Sweet Decadent Fire Read online

  She was on fire for him …

  Every inch of her flesh screamed for more

  He looked at her as if she were his world. When he pressed his lips against the corner of her mouth, she felt and heard a low growl rumble deep in his chest. The sound of it wrapped around her body and gently pulsated over her flesh in ways that made her feel delicious, intoxicating sensations she’d never even imagined experiencing.

  Rising onto the very tips of her toes, she slipped her arms around his neck and then, without any other thought than needing to get closer to him, she arched her body into his. He gently teased her lips with his, and then he kissed his way to her neck. She let the pleasure take her, let it wipe out all thought other than his hands and hot lips moving over her flesh. She was fully clothed, but his hands wandering, massaging, caressing every inch of her body, felt as if they were touching her bare flesh, wreaking such glorious havoc that her breaths were coming in short, ragged gasps.

  She felt something dark, powerful, and dominating shift inside him. It didn’t frighten her at all. In fact, it excited her. She moved her body against his as his teeth scraped her neck and his tongue soothed the sting. His hand gripped her thigh and lifted her leg to wrap it around his thigh. The feeling of her hot, throbbing core pressing against his was so unexpectedly erotic it nearly caused her to climax. Moist, beckoning heat gathered, pooled between her legs. She felt so empty, so needy. She ached to feel the weight of his body on top of hers. She ached for him to fill her.

  By the time he took possession of her mouth and his tongue parted her lips, she had completely forgotten that they were standing on a busy sidewalk. He wasn’t simply kissing her. His lips, his tongue, his hands were making love to her, worshipping her. The hot, passionate desire he displayed as he feasted her on mouth was the single most extraordinarily sensual experience she’d ever imagined. And she’d imagined many.

  On a breeze of hot, sensual bliss, she was soaring so incredibly high. She was on fire for him. Her entire body was so entirely aroused. Every inch of her flesh screamed for more. She wanted more. She needed so much more from him.

  Then, he went completely still. His arms briefly tightened around her, nearly crushing her to him. She felt deep, terrible anguish. She felt regret. Every muscle in her body tensed. She felt anger and frustration. But they weren’t hers. Somehow she knew the emotions belonged to him. She felt them for only a few seconds before he released her and took a step back.

  “I’m sorry.” She saw a mixture of pain and love in his eyes when he reached out for her as to take her in arms again, but then he stopped. “I shouldn’t have kissed you.” His arms folded behind his back, he looked down at her hand for a few seconds. And then, his expression void of any emotion, he met her gaze. He held out his hand for her. When she didn’t take it, he took her hand and led her into the restaurant.

  She could feel her heart racing. A kiss? It was only a kiss to him? In a state of shock, she followed his lead. To her it had been so much more than a kiss. If they’d continued, she would have … oh, God. It wasn’t just a kiss to her. It was so much more. It was a magical moment of … of sweet, decadent fires of desire merging.

  Also by Candice Stauffer

  Eternal Breath of Darkness

  What reviewers are saying

  about Eternal Breath of Darkness

  4 of 5 stars

  If you love romance novels for the hawt adult scenes,

  do not worry—there are plenty of those

  I am so glad that I read this book. In fact, I had a very hard time putting it down. The para elements were both familiar (vampire and witch and weres) and new (hot dragon/immortals). The minor characters were amazing. I am so excited this is going to be a series so I can learn more about them.

  Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading the next book when it is released.

  ~ Delphina, Delphina Reads Too Much Book Reviews

  5 of 5 Hearts

  Awesome Book!

  OMGosh this book takes you from the pits of a living hell on a journey of love, lust, passion, action-packed fight sequences, not mention very vivid, HOT, and Steamy Sex scenes! I am honored to have been able to Read~n~Review this book!

  The characters are personable, detailed and so realistic, that I found myself yelling at Caylee for being so stubborn by not making better choices, laughing when she teasingly shows Hayden her naught, and being terrified when her past is revealed or when she comes face to face with a very, lustful and twisted vampire!

  The world building is consistent, passionate, and spell-binding as Candice Stauffer creates a storyline with a powerful punch to entertain and intrigue the reader with the hope of more to come.

  I highly recommend this book! This is the first book of her series and what an introduction it is!

  ~ Wendy Lovetiggi Gonzales, Lovetiggi's Book Reviews

  Sweet, Decadent Fire

  By

  Candice Stauffer

  Sweet, Decadent Fire

  By Candice Stauffer

  www.candicestaufferparanormalromanceauthor.com

  Copyright © 2012 by Candice Stauffer

  Edited by: Karen Babcock

  Cover Artist: Kendra Egert

  All rights reserved

  Published in the United States of America

  March 2012

  Names, characters, and events depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

  Excerpt of Eternal Breath of Darkness

  Copyright © 2011 by Candice Stauffer

  Dedication

  For Tawnya, with much love.

  We live so far apart, but I think of you often.

  I hope to see you and get into a little trouble with you again soon.

  ~ One ~

  BITING BACK A CURSE, her body responding to the nearness of his with the most insatiable hunger, Lee Anne Parker frowned as she turned away from Jake Mann. Agreeing to meet him had been a terrible mistake. For a moment, she stared up at his reflection dwarfing hers in the restaurant window. Then, taking a deep breath and releasing it with a sigh, she closed her eyes to escape the image. Seeing him, hearing his voice, being so close to him, was too much for her to handle.

  An icy breeze came from out of nowhere, reminding her that by morning a late-winter blizzard was due to move over the area. She hated snow. She hated being cold. The one thing she remembered about the accident that brought Jake into her life was the slippery, snowy conditions that caused her car to slide off the road and roll several times before it landed upside down in a ravine.

  To keep her teeth from chattering, she clenched her jaw tightly. She couldn’t stop shivering, but it was only partially due to the cold and the dreadful memory. She was shaking because she was so mad at Jake. No. Not at Jake. She was mad at herself. He hadn’t forced her to meet him. He’d asked, and she, despite knowing better, had agreed.

  She felt the warmth of his body against her backside and knew he’d moved closer seconds before he took her shoulders and slowly turned her around to wrap his arms around her. “Tell me what’s bothering you, Lee Anne,” he whispered as he nuzzled his chin on the top of her head.

  Almost instantly, the heat of his body seeped into hers and pushed the cold out. Staying very still, her ear pressed against his chest, she closed her eyes and listened to the strong, steady beat
ing of his heart. Being in his arms was like being home. It felt so right, so perfect in every way. She wanted to remain as she was for forever, but she knew better. She couldn’t afford it.

  She wiggled out of his arms and took a step back. “It’s nothing,” she lied. “I’m just a bit tired.” Averting her gaze from his, she shrugged. “It was my first day back at work, and I had to make three home visits. On the third, I had no choice but to remove the children and place them in a foster home. It’s never an easy thing for me though I know it’s for the best. I wish there was more I could do for them.” She paused. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go on and on. It has been a long day. I need to go home and get some sleep.” She nodded as she looked up at him again. “Call me. We can meet up another day.”

  Jake tilted his head to the side and stared down at her for a moment. At first, as always, his eyes remained void of any real emotion as he met her gaze. “There’s no reason to be sorry. I enjoy listening to you. And don’t be so hard on yourself. You protect children when their parents are neglecting or otherwise abusing them.”

  Then his gaze narrowed on hers, and his expression turned into something dark and passionate.

  Everything, except for the sound of her heart beating a little too quickly, went totally silent. And yet, she knew they were surrounded by people. It was a busy part of the city. Vehicles drove past, and people chatted as they walked down the sidewalk.

  She moistened her suddenly dry lips with her tongue. Her breath caught in her throat when his hungry gaze jumped to her mouth and lingered there for a few seconds before he redirected his gaze to hers. Swallowing hard, searching for a hint that would reveal he was teasing her, she studied his face.

  “Jake.” His name came out sounding more like a breathless gasp when he reached out and tangled his fingers in her hair and dragged her to him.

  Staring into her eyes, he didn’t say word. His lips slowly parted and curved into a sensual smile that caused her pulse to skyrocket. Feeling awkward, she wanted to look away, but he was holding her gaze captive with his. She wished he would say something, anything to end the deafening silence.

  She waited, but he didn’t say a word. Her entire body was shuddering with insane, tumultuous need. A small part of her, self-preservation, tried to deny what was happening. It couldn’t be there. Any yet, it was. She saw the truth in his bluish silver eyes. He wanted her as much as she wanted him.

  He so very slowly, making it feel as if time were standing still, bent his head to get closer to her. She felt as if he were simply allowing himself to savor the moment. One thing was certain. She was fully taking pleasure in it. “I’ve never even imagined a more beautiful woman than you, Lee Anne.” His voice was a deep, throaty growl. The lusty sound of it caused so much passion to rise in her that she ached with wanting him to kiss her. “I’ve never wanted or needed a woman so entirely.”

  A short, bittersweet eternity passed before he finally kissed her forehead. Waiting for that first touch of his lips was so incredibly intense, the instant it happened sparks ignited a fire that burned in her blood. Allowing the flames to consume her, she moved closer to him. And then, when she felt his body shudder and his muscles tense in response to her body pressed into his, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to savor the sensation of it.

  She wasn’t sure when it happened, but he’d released her hair and framed her face with his hands to lift it to his. She opened her eyes and stared up at him. He looked at her as if she were his world. When he pressed his lips against the corner of her mouth, she felt and heard a low growl rumble deep in his chest. The sound of it wrapped around her body and gently pulsated over her flesh in ways that made her feel delicious, intoxicating sensations she’d never even imagined experiencing.

  Rising onto the very tips of her toes, she slipped her arms around his neck and then, without any other thought than needing to get closer to him, she arched her body into his. He gently teased her lips with his, and then he kissed his way to her neck. She let the pleasure take her, let it wipe out all thought other than his hands and hot lips moving over her flesh. She was fully clothed, but his hands wandering, massaging, caressing every inch of her body, felt as if they were touching her bare flesh, wreaking such glorious havoc that her breaths were coming in short, ragged gasps.

  She felt something dark, powerful, and dominating shift inside him. It didn’t frighten her at all. In fact, it excited her. She moved her body against his as his teeth scraped her neck and his tongue soothed the sting. His hand gripped her thigh and lifted her leg to wrap it around his thigh. The feeling of her hot, throbbing core pressing against his was so unexpectedly erotic it nearly caused her to climax. Moist, beckoning heat gathered, pooled between her legs. She felt so empty, so needy. She ached to feel the weight of his body on top of hers. She ached for him to fill her.

  By the time he took possession of her mouth and his tongue parted her lips, she had completely forgotten that they were standing on a busy sidewalk. He wasn’t simply kissing her. His lips, his tongue, his hands were making love to her, worshipping her. The hot, passionate desire he displayed as he feasted her on mouth was the single most extraordinarily sensual experience she’d ever imagined. And she’d imagined many.

  On a breeze of hot, sensual bliss, she was soaring so incredibly high. She was on fire for him. Every cell in her body was so entirely aroused. Every inch of her flesh screamed for more. She wanted more. She needed so much more from him.

  Then, he went completely still. His arms briefly tightened around her, nearly crushing her to him. She felt deep, terrible anguish. She felt regret. Every muscle in her body tensed. She felt anger and frustration. But they weren’t hers. Somehow she knew the emotions belonged to him. She felt them for only a few seconds before he released her and took a step back.

  “I’m sorry.” She saw a mixture of pain and love in his eyes when he reached out for her as to take her in arms again, but then he stopped. “I shouldn’t have kissed you.” His arms folded behind his back, he looked down at her hand for a few seconds. And then, his expression void of any emotion, he met her gaze. He held out his hand for her. When she didn’t take it, he took her hand and led her into the restaurant.

  She could feel her heart racing. A kiss? It was only a kiss to him? In a state of shock, she followed his lead. To her it had been so much more than a kiss. If they’d continued, she would have … oh, God. It wasn’t just a kiss to her. It was so much more. It was a magical moment of … of sweet, decadent fires of desire merging.

  ~ Two ~

  JAKE HAD A BIG problem on his hands, and he wasn’t sure how to handle it. Lee Anne had consumed a little too much wine. She rarely drank alcohol because it caused her, a normally rational and calm woman, to become argumentative, unpredictable, and entirely irrational. As an ancient vampire he was a powerful, cunning predator, but at the moment he felt more like cowering prey hiding underneath a bush.

  Appearing as if she were planning to jump across the table and rip him apart with her bare hands, Lee Anne glared at him. The silence dragged on a little too long for his liking. He’d already tried everything he could think of to distract her, though he wasn’t sure what he was distracting her from. It couldn’t have had anything to do that kiss, could it? Well, perhaps it was possible.

  “What the hell is wrong with you, Jake?” Frowning, she drew her bottom lip into her mouth and bit down on it hard enough to make her wince.

  Maybe the silence hadn’t been so bad after all. “What do mean?” It was a stupid question, but he didn’t have a choice. As mad as she seemed to be, pretending not to have heard her would’ve been even more stupid. At the moment he didn’t really want to know how much his kiss had upset her, but later, after she sobered up, he would happily discuss it. And she would come to agree that it had been a mistake.

  “What the hell is wrong with me?” Shaking her head, she leaned across the table. “Better yet, why the hell did I go through the torture of having my legs waxed?” />
  Yep. She was drunk. Heaving a deep, inward sigh, Jake nodded. It took a great deal of strength to keep from cracking a smile even as a sweat broke out on his body. Making it difficult, he knew a smile would most certainly send her spiraling into a passionate fit of rage. Oh, sure, she was beautiful when she was mad, but that wasn’t what was making it difficult.

  Deep down, he was happy she was suffering because of the kiss they’d shared. Selfish? Oh, yeah. Definitely. Cruel? Perhaps. But there was no good reason for him to suffer alone. Besides, knowing she wanted him as much as he wanted her felt good.

  He should’ve resisted the urge to kiss her, but in that moment he hadn’t had the strength. He was well aware she had been purposely avoiding him since her release from the hospital. It was for the best. He should’ve left it alone … left her alone. He could’ve easily gone back to secretly watching over her. But he couldn’t do it. He was addicted to her companionship.

  During her recovery, they’d spent countless hours together. He’d never been the type of man who needed friends. But the more they were together, the more his feelings for her grew into something so stirring he actually looked forward to spending time with her. He wanted her and she wanted him, but he’d never acted on it until he kissed her outside the restaurant.

  It was a moment of weakness that never should’ve happened. When he’d received the assignment from Jeremy Lang, one of the higher-ups in the secret vampire society Blood Brotherhood, it had sounded so simple: watch over and guard Lee Anne, preferably without her awareness. For years he’d done just that. And then he went and did the unthinkably stupid.

  He’d fallen in love with her.