Good As Dead by C.P. Mandara

Six people want her dead. One vampire is under orders to keep her alive, but he’s hungry…and for much more than blood.

Lainey Hargreaves has a secret that she must keep at all costs, a secret that could change the face of the earth—forever. But not all secrets can be kept and when hers begins to escape, she is certain that death will follow. There is only one person that can extricate her from the mess in which she finds herself—a vampire.

Mercer is that vampire. His quick analytical brain will give them a head start against her assassins, but even he isn’t confident of success. He needs to discover what Lainey is hiding, unravel her secrets, and earn her trust. She will need to learn to obey his every order without question if they are to stand a chance of success. Where’s the best place to start? The bedroom, of course—all women find him irresistible. All women except Lainey, that is. She fights tooth and nail to deny the bright red spark blooming between them, only…

She’s going to lose.

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About the author:

In her spare time she’s usually cuddled up with a good book, exploring the countryside or baking in the kitchen. In fact, she loves her kitchen so much she’s one of few woman who wouldn’t mind being tied to it! Her first and foremost love is writing, however, and more often than not you’ll find her on a laptop spinning tales of romance, erotica or dark, paranormal fantasies.

What inspired you to write your book?

These naughty tales probably come from watching too much True Blood and reading too many ’50 Shades of Grey’ type books. Yes – I unapologetically love the naughtier side of life!!

Here is a short sample from the book:

be a good girl, run upstairs and put on the clothes I’ve laid out on the bed.”
“I’m not doing…” This time her sentence was cut short because two strong arms had lifted her feet out from under her and in less than a blink of an eyelid, she found herself back in the guestroom and looking at a short navy wool skirt with matching jacket neatly placed on the bed. In addition, there were two wisps of blue lace almost resembling a bra and panties bar the lack of material, a sheer silk blouse, and a set of nude stockings with a matching garter belt. A pair of patent leather sandals in the same colour scheme completed the look.
“Oh no! There is no way in hell that I am wearing that around you.” Lainey folded her arms tight across her chest and gave him a mutinous look. Her foot tapped out her agitation on the floor and it was a Beethoven 5th symphony type of tune—angry, fiery and passionate. Only, her refusal had no effect on him in the slightest.
Strolling casually past her, his hand reached out towards the ridiculous pair of panties and he rolled them slowly into a ball. He then strode into the en-suite bathroom followed by the sound of a flushing toilet.
“Naughty girls don’t get to wear panties,” he said as he returned, wearing a look of dark determination.
“I’m already wearing panties,” she bit out, “and I repeat, I am not wearing any of that.” She pointed to the garments on the bed in a fit of rage, in case he was in any doubt.
The infuriating vampire went back to the bed, plucked up the bra between his finger and thumb, and headed back to the bathroom. Lainey’s foot tapping became even more agitated but before she could hammer her foot through the floorboards, he was in front of her once again, crowding her in and sucking all of the air out of her body. He had to know the effect he had upon her because she was sure the bastard was doing it on purpose.
A single finger lifted her chin up so she had no choice but to look at him. “Before you act without thinking yet again, let me give you a little advice. In case it has escaped your notice, I am much stronger than you are and can move considerably faster. I can also control you, making you do all sorts of amusing things for my benefit, should the fancy take me. Let me give you a demonstration.”
With an infinitesimal flick of his finger, Lainey suddenly found that she couldn’t drag oxygen into her lungs. Somehow, without touching her, he had managed to close off her air supply and as her hand rushed to her throat in panic, she gurgled desperately. With another flick of his fingers, she dropped to her knees heavily, stretching her arms out and placing her head on the floor in a gesture of supplication.
“That’s how I like my women—obedient, docile, and begging for my attention. You might want to remember that if you’re intent on living a long and fulfilling life, because I’m your only hope at getting that wish, sweetheart.”
Just as Lainey was wondering whether she’d ever be able to draw another breath, he suddenly released his hold on her and drew his hand across her body in a flourish, once more pointing to the bed. “Now. Get. Changed.”
The menace in those words was unmistakable and Lainey drew frightened eyes towards his face. How could she argue with someone who had the capability to extinguish her life without a single second of remorse? For the time being, she was going to have to play ball but it didn’t mean she had to go down without a fight.
“Can you give me some privacy?” There was a tremor in her voice, which she couldn’t stop, but she still managed to get the words out with an impressive amount of sass.
Mercer countered with a dark unfriendly laugh. “I don’t think so, my little lioness. You lost that right as soon as your panties disappeared. I will not tolerate disobedience, and if you choose to test my patience then you can face the consequences. I suggest you hurry up too, because if you’re not fully dressed in the next thirty seconds, I will take on the delightful task of stripping and clothing you myself, and I don’t think you’ll like that very much.”
Lainey practically threw herself at the clothes on the bed after that barbed remark. Knowing there was no way out of the mess she had somehow found herself in, she tried to block the image of him standing behind her. It should have been easy. He was as silent as the dead, and just as immobile.
As she tore the black shirt from her body, uncaring as the buttons scattered all around her, she swore she could feel his smile burning into her back, branding her. Never had the urge to run been so hard to contain. Every atom in her body screamed at her to flee but she knew exactly how futile that would be, and the thought of being manhandled by the vampire was not a pleasant one.
Smashing her teeth together with more force than necessary, the cotton shirt fell to the floor and her bra swiftly followed. Already bemoaning the loss of her lingerie, she slid her arms into the smooth silk of the cream coloured blouse and began doing up the buttons. She groaned aloud when she saw it was completely transparent. Thank God, she had a suit jacket that she could button up over it. There was no way those buttons were coming undone whilst she was wearing it. It could be hotter than hades and she’d happily sunbathe in the thing. Kicking the ruined pumps off her feet, she tried her best to shimmy elegantly out of her jeans, but that wasn’t going to be possible without a fight. There was no hope for it. She was going to have to do some ass wiggling and bending over in order to get the skin-tight leggings off. Spitting, swearing, and cursing under her breath, it took a couple of moments before inspiration hit. She could lie on the bed and squirm out of them, but then she shuddered. Doing so would mean she would have to face him, and she knew he’d be staring at her so ass wiggling it was.
A few desperate lunges and contortionist moves finally freed the jeans. A shudder ran through her when she heard him speak. “Your panties too.”
She closed her eyes as if it would help ease the humiliation, and dragged her panties off. Now she faced the unenviable task of dragging a pair of stockings up her legs. Shaking her head, trying desperately hard not to think of the face behind her, she drew the nylons to thigh-height and attached the navy blue suspender belt that would hold them in place. Hooking up the front first, she then closed her eyes as she finished them off at the back, refusing to look at him. She did not miss his chuckle of amusement, which made her cringe.
With a new level of determination, Lainey donned the skirt and shoes in record time. Clenching her thighs together, horrified at her lack of panties, she wondered if was possible to murder someone who was already dead. It was a difficult problem, but one she was prepared to research. When she finally turned around to face him, she was wildly furious.
“Enjoy that, vamp?” Her eyebrows drew together in a fierce expression and the loathing she felt was almost tangible.
There was a twist to the corner of his lips before he slowly nodded.
“I’m glad, because that’s as close to my body as you’re ever going to get. I’d rather crawl through fire than have your hands anywhere near me,” she spat out with distaste.
Infuriatingly, he snorted and it was clear he was trying hard not to laugh.
“I’ll remind you of that fact in a few days’ time when you’re pleading and begging to fuck me.”
“Go to…” A raised hand stopped her from continuing.
“I’m already there, sweetheart. I’m already there. Now let’s get moving. We don’t have much time.”