Exquisite Breath of Darkness Read online

  Contents

  Exquisite Breath of Darkness

  “I need to feel every inch of your skin against mine.”

  Also by Candice Stauffer

  What reviewers are saying about Candice’s books

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  ~ One ~

  ~ Two ~

  ~ Three ~

  ~ Four ~

  ~ Five ~

  ~ Six ~

  ~ Seven ~

  ~ Eight ~

  ~ Nine ~

  ~ Ten ~

  ~ Eleven ~

  ~ Twelve ~

  ~ Thirteen ~

  ~ Fourteen ~

  ~ Fifteen ~

  ~ Sixteen ~

  ~ Seventeen ~

  ~ Eighteen ~

  ~ Nineteen ~

  ~ Twenty ~

  Hot, Decadent Rising (unedited)

  Eternal Breath of Darkness

  ~ One ~

  Sweet, Decadent Fire

  ~ One ~

  ~ Two ~

  About Candice Stauffer

  Exquisite Breath of Darkness

  “I need to feel every inch of your skin against mine.”

  She rushed him and, with a burst of lycan strength, took him down onto the floor.

  For a few seconds, she sat motionless, her gaze not once wavering from his. He’d never even imagined a more exquisite woman. From the moment he’d first taken her hand at the cemetery six months ago, she’d become as essential to him as the air he breathed. For many years he thought he would never find a love as strong and as pure as her love. Now, he couldn’t fathom a life without her. He never wanted to try.

  Too afraid to move, to touch her, to do anything that might stop her, he kept his fists clenched as his sides. He watched. He waited. He hoped for more. The sight of her on top of him, looking down at him with so much love and lust in her eyes, stole his breath away. It was his perfect fantasy made reality. He’d never experienced anything nearly as glorious until she reached down to touch him.

  Her fingers never stopped touching his body, moving over him, exploring him with such obvious fascination and hunger that he was trembling with pleasure, with anticipation for more. “I really want to hate you right now, Joseph. I can’t believe I’m burning up for you like this. I’m going crazy. I’m not even sure of what to do with you.” Moving slowly, she leaned down, stretching her body over his. “I’ve never needed anything more than I need you right now. I have to touch you.”

  Her breath was deliciously hot against his skin as her lips moved from the base of his throat to his jaw. “Oh, damn, Mia.” Closing his eyes, he savored the sensation of her mouth and tongue playing over his skin. He knew he needed to stop her. “Mia.” Her name came out sounding like a strangled groan. Her teeth gently teased his chin, jaw, neck, and ear. “Wait.” His pulse thundered in his ears. Nothing inside him wanted to detour her from touching him. How the hell was he going to regain control of his body’s demand for her?

  “I feel alive when I’m with you.” Her fingers worked on unknotting his tie until she’d pulled it off. She framed his face with her hands. “Look at me, Joseph.” He opened his eyes. “Stop holding back. I need you to touch my body, every part of my body. Lose control with me. I need to feel every inch of your skin against mine. Need me, burn for me like I’m burning up for you.” Her mouth felt heavenly in the most sinful of ways feeding on him as her fingers worked to undo his shirt buttons. “Touch me, Joseph.”

  Also by Candice Stauffer

  Eternal Darkness Series

  Eternal Breath of Darkness

  Sweet, Decadent Fire (novelette)

  What reviewers are saying about Candice’s books

  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 Zmom Miyares, Delphina Reads Too Much

  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 Nielson, Lovetiggi’s Book Reviews

  5/5 stars

  I highly recommend this new series from Candice Stauffer

  I loved this book so much. I was hooked from the start and loved the ride Candice took me on while reading. This book is for adults as the sex scenes are HOT!!! And the lead male Haden is even HOTTER!!!

  I love the spin Candice puts in this book with the demons. She has them as savers of our world instead of wanting to destroy it and everyone in their path. The characters are flawed but that is what makes them perfect. I was drawn into Caylee and Haden’s world … I love the side characters just as much and cannot wait for their stories to be told. We get just enough about them that leaves you wanting more of this amazing world Candice has written. I highly recommend this new series from Candice Stauffer. She is a Must watch author.

  ~ Sabrina Ford, Paranormal Reads

  Sweet, Decadent Fire

  What a wonderful short read!

  I loved Candice's first book, so when I saw she had released this vampire tale, I had to buy it immediately. The story flowed beautifully and brought me back to the world of her novel. The beautiful thing about this piece is that you did not need to read her novel to have background for the story. It is a complete work, in and of itself. Also, my favorite character (Mia) from her novel made an appearance which filled my desire to learn more about Mia, as I desperately away the release of her next book, which I believe will feature Mia :). This is a great choice if you want a short vampire read, want to read more from Candice, or want to see if Candice's style is one that you would enjoy.

  ~ Delphina Zmom Miyares, Delphina Reads Too Much

  Exquisite Breath of Darkness

  By

  Candice Stauffer

  Copyright Page

  Exquisite Breath of Darkness

  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

  July 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 Hot, Decadent Rising

  Copyright © 2012 by Candice Stauffer

  Excerpt of Eternal Breath of Darkness

  Copyright © 2011 by Candice Stauffer

  Excerpt of Sweet, Decadent Fire

  Copyright © 2012 by Candice Stauffer

  Dedication

  For my brilliant, always vigilant editor, Karen Babcock … Every writer needs a talented hero or heroine to achieve his or her dream of getting it all down in a way that makes sense; thank you for being mine.

  ~ One ~

  “C’MON, MIA. YOU pinky promised. How can I take you at your word if you go back on it? Do it for me. Do it for us.”

  “No.”

  “What future will we have if I can’t trust you? Just take one itsy bitsy taste.”

  “Never.”

  Reaching out as if to grab her, Joseph took a step closer. Mia swore under her breath and took two steps back.

  “Stay away from me with that slimy thing.” She had to find a way to make him forget it, because there was no way she could overpower or outrun him. “It’s not happening.”

  “I’ll make it super-easy for you. Just put the tip of it in your mouth.”

  “Forget it! If you want to torture someone, find someone else to suck on it.” Frowning, she stared down at the abominable weapon clutched in his fist, and then she looked up to meet his gaze. “I’m serious, Joseph. Put the damn thing away. I can’t believe you’re even touching it. I sure as hell don’t want the nasty thing in my mouth.”

  “There’s nothing nasty about it,” he said. “It’s a magnificent, delicious gift from Mother Nature. And I’ve even heard it’s good for your immune system.”

  “That … that thing is not a gift.” Her entire body shuddering in disgust, she pointed at it. “That is a grotesque example of Mother Nature’s sick, twisted sense of humor.” Pleased with her definition of it, she smiled. “And Mother Nature can kiss my ass. I don’t want it.”

  He stared at her as if he were considering her words. Behind her back, she crossed her fingers. Then he smiled that sexy, naughty smile of his and opened his big, fat mouth to crush all hope of him being anything other than the wicked demon he was. “Do I get to watch?”

  “I don’t get it. I’m actually shocked. I shouldn’t be shocked. But I am.” She took a step toward him because she needed to get closer to rip him apart. Realizing too late she was doing exactly what he wanted her to do, she pounced on him, but he had her on her back, his muscular thighs straddling her belly, before she had any chance of inflicting a single wound on him.

  “Be a big girl and open your mouth wide, Mia.”

  “Get it out of my face!” She tried to smack it away but he moved it out of her reach. “It’s … ugh. Gross. It’s wet. Damn it, Joseph. Stop laughing at me. This is not funny.” Gagging and spitting, she wiped her tongue with the back of her hand. “It dripped in my mouth.” Stomach churning, bile rising in her throat, she continued to gag and spit.

  “Then you know how yummy it is.”

  “It’s gross. I’m going to puke.” Closing her eyes and shaking her head back and forth, she dug her fingernails into his thighs.

  “A promise is a promise. I ate yours, and now you’re going to eat mine. Open wide.” She couldn’t believe he had the nerve to rub the nasty, stinky thing across her lips. “Just put the tip of it in your mouth.”

  Covering her mouth, she turned her head to the side. “Get it the hell away from me, Joseph! I’m going to puke all over you! I’m serious! It smells like rotten ass!”

  “I’m tempted to ask, but I am not sure I want to know where you’ve been sniffing around,” he teased. “I just might get jealous.”

  “Touch me with that thing once more, and I’m going to bite you.” Baring her teeth to reveal her determination, she glared up at him. “Hard. Real hard. And it’s going to hurt like hell.”

  “I hope you do, and I hope it does.” He laughed out loud. “Say it again. I love it when you talk dirty to me.”

  Infuriated by his taunting, she started bucking and thrashing around, wilding flailing her arms and legs. Eventually she managed to get out from between his thighs, but it wasn’t much of a victory at all because he managed to out-maneuver her and get his body between her thighs. “Calm down, Mia. You’re going to get another rug burn if you don’t stop throwing a temper tantrum,” he warned. “And then I’m going to feel guilty. And a guilty conscience can be damaging to man’s soul. Don’t you care about the well-being of my self-esteem?”

  “Nope. Not even a little bit.” She knew only one thing had any real hope of stopping him, but it was the one thing she couldn’t force herself to do. How did women force themselves to cry? If only she knew how. “Why should I give a damn about your feelings? You don’t care about mine.” Changing tactics, she pulled her legs up and pressed her six-inch stiletto heels against his chest to push him back as she struggled to wiggle out from beneath him. “Get off!”

  “Damn, Mia.” Grinning, he bent his head to look down heels digging into his chest. “You’re one flexible woman. I like it. Flexible is good. Real good.”

  “I’m going to kill you, Joseph. I’m not kidding. If you don’t get off me right now I’m going to kill you.”

  “Stop acting like an overly dramatic, hormonal female. There’s no reason for you to get all worked up.” He pulled her legs down and straddled her belly again. “I’m doing this for your own good. You’re going to fall in love with it. Just one more teeny tiny taste, and you’ll be addicted forever. Now stop clenching your jaw and open your mouth.”

  When he put it too close to her mouth she covered her mouth with her left hand. “You’re too heavy. I can’t breathe. Get off.”

  “Not until you wrap your lips around it.” He pulled her hand away from her mouth, so she covered it with her other hand.

  “Knock it off, Joseph.” She smacked his hand when he reached for her hand again. “It isn’t happening.” Somehow he’d managed to get both of her hands in one of his and held them above her head. “It’s too … oh, damn it. Why can’t you just understand that it’s too much? I can’t do it. Please, just get it away from me. ”

  “You’ll feel much better once it’s over.”

  “But it’s huge.”

  “It isn’t all that big. I’ve had bigger.” He winked. “Much bigger. Stop being such a baby.” He rested it on top of her chin. “Just lick it once. You promised you’d give it a try.”

  “I lied.”

  “Lying is a sin.”

  “So what? You’re a demon. That has to be worse than committing a li’l sin.”

  “Mia?” Julie knocked on the office door and then, rather than wait for a response, opened it and walked inside. “Are you … oh. Oh, my goodness. I’m sorry, Mia. I heard you yelling, and I heard a man’s voice. I didn’t know it was Joseph. It sounded like you were being … Mia, it didn’t sound good at all. A few customers came in, and I think they heard you because they ran out so fast. I wouldn’t have come in if … I mean, I didn’t know you and Joseph were … um.” Julie shook her head. “Wow. This is quite possibly the most awkward moment ever.” Cheeks flushed, she covered her mouth with her hand to suppress her laughter. “Is that a pickle?”

  Joseph looked up at Julie and grinned. “Yes. And Mia is going to—”

  “Get off!” The instant he’d focused his attention on Julie, Mia slapped the abomination out of Joseph’s hand and sent it sailing across the office to land at Julie’s feet. Then she shoved Joseph as hard as she could, but he didn’t budge one damn inch. “Now!”

  Joseph didn’t even pretend to hide his amusement as he looked down at Mia. “That wasn’t very nice, angel,” he teased. “You just threw a pickle at your friend.”

  Mia knew he was purposely attempting to piss her o
ff by using his pet name for her in front of Julie. And it worked, though she kept proof of it from her expression. She wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d managed to humiliate her.

  He continued, “I didn’t act all bitchy when you made me eat that icky frozen cardboard pizza.”

  Julie’s startled gasp was quite audible. Mia turned her head to Julie. “It’s okay, honey. Go on out and keep an eye on things. I’ll be out in a minute.” Once Julie shut the door, Mia glared up at Joseph. “Did you just call me a bitch?”

  Joseph stood and brought her up with him. He pulled her into his arms and tried to kiss her, but she shoved at his chest. “Did you?”

  “Not at all.” He pulled her close and touched his lips to her ear. “Well, not really. I said you were acting bitchy. You know, moody. Hormonal.”

  “No, I wasn’t. You were trying to shove a pickle down my throat.”

  “Kiss me.”

  “No way.” But she lifted her head to kiss him because she couldn’t resist him.

  He brushed his lips against hers and whispered, “I love you, Mia.” And that was it. She wanted more, but he didn’t give it. Releasing her, he took a step back. “I’m running late for an appointment. I’ll see you later.” A coppery-colored mist formed around him and seemed to swallow him up as he vanished.

  She stood staring for several moments at the spot where he’d disappeared. She was actually mad. Very mad. Why was he in such a rush? He was acting strange. The kiss was all wrong; it was cold. And then for him to just leave as he did was very unlike him. Wait. Why was she mad? That too was odd.