down White Russians on some poor slob's tab. In the seven years she'd known her, Tori had never seen Persia buy her own drinks. Not once.
"I know a great little place, if you like Italian." Drake was already lifting her big Korg amp, swinging it easily off the floor. Jesus, he was in good shape for a guy past thirty! Or forty. Or however the hell old he was.
He strode out without waiting for her answer. Tori just stood there, fuming, as Lu came back in for her snare drums. "Yo, Tori," she murmured. "There's some guy in a six hundred dollar suit carrying your bass amp."
"Damn it, Lu!"
Lu grinned. "Stop him, then."
"I can't!"
Lu raised an eyebrow, and started unscrewing her high hat. "Sucks to be you. By the way, Tor? Those are real diamond cufflinks."
Seething in frustration, Tori ran back down the hall, slammed out the door -- and gasped as Drake Foster dragged her into his arms and claimed her mouth in a determined kiss.
His lips closed over hers, undeterred by her fists flailing against his broad chest. His hand cupped the back of her head, holding her firmly, and his body pressed against hers, hard and demanding. Jesus, his lips were warm! His tongue flicked gently but persistently against her closed lips until at last she opened them. Tori felt her mouth flood with saliva as his tongue slid into her mouth, tasting, probing, exploring...
Slowly her hands stilled, coming to rest on the solid swell of his chest. Even through the crisp, smooth fabric of his jacket she could feel the powerful flex of his pectoral muscles as he shifted his grip, sliding both hands down the long line of her back.
She felt the hard swell of his erection against her crotch, and half-expected him to pull her harder against him -- but he didn't. Instead, he clasped her waist lightly, holding her there, their bodies just barely touching as their tongues darted, sliding over and around and suddenly delving deep. The contrast between the searing fury of his kiss and the whispering, teasing touch of his groin against hers was making her head spin.
Her blood pounded in her veins. Her nipples tightened beneath the lace of her bra. After a long, long moment, he lifted his head, the expression in his eyes both amused and approving.
His eyes weren't really icy, Tori realized distractedly. Pale, yes -- a clear, light-shot, almost crystalline blue -- but not icy at all. In fact, they were downright warm when he looked at her, especially the way he was doing right now...
"Jesus," Tori breathed. "Don't you ever listen when a woman tells you no?"
